Carsington Bird Club

AUGUST 2008 BIRD NOTES

August Highlights: Little Egret, Osprey and Black Terns.

A Little Egret at 1040hrs on 23 rd was the second this year. The egret flew in from Shiningford Creek onto Horseshoe Island then towards the Visitor Centre and, later, at 1400hrs, it was seen from Paul Stanley Hide. Breeding noted included the third brood of Little Grebe this year, the eighteenth brood of Mallard, eleventh of Tufted Duck, fourth of Moorhen and thirteenth of Coot. Cormorant numbers increased through the month to 38 on 30 th and Mute Swans totalled 36 on 13 th , including 6 juveniles. Wildfowl numbers included 6 Shelduck on 26 th , 7 Wigeon on 25 th and 30 th , 18 Gadwall on 25 th , 18 Teal on 31 st , 122 Mallard on 20 th , 3 Shoveler on 30 th , a female Red-crested Pochard on 13 th and a male from 21 st to 31 st , 3 Pochard on 20 th , 288 Tufted Duck on 20 th , a female Common Scoter on 30th and 741 Coot on 20 th .

A young Sparrow Hawk was calling in Middle Wood on 14 th , 4 Common Buzzards were in the air on 2 nd and 11 th and a young Buzzard was calling and flying over Hall Wood on many dates during the month. An Osprey was reported at 1630hrs on 30 th and 2 Peregrines were seen on 17 th and single Peregrines on most days.

This month's wader passage has been very poor due to high water levels and tall vegetation along shorelines. By the end of the month there were signs of falling water levels and vegetation was being cleared from islands so, hopefully, September will be better. Waders included 1 Ringed Plover on 17 th , 2 Dunlin on 5 th and singles from 3 rd to 8 th , 3 Snipe on 31 st , 1 Curlew on 18 th , 1 Redshank on 8 th , 10 th , 22 nd , 26 th and 30 th , 1 Greenshank on 14 th , 3 Common Sandpipers on 4 th , singles other dates, and a Turnstone briefly on 26 th .

The gull roost started this month with mainly Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a near adult Yellow-legged Gull has been on site all month. The breeding pair of Common Terns and their flighted juvenile were last recorded on 4 th and 2 other Common Terns were present on 20 th and 5 on 30 th . Black Terns have been well noted on passage with 2 adults on 13 th and 17 th , a juvenile off Stones Island from 19 th to 21 st and an adult with 2 juveniles on 30 th .

Two Stock Doves were noted on the tall dead tree trunk in Brown Ale Bay on 7 th and were seen entering a hole in the trunk on 12 th , suggesting probable breeding which would be the first for this site. A Barn Owl was near Sheepwash Hide at 1945hrs on 24 th and Kingfishers have been seen most days at all ends of the site with 2 noted on 22 nd and 26 th . Four Meadow Pipits were on the Dam Wall on 18 th , 63 Pied Wagtails were on there at 0715hrs on 28 th , 2 Redstarts were noted on 10 th and 1 Wheatear was on the Dam on 25 th . There were two Spotted Flycatcher families recorded, an adult with 2 juveniles in Shiningford Creek on 12 th and an adult plus a juvenile in Tail Bay on 23 rd . A flock of 300 Jackdaws was noted on 4 th and 26 th and a flock of 40 Goldfinch on Stones Island on 20 th included at least 25 juveniles. An early Siskin was on feeders on 15 th , 7 Linnets were noted on 20 th and a female Bullfinch was seen feeding 2 juveniles on 18 th .

