Carsington Bird Club

2007 Bird Notes

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 3rd 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 15th and approximately 50 Pink-footed Geese were flying low on 21st at 1015hrs, rather undecidedly northeast in thick mist. Counts included; 104 little Grebe on 19th, 63 Great Crested Grebe on 19th, 30 Cormorant on 9th, 4 Heron on 28th, 13 Greylag Geese on 13th, 1 escape Cackling Goose with 41 feral Barnacle Geese on 3rd, 450 Wigeon on 9th, 132 Teal on 9th, 202 Mallard on 9th, 1 drake Pintail on 13th, 2 Shoveler on 13th, 217 Pochard on 9th, 783 Tufted Duck on 9th, 16 Goldeneye on 10th, 13 Goosander on 30th, 53 Moorhen on 9th and 1770 Coot on 9th.

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 18th. A female Merlin was noted in Shiningford Creek on 17th.

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

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

Two Little Owls were visible from the Wildlife Centre on 10th and a pair of Tawny Owls was seen on 9th. Kingfisher has been recorded all around the site on many dates and 2 were noted on 9th and 15th. A single Skylark flew over Sheepwash calling on 13th. A Meadow Pipit flock in Tail Bay numbered 19 on 10th and 24 on 19th. 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 10th, 1 Fieldfare on 9th, 11 Redwing on 2nd and 2 Mistle Thrush on 18th. 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 10th. 26 Chaffinch plus 8 Goldfinch were also around the Wildlife Centre feeders on 3rd. Many small flocks of Siskin have been reported from many locations, the largest being 50 at Sheepwash on 4th 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 10th 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 9th and was one of a number seen inland around this date. 15 Whooper Swans were on site on 9th, 4 Shelduck on 13th and a drake Common Scoter 19th to 21st.

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

Peregrines have been visiting regularly again this month, with 2 from Wildlife Centre on 24th and 2 over Hall Wood on 6th. They have also been seen taking/carrying prey including a Moorhen on 11th, a Teal on 20th and a Coot on 22nd. 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 25th, a Ringed Plover flying with Lapwings on 5th, 5 Dunlin on 21st, 8 Snipe at the Wildlife Centre on 4th, 1 Curlew on 14th, 4 Redshank on 6th and a Phalarope Species on 10th. 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 9th to 30th and 2 on 29th, an adult Ring-billed Gull 9th to 13th and from 17th most evenings to 30th, 5 Yellow-legged Gulls on 3rd, 1 adult Caspian Gull on 3rd, 12th and 21st, a first winter Glaucous Gull on 12th and an adult Kittiwake on 8th. The Ring-billed Gull is most likely to be the previous years’ returning bird and, let us hope, could return on 10th Nov in years to come.

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

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

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

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

Late dates for summer migrants were 3 Swallows on 4th, 1 Wheatear on 12th, 2 Blackcap on 9th, 2 Chiffchaff on 1st and 1 Willow Warbler on 6th. Autumn/Winter movement included 3 Skylarks flying over on 14th and 26th, 30 Meadow Pipits on 11th and 14th, 1 Rock Pipit on the Dam Wall on 14th, 2 Stonechats on 5th, 1 Fieldfare on 11th and 32 on 30th, 100 Redwing on 25th, 8 Mistle Thrushes on 15th, 1 Brambling on 14th and 2 on 26th, 8 Siskin on 17th and 7 Lesser Redpoll on 9th. Also, a Green Woodpecker was seen in Middle Wood on 12th and a flock of 300 Jackdaw was noted on 27th from P.S. Hide. And, the highlights: a Hooded Crow was seen flying south over Stones Island at 1000hrs on 21st and a Lapland Bunting flew west over the Dam Wall at 0905hrs on 11th. 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 25th, 60 at 0845hrs on 27th and 150 at 0950hrs, again on 27th. 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 26th. Common wintering wildfowl numbers are now increasing and maximum counts included: 41 Little Grebe on 5th, 28 Great Crested Grebe on 13th, 48 Cormorant on 7th, 9 Heron on 4th, 36 Mute Swans on 23rd, 2 Greylag on 7th, 28 Barnacle on 23rd, 4 Shelduck on 12th, 318 Wigeon on 23rd and 306 in a single flock at Sheepwash on 30th, 39 Gadwall on 23rd, 95 Teal on 23rd, 203 Mallard on 23rd, 3 Pintail on 10th and 23rd, 3 Shoveler on 21st, 5 Red-crested Pochard on 15th, at least 100 Pochard on 24th, 650 Tufted Duck on 23rd, 1 Water Rail at Hopton End on 30th, 61 Moorhen on 23rd and 1611 Coot on 23rd.

