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
07/09/2024Highlights this morning were a Green Woodpecker in Tail Bay, a Wheatear past Stones island and juvenile Water Rail on Horseshoe island. 2 adults Yellow-legged and juvenile Caspian Gull. 44 Teal. 4 Wigeon and 49 Pochard from WLC. 46 Swallows over Millfields.Simon Roddis
06/09/2024Forgot to say, a count of 55 Cormorants, although dwarfed by recent counts at Ogston, suggests an increase in line with theirs, some of which have been shown by colour rings to have come from Germany.Simon Roddis
06/09/2024Not a bad morning, difficult to know how much part the wind played in that. Clive picked up a juvenile Arctic Tern off Stones (still there to 11:00 at least) and then a juvenile Black Tern appeared off the Lane End area from 10:00. A flock of 11 Wigeon and a Pintail flew up the res, then a male Common Scoter from Lane End. Another Wigeon and the drake Red-crested Pochard were off Stones causeway.Simon Roddis
05/09/2024A Redshank which dropped onto Sheepwash spit late morning was the only new bird of note. Wildfowl still increasing: 97 Pochard, 36 Teal, 1 Wigeon and the drake Red-crested Pochard still. 3 Yellow-legged Gulls (2 adults, 1 juv). 50 Goldfinches again on Stones.Simon Roddis
04/09/2024900 Canada Geese and 72 Greylags flew out over the dam wall early morning. Drake Red-crested Pochard still from Stones island. Ringed Plover over Millfields early morning. Juvenile Caspian Gull and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls off Stones. At least 2 Kingfishers in the Stones/WLC area and perhaps another at Millfields. Totals of 50 Swallows and 35 House Martins. Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and 3+ Sedge on Stones, plus another Willow Warbler in WLC creek. 2 Redstarts still in WLC fields.SJR, CA, RPJ, AMD
03/09/20243 Greenshank flew high SW over Stones island at 09:00 - difficult to know if these were the same as 2 or more over Sheepwash an hour earlier. 2 Snipe and a Curlew also from Stones. Adult Yellow-legged Gull and Common Tern. 2 Shoveler. 1 drake Wigeon. The drake Red-crested Pochard still. Kingfisher off Stones causeway. c30 House Martins over the dam wall.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
02/09/2024A female-type Pied Flycatcher at Hopton end early morning looks like the first September record here. Drake Common Scoter off Stones. 18 Teal. 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.1 Common Sandpiper. 2 Kingfishers at WLC. 2 Sedge Warblers and 2 Lesser Whitethroats on/around Stones. 3+ Reed Warblers in Hopton reedbed.Simon Roddis
01/09/2024BwB walk. Canada goose, goldfinch, wood pigeon, gt cr grebe, mute swan, cormorant, house sparrow, pied wagtail, coot, moorhen, tufted duck, little grebe, kestrel, grey heron, lapwing, crow, robin, swallow, magpie, gadwall, mallard, greylag goose, pochard, BH gull, herring gull, LBB gull, teal, great tit, blue tit, chiffchaff, wrenAmanda Palethorpe
01/09/2024A Ringed Plover flew over WLC early morning. Single Shoveler over Stones causeway and the male Red-crested Pochard from the mound. 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, adult and juv. Kingfisher at WLC and Redstart still in the creek.Simon Roddis
30/08/20246 Pied wagtail, 4 Gadwall, 6 Little grebe, 14 Mute swan, 9 Lapwing, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Chiffchaff, three flocks of Goldfinch 20,30 and 10 mixer of mature and young birds, 1 Lesser Whitethroat , 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Sparrow hawk , 10 Buzzard, 4 Red Kite same group that Simon saw. 6 Swallow , 6 PochardDave Armitt
