| 2005-01-25 | Thanks to our recorder, Roger for the following highlights he found round Carsington today:
Black-necked Grebe (Sheepwash), 2 Oystercatchers, 3 Redshank, 4 Goosander, 200 Pinkfoot Geese flew west at 11.00 hrs and 100 also going west at 12.00 hrs. | . |
| 2005-01-29 | Thanks to Paul Bennett (STW Ranger) for the following observations at Carsington today:
c700 Pink-footed Geese on the move over Carsington today in skeins of 230, 200, 96, 100, 100 - all heading NW or W and between 12.25 and 13.25 hours.
The Great Grey Shrike was last seen on the 27th January near Shiningford Farm and the Black-necked Grebe was also last seen on the same day in Sheepwash Bay. | . |
| 2005-02-02 | Thanks to Ray and Margaret Perry for their highlights at Carsington today:
Visited Stones Island (SI) and the wildlife centre (WLC) as usual.
Weather mild. Few visitors at the site. Only 31 species of bird
identified at around midday.
OF NOTE:
Pink-footed Goose (1) - with Canada and Barnacle Geese in
the field nearest to the WLC.
Barnacle Goose (31) - nearest field to the WLC.
Goldeneye (1 male) - off SI.
Ruddy Duck (40) - seen from WLC.
Kestrel (1 male) - Horseshoe Island.
Lapwing (300+) - Horseshoe Island.
Redshank (1) - Horseshoe Island.
From the "Water Rail" logbook for the 1st February.
Oystercatcher (1)
Goosander (7; 2 males + 5 females)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Lesser Redpoll (6)
All from Peter Johnson. | . |
| 2005-02-03 | Highlights today at Carsington thanks to our Recorder Roger Carrington:
Great Grey Shrike still present around Brick Tower
Black-necked Grebe still from Sheepwash hide
Adult Mediterranean Gull, winter plumage, in roost | . |
| 2005-02-04 | Thanks to Jon Lowes for his update on the current highlights at Carsington:
The Black-necked Grebe was still present today, plus two Oystercatchers. I was told the Great Grey Shrike was still about, but didn't see it myself. | . |
| 2005-02-05 | Thanks to Matthew Reed for an update on the current highlights at Carsington:
The Black Necked Grebe was showing well from Sheepwash pm (though was drifting SE away from the Sheepwash hide as the afternoon progressed.
There was also a Mediterranean Gull from Sheepwash Hide. Had virtually no black markings on its wing tips, although its summer head moult was not very advanced.
Great Crested Grebe's were also doing their famous courtship displays and a pair of Goldeneye were seen together (though sadly without any courtship displays). | . |
| 2005-02-08 | Thanks to G Riley for today's update on the Great Grey Shrike:
This bird was present on stone island today - left hand side- at 15.30hrs. | . |
| 2005-02-09 | Thanks to Mick & Jean Sharp for their update and highlights today at Carsington:
The Great Grey Shrike was on Stones Island 4-5 p.m. It also spent a long time in the shrubbery next to the paved cafe area. There were also Redpoll's in the copse, where the feeders are, at the back of Lane End Hide. The Black Necked Grebe was in the bay viewed from the first field up the path from Sheepwash car park towards Lane End Hide. Two Oystercatchers flew towards Sheepwash from the wild life centre area. We saw 43 species in 3 hours. | . |
| 2005-02-10 | Thanks to Dave Newcombe for his list of sightings at Carsington today:
All were seen between the Wildlife Centre and Paul Stanley hide
16 Tree Sparrows
3 Long Tail Tits
3 Pied Wagtails
c80 Chaffinch (mostly around the woods by Sheepwash hide)
A single Redpoll and a female Siskin were with around 50 Goldfinches in the same area.
