| 2005-06-11 | Here's a round up of what's been about over the last week:
Two Little Ringed Plovers were seen together in front of the Wildlife Centre (no sign of breeding though) on the 10th, with possibly another pair seen on Stones Island at the same time. Also seen that day were a family group of 13 Gadwall (not bred here according to Roger) off stones Island, seven Redshank and 32 Curlew on Horseshoe Island. An Osprey was seen circling briefly over Millfields Bay and the Dam Wall on the 11th. A Red Kite was recorded in the sightings book on the 12th, although no location was noted. Finally, there have been two drake Red Crested Pochard in front of the Wildlife Centre since the 14th. | Paul Bennett
Ranger Service |
| 2005-06-14 | Sightings today at Carsington Water.
Visited Stones Island and the WLC. Weather: Mainly overcast with a north-easterly breeze. 38 bird species identified.
OF NOTE:
Great Crested Grebe - several, including a pair with two striped young.
Canada Goose - not counted but one pair seen with four sturdy goslings.
Barnacle Goose (38) - including 13 adults with 24 goslings. One adult was on its own.
Mallard One female seen with 10 ducklings, two of which were white!
Red-crested Pochard (2) - the logbook suggests they arrived yesterday. Initially seen on Horseshoe Island, then they swam across Shiningford Creek before flying north and out of sight.
Oystercatcher (1) - Horseshoe Island.
Little Ringed Plover (1) - On Horseshoe Island for a short time, then flew west up the first creek by the WLC.
Redshank (2) - Horseshoe Island.
Swift (10).
Sand Martin (~30).
Swallow (~50) - four sat in a tree, one of which was a juvenile.
House Martin (10).
Blackcap, Garden Warbler and Willow Warbler.
Reed Bunting (2) - Stones Island.
PLANTS:
Most of the plants reported last time are still in flower.
Newly flowered species noted were - Meadow Crane's-bill
(purple - blue) and Perennial Sow-thistle (yellow).
EXTRACTED FROM THE WLC LOGBOOK for the 13th June:
Great Spotted Woodpecker (3, two were immature)
Buzzard (1)
Sparrowhawk (1 female)
Curlew (1)
Redshank (5)
These logbook entries were made by D Newcombe. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2005-06-17 | A few sightings for today at Carsington: 2 Little Ringed Plovers, c6 Redshank, 2 Drake Red Crested Pochards, Curlew & c4 Oystercatchers. All seen on or near Horseshoe island.
Whitethroat on Shiningford creek and a Lesser Whitethroat between Sheepwash car park & the observation tower.
Juvenile birds include Robin, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Mute Swan, Mallard, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Great Crested Grebe and 2 Little Grebe chicks in the bay just past Paul Stanley hide.
The highlight for me was a superb Sanderling on Horseshoe island late afternoon, seen by many observers. | D. Newcombe |
| 2005-06-21 | A family group of nine Crossbills were observed at 11:30 today in a dead tree by Penn Carr. They were found by Brian Woods and Eric Machin (Volunteer Rangers). The birds sat obligingly in the tree for around 10 minutes and then moved into an Alder tree in the wood. | . |
| 2005-06-22 | 2 Male Red Crested Pochard - showing very close Sheepwash end of reservoir, but very mobile and very quick in water.
Barn Owl in usual place
Little Owl perched on pylons
WOODLAND - Garden Warbler,Whitethroat,Chiffchaff,Willow Warbler
HORSESHOE ISLAND & SURROUNDS - Little Ringed Plover,Redshank,Oystercatcher,Lapwing,Little Grebe
Teal,Barnacle Geese (flyover),1 (untickable!) Snow Goose (with Canada flock nr Horseshoe island) | Matthew Reed |
| 2005-07-01 | Myself and my husband visit Carsington almost every week - sometimes twice a week from Nottingham. We were there today and just before leaving we decided a final stroll to the Wildlife Centre was appropriate. We were observing a few species in the Willow trees to the left hand side of the main building at the Wildlife Centre and amongst Tree Sparrows, Willow Tits,
Willow Warblers and a few of the usual suspects like Chaffinch's and Blue Tits we noticed a very noisy chap having a mid-flight fight with a male Greenfinch. We reckon it was a male Serin. Unlikely I know but after looking up everything in the books and later on the internet the call and form of the bird we saw only matches with a Serin. Hope we have spotted a good one here! Hope that it was likely sighting and that other's spot him! We observed for about 15-20 minutes around 18.30-19.00 hrs. After his "scrap" he spent a lot of time around the lower branches of the trees and kept dipping down to the bird tables behind the gate - making a lot of noise. Mr & Mrs Callaghan
[Any comments from other bird watchers around the site today?]
