Harborne Nature Reserve - 2024 Annual Report

Buzzard : present in every month of the year. 3 together on March 1^st. 2 on May 20^th. 2 juvs calling on August 10^th, 3 on the 17^th. A minimum of 30 records during the year.

Sparrowhawk: birds seen through the year but could be elusive at times.

Peregrine: 1 on January 31^st,1 on October 28th.1 on December 4^th.

Tawny owl: one male heard calling at various times through the year.2 males calling on February 7^th.

Heron : occasional flyovers through the year; 3 records in November and 1 in early December may indicate a migratory movement.

Little egret:1 on December 10^th.

Canada goose : 4 on February 13^th, 1 went over on March 27^th.

Mallard: 2 on January 23^rd,  2 on March 13^th,3 on March 19^th . 2 on March 31^st.

3 on April 3^rd. 2 on April 7^th.

Moorhen:1 on March 20^th.

Woodcock: 1 on December 9^th.

Herring gull: birds seen flying over throughout the year,usually in movements between Edgbaston and Bartley Reservoirs.

Lesser black-backed gull: as above

Black-headed gull: as above.

Raven: recorded on at least 8 dates during the year.4 together on August 26^th.

Carrion crow: birds present through the year.

Jackdaw: flocks often seen flying over and calling but rarely seen on the ground.

Jay: recorded on at least 15 dates during the year,though not in June.A group of 4 ( probably a family party) were observed mobbing a tawny owl on July 10^th,

Woodpigeon: ever present in large numbers; a regular roost at the south end.

Stock dove: 2 calling January 17^th.4 calling June 5^th.

Magpie: birds seen throughout the year.

Song thrush:recorded on 30 dates during the year. 3 singing on February 7^th and 4 singing on June 28^th. Pairs seen together on a number of dates, including during the breeding season. 3 feeding on fruit in heavy rain with blackcaps on September 23^rd.

Fieldfare: a small group on January 17^th then the next record occurred on November 2^nd when 35-40 flew over .On the 7th c20 were feeding on apples.Two records in December.

Redwing: birds seen sporadically in January and February.The last bird of the period was on March 11^th. The first in autumn occurred on October 8^th. A few records during the rest of the year with 30 on November 8^th.

Blackbird: 5 males singing on May 20^th. Birds seen in every month of the year.

Robin: 8 males singing on April 13^th.Juveniles seen on June 5^th, 17^th and July 24^th.

Dunnock: surprisingly recorded on only 8 dates during the year.3 birds singing on March 27^th.

Wren: 12 males singing on April 13^th. A juvenile seen on June 5^th. Seen all through the year.

Grey wagtail: a pair on March 27^th and May 3^rd. Recorded on at least 24 dates through the year. Probably did n’t breed .

Swift:small numbers seen occasionally in May and June but has suffered a significant decline here.

Green woodpecker: a minimum of 25 records through the year,some involving 2 birds.

Great spotted woodpecker: recorded on at least 17 dates all through the year

Nuthatch: recorded on at least 14 dates during the year, definitely more elusive during the summer months.

Ring-necked parakeet: small groups seen all year round; a flock of 10 on October 24th

Treecreeper: a very  elusive bird ; recorded on only 8 dates during the year ,some records involve 2 birds ,also present during the summer months.

Starling; 15 on January 23^rd, a rare record for this species.

Chiffchaff: the first male of the year was singing on March 19^th, 3 in song on April 19^th and May 20^th,4 singing on June 28^th. One record in September and the last of the year on October 8^th.

Blackcap: the first male of the year was singing on March 29^th, 6 in song on April 3^rd.Recorded on at least 15 dates up till September 15^th.

Great tit:6 singing February 10^th .4 singing February 15^th, present all through the year.

Blue tit:birds present all through the year.

Long-tailed tit: only recorded on 6 dates during the year and none in the breeding season.

Coal tit: recorded on at least 10 dates during the year. At least 2 singing on March 19^th.

Goldcrest: recorded on 11 dates through the year,including during the  summer months.

Chaffinch:present all through the year.2 singing on February 23^rd. Recorded on at least 12 dates during the year. Probably 2 pairs on the reserve.

Greenfinch: 13 on January 31^st. 8 on March 28^th.Only small numbers on the site.

Goldfinch: present throughout the year in varying numbers.; a flock of 30 on December 20^th and 28^th.

Bullfinch:signs that this species is declining evidenced by only 11 records this year.

Siskin; 2 on January 17^t, 6 on February 23^rd,4 on March 13^th.

Redpoll: 1 with siskins on February 23^rd.

48 bird species.

The numbers of sightings are minima and based on approximately 3 to 4 visits per week,excluding holiday periods. A small number of records were obtained from visitors and BTO BirdTrack. It is perfectly possible that birds pass through unseen.

BUTTERFLIES; brimstone; orange tip; peacock;speckled wood;comma;large white; small white;green-veined white; gatekeeper;red admiral; holly blue;meadow brown;ringlet; (13 species; the best year ,2020, 21 species were recorded)

DRAGONFLIES; brown hawker.

A disappointing year for both insect groups with a number of regular species missing.

Paul Bateman