25/12/2020 | A GNDiver, perhaps the returning adult, was off Stones island around 10:15-10:30 at least. 3 Barnacle Geese, 1 Pintail (f), 5 Goldeneye, 1 Goosander (redhead), 85 Woodpigeons N, 40 Great Crested Grebe, 220 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 2 Snipe, 28 Cormorant, 3 Heron. Early morning from the dam wall: estimates of 10,000 Black-headed Gull, 1,000 Common Gull, 500 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Yellow-legged Gull (adults). 2 Chiffchaffs (Stones island and near Flat island). Happy Chiffmas! | Simon Roddis |
24/12/2020 | c250 Canada Geese, c100 Greylags, 14 Mute Swan, 61 Gadwall, c120 Wigeon, c100 Mallard, 320 Teal, 468 Pochard, 310 Tufted Duck, 6 Goldeneye, 12 Moorhen, 1345 Coot, 23 Little Grebe, 330 Lapwing, 1 Ruff, 2 Woodcock, 2 Redshank, 6 Common Snipe, 1 Great Black-backed Gull (adult), 1 Yellow-legged Gull (3rd-w), 1 Herring Gull (2nd-w), 360 Common Gull, 24 Cormorant, 3 Sparrowhawk, 10 Raven including 6 NE together over Hopton end, 1 Chiffchaff on Stones, 10 Tree Sparrow at WLC. | Simon Roddis |
20/12/2020 | Early morning from the dam wall, c1,500 LBbGulls and c15,000 BhG/Commons (maybe 1-2,000 Common, the rest BhG), plus c800 Jackdaws. Pair of Pintail and a Pink-footed Goose at WLC. Total of 396 Pochard (288m,108f). 300 Woodpigeons NE. Male Ruff again on Stones causeway. Curlew on Horsehoe island. 31 Cormorant. Chiffchaff on Stones. 11 Fieldfare and c200 Redwing over the east side. Brambling over Stones. | Simon Roddis |
19/12/2020 | c450 Greylags. 2 Barnacle Geese. 3 Pintail (pair at WLC, f in Brown Ale Bay). A few Woodies on the move: 1,020 NE, 220 S. Male Ruff still on Stones causeway. 2 Peregrine chasing a Woodpigeon over the north end, and 1 (young bird) over WLC. 3 Raven. 2 Skylark over WLC creek. Chiffchaff on Stones. 15 Fieldfare W. 10 Tree Sparrow at WLC. 8 Lesser Redpoll on Stones. | Simon Roddis |
17/12/2020 | At Hopton end first thing, 5+ Woodcock flew in, and 8 Grey Wagtails and c700 Starlings (with the obligatory hunting Sparrowhawk) flew out. 3 Goosander (1m,2f) at Millfields. Male Ruff along Stones causeway. Total of 3 Sparrowhawks. 3 Raven, including a pair eating a dead fish at the WLC, unusual to see them on the shoreline. Chiffchaff on Stones island still. | Simon Roddis |
15/12/2020 | Monthly WeBS count: 256 Canada Geese, 389 Greylags, 1 Pink-foot, 37 Mute Swans, 91 Gadwall, 144 Wigeon, 144 Mallard, 3 Pintail, 181 Teal, 313 Pochard, 318 Tufted, 10 Goldeneye, 1 Water Rail (Hopton reedbed), 15 Moorhen, 1265 Coot, 499 Lapwing, 1 Woodcock, 30 Snipe, 3 Redshank, 24 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Kingfishers (Hopton reedbed and Millfields), 4 Grey Wag. Also: 6 Buzzard, 2 Chiffchaff (Stones and near Flat island), total of c20 Skylarks over. | Simon Roddis, Jon Bradley |
12/12/2020 | At Hopton end first thing, 5 Woodcock and 4 calling Tawny Owls. Elsewhere, 7 Goldeneye, 54 GCGrebe, male Ruff around Sailing Club still, 2 Redshank, 2 Chiffchaff still on Stones. | Simon Roddis |
10/12/2020 | 7+ Goldeneye, including 2 pairs displaying at Millfields. 400 Woodpigeons (250 SE, 150 NE). 520 Lapwing. The male Ruff off Stones causeway still. 2 Redshank. 52 Rooks over Sheepwash. 2 Chiffchaffs on Stones still. 26 Fieldfare E over Millfields. 12 Tree Sparrows at WLC. Total of 15 Meadow Pipit. | Simon Roddis |
