10/05/2022 | Evening walk round
8 Oystercatcher, 9 Chiffchaff, 1 Buzzard, 30 Sand martin,1 Peregrine, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Redshank, 1 Heron, 1 Wigeon, 2 Lapwing, 1 Kestrel, 1 Pink - Footed Goose with Canada geese ,1 Tawny Owl.
Blue tits in nest box 79 | David Armitt |
10/05/2022 | Highlight this morning was 3 Sanderling on sailing club shore, first seen in flight around 07:00, still present 09:45. A summer plumage Dunlin sang briefly off Stones causeway. Drake Wigeon again at WLC and adult Med Gull at Millfields island. 1 Common Tern. 13 Swifts. 8 Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks and a Peregrine. Pied Flycatcher again singing in Hall Wood. | Simon Roddis |
08/05/2022 | New broods of Canada and Greylag, and 2 of Mallard. 2 Red-legged Partridge near Penn Carr (first of the year). 4 Swifts from Stones island. Oystercatcher taking food onto Shiningford island, so presumably a new brood of chicks on there. 3 Reed Warblers singing in Hopton reedbed. Pied Flycatcher singing in Hall Wood. 1 Yellow Wag on the dam wall. | Simon Roddis |
07/05/2022 | No sign of the GNDiver this morning (but I said that once before...). A female Bar-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel on sailing club shore early morning and Dunlin again on Watersports island. 2 imm male Goldeneye at Millfields. 2 Arctic Terns past Stones at 09:00. 11 sedge Warblers, including 1 singing in Millfields carpark. | Simon Roddis |
06/05/2022 | The GNDiver was on the water early morning but last seen in flight 07:30. 6 Shelduck flew in mid-morning. Oystercatchers still with at least 2 chicks on Horseshoe island. Summer plumage Dunlin on Watersports island. 45 Carrion Crows in the dam wall fields. Pair of Raven feeding 2 fledged young. | Simon Roddis |
05/05/2022 | Couldn't see the GNDiver this morning so I guess it has flown. Drake Wigeon at Shiningford and pair of Teal at Sheepwash. Brood of 4 Coot chicks off Stones causeway. 4 Common Sandpipers. 3 Common Gulls. 2 Sparrowhawks including one bathing at the edge of the water at Shiningford. Lesser Whitethroat singing at Hopton end. 2 singing Pied Flycatchers and 6 singing Redstarts in the Hopton end/Hall and Middle Woods area. | Simon Roddis |
04/05/2022 | An Osprey fished over the res 11:05 to 11:15 this morning, my first ever here in May. The GNDiver flew around for a while, called a couple of times, but was back on the water late morning. A bit of movement but not as much as I'd hoped for in the conditions: single Bar-tailed Godwit (female), Turnstone, Whimbrel, Common and Arctic Terns. Adult Med Gull again at Millfields island. Not quite so many hirundines as yesterday but still c200 Sand Martins, 50 Swallows and 20 House Martins. Tree Sparrow with food near WLC. | Simon Roddis |
03/05/2022 | A nice bit of movement this morning: 10 Arctic Terns, 6 Ringed Plover, 4 Turnstone, 2 Dunlin, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Whimbrel. A Green Sandpiper on sailing club shore later also flew N. The GNDiver close to Stones island, resplendent in its pristine breeding plumage. Pair of Mandarins at Lane End. 1 Swift from Stones, plus c300 Sand Martins, 100 Swallows and 50 House Martins. Now 2 Reed Warblers singing in Hopton reedbed. | Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson |
02/05/2022 | After spending a long time way across towards Millfields, the GNDiver obligingly came close to Stones island late morning. 6 Arctic Terns (1,3 and 2) through. 2 male Goosander flew N. A Peregrine pylon-hopping at the top of WLC creek. Fewer hirundines but still c50 Sand Martins, 25 Swallows and 5 House Martins. Male Common Whitethroat (at last!) in WLC creek and Lesser White still singing there. | Simon Roddis |
