| 20/8/2023 | Monthly WeBS count: Canada Goose 119, Greylag 11, Mute Swan 24, Grey Heron 3, Little Egret 2, Cormorant 30, GC Grebe 36, Little Grebe 10, Gadwall 51, Mallard 168, Tufted Duck 180, Pochard 4, Teal 87, Wigeon 1, Shoveler 1, Coot 385, Moorhen 9, Kingfisher 3, Lapwing 27, Common Sandpiper 4, Dunlin 1, Ringed Plover 1.
Also Yellow Wagtail 2, Grey Wagtail 1, YLG 1, LBbG 80, BhG 37, Redstart 1, Whitethroat 1, Reed Warbler 1, Red Kite 4, Buzzard 5, Kestrel 2, Sparrowhawk 1. | Clive Ashton/ Jon Bradley |
| 19/8/2023 | 3 Common Terns flew through at 0645hrs. A further 2 Common and a single Black Tern then arrived at 0700hrs and were then perched on a jetty in front of the Sailing Club until around 0745hrs, but no further sign later. A juvenile Yellow Wagtail was on Stones along with 3 Common Sandpipers. | Clive Ashton |
| 16/08/2023 | Not as busy as yesterday, but another 2 Tree Pipits and a Yellow Wagtail flew S over WLC fields (and 2 Redstarts there). Adult Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls still. The same Peregrine which roosted in WLC fields last week took an adult Moorhen at Watersports; again went to roost in WLC fields after its breakfast. 80 Teal on Stones shoreline early morning. 4 Jays, presumably a family party, in WLC creek. 2 Spotted Flycatchers at Sheepwash, and a Garden Warbler feeding with Blackcaps on elderberries. | Simon Roddis |
| 15/08/2023 | An excellent morning started with a Turnstone on Stones island briefly at 06:50. The adult Caspian Gull was around most of the morning, and an Osprey flew in from the NE at 09:30, quite possibly the bird seen on Beeley Moor 40 minutes earlier. In WLC fields, 5+ Redstarts, single Wheatear and Common Whitethroat, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, fly-over Tree Pipit and Yellow Wagtail, and c75 House Martins in the air and landing on the overhead wires. 110 Woodpigeons flew S (20 N) with 7 Stock Doves. 2 juv LRPlover on Horseshoe island. 10 Common Buzzards. Kingfishers in WLC creek and at PS hide. Hobby from Stones. 7+ Raven. | SJR, CA, AHS, RPJ, AMD |
| 14/08/2023 | Adult Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls again from Stones this morning. 40 Cormorants. 2 Dunlin. Snipe and Kingfisher at WLC. 4 Pochard in Brown Ale Bay. A wet Whitethroat on Horseshoe island. 2+ Spotted Flycatchers in Hall Wood. | Simon Roddis |
| 13/08/2023 | Caspian Gull (moulting to Adult plumage) on Flat Island late afternoon - this is the same bird that was at Ogston Res. in late July and at both Carsington and Ogston in early winter 2022 as a 'sub-adult'.
Also present YL Gull (3 Ads). | Richard Lowe |
| 13/08/2023 | The adult Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls off Stones again this morning. 51 Teal. 10 Swifts over the east side. Pair of Little Grebes in Brown Ale Bay, large juv off Stones/WLC, still 4 chicks in WLC creek. 35 Cormorant. 7 Grey Heron. 3 Little Egret. Kingfisher at WLC. Marsh Tit again between Sheepwash and Paul Stanley. 2 juv Common Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Redstarts in WLC fields. Yellow Wagtail over Stones. c100 Goldfinch (70 on Stones, 30 WLC creek). | Simon Roddis |
| 09/08/2023 | Evening visit: a Garganey, probably an eclipse male, was off Stones with a couple of Teal, 20:00-10:15. Adult Caspian and 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost among the Lesser Black-backs. Yellow Wagtail flew over Stones. c80 Swallows went to roost in Hopton reedbed, and 2 Swifts flew over. | Simon Roddis |
| 09/08/2023 | Total of 5 Little Grebes (plus chicks in WLC creek). 3 Common Sandpiper on Horseshoe island. Adult Yellow-legged and Great Black-backed Gulls. 32 Cormorants. A Peregrine perched in a big ash in WLC fields for at least an hour. 2 Kingfishers (Millfields and Brown Ale Bay). A Marsh Tit called several times between PS hide and Sheepwash carpark - presumably the bird that spent some months there last winter. Juvenile Spotted Flycatcher near PS hide. In WLC fields, 3 Redstart and single Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler (and Clive had another Redstart from WLC). 3 Tree Sparrows at Millfields and 2 Yellow Wagtails on the dam wall. | Simon Roddis |
| 08/08/2023 | Evening visit: a cream-crown Marsh Harrier with red wing tags (presumably from Norfolk) flew N up the res 19:35-19:40. Peregrine over the visitor centre. c2,350 Lesser Black-backs came in to roost. 3 Pochard. 1 Ringed Plover. | Simon Roddis |
| 07/08/2023 | Another decent morning: an adult Little Gull flew off Stones 06:35-06:41, drake Common Scoter off Sheepwash, a Golden Plover flew high NW at 08:10 and the adult Caspian Gull still. 3 Shoveler off Stones. 30 Teal. 97 Woodpigeons flew S 06:00-08:30 (and c40 went the wrong way!). 2 Ringed Plover. 8 Little Egret. Kingfisher in WLC creek. 2 Redstart and 2 Lesser Whitethroat in WLC fields. Common Whitethroat on Stones and another in WLC creek (MJR). | SJR, CA, AHS |