Raptor records this month can be summed up by the records from one observer, on 26th 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 4th and 8th, 1 Grey Plover flying past the Wildlife Centre on 27th demonstrating its distinctive call, 1 juv Little Stint on Watersports shoreline on 19th, a juv Curlew Sandpiper on Stones Island on 29th, 3 Snipe on 27th, 2 Curlew on 25th, 3 Redshank on 8th, a Greenshank at Sheepwash on 4th, 1 Green Sandpiper from last month until the 23rd, mainly around the Wildlife Centre Creeks and Paul Stanley Hide area, 1 Wood Sandpiper on 9th and 1 Common Sandpiper up to 27th.

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

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

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 28th at 0930hrs but was not seen again until 1700hrs and has not been seen since. Similarly, a Garganey was there on 30th but could not be found later that evening. Cormorant numbers increased through the month to 36 on 30th, 38 Mute Swans on 1st included broods of 2 and 7, 2 Shelduck were near Lane End on 23rd, 111 Mallard on 16th, 1 Shoveler on 19th, a pair of Red-crested Pochard on 25th, 248 Tufted Duck on 16th, 1 Goosander on 29th and 487 Coot on 16th. Wintering ducks started returning at the end of the month with 20 Wigeon on 31st, 23 Gadwall on 30th, 41 Teal on 30th, and 8 Pochard on 30th. 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 2nd by adult Black-headed Gulls, another was seen from Sheepwash at 1745hrs on 5th and a further one was reported over Stones Island on 24th. 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 1st, a Hobby was seen insecting from Paul Stanley Hide on 3rd and single Peregrines were noted on 7th and 20th and then, on 30th, 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 17th, 1 Ringed Plover on 21st, 6 Golden Plover flying south on 14th, Lapwing all month, with 107 counted on 15th, 1 Little Stint on 21st and another on 26th, 1 Curlew Sandpiper on 26th, 1 Dunlin on 21st and 29th-31st, 3 Snipe on 29th, 1 Black-tailed Godwit on 15th, 5 Curlew flew over on 21st, 1 Redshank on 3rd, 26th and 28th, 1 Greenshank on 20th and 23rd, 1 Green Sandpiper on Sheepwash Spit on 30-31st, Common Sandpiper all month with 2 on 15th and 21st and 2 Turnstones on 3rd.

