Additional reporting for the 25th November and photo now included below.
30th November 2024
Light cloud with sunny intervals. Mild. Light south/south-westerly.
The regular Saturday count by Graham Rowling and Dave Scanlan produced the following:
Eight Mute Swans, 179 Canada Geese, a Canada x Greylag Hybrid, 24 Greylag Geese, 12 Shoveler, 79 Gadwall, 277 Wigeon, 44 Mallard, 209 Teal, eight Pochard (six male and two female), 26 Tufted Ducks, 36 Cormorants, two Little Grebes, Grey Heron, seven Moorhens, 50 Coot, 84 Lapwing, 13 Common Snipe, 71 Black–headed Gulls, 11 Common Gulls, six Herring Gulls, five Lesser Black–backed Gulls and the adult Great Black–backed Gull. Elsewhere, records included two Ravens over, two Lesser Redpolls behind Oak Hide, a pair of Stonechats on the Flood Plain, a Water Rail which swam across the channels in the North Causeway Bay and, last but not least, a Bank Vole along the Old Road.
Records from the log prior to the count were an Egyptian Goose on Car Park Pool, Great White Egret, which flew across the Orchid Field, an overwintering Chiffchaff along the Old Road and presumably the same pair of Stonechats on the fence near Patrick Bridge.
29th November 2024
Generally bright with sunny intervals. Light south-easterly.
Stonechat numbers were up to four, with a pair (both unringed) around the Dragonfly Pond and another pair (of which the male was colour-ringed) on the Flood Plain. Mistle Thrush is never easy to find at Marsh Lane, with records generally few and far between, so two sightings, one on the far side of Railway Pool and the other on the Flood Plain, were notable. Other records included a juvenile Peregrine, two male Goosanders, a Water Rail in the Reedbed, Raven over, both Great Black-backed Gull and 25 Common Gulls, the latter a good count for November, as well as two Nuthatches in the Back Gate Copse and a female Bullfinch along the Causeway.
28th November 2024
Frost overnight. Bright and sunny but cold. Light south-easterly.
Mid-morning there was a flock of 30-40 Goldfinches along the Old Road, between the entrance gate Cottages and the Car Park gates. The North Causeway Bay was frozen over but yielded a pair of Wrens, up to three Blue Tits, a fly-over by a Green Woodpecker and excellent views of an overwintering Chiffchaff. There were three Common Gulls on Car Park Pool, and 13 Common Snipe were counted in various locations, both on the islands and the shore, around Railway Pool.
Later, a good range of species was recorded around the Reserve, including many of the more common ones which rarely make the log, a couple of note being Great Spotted Woodpecker and the regular Great Black–backed Gull.
27th November 2024
Rain early, overcast but brightening later, cold. Light north-westerly.
Sightings during the morning included a pair of Stonechats along the Old Road in the area where the Bale Store was formerly located, Water Rail in the Reedbed, male Bullfinch along the Causeway, Great Crested Grebe, three Shovelers on Car Park Pool and two Lesser Redpolls between Oak Hide and the South-west Pond.
26th November 2024
Slight frost overnight. Dry and largely sunny. Light south-westerly.
Two Red Kites were a notable sighting at around 11.45, circling over the north end of Car Park Pool and the southern end of the Flood Plain. Two adult Whooper Swans, almost certainly the pair which has been around recently, flew south-east over Railway Pool, there were 22 Common Snipe in total and a small flock of 10 Linnets feeding in the Crop Field.
Later, around 14.00, the Bittern flew over the Reedbed but, having landed, disappeared from view.
25th November 2024
Bright with sunny intervals. Generally dry and mild. Blustery south-westerly.
There was extensive flooding in the aftermath of Storm Bert, with Railway Pool inundated and the Blythe at very high levels around Patrick Bridge.
The juvenile and two adult Whooper Swans were still around, with Pochard numbers up to 12 (eight male and four female), 44 Tufted Ducks, the regular adult Great Black–backed Gull, five Little Grebes, a Water Rail (Reedbed) and a Great Crested Grebe, the latter never a common visitor during the winter months. A Fox was also seen, patrolling the far side of Car Park Pool.
Other sightings posted on the WhatsApp group were at least two Buzzards and a Kingfisher in the North Causeway Bay, all accompanied by some excellent photos courtesy of Stef Fraczek, especially the Kingfisher.
