Recent Sightings

NameSightingDate
Simon RoddisAfternoon visit to carry out the BTO Winter Gulls Survey. Counts of c3,200 Black-headed, 1,500 Common, 323 Lessers, 1 Greater, 3 Herring, 2 adult Yellow-legs and an adult Caspian. The GN and Red-throated Divers still and the 2 Scaup. 2 Oystercatchers again. 36 Lapwing. 32 Barnacle Geese.19/01/2025
Simon Roddis, Clive AshtonThe first Oystercatchers of the year, presumably a pair, were at sailing club this morning. The GNDiver and both immature drake Scaup were off Stones and the Red-throated Diver finally appeared between Stones and Millfields. Willow Tit on Stones, and 2 and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were at Millfields.18/01/2025
Simon RoddisAfternoon visit: both divers and one Scaup from Stones. 33 Barnacle Geese at WLC. 58 Gadwall. 68 Wigeon. The Aythya hybrid again at sailing club. 40 Lapwing. 20 Siskin at Millfields. In the gull roost, c1,500 Common, 2,500 Black-headed, 365 Lesser Black-backs.17/01/2025
AHS, CA.At the Brassington road junction near the Knockerdown one Barn Owl at 7:45am, from Stones Island this morning Great Northern Diver, Red Throated Diver, 2 Scaup, 1 Peregrine, Redpoll and Willow Tit plus all the usual waterfoul. The usual Barnacle Geese flock were in the fields where the pylons are , with Canada and Greylag Geese.17/01/2025
Simon Roddis, Alan StewardsonBoth divers and the Scaup again from Stones island this morning, along with a constant stream of admirers. 25+ Barnacle Geese in WLC fields. Redhead Goosander off Stones. 30 Lapwing. Water Rail along the shore at Shiningford and a Willow Tit singing at the WLC. A bit of movement involved 97 Fieldfares and 200 Starlings NW and another 50 Starlings E.16/01/2025
Simon RoddisPerimeter count: 27 Pheasant, 3 singing Stock Dove, 30 Lapwing, 1 Woodcock, 3 GSWoodpecker, 2 Jay, 21 Magpie, 2 Raven, 19 Coal Tit, 4 Willow, 239 Blue, 68 Great, 18 Long-tailed, 6 Skylark over, 8 Goldcrest, 39 Wren, 7 Nuthatch, 7 Treecreeper (1 singing), 9 Song Thrush, 7 Mistle (1 singing), 67 Redwing, 98 Blackbird, 85 Robin, 34 Dunnock, 8 Pied Wagtails, 18 Meadow Pipit in the dam wall fields, 16 Chaffinch, 4 Bullfinch, 8 Greenfinch, 1 Linnet N, 2 Redpoll, 14 Goldfinch, 10 Siskin. The GN and Red-throated Divers still, and the 2 Scaup off Stones island. Peregrine at Sheepwash.15/01/2025
Simon RoddisThe GN and Red-throated Divers and the 2 Scaup were all in their usual areas off Stones island this morning. 350 Greylags early morning. 33 Barnacles at Watersports (per Alison and Roger). The Aythya hybrid again at sailing club. At least 104 Lapwing in total: 20 down, 30 S, 6 N and 48 flew in. 1 Woodcock at Millfields early morning. Adult Peregrine over the main carpark. Skylark over WLC creek, heading towards the pastures.14/01/2025
Simon Roddis, Clive AshtonMonthly wildfowl count: 192 Canada, 3 Barnacle, 14 Greylag, 4 Mute Swan, 77 Gadwall, 24 Wigeon, 159 Mallard, 44 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 843 Pochard, 317 Tufted, 2 Scaup, 23 Goldeneye, 7 Moorhen, 1394 Coot, 28 Little Grebe, 71 GCGrebe, 1 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 2 Woodcock, single GN and RtDivers, 33 Cormorant, 1 Heron. 130 Pink-footed Geese flew W, 9 Herring Gulls S.13/01/2025
Simon RoddisAn excellent winter morning's birding. The Great Northern and Red-throated Divers and the 2 Scaup still from Stones island. 49 Whooper Swans: 31 dropped in from the east at 11:35 while another 18 kept going W. 92 Pink-feet flew W and another 11 E. 33 Barnacle Geese. 7 Shoveler (5m,2f). 56 Teal around Stones/WLC. The regular Aythya hybrid and 43 Lapwing at sailing club. 62 GCGrebe from Stones. Kingfisher from WLC and later from Stones. 3 Fieldfare and a Meadow Pipit over Stones.11/01/2025
Simon RoddisBoth divers and both Scaup off Stones island this afternoon. 310 Canada, 33 Barnacle and 61 Greylags. 65 GCGrebe from Stones. 20 Lapwing flew in. Much smaller gull roost than before the cold weather: c1,000 each of Common and Black-headed, only 10 Lesser Black-backs by 16:20.10/01/2025
