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Description
The attraction of this route is that it takes the visitor through several areas of varying habitats. These include mixed woodland, permanent pasture and arable farmland. The reservoir has two small inflow streams and these areas have willows and reed fringe banks. The main body of the reservoir is always worth checking, as is the rocky dam. Thornton Reservoir is a trout fishery, with both bank fishing and boat anglers. The season runs from February to November and this obviously causes some disturbance. The reservoir has also become very popular with walkers, dog walkers, joggers and cyclists. All these activities can impact on the birding experience and likely busy times are best avoided.
A short visit can be productive as most of the reservoir is viewable from the main car park. Common species of water birds can be seen, including geese, duck, and grebes. A longer visit, involving a walk around the reservoir can present a wide range of farm and woodland species. This makes Thornton a suitable site for the novice.
In winter with less disturbance from anglers a small gull roost can develop. All of the five common gull species can be seen and Mediterranean Gull is annual. Wildfowl numbers can be variable. In recent years flocks of Canada Goose and Greylag Goose have taken to grazing the surrounding pasture and resting on the reservoir. Barnacle Goose, Pink-footed Goose and Egyptian Goose have all been seen associating with these commoner species. Rarer ducks that are worth checking for include Common Goldeneye, Greater Scaup, Smew and Goosander. Alder trees are found at both inflows and these regularly have small flocks of Eurasian Siskin and Lesser Redpoll. Finch flocks have been increasing in recent years as stubble is often left until the spring. Although mainly Common Chaffinch, Yellowhammer and occasional Brambling are also seen.
Spring passage can produce some variety. Common Sandpiper are regular on the dam, and the pasture along the east bank is worth checking for Western Yellow Wagtail, Northern Wheatear and Ring Ouzel. Two tern rafts were installed by LROS and Common Tern has bred. Both Arctic Tern and Black Tern are seen on passage. Little Gull and Kittiwake can occasionally be encountered. In summer the common warblers breed, although Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Grasshopper Warbler are now less frequent. Grey Wagtail is a regular breeder and family groups can be seen in the spillway. Common raptors such as Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Eurasian Kestrel can give great views, and Eurasian Hobby, Red Kite and Osprey are now more regular.
Unless water levels are low there is little wader passage at Thornton. However, the dam is always worth checking and has yielded Avocet, Jack Snipe, Whimbrel and Red Knot in recent years. Autumnal storms can deliver surprises, and Leach's Storm Petrel, Northern Gannet and White-winged Tern have been recorded. Water Rail is often encountered at the Markfield inflow and the single Spotted Crake record was in this area.
With past records of Little Bittern, Montagu's Harrier, Caspian Tern and Stone-curlew, Thornton has produced some good county rarities. More recently Ferruginous Duck, Black-crowned Night Heron, Long-tailed Duck, Cattle Egret and Eurasian Spoonbill have been added. Grey-headed Wagtail, a Leicestershire first and Common Rosefinch, a Leicestershire and Rutland first, have also been recorded.
Details
Access
Thornton Reservoir lies to the east of the village of Thornton. The main car park is located at SK470074. A gravel path allows visitors to walk around the reservoir, a distance of 2.7 miles. Click on the P in the map to get directions.