31st January 2016
– Grey, mild, drizzly.
The first Oystercatcher of the “spring” was a bird feeding on the flood plain at mid-day. TwoGreen Sandpipers were also good records, with one over the Reedbed Pool south and a presumed second bird heard earlier in the day by the railway arches.
At least two Jack Snipe joined 48 Common Snipe in the Marsh and Cetti’s Warblers were heard in the north causeway bay and at the west end of the causeway in the willows on Railway Pool.
The Wigeon count was back up to 322, perhaps as a result of birds from the flood plain moving back to the Reserve. Buffy the Little Egret moved between the pools, a singleMeadow Pipit showed again, six Common Gulls were with the Black-headed Gulls on Car Park Pool and 16 Stock Doves were in the crop field.
At dusk (as often seems to happen with this species) ten Goosanders were washing and preening on Car Park Pool. This comprised eight females, an adult male and an immature male. There was a Shelduck roosting on Railway Pool and 300 to 400 Jackdaws spiralled over Siden Hill Wood, prior to roosting.
Last, but not least, Dabchick numbers increased to five with three on Car Park Pool and two on Railway Pool.
30th January 2016
– Sun, blustery, showers and very windy from the west.
Today’s more noteworthy bird included a noteworthy 53 Pochard, over 500 Lapwing, twoJack Snipe, a Raven over to the west and a reasonable 12 Yellowhammers in the crop field. The other counts were: 36 Cormorants, three Little Grebes, three Herons, Buffy the Little Egret, 30 Mute Swans, a Black Swan, 233 Greylags, the Greylag / Canada cross, 62Canadas, 214 Wigeon, 25 Gadwall, seven Mallard, 200 Teal, four Shoveler, 46 Tufted(the highest total for the month), five Moorhen, 41 Coot (significantly down on previous weeks), 46 Common Snipe, 56 Black-headed Gulls, three Common Gulls, three Lesser Black-backed Gulls and two Herring Gulls.
29th January 2016
– Overcast, very windy from the west
The early morning Rook movement was evident again today and despite a slightly later arrival, at least 60 went west between 8.15am and 8.45am. The ones that were readily visible did not seem to have full crops this morning. Humphrey Miller has kindly emailed me to say that there used to be a rookery on Elvers Green Lane in Knowle and assuming that is still present, it seems likely that the birds were heading in that direction.
The Marsh held 50 Snipe at least, plus a single Jack. At least five Song Thrushes were in song in the back gate area. 60+ Redwings were feeding in the fields north of the Aeromodellers.
28th January 2016
– Light frost, sunny
The most noteworthy records this morning were 113 Rooks, the majority of which flew through in small parties between 8.00am – 8.30am this morning. All birds were heading west and all that could be seen close up appeared to have full crops suggesting early breeding. Corvids do tend to breed early but even so, for birds to have young at this stage would be particularly early. I cannot think which rookery the birds were returning to. There is a significant rookery in Meriden but I cannot, at the moment, think of one over towards Knowle or Temple Balsall. In the crop field there were 15 – 20 mixed Reed Buntings andYellowhammers and 26 Pheasants.
A Peregrine put in an appearance twice prior to 9.00am causing the usual panic amongst the 200 Blackheads and 300 plus Lapwings. There were also seven Common Gulls, threeLesser Black-backs and Herring Gull with the Black-headed Gulls.
In the Marsh there were 42 Common Snipe and two Jack Snipe and there was a Jay at the Oak Hide feeder with a calling Kestrel in the trees behind.
Two Dabchicks were very vocal in the north causeway bay.
In the afternoon, 69 Lesser Black-backs, eight Herring Gulls and seven Common Gullsjoined 300 Black-headed Gulls and 37 Cormorants on Car Park Pool. There was a Shelduckon site, a Water Rail in the Marsh and Buffy the Little Egret put in one of its regular appearances.
27th January 2016
– Strong westerly, occasional showers, mostly overcast
Counts today were as follows: 350 Wigeon, 170 Teal, 30 Gadwall, a pair of Goosanders, 14Pochard, 300 Lapwing and two Common Gulls.
