Sightings

The sightings featured cover an area roughly within a 10 mile radius of Swindon (not including The Cotswold Water Park or Blakehill Nature Reserve as they each have a dedicated website - see the links page for details), and for all the areas covered on the homepage Places to Visit section.

20th: Swindon - 2 Little Egrets - one in a tree and the other in the brook, near Plaum's Pit. Sarah Hext Braydon Pond - 7 Goosander (4 male, 3 female), Heron, 2 Coot, 25+ Mallard. Great Spotted Woodpecker feeding along roadside. Bob Philpott

19th: Foxhill - Today along the Ridgeway, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Buzzard and Kestrel. Dave Butcher Toothill - This morning in the garden a possible record of 6 Blackbirds (5 male, one female) plus 4 Goldfinches and a Dunnock. Grange Park - Grey Wagtail, Wren, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 10 Redwing. Lydiard Park - Lots of Coots, Moorhens, Mallards, Canada Geese, 5 of last year's Mute Swan cygnets, 3 Little Grebes, Great Crested Grebe, 3 Pied Wagtails, male Pochard, 6 pairs of Gadwall (not seen by me there before), 3 Wigeon (1 male, 2 female) and 3 pairs of Tufted Ducks. Richard Williams Ogbourne St Andrew - Red Kite. Marlborough - Buzzard and a Grey Heron on the Kennet. Savernake Forest - Red Kite, 3 Buzzards, Kestrel, 2 Treecreepers, 2 Marsh Tits, 2 Coal Tits, a few Long-tailed and lots of Blue and Great Tits, Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker, Song Thrush, 2 male Bullfinch, 20+ Goldfinch and 23 Fallow Deer. Draycot Foliat area - Kestrel, 20+ Fieldfare and 5 Hares. Trevor & Sue Clayson

18th: Savernake Forest - As well as receiving a comprehensive soaking, I managed to see a few birds in the forest: several each of Marsh and Coal Tit, 5 Nuthatches, 2 Buzzard, 2 small groups of Long-tailed Tits, a large group of Great & Blue Tits, 2 dozen Redwings, a Jay and a Goldcrest singing. A few Fallow Deer seen also, and 2 Treecreepers (one of which gave a close and prolonged view from only a few yards away). Marlborough - 5 Moorhens, lots of Mallards and a Grey Wagtail on the Kennet by The Priory. Steve Davies Nythe Pond - At midday today there was a Little Egret and 3 Teal (2m, 1f). Martin Adlam Chilton Foliat - 31 Gadwall, 7 Little Grebe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Red Kite. Froxfield - c100 Lapwing, 4 Teal. Malcolm Royal

17th: Eldene - 23+ Magpies were on the grass opposite the Holiday Inn this morning. Felicity Cobb Coate Water - Dunlin, Bittern, redhead Smew, Pintail, Kingfisher, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 10 Cormorants, 12 Gadwall, 4 Mandarin, Shelduck, 14 Shoveler, 60+ Teal, 14 Grey Herons, 8 Pochard, Mistle Thrush, Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Bank Voles and one of the early day flying moths Tortricodes alternella. Graham Cox, Terry & Gaynor Dabner

16th: Blunsdon - Barn Owl again this morning near Staplers Farm. Steve Davies Ravensroost Wood - Woodcock, 2 Marsh Tits and Goldcrest singing. Robin Griffiths Swindon - Pair of Blackcaps have been feeding on fallen apples all this week in the garden. John Roberts Coate Water - 2 Marsh Tits, Jay, Treecreeper, 2 Song Thrushes singing, Mistle Thrush, Nuthatch, Blackcap, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Dunlin, Goosanders, Pochards, Tufted Ducks, Great Crested Grebes, Herons, Cormorant. Dave Brown Ramsbury - Barn Owl near the old airfield. Aldbourne - Tawny Owl in a tree above the road on Stock Lane. Liddington Hill - Barn Owl on footpath sign on the Ridgeway road. Malcolm Royal, Steve Davies

15th: Cricklade - Female Blackcap visited the garden - first I've seen here this winter. Robin Griffiths Coate Water - Dunlin, Bittern, Little Grebe, 23 Goosander, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 79 Mallard, 7 Tufted Duck, 9 Pochard, 3 Shoveler, 18 Gadwall, a pair of Wigeon, 80 Teal, 3 Pochard, 9 Grey Herons, 7 Cormorants, 9 Mandarin and 2 redhead Smew on the nature reserve. Elsewhere, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Jays and 10 Fieldfare.Graham Cox, Tony Martin, Malcolm Royal, Trevor & Sue Clayson (It's been a great year so far at Coate, already we have had: Goldeneye, Little Egret, Bittern, Yellow-legged Gull, Brent Goose, Dunlin, Pintail, Peregrine and now Smew. Fantastic! - SD) Mouldon canal - 2 Bullfinch, Goldcrest, Common Gull. Wroughton reservoir - 37 Tufted Duck, 9 Gadwall, 6 Little Grebe. Malcolm Royal Shaftesbury Lake - 34 Canada Geese, 53 Mallard, a Tufted Duck, 4 Moorhen, 5 Coot and 17 Black-headed Gull. Trevor & Sue Clayson

14th: Wootton Bassett - At 5:00pm this evening large flocks of Starlings around Longleaze/Rylands Way. Two main flocks being added to by smaller flocks of c250 - 500 all the time. Great display. Total numbers estimated as between 5 to 10,000 by the time I Ieft. Bob Philpott Coate Water - The dam wall end of Coate is free of ice with the Dunlin back feeding there today. Also, on the open water, 2 Wigeon and 3 Cormorants. The Bittern showed again, and on the far side from hide one a Fox having a rest. Tony Martin Chiseldon - Good view of a Tawny Owl at Washpool this evening. Malcolm Royal

13th: Swindon - The Peregrine was on top of New Falcon House this morning. Jo Garrad Stanton Park - Plenty of birds seen today: c25 Redwings, 3 Fieldfares, 17 Blackbirds, 7 Robins, 5 Chaffinches, 2 Nuthatches, 3 Dunnocks, 9 Blue Tits, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Great Tits, 4 Coal Tits, 6 Marsh Tits, 2 Wrens and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Maurice Carne Wootton Bassett - Large Starling flock displaying around the Longleaze area; going to roost in the conifers of several gardens nearby. Keith Mills

