As we congregated in the car park for our walk around Mere Sands Wood N.R. a Chiffchaff was singing almost constantly, and a male Blackcap was soon found warbling in a Silver Birch. Both birds were welcoming signs of Spring, even though there was a cool wind!
An amazing 24 members set off to explore the reserve. A first scan of the main mere yielded around 30 Cormorants roosting in a large tree. On the water we picked out Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe as well as good numbers of raucous Black-headed Gulls.
Further on along the trail, a Treecreeper was spotted disappearing into a tree stump. It transpired that a pair were nesting inside, and even had 2 entrances! We watched the activity for ages, mesmerised by these slim, mouse-like birds. In the same area, Nuthatches loudly proclaimed their presence. Joyce had kindly brought here “eclipse glass” with her, and shared it around so we could safely watch the partial solar eclipse that occurred late morning. A fascinating bonus sighting! At another spot looking over the mere, we picked out a pair of Gadwall, and 2 male and a single female Pochard.
We made our way back to the Centre for lunch, adding common Tit species on the way. After refreshments, we set off again.
At the first field we came across, there were single Redwing, Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush and Blackbird! A Song Thrush was also spotted later by some members. That’s all of our UK thrush family members other than Ring Ouzel!
At Fletcher Hide, we had much better views of a Great-crested Grebe than we had seen before. The western end of the reserve was less productive, partly because bird activity typically goes quiet in the afternoon, and also because the wind got up and a few spots of rain fell. We returned to the cars again. but not before we saw 2 Hares huddled down in a field; and saw a Raven calling noisily above the conifers. IT looked to be a juvenile bird judging by its rounded tail and smaller bill than normal.
We had been scanning the farmland for Red-legged Partridge that are often present, but without success. Then as I left the reserve to drive home, I spotted a single bird at the top of the lane!
Between the 24 members, we saw an excellent 47 species
Thank you to Colin, Ellie, Bill and Hugh for the photos.
Hugh