99 Species were recorded this August compared with 109 in 2007, 97 in 2006, 105 in 2005, 113 in 2004 and 110 in 2003.

JULY 2008 BIRD NOTES

Breeding records show the first two broods of Little Grebe by 29 th , the seventeenth brood of Mallard this year by 16 th and the seventh brood of Tufted Duck by 30 th . The first two broods of Moorhen appeared on 21 st and Coots reached twelve broods by 31 st . Counts and records included 21 Great Crested Grebe on 21 st , 3 Heron on 3 rd , 28 Mute Swan plus 4+3+1 cygnets on 7 th , 2 Greylag Geese on 1 st and on later dates, 29 Barnacle Geese plus an oddity on 20 th , 1 Shelduck on 14 th , an early returning drake Wigeon on 14 th , 4 Gadwall on 8 th , 4 Teal on 14 th , 10 Pochard on 31 st , 154 Tufted Duck on 20 th , 1 Common Scoter on 21 st and 5 on 29 th and a fox was seen from the Wildlife Centre taking a Mallard duckling on 8 th .

Raptor records included a Sparrowhawk mobbed by the Common Terns breeding at the Wildlife Centre on 14 th , juvenile Sparrowhawks calling from their nest sites on 20 th and 31 st , a juvenile Buzzard seen calling near its nest site on 18 th and probably in flight with parents on 7 th and 16 th and several Peregrine records from 20 th , with 1 seen on the pylon from the Wildlife Centre on 22 nd .

Waders are currently difficult to see and may not be staying because of high water levels and tall vegetation leaving no open shoreline margin for feeding. Many of the local breeding Oystercatchers and all the local Redshank had left site by 16 th although others moving south may call in. Other waders noted were Little Ringed Plover at Paul Stanley Hide until 23 rd , including a maximum of 4 on 3 rd , a Knot at Sheepwash at 2000hrs on 2 nd , a Dunlin on Sheepwash Spit on 16 th , 1 Black-tailed Godwit on 11 th and 2 on 12 th , 20 th , 26 th , then 1 on 29-31 st . 2 Whimbrel were photographed from the Wildlife Centre on 4 th , 2 Curlew flew south on 18 th , a Greenshank was present on 1 st and 29 th and up to 2 Common Sandpipers were around the site all month.

Gulls included a near adult Yellow-legged Gull all month, seen at all ends of the site but most often on the raft near Paul Stanley Hide. A count of 27 juvenile Black-headed Gulls on 18 th caused confusion as only 7 pairs had been noted breeding, with the first four broods totalling 4+3+3+3, and pairs evidently have just one brood per year. Maybe more pairs actually bred or additional juveniles flew in from elsewhere. The pair of Common Terns breeding at the Wildlife Centre had 2 chicks early in the month but only one remained by 21 st . This chick left its raft and eventually showed on Horseshoe Island , being well fed by both parents. Following heavy rain early on 29 th a Black Tern was feeding off Stones Island with 9 Common Terns and a further 14 Common Terns were roosting on the Sailing Club jetty. The sun came out and the terns had moved on by 0930hrs. Together with the breeding family, 26 Common Terns were on site on 29 th .

Other records include 2 Stock Doves flying over on 13 th , 100 plus Swifts through on 7 th , a Kingfisher on 9 th , 17 th and 28 th , all at different locations, a juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker on Paul Stanley Hide nuts and a pair of Swallow s are attempting a second brood in the Stone Shelter. The only Redstart record so far this year was an independent juvenile seen on 7 th . A Reed Warbler is still singing at Hopton Pond and breeding is likely but viewing to check this is not possible. A Spotted Flycatcher family of 4 was in Hall Wood on 10 th and 16 th and another family of 4 appeared at Sheepwash on 13 th . A family party of Willow Tits was in Hopton Arm on 24 th and 2 Marsh Tits were reported near Brown Ale Bay on 2 nd . A family of Jays was at Sheepwash on 29 th and 7 Linnets were noted on 23 rd .

97 Species recorded this July compared with 94 in 2007, 94 in 2006, 97 in 2005 and 102 in 2004.

JUNE 2008 BIRD NOTES

June Highlights: Breeding.

