Sunday, May 06, 2007

6th May 2007

SN Reservoirs 0550-0830 MJP
cool, o/c. mod W.

Shelduck - 2
Common Tern - 4
Common Whitethroat - 1
Canada x Greylag Goose - 1
Sedge Warbler - 1
Reed Warbler - 13
Blackcap - 3
Swallow - 1
House Martin - 1
Swift - c100
Stock Dove - 2 pairs
Pochard - 3 pairs
Gadwall - 2 pairs
Tufted Duck - 18
Ruddy Duck - 1m, 2f
Little Grebe - 3 pairs
Great Crested Grebe - 2 pairs
Reed Bunting - 4
Long-tailed Tit - 16
Goldcrest - 2
Linnet - 1 (north)

A quiet early session at the reservoirs (as it has been all spring...); four Common Terns is however the top count so far this year, and the brief presence of a pair of Shelduck is the third record this spring - all of pairs - of this previously less-than-annual species. Visible migration / skywatching has been almost fruitless so far, with a solitary Linnet being the only eye (and ear) opener this morning, aside from the multitude of Swifts and single Swallow and House Martins.

An unseasonal flock of 13 Long-tailed Tits were by Lordship Road (just south of the Res), where a pair of Goldcrests are now presumably breeding.