31st January 2013
– Strong south-westerly wind, heavy squally showers
The Bittern showed on the east side of the Reedbed at about 8.30 a.m., and the Little Egretwas again feeding under Car Park Hide, but best viewed from the north causeway screen.
On the pools, there were 29 Pochard of which only six were females. There was just a single male Shoveler this morning whilst, overhead, at least three Herring Gulls and eight Lesser Black-backs flew over between 8 and 9 a.m. At least ten Snipe were feeding in the Marsh and, in the crop field, there were 16 Linnets and 20 Pheasants.
Later in the day, there was an adult Peregrine on the flood plain, a female Goosander on Car Park Pool and, on Railway Pool, 250 Wigeon, 40 Teal, whilst 12 Yellowhammers were counted in the crop field.
30th January 2013
– Overnight rain clearing quickly on a blustery south-westerly wind. Subsequently showery.
At least one Kingfisher was showing well from the north causeway screen perching on the fencing on either side and catching small fish. There was a lot of calling suggesting there was probably a second bird on the streamline.
A Little Egret showed well below Car Park Hide on the shoreline. Of the wildfowl there were four male Shoveler (scarce since Christmas) 20 Canadas and at least 20 Pochard along with all the other main species. A pair of Mistle Thrushes were opposite Oak Hide, one flying from behind Oak Hide having sung there. At least 12 Lesser Black-backs and two Herring Gullsflew over and a flock of 40 Starlings flew south-west.
The Tree Sparrow fed at the Oak Hide feeder occasionally in the morning and a pair ofShelduck and a female Goosander put in appearances on Car Park Pool.
29th January 2013
– Overcast and showery.
The Bittern showed on the left-hand side of the Reedbed Pool as viewed from the causeway at 11.20 and both Little Egret and Kingfisher were visible from the north causeway screen looking onto Car Park Pool. Singles of Redpoll and Siskin were along the concrete road and aMistle Thrush north along the Old Road.
28th January 2013
– Early sun soon gave way to cloud and then very heavy rain showers in the afternoon, south-westerly wind.
The Little Egret was gain present on Car Park Pool. Two male Shoveler on Railway Pool and two Skylarks flew over.
27th January 2013
– Sunny morning, periodic heavy showers in the afternoon.
A single Great Black-backed Gull joined a Common Gull and two Lesser Black-backed Gulls on Railway Pool in the morning and heavy showers in the afternoon increased the largerGulls to two adult and three immature Herring Gulls, six Lesser Black-backs and fourCommons. There was a good assortment of other quality birds in the afternoon, with a Little Egret showing particularly well initially on Car Park Pool and subsequently on the Dragonfly Pool, Tree Sparrow and Brambling at the Oak Hide Feeder, at least 14 Snipe in the Marsh, a flock of 17 Skylark in the tip field, the Peregrine perched in Siden opposite the car park, both drake Shoveler (the first of this species for some days) and Shelduck on the flood plain and many of the wildfowl in Lower Side as Railway Pool was inundated by the overflowing river following the melting of the snow.
26th January 2013
– Sunny, milder, with much of the snow gone, south-westerly wind.
The day started well with a very obliging and confiding Tawny Owl which was roosting in the ivy covered trees along the concrete road and was present all day. There were also 30Redpolls along the concrete road feeding in the alders and 20 Siskin in the back gate copse.
Then, much to everybody’s surprise and delight, the Bittern was re-found in the Reedbed by Graham and Dave at 12.45. It seems relatively unlikely it had been there all the time and had probably just relocated perhaps to the end of the ditch west of Railway Hide where it joins the river and would have remained unfrozen. This was the first sighting since the 17th.
With a much needed thaw in place, there were definitely more wildfowl back on the scene and the counts included six Greylag, a Farmyard Goose, eight Canadas, 120 Wigeon (mostly on the flood plain), 12 Teal, 36 Mallard, four Moorhen, 25 Coot, at least 21 Snipe, 34Lapwing, 15 Cormorant, five Herons. Gulls totalled at least 150 Black-headed Gulls, seven Commons, six Lesser Black-backs and two Herrings. The Peregrine put in a number of appearances during the day, the Tree Sparrow returned to the Oak Hide feeder and aRaven was in the field below Siden Hill. Some returning Skylark passage was noted with four to five birds flying over and there were two Bullfinches near the entrance gate. A shelduckalso flew over, but did not linger.