01/05/2022 | Sightings for Bird Watching for Beginners walk. Canada Goose; Greylag Goose; Mallard; Coot; Tufted Duck; Oystercatcher; Little Grebe; Great Crested Grebe; Black Headed Gull; Common Gull; House Sparrow; Pied Wagtail; Swallow; Sand Martin; Willow Warbler; Garden Warbler; Chiffchaff; Blackcap; Wren; Woodpigeon; Pochard; Willow tit; Blue Tit; Reed Bunting; Blckbird; Goldfinch; Sedge Warbler; Carrion Crow; Redshank; Cormorant. 33 species | David Bennett (Back out of retirement) |
01/05/2022 | The GNDiver kept its distance from Stones island this morning, but still present along the east side. At least 3 Arctic Terns from Stones mid/late morning. 4 Pochard (3m,1f) off Shiningford and a drake Goosander past Stones. Broods of 9 Mallard ducklings on Stones and 10 in WLC creek. 1 Curlew at sailing club early morning. 2 Common Sandpiper. The adult Med Gull at Millfields island. Lots of hirundines: c300 Sand Martins, 100 Swallows and 20 House Martins. 2 Yellow Wag (dam wall and over Stones). | Simon Roddis |
30/04/2022 | 6 Sedge Warbler,4 Oystercatcher, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 11 Cormorant, 15 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Chiffchaff, Great Northern Diver,4 Moorhen , 2 Song Thrush, 6 Goldfinch, 3 Wren, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap,1 Reed Bunting, 1 Snipe, 2 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 2 Little Grebe | David Armitt |
30/04/2022 | The GNDiver still off Stones island this morning. Pair of Shelduck and pair of Mandarin from Stones. Sub-adult female Caspian Gull and a first-summer presumed Caspian making as if to mate on a buoy until they were chucked off by a Cormorant! A new Reed Warbler singing in WLC creek. Treecreeper with food at Lane End. | Simon Roddis |
29/04/2022 | Perimeter count this morning: 6(5 singing) Stock Dove, 3 GSWoodpecker, 7 Jay, 83 Blue Tit, 41(29) Great Tit, 22(21) Willow Warbler, 90(77) Chiffchaff, 10 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed, 85(72) Blackcap, 9 Garden, 5 Lesser White, 131(125) Wren, 37(25) Song Thrush, 12 Mistle, 104(42) Blackbird, 88(58) Robin, 4 Pied Fly, 12 Redstart, 24(17) Dunnock, 28(20) Chaffinch, 11 Bullfinch, 29 Goldfinch. In addition, the first Swift of the year over Stones (thanks Roger), 5 Arctic Terns N at 09:08, the GNDiver still, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Goldeneye (2 imm male, 2 female), pair of Teal, Lapwing displaying over Horseshoe island, 1 Yellow Wag N over Stones. | Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson |
28/04/2022 | 2 singing male Pied Flycatchers this morning, one in Hall Wood in the area where they bred last year, and one just S of Middle Wood. The GNDiver still, flew again. 2 imm male Goldeneye still. Single Curlew and Dunlin; 2 Common Sandpiper along Stones causeway. The adult Med Gull still at Millfields island. At least 100 Sand Martins, 40 Swallows, 5 House Martins. Totals of 8 Sedge Warblers, 6 Garden, 1 Lesser White, 4 Redstart. 1 Yellow Wag N over Stones. Fledged Song Thrush on Stones and Blackbird in WLC creek. My first 80 species haul of the year. | Simon Roddis |
27/04/2022 | The GNDiver again off Stones this morning and a female Common Scoter off Watersports. Single Snipe and Common Sand again, and the adult Med Gull again at Millfields island. Male Kestrel flew twice to the east side carrying prey. Total of 5 Skylarks. At least 100 Sand Martins, 50 Swallows and 10 House Martins. 4 singing Garden Warblers. Blackbird fledglings on Stones and at Hopton end. Male Yellow Wag on the dam wall. | Simon Roddis |
