1st – 1 Water Rail and 1 Grey Wagtail seen at the treatment works, 90+ Pied Wagtail seen at the treatment works and in the adjacent cattle field, 1 Mistle Thrush seen N of Hicklin’s Bridge and another seen in the horse paddock N of Crow Park Way
3rd – 1 male Sparrowhawk seen Hillside garden, 1 Brown Hare seen SE of. Bakeacre Lane opposite Blakemere Farm
4th – 10 Gadwall and 1 male tufted Duck seen on Mercia Marina pond, pair of Goosander seen at the entrance to the Marina, 1 Green Woodpecker seen flying over the marina pond and another seen feeding on the ground in the horse paddock N of Crow Park Way, 1 Meadow Pipit seen at the treatment works
6th – c20 Teal seen on floodwater at Blakemere Farm, 3 Stock Dove seen W of Blakemere Farm and 7 Fieldfare seen N of Bakeacre Lane feeding with flock of Redwing
9th – 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker seen flying over Stanhope Wood, 1 Grey Wagtail seen at the treatment works, 1 Song Thrush singing in Stanhope Wood and 3 male and 2 female Bullfinch seen on the A50 embankment N of the treatment works
10th – 1 Water Rail seen in the reed bed at the treatment works, 1 Chiffchaff seen overwintering at the treatment works, 2 Treecreeper and 3 Siskin seen at the Ballast Hole Pond
26th – 2 Lapwing seen flying over Hicklin’s Bridge
27th – 1 Grey Heron seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker seen NE of Hicklin’s Bridge, 1 Grey Wagtail seen on a manure heap N of Hicklin’s Bridge, 1 Cetti’s Warbler heard and 1 female Reed Bunting seen in the reed bed at the treatment works
January 2022
3rd – 1 Blackcap seen on garden bird feeder Burton Road, 1 Kestrel seen over stubble field SE of Stanhope Wood, 3+ Skylark seen over stubble field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge, 1 Grey Wagtail seen in the reed bed at the treatment works, 20+ Pied Wagtail seen at the treatment works and another 20+ seen in the stubble field W of Watson’s Bridge, 1 Song Thrush singing between the treatment works and Stanhope Wood, 1 Mistle Thrush singing in Findern Churchyard and 2 Goldcrest seen Common Piece Lane
4th – 1 Cormorant seen over Hillside garden, 12+ Teal and 3+ Snipe seen in flood water Blakemere Farm, c10 Long-tailed Tit seen at Blakemere Farm, 10 Yellowhammer and 2 Reed Bunting seen in stubble field N end of Bakeacre Lane, 1 Kingfisher seen on the canal near Hicklin’s Bridge
7th – 9 Gadwall seen on Mercia Marina pond, 1 Grey Heron seen S of Willington Road and 2 Stock Dove seen N of Willington Road opposite the cattery
9th – c30 Teal seen in flood water Blakemere Farm, Bakeacre Lane, c40 Redwing seen off Bakeacre Lane S of Landown Farm
10th – 100+ Redwing seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Bullfinch seen at the treatment works
11th – c30 Pied Wagtail seen at the treatment works and c50 seen in the cattle field S of the treatment works, c10 Siskin seen feeding in Alders with c40 Goldfinch at the Ballast Hole Pond
13th – 1 Mistle Thrush singing in Findern Churchyard, 1 Bullfinch seen on the A50 embankment N of the treatment works
16th – 2 Kingfisher seen on the canal near where the bridge is being repaired
17th – 1 Water Rail and 1 Cetti’s Warbler seen in the reedbed at the treatment works and 1 Goldcrest seen at the treatment works, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker seen near the canal
19th – 40+ Teal seen in flood water Blakemere Farm, 1 Sparrowhawk seen N of Bakeacre Lane
24th – 1 Song Thrush singing canal side E of the railway bridge, 100+ Redwing seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Water Rail and 1 Goldcrest seen at the treatment works
28th – 2 Peregrine seen perched on the rim of Willington Cooling Towers
31st – 1 Common Gull and 2 Herring Gull seen in the field W of Upper Heath Lane, 2 Kingfisher seen along the canal near Hicklin’s Bridge (bridge 20), 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker seen Willington Road near the cattery
December 2021
1st – 1 Grey Heron seen SE of Stanhope Wood, 1 Water Rail and 1 Grey Wagtail seen at the treatment works, 2 Song Thrush seen canal side W of Hicklin’s Bridge (the first since ~July),
1 Goldcrest seen with a flock of Long-tailed Tit at the treatment works, 1 Treecreeper also seen at the treatment works (the first since March), 1 male Bullfinch seen near the stable Crow Park Way
5th – 1 Common Gull seen in the cow pasture S of the treatment works, 1 Jay see opposite Clovermead, 1 male Bullfinch seen N of the treatment works and another seen at the top of Cote Close
