DECEMBER 2009 BIRD NOTES

December Highlights: Great Northern Diver, Little Egret, Bewick’s Swan, Egyptian Goose, Ring-billed Gull, Caspian Gull and Water Pipit.

An adult winter plumage Great Northern Diver arrived on 1^st, stayed all month and was joined by a juvenile from 6^th. A Little Egret appeared at Sheepwash on 27^th, then flew away southwest over the dam on 28^th and returned to be found at the Wildlife Centre on 31^st. Two Bewick’s Swans were near the Sailing Club then Sheepwash before flying off west at 1015hrs on 2^nd. Pink-footed Geese movement included 44 northwest at 1205hrs on 10^th, 82 west at 0950hrs, closely followed by 130 west at 0958hrs on 12^th and 1 landed near the dam wall about the same time. An Egyptian Goose showed at Sheepwash and the Wildlife Centre on 1^st. Maximum counts were: 79 Little Grebe on 13^th, 50 Great Crested Grebe on 23^rd, 9 Greylag Geese on 10^th and 12^th, 280 Canada Geese on 20^th, 4 Shelduck on 2^nd, 116 Wigeon on 8^th, 31 Gadwall on 23^rd, 3 Pintail on 1^st and 12^th, 2 Shoveler on 22^nd, 232 Pochard on 8^th, a first winter female Scaup from 6^th to 26^th, 8 Goldeneye on 9^th, 20 Goosander on 10^th and 29 Moorhen on 17^th.

A female Teal with a pale green nasal saddle was well noted on 13^th and was traced as being marked at Grand-Mare in Normandy, France on 4^th February 2009. A pair of Tufted Duck with bright blue/turquoise bills were recorded on 10^th. This form of duck identification is carried out inFrance andSpain and consists of colour painted onto the top of the bill with large black numbers and letters painted on the colour. Note: the species, sex, bill colour and alpha-numerics and the individual can be traced on the colour ringing website.

The only notable raptor record was a Peregrine feeding on Woodpigeon, seen on the pylon from the Wildlife Centre on 8^th. Waders included 27 Golden Plover flying southwest over Millfields on 22^nd, a Grey Plover flying over Shiningford Creek on 2^nd, 380 Lapwing on 20^th, 1 Dunlin on 19^th, 4 Snipe at the Wildlife Centre on 19^th, a Woodcock flushed at Sheepwash on 3^rd and 6^th and at Millfields on 20^th and 5 Redshank on 17^th.

The gull roost included an adult Mediterranean Gull on 10^th and 11^th, last months adult Ring-billed Gull on 1^st, 2^nd and 6^th, 200 Common Gulls on 17^th, 1000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on 2^nd, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls on 6^th and an adult Caspian Gull on 27^th. A healthy looking adult Yellow-legged Gull, which stays on site all day, never seen venturing off for food with the other gulls, has recently been reported eating a Little Grebe. Further information on this will be appreciated.

A Water Pipit was viewed on StonesIslandfor 10 minutes on 19^th. This is the first winter record and fifth site record for this species; all previous records have been in early spring. Species counts include; 14 Meadow Pipit on 17^th, 38 Blackbird on 17^th, 12 Song Thrush on 23^rd, 6 Willow Tit on 17^th, 21 Carrion Crow on 3^rd, 22 Tree Sparrow on 2^nd, 20 Goldfinch on 3^rd and 6^th, 30 Siskin on 2^nd, 1 Linnet on 17^th, 4 Crossbill on 31^st and 15 Bullfinch on 17^th.

93 species recorded compared with 95 in December 2008, 91 in 2007, 99 in 2006, 88 in 2005, 95 in 2004, 97 in 2003 and 89 in 2002.

NOVEMBER 2009 BIRD NOTES

November Highlights: Great Northern Diver, Gannet, Whooper Swan, Garganey, Merlin, Ring-billed Gull and Black Redstart.

A summer plumage Great Northern Diver was found on 3^rd and stayed to 18^th and a juvenile was present on 21^st and 22^nd. The third record of Gannet for Carsington was an adult on 23^rd and 24^th. Three Whooper Swans stayed for an hour on 28^th and Pink-footed Geese movements were 80 SE on 8^th and 60 SE on 30^th. A drake Mandarin was admired from 3^rd to 24^th and a photograph of a first winter Garganey, which stayed 1^st to 16^th, clearly showed a rarer drake Green-winged Teal present on 1^st. The female Scaup from last month stayed until 7^th and the female Common Scoter to 20^th. Wildfowl maximum counts were from the WeBS count on 22^nd except where stated: 71 Little Grebe, 47 Great Crested Grebe on 13^th, 57 Cormorant on 18^th, 41 feral Barnacle Geese on 20^th, 1 escapee Cackling Goose on 1^st, 407 Wigeon, 70 Gadwall, 253 Teal, 183 Mallard, 8 Pintail on 8^th, 7 Shoveler on 2^nd, 3 Red-crested Pochard on 8^th, 256 Pochard, 889 Tufted Duck, 8 Goldeneye on 2^nd, 2 Goosander on 7^th, 2 Water Rail on 21^st, 41 Moorhen and 1645 Coot.

A Merlin flew past StonesIslandon 6^th and a male flew down east bank on 25^th. Two Peregrines were seen from the Wildlife Centre on 22^nd and singles on many other dates.

Waders included a Golden Plover on 8^th, 273 Lapwing roosting in front of the Sailing Club on 26^th, 2 Dunlin on 6^th and 22^nd, a maximum of 7 Snipe at the Wildlife Centre on 12^th, a Woodcock over Sheepwash car park on 7^th and 19^th at dusk, a Curlew on 3^rd, a maximum of 5 Redshank on 28^th and a Green Sandpiper on 6^th.

