Birds of the Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve

The following is a list of all the birds seen on the reserve.
The notes describe how common or uncommon each species is and suggests which area may be best for seeing them.

The bird list for the Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve stands at 105, as at December 2010.

Mute Swan	Previously and annual breeder here but absent for several years. The Abbey Wood pair moved to the Three Brooks Lake in 2011 and managed to raise 2 cygnets despite the attacks of local yobs, attentions of various ducks and rats living under their nest!
Greylag Goose	Occasionally visits the lake.
Canada Goose	May be seen on the lake, but more often seen in flight between Aztec West and the Water Park.
Ruddy Shelduck	Only one sighting of this distinctive species.
Common Shelduck	Only one flyover sighting.
Wigeon	Occasionally visits the lake.
Common Teal	Seen most winters and may stay for a few days. Up to 12 were present during cold weather in 2010/11.
Mallard	Regular breeder ~20 pairs nest on the lake and up the brooks - numbers increase in winter.
Shoveler	Occasionally visits the lake.
Pochard	Occasionally visits the lake.
Tufted Duck	A pair stayed for 3-4 weeks in spring 2007. Normally stays are shorter.
Common Pheasant	Occasional sightings, may be heard more frequently than seen.
Little Grebe	2-3 pairs breed annually on the lake, producing several young.
Cormorant	Most sightings are flyovers, but may occasionally land at the lake.
Little Egret	One reported late 2008 - with the increase of this species in Britain we could see more.
Grey Heron	Regular visitor - early mornings most common in the margins of the lake.
Sparrowhawk	Bred in 2008 and probably later years as well, seen regularly around woods and often seen in gardens as well.
Common Buzzard	Often seen circling over the reserve in twos and threes. Can be seen quartering the woods and sometimes perched.
Kestrel	Seen more regularly in recent years, a juvenile stayed for several months in 2008. May not be enough small mammal food for breeding, but possibly bred in 2011.
Merlin	One sighting in 2008, may be more common.
Peregrine Falcon	Infrequent visits as fly-bys.
Water Rail	Annual winter visitor (5 in 2005/6) but none seen in 2006/7 or 2007/8, returned in 2008/9. The height of the water in the lake is probably a factor in the occurrences, so our wet winters may not have helped. Views get better in very cold weather as food is harder to reach.
Moorhen	Several pairs breed annually on the lake or brooks.
Coot	Former breeder, now annual winter visitor. Breeding again in 2009.
Lapwing	Occasional sightings over the tump.
Jack Snipe	Only one sighting reported, although possibly more frequent.
Snipe	Occasional sightings, may be seen zigzagging into the air when flushed.
Woodcock	Only one sighting, although as crepuscular could be more frequent.
Black-tailed Godwit	Only one sighting, although possibly more frequent.
Curlew	Only one sighting, although possibly more frequent.
Common Sandpiper	Only one sighting, although possibly more frequent.
Green Sandpiper	Only one sighting, although possibly more frequent.
Redshank	Only one sighting, although possibly more frequent.
Black-headed Gull	Only occasional visits during the summer, flocks of 60 or more can be seen at the lake in the winter. A record 170 were seen in early 2012.
Mediterranean Gull	Only one sighting, although possibly more frequent.
Common Gull	Only two sightings, although possibly more frequent.
Lesser Black-backed Gull	Seen in small numbers on the lake, more frequent in winter. Often seen flying over the reserve.
Herring Gull	Small numbers often seen at the lake, or more commonly flying over the reserve in large numbers from their roost nearby.
Greater Black-backed Gull	Only one sighting, although possibly more frequent.
Stock Dove	Occasional visitor, possible breeder, but more likely breeding in nearby farmland.
Woodpigeon	Probably the most commonly seen bird on the reserve, often heard clattering through the trees as you approach.
Collared Dove	Often seen in pairs throughout the reserve.
Barn Owl	One sighting of a flyover in 2008.
Little Owl	Previously seen regularly, especially around the Leisure Centre area before the area was built on, but not since about 2000.
Tawny Owl	Previously an annual autumn visitor to Savages Wood. One was spotted during an Owl Prowl in October 2009 znd occasionally heard during the autumn.
Swift	Seen over the reserve each summer.
Kingfisher	Probable breeding in 2008, after several years absence. Seen regularly since up and down the brooks.
Green Woodpecker	The 'Yaffle' call is heard more often than the birds are seen, look out for them searching for ants.
Great Spotted Woodpecker	A Pair or two breed in the woods on the reserve, sometimes visiting garden feeders.
Skylark	Several pairs breed on the tump. Look for the dot in the sky when you hear their melodic calls.
Sand Martin	One seen feeding over the lake and tump in March 2009.
Swallow	Seen over the reserve each summer, breeding nearby in farm buildings.
House Martin	Seen over the reserve each summer, breeding nearby in farm buildings.