Kingfisher – Photograph by Stef Fraczek
24th November 2024
Storm Bert. Overcast with persistent rain, some heavy. Mild with strong/moderate south-westerly.
The following were logged despite the poor conditions:
The Flood Plain provided a good range of species with two Mandarin Ducks, a flock of 15 Redwings, three Meadow Pipits and a pair of Stonechats. Elsewhere there were 364 Teal spread across Car Park Pool, Railway Pool and the Flood Plain (201/98/65 respectively), three Fieldfares in the Back Gate Copse with another on the Flood Plain, two Mistle Thrushes over the Car Park, six+ Common Snipe, two+ Common Gulls and three Herring Gulls. Pochard numbers remained at 12, although the split had changed to six male and six female, and there were singles of both Goosander (female) and Little Egret.
23rd November 2024
Storm Bert. Overcast with persistent rain, sometimes heavy. Milder than of late. Strong/gusty southerly.
Thanks to Graham Rowling and Dave Scanlan who logged the following on the pools despite the poor conditions:
Eight Mute Swans, a juvenile and two adult Whooper Swans, 310 Canada Geese, 173 Greylag Geese, 12 Shoveler, 61 Gadwall, 278 Wigeon, 142 Mallard, 256 Teal, seven Pochard (six male and one female), 24 Tufted Ducks, 27 Cormorants, three Little Grebes, singles of Grey Heron and Little Egret, four Moorhens, 50 Coot, 62 Lapwing, six Common Snipe, 52 Black–headed Gulls, six Common Gulls, six Herring Gulls, two Lesser Black–backed Gulls and the adult Great Black–backed Gull. Elsewhere, records included Kingfisher (north over Car Park Pool), Collared Dove (Car Park feeders), 20 Redwings and a Fieldfare (Flood Plain) and a Meadow Pipit on Railway Pool.
22nd November 2024
Icy start and slow to thaw. Cold with sunny intervals. Light north-easterly.
The pools held a male Goosander, eight Pochard (seven male and one female), 37 Tufted Ducks, 52 Cormorants, 430 Canada Geese, 157 Greylag Geese and the adult Great Black–backed Gull. Raven completed the log entries.
There was a further significant Starling murmuration at around 16.10 (photos are on the WhatsApp group). No figure was given but from a quick guesstimate, it looks as though, at least for those birds in the photo, the count was very roughly of the same order as the one earlier in the week (20th).
21st November 2024
Hard frost to start then bright with sunny intervals. Cold. Light northerly.
Car Park Pool held seven Goosanders (one male and six female) and eight Pochard, as well as the usual ducks. Gulls comprised the adult Great Black–backed, up to eight Common, a single Herring and two Lesser Black–backed. There were 11 Common Snipe on Railway Pool with both Sparrowhawk and Raven also noted there, while the Back Gate Copse yielded three Redwings, two Siskins and a Lesser Redpoll.
Unsurprisingly given the cold start, the Car Park feeders were the scene of much activity, with 10 Greenfinch, six Chaffinch, five Reed Bunting and two each of Jay and Great Spotted Woodpecker among the species noted.
20th November 2024
Hard frost and light snow overnight. Cloudy and cold but brighter afternoon. Light northerly.
The only record in the log was of a further impressive Starling gathering, viewed from the Car Park, involving some 2000 birds which went to roost (location not given but presumed to be in the Reedbed) at around 16.20. Many had dropped down beforehand so the total number roosting was much higher, possibly 3000 – 4000.
19th November 2024
Snow overnight continuing during the morning then cloudy/overcast. Cold. Light northerly.
Flooding at Patrick Bridge.
The highlight of the day was a Golden Plover which flew over going south at around 09.00. This species is a very rare record for the Reserve these days, although large winter flocks were regularly recorded in the early years.
Other sightings included Peregrine, the regular adult Great Black–backed Gull, a pair of Stonechats on the Flood Plain, Water Rail in the Reedbed, a flock of 25 Linnets feeding in the Crop Field and a single Jay.
18th November 2024
Cloudy and overcast morning followed by rain, becoming heavy, from mid-afternoon. Light south-easterly.
