Pink-footed Goose 64 east at 09.51 Shoveler 5 Gadwall 9 Teal 15 Little Grebe 1 Great Crested Grebe 2 Sparrowhawk 2 Kestrel 2 Kingfisher 1 Sand Martin 1 Cetti's Warbler 1 Chiffchaff 5 Meadow Pipit 11 over south
Pete Hines said
Wed Sep 13 10:37 AM, 2023
Pink-footed Goose 66 over south east at 08.20 Cetti's Warbler 2, pair interacting, singing and calling simultaneously Shoveler 2 Teal 18 Kingfisher 1
phillipskelly said
Tue Sep 5 4:25 PM, 2023
From 2 pm today 05.09.23 Visitor Centre feeders - Coal tit - 2 ( both constantly on and off the feeders, one looking tatty, possible a pair ). Nuthatch - 1. Also Blue and Great tits.
Main lake - Lots of people boating etc. Great crested grebe - 2. Cormorant - 4 on pylon.
Broad ees dole - Shoveler duck - 1. Little grebe - 1. Grey Heron - 4. Teal pool Water rail - 1. Kingfisher - 1 across.
Pete Hines said
Fri Sep 1 12:38 PM, 2023
Cetti's Warbler 1 possibly 2. One singing at the Teal Pool path 53.435633, -2.304545. Later one calling at the riverbank 53.432329, -2.295704 (706.66 metres apart) which flew across to the Chorlton Ees side giving views in Willow and Balsam, constantly calling.
Willow Tit heard at the inflow channel 53.430488, -2.294519
Peter Yendle said
Tue Aug 22 1:50 PM, 2023
Thanks Chris. I'm a bit reluctant to approach the land-owner, given that I've only seen mink there once. However, if it starts to happen more often, I might take you up on your offer.
Chris Sutton said
Mon Aug 21 10:05 PM, 2023
Peter,
I do not know the definitive answer to the Mink situation but I can share my experience of a similar incident.a few years ago. I witnessed a mink raiding the Sand Martin colony in Urmston.. It was brutal and relentless.
What came clear is you need 2 things, 1. Someone willing to deal with removing the mink 2. The landowners permission to remove the mink
In the area you describe i believe the Environment Agency are responsible for the river up to the top of the river banks. It is the respibsibility of the adjacent landowners beyond that.
To the north of the river I understand the field is a farmer holding a lease from Trafford Council. To the South of the river it is EA / Trafford Council / AMEY. (I won't go into the details here). The issue I experienced became determining where the mink breeding site was so whose permission was required. By the time I determined this there were not many Sand Martin left.
If it would help send me a PM and I would be happy to give you contact numbers for some of the organisations I mention above.
Chris
Peter Yendle said
Mon Aug 21 11:32 AM, 2023
Little Egret at Broad Ees Dole again this morning.
Also, saw a mink kill a moorhen in the river before dragging it onto the bank. I vaguely remember that we're supposed to report mink sightings, but the only place I can find to report them is https://www.waterliferecoverytrust.org.uk/report-a-sighting/ If I've got that wrong, please let me know.
Cetti's Warbler 1 still, showing and calling frequently at the side of the path by the Teal Pool, then later a brief burst of song from the back of Teal Pool Willow Warbler 1 in song Chiffchaff 8 Blackcap 3 Teal 3 Gadwall 3 Little Grebe 1 Great Crested Grebe 2 Kingfisher 1
Peter Yendle said
Fri Aug 4 4:31 PM, 2023
Little Egret at Broad Ees Dole this afternoon.
Also a Common Kingfisher there, but apart from that, very quiet.
Common Tern 1 Kingfisher 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 plus a roadkill on the junction 6 M60 slip road Sedge Warbler 1 singing VC Marsh Reed Warbler 3 (including recently fledged young) Cetti's Warbler 1 still, showing, singing and calling
Peter Yendle said
Tue Jul 4 11:30 AM, 2023
A few birds on this morning's visit that I don't usually see here:-
Common Tern, fishing over the lake (see horrible record shot)
Common Sandpiper, flying low over the lake
Sedge Warbler, in the marshy scrub beside Cow Lane, below the visitor centre
Also unusual (for me) was a group of six Mistle Thrushes that flew out of the woodland behind Broad Ees Dole and across the river towards Chorlton Ees.
