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Descripción
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 Gaviota Cabecinegra is annual. Wildfowl numbers can be variable. In recent years flocks of Barnacla canadiense grande and Ánsar común have taken to grazing the surrounding pasture and resting on the reservoir. Barnacla Cariblanca, Ánsar piquicorto and Ganso del Nilo have all been seen associating with these commoner species. Rarer ducks that are worth checking for include Porrón Osculado, Porrón Bastardo, Serreta Chica and Serreta Grande. Alder trees are found at both inflows and these regularly have small flocks of Jilguero Lúgano and Pardillo Alpino. Finch flocks have been increasing in recent years as stubble is often left until the spring. Although mainly Pinzón Vulgar, Escribano Cerillo and occasional Pinzón Real are also seen.
Spring passage can produce some variety. Andarríos Chico are regular on the dam, and the pasture along the east bank is worth checking for Lavandera Boyera, Collalba Gris and Mirlo Capiblanco. Two tern rafts were installed by LROS and Charrán Común has bred. Both Charrán ártico and Fumarel Común are seen on passage. Gaviota Enana and Gaviota Tridáctila can occasionally be encountered. In summer the common warblers breed, although Carricero Común, Carricerín Común and Buscarla Pintoja are now less frequent. Lavandera Cascadeña is a regular breeder and family groups can be seen in the spillway. Common raptors such as Busardo ratonero, Gavilán Común and Cernícalo vulgar can give great views, and Alcotán Europeo, Milano Real and Águila Pescadora 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 Avoceta Común, Agachadiza Chica, Zarapito Trinador and Correlimos Gordo in recent years. Autumnal storms can deliver surprises, and Paíño Boreal, Alcatraz Atlántico and Fumarel Aliblanco have been recorded. Rascón Europeo is often encountered at the Markfield inflow and the single Polluela Pintoja record was in this area.
With past records of Avetorillo común, Aguilucho Cenizo, Pagaza Piquirroja and Alcaraván Común, Thornton has produced some good county rarities. More recently Porrón Pardo, Martinete Común, Pato Havelda, Garcilla Bueyera and Espátula Común have been added. Grey-headed Wagtail, a Leicestershire first and Camachuelo Carminoso, a Leicestershire and Rutland first, have also been recorded.
Detalles
Accesso
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.