26th January 2016
– Superb sunrise and then mostly overcast and increasingly windy from the south-west with occasional showers.
No records.
25th January 2016
– Sunny, mild becoming overcast and windy from the south-west.
On Car Park Pool this morning there was a male and three female Goosanders, three Herring Gulls went over, whilst in the Marsh at least 60 Common Snipe, one Jack and a Water Railwere on show. Buffy, the Little Egret was on the Dragonfly Pool and later in the morning aShelduck flew into Car Park Pool. Two foxes were patrolling the flood plain whilst by Railway Hide there were four males and a female Bullfinch and two Green Woodpeckers.
24th January 2016
– Grey, mild, west, south westerly. Overnight rain, 13°
Another unseasonably mild day, from the continuing mild airstream. The water levels remain high on the Pools and all the ice has melted. The more northerly islands on Car Park Pool are hidden by the high water levels and scrapes on the west bank of Car Pool are full and have over-topped the grass.
The male Mandarin was back on Railway Pool this morning with at least two Jacks and 50 Snipe in the Marsh. A Raven went over and in the early afternoon, 32 Herring Gulls dropped into Car Park Pool to bathe, one of which had a bright red bill. Eight Reed Buntings and twoYellowhammers together with nine Stock Doves were feeding in the crop field.
At dusk, Snipe were, as usual, leaving the site to feed in the fields and the Wigeon were very vocal as they crossed from Car Park Pool to Railway Pool to join the roosting Geese.
23rd January 2016
– Rain, mild, mostly overcast, west-south-westerly.
More noteworthy birds today included eight Goosanders (four males and four females) on Car Park Pool towards the end of the day, a male Peregrine east of the A452, a Cetti’s seen and heard by the North Causeway Hide, two Little Egrets (one of which was Buffy), three Jack Snipe and 83 Common Snipe in the Marsh, and a noteworthy count of 563 Lapwings.
The rest of the totals, courtesy of Graham Rowling, were five Herons, three Little Grebes, 37Cormorants, 47 Mute Swans, a Black Swan, 215 Greylags, 96 Canadas, the Bar-headed Goose, 241 Wigeon, 40 Gadwall, 177 Teal, 21 Mallard, 20 Shoveler, 29 Pochard, 11Tufted, eight Moorhen, 74 Coot, 357 Black-headed Gulls, two Common Gulls, 10 Lesser Black-backs, three Herring Gulls, at least 50 Siskin, two Lesser Redpolls and at least 25Fieldfare and 75 Redwings, the latter mostly around the flood plain and Patricks Farm. There was also a Shelduck and three Green Woodpeckers around Railway Hide.
22nd January 2016
– Squally showers to begin with, sunny thereafter, mild again.
The improvement in the weather has led to a slow thaw of the ice on the pools with increasing open water. The Marsh, which had largely remained unfrozen held two Jacks and 30 Common Snipe this morning, and Buffy the Little Egret flew in from Bradnock’s Marsh at 9.00am.
Three Yellowhammers and six Reed Buntings were feeding in the crop field and in the milder weather, a Goldcrest was in full and regular song by the back gate. The Cormorantswere back up to more normal levels with at least 41 this morning.
21st January 2016
– Grey and cold but turning milder as the day progressed.
The male Mandarin reappeared today and as before showed well in front of Oak Hide and there were at least two Jack Snipe in amongst a slightly depleted total of 17 Common Snipe. A male Peregrine was again spooking the Lapwings. Yellowhammer and Siskin were all noted in the log.
20th January 2016
– Icy with limited open water, -5°, icy and sunny.
Two Green Sandpipers in front of Railway Hide were probably the birds of the day but despite the freeze up, there were still good counts of birds with 45 Mute Swans, 180 Wigeon, 44Gadwall, 170 Teal, 25 Shoveler but only four Pochard. Two Little Grebes had also stuck it out, Cormorant numbers were down to about 12 as birds sought more open areas of water.