7th – 2 Goosander seen on the canal S of the treatment works, 1 Water Rail seen at the treatment works
14th – 1 Sparrowhawk seen flying over Common Piece Lane, 1 Green Woodpecker seen feeding on the ground Cardales Meadow, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker heard at the treatment works
16th – 1 Red-legged Partridge seen Lansdown Farm, Bakeacre Lane, the first sighting this year
17th – 1 female Kestrel seen from Watson’s Bridge, 1 Common Gull seen with a Black headed Gull flock in the cow pasture S of the treatment works
22nd – 90+ redwing seen in the cow pasture S of the treatment works
28th – 1 Mistle Thrush see N of Hicklin’s Bridge, the first sighting since April, 1 Song Thrush seen Stanhope Wood and 40+ Pied Wagtail seen at the treatment works
30th – 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker seen on garden bird feeder Hillside, 9 Teal seen on floodwater Blakemere Farm, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull seen feeding with a large Black Headed Gull flock in the horse paddock N of Bakeacre Lane, 1 Stock Dove seen feeding with a Wood Pigeon flock Blakemere Farm, 1 Jay seen Bakeacre Lane, 50+ Linnet seen Blakemere Farm, an all white Pheasant also seen at Blakemere Farm
31st – Kingfisher seen flying along the canal near Hicklin’s Bridge (bridge 20)
November
1st – 1 male and 1 immature Kestrel seen from Watson’s Bridge, 5+ Skylark seen in field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge
2nd – 5 Meadow Pipit and 1 Jay seen at Blakemere Farm, 6 Yellowhammer seen top corner of Bakeacre Lane
4th – 7 Gadwall seen on Mercia Marina Pond, 1 Sparrowhawk seen flying over Hillside garden, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull seen with Gull flock in the ploughed field N of Hillside garden, 4 Stock Dove also seen in this field
7th – 1 Grey Wagtail seen at the treatment works
11th – 2 Grey Heron seen in field SW of the treatment works
17th – 3+ Redwing seen in horse paddock N of Crow Park Way (first sighting of the autumn)
21st – 1 Red Kite seen flying over Hillside
28th – 2 Peregrine seen on the cooling towers Willington, 1 Grey Heron and 9 Gadwall seen Mercia Marina Pond
October
3rd – 1 Greylag Goose seen amongst Canada Geese canal W of the treatment works, 3+ Skylark over field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge
5th – 8 Gadwall seen on Mercia Marina Pond, 1 Swallow seen flying South over Watson’s Bridge
14th – 1 Grey Heron seen canal side South of the treatment works, 8 Stock Dove seen in the cultivated field SW of Common Piece Lane, 1 Green Woodpecker seen in the horse paddock N of Crow Park Way, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker seen over Stanhope Wood, 1 male Yellowhammer seen N of Hicklin’s Bridge
16th – 1 dead Shrew seen Common Piece Lane jw Crow Park Way
18th – 1 adult and 1 immature Grey Heron, 5+ Skylark seen in field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge
26th – 2 Cormorant seen on pylon S of Mercia Marina Pond, 8 Gadwall seen on the Marina Pond
30th – 5 Yellowhammer seen in a hedge at the end of Bakeacre Lane
August
4th – 2 adult and 3 juvenile Yellow Wagtail seen at the treatment works,
10th – 6+ Swift seen flying West over Hillside garden
11th – 2 adult and 6 juvenile Mute Swan seen at Mercia Marina pond
19th – 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker seen in Cardales Meadow
July
4th – 1 male Moorhen seen at Mercia Marina Pond, 1 male Linnet seen canal side between the Nadee and the white footbridge, 1 male Yellowhammer seen Willington road between the Marina and Heath Lane
June
1st – 1 Yellow Wagtail seen Frizams Lane and 1 adult Lapwing and 3 small chicks seen Frizams Lane jw Twyford Road
9th – 2 House Martin seen Clovermead Common Piece Lane, 1 Banded Demoiselle seen canal side SE of the treatment works (1st sighting this year) and 5 Chimney Sweeper Moths seen at the top of Cote Close (another 1st sighting this year)
10th – 5 Bee Orchid seen opposite the cemetery Common Piece Lane
11th – 1 Swift seen over Hillside garden
13th – 1 Grey Heron seen over Cardales Meadow and 1 Green Woodpecker heard calling in Cardales Meadow, 1 Skylark singing over the field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge, 2 Reed Warbler seen Stanhope reed bed (1st sighting in Findern this year), 1 female Bullfinch seen canal side E of the treatment works, 2 male Reed Bunting seen Stanhope reed bed.
