29th February 2012
– Remaining mild, cloudy a.m., sunny intervals p.m., light westerly wind.
A calling Curlew flew over at 2 p.m., there were still 90 Lapwings on the Railway Pool islands, a few already paired up and at least three Snipe sat cryptically in the Marsh. An elusive Jack Snipe again refused to show for the writer and predictably appeared after I left!
Also, by the Railway Pool, a flock of 27 Starlings fed on the islands and six Stock Doves fed together on the banks. A Nuthatch called and a Great Spotted Woodpecker drummed from the tall willows near the south-west pond and ten Meadow Pipits fed around Car Park Pool.
There was a good record at the end of the day in the shape of a Pink-footed Goose which flew over Railway Pool with six Greylags at 5.20 p.m.
28th February 2012
– Mild, mostly overcast.
A Curlew flew over at 8.30 a.m. but aside from that it was much the same with five Snipe, a single Shelduck and Oystercatcher.
27th February 2012
– Overcast, light and cool westerly wind.
In amongst the many Black-headed Gulls on Railway Pool this morning, there were 13Common Gulls but birds were coming and going all the time. A Water Rail called from the Reedbed and there were a pair of Lesser Redpolls on the central streamline.
Later in the morning a Green Sandpiper flew over and there was an estimated 500 Wood Pigeons in or around Siden Hill Wood. A Raven also flew over there. Two pairs of Bullfincheswere seen, along with Green Woodpecker, a pair of Oystercatchers, three Shelduck, sixSnipe, a pair of Great Crested Grebes and three Dabchicks.
26th February 2012
– Mostly sunny, light and cool westerly wind.
The Jack Snipe showed in the Marsh between 2 and 3 in the afternoon. Oystercatchers were up to three, the pair of Great Crested Grebes were displaying again on Car Park Pool and there were 11 Common Snipe, split six in the Marsh and five in front of Car Park Hide. TenCommon Gulls roosted briefly on the Railway Pool and six Fieldfares and seven Redwingswere along the concrete road, along with a Treecreeper.
Last, but not least, two Curlew flew north at 12.55.
25th February 2012
– Frosty and sunny.
A Ringed Plover was about early on, but soon departed, and there was at least one pair ofOystercatchers on the islands. Great Crested Grebes were displaying on Car Park Pool and one flock of 20 Lesser Redpolls showed on the central stream with either part of that flock or an additional ten seen later.
The bird of the day, however, was the 194th for the Reserve. A flock of 30 to 40 large Gulls, mostly Herrings and Lesser Black-backs was picked up over Siden Hill Wood and as the flock drifted over the north end of the Reserve an Iceland Gull was picked out amongst the others. The bird then drifted north over the Reserve. A great find from Graham Rowling and Dave Scanlon.
A few Thrushes were on the move with 16 Fieldfares and 23 Redwings north and the sunny weather was good enough to bring out a Small Tortoiseshell along the concrete road. Other counts included three Heron, 18 Cormorant, two Great Crested Grebes, four Dabchick, two Greylags, two Shelduck, 212 Wigeon, 26 Gadwall, 127 Teal, 30 Mallard, 26Shoveler, 19 Pochard, 46 Tufted, 59 Coot, six Moorhen, 199 Lapwing, ten Snipe, 350Black-headed Gulls, 11 Common Gulls, 25 to 30 Lesser Black-backs, ten Herring Gulls, a Raven, a Grey Wagtail, a Black Swan, 11 Yellowhammers, three Skylarks, aTreecreeper (concrete road) and two Bullfinch on the Old Road.
In the afternoon, the Jack Snipe showed again from Oak Hide and there was a Nuthatch on the feeder.
24th February 2012
– Mostly sunny morning, clouding over in the afternoon, north-westerly wind. 12 degrees.
Two Shelducks, an Oystercatcher and a trickle of Gulls through all morning was the most noteworthy of the birds first thing.