26/04/2022 | The GNDiver was still off Stones island this morning. An adult Kittiwake at sailing club, later flew N over Stones. 3 Arctic Terns hanging around. Brood of 9 Greylag goslings at Shiningford. Pair of Teal again in Brown Ale Bay. Common Sandpiper at Watersports. Lots of hirundines again, 100+ Sand Martins, 30+ Swallows, handful of House Martins. Garden Warbler (my first of the year) singing on Stones causeway, along with a Reed Warbler. 2 Yellow Wagtails, one each on Stones and Horseshoe islands. | Simon Roddis |
25/04/2022 | The GNDiver flew around for several minutes this morning before coming back down and sleeping. An Arctic Tern from Stones 08:00-11:00 at least. 6 Shelduck (pair on the water early morning then flew N; another 4 flew through to N). 1 Pink-footed Goose. Drake Mandarin flew out of Millfields. 1 Snipe at WLC and 1 Curlew through. c100 Sand Martins, 30 Swallows and 10+ House Martins. 10 Sedge Warblers singing in the Stones area, plus a Lesser Whitethroat on Stones and a Yellow Wag over. Treecreeper with food near WLC. | Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson |
24/04/2022 | The GNDiver again off Stones island, Lesser Whitethroat singing at the top of WLC creek and the adult Mediterranean Gull again at Millfields island. 2 imm male Goldeneye at Sheepwash. 5 Redstarts singing between Hopton end and Middle Wood. Brood of 6 Greylags at Middle Wood and Chiffchaff nest-building on Stones. | Simon Roddis |
23/04/2022 | This morning's highlights were the GNDiver off Stones island, 4 Ruff flew E, a summer-plumage male Bar-tailed Godwit on Horseshoe island, drake Goosander and a Lesser Whitethroat singing at the top of WLC creek. Song Thrush nest-building at Penn Carr, Blackbird with food near the main centre. | Simon Roddis |
22/04/2022 | On and around Stones island this morning, 3 Arctic Terns N at 11:22, a lingering Common Tern, the GNDiver still, 3 Whimbrel past N at 07:50, drake Mandarin, and a female Brambling late morning. | Simon Roddis |
21/04/2022 | The GNDiver was right over towards Fishtail Creek late morning, and a Black-tailed Godwit at sailing club 08:30. | Simon Roddis |
20/04/2022 | The GNDiver out in the middle this morning, looking fairly smart now. 4 Goldeneye. 1 Common Sandpiper. 3 GSWoodpecker in Hall Wood. Peregrine again (third day on the trot). A Grasshopper Warbler singing on Watersports island, one Reed Warbler still in Hopton reedbed and 5 Sedge again around Stones. | Simon Roddis |
19/04/2022 | A quieter morning, but the GNDiver was still off Stones and my first Common Tern of the year. The bizarre Jay goings-on continue: total of 8, including 1 S over Stones and the dam wall, and 4 dropped into Middle Wood from the south. Very strange! | Simon Roddis |
18/04/2022 | Most frustrating sighting of the year so far: a ringtail harrier, probably Pallid or Montagu's, flew N over the res just before 08:30, last seen disappearing behind Carsington Pastures. Slim shape, long, narrow, relatively pointed wings, didn't feel bulky enough for Hen. Hey ho. The GNDiver off Stones island still. I think it's safe to say that the Red-necked Grebes have gone now - last seen on 15th as far as I'm aware. First Reed Warbler of the year singing in Hopton reedbed. Sub-adult Yellow-legged Gull. A distant Peregrine. 5 Sedge Warblers singing around Stones and 5 singing Redstarts, 4 in Middle/Hall Woods, 1 in WLC fields. | Simon Roddis |
18/04/2022 | 2 Little Egret, 6 Chiffchaff, 8 Oystercatcher, GN Diver of water sports island,6 Gadwall, 1 Teal, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Willow Tit, 6 Barnacle Goose, 4 Wren, 2 Bullfinch, 6 Starlings, 4 Sedge Warbler, 18 Cormorant, 2 Redshank, 60 Sand martin, 2 Blackcap, 1 Common sandpiper, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Little Ringed plover | David Armitt |
17/04/2022 | 1 Whimbrel on the grass left of the Visitor Centre first thing this morning looking out over the res.
