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
2012-10-0825 Mute Swans, 30 Cormorants, 2 Grey Herons, 15 Little Grebes, Pink-footed Goose with Canadas, Barnacle Goose, 41 Greylag Geese, female Pintail, 53 Wigeon, 113 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 28 Pochard, Tufted Duck with bill saddle AAS, 2 Sparrowhawks, Buzzard, c75 Lapwings, 26 Golden Plover over Stones Island this morning, 7 Swallows, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, Skylark, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 6 Goldcrests (4 with tit flock at Millfields and 2 at P.Stanley), 2 Linnets, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Chiff Chaffs and c100 Jackdaws. Gull roost: c5'000 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, c2'000 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 5 Herring Gulls and 5 Common Gulls. Also a Water Vole in Brown Ale Bay. Dave Newcombe
2012-10-081 first winter Little Gull from Sheepwash Hide at 14.30hrs. Flew off with Black-headed Gulls towards the Dam after a few minutes.Neil Moulden and Alf Moulden
2012-10-072 Grey Heron in the trees at Hopton Hall + 1 in Wildlife Center creek. 8/10 Widgeon east side near Hopton. 2 Nuthatch on the Lane End feeder. Chiffchaff calling in Sitch Plantation.Eric Dewhurst
2012-10-06Wheatear on dam wall early morning. Also Grey Wagtail over dam.Clive Ashton
2012-10-05A few sightings for today that I forgot to add. 1 Dunlin commuting between the Wildlife Centre and Stones Island, 6 Golden Plover in front of Sailing Club. Also 19 Little Grebe. Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2012-10-05Grey Heron, 18 Greylag Geese, Barnacle Goose, female type Pintail, 3 Shoveler, 103 Teal, 34 Wigeon, 31 Pochard, 3 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, Sparrowhawk, c30 Meadow Pipits, 3 Skylarks, 9 Lesser Redpoll, Kingfisher, 3 Mistle Thrush, Greenfinch, 7+ Chiff Chaffs, 2 Ravens, several 1000 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, Herring Gull, 1'700 Black-headed Gulls. Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2012-10-032 presumed escaped Cape Shelduck types at Millfields, 4 Grey Herons, 63 Great Crested Grebes, 17 Little Grebes, 11 Buzzards all in the air from Sheepwash Hide, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 79 Teal, 28 Wigeon, 23 Pochard, 60 Lapwings, Yellow-legged Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, 20 Meadow Pipits, 2 Skylarks, 28 Robins, 11 Siskin, 9 Chiff Chaffs, 5 Bullfinch. 4'500 Lesser Black Backed Gulls in the roost, also 530 Bh Gulls. Dave Newcombe
2012-10-023 Swallow through, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Sparrowhawk (juv male), 2 Kestrel, 7 Little Grebe, 5 Grey Heron 2 foxes by WLC Creek.James Owen (STW vol ranger)
2012-10-0125 Barnacle Geese, 3 Greylag Geese, Grey Heron, 18 Pochard, 12 Little Grebe, Peregrine, 2 Buzzards, 90 Lapwings, 2 Common Sandpipers, Snipe, Yellow-legged Gull, several 1000 LBB Gulls, c400 Bh Gulls, 10 Swallows, 11 Chiff Chaffs, 4 Goldcrests, c30 Meadow Pipits. 2 foxes at the wildlife centre. Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2012-10-01Stones Island: 11 Pochard, 20 Mute Swans, 40 Teal, c80 Starlings, 2 Chiffchaff singing and 8 Siskins. Wildlife Centre: 4 Little Grebe, Grey Heron, 28 Lapwing, Reed Bunting. Fox along shoreline in Wildlife Centre CreekJohn Matkin
2012-09-296 GoosanderEric Dewhurst
2012-09-25WLC: 1 Hobby through, 1 juv Common Tern (a single bird appeared to stay all day), 1 Snipe, 2 Grey Heron, at least 1 Sand Martin among c.50 Swallow and c.10 House Martin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Yellow-legged Gull devoured a Little Grebe leaving 4 remaining around Horseshoe Island. Male Sparrowhawk, female Kestrel, 1 Buzzard.James Owen (STW vol ranger)