Gulls attracted birders this month, with a first winter Mediterranean Gull on 1^st and an adult from 11^th to 17^th, a first winter Little Gull flew through early on 24^th, the adult Ring-billed Gull was in the roost all month, and roost counts included 3500 Black-headed Gulls on 15^th, 200 Common Gulls on 15^th, 3500 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on 15^th, 20 Herring Gulls on 15^th, 5 Yellow-legged Gulls on 29^th and 5 Great Black-backed Gulls on 21^st. A surprise on 1^st was a juvenile tern, probablyArctic, flying through.

A first Winter Black Redstart was a superb find on 7^th. It attracted many birders and was present most of the day on the Sailing Club roof and dam wall. This is the second record for Carsington, the first was way back in 1996. Kingfishers were seen most days around the site. Five Stock Doves were reported near the Wildlife Centre on 9^th, 25 Woodpigeon over Millfields on 13^th, 6 Skylarks flew over Stones Island on 12^th, 20 Meadow Pipits on 18^th, 150 Fieldfare flew over the Wildlife Centre on 11^th, 100 Redwing on 2^nd, a Chiffchaff on 21^st, 2 Raven mobbing a Buzzard on 17^th, a flock of over 200 Starlings on 4^th, 2 Brambling in Tail Bay on 21^st, 40 Lesser Redpoll at Millfields on 13^th, 7 Crossbills flying around Hall Wood on 15^th and a now site rare Yellowhammer on 21^st.

The best November ever with 104 species recorded compared with 94 in November 2008, 98 in 2007, 97 in 2006, 97 in 2005, 95 in 2004 and 92 in 2003.

 

OCTOBER 2009 BIRD NOTES

October Highlights: Great Northern Diver, Little Egret, Whooper Swan and Ring-billed Gull.

A Great Northern Diver circled the water for ten minutes at 1015hrs on 15^th and then went northwards without landing. Two Little Egrets flew over the Gull roost into Fishtail Creek at dusk on 30^th, having spent most of the day at Ogston Reservoir. Three Whooper Swans flew northwards past Sheepwash Hide at 1005hrs on 5^th. The formal Wildfowl Count on 11^th included: 83 Little Grebe, 42 Great Crested Grebe, 40 Mute Swans, 6 Shelduck, 590 Wigeon, 39 Gadwall, 123 Teal, 132 Mallard, 12 Red-crested Pochard, 148 Pochard, 733 Tufted Duck, 49 Moorhen and 1770 Coot. Other wildfowl maximum counts were 60 Cormorant on 4^th, 6 Heron on 12^th, 45 Barnacle Geese on 5^th, 5 Pintail on 14^th, 5 Common Scoter on 14^th, 4 Goldeneye on 14^th, 10 Goosander on 17^th and a Water Rail on 17^th, 18^th and 23^rd. There were 2 escapees; a Chiloe Wigeon 1-9^th and a Speckled Teal on 17^th.

Raptors included a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel, both seen from the Wildlife Centre taking prey on 6^th. Five Common Buzzards were in the air on 7^th. A report of a late osprey on 26^th needs further details please. A Peregrine and a Raven were mobbing each other on 6^th.

Wader sightings were a Golden Plover on StonesIslandand 28 over the Wildlife Centre on 31^st, 160 Lapwing on 11^th, 6 Dunlin flying north on 15^th and singles most days, 7 Snipe at the Wildlife Centre on 16^th, 1 Curlew on 17^th and 29^th and a Common Sandpiper most days up to 12^th.

The Gull roost held an adult Mediterranean Gull many dates up to 25^th and a first winter bird from 22^nd. Both were present on 23^rd plus a first winter Little Gull. On 31^st the annual adult Ring-billed Gull returned, 1 week early. Gull counts were 100 Common Gull on 29^th, 3000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on 5^th, 1 Herring Gull on 2^nd, 9 Yellow-legged Gulls on 19^th, 1 adult Great Black-backed on 13^th and a juvenile Arctic Tern passed through on 9^th.

Late dates for summer migrants were 1 House Martin on 4^th, 1 Wheatear on 2^nd, 1 Blackcap on 7^th and 5 Chiffchaff on 7^th, one of which was singing. Autumn/Winter movement included a site rare Green Woodpecker on 17^th, 4 Skylark flying over on 11^th, 40 Meadow Pipit on 17^th, 1 Rock Pipit on the dam wall on 6^th, 7^th and 24^th, a Stonechat in Tail Bay on 6^th, 20 Fieldfare on 17^th followed by 400 on 27^th, 3 Redwing on 10^th and 60 on 11^th, 200 Starling on 28^th, 1 Brambling on 17^th, 30 Siskin on 21^st, 4 Linnet on 5^th, 5 Lesser Redpoll on 27^th, 6 Crossbills over Paul Stanley Hide on 5^th and 1 on Stones Island on 11^th, and another rare event of 2 Yellowhammers moving through on 17^th. Other counts were 15 Collared Dove on 19^th, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker on 10^th, 6 Grey Wagtail on 11^th, 51 Pied Wagtail on the dam wall early morning on 5^th, 10 Robin singing around the Wildlife Centre area on 5^th and 36 Tree Sparrow at the Wildlife Centre on 23^rd. Kingfishers have again been putting on a good show for observers in the hides. One bird was seen to catch 6 fish from the rock island close in to Paul Stanley Hide on 14^th and combined efforts on 11^th concluded that there are probably 4 birds on site.

106 species recorded this October compared with 94 in 2008, 109 in 2007, 99 in 2006, 99 in 2005, 91 in 2004, 94 in 2003 and 103 in 2002.

 

SEPTEMBER 2009 BIRD NOTES

September Highlights: Garganey, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Med Gull and Kittiwake.