09/12/2020 | 466 Greylags, 2 Pink-feet and 191 Canada Geese at Sheepwash. Pair of Pintail in Brown Ale Bay. 9 Goldeneye (6m,3f). Male Ruff still at Sailing Club. 54 Snipe over WLC, presumably came off Horseshoe island. Imm Herring Gull at Sheepwash. | Simon Roddis |
08/12/2020 | 3 Woodcock, 4 Grey Wagtail and a Kingfisher at Hopton end early morning. The male Ruff again at WLC/Shiningford. 3+ Redshank. 2 Barnacle Geese and a redhead Goosander at Millfields. Chiffchaff on Stones island. 30 Fieldfare (10 on Stones, 20 in WLC creek). | Simon Roddis |
07/12/2020 | The male Ruff along Stones causeway and later from WLC. Pair of Shoveler on Horseshoe island. Chiffchaff on Stones island. 2 adult Herring Gull early morning. | Simon Roddis |
06/12/2020 | Species seen 0900-1230, mostly during Birdwatching for Beginners walk 1000-noon (numbers in brackets for few species only): Pink-footed Goose (39), Canada Goose, Snipe (20), Ruff, Little Egret, Goldeneye (3), Gt Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Mallard, Lapwing, Coot, Mute Swan, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Teal, Cormorant, Moorhen, Mistle Thrush, Redwing, Blackbird, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit (10), Tree Sparrow, Willow Tit, Wren, Woodpigeon, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Starling, Pied Wagtail, Pheasant, Robin, Goldfinch, Dunnock and Chaffinch. | Gary Atkins |
06/12/2020 | A pair of Whooper Swans were off Stones island much of the morning, with 2 Chiffchaffs on Stones itself. 39 Pink-footed Geese flew over Sheepwash carpark at 11:40, circled several times then left NW. Pair of Pintail at Shiningford. 6+ Goldeneye. 280 Pochard (217m,63f) off Sheepwash/Brown Ale Bay. Adult Yellow-legged Gull. | Simon Roddis |
01/12/2020 | Ad hoc wildfowl count: 130 Canada Geese, 446 Greylags, 2 Pink-feet, 40 Mute Swan, 72 Gadwall, 321 Wigeon, 116 Mallard, 2 Pintail, 261 Teal, 391 Pochard, 364 Tufted, 6 Goldeneye (3m,3f), 19 Moorhen, 23 Little Grebe, 51 GCGrebe, c600 Lapwing, 1 Dunlin, 3 Redshank, 20 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret. 2 Peregrines (m&f) over Stones island, and 6 Stock Dove S. Chiffchaff on Stones. | Simon Roddis |
30/11/2020 | 2 Barnacle Geese at Millfields. 2 female-type Pintail over WLC creek. 5 Goldeneye (4m,1f). 600+ Lapwing. 2 Dunlin in Brown Ale Bay (plus 1 off Stones island maybe one of those?). 1 Woodcock at Penn Carr first thing. 4 GSWoodpecker. | Simon Roddis |
29/11/2020 | At Hopton end first thing, 5+ Woodcock including 3 together, 3 Tawny Owls calling, 9 Grey Wagtail and 1 Water Rail. 5 Shoveler (3m,2f) at Sailing Club. At Millfields, 1 Kingfisher, c100 Redwing and 3 Linnet. Totals of 13 Tree Sparrows and 6 Mistle Thrush (1 singing in WLC fields). | Simon Roddis |
29/11/2020 | 45 Wigeon,73,Teal,49 Lapwing,12 Mute Swan,20 Pochard,6 Little Grebe,3 Raven,2 Goldeneye, 1 Redshank, 5 Shoveler, 3 Cormorant, 2 Dunlin, 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Robin, 2 Snipe, 1 Coal Tit, 8 Long Tailed Tit, 2 Redwing, 1 Jay .
Foggy and misty this morning visibility cross Carsington water poor | David Armitt |
27/11/2020 | With no sport or fishing activity and the sunny calm weather this morning, wildfowl were showing colourfully out in the bays instead of sheltering in the creeks.
