DECEMBER 2010 BIRD NOTES

December Highlights: Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Smew and Waxwing.

It is hardly surprising that the number of records and bird species recorded this month was relatively low. December started with 2 feet of snow, making virtually everywhere inaccessible, with a lot remaining until Christmas. Ice cover over the water increased relentlessly in constant sub zero temperatures, until there was 95% cover on 20^th, following an overnight minimum of minus 17C, leaving four pockets of water for wildfowl. One small pocket offSailingClubIsland held 1000 birds and others were observed from a great distance to avoid any risk of disturbance in these difficult feeding times. To finish off the month, along came many days of fog, during which time ice only reduced to 70% cover.

The juvenile Great Northern Diver, which arrived in November, stayed all month and was joined by another juvenile from 11^th. A Slavonian Grebe was found in Millfields Bay on 10^th, the first Derbyshire record since 2006, and it kindly remained showy until 21^st. Six adult Whooper Swans flew west at 1020hrs on 11^th and Pink-footed Geese movement included 240 northeast at 1400hrs on 18^th and 44 southwest at 1002hrs on 19^th. Maximum counts were: 19 Little Grebe on 12^th, a new site record of 95 Great Crested Grebe on the WeBS count on 19^th, 1 Greylag Goose on 7^th, 54 Canada Geese on 19^th, 43 feral Barnacle Geese on 15^th, a pair of Mandarin on 13^th, 325 Wigeon on 19^th, 70 Gadwall on 19^th, 99 Teal on 27^th, 204 Mallard on 19^th, 3 Pintail on 13^th, 5 drake Shoveler on 11^th, 133 Pochard on 12^th, 728 Tufted on 12^th, 29 Goldeneye on 15^th, 19 Goosander on 11^th and 1783 Coot on 19^th. A female Smew was found in Shiningford Creek early on 19^th but could not be found later in the day. It was refound in the fog on 27^th and stayed aroundFlatIsland andBigIsland into the New Year.

The only notable raptor records were of Peregrine and one was mobbed by the local Raven pair on 15^th. Waders included a Knot on Stones Island on 15^th and at Sheepwash on 18^th, a Dunlin on 6^th and other dates until 20^th, 2 Snipe on 13^th and 29^th and 3 Redshank on 19^th. Curlew records in December are unusual here, so fly-overs of 3 then 4, both west on 7^th, 5 east on 11^th and 1 south on 18^th are probably significant and may reflect the current abnormal weather and the curlews’ search for food and safe roost.

Not surprisingly either the gull roost or the gull roost watchers gave up this month so there were no big counts of Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Common Gull totalled 150 and Herring Gull 23 on 13^th and Great Black-backed Gull 12 on 14^th. The winter resident adult Yellow-legged Gull was noted eating another Little Grebe on 23^rd, further reducing our abnormally low number of wintering Little Grebe.

A little Owl and a Kingfisher were near the Wildlife Centre on 21^st. Waxwings were around with fly-overs of 1 on 7^th, 2 on 11^th, 1 on 14^th, 1on 19^th and, finally, 5 feeding in a hedge on 21^st. Species counts include; 9 Collared Dove on 17^th, 16 Blackbird, 23 Fieldfare and 6 Song Thrush, all on 24^th, 75 Redwing on 15^th, 8 Willow Tit on 24^th, 110 Jackdaw on 10^th, 4 Raven on 19^th, 1 Brambling on 5^th and 6^th, 50 Siskin on 13^th and 8 Bullfinch on 24^th.

88 species recorded compared with 93 in December 2009, 95 in 2008, 91 in 2007, 99 in 2006, 88 in 2005, 95 in 2004, 97 in 2003 and 89 in 2002.

 

NOVEMBER 2010 BIRD NOTES

November Highlights: Great Northern Diver, Whooper Swan, Kittiwake, Black Redstart, Bearded Tit and Snow Bunting.

An average November for species numbers at 96, but species quality was superb with Bearded Tit and Snow Bunting being new species for the site, taking our definitive list total to 223 in the 19 year life of Carsington. The male Bearded Tit was found on 1^st in the small reedbed to the left of Sheepwash Hide. It was initially heard in disbelief, then a male was clearly seen and stayed long enough for several birders to see it before it flew high west. The Snow Bunting was found on Stones Island on 25^th and proved elusive and mobile but at least three birders saw it.

