Saturday 20 December 2008

Appologies in advance for the lack of updates over the next two weeks, as I will be away birding somewhere a little warmer. Please still send any sightings to me or Steve (just dont find anything too good while im not around!).
L Johnson...

December 20th

Another brief scan of the main pool this morning produced 12 Wigeon at the western end and 2 LBB Gull in the centre of the pool. A single Bullfinch and a Goldcrest were present around the car park.
L Johnson...

Thursday 18 December 2008

December 18th

A brief check at midday saw the 3 Greylag Geese back on the main pool and 25+ Lapwing flying around distantly to the north of the site. The main pool however was generally very quiet again.
L Johnson...

Tuesday 16 December 2008

December 16th

Both pools were quiet again this morning with only 7 wigeon, 20+ Pochard and 30+ Tufted duck. 1 Lesser redpoll was at the eastern end of the small pool. Other species of note were 7 Goldcrest, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Willow Tit and 3 Yellowhammer (over).
L Johnson...

Monday 15 December 2008

December 15th

Very little of note again today. Duck numbers dropped again after the sailing at the weekend, with only around 20 Tufted duck and 10 Pochard. 400+ Wood pigeon flew over heading north and 4 Goldcrest along the north shore of the main pool were the only things worth a mention.
L Johnson...

Saturday 13 December 2008

December 13th

A brief check of the main pool in the rain this morning produced a single drake Goosander at the western end. The 3 Greylags were still present with the Canada Goose flock. Aside from these the pool seemed very quiet. 400+ Wood Pigeon flew over heading north.
L Johnson...

Thursday 11 December 2008

December 11th

A single drake Shovler was present briefly on the main pool early morning before flying off towards Ladywalk. After the good count of Teal earlier in the week one drake Teal was all that was left on the small pool today. 37 Wigeon and a drake Gadwall were also present on the small pool. 2 Mistle Thrush flew over the western end of the main pool. Also present this morning were Nuthatch, 5 Goldcrest, Treecreeper, 6 Bullfinch, 4 Siskin, Kingfisher and a Grey Wagtail.
L Johnson...

Monday 8 December 2008

December 8th

Numbers of Wigeon had increased this morning, with 46 now present, mostly on the small pool. A good site count of 7 Teal were also present on the small pool, and a single drake Ruddy Duck was on the main pool. Other species noted this morning were 3 Greylag Goose, 12 Pochard, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper and a Yellowhammer (over).
L Johnson...

Friday 5 December 2008

December 5th

Once again a large group of Gulls dropped on to the main pool mid morning. 17 Herring Gull and 4 Common gull were mixed in with the flock. A nice surprise was a rather inquisitive Weasel at the eastern end. The Weasel bounded towards me down the path before stopping just 2 meters from my feet, it then circled me keeping at a 2 meter distance before running off again down the path. Wish i'd have had the camera with me. Duck numbers had decreased with only 5 Pochard and 14 Wigeon, there was also no sign of any Ruddy Duck. 1 Redpoll and 10 Siskin flew over the eastern end, it appears that the main flock are now favouring somewhere further along the river to feed. Also noted this morning were 2 Treecreeper, 5 Goldcrest, 3 Nuthatch and 2 Buzzard.
L Johnson...

Wednesday 3 December 2008

December 3rd

After last nights temperature the south east end of the main pool was still frozen over this morning. Again the cold weather had improved duck numbers, with 5 Ruddy Duck (1 drake, 4 duck) on the main pool. Wigeon had increased to 17 on the small pool along with a female Teal, however no Gadwall were present. The 3 Greylag Geese have returned to the main pool, in with the Canada Goose flock. At around 11 o'clock a sizable group of Gulls dropped on to the main pool with at least 13 Herring Gull, 22 LBB Gull and 4 Common Gull. The Siskin flock to the east of the small pool was highly mobile this morning, a minimum of 4 Lesser Redpoll were mixed in with the flock however the true number may have been much higher. A further single Redpoll flew high over the western end of the main pool. Other species noted were 1 Willow Tit, 9 Goldcrest, 2 Nuthatch and a Sparrowhawk.
L Johnson...

Monday 1 December 2008

December 1st

Upon arival this morning 2 drake Goosander were present at the western end of the main pool. These are presumably the same two drakes that have been present further north along the valley for over a week. Another surprise this morning was the sudden sharp rise in Wigeon numbers, with 11 present on the small pool and a further 3 on the main pool, probably a result of the recent cold weather. Other species noted this morning were 14 Pochard, 2 Gadwall, 4+ Goldcrest and 3+ Siskin.
L Johnson...