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
2011-01-28Smew still present, swimming amidst the Goldeneye, off the top end of the dam.john babb
2011-01-282 Great Northern Divers ( looked like the usual two) together just south of Fishtail Creek. No other divers spotted in 3 1/2 hours spent watching from various points.john babb
2011-01-26Both Great Northern Divers were seen together in front of Sheepwash around lunchtime. I then scanned the open water towards Millfields and picked out a third Diver. Although distant and in the mist it was clearly a Diver sp and due to its apparent smaller size I would plump for a Red-throated Diver. Despite Clive and me searching we couldn't re-locate the bird. RTD's rarely stay long and maybe it came down in the mist and then left when it cleared. Would be nice though if somebody could re-find it. Also seen today was the female Smew near the draw off tower. 3 Pink-footed Geese with the flock of Canada Geese near the Dam. Also 32 Barnacle Geese, a Canada/Greylag hybrid, 2 Pintail, c25 Goldeneye, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls and a skein of c150 Pink-feet flew West at 14.25hrs. Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2011-01-26Half a dozen or so M and F Immature Smew. Hopton end.Bob and Gill Smith
2011-01-24Usual viewing time around midday. Thirty three species of bird observed. Only covered the Wildlife Centre (WC) and Stones Island (SI). Of note: Grey Heron (1) - Shiningford Creek, Barnacle Goose (33) - 31 on Watersport's Island, Pink-footed Goose (1) - with a flock of Canada Geese on SI; it was a bit jumpy but did not fly off when the flock was approached. The Canada Goose flock took no notice of the close proximity of people. Lapwing (~90) - mainly on Horseshoe Island (HI), Redshank (2) - one near the WC and one on SI, Song Thrush (1), Redwing (12) - on SI and a Chaffinch flock (~40) - flying between HI and trees by the WC.Ray and Margaret Perry
2011-01-24Female Smew near the draw off tower and 3 female Goosander at Millfields. 2 juv Great Northern Divers seen well from both Lane End and Sheepwash. 43 Pink-footed Geese over west at 09.55hrs and 170 west at 11.00hrs. 24 Barnacle Geese, c25 Goldeneye, 2 Pintail, 315 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, female Sparrowhawk, 15 Pheasants, Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming. c10 GBB Gull, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, c350 Common Gulls and an adult Med Gull. Dave Newcombe
2011-01-192 Great Northern Divers, 2 Pink-footed Geese with Canada Geese on Stones Island, female Smew, 3 Pintail, 4 Goosander, c25 Goldeneye, 3 Redshank, 144 Lapwing, 5 Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Grey Heron and a Meadow Pipit. Dave Newcombe
2011-01-192 GN divers from Lane End hidejohn babb
2011-01-1732 species seen around midday. Worth mentioning: Great Northern Diver (1) - off Stones Island, Little Grebe (1), Barnacle Goose (6) - on the back of Horseshoe Island, Moorhen (3), Lapwing (24) - mostly by the Sailing Club, Redshank (3) - Wildlife Centre Creek and Shiningford Creek, Willow Tit (1) - in trees next to the Wildlife Centre (WC), Rook (~30) - just off site at the southern end of the site, quite close to the dam and Reed Bunting (pair) - behind WC feeding station.Ray and Margaret Perry
2011-01-171 Great Northern Diver, 2 Pintail, c30 Goldeneye, 3 Redshank, Curlew over Stones Island at c09.00, Dunlin, 65 Lapwing, Snipe, 2 Shelduck on Stones Island and then later at Sheepwash. Yellow-legged Gull, 12 Herring Gull, Peregrine over Sheepwash, Kingfisher, Meadow Pipit and 12 Pheasant. Didn't see the female Smew today but a few birders had seen it between Millfields and Sailing Club.Dave Newcombe
2011-01-16WeBS count for January - Mute Swan 10,Canada Goose 38,Barnacle Goose 33,Wigeon 231,Gadwall 2,Teal 110,Mallard 210,Pintail 2,Pochard 17,Tufted Duck 553(BTO say unusually high number),Goldeneye 25(also BTO says high) Smew 1,Great Northern Diver 1,Little Grebe 1,Great Crested Grebe 24,Cormorant 27,Grey Heron 1,Moorhen 4,Coot 1340,Lapwing 41,Redshank 1.Peter Gibbon and John Bradley
