Recent Sightings
| Name | Sighting | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Simon Roddis | A 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 Roddis | 2 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 Roddis | Yesterday'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 Roddis | Early-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 Stewardson | A 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 Roddis | A 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 Roddis | A 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 Roddis | 6 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 Roddis | The 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 Roddis | An 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 Roddis | The 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 Bradley | Monthly 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 Roddis | Back 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 Ashton | 4 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 Treecreeper | 13/06/2025 |
| Simon Roddis | The 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 Roddis | Total 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 Roddis | A 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, MW | An 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 Roddis | A 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 Palethorpe | Bird 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 Roddis | 10 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 Roddis | 5 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 Roddis | 3 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 Bradley | Monthly 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 Roddis | 450 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 Roddis | 2 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 Ashton | A 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 Roddis | The 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 Roddis | Most 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 Roddis | Another 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 Roddis | Just 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 Roddis | The 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 Roddis | Perimeter 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 Roddis | Early 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 Roddis | Waders 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 COATES | THE FIRST SWIFT ARRIVED AT DARLEY DALE APPROX { 11 } | 09/05/2025 |
| Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton | A 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, AMD | A 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 Roddis | A 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 Ashton | Clive 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, KR | 5 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 Palethorpe | Birdwatching 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 Ashton | Highlights 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 Kennedy | This 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 Roddis | Perimeter 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 Armitt | 8 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 bed | 25/04/2025 |
| Simon Roddis | Clive 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, AHS | The 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 Roddis | The 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 Ashton | A 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
