01/05/2021 | A female Red-breasted Merganser was off the WLC around 10:00. The GNDiver still off Stones island. c100 Sand Martins, 100 Swallows and 20 House Martins. | Simon Roddis |
30/04/2021 | A Black Tern came into Millfields around 11:00, first seen by Jon Bradley. Still present distantly from Millfields at 12:15 but not seen subsequently.
Perimeter count with Alan S: 8 Willow Tit, 95 Blue Tit, 39 Great Tit, 14 Long-tailed Tit, 27 singing Willow Warblers, 102 Chiffchaff (77 singing), 6 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 68 Blackcap (58 singing), 10 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser White, 7 Common White, 8 Goldcrest, 119 Wrens (114 singing), 80 Blackbird (37 singing), 36 Song Thrush (19 singing), 19 Mistle Thrush (8 singing), 103 Robins (77 singing), 4 Redstart, 27 Dunnock (23 singing), 10 Chaffinch, 9 Bullfinch.
Also, at least 1 Hobby, 5+ Swifts, the GNDiver now looking very summery and still c30 Fieldfare at Hopton end. | SJR, AHS |
29/04/2021 | 1 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper and what I think we're 3 Ringed Plover on the shoreline in front of the sailing club at 15.30 today. They were structurally correct, but I couldn't make out the white wing bars on their many forays out over the water. Also a Garden Warbler on Stones Island causeway and another near the Wildlife Centre, as well as a pair of Willow Tits by the WLC and a Common Whitethroat nearby. | Paul Bennett |
29/04/2021 | Another productive morning but just 2 Arctic Terns N today, after yesterday's bonanza. The GNDiver showed very well just off Stones island. A female Brambling at Watersports was unexpected, and the site's 3rd record of Cetti's Warbler was confirmed by STW rangers John and Mike when they heard it singing in Fishtail Creek after Brian Boothby said he thought he heard one yesterday evening. 35 Herring Gulls, all immatures of various ages. A Greylag/Canada Goose pair have 2 small young under Middle Wood, along with a brood of 5 pure-bred Greylags. Hobby over Millfields and Peregrine over Stones. 100s of hirundines again, most Swallows and Sand Martins but c20 House Martins too. Lesser Whitethroat singing in WLC creek, and 3 Reed Warblers in Hopton reedbed. 3 Yellow Wags. | SJR, RC, AHS |
28/04/2021 | 4:15pm arrival at WLC for 3 Avocet (still present as of 6pm), seen on the end of Shiningford Island and briefly spooked by a passing boat. 3 Little Gulls through North at 4:53pm. 75+ Arctic Terns with a couple of Commons mixed in. 10+ Swift but only 2 House Martin was a surprise, otherwise hundreds of hirundines mostly Swallows and Sand Martins. Other notable species included pair Dunlin, single Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper all by Sailing Club. Oystercatcher and Redshank also. A host of Warblers on Stones included Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Sedge Warbler. | Sam Goddard |
28/04/2021 | 3 Avocets flew into the WLC at 07:30, found by Alan S, still present late morning. An excellent movement of Arctic Terns: the first went through just before 07:00, a few more before 09:00 and then an arrival of almost 100 birds between 09:45 and 10:02. Most moved through but about 50 lingered for a while, feeding between Fishtail creek and Millfields. A Hobby flew across the res mid-morning. 2+ Swifts and masses of hirundines, mainly Swallows and Sand Martins. Lesser whitethroat singing on Stones island. Great morning!
