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
2016-03-11To add to Roger's report: 6 Goosander (2m,4f), 2 Skylark, c1000 Starling beyond WLC creek, leucistic Snipe still in reedbed at WLC.Simon Roddis
2016-03-11Avocet from 0815, still at Wildlife Centre 0930hrs. 10 Whooper Swans on water off Stones Island from 0840hrs.Roger Carrington
2016-03-082 GNDivers from Stones. Jack Snipe at Hopton reedbed. 17 Curlew at Sheepwash.Simon Roddis
2016-03-07Adult sum pl Mediterranean Gull in roost from 1645hrs off Stones Island. At least 33 Curlew came in this evening.Roger Carrington
2016-03-070645-1145: 1 Ringed Plover over WLC creek at 0830. 3 Wigeon at Millfields. 10 Buzzards. 2 Peregrine. Tawny Owl calling and pair of Oystercatchers mating at Lane End. 10 Meadow Pipits. 5 Raven (2 pairs and a single).Simon Roddis
2016-03-06Seen during Birdwatching for Beginners walk (10am-noon): House Sparrow, Magpie, Mallard, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Dunnock, Lsr Black-back Gull, Gt Crested Grebe, Carrion Crow, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Black-headed Gull, Coot, Teal, Great Northern Diver (3), Tree Sparrow, Little Grebe, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Redwing, Song Thrush, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Gt Tit, Blue Tit, Common Gull, Canada Goose, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Wren, Collared Dove, Lapwing, Willow Tit, Oystercatcher, Barnacle Goose (20+), Redshank, GoldeneyeGary Atkins
2016-03-0508:30 3 Barnacle Geese Wildlife Centre Creek, Redshank. Curlew heard Sheepwash.Eric Dewhurst
2016-03-050700-1130: at least 2 GNDivers on the water and likely another flew high N at 1110. 4 Goosander, 2 Wigeon and Kingfisher at Millfields. 6 Herring Gull, 14 Golden Plover and 5 Skylark through. 14 Curlew. 12 Buzzards.SJR, AHS, JB, MAP
2016-03-041 GNDiver at Millfields this morning, 2 from Lane End this pm. 11 Curlew. 2 Wigeon. 80 Woodpigeon at Millfields. Leucistic Common Snipe with 4 regular birds, WLC at 1000.Simon Roddis
2016-03-033 GNDivers. 1 Jack Snipe and a Water Rail calling in Hopton reedbed 0730. 28 Barnacle Geese. 1 Skylark. 6 Buzzard.Simon Roddis
2016-03-013 Great Northern Divers, 7 Pintail, 6 Curlew, adult Kittiwake in gull roost.John Bradley
2016-03-012 GN Diver (one in flight before roost) WLC: 8 Lesser Redpoll, 7 Snipe (including 1 leucistic), 1 Curlew over, 1 Dunlin, 2 Goldeneye (pair), 2 Buzzard, c.20 Barnacle Goose, 2 Redshank, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Willow Tit, c.150 Lapwing. Also, large Starling flock c.2000 over Carsington Pastures at middayJames Owen
2016-02-233 Greylag, 13 Barnacle Geese, 2 Shelduck, 1 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 1 Skylark north, 8 Lesser Redpoll. Clive Ashton
2016-02-22WeBS count for Feb. 07.30 -10.30 Mute Swan 2, Greylag Goose 2, Canada Goose 110, Barnacle Goose 29, Wigeon 3, Gadwall 1, Teal 92, Mallard 89, Tufted Duck 41, Goldeneye 8, Great Northern Diver 3, Little Grebe 8, Great Crested Grebe 20, Moorhen 3, Coot 69, Oystercatcher 7, Lapwing 346, Sparrowhawk 1, Peregrine 1.Peter Gibbon and John Bradley
