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Recorder:  Rob Chadwick

Historical Bird Notes:

2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004

Current Bird Notes for 2024/25
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December 2024
December [2023]

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August 2024 BIRD NOTES

HIGHLIGHTS: Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Red-crested Pochard, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Golden Plover and Sandwich Tern.

Water bird maxima were from the WeBS count on 18^th unless dated otherwise. 24 Little Grebe, 63 Great Crested Grebe, 43 Cormorant 28^th, 1 Cattle Egret 29^th and 30^th, 2 Little Egret 30^th, 2 Great White Egret 29^th, 6 Grey Heron, 40 Mute Swan 15^th, 100 Greylag Goose 28^th, 540 Canada Goose 31^st, 3 Barnacle Goose reported on eighteen occasions, 4 Wigeon 29^th, 56 Gadwall, 24 Teal 30^th, 160 Mallard, 2 Shoveler 14^th, 1 Red-crested Pochard 17^th, 19^th, 28^th and 29^th, 76 Pochard 30^th, 210 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Scoter 1^st and 14^th, 1 Water Rail 11^th, 19^th, and 26^th, 26 Moorhen, 520 Coot 30^th, 3 Kingfisher 30^th.

Raptor sightings included 6 Red Kite 30^th, 1 Marsh Harrier 28^th, 3 Sparrowhawk 8^th, 12 Buzzards 30^th, 2 Osprey 23^rd, 5 Kestrel 13^th, 2 Hobby 18^th, 23^rd, 24^th and 29^th, 1 Peregrine 6^th, 18^th and 26^th.

Eleven species of waders through this month with 2 Oystercatcher 1^st and 2^nd, 2 Ringed Plover 25^th, 1 Golden Plover 29^th, 30 Lapwing 29^th, 1 Sanderling 9^th, 2 Snipe 1^st, 5 Black-tailed Godwit 1^st, 1 Whimbrel 23^rd, 1 Greenshank 6^th and 15^th, 1 Green Sandpiper 7^th, 6 Common Sandpiper 13^th.

Maximum Gull numbers were 300 Black-headed Gull 29^th, 2 Common Gull 2^nd, 7^th and 16^th, 2600 Lesser Black-backed Gull 29^th, 6 Yellow-legged Gull 7^th, 2 Caspian Gull 14^th, 1 Great Black-backed Gull reported most days this month. Also seen were 3 Sandwich Tern 17^th, 4 Arctic Tern 18^th.

Other species noted were 8 Swift 4^th and 7^th, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker 8^th, 13^th and 18^th, 1 Skylark 2^nd and 4^th, 15 Sand Martin 5^th, 500 Swallow 16^th, 46 House Martin 25^th, 1 Tree Pipit 6^th and 15^th, 2 Yellow Wagtail 13^th and18^th, 5 Grey Wagtail 31^st, 100 Pied Wagtail 17^th, 3 Redstart 8^th, 1 Wheater 1^st, 12 Mistle Thrush 10^th, 4 Sedge Warbler 2^nd and 24^th, 3 Reed Warbler 18^th, 2 Lesser Whitethroat 17^th, 1 Garden Warbler 1^st, 5^th, 6^th and 9^th, 5 Blackcap 6^th and 13^th, 4 Chiffchaff 2^nd, 3 Willow Warbler 12^th and 13^th, 3 Spotted Flycatcher 3^rd, 3 Willow Tit 13^th, 18^th and 25^th, 7 Jay 30^th, 9 Raven 6^th, 60 Goldfinch 30^th, 120 Linnet 9^th, 4 Reed Bunting 5^th.

The total 106 species noted compares to 110 in 2023, 110 in 2022, 95 in 2021, 108 in 2020, 104 in 2019.

 

July 2024 BIRD NOTES

HIGHLIGHTS: Black-necked Grebe, Scaup, Honey Buzzard, Osprey, Knot, Black-tailed Godwit, Grasshopper Warbler.