2012-09-241 Juv Arctic Tern from early morning to 1530hrs. At least 1 (possibly 4) Juv Common Tern early evening. 2 Sand Martin. Drake Common Scoter near Fishtail at 1900hrs. 1 Dunlin + 1 Little Stint mobile around Stones Island at dusk.Roger Carrington
2012-09-241 Common Scoter, 1 Little Egret, 1 Common Sandpiper all around Sheepwash. Neil Moulden and Alf Moulden
2012-09-21At around 18.00 this evening whilst Roger and myself were standing on Stones Island we picked out 4 adult dark phase Arctic Skuas that had just put the gulls up. Light primary patches and a short pointed tail projection around half the tail length was evident. They didn't stay long and within minutes were heading off in a Northwesterly direction. Unfortunately, Clive had left site and missed them. Also of note was 47 Cormorants, 348 Canada Geese, Pink-footed Goose, female/juvenile Pintail, 11 Gadwall, 9 Wigeon, Snipe, Yellow-legged Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, juvenile Common Tern, Kingfisher, 4 Sand Martins, 12 Siskins and 2 Ravens. Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton/Roger Carrington
2012-09-185 Grey Herons, 42 Cormorants, 66 Teal, 9 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 7 Pochards, 48 Lapwing, 5 Golden Plover through west this morning, 2 Common Sandpipers, adult Yellow-legged Gull, Kingfisher, Sand Martin, 290 Swallows through south-most between 10.30-11.30, Grey Wagtail, 79 Pied Wagtails, 2 Raven Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2012-09-1716.30 to 17.30 today after 'low turn out of geese for WeBS count yesterday' there were 111 Canada Geese and 1 Barnacle Goose. Also 28 Lapwing and 50 Cormorant.Peter Gibbon
2012-09-17WeBS count done on Sunday 16th September between 06.45 and 10.45. Mute Swan 19,Canada Goose 12,Grey Heron 3,Great White Egret 1, Cormorant 36,Great Crested Grebe 35,Little Grebe 19,Mallard 207,Teal 42,Gadwall 9,Wigeon 12, Tufted Duck 120,Pochard 6,Goosander 3,Moorhen 2,Coot 606,Lapwing 1,Common Sandpiper 1, Yellow-legged Gull 1.Peter Gibbon
2012-09-16A Great White Egret was found by Roger this morning at 08.50 from Sheepwash Hide. It was then seen on and off at several locations until around 10.00. I was lucky enough to see it in flight at 10.10 from Sheepwash car park. Unfortunately it was never seen again. 47 Cormorants, 3 Grey Herons, 13 Wigeon, 3 Common Sandpipers, Yellow-legged Gull. Dave Newcombe
2012-09-13Little Egret at Millfields, Barnacle Goose, Greylag Goose, 14 Wigeon, 6 Pochard, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Common Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, c70 Goldfinch, 10+ Meadow Pipit and a Wheatear on Dam Wall, 2 Kingfishers at Sheepwash, 6 Sand Martins off Stones Island. Dave Newcomeb/Clive Ashton
2012-09-11WLC: Hobby over, 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Gadwall, 2 PochardJames Owen (STW vol ranger)
2012-09-1045 Cormorants, 4 Grey Heron, 301 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, Barnacle Goose, 7 Shoveler, 29 Teal, 14 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 8 Pochard, 2 Common Sandpipers, 55 Lapwings, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 225 Black-headed Gulls, 130 Swallows, 60 House Martins, Wheatear, Green Woodpecker, 8 Linnets, c25 Goldfinch, Meadow Pipit, 7 Chiff Chaffs, Blackcap, 5 Raven flew south at 08.35. Dave Newcombe
2012-09-08Osprey flew north along the east side just after 8am. Also 2 Wheatear on the Dam Wall.Eric Dewhurst
