Recent Sightings

NameSightingDate
Simon RoddisA flock of 7 Little Egrets flew in early morning, joining the 5 already present. Great Egret still too. Off Horseshoe island, 7 Pochard (plus duckling), female Red-crested Pochard and 7 Teal. 2+ Common Sandpiper. Fully grown juvenile Redshank at WLC and then in Brown Ale Bay (per Clive). Adult Yellow-legged Gull still. 3 Redstarts and 17 Mistle Thrushes in WLC fields/Shiningford.04/07/2025
Simon Roddis2 adult Black-tailed Godwits off Stones this morning. 3 Shelduck flew in early morning. 11 Teal, female Red-crested Pochard and at least 9 Pochard (plus 1 duckling) around Horseshoe island/WLC. Adult Yellow-legged Gull among 150 Lesser Black-backs on Sheepwash spit late morning. 1 Peregrine. Two pairs of Sedge Warblers with food on Stones island, presumably feeding second broods. Female and at least 1 juvenile Redstart in WLC fields.03/07/2025
Simon RoddisYesterday's Black-tailed Godwit was still on Stones this morning, although last seen in flight. A juvenile Stonechat in the overflow carpark is the first of the year, I believe. Another flock of Crossbills, 23 in the top of Hall Wood. A very tatty first-summer Common Gull flew past Stones. 367 Greylags. Female Pochard still with one duckling (and another 5 adults). Adult Yellow-legged Gull, the Great Egret and 6 Little Egrets still. Redstart in WLC fields.02/07/2025
Simon RoddisEarly-ish morning visit: a Black-tailed Godwit and female Teal off Stones, and a fly-over Yellow Wagtail. Great Egret at the north end. Ringed Plover at Sheepwash. Common Sandpiper at sailing club. Adult Yellow-legged Gull still. Spotted Flycatcher family still in Brown Ale Bay and c100 Linnets in the Sheepwash wildflower meadows.01/07/2025
Simon Roddis, Alan StewardsonA Greenshank, presumably yesterday's bird, was on Stones/sailing club islands this morning. The Great Egret still, at least 6 Little Egrets and 10 Grey Herons. Female Red-crested Pochard still. 5 Common Sandpipers on Horseshoe island. Adult Yellow-legged Gull among 65 Lesser Black-backs. 2 Redstarts (female and juvenile) and a Lesser Whitethroat in WLC fields. Spotted Flycatcher in Hall Wood. Alan had a Peregrine take a duckling off the water.30/06/2025
Simon RoddisA bit of a waderfest this morning, with 8 species in total. Highlights were 6 Black-tailed Godwits initially on sailing club island and later on Watersports island before flying W; a Green Sandpiper off the dam wall, a Greenshank circling Stones island and 2 Common Sandpipers on Horseshoe island, while a very small Oystercatcher chick on Watersports island was a surprise - many of the birds which bred or hatched here have already left. In addition, a Common Tern, 5 Shoveler, the female Red-crested Pochard still, adult Yellow-legged Gull, Great Egret, 5 Little Egrets, family of Willow Tits near WLC, Whitethroat still singing in Tail Bay, female Redstart again in WLC fields, and 80 Pied Wagtails on the dam wall early morning.29/06/2025
Simon RoddisA little bit quiet this morning (call it summer if you like) but still a few birds: 3 Shoveler from WLC, 420 Coot, 3 Little Egrets (5 yesterday evening), 9 Grey Heron, adult Spotted Flycatcher with recently fledged young at Brown Ale Bay, female Redstart in WLC fields, 5 Linnets in the wildflower meadows S of Sheepwash.28/06/2025
Simon Roddis6 Crossbills (a male and 5 female/juvs) flew through WLC creek mid morning, landing in a holly for a minute and giving great views before heading off SW. Adult Yellow-legged Gull off Stones. The Great Egret still, plus 2 Little Egrets. 17 Mute Swans plus the 4 cygnets. 3 Shoveler and the female Red-crested Pochard still from WLC. 65 Gadwall. 137 Tufted. Common Sandpiper on Watersports island. Total of c100 juv Black-headed Gulls doesn't seem like a particularly good return from 200+ nests.26/06/2025
Simon RoddisThe Black-tailed Godwit was still by the WLC this morning. Both egrets still and a very similar collection of duck to the last few days. Barnacle Geese pair still with 3 goslings. 2 Common Sandpipers at sailing club. Whitethroat still singing in Tail Bay. Spotted Flycatcher at Hopton end. Juvenile Redstart in WLC fields (another first of the autumn) and a Siskin over. And scores of tiny froglets on the path in Tail Bay.25/06/2025
Simon RoddisAn adult Black-tailed Godwit on Horseshoe island is the first of the autumn. Great and Little Egrets still. 19 adult Mute Swan. Just 3 Shoveler this morning, and the Red-crested Pochard from WLC. Black-headed Gulls seem to be having a poor breeding season: Millfields island appears deserted and the number of juveniles seems to be going down rather than up. Shame. 3 Sedge Warblers still singing in WLC creek and 2 near Millfields island, Reed Warbler singing at WLC, 4 Garden Warblers singing on/around Stones and another 2 in WLC creek.24/06/2025