2016-02-21Summer plumage adult Mediterranean Gull off Stones Island 0930-1000. 3 GNDivers still. 20 Redwing on Stones, 20 Siskin at WLC.SHR,AHS
2016-02-203 GNDivers still. 3 Pintail at Millfields 0800. 4 Curlew at WLC 1000.Simon Roddis
2016-02-193 GNDivers still. 29 Barnacle Geese, 1 Greylag. Flock of 36 Cormorants seemed to fly in at 0855 but didn't stay.Simon Roddis
2016-02-162 x Jack Snipe at Paul Stanley HideAlan Ball
2016-02-10I Jack Snipe and 1 Water Rail at Hopton reedbed 0730-0800. 1 Curlew from Sheepwash 08:30. 1 Peregrine. 150 Starlings flew north.Simon Roddis
2016-02-108:00-11:30am Goosander (2) and Oystercatcher (2) on Millfields Island. Several Goldeneye, Redwing and Song Thrushes (singing)Eric Dewhurst
2016-02-09Adult Kittiwake at Millfields 08:15. 2 GNDivers showing, very mobile. 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew.Simon Roddis
2016-02-05Jack Snipe, 5 Grey Wag, 10 Pied Wag, 14 Herring Gull south-west at Hopton. Skylark and Yellowhammer over Millfields. 730 Lapwing, Peregrine, 5 Buzzard. Shoveler (f) at WLC. 4 Gadwall.Simon Roddis
2016-02-033 Great Northern Divers still. 420 Lapwings. 25 Common Snipe including leucistic bird from Wildlife Centre. 1 Jack Snipe in Hopton Reedbed. 1 Kingfisher and 2 Oystercatchers.Roger Carrington
2016-01-31WeBs count for January 08.00-11.00-Mute Swan 2, Greylag Goose 1, Canada Goose 146, Wigeon 8, Gadwall 4, Teal 228, Mallard 133, Pintail 4, Pochard 3, Tufted Duck, 75, Goldeneye 11, Goosander 2, Great Northern Diver 2, Cormorant 8, Grey Heron 1, Little Grebe 14, Great Crested Grebe 30, Moorhen 11, Coot 164, Oystercatcher 2, Lapwing 320, Curlew 2, Redshank 2, Jack Snipe 1, Snipe 5, Kingfisher 1, Buzzard 3, Kestrel 1.Peter Gibbon and John Bradley
2016-01-283 GNDivers. Jack Snipe and Water Rail at Hopton reedbed 0730-0800. 500 Lapwing. 28 Barnacle Geese. Buzzard and Sparrowhawk displaying. Kingfisher showing well in WLC creek. 1 Skylark. 2 Raven. 40 Siskin at Paul Stanley. No Linnets...Simon Roddis
2016-01-27At least 2 GNDivers. 28 Barnacle Geese. Imm Peregrine. Adult Kittiwake flying around mid-afternoon. 750 LBBG in the roost, and 2 ad Yellow-legged Gulls. 1 Oystercatcher.Simon Roddis
2016-01-233 GNDivers still. 1 Shelduck. 28 Barnacle Geese. 450 Lapwing at sailing club. 1 Golden Plover. 1 Skylark. 25 Common Snipe at WLC including the leucistic bird. Jon Bradley had 3 Jack Snipe at Hopton reedbed at 08:00.Simon Roddis
2016-01-21Water Rail and Jack Snipe in Hopton reed bed, 4 Heron, 7 Goldeneye, 5 Gadwall, 3 Goosander, 5 Meadow Pipit.Clive Ashton
2016-01-212 Jack Snipe at Hopton reedbed 0830-0900SJR, AHS
2016-01-203 GNDivers still. Jack Snipe at Hopton reedbed. 1 Golden Plover over. 4 Pintail. 2 Shoveler. 2 Peregrine. 2 Skylark. 1 Brambling. (72 species)SJR, AHS
2016-01-193 GNDivers (2 ads, 1 juv) this morning. 1 Barnacle Goose again with the Canadas. 3 Goosander. 1 Kingfisher in Shiningford Creek.Simon Roddis
2016-01-184 GNDivers, 3 ads, 1 juv. 6 Goosander. 180 Canada Geese and 1 Barnacle. 1 Dunlin. 5 Herring Gull.Simon Roddis
