DECEMBER 2008 BIRD NOTES

December Highlights: Great Northern Diver, possible Great White Egret, Whooper
Swan, Brent Goose and Ring-billed Gull.

Great Northern Divers totalled 4 from 5th to 11th at least, including an adult whereas, last month, all 4 were juveniles. A possible Great White Egret was noted briefly at 1115 hours on 7th in Shiningford Creek before flying off southeast. This would be a new species for
Carsington if accepted by DOS. Two Whooper Swans were seen on 9th at the Wildlife Centre. A Pink-footed Goose was around the Wildlife Centre from 6th to 14th and 210 flew low over Millfields at 1030 hours on 15th, heading northwest. Two Brent Geese spent most
of 13th at the Wildlife Centre and a Water Rail was again in the ditch below the dam wall on 1st . Maximum counts were similar to December counts of recent years and included; 105 little Grebe on 18th, 59 Great Crested Grebe on 14th, 51 Cormorant on 15th, 2 Heron on 14th, 2 Greylag Geese on 15th, 45 feral Barnacle Geese plus 1 hybrid on 19th, 1 Shelduck on 27th, 406 Wigeon on 14th, 40 Gadwall on 14th, 94 Teal on 14th, 1 female Pintail on 6th, 4 Shoveler on 29th, 308 Pochard on 14th, 844 Tufted Duck on 14th, 2 female Scaup on 11th, 1 drake Common Scoter on 14th, 16 Goldeneye on 14th, 1 female Red-breasted Merganser on 5th, 20 Goosander on 3rd, 53 Moorhen on 18th and 1890 Coot on 28th .  Raptor records are very few this month and waders included 20 Snipe at the Wildlife Centre on 20th, a Woodcock at Hopton End on 19th and 4 Redshank on 14th .

The adult Ring-billed Gull was seen only on 1st and the numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gulls significantly reduced from this date. The gull roost included a first winter Mediterranean Gull on 24th, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls on 1st, an adult Caspian Gull on 1st, 13th and 17th and a first winter Glaucous Gull on 21st . 15th 21st A Little Owl was on Oldfield Lane on and 2 Tawny Owls were reported on . Kingfishers have been recorded all around the site on many dates and 2 were noted on 22nd at Paul Stanley Hide. A Skylark flew over the Dam Wall on 5th and 6 Meadow Pipits were in Tail Bay on 15th. A survey, covering most of the southern half of the site, on 15th noted 1 Skylark, 6 Meadow Pipit, 19 Robin, 24 Blackbird, 4 Fieldfare, 73 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 25 Long-tailed Tit, 17 Blue Tit, 15 Great Tit, 2 Treecreeper, 2 Jay, 8 Magpie, 18 Jackdaw, 16 House Sparrow, 18 Tree Sparrow, 12 Bullfinch and 1 Reed Bunting. Other significant records include a Chiffchaff near Warrington Knob on 15th, 30 Siskin at Paul Stanley Hide on 16th, 1 Linnet near Fishtail Creek on 18th, 5 Lesser Redpoll at Lane End feeders on 19th and 2 large farmyard mallard type ducks at Millfields from 8th .

94 species recorded compared with 91 in December 2007, 99 in 2006, 88 in 2005, 95 in 2004, 97 in 2003 and 89 in 2002.

 

NOVEMBER 2008 BIRD NOTES

November Highlights: Ring-billed Gull returns again, Great Northern Divers, Scaup, Common Scoters, Water Rail, Little Gull, Caspian Gull and Waxwing. Last month’s juvenile Great Northern Diver became 2 GNDs from the 1st, then a site record of 4 on 10th, only 3 on 12th and just 2 by 30th . Pink-footed Geese movements were 32 northeast on 2nd, 25 east on 22nd and 3 on the ground on 23rd. A female Scaup was near Big Island on 16th and there were 7 female/immature plus 1 drake Common Scoter on 3rd, the 7 female type stayed and were last reported on 16th. Wildfowl counts included: 88 Little Grebe on 12th, 60 Great Crested Grebe on 12th, 62 Cormorant on 16th, 44 feral Barnacle Geese on 19th, 1 escapee Cackling Goose on 16th, 1 Shelduck on 19th and 27th, 341 Wigeon on 16th, 51 Gadwall on 16th, 75 Teal on 16th, 152 Mallard on 3rd 7th 16th 16th 16th , 2 Pintail on , 2 Shoveler on , 210 Pochard on , 343 Tufted Duck on , 16 Goldeneye on 22nd, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers on 21st, 1 drake Goosander on 12th, 26 Moorhen on 16th, 2175 Coot on 16th, and a Water Rail was heard on 28th in the ditch below the dam wall. Three Common Buzzards were in the air on 16th, a female Merlin was around Millfields on 22nd and a Peregrine was seen from the Wildlife Centre on 3rd and on several other dates. Lapwings were counted on 16th at 274 and again on 27th at a close matching 275 birds. Snipe numbered 15 from the Wildlife Centre on 16th and a Snipe race Faroeensis [more rufous plumage] was photographed here on 15th and seen on subsequent dates. Three Redshank were noted on 4th with individuals seen at most locations during the month and a Turnstone was close in to Sheepwash Hide on 3rd . Gulls attracted birders this month, with an adult Mediterranean Gull from 6th to 15th at least, the well forecast, and now annual, adult Ring-billed Gull turned-up in the gull roost on 7th and was seen on many evenings up to the end of the month, a first winter Little Gull was also in the roost on 7th, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls were present on 8th and other dates and a second winter Caspian Gull was in the roost on 25th .

Kingfishers were seen most days around the site and 2 were in front of Paul Stanley Hide on 3rd . Great Spotted Woodpeckers and Nuthatch were regularly on the feeders here. Two Skylarks flew over on 4th, 10 Meadow Pipits were at Sheepwash on 4th and 11 were on the other side of the Spit on 13th. A Rock Pipit was seen from Paul Stanley Hide on 3rd and a few lucky observers saw a Waxwing at the Visitor Centre on 16th . Note that many Waxwings have come into this country recently, they can turn up on any berry laden tree and bush, and supermarket car parks are a favourite. Wintering thrushes were moving through in flocks, stopping off to feed, with 50plus Fieldfare in Wildlife Centre Creek on 13th, 50 Redwing at Millfields on 7th and 50 around the Wildlife Centre area on 10th. Four Blackcaps were reported on 10th near the Wildlife Centre. Two flocks of Long-tailed Tits contained 29 birds on 24th and 8 Blue Tits plus 10 Great Tits were noted at Paul Stanley Hide on 19th. Starling flocks totalled 350 birds at dusk on 3rd, flocks of 30 Siskin were noted on 4th and 28th, 6 Lesser Redpoll were on Stones Island on 13th, 15 Chaffinch on Paul Stanley feeders on 19th and 11 Bullfinch were counted on 27th .

94 species recorded compared with 98 in November 2007, 97 in 2006, 97 in 2005, 95 in 2004 and 92 in 2003.

 

OCTOBER 2008 BIRD NOTES

October Highlights: Great Northern Diver, Gannet, Shag and Brambling.

A Great Northern Diver** was reported at 1430hrs on 26th from Sheepwash and probably the same bird, a juvenile, was seen regularly near Lane End Hide from 28th . A juvenile Gannet** [last recorded in 2000] was seen flying over the reservoir at 1500hrs on 29th and
one of the juvenile Shags found in October was still around the dam wall area on 4th . Maximum counts included: 33 Little Grebe on 12th, 39 Great Crested Grebe on 12th, 53 Cormorant on 8th, 31 Mute Swans on 12th, 3 Greylag Geese on 4th, 1 Shelduck on 11th , 295 Wigeon on 12th, 23 Gadwall on 12th, 51 Teal on 12th, 57 Mallard on 12th, 2 Pintail on 8th , 2 Shoveler on 7th, 144 Pochard on 29th, 500 Tufted Duck on 29th, 4 Common Scoter on 6th , 2 Goldeneye on 31st, 1 female Red-breasted Merganser on 29th, 26 Moorhen on 12th , 671 Coot on 12th and 1 Red-legged Partridge on Sheepwash Spit on 6th .  Four Common Buzzards and 2 Kestrels were reported on 6th. Also on 6th, a Peregrine was seen on the pylon from the Wildlife Centre and was recorded on many other dates around the site.

Wader sightings included a Ringed Plover on Stones Island or at the Wildlife Centre from 4th 1st to 15th, 8 Golden Plover flew past Sheepwash on , a Dunlin was at the Wildlife Centre on several dates from 4th to 31st, a juvenile Ruff was at the Wildlife Centre on 15th  and a Redshank was noted on 7th, 22nd and 31st . The gull roost held an adult Mediterranean Gull on 13th and 21st, 1200 Black-headed Gulls on 19th, 3000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on 19th and 5 Yellow-legged Gulls on 11th .

4th 4th

Late dates for summer migrants were 2 House Martins on , 8 Swallows on , 4 Wheatear on 4th and 2 Chiffchaff on 21st. Autumn/Winter movement included 3 Skylarks flying over on 18th, 47 Meadow Pipits on 21st, 1 Rock Pipit on Sheepwash Spit on 11th and 20th, 1 Redwing on 6th, then 10 on 28th, 700 Starlings in a pre-roost flock at dusk on 31st, 2 Brambling at the Wildlife Centre on 27th, 20 Siskin on 28th, 10 Linnets over Stones Island on 6th and 6 Lesser Redpoll on 13th . Several escapee species have been reported this month with the male plus 2 female Cape type Shelduck on 13th and 28th, a Cackling Goose on 13th and a Black Swan [probably from Bradley pond] on 27th . **Both the Great Northern Diver and Gannet records require submission to the Derbyshire Ornithological Society Rarities sub-Committee with full supporting notes for consideration. Also any further details on possible records of Whooper Swan and Red-necked Grebe this month would be appreciated!

94 species recorded this October compared with 109 in 2007, 99 in 2006, 99 in 2005, 91 in 2004, 94 in 2003 and 103 in 2002.

 

SEPTEMBER 2008 BIRD NOTES

September Highlights: Shag, Pink-footed Goose, Common Scoter, Honey Buzzard, Osprey, Merlin, Knot, Ruff, Grey Phalarope, Mediterranean Gull and Black Tern

41 Pink-footed Geese were noted going north-east on 23rd, 2 juvenile Shags were found on the Draw-off Tower roof on 2nd and were still present on 16th, with 1 remaining until 23rd . Common wintering wildfowl numbers were increasing and maximum counts totalled: 39 Little Grebe on 14th , 32 Great Crested Grebe on 10th, 45 Cormorant on 8th and 14th, 3 Heron on 14-15th, 29 Mute Swans on 14th, 1 Greylag on 6th, 14 Barnacle on 14th, 1 Shelduck on 14th, 427 Wigeon on 19th, 17 Gadwall on 1st, 66 Teal on 14th, 148 Mallard on 14th, 3 Pintail on 10th, 6 Shoveler on 6th, 1 Red-crested Pochard from 1st to 6th, 39 Pochard on 14th, 512 Tufted Duck on 14th, 3 drake Common Scoter on 9th , 31 Moorhen on 14th and 1292 Coot on 14th .

A Honey Buzzard** was reported flying southwest over Sheepwash Car Park at 1400hrs on 14th , this was part of a large movement through England around the 14th . Other raptor records this month included a Sparrowhawk with prey on the dam being harassed by another on 29th, 7 Buzzards over Hopton on 7th, Osprey on 4th, 6th and 16th, a Merlin on 23rd, a Hobby on 2nd, 3rd, 7th and 9th and Peregrine on many dates. A Grey Phalarope** was seen briefly flying and settled on the water from Millfields on 6th, further searching could not re-find the bird. Other waders included 2 Oystercatchers on 14th, 3 Golden Plover flying over the dam wall on 13th, 178 Lapwing on 14th, 1 Knot on 15th, 1 Dunlin on 22nd, 3 Ruff on 24th, 14 Snipe on 21st, 1 Curlew on 25th, 1 Redshank on 9th and 2 Common Sandpipers on 23rd.

An adult Mediterranean Gull was in the gull roost from the 1st , 1 Common Tern was seen at Millfields on 6th, a juvenile Arctic Tern on 23rd and a Black Tern on 14th . A Yellow Wagtail was on the dam wall on 6th and 15th and a White Wagtail was there on 8th and 18th. A juvenile Stonechat was in Tail Bay on 18th, 3 Wheatears on the dam wall on 3rd, a Sedge Warbler in Shiningford Creek on 25th, 1 Whitethroat on 8th, 2 Garden Warblers on 8th and 2 Willow Warblers on 19th. Two flocks of Goldfinch on 10th totalled 60 birds, 40 Siskins were seen on 10th and 6 Linnets were noted on 9th .

109 Species were recorded this September compared with 108 in 2007, 101 in 2006, 101 in 2005, 94 in 2004 and 104 in 2003.

N.B. both Honey Buzzard** and Grey Phalarope** species require the record and description details to be submitted to DOS for consideration.

 

AUGUST 2008 BIRD NOTES

August Highlights: Little Egret, Osprey and Black Terns.

A Little Egret at 1040hrs on 23rd 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 30th and Mute Swans totalled 36 on 13th, including 6 juveniles. Wildfowl numbers included 6 Shelduck on 26th, 7 Wigeon on 25th and 30th, 18 Gadwall on 25th, 18 Teal on 31st, 122 Mallard on 20th, 3 Shoveler on 30th, a female Red-crested Pochard on 13th and a male from 21st to 31st, 3 Pochard on 20th, 288 Tufted Duck on 20th , a female Common Scoter on 30th and 741 Coot on 20th .

A young Sparrow Hawk was calling in Middle Wood on 14th, 4 Common Buzzards were in the air on 2nd and 11th and a young Buzzard was calling and flying over Hall Wood on many dates during the month. An Osprey was reported at 1630hrs on 30th and 2 Peregrines were seen on 17th 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 17th, 2 Dunlin on 5th and singles from 3rd to 8th, 3 Snipe on 31st, 1 Curlew on 18th, 1 Redshank on 8th, 10th, 22nd, 26th and 30th, 1 Greenshank on 14th, 3 Common Sandpipers on 4th , singles other dates, and a Turnstone briefly on 26th .

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 4th and 2 other Common Terns were present on 20th and 5 on 30th . Black Terns have been well noted on passage with 2 adults on 13th and 17th, a juvenile off Stones Island from 19th to 21st and an adult with 2 juveniles on 30th . Two Stock Doves were noted on the tall dead tree trunk in Brown Ale Bay on 7th and were seen entering a hole in the trunk on 12th, suggesting probable breeding which would be the first for this site. A Barn Owl was near Sheepwash Hide at 1945hrs on 24th and Kingfishers have been seen most days at all ends of the site with 2 noted on 22nd and 26th. Four Meadow Pipits were on the Dam Wall on 18th, 63 Pied Wagtails were on there at 0715hrs on 28th, 2 Redstarts were noted on 10th 25th and 1 Wheatear was on the Dam on . There were two Spotted Flycatcher families recorded, an adult with 2 juveniles in Shiningford Creek on 12th and an adult plus a juvenile in Tail Bay on 23rd. A flock of 300 Jackdaws was noted on 4th and 26th and a flock of 40 Goldfinch on Stones Island on 20th included at least 25 juveniles. An early Siskin was on feeders on 15th, 7 Linnets were noted on 20th and a female Bullfinch was seen feeding 2 juveniles on 18th .