A Weasel showed well in the Marsh at 9.45 a.m., and there were also ten Snipe there. AKingfisher showed well in the afternoon. Having been common in the early part of the year, this species has become scarcer and has presumably reverted to the river. There was a juvenile female Peregrine around in the afternoon as well and the drained Reedbed was to the liking ofGrey Wagtails with three there and also four Pied Wagtails. Two Green Sandpipers put in a brief appearance before flying off to the north.
The Reedbed Pool has been drained, the Carp removed and the pool is now being flooded.
23rd February 2012
– Warm, sunny, light south westerly. Temperatures up to 17°C
The lovely mild spring like weather was the predictable but no less welcome pre cursor to the arrival of the first Ringed Plover of the spring. The arrival so quickly on the change in the weather must surely indicate that our birds winter on one of the nearby coasts.
Later in the day a very unseasonal Greenshank was reported and there were also threeShelducks, a pair of Oystercatchers, two Common Gulls, a Green Woodpecker, sixYellowhammers and a Fox.
22nd February 2012
– Wet and windy, south-westerly wind.
The Jack Snipe showed intermittently from Oak Hide during the morning but could often be elusive. Otherwise there were just two male Shelducks on Car Park Pool, an adult HerringGull went over and there were still at least six Yellowhammers in the crop field.
In the late afternoon a male Peregrine landed on the edge of the railway arch over the river. This is a location worth checking as birds have been seen here before. Other records of note included a pair of Goosanders and 270 Wigeon.
21st February 2012
– Dully but dry.
A Curlew went over in the morning and, in the afternoon, a Jack Snipe showed well intermittently from Oak Hide. At one stage it was flushed by a Water Rail but fortunately soon reappeared. There were also four Common Snipe and 240 Lapwing along with a Great Crested Grebe, a Shelduck and four Buzzards.
20th February 2012
-Mostly overcast, a cold south-westerly wind
Shelduck were up to three this morning, the pair of Oystercatchers were again present along with eight Snipe, a pair of Green Woodpeckers, a Sparrowhawk and a singing Skylark by the Aeromodellers.
19th February 2012
– Sunny, after light snow and frost, cool north-westerly wind.
Despite the cold weather there was a feeling of Spring in the air with plenty of bird song and displaying Black-headed Gulls on Railway Pool. Goldfinches were particularly noticeable with at least four pairs scattered around the Reserve and a pair of Mistle Thrushes were together by the lorry park.
The pair of Oystercatchers were together on Railway Pool for the first time this year and there was also a Drake Shelduck present.
In the crop field there were 11 Yellowhammers, a single Linnet and a Siskin flew over.
At 10.10, a first-winter Yellow-legged Gull flew south.
18th February 2012
– Cloudy and wet in the morning, sunny intervals in the afternoon, north-westerly wind.
250 Wood Pigeons moved north-east at first light, suggesting birds moving back north.
The windy conditions again triggered some Gull movement with 160 Black-headed Gulls, 37Common Gulls (the best count for some weeks), eight Herring Gulls, ten Lesser Black-backs and two adult Great Black-backs moved through or roost on the Reserve.
The Saturday counts were as follows: three Herons, eight Cormorants, one Dabchick, fourMute Swans, two Greylags, four Canadas, a Shelduck, 252 Wigeon, 33 Gadwall, 103Teal, 36 Mallard, 21 Shoveler, 13 Pochard, 21 Tufted Duck, 63 Coot, eight Moorhen, 74Lapwing and five Snipe.
A pair of Treecreepers were again on the Old Road by the top gate and raptors included threeBuzzards and a Sparrowhawk.
17th February 2012
– Light, cool south westerly, occasional sunny periods
The Oystercatcher reappeared on Railway Pool after an absence of a few days and there was a drake Shelduck as well. At least 15 Yellowhammers, some Chaffinches and Reed Buntings were in the crop field and at least 20 Fieldfares were on the move over the flood plain.
The Little Owl, by the model aircraft field, was a good find for this now scarce species at the Reserve.
