Thursday 22th December

Today I went down to Gedling pit top to see the Rough Legged Buzzard that had been spotted around the area a lot and I was hoping for success and I got some because when I arrived it was perched in a tree. It sat here for a little while and then flew around right above our heads for about 5 minutes before flying away, not to be seen again.

We also saw a green woodpecker perched on top of a bush but this was from along way away. We also saw Three Kestrals hovering over Gedling Pit during our time here.

Rough Legged Buzzard

We then decided to move on to Hoveringham Pits, it was only about a 20 minute drive from Gedling. We stopped at the first lake and had a walk around it. On the lake were Pochard, Wigeon, Teal, and Tufted Ducks.

We then drove down to the Sailing Lake which turned out to have all the above plus Goldeneye, and a Little Egret. A large flock of Greylag Geese arrived and within them were four Barnacle Geese and some White Fronted Geese.

All in all a fantastic day out.

Sunday 18th December

Today I went down the delta in Attenborough Nature Reserve, it started of a bit quite but the further I went down the delta the more birds I saw. This included Redwing, Robin, Chaffinch, Blue Tit and Great Tit.
I then saw a flock of about 60 birds on top of the trees I scanned them and they were at least 20 Siskin amoungst the Chaffinches and Goldfinches.
I then saw a couple of female Goldeneyes and a little further on I spotted the male Goldeneye. I also saw 2 Goosanders and that is a new bird for me and I was so suprised at how big they are.
We then turned round to head home, but I was keeping my eyes open for woodpeckers, but I did not see one.
All in all a good birding session.

Friday 16th December

Today I went down to the Delta in Attenborough Nature Reserve and it was really enjoyable as soon as I crossed the railway line a Kingfisher shot accross my path it was a striking blue colour and flew really quick. Down by the delta gate I saw three Bullfinches there breasts really red. I tried to see some woodpeckers here but none turned up.

I carried on towards the delta bund and along the way I spotted a Wren, Redwing and a few Fieldfare. On the ponds were Gadwell, Shoveler and Wigeon. Also on main Pond was a male Goldeneye doing some sort of courtship move, but I couldn't find a female.

Also spotted loads of Blue Tit and Great Tit along with Greenfinches and Robins.

When I got back to the railway line I spotted a Great Spotted Woodpecker flying and landing on the top of the trees.

A great couple of hours.

Wednesday 14th December

Today I went down to Erewash Fields in Attenborough Nature Reserve it was a very cold day but exciting, I saw two Kestrals hovering over the field at the same time searching for food. Around by Barton Pool there was a big flock of at least 40 Goldfinches, a little further on I counted 10 Redwings sitting in the trees, and two Dunnocks on the ground. And then I looked up and I saw a bird moving it's head back and forward against the tree it had a red rump and I knew exactly what it was, it was a Great-Spotted Woodpecker, I studied it for two minutes and then it flew off. All in all a very intresting morning.

Sunday 11th December

Today I went to Attenborough Nature Reserve and I walked along a bund that seperated Clifton Pond and Tween Pond. The highlight of the day was a Mistle Thrush which had a wonderful speckled breast and a slender neck. A little further down the muddy path we saw a Redwing which was very close to me, also along the reedbeds were Teal and Pochard.

We tried to find the Smew and Greater Scaup that had been spotted around Main Pond but wasn't sucessful also I spotted on Main Pond two Little Grebes and just missed a Great-Spotted Woodpecker. We also saw lots of Robins throughtout our walk.

 Robin

Wedensday 7th December

Today I went down Attenborough Nature Reserve and saw a lovely Little Egret on Clifton Pond near to the reedbeds. Also on Clifton Pond was some Wigeon and a couple of Goldeneyes. I then had a glimpse of a bird with a spotted belly similar in size to a Blackbird and I think it was either a mistle or song thursh.

Walking back towards the visitors center I saw a Common Snipe on Tween Pond and in the bushes beside the bridge I counted at least 5 Linnets. It started to rain so I came home.

Sun 4th Dec 2011

On Sunday my Dad took me to Colwick Country Park and after a couple of minutes we thought we saw a Goldcrest and then further on into the park we saw a lovely Mandarin Duck and my Mum called it a steamboat. And another highlight was a beautiful black swan which had a lovely red bill with a goregous white stripe across it.The Black Swan is native to Australia so this must be an escapee. After a while it started to rain so we started walking back to the car and on the way we counted a few Robins sheltering from the rain. I really enjoyed my day at Colick Country Park. Below are my pictures of the birds I saw.

Mandarin Duck

Black Swan