21st February 2017

Woodcock flew out of scrub on Heronry South. 2 Marsh Tits at the Hayden Hide (one ringed).
At least 30 occupied cormorant nests and at least four herons nesting. Song Thrushes singing. (Trevor and Veronica Gunton)

Cormorants have been nesting since Christmas.

19th February 2017

Archive photo by Stuart Elsom

Bittern at Washout Pit plus Cetti's warbler, 2 water rails and 5 goosanders. (G.R)

82 Gadwall, 76 Widgeon, 46 Pochard, 105 B.h.gulls, 2 Oystercatchers, 50 Linnets, 2 Kingfishers, 32 Goldeneyes, 4 Goosanders, 205 Tufted Ducks, 3 Buzzards, 6 Shovellers, 2 Teal, Jay, Redwing, Wren and Songthrush. (RD and MS)

17th February

Rudd Pit: over 50 coots today, which is unusual. (Trevor Gunton)
Heronry Lakes: Excellent views of nesting cormorants and herons at the moment.

Coot. Note the bare white skin and the red eyes. 

15th February 2017

A pair of Goosanders by Phil (PK) Smith.

The Heronry Lakes and Heron Trail produced 3 Egyptian Geese, wigeon, tufted ducks, shovellers, pochards, a red kite, buzzard and a goldcrest plus 22 regular species. Goosanders showed well on the river and the Heronry Lakes, including a vivid pink drake. (T. Simmonds).

We have not had many otter sightings lately but you may find a few spraints if you look carefully. This one was at the River Viewpoint on a fallen tree that bridges Southoe Brook.

Otter spraint made of fish bones and scales (Jim Stevenson).

February 14th 2017

Trevor Gunton saw our regular marsh tit at the feeders by the Hayden Hide and heard several song thrushes singing.
On the islands in the Sailing Lake there were 2 oystercatchers and four lapwings.

Marsh tit by Phil (PK) Smith

February 13th 2017

A brown hare was reported at the weekend but no location given. We don't see them very often.

Pochard drake (they are nearly all drakes) by Jim Stevenson,

Birds: tree-creeper, goosander, bullfinches, buzzard, kestrel, red kite, grey wagtail, all from the Heron Trail. Pochards and goldeneyes have returned as water level is up.

Linnet by Phil (PK) Smith.

On the arable fields near the quarry, just after you cross Southoe Brook, there is a huge flock of linnets. Trevor Gunton estimates 250+. Its worth looking for other finches and buntings there.

February 2nd and 4th 2017

2/2/17 BITTERN flew over car park. (R Donson.)
4/2/17 Buzzard over meadow plus shovelers and coots on the Hayling Pit.

January 19th to 30th 2017

19/1/17 Third Thursday Walk 41 spp. including green sandpipers and goosanders.
24/1/17 Goldcrest by allotments (D Payne).
24/1/17 Weasel under boardwalk. (D Payne)
24/1/17 Grey Wagtail on Heronry South (Alan Coles)
25/1/17 Goldcrest, treecreeper, marsh tit, bullfinch near Hayden Hide (NA Whitehouse)
27/1/17 Male lesser spotted woodpecker (no details) (JD Clements)
29/1/17 Weasel crossing road by the Visitor Centre.(JMD)
30/1/17  Big Lake Birdwatch saw 40 spp including goldeneyes marsh tit and 2 green sandpipers.

Green sandpiper (taken at Grafham Water by Phil Smith.)