The Birdwatching Group paid a return visit to Hanningfield Reservoir on Thursday 12th March. Weather was generally overcast and windy (beginnings of storm Bert) but dry.
Moving on from the Discovery Centre we visited three hides. A fair number of birds were seen on the water mainly Wigeon, Teal, Tufted Ducks, Coots and Cormorants, and we encountered our usual friendly Robins, Pheasant, Mallards and heard very tuneful Wrens as we walked through the woodland.
The birds were closer on the foreshore near the third hide (Oak) which made viewing easier with the Teal and Wigeon along the shoreline. We had a tantalising glimpse of a raptor which caused panic among the birds, but it was just out of view for us to identify!
By the time we walked back to the Discovery Centre the wind had got up and it was definitely getting a bit chilly. A warm drink and delicious cake was most welcome. Outside the viewing window the usual small birds were feeding, mainly Sparrows, Blue and Great Tits.
We had an interesting discussion about our sightings, and some good ideas for potential future visits and talks were shared. Thank you to everyone for contributing to this. We agreed to revisit Rye Meads in April following the success of our previous visit. It has been reported that the Kingfishers have returned after being absent from the site last year, so we have our fingers crossed!
Many thanks to everyone for their contributions today - identified sightings list:
- Cormorant
- Wigeon
- Pochard
- Tufted Duck
- Goldeneye
- Mallard
- Magpie
- Pheasant
- Canada Goose
- Greylag Goose
- Oyster Catcher
- Shelduck
- Great Crested Grebe
- Black Headed Gull
- Blue Tit
- Great Tit
- Sparrow
- Woodpigeon
- Coot
- Teal
- Robin
- Jackdaw
- Crow
- Pied Wagtail
- Large white duck with yellow beak likely Pekin Duck (Domestic Escape)
A small gallery of images from our visit is shown below. (Photos provided by Fred, John and Ian).
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