12th: Coate Water - At approx 13:30 today the Bittern seen in the usual spot walking on the ice. Also, 3 Pochards, female and 3 male Goosanders. Mike and Sandi Cummings Also at Coate, 3 Mandarins - one at the causeway feeding with the Mallards. At hide 2, a Peregrine flew over, 60 Teal left on the reserve. On the main lake, Bittern still in the same reed bed at around 1:00 pm. Down by the dam wall, 8 to10 Goosander, small numbers of Pochard, Tufted Duck, pair of Little Grebe and the Barnacle Goose. Tony Martin Lechlade - 2 Bewick's Swans, 69 Mute Swans. Chilton Foliat - 3 Pintail (m), 7 Goosander (m), 68 Gadwall, 5 Snipe, 4 Green Sandpiper, Little Egret, Woodcock, 2 Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, Grey Wagtail, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, 2 Red Kite. Chiseldon - In the garden this morning, Redwing, Goldcrest, Bullfinch. Liddington Hill - Barn Owl. Fresden - Barn Owl. Coleshill - Barn Owl. Malcolm Royal Kingshill canal - 3 Mute Swans, 28 Mallard, 5 Moorhen, Coot, Song Thrush feasting on berries. Trevor & Sue Clayson, Jo Garrad Wichelstowe - 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Moorhen and 17 Mallard flying around. Swindon - 29 Fieldfare and 38 Redwing this morning along with the Great Spotted Woodpecker. Trevor & Sue Clayson Old Town railway track - Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Bullfinch (4m, 1f), 60+ Chaffinch sat in a tree, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Black-headed Gull, Jackdaw, Jay, Magpie, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Wren, Robin, House Sparrow, Dunnock and 2 Roe Deer. Croft Wood - Redwing (I also had 9 in my back garden in the afternoon). Jo Garrad

11th: St Andrews Ridge - Redwings and Fieldfares in the garden today. Neil Cowley Shaw - 50+ Fieldfare and the same of Redwing feeding on cotoneaster in Worlidge Drive. Steve Birt Marlborough to Axford - On the frozen and largely white downs, walking from north of the Kennett and then returning south of the river, birds seen include: lots of Redwing and Fieldfare; 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers on the edge of the meadow at Marlborough; Treecreeper (on the old railway); Buzzards, including a group of 3 and a group of 2; Red Kites, several including a group of 3 (on the thermals) and a pair; Great Tits everywhere (not sure I have seen so many); Coal Tit (Axford); Long-tailed Tits; 2 Bullfinches (both female); Greenfinch; Goldfinch. At Axford, on the river: a pair of Black Swans and 2 Mute Swans, Snipe, 2 Cormorant, a flock of Canada Geese, Wren. Coate Water - 8 Goosander (5 male, 3 female). Also, Muntjac, 2 Roe Deer, 3 Hares. Richard Williams Liddington Hill and the Ridgeway - Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer, Linnet, Greenfinch, Kestrel, ringtail Hen Harrier, Lapwing. Chiseldon - In the garden, Goldfinch, Goldcrest, Redwing. Malcolm Royal Coate Water - The 40th day today the Bittern has been present. Terry Dabner Swindon - This weekend in the garden was all about Fieldfares and Redwings, with today, a mixed flock of 40+. Trevor & Sue Clayson

10th: Shaw - 200+ Fieldfares decended on my garden today at lunchtime and stripped my crab apple tree of apples. Sonia Gadd Coate Water - Highlights from 43 species seen during a U3A Bird Watching Group meeting: Barnacle Goose, 4 Goosander, Little Grebe, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 100+ Teal, 7 Pochard , 3 Mandarins (2m, 1f), Treecreeper, 2 Bullfinches, 8 Herons. At the nature reserve, a Roe Deer feeding on willow. Graham Cox, Tony Martin, Felicity Cobb, Steve Birt Also at Coate today, Robins, Nuthatch, Blue Tits, 9 Goosanders, Pochard, Chaffinch, Barnacle Goose, 2 Mandarin, c200 Teal, Grey Wagtail. Marlene Finlayson, Malcolm Royal West Swindon - Interesting birds in the (snowy) garden today: 3 Long-tailed Tits, 2 pairs of Bullfinches, Redwing, 3 Song Thrushes, and a flyover Snipe. Jon Mercer Swindon - Redwings and Fieldfares in the garden again today. One took possession of the apples and spent most of the day seeing the other birds off. Sue Clayson

9th: Swindon - Crossbill calling over Old Town at 11:30am. Nigel Pleass Liden School grounds - This morning, 21 Fieldfare flew northwest over the school. In the grounds, a small number of Siskins still present and in the taller trees both Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers. On the front playing fields there were 11 Magpies and 6 Black-headed Gulls feeding. Not sure on what, as the ground was frozen!! Martin Adlam Stanton Park - 8 Robins around the feeder along with 6 Dunnock. Also, Great, Blue and Coal Tits. Dave Butcher Oakhurst - In our garden today were pairs of Blackcaps and Bullfinch, Sparrowhawk, Raven over and along Tadpole Brook 2 Snipe were flushed. Bob Shiret Coate Water - Another cold day but plenty to see. On the main lake, large numbers of Canada Geese, Coots, Mallards and Black-headed Gulls. 11 Swans, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 12 Pochard, 8 Goosanders, 6 Gadwall and a Barnacle Goose. 2 Buzzards above the heronry. Elsewhere in the park, 3 Wrens, 7 Song Thrushes, 14 Blackbirds, Great Spotted Woodpecker and good numbers of Robins and mixed tit species. Maurice Carne Swindon - The cold weather brought the birds into the garden today. 3 Redwings and 2 Fieldfares were garden firsts this year. Along with the Great Spotted Woodpecker there were a pair of Bullfinch, 5 Starlings, 7 Blackbirds, 2 Magpies, 9 Goldfinch, 5 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 2 Robins, 2 Dunnocks, a Great Tit, 2 Blue Tits, 9 House Sparrows, 3 Collared Doves and 6 Woodpigeons. Sue Clayson Swindon - The Peregrine was on New Falcon House again this morning. It looked fantastic in the light. Jo Garrad

