Thruscross Reservoir

SE150580

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Specialities
Whooper Swan
Little Grebe
Great black-backed Gull
Sparrowhawk
Golden Plover
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Green Woodpecker
Willow Warbler
Wood Warbler
Oystercatcher

This is the remotest of the Washburn Reservoirs and is fringed by coniferous woodland and then overlooked by open moorland and rough pasture. Parking is available in the large car park by the dam. A footpath runs all round the reservoir but it is not suitable for pushchairs and is heavier going than the other Washburn reservoirs.

Water levels effect wader numbers but Grey Plover, Ruff, Black Tailed Godwit and Greenshank have all been recorded and this site seems favourable for good numbers of passage Oystercatchers. Small numbers of Goosanders can be seen as well as large flocks of Canada and Greylag Geese. Scarcer birds have included Whooper Swan, Kittiwake, Glaucous Gull, Rock Pipit, Shag, Hobby and Osprey. Cormorants are often present.

Redstarts, Spotted Flycatchers, Redpolls and Grey Wagtails breed around the woodland edge and Hanging Wood below the dam can yield Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler.

The surrounding open ground holds breeding Lapwing, Snipe, Wheatear, Skylark and Curlew, whilst Stonechats and Kestrels can be seen at any time.

Notable Sightings - 2003
March 2003 20 Oystercatchers.
Summer 2003 a flock of 118 Grelag Geese grew to 153.
November 2003 167 Mallard
 
Notable Sightings - 2004
Summer 2004 Singing Wood Warbler in Hanging Woods.
June 2004 Spotted Flycatcher singing.
16th July 2004 Two Crossbills
26th December 2004 Three Whooper Swans
Notable Sightings - 2005
March 2005 500 Golden Plover
1st August 2005 A Hobby