Field notes from the pine ridge and the reservoir. One observer, one route, one pair of binoculars.
Patch checklist, September 2026
14 September 2026Counts are the highest number seen at one time on a single morning walk, not totals for the month. Species I hear but do not see are marked with an H.
| Species | High count | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Great spotted woodpecker | 3 | H, upper track |
| Coal tit | 14 | Mixed flocks from the 9th |
| Goldcrest | 9 | With the tit flocks |
| Chiffchaff | 6 | Singing again on the 12th |
| Willow warbler | 4 | Birch stand, 8th only |
| Spotted flycatcher | 2 | Late, near the gate |
| Siskin | 30 | Overhead, moving south |
| Grey heron | 2 | Reservoir, north shore |
| Tufted duck | 18 | Reservoir |
| Common sandpiper | 1 | 6th, gone by the 7th |
How I count. One slow circuit, two hours, stopping at four fixed points for five minutes each. If I break the route I do not submit the count. Consistency is worth more than coverage.
Counts are my own, made from the public path. Nothing here is a rarity report.