Hill Hook Nature Reserve (1 Viewer)

Phil Andrews · Nov 15, 2014

This morning saw the two adult Mute Swans return to the Mill Pool (minus their offspring), two LBB Gull, a Little Grebe in open water for once, a Grey Wagtail over and most impressively ten Goosander (two males and eight females), my best count for the reserve.

The northern section of the reserve had two Buzzard, a GS Woodpecker and a notable increase in finches (particularly Chaffinch and Goldfinch, with a party of 30 of the latter).

Phil Andrews · Nov 16, 2014

A midday stroll today saw Goosander numbers at the Mill Pool reduced to only three (two males and a redhead). Not sure where they go - do they get only any of the pools in Sutton Park? (cant recall seeing any there). Also at the Mill Pool were 1 Cormorant, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Little Grebe, 1 LBB Gull, Kingfisher and a Grey Wagtail on the weir.

The woods held Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Nuthatch and Fieldfare.

Phil Andrews · Nov 22, 2014

Goosander Galore

A new record count of this elegant sawbill with 14 birds (a lone male and 13 females) on the Mill Pool this morning; also a Little Grebe, one LBB Gull, two Mute Swan and at least ten Tufted Duck. Most of my sightings of Goosander here see females outnumber males; is this mirrored at other West Midlands sites eg Sandwell Valley?

The southern section of the reserve held good numbers of Coal Tit and Golscrest plus a GS Woodpecker; the northern section had 2 Jays again, the large flock of Goldfinch and another GS Woodpecker with Grey Wagtail and Buzzard over.

No sign of Siskin or Redpoll yet and winter thrushes are very sparse but the sight of this number of Goosander on such a small body of water more than makes up for it! Ay musht be dreemin

PS Also saw my second birder on the reserve today - after a Leica wearer last weekend there was an Optolyth? clad chap today. Hello to both of you if you are on BF (I was with the bear-hatted toddler feeding the ducks)

Matt Griffiths · Nov 22, 2014

Phil Andrews said:
Most of my sightings of Goosander here see females outnumber males; is this mirrored at other West Midlands sites eg Sandwell Valley?

Most of the sightings at Earlswood this autumn have been of redheads, which include juvenile males atm.
Matt

Phil Andrews · Nov 22, 2014

Matt Griffiths said:
Most of the sightings at Earlswood this autumn have been of redheads, which include juvenile males atm.
Matt

Cheers Matt. Had a good look today as juvs are on my radar - all appeared to be adult females but will keep scanning

Phil Andrews · Nov 29, 2014

This morning produced eight Goosander (all redheads) on the Mill Pool plus one Grey Heron, one Little Grebe and a LBB Gull.

The southern section of the reserve held a GS Woodpecker and a mobile flock of c.50 Goldfinch in the tree-tops. The northern section of the reserve yielded another, smaller flock of Goldfinch (c.20 birds) plus two Buzzard (briefly perched together on the same branch), a couple of showy Bullfinch, a Grey Wagtail over and increased numbers of Chaffinch; I still remain hopeful for Brambling at some point.

Phil Andrews · Nov 30, 2014

A wander late afternoon produced at least one (more likely two) Jays in the northern half of the reserve between Blake Street and Hill Hook Road plus a Grey Wagtail over and again two Buzzard sharing the same branch.

The Mill Pool held five Goosander (again all redheads), four Moorhen, a LBB Gull and the pair of Mute Swan back again.

Phil Andrews · Dec 6, 2014

Another Goosander bonanza today with 17 birds present on the Mill Pool - three males and 14 redheads; conversely Tufted and Coot numbers seemed to be down. Also present were 2 LBB Gulls and a Grey Heron sunning itself whilst roosting in the trees of the island.

Both Robin and Dunnock seemed far more conspicuous today. Two Buzzards again shared a branch in the northern half of the reserve whilst a local rarity in the form of a Stock Dove flew over. Also probably my first multiple count of Grey Heron when two flew south low over the trees just north of Hill Hook Road.