Oystercatcher 3 over west 15.28 Kingfisher 1 Reed Warbler 2 Whitethroat pair carrying food
Andrew Jeffery said
Sat Jun 10 10:35 AM, 2023
Morning visit highlights all at Broad Ees Dole: 2 Lapwing, Cettis & Reed Warblers, 2 separate broods of Mallard with 7 ducklings each and a Peregrine halfheartedly following a Woodpigeon.
Steven Heywood said
Tue Jun 6 9:05 PM, 2023
Afternoon visit, two lapwings still on Broad Ees Dole, the best I got from the Cetti's Warbler family was five seconds of song from the roses by the teal pool. Five cygnets with the mute swans on the lake. Large mixed flock on Barrow Brook: families of long-tailed tits, great tits and blue tits, juvenile goldfinches, a pair of treecreepers and at least one goldcrest. A pair of willow tits further down the brook.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 6th of June 2023 10:16:39 PM
Andrew Jeffery said
Tue Jun 6 8:01 PM, 2023
Broad Ees Dole tonight 3 Lapwing, Cettis Warbler and Kingfisher.
Pete Hines said
Tue Jun 6 12:05 PM, 2023
Dunlin 1 in summer plumage on Broad Ees Dole Lapwing 2 on BED Mediterranean Gull 1 Adult, picked up on call 09.54, then lost to view behind trees flying in the direction of The Boathouse, though wasn't relocated Kingfisher 1 Cetti's Warbler 1 singing and confiding
Quick lap before the rain for school holidays entertainment produced highlights of:
Main Lake
30+ Sand Martin
1 Swallow
1 Reed Bunting (m)
Teal Pool
1 Reed Warbler (heard)
1 Cetti's Warbler (heard)
1 Willow Warbler
Andrew Jeffery said
Mon Apr 10 12:23 PM, 2023
Highlights of a wander around this morning before heavy rain set in were: Kingfisher, Cettis Warbler loudly singing next to the hide and Willow Tit x2 on the feeders.
Tony Koziol said
Sun Apr 9 1:58 PM, 2023
This morning 08.25/09.30, twas a lovely morning until we came upon silly season with litter down one bank the dreaded disposable barbeque being the worst item left behind by Mr and Mrs I Don't care. Then at the feeders we had people standing right by the feeders looking for birds and photographing Brown rats.
Now to the birds, highlight being our first GM Cetti's Warbler singing and showing really well near the lakeside hide along with a pair of Reed Bunting. At the feeders we did see two Willow Tit, male Great Spotted Woodpecker and a single Nuthatch being the best.
Of interest was a total lack of Gulls ?
Thank you for reading
Victor Meldrew Mk Two moan moan bloody moan.
Andrew Jeffery said
Fri Apr 7 11:24 AM, 2023
Summery feeling morning at the water park today. Singing Blackcaps (2), Cettis Warbler plus numerous Chiffchaffs.
Pete Hines said
Tue Apr 4 11:47 AM, 2023
Shoveler pair at Teal Pool Gadwall 19 Teal 9 Snipe 1 Broad Ees Dole Sand Martin 3 over river Willow Warbler 1 singing at the Teal Pool Chiffchaff 9 Cetti's Warbler 1 singing and showing at the lakeside behind the hide Blackcap 2 singing, Tree tops Cafe and Broad Ees Dole Goldcrest singing Cow Lane Reed Bunting pair at the lakeside behind the hide
A buzzard sat on top of the feeders this evening was the highlight of a wander around.
Andrew Jeffery said
Sun Mar 26 1:24 PM, 2023
Also 1 Oystercatcher on the main island at Broad Ees.
pete berry said
Sun Mar 26 12:44 PM, 2023
The Cettis Warbler singing frequently from cover to left hand side of Teal pool this morning. Also several Shoveler, Teal Gadwall etc,with at least 2 pairs Great Crested Grebe on the main lake. The feeders had the usual birds including Willow Tit and Ring Necked Parakeet and a Brown Rat that was busy picking up all the droppings from the feeders.
Cetti's Warbler was giving a wonderful display right in front the hide this morning. It has been here all winter and hopefully may linger lets hope theres another one somewhere in the reeds
Keep Birding.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Mar 20 12:48 PM, 2023
Originally posted today by dave olive:
Sale Waterpark with Andy Tordoff - Dull and cloudy 6 to 14 deg'
Gadwall male/female
Greenfinch
Heron 4
Crow
Tufted Duck male/female
Mallards male/female
Canada Geese
Mute Swans 2 pair
Great Crested Grebe 2
Long Tailed Tit - several flitting about various places
Magpie 2
Coot
Moorhen
Shovelers male/female lake behind the hide
Teal as above
Woodpigeon
Robin
Chifchaff - first of the year.