9 Bullfinch
Goldcrest
4 Song Thrush
Female Great Spotted Woodpecker
c 100 Jackdaws
c 130 Redwings
Kestrel male
43 Great Crested Grebes
18 Little Grebes
Black Necked Grebe giving good views from Sheepwash hide
7 Goldeneye 2 males and 5 females
148 Ruddy Ducks
3 female Shelduck on the spit from Sheepwash
34 Barnacle geese around WLC
Oystercather and
a single Redshank | . |
| 2005-02-14 | Thanks to Ray & Margaret Perry for their observations at Carsington today:
Visited Stones Island and the WLC as usual. 32 species of
bird identified at around midday. Generally overcast. Strong, very
cold westerly wind blowing. Site very busy because of 'half term'.
OF NOTE:
Ruddy Duck (~90) - Shiningford Creek.
Oystercatcher (4) - from WLC. On rafts & edge of reservoir.
Lapwing (~250) - Horseshoe Island.
Redshank (2) - from WLC. Horseshoe Island & edge of reservoir.
Collared Dove (1) - by the ranger base.
Song Thrush (1) - Stones Island.
Also seen today in the Millfields area by Peter Johnson:
Goosanders (6)
Tufted Duck (150+)
Redwing (~30)
Jay (1)
From the Water Rail log for yesterday, the 13th:
Dunlin (1) - Horseshoe Island.
Oystercatcher (5) - from WLC. | . |
| 2005-02-22 | Thanks for this snippet on today's visit to Carsington from Dave Newcombe:
Black Necked Grebe took some finding but eventually located it just off the spit from Sheepwash hide where it spent most of the afternoon.
Great Grey Shrike on the footpath by Shiningford farm.
2 Buzzards soaring over Hall Wood.
After quite a heavy snow shower at about 16.30, 9 Curlews and 5 Golden Plovers dropped in onto Horseshoe Island. Other Waders included 2 Snipe, 5 Oystercatchers and 4 Redshanks. | . |
| 2005-02-23 | Thanks to Paul Bennett (STW Ranger) for today's update on the following highlights around the reservoir:
The Great Grey Shrike was present on Stones Island yesterday (22nd) all afternoon and was back there again this morning. A single Curlew was on Horseshoe Island in front of the Wildlife Centre this morning with two Redshank, a Snipe and a Kingfisher seen nearby. A Common Buzzard was over Millfields car park at 10:30 this morning.
A couple of good early morning sightings from Roger Carrington today. He saw a female Peregrine flying low over the reservoir and a first winter Iceland Gull flying east.
Peter Johnson counted 19 Goldeneye yesterday; two off the dam wall and 17 in Millfields Bay. He also saw two Goosander in Millfields Bay this morning. Both Roger and Peter have seen a flock of Meadow Pipits around the Dam Wall area this week, with the highest count in excess of 20. | . |
| 2005-03-05 | Thirteen Curlew flew over the rangers base at 1515 hrs today. They circled in strong winds eventually settling on Horseshoe Island in front of the Wildlife Centre. Upon locking the Wildlife Centre at 1750 hrs this evening, I counted 29 Curlew settling in to roost. Unfortunately they were bullied along the island by a large noisy flock of Canada Geese.
Also seen from the Wildlife centre were three Oystercatchers, two Redshank and a Snipe.
Earlier in the day Peter Johnson saw a pair of Reed Buntings flying from Stones Island to the Watersports Island. He saw a single Reed Bunting at the Paul Stanley Hide on Friday 4th along with a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.
The Black-necked Grebe was last reported from Sheepwash Bay on the 1st, with the Great Grey Shrike not being reported (as far as I know) since the 28th February. | Paul Bennett |
| 2005-03-06 | Many thanks to Bernard Robinson for his update on the two main highlights we have had at Carsington recently:
Following your report on 5 March, we saw both the Black Necked Grebe and Great Grey Shrike during our visit on 2 March. | Bernard Robinson |
| 2005-03-07 | Thanks to Paul Bennett again for the following news: 26 Curlew again on Horseshoe Island at 18:00 last night along with a single Dunlin. I also heard Pink-footed Geese overhead just north of the north end of the reservoir, but couldn't see them to count how many. I think there were only around five to ten.