Two late broods of Little Grebe appeared this month, boosting a poor year for breeding grebes. An escape Chiloe Wigeon appeared on 28^th, having spent most of the summer at Ogston Reservoir and a juvenile Garganey was around Horseshoe Island 15^th to 17^th. Common wintering wildfowl numbers are significantly increasing; the formal wildfowl count (WeBS) found twice the number of Tufted Duck compared with last year. Maximum counts totalled: 53 Little Grebe on 20^th, 41 Great Crested Grebe on 20^th, 54 Cormorant on 28^th, 6 Heron on 28^th, 23 Mute Swans on 20^th, 1 Greylag on 22^nd, 15 Barnacle on 8^th, 7 Shelduck on 15^th, 270 Wigeon on 20^th, 27 Gadwall on 14^th, 57 Teal on 20^th, 170 Mallard on 20^th, 2 Pintail on 12^th, 1 Shoveler on 10^th and 28^th, 2 Red-crested Pochard on 11^th and 12^th, 85 Pochard on 28^th, 1008 Tufted Duck on 20^th, a female Common Scoter on 30^th, 25 Moorhen on 20^th and 1379 Coot on 20^th.

Raptor species have put on a good show with a Red Kite being mobbed by a Buzzard near Hall Wood on 13^th and a juvenile Marsh Harrier over Shiningford and Wildlife Centre Creeks on 7^th.  Other raptor records this month included 2 Sparrowhawks chasing Pied Wagtails over the dam wall on 9^th, 14 Buzzards in the air on 7^th, Osprey on 4^th and 7^th and one perched on the control tower roof on 10^th, a Hobby over Stones Island on 4^th and a Peregrine on the pylon on 4^th and 6^th, also seen on 7^th and 8^th.

Wader passage has been poor but included 1 Oystercatcher on 9^th, a Grey Plover flying by Stones Island on 14^th, 111 Lapwing counted on 20^th, a Dunlin on 30^th, 5 Snipe at the Wildlife Centre on 22^nd, 1 Whimbrel on 9^th, 1 Curlew on 10^th, 2 Redshank on 14^th, a Green Sandpiper briefly on 8^th and 2 Common Sandpipers on 7^th and 9^th.

An adult Mediterranean Gull was in the gull roost on 17^th and an adult Kittiwake on 30^th. The roost held 3600 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on 10^th and 7 Yellow-legged Gulls on 15^th. A juvenile Arctic Tern was off Sheepwash on 3^rd, another Arctic Tern on 4^th and a Black Tern off Sheepwash on 3^rd.

Kingfishers have been giving exceptional views this month from many locations including 2 together at the Wildlife Centre on 6^th, 2 at Sheepwash on 19^th, 2 on Sailing Club jetty on 27^th and seen fishing most days from the fence posts to the left of Paul Stanley Hide. Two Sand Martins were noted on 3^rd, 10 Swallows on 14^th and 1 on 30^th, 55 House Martins around the Visitor Centre on 11^th and 16 on 30^th. Early morning counts along the dam wall have found 18 Meadow Pipits on 27^th, 6 Grey Wagtails on 11^th, 107 Pied Wagtails on 14^th and 7 Linnets on 8^th. A Yellow Wagtail was near Watersports on 11^th and a White Wagtail on Stones Island on 15^th. A Redstart was in Wildlife Centre Creek on 11^th and a flock of 26 Mistle Thrushes seen on 2^nd. Warblers were mainly seen in the Wildlife and Shiningford Creek areas and included a Lesser Whitethroat on 9^th, 2 Common Whitethroats on 9^th, 1 Garden Warbler on 11^th, a male Blackcap on 27^th, 14 Chiffchaff on 13^th and 7 on 27^th and a Willow Warbler on 9^th. Four Willow Tit were noted on 14^th, 2 Jays were around Paul Stanley Hide on 14^th, 12 Rooks feeding in the dam wall fields on 8^th and 4 Raven over Hall Wood on 13^th.

 104 Species were recorded this September compared with 108 in 2008, 108 in 2007, 101 in 2006, 101 in 2005, 94 in 2004 and 104 in 2003.

 

AUGUST 2009 BIRD NOTES

(to 27^th Aug only)

August Highlights: Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Hobby and Black Tern.

The Little Egret stayed until 6^th, having been on site for 3 weeks. Broods noted this month included the first brood this year of Great-crested Grebe on 24^th, followed by another on 27^th, Mallard now up to 22 broods this year, Tufted Duck to 24, Moorhen to 13 and Coot to 8. Wildfowl numbers included 1 Shelduck on 2^nd, 4 Wigeon on 21^st, 7 Gadwall on 21^st, 6 Teal on 23^rd, 83 Mallard on 23^rd, 1 Shoveler on 2^nd, 10 Pochard on 6^th, 309 Tufted Duck on 23^rd, 2 drake Common Scoter on 6^th and 575 Coot on 23^rd.

A cream head Marsh Harrier went through southeast early on 1^st, starting off a month of many raptor sightings. A young Sparrow Hawk was calling in Tail Bay on 17^th and 4 Common Buzzards were in the air on 19^th. Ospreys were reported on 6^th, 10^th, catching a fish on 11^th and throughout the day on 16^th, including being mobbed by a Peregrine. These Osprey sightings probably involved 3 different birds, all during a period of noted passage southwards through Derbyshire. The number of Hobby sightings has also been numerous, with a pair hunting hirundines over Shiningford on 15^th, taking the prey to a pylon. Another caught and carried prey off west on 21^st and another was hunting in rain over Stones Island on 26^th at dusk. Peregrines have been seen regularly and 3 were noted over the pylons on 16^th.

Wader passage has been poor, several species being heard flying through but very few staying. They included 1 Little-ringed Plover at Sheepwash on 2^nd, 1 Ringed Plover heard near Stones Island at dusk on 21^st, an Oystercatcher with an abnormally long upper mandible on 3^rd-7^th, 55 Lapwing counted on 23^rd, a Dunlin heard in flight on 16^th, 3 Black-tailed Godwit landed on Horseshoe Island on 2^nd, 2 Curlew on 1^st, 1 Redshank on 12^th, 1 Green Sandpiper heard at dusk flying around Watersports area on 5^th and 2 Common Sandpipers on 24^th and other days.