Water bird maxima were from the WeBS count on 21^st unless dated otherwise. 8 Little Grebe 28^th, 67 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Black-necked Grebe 2^nd, 31 Cormorant 13^th, 2 Little Egret 11^th, 1 Great White Egret 17^th, 4 Grey Heron 31^st, 26 Mute Swan 27^th, 90 Greylag Goose 10^th, 450 Canada Goose 10^th, 3 Barnacle Goose reported on six occasions, 56 Gadwall 6^th, 3 Teal 17^th and 22^nd, 120 Mallard, 3 Shoveler 15^th, 19 Pochard 31^st, 179 Tufted Duck, 1 Scaup 17^th, 3 Common Scoter 17^th, 2 Goosander 23^rd, 14 Moorhen 16^th, 179 Coot, 1 Kingfisher reported on seven occasions this month.

Raptor sightings included 1 Honey Buzzard 15^th and 27^th (last reported September 2011), 4 Red Kite 28^th, 2 Sparrowhawk 30^th, 8 Buzzards 28^th and 30^th, 1 Osprey 8^th, 4 Kestrel 31^st, 1 Hobby 7^th, 2 Peregrine 21^st and 30^th.

Twelve species of waders through this month with 14 Oystercatcher 13^th and 19^th, 20 Lapwing 22^nd, 2 Knot 11^th, 1 Sanderling 23^rd, 1 Dunlin 22^nd, 4 Black-tailed Godwit 8^th, 2 Whimbrel 22^nd, 6 Curlew 2^nd, 6 Redshank 16^th, 7 Common Sandpiper 22^nd, 1 Turnstone 25^th.

Maximum Gull numbers were 1 Mediterranean Gull 11^th,300 Black-headed Gull 30^th, 5 Common Gull 30^th, 1500 Lesser Black-backed Gull 19^th, 1 Herring Gull 14^th and 22^nd, 2 Yellow-legged Gull reported on six occasions this month, 1 Caspian Gull also reported on Eleven dates this month, 1 Great Black-backed Gull 7^th, 19^th and 22^nd, Also seen were 2 Common Tern 6^th, 9^th, 24^th and 30^th, 3 Arctic Tern 14^th.

Other species noted were 1 Tawny Owl 30^th, 20 Swift 26^th, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker 28^th, 3 Skylark 17^th and 18^th, 10 Sand Martin 27^th, 50 Swallow 29^th, 20 House Martin 26^th and 27^th, 1 Yellow Wagtail 30^th , 3 Grey Wagtail 14^th, 80 Pied Wagtail 25^th, 2 Redstart 28^th, 1 Whinchat 27^th, 1 Wheatear 12^th, 12 Mistle Thrush 24^th, 1 Grasshopper Warbler 20^th, 3 Sedge Warbler 5^th, 5 Reed Warbler 21^st, 1 Lesser Whitethroat 18^th, 23^rd and 28^th, 3 Garden Warbler 4^th, 5^th, 17^th and 19^th, 4 Blackcap 10^th, 10 Chiffchaff 10^th, 2 Willow Warbler reported on six occasions, 6 Spotted Flycatcher 25^th, 20 Long-tailed Tit 3^rd, 3 Willow Tit 26^th, 5 Jay 27^th, 30 Carrion Crow 10^th, 5 Raven 27^th, 6 Greenfinch 24^th, 1 Siskin 17^th, 35 Linnet 22^nd, 4 Bullfinch 31^st, 7 Reed Bunting 19^th.

The total 109 species noted compares to 110 in 2023, 110 in 2022, 95 in 2021, 108 in 2020, 104 in 2019.

June 2024 BIRD NOTES

HIGHLIGHTS: Pochard and Shoveler successfully bred this season, Common Scoter, Hobby, Kittiwake, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern, Black Tern, Spotted Flycatcher and Pied Flycatcher.

Water bird maxima were from the WeBS count on 9^th unless dated otherwise. 10 Little Grebe 30^th, 50 Great Crested Grebe 30^th, 20 Cormorant 26^th, 1 Little Egret 19^th, 4 Grey Heron 3^rd, 23 Mute Swan 19^th, 2 Pink-footed Goose 3^rd and 6^th, 290 Greylag Goose 24^th, 1088 Canada Goose 24^th, 22 Barnacle Goose 28^th, 1 Wigeon 21^st, 61 Gadwall 28^th, 4 Teal 18^th and 27^th, 66 Mallard, 4 Shoveler 14^th (female with 3 young, first ever breeding record) 8 Pochard 27^th, 106 Tufted Duck 30^th, 2 Common Scoter 20^th, 9 Moorhen 30^th, 195 Coot 24^th 1 Kingfisher 16^th, 17^th and 25^th.

