31st January 2015
– Mostly cloudy, cold, blustery north-westerly wind.
The better birds today were a single female Goosander on Railway Pool for much of the day, aWoodcock which flew across Car Park Pool and dropped onto the railway embankment at about 11.20, and a Barnacle Goose of unknown origin which was feeding on the floodplain in amongst the Canadas and remained until early afternoon.
Other counts today were as follows: 44 Cormorants, three Herons, 24 Mute Swans, theBlack Swan, 19 Greylags, 98 Canadas, 111 Wigeon, 286 Teal, 17 Gadwall, 27 Mallard, 13 Shoveler, 23 Pochard including the bird with the nasal saddle, 18 Tufted, five Moorhen, 35 Coot, 11 Snipe in the Marsh, 42 Lapwing, a Sparrowhawk, a Shelduck, 20 Redwingand 30 Starlings on the tip field, a male Yellowhammer in the crop field and a Song Thrushby the back gate. A Fox also showed on the tip field.
In the late afternoon, 140 Black-headed Gulls and 24 Common Gulls were feeding on Car Park Pool with the latter being the best count of the year so far.
30 January 2015
– Sunshine and wintery showers, cold north-westerly wind.
Today’s highlight was a juvenile Goshawk which John Oates picked up flying north over the flood plain this morning before flying back over Siden Hill Wood a little later. It was photographed. After a couple of previous “possibles” that got away, this is the first for the Reserve and is the 199th species recorded at Marsh Lane.
The only other news today was of a single Shelduck and a Little Grebe on the pools and fiveRedwings on the tip field.
29th January 2015
– Sun and wintery showers, cold and strong north-westerly wind
There were at least 17 Redwings feeding on the Tip field this morning, a sign probably of birds beginning to move back through as there have also been increasing numbers within Packington Park.
Overhead, 40 large Gulls moved northwest in half an hour between 8.30am and 9.00am of which 31 were Herring Gulls and the rest were Lesser Blackbacks.
The drake Goldeneye and a pair of Goosanders were again on site, though the former flew off mid-morning.
28th January 2015
– Sun and wintery showers, increasingly cold and strong north-westerly wind
The male Goldeneye showed particularly well this morning on Car Park Pool, best viewed from the north causeway hide and the male and two female Goosanders remained on Railway Pool.
An immature Peregrine flew over Car Park Pool at 8.30am and other birds of note today included a Shelduck on Railway Pool, at least 18 Snipe in the Marsh and a Song Thrushagain on the Causeway.
27 January 2015
– Mild, high cloud, light south-westerly.
The drake and the two female Goosanders were on Railway Pool, showing well to the right of Oak Hide in the bay there. The drake Goldeneye remained on Car Park Pool and it too showed well in front of the hide. Two Herring Gulls and eight Lesser Black-backs moved over to the north at around 8 a.m., and there was an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull on Car Park Pool. Singing Song Thrushes were audible from the back gate copse and the south-west pond and at the latter location, both Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers showed well. Only twoSnipe were visible in the Marsh.
Other additions for the day were Shelduck, Buzzard, Kestrel, Water Rail and 21 Mute Swans.
26th January 2015
– Mild, sunny intervals, light south-westerly wind.
The drake Goldeneye and a Shelduck were both on Car Park Pool with the male Goosanderand two females on Railway Pool. A Treecreeper showed well near River Hide and along the Old Road, there were four Bullfinches and a Goldcrest, 15 Redwings and a Pied Wagtailon the tip field, ten Snipe in the Marsh, ten Goldfinches over Oak Hide there and still at least one Little Grebe on site.
25th January 2015
– Noticeably milder, sunny start, slowly clouding over p.m., south-westerly wind.
Yesterday’s male Goldeneye was joined by three Goosanders today, a male and two female and there was also a Little Egret on Car Park Pool.
Other records included Dabchick, at least three Common Gulls and two Herring Gulls on the pools and, 23 Rooks on the flood plain, a Kestrel and a Peregrine towards Patrick Farm, aWater Rail calling by the south-west pond and two Green Woodpeckers there and aGoldcrest on the Causeway.
24th January 2015
– Another frost, sunny, cool north-westerly wind.
