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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 Мартин середземноморський is annual. Wildfowl numbers can be variable. In recent years flocks of Казарка канадська and Гуска сіра have taken to grazing the surrounding pasture and resting on the reservoir. Казарка білощока, Гуменник короткодзьобий and Каргарка нільська have all been seen associating with these commoner species. Rarer ducks that are worth checking for include Гоголь зеленоголовий, Чернь морська, Крех малий and Крех великий. Alder trees are found at both inflows and these regularly have small flocks of Чиж лісовий and Чечітка мала. Finch flocks have been increasing in recent years as stubble is often left until the spring. Although mainly Зяблик звичайний, Вівсянка звичайна and occasional В’юрок are also seen.
Spring passage can produce some variety. Набережник палеарктичний are regular on the dam, and the pasture along the east bank is worth checking for Жовта плиска, Кам’янка звичайна and Дрізд гірський. Two tern rafts were installed by LROS and Крячок річковий has bred. Both Крячок полярний and Крячок чорний are seen on passage. Мартин малий and Мартин трипалий can occasionally be encountered. In summer the common warblers breed, although Очеретянка ставкова, Очеретянка лучна and Кобилочка-цвіркун are now less frequent. Плиска гірська is a regular breeder and family groups can be seen in the spillway. Common raptors such as Канюк звичайний, Яструб малий and Боривітер звичайний can give great views, and Підсоколик великий, Шуліка рудий 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 Чоботар синьоногий, Баранець малий, Кульон середній and Побережник ісландський in recent years. Autumnal storms can deliver surprises, and Качурка північна, Сула атлантична and Крячок білокрилий have been recorded. Пастушок is often encountered at the Markfield inflow and the single Погонич звичайний record was in this area.
With past records of Бугайчик, Лунь лучний, Крячок каспійський and Лежень, Thornton has produced some good county rarities. More recently Чернь білоока, Квак звичайний, Морянка, Чапля єгипетська and Косар білий have been added. Grey-headed Wagtail, a Leicestershire first and Чечевиця євразійська, 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.