8th: Coate Water - Little Grebe, 3 Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, 7 Treecreeper, 2 Stock Dove, Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrush, large numbers of Redwings and Fieldfares, 5 Goosander, c20 Teal, 3 Buzzard and a nice surprise in the form of a Raven calling high over the lake. Matt Pringle Liddington Hill - Barn Owl on fence post at the base of the hill. Covingham - Starlings displaying, seen from A419; about 300+ birds in the flock. Steve Davies Nine Elms - Resident leucistic Blackbird in the garden. Edward Rodden

7th: Wotton Bassett - This afternoon, group of c25 Siskins feeding on alder in Boroughfields car park. Bob Philpott Coate Water - Jay in tree and a Green Woodpecker in field by hide 2. Still large parts of the main lake iced over, consequently a lot of Pochard, Tufted Ducks, Goosanders, Great Crested Grebes and Mallards on the water along the dam wall area, along with large numbers of Canada Geese, Coots and Black-headed Gulls. Also seen, 11 Swans, 2 Herons, Little Grebe, 7 Moorhens, 5 Magpies, 7 Blackbirds, Song Thrush and a Greenfinch. Teresa Handley, Maurice Carne

6th: Lawn - Some Redwings in the trees at the top of the road this morning. Felicity Cobb

5th: Nythe - Male Blackcap frequenting local gardens. Liden Lagoon - 53 Mallard, 3 Swans, 2 Pochard on the frozen lake. Martin Adlam Coate Water - Bittern showing well, walking about on the ice late afternoon. Climbed up into reeds to roost at 4:50pm. Also a Kingfisher in flight. Jon Mercer Swindon - A Great Spotted Woodpecker eating fat in the garden this morning got the day off to a good start. Lydiard Park - This afternoon there were 7 Little Grebes, 7 Mute Swans, 33 Canada Geese, 77 Mallard, 14 Gadwall, a pair of Wigeon, 13 Tufted Duck, 66 Coot, 7 Moorhen, 120+ Black-headed Gulls, a Common Gull, 4 Herring Gull and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Peatmoor - A male Mandarin, 100+ Mallard, 6 Canada Geese, 100+ Black-headed Gulls, 2 Herring Gull, a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Common Gull. From the viewpoint overlooking the Sewage Works lagoons, a Grey Heron, 3 Teal, 2 Cormorants and a Roe Deer. Trevor & Sue Clayson Toothill - Some easy birding this morning from the kitchen window produced: Rook, Magpie, Jackdaw, Blue Tit, nice group of Long-tailed Tits, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Dunnock, House Sparrows, Blackbird, Starling, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, unusually a Black-headed Gull and, best of all, Pied Wagtail. Richard Williams

Old Town railway track - Much the same as Saturday with the addition of a Jay, Fox and Mistle Thrush. My garden in Old Town had male and female Blackcap and Greenfinch, a male Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Collared Dove and Jackdaw. Jo Garrad Swindon - Both male and female Blackcaps in the garden at the same time and just males on another occasion. Mick Nicholls

4th: Coate Water - An active flock of 300+ Redwings, with 2 Lapwings and a Mistle Thrush in the top fields by the M4. They were put up briefly by a Sparrowhawk. 200+ Teal, a lone male Goosander and a Mandarin on a small patch of open water from the bottom hide. A few Pied Wagtails, Pochard, Great Crested Grebes and Tufted Ducks with all the Mallards, Moorhens, Coots, etc by the diving board. Around the lakes, 4 Song Thrush, Treecreeper, Marsh and Coal Tits and 20 Lapwings over. On the way there, a Grey Wagtail in the stream at Washpool, and, surprisingly, a Teal in the same spot on the return leg. In the nearby woodland, 2 Goldcrest, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay heard, lots of Goldfinches, several Bullfinch, 2 Nuthatch and a Treecreeper. Wrens were numerous and highly visible throughout the walk. Steve Davies Also at Coate, Bittern seen on the ice, confiding Redwing by the childrens' pool and a group of Long-tailed Tits feeding together from the birdtable. Many Robins seen round the park. Two each of Goosander and Mandarin seen later from the bottom hide. Grey Wagtail on the causeway and the Aythya hybrid also. Felicity Cobb, Neil Cowley, Malcolm Royal Chiseldon to Marlborough - On a walk this morning, Yellowhammer, Linnet, Corn Bunting, Meadow Pipit, Bullfinch, Marsh Tit, Fieldfare, Redwing, Song Thrush, Nuthatch, Jay, Hen Harrier (ringtail), Red Kite, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Lapwing, Grey Wagtail. Liden Lagoon - Grey Wagtail and a couple of Bullfinch. Malcolm Royal

Coleshill/Buscot area - 4 Fieldfare, 40+ Lapwing and a large flock of 60 or more Chaffinches with 2 Corn Bunting. Martin Adlam Shaftesbury Lake - A Kingfisher along the stream. Trevor & Sue Clayson Old Town - Behind Clifton Street: Pied Wagtail chasing off a Sparrowhawk. Kingshill Canal: Moorhen, Mallard, Swan, Coot, House Sparrow, Starling. Old railway track: Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldfinch, Bullfinch (3m, 1f all feeding together), Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Song Thrush, and seen from the track, 2 Roe Deer, a Little Egret, 3 Buzzards - one of which was sat in a tree with 24 Magpies sat on the ground below it. When the Buzzard flew to the ground all 24 Magpies flew up into the tree. Jo Garrad