Simon RoddisThe Great and Little Egrets still present this morning. 6 Shoveler from WLC. 7 Pochard, plus a single duckling with one of the females. Female Red-crested Pochard again from Stones. Peregrine over. 25 Sand Martins. Fledged Reed Warblers in Hopton reedbed.23/06/2025
Simon Roddis, Jon BradleyMonthly wildfowl count: 1,111 Canada Geese, 4 Barnacle (plus 3 goslings), 344 Greylags, 12 Mute Swan (plus 4 cygnets), 63 Gadwall (plus 6 broods), 267 Mallard, 1 RcPochard, 7 Pochard, 120 Tufted (plus 6 broods), 11 Moorhen, 333 Coot, 16 Oystercatcher, 7 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 8 Little Grebe, 63 Great Crested, 8 Cormorant, single Little and Great Egrets, 8 Grey Heron. Pair of Peregrines over the WLC, upsetting the Black-headed Gulls.22/06/2025
Simon RoddisBack after a few days away, the water level has dropped quite a bit further! Pair of Mute Swans with 4 cygnets off Sheepwash, presumably from the Hopton nest. Pair of Barnacle Geese still with 3 young at WLC, plus another pair. Canada Geese and Greylags look to have increased significantly. Drake Teal on Horseshoe island. Female Pochard now with 2 chicks off Stones. 5 Lapwing. 3 Redshank. 1 Little Egret. 4 Grey Herons, including 3 juveniles at Sheepwash. 2 adult Willow Tits calling and singing on Stones and in WLC creek. House Martins collecting mud from sailing club shore but then flying off towards Hognaston. Fledged Garden Warbler on Stones and an adult with food in WLC creek. Reed Buntings with food on Stones.21/06/2025
Dave Armitt and Clive Ashton4 Chiffchaff , 3 LRP, 8 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Little grebe, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Reed Bunting,6 Juv Blue tits, 3 pied wagtail, 2 Common Turn, 4 Redshank, 5 Drake Pochard WLC, 2 Barnacle goose with 3 Juv ,20 Gadwall, RC Pochard female WLC, Buzzard predating BH Gull chick WLC island , 2 Sedge warbler,2 Willow Warbler ,1 Willow Tit, 1 Treecreeper13/06/2025
Simon RoddisThe first brood of 7 Tufted ducklings were off Horseshoe island this morning, but soon trumped by Laura's brood of 14! The two Gadwall broods, 4 in each, appear to have merged under just one female. Kingfisher at Hopton end. 3 Redshank and 2 Lapwing, and a Little Egret off Stones causeway.08/06/2025
Simon RoddisTotal of 8 Willow Tits in Tail Bay this morning, a pair with at least 4 fledged young, plus 2 singles. 16 Crossbills over Millfields, 2 or 3 of them landing in the top of Blackwall Plantation. 2 Egyptian Geese past Stones island. 37 Gadwall and single Common and Red-crested Pochard. 2 Ringed Plover. 1 Lapwing. 150 Lesser Black-backs. Kingfisher and Whitethroat in Tail Bay. Reed Warblers at WLC and Brown Ale Bay. Male Redstart at top of WLC creek.07/06/2025
Simon RoddisA Carsi mega this morning in the shape of a Green Woodpecker on Stones, first calling in the wildlife classroom and then seen by Mike Redfern to fly onto sailing club island,but no further sign in the time we were there. Barnacle Geese still with 3 young on Horseshoe island. Male Shoveler. 29 Gadwall plus 2 broods of 4 still. 1 Ringed Plover. 2 Lapwing. 1 Little Egret. Reed Warbler singing at WLC and Sedge in Hopton reedbed. Garden Warbler with food at Hopton end and Blackcap in WLC creek.06/06/2025
SJR, CA, RPJ, AMD, MWAn excellent morning, although difficult to tell what time of year it is. A female Garganey was on Watersports island, a summer-plumage Black-necked Grebe at the WLC (credit to Roger), a Sanderling flew over Stones island, and Crossbill and Hobby over Hall Wood. 13 Mute Swans. 95 Greylags (plus goslings). 3 male Shoveler. Red-crested Pochard still. 3 Ringed Plover. 300 loafing Lesser Black-backs. Reed Warbler singing on Stones. Redstart and 2 Spotted Flycatchers in Hall Wood.04/06/2025
Simon RoddisA brood of 4 small Gadwall ducklings were in Shiningford creek this morning, my first of the year. 4 Ringed Plover on Watersports island and 3 Redshank around Stones. Female Red-crested Pochard loafing among the moulting Gadwall. Geese numbers seem to be on the rise, including 73 Gadwall (plus goslings).03/06/2025
Amanda PalethorpeBird Walk for beginners. Sand Martin, house sparrow, sedge warbler, Canada goose, oystercatcher, mallard, gt cr grebe, coot, mute swan, tufted duck, garden warbler, carrion crow, pied wagtail, BH gull, LR Plover, Red-crested pochard(fem), pochard, swift, greylag goose, blackbird, goldfinch, robin, house martin, blackcap, LBB gull, chiffchaff, blue tit, great tit, song thrush, cormorant, redshank, gadwall, woodpigeon, swallow, wren.01/06/2025
Simon Roddis10 Sanderling (9 at sailing club, 1 on Watersports island) is the equal highest count ever here. 2 Dunlin. Pair of Shoveler and the female Red-crested Pochard still. 25 Gadwall. Pair of Kestrels over the main centre buzzed by a Sparrowhawk. Reed Warbler singing at WLC and Whitethroat at Hopton end.30/05/2025
