| 2012-10-19 | The probable Baltic Gull - (larus fuscus fuscus) first reported on Sat. 13th October, seen and videoed subsequently, is now considered by expert opinion to be more likely an 'intermedius' based on primary moult, despite showing many other typical features. This bird, however, is still striking and its close resemblance to 'fucus' is undeniable, highlighting the difficulty of positively identifying adult Baltic Gull out of range without a ring. This is now the second 'probable' Baltic Gull in recent years at Carsington - let's hope the next one has a readable ring! | Richard Lowe |
| 2012-10-19 | The 1st winter Grey Phalarope is still present and being seen mostly from Sheepwash Hide. It's very mobile and at times distant and spent some considerable time down towards Lane End Hide. It was still present this evening at 18.00 opposite Sheepwash Hide near the far bank. Also on site was a drake Scaup at the Wildlife Centre. 2 Red-breasted Mergansers seen from both Sheepwash and Lane End Hides, though distant. 10 Goosander at Millfields early morning (9 female types and a drake), 32 Cormorants, Grey Heron, female Pintail, Shoveler, Yellow-legged Gull, Rock Pipit on Dam Wall, c20 Meadow Pipits, 50+ Pied Wagtails, Kingfisher, c40 Lesser Redpoll on Stones Island, a Brambling in Sheepwash Car Park, and 2 Raven. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2012-10-17 | 1st winter Grey Phalarope first seen from Sheepwash Hide at 15.45. I lost it for around 25 minutes when it suddenly reappeared behind the spit only for it to get mobbed by a Lesser Black Backed Gull and disappear again. By this time a few more birders turned up and we refound it in Brown Ale Bay and had good views for around 40 minutes. We last saw it from Sheepwash Hide at c17.45 as it once again flew past the spit and towards Brown Ale Bay. Also seen by CB, RJL, MAP, JB.
Also of note was 65 Great Crested Grebes, 11 Little Grebes, 32 Cormorants, 11 Gadwall, 45 Wigeon, 155 Teal, female Pintail, 80 Pochard, Yellow-legged Gull, 78 Lapwings, 2 Kestrel, c20 Meadow Pipits, 6 Skylarks, Kingfisher, 8 Lesser Redpoll and 6 Siskins. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2012-10-16 | WeBS count for Oct.08.00 to 11.00.
Mute Swan 32,Canada Goose 2,Wigeon 119,Gadwall 9,Teal 116,Pochard 79,Tufted Duck 136,Little Grebe 15,Great Crested Grebe 54,Cormorant 39,Moorhen 4,Coot 631,Lapwing 52,Common Sandpiper 1,Kingfisher 1. Sparrowhawk | Peter Gibbon + John Bradley |
| 2012-10-15 | Gull in the roost tonight showing many characteristics of Baltic Gull (Larus Fuscus). Dark back, long winged, all black wing tips, small clean head. Also in the roost was a 3rd winter Caspian Gull, 4+ Yellow-legged Gulls, 6 Herring Gulls and 38 Common Gulls.
Also of note was 31 Cormorants, 70 Great Crested Grebes, 14 Little Grebes, 70 Wigeon, 133 Teal, 5 Gadwall, female Wheatear, 3 Reed Buntings, 3 Greenfinch, 8 Bullfinch and 28 Lesser Redpoll. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2012-10-15 | Fishtail Creek, early am: c50 Redwing over heading southwest, 14 pheasants from roost in trees, 2 Tree Sparrows with 11 Chaffinches, 7 Linnet, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 5 Lesser Redpoll over. | John Matkin |
| 2012-10-13 | Possible baltic gull: an adult with LBBGs at sheepwash after dinner then flew off, it was a little smaller than the LBBGs and had a pure white head with a dark back and black wingtipsscaup: 1 drake at sheepwash with a tufted duck around 11-12 in the morningraven: 2 flew together and 1 calling over wildlife centre areajay: 7 seen in flight together at sheepwash in the morningyellow legged gull: adult around sheepwash area all morning | scott linacre |
| 2012-10-12 | Some good birds on site today, perhaps brought in with yesterday's wind and rain. 4 Scaup (2 drakes and 2 fem/imm) were present all day, either in front of Sheepwash Hide or in the bay to the right of the hide.
There was 5 fem/imm Common Scoter towards Millfields early morning. The 5 then increased to 7 and then later in the day there was 11 (9 fem/imm and 2 drakes).
A Grey Plover flew past Stones Island at 09.40 and probably flew straight through.