Raptor sightings included 2 Red Kite reported on 8 occasions this month, 2 Sparrowhawk 19^th, 5 Buzzards 28^th and 30^th, 2 Kestrel 20^th, 28^th and 30^th, 1 Hobby 7^th, 13^th and 24^th, 1 Peregrine 7^th and 15^th.

Six species of waders through this month with 14 Oystercatcher 3^rd, 15 Lapwing 26^th, 2 Curlew 4^th and 7^th, 4 Redshank 14^th, 5 Common Sandpiper 29^th.

Maximum Gull numbers were 100 Black-headed Gull 25^th, 18 Lesser Black-backed Gull 4^th, 2 Herring Gull 25^th, 1 Kittiwake 28^th. Also seen were 1 Sandwich Tern 24^th, 2 Common Tern 21^st, 2 Little Tern 4^th, 1 Black Tern 19^th.

Other species noted were 1 Tawny Owl 8^th and 9^th, 19 Swift 30^th, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker 5^th, 4 Skylark 29^th, 2 Sand Martin 9^th, 15 Swallow 19^th, 14 House Martin 5^th, 4 Grey Wagtail 17^th, 10 Pied Wagtail 4^th, 7^th and 15^th, 3 Redstart 5^th, 3 Mistle Thrush 3^rd, 6 Sedge Warbler 6^th, 18^th and 19^th, 4 Reed Warbler 9^th, 17^th, 20^th and 22^nd, 2 Lesser Whitethroat 30^th, 1 Whitethroat 15^th and 30^th, 3 Garden Warbler 7^th, 20^th, 25^th and 30^th, 4 Blackcap 24^th, 14 Chiffchaff 7^th, 2 Willow Warbler 6^th, 1 Spotted Flycatcher 1^st and 5^th, 1 Pied Flycatcher 1^st, 22 Long-tailed Tit 14^th, 6 Willow Tit 6^th, 5 Jay 18^th, 5 Raven 15^th, 100 Starling 29^th, 1 Tree Sparrow 5^th and 9^th, 4 Greenfinch 30^th, 1 Siskin 17^th, 5 Linnet 7^th, 2 Bullfinch 6^th and 9^th, 3 Reed Bunting 3^rd, 9^th, 19^th, 20^th and 22^nd.

The total 96 species noted compares to 102 in 2023, 95 in 2022, 99 in 2021, 101 in 2020, 94 in 2019.

May 2024 BIRD NOTES

HIGHLIGHTS: Red-throated Diver, Hobby, Ruff, Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, and Yellow Wagtail.

Water bird maxima were from the WeBS count on 12^th unless dated otherwise. 1 Red-throated Diver stayed overnight 4^th to 5^th this is the first seen hear since 2 were reported in October 2018, 4 Little Grebe 4^th and 8^th, 48 Great Crested Grebe, 20 Cormorant 8^th, 27^th and 30^th, 8 Little Egret 7^th, 4 Grey Heron 6^th and 12^th, 9 Mute Swan 15^th and 31^st, 66 Greylag Goose 31^s, 139 Canada Goose, 3 Barnacle Goose 18^th and 23^rd, 3 Shelduck 24^th, 2 Mandarin 4^th, 19 Gadwall, 63 Mallard, 2 Shoveler 1^st and 2^nd, 1 Red-crested Pochard reported on 13 dates, 4 Pochard 9^th and 11^th, 47 Tufted Duck, 3 Goosander 17^th, 6 Moorhen 7^th, 53 Coot.

Raptor sightings included 3 Red Kite 4^th, 13^th and 27^th, 4 Sparrowhawk 11^th, 10 Buzzards 11^th, 3 Kestrel 6^th and 27^th, 2 Hobby 11^th, 1 Peregrine 31^st.

