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
2009-01-13Drake Common Scoter from P S Hide. Female Scaup from Sheepwash Hide. 3 Great Northern Divers. Gull Roost: 3000 Black-headed Gulls, 500 Common Gulls, 250 Lesser Black-backed, 3 Great Black-backed, 10 Herring and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.Roger Carrington
2009-01-12A miserable day weatherwise. Heavy mist/fog until gone midday, then heavy rain. From the wildlife centre only: Six species of duck. Lapwing (~100); Snipe (5) - Horseshoe Island; only two species of tit - Blue and Great; plenty of Chaffinches and Tree Sparrows; only one Great Crested Grebe but dozens of Little Grebes; corvids - Magpie, Jackdaw and Crow; calling Dunnocks and plenty of singing Robins.Ray and Margaret Perry
2009-01-07From the Paul Stanley hide ca 3.15pm: Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult Goosander 7 Common Scoter 1 male Gadwall 1 pairPaul Mollatt
2009-01-053 Great Northern Divers, drake Common Scoter, 2 Ravens, 2 Kestrels, female Sparrowhawk, 80 Redwings, 4 Fieldfare, 10 Song Thrush, 7 Bullfinch, 5 Reed Bunting, 3 Grey Herons, Kingfisher, 6 Goldeneye, also female Scaup reported by P.Bennet.Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2009-01-02Of note: Great Northern Diver (2) - off Watersports Island & between Stones Island and Fishtail Creek. Grey Heron (1), Redshank (2), Fieldfare (1) and Redwing (1). Ray and Margaret Perry
2009-01-02From Paul Stanley Hide at around 1500 hours: Previously reported female Scaup not seen by me. The Common Scoter was still around, being seen most often c.20 metres off the far shore to the left of the island whilst diving a lot. Stunning views-albeit at 60x magnification! One Marsh/Willow Tit briefly seen by the feeders from the hide-I got too brief a look to tell but the chap next to me called it as a Willow Tit. Heard Willow Tit from nearby trees soon afterward. On the feeders were Blue Tit, Great Tit, and a host of Long-Tailed Tits. One Redshank browsing on the waterline just in front of the hide. Many hundreds of wildfowl on water in front, including Pochard, Wigeon, Coot, Tufted Duck. One Moorhen decided to come up to the bank just a few feet in front of the hide before rapidly deciding that it was a bad idea! On island directly in front were c. 20 Cormorant, along with about 50 Black-headed Gull and some Lesser Black-backed Gull. Chris Richards
2009-01-013 Great Northern Divers. Millfields Spit, Stones Island, Dam Wall. 1 drake Common Scoter PSHide/ Hopton Arm. 1 Female Scaup PSHide. Kingfisher, Buzzard, etc. 53 species by 1200hrs.Roger Carrington
2008-12-312 Snipe, plus 1 Goldeneye, 4 Long-tailed tits, 1 Song Thrush, 26 Lapwing, 65 Coot - all from the WLCRichard, Frances and Ken Pittam
2008-12-302 Great Northern Divers from Sheepwash, female Scaup from Paul Stanley, Peregrine over Horseshoe Island, 4 Snipe, 2 Redshanks, 12+ Goldeneye, 2 Sparrowhawks, Raven, 2 Grey Herons.Dave Newcombe
2008-12-30One Great Northern Diver very briefly seen off the right hand side of Sheepwash Hide. One Kestrel seen hovering by the path leading from Lane End Hide to the Wildlife Centre. From Lane End Hide, big flock of waterbirds directly in front, including Tufted Duck, Coot, and a Little Grebe. From about three o'clock onwards big passage of gulls moving down the reservoir. Poor views showed quite a few Common Gulls and also an immature Lesser Black-backed Gull. Chris Richards