A comprehensive count across the pools produced the following:
Two adults and a juvenile Whooper Swan, nine Mute Swans, 225 Canada Geese, 79 Greylag Geese, 17 Shoveler, 78 Gadwall, 188 Wigeon, 71 Mallard, 243 Teal, 12 Pochard (nine male and three female), 37 Tufted Ducks, 22 Cormorants, six Little Grebes, three Grey Herons, three Little Egrets, seven Moorhen, 55 Coot, 97 Lapwing, six Common Snipe, a Ring–necked Parakeet (heading east along the Railway Embankment) and two Water Rails in the Reedbed. Gulls comprised 51 Black–headed, four Common, two Lesser Black–backed and two Herring. Last, but by no means least, the Bittern was seen in flight over the Reedbed.
Also posted on the WhatsApp group was a second-hand report of a further sighting of the Green-winged Teal, seen during the morning heading towards the corner of Railway Pool by the Railway Bridge. Disappointingly, it could not be relocated.
Finally, Wigeon Green F2 was back on Railway Pool during the morning. It was originally ringed (metal ring) at the Reserve on Feb 2 2020 with the colour ring added at Marsh Lane on Feb 11 2022. It has been back each winter since and has also been seen at Brandon Marsh on Oct 4 2022 and Groby Pool, Leicestershire on Nov 15 2024.
17th November 2024
Bright & sunny followed by rain, some heavy, from mid-afternoon. Light westerly.
A party of five Mandarin Ducks, consisting of three males and two females, was found on Car Park Pool and other sightings in the log included 14 Common Gulls, two Water Rails (North Causeway Bay and Reedbed), five Little Egrets, two Ring–necked Parakeets in Siden Hill Wood, singles of both Raven and Skylark over, and, finally, two Lesser Redpolls along the Old Road.
Cattle Egret and friends – Photograph by Stef Fraczek
16th November 2024
Light cloud with brighter spells. Showery intervals early/mid-afternoon. Light south-westerly.
The Saturday count, courtesy of Dave Scanlan, yielded the following: 28 Wigeon, 125 Teal, 63 Gadwall, 330 Canada Geese, 65 Greylag Geese, 25 Shoveler, three Little Egrets, six Pochard, 11 Common Gulls, nine Herring Gulls and 10 Lesser Black–backed Gulls, Other records were: singles of Bullfinch and Fieldfare, along with five Redwings, in Siden Hill Wood, five Common Snipe in the marsh to the north of Siden, two Kestrels, one by the HS2 workings and the other by the Railway Embankment, and finally a Lesser Redpoll.
The afternoon also generated a good number of logbook entries, a couple of note being 50+ Lapwing on Railway Pool and a party of 13 Long–tailed Tits in the Back Gate Copse, but the most impressive by far was the murmuration of 1000+ Starlings from 15.45-16.00 which was viewed from the Car Park before the birds dropped down into the Reedbed to roost.
15th November 2024
Early frost, bright start then clouding over with some lighter intervals. Light south-westerly.
The Bittern again put in an appearance in the Reedbed and a Water Rail was seen there later. Other records from the pools included five Little Egrets, seven Pochard (six male and one female), 36 Tufted Ducks, the adult Great Black–backed Gull, six Common Gulls and a single male Goosander.
Around the rest of the Reserve, the Cattle Egret was on the Flood Plain, a Ringed–necked Parakeet was seen, two Bullfinches were in the Back Gate Copse and there was a pair of Stonechats by the Dragonfly Pond.
Away from the logbook, there were sightings, with accompanying photos, posted on the WhatsApp group of both Sparrowhawk (female) and Redwing (Old Road).
Female Sparrowhawk – Photograph by Steve Taylor
14th November 2024
Frost overnight, some bright intervals then generally overcast. Light northerly.
The Bittern was seen from the South Causeway Hide around 07.45 and early on there were 10 Goosanders (six males and four females) on Car Park Pool as well as a pair of Stonechats on the Flood Plain.
Later, there was a good selection of species around the Car Park and feeders, notably an overwintering Chiffchaff, as well as Great Spotted Woodpecker and Jay, the latter a species which rarely makes the log.
Car Park Pool also held a good variety including the regular adult Great Black–backed Gull and, most unusually for this time of year, an Oystercatcher. While the Reserve does have a previous November sighting (9th Nov 2014), this was definitely out of the ordinary.
13th November 2024
Sunny and bright for most of the day. Light northerly.
