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
2008-03-23Great Northern Diver near Stones Island this morning. Male Wheatear on paving between Millfields and dam wall. Male Wheatear and a Skylark on spit from Sheepwash Hide.Roger Carrington
2008-03-21Wheatear on Stones Island this morning, adult Kittiwake from Sheepwash hide and Great Northern Diver still present.Clive Ashton
2008-03-20Great Northern Diver near Stones Island. 4 singing Chiffchaff, Stones + Millfield. Redwing singing on Stones Island. 7 Meadow Pipits on dam wall. 1 Shelduck on Flat Island.Roger Carrington
2008-03-20From Paul Stanley hide between 9.30 and 11.15. 3 Buzzard over Hall Wood. Kestrel as well. Also 5 Dunlin flew down the reservoir going north after circling once over Flat Island.4 Teal, 6 Goldeneye and 8 Oystercatcher also.Peter Gibbon
2008-03-19In addition to usual species - Raven, 2 Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Female Blackcap, Kingfisher, Redshank (5), Oystercatcher (c10), Curlew (4), bullfinch (m&f) and large party of long-tailed tits. All seen from or in the vicinity of the Wildlife Centre between 15.30 - 17.15hrs.Neil Hallam
2008-03-1932 species of bird seen around midday. Of Note: Barnacle Goose (36), Wigeon (6), Oystercatcher (2), Redshank (1), Little Owl (1) and Reed Bunting (1 male).Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-03-172 Whooper Swans early in the day and then by flat island at c16.00hrs, Great Northern Diver, 10 Buzzard, Peregrine over West, at least 4 Redshank, 14 Goldeneye, Chiff Chaff singing by Millfields and two more on Stones Island and Sailing club (RC), 4 Grey Herons, Raven, 6 Redwings, 20+ Barnacle Geese, Cackling Goose, Pink Footed Goose and 3 Greylag Geese over and 1 Snipe at Sheepwash.Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2008-03-16Great Northern Diver from Sheepwash Hide. No sign of the 2 Avocets, but 2 were reported this morning at Sandbach Flashes in Chesire. 7 Shovelers mobile around Stones Island and Wildlife Centre. 1 Peregrine. Oystercatchers, Redshank and Curlew. 1 Dunlin flew to Sheepwash Spit. 1 Chiffchaff calling/feeding in sheltered bushes in Tail Bay.Roger Carrington
2008-03-15On a slightly misty morning at exactly 11 - 13 am I sighted two Aovocets from the Paul Stanley hide to the right of the island halfway between the shore and the island. I observed them for 30 mins waiting for someone to enter the hide to confirm them but as is the norm no one came, so I went to the Sheepwash hide and asked Dave Topliff to please come and confirm them which he duly did and I thank him for that. I continued to observe them until about 1400 they were switching between the two hides and both showed really well. Sheilduck, Shovelers little grebes, goldeneye's where also present as was a Green Woodpecker on the path down to the Paul Stanley hide A Buzzard gave a good show form the Sheepwash hide 2 redshanks, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew and a Snipe were sighted from the Visitor centre, but the Avocets made my day today, over the moon!Leslie Fisher
2008-03-152 Avocets around Sheepwash/P.stanley area, quite mobile but still present at 16.30hrs on Sheepwash spit, also Great Northern Diver, 3 Shelduck, 3 drake Shoveler.Dave Newcombe
2008-03-143 grey heron, one with twig in beak displaying.John Payne
2008-03-14Great Northern Diver near Stones Island. 1 Chiffchaff on Stones Island, not singing nor calling, presume it is a wintering bird. 5 Skylarks flew over Wildlife Centre. 2 Stock Doves in Tail Bay. Oystercatcher, Redshank and Curlew seen from most hides.Roger Carrington
2008-03-12Extremely windy at around midday. 33 species seen from the wildlife centre. Of note: Barnacle Goose (21), Wigeon (32), Oystercatcher (2), Curlew (3), Redshank (4), Herring Gull (1) and Song Thrush (1).Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-03-1210 oyster catchers E of Millfields Spit 80+ tufted duck Millfields 1 Great crested grebe Dam 4 oyster catchers N WLC 1 jay S side Brownale Bay Long tailed tits,blue tits, great tits, wrens and robinsdave williams
2008-03-12Highlight of the day was an adult Kittiwake at Sheepwash hide from 15.15 onwards, other sightings include Great Northern Diver, 23 Curlew, 19 Goldeneye, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Raven, 3 Reed Buntings, 25 Redwings, 5 Goldcrests, male Sparrowhawk, Grey Wagtail.Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2008-03-11Of note from WLC: Great Northern Diver, 14 Curlew (one mobile flock), 4+ Oystercatcher, 4 Redshank, 1 Pochard, 4 Teal, 1 Little Owl, 1 Raven (distant over Shinningford Farm). Also from Paul Stanley Hide, 1 Chiffchaff (out left window), 2 Buzzard, 3 Goldeneye, 1 Tawny Owl.James Owen (ABB!)
