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
02/11/2024Off Sheepwash Hide of note late this afternoon: Pintail (2); Goldeneye (1); Goosander (1); Egyptian Goose (1); Caspian Gull (1) Ad.; YLGull (2) Ads.; GBBGull (1) Ad.Richard Lowe
01/11/2024Just bits and bobs of movement this morning, no great numbers: 32 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Golden Plover, 80 Woodpigeons, 304 Redwing, 20 Fieldfare, 160 Starling, 12 Brambling (including a flock of 11). 28 Reed Buntings out of Hopton reedbed early morning. Goldeneye, probably a young male, at Millfields.Simon Roddis
31/10/2024With a halo of low cloud this morning, if anything was moving it wasn't visible! A Great Egret, maybe the same as the last couple of days, flew out of Millfields at 07:20, along with similar numbers of Canada and Greylag. 29 Gadwall, 6 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 1 redhead Goosander, 396 Tufted and c400 Pochard. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. 36 Cormorants.Simon Roddis
30/10/2024Movement this morning included 5,180 Woodpigeons, 290 Starlings, 220 Redwing and 22 Fieldfare. Early morning, 743 Greylags and 593 Canada Geese flew out, along with a single Egyptian Goose. 2 Goosander flew over WLC creek. Great Egret on the shore between Sheepwash and Lane End. 65 Lapwing - a marked increase. Adult Yellow-legged Gull Still. 2 Kingfishers (Millfields and Brown Ale Bay). Chiffchaff and 21 Redpoll on Stones. 20 Siskin at Millfields.Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton
29/10/2024Best this morning was a Great Egret that flew W at 09:30. Otherwise, 1520 Woodpigeons and 200 Starlings flew through. 8 Redpolls on Stones. Peregrine playing with a Carrion Crow over Hall Wood. 33 grey geese flew SW but I'm not committing myself on what they were.SJR, CA, AHS
28/10/2024Much less movement than previous days: 517 Redwing, 92 Starling and just 300 Woodpigeons. The drake Red-crested Pochard and adult Yellow-legged Gull still. 2 Chiffchaff on Stones. A Brambling over Millfields and 7 Redpoll on Stones. Didn't see or hear yesterday's Yellow-browed Warbler.Simon Roddis
27/10/2024Another(?) Yellow-browed Warbler was on Stones island this morning, the third of the autumn here. Not a great mix of species on the move but 14,180 Woodpigeons was the highest yet this autumn. 572 Canadas and 711 Greylags flew out over the dam wall early morning. 7 Grey Wagtails at Millfields. 5 Shoveler. 5 Redpoll over Stones. Clive had 4 Goosander and at least one Little Egret from Stones early in.Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton
26/10/2024From Sheepwash Hide late this afternoon: Of note in the gull roost: YL Gull (5) - Ads; Mediterranean Gull (1) - 1st w.Richard Lowe
26/10/2024Movement this morning: 7,620 Woodpigeons S, 3,150 Starlings W (including a flock of 1,200) and 275 Redwing S. 322 Greylags flew out early morning. Pair of Shoveler and 4 Wigeon off Stones island. 370 Pochard from WLC. 35 Lapwing and 4 Snipe on Horseshoe island. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. 3 Chiffchaff on Stones.Simon Roddis
25/10/2024Foggy again so limited visibility. 46 Reed Buntings (a new site record) came out of their roost in Hopton reedbed early morning, and a Brambling flew over. Total of 22 Chaffinches over. The adult Yellow-legged Gull again patrolling around.Simon Roddis
24/10/2024225 Pochard, 7 Little Grebe, 8 Red Kite, 20 Cormorant, 74 Wood Pigeon,40 Redwing, 90 Stock Dove, 20 Mute Swan, 12 Teal, 9 Gadwall, 2 Raven, 1 KestrelDave Armitt