The Avocets and 80 Arctic Terns still present at 16:00 (per RC). | SJR, AHS, JB |
27/04/2021 | A summer plumage Grey Plover was on the dam wall early morning, and a Great Egret flew through at 11:20, departing SE. The GNDiver off Stones island all morning. 2 male Mandarin in Tail Bay. 1 Swift again from Stones. 1 Dunlin. 3 Common Sand. 1st-summer Yellow-legged Gull from Stones. Red Kite over the east side. c200 Sand Martins, 20 Swallows and 10 House Martins. 2 Garden Warblers on Stones/causeway. Somewhat unexpectedly, c200 Fieldfare over the north end. 3 Yellow Wags over the dam wall. | Simon Roddis |
26/04/2021 | My first Swift of the year from Stones island this morning, and the GNDiver patrolling offshore. 2 Shelduck. 3 Common Sandpiper and 1 Dunlin at Sailing Club. 2 Reed Warblers singing in Hopton reedbed. 3 Yellow Wags. | Simon Roddis |
25/04/2021 | 4 Sedge Warbler, 2 Wren, 21 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 2 Willow Tit, 9 Pied Wagtail, 14 Greylag Goose, 9 Gadwall, 4 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Little Ringed Plover , 11 Cormorant, 2 Redshank, 2 Dunnock,, 2 Barnacle Goose, 2 Oystercatcher, 4 Goldfinch, 2 Moorhen, 6 Swallow, 30 Sand Martins | David Armitt |
25/04/2021 | The GNDiver was off Stones island much of the morning. At Millfields early morning, a Common Tern, a female Bar-tailed Godwit on the island and 2 male Yellow Wags on the dam wall. Dunlin at sailing club. c30 Herring Gulls early morning. A Garden Warbler singing on sailing club island (first of the year) and 8 singing Sedge Warblers around Stones. Male Redstart again in WLC fields. | Simon Roddis |
24/04/2021 | Saturday morning's highlight was a flock of 13 Little Gulls (mixed ages: adults, 1 2nd-summer, 2 1st-summer) which were off Millfields island for about 15 mins 09:45-10:00 before flying high E. Also: 2 Arctic Terns flew N at 10:20, 3 female Bar-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel at Millfields early morning, all later flew N, 3 Shelduck, the GNDiver off Stones, 5 Sedge Warblers singing around Stones, 2 Reed Warblers in Hopton reedbed, 2 Yellow Wag E over Stones. | Simon Roddis |
23/04/2021 | At 1405, a Red Kite flew (outbound) over the dam wall | Gary Atkins |
23/04/2021 | The GNDiver was off Stones island all morning. A female Bar-tailed Godwit initially on sailing club shore then flew towards Millfields (don't believe the message on Birdguides which said it was the same male as the last few days - it wasn't). 1 Whimbrel flew S early morning. 2 Common Sand. 1 Shelduck. 1 2nd-summer Yellow-legged Gull. 10 Buzzards. 3 Sparrowhawk. Peregrine over the north end. 6 singing Sedge Warblers (5 around Stones, 1 at Penn Carr). Somewhat surprisingly, a flock of c60 Fieldfare flew S mid-morning. 2 Yellow Wag over Stones. | Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson |
21/04/2021 | A decent morning. The GNDiver and the Bar-tailed Godwit still present (just saw the Barwit in flight heading for Horseshoe island). 9 Icelandic race Black-tailed Godwits were on Horseshoe and later left NW. A male Marsh Harrier over Millfields/Tail Bay for c15 mins around 09:15 (found by JB). 2 Red-legged Partridge again at Penn Carr. 2 Common Sandpiper. 1 Dunlin. c70 Sand Martin and 30 Swallow. Common Whitethroat on Stones. Redstart still singing in WLC fields. 3 Yellow Wags (1 on Stones, 2 in Shiningford creek). | Simon Roddis |
20/04/2021 | GNDiver still off Stones this morning, and the Bar-tailed Godwit on Horseshoe island to 08:00 at least. First Reed Warbler back in Hopton reedbed. Female Shelduck - quite vocal, I don't think I've heard one call at Carsi before. 2 Goldeneye. 5 singing Redstarts. 3 Yellow Wags. Pair of Red-legged Partridge again at Penn Carr. 1 Dunlin. The Oystercatchers on Horseshoe island have 4 just-hatched young. c30 Herring and 8 GBbGulls. | Simon Roddis, Roger Carrington |