Fox activity was noticeable today with one behind Railway Hide in the morning, and two (one behind Oak Hide and one in front of Siden Hill Wood in the afternoon).
25th January 2013
– Overcast, south-easterly wind. Wet snow turning to rain in the evening and overnight.
No records.
24th January 2013
– Remaining cold, frosty and overcast.
A week now of frozen weather saw that most of the wildfowl had been displaced. The small patch of open water on Railway Pool held just 12 Coots, two Moorhens and five Black-headed Gulls whilst three hardy Lapwings were roosting on the ice. The Marsh is still clear and there were at least 21 Snipe asleep there.
In the crop field there were 20 Yellowhammers and 21 Linnets, with two Redwings and a pair of Bullfinches on the Old Road whilst on the concrete road there was a mixed flock of 30Goldfinches, 20 Siskins and three Lesser Redpolls.
By the afternoon the Snipe count had increased to 59 in the Marsh and in the crop field there had been an increase in birds to swell the numbers. 30 Reed Buntings, at least 25 Yellowhammers and 30 Chaffinches were feeding on the wheat, two Buzzards and a Kestrel were also seen.
23rd January 2013
– Cold and frosty. Light south-easterly wind and overcast.
No records.
22nd January 2013
– Sunny start, clouding over from the south-east by mid morning and some fog later.
There still remains a relatively small pool of open water on Railway Pool and the Marsh is largely unfrozen as well. However, there was relatively little of note in the open water with no ducks or geese at all, and just two Mute Swans, 13 Coot, a Moorhen, 25 Black-headed Gulls with three Lapwings and a single Snipe on the ice. 17 further Snipe flew over and three were asleep in the Marsh.
Both feeders were reasonably busy, but there was little in the crop field. 24 Skylark flew over low to the west, and there was a Buzzard perched on the fence post in the crop field. A singleFieldfare frequented the car park.
21st January 2013
– Still, cold, occasional sunny periods.
No records.
20th January 2013
– Snow all day.
On a pretty miserable day, records were fairly limited. The female Brambling again visited the Oak Hide feeder and there were 40 mixed Finches and Buntings in the crop field. 27 Snipewere feeding mostly around Car Park Hide but there were 13 later in the Marsh. At least 20Chaffinches visited the Oak Hide feeder in the afternoon, but they were very nervy, the consequence of a predatory male Sparrowhawk. There was also a Treecreeper near Oak Hide.
19th January 2013
– Overcast, occasional snow, south-easterly wind.
Early on there was a small movement of Skylark heading west as a consequence of the cold weather and there were three Ravens over Railway Pool. The female Brambling was again at the car park feeder and a Water Rail showed in the Marsh.
Other counts included 15 Cormorants, two Herons, four Mute Swans, two Greylags, 50Canadas, 202 Wigeon (most of them on the flood plain), 14 Mallard, 36 Coot, fiveMoorhen, 21 Lapwing, 46 Snipe (the Marsh and the far bank of Railway Pool), 104 Black-headed Gulls, one Common Gull, one Lesser Black-backed Gull; and in the crop field, 15Yellowhammers, at least the same number of Reed Buntings and about 30 Chaffinches.
The wildfowl counts were obviously down because of the cold weather and the limited ice free water.
Also of note, 20 Stock Doves were either on the site or flying over.
18th January 2013
– Snowy
All of Car Park Pool and Railway Pool and the Reedbed are frozen and aside from eightLapwings roosting on the ice and a similar number of Cormorants perched in the dead tree to the north of the Pool, the only other birds at all this morning were 23 Snipe which flew up from the pool margins in front of the Hide to feed in the grass to the left.
The snow must have provided some insulation as the birds were seemingly able to probe through. It was interesting to watch one particular bird which frequently crouched down in an apparent attempt to melt some of the snow before subsequently probing.
There was no sign of the Bittern in the frozen up Reedbed but the Marsh was unfrozen and there was an area of open water on Railway Pool as well. In the Marsh there were at least tenSnipe feeding close to the Hide and on the Pool, at least 30 Lapwing (increasing to 57 in the afternoon) and between 50-100 mixed Wigeon, Gadwall, Coot and Moorhen.