Other sightings we observed today:
Paul Stanley Hide- Coot + chicks, Moorhen + chicks, Tufted Duck + chicks, Mute Swan + cygnets, Chaffinch, Jackdaw, Dabchick, Wood Pigeon, G.C. Grebe (+chicks at Wildlife Centre), Lapwing (+chicks W.L. Centre), Mallard, Ruddy Duck (2 pairs), Kestrel
Sheepwash- Chiffchaff, Grey Heron, 2 Oystercatchers, Canada Goose, Pheasant, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, G.C. Grebe, Dabchick
Wildlife Centre- Redshank, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, Black Headed Gull, Swifts, Reed Warbler, Housemartin, Serin?? Greenfinch, Tree Sparrow, Blue Tit, Robin (juvenile), Pied Wagtail, Reed Bunting | . |
| 2005-07-11 | Visited the site after four weeks absence. Very hot today at around 29 degrees C. Scanned from Stones Island and the WLC. Only 29 species counted. Woodland birds are more difficult to find now because many have either stopped or cut down on their singing, and vegetation & leafage is at its densest.
OF NOTE:
Ruddy Duck (1 male) - off Stones Island.
Oystercatcher (2) - from WLC.
Swift (2)
Blackcap (1) and Willow Warbler (1) - both Stones Island.
Reed Bunting (1 male) - singing occasionally on Stones Island.
From the WLC logbook: Little Ringed Plover and Curlew
in the last two days.
NON-AVIAN SPECIES:
Common Blue Damselfly, Meadow Brown and Speckled
Wood butterflies.
FLOWERING PLANTS:
Buttercups and Daisies plus the following:
Spear Thistle, Field Thistle, Common Knapweed, Yarrow,
Common Sorrel, Ragwort, Meadow Vetchling, Sweet Briar,
Agrimony, (Blackberry) Bramble, Black Medick, Meadow
Crane's Bill, Cow Parsley, Water Forget-me-not, Common
Bird's-foot-trefoil, Rosebay Willowherb, Great Willowherb,
Broad-leaved Willowherb, Bulrush, Woody Nightshade,
and Selfheal. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2005-07-13 | Wildlife Centre/Horseshoe Island - 3 Black Tailed Godwits (one had two white rings on its right leg plus one white ring on its left leg), 2 Dunlin, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Teal, 1 Ruddy Duck, 64 Lapwing & 1 Starling.
Hopton Arm end (SK2653) - 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 House Martin, 1 Swallow & 1 BH Gull (flew in from north-east at 1958hrs)
Near WLC (SK239519) - 4 Goldfinch | Brian Cuttell |
| 2005-07-20 | A nice mild day on the site. Visited Stones Island & the WLC as usual. Only 26 species of bird identified. Most woodland birds have fallen silent.
OF NOTE:
Mute Swan (20) - including 4 cygnets.
Barnacle Goose (34) - including juveniles.
Ruddy Duck (13) - 12 from WLC & one off Stones Island.
Kestrel (1) - Stones Island.
Oystercatcher (2) - seen from the visitor centre flying across Stones Island.
Song Thrush (1) - singing weakly near the WLC.
From the logbook in the WLC: Black-tailed Godwits were reported on the 15th.
NON-AVIAN SPECIES:
Butterflies: Hedge Brown (or Gatekeeper), Large White,
and Green-veined White.
On the pond by the WLC: Pond Skaters and Water Boatmen.
