Adel Dam wildlife sightings
AD Sightings
December 2018
22nd December
Marsh hide
Single coal tit, robin and sparrowhawk (hunting)
3 Blue tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (pair)
5 Great tit
6 Mallard (three pair)
2 Moorhen
3 Nuthatch
Lake hide
Single carrion crow (overhead), coal tit, jay, nuthatch and robin
15 Black-headed gull (overhead)
5 Blue tit
3 Great tit
9 Mallard (five male and four female)
2 Teal (pair)
Contribution from SL
18th December
Marsh hide
Single water rail
2 Bullfinch (calling)
14 Mandarin (eight male and six female)
33 Siskin (landed briefly)
Lake hide
Single buzzard (overhead), dunnock, jay, sparrowhawk (male with kill on logs in front of hide, before perching in tree for an hour), sparrowhawk (female overhead)
2 Gadwall (pair)
18 Mallard (nine pair)
2 Moorhen
3 Robin
9 Teal (five male and four female)
Contributions from AB, DAJ and SB
16th December
(Guide in the Hide)
Marsh hide
Single jay, kingfisher (quick fly-by) and wren
5 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
6 Chaffinch (three pair)
4 Coal tit
5 Great tit
3 Jay
8 Mallard (four pair)
11 Mandarin (six male and five female, one pair mating energetically)
2 Moorhen
5 Nuthatch
2 Robin
4 Stock dove
2 Woodpigeon
Lake hide
Single dunnock, jay and wren
4 Blue tit
3 Great tit
4 Long-tailed tit
3 Magpie
12 Mallard (six pair)
2 Nuthatch
2 Red kite (overhead)
4 Robin
5 Teal (three male and two female)
Contributions from CC, DAJ, JM and PM
14th December
Marsh hide
Single carrion crow, kingfisher, magpie, robin and sparrowhawk (overhead)
2 Blackbird (pair)
3 Blue tit
6 Chaffinch (four male and two female)
2 Coal tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (pair)
4 Great tit
3 Jay
5 Mallard (three male and two female)
10 Mandarin (five pair)
2 Moorhen
3 Nuthatch
Lake hide
Single blue tit, chaffinch (male), dunnock, great spotted woodpecker (female) and jay
4 Black-headed gull
2 Coal tit
3 Mallard (two male and one female)
2 Moorhen
2 Nuthatch
Contributions from CRH, DAJ, SB and SL
9th December
Marsh hide
Single carrion crow, jay, pheasant (male), sparrowhawk (unsucessful hunt at the feeders), red kite (overhead) robin, woodpigeon and wren
3 Blackbird
2 Blue tit
4 Chaffinch (three male and one female)
2 Coal tit
4 Great spotted woodpecker (two male and two female. One female driven off by a male)
4 Great tit
8 Mallard (five male and three female)
2 Mandarin (male and female on the stream)
2 Nuthatch
Lake hide
Single black-headed gull, carrion crow, long-tailed tit, moorhen and robin (flew into the hide where it stayed for 10 minutes seeking out titbits)
3 Blue tit
2 Coal tit
3 Great tit
2 Magpie
7 Mallard (four male and three female)
2 Nuthatch
2 Red kite (overhead)
Also 3 roe deer bounding through the woods on the west bank of the lake
Elsewhere, at the entrance a treecreeper on the old tree; a goldcrest seen by visitors in the yew by the path; a large mixed flock of around one hundred woodpigeon and fifty starling seen in Cook's field to the east
Contributions from CRH and SL
11th December
Marsh hide
Single great spotted woodpecker (male) and water rail
6 Blue tit
4 Chaffinch (two pair)
4 Coal tit
8 Great tit
2 Jay
4 Mallard (two pair)
13 Mandarin (eight male and five female)
4 Nuthatch
2 Stockdove
Lake hide
8 Black-headed gull
4 Blue tit
2 Coal tit
4 Great tit
18 Mallard (nine pair)
2 Moorhen
2 Nuthatch
4 Robin
Elsewhere, in the entrance area, one great spotted woodpecker (male) and two redwing. In Doherty's ('lapwing') field one roe deer (quite small, possibly young)
Contributions from DAJ and SB
7th December
Marsh hide
Single carrion crow, robin and water rail
2 Blackbird (two male)
5 Blue tit
6 Chaffinch (three pair)
5 Coal tit
3 Great spotted woodpecker (two male and one female)
6 Great tit
2 Jay
3 Magpie
8 Mallard (four pair)
2 Moorhen
5 Nuthatch
12 Siskin (overhead)
3 Stock dove
2 Woodpigeon
Also a roe deer walking downstream behind the feeders
Lake Hide
Single great spotted woodpecker (male), grey wagtail and moorhen
5 Blue tit
3 Coal tit
2 Great tit
2 Jay
5 Long-tailed tit
10 Mallard (five pair)
9 Mandarin (five male and four female)
2 Robin
Elswhere, at the entrance (along the stream) one grey wagtail.
Contributions from DAJ and SB
4th December
Marsh hide
Single dunnock, moorhen, pheasant (male), water rail and wren
4 Blue tit
4 Coal tit
3 Great spotted woodpecker (two male and one female)
9 Great tit
4 Jay
2 Magpie
4 Mallard (two pair)
12 Mandarin (seven male and five female)
6 Stock dove
Also two roe deer seen in front of the hide on two occasions
Lake hide
Single grey heron, greylag goose, teal (male) and moorhen
5 Gadwall (three male and two female)
10 Mallard (five pair)
2 Robin
Elsewhere, three nuthatches on the same oak tree. At the entrance, two blue tit, two coal tit and four great tit
Contributions from AB, DAJ and SB
November 2018
27th November
Marsh hide
Single brambling (male), bullfinch (heard), carrion crow, moorhen, pheasant (male), siskin (heard), treecreeper, sparrowhawk (male), water rail, woodpigeon and wren
7 Blue tit
8 Chaffinch (four pair)
5 Coal tit
3 Great spotted woodpecker (one male and two female)
12 Great tit
2 Jay
2 Magpie
4 Mallard (one male and three female)
11 Mandarin (six male and five female)
4 Nuthatch
3 Robin
9 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single great spotted woodpecker (male), jay, magpie, sparrowhawk (male which circled the feeders twice) and teal (male)
2 Black headed gull (with 30 or so overhead and one mobbing a carrion crow)
4 Blue tit
2 Coal tit
4 Gadwall (two pair)
4 Goldfinch
3 Great tit
5 Greylag goose (overhead)
2 Magpie
16 Mallard (eight pair)
3 Moorhen
2 Nuthatch
2 Robin
3 Teal (all male)
Also a group of siskin were heard calling from the trees to the right on the edge of the lake
Other location
A song thrush and a mistle thrush were seen in the trees on the reserve boundary with Doherty's field
At the entrance single nuthatch and robin: six blue tit, two coal tit, seven great tit
On the path outside the reserve eight long-tailed tit and two treecreeper
Contributions from AB, CRH, DAJ and SL
26th November
Marsh hide
Single brambling, sparrowhawk and water rail
Contribution form JI
23rd November
Marsh hide
Single carrion crow, pheasant (female), robin, sparrowhawk (male), treecreeper and water rail (seen for much of the morning preening, sometimes stretching and wing flapping)
3 Blue tit
2 Chaffinch (male and female)
3 Coal tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
4 Great tit
3 Jay (fighting)
3 Magpie
2 Moorhen
3 Mallard (two male and one female)
4 Mandarin (three male and one female)
3 Nuthatch
3 Robin (having a mild dispute)
10 Stock dove (most occupying the feed table)
Lake hide
Single dunnock, grey wagtail (heard) and moorhen
3 Blue tit
2 Coal tit
2 Great tit
10 Mallard (five pair)
3 Nuthatch
2 Robin
3 Teal (all male)
Other locations
Single bullfinch (heard), great spotted woodpecker (heard) near the south east side and pheasant (male)
8 Blackbird (five male and three female)
5 Blue tit
4 Carrion crow
5 Great tit
2 Jay
2 Nuthatch
4 Redwing in the yew trees by the section of path between the hides)
3 Robin
3 Wren
Contributions from anonymous visitor, DAJ, SB and SL
18th November
(Guide in the Hide)
Marsh hide
Single blue tit, bullfinch (heard), carrion crow, moorhen, robin, water rail (present for several hours, chased off by a moorhen but returned later) and wren
2 Carrion crow
3 Chaffinch (two male and one female)
2 Coal tit
3 Great spotted woodpecker (two male and one female)
6 Great tit
2 Jay
3 Magpie
2 Mallard (male and female)
15 Mandarin (seven male and eight female)
2 Nuthatch
5 Stock dove
2 Teal (male and female)
2 Woodpigeon
Lake hide
Single carrion crow, coal tit, great spotted woodpecker (female), jay, kingfisher, nuthatch and red kite (overhead)
2 Blackbird (male and female)
5 Black-headed gull
3 Blue tit
2 Canada goose (overhead)
3 Coal tit
4 Great tit
2 Magpie
12 Mallard (six male and six female)
5 Moorhen
2 Robin
6 Teal (two male and four female)
Also, in Doherty's field, two pheasant and, additional to 60 or so ewes, 4 black rams were seen butting each other
Contributions from CJH, DAJ, PJ, RB and SL
17th November
Marsh hide
Single water rail
Lake hide
Single goldcrest and robin (came into the hide)
Several mallard and moorhen on the lake
Also a mixed flock (about 50) of bullfinch, goldfinch and siskin in the alders to the east of the lake hide area. Below this spot were blue tit, chaffinch, great tit, great spotted woodpecker and nuthatch. A woodcock was flushed. Redwing were seen above the boardwalk at the east side of the reserve.
Contribution from BT
16th November
Marsh hide
Single bullfinch (female), moorhen, robin and water rail (watched for 2 hours)
3 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
4 Chaffinch (three male and one female)
4 Coal tit (all together on seed table)
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
5 Great tit
3 Jay
2 Magpie
10 Mandarin (five pairs)
5 Nuthatch
8 Stock dove (all together on seed table)
2 Wren
Lake hide
Single red kite (overhead)
2 Coal tit
2 Great tit
2 Mallard (male and female)
2 Moorhen
2 Nuthatch
2 Robin
2 Teal (two male)
A flock of siskin were heard high behind the hide
Also a kingfisher was seen flying downstream
Contributions from DAJ and DS
On both the 14th and 15th November a water rail was seen from the marsh hide.
13th November
Marsh hide
Single blackbird (male), carrion crow, magpie, mallard (female), moorhen, robin, and sparrowhawk (flying fast overhead)
2 Blue tit
2 Chaffinch (male and female)
2 Coal tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
5 Great tit
2 Jay
6 Long-tailed tit
3 Mandarin (two male and one female)
2 Nuthatch
Lake hide
Single blue tit, gadwall, nuthatch and red kite (overhead)
2 Carrion crow
2 Chiffchaff (one showing submissive behaviour)
2 Coal tit
3 Goldcrest
5 Great tit
2 Kingfisher
2 Long-tailed tit
15 Mallard (nine male and six female)
5 Mandarin (two male and three female)
2 Moorhen
2 Teal (both male)
Elsewhere, at head height in a tree near the outflow were two goldcrest. Moving from trees near the entrance and effortlessly jumping the fence into Doherty's field was a roe deer.