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

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

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 16th although others moving south may call in. Other waders noted were Little Ringed Plover at Paul Stanley Hide until 23rd, including a maximum of 4 on 3rd , a Knot at Sheepwash at 2000hrs on 2nd , a Dunlin on Sheepwash Spit on 16th, 1 Black-tailed Godwit on 11th and 2 on 12th, 20th, 26th, then 1 on 29-31st. 2 Whimbrel were photographed from the Wildlife Centre on 4th, 2 Curlew flew south on 18th , a Greenshank was
present on 1st and 29th 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 18th 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 21st. This chick left its raft and eventually showed on Horseshoe Island, being well fed by both parents.

Following heavy rain early on 29th 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 29th . 7th 13th Other records include 2 Stock Doves flying over on , 100 plus Swifts through on , a Kingfisher on 9th, 17th and 28th, all at different locations, a juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker on Paul Stanley Hide nuts and a pair of Swallows are attempting a second brood in the Stone Shelter. The only Redstart record so far this year was an independent juvenile seen on 7th . 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 10th and 16th and another family of 4 appeared at Sheepwash on 13th. A family party of Willow Tits was in Hopton Arm on 24th and 2 Marsh Tits were reported near Brown Ale Bay on 2nd. A family of Jays was at Sheepwash on 29th and 7 Linnets were noted on 23rd .

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

 

June 2008 Bird Notes

Highlights: Breeding.

No broods of Little Grebe yet, but two broods of Great Crested Grebe with 1 young at Hopton End 8th 14th on and 1 young at Wildlife Centre on . The pair of Mute Swans at Millfields Car Park produced 1 cygnet on 2nd and another pair showed 4 cygnets on Sheepwash Spit on 20th. A total of 604 Canada Geese, including young, were counted on 19th and all the Barnacle Geese families went on a trip across the water to Millfields on 15th. 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 5th but were noted away from the nest on 11th and may well have failed breeding. Mallard broods this year totalled 15 by 29th , Coot have 8 broods, Moorhen have no broods reported but a Tufted Duck with 8 chicks in front of Paul Stanley Hide on 26th 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 8th to 11th and 3 were there on 25th .

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 16th. Lapwing young noted include 3 fresh young on Horseshoe Island on 4th, which is the 2nd 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 30th, a male Black-tailed Godwit (race Icelandica) at Wildlife Centre on 20th and a different bird on 29th/30th. A Whimbrel was seen on 2nd, and a Curlew on 6th 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 15th. 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 30th . A Barn Owl was noted carrying prey in the evening at Sheepwash on 30th and an adult Tawny Owl was perched near the memorial at Millfields end of the dam wall at lunchtime on 19th. A Kingfisher was at the Wildlife Centre on 22nd and 25th and was also seen in Tail Bay on 23rd. A pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers brought 2 juveniles to Paul Stanley feeders on 16th and a pair of Swallow were feeding young in the stone shelter near Millfields on 15th. Twenty House Martin nests were 1st counted on the Visitor Centre, Watersports and Sailing Club buildings on . A pair of Grey Wagtails were noted at Sheepwash on 2nd, at Hopton Arm and Shiningford Creek on 23rd, and a juvenile was near Paul Stanley Hide on 26th. Sedge Warbler were singing in Hopton Reedbed on 11th, Hopton Pond on 15th, Stones Island on 15th and Tail Bay on 23rd and 27th. A Reed Warbler was singing in Hopton Reedbed until 15th at least, but not on 29th, and another was singing from Hopton Pond all month. A Willow Tit family was in Millfields Car Park on 19th, a Tree Creeper pair with 3 young were near Shiningford Creek on 2nd and 4 Linnets were in fields by Fishtail Creek on 23rd.

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 29th on Horseshoe Island and had gone, high northeast, by 1100 hours. The Great Northern Diver was last recorded on 2nd, 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 9th. A Shelduck was on Sheepwash Spit on 25th and a drake Garganey gave excellent views from the Wildlife Centre on 11th. Other wildfowl included a Shoveler on 10th, 3 Pochard on 18th, 105 Tufted Duck on 18th, 64 Coot on 18th and a Goosander on 10th. 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 1st and 26th . The return of the migratory Hobby was noted by just 1 record of a bird flying south over the 5th 13th Dam Wall on and a Peregrine was noted from the Wildlife Centre on . Two pairs of Oystercatchers have young, 2 on Millfields Island on 8th and 2 on Sailing Club Island on 25th. 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 17th, but no signs of breeding. So far there is just 1 Lapwing brood of 3 chicks on Horseshoe Island on 18th 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 8th, a superb summer plumage male Grey Plover in front of the Wildlife Centre 8th 2nd on 16th and 17th , a Sanderling at Sheepwash on and another on 18th , 2 Dunlin on , a Whimbrel on 1st and 26th, 2 Curlew on 10th, a Greenshank at the Wildlife Centre on 16th, a Green Sandpiper at the Wildlife Centre on 11th and 2 Turnstones there on 14th . Little Gulls were again well recorded this month with single first summer birds on 8th, 9th and 21st .

The Black-headed Gull colony at the Wildlife Centre has 7 nests, 4 with young by 27th. A pair of Common Gulls, possibly attracted by the BHG colony, was seen to be displaying/pair bonding on 16th. On 17th they started a nest on a raft but a Coot stole the material. The pair was noted mating on 27th 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 18th, finally finding nest space on 21st. This nest was lost by 30th, a brood of 3 young Black-headed Gulls were on the same raft. Tern passage included 5 Common on 16th, 1 Arctic Tern on 9th and 2 Black Terns on 5th and 1 on 8th . A Turtle Dove on the Wildlife Centre Feeders on 20th 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 4th, this species was last seen in May 2004. A Yellow Wagtail was at the Wildlife Centre on 13th , 1 White Wagtail on 6th, 1 Wheatear on 17th, a Reed Warbler at Hopton Pond on 29th, 2 Spotted Flycatchers in Hall Wood from 11th, a pair of Brambling on 5th, a pair of Linnets on Stones Island on 11th and another pair in Fishtail on 19th. A singing Pied Flycatcher was found northeast of Millfields spit on 3rd to 10th and another in Hall Wood from 9th to 12th. A count on a walk round the site by 2 observers on 7th 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 28th, 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 29th, a female Scaup at the Wildlife Centre from 13th to 30th, 2 drake Common Scoters from 3rd to 13th, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers on 20th and 21st and a Water Rail in Tail Bay on 2nd. Counts included 23 Little Grebe on 6th, 28 Great Crested Grebe on 6th, 14 Cormorants on 20th, 2 Shelduck on 4th and 13th 16th, 4 Wigeon on 17th, 4 Gadwall on 18th, 40 Mallard on 6th, 2 Shoveler on 3rd, 8th and 14th, 298 Tufted Duck on 6th, 11 Goldeneye on 2nd and 163 Coot on 6th. Three fresh broods of Mallard were noted on 17th and another brood on 21st .

An Osprey was viewed from the Wildlife Centre for 10 minutes on 9th, and both immature and adult Peregrines were noted on several dates. Waders included another record of 2 Avocets at the Wildlife Centre on 29th; see the photos on our website. Seven pairs of Oystercatcher have been busily establishing nest sites, Little Ringed

Plover arrived with 1on 8th and 2 on 19th, a Ringed Plover was seen on 4th and 19th, 1 Sanderling on 27th, 23 Dunlin on 27th, 7 Snipe on 7th, 1 Black-tailed Godwit on 16th, 1 Whimbrel on 17th and 4 on 25th, 15 Curlew at dusk on 15th, 14 Redshank on 20th, a Greenshank on 8th and 22nd, 1 Green Sandpiper from 17-22nd at the Wildlife Centre and 1 Common Sandpiper on 5th and 6 on 27th . Gulls included a Kittiwake on 7th and 6 Little Gulls on 5th, 3 on 23rd, an immature on 24th and an 27th adult on . Terns started with a total of 18 Arctic Terns on 20th and another 18 on 24th , 4 Common Terns on 27th and 2 Little Terns also on 27th .

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

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 17th. 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 27th. Twelve Common Scoter, including 8 drakes, were seen from Sheepwash Hide on 26th . Counts this month total 54 Little Grebe on 10th, 33 Great Crested Grebe on 23rd, 31 Cormorant on 23rd, 4 Heron on 10th, 11 Mute Swan on 10th, 3 Greylag on 17th, 85 Canada on 10th, 40 Barnacle on 22nd, 3 Shelduck on 15th, 124 Wigeon on 15th, 2
Gadwall on 20th, 6 Teal on 10th, 89 Mallard on 10th, 1 Pintail on 14th, 7 Shoveler on 16th, 1 Pochard on 28th, 308 Tufted Duck on 10th, 20 Goldeneye on 23rd, 7 Goosander on 2nd, 32 Moorhen on 10th and 284 Coot on 10th. A Water Rail was reported in the stream in Tail Bay on 31st .

26th An Osprey was seen from Sheepwash Hide at 1330hrs on 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 17th and 2 Peregrines noted on 10th .  This month’s  highlight must be the first formal record of Avocet for this site. Two were present on *15th , 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 8th and another pair was probably on Millfields Island at that time. A Ringed Plover flew over calling on 10th and a Golden Plover was on Horseshoe Island on 15th. Lapwing totalled 82 on 10th and Redshank 7 on 10th and 16th. Thirteen Black-tailed Godwit flew west past Paul Stanley Hide on 8th and 5 Dunlin flew north past there on 19th . Curlew have been on passage and roosting all month, with a maximum count of 47 on Horseshoe Island at dusk on 24th . An adult Mediterranean Gull in full summer plumage came in to roost on 5th, and a partial summer plumage bird roosted on 6th . An adult Yellow-legged Gull was on Flat Island on 9th and at the Wildlife Centre on 12th. A Kittiwake was noted on 12th and later in the roost that evening. The next sighting of Kittiwake was a series of possibly the same bird on 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 25th and 28th. The number of Common Gulls roosting built up this month and 590 were counted on 28th .

Owls featured well this month with 2 Barn Owls out hunting on 27th, a pair of Little Owls mating on 28th and an over-obliging Long-eared Owl found among the swarms of visitors on Stones Island onEaster Monday 24th. 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 27th. Sand Martin and Swallow arrived along with the Avocets on 15th. 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 29th and 10 on 30th. Thirty Meadow Pipits were noted on 26th and 19 Pied Wagtails were on Stones Island on 27th, with an early White Wagtail on the same day. The first Wheatear was on Stones Island on 21st and 2 were on site on 23rd. A Redwing was singing on Stones Island on 20th and 47 Redwing were counted in Tail Bay on 26th . Blackcap on 14th and 19th were probably wintering birds as, probably, were single Chiffchaffs between 11-16th. Three Chiffchaff were singing on 17th and 21 were counted singing during a walk round the reservoir on 29th. A Brambling was seen on Stones Island on 30th and Reed Bunting have again been showing well on feeders, with 11 noted on 7th .

105 Species recorded this March compared with95 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 10th Whooper Swans flew over on . A Pink-footed Goose was seen with the resident Canada, Barnacle and Cackling Geese on 7th and it remained for the rest of the month. Two Shelduck were present on 5th and 1 on 14th. Two Pintail were at Lane End on 13th and 4 at Sheepwash on 19th . Counts for February included: 59 Little Grebe on 10th and 15th, 36 Great Crested Grebe on 10th, 32 Cormorant on 8th, 12 Mute Swans on 10th, 42 Barnacle Geese on 11th and 28th, 162 Wigeon on 18th, 4 Gadwall on 12th, 42 Teal on 10th, 99 Mallard on 10th, 2 Shoveler on 19th, 3 Pochard on 10th , 284 Tufted on 10th, 17 Goldeneye on 10th and 28th, 20 Goosander on 5th, 39 Moorhen on 10th and 470 Coot on 10th . 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 1st 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 3rd , a pair were displaying on 6th and 6 were in the air on 27th. 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 15th 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 27th. Lapwing numbers at the early morning roost near the Sailing Club totalled 340 on 22nd, and 2 Dunlin were on Stones Island on 5th. The first returning Curlew were on 19th , 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 28th, with small numbers going to evening roost on Horseshoe Island. Redshanks have returned to their breeding grounds and 5 were counted on 8th, 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 13th , 330 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on 15th and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls on 3rd and 1 on 15th . Skylarks have been noted flying overhead, with a maximum of 5 over Stones Island on 27th. The  6th wintering Meadow Pipit flock in Tail Bay and dam wall area numbered 21 on . Wintering Redwing were always around, with 64 in Sheepwash car park on 4th and 70 near Oldfield Lane on 28th, but Fieldfare were difficult to come across, with just 2 recorded in Tail Bay on 20th, associating with 2 Mistle Thrush. Five Rooks flew over the Visitor Centre on 6th and 2 Raven were displaying on 6th and mating on 22nd. Siskin and Lesser Redpoll have been significantly absent this month, with just 3 Siskin in Shiningford Creek on 7th and 1 Redpoll at the Wildlife Centre on 3rd . Reed Buntings have been very prominent on feeding tables again this month, with 5 on Sheepwash and 2 on Lane End feeders on 4th .

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 5th 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 11th and 60 were reported over the north side at 1050hrs on 20th. Site counts this month included 58 Little Grebe on 29th, 40 Great Crested Grebe on 29th, 34 Cormorant on 13th, 14 7th 13th 12th Mute Swans on , 13 Greylag Geese on , 40 feral Barnacle Geese on and 27th , 1 escapee Cackling Goose on 7th and on other dates with Barnacles, 2 Shelduck  appeared on 21st and 27th, 229 Wigeon on 13th, 70 Gadwall on 13th, 162 Teal on 13th, 237 Mallard on 13th, 1 female Pintail on 2nd and other dates, 2 Shoveler on 19th, 113 Pochard on 13th, 495 Tufted Duck on 13th , 16 Goldeneye on 29th, 30 Goosander on 19th and 1880 Coot on 13th .