30/08/2024The Cattle Egret was roosting with Cormorants between Sheepwash and Lane End early morning, then flew SW over Stones at 08:35. More wildfowl have arrived, with Pochard up to 76, 24 Teal and single Wigeon and Shoveler. 520 Coot. 2 Little Egret. Adult Yellow-legged Gull. Spiral of 10 Buzzards and 4 Red Kites. 3 Kingfishers. 7 Jays between Hopton end and Middle Wood. Lesser Whitethroat still on Stones and 2 Redstarts in WLC fields. 1 Yellow Wagtail over WLC.Simon Roddis
29/08/20244 Wigeon in Brown Ale Bay were the first of the autumn. At least 11 Teal also indicates a small arrival. 30 Lapwing. Adult and juv Yellow-legged Gulls. 1 Little Egret at Lane End. Kingfishers at Millfields and in BABay. Pair of adult Hobbies were chasing Swallows around the draw-off tower at Millfields early morning. Lesser Whitethroat on Stones. 2 Redstarts (male and female/juv) in WLC fields.Simon Roddis, Ken Rome
28/08/2024A light breeze which picked up late morning made all the difference as far as large raptors were concerned: a cream-crown Marsh Harrier flew S at 11:00, an Osprey flew around at 11:10 and several buzzards and kites circled over the woods. The eclipse male Red-crested Pochard was off Stones and a male Aythya hybrid, presumably the same one as has appeared before, was off Millfields early morning. c100 Greylags flew out early on, the most I've seen for a while. Juv Oystercatcher still. 5 Yellow-legged Gulls (2 adults, 3 juvs). Redstart still calling in WLC fields. Kingfisher and Lesser Whitethroat on Stones (per AHS/RPJ/AMD).Simon Roddis
27/08/2024Osprey again from Stones early morning, plus a juvenile Arctic Tern and a fly-over Yellow Wagtail. Adult Caspian Gull still and 2 Yellow-legged (adult and juv). Totals of at least 7 Teal, 50 Pochard and 29 Stock Doves. Redstart still in WLC fields. 9 Mistle Thrushes over the east side (flushed by the Osprey!).Simon Roddis
26/08/2024An Osprey again from Stones island this morning, 09:05 to 09:45 at least. Adult Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls, Peregrine and Kingfisher also from Stones. 31 Pochard at WLC and Water Rail calling in the creek. Juvenile Oystercatcher still at sailing club. Little Egret over the dam wall. 2 Redstarts (1 male) in WLC fields.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
25/08/2024An Osprey was around from 07:55 to 09:55 at least, perched in a dead pine eating a fish for a while. An Arctic Tern flew NE at 08:40. 3 Ringed Plovers through and 4 Swifts from Stones.Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton
23/08/2024Highlight this morning was 2 Ospreys: 1 from 08:10-09:00 from Stones; presumed same at WLC 10:00 then down east side; second bird with a fish down east side 11:00 immediately after first bird and again about 10 minutes later. 2 Hobbies seen 3 times, presumed to be the same birds each time. 5+ Swifts. 1 Oystercatcher. Common Sandpiper at Sheepwash. Adult and 2 juv Yellow-legged Gulls. Clive had a possible Arctic Tern past Sheepwash. 10 Sand Martins.SJR, CA, AHS
18/08/2024Monthly wildfowl count: 227 Canada Geese, 2 Barnacles (plus one juv), 6 Greylag, 21 Mute Swan, 56 Gadwall, 160 Mallard, 5 Teal, 1 Red-crested Pochard, 38 Pochard, 210 Tufted, 26 Moorhen, 466 Coot, 1 Water Rail (Shiningford), 24 Little Grebe, 63 GCGrebe, 1 Oystercatcher, 5 Lapwing, 1 Common Sand, 38 Cormorant, 6 Heron, 2 Kingfisher. 4 Arctic Terns (ad and 3 juvs) from Stones late morning, adult Caspian Gull, 2 Yellow-legs (adult and juv), 2 Swifts, 2 Hobby, 1 juv Peregrine, 2 Yellow Wagtails.Simon Roddis, Jon Bradley
16/08/2024Evening visit: 2,400 Lesser Black-backed Gulls came in to roost, with single Caspian (a juvenile) and Yellow-legs. 8 Teal. 1 Swift. c500 Swallows over Watersports island before going to roost on there.Simon Roddis
