On a sunny, but bitterly cold Thursday morning, ten of us set off to Eccup Reservoir. We welcomed David & Heidi to our group & hope that they enjoyed their day with us.
The sun was very low in the sky which made it difficult at times to identify the birds, especially when they were high up in the trees. One of the highlights was watching several Red Kites soaring over our heads, the sunlight catching their markings. They looked magnificent. A Buzzard & Kestrel were also seen.
The reservoir was quite choppy but we managed to identify several ducks, namely Widgeon, Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck & Goosander as well as Grey Heron, Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe, Canada & Greylag Geese, & Common Gulls. Pied & Grey Wagtails were seen on the dam.
The small birds in the wood presented a challenge due to the sun. We spent a while debating whether a flock at the top of a tree were Linnets or Redpoll, eventually deciding that they were Redpoll. Bullfinches were numerous, the males looking splendid in the sunlight. Large flocks of Great Tits & Blue Tits were flitting around in the trees & Long Tailed Tits, Goldfinch; Greenfinch & Nuthatch were also sighted.
Corvids were in evidence & a Jay & Mistle Thrush were heard.
Despite the cold we had a great day & 35 birds were recorded in total.
Marg Smith.