19/04/2021 | Whimbrel flying with Bar-tailed Godwit towards Horseshoe Island early afternoon; 2 LR Plover and a Dunlin on Horseshoe Is. | Richard Lowe |
19/04/2021 | A male Bar-tailed Godwit on Horseshoe island this morning (first of the year). The GNDiver was pretty close to Stones island for much of the time. 2 Shelduck at Sheepwash. Just 1 Sedge Warbler still, on Stones island, and Redstart again singing in WLC fields. 2 Yellow Wags. Brood of 11 small Mallard ducklings in Brown Ale creek. | Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson |
18/04/2021 | The GNDiver is heading further into summer plumage. A 1st-summer Caspian Gull was on the raft in sailing club bay early morning. 130 Fieldfare N. Redstart singing at Hopton end. First brood of 12 Mallard ducklings off Stones. | Simon Roddis |
16/04/2021 | The GNDiver was still off Stones island this morning; it's beginning to look quite spotty above and blotchy around the head - by the end of the month it should look really good. 3 Goldeneye (2m,1f) still. 6 Fieldfare at Hopton end. Singing male Redstarts in WLC fields and at Shiningford. 6 Redshank. 2 Curlew. Pair of Red-legged Partridge at Penn Carr. | Simon Roddis |
14/04/2021 | Osprey at 15.40 seen from sheepwash car park. | John Follett |
14/04/2021 | An Osprey flew high N at 11:05 this morning. GNDiver still there and now heading into breeding plumage. A 2nd-calendar-year Med Gull flew past Stones island and a Greenshank flew in, first of the year. 2m Wigeon. Red-legged Partridge at Penn Carr. 2 Common Sand. 6 Redshank. Peregrine over Hopton end. Sedge Warbler still on Stones and Redstart still in WLC fields. 1 Redwing. 15+ Siskin at Penn Carr. | Simon Roddis |
13/04/2021 | The GNDiver still off Stones island this morning. 2 Black-tailed Godwits flew over the WLC looking for somewhere to land but kept going NW. Male Common Whitethroat in WLC creek (found by Mike Redfern). 3 Curlew. 2 Common Sand at Millfields. 12 GBbGulls and 6 Herring early morning. Redstart again singing in WLC fields. | Simon Roddis |
12/04/2021 | An excellent morning, though couldn't find the RnGrebe. The adult GNDiver off Stones, adult Caspian Gull on raft in Sailing Club bay early morning, female-type Marsh Harrier N through Hopton end at 11:15, 12 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 11 Teal, male Goosander N, 11 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Sand at Sailing Club, 11 GBbG early morning - presumably roosted, 100+ Sand Martin, Sedge Warbler singing on Stones, 50 Fieldfare and 1 Redwing N at Penn Carr, male Redstart singing in WLC fields, Yellow Wag and 50 Meadow Pipits on the dam wall. 78 species. | SJR, RC, AHS |
11/04/2021 | Monthly WeBS count: GNDiver, RnGrebe, 49 GCG, 17 LGrebe, 15 Cormorant, 169 Canada, 28 Greylag, 66 Mallard, 4 Teal, 9 Gadwall, 78 Tufted, 4 Goldeneye, 2 Common Scoter, 73 Coot, 7 Moorhen, Common Sand, 5 Redshank, 9 Oyc, 1 Lapwing, 1 Curlew. 30+ Meadow Pipits (20 in Hopton fields, 10+ on the dam wall). JB had Sedge Warbler singing briefly on Stones island, Yellow and 2 White Wags. | Simon Roddis, Jon Bradley |
11/04/2021 | 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Redshank, 3 Wren, 2 Song Thrush, 4 Pied Wagtail, 10 Great Crested Grebe, 50 Sand Martin , 20 Swallow, 2 Barnacle Goose, 6 Greylag Goose, 4 Chiffchaff, 6 Blue tit, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Blackcap, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Curlew , 4 Gadwall, 4 Little Grebe | David Armitt |
08/04/2021 | The RnGrebe and GNDiver off the dam wall/Stones island this morning. Male Redstart in WLC creek. 8 migrant Wigeon. 1 Peregrine. Swallow numbers definitely up today, 50+, Sand Martins similar, House Martins in single figures. | SJR, RPJ, AMD, AHS |