Eleven species of waders through this month with 10 Oystercatcher 7^th and 18^th, 1 Ringed Plover 10^th, 3 Lapwing 6^th, 3 Dunlin 4^th and 23^rd, 1 Ruff 11^th, 3 Whimbrel 4^th, 2 Curlew 10^th, 3 Redshank 2^nd and 18^th, 3 Common Sandpiper 4^th and 6^th, 3 Turnstone 24^th.

Maximum Gull numbers were 2 Little Gull 14^th, Black-headed Gull present in numbers all month, 1 Common Gull 17^th, 25 Lesser Black-backed Gull 27^th, 1 Great Black-backed Gull 2^nd, 1 Kittiwake 4^th.

2 Common Tern 10^th and 26^th, 13 Arctic Tern 14^th, 11 Black Tern 11^th,

Along with the other species were 30 Swift 29^th, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker 18^th and 28^th, 2 Skylark reported on 5 occasions, 300 Sand Martin 4^th, 100 Swallow 4^th, 100 House Martin 24^th, 1 Yellow Wagtail 1^st, 2 Grey Wagtail 5^th, 7^th and 24^th, 7 Pied Wagtail 8^th, 6 Redstart 18^th, 5 Mistle Thrush 1^st, 14 Sedge Warbler 9^th, 4 Reed Warbler 4^th, 12^th, 18^th and 21^st, 2 Lesser Whitethroat 6^th, 2 Whitethroat 9^th, 18 Garden Warbler 9^th, Blackcap present all month, Chiffchaff present all month, 5 Willow Warbler 9^th, 3 Spotted Flycatcher 28^th, 2 Pied Flycatcher 28^th, 10 Willow Tit 29^th, 7 Treecreeper 12^th, 4 Jay 18^th, 8 Raven 13^th and 17^th, 2 Tree Sparrow 2^nd, Siskin reported on 25^th, 3 Linnet 29^th, 3 Lesser Redpoll 2^nd, 4 Bullfinch 9^th, 5 Reed Bunting 21^st,

The total 105 species noted compares to 115 in 2023, 113 in 2022, 111 in 2021, 87 in 2020, 108 in 2019.

April 2024 BIRD NOTES

HIGHLIGHTS: Slavonian Grebe, Red-Breasted Merganser, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Marsh Harrier, Yellow Wagtail and Pied Flycatcher.

Water bird maxima were from the WeBS count on 6^th unless dated otherwise. 1 Great Northern Diver last reported on 22^nd, 5 Little Grebe 6^th, 20^th and 23^rd, 60 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Slavonian Grebe 8^th and 18^th, 19 Cormorant 2^nd, 1 Little Egret 9^th and 29^th, 4 Grey Heron 6^th and 7^th, 6 Mute Swan 11^th and 18^th, 38 Greylag Goose, 179 Canada Goose, 35 Barnacle Goose 1^st, 2 Shelduck 22^nd, 3 Mandarin 23^rd, 2 Wigeon 2^nd, 15 Gadwall 20^th, 4 Teal 18^th, 77 Mallard, 2 Shoveler reported on 5 occasions this month, 1 Red-crested Pochard reported on 6 dates, 6 Pochard 9^th, 67 Tufted Duck, 2 Common Scoter 26^th, 10 Goldeneye 4^th and 6^th, 1 Red-breasted Merganser 17^th, 2 Goosander 10^th, 1 Water Rail 1^st and 6^th, 9 Moorhen 1^st, 60 Coot, 1 Kingfisher 11^th.

Raptor sightings included 3 Red Kite 5^th and 11^th, 1 Marsh Harrier 23^rd, 4 Sparrowhawk 2^nd, 7^th, 26^th and 30^th, 12 Buzzards 6^th, 1 Osprey 2^nd, 5^th, 18^th and 24^th, 2 Kestrel on 5 occasions this month, 1 Hobby 28^th, 2 Peregrine 17^th and 19^th.