3rd: Wroughton - 3 Blackcaps, 16 Gadwall, 12 Tufted Duck, 11 Coot, 5 Little Grebes on the unfrozen reservoir. Robin Griffiths, John Durell Coate Water - Bittern very conspicuously perched in bush in the sunshine near reeds where it has been for the last month - obvious even without bins. Also, on open water seen from the bridge at the first hide, 10 Mandarins (7 males and 3 females), 2 Kingfishers. At the bottom hide, 350+ Teal, 10 Cormorants, 2 Gadwall, 8 Shoveler and a Pintail. At Broome Manor end, Water Rail crossing the ice. On the main lake, 20 Pochard, 12 Great Crested Grebes, Little Grebe, 20 Tufted Ducks, 2 Grey Wagtail. Also a dog Fox on the nature reserve lake. 3 Roe Deer also seen in the field at the bottom hide. Robin Griffiths, John Durell, Graham Cox, Terry & Gaynor Dabner, Malcolm Royal Stratton - Robin in Sainsbury's again (there was one in the store over a year ago - the same one perhaps?). I was told by a member of staff that the bird has, in the past, nested in the adjoining warehouse, so I assume it is free to move about, in and out of the store. Strangely, it was flying around the freezer section! (Malcolm saw it later in the evening by the booze!) Steve Davies Draycot - 2 Little Owl. Barbury Castle to Ogbourne Downs - 50+ Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, Yellowhammer, Meadow Pipit, 11 Skylark, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Bullfinch, Stonechat, 4 Red Kite, 2 Buzzard, Kestrel, 3 Herring Gull. Malcolm Royal

2nd: Swindon - Peregrine again this morning. Jo Garrad Liden School grounds - Noon today, a great view of a Red Kite being mobbed by a Crow as it drifted east over the grounds towards Liden Lagoon. Martin Adlam Coate Water - Dunlin today, at the diving board end. The reserve mostly iced up, but still Teal, Shoveler and 3 Mandarins. Goosander, Tufted Ducks, Pochard and 5 Wigeon also on the main lake. 2 Buzzard and a Red Kite over the causeway. Tony Martin

1st: Swindon - The Peregrine was back on New Falcon House this morning. Jo Garrad Liden School grounds - Despite the freezing temperatures this morning, there were lot of birds moving around the school grounds, with an adult and two 1st winter Herring Gulls, a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Common Gull, 22 Black-headed Gulls and 11 Woodpigeons on the front playing fields. In the hedgerows, Goldcrest, Greenfinch, a pair of Bullfinches, Chaffinch, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Redwing, Song Thrush and quite a few Blackbirds and Robins. In the alders 11 Siskins, a single Redpoll and 5 Goldfinches. A Sparrowhawk also made its daily pass over, this time pursued by a pair of Pied Wagtails. A Meadow Pipit and a Skylark headed south overhead. Martin Adlam Liden Lagoon - An amazing 62 Magpies roosting this evening. Nigel Pleass Coate Water - Sightings included Bullfinches, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Long-tailed Tits, Nuthatch, Robins, 2 Redwing, Pochard, Great Crested Grebe with a Roach and Tufted Ducks. Bittern also seen today and yesterday. Marlene Finlayson, Tony Martin, Lynne Hallam Hodson - Tawny Owl calling in the vicinity this evening. Malcolm Royal Coleshill/Buscot area - Hen Harrier, Red Kite, 6+ Buzzard, Peregrine, 4+ Kestrel, 12 Golden Plover, 12 Roe Deer, 4 Hares. Mark Coller

30th: Coate Water - Today, lots of Long-tailed Tits at the bird table, with Nuthatch, Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, Blue and Great Tit and Dunnocks. Also, by the firs, Siskins, Goldfinch, 3 Goldcrest, Greenfinch and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers close by. Elsewhere, 14 Goosanders, 9 Tufted Ducks, 5 Herons, 7 Robins, 2 Bullfinches, 5 Blackbirds, 3 Mistle Thrushes and 13 Redwings. Tony Martin, Maurice Carne

29th: Coleshill/Buscot area - 4 Short-eared Owls, 3 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, Grey Partridge, flyover Golden Plovers, Skylarks, 6 Roe Deer and several Hares. Felicity Cobb, Martin Murray, Richard Williams, Mick Nicholls On the way there: numerous Kestrels, Buzzards, Fieldfares, one definite male Merlin and possibly a female further along. Martin Murray Stanton Park - Great Spotted Woodpecker heard fiercely drumming in the wood. Felicity Cobb Toothill - Seen in the garden today, 6 Greenfinches (largest number for some time) and 5 Goldfinches. Richard Williams Coate Water - This afternoon, by the car park, the semi-leucistic Blackbird. On and around the lakes, 14 Mute Swan, 17 Great Crested Grebes, 14 Cormorants, 11 Grey Heron, 121 Canada Geese, 66 Mallard, 19 Gadwall, 90 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 29 Tufted Duck, 19 Pochard, 21 Goosander (11m, 10rh), 20 Moorhen, 45 Coot, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, a Nuthatch, 2 Goldcrests, 10+ Long-tailed Tits, a Jay, 18 Lapwing, a Buzzard, 2 Pied Wagtails, 200+ Black-headed Gulls, 4 Herring Gulls. Shaftesbury Lake - 2 Mute Swans, 27 Canada Geese, 49 Mallard, 6 Tufted Duck, 7 Moorhen and 5 Coot. Trevor & Sue Clayson

Old Town railway track - Blackbird, Redwing, Starling, Song Thrush heard, Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Cormorant and Heron flying over. Bullfinch (4m, 2f), Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Robin, Wren, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tit, and a Roe Deer. Jo Garrad

