17th Jul 2016

Monday morning Steve saw three Common Sandpipers, which was the peak for the week but there were generally one or two around all week. Several Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew through in the evening but they didn't roost. A couple of them lingered to feed on a dead Pike though.

Tuesday lunchtime John had a very obliging Comma just inside the reservoir entrance. It could be used in a wildlife promo of the reservoir to help convince Thames Water not to keep mowing and cutting all the vegetation!

Both photos courtesy and copyright of JFT

Wednesday evening there was little of note around and the reservoir was quite disturbed by other recreational activities.

Saturday morning there was the one Common Sandpiper and two Common Terns at the reservoir. The Sparowhawk chicks hadn't fledged but are branch walking and I could only see one but a second (or possibly an adult) called from a nearby tree. There was also a family group of Kestrels practising their flying skills on the southern edge of the wood by the cattle field. I don't think that they bred here but had possibly done so nearby. There was also a few new fresh Otter spraints along the river, one next to Signal Crayfish remains, so at least one is still active in the area.

On Sunday Tony Crisp had a Common Sandpiper at the Borrow Pit pool and saw several Six-spot Burnett moths. Something I haven't seen here before and possibly a new coloniser. Steve said the reservoir was quiet though with recreational disturbance again.