birdpix
birds are good for you
Kings Mill reservoir
A walk around the reservoir at kingsmill ,takes half an hour,thats if you dont stop to look at birds and chat to people which is easier said than done! Sightings in May and June2008 have included house martins,swallows swifts ,blackcaps ,willow warblers,whitethroats,chiff chaffs ,linnet, reed warblers ,reed Buntings and on bank holiday monday a common sandpiper put in an appearance.The black swans that have been part of the furniture for so long at Kingsmill are no more.In may 2008 ,the last survivor sadly passed away.More recently ,towards the end of August 2008 ,another pair of Black swans have appeared at Kingsmill Res.Does anyone know where they came from?Recently Eqyptian geese ,a Black tern , Peregrine andBarn owls have been seen at Kings Mill Res.September 2008 highlights include spotted flycatchers and an unexpected ,but welcome Scoter on the 7th .
Despite the amount of disturbance the birds on the site apparently do well.Situated on a junction of two busy roads,there are inevitably casulties .For example last year,a whole family of barn owls was lost to road traffic.I have witnessed mallards sucumb to the same fate.Ive also seen on numerous occasions teenagers in the water of reservoir,despite the fact that partialy treated sewage has recently been pumped into the water ,not to mention dogs in the water chasing ducks.Currently amongst the rubbish in the water is an old television !The building works for the nearby Kingsmill Hospital ,are ongoing,thankfully nearing completion.The rats thrive at the waters edge.Despite all this the a book,entitled where to watch birds in the East Midlands ,reports that around 216 species of bird have been seen on the site!Worth a visit then...
Ashfield District Council provides a Ranger service,watch noticeboards for forthcomoing events.Bat nights are good fun ,theres a ranger led walk around the res,armed with bat detectors.There are six bat species seen at Kings Mill.For up to date bird sightings in Notts including Kings Mill Res click on this link http://www.nottsbirders.net/sightings.php
The Waxwing pictures were taken on Christmas eve 2008,near Kings Mill Hospital,opposite Kings Mill reservoir.
Scoter