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 3rd. Oystercatchers are gradually returning to their breeding islands, with 1 on Millfields Island from 21st, 2 at the Wildlife Centre on 27th and a total of three seen on 29th. Lapwings have been roosting in front of the Sailing Club, numbering
350 on 19th. Seven Snipe were noted on 7th and 6 were flushed from Sheepwash Spit by a Heron on 8th. Five Redshank were at the Wildlife Centre on 27th and singles have been noted at various locations around the site all month. An adult Mediterranean Gull was in Millfields Bay at 1100hrs on 3rd and probably the same bird was in the roost on 12th. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was in the roost on 2nd and 19th. The gull roost visible from Lane End Hide on 31st 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 27th, and elsewhere, a pair of Tawny Owl was reported on 14th and 29th. A Kingfisher at Paul Stanley Hide was one of the only birds recorded on the very misty 1st day of the New Year. The Kingfisher has since been seen at various shoreline locations throughout the month. A Green Woodpecker on 6th was a welcome record of this scarce visitor. Two Skylarks flew over Millfields on 27th, calling as they went northwards. Other records included 80 Redwing in the Oldfield Lane area on 16th, 4 Goldcrests at the Wildlife Centre on 27th, 90 Jackdaw on Flat Island on 27th, a flock of 60 Siskin in 4th 2nd Shiningford Creek on and 5 Lesser Redpoll on Stones Island on . Reed Bunting are occasionally using the feeding stations at the Wildlife Centre, Lane End and Sheepwash and 2 birds were noted on 6th and 21st .

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.

DECEMBER 2007 BIRD NOTES

December Highlights: Great Northern Diver, Whooper Swan, Ring-billed Gull and Merlin.

Following last month’s brief appearance by a Great Northern Diver, another was found late on 3^rd and stayed for the rest of the month. When good views were finally obtained it was found to be a winter plumage adult, retaining some summer plumage pale markings on its back. Two Whooper Swans were noted on 15^th and approximately 50 Pink-footed Geese were flying low on 21^st at 1015hrs, rather undecidedly northeast in thick mist. Counts included; 104 little Grebe on 19^th, 63 Great Crested Grebe on 19^th, 30 Cormorant on 9^th, 4 Heron on 28^th, 13 Greylag Geese on 13^th, 1 escape Cackling Goose with 41 feral Barnacle Geese on 3^rd, 450 Wigeon on 9^th, 132 Teal on 9^th, 202 Mallard on 9^th, 1 drake Pintail on 13^th, 2 Shoveler on 13^th, 217 Pochard on 9^th, 783 Tufted Duck on 9^th, 16 Goldeneye on 10^th, 13 Goosander on 30^th, 53 Moorhen on 9^th and 1770 Coot on 9^th.

Peregrine Falcon has been seen again many times this month, usually sweeping along the water’s edge, and 2 were seen from the Wildlife Centre on 18^th. A female Merlin was noted in Shiningford Creek on 17^th.

Wader sightings included; a Ringed Plover from the Wildlife Centre on 3^rd, a Dunlin at Sheepwash on 10^th, a Woodcock in Middle Wood on 4^th, a Black-tailed Godwit at Sheepwash on 31^st and a Curlew chased by a Peregrine near the Wildlife Centre on 16^th. Counts of Lapwing reached 343 on 9^th, with 334 on 5^th and 318 on 21^st, and 14 Snipe were seen from Paul Stanley Hide, flushed up off Sheepwash Spit by the farmer rounding-up his sheep on 30^th.

The adult Ring-billed Gull was present on 1^st and was last seen flying west from Flat Island at 1315hrs on 6^th. An adult Mediterranean Gull has been reported on many dates coming to roost, and 2 were seen from Sheepwash on 3^rd. The roost also held 2 Yellow-legged Gulls on 9^th and a Caspian Gull on 1^st and 9^th.

Two Little Owls were visible from the Wildlife Centre on 10^th and a pair of Tawny Owls was seen on 9^th. Kingfisher has been recorded all around the site on many dates and 2 were noted on 9^th and 15^th. A single Skylark flew over Sheepwash calling on 13^th. A Meadow Pipit flock in Tail Bay numbered 19 on 10^th and 24 on 19^th. These 24 were joined by 3 Reed Bunting, feeding near the footpath on the open ground at the base of the dam slope. 37 Blackbirds were noted on 10^th, 1 Fieldfare on 9^th, 11 Redwing on 2^nd and 2 Mistle Thrush on 18^th. Tree Sparrows are regularly seen on the feeding stations at Lane End, Sheepwash Car Park, Paul Stanley Hide, Ranger Base and Wildlife Centre, where 22 were counted on 10^th. 26 Chaffinch plus 8 Goldfinch were also around the Wildlife Centre feeders on 3^rd. Many small flocks of Siskin have been reported from many locations, the largest being 50 at Sheepwash on 4^th plus 20 in Middle Wood on the same day.

90 species recorded compared with 99 in 2006, 88 in 2005, 95 in 2004, 97 in 2003 and 89 in 2002.

 

NOVEMBER 2007 BIRD NOTES

November Highlights: Ring-billed Gull returns and we get short visits from: Great Northern Diver, Leach’s Petrel, Whooper Swan, Common Scoter, Glaucous Gull and Kittiwake.

An adult winter plumage Great Northern Diver was at Sheepwash from 1315hrs to dusk on 10^th to the delight of many gull watchers arriving for the roost. A probable Leach’s Petrel was seen from Stones Island and Sheepwash by three observers during the morning of 9^th and was one of a number seen inland around this date. 15 Whooper Swans were on site on 9^th, 4 Shelduck on 13^th and a drake Common Scoter 19^th to 21^st.

Counts included: 107 Little Grebe on 23^rd [new site record], 53 Great Crested Grebe on 23^rd, 57 Cormorant on 9^th, 41 Barnacle Geese [feral] on 25^th, 515 Wigeon on 11^th, 25 Gadwall on 11^th, 177 Teal on 16^th, 234 Mallard on 11^th, 1 Pintail from 5^th, 4 Shoveler on 15^th, 1 Red-crested Pochard on 11^th and most of the month, 115 Pochard on 11^th, 338 Tufted Duck on 11^th, 12 Goldeneye on 25^th, 1 Goosander on 3^rd, 5^th and 28^th, 71 Moorhen on 11^th and 1731 Coot on 11^th.

Peregrines have been visiting regularly again this month, with 2 from Wildlife Centre on 24^th and 2 over Hall Wood on 6^th. They have also been seen taking/carrying prey including a Moorhen on 11^th, a Teal on 20^th and a Coot on 22^nd. They are using the pylons on the left looking out from the Wildlife Centre, as an observation perch and to devour their prey.

Waders included 2 Oystercatchers on 25^th, a Ringed Plover flying with Lapwings on 5^th, 5 Dunlin on 21^st, 8 Snipe at the Wildlife Centre on 4^th, 1 Curlew on 14^th, 4 Redshank on 6^th and a Phalarope Species on 10^th. This phalarope was seen distantly to the right of Sheepwash feeding on the waters edge and spinning on the water among the wildfowl before moving out of sight towards Lane End. Subsequent extensive searching failed to relocate the bird.

It is hardly surprising that Gulls attracted many birders this month, with an adult Mediterranean Gull from 9^th to 30^th and 2 on 29^th, an adult Ring-billed Gull 9^th to 13^th and from 17^th most evenings to 30^th, 5 Yellow-legged Gulls on 3^rd, 1 adult Caspian Gull on 3^rd, 12^th and 21^st, a first winter Glaucous Gull on 12^th and an adult Kittiwake on 8^th. The Ring-billed Gull is most likely to be the previous years’ returning bird and, let us hope, could return on 10^th Nov in years to come.

Other notable species included a Barn Owl late on 27^th near Hopton Pond, 2 Little Owls from the Wildlife Centre on 2^nd, a Kingfisher on 5^th and many other dates, a Skylark on 15^th, a male Blackcap on Stones Island on 27^th, 1 Brambling at the Wildlife Centre on 17^th and 19^th and a Crossbill flew over Millfields on 5^th. Counts included 44 Wood Pigeon on 5^th, 17 Meadow Pipits on the dam on 5^th, 200 Fieldfare at Millfields on 28^th, 60 Redwing at Sheepwash on 1^st, 20 Magpie on 7^th, 1000 Starlings over Stones Island at dusk on 14^th, 5 Tree Sparrows on Paul Stanley feeders on 4^th, 40 Siskin on 5^th and 15 Lesser Redpoll on Stones Island on 14^th.

96 species recorded compared with 97 in November 2006, 97 in 2005, 95 in 2004 and 92 in 2003.

It should be noted that over the period 8^th to 10^th several site rare species were recorded, this reflected sightings at other inland waters and was promoted by the weather conditions.

 

OCTOBER 2007 BIRD NOTES

 October Highlights: Hooded Crow andLaplandBunting, both new species for the site.

A Slavonian Grebe was seen from the Wildlife Centre on 28^th and 4 Whooper Swans moved around the site on 18^th until finally driven off by the local Mute Swans. 65 Pink-footed Geese flew over southeast on 9^th and another 60 flew east on 17^th. A female Scaup was at Sheepwash on 8^th and 2 were there on 9^th. 2 Common Scoter were near Stones Island on 3^rd, 1 on 20^th and 22^nd and 2 on 23^rd. The first Goldeneye of the winter appeared on 10^th and a Red-breasted Merganser on 3^rd was followed by 3 on 31^st. Maximum counts included: 83 Little Grebe on 26^th, 45 Great Crested Grebe on 7^th, 60 Cormorant on 9^th, 6 Herons on 7^th, 13 Greylag Geese on 21^st, 45 Barnacle Geese on 15^th, 972 Wigeon on 7^th, 45 Gadwall on 2^nd, 156 Teal on 7^th, 205 Mallard on 7^th, 5 Pintail on 4^th, 6 Shoveler on 25^th, 1 Red-crested Pochard on 11^th, 159 Pochard on 26^th, 706 Tufted Duck on 7^th, 5 Goldeneye on 25^th, 1 Goosander on 25^th, 122 Moorhen on 7^th and 1785 Coot on 7^th.

A Common Buzzard was found bathing on 2^nd and 5 were in the air on the same day. An Osprey gave good views to many when perched opposite the Wildlife Centre on 2^nd and there were further sightings of 1 bird on 21^st and 23^rd. A Merlin flew past the Wildlife Centre at dusk on 7^th and Peregrine was recorded on many dates, including one taking a duck off Horseshoe Island on 27^th.

Wader sightings included: 29 Golden Plovers flying through on 17^th, a Grey Plover flying northwest past the Wildlife Centre on 8^th, 185 Lapwing on 7^th, 2 Dunlin on 14^th and singles on other dates, a Jack Snipe was flying around Horseshoe Island on 7^th, 10 Snipe on 29^th, a Black-tailed Godwit flying northeast on 25^th, a Bar-tailed Godwit from Paul Stanley Hide on 13^th, a Curlew over Shiningford Creek on 19^th, 1 Redshank on 10^th and on many subsequent dates, a Common Sandpiper until 3^rd and a Turnstone landed in front of Sheepwash Hide on 17^th. Yellow-legged Gulls have been seen during the daytime from Paul Stanley and Sheepwash Hides, with 3 present on both 13^th and 26^th and 5 in roost on 13^th, and an adult Mediterranean Gull was on Sheepwash Spit late afternoon on 31^st.

Late dates for summer migrants were 3 Swallows on 4^th, 1 Wheatear on 12^th, 2 Blackcap on 9^th, 2 Chiffchaff on 1^st and 1 Willow Warbler on 6^th. Autumn/Winter movement included 3 Skylarks flying over on 14^th and 26^th, 30 Meadow Pipits on 11^th and 14^th, 1 Rock Pipit on the Dam Wall on 14^th, 2 Stonechats on 5^th, 1 Fieldfare on 11^th and 32 on 30^th, 100 Redwing on 25^th, 8 Mistle Thrushes on 15^th, 1 Brambling on 14^th and 2 on 26^th, 8 Siskin on 17^th and 7 Lesser Redpoll on 9^th. Also, a Green Woodpecker was seen in Middle Wood on 12^th and a flock of 300 Jackdaw was noted on 27^th from P.S. Hide. And, the highlights: a Hooded Crow was seen flying south over Stones Island at 1000hrs on 21^st and a Lapland Bunting flew west over the Dam Wall at 0905hrs on 11^th. Both these birds are species new to Carsington and both are subject to submission to Derbyshire Ornithological Society Rarities sub-Committee with full supporting notes for consideration.

So, what a month! 108 species recorded this October compared with 99 in 2006, 99 in 2005, 91 in 2004, 94 in 2003 and the previous October maximum of 103 in 2002.

 

SEPTEMBER 2007 BIRD NOTES

September Highlights: Pink-footed Geese, Common Scoter, Water Rail, Goshawk, Grey Plover, Little Stint, Curlew and Wood Sandpiper, Mediterranean Gull, Little Gull, Little Tern and Redwing.

Pink-footed Geese were noted on their early autumn passage south to Norfolkthis year, with 42 over StonesIslandat 1900hrs on 25^th, 60 at 0845hrs on 27^th and 150 at 0950hrs, again on 27^th. The record at 1900hrs is unusual as southward records are usually 2hrs after first light, which is the flight time from the Lancashire feeding grounds of Marshside and Martin Mere. Their northward journey is usually at least 4hrs after first light Jan-Mar, reflecting the hundred miles from Norfolk. A male and 3 female Common Scoters were seen from Stones Island on 26^th. Common wintering wildfowl numbers are now increasing and maximum counts included: 41 Little Grebe on 5^th, 28 Great Crested Grebe on 13^th, 48 Cormorant on 7^th, 9 Heron on 4^th, 36 Mute Swans on 23^rd, 2 Greylag on 7^th, 28 Barnacle on 23^rd, 4 Shelduck on 12^th, 318 Wigeon on 23^rd and 306 in a single flock at Sheepwash on 30^th, 39 Gadwall on 23^rd, 95 Teal on 23^rd, 203 Mallard on 23^rd, 3 Pintail on 10^th and 23^rd, 3 Shoveler on 21^st, 5 Red-crested Pochard on 15^th, at least 100 Pochard on 24^th, 650 Tufted Duck on 23^rd, 1 Water Rail at Hopton End on 30^th, 61 Moorhen on 23^rd and 1611 Coot on 23^rd.

Raptor records this month can be summed up by the records from one observer, on 26^th in Paul Stanley Hide, enjoying one of those exceptional sessions, recording 1 Goshawk, 1 Sparrow Hawk, 5 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 2 Hobby, 1 Peregrine and 2 Raven.

Following August’s good mix of waders, this month has kept up the standard, even if their visits were again brief, including: 1 Ringed Plover on 4^th and 8^th, 1 Grey Plover flying past the Wildlife Centre on 27^th demonstrating its distinctive call, 1 juv Little Stint on Watersports shoreline on 19^th, a juv Curlew Sandpiper on Stones Island on 29^th, 3 Snipe on 27^th, 2 Curlew on 25^th, 3 Redshank on 8^th, a Greenshank at Sheepwash on 4^th, 1 Green Sandpiper from last month until the 23^rd, mainly around the Wildlife Centre Creeks and Paul Stanley Hide area, 1 Wood Sandpiper on 9^th and 1 Common Sandpiper up to 27^th.