Eleven species of waders through this month with 15 Oystercatcher 6^th, 1 Lapwing 27^th, 5 Dunlin 14^th, 1 Snipe 4^th and 8^th, 9 Black-tailed Godwit 19^th, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit 24^th and 26^th, 3 Whimbrel 22^nd, 12 Curlew 2^nd, 16 Redshank 23^rd, 3 Common Sandpiper 15^th, 19^th and 29^th.

Maximum Gull numbers were 1 Mediterranean Gull reported on 7 occasions this month, 2 Little Gull 6^th, 65 Black-headed Gull 11^th, 80 Common Gull 11^th, 112 Lesser Black-backed Gull 1^st, 4 Herring Gull 25^th, 1 Yellow-legged Gull 6^th, 2 Great Black-backed Gull 6^th and 10^th, 3 Kittiwake 22^nd.

2 Sandwich Tern 11^th and 19^th, 2 Common Tern 15^th, 17 Arctic Tern 22^nd, 2 Black Tern 30^th.

Along with the other species were 2 Red-legged Partridge 7^th, 3 Tawny Owl 11^th, 5 Swift 29^th, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker 10^th, 2 Skylark 10^th, 11^th and 23^rd, 500 Sand Martin 19^th, 500 Swallow 28^th, 30 House Martin 28^th, 23 Meadow Pipit 2^nd, 2 Yellow Wagtail 8^th, 26^th and 29^th, 3 Grey Wagtail 2^nd, 122 Robin 29^th (perimeter count), 6 Redstart 29^th, 3 Wheatear 15^th, 16^th, 17^th and 18^th, 103 Blackbird 29^th, 31 Song Thrush 29^th, 1 Grasshopper Warbler 20^th, 12 Sedge Warbler 30^th, 3 Reed Warbler 27^th and 29^th, 2 Lesser Whitethroat 23^rd, 2 Whitethroat 27^th, 11 Garden Warbler 29^th, 65 Blackcap 29^th, 6 Chiffchaff 5^th, 17 Willow Warbler 29^th, 1 Pied Flycatcher 12^th, 14^th, 26^th and 29^th, 4 Willow Tit 3^rd, 5^th, 26^th and 29^th, 126 Blue Tit 29^th, 7 Jay 29^th, 5 Raven 30^th, 2 Tree Sparrow 29^th, 1 Brambling 8^th, 23^rd, 26^th and 27^th, 16 Siskin 3^rd, 12 Linnet 29^th, 4 Lesser Redpoll 27^th, 13 Bullfinch 29^th, 6 Reed Bunting 20^th.

The total 123 species noted compares to 119 in 2023, 125 in 2022, 122 in 2021, 99 in 2020, 118 in 2019.

March 2024 BIRD NOTES

HIGHLIGHTS: Great Northern Diver, Common Scoter, Smew, Black-tailed Godwit, Mediterranean Gull, Kittiwake and Hawfinch.

Water bird maxima were from the WeBS count on 9^th unless dated otherwise. 1 Great Northern Diver present all month, 10 Little Grebe, 55 Great Crested Grebe 9^th and 15^th, 27 Cormorant 8^th, 1 Little Egret 11^th, 12^th and 22^nd, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan 28^th and 29^th, 5 Whooper Swan 9^th, 10^th and 11^th, 28 Greylag Goose 17^th, 84 Canada Goose, 37 Barnacle Goose 1^st, 2^nd, 4^th and 5^th, 1 Egyptian Goose 15^th, 2 Shelduck 13^th, 2 Mandarin 8^th, 12^th and 13^th, 16 Wigeon 15^th, 17 Gadwall 15^th, 4 Teal reported on 6 dates this month, 102 Mallard, 2 Pintail 24^th, 6 Shoveler 31^st, 1 Red-crested Pochard reported on 9 dates, 176 Pochard 15^th, 79 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Scoter 16^th, 25 Goldeneye 6^th, 1 Smew 7^th, 4 Goosander 3^rd, 2 Water Rail 7^th, 10 Moorhen, 185 Coot, 1 Kingfisher 11^th, 14^th, 15^th and 18^th.