17/08/20243 Sandwich Terns were off the Sheepwash/Lane End area from 07:55 to 08:30 at least, an eclipse male Red-crested Pochard from the WLC and the adult Caspian Gull still. 20 Common Pochard. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 60 Goldfinch and the juvenile Yellow Wagtail still on Stones.Simon Roddis
15/08/2024Adult Caspian and 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls again. A Tree Pipit flew S over Millfields at 07:25 and a Greenshank later over WLC. 20 Pochard. 4 Swift. 1 juv Oystercatcher. 1 Common Sandpiper. 2 Kingfishers (Millfields and WLC). Total of 38 House Martins, 100+ Swallows and 6 Sand Martins. Lesser Whitethroat at the mound on Stones. Redstart calling in WLC fields. Juv Yellow Wagtail still on Stones, 4 Grey Wag and 2 Meadow Pipits at Millfields.Simon Roddis, Ken Rome
14/08/2024An immature drake Common Scoter was off Stones island early morning. The adult Caspian Gull again, and adult and juvenile Yellow-legged. 2 Shoveler, 18 Pochard and a KIngfisher at WLC. Common Sandpiper at sailing club. Little Egret at Sheepwash. c150 Swallows at Millfields early morning. Yellow Wagtail and Lesser Whitethroat again on Stones.Simon Roddis
13/08/2024Adult Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls still. 4 Teal. 20 Pochard. 6 Common Sandpipers. 1 Snipe on Horseshoe island. 2 Kingfishers (Tail Bay and the dam wall). 3 Willow Tit, including a brief burst of song in WLC creek. 120 Swallows. 1 Swift. In WLC fields, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, male Redstart, 30 Linnet, Yellow Wagtail flew S, and Hobby. Another Yellow Wag on Stones, along with Lesser Whitethroat and 50+ Goldfinches. Reed Warblers on Stones causeway and at WLC.Simon Roddis
12/08/2024Single adult Caspian, Yellow-legged, Common and GBbGulls this morning. Reed Warbler at WLC and Redstart up the creek.Simon Roddis
09/08/2024A moulting adult Sanderling was on sailing club shore this morning. Adult Caspian, Yellow-legged and GBbGull still. 38 Cormorants. Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat on Stones. Spotted Flycatcher at Lane End. c120 Linnets feeding in the wildflower meadow just south of Sheepwash.Simon Roddis
08/08/2024A bit quieter than the last couple of mornings. Adult Yellow-legged and GBbGulls still. 140 Woodpigeons N and 22 S in an hour - strange birds! 1 Common Sandpiper. 14 Pochard, including the 2 fully grown juvs. 29 Cormorant. 3 Redstarts (male and 2 female/juvs) in WLC fields. Painted Lady on Stones.Simon Roddis
07/08/2024Adult Arctic Tern, Caspian, Yellow-legged and GBbGulls this morning. A Great Egret flew down the res at 09:25 and landed for a short time at Millfields, and a Green Sandpiper flew S over Stones causeway at 09:30 (first of the year). 28 Mute Swan. Around Millfields and the dam wall early morning, 150 Swallows, 135 Pied and 3 Grey Wagtails. New brood of 3 Little Grebes off Stones island, and now 4 young at the WLC. Kingfisher in Tail Bay. Hobby at the top of WLC creek. Lesser Whitethroat on Stones.Simon Roddis
06/08/2024A decent morning: a Tree Pipit flew S over WLC creek at 09:30 and a Greenshank S over the dam wall at 10:30. Adult Caspian, 2 Yellow-legged and Great Black-backed Gull around Stones. 19 Pochard. 3 Teal. Kingfisher at WLC. A Hobby was chasing Swallows over the east side and Peregrine circling over the west. Total of 9 Ravens. 40 House Martins. Sedge Warblers still feeding young on Stones, and Garden Warbler still too. Male Redstart in WLC fields.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
