Sunday 18th December
WEBS count day produced the following sightings:-
MOORS POOL
2 Mute Swan, 1 Canada Goose (+ 66 over), 19 Greylag Geese, 1 Cormorant, 3 Mute Swans, 3 Grey Heron, 162 Coot, 17 Moorhen, 198 Mallard, 4 Shoveler, 27 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 15 Curlew, 58 Lapwing, 19 Snipe, 2 LBB Gull, 2 Herring Gulls, 119 BH Gull, 2 Kingfisher, 3+ Water Rails calling, Skylark over the North Moors car park, 2 female Pheasants on islands in Amy's Marsh, Buzzard perched up in the Education Reserve.
SAILING POOL
1 Grey Heron, 44 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Mute Swan
FLASHES
10 Snipe, 78 Lapwing, 1 Moorhen, 2 Mallard, c35 Redpolls in silver birches at the rear of the Hen Pool, Meadow Pipit over, 5 Cormorant over, steady stream of large gulls heading south.
In addition there were good numbers of thrushes; not necessarily in large flocks but scattered right across the reserve.
Walking around today made me realise just what an impact the work parties are having on rejuvinating some over-looked areas of the reserve - the North Moors, the plantation opposite Lifestyles (nice apple hoard; just waiting for the Dusky Thrush!), the hedges along the Moors' eastern boundary and the hedgeline at the Flashes - a great effort from all those who volunteer their time.
All Kingfisher perches present and correct