Another movement of large Gulls went north-west this morning, early on, mostly Lesser Black-backs but at least four Herring Gulls in a total exceeding 100. There were initially 24Snipe in the Marsh and a Shelduck was also there.
Later in the day, a male Goldeneye arrived on Car Park Pool and showed well. There was aWater Rail in the Marsh and three Redwings and four Stock Doves on the Old Road or in the crop field.
Counts later in the day comprised: two Herons, 38 Cormorants, nine Mute Swans, a Black Swan, 47 Greylags, 56 Canadas, 373 Wigeon, 232 Teal, seven Gadwall, 26 Mallard, 11Shoveler, seven Pochard, ten Tufted, three Moorhen, 35 Coot, 120 Lapwing, 23 Snipe, 75 Black-headed Gulls, two Common Gulls, six further Herring Gulls and four Lesser Black-backs, a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel.
23rd January 2015
– Sunny, frosty, cold, overcast pm., slightly milder.
There were again plenty of Ducks restricted to the small patches of open water on both of the pools.
Despite the cold weather, there was Great Tit song audible from both the back gate copse and along the Old Road and a Stock Dove was in song by the south-west pond. A Treecreepercalled and showed well in the hedgerow just west of Oak Hide, a Skylark went over, the Grey Wagtail again fed on the causeway where there was also a Green Woodpecker, at least tenSnipe fed in the Marsh and there were three Pied Wagtails feeding around the margins of Car Park Pool. At least one Yellowhammer joined a small collection of Reed Buntings in the crop field and there was a pair of Bullfinches by the back gate.
22nd January 2015
– Another frost, sunny and cold.
A pair of Goosanders were again on Railway Pool this morning, with 30 Snipe spread between the surrounds of Car Park Hide and the Marsh. There was also a Water Rail visible in the Marsh and other records included a Green Woodpecker, Kestrel and a pair of Bullfinches.
21st January 2015
– Overcast, cold and still.
Today’s counts were as follows: a single Shelduck on Railway Pool, 297 Wigeon, 323 Teal, 24 Shoveler, 21 Gadwall, 12 Pochard (nine Drakes), only five Tufteds, a pair ofGoosander, 26 Coot, a Water Rail, at least 20 Greylags, one Little Grebe, later a secondShelduck (one on Car Park Pool and one on Railway Pool), 24 Snipe, 140 Lapwing and threeCommon Gulls.
20th January 2015
– Frosty and icy, sunny with cold northerly wind. Some cloud.
There was no immediate sign of the Jack Snipe this morning but an initial count of 18 Snipetransformed into 30 about half an hour later.
On the two main pools, there are only two clear sections around the islands with the open water maintained by roosting geese and wildfowl. Plenty of Greylags and Canadas flew out from the open water just after first light to feed on the flood plain and the Wigeon and Tealwere very vocal with the male Pintail amongst them. A Peregrine flew over twice trying to flush the wildfowl without much success.
Overhead, at least ten Herring Gulls, six Lesser Black-backs and three Common Gullswent north just after 8 a.m. and there were three further Common Gulls on Car Park Pool. A single Lesser Redpoll perched briefly in the top of the Ash tree, near Oak Hide and pairs ofBullfinches showed well around the car park and by the back gate. The Grey Wagtail was again feeding on the causeway and there were at least three Pied Wagtails on the islands of the pools. A flock of ten Linnets was visible on flight, just west of the railway, and at least sixReed Buntings, two Yellowhammers and two Stock Doves joined 20 plus Jackdaws in crop field.
19th January 2015
– Frosty and icy, sunny, cold northerly wind.
For the first time in 2015 a Jack Snipe showed well in the Marsh this morning, possibly displaced by the freezing conditions from somewhere more obscure. It joined at least 40Common Snipe and a Water Rail. The male and female Goosander were again on Car Park Pool, and a further 11 Snipe fed along the margins in front of the Hide.
A Kingfisher flew over the orchid field, behind Oak Hide, and there were four maleBullfinches on the Old Road whilst a pair of Green Woodpeckers and a pair of Mistle Thrushes showed well on the concrete road.
18th January 2015
– Frosty, sunny until wintery showers late afternoon and into the evening.
48 Snipe was today’s Marsh count but birds are incredibly elusive and some wander further into the vegetation and this is no doubt a minimum number.