A Great Northern Diver was seen on 7^th, too distant to determine age. On 12^th, a juvenile GND, which could have been the same bird, was near the dam wall and stayed for the rest of the month. Ten Whooper Swans, including 3 juveniles, flew into Sheepwash on 7^th and were still present at dusk. On 25^th 2 Whooper Swans were noted off Stones Island, recorded again on 26^th and again briefly on 29^th before flying off west at dusk. Pink-footed Geese movements were 200 E at 0835hrs on 10^th, 55 E at 0900hrs on 10^th and 130 NW at 0930hrs on 18^th. Wildfowl maximum counts were from the WeBS count on 14^th except where stated: 38 Little Grebe on 18^th, 58 Great Crested Grebe, 33 Cormorant, 25 Mute Swans, 1 drake Mandarin on 1^st, 277 Wigeon, 32 Gadwall, 209 Teal, 263 Mallard, 2 Pintail, 10 Shoveler on 8^th, 3 Red-crested Pochard on 8^th, 62 Pochard, 578 Tufted Duck, 15 Goldeneye on 10^th, 8 Goosander on 15^th, 15 Moorhen and 1330 Coot.

Waders included counts of 293 Lapwing on 14^th and in flight flocks up to circa 400 on 23^rd. Dunlin, Snipe and Redshank were around all month with maximums of 8 Dunlin on 12^th, 8 Snipe on 24^th, 5 Redshank on 24^th and a late Common Sandpiper on 15^th.

The wildfowl numbers are significantly down on recent years, which is probably due to the unusually low water levels, losing a massive surface area of water and connecting most of the islands to the shoreline, rendering them an unsafe roost. Another factor could be the winter resident Yellow-legged Gull, which has increased its diet from the Little Grebes last winter to include Tufted Duck this winter. The gull flies low terrorising most birds on the water, even Coot scuttle along the water surface in large numbers as it approaches. It operates by repeatedly landing on the selected bird, trying to drown it. On 20^th it was seen to kill and eat a female tufted duck and the following day was seen feeding on a different tufted. An adult and a first winter Mediterranean Gull were in the roost on 2^nd. The gull roost also held 4000 Black-headed Gull on 7^th, 282 Common Gull on 22^nd, 3500 Lesser Black-backed Gull on 7^th, 30 Herring Gull on 21^st, 6 Yellow-legged Gull on 14^th, and a Kittiwake on 8^th. The Kittiwake was an adult wearing colour rings, most probably being the French ringed bird seen recently around the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire areas.

A first winter male Black Redstart was found on 18^th at Millfields end of the dam wall. It was last seen on 22^nd and is the third record for this site, the previous one being in November last year. Other records included 200 Woodpigeon flying south on 6^th, a Barn Owl on 13^th and 20^th, a Little Owl on 23^rd, a Kingfisher on 1^st and rest of the month, a Green Woodpecker landed on Sheepwash Hide window sill briefly on 9^th, 10 Skylarks flew over 6^th, 50 Meadow Pipits on 1^st, 25 Blackbirds on 22^nd, 75 Redwing on 29^th, 200 Starling on 2^nd, 18 Tree Sparrow on Sheepwash car park feeder on 28^th, 2 Brambling on 6^th, 40 Siskin on 1^st, 14 Lesser Redpoll on 22^nd, 15 Bullfinch on 29^th and a Yellowhammer on 7^th, 14^th and 23^rd.

96 species recorded compared with the best November ever of 104 in 2009, 94 in 2008, 98 in 2007, 97 in 2006, 97 in 2005, 95 in 2004 and 92 in 2003.

OCTOBER 2010 BIRD NOTES

October Highlights: Whooper Swan, Red Kite, Osprey, Firecrest and Great Grey Shrike.

Following September’s near record month, this month has matched the biggest October ever with some quality birds among the 109 species recorded, and November is looking good with a Bearded Tit on its first day. The formal Wildfowl Count on 17^th included: 47 Little Grebe, 49 Great Crested Grebe, 27 Mute Swans, 781 Wigeon, 38 Gadwall, 89 Teal, 103 Mallard, 91 Pochard, 741 Tufted Duck and 972 Coot. Seven Whooper Swans were near the dam at 0800hrs on 22^nd and 3 flew south on 28^th. Pink-footed Geese movements included 300 west at 1440hrs on 11^th, 45 on 13^th and 46 west at 1730hrs on 30^th. Other wildfowl maximum counts were 61 Great Crested Grebe on 28^th, 62 Cormorant on 6^th, 26 Barnacle Geese on 30^th, 5 Shelduck on 12^th, 5 Pintail on 28^th, 7 Shoveler on 19^th, 2 Red-crested Pochard on 21^st, 4 Common Scoter on 25^th, 4 Goldeneye on 25^th and 17 Goosander on 28^th.

