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
2008-08-11Peregrine being mobbed by Black Headed Gulls at the Wildlife Centre, Sparrowhawk, 4 Buzzards, Kestrel, Yellow-Legged Gull, 2 Gadwall, Teal, 7 Swifts, 5 Linnets, 4 juvenile Goldfinches, 2 Common Sandpipers, 5 broods of Tufted Duck of 8/7/5/5/2, juvenile Little Grebe, 31 Mute Swans including 3 juveniles, Willow Tit.Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2008-08-101 peregrine falcon, 1 shelduck, 1 willow warbler, 1 willow tit, 1 greenfinch, 1 coal tit, 2 raven, 1 buzzard, 1 kestrel, 1 redshank, 1 sparrowhawk, 2 bullfinch, 2 linnet, 2 goldfinch, 1 herring gull, 1 lesser black backed gull, 14 cormorant, 2 pied wagtail, 1 grey wagtail, 2 redstart, swift, swallow, house martin, 4 blackbird, robin, wren, blue tit, great tit, canada goose, collared dove, wood pigeon, 1 rabbit.abb tom wareham
2008-08-04Few birds found today. Very few are singing at the moment. OF NOTE: Mute Swan (25 adults plus cygnets), Grey Heron (1) - close to the Wildlife Centre, harrassed and driven away by screeching Black-headed Gulls, Tufted Duck - including 5 ducklings, Lapwing (3) - including a juvenile, Common Tern (2), Dunnock - one heard using its contact call, Garden Warbler (1).Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-08-04Peregrine, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 5 Raven, Yellow-Legged Gull, 2 juvenile Goldcrests, 3 Common Sandpipers, 5 Linnets, 2 adult Common Terns and 1 young, 4 Tufted Duck broods of 7/6/6/2, Kingfisher, Moorhen with 3 fresh young, Willow Warbler singing, Whitethroat, c300 Jackdaws. Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2008-08-041 redstart, 1 linnet, 3 common tern, 1 dunlin, 2 bullfinch, 1 willow warbler.abb tom wareham
2008-08-03MALLARD,PIED WAGTAIL,SAND MARTIN,SWALLOW,GOLDFINCH,BLACKBIRD,LBB GULL,HERON,HOUSE MARTIN,CANADA,MUTE,COMMON TERN, LITTLE GREBE,COOT,TUFTED DUCK,GREAT CRESTED GREBE,MOORHENTED
2008-07-30A short visit around midday. Only 28 species of bird identified. OF NOTE: Mute Swan (24), Redshank (1), Common Tern (1), Pied Wagtail (10 including juveniles): Warblers:- Blackcap, Willow Warbler & Chiffchaff - heard only (on Stones Island), Bullfinch (1 male) - on feeding station at the Wildlife Centre (WC).Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-07-302 Common Terns with 1 young at the Wildlife centre, 7 Pochard, 5 Linnet, 2 Common Sandpiper, Black Tailed Godwit, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Little Grebe young at last! A pair with 3 young at Sheepwash, although it appeared that 1 had been lost by the end of the day.Dave Newcombe
2008-07-295 Common Scoters remained throughout the day, also a Peregrine was chased away by the nesting Common Terns around midday over the WLC. The Yellow-legged Gull lingered at PS hide through the morning until shooed away from the raft by Cormorants. By afternoon 1 Black-tailed Godwit at WLC, later 1 at PS hide (probably the same bird).James Owen (ABB)
2008-07-291 Black Tern feeding with 9 Common Terns off Stones Island, plus 14 Common Terns roosting in front of Sailing Club at 0800hrs. No sign at 0930hrs. 5 Common Scoters off Stones Island. Greenshank over Stones Is. Near adult Yellow-legged Gull at PS Hide.Roger Carrington
2008-07-23Short visit. Only viewed from the visitor centre to the Wildlife Centre. Very few species were seen but the following were of interest: Mute Swan with 2 cygnets, Lapwings, Common Tern - 2 adults plus one chick on raft and Peregrine.Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-07-23Both Male and Female Sparrowhawk, 2 probable Common Scoter(very distant), 6 Pochard, Gadwall, 7 Linnet, Little Ringed Plover, Yellow Legged Gull, 2 broods of Tufted duck, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiff Chaff, 2 Common Terns with a juvenile which was in the water between the raft and Horseshoe Island.Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2008-07-221 peregrine falcon 1 greenfinch 1 goldfinch 4 linnet 2 common tern 9 oystercatcher 2 teal 2 bullfinch 1 willow warbler abb tom wareham