2012-09-08A Red Kite flew south over Stones Island at 17.51hrs. 47 Cormorants, 13 Little Grebes, several Grey Herons, 26 Teal, 9 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 6 Pochard, 75 Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Kingfisher, 50+ House Martins, Meadow Pipit, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Ravens. 5 Yellow-legged Gulls and c4'000 LBB Gulls in the roost (RC and JB). Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2012-09-072 Tawny Owls in Sitch Plantation (1 calling and being mobbed by a Jay, 2nd on opposite side of the track was being hassled by Blackbird & Wrens before flying off), 1 Common Sandpiper, 7 Grey Heron, 16 Mute Swans, 3 Greylag Geese, 8 Little Grebes, 2 Kestrels, 4 Buzzards (1 chased off by Yellow-Legged Gull), 11 Willow Tits, 4 Coal Tits, 10 Nuthatch, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, 3 Willow Warblers, 5 Chiffchaff (2 singing), Spotted Flycatcher at Warrington Knob, 17 Blackbirds feeding on Rowan berries at Fishtail Creek and c150 hirundines feeding over Shiningford CreekJohn Matkin
2012-09-05Ringed Plover north over Stones Island at c1715hrs.Jonathan Bradley, Mark Pass.
2012-09-0448 Cormorants in front of Sheepwash. 10 Grey Herons (8 at Sheepwash, 1 at Millfields and 1 on Watersports Island), 28 Mute Swans, 5 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 23 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 7 Pochard, 4 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, Common Sandpiper, 70 Swallows, 3 Meadow Pipits on Dam Wall, Willow Warbler in song, 3 Raven, c300 Starling on Stones Island, 6 Linnets. 3'000+ Lesser Black Backed Gulls in the roost, also 3 Yellow-legged Gulls (usual resident one plus 2 in the roost), 2 Herring Gulls and 70 Black-headed Gulls. Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2012-09-01Juv. Marsh Harrier at 16:45 heading southwest past Fishtail Creek towards Millfields.John Matkin
2012-08-28WLC: Osprey over heading south at 10:10 and possibly a second bird but too distant to confirm. Plus, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Gadwall, 8 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 4 Great Crested Grebe (and still one large chick), 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Little Grebe (with one large chick), 1 Raven, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel (male), 1 juv Sparrowhawk, 1 Pied/possible juv White Wagtail still. Also, single Common Sandpipers at Sheepwash and Lane End, and a Spotted Flycatcher photographed by a visitor in Hall Wood.James Owen (STW vol ranger)
2012-08-28An Osprey flew south this morning between 10.10 and 10.15. 43 Cormorants in front of Sheepwash. 28 Mute Swans, 4 Grey Heron, 8 Teal, 6 Gadwall, drake Wigeon, 3 Pochard, Greenshank, 3 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpiper, Hobby south at 13.18, 3 Buzzards, 25+ Swallows, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Linnets, 2 Raven. 1'300 Lesser Black Backed Gulls at 19.30 with more birds still coming in. Also 55 BH Gulls in front of Sailing Club. Dave Newcombe
2012-08-27Webs count for August - Mute Swan 23, Canada Goose 306, Barnacle Goose 9, Cormorant 15, Grey Heron 4, Little Egret 1, Great Crested Grebe 31, Little Grebe 3, Moorhen 2, Coot 263, Mallard 124, Teal 2, Tufted Duck 143, Lapwing 37, Curlew 1, Common Sandpiper 2, Black-headed Gull 67, Lesser Black- backed Gull 16, Yellow-legged Gull 1 plus 1 Kestrel and 3 Common Buzzards.Jonathan Bradley
2012-08-23Yellow-legged Gull killed and ate Dabchick in front of WLC. 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Whitethroat and c8 Linnet Stones Island. Neil Moulden