Raptor sightings included 3 Red Kite 4^th, 13^th and 18^th, 4 Sparrowhawk 15^th and 16^th, 44 Buzzards 16^th, 1 Osprey 26^th, 2 Peregrine 26^th.

Eleven species of waders through this month with 15 Oystercatcher 15^th, 3 Little Ringed Plover 26^th, 11 Golden Plover 1^st, 1 Lapwing 8^th and 24^th, 1 Dunlin 12^th, 17^th, 21^st and 27^th, 1 Jack Snipe 15^th, 1 Snipe on 7 dates this month, 1 Woodcock 8^th and 18^th, 10 Black-tailed Godwit 27^th, 29 Curlew 4^th, 8 Redshank 27^th.

Maximum Gull numbers were 1 Mediterranean Gull 4^th, 13^th and 25^th, 3 Little Gull 31^st, 2000 Black-headed Gull 13^th, 2650 Common Gull 5^th, 504 Lesser Black-backed Gull 5^th, 2 Herring Gull 1^st and 30^th, 3 Caspian Gull 5^th, 1 Great Black-backed Gull reported on 8 occasions this month, 2 Kittiwake 24^th.

Along with the other species were 1 Barn Owl 13^th and 26^th, 4 Tawny Owl 8^th, 1 Green Woodpecker 8^th, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker 15^th, 8 Skylark 4^th, 24 Sand Martin 21^st, 3 Swallow 31^st, 21 Meadow Pipit 4^th, 4 Grey Wagtail 31^st, 1 Wheatear 16^th, 144 Robin 31^st, 172 Fieldfare 18^th, 155 Redwing 1^st, 18 Blackcap 31^st, 185 Chiffchaff 31^st, 2 Willow Warbler 30^th, 6 Willow Tit 4^th, 5 Jay 28^th, 4 Raven 18^th, 150 Starling 13^th, 2 Tree Sparrow 29^th, 28 Siskin 4^th, 6 Linnet 31^st, 7 Bullfinch 31^st, 1 Hawfinch 31^st, 1 Yellowhammer 6^th, 8 Reed Bunting 3^rd.

The total 110 species noted compares to 102 in 2023, 106 in 2022, 102 in 2021, 95 in 2020, 100 in 2019.

This months total is a record for March with 2016 being the next largest total of 108 since the records started back in 1993.

February 2024 BIRD NOTES

HIGHLIGHTS: Great Northern Diver, Common Scoter, Cattle Egret, Red-crested Pochard, Mediterranean Gull, Willow Tit, Tree Sparrow.

Water bird maxima were from the WeBS count on 11^th, unless dated otherwise. 1 Great Northern Diver present all month, 18 Little Grebe 1^st, 62 Great Crested Grebe 29^th, 28 Cormorant 25^th, 1 Cattle Egret reported on 9 occasions within the month, 1 Little Egret 19^th, 20^th and 26^th, 4 Grey Heron 20^th and 22^nd, 20 Greylag Goose 11^th, 200 Canada Goose 26^th, 37 Barnacle Goose on 6 occasions this month, 3 Shelduck 20^th, 1 Mandarin 1^st, 12 Wigeon 1^st, 16 Gadwall 24^th, 19 Teal, 110 Mallard, 2 Pintail 16^th, 1 Shoveler 28^th, 1 Red-crested Pochard reported on 13 dates, 552 Pochard 1^st, 86 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Scoter 28^th, 22 Goldeneye, 3 Goosander 1^st and 2^nd, 1 Water Rail 1^st and 24^th, 6 Moorhen, 436 Coot, 1 Kingfisher 4^th and 17^th.

Raptor sightings included 3 Red Kite 4^th, 1 Marsh Harrier 16^th, 2 Sparrowhawk 25^th, 6 Buzzards 2, 22^nd and 26^th, 1 Kestrel reported on 7 dates this month, 1 Peregrine 11^th, 18th and 21^st.

Six species of waders through this month with 13 Oystercatcher 19^th, 39 Lapwing 1^st, 4^th and 18^th, 2 Snipe 7^th, 1 Woodcock 4^th, 5^th, 12^th and 20^th, 26 Curlew 24^th, 2 Redshank 18^th.