The gull roost started this month with mainly Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 180 counted on 5^th, 1300 on 21^st and still increasing. Two Common Gulls on 6^th and a first summer Herring Gull on 23^rd were also in the roost. An adult Yellow-legged Gull has been on site all month and 4 were in the roost on 26^th. A Common Tern and 2 Black Terns were on site on 24^th.

Two Stock Doves flew over on 7^th and 20^th, a Little Owl in the field between the Wildlife Centre and Car Park on 5^th, 2 Swifts on 25^th (were these the last this year? Please make a note of late migrants passing through) and 2 Kingfishers on 24^th. A Kingfisher has been giving superb views fishing from fence posts to the left of Paul Stanley Hide. A pair of Swallows were recorded taking food under the canopy of the draw-off tower on 16^th, all to the same location, confirming breeding here, which has been suspected over the past few years. At least 50 House Martins were around the breeding colony at the Visitor Centre on 1^st. A Yellow Wagtail was seen during the evening with the pre-roost Pied Wagtail flock on 16^th and 24^th. A Redstart was near the Wildlife Centre on 9^th and a Wheatear was on Millfields Island on 24^th. There were four Spotted Flycatchers recorded on 18^th and they have been seen in Hall Wood, Penn Carr and Tail Bay. A Goldfinch flock numbering well over 50, the majority being juveniles, was noted on 19^th and seen on other dates and ranging fromStonesIsland to Shiningford Creek.

98 Species were recorded this August (to 27^th) compared with 99 in 2008, 109 in 2007, 97 in 2006, 105 in 2005, 113 in 2004 and 110 in 2003.

JULY 2009 BIRD NOTES

 Highlights: Wildfowl Broods, Little Egret and Common Tern Chick.

By the end of July, numbers of broods totalled 2 Little Grebe [2 last year], 20 Mallard [17 last year], 20 Tufted Duck [7], 12 Moorhen [2] and 7 broods of Coot [12 last year]. Maximum counts, excluding young, were 17 Little Grebe on 13^th, 32 Great Crested Grebe on 12^th, 1 Little Egret from 16^th to the end of the month, usually roosting in trees on Sailing Club Island, 3 Heron on 13^th, 25 Mute Swan plus 6+6+5+2 cygnets on 26^th, 334 Canada Geese on 13^th, 8 Barnacle Geese on 13^th, 2 Shelduck on 1^st, 3 Wigeon on 8^th, 4 Gadwall on 13^th, 2 Teal on 3^rd, 81 Mallard on 13^th, 6 Red-crested Pochard on 5^th, 1 Pochard on 26^th and 113 Tufted Duck on 13^th.

 Raptors included 2 Buzzard in Hall Wood on 27^th, a juvenile Kestrel on Horseshoe Island on 19^th, a Hobby on 1^st and several Peregrine records on the pylon from the Wildlife Centre, plus a juvenile on 14^th and a Common Tern mobbing an adult Peregrine on 19^th.

Wader numbers were 9 Oystercatchers on 1^st, 34 Lapwing on 16^th, a Dunlin on 22^nd, 5 Black-tailed Godwit on 9^th at Paul Stanley Hide, 1 Whimbrel flying north on 27^th, 4 Curlew at the Wildlife Centre on 19^th, 3 Redshank on 18^th, a Green Sandpiper at the Wildlife Centre on 13^th and 2 Common Sandpipers on 22^nd. By the end of the month the local breeding Oystercatchers and Redshank had left site.

Breeding performance of the Black-headed Gulls was difficult to monitor due to overcrowding on the raft and nests hidden on HorseshoeIslandand the best indicator was a total of 9 juveniles on 10^th. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was on site all month, usually on buoys around the Sailing Club and Stones Island. The pair of Common Terns breeding on Flat Island successfully raised 1 chick, which took its first flight on 27^th and then moved on toSailingClubIsland.

Other records include 2 Stock Doves over StonesIslandon 26^th, a Barn Owl carrying prey on 5^th, and a Little Owl near the Wildlife Centre from 18^th. 5 Swifts still around the eaves of the Visitor Centre on 26^th are presumed to have ‘probably bred’. A Kingfisher has been showing well, usually at Paul Stanley Hide but also at other locations, and 2 Kingfisher were noted on 21^st. A Skylark, seldom heard at Carsington, was singing over the dam on 18^th, 7 Sand Martins flew through on 27^th, 31 House Martins were around the Visitor Centre nest site on 21^st, 2 juvenile Grey Wagtails in front of Paul Stanley Hide on 20^th, 2 Redstart on 30^th, a Reed Warbler singing at Hopton Pond and another at Hopton Reedbed on 9^th, 5 Raven on 1^st, 11 Linnet at the Wildlife Centre on 15^th, and 14 Bullfinch, including 4 juveniles, were noted on 8^th.

95 Species were recorded this month compared with 97 in July 2008, 94 in 2007, 94 in 2006, 97 in 2005 and 102 in 2004.

 

JUNE 2009 BIRD NOTES

June Highlights: Red-crested Pochard, Common Scoter, Red Kite, Hobby, Black-tailed Godwit, Mediterranean Gull, Black Tern and Pied Flycatcher.