05/08/2024Just the adult Yellow-legged Gull this morning. New brood of 2 small Little Grebes at WLC. 28 Mute Swans. Increase in hirundines: c35 House, 15 Sand Martins and 20 Swallows. Sedge Warbler possibly still feeding young on Stones island, and Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat there.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
04/08/2024Species seen during the monthly Birdwatching for Beginners walk (10am-noon; Stones Island to Wildlife Centre): House Sparrow, Carrion Crow, Swift, Cormorant, Blackbird, Black-headed Gull, Pied Wagtail, Canada Goose, Coot, Common Gull, Gt Crested Grebe, Gadwall, Greylag Goose, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Chiffchaff, Willow Tit, Wren, Goldfinch, Tufted Duck, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Mallard, House Martin, Swallow, Linnet, Bullfinch, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Little Grebe, Great Tit, Dunnock, Pochard and BuzzardGary Atkins
04/08/2024Adult Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls again off Stones early morning. 22 Pochard. 8 Swifts. 111 Woodpigeons S (and 8N) in one hour. 4 Common Sandpipers (3 Millfields, 1 WLC creek). 8 Swifts. 1 Skylark over Stones.Simon Roddis
03/08/2024Adult Caspian Gull again at sailing club early morning and adult Yellow-leg from Sheepwash. 17 Pochard. 27 Mute Swans. Kingfisher from Sheepwash hide. 3+ Spotted Flycatchers at Lane End.Simon Roddis
02/08/20241 Coal Tit,8 Moorhen, 12 Mute Swan, 2 little Grebe, 1 Bullfinch, 14 Cormorant, 14 Greylag goose, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Chaffinch, 8 Pochard, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Redstart, 3 Swallow,4 SwiftDavid Armitt
01/08/2024A drake Common Scoter was off Stones island this morning. 5 adult Black-tailed Godwits on Horseshoe island flew off at 09:30 and 2 Snipe flew W over the WLC. Adult Caspian and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls again. Garden Warbler on Stones and Reed Warbler still singing at WLC. 16 Linnets over WLC creek.SJR, KR, AHS
31/07/2024Adult Caspian and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls again from Stones early morning. 19 Pochard. 4 Kestrels. 2 Willow Warblers singing in WLC creek. 1 Garden Warbler on Stones. 3 Meadow Pipits (highlight of the morning!) on the dam wall, first here since early April. A Muntjac crossed the road near the main entrance, only my third here.Simon Roddis
30/07/2024A Yellow Wagtail over Millfields early am was the first since the spring. Adult Yellow-legged Gull still. Adult female Peregrine eating a juvenile Black-headed Gull on the pylon at the top of WLC creek, with a noisy juvenile male flying around. Pair of Common Terns off Stones. Kingfisher again at WLC and female-type Redstart in the fields. A Banded Demoiselle on Stones island was my first at Carsi.Simon Roddis
29/07/2024Adult Caspian and Yellow-legged again sitting on buoys early morning. Adult Common Tern. 17 Pochard. Kingfisher in WLC creek and male Redstart in the fields. 50 Swallows over Millfields early morning.Simon Roddis
28/07/2024Adult Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls again off Stones/Watersports. 1 Curlew flew up the res. Only 1 Oystercatcher, seems most of them left a couple of days ago. 2+ Redstart and a Lesser Whitethroat in WLC fields. No sign of yesterday's Whinchat.Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton
27/07/2024The major highlight this morning was a Honey Buzzard which flew very slowly W over the res between 09:55 and 10:15, finally disappearing behind Carsington Pastures. It was mobbed for a time by a Peregrine, with Common Buzzard and Red Kite in view with it at other times. A male Whinchat was in the dam wall fields and 2 juv Spotted Flycatchers on the Tail Bay path. Female/juv Redstart in WLC fields. Adult Common Tern and Yellow-legged Gull off Stones/Watersports. Kingfisher in WLC creek.Simon Roddis
