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
2013-07-179 fresh broods of Tufted Duck this morning including 1 brood which came across the road from Hopton Pond. Total of 7 broods of Great Crested Grebe on site. 2 Grey Heron and 7 more flew in at 0700hrs. 5 Pochard, 4 Teal, 69 Lapwing, Yellow-legged Gull. Reed Warbler family plus pair feeding nestlings in Hopton Reedbed, also male Kingfisher and 2 Linnet there. Sedge and Reed Warbler on Stones Island. Swift in/out of Visitor Centre eaves. 26 Black-headed young visible on Millfields Island.Roger Carrington
2013-07-054 drake Common Scoters present all day in mid water. 361 adult and 51 young Canada Geese. Female Tufted Duck with 7 young, 9 Greylag Geese including a BTO ringed bird, 22 Barnacle Geese, Grey Heron, 20 Mute Swans, 4 Buzzards, 2 Common Sandpipers, 5+ Oystercatchers, pair of Coots with 3 young at Sheepwash and another pair with 5 young at P.Stanley. Common Tern, 6 Redstarts-male and 3 juveniles in field behind WLC, and a pair feeding young in nest box nearby. 2 Spotted Flycatchers in WLC creek, Raven, 6 Reed Buntings. Dave Newcombe
2013-06-30Reed Warbler singing near P S Hide. Tufted Duck with 1 young in Brown Ale Bay. 1 Green Sandpiper flew past P S Hide at 1000hrs towards Sheepwash. Coot with 4yg from P S Hide, Coot with 3yg from Sheepwash. 8 Greylag, 2 Heron, 1 adult Common Gull. 21 House Sparrow, including begging juvs, feeding on ground together at Visitor Centre. Willow Tit family at Millfields, dam end. Swallow pair taking food in under draw-off tower.Roger Carrington
2013-06-29WeBS count - 12 Mute Swan,7 Greylag Goose,289 Canada Goose,14 Barnacle Goose,4 Teal,67 Mallard,1 Pochard,60 Tufted Duck,2 Cormorant,31 Great Crested Grebe,1 Moorhen,68 Coot,8 Oystercatcher,5 Lapwing,1 Redshank,60+ Black-headed Gull,1 male Hobby amongst 100s Swift around Stone's Island.Peter Gibbon
2013-06-12Great Crested Grebes with 1 large young in Brown Ale Bay, 8 Cormorants, Grey Heron, 7 Mute Swans, 215 adult and 69 young Canada Geese, 6 Greylag Geese, 19 Barnacle Geese including 2 pairs with 1 young each, 3 Mallard broods of 6/7 and 11, 4 Buzzards, male Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Redshank, 5+ Oystercatchers, 2nd summer Yellow-legged Gull, 20 LBB Gulls, 17 BH Gull chicks at the WLC, 2 Lesser Whitethroats (1 on WLC Creek and 1 by the brick tower), Sedge Warbler, 2 pairs of Redstarts ( 1 pair in field behind WLC and another pair at the end of WLC creek, 60 Swifts, Great Spotted Woodpeckers feeding young in nest hole in Brown Ale Bay. Dave Newcombe
2013-06-11Osprey on Lane End post at 16:15. The bird sat/preened for 30 minutes, then made several aborted hunting attempts before being mobbed by BH gulls and flying off high over Hall Wood.James Owen
2013-06-10Marsh Warbler still behind toilet block on entrance to Stones at 5pm Osprey caught fish mid pm and landed to feed on post outside Lane EndsSteph' Hicking
2013-06-06Spotted Flycatcher still in WLC Creek. Redshank pair & 3yg on Millfields Island, also 15 black-hdd gull nests on there. Oystercatcher pair with 2 big young around Millfields c.p. Swallow pair repairing last years nest in Stone Barn. 2 drake Teal at WLC. Count of 178 adult Canadas plus 88yg this morning.Roger Carrington
2013-06-05Counts done during a circular walk. 47 Chiffchaffs, 49 Blackcaps, 35 Willow Warblers, 24 Whitethroats, 11 Garden Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, Sedge Warbler, 13 Long-tailed Tits, 22 Blue Tits, 24 Great Tits, 38 Wrens, 32 Robins, 11 Dunnocks, 23 Song Thrush, 6 Mistle Thrush, 8 Pied Wagtails, 59 Blackbirds, 45 Chaffinch, 19 Goldfinch, 5 Redstarts (pair in field behind WLC and a pair plus another male between Middle Wood and Warrington Knob), 24 Magpies, 10 Reed Buntings. Also of note was 148 Canada Geese inc 37 young, Greylag Goose, 2 pairs of Barnacle Geese each with 1 young, Great Crested Grebes with 1 young in Brown Ale Bay, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Spotted Flycatcher in WLC Creek, 10+ BH Gull young on raft at WLC, 2nd summer Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Common Terns. Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2013-06-02The 4 Common Scoters were still present in front of Sheepwash Hide at 17.25hrs. Also 5 Greylag Geese there and a Grey Heron. Lots of Warblers in song. Mainly Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and Garden Warblers. But also a couple of Whitethroats. Several Oystercatchers and Redshanks. Nuthatch feeding young in nestbox just past Shiningford Creek. At least 8 BH Gull chicks on raft at WLC. Also male Redstart singing by bend on WLC Creek. c55 Lesser Black Backed Gulls mid water this afternoon. Dave Newcombe
2013-06-02Spotted Flycatcher in Wildlife centre creek. Also Swift seen going under then eaves of the visitor centre. Sedge warbler singing on Stones island, and House Sparrows feeding young on the ground by the visitor centre.Clive Ashton/ Roger Carrington
2013-06-024 Common Scoter, 5 Shelduck off Stones Island 0800hrs. Roger Carrington
2013-05-31Osprey westward over dam wall at 1340hrs.Roger Carrington
2013-05-30Little Egret mobile around Stones Island and Sheepwash this morning. First summer Common Gull at Wildlife Centre. 2 Reed Warbler singing in Hopton Reedbed. Lapwing with 2 young still on Big Island and a drake Pochard there.Roger Carrington
2013-05-26Grey Heron, 2 Greylag Geese, 8 Mute Swans, 6 Cormorants, Curlew, Common Sandpiper, 2 LRP, Hobby at Sheepwash at 09.28hrs, Buzzard, 100's of Swallows and House Martins, 6 Sand Martins, 1 young BH Gull on raft at Wildlife Centre. Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2013-05-21Sedge Warbler, Common Sandpiper, Bullfinch, Good number of Swifts, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Goldfinches, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Long Tailed Tit, Grey Heron. Eric Dewhurst
2013-05-21Paxton Pits bird club trip.63 species recorded including Nightingale(there are 23 singing males on the Paxton Pits Reserve),Cetti's Warbler,Cuckoo(2)and Hobby(3).Peter Gibbon
2013-05-18A much quieter day than Wednesday. 2 Ruddy/Cape Shelducks at the Wildlife Centre this morning. One was probably a Cape but the other looked good for a Ruddy. Either way, most probably escapes anyway. Also a Cackling Goose at the WLC which may have came in with the Shelducks but didn't leave with them as it was still present in the evening. At least 9 broods of Canada Geese and 3 of Mallard. 10 Mute Swans, Grey Heron, 3 Buzzards, Hobby, 2 Dunlin, 10 Oystercatchers (RC had 13), 7 Redshank, 2 LRP, 2 Sedge Warblers, Lesser Whitethroat, 50+ Swifts, Redstart and 2 Linnets. Dave Newcombe/Chris Brown
2013-05-15It turned out to be quite an incredible day today. Earlier on at 10.20hrs whilst Roger and I were in Sheepwash Hide Roger picked out a distant Black Tern . It remained until just after lunch. There was also a single Arctic Tern and 4 Common Terns. This morning Roger had 17 Dunlin go through. Then a little later I had a flock of 27 go through followed by a further 2. A few more Dunlin later on made a total of 55. Then this evening Sailing Club Island was crawling with Turnstones. We counted 34 with a further 2 birds dropping in later on. 36 is certainly a site record and most probably a county record. The majority of these left site with only 7 remaining at dusk. There was also at least 8 Sanderling. 3 flew off high and 5 remained on Sailing Club shore. Also of note was a Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, Peregrine, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, adult Common Gull, 8 Mute Swans and 5 Greylag Geese. Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton/Roger Carrington
2013-05-14WeBS addendum a single Turnstone at 07.00 on Stones IslandPeter Gibbon
2013-05-14WeBS count 06.00 to 11.40. Mute Swan 8,Greylag Goose 4,Barnacle Goose 6,Canada Goose 41 adults,Mallard 48,Tufted Duck 75,Cormorant 5,Grey Heron 2,Great Crested Grebe 46,Moorhen 3,Coot 53,Oystercatcher 8,Little ringed Plover 2,Lapwing 9,Common sandpiper 2,Redshank 4,Black-headed Gull 60. Peter Gibbon