2011-01-132 Great Northern Diver. Female Smew near draw-off tower, Millfields end of dam wall. 104 Teal. 3 Heron. 1 Skylark flew over west. 1 Little Egret briefly on Sheepwash Spit at 1045hrs, then at Hopton End reedbed, also 1 Grey Wagtail there.Roger Carrington
2011-01-1229 species of bird seen around midday. Only explored from the wildlife centre to Stones Island. Of note: Coot (~700) - mainly between Stones Island and the Sailing Club. Lapwing - just one by Wildlife Centre Creek, Redshank (1), Song Thrush (1), Coal Tit (1) and Goldfinch (2).Ray and Margaret Perry
2011-01-122 Great Northern Divers, drake Pintail, 33 Goldeneye, female Goosander, 2 Redshank, Sparrowhawk, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 23 Herring Gulls, 4 GBB Gulls and a Raven.Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2011-01-102 Great Northern Divers, 1 near the Dam Wall and 1 off Stones Island. Female Smew by the draw off tower. Drake Pintail, 41 Goldeneye (32 near the Dam Wall in two groups of 22 and 10, and 9 between Sheepwash and P.Stanley). 5 Pheasant, 2 Redshank, Kestrel, Yellow-legged Gull, 6 Fieldfare, 2 Lesser Redpoll, and c40 Siskin. Dave Newcombe
2011-01-089 Pintails, Male Goldeneye, Yellow Legged Gull 2 Sparrowhawks from PS Hide 35 Widgeon from SW hideLes Fisher
2011-01-0631 species around midday. Of note: Great Crested Grebe (8), Sparrowhawk (1), Lapwing (10), Willow Tit (3) - repeatedly feeding from wildlife centre feeding station, Coal Tit (1), Reed Bunting (1).Ray and Margaret Perry
2011-01-06Sheepwash to Fishtail Creek- 38 species- including: Pochard (x5), Goldeneye, Little Grebe (x4), Great Crested Grebe (x17), Great Northern Diver. Hall Wood: Treecreeper (x2), Nuthatch (x3), Goldcrest (x2), Siskin (x35+).John Matkin
2011-01-062 juv Great Northern Divers. Female Smew off dam wall at 0915hrs but no sign later. 2 Drake Shoveler on Millfields Spit. 3 Skylark south over Stones Island. Gull roost poor and widely spread, conservative estimate; 2500 Black-headed, 300 Common, 150 Herring, 200 LBBG, 26 GBBG, 1 Yellow-legged Gull.Roger Carrington
2011-01-042 GN Divers, including 1 in flight,1 Drake Pintail,1 Female Goosander,1 Redshank,YL Gull and 2+GBBG.Gull roost c1000 birds mainly on the ice, best viewed from Lane End.Clive Ashton
2011-01-02Female Smew in Hopton Arm near Big Island. 2 Great Northern Diver this morning near Fishtail. 1 Pinkfoot flew in to Millfields with Canadas. 2 Skylark NE over Millfields. 2 drake Goosander near Millfields Island. Also 2 Redshank, Tawny Owl, Fieldfare, Nuthatch, 52 species 0800-1200hrs.Roger Carrington
2011-01-02Sheepwash Hide - 15:30hr. Cormorant [9], Pintail pair M&F, Teal, Wigeon, Pochard, Tufted, Coot, BH Gull, LBB Gull, Redshank [1], David & Sue Edmonds
2010-12-31A low list today, as the reservoir is still partly frozen. Good flocks of Wigeon, Mallard and Coot from WLC.Richard, Frances and Ken Pittam
2010-12-27Great northern diver. Raven. Smew. antony wilson
2010-12-242 Great Northern Divers near the mouth of Fishtail Creek plus a hybrid Athya duck (Pochard x Tufted Duck)?, with small flock of Pochard in Upperfields Bay.Jonathan Bradley
2010-12-24Walked from Stones island to Paul Stanley,good to see some of the small birds are surviving the cold spell. 23 Fieldfare,16 Blackbird,6 Song Thrush,8 Willow Tit,8 Bullfinch,3 Treecreeper,2 Wren,plenty of Chaffinch and Tree Sparrow.A Peregrine flew over Sheepwash carpark. Reservoir still mainly frozen.Clive Ashton
2010-12-215 Waxwing feeding in small trees in the hedge along the path between Sheepwash and Paul Stanley hides at 9:00, but none present 30 minutes later. Also, 2 Great Northern Divers in the open waters on East Bank - one viewed from Sheepwash, the other throughout the day from WLC. And 1 Little Owl showing in the field behind WLC. From the Wildlife Centre: 1 Lapwing, 1 Redshank, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Grey Heron, and 1 Kingfisher. A group of upto 18 Wigeon in small area of water behind Horseshoe Island. Several Goldeneye and more than 15 Great Crested Grebe very distant. Many Redwing and Fieldfare now allowing much closer observation around WLC and Shiningford Creeks.James Owen (RSPB vol.)
