Reservoir Logs - January 2025 round-up

      

                   The Golden Plover gave amazing views during its stay pic @samodonnell25.bsky.social
  

      A remarkably tame and long-staying Golden Plover was the highlight of an otherwise dull January. The month did also see an elusive Redpoll and a brief re-appearance of a Barn Owl but only 80 species were recorded - three less than last year - with no additions to the year list after the 20th. Even the usual New Year's Day blitz had to be postponed as the Wetlands was shut because of high winds until the afternoon. Which just about sums the month up....   

                   A stunning photograph of the showy drake Goldeneye pic @samodonnell25. bsky.social                                                   

       The Barnacle Goose flock remained at the Wetlands with occasional forays further up the valley although, by the end of the month, it had reduced in size from 15 to 13. Goldeneye numbers also fell from the modest four to just two with the drake and female which had paired up disappearing. Wigeon were seen on three days with a cold weather influx of ten on the 11th. Goosander were also recorded on three days although the five seen over Lockwood on the 7th were three more than the peak count last January. 

The cold weather brought an influx of Wigeon pic @samodonnell25.bsky.social
      

       Seven species of waders were recorded which is a healthy total for January. The highlight was a Golden Plover found on the 12th by JM at the north end of East Warwick. Appearances by the species are usually very brief so it was a major surprise when it was re-found next day on the 4/5 causeway. By the 14th, it had moved to the public side of High Maynard, sleeping and occasionally feeding all day despite a procession of cyclists and joggers just metres away. 

                      This Oystercatcher spent the day on East Warwick pic  @chris-farthing.bsky.social

       An Oystercatcher, which also ignored passers-by, was around East Warwick on the 20th. The only Redshank of the month was on the 10th which also saw the first two Lapwing with a cold weather movement of 15 next day. 

                      Freezing conditions saw Lapwing fly into London pic @samodonnell25.bsky.social

       Common Snipe occasionally appeared on the East Warwick island but, with few on Walthamstow Marsh, numbers never got above three even when there was a heavy frost.  The Common Sandpiper continued its winter stay, largely at the north end of High Maynard. Heavy rain forced Green Sandpipers out of the flooded channels onto Lockwood with two on the 5th and five next day. 

                                   The Buzzard continued to roost on No 1 island pic @chris-farthing.bsky.social                                                         

       January is usually a slow month for raptors at the Wetlands but this month Red Kites were seen on the 7th, 18th and 29th while our first ever wintering Buzzard continued to roost on No 1 island throughout the month. Peregrines were regularly seen on the pylons and neighbouring tower blocks with a food pass between the pair suggesting nesting may take place again in the area.  

       A Barn Owl made an early appearance on the year list when it was watched by an angler crossing over Forest Road to the south side on 13th early in the morning.  Unlike last year when the first record of Pheasant was not until October, a female was seen on New Year's Day and regularly across the month. Coal Tit, although still a real scarcity at the Wetlands, is definitely becoming more regular with JN finding one on West Warwick on the 10th. Kingfishers continued to delight visitors with a particularly obliging bird often perching by the Coppermill Tower. 

                            Stonechat numbers fell during the month  pic  @samodonnell25.bsky.social                                                                

        Stonechats continued to be seen on West Warwick but numbers again seem to fall from four on the 3rd to a maximum of two by the end of the month. Winter thrushes remained exceptionally scarce with just a handful of Redwing and Fieldfare records across the month. Last year a flock of 20 Redwing fed around the Engine House but there are suggestions that a bumper berry crop in Scandinavia this winter has kept birds closer to home. One winter visitor which was unusual was what seems likely to be a single Redpoll - never common at the Wetlands - first seen by MM on the 17th and then intermittently until the 25th. 

DB @davidbradshaw52.bsky.social