2013-05-1310 broods of Canada Geese: Pair with 6 young at Millfields, 4 pairs with 2/5/5 and 6 young on Stones Island. 3 pairs at the Wildlife Centre with 4/5 and 6 young. 2 pairs at P.Stanley/Sheepwash with 4 and 7 young. 4 Greylag Geese and a Grey Heron at Sheepwash. 76 Tufted Ducks including 44 on Big Island. 8 Mute Swans including 6 having a scrap at the Wildlife Centre. A Turnstone and a Sanderling on the Dam Wall this morning, then a further 2 Turnstones joined the other one and all 3 were together this evening. 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, pair of Lapwings with 2 young on Big Island. 6 Redshank, 8 Oystercatchers. 16 Dunlin this evening. 15 dropped on to Horseshoe Island at 16.50hrs during a hailstorm...and another bird on Stones Island. Hobby from Sheepwash at 11.26hrs, immature female Peregrine also from Sheepwash at 13.45hrs. 6 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 2 singing male Redstarts. 1 at the bend of WLC Creek and 1 c100 yards north of the brick tower. 50+ Swifts, 100's of Swallows and House Martins, 6 Linnets on the dam. Warblers counted between Millfields and Hopton include 11 Garden Warblers, 16 Blackcaps, 19 Willow Warblers, 8 Whitethroats, 13 Chiffchaffs and 2 Sedge Warblers. Also a Stoat in the main car park. Dave Newcombe
2013-05-12turnstone on left of island opposite Wildlife Centre 15.15Ian Weatherley
2013-05-09Water Pipit on Horseshoe Island this morning just after 09.45hrs and present until just after 10.00hrs when it flew. However, the bird must have came back as somebody else reported it in the log book. No sign of any G.N.Divers today. 3 Cormorants, Grey Heron, 2 broods of Canada Geese (6 & 5), Mallard with 7 young at Sheepwash, 4 Greylag Geese, male Peregrine, Buzzard, male Sparrowhawk, Ringed Plover, Curlew, 2 Common Sandpipers, 4 Dunlin, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 5 Redshank, 4+ Oystercatchers, 1st summer Herring Gull, 6 Common Terns, White Wagtail on Sheepwash Spit, 8 Garden Warblers, 5 Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Willow Warblers, 12 Blackcaps, 9 Chiffchaffs (not many Warblers singing due to the wet and windy weather), 2 Stock Doves over Sheepwash, 9 Linnets on Dam Wall. This evening there were Hirundines everywhere all across the water. Maybe over a 1000 in total. Mostly Swallows with good numbers of House Martins and a few Sand Martins. Also 29+ Swifts. Dave Newcombe
2013-05-09Adult Great Northern Diver calling at 06:15am. Juv diver flying around the site at 08:00, 1 Little Gull, 4 Mute Swans, Grey Heron. 4 Jays & a Sparrowhawk in Hall Wood, Swift, pair of Redstarts at edge of big covert (female with nesting material), 2 Buzzards in Middle Wood and 2 at Fishtail Creek & Moorhen at Fishtail Creek.John Matkin
2013-05-07Still 2 Great Northern Divers (adult and imm both seen having a short fly around today). 6 Greylag Geese, Little Grebe, 3 Grey Herons, 3 Turnstones on Sailing Club Island this evening, 5 Oystercatchers, 7 Redshank, 4 Common Sandpipers, Dunlin, 5 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Terns, 2nd summer Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 9 Whitethroats, 11 Garden Warblers, 4 Sedge Warblers, Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Linnets. Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2013-05-07I heard a cuckoo about 9-45 am on 1st May whilst doing a path survey in Millington Green. I thought this might be of interest to members of the bird club and possibly help to confirm other reports.Dave Williams
2013-05-032 Great Northern Divers (adult and imm)), 2 Greylag Geese, Grey Heron, 3 Cormorants, 2 Mute Swans, 5 Gadwall, drake Shoveler, Dunlin, 5+ Oystercatchers, 5+ Redshank, 3 Curlew, Whimbrel, 5+ Little Ringed Plovers, 6 Buzzards, 2 Arctic Terns, 1st summer Little Gull. Warblers counted between Millfields and Warrington Knob (via Sheepwash) include: 36 Blackcaps, 10 Garden Warblers, 28 Willow Warblers, 27 Chiffchaffs, 15 Whitethroats and 2 Lesser Whitethroats. 2 Grey Wagtails at Millfields, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 50+ Swallows, 4 Sand Martins, 2 Redstarts, 7 Reed Buntings, 10 Lesser Redpoll on Stones Island, 2 Linnets on Dam Wall. Dave Newcombe