Contributions from AB, CJH, DAJ, SB and SL
On 10th November a water rail was seen from the marsh hide.
9th November
Marsh hide
Single blackbird (male), dunnock, magpie, robin and wren
2 Blue tit
3 Carrion crow
2 Chaffinch (male and female)
3 Coal tit
3 Great spotted woodpecker (one male and two female)
3 Great tit
2 Jay
3 Mandarin (one male and two female)
2 Nuthatch
Additionally, a flock of approximately 40 lapwing flew overhead
Lake hide
Single black-headed gull (overhead), blue tit, buzzard (overhead), coal tit, great spotted woodpecker (male), great tit, grey wagtail, magpie and robin
2 Jay
10 Mallard (five pairs)
3 Moorhen
2 Nuthatch
6 Teal (all male)
Additionally a roe deer was seen
Elsewhere, near the yew trees on the path between the hides were 12 long-tailed tit and two wren
Contributions from DAJ and SL
On 7th November a visitor reported seeing an otter on the lake at 11.30.
6th November
Marsh hide
Single carrion crow, great spotted woodpecker (male) and magpie
4 Blue tit
4 Chaffinch (pairs)
3 Coal tit
4 Great tit
2 Jay
3 Nuthatch
Also heard were bullfinch, fieldfare, long tailed-tit, siskin and willow tit
Lake hide
Single blue tit, great tit, red kite (overhead) and sparrowhawk (female, overhead)
10 Mallard (five pairs including one couple mating enthusiastically)
9 Teal (one male and eight female)
A visitor reported a small flock of redwing near the yew trees on the path between the two hides
Contribution from DAJ
4th November
Visitors reported several sightings of single roe deer at the marsh hide. Also redwings nearby.
Near the lake hide a woodcock was flushed.
A bat was seen near the entrance at dusk
2nd November
Marsh hide
Single blackbird (male), carrion crow, mandarin (female), robin, stock dove and woodpigeon
5 Blue tit
3 Coal tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
4 Great tit
3 Jay
4 Nuthatch
2 Wren
Additionally a small flock each of redwing and of fieldfare flew overhead
Also a roe deer, later seen in Doherty's field
Lake hide
Single robin and treecreper
4 Blue tit
2 Coal tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
4 Great tit
2 Grey wagtail
7 Long-tailed tit
10 Mallard (five pairs)
4 Moorhen
3 Nuthatch
10 Teal (all male)
Contributions from DAJ and SB
October 2018
30th Oct
Marsh hide
Single blue tit, carrion crow (on the suet feeder), dunnock, jay, magpie, moorhen, pheasant (female under the feeders) and robin
5 Chaffinch (three male; two female)
2 Coal tit
3 Great spotted woodpecker (two male; one female)
4 Great tit
4 Mallard (one male; three female)
8 Mandarin (four pairs [SB])
2 Nuthatch
2 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single carrion crow, coal tit, mute swan (flew over), nuthatch and robin
11 Black-headed gull
15 Mallard (nine male; six female)
3 Moorhen
15 Teal (eleven male; four female)
Contribution from CRH
27-29th Oct
Anonymous visitors reported bullfinch, great spotted woodpecker, jay, mandarin, nuthatch, teal and otter at the lake hide. A volunteer [BT] saw a group of redwing in the yews beyond the marsh hide on the 27th.
24th Oct
Marsh hide
Single great spotted woodpecker (female), green woodpecker and sparrowhawk
2 Jay
8 Mandarin (four pairs)
4 Nuthatch
Also a roe deer
Lake hide
Single female grey wagtail feeding underneath the bridge to the lake hide
8 Black-headed gull
5 Mallard
5 Moorhen
10 Teal
A lesser spotted woodpecker was heard calling from trees overlooking Dohertys field (south side of the reserve) and three redwing were feeding near the bridleway towards the Parkway hotel
Contributions from DAJ and WA
23rd Oct
Marsh hide
Single great spotted woodpecker, magpie, red kite and robin
2 Blue tit
2 Coal tit
2 Great tit
40 Greylag goose (two flocks - approx 15 and 25 - flew over)
2 Long-tailed tit ([SB])
5 Mallard
12 Mandarin (four male; eight female. Some neck stretching and nipping)
2 Nuthatch
Lake hide
Single grey wagtail, jay and nuthatch
2 Black-headed gull
2 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
2 Coal tit
2 Great tit
2 Grey heron
3 Magpie
7 Mallard (five male; two female)
6 Moorhen (including two juvenile)
2 Red kite
16 Teal (keeping out of the strong winds)
2 Woodpigeon
Contribution from CRH
Jays habitually take several peanuts at a time - presumably to cache somewhere in the wood for leaner times.
The current record is 15 peanuts in a single visit!
22nd Oct
Visitors [F&J] saw buzzard, kingfisher and sparrowhawk from the lake hide
21st Oct – Guide-in-the-hide session (11.00-15.00) with CC, CRH, DAJ, JMcA and PM
Marsh hide
Single chaffinch (male), magpie, robin, sparrowhawk (a male flew through the area), stock dove, treecreeper and woodpigeon
2 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
3 Coal tit
5 Great spotted woodpecker (three male; two female - females were seen at the same time; males had different patterns of red on the nape)
2 Great tit
67 Greylag goose (flock flew over)
4 Jay
18 Mandarin (ten male; eight female [KN])
3 Nuthatch
2 Wren
Also a female roe deer feeding in woods close to the hide
Lake hide
Single great spotted woodpecker (male), jay, robin, red kite (heard) and sparrowhawk (another flyby – different time of day)
16 Black-headed gull
3 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
5 Coal tit
3 Great tit
7 Greylag goose
9 Mallard (four male; five female)
4 Moorhen (including two juveniles)
2 Nuthatch
2 Robin
11 Teal
2 Woodpigeon
19th Oct
Marsh hide
Single great spotted woodpecker and mandarin (female)
3 Blue tit
2 Chaffinch (both male)
4 Coal tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female together)
4 Great tit
2 Jay
8 Long-tailed tit
4 Nuthatch
Lake hide
Single kingfisher and sparrowhawk (flew over the lake towards the marsh hide)
3 Black-headed gull
2 Grey wagtail
5 Mallard
3 Moorhen (including one juvenile)
10 Teal
Fly agaric was also noticed in the reserve by visitors
Contributions from DAJ, Nfam, SA and SB
18th Oct
Visitors [KN and SF] reported great spotted woodpecker, nuthatch and mandarin (ten pairs) at the marsh hide plus nuthatch and two kingfisher at the lake hide
17th Oct
Marsh hide
Single chaffinch (male), great spotted woodpecker (seen earlier by visitors), jay, magpie, moorhen, nuthatch, teal and a sparrowhawk which made a half-hearted attack on some blue tits and disappeared into the woods
2 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
3 Coal tit
5 Great tit
3 Mallard
Lake hide
Single carrion crow, jay, nuthatch, red kite and robin
3 Black-headed gull
2 Blue tit
2 Great tit
2 Long-tailed tit
4 Mallard (including a pair doing lots of head-bobbing)
5 Moorhen (including two juveniles)
8 Teal (some of the males were well-coloured)
Contribution from CRH
14th Oct - miserable rainy day not much about !
Marsh hide
Single blue tit, chaffinch (male), great spotted woodpecker (female) and moorhen
2 Coal tit
2 Great tit
2 Mallard
2 Mandarin
Lake hide
Single coal tit, great spotted woodpecker, jay and robin
7 Black-headed gull
3 Blue tit
3 Great tit
4 Mallard
3 Moorhen
9 Teal
Contribution from CRH and SL
11-13th Oct
Visitors [JR, KH, RC] reported kingfisher, great spotted woodpecker, nuthatch and also caterpillars of the pale tussock moth
9th Oct
Lake hide
Sing grey heron, kingfisher, nuthatch, red kite, sparrowhawk (male) and wren
4 Black-headed gull
32 Lapwing (a flock flew over the lake)
8 Mallard
3 Moorhen
25 Teal
Contribution from DAJ
Also willow tit at the marsh hide (the song made the sighting unambiguous! [AB])
8th Oct
Marsh hide
Single mandarin (female), robin, wren and sparrowhawk (female made two visits during the session)
4 Blue tit
4 Chaffinch (three male; one female)
3 Coal tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
3 Great tit
2 Jay
4 Nuthatch
Lake hide
5 Fieldfare (in tallest trees around the lake)
32 Greylag goose (two flocks - 10 and 22 - flew over the lake from west to east)
6 Mallard
3 Moorhen
12 Teal
Also two buzzard over the panhandle area
Contribution from DAJ
5th Oct
Marsh hide
Single great spotted woodpecker (male) and moorhen
2 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
2 Chaffinch (male and female)
2 Coal tit
3 Great tit
3 Long-tailed tit
4 Mallard (including one male)
8 Mandarin (three male; five female feeding on the pond - grain from the feeders)
5 Nuthatch
2 Robin (one was chased off by the other)
2 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single dunnock, great tit, grey heron (feeding on the lake), grey wagtail, robin, woodpigeon and wren
7 Black-headed gull
3 Blue tit
2 Kingfisher (both male [SB])
2 Mallard (female)
13 Teal
Other locations
Male blackbird in the three ponds area; three carrion crow and six woodpigeon on Cooks field
Contributions from CRH and DAJ
3rd Oct
Feeding snipe caught on camera [BT] near the lake
2nd Oct
Marsh hide
Single siskin (heard [AB]) coal tit, dunnock, great spotted woodpecker (female) and nuthatch
3 Blue tit
2 Bullfinch (calling)
2 Chaffinch (male and female)
3 Great tit
4 Long-tailed tit
3 Mallard
2 Mandarin (female)
3 Woodpigeon
Lake hide
Single coal tit, dunnock, great tit, grey wagtail, jay, kingfisher (male perched for a while without fishing) and mandarin (female)
3 Black-headed gull
2 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
8 Mallard (including one male)
3 Moorhen (including one juvenile)
24 Teal (feeding on the lake)
2 Woodpigeon
Other location
Three carrion crow and two magpie on Cooks field
Contribution from CRH
September 2018
29th Sept
Marsh hide
Single chiffchaff, green woodpecker (seen at dusk entering an old great spotted woodpecker hole – [AT]), mandarin (single male - but more out of sight making lots of noise)
5 Blue tit
3 Chaffinch (two male; one female)
3 Coal tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
5 Great tit
3 Nuthatch
Lake hide
Single red kite and grey heron
3 Black-headed gull
2 Kingfisher (adult male and juvenile female - [SB])
8 Mallard
4 Moorhen (including one juvenile)
10 Teal
Contribution from DAJ
Visitors [Cat] reported mandarin, tufted duck and sparrowhawk
28th Sept