PLANTLIFE in flower: As for last week plus -
Scentless Mayweed, Broad-leaved Dock, Curled Dock,
Groundsel, Hawkweed, Shining Crane's-bill, Cotton (or
Scotch) Thistle, Marsh Thistle, Prickly Sow-thistle,
Nipplewort and Great Burnet. There is loads of colour on Stones Island and in the grassy areas close to the WLC. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2005-07-24 | A few interesting sightings to brighten up an otherwise wet and dull day. I observed a family group of three Garden Warblers moving through the bushes by the Sailing Club entrance this morning. A Common Sandpiper was heard calling on Stones Island at 09:30. A Grey Wagtail was flushed from the shore at Millfields at 11:30 and flew towards Tail Bay. A Whimbrel flew over at the same time, calling as it headed over the Blackwall Plantation. This is the second time that I've seen/heard Whimbrel overhead this week, having seen two flying low over the fields behind the ranger Base on Wednesday 20th.
I also spoke to two visitors who reported a Little Ringed Plover and a Snipe from Horseshoe Island and a Redshank and a Common Sandpiper on the end of Sheepwash Spit. | Paul Bennett (STW Ranger) |
| 2005-08-25 | Not too many highlights at Carsington this month but on the 19th 47 Common Scoter, 5 Sandwich Terns and an Osprey were observed.
On the 23rd, and on several other days, the Kingfisher has been showing well from the Paul Stanley Hide and a Willow Tit on the feeders and on the 25th two Dunlin were seen. | . |
| 2005-09-05 | Our first visit since the 18th July. Visited the WLC and scoured
Stones Island but only found 23 species, the lowest count for a
long time.
Weather: Very humid but also very misty with poor light.
OF NOTE:
Ruddy Duck (11) - by the WLC.
Robin - many now singing again after falling silent during mid - late
summer whilst refeathering.
Willow Warbler (1) - Stones Island. Most warblers no longer sing
and many have now left.
A male Southern Hawker dragonfly was spotted on Stones Island.
Most wild plants have finished flowering but Oxeye Daisy and Agrimony were noted. These have not been previously reported.
Autumn approaches! Hips were observed on the Dog Rose plants. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2005-09-06 | On a visit around the Sheepwash area today: a Tern species was flying in front of Hall Wood but too far away to identify precisely and a Common Sandpiper was on the scrape in front of the Paul Stanley Hide. Pochard, Wigeon, Lapwing and four Snipe were seen during the day as well as four Mistle Thrush, Willow Warbler and Kingfisher. | . |
| 2005-09-22 | Visited the Wildlife Centre and Stones Island as usual.
A warm day ~ 20 degrees C. Breezy. Unfortunately there were less than 30 bird species about.
OF NOTE: AVIAN SPECIES:
Gadwall (6) - Horseshoe Island.
Teal - several dozen, an increase in the last three weeks.
Red-crested Pochard (2 females) - Wildlife Centre creek.
Kestrel (1 female) - Horseshoe Island.
Coot (at least 500) - in the WLC and Shiningford creeks.
Lapwing (~10) - Horseshoe Island, the only waders seen today.
Swallow (2).
House Martin (6) - around the visitor centre.
PLEASE NOTE: Up to four Red-crested Pochards have been
seen in the last few days. Also two Dunlin were present on the
20th September and a Green Sandpiper was present on
Stones Island up to the 20th.
NON-AVIAN WILDLIFE:
By the WLC or on/over the pond adjacent to the WLC:
Butterflies: Red Admiral, Small White, Meadow Brown
and Speckled Wood.
Dragonflies: Common Darter (largely orange coloured) and
Southern Hawker (bright green and blue).
Other insects: Water Boatmen and Pond Skaters.
PLANTLIFE:
Most flowering plants are now over, however, the following had
a few specimens in bloom: Daisy, Meadow Buttercup,
Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil, Water Forget-me-not, Spear Thistle, Bulrush, Autumn Hawkbit, Hawkweed and Meadow Crane's-bill.
