Wraysbury & Sunnymeads Pits

kite1035 · #1 (**permalink**) 30-12-2008, 05:52 AM

Spent yesterday at one of my old haunts not been here for quite a few years very quite day people wise plenty of ducks to watch I found 3 Goosander and 7 Goldeneye as well as the usaul selection of ducks had a nice Sparrowhawk about 15 feet away other wise a very cold day

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 30-12-2008, 06:01 AM

A place I used to visit regularly; less often now.

Well known as a good place for Goosander + Goldeneye; also usually produces Smew. In the past there was often Red-necked Grebe, though I'm not aware of recent records.

Tha Alders often produce Siskins + sometimes Redpoll, often over-wintering Chiffchaff.

It's hard to believe now, but in the 80's people went there for Ring-necked Parakeets!

In the spring Nightingale + Grasshopper Warbler used to be regular.

kite1035 · #3 (**permalink**) 30-12-2008, 08:57 AM

This was just the highlights of my day a full report can be found on my blog did not metion this as I do not whant to just plug my blog in case it is against any rules

RobinP · #4 (**permalink**) 30-12-2008, 06:02 PM

I went there in the eighties on my own and met a chap who very kindly showed me round; saw my first Smew (near the railway station) RNP's flew over (12) and some Mandarin Duck were hiding under a waterside bush.

Just to cap it off, someone else mentioned a Great Northern Diver on a tiny pool just up the road near Slough (?) so four life 'ticks' in one day.