Wyver Lane Bird Notes December 2009


5 Mute Swans arrived on 3rd, 4 juveniles and an adult with the
juveniles present until 14th. Despite the majority of the water
being under ice for the latter part of the month some good
maximums were still recorded. They include 25 Goosander on
10th including 11 drakes, 11 Shoveler also on 10th, 43 Teal on
15th, 24 Wigeon on 15th, 6 Pochard on 29th, 26 Mallards on
3rd, 5 Tufted Ducks on 7th, 2 Gadwall on 4th, 150 Canada
Geese on 7th and 8th, 4 Greylag Geese on 22nd and 4
Cormorants on 10th. A Water Rail on 8th and 29th and 2 Grey
Herons on 8th.

For one lucky observer a female Merlin sat on the post in front
of the hide on 30th for 5 minutes before flying off towards the
river. Other Raptors include 2 Buzzards on 10th, 2 Sparrowhawks
on 8th, and a Kestrel seen almost daily.

197 Lapwing were sitting on the ice on 22nd and c70 Golden
Plover flew south over the reserve also on 22nd. This followed
a small movement of both these species no doubt triggered by
the cold snap. Gulls this month include 173 Black-headed Gulls
on 1st, and 2 Common Gulls on 29th.

Other species include a Raven on 1st and 8th, an impressive
20+ Skylark in one flock heading east on 1st, 4 Reed Buntings
on 1st including a leucistic individual on 8th, 2 Stock Doves on
8th and 10th, 48 Fieldfare on 1st, 13 Redwing on 8th, 2 Grey
Wagtails on 8th, 11 Goldfinch on 14th, 4 Siskin on 3rd, 5 Black
birds on 3rd, 3 Mistle Thrush on 14th, 2 Song Thrush on 29th,
and Kingfisher and a Linnet both on 1st.

Dave Newcombe