There were several clumps of Redshank (Persicaria maculosa) in
the Low Water Garden near the visitor centre. The Redshank
plant is definitely THE birders plant!! | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2005-10-05 | The following recent sightings were taken from the Wildlife Centre (WLC) logbook:
1st October:
Red-crested Pochard (2) - from WLC.
Common Tern (1) - from WLC.
Merlin (1) - from WLC.
2nd October:
Red-crested Pochard (4) - from WLC.
Lesser Redpoll (8) - WLC area.
3rd October:
Common Sandpiper (1) - Horseshoe Island.
4th October:
Snipe (1) - Horseshoe Island.
Lesser Redpoll (15) - WLC area.
Water Vole (1) - from WLC.
The following observations were made today the 5th October:
Visited Stones Island, the WLC and Sheepwash hide.
Weather: Mild. Sunny most of the time around midday.
36 species of bird identified.
OF NOTE:
Cormorant (48) - on the Spit.
Grey Heron (1) - on the Spit.
Eight species of duck present: Wigeon, Gadwall (2), Teal, Mallard, Shoveler (pair) - near Sheepwash hide, Red-crested Pochard (2 males) - the Spit, Pochard (10), Tufted Duck and Ruddy Duck (1 female).
Kestrel (1 female) - Horseshoe Island.
Lapwing (~100) - the Spit.
Common Sandpiper (1) - near the WLC.
Long-tailed Tit (14) - Stones Island.
Goldfinch (14) - Stones Island.
OTHER OBSERVATIONS:
Speckled Wood butterfly, male Southern Hawker dragonfly, Weasal.
Flowering plants: Redshank, Herb Robert, Daisy & Meadow Buttercup. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2005-10-07 | 1 - Kingfisher - - Hopton end of resvervoir
1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker - Fishtail Creek
3 -Great Tits - Hall Wood
2 - Blue Tits - Hall Wood
1 - Red Crested Pochard (male) - Inlet near Millfields
lots of Chaffinches everywhere
6 - Pied Wagtails along the dam
4 - Rock Pippets along the dam wall
6 Magpies, 6 Goldfinch, 2 Blackbirds, 3 Robins, Tufties, Coots, Moorhens, 5 Dabchicks, 2 Gt. Crested Grebe, 2 pairs of swans, 1 with 3 young, and 1 pair with 1 cygnet, 3 Jays. | Elvin & Jan Sheppard |
| 2005-10-08 | Today from the wildlife centre hide I heard and observed a Bar Tailed Godwit which flew in from the North to Horseshoe Island at 2.55pm landing on the exposed mud. Further scanning along the waters edge I located a second bird and this was followed at 3.17pm by a third bird which flew in from the same direction. | Peter Nuttall |
| 2005-10-09 | A Sandwich Tern was reported to me as being on Horseshoe Island last Sunday(9th). The description fitted but I didn't get out to see it myself. I was told that it was only viewable from Shiningford Creek area as it was on the North-east side, although it take to the air occasionally.
For anyone interested in gulls, the roost is just off the end of Stones island at the moment, allowing quite close views (17:30 onwards). The vast majority of them are Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls, but even if you're not interested in picking through to find something interesting (there was a Laughing Gull in Yorkshire last week!), it makes for a real
spectacle. | Paul Bennett (STW Ranger) |
| 2005-10-13 | Taken from the WLC logbook:
8th October: Pintail (1) - eclipse male, WLC:
9th: Jay (1); Common Sandpiper (1); Sandwich Tern (1);
10th: Pintail (1) - eclipse male.
13th: Kingfisher (1) - near WLC; the Pintail again.
Further sightings made by us also on the 13th:
Barnacle Goose (4) - Horseshoe Island.
Gadwall (pair) - WLC creek.
Pintail (1)
Red-crested Pochard (1) - off Stones Island.
Kestrel (1 female) - over Horseshoe Island.
Lapwing (26) - Horseshoe Island.
Long-tailed Tit (~6) - near WLC. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2005-10-18 | The following were seen among the more usual species at Carsington on October 18 between noon and 12.45pm:
Female Pintail in the boat club bay; stayed only briefly before flying off in direction of the wildlife centre.
Pair of Buzzards wheeling over Hall Wood.