Visitors [Bax, Con] reported blue tit, great spotted woodpecker, great tit, grey heron, jay, nuthatch and kingfisher (up to 2)
25th Sept
Visitors/volunteers [DAJ, AB, anon] saw three house martin, two kingfisher and fifteen teal at the lake hide; single male kingfisher at the marsh hide and butterflies (comma, speckled wood) around the reserve
24th Sept
Marsh hide
Single bullfinch (calling - not seen) and coal tit
6 Blue tit
3 Chaffinch (two male; one female)
3 Great spotted woodpecker (male, female and juvenile)
4 Great tit
2 Jackdaw
3 Mallard (juvenile)
8 Mandarin (three male; five female)
3 Nuthatch
2 Robin
2 Wren
Lake hide
Single black-headed gull, buzzard, nuthatch, red kite and wren
4 Blue tit
3 Great tit
4 Mallard
4 Moorhen (including one juvenile)
10 Teal
Contribution from DAJ
23rd Sept
Marsh hide
Single chiffchaff (calling), dunnock, nuthatch and robin
3 Blue tit
2 Bullfinch (calling)
2 Coal tit
4 Great tit
6 Mallard (including one male)
6 Mandarin (two male; four female)
Lake hide
Single chaffinch (female), jay, nuthatch, robin and song thrush (flew over the lake)
6 Black-headed gull
4 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
2 Coal tit
3 Great tit
2 Kingfisher (chasing along the right of the lake - didn't stop)
5 Mallard (including one male)
5 Mandarin (one male; four female)
5 Moorhen (including one juvenile)
12 Teal (feeding around the lake)
Contribution from CRH
20-21st Sept
Visitors [RH, SD and AH] reported otter (2), treecreeper, willow warbler, mandarin and kingfisher
18th Sept
Marsh hide
Single chiffchaff (calling), coal tit, dunnock, mandarin (female) and robin
2 Blue tit
2 Bullfinch (calling)
4 Chaffinch (two male; two female)
3 Great spotted woodpecker (two male; one female [SB])
2 Great tit
50+ Lapwing (a flock that included a few starlings flew over)
2 Nuthatch
Lake hide
Single grey heron [SB], grey wagtail and red kite [SB]
14 Black-headed gull
3 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
2 Coal tit
4 Great tit
13 Mallard
2 Mandarin
5 Moorhen (including two juveniles)
18 Teal
2 Woodpigeon
Contribution from CRH
16th Sept - Guide-in-the-Hide with CRH, PJ, PM, CC and JMcA
Marsh hide
Single dunnock, greenfinch (drinking on the edge of the pond), jay (on log feeder), kingfisher (fished for several minutes), robin, woodpigeon and wren
2 Blue tit
4 Chaffinch (two male; two female)
2 Coal tit
3 Great spotted woodpecker (two males - different sized red patches on the hindcrown - plus one female)
2 Great tit
13 Mandarin (six males - including several well-coloured individuals - and seven females. Lots of posturing and fighting for a position on the feeder table)
3 Nuthatch
2 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single buzzard, chiffchaff, dunnock, great spotted woodpecker (male), grey heron, jay, kingfisher, long-tailed tit, magpie, red kite, robin, sparrowhawk and wren
3 Black-headed gull
5 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
2 Coal tit
4 Great tit
10 Mallard
2 Mandarin,
6 Moorhen (including two juvenile - one quite small)
2 Nuthatch
3 Teal
3 Woodpigeon
Also two bank vole and several dragonflies (migrant hawker and common darter)
14-15th Sept
Visitors [K&S, NR] reported kingfisher, great spotted woodpecker and spotted flycatcher
13th Sept
Marsh hide
Single coal tit, dunnock, nuthatch, robin and woodpigeon (not happy sharing feeding table with the stock doves)
4 Blue tit
4 Chaffinch (all female)
3 Great spotted woodpecker (two male and one female appearing separately during the session)
3 Great tit
3 Mandarin (two male; one female)
5 Stock dove
Also two roe deer (feeding in the dense vegetation between hide and stream for over 20 mins. Only came into the light briefly)
Lake hide
Single male blackbird, black-headed gull and jay
3 Blue tit
2 Kingfisher (both male and female seen during the session)
10 Mallard
5 Mandarin (three male; two female - males close to full breeding plumage)
4 Moorhen (including one juvenile)
12 Teal
Contribution from CRH
9th Sept
Marsh hide
Single coal tit, great spotted woodpecker (male), nuthatch, stock dove
5 Blue tit
7 Chaffinch (two male; five female)
6 Great tit
8 Mallard (family group)
2 Mandarin (both female)
Lake hide
Single grey heron, nuthatch and red kite
3 Black-headed gull
3 Carrion crow
2 Coal tit
5 Great tit
90+ Lapwing (large flock flew over)
15 Mallard (including the family group of eight who arrived from the marsh hide)
4 Moorhen
10 Teal
Also one bank vole under the feeders
Contribution from CRH and SL
Later in the day (18.30) a visitor [Fi] reported spotted flycatcher, kingfisher (2) and chiffchaff at the lake hide
7-8th Sept
Visitors [CM and JD] saw treecreeper, kingfisher and great spotted woodpecker
2nd Sept
Marsh hide
Single chiffchaff (seen and also heard calling), coal tit, dunnock, great spotted woodpecker (female), nuthatch, robin and woodpigeon
4 Blue tit
2 Bullfinch
3 Chaffinch (one male; two female)
5 Great tit
3 Mandarin (male)
Lake hide
Single chiffchaff (seen and heard calling), coal tit, dunnock, grey heron (perched atop a willow for most of the session), kingfisher (male hovering and diving several times, also perching on stumps) and red kite
3 Black-headed gull
4 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
2 Great tit
8 Mallard
3 Mandarin
4 Moorhen (including one juvenile)
2 Robin
2 Spotted flycatcher
5 Teal
2 Woodpigeon
Other locations
Mixed flock (150+) of lapwing and starling on and over Cooks field.
Visitors [anon] reported roe deer and three goldfinch
Contribution from CRH
1st Sept
Kingfisher seen several times by anonymous visitors
August 2018
28th Aug
Marsh hide
Single mallard (female), moorhen and woodpigeon
3 Blue tit
2 Bullfinch (calling)
4 Chaffinch (two male; two female)
2 Chiffchaff (one juvenile around the pond; a second bird calling)
2 Coal tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (different males)
6 Great tit
2 Mandarin (male and female)
2 Nuthatch
2 Robin
2 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single dunnock, grey heron [DAJ], grey wagtail (catching flies over the lake, close to the hide), nuthatch, teal, tufted duck (female - calling occasionally), willow warbler (juvenile) and wren
3 Black-headed gull
5 Blue tit
2 Chiffchaff (one in the feeder area, calling occasionally; a second individual calling in the distance)
2 Coal tit
6 Great tit
12+ House martin (group feeding over the lake - also over Dohertys field)
2-3 Kingfisher (both male and female were seen perching separately during the session. The male also chased a possible third bird (juvenile?) off the lake)
14 Mallard (including one adult female with seven full grown juveniles in close attendance)
8 Mandarin (five male; three female)
5 Moorhen (including two juveniles)
4 Spotted flycatcher (possibly family group feeding among trees in the far corner of the lake)
4 Woodpigeon
Also two bank vole under the feeders
Other locations
Six carrion crow on Doherty field (newly mown) and four grey wagtail (family group?) seen in the leat [PM]
Contribution from CRH
27th Aug
Marsh hide
Single nuthatch and robin
5 Blue tit
2 Chaffinch (both male)
2 Chiffchaff (calling)
2 Coal tit
2 Dunnock
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and juvenile)
5 Great tit
3 Long-tailed tit
8 Mallard (female and seven well grown juveniles)
4 Mandarin (male)
2 Wren
Lake hide
Single bullfinch and red kite
4 Blue tit
3 Great tit
60-ish House martin (over the lake for 5 min)
2 Mallard
2 Mandarin
2 Moorhen
Contribution from DAJ
26th Aug
Marsh hide
Single chiffchaff (juvenile), coal tit and robin
6 Blue tit
4 Chaffinch (two male; two female)
2 Dunnock
3 Great spotted woodpecker (two different adult male and a juvenile)
10 Great tit
8 Mallard (female and seven full grown juveniles - feeding cautiously in the pond margins)
5 Mandarin
2 Nuthatch
4 Woodpigeon
Also a rabbit scampering along the boardwalk
Lake hide
Single black-headed gull, grey heron (perched in willows through the whole session), nuthatch, robin and willow warbler (juvenile)
3 Blue tit
2 Coal tit
2 Dunnock
6 Great tit
20+ House martin/Swallow (a mixed flock feeding continuously in front of the hide for over an hour (several birds stopped on the stumps for a rest - all swallows))
15 Mallard (seven adults plus a female with seven fully grown juvenile - presumably the group from the marsh hide)
2 Mandarin
3 Moorhen
4 Teal (feeding on the lake)
2 Woodpigeon
Contribution from CRH
21st-24th Aug
Visitors reported red kite [Po], roe deer [Fr] and also two kingfisher chasing at the lake hide [SB]
19th Aug – Guide-in-the-hide session with CRH, DAJ, CC, PM and PJ
Marsh hide
Single robin and woodpigeon
3 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
4 Chaffinch (two male; two female)
3 Coal tit
3 Great spotted woodpecker (male and two juvenile)
7 Great tit
2 Jay
4 Long-tailed tit
12 Mandarin (four male; five female; three juvenile. Adult males starting to show colour and practising their display)
3 Stock dove (two adult; one juvenile)
3 Wren (adult and two juvenile)
Lake hide
Single dunnock, grey heron (fishing at far side of lake for over an hour), jay, moorhen, sparrowhawk, woodpigeon and wren
2 Black-headed gull
6 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
2 Coal tit
3 Great tit
13 Mallard (including seven large juveniles)
8 Mandarin
2 Nuthatch
2 Robin (adult and juvenile)
17th Aug
Marsh hide
Single great spotted woodpecker (male), sparrowhawk (female) and willow warbler
9 Blue tit
4 Chaffinch (two pairs)
3 Coal tit
8 Great tit
2 Kingfisher (chased each other around the pond using all the perches. Caught five fish between them [SB])
2 Nuthatch
Lake hide
Single great spotted woodpecker (male), grey heron, jay, moorhen and sparrowhawk (a female flew into the willows by the feeders and spooked two woodpigeon [SB])
14 Blue tit
9 Great tit
13 Mallard (four moulting; one female; eight young)
2 Mandarin (female)
2 Robin
2 Woodpigeon
Also two roe deer ([SB])
Contribution from DAJ
13th Aug
A volunteer (DAJ) saw a weasel mobbed by two wren and four great tit.