At the Oak Hide feeder the female Brambling was an infrequent visitor and 13 was the minimum Chaffinch count there. At least two Yellowhammers and five Reed Buntings were there at any one time but there was obviously a turnover of birds.
In the crop field, 30 mixed Buntings and Finches joined ten Pheasants and 15 Stock Doves.
At 7.30 in the evening, a Barn Owl was seen over the Kenilworth Road at Cornets End.
17th January 2013
– Cold, misty, light snow showers
The Reserve was mostly frozen today but the Bittern had moved back to the east side of the Reserve and was seen occasionally around lunchtime at the front of the reeds. A femaleBrambling was at the Oak Hide feeder and 30 Redwings and a Fieldfare were on the tip field. A Coal Tit was a good find along the Old Road and, despite the freeze up, the pools held 50 Coot, 60 Teal, 50 Wigeon, ten Gadwall, three Moorhen, 14 Cormorants and fourTufted Duck.
The Marsh is still free of ice and there were at least 25 Snipe in there. Between the crop field and the Oak Hide feeder, 30 Chaffinches, eight Linnet, three Goldfinches, tenYellowhammers and 30 Reed Buntings were all recorded. At least one Bullfinch was along the Old Road and there were 25 Pheasants in the crop field. The geese were feeding partly on the Reserve and partly on the flood plain and these included 25 Canadas and at least 150Greylags. A Green Woodpecker was also seen around the Reserve.
16th January 2013
– Misty, cold – light northern wind.
The Bittern was in exactly the same place as it was yesterday and did not appear to have moved at all. It was still perched in the top of the reeds by 3pm.There was a mixed flock of at least 30 Finches and Buntings coming to the crop field feeder and the Brambling was noted at the Oak Hide again.
15th January 2013
– Cold and sunny, with some freezing of the pools.
The Bittern showed at mid-day perched high in the reeds on the central stream side of the Reedbed. The female Brambling showed well at the Oak Hide feeder along with a dozen or soChaffinches.
At dawn in the wood about 20 Redwings and a Fieldfare, which had probably roosted there, were feeding on the path at the northern end. Wood Pigeons were still leaving the roost, aGreen Woodpecker and a Jay called and a pair of Bullfinches were by the northern car park.
The vegetation on the footpath by the Ammunition Dump is being cleared at the moment to widen out the track.
14th January 2013
– Overnight snow continued until lunchtime, sunny afternoon, cold northerly wind.
The morning’s weather was inclement but the afternoon improved and at least 75 Snipe were counted mostly around Car Park Hide and a female Brambling again visited the feeders.
13th January 2012
– Sunny, still, cold all day.
Both Brambling and Tree Sparrow showed well at the Oak Hide feeder in the afternoon and from about 4.15 p.m, the Bittern showed well again on the east side of the Reedbed.
At dusk, initially one Jack Snipe showed really well below Oak Hide in the channel, with three more flighting in shortly after to feed along the edge. 17 Snipe had been counted earlier in the day and at least that many wandered out into the channel to preen and wash before many departed, as dark fell, presumably to feed elsewhere. There may have been a fifth Jack Snipeat the far end of the channel but the light by then had gone.
The crop field was again fairly lively with at least 30 Reed Buntings and 20 Chaffinches, but only a handful of Yellowhammers today. The pair of Bullfinches were again on the central streamline along with a male Lesser Redpoll, whilst the Kingfisher showed conspicuously from the causeway. On the pools, the Common Gull tally reached only nine today.
12th January 2012
– Cold start with snow showers, south westerly wind. Sunny intervals in the afternoon and milder.
The crop field was lively all day and at its best numbers included 75 Chaffinches, two femaleBramblings, 28 Linnets, 20 Yellowhammers and 20 Reed Buntings, although there was a significant turnover of birds all day with the proportions varying. Probably the same twoBramblings, together with the Tree Sparrow, visited the Oak Hide feeder.
Duck numbers were lower today, with few Geese and no Shoveler at all. Graham Rowling’s counts included 30 Cormorants, seven Heron, one Great Crested Grebe, five Mute Swans, one Black Swan, a single Greylag, ten Canadas, two Shelduck, 201 Wigeon, 34 Gadwall, 94 Teal, 32 Mallard, 27 Pochard, 29 Tufted, five Moorhen, 29 Coot, 168 Lapwing, a Jack Snipe in the Marsh, 150 Black-headed Gulls, four Common Gulls, three Lesser Black-backs, one Heron and 60 Redwing along the Old Road.
