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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 Черноголовая чайка is annual. Wildfowl numbers can be variable. In recent years flocks of Канадская казарка and Серый гусь have taken to grazing the surrounding pasture and resting on the reservoir. Белощекая казарка, Короткоклювый гуменник and Нильский гусь have all been seen associating with these commoner species. Rarer ducks that are worth checking for include Гоголь, Морская чернеть, Луток and Большой крохаль. Alder trees are found at both inflows and these regularly have small flocks of Чиж and Горная чечетка. Finch flocks have been increasing in recent years as stubble is often left until the spring. Although mainly Зяблик, Обыкновенная овсянка and occasional Юрок are also seen.
Spring passage can produce some variety. Перевозчик are regular on the dam, and the pasture along the east bank is worth checking for Жёлтая трясогузка, Каменка and Белозобый дрозд. Two tern rafts were installed by LROS and Речная крачка has bred. Both Полярная крачка and Чёрная крачка are seen on passage. Малая чайка and Моевка can occasionally be encountered. In summer the common warblers breed, although Тростниковая камышевка, Камышевка-барсучок and Обыкновенный сверчок are now less frequent. Горная трясогузка is a regular breeder and family groups can be seen in the spillway. Common raptors such as Канюк, Перепелятник and Пустельга обыкновенная can give great views, and Чеглок, Красный коршун and Скопа 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 Шилоклювка, Гаршнеп, Средний кроншнеп and Исландский песочник in recent years. Autumnal storms can deliver surprises, and Северная качурка, Северная олуша and Белокрылая крачка have been recorded. Водяной пастушок is often encountered at the Markfield inflow and the single Погоныш record was in this area.
With past records of Волчок, Луговой лунь, Чеграва and Авдотка, Thornton has produced some good county rarities. More recently Белоглазый нырок, Кваква, Морянка, Египетская цапля and Колпица have been added. Grey-headed Wagtail, a Leicestershire first and Обыкновенная чечевица, 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.