Cholsey Marsh

Overcast, 3°, breezy NNW.

A late afternoon visit to Cholsey Marsh:

c 60 Corn Bunting coming to the roost this evening. About half of what I would expect but early days yet as they tend to peak in February.

30+ Siskin feeding on Alders along the river bank.

Good numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing, 2 Cormorant over, a Grey Heron, 2+ Water Rail, a single Canada Goose, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel,2 Jay, a Chiffchaff, Goldcrest and a Reed Bunting.

Buntings are back

Foggy, slowly clearing, 10°, light SSE.

The fog cleared and the sun came out after I got back today. Typical!

The Buntings are back: after an absence of several weeks there were 2 Corn Bunting in song on the hill, a couple of Reed Bunting in song nearby and around 20 Yellowhammer back on territory with several in song.

Just the 1 Stonechat on the hill today, I am assuming the male has left to arrive on its breeding territory early to claim a prime spot?

Good numbers of Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit still out with the sheep and 12+ Red Kite on and around the hill.

Several good size flocks of Fieldfare and Redwing scattered around various fields.

Yellowhammers

Stonechat

Goldcrest (courtesy Alan Dawson)

Winter Warblers and Buntings

Sunny, 1º, little wind, bloody cold!

Three Warblers species today, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Cetti’s all seen, interestingly there is also a Pallas’s Warbler present in nearby Berkshire at the moment.

A quick visit to Thrupp lake, Radley as I was in the vicinity, the usual Mallard, Tufted Duck, Teal, Pochard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mute Swan, Great Crested and Little Grebe (3), Cormorant, Coot, Moorhen, and many Black-headed Gull, a Chiffchaff still present also.

Had a check on the roost at Cholsey marsh and around a hundred Corn Bunting again but not all roosting on the marsh!

A ♂ Sparrowhawk flew through and the Cetti’s Warbler still present, heard calling then seen but very active, tried to get a few pics but it would not stay still long enough, (let’s hope this cold snap is short lived). At least two Water Rail heard and a couple of Meadow Pipit present. No other buntings seen or heard this evening, several Bullfinch present.

Quite a few Redwing still roosting in the trees on the marsh along with a few Fieldfare and the resident Blackbirds.

The ♂ Blackcap seen in the garden early morning today.

Email comments from Bob Dryden, “Regarding Blackcaps, we have had a ♂ and a ♀ feeding at our bird tables every day since Friday (11^th Jan). We have had a pair turn up for the last three or four years now. We have also had four Reed Buntings on the tables and again they have arrived each winter for many years now. Last year numbers were up to at least six (3 ♂ & 3 ♀) – could be more but six was the maximum at any one time.”

Thanks Bob.

Further to Bob’s comments on Reed Buntings, when I lived in Wallingford Reed Bunting would turn up every winter. Usually mid January but a few in December sometimes, then through until March (occasionally April) when they would peak in numbers (maxing to sixteen in several years but always in double figures), and then disperse to breeding areas towards the end of the month depending on weather conditions. In 2005, Reed Buntings turned up on the 9^th Jan and at least one was still present on the 6^th June.

                                   Robin

Pochard, Black-headed Gull and a pair of Gadwall

Tufted Duck

                                      a few of the Corn Bunting prior to roosting

 

Raven

A few sightings from yesterday:-
 20+ Siskin and a Raven seen from Caps Lane, also 6+ Reed Buntings at home here.
And
Today from Green Lane on gravel site 22 Lapwing and 2 Teal.
Thanks to Tony Rayner for info.

Cholsey Marsh at dusk. 7th Dec

Sunny spells. 7º, fresh to strong WSW.

Approximately 50 Corn Buntings coming in to roost, also 12 Reed Buntings and 2 Yellowhammer.

Good numbers of Corvids and Winter Thrushes flying over heading to their own roost sites elsewhere.

A Kingfisher seen flying upstream and 50+ Canada Geese grazing on a nearby field.

Have heard some disturbing evidence of illegal hunting going on at or near the marsh, if anyone sees anything like this going on or any disturbance please contact the police!

On Sunday a Raven was seen flying from the area of Goldfinch Lane where it caused the resident Crows some grief before it flew off directly over Cholsey Church where a service was taking place. (per Tony Rayner)

How to report animal crime

• Call 999 in an emergency. It is an emergency when: a crime is being committed, there is a risk of injury, or there is a risk of serious damage to property.
• If a crime has already happened or you want to give information to the police, call 101. This is the 24-hour Thames Valley Police non-emergency number.
• If you do not want to speak to police or give your name, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

·       Important points to remember

·       The vast majority of animal crime offenders are not local. They often travel some distance to commit their crimes in rural areas.

·       Pay attention to people who you are unfamiliar with or suspicious of. Make a note of their appearance and the details of any vehicles that they are using. If you can, note registration numbers, any damage to the vehicle or other distinctive features.

·       Travelling criminals sometimes use hire cars. If possible, make a note of any hire company details. All of this information can be a great help to police if there is an incident in your area.