After trying to get there for quite some time, we eventually got to Woolston Eyes where we hoped to see some Black-necked Grebes. AS we crossed the bridge there were lots of Wrens int he brambles under the bridge and on the water there were a few Tufted Ducks. Chiffchaffs were singing away.\u00a0 On the water of number three bed we saw at least six Black-necked Grebes but there were probably more there as they were constantly diving down to feed and popping up elsewhere. There was also a single Little Grebe and at least four Great Crested Grebes. Gulls included a pair of Lesser Black-backed Gulls. We also got what we are pretty sure was a Marsh Harrier but it soon disappeared. We also saw a Buzzard later. Over the water there was a fairly large flock of Sand Martins and I am pretty sure that there wee a couple of Swallows in there too but they were swooping around at a fair rate. There were Greenfinches on the feeders<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In the woods we saw a Blackcap singing and in the distance a Great Spotted Woodpecker drummed occasionally. At the last hide we got good views of a Ruddy Duck looking fantastic in the sunshine.<\/p>\n
All in all a lovely day for a walk and we also got three good year ticks.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
| Species<\/th>\n | Count<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n |
|---|---|
| Greylag Goose<\/td>\n | 20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Canada Goose<\/td>\n | 12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Mute Swan<\/td>\n | 1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Common Shelduck<\/td>\n | 12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Gadwall<\/td>\n | 4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Mallard<\/td>\n | 8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Northern Shoveler<\/td>\n | 4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Tufted Duck<\/td>\n | 10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Ruddy Duck<\/td>\n | 1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Common Pheasant<\/td>\n | 2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Little Grebe<\/td>\n | 1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Great Crested Grebe<\/td>\n | 4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Black-necked Grebe<\/td>\n | 6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Great Cormorant<\/td>\n | 4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Grey Heron<\/td>\n | 4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Eurasian Marsh Harrier<\/td>\n | 1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Common Buzzard<\/td>\n | 1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Eurasian Common Moorhen<\/td>\n | 4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Common Coot<\/td>\n | 8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Northern Lapwing<\/td>\n | 1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Black-headed Gull<\/td>\n | 30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Herring Gull<\/td>\n | 4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Lesser Black-backed Gull<\/td>\n | 2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Common Wood Pigeon<\/td>\n | 10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Great Spotted Woodpecker<\/td>\n | 1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Eurasian Magpie<\/td>\n | 8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Carrion Crow<\/td>\n | 6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Collared Sand Martin<\/td>\n | 40<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Barn Swallow<\/td>\n | 2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Great Tit<\/td>\n | 8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Common Blue Tit<\/td>\n | 8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Northern Wren<\/td>\n | 4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Common Chiffchaff<\/td>\n | 4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Blackcap<\/td>\n | 1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| European Robin<\/td>\n | 1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Eurasian Blackbird<\/td>\n | 2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| European Greenfinch<\/td>\n | 4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Woolston Eyes : 13th April 2014 After trying to get there for quite some time, we eventually got to Woolston Eyes where we hoped to see some Black-necked Grebes. AS we crossed the bridge there were lots of Wrens int he brambles under the bridge and on the water there were a few Tufted Ducks. … <\/p>\n |