28th: Draycot - Little Owl. Also, 2 Buzzards, 25 Fieldfare and a Yellowhammer near the road. Coate Water - Nuthatch; Marsh, Coal, Blue, Long-tailed and Great Tits all enjoying some food I put on the bridge near Nightingale Cottages. 20 Goosander on the water, as well as 150+ Teal, 6 Pochard, 20 Shoveler, 2 Little Grebes and 3 Mandarins (2m, 1f). Male Reed Bunting near the viewing platform. 8 Snipe on the island from the lower hide. Fox on the far bank. After a lot of scanning and a bit of waiting I was rewarded with a great view of a Water Rail commuting between the reeds, and if that wasn't enough, another one appeared briefly by the viewing platform. 2 Muntjac seen in more or less the same place as last week on the way home. Steve Davies This morning at Coate: Bittern, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Goldcrest, Teal, Tufted Ducks, Pochards, about 15 Goosanders including 2 redheads, Herons, Little and Great Crested Grebes. Sparrowhawk took off and tried to get one of the pigeons on the diving board. Martin Murray Toothill - From an RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch: 5 Magpies, 4 Jackdaws, 2 Chaffinches, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, 2 Blue Tits, 2 Great Tits, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Woodpigeons, 2 Collared Doves, 2 House Sparrows. Seen flying over: 21 Woodpigeons, 6 Rooks, 2 Herring Gulls, 4 Starlings. Richard Williams Savernake Forest - Half a dozen Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker heard but not seen, 4 Nuthatch, several Coal Tit, 3 Marsh Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Bullfinch, Redwing, Jay, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Raven. Liddington Hill - Flock of Fieldfare. Russley Down - Several small groups of Fieldfare, Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting, Buzzard, Kestrel, c2000 Starling, 5 Fallow Deer, 6 Roe Deer. Malcolm Royal Coleshill/Buscot area - 2 Hen Harriers, 4 Kestrels, 5 Buzzards, 20+ Skylark, 2 Reed Buntings, 150+ Fieldfares and Redwings, 5 Hares and 4 Roe Deer along the Buscot to Coleshill road. At one point the flying Hen Harrier dropped down onto the one feeding on the ground and a brief scuffle ensued. Trevor & Sue Clayson

Old Town - During an RSPB Garden Bird Watch: 4 Blackbird, Blue Tit, 2 Chaffinch, 15 Goldfinch, 2 Great Tit, Greenfinch, 10 Jackdaw, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Magpie, Starling, 4 Woodpigeon, Wren, female Blackcap and a pair of Bullfinch. Jo Garrad

27th: Eastleaze - Reed Bunting on the feeder this afternoon. Nick Pinchin Coate Water - A bright sunny morning gave good views of 11 Gadwalls, 8 Herons, 22 Shovelers, 16 Tufted Ducks, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Shelducks, 17 Cormorants, 17 Goosanders (11m, 6f), 5 Squirrels, 7 Blackbirds, 3 Song Thrushes, 3 Dunnocks, 5 Chaffinches, 4 Goldcrests and plenty of Robins and mixed tit species. Maurice Carne Coleshill/Buscot area - 5 Short-eared Owls, 2 Kestrel, 2 Buzzard, Lapwing, Fieldfare, Barn Owl. Malcolm Royal

26th: Coate Water - Brent Goose (a first for the website) seen for about five minutes on the main lake this afternoon. Presumably, it must have then flown off, because there was no further sighting shortly after. Also, 23 Goosander and a Little Grebe seen. From the first hide, 2 Shelduck, 6 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall and a Kingfisher viewed on the reserve. Ken Cypher Also a probable male Lesser Scaup. It was with a small group of Tufted Duck on the main lake near the causeway. (Further analysis reveals the bird is probably a hybrid.) Ian Searle Chiseldon - Tawny Owl calling again, quite close, early evening (and yesterday evening). Steve Davies Fyfield - Red Kite today. Richard Williams

25th: Swindon to Aldbourne - 5 Buzzards, Red Kites, Kestrels and a Sparrowhawk with Fieldfares. Martin Murray Coleshill/Buscot area - 2 Hen Harriers, 2 Red Kites, 3 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 4 Hares and 4 Roe Deer with 8 more at distance. Martin Murray, Mark Coller On route there: Red Kites, Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker, Kestrels, Fieldfares. Martin Murray Coate Water - Lots of tit individuals showing signs of pairing. The friendly Robin showing well. Increased activity at the heronry. 5 Cormorants, 6 Herons, 11 Tufted Ducks, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 7 Blackbirds, 3 Goldcrests and the usual species on the main lake including a Swan which appears to have been sprayed with dye? Maurice Carne

23rd: Lawn - A Red Kite was seen from the house at lunchtime today. Felicity Cobb

22nd: Coate Water - Bittern seen without any difficulty this afternoon. On the water, 15 Goosander, 3 Shelducks, 8 Common Gulls and good numbers of Pochard, Shoveler, Teal and Tufted Ducks. 3 Bullfinch near the motorway bridge and another group of 6 on the way home. 4 Snipe on the island, Song and Mistle Thrush heard. 2 Muntjacs on the footpath through Hodson Woods. Tawny Owl calling when I arrived home. Steve Davies This morning at Coate: 22 Lapwing, 3 Shelduck, Bittern showing well at 09:45, small flock of Siskin, Nuthatch, Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, Grey Wagtail, Common and Herring Gull. Malcolm Royal Nightingale Wood - Red Kite. Michelle Orme Covingham/Coleview - 4 Little Egrets seen today, next to the stream between Covingham Drive and Deva Close. Michelle Orme, Pam & Stuart Shepherd Coleshill/Buscot area - 5+ Red Kites, 7+ Buzzards and a Kestrel this morning in very windy conditions. Ian Searle Russley Downs - Fieldfare, Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer, c500 Lapwing, large groups of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and corvids around the pigs. Also a fair few Starling and Pied Wagtails. Malcolm Royal Old Town - A Song Thrush was sat on my garden fence in the morning. On the old railway track: Grey Wagtail, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, House Sparrow, Starling, Blackbird (there are still one or two north Europeans around), Jackdaw, Magpie, Crow, Black-headed Gull, Heron, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove. Foxes heard too. Kingshill canal - Moorhen, Coot, Mallard, Swan. Jo Garrad

21st: Lower Wanborough - 3 Buzzards hunting at lunchtime, seen clearly from A419. Felicity Cobb Stanton Park - 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Buzzard. Michelle Orme

20th: Coleshill/Buscot area - Hen Harrier, 3 Buzzards, 4 Kestrels, 15 Lapwing, 7 Redwing, 8 Roe Deer, 2 Hares. Bob Shiret, Malcolm Royal Coate Water - 7 Snipe, Green Woodpecker, 14 Grey Herons, 15 Cormorants, 2 Shelduck, Wigeon, 22 Shovelers, 10 Gadwall, 2 Kingfishers, 24 Goosanders, 150 Teal, flock of Goldfinches and a flock of Siskins. At the bottom hide, after filling the feeder, 2 Bank Voles feeding under it. Graham Cox