Maximum Gull numbers were 1 Mediterranean Gull 27^th, 2500 Black-headed Gull 23^rd, 2000 Common Gull 7^th, 505 Lesser Black-backed Gull 7^th, 2 Herring Gull 7^th and 27^th, 1 Yellow-legged Gull 7^th and 27^th, 2 Caspian Gull 7^th, 1 Great Black-backed Gull 16 dates this month.

Along with the other species were 1 Barn Owl 7^th, 12^th, 23^rd and 29^th, 3 Tawny Owl 20^th, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker 11^th and 26^th, 14 Skylark 10^th, 20 Meadow Pipit 24^th, 2 Grey Wagtail on 5 occasions, 1 Stonechat 17^th, 60 Song Thrush 24^th, 100 Redwing 2^nd, 1 Chiffchaff 1^st, 4^th, 21^st and 29^th, 1 Marsh Tit 10^th, 6 Willow Tit 24^th, 144 Blue Tit 24^th, 700 Jackdaw 29^th, 43 Rook 6^th, 4 Raven 2^nd, 4^th and 20^th, 170 Starling 1^st, 4 Tree Sparrow 8^th, 5 Greenfinch 11^th, 20 Siskin 21^st, 1 Linnet 2^nd, 1 Lesser Redpoll 29^th, 6 Bullfinch 11^th, 1 Yellowhammer 25^th and 27^th, 15 Reed Bunting 4^th.

The total 98 species noted compares to 93 in 2023, 92 in 2022, 90 in 2021, 93 in 2020, 92 in 2019.

This is a new total for the month of February the next highest was 96 in 2002

January 2024 BIRD NOTES 

HIGHLIGHTS: Great Northern Diver, Whooper Swan, Red-crested Pochard, Woodcock, Caspian Gull, Chiffchaff, Lesser Redpoll.

Water bird maxima were from the WeBS count on 14^th, unless dated otherwise. 1 Great Northern Diver present all month, 23 Little Grebe, 69 Great Crested Grebe 10^th, 25 Cormorant 19^th, 1 Little Egret 16^th and 24^th, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan on 19 dates this month, 10 Whooper Swan 10^th, 125 Pink-footed Goose 4^th, 240 Greylag Goose 21^st, 360 Canada Goose 16^th, 40 Barnacle Goose 16^th, 4 Shelduck 28^th, 1 Mandarin 13^th, 14^th and 30^th, 71 Wigeon 19^th, 25 Gadwall 20^th, 29 Teal, 211 Mallard, 3 Pintail 19^th and 21^st, 5 Shoveler 18^th, 1 Red-crested Pochard reported on 16 dates, 461 Pochard 10^th, 124 Tufted Duck, 25 Goldeneye, 7 Goosander 5^th, 1 Water Rail 3^rd and 6^th, 8 Moorhen, 771 Coot, 1 Kingfisher 3^rd, 4^th and 30^th.

Raptor sightings included 3 Red Kite 4^th and 9^th, 5 Sparrowhawk 21^st, 7 Buzzards 12^th and 13^th, 2 Kestrel 11^th, 22^nd and 27^th, 1 Peregrine 4^th, 12^th, 13^th, 14^th and 26^th.

Seven species of waders through this month with 3 Oystercatcher 31^st, 110 Lapwing 21^st, 1 Dunlin 7^th, 2 Snipe 17^th, 2 Woodcock 7^th and 24^th, 4 Curlew 16^th, 17^th and 18^th, 2 Redshank 19^th.

Maximum Gull numbers were 1200 Black-headed Gull 20^th, 2200 Common Gull 25^th, 450 Lesser Black-backed Gull 2^nd, 3 Herring Gull 22^nd and 24^th, 1 Yellow-legged Gull 2^nd, 11^th and 20^th, 1 Caspian Gull on 5 dates, 7 Great Black-backed Gull 30^th.