There were at least 300 Wigeon on the flood plain, 20 Pochard on Car Park Pool, 16 MuteSwans spread across the Reserve, 25 Gadwall and the Little Grebe on Railway Pool, 61Canadas on the flood plain and a Kestrel feeding over the crop field.
Passerines included a Treecreeper by River Hide, two Goldcrests on the Old Road and one on the central stream, whilst a Raven went over to the west and, in the afternoon, five Common Gulls joined a small contingent of Black-headed Gulls on Car Park Pool.
17th January 2015
– Frosty, sunny, light north-westerly wind.
The roosting Oystercatcher was present on Car Park Pool first thing, but soon flew off to feed. The Grey Wagtail was feeding along the causeway, its favoured area in this frosty weather, and three Song Thrushes included two by the back gate (one of which was in song yesterday) and one by the car park.
The male Pintail showed well on Car Park Pool in the morning and other counts today were one Heron, 36 Cormorants, five Mute Swans and the Black Swan, 116 Greylags, 37Canadas, 192 Wigeon, 150 Teal, 18 Gadwall, 20 Mallard, 17 Shoveler, 18 Pochardincluding Blue F6T, 17 Tufted, six Moorhens, 37 Coot, 99 Lapwing, 31 Snipe, 210 Black-headed Gulls, six Common Gulls, at least six Herring Gulls, two Lesser Black-backs and a Skylark on the tip field.
16th January 2015
– Mostly sunny, light but cold northerly wind.
First thing this morning a pair of Shelduck were feeding on Railway Pool and they were joined a little later on by the pair of Goosanders.
The male Pintail was its usual elusive self on Car Park Pool and along the Old Road the Grey Wagtail flew from the tip field down towards the lorry park. 31 Snipe were spread between the Marsh and the margins of Car Park Pool.
15th January 2015
– Sun and showers, strong, cold south-westerly wind.
No records.
14th January 2015
– Sunshine and showers, strong, cold south-westerly wind.
A reasonable selection of birds today included a male Pintail, a pair of Shelduck, pair ofGoosanders, Little Egret, female Peregrine, 14 Common Gulls, 14 Snipe, at least 300Wigeon, 200 Teal and an estimated 1000 Wood Pigeons, mostly around Siden Hill Wood. In the afternoon, the Oystercatcher came in to roost and a Sparrowhawk showed well from the Car Park Hide.
13th January 2015
– Sun and wintery showers, cold, south-westerly wind. Overnight rain caused some flooding on the River Blythe.
No records.
12th January 2015
– Mostly overcast with light rain, south-westerly wind.
A male Shelduck was on car park pool with three Common Gulls this morning and 16 Snipewere split between the two pools with the majority in the Marsh, as usual. Kestrel,Sparrowhawk and Jay were all visible from Railway Hide.
11th January 2014
– Sunny start, light winds, becoming increasingly windy from the south-west and clouding over, rain overnight.
The Oystercatcher again roosted on Car Park Pool around the middle of the day, but flew off towards the golf course at Bradnocks Marsh to feed. The Shelduck was on Railway Pool, aKestrel behind Oak Hide and six Common Gulls and four Herring Gulls flew over.
Amongst 22 Pochard, there was again the bird with the ringed saddle on the beak.
Other records included 400 Wood Pigeons roosting in Siden Hill Wood, two Stock Doves in courtship flight over the crop field, 17 Snipe in the Marsh, two Mistle Thrushes, fiveFieldfares and five Rooks on the flood plain, 15 Long-tailed Tits and 20 Redwings on the railway embankment.
10th January 2014
– Very windy, north-westerly wind, mostly sunny, wind easing p.m.
The Shelduck was again present during the early part of the morning but departed before 10 a.m. The erratic drake Pintail was also present but it too appeared to depart mid-morning. There were 12 Snipe in the Marsh and other counts today were one Little Grebe, 50Cormorants, five Herons, 11 Mute Swans, the Black Swan, 142 Greylags, 91 Canadas, 218 Wigeon, 305 Teal, 19 Gadwall, 23 Mallard, 18 Shoveler, 17 Pochard including the blue saddle ringed bird F6T, 22 Tufted, two Moorhen, 16 Coot, 120 Lapwing, ten Black-headed Gulls and three Common Gulls.