2 Dunlin flying around Stones Island and a further 5 on the back of Horseshoe Island.
Also of note was 29 Mute Swans, 32 Cormorants, Grey Heron, 21 Little Grebes, 48 Great Crested Grebes, 124 Teal, 125 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 5 female Pintail, 3 Shoveler, 69 Pochard, Common Sandpiper, 105 Lapwings, Grey Wagtail, Buzzard, Kestrel, male Sparrowhawk, Skylark, 16 Redwing and 9 Lesser Redpoll. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2012-10-10 | A Rock Pipit flew over Stones Island just after 18.15 this evening. c350 Pink-footed Geese flew west this morning at 09.40. 17 Little Grebes, 4 Grey Herons, female Pintail, 90+ Teal, 59 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 38 Pochard, Common Sandpiper, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls including the resident one which killed and ate a Little Grebe at the Wildlife Centre, 3 Herring Gulls, 11 Common Gulls, 2 Skylarks, Kingfisher, 7 Chiff Chaffs, Blackcap, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Linnets. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2012-10-10 | 1 Common Sandpiper on Stones Island at 18.00 hrs. | Neil Moulden |
| 2012-10-08 | 25 Mute Swans, 30 Cormorants, 2 Grey Herons, 15 Little Grebes, Pink-footed Goose with Canadas, Barnacle Goose, 41 Greylag Geese, female Pintail, 53 Wigeon, 113 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 28 Pochard, Tufted Duck with bill saddle AAS, 2 Sparrowhawks, Buzzard, c75 Lapwings, 26 Golden Plover over Stones Island this morning, 7 Swallows, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, Skylark, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 6 Goldcrests (4 with tit flock at Millfields and 2 at P.Stanley), 2 Linnets, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Chiff Chaffs and c100 Jackdaws.
Gull roost: c5'000 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, c2'000 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 5 Herring Gulls and 5 Common Gulls. Also a Water Vole in Brown Ale Bay. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2012-10-08 | 1 first winter Little Gull from Sheepwash Hide at 14.30hrs. Flew off with Black-headed Gulls towards the Dam after a few minutes. | Neil Moulden and Alf Moulden |
| 2012-10-07 | 2 Grey Heron in the trees at Hopton Hall + 1 in Wildlife Center creek. 8/10 Widgeon east side near Hopton. 2 Nuthatch on the Lane End feeder. Chiffchaff calling in Sitch Plantation. | Eric Dewhurst |
| 2012-10-06 | Wheatear on dam wall early morning.
Also Grey Wagtail over dam. | Clive Ashton |
| 2012-10-05 | A few sightings for today that I forgot to add. 1 Dunlin commuting between the Wildlife Centre and Stones Island, 6 Golden Plover in front of Sailing Club. Also 19 Little Grebe. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2012-10-05 | Grey Heron, 18 Greylag Geese, Barnacle Goose, female type Pintail, 3 Shoveler, 103 Teal, 34 Wigeon, 31 Pochard, 3 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, Sparrowhawk, c30 Meadow Pipits, 3 Skylarks, 9 Lesser Redpoll, Kingfisher, 3 Mistle Thrush, Greenfinch, 7+ Chiff Chaffs, 2 Ravens, several 1000 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, Herring Gull, 1'700 Black-headed Gulls. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2012-10-03 | 2 presumed escaped Cape Shelduck types at Millfields, 4 Grey Herons, 63 Great Crested Grebes, 17 Little Grebes, 11 Buzzards all in the air from Sheepwash Hide, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 79 Teal, 28 Wigeon, 23 Pochard, 60 Lapwings, Yellow-legged Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, 20 Meadow Pipits, 2 Skylarks, 28 Robins, 11 Siskin, 9 Chiff Chaffs, 5 Bullfinch. 4'500 Lesser Black Backed Gulls in the roost, also 530 Bh Gulls. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2012-10-02 | 3 Swallow through, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Sparrowhawk (juv male), 2 Kestrel, 7 Little Grebe, 5 Grey Heron
2 foxes by WLC Creek. | James Owen (STW vol ranger) |
| 2012-10-01 | 25 Barnacle Geese, 3 Greylag Geese, Grey Heron, 18 Pochard, 12 Little Grebe, Peregrine, 2 Buzzards, 90 Lapwings, 2 Common Sandpipers, Snipe, Yellow-legged Gull, several 1000 LBB Gulls, c400 Bh Gulls, 10 Swallows, 11 Chiff Chaffs, 4 Goldcrests, c30 Meadow Pipits. 2 foxes at the wildlife centre. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2012-10-01 | Stones Island: 11 Pochard, 20 Mute Swans, 40 Teal, c80 Starlings, 2 Chiffchaff singing and 8 Siskins. Wildlife Centre: 4 Little Grebe, Grey Heron, 28 Lapwing, Reed Bunting. Fox along shoreline in Wildlife Centre Creek | John Matkin |
| 2012-09-29 | 6 Goosander | Eric Dewhurst |
| 2012-09-25 | WLC: 1 Hobby through, 1 juv Common Tern (a single bird appeared to stay all day), 1 Snipe, 2 Grey Heron, at least 1 Sand Martin among c.50 Swallow and c.10 House Martin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Yellow-legged Gull devoured a Little Grebe leaving 4 remaining around Horseshoe Island. Male Sparrowhawk, female Kestrel, 1 Buzzard. | James Owen (STW vol ranger) |
| 2012-09-24 | 1 Juv Arctic Tern from early morning to 1530hrs.
At least 1 (possibly 4) Juv Common Tern early evening. 2 Sand Martin.
Drake Common Scoter near Fishtail at 1900hrs.
