Recent Sightings

NameSightingDate
Natalie WindsorSheepwash/Paul Stanley: Treecreeper, Chiffchaff singing. WLC: 25 Barnacle Geese visible at far back, Chiffchaff singing, House Sparrows. Stones: Chiffchaff singing. Oystercatchers.07/03/2025
Richard LoweIn BH Gull colony on Horseshoe Is a 1st w Mediterranean Gull late afternoon, plus an adult in the gull roost off Stones Island as well as Caspian Gull 1st w and RT and GN Divers.04/03/2025
Simon RoddisThe GN and Red-throated Divers are still here this morning, and the 2 drake Greater Scaup again off Lane End. Just 1 (one!) drake Pochard. 30 Barnacle Geese. 27 Goldeneye. Pair of Goosander flew out of Millfields early morning. 1 Redshank at sailing club. 16 Curlew. A Woodcock at Millfields first thing. Pair of Peregrines sitting on a pylon on the pastures.03/03/2025
Richard LoweFrom Stones Is late afternoon - Mediterranean Gull (Ad); Caspian Gull (1st w); Red-throated Diver (1).02/03/2025
Dave Armitt1 Great spotted woodpecker,17 Goldeneye, 2 Oystercatcher, 9 Little grebe, 22 Barnacle goose, 1 Curlew, 2 Pochard, 2 Raven, Great Northern Diver , Red Throated Diver, 2 Great Scaup from stones , 4 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Reed Bunting , 2 Chiffchaff catching midges on stones.02/03/2025
Gary AtkinsSpecies recorded during the monthly Birdwatching for Beginners Walk (10am-noon; Stones Island to Wildlife Centre): Barnacle Goose, Black-headed Gull, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Common Gull, Coot, Cormorant, Dunnock, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Goldfinch, Great Crested Grebe, Great Northern Diver, Great Tit, Greylag Goose, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Little Grebe, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Red-throated Diver, Robin, Scaup, Tufted Duck, Willow Tit, Woodpigeon and Wren (38)02/03/2025
Simon Roddis, Clive AshtonThe GN and Red-throated Divers were still off Stones island this morning, and the 2 Greater Scaup were off Lane End, visible from Stones and the main centre terrace. Again no sign of the Ring-necked Duck or Lesser Scaup. Drake Shoveler from Stones. Pair of Goosander from Millfields early on and 17 Curlew on sailing club shore.02/03/2025
Simon RoddisThe GN and Red-throated Divers still present this morning; the GND is starting to show a few white spots on its upperparts. A minor duck arrival included 4 Shelduck, 3 Pintail and 10 Wigeon, but again couldn't find the Lesser Scaup or Ring-necked Duck. 14 Curlew at sailing club early morning. 16 Ravens W over Hopton end first thing. 1 Skylark in the dam wall fields.01/03/2025
Simon Roddis, Clive AshtonThe GN and Red-throated Divers were both off Stones island this morning, and the 2 Greater Scaup below Hall Wood, but we couldn't find the Lesser Scaup or Ring-necked Duck. There has been quite a clear-out of wildfowl in recent days so perhaps they've gone. A Lesser Black-backed x Ring-billed Gull hybrid, which presumably roosted and is very likely the one that has been seen here before, was at sailing club early morning. 12 Curlew and a Kingfisher there at the same time. c10 Snipe on Horseshoe island. 2+ Chiffchaffs on/around Stones.28/02/2025
Simon RoddisPerimeter counts this morning: 21 Pheasant, 7 Stock Dove, 1 Water Rail (Hopton reedbed), 10 Oystercatcher (including the colour-ringed bird Barcode), 16 Curlew (WLC fields), 10 Buzzards, 6 GSWoodpecker, 1 Jay, 32 Magpie, 4 Raven, 9 Coal Tit, 1 singing Willow, 149 Blue, 64 Great, 43 Long-tailed, 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest, 49 Wren, 6 Nuthatch, 5 Treecreeper, 100 Starling, 34 Song Thrush, 9 Mistle, 27 Redwing, 54 Blackbird, 122 Robin, 40 Dunnock, 9 Pied Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 47 Chaffinch, 8 Bullfinch, 8 Greenfinch, 16 Goldfinch, 38 Reed Buntings (35 out of Hopton reedbed early morning).27/02/2025
Simon RoddisAn adult Mediterranean Gull was at Millfields this morning, and the GN and Red-throated Divers visible from there (and from Stones ). Didn't see the Lesser Scaup but it has been reported since. Ring-necked Duck at sailing club before it got disturbed, and the 2 Greater Scaup were again below Hall Wood. Kingfisher from WLC.26/02/2025
Simon RoddisThe Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, GN and Red-throated Divers were in their usual areas this morning. Chiffchaff occasionally singing on Stones. Little Egret feeding in the fields above Fishtail Creek, had to look twice to make sure it wasn't Cattle. About 20 Buzzards in the air late morning. Kingfisher at sailing club. Willow Tits on Stones and at Millfields. Grey and Pied Wagtails singing at Millfields.25/02/2025
Simon RoddisA new bird to add to the cast list today: a winter-plumage Black-necked Grebe was off the south end of Stones island 08:30-08:45. The Lesser and Greater Scaup, the Ring-necked Duck and both GN and Red-throated Divers still present. Pochard numbers have dropped quite a bit, 186 is my lowest count since mid-September last year. 25 Goldeneye. 5 Woodcock and a Water Rail at Hopton reedbed first thing. 13 Oystercatcher. 17 Snipe on Horseshoe island. 6 Curlew. Little Egret at PS hide. Skylark over the dam wall.24/02/2025