Pair of Bullfinch in bushes on Stones Island.
Small flock of Linnet passing across the car par near the visitor centre.
C9 Long-tailed Tits in bushes on Stones Island.
Five Gadwall (3m/2F) in open water in front of the cycle hire shop.
Sparrowhawk (male) - flying across the road into Millfields area.
Also: C12 fieldfare in trees close to the Tiger Inn at Turnditch and C40 in trees at Blackbrook. | . |
| 2005-10-20 | A 1st Winter Goldeneye was seen from Paul Stanley hide, as was 49 Gadwall & 5 Shoveler. 2 Sparrowhawks were seen flying past the hide.
72 Cormorants were on the spit from sheepwash.
53 Barnacle Geese, 1 Redshank & and eclipse male Pintail were seen from the Wildlife Centre. | D.Newcombe |
| 2005-10-25 | Of note this morning: Two Curlew flying low over the VC car park at 07:45. Four Fieldfares flew out of the trees at the start of the track to the Wildlife Centre and headed west and five Siskin flew south. At least four Redwings were in the back of the hedgerow on the left-hand side of the track (This area has been quite productive recently, with Thrushes and Finches in reasonable numbers. I also saw/heard a Little Owl there in the
evening last week). The highlight this morning though, was a flock of around 30 Redpolls, feeding in the trees next to and behind the Visitor Centre. They then moved on down to Stones Island. | Paul Bennett: Ranger Service |
| 2005-10-27 | 20 October
100 plus Pochard, Buzzard, 6 Blackbirds, 20 Cormorants
6 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Pied Wagtail.
50 Barnacle Geese - Shiningford Creek
30 Lapwing, Horseshoe Island
200 Starlings - Shiningford Creek
27th October (Thursday) Sunny warm day:
Long-tail tits - Scow Brock, Robin, Gt.Tit, 80 Fieldfares flew over Scow Brock, 1 Sparrowhawk, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, lots of Gulls, 1 Gt.Crested Grebe, 5 Swans and 1 Cygnet, 6 Redwing - Shiningford Creek, 100 - Lapwing, 1Kestrel
1 - Stonechat - Shiningford Creek, on the wire fence and posts. | Elvin & Jan Sheppard |
| 2005-11-02 | The track from the Visitor Centre to the Wildlife Centre is still proving to very productive at the moment. Roger Carrington saw eight Bramblings and 100+ Redwing on Sunday 30th (see October Monthly Bird Notes). A very distinctive call led me to a single Brambling sitting in a tree above the Wildlife Centre this morning (02/11). There were also 15+ Siskin and 20+ Redpoll feeding in the Alders around the Wildlife Centre, along with Goldfinches and Chaffinches.
Numbers of Siskin and Redpoll around the site are likely to be much higher than those counted, as they seem to be calling overhead all day around the Visitor Centre area.
Other recent highlights have included a single Dunlin by the Fisheries Jetty (RC), nine Meadow Pipits on Horseshoe Island (RC) and 12 Redpoll on Stones Island (RC), (all on 30/10). I saw two Grey Wagtails on Sheepwash spit along with four Snipe on 31/10. A Kingfisher flew across the front of the Wildlife Centre this morning (02/11). | Paul Bennett
Ranger Service |
| 2005-11-02 | Recent sightings extracted from the Wildlife Centre (WLC) logbook:
30th October:
Brambling (8), Redwing (100+), Dunlin (1), Redshank (1), Redpoll (12), Meadow Pipits (9).
31st October:
Grey Wagtail (2), Snipe (4).
1st November:
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Siskin (1), Nuthatch (1), Redshank (2).
2nd November (am):
Brambling (1), Siskin (13), Kingfisher (1), Redwing (15), Redpoll (22).
The following refers to our visit to the site today the 2nd November (pm):
Visited Stones Island and the WLC. Very quiet on site today. We identified 37 species of bird during the early afternoon. Weather - mild again. Very little wind. Overcast and sunny by turns.
OF NOTE:
Barnacle Goose (13) - from Visitor Centre to Horseshoe Island.