19th: Coleshill/Buscot area - 2 Hen Harriers, Short-eared Owl, 3 Buzzards, 4 Kestrels, large mixed flock of Starlings and Fieldfare, 4 Hares and 12 Roe Deer. Dave Butcher, Graham Cox Swindon - On a walk along the disused railway track into town from the end of Thamesdown Drive were 2 Green Sandpipers on the overflow pond by the railway bridge. Also seen was a Sparrowhawk and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Bob Shiret

18th: Blunsdon - Barn Owl this morning, flying across the road towards Burytown Farm. Steve Davies Oakhurst - In our garden today, female Sparrowhawk, 5 Bullfinches, 10 Long-tailed Tits, Chiffchaff, 4 Redwings plus the usual Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Wren, Chaffinches, Blue and Great Tits. Bob Shiret Coate Water - Bittern reported again today. per Birdguides Coleshill/Buscot area - Ringtail Hen Harrier caught and ate prey close by, 2 Kestrels hunting in the same field and 60+ Fieldfares also. Martin Murray

17th: Chiseldon - Tawny Owl calling from its usual location tonight. Steve Davies

16th: Rushy Platt area - Kingshill canal: Grey Heron, Mallards, Mute Swans (2 adults, 1 juvenile), Coots, Moorhens, Robin, Blackbird, Grey Wagtail, Great Tit, Grey Squirrel. West Wichel (the undeveloped part of the new Wichelstow road): Goldfinches, Kestrel, Long-tailed Tits, Great Tits. Michelle Orme Ogbourne St George - Barn Owl sat on a post today near the village. Margaret Delpy Coate Water - Not much to see on the reserve today as mostly iced over. Elsewhere, plenty of Robins and Blackbirds. Also, 4 Chaffinch, 3 Dunnock, 8 Long-tailed Tits and 3 Goldcrest. From the causeway bridge, 13 Tufted Ducks and 31 Goosanders. Maurice Carne Coleshill/Buscot area - 2 ringtail Hen Harriers and 3 Short-eared Owls. Also there was a Buzzard, Kestrel, lots of Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and finches/buntings. Plus 2 Hares, a Fox and 7 Roe Deer. Steve Covey Lydiard Park - 27 Canada Geese, 9 Mute Swan, 2 Gadwall, 7 Shoveler, 6 Tufted Duck, 6 Little Grebe, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Fieldfare, Redwing, Grey Wagtail, 10 Meadow Pipit. Mike Newton

15th: Upper Upham - Buzzard sat in a tree next to the Chiseldon to Marlborough road for over an hour this afternoon, watching the traffic pass by. Also, a Sparrowhawk near Chiseldon garage. Steve Davies Lydiard Park - Great Spotted Woodpecker today. Marlene Finlayson The Ridgeway - Barbury Castle to Hackpen Hill this morning, Buzzard, Kestrel, flock of 14 Yellowhammers, large mixed flock of Redwings and Fieldfares and a flock of Siskins. Felicity Cobb Coate Water - Day 14 for the Bittern; seen at 14:30. Also, 20 Lapwing, 11 Pied Wagtail, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Shelduck, 5 Goosander, Water Rail (heard), 2 Snipe, Bullfinch, Yellow-legged Gull (main lake), 12 Redpoll, 5 Redwing, 2 Kingfishers, Little Grebe, Great, Long-tailed, Marsh and Blue Tit, Song Thrush, Nuthatch, Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Great Crested Grebe, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Cormorant, Mute Swan and Canada Geese. Bob Philpott, Martin Adlam, Steve Covey, Malcolm Royal, Jo Garrad Kingsdown - 100+ Fieldfare and Goldfinches at the crematoriam. Dave Butcher West Swindon - Little Egret seen in Westlea Brook, same place as 2 weeks ago just off Westlea Drive. Another at Barnfield plus 3 Herons, 4 Teal and a Wren. Two more Little Egrets flying over the cycle track. Richard Williams Barbury Castle - 3 Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 8 House Sparrow, flock of Linnet, Merlin. Chiseldon - Sparrowhawk in front garden. Malcolm Royal Coleshill/Buscot area - 2 ringtail Hen Harriers showing well today. Jon Mercer Broome Manor Lane - Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Redwing, Blackbird, Starling, Robin, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Crow, Magpie, Pied Wagtail, Collared Dove, Stock Dove and Woodpigeon. Jo Garrad

14th: Peatmoor - 2 Goosander around midday on the lake. Steve Birt Stanton Fitzwarren - 4 Goldfinches, Greenfinch, Fieldfare, Redwing and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Dave Butcher Wroughton - Blue Pheasant wondering around in our garden at Priors Hill. Andy & Anne Attwood (blue Pheasants are a mutated version of the more common Pheasant; the blue "colouring" is created by the refractive effect of their irridescent feathers - SD) Coleshill/Buscot area - This afternoon, 2 Hen Harriers, 8 Buzzards, 5 Kestrels, Merlin, Peregrine, flocks of Skylarks, up to 25 Roe Deer and 5 Hares. Graham Cox, Tony Martin Aldbourne Chase - This afternoon, 5 Red Kite, 4 Buzzard, c60 Corn Bunting, c50 Fieldfare, c30 Redwing, 6 Hares and 3 Roe Deer. Paul Crowley Swindon - Barn Owl out at dusk, hunting next to the West Wichel Road. Michelle Orme

13th: Coate Water - Bittern still in the same spot, 15 Goosander, Kingfisher, 4 Cormorant, Green Woodpecker, Nuthatch, singing, Mistle Thrush. Matt Pringle, Jon Mercer, Steve Covey Liden School grounds - Some interesting birds of note in and around the school grounds this morning, with a Raven overhead mobbing a Sparrowhawk, a Green Woodpecker in the oak trees, a Common Gull, a charm of 25 Goldfinches, a pair of Siskins and 15 Redwing. Martin Adlam Liddington Hill - A single Kestrel today. Dave Butcher Coleshill/Buscot area - 2 ringtail Hen Harriers, 5 Buzzard, Kestrel, many Skylark, 15 Roe Deer, similar number of Hares and 2 Short-eared Owls. Jon Mercer, Malcolm Royal

