It's been an interesting couple of months on the pond.
We have had exceptional numbers of Canada Geese for this time of year - up to 35. In recent years they have always disappeared from late October to the end of December or early January. There are a couple of this year's birds with damaged wings which clearly have been unable to fly - perhaps these have encouraged the others to remain with them.
A Great Crested Grebe appeared on Oct 24 and remained for a couple of weeks
There have been two little grebes - one of which is in near Summer Plumage...
Up to 28 Coot...
4 different species of gulls. Lesser-black backed gulls have visited the pond all year, typically brief visits to wash.
Herring Gulls are normally no more than occasional in the Alton area. However this December there have been a significant number locally. 20 or more have been seen flying along the Wey, with 51 in a field near Farringdon. An adult was on the roof of the brewery on 28 December. They occasionally visit the pond with 5 there on 1 November. Something interesting must be flying over given the angle of the head of the left-most bird.
Black-headed Gulls are the commonest birds there - with up to 100 to be found. However around christmas numbers have been much lower for some reason.
Common Gulls are decidedly uncommon locally - but may be found in hundreds in fields to the west of Alton - they use Alresford pond to wash and loaf before roosting on the coast. However on 12 December six of them visited the pond.
Herons have already started showing interest in the nests - they are very early nesters.