Dave Armitt65 Pochard, 5 Wigeon,11 Goldeneye, 2 Curlew, 8 Little Grebe,GN Diver, Red throated Diver of stones, 20 Cormorant,1 Chiffchaff, 8 Barnacle goose, 5 oystercatcher, 2 Greater Scaup, 1Lesser Scaup Mill fields ring- necked Duck23/02/2025
Simon RoddisThe Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, GN and Red-throated Divers were all in their usual areas this morning. More of a surprise was that the 2 immature drake Greater Scaup were also at Millfields, within a few metres of the Lesser. 70 Greylags. 3+ Curlew. Chiffchaff on Stones island. Grey Wagtail singing at Millfields. 25 Redwing at Sheepwash.23/02/2025
Simon RoddisWillow Tit survey in the southern tetrad (which isn't quite all of the southern half of the res) yielded 2 pairs. The Red-throated Diver was way up north of Flat Island. 30 Barnacle Geese. 9 Mistle Thrushes, 5 of them singing. Redshank still on Stones causeway.22/02/2025
Simon RoddisThe blustery conditions made finding birds a bit tricky this morning but all except the Red-throated Diver eventually gave themselves up, the Lesser Scaup finally appearing at Millfields late morning, with the Ring-necked Duck also there after being at sailing club earlier. GNDiver off the east side and the 2 Greater Scaup still below Hall Wood. 33 Barnacle Geese. 2 Curlew. At least 25, maybe 30 Snipe on Horseshoe island. Kingfisher at Millfields.21/02/2025
Simon RoddisThe Lesser Scaup was still at Millfields first thing this morning, the Ring-necked Duck at sailing club, the GN and Red-throated Divers off Stones island, and the 2 Greater Scaup below Hall Wood (viewed from Paul Stanley hide). 33 Barnacle Geese. 20 Lapwing and 5 Snipe on Horseshoe island. 2 Curlew. GSWoodpecker drumming at Penn Carr. The Sheepwash/Lane End Chaffinch flock is now up to 45, along with 10 Goldfinches.20/02/2025
Simon RoddisAll the goodies were in their usual areas this morning, although the Greater Scaup were tucked right into Flat Island when I saw them, first time I've seen them there. 4 Goosander early morning. 38 Reed Buntings came out of Hopton reedbed, calling Water Rail there and a Great Egret flew over. 1 Curlew. Willow Tit survey on the west side yielded 4 birds, a pair and 2 singles (1 also at Millfields). 30 Chaffinches between Sheepwash and Lane End.19/02/2025
SJR, CA, AHSThe female Lesser Scaup still at Millfields, the female Ring-necked Duck at sailing club and the GN and Red-throated Divers from Stones this morning. 13 Snipe on Horseshoe island and Alan had 4 Curlew (and a Skylark) over the east side. 37 Ravens, including a party of 20, E over Millfields early morning, presumably out of a roost not too far away.18/02/2025
AHS, CA.This morning from Stones Island, Great Northern Diver in it's usual place sleeping off the East bank, Ring Necked Duck just near the last jetty on the left of yatch club. Late morning Red Throated Diver was showing very well behind Watersports Island and relatively close. 30 Barnacle Geese in WLC bay, 1 Snipe, 1 Redkite, 2 Willow Tit plus all the usual waterfoul.17/02/2025
Simon Roddis, Jon BradleyMonthly wildfowl count, a little bit later in the day than usual because it was a bit dreich this morning: 207 Canada, 31 Barnacle, 88 Greylag, 4 Mute Swan, 19 Gadwall, 11 Wigeon, 116 Mallard, 3 Teal, 550 Pochard, 1 Ring-necked Duck, 158 Tufted, 2 Scaup, 1 Lesser Scaup, 1 Aythya hybrid, 22 Goldeneye, 2 Goosander, 1 Water Rail, 10 Moorhen, 570 Coot, 25 Little Grebe, 85 GCGrebe, 10 Oystercatcher, 3 Lapwing, 1 Redshank, 1 GN Diver, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Little Egret. Peregrine over WLC. 25 Chaffinch feeding in field south of Sheepwash. Later from Stones island, c6,000 Black-headed Gulls, 1 adult Mediterranean, 4,000 Common, 550 Lesser Black-backed and 50 Herring.16/02/2025
Richard LoweTwo adult Mediterranean Gulls late afternoon, one from Millfields, the other from Stones Is. Both RTDiver and GNDiver visible at range from Millfields. Ring-necked Duck (f) off Sailing Club, courtesy of Simon Roddis. Little Egret flew over Stones Island towards Sheepwash at dusk.16/02/2025
Tom EelesLittle Egret over Stones at 0830. Too murky to see Divers, Ring Necked Duck off Sailing Club at 11am15/02/2025
Richard LoweCaspian Gull 1st w and YL Gull 3rd w in this afternoon’s gull roost plus 2 Mediterranean Gulls (adult plus 1st w) well spotted by Clive Ashton. An eight species gull roost. Plus Ring-necked Duck (f) off sailing club.14/02/2025
Simon RoddisThe Lesser Scaup was still at Millfields this morning, and the Ring-necked Duck was there too, just to keep us on our toes. GN and Red-throated Divers out on the water and the 2 drake Scaup again below Hall Wood. Water Rail in Hopton reedbed. Peregrine(s?) over the east and west sides. 250 Starlings. 32 Barnacle Geese. The Aythya hybrid again in sailing club bay.14/02/2025
Richard Lowe1st winter Mediterranean Gull in gull roost off Watersports centre late afternoon.13/02/2025
SJR, CA, AHSThe Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, 2 Greater Scaup and the 2 divers were in their usual spots this morning. Otherwise as you were.13/02/2025
