30th December 2008

(9am - 1.30pm and 3.30 - 4.30pm)

Highlights:

2 Water Rail, Kingfisher, Bullfinch and Chiff-chaff around Marston corner of Stewartby Lake

c10 Siskin - Sewage works plantation

Bullfinch, Redshank and 3+ Shoveler - Pillinge

Sparrowhawk - near visitors centre

Water Rail -Marston corner of Stewartby Lake
Kingfisher -Marston corner of Stewartby Lake Bullfinch - Sewage works plantation
Little grebe - Pillinge

29th December 2008

(8.05am - 1pm and 3pm- 4.15pm)
Highlights:
Scrapyard corner:
Leucistic Herring Gull

Sailing Club railings to sluice:
Scaup, Redshank on main slipway and Grey Wagtail

Pillinge
2 Snipe on small pond near Pillinge. Usual ducks and several Bullfinch around Pillinge

Gull roost: (3pm -4.15pm)
Adult Mediteranean Gull - found by Keith Owen
Leucistic Herring Gull - scrapyard corner of Stewartby Lake in morning
Scaup - still by Stewartby Lake sailing club

Grey Wagtail - also not far from Stewartby Lake sailing club

One of 2 Snipe seen to fly up from a small pond near the Pillinge.

28th December 2008

3.30-4.30pm - Gullwatch
Highlights:

A small "Black-headed Gull-type" gull seen briefly in the roost, approx 80-85% the size of the nearby BH Gulls. Not seen well or long enough to be sure of ID...

27th December 2008

7.55 - 11am
(Guided walk)
Redwing, Song Thrush and 2 Yellowhammers in car park and Siskin flew over (8am)
Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers near Stewartby Lake
2 Snipe flew from small pond near bramble meadow
2 Barn Owls, Sparrowhawk and 1 Redshank - Pillinge

Redwing - visitors centre overflow carpark

One of 2 Barn Owls near Pillinge

26th December 2008

(10am - 12.30pm)
Millbrook Station - Pillinge - Gullwatch
(Highlights)
Drake Scaup still near Stewartby Lake sailing club (12 noon) viewed from gullwatch Kingfisher Marston corner of Stewartby Lake
Jay - near visitors centre

25th December 2008

(8.20 - 9am)

Highlights:

1 drake Scaup - seen within about 30-50m of the bank from near the Stewartby Lake sailing clubhouse. The Scaup was with a group of Coots, Gadwall and Tufted Duck. Also present was a Pied Wagtail.

Drake Scaup - photo taken with digital SLR in poorish light, hopefully it will stay around long enough to get photos in better light...

24th December 2008

(9am - 4.30pm)
Highlights
1 Siskin flew over calling near visitors centre
Kestrel - over boardwalk near visitors centre
Buzzard - flew over visitors centre
3+ Bullfinch - near Wetland 3
Scaup - near clubhouse - seen distantly from gullwatch about 3.30pm
Adult Mediterranean Gull, 1st/2nd winter Caspian Gull and leucistic Herring Gull - in gull roost
Long-tailed Tit - by boardwalk near visitors centreGoldcrest - sewage works
Reed Bunting - Wetland 3 hide

Common Buzzard - visitors centre

Chinese Water Deer - from Jubilee Cottages lookout Robin - Marston corner of Stewartby Lake