A kingfisher was seen at the lake hide
12th Aug
Marsh hide
Single dunnock and woodpigeon
5 Blue tit
6 Chaffinch (three male; three female)
2 Coal tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
6 Great tit
2 Nuthatch
Also a rabbit
Lake hide
Single black-headed gull, chiffchaff, magpie, nuthatch and wren
6 Blue tit
2 Coal tit
5 Great tit
15 Mallard (including seven juvenile)
2 Mandarin
2 Moorhen
2 Robin (juvenile)
2 Woodpigeon
Contribution from SL
11th Aug
Marsh hide
Single chiffchaff, willow warbler [visitors photo] and wren
7 Blue tit
4 Chaffinch (two pairs)
3 Great spotted woodpecker (male, female and juvenile)
4 Great tit
3 Jay
3 Nuthatch (feeding together)
Lake hide
Single kingfisher (seen twice before 10.30 am by visitors) and young male mandarin
3 Grey heron
2 Jay
8 Mallard (female and seven juveniles)
3 Moorhen
Contribution from DAJ
7th Aug
Marsh hide
Single carrion crow, coal tit and nuthatch
3 Blue tit
2 Chaffinch (female)
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and juvenile)
9 Great tit
2 Mandarin
Also young rabbit on the boardwalk
Lake hide
Single black-headed gull, carrion crow, chiffchaff, grey heron (perched high in willows to the left of the lake), jay, kingfisher (male), woodpigeon and several swallows over the lake
6 Blue tit (including some juveniles)
2 Coal tit
2 Dunnock
2 Great tit
11 Mallard (including seven large juveniles)
3 Mandarin
3 Moorhen (including one juvenile)
2 Robin (adult and juvenile)
Also two bank vole under the feeders
A grey heron was in the stream opposite the entrance at 6.30 am, and an otter was seen later in the day by visitors (no details on the location)
Contribution from CRH
2nd - 3rd Aug
Visitors reported kingfisher at both hides (2nd and 3rd) and little egret at the lake hide (3rd)
July 2018
Camera traps set at various locations around the reserve during July recorded clear video of otter, fox, badger, rabbit and roe deer (as well as heron, kingfisher, woodpigeon, song thrush and mandarin)
31st July
Marsh hide
Single dunnock, jay, kingfisher (male) and wren
2 Blue tit
3 Chaffinch (male and two female)
2 Coal tit
4 Great spotted woodpecker (two males and two juveniles - lots of fighting over food)
8 Great tit
5 Mandarin
2 Nuthatch
2 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single blackbird (male), black-headed gull, dunnock, jay and kingfisher (male)
6 Blue tit (family group)
3 Carrion crow
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
4 Great tit
2 Grey heron
12 House martin (flock feeding over the lake)
14 Mallard (including three medium juvenile (latter initially dozing on the middle fish refuge)
2 Mandarin
3 Moorhen (including one juvenile)
2 Robin (adult and juvenile)
3 Woodpigeon
Also two bank vole and one brown rat on feeder debris and common darter dragonflies close to the hide
Contribution from CRH
30th July
Marsh hide
Single kingfisher, robin and willowchaff
3 Blue tit
5 Chaffinch (three male; two female)
2 Coal tit
2 Dunnock
4 Great spotted woodpecker (male; female and two juveniles)
5 Great tit
2 Grey heron (overhead)
3 Jay
3 Nuthatch
2 Red kite (displaying)
Lake hide
Single great spotted woodpecker (female), moorhen, nuthatch and robin (juvenile)
5 Blue tit
3 Great tit
2 Grey heron
2 Kingfisher (spotted by visitors - between 10 and 12.30)
15 Mallard (two female with nine duckling and five near full grown juveniles)
2 Mandarin (male and female)
2 Red kite
Also a wood mouse and two bank vole,
Contribution from DAJ
24th July
Marsh hide
Single blue tit, jay, mandarin, nuthatch, pheasant (male wandering along the boardwalk and in the margins of the pond) and robin
3 Carrion crow
2 Dunnock
4 Great spotted woodpecker (two adult male and two juveniles - lots of chasing)
8 Great tit
2 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single blackbird, blue tit, grey heron, kingfisher (male seen twice - once perching close to the hide) and mandarin
2 Bullfinch
2 Carrion crow
4 Great tit
20 Mallard (including one group of eight small duckling)
3 Moorhen (including one juvenile)
4 Tufted duck (adult plus three duckling)
2 Woodpigeon
Contribution from CRH
15th July – Guide in the hide session (CRH, SL, PJ, PM, JMcA, CC)
Marsh hide
Single blue tit and kingfisher (male)
3 Carrion crow
4 Chaffinch
2 Dunnock
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
8 Great tit
4 Jay
4 Mandarin
2 Nuthatch
4 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single black-headed gull, blue tit, feral pigeon, grey heron, kingfisher (male), nuthatch, red kite, reed bunting, sparrowhawk (seen earlier by a visitor) and woodpigeon
2 Carrion crow
3 Great spotted woodpecker (male; female and juvenile)
7 Great tit
2 Jay
24 Mallard (including three large and nine small duckling)
4 Mandarin
3 Moorhen (including one juvenile)
Also common blue damselflies; emperor dragonfly and possibly brown hawker
13th July
Marsh hide
Single blackcap, bullfinch, chiffchaff and jackdaw
2 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
5 Chaffinch (family group)
4 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female plus two juveniles)
10 Great tit
2 Jay
4 Mandarin (three female; one male)
3 Nuthatch
2 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single red kite and teal (female)
2 Grey heron
22 Mallard (six adult; twelve small and four fully grown duckling)
2 Moorhen
Contribution from DAJ
10th July
Marsh hide
Single carrion crow
3 Chaffinch (one male; two female)
5 Great spotted woodpecker (two male; one female; two juvenile)
7 Great tit
Also one small rabbit
Lake hide
Single blue tit, buzzard (perched in the far left corner of the lake), dunnock, grey heron (in willow on left edge of lake), jay, song thrush, kingfisher (far left corner of the lake), nuthatch and snipe (landed in the far right corner of the lake where it fed among the reeds until chased off by moorhen and mallard)
3 Black-headed gull
2 Bullfinch
4 Carrion crow
3 Great spotted woodpecker (male, female and juvenile)
7 Great tit
10 House martin
16 Mallard (Including two sets of duckling - three and nine)
8 Mandarin
3 Moorhen (including one juvenile)
2 Woodpigeon
Contribution from CRH
9th July
Lake hide - evening session - bat-watching (DAJ, PJ, BT)
Single blackcap (male), buzzard, grey heron, sparrowhawk (male - took a great tit from the feeder), teal (male) and a large mixed flock of house martin, swallow and swift (high up)
2 Jay
24 Mallard (four adult; thirteen small and four fully grown duckling)
11 Mandarin (six adult; five juvenile)
2 Moorhen
3 Tawny owl (two adult plus juvenile)
Also bats (noctules, pipistrelles and daubentons)
6th July
Marsh hide
Single mallard (female) and robin
2 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
4 Chaffinch (two pair)
4 Great spotted woodpecker (male, female and two juveniles together)
7 Great tit
2 Jay
Lake hide
Single bullfinch, buzzard, coot, great spotted woodpecker (juvenile), grey heron, jay, kingfisher (male juvenile), moorhen and red kite (mobbed by the buzzard)
28 Mallard (seven female; three male; three groups of duckling (four and ten small plus four well grown)
8 Mandarin (moulting)
Also blackcap (male), chiffchaff and song thrush were seen around the reserve
Contribution from DAJ
3rd July
Marsh hide
Single blackcap, nuthatch, robin, stock dove and woodpigeon
2 Blue tit
2 Bullfinch (calling)
3 Chaffinch (two male; one female)
5 Great spotted woodpecker (two different males; one female and two juveniles - one of which was chased off by a male)
9 Great tit (family group)
2 Jay
2 Mandarin (male and female)
Also two rabbit (one quite small)
Lake hide
Single blackcap (calling), chiffchaff (calling), great spotted woodpecker (female), grey wagtail, jay, red kite (circling), sparrowhawk (scattered the great tits on the feeder) and tufted duck (female)
3 Black-headed gull
2 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
5 Great tit (family group)
15 Mallard (four males; seven females; four juveniles)
9 Mandarin (six male; three female)
2 Moorhen
2 Woodpigeon
Contribution from CRH
2nd July
Marsh hide
Single robin and sparrowhawk (male)
2 Blue tit
3 Great spotted woodpecker (male; female; juvenile)
12 Great tit
3 Jay
3 Mandarin (juvenile)
Also two stoat
Lake hide
Single great spotted woodpecker (juvenile), kingfisher and moorhen
5 Great tit
3 Grey heron
20 Mallard (ten moulting males; two female with four small and four well grown duckling)
9 Mandarin (five moulting plus four full grown juvenile)
2 Red kite
7 Teal (did circuits of the lake for several minutes but did not land)
4 Tufted duck (two male; two female)
Contribution from DAJ
June 2018
29th June
Lake hide
Single male teal (seems early to be returning), grey heron, red kite, buzzard, sedge warbler calling, coot, chiffchaff and blackcap both calling
3 Moorhen
3 Tufted duck (two male; one female)
5 Mandarin (including four full grown juveniles)
5 Mallard (including small duckling)
Other locations
Song thrush and a female roe deer along the eastern path
Also many speckled wood butterfly around the reserve (wherever there was sunlight)
A visitor reported a juvenile great spotted woodpecker at the marsh hide
Contributions from DAJ and SB
26-27th Jun
Kingfishers seen by visitors at both hides
22nd June
Marsh hide
Single blackcap, jackdaw (perched on feeder rail), red kite, stock dove (on feeder rail) and wren
3 Blue tit (including one juvenile)
2 Carrion crow
3 Chaffinch (two male; one female)
2 Great spotted woodpecker (different males)
5 Great tit (family group)
2 Jay
6 Mandarin (female and five large juveniles)
2 Woodpigeon (on feeder table)
Lake hide
Single blackcap (calling), coot, great spotted woodpecker (female), jay, kingfisher (perched in the sun at the far side of lake for a while before fishing) and robin
3 Black-headed gull
6 Great tit (family group)
2 Grey heron (the second chased off the first before fishing in front of the central reeds)
3 Mallard (female)
6 Mandarin
3 Moorhen
2 Sedge warbler (calling incessantly)
5 Tufted duck (three male; two female)
3 Woodpigeon
Other location
Single male blackbird and nuthatch in the yew tree area
Contribution from CRH
17th June
Marsh hide
Single blue tit, moorhen, stock dove and woodpigeon
3 Chaffinch (one male; two female)
2 Great spotted woodpecker (pair)
6 Great tit (including juveniles)
7 Mandarin (four female; three juvenile)
Lake hide
Single coot, grey wagtail, jay and sparrowhawk
3 Black headed gull
2 Blue tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (two male)
12 Great tit (including juveniles)
2 Kingfisher
3 Mallard (female)
3 Mandarin
2 Moorhen
2 Sedge warbler
5 Tufted duck (three male; two female)
3 Woodpigeon (overhead)
Other locations
3 Carrion crow
6 House martin (Doherty’s field)
2 Robin
Also wren and blackcap heard
Contributions from CRH and SL
15th June (Breeding birds survey DAK & PM)
Marsh hide
Single blackcap, jackdaw, long-tailed tit, moorhen and robin
13 Blue tit (two families)
4 Great spotted woodpecker (pair and two juvenile)
15 Great tit (three families)
4 House martin (overhead)
3 Jay
13 Mandarin (two families: female with four young; female with five young; plus two additional females)
2 Nuthatch
3 Stock dove
2 Woodpigeon
Lake hide
Single bullfinch (male), coot, kingfisher (male) and reed bunting (male)
2 Black-headed gull
2 Great spotted woodpecker (one male and one juvenile)
7 Great tit (including juvenile)
7 Mallard (two male; two female and three juvenile)
2 Stock dove
4 Tufted duck (three male; one female)
Also one sedge warbler singing its heart out
Other locations
Single curlew (flying east), great spotted woodpecker, great tit, nuthatch, oystercatcher (flying east), song thrush, stock dove and swallow
7 Blackbird (five male; two female)
5 Blackcap (male)
9 Blue tit
5 Chaffinch
3 Chiffchaff
6 Jackdaw
2 Mallard (female and juvenile)
2 Mistle thrush
3 Red kite
7 Robin
3 Treecreeper
3 Woodpigeon
17 Wren
12th June
Marsh hide
Single kingfisher
2 Great spotted woodpecker (female and juvenile)
11 Mandarin (two families: female with four half grown juvenile; female with five near full grown juvenile)
Lake hide
Single grey heron
4 Tufted duck (three male; one female)
Contributions from DAK, PM and SB
9th June
Reported sightings of a hedgehog and two otters
8th June
Marsh hide
Single coal tit, jay, mandarin (female), nuthatch and robin
5 Blue tit (adult with four young)
2 Carrion crow
4 Chaffinch (one male with three young)
2 Great spotted woodpecker
2 Great tit (male with young)
2 Goldfinch
2 Jackdaw
5 Stock dove
Also, blackcap and chiffchaff heard
Lake hide
Single carrion crow, coot, jay, moorhen, nuthatch, red kite and sparrowhawk
4 Black-headed gull
4 Blue tit (adult with three young)
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male with young)
3 Great tit (adult with two young)
5 Mallard (pair with one well developed young; female with one duckling)
7 Mandarin (female with six ducklings)
3 Nuthatch (two adult and one juvenile)
Also, sedge warbler heard in the reeds to the right
Other locations
Single male bullfinch just outside entrance gate
Contributions from SB and SL
1st June
Marsh hide
Single blackbird (male), blue tit, carrion crow, jay, magpie, mallard, moorhen and woodpigeon
2 Coal tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (pair)
2 Great tit
2 Kingfisher (pair seen flying back and forth as if to feed young)
2 Mandarin (pair)
2 Stock dove
Also blackcap, chiffchaff and goldcrest heard
Lake hide
Single black-headed gull, carrion crow, coot, great spotted woodpecker (male), great tit, heron (seen catching many small fish), jay and magpie
2 Blue tit
17 Mallard (four male; two female; ten small and one larger juvenile)
8 Mandarin (including seven juveniles)
2 Moorhen
2 Nuthatch
3 Tufted duck (two male and one female)
Also several long-tailed tits heard
Other locations
Blue tits and great tits using nest boxes, numerous wrens calling loudly and three nuthatches at the entrance
Contributions from PM, SB and SL
May 2018
25th May – Breeding birds survey with DAJ and PM
Marsh hide
Singe blackcap (male), blue tit, coal tit and red kite
2 Chiffchaff
4 Great spotted woodpecker (two male; two female. Intensive feeding)
3 Great tit,
2 Mallard (male)
7 Mandarin (two male; one female; four juvenile)
2 Nuthatch
2 Pheasant (pair)
Lake hide
Single blackcap, great spotted woodpecker (female), jay, moorhen and willow warbler