There were at least two Jack Snipe in the Marsh, with 70 Common Snipe and six more in their rushes behind Oak Hide in the Orchid field. At dusk, three Water Rails were on show.
Other additions to the list for the day were both Woodpeckers, a Meadow Pipit which flew over and a single Lesser Redpoll.
19th January 2016
– Sunny but cold, light northerly
Three Jack Snipe were keeping close company at the back of the Marsh this morning. Also, aWater Rail raced across the cut reedmace but soon disappeared.
A Cetti’s Warbler called from near River hide, a Raven went over at midday, there were 25Siskins in the alders by the Dragonfly Pond and at dusk a Mink was agitating the few birds in the open water on the reed bed by patrolling the edge of the ice.
Lastly, in the open water or on the islands by Car Park Pool a Shelduck joined many wildfowl including the Bar-headed Goose.
18th January 2016
– Overcast, drizzly, light south easterly.
A flock of about 50 birds, were feeding on the flood plain this morning, mostly Redwings, but with a few Fieldfares and Starlings amongst them; there were a pair of Mistle Thrushes on the Aeromodellers’ field as well.
A flock of 30 Siskins were feeding in the alders along the concrete road and 16 Lesser Black-backs and a Herring Gull came in to preen and bathe in Car Park Pool.
A Nuthatch was at the Car Park feeder and three Yellowhammers in the crop field.
17th January 2016
– Light, overnight snow. Cold, light, south-westerly. Some sunny intervals, mostly overcast.
There were at least two Jack Snipe in the Marsh this morning with 50 Common Snipe andCetti’s Warbler called near River Hide. The pair of Goosanders were back on Car Park Pool and there were at least four Common Gulls with the Black-heads there. One of these had a green leg ring but unfortunately the number on it was not visible. 395 Lapwing was an increase on yesterday, and there were 50 Siskins along the central streamline with at least one Lesser Redpoll. 25 Redwing and ten Fieldfares fed on the flood plain.
In the afternoon, a male Mandarin showed really well in front of Oak Hide applying its amorous intentions to a pair of Mallard which steadfastly remained asleep. A possible adultKittiwake flew south at 3.00pm – the wing tips appeared completely black but the bird was just out of range to be sure.
The cold weather brought eight Reed Buntings and three Yellowhammers into the crop field.
16th January 2016
– Sharp, overnight frost, sunny.
With temperatures down to -3°, much of the water on the Reserve was frozen over though the Marsh was clear. Perhaps no surprise that this winter’s record count for Common Snipe was broken with 87 plus two Jacks present.
A pair of Goosanders were on Car Park Pool, a Raven went over Siden Hill Wood and there was a flock of four Lesser Redpolls by the south-west pond and 25 Siskins on the central streamline.
Nine Skylark east of the A452 was also of note.
Other counts today included three Little Grebes, three Herons, 39 Cormorants, 25 Mute Swans, a Black Swan, 272 Greylags, the Greylag/Canada Cross, 28 Canadas, the Bar-Headed Goose, 271 Wigeon (though there were probably more than this with other birds on the flood plain), 161 Teal, 42 Gadwall, five Mallard, 25 Shoveler, 56 Pochard includingBlue F6T, 30 Tufted, 20 Moorhen, 133 Coot (yet another increase) 316 Lapwing, 113Black-headed Gulls, a single Common Gull, five Lesser Black-back Gulls, three Herring Gulls and a scattering of Redwings. 20 Starlings were feeding on the grass by the Dragon-fly Pool.
In the afternoon, eight attended the work party and the ringing ride across the central streamline was completed; the sides of the path through the back gate copse were strimmed for the benefit of the Twayblade Orchids and work commenced on clearing the ditch below Railway hide of Alder and Willow saplings.
Some areas of the causeway embankments were also strimmed and sections of gravel applied for the benefit of plants in advance of butterfly release.
15th January 2016
– Cold, wintry showers.