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

Two Stock Doves were feeding on Hopton Bypass grass verge on 1st, 3 Little Owls were on view from the Wildlife Centre on 1st and a single Swift noted on 22nd. In a very rare event, all 3 woodpecker species were recorded this month: 1 Green Woodpecker on 3rd near Hopton End, 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Paul Stanley Hide on 11th and Great Spotted there most days and 1 at the Wildlife Centre on 11th. Sand Martin passage numbers have dwindled, with just 1 on 30th. Swallows, 45 on 19th, and House Martins, 50 plus on 12th, are still on passage in good numbers. Other migrants included a Yellow Wagtail on 11th, 2 Redstarts on 23rd and on 26th, a Wheatear on 12th, 1 Sedge Warbler on 1st, 1 Reed Warbler on 29th, 1 Lesser Whitethroat on 3rd, 4 Whitethroat on 7th and 5 Spotted Flycatchers on 7th and again on 17th. A Kingfisher is now visiting many locations on site; Jays are regularly around Paul Stanley Hide with 2 near the feeders on 19th, 150 Jackdaws were over Hall Wood on 7th and 2 Raven on 19th. A Goldfinch flock on Stones Island all month totalled 70 on 28th, 40 Tree Sparrows were around the Wildlife Centre feeders on 5th, 7 Linnets were noted on 28th and an adult Linnet was feeding a juvenile on Sheepwash Spit on 30th 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 2nd 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 2nd, 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 3rd, a Ruddy Shelduck in flight over the Wildlife Centre on 5th, 7 Shoveler on 8th, a pair of Red-crested Pochard on 20-22nd, 6 Pochard on 20th, a Hobby over the dam wall on 2nd, Peregrine on 2nd, 6th, 17th, 23rd and 30th, 3 Little Ringed Plover on 6th and a Dunlin on 15th. There were 4 Black-tailed Godwit at the Wildlife Centre on 2nd, 9 flew over there on 10th and another 3 on 16th. The first Greenshank of the year was at the Wildlife Centre on 16th, 5 Common Sandpipers on Dam Wall on 10th, 12 Collared Doves around the Wildlife Centre feeders on 30th, a Kingfisher on 18th and 30th, a male Redstart on 6th, 2 Reed Warblers singing in Hopton Arm reed bed on 12th and 4 linnets on 14th.

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 30th, 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 24th. Spotted Flycatchers were noted carrying food in Hall Wood on 19th and feeding recently fledged young next to Sheepwash Hide on 30th.

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 17th and, so far, only one brood of 2 young near Paul Stanley Hide have been noted. Great Crested Grebe totalled 28 on 4th and produced only one brood of 1 young so far. Both these species will have been adversely affected by the weather. On the 25th 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 7th, these were reduced to 2 by 10th but from the 17th 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 17th. Other duck species recorded include a Shelduck and a Ruddy Shelduck in flight together from the Wildlife Centre on 18th, 4 Gadwall on 5th, a drake Teal on 5th and 3 Pochard on 19th.

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 28th, 3 Little Ringed Plover on 9th, 2 Ringed Plover on 6th, 16 Lapwing on 17th, 1 Dunlin on 9th, 1 Whimbrel on 1st, 6 Curlew on 26th, 10 Redshank on 18th, 1 Common Sandpiper on 7th and 22nd and 1 Turnstone on 1st.

The pair of first summer [just 1 year old] Black-headed Gulls proved they can breed by showing 2 chicks on 26th, 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 18th 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, 26th.

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 5th and 14th and 100 House Martins on 14th. Also on 14th 23 House Martin nests were recorded around the main buildings. The Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen feeding young in a hole on 4th and young were on Paul Stanley feeders on 13th. An early Kingfisher was on Green Pond on 20th, 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 5-6th from Paul Stanley Hide, 2 from Sheepwash on 10th and 1 there on 12th and 28th. Generally the winter wildfowl have gone north so a flock of 52 Teal on 5th from Paul Stanley hide was probably on passage. A drake Common Scoter was found on 15th and stayed a surprising 3 days.  No unexpected raptor records this month. A Peregrine was sighted on 3rd, 6th and 16th. The first Red-legged Partridge for 2 years occurred on 18th with 2 in the field between Sheepwash and Paul Stanley Hides. The first Moorhen brood was noted on 27th 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 7th and 5 were counted on 8th. One pair was clearly nesting on 27th, sadly they had lost the nest by the 29th, but they will try again. Six Black-tailed Godwits put on a show at the Aren’t Birds Brilliant day on 17th and a Bar-tailed Godwit was around the Wildlife Centre and Stones Island on 28-29th [see photos on our website]. Whimbrel passage has been in small numbers only with 1 on 15th, 1 on 20th and 2 on 26-27th. Redshank numbers have been difficult to determine as they establish breeding pairs and locations, the highest count was 9 on 8th. Single Common Sandpipers have been noted most of the month and there were 2 at Paul Stanley Hide on 11th and 4 on the dam wall on 22nd. 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 19th, 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 30th 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 18th and 30th, 1 Common Tern on 23rd and 30th and a good spring record of 2 Sandwich Terns on 23-24th.