Will post some photos of dubious quality when my camera / laptop interface is sorted; the Goosander would provide a good quarry for the bazooka boyz.

Phil Andrews · Dec 14, 2014

Sunday 14th December

Goosander numbers go from strength to strength with an astonishing 24 birds present on the Mill Pool (5 males and 19 redheads), outnumbering the combined numbers of Coot and Tufted Duck. All on a pool no more than 40 metres by 60 metres (will have a go at measuring in properly later).

Otherwise rather quiet - a LLB Gull was the only other bird of note on the Mill Pool; the Little Grebe(s) seem to have moved off. The southern half of the reserve held GS Woodpecker and an unseen but vocal Chiffchaff; the northern half had a mobile flock of 60+ Goldfinch, Buzzard and Jay. Also Song Thrush far more plentiful than in recent weeks.

keithr · Dec 14, 2014

Brilliant Goosander numbers.....amazing how they seem to like smaller ponds and yet are so shy really.....and hardly ever get to Upton.

Phil Andrews · Dec 14, 2014

Phil Andrews said:
Goosander numbers go from strength to strength with an astonishing 24 birds present on the Mill Pool (5 males and 19 redheads), outnumbering the combined numbers of Coot and Tufted Duck. All on a pool no more than 40 metres by 60 metres (will have a go at measuring in properly later).

Measuring off Google Maps gives me dimensions of 100 metres by 120 metres although it feels a lot smaller than that. A clever mapping tool at work will give m e the precise answer.

Phil Andrews · Dec 21, 2014

Sunday 21st December

A wander late morning produced 17 Goosander on the Mill Pool (4 males, 13 females) plus 10 Tufted Duck, 2 LBB Gull and 2 Little Grebes.

The northern sector of the reserve held a Buzzard, flyover Grey Wagtail and a flock of c30 Goldfinch.

The southern half of the reserve had a flock of 25 Chaffinch (a notable increase on recent weeks), c40 Goldfinch, 2 Nuthatch, 3 Treecreepers and many Coal Tits and Goldcrests.

Phil Andrews · Dec 25, 2014

Thursday 25th December

A brief passing visit late afternoon produced 8 Goosander on the Mill Pond (2 males, 6 females), 9 Tufted Duck (5 males, 4 females) and an adult LBB Gull.

Phil Andrews · Dec 26, 2014

Ficking Flishing Fireworks

Fireworks in the vicinity last night appeared to have flushed most of the Goosander, with just one redhead present this morning. Will be interesting to see if numbers build up again and are then similarly effected at New Year. Tufted Duck numbers also seemed low with just seven birds (four males and three female). Two LBB Gull, a Grey Heron roosting on the island and one Mute Swan made up the numbers at the Mill Pool.

Elsewhere the northern section produced two Jays, a GS Woodpecker and unusually a Moorhen on the stream; the southern half held two Nuthatches and good numbers of tits and finches.

Steve Sutton · Jan 4, 2015

Brief visit on a beautiful midday visit, weatherwise, lots of nuthatches calling,single collared dove, usual woodland stuff including 1 sparrowhawk also 1 drake and 2 female Goosander, 1 Little grebe, 2 Lesser Black backs.

Phil Andrews · Jan 6, 2015

A quick foray yesterday afternoon produced NO Goosander on the Mill Pool but the pool did hold 2 Little Grebe, 10 Tufted Duck (7m+3f) and 2 LBB Gull. The only item of interest in the woods was what sounded just like a Marsh Tit from the bridge on the southern side of the pool but frustratingly wouldn't give itself up.

Phil Andrews · Jan 8, 2015

Been a bit light on photos recently so here to redress the balance .....

Phil Andrews · Jan 8, 2015

Next batch

Phil Andrews · Jan 8, 2015

Can't get enough of Goosander - cracking birds! :t:

Phil Andrews · Jan 10, 2015

Heron roosting on the island, Cormorant and Buzzard

Hill Hook Nature Reserve (1 Viewer)

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