SJR, CA, AHSThe Lesser and 2 Greater Scaup, the Ring-necked Duck and both GN and Red-throated Divers in their respective spots this morning. The Red-throat had a bit of a fly again. The Aythya hybrid also off Stones causeway again. 2 singing Mistle Thrushes at Sheepwash. 30 Siskin over WLC creek.12/02/2025
Simon RoddisGN and Red-throated Divers distantly in the murk from Stones island this morning, and the 2 Greater Scaup below Hall Wood, seen from PS hide. I couldn't find the Lesser Scaup or the Ring-necked Duck in their usual haunts. 33 Barnacle Geese. 500+ Pochard.11/02/2025
Simon RoddisThe Lesser and Greater Scaup, Ring-necked Duck and both GN and Red-throated Divers all present and correct this morning. The Greater Scaup were among a flock of 260 Pochard in Brown Ale Bay, seen from Paul Stanley hide (c500 Pochard in total). 3 Woodcock and a calling Tawny Owl at Hopton end first thing.09/02/2025
Richard Lowe2nd winter Caspian Gull off Sailing Club late this afternoon - thankfully out of the biting wind; Ring-necked Duck showing well off Stones Is causeway; Lesser Scaup showing well from the perimeter path between Millfields car park and Fishtail creek.07/02/2025
Richard LoweAdult Mediterranean Gull off Stones Is in the roost late afternoon.01/02/2025
Simon RoddisLate afternoon, 800 Lesser Black-backs and 30+ Herring Gulls in the roost, plus several thousand Black-heads and Commons. Both divers still, and the 5 Whoopers were still there at dusk. Earlier, the 2 Greater Scaup still under Hall Wood.06/02/2025
Simon Roddis, Alan StewardsonThe female Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck and both GN and Red-throated Divers were in their usual areas this morning. 700+ Pink-footed Geese flew NW in 6 skeins 0915-1015. 5 Whooper Swans flew in from the SW at 0940. 1 Shelduck, 2 Pintail, single Great Egret and Redshank. 8 Oystercatchers. 3 Curlew. 1 Woodcock at Hopton end first thing and 17 Reed Buntings came out of the reedbed.06/02/2025
Simon RoddisThe Lesser and Greater Scaup, Ring-necked Duck and both GN and Red-throated Divers were in their usual areas this morning. The Red-throat called several times with its breath visible as it exhaled, something I've never heard or seen before. 33 Barnacle Geese. 5 Goosander. Mini waderfest involving 21 Lapwing, 7 Oystercatcher, 3 Curlew, 4 Snipe and a Woodcock. Barn Owl early morning. Peregrine N over Sheepwash. Totals of 13 Raven and 6 Skylark. An excellent morning, my first 70+ haul this year (73 species).05/02/2025
SJR, CA, AHSThe female Lesser Scaup was still at Millfields this morning, the Ring-necked Duck at sailing club, both GN and Red-throated Divers from Stones island, and the 2 Scaup still below Hall Wood. 1 Shelduck at Millfields. Totals of 558 Pochard and 32 Goldeneye. 30 Barnacle Geese. At least 3,000 Black-headed and 1,000 Common Gulls early morning. 6 Oystercatchers.04/02/2025
Simon RoddisAll the main attractions still present this morning: the female Lesser Scaup at Millfields, the female Ring-necked Duck at sailing club, GN and Red-throated Divers from Stones island, and the 2 immature drake Greater Scaup towards the north end of the res below Hall Wood. 5 Oystercatchers indicates an arrival of several birds in the last day. 3 singing Mistle Thrushes and my first singing Chaffinch of the year at Sheepwash.03/02/2025
Gary AtkinsSpecies seen during the monthly Birdwatching for Beginners walk (10am-noon, Stones Island - Wildlife Centre): Black-headed Gull, House Sparrow, Coot, Canada Goose, Gt Crested Grebe, Robin, Cormorant, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Pied Wagtail, Little Grebe, Carrion Crow, Lapwing, Pochard, Magpie, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Dunnock, Common Gull, Barnacle Goose, Teal, Buzzard, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Great Northern Diver, Willow Tit, Moorhen, Chaffinch, Woodpigeon, Great Tit, Kestrel, Goldeneye, Mallard and Oystercatcher02/02/2025
Simon RoddisAnother eventful morning: huge credit to Jon Bradley for finding a female Lesser Scaup at Millfields, a first for Carsington and just the second for the county. Red-throated and GN Divers still from Stones. The female Ring-necked Duck was at sailing club early on but then relocated to Millfields. 31 Barnacle Geese. 3 Goosander. 560 Woodpigeons flew N in 2 hours. Single Oystercatcher, GBbGull and Peregrine.02/02/2025
Simon RoddisThe female Ring-necked Duck was again at sailing club early morning but disappeared once the inevitable boating activities started. GN and Red-throated Divers and the 2 Scaup still from Stones island. 4 Pintail on the water for a while, and 6 Shoveler at Millfields. 20 Goldeneye from Stones and the Aythya hybrid again. A Great Egret flew N and Colin Bowler had a Little Egret perched in Tail Bay. 55 Woodpigeons N. At least 1 Oystercatcher. Barn Owl at the Knockerdown early morning.01/02/2025