Ring-necked parakeets 2 flying around
Nuthatch on feeders near the cafe
Great tits 6
Sadly no Redpoll and no Cettis Warbler
Pete Hines said
Thu Mar 16 2:09 PM, 2023
Cetti's Warbler singing at the lakeside behind the hide. More vocal, but more elusive today Chiffchaff 1 silent same area as Cetti's Willow Tit 1 along the inflow channel 53.430495, -2.294814
No sign of the Stonechats
Andrew Jeffery said
Wed Mar 15 7:08 PM, 2023
Male & female Stonechat still present in the field next to the airplane field this evening.
Pete Hines said
Wed Mar 15 12:40 PM, 2023
Stonechat 3. Male and 2 female, generally close to the riverbank at the model aircraft field and Sale Ees Cetti's Warbler singing and showing well around the pylon between the hide and the Teal Pool Willow Tit 2 together along the top path to the river 53.429714, -2.290867 Kingfisher 1
Pete Hines said
Sat Mar 11 8:36 PM, 2023
Cetti's Warbler showed well at the lakeside c50m east of the hide 09.30-10.00 Shoveler 8 Gadwall 41 Teal 27 Tufted Duck 3 Goosander 4 Kingfisher 1 Treecreeper 1 Goldcrest 2 Redpoll 10 Siskin 6 Reed Bunting 2
-- Edited by Pete Hines on Saturday 11th of March 2023 08:36:33 PM
There was a Mink swimming across the Teal Pool That needs getting rid of - second one I've seen at Sale Water Park, the other one was on the boardwalk in front of The Boathouse.
-- Edited by Richard Would on Tuesday 7th of March 2023 06:34:33 PM
-- Edited by Richard Would on Tuesday 7th of March 2023 06:34:51 PM
8 Shoveler and 24 Teal on Broad Ees, 1 Reed Bunting & 1 Lesser Redpoll around the feeders.
Andrew Jeffery said
Mon Feb 6 5:03 PM, 2023
Highlights of a wander around this afternoon:
17 Shoveler, 9 Teal, 2 Bullfinch plus both Willow Tit and Reed Bunting on the Treetops feeders.
John Shaughnessy said
Sat Feb 4 8:15 PM, 2023
Best counts in last week or so:
Shoveler - 15, but very variable.
Gadwall - Numbers stable at 48-51.
Teal - 39, but very variable.
Wigeon - 1 male.
Tufted Duck - 19, the lake birds roost on B.E.D.
Goosander - 37 at B.E.D. roost.
Little Grebe - Still 13.
Great Crested Grebe - 8, decreasing to 5.
Grey Heron - 10, B.E.D., sheltering on windy days.
Coot - Decreasing from 174 to recent counts of 136 & 137.
Magpie - 137 at roost, but only partial count possible.
Jackdaw - Only 1250 at B.E.D. roost, but c.400 at Hardy Farm roost, which would account for missing B.E.D. birds.
Cetti's Warbler - Only heard it sing twice in period.
Song Thrush - Now five singing.
Redwing - Only up to 12 recently.
Nothing much else of note. One more swan lost to HPAI, so total deaths now 32. This bird was first seen infected on 6th January, but later looked to be recovering. However, it suffered a relapse last weekend, and I had to call in the RSPCA.
Anthony Robinson said
Mon Jan 30 3:17 PM, 2023
A Red Kite has just flown over my house in Sale towards Sale Water Park at 15:12ish
Andrew Jeffery said
Sun Jan 29 2:12 PM, 2023
Highlights this lunchtime: 12 Shoveler, 38 Gadwall, Kingfisher, Willow Tit and 12 Siskin.
John Shaughnessy said
Wed Jan 25 8:16 PM, 2023
Polish Black-headed Gull a couple of days ago. Ringed on 20th October 2014 at Stargard Szczecinski:ul, Portowa, Poland (ZACHODNIOPOMORSKIE). Next seen on 17th & 22nd July 2017 at 's-Hertogenbosch: Brabanthallen, Netherlands (Noord-Brabant), then not again until at S.W.P.
Some best counts in last four days:
Great Crested Grebe -- 9.