1 Dunlin + 1 Little Stint mobile around Stones Island at dusk. | Roger Carrington |
| 2012-09-24 | 1 Common Scoter, 1 Little Egret, 1 Common Sandpiper all around Sheepwash. | Neil Moulden and Alf Moulden |
| 2012-09-21 | At around 18.00 this evening whilst Roger and myself were standing on Stones Island we picked out 4 adult dark phase Arctic Skuas that had just put the gulls up. Light primary patches and a short pointed tail projection around half the tail length was evident. They didn't stay long and within minutes were heading off in a Northwesterly direction. Unfortunately, Clive had left site and missed them. Also of note was 47 Cormorants, 348 Canada Geese, Pink-footed Goose, female/juvenile Pintail, 11 Gadwall, 9 Wigeon, Snipe, Yellow-legged Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, juvenile Common Tern, Kingfisher, 4 Sand Martins, 12 Siskins and 2 Ravens. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton/Roger Carrington |
| 2012-09-18 | 5 Grey Herons, 42 Cormorants, 66 Teal, 9 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 7 Pochards, 48 Lapwing, 5 Golden Plover through west this morning, 2 Common Sandpipers, adult Yellow-legged Gull, Kingfisher, Sand Martin, 290 Swallows through south-most between 10.30-11.30, Grey Wagtail, 79 Pied Wagtails, 2 Raven | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2012-09-17 | 16.30 to 17.30 today after 'low turn out of geese for WeBS count yesterday' there were 111 Canada Geese and 1 Barnacle Goose. Also 28 Lapwing and 50 Cormorant. | Peter Gibbon |
| 2012-09-17 | WeBS count done on Sunday 16th September between 06.45 and 10.45.
Mute Swan 19,Canada Goose 12,Grey Heron 3,Great White Egret 1, Cormorant 36,Great Crested Grebe 35,Little Grebe 19,Mallard 207,Teal 42,Gadwall 9,Wigeon 12, Tufted Duck 120,Pochard 6,Goosander 3,Moorhen 2,Coot 606,Lapwing 1,Common Sandpiper 1,
Yellow-legged Gull 1. | Peter Gibbon |
| 2012-09-16 | A Great White Egret was found by Roger this morning at 08.50 from Sheepwash Hide. It was then seen on and off at several locations until around 10.00. I was lucky enough to see it in flight at 10.10 from Sheepwash car park. Unfortunately it was never seen again.
47 Cormorants, 3 Grey Herons, 13 Wigeon, 3 Common Sandpipers, Yellow-legged Gull. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2012-09-13 | Little Egret at Millfields, Barnacle Goose, Greylag Goose, 14 Wigeon, 6 Pochard, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Common Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, c70 Goldfinch, 10+ Meadow Pipit and a Wheatear on Dam Wall, 2 Kingfishers at Sheepwash, 6 Sand Martins off Stones Island. | Dave Newcomeb/Clive Ashton |
| 2012-09-11 | WLC: Hobby over, 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Gadwall, 2 Pochard | James Owen (STW vol ranger) |
| 2012-09-10 | 45 Cormorants, 4 Grey Heron, 301 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, Barnacle Goose, 7 Shoveler, 29 Teal, 14 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 8 Pochard, 2 Common Sandpipers, 55 Lapwings, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 225 Black-headed Gulls, 130 Swallows, 60 House Martins, Wheatear, Green Woodpecker, 8 Linnets, c25 Goldfinch, Meadow Pipit, 7 Chiff Chaffs, Blackcap, 5 Raven flew south at 08.35. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2012-09-08 | Osprey flew north along the east side just after 8am. Also 2 Wheatear on the Dam Wall. | Eric Dewhurst |
| 2012-09-08 | A Red Kite flew south over Stones Island at 17.51hrs. 47 Cormorants, 13 Little Grebes, several Grey Herons, 26 Teal, 9 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 6 Pochard, 75 Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Kingfisher, 50+ House Martins, Meadow Pipit, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Ravens.
5 Yellow-legged Gulls and c4'000 LBB Gulls in the roost (RC and JB). | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2012-09-07 | 2 Tawny Owls in Sitch Plantation (1 calling and being mobbed by a Jay, 2nd on opposite side of the track was being hassled by Blackbird & Wrens before flying off), 1 Common Sandpiper, 7 Grey Heron, 16 Mute Swans, 3 Greylag Geese, 8 Little Grebes, 2 Kestrels, 4 Buzzards (1 chased off by Yellow-Legged Gull), 11 Willow Tits, 4 Coal Tits, 10 Nuthatch, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, 3 Willow Warblers, 5 Chiffchaff (2 singing), Spotted Flycatcher at Warrington Knob, 17 Blackbirds feeding on Rowan berries at Fishtail Creek and c150 hirundines feeding over Shiningford Creek | John Matkin |
| 2012-09-05 | Ringed Plover north over Stones Island at c1715hrs. | Jonathan Bradley, Mark Pass. |
| 2012-09-04 | 48 Cormorants in front of Sheepwash. 10 Grey Herons (8 at Sheepwash, 1 at Millfields and 1 on Watersports Island), 28 Mute Swans, 5 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 23 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 7 Pochard, 4 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, Common Sandpiper, 70 Swallows, 3 Meadow Pipits on Dam Wall, Willow Warbler in song, 3 Raven, c300 Starling on Stones Island, 6 Linnets.
