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Writer's pictureStewart Abbott, A Wild Life

Willington Wetlands 4th December 2022

Location: Willington Wetlands, Derbyshire.


Attendees – Sally, Rupert, Shaz, Annie & Lynne


Date of tour: 4th December 2022


Number of species seen & heard – 51 birds & 1 mammal (Grey Squirel)


This was the second walk at Willington Wetlands this Autumn, and just like the first it produced some real gems.


We started at 8:30 am when Lynne, Rupert, Sally, Shaz, Annie & me met up by the entrance just off Repton Road and walked down the footpath and through the main gate. We spotted a few small birds in the hedgerows such as Dunnock, Robin and Blackbird.

From the first viewpoint we had Grey Heron, mallard, Magpie, Buzzard, a Hunting Kestrel and two Little Egret flying across.




The second viewpoint gave me a very a very quick flash of a Kingfisher, unfortunately, no one else saw this speeding blue bullet as it flew into the reed beds. We did however all get good views of Great Crested Grebe, Blue Tit, Black-headed Gull, Cormorant, Coot and around 60 Lapwing that took to the air. We also heard Cetti’s Warbler and Water Rail calling from somewhere close by. I explained that these two birds can be very difficult to see but both are very vocal, which can be frustrating.





We made our way to the hide as a light rain began to fall, we were luck and had it to ourselves, so quickly began to make a list of what was on the water.

Pochard, Tufted Duck, Teal, Gadwall and a single Greylag Goose were showing well, followed by the Great White Egret giving us a second showing. Even better was it landed next to a Little Egret, so we had a great comparison of the size difference between the two species. The difference is huge.





Lynne shouted out that there was a small bird just outside the window. To my surprise and excitement, it was a Cetti’s Warbler out in the open and looking wonderful. So, the Cetti’s had done just what I had previously said they don’t do and posed for all to see, wonderful.

After we had all warmed up with a coffee, a snack and a chat we headed back to the cars. One of the great things that come from small groups like this is the chance for questions and sharing of knowledge.



On the slow walk back to the car park, we picked up a few more birds, with Bullfinch, Greenfinch and a small flock of Fieldfare, Redwing and a pair of Stonechat.






A total of 51 species, see list below. Thanks to all that came, it turned out to be a really good morning.



Mute Swan


Greylag Goose


Canada Goose


Egyptian Goose


Wigeon


Gadwall


Teal


Mallard


Shoveler


Pochard


Tufted Duck


Goldeneye


Cormorant


Little Egret


Great White Egret


Grey Heron


Great Crested Grebe


Buzzard


Kestrel


Water Rail (heard only)


Moorhen


Coot


Lapwing


Black-headed Gull


Lesser Black-backed Gull


Woodpigeon


Collared Dove


Kingfisher


Great Spotted Woodpecker


Magpie


Jackdaw


Carrion Crow


Blue Tit


Great Tit


Coal Tit


Cetti's Warbler


Long-tailed Tit


Treecreeper


Wren


Starling


Blackbird


Fieldfare


Redwing


Mistle Thrush


Robin


Stonechat


Dunnock


Greenfinch


Goldfinch


Bullfinch


Reed Bunting




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