Wintry delights at Brockholes

Wintry delights at Brockholes

Jon Hawkins - Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography

With so much going on regarding new rules and regulations at Brockholes, it's important not to forget the number one reason we are here - the wonderful wildlife which call us home.

What a year it has been, and it isn't over yet! We have seen an abundance of wonderful wildlife on site at Brockholes and our fabulous visitors have delighted in telling us about their sightings. 

A recent message from regular visitor and supporter, John Wright, filled us with joy and we hope you enjoy it too:

Cetti's Warbler, Jen Coates

Cetti's Warbler, Jen Coates

"The calm weather over the last week has provided an opportunity to count the wintering birds at Brockholes with some impressive results.

Sightings of Pintail, Woodcock, Jack Snipe and Green Sandpiper have been notable.

Our wintering Stonechats are up to 5 and they have been delighting visitors. The usually elusive Cetti's Warblers have been showing surprisingly well around Meadow Lake and No1 Pit, as this lovely photo by Jen Coates demonstrates. For the first time we have confirmed 2 singing male Cetti's Warblers with one by Meadow Lake and another by Nook Pool.

Large numbers of gulls are visiting No1 Pit to bathe with up to 1500 Black-headed Gulls and 500 Herring Gulls. Mixed amongst them are smaller numbers of Great black-Backed Gulls, Lesser black-Backed Gulls, Common Gulls and a Mediterranean Gull.

Wildfowl are also well represented across the reserve and on the adjacent Lower Brockholes. Wigeon are on the increase and there are currently 120 wintering along with 118 Gadwall, 100 Tufted Ducks, 30 Teal, 15 Shoveler, 10 Goldeneye and 8 Pochard. Good numbers of Mallard and occaisonal Goosander have also been recorded.

Additional sightings have included 3 Little Grebes, 6 Water Rails (only heard), 2 Curlew and 40 Snipe.

Little Egrets & Kingfishers have been seen daily on the reserve and along the river."

Learn more about our resident wildlife