35 Mute Swan, 2 drake Shoveler, 3 Goldeneye and 2 Redshank from Stones Island. Kingfisher and escape black Swan at Millfields. No sign of any Diver all week. | Roger Carrington |
25/11/2020 | Black Swan -Millfield 1200 | M.R.Bartle |
23/11/2020 | Willow Tit on middle of Stones Island
Two Lesser Redpoll in same area
Male Goldeneye just off Stones Island and
one Redshank feeding along same area. | Chris Brewster |
20/11/2020 | A Snow Bunting flew over and around Stones causeway, calling constantly, about 08:00 for 2-3 minutes before dropping down onto the back of Watersports island, but not seen again. 1 Whooper Swan, presumably the same bird as yesterday. Pair of Pintail again at Millfields and pair of RcPochard off Lane End. 5 Goldeneye (4m,1f). From Millfields early morning, c1,000 LBbGulls and 11,000 BhGs. Adult Yellow-leg off Sheepwash. | Simon Roddis |
19/11/2020 | Couldn't find the diver this morning. A Whooper Swan dropped in at 09:25 and hung around Stones island until late morning at least. Pair of Pintail at Millfields. 1f RcPochard. Red Kite over Stones. 1 Dunlin. 2,250 Woodpigeons S. 26 Skylarks over Stones, heading towards Carsington Pastures. 2 Chiffchaff. | Simon Roddis |
18/11/2020 | The adult GNDiver still, from Stones early morning and later off Millfields. Early morning at Hopton end: 1 (maybe 2) Woodcock, 3 Tawny Owls calling, 8 Grey Wagtails, Kingfisher. 4 Pintail (2m,2f) at Millfields. 396 Lapwing. 2 Redshank at Sailing Club. Adult Yellow-legged Gull still. 3 Chiffchaff (Hopton end, Stones causeway, Sailing Club island). 20 Siskin in WLC creek. | Simon Roddis |
17/11/2020 | An adult Great Northern Diver (not yesterday's juvenile) was off Millfields late morning, perhaps having only just arrived. Very black-and-white at the front end with some hints of remaining black-and-white stripes on the side of the lower neck and still extensive white spotting on the upperparts, black bill. No sign of the juvenile. Monthly WeBS count: 330 Canada Geese, 464 Greylags, 2 Pink-feet, 33 Mute Swan, 84 Gadwall, 4 Pintail, 200 Teal, 154 Mallard, 337 Wigeon, 309 Pochard, 313 Tufted, 5 Goldeneye, 1 Goosander, 23 Moorhen, 1349 Coot, 24 Little Grebe, 34 GCGrebe, 456 Lapwing, 27 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 22 Cormorant, 1 Heron, 1 Kingfisher. Also, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, a juvenile Red Kite, a Chiffchaff between Hopton and Brown Ale Bay, 25 Meadow Pipits along Stones Causeway. | Simon Roddis, Jon Bradley |
16/11/2020 | A mobile first-winter Great Northern Diver was in the channel between Horseshoe and Shiningford islands just after 10:00, off Hall Wood shortly afterwards and then between Stones island and Millfields at 11:40. 145 Pink-footed Geese flew E in 2 skeins (60 at 08:40, 85 at 09:00). Pair of Pintail at Millfields and pair of RCPochard off Lane End. 3m Goldeneye. 390 Lapwing. 1 DUnlin. 1 Redshank. 300 Woodpigeons N. 12 Stock Dove. Chiffchaff and 8 Lesser Redpoll on Stones island. | SJR, AHS, RC |
15/11/2020 | A first-winter Caspian Gull was on Flat Island around midday. c500 Greylags. 35 Mute Swan. 1f Pintail. 50+ Gadwall. Pair RcPochard. 3 Goldeneye. 250 Lapwing. 1 Little Egret. Chiffchaff on Stones island. | Simon Roddis |
14/11/2020 | Black swan at millfields | Chris brown |
13/11/2020 | Solitary black swan on the edge of the water near Millfields car park. | Vicky Wright |
13/11/2020 | 497 Greylags. 2m Pintail and 3m Shoveler in Brown Ale Bay. Pair of RcPochard at Lane End. 158 Pochard (129m,29f) at Sheepwash. 1f Goldeneye. A bit of Woodpigeon movement, including some going the wrong way: 520 S, 85 N. 360 Lapwing. 1 Golden Plover over WLC. 1 Redshank and a Little Egret off Stones causeway. A vocal Chiffchaff on Stones island. | Simon Roddis |
12/11/2020 | c500 Greylags, including PXU. Female Goldeneye off Sheepwash. 7 Stock Doves flew S. 380 Lapwing. 2 Redshank at sailing club. Adult Yellow-legged Gull on Sheepwash spit. Peregrine over the east side and then upsetting the Lapwings at Sheepwash. 4 Raven. 2 Chiffchaff (Stones causeway and Sheepwash). 20 Siskin at Brown Ale Bay. | Simon Roddis, Roger Carrington |
10/11/2020 | A Bean Goose flew S over the Carsi dam wall at about 11:50, probably Tundra though can't be certain. Counted a few ducks: 62 Gadwall, 295 Wigeon, 192 Teal, 170 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 1 Pintail, 2 RcPochard, 192 Pochard, 366 Tufted, 3 Goldeneye, 507 Canadas, 335 Greylag, 32 Mute Swans, 25 Moorhen, 1250 Coot, 37 GCGrebe, 16 Little Grebe, 270 Lapwing, 1 Little Egret. Chiffchaff at Hopton end. | Simon Roddis |
10/11/2020 | This morning occasional mist then drizzle:
Black Swan at Millfields, pair Shoveler WLC.