3 Pied wagtail, 5 Oystercatcher, 4 Reed Bunting,4 Sedge Warbler, 2 Gadwall, 4 Wren, 10 Cormorant, 20 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Mute Swan,9 Chiffchaff, 8 Greylag Goose, 4 Blackcap, 4 Bullfinch, 1 Kestrel, 1 Great Black-backed Gull | David Armitt |
16/04/2022 | Monthly WeBS count: 135 Canada Geese, 8 Barnacle, 45 Greylag, 8 Mute Swan, 27 Gadwall, 63 Mallard, 2 Teal, 66 Tufted, 2 Goldeneye, 10 Moorhen, 78 Coot, 13 LGrebe, 71 GCGrebe, 12 Oystercatcher, 12 Redshank, 18 Cormorant. Couldn't find the Red-necked Grebes. Additionally, the adult Med Gull again, total of 13 Jays (unusually obvious at the moment), 4 Redstart (3 in/around Hall Wood, 1 in WLC fields), first Mallard brood (8-9) at Millfields, first Greylag brood at WLC. | Simon Roddis, Jon Bradley |
15/04/2022 | The GNDiver is colouring up nicely now, well marked on its upperparts and getting darker around the head. The adult Med Gull again at Millfields island. 1 Wigeon at Sheepwash. Common Sandpiper at sailing club. 4 Sedge Warblers again singing around Stones. 3 Redstart: pair in WLC fields and one singing at Shiningford. | Simon Roddis |
14/04/2022 | 2 Black Terns off Millfields
Adult Med Gull in gull colony Millfields
1 Red Kite over visitor Centre
1 Great Northern Diver
2 Red-necked Grebes | Steve, Tracy and Alex Mann |
13/04/2022 | A decent morning: Richard Pittam found an Osprey early morning which hung around for a couple of hours, the 2 Red-necked Grebes and the GNDiver still, Ringed Plover still, total of 6 Jays, 2 Skylarks singing along the dam wall, c200 Sand Martins around Stones, 20 Swallows and 3 House Martins, 2 Sedge Warbler still on Stones, a Redstart (first of the year) singing at Hopton end, 3 Wheatears (female on a raft off Watersports and 2 first-summer males on the dam wall) and 1 White Wagtail at Sheepwash. | Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson |
11/04/2022 | A bit more spring action this morning, with 2 Sedge Warblers singing on Stones island and causeway, and 2 Sandwich Terns flew S past Stones at 07:50. Plenty of hirundines at last: c100 Sand Martins, 20 Swallows and 1 House Martin. The 2 Red-necked Grebes and the GNDiver still present. 1 Dunlin on the dam wall, the Ringed Plover still and a Common Sand on Stones. 10 GBbGulls. 55 Carrion Crows on the dam wall and nearby fields early morning. | Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson |
11/04/2022 | Highlight this morning was a flock of 9 Little Gulls (7 adults, some showing a beautiful pink flush to the underparts, and 2 first-summers) at Millfields, 09:40 to 10:25, before they left E. And finally a few hirundines: at least 12 Sand Martins, 6 Swallows and 2 House Martins. The 2 Red-necked Grebes and GNDiver still. 11 Barnacles, 1 Pink-foot and 1 Ringed Plover again. 6 Willow Warblers. | Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson |
10/04/2022 | My first Common Sandpiper of the year was on Stones island this morning. The 2 Red-necked Grebes still off Lane End and the GNDiver from Stones. An adult Whooper Swan with a yellow ring on its left leg flew out at 08:20. 11 Barnacle Geese. 3 Shoveler (2m,1f) at WLC. The Ringed Plover still. 54 Carrion Crows on the dam wall and nearby fields early morning. Pair of Mistle Thrushes with food near PS hide. 7 Redwing N. Not a single hirundine - madness! | Simon Roddis |
09/04/2022 | The 2 Red-necked Grebes still off Lane End early morning and the GNDiver off Stones island. 2 Willow Warblers singing on Stones. 2 Shelduck, left to SE at 07:15. 8 Goldeneye. Ringed Plover again at sailing club. 5 Curlew early morning. 3 Tawny Owls calling at Hopton end early morning. 66 Fieldfare flew N. | Simon Roddis |
08/04/2022 | Red Kite over fields adjacent to Fish Tail Creek. | Robert Smith |
08/04/2022 | The 2 Red-necked grebes again off Lane End early morning, then went out towards the east side. The GNDiver off Stones, now showing quite a bit of white spotting on its upperparts. Female Wheatear on the dam wall. Meadow Pipits on the move: 444 NW in an hour between 8 and 9am. 1 Ringed Plover at sailing club. 3 Sparrowhawks and 8 Buzzards in the air. Skylark singing over the dam wall. 3 Sand Martins and 1 Swallow. | Simon Roddis |
07/04/2022 | House Martin (1) and at least 6 Swallows seen from Lane End Hide mid-afternoon; Red-necked Grebe (1) and GN Diver still present. | Richard Lowe |