The gull roost reached 7000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls by the 20^th and contained a first winter Mediterranean Gull on 24^th, an adult plus a juv/first winter Little Gull on 28^th and 14 Yellow-legged Gulls of various ages on 14^th. Re Tern passage southward included 1 juv Common Tern on 1^st, 2 adults on 11-12^th, 1 juv on 14^th and 1 adult on 28^th, 1 adult Arctic Tern on 7^th, 2 juv on 12^th and 1 juv 16-17^th and an elusive juvenile Little Tern from 1^st to 4^th.

A leucistic Collared Dove was among 14 on the Wildlife Centre Feeders on 12^th and an albino Starling was seen around the Visitor Centre on 23^rd. A Barn Owl was seen early morning or late evening from Sheepwash Hide on 3^rd, 4^th, 8^th and 13^th, and a Tawny Owl was being chased by a Jay and a Blackbird behind Sheepwash Hide at 1100hrs on 30^th. A flock of 18 Skylarks were noted flying south on 24^th, single Yellow Wagtails were seen on 5^th, 8^th, 16^th and 19^th, a Pair of Stonechat were in front of Paul Stanley Hide for most of 30^th, 2 Wheatear on 3^rd and 13^th and 2 early Redwings were recorded on 27^th, brought in nationally by the strong north winds over the past 24hrs. Other records include 50 House Martin on 25^th, 76 Pied Wagtails on 5^th, 20 Chiffchaff on 2^nd, 2 Spotted Flycatchers on 3^rd, 80 Jackdaws on 28^th, 70 Goldfinch on 2^nd, 3 Siskin on 27^th and 2 Linnet on 30^th.

107 Species recorded this September compared with 101 in 2006, 101 in 2005, 94 in 2004 and 104 in 2003.

 

AUGUST 2007 BIRD NOTES

August Highlights: Black-necked Grebe, Garganey, Osprey and a variety of Waders all visit briefly.

A juvenile Black-necked Grebe was in front of the Wildlife Centre on 28^th at 0930hrs but was not seen again until 1700hrs and has not been seen since. Similarly, a Garganey was there on 30^th but could not be found later that evening. Cormorant numbers increased through the month to 36 on 30^th, 38 Mute Swans on 1^st included broods of 2 and 7, 2 Shelduck were near Lane End on 23^rd, 111 Mallard on 16^th, 1 Shoveler on 19^th, a pair of Red-crested Pochard on 25^th, 248 Tufted Duck on 16^th, 1 Goosander on 29^th and 487 Coot on 16^th. Wintering ducks started returning at the end of the month with 20 Wigeon on 31^st, 23 Gadwall on 30^th, 41 Teal on 30^th, and 8 Pochard on 30^th. The number of broods counted this year included: 5 of Little Grebe, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 22 Mallard, 20 Tufted Duck, 9 Moorhen and 15 of Coot.

Three Osprey records this month. One Osprey was chased away from the Wildlife Centre area at 1630hrs on 2^nd by adult Black-headed Gulls, another was seen from Sheepwash at 1745hrs on 5^th and a further one was reported over Stones Island on 24^th. Other raptors included young Sparrow Hawks calling from 2 regular nest sites and a young Common Buzzard calling, and later flying, which is the second breeding record for this site [previously bred in 2004]. A probable family group of 3 Kestrels were over Middle Wood on 1^st, a Hobby was seen insecting from Paul Stanley Hide on 3^rd and single Peregrines were noted on 7^th and 20^th and then, on 30^th, an adult male took a juvenile Moorhen fromHorseshoeIsland up onto one of the pylons.

A good mix of wader species were recorded this month, mainly on HorseshoeIslandbut, sadly, most stayed less than a day. These included: 2 Oystercatchers on 17^th, 1 Ringed Plover on 21^st, 6 Golden Plover flying south on 14^th, Lapwing all month, with 107 counted on 15^th, 1 Little Stint on 21^st and another on 26^th, 1 Curlew Sandpiper on 26^th, 1 Dunlin on 21^st and 29^th-31^st, 3 Snipe on 29^th, 1 Black-tailed Godwit on 15^th, 5 Curlew flew over on 21^st, 1 Redshank on 3^rd, 26^th and 28^th, 1 Greenshank on 20^th and 23^rd, 1 Green Sandpiper on Sheepwash Spit on 30-31^st, Common Sandpiper all month with 2 on 15^th and 21^st and 2 Turnstones on 3^rd.

The gull roost started this month with 1200 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on 17^th, an adult and a juvenile Common Gull on 17^th, a juvenile Herring Gull on 28^th and 7 Yellow-legged Gulls of various ages on 28^th. The only Terns recorded were Common Terns with an adult on 3^rd and single juveniles on 23^rd, 26^th and 28^th.

Two Stock Doves were feeding on Hopton Bypass grass verge on 1^st, 3 Little Owls were on view from the Wildlife Centre on 1^st and a single Swift noted on 22^nd. In a very rare event, all 3 woodpecker species were recorded this month: 1 Green Woodpecker on 3^rd near Hopton End, 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Paul Stanley Hide on 11^th and Great Spotted there most days and 1 at the Wildlife Centre on 11^th. Sand Martin passage numbers have dwindled, with just 1 on 30^th. Swallows, 45 on 19^th, and House Martins, 50 plus on 12^th, are still on passage in good numbers. Other migrants included a Yellow Wagtail on 11^th, 2 Redstarts on 23^rd and on 26^th, a Wheatear on 12^th, 1 Sedge Warbler on 1^st, 1 Reed Warbler on 29^th, 1 Lesser Whitethroat on 3^rd, 4 Whitethroat on 7^th and 5 Spotted Flycatchers on 7^th and again on 17^th. A Kingfisher is now visiting many locations on site; Jays are regularly around Paul Stanley Hide with 2 near the feeders on 19^th, 150 Jackdaws were over Hall Wood on 7^th and 2 Raven on 19^th. A Goldfinch flock on Stones Island all month totalled 70 on 28^th, 40 Tree Sparrows were around the Wildlife Centre feeders on 5^th, 7 Linnets were noted on 28^th and an adult Linnet was feeding a juvenile on Sheepwash Spit on 30^th which is the only sign of breeding this year.

109 Species were recorded this August compared with 98 in 2006, 105 in 2005, 113 in 2004 and 110 in 2003.

 

July 2007 Highlights: Yellow-nosed Albatross!

Casual birdwatchers Cyril and Shirley Wood visit Carsington several times a week to enjoy the birds. Little did they realise the significance of a sighting they had from Millfields car park on 2^nd July between 1500-1510hrs. Evidently all the Coot moved to the side, and even Canada Geese moved away from what seemed to be a large Great Black-backed Gull type bird with a big black bill which landed on the water only 80 metres away from the observers [40metres out from the shoreline]. The bird had black wings/back, a white head, a large black bill and a dark eye. The bird twice did short flights on long narrow wings and landed, keeping close inshore and occasionally behind trees to the observers. The bird then flew on low past Millfields Island and was lost to sight northeast over the water. C&S then spent some time looking for the bird but no sign. Reference to their ID book did not help identify what they had seen and the incident would have been forgotten, except that they opened their newspaper the following morning to see a picture of exactly what they both agreed they had seen the previous day, especially the black bill shape. The photograph was of a Yellow-nosed Albatross taken into care and subsequently released on the Somerset coast two days earlier. They returned to Carsington to report their sighting to surprised recipients, who found it difficult to believe an Albatross would fly this far inland but, realising C&S had certainly seen something interesting, asked them for a description. A week later, photographs appeared of the YNA on a fishing pond in north Lincolnshire. It apparently arrived there about 7pm on 2^nd, within easy time from Carsington. Hence C&S’s sighting took on an increased significance, but it is a first forBritain and the description has a long way to run for acceptance.

Other sightings include: 7 Greylag Geese on 3^rd, a Ruddy Shelduck in flight over the Wildlife Centre on 5^th, 7 Shoveler on 8^th, a pair of Red-crested Pochard on 20-22^nd, 6 Pochard on 20^th, a Hobby over the dam wall on 2^nd, Peregrine on 2^nd, 6^th, 17^th, 23^rd and 30^th, 3 Little Ringed Plover on 6^th and a Dunlin on 15^th. There were 4 Black-tailed Godwit at the Wildlife Centre on 2^nd, 9 flew over there on 10^th and another 3 on 16^th. The first Greenshank of the year was at the Wildlife Centre on 16^th, 5 Common Sandpipers on Dam Wall on 10^th, 12 Collared Doves around the Wildlife Centre feeders on 30^th, a Kingfisher on 18^th and 30^th, a male Redstart on 6^th, 2 Reed Warblers singing in Hopton Arm reed bed on 12^th and 4 linnets on 14^th.

Late breeding records include: Little Grebe only 2 broods so far this year, Great Crested Grebe only 2 broods, Mallard total 21 broods, Tufted Duck total 9 broods, 8 of which appeared this month, Moorhen 7 and Coot 12 broods this year. By the 30^th, all the breeding and juvenile Redshank and Oystercatchers had left site. Sadly the pair of Common Terns lost their single chick early in the month, while there are now 3 pairs of Black-headed Gulls, each with 2 young, some of which took their first short flights on 24^th. Spotted Flycatchers were noted carrying food in Hall Wood on 19^th and feeding recently fledged young next to Sheepwash Hide on 30^th.

95 Species recorded this very wet July compared with 94 in 2006, 97 in 2005, 102 in 2004 and 95 in 2003.

 

JUNE 2007 BIRD NOTES

 June Highlights: First breeding record for Black-headed Gulls but rain stopped play for some other species.

Maximum count of Little Grebe was 12 on 17^th and, so far, only one brood of 2 young near Paul Stanley Hide have been noted. Great Crested Grebe totalled 28 on 4^th and produced only one brood of 1 young so far. Both these species will have been adversely affected by the weather. On the 25^th there was torrential rain which, rapidly raised water levels several inches and, the wind whipped up waves, which, washed away two Great Crested Grebe nests at Millfields, and probably many others. A pair of Mute Swans showed 4 cygnets at Paul Stanley Hide on 7^th, these were reduced to 2 by 10^th but from the 17^th another pair with 7 cygnets were in front of the Wildlife Centre for the rest of the month. Other wildfowl breeding so far this year includes 5 broods of Barnacle Geese, 18 broods of Mallard, 5 of Moorhen, 6 of Coot and only 1 of Tufted Duck, which bred on Green Pond and sadly died crossing the road. Maximum counts total 786 Canada Geese, 86 Mallard, 28 Moorhen and 215 Coot, all on 17^th. Other duck species recorded include a Shelduck and a Ruddy Shelduck in flight together from the Wildlife Centre on 18^th, 4 Gadwall on 5^th, a drake Teal on 5^th and 3 Pochard on 19^th.

Wader breeding has been reasonably successful, with juveniles from at least 4 pairs of Oystercatchers flying around the site and at least 4 small broods of Lapwing and 3 of Redshank have been noted. The largest single counts include 16 Oystercatchers on 28^th, 3 Little Ringed Plover on 9^th, 2 Ringed Plover on 6^th, 16 Lapwing on 17^th, 1 Dunlin on 9^th, 1 Whimbrel on 1^st, 6 Curlew on 26^th, 10 Redshank on 18^th, 1 Common Sandpiper on 7^th and 22^nd and 1 Turnstone on 1^st.

The pair of first summer [just 1 year old] Black-headed Gulls proved they can breed by showing 2 chicks on 26^th, from the Wildlife Centre. Information states that first breeding takes place at year 2 but can occur at year 1 or 3. Also incubation is up to 27 days so, as these birds have been sitting since 18^th May, they were just sitting on pebbles for the initial 2 weeks. However, practice obviously paid off and their record represents the first breeding record of this species at Carsington, appropriately from a pair of first summer birds. There are now 2 other pairs of Black-headed Gulls probably breeding on the rafts. The pair of Common Terns also showed their first chick on their raft from the Wildlife Centre on the same day, 26^th.

Swift movements this month seemed to suggest they were still coming in early in the month, moving northeast, and leaving southwest by the end. There were 40 recorded on 5^th and 14^th and 100 House Martins on 14^th. Also on 14^th 23 House Martin nests were recorded around the main buildings. The Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen feeding young in a hole on 4^th and young were on Paul Stanley feeders on 13^th. An early Kingfisher was on Green Pond on 20^th, this species is not usually seen here until well after breeding. Five Spotted Flycatchers have been noted in Hall Wood andTailBay and 2 family parties of Willow Tit seen. The heavy rains and occasional cold days will have affected breeding success and family parties of Tits, Robins, Thrushes, Sparrows and Finches have been using feeding stations instead of the more nutritious insects, which were difficult to find at times.

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

 

MAY 2007 BIRD NOTES

May Highlights: Great Northern Diver finally departs. Garganey, Hobby, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black Tern and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker call in briefly and Hobby, Spotted Flycatcher and Reed Warbler arrive.

The Great Northern Diver was last recorded on 25th. This departure time coincided with the northward coastal movement of this species. No broods of Grebe or Swan have yet been recorded but there are 4 broods of Barnacle Geese aroundStonesIslandarea, 2 broods of Moorhen, 2 broods of Coot and 12 broods of Mallard around the site. Four Shelduck were off Sheepwash on 4th and a drake Garganey gave excellent views from The Wildlife Centre on 18th. Other wildfowl included a drake Shoveler on 31st, 6 male plus 1 female Pochard on 28th, 115 Tufted on 13th, an Aythya hybrid, probably PochardxTufted, at the Wildlife Centre from 13th, a Goldeneye on 5th and a Goosander on 31st.

The return of the migratory Hobby was well noted with 4 records of 1 bird on 7th, 15th, 16th and 31st and a Peregrine was noted from Sheepwash on 8th. Four pairs of Oystercatchers have young, including 1 pair at Wildlife Centre with 4 chicks, but the pair in front of Paul Stanley Hide had failed at egg stage by the 7th. A pair of Little Ringed Plovers keep trying to breed at the Wildlife Centre, and so far, only 1 Lapwing chick and no Redshank young have been reported. Other waders included 1 Ringed Plover at PS hide on 8th, another on Stones Island on 14th and 2 at the WLC on 29th, 22 Dunlin on Sailing Club Island on 19th, 2 Snipe at WLC on 1st, a Bar-tailed Godwit at the WLC on 1st, Whimbrel most days, with a maximum of 4 on 22nd, and 2 Turnstone on Flat Island on 10th and another on Watersports Island on 31st.