Coot -- 174
Shoveler -- 7
Jackdaw -- 1350, roost count into B.E.D.
Redwing -- 80, perhaps the Turn Moss flock moved across.
Siskin -- At least 45
Lesser Redpoll -- 15
Otherwise much as usual.
John Shaughnessy said
Sat Jan 21 10:02 PM, 2023
Norwegian Common Gull at S.W.P. today, ringed as adult female on 25th July 2020 at Flakstad camp site (Lofoten beach camp), Flakstad, Nordland (68 06 12 N; 13 17 13 E). This is on the Lofoten Islands, just inside the Arctic circle, top NW part of Norway, 1827km. from, & approx. NE of S.W.P. Today was only sighting since ringing.
Fairly quiet during the week:
Gadwall - 37 at the end of last week, then incr. to 59 early this week, but down to 46 by the end.
Teal - Best count of 43.
Mallard - Counted twice along the river, Jackson's Boat down to canal bridge, got 93 each time, and 25 on lake on one of the days.
Tufted Duck - usually 24.
Cormorant - 14 for one day late last week, otherwise the usual 7-8 or so.
Coot - 163 at end of last week, 164 in middle of this week, 169 a couple of days ago.
Redshank - 2 for a morning mid week.
Common Snipe - Occasional 1 at B.E.D.
Black-headed Gull - Max. of 410.
Small birds hard to find in the cold weather: max. of 22 Long-tailed Tit; c.20 Redwing; 2 Willow Tit; 2 Coal Tit; c. 50 Goldfinch; 6 Siskin.
Song Thrush beginning to sing properly, also a Chaffinch trying a bit of singing on a freezing cold morning.
Andrew Jeffery said
Sat Jan 21 2:19 PM, 2023
Broad Ees Dole almost completely frozen over: 5 Grey Heron, 42 Teal and 2 Snipe stood out in the open on the ice at the back.
Shoveler 5
Gadwall 9
Teal 15
Little Grebe 1
Great Crested Grebe 2
Sparrowhawk 2
Kestrel 2
Kingfisher 1
Sand Martin 1
Cetti's Warbler 1
Chiffchaff 5
Meadow Pipit 11 over south
Cetti's Warbler 2, pair interacting, singing and calling simultaneously
Shoveler 2
Teal 18
Kingfisher 1
Visitor Centre feeders -
Coal tit - 2 ( both constantly on and off the feeders, one looking tatty, possible a pair ).
Nuthatch - 1.
Also Blue and Great tits.
Main lake -
Lots of people boating etc.
Great crested grebe - 2.
Cormorant - 4 on pylon.
Broad ees dole -
Shoveler duck - 1.
Little grebe - 1.
Grey Heron - 4.
Teal pool
Water rail - 1.
Kingfisher - 1 across.
Willow Tit heard at the inflow channel 53.430488, -2.294519
Thanks Chris. I'm a bit reluctant to approach the land-owner, given that I've only seen mink there once. However, if it starts to happen more often, I might take you up on your offer.
I do not know the definitive answer to the Mink situation but I can share my experience of a similar incident.a few years ago. I witnessed a mink raiding the Sand Martin colony in Urmston.. It was brutal and relentless.
What came clear is you need 2 things,
1. Someone willing to deal with removing the mink
2. The landowners permission to remove the mink
In the area you describe i believe the Environment Agency are responsible for the river up to the top of the river banks. It is the respibsibility of the adjacent landowners beyond that.
To the north of the river I understand the field is a farmer holding a lease from Trafford Council. To the South of the river it is EA / Trafford Council / AMEY. (I won't go into the details here). The issue I experienced became determining where the mink breeding site was so whose permission was required. By the time I determined this there were not many Sand Martin left.
If it would help send me a PM and I would be happy to give you contact numbers for some of the organisations I mention above.
Chris
Little Egret at Broad Ees Dole again this morning.
Also, saw a mink kill a moorhen in the river before dragging it onto the bank. I vaguely remember that we're supposed to report mink sightings, but the only place I can find to report them is
https://www.waterliferecoverytrust.org.uk/report-a-sighting/
If I've got that wrong, please let me know.
Pete
Willow Warbler 1 in song
Chiffchaff 8
Blackcap 3
Teal 3
Gadwall 3
Little Grebe 1
Great Crested Grebe 2
Kingfisher 1
Little Egret at Broad Ees Dole this afternoon.