No broods of Little Grebe yet, but two broods of Great Crested Grebe with 1 young at Hopton End on 8 th and 1 young at Wildlife Centre on 14 th . The pair of Mute Swans at Millfields Car Park produced 1 cygnet on 2 nd and another pair showed 4 cygnets on Sheepwash Spit on 20 th . A total of 604 Canada Geese, including young, were counted on 19 th and all the Barnacle Geese families went on a trip across the water to Millfields on 15 th . This group consisted 5 pairs with 6, 5, 3, 2 and 2 young. The pair of Cackling Geese reported breeding on Watersports Island last month were seen defending their nest against Crows on 5 th but were noted away from the nest on 11 th and may well have failed breeding. Mallard broods this year totalled 15 by 29 th , Coot have 8 broods, Moorhen have no broods reported but a Tufted Duck with 8 chicks in front of Paul Stanley Hide on 26 th is the first of more expected this year. For comparison, by this stage last year wildfowl breeding included 2 broods of Swan, 5 broods of Barnacle Geese, 18 of Mallard, 5 of Moorhen, 6 of Coot and 1 of Tufted Duck. A Red-legged Partridge has been seen at Sheepwash, occasionally a pair, noted carrying vegetation, mainly early morning, by the Rangers opening up the car park, hopefully this will result in a breeding success. Two Red-crested Pochards were at the Wildlife Centre from 8 th to 11 th and 3 were there on 25 th .

Wader breeding has been difficult to assess due to the tall vegetation growth on most islands and some breeding may have been missed. Of the 7 pairs of Oystercatchers, only 2 pairs are known to have produced young on Millfields and Sailing Club Islands . The Sailing Club Island pair had moved their 2 young onto Watersports Island by 16 th . Lapwing young noted include 3 fresh young on Horseshoe Island on 4 th , which is the 2 nd brood noted. One young Redshank has been reported and a pair of Little Ringed Plovers were still displaying. This time last year there were 4 broods of Oystercatcher, 4 of Lapwing and 3 of Redshank. Other waders recorded include a Ringed Plover at Paul Stanley Hide on 30 th , a male Black-tailed Godwit (race Icelandica) at Wildlife Centre on 20 th and a different bird on 29 th /30 th . A Whimbrel was seen on 2 nd , and a Curlew on 6 th was one of many records of single Curlew which may be one of a pair seen and possibly breeding in fields towards Ashbourne.

The pair of Common Gulls reported breeding last month had sadly failed by 15 th . The 7 pairs of Black-headed Gulls continued to raise young and a pair with 3 young vacated their raft whereupon the pair of frustrated Common Terns immediately moved in and had a chick by 30 th .

A Barn Owl was noted carrying prey in the evening at Sheepwash on 30 th and an adult Tawny Owl was perched near the memorial at Millfields end of the dam wall at lunchtime on 19 th . A Kingfisher was at the Wildlife Centre on 22 nd and 25 th and was also seen in Tail Bay on 23 rd . A pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers brought 2 juveniles to Paul Stanley feeders on 16 th and a pair of Swallow were feeding young in the stone shelter near Millfields on 15 th . Twenty House Martin nests were counted on the Visitor Centre, Watersports and Sailing Club buildings on 1 st . A pair of Grey Wagtails were noted at Sheepwash on 2 nd , at Hopton Arm and Shiningford Creek on 23 rd , and a juvenile was near Paul Stanley Hide on 26 th . Sedge Warbler were singing in Hopton Reedbed on 11 th , Hopton Pond on 15 th , Stones Island on 15 th and Tail Bay on 23 rd and 27 th . A Reed Warbler was singing in Hopton Reedbed until 15 th at least, but not on 29 th , and another was singing from Hopton Pond all month. A Willow Tit family was in Millfields Car Park on 19 th , a Tree Creeper pair with 3 young were near Shiningford Creek on 2 nd and 4 Linnets were in fields by Fishtail Creek on 23 rd .