06/04/2022 | All this morning. Red-necked Grebe from Lane End hide. Great Northern Diver close in to Stones Island and my first Willow Warbler of the year singing on the causeway to Stones. Ringed Plover on Sailing Club shore and a Little Egret mobile. | Roger Carrington |
04/04/2022 | The Red-necked Grebes were within a few feet of Lane End hide first thing this morning, pity the light was rubbish. One of them caught a fish which I think was a Ruffe. The GNDiver was between Stones and Millfields and 1 Swallow flew past the main centre. Otherwise grey and damp. | Simon Roddis |
03/04/2022 | Species noted during the monthly 'Birdwatching for Beginners' walk (10am-noon; Stones Island-Wildlife Centre): Song Thrush, House Sparrow, Tufted Duck, Pied Wagtail, Great Northern Diver, Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Black-headed Gull, Chiffchaff, Mallard, Great Crested Grebe, Ringed Plover, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Greylag Goose, Redshank, Cormorant, Goldfinch, Canada Goose, Wren, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Dunnock, Robin, Bullfinch, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Moorhen, Buzzard, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Shoveler (pair), Great Tit, Mute Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Tree Sparrow, Reed Bunting, Jackdaw, Grey Wagtail, Goldeneye and Carrion Crow | Gary Atkins |
03/04/2022 | A flock of 30 Whooper Swans (14 adults, 16 immatures) was off Sheepwash at 06:45 and departed W at 08:30, and an adult Kittiwake was off Stones island, along with the GNDiver. The 2 Red-necked Grebes still off Lane End. 82 GCGrebes. 12 Wigeon acting like migrants, sitting out in the middle, and a pair of Shoveler at the WLC. Kingfisher at Millfields. 5 Sand Martins. | Simon Roddis, Roger Carrington |
02/04/2022 | Mediterranean Gull 2nd winter off Lane End Hide at 3.30pm, then flew towards Sheepwash. | Richard Lowe |
02/04/2022 | Both Red-necked grebes off Lane End this morning and the GNDiver off Watersports, quite close to the main centre. 8 Wigeon and 9+ Teal. Ringed Plover again at sailing club. Kingfisher below Middle Wood. 5 Sand Martins through. 32 Redwing N and 18 Fieldfare NW. | Simon Roddis |
01/04/2022 | One Red-necked Grebe off Lane End this morning, and the GNDiver off Stones. A Black-tailed Godwit flew N at 07:40 and the Ringed Plover again on sailing club shore. 13 Oystercatchers. 2 ad GBbGulls, including Onefoot. | Simon Roddis |
31/03/2022 | The GNDiver off Stones again this morning and the 2 Red-necked Grebes out in the middle between Lane End and Sheepwash. 1 Pink-footed Goose. The male Shoveler still. Ringed Plover at sailing club. A Little Egret near Paul Stanley hide (also seen there yesterday by Roger C) was my first ever here in March. Totals of 350 Redwing NE, 44 Pied Wagtails (couldn't turn any of them into Whites) and 29 Meadow Pipits (both the latter mainly around sailing club and on the dam wall). | Simon Roddis |
30/03/2022 | The 2 Red-necked Grebes off Lane End and the GNDiver and a drake Common Scoter off Stones this morning. The male Shoveler still present. 2 second-winter Yellow-legged Gulls. 103 Carrion Crows on the dam wall and nearby fields early morning. 3 Sand Martins off Stones. 120 Redwing flew N. | Simon Roddis |
29/03/2022 | Perimeter count this morning: 148 singing Chiffchaffs! 8 singing Blackcaps. 9 GSWoodpecker. 99 Blue Tit. 61 Great Tit. 5 Willow Tit. 8 L-t Tit. 114 Wren (96 singing). 6 Nuthatch. 3 Treecreeper. 40 Song Thrush (20 singing). 14 Mistle Thrush. 112 Blackbird (40 singing). 132 Robin (101 singing). 9 Tree Sparrow. 41 Dunnock (27 singing). 4 Grey and 10 Pied Wag. 28 Chaffinch. 15 Bullfinch. 8 Greenfinch. 38 Goldfinch. 9 Reed Bunting.
The GNDiver and 2 Red-necked Grebes still. A female Merlin flew N through Hopton end at 07:10. Male Shoveler again. 102 Herring Gulls (77 flew N, 25 on the water). 2nd-winter Yellow-legged Gull again. Total of 180 Redwing, including 160 N. | Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson |
28/03/2022 | The GNDiver again off Stones and the 2 Red-necked Grebes off Lane End. 8 Redshank around sailing club/Stones/Horseshoe island. 66 Carrion Crows in the dam wall fields. | SJR, RC, AHS |
27/03/2022 | The GNDiver off Stones and 1 Red-necked Grebe off Lane End early morning. 27 Greylags. Male Shoveler and male Pochard at Millfields (and presumably the same Shoveler at WLC later). 10 Goldeneye (5m,5f). At least 8 Buzzards. Pair of Kestrel. 2 Sand Martins on Stones. 5 Treecreepers singing (4 in Hall Wood). 25 Redwing, 14 Meadow Pipits and 3 Redpoll N. | Simon Roddis |