12th: Swindon - Seen clearly from Marlborough Road this morning, 2 large Roe Deer racing dangerously near the green gates and across by the front pond then disappearing to land behind the garage. Too close to the road for comfort! Felicity Cobb Coate Water - Bittern enjoying its 10th day, at least. Also, 3 Mandarins, Mallard, 14 Grey Heron, Swan, Canada Goose, Black-headed Gull, Coot, Moorhen, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, 8 Marsh Tits, 5 Coal Tits, 5 Goldcrests, Treecreeper, 4 Nuthatch, Robin, Song Thrush, 2 Jays, 3 Kingfisher, leucistic Blackbird, Cormorant, 20 Goosander, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Teal and Bullfinch. Water Rail on edge of island, 5 Snipe, 3 Roe Deer at edge of lake. Maurice Carne, Graham Cox

11th: Lydiard Park - 2 Wigeon, Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 2 Little Grebe, Buzzard, Treecreeper, 4 Siskin, 2 Nuthatch. Middleleaze - 9 Bullfinch in the garden this morning. Matt Pringle Coate Water - Bittern showing well at 15:30; getting ready to roost high in the usual reed bed. Also, 2 Kingfishers seen around the main lake and the nature reserve, Barnacle Goose in usual place, Great Spotted Woodpecker heard from near play area, pair of Pied Wagtails in usual place. Also 10 Goosander in first part of the lake. Felicity Cobb, Graham Cox, Tony Martin

10th: Coate Water - The Bittern continues to delight; seen clearly from the bridge at 2pm to at least 2:30pm, in reeds on the edge of the water. Barnacle Goose also seen near the cafe. Felicity Cobb Later in the afternoon, 44 species seen including, 2 Little Grebe, 15 Goosander (13 drake and 2 redheads), 3 Grey Heron in the area where the Bittern is, 3 Goldcrests feeding together, 11 Siskins in one flock and a Fox. Martin Adlam Aldbourne - Good views of a Jay this morning. Also, 6 Red Kites, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzards - one of which was very red compared to the norm. 6 Roe Deer grazing in the fields at Coate Water and another Jay also made an appearence. Martin Murray Swindon - Amongst the birds in the garden today a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a female Blackcap, 7 Greenfinch and 17 Goldfinches. Sue Clayson

9th: Coleshill/Buscot area - Short-eared Owl at about 15:15 today. 13 Roe Deer in the fields. 6 Buzzard seen and at least the same number of Kestrel. The owl 'appeared' out of nowhere and was hunting in the fields for about 25 minutes until it had a tussle with a Kestrel and afterwards obviously decided to go elsewhere. Bob Philpott Coate Water - Aythya hybrid (Tufted Duck/Pochard?) today, possibly the same bird from several weeks back. Bittern showed really well on the edge of the reed bed. Other birds seen were: 3 Shelduck, 3 Wigeon, 5 Snipe on the island, 22 Goosander, 16 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 15 Cormorants and 12 Grey Herons. Tony Martin, Graham Cox Barbury Castle - 2 Short-eared Owls at 3:00pm (south side). Peter Wright

8th: Coate Water - The Bittern showed well early morning, feeding actively, also a Marsh Tit, Nuthatch and Green Woodpecker. Jon Mercer Later on at Coate a Wiltshire Wildlife Trust group, led by Robin Griffiths, reported: Mistle Thrushes in car park; 7 Blackbirds on golf course; Great, Blue and Coal Tits seen in woodland; Wren heard and seen; Robin; several Goldcrest in trees and hedges; singing Song Thrush; Treecreeper heard; several Long-tailed Tits in trees; many Squirrels seen. No sign of the Bittern 10am-midday but too much activity on the lake for the bird to show. 5 Goosander by the causeway and 10 Grey Heron sitting/nesting in the trees. Kingfisher from bottom hide. Felicity Cobb Marlborough Downs - On a circular walk today from Smeathes Ridge via Hallam and Ogbourne St Andrew, 5 Redwing, small flock of Yellowhammers and Chaffinches and a large flock of Fieldfare: at least 200. Russell Holland Savernake Forest - Today, highlights included 10+ Crossbills overhead, 2 Brambling, and numerous Treecreeper, Goldcrest and Nuthatch singing. Gareth Harris Coleshill/Buscot area - Ringtail Hen Harrier and at least 4 Short-eared Owls, likely more, showing well, close at times. Henry Stuart Old Town railway track - Much the same as Saturday with the added bonus of a Buzzard, Black-headed Gull (I've seen them taking bread off the canal for the past few weeks and haven't witnessed this before), Mallard, Coot, Chaffinch, Pied Wagtail, Coal Tit and a Roe Deer. Jo Garrad

7th: Coleshill/Buscot area - From virtually a single location we saw: Hen Harrier, at least 2 and possibly 4 Short-eared Owls, 2 Buzzards, 5 Kestrels, Yellowhammer, 7 Roe Deer and 6 Hares. We also heard a Grey Partridge near to where one of the owls called as it almost flew right overhead. Malcolm Royal, Steve Davies Liddington Hill - 2 Peregrine (male and female), 2 Red Kites, 4 Raven, 8+ Buzzards, 85+ Yellowhammers, 100+ Corn Buntings, 175+ Skylarks, 55 Fieldfares. Ian Searle Coate Water - Bittern again (in reeds to the left of the boating yard, viewed from causeway - photo of location Here at Malcolm's new blog), 3 Kingfishers, 2 Little Grebe, 17 Goosander, 14 Wigeon, Shelduck, 250 Teal, 20 Cormorant, Barnacle Goose, 169 Canada Geese, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 16 Grey Heron, 12 Mute Swan, 90 Mallard, 8 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 28 Tufted Duck, 11 Pochard, 31 Coot, Grey Wagtail, 2 Common Gull, 200 Black-headed Gull. Malcolm Royal, Trevor & Sue Clayson Old Town railway track - House Sparrow, Wren, Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush (+10 singing), Starling, Crow, Magpie (one was trying, unsuccessfully, to imitate the Mistle Thrush), Jackdaw, Kestrel, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Swan, Moorhen (both seen on the canal from the track), Heron, Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Long-tailed Tit. In Old Town, Great Spotted Woodpecker in my garden for the first time. Jo Garrad