SJR, AHS, CAAll the goodies were in their usual areas this morning, the Ring-necked Duck, both divers and the 2 Scaup, although the Ring-necked Duck got a bit elusive later in the morning. The Aythya hybrid still off Stones causeway too. One Woodcock and 3 Goosander at Millfields first thing. Single Oystercatcher still at Watersports. Peregrine over Hall Wood.31/01/2025
Simon RoddisA beautiful morning and a few decent birds to boot. The female Ring-necked Duck was in her current favoured spot at sailing club; the Red-throated Diver flew around for at least 15 minutes but was later on the water off Stones island, and the GNDiver from there too. A Great Egret flew in from the E and an Oystercatcher was at Watersports. 73 Woodpigeons NE. c30 Barnacle Geese, 1 Skylark and 55 Redwing.30/01/2025
Simon RoddisThe female Ring-necked Duck was again at the sailing club early morning, and the Red-throated and GN (eventually) Divers from Stones. 195 Greylags flew out. 30 Barnacle Geese at WLC. The Aythya hybrid again off Stones causeway. 43 Woodpigeons flew NE. 330 Lesser Black-backs out of their roost. Peregrine on sailing club shore and later from Stones. 300 Jackdaws and 60 Rooks on the dam wall early morning. 30 Fieldfares on the east side. 4 Bullfinch, 2 Redpoll and a Linnet on Stones.29/01/2025
Simon RoddisThe female Ring-necked Duck, presumably the same as last November and also reported a week or so ago, was at sailing club between 09:00 and 10:00 at least but couldn't find it there at 11. GN and Red-throated Divers still from Stones, and both immature drake Scaup, getting greyer by the day. 3 Redpoll on Stones and 60 Starlings over.28/01/2025
Simon RoddisThe GN and Red-throated Divers and one of the Scaup were back in their usual areas, visible from Stones island, early morning. By late morning the GNDiver was down at Millfields. 30+ Barnacle Geese. Pair of Shoveler at WLC. Water Rail showing extremely well on the pond off the boardwalk just before the WLC. Kingfisher and the Aythya hybrid off Stones causeway.27/01/2025
SJR, CA, AHSBoth the GN and Red-throated Divers still this morning, again moved north of Stones, the Red-throat best seen from Sheepwash hide late morning. The 2 immature drake Scaup have also relocated to that area, not having been seen from Stones for a few days. 32 Barnacle Geese. The Aythya hybrid was in sailing club bay and later in Brown Ale Bay.26/01/2025
Simon RoddisThe GNDiver was still off Stones island this afternoon, and the Red-throated was off Millfields. Minimum of 934 Pochard, including 545 at Sheepwash.24/01/2025
Simon RoddisAfternoon visit: the GN and Red-throated Divers from Millfields/Stones all afternoon, and the 2 Scaup landed off Stones early afternoon. The Great Egret seen elsewhere by others roosted on Flat Island for much of the afternoon. 32 Barnacle Geese still. Duck numbers: 61 Gadwall, 17 Wigeon, 5 Teal (presumably missed some), 107 Mallard, 967 Pochard, 364 Tufted, 12 Goldeneye, plus 20 Little and 74 GCGrebes. 32 Lapwing. Adult Yellow-legged Gull at sailing club. Peregrine over Hall Wood. A flock of 500+ (1,000?) Starlings flew S behind Hall Wood late afternoon.22/01/2025
Simon Roddis, Alan StewardsonThe GN and Red-throated Divers were still visible from both Stones island and Millfields this morning, although the 2 immature drake Scaup had moved maybe 200m north and we only picked them up from WLC creek, looking off Shiningford island. 33 Barnacle Geese still. Woodcock and Tawny Owl at Hopton end first thing. My first singing Song Thrush of the year at Millfields. 2 Willow Tits on Stones.20/01/2025


Historic Sightings

DateSightingName
2020-09-11420 Greylags flew in this morning. Only 27 Wigeon at Millfields. 37 Gadwall, most of them off Stones causeway. 5 Shoveler in Brown Ale Bay. 43 Pochard. 1 Curlew flew W over WLC creek. Adult Yellow-legged Gull. 9 Grey Heron. 3 Little Egret. 65 House Martins, 2 Sand martins and 16 Swallow. Single Reed and Willow Warblers on Stones island. 3 Yellow Wagtails on the dam wall.Simon Roddis
2020-09-102 drake Common Scoter off Stones island all morning. Female Red-crested Pochard in Brown Ale Bay. WLC creek was quite busy, with a beautiful juvenile Whinchat (first of the year), 2 Common Whitethroat, and 2 Golden Plover and 13 Lesser Redpoll over (plus another 3 LR over BABay). 3 Ringed Plover over Millfields early morning, and a Yellow Wagtail on the dam wall. 2 Kingfishers. Reed Warbler in BABay. 15 Meadow Pipits over.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
2020-09-097 Knot flew around the WLC area for a minute or so this morning but didn't land and I didn't see them again. 635 Canada Geese and 390 Greylags. 37 Gadwall. 64 Wigeon at Millfields. 231 Teal. 30 Pochard. 325 Tufted Duck. 590 Coot (probably more as it's difficult counting around Sheepwash at the moment). 35 Cormorant. 7 Grey Heron. 2 Little Egret. 1 Red Kite. Hirundine numbers much reduced but still 40 House Martins, 5 Sand Martins and 15 Swallows. 27 Chiffchaff. 5 Blackcaps. 1 Redstart still in WLC fields. 23 Tree Sparrow (22 at WLC). 2 Yellow wagtail on the dam wall early morning. 20 Meadow Pipits over. 14 Siskin (12 at Brown Ale Bay).Simon Roddis