| 06/08/2023 | Y.L.Gull - 4 (3 Ads; 1 juv.) on Flat Island @ c. 5.30pm. | Richard Lowe |
| 06/08/2023 | Species recorded at today's 'Birdwatching for Beginners' walk (10am-noon; Stones Island to Wildlife Centre): House Sparrow, Canada Goose, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Oystercatcher, Woodpigeon, Mute Swan, Gt Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Black-headed Gull, Common Sandpiper, Goldfinch, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Caspian Gull, Ringed Plover, Pied Wagtail, Long-tailed Tit, Blackbird, Robin, Lapwing, Little Grebe, Buzzard, Willow Warbler, Gadwall, Little Egret, Greylag Goose and Chiffchaff | Gary Atkins |
| 06/08/2023 | Adult Caspian (Watersports) and Yellow-legged (sailing club) Gulls again this morning. Great Egret flew up the res early morning. 7+ Little Egrets. 5 Shoveler in Brown Ale Bay. 26 Teal. Pair of Little Grebes with 4 small young in WLC creek - they've been very discrete! Another adult singing in BABay. 4 Ringed Plover. Single Dunlin and Snipe. Kingfisher(s) on Stones and in BABay. 10+ Ravens. Juv Whitethroat in WLC creek, and male Redstart again in the fields. Spotted Flycatcher between PS hide and BABay. | Simon Roddis |
| 05/08/2023 | Clive found most of the birds this morning: a Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Ringed Plover, Redshank and 10 Little Egret. The adult Caspian Gull was at sailing club and a Great Egret and Kingfisher at WLC later. And lots of rain (again). | Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton |
| 04/08/2023 | The undoubted highlight this morning was a party (family group?) of 5 Spoonbills, at least 2 of which were juveniles, which flew from the shore of Stones island just after 06:00 and left to the west. The fifth record for Carsi and the first to involve more than one bird. The adult Caspian Gull again, mobile but settled on Flat Island late morning along with 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. And in Sheepwash carpark late morning, a female or juvenile Pied Flycatcher and 2 Spotted Fly - looks like the latest ever Pied Fly here and the first in August. And in between all that, 2 Pochard, 2 Shoveler, 6+ Common Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 5 Little Egrets, Kingfisher, Hobby, Peregrine, Redstart. Cracking morning, 76 species. | Simon Roddis |
| 03/08/2023 | A Green Sandpiper and 2 adult Ringed Plovers were the first of the autumn this morning (and Green Sand first of the year). 10 Oystercatchers. Adult Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls again. 2 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Skylarks on the dam wall. Juv male Redstart and Lesser Whitethroat in WLC fields. Garden Warbler on Stones. | Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton |
| 02/08/2023 | The adult Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls again this morning, both off Millfields late morning. Single Redshank, Dunlin and Curlew, and 4 Common Sandpipers. 5 Little Egrets. 2 Tree Sparrows at Millfields. | Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton |
| 01/08/2023 | 6 adult Arctic Terns appeared off Stones island just after 07:00 and were around until 10:00 at least. Adult Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls again, the Caspian showing well on sailing club shore at one point. 31 Lapwing. 1 Dunlin. 35 Swifts flew through. 33 Cormorants. 3 Little Egret. 2 Hobbies over the pastures. Total of 10 Ravens. Juv male Redstart in WLC fields. | Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton |
| 31/07/2023 | Just to report that I have received details of a colour-ringed Heron that has been around on and off since last summer. It has an orange ring on the right tibia and a blue one with SX in white letters on the left. It was ringed as a nestling at Attenborough NR, Notts, on 01/04/2022. | Simon Roddis |
| 31/07/2023 | Single Whimbrel and Turnstone past Stones island at 08:30 this morning, after the light rain had stopped. 4 adult Arctic Terns followed at 09:44 and another 2 at 11:05. The adult Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls again present. Kingfisher past Stones causeway. 200 Starlings left sailing club island early morning, presumably having roosted there. 60 Goldfinches on Stones. | Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton |
| 30/07/2023 | A cream-crown Marsh Harrier flew slowly S down the east side 10:45-10:55. My first in July here and my earliest autumn record. Total of 57 Swifts SW 08:00-11:00. 1 Shoveler. Adult Yellow-legged Gull still. Hobby over WLC creek and 3 Redstarts in the fields. Reed Warbler still singing at PS hide. Meadow Pipit on Horseshoe island. | Simon Roddis |
| 29/07/2023 | The adult Caspian Gull again this morning, from Stones island, plus adult Yellow-leg. Curlew landed on Stones shoreline. 18 Teal. Little Grebe calling in Brown Ale Bay, and Kingfisher there. 1 Snipe. 2 Redstarts (adult and juv male) in WLC fields. 1 Meadow Pipit over Stones causeway. | Simon Roddis |