Records to follow
14th January 2016
– Cold northerly wind, sunshine and sleety showers
In addition to a healthy 44 Common Snipe, there were three Jack Snipe in the Marsh this morning along with two Water Rails. The Jacks were not visible at 8 a.m., but appeared a little later on.
The Lapwing flock were very twitchy all morning due to the presence of a Peregrine and a male Sparrowhawk buzzed the crop field which at the moment is quiet expect forPheasants!
Buffy the Little Egret was on site and there were two Ravens east of the A452. Four Herring Gulls went over.
13th January 2016
– Sun and showers
57 Common Snipe, two Jack Snipe and a Water Rail were all seen in the Marsh this morning and there were two Little Egrets on site, one of which was the buff coloured one. At 1 p.m. there were a pair of Goosanders on Car Park Pool.
During the morning an adult Yellow-legged Gull came into car park pool with 25 Lesser Black-backs and was helpfully photographed to confirm its identity.
12th January 2016
No records.
11th January 2016
– Mostly overcast, south-westerly wind.
Many of the Greylags and Wigeon, plus a few Lapwings were all showing really well around Car Park Hide this morning whilst, on the Old Road, a Treecreeper sang by the cottages where a pair of House Sparrows were very vocal. There was a Kestrel hunting the crop field and five Lesser Redpolls were in the Blackthorn by the Car Park gate.
The Marsh held 34 Common Snipe and two Jack Snipe and what were presumably the sameGolden Plover as earlier in the month, circled Car Park Pool before flying off. A pair ofGoosanders were also on Car Park Pool and a pair of Kingfishers flew across Railway Pool.
Buffy the Little Egret was present on site again.
Lastly, there is a note that Myrobalan was in flower in the back gate copse. This is a new plant to me.
10th January 2016
– Mostly fine, cooler south-westerly wind.
Records were similar to yesterday with additions being a Cetti’s Warbler by the causeway, three Goosander (a male and two females) on Car Park Pool and a Grey Wagtail on the causeway. Common Gulls were up to eight, a Skylark and two Meadow Pipits went over and there were two Jack Snipe and 51 Common Snipe in the Marsh. Buffy the Little Egretwas also present.
9th January 2016
– Sun and showers, southerly wind.
Counts continue to fluctuate markedly with the Wigeon total up to 382 but Teal down to 81. The Lapwing and Snipe totals of 550 and 65 respectively are the best of the winter.
The full counts today were as follows: one Little Grebe, six Herons, 55 Cormorants, 20Mute Swans, the Black Swan, 175 Greylags, three Farmyard Geese, the Greylag / Canada cross, 78 Canadas, a female Shelduck, 382 Wigeon, 59 Gadwall, 81 Teal, 21Mallard, 27 Shoveler, 54 Pochard (including Blue F6T), 27 Tufted, 11 Moorhen, 100 Coot, 550 Lapwings, 65 Snipe, two Jack Snipe, 150 Black-headed Gulls, six Common Gulls, sixLesser Black-backs, four Herring Gulls, 17 Redpolls along the central stream (probably incorporating eight from the south-west pond earlier in the morning), one Siskin, tenFieldfare, two Redwings (both Thrushes flying over), four Rook on the flood plain and Buffy the Little Egret on Railway Pool.
The Pochard was ringed in November 2014, near Nantes in France, and after spending the winter at Marsh Lane it departed on the 14th March and frustratingly has not been seen until its reappearance at the Reserve this January.
8th January 2016
– Mostly sunny, southerly wind.
Despite a dry night and an overnight frost, the floods at Patrick Farm remain pretty extensive following the wet weather throughout the early few days of January and the very heavy showers of yesterday. Both Shoveler and Wigeon were feeding in the pools and around the margins.
From Oak Hide there was a single Jack Snipe and at least 30 Common Snipe.
7th January 2016
– Very heavy showers in the morning, sunny intervals, south-easterly wind.
14 Golden Plover circled Car Park Pool at 8.50 this morning and then flew off east, the first record this year. Disappointingly, an increasingly scarce species.
From Oak Hide there was a Jack Snipe and a Water Rail.
