| 2009-06-16 | WeBS count for Sunday 14th June 07.15 to 10.15 hours.
16 Mute Swan,537 Canada Goose,6 Barnacle Goose,47 Mallard,129 Tufted Duck,10 Little Grebe,25 Great Crested Grebe,4 Cormorant,3 Heron,11 Moorhen,68 Coot,8 Oystercatcher,2 Lapwing,4 Redshank,25 Black-headed Gull,2 Common Tern,1 Kingfisher and 1 Sparrowhawk. | Peter Gibbon |
| 2009-06-16 | Fairly quiet on site, of note were;
Broods of 3 Moorhen at Sheepwash,and 4 at WLC pond.
Single drake Gadwall still at WLC.
Common Tern on Flat Island.
Pair of Bullfinch on Paul Stanley feeding station. | Clive Ashton |
| 2009-06-15 | Thought you'd be interested to hear that during a walk from Carsington Water I spotted a Red Kite being mobbed by crows! I'm not sure if they've been seen in the area before but thought I'd contact you just in case they haven't. Seeing it made mine and my husband's day! A brilliant sight.
Regards,
Glen | Glenys Torr |
| 2009-06-14 | A Yellowhammer (red listed) seen at Bullhill Farm Kirk Ireton.
The first I have seen in the Parish for years. 54 sightings in the parish in 1988.
Appears not to have been recorded in CBC sightings so be aware that they are in the neighbourhood. | dave williams |
| 2009-06-11 | 3 Black-tailed Godwits on Stones Island, 0730hrs.
At least 2 Swifts around the Visitor Centre eaves, breeding would be a first at Carsington.
Jay carrying food in Hall Wood, showing breeding.
Pair of Reed Bunting feeding young in Hopton Arm Reedbed, and Reed Warbler still singing.
Common Tern pair with nest on Flat Island, but hidden behind vegitation when viewed from P S Hide. | Roger Carrington |
| 2009-06-10 | Of note: A pair of Mute Swans with five quite small cygnets. A pair of Gadwall. A female Mallard with four sturdy ducklings. Four Oystercatchers. A Common Tern fishing near the sailing club.
A pair of Redshanks behaved as if defending a nest or young. Another observer told us he thought he had seen a very young bird but we did not see it. The Redshank pair attacked a Moorhen and also drove off a Crow and a Jackdaw. They were very aggressive. The pair were active at the water's edge between the wildlife centre and the watersports centre. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2009-06-10 | A few highlights for today. At the Wildlife Centre was 3 Gadwall, and a pair of Redshank with one small youngster. A pair of Common Terns, and Oystercatcher with one young on Flat Island. Reed Warbler singing at Hopton End and also a Spotted Flycatcher there. 3 Broods of Mute Swan 3/5/6. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2009-06-04 | Of note: Barnacle Goose (4), Gadwall (pr), Mallard inc. a female with 3 very small ducklings & a female with 3 well grown youngsters, Oystercatcher (2), Redshank (1), Common Tern (2) - sitting on orange buoys near Horseshoe Island, Song Thrush (2): WARBLERS: Sedge, Garden, Willow, Whitethroat, and Blackcap + Chiffchaff; Blue Tits feeding young in box 0305, Great Tits feeding young in box 0304. A Great Tit youngster could occasionally be seen poking its fluffy head out through the hole in the box. Reed Bunting (singing male).
Insects: Common Blue damselfly - a mating pair, Buff-tailed Bumblebee, Small White, Large White and Painted Lady butterflies. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2009-06-01 | As already stated a Black Tern this morning, also 4 Black Terns to at least 17.15. Reed Warbler briefly singing to the left of Sheepwash Hide. Not many more highlights apart from several Buzzards and a Raven. A pair of Oystercatchers feeding 2 young on flat island, Coots feeding 5 young to the left of Paul Stanley hide and a family of Blue Tits by Sheepwash Hide. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2009-06-01 | 4 Black Terns now present at 17:30hrs, and the 2 Common Scoters also.
Reed Warbler singing at base of Sheepwash spit. | Clive Ashton |
| 2009-06-01 | This morning: 1 Black Tern, at least 2 Common Terns, pair of Common Scoter, Reed Warbler singing in Hopton Arm Reedbed, Pied Flycatcher still singing in Fishtail Creek but distant, 2 Spotted Flycatchers in Hall Wood and 1 in Middle Wood, Treecreeper singing and 1 family party in Hall Wood and another Treecreeper singing in Middle Wood. | No name given |
| 2009-05-28 | Because of half-term and the sunny weather it was very busy on site today. We found 40 species of bird around midday. Of note: Barnacle Goose (4), Mallard - including a female with 5 very well developed ducklings, Common Buzzard being harrassed by Crows near the dam wall, Pheasant (2 heard), Common Tern (2) - on the raft near the Watersports Centre, Swift (2), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 female) - next to Shiningford Creek, Common Whitethroat (2), Garden Warbler (1), Blackcap(2), Chiffchaff (2), Willow Warbler (2) and Reed Bunting (2 singing males).