24/10/2024In 2 hours from Stones island this morning, 5,000 Woodpigeons, 928 Redwing, 513 Starling, 17 Chaffinch and 2 Little Egrets. Adult Yellow-legged Gull still. Chiffchaff on Stones causeway.Simon Roddis
23/10/2024Very foggy until late morning. Best was a Barn Owl at Sheepwash first thing, the drake Red-crested Pochard off Lane End and Kingfisher(s?) at WLC.Simon Roddis
22/10/2024Quite a decent morning after the rain stopped: a total of 10,700 Woodpigeons flew SW between 08:45-12:00, along with a Hawfinch, a Great Egret W, 63 Starlings, 29 Chaffinches (and loads of unid'd finches/pipits) and 10 Skylarks in typically random directios.. 14 Pink-footed Geese went E at 09:25.Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton
21/10/2024Monthly wildfowl count: 68 Canadas, 7 Greylags, 32 Mute Swan, 1 Shoveler, 13 Gadwall, 19 Wigeon, 119 Mallard, 39 Teal, 505 Pochard, 332 Tufted, 3 Goosander, 24 Moorhen, 1,088 Coot, 19 Little Grebe, 68 GCGrebe, 27 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 31 Cormorant, 3 Heron, 2 Kingfisher. Also adult Yellow-legged Gull, Peregrine, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Redpoll over WLC, 24 Siskin.Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton
17/10/2024A Yellow-browed Warbler called several times in WLC creek around 11:00 this morning - almost a mile from the last sighting of one at Sheepwash 2 days ago, so perhaps a different bird? Vismig numbers: 1,914 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 624 Starling, 750 Woodpigeon. 1 Rock Pipit over Stones at 10:00. 12 Skylarks in random directions. 1 Shelduck. 4 Shoveler. Adult Yellow-legged Gull. 2 Kingfishers.Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton
15/10/2024The Yellow-browed Warbler was still calling near Sheepwash hide just after midday. Juvenile female Goldeneye at Millfields and Brambling over the visitor centre. Drake Red-crested Pochard at Big Island. 26 Wigeon. Water Rail calling in Hopton reedbed. Perimeter counts: 8 Coal Tit, 2 Willow, 42 Blue, 48 Great, 48 Long-tailed, 1 Chiffchaff, 27 Goldcrest, 81 Wren, 4 Nuthatch, 11 Treecreeper, 11 Song Thrush, 266 Redwing, 68 Blackbird, 146 Robin, 29 Dunnock, 23 Chaffinch, 15 Bullfinch, 10 Greenfinch, 53 Goldfinch, 15 Reed Bunting (13 out of Hopton reedbed early morning).Simon Roddis
14/10/2024A mere 5,880 Woodpigeons flew S in 2 hours this morning. A couple of hundred of them were forced to take evasive action to avoid a pair of Peregrines at one point. 5 Fieldfare among the Redwings were the first of the autumn here. Total of 389 Pochard (283m,106f). 2 Redpoll over the main carpark. No sign of the Yellow-browed Warbler near PS hide.Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton
13/10/2024174 Pochard, 6 Wigeon,4 Grey Heron, 13 Cormorant,3 Pied Wagtail,4 Little Grebe, 12 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 5 Moorhen , 1 Red Kite , 1 Kestrel, 6 Long tailed Tit, 30 Greylag goose,15 Mute Swan, 6 Siskin, 2 Buzzard , 23 Whooper Swan heading east , 2 Skeins of Pink -Footed goose heading eastDave Armitt
13/10/2024Not a bad morning, the highlight being the Yellow-browed Warbler near Paul Stanley hide just after midday - thanks to Amanda P for alerting us to it. In 2 hours from Stones island, 11,500 Woodpigeons flew S (mainly down the east side), 340 Pink-footed Geese E in 4 skeins and a herd of 23 Whooper Swans E (plus another 9 probable distant Whoopers taking the same track). 300 Pochard, mostly at WLC. 3 Pintail.Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton
12/10/2024Afternoon visit: nice surprise was 4 winter plumage Black-necked Grebes off Millfields, looking very smart in shades of black, grey and white. 135 Common Gulls off Stones by 6pm. Shoveler in Brown Ale Bay.Simon Roddis
11/10/2024706 Woodpigeons flew S in 90 mins this morning. Handful of Redwing, Starling and Skylarks. 284 Pochard from WLC. No sign of Clive's YbWarbler at Brown Ale Bay but Tawny Owl and Kingfisher there. Redpoll over WLC creek.Simon Roddis
08/10/2024From Sheepwash Hide late afternoon: Caspian Gull - 1 (Ad); YL Gull - 3 (Ads); Herring Gull - 1 (Ad).Richard Lowe
06/10/2024Late afternoon from Sheepwash Hide: Caspian Gull - (Ad); YL Gull (2) - (Ad) and (1stW); GBB Gull - (Ad).Richard Lowe
06/10/2024BWB walk. House sparrow. coot. Canada goose. mute swan. pied wagtail. gt cr grebe. gadwall. moorhen. BH gull. teal. carrion crow. cormorant. long-tailed tit. kestrel. little grebe. magpie. robin. blackbird. blue tit. Dunnock. great tit. chiffchaff. raven 7. jackdaw. mallard. wood pigeon. pochard. lapwing. tufted duck. lesser Bb gullAmanda Palethorpe
06/10/2024A bit quiet this morning but a Rock Pipit flew over Stones island,125 Woodpigeons flew S, the Water Rail called on Horseshoe island and 3 Swallows over the WLC.Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton
05/10/2024At least 1 Rock Pipit again on the dam wall, Millfields end, this morning. 195 Woodpigeons, 20 Stock Doves and 175 Redwings S/W in an hour. 2 Pintail, single Shoveler and Goosander. Still c2,000 Black-headed and 3,500 Lesser Black-backed Gulls post-roost early morning. 2 adult Yellow-legs. 2 Tawny Owls calling at Millfields and 5 House Martins S there.Simon Roddis
04/10/2024A Yellow Wagtail on dam wall this afternoonA & G Hattersley
04/10/2024Two Rock Pipits were on the dam wall this morning and a first-winter Caspian Gull near the cormorant raft. Not as much moving as yesterday, with 99 Woodpigeons, 25 Meadow Pipits and a redhead Goosander S and 87 Redwings W in one hour. 33 Wigeon. 2 Shoveler off Stones. Blackcap on Stones. 3 Tawny Owls calling at Hopton end first thing.Simon Roddis
03/10/20242 Red Kites over Millfields Car Park on Thursday 03/10/2024 10.30am.D and J Coates
03/10/2024First definite Redwings of the autumn this morning: 414 west(ish) in 2 hours, 08:00-10:00. Also 190 Woodpigeons, 18 Stock Dove, 17 Skylarks. Totals of 40 Swallows and 10 Jays. 740 Canadas and 233 Greylags flew out early morning. Adult Yellow-legged Gull. Peregrine.SJR, CA, RPJ, AMD
02/10/2024I thought I'd finished for the morning when a last scan over the water produced 3 Gannets, 2 juveniles and a sub-adult, in flight off Sheepwash at 11:00. One juvenile stayed to 12:20 at least (last seen by Dave Horsley from Sheepwash hide). Second time in just over a week! Also 271 Pochard, 1 female Pintail, 12 Wigeon, 43 Cormorants, 2 Snipe, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 40 Swallows.Simon Roddis
01/10/2024In the rain this morning, 195 Greylags, 32 Mute Swans, 34 Cormorants, adult Yellow-legged Gull, Kingfisher at WLC, 25 Swallows. Alan S had a Water Rail on Sheepwash spit mid-morning.Simon Roddis
29/09/2024Roost count for the Winter Gull Survey this evening : 4,500 Lesser Black-backs, 1 Great Black-back, 3 Yellow-legs, 700 Black-heads, 120 Common. Earlier in the day, the drake Red-crested Pochard still off Stones, 65 Swallows and 30 Siskin at Millfields.Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton
28/09/2024A female Merlin flew S past Stones island 09:00, first of the year here. 96 Greylag. 2 Shoveler. The drake Red-crested Pochard still at Shiningford. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull.s Kingfishers at Millfields and WLC. 35 Swallows.Simon Roddis
25/09/20244 Black-tailed Godwits (probably juveniles) were on Stones island this morning, and 2 Golden Plover flew W. 710 Canadas and 42 Greylags flew out early morning. Drake Red-crested Pochard still. 4 Shoveler. A late Swift was among a mixed flock of c120 Swallows and House Martins over the east side, my first since 26 August. 2 Water Rails (Hopton reedbed and Horseshoe island). 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls still. In the dam wall fields, 60 Meadow Pipits, 4 Skylarks and 35 Goldfinches, and c100 Pied Wagtails on the dam wall.Simon Roddis
24/09/2024Big surprise this morning was an adult Gannet, apparently first seen around 10:00 from Stones and later at Millfields to 11:30. 2 Shoveler and the drake Red-crested Pochard still off Stones. Single fly-over Golden Plover and Yellow Wagtail, and a Ringed Plover flew around for about an hour mid-morning. 26 Common Gulls off Stones early morning. 2 adult Yellow-legs still. 1+ Kingfisher around Stones/WLC/sailing club. 7 Ravens, including 3 pairs formation-flying. 4 Skylarks and 13 Meadow Pipits on/over the dam wall. Total of 26 Swallows. Flock of 80 House Martins SW over Millfields at 13:00.Simon Roddis
23/09/2024Water Rail, male Red-crested Pochard and adult Yellow-legged Gull all still present this morning. 153 Teal, 7 Wigeon and 2 Shoveler off Stones. Total of 208 Pochard. First-winter Common Gull and 2 Great Black-backs.Simon Roddis
21/09/2024Monthly wildfowl count: 657 Canada, 13 Greylag, 25 Mute Swan, 48 Gadwall, 31 Wigeon, 121 Mallard, 162 Teal, 1 Red-crested Pochard, 183 Pochard, 264 Tufted, 1 Water Rail, 29 Moorhen, 1,238 Coot, 22 LGrebe, 55 GCGrebe, 20 Lapwing, 33 Cormorant, 1 Kingfisher, adult Yellow-legged Gull.Simon Roddis, Jon Bradley
19/09/2024Two skeins of Pink-footed Geese, c150 birds, flew NE at 09:30 before disappearing into the murk over Millfields. Clive heard more over the WLC later. Drake Red-crested Pochard at Shiningford. Female Shoveler off Stones. Adult Yellow-legged Gull. 2 Dunlin (CA). 1 Little Egret around Stones/WLC. Kingfisher at Millfields. Total of 9 Ravens.Simon Roddis
18/09/2024A Great Egret flew N over Stones just before 8 this morning. Single Curlew and Ringed Oliver flew N into the breeze. Dunlin on Horseshoe island. 21 Wigeon, 115 Teal, 53 Gadwall, 205 Pochard and the drake Red-crested Pochard still. Single Hobby and Peregrine. 30 Swallows.Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton
17/09/2024A bit of an influx of duck this morning: 58 Wigeon, 7 Pintail, 4+ Shoveler, 130 Teal, 142 Pochard. 605 Canadas and 6 Greylags flew out early morning. 600 Black-headed Gulls post-roost. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. 1 Dunlin on sailing club shore. Around the dam wall, Peregrine, Skylark, Yellow Wagtail and 15 Linnets. 1 Sedge Warbler still on Stones. Clive saw the Water Rail and a Snipe on Horseshoe island.Simon Roddis
15/09/2024Much less moving than yesterday. 75 Pink-footed Geese flew NE, 2 Little Egrets W up WLC creek (before one of them turned round!) and 44 Swallows. 448 Canadas and 7 Greylags flew out early morning. Drake Red-crested Pochard again off Stones. 91 Teal. Redhead Goosander. Green Woodpecker calling again in Tail Bay. The Water Rail still on Horseshoe island. One Redstart still in WLC fields.Simon Roddis