3'000+ Lesser Black Backed Gulls in the roost, also 3 Yellow-legged Gulls (usual resident one plus 2 in the roost), 2 Herring Gulls and 70 Black-headed Gulls. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2012-09-01 | Juv. Marsh Harrier at 16:45 heading southwest past Fishtail Creek towards Millfields. | John Matkin |
| 2012-08-28 | WLC: Osprey over heading south at 10:10 and possibly a second bird but too distant to confirm.
Plus, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Gadwall, 8 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 4 Great Crested Grebe (and still one large chick), 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Little Grebe (with one large chick), 1 Raven, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel (male), 1 juv Sparrowhawk, 1 Pied/possible juv White Wagtail still.
Also, single Common Sandpipers at Sheepwash and Lane End, and a Spotted Flycatcher photographed by a visitor in Hall Wood. | James Owen (STW vol ranger) |
| 2012-08-28 | An Osprey flew south this morning between 10.10 and 10.15. 43 Cormorants in front of Sheepwash. 28 Mute Swans, 4 Grey Heron, 8 Teal, 6 Gadwall, drake Wigeon, 3 Pochard, Greenshank, 3 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpiper, Hobby south at 13.18, 3 Buzzards, 25+ Swallows, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Linnets, 2 Raven.
1'300 Lesser Black Backed Gulls at 19.30 with more birds still coming in. Also 55 BH Gulls in front of Sailing Club.
| Dave Newcombe |
| 2012-08-27 | Webs count for August - Mute Swan 23, Canada Goose 306, Barnacle Goose 9, Cormorant 15, Grey Heron 4, Little Egret 1, Great Crested Grebe 31, Little Grebe 3, Moorhen 2, Coot 263, Mallard 124, Teal 2, Tufted Duck 143, Lapwing 37, Curlew 1, Common Sandpiper 2, Black-headed Gull 67, Lesser Black- backed Gull 16, Yellow-legged Gull 1 plus 1 Kestrel and 3 Common Buzzards. | Jonathan Bradley |
| 2012-08-23 | Yellow-legged Gull killed and ate Dabchick in front of WLC. 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Whitethroat and c8 Linnet Stones Island. | Neil Moulden |
| 2012-08-21 | In addition to James' sightings. 4 Grey Herons, 6 Barnacle Geese, Wigeon, Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 3 Teal, Pochard, 3 Whitethroats, c35 Goldfinch. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2012-08-21 | WLC: 1 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 2 Raven, 3 Teal, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, Little Grebe pair with 2 large chicks, Great Crested Grebe pair with two large chicks, and another pair still nesting, juv Grey Heron.
Also, Kingfisher by Sheepwash early AM. | James Owen (STW vol ranger) |
| 2012-08-21 | 21 Cormorant from Sheepwash.
Greenshank, 2 Snipe on Horseshoe Island.
Osprey through low past Stones Island at 1920hrs, flushing the gathering gull roost, then high south. Hobby flushed the starling roost on Stones Island then chased hirrundines at 2000hrs. 1 Redshank and 1 Common sandpiper.
Gull roost at dusk: 2400 Lesser Black-backed, 3 Yellow-legged and 1 Herring Gull. | Roger Carrington |
| 2012-08-20 | 1 Little Egret,1 Ringed Plover,2 Common Sandpiper,1 Greenshank,4 Snipe,5 Teal,1 Pochard,c400 Starling and 1 Green Woodpecker. | Clive Ashton |
| 2012-08-19 | Kingfisher around Millfields.
Eclipse male Red-crested Pochard, 1 Greylag, female Tufted with bill saddle 'AAS' still near Sailing Club.
1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Whitethroat in WLC Creek.
8 Heron, 2 Teal, 1 Common Sandpiper from Sheepwash. | Roger Carrington |
| 2012-08-16 | 1 Greenshank,2 Common Sandpiper,3 Grey Heron,3 Linnet,Sparrowhawk. | Clive Ashton |
| 2012-07-28 | 4 Grey Heron, 9 Barnacle Geese, 18 Cormorants, 3 Buzzards, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, 9 Black-tailed Godwits late evening, Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, Yellow-legged Gull, Herring Gull, 43 LBB Gulls, juv Common Gull, 5 Common Terns, c350 Starlings on Stones Island late evening. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton/Roger Carrington |
| 2012-07-24 | Several pairs of Great Crested Grebes with young. 9 Barnacle Geese, 5 Grey Heron, female type Shoveler, 3 Oystercatchers, 3 Common Sandpipers, Redstart on WLC Creek, adult Yellow-legged Gull eating a Bh Gull in front of Sailing Club, 50+ LBB Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 5 Common Terns, 15 Pied Wagtails, 4 Sand Martins, 300 Starlings around Stones Island late evening. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2012-07-24 | Juv Redstart near Shiningford Creek, and a Yellow Wagtail over mid-morning. 4 or 5 Common Tern around Sailing Club Island.
WLC: 1 Common Sandpiper on Horseshoe Island, Great Crested Grebe pair with two chicks, Little Grebe pair with two chicks.
