May 2008

Quick summary of what I have logged on my daily early visits to the lake and Woodhouse Lane as well as The Flash. Most of the passage seems to be over and birds seem to be 'on territory'

An interesting point is that all the species logged were audible and visible (on various days) in the same short section of the bushes adjoining the old Celestica factory within 50 yards of the Castle Farm Way gate. One day there were 5 species singing within a few feet of each other

Warblers

Sedge Warbler: at least 5 separate birds passed through the lake; 1 at The Flash as well; and 1 alongside the lower pool. None now present (they bred at the lake last year)

Reed Warblers: at least 7 singing birds now at the lake. A few have been noted in strange places and may have been passing. None at The Flash this year - it is often June before it arrives there, but there was none last year

Grasshopper Warbler: none this year - have logged passing birds in each of the previous three years

Lesser Whitethroat: the usual pair at the W end of the lake. At least 2 other males passed through the lake and 1 at The Flash

Common Whitethroat: at least 6 singing males in / alongside Woodhouse Lane to the E of the lake. At least 3 birds have been seen singing at the lake and another at The Flash but all have now gone

Garden Warbler: been giving great views at both the lake and The Flash (though the latter is intermittent): also at Nedge. There seem to be 2 singing males at the lake: not heard any this year in the hedge alongside the M54 - it is hard to hear anything here even at 05:00!

Blackcap: up to 12 birds at the lake some days and up to 7 at The Flash. There are at least 6 singing males at the lake; and 2 at The Flash; another near the lower pool

Chiffchaff: probably well in to breeding now there seem to be 7 singing birds at the lake (last year there were 3 or 4); also 3 (or 4) at The Flash; another 2 between the two locations; and 2 in the wooded area to the E of Castle Farm Way

Willow Warbler: after an excellent passage (I saw 21 birds one morning at The Flash) there are none at the lake and a maximum of 4 singing birds at The Flash. There was 1 in the small copse to the E of Castle Farm Way for a week, but that seems to have gone. Many fewer than a few years ago - perhaps the bushes and trees are too tall and why we have more Chiffchaffs?

Non-Warblers

Was astonished to find 6 Reed Buntings together at The Flash in March but not seen or heard one since. 3 or 4 pairs at the lake

Sky Larks are crop dependent, but for the first time I can recall even on quiet days they are not audible from the lay-by at the lake. From Woodhouse Lane there are 2 distant songsters

I guess Yellowhammers are crop-dependent too. There seem to be very few in Woodhouse Lane this year and the males seem to be doing only partial songs if at all. This species breeds late so there is time!

A pair of Linnets is in Woodhouse Lane most days: as is a pair of Bullfinches

(Ed Wilson)