Jubilee River Local Nature Reserve, Dorney
My first destination along the M4 was to be the Jubilee River Local Nature Reserve at Dorney, and I wasn't to be disappointed. Unfortunately, I shouldn't complain it was 5:55am and the sun was low and right in my face. I decided that as there were two bridges to cross I would keep to the right of the river and make my way to the second bridge before coming back to the 1st one. This way I would have the reserve on my left and the sun behind me.
Part of the Reserve looking west
Between the bridges there is a boardwalk which takes you out over the river and back again. The air was full of the sound of both Sedge and Reed Warblers as they competed for the best spots in the reed beds. Also about were Garden Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap and Reed Bunting all singing from the hedgerow next this public walkway.
Sedge Warbler
Reed Bunting
Having attempted a couple of photographs of the Sedge Warblers I got back onto the path and waked across the bridge towards the Reserve on the other side of the river. The bird species was much the same as on the other bank, however there are a few bare islands along this side and on them a Mute Swan was incubating at least 3 eggs, though it did appear that one had rolled out of the nest and was a good couple of metres away. On this first island a Common Sandpiper was feeding along the edge.
Lost egg from the Mute Swan Nest
Common Sandpiper
The island behind had a Redshank, Lapwing and a Mallard on it shoreline. Just as I stepped back from the hide I heard one of my favourite sounds of Spring a Cuckoo. I just managed to squeeze a couple of shots off with the camera before it headed east down the river.
Just a silhouette I'm afraid of the Cuckoo
To get round to the other bridge you pass through a gate into a field and back through another gate at the bottom of the hill. On the fence I could see something flitting about and with binoculars out it turned out to be a female Whinchat. Yet again this was a very flighty bird and any chance of a decent photograph was out of the question, especially as I was in an open field with no cover. So the best I could do was a record shot.
Female Whinchat
Another bird was also along the hedge line and all I caught was a quick glimpse as it landed on the fence and then darted into the hedge. Who knows what it was. LBJ (Little Brown Job). I did get a couple of quick snaps, very poor unfortunately, but those red legs!
Red legs!
Into the bushes?
As I crossed the river a Cetti’s Warbler suddenly burst into song and a pair of Shelduck flew over. I managed a shot of the Shelduck, but the Cetti’s will have to wait for another day.
I got back to the car park for 7:15am and a quick count revealed I had recorded 51 species in just over an hour, with 8 new species for this year.
Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Kestrel, Coot, Lapwing, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Cuckoo, Swift, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Whinchat (female), Blackbird, Song Thrush, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Jay, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Reed Bunting 51 Species recorded
Theale Gravel Pits
I watched it for awhile and turned back to the have a look at the other water across the road from where I had parked. As I did so I caught a glimpse of a juvenile Grey Heron looking straight at me. I don’t know who was more startled him or me. As I walked back I met a bird watcher from the Berkshire Ornithological Society and informed me there was a Mediterranean Gull on the other lake, which is called Hosehill Lake LNR. So if it was off again and sure enough in amongst the three or four hundred Black-headed Gull was a very smart looking Mediterranean Gull. It seemed to have paired up with a Black-headed Gull, though to be honest the female Black-headed Gull didn’t seem to be that interested. Every now and then the gulls would get agitated and all rise from the island. On one occasion around 9:00am a Sandwich Tern appeared and flew across the lake to a floating pontoon to my right. I tried to pick it up again but unfortunately I didn't see it gain. What another great bird to find. Also on the island opposite there was a Redshank, Red-crested Pochard, possibly a pair, and an Egyptian Goose.
Long-tailed Tit with food
A pair of Greylag Geese
Juvenile Grey Heron - Close up
I'm off
Egyptian Goose
From left to right Red-crested Pochard, drake Tufted Duck, Redshank 3 Tufted Duck
Mediterranean Gull with Black-headed Gull
Very distinct red bill and white eye.
Looking at my watch I decided to call it day and got back to the car to total up my sightings. It was even better here with 53 Species recorded.
Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Egyptian Goose, Mallard, Red-crested Pochard, Tufted Duck, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Black Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Swift, Swallow, Sand Martin, House Martin, Dunnock, Nightingale, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Bullfinch and Reed Bunting 53 Species Recorded
With both sets of recordings put together I had amassed an impressive 71 Species, which included Red Kite which I saw 3 of on the way back to Swindon and of course the Ring-necked Parakeet. So with 15 new species to this years list it was back off home for a well earned cup of coffee!
NB: Birds highlighted in Red - first for my year list