Along with the other species were 1 Barn Owl 12^th, 14^th, 21^st, 27^th and 30^th, 6 Tawny Owl 7^th, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker on 9 dates this month, 20 Meadow Pipit 17^th, 1 Chiffchaff 3^rd, 2 Grey Wagtail 12^th, 13^th and 27^th, 1 Stonechat 16^th, 100 Fieldfare 27^th, 60 Redwing 16^th, 1 Marsh Tit report on 10 dates this month, 4 Willow Tit 16^th, 600 Jackdaw 5^th, 80 Rook 20^th, 5 Raven 11^th, 230 Starling 22^nd, 3 Tree Sparrow 8^th, 1 Brambling 19^th, 25 Goldfinch 12^th, 65 Siskin 2^nd, 2 Linnet 6^th, 2 Lesser Redpoll 3^rd, 4^th, 10^th and 27^th, 7 Bullfinch 10^th, 8 Reed Bunting 6^th.

The total 98 species noted compares to 98 in 2023, 97 in 2022, 86 in 2021, 94 in 2020, 91 in 2019.

December 2023 BIRD NOTES

HIGHLIGHTS: Great Northern Diver, Red-crested Pochard, Egyptian Goose (site record), Woodcock, Caspian Gull, Waxwing, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit.

Water bird maxima were from the WeBS count on 17^th, unless dated otherwise. 1 Great Northern Diver present from 28^th till month end this is the 18^th year ‘our’ adult has over wintered here at Carsington, 24 Little Grebe, 53 Great Crested Grebe 15^th, 28 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret 1^st, 1 Grey Heron 14^th and 25^th, 9 Mute Swan 8^th and 10^th, 9 Whooper Swan 8^th, 150 Pink-footed Goose 25^th, 89 Greylag Goose 16^th, 386 Canada Goose, 35 Barnacle Goose 16^th, 17^th,18^th and 31^st, 7 Egyptian Goose 26^th, 1 Mandarin 10^th and 26^th, 72 Wigeon, 138 Gadwall, 51 Teal, 232 Mallard, 1 Pintail 2^nd, 1 Shoveler 3^rd, 4 Red-crested Pochard 6^th, 8^th, 17^th and 22^nd, 468 Pochard, 180 Tufted Duck, 21 Goldeneye, 1 Goosander 12^th and 29^th, 1 Water Rail 2^nd, 14^th and 25^th, 8 Moorhen, 1092 Coot, 1 Kingfisher 5^th, 12^th, 20^th and 28^th.

Raptor sightings included 7 Red Kite 30^th, 4 Sparrowhawk 16^th, 8 Buzzards 28^th, 2 Kestrel 8^th and 11^th, 2 Peregrine 16^th.

With the water levels very close to 100% it is no surprise that only four species of wader were recorded this month with 75 Lapwing 17^th, 2 Snipe 6^th, 3 Woodcock 2^nd, 2 Redshank 5^th, 18^th, 26^th and 29^th, With water levels close to 100% full

Maximum Gull numbers were 1400 Black-headed Gull 10^th, 3250 Common Gull 10^th (county record) 168 Lesser Black-backed Gull 16^th, 2 Herring Gull 8^th, 1 Yellow-legged Gull 30^th, 1 Caspian Gull on 5 dates this month, 1 Great Black-backed Gull on 18 dates this month.

Along with the other species were 6 Tawny Owl 16^th, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker on 7 dates this month, 2 Grey Wagtail 6^th and 8^th, 1 Waxwing 17^th, 101 Blackbird 29^th, 250 Fieldfare 16^th, 200 Redwing 17^th and 18^th, 38 Long-tailed Tit 29^th, 1 Marsh Tit 5^th, 8^th, 13^th and 29^th, 5 Willow Tit 29^th, 400 Jackdaw 24^th, 70 Rook 30^th, 12 Raven 25^th, 500 Starling 13^th, 5 Tree Sparrow 5^th, 38 Chaffinch 29^th, 1 Brambling 11^th, 13 Greenfinch 14^th, 51 Goldfinch 29^th, 245 Siskin 29^th, 2 Linnet 16^th, 3 Lesser Redpoll 14^th, 17 Bullfinch 29^th, 5 Reed Bunting 15^th.

The total 93 species noted compares to 99 in 2022, 97 in 2021, 94 in 2020, 93 in 2019, 87 in 2018.