Simon Roddis5 Dunlin and 2 Sanderling flew NW at 09:27 and another Dunlin flew in past Stones island at 10:15. A pair of Egyptian Geese at Millfields were new for the year here, I believe, and the first ever in May. Otherwise, it was mainly long-stayers: pair of Barnacle Geese with young, pair of Shoveler, drake Pochard, Little Egret, 2 Redshank, Reed Warbler on Stones causeway. A male Bullfinch was feeding a female at Millfields, presumably courtship behaviour.29/05/2025
Simon Roddis3 Sanderling this morning, one on Watersports island and 2 found by Jon Lowes on the dam wall. 3 Dunlin. 2 Shelduck. Male and female Shoveler (separately) and female Red-crested Pochard still. Little Egret. 4 singing Reed Warblers in the Stones/sailing club area, clearly still arriving.28/05/2025
Simon Roddis, Jon BradleyMonthly wildfowl count: 203 Canada Geese, 54 Greylag, 9 Mute Swan, 12 Gadwall, 106 Mallard, 52 Tufted, 1 Red-crested Pochard, 9 Moorhen, 191 Coot, 6 Little Grebe, 86 GCGrebe, 10 Oystercatcher, 1 Redshank, 10 Dunlin, 21 Cormorant, 1 Heron, 1 Little Egret. Broods (all minima) included 12 Mallard, 5 Greylag, 2 GCGrebe, 2 Coot. A pair of Canadas at Sheepwash had 38 goslings in tow! Who knows how many broods they came from?!25/05/2025
Simon Roddis450 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Sheepwash late morning is my highest ever May total here - not even had a three-figure count before. 2 immature Herring Gulls among them. Female Teal and Red-crested Pochard still. Lapwing displaying over Watersports island. Redstart and Chiffchaff with food at Hopton end. 1 Pied and 3 Spotted Flycatchers singing in Hall Wood, and Reed Warbler on Stones causeway.23/05/2025
Simon Roddis2 Sanderling flew between Stones island and the dam wall early morning but not seen again. 3 Ringed Plover still at sailing club. Little Egret on Stones causeway. Pair of Shoveler at WLC and a Reed Warbler singing in the creek. Single immature Yellow-legged, Great Black-backed and Common Gulls. 300+ Lesser Black-backs at Sheepwash late morning. Willow Tit singing on Stones.21/05/2025
Simon Roddis, Clive AshtonA Sanderling approaching summer plumage was on sailing club shore, with 3 Ringed Plovers there too. An Osprey from Stones island at 09:20, mobbed by Black-headed Gulls as it flew over Millfields. Female Teal in Shiningford Creek. Two more Oystercatcher chicks off Stones causeway (fourth brood so far). 2 Redshank on Horseshoe island. Fledged Great Tits at Watersports.20/05/2025
Simon RoddisThe pair of Barnacle Geese on Millfields island now have 4 chicks, last seen heading over towards sailing club. Pair of Moorhens with 5 chicks at PS hide. Pair of Little Grebe with 2 young in Shiningford creek. A few waders early on: 2 Dunlin, 2 Curlew, 3 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper around Stones/sailing club. Common Tern at Millfields. 130 Lesser Black-backs loafing at Sheepwash late morning. 1 immature Common Gull. Reed Warbler singing on Watersports island, plus 3 in Hopton reedbed. Redstart at Hopton end. And Clive had a Little Egret off Stones causeway.19/05/2025
Simon RoddisMost frustrating sighting of the morning was a tern, possibly Roseate, which flew up the res but didn't stop, kept heading NNE. Couldn't get enough on it to be sure. 4 Common Terns were at the WLC briefly. 2 pairs of Mediterranean Gulls flew over Stones, the first one consisting of an adult and a second-summer, the other 2 adults; the first pair later flew back past Stones after being seen at the WLC by Roger and Alison. A Whimbrel flew N early on. Female Red-crested Pochard back off Stones causeway. Another Oystercatcher chick, this one on Shiningford shore. Great Egret on the shore at Sheepwash. 25 House Martins. Chiffchaff with food on Stones.17/05/2025
Simon RoddisAnother brood of Oystercatchers this morning, 2 small chicks on Millfields island. Common Sandpiper and Redshank on Stones. 75 Lesser Black-backs. A gathering of c100 Carrion Crows in/over Hall Wood. 4 Reed Warblers (3 singing) in Hopton reedbed, and 2 Linnet over. Fledged Long-tailed Tits on Stones and at Hopton end. Clive had Grey Wagtail with food at Sheepwash.16/05/2025
Simon RoddisJust bits and bobs this morning: at Sheepwash, pair of Oystercatchers with 2 chicks, drake Mandarin, Little Egret, singing Sedge Warbler. Redstart and Whitethroat at Hopton end. Single Curlew, Redshank and Lapwing from Stones, and Clive had 2 Common Sandpipers. Total of 50 Lesser Black-backs through/loafing, virtually all immatures of various ages. Hirundines moving through, c35 Sand Martins, 20 House, 12 Swallows.15/05/2025
Simon RoddisThe highlight this morning was a Black Tern around Watersports island 10:20-10:30 at least, and a Ringed Plover was on the sailing club shoreline. 4 immature Common Gulls. 2 Little Egret. Pair of Redstart at the top of WLC creek.14/05/2025