2008-07-21Peregrine seen from Sheepwash, also 1 seen by two observers in the morning. Drake Common Scoter, Common Sandpiper, 2 adult Common Terns but only 1 young at the Wildlife Centre, 2 Buzzards, 2 Ravens, Kestrel, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Greylag Geese. Dave Newcombe
2008-07-20approx 30 Barnacle Geese swimming towards Millfields along the dam wall in a group of 20 and then a group of 10 at about 13:30 and 13:45 respectivelySimon Jackson
2008-07-19No messagetom wareham
2008-07-18From the Wildlife Centre a male Linnet was on horseshoe Island,at least one Common Tern chick was visible.A short walk into the creek produced a family of Long tailed Tits, with at least 6 youngsters sunning themselves on a branch also 2 Treecreepers. From Paul Stanley the 2 Greylags still with a large gathering of Canada Geese,a partially leucistic Carrion Crow flew over the hide and 2 Curlew flew South down the reservoir.Clive Ashton
2008-07-16Common Sandpiper at Wildlife Centre, 6 Ravens from Sheepwash presumably the adults and 4 young from Carsington, 3+ Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Dunlin, Linnet with Goldfinches on Sheepwash spit, ad Pied Wagtails with 3 juveniles and female Tufted Duck with 7 juveniles both P.Stanley, Yellow Legged Gull on Sailing club island, many Swifts and House Martins moving through in their hundreds, Mallard with 7 very fresh young at Wildlife centre.Dave Newcombe
2008-07-153 redshank 2 common tern 2 bullfinch 4 oystercatcher little grebe with 3 eggs 1 buzzard 1 sparrowhawk abb tom wareham
2008-07-14An unseasonal drake Wigeon was seen from Sheepwash hide but flew down Hopton arm after being flushed by a boat. Also present was a Shelduck, drake Shoveler, 4 Teal, Buzzard, male Sparrowhawk, Little Ringed Plover and a Curlew on Stones Island. Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2008-07-132 Black Tailed Godwits at Paul Stanley, Oystercatcher, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Pied Wagtail, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coot, Moorhen, Great Crested Grebe, Swift, House Martin, Mallard, Cormorant, Heron, Canada Geese, Black Headed Gull, Carrion Crow. Tom Kitchen/Sophie Denley Hunt
2008-07-131 goldfinch 1 little grebe with 1 egg outside the wlc 4 oystercatcher 1 common gull abb tom wareham
2008-07-08mallard duckling caught by red fox at wildlife centresimon jackson
2008-07-081 sparrowhawk 1 kestrel 1 buzzard 2 common tern with 2 chicks 3 oystercatcher 2 teal 4 gadwall 1 fox tom wareham abb
2008-07-07The pair of Common Terns on the raft at the Wildlife Centre now have 2 chicks, Yellow Legged Gull still around Paul Stanley hide area, 36 Mute Swans inc broods of 4,3 and 1, 3 Buzzards, 2 Ravens, Kestrel, 4 Oystercatchers, 3 Redshanks, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Grey Wagtails, Tufted Duck with 7 young, drake Teal, 2 adult Common Gulls, c100 Swifts through. Dave Newcombe
2008-07-06Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Tufted Duck Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Jay, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon, Common Tern, Common Sandpiper, Little Ring Plover, Carrion Crow, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe. Cormorant, Heron, BuzzardTom Kitchen
2008-07-042 Whimbrel on Horseshoe Island this afternoon. Clive Ashton
2008-07-04Black-tailed Godwit still Horseshoe late evening. 8 Common Scoter in centre of res also late evening. Steph' Hicking