For most of the month there were 4 Black-headed Gulls at the Wildlife Centre, 2 Adults and 2 first summer birds. Apart from disturbing other breeding species, the first summer birds paired-up and were seen mating on 18th, they built a nest and were still sitting on it on 31st. The nest may be eggless and further information is needed on whether these young birds are capable of breeding. A Common Tern was looking at the Wildlife Centre tern rafts from the 1st and a mate arrived on 16th. Even with the hassle the Black-headed Gulls were giving them, by the end of the month they had settled with a nest on the new raft. Arctic Terns were present or passing through in small numbers most of the month, with a maximum of 11 on 3rd. Two Black Terns were present with 2 Commons and 1Arcticon 2nd.

Five Hundred Swift were counted on passage over a 6 hour period on 4th and 300 Swallows were feeding over the water during rain on 28th. A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was reported at Paul Stanley Hide on 26th, 2 Yellow Wagtails were on the Dam Wall on 3rd, a White Wagtail at Watersports on 9th, single Redstarts singing in Wildlife Centre Creek on 7th, in the field above Sheepwash car park on 20th and in Tail Bay on 22nd and a Wheatear was on Sheepwash Spit on 15th. A Reed Warbler has been singing in Hopton Arm new reedbed since 24th, 8 Garden Warblers were noted on 15th, 12 Blackcap on 24th, and the first Spotted Flycatcher was seen near the brick tower on 15th and 2 were on breeding territory in Hall Wood by 24th. The local pair of Raven successfully reared 3 young and have now left site.

104 Species recorded this May compared with 107 in 2006, 107 in 2005, 114 in 2004 and 110 in 2003.

 

APRIL 2007 BIRD NOTES

April Highlights: Great Northern Diver, Common Scoter, Godwits, Whimbrel, Turnstone,SandwichTern and other spring migrants.

One Great Northern Diver was present all month, proving very mobile and even seen in flight. Several Shelduck have visited with 1 on 5-6^th from Paul Stanley Hide, 2 from Sheepwash on 10^th and 1 there on 12^th and 28^th. Generally the winter wildfowl have gone north so a flock of 52 Teal on 5^th from Paul Stanley hide was probably on passage. A drake Common Scoter was found on 15^th and stayed a surprising 3 days.  No unexpected raptor records this month. A Peregrine was sighted on 3^rd, 6^th and 16^th. The first Red-legged Partridge for 2 years occurred on 18^th with 2 in the field between Sheepwash and Paul Stanley Hides. The first Moorhen brood was noted on 27^th with 2 adults feeding 4 young just left from the Wildlife Centre.

On to waders and 7 pairs of Oystercatchers established their breeding territories simply by one pair per island. The pair with a multi leg-ringed male finally settled in front of Paul Stanley Hide. The first Little Ringed Plover appeared on 7^th and 5 were counted on 8^th. One pair was clearly nesting on 27^th, sadly they had lost the nest by the 29^th, but they will try again. Six Black-tailed Godwits put on a show at the Aren’t Birds Brilliant day on 17^th and a Bar-tailed Godwit was around the Wildlife Centre and Stones Island on 28-29^th [see photos on our website]. Whimbrel passage has been in small numbers only with 1 on 15^th, 1 on 20^th and 2 on 26-27^th. Redshank numbers have been difficult to determine as they establish breeding pairs and locations, the highest count was 9 on 8^th. Single Common Sandpipers have been noted most of the month and there were 2 at Paul Stanley Hide on 11^th and 4 on the dam wall on 22^nd. The small stone mound, built by the Ranger Service on the side of Sailing Club Island as a high water level wader attraction and refuge, showed its worth when it seemingly came alive on 19^th, there were 5 Turnstones crawling on it.

Immature gulls seem to be staying on site longer, which is bad news for our breeding birds, as they scavenge anything that may be edible. The gull roost, at Sheepwash end only, on 30^th consisted of mainly immature birds with 300 Great Black-backed Gulls and well over 1000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls plus another raft of gulls distant towards Millfields. Tern passage, so far, has included 1 Arctic Tern on 18^th and 30^th, 1 Common Tern on 23^rd and 30^th and a good spring record of 2 Sandwich Terns on 23-24^th.

The first Swift record was 1 on 21^st, then 5 on 22^nd and 33 on 25^th. Sand Martin and Swallow have been passing through since last month but House Martin was late with the first record on the Club Walk on 17^th of 1, another 1 on 18^th and 20 on 23^rd. The colourful spectacle of wagtails on Stones Island on an April evening failed this year with the first Yellow Wagtail on 13^th, rising to a maximum of 2 on 16^th. The first White Wagtail was on the dam wall on 14^th, followed by singles on 28^th and 29^th and none on Stones Island. A Redstart was singing in the Wildlife Centre Creek on 15^th, the only Wheatear record was 1 on the dam wall on 21^st and the last Redwing sighting was 3 on 3^rd near Lane End.

With Chiffchaff in last month, the arrival of other warblers was out of usual sequence in some cases. Arrivals included 1 singing Blackcap on 3^rd and 16 on 25^th, 1 late singing Willow Warbler on 9^th and 27 on 25^th, an early Lesser Whitethroat singing on 15^th and 3 on 25^th, a Sedge Warbler on 22^nd and 2 on 25^th, a Garden Warbler on 23^rd and 4 on 25^th and finally 2 Whitethroats singing on 24^th.

Only 104 Species recorded this April compared with 118 in 2006, 117 in 2005, 116 in 2004 and 107 in 2003.

 

MARCH 2007 BIRD NOTES

March Highlights: Great Northern Divers, Bewick’s and Whooper Swans, Merlin and Peregrine, Godwits, Glaucous Gull, Sand Martin and Swallow.

The 2 long staying Great Northern Divers were still both present on 29th and presumed present all month. Bewick’s Swan are now a rare event at Carsington, so 24 on the water nearStonesIslandon 9th attracted some attention before they were disturbed by boat activity at 1020hrs. The whole flock lifted, then circled for half an hour gaining height before flying on southwards. It was way back in December 2003 when Bewick’s were last recorded here. Thankfully Whoopers are a more regular sight, with a flock of 33 first over Sheepwash, then over the Ranger Base on 24th, and another flock of 12 over the Visitor Centre on 25th. Wildfowl counts showed that many ducks have left site to journey to their breeding grounds. Maximum numbers this month were: Wigeon 106 on 8th, Gadwall 3 on 18th, Teal 7 on 24th, Mallard 62 on 18th, Shoveler 3 on 3rd, Tufted 236 on 18th, Goldeneye 12 on 18th, Goosander 2 on 5th, Moorhen 39 on 18th and Coot 215 on 18th.

Raptors have shown relatively well this month, with 2 Sparrowhawks from Sheepwash on 8th, 6 Common Buzzards over Hall Wood on 13th, a female Merlin near Hall Wood on 20th, an immature Peregrine on 5th and 30th and a Peregrine from the Wildlife Centre on 19th.

Oystercatchers have claimed breeding territory, which is usually a whole island per pair at Carsington where the islands are small. They were seen mating from 11th, and 10 individuals were noted on 18th and on 26th. During operational work on 26th, over 20 Snipe were flushed up from Sheepwash Spit. This probably helped the following day count of 22 total between the Wildlife Centre and Paul Stanley hide. Other wader records included 1 Dunlin at Sheepwash on 7th, 1 Woodcock in Warrington Knob on 13th, 1 Black-tailed Godwit at the Wildlife Centre on 10th, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit at Paul Stanley Hide on 19th, 51Curlew at dusk at the Wildlife Centre on 1st with 34 still there on 27th, 9 Redshank on 26th and a Common Sandpiper on 25th, presumed to be a wintering bird.

A first winter Glaucous Gull on 5th was the only notable gull this month. On 16th March there were 2 records of 2 Sand Martins, which is consistent with other sites. There were no further records of Sand Martin until the 29th when 2 were noted. This gap was obviously due to adverse weather halting the migration progress. Swallows also started passage, with the first record being 10 on 29th. A presumed wintering male Blackcap was near the main car park on 31st and presumed spring migrant Chiffchaff were in evidence, with 8 singing on 14th and 11 singing on 26th. The Starling roost at Kirk Ireton quite rightly drew in many observers, with up to 50,000 birds, and with balls of birds being targeted by sparrowhawk and peregrine, it was well worth experiencing. By the end of the month it had all finished. On the 2nd, 30,000 starlings, in various sized flocks, were counted flying over Carsington Water towards the roost. The bird feeders around the site have been attracting the colourful Bullfinch, with 6 on Sheepwash feeders on 10th. Also a female Yellowhammer, which is now a rare sight at Carsington, was on these feeders on 28th, together with male and female Reed Bunting and other finches.

93 species were recorded this March compared with 100 in 2006, 107 in 2005, 98 in 2004 101 in 2003 and 96 in 2002. The low species number is due to some migrants which usually arrive in late March delaying to April and very few gull species were seen this month.

FEBRUARY 2007 BIRD NOTES

February Highlights: 2 or 3 Great Northern Divers, Black-necked Grebe, Curlew passage, Mediterranean and Glaucous Gulls, Stonechat, Blackcap and Chiffchaffs.

Two Great Northern Divers were regularly recorded throughout the month and three were noted near the draw-off tower on 27th. Last month’s Black-necked Grebe stayed around the Paul Stanley Hide area until 20th. Little Grebes numbered 77 and Great Crested Grebes 50, both on 18th. Wildfowl counts included 13 Greylag on 5th, 48 Barnacle Geese on 19th, 4 Shelduck on 2nd, 124 Wigeon on 11th, 11 Pintail on 13th, 4 Shoveler on 16th, 327 Tufted Duck on 18th, 4 Goosander on 3rd and 486 Coot on 18th.

Curlew numbers showed intensity of passage when heading towards their up-country breeding grounds with just 1 on 19th, 25 on 24th, 30 on 25th, 48 on 26th and topping out at 57 on 28th. Other waders included 7 Oystercatchers on 22nd, 227 Lapwing on 18th, 1 Dunlin on 24th, 9 Snipe on 6th and 2 Redshank on 18th.

The gull roost held an adult Mediterranean Gull on 4th and 19th to 26th and a first winter Glaucous Gull on 11th.

A Barn Owl flew into the Wildlife Centre window on 26th at dusk and, thankfully, flew off unharmed. Two Little Owls were noted from the Wildlife Centre on 5th and 2 Tawny Owls were seen elsewhere on 24th. A Kingfisher was at Sheepwash on 5th and at many other locations on other dates. Four Skylarks flew over the dam wall calling on 11th, a male Stonechat was inTailBayon 24th, 150 Redwing were noted on 24th but there were no records of Fieldfare this month.

Confusion over whether Chiffchaffs are wintering or migrating seems to have increased along with the number of winter records during recent years. With records of 1 onStonesIslandon 4th, which must be wintering, to 1 in Wildlife Centre Creek on 22nd and 4 betweenStonesIslandand Lane End on 23rd, which maybe? The position with Blackcaps can also be complicated, with 1 appearing near the Wildlife Centre on 22nd, although this bird would definitely be wintering as it may be 5 or 6 weeks before these migrants start returning intoBritain. Maybe the answer lies in whether they are calling and/or singing or not? and maybe we should always record these facts with these early bird records.

Other sightings included 4 Willow Tit on 23rd, 1 Marsh Tit on 25th, 4 Jays on 15th, 3 Raven on 25th, 20 Lesser Redpoll on 20th, 20 Bullfinch on feeders on 2nd, 4 Reed Bunting on feeders on 2nd and, on 22nd, 4 male Reed Buntings were singing. Feral/escapee birds included 3 Cackling Geese on 24th and other dates, 1 Black Swan at Hopton End on 14th and 18th and 2 Muscovy Ducks near Lane End on 26th.

87 species were recorded during this uninspiring February, compared with 89 in 2006, 90 in 2005, 96 in 2004, 92 in 2003 and 78 in 2002.

JANUARY 2007 BIRD NOTES

January Highlights: Wildfowl numbers drop from December’s high, 2 Great Northern Divers and Black-necked Grebe stay on, Peregrine puts on several good shows, Mediterranean Gull, Kittiwake, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Blackcap all put in a short show, and then there’s a Starling swarm.

Two Great Northern Divers were seen most days of the month and the Black-necked Grebe stayed all month, usually in front of Paul Stanley Hide but occasionally hiding in Hopton Arm. The formal monthly wildfowl count showed numbers had dropped from December’s high, this also occurred last winter. Bird counts included 82 Little Grebe on 17^th, 55 Great Crested Grebe on 21^st, 15 Mute Swans on 21^st, 7 Greylag on 31^st, 38 Barnacle on 3^rd and 7^th, and, 192 Wigeon, 36 Gadwall, 93 Teal, 88 Mallard, 145 Pochard, 242 Tufted, 16 Goldeneye, 37 Moorhen and 1174 Coot, all on 21^st. Pink-footed Geese were noted, with 400 high southwest on 15^th at 1045hrs, and 120 northwest on 22^nd. Two Shelduck on 6^th were followed by a single on many dates between 15^th and 25^th, 7 Pintail on 4^th, 6 Shoveler on 27^th and 7 Goosander on Millfields Island on 27^th.

A Peregrine Falcon was recorded on 5 days, including taking a Moorhen and dropping it in front of an audience in the Wildlife Centre on 4^th, carrying a Blackbird over Shiningford Creek on 8^th, and giving an excellent flying display attacking Lapwings on Sheepwash Spit on 31^st.

Some Oystercatchers have already returned, with 3 noted on 21^st, 2 of them displaying on Big Island. 317 Lapwing were roosting in front of the Sailing Club early on 12^th, 18 Snipe were over Sheepwash Spit on 8^th, a Woodcock was flushed in Tail Bay on 22^nd and 5 Redshank, in singles at various locations, were counted on 21^st and again on 25^th.

The gull roost maxima were 5000 Black-headed Gulls on 15^th and 250 Common Gulls plus 2000 Lesser Black-backed and 150 Herring Gulls on 21^st. A Kittiwake was present during the morning of 21^st and an adult Mediterranean Gull was on Sheepwash Spit from 1430hrs on 27^th and again on 29^th before joining the roost.

Three observers watched a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the wood behind Sheepwash Hide on 17^th, 20 Fieldfare were noted on 13^th, 200 Redwing were in Shiningford Creek area on 10^th and 13^th, a male Blackcap was reported between Sheepwash and the Visitor Centre on 26^th, 4 Raven were over Hall Wood on 13^th and 27^th, 4 Willow Tit near Sheepwash on 29^th, 4 Treecreepers at Sheepwash on 15^th, 10 Siskin at Paul Stanley Hide on 1^st and 2^nd, 19 Lesser Redpoll on Stones Island on 8^th, and Reed Buntings were widely reported, with 2 on Paul Stanley feeders on 4^th, 2 on Stones Island on 8^th and 3 on Sheepwash car park feeders on 19^th.

