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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 Pescăruș cu cap negru is annual. Wildfowl numbers can be variable. In recent years flocks of Gâscă canadiană and Gâscă de vară have taken to grazing the surrounding pasture and resting on the reservoir. Gâscă călugăriță, Gâscă cu cioc scurt and Gâscă egipteană have all been seen associating with these commoner species. Rarer ducks that are worth checking for include Rață sunătoare, Rață cu cap negru, Ferestraș mic and Ferestraș mare. Alder trees are found at both inflows and these regularly have small flocks of Scatiu and Inăriță mică. Finch flocks have been increasing in recent years as stubble is often left until the spring. Although mainly Cinteză, Presură galbenă and occasional Cinteză de iarnă are also seen.
Spring passage can produce some variety. Fluierar de munte are regular on the dam, and the pasture along the east bank is worth checking for Codobatură galbenă, Pietrar sur and Mierlă gulerată. Two tern rafts were installed by LROS and Chiră de baltă has bred. Both Chiră polară and Chirighiță neagră are seen on passage. Pescăruș mic and Pescăruș cu trei degete can occasionally be encountered. In summer the common warblers breed, although Lăcar de stuf, Lăcar mic and Grelușel pătat are now less frequent. Codobatură de munte is a regular breeder and family groups can be seen in the spillway. Common raptors such as Șorecar comun, Uliu păsărar and Vânturel roșu can give great views, and Șoimul rândunelelor, Gaie roșie and Uligan pescar 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 Ciocîntors, Becațină mică, Culic mic and Fugaci mare in recent years. Autumnal storms can deliver surprises, and Leach's Storm Petrel, Corb de mare and Chirighiță cu aripi albe have been recorded. Cârstel de baltă is often encountered at the Markfield inflow and the single Cresteț pestriț record was in this area.
With past records of Stârc pitic, Erete sur, Pescăriță mare and Pasărea ogorului, Thornton has produced some good county rarities. More recently Rață roșie, Stârc de noapte, Rață de ghețuri, Stârc de cireadă and Lopătar have been added. Grey-headed Wagtail, a Leicestershire first and Mugurar roșu, 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.