There was another excellent count of Wigeon, with 350 around the Reserve or along the flood plain. Six Snipe showed from Oak Hide, there were a pair of Treecreepers again by the top gate, a mixed flock of Goldfinches and Siskins along the concrete road, 20 Shoveler, 80Lapwing and four Meadow Pipits by the car park.
16th February 2012
– Mild, light westerly mostly overcast
A pair of Goosander on Railway Pool were the best birds of the day with a supporting cast of aGrey Wagtail by the bale store a Goldcrest along the Concrete Road and three Meadow Pipits, a Buzzard and 20 Yellowhammers (one of which was in song) around the Car Park and crop field.
15th February 2012
– Sunny morning, overcast afternoon, strong north-westerly wind.
A strong wind and milder conditions has broken up most of the ice on most on the pools, but there was little out of the ordinary on either of the pools. A pair of Ravens flew over the Dragonfly Pond in the late morning and the Egyptian Geese were again present as yesterday.
14th February 2012
– High cloud, light northerly wind.
There is an increasing amount of open water now on all pools, including a small patch just in front of Car Park Hide. After two Saturday wildfowl counts with no Mallard, there were 34 this morning along with 33 Shoveler and a good collection of other wildfowl but, regrettably, no sign of the Smew.
A Sparrowhawk had caught something by the car park feeder and there were at least 10Yellowhammers just south of it. A Stock Dove flew over and, of other passerines, there were three Skylarks above the car park and tip area, including one in song. There was still a singleGreat Crested Grebe. The two Egyptian Geese were again on the flood plain just north of Car Park Pool.
13th February 2012
– Drizzly start, brighter later, north-westerly wind, 8°C.
One of the Whooper / Mute hybrids was again present. Having looked at photographs kindly supplied by Helen Baxter, I do think, in fact, that these birds present on and off for a few days are in fact the long standing birds and not new ones.
A Water Rail showed again in the Marsh, there was a male Shelduck on Railway Pool and aKestrel put in a rare appearance.
12th February 2012
– Overcast light rain in the afternoon, northerly.
Cold weather to the east brought in three drake Smew. A great find by Brian Harris and only the second record for the Reserve after the last in 1999! The birds were present until 10am. They had looked settled but prior to 10am they flew off but returned twice, only to depart finally on the third occasion. At one stage it looked like they might land on the River but in the end they kept going.
A pair of Egyptian Geese were again present with the Greylags on the flood plain and, very unseasonally, a Chiffchaff called in the garden to the entrance gate cottage. Other birds of note included a singing Siskin by the back gate and a Grey Wagtail at Patricks Farm.
A Raven fed on a dead Greylag, opposite Car Park Hide, in the afternoon.
11th February 2012
– Sunny but cold – minus 9°C
The first day of sun was welcome after the rather grey conditions of the last few days. Nevertheless, a still testing -9°C commenced the day and the birds were mostly feeding in the sun, notably in Siden Hill Wood where 30-40 mixed Thrushes and Tits were mostly on the east side.
Ten attended the open morning on the west side and they were rewarded with fine views of the female Peregrine, both in flight and perched. A Grey Wagtail showed briefly by the pumping station and a Fox, on Lower Siden, scampered into the wood as the hide flaps opened.
The cold weather has led to a change in the wildfowl numbers. Wigeon shot up to 360 from 210 last week, Shoveler were much the same, a female Goosander roosted briefly on Railway Pool but most other numbers were down and still no Mallard. 420 Greylags plus 142Canadas were both high counts for this winter and yesterday’s pair of Egyptian Geese were again present on the flood plain favouring the area of the autumn cattle feeder (just north of Car Park Pool).
100 Chaffinches in the crop field was another good finch count, there were 10 Siskin in the Alders near the lorry park and three Lesser Redpolls and five Goldfinches along the concrete road.
10th February 2012
– Overnight snow, cold, wet and icy.