Yellow-legged Gull on raft. | James Owen (STW vol ranger) |
| 2012-07-23 | WeBS count for July:Mute Swan 25,Canada Goose 282,
Barnacle Goose 9,Cormorant 6,Mallard 133,Gadwall 2,Tufted Duck 116(four broods of 6,7,2 and 5),Great Crested Grebe 32(eleven broods of 1,3,2,2,2,2,1,1,4,2 and 3),Little Grebe 5,Coot 212,Moorhen 1,Common Tern 5,Black-headed Gull 42,Yellow-legged Gull 1,Lapwing 28,Oystercatcher 1,Redshank 1. | Peter Gibbon |
| 2012-07-22 | Sheepwash hide: Tufted Duck with 4 fresh young, Stock Dove, group of 5 Jays. New Reedbed: 2 broods of x4 Tufted Ducks, 2 Reed Warblers singing. Great Crested Grebes with young chicks at Brownale Bay, New Reedbed & Big Island (2, 2 & at least 1). Yellow-Legged Gull on Watersports raft, 2 Common Terns. Tufted Duck with large brood of fresh chicks on Watersports Island. Grey Wagtail on Stones Island | John Matkin |
| 2012-07-20 | 24 Common Scoter (13 drakes) at 1630hrs then flew high SW at 1815hrs.
At least 6 Common Terns including a pair displaying on Watersports raft.
Tree Sparrow feeding young in box 0304 WLC Creek.
7 Oystercatcher flying around together.
1 Turnstone, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper on Sailing Club Island and a Greenshank mobile at 1930hrs.
4 Cormorants roosting on Lane Ends osprey platform/perch. | Roger Carrington |
| 2012-07-19 | 4 drake Common Scoter present all day off Stones Island. Grey Heron, 9 Barnacle Geese. 3 Common Sandpipers and 4 Oystercatchers.
A male Sparrowhawk inside the Wildlife Centre was released unharmed. The adult Yellow-legged Gull. 6 Common Terns (5 adults and a juvenile) and 1 Arctic Tern. Spotted Flycatcher on WLC Creek.
Following on from the 9 broods of Great-crested Grebe I had last week, Roger has noted a further 3 separate broods which constitutes an exceptional year! Tufted Duck broods are now starting to appear. We had a female with 6 young near the Sailing Club and several other broods have been noted. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2012-07-17 | WLC: 1 Peregrine, 1 Kestrel, 1 Yellow-legged Gull on raft, Coot pair with 2 chicks, Great Crested Grebe pair with 3 chicks, 8 Lapwing
Also, 1 female Redstart with at least one fledged young near Shiningford Creek, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Raven at Sheepwash mid-morning, Tufted Duck brood with 10 chicks at Paul Stanley. | James Owen (STW vol. ranger) |
| 2012-07-12 | An Osprey on site this evening. First seen from Stones Island at 18.20 flying south. Both myself and Roger watched it seemingly disappear over Blackwall Plantation. Then just before 19.00 as we were standing on the causeway to Stones Island the Osprey re-appeared over Horseshoe Island carrying a fish. It then flew approx west and was lost to view.
Also of note was 9 broods of Great Crested Grebes totalling 17 young. Also 3 Grey Herons, 321 Canada Geese, 10 Barnacle Geese, 4 Greylag Geese, 3 Gadwall, Teal, 3 Buzzards, Kestrel, adult and flighted juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpipers, adult Yellow-legged Gull, Green Woodpecker, Spotted Flycatchers feeding young still on WLC Creek, 5 Whitethroats, 2 Raven and a Linnet. | Dave Newcome |
| 2012-07-10 | 3 Greylag Geese, 1 Greylag/Canada hybrid, Great crested Grebes still feeding 3 young at Sheepwash, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Raven, 4 Buzzard, adult Yellow legged Gull. | Clive Ashton |
| 2012-07-09 | Wildlife Centre: Mallard with 5. Hall Wood: Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff & Blackcap all feeding fledged young. Goldcrest with at least 3 fledged chicks. 2 Buzzards over. Fishtail Creek: 2 family groups of Willow Tits (total of 8 counted around the reservoir). Millfields: 10 Barnacle Geese, 3 Jays (also single birds at Fishtail Creek & Tail Bay). Also of note: 2 Kestrels, Swallow feeding young on tower, juv Bullfinch at Shinigford Creek & 127 Coots counted | John Matkin |
| 2012-07-09 | A total of 11 drake Common Scoters. 9 were present early morning, but by mid morning only 1 remained. Then by mid afternoon the 1 that was left was joined by 2 more. Also of note: Grey Heron, 10 Barnacle Geese, 4 Greylag Geese, drake Pochard, Great Crested Grebes with 3 fresh young at Sheepwash, 2 Kestrel, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 1st summer Common Gull, 3 juvenile Redstarts on WLC creek, Spotted Flycatchers still feeding young on WLC creek, 2 Grey Wagtails on Stones Island, 4 Reed Warblers (2 at the WLC, and 2 in Hopton Reedbed. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2012-07-07 | Sheepwash: group of 6 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Goldfinch, drake Pochard, pair of Great Crested Grebes with 2 young chicks. Whitethroat feeding a juv by Brownale Bay. A pair of Chaffinches with 3 young & a further 3 juv Whitethroats by new reedbed. A group of 11 Long-tailed Tits overhead between Middle Wood & Warrington Knob. Fishtail Creek: another group of 7 Long-tailed Tits, 2 juv Chiffchaffs calling to an adult bird & 10+ Sand Martins over. | John Matkin |
| 2012-07-05 | 11 Barnacle Geese including 6 young around Stones Island/Wildlife Centre area.
