Sunday, 20 March 2016

20th March - cloudy, a few sunny spells during the day, light NE breeze/wind, feeling slightly warmer 10C

This afternoon I visited the local reservoir as I have not been for a couple of weeks.  On the water there were 10 Goosanders, c15 Goldeneye, 2 Teal, c25 Pochard a good number of Tufted Duck and Mallard.  A pair of Oystercatchers flew along the reservoir, hopefully these will stay and breed, 6 Snipe were flushed from the edge and a single Dunlin, in winter plumage, was on the dam.
A small flock of Greylag  and 2 Canada Geese were present, also a large white 'farmyard' Goose has turned up. A Grey Heron hunted the reed edge and 10 Cormorants were feeding or resting in the trees.

A Tawny Owl 'hooted' during the mid-afternoon, not that unusual. On the adjacent game cover there were ~6 Linnets, 10 Red Buntings and 3 yellowhammers.  Around the reservoir I found 5 pairs of Long-tailed tits and two Bullfinch pairs. Four Stock Dove were at the feed station with 30+Tree Sparrows.

On the pastures next to the inlet there was ~20 Fieldfare, 5 Redwings and 50 Starlings feeding with a good number of Jackdaws too.  The Rooks were very noisy in their Rookery nearby

At the outlet weir a male Grey Wagtail fed actively.

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