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
2016-05-030745-1100: 3 GNDivers still present. A dark-bellied Brent Goose off Stones 0800-1030 at least. Kittiwake 1010-1030. Reed Warbler singing in WLC reedbed again. And the blue Snow Goose is back, still paired with a Canada.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
2016-05-020700-1130: 3 GNDivers still. Osprey east at 0805 (JB). Cream-crown Marsh Harrier 0835-0845, left north. Different bird from yesterday, this one was missing a couple of inner secondaries on its left wing. 4 Common Terns south 0705-0745 (SR). 1 Arctic Tern. Reed Warbler singing sporadically at WLC. 20 Greylags at Hopton including the neck-collared bird, code read this time as PPX. Ringing info will be requested.Simon Roddis, John Bradley
2016-05-01The following are all species noted during the monthly Birdwatching for Beginners walk (10am-12 noon): Swallow, Robin, Woodpigeon, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Blackcap, Blackbird, Wren, Canada Goose, Tufted Duck, Sand Martin, Mute Swan, Black-headed Gull, Common Sandpiper, Gt Northern Diver, Gt Crested Grebe, Jackdaw, Chaffinch, Willow Warbler, Dunnock, Song Thrush, Mallard, Coot, Goldfinch, Pied Wagtail, Tree Sparrow, Whitethroat, Magpie, House Sparrow, Gt Tit, Dunlin, Reed Bunting, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Common Gull, Swift, Barnacle Goose, Coal Tit, Redshank, Little GrebeGary Atkins
2016-05-01Marsh Harrier (cream crown) flew south over Millfields Island flushing all the nesting Gulls at 11:32am, Arctic Tern briefly at 10:50am, 3 Great Northern Diver.John Bradley
2016-04-27Collective species list seen by those attending the Wagtail Walk, which did include fleeting glimpses of Yellow Wags on Watersports Island. The full list (apologies if I've missed some!): Swallow, Sand Martin, House Martin, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Canada Goose, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Gt Northern Diver, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Gt Crested Grebe, Willow Warbler, Pied (and probably White) Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Coot, Little Ringed Plover, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Magpie, Blackbird, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Wren, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, Robin, Pheasant, Redshank, Blue TitGary Atkins
2016-04-27Two Yellow Wagtail, a Common Sandpiper and a Redshank on Horseshoe Island at 12 noon.Brian Harris
2016-04-26A visitor reported 3 Black necked Grebes to a Ranger, which were then located near the draw off tower by the regulars. Looking very smart too in near full summer plumage.Clive Ashton
2016-04-24Wood Warbler singing at the top of Middle Wood at 7:30am (JB), male Pied Flycatcher feeding in the large Blackthorn patch between Millfields car park and Penn Carr (AHS,JB). John Bradley
2016-04-243 GND together, from Stones Island late afternoon. One of the adults has smart colours with complete summer plumage. The other looks scruffy close up - all white markings including neck there but fainter and head less dark. It spent a lot of time preening John Babb
2016-04-213 GNDivers still, adults looking smarter by the day and calling occasionally. Common Swift over the visitor centre at 0930. Sedge Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat on Stones island, another Sedge in WLC creek.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
2016-04-18This evening from Stones Island: 5 Ringed Plovers thru' heading north 1830hrs, pair Red-breasted Merganser from 1900hrs near Millfields, 8 White Wagtails on Watersports Island flew off high north at 1930hrs, 1 Yellow Wagtail on there a little later and 7 Curlew had come into roost on there by 2020hrs. The 3 Great Northern Divers came close together to roost, the 2 adults now nearly in full summer plumage, fine neck markings not yet fully showing. A record missed for this morning: pair Mallard with 9 ducklings, probably 3 days old, between Oldfield Lane and Hays Lane.Roger Carrington, Jon Bradley
2016-04-183 Black-tailed Godwit flew NW over WLC at 0940. 5 Common Sandpiper on Watersports island. 1 Wheatear on Horseshoe island.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
