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
2016-05-030745-1100: 3 GNDivers still present. A dark-bellied Brent Goose off Stones 0800-1030 at least. Kittiwake 1010-1030. Reed Warbler singing in WLC reedbed again. And the blue Snow Goose is back, still paired with a Canada.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
2016-05-020700-1130: 3 GNDivers still. Osprey east at 0805 (JB). Cream-crown Marsh Harrier 0835-0845, left north. Different bird from yesterday, this one was missing a couple of inner secondaries on its left wing. 4 Common Terns south 0705-0745 (SR). 1 Arctic Tern. Reed Warbler singing sporadically at WLC. 20 Greylags at Hopton including the neck-collared bird, code read this time as PPX. Ringing info will be requested.Simon Roddis, John Bradley
2016-05-01The following are all species noted during the monthly Birdwatching for Beginners walk (10am-12 noon): Swallow, Robin, Woodpigeon, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Blackcap, Blackbird, Wren, Canada Goose, Tufted Duck, Sand Martin, Mute Swan, Black-headed Gull, Common Sandpiper, Gt Northern Diver, Gt Crested Grebe, Jackdaw, Chaffinch, Willow Warbler, Dunnock, Song Thrush, Mallard, Coot, Goldfinch, Pied Wagtail, Tree Sparrow, Whitethroat, Magpie, House Sparrow, Gt Tit, Dunlin, Reed Bunting, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Common Gull, Swift, Barnacle Goose, Coal Tit, Redshank, Little GrebeGary Atkins
2016-05-01Marsh Harrier (cream crown) flew south over Millfields Island flushing all the nesting Gulls at 11:32am, Arctic Tern briefly at 10:50am, 3 Great Northern Diver.John Bradley
2016-04-27Collective species list seen by those attending the Wagtail Walk, which did include fleeting glimpses of Yellow Wags on Watersports Island. The full list (apologies if I've missed some!): Swallow, Sand Martin, House Martin, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Canada Goose, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Gt Northern Diver, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Gt Crested Grebe, Willow Warbler, Pied (and probably White) Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Coot, Little Ringed Plover, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Magpie, Blackbird, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Wren, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, Robin, Pheasant, Redshank, Blue TitGary Atkins
2016-04-27Two Yellow Wagtail, a Common Sandpiper and a Redshank on Horseshoe Island at 12 noon.Brian Harris
2016-04-26A visitor reported 3 Black necked Grebes to a Ranger, which were then located near the draw off tower by the regulars. Looking very smart too in near full summer plumage.Clive Ashton
2016-04-24Wood Warbler singing at the top of Middle Wood at 7:30am (JB), male Pied Flycatcher feeding in the large Blackthorn patch between Millfields car park and Penn Carr (AHS,JB). John Bradley
2016-04-243 GND together, from Stones Island late afternoon. One of the adults has smart colours with complete summer plumage. The other looks scruffy close up - all white markings including neck there but fainter and head less dark. It spent a lot of time preening John Babb
2016-04-213 GNDivers still, adults looking smarter by the day and calling occasionally. Common Swift over the visitor centre at 0930. Sedge Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat on Stones island, another Sedge in WLC creek.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
2016-04-18This evening from Stones Island: 5 Ringed Plovers thru' heading north 1830hrs, pair Red-breasted Merganser from 1900hrs near Millfields, 8 White Wagtails on Watersports Island flew off high north at 1930hrs, 1 Yellow Wagtail on there a little later and 7 Curlew had come into roost on there by 2020hrs. The 3 Great Northern Divers came close together to roost, the 2 adults now nearly in full summer plumage, fine neck markings not yet fully showing. A record missed for this morning: pair Mallard with 9 ducklings, probably 3 days old, between Oldfield Lane and Hays Lane.Roger Carrington, Jon Bradley
2016-04-183 Black-tailed Godwit flew NW over WLC at 0940. 5 Common Sandpiper on Watersports island. 1 Wheatear on Horseshoe island.Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