90 Species recorded compared with 93 in June 2007, 89 in 2006, 94 in 2005, 96 in 2004 and 84 in 2003.

MAY 2008 BIRD NOTES

May Highlights: Spoonbill, Great Northern Diver, Garganey, Red Kite, Hobby, Grey Plover, Turnstone, Black Tern, Turtle Dove, Cuckoo and Pied Flycatcher.

The bird of the month must be the Spoonbill. A first for Carsington. It was found at 1030hrs on 29 th on Horseshoe Island and had gone, high northeast, by 1100 hours. The Great Northern Diver was last recorded on 2 nd , it had been here since last November and was attaining summer plumage. No broods of Grebe, Swan or Moorhen have yet been recorded but there are 4 broods of Barnacle Geese around Stones Island area, 1 brood of Coot and 12 broods of Mallard on site. Coincidently, by this time last year there were also 4 broods of Barnacle and 12 of Mallard. The long staying Pink-footed Goose was last noted on 9 th . A Shelduck was on Sheepwash Spit on 25 th and a drake Garganey gave excellent views from the Wildlife Centre on 11 th . Other wildfowl included a Shoveler on 10 th , 3 Pochard on 18 th , 105 Tufted Duck on 18 th , 64 Coot on 18 th and a Goosander on 10 th . A pair of presumed escapee Cackling Geese are breeding on Watersports Island .

Red Kite have been reported at several Derbyshire sites this month and at Carsington on 1 st and 26 th . The return of the migratory Hobby was noted by just 1 record of a bird flying south over the Dam Wall on 13 th and a Peregrine was noted from the Wildlife Centre on 5 th . Two pairs of Oystercatchers have young, 2 on Millfields Island on 8 th and 2 on Sailing Club Island on 25 th . Pairs on Big Island and Flat Island may have failed. Little Ringed Plovers have been around with a maximum of 3 at Paul Stanley Hide on 17 th , but no signs of breeding. So far there is just 1 Lapwing brood of 3 chicks on Horseshoe Island on 18 th and no Redshank young have yet been reported, which is the same as last year. Other waders on passage included 2 Ringed Plovers on Sheepwash Spit on 8 th , a superb summer plumage male Grey Plover in front of the Wildlife Centre on 16 th and 17 th , a Sanderling at Sheepwash on 8 th and another on 18 th , 2 Dunlin on 2 nd , a Whimbrel on 1 st and 26 th , 2 Curlew on 10 th , a Greenshank at the Wildlife Centre on 16 th , a Green Sandpiper at the Wildlife Centre on 11 th and 2 Turnstones there on 14 th .

Little Gulls were again well recorded this month with single first summer birds on 8 th , 9 th and 21 st . The Black-headed Gull colony at the Wildlife Centre has 7 nests, 4 with young by 27 th . A pair of Common Gulls, possibly attracted by the BHG colony, was seen to be displaying/pair bonding on 16 th . On 17 th they started a nest on a raft but a Coot stole the material. The pair was noted mating on 27 th and on other dates and it looks as though they have a nest which is out of general view. Could this be a first breeding of Common Gull at Carsington? And even for Derbyshire? A pair of Common Terns was around the rafts at the Wildlife Centre from 18 th , finally finding nest space on 21 st . This nest was lost by 30 th , a brood of 3 young Black-headed Gulls were on the same raft. Tern passage included 5 Common on 16 th , 1 Arctic Tern on 9 th and 2 Black Terns on 5 th and 1 on 8 th .

A Turtle Dove on the Wildlife Centre Feeders on 20 th must have been a surprise. It stayed all day, showing only occasionally and is the first record since May 1996. A Cuckoo was seen flying north on 4 th , this species was last seen in May 2004. A Yellow Wagtail was at the Wildlife Centre on 13 th , 1 White Wagtail on 6 th , 1 Wheatear on 17 th , a Reed Warbler at Hopton Pond on 29 th , 2 Spotted Flycatchers in Hall Wood from 11 th , a pair of Brambling on 5 th , a pair of Linnets on Stones Island on 11 th and another pair in Fishtail on 19 th . A singing Pied Flycatcher was found northeast of Millfields Spit on 3 rd to 10 th and another in Hall Wood from 9 th to 12 th . A count on a walk round the site by 2 observers on 7 th totalled 40 Chiffchaff, 41 Willow Warblers, 15 Garden Warblers, 28 Blackcaps, 7 Whitethroats, 41 Blackbirds, 57 Robins, 51 Wrens, 31 Blue Tits, 23 Great tits, 42 Chaffinch, 14 Goldfinch and a Skylark singing over Upperfields Farm.