| Date | Sighting | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 25/12/2020 | A GNDiver, perhaps the returning adult, was off Stones island around 10:15-10:30 at least. 3 Barnacle Geese, 1 Pintail (f), 5 Goldeneye, 1 Goosander (redhead), 85 Woodpigeons N, 40 Great Crested Grebe, 220 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 2 Snipe, 28 Cormorant, 3 Heron. Early morning from the dam wall: estimates of 10,000 Black-headed Gull, 1,000 Common Gull, 500 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Yellow-legged Gull (adults). 2 Chiffchaffs (Stones island and near Flat island). Happy Chiffmas! | Simon Roddis |
| 24/12/2020 | c250 Canada Geese, c100 Greylags, 14 Mute Swan, 61 Gadwall, c120 Wigeon, c100 Mallard, 320 Teal, 468 Pochard, 310 Tufted Duck, 6 Goldeneye, 12 Moorhen, 1345 Coot, 23 Little Grebe, 330 Lapwing, 1 Ruff, 2 Woodcock, 2 Redshank, 6 Common Snipe, 1 Great Black-backed Gull (adult), 1 Yellow-legged Gull (3rd-w), 1 Herring Gull (2nd-w), 360 Common Gull, 24 Cormorant, 3 Sparrowhawk, 10 Raven including 6 NE together over Hopton end, 1 Chiffchaff on Stones, 10 Tree Sparrow at WLC. | Simon Roddis |
| 20/12/2020 | Early morning from the dam wall, c1,500 LBbGulls and c15,000 BhG/Commons (maybe 1-2,000 Common, the rest BhG), plus c800 Jackdaws. Pair of Pintail and a Pink-footed Goose at WLC. Total of 396 Pochard (288m,108f). 300 Woodpigeons NE. Male Ruff again on Stones causeway. Curlew on Horsehoe island. 31 Cormorant. Chiffchaff on Stones. 11 Fieldfare and c200 Redwing over the east side. Brambling over Stones. | Simon Roddis |
| 19/12/2020 | c450 Greylags. 2 Barnacle Geese. 3 Pintail (pair at WLC, f in Brown Ale Bay). A few Woodies on the move: 1,020 NE, 220 S. Male Ruff still on Stones causeway. 2 Peregrine chasing a Woodpigeon over the north end, and 1 (young bird) over WLC. 3 Raven. 2 Skylark over WLC creek. Chiffchaff on Stones. 15 Fieldfare W. 10 Tree Sparrow at WLC. 8 Lesser Redpoll on Stones. | Simon Roddis |
| 17/12/2020 | At Hopton end first thing, 5+ Woodcock flew in, and 8 Grey Wagtails and c700 Starlings (with the obligatory hunting Sparrowhawk) flew out. 3 Goosander (1m,2f) at Millfields. Male Ruff along Stones causeway. Total of 3 Sparrowhawks. 3 Raven, including a pair eating a dead fish at the WLC, unusual to see them on the shoreline. Chiffchaff on Stones island still. | Simon Roddis |
| 15/12/2020 | Monthly WeBS count: 256 Canada Geese, 389 Greylags, 1 Pink-foot, 37 Mute Swans, 91 Gadwall, 144 Wigeon, 144 Mallard, 3 Pintail, 181 Teal, 313 Pochard, 318 Tufted, 10 Goldeneye, 1 Water Rail (Hopton reedbed), 15 Moorhen, 1265 Coot, 499 Lapwing, 1 Woodcock, 30 Snipe, 3 Redshank, 24 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Kingfishers (Hopton reedbed and Millfields), 4 Grey Wag. Also: 6 Buzzard, 2 Chiffchaff (Stones and near Flat island), total of c20 Skylarks over. | Simon Roddis, Jon Bradley |
| 12/12/2020 | At Hopton end first thing, 5 Woodcock and 4 calling Tawny Owls. Elsewhere, 7 Goldeneye, 54 GCGrebe, male Ruff around Sailing Club still, 2 Redshank, 2 Chiffchaff still on Stones. | Simon Roddis |
| 10/12/2020 | 7+ Goldeneye, including 2 pairs displaying at Millfields. 400 Woodpigeons (250 SE, 150 NE). 520 Lapwing. The male Ruff off Stones causeway still. 2 Redshank. 52 Rooks over Sheepwash. 2 Chiffchaffs on Stones still. 26 Fieldfare E over Millfields. 12 Tree Sparrows at WLC. Total of 15 Meadow Pipit. | Simon Roddis |
| 09/12/2020 | 466 Greylags, 2 Pink-feet and 191 Canada Geese at Sheepwash. Pair of Pintail in Brown Ale Bay. 9 Goldeneye (6m,3f). Male Ruff still at Sailing Club. 54 Snipe over WLC, presumably came off Horseshoe island. Imm Herring Gull at Sheepwash. | Simon Roddis |