Simon RoddisPerimeter count this morning (not helped by a fairly strong breeze which will have drowned out some birdsong): 16 Pheasant, 1 Cuckoo just N of Millfields, 13 Oystercatcher, 2 Little Egret, 1 GSWoodpecker, 25 Magpie, 5 Coal Tit, 56 Blue, 31 Great, 23 Long-tailed, 7 Swallow, 10 Willow Warbler, 86 Chiffchaff, 15 Sedge, 3 Reed, 57 Blackcap, 12 Garden, 2 Whitethroat (Oldfield Lane and Tail Bay), 7 Goldcrest, 139 Wren, 2 Nuthatch, 12 Treecreeper, 22 Song Thrush, 6 Mistle, 84 Blackbird, 1 Spotted and 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Redstart, 105 Robin, 25 Dunnock, 1 Grey and 5 Pied Wagtail, 22 Chaffinch, 5 Bullfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 21 Goldfinch, 7 Reed Bunting. Quite a bit of breeding activity, including fledged Robin and Treecreeper, plus birds with food: Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits, Mistle Thrush, Robin.13/05/2025
Simon RoddisEarly cloud and a spot of rain may have brought in the 5 adult Sandwich Terns which sat on buoys off Stones island, 05:50-06:05, before being hassled by a Lesser Black-back and weren't seen again. 2 Shelduck past Stones. 6 Pochard (4m,2f). Several broods of Greylag included a mega-brood of 20+ small goslings crossing the res with 2 adults. 2 adult Dunlin and a Curlew on sailing club shore. A sub-adult Herring Gull flew through with c30 Lesser Black-backs during the morning, and a sub-adult Great Black-back. Little Egret again on Horseshoe island/sailing club. Barn Owl on the main road early morning. 5 Ravens over the east side may have been a family party. 3 Reed Warblers singing in Hopton reedbed and 1 on sailing club island. 3 Spotted Flycatchers singing in Hall and Middle Woods, and the Pied Fly and a Redstart still in Hall Wood.12/05/2025
Simon RoddisWaders this morning included single Lapwing, Dunlin, Curlew and Whimbrel. 2 Arctic Terns briefly. 5 Pochard (3f,2m). Immature Yellow-legged Gull again. Little Egret. A distant Peregrine. Willow Tit singing at Lane End and Reed Warbler singing on Stones. Fledged Treecreepers in WLC creek and Goldfinch at Lane End (seems quite early?).10/05/2025
D COATESTHE FIRST SWIFT ARRIVED AT DARLEY DALE APPROX { 11 }09/05/2025
Simon Roddis, Clive AshtonA pretty decent morning, with 2 Sanderling (approaching summer plumage) on sailing club shore and an Osprey later (but not for very long) over the Lane End area. Female Goldeneye off Stones still, single Little Egret and Common Tern. Pied Wagtails with food on the dam wall.09/05/2025
SJR, CA, RPJ, AMDA Bar-tailed Godwit was on Horseshoe island late morning. A Whimbrel flew NE early morning and it or another was in WLC fields later. A Yellow Wagtail flew SE over Stones island. The female Goldeneye off Stones again early morning and a Little Egret from the causeway. c75 Sand Martins, 20 House Martins and 10 Swallows. Treecreeper with food in WLC creek.08/05/2025
Simon RoddisA Whimbrel was on the dam wall early morning and departed NE at 07:45. Second-calendar-year Yellow-legged Gull again at Watersports. Female Goldeneye again off Stones island. Redstarts at Hopton end and WLC fields (per Clive). Grey Wagtail with food at Millfields.07/05/2025
Simon Roddis, Clive AshtonClive found a Spotted Flycatcher at the Lane End bombing tower this morning, first of the year we believe. Female Goldeneye and Red-crested Pochard still off Stones, the latter again hanging out with a male Common Pochard. 2 Shelduck. Curlew at sailing club and 2+ Redshank.06/05/2025
SJR, AHS, CA, KR5 Arctic Terns (4+1) through this morning (AHS,CA). Female Goldeneye still off Stones and male Mandarin at Sheepwash (KR). 20 Swifts, 100+ Sand Martins and single figures of House Martin and Swallow. Immature Common Gull again. Whitethroat singing in Tail Bay (a real scarcity here these days).05/05/2025
Amanda PalethorpeBirdwatching for beginners walk. house sparrow, BH gull, blackbird, robin, willow warbler, chiffchaff, sedge warbler, blackcap, garden warbler, swallow, swift, redshank, house Martin, sand Martin, mallard, tufted duck, gadwall, pochard, mute swan, Canada goose, greylag goose, moorhen, little grebe, gt Cr grebe, oystercatcher, coot, buzzard, crow, magpie, long-tailed tit, cormorant, goldfinch, pied wagtail, woodpigeon, wren, common sandpiper. 36 species.04/05/2025
Simon Roddis, Clive AshtonHighlights this morning were a Whimbrel and 2 fly-through Bar-tailed Godwits (only Clive saw the latter). 22 Swifts included 15 going N and 7 loitering. Female Goldeneye, female Red-crested and a pair of Common Pochard off Stones. 1 immature Common Gull. 4+ Sparrowhawks. Immature Peregrine past Stones. 3 Reed Warblers singing in Hopton reedbed, and Pied Flycatcher and Redstart in Hall Wood. 1 Siskin over Hopton end.04/05/2025
Christina KennedyThis afternoon in a field across from WLC, I saw a godwit. I'm just not 100 percent sure which one but I have photos.30/04/2025
Simon RoddisPerimeter counts this morning: 40 Pheasant, 4 singing Stock Dove, 3 Collared Dove, 2 GSWoodpecker, 3 Coal Tit, 2 Willow, 124 Blue, 47 Great, 5 Long-tailed, 50 Sand Martin, 7 Swallow, 10 Willow Warbler, 150 Chiffchaff, 14 Sedge, 3 Reed, 56 Blackcap, 9 Garden, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Goldcrest, 164 Wren, 1 Pied Flycatcher, only 1 Redstart (very disappointing), 115 Robin, 34 Song Thrush, 3 Mistle, 103 Blackbird, 37 Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, 15 Chaffinch, 12 Bullfinch, 3 Greenfinch, 32 Goldfinch, 4 Reed Bunting. Clive's 3 Common Scoters still present mid-morning.26/04/2025
