Otterhead Lakes

Otterhead Lakes

Friday 23rd April 2010.

About a dozen of us assembled in the woodland car park. It was a lovely morning and was a joy to go out and birdwatch. We spent some time looking at a large tree in a small garden, and there were birdfeeders beside it. We saw Great, Blue, Coal and Marsh Tits. There were excellent views of Nuthatch in the tree and a Great Spotted Woodpecker appeared and showed well. A pair of House Martins were nesting in the eaves, and there were Swallows all around. It really felt and sounded like spring. Goldfinches were all about, we had lovely view of them on wires in the sunshine. They are charming birds.

We then went off down the path, and the birds were singing all around us. We heard many Blackcaps, and even saw several, and they tend to be rather difficult to see. Then we managed to both hear and see Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs.

We reached the lake and there was a pair of Swans on an island building their nest. There were several Mallards around a few Teal and the odd Moorhen. The Dabchick did not show, neither did the Dippers and Wagtails at the weir. We watched a Buzzard flying low over the trees, and it had lovely markings. Ravens were flying over, croaking to each other.

It was a lovely walk and we saw a lot, I saw 28 species. Thanks, Ray, for guiding us - you obviously knew Otterhead well.

Number of species seen: 33

Ann Crawford

Birds seen, in BOU order or alphabetic order

BOU order

Mute Swan

Teal

Mallard

Pheasant

Buzzard

Moorhen

Stock Dove

Wood Pigeon

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Swallow

House Martin

Wren

Robin

Blackbird

Song Thrush

Blackcap

Willow Warbler

Chiffchaff

Goldcrest

Long-tailed Tit

Marsh Tit

Blue Tit

Coal Tit

Great Tit

Nuthatch

Jay

Jackdaw

Rook

Carrion Crow

Raven

Chaffinch

Greenfinch

Goldfinch

Alphabetic order