No broods of Grebe yet, but a pair of Great Crested Grebe with 1 juvenile appeared at Sheepwash on 19^th. This pair and juv could have flown in, but maybe bred in a remote area here such as Fishtail Creek. Three pairs of Mute Swans had broods of 6,5 and 3 by 10^th, and the pair on Big Island showed 6 fresh cygnets on 23^rd, 4 broods in total is one up on last year. The fifth brood of Barnacle Geese was noted on 19^th, matching last year. Mallard broods totalled 13 by 23^rd compared with 15 last year and, so far, just 1 brood of Tufted Duck as last year. Moorhen broods totalled 9 by 22^nd, which is very encouraging after none by this time last year, but Coot have just 3 broods, down from 8 last year. Two Red-crested Pochards were at the Wildlife Centre from 28^th to 30^th and 2 Common Scoter on 1^st increased to 12 on 2^nd. A count on 14^th included 10 Little Grebe, 25 Great Crested Grebe, 537 Canada Geese, 47 Mallard, 129 Tufted and 68 Coot.

A Red Kite was mobbed by Crow on 13^th, Sparrow Hawk young heard on 14^th and Hobby noted on 6^th and 29^th.

Wader breeding has again been difficult to monitor due to the tall vegetation growth on most islands. Of the 7 pairs of Oystercatchers present, 4 pairs have bred, one each on Millfields, Sailing Club, Big and FlatIslandsand probably another pair on ShiningfordIsland. Most, if not all broods had reduced to one by 19^th. Two Lapwing juveniles and 1 young Redshank were still present on Big Island on 23^rd. Two further broods of Redshank were noted, from Paul Stanley Hide on Sheepwash Spit on 4^th and not since, and at the Wildlife Centre on 8^th and 10^th, these may have bred on the grass roof of the Wildlife Centre. Other waders recorded include a Dunlin at Paul Stanley Hide on 8^th, 3 Black-tailed Godwit on Stones Island on 11^th, 2 Black-tailed Godwit at the Wildlife Centre on 27^th, a Curlew on 23^rd and a Common Sandpiper on 7^th and 19^th.

An adult Mediterranean Gull was outside the Wildlife Centre at 1045hrs on 21^st, 2 of the 10 pairs of Black-headed Gulls at the Wildlife Centre had young in nests on 22^nd, and a pair started nest building outside Paul Stanley Hide on 10^th and then settled to nest on Flat Island from 16^th. The pair of Common Terns, which failed to secure a nest site near the Wildlife Centre, had set-up a nest on Flat Island by 8^th and were still there on 19^th but can only be seen from a boat. Four Common Terns were present on 2^nd, 1 Arctic Tern on 2^nd and 4 Black Terns on 1^st.

A Barn Owl was seen hunting between Paul Stanley and Sheepwash Hides on the evening Club walk on 16^th. Swifts continued to fly under the eaves of the Visitor Centre up to the 29^th at least, suggesting the first breeding record here. A Kingfisher was in Penn Carr on 4^th and 5^th and then regularly at other locations from 11^th. A count of House Martin nests around the Visitor Centre, Watersports and Sailing Club buildings on 14^th totalled 29, this is ever growing at 9 up on last year. A Grey Wagtail was noted carrying food near Millfields on 15^th and 2 Redstarts were reported near the Wildlife Centre on 2^nd. The Pied Flycatcher in Fishtail Creek was singing from the top of an empty looking box on 1^st but no sign of it on 15^th. Four juvenile Jays were following their parents through Hall Wood begging for food on 16^th. A Survey on 15^th totalled 44 Wood Pigeon, 3 Grey Wagtail, 40 Wren, 15 Dunnock, 43 Robin, 52 Blackbird, 4 Mistle Thrush, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Whitethroat, 19 Garden Warbler, 29 Blackcap, 16 Chiffchaff, 24 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest [numbers of this species have recently crashed on site], 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 12 Long-tailed Tit, 9 Willow Tit, 2 Coal Tit, 47 Blue Tit, 17 Great Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Tree Creeper, 16 Magpie, 34 Jackdaw, 12 Carrion Crow, 1 Raven, 16 House Sparrow, 20 Tree Sparrow, 39 Chaffinch, 5 Goldfinch, 17 Bullfinch and 3 Reed Bunting.

93 Species compared with 90 in June 2008, 93 in 2007, 89 in 2006, 94 in 2005, 96 in 2004 and 84 in 2003.

 

MAY 2009 BIRD NOTES

May Highlights: Great Northern Diver, Red Kite, Hobby, Turnstone, Kittiwake, Mediterranean Gull,SandwichTern, Black Tern, Cuckoo and Pied Flycatcher.

The adult Great Northern Diver, now in splendid summer plumage was seen flying around on 9^th and was last recorded on 10^th. No broods of Grebe yet but, by the 31^st, there was 1 brood of Swan, 4 broods of Barnacle Geese, 4 of Moorhen, 1 of Coot and 8 of Mallard. A female Mandarin, seen on 19^th and last month, may well have a nest at Penn Carr which would be a first breeding at Carsington. Wildfowl counts included a Shelduck on 6^th and 16^th, 3 Gadwall on 15^th, 2 Teal on 30^th, 34 Mallard on 10^th, 2 Shoveler on 26^th, 1 Pochard on 19^th, 101 Tufted Duck on 10^th and 80 Coot on 10^th.

Red Kite have been notable this month with 2 on 16^th, 1 on 30^th and another on 31^st. A Hobby was at Millfields on 11^th and over Sheepwash on 18^th. Last year’s breeding Buzzards in Hall Wood may not have repeated but there is significant Buzzard activity between Green and Hopton Ponds!

Five pairs of Oystercatchers have young on islands, including the Oystercatcher with the barcode leg ring which has bred on FlatIsland. Big Islandhad a pair of Redshank with 2 young on 18^th, Lapwing with 3 young on 25^th and another Lapwing brood of 3 on 30^th. Wader maximums on passage included 4 Ringed Plover on 14^th, 3 Sanderling on 15^th, 8 Dunlin on 8^th, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit on 1^st, 8 Whimbrel on 5^th, 4 Curlew on 5^th, 6 Common Sandpiper on 15^th and 8 Turnstone on 15^th.

