28th October 2009

A "merganser" (Goosander?) was reported seen at Terry's Pool during the morning (per Steve Lloyd).

I was at the lakes for much of the morning from c. 7:00 am and didn't see this sawbill, but don't think I reached Terry's Pool until after 9 pm so it could easily have flown off by then. Doubt I overlooked it as I went all the way round the pool today, during which noted a Wigeon, a Shoveler, 5 Tufted Ducks, a Treecreeper and 2 Nuthatches. At the causeway, counted 250+ Fieldfares fly over the lakes, though many more probably did so, plus 8 Skylarks, 6 Meadow Pipits and a number of Redwings. The White-cheeked Pintail was still at Windmill Pool, as were the 2 Mute Swans at Engine Pool. A Kingfisher was also observed.

Coming home along Cleobury Lane, noted 10 Skylarks pass over the Hungry Horse field, and a Common Pheasant in another field. Also saw a Raven flying approximately along Braggs Farm Lane (Dickens Heath, not quite in Earlswood).

M.P. Griffiths

P.S. Forgot to mention on yesterday's post that the redhead Goosander I saw flew off at c. 4:55 pm, so today's bird could've been a different one (though it seems both were redheads).