| 27/07/2023 | Evening Walk round 2 Little Egret,3 Little Ringed Plover,3 Oystercatcher,20 Cormorant,12 Mute Swan,2 Sedge Warbler,2 Goldfinch,3 Little Grebe,27 Lapwing, Mix Flock of Tits 10 Long Tailed Tit,5 Blue Tit. | David Armitt |
| 28/07/2023 | An adult Caspian Gull on Horseshoe island early morning and a Greenshank over Lane End mid-morning were both new for the month. 5 Shoveler off Stones. 25 Teal. Redhead Goosander flew SW. Large juv Little Grebe at sailing club. Juv Dunlin still at WLC. Adult Yellow-legged Gull still. 3 Little Egret. Kingfisher in Brown Ale Bay. 30 Swallows on the dam wall. Spotted Flycatcher at Lane End. 2 Redstarts (f and juv) in WLC fields. | Simon Roddis |
| 27/07/2023 | Female Common Scoter off Sheepwash all morning. 2 Shoveler on Stones. Total of 22 Teal. 32 Lapwing. 5 Common Sandpiper (2 around Stones, 3 on Flat Island). 5 Common Gulls, including an adult with a fresh juvenile - I wonder where they've come from. 2 first-summer Great Black-backs, my first here since mid May. 3 Little Egret on sailing club island. Kingfisher in Brown Ale Bay. Reed Warblers singing in WLC creek and at PS hide. Yellow Wagtail N over Stones causeway. | Simon Roddis |
| 26/07/2023 | This morning, Yellow Wagtail, Kingfisher, adult Common Tern and 5 Tree Sparrows at Millfields first thing. Another 4 adult Common Terns around Flat Island later. 17 Teal in Brown Ale Bay. Totals of 455 Coot, 24 Moorhen, 13 Oystercatcher, 35 Lapwing, 27 Cormorant. The Dunlin at WLC still. Adult Yellow-legged Gull. 2 Little Egrets. In WLC fields, 6 Redstarts (male and 5 juvs) and a Lesser Whitethroat. | Simon Roddis |
| 25/07/2023 | 3 (2m, 1f) Common Scoters from Stones island all morning. An adult Arctic Tern flew S 08:30 and 5 Common Terns (2 ads, 3 juvs) through too. Adult Yellow-legged Gull still. A Dunlin flew over the main carpark early morning and then perhaps the same bird from WLC. 1 Redshank. 26 Cormorant. Total of 11 Ravens, including a party of 6 being mobbed by a Peregrine over Hall Wood. | Simon Roddis |
| 24/07/2023 | A busy hour from 06:00-07:00 in grotty conditions (probably not a coincidence) this morning: a juvenile Garganey was on the shoreline on Stones island, a Turnstone flew over, 11 Redshank flew up the res and landed in the Sheepwash area, and 6 adult Arctic Terns appeared at 06:50 and drifted south after about 10 minutes. In addition, 5 Pochard again, 2 Little Egrets, adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Hobby stooped at several Swifts over the visitor centre, 1 Curlew W, c50 Starlings in fields near Fishtail Creek and 60+ Goldfinches on Stones. | Simon Roddis |
| 23/07/2023 | 6 Pochard. 9 Teal. 25 Lapwing. 1 Dunlin. 4 Common Sand. 190 Lesser Black-backs loafing around Flat Island mid-morning. 7 Common Gulls. Adult Yellow-legged Gull. 1 adult Common Tern. 1 Little Egret. 10 Sand Martins through. Reed Warbler still singing in WLC creek. | Simon Roddis |
| 22/07/2023 | Female Common Scoter from Stones early morning. 5 Pochard flying around. And lots of rain. | Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton |
| 21/07/2023 | One Black-tailed Godwit S over Stones 08:40. 2 Common Sandpiper. 3 Pochard. Hobby over the north end. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. 1 Little Egret still. Juv Redstart in WLC fields. | Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton |
| 20/07/2023 | 9 Shoveler off Stones were new this morning. 11 Teal. 2 Pochard. 1 Whimbrel flew W at 06:45. 1 Curlew. 2 Common Sandpiper. 2 Dunlin. Adult Yellow-legged and 2 Common Gulls. 21 Cormorant. 2 Kingfishers. 1+ Spotted Flycatcher in Hall Wood. Juv Redstart in WLC fields. 50+ Goldfinches on Stones. | Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton |
| 19/07/2023 | Ad hoc wildfowl count: 809 Canadas, 126 Greylags, 30 Mute Swans plus one cygnet, 38 Gadwall, 180 Mallard, 11 Teal, 153 Tufted, 13 Moorhen, 298 Coot, 2 LGrebe, 47 GCGrebe, 11 Oystercatcher, 21 Lapwing, 2 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpiper, 14 Cormorant, 5 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 2 Kingfisher. Also 62 Lesser Black-backs, 3 GSWoodpecker and a Spotted Flycatcher in Hall Wood, 1 Peregrine, 16 Mistle Thrush and juv Redstart over/in WLC fields. | Simon Roddis |
| 18/07/2023 | A bit more wader action this morning: 6 Redshanks, all adults, on Watersports island for much of the morning, and a Black-tailed Godwit dropped in at 10:35. 2 Snipe at WLC. 3 Common Sandpiper. The Dunlin still present. 22 Lapwing. 3 redhead Goosander: 2 flew through and another juv was in front of the WLC. 2 Pochard. 26 more Lesser Black-backs moved through, including one juvenile, and an immature Herring-type frustratingly failed to stop. The Little Egret still. Kingfisher past Stones island. 27 Sand Martins through. Female/juv Whitethroat on Horseshoe island - they're like gold dust this year! 2 Redstarts (male and juv) in WLC fields, and a family of Bullfinches there too. | Simon Roddis |
