Rolling into Christmas

Peregrine 

Pochards

Winter scenes

Wigeon (Main pit)

Chiffchaff (Abbots Salford)

Plenty of Thrushes

Great White Egret

Meadow Pipiy

Gosanders (Abbots Salford)

Shelduck (Main pit)

Hiding Great White Egret

Pied Wagtail

Brown Hare

There hasn't been a lot to report as we edge to the end of 2018. The water levels have risen giving hope of a late rare duck or grebe and it's suddenly become sticky underfoot. I've been doing some work with an unnamed third party to try to secure some of the remaining habitat purely for conservation. The third party have an outstanding conservation record, outstanding management record and have a solid financial standing. We are very much hoping the work done will open the door for some formal discussions to take place.

At the pits, Great Black-backed Gull was a late addition to the year list taking it to 143. Most of the counts have remained pretty stable. Our Shelduck have returned to the main pit whilst the Peregrine has been in fine form in recent days, hunting at close quarters. Other counts have included a Water Rail, 14 Gadwall, 37 Shoveler, 135 Teal, 10 Wigeon, male Bullfinch, 44 Cormorant, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Goosander, Peregrine, Red Kite, 2 Snipe, 200 Fieldfare & 150 Redwing. 

Down at Abbots Salford, there has been at least one Great White Egret but sometimes two.  Other sightings have included 2 drake Pintail, 3 Pochard, 6 Wigeon, 7 Goosander, 4 Bullfinch, 3 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, Kingsiher, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 20 Grey Heron, Chiffchaff and a Water Rail.