2016-04-185 Whimbrel on Sailing Club Island early morning. 3 Dunlin. Whitethroat on Stones Island. 3 Shelduck on Millfields Island. Redstart singing in WLCCreek. Pair Mandarin and Little Grebe in Fishtail Creek.Roger Carrington
2016-04-182 Ospreys circled the reservoir for the best part of an hour, from 0800hrs, before drifting off northeast[CA,JB,RC,SJR].Clive Ashton
2016-04-14Common Whitethroat singing in Shiningford Creek this afternoon. 3 Yellow Wagtails on Watersports Islands.Roger Carrington
2016-04-143 GNDivers still. 1 Sandwich Tern from Stones island 0900-0915. 3 White Wags on Watersports island, 1 Yellow Wag on Stones.Simon Roddis, Ken Rome
2016-04-13I was in WLC creek at 11:00 when I noticed a commotion among a group of crows and Jackdaws. Wondering what was upsetting them, I watched for a minute or two until a female Sparrowhawk appeared in hot pursuit of a Woodpigeon. Within seconds the Sparrowhawk had caught and grounded the pigeon. After a short time the hawk started to pluck feathers from the still flapping pigeon. This continued for a good 5 minutes or so, with blood appearing on the Sparrowhawk's beak but the pigeon still alive. Then the Sparrowhawk itself suddenly took flight and the Woodpigeon tried to get away, only to be grounded again by a Buzzard which had scared the Sparrowhawk off! This Buzzard was then joined by another, which pushed the first Buzzard away and managed to finish the Woodpigeon off and tuck into a healthy, free range dinner! Never seen anything quite like it.Simon Roddis
2016-04-120730-1330: 3 GNDivers still. 5 Shelduck. Osprey over Hall Wood at 11:35. 3 Sandwich Terns north at 09:30. 10+ Arctic Terns. 1 Common Tern. 1 Whimbrel. 1 Ringed Plover. 1 Little Ringed Plover. 1 Dunlin. 4+ Common Sandpiper. Yellow Wagtail. Wheatear on Watersports island. 12 Linnet. 1 Brambling. c250 Sand Martins, 50 Swallows.SJR,AHS,RC
2016-04-11WeBS count for April. 07.00 -11.40 Mute Swan 4(2 on Green Pond0, Greylag Goose 11,Canada Goose 51, Barnacle Goose 6,Gadwall 2,Teal 6,Mallard 42,Pochard 1,Tufted Duck 72, Goldeneye 3, Great Northern Diver 1,Cormorant 7,Little Grebe 2,Great Crested Grebe 29,Moorhen 3,Coot 29, Oystercatcher 10,Lapwing 2,Little Ringed Plover 1,Common Sandpiper 1,Redshank 7,Snipe 3,Kingfisher 1. Plus 2 White Wagtails on Stones and 40 + Swallow and 5 Sand Martin.Peter Gibbon
2016-04-1119 Little Gulls (18 adults a 1 1st summer) late evening, 2nd summer Yellow-legged Gull in roost.John Bradley
2016-04-10Male Yellow Wagtail at the WLC 10:00Simon Roddis
2016-04-090630-1130: 3 GNDivers still. 6 Greylag. 2 Shelduck. 6 Wigeon. 1 Gadwall. 1 Pochard. 1 Red Kite. 1 Greenshank. 7 Blackcap at Millfields, 3 on Stones. 2 Raven.SHR,AHS,JB
2016-04-08Male Redstart in WLC fields. 5 White Wagtails on Watersports island. 2 Blackcap on Stones island. Leucistic Snipe still. And a blue morph Snow Goose off Stones, apparently paired with a Canada Goose. Oh dear...Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
2016-04-07Male Redstart this morning in the field at the rear of the Sand Martin bank in WLC creekJon Lowes
2016-04-073 GNDivers still. 1m Shoveler. 1m Wigeon. Leucistic Snipe still. 5 White Wags on Stones island. 2m Blackcap at Milfields. 60 Swallows, 20 Sand Martin and 3 House Martin.Simon Roddis
2016-04-06A Great Grey Shrike was seen for a few seconds only on Stones Island at 0930hrs by AHS, but despite much searching it could not be relocated. Also present 6 White Wagtails, 10 Great Black backed Gulls and the leucistic Snipe. Clive Ashton
2016-04-04210 Common Gulls in roost at 1830. 3 White Wagtails on Stones island. Jack Snipe still in WLC creek. 300 Jackdaws.Simon Roddis
2016-04-04Blackcap @ Millfields, male eating Ivy berriesIan Scrimshaw
2016-04-046 Common Gulls and a Pink-footed Goose.Peter Stoppard
2016-04-040730-1200: 3 GNDivers still. 2 Willow Warblers at Millfields. Wheatear on Watersports island. Jack Snipe in WLC creek. 5 Goldeneye. 10 Swallow, 10 Sand Martin and 1 House MartinSimon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