| 08/12/2020 | 3 Woodcock, 4 Grey Wagtail and a Kingfisher at Hopton end early morning. The male Ruff again at WLC/Shiningford. 3+ Redshank. 2 Barnacle Geese and a redhead Goosander at Millfields. Chiffchaff on Stones island. 30 Fieldfare (10 on Stones, 20 in WLC creek). | Simon Roddis |
| 07/12/2020 | The male Ruff along Stones causeway and later from WLC. Pair of Shoveler on Horseshoe island. Chiffchaff on Stones island. 2 adult Herring Gull early morning. | Simon Roddis |
| 06/12/2020 | Species seen 0900-1230, mostly during Birdwatching for Beginners walk 1000-noon (numbers in brackets for few species only): Pink-footed Goose (39), Canada Goose, Snipe (20), Ruff, Little Egret, Goldeneye (3), Gt Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Mallard, Lapwing, Coot, Mute Swan, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Teal, Cormorant, Moorhen, Mistle Thrush, Redwing, Blackbird, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit (10), Tree Sparrow, Willow Tit, Wren, Woodpigeon, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Starling, Pied Wagtail, Pheasant, Robin, Goldfinch, Dunnock and Chaffinch. | Gary Atkins |
| 06/12/2020 | A pair of Whooper Swans were off Stones island much of the morning, with 2 Chiffchaffs on Stones itself. 39 Pink-footed Geese flew over Sheepwash carpark at 11:40, circled several times then left NW. Pair of Pintail at Shiningford. 6+ Goldeneye. 280 Pochard (217m,63f) off Sheepwash/Brown Ale Bay. Adult Yellow-legged Gull. | Simon Roddis |
| 01/12/2020 | Ad hoc wildfowl count: 130 Canada Geese, 446 Greylags, 2 Pink-feet, 40 Mute Swan, 72 Gadwall, 321 Wigeon, 116 Mallard, 2 Pintail, 261 Teal, 391 Pochard, 364 Tufted, 6 Goldeneye (3m,3f), 19 Moorhen, 23 Little Grebe, 51 GCGrebe, c600 Lapwing, 1 Dunlin, 3 Redshank, 20 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret. 2 Peregrines (m&f) over Stones island, and 6 Stock Dove S. Chiffchaff on Stones. | Simon Roddis |
| 30/11/2020 | 2 Barnacle Geese at Millfields. 2 female-type Pintail over WLC creek. 5 Goldeneye (4m,1f). 600+ Lapwing. 2 Dunlin in Brown Ale Bay (plus 1 off Stones island maybe one of those?). 1 Woodcock at Penn Carr first thing. 4 GSWoodpecker. | Simon Roddis |
| 29/11/2020 | At Hopton end first thing, 5+ Woodcock including 3 together, 3 Tawny Owls calling, 9 Grey Wagtail and 1 Water Rail. 5 Shoveler (3m,2f) at Sailing Club. At Millfields, 1 Kingfisher, c100 Redwing and 3 Linnet. Totals of 13 Tree Sparrows and 6 Mistle Thrush (1 singing in WLC fields). | Simon Roddis |
| 29/11/2020 | 45 Wigeon,73,Teal,49 Lapwing,12 Mute Swan,20 Pochard,6 Little Grebe,3 Raven,2 Goldeneye, 1 Redshank, 5 Shoveler, 3 Cormorant, 2 Dunlin, 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Robin, 2 Snipe, 1 Coal Tit, 8 Long Tailed Tit, 2 Redwing, 1 Jay . Foggy and misty this morning visibility cross Carsington water poor | David Armitt |
| 27/11/2020 | With no sport or fishing activity and the sunny calm weather this morning, wildfowl were showing colourfully out in the bays instead of sheltering in the creeks. 35 Mute Swan, 2 drake Shoveler, 3 Goldeneye and 2 Redshank from Stones Island. Kingfisher and escape black Swan at Millfields. No sign of any Diver all week. | Roger Carrington |
| 25/11/2020 | Black Swan -Millfield 1200 | M.R.Bartle |
| 23/11/2020 | Willow Tit on middle of Stones Island Two Lesser Redpoll in same area Male Goldeneye just off Stones Island and one Redshank feeding along same area. | Chris Brewster |
| 20/11/2020 | A Snow Bunting flew over and around Stones causeway, calling constantly, about 08:00 for 2-3 minutes before dropping down onto the back of Watersports island, but not seen again. 1 Whooper Swan, presumably the same bird as yesterday. Pair of Pintail again at Millfields and pair of RcPochard off Lane End. 5 Goldeneye (4m,1f). From Millfields early morning, c1,000 LBbGulls and 11,000 BhGs. Adult Yellow-leg off Sheepwash. | Simon Roddis |