The adult Peregrine, presumably the same one as recorded yesterday, was again present, as were six Pochard, albeit this time four males and two females. There was just a single female Stonechat noted, six Siskins went south-west over Railway Pool and a Water Rail was seen from Oak Hide.
12th November 2024
Overcast all day. Light northerly.
Sightings were not quite on a par with yesterdays, but the pools held 14 Mute Swans, a single Egyptian Goose, six Pochard (five male and one female), the regular adult Great Black–backed Gull and six Common Gulls. Also present were an adult Peregrine, a pair of Stonechats and, last but not least, a Weasel was spotted by Railway Hide.
The Green–winged Teal photographed by Jason Lewis on 6th Nov is the 215th species for the Reserve and the third addition to the site list this year (the others being Glossy Ibis and Roseate Tern).
11th November 2024
Mostly sunny with high cloud initially giving way to full sun and a light northerly.
An eventful day in terms of bird sightings commenced with Martin Durkin finding an adult White-fronted Goose on Car Park Pool. This is likely to be the Ladywalk bird that was seen a few times at that Reserve and has decided to move south down the Tame Valley. Later in the morning it moved to the Flood Plain.
The regular visiting pair of Whooper Swans with the fledged juvenile came and went during the day and were joined by another five birds in the middle of the morning, a further three adults and two more juveniles.
Whooper Swans on Car Park Pool – Photograph by Stef Fraczek
To complete the morning’s quality, a Bittern flew over the Causeway and dropped into the Reedbed where, in the evening, approximately 300 Starlings came into roost.
10th November 2024
Sunny intervals initially, light south-westerly slowing moving round to the north.
A drake Goosander flew into Car Park Pool in the afternoon, a Raven went over, two Water Rails were heard or seen, one on Railway Pool and the other at the north end of Car Park Pool. Three Cetti’s were in song, and other birds included the roosting adult Greater Black-backed Gull, six Common Gulls, three Little Egrets, just a single drake Pochard, a Nuthatch in the Back Gate Copse, two Lesser Redpolls along the Old Road and 19 Common Snipe flushed from in front of Car Park Hide by the cattle. The pair of Whooper Swans with the cygnet came back into Car Park Pool in the afternoon, having been off site during much of the day.
9th November 2024
Overcast and still.
The pair of Whooper Swans and the fledged juvenile were again on site for some of the day, and were joined by five Mute Swans, 179 Canadas, 24 Greylag, 10 Shoveler, 54 Gadwall, 172 Wigeon, 38 Mallard, 195 Teal, just two drake Pochard, 32 Tufted Ducks, 15 Cormorants, six Little Grebe, one Heron, one Little Egret, the Great White Egret, the Cattle Egret, three Moorhen, 54 Coot, 83 Lapwing, just three Snipe, 32 Black-headed Gulls, three Common Gulls, five Herring Gulls, three Lesser Black-backed Gulls, two Egyptian Geese and a pair of Stonechats, the latter on the Flood Plain fences.
8th November 2024
Murky, south-easterly.
The Cattle Egret was present today, again feeding amongst the cattle on the Flood Plain, along with three Little Egrets. The latter wandered to and from the pools as well.
Fifteen Redwings and three Fieldfares flew over, along with a Grey Wagtail.
There were just two drake Pochards, 33 Tufteds, five Common Gulls, six Herring Gulls, 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, the adult Greater Black-backed Gull, and an unusual record of 10 Magpies together along the Old Road.
In the afternoon the two adult Whooper Swans and the fledged juvenile came in, presumably to roost, and further birds roosting on the Reserve included approximately 400 Starlings in the Reedbed arriving about 15.45.
7th November 2024
No records.
6th November 2024
Overcast, misty, still.
Undoubtedly, the bird of the day was unfortunately only subsequently identified from a photograph by Jason Lewis. This was a drake Green-winged Teal which was photographed from Oak Hide but has not been seen subsequently.
The two adult Whooper Swans and the juvenile were present on Car Park Pool until 10.15 when they few off south, so they presumably were going to forage elsewhere.
The Cattle Egret and five Little Egrets were present on the Flood Plain amongst the cattle. Two Peregrines were seen along with three Water Rails, two in the north Causeway Bay and one in the Marsh.