2008-07-01Greenshank at the Wildlife Centre, also there was 2 Greylag Geese and a pair of Common Terns with at least one young on the raft. Birds from Paul Stanley include sub adult Yellow Legged Gull, Tufted Duck with 7 young, juv Great Spotted Woodpecker, c 40 Black Headed Gulls with several juveniles. Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2008-07-01Barn Owl quartered in front of Sheepwash car park and soon after passed by with prey. Black-tailed Godwit still present toward dusk. Two Common Tern flew over the path in the direction of Shiningford Farm, with at least one still on the raft.James Owen
2008-07-01Black-tailed Godwit at Wildlife Centre Ad. or near ad. Yellow-legged Gull at Paul Stanley,also present here a Ringed Plover, and a Little Ringed Plover.Female Sparrowhawk flew past Paul Stanley flushing waders and Wagtails ,and landed briefly on the stones infront of the hide. Juv. birds at Paul Stanley incuded Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail,Gt.Spotted Woodpecker and a family of Gt. Tits.Clive Ashton
2008-06-30The common terns on the Wildlife Centre raft have at least one chickAmanda Lynnes
2008-06-291 black talied gotwit 1 sparrowhawk abb tom wareham
2008-06-28Of note from Wildlife Centre this morning: 2 Oystercatcher, 16 Lapwing, 12 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Terns.Richard and Frances Pittam
2008-06-25A pair of Common Sandpiper at Paul Stanley, later 2 also from WLC and 1 Little Ringed Plover.James Owen
2008-06-241 common sandpiper 1 little ringed plover 4 gadwall 8 mute swan 2 redshank 1 oystercatcher 1 great crested grebe 1 chickabb tom wareham
2008-06-23Thirty nine species of bird identified around midday. OF NOTE: An adult Great Crested Grebe with one juvenile (Wildlife Centre Creek, WCC), Oystercatcher (4), Lapwing (2), Redshank (3) - Horseshoe Island, Common Tern (2 - one on raft and the other fishing, mainly around Stones Island), Sand Martin (1), Song Thrush (2), Whitethroat (2) - edge of WCC, also Garden Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-06-23Taken from the Wildlife Centre logbook:A male Sparrowhawk and a Kingfisher.Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-06-23Great Crested Grebe with 1 juvenile at Wildlife Centre, also there was 2 Gadwall, 2 Common Terns. 5 juvenile Pied Wagtails by visitor centre and 3 more at Sheepwash. 5 Redshank, 4 Oystercatchers, Little Ringed Plover, 3 Buzzards, 2 Ravens. Plenty of the usual warblers inc Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Chiff Chaff, Willow Warbler and Whitethroat. Also of note was a Fox cub at the Wildlife Centre early morning.Dave Newcombe
2008-06-23Barnacle Goose on Island by the Wildlife Centre Hide, Bullfinch (male and female) on feeders on the path near Lane End Hide and a Little Ringed Plover on Stones Island.Malcolm Macdonald
2008-06-23A very windy day but turned out better than originally thought. Numerous Swifts, House and Sand Martins around the Sheepwash and Paul Stanley hides. Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Wood Pigeon, Canada Geese, Mute Swan, Carrion Crow, Lapwing, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch and then outside The Paul Stanley hide 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers perching on the tree aswell as eating from the feed. They we're there for at least 45mins until getting bullied away by 2 vocal Great Tits. Tom Kitchen
2008-06-201 Black-tailed Godwit on Horseshoe Island at 12:00 hr also here 2 Greylag Geese, and the 2 Common Terns still on the raft. At Paul Stanley a Common Sandpiper on the raft also 3 Gadwall.Clive Ashton
