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Welcome to our new feature. This will be a month by month report on what's been spotted on the lake and its surroundings. We will also give you hints and tips on what to look out for in the coming weeks and updates on projects that we are carrying out.
We have put up a number of feeders and a bird table around the activity centre and also started a feeding station in the woodlands by the picnic area at the far side of the bay. We would welcome contributions of wild bird seed, sunflower seeds, peanuts, Robin mix and the flat suet and nut feast packs. Our main problem is squirrels wrecking the feeders so we need squirrel proof feeders please!
Report for November/December
In early November a pair of beautiful Mandarin ducks spent a few days in the dam area. They disappeared for a few days after the fireworks, but returned for a few more days. The fantastic colours of the Drake were a delight to see, and the Duck was a little bossy boots seeing off the Mallards who tried to climb on to the same boat as she! A pair of Mute Swans have been regular visitors let's hope they stay over to the spring and produce some cygnets.
After a slow start the Woodland birds took to the feeders and now empty them in no time. The birds are much less shy up in the picnic area and as many as six at a time can be seen on the large seed feeder. The bird table by the launching ramp is getting used more and more especially by Robins and Chaffinches. Just before Christmas a Male Goldeneye duck entertained us with its diving skills in the dam area. A Kingfisher was seen a few times around the bay area. There were a number of Brambling mixed in with the Chaffinches in the Beech wood on the track down to the lake and also some Bullfinches. Flocks of Longtailed Tits are often in the Scots Pines by the activity centre along with Goldcrests and a Treecreeper. Grey and Pied Wagtails are always around but feed only on the ground. Herons alight on the Jetty but you'll have to get up early when it's quite to get a close look at them.
At the north end of the lake I counted 16 Cormorants and at least 10 Great Crested Grebes and lots Coots and Moorhens but no winter visitors at present. A pair of Buzzards were displaying over the woodlands opposite the Lady of the Lake boathouse last week.
Bird List for December
Dam and Visitor Centre Areas
Woodland Birds
Blackbird, Brambling, Bullfinch, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow Chaffinch. Coal Tit, Dunnock, Great Tit, Greatspotted Woodpecker, Greenfinch, Goldcrest, Greywagtail, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Jay, Magpie, Nuthatch, Piedwagtail, Robin, Rook, Treecreeper, Woodpigeon.
Waterbirds
Blackheaded Gull (lots) Coot, Cormorant, Goldeneye (Drake), Heron, Kingfisher, Mallard (lots), Moorhen, Mute Swan (Pair)
Raptors
Buzzard, Kestrel, Tawny Owl (heard but not seen)
Please email any unusual sightings to us at 
I will post some hints on what to look out for next month.
Peter J Durnall
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