A Dunlin was also present, as was a Great White Egret, the latter on Car Park Pool.
Gull counts comprised of the roosting Greater Black-backed, eight Herring, 15 Lesser Black-backs and three Commons.
Green-winged Teal – Photograph by Jason Lewis
5th November 2024
Overcast, cool and still.
The Cattle Egret was present again today, along with a single Little Egret, two Grey Herons, seven Pochard, 99 Black-headed Gulls, a Sparrowhawk and two Ring-necked Parakeets in Siden Hill Wood.
A mixed group of thrushes worked south through the bushes on the far side of Car Park Pool during the morning and consisted of approximately 20 Redwings, five Fieldfares and a Song Thrush.
4th November 2024
Overcast and still.
A drake Red-crested Pochard was a new arrival on Car Park Pool this morning, and the Cattle Egret was also initially on Car Park Pool before moving to the Flood Plain.
Feeding amongst the cattle, or by the feeder on the Flood Plain, was a single Grey Wagtail and 14 Pied Wagtails. Overhead 29 Fieldfares, 29 Redwings and two Ravens passed over, whilst on or around the pools there were 19 Pochard, 30 Cormorants, five Common Gulls, six Herring Gulls, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and the adult Greater Black-backed Gull with a Water Rail seen from Oak Hide.
3rd November 2024
Murky, light easterly.
A hint of east in the wind and overcast, murky conditions proved to be ideal for some less usual species at the Reserve this morning. Firstly, a pair of Whooper Swans with a juvenile were found on Car Park Pool just after 08.00 this morning and they were present, mostly preening and washing, until they flew off south-east at 11.15.
Subsequently, three Black-tailed Godwits were found on Railway Pool, one of which was colour-ringed and details have been sought. The birds were in winter-plumage and mostly roosted before suddenly disappearing about 09.45. There was a Dunlin with them which was subsequently flushed and flew off with the Lapwings to relocate to Car Park Pool, but it didn’t settle. Five further Dunlin appeared at 11.15 on Railway Pool very briefly, but they too departed.
Meantime, a pair of Ring-necked Parakeets were again in Siden Hill Wood.
A number of flocks of Starlings went south during the morning up until 10.00 at least, with 90 – 100 birds in at least five flocks. Ten Redwings were also seen, either flying over the Flood Plain or heading south. Song Thrushes were displaced from near Oak Hide, and a second flew off south from the Railway Embankment.
Treecreepers were heard and seen along the Central Streamline and by the South-West Pond, with a vocal Cetti’s Warbler at the west end of the Causeway. A Linnet was heard flying around Railway Pool with another one heading south, along with four Reed Buntings.
Three Little Egrets were present on the pools. Water Rails were heard or seen from Railway Hide and the North Causeway Bay. Gull counts comprised the adult Greater Black-backed Gull, 20 Lesser Black-backs, 16 Herring and four Common Gulls, whilst a Lesser Redpoll was seen near Oak Hide. A Bullfinch was seen and heard in the Back Gate Copse and a Southern Hawker was photographed by the South-West Pond.
2nd November 2024
Overcast and still.
Highlights today comprised a third-winter Yellow-legged Gull, in with the usual Black-heads and larger Gulls. Other sightings comprised 41 Redwing, five Fieldfare and 2,500 Wood Pigeons south, a Cattle Egret which was initially on Car Park Pool but moved to the Flood Plain, a Red-legged Partridge flushed from the gate by the Causeway into the Orchid Field, and two Ring-necked Parakeets in Siden Hill Wood.
Meantime, the wildfowl counts were as follows: Nine Mute Swans, 63 Greylags, 126 Canadas, 20 Shoveler, 108 Gadwall, 96 Wigeon, 24 Mallard, 119 Teal, 18 Pochard, 16 Tufted, 28 Cormorant, three Little Grebes, three Herons, seven Little Egrets, nine Moorhen, 51 Coot, 78 Lapwing, just a single Snipe, 67 Black-headed Gulls, three Common Gulls, 14 Herring Gulls, 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and the adult Greater Black-backed Gull.
1st November 2024
Overcast, light north-westerly.
Birds making the log this morning comprised two Egyptian Geese, 17 Pochard, 110 Gadwall, five Little Egrets, the adult Greater Black-backed Gull with five Herring Gulls and 30 Cormorants.