Also a Common Kingfisher there, but apart from that, very quiet.
Kingfisher 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 plus a roadkill on the junction 6 M60 slip road
Sedge Warbler 1 singing VC Marsh
Reed Warbler 3 (including recently fledged young)
Cetti's Warbler 1 still, showing, singing and calling
A few birds on this morning's visit that I don't usually see here:-
Also unusual (for me) was a group of six Mistle Thrushes that flew out of the woodland behind Broad Ees Dole and across the river towards Chorlton Ees.
Kingfisher 1
Reed Warbler 2
Whitethroat pair carrying food
Afternoon visit, two lapwings still on Broad Ees Dole, the best I got from the Cetti's Warbler family was five seconds of song from the roses by the teal pool. Five cygnets with the mute swans on the lake. Large mixed flock on Barrow Brook: families of long-tailed tits, great tits and blue tits, juvenile goldfinches, a pair of treecreepers and at least one goldcrest. A pair of willow tits further down the brook.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 6th of June 2023 10:16:39 PM
Lapwing 2 on BED
Mediterranean Gull 1 Adult, picked up on call 09.54, then lost to view behind trees flying in the direction of The Boathouse, though wasn't relocated
Kingfisher 1
Cetti's Warbler 1 singing and confiding
Evening wander produced very little bar 2 Swallows and an unusually (for me anyway) good view of the Cettis warbler.
Tach break on way back from Liverpool, quick walk round to the hide.
- Cettis Warbler singing and showed a few times but mainly elusive
Shoveler 2
Gadwall 3
Teal 8
Goosander 4 flying upriver
Redpoll 2
A House Martin also brought down by the rain
Quick lap before the rain for school holidays entertainment produced highlights of:
Main Lake
30+ Sand Martin
1 Swallow
1 Reed Bunting (m)
Teal Pool
1 Reed Warbler (heard)
1 Cetti's Warbler (heard)
1 Willow Warbler
This morning 08.25/09.30, twas a lovely morning until we came upon silly season with litter down one bank the dreaded disposable barbeque being the worst item left behind by Mr and Mrs I Don't care. Then at the feeders we had people standing right by the feeders looking for birds and photographing Brown rats.
Now to the birds, highlight being our first GM Cetti's Warbler singing and showing really well near the lakeside hide along with a pair of Reed Bunting. At the feeders we did see two Willow Tit, male Great Spotted Woodpecker and a single Nuthatch being the best.
Of interest was a total lack of Gulls ?
Thank you for reading
Victor Meldrew Mk Two moan moan bloody moan.
Gadwall 19
Teal 9
Snipe 1 Broad Ees Dole
Sand Martin 3 over river
Willow Warbler 1 singing at the Teal Pool
Chiffchaff 9
Cetti's Warbler 1 singing and showing at the lakeside behind the hide
Blackcap 2 singing, Tree tops Cafe and Broad Ees Dole
Goldcrest singing Cow Lane
Reed Bunting pair at the lakeside behind the hide
Also several Shoveler, Teal Gadwall etc,with at least 2 pairs Great Crested Grebe on the main lake.
The feeders had the usual birds including Willow Tit and Ring Necked Parakeet and a Brown Rat that was busy picking up all the droppings from the feeders.
Chiffchaff 8
Reed Bunting 4+
Goosander 2
Gadwall 26
Teal 13
Cetti's Warbler was giving a wonderful display right in front the hide this morning. It has been here all winter and hopefully may linger lets hope theres another one somewhere in the reeds
Keep Birding.
Originally posted today by dave olive:
Sale Waterpark with Andy Tordoff - Dull and cloudy 6 to 14 deg'
Gadwall male/female
Greenfinch
Heron 4
Crow
Tufted Duck male/female
Mallards male/female
Canada Geese
Mute Swans 2 pair
Great Crested Grebe 2
Long Tailed Tit - several flitting about various places
Magpie 2
Coot
Moorhen
Shovelers male/female lake behind the hide
Teal as above
Woodpigeon
Robin
Chifchaff - first of the year.