2020-09-08This morning, 410 Greylag, 1 Pintail, 41 Pochard, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 LRP, 1 Barwit, the adult Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Little Egret, 1 Red Kite over the east side, Redstart in WLC creek, 3 Lesser Redpoll around the visitor centre/Stones. 4 species there that we didn't get yesterday!Simon Roddis
2020-09-07An all-day session from dawn to dusk resulted in 92 species being recorded. Highlight was a juvenile Marsh Harrier which flew S down the res just after midday. Counts of 360 Greylag, 38 Mute Swan, 255 Teal and 35 Pochard, with 2 Shelduck and single male Common Scoter and female Red-crested Pochard. 3 Little Egret at dusk, looking as if they wanted to roost on Stones island, while a Great Egret flew NE also at dusk. 46 Cormorant. 2 Oystercatcher. 71 Lapwing. 4 Dunlin. 1 Ringed Plover. 1 Redshank. Single adult Common and Yellow-legged Gulls. 2,300 Lesser Black-backs came in to roost by 20:00. 2 Red Kite over the east side. Hobby at Hopton reedbed at first light. 2 Kingfishers. 4 Swifts from Stones island. 78 Rooks over Hopton end early morning. 1 Skylark, 70 Pied and 3 Yellow Wagtails on the dam wall (and 30 Pied went to roost on Watersports island at dusk). 76 House Martins resting on the visitor centre roof. 1 Willow Warbler on Stones. 3 Reed Warbler in Hopton reedbed. 4 Lesser Redpoll dropped into WLC creek, and a Crossbill and 20 Siskin SW through Millfields.SJR,RC,AHS,ASB,NM
2020-09-0612 Pied Wagtail,11 Little Grebe,5 Robin,30 Teal, 4 Grey Heron,6 Gadwall,8 Moorhen,19 Great Crested Grebe,8 House Martin,16 Tree Sparrow, 2 Bullfinch,3 Chiffchaff,3 Willow Tit,24 Mute Swan,50+ sand Martin,1 Willow Warbler,1 Blackcap,29 cormorant,1 Redshank,2 Swifts,2 Reed BuntingDavid Armitt
2020-09-05Green Sandpiper from WLC at 15.15. Hobby at Sheepwash at 16.25.Neil Moulden
2020-09-05This morning: 359 Greylag, 68 Wigeon, 199 Teal, 44 Pochard, 1 Dunlin, 3 Common Sand, adult Yellow-leg, 2 GBbG, 39 Cormorant, juv Red Kite again, single Peregrine and Hobby, Kingfisher in Shiningford creek, 3 Swifts over Stones island, 8 Raven, 15 Sand Martin, 60 House Martin, 43 Mistle Thrushes at Sheepwash, 60 Pied Wag including 50 on the dam wall early morning, along with 2 Yellow Wags including the leucistic bird seen earlier in the week.Simon Roddis
2020-09-04The Osprey was around again from 09:55 to 11:25 at least. 230 Canada Geese, 1 Barnacle and 324 Greylags. 50 Wigeon. 120 Teal. 1 Shoveler. 29 Pochard. A juv Red Kite settled on the shore beneath Hall Wood, apparently interested in something that a group of Carrion Crows had got, but they were having none of it. Hobby over Sheepwash area. 2 Common Sand. Adult Common Gull and Yellow-leg still. 34 Cormorant on Sheepwash spit. 1 Little Egret. 7 Swift. Minima of 50 Swallow, 80 House Martin and 30 Sand Martin. 33 Chiffchaff. 33 Mistle Thrushes at Sheepwash. 1 Yellow Wag over Stones. 6 Meadow Pipits over. Total of 10 Siskin.Simon Roddis
2020-09-03Not a lot to report this morning but a further increase in some wildfowl, with 194 Teal and 58 Wigeon. 3 R-c Pochard still present. 8 Swifts around Stones island. Breeding migrants definitely getting thinner on the ground.SJR,RC,AHS
2020-09-02A very decent morning, perhaps the highlight being the Osprey catching a fish off Sheepwash carpark at 11:20, then flew N with it. Other raptors included 3 Red Kites over the east side, 9 Buzzards and a Hobby. A clear arrival of duck included 8 Pintail, 9 Shoveler, 18 Wigeon and 3 Red-crested Pochard (2m,1f). 113 Teal. 244 Greylags. A Green Sandpiper was on the Millfields end of the dam wall early morning. 2 Common Sand. Adult Yellow-legged Gull still. 8 Grey Heron. Kingfishers(s) at Millfields and Stones island. 3+ (maybe 6) Swifts. 200+ Swallow, including 150+ again out of Hopton reedbed early morning. c5 Reed Warbler also in Hopton reedbed. 3 Yellow Wagtails on the dam wall, including a very pale (leucistic?) bird.SJR,AHS,RPJ,AMD
2020-09-01This morning, 2 Barnacle Geese flew into Millfields with Canadas. 205 Greylag. 6 Shoveler. 3 Wigeon. 27 Pochard. 1 Ringed Plover. 1 Common Sand. 2 adult Common Gull. 2 adult GBbG including Onefoot. Kingfisher at Millfields. 2 Swifts from Stones island. Loads of hirundines again: minima of 100 Swallow, 50 House Martin, 30 Sand Martin. c35 Chiffchaff. 5 Willow Warbler. 12 Blackcap. 1 Sedge Warbler on Stones. 1 Lesser Whitethroat and a Redstart in WLC fields. 5 Meadow Pipit. 1 Yellow Wag along Stones causeway. 80 Goldfinch and 6 Siskin at Millfields.Simon Roddis, Roger Carrington
2020-08-31This morning, 2 Great White Egret flew through N 08:05-08:10, presumably the birds seen an hour later at Carr Vale. 4 Pintail and 4 Wigeon off Stones island were new in. 1 Shoveler. 20 Pochard in Brown Ale Bay. 270 Greylag. 2 Ringed Plover and a Redshank through. 2 Common Sand. Adult Yellow-legged Gull still. 44 Cormorant, including 18 (6+12) SW. A distant Red Kite beyond Fishtail creek. 2 Swift. Kingfisher(s) at Penn Carr and Stones island. Hundreds of hirundines again: 150+ Swallow left Hopton reedbed just after 06:00 and flew high and away - 2 minutes later and I'd have missed them; c100 Sand Martin at WLC; c20 House Martin over Stones. 4 Willow Warbler. Sedge Warbler on Stones. Redstart and Lesser Whitethroat in WLC fields. Yellow Wag on Stones. 3 Meadow Pipit (lots moving at Spurn this morning, apparently). 80 Goldfinch at Millfields. 25 Siskin (8 Millfields and a flock of 17 dropped onto Stones island).Simon Roddis