Simon Roddis, Clive AshtonClive picked up both the GN and Red-throated Divers and the 2 Scaup from Stones this morning. Pochard numbers still holding up, at 725. Pair of Goosander at Millfields. 11 Snipe dropped onto Watersports/Stones islands and a Peregrine over (maybe not a coincidence).07/01/2025
Simon RoddisAfternoon visit: the Great Northern and Red-throated Divers and the 2 immature male Scaup all visible from Stones island, although much better views of the Red-throat from Millfields (it is now the equal longest stayer ever at the res.). 33 Barnacle Geese. 38 Cormorant. 62 Collared Doves (site record) flew S down the east side, appeared to come from the Fishtail area, perhaps flushed from a farmyard by a Red Kite.06/01/2024
Dave ArmittRed Throated Diver from Millfields03/01/2025
Dave Armitt10 Long Tailed Tit,3 Red Kite, 145 Pochard, 9 Little Grebe, 8 Gadwall, 23 Cormorant, 1 Buzzard, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Coal Tit , 1 Green Finch, 7 Goldeneye, 18 Wigeon, 24 Lapwing, 11 Barnacle goose, 8 Teal, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Greylag Goose03/01/2025
SJR, AHS, CAThe Great Northern and Red-throated Divers and the 2 Scaup still from Stones island this morning. Water Rail showing well from WLC while it caught sticklebacks on the edge of Horseshoe island. Kingfisher there too. 9 Barnacle Geese.03/01/2025
Simon RoddisBoth the Great Northern and Red-throated Divers still from Stones/Millfields this morning, while the 2 Scaup appeared off Stones late morning. Pochard numbers have dropped a little since their peak but still 775 this morning. 10 Barnacle Geese. Water Rail in Hopton reedbed.02/01/2025
SJR, CA, AHSThis morning's highlight was a Velvet Scoter which Clive saw briefly from Sheepwash hide mid-morning but not thereafter as far as we're aware. The GN and RtDivers and the 2 Scaup still from Stones. 3 Shelduck past Sheepwash. 33 Barnacle Geese. Redshank in Brown Ale Bay. 12 Snipe at WLC. Peregrine and 3 Fieldfare (first and last of the month!) from Stones.31/12/2024
Tom EelesTwo 1st Winter Drake Scaup's off Stone's as of 12:30.30/12/2024
AHS, CA.This morning from Paul Stanley Hide, 1 Chiffchaff seen on approach to the hide, 1 Great White Egret briefly infront of hide. 4 Goldeneye, 3 Wigeon, 50 Pochard ,13 Teal, 25 Lapwing, 12 Long Tailed Tits. CA Had Great Northern Diver and Red Throated Diver plus 1 Little Egret from Stones Island.30/12/2024


Historic Sightings

DateSightingName
2016-08-12Sheepwash: Red-legged Partridge in car park early morning, 1Little Egret roosting with Cormorants in tree, 1 Teal. Millfields: 3 Common Terns feeding around Island. Stones Island: a Little Egret, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpiper, 30 Goldfinch, 3 Linnets, 2 Sedge Warbler. Wildlife Centre: another Little Egret and 20 Tree Sparrow, 6 Chaffinch, Reed Bunting and Willow Tit on feeders.Roger Carrington
2016-08-11Hobby over Fishtail Creek c16:30John Matkin
2016-08-11Redstart 1 Shiningford Creek 15.30 Redstart 3 Tower Bank hedgerow to right of seat 16.00mick sharp
2016-08-09This morning: 1 Green Sandpiper in Brownale Bay. 2+ Common Sand on Stones/WLC. 2 Dunlin and 5 Ringed Plover on Stones. 1 Redshank. 6 Grey Heron. 1 Little Egret. 3 Teal. 2 Common Gull.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
2016-08-08Following species noted during monthly Birdwatching for Beginners walk (around Stones Island and Wildlife Centre), 10am-noon: Swallow, Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Coot, Tufted Duck, Canada Goose, Little Grebe, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Lapwing, Mute Swan, Carrion Crow, Black-headed Gull, House Martin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Mallard, Willow Warbler, Reed Bunting, Gt Crested Grebe, Dunnock, Magpie, Tree Sparrow, Willow Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Jackdaw, Wren, Collared Dove, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Common SandpiperGary Atkins