Butterflies: Orange Tip, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Wall and Red Admiral.
Also Water Boatmen and hundreds, perhaps thousands of tadpoles in the pond next to the Wildlife Centre. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2009-05-24 | Millfields Island late afternoon - Barnacle Geese 3 pairs with 4nr goslings between them. Looked like 1+1&2. Swallows nesting inside the wooden furniture house. | David & Sue Edmonds |
| 2009-05-22 | A Whitethroat probably female, near the reed beds by the Hopton crossing. | Bob and Gill Smith |
| 2009-05-18 | Not a lot about today but did get two cracking birds. A Cuckoo flew over Wildlife Centre Creek and perched long enough for me to get my scope on it before disappearing. And then a Hobby flew from the east and headed over Sheepwash hide shortly before 15.00.
Also of note was a pair of Barnacle Geese with 4 young on Stones Island, a single Dunlin on Horseshoe Island, a flock of 7 Waders flew across the water which I think were also Dunlin.
| Dave Newcombe |
| 2009-05-17 | Belated WeBS count done on Sunday 10th May.
Mute Swan 13,Canada Goose 107,Barnacle Goose 14,Mallard 34,Tufted Duck 101,Great Northern Diver 1,Little Grebe 16,Great Crested Grebe 24,Cormorant 1,Grey Heron 1,Moorhen 19,Coot 80,Oystercatcher 12,Little Ringed Plover 2,Lapwing 4,Redshank 5,Common Sandpiper 2,Black-headed Gull 20,Common Tern 2. | Peter Gibbon |
| 2009-05-15 | Quick visit this morning:
8 Turnstone,5 on the raft near Watersports and 3 on the Island.
1 Sanderling on Sailing Club Island
3 Gadwall on Horseshoe Island.
100+ Swallows, and many House Martins/Swifts. | Clive Ashton |
| 2009-05-13 | With the weather being wet and windy today I thought there was a good chance of getting some migrants blown in but I didn't expect it to be quite so good. Spoke to a birder first thing who said he had had about a dozen distant Terns but couldn't quite ID them so they went down as 'Commic Terns'
I made my way to Sheepwash and sat there a while before the first flock of Terns flew through....17 Arctics and 1 Black Tern followed by a further 7 Arctics 10 minutes later. Another Black Tern flew through and then 4 more later in the day. Throughout the day there were more flocks including one of 27 Arctics around 17.00. In total there was at least 80 Arctic Terns throughout the day plus 2 Common Terns. Other highlights include 3 or 4 Common Sandpipers, at least 2 Sanderlings, a Turnstone, several Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plovers, at least 2 Little Ringed Plovers, female Yellow Wagtail and a stunning adult Med Gull on Horseshoe Island to end the day. There were also literally 100's of Swifts, Housemartins and Swallows with a fair few Sandmartins too.
| Dave Newcombe |
| 2009-05-12 | From WLC:
2 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Common Tern, 1 Buzzard over toward pylons on left, 8 House Martins, 6 Swift.
From Paul Stanley:
1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin (in plumage), 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Pheasants (1 male), 1 Blackcap, 2 Willow tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Sand Martin (north). | Richard and Frances Pittam |
| 2009-05-11 | Pair of Oystercatchers with 2 chicks on Millfields island | Bob and Gill Smith |
| 2009-05-09 | Great Northern Diver (1) - Still present against the dam wall, sailing club end, immediately after the dawn chorus walk. | David & Sue Edmonds |
| 2009-05-09 | DAWN CHORUS WALK :Willow Warbler,Chiffcaff,Garden Warbler,Blackcap and Whitethroat all singing well and showing themselves for the group.
Also Robin,Dunnock,Wren,Blackbird,Song Thrush,Great and Blue Tit,Chaffinch,Bullfinch,Woodpigeon,Tree Sparrow and Reed Bunting singing or calling.Great Spotted Woodpecker and Kestrel.Pair of Common Terns trying valiantly to fight for the tern raft against Black-headed Gulls.A Whimbrel and two Dunlin seen from the hide at the end of the walk.Finally the Dunlin and a Redshank were scared off from the west bank by a Fox that slowly made its way along the shoreline looking for food. | Peter Gibbon & Roger Carrington |
| 2009-05-08 | Yesterday afternoon, Phil and Mike from Fisheries towed the tern raft back into position, in front of the Wildlife Centre. Whilst locking up the Wildlife Centre at 18.30, I had a look around and noticed the two Common Terns, which I believe have been hanging around the site for a few days. They were both sat on the new Watersports raft initially, but then one moved over to the tern raft and fought off five Black-headed Gulls. It was then joined by the other tern. Chris Johnstone informed me that they were both still on the raft this morning. | Paul Bennett |
| 2009-05-06 | 4 Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper on Horseshoe Island, 2 Dunlin on Stones Island and then 5 on Sheepwash Spit later in the day.