Ring-necked parakeets 2 flying around
Nuthatch on feeders near the cafe
Great tits 6
Sadly no Redpoll and no Cettis Warbler
Chiffchaff 1 silent same area as Cetti's
Willow Tit 1 along the inflow channel 53.430495, -2.294814
No sign of the Stonechats
Cetti's Warbler singing and showing well around the pylon between the hide and the Teal Pool
Willow Tit 2 together along the top path to the river 53.429714, -2.290867
Kingfisher 1
Shoveler 8
Gadwall 41
Teal 27
Tufted Duck 3
Goosander 4
Kingfisher 1
Treecreeper 1
Goldcrest 2
Redpoll 10
Siskin 6
Reed Bunting 2
-- Edited by Pete Hines on Saturday 11th of March 2023 08:36:33 PM
Between 7:30 - 9am
Siskin
Flock of about 10 Redpolls,
Several Little Grebes,
Nuthatch,
Long-Tailed Tits
Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Ducks
Song Thrush
4 Ring-Necked Parakeets
There was a Mink swimming across the Teal Pool
That needs getting rid of - second one I've seen at Sale Water Park, the other one was on the boardwalk in front of The Boathouse.
-- Edited by Richard Would on Tuesday 7th of March 2023 06:34:33 PM
-- Edited by Richard Would on Tuesday 7th of March 2023 06:34:51 PM
Common Scoter late morning.
Kingfisher seen too.
Sunday 5th March, 0730-0930
Of note;
Kingfisher
Siskin
Teal
Gadwall
Tufted Duck
Great Crested Grebe
Little Grebe
Shoveler
Kestrel
Reed Bunting (m)
Willow Tit
Cetti's Warbler (showed very well in usual spot between Teal Pool and main body of water)
Best counts in last week or so:
Shoveler - 15, but very variable.
Gadwall - Numbers stable at 48-51.
Teal - 39, but very variable.
Wigeon - 1 male.
Tufted Duck - 19, the lake birds roost on B.E.D.
Goosander - 37 at B.E.D. roost.
Little Grebe - Still 13.
Great Crested Grebe - 8, decreasing to 5.
Grey Heron - 10, B.E.D., sheltering on windy days.
Coot - Decreasing from 174 to recent counts of 136 & 137.
Magpie - 137 at roost, but only partial count possible.
Jackdaw - Only 1250 at B.E.D. roost, but c.400 at Hardy Farm roost, which would account for missing B.E.D. birds.
Cetti's Warbler - Only heard it sing twice in period.
Song Thrush - Now five singing.
Redwing - Only up to 12 recently.
Nothing much else of note. One more swan lost to HPAI, so total deaths now 32. This bird was first seen infected on 6th January, but later looked to be recovering. However, it suffered a relapse last weekend, and I had to call in the RSPCA.
Polish Black-headed Gull a couple of days ago. Ringed on 20th October 2014 at Stargard Szczecinski:ul, Portowa, Poland (ZACHODNIOPOMORSKIE). Next seen on 17th & 22nd July 2017 at 's-Hertogenbosch: Brabanthallen, Netherlands (Noord-Brabant), then not again until at S.W.P.
Some best counts in last four days:
Great Crested Grebe -- 9.
Coot -- 174
Shoveler -- 7
Jackdaw -- 1350, roost count into B.E.D.
Redwing -- 80, perhaps the Turn Moss flock moved across.
Siskin -- At least 45
Lesser Redpoll -- 15
Otherwise much as usual.
Norwegian Common Gull at S.W.P. today, ringed as adult female on 25th July 2020 at Flakstad camp site (Lofoten beach camp), Flakstad, Nordland (68 06 12 N; 13 17 13 E). This is on the Lofoten Islands, just inside the Arctic circle, top NW part of Norway, 1827km. from, & approx. NE of S.W.P. Today was only sighting since ringing.
Fairly quiet during the week:
Gadwall - 37 at the end of last week, then incr. to 59 early this week, but down to 46 by the end.
Teal - Best count of 43.
Mallard - Counted twice along the river, Jackson's Boat down to canal bridge, got 93 each time, and 25 on lake on one of the days.
Tufted Duck - usually 24.
Cormorant - 14 for one day late last week, otherwise the usual 7-8 or so.
Coot - 163 at end of last week, 164 in middle of this week, 169 a couple of days ago.
Redshank - 2 for a morning mid week.
Common Snipe - Occasional 1 at B.E.D.
Black-headed Gull - Max. of 410.
Small birds hard to find in the cold weather: max. of 22 Long-tailed Tit; c.20 Redwing; 2 Willow Tit; 2 Coal Tit; c. 50 Goldfinch; 6 Siskin.
Song Thrush beginning to sing properly, also a Chaffinch trying a bit of singing on a freezing cold morning.