More of PJ's sightings from yesterday. One Ringed Plover on Horseshoe Island at 13:20 and the Black-necked Grebe in Sheepwash Bay. | . |
| 2005-03-09 | Only visited Stones Island & the WLC. Overcast. Very quiet on site today.
OF NOTE:
Great Crested Grebe - including one pair displaying. Chest to chest, with head shaking. From the WLC.
Barnacle Goose (29) - mainly on Horseshoe Island.
Oystercatcher (4) - two on Stones Island and two on Horseshoe Island.
Great Grey Shrike (1) - Stones Island. Stunning views from just a few feet away. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2005-03-10 | Just a brief visit to the Sheepwash area this morning between 11.30am and 12.30pm and the following 29 species were counted. It was a lovely spring like morning, the sun was shining and all the birds were singing!
Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Sparrowhawk, Raven, Carrion Crow, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Ruddy Duck, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Snipe, Lapwing, Coot, Teal, Wigeon and Canada Goose. | . |
| 2005-03-13 | In a 10 minute stop at Stones Island after returning from Lathkill Dale this pm:
1 Great Grey Shrike, looking well fed and incredibly obliging
4 Oystercatcher
2 Redshank
12 Pied Wagtails | Matthew Kelly |
| 2005-03-18 | The Great Grey Shrike is still being seen daily on Stones Island. I counted 21 Goldeneye in Sheepwash Bay this morning (four drakes), along with four Goosander (three drakes).
What is left of Horseshoe Island (s) was very busy this afternoon. There were at least seven Redshank displaying or chasing each other round and one of them sitting. A single Dunlin was also present along with at least three Snipe which were feeding out in the open. There was a Pink-footed
Goose sitting on the right-hand side of the island. This bird was at Millfields car park last night associating with Canada Geese.
Also of note was a pair of Tree Sparrows on Horseshoe Island collecting nesting material (feathers).
Spring migrants are in the country now, with a Little Ringed Plover being seen today at Castle Donnington and a House Martin being reported from Cannock Chase. Further south, more exotic species have been reported such
as Wryneck, Stone Curlew and Osprey. | Paul Bennett |
| 2005-03-19 | Brief visit between 14:00 and 16:00 revealed:
Paul Stanley Hide: All at feeder
Brambling with Chaffinches
GS Woodpecker (F)
Reed Bunting
Sheepwash Hide
11 Goldeneye (3M)
1 Shoveler (M)
Ruddy Duck
Tufted Duck
Redshank
2 Oystercatchers
Wildlife Centre
1 Snipe
2 Redshank
2 Oystercatchers | John & Pam Eaton |
| 2005-03-21 | Visited the WLC and Stones Island as usual. Weather: reasonably mild, in spite of a brisk breeze across Stones Island. 33 species found around midday. Water level very high. Horseshoe Island is now split into two by the water.
OF NOTE:
Barnacle Goose (12) - Stones & Horseshoe islands.
Oystercatcher (3) - Horseshoe Island.
Redshank (5) - Horseshoe Island.
CHIFFCHAFF (1) - singing in scrub by the edge of the reservoir, not far from the visitor centre.
Reed Bunting (3) - 2 by the feeders next to the WLC and one on
Stones Island.
Today is the first day of Spring. The following flowering plants were
noted: Daisy, Lesser Celandine and Coltsfoot.
GLEANED from the Water Rail diary:
The Chiffchaff was first noted on Stones Island on the 19th. The Great Grey Shrike was present on the 19th and the 20th. A Red-breasted Merganser was seen on the 18th and the 20th. On the 19th a Little Ringed Plover was observed on Horseshoe Island (PHJ). On the 20th the following were also noted: Black-tailed Godwit, Raven (2), Sand Martin (all PHJ) and an adult Kittiwake. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2005-03-27 | Willow Warblers have now joined the many Chiffchaffs on site. Willow Warblers can be heard singing around the rangers base and at the start of the track to the wildlife Centre, even on a dull day.
A male White Wagtail (European Pied Wagtail) was seen on Stones Island on Saturday 26th (PHJ).