Good views of the Great Northern Diver from the Wildlife Centre and then at Lane End Hide. Shelduck, c50 Swifts, Ringed Plover, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Raven. Lots of Hirundines in the early morning drizzle. Female Teal, Mallard with 8 young and Canada Geese with 6 young.
A lot of Warblers in now including Lesser Whitethroat by brick tower, 5+ Common Whitethroats and numerous Chiff Chaffs, Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and Garden Warblers.
Also Robin feeding young in Hall Wood. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2009-05-06 | Whilst checking the CCTV function in the Wildlife Centre this morning, I found three Whimbrel on the back of Horseshoe Island at 07.20. They were still there at 08.45, but were still in the same place, so frustratingly, could still only be viewed with the camera!(at least we've got one I suppose!).
I also had a Yellow Wagtail on Stones Island at 18.40 on Monday 4th. | Paul Bennett |
| 2009-05-04 | Barnacle Goose (7), Mallard ducklings (9), Oystercatcher (3), Redshank (3), Common Gull (1), Garden Warbler (1) - Stones Island, Blackcap (2), Chiffchaff (1). | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2009-05-04 | Great Northern Diver (Adult Summer) from Sheepwash Hide late afternoon. 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Curlew, 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher from Wildlife Centre. 20+ Barnacle Goose, 3 Cackling Canada Goose, 12+ Swift from Stones Island. | Paul Thomas |
| 2009-05-02 | Sheepwash Hide Common Sandpiper (1), GN Diver (1) 4:45pm - 6pm.; Kestrel(1):
6pm Paul Stanley same Diver still well visible, Little Ringed plover (1), Redshank (1). Pied Wagtail (2, see notes) | David & Sue Edmonds |
| 2009-05-01 | 1 Great Northern Diver,between Lane End and Watersports.
2 Lesser Whitethroat,and 2 Common Whitethroat between Sheepwash and WLC.
Butterflies:
30+ Green veined White,3 Orange Tip,2 Brimstone and 1 Peacock. | Clive Ashton |
| 2009-04-28 | 1 Bar tailed Godwit
1 GN Diver
1 LRP
c8 Swift
2 Greylag | Clive Ashton |
| 2009-04-27 | Steady rain until late afternoon.
Barnacle Goose (10), Oystercatcher (2), Lapwing (2), Curlew (2) - Horseshoe Island; Redshank (3), Sand Martin (1), Swallow (over 50), House Martin (1), Song Thrush (2), Chiffhaff (1), Willow Warbler (5), Bullfinch (pr) and Reed Bunting (1 male). | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2009-04-27 | Highlights.... 1 Avocet (Horseshoe), 1 (summer plumage) Bar tailed Godwit (SFord Creek), Lesser Whitethroat (SFord creek), Redshank 2plus pairs displaying etc, 1 pair Mandarin. | Steph Hicking |
| 2009-04-25 | The two Great Northern Divers still present off Fishtail Creek pm. | Alan Lewin |
| 2009-04-24 | Black Tern | John Mowbray |
| 2009-04-23 | CBC Evening walk of the 21st April:
The 2 Great Northern Divers were seen clearly and 1 Shelduck. All the Wagtails seen were pied and summer migrants included House and Sand Martin Swallow in good numbers. Little Ringed Plovers on the yachting launch area were seen plus Oystercatcher, Redshank and 3 Curlew. Before the walk a Snipe was flushed on Stones Island and at 16.30 a Common Tern appeared on a buoy before being found again with the Black-headed Gulls at the Wildlife Centre. Unfortunately by the time the group came to the centre at 20.15 it had gone. | Peter Gibbon |
| 2009-04-22 | A Honey Buzzard circled over the Hopton Inlet from about 12.20-12.30.p.m. having come in from the West. Escorted east by 2 Common Buzzards. Also 1 Dunlin briely on Stones mid-morning and a Garden Warbler singing quietly behind Sheepwash Hide at dinnertime. Both Great Northern Divers still present and a Shelduck of Lane End Hide. | rOD kEY |
| 2009-04-21 | 2 Great Northern Divers towards the dam early morning.Of note from WLC: 2 Redshank, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Shelduck, 1 Cackling Goose (among many Canadas and Barnacles). 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Bullfinch all on bird table.Elsewhere, 1 White Wagtail on Flat Is, many singing Blackcaps between WLC and Sheepwash. | James Owen (ABB) |
| 2009-04-21 | WeBS count for April(7.00-10.00) 1 Great Northern Diver, 31 Great Crested Grebe, 18 Little Grebe, 9 Mute Swan, 98 Canada Goose, 12 Barnacle Goose, 2 Shelduck, 38 Mallard(+10 young), 215 Tufted Duck, 16 Moorhen, 115 Coot, 2 Lapwing, 8 Oystercatcher, 4 Redshank, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 113 Black-headed Gull. Also big numbers of swallow. | Peter Gibbon |
| 2009-04-21 | 7:45pm Millfields Bay - Mandarin Duck pair M&F. | David & Sue Edmonds |
| 2009-04-20 | Nice day on site. Wall to wall sunshine and a blue sky.