6 Black-headed gull
2 Coot
21 Mallard (two females with ten and four juveniles plus five males)
9 Mandarin (male and female plus seven juveniles)
8 Tufted duck (four pairs - one pair mating!)
Around the reserve
Single magpie, mandarin (male), oystercatcher and pheasant (male)
12 Blackbird 6 Blackcap
5 Blue tit 2 Chaffinch
4 Chiffchaff 2 Dunnock
10 Wren 2 Great spotted woodpecker
2 Great tit 2 Jackdaw
2 Mistle thrush 16 Robin
5 Rook 3 Song thrush
2 Willow warbler 10 Woodpigeon
23rd May
An anonymous visitor reported (verbal) a lesser spotted woodpecker at the marsh hide
20th May
Marsh hide
Single buzzard (overhead), chiffchaff (calling), mallard (male), moorhen, robin and willow warbler (calling)
2-3 Blackcap (calling)
2 Bullfinch (pair)
3 Carrion crow
2 Coal tit
3 Great spotted woodpecker (two male; one female)
5 Great tit
2 Magpie
3 Mandarin (two male; one female)
3 Nuthatch
2 Pheasant (pair)
2 Stock dove
3 Woodpigeon
Lake hide
Single chiffchaff (calling), nuthatch and willow warbler (calling)
2 Black-headed gull
2 Blue tit
3 Carrion crow
2 Coot
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
3 Greylag goose (pair with a single gosling)
16 Mallard (groups of two male, one female, five duckling and lone female with five duckling plus two lone males)
4 Moorhen,
2 Red kite (overhead)
Around the reserve
Single treecreeper, two blackbird, two nuthatch and several robins and wrens
Contributions from DAJ and SL
17th May
A visitor [EH] reported blue tit, great spotted woodpecker, jay, mallard, pheasant, robin and yellowhammer (not confirmed)
15th May – Breeding birds survey (AB, CRH, DAJ, JGD, PM, SL)
Marsh hide
Single blackcap, bullfinch, chiffchaff, coal tit, jay, stock dove, tawny owl and wren
3 Blue tit 2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
3 Great tit 2 Mandarin (male)
2 Moorhen 3 Nuthatch
2 Willow warbler 2 Pheasant (pair)
Lake hide
Single carrion crow, chiffchaff, coal tit, coot, dunnock, great spotted woodpecker (male), great tit, reed bunting, sparrowhawk, willow warbler, woodpigeon and wren
2 Blue tit 3 Canada goose
4 Greylag goose (two adult and two juvenile)
10 Mandarin (two male; one female with seven juveniles)
7 Mallard (three male; one female with three juveniles)
4 Moorhen 2 Robin
4 Tufted duck (two pair)
Around the reserve
Single bullfinch (male), coal tit, dunnock, jackdaw and mistle thrush
4 Blackbird 2 Blackcap
7 Blue tit 5 Carrion crow
3 Chaffinch 2 Great spotted woodpecker
12 Great tit 6 Magpie
3 Red kite 2 Reed bunting
10 Robin 3 Song thrush
2 Stock dove 2 Treecreeper
4 Willow warbler 2 Woodpigeon
16 Wren
Also skylark over Dohertys field
13th May
Lake hide
Single canada goose and coot
4 Greylag goose
20 Mallard (three male plus one female with six duckling)
8 Mandarin (two male plus one female with five duckling)
8 Tufted duck (four pairs)
Around the reserve
Single willow warbler, four male blackcap, three chiffchaff and four goldcrest
Contribution from DAJ
12th May
Visitors [S&C] reported blue tit, canada goose, chaffinch, great spotted woodpecker, great tit, mallard, mandarin, nuthatch, stock dove, tufted duck and two red kite at unspecified locations
11th May
Marsh hide
Single coal tit, mandarin (male), pheasant (male), roe deer [anon], tawny owl (adult mobbed by two jays and a magpie)
3 Blue tit
2 Chaffinch (pair)
3 Great spotted woodpecker (two male and one female - together at one stage)
2 Great tit
2 Mallard (male)
2 Nuthatch
Lake hide
Single buzzard, canada goose, coot, great tit, long-tailed tit (collecting spiders web from in front of the hide), red kite and sparrowhawk
3 Blue tit
2 Grey wagtail (pair)
4 Greylag goose
11 Mallard (two females with four and five ducklings)
9 Mandarin (female plus eight duckling)
3 Moorhen
2 Reed bunting (pair)
2 Tufted duck (pair)
Around the reserve
Single bullfinch (male), garden warbler (singing close to the entrance [PM]) and nuthatch (adopting nest box 48)
2 Blackcap
2 Chiffchaff
3 Song thrush (different birds calling)
Contributions from DAJ
8th May
Marsh hide
Single blackbird (male), blackcap, chiffchaff, magpie, nuthatch, pheasant (male), robin and stock dove
2 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
3 Great spotted woodpecker (two male; one female)
2 Great tit
2 Mallard (male)
4 Mandarin (male)
2 Moorhen
Lake hide
Single buzzard, carrion crow, chiffchaff, dunnock (singing), grey wagtail, jackdaw, magpie and nuthatch
2 Blackbird (both male)
2 Blue tit
2 Canada goose (single bird for most of the session but partner joined for a circle of the lake and then disappeared into vegetation at the left of the lake)
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
2 Great tit
13 Mallard (six male and two female - one with five small duckling)
3 Moorhen
2 Robin
2 Swallow (chased each other round the lake)
8 Tufted duck (four pair)
3 Woodpigeon
Other location
Several lapwing and single curlew on Dohertys field [Ch]
Contribution from CRH
7th May
A volunteer ([DAJ]) reported great spotted woodpecker (male and female), mandarin (pair) and pheasant (pair) at the marsh hide; also three blackcap, reed bunting (calling), sedge warbler (calling) and butterflies (orange-tip, brimstone) near the panhandle
A visitor ([anon]) saw two grey wagtail flying over the lake
6th May
Visitors reported otter ([Mi]) and roe deer (15.30 [J/S]; 8.30 [Mi]) at the lake hide and also treecreeper ([JED])
5th May
A visitor [GW] saw blackcap, great spotted woodpecker, jay, mandarin, nuthatch and treecreeper at unspecified locations
4th May
Marsh hide
Single blackcap (male calling) and great spotted woodpecker
4 Blue tit
4 Chaffinch (two pair)
2 Coal tit
2 Great tit
2 Mallard (male)
2 Mandarin (pair)
3 Nuthatch
2 Pheasant (pair – a single bird also seen by a visitor [Mil])
2 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single reed bunting (male) and robin
5 Blue tit
2 Canada goose (pair)
2 Dunnock
3 Great tit
2 Grey wagtail (male and female)
2 Greylag goose (pair)
6 Mallard (five male; one female)
2 Mandarin (both male)
3 Moorhen
2 Red kite (one with nesting material)
Also bank vole
Around the reserve
Two chiffchaff and two treecreeper
Contribution from DAJ
2nd May
Marsh hide
Single chiffchaff, magpie, pheasant (male), robin, stock dove and woodpigeon
2 Blue tit
3 Carrion crow
4 Chaffinch (two pair)
2 Coal tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
4 Great tit
4 Mallard (male)
4 Mandarin (males loafing about)
2 Moorhen
2 Nuthatch
Also a rabbit feeding to the left of the hide
Lake hide
Single blackbird (male), blackcap, canada goose, chaffinch (female), chiffchaff, coal tit, grey heron (flew low over the lake but didn't land), magpie, mandarin (male), nuthatch and robin
3 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
2 Dunnock
2 Greylag goose (landed on the lake but immediately chased off by the Canada goose)
4 Mallard (three male; one female)
2 Moorhen
2 Robin
2 Tufted duck (pair)
Also single bank vole under the feeders
Contribution from CRH
1st May
Marsh hide
Single male mallard and several blue tit
2 Chaffinch (pair)
2 Coal tit (passing food)
3 Great spotted woodpecker ([anon])
4 Great tit
2 Mandarin (pair)
Lake hide
Single blackcap, grey heron, nuthatch, sparrowhawk (female), spotted flycatcher (in willows behind the feeders [anon]), swallow (over lake)
2 Canada goose (pair)
2 Grey wagtail (flew in front of the hide [DAJ])
2 Greylag goose (pair)
4 Mallard (all male)
2 Moorhen
2 Red kite (overhead)
Also bank vole
Other locations
Single female blackbird with nesting material near northern edge of reserve, treecreeper (near peripheral path adjacent to Cooks field), two curlew on Cooks field), a pair of kestrel displaying over the panhandle (also seen on 30/4) [DAJ]) and two stoat (location not specified [SB])
Contribution from SL (mainly)
April 2018
29th-30th April
Visitors [Rac, G&C and Ma] reported chaffinch, great spotted woodpecker, jay, long-tailed tit, nuthatch, treecreeper and wren
28th April
A visitor [AL] saw blackcap, chaffinch, great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, kingfisher and nuthatch.
