Author Archives: Val Jones

A fine male Hawfinch was found in the churchyard mid-morning by Mark Pass and showed quite well occasionally thereafter, though not recorded at all last winter this could be the same bird present throughout March 2014 in the same area. … Continue reading →

A Water Pipit showed very well again in front of the Member’s Hide though was clearly a different bird to the one seen on 4 Nov. Later almost certainly two birds were seen in flight together. The f. Stonechat was … Continue reading →

A Short-eared Owl came in from the north harrassed by BHGulls 0950 and eventually departed NE 0958, the first since a similar occurence on 10 Nov 2013 and only the thirteenth record. Also 2 Gadwall, 12 Wigeon, 169 Teal (best … Continue reading →

Ad. Red-b-Goose, 50 Greylags, 100+ Teal, 5 Gadwall, 5 Wigeon, 2 Pochard, 9 Tufteds,  2 Goldeneye, Goosander & ad. Yellow-l-Gull. Also Chiffchaff and four Redpolls.

A Water Pipit gave good views at 1110-15 on the scrapes in front of the Member’s Hide before flying towards the north end of the res, the first since 25 Oct 2012. A female Stonechat was off the car park … Continue reading →

Misty conditions again prevailed but viewing conditions had improved. Rising water levels have pushed a lot of the duck into the vegetation making observation difficult though plenty of Teal & a few Gadwall remain. Also a drake Pochard and two Goldeneye … Continue reading →

Thick fog again at the reservoir but some visibility at Highoredish with 404 Wood Pigeons, 34 Redwings, just 10 Starlings and a trickle of finches through with 10 Linnets, 4 Greenfinches, 8 Lesser Redpolls, 12 Chaffinches, 1 Siskin, 3 Goldfinches and … Continue reading →

Clear skies at Highoredish with some light passage; 1100 Wood Pigeons, 330 Starlings, 34  Redwings, 52 Fieldfares, 11 M.Pipits, 20 Skylarks, 8 Chaffinches, 3 Bramblings, 2 Redpolls & 2 Siskins. A lot of disturbance at the reservoir with just a Kingfisher … Continue reading →

Lots of birds on the move which made the arrival of thick fog at 0800 more frustrating than usual. Nevertheless counts of 660 Fieldfares & 640 Redwings were obtained. Also a Rock Pipit  and two late Swallows flew south. A … Continue reading →

Ten Goldeneye were fresh in with a family group of Mute Swans, 2 ads & 2 juvs and a Rock Pipit was heard.