Dave Armitt8 Sedge Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, Great Crested Grebe with two young, 1 Male Pochard, 1 Heron , 4 Goldfinch,2 Garden Warbler, 2 Long tailed tit, 7 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Reed Warbler WLC Reed bed25/04/2025
Simon RoddisClive saw the GNDiver early doors but I couldn't find it later (probably my eyes 😉). 4 Pochard. Female Red-crested Pochard still. New brood of 4 Greylag goslings in Shiningford Creek. Immature Yellow-legged Gull again. 1 House Martin among the Sand Martins. Reed Warbler singing on Stones and Redstart calling in WLC creek. (And I see that someone has had an Osprey over Stones island at 12:21.)24/04/2025
SJR, CA, AHSThe GNDiver still this morning. 2 Pink-footed Geese over Stones were a bit of a surprise. 2 Shelduck off Watersports island. c6 Pochard (at least 2 pairs). Drake Goosander flew N. Immature GBbGull. A Great Egret did pretty much a whole circuit of the res, while a Little Egret flew past Stones. After very few early in the morning, Sand Martins built up to c100 when the rain came later. 2 Dunlin past Stones (CA,AHS).21/04/2025
Simon RoddisThe GNDiver still this morning. A Yellow Wagtail flew over Stones. Female Red-crested Pochard at Sheepwash. Red-legged Partridge at Hopton end. The second-calendar-year Yellow-legged Gull again. 100+ Sand Martins. 2 Reed Warblers singing in Hopton reedbed and another on Stones causeway, and Sedge Warblers in WLC Creek and at Millfields as well as on Stones. Song Thrush with fledged young at Hopton and Pied Flycatcher still singing in Hall Wood. And a female Roe Deer eating gorse flowers.20/04/2025
Simon Roddis, Clive AshtonA few terns appeared early on: 10 Arctics flew through while 2 Commons were harassed briefly by 2 more Arctic. The GNDiver still, again coming pretty close to Stones island. Female Red-crested Pochard. Second-calendar-year Yellow-legged Gull hanging around the buoys. 1 Little Egret. First Greylag brood, c5 below Middle Wood.19/04/2025


Historic Sightings

DateSightingName
26/03/20221 Pink footed Goose, field in front of Sheepwash car park. 4 Goldeneye 2m2f North Islands; 1 s blackcap Sitch plantation; 2 Redshank, 1 willow tit, 1 Reed bunting, 3 tree sparrow, 3 snipe, wildlife centre Thanks for your website which helped us know what to look for on our visit. We missed out on the red necks hopefully todayMark Wigglesworth
26/03/2022The GNDiver still from Stones, and the 2 Red-necked Grebes separately off Lane End and below Middle Wood. Minor movement: 65 Woodpigeons, 32 Fieldfare and 11 Meadow Pipits N. Male Shoveler at sailing club. 93 GCGrebes. 70 immature Herring Gulls. Kingfisher at Millfields. Tree Sparrows starting to disperse to breeding areas, with 3 at WLC, 1 at Shiningford and a pair on the Sheepwash bird table.Simon Roddis
25/03/2022Roger found an Avocet flying around Millfields at about 09:00, seen several more times in flight over the southern half of the res for the next 30 minutes or so, at one point being chased by a Herring Gull and an Oystercatcher. The GNDiver was off Stones island and the 2 Red-necked Grebes off Lane End. Movement this morning: 306 Woodpigeons, 120 Redwing and 21 Fieldfare N, 06:00-07:20. 50 Herring and 2 GBbGulls post-roost. Blackcap singing near Brown Ale Bay.Roger Carrington, Simon Roddis
24/03/20222 Little Ringed Plovers, first of the year, on sailing club shore this morning. The GNDiver and both Red-necked Grebes from Stones. 410 Woodpigeons N and NE 06:30-07:30. 92 Herring Gulls (mostly immatures of various ages) and 4 GBbGulls post-roost. 7 Willow Tit (including 4 singing and a pair excavating a nest-hole).SJR, RC, AHS
23/03/2022This morning, the GNDiver and 2 Red-necked Grebes from Stones island early morning; one of the grebes later between Lane End and Sheepwash and beginning to look rather smart. A drake Common Scoter from Stones. 130 Woodpigeons, 30 Redwing and 10 Linnet N. 23 Curlew and 27 Herring Gulls early morning. Adult Yellow-legged Gull.Simon Roddis
21/03/2022A quieter morning than the last couple, but shouldn't complain at GNDiver, 2 Red-necked Grebes (over on the east side), a Woodcock at Hopton end at first light, 2 Red Kites, and 38 Wigeon dropping in just after 10:30.Simon Roddis
21/03/2022Highlights this morning were an Osprey circling over the west side around 09:30-09:40 and a Jack Snipe on Horseshoe island (also reported there yesterday), seen from WLC at the far left corner of the island. The 2 Red-necked Grebes and GNDiver from Stones island (and one of the grebes from Sheepwash carpark later). 18 Barnacle Geese. 32 Wigeon (after only 8 yesterday). 15 Snipe, mostly on Horseshoe island. Kingfisher in Brown Ale Bay. Skylark again singing on the dam wall.Simon Roddis