| 17/07/2023 | Correction: Mike Redfern actually found the scoters. Apologies, Mike. | Simon Roddis |
| 17/07/2023 | Clive found the best birds this morning: 10 Common Scoter (9m,1f) and 3 Arctic Terns off Stones island. A full-grown juvenile Little Grebe off Sheepwash has presumably flown in from elsewhere. Single Dunlin, Little Egret and adult Yellow-legged Gull still. c50 Lesser Black-backs on the move, including a flock of 34. Adult Common Tern. 11 Sand Martins through. 11 Mistle Thrush in WLC fields. 4 Redstarts - female and juv in WLC fields, 2 juvs from the WLC. Spotted Flycatcher at Sheepwash. 15 Linnets in fields just s of Sheepwash, perhaps the start of a build-up there. 2 Crossbills over Millfields. 76 species, and I missed Arctic Tern and Redshank. | Simon Roddis |
| 16/07/2023 | Quite a decent morning, the main highlights being 4 drake Common Scoters off Stones and an Osprey which was mobbed by Oystercatchers and B-h Gulls over the main centre area before circling over the Hall Wood area for several minutes. A Black-tailed Godwit flew past Stones 3 times, a Dunlin dropped in briefly and a Hobby flew past. 30+ Swifts, mostly moving S. 20 Lapwing. 1 Redshank. Adult Yellow-legged Gull and Little Egret still. 5 Mistle Thrush and a Redstart in WLC fields. | Simon Roddis |
| 16/07/2023 | Quite a decent morning, the main highlights being 4 drake Common Scoters off Stones and an Osprey which was mobbed by Oystercatchers and B-h Gulls over the main centre area before circling over the Hall Wood area for several minutes. A Black-tailed Godwit flew past Stones 3 times, a Dunlin dropped in briefly and a Hobby flew past. 30+ Swifts, mostly moving S. 20 Lapwing. 1 Redshank. Adult Yellow-legged Gull and Little Egret still. 5 Mistle Thrush and a Redstart in WLC fields. | Simon Roddis |
| 15/07/2023 | Totals of 137 Greylag and 270 Coot (big increase in the last week and the highest count since September 2022). 1 Curlew, 25 Swifts and 6 Sand Martins S. 3 Peregrines together over the north end. Hobby through WLC fields. Juv Redstart again in WLC fields. 7 Tree Sparrows at Millfields. | Simon Roddis |
| 14/07/2023 | A summer-plumage Dunlin off Stones causeway was new this morning. 4 Common Sandpipers. Adult Yellow-legged Gull and Little Egret still. New broods of Mallard and Tufted. 32 Mute Swans plus one cygnet. Reed Warblers singing at WLC and on Stones. Juv Redstart in WLC fields. | Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton |
| 13/07/2023 | 3 Redshank (2 ads, 1 juv) on Watersports island. 1 Common Sandpiper. Adult Yellow-legged Gull. 147 Coot from WLC. 4 Common Terns off Stones. 1 Little Egret. c20 Swallows S past Stones. Chiffchaff feeding fledged young on Stones, and Blackcap carrying food. At least 7 Reed Warblers in Hopton reedbed, including 2 adults separately feeding fledged young, and 2 singing in WLC creek. Redstart calling in WLC fields. Linnet over Stones. | SJR, RPJ, AMD |
| 12/07/2023 | At least 1 Little Egret around the main centre area this morning. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls again. 6 Teal. 1 Common Sandpiper. Spotted Flycatcher on Stones. Juv Redstart in WLC fields. | Simon Roddis |
| 10/07/2023 | A couple more signs of birds starting to move around post-breeding this morning: 3 Redstarts (m,f and juv) in WLC fields, another juv Redstart on Stones, Spotted Flycatcher at sailing club and a juv Lesser Whitethroat in WLC fields. 7 redhead Goosander flew S at 09:00. The 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls again. | Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton |
| 07/07/2023 | July WeBS count; Great Crested Grebe 36, Little Grebe 2, Mute Swan 29, Canada Goose 917, Greylag 49, Grey Heron 5, Cormorant 12, Coot 119, Moorhen 7, Mallard 125, Gadwall 40, Tufted Duck 72, Pochard 2, Teal 4, Curlew 1, Common Sandpiper 1, Oystercatcher 10, Redshank 2, Lapwing 5. | Jon Bradley/Clive Ashton |
| 08/07/2023 | 33 Mute Swans plus one cygnet. 4 Teal. New brood of 9 Tufted from WLC. 2 Little Grebes off Stones causeway. Pair of GCGrebes with 2 chicks off Lane End. 2 Common Sand at sailing club. 3 Redshank and 1 Snipe still. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls on a raft off Watersports much of the morning. Immature female Peregrine from Stones. 30 Swallows over WLC creek. 5 Garden Warblers on Stones, mostly around Warbler Corner. | Simon Roddis |
| 06/07/2023 | 3 immature drake Common Scoters off Stones this morning, and a female-type Crossbill over Millfields carpark. 30 Mute Swans, but now only 1 cygnet at Sheepwash. 33 Gadwall. Single Teal and Pochard. New brood of 2 GCGrebe chicks at Penn Carr. 3 Redshank and the Snipe on Horseshoe island. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. 3 Jays, presumably a family party, at Millfields. Sedge Warbler with food on Stones, presumably for a second brood. Fledged young Blackcaps at Millfields and Hall Wood. Juv Redstart below Middle Wood. | Simon Roddis |