An adult Mediterranean Gull on HorseshoeIslandon 13^th was a surprise and it stayed around until 16^th. The Black-headed Gull colony at the Wildlife Centre has 5 nests on the raft and 5 on the island, leaving no space for the pair of Common Terns which have been here all month. Two Common Gulls on Horseshoe Island on 1^st fuelled hopes of breeding following last year’s attempt but, sadly, only 1 bird kept returning up to 22^nd. A third summer Herring Gull was well noted on 30^th, and a Kittiwake early on 8^th was followed by another briefly on 11^th. A good Tern passage included 1 Sandwich Tern on 16^th, a total of 84 Arctic Terns through in smaller flocks on 13^th and 6 Black Terns, also on 13^th.

A Collared Dove nest at the Wildlife Centre sadly collapsed shortly after 7^th, which is a shame as this species still has not been proven as breeding on site. A Cuckoo was seen flying, then perched, from the Wildlife Centre on 16^th, only the second record since May 2004. Over 200 Swift were noted on 14^th and Swift activity around the Visitor Centre eaves at the end of the month suggest breeding may be on its way, which would be a first at Carsington for this species. A Great Spotted Woodpecker pair was feeding young in Tail Bay on 22^nd and Swallows are again breeding in the stone barn. There were only single Yellow Wagtails early in the month; the last on Stones Island on 14^th and a Wheatear was on the dam wall on 2^nd and Sheepwash on 3^rd. Two Sedge Warblers were noted on 7^th, 3 Reed Warblers were singing at Hopton Pond on 30^th, 2 Lesser Whitethroats between Wildlife Centre and Sheepwash on 1^st and 5 Whitethroats on 6^th. Three Spotted Flycatcher were in Hall and Middle Woods on 24^th and a Pied Flycatcher was singing in Fishtail Creek from 11^th to the end of the month. Three families of Willow Tit were noted by 31^st, both Nuthatch and Treecreeper seen carrying food, and Jay activity suggest breeding on the edge of Hall Wood. Survey counts on 11^th included 24 Wood Pigeon, 7 Collared Dove, 25 Wren, 14 Dunnock, 30 Robin, 18 Blackbird, 5 Song Thrush, 13 Garden Warbler, 14 Blackcap, 17 Chiffchaff, 26 Willow Warbler, 14 Blue Tit, 10 Great Tit, 9 Magpie, 17 Jackdaw, 16 Carrion Crow, 13 House Sparrow, 14 Tree Sparrow and 25 Chaffinch.

107 Species recorded compared with 113 in May 2008, 103 in 2007, 107 in 2006, 107 in 2005, 114 in 2004 and 110 in 2003.

 

APRIL 2009 BIRD NOTES

April Highlights: Great Northern Diver, Honey Buzzard, Hobby, Avocet,Sandwichand Black Terns, Pied Flycatcher and common spring migrants.

Three Great Northern Divers had reduced to one by the end of month, by which time this adult bird was in full summer plumage. There was a pair of Mandarin at Millfields on 20^th and 26^th and 4 Common Scoter were seen off Stones Island on 13^th. Counts included 18 Little Grebe on 19^th, 47 Great Crested Grebe on 21^st, 2 Shelduck on 1^st and 19^th, 12 Wigeon on 1^st, 2 Gadwall on 2^nd, 48 Mallard on 19^th, 2 Shoveler on 1^st, 1 Pochard on 2^nd, 215 Tufted Duck on 19^th, 4 Goldeneye on 1^st, 3 Goosander on 5^th, 16 Moorhen on 19^th and 115 Coot on 19^th. Three broods of Mallard were noted by 30^th.

A Honey Buzzard came in from the west at 1220hrs on 21^st, circled Hopton End and was escorted off east by 2 Common Buzzard at 1230hrs. Two Hobby were noted on 15^th at 1610hrs. Both sightings are early records at Carsington for these migrant raptors.

Wader passage was poor this month, but 5 Avocets on 2^nd and another on 26^th made up for the lack of species. Oystercatcher, Redshank and Lapwing were busily establishing nest sites on various islands. Wader counts included 5 Little Ringed Plover on 19^th, 1 Dunlin on 21^st and on later dates, 1 Snipe on 27^th, 1 Black-tailed Godwit on 25^th, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit on 24^th, 1 Whimbrel on 16^th and on subsequent dates, 4 Curlew on 4^th, 7 Redshank on 18^th and 2 Common Sandpiper on 17^th.

Gulls included 4 Little Gulls on 15^th, rising to 13 on 16^th, and a third year Yellow-legged Gull on 11^th. A good tern passage included a Sandwich Tern on 10^th and another on 14^th, 1 Common Tern on 4^th and 13 on 25^th, 5 Arctic Terns on 20^th and 35 on 17^th, 1 Black Tern on 24^th and a different Black Tern on 25^th.

The first Swift arrived, 7 days earlier than the previous record, on 8^th. Swallows numbered 12 on 2^nd and 200 plus on 28^th. 4 House Martins were around their nest sites at the Visitor Centre on 11^th. Migrant wagtail species were in low numbers this year, with 1 Yellow Wagtail on 8^th and 8 on 18^th and 2 White Wagtails on 18^th. These wagtails were mainly seen on Stones Island in the evening feeding with the local Pied Wagtail flock which totalled 40 on 8^th. Single Wheatears were noted on many dates and 2 were on the dam wall on 25^th. Warbler species kept arriving, with 1 Lesser Whitethroat on 19^th, 1 Whitethroat on 19^th and 1 Garden Warbler on 21^st. Counts of warbler species, first recorded last month, included 8 Blackcap on 20^th, 12 Chiffchaff on 1^st and 13 Willow Warbler on 20^th. A Pied Flycatcher was singing in Hall Wood on 20^th and a male Brambling was with Chaffinches on Stones Island on 5^th. A pair of Willow Tit were feeding young in a nest hole in a tree stump on 28^th, 3 Siskin were noted on 1^st and 3 Redpoll were on Stones Island on 9^th.