| 19/11/2020 | Couldn't find the diver this morning. A Whooper Swan dropped in at 09:25 and hung around Stones island until late morning at least. Pair of Pintail at Millfields. 1f RcPochard. Red Kite over Stones. 1 Dunlin. 2,250 Woodpigeons S. 26 Skylarks over Stones, heading towards Carsington Pastures. 2 Chiffchaff. | Simon Roddis |
| 18/11/2020 | The adult GNDiver still, from Stones early morning and later off Millfields. Early morning at Hopton end: 1 (maybe 2) Woodcock, 3 Tawny Owls calling, 8 Grey Wagtails, Kingfisher. 4 Pintail (2m,2f) at Millfields. 396 Lapwing. 2 Redshank at Sailing Club. Adult Yellow-legged Gull still. 3 Chiffchaff (Hopton end, Stones causeway, Sailing Club island). 20 Siskin in WLC creek. | Simon Roddis |
| 17/11/2020 | An adult Great Northern Diver (not yesterday's juvenile) was off Millfields late morning, perhaps having only just arrived. Very black-and-white at the front end with some hints of remaining black-and-white stripes on the side of the lower neck and still extensive white spotting on the upperparts, black bill. No sign of the juvenile. Monthly WeBS count: 330 Canada Geese, 464 Greylags, 2 Pink-feet, 33 Mute Swan, 84 Gadwall, 4 Pintail, 200 Teal, 154 Mallard, 337 Wigeon, 309 Pochard, 313 Tufted, 5 Goldeneye, 1 Goosander, 23 Moorhen, 1349 Coot, 24 Little Grebe, 34 GCGrebe, 456 Lapwing, 27 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 22 Cormorant, 1 Heron, 1 Kingfisher. Also, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, a juvenile Red Kite, a Chiffchaff between Hopton and Brown Ale Bay, 25 Meadow Pipits along Stones Causeway. | Simon Roddis, Jon Bradley |
| 16/11/2020 | A mobile first-winter Great Northern Diver was in the channel between Horseshoe and Shiningford islands just after 10:00, off Hall Wood shortly afterwards and then between Stones island and Millfields at 11:40. 145 Pink-footed Geese flew E in 2 skeins (60 at 08:40, 85 at 09:00). Pair of Pintail at Millfields and pair of RCPochard off Lane End. 3m Goldeneye. 390 Lapwing. 1 DUnlin. 1 Redshank. 300 Woodpigeons N. 12 Stock Dove. Chiffchaff and 8 Lesser Redpoll on Stones island. | SJR, AHS, RC |
| 15/11/2020 | A first-winter Caspian Gull was on Flat Island around midday. c500 Greylags. 35 Mute Swan. 1f Pintail. 50+ Gadwall. Pair RcPochard. 3 Goldeneye. 250 Lapwing. 1 Little Egret. Chiffchaff on Stones island. | Simon Roddis |
| 14/11/2020 | Black swan at millfields | Chris brown |
| 13/11/2020 | Solitary black swan on the edge of the water near Millfields car park. | Vicky Wright |
| 13/11/2020 | 497 Greylags. 2m Pintail and 3m Shoveler in Brown Ale Bay. Pair of RcPochard at Lane End. 158 Pochard (129m,29f) at Sheepwash. 1f Goldeneye. A bit of Woodpigeon movement, including some going the wrong way: 520 S, 85 N. 360 Lapwing. 1 Golden Plover over WLC. 1 Redshank and a Little Egret off Stones causeway. A vocal Chiffchaff on Stones island. | Simon Roddis |
| 12/11/2020 | c500 Greylags, including PXU. Female Goldeneye off Sheepwash. 7 Stock Doves flew S. 380 Lapwing. 2 Redshank at sailing club. Adult Yellow-legged Gull on Sheepwash spit. Peregrine over the east side and then upsetting the Lapwings at Sheepwash. 4 Raven. 2 Chiffchaff (Stones causeway and Sheepwash). 20 Siskin at Brown Ale Bay. | Simon Roddis, Roger Carrington |