OF NOTE: Barnacle Goose (19), Mallard (inc 10 ducklings) - near Sailing Club; Pheasant (1), Oystercatcher (3), Lapwing (2), Redshank (2), House Martin - several around the visitor centre; COMMON WHITETHROAT (1) - in hedge by path next to Shiningford Creek [near post 5G]; Blackcap (4) - 3 singing males & 1 fem; Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2009-04-17 | At Sheepwash this evening:
35 Arctic Terns
12 Little Gulls
2 Mallard young.
Also 4 Yellow Wagatils over Stones Island. | Clive Ashton |
| 2009-04-17 | Swallows (8 - 10nr), difficult to count in the strong wind
Yellow Wagtail (5nr) looked like 4 male 1 female, Pied Wagtail (11 - 12nr) including 1nr possible White Wagtail, Goldfinch (2) Redshank (4), Little Ringed Plover (2), Oystercatcher (3), Barnacle Goose (2) | David & Sue Edmonds |
| 2009-04-15 | Misty and rather dull on site today. A very strong northerly wind was blowing. White horses on the res!OF NOTE: Barnacle Goose (13), Oystercatcher (3), Lapwing (4), Redshank (7), Swallow (~50), House Martin (1), Chiffchaff (2) and Willow Warbler (1). | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2009-04-14 | Sandwich Tern off Stones Island, mid morning.
1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 GN Diver. | Clive Ashton |
| 2009-04-13 | 4 Common Scoter, 2m2f,from Stones Island this evening.
2 GN Divers from Sheepwash. | Clive Ashton |
| 2009-04-12 | Quiet again from the Wildlife Centre, with 4 Redshank, who appear to be attracted to the roof, squabbling Oystercatchers, squabbling Barnacle Geese - guess its the time of year. View of the GND from rear of Watersports Centre.
From Stones Island - 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher (nesting?), 12 Barnacle Geese, numerous Chiffchaff, at least 4 Willow Warblers, 1 possible Garden Warbler, 2 Bullfinch, 10 Sand Martin.
From Visitor Centre - 4 House Martins, 2 Swallows. | Richard and Frances Pittam |
| 2009-04-08 | Early evening walk, Stones Island area:
40 Pied Wagtail on Stones Island.
1 White Wagtail on Watersports Island.
1 Yellow Wagtail between Watersports and Wildlife Centre.
1 Redpoll near steps to cafe,interesting looking bird for a possible Common, but lost sight of before better views could be obtained.
1 Common Sandpiper on Watersports Island/Horseshoe Island.
| Clive Ashton |
| 2009-04-07 | Still 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Ravens. Female Wheatear and 6 Meadow Pipits on dam wall. 12 Chiff Chaffs, 7 Willow Warblers and 3 Blackcaps. 30+ Sand Martins, 10+ Swallows, 4 Buzzards, 2 Goldeneye, Grey Heron, 2 Snipe, Common Sandpiper. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2009-04-06 | Of note: Barnacle Goose (26), Gadwall (pr), Pheasant (1 calling), Oystercatcher (2), Redshank (3), Pied Wagtail (9), Chiffchaff (4), Long-tailed Tit (2), Bullfinch (pr) and Reed Bunting (1 male). | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2009-04-06 | Hall Wood - Treecreeper, Gt Spttd Woodpecker,
Ponds North of by-pass Pair Reed Bunting,Mallard, Tufted Duck, Coot.
Near Paul Stanley - Long tailed tits, Chiff Chaff, Oyster Catchers
Bullfinch, Reed Bunting.
Nesting box Nth of Wildlife centre pair of Jackdaws seeing off Sparrow Hawk investigating box. | Dave Williams |
