Cracking morning on the moor

htcdude · #1 (**permalink**) 24-03-2011, 10:30 AM

Haven't been out birding much lately but went out to Staines Moor and Reservoirs this morning. So much singing going on and some great sights.

As soon as I arrived at the pathway to the Moor 2 Shelduck flew over (first for the site for me), and a singing Chiffchaff only a few feet away. Throughout the morning there must have been at least 30 Chiffchaff all singing away.

Bit further along had a flock of 60 Fieldfare feeding on the reservoir slopes and a family of Great Spotted Woodpeckers harassing Fieldfare & Greenfinch.

Got bit further up and heard 2 Cetti's Warbler singing away, never saw them unffortunately but they usually stick around.

Got onto the Moor and saw the usual suspects, was welcomed by a Little Grebe, and a handful of Reed Bunting, but immediately heard the tuneful Skylark. There were quite a number of them displaying now, along with the Meadow Pipits.

Further up the river I ran into my second Redshank of the site, and sitting next to that was a summer plumage Water Pipit, which was the first of 3 I saw today.

Made my way back and headed down over to the Reservoirs, upon arriving saw 2 Pied Wagtail having a death fight, I've never seen anything like it!

The usual ducks, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Gadwall, & 2 Teal & 2 Goldeneye a nice surprise.

Didn't find the Scaup

, but did get the Great Northern Diver, and an unsuspected Black-necked Grebe coming into summer plumage.

45 species in total, no lifers but a brilliant morning out. Also 4 rabbits

Total list of birds:

The Moor
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Robin
Dunnock
Chiffchaff
Long-tailed Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Shelduck
Cetti's Warbler
Magpie
Crow
Wood-Pigeon
Collared Dove
Stock Dove
Green Woodpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Mallard
Little Grebe
Moorhen
Coot
Redshank
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Greenfinch
Chaffinch
Fieldfare
Starling
Reed Bunting
Cormorant
Herring Gull
Black-headed Gull
Grey Heron
Meadow Pipit
Water Pipit
Skylark

additional at The Reservoir
Teal
Wigeon
Gadwall
Goldeneye
Tufted Duck
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Great Northern Diver
Black-necked Grebe
Great-crested Grebe
Pied Wagtail

Nige

Lemars · #2 (**permalink**) 24-03-2011, 10:36 AM

That was quite a morning - I'm jealous. I'm even more impressed that you'd done all that and were home (or wherever) and had posted the result by 11.30am !!

sunnydale · #3 (**permalink**) 24-03-2011, 10:37 AM

WOW!! Can I come with you next time??

Sounds like a brilliant morning.....and I bet the sun was shining too!

Tracey

P.S. Haven't heard a Chiffchaff around here yet but I'm keeping my ears peeled!

htcdude · #4 (**permalink**) 24-03-2011, 10:39 AM

Yup very foggy to start with ( I got there at 06:30) then the sun broke through

I had to leave by 09:00 to get to work though so couldn't search long for the Scaup. Also some of the regulars were missing (Goldfinch, Little Egret).

Hopefully next week we'll have some Chats and Wheatears appearing along with the hirundines

Nige