The first Swift record was 1 on 21st, then 5 on 22nd and 33 on 25th. 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 17th of 1, another 1 on 18th and 20 on 23rd. The colourful spectacle of wagtails on Stones Island on an April evening failed this year with the first Yellow Wagtail on 13th, rising to a maximum of 2 on 16th. The first White Wagtail was on the dam wall on 14th, followed by singles on 28th and 29th and none on Stones Island. A Redstart was singing in the Wildlife Centre Creek on 15th, the only Wheatear record was 1 on the dam wall on 21st and the last Redwing sighting was 3 on 3rd 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 3rd and 16 on 25th, 1 late singing Willow Warbler on 9th and 27 on 25th, an early Lesser Whitethroat singing on 15th and 3 on 25th, a Sedge Warbler on 22nd and 2 on 25th, a Garden Warbler on 23rd and 4 on 25th and finally 2 Whitethroats singing on 24th.

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 17th, 55 Great Crested Grebe on 21st, 15 Mute Swans on 21st, 7 Greylag on 31st, 38 Barnacle on 3rd and 7th, and, 192 Wigeon, 36 Gadwall, 93 Teal, 88 Mallard, 145 Pochard, 242 Tufted, 16 Goldeneye, 37 Moorhen and 1174 Coot, all on 21st. Pink-footed Geese were noted, with 400 high southwest on 15th at 1045hrs, and 120 northwest on 22nd. Two Shelduck on 6th were followed by a single on many dates between 15th and 25th, 7 Pintail on 4th, 6 Shoveler on 27th and 7 Goosander on Millfields Island on 27th.

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 4th, carrying a Blackbird over Shiningford Creek on 8th, and giving an excellent flying display attacking Lapwings on Sheepwash Spit on 31st.

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

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

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

Starlings have been swarming across the water at dawn and dusk, with early morning estimates of 5,000 on 1st and 10,000 on 19th. They are known to be roosting around Moor Lane and Gorsey Bank at Kirk Ireton. Various estimates have been made of numbers roosting. On 2nd 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.

Carsington Bird Club

2006 Bird Notes

 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 23rd 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 5th, 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 10th and were probably disorientated in the misty conditions. Shelduck were recorded at several locations from 13th to 16th but never more than 1 until the 19th when 8 were present. An immature or female Garganey was seen from Paul Stanley hide during the morning of 21st, then refound at Millfields, where it stayed to the end of the month. Three drake Common Scoters were off Stones Island on 12th and the first wintering Goldeneye appeared on 15th and 2 on 31st. Counts of wintering wildfowl included 41 Little Grebe on 8th, 47 Great Crested Grebe on 8th, 51 Cormorant on 3rd, 7 Herons on 4th, 21 Mute Swan on 8th, 603 Wigeon on 8th, 70 Gadwall on 30th, 7 Pintail on 15th, 2 Red-crested Pochard all month, 108 Pochard on 8th, 312 Tufted Duck on 8th, 89 Moorhen on 8th and 1334 Coot on 8th.

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

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 26th, this species breeds in local quarries and must regularly fly over without being noted. Five Collared Doves were at the Ranger Base on 26th, setting a new site record for this species. A Green Woodpecker was near Paul Stanley Hide on 14th, only the second record of this species this year. A Skylark on 18th and 2 on 23rd flew over calling, this should also be a regular audible sighting during November. The last Swallow record was 4 on 8th, but no House Martins were noted this month which is surprising when they were still attending young at the Visitor Centre on 29th 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 1st [197 on 6th 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 1st, 1 in Tail Bay on 14th and 1 in front of Paul Stanley Hide on 28th. A Wheatear was noted on 8th and a Chiffchaff was calling on Stones Island on 29th, will it be the last this year?