A single Peregrine was present on and off in the morning and, in the afternoon, the work party crew were well rewarded when it sparred and tusselled with a pair of Ravens over Siden Hill Wood. The Ravens had been soaring and tumbling over the wood before the Peregrine, having unsuccessfully caught any wildfowl but having flushed all the Wigeon,nevertheless flew towards the wood where the Ravens pursued it. The Peregrine, not to be outdone, then turned and dived and sparred with the Ravens before eventually all three disappeared from site.
Whilst cutting down the remainder of the willows from the north-east shore of Car Park Pool, at least 38 Snipe were flushed from the wet, poached ground.
Much discussion ensued over whether the Bittern had disappeared or not, having not been seen since Wednesday. A few evening visitors, still suffering from Reedbed-itus, were cured when fortuitously Graham Rowling scanned from the causeway and picked up the roosting bird on the east side and visitors and the nine from the work party alike, all enjoyed good views in the evening light.
A Water Rail also called from there and a Kingfisher to the north. A pair of Bullfinches were feeding on the central streamline as well.
Other jobs completed by the work party were the netting of the two bridges either side of the back gate copse, path repairs beyond Oak Hide and down to Car Park Hide, the unblocking of the central stream pipe, the clearance of the sluice to Car Park Pool. Two thirds of the nest boxes were also cleared. Thanks to all those who attended.
11th January 2012
– Wet start, sunny and still later.
Reports today cover a Yellow-legged Gull at Oak Hide along with two Bramblings under the feeders there, a Kingfisher on the causeway and a pair of Shelduck on Car Park Pool, aGreen Woodpecker (with no location) and 30 to 40 mixed Chaffinches and Reed Buntingsby the spinner feeder in the crop field. These were joined by a female Brambling late morning, which was probably one from the Oak Hide feeder earlier in the day.
Last, but not least, at least three Song Thrushes were in song around the Reserve including two along the Old Road.
10th January 2012
– Noticeably colder, misty and overcast
On the central streamline this morning, there was a mixed flock of Finches which included ten each of Siskin, Lesser Redpoll and Goldfinch. On Car Park Pool there was just a singleShelduck for most of the day and a Kingfisher was again calling and active around the causeway, particularly on the north side.
At least one Bullfinch feeding in the hedge just north of the cottages and ten Rooks went east in the early afternoon, presumably to feed on the Berkswell land.
9th January 2012
– Misty start after morning frost, sunny most of the day.
The Bittern showed again on the east side of the Reedbed from 3 pm onwards, and the femaleBrambling visited the Oak Hide feeder. There are a pair of Bullfinches along the central stream, a single Shelduck, ten Snipe and a Kingfisher at the causeway.
8th January 2012
– Overcast, mild, with drizzle in the afternoon.
The first Oystercatcher of the year appeared on Car Park Pool in the morning and spent most of the day there, being joined by a female Goosander and a pair of Shelduck.
In front of Oak Hide, in the Marsh, there were two Jack Snipe this morning, along with eightCommon Snipe and the female Brambling was again at the Oak Hide feeder.
7th January 2012
Overcast, light south-westerly wind, remaining mild
Aside from the regular birds (of which more in a moment) a male Mandarin was an interesting new addition to the year list and the Tree Sparrow appeared at the Oak Hide feeder for the first time for many days.
Of the regulars, the Bittern showed in the Reedbed at 4.15 pm., there was a Jack Snipe in the Marsh and a female Brambling at the Oak Hide feeder. 50 mixed Fieldfares andRedwings were feeding beyond the Aeromodellers again and on the pools, there were 19Common Gulls, a Shelduck and a Great Crested Grebe, whilst a Peregrine and aSparrowhawk both put in brief appearances.
6th January 2013
– Mostly overcast but remaining mild, light westerly wind.
The Bittern was generally elusive this afternoon and most watchers developed Reedbed-itus – staring intensely into reeds and seeing make-believe Bitterns!
The large female Peregrine was perched in one of the trees on the flood plain, north-west of Car Park Pool, and both Shelducks were again seen, as was the female Brambling at the Oak Hide feeder. In the late afternoon, a Water Rail was walking along the track between the causeway banks before flushing over to the north.