Between 11.15 and 11.45 there was an exceptional movement of large Gulls with an estimated 400 through to the north-west. A rough split was 250 Herring Gulls, 150 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and at least five Greater Black-backed Gulls.
An excellent afternoon Work Party, attended by ten people, achieved a lot, with the remaining Willows west of Railway Hide cut back, some further Hollies planted by the back gate, pot holes repaired in the car park and the spinner feeder put out in the crop field. Thank you to everyone who attended.
As a result of the Work Party, a Jack Snipe was flushed in front of Railway Hide which dropped straight back down into the Marsh and there was again a roost of Thrushes in the Blackthorn by the south-west pond, with an estimated 40 birds, apparently all Redwings and Blackbirds.
9th January 2014
– Mostly sunny, but strong south-westerly wind.
At 8.15 this morning, there was further overhead Gull passage including at least six Herringsand four Lesser Black-backs, with a Shelduck again on the pools. At least one Kestrel was hunting the crop field.
Later in the morning an
Oystercatcher
again came in to roost along with 43 Cormorants and five Common Gulls. The female Kestrel joined the earlier male.
8th January 2014
– Rain initially, mostly sunny thereafter, brisk north-westerly wind.
A male Shelduck was amongst the other wildfowl (including over 300 Wigeon) today and in the Marsh there were at least 30 Snipe and a Water Rail. A pair of Kestrels were in fluttering display flight over the car park this afternoon, at least 12 Stock Doves flew from Siden Hill Wood and there were three Mistle Thrushes in the trees south of the crop field.
7th January 2014
– Periods of rain, mostly overcast, south-westerly wind.
No records.
6th January 2014
– Mostly sunny, occasional showers, brisk north-westerly wind.
Aside from a pair of Goldcrest along the causeway in the gorse and a Kestrel overhead, there was nothing else in the log today.
5th January 2014
– Mostly overcast. South-westerly wind.
Reports for the day comprised three Common Gulls amongst the Black-heads on Car Park Pool, Kestrel, Stock Dove, Goldcrest, four Fieldfares and two Redwings and a pair ofBullfinches all along the Old Road and ten Long-tailed Tits and five Goldfinches along the concrete road.
There were again plenty of Snipe both in the Marsh and to the right of Car Park Hide but no counts today.
4th January 2015
– Frosty and misty all day.
A group of five male Bullfinches were seen together along the Old Road and a Water Railshowed well in the Marsh. An adult Greater Black-backed Gull dropped into Railway Pool to bathe for about 10 minutes in the late morning before flying off and there was also a singleCommon Gull and three Herring Gulls. Good counts of Snipe saw 27 in the Marsh and a further 42 to the right of Car Park Hide. Both Grey Wagtail and Meadow Pipit were around the car park or the tip field and other birds of interest today included two Mistle Thrushesaround the flood plain, 20 Shoveler, 16 Pochard and 355 Wigeon.
3rd January 2015
– West and drizzly in the morning, brightening up in the afternoon, westerly wind.
Today’s counts comprised the following: one Little Grebe, one Heron, 17 Cormorants, fourMute Swans, 24 Greylags, 42 Canadas, 389 Wigeon, 22 Gadwall, 280 Teal, 17 Mallard, 40 Shoveler, 26 Pochard (including Blue F6T), 14 Tufted, 12 Moorhen, 20 Coot, 46Lapwing, 28 Snipe, 40 Black-headed Gulls, four Common Gulls, one Lesser Black-backand a Grey Wagtail around the causeway.
2nd January 2015
– Mostly sunny, strong westerly wind.
A pair of Goosanders visited Railway Pool today and showed well between Oak and Railway Hides. There was also an Oystercatcher on Railway Pool at dusk. The Pintail was present for its second day and a Water Rail showed well in the Marsh.
1st January 2015
– Mild, strong westerly wind, mostly overcast.
A Blackcap was a surprise visitor to the Reserve at this time of year, seen in the hedgeline between Oak Hide and the south-west pond.
The Drake Pintail put in one of its erratic appearances along with an impressive 397 Teal and 120 Canadas. A Grey Wagtail was along the Old Road, a Treecreeper along the concrete road and on or around the flood plain, there was a Kestrel, 95 Jackdaws and five Rooks.
A Peregrine went over to the south at 10.15 and another fisherman had to be ejected, this time from Car Park Pool.
