Is this a sightings list for Christmas or Easter?????

Saturday 30^th March 2013

Cold, Heavy Frost, Sunny intervals, Moderate NE

Mid-section of reserve:Compton to Newbridge including Barleyfield and Compton Park

Still no let up on the biting winds and it's official - coldest Easter in my life-time....

Grey Heron – 1 West over Barleyfield

Canada Goose –Spring is here, believe it or not and at this time of year pairs drop onto the canals to feed and prospect for nest sites. 2 were on the canal by Newbridge Tennis Club.

Buzzard – 1 around Henwood Ridge, The Barleyfield and Compton Park

Sparrowhawk – male and female over the Barleyfield

Black-headed Gull – 14 over the Barleyfield and Compton Park and a further 30+ circling high over Compton Park – exceptional numbers for late March, when birds have normally left to breeding grounds.

Green Woodpecker – one calling from the Eastern Border of the Barleyfield and 1 NW from Graisley Culvert later.

Great Spotted Woodpecker – a female in the Poplars by Newbridge Tennis Club, one in Poplar South of Meccano Bridge and one drumming from Henwood Ridge opposite Prefab Weir.

Skylark – One North over Compton Park early on.

Meadow Pipit – singles North over Compton Park and over the Barleyfield.

Grey Wagtail – one seen heading West over The Paddocks

Redwing – 7 seen heading North over the Railway Walk. A further c10 were around the Barleyfield for a while, before also heading North over the Lower Alders.

Mistle Thrush – One singing at Compton Hill Drive SW of the Barleyfield. Another was heard from Prefab Weir singing on Henwood Ridge. Surprisingly, it appears that this is the bird that has been singing from the Poplars by Newbridge Tennis Club, as it was seen flying between the two sites and singing at both, suggesting a large territory.

Coal Tit – singles at Compton Lock and The Academy by the canal.

Chaffinch – pairs at Compton Park (with a singing male), Compton lock and the south end of The Paddocks.

Goldfinch – 2+ at Compton Lock and 3 at Newbridge.

Greenfinch – one over Compton Rough and two singing at the top of the Barleyfield.

Siskin – 2 NW out of Eddy’s Alders and perhaps the same pair at The Academy by the canal. One over Newbridge and another SE over the top of the barleyfield.

Bullfinch – 2+ at The Crossings and 2+ in the main paddock.

Census:

Mallard: 9 male and 5 female

Moorhen: 7

Dunnock: 12 (10 singing)

Song Thrush: 4 (singing at Top of Barleyfield and at Newbridge)

Long-tailed tit: 8 (pairs at Compton Lock, Newbridge, The Crossings and top of Barleyfield)

Great Tit: 16

Total species: 36