Mute Swan - an adult arrived on 17th which is still present today.
Shelduck - 2 (pair) were present yesterday morning.
Gadwall - 4 on 19th and 1 male today
Wigeon - 1 east on 20th and 6 present today
Teal - 3 east on 20th and 3 present today
Tufted - Up to 14
Pochard - male from beginning until mid month
Goosander - Daily occurrence, with a maximum of 17.
Great-crested Grebe - 2 have remained on the res this winter
Little Grebe - one seen regularly on stream entering res.
Water Rail - Up to 2 were being recorded before the snow.
Woodcock - one was feeding in an adjacent wood today.
4 Willow Tit and 4 Nuthatch have been visiting seed around the res and a flock of 90-100 Siskin have been recorded in the area over the last few days
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| Goosander - very active in the morning sun |
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| Willow Tit - hopefully this winter won't impact on this nationally declining sp. |
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| Nuthatch - very conspicuous in winter around the reservoir |
2 comments:
Just been looking at the photo of Willow Tit, Carl.
It may be the angle of the shot or the light, but it does appear to show some characteristics of Marsh Tit - small black bib, the white spot at the base of upper mandible and the contast between the front and rear parts of the cheek. However, it also shows a wing panel and looks 'bull-necked'. This may lead to a third option - did the Marsh Tit x Willow Tit pairing produced young in subsequents years to 2008???
Can you put m' mind at rest - did you hear it calling
Well noticed Martin! However, it is just the photo that makes it appear like this. The actual bird looked like a typical Willow, plus it did call. As far as we know, the Marsh Tit of 2008 didn't nest, it was certainly paired with a male Willow Tit and even copulated, but it turned out the Willow already had a missus that did successfully lay a clutch, although the nest was destroyed. .
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