2016-04-185 Whimbrel on Sailing Club Island early morning. 3 Dunlin. Whitethroat on Stones Island. 3 Shelduck on Millfields Island. Redstart singing in WLCCreek. Pair Mandarin and Little Grebe in Fishtail Creek.Roger Carrington
2016-04-182 Ospreys circled the reservoir for the best part of an hour, from 0800hrs, before drifting off northeast[CA,JB,RC,SJR].Clive Ashton
2016-04-14Common Whitethroat singing in Shiningford Creek this afternoon. 3 Yellow Wagtails on Watersports Islands.Roger Carrington
2016-04-143 GNDivers still. 1 Sandwich Tern from Stones island 0900-0915. 3 White Wags on Watersports island, 1 Yellow Wag on Stones.Simon Roddis, Ken Rome
2016-04-13I was in WLC creek at 11:00 when I noticed a commotion among a group of crows and Jackdaws. Wondering what was upsetting them, I watched for a minute or two until a female Sparrowhawk appeared in hot pursuit of a Woodpigeon. Within seconds the Sparrowhawk had caught and grounded the pigeon. After a short time the hawk started to pluck feathers from the still flapping pigeon. This continued for a good 5 minutes or so, with blood appearing on the Sparrowhawk's beak but the pigeon still alive. Then the Sparrowhawk itself suddenly took flight and the Woodpigeon tried to get away, only to be grounded again by a Buzzard which had scared the Sparrowhawk off! This Buzzard was then joined by another, which pushed the first Buzzard away and managed to finish the Woodpigeon off and tuck into a healthy, free range dinner! Never seen anything quite like it.Simon Roddis
2016-04-120730-1330: 3 GNDivers still. 5 Shelduck. Osprey over Hall Wood at 11:35. 3 Sandwich Terns north at 09:30. 10+ Arctic Terns. 1 Common Tern. 1 Whimbrel. 1 Ringed Plover. 1 Little Ringed Plover. 1 Dunlin. 4+ Common Sandpiper. Yellow Wagtail. Wheatear on Watersports island. 12 Linnet. 1 Brambling. c250 Sand Martins, 50 Swallows.SJR,AHS,RC
2016-04-11WeBS count for April. 07.00 -11.40 Mute Swan 4(2 on Green Pond0, Greylag Goose 11,Canada Goose 51, Barnacle Goose 6,Gadwall 2,Teal 6,Mallard 42,Pochard 1,Tufted Duck 72, Goldeneye 3, Great Northern Diver 1,Cormorant 7,Little Grebe 2,Great Crested Grebe 29,Moorhen 3,Coot 29, Oystercatcher 10,Lapwing 2,Little Ringed Plover 1,Common Sandpiper 1,Redshank 7,Snipe 3,Kingfisher 1. Plus 2 White Wagtails on Stones and 40 + Swallow and 5 Sand Martin.Peter Gibbon
2016-04-1119 Little Gulls (18 adults a 1 1st summer) late evening, 2nd summer Yellow-legged Gull in roost.John Bradley
2016-04-10Male Yellow Wagtail at the WLC 10:00Simon Roddis
2016-04-090630-1130: 3 GNDivers still. 6 Greylag. 2 Shelduck. 6 Wigeon. 1 Gadwall. 1 Pochard. 1 Red Kite. 1 Greenshank. 7 Blackcap at Millfields, 3 on Stones. 2 Raven.SHR,AHS,JB
2016-04-08Male Redstart in WLC fields. 5 White Wagtails on Watersports island. 2 Blackcap on Stones island. Leucistic Snipe still. And a blue morph Snow Goose off Stones, apparently paired with a Canada Goose. Oh dear...Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
2016-04-07Male Redstart this morning in the field at the rear of the Sand Martin bank in WLC creekJon Lowes
2016-04-073 GNDivers still. 1m Shoveler. 1m Wigeon. Leucistic Snipe still. 5 White Wags on Stones island. 2m Blackcap at Milfields. 60 Swallows, 20 Sand Martin and 3 House Martin.Simon Roddis
2016-04-06A Great Grey Shrike was seen for a few seconds only on Stones Island at 0930hrs by AHS, but despite much searching it could not be relocated. Also present 6 White Wagtails, 10 Great Black backed Gulls and the leucistic Snipe. Clive Ashton
2016-04-04210 Common Gulls in roost at 1830. 3 White Wagtails on Stones island. Jack Snipe still in WLC creek. 300 Jackdaws.Simon Roddis
2016-04-04Blackcap @ Millfields, male eating Ivy berriesIan Scrimshaw
2016-04-046 Common Gulls and a Pink-footed Goose.Peter Stoppard
2016-04-040730-1200: 3 GNDivers still. 2 Willow Warblers at Millfields. Wheatear on Watersports island. Jack Snipe in WLC creek. 5 Goldeneye. 10 Swallow, 10 Sand Martin and 1 House MartinSimon Roddis, Alan Stewardson