2013-05-01A magnificent sight of 3 Red Kites together at c14.00hrs today. We were in Sheepwash Hide when Clive picked up a Raptor flying over Blackwall Plantation towards the dam wall. We eventually realised that it was a Red Kite. As it got around the mid dam area we noticed a 2nd and 3rd bird with it. All 3 birds were soaring over the dam for a short while before drifting west. Also today was 3 Great Northern Divers, Mallard with 8 young at Sheepwash, Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, Common Sandpiper, 8 Redshank, 4 Curlew, 1st summer Little Gull, Arctic Tern, Common Tern, White Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail and 2 Ravens. Also a Wood Warbler on Stones Island this evening (JB). Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2013-05-01Fishtail Creek: Garden Warbler, 3 Mistle Thrush, Mallard with 5 ducklings. Pair of Redstarts between Middle Wood & Warrington Knob. Sparrowhawk, Goldcrest & 2 Jays in Middle Wood. Pairs of Treecreepers in Middle Wood & Hall Wood. 1 Reed Warbler & Lesser Whitethroat singing at Hopton.John Matkin
2013-04-30Just to add a few things on to what James has already posted. All 3 G.N.Divers were close together near dusk. The 2 1st summer Little Gulls in Sailing Club Bay. Also a 2nd summer Yellow-legged Gull. Dave Newcombe/Chris Brown
2013-04-302 Whimbrel on Stones Island then Dam Wall early morning. Also 2 Great Northern Diver (ad + juv), 6 Yellow Wagtail, 2 imm Little Gull, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 6 Swift, 2 Greylag Goose, 3 Buzzard, 4 Shelduck, 3 Garden Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler.James Owen
2013-04-29Male Blue-headed Wagtail on Stones Island for the majority of the day. The 3 Great Northern Divers still present. 2 1st summer Little Gulls, 45 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Greylag Geese, Grey Heron, 5 Buzzards, 4 Dunlin, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 6+ Redshank, 8+ Oystercatchers, 18 Yellow Wagtails, Sedge Warbler and Garden Warbler on Stones Island, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Meadow Pipits, 300+ Hirundines mostly Swallows, 10+ Swifts, 2 Ravens, 8 Lesser Redpolls, 7 Siskins. Dave Newcombe
2013-04-283 Great Northern Divers, 5+ Redshank, Little Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Arctic Tern, 11 Yellow Wagtails, 100's of Swallows. Dave Newcombe/Chris Brown
2013-04-27Early am- walk around the reservoir: 61 Blue Tit, 49 Willow Warbler, 47 Blackbird, 42 Great Tit, 41 Chiffchaff, 40 Wren, 30 Chaffinch, 29 Tree Sparrow, 25 Blackcap, 24 Robin, 18 House Sparrow, 17 Song Thrush, 15 Dunnock, 13 Goldfinch, 11 Long-tailed Tit (pair building nest in Hall Wood), 11 Pied Wagtail, 10 Willow Tit, 9 Whitethroat, 8 Reed Bunting, 7 Bullfinch, 7 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Coal Tit, 3 Treecreeper, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Nuthatch, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wheatear, 2 Siskin, 2 White Wagtail, 1 Mistle Thrush & 1 Redstart (singing behind the Wildlife Centre). Also of note: 2 Sparrowhawks: Male at Wildlife Centre, Female in Hall Wood and another female (assumed to be the same bird) over the new reed bed, several hundred hirundines, a flock of c20 waders high overhead at 08:45 heading northwest. Shape, size, flight & colouring suggested Whimbrel but too distant for positive id.John Matkin