07/04/2021 | The RnGrebe and GNDiver again from the dam wall this morning. (Apologies if this is getting a bit repetitive ?.) 36 Fieldfare and 5 Redwing at the Hopton end early morning. 100+ Sand Martin again, 20 Swallows and at least 2 House Martins. 5 Herring Gulls flew N early morning, probably roosted overnight. 5 Redshank. Struggling for new migrants though. | Simon Roddis |
06/04/2021 | RnGrebe and GNDiver still. The Barn Owl put in an appearance in Tail Bay early morning. 100+ Sand Martin, 10 Swallows. 16 Gadwall. Pair of Mandarin. 2 GBbGull including the one-footed adult. Still c100 Common Gulls in daytime roost. Chiffchaff nest-building, Mistle Thrush and Oystercatcher sitting. | Simon Roddis |
04/04/2021 | Species seen (but not counted) during the monthly Birdwatching for Beginners walk (10am-noon, Stones Island-WLC): Sand Martin, Swallow, Song Thrush, Kestrel, Jackdaw, Dunnock, Canada Goose, Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Mallard, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Coot, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Black-headed Gull, Robin, Common Gull, Greylag Goose, Barnacle Goose, Great Northern Diver, Red-necked Grebe, Blue Tit, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Reed Bunting, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Cormorant, Carrion Crow, Mute Swan, Great Tit, Tree Sparrow, Willow Tit, Snipe, Redshank, Sparrowhawk, Gadwall, Teal, Oystercatcher, Shoveler | Gary Atkins |
04/04/2021 | Red-necked Grebe and GNDiver still this morning. First Common Sand of the year at the Millfields end of the dam wall first thing. A few new duck suggests some movement last night: 23 Shoveler (new site record), 24 Teal and 2 Wigeon. Migrant duck usually sit out in the middle of the res, and this lot had clearly read the book 😉 8 Goldeneye still. 2nd-w Yellow-legged Gull. Fewer hirundines than yesterday, just a few Swallows and Sand Martins. 37 Fieldfare flew N. | Simon Roddis |
03/04/2021 | This morning, the Red-necked Grebe and GNDiver were on their normal beats. 2 Shelduck flew in at 09:00, still there at 11:00. 6 Snipe at WLC/WLC creek. 8 Crossbills flew NE over Millfields. 50 Sand Martin, 30 Swallows and 2 House Martins at Sheepwash. Total of 15 Tree Sparrows. Plenty of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, 1 Willow Warbler singing on Stones. | Simon Roddis |
01/04/2021 | Highlight this morning was a flock of 60 Whooper Swans. 27 flew straight through but 33 landed and were still present off Sheepwash at 11:00. Red-necked Grebe and GNDiver still in their usual areas. Hirundines built up off Stones during the morning to c20 Swallows, 8 Sand and 1 House Martin. Osprey also reported but doesn't appear to have hung around. | Simon Roddis |
30/03/2021 | Wheatear in field behind dam mid morning | Pat Warwick |
30/03/2021 | Between Millfields and Shiningford Creek 0800-1030: 18 Barnacle Geese, 12 Chiffchaffs, pair of Goldeneye, pair of Grey Wagtails, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Blackcaps, Redshank, Snipe, Red-necked Grebe, Gt Northern Diver | Gary Atkins |
30/03/2021 | An Osprey flew NW over WLC creek at 10:00 (also apparently seen from Stones island). The Red-necked Grebe (off the dam wall) and GNDiver (from Stones) still. 27 Barnacle Geese. 2m Shoveler at WLC. Pair Wigeon still at Sheepwash. Water Rail at Hopton end. 12+ Sand Martins. 3 Blackcaps between Hopton and WLC. No sign of the Cattle Egrets as far as I'm aware. | Simon Roddis |
29/03/2021 | Biggest surprise was a pair of Cattle Egrets which flew in just before 08:30 and landed on Sailing Club island. They later flew up the res and were in the Sheepwash area late morning. Long-staying Red-necked Grebe and GNDiver still present. 27 Barnacle Geese. 15 Sand Martin. 4 Linnet over. | Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson |
26/03/2021 | 1x Great Northern Diver - north-east off Stones Island.