| 10/11/2020 | A Bean Goose flew S over the Carsi dam wall at about 11:50, probably Tundra though can't be certain. Counted a few ducks: 62 Gadwall, 295 Wigeon, 192 Teal, 170 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 1 Pintail, 2 RcPochard, 192 Pochard, 366 Tufted, 3 Goldeneye, 507 Canadas, 335 Greylag, 32 Mute Swans, 25 Moorhen, 1250 Coot, 37 GCGrebe, 16 Little Grebe, 270 Lapwing, 1 Little Egret. Chiffchaff at Hopton end. | Simon Roddis |
| 10/11/2020 | This morning occasional mist then drizzle: Black Swan at Millfields, pair Shoveler WLC. Sheepwash from car park: 2 Goldeneye, 1 Dunlin, adult Herring Gull and adult YLGull. | Roger Carrington |
| 08/11/2020 | 46 Teal, 5 Little Grebe,12 Greylag Goose,3 Red - Breasted Merganser,30 Wigeon,3 Shoveler ,6 Pied Wagtail,3 Wren, 28 Lapwing, 2 Raven,2 Mute Swan,4 Great Crested Grebe,1 Coal Tit,1 Nuthatch,1 Willow Tit, 1 Chaffinch Shoveler and Red-Breasted Merganser seen with Simon very foggy this morning. | David Armitt |
| 08/11/2020 | An excellent morning given the conditions. 3 redhead Red-breasted Mergansers flew into Sailing Club bay, off Stones causeway, just after 08:00 and actively swan and dived until they disappeared into the murk. Then a Hawfinch flew N over Lane End at 10:45, maybe heading for the Cromford wintering site? 3m Shoveler off Stones causeway. Pair of Pintail in Brown Ale Bay and a pair of R-c Pochard at Sheepwash. Water Rail in the stream at Hopton reedbed early morning. Golden Plover over Sheepwash. Redshank off Stones causeway then it or another in BA Bay late morning. Adult Yellow-legged Gull still and an adult Herring Gull. Kingfisher, 6 Grey Wags and 3+ Brambling at Hopton end. Totals of 6 Lesser Redpoll and 20 Siskin. | Simon Roddis |
| 07/11/2020 | Vismig this morning: 1920 Woodpigeons and 20 Fieldfare S, 170 Starlings W. 450 Greylag. 32 Mute Swan. 4 Shoveler. 2 Pintail. 4 Goldeneye. 1m R-c Pochard. 315 Lapwing. 1 Woodcock at Hopton end at first light. 1 Redshank. 1 Little Egret. 15 Skylark. c100 Redwing around the main centre. 1 Crossbill over Stones island. | Simon Roddis |
| 06/11/2020 | I flushed about 50 Snipe from the dam wall in the early morning fog. Blackcap calling from scrub behind Visitor Centre toilet block. Drake Goldeneye near Flat Island as fog burned off. | Roger Carrington |
| 06/11/2020 | A very different morning, with the fog not clearing until 10:00. Just 365 Woodpigeons but a superb male Merlin perched briefly on the fence below the dam wall, and 31 Pink-footed Geese flew W. | Simon Roddis |
| 05/11/2020 | Vismig from Millfields, 07:00-09:30: 10,935 Woodpigeons, 392 Fieldfare and 135 Redwing S, 2,402 Starlings W. 6 Whooper Swans flew E at 07:55. 1 Shelduck off Stones island. 5 Goosander at Millfields (4f flew out early morning, male flew in later). 1 Dunlin at Millfields. 2 Redshank at sailing club. 1 Little Egret. Totals of 8 Brambling and 12 Lesser Redpoll. | Simon Roddis |
| 04/11/2020 | A big day of Woodpigeon movement, with 43,200 counted from Stones island 07:30-11:00, flying south, mostly beyond the eastern shore. 14 Stock Doves and 240 Fieldfare also flew S, 777 Starlings W, a Great White Egret and 2 skeins of Pink-footed Geese (130 and 37) NE. 73 Gadwall. 284 Wigeon. 325 Pochard. 4 Goldeneye (2 ad m, 2 imm m). Water Rail calling in Hopton reedbed. 300 Lapwing on Horseshoe island. 1 Dunlin flew past Stones island. 3 adult Yellow-legged Gull. 500+ Common Gulls in Brown Ale Bay mid afternoon. 26 Cormorant. 1 Little Egret. Red Kite and Peregrine over the east side. 5 Raven. (81 species, probably the first time I've managed that in November.) | Simon Roddis |
| 03/11/2020 | Black swan at stones island | Alan Ball |