Starlings have been swarming across the water at dawn and dusk, with early morning estimates of 5,000 on 1^st and 10,000 on 19^th. They are known to be roosting around Moor Lane and Gorsey Bank at Kirk Ireton. Various estimates have been made of numbers roosting. On 2^nd February, flocks were counted in at dusk distantly from Sheepwash Hide, followed by a Sparrow Hawk attacking the distant swarm in the sky, estimated at 30,000 birds. If you visit the roost site, please park very carefully as the lanes are very narrow. Please respect residents’ privacy and any reasonably determined estimates of bird numbers would be appreciated.

89 Species recorded compared with 90 in January 2006, 95 in 2005, 91 in 2004, 87 in 2003 and 75 in 2002.

 DECEMBER 2006 BIRD NOTES

December Highlights: 3 Great Northern Divers, Black-necked Grebe, Green-winged Teal, Hen Harrier, Ring-billed Gull and Glaucous Gull.

Another excellent month for species and many birders travelled in to see the more sought after species. Last month’s 2 Great Northern Divers increased to 3 from the 3rd to the 19th at least. One unclaimed report of an adult was made on 3 rd but all other records refer to juveniles, including 3 seen together on several occasions and one of the juveniles is dark. Without further clarification, therefore, the records will show 3 juveniles 3rd to 19th . These Divers were heard calling at dusk on 12th and dawn on 19th . A Black-necked Grebe was found at Sheepwash on the 1st and remained there or at Paul Stanley Hide all month. Two Whooper Swans were seen flying northwest on 1 st and 7 landed nearStonesIslandon 19th .

Remember the days of mist overBritain[17th – 22nd ]? Carsington stood above it most of the time, bathed in sunshine and, probably due to it being the only water visible to overflying wildfowl, it attracted several species. Apart from the 7 Whoopers on the 19th , that day also included 9 Shelduck, 5 Pintail, 8 Shoveler and 12 Goldeneye. Out of this list only a few goldeneye were present on 17th and 22nd.

A Dark Bellied Brent Goose was reported near the dam wall on 22nd , a day when other Brents were reported in Notts and Staffs. The find of the month came on the 10th : a Drake Green-winged Teal. This is the second record for Carsington and thirteenth for Derbyshire. The previous Carsington record was seen by one observer and could not be relocated the following day, which is what happened again. Thankfully it was refound on 13th and stayed until 21st . A female Red-breasted Merganser was present on 1-2nd , 15 Goosanders were near the dam wall on 1 st and a count of 2136 Coot on 17th proved to be a new site record.

Raptors also featured, with a male Hen Harrier being recorded twice around the main centre area on 22 nd and Peregrine on 17th , 24th and 30th . Waders included an Oystercatcher at the Wildlife Centre on 31st , 15 Golden Plover flew low over Stones Island on 16 th , 2 Woodcock were seen at separate locations on 2 nd and last months Black-tailed Godwit stayed on at the Wildlife Centre until 7th .

The Gull roost continued to attract a varied cast, including last month’s adult Ring-billed Gull until the 20 th , a first winter Mediterranean Gull on 29th , 5500 Black-headed Gulls on 17th , 4 Yellow-legged Gulls on 2nd and an adult Caspian Gull on 5th ,10th and 20th . A first winter Glaucous Gull was seen onFlatIslandbefore flying off west at 1455hrs on 17th and an adult Kittiwake flew past Paul Stanley Hide on 15 th .

The 4 Blackcaps seen near Sheepwash car park last month were there again on 2 nd and a male was at the Wildlife Centre on 26th . At least 2000 Starlings flew north across the site at dawn on 19 th and, together with other sightings, suggest there is a large roost somewhere south of Carsington Water. 2 Bramblings were at Paul Stanley Hide on 31 st and the escapee Black Swan was at various locations from 1st -11th and offStonesIslandon 31st .

98 Species were recorded, which is the greatest ever for a December and compares with 88 in 2005, 95 in 2004, 97 in 2003, 89 in 2002 and 86 in 2001. It should also be noted that this site held two American species at the same time, Green-winged Teal and Ring-billed Gull.

 

NOVEMBER 2006 BIRD NOTES

November Highlights: Great Northern Diver doubles, Whoopers here again, solitary Brent Goose, Red-breasted Merganser, Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Mediterranean Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Kittiwake and Hawfinch and two Black Swans.

November proved to be an excellent month for the range of site rare species. A juvenile Great Northern Diver appeared on the 28 th near the dam wall and then there were two on the 30 th . Little Grebe numbers are building, with 70 on 21 st and 67 Great Crested Grebes on 6 th and 21 st . Two Whooper Swans were present on 2 nd and 9 th and two escapee Black Swans were at Millfields on 18 th and one stayed for the rest of the month, showing up at most locations around the site. A lone Brent Goose was seen to fly off south at 0900hrs on 27 th and one was reported later that morning near Bolsover at Carr Vale. A Shelduck was onStonesIslandon 3 rd and another onFlatIslandon 16 th . Gadwall reached a height of 91 on 6 th , with 85 still present on 21 st . Other Wildfowl included single Pintails on 3 rd , 8 th and 30 th , 2 Shoveler on 5 th , 4 Red-crested Pochard on 12 th , 10 Goldeneye on 2 nd , 10 Goosander at Millfields on 26 th and a female Red-breasted Merganser moving between Lane End and Paul Stanley Hides on 26 th .

Raptor sightings included an immature Sparrowhawk, which occasionally landed on the fence post alongside Paul Stanley Hide giving good photo opportunities. Four Buzzards over Hall Wood on 9 th , a Peregrine on 5 th , 13 th , 21 st and mobbed by 2 Raven on 18 th , and a frustratingly possible sighting of a male Hen Harrier was reported on the website for the 5 th , any other sightings of this bird in the area would be appreciated.

Waders included 408 Lapwing on 26 th , 4 Dunlin on 29 th , 27 Snipe at Paul Stanley Hide on 8 th , 21 Snipe at the Wildlife Centre on 15 th , a Black-tailed Godwit arrived at the Wildlife Centre on 15 th and was still there on 30 th , several Redshank at various locations, with a maximum count of 5 on 23 rd and a Turnstone was reported on Sheepwash Spit on 9 th .

A good month for Gulls, with the roost numbering 5000 Lesser Black-backed and 4000 Black-headed Gulls on the 26 th . A selection of rarer gulls includes an adult Mediterranean Gull on 12 th and 26 th , an adult Ring-billed Gull on 4 th , 10 th , 16 th , 17 th 26 th and 28 th , 5 Yellow-legged Gulls on 11 th , an adult Caspian Gull on 14 th and a juvenile Kittiwake, which spent an hour on Sheepwash Spit on 13 th .

A site record of 10 Collared Doves were around the Wildlife Centre feeders on 23 rd , a Barn Owl was seen on 23 rd , 1 Little Owl on 6 th and other dates, a Stonechat was near Paul Stanley Hide on 4 th and another in Wildlife Centre Creek on 6 th , 4 late or wintering Blackcaps were at the west end of Sheepwash Car Park on 25 th , a Chiffchaff on Stones Island on 1 st and another at Hopton End on 16 th , a male Brambling was on Stones Island feeders on 12 th and a Hawfinch was noted as a fly-over between Sheepwash and Lane End on 25 th .

97 Species were recorded, which matches the November site record of 97 in 2005, with 95 in 2004, 92 in 2003, 95 in 2002, 84 in 2001 and 70 in 2000.

 

OCTOBER 2006 BIRD NOTES

October Highlights: Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Garganey, Common Scoter, Knot, Kittiwake and Rock Pipit pass on through, Redwing and Fieldfare arrive. 

A Whooper Swan was near StonesIslandearly on 23^rd until chased off by the local territorial cob Mute Swan. Later in the day the Whooper flew low over the Wildlife Centre. Two Pink-footed Geese were flying with Canada Geese on 5^th, skeins had been seen travelling southeast through Derbyshire during previous days. A flock of 150 Pinkfeet flew low northwards over Paul Stanley hide near to dusk on 10^th and were probably disorientated in the misty conditions. Shelduck were recorded at several locations from 13^th to 16^th but never more than 1 until the 19^th when 8 were present. An immature or female Garganey was seen from Paul Stanley hide during the morning of 21^st, then refound at Millfields, where it stayed to the end of the month. Three drake Common Scoters were off Stones Island on 12^th and the first wintering Goldeneye appeared on 15^th and 2 on 31^st. Counts of wintering wildfowl included 41 Little Grebe on 8^th, 47 Great Crested Grebe on 8^th, 51 Cormorant on 3^rd, 7 Herons on 4^th, 21 Mute Swan on 8^th, 603 Wigeon on 8^th, 70 Gadwall on 30^th, 7 Pintail on 15^th, 2 Red-crested Pochard all month, 108 Pochard on 8^th, 312 Tufted Duck on 8^th, 89 Moorhen on 8^th and 1334 Coot on 8^th.

Apart from the local Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and Kestrels, raptor activity included a Peregrine on 22^nd and 26^th and a male Merlin flew fast and low in front of Sheepwash hide on 31^st. Waders included a Ringed Plover at Paul Stanley hide from 7^th to 18^th, a Golden Plover on 30^th, 206 Lapwing on 8^th, a Knot at the Wildlife Centre on 10^th, Snipe maximum of 22 on 9^th and a Common Sandpiper at Sheepwash on 12^th. Gull records included 2 Yellow-legged Gulls on 19^th and 21^st, a second winter Caspian Gull in the roost on 29^th, an adult Kittiwake briefly in front of Paul Stanley hide on 30^th and a juvenile Common Tern flew past Sheepwash on 1^st.

Turning away from the water orientated birds to the less frequently recorded birds at this site, those of farmland, scrub and woodland. A Stock Dove flew over the Wildlife Centre Creek on 26^th, this species breeds in local quarries and must regularly fly over without being noted. Five Collared Doves were at the Ranger Base on 26^th, setting a new site record for this species. A Green Woodpecker was near Paul Stanley Hide on 14^th, only the second record of this species this year. A Skylark on 18^th and 2 on 23^rd flew over calling, this should also be a regular audible sighting during November. The last Swallow record was 4 on 8^th, but no House Martins were noted this month which is surprising when they were still attending young at the Visitor Centre on 29^th Sept. Any later records would be appreciated. Pied Wagtails roost together in good numbers this time of year and 124 came out of roost and along the dam wall in the early morning of 1^st [197 on 6^th Sept]. Four Stonechats were noted this month, which is as good a number as in any previous month, 2 in the Wildlife Centre Creek on 1^st, 1 in Tail Bay on 14^th and 1 in front of Paul Stanley Hide on 28^th. A Wheatear was noted on 8^th and a Chiffchaff was calling on Stones Island on 29^th, will it be the last this year?

Other significant sightings included a Rock Pipit on the dam wall on 19^th, the first of the autumn Redwing, 1 on the 8^th and 400 noted passing through during a 4 hour period on 26^th, 8 Fieldfare on 28^th, 2 Siskin on 4^th, 3 lesser Redpoll on 8^th and 2 now site rare Yellowhammers on 8^th.

100 Species recorded compared with 99 in Oct 2005, 91 in 2004, 94 in 2003, 103 in 2002 and 91 in 2001

 

SEPTEMBER 2006 BIRD NOTES

September Highlights: Garganey; Osprey, Hobby and Peregrine; Curlew Sandpiper; Mediterranean, Little and Caspian Gulls; Black Tern and Rock Pipit. 

Wintering wildfowl, coot and grebe numbers are building up and include, 55 Little Grebe on 19^th, 39 Great crested Grebe 11^th, 41 Cormorant 11^th, 5 Heron 25^th, 26 Mute Swan 12^th, 20 Greylag Geese 26^th, 40 Barnacle 27^th, 546 Canada’s 19^th, 3 escapee Cackling Geese 29^th, 484 Wigeon 19^th, 37 Gadwall 19^th, 5 Pintail 14^th, an elusive female or juvenile Garganey from the Wildlife Centre 24^th to 28^th, 1 Shoveler 18^th, 2 Red-crested Pochard 16^th, 90 Pochard 19^th, 460 Tufted Duck 19^th, 50 Moorhen 19^th and 1694 Coot on 19^th.

Raptors included 4 Common Buzzard on 7^th and on many other dates. An Osprey pleased one observer as it circled Millfields but, mobbed by corvids, it flew on southwards. A Hobby sped low past the Wildlife Centre on 30^th, a Peregrine was seen from the Wildlife Centre on 3^rd, a juvenile female Peregrine gave a spectacular flying display to an observer in Sheepwash Hide on 20^th and another Peregrine was seen to cross the site from Millfields to Middleton Top on 27^th.

The wader passage this year has been exceptionally poor and reports from nearby sites are similar. Records include a Curlew Sandpiper on 11^th and 12^th which spent most of its stay out of sight on the end of Sheepwash spit, 3 Dunlin on 10^th, 26 Snipe on 29^th, 1 Back-tailed Godwit at the Wildlife Centre on 10^th and 2 others at Paul Stanley Hide on 14^th.

The Gull roost is now well established with 3000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on 12^th increasing to 6000 by 25^th, a first winter Mediterranean Gull joined them on 25^th and 30^th, with 17 adult and sub-adult Yellow-legged Gulls on 19^th and a first winter Caspian Gull on 28^th. Two juvenile Little Gulls were seen from fisheries bank on 8^th, 4 Common Terns on 1^st, which was the last record of the breeding family, two juvenile Arctic terns were on buoys near Millfields on 13^th and a Black Tern was reported on Pager on 27^th.

A late Swift was seen from the Wildlife Centre on 3^rd, 2 Kingfishers on 11^th and singles on many other dates at various locations, a fly-over Skylark on 21^st and another on 25^th, many records of Meadow Pipits on the dam wall with a maximum of 25 on 12^th and, a Rock Pipit and 3 Wheatears there on 30^th. The autumn passage of Yellow Wagtail started with 1 on Horseshoe Island on 3^rd and then 5 in front of the Sailing Club on 12^th. A massive 197 Pied Wagtails were on the dam wall early morning on 6^th, these birds were moving on from their roost at Millfields. The last or latest records of migrants included a Redstart on 6^th, 2 Lesser Whitethroats on 8^th and a Whitethroat and a Garden Warbler on 25^th, all in the Wildlife Centre Creek. Chiffchaff were still present at the end of the month with 20 noted on 11^th and 4 Blackcaps and 3 Spotted Flycatchers also on 11^th.

Willow Tits seem to have bred well this year with a probable family party of 8 noted in TailBayon 9^th and many reports from other regular Willow Tit locations. Four Raven were seen from Sheepwash on 3^rd, 70 Starlings were on the dam wall on 21^st together with 30 Goldfinch, 5 Siskin moved into Millfields on 25^th and 4 Lesser Redpoll were noted over Sheepwash on 25^th.

102 Species recorded compared with 101 in Sep 2005, 94 in 2004, 104 in 2003 and 118 in 2002. Allowing for   the lack of wader species, 102 is a good level of species for September.

 

AUGUST 2006 BIRD NOTES

August Highlights: Ruddy Shelduck, Shelduck, and Red-crested Pochard; Marsh Harrier, Hobby and Peregrine; Black-tailed Godwit and Greenshank; Wheatear, Reed Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher.