| 05/07/2023 | This morning, 4 Common Terns, a new brood of 8 Gadwall and a Kingfisher off Stones causeway, drake Pochard, 2 Curlew, 1 Snipe from WLC (good spot, Roger), the adult Yellow-legged Gull still, 2 juv Redstarts in WLC fields. | Simon Roddis |
| 04/07/2023 | 6 Black-tailed Godwits (again!) on Stones then flew S at 07:35. Curlew at sailing club and a Common Sand off Stones causeway. The adult Yellow-legged Gull again. 2 Peregrines circling over the north end. Skylark again in dam wall fields. Juv Redstart in WLC fields. | Simon Roddis |
| 03/07/2023 | The first Yellow Wagtail of the autumn flew past Stones this morning. 2 Black-tailed Godwits on Horseshoe island, presumably the same birds as a couple of days ago. 31 Gadwall. Adult Yellow-legged and immature Common Gulls. 14 Sand Martins flew S. 3 juv Redstarts in WLC fields. | Simon Roddis |
| 02/07/2023 | Species noted at today's Birdwatching for Beginners walk (10am-noon; Stones Island- Wildlife Centre): Woodpigeon, Blackcap Chiffchaff, Tufted Duck, Canada Goose, Black-headed Bull Coot, Mallard, Redshank, Gt Crested Grebe, Teal (2 at WLC), Greylag Goose, Common Sandpiper (1 at WLC, 3 from the causeway), Cormorant, House Sparrow, Wren, Goldfinch, Little Grebe, Carrion Crow, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Mute Swan, Blackbird, Lapwing, Shoveler, Red Kite, Raven, Buzzard, Dunnock, Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler, Robin, Black-tailed Godwit, Gadwall, Herring Gull | Gary Atkins |
| 02/07/2023 | 6 more Black-tailed Godwits this morning, flew S at 07:48. 2 Shoveler at Millfields. 32 Gadwall (brood of 4 in Brown Ale Bay may be new). New broods of Tufted at Hopton end (5) and off PS hide (3). 3 Collared Doves at the ranger base. 3 GCGrebe broods (Hopton end, Brown Ale Bay and WLC). 3 Redstarts (fem/juv WLC fields, juv below Middle Wood, male below Hall Wood). 3 Tree Sparrows (adult and 2 juvs) and 6 Grey Wagtails at Millfields. | Simon Roddis |
| 01/07/2023 | Single Wigeon and Pochard from WLC. 8 Curlew at sailing club early morning and the Snipe again on Horseshoe island. | Simon Roddis |
| 30/06/2023 | 2 more Black-tailed Godwits this morning, on Horseshoe island, along with a Snipe and 5 Teal. Clive had 2 Dunlin fly through. Adult Common Tern. 28 Mute Swans. 25 Gadwall. Adult Yellow-legged Gull. Reed Warbler still singing at WLC. | Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton |
| 29/06/2023 | Dusk visit: 12 Curlews came in to sailing club/Watersports island. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. At Hopton end, c10 Swallows went to roost in the reedbed, 15 Swifts hawking overhead and a calling Tawny Owl. | Simon Roddis |
| 29/06/2023 | A couple of pleasant surprises this morning: a flock of 7 Black-tailed Godwits flew S at 06:35 - seemed to be rising when I picked them up so perhaps they'd been down on the shore somewhere - and a first-summer Kittiwake flew S down the res at 09:25. 23 Mute Swans, plus the 2 cygnets still. 2 Curlew. Snipe, Common Sandpiper and adult and juvenile Redshank off Stones causeway. Adult Yellow-legged Gull again. 10 Swifts. Total of 8 Ravens. Skylark again in dam wall fields. 13 House Martins over Shiningford. | Simon Roddis |
| 28/06/2023 | 2 Curlews this morning, one on sailing club shore early on, and another flew S late morning. A Snipe on Horseshoe island (my first ever here in June). 2 Common Sandpiper. Immature Herring Gull. Adult Common Tern. Skylark singing over the dam wall fields. | Simon Roddis |
| 27/06/2023 | 247 Greylags. 21 Mute Swans plus the 2 cygnets still off Sheepwash. New broods of 6 Gadwall at Shiningford and 8 Tufties in Brown Ale Bay. 4 male Teal. 125 Coot, plus a large juvenile at WLC. 45 Lapwing in WLC fields. A Whimbrel flew W over the main carpark at 07:30. 4 Common Sandpiper (3 at Millfields, 1 at Hopton end). Adult Yellow-legged Gull still. 2 Little Egrets. | SJR, CA, RPJ, AMD |
| 23/06/2023 | 16 Mute Swan, including the pair with 2 cygnets still off Sheepwash. Drake Pochard, 113 Coot and 2 Little Grebes off Stones causeway. 23 Lapwing. Dunlin and Yellow-legged Gull still. Curlew over WLC creek. 2 Common Sand at Millfields (RPJ,AMD). Peregrine sitting on the dam wall early morning. 2 Reed Warblers singing in WLC creek. | Simon Roddis |
| 18/06/2023 | Monthly WeBS count: 790 Canada, 205 Greylag, 17 Mute Swan (pair with 2 small cygnets off PS hide), 19 Gadwall (new brood of 5 in Brown Ale Bay), 91 Mallard, 1 Teal, 77 Tufted, 5 Moorhen, 77 Coot (young at WLC), 1 Little Grebe, 48 GCGrebe, 9 Oystercatcher (new brood of 2 on Watersports island), 23 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 12 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Kingfisher below Middle Wood. Clive had 3 Common Terns off Stones, then 1 from WLC later. Siskin over Hopton end. | SJR, JB, CA |
| 17/06/2023 | Second brood of Tufties this morning, 9 at sailing club. 2 Sedge Warblers and at least 5 Reed (3 singing) in Hopton reedbed, plus Reed Bunting with food. Little Egret still. 2 imm Common Gulls. | Simon Roddis |
