Birds can be found throughout the year, but do depend on conditions and levels of disturbance. Early mornings is by far the best time to walk round and for the very keen, dawn is definitely worth a treat on those clear mornings at any time during the year.
- Resident
The Common Moor speciality is the Green Woodpecker. This resident breeder can be seen throughout the year and almost definitely heard with at least two pairs resident on the reserve. Young birds are regularly seen by late summer. A walk along the river will frequently produce a Kingfisher as it flashes its brilliant blue low to the river, and Grey Wagtails are frequently seen. Reed Buntings are resident all year with at least four males holding territory in spring.
- Spring/Summer
Warblers start arriving in mid-March when the first Chiffchaff starts to sing, usually from the woods across the canal, and the first few Blackcaps start moving through. By the beginning of April, the first Willow Warblers can be heard singing, which increase to 20+ singing individuals by the end of April. May and June are by far the best time for warblers. Again, early morning is the best time to visit the reserve, where it is possible to pick up a variety of common warblers. Whitethroats this year were numerous with an estimated seven pairs breeding. Along with these are its masked cousins, the Lesser Whitethroat rattling throughout the summer. A walk along the river will produce Sedge and Reed Warbler amongst the scrub and reed beds further down.
Cuckoos can be seen and heard during May, and the Hobby is a regular sighting. This year, two Grasshopper Warblers were heard reeling for at least a week, and an early morning visit produced a rare glimpse of these elusive birds. Common migrants are also a feature with recent years producing cracking male Whinchats, and Wheatear, four together of the latter being the best record. |  |
- Autumn
Autumn migration attracts many of the common species to the moor. Numbers of titmice and finch species increase and are often accompanied by warblers, and Meadow Pipits. Redstarts have been a regular visitor in previous years, and the odd Whinchat and Wheatear may also be encountered. This year a Common Sandpiper was seen feeding along the river. By late September, the last of the warblers have departed, only to be replaced by the first Stonechats of the autumn. As winter draws in, Siskin, Redpoll, Redwing, Fieldfares and Goldcrests can all be seen regularly and in good numbers. Other winter visitors include Water Rail where up to three have been seen, along with Snipe, and the regular Green Sandpiper that appears to winter in the local area. A Little Egret has also made it onto the CCM list.