A female Merlin flew behind Horseshoe Island at 15:45 also on Saturday
There were seven Redshank and three Oystercatchers on one of the tern rafts this morning.
A Swallow was reported from Ogston yesterday. | Paul Bennett |
| 2005-03-31 | On a murky day with poor visibility, the highlights at Carsington from RC today were:
2 Common Scoter off Stones Island
6 Chiffchaff
4 Willow Warblers
plus Swallows and Sand Martins | . |
| 2005-04-03 | The following were all seen in a 40 minute stay on Stones Island.
A White Wagtail was present with a flock of 8-12 Pied at the far end of Stones Island (on the shore line).
Great Grey Shrike was either invisible or showing very conspicuously, in trees again on the far side of Stones Island overhanging the waters edge. A male Reed Bunting took it's life in it's hands by perching 6 feet away from it! Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff song heard in small numbers.
Small numbers of Lapwing and Oystercatcher present. 2 Barnacle Geese with Canada Geese just off Stones Island. | Matthew Reed |
| 2005-04-08 | Visited carsington on the afternoon of 08/04/05, and saw 51 species on a walk down from Sheepwash car park to the visitor centre, and Stones Island. Most of the usual birds were seen, but, the highlights were mainly waders and passerines including: Oystercatcher, Redshank, Sand Martin, Swallow (Good numbers), House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail (about 50 with at least 8 Whites, and a fantasticly close view of a male Yellow Watail of the flavissima variety on Stones Island*), Redstart (a very showy male, the first one this spring, near the bonfire site on Stones Island), Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit (gathering nesting material in Shiningford creek), Treecreeper (working the wicker fences by the Paul Stanley feeders), Great Grey Shrike (In the tree nearest the back of the bookshop - a very lucky, and close up view), Tree Sparrow, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Stock Dove and Pheasant. Unusually though, I saw no Teal, Long-tailed or Willow Tits, and only 2 species of Gull!
A few weeks ago I had a very brief view of a possible Northern Long-tailed Tit in the woods by Sheepwash Hide. It was in a flock of normal Long-tails, but I couldn't be 100% sure. | Peter ? |
| 2005-04-12 | A fall of spring migrants this morning on Stones Island at 09:15, all on the eastern bank. A Common Sandpiper was feeding along the waters edge, whilst four White Wagtails were on the grass nearby (with a Pied Wagtail nearby for comparison).
Around fifty Swallows and fifteen Sand Martins perched in trees, with many more feeding in the low cloud and drizzle. There were also at least five House Martins feeding above the viewing area there, providing good views as they flew below me.
Also of interest were three Willow Warblers, a pair of Reed Buntings, including a singing male, a Meadow Pipit and a Song Thrush.
Around the Sheepwash area during the middle of the day, a walk between the Viewing area and Lane End hide produced 29 species including: Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Raven, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Song Thrush and Blackcap. | Paul Bennett |
| 2005-04-13 | The Common Sandpiper was on Stones Island again at 08:15 this morning. It was still on the eastern bank to the right of the bonfire site between two small woodland blocks. There were eight White Wagtails also there this morning, along with a single Yellow Wagtail and three Pied Wagtails. They
were feeding on the open grass to the west of the stones. | Paul Bennett |
| 2005-04-14 | Saw a pair of ruddy ducks in the area to the left of the main hide. Not sure if they are regular there but I don't recall seeing them listed on the sightings board. Didn't recognise them till I returned home and looked them up. | Don Singleton |
| 2005-04-15 | More from Paul from Stones Island this morning at 08:50.