110 Species were recorded compared with 118 in April 2008, 103 in 2007, 118 in 2006, 117 in 2005, 116 in 2004, 120 in 2003 and 107 in 2002.

 

MARCH 2009 BIRD NOTES

March Highlights: Red Throated Diver, 4 Great Northern Divers,IcelandGull, Kittiwake, Water Pipit and early summer migrants return.

The Great Northern Diver count remained at 4 to 22^nd at least, and a Red Throated Diver flew in on 22^nd for 50 minutes. Maximum counts this month total 39 Little Grebe on 9^th, 41 Great Crested Grebe on 22^nd, 43 Cormorant on 15^th, 9 Mute Swan on 22^nd, 3 Greylag on 9^th and 23^rd, 75 Canada on 22^nd, 47 Barnacle on 2^nd, 3 Shelduck on 6^th, 44 Wigeon on 15^th, 2 Gadwall on 17^th, 18 Teal on 6^th, 69 Mallard on 9^th, 10 Pintail on 13^th, 6 Shoveler on 21^st, 264 Tufted Duck on 22^nd, 17 Goldeneye on 20^th, 8 Goosander on 22^nd, 28 Moorhen on 6^th and 199 Coot on 22^nd. A female Mandarin was found under willows in Shiningford area on 31^st, the long staying female Scaup was last recorded on 21^st and a drake Common Scoter was in Millfields Bay on 1^st.

Thirteen Buzzards were in the air on 15^th and 10 on 30^th. A pair of Peregrine was over Hall Wood on 22^nd and again on 25^th.

At least 5 pairs of Oystercatcher were noted on 9^th and the first Little Ringed Plover record of the year was 2 at Paul Stanley Hide on 17^th. Two Dunlin were on Horseshoe Island on 4^th and 12^th and a maximum count of 25 Snipe was there on 4^th. A Woodcock was flushed near Paul Stanley Hide on 8^th. A Black-tailed Godwit at the Wildlife Centre on 14^th was followed by 2 early on 17^th, and the largest Curlew roost there of 33 on 12^th was outnumbered by a flock 44 of landing on Sheepwash Spit on 5^th. A Common Sandpiper at Paul Stanley Hide on 31^st was flushed by a Sparrow Hawk and 7 Redshank were noted around the Wildlife Centre and Stones Island on 16^th.

An adult Mediterranean Gull was near Stones Island on 2^nd, there was a first winter Iceland Gull in the morning of 17^th, 39 Great Black-backed were on Horseshoe Island on 30^th and an adult Kittiwake flew through northwards early on 14^th. Gull roost counts included 2500 Black-headed on 4^th, 220 Common on 4^th, 425 Lesser Black-backed on 17^th, 3 Herring on 16^th and a near adult Yellow-legged on 7^th and 10^th.

A Barn Owl was around Sheepwash on 8^th and 3 Skylark flew over the dam on 21^st. The first Sand Martin flew through on 12^th, with 20 noted on 21^st. Swallows started with 1 on 23^rd and 12 on 27^th. At least 50 Meadow Pipits were on the dam wall on 21^st. A Scandinavian Rock Pipit was found on the dam wall on 15^th and a Rock Pipit was reported on Stones Island on 17^th and dam on 19^th. Two Water Pipits were recorded on the dam on 31^st but no sign later. Over 50 Pied Wagtails were on Stones Island on 27^th and 2 White Wagtails were noted on 26^th, followed by 2 on the dam on 31^st. A male Stonechat was in Tail Bay on 1^st, a first Wheatear in front of Paul Stanley Hide on 22^nd and 50 Redwing were near Lane End on 4^th. The first singing Blackcap was at Millfields on 30^th, and a singing Chiffchaff was there on 12^th, building to 5 by 15^th. A pair of Willow Tit was observed excavating a nest hole in a rotting stump on 22^nd and 150 Jackdaw flew past the Wildlife Centre to roost on 26^th.

103 Species recorded this March compared with104 in March 2008, 95 in 2007, 100 in 2006, 107 in 2005 and 98 in 2004.

FEBRUARY 2009 BIRD NOTES

 February Highlights: Great Northern Divers, Scaup and Common Scoter.

The Great Northern Diver population continued at 4 birds to 25^th at least. Four Shelduck were seen at several locations on 22^nd. Three drake Pintails were noted from the Wildlife Centre on 18^th and a female Pintail was around Sheepwash Spit from 19^th. A female Scaup stayed between Big Island and Sheepwash all month and a Drake Common Scoter was at Millfields from 22^nd, with 3 present on 26^th. Counts for February included: 49 Little Grebe on 19^th, 27 Great Crested Grebe on 19^th, 53 Cormorant on 22^nd, 12 Mute Swans on 22^nd, 46 Barnacle Geese on 15^th, 117 Wigeon on 22^nd, 7 Gadwall on 15^th, 15 Teal on 22^nd, 101 Mallard on 13^th, 22 Pochard on 15^th, 532 Tufted Duck on 22^nd, 31 Goldeneye on 15^th, 5 Goosander on 19^th, 13 Moorhen on 22nd and 458 Coot on 22^nd. These counts were similar to those in February last year and many of the wintering wildfowl had gone by the end of the month.

A Buzzard was watched eating prey to the left of Sheepwash Hide on 11^th and 3 were seen on 17^th and 23^rd. A Peregrine was noted on 7^th and a dark looking immature peregrine was chasing 2 newly arrived Oystercatchers low across the water on 17^th.