Also fox and stoat
27th April – sightings plus breeding birds survey (CRH, DAJ, PM, SL)
Marsh hide
Single chiffchaff, jay, moorhen, nuthatch, willow warbler and woodpigeon
2 Blue tit
4 Chaffinch (two pair)
2 Coal tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
2 Great tit
2 Magpie
3 Mallard
2 Mandarin (pair)
2 Pheasant (pair [SB])
3 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single canada goose, chiffchaff, great spotted woodpecker (female), greylag goose (seen moving in the central reeds where it is presumed to be nesting), mandarin (male), nuthatch and willow warbler
4 Blackcap (a pair in the feeder area plus two males at the far side of the lake)
2 Blue tit
3 Carrion crow
2 Chaffinch (pair)
2 Coal tit
2 Curlew (flew over)
3 Great tit
6 Mallard (five male; one female)
3 Moorhen
2 Robin
12 Starling (small flock flew over)
2 Swallow
Around the reserve
Single coal tit
17 Blackbird (15 male; 2 female)
7 Blackcap 12 Blue tit
3 Bullfinch 5 Carrion crow
5 Chaffinch (three male; two female)
4 Chiffchaff 2 Goldcrest
2 Great spotted woodpecker (one male; one unidentified)
21 Great tit 2 Long-tailed tit
4 Magpie 5 Mistle thrush
7 Nuthatch 17 Robin
4 Song thrush 3 Stock dove
2 Treecreeper 3 Willow warbler
4 Woodpigeon 9 Wren
25-26th April
Visitors [ Fi, Ma and SS] reported blackcap, bullfinch, chiffchaff, jay, reed bunting, nuthatch, sparrowhawk, swallow, treecreeper, wren and also roe deer
24th April
Marsh hide
Single blackcap (in willows close to the hide), chiffchaff, mallard (male), moorhen, nuthatch, robin, treecreeper and wren
3 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
4 Chaffinch (two pair)
3 Great spotted woodpecker (two different males and one female)
3 Great tit
2 Long-tailed tit
2 Mandarin (pair)
2 Willow warbler (calling from left and right of hide)
Lake hide
Single canada goose, great spotted woodpecker (female), grey heron (flew over), magpie, mistle thrush (near the hide [SB]), nuthatch, reed bunting (male in feeder area), willow warbler and woodpigeon
2 Blackcap (male and female both seen - and heard ‘chinking’ - several times in the feeder area. Male carrying nesting material on one occasion)
2 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
2 Chaffinch (pair)
2 Chiffchaff
2 Dunnock
2 Great tit
13 Mallard (family group including nine duckling (there were ten two days previous) plus two males)
2 Moorhen
2 Robin
2 Stock dove
Other locations
A roe deer on Dohertys field - frightened off by nearby horse and rider, and two stoat between the two hides [SB]. Also two otters at the lake hide (righthand reedbed – [AP])
Contribution from CRH
20th April
Two willow warbler (singing against each other at the marsh hide; blackcap (male), reed bunting (male), willow warbler, four Canada goose and fouteen greylag goose at the lake hide [DAJ & SB]
17th April
Marsh hide
Single blackcap (calling), buzzard, coal tit, kingfisher (flew along the beck (upstream)), long-tailed tit, mallard (male), red kite (flying low over the trees) and woodpigeon
3 Blue tit
5 Chaffinch (two male; three female)
3 Great spotted woodpecker (two male; one female)
3 Great tit
2 Jackdaw (on the same feeder)
8 Mandarin (seven male being very rough with a solitary female [anon])
3 Nuthatch (very noisy and agitated)
2 Stock dove
2 Willow warbler (calling)
Lake hide
Single blackcap (male on suet feeder), curlew, lapwing (heard from west side of reserve), magpie (attacked by carrion crows), mandarin (male), nuthatch, reed bunting (male in the feeding area) and woodpigeon
2 Blue tit
3 Buzzard (overhead)
2 Canada goose
3 Carrion crow
2 Chaffinch (pair)
2 Chiffchaff
2 Dunnock
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
3 Great tit
4 Greylag goose
2 Mallard (male)
2 Mistle thrush
2 Moorhen (one with nesting material (right hand reed bed))
2 Red kite (overhead)
3 Robin
2 Song thrush (one calling behind the lake hide another close by)
2 Teal (pair)
2 Willow warbler
Also a rabbit in the marshy ponds area and a female grey wagtail (near the stream)
Contributions from CRH and DAJ
15th April - Guide-in-the-hide session with BT, CC, CRH, DAJ, PJ and PM
Marsh hide
Single blackcap (seen and heard), buzzard, carrion crow, chiffchaff, moorhen, pheasant (female), sparrowhawk (male), treecreeper, woodcock (far side of the beck) and wren
3 Blackbird (two males and a female)
5 Blue tit
8 Chaffinch (five male; three female)
3 Coal tit
2 Curlew (heard from east field)
3 Great spotted woodpecker (two males and a female)
6 Great tit
3 Jay
2 Long-tailed tit (one with nesting material)
4 Mallard (all male)
5 Mandarin (all male)
3 Nuthatch
4 Stock dove
3 Woodpigeon
Lake hide
Single blackbird (male), coal tit, curlew, grey heron, jay, magpie, nuthatch, red kite, song thrush (close to hide), sparrowhawk (female), willow warbler (calling) and wren (stream behind the hide)
2 Blackcap (both male close to the hide - one on suet feeder)
4 Blue tit
17 Carrion crow (together)
2 Chaffinch (pair)
2 Chiffchaff
2 Dunnock
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
3 Great tit
6 Greylag goose
2 Long-tailed tit (one with nesting material)
8 Mallard (seven male; one female)
4 Mandarin (all male)
2 Moorhen
2 Pheasant (pair close to the hide - right hand side)
3 Robin
5 Teal (two pair oplus single male)
2 Tufted duck (pair)
2 Woodpigeon
Also two goldcrest in the yews between the two hides
14th April
A volunteer [PJ] reported pairs of Canada goose, greylag goose and goosander at the lake hide.
A verbal report [anon] of a possible lesser-spotted woodpecker sighting remains unconfirmed
13th April – part of a breeding birds survey carried out by AD volunteers
Marsh hide
Single blackbird (male), chiffchaff, magpie and robin
3 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
5 Chaffinch (two male; three female)
2 Coal tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
4 Great tit
2 Jay
2 Long-tailed tit
4 Mallard (three male; one female)
2 Mandarin (male)
2 Nuthatch
6 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single coal tit, curlew, nuthatch, reed bunting (male) and robin
3 Blue tit
3 Carrion crow
2 Chiffchaff
4 Great tit
2 Long-tailed tit
5 Mallard (four male; one female)
2 Moorhen
3 Teal (two male; one female)
3 Tufted duck (two male; one female)
Other locations
Two goldcrest (with nesting material) and two redpoll on the eastern edge of the reserve - a visitor [Ava] reported five at the marsh hide later in the day
Also two curlew on Cooks field; eleven goldfinch with a pair of chaffinch near nest box 50; and a red kite, three mistle thrush, four siskin and nine treecreeper around the reserve
11th-12th April
Visitors [anon & WC & anon] reported great spotted woodpecker, goosander, jay, mandarin, nuthatch, robin and treecreeper
10th April
Lake hide
Single great spotted woodpecker, kingfisher ([DAJ, BT]) and reed bunting
2 Canada goose (pair)
2 Goosander (pair)
2 Greylag goose (pair [SB])
2 Jay
2 Mandarin (male and female)
3 Robin
2 Teal (pair)
6 Tufted duck (three pair)
Other locations
Twelve goldfinch and four siskin (one male; three female) feeding on the ground underneath a silver birch); four male mandarin and a female grey wagtail on 'flood water' at the edge of Dohertys field
Contributions from DAJ and TG
6th April
Marsh hide
Single dunnock, robin, woodpigeon and pheasant (male)
3 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
4 Chaffinch (two male; two female)
2 Coal tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
2 Great tit
2 Jay
4 Long-tailed tit
2 Magpie
4 Mallard (three male; one female)
3 Mandarin (two male; one female)
2 Mistle thrush (fly through)
2 Moorhen
4 Nuthatch (lots of calling and chasing)
2 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single blackbird (male), grey wagtail (female [DAJ]), red kite, reed bunting (male calling for over an hour in the reeds came to the feeders briefly) and sparrowhawk