1 Common Sandpiper
1 Yellow Wagtail (male)
7 plus White Wagtails
There were large numbers of hirundines feeding in the bay in front of the sailing club. Also nice to see 41 Swallows, three House Martins and five Sand Martins perched together in a small willow just 20 feet in front of me on the causeway to the island. | . |
| 2005-04-15 | A further update from Paul: There was a single Little Ringed Plover on Watersports Island at 11:00 this morning, and a pair of Little Ringed Plovers in the field by Millfields Island at 14:30 (no public access - viewable from the footpath only). A drake Goosander flew north out of Millfields bay at 12:00 p.m. | Paul Bennett |
| 2005-04-19 | Carsington Bird Club evening walk around Stones Island and the Wildlife Centre between 19.00-20.45 hrs produced the following list of species this evening:
Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Ruddy Duck, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, White Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Willow Warbler, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Linnet and Reed Bunting. | . |
| 2005-04-20 | Visited Stones Island and the WLC around midday. 38 species of bird identified. Weather: Misty. Strongish cold easterly wind. Nearly 300 schoolchildren on site learning about wildlife!!
Water level very, very high. Horseshoe Island now fragmented.
OF NOTE:
Barnacle Goose (5)
Wigeon (1 female) - Horseshoe Island.
Ruddy Duck (1 male) - from WLC.
Kestrel (1) - Stones Island.
Oystercatcher (4) - 2 on Horseshoe Island & 2 (mating) on 'Sailing Club' island, just off Stones Island.
Redshank (4) - 2 on Horseshoe Island, one by the water sports centre and one on Stones Island.
Sand Martin (a few) - with Swallows over the reservoir.
Swallow - 'hundreds', a minimum of 500 hunting close to the reservoir surface, off Stones Island.
White Wagtail (4) - Stones Island.
Willow Warbler - 'dozens' around the WLC and on Stones Island.
Reed Bunting (1 male) - Stones Island.
The only new flowering plant noted today was the Marsh Marigold
growing in the pond next to the WLC. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2005-04-23 | 4 plus White Wagtail - Stones Island
3 plus Yellow Wagtail - Stones Island
4 plus Redshank - Stones Island
1 Little Ringed Plover - in front of the Sailing Club
1 Black-tailed Godwit - Watersports Island and in front of the Wildlife Centre
1 Common Scoter - in front of Fishtail Creek
On Saturday 23rd April there were four Yellow Wagtails, a single White Wagtail and a Common Sandpiper on Stones Island.
Roger Carrington located a singing Garden Warbler on Stones Island on the 23rd. I went to find it today (24th) and found at least two and possibly three there. Roger also saw two Yellow Wagtails and a White Wagtail on the Watersports Island today and a Little Ringed Plover in front of the Wildlife Centre. | Steph Hicking |
| 2005-04-24 | It was a great birding morning at Carsington today, for the Website [not all seen by me];
1 Shelduck flying to various locations.
1 female Common Scoter distant from Sheepwash.
2 Little Ringed Plovers, WLC and Millfields.
1 Common Sandpiper at Hopton End.
Whimbrels heard flying over early am.
7 Arctic Terns from Sheepwash together with 1 adult Little Gull.
2 Yellow + 1 White Wagtail
1 Garden Warbler on Stones Island.
2 Whitethroat + 1 Lesser between Millfields and Oldfield Lane.
1 Redstart singing near Middle Wood.
10+ Swifts flying through.
4 summer plumage Black-necked Grebes found in Shiningford Creek at 12:15hrs. | Roger Carrington (Recorder) |
| 2005-04-25 | Just a snippet of todays visit:
Yellow Wagtail on the dam wall
3 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Millfields & 1 WLC
Garden Warbler on Stones Island
2 Whitethroats, 1 by Middle wood & 1 at Millfields
Common Sandpiper on the spit
2 probable Arctic Terns at Sheepwash
2 Whimbrels on Horseshoe Island at 17.45hrs | Dave Newcombe |
| 2005-04-26 | Highlight of a brief visit to Millfields and the anglers' car park area was the distant sight of dozens of terns (presumably arctic) fishing over deep water in late afternoon. It was impossible to do an accurate count but I would estimate not far short of 70. Could not find the summer plumaged black-necked grebes listed as having been seen earlier in the day but in addition to the regulars we noted:
Grey Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, White Wagtail, Green Woodpecker, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, one markedly yellow-looking warbler (Seen very briefly - Garden Warbler?), Redstart, Treecreeper, Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper (on rocks nr the Water Tower), Redstart, Barnacle Geese, Widgeon (one male), Ruddy Duck (one male), Buzzard (over fields to rear of Millfields), Sparrowhawk (nr WC).