Gadwall (2 - a pair) - seen from the WLC.
Pochard (14) - Horseshoe Island and the edge of Shiningford Creek.
Goldeneye (1 female) - seen from the WLC. Our first sighting for this "winter" period.
Lapwing (100+) - Horseshoe Island.
Long-tailed Tit (~10) - near the WLC.
Redpoll (10) - near the WLC. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2005-11-09 | The following recent sightings were obtained from the Wildlife Centre (WLC) logbook, the sightings board outside the visitor centre and by word of mouth:
3rd November: Peregrine (1).
4th: Redwing (15).
5th: Blackcap (one, female). " : Marsh Tit (1). " : Raven (1).
6th: Kingfisher (1).
7th: Brambling (5).
8th: Ring-necked Duck (one, first winter) - Fishtail Creek.
" : Treecreeper (1). Bullfinch (1).
9th: Redpoll (1) - WLC. Willow Tit (1) - WLC.
We visited the site on the 9th.Reasonably mild. Visited Stones Island and the WLC. 31 species identified around midday.
OF NOTE:
Barnacle Goose (8) - 4 Stones Island & 4 Horseshoe Island.
Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck and Ruddy Duck in good
numbers.
Pochard (1) - Shiningford Creek.
Lapwing (~200) - mainly on Horseshoe Island.
Snipe (1) - Horseshoe Island.
Redshank (2) - one on Horseshoe Island & one on the edge
of WLC Creek. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2005-11-12 | When I was at Carsington Water at 14:44 0n the 12th November at Sheepwash Hide I was helped to see a Great Northern Diver by some more knowlegeable birdwatchers. | Sam, aged 13 |
| 2005-11-13 | Female goosander by dam wall at 4.30 p.m. | Neil Venables |
| 2005-11-17 | A few notes for today at Carsington.
The obvious highlight was a Red-necked Grebe which a friend and I found from Lane end hide, it was showing very well after lunch up to at least 15.00hrs. Also seen were 17 Goldeneye (9 males and 8 females) 2 Pintail, 2 Raven and a Redshank. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2005-11-18 | Recent observations taken from the Wildlife Centre (WLC) logbook:
13th November: Water Rail (1); Chiffchaff (1).
14th November: Dunlin (5); Goldeneye (3).
15th November: Goldeneye (7); Kingfisher (2); Raven (3);
Lapwing (510).
17th November: Excluding D Newcombe's observations already
reported. Siskin (30); Grey Wagtail (1); Redwing (21);
Fieldfare (7). Please note that the sightings reported for today were from Lane Ends hide or its close environs.
18th November (am): Little Owl (2) - Shiningford Creek area.
Our observations for early pm on the 18th November:
Visited Stones Island and the WLC. A lowly count of just 30 species made. Weather:
Frost on the ground but sunny. Temperature: -6 degrees C. The site was very quiet. Very few visitors. Ideal for birding!
OF NOTE:
Barnacle Goose (4) - with Canada Geese in the fields near the WLC.
Gadwall (a pair) - near the Watersports Centre.
Pochard (4) - Shiningford Creek.
Other ducks visible: Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck, Wigeon and
Ruddy Duck. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2005-11-18 | 3-30pm Red necked grebe near far bank near old boat..also red deer - far bank waters edge | . |
| 2005-11-19 | Lane End Hide -
1 Red Necked Grebe (Was showing from left viewing window, or from the path by the tower. In winter plumage but clearly distinctive)
3 Shelduck
Sheepwash Hide -
B.H Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, LBB Gull, Grey Heron, c5 Cormorant, large numbers of G.C Grebe, Little Grebe, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Lapwing (the Sun was actually so bright it silhouetted everything in the South vista from this hide). | Matthew Reed |
| 2005-11-25 | The Red-necked Grebe has been seen everyday this week. Roger Carrington has twice found it to the left of the Watersports Island early in the morning and it usually ends up back in front (to the left) of Lane Ends hide by the afternoon.