3 Blue tit
2 Canada goose (spent some time investigating in the woods)
2 Carrion crow
2 Chaffinch (male and female)
2 Dunnock (lots of singing)
4 Great tit
2 Jay
2 Magpie
2 Mallard (males)
3 Moorhen
2 Nuthatch
3 Robin (no conflict!)
3 Teal (a pair - much head bobbing - joined by a second male)
Other locations
Single treecreeper, two blackbird (both male), two song thrush and a pair of bullfinch seen on the eastern edge of the reserve; two mistle thrush, a pair of pheasant and two red kite on Dohertys field [SB]; also three or possibly four chiffchaff around the reserve plus a group of four treecreepers in the panhandle area [DAJ]
Contribution from CRH
Also, anonymous visitors reported green woodpecker (unspecified location) and otter (lake hide)
5th April
A visitor [AO] reported a hen harrier on the reserve but this has not been confirmed
3rd April
Marsh hide
Single coal tit, great spotted woodpecker (male), jay, long tailed tit, mallard (male), moorhen, red kite (overhead) and stock dove
3 Blue tit
3 Chaffinch (two male and one female)
3 Great tit
4 Mandarin (three male and one female)
2 Nuthatch
2 Treecreeper
Contribution from SL
Also two otters were seen on the lake (likely a female and juvenile) by several visitors and photographed by SB
2nd April – constant sleet and rain – reserve awash with floodwater, lake partially slushed over
Marsh hide
Single coal tit, moorhen and robin
2 Blackbird (pair)
2 Blue tit
5 Chaffinch (two male; three female)
2 Dunnock
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
5 Great tit
2 Jay
4 Long-tailed tit
2 Magpie
3 Mallard (two male; one female)
3 Mandarin (two male; one female)
2 Nuthatch
2 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single moorhen and teal (male)
4 Blue tit
2 Dunnock
2 Great tit
2 Robin
2 Tufted duck (pair)
Dohertys field
Two carrion crow and flocks of starling (approx 50) and woodpigeon (at least 25)
Contribution from CRH
March 2018
30th March
Marsh hide
Single dunnock, goldcrest, moorhen, pheasant (male) and woodpigeon
3 Blackbird (one male; two female)
7 Blue tit
4 Great spotted woodpecker (three male; one female)
4 Great tit
2 Long-tailed tit
4 Mandarin (two pairs)
3 Nuthatch
2 Robin
2 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single chiffchaff (calling from the left of hide), reed bunting (calling from the reeds), teal (male)
2 Greylag goose
4 Mallard (three male; one female)
Other locations
Single curlew (in field to east of reserve), great spotted woodpecker (calling and drumming near goit), red kite (overhead)
2 Goldcrest (near goit)
2 Great spotted woodpecker (alongside field boundary to the west)
40-50 Redwing (flying through trees at south side of reserve)
Contribution from DAJ
27th March
Marsh hide
Single coal tit, dunnock, moorhen, nuthatch, robin and stock dove
3 Blue tit
6 Chaffinch (four male; two female)
5 Great tit
9 Mandarin (six male; three female)
2 Pheasant (males)
Lake hide
Single blackbird (male) and dunnock
6 Blue tit
5 Carrion crow (overhead)
4 Great tit
2 Jay
2 Long-tailed tit
7 Mallard (six male; one female)
2 Mandarin (pair)
3 Moorhen
2 Red kite (overhead)
3 Robin
7 Teal (four male; three female)
2 Woodpigeon
Contributions from DAJ and SL
23rd March
Marsh hide
Single blackbird (male), moorhen and robin
6 Blue tit
2 Coal tit
3 Great spotted woodpecker (two male; one female)
4 Great tit
2 Jay
2 long-tailed tit
4 Mallard (three male; one female)
2 Mandarin (pair)
4 Nuthatch
2 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single great spotted woodpecker (male) and grey heron (seen to catch and eat six frogs)
4 Blue tit
2 Coal tit
2 Dunnock
4 Great tit
4 Long-tailed tit
3 Mallard (male)
2 Moorhen
3 Robin
2 Shelduck (pair)
10 Teal (five pairs)
Other locations
Bullfinches were heard calling all round the reserve
2 Goldcrest (at eastern edge of reserve)
2 Mistle thrush (calling)
25 Redwing (approximately, at eastern edge of reserve)
Contributions from SB and DAJ
20th March
Marsh hide
Single moorhen
7 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
10 Chaffinch (five pairs)
2 Coal tit
3 Great spotted woodpecker (two male; one female)
4 Great tit
4 Jay
2 Mallard (pair)
7 Mandarin (five male; two female)
4 Nuthatch
2 Stock dove
5 Woodpigeon
Lake hide
Single great spotted woodpecker, grey heron, grey wagtail and sparrowhawk (female)
5 Blue tit
2 Coal tit
4 Dunnock
3 Great tit
5 Long-tailed tit
7 Mallard (five male; two female)
2 Moorhen
2 Red kite (overhead)
7 Robin
2 Shelduck (pair)
10 Teal (five pairs)
Other locations
Single curlew and treecreeper
2 Goldfinch
4 Siskin
Contributions from JB and DAJ
19th March
Marsh hide
Single coal tit, jay, moorhen and nuthatch
2 Blackbird (pair)
4 Blue tit
6 Chaffinch (four male; two female)
3 Dunnock
2 Great spotted woodpecker (both male)
3 Great tit
3 Mallard (two male; one female)
2 Goldcrest
2 Robin
3 Treecreeper
Lake hide
Single kestrel (overhead)
3 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
2 Dunnock
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
4 Great tit
2 Greylag goose
6 Long-tailed tit
2 Magpie
9 Mallard (seven male; two female)
4 Redwing
2 Robin
2 Shelduck (pair)
18 Teal (ten male; eight female)
Contributions from CRH, DAJ, PM and SL
18th March - (Guide in the Hide - PM and BT)
Marsh hide
Single goldcrest, great spotted woodpecker (male), moorhen and redwing
Small groups of blue tit, great tit and robin. Chaffinches singing. Nuthatches calling
5 Mallard (males)
2 Mandarin (pair)
4 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single dunnock and reed bunting (male)
Small number of blue, coal and great tit
7 Long-tailed tit
6 Robin
2 Shelduck (pair)
2 Sparrowhawk (pair overhead)
9 Teal (four male; five female)
Other locations
Single fieldfare, grey heron (overhead), redwing and reed bunting (male)
Contributions from PM and BT
15th March
Marsh hide
Single coal tit, curlew (overhead), dunnock, jay, long-tailed tit, mallard (male), nuthatch, robin and treecreeper
3 Blackbird (male)
2 Blue tit
9 Chaffinch (four male; five female)
3 Great spotted woodpecker (two male; one female)
4 Great tit
2 Mandarin (pair)
2 Moorhen
Lake hide
Single great spotted woodpecker (male), grey heron (overhead), kingfisher, moorhen, reed bunting and unidentified goose
5 Blue tit
7 Great tit
4 Long-tailed tit
9 Mallard (eight male; one female)
Contributions from SL and visitors
9th March
Marsh hide
Single carrion crow, moorhen, and pheasant (male)
7 Blue tit
10 Chaffinch (six male; four female)
2 Coal tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (pair)
4 Great tit
4 Jay
2 Magpie
2 Mallard (pair)
6 Mandarin (four male; two female)
2 Nuthatch
2 Sparrowhawk (pair - no evidence of a kill)
2 Treecreeper (seen together on the dead tree to the left, often used by woodpeckers)
6 Stock dove
3 Woodpigeon
Lake hide
Single coal tit, dunnock, great spotted woodpecker (female), jay, kingfisher, nuthatch, and red kite (overhead)
12 Black headed gull (overhead)
4 Blue tit
4 Carrion crow (in trees at the end of the lake)
3 Great tit
4 Long tailed tit
2 Magpie
8 Mallard (five male; three female)
2 Moorhen
4 Robin
2 Sparrowhawk (overhead - no evidence of a kill)
8 Teal (five male; three female)
Also four bank vole under the feeders
Other locations
Single buzzard (overhead), mistle thrush, red kite (overhead) and song thrush.
The (milk chocolate coloured) stoat was once again seen.
Contributions from DAJ and SL
8th March
A visitor [FH] reported peregrine in the trees at the back of the marsh hide pond and blackbird, blue tit, chaffinch, coal tit, dunnock, great spotted woodpecker, great tit, long-tailed tit, jay, mallard, mandarin, moorhen, eight redwing, robin and teal around the reserve
6th March
Marsh hide
Single pheasant (male)
4 Blue tit
7 Chaffinch (four male; three female)
2 Coal tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (pair)
3 Great tit
2 Jay
3 Long-tailed tit
5 Mallard (three male; two female)
9 Mandarin (five male; four female)
2 Nuthatch
3 Moorhen
2 Robin
3 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single coal tit, curlew (overhead) and nuthatch
6 Blue tit
2 Coal tit
3 Dunnock
3 Great tit
4 Long-tailed tit
12 Mallard (nine male; three female)
4 Mandarin (three male; one female)
3 Moorhen
2 Red kite (overhead)
4 Robin
2 Teal (two male)
Also three bank vole and a young otter
Other locations
Single grey heron, jay (mimicking a red kite) and song thrush
3 Mistle thrush
2 Nuthatch (close to the feet of volunteers and noisily chasing each other)
2 Treecreeper
Contributions from DAJ, SB and SL
2nd March Visitors’ sightings
Single goldcrest, long-tailed tit, red kite (overhead), reed bunting (lake hide feeders) and rook
15 Chaffinch
3 Coal tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (pair)
8 Great tit
2 Jay
3 Nuthatch
6 Robin
8 Siskin
4 Stock dove
February 2018
27th February
Marsh hide
Single coal tit, jay, great spotted woodpecker (male) and red kite (overhead)
2 Blue tit
7 Chaffinch (five male; two female)
2 Great tit
4 Mandarin (two pairs)
2 Moorhen
Lake hide
Single nuthatch
7 Blue tit
2 Dunnock
4 Long-tailed tit
12 Mallard (mixed group)
2 Mandarin (pair)
2 Moorhen
2 Red kite (overhead)
7 Robin (with male posturing)
13 Teal (mixed group)
Other location
A flock of redwing and blackbird seen under the holly foraging among the leaves
Contributions from BT and SL
23rd February
Marsh hide
Single bullfinch (heard), jay, magpie and robin
7 Blue tit
8 Chaffinch (six male; two female, with some song at times)
2 Coal tit
2 Dunnock
4 Great tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
2 Long-tailed tit
4 Mallard (three male; one female)
7 Mandarin (four male; three female)
4 Moorhen
Lake hide
Single black-headed gull, moorhen, oystercatcher (overhead) and robin
5 Blue tit
3 Coal tit
2 Dunnock
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
4 Great tit
4 Long-tailed tit
3 Mallard (two male; one female)
Also one bank vole
Other locations
Single red kite (overhead). Goldcrests were heard to the east of the lake and by the goit. Treecreeper also by the goit
Contributions from DAJ and PM
20th February
Single red kite. Two buzzard were seen over the lake. Lots of great spotted woodpecker drumming was heard
18th February (Guide-in-the-hide with CRH, DAJ, PJ and SL)
Marsh hide
Single dunnock, jay, nuthatch, robin, siskin and sparrowhawk (this bird flew overhead twice), treecreeper and woodpigeon
2 Blackbird (pair)
6 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
2 Coal tit
9 Chaffinch (five male; four female)
4 Great spotted woodpecker (three male; one female)
4 Great tit
2 Long-tailed tit
3 Magpie
6 Mallard (four male; two female)
16 Mandarin (eleven male; five female)
3 Moorhen (two adult; one juvenile)
3 Nuthatch
2 Robin
4 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single goosander, great spotted woodpecker (female), moorhen, nuthatch and shelduck (male)
6 Blue tit
13 Carrion crow (in one tree)
3 Coal tit
3 Dunnock
3 Great tit
4 Long-tailed tit
24 Mallard (fifteen male; nine female)
2 Moorhen
2 Nuthatch
2 Red kite (overhead)
15 Reed bunting flew into the reeds
2 Robin
50 (approximately) starling flew into the reeds
4 Teal (two pair)
Other locations
Single wren
3 Mistle thrush (in field to west of reserve)
3 Song thrush (singing well)
2 Treecreeper
Also two bank vole and a stoat
16th February
Marsh hide
10 Mandarin (four male; six female)
2 Moorhen (displaying)
4 Nuthatch (displaying)
Lake hide
Single heron (overhead), shelduck and male sparrowhawk (sitting on a ‘kingfisher perch’ after an attempted mallard kill)
2 Long-tailed tit
4 Robin
30 (approximately) starling flew into the reeds
Several teal