2020-08-31150+ Sand Martin, 8 Little Grebe, 5 Grey Heron, 2 Sedge warbler, 2 Great White Egret over,45 Greylag Goose ,14 Pied Wagtail,1 Chiffchaff, 32 Mute Swan, 1 Blackcap,Grey Wagtail, 2 Swift,1 Kingfisher WLC, , 12 Teal, 9 Gadwall, 8 Cormorant,1 Redstart,2 Common Sandpiper David Armitt
2020-08-30Raft of 18 Gt Crested Grebes just off Brown Ale Bay; also here Common Sandpiper. Gary Atkins
2020-08-29The Osprey returned this morning and fished from 09:15 to 10:00 at least but didn't catch anything in that time, despite a couple of attempts. 2 Hobbies over the east side. 10 Buzzards. 2 Shoveler at Millfields. 2 Ringed Plover. 2 Common Sandpiper. 1 Common Tern. 32 Cormorant. 1 Little Egret in Tail Bay. 2 Swift. 3 Redstart in WLC/Shiningford creeks. Total of 18 Tree Sparrow. 40 Goldfinch at Penn Carr.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
2020-08-274 Greenshank dropped onto Watersports island at 08:00 but didn't stay long. 3 Ringed Plover on Stones. 70 Lapwing. 4 Common Sand. 1 Dunlin. c100 Teal. 25 Pochard. Adult Yellow-legged Gull still. 3+ Swift. 6 Stock Dove. Little Egret in Brown Ale Bay. 100s of hirundines, particularly Sand Martin. 6 Reed Warbler (4 Hopton reedbed, 2 BABay). Whitethroat on Watersports island. 45 Mistle Thrush at Sheepwash. Total of 5 Grey Wag. 2 Yellow Wag over Stones. c80 Goldfinch on Stones. 2 Crossbill SW over WLC creek.SJR,RPJ,AMD
2020-08-26A juv Arctic Tern flew past Stones island just before 08:00. Later 5 Common Terns (3 adults first, later joined by a juv and then a very scruffy moulting adult) and 5 Ringed Plover. 370 Canada Geese. 20 Greylags. 37 Gadwall. 103 Teal. 9 Pochard. 2 Common Sand. 4 Common Snipe (3 Watersports island, 1 WLC creek). Adult Yellow-legged Gull again. 8+ Swift from Stones. Juv Peregrine chasing Lapwings again, and a Hobby from Stones. 5 Raven. 50+ Sand Martin. Single Redstart and Wheatear in WLC fields.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
2020-08-24An Osprey drifted SE to the north of the reservoir at 08:00. 4 Shelduck off Horseshoe island. 25 Greylag. 1 Ringed Plover and 1 Yellow Wagtail over Millfields. 3 Common Sand. 2 Yellow-legged Gull (ad,1w). 34 Cormorant. 1 Little Egret. 4 Lesser Whitethroat and 5 Redstart in WLC creek/fields. Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
2020-08-23Monthly WeBS count: 241 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 41 Mute Swan, 2 Shoveler (WLC), 39 Gadwall, 1 Wigeon, 224 Mallard, 92 Teal, 19 Pochard, 300 Tufted, 1f Common Scoter, 22 Moorhen, 698 Coot, 33 Little Grebe, 46 GCGrebe, 68 Lapwing, 1 Ringed Plover (plus 2 flew through), 6 Common Sand, 1 Green Sand (Brown Ale Bay), 34 Cormorant, 8 Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Yellow Wag. Also: 2 Yellow-legged Gull (ad,1w), 10 Buzzard, 9 Kestrel in the air over Carsington pastures, 9 Swift from Stones, 6+ Raven, 1 Whitethroat at Hopton end, single Redstart and Lesser White in WLC creek, 1 Spotted Fly at Sheepwash, 24 Tree Sparrow at WLC, 10 Bullfinch including a family of 5 at Hopton end.Simon Roddis, Jon Bradley
2020-08-22Around/from Stones island, 17+ Swift, 40 Sand martin, 3 Yellow Wagtail (plus 1 over Millfields), 2 Peregrine, 1 Red Kite over the east side, 80 Goldfinch. Elsewhere, 4 Redshank on the dam wall at Millfields early morning, 8 Siskin over Millfields, totals of 9 Goldcrest and 18 Tree Sparrow, and 2 Redstart in WLC creek.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
2020-08-21Evening visit. 1,500 Lesser Black-backs came in to roost. 4 Yellow-legged Gull (2 ads, 2 first-years). 300 BhGull. 36 Gadwall at Millfields. 3 Little Egret. Hobby and Peregrine chasing over Sheepwash. Tawny Owl calling at Sheepwash. 1 Yellow Wag over Stones casueway.Simon Roddis
2020-08-212 Great Egrets at Millfields briefly this morning at 09:50hrs. When leaving they were heading over the dam against a rather strong headwind and I lost sight of them behind trees.Roger Carrington
2020-08-2120 Sand Martin, 7 Little Grebe,60 Goldfinch,18 Cormorant, 2 Raven, 6 Mute Swan,12 Pied Wagtail, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret,1 Snipe,3 Common sandpiper, 3 Pochard ,4 Teal, 8 Great Crested Grebe,8 Moorhen, 12 Tree Sparrow, 16 Lapwing,,8 Gadwall,1 Great Black-Backed GullDavid Armitt
2020-08-20WLC fields 08-00 today - 20+ Mistle Thrushes, at least 2 Tree Pipits, Redstart, Robin, Buzzard, Willow WarblerDAVID HORSLEY
2020-08-2028 Gadwall. 80 Lapwing on Horseshoe island. 2 Common Sand around Stones/WLC. 1 Common Gull. 2 GBbG and the adult Yellow-leg still. 1 Little Egret. 6 species of raptor but nothing unexpected. 5+ Swift (same birds as yesterday?). 2 Redstart and a Lesser White in WLC creek. Simon Roddis