14/09/2024Movement in 2 hours (07:00-09:00) this morning: 365 Swallows and 8 House Martins SW; 59 Meadow Pipits S; 23 Stock Doves S, 13N; 82 Woodpigeons S, 44N; 76 Rooks. 1 Little Egret. 3 female-type Pintail at WLC. 3 redhead Goosander. Peregrine and Hobby from Stones. Adult Yellow-legged Gull. Female/juv Redstart in WLC fields.Simon Roddis
13/09/2024Despite the high water level, the star bird this morning was a wader: a Spotted Redshank flew SW over Stones island at 08:45, calling as it went. Along the dam wall early morning, c100 Pied and 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Skylark, 4 redhead Goosander and a juvenile female Peregrine. 86 Woodpigeons (76S,10N) and 13 Stock Doves (7S,6N) in an hour. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. Total of 120 Swallows and 10 House Martins. Another Peregrine perched in WLC fields, perhaps the same adult male as last winter. 2 female/juv Redstarts in WLC fields, including the long-stayer. Willow Warbler singing on Stones.Simon Roddis
12/09/2024An Osprey flew slowly S down the res at 11:10 this morning. Earlier, a cream-crown Marsh Harrier had flown N through Millfields (RPJ,AMD). Totals of 75 Teal, 168 Pochard and 240 Tufted. 1 redhead Goosander flew N. Adult Yellow-legged Gull again. 80 Swallows and 20 House Martins. 2 Sedge Warblers still on Stones and the female/juv Redstart in WLC fields. 15 Meadow Pipits S. c100 Goldfinches feeding on Stones.Simon Roddis
11/09/2024The main event between the showers this morning was a fly-over summer plumage Black-throated Diver which circled the res for 10 minutes before departing high SW at 10:30. The first in the county since 2011 (also at Carsi). Earlier, 11 Pink-footed Geese flew E, first of the autumn here. Supporting cast of Redshank, first-winter Caspian and adult Yellow-legged Gulls, Kingfisher, Sand Martin, 40 Swallows, 70 House Martins, female/juv Redstart still in WLC fields and 25 Meadow Pipits S.Simon Roddis
10/09/20244 female/juv Pintail off Stones mid-morning were new, and c150 Pochard (100+ in Brown Ale Bay) indicates a further arrival. The drake Red-crested Pochard off Stones again, and 212 Tufted. The juvenile Water Rail was on Horseshoe island again. 3 Common Sandpipers at Millfields. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. Female Sparrowhawk mobbed by 3 Rooks over WLC creek. 116 Swallows, most of the moving SW. Female/juv Redstart still in WLC fields.Simon Roddis
09/09/2024A juvenile Black Tern was off Stones island from 08:00-08:30 this morning. Also off Stones, the eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard, 138 Tufted, adult Caspian Gull and 2 Common Sandpipers. The Water Rail again showed well on Horseshoe island. Total of 810 Coot. 3 Yellow-legged Gulls. Kingfisher on Horseshoe island. 32 Swallows and 57 House Martins. 1 Sedge Warbler still on Stones. 16 Mistle Thrushes over Blackwall plantation, my highest count of the year.Simon Roddis
08/09/2024A tiny bit of wader activity this morning, with 7 Ringed Plovers N, 4 Snipe and 2 Common Sandpipers. The drake Red-crested Pochard still off Stones, 2 Wigeon and a total of 64 Teal. The juvenile Water Rail showed well from WLC late morning. 3 Yellow-legged Gulls. Kingfisher(s) at WLC and Stones. Total of 175 Swallows.Simon Roddis

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