Meadow Pipit	A few birds winter on the tump, their quick double chirp alerts to their presence when they are disturbed.
Tree Pipit	Only one sighting, although possibly more frequent.
Grey Wagtail	Look at muddy areas by the brooks and the banks of the lake, especially where brook and lake join. More common in winter.
Pied Wagtail	Often seen on the roads in the area, not thought to breed on the reserve. More common in winter.
Wren	A numerous breeder, very loud for the size of the bird, which like to skulk in the undergrowth. Can be found throughout the reserve.
Dunnock	Less secretive than the Wren, but also less common. Look for birds feeding on the ground, or in hedgerows.
Robin	Easily spotted as they sing from prominent perches all over the reserve.
Nightingale	One report from the lake area several years ago.
Whinchat	Only one sighting, although possibly more frequent.
Stonechat	Regularly winters on the reserve. Can be seen on the tump or the grassy banks by Webbs Wood, perched at the top of tall plants.
Blackbird	Another numerous bird, very noisy warning calls when disturbed. One of the last birds singing each evening.
Fieldfare	A winter visitor in small numbers. Occasional larger flocks may number into the hundreds.
Song Thrush	The repeated song is distinctive as these birds call from high up in the trees.
Redwing	Another winter visitor, more abundant than Fieldfare and can also produce large flocks on occasion.
Mistle Thrush	Sightings are increasing for this large thrush. Listen for the ratchet-like call.
Grasshopper Warbler	Only one sighting, although possibly more frequent.
Sedge Warbler	A previous breeder. No sightings since 2006.
Reed Warbler	Only one pair in recent years. Lack of cover could be a cause of the decline.
Blackcap	A few overwintering birds are joined by migrants for the summer. Seen in gardens regularly over winter.
Garden Warbler	Only three sightings, although possibly more frequent.
Lesser Whitethroat	Seen on passage, although may stay for the summer. More often heard than seen.
Whitethroat	Several pairs breed. More obvious than Lesser Whitethroat due to bush top perching and song flight. Check out the dense hedgerows.
Chiffchaff	Birds occasionally overwinter, easily identified from their 'chiff-chaff' two tone call. Found throughout the reserve.
Willow Warbler	The quieter descending call distinguishes this bird from the similar looking Chiffchaff. Small numbers breed.
Goldcrest	Previously common breeder, numbers have decreased. High up in woods is probably best chance to find one.
Spotted Flycatcher	Occasional passage visitor.
Bearded Tit	One flyover sighting, unlikely to stay as very little reed-bed..
Long-tailed Tit	Commonly seen in groups moving through the trees or hedges. A constant twitter accompanies the balls of fluff on sticks.
Blue Tit	Common throughout the reserve and local gardens.
Great Tit	Common throughout the reserve and local gardens.
Coal Tit	Not seen as often as previously, leading to doubts over breeding status on the reserve.
Marsh Tit	Occasional visitor.
Nuthatch	Bred in 2006 in Savages Wood, sporadic sightings since.
Treecreeper	Easy to overlook as it scurries up tree trunks. Look for the bird descending from one tree to another in the woods.
Jay	The shiest of the crow family, often only seen from the back as it flies away with its leisurely flight. Seen throughout the reserve.
Magpie	Unlikely to be missed, these noisy and bold birds often gather in large groups. A roost of 80 birds was noted one winter!
Jackdaw	More often than not these birds are seen in twos. Not often seen away from Savages Wood.
Rook	Occasionally seen on the reserve. Birds fly in from the rookeries at the Ramada Grange Hotel.
Carrion Crow	Often seen perched on the school fence, or rooting about on the ground.
Raven	Occasional fly-overs can be seen at any time of year. Nearby breeding may increase sightings.
Starling	Small groups can be seen around the reserve at most times of year. We never seem to get the large gatherings though.
House Sparrow	Seen much more frequently around the houses of the area, small groups are sometimes seen at the edges of the reserve. Probably not actually breeding on the reserve, but right on the edges.
Chaffinch	Common woodland finch that seems to be less common than previously.
Brambling	Two sightings from the 1990s are the only reports of these birds.
Greenfinch	Another bird in decline. Seen much less often than previously and now becoming scarse.
Goldfinch	Seems to be doing well throughout the reserve. Previous years have seen flocks of 100 or more.
Siskin	Occasional winter visitor (flock of 100 seen Jan 2008 was an unexpected influx).
Linnet	Only occasionally seen, normally on the tump or grassy banks.
Lesser Redpoll	Occasional visitor, probably more common. Small numbers seen around Christmas/new year 08/09.
Bullfinch	Regular breeder. Seen in hedgerows throughout the reserve. Look for the bright chest of the male and the white rump of both sexes.
Yellowhammer	Only one sighting, although possibly more frequent.
Reed Bunting	Sightings are decreasing and may no longer be a breeding species. Favours the area around the lake.