Maple Lodge Nature Reserve 05-04-17

An afternoon visit in sunny mild conditions provided the following species:-

Little Grebe (3), Great Crested Grebe (3 including pair at nest), Great Cormorant (1), Grey Heron (1), Canada Goose (2 pairs), Gadwall (3 including pair), Common Teal (3), Mallard (24 including female in nest box), Northern Shoveler (2 pairs), Common Pochard (4), Tufted Duck (10 including 4 pairs), Red Kite (1), Common Buzzard (1), Common Moorhen (3), Eurasian Coot (22), Black-headed Gull (18), Stock Dove (2), Woodpigeon (4), Green Woodpecker (1), Pied Wagtail (1), Wren (19 including 18 singing males), Dunnock (7 including 3 singing males), European Robin (5 including 3 singing males), Blackcap (6 singing males), Common Chiffchaff (3 singing males), Willow Warbler (1), Common Blackbird (7), Mistle Thrush (1), Goldcrest (singing male), Long-tailed Tit (1), Blue Tit (7 including 3 singing males), Great Tit (11 including 4 singing males), Eurasian Jay (1), Common Magpie (6), Western Jackdaw (6), Carrion Crow (2), Common Chaffinch (2 singing males), European Goldfinch (3 including singing male). At the Shell Hide I discovered my first Willow Warbler of the year busily feeding on insects.

 Male European Robin in full song.