2016-08-033 Little Egrets at WLC, 55 Lapwings on Horseshoe island, adult Yellow-legged Gull on raft off sailing club.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
2016-08-020815-1215: 2 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Heron, 2 juv Shelduck, 3 Teal, 1 Pochard, 1 Green Sandpiper (Sheepwash/Paul Stanley), 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 LRP, 1 Curlew, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 ad Common Terns, Sedge Warbler taking food onto Sailing Club Island.2 female Southern Hawker dragonflies (Stones and WLC creek).Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
2016-07-316 little egrets in brown ale bay also green sandpiper and little grebe with 3 young there. 4 common sandpipers and 3 little ringed plover mobile. At least one yellow legged gull also present. Clive Ashton
2016-07-280740-1015: 2 broods of Gadwall - female with 2 young on Watersports island, female with 3 at WLC. 1m Pochard. 6 Grey Heron. 3+ Common Sand. 1 Oystercatcher.Simon Roddis
2016-07-270830-1130: 2 Little Egrets. Female Red-crested Pochard at WLC. Brood of 10 small Tufted ducklings at Sailing Club. 15 Greylag including PPX. 2 Dunlin. 1 juv LRP. 40 Lapwing. 3 Common Sandpiper. 2 Raven.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
2016-07-25WeBS count 06.20 to 11.50 Mute Swan 37 (plus 3 cygnets), Greylag Goose 7 (plus two juveniles), Canada Goose 299, Barnacle Goose 12, Gadwall 3 (plus three young), Teal 2, Mallard 118 (plus one fresh brood of 6), Garganey 1 (female at WLC), Shoveler 2 (females at WLC), Red-crested Pochard 1, Pochard 2, Tufted Duck 239 (plus four broods of 5, 4, 2 and 4), Cormorant 15, Grey Heron 1, Little Grebe 3 (plus 2 fresh young at WLC), Great Crested Grebe 37, Moorhen 4, Coot 441, Oystercatcher 1, Lapwing 25, Little Ringed Plover 1, Common Sandpiper 4.Peter Gibbon
2016-07-230630-0930: 2 summer plumage Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits at WLC. 1 LRP, 1 Dunlin, 3 Common Sands. 3 Teal (2 at Sheepwash, 1 WLC). A fox took one of the Gadwall brood at WLC, so now down to 3 young. 2 Sedge Warblers on Stones. 3 Herons at Paul Stanley.Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton
2016-07-201 Greenshank, heard from Stones, seemed to be calling from Millfields. 1 Whimbrel through N. 1 LRP. 3 Common Sand in Shiningford creek. Sedge Warbler singing on Stones island. Female Gadwall with 4 young in Shingingford creek, seems there might be 2 broods now.Simon Roddis
2016-07-191 Ruff on watersports island this morning. Clive Ashton
2016-07-150815-1150: 1 Little Egret. 2 R-c Pochard. 1 juv LRP. 1 Redshank. 3 Common Sand. 40 LBBG. 40 Swift. 10 Sand Martin. 2 Linnet.Simon Roddis
2016-07-141 Green Sandpiper at WLC. 1 Whimbrel through. 1 Litte Egret. 1 LRP. 2 Red-crested Pochard. 1 Common Tern. 2 Raven. 1 Brown Hawker dragonfly at Brownale Bay.Simon Roddis, Roger Carrington
2016-07-120620-1140: 5 Little Egrets, initially at Millfields then separating and dispersing around the southern half of the res. 19 Common Sandpipers (flock of 13 on the dam wall, 4 on Stones, 2 at Sheepwash). 1 Yellow Wag south over the dam wall at 0630. Brood of 3 small Tufted at Millfields. 22 Barnacle Geese. Neck-collared Greylag still present. 32 Mute Swans (plus 4 cygnets). 4 fledged Kestrels at top of WLC creek. Kingfisher at Paul Stanley. Sedge Warbler on Stones.Simon Roddis
2016-07-111000-1300: female Gadwall at Paul Stanley hide, now with just 4 young. The WLC creek Kestrels have fledged, but I saw a Buzzard carrying what looked very much like a young Kestrel there. Female Redstart and 2 juvs in WLC creek. 4 Common Sandpiper. 2 LRP. 70 LBbG. Simon Roddis