2008-06-18The evening walk around the Sheepwash area and the two hides recorded the following:- Great Crested Grebe (a pair but no young unlike a small chick on the back of an adult at Hopton end on Sunday 8th) 3 Little Grebe,1 Cormorant, 1 Heron, 1 Mute Swan (plus 8 in the far distance),Canada Goose, Mallard (1 with 6 young plus 2 young totally on their own), Tufted Duck (2 mating), 1 Buzzard (holding in the wind), 1 female Kestrel (hovering in front of Sheepwash hide), Pheasant, Moorhen (1 on nest close to Paul Stanley hide), Coot (1 with 2 young), 2 Oystercatcher, 8 Lapwing, 3 Redshank (1 on post just below the'viewing area' calling and very agitated), 3 Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Swift, Sand and House Martin, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow (1 young one sitting watching us just outside Paul Stanley),Wren,Dunnock, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, adults and young of Willow, Great, Blue and Long-tailed Tit, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Bullfinch and Greenfinch. Peter Gibbon
2008-06-16OF NOTE: Greylag Goose (2) - Shiningford Creek; Barnacle Goose (1); Oystercatcher (4) - inc. a parent and two chicks on Watersports Island; Blackheaded Gull inc. four young; Common Gull (2) - Horseshoe Island; Common Tern (2); Song Thrush (1); Reed Bunting (2).Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-06-11A pair of Red Crested Pochards at the Wildlife Centre, also there was 2 Common Terns on the raft and 4 good sized Lapwing chicks on Horsehoe Island. Spotted Flycatcher in Hall wood, both Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler in song at Hopton end, 1 Raven from Sheepwash, Lesser Whitethroat on Wildlife centre creek, possibly 2 birds present.Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2008-06-10No messageSteph Hicking
2008-06-09Very warm on site today. 45 species of bird seen early pm. OF NOTE: Grey Heron (one juv.) - Shiningford Creek (SC), Greylag Goose (1) - with Canadas - SC, Red-crested Pochard (pr) - Horseshoe Island (HI), Oystercatcher (3), Lapwing (3 inc. one chick) - HI, Redshank (1), Common Tern (2) - one prob. on nest on raft & one fishing and feeding partner on raft, Swift (4), Song Thrush (1), Sedge Warbler (1), Whitethroat (1), also many Garden Warblers, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs & Willow Warblers; Treecreeper (2) - in trees at end of Wildlife Centre Creek, and Reed Bunting (1).Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-06-09Taken from the Wildlife Centre logbook. Red-legged Partridge (2), Red-crested Pochard (2), Whimbrel (1), Kestrel (1), Buzzard (3), Redshank (3), Oystercatcher (2), Common Tern (2).Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-06-07Early start today. Started at the Paul Stanley Hide where a Little Ringed Plover showed well with two young. A pair of Grey Wagtails. A White Wagtail. A Jay flew across the front of the hide giving an excellent view. Walked to wards visitor centre and at the scrub land overlooking Shininford Creek I stopped for 2 hours and observed Willow Warblers, Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers and a single Garden Warbler there were also Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and a Whitethroat.This part of Carsington is IMO the best part if you are patient and are prepared to stay here for some time, watch and wait, the birds will come. It's like warbler grand central. Leslie Fisher
2008-06-04Fairly quiet on site today. Sunny. Forty four species of bird identified early pm including - Great Crested Grebe - two occupied nests. Barnacle Goose (3). Common Buzzard (1). Oystercatcher (4). Lapwing (3; 2 ad. + one chick). Curlew (1). Black-headed Gull - two occupied nests; two juveniles on a raft. Common Gull (1). Song Thrush (2). Sedge Warbler (1). Whitethroat (1). Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff & Willow Warbler also present. Reed Bunting (2).Ray and Margaret Perry

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