A pair of Egyptian Geese were unexpected finds amongst the Greylags on the flood plain, whilst six Meadow Pipits were by the car park, and a single Great Crested and Little Grebejoined the wildfowl. 40 Black-headed Gulls and singles each of Common and Lesser Black-backed Gull were on Railway Pool.
60 Chaffinches fed in the crop field but compared to the 20 – 30 of the last few days, only twoYellowhammers was disappointing.
9th February 2012
No Records.
8th February 2012
– Remaining mostly overcast and cold.
Siden Hill Wood held 12 Redwing, three Jay and two each of Nuthatch and Treecreeper, plus plenty of Great and Blue Tits.
7th February 2012
– Remaining cold.
A reasonable area of open water remains on Railway Pool and the Marsh is also open. There were plenty of wildfowl, gulls and geese on Railway Pool and three Great Crested Grebes, obviously displaced from elsewhere, were also present.
Later in the day a Curlew flew over going north and the regular female Peregrine “buzzed” the tip field. Three drake Goosander roosted on the open water on Railway Pool and Great Crested Grebes increased to four. Two Meadow Pipits remain, despite the cold weather.
6th February 2012
– Overcast and cold.
Two pairs of Bullfinches were at Patrick Farm and eight Snipe flew over the Old Road. There were 15 Goldfinches on the Reserve, two Meadow Pipits by the car park and two Shelduckon Railway Pool.
5th February 2012
– 4 inches of snow, cold.
The two Whooper / Mute hybrids were about again with 20 Snipe, a Sparrowhawk, fourBuzzards, 80 Black-headed Gulls, six Lapwing, 20 Fieldfare, ten Redwing and 26Yellowhammers.
4th February 2012
– Very cold with snow spreading in from lunchtime onwards.
Two Swans resembling Whoopers were on Railway Pool first thing in the morning but after some consideration and the unusual features on the bills, they were identified as two Whooper Mute hybrids, one of which had a Darvic yellow ring on it, with the initials “CAN”. Neither of these birds are the usual hybrids that have been around for many years, although not actually seen now for some months.
The other counts were: one Little Grebe, seven Cormorants over, a Heron, five Mutes one black, a Mute black hybrid, 94 Greylags, 12 Farmyard Geese, 210 Wigeon, 50 Gadwall, 37Teal (no Mallard), 28 Shoveler, eight Tufted, ten Moorhen, 91 Coot, five Lapwing, fiveSnipe, 45 Black-headed Gulls, one Common Gull, one Lesser Black-back over, twoHeron over, two Buzzard, a Sparrowhawk, 120 Fieldfare over, ten Redwing, two Siskinon the central stream, 27 Yellowhammer on the crop field, a Collared Dove over Railway Pool, a female House Sparrow by the cottages and two Shelduck.
3rd February 2012
– Cold and still frosty.
The cold weather has, as yet, not pulled in any more Yellowhammers than recently, with about 15 this morning, but Chaffinch numbers were slightly up with a minimum of 45 and there were at least ten Linnets with them.
The only area of open water is restricted to Railway Pool, where a varied collection of wildfowl included 24 Shoveler, six Canadas and there were also two Common Gulls. A minimum of six Snipe were in the Marsh.
Two flocks of Goldfinches totalling 26 were on the central stream and the concrete road.
The hedge-layers have virtually finished the stretch along the Kenilworth Road and, interestingly, the plants appear to have been a hybrid type of Hawthorn imported from Holland in the 70’s when supplies were at a premium, due to the road building programme. The hybrids have fewer thorns and produce fewer flowers and berries but, nevertheless, it is laying well.
2nd February 2012
– Cold, frosty start, with some sunny spells.
No records.
1st February 2012
– Cold, frosty, mostly sunny.
A juvenile female Peregrine flew over Railway Pool and spent part of the afternoon in Siden Hill Wood. There were two Shelducks, an Oystercatcher on Car Park Pool, three maleBullfinches along the central stream and a flock of 29 Redwings.
