February Snow.

Thornton with 3" of snow on the morning of 5th Feb. before the fog rolled in.

A male Reed Bunting feeding in the garden. I always presume that this is a species that I will see on my New Years day bird count. However, last year I did not see one at Thornton until the 5th Feb. and this year it was the 4th Feb. So where are they in January?

About 75% of the res. is frozen and good numbers of wildfowl are crammed in to the open water. They include 26 Pochard, 32 Teal and Harry the Whooper is back. Other species noted recently have included Tawny and Little Owl, Peregrine, Treecreeper, Rook, and Greylag Geese.

There is also a pale yellow Canary coming to gardens near to the church. It is often seen singing and has even attracted the attention of the Reed Bunting. I think it is a Canary breed known as an American singer, but I am no expert on cage birds. I am surprised that it has survived this long as a male Sparrowhawk hunts regularly in the area.

Goosander.

A smart male Goosander was at the top end today, but no sign of the three Shelduck. Water levels are rising with both outflow filters now partially hidden. One larch had been blown over by the strong winds.

None, then 3 come along!

I did not record Shelduck last year at Thornton, so it was a pleasant surprise to have 3 during this mornings squall. They were still present at 3pm.

Welcome 2012.

2012 started dry and mild and the juv. Whooper was still present to help with the New years day count. Other notables were Kingfisher, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, and male Goldeneye. My final total for the day was 52.

New record for 2011.

Red Admiral on Japonica, 27/12/2011

Tortoiseshell, 31/12/2011

2011 ended with very mild weather and little change in the species frequenting the reservoir. Duck numbers remained high with plenty of Wigeon, Teal and Gadwall. On the 28th a Peregrine was seen and on New years eve a pair of Goosander were fly overs. The exceptionally mild weather produced a Red Admiral on the 27th and a Tortoiseshell on the 31st. My final species total for the year is 124, which is my new highest annual total. My aim is to reach 130 in 2012. Happy New Year and a bird filled 2012.

Lesser Redpoll recovery.

Having rung 157 Lesser Redpoll at Thornton this autumn it was great to get a recovery of one of them retrapped in The Netherlands. Y473221 was caught on the 9th October. It was then retrapped at National Park de Groote, Asten, Noord-Brabant, about 10km east of Eindhoven. This is a movement of 508km in 48 days. This is a typical migration route for this species, south east to the low countries.

Second Med. Gull.

An adult Med. gull was in the roost on Saturday. This is the second for the autumn, the first being a first winter. Sorry for the pitiful photo. The eclipse male Pintail and juv. Whooper are still present and Dave had a Little Egret, also on Saturday.