3 Greylag Geese on Stones Island.
3 Common Sandpipers-1 at Sheepwash, 1 on Sailing Club Island and 1 in front of Sailing Club.
Adult Redshank and 2 small young to the left of Sheepwash Hide.
Pair of Great Crested Grebes with 2 young in Fishtail Creek, pair with 1 young opposite WLC, and a pair with 1 young by Sailing Club.
Female Mallard with 8 fresh young at WLC, and a female with 4 young off Stones Island.
4 Teal.
Coots with 2 small young at WLC.
Pair of Spotted Flycatchers tending to a nest with at least 3 young on WLC creek.
2 juvenile Goldcrests on WLC creek.
3 juvenile Whitethroats on Stones Island.
Grey Wagtail on Stones Island.
c200 Lesser-black Backed Gulls.
adult Yellow-legged Gull.
Common Gull. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2012-07-04 | 3 Coot broods from Wildlife Centre of 3+1+1.
2 Reed Warbler still singing at WLC.
Spotted Flycatcher still in WLC Creek.
3 pairs of Swallow feeding young around Millfields.
3 pairs of Great Crested Grebe with 2+2+3 young in Millfields Bay.
2 Whitethroat singing at Millfields and 1 Curlew over.
1 Common Sandpiper on Stones Island.
1 adult Yellow-legged Gull yesterday afternoon but no sign today. | Roger Carrington |
| 2012-07-01 | Osprey with fish perched on telegraph pole in Callow (by Fishtail Creek). Took off carrying fish, flew towards Carsington Water then arced around and flew northeast. | John Matkin |
| 2012-06-27 | Coot with 1 chick at Brownale Bay. New Reedbed: 3 Reed Warblers, Moorhen with 4 chicks. Hall Wood: 3 Nuthatches, 3 GS Woodpeckers, 5 Song Thrushes, Willow Warbler carrying food. Middle Wood: Nuthatch, 2 GS Woodpeckers, 4 Jays (at least 2 were newly-fledged young). Warrington Knob: Redstart, GS Woodpecker, 2 family groups of Great Tits. Sitch Plantation: GS Woodpecker. | John Matkin |
| 2012-06-26 | WeBS count for June:Mute Swan 13, Barnacle Goose 9(with 3+4 juv)Greylag 4,Canada Goose 311(4 juv),Cormorant 6,Great Crested Grebe 25(2 pairs seen with young and 4 still on nest),Mallard 42,Tufted Duck 67,Coot 97,Moorhen 4,Lapwing 3,Oystercatcher 4,Little Ringed Plover 2,Redshank 2,Black-headed Gull 61. | Peter Gibbon |
| 2012-06-26 | 1 Osprey flew north up the reservior at 17.40 hrs. | Neil Moulden |
| 2012-06-20 | Stones Island (early am): 169 Canada Geese, 12 Mute Swans, juv Robin, Carrion Crow with 4 young on Watersports Island, 2 family groups of Blue Tits, 3 Whitethroat. | John Matkin |
| 2012-06-19 | Fishtail Creek: Linnet, group of 4 Bullfinch and another group of 7 overhead. Sitch Plantation: 2 Garden Warblers, Nuthatch. Warrington Knob: Treecreeper, Goldcrest and male Redstart. Hall Wood: Jay, Spotted Flycatcher | John Matkin |
| 2012-06-12 | Early am: 3 Reed Warblers (2 singing) in the new reedbed, 1 Reed Warbler singing in Brownale Bay. 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Reed Buntings & 2 family groups of Blue Tits along new track. 1 family of Great Tits at Sheepwash. Millfields: Green Woodpecker, Lesser Whitethroat, 1 family of Robins, 1 juv Carrion Crow & 50+ Swifts over. | John Matkin |
| 2012-06-11 | 1 Peregrine near Millfields Car Park at 14.40 hrs | Neil Moulden |
| 2012-06-05 | Breeding Signs. Dam Wall 06:30hr; Pied Wagtail - 2 single adults each feeding 1 young, Barnacle Geese 2 pairs with 3 and 5 goslings, Pair of Jackdaws carrying food. Mallard with 4 young, B H Gulls with 6 chicks now. | David Edmonds |
| 2012-06-05 | We thought we saw an Osprey over the lake at Kedleston Hall being mobbed by gulls and an Oystercatcher. It's not far away so may be the same one seen at Carsington. | B @ G |
| 2012-06-04 | 1 Black Tern off Lane End 1000hrs. | Roger Carrington |
| 2012-05-29 | WLC: 5 BH Gull chicks on the raft, and 1 on Horseshoe Island. Also, 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew bathed mid-afternoon, the single Rook again on the bird tables, 2 Sand Martin.