2008-12-28At least one Snipe from the Wildlife Centre on the island in front, along with lots of Lapwing. From Sheepwash hide a presumed first winter Buzzard was seen on a pylon on the opposite bank. Also large buzzard was seen soaring on Western side of path by Sheepwash car park-again, presumed that it was the same. From Lane End Hide, lots on Goldeneye, Coot, and Wigeon in front, plus a Redshank on the bank just to the left side of the hide. Hundreds of coots in inlet by Sailing Club.C. Richards
2008-12-28First visit for 3 years! 43 species seen, including: Bullfinch, Tree Sparrow, Reed Bunting, Willow Tit, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Pochard, Wigeon, Goldeneye, Little Grebe, Great-crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Pheasant, Teal, Lapwing, Long-tailed Tit, Redshank, Gadwall, Redwing, Song Thrush, and many others. Peter Charlton
2008-12-26A cold but sunny Boxing Day. Of note: Great Northern Diver (1) - near Lane Ends hide, Coot (~600) between the Sailing Club and the Stones Island causeway, Lapwing (~200) - Horseshoe Island, Snipe (5) - Horseshoe Island, Redshank (2) - one on Horseshoe Island & one by Shiningford Creek, Redwing (4) - near the Wildlife Centre.Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-12-23No messageabb tom wareham
2008-12-22Very quiet on site today. Of Note: Grey Heron (1), Sparrowhawk (1 male) - pursued by two Crows, Lapwing (well over 100) - Horseshoe Island, Snipe (10) - Horseshoe Island, Redshank (1) - edge of Wildlife Centre Creek and Collared Dove (14) - near the ranger station. The most impressive sight today was of over 1000 birds occupying Shiningford Creek - mainly Canada Geese, Barnacle Geese, Tufted Ducks and Common Pochard.Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-12-20PS hide 3 Meadow Pipits, 2 Redshanks, 4 Lesser Black Backed Gulls plus all the usual suspects Sheepwash Hide 2 Redshanks, Teal, Little Grebes Vistor Centre At least 20 Snipe, Large number of Lapwing, Barnacle Geese visible in fieldsLeslie Fisher
2008-12-15OF NOTE: Six duck species noted including over 70 male Pochards, mostly in Shiningford Creek. Kestrel (1). Lapwing, 80+ on Horseshoe Island. Redshank (2) - seen from the Wildlife Centre, Snipe (7) - edge of Wildlife Centre Creek. Plants are coming back into life. Tiny catkins were noted and the Hawthorn is beginning to sprout new leaves. Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-12-15210 Pinkfeet flew low over Millfields at 1030hrs heading NW. 1 Chiffchaff near Warrington Knob. 1 Little Owl near the top of Oldfield Lane [just outside our recording area]. 1 Skylark fly-over. 2 Greylag Geese at Millfields. 3 G N Divers.Roger Carrington
2008-12-15WeBS count for December : 10 Mute Swan, 192 Canada Goose, 406 Wigeon, 41 Gadwall, 90 Teal, 122 Mallard, 1 Pintail, 1 Shoveler, 308 Pochard, 844 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Scoter, 16 Goldeneye, 3 Great Northern Diver, 80 Little Grebe, 59 great Crested Grebe, 51 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 31 Moorhen, 1,825 Coot, 172 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 3 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel.Peter Gibbon & John Bradley
2008-12-1111/12 18:14 DERBYSHIRE : Great Northern Diver, Carsington Water [A] adult and three juveniles; also 2 Scaup From bird guides
2008-12-112 Whooper Swans in front of Wildlife Centre.From bird guides
2008-12-11Apologies, forgot to also mention 1 Pink-footed Goose yesterday (the 10th). Associated mainly with Canada Geese, but also mixed with many Wigeon/Pochard/Tufted Ducks beyond Horseshoe Is.James Owen (ABB)