Also noted Moschatel (known locally as Town Hall Clock), Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage, Wood Sorrel and Wood Anemone growing in dampish woodlands sections between Millsfields and Upperfields Farm.
A pair of Curlew were seen flying north as we drove back adjacent to the dam wall. | Enid & Neil Hallam |
| 2005-04-27 | 3 Wheatear on the dam wall @ 17.10hrs. Presumably the same three that were also reported in the morning. Also on the dam wall were at least 4 White Wagtails and a Meadow Pipit.
21 Swifts were seen throughout the day.
2 Little Ringed Plovers at the Wildlife Centre.
2 Buzzards
2 Ravens
Large numbers of Willow Warblers & Chiff Chaffs
17 Blackcaps
Whitethroat | Dave Newcombe |
| 2005-05-02 | coot, tufted duck, willow warbler, canada geese, magpie, great tit, blue tit, little grebe, cormorant, goldfinch, black bird, 4 bullfinches (field behind tower), lapwing, greenfinch, robin, chaffinch, tree sparrow, reed bunting, chiffchaff, whitethroat, swallow, swan, 2 curlew flying over, ruddy ducks, moorhen, Pied Flycatcher (showing well in shiningford creek), mallard, house martin, jackdaw, carrion crows, starling, lesser black back gull, oystercatchers, pied wagtail, 2 little ring plovers (horseshoe island), redshanks, great crested grebe, song thrush, blackcap, garden warblers, pheasant and 5 swifts. | Peter & Donna Hill |
| 2005-05-03 | 43 species seen today on a walk from Sheepwash car park to Stones Island and back.
Male Pied Flycatcher on the ouside edge of the bend in the path as it hairpins around the river closest to the WLC (not Shinningford creek as last year); Tree Sparrows flitting in and out of the nest boxes; Displaying Great Crested Grebes; Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Barnacle Geese, Oystercatcher, Willow Tit, Redshank, Reed Bunting, Pheasant, Great Spotted Woodpecker, and over a dozen singing Garden Warblers all over the place, but especially on Stones Island. | Peter Charlton |
| 2005-05-04 | Visited Stones Island (SI) and the Wildlife Centre (WLC). 38 species
of bird identified around midday. Weather: Initially breezy and chilly
but the wind dropped so the air then felt quite mild. Water level higher
than on our last visit on the 20th April. Horseshoe Island (HI) is now four seperate islands!!
OF NOTE:
Barnacle Goose (18) - WLC, SI and HI.
Ruddy Duck (5) - seen from the WLC.
Oystercatcher (2) - HI and satellite island off SI.
Little Ringed Plover (1) - HI.
Redshank (3) - two on HI & one on SI.
Swift, Swallow & House Martin (~20 of each) - hunted close to the
water off SI.
Song Thrush (2) - SI.
Garden Warbler (~20) - around the WLC, water sports centre and on SI.
Blackcap (~20) - same locations as the Garden Warbler.
Willow Warbler (6) - WLC area.
Reed Bunting (2) - male SI and a female near the WLC.
OTHER OBSERVATIONS:
A male OrangeTip butterfly by the pond next to the WLC.
Plants in bloom:
Bluebell, Forget-me-not, Cowslip, Bogbean, Ribwort Plantain,
Greater Stitchwort, White Dead-nettle, Red Dead-nettle,
Bush Vetch or Crow-peas, Meadow Buttercup, Cuckooflower or
Lady's-smock, Marsh Marigold, Dandelion, Daisy and Lesser
Celandine. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2005-05-06 | We called in at Carsington on Friday, 6th May. From the Sheepwash hide we managed to pick up a male hen harrier over Stones Island, at no great height. He came down even lower, drifted across the water & moved away, heading NW. A lovely bird! | Andrew & Nicola Cox from Essex |
| 2005-05-07 | Walked Sheepwash to Stones Island and back, 5.45 p.m. to 8.15 p.m. on May 7th. 42 species identified including 1 whimbrel, 2 dunlin, 1 common sandpiper (all on or near Horseshoe Island), 2 little ringed plover (viewed from Stones Island), flock of 5 bullfinch (near Shiningford Farm) and male pied flycatcher (same place as reported on May 3). | Neil Venables |
| 2005-05-09 | A good day for waders today. There were two Ringed Plovers in front of the Wildlife Centre all day, being chased around by two Little Ringed Plovers.