1x Red-necked Grebe - off dam wall, half way between sailing club and Millfields.
2x Redshank - Watersports Island.
4 Oystercatcher - WS Island.
1 Redshank - shoreline by play ground. | Paul Bennett |
04/01/2021 | The adult GNDiver again off Stones island. Teal appear to have increased, 431 counted. Pochard decreasing but still 267. 180 Tufted in Brown Ale Bay. Geese again in the fields along the main road: 300+ Canadas, 22 Greylag, 1 Pink-foot and the Black Swan. 290 Lapwing. The Ruff along Stones causeway. 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, a 3rd-winter early morning and an adult later. 23 Cormorant. 100 Starling (70 in WLC fields, 30 over Hopton end). 40 Siskin flew N past Middle Wood. | Simon Roddis |
03/01/2021 | The adult GNDiver was off Stones island all morning. In the fields between Shiningford and the main road, c350 Canada Geese, 75 Greylags, 2 Pink-feet, 1 Barnacle and the Black Swan. Another 46 Pink-feet flew high NW at 11:20. 8 Mute Swan. 1f Pintail. 390 Teal. 263 Pochard. 8 Goldeneye (4m,4f). 4 Goosander (1m,3f). 40 Woodpigeons S. Peregrine(s) over WLC and Hall Wood. 200 Lapwing. The male Ruff again along Stones causeway. 2 Redshank. 2 Herring Gull. 26 Cormorant. | Simon Roddis |
02/01/2021 | 3 Redshank, 1 Ruff, 116 Wigeon ,6 Meadow Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, 180 Teal, 252 Lapwing, 9 Little Grebe,15 Great Crested Grebe,1 M Goldeneye, 1 Great Black Backed Gull, 61 Pochard, 4 Robin, 15 Cormorant, 2 Raven, GN Diver of stones,3 Curlew, 2 Long Tailed Tit, 1 Nuthatch, 10 Gadwall, 1 Pintail,10 Redwing,2 Mute Swan,8 Moorhen, 1 Chaffinch,6 Goldfinch | David Armitt |
02/01/2021 | A Woodcock flew into roost at Horton end in the bright moonlight at 0715hrs.
Adult Great Northern Diver off Millfields early morning.
Male Ruff, 2 Redshank and 6 Meadow Pipits around Stones Island.