Sheepwash from car park: 2 Goldeneye, 1 Dunlin, adult Herring Gull and adult YLGull. | Roger Carrington |
08/11/2020 | 46 Teal, 5 Little Grebe,12 Greylag Goose,3 Red - Breasted Merganser,30 Wigeon,3 Shoveler ,6 Pied Wagtail,3 Wren, 28 Lapwing, 2 Raven,2 Mute Swan,4 Great Crested Grebe,1 Coal Tit,1 Nuthatch,1 Willow Tit, 1 Chaffinch
Shoveler and Red-Breasted Merganser seen with Simon very foggy this morning. | David Armitt |
08/11/2020 | An excellent morning given the conditions. 3 redhead Red-breasted Mergansers flew into Sailing Club bay, off Stones causeway, just after 08:00 and actively swan and dived until they disappeared into the murk. Then a Hawfinch flew N over Lane End at 10:45, maybe heading for the Cromford wintering site? 3m Shoveler off Stones causeway. Pair of Pintail in Brown Ale Bay and a pair of R-c Pochard at Sheepwash. Water Rail in the stream at Hopton reedbed early morning. Golden Plover over Sheepwash. Redshank off Stones causeway then it or another in BA Bay late morning. Adult Yellow-legged Gull still and an adult Herring Gull. Kingfisher, 6 Grey Wags and 3+ Brambling at Hopton end. Totals of 6 Lesser Redpoll and 20 Siskin. | Simon Roddis |
07/11/2020 | Vismig this morning: 1920 Woodpigeons and 20 Fieldfare S, 170 Starlings W. 450 Greylag. 32 Mute Swan. 4 Shoveler. 2 Pintail. 4 Goldeneye. 1m R-c Pochard. 315 Lapwing. 1 Woodcock at Hopton end at first light. 1 Redshank. 1 Little Egret. 15 Skylark. c100 Redwing around the main centre. 1 Crossbill over Stones island. | Simon Roddis |
06/11/2020 | I flushed about 50 Snipe from the dam wall in the early morning fog.
Blackcap calling from scrub behind Visitor Centre toilet block. Drake Goldeneye near Flat Island as fog burned off. | Roger Carrington |
06/11/2020 | A very different morning, with the fog not clearing until 10:00. Just 365 Woodpigeons but a superb male Merlin perched briefly on the fence below the dam wall, and 31 Pink-footed Geese flew W. | Simon Roddis |
05/11/2020 | Vismig from Millfields, 07:00-09:30: 10,935 Woodpigeons, 392 Fieldfare and 135 Redwing S, 2,402 Starlings W. 6 Whooper Swans flew E at 07:55. 1 Shelduck off Stones island. 5 Goosander at Millfields (4f flew out early morning, male flew in later). 1 Dunlin at Millfields. 2 Redshank at sailing club. 1 Little Egret. Totals of 8 Brambling and 12 Lesser Redpoll. | Simon Roddis |
04/11/2020 | A big day of Woodpigeon movement, with 43,200 counted from Stones island 07:30-11:00, flying south, mostly beyond the eastern shore. 14 Stock Doves and 240 Fieldfare also flew S, 777 Starlings W, a Great White Egret and 2 skeins of Pink-footed Geese (130 and 37) NE. 73 Gadwall. 284 Wigeon. 325 Pochard. 4 Goldeneye (2 ad m, 2 imm m). Water Rail calling in Hopton reedbed. 300 Lapwing on Horseshoe island. 1 Dunlin flew past Stones island. 3 adult Yellow-legged Gull. 500+ Common Gulls in Brown Ale Bay mid afternoon. 26 Cormorant. 1 Little Egret. Red Kite and Peregrine over the east side. 5 Raven. (81 species, probably the first time I've managed that in November.) | Simon Roddis |
03/11/2020 | Black swan at stones island | Alan Ball |
03/11/2020 | Vismig from Stones island this morning, 07:30-10:00: 4,250 Woodpigeons, 30 Stock Doves and 135 Fieldfare S, mostly down the east side. Also: 540 Greylags, 4 Goldeneye (now including an adult male), 273 Pochard (227m,46f) at Sheepwash/Brown Ale Bay, 1 Little Egret, 130 Lapwing, Red Kite over Fishtail creek, total of 5 GSWoodpeckers, Chiffchaff at Millfields. | Simon Roddis |
