With the worst weather of the 2013 winter hitting Britain over the last few days, this weekend was going to be Car Free and only using Shanks's Pony to work my local patch at Staunton Harold Reservoir. There had been a good 5-6cms of snow falling on Friday and the reservoir area was closed to motor vehicles. The walk from my house is a good 5-6miles round trip, pulling in the vast majority of the reservoir habitat as well as plenty of farm land.
Saturday 19th January – Only bird of note on route was a Sparrowhawk. Once I arrived on site, it was quiet amazing, as I discovered almost 600 geese in one of the fields bordering the reservoir. At least 300 Grey Lag Geese and almost the same number of Canada Geese were grazing the grass and stubble amongst several centimetres of snow. I managed to pick out 1 Pink-footed Goose amongst the herd. I stopped along the tow-path to scan the reservoir, some distance from the geese, and suddenly, for no apparent reason, the entire flock took flight, what a fantastic spectacle. On the water there were 70 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 8 Pochard 290 Tufted Duck and at least 100 Mallard around the reservoir, with also 40 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Moorhen and a few Coot. Disappointing numbers really, especially as many of the smaller pools and waters in the area are frozen over. I was pleased to see 3 Yellowhammer at the feeder in the car park. These birds are getting very scarce here.
Sunday 20th January and once again with a great deal of optimism, I set off for Staunton Harold. What a difference a day makes. Not a goose in site, anywhere. Scanning the water there seemed to be similar numbers of wildfowl, however there were an additional 5 Gadwall (4 drakes & 1 female), an unusual number for here. A single Raven flew over calling loudly and giving away his presence. I decided to spend some time walking along side the waters edge, in the hope of a Common Snipe, another tricky bird to get at this site. It wasn't long before one flew up from under my feet, calling in typical Snipe like fashion but it wasn't a Jack Snipe, drat… As I began my journey back to the car park and then homeward bound, I was attracted to a few Fieldfare, perched on birch saplings in the plantation field, a few hundred yards from me. Suddenly four other birds flew up into the same birch trees – WAXWINGS – a site tick for me. There has only been one other record, so far unconfirmed, of this species at the reservoir, so undoubtedly, these were the birds of the weekend. It is always a heart stopping moment when you see Waxwings, even more so when you find your own and then well away from gardens and the usual suburban habitat they seem to favour. Finally, I thought, I could do with Goldcrest but where would I find one on a day like to-day? Well, in the small plantation that borders the car park, I noticed a small party of Long-tailed Tits busy feeding through the birch and alder trees, then from amongst the brambles and old sycamore leaves, a small bird appeared, a Goldcrest, followed by another Goldcrest!! I finished off by checking out the feeder and today 4 Yellowhammer (great to see); 8 Dunnock & 6 Robin, plus the usual Great Tits, Blue Tits and Chaffinches.. Ain't birding just great..??
Year list pushed on to 82. Unfortunately no photography this weekend.. Can't wait for next weekend though!! WATCH THIS BLOG FOR MORE..