Oystercatchers have been returning and claiming their breeding island and, by 22^nd, numbered 12 birds. One notable returnee is a male wearing a bar-code type ring and can usually be found from Paul Stanley Hide. An elusive Ringed Plover was noted between 22^nd to 25^th, 295 Lapwing were counted on 22^nd, a Dunlin was seen on 18^th and 22^nd and 23 Snipe were showing at the Wildlife Centre on 25^th. Curlew are now moving through and 16 at the Wildlife Centre early on 26^th had probably roosted there overnight. Redshank are seen in singles at many locations but the maximum count was only 4 on 22^nd.

The gull roost is a little less than in February last year, with 1200 Black-headed Gulls, 250 Common Gulls and 130 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on 19^th. Other Gulls recorded include an adult Mediterranean Gull in the roost on 21^st, a Yellow-legged Gull on 6^th and 20^th and an adult Kittiwake at 1000hrs on 28^th.

Skylarks have been noted flying overhead, with a maximum of 5 on 17^th. The wintering Meadow Pipit flock in Tail Bay and dam wall area numbered 14 on 23^rd. Stonechat records have been notable this month, with 1 on 4^th, 2 on the Dam Wall on 6^th and 1 in Tail Bay from 23^rd. Counts from a survey on 23^rd found 51 Wood Pigeon, 8 Collared Dove, 9 Wren, 16 Dunnock, 38 Robin, 30 Blackbird, 8 Song Thrush, 5 Mistle Thrush, 5 Willow Tit, 26 Blue Tit, 49 Great Tit, 3 Treecreeper, 18 Magpie, 61 Jackdaw, 29 Rook, 33 Carrion Crow, 2 Raven, 36 Starling, 28 House Sparrow, 40 Tree Sparrow and 26 Bullfinch. Other counts include 60 Redwing on 2^nd, an incredible 85 Long-tailed Tits heading towards Hopton on 7^th and 20 Chaffinch on Paul Stanley feeders on 11^th.

Only 86 Species this month compared with 86 in February 2008, 88 in 2007, 89 in 2006, 90 in 2005 and 96 in 2004.

 

JANUARY 2009 BIRD NOTES

January Highlights: Great Northern Diver, Pinkfeet, Scaup and Common Scoter.

Three of last month’s Great Northern Divers, a drake Common Scoter and a female Scaup were all showing on 1^st January, drawing in many admirers and new year listers. Four Divers were close together from Sheepwash hide for most of the afternoon of 30^th. The Scoter was last noted on 23^rd and Scaup on 26^th. Fifty Pink-footed Geese flew low southeast over Millfields at 1400hrs on 13^th. A surprise to observers at Sheepwash on 30^th was a Heron consuming a large rat, whole and head first! Site counts this month included 74 Little Grebe on 18^th, 36 Great Crested Grebe on 18^th, 44 Cormorant on 3^rd, 3 Heron on 5^th, 25 Mute Swans on 18^th, 43 feral Barnacle Geese on 26^th, 1 Greylag on 30^th, 1 Shelduck on 29^th, 218 Wigeon on 18^th, 53 Gadwall on 18^th, 68 Teal on 18^th, 122 Mallard on 18^th, 1 female Pintail on 4^th and other dates, 1 Shoveler on 3^rd, 185 Pochard on 18^th, 660 Tufted Duck on 18^th, 24 Goldeneye on 18^th, 20 Goosander on 7^th, 40 Moorhen on 18^th and 1844 Coot [1880 in Jan last year] on 18^th.

A Peregrine was noted on 1^st and 17^th. Lapwings roosting in front of the Sailing Club totalled 440 on 14^th and 545 on 18^th, well up on last January’s 350. Snipe numbered 11 at the Wildlife Centre on 12^th and 19^th and a Woodcock was noted flying over the Ranger Base on 6^th. Two Redshank were seen together on 25^th and other dates and singles have been noted at various locations around the site all month.

An adult Mediterranean Gull was in the roost on 3^rd and an adult Yellow-legged Gull was around the site throughout the day on 1^st and many other days. The gull roost visible from Lane End Hide on 13^th included 3000 Black-headed, 600 Common, 500 Lesser Black-backed, 30 Herring, 2 Yellow-legged and 3 Great Black-backed Gulls. The numbers of large Gulls in the roost has dropped significantly over the past few months. The continuous freezing ground conditions in December may have sent some Lesser Black-backed Gulls to feed in warmer areas, but the major cause is probably due to the use of Hawks on the nearest refuse tip.

A pair of Tawny Owl, reported early in the month, has received so much close attention that a path has been worn to them and could well threaten this traditional breeding site. Please keep to the main path and do not linger. A Kingfisher is being seen regularly, flying in front of Sheepwash and Paul Stanley Hides and 2 were recorded on 18^th. The annual wintering Meadow Pipit flock, seen around the Dam Wall and Tail Bay area, totalled only 6 birds on 18^th compared with previous winter totals of 15 or more. Thrushes included 4 Fieldfare, 10 Song Thrush and 80 Redwing, all recorded on 5^th. Four Willow Tits were reported on 7^th, 2 were on Millfields Car Park feeders on 16^th and 2 were near the Wildlife Centre on 26^th. 20 Long-tailed Tits were at Sheepwash on 4^th and 2 Nuthatch were on Paul Stanley feeders on 26^th. A pair of Raven, seen on 5^th and other dates, have been noted flying in to roost in woodland at dusk. Siskins totalled 37 in Tail Bay on 8^th, a Linnet flew over Millfields on 7^th, 7 Lesser Redpoll were noted at Millfields on 7^th, then at the Wildlife Centre on 14^th and Stones Island on 23^rd, 7 Bullfinch were noted on 5^th and 6 Reed Buntings were on Sheepwash Car Park Feeder on 22^nd.

84 Species this month, which is relatively low compared with 85 in January 2008, 89 in 2007, 89 in 2006, 95 in 2005, 91 in 2004, 87 in 2003 and 75 in 2002.