My First Visit to Dernford Reservoir

9th September 2022

I have seen many bird records coming from Dernford Reservoir over the years but never been there before, so as I was in the area I thought I would pop in for a look. The reservoir is an old quarry which is near circular and covers about 20 acres. Due to the lack of rain the water levels are currently quite low and therefore the muddy margins are out in the middle meaning that most birds were fairly distant.

Most of the usual suspects were present including the compulsory flock of Greylag Geese, a pair of Egyptian Geese, the common ducks, 15+ Little Grebe, a Heron and three Little Egrets. It was also good to see the first returning Wigeon.

The only passerines I saw was a 20+ flock of Linnet which were keeping to the north-east corner. Quite a few were drinking and bathing out on the shallows....................

..................but then this cooperative bird came and perched on the bank and showing the sign of moult.

There were three Ruff present and eventually one came a bit closer, helped along by the sun coming out.

There was also just a lone Greenshank which was asleep for a while, but eventually woke up and went walkabout.

Difficult to count as they were very mobile, but there could have been up to five Common Sandpipers present. Luckily, unlike the other waders they preferred to feed along the banks of the reservoir providing the opportunity for some close-ups.................

......................and a few flight shots.

But the star of the show today was the fly-past by the B17 Sally B based at Duxford. Built in 1945, Sally B is one of three remaining B17s in Europe and is the only one that is airworthy.

Dernford Reservoir is obviously a birding site with great potential, but I understand that it is currently the subject of a proposal for a water park and caravan site, so watch this space.