20/03/20223 Willow Tit, 2 Wren, 3 Redshank, 10 Chiffchaff, 8 Dunnock, 2 Reed Bunting, 4 oystercatcher, 6 Tree Sparrow, Great Northern Diver, 4 Little Grebe, 10 Pied Wagtail, 6 Long Tailed TitDavid Armitt
20/03/2022A pretty good morning for a WeBS count: 2 Avocets for about an hour early morning, mostly in flight but on the water for about 20 minutes at Millfields, 2 drake Common Scoter and the GNDiver off Stones island, and the 2 Red-necked Grebes in the northern part of the res, seen distantly from Stones. 222 Canada Geese, 2 Barnacle, 15 Greylag, 1 Pink-foot, 8 Mute Swan, 22 Gadwall, 8 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 68 Mallard, 51 Tufted, 9 Goldeneye, 14 Moorhen, 130 Coot, 10 Oystercatcher, 9 Snipe, 8 Redshank, 15 Cormorant, 5 Heron, 1 Kingfisher. In addition, 1m Goosander flew N, 1 Red Kite, 6 Willow Tit, 15 Fieldfare NE.Simon Roddis, Jon Bradley
19/03/2022A bit of outbound movement this morning, mostly between 08:30 and 10:00, with 1,008 Redwing, 296 Fieldfare, 250 Starling, 12 Chaffinch and a male Brambling N (viewed from south end of Stones island). 2, maybe 3 Sand Martins. The GNDiver still off Stones and one Red-necked Grebe off Lane End. 9 Oystercatchers on the dam wall early morning. 2nd-w Yellow-legged Gull. 2 GBbGulls. (75 species, my highest of the year so far.)Simon Roddis
16/03/2022Misty morning today, Great Northern Diver asleep off Stones Island, Greater Spotted Woodpeckers drumming behind Lane end hide, the trees there were full of Redwings, Chiffchaffs are increasing.A H Stewardson
15/03/2022The GNDiver was off Stones island again and the 2 Red-necked Grebes over near the east side, visible distantly from Stones. 3 Mandarin over Tail Bay (my first of the year here). 7 Goldeneye (2m,5f). 10+ Oystercatchers. 19 Curlew. 12 Snipe. 1 Red Kite. 30 Fieldfare N over Millfields. 15 Meadow Pipits on the dam wall. Pairs of Blue Tit and Nuthatch arguing over a nestbox near Paul Stanley hide.Simon Roddis
14/03/20229 Chiffchaff between Wildlife Centre and Lane End, 7 Little Grebe in Shiningford Creek, also Goldcrest and Kestrel (35 species in all)Gary Atkins
14/03/2022The GNDiver off Millfields this morning and one Red-necked Grebe off Lane End. 1 Dunlin past Stones island. Adult Yellow-legged Gull. Enjoying the thermals were 8+ Buzzards, 2-4 Sparrowhawks, single Red Kite, Peregrine and Heron.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
13/03/2022The GNDiver and both Red-necked Grebes were off Stones island, all fairly close in, early morning. The grebes are now both getting a bit of colour, and one of them came round to the WLC later, probably to escape boat activity on the water. A Sand Martin flew N past Sheepwash mid-morning. 1 Pink-footed Goose at Sheepwash. 8 Curlew. 2 Red Kites, one low past the WLC. Kingfisher at Millfields. 17 Chiffchaffs.Simon Roddis
12/03/202210 Cormorant, 2 Redshank, 5 oystercatcher, 15 Mute swan, 6 Barnacle goose, 2 Greylag Goose, 1 Buzzard, Great Northern Diver, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Wren, 10 Dunnock, 10 Goldfinch, 30 Redwing, 1 Curlew, 2 Little Grebe, 20 Great Crested Grebe,7 SnipeDavid Armitt
11/03/2022A female Scaup off Stones causeway was a nice find this morning, hanging around with a female Pochard, and seen later at Millfields by Neil Moulden. One Red-necked Grebe off Lane End and the GNDiver off Stones. 1 Water Rail in Hopton reedbed and a Peregrine over. 24 Cormorant. 8 Buzzards. 8 Chiffchaff. 600 Starlings flew NE early morning and 8 Fieldfare N.Simon Roddis
10/03/2022An adult Mediterranean Gull was on sailing club shore for a while this morning. The GNDiver was off Stones and one Red-necked Grebe off Lane End. 2 Pochard (m,f) in Brown Ale Bay. 80 GCGrebe. 11 Oystercatcher. 10 Curlew. 15 Snipe (including 4 over Millfields, don't often see them at that end of the res). 2 Red Kites. Kingfisher in BABay. 60 Woodpigeon and 785 Starlings NE. 6 Chiffchaffs.Simon Roddis
09/03/2022The 2 Red-necked Grebes were, unusually, over near the east side south of Middle Wood mid-morning, and the GNDiver off Millfields. At least 5 Chiffchaffs. 2 Red Kites, 2 Sparrowhawks and 8 Buzzards enjoying the breeze. 3 GSWoodpeckers drumming. Total of c110 Redwing. 1 Redpoll at Millfields.Simon Roddis
07/03/2022The 2 Red-necked Grebes and the GN Diver were in their usual haunts this morning. 14 Whooper Swans flew W at 08:43 (one of a few flocks through Derbyshire this morning). 51 Curlew on sailing club shore early morning. c7,000 Black-headed Gulls, also early morning. 1 Peregrine briefly, and a Chiffchaff on Stones. 200 Starlings NE.Simon Roddis
