Saltwells 2003
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Saltwells 2003 |
| This is a list of the 80 species of birds I saw at Saltwells LNR and
Netherton Reservoir during my 112 visits in 2003.
Little Grebe (24) - Up to three birds seen occasionally on the
reservoir from the start of the year to March 7th, and from October 9th to the end
of the year. Great Crested Grebe (64) - A pair bred successfully on the reservoir, although the chick didn't survive. Peak count of seven on March 17th. Grey Heron (36) - Seen in every month of the year, except December. Peak count of three at Daphne Pool on February 8th. Mute Swan (78) - The female and six juveniles from the previous year will still resident on the reservoir at the start of the year. Numbers built to a maximum of thirteen on March 26th, but these were mostly young birds, and no breeding pair formed. Greylag Goose (1) - Two flew over the reservoir on April 14th. Canada Goose (67) - Two pairs bred on the canal between the reservoir and Saltwells Bridge. Peak count on the reservoir of 28 on January 6th. Wigeon (2) - One on the reservoir on October 14th, with two on November 7th. Teal (3) - Three on the reservoir on January 31st, with one on January 6th and November 7th. Mallard (112) - Bred on the canal, with the first brood seen on April 21st. Peak count on the reservoir of 42 on July 14th and October 14th. Shoveler (2) - A male and female on the reservoir on October 24th, and a single male on November 7th. Pochard (1) - Three males on the reservoir on November 7th. Tufted Duck (39) - Seen regularly on the reservoir from the start of the year until the middle of April, and then only occasionally until October, when it became more regular. Peak count of 59 on February 23rd. Goldeneye (1) - Three females on the reservoir on October 17th. Sparrowhawk (26) - Present throughout the year, with birds displaying in April. Encountered in every area of the reserve, making numbers difficult to judge. Buzzard (9) - Seen on two dates in March and July, a single date in October, and on four dates in November. Peak count of four on March 13th. Kestrel (13) - Seen on eleven occasions in the first half of the year, but only twice in the second half. Two on April 4th. Moorhen (111) - Bred along the canal. Peak count of 14 on November 11th. Coot (112) - Bred along the canal and on the reservoir. Peak count of 65 on the reservoir on January 10th. Lapwing (1) - One calling and circling over the reservoir on October 22nd. Common Sandpiper (4) - Singles on the canal on April 26th and on the reservoir on May 18th and 21st, and July 30th. Black-headed Gull (90) - Present until March 26th, with a single bird on April 14th. The first bird returned on June 24th. Peak count of 355 on the reservoir on January 22nd. Common Gull (3) - Singles on January 10th and 31st, with two on February 1st. Lesser Black-backed Gull (96) - Seen in every month. Peak count of 97 on October 16th. Herring Gull (10) - Seen occasionally in both winter periods. Peak count of 3 on November 10th. Stock Dove (29) - Bred in Saltwells Wood. Woodpigeon (112) - Bred in Saltwells Wood, where it continued to roost in large numbers. Collared Dove (105) - Breeding resident. Swift (22) - First birds seen on April 25th with the last on September 1st. Peak count of 14 on July 14th. Kingfisher (12) - One on February 1st was the only sighting in the first half of the year. One on several dates from July 22nd to the end of the year, with two on September 3rd and October 21st. Green Woodpecker (24) - At least one nest in Saltwells Wood. Great Spotted Woodpecker (18) - Presumably bred in Saltwells Wood, where an adult and juvenile were seen on June 24th. Skylark (1) - One singing on Netherton Hill on March 25th. Sand Martin (2) - Singles over the reservoir on May 2nd and September 5th. Swallow (7) - two on April 15th were the first of the year, with 12 on the 25th. Five returning birds seen over the reservoir on October 1st. House Martin (17) - six on April 25th were the first for the year. Peak count of 25 on September 2nd, with 11 on the 5th the last of the year. Meadow Pipit (3) - singles on Netherton Hill on September 2nd, October 9th and 16th. Grey Wagtail (15) - a single bird was seen on eight occasions from the start of the year to