Hello
This evening some scanning over the reserve section at Pitsford Reservoir provided views of a smart leucistic Lapwing, a Green Sandpiper, the lingering pair of Oystercatchers, two juvenile Little Ringed Plovers and a moulting drake Goldeneye. An injured and distressed Cormorant (probably ensnared in fishing line) was just able to take to the water to avoid two foraging Red Fox cubs and three Sparrowhawks were busy - one terrorising the Tree Sparrows and Starlings at the feeding station bushes, another taking a bird near the causeway (probably a Starling) and another catching and then dropping a Green Woodpecker which flew away! Stand still long enough and sometimes the action comes to you!
Regards
Neil M
This evening some scanning over the reserve section at Pitsford Reservoir provided views of a smart leucistic Lapwing, a Green Sandpiper, the lingering pair of Oystercatchers, two juvenile Little Ringed Plovers and a moulting drake Goldeneye. An injured and distressed Cormorant (probably ensnared in fishing line) was just able to take to the water to avoid two foraging Red Fox cubs and three Sparrowhawks were busy - one terrorising the Tree Sparrows and Starlings at the feeding station bushes, another taking a bird near the causeway (probably a Starling) and another catching and then dropping a Green Woodpecker which flew away! Stand still long enough and sometimes the action comes to you!
Regards
Neil M
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| Adult Tree Sparrow. Both adult and juvenile Tree Sparrows inhabit the bushes around the Old Scaldwell Road Feeding Station at Pitsford Reservoir, taking advantage of the mixed seed on offer. However their constant 'chirruping' calls act as a beacon for foraging Sparrowhawks which are desperately trying to find enough food for their demanding offspring... Image courtesy of Robin Gossage. |
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| The Oystercatchers remain at Pitsford despite yet another failed effort at sustaining their young to the flying stage. Three of the chicks died one by one and the fourth chick successfully paddled to shore from the tern raft but disappeared overnight. The open shoreline and adjacent vegetation is constantly patrolled by predators so their chances of success are minimal. Image courtesy of Robin Gossage. |
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| Lapwing at Summer Leys NR. Good numbers are building at Pitsford Reservoir, the extensive muddy shoreline is very much to their liking. Image courtesy of John Tilly. |
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| Swallow. Many first brood youngsters are on the wing now... Image courtesy of Cathy Ryden. |
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