Raptors included a Red Kite drifting below the dam at 1015hrs on 19^th, a male Goshawk in the wood in Tail Bay on 16^th, 2 Sparrow Hawk on 11^th and 19^th, 8 Buzzard on 4^th, a late Osprey on 2^nd, a Merlin on 5^th and 18^th and Peregrine on several dates. A hunting male Sparrow Hawk flew through the open door of the Wildlife Centre at 0930hrs on 27^th. He was quickly caught and released outside before he sustained any damage from his attempted exit through closed windows.

A good range of wader sightings included 2 Ringed Plover on Stones Island up to 6^th, 17 Golden Plover on Stones Island on 23^rd, 2 Grey Plover flying over calling on 3^rd, 182 Lapwing on 17^th, 1 Knot flying north on 10^th, 6 Dunlin on 5^th, 2 Snipe at the Wildlife Centre on 4^th, a Woodcock on 27^th, 1 Curlew on 22^nd, a Redshank from 27^th, a Common Sandpiper attacked by a Sparrow Hawk on 6^th and a Turnstone on Stones Island from 1705hrs on 14^th.

The Gull Roost held an adult Mediterranean Gull from 16^th, a second winter Little Gull on 12^th, 4000 Black-headed Gull and 3500 Lesser Black-backed Gull with one showing characteristics of ‘Fuscus’ on 28^th, a site record 20 Yellow-legged Gull and a Caspian Gull on 16^th and 3 Great Black-backed Gull on 20^th.

Autumn movement brought a few surprises this year and included 13 Skylark over on 27^th, 2 late Swallow on 18^th, big numbers of Meadow Pipit with 80 on 28^th, 3 Rock Pipit on 5^th and lesser numbers on other dates, a White Wagtail on 9^th, 1 Fieldfare on 19^th and 30 on 27^th, 50 Redwing on 10^th and 23^rd and 4 Chiffchaff on 6^th. A Firecrest was found on Stones Island at 1730hrs on 14^th and was calling until 1800hrs. At this time of year many firecrests move south, mostly down the east and south coasts. There have been two previous records of this species during 1996 (see annual report for details) and 1997. A week later and a Great Grey Shrike was observed from the Wildlife Centre at 1500hrs on 21^st. The bird was on top of the large ash tree to the right of Shiningford Farm for 5 minutes before flying into the wooded creek and lost to sight. This is the third record of the species at Carsington; the second stayed for 5 months and was last seen in April 2005. The first autumn Brambling was on Stones Island on 17^th, 20 Siskin were near the Sailing Club on 4^th, 8 Linnet and a Lesser Redpoll on 4^th and a Yellowhammer flew over on 16^th.

109 species recorded this October compared with 108 in 2009, 94 in 2008, 109 in 2007, 99 in 2006, 99 in 2005, 91 in 2004, 94 in 2003 and 103 in 2002.

 

SEPTEMBER 2010 BIRD NOTES

September Highlights: Osprey, Waders, Wryneck andLaplandBunting.

August found only a mundane 94 species, but September has produced an exciting 116 Species. The wide shoreline and muddy water’s edge attracted a variety of waders, and migrant passerines have been showing well. Common wintering wildfowl numbers are increasing and maximum counts totalled: 35 Little Grebe and 47 Great Crested Grebe on 21^st, 67 Cormorant on 6^th, 8 Heron on 21^st, 28 Mute Swans on 21^st, 22 Greylag, 450 Canada Geese and 26 Barnacle on 15^th, 1 Ruddy Shelduck between 21^st to 30^th, 406 Wigeon and 45 Gadwall on 29^th, 81 Teal and 166 Mallard on 21^st, 7 Pintail on 22^nd, 3 Shoveler on 2^nd, 26 Pochard on 29^th, 879 Tufted Duck on 21^st, 4 Common Scoter on 29^th and 1009 Coot on 21^st. An Osprey was around, occasionally fishing, to the delight of many observers, from 12^th to16^th. A Hobby was noted on 14^th, 23^rd and 28^th and a Peregrine on 7^th and other dates.