February 19th. A male and female were in Saltwells Wood on the Black Brook on March 3rd. Seen on six occasions from August 26th to the end of the year. Pied Wagtail (2) - two on September 30th and one on October 24th. Wren (104) - common resident. Ten singing on April 4th. Dunnock (86) - common resident, especially in the gorse on Netherton Hill. Seven singing on April 15th. Robin (111) - common resident. Five singing on April 4th. Redstart (1) - A female on Netherton Hill on April 26th. Blackbird (111) - common resident. Fieldfare (9) - not seen in the first winter period. First returning birds were fourteen on October 14th with a peak count of 20 on November 13th. Song Thrush (44) - resident, most commonly seen on Netherton Hill, where three were singing on April 4th. Redwing (26) - seen on nine dates from the start of the year to March 16th. The first returning birds was one on October 10th, with a peak count of twenty on the 22nd. Mistle Thrush (44) - A pair was seen on Netherton Hill in March and April. Peak count of nine birds on the cricket pitch on August 31st. Sedge Warbler (3) - One singing on Netherton Hill on April 21st, with two there on May 5th. One seen on September 2nd. Reed Warbler (6) - one singing in the reedbed in May and June, with two singing on May 3rd and 5th. Lesser Whitethroat (6) - one heard singing on Netherton Hill on May 5th, and again in June. Maximum of two on September 1st. Whitethroat (18) - first of the year were two singing on the hill on April 26th, with six in song on June 5th. Last seen on September 8th. Garden Warbler (1) - One on Netherton Hill on September 2nd. Blackcap (27) - female in hawthorns along the canal on January 31st. First singing bird of the year on April 4th, with four singing on May 5th. A male was in bushes near the reservoir on December 29th. Chiffchaff (40) - first singing were two on March 16th, with the last on October 9th. Peak count of eight singing on April 4th. Willow Warbler (19) - first heard singing on April 2nd, with a peak count of four on April 15th. Only one still singing by May 8th. Goldcrest (50) - seen regularly in both winter periods, with occasional sightings inbetween. Long-Tailed Tit (89) - common resident with regular flocks of over ten in the autumn/winter period. Maximum of 25 on July 22nd. Willow Tit (5) - At least one pair resident on Netherton Hill throughout the year and could often be heard calling from the gorse. Two singing on May 5th. Coal Tit (29) - At least one pair resident in Saltwells Wood throughout the year. Blue Tit (108) - common resident. Great Tit (106) - common resident. Nuthatch (14) - resident in Saltwells Wood. Two on June 17th. Treecreeper (14) - same comments as for Nuthatch. Two on December 29th. Jay (34) - seen regularly in Saltwells Wood. Not as regular in October and November as the previous year. Maximum of 6 on January 8th. Magpie (112) - common resident. Peak count of 20 on August 31st. Jackdaw (11) - a pair were seen in the area between April and June. Rook (5) - a single bird was seen occasionally on an adjacent housing estate. Carrion Crow (99) - at least one pair bred in the area, with a peak count of 7 on October 10th. Raven (1) - One over Saltwells Wood on March 10th. Starling (95) - continues to breed on the surrounding housing estates, often visiting the cricket pitch to feed. Peak count of 50 on September 29th. House Sparrow (100) - continues to breed on surrounding housing estates. Chaffinch (55) - seen regularly between January and April, and October and December. At least two males singing in the breeding season. Brambling (1) - one in Saltwells Wood on November 7th. Greenfinch (58) - three birds singing on Netherton Hill in March and April. Peak count of six on August 31st. Goldfinch (8) - small groups feeding on Netherton Hill in the autumn. Siskin (5) - maximum of twenty on February 8th at Daphne Pool. Linnet (8) - Present on Netherton Hill in the breeding season. Lesser Redpoll (8) - Present until March, and then again from November. Peak count of 18 on January 6th. Bullfinch (37) - There appeared to be at least two pairs present during the year. Reed Bunting (7) - first of the year was a male singing in the reedbed on March 25th, with a pair there in May.
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