Coming out of breeding season, Grebes are now more obvious, with 46 Little Grebes on 16^th, 51 on 21^st and 46 Great Crested on 21^st. Cormorants totalled 31 on 16^th, Herons 3 on the same day, Mute Swans 31 on 15^th, including their broods of 4,2 and 1, Greylag Geese 8 on 2^nd, Barnacle Geese 18 on 28^th and Coot 808 on 16^th.

Wintering ducks are trickling back to boost the resident population and include, 8 Shelduck off Lane End on 3^rd, a Ruddy Shelduck all month, 9 Wigeon on 25^th, 13 Gadwall on 21^st, 36 Teal on 18^th, 157 Mallard on 16^th, 5 Shoveler on 23^rd, 2 Red-crested Pochard on 25^th, 7 Pochard on 8^th, 382 Tufted on 16^th, including 8 broods this year, and a female Goosander at the north end on 1^st. The Ruddy Shelduck was found on Millfields Island on 1^st and stayed all month at various locations around the site. Probably the same bird had been seen at Ogston andWyver Lane just days earlier before arriving at Carsington. It is the first record for Carsington but this species is considered as feral/escapee. Briefly the evidence for this species is; it breeds in eastEurope, a feral flock breed in westEurope, modern British records have not been accepted as wild by rarities committees, they are kept on ornamental ponds including JCB at Rocester.  This bird arrived at the same time as other birds arrived at sites inBritain, which is similar to previous years and is coincident with post breeding dispersal/migration, and some British birders list this species. Apart from all that, this bird is worth viewing.

Raptors featured well this month with a juvenile Marsh Harrier being mobbed by the breeding Common Terns over the Wildlife Centre on 5^th, Sparrowhawk young calling from a known usual breeding site, 4 Common Buzzards in the air on 14^th and other dates, a Kestrel reported with a Moorhen in its talons on a fence post to the side of Paul Stanley hide [not known if a young Moorhen or a big kill for a Kestrel], 2 Hobby towards Hall Wood on both 11^th and 12^th and Peregrine reported on 4^th and 5^th and a juvenile on 15^th and 28^th.

Waders included 2 Oystercatchers at Paul Stanley Hide on 15^th, 1 Little Ringed Plover on 3^rd to 7^th, 92 Lapwing on 16^th, 3 Dunlin on 4^th and 2 on 12^th, 3 Snipe on 13^th at the Wildlife Centre, 3 Black-tailed Godwit flying southeast on 1^st, 2 Curlew on 3^rd and 22^nd, 3 Redshank on 4^th, 2 Greenshank for 5 minutes at Sheepwash on 22^nd and Common Sandpiper present most of the month, with 2 on 16^th.

The gull roost has started to gather, with 470 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on 25^th and 2 Yellow-legged gulls on 4^th. The pair of Common Terns breeding on the raft at the Wildlife Centre saw their two young take their first flight on 6^th, 7 Common Terns were there on 14^th and an immature Arctic tern was flying through south on 23^rd.

Warblers included a Reed Warbler in TailBayon 5^th and a Lesser Whitethroat in Shiningford Creek on 7^th and 24^th. A family of 4 Little Owls were on view from the Wildlife Centre on 12^th and on many other dates, 2 Kingfisher were seen together on 9^th and were recorded most days at various locations, 2 Redstarts were in the Wildlife Centre Creek on 5^th and 10^th, a Wheatear was on the dam wall early on 30^th together with 57 Pied Wagtails, 4 Spotted Flycatchers were behind Sheepwash hide on 18^th and remained several days, a flock of 30 Jackdaws were over Hall Wood on 10^th, 2 Raven noted on 3^rd and 15^th and 110 Tree Sparrows were around the Visitor and Wildlife Centre on 17^th.

97 species recorded compared with 105 in Aug 2005, 113 in 2004, 110 in 2003, 122 in 2002 and 86 in 2001

 

JULY 2006 BIRD NOTES

July Highlights: Escape Whistling Swan and Bar-headed Goose, Shelduck, Common Scoter, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Peregrine and Black-tailed Godwits, Common Terns breed and Reed Warblers sing.

The Bar-headed Goose continued its stay, spending most of the month at Millfields, enjoying picnic titbits from the public. This bird first came in with a Pink-footed Goose during summer, which suggests that the Bar-head escaped from a collection, and is not direct from its homeland, high in Central Asia. There are feral breeding Bar-heads in England, in locations like the Norfolk Broads, but the likelihood of one travelling in with a Pinkfoot by chance is remote. Three Cackling Geese were on site most of the month and these are also considered escapees. This small race of Canada Goose originates from North America and has species status in Britain as Lesser Canada Goose. A Whistling Swan was found on the 9^th, which is the first Derbyshire record. It had been at Tittesworth Reservoir and was back there on the 10^th, then it returned to Carsington on 22^nd and stayed until the 28^th. Before the 28^th this Whistling Swan had suffered an injury to the back of its head and, on the 28^th, the male of a pair of Mute Swans with young, aggressively approached the Whistling Swan on several occasions, eventually it took flight away from Carsington. This bird is also considered an escapee from a collection. Their home is North America and the bird is similar to our Bewick’s Swan but has a black bill with a pale teardrop. These escapees/feral birds are interesting but knowledge of their origin would be beneficial so please let us know if you have any information on where these individuals may have come from. When the now resident Barnacle Geese and occasional Red-crested Pochards first came to Carsington, they were traced to the JCB Pond at Rocester

Other Geese records include 13 Greylag on 3^rd and over 500 Canada on 6^th. The Mute Swans totalled 25 on 28^th, including 3pairs with 4+2+1 cygnets. Duck species include 7 Shelduck on 16^th, 4 Gadwall on 4^th, 3 Teal on 21^st, 2 Red-crested Pochard on 14-16^th, 12 Pochard on 16^th, a drake Common Scoter on 16^th, and 266 Tufted Duck on 11^th. By the end of the month 7 broods of Tufted Duck had appeared, with brood sizes of 10+6+12+1+4+11+3. One further Little Grebe family was noted this month, taking the season total to 5 broods, Great-crested Grebe increased by 1 to 6 broods, Moorhen by 3 to 9 broods and Coot by 7 to 28 broods.

Raptors included a female/imm Marsh Harrier hunting the bank from Hall Wood and into Fishtail Creek on 17^th, a Hobby flew towards Sheepwash on 30^th and a Peregrine was seen from the Wildlife Centre on 9^th.

No more Wader broods were noted during the month and, by the end of the month, all the site breeding adults and Juvenile Oystercatchers and Redshank had left Carsington. With water levels still high, HorseshoeIslandis still the main area to see waders. Wader records include 13 Oystercatcher on 11^th, 45 Lapwing on 16^th, 1 Dunlin on 23^rd, 2 Snipe on 16^th, 2 Curlew on 4^th, 1 Greenshank seen and heard flying over on 26^th, 1 Green Sandpiper on 17^th and 5 Common Sandpiper on 7^th. Black-tailed Godwits have been stopping off on their journey south, with 1 on 4^th, 2 on 13^th, 11 on 17^th, 10 in flight on 21^st, 1 on 22^nd and 1 on 30^th.

The pair of Common Terns are breeding well on one of the rafts from the Wildlife Centre. On the 2^nd they had an egg stolen by a Lesser Black-backed Gull, on the 14^th 3 chicks were noted, from the 21^st another pair of Common Terns were trying to get involved at the nest site, the next week saw one chick on a separate raft, one swimming and another on the island, but, by the 30^th, there were only 2 chicks, both are being well fed on the raft next to the raft they were hatched on.

House Martin breeding success around the Visitor Centre was obvious on 27^th, with 100 birds present, a Kingfisher was seen on 4^th and 18^th and a family party of Redstart were in Wildlife Centre Creek on 15^th. Three different Reed Warblers were noted singing on 9^th. Two were in the new reedbed in Hopton Arm and the other in the small reedbed inBrownAleBay. There are usually only one or two records of Reed Warbler per year, usually on passage, so these 3 were checked throughout the month for signs of breeding, but none were noted. However, STW Rangers efforts to establish the reedbed is already showing success and, hopefully, Carsington’s first breeding Reed Warbler will be on site next year.

93 Species were recorded this July excluding the obvious escapees, compared with 97 in 2005, 102 in 2004, 95 in 2003, 100 in 2002 and 90 in 2001. The annual variations are mostly to do with wader species passage and high water.

JUNE 2006 BIRD NOTES

June Highlights: Six Species of Geese [!] and Red-crested Pochard, Red Kite and Hobby, Common Terns, Grasshopper Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher.

Six species of geese at Carsington on the 1^st of June? True, but one Pink-footed Goose initially travelled with one Bar-headed Goose, probably from a private collection, two Cackling Geese [rising to 5 on 11^th] were certainly not fresh in from Canada, which leaves two Greylag Geese [rising to 11 on 13^th] plus the breeding feral Barnacle Geese [21 on 22^nd] and the abundant resident Canada Geese [320 on 4^th]. This collection was soon followed by the first drake Red-crested Pochard of the year on 21^st, with 2 on 25^th. Interestingly they first arrived in June last year, from where?

On to truly wild and site rarer birds, a drake Common Scoter was off Lane End on 29^th, a Red Kite [re-introduced?] flew over the Visitor Centre late afternoon on 11^th, five sightings of Hobby on 1^st, 8^th, 10^th and 12^th covered all sides of the site, and the only Grasshopper Warbler recorded this year was reeling between Sheepwash and Lane End on 8^th.

Two Common Terns took up residence on a breeding raft at the Wildlife Centre from 16^th, seen mating on 20^th and were sitting for the rest of the month, hopefully not too late in the season. Successful breeding noted on site so far by the end of June includes broods of 4 Little Grebe, 5 Great-crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 8 Moorhen, a substantial 22 Coot and 12 Mallard. Wader broods include an encouraging 6 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher [reported last month] and 2 Redshank. Other breeding includes 31 House Martin nests around the Visitor Centre, Watersports and Sailing Club buildings, at least one pair of Redstart in the Wildlife Centre Creek, Sedge Warbler in the improved Hopton Arm reedbed, 3 Spotted Flycatcher territories in Hall Wood on 2^nd and 13^th and a further 2 pairs feeding young in Tail Bay on 20^th, a Willow Tit family near Paul Stanley Hide on 8^th, Coal Tit feeding young in Middle Wood on 13^th, another Coal Tit family in Hall Wood on 20^th and Treecreeper young in Hall Wood on 20^th.

A walk round the site by a regular observer on 13^th recorded an impressive 46 Wren, 40 Robin, 22 Dunnock, 7 Song Thrush, 47 Blackbird, 51 Chaffinch, 34 Great-crested Grebe, 11 Greylag Geese, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 22 Blackcap, 19 Chiffchaff, 32 Willow Warbler, 2 Jays and a Little Owl.

88 Species were recorded this June compared with 95 in 2005, 96 in 2004, 84 in 2003, 95 in 2002 and 75 in 2001. Traditionally June is a quiet birding month with local birds busily breeding and feeding young so, generally, birds stay local, but specie numbers can be swollen by passing waders and terns. Sadly, not this year.

 

MAY 2006 BIRD NOTES

May Highlights: Two Roseate Terns [a new species for the site], Little and Black Terns, Osprey, Merlin and Hobby, Garganey and Red-breasted Merganser, Reed Warbler and Pied Flycatcher.

May started with 20 Artic Terns and the first Little Tern since May 2002, off Stones Island during the evening of the 1^st. Terns kept coming, with 2 Common and 7 Black on 4^th, a first summer Kittiwake on 5^th, and then back to Terns, on the 7^th, the day count totalled 2 Roseate, 4 Common, 15 Arctic and 1 Black. The Roseate Terns were the first in Derbyshire since 1979 and, following their identification by Simon Roddis at 1015hrs, modern communication systems mobilised over 30 birders to see them before they flew off high northeast at 1140hrs. The communication systems had already been well tested over the previous two weeks in Derbyshire with the first twitchable Alpine Swift at Ogston Reservoir and the first Woodchat Shrike in the county for 37 years at Long Eaton.

A Pink-footed and a Bar-headed Goose arrived on the 31^st from an unknown source, probably a collection, which may also be missing 4 Cackling Geese present on 18^th and other dates. A drake Garganey was viewable from the Wildlife Centre all day on 15^th and was the first record since Nov 2003. Other duck included 5 Shelduck on 6^th, an unseasonal drake Pintail 4-6^th, a drake Common Scoter on 1^st and a pair of Red-breasted Merganser near the dam wall on 23^rd.

Raptor sightings were wide ranging for May, with 7 Buzzard species high above the ranger Base on 9^th, and Osprey circling the water, then into Hall Wood on 16^th, a Merlin mobbed by a Kestrel on 22^nd, a Hobby reported early pm on 22^nd, 2 seen late pm from the Wildlife Centre chasing Hirrundines, another Hobby seen the following evening 23^rd over Hall Wood and a Short-eared Owl being mobbed by Oystercatcher and Jackdaw on 22^nd near the Wildlife Centre.

Wader passage carried on steadily with 3 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Bar-tailed left over from the April flock. Single Ringed Plover were noted on 7^th and 22^nd, a few Dunlin were around most of the month with a maximum of 11 on 1^st. The last spring record of Whimbrel was 5 on 9^th, a Curlew is regularly visiting Horseshoe Island for a preen suggesting it may be breeding in the area, 3 Common Sandpiper were reported on 5^th and a Turnstone was present on several dates from 5^th.

The first Reed Warbler for two years was found singing on Stones Island on the 8^th only, and a singing male Pied Flycatcher, which is becoming an annual event, was found on 20^th. A female had joined the male by 23^rd but this proved to be the last sighting.

Breeding among waterside birds has been showing during the month and, so far, include 8 broods of Mallard, 4 of Moorhen, 4 of Coot, 1 of Great Crested Grebe, 2 broods of Oystercatcher from 6 pairs and 4 small broods of Lapwing.

107 species recorded this May compared with 107 in 2005, 114 in 2004, 110 in 2003 112 in 2002 and 106 in 2001. The lowish figure this year is part due to discounting two subspecies and to fewer passage wader species than usual, otherwise it has been a good bird month. 

APRIL 2006 BIRD NOTES

April Highlights: Little Egret and Red Kite fly through, Knot, Whimbrel and Godwits boost the wader species, another Bonxie calls in, Wagtails of all colours show onStonesIsland and spring migrants are welcomed.

