Willington Nature Reserve

On arrival the weather was bright but quite blustery, lots of puddles about due to recent rain. We set off down the lane heading towards the various viewing platforms and single hide. 

Pic by Marshal

The reserve is maintained by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and is essentially a number of flooded gravel pits that have been transformed into a wetland nature reserve.

As we strolled along the lane we could hear more birds than we could see, due to the dense cover. We did however get to see robin, wood pigeon, blue tit, blackbird, dunnock, magpie and swallows up above us. We eventually reached the first viewing platform where we could see coot, moorhen, gadwall, black-headed gulls, cormorant, heron, lapwing and an illusive snipe.

Snipe

We then walked further along the lane, spotting and hearing several chiffchaff along the way. We then reached the next viewing platform where we could see Canada geese, mute swans, a distant crow and a lone starling flying over. 

We then moved on towards the only hide on the reserve. A grey squirrel was spotted studiously watching us as we strolled by. 

Grey squirrel on guard

We then reached and entered the hide.  A good number of birds could be seen, many that we had already encountered. We sat a while and spotted great crested grebe, tufted duck, common buzzard and a kestrel. We also saw great tits, greenfinch and blue tits on feeders behind the hide. A dunnock and reed bunting were picking up the scraps falling from the busy feeders. 

Reed bunting

We then walked further along the lane until we reached the end of the reserve. We could here a Cetti's warbler in the reeds in front of us but it never made an appearance. We then made our way back down the lane to the car park. Several butterflies were about, a speckled wood posed very obligingly for a photo.

Speckled wood

The tally; 29 species

Robin, wood pigeon, blue tit, blackbird, swallow, dunnock, magpie, coot, moorhen, gadwall, black-headed gull, cormorant,  heron, common snipe, starling, Canada goose, mute swans, crow, chiffchaff, great crested grebe, tufted duck, lapwing, lesser black-backed gull, kestrel, common buzzard, chaffinch, great tit, greenfinch and a reed bunting.