15th – 1 Little Grebe and 2 adult and 7 cygnet Mute Swan seen on Mercia Marina pond, a pair of Tufted Duck seen at the Marina itself
29th – 1 Kestrel seen flying South over Hicklin’s Bridge, 1 Cetti’s Warbler singing at the bridge and 1 male Yellowhammer seen North of the bridge
May
3rd – 1 Lesser Whitethroat singing at the top of Cote’s Close, first this year.
5th – 1 Little Grebe seen at Mercia Marina Pond, 1 Grey Heron seen at the marina, 1 Lapwing seen over field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge, 12 Stock Dove seen in the field SW of Watson’s Bridge, 4 Swallow seen on wires Hillside, 1 Cetti’s Warbler singing near Stanhope Wood reed bed, 1 Lesser Whitethroat singing in Crow Park Way and another in Cote Close, 1 female Linnet seen Canalside btwn the Nadee and the white footbridge (the first sighting in Findern this year), 1 male Yellowhammer seen NW of the Ballast Hole Pond and a pair of Reed Bunting seen Stanhope Wood reed bed
26th – 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker seen in Cardales Meadow
27th – 3 House Martin seen at a nest site on Porters Lane, 1 Willow Warbler singing Mercia Marina pond and 1 Weasel seen running across the road near Findern Primary School
April
2nd – 1 Grey Heron seen at the treatment works, 20+ Meadow Pipit seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works, 1 Grey Wagtail seen and 1 Cetti’s Warbler heard at the treatment works, 1 male Reed Bunting seen Stanhope Wood reed bed and 1 female Reed Bunting seen at the treatment works
4th – 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker seen on the bird feeder in Cote Close Bird Sanctuary
5th – Grey Heron seen flying over Wallfields Close. Tadpoles seen in Wildflower Meadow pond, 1 male Kestrel seen SW of Blakemere Farm, 2 Lapwing seen opposite Blakemere Farm and 2 Lapwing seen in the horse paddock NW of Bakeacre Lane
6th – 1 Little Grebe and a pair of Tufted Duck seen on Mercia Marina pond and 1 Peregrine see on the cooling towers at Willington Power Station
8th – 4 Stock Dove seen SW of Watson’s Bridge, 1 male Kestrel seen W of Watson’s Bridge
9th – 2 Grey Wagtail seen in garden next to the brook Doles Lane/Burton Road
10th – 2 Raven heard calling over Hillside garden
12th – 1 Kestrel seen over Cardale’s Meadow, 1 Oystercatcher seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works, 1 male Swallow seen in the horse paddock N of Crow Park Way, the first sighting in Findern this year, 1 Willow Warbler singing at the treatment works, first of the year
14th – 1 Sparrowhawk seen S of Mercia Marina
15th – 1 Cormorant seen over the canal between the Ballast Hole Pond and the treatment works, 1 Grey Heron seen at the treatment works, 1 Lapwing seen in the field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge, 2 Stock Dove seen SW of Watson’s Bridge, 1 Grey Wagtail seen at the treatment works, 2 Male Yellowhammer seen N of Hicklin’s Bridge, another male seen S of Watson’s Bridge and yet another male seen NW of the Ballast Hole Pond
18th – 1 Cetti’s Warbler and a pair of Bullfinch seen E of the treatment works near the stream
27th – 1 House Martin seen circling Clovermead on Common Piece Lane (first sighting in Findern this year), 1 Cetti’s Warbler heard Stanhope Wood reed bed and another near Hicklin’s Bridge, 1 Common Whitethroat seen Stanhope Wood (first sighting in Findern this year) and another head in Cardale’s Meadow, 1 Fox seen in Stanhope Wood, Hawthorn in flower by the entrance to Stanhope Hole Conservation Area
