warm, overcast. light W.
Siskin - 2
Spotted Flycatcher - 2
Red-crested Pochard - 2
Common Swift - 3
Barn Swallow - 2
House Martin - 8
Sand Martin - 6
Willow Warbler - 18
Chiffchaff - 3
Common Whitethroat - 1
Blackcap - 5
Reed Warbler - 3
Sparrowhawk - 3/4
Song Thrush - 20
Blackbird - 32
Goldcrest - 3
Starling - 100
Woodpigeon - 60
Jay - 9
enjoyable morning on patch, mainly on account of the variety of migrant passerines present - most feeding avidly on the plentiful insect supplies in warm and pleasant conditions; the Spot Flys and Siskins providing the highlights, but a good supporting cast of warblers, all three hirundines, thrushes and three late Swifts.
Also good counts of the commoner waterbirds, with duck numbers swelling significantly of late. Two Red-crested Pochards - an eclipse male and a female - are still on the West Res; almost all records last year (and in previous years) fell between mid-Aug and mid-Sep, and 2006 records appear to be going with type.
Great Crested Grebe - 4
Little Grebe - 9 (inc juvs)
Grey Heron - 5
Cormorant - 14
Canada Goose - 43
Gadwall - 25
Common Pochard - 50+
Tufted Duck - 70+
Shoveler - 19
Ruddy Duck - 27
Mallard - 20