2008-03-111 PINK FOOT WITH A MIXED FLOCK OF CANADA AND BARNACLE GEESE,2 GREYLAG NEAR SHEEPWASH HIDE.LES BEESTON
2008-03-10Mixed weather day - nice morning, average weather pm. 49 species seen/heard. Black-heaeded gull, Blue Tit, Barnacle Geese, Blackbird, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Cormorant, Common Gull, Carrion Crow, Canada Goose, Coot, Cackling Goose, Dunnock, Collared Dove, Greenfinch, Goldeneye (2m + 2f), Great-crested Grebe, Great Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker(f), House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Jay(Millfields), Lapwing, Little Grebe, Long-tailed Tit, Lesser Black backed Gull, Magpie, Mallard, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Raven (2 over Carsington Pasture), Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Redshank, Pheasant, Reed Bunting, Redwing, Song Thrush, Snipe, Tufted duck, Tree Sparrow, Teal, Starling, Willow tit, Wood Pigeon, Wren, Wigeon.Ken, Richard and Frances Pittam
2008-03-10male sparrowhawk in my garden sat on pergola overlooking wildlife pond for about 10 minutesk
2008-03-10Mute Swan 11, Greylag Goose 2, Canada Goose 85, barnacle Goose 11, Wigeon 15, Gadwall 2, Teal 6, Mallard 89, Shoveler 1, Pochard 1, Tufted Duck 308, Goldeneye 8, Goosander 1, Great Northern Diver 1, Little Grebe 54, Great Crested Grebe 17, Cormorant 20, Grey Heron 4, Moorhen 32, Coot 284, Oystercatcher 11, Ringed Plover 1, Lapwing 82, Snipe 1, Curlew 5, Redshank 7, Black-headed Gull 45, Common Gull 6, Lesser Black-backed Gull 30, Buzzard 4, Kestrel 1, Peregrine 2. Also Willow Tit and Greater Spotted Woodpecker on table at back of Paul Stanley Hide.Peter Gibbon & John Bradley
2008-03-08Viewed from the Paul Stanley Hide all the usual suspects plus a pair of Oystercatchers, 2 Redshank, Little Grebe. Birding was not good here when I visited as people were surveying the spit. Whilst walking from here to the visitor centre I counted 6 pairs of Oystercatchers I thought some of them may have been duplicated so on the walk back I re-checked and 5 pairs were where they were originally with one pair missing, so all I can assume is that there are at least 6 pairs on site. 30 Barnacle Geese counted. 3 Curlew in a field near the overhead pylons Les Fisher
2008-03-06Adult med gull from Sheepwash this afternoon. A different bird from last night with an incomplete hood.Doug Allen
2008-03-06abc123oclenj
2008-03-06Starlings are displaying nicely at the Longcliffe crossroads (above Brassington) at dusk. Perhaps up to 1000 individuals.Amanda Lynnes
2008-03-05Quiet on site today. Fairly bright but cold. 34 species of bird seen around midday in wildlife centre/Stones Island area. OF NOTE: Pink-footed Goose (1) - with Canada Geese in Shiningford Creek. Barnacle Goose (11), Wigeon (22), Oystercatcher (4), Lapwing (~30), Redshank (3) and Long-tailed Tit (2).Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-03-05Taken from the wildlife centre logbook for the 4th. Great Northern Diver (1), Pochard (1), Oystercatcher (8), Snipe (1), Redshank (4), Buzzard (2), Kestrel (1), Redwing (1) and Reed Bunting (2).Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-03-05Adult med gull in full breeding plumage in the roost from at least 3.15p.m. Drake shoveler in front of sheepwash and g n diver still present by dam wallDoug Allen
2008-03-05Grt. Northern Diver, Tawny Owl, Redwing, Bullfinch, Curlew, Snipe, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Willow Tit, Goldeneye, Buzzard & Kestrel among many others.John & Fay
2008-03-02Great Northern Diver 7 x Goosander (3 m, 4 f) Flock of Redwing Pair of Bullfinch plus 19 other speciesNeil Venables
2008-03-02tawny owldave w
2008-03-02100+ lapwings in field between dam road and observtion pillarNo name given
2008-03-022 Oyster catchers Dam wall 40+ Lapwing in field between dam wall road and observation pillar 80+ tufted duck Millfields 1 buzzard Stone shelter/Hay's Lanedave w
2008-02-2848 species in 3.5 hour walk around the water early PM. Of possible interest: 21 long-tailed tit (3 parties of 5 or 6 + singles /pairs), 70+ redwing in large trees behind holiday cottages Oldfield Lane (there were 20+ starlings in the same group), goldcrest Fishtail Creek, 12 carrion crow, 42 barnacle geese. John Payne