Wader passage has been good with 2 Oystercatcher on 15^th, a maximum of 4 Ringed Plover on Stones Island on 27^th, 87 Lapwing counted on 23^rd, a juvenile Knot on Stones Island on 10^th, a juvenile Little Stint on 26^th, 2 Curlew Sandpiper and 22 Dunlin on 22^nd, 3 Juvenile Ruff 3-8^th, 1 Snipe at the Wildlife Centre on 13^th, 2 Black-tailed Godwit on 29^th, 10 Bar-tailed Godwit at the Wildlife Centre on 9^th and 2 on 27^th, 1 Curlew on 2^nd and 23^rd, an adult Spotted Redshank briefly on 28^th, 11 Redshank on 22^nd, 4 Greenshank on 7^th and maximum of 4 Common Sandpiper on 8^th. The gull roost held 2800 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on 2^nd and 17 Yellow-legged Gulls on 20^th. An adult Kittiwake flew east over Millfields on 15^th and 3 Common Tern were noted on 3^rd.

A Barn Owl used Sheepwash Hide as a hunting post around 1800hrs for 35 minutes on 15^th, at one stage perching just 3 feet away from the observer behind glass. Two Kingfishers were at Sheepwash on 11^th. A Wryneck was found at Millfields at 1740hrs on 13^th, attracting many observers and photographers throughout the 14^th, but it had gone on 15^th. This is a new species for Carsington and there have been only about 40 records for Derbyshire since 1954. Amazingly, this was one of three county records this year. A Green Woodpecker was calling from the wood below Millfields in Tail Bay on 20^th, 4 Skylarks flew over southwards on 30^th, 2 Sand Martins were noted on 8^th, 102 Swallows on 20^th and 10 on 29^th, 2 House Martins on 24^th and a maximum of 50 Meadow Pipits on the Dam Wall at dawn on 14^th. A Rock Pipit was located on Stones Island at 1715hrs on 29^th. Minutes later 3 observers were looking at it, each observer struggling with the others’ descriptions of position and actions. Astonishingly, all 3 were looking at different birds, all 3 birds being Rock Pipits among Meadow Pipits. A Yellow Wagtail was noted on the dam on 14^th, 23^rd and 25^th and 122 Pied Wagtails were there at dawn on 1^st. A Redstart on 21^st, a Whinchat on Horseshoe Island on 7^th, a Stonechat at Paul Stanley Hide on 17^th and a Wheatear on 5^th and 16^th added to passerine totals. Warblers noted were a Sedge Warbler on 14^th, a Lesser Whitethroat on 20^th, a Whitethroat on 13^th, a Blackcap attempting singing on 20^th, 12 Chiffchaff on 20^th, a Willow Warbler singing on 23^rd, and 2 Spotted Flycatcher were in Wildlife Centre Creek on 20^th. During the past month many Lapland Buntings have been moving into and down Britain, mainly on the coast, and birders have been eagerly listening for them flying over. Success occurred on the dam at 0830hrs on 22^nd with a bird calling and then briefly perching on the ground before disappearing. Another was seen on 30^th flying aroundStonesIsland continuously calling before heading high northwards.

116 Species were recorded this September compared with 104 in 2009, 108 in 2008, 108 in 2007, 101 in 2006, 101 in 2005, 94 in 2004 and 104 in 2003.

 

AUGUST 2010 BIRD NOTES

August Highlights: A dull month with no highlights.

Bird watching at Carsington in August is usually quiet but it is also unpredictable. In 2001 just 86 species were noted. In 2002 a massive 122 species were recorded, the biggest ever month at Carsington. Weather wise, 2001 was an average summer. 2002 saw a lot of hot sun, some stormy rain, a lot of muddy shoreline, and, local birds all showed well, passing migrants called in and passage waders stayed several days. This year, with generally cool wet weather, the local scrub and woodland birds were tucked away in their chosen habitation, most moulting and many fattening in preparation for their flight southwards. There were no extremes of weather to bring in unusual seabirds and no fast moving fronts or sudden storms to bring down passing waders or terns so there was very little for birders to find. However, it is more important that the good breeding season has, hopefully, been followed by healthy maturing birds.

Fresh broods noted this month included the ninth brood of Great-crested Grebe on 3^rd, 3 broods of Tufted Duck taking the total to a site record 29, Moorhen up to 10 broods and Coot up to 13 broods. Wildfowl numbers included 25 adult Mute Swan plus 12 cygnets, 6 Shelduck on 24^th until flushed by a fox, 8 Wigeon on 29^th, 12 Gadwall on 16^th, 26 Teal on 29^th, 173 Mallard on 16^th, 2 Shoveler on 10^th, 1 Red-crested Pochard 13-20^th, 5 Pochard on 19^th, 446 Tufted Duck during WeBS count on 16^th and 649 Coot on 16^th.