02/11/2020 | Vismig 07:30-10:30 from Stones island/WLC creek: 1,360 Woodpigeon S, 18 Stock Dove S, 180 Starlings W, 31 Skylark mostly to N, 79 Chaffinch SW. Also: 40 Mute Swan, c500 Greylag, 3 Goldeneye, 120 Lapwing, 1 Little Egret, 70 Rooks, Chiffchaff singing at Millfields, 30 Meadow Pipits on Watersports island, 12 Tree Sparrow. | Simon Roddis |
01/11/2020 | 1,120 Woodpigeons S down the east side in 30 mins this morning during a gap in the rain. 28 Mute Swan. 1 Little Egret. 6 Skylarks N over Stones. 16 Long-tailed Tit at WLC. 17 Fieldfare over Shiningford. | Simon Roddis |
31/10/2020 | Afternoon (post rain) visit: 7 Shoveler (3m,4f), 79 Gadwall, 2 Pintail (m,f), 3 Goldeneye, 5 redhead Goosander in Brown Ale Bay, Water Rail calling in Hopton reedbed at dusk, 110 Lapwing, 570 Common Gulls on/around Sheepwash spit at 16:30, 2 adult Herring and 2 adult Yellow-legs, 2 Little Egret. | Simon Roddis |
30/10/2020 | 510 Greylags, including orange neck-collar PXU, originally from Windermere. 2 Barnacle Geese. 33 Mute Swans. 356 Wigeon. 2m Pintail. 51 Gadwall. 5 Shoveler (3m,2f). 1m R-c Pochard. 1m Goldeneye. 309 Pochard. 8 Stock Dove S. 153 Lapwing. c650 LBbGulls loafing at Sheepwash late morning, along with 2 adult Herring, 2 adult Yellow-legged and 2 Caspian (1w and probable 2w). 24 Cormorant. 2 Little Egret. 8 Skylark N over WLC creek. 7 Grey Wag at Hopton end early morning. | Simon Roddis Roger Carrington |
29/10/2020 | In a couple of damp hours this morning, a juv Garganey (presumably the same bird as has been seen on and off for a few weeks now) was at the WLC but no sight or sound of the YBW in that time. | Simon Roddis |
2020-10-28 | Early morning from Millfields: c4,000 LBbGulls, c10,000 BhGulls, c1000 Jackdaws, 150 Rooks and 50 Carrion Crows. 405 Woodpigeons S, an increase on the last few days. Adult Yellow-legged Gull still. 3 Little Egret. 30 Meadow Pipits, including 20 on the Tail Bay track. Finished off with another look at the YBW late morning. | Simon Roddis |
2020-10-27 | In case you haven't seen the news elsewhere, there was a Yellow-browed Warbler at the WLC and then between there and the main carpark this morning, up to around midday at least. Quite vocal and showing well now and again. Also reported early afternoon, I'm told. The third record for Carsi after birds in 2015 and 2016. | Simon Roddis |
2020-10-25 | This morning: 1w Caspian Gull again off Sheepwash late morning, and 4 Yellow-legs: the regular adult, 2 more adults and a 1w. 498 Greylag, including one with an orange neck collar but too far away to read. 5 Shoveler. 2 Goldeneye. 31 Cormorant. 1 Little Egret. 230 Lapwing. 2 Kingfishers. Maybe a hint of Woodpigeon movement, about 70 flew S. 25 Carrion Crow and 2 Raven over Hall Wood. 100+ Starling. Out of Hopton reedbed early morning, 11 Grey Wag and 18 Reed Bunting, and 25 Chaffinch and a Brambling flew SW. | Simon Roddis |
2020-10-24 | Best this morning was an adult winter Kittiwake which flew S down the res at 10:55, then presumably the same bird dropped in among the Lessers and BhGs off Sheepwash about 15 minutes later. 464 Greylag. 6 Shoveler (2m,4f). 2m Pintail. 276 Wigeon. 169 Pochard. 3 Goldeneye (1m,2f). Water Rail calling in Hopton reedbed. 91 Lapwing. 2 Yellow-legged Gull (ad,1w). 3 Little Egret. 1 Chiffchaff on Stones. 1 Brambling over Hall Wood. | Simon Roddis |