2 Oystercatcher chicks on Sheepwash Spit. | James Owen (STW vol ranger) |
| 2012-05-29 | Osprey over Millfields Bay at 16:14. Flew off east-north east | James Brooke |
| 2012-05-27 | Pair of Barnacle Geese with 5 very young goslings swam past Wildlife Centre at about 11.00. | Don Newing |
| 2012-05-26 | Fishtail Creek: Treecreeper, Nuthatch, 2 Willow Tits, Reed Bunting, Jay, Raven, Spotted Flycatcher, 2 juv Great Tits. Blue Tits, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Bullfinch and Chiffchaff all carrying food. 11 Starling and 5 Rooks over. Little Owl calling (early am). | John Matkin |
| 2012-05-23 | WeBS count for May:Mute Swan 7,Greylag Goose 2,Canada Goose 94,Barnacle Goose 8,Mallard 72,Tufted Duck 85,Cormorant 4,Little Grebe 2,Great Crested Grebe 38,Moorhen 5,Coot 41,Oystercatcher 10,Lapwing 7,Redshank 4,Black-headed Gull 70. Also male Sparrowhawk and Kestrel plus 2 Buzzard. | Peter Gibbon |
| 2012-05-20 | Osprey on Lane End Platform until 0800hrs then flew towards Hall Wood.
3 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 4 Dunlin and 1 Common Sandpiper on Sailing Club Island at 0830hrs. | Roger Carrington |
| 2012-05-17 | 2 Whimbrel and 2 Bar-tailed Godwit on Sailing Club Island early morning then saw them flying north over Visitor centre at 0745hrs.
Redstart singing in Shiningford Creek.
Pair Common Scoter mid-water 1030hrs. | Roger Carrington |
| 2012-05-16 | 1st summer Med Gull briefly at Shinningford Creek at 1940hrs then flew off south also Arctic Tern present.
Red Kite at Middleton Top by the bridge over the road 1800hrs. | Jonathan bradley |
| 2012-05-16 | Everything counted during a circular walk. Tail Bay also included. 73 Blackbirds, 17 Song Thrush, 60 Blue Tits, 41 Great Tits, 6 Coal Tits, 21 Dunnock, 59 Robins including 2 juveniles, 66 Wrens, 75 Blackcaps, 70 Chiff Chaff, 39 Willow Warbler, 17 Garden Warblers, 11 Common Whitethroats, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers in Hopton reed bed (possibly 3 or even 4 birds present), 65 Chaffinch, 19 Goldfinch, 1 Greenfinch, 16 Bullfinch, 2 Goldcrest, 5 Treecreeper, 2 Jays, 2 Sparrowhawk, 4 Mistle Thrush, 13 Magpie, 6 Linnets, 3 Nuthatch, 6 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Green Woodpecker in Tail Bay, 2 male Redstarts, 3 Willow Tits, 4 Reed Buntings, Hobby over Fishtail Creek, female Wheatear on Dam Wall, male Yellow Wagtail on Stones Island, Pied Flycatcher c200 yards west of Lane End Hide. 9+ Redshank including 2 young on Horseshoe Island and 2 young on Big Island, c10 Oystercatcher including 2 young on Millfields Island, 3 Shelduck, Common Sandpiper and 4 Curlew. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2012-05-15 | 1 Dunlin on Sheepwash Spit at 4.15 pm. | Neil Moulden |
| 2012-05-13 | Redshank pair with 4 tiny young on an island in the Hopton Arm.
Reed Warbler singing - Hopton Arm reedbed.
Raven - 2 pairs displaying independently at Hopton arm end, but at times only a few hundred yards apart. No aggression shown between the pairs (Strange!!!).11am
Hobby - one bird holding in the wind above Hall Wood, then gained height before plunging over the back of the hill. 11.10 am
| Paul Mollatt/Derek Brownlee |
| 2012-05-12 | Bright morning. - Stones Island 07:10 to 07:30hr 10nr Arctic Tern sitting on raft. 1nr Sandwich Tern, to 08:30hr - 1nr Common Sandpiper, 1nr Kestrel, 5nr Oyster Catcher, mixed flock appx 20+ Swallows + H Martins, 1nr Swift. 2nr Raven, plus Black Cap, Wren, Blackbirds, Chiff Chaff, Pied Wagtail, and usual Ducks & GC Grebe. | David Edmonds |
| 2012-05-11 | Treecreeper 2, Blackcap pair, Willow Warbler several, Willow Tit 2, Chiffchaff, Bullfinch, Oystercatcher, Grey Heron, Buzzard 3, Mute Swan 5. | Eric Dewhurst |
| 2012-05-10 | 2 Greylag Geese, Grey Heron, 7 Cormorants, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 2 Buzzards. Bar-tailed Godwit still on Sailing Club Island. 2 Dunlin on Horseshoe Island. 2 Common Terns. 3 female Wheatear on Dam Wall, 6 Garden Warblers, 3 Whitethroats and a Sedge Warbler. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2012-05-09 | Red Kite low over Visitor Centre at 1305hrs then high north.
Reed Warbler singing in Hopton Arm reedbed. | Roger Carrington |
| 2012-05-08 | An Osprey appeared over the Dam Wall c10.30 and flew past Sheepwash heading North 5 minutes later. Another bird appeared at Millfields at 18.20 and eventually headed North East at 18.40. Neither birds attempted to take a fish.