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

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

Raptors included 4 Common Buzzard on 7th 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 30th, a Peregrine was seen from the Wildlife Centre on 3rd, a juvenile female Peregrine gave a spectacular flying display to an observer in Sheepwash Hide on 20th and another Peregrine was seen to cross the site from Millfields to Middleton Top on 27th.

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

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

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

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

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 16th, 51 on 21st and 46 Great Crested on 21st. Cormorants totalled 31 on 16th, Herons 3 on the same day, Mute Swans 31 on 15th, including their broods of 4,2 and 1, Greylag Geese 8 on 2nd, Barnacle Geese 18 on 28th and Coot 808 on 16th.

Wintering ducks are trickling back to boost the resident population and include, 8 Shelduck off Lane End on 3rd, a Ruddy Shelduck all month, 9 Wigeon on 25th, 13 Gadwall on 21st, 36 Teal on 18th, 157 Mallard on 16th, 5 Shoveler on 23rd, 2 Red-crested Pochard on 25th, 7 Pochard on 8th, 382 Tufted on 16th, including 8 broods this year, and a female Goosander at the north end on 1st. The Ruddy Shelduck was found on Millfields Island on 1st 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 5th, Sparrowhawk young calling from a known usual breeding site, 4 Common Buzzards in the air on 14th 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 11th and 12th and Peregrine reported on 4th and 5th and a juvenile on 15th and 28th.

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

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

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

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 9th, which is the first Derbyshire record. It had been at Tittesworth Reservoir and was back there on the 10th, then it returned to Carsington on 22nd and stayed until the 28th. Before the 28th this Whistling Swan had suffered an injury to the back of its head and, on the 28th, 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 3rd and over 500 Canada on 6th. The Mute Swans totalled 25 on 28th, including 3pairs with 4+2+1 cygnets. Duck species include 7 Shelduck on 16th, 4 Gadwall on 4th, 3 Teal on 21st, 2 Red-crested Pochard on 14-16th, 12 Pochard on 16th, a drake Common Scoter on 16th, and 266 Tufted Duck on 11th. 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 17th, a Hobby flew towards Sheepwash on 30th and a Peregrine was seen from the Wildlife Centre on 9th.

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 11th, 45 Lapwing on 16th, 1 Dunlin on 23rd, 2 Snipe on 16th, 2 Curlew on 4th, 1 Greenshank seen and heard flying over on 26th, 1 Green Sandpiper on 17th and 5 Common Sandpiper on 7th. Black-tailed Godwits have been stopping off on their journey south, with 1 on 4th, 2 on 13th, 11 on 17th, 10 in flight on 21st, 1 on 22nd and 1 on 30th.

The pair of Common Terns are breeding well on one of the rafts from the Wildlife Centre. On the 2nd they had an egg stolen by a Lesser Black-backed Gull, on the 14th 3 chicks were noted, from the 21st 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 30th, 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 27th, with 100 birds present, a Kingfisher was seen on 4th and 18th and a family party of Redstart were in Wildlife Centre Creek on 15th. Three different Reed Warblers were noted singing on 9th. 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 1st 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 11th] were certainly not fresh in from Canada, which leaves two Greylag Geese [rising to 11 on 13th] plus the breeding feral Barnacle Geese [21 on 22nd] and the abundant resident Canada Geese [320 on 4th]. This collection was soon followed by the first drake Red-crested Pochard of the year on 21st, with 2 on 25th. 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 29th, a Red Kite [re-introduced?] flew over the Visitor Centre late afternoon on 11th, five sightings of Hobby on 1st, 8th, 10th and 12th covered all sides of the site, and the only Grasshopper Warbler recorded this year was reeling between Sheepwash and Lane End on 8th.

Two Common Terns took up residence on a breeding raft at the Wildlife Centre from 16th, seen mating on 20th 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 2nd and 13th and a further 2 pairs feeding young in Tail Bay on 20th, a Willow Tit family near Paul Stanley Hide on 8th, Coal Tit feeding young in Middle Wood on 13th, another Coal Tit family in Hall Wood on 20th and Treecreeper young in Hall Wood on 20th.