2008-02-28Great Northern Diver near Fishtail creek, 17 Curlew around Sheepwash area, 15+ Goldeneye, 4 Oystercatcher 2 Redshank and 2 Buzzard.Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2008-02-27Great northern diver x 1 Oystercatcher x 2 Redshank x 2 Goldeneye x13 3M 10FZachary Harkin
2008-02-26Great Northern Diver distant from Millfields, 14 Goldeneye including 12 females, at least 6 Oystercatcher, 2 Snipe, 2 Redshank and 1 Curlew, 2 Buzzard, Reed Bunting in song by the Wildlife Centre, 1 Pink Footed Goose with the Canada GeeseDave Newcombe
2008-02-25 8 Hawfinch church CromfordNo name given
2008-02-20Siskin 30+ Nuthatch dave w
2008-02-18Sunny day. Blue sky. No clouds. No wind. Many visitors in and around the visitor centre. Few birders in the wildlife centre. 32 species seen around midday. Worth a mention: Barnacle Goose (9), Oystercatcher (2), Song Thrush (1). From the logbook for yesterday, the 17th - Great Northern Diver (1), Yellow-legged Gull (1).Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-02-18Great Northern Diver in flight at the Sheepwash carpark end of Carsington reservoirNo name given
2008-02-14A beautiful warm day we enjoyed watching the birds feed at the table by Sheepwash car park. Reed bunting, tree sparrow, chaffinch, robin, bullfinch, great tit, blue tit, blackbird and a pipit (probably meadow but not sure). On the water around the visitors centre we saw widgeon, cormorant, heron, pied wagtail, little grebe, tufted duck, pochard, canada geese, oyster catcher, coot, moorhen and in the bushes a long tailed tit.Pat & Bryan
2008-02-131 Great Northern Diver distant near Fishtail Creek at 4pm. 1 Peregrine, 2 Buzzard and 2 Raven from Paul Stanley Hide. Male + Female Pintail between Sheepwash and Lane End. Gull roost from Lane End, 2000 Black-headed Gulls, 130 Common Gulls and 300 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.Roger Carrington
2008-02-12Sunny and warm today on site after a frosty start. Very busy on site, probably because of half term. The wildlife centre was crowded due to an Aren't Birds Brilliant session run by RSPB volunteers. Some of the birds encountered at the wildlife centre and Stones Island: Barnacle Goose (~20) - this species is now beginning to pair up for breeding. Gadwall (4), Pochard (2 males), Little Owl (1), Redshank (1). Both Alder and Hazel catkins can now be found in abundance. Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-02-12Great Northern Diver 1, Little Grebe 59, Great Crested Grebe 36,Cormorant 24, Grey Heron 2, Mute Swan 12, Whooper Swan 10 (flying over), Canada Goose 91, Barnacle Goose 42 (seen on Monday 11th), Wigeon 77, Gadwall 3, Teal 42, Mallard 99, Pochard 3, Tufted 284, Goosander 1, Golden Eye 17, Moorhen 39, Coot 470, Oystercatcher 3, Lapwing 154, Snipe 1 and Redshank 4.Peter Gibbon and John Bradley
2008-02-101 Pink-Footed Goose-Wildlife Centre 1 Female Goldeneye-Wildlife Centre 3 Oystercatcher-Horseshoe IslandSam Pedley
2008-02-0936 Species seen today. All the usual species including 2 red shank, 1 little owl and 2 gadwall from the wildlife centre.Frank,Caroline and Julian Wallters
2008-02-06A very sunny day brought the birders and general visitors out in good numbers. 32 species of bird found by us at around midday. OF NOTE: Barnacle Goose (~40), Common Pochard (2), Goldeneye (one female), Kestrel (1), Little Owl (1), Oystercatcher (4) - Horseshoe Island, Lapwing (~300) and Redshank (1). Please note that a group of visiting birders observed the Great Northern Diver close to the dam wall.Ray and Margaret Perry
2008-02-063 Oystercatchers around Stones Island/Wildlife Centre. 3 Redshank together on Stones Island, 1 at Sheepwash. 21 Meadow Pipits from the path below the dam. 1 Skylark flew over the dam wall, calling as it went North. Pair Raven displaying. Pair Common Buzzard displaying. Did not see GNDiver, but not really looking for it, it was reported on pager yesterday.Roger Carrington
2008-02-062 shelduck at sheepwash tom wareham
2008-02-05Approx 20 Goosanders, 1 Oystercatcher and a Sparrowhawk on or around Millfields IslandBob and Gill Smith

Scroll to Top