2008-12-0938 species seen from WLC during today's ABB, including 2 Great Northern Divers toward Watersports, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull which attempted to take a Coot but failed. Also singles of Kingfisher, Redshank, Snipe, Buzzard, Song Thrush, plus 2 Pied Wagtail. 1 Fox again late morning by the posts.James Owen (ABB)
2008-12-0936nr Species recorded from 11:00hr to 16:00hr, Millfields, WLC, Paul Stanley Hide and Sheepwash Hide. Species included :- Great Northern Diver (1) - Millfields Grey Wagtail (2) - PS and Sheepwash hide Willow Tit (1) – PS hide Redshank (1) – PS hide Long tail Tit (7-8) – Sheepwash hide Goldeneye (2) – female at Millfields and Male at Sheepwash David & Sue Edmonds
2008-12-072 Herring Gull - Millfields 4 Redpoll - WLC Car park 4 Siskin - WLC path 1 Pink footed Goose - with 2 Canada Geese - WLC creek field (@ 09.40h).Richard and Frances Pittam
2008-12-054 Great Northern Divers this morning at Stones/Lane End/Fishtail/Millfields [MAPass + RC]. 1 Female Scaup at Millfields. 2 Redshank. 3 Redpoll. 1 Skylark fly-over. 40 Redwing. Roger Carrington
2008-12-0320 + Goosander,(M & F), with Cormorants and a Redshank at Millfields Island.Bob and Gill Smith
2008-12-01Sunny but cold with occasional light snow showers. OF NOTE: Great Northern Diver (1) - off Horseshoe Island, Kestrel (1), Lapwing (1)!!, Redshank (2), Song Thrush (2), Bullfinch (3) - one male & two females.Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-11-2540 species seen at WLC during today's ABB, including 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Kingfisher (perching regularly toward Shiningford Creek), 2 Redshank, 10 Snipe, 1 Kestrel, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Goldeneye (toward fisheries), 15+ Little Grebe, and 1 Fox in the usual spot near the submerged fence posts. Also at Sheepwash, several Goldeneye, 1 Grey Wagtail. James Owen
2008-11-25Female Scaup duck. Shingford CreekBob and Gill Smith
2008-11-24Of note: Great Northern Diver (1) - fishing off Horseshoe Island, Little Grebe (16) - very close together by Horseshoe Island, Barnacle Goose (46) - including one with a brown body! Kestrel (1), Lapwing (~60) - on Horseshoe Island, Snipe (5) - edge of Wildlife Centre Creek, Redshank (1) - close to the Snipe, Long-tailed Tit - two flocks, one of 9 and one of ~20.Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-11-22From WLC:12 Snipe, including a rufous-coloured one (faroeensis?). Tree Sparrows, Redwing, Lapwing, Kingfisher, Kestrel, Redshank(3). Wildlife centre creek - 2 Tree Sparrows roosting in nestbox. Sheepwash: Bullfinch, Goldcrest, Treecreeper, 14 Goldeneye (6 male), 1 female Pintail, Teal, Pochard, Cormorant.Richard and Frances Pittam
2008-11-18WeBS count for November : 3 Great Northern Diver, 37 Great Crested Grebe, 80 Little Grebe, 62 Cormorant, 1 Heron, 26 Mute Swan, 56 canada Goose, 30+ Barnacle Goose, 152 Mallard, 75 Teal, 51 Gadwall, 341 Wigeon, 343 Tufted, 210 Pochard, 1 Scaup, 7 Scoter, 15 Goldeneye, Shoveller, 2175 Coot, 26 Moorhen, 274 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 1 Kingfisher, 30 Black-headed Gull, 81 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 1 Yellow-legged Gull.Peter Gibbon & John Bradley
2008-11-18PS Hide - Willow Tit 1nr, Redshank 1nr, Greater Spotted WP 2nr male, plus usual suspects of Teal, Tufted Duck, Coot, Tits etc. WLC - Along with usuals, Common Snipe 1nr, Tree Sparrow 2nr, GN Diver 1nr at Water sports bay and then maybe same bird by Sailing club. Grey Wagtail 1nr (juv or female) in carpark. David & Sue Edmonds
2008-11-17Female Scaup near to Big Island and the seven Scoter still present. Peter Gibbon