2010-12-21WeBS count for December:Mute Swan 27,Pink-footed Goose 44 flying over,Canada Goose 54,Wigeon 325,Gadwall 70,Teal 23,Mallard 204,Pochard 75,Tufted Duck 692('unusually high number'BTO),Goldeneye 19,Smew 1,Goosander 1,Great Northern Diver 2(UHN says BTO),Little Grebe 18,Great Crested Grebe 95(UHN),Slavonian Grebe 1,Cormorant 25,Sparrowhawk 1,Buzzard 1,Kestrel 2,Moorhen 6,Coot 1,783(UHN),Lapwing 5,Snipe 1,Redshank 2. Peter Gibbon and John Bradley
2010-12-20Most of the reservoir was sitting under ice today with only a few small pockets of water. There was one pocket off Sailing Club Island where there was a couple of Goldeneye amongst the usual stuff. Also a Redshank on the back of the island. Another small pocket was near Lane End but I couldn't see anything of note there. I saw Roger who said that there was a narrow strip of water running along the East Bank where he had seen both GN Divers. There was a Dunlin on the Dam Wall and I had 4 Siskin near the Wildlife Centre but that was about it. Dave Newcombe
2010-12-192 Great Northern Divers off Stones Island, Slavonian Grebe in Millfields Bay plus 4 Ravens over and a redhead Smew in Shiningford Creek.Jonathan Bradley
2010-12-15Low count of species today at 27. It was nice to see a black rumped male Gadwall by Stones Island, a very smart looking duck. We also noted 43 Barnacle Geese in Wildlife Centre Creek. There was also a Redshank on Stones Island. Ray and Margaret Perry
2010-12-15Slavonian Grebe still in Millfields Bay. 2 Great Northern Divers, the juvenile in front of Sheepwash Hide late afternoon. A Knot on Stones Island. 23 Goldeneye between Millfields and Stones Island and a total count of 29. 3 Pintail, 2 female Goosander, Dunlin, Redshank. A Peregrine was having a mid-air battle with 2 Ravens over Hall Wood early afternoon, and then that or another bird was attacking BH Gulls near dusk. 2 Buzzards, Yellow-legged Gull, 17 Herring Gull, 2 Mistle Thrush and c75 Redwing. Dave Newcombe
2010-12-14Slavonian Grebe still present in Millfields bay at 08:00 this morning, 13 Goosander flew over east.Clive Ashton
2010-12-13Slavonian Grebe still present in Millfields Bay. Great Northern Diver, pr of Mandarin, 3 Pintail (2 drakes and a female), drake Goosander, 16 Goldeneye, Redshank, Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 150 Common Gulls, 23 Hering Gulls, adult Yellow-legged Gull, Grey Wagtail, 50+ Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Raven. Dave Newcombe
2010-12-122 Great Northern Divers seen at same time late pm. 1juv, the other too distant to age. 5 Drake Shoveler at WLC. 5 Curlew flew east at dusk. Slavonian Grebe early afternoon at Millfields, could not be found there late pm. Recorded by others; Yellow-legged Gull reported eating a grebe at Sailing Club late pm !!. 6 Whooper Swan flew west. 2 Waxings flew over P S Hide. Roger Carrington
2010-12-11Just a quick visit this morning. The Slavonian Grebe which was found yesterday was showing well in Millfields Bay best viewed from near the slipway. Also in the bay was 14 Goosander. Not seen by me but the Great Northern Diver was seen near Stones Island with there possibly being 2 birds present. Dave Newcombe
2010-12-10From Birdguides - Slavonian Grebe - from Millfields..