A walk round the site by a regular observer on 13th 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 1st. Terns kept coming, with 2 Common and 7 Black on 4th, a first summer Kittiwake on 5th, and then back to Terns, on the 7th, 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 31st from an unknown source, probably a collection, which may also be missing 4 Cackling Geese present on 18th and other dates. A drake Garganey was viewable from the Wildlife Centre all day on 15th and was the first record since Nov 2003. Other duck included 5 Shelduck on 6th, an unseasonal drake Pintail 4-6th, a drake Common Scoter on 1st and a pair of Red-breasted Merganser near the dam wall on 23rd.

Raptor sightings were wide ranging for May, with 7 Buzzard species high above the ranger Base on 9th, and Osprey circling the water, then into Hall Wood on 16th, a Merlin mobbed by a Kestrel on 22nd, a Hobby reported early pm on 22nd, 2 seen late pm from the Wildlife Centre chasing Hirrundines, another Hobby seen the following evening 23rd over Hall Wood and a Short-eared Owl being mobbed by Oystercatcher and Jackdaw on 22nd 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 7th and 22nd, a few Dunlin were around most of the month with a maximum of 11 on 1st. The last spring record of Whimbrel was 5 on 9th, a Curlew is regularly visiting Horseshoe Island for a preen suggesting it may be breeding in the area, 3 Common Sandpiper were reported on 5th and a Turnstone was present on several dates from 5th.

The first Reed Warbler for two years was found singing on Stones Island on the 8th only, and a singing male Pied Flycatcher, which is becoming an annual event, was found on 20th. A female had joined the male by 23rd 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 9th, Great Crested 32 also on 9th, long staying Red-necked Grebe was last reported on the 19th, 29 Moorhen on 9th and 140 Coot on 9th. Most of the adult Cormorants have gone on to their breeding sites and just 19 others were present on 2nd. A Little Egret flew in from the south at 1925hrs on 24th and continued through and off northwest. A Whooper Swan appeared at the Wildlife Centre on 10th and then gradually moved to Hopton Arm. The feral Barnacle Geese flock numbered 48 on 2nd and 2 minima ‘cackling’ Canada Geese were on Stones Island on 24th. These birds are smaller than Barnacle Geese and are considered escapees from a collection. Shelduck were passing through, with 4 on 9th, 3 on 15th and 2 on 29th. Other ducks included 21 Wigeon on 2nd and 1 male still present on 30th, 3 male Gadwall on 18th, 8 Teal on 30th, 43 Mallard on 9th, 248 Tufted on 9th and 182 still present on 30th, 3 Common Scoter on 30th, 17 Goldeneye on 9th and a pair of Goosander on 10th. On 19th a female Mallard was escorting 8 ducklings in Fishtail Creek. This is an early breeding record for Carsington. Eight Pheasants were noted on 5th and a leucistic [pale, lacking pigmentation] bird was around Shiningford on 6th.

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

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

Yet another Bonxie [Great Skua] at Carsington on 11th 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 1st, 112 Common Gulls roosting on 10th, a first summer Caspian Gull roosting on 21st, 22nd and 24th, 505 Great Black-backed gulls roosting on 4th and 540 on 10th and a late first summer Iceland Gull on 8th. The first spring Tern was a distant unidentified ‘Commic’ on 18th, a Common Tern on 21st and an Artic Tern on 19th, 23rd, 28th, 29th with 3 on 27th.

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

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

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 25th 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 20th Dec, were last reported on 11th and the Red-necked Grebe reappeared on the 3rd after being missing since 12th 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 21st, a drake Pintail was present on 21st, 2 Shelduck on 30th, 2 drake Shoveler on 25th, a drake Common Scoter on 11th and a pair of Common Scoter on 25th.