2012-08-21In addition to James' sightings. 4 Grey Herons, 6 Barnacle Geese, Wigeon, Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 3 Teal, Pochard, 3 Whitethroats, c35 Goldfinch. Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2012-08-21WLC: 1 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 2 Raven, 3 Teal, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, Little Grebe pair with 2 large chicks, Great Crested Grebe pair with two large chicks, and another pair still nesting, juv Grey Heron. Also, Kingfisher by Sheepwash early AM.James Owen (STW vol ranger)
2012-08-2121 Cormorant from Sheepwash. Greenshank, 2 Snipe on Horseshoe Island. Osprey through low past Stones Island at 1920hrs, flushing the gathering gull roost, then high south. Hobby flushed the starling roost on Stones Island then chased hirrundines at 2000hrs. 1 Redshank and 1 Common sandpiper. Gull roost at dusk: 2400 Lesser Black-backed, 3 Yellow-legged and 1 Herring Gull.Roger Carrington
2012-08-201 Little Egret,1 Ringed Plover,2 Common Sandpiper,1 Greenshank,4 Snipe,5 Teal,1 Pochard,c400 Starling and 1 Green Woodpecker.Clive Ashton
2012-08-19Kingfisher around Millfields. Eclipse male Red-crested Pochard, 1 Greylag, female Tufted with bill saddle 'AAS' still near Sailing Club. 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Whitethroat in WLC Creek. 8 Heron, 2 Teal, 1 Common Sandpiper from Sheepwash.Roger Carrington
2012-08-161 Greenshank,2 Common Sandpiper,3 Grey Heron,3 Linnet,Sparrowhawk.Clive Ashton
2012-07-284 Grey Heron, 9 Barnacle Geese, 18 Cormorants, 3 Buzzards, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, 9 Black-tailed Godwits late evening, Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, Yellow-legged Gull, Herring Gull, 43 LBB Gulls, juv Common Gull, 5 Common Terns, c350 Starlings on Stones Island late evening.Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton/Roger Carrington
2012-07-24Several pairs of Great Crested Grebes with young. 9 Barnacle Geese, 5 Grey Heron, female type Shoveler, 3 Oystercatchers, 3 Common Sandpipers, Redstart on WLC Creek, adult Yellow-legged Gull eating a Bh Gull in front of Sailing Club, 50+ LBB Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 5 Common Terns, 15 Pied Wagtails, 4 Sand Martins, 300 Starlings around Stones Island late evening. Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2012-07-24Juv Redstart near Shiningford Creek, and a Yellow Wagtail over mid-morning. 4 or 5 Common Tern around Sailing Club Island. WLC: 1 Common Sandpiper on Horseshoe Island, Great Crested Grebe pair with two chicks, Little Grebe pair with two chicks. Yellow-legged Gull on raft. James Owen (STW vol ranger)
2012-07-23WeBS count for July:Mute Swan 25,Canada Goose 282, Barnacle Goose 9,Cormorant 6,Mallard 133,Gadwall 2,Tufted Duck 116(four broods of 6,7,2 and 5),Great Crested Grebe 32(eleven broods of 1,3,2,2,2,2,1,1,4,2 and 3),Little Grebe 5,Coot 212,Moorhen 1,Common Tern 5,Black-headed Gull 42,Yellow-legged Gull 1,Lapwing 28,Oystercatcher 1,Redshank 1.Peter Gibbon
2012-07-22Sheepwash hide: Tufted Duck with 4 fresh young, Stock Dove, group of 5 Jays. New Reedbed: 2 broods of x4 Tufted Ducks, 2 Reed Warblers singing. Great Crested Grebes with young chicks at Brownale Bay, New Reedbed & Big Island (2, 2 & at least 1). Yellow-Legged Gull on Watersports raft, 2 Common Terns. Tufted Duck with large brood of fresh chicks on Watersports Island. Grey Wagtail on Stones IslandJohn Matkin