| 16/06/2023 | c700 Canada and 200 Greylags this morning. 37 Gadwall. 2m Teal. Pair of Oystercatchers with 2 chicks on sailing club shore, presumably brought over from SC island. 25 Lapwing in WLC fields. 1 Little Egret still. Total of 5 GSWoodpeckers in Hall/Middle Woods. 15+ Sedge Warblers on Stones, including several 'Sedglings'. 3 Spotted Flycatchers (Hopton end, Stones and WLC creek). Pied Fly still singing in Hall Wood. | Simon Roddis |
| 15/06/2023 | New broods of 10 Gadwall off Big Island and 6 Tufted Duck at WLC. Common Sandpiper at Big Island. 6 Teal flew past Stones. Common Tern off Watersports late morning. A pair of GCGrebes with 2 young at Hopton end may have been the ones from Brown Ale Bay a few days ago. 14 Lapwing on Horseshoe island. Little Egret at Shiningford. 1 Skylark on the dam wall. | Simon Roddis |
| 13/06/2023 | In addition to Simon's report:
Common Tern flew N at 0800hr then another Common/Arctic at 08:15. Sedge Warbler feeding young near Janet Ede hide and another pair with food on Stones. Reed Warbler singing on Stones adjacent to Sailing Club Island. | Clive Ashton |
| 14/06/2023 | No great surprises this morning, but Mute Swans (17) and Coot (59) are increasing. 3 Curlews flew W to E over the res. 1 Little Egret. Reed Warblers singing on sailing club island and at WLC. Pair of Redstarts still in WLC creek and a Spotted Flycatcher at Millfields. | Simon Roddis |
| 13/06/2023 | An adult Kittiwake flying around off Sheepwash and Lane End from 07:20 to at least 07:50 was unexpected (although to my surprise I've found that it isn't my first in June - I had one on 30/06/2018). Fledged Willow Tits in Shiningford creek and at PS hide. Lesser Whitethroat at Sheepwash. Pair of GCGrebes with at least 1 chick in Brown Ale Bay, first I've seen this year. Oystercatcher 'Barcode' and its mate have at least 1 chick on Big Island. Juv and 2 adult Tree Sparrows in Shiningford creek. | Simon Roddis |
| 12/06/2023 | A colour ringed Mute Swan CPT4 this morning on Watersports Island was ringed as a male cygnet at Barbridge near Nantwich on 22/8/2020. | Clive Ashton |
| 12/06/2023 | 5 Common Terns went through N at 09:00, a mobile Little Egret, and Garden Warblers with food on Stones and feeding fledged young at Millfields. Otherwise as you were. | Simon Roddis |
| 11/06/2023 | A male Pochard on Watersports island is my first here since the end of February. A Little Egret flew over Stones, and Reed Warbler still singing there. 13 Mute Swans. 48 Coot. Pair of Oystercatchers with 2 chicks on sailing club island - I think that's the 3rd brood so far. 2 immature Common Gulls at Millfields. 22 Starlings over the dam wall. | Simon Roddis |
| 10/06/2023 | Good news: Willow Tits seem to be having a good breeding season. 3 new broods this morning - WLC creek and 2 at Millfields - makes 5 so far; 14+ birds in total. 11 Mute Swans. Pair of Teal again. 1 Ringed Plover at sailing club. Adult Yellow-legged Gull. Clive had 3-4 immature Common Gulls at sailing club early morning, and 1 was off Millfields later. 15 Cormorants. Garden Warbler with food on Stones, and fledged Blackcaps at Millfields. Redstarts with food and a singing Spotted Flycatcher in WLC creek. | Simon Roddis |
| 08/06/2023 | Single Pink-footed Goose off Stones causeway (first time I've seen it since late Feb) and a Reed Warbler singing there early morning. One Herring Gull N among a small trickle of Lessers. 14 Cormorant. 2 Little Grebe in WLC creek. Pair of Willow Tits feeding 2+ fledged young at WLC. Tree Sparrow adult and juvs again at Millfields. | Simon Roddis |
| 07/06/2023 | A Sanderling was on sailing club shore early morning, and a drake Common Scoter off Sheepwash late morning. Little Egret flew past Stones. 10 Mute Swans. 400+ Canadas. 25 Swifts over the visitor centre. 9 Lapwing. 5 GSWoodpeckers, the most I've seen/heard for months, including a juvenile in the play area - where else?! 3 Redstarts, 3 Spotted and 1 Pied Flycatcher singing in Hall Wood (top path). Sedge Warbler with food on Stones, Pied Wag with food at the visitor centre. Juv Grey Wag in Hall Wood. 8 Mistle Thrushes over Hall Wood. | Simon Roddis |
| 05/06/2023 | A summer plumage Dunlin at sailing club, pair of Teal around Stones and a Skylark over WLC fields were new for the month (for me at least). 27 Swifts. 8 Lapwing. Little Grebe singing in WLC creek. The immature Peregrine again, sitting on the dam wall being mobbed by Swallows early morning. | Simon Roddis |
| 04/06/2023 | Species seen by Birdwatching for Beginners group (Stones Is to WLC, from 10am to noon): Black-headed Gull, Blackbird, Blackcap, Buzzard, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Chiffchaff, Coot, Cormorant, Gadwall, Garden Warbler, Goldfinch, Gt Crested Grebe, Greylag Goose, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Lapwing, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Little Ringed Plover, Mallard, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Sedge Warbler, Song Thrush, Swallow, Swift, Tufted Duck, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, Wren (34) | Gary Atkins |
