Hosehill Lake, Theale, Berkshire

[rolf]

This local reserve is a large gravel pit, looked after by West Berks Countryside Services and the local Theale area Conservation Group.

It is around a mile to walk the entire lake and has several viewing points, including a platform with screen and a large Sand Martin block easily viewed from a couple of spots.

Much of the time the birds are in the middle of the large lake, so binoculars are a must, but a very pleasant place to visit.

Birds spotted on single trip:

Canada Geese
Greylag Geese
Tufted Ducks
Coots
Black-headed Gulls
Pied Wagtail
Reed Bunting
Sedge Warblers (heard but not seen)
Lapwing
Greenfinches
Dunnocks
Robins
Great Tits
Blue Tits
Blackbirds
Songthrushes (heard but not seen)
Wrens
A couple of what look like Mallard Hybrid ducks
Great Crested Grebes

Butterflies:

Peacok
Orangetip
Small White
Brimstone

Hosehill Lake Reserve, Google Maps

[Chocky]

Nice captures Rolf

[Billy]

got to say this place is brilliant for those close ups, if you go right instead of left and follow the lake round theres a parking area on the right. I sat with my feet in the water on that side of the lake with the swans almost next to me, using my long lens i got some amazing pictures. Got some really classy pictures of swans feathers and them feeding i will dig them out sometime..

[rolf]

Popped down to Hosehill after lunch today, managed to spend an hour or so.

There were a few Peacock Butterflies around. lots of noisy Black-headed Gulls, some very bold Dunnocks, a pair of Oystercatchers, loads of Tufties, a pair of Shoveler Ducks, assortment of other gulls, Coots, Geese, Moorhens, Great-crested Grebes, etc.

The surprise capture was nestled in some brambles, an LP, No Jacket Required.

[Chocky]

I like the black headed Gulls.
Wonder what they thought of the music disc

[ladylouise62]

Some lovely shots there. I agree with Beryl - the Gull shot is a lovely picture, and that is a quite rare out-in-the-open Dunnock shot.

As for the LP, of course it was 'No Jacket Required' - that's why it wasn't in its sleeve

[Catherine]

Well, off the record (as everyone has already mentioned IT), I like the Dunnock and the Peacock Butterfly best!

But, mind you, all of the other pics are really interesting too!

The great variety of images probably captures the essence of the site more than most peoples' pics - which would probably just feature individual bird species - and which could be anywhere!

[rolf]

The reserve ranger.


Cormorant Island


Synchronised Tufties


Tufty alone

[Catherine]

Gosh, that ranger looks fierce!

Nice Tuftie display too. !

Looks a nice place - and glad you had good weather to be there!

[rolf]

LOL, yes, he doesn't take any nonsense.

It's a lovely little lake and host to a lot of species, just popped in for an hour after trying to spot the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Padworth Common, will try again later in the week.

[rolf]

Popped down to Hosehill this afternoon, not much about, but took a couple of snaps. Gadwall and Great-crested Grebe.

[Catherine]

I wonder where all the water birds are.
They can't have gone to the woods to eat berries!
Keyhaven was quiet as well.
Maybe it's too warm for them just now, and they're hiding amongst the reeds or in the shade...?

[rolf]

Spent a couple of hours at the lake yesterday, was a lovely afternoon, most birds were too far out in the lake to photograph though.

Lots of Teal, Wigeon, Canada Geese, Mute Swans, Tufted Ducks and Gadwall.

In the pictures below, Mute Swan and Black-headed Gull, Black-headed Gulls in flight and a very fluffed up Reed Bunting.

[Catherine]

I guess the Reed Bunting is just trying to keep warm, Rolf!

Love that Gulls in flight shot.

I've never seen so many Teal and Wigeon as I have this year - at both Keyhaven and Stanpit. I wonder if 2011 was a good breeding year for them - or if there's another reason?

[rolf]

Yes, they do seem to be rather plentiful.

[rolf]

Popped down to Hosehill Lake late this morning, just in time for the sun to disappear, lots of birds there, but nothing particularly unusual.

Very large number of Cormorants on the pontoons, Gadwalls, Tufties, quite a few Great-crested Grebes, Wigeon dotted around, a large group of Long-tailed Tits, mute Swans, Canada Geese, Coots and Moorhens, Black-headed Gulls, Mallards, Shovellers etc.

[Catherine]

You did well. Rolf!

What a large number of Cormorants there are together - more than your earlier pic there.

Could that be a winter roost group?

[rolf]

Don't know Catherine, there were other smaller roosts there as well, but can't remember seeing that many on that pontoon before.