I've made a couple of visits to Doxey Marshes over the course of last few weeks of the year. Winter birding can be great on the reserve, and I've managed to connect with a few good species for the reserve on my recent visits.
A particularly productive area has been the stretch of Tillington Drain which is bordered by Oxbow Pool, Cemetery Pool and the Memorial Plantation. It has been really easy to see a water rail here so its worth scanning the edge of the drain and clumps of vegetation for these usually skulking species. Also present here are a regular kingfisher, several teal, snipe, mallard and a few meadow pipits. I've also seen jack snipe and cetti's warbler here in previous years. Take a look and see what you can see!
Meanwhile the Memorial Plantation is producing many passerines including a flock of goldfinch, several greenfinch and chaffinch, numerous blackbirds and a few song thrush. Surprises on these visits included a treecreeper and goldcrest, both difficult species to catch up with on the reserve.
On the lakes, ducks seem to be in very short supply with only 6 wigeon present along with a few shoveler, tufted duck, pochard and goosander. In more positive news there are at least 2 kestrel present on the reserve along with 2 little egret, a stonechat and an unseasonal shelduck.
Nearby in Stafford town centre, there was evidence of the local peregrines in the form of the head of teal on the pavement. I hope they have a good breeding season in 2015.
I'd also like to wish all my readers (not that there are many of you) a Happy New Year and good birding in 2015.
No comments:
Post a Comment