Overhead, more than 100 black headed gull, several groups of herring gull, groups of jackdaw and three red kite (preparing to roost in the tall scots pines)
Other locations
Single curlew in the field to the east of reserve
3 Song thrush
Blackbird, magpie, robin and wren around reserve
Contribution from BT, DAJ and SB
13th February
Marsh hide
Single sparrowhawk (female)
9 Mandarin (seven male; two female)
Lake hide
4 Long-tailed tit
4 Robin
60 (approximately) siskin (overhead)
Other locations
A mixed flock of fieldfare, redwing and starling numbering approximately four hundred in the field to the east of the reserve
A stoat was seen near the entrance. The coat was described as milk chocolate in colour
Contributions from BT and DAJ
9th February
Marsh hide
Single coal tit
4 Blue tit
4 Chaffinch (two male; two female)
2 Dunnock
3 Great spotted woodpecker (two male; one female)
4 Great tit
8 Mallard (five male; three female)
3 Mandarin (two male; one female)
2 Nuthatch
2 Robin
Lake hide
3 Blue tit
4 Carrion crow
4 Great tit
5 Long-tailed tit
2 Magpie
7 Mallard (five male; two female)
2 Moorhen
2 Nuthatch
2 Robin
3 Teal (two male; one female)
Contribution from CRH
6th February
Marsh hide
Single nuthatch
2 Blackbird (pair)
2 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
14 Chaffinch (seven pairs)
2 Dunnock
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
5 Great tit
2 Jay
2 Magpie
2 Mallard (pair)
8 Mandarin (five male; three female)
2 Moorhen
5 Robin
2 Wren
Lake hide
2 Black headed gull
2 Blue tit
2 Long tailed tit
13 Mallard (nine male; four female)
4 Teal
Other locations
Single stock dove and seven blue tit near the entrance. Two song thrush on Doherty’s field
Contributions from CRH and DAJ
2nd February
Marsh hide
Single blackbird (male), coal tit, nuthatch and red kite
3 Blue tit
20+ Canada geese (flew over)
3 Chaffinch (two male; one female)
3 Dunnock
3 Great spotted woodpecker (two male; one female)
4 Great tit
3 Mallard (two male; one female)
6 Mandarin (three pairs on the stream)
2 Moorhen
2 Robin
Lake hide
Single bullfinch (female), coal tit and great tit
2 Blue tit
3 Dunnock
6 Long-tailed tit
9 Mallard (six male; three female)
3 Moorhen
2 Nuthatch
3 Robin
6 Teal (three pairs)
Other location
Single mistle thrush on Doherty’s field
1st February
Marsh hide
Single great spotted woodpecker, kingfisher and sparrowhawk
Lake hide
Long-tailed tit, kingfisher and red kite
Other locations
Grey heron, jay, kingfisher, nuthatch, redwing and treecreeper
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
15 Mandarin (nine male; six female)
4 Red kite
30+ Siskin
Contributions from A&C, CB, A&T and J&M
January 2018
31st January
Lake hide
Single chaffinch (male), dunnock and kingfisher (perched at far side of lake)
3 Blue tit
5 Great tit
3 Long tailed tit
5 Mallard (three male; two female)
3 Robin
Contribution from CRH
30th January
Marsh hide
Single great spotted woodpecker (male) and sparrowhawk (female)
7 Blue tit
9 Chaffinch (six male; three female)
2 Coal tit
2 Dunnock
4 Great tit
2 Jay
5 Long-tailed tit
7 Mallard (five male; two female)
11 Mandarin (seven male; four female)
2 Moorhen
Lake hide
Single grey wagtail (on lake spillover), jay and sparrowhawk (female [SB]
5 Blue tit
2 Coal tit
2 Dunnock
3 Great tit
4 Long-tailed tit
10 Mallard (seven male; three female)
3 Moorhen
2 Robin
4 Teal (two pairs)
Other locations
Single buzzard and red kite circling over the reserve most of morning) also a great spotted woodpecker 40+ siskin feeding in alders along the goit
Contribution from DAJ
27th-29th January
Visitors [A&C and CH] saw great spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, siskin, sparrowhawk, teal (male) and treecreeper
26th January
Marsh hide
Single coal tit and wren
2 Blackbird (pair)
3 Blue tit
4 Chaffinch (two male; two female)
2 Dunnock
3 Great spotted woodpecker (two male; one female - occasional drumming also heard close to the hide)
4 Great tit
2 Long tailed tit
2 Mallard (pair)
4 Mandarin (partially hidden on the stream - one ventured into the pond)
4 Moorhen
3 Nuthatch
2 Robin
2 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single great spotted woodpecker (male) and nuthatch
2 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
2 Dunnock
2 Great tit
2 Magpie
3 Mallard (two male; one female)
3 Moorhen
3 Robin
4 Teal (two male; two female motionless in the margins)
Also an otter which swam under the surface from the far side of the lake surfacing occasionally near the reeds on the righthand side and then disappeared into the willows
Contribution from CRH
24th January
A visitor [DH] reported coal tit, nuthatch and sparrowhawk
23rd January
Marsh hide
Single great spotted woodpecker, nuthatch and sparrowhawk (a female flying away from near the hide with a bird in its talons)
7 Mandarin
Lake hide
Single grey wagtail and sparrowhawk (flew low past the hide)
2 Goldcrest (on 'Fox bank' at far side of lake)
10 Mallard (seven male; three female)
2 Teal (both male)
A flock of 40+ siskin were also seen around the reserve
Contributions from BW, DAJ and anon
22nd January
A visitor [JMS] saw a goldcrest on brambles near the entrance
21st January – Guide-in-the-hide session (snowy day) with CRH, DAJ and SL
Marsh hide
Single buzzard, grey heron, long tailed tit, magpie, robin and treecreeper
2 Blackbird (male and female)
12 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
14 Chaffinch (ten male; four female)
3 Coal tit
4 Dunnock
4 Great spotted woodpecker (three different males and a female)
7 Great tit
2 Jay
7 Mallard (five male; two female)
14 Mandarin (nine male; five female)
3 Moorhen
3 Nuthatch
10 Stock dove (yes 10!)
2 Woodpigeon
A fox was also seen
Lake hide - lake almost completely covered in ice
Single bullfinch (female feeding in vegetation near the feeders), buzzard (flew erratically across the far side of the lake - chasing some small bird?), coal tit, great spotted woodpecker (male), nuthatch and red kite (circled over the lake)
7 Blue tit
2 Dunnock
4 Great tit
2 Jay
7 Long tailed tit
2 Magpie
11 Mallard (eight male; three female)
2 Moorhen
4 Robin
3 Teal (male and two females)
19th January
Marsh hide
Single buzzard (overhead), siskin (heard overhead), sparrowhawk (a female flew through twice - but no kill), treecreeper, woodpigeon and wren
2 Blackbird (pair)
14 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
12 Chaffinch (seven male; five female [starting to outnumber the tits!!!])
3 Coal tit
2 Dunnock
3 Great spotted woodpecker (two male; one female)
7 Great tit
3 Jay
7 Long tailed tit
3 Magpie
12 Mallard (nine male; three female)
7 Mandarin (four male; three female - lots more heard out of sight on the stream)
3 Moorhen
2 Robin
2 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single coal tit, kingfisher (adult female [SB]) and moorhen
5 Blue tit
2 Buzzard (circling together overhead [SB])
2 Dunnock
3 Great tit
3 Jay
2 Magpie
8 Mallard (five male; three female)
3 Robin
2 Teal (pair)
Contribution from DAJ
18th January – lots of water!!
Marsh hide - pond overwhelmed by floodwater
Single blackbird, dunnock, jay, magpie, moorhen and sparrowhawk (fly-through)
6 Blue tit
9 Chaffinch (four male; five female)
2 Coal tit
2 Great spotted woodpecker (two different males)
8 Great tit
3 Mallard (two male; one female)
2 Mandarin (pair)
2 Nuthatch
2 Robin
Lake hide
Single coal tit, magpie, moorhen, teal and reed bunting (female perching and calling in reeds to the right of the hide)
4 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
4 Great tit
2 Kingfisher (one perched for a while – far side of lake - but did not fish)
3 Mallard (two male; one female)
2 Robin
Contribution from CRH
16th January
Marsh hide
Several blue/great tit taking advantage of the freshly provisioned feeders
4 Great spotted woodpecker (two male; two female)
5 Long tailed tit
4 Mallard (two male; two female)
12 Mandarin (eight male; four female)
3 Moorhen
Lake hide
Single coal tit, great spotted woodpecker (female), kingfisher and sparrowhawk (landed briefly near the feeders)
3 Blue tit
3 Great tit
6 Teal (two male; four female)
Other locations
At the entrance, close to volunteers, visitors and food (!) were several blue tit, great tit, robin and nuthatch (very vocal) as well as a single male chaffinch. A red kite soared gracefully overhead looking very pale underneath in the watery winter sun
Elsewhere in the reserve two treecreeper and a flock of 40+ siskin were seen
Contributions from DAJ and SL
12th January - misty morning
Marsh hide
Single dunnock, magpie and sparrowhawk that flew through the area close to the ground
2 Blackbird
3 Blue tit
2 Carrion crow
6 Chaffinch (three male; three female)
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
3 Great tit
3 Jay
6 Mallard (four male; two female)
11 Mandarin (six male; five female)
2 Moorhen
4 Nuthatch
2 Robin
2 Stock dove
Lake hide
Single buzzard (perching in trees to the right of the lake), coal tit, dunnock, great spotted woodpecker (male), jay and nuthatch
2 Black headed gull
5 Blue tit
6 Great tit
4 Long tailed tit
2 Magpie
6 Mallard (four male; two female)
3 Moorhen
2 Robin
3 Teal (two male; one female skulking in the lake margins)
Contribution from CRH
9th January
Marsh hide
Single coal tit and robin
2 Blackbird (male)
6 Blue tit
6 Chaffinch (three male; three female)
2 Dunnock
2 Great spotted woodpecker (two fractious males)
3 Great tit
2 Magpie
4 Mallard (three male; one female)
5 Mandarin (three male; two female)
4 Moorhen
2 Nuthatch
Lake hide - lake still part frozen
Single red kite overhead
6 Blue tit
2 Coal tit
2 Dunnock
4 Great tit
7 Mallard (five male; two female)
2 Moorhen
2 Nuthatch
8 Redwing (flock flew over the lake)
2 Robin
Also two bank vole feeding on scattered peanut debris
Other locations
A volunteer working in the central marshy area flushed out two woodcock (separate but close locations). A woodcock was also seen on the previous day (8th Jan) by a visitor [RL?] at an unspecified location
Contribution from CRH
6-7th January
A staff member [BT] saw a sparrowhawk flying close to the entrance and noted sightings from anonymous visitors, including otter (swimming across the lake) and merlin (flew past both hides)
5th January
Marsh hide
Single blackbird (male), brambling (also seen by a visitor [GrotW?]), coal tit and dunnock
9 Blue tit
2 Chaffinch (pair)
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
5 Great tit
2 Jay
4 Mallard (two pairs)
13 Mandarin (nine male; four female)
2 Moorhen
2 Robin
4 Stock dove
Lake hide
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female [SB])
12 Mallard (nine male; three female)
4 Mandarin
2 Moorhen
2 Mute swan (flew over)
6 Teal
Other locations
Mixed flocks of fieldfare and redwing and also starling in fields surrounding the reserve; a male great spotted woodpecker drumming on a dead silver birch close to the marsh hide
Contribution from DAJ
2nd January
Marsh hide
Single blackbird (male), jay and robin
7 Blue tit
10 Chaffinch (five pairs)
3 Coal tit
2 Dunnock
2 Great spotted woodpecker (male and female)
4 Great tit
3 Magpie
6 Mallard (four male; two female)
20 Mandarin (fifteen male; five female most posing in the pond)
2 Moorhen
2 Nuthatch
Lake hide
7 Black-headed gull
8 Blue tit
2 Coal tit
2 Dunnock
6 Great tit
8 Long tailed tit (on the fat balls)
38 Mallard (22 male; 16 female)
2 Mandarin (pair)
3 Moorhen
2 Robin
4 Teal (two male; two female)
Other locations
Song thrush, sparrowhawk (flew across the northern marshy area), wren and also approximately 50 siskin flying over [AB]
Contributions from CRH and DAJ
1st January
Several redwing and fieldfare were seen on fields around the reserve and a dipper was spotted in the stream near the lake hide [BT, BB]