Also today was 2 Bar-tailed Godwits flitting between Sailing Club, Shiningford and Horseshoe Islands. 4+ Common Sandpipers, Ringed Plover in front of Sailing Club, Oystercatchers still with 2 young at Millfields. 4 Linnets, 3 Yellow Wagtails and a female Wheatear on the Dam. Peregrine, c5 Buzzards, 5+ Garden Warblers, 3 Common Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, White Wagtail and an Arctic Tern. A male and a female Common Redstart between Middle Wood and Warrington Knob. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2012-05-07 | Birdwatching for beginners walk (10am-noon - Stones Island-Wildlife Centre): House Sparrow, House Martin, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Swallow, Tree Sparrow, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Mallard, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Wren, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Reed Bunting, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Chaffinch, Buzzard, Oystercatcher, Barnacle Goose, Redshank, Lesser Whitethroat, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Lapwing, Gt Crested Grebe, Moorhen, Rook, Collared Dove | Gary Atkins |
| 2012-05-07 | Bar tailed Godwit on Sailing Club Island.
2 Little ringed Plover.
2 Shelduck on Horseshoe Island.
3 Yellow Wagtails over Stones Island.
Several Garden Warblers and Whitethroat singing, also a Lesser Whitethroat in Wildlife centre creek. | Clive Ashton |
| 2012-05-05 | Pair of Willow Tits by Hopton Reedbed. Hall Wood: Tawny Owl calling, 3 Treecreepers, 2 Jays, c10 Lesser Redpoll mobile over & Redstart singing between Hall & Middle Woods. Fishtail Creek: Garden Warbler, 10 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch & c150 Fieldfare over. | John Matkin |
| 2012-05-05 | Pink-footed Goose, 3 Shelduck, 3 Wigeon, Mallard with 2 young, 5 Buzzards, Kestrel. Oystercatchers with 2 young on Millfields Island. 2 Bar-tailed Godwits on Sailing Club Island. 2 Whimbrel (1 on Sailing Club Island and 1 flew North), Curlew on Stones Island, 6 Common Sandpipers (4 on Sailing Club Island, 1 near Watersports and 1 at Sheepwash). Little Ringed Plover in front of Sailing Club. 31 Arctic Terns through Northeast between 10.10-10.15. 1 Common Tern. Yellow Wagtail on Stones Island. Female Wheatear on Dam Wall. Several hundred Swallows, 85 House Martins, 50+ Swift, Lesser Whitethroat on Stones Island. 2 Garden Warblers. 32 Common Gulls.
No sign of the Great Northern Diver. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2012-05-04 | 2 Bar-tailed Godwit on Sailing Club Island 0845hrs.
2 Lesser Redpoll Hall Wood and 5 in Middle Wood.
Redstart singing between Middle Wood and Warrington Knob.
2 female Goldeneye still at Millfields, latest spring record at Carsington.
2 female Yellow Wagtails on Horseshoe Island.
55 Arctic Terns thru 0845-1300hrs | Roger Carrington |
| 2012-05-03 | 23 Arctic Tern + 1 Black Tern in front of Sheepwash then flew NE at 0600hrs.
1 Arctic Tern past Stones Island 0710hrs.
9 distant 'commic' terns thru 0800hrs.
2 Common Sandpiper on Stones Island and 1 at Millfields.
2 female Wheatear at Millfields end of dam.
1 Lesser Whitethroat singing at Millfields + another in WLC Creek. | Roger Carrington |
| 2012-05-02 | Dam Wall - 1 Weatear(female)
Stones Island - 1 GN Diver (showing well!), 12 Whimbrel (same group seen 4 times in flight and calling), 2 Garden Warbler,Blackcap,Willow Warbler,Chiffchaff and Lesser Whitethroat (all singing), 8+ Barnacle Goose(feral), 1 Redshank, House and Tree Sparrow singing a top same hedge, Sparrowhawk(male)
Sheepwash - 1 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Actic Tern, 30+ Common Gull, 1 GBB Gull(juv), 1 Kestrel, 3 Common Buzzard | Paul Thomas |
| 2012-05-02 | Bar-tailed Godwit Sailing Club Island (also at dusk yesterday).
1 female Wheatear, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Oystercatcher and 14 Rooks on dam.
2 female Goldeneye still at Millfields.
Oystercatcher pair with at least 2 chicks on Millfields Island.
2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Pinkfoot, 1 Great Northern Diver.
1 Arctic Tern at 1020hrs. | Roger Carrington |
| 2012-05-02 | Oldfield Lane to Hopton Arm (early am).23 Blackcap, 21 Chiffchaff, 14 Willow Warblers, 4 Whitethroat, 3 Garden Warblers. Fishtail Creek: Kestrel, 8 Linnets, Curlew, Great Spotted Woodpecker & 9 Swifts over. In Middle Wood: Jay, Treecreeper & male Sparrowhawk overhead. Hall Wood: Jay, 2 Treecreepers, Nuthatch, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Mistle Thrush & assumed family group of 4 Song Thrush. | John Matkin |
| 2012-05-01 | 2 Black Tern still present at 18:30. 11 of 12 Mallard eggs hatched in the VC courtyard. | John Matkin |