06/03/22Species noted at the Birdwatching for Beginners walk (10am-noon; Stones Island to Wildlife Centre): House Sparrow, Coot, Canada Goose, Tufted Duck, Carrion Crow, Cormorant, Moorhen, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Little Grebe, Gt Crested Grebe, Gt Spotted Woodpecker, Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Peregrine, Wigeon, Gadwall, Oystercatcher, Song Thrush, Teal, Dunnock, Buzzard, Red Kite (3- close over main car park), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Redwing, Gt Northern Diver, Goldcrest, Robin, Wren, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Reed Bunting, Woodpigeon, Snipe, Curlew (20 - flying towards Sheepwash), Willow Tit, Tree Sparrow.Gary Atkins
06/03/202223 Great Crested Grebe,10 Little Grebe,2 Redshank, 50 Redwing, 2 Raven, 2 Wren, 4 Gadwall, 4 Reed Bunting, 14 Cormorant ,18 Greylag, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Buzzard,4 Redkite,2 Sparrow Hawk, 2 Willow Tit, 26 Wigeon, 6 Curlew,2 Red-necked Grebe, GN DiverDavid Armitt
06/03/2022This morning, the GNDiver between Millfields and Stones and the 2 Red-necked Grebes off Lane End. 20 Curlew at Sheepwash. 4 Herring Gull flew N. Raptors enjoyed the breeze: 4+ Red Kites, 7 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine. 5 Raven. Chiffchaff singing in Hall Wood. Another 400 Starlings flew NE. 2 Redpoll on Stones. 73 species in total.Simon Roddis
05/03/2022The GNDiver and 2 Red-necked Grebes again between Stones and Sheepwash. 45 Greylags. 1 Pink-foot. 35 Curlew, including 30 at Sheepwash. 2 Red Kites over the east side. 1 Kingfisher flew right across the res, heading towards Shiningford. 7 Ravens. Movement of Starlings, 160 all heading NE.Simon Roddis
04/03/202230 redwing in woods at rear of Paul Stanley hide late afternoon. Highly mobile.Paul Greetham
04/03/2022Willow warbler with long tailed tit. Very active in hedging at side of path Hopton endPaul Greetham
04/03/2022The 2 Red-necked Grebes and the GNDiver were on their usual beats this morning, with 2 Common Scoter between Stones and Millfields and 8 Shelduck flew S.13 Goldeneye (8m,5f). 4 Dunlin at sailing club. A Red Kite several times over Hall Wood. 3 Chiffchaffs (Stones, Millfields & Brown Ale Bay). 2 Skylarks on the dam wall.Simon Roddis
03/03/2022Both Red-necked Grebes off Lane End/Sheepwash this morning, and the GNDiver north of Stones island. 25 Curlew on sailing club shore early morning. Peregrine over Stones and a Chiffchaff singing and flycatching there. c100 Redwing at Sheepwash.Simon Roddis
01/03/2022The 2 Red-necked Grebes off Lane End again early morning and the GNDiver off Stones. 81 GCGrebe. 44 Barnacle Geese. 33 Curlews on sailing club shore early morning. 10 Oystercatcher. 8 Buzzards in the air over the east side. 5 Willow Tits, including singing birds at Sheepwash and Watersports. 3 Lesser Redpoll at the main centre.Simon Roddis
28/02/2022One Red-necked Grebe off Lane End and the GNDiver off Stones island this morning. 29 Curlew. 44 Barnacle Geese. 1 Woodcock at Sheepwash. 50 Rooks over the north end. Willow Tits singing at Lane End and Penn Carr. Total of 125 Redwing, including a flock of 110 at Penn Carr.Simon Roddis
27/02/2022The GNDiver and one Red-necked Grebe were off Stones this morning; the other Red-necked was off Middle Wood late morning, first time I've seen either of them over there. 38 Curlews on sailing club shore early morning. 41 Barnacle Geese. 24 Greylags. 3 GSWoodpeckers. 2 Skylarks over.Simon Roddis
26/02/2022Delayed WeBS count: 133 Canada Geese, 40 Barnacle, 15 Greylag, 10 Mute Swan, 82 Gadwall, 50 Wigeon, 157 Mallard, 1 Pintail, 46 Teal, 1 Pochard, 76 Tufted, 10 Goldeneye, 1 Water Rail, 12 Moorhen, 226 Coot, 26 Little Grebe, 2 Red-necked Grebe, 65 GCGrebe, 8 Oystercatcher, 43 Lapwing, 28 Curlew, 4 Snipe, 5 Redshank, 1 GNDiver, 19 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Kingfisher. Also: 5 Red Kite over the east side, 10 Buzzard, 6 Raven W over Shiningford, 1 Redpoll on Stones.Simon Roddis, Jon Bradley
25/02/2022The GNDiver again off Stones island and the 2 Red-necked Grebes off Lane End. 5 Dunlin past Stones island. 40 Barnacle Geese. 3+ Redshank. 1 Red Kite. 1 Peregrine.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
23/02/2022Both Red-necked Grebes off Lane End and the GNDiver from Millfields this morning. An adult Kittiwake flew down the res around 10:15. 20 Curlew on sailing club shore early morning (and 14 later at Sheepwash). 12 Oystercatchers. 1 Pink-foot among 29 Greylags. A dead Little Egret looked as if it had been predated, maybe by a Peregrine?Simon Roddis
21/02/2022Afternoon visit with a highlight of an adult summer Mediterranean Gull from Lane End hide around 4pm. Amazingly close views of both Red-necked Grebes from the hide, and the GNDiver more distantly off Stones. c800 Common, 300 Lesser Black-back and 20 Herring Gulls by 5pm. 10+ Curlew at Sheepwash. 1 Red Kite. 1 Peregrine.Simon Roddis
20/02/2022Both Red-necked Grebes from Lane End hide this morning, one quite close but the other more distantly off Stones island, and the GNDiver off Millfields. 8 Curlew at Sheepwash and a Kingfisher from the WLC. And lots of rain.Simon Roddis