Yesterday Richard Lowe found a Slavonian Grebe from Sheepwash Hide at 10.00a.m. It was seen over by the far bank in front of what Roger called the 'half moon field'. | Paul Bennett (STW Ranger) |
| 2005-11-26 | We noted recent sightings from the board outside the visitor centre and submit those which are not already recorded on the website.
25th November: Excluding observations reported by Paul Bennett.
Redshank (5).
24th November:
Slavonian Grebe (1).
Red-necked Grebe (1).
23rd November:
Red-necked Grebe (1).
Goosander (1 female).
Goldeneye (14).
Redshank (4).
Yellow-legged Gull (1).
Raven (1).
Grey Wagtail (2).
Lesser Redpoll (40+).
22nd November:
Red-necked Grebe (1).
Dunlin (1). | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2005-11-27 | Goldcrest sighted in bushes between Watersports and field next to visitor centre. 27/11/05 am. | Rose Day
STW Ranger |
| 2005-11-28 | I braved the conditions today so I have a few highlights.
The Red-necked Grebe which has been around for almost two weeks now was giving good views again from lane end hide.
50+ Fieldfares were flying over Wildlife Centre creek.
Siskin and Redpoll, at least 10 of each on Shiningford creek.
At least 7 Goldeneye and a female Goosander were visible from Sheepwash hide, as were 2 Redshank.
Just before leaving at 16.00pm I noticed around 25 Golden Plover on Horseshoe Island alongside the usual Lapwings. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2005-12-02 | 1 Bullfinch-behind wildlife centre 12:30
2 Tree Sparrows- feeders
Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Great Tit and Blue Tits - very active
1 Little Grebe- in front of wildlife centre
1 Great Crested Grebe-far back off horseshoe island
8+ Gadwall-left of wildlife centre and of Horseshoe island
15+ Ruddy Duck-in middle of reservoir
4+ Pochard- close to front of wildlife centre
2 Kestrel in fields left of wildlife centre and over horseshoe island | Sam Pedley |
| 2005-12-07 | The Red-necked Grebe was seen in front of Lane Ends again at 12:15 today. There was also a Grey Wagtail there at 10:15. Two Ravens flew low over Sheepwash at 10:30, calling. There were two Redshank and c15 Redwings in the fields between Sheepwash and Lane Ends as well. | Paul Bennett: Ranger Service |
| 2005-12-10 | The following observations were noted from the logbook in the Wildlife Centre (WLC) for the 7th December but excluding those sightings already recorded on the website:
Little Owl (2).
Raven (2).
Green Woodpecker (1).
Goosander (8).
Goldeneye (2).
Today, the 10th December, visited Stones Island and the WLC at around midday. Mainly sunny and reasonably warm.
Not many birding visitors. 35 species identified.
OF NOTE:
Barnacle Goose (5).
Gadwall (2 pairs) - from WLC.
Golden Plover (1) - on Horseshoe Island with the Lapwings.
Lapwing (~400) - Horseshoe Island.
Snipe (2) - WLC Creek.
Redshank (1) - Stones Island.
Little Owl (1) - tree by Shiningford Creek.
Song Thrush (1) - Stones Island.
Tree Sparrow (~20) - Stones Island.
The Red-necked Grebe was not seen today.
Additional:
Curlew (1) - near the Knockerdown Inn.
Little Owl (1) - at Pikehall. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2005-12-20 | Two Black-necked Grebe seen today from the Sheepwash hide. The Red-necked Grebe is still around and usually seen from Lane end hide.
Seen on Sunday 18th were Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Green Sandpiper (calling in flight) & two Whooper swans that flew over.
Wildfowl numbers are still increasing with site records for Tufted duck (1078), Little Grebe (105). Also around: 2000+ Coot, 600+ Wigeon, four Ruddy Duck, approx. 20 Goldeneye and nine Goosander. Small flocks of Siskin, a few Redpoll, last week RC found a Mealy Redpoll (a rare sight for Carsington) and a few wintering Thrushes. | . |
| 2005-12-22 | 7+Goldfinchs and 2 Lesser Redpoll in trees next to path to Wildlife Centre
5 Wigeon-near the wooden walkway on the way to the Wildlife Centre
1 Gadwall-near Horseshoe Island
2 Pochard-left of Wildlife Centre
1 Redshank-far left bank from Wildlife Centre | Sam Pedley |
| 2005-12-26 | Noted by Chloe Pye at the Paul Stanley Hide:
2 Black-necked Grebe showing well most of the day in the bay at the front of the hide
Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Dunnock, Robin, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit.