2016-07-08Afternoon visit: 29 Mute Swans (4 young). 11 Cormorant. 516 Canada Geese (including 3 broods of 8, 5 and 2). 19 Greylag Geese (including neck collar bird ppx).18 Barnacle Geese. 3 Canada/Greylag Goose hybrids. 11 Oystercatcher. 2 Redshank. 2 Common Sandpiper. 8 Lapwing. 1 adult Herring Gull. 32 L b B Gulls. No sign of yesterdays Caspian Gull this afternoon.Chris Brown
2016-07-07Female Gadwall with 5 small young in Brownale Bay and then from Sheepwash (thought to be the first breeding record for the site). Colour-ringed sub-ad Caspian Gull from Sheepwash hide 1415-1435. 1 Common Tern. 3 Red-crested Pochard at Millfields.Simon Roddis, Ken Rome
2016-07-05Osprey over the res from WLC creek at 12:00, left west over Carsington Pastures several minutes later. 6+ LRPlover, 6+ Redshank. 2 Curlew south at 11:00. 3 Stoats on the causeway to Stones island.Simon Roddis
2016-07-03Following are species seen during the monthly Birdwatching for Beginners walk (taking in Stones Island and Wildlife Centre): Woodpigeon, Coot, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Magpie, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Gt Crested Grebe, Wren, Carrion Crow, Whitethroat, Blackbird, Goldfinch, House Martin, Sand Martin, Tufted Duck, Reed Bunting, Long-tailed Tit, Common Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Pied Wagtail, Blue Tit, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Lapwing, Willow Warbler and Garden WarblerGary Atkins
2016-07-03Five Black-tailed Godwit at Millfields Island at 11.00amBrian Harris
2016-07-020845-1145: 17 Common Scoter (14m,3f). Pair R-cPochard at WLC. Reed Warbler with food in WLC reedbed. Adult Grey Wag feeding recently fledged juv at Tail Bay. Juv Kingfisher at Millfields.Simon Roddis
2016-07-01Female Common Scoter from Sheepwash 1130. 5 LRP on Stones causeway 0800. Reed Warbler singing in Brownale Bay. 40 House Sparrows at main visitor centre. Greylag PPX at Sheepwash.Simon Roddis
2016-06-297 Crossbills (again!) south over Hall Wood at 0910. Reed Warbler with food in Hopton reedbed. Chiffchaff with food in Hall Wood. Neck-collared Greylag still present among Canada Goose flock. Pair of Common Sand in Hopton end.Simon Roddis
2016-06-281 Little Egret at Wildlife Centre, 2 Tufted Duck broods with 4 and 11 ducklings, 1 Common Sandpiper. Kingfisher at Lane End and 3 Gadwall. Also, report from ranger team of singing Yellowhammer by gate between Lane End and Shiningford Farm.James Owen
2016-06-287 Crossbills SE over Blackwall Plantation at 0845; ad female LRPlover on Watersports island at 1015, then flew S; Tufted Duck brood of 4 at WLC; 3 Red-crested Pochard as yesterday; 1 male Pochard.Simon Roddis
2016-06-27Moulting geese and swan numbers this morning show they are still increasing with 442 Canada Geese, 26 Mute Swans plus a further pair of Mute Swans with 3 small cygnets (the only brood this year). The first Tufted Duck broods of the year were also on show this morning with 8 + 5 small ducklings in Brown Ale Bay. Also, pair Red-crested Pochard on Millfields Island plus an eclipse drake at the Wildlife Centre, 2 Spotted Flycatchers still in copse near Penn Carr and male + juv Redstarts in Wildlife Centre Creek fields.Roger Carrington
2016-06-23WeBS count 06.15 - 11.30Little Grebe 1, Great Crested Grebe 29 (plus two broods of 1 and 3), Mute Swan 23, Canada Goose 430, Greylag Goose 16, Barnacle Goose 4, Gadwall 3, Mallard 54 (plus three broods of 2,11.6 from Sheepwash to Hopton), Tufted Duck 88, Red-crested Pochard 2,Grey Heron 1, Cormorant 5, Coot 164, Moorhen 3, Oystercatcher 6(plus 1 juvenile), Lapwing 11(plus 1 juvenile).Little Ringed Plover 1, Common Sandpiper 2, Redshank 4(plus 2 juvenile).Peter Gibbon
2016-06-10Moorhen with 6 chicks and Mallard with 5 on Henmore Brook, Redstart John Matkin
2016-06-04Male Mandarin Duck opposite WLCMike Coates
