A return to the local reserve, after a long absence, February I think was the last time I was here, so long overdue.
I did have a target species however and it was from the bridge, that I was hoping to see it , so that was the first port of call. I headed off, seeing very little on route as I made my way thru the reserve Robin, Crow and Magpies being seen. Viewing from the bridge, it was a few minutes before I found the target, tucked in on the left bank of the river, a single Dipper, there has been two about, but I only saw one today, then out the corner of my eye, a blue flash, going up the right side of the river, it landed in the river side trees, I was able to pick out a Kingfisher, distant, but a lovely sight to see.
Down at the ski lake, lots of Black headed Gulls, with Lesser Black backed Gulls, Herring Gulls, and Common Gulls, Goldeneye were now present for the winter, along with Tufted Duck and Mallard, Down on the river again were a couple of female Goosanders, with Great Tit, Blue Tit and a Treecreeper in the nearby tree, and a flock of Long tailed Tit. It was also nice to find a Episyrphus balteatus Hoverfly along the riverside vegetation.
Bird List : Black headed Gull, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Common Gull, Cormorant, Dipper, Goldeneye, Goosander, Great Tit, Kingfisher, Lesser Black backed Gull, Long tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Mute Swan, Robin, Treecreeper, Tufted Duck, Woodpigeon, Wren (20)
Episyrphus balteatus Hoverfly
Huddsbirder 