2016-04-04Following noted during monthly Birdwatching for Beginners walk (10am-noon; Stones Island, Ranger Base and WLC): Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Carrion Crow, Dunnock, Great Tit, Blackbird, Blue Tit, House Sparrow, Wren, Robin, Greylag Goose, Black-headed Gull, Coal Tit, Mallard, Gt Crested Grebe, Coot, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Lapwing, Redshank, Buzzard, Tree Sparrow, Gt Northern Diver, Oystercatcher, Barnacle Goose, Teal, Willow Warbler, Little Grebe, Willow TitGary Atkins
2016-04-02Male Marsh Harrier flew east at 11:45, Ringed Plover north, 5 White Wagtail, 2nd summer Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Great Northern Divers, Willow Warbler singing at the causeway.JB, AHS, CA
2016-04-016-15 to 7-45pm Osprey(drifted sw),male RC Pochard,2+ White Wagtail,16 Curlew,30+ Fieldfare(to roost stones),2 GN Diver(adults),2 Redshank,SwallowMark and Sue Pass
2016-04-014 Buzzards aloft, low over Blackwall PlantationGary Atkins
2016-03-313 GNDivers still. 3 Shoveler. Pair of Wigeon still at Millfields. 20 Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin.Simon Roddis/Ken Rome
2016-03-29All 3 GNDivers still present. First House Martin of the year off Stones 0900. Leucistic Snipe still at WLC.SJR, CA, JB, RC
2016-03-29Red Kite circling fields over Windmill Farm (Godfreyhole) at approx 4pm. Headed south.Jean Hurdle
2016-03-270700-1100:3 GNDivers still. 1 Wigeon. 1 Gadwall. Pair Mandarins prospecting around Millfields. 2 Goosander at Millfields. Leucistic Common Snipe still at WLC. 1 Yellow-legged Gull. c10 Sand Martins and 3 Swallows. 8 Chiffchaff singing.SJR, AHS, RC, CA, JB
2016-03-27Male and female Mandarin ducks seen on Lake shore in front of Sheepwash bird hide at 4.30pmCatherine Moss
2016-03-240600-1200: all 3 GNDivers still present. 1 Shelduck. Pair of Mandarins at Millfields. 2 Shoveler. Water Rail calling in Hopton reedbed. Leucistic Common Snipe still at WLC. 3 Skylark south. 1 Rock Pipit near Stones (Dave Newcombe/Chris Brown). 1 Swallow (Mark Pass) and 1 Sand Martin. 11 Chiffchaff (9 at Millfields, 2 on Stones). 50 Fieldfare south.Simon Roddis
2016-03-230830-1300: 2 ad GNDivers (couldn't see the juv, maybe just playing hard to get), 10 Greylag, 1 Grey Plover still around Stones and Shiningford islands, 1 second-winter Kittiwake north at 0850, 6 Chiffchaffs (4 singing, 2 calling) around Millfields.Simon Roddis
2016-03-213 GNDivers, 3 Greylag, 2 Mandarin, 3 Wigeon, 1 Grey Plover (Stones Island 0800), 2 Herring Gull north, 20 Meadow Pipit mostly moving north, 19 Fieldfare north, 150 Redwing and 100 Starling at Hopton, 9 Redpoll on Stones, 1 Linnet.Simon Roddis/Clive Ashton
2016-03-21WeBS count for March 06.30 - 10.00 Mute Swan 2, Greylag Goose 1, Canada Goose 97, Barnacle Goose 28, Wigeon 1, Gadwall 2, Teal 17, Mallard 63, Tufted Duck 73, Goldeneye 7, Goosander 3, Great Northern Diver 3, Cormorant 4, Grey Heron 2, Little Grebe 3, Great Crested Grebe 38, Moorhen 5, Coot 58, Oystercatcher 13, Lapwing 8, Curlew 4, Snipe 7, Redshank 6.Peter Gibbon and John Bradley
2016-03-1813.30 from Sheepwash Hide 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Goldeneye, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher Paul Bennett
2016-03-180630-1200: 3 GNDivers. 2 Shelduck at Millfields. 2 Greylag. 1 Wigeon. 13+ Oystercatcher. 3 Dunlin. 4 Redshank. 1+ Jack Snipe in Hopton reedbed. 2 ad Kittiwakes at Millfields. 75 Redwing at Sheepwash.SJR,AHS
2016-03-173 GNDivers still. Chiffchaff singing at Millfields. Leucistic Common Snipe with 8 other snipe in WLC creek. 1 Skylark, 9 Meadow Pipits north.SJR,AHS
2016-03-171 Wigeon and 3 Snipe near Wildlife Centre at 15000hrsMike Coates
2016-03-16Afternoon visit 15.00-18.15. 3 Great Northern Divers, Grey Heron, 8 Little Grebes, 24 Great Crested Grebes, 114 Canada Geese, 12 Barnacle Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 40 Teal, 50 Mallards, 60 Tufted Ducks, 11 Goldeneye, 4 Moorhens, 60 Coots, 13 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, 3 Snipe, 3 Redshank, Dunlin. Dave Newcombe/Chris Brown
2016-03-163 GNDivers from Sheepwash at 1530. 11+ Goldeneye. 50 Redwing at Sheepwash. 5 Fieldfare flew north. 2 Raven.Simon Roddis
2016-03-153 GN Divers this afternoon (2 adults often close together off Stone's then again later off Lane End + 1 juvenile on far shore from Sheepwash - seemed quite a small individual)Paul Thomas

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