2016-06-0310.30-12.30 - Bar-headed Goose (prob escapee) dropped in; mobile around Sailing Club bay, Horseshoe Island and Shiningford CreekGary Atkins
2016-05-281 Whimbrel on Stones Island 7.45am, then flew high west. Male Red-crested Pochard on Watersports Island.Jon Lowes
2016-05-24Common Whitethroat Redshank Snow Goose Oystercatcher Spotted Flycatcher 2pmSheila Barnett
2016-05-242 Little Terns flew N/NW past the WLC at 08:00hrs. Also the pair of Red crested Pochard on Watersports Island.Clive Ashton
2016-05-17Juv GN Diver still, also RC Pochard pair from Stones Island, Spotted Flycatcher in Shiningford Creek, 4 Buzzard. WLC: 4 Greylag Goose with 6 goslings, Gadwall pair mated.James Owen
2016-05-17WeBS count 05.40 - 11.30 Great Northern Diver 1,Great Crested Grebe 28,Little Grebe 2,Mute Swan 4,Canada Goose 98,Greylag 8,Barnacle 7, Mallard 46, Tufted Duck 61,Gadwall 2,Red-crested Pochard 2,Coot 31,Oystercatcher 8,Redshank 6,Lapwing 8,Little Ringed Plover 1, Snow Goose still present. One Mallard brood of six very small at Millfields and one Oystercatcher brood of three still small enough for parent to sit on them all.Peter Gibbon with RC
2016-05-15Juv GNDiver still. 4 Shelduck. 4 Gadwall. 2 R-c Pochard. 1 Hobby over Hopton. 1 Med Gull at Millfields. 2 Arctic Terns. 1 Turnstone. 1 Sanderling. 1 LRP. 3 Spotted Fly at Penn Carr. 4 Reed Warblers. (80 species plus Snow Goose.)Simon Roddis
2016-05-14All counts undertaken during a circular walk (including tail bay). 8 Pheasants, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Mistle Thrush, 10 Song Thrush, 3 Jays, 25 Blue Tits, 51 Blackbirds, 61 Robins, 73 Wrens, 9 Dunnock, 8 Bullfinch, 5 Reed Buntings, 29 Chaffinch, Sedge Warbler, 11 Whitethroats, 67 Chiffchaffs, 29 Willow Warblers, 61 Blackcaps, 14 Garden Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and 4 Reed Warblers. Also of note a Sanderling and Turnstone on dam wall, 4 Redshank, 3 Common Sands, 12 Swifts, pr of Red-crested Pochards, 4 Buzzards and a male Sparrowhawk. Dave Newcombe
2016-05-12Juv GNDiver in Brownale Bay at midday. 4 Arctic Terns north. 2 R-c Pochard at Millfields.Simon Roddis
2016-05-111st summer Mediterranean Gull on Millfields Island at 8:00pm.John Bradley
2016-05-11Pale phase adult Arctic Skua for c.10 mins around 0830. Adult GNDiver still. 29 Arctic Terns through. 8 Dunlin. 5 Ringed Plover (RC). 1 Sanderling. 1 Turnstone. 4 Whimbrel. Male R-c Pochard at WLC.SJR,RC,AHS
2016-05-105 Turnstone and 1Sanderling on the dam wall this morning. 1 Whimbrel on Horseshoe island. Adult GNDiver flying around and may have left. Clive Ashton relocated the juvenile diver at Sheepwash. 1 Common Tern through. 3 Arctic Terns (CA).Simon Roddis
2016-05-10Grey Plover and Bar tailed Godwit on Horseshoe Island this morning. 1 ad GN Diver, pair Red crested Pochard on Millfields Island, pair Gadwall on Watersports Island, 1 Arctic Tern at 0930hrs and Spotted Flycatcher in Brown Ale Bay.Clive Ashton
2016-05-09Looks like we're down to just one adult GNDiver now.Simon Roddis
2016-05-083 GNDivers still. Pair Red-crested Pochard and Kingfisher at Millfields. Spotted Flycatcher in Penn Carr. 4 Reed Warblers singing in Hopton reedbed, 1 at WLC. Crossbill over Hall Wood.Simon Roddis
2016-05-073 Arctic Terns, 3 Great Northern Divers, 1 Dunlin, 2 Spotted Flycatchers (1 briefly on Stones plus 1 singing at Penn Carr), 2 Reed Warblers (1 at WLC plus 1 singing in Blackthorn near Stone barn at Millfields.John Bradley
2016-05-060715-1100: 4 Black Terns south at 0948. 3 GNDivers still, the adults calling and practising taking off. 19 Dunlin through north. Blue Snow Goose again present.Simon Roddis
2016-05-050745-1200: 3 GNDivers still. Male Pied Flycatcher in Penn Carr (near Millfields) at 1010. 1 Shelduck. 3 female Pochard at Millfields island. 1 Ringed Plover. 3 singing Garden Warblers on Stones, 3 at Millfields. 2 Reed Warblers singing in Hopton reedbed.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson

Scroll to Top