There were also up to six Dunlin and a Common Sandpiper, as well as the usual Redshank and Lapwing. This afternoon there was a Whimbrel calling from the Sailing Club Island. | Paul Bennett |
| 2005-05-11 | Visted just Stones Island and the WLC Hide today, but still saw 39 species, including:
Reed Buntings
Willow Warblers
Barnacle Geese
Tree Sparrows
Garden Warblers (Not as many as last time, but very obliging)!
Redshanks (3)
Ringed Plovers (4)
Dunlins (6)
Little Ringed Plovers (2)
Whimbrels (3) (Confirmed following previous reports of call only. Very obvious with black caps and central crown stripe)
Turnstones (8)
(The last 5 species were all on Horseshoe Island at around 15:15hrs)
Also saw several Newts in the pond by the WLC. All in all a very nice afternoon out!!! | Peter Charlton |
| 2005-05-12 | In addition to sightings already received for yesterday (11/05) there was also a Temmincks Stint reported from Horseshoe Island at 07:45. It then flew off towards Stones Island but was not relocated. There were six Turnstone and five Dunlin seen by the Dam Wall, a Shelduck near to the Watersports Centre and a male Redstart on the Shiningford track.
There were at least two Lapwing chicks on the right-hand side of Horseshoe Island this morning. Hopefully the start of a successful breeding season. | Paul Bennett (STW Ranger) |
| 2005-05-22 | A Black Tern was reported off Stones Island on the 12th when a Sanderling was seen by the Sailing Club. An immature Bar-tailed Godwit was found by the watersports centre and re-located on the end of Stones Island on the 15th. Observers also found a Turnstone and two Common Sandpipers on
Watersports Island on the same day. The Godwit was on Stones Island again on the following morning, when a Sanderling was seen in front of the Wildlife Centre. A Spotted Flycatcher was found at the bottom of Oldfield Lane and a male Redstart was found at the first Shiningford bend, also on the 16th.
The Bar-tailed Godwit dropped in at lunch time, in front of the Wildlife Centre on the 17th, along with a Curlew. Another Spotted Flycatcher was located close to Middle Wood on the same day. A Redstart was again seen at the first bend on the 18th when a Black-tailed Godwit was reported from the Wildlife centre. Two Whimbrel sightings for the 19th, a single bird near the Visitor Centre and two in front of the Wildlife Centre. The male Pied
Flycatcher continued to sing at Shiningford first bend until the 21st at least.
A Temmincks Stint that was seen in front of the Wildlife Centre on the 18th. I believe it was seen mid-afternoon, but was flushed off by a helicopter. | Paul Bennett |
| 2005-05-27 | Visited the WLC & Stones Island at around midday. Only 32 species of bird identified. Weather: Warm. Site overall quite quiet. Water level still very high.
OF NOTE:
Canada Goose - only one gosling seen!
Barnacle Goose (10)
Oystercatcher (1)
Dunlin (2) - Horseshoe Island.
Redshank (1) - Stones Island.
Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Willow Warbler -
many singing in the WLC, Stones Island, visitor centre area.
Reed Bunting (2) - Stones Island.
FROM THE WLC LOGBOOK:
Today:
Curlew (1) - Horseshoe Island.
Little Ringed Plover (3) - Horseshoe Island.
Common Tern (3) - rafts opposite the WLC.
The above three observations by I Wright. None of these species were present at midday.