March 2021
1st – 15+ Teal seen Blakemere Farm flood, Bakeacre Lane, 1 Kestrel and 1 Fieldfare seen at the farm, 4 Lapwing seen in the horse paddock NW of Bakeacre Lane, and a pair of Yellowhammer seen at the northern end of Bakeacre Lane
3rd – 1 Lesser Redpoll seen on the A50 embankment N of the treatment works, 1 Grey Wagtail seen at the treatment works and 1 Grey Wagtail seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works, Great spotted woodpecker and a stoat – Cote Close
4th – 1 Skylark singing over the stubble field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge, 4+ Meadow Pipit seen in the stubble field SW of Watson’s Bridge, 80+ Pied Wagtail seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works, 1 Cetti’s Warbler seen at the treatment works, 1 Chiffchaff seen on the causeway E of the treatment works (the first sighting this year), 1 Yellowhammer and a pair of Reed Bunting seen N of Hicklin’s Bridge
5th – 3 Cormorant seen on the pylon S of Mercia Marina pond and 8 Tufted Duck seen on the pond
6th – 1 Water Rail seen at the treatment works and a deer, probably a Roe Deer, seen in the stubble field SW of Watson’s Bridge
7th – 12+ Teal and 2 Reed Bunting seen in Blakemere Farm flood, 3 Buzzard seen over Bakeacre Lane and 1 Green Woodpecker heard, 2 Yellowhammer seen N end of the lane
9th – 2 Long-tailed Tit seen nest building Watson’s Bridge
14th – 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull seen over Hillside, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Reed Bunting and 1 Cetti’s Warbler seen or heard at the treatment works
15th – 3 Lapwing seen in the horse paddock NW of Bakeacre Lane, 1 Skylark heard singing and 2 male Yellowhammer seen at Thurston Farm and 20-30 Redwing also seen at Bakeacre Lane
18th – 1 Meadow Pipit seen in the cow pasture S of the treatment works, 1 Cetti’s Warbler seen Stanhope Wood reed bed, 1 Chiffchaff seen at the bottom of Cardale’s Meadow
19th – 1 Little Grebe, 3 Gadwall and 5 Tufted Duck seen on Mercia Marina pond
21st – 1 Treecreeper seen NE of the Ballast Hole Pond, 1 Jay seen in the stubble field SW of Watson’s Bridge (the first sighting this year) and 9 Lesser Redpoll seen moving through bushes at the treatment works
25th – 1 Grey Heron seen over Hillside, 4 Lapwing seen over the stubble field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge, 4 Meadow Pipit seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works, a pair of Grey Wagtail seen on the towpath S of the treatment works, 1 Cetti’s Warbler heard in Stanhope Wood reed bed, 6 Chiffchaff seen singing between Lower Green and Watson’s Bridge, 6+ Skylark seen over the stubble field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge and 2 singing over the stubble field SW of Watson’s Bridge, 7 Lesser Redpoll seen moving through bushes at the treatment works, 1 Yellowhammer seen N of Hicklin’s Bridge, 1 female Reed Bunting seen Stanhope Wood reed bed and 1 male Reed Bunting seen at the treatment works
31st – 1 Sparrowhawk seen soaring over the treatment works, 1 Kestrel seen soaring over the stubble field SW of Watson’s Bridge, 1 Blackcap heard singing on Common Piece Lane (the first this year) and 1 Blackcap singing in Stanhope Hole, 1 Cetti’s Warbler seen canal side between the railway bridge and Hicklin’s Bridge on bridle way 11