113 Species recorded compared with 103 in May 2007, 107 in 2006, 107 in 2005, 114 in 2004 and 110 in 2003.

APRIL 2008 BIRD NOTES

April Highlights: Some littles, Little Egret, Little Gull, Little Tern, some bigger, Avocets, Osprey, Great Northern Diver, and many spring migrants.

The Great Northern Diver stayed another month and is gaining summer plumage. A Little Egret was on show from Paul Stanley Hide on 28 th , last recorded here in April 2006. A Pink-footed Goose stayed with the local geese all month, a female Mandarin was in Tail Bay on 29 th , a female Scaup at the Wildlife Centre from 13 th to 30 th , 2 drake Common Scoters from 3 rd to 13 th , 4 Red-breasted Mergansers on 20 th and 21 st and a Water Rail in Tail Bay on 2 nd . Counts included 23 Little Grebe on 6 th , 28 Great Crested Grebe on 6 th , 14 Cormorants on 20 th , 2 Shelduck on 4 th and 13 th -16 th , 4 Wigeon on 17 th , 4 Gadwall on 18 th , 40 Mallard on 6 th , 2 Shoveler on 3 rd , 8 th and 14 th , 298 Tufted Duck on 6 th , 11 Goldeneye on 2 nd and 163 Coot on 6 th . Three fresh broods of Mallard were noted on 17 th and another brood on 21 st .

An Osprey was viewed from the Wildlife Centre for 10 minutes on 9 th , and both immature and adult Peregrines were noted on several dates.

Waders included another record of 2 Avocets at the Wildlife Centre on 29 th ; see the photos on our website. Seven pairs of Oystercatcher have been busily establishing nest sites, Little Ringed Plover arrived with 1on 8 th and 2 on 19 th , a Ringed Plover was seen on 4 th and 19 th , 1 Sanderling on 27 th , 23 Dunlin on 27 th , 7 Snipe on 7 th , 1 Black-tailed Godwit on 16 th , 1 Whimbrel on 17 th and 4 on 25 th , 15 Curlew at dusk on 15 th , 14 Redshank on 20 th , a Greenshank on 8 th and 22 nd , 1 Green Sandpiper from 17-22 nd at the Wildlife Centre and 1 Common Sandpiper on 5 th and 6 on 27 th .

Gulls included a Kittiwake on 7 th and 6 Little Gulls on 5 th , 3 on 23 rd , an immature on 24 th and an adult on 27 th . Terns started with a total of 18 Arctic Terns on 20 th and another 18 on 24 th , 4 Common Terns on 27 th and 2 Little Terns also on 27 th .

The first Swifts arrived with 5 on 26 th and 30 on 29 th , a Tree Pipit flew over on 19 th , a Yellow Wagtail arrived on 11 th and 30 were on Stones Island on 17 th , 3 White Wagtails on 7 th , a female Stonechat on 17 th , 3 Wheatear on 8 th and over 100 Redwing were noted on 7 th . Warblers arrived with a Grasshopper Warbler on 14 th and 26 th , 1 Sedge Warbler on 24 th , and 1 Reed Warbler on 26 th , 1 Lesser Whitethroat on 23 rd and 4 on 25 th , 1 Whitethroat on 24 th and 4 on 29 th , and 2 Garden Warbler on 25 th and 6 on 29 th . Counts of warbler species arriving last month include 8 Blackcap on 29 th , 20 Chiffchaff on 9 th and 23 Willow Warbler on 20 th . Two pairs of Willow Tit were noted excavating nest holes, Treecreepers totalled 6 in Hall plus Middle Wood on 13 th and 2 Brambling were on Stones Island on 6 th .