6th: Liden School grounds - Some early flowering Primroses in the grounds. Goosanders overhead again, seem to be taking off from Liden Lagoon and heading north, unless of course they are just doing a circuit and coming back in from the east. Siskins still present. Martin Adlam Coate Water - Bittern still showing well. 9 Great Crested Grebes, 11 Goosander, 8 Tufted Ducks, 14 Moorhen, 5 Grey Herons, Kingfisher plus the usual Coots, Black-headed Gulls, Mallards, Canada Geese and Mute Swans. Also seen Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits, Marsh Tits, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a flock of 14 Long-tailed Tits. Maurice Carne Stanton Park - Peregrine, 2 Raven, Grey Heron, 4 Goosander (2m, 2 redhead), 96 Black-headed Gulls, Fieldfare, Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Marsh Tit, 2 Bullfinch. Malcolm Royal Savernake Forest - Marsh Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Raven, 16 Crossbills in larch trees. Gaynor & Terry Dabner

5th: Coate Water - Bittern still at the same place on the main lake. Also, a pair of Bullfinch, 15 Goosander, 6 Pochard, Tufted Duck, 2 Kingfisher, 5 Grey Heron, 4 Shoveler, 3 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 11 Cormorant, 2 Siskin, lots of Long-tailed Tits, Goldcrest and a Jay by the first hide. Little Egret on the island by the diving board. Tony Martin, Graham Cox, Matt Pringle Savernake Forest - Barn Owl at Timbridge Farm and another just north of Rudge. Liddington Hill - Barn Owl at the bottom of the hill. Cobham Frith - Tawny Owl heard. Malcolm Royal Swindon - A Great Spotted Woodpecker amongst the birds on the feeders today. Its been a regular visitor for a couple of weeks now and is getting more confident and staying longer. Its now started to make holes in the pear tree. A Grey Squirrel, also a regular, attempting to destroy our new feeder. A Bullfinch also. Trevor & Sue Clayson Somerford Common - Woodcock roding over the car park and 4 Tawny Owls calling. Ian Searle

4th: Coate Water - Bittern still today, in the same area of reeds. Also, Barnacle Goose, 2 Kingfishers and 14 Goosanders. Graham Cox, Tony Martin, Nigel Pleass Liden School grounds - Plenty of birds seen around the school grounds this morning with a pair of Goosanders circling overhead before heading north. In the grounds themselves, a pair of Siskins in the Alders were joined by several Goldfinches. The Redwing roost is back this year but numbers are very small with just 5 birds. A Fieldfare was seen late morning. Also about, Grey Wagtail, Treecreeper, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Long-tailed Tits. Martin Adlam

2nd: Coleshill/Buscot area - Right on the edge of the reporting range but well worth a mention, 2 ringtail Hen Harriers showing extremely well and watched for 15-20 minutes. They were flushing up Skylarks in the process. Malcolm Royal, Steve Davies Coate Water - The star attraction today was a Bittern in the reeds near the boating yard. The bird has been showing all day and by the time Malcolm and myself arrived at around 3:30pm it revealed itself superbly (after a bit of waiting). When we left it was still perched up on top of the reeds. Also, 16 Gadwall, 3 Snipe, 60 Teal, 15 Tufted Ducks, 13 Goosander (5m + 8rh), 12 Shoveler, Goldcrest, Pied and Grey Wagtail, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Long-tailed Tits, Nuthatch, Coal and Marsh Tits, Chaffinch and several Kingfisher fly-pasts. Graham Cox, Terry and Gaynor Dabner, Paul Crowley, Malcolm Royal, Steve Davies, Marlene Finlayson Liden Lagoon - 8 Goosander (3m + 5f). Paul Crowley Covingham - Little Egret on River Cole this morning was a good start for the year. Martin Adlam Wroughton - I saw and heard a Jay in the woods near the church this morning. Richard Williams

Axford/Hens Wood - Fairly quiet this morning, 5 Fallow Deer were nice to see; Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Marsh Tit, Red Kite, Raven and Jay also seen or heard. A meagre glimpse of a Water Rail on the river with a Cormorant, Grey Heron, 3 Mandarin, a Barnacle Goose with a large flock of Canada Geese and 20+ Mallard also in residence. Several Little Grebes at Mildenhall. The one bird we did see a lot of were Bullfinches. As of the past few days, they seem to be everywhere. Malcolm Royal, Steve Davies

1st: Coate Water - The year got off to a good start with a nice male Goldeneye, seen from the lower hide. Also from there, 8 Shoveler, 50 Teal, 12 Gadwall, Common Gull with 20 Black-headed Gulls. A Fox came right in front of the hide and 2 Roe Deer were on the far bank. Several Bullfinches in the hedgerows, 12 Goosander on the main lake and a Little Egret seen flying towards Coate from Day House Lane area. Hodson Woods - Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, 4 Bullfinch, Song and Mistle Thrush singing. Stanton Park - A few Nuthatches calling, 4 or 5 Goldcrests, Coal Tits, Mistle Thrush singing. Nightingale Wood - Fairly quiet there, 2 Bullfinches, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Redwings and Fieldfares and a Grey Heron flew out from the scrape. I heard several Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers throughout the morning, but failed to see either. Steve Davies Lawn - A Robin sang from the trees near Lawn shops well after dark. Felicity Cobb Lydiard Park - In the dusk this evening, a large number of Coots, c12 Canada Geese plus uncounted Moorhens, Mute Swans, Mallards, 2 Little Grebes, 2 pairs of Gadwall, 2 pairs of Shoveler, 1 male Pochard and 1 male Tufted Duck. Grange Park - On the way through , c6 Redwing and a Sparrowhawk. Richard Williams

Cheney Manor lake - Coot, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Fieldfare, Redwing, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Robin, House Sparrow, Mallard, Magpie, Crow, Woodpigeon and Collared Dove. Plaum's Pit - Heron, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Treecreeper, Wren, Robin, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Goldfinch and Jackdaw. Jo Garrad

Home	Year List
Sightings Sep - Dec 2011 May - Aug 2011 Jan - Apr 2011 Sep - Dec 2010 May - Aug 2010 Jan - Apr 2010 Sep - Dec 2009 May - Aug 2009 Jan - Apr 2009	Navigation Jump to February Jump to January Jump to bottom of page