| 04/06/2023 | Could only see 2 goslings with the pair of Barnacle Geese at Millfields this morning. Moorhen with 5 chicks on the Horseshoe nest, but there's one less Black-headed Gull chick there after one was taken by a Buzzard. Willow Tits at WLC and PS hide. Reed Warbler singing in Brown Ale Bay. Chiffchaff with food at Sheepwash. | Simon Roddis |
| 04/06/2023 | 4 Swallow, 5 Sand Martin, 2 Pied wagtail, 6 Cormorant, 7 Chiffchaff, 1Buzzard, 1 Greenfinch,1 Bullfinch , 1 Jay, 2 Garden Warbler, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Wren | David Armitt |
| 02/06/2023 | A very short visit early morning: 1 Ringed Plover at Sailing Club (one seen yesterday too), 5 Lapwing, Reed Warbler singing at WLC, Moorhen with at least 4 young on Horseshoe. | Clive Ashton |
| 02/06/2023 | Heard Whimbrel Horseshoe Island area around midday-crazy | Mark Pass |
| 02/06/2023 | More birds on the move this morning, with 9 Sanderling flying N at 06:25 and 11 Arctic Terns (plus another 6 probables) passing through. 337 Canada Geese. Pair of Barnacles at Millfields island with 3 small goslings. 62 Greylag. Female Gadwall with 3 ducklings at Penn Carr. 30 Swifts over Stones. Pair of Redshank with 3 chicks on Horseshoe island. 6 Ravens over the east side. Chiffchaff with food in Hall Wood, and fledged young at Hays Lane. Still a Sedge and 3 Reed Warblers singing in Hopton reedbed. Fledged Nuthatches in Millfields carpark. Redstart, Spotted and Pied Flycatchers singing in Hall Wood. 5 Tree Sparrows (adult and 4 juvs) at Millfields. | Simon Roddis |
| 01/06/2023 | 9 Black Terns from Stones this morning: 7 at 07:45 appeared to go more or less straight through, then 2 from 08:10-08:20. 5 Common Terns. Swifts built up to 50+ over Stones mid-morning. A Peregrine (same bird as yesterday) caught its breakfast at sailing club. 2 Willow Tits singing in WLC creek (one of them presumably from the WLC pair). | Simon Roddis |
| 31/05/2023 | 2 Black Terns off Stones from 08:50-09:20 and then a presumed third bird at 09:35. Clive had a flock of at least 18 terns, probably Common, fly through at about 08:00, and a Common was at WLC at 10:45. c20 Swifts and 50 House Martins feeding over WLC/Watersports area. A second-year Peregrine past Stones. | Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton |
| 29/05/2023 | Adult Common Tern and Curlew from Stones this morning. 12 each of Swifts and House Martins over Horseshoe island, and the first Black-headed Gull chicks have hatched there, 3 in one nest. 2+ Jays near sailing club, might have been a family party. | Simon Roddis |
| 28/05/2023 | 1 Turnstone, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 6 Cormorant, 5 Sedge Warbler, 4 Oystercatcher, 7 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 7 Goldfinch, 1 Shoveler, 2 Lapwing, 1 Reed Warbler WLC Reed Bed, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Willow Tit with food WLC, Great Tits in nest box 42 | David Armitt |
| 26/05/2023 | A breeding plumage adult Turnstone was on sailing club island at 08:30, then reported flying over sailing club by another bird at 10:00. Drake Goosander flew into Millfields. 4 Barnacle Geese. 6 Swifts around the visitor centre. 1 Curlew over. 5 Willow Tits: adult and at least 2 fledged young at Millfields, and a pair with food at WLC. Fledged Long-tailed Tits on Stones causeway. | Simon Roddis |
| 23/05/2023 | 2 Ringed Plover at sailing club this morning. 2 Oystercatcher chicks still at Sheepwash. 1 Curlew bubbling. A dead Tawny Owl on the dam wall road. 6 Ravens on pylons above Hognaston were presumably a family party. 2 Linnet over the dam wall. | Simon Roddis |
| 21/05/2023 | Monthly WeBS count: 182 Canada, 38 Greylag, 4 Mute Swan, 17 Gadwall, 51 Mallard, 38 Tufted, 4 Moorhen, 23 Coot, 1 Little Grebe, 47 GCGrebe, 5 Oystercatcher (plus 2 chicks at Sheepwash), 2 Lapwing, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Common Sand, 2 Redshank, 250 BhGulls, 8 Cormorant, 2 Grey Herons. Typically low numbers for many species at this time of year but only 1 Little Grebe is surprising. Counts don't include ducklings or goslings. | Simon Roddis, Jon Bradley |
| 20/05/2023 | Perimeter counts this morning: 28 Pheasant, 1 Kingfisher at Hopton reedbed, 7 Coal Tit, 64 Blue, 29 Great, 14 Long-tailed, Skylark singing in dam wall fields, 26 Willow Warbler, 72 Chiffchaff, 14 Sedge, 3 Reed, 60 Blackcap, 22 Garden, 2 Lesser and 1 Common Whitethroat, 16 Goldcrest, 123 Wren, 11 Treecreeper, 46 Song Thrush, 6 Mistle, 89 Blackbird, 2 Spotted and 1 Pied Fly, 104 Robin, 6 Redstart, 32 Dunnock, 26 Chaffinch, 15 Bullfinch, 21 Goldfinch, male Linnet on the dam wall. | Simon Roddis |