118 Species were recorded compared with 103 in April 2007, 118 in 2006, 117 in 2005, 116 in 2004, 120 in 2003 and 107 in 2002.

MARCH 2008 BIRD NOTES

March Highlights: Whooper Swans, Egyptian Goose, Common Scoters and Osprey briefly. Long awaited Avocets stay a day, Long-eared Owl shows too well and Swallows and Martins arrive early.

The Great Northern Diver stays another month and is now showing some summer plumage markings on its back. Two Whooper Swans stayed all day on 17 th . Last month's Pink-footed Goose and the regular Cackling Goose remained with the local Geese all month and an Egyptian Goose joined the goose circus for a day on the 27 th . Twelve Common Scoter, including 8 drakes, were seen from Sheepwash Hide on 26 th . Counts this month total 54 Little Grebe on 10 th , 33 Great Crested Grebe on 23 rd , 31 Cormorant on 23 rd , 4 Heron on 10 th , 11 Mute Swan on 10 th , 3 Greylag on 17 th , 85 Canada on 10 th , 40 Barnacle on 22 nd , 3 Shelduck on 15 th , 124 Wigeon on 15 th , 2 Gadwall on 20 th , 6 Teal on 10 th , 89 Mallard on 10 th , 1 Pintail on 14 th , 7 Shoveler on 16 th , 1 Pochard on 28 th , 308 Tufted Duck on 10 th , 20 Goldeneye on 23 rd , 7 Goosander on 2 nd , 32 Moorhen on 10 th and 284 Coot on 10 th . A Water Rail was reported in the stream in Tail Bay on 31 st .

An Osprey was seen from Sheepwash Hide at 1330hrs on 26 th being mobbed by the local Oystercatchers and was reported again at 1215hrs over Sheepwash Car Park the following day. Ten Buzzards were in the air on 17 th and 2 Peregrines noted on 10 th .

This month's highlight must be the first formal record of Avocet for this site. Two were present on 15 th , viewed from Sheepwash or Paul Stanley Hides, sometimes swimming over deep water or asleep on the spit. Either way, they delighted many birders. Six pairs of Oystercatcher were noted on 8 th and another pair was probably on Millfields Island at that time. A Ringed Plover flew over calling on 10 th and a Golden Plover was on Horseshoe Island on 15 th . Lapwing totalled 82 on 10 th and Redshank 7 on 10 th and 16 th . Thirteen Black-tailed Godwit flew west past Paul Stanley Hide on 8 th and 5 Dunlin flew north past there on 19 th . Curlew have been on passage and roosting all month, with a maximum count of 47 on Horseshoe Island at dusk on 24 th .

An adult Mediterranean Gull in full summer plumage came in to roost on 5 th , and a partial summer plumage bird roosted on 6 th . An adult Yellow-legged Gull was on Flat Island on 9 th and at the Wildlife Centre on 12 th . A Kittiwake was noted on 12 th and later in the roost that evening. The next sighting of Kittiwake was a series of possibly the same bird on 21 st , 22 nd , 23 rd , 25 th and 28 th . The number of Common Gulls roosting built up this month and 590 were counted on 28 th .