26/07/2024Adult Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls again this morning. 18 Pochard. c20 Swifts drifting around. First hints of Woodpigeon movement this week, 96 S in an hour early(ish) morning. Reed, Sedge and Willow Warblers still singing, seems late, I'm wondering if they have failed to attract mates but feel compelled to keep on trying.Simon Roddis
25/07/2024An adult Turnstone was in flight off the dam wall at 06:20 this morning and the adult Caspian Gull again at Watersports. 80 Pied and 2 Grey Wagtails on the dam wall early morning. 6+ Spotted Flycatchers (at least 3 at Sheepwash and 3 at Lane End, adults and juvs). Redstart at Lane End and Reed Bunting feeding fledged young at Sheepwash.Simon Roddis
23/07/2024A Sanderling flew S past Stones island at 06:50 but not seen again. Adult Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls still. 1 redhead Goosander flew down the res. 47 Woodpigeons flew S and 4 N 06:15-06:50. 2 Common Sandpiper at sailing club. Juv Lesser Whitethroat in WLC creek.Simon Roddis
22/07/2024A handful of waders in the drizzle this morning: 2 Whimbrel, 1 Dunlin, 7 Common Sandpipers, 20 Lapwing. Adult Caspian Gull still, plus 2 Yellow-legs and a Great Black-back. Peregrine over Hall Wood.Simon Roddis
21/07/2024Monthly wildfowl count (some figures include full-grown young): 405 Canada Geese, 2 Barnacle, 48 Greylag, 25 Mute Swan, 38 Gadwall, 120 Mallard, 19 Pochard, 179 Tufted, 11 Moorhen, 179 Coot, 8 Little Grebe, 67 GCGrebe, 13 Oystercatcher, 5 Lapwing, 2 Common Sandpiper, 28 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron. Adult Caspian Gull again and 2 Yellow-legs (adult and sub-adult). 5 singing Reed Warblers. Juv Redstart in WLC fields.Simon Roddis, Jon Bradley
20/07/2024Forgot to mention a brood of 16(!) Tufted Ducklings from WLC this morning.Simon Roddis
20/07/2024A surprise this morning was a Grasshopper Warbler reeling and showing well for a few minutes in WLC creek mid-morning. 1 Redstart there too. 2 Shoveler at Millfields. 14+ Pochard. 2 Curlew and a Redshank on the dam wall. Adult Yellow-legged Gull still. 35 Pied Wagtails and 30 Swallows around the dam wall early morning.Simon Roddis
19/07/20241,500 Lesser Black-backs came into roost during the evening, with 1 Great Black-back and 2 Yellow-legs. 2 redhead Goosander also flew in and c100 Swallows past Sheepwash may have been going to roost in Hopton reedbed.Simon Roddis
19/07/2024This morning, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 15 Pochard, 4 Common Sandpiper, young male Kingfisher at WLC, family of Spotted Flycatchers still near Lane End.Simon Roddis
18/07/2024Quieter than yesterday but the adult Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls are still here. Adult Common Tern. 1 Shoveler. Adult and 2 juvenile LRPlover. In WLC creek, 2 singing Reed Warblers, singing Lesser Whitethroat and juvenile Redstart.Simon Roddis
17/07/2024Much better than I'd expected on a sunny morning in July. A drake Scaup was just off Stones island early morning before flying up to Sheepwash. 3 Common Scoter (1m,2f) also from Stones. 14 Pochard. A Black-tailed Godwit flew S over the main centre at 06:50. 3 Common Sandpipers on Stones. Adult Yellow-legged Gull at sailing club early morning, then sitting on various buoys, and an adult Caspian Gull at Watersports late morning. A Great Egret flew W up WLC creek at 07:15 and a Little Egret flew into Brown Ale Bay. Juvenile GSWoodecker at Millfields. At least 3 Skylarks in the dam wall fields. 72 species, my highest total since late April.Simon Roddis

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