2008-11-162 waxwing near Kirk ireton village centre Friday 14th Nov.Dave Williams
2008-11-16Millfields:2 goldcrest, 12 Siskin Wildlife Centre:7 Snipe Visitor Centre:1 WaxwingRichard and Frances Pittam
2008-11-15Adult Ring-billed Gull in front of Sheepwash at 1530hrs then flew to main gull roost off Lane End. Adult Mediterranean Gull on Flat Island 1515hrs, and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls. 7 female type Common Scoter. 2 Great Northern Divers.Roger Carrington
2008-11-141 Adult Ring billed Gull in roost, 3 Yellow Legged Gull (from Sheepwash/PSHide). 7 female Common Scoter, PSHide. 3 GN Divers (2 Stones, 1 Sheepwash/Lane Ends). Goosander (1 drake). 2 Kingfishers. Usual other suspects!Steph' Hicking
2008-11-117 Female/immature Common Scoters from PS Hide. 3 Great Northern Divers showing around Stones Is area [Note that 4 were seen at same time yesterday] Adult Mediterranean Gull in roost from Lane End Hide. Several flocks of Starlings heading towards Shiningford Creek area at dusk.Roger Carrington
2008-11-10Cold and dull on site today. OF NOTE: Great Northern Diver (1) - fishing of Horseshoe Island, Snipe (3) - on muddy edge of Wildlife Centre Creek, Pochard (10 males) - Horseshoe Island.Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-11-092 great northern divers 5 siskin 1 bullfinch 1 dunlin 6 snipe 1 kestrel 1 sparrowhawk 4 redwing 3 goldfinch 1 common tern 1 lesser black backed gull 1 greenfinch tom wareham abb
2008-11-09Great Northern Diver - 2 off Stones Island this morning. from Bird Guides this morning
2008-11-054 Goldeneye (3m and 1f) at Lane End hide, in company with large numbers of Coot, Dabchicks, Tufted ducks, Teal and Mallards.Bob and Gill Smith
2008-11-047(F) Common Scoter from Paul Stanley early morning, plus 1 adult Yellow-leg Gull and a Kingfisher. WLC: 3 Redshank, 4 Snipe, 8+ Lapwing, 1 Peregrine on pylons between flights over Horseshoe Island. Many Redwing and Fieldfare mainly between WLC and Shiningford Farm.James Owen
2008-11-03Relatively quiet on site today. 36 species seen around midday. Of Note: Great Northern Diver (1) - fishing off Horseshoe Island; Common Pochard (1); Kestrel (1); Lapwing (~30); Redshank (2) - Wildlife Centre Creek; Fieldfare (~100) - off site near Longcliffe; Redwing (~30) - near Wildlife Centre; RAVEN (1) - calling over reservoir at about 12.30pm; Bullfinch (1 male). Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-11-03An interesting day, from Sheepwash:8 Common Scoter(7f,1m)a Turnstone showing very close infront of the hide,1 Redshank,1 Dunlin (later on Flat Island),1 Goldeneye,Kingfisher,Raven,Yellow-legged Gull. The Great Northern Diver, having kept itself hidden all day, suddenly appeared amongst the Gull roost at 16:00hr.Several hundred Starlings moving NE as darkness fell,probably attracted the interest of a Peregrine which flew low over the field on the way from Sheepwash hide.Clive Ashton
2008-11-032 Kingfishers showing well and hovering near Paul Stanley this morning and a Turnstone at Sheepwash.Tony
2008-10-30Well over 1000 Coot seen in Wildlife Centre Creek from the centre. About 20 Lapwings present by the creek and one Dunlin was seen to fly from Horseshoe Island to the end of the creek. Two other birders reported to us that they had seen a Great Northern Diver near Lane Ends hide late in the morning. They had been alerted to its presence by pager.Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-10-29Great Northern Diver infront of Lane End early afternoon.Clive Ashton

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