Owls featured well this month with 2 Barn Owls out hunting on 27 th , a pair of Little Owls mating on 28 th and an over-obliging Long-eared Owl found among the swarms of visitors on Stones Island on Easter Monday 24 th . This owl's daytime roost was obvious and close to the path and it was flushed several times before departing to, hopefully, unharassed roosts on 27 th . Sand Martin and Swallow arrived along with the Avocets on 15 th . There was 1 Sand Martin and 2 Swallows, these Swallows being 10 days earlier than any other swallow record for Carsington. House Martins followed later, with 1 on 29 th and 10 on 30 th . Thirty Meadow Pipits were noted on 26 th and 19 Pied Wagtails were on Stones Island on 27 th , with an early White Wagtail on the same day. The first Wheatear was on Stones Island on 21 st and 2 were on site on 23 rd . A Redwing was singing on Stones Island on 20 th and 47 Redwing were counted in Tail Bay on 26 th . Blackcap on 14 th and 19 th were probably wintering birds as, probably, were single Chiffchaffs between 11-16 th . Three Chiffchaff were singing on 17 th and 21 were counted singing during a walk round the reservoir on 29 th . A Brambling was seen on Stones Island on 30 th and Reed Bunting have again been showing well on feeders, with 11 noted on 7 th .

105 Species recorded this March compared with 95 in 2007, 100 in 2006, 107 in 2005 and 98 in 2004.

FEBRUARY 2008 BIRD NOTES

February Highlights: Great Northern Diver, Whooper Swans, Pink-footed Goose, Curlew and Skylark.

The Great Northern Diver stayed all month, sometimes elusive over by Fishtail Creek. Ten Whooper Swans flew over on 10 th . A Pink-footed Goose was seen with the resident Canada , Barnacle and Cackling Geese on 7 th and it remained for the rest of the month. Two Shelduck were present on 5 th and 1 on 14 th . Two Pintail were at Lane End on 13 th and 4 at Sheepwash on 19 th . Counts for February included: 59 Little Grebe on 10 th and 15 th , 36 Great Crested Grebe on 10 th , 32 Cormorant on 8 th , 12 Mute Swans on 10 th , 42 Barnacle Geese on 11 th and 28 th , 162 Wigeon on 18 th , 4 Gadwall on 12 th , 42 Teal on 10 th , 99 Mallard on 10 th , 2 Shoveler on 19 th , 3 Pochard on 10 th , 284 Tufted on 10 th , 17 Goldeneye on 10 th and 28 th , 20 Goosander on 5 th , 39 Moorhen on 10 th and 470 Coot on 10 th . It was noted that most of the wintering wildfowl had gone by the end of the month.

There was little raptor activity this month. The regular Peregrine was seen mantling a coot or moorhen on 1 st and Peregrines have not been seen since mid-month, suggesting they may well have gone to take command of their breeding site. Three Buzzards were noted towards Hopton on 3 rd , a pair were displaying on 6 th and 6 were in the air on 27 th . Sparrowhawks have been much in evidence all around the site, darting through the leafless open woodland areas seeking prey.

Oystercatchers have been returning and claiming their breeding island. Although 7 birds on 15 th was the maximum count, there could well be more, isolated on their islands, one familiar bird with a bar code type leg ring has returned and another pair looked as though they were mating at the Wildlife Centre on 27 th . Lapwing numbers at the early morning roost near the Sailing Club totalled 340 on 22 nd , and 2 Dunlin were on Stones Island on 5 th . The first returning Curlew were on 19 th , when at least 2 were heard in the day long mist of that period. By the end of the month 17 were noted at Sheepwash on 28 th , with small numbers going to evening roost on Horseshoe Island . Redshanks have returned to their breeding grounds and 5 were counted on 8 th , however, birds are scattered and site numbers may be greater than this.

The gull roost was much reduced, with 2000 Black-headed Gulls and 130 Common Gulls on 13 th , 330 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on 15 th and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls on 3 rd and 1 on 15 th .

Skylarks have been noted flying overhead, with a maximum of 5 over Stones Island on 27 th . The wintering Meadow Pipit flock in Tail Bay and dam wall area numbered 21 on 6 th . Wintering Redwing were always around, with 64 in Sheepwash car park on 4 th and 70 near Oldfield Lane on 28 th , but Fieldfare were difficult to come across, with just 2 recorded in Tail Bay on 20 th , associating with 2 Mistle Thrush. Five Rooks flew over the Visitor Centre on 6 th and 2 Raven were displaying on 6 th and mating on 22 nd . Siskin and Lesser Redpoll have been significantly absent this month, with just 3 Siskin in Shiningford Creek on 7 th and 1 Redpoll at the Wildlife Centre on 3 rd . Reed Buntings have been very prominent on feeding tables again this month, with 5 on Sheepwash and 2 on Lane End feeders on 4 th .