| 03/11/2020 | Vismig from Stones island this morning, 07:30-10:00: 4,250 Woodpigeons, 30 Stock Doves and 135 Fieldfare S, mostly down the east side. Also: 540 Greylags, 4 Goldeneye (now including an adult male), 273 Pochard (227m,46f) at Sheepwash/Brown Ale Bay, 1 Little Egret, 130 Lapwing, Red Kite over Fishtail creek, total of 5 GSWoodpeckers, Chiffchaff at Millfields. | Simon Roddis |
| 02/11/2020 | Vismig 07:30-10:30 from Stones island/WLC creek: 1,360 Woodpigeon S, 18 Stock Dove S, 180 Starlings W, 31 Skylark mostly to N, 79 Chaffinch SW. Also: 40 Mute Swan, c500 Greylag, 3 Goldeneye, 120 Lapwing, 1 Little Egret, 70 Rooks, Chiffchaff singing at Millfields, 30 Meadow Pipits on Watersports island, 12 Tree Sparrow. | Simon Roddis |
| 01/11/2020 | 1,120 Woodpigeons S down the east side in 30 mins this morning during a gap in the rain. 28 Mute Swan. 1 Little Egret. 6 Skylarks N over Stones. 16 Long-tailed Tit at WLC. 17 Fieldfare over Shiningford. | Simon Roddis |
| 31/10/2020 | Afternoon (post rain) visit: 7 Shoveler (3m,4f), 79 Gadwall, 2 Pintail (m,f), 3 Goldeneye, 5 redhead Goosander in Brown Ale Bay, Water Rail calling in Hopton reedbed at dusk, 110 Lapwing, 570 Common Gulls on/around Sheepwash spit at 16:30, 2 adult Herring and 2 adult Yellow-legs, 2 Little Egret. | Simon Roddis |
| 30/10/2020 | 510 Greylags, including orange neck-collar PXU, originally from Windermere. 2 Barnacle Geese. 33 Mute Swans. 356 Wigeon. 2m Pintail. 51 Gadwall. 5 Shoveler (3m,2f). 1m R-c Pochard. 1m Goldeneye. 309 Pochard. 8 Stock Dove S. 153 Lapwing. c650 LBbGulls loafing at Sheepwash late morning, along with 2 adult Herring, 2 adult Yellow-legged and 2 Caspian (1w and probable 2w). 24 Cormorant. 2 Little Egret. 8 Skylark N over WLC creek. 7 Grey Wag at Hopton end early morning. | Simon Roddis Roger Carrington |
| 29/10/2020 | In a couple of damp hours this morning, a juv Garganey (presumably the same bird as has been seen on and off for a few weeks now) was at the WLC but no sight or sound of the YBW in that time. | Simon Roddis |
| 2020-10-28 | Early morning from Millfields: c4,000 LBbGulls, c10,000 BhGulls, c1000 Jackdaws, 150 Rooks and 50 Carrion Crows. 405 Woodpigeons S, an increase on the last few days. Adult Yellow-legged Gull still. 3 Little Egret. 30 Meadow Pipits, including 20 on the Tail Bay track. Finished off with another look at the YBW late morning. | Simon Roddis |
| 2020-10-27 | In case you haven't seen the news elsewhere, there was a Yellow-browed Warbler at the WLC and then between there and the main carpark this morning, up to around midday at least. Quite vocal and showing well now and again. Also reported early afternoon, I'm told. The third record for Carsi after birds in 2015 and 2016. | Simon Roddis |
| 2020-10-25 | This morning: 1w Caspian Gull again off Sheepwash late morning, and 4 Yellow-legs: the regular adult, 2 more adults and a 1w. 498 Greylag, including one with an orange neck collar but too far away to read. 5 Shoveler. 2 Goldeneye. 31 Cormorant. 1 Little Egret. 230 Lapwing. 2 Kingfishers. Maybe a hint of Woodpigeon movement, about 70 flew S. 25 Carrion Crow and 2 Raven over Hall Wood. 100+ Starling. Out of Hopton reedbed early morning, 11 Grey Wag and 18 Reed Bunting, and 25 Chaffinch and a Brambling flew SW. | Simon Roddis |
| 2020-10-24 | Best this morning was an adult winter Kittiwake which flew S down the res at 10:55, then presumably the same bird dropped in among the Lessers and BhGs off Sheepwash about 15 minutes later. 464 Greylag. 6 Shoveler (2m,4f). 2m Pintail. 276 Wigeon. 169 Pochard. 3 Goldeneye (1m,2f). Water Rail calling in Hopton reedbed. 91 Lapwing. 2 Yellow-legged Gull (ad,1w). 3 Little Egret. 1 Chiffchaff on Stones. 1 Brambling over Hall Wood. | Simon Roddis |
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