16/02/2022The GNDiver off Stones and 1 Red-necked Grebe again off Lane End. Total of 16 Goldeneye: 5 off Stones and 11 at Millfields (RPJ,AMD). 4 unid'd grey geese SW over Brown Ale Bay at 10:45 might have been Bean - couldn't make them into anything else. 2 Red Kites over Hall Wood. 7 Curlew and a Dunlin on Horseshoe island.Simon Roddis
14/02/2022The GNDiver from Stones island and the 2 Red-necked Grebes again off Lane End this morning. 2 Red Kites. 4 Curlews at Sheepwash. Total of c370 Redwing, 300 of them at Sheepwash, the biggest number I've seen here for some time.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
11/02/2022The GNDiver was north of Stones island all morning, and the 2 Red-necked Grebes off Lane End/Sheepwash. 38 Barnacles, 41 Greylags and 1 Pink-foot. Female Pintail from WLC again. Total of 52 Snipe. 3 Skylarks S. 30 Meadow Pipits in the dam wall fields above Tail Bay, easily the highest number so far this year.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
10/02/2022The GNDiver and 1 Red-necked Grebe from Stones this morning. 7 Curlew. 42 Barnacles. Female Pintail again at WLC. Total of c100 Redwing.Simon Roddis
09/02/2022The GNDiver again off Stones this morning, and the 2 Red-necked Grebes, one off Lane End, the other off the dam wall. 45 Barnacle Geese. 1m Goosander. 7+ Oystercatchers, including the colour-ringed pair M7 and 'Barcode' back from their winter in Devon. 2 Red Kites. Total of 11 Skylarks heading towards Carsington pastures. 150 Redwing, including 100 at Sheepwash. 100 Siskin in WLC creek.Simon Roddis
08/02/2022The GNDiver was off Millfields this morning and the 2 Red-necked Grebes off Lane End/Stones. Female Pintail at WLC. 4 Oystercatcher. 4 Curlew. 2 Redshank. 2 Woodcock flew into Tail Bay early morning. 1 Red Kite. 3 Sparrowhawks.Simon Roddis
07/02/2022Ad hoc wildfowl count: 1 GNDiver, 2 Red-necked Grebes, 93 GCGrebe, 31 LGrebe, 20 Cormorant, 8 Mute Swan, 96 Canadas, 13 Greylag, 148 Gadwall, 147 Wigeon, 125 Mallard, 205 Teal, 21 Pochard, 86 Tufted, 8 Goldeneye, 1 Water Rail (Hopton reedbed), 19 Moorhen, 714 Coot, 4 Oystercatcher, 629 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 3 Curlew, 12 Snipe. 10 Buzzards, 3 Red Kites and 2 Kestrels in the air late morning.Simon Roddis
06/02/2022Species (not totals) seen during the monthly Birdwatching for Beginners walk around Stones Island/WLC (10oam-noon): House Sparrow, Canada Goose, Black-headed Gull, Barnacle Goose, Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Cormorant, Great-crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Lapwing, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Common Gull, Gt Black-backed Gull, Lesser BB Gull, Herring Gull, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Willow Tit, Reed Bunting, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Siskin, Snipe, Little Egret, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, Wren, GoldcrestGary Atkins
06/02/20222 Little Egret, 40 Wigeon, 4 Pochard,10 Gadwall,2 Little Grebe, 20 Great crested Grebe , 40 Redwing, 3 Wren, 10 Goldfinch, 5 Dunnock, 32 Lapwing , 20 Teal, 10 Chaffinch , 3 Reed bunting, 1 Great Blacked- Backed Gull, 1 Rednecked Grebe, GN Diver , 1 Coal TitDavid Armitt
06/02/2022The GNDiver from Lane End this morning and the 2 Red-necked Grebes off Stones island. c40 Barnacles and 1 Pink-footed Goose. 6 Pintail (3m,2f off Sheepwash plus the female at WLC). Female Merlin mobbing a Peregrine over Hall Wood, perhaps she's hanging around. Adult Caspian Gull on Horseshoe island. 1 Red Kite. c40 Siskin near WLC.Simon Roddis
05/02/2022The GNDiver was off Stones this morning, now in heavy wing moult - it won't be going far for a while! The 2 Red-necked Grebes still, the easiest they've been to find since they got here, one from the visitor centre and one off Sheepwash carpark. Female Pintail from WLC again. 3 Curlew at Sheepwash. 1 Woodcock at Hall Wood. 6 Herring Gulls N. 2 Little Egrets. 2 Red Kites. Kingfisher in Brown Ale Bay. 30 Chaffinch, including 20 at the Sheepwash feeder.Simon Roddis
04/02/2022Not a bad morning: the GNDiver and 2 RnGrebes still present, a Water Rail in WLC creek and a female Merlin upsetting the Lapwings as it flew through. The Lapwings never really settled after that. 4 Red Kites and a Peregrine over the east side. Female Pintail again from WLC.Simon Roddis
03/02/2022The GNDiver again off Stones this morning and the 2 Red-necked Grebes separately between Lane End and Sheepwash (both visible from the visitor centre). 5 Red Kites in the air together on Carsington Pastures. 2 Shelduck, 2 Goosander and at least 3 Tawny Owls calling at Millfields. c650 Lapwing including an odd-looking bird with all white primaries. 12 Stock Dove. Kingfisher at PS hide. 70 Siskin at WLC.Simon Roddis
02/02/2022The GNDiver and a single Red-necked Grebe were off Stones island mid-morning. 1 Woodcock at Hopton end. 20 Snipe from WLC. 1 Red Kite at Sheepwash. 2 Skylarks and 1 Linnet over Millfields.Simon Roddis

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