3 Curlew flew in from south and landed on Horseshoe Island at 0900hrs, 2 then continued north at 0915hrs.
Drake Pintail in Shiningford Creek and 12 Snipe well camouflaged in vegetation along WLC Creek. | Roger Carrington |
01/01/2021 | Great Northern diver, Ruff, Redshank. | Matthew Birkin |
01/01/2021 | The GNDiver off Stones island again this morning. 4 Woodcock at Hopton end first thing. The male Ruff along Stones causeway. Pair of Pintail at WLC. 60 Woodpigeons N. 4 Raven. 4 Willow Tits including 3 singing. 22 Fieldfare S. 69 species to start the year. | Simon Roddis |
31/12/2020 | The GNDiver again off Stones island. 378 Canada Geese. 3 Barnacles. 94 Greylags. 6 Mute Swan. 55 Gadwall. 2 Pintail (m&f in Brown Ale Bay). 297 Teal. 452 Pochard. 5 Goosander (3m,2f at Millfields). 7 Goldeneye. 1 Water Rail and 27 Snipe in WLC creek. 24 Little Grebe. 53 Great Crested Grebe. 317 Lapwing. 4 Redshank. 4 Herring Gulls N. 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (ad,2w). 15 Cormorant. 2 Heron. Total of 28 Fieldfare (18S over Hall Wood). 7 Meadow Pipit on Stones island. | Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson |
30/12/2020 | The adult GNDiver still from Stones island this morning, and a female Common Scoter there too. 52 Canada Geese. 7 Greylag. 8 Mute Swan. 46 Gadwall. 150 Wigeon. 250 Teal. 145 Mallard. 2 Pintail. 403 Pochard. 215 Tufted. 5 Goldeneye. 11 Moorhen. 1145 Coot. 18 Little Grebe. 55 Great Crested Grebe. 284 Lapwing. 1 Ruff. 3 Redshank. 2 Snipe. 13 Cormorant. 1 Heron. Chiffchaff on Stones island. | Simon Roddis |
29/12/2020 | This pm: the adult GNDiver again between Stones island and Fishtail Creek; 170 Pink-footed Geese W at 12:50; 135 Canada Geese, 2 Greylags, 16 Mute Swan, 46 Gadwall, 128 Mallard, 2 Pintail, 212 Teal, 434 Pochard, 4 Goldeneye, 1 Goosander, 8 Moorhen, 21 Little Grebe, 41 Great Crested Grebe, 485 Lapwing, 1 Ruff, 4 Redshank, 5,000 Black-headed Gulls and 2,250 Common Gulls off Stones island at 16:00, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Herring Gull, 3 Yellow-legged Gull, 30 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 33 Cormorant. 130 Redwing feeding in fields at Hopton end, with 3 Fieldfare, 1 Mistle Thrushes and 50 Starlings. | Simon Roddis |
28/12/2020 | The GNDiver was off Stones island all morning. Hopton end early morning: 4 Woodcock, 1 Water Rail, 7 Tawny Owls calling. Only 4 Canada Geese (the geese don't seem to fly in on these foggy mornings). 12 Mute Swan. 2 Shoveler. 71 Gadwall. 139 Wigeon. 114 Mallard. 2 Pintail. 293 Teal. 425 Pochard. 228 Tufted Duck. 8 Goldeneye. 13 Moorhen. 1160 Coot. 23 Little Grebe. 36 Great Crested Grebe. 405 Lapwing. 2 Redshank. 4 Snipe. 100 Common Gulls. 1 Great Black-backed Gull.1 Yellow-legged Gull. 15 Cormorant. 1 Heron. | Simon Roddis |
28/12/2020 | Great northern Diver of stones ,62 Teal, 2 Goosander, 23 Mute Swan,68 Pochard, 50 Wigeon,22 Cormorant,8 Gadwall, 6 Tree Sparrow,2 Blue Tit,2 Dunnock , 220+ Lapwing,6 Moorhen ,2 Wren,6 Goldfinch,5 Little Grebe,12 Great Crested Grebe,2 Redwing,1 Kestrel | David Armitt |
27/12/2020 | The adult GNDiver again between Stones island and Millfields mid-morning. 436 Pochard. 8 Goldeneye. 1 Pink-footed Goose. 290 Lapwing. 1 Ruff. 3 Redshank. 4 Common Snipe. 8 Herring Gulls S. 22 Cormorant. 1 Heron. 1 Peregrine over the north end. 4 Raven. | Simon Roddis, Roger Carrington |
26/12/2020 | The adult GNDiver was still off Stones island this afternoon. Red Kite low over Millfields. 293 Canada Geese. 1 Barnacle Goose. 16 Mute Swan. 8 Shoveler (3m,5f) at Millfields. 167 Wigeon. 77 Gadwall. 347 Pochard. 7 Goldeneye. 13 Morhen. 150 Lapwing. 2 Redshank. 1 Woodcock at Hopton end at dusk. 4 adult Herring Gull. 25 Cormorant. | Simon Roddis |