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

Gull records included an adult winter plumage Mediterranean Gull on 1st, 80 Great Black-backed on 19th, a first winter Little Gull off Stones Island on the windy 30th and a massive 800 Common Gulls in the roost on 22nd. 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 25th 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 27th, a House Martin on 28th, 100 Sand Martin and 20 Swallows on 29th and a male Blackcap on Stones Island on 30th 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 2nd and 25th, 2 Skylark flying over calling on 9th and 11th, 2 Water Pipit and a Meadow Pipit on the sailing club end of the dam wall on 22nd, a female Stonechat on 20th and 27th, 6 Goldcrest on 1st, 24 Chaffinch on 1st, 14 House Sparrows around the Visitor Centre on 20th, 28 Tree Sparrows on 16th and 15 Lesser Redpoll on Stones Island on 21st.

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 12th and, presuming that it was continuously the same bird, it had stayed since 17th 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 12th. Cormorants numbered 32 on 8th, Moorhen 76 on 12th, Coot 815 on 12th and Mute Swans just 9, including 3 of last years young on 8th and 12th, which is low for this site. On 26th 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 12th. Other ducks included a pair of Pintail briefly at Sheepwash on 18th, a welcomed drake Smew at Sheepwash in the afternoon of 19th, a pair of Shoveler at Lane End on 19th and four pairs of Goosander along the dam wall on 7th.

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

Waders saw the Oystercatcher numbers rise to nine by the 22nd 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 3rd, 549 on 12th and 450 on 24th. A single Dunlin was at the Wildlife Centre on 4th and 5th, Snipe numbers reached 8 at the Wildlife Centre on 8th and 19 at Paul Stanley Hide on 27th, a Woodcock was flushed at Sheepwash on 3rd and two flushed in Tail Bay on 27th, Redshank were present all month with a maximum of 6 on 14th and Curlew first arrived on their movement northwards to breeding grounds with 5 at the Wildlife Centre on 20th and 6 on 25th and 28th.

Adult Mediterranean Gulls were seen in singles on 11th, 14th, 16th and 22nd. 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 16th, 70 Woodpigeon on 27th, 2 Kingfishers on 20th, with 1 seen most days, a Skylark over Fishtail on 10th, 26 Meadow Pipits on dam wall on 10th, 15 Robin on 8th, 29 Fieldfare on 24th, 6 Treecreeper on 8th, 120 Jackdaw over Hopton End on 16th, 500 Starlings over Watersports on 24th, 6 House Sparrows on 8th, a male Brambling on 16th, 3 male Reed Bunting on Paul Stanley feeders on 5th and 6th and an unseasonal Linnet seen and calling from Paul Stanley Hide on 12th.

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 13th. 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 3rd, 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 18th and 300 plus 200 on 29th. Wildfowl numbers generally decreased from the mid December records, except Ruddy Duck with 182 on 16th and Goldeneye 24 on 16th. Also a Shelduck was present on 16th, a female Shoveler on 9th and a pair of Pintail on 22nd.

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

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

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

Carsington Bird Club

2005 Bird Notes

2005 Notes – pdf file only…

December highlights: Wildfowl counts set new County record! Red-necked and Black-necked Grebes attract observers. Chiffchaff and Blackcap seen and Hawfinch and Common Redpoll extend the site list.

Another excellent month for wildfowl numbers, with new county records for a single site being set on the 18th [RWK,RMRJ,TD] at 1248 Tufted Duck 105 Little Grebe, and 2048 Coot.

[gview file=”http://www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk/CBC/pdfs/BirdNotes/2005birdnotes.pdf”]

 

 

 

 

Carsington Bird Club

2004 bird Notes

2005 Notes – pdf file only…

December Highlights: Ring-billed Gull and Great Grey Shrike remain., but elusive. Black-necked Grebe and Scaup appear, on the same day, a pair of Green Woodpeckers and a Chiffchaff are good records and a Glaucous Gull is added to this season’s gull-roost tally.

Little Grebe totals at 58 and Great-crested Grebe numbers at 41, both on the 15th.

[gview file=”http://www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk/CBC/pdfs/BirdNotes/2004birdnotes.pdf”]

 

 

 

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