2020-08-1938 Mute Swan. 9 Greylag. 1 Shoveler in Brown Ale Bay. 1 Wigeon. 92 Teal. 7 Pochard. 65 Lapwing. 3 Common Sandpiper. 1 Ringed Plover. 3 GBbGull, including Onefoot. Juv Common Gull. 2 Yellow-legged Gull, the long-staying adult and a sickly-looking first-year. 8 Heron. 3 Little Egret. 5 (9?) Swift. Lots of hirundines, minima of 100 House Martin, 50 Sand Martin and 20 Swallows which attracted the attention of 2 Hobbies over Sheepwash area. Kingfishers(s) at Millfields and WLC creek. Total of 4 GSWoodpecker. 6 Willow Warbler. 3 Reed Warbler in BABay. 50 House Sparrow at the visitor centre. 120 Goldfinch on Stones.Simon Roddis
2020-08-18Rain just stopping as I left at 10:30. Surprised so few waders, 4 Common Sandpipers around the site and 1 Snipe from WLC. 3 imm/female Pochard at Millfields and 3 males in Brown Ale Bay. 1 Swift high SW.Roger Carrington
2020-08-173 Ringed Plover again, along with 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Oystercatcher, 91 Teal, 4 Swift, 50 House Martin, 70 Goldfinch and a Hobby around Stones island. Juv Common Gull (first juv I've seen this autumn) at Millfields. Kingfisher at Penn Carr. In WLC creek, 2 Redstart, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and a Reed Warbler.Simon Roddis
2020-08-16I'd hoped that this murky weather might have brought a bit more down but just 3 Ringed Plovers were on Watersports island. 2 Common Sand. 1 Wigeon, 93 Teal and 2 Pochard. Adult Yellow-legged Gull still. Around Stones, 30 Sand Martin, 40 House Martin, 2 Swift, 60 Goldfinch, 1 Whitethroat, and 3 Yellow Wagtails over. A Heron on Watersports island caught another Perch. Kingfisher in Brown Ale Bay. 3+ Spotted Fly at Penn Carr. 2 Redstart. 50 House Sparrows at the visitor centre.Simon Roddis
2020-08-15Teal now up to 107, mostly off Stones island early morning. 44 Mute Swan. 2 Shoveler in Brown Ale Bay. 1 Wigeon still. 24 Gadwall. 2 Pochard. 218 Tufted in the northern part of the res. 23 Moorhen. 22 Little Grebe. 58 GCGrebe. 31 Cormorant. 9 Grey Heron. 2 Little Egret. 1 Common Sand. 2 GBbGull and the adult Yellow-leg. 3+ Swift. 2 juv Peregrine at WLC, chasing Lapwings and then each other; one caught a Lapwing which managed to escape and dive into a willow bush. 4 Raven. 50 Sand and 10 House Martin. Totals of 41 Chiffchaff, 17 Blackcap and 5 Willow Warbler. 2+ Reed Warblers in BABay. 2 Lesser White in WLC creek. 5 Blackbirds feeding on the water's edge at BABay, turning over dead leaves under an overhanging Sallow. 70 Pied Wag, including 40 on the dam wall. 40 Goldfinch on Stones.Simon Roddis
2020-08-14On a grey overcast morning, 45 House Sparrows on path to Stones Island, 60 Teal around the Island, Stoat on circular path and a Wigeon towards Sailing Club. Another Stoat near WLC, 3 Little Egret, 50 House Martins, 30 Sand Martins there and 3 Redstart along the Creek. Another Little Egret in Brown Ale Bay, also a raft of 186 Tufted Duck there which suggests well over 200 on site. A juv Common Buzzard with prey on the elevated platform between Sheepwash and PSHide viewed from the main track.Roger Carrington
2020-08-135+ Swift over Shiningford. 2 Common Sand and 2 Snipe in WLC creek. 1 extremely tatty immature Common Gull. Adult Yellow-legged Gull. 35 Cormorant. 2 Little Egret. 50+ House Martin. 4 Spotted Flycatchers in Penn Carr (think different from the Millfields carpark birds). 32 Tree Sparrow (27 WLC, 5 Millfields, 75% juvs). 5 Siskin at Penn Carr.SJR, RJP, AMD
2020-08-1236 Mute Swan. 65 Teal around Stones island. 1 Wigeon. 1 Swift. 1 Whimbrel flew S. 1 Snipe in WLC creek. 2 Common Sand. 3 GBbGull, including Onefoot. Adult Yellow-leg. 2 Garden Warbler (Stones and 1 almost singing at Sheepwash). 2 Common Whitethroat on Stones. Total of 5 Lesser White. Reed Warbler still in Brown Ale Bay. 30 Starling above Penn Carr. 4 Spotted Flycatcher at Millfields carpark entrance. 4 Redstart in WLC creek. Tree Pipit over Millfields. Crossbill over Sheepwash carpark.Simon Roddis
2020-08-111 Wigeon off Stones island. 1 Dunlin. 5 Common Sand. Adult Common Tern. 36 Cormorant. 1 Little Egret. Juv peregrine again. Another new Moorhen brood - 2 small young at Shiningford. Garden Warbler and Spotted Fly at Penn Carr.Simon Roddis
2020-08-10Whimbrel and Ringed Plover flew through, and single Common Snipe and Dunlin down in WLC creek. 20 Gadwall, plus 10 young. 10 (possibly 19) Teal. 2 Swift. Kingfisher at Penn Carr. Total of 10 Willow Tit. Garden Warbler and 2 Spotted Fly in Penn Carr (and another Spot Fly in WLC creek). 5 Redstart and 2 Lesser Whitethroat in WLC creek.Simon Roddis, Roger Carrington
2020-08-085 Pied Wagtail, 2 Little Egret,14 Little Grebe ,18 Great Crested Grebe,14 Mute Swan,4 Grey Heron,3 Willow Tit, 7 Goldfinch, 1 Male Bullfinch,2 Willow Warbler,2 Blackcap,1 Spotted Flycatcher, 45 Lapwing, 2 Redstart,11 Moorhen David Armitt
2020-08-0808-00 - 09-00 WLC Creek/fields - Group of 7 Ravens above Creek plus 2 over Stones, 3 Redstart (2 Juvenile) in fields, 1 Willow Warbler plus 1 Chiffchaff from Stones walkway.DAVID HORSLEY
2020-08-08Female Shoveler off Stones island. 9 Teal at WLC. 1 Common Sand on the dam wall. Adult Yellow-legged Gull plus the sub-ad Caspian-type again. 30 Cormorant. 1 Little Egret around Stones. Kingfisher at Penn Carr. 9 Raven. Spotted Flycatcher on Stones. 4 Redstart in WLC creek.Simon Roddis