2012-07-2024 Common Scoter (13 drakes) at 1630hrs then flew high SW at 1815hrs. At least 6 Common Terns including a pair displaying on Watersports raft. Tree Sparrow feeding young in box 0304 WLC Creek. 7 Oystercatcher flying around together. 1 Turnstone, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper on Sailing Club Island and a Greenshank mobile at 1930hrs. 4 Cormorants roosting on Lane Ends osprey platform/perch.Roger Carrington
2012-07-194 drake Common Scoter present all day off Stones Island. Grey Heron, 9 Barnacle Geese. 3 Common Sandpipers and 4 Oystercatchers. A male Sparrowhawk inside the Wildlife Centre was released unharmed. The adult Yellow-legged Gull. 6 Common Terns (5 adults and a juvenile) and 1 Arctic Tern. Spotted Flycatcher on WLC Creek. Following on from the 9 broods of Great-crested Grebe I had last week, Roger has noted a further 3 separate broods which constitutes an exceptional year! Tufted Duck broods are now starting to appear. We had a female with 6 young near the Sailing Club and several other broods have been noted. Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2012-07-17WLC: 1 Peregrine, 1 Kestrel, 1 Yellow-legged Gull on raft, Coot pair with 2 chicks, Great Crested Grebe pair with 3 chicks, 8 Lapwing Also, 1 female Redstart with at least one fledged young near Shiningford Creek, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Raven at Sheepwash mid-morning, Tufted Duck brood with 10 chicks at Paul Stanley.James Owen (STW vol. ranger)
2012-07-12An Osprey on site this evening. First seen from Stones Island at 18.20 flying south. Both myself and Roger watched it seemingly disappear over Blackwall Plantation. Then just before 19.00 as we were standing on the causeway to Stones Island the Osprey re-appeared over Horseshoe Island carrying a fish. It then flew approx west and was lost to view. Also of note was 9 broods of Great Crested Grebes totalling 17 young. Also 3 Grey Herons, 321 Canada Geese, 10 Barnacle Geese, 4 Greylag Geese, 3 Gadwall, Teal, 3 Buzzards, Kestrel, adult and flighted juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpipers, adult Yellow-legged Gull, Green Woodpecker, Spotted Flycatchers feeding young still on WLC Creek, 5 Whitethroats, 2 Raven and a Linnet. Dave Newcome
2012-07-103 Greylag Geese, 1 Greylag/Canada hybrid, Great crested Grebes still feeding 3 young at Sheepwash, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Raven, 4 Buzzard, adult Yellow legged Gull.Clive Ashton
2012-07-09Wildlife Centre: Mallard with 5. Hall Wood: Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff & Blackcap all feeding fledged young. Goldcrest with at least 3 fledged chicks. 2 Buzzards over. Fishtail Creek: 2 family groups of Willow Tits (total of 8 counted around the reservoir). Millfields: 10 Barnacle Geese, 3 Jays (also single birds at Fishtail Creek & Tail Bay). Also of note: 2 Kestrels, Swallow feeding young on tower, juv Bullfinch at Shinigford Creek & 127 Coots countedJohn Matkin
2012-07-09A total of 11 drake Common Scoters. 9 were present early morning, but by mid morning only 1 remained. Then by mid afternoon the 1 that was left was joined by 2 more. Also of note: Grey Heron, 10 Barnacle Geese, 4 Greylag Geese, drake Pochard, Great Crested Grebes with 3 fresh young at Sheepwash, 2 Kestrel, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 1st summer Common Gull, 3 juvenile Redstarts on WLC creek, Spotted Flycatchers still feeding young on WLC creek, 2 Grey Wagtails on Stones Island, 4 Reed Warblers (2 at the WLC, and 2 in Hopton Reedbed.Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton

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