| 19/05/2023 | An adult Little Gull flew around for a minute or two before heading off east just before 6 this morning, and a Whimbrel dropped in. A few gulls moving through: 25 Lessers, 2 Great Black-backs and at least 3 immature Common. Otherwise just the usual suspects. | Simon Roddis |
| 12/05/2023 | Evening visit: the GNDiver still from Stones. If it's still there tomorrow (which it presumably will be), it will equal its latest ever last date here (13/05/18). A female Wigeon at WLC and the Bar-tailed Godwit still at Watersports. | Simon Roddis |
| 12/05/2023 | The GNDiver was off Stones to late morning at least. An Osprey flew over Stones at 09:20 then landed in Hall Wood before appearing to head N at 09:35. It or another appeared over the east side at 09:40 and stayed to 10:10. It seemed to me that the second bird was more uniform dark above but less clean white below than the first, so I think there may have been 2 birds. A Sanderling flew N past Stones at 10:42. Also 2 Shelduck, c25 Swifts, the Bar-tailed Godwit still, an immature GBbGull, Peregrine over Stones, Spotted Flycatcher singing near Lane End, Redstart in Shiningford creek. | Simon Roddis |
| 07/05/2023 | Bird Walk - 7th May 2023
House sparrow, Canada goose, Greylag goose, Mallard, Oystercatcher, Coot, Sedge warbler, BHgull, Pied wagtail, Tufted duck, Cormorant, Mute swan, GNDiver, Goldfinch, Gadwall, moorhen, L R plover, Chiffchaff, Robin, Song thrush,
Blackbird, Dunnock, Crow, Magpie, Wren, willow warbler, Blackcap, Bar-tailed godwit, Redshank, Lapwing, GC grebe, Wood pigeon, Buzzard, Jackdaw.
34 in total. | Amanda Palethorpe |
| 11/05/2023 | The GNDiver was still here this morning and had quite a lengthy flight around 10:30; last seen low over the water so may well have pitched back in. Bar-tailed Godwit still at Watersports. 1 Whimbrel over. 2 Common Terns. Drake Mandarin flew past Stones. Lesser Whitethroat on Stones. Redstart singing in WLC fields. Willow Tit, Grey Wagtail and Treecreeper all with food at Millfields. | Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton |
| 10/05/2023 | The GNDiver is still present this morning, as well as the Bar-tailed Godwit. Whimbrel over Stones. 1 Arctic Tern around Stones from 07:30-08:10 and another 5 from 09:40-10:10. Lesser Whitethroat singing in Millfields carpark. | Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton |
| 09/05/2030 | 8 Sedge Warbler, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Willow Warbler, 6 Oystercatcher, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Cormorant, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin, 1 Redshank, 1 Redstart, 2 Long Tailed Tit,3 Pied wagtail | David Armitt |
| 09/05/2023 | Clive had a good start to the morning, finding an Avocet on Horseshoe island (though not seen after about 07:15), Whimbrel in the overflow carpark and Ringed Plover at sailing club. Dunlin there later too. The GNDiver and Bar-tailed Godwit still and an Arctic Tern from Stones mid-morning. 2 Pied Flycatchers still singing. 4 Reed Warblers singing in Hopton reedbed and one on Stones causeway. Oystercatchers have young on Horseshoe island and Chiffchaff with food on Stones. | Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton |
| 08/05/2023 | The GNDiver was last seen at about 08:40 this morning, in flight and calling. Maybe its farewell for this end of the year? 1 Bar-tailed Godwit still at Watersports. 3 Shelduck. 2 Dunlin. 1 Curlew. Reed Warblers singing at WLC and near the visitor centre. | Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton |
| 07/05/2023 | The GNDiver was still present late morning. 2 Common Terns early morning. 5 singing Reed Warblers (2 in WLC Creek, 3 Hopton reedbed) and a Sedge Warbler in Hopton reedbed. 2 singing Pied Flycatchers and 2 singing Redstarts between Hall Wood and Warrington Knob. Still 10+ Lesser Redpolls at Millfields. And Clive saw the Bar-tailed Godwit at Watersports early on. | Simon Roddis |
| 06/05/2023 | The GNDiver still off Stones island and in flight. Bar-tailed Godwit still at Watersports. Little Egret N over Hopton end. 1 Yellow Wagtail SE over Stones. 4 Bullfinches and at least 5 Lesser Redpolls again feeding on Aspen catkins at Millfields. | Simon Roddis |
| 05/05/2023 | A bit of a waderfest this morning, with a total of 12 species. Highlights were 2 Wood Sandpipers past Stones island at 07:25, 5 Whimbrel, Greenshank and Bar-tailed Godwit. The GNDiver still from Stones. Osprey over Hall Wood at 09:08. Female Goldeneye still. 2 Common Terns. | SJR, CA, AHS |
| 04/05/2023 | The GNDiver still present to 10:30 at least after exercising its wings again. A Cuckoo called 4 or 5 times near the WLC early morning, less than annual here and only my second ever. 13 Oystercatchers, including 7 together at Millfields. 1 imm Common Gull. Redstart singing between Hays and Oldfield Lanes, north of Millfields. 27 Lesser Redpolls near Millfields stone barn, feeding in Blackthorn and a catkin-bearing tree that I'm struggling to identify. 1 Siskin over Millfields carpark. | Simon Roddis |
