Friday 1 June 2018

Pitsford Reservoir CBC

Hello

In murky, still but warm conditions I completed a Common Bird Census of the reserve section of Pitsford Reservoir today, starting at 6am and finishing just before 1pm. By this time it was just about warming up and with even some sunshine peeking through.

It was a pretty unremarkable census - already quite a few less singing birds than in April and most of May. There were exceptions with Song Thrushes and Blackbirds being particularly vocal in the often dank conditions which is of course to their liking. Blackcaps and Garden Warblers seem to be present in good numbers but there were no Lesser Whitethroats or Sedge Warblers detected and only one Whitethroat and three singing Reed Warblers. Also of concern, it seems that we only have a single Willow Warbler territory, an inconceivable position when this used to be one of the most common warblers on site less than two decades ago!

The warming air coincided with a big hatch of Chimney Sweeper moths and some of the damselflies over the water were the large Red-eyed Damselfly. Four Spotted Chaser was the only dragonfly noted and the best of the few butterflies on the wing was a Small Heath.

Regards

Neil M



Common Tern.


Great Crested Grebe.

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