6th January 2016
– Misty start, clearing slowly, light south easterly
Exactly 50 Snipe were counted in the Marsh this morning, feeding vigorously, whilst just a single Jack was asleep on the right hand side. A flock of 30 Siskins were feeding in the Alders along the central streamline and there were two pairs of Bullfinches feeding on buds of the Blackthorn below.
By the south-west pond, there were three Green Woodpeckers together in the trees or feeding on the banks, and two Muntjac ran out of the field behind Oak Hide towards Marsh Lane.
11 Rooks flew over just after dawn and a Little Egret (not Buffy) was feeding briefly on Railway Pool just after dawn before flying towards the River to feed.
5th January 2016
– Mostly cloudy, occasional weak sun, some showers, light south easterly
At various stages during the day, up to 50 Common Snipe and a single Jack Snipe, plus aWater Rail, were all visible from Oak Hide in the Marsh. Buffy the Little Egret was on the Dragonfly Pool and two Cetti’s Warbler were recorded on the Old Road just north of the car park gate.
At dusk, at least 60 Jackdaws and Crows gathered in the crop field Oaks before flying towards Siden Hill Wood to roost.
4th January 2016
– Showery, light south westerly
Two Jack Snipe were in the Marsh early on, with just one visible at 10.30am along with aWater Rail. There were at least 16 Common Snipe there as well and Buffy the Little Egretflew over to feed on the River.
3rd January 2016
– Generally very wet and south-westerly wind.
With the continuing wet weather, it was no surprise that the River Blythe had broken its banks down at Patricks Bridge and engulfed much of the flood plain. This wet weather had no doubt displaced the Common Snipe and 55 were feeding both in the Marsh and on the Railway Pool islands. There were also two Jack Snipe in the Marsh.
A flock of 18 Rooks flew south in the late morning and in the late afternoon, Goosanderscame in to roost with the number building up to eight, consisting of three males and five females. As the afternoon progressed, a Water Rail showed in the Marsh and the Lapwingson the Car Park Pool islands either flew onto the grass to feed at dusk or departed low to the east, no doubt to feed in the agricultural fields there. At least 40 to 50 Redwings came in to roost in the Blackthorn, by the top gate, with single figure numbers in the other Blackthorn clump by the back gate copse.
2nd January 2016
– Mostly drizzly, mild south-westerly wind.
There were again two Jack Snipe in the Marsh and amongst the Gulls was a noteworthy count of Herring Gulls, 16.
Other counts today were: 40 Cormorant, four Heron, four Little Grebe, 16 Mute Swans, the Black Swan, 329 Greylags, the Canada / Greylag hybrid, 28 Canadas, 298 Wigeon, 50 Gadwall, 229 Teal, 35 Mallard, 14 Shoveler, 51 Pochard including Blue F6T, 21 Tufted, 13 Moorhen, 107 Coot, 338 Lapwing, ten Snipe, 250 Black-headed Gulls, two Common Gulls, seven Lesser Black-backs and three Lesser Redpolls.
1st January 2016
– Overnight frost, quickly melting away, courtesy of a watery sun and some cloud cover.
Today two Jack Snipe along with 15 Common Snipe and a Water Rail all showed well in the Marsh and, on Car Park Pool, Buffy the Little Egret came in to preen and roost.
A 50 strong flock of Siskins fed in the Alders by the back gate early on and what was presumably the same flock moved to the central stream. It included at least two Lesser Redpolls, one of which was a fine male.
58 Redwing and 30 Fieldfare were feeding on the flood plain, a Grey Wagtail flew over Car Park Pool and amongst the wildfowl, the Pochard with the blue bill band F6T has returned to Car Park Pool.
Amongst the Gulls, three Herring Gulls flew over, a Kestrel hunted from the Oak Tree in the crop field and, later in the day, a male Goosander came in to roost on Car Park Pool.
Two Whooper Swans were reported flying over high, south, at 1 p.m., a good record assuming they were not the two hybrids.
A Muntjac ran from Siden Hill Wood to disappear into the railway embankment in the late afternoon.