2013-04-263 Great Northern Divers. 4 Little Gulls (adult and 3 first summers. 7 Black-tailed Godwits on Horseshoe Island at 19.00hrs until at least 20.00hrs. 6 Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, Peregrine, Whimbrel, Curlew, 4 Common Sandpipers, 8+ Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, Grey Wagtail, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 3 White Wagtails, 9+ Swifts, 2 female Wheatear on Dam Wall, Redstart singing in field behind Wildlife Centre, Warblers counted between Millfields and Hopton End: 26 Blackcaps, 21 Chiffchaffs, 20 Willow Warblers, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 7 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Siskins. Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2013-04-252 Great Northern Divers (3 reported by AHS), 8 Redshank, 11+ Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, Whimbrel, 2 1st summer Little Gulls, 100's of Swallows, 13 Yellow Wagtails. Dave Newcombe/Chris Brown
2013-04-24A Whiskered Tern seen early this morning by Mark Pass. It was seen in Sailing Club Bay before being lost to view. Unfortunately It had left before I arrived. This is the first record of this species at Carsington. Also today was the 2 Great Northern Divers still (adult in summer plumage and 1st summer). 5 Cormorants, 3 Mute Swans, 2 Wigeon. 4 Little Ringed Plovers (2 on Horseshoe Island and 2 in front of Sailing Club). 14 Dunlin (2 around Horseshoe Island/Stones Island and 3 flew past Sheepwash followed by a further 9). 5 Common Sandpipers, 7+ Redshank, Curlew and Whimbrel. 12+ Oystercatchers including 6 birds that came in high over Hall Wood, had a fly around and left high Northeast. 4 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Swift, Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Common Whitethroats, 15 Willow Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs, 7 Blackcaps (all Warblers counted between visitor centre and Sheepwash). 7 Yellow Wagtails and 3 White Wagtails on Stones Island this evening. Male Redstart singing in field behind Wildlife Centre this morning. This afternoon there was no sign but there was a singing male c100 yards north of the brick tower so it could have been the same bird that had moved on. Leucistic Coal Tit at Lane End feeders. 3 Lesser Redpolls on Stones Island. Also 5 Lesser Redpolls and 4 Siskins at Millfields RMRJ. Dave Newcombe
2013-04-24highlights. 3 Little Gull (1st winters/summers), 3 Dunlin (1 WLC, 2 flew through), 2 GNDivers. 12+ Yellow Wagtails on Stones/ Sailing Club Island, 6+ White Wagatails on Stones/Sailing Club Island).Steph' Hicking
2013-04-22Adult and immature Great Northern Divers. Adult in very smart summer plumage now. Little Grebe, 7 Greylag Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Shoveler, 7+ Oystercatchers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin, Whimbrel, Curlew, 5+ Redshank, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Buzzards including a very pale bird in Tail Bay, c100 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 1st winter GBB Gull, 2 Arctic Terns, 27 Yellow Wagtails on Stones Island this evening, 7 White Wagtails, 200+ Swallows, Lesser Whitethroat singing just up from the Wildlife Centre, 23 Willow Warblers, 15 Chiffchaffs, 17 Blackcaps, 5 Treecreepers, 5 Siskins, Raven, 3 Reed Buntings. Also a Water Vole in Hopton Reedbed. Also of note was quite an extraordinary sight of c10 Great Tits acting very aggressive towards each other in an almost free for all scrap! Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2013-04-22Highlights from evening visit, 2 GNDiver (1st summers), 5 Shelduck, 3 Arctic Terns, 150 Swallows, Sand Martin 2.Steph' Hicking
2013-04-22Highlights, Shelduck 7, GNDiver 2 (ad+1st summer), Arctic Tern 1Steph' Hicking
2013-04-19Water Pipit on Sheepwash Spit this afternoon. Showed well for most of the afternoon before being flushed by a male Sparrowhawk. Also seen by Mark Pass. Then this evening on Stones Island there was a phenomenal amount of Wagtails. We counted at least 40 White Wagtails and that was being conservative. There was probably well over 50. Also a male Blue-headed Wagtail and c15 Yellow Wagtails. DN/MAP/JB/AHS. Also on site today: 3 Great Northern Divers, 2 Mute Swans, 8+ Common Sandpipers (probably double figures), 12 Oystercatchers, 2 Dunlin, 6 Redshank, 6 Arctic Terns, 150+ Swallows, 2 Common Whitethroats, 4 Blackcaps, 19 Willow Warblers, 15 Chiffchaffs and a Raven. Dave Newcombe
