Witches Oak Water

Witches Oak Water

Vic Bevan fills us in on the latest sightings.

Water levels remain very high with some areas of the reserve only accessible with waders. Overall Waterbird numbers were low, probably because there are many alternative locations for birds to feed and roost currently in the flooded Trent Valley. Highlights were the first Smew of the winter (a single redhead), 6 Goosander and 23 Goldeneye, and 2 Cettis Warbler calling. Full Waterbird counts were 1 Little Grebe, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 16 Cormorant, 14 Grey Heron, 3 Mute Swan, 5 Canada Goose, 24 Wigeon, 21 Gadwall, 70 Teal, 60 Mallard, 4 Shoveler, 4 Pochard, 142 Tufted Duck, 1 Moorhen, 32 Coot, 25 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 55 Black-headed Gull and 2 Common Gull.