RETURN TO . . . Homepage EMSWORTH MILLPOND Emsworth's millponds and harbour are important habitats for a number of waterbirds. The main town millpond to the west of Emsworth is home to Mute Swans, Mallard, Coot and Black-headed Gulls all year round. In winter it is visited by migrant birds, such as, Cormorant, Tufted Duck, Great-crested Grebe, Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser. Pied Wagtails flit along the millpond wall, particularly at dusk. The harbour and its mudflats are important in winter for wading birds, ducks and geese, and in summer for terns. On the eastern side of the village are two more natural millponds with islands, rafts and reedbeds where Mute Swan, Mallard, Coot and Reed Warblers breed and where Kingfisher and Common Sandpiper may be seen. The harbour is a popular feeding place for Little Egrets in late summer and winter. Note on feeding the birds: please throw food into the water so that it becomes moist. Birds will eat bread, but seed and grain are much better for them. MY LIST OF BIRDS RECORDED ON THE MILLPOND SINCE 1990 STATUS Mute Swan Common resident - Max 135 July 2001 Mallard Common resident - 100 + Coot Common resident - 10 + Black-headed Gull Common resident - more in winter Grey Heron Common resident - at low water Little Egret Common resident - at low water Little Grebe Common winter visitor Cormorant Common winter visitor Tufted Duck Common winter visitor Red-breasted Merganser Common winter visitor Common Tern Occasional summer visitor Sandwich Tern Occasional summer visitor Black Swan Occasional visitor Canada Goose Occasional visitor Pochard Occasional winter visitor Goldeneye Occasional winter visitor Common Gull Occasional winter visitor Herring Gull Occasional winter visitor Lesser Black-backed Gull Occasional winter visitor Great Black-backed Gull Occasional winter visitor Mediterranean Gull Occasional winter visitor Spoonbill Rare winter visitor - 12-Dec-02 Redshank Rare winter visitor - 1997 Lapwing Rare winter visitor - 1997 Dunlin Rare winter visitor - 1997 Ringed Plover Rare winter visitor - 1997 Yellow-legged Gull Rare winter visitor - 1999 Goosander Rare winter visitor - 2000 Great Crested Grebe Rare winter visitor - 22-Jan-07 Snow Goose Rare winter visitor - 1992 Mandarin Rare winter visitor - 1996 Greylag Goose Rare winter visitor - 1997 Brent Goose Rare winter visitor - 27-Nov-94 Barnacle Goose Rare winter visitor - 1997 Bar-headed Goose Rare winter visitor - 1997 Emperor Goose Rare winter visitor - 2000 Red-crested Pochard Rare winter visitor - 2000 Muscovy Duck Rare winter visitor - 2008