2016-04-04Following noted during monthly Birdwatching for Beginners walk (10am-noon; Stones Island, Ranger Base and WLC): Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Carrion Crow, Dunnock, Great Tit, Blackbird, Blue Tit, House Sparrow, Wren, Robin, Greylag Goose, Black-headed Gull, Coal Tit, Mallard, Gt Crested Grebe, Coot, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Lapwing, Redshank, Buzzard, Tree Sparrow, Gt Northern Diver, Oystercatcher, Barnacle Goose, Teal, Willow Warbler, Little Grebe, Willow TitGary Atkins
2016-04-02Male Marsh Harrier flew east at 11:45, Ringed Plover north, 5 White Wagtail, 2nd summer Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Great Northern Divers, Willow Warbler singing at the causeway.JB, AHS, CA
2016-04-016-15 to 7-45pm Osprey(drifted sw),male RC Pochard,2+ White Wagtail,16 Curlew,30+ Fieldfare(to roost stones),2 GN Diver(adults),2 Redshank,SwallowMark and Sue Pass
2016-04-014 Buzzards aloft, low over Blackwall PlantationGary Atkins
2016-03-313 GNDivers still. 3 Shoveler. Pair of Wigeon still at Millfields. 20 Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin.Simon Roddis/Ken Rome
2016-03-29All 3 GNDivers still present. First House Martin of the year off Stones 0900. Leucistic Snipe still at WLC.SJR, CA, JB, RC
2016-03-29Red Kite circling fields over Windmill Farm (Godfreyhole) at approx 4pm. Headed south.Jean Hurdle
2016-03-270700-1100:3 GNDivers still. 1 Wigeon. 1 Gadwall. Pair Mandarins prospecting around Millfields. 2 Goosander at Millfields. Leucistic Common Snipe still at WLC. 1 Yellow-legged Gull. c10 Sand Martins and 3 Swallows. 8 Chiffchaff singing.SJR, AHS, RC, CA, JB
2016-03-27Male and female Mandarin ducks seen on Lake shore in front of Sheepwash bird hide at 4.30pmCatherine Moss
2016-03-240600-1200: all 3 GNDivers still present. 1 Shelduck. Pair of Mandarins at Millfields. 2 Shoveler. Water Rail calling in Hopton reedbed. Leucistic Common Snipe still at WLC. 3 Skylark south. 1 Rock Pipit near Stones (Dave Newcombe/Chris Brown). 1 Swallow (Mark Pass) and 1 Sand Martin. 11 Chiffchaff (9 at Millfields, 2 on Stones). 50 Fieldfare south.Simon Roddis
2016-03-230830-1300: 2 ad GNDivers (couldn't see the juv, maybe just playing hard to get), 10 Greylag, 1 Grey Plover still around Stones and Shiningford islands, 1 second-winter Kittiwake north at 0850, 6 Chiffchaffs (4 singing, 2 calling) around Millfields.Simon Roddis
2016-03-213 GNDivers, 3 Greylag, 2 Mandarin, 3 Wigeon, 1 Grey Plover (Stones Island 0800), 2 Herring Gull north, 20 Meadow Pipit mostly moving north, 19 Fieldfare north, 150 Redwing and 100 Starling at Hopton, 9 Redpoll on Stones, 1 Linnet.Simon Roddis/Clive Ashton
2016-03-21WeBS count for March 06.30 - 10.00 Mute Swan 2, Greylag Goose 1, Canada Goose 97, Barnacle Goose 28, Wigeon 1, Gadwall 2, Teal 17, Mallard 63, Tufted Duck 73, Goldeneye 7, Goosander 3, Great Northern Diver 3, Cormorant 4, Grey Heron 2, Little Grebe 3, Great Crested Grebe 38, Moorhen 5, Coot 58, Oystercatcher 13, Lapwing 8, Curlew 4, Snipe 7, Redshank 6.Peter Gibbon and John Bradley
2016-03-1813.30 from Sheepwash Hide 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Goldeneye, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher Paul Bennett
2016-03-180630-1200: 3 GNDivers. 2 Shelduck at Millfields. 2 Greylag. 1 Wigeon. 13+ Oystercatcher. 3 Dunlin. 4 Redshank. 1+ Jack Snipe in Hopton reedbed. 2 ad Kittiwakes at Millfields. 75 Redwing at Sheepwash.SJR,AHS
2016-03-173 GNDivers still. Chiffchaff singing at Millfields. Leucistic Common Snipe with 8 other snipe in WLC creek. 1 Skylark, 9 Meadow Pipits north.SJR,AHS
2016-03-171 Wigeon and 3 Snipe near Wildlife Centre at 15000hrsMike Coates
2016-03-16Afternoon visit 15.00-18.15. 3 Great Northern Divers, Grey Heron, 8 Little Grebes, 24 Great Crested Grebes, 114 Canada Geese, 12 Barnacle Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 40 Teal, 50 Mallards, 60 Tufted Ducks, 11 Goldeneye, 4 Moorhens, 60 Coots, 13 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, 3 Snipe, 3 Redshank, Dunlin. Dave Newcombe/Chris Brown
2016-03-163 GNDivers from Sheepwash at 1530. 11+ Goldeneye. 50 Redwing at Sheepwash. 5 Fieldfare flew north. 2 Raven.Simon Roddis
2016-03-153 GN Divers this afternoon (2 adults often close together off Stone's then again later off Lane End + 1 juvenile on far shore from Sheepwash - seemed quite a small individual)Paul Thomas

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