Yesterday - 25th May:
Shoveler (1)
Pied Flycatcher (1 male) - first bend Shiningford Creek.
Common Redstart (1) - first bend Shiningford Creek.
The above three observations by D.Newcombe.
PLANTS:
Most of the plants recorded for the 4th May are still in flower.
In addition the following in-flower species were noted:
Bugle, Common Mouse-ear and Hawthorn (or May-tree).
Also noted: "Carpets" of Daisies by the playground, by the visitor centre, by the causeway leading to Stones Island and on Stones Island itself. | Thanks to Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2005-06-06 | I walked from Paul Stanley Hide to Stones Island and back today, and saw 44 species including:
Kestrel
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Oystercatchers
Tree Sparrows (many with chicks)
Garden Warblers
Goldfinches
Pochard (only 1 male with Tufted Ducks)
Barnacle Geese (6 chicks with 1 adult)
Reed Buntings (taking food to nest on Stones Island)
Cormorant
Redshank
Willow Warbler
Song Thrush
Chiffchaff
Blackcap
However, the undoubted highlight was the pair of Redstarts zipping in and out of nest box right above the footpath just beyond the Wildlife Centre. I saw at least 3 hungry mouths screaming for food each time the parents returned. Fantastic! | Peter C |
| 2005-06-07 | We covered the area from Stones Island to Shiningford Creek.
A lovely warm day with a clear blue sky. Surprisingly quiet on site.
35 species of bird identified around midday. A good day for young
birds.
OF NOTE:
Great Crested Grebe - several including one pair with striped young, one riding on the back of an adult. Charming.
Canada Goose - two pairs with young goslings, six with one pair and four with the other.
Barnacle Goose (17) - including five goslings with two pairs of adults and four goslings with three adults + one adult on its own.
Pochard (1 male) - creek next to the Wildlife Centre (WLC).
Lapwing - including two chicks on Horseshoe Island.
Redshank (4) - on Horseshoe Island.
Great Spotted Woodpecker (2) - female feeding a calling juvenile which was seen poking its red head out of the nest hole ~ 20ft up the trunk of an Ash tree by the cycle track adjacent to Shiningford Creek.
Pied Wagtail - one juvenile and two adult birds seen.
Robin - two spotty juveniles seen feeding on their own.
Redstart (2) - a pair were feeding young in a nest box by the stream entering the reservoir at the first bend north-west of the WLC.
Song Thrush (2)
Magpie - one short-tailed young bird was being fed by an adult.
Starling (~50) - including many juveniles.
Tree Sparrow - several adults seen but four juveniles were found fending for themselves!
Reed Bunting (1) - on Stones Island.
Several Green-veined White butterflies noted.
PLANTS:
The following were very obvious today mainly in the conservation
meadows by Shiningford Creek:
Red Campion, Germander Speedwell, Bugle (some specimens were very tall), Meadowsweet, Cut-leaved Crane's-bill, Meadow Buttercup, Creeping Buttercup, Yellow Iris, Common Sorrell, Yellow-rattle, Broad-leaved Dock, Great Burnet, Dog Rose and Silverweed.
There is still a lot of Hawthorn in flower, mostly white but some a
lovely pink hue. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2005-06-10 | The highlight for me (Ian Wright) today has been the Barn Owl in the nest box doorway, a fantastic sight!
Other sightings: around the Wildlife Centre - Kestrel, Reed Bunting, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Starling, Wren, Robin, Swift, Canada Geese with young, Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Great Crested Grebe with young on back, Little Grebe, Redshanks, Lapwings, Magpie, Carrion Crows, Jackdaw.
Walking towards Sheepwash from Wildlife Centre: Redstart, Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Wood Pigeon, Ruddy Duck, Oystercatcher (in the field),
Stones Island: Mallard, Heron, 2 pairs Barnacle Geese with young, and House Martin, Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Tree Sparrows and Dunnock overhead.
From Sheepwash hide, Cormorant and Lesser Black-backed Gulls (young birds).
44 Species in total from 7am to 10am. | Ian Wright |
