Latest Sightings
It been a busy few days, as the results from the first breeding bird survey of the year have been tallied up! In other news, the odd common sandpiper have been seen daily on the mere over the past week, and a wood sandpiper was spotted from United Utilites hide on Saturday. Cattle egret numbers have climbed again, with a count of 18 on Friday with the herd. The tawny owl was showing well on Friday in the trees on the way to Ron Barker hide, as well as a Cetti's warbler who has taken up residence in the bramble bush on the bridge over the sluice outside Ron Barker hide. Swallows have been seen flying all over the site, and ~4 swifts were spotted from United Utilities hide yesterday.
Without further ado, here are the results.....
Mute Swan: 4 pairs
Canada Goose: 58 pairs
Greylag Goose: 42 pairs
Shelduck: 83 pairs
Mallard: 225 pairs
Shoveler: 68 pairs
Gadwall: 13 pairs
Wigeon: 1 pair
Tufted Duck: 23 pairs
Pochard: 13 pairs
Pheasant: 8 pairs
Little Grebe: 2 pairs
Great Crested Grebe: 2 pairs
Coot: 28 pairs
Moorhen: 44 pairs
Water Rail: 2 pairs
Oystercatcher: 7 pairs
Avocet: 19 pairs
Snipe: 27 pairs
Redshank: 5 pairs
Woodpigeon: 40 pairs
Kestrel: 1 pair
Buzzard: 1 pair
Little Owl: 1 pair
Kingfisher: 1 pair
Great-spotted Woodpecker: 2 pairs
Skylark: 20 pairs
Meadow Pipit: 1 pair
Pied Wagtail: 1 pair
Dunnock: 9 pairs
Robin: 22 pairs
Blackbird: 11 pairs
Song Thrush: 12 pairs
Sedge Warbler: 14 pairs
Reed Warbler: 16 pairs
Cetti's Warbler: 32 pairs
Blackcap: 18 pairs
Whitethroat: 1 pair
Chiffchaff: 24 pairs
Willow Warbler: 27 pairs
Grasshopper Warbler: 4 pairs
Goldcrest: 4 pairs
Wren: 69 pairs
Blue Tit: 17 pairs
Great Tit: 23 pairs
Coal Tit: 1 pair
Long-tailed Tit: 4 pairs
Jackdaw: 12 pairs
Magpie: 6 pairs
Crow: 6 pairs
Linnet: 3 pairs
Chaffinch: 15 pairs
Goldfinch: 11 pairs
Greenfinch: 2 pairs
Reed Bunting: 51 pairs
Stonechat: 7 pairs
House Sparrow: 7 pairs
Sparrowhawk: 1 pair
Jay: 1 pair
Grey Wagtail: 1 pair
Pintail: 2 pairs
(Photo: Common Sandpiper)