Grebe numbers become difficult to count as they distribute into breeding pairs along the vegetated shoreline and others leave site. Little Grebe totalled 24 on 9^th, Great Crested 32 also on 9^th, long staying Red-necked Grebe was last reported on the 19^th, 29 Moorhen on 9^th and 140 Coot on 9^th. Most of the adult Cormorants have gone on to their breeding sites and just 19 others were present on 2^nd. A Little Egret flew in from the south at 1925hrs on 24^th and continued through and off northwest. A Whooper Swan appeared at the Wildlife Centre on 10^th and then gradually moved to Hopton Arm. The feral Barnacle Geese flock numbered 48 on 2^nd and 2 minima ‘cackling’ Canada Geese were on Stones Island on 24^th. These birds are smaller than Barnacle Geese and are considered escapees from a collection. Shelduck were passing through, with 4 on 9^th, 3 on 15^th and 2 on 29^th. Other ducks included 21 Wigeon on 2^nd and 1 male still present on 30^th, 3 male Gadwall on 18^th, 8 Teal on 30^th, 43 Mallard on 9^th, 248 Tufted on 9^th and 182 still present on 30^th, 3 Common Scoter on 30^th, 17 Goldeneye on 9^th and a pair of Goosander on 10^th. On 19^th a female Mallard was escorting 8 ducklings in Fishtail Creek. This is an early breeding record for Carsington. Eight Pheasants were noted on 5^th and a leucistic [pale, lacking pigmentation] bird was around Shiningford on 6^th.

Raptors included a wing tagged Red Kite over the dam wall at 1400hrs on 12^th, a Sparrow Hawk with Woodpigeon kill on 9^th, 7 Buzzards in the air on 23^rd, a male Merlin south of Fishtail on 13^th and a Peregrine over the dam wall on 19^th and another on 23^rd.

Wader sightings included Oystercatchers present all month with 12 on 9^th, Little Ringed Plovers present most of the month with 3 on 21^st, a Golden Plover flying west on 18^th, 4 Knot at the Wildlife Centre on 13^th and 1 on Stones Island on 19^th, 20^th and 25^th, 42 Black-tailed Godwit around the Wildlife Centre on 28^th, reducing to 10 on 29^th and 3 on 30^th, a summer plumage male Bar-tailed Godwit with the Black-tailed from 28^th to 30^th, 2 Whimbrel at the Wildlife Centre on 16^th, 1 on 20^th and 25^th and 3 on 28^th, Redshank present all month with 15 at the wildlife Centre on 16^th, a Common Sandpiper was on Stones Island from the 3^rd and 3 were noted on 13^th and a Turnstone was reported at Paul Stanley hide on 11^th.

Yet another Bonxie [Great Skua] at Carsington on 11^th from 1915 to 1950hrs. The following statistics need to be checked but they give some idea of the Bonxie enigma at Carsington: this is the tenth record involving 12 birds since 1992, these records have nearly doubled the number of Derbyshire records since 1950 and this is the fourth spring record. Gull reports include an adult summer plumage Mediterranean gull on 1^st, 112 Common Gulls roosting on 10^th, a first summer Caspian Gull roosting on 21^st, 22^nd and 24^th, 505 Great Black-backed gulls roosting on 4^th and 540 on 10^th and a late first summer Iceland Gull on 8^th. The first spring Tern was a distant unidentified ‘Commic’ on 18^th, a Common Tern on 21^st and an Artic Tern on 19^th, 23^rd, 28^th, 29^th with 3 on 27^th.

First dates for migrants included a Swift over Stones Island on 21^st, 2 now site rare Tree Pipits near Middle Wood on 22^nd, a male Redstart in Wildlife Centre Creek on 5^th with 4 on 18^th, a Sedge Warbler next to the Watersports Centre on 23^rd with 2 on Stones Island on 28^th, a Lesser Whitethroat singing on Stones Island on 23^rd, a Common Whitethroat singing in Shiningford Creek on 23^rd, 3 Garden Warblers on 24^th and a rare event of a Wood Warbler singing at Sheepwash on 18^th. Wagtails gave splendid views, especially in the evening pre-roost gathering on Stones Island, with 1 Yellow Wagtail on 11^th, rising to 19 on the 18^th and 21^st and just 2 on 30^th. Blue-headed were also noted, 1 at Paul Stanley hide on 13^th and singles on Stones Island on 18^th, 19^th and 21^st. The first White Wagtail was on 4^th, building up to 17 on 18^th and 19^th and had they not been so mobile the count would have exceeded 17. Also Pied Wagtails were present at 20 on 1^st, 5 meadow pipits with the wagtails on 13^th and 2 Grey Wagtails on the dam wall on 6^th.

Other sightings included a Skylark on 18^th, 200 Sand Martins on 21^st, 300 Swallows on 19^th and 400 on 21^st, 4 Wheatears on the dam wall on 6^th with less other dates, 25 Blackbirds on 5^th, 130 Fieldfare over the Wildlife Centre on 3^rd, 19 Chiffchaff on 9^th, 8 Willow Warblers on 9^th, 20 Tree Sparrows on 18^th, a Brambling on 2^nd and many other dates until 21^st, a Siskin singing in Hall Wood on 19^th and a pair there on 29^th and 40 Lesser Redpoll at Millfields on 23^rd.

117 Species recorded this month compared with 117 in April last year, 116 in 2004, 120 in 2003 and 107 in 2002.

 

MARCH 2006 BIRD NOTES

March Highlights: Black-necked Grebes leave, Red-necked Grebe returns, Curlews roost, Water Pipit and Ringed Plover make brief appearance, Spring arrives on 25^th with Sand Martin, Swallow, Wheatear and Chiffchaff, followed by Little Ringed Plover, House Martin and Blackcap, also Little Gull, Jack Snipe and Common Scoter.

The two Black-necked Grebes, present since 20^th Dec, were last reported on 11^th and the Red-necked Grebe reappeared on the 3^rd after being missing since 12^th Feb. Most of the wintering wildfowl had left site by the end of the month. A few Greylag Geese have been visiting with a maximum of 4 on 21^st, a drake Pintail was present on 21^st, 2 Shelduck on 30^th, 2 drake Shoveler on 25^th, a drake Common Scoter on 11^th and a pair of Common Scoter on 25^th.

Common Buzzard seem to be appearing more regularly around the Sheepwash area and 11 Buzzards were in the air at the same time on the 11^th, 9 were over Hall Wood using thermals to glide and gain height and 2 others were over Millfields.

Wader activity increased with Oystercatchers present all month and 13 counted on 11^th, a Ringed Plover on 11^th, Little Ringed Plover on 30^th, 1 or 2 Dunlin most days and 4 on 31^st, a Jack Snipe on 20^th and 27^th, up to 12 Snipe at Paul Stanley hide on 8^th and a Woodcock on 16^th. Redshank were present all month, with 8 on 11^th and mid-month saw a large Curlew roost on Horseshoe Island with a maximum dusk count of 87 on 17^th which is way ahead of the previous record held at 57 in March 2002.

Gull records included an adult winter plumage Mediterranean Gull on 1^st, 80 Great Black-backed on 19^th, a first winter Little Gull off Stones Island on the windy 30^th and a massive 800 Common Gulls in the roost on 22^nd. Common Gull numbers have been building up in the past few months with good numbers present throughout the day and 800 [actually 794 as light failed and they were still coming in to roost] shatters all previous years maximums held at 200.

After about two weeks of freezing temperatures and occasional snow, spring arrived on the relatively warm Saturday 25^th with spring migrants in small numbers including 2 Sand Martins off Stones Island, 1 Swallow off Lane End, 2 male Wheatears on the dam wall and a singing Chiffchaff on Stones Island. These were closely followed by another Wheatear on 27^th, a House Martin on 28^th, 100 Sand Martin and 20 Swallows on 29^th and a male Blackcap on Stones Island on 30^th but, as this Blackcap was not singing, it could have been a wintering bird and not a spring migrant.

Other notable sightings included Lesser Spotted Woodpecker near Paul Stanley Hide on 2^nd and 25^th, 2 Skylark flying over calling on 9^th and 11^th, 2 Water Pipit and a Meadow Pipit on the sailing club end of the dam wall on 22^nd, a female Stonechat on 20^th and 27^th, 6 Goldcrest on 1^st, 24 Chaffinch on 1^st, 14 House Sparrows around the Visitor Centre on 20^th, 28 Tree Sparrows on 16^th and 15 Lesser Redpoll on Stones Island on 21^st.

100 Species recorded this month compared with 98 in March 2004, 101 in 2003 and 96 in 2002

 

FEBRUARY  2006  BIRD NOTES

February Highlights: Black-necked Grebes stay another month but Red-necked Grebe departs mid-month. Whooper Swans and Smew make short visits. Goshawk, Merlin and Peregrine reported and Curlew return.

The Red-necked Grebe was last reported at Millfields on 12^th and, presuming that it was continuously the same bird, it had stayed since 17^th November. The two Black-necked Grebes remained all month, usually found near Paul Stanley Hide but were seen, sometimes separately, anywhere between Lane End and Hopton End. Other grebes have reduced in numbers after the Dec/Jan highs with 65 Little and 38 Great Crested on 12^th. Cormorants numbered 32 on 8^th, Moorhen 76 on 12^th, Coot 815 on 12^th and Mute Swans just 9, including 3 of last years young on 8^th and 12^th, which is low for this site. On 26^th a flight of 13 Whooper Swans came in over Millfields from the south at 08.30hrs, circled the water and flew on northwest towards their breeding grounds. Two flocks of Whoopers had been reported south of here during the previous afternoon so the sighting was more hoped for than surprising.

Duck numbers have dropped as expected, with 183 Wigeon, 32 Gadwall, 179 Teal, 144 Mallard, 66 Pochard, 558 Tufted, 151 Ruddy, and a high count of 33 Goldeneye, all on 12^th. Other ducks included a pair of Pintail briefly at Sheepwash on 18^th, a welcomed drake Smew at Sheepwash in the afternoon of 19^th, a pair of Shoveler at Lane End on 19^th and four pairs of Goosander along the dam wall on 7^th.

Apart from the resident Kestrels and Sparrow Hawks, raptors included 4 Common Buzzards over Hall Wood on 21^st, a Goshawk at Lane End on 17^th, a male Merlin on 24^th and a Peregrine on 1^st and 19^th.

Waders saw the Oystercatcher numbers rise to nine by the 22^nd and potentially breeding pairs have already claimed territories on both Big and Millfields Islands. Lapwing numbers are gradually reducing as birds move on, with 671 on 3^rd, 549 on 12^th and 450 on 24^th. A single Dunlin was at the Wildlife Centre on 4^th and 5^th, Snipe numbers reached 8 at the Wildlife Centre on 8^th and 19 at Paul Stanley Hide on 27^th, a Woodcock was flushed at Sheepwash on 3^rd and two flushed in Tail Bay on 27^th, Redshank were present all month with a maximum of 6 on 14^th and Curlew first arrived on their movement northwards to breeding grounds with 5 at the Wildlife Centre on 20^th and 6 on 25^th and 28^th.

Adult Mediterranean Gulls were seen in singles on 11^th, 14^th, 16^th and 22^nd. These records included two different birds, a winter plumage adult and a near full summer adult, and they were seen occasionally during the middle of the day as well as at roost.

Other records include 4 Stock Doves over Millfields on 16^th, 70 Woodpigeon on 27^th, 2 Kingfishers on 20^th, with 1 seen most days, a Skylark over Fishtail on 10^th, 26 Meadow Pipits on dam wall on 10^th, 15 Robin on 8^th, 29 Fieldfare on 24^th, 6 Treecreeper on 8^th, 120 Jackdaw over Hopton End on 16^th, 500 Starlings over Watersports on 24^th, 6 House Sparrows on 8^th, a male Brambling on 16^th, 3 male Reed Bunting on Paul Stanley feeders on 5^th and 6^th and an unseasonal Linnet seen and calling from Paul Stanley Hide on 12^th.

89 species recorded compared with 90 in February 2005, 96 in 2004, 92 in 2003 and 78 in 2002.

 

January 2006 Bird Notes: 

Highlights: Wildfowl numbers drop from December’s records, Red-necked and Black-necked Grebe stay all month, Pink-footed Geese fly over, and Gull species, Woodcock, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Hawfinch start the year list.

With the majority of January spent in a dull, grey, cold, calm, boring, shroud, Carsington saw many visiting birders obviously seeking the rarer Grebes and then going on to find other good birds. December’s record count of Little Grebes was matched exactly at 105 on 13^th. The 2 Black-necked Grebes remained all month, initially faithful to the Paul Stanley Hide, then visiting Sheepwash and, towards the end of the month, were usually found at Hopton End and Big Island. The birds were seen offering each other fish so can be referred to as a pair, if only they would stay into breeding season. The Red-necked Grebe started the year at Millfields, then in front of the sailing club, then near Fishtail Creek on 3^rd, then reported on two occasions in two places at once, then it was an adult and not a first winter. So were there two? Or had it matured and become very mobile? Learned literature states little is known about maturing dates and periods for their bill and plumage, except that they are variable. So, checking photographs and any detailed records and dates available, the rational conclusion, so far, is that there is only one Red-necked Grebe, which is mobile, and the bill colouring matured from first winter over the Christmas and New Year period.

Pink-footed Geese were seen flying West, which is part of their staged journey back to their northern breeding grounds, with 66 on 18^th and 300 plus 200 on 29^th. Wildfowl numbers generally decreased from the mid December records, except Ruddy Duck with 182 on 16^th and Goldeneye 24 on 16^th. Also a Shelduck was present on 16^th, a female Shoveler on 9^th and a pair of Pintail on 22^nd.

Raptors included 4 Common Buzzards over Hall Wood on 21^st and a hunting Peregrine near Hall Wood on 19^th. Waders included 2 Oystercatchers at Sheepwash on 29^th, 840 Lapwing on 16^th, 3 Redshank on Stones Island on 24^th, up to 17 Snipe from Paul Stanley Hide on 15^th, and a Woodcock flushed from the north edge of Fishtail on 18^th.

The afternoon pre-roost plus the gull roost included an adult Mediterranean Gull on 4^th, 9^th and 12^th, adult Yellow-legged Gull on 2^nd, 12^th 13^th and 15^th, Caspian Gull third winter on 14^th, adult on 18^th and adult plus first winter on 19^th, a first winter Glaucous Gull on 8^th, and an immature Kittiwake flew through low on 19^th.

Other sightings listed are, a Skylark calling over Stones Island on 1^st, 20 Meadow Pipits on the dam wall on 2^nd, 50 Redwings at Sheepwash on 13^th, a Blackcap near the Wildlife Centre on 18^th, a Chiffchaff in short song at Sheepwash on 18^th, 4 Raven over Hall Wood on 1^st, a flock of 100plus Siskin at Millfields on 24^th and a Reed Bunting at the Wildlife Centre on 9^th and on Paul Stanley feeders on 27^th. Also a Hawfinch was seen at the Millfields end of the dam wall feeding on seeds of the Field Maple on 20^th. This is only the second record for the site for this species, the first was just last month onStonesIsland.

90 species recorded compared with 88 in January 2005, 91 in 2004, 87 in 2003 and 75 in 2002.