Water Rail. Photograph by Bill Reid
Forty one visits were made between January 1st and March 31st. Forty four species were seen during the period.
The most exciting observation was a Green Sandpiper briefly on February 10th. This was the first observation for six years.
Another unusual sighting was of 5 Egyptian Geese flying north east over the pools on January 22nd. There were occasional records of Water Rail seen and heard.Bill Reid managed to obtain a good photograph of one in the open in March.
A Little Grebe was present on March 3rd but did not stay. A drake Gadwall was present on two days in March. Up to two Cormorants were present regularly during the period. Two Herons were also regulars to the pools. During the winter up to 4 Reed Buntings were present and a pair were regular in March.
The nearby scrub and shrubs held groups of Greenfinch, Goldfinch and up to 20 Redwing. Moorhen, Coot, Mute Swan and Mallards were present throughout the period. A pair of Coots already had 6 young by March 30th. The Mute Swans had rebuilt their nest and were incubating by the month’s end. The first two migrant Chiffchaffs were seen on 20th March.