Only 86 Species this month compared with 88 in Feb 2007, 89 in 2006, 90 in 2005 and 96 in 2004.

JANUARY 2008 BIRD NOTES

January Highlights: Great Northern Diver and Bewick's Swan.

Last month's adult Great Northern Diver stayed all this month, usually found off Stones Island . Two Bewick's Swans were in front of the Wildlife Centre briefly on the 5 th before flying around the site to mid-water. They left site late morning. Five Pink-footed Geese flew high south west over Tail Bay at 1100hrs on 11 th and 60 were reported over the north side at 1050hrs on 20 th . Site counts this month included 58 Little Grebe on 29 th , 40 Great Crested Grebe on 29 th , 34 Cormorant on 13 th , 14 Mute Swans on 13 th , 13 Greylag Geese on 7 th , 40 feral Barnacle Geese on 12 th and 27 th , 1 escapee Cackling Goose on 7 th and on other dates with Barnacles, 2 Shelduck appeared on 21 st and 27 th , 229 Wigeon on 13 th , 70 Gadwall on 13 th , 162 Teal on 13 th , 237 Mallard on 13 th , 1 female Pintail on 2 nd and other dates, 2 Shoveler on 19 th , 113 Pochard on 13 th , 495 Tufted Duck on 13 th , 16 Goldeneye on 29 th , 30 Goosander on 19 th and 1880 Coot on 13 th .

Peregrines have been active again this month, using the pylon seen from the Wildlife Centre as a perch, and 2 were noted from Paul Stanley Hide on 3 rd . Oystercatchers are gradually returning to their breeding islands, with 1 on Millfields Island from 21 st , 2 at the Wildlife Centre on 27 th and a total of three seen on 29 th . Lapwings have been roosting in front of the Sailing Club, numbering 350 on 19 th . Seven Snipe were noted on 7 th and 6 were flushed from Sheepwash Spit by a Heron on 8 th . Five Redshank were at the Wildlife Centre on 27 th and singles have been noted at various locations around the site all month.

An adult Mediterranean Gull was in Millfields Bay at 1100hrs on 3 rd and probably the same bird was in the roost on 12 th . An adult Yellow-legged Gull was in the roost on 2 nd and 19 th . The gull roost visible from Lane End Hide on 31 st included circa 3000 Black-headed, 200 Common, 1500 Lesser Black-backed, 150 Herring and 30 Great Black-backed Gulls.

The Little Owl has been seen several times from the Wildlife Centre with 2 showing on 27 th , and elsewhere, a pair of Tawny Owl was reported on 14 th and 29 th . A Kingfisher at Paul Stanley Hide was one of the only birds recorded on the very misty 1 st day of the New Year. The Kingfisher has since been seen at various shoreline locations throughout the month. A Green Woodpecker on 6 th was a welcome record of this scarce visitor. Two Skylarks flew over Millfields on 27 th , calling as they went northwards. Other records included 80 Redwing in the Oldfield Lane area on 16 th , 4 Goldcrests at the Wildlife Centre on 27 th , 90 Jackdaw on Flat Island on 27 th , a flock of 60 Siskin in Shiningford Creek on 4 th and 5 Lesser Redpoll on Stones Island on 2 nd . Reed Bunting are occasionally using the feeding stations at the Wildlife Centre, Lane End and Sheepwash and 2 birds were noted on 6 th and 21 st .

Just 85 Species in what has turned out to be a relatively dull birding month. This 85 is compared with 89 in January 2007, 89 in 2006, 95 in 2005, 91 in 2004, 87 in 2003 and 75 in 2002.

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