2013-04-173 Great Northern Divers (adult and 2 juveniles), 3 Greylag Geese, drake Wigeon, 2 Teal, 7+ Redshank, 4 Common Sandpipers (2 at Sheepwash and 2 on Millfields Island), 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Curlews, Snipe, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull, 130+ Swallows this morning, 3 House Martins, 3 Sand Martins, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 5 White Wagtails, 25 Starlings on Horseshoe Island, 10 Siskins at Millfields, 3 Ravens. Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
2013-04-15WeBS count:Canada Goose 34,Barnacle Goose 14,Great Northern Diver 2,Great Crested Grebe 58,Cormorant 4,Wigeon 4,Teal 4,Mallard 38,Tufted Duck 64,Goldeneye 9,Coot 113,Oystercatcher 10,Lapwing 8,Redshank 4,Dunlin 1,Little Ringed Plover 2,Snipe 2. Peter Gibbon + Roger Carrington
2013-04-154 Great Northern Divers still. 1 juvenile having a fly around this morning. 35 Great Crested Grebes although counting accurately was difficult due to the very choppy water. Little Grebe in Brown Ale Bay. 25 Barnacle Geese, 3 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 6 Redshank, 7 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, 3 Little Ringed Plovers (2 in front of Sailing Club and 1 over Stones Island), 3 Common Sandpipers (2 at Sheepwash and 1 on Watersports Island), 9 Dunlin (2 on Horseshoe Island a.m and 7 on Sailing Club Island p.m), 2 Snipe, 3 Buzzards, male Sparrowhawk, 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull, Arctic Tern, 8+ White Wagtails on Stones Island this evening, they were very flighty so difficult to get an exact figure but there could have been well into double figures, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 18 Pied Wagtails, Skylark over the Dam, 7 Meadow Pipits, 12 Willow Warblers, 14 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps ( 2 females and a non singing male), 5 Song Thrush, 8 Redwings, 2 Treecreepers including 1 singing on Shiningford Creek, and 1 Linnet. Dave Newcombe
2013-04-14Blackbirds, Blue Tits, Buzzards, Carrion Crows, Chaffinches, Chiffchaffs, Cormorants, Dunnocks, Great Crested Grebes, Great Tits, House Sparrows, Magpies, Oystercatchers, Pied Wagtails, a Redshank, Robins, a Song Thrush, a Swallow and Woodpigeons.Richard Parry
2013-04-103 Great Northern Divers including the adult now moulting into summer plumage. Little Grebe in Brown Ale Bay. 58 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Cormorants, Grey Heron, 7 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 5 Goldeneye, Buzzard, 8+ Oystercatcher, 4 Redshank, Little Ringed Plover, male Wheatear on Dam Wall, 3 Swallows, 2 Sand Martins, 14 Chiffchaffs between Millfields and Hopton End, Grey Wagtail in Tail Bay, 70 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 70 Redwing in field near Lane End, Skylark over, 3 Mistle Thrush, 3 Reed Buntings, 2 Ravens. Dave Newcombe
2013-04-094pm Sheepwash hide - 1 Sand Martin feeding. 4.30 Field edge behind the Sheepwash hide - 1 Brambling (good views), several more small birds with white rumps also flew away (presumably this species too). 5pm Sheepwash carpark feeder - 1 Willow Tit. 4 GN Divers present. Good views from Lane End.Paul Mollatt
2013-04-084 Great Northern Divers still. All seen from either Sheepwash Hide or Stones Island. 22 Barnacle Geese, 11 Teal, 5 Wigeon, 6 Goldeneye, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 7+ Redshank, 4+ Oystercatchers, 2 Buzzards, male Sparrowhawk, 600+ Common Gulls, Kingfisher, 6 Chiffchaffs in song, Raven. This morning there was 24 Meadow Pipits on the Dam Wall and 70+ in fields behind the Wildlife Centre. We suspected that the 24 were part of the flock of 70. Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton

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