2020-08-07Drake Common Scoter off Brown Ale Bay late morning. 3 Barnacle Geese. 3 Greylag. 3 Pochard. 2 Common Sand. A (probably) 3rd-year gull which looked as if it had at least some Caspian in it. 6+ Grey Heron. 1 Little Egret. Kingfishers at Millfields and Brown Ale Bay. 2 Reed Warblers still carrying food at BABay. In WLC fields/creek, 4+ Redstart, 3 Spotted Fly and 3 Lesser Whitethroat (plus singles at Millfields and Stones). 3 Yellow Wagtails SE at Millfields early morning.Simon Roddis, Roger Carrington
2020-08-05Ad hoc wildfowl count: 308 Canada Geese, 41 Mute Swan, 20 Gadwall, 183 Mallard, 11 Teal, 1 Pochard, 305 Tufted, 17 Moorhen (plus a new brood of 2 small young in WLC creek), 557 Coot, 19 Little Grebe, 44 GCGrebe, 80 Lapwing, 33 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret. Also: 14 Swift, 25 Sand and 15 House Martin, 20 L-t Tit at Hopton end, 6 Redstart, including 2 between Sheepwash and Lane End.Simon Roddis
2020-08-04From the Millfields end of the dam wall early morning, a Green Woodpecker calling in Tail Bay, juv Wheatear and c200 Swallow. 43 Mute Swan. 1 Shoveler at Sheepwash. 26 Gadwall. 11 Teal. 218 Tufted in the northern half of the res. 2 Pochard. Total of 40 Swift, including 35 feeding at Sheepwash. 49 GCGrebe. Adult Yellow-legged Gull still. 26 Cormorant. 7+ Little Egret (4 flew in from N at 07:45). Kingfisher near Big Island. Totals of 80 House and 20 Sand Martin. 13 Mistle Thrush over Shiningford. 4 Redstart. 30 Linnet.Simon Roddis
2020-08-0210 Lapwing,4 Grey Heron, 3 Barnacle goose, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Little Egret,6 Moorhen, 6 Little Grebe,10 Great Crested Grebe,3 Willow Tit ,1Tree Sparrow,6 House Martin , 2 Redstart,8 Goldfinch, 12 Pied Wagtail ,1 Common Sandpiper,1 Reed Warbler, 1 lesser Whitethroat, 2 Wren, 8 Sand Martin, 6 Swift David Armitt
2020-08-02Quieter than yesterday but the first Dunlin for a while was on Watersports island. 3 Little Egret. 50 Swift moved S through. 8 Buzzard. 2 Hobby over WLC creek mid-morning. 11 Blackcaps in one bush on Sailing Club island. 3 Garden Warbler (1 Millfields, 2 Stones). 4 Lesser Whitethroat (Millfields, Stones, WLC and Shiningford creeks). 5 Redstart. 2+ Spotted Fly still at Millfields carpark.Simon Roddis
2020-08-01From Millfields early morning, a drake Common Scoter, a Green Sandpiper flew over the dam wall and 4 Spotted Flycatcher (family party) near the carpark entrance. Female Mandarin in Shiningford creek. 13 Teal. 2 Pochard at WLC. 19 Little Grebe. 31 GCGrebe in Brown Ale Bay. 3 Little Egret. 2 GBbG, 1 Herring among a group of Lessers, and one adult Yellow-legged Gull. Single adult Ringed and Little Ringed Plover on Stones. 2 Curlew through. 3 Common Sand. 1 Red Kite over Blackwall plantation. 4 Raven (2 pairs) chasing and ronking over the east side. In WLC creek, 6 Redstart, 3 Lesser White (plus one on Stones) and 2 Sedge Warbler. Garden Warbler on Stones. 2+ Reed Warblers in BABay, one with food.Total of 6 Grey Wag. 80 species, my highest total this year.Simon Roddis
2020-08-01(Evening) 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Grey Heron,1 Great Black Backed Gull, 6 Little Grebe,1 Raven, 1 Little Egret, 3 Barnacle Goose, 5 Moorhen,4 Lapwing, 8 Great Crested Grebe,4 Starling,2 Cormorant , 1 Tawny Owl wood behind Paul Stanley HideDavid Armitt
2020-07-302 Turnstone were on the shore at Millfields at 06:15 before flying off south. 44 Mute Swan. 17 Little Grebe. 1 LRP. 1 Common Sand. 1 Redshank at sailing club. 2 GBbGull. Adult Yellow-leg and adult Common Tern again. 9 Grey Heron including 4 flying S. 2 Little Egret. 1 Skylark N over Stones. 3+ Lesser Whitethroat (family party) in WLC creek. 6 Redstart. 45 Pied Wag on the dam wall. 1 Crossbill over Millfields.Simon Roddis
2020-07-2942 Mute Swan. 4 Teal. 3 Oystercatcher. 1 adult LRP. 5 Common Sand. 2 Redshank in Brown Ale Bay. 2 GBbG. Adult Common Tern. 24 Cormorant. 2 Little Egret. 2 Red Kite over Blackwall. Juv Peregrine honing its hunting skills by chasing an Oystercatcher, and Hobby from Stones island. 5 Raven. 35 Swallows on the dam wall early morning. Recently-fledged Sedge Warbler with an adult on Stones. 2 Lesser Whitethroat (Millfields and Shiningford creek). 8 Redstart in WLC/Shiningford creeks.Simon Roddis
2020-07-28Not much different today but a Tree Pipit flew over WLC creek around 10:30. 15 Swift. 71 Lapwing. 2 Common Sand at WLC/Shiningford. 6 Oystercatcher. 375 Lesser Black-backs flew in 07:30-09:00. The one-footed GBbG (now adult) at sailing club and adult Yellow-leg still. 21 Cormorant. 1 Little Egret. Kingfisher in WLC creek. 10 Willow Tit, including 7 at Millfields. c50 Sand Martin. 1 Lesser Whitethroat in Shiningford creek. 7 Redstart in WLC/Shiningford area. 70 Starling in fields north of Millfields. 30 Linnet still in Shiningford creek.Simon Roddis
2020-07-2609 00 - 10 00 suplementing SR report 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Kestrel, 4 Redstart incl. juveniles all WLC Creek area and field.Dave Horsley

Scroll to Top