Goosander, Goldeneye, Mute Swan, Coot, Gadwall, Ruddy Duck, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard, Moorhen, Lapwing, Cormorant, Black-headed Gull.
Also in the area: Mediterranean Gull, Willow Tit, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Redshank.
The Carsington Bird Club Boxing Day walk produced 37 species. Birds seen but not included in the above list:
Kestrel, Greenfinch, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Redpoll, Siskin, Magpie, Tree and House Sparrow, Goldcrest, Bullfinch, Dunnock, Long-tailed Tit, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Snipe and Canada Goose. | . |
| 2006-12-30 | Quiet, usual wildfowl plus Black-necked Grebe (Paul Stanley Hide)1 adult Yellow-legged Gull in roost 150+ Common Gulls (Sheepwash). | Steph Hicking |
| 2006-12-26 | highlights:-
W.Centre: Blackcap (Horeshoe Island), Kestrel, 2xRedshank
Paul Stanley: Black-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver, 27 chaffinch, 1xRedshank
Millfields: Great Northern diver
| Richard, Frances and Ken Pittam |
| 2006-12-24 | W. Centre
Redshank, Teal (no Green-winged), Wigeon, Cormorant, Great Northern Diver, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Canada Geese, Barnacle Geese, 2 Bullfinch, Redwing, Robin
Sheepwash
'Grey' Coot, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Teal, Wigeon, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, 5 Goldeneye (4 drake,1 duck), Little Grebe, 4 Bullfinch (car park)
Paul Stanley
Black-necked Grebe, Kingfisher, Wigeon, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Teal, LBB Gull, BH Gull, Common Gull
| Richard and Frances Pittam |
| 2006-12-22 | Highlights:
Wildlife Centre
Bullfinch, 2 Redshank, 3 Barnacle Geese, 1 Male Hen Harrier (over boat shop/visitor centre)
Paul Stanley
2 Goldcrest, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Willow Tits, 3 Goldeneye, 1 Grt Spotted Woodpecker(m) | Richard and Frances Pittam |
| 2006-12-22 | 3 Wrens - In front of Wildlife Centre
3 Redshanks - from Wildlife Centre
1 Goldeneye - Female from Wildlife Centre
1 Hen Harrier - Male flew over Horsehoe Island
1 Great Northern Diver - Very distant over the back of Horseshoe Island | Sam Pedley |
| 2006-12-21 | Green-winged Teal(WLC) and Black-necked Grebe (Paul Stanley Hide) and 1 Great Northern Diver (Lane Ends) reported on Birdnet Pager system today. | Steph' Hicking |
| 2006-12-20 | The drake Green Winged Teal briefly from Paul Stanley Hide at 2.15 p.m. and the Black Necked Grebe was also showing well from here.
An adult Caspian Gull was on Flat Island up to at least 2.45 p.m. The adult Ring Billed Gull again in the roost at 3.40.p.m. along with 3 Yellow Legged Gulls-an adult and 2 first winters.
At least 2 juvenile Great Northern Divers still present-1 near the dam by the sailing club, the other showing well from the Wildlife Centre.
Also 1 was near Sheepwash about 2.45 p.m.
Also present 4 Barnacle Geese from the Wildlife Centre and a Willow Tit near here, 3 Shoveler from Sheepwash and at least 5 Goldeneye and 3 Redshank around the reservoir | Rod Key |
| 2006-12-18 | 36 species of bird seen around midday. Main observation points: Stones Island (SI) and from the Wildlife Centre (WC). Very quiet on site. Quite misty to start with, then cleared up.
Of note:
Snipe (8) - Horseshoe Island; Redshank (3) - one SI & 2 Horseshoe Island; Redwing (1) - near WC; Bullfinch (pair) - near WC. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