2016-01-152 GNDivers still present. 335 Lapwing at Sailing Club. 130 Canada Geese at WLC. Leucistic Common Snipe in WLC creek.Simon Roddis
2016-01-14Drake shoveler and c20 fieldfare at Lane End hide, 18 collared doves at the rangerbase. Report of sparrowhawk chasing redwing on Stones Island on 13/01/16John Matkin
2016-01-132 Great Northern Divers, 25 Snipe including the leucistic bird, 161 Tufted Ducks, 209 Teal, 159 Mallard, 21 Pochard, 2 Gadwall, 6 Goldeneye, 32 Wigeon, 17 Little Grebe, Blue Tit carrying nesting material to nest box.John Matkin
2016-01-11Could only see 1 GNDiver for certain. Only 7 Wigeon and 1 Gadwall. 130 Canada Geese. 1 Goosander and 1 Yellowhammer at Paul Stanley. 50 Siskin in WLC creek.Simon Roddis
2016-01-07Juv & Adult G N DiverIan Scrimshaw
2016-01-02Late morning/afternoon visit 2 great northern divers.12 cormorant.2 grey heron.5 mute swan.1 canada goose(wildlife centre).624 lapwing.2 redshank.21 snipe.6 little grebe.36 pochard.161 tufted duck.4 gadwall.6 goldeneye.chris brown
2016-01-013 GNDivers, 3 Shelduck, 4 Goosander, Water Rail heard in Hopton reedbedSimon Roddis
2015-12-303 GN Diver(today and y'day-juv still in shallows off stones with both adults at south east end sheltering from wind)MAP
2015-12-28600 Lapwing, c1000 Common Gull at Sheepwash 1500-1600. 2 Water Rail calling, 2 Tawny Owl calling, 1+ Woodcock (2 sightings), 720 Jackdaws flew E at Hopton end 1615-1650Simon Roddis
2015-12-283 GNDiver(juv now in shallows off stones/sailing club island).3 Dunlin, 300 Common GullMAP
2015-12-273 GNDiver all visible from Stones Island mid-morning. 7 Goosander at Millfields. 70 Redwing on Stones. Leucistic Common Snipe in WLC creekSimon Roddis
2015-12-271 Kingfisher at Millfields; 1 Water Rail calling in Hopton reedbedSimon Roddis
2015-12-21WeBS count for December 08.00 to 11.00Great Northern Diver 3, Little Grebe 14, Great Crested Grebe 32, Cormorant 12, Grey Heron 1, Mute Swan 31, Canada Goose 119, Wigeon 79, Gadwall 31, Teal 245, Mallard 184, Pochard 88, Tufted Duck 269, Goldeneye 11, Goosander 1, Moorhen 7, Coot 925, Lapwing 439, Snipe 6, Redshank 2, Kingfisher 1, Black-headed Gull 1250, Common Gull 25, Lesser Black-backed Gull 34.Peter Gibbon and John Bradley
2015-12-213 Great Northern Divers still, juv at Millfields and 2 adults mobile. 13 Goosander (4 males), Kingfisher and 2 Raven Millfields early morning. Leucistic Common Snipe still in Wildlife Centre Creek and 2 Dunlin with Lapwing flock.Roger Carrington
2015-12-193 GND- the 2nd adult staying tight to bank North of fishtail creek this amMAP
2015-12-19Leucistic Common Snipe in WLC creek. Juv GNDiver at Millfields, adult off Watersports islandSimon Roddis
2015-12-183 GN Diver(juv at Millfields,resident adult offstones still a few spots on its back,2nd adult in full winter plum in fishtail then off watersports island),7 Goosander(millfields)MAP
2015-12-171 Brent Goose 0839-0930 from Millfields. Ad and Juv GNDiver. 2 female Scaup WLC 1200. 200 Redwing in fields by WLC creek, 70 at MillfieldsSimon Roddis

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