A juvenile Sparrow Hawk flew into the Wildlife Centre window during the RSPB day on 10^th. A single Hobby was noted on 2^nd, 16^th and 20^th and there were 2 Peregrines on 1^st and 13^th, with singles seen on many other dates.

Wader passage has again been poor this year. Records include an Oystercatcher on 1^st and 17^th, 2 juvenile Little-ringed Plover 22-23^rd, 3 Ringed Plover on Stones Island at dusk on 24^th, 62 Lapwing on 26^th, 4 Dunlin on 6^th and 23^rd, 4 juvenile Ruff briefly at the Wildlife Centre on 17^th, a Curlew on several dates, 4 Redshank on 19^th, a Greenshank on 13^th and 4 Common Sandpiper on 1^st and 13^th.

The gull roost started this month with 1500 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, an adult Yellow-legged Gull and a juvenile Herring Gull on 20^th. Two other adult Yellow-legged Gulls have been resident all month but they did not join the roost before dark on 20^th. One of these adults attacked an adult Moorhen near the Wildlife Centre raft; the moorhen eventually got behind the wire netting on the raft but then died. The only Terns this month were Commons with 3 on 1^st, 1 on 17^th and 2 adults plus 2 juveniles on 26^th.

Two Stock Doves flew over the Wildlife Centre Creek on 4^th. A single Kingfisher put on a show at Paul Stanley Hide most days, the record so far is 8 fish caught and consumed in 35 minutes, and 2 Kingfishers were present on 30^th and 31^st. Two Green Woodpeckers were in Millfields Car Park on 16^th, a Yellow wagtail was noted on 17^th and 24^th, 2 Redstart were in Wildlife Centre Creek from 16^th for a few days and the Goldfinch flock on Stones Island was estimated at 80 on 12^th.

 94 Species were recorded this August compared with 102 in 2009, 99 in 2008, 109 in 2007, 97 in 2006, 105 in 2005, 113 in 2004 and 110 in 2003.

 

JULY 2010 BIRD NOTES

 Highlights: Wildfowl Broods and a Sanderling

By the end of July, numbers of broods totalled: Little Grebe 1 (2 last year), Great Crested Grebe 8 (0), Mallard 20 (20), Tufted Duck 26 (20), Moorhen 7 (12) and Coot 12 (7). Maximum counts, excluding young, were 18 Little Grebe on the official WeBS count carried out on 25^th, 36 Great Crested Grebe on 28^th, 4 Heron on 23^rd and 26^th, 25 Mute Swan on 13^th plus 4+5+3 cygnets, 273 Canada Geese on 13^th, no Barnacle Geese this month, 2 Shelduck on 20^th, 3 Gadwall on 6^th, 2 Teal on 6^th, 158 Mallard on 25^th, 1 female Red-crested Pochard 19^th-27^th, 4 Pochard on 30^th, 155 Tufted Duck on 25^th and 422 Coot on 25^th.

Raptors included 2 Buzzards on 14^th, a Hobby chasing hirundines over east bank on 20^th and 2 Peregrines on 20^th.

Wader numbers were 4 Oystercatchers on 6^th, 67 Lapwing on 28^th, a Sanderling at the Wildlife Centre in the evening of 26^th, 2 Dunlin on 22^nd and 30^th and singles most days from 12^th. Black-tailed Godwit were on passage with 5 on Stones Island on 5^th, 6 flew through early on 12^th, 1 was on Stones Island on 27^th and 3 flew through southwards on 28^th. A late Redshank chick showed on Flat Island with 1 adult on 13^th and was last recorded on Sheepwash Spit on 24^th. Common Sandpipers were also passing through with 2 on 4^th and at least 6 on 14^th.

Black-headed Gull young were well in evidence with flighted young seen on many shorelines, but surprise was in order when an adult pair marched 3 downy chicks from FlatIsland, along the front of Sheepwash and were on HorseshoeIslandless than 2 hours later. A pair on the raft by Paul Stanley Hide showed their second brood of at least 1 chick on 26^th. Some Lesser Black-backed Gulls were visiting site, with 12 on 27^th, but there is no noticeable gull roost yet. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was on site from 12^th and 2 from 21^st. One of the Yellow-legged Gulls was seen swallowing a Tufted Duck chick whole on 23^rd. The pair of Common Terns breeding on Flat Island moved their 2 flighted young onto Watersports pontoon on 7^th and they were last seen on 23^rd. Three Arctic Terns flew through southeast on 19^th.

Three Stock