20 Golden Plovers were with the Lapwing in the morning but just a single remained in the afternoon.
5th January 2013
– Mostly sunny.
The Bittern was seen initially at dawn but dropped down into the reeds just after 8 a.m. A significant Siskin flock of over 100 that was seen yesterday along the central streamline, had moved to the south-west pond but on the central stream itself, there was a flock of mixedSiskins and Redpolls totalling about 25 birds.
At the north end of the Old Road, 150 Fieldfares and Redwings were feeding either on the grass at the aeromodellers or on the adjoining wheat crop.
In the crop field, both a male and a female Brambling joined small numbers of Buntings andFinches around the spinner feeder.
The Bittern showed again twice during the day, firstly at 10.45 near the lifebuoy and later roosting at 4.10 in the same position.
Other notable birds were a Jack Snipe by the Dragonfly Pond, 27 Common Gulls, a third -winter Greater Black-backed Gull, a notable 55 Reed Buntings, 11 Yellowhammers and ten Linnets in the crop field, and two Shelduck.
Other counts included a single Great Crested Grebe, six Herons, 22 Cormorants, nine Mute Swans, a Black Swan, 325 Greylags, 13 Farmyard Geese, the feral Pink-footed Goose, four Canadas, 230 Wigeon, 38 Gadwall, 104 Teal, 23 Mallard, three Shoveler, 43Pochard (a substantial increase over previous weeks), 35 Tufteds, 27 Coot, two Moorhen, 300 Lapwings, nine Snipe, 190 Black-headed Gulls, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 20 to 30 Skylark east of the A452 and one in song over the tip field and 17 Rook on the flood plain.
Later in the afternoon, one of the Peregrines was perched opposite Car Park Hide and aKingfisher showed well from the causeway.
4th January 2013
– Mostly sunny, mild
A flock of over 100 Siskins was feeding along the central streamline whilst in the crop field 19Linnet, at least 30 Reed Buntings, 15 Chaffinch and five Yellowhammers were mostly at the Car Park end of the field. A single Meadow Pipit was feeding on the banks around the Car Park. The Pochard total was 23 this morning.
A Treecreeper called from the central streamline amongst a mixed Tit flock.
Mid-morning a Kingfisher was seen around the north causeway screen and in the late afternoon, the Bittern showed well, roosting on the east side of the Reedbed. For those who do wish to see it, early mornings and late afternoons are best, but please do not walk around the Reedbed and, on the stream side, do not go beyond the lifebuoy and please stay still and quiet. It is preferable if there are only a few of you if you remain as close to the scrub nearest to the causeway path as possible.
A Water Rail also called from the Reedbed and by the south-west pond there was a Nuthatchand 40 Siskins.
3rd January 2013
– Mostly fine, westerly
Both male and female Peregrines were present at midday over the flood plain and in the afternoon, the Bittern showed in the Reed Bed, the Jack Snipe in the Marsh and aBrambling at Oak Hide.
2nd January 2013
– Mostly fine, westerly
The Jack Snipe again showed well in the Marsh and two Bramblings visited the Oak Hide feeder. A Grey Wagtail was feeding along the Concrete Road whilst in the afternoon, there was a Raven over Siden Hill Wood, 15 Common Gulls and a Herring Gull on Railway Pool, a total of 27 Pochard plus 43 Gadwall on site and in the crop field a male and two femaleBramblings, a Meadow Pipit, 25 Greenfinches, 40 Chaffinches and 9 Linnets.
1st January 2013
– Mostly fine and mild, north westerly
The Bittern showed at dawn in an elevated roost in the Reed Bed on the crop field side, best viewed discreetly from the stream side of the Reed Bed. A Water Rail also called at dawn from the Reed Bed.
Birds from the preceding days were also on site, including the Tree Sparrow and Bramblingat the Oak Hide feeder and the Jack Snipe in the Marsh. Of particular note, a Waxwing was noted down at Patrick Farm feeding on berries along the main road just before the bridge.
Other birds of note included Peregrine, six Rook, six Lesser Redpolls, four Siskin, a singleGreen Sandpiper opposite Patrick Farm Barns and at least 50 Skylarks east of the A452.