I arrived at Thompson Water about an hour prior to sunrise and my first bird record for the new year was 3 calling ♂♂ Tawny Owls. Ticking Robins took second place this year, Robins are usually the first birds to be heard in the woodland.
An alarm calling Song Thrush was heard in damp woodland with a second bird soon heard singing. A single Cetti's Warbler was singing, the later months of last year at this site held 5 Cetti's Warblers.
With sunrise approaching the horizon saw some wonderful colours which were quickly changing from red, bright pinks, and fading to grey, one had to be quick on the ball for photographing this natural wonder.
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| Dawn at Thompson Water on New Years Day 2026 |
Wildfowl on Thompson Water included 209+ Mallard, a few Gadwall, and a single Teal. 15+ Coot and 5 Mute Swans were present.
Crossbills were passing overhead quite frequently, their distinctive calls always alerts one to the presence of this beautiful Finch.
Woodland thickets around the water held Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tit, Coal Tit, and two Marsh Tits. A Goldcrest was seen foraging amongst bunches of dead leaves and in thicket habitat.
Peddars Way
A walk along the Peddars Way near Thompson Water produced further Crossbills on the move, but a pair was seen close to in Hawthorns, the ♀ was seen best in her dull green plumage, however, as the pair flew off the brick red ♂ Crossbill was seen reasonably well.
Both Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers were present. Both Fieldfare and Mistle Thrush were noted in woodland.
A pair of Ravens passed low overhead and flew into the army training area, one bird gave a few resonating "koorp" call. Magnificent birds.
As I returned to finish my mornings birding further overhead calling Crossbills were heard and small flocks of Redwings passed over with some alighting in tall Birch trees.