2010-12-08water rail, spotted by chance as i was at the kitchen sink, it was looking for food in the brook which runs past my house down speedwell mill ,millers green , wirksworth.chris wilbraham
2010-12-06Great Northern Diver off Stones Island, 12 Goldeneye, 3 Shoveler, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Redshank, Dunlin, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Great-black Backed Gulls, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, Brambling, 5 Song Thrush and 2 Raven. Dave Newcombe
2010-11-292 Whooper Swans located off Stones Island late afternoon before flying off West. 15+ Goldeneye, 2 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, adult Yellow-legged Gull, c20 Siskin, 15+ Bullfinch, 2 Jays, c75 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush and a Kingfisher. Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2010-11-28Four waxwing, garden in Kirk IretonNeil Venables
2010-11-251 Snow Bunting on Stones Island from 0830hrs this morning. Elusive and mobile, calling when in flight. Mainly feeding on seed, creeping among short weeds on shore.Roger Carrington
2010-11-252 Whooper Swans behind Stones Island 1 DunlinMartin Hanks
2010-11-24Great Northern Diver, 2 Pintail, Red-crested Pochard, 13 Goldeneye, 3 Buzzards, 4 Sparrowhawks, 8 Snipe, 5 Redshank, Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Raven and a Brambling. Dave Newcombe
2010-11-2342 species at the WLC today, included 5 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Siskin, 1 Dunlin, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 8 Fieldfare over, and 1 Little Owl. Very large and active flocks of Lapwing c.400 mobile throughout the day. Elsewhere 2 Redshank on Stones Island, and 1 male Sparrowhawk over the main car park.James Owen (RSPB vol.)
2010-11-23Goldeneye 10 Millfields. Yellowhammer 1 flew over Millfields. Lapwing c.350. Common Gull 300+ (I stopped counting at 300!). Yellow Legged Gull 2 adult. Herring Gull 3. Steph Hicking
2010-11-22Thirty one species around midday. Of note: Kestrel (female) - hovering & hunting on Stones Island (SI), Coot (at least 600) - in the bay next to SI and the sailing club, Lapwing (160) - Horseshoe Island (HI) and in front of the sailing club, Redshank (1) - HI, Bullfinch (male) - near wildlife centre. Ray and Margaret Perry
2010-11-22Black Redstart again present by the overflow at the Millfields end of the Dam Wall. Please note that Millfields car park is now open. Great Northern Diver off Stones Island. 2 Pintail, 9 Goldeneye, 4 Redshank, 3 Buzzards, 13 Meadow Pipit, 35 Redwing, c25 Blackbirds, 2 Fieldfare, 9 Pheasant, 6 Bullfinch, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, several Herring Gulls and a Raven. A joint effort from Roger and myself produced 282 Common Gulls.Dave Newcombe
2010-11-20Black Redstart still present near the overflow at the Millfields end of the Dam Wall. The juvenile Great Northern Diver close to the Dam Wall early morning. At least 6 Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost and the resident adult was seen killing and eating a female Tufted Duck on Sheepwash Spit. 1st winter Med Gull also in the roost together with several Herring and GBB Gulls. Also seen from Sheepwash was 3 Redshank, 3 Snipe, 2 Dunlin, 326 Lapwing, 2 Pintail, 8 Goldeneye, 2 Raven, Peregrine, 13 Redwing, 9 Pheasant, 10 Meadow Pipits and a Fieldfare. Dave Newcombe
2010-11-181 Brambling (Sheepwash feeders) 12.55 2 Willow Tits Lane End Feeders and 2 @ PS Feeders; Female Sparrowhawk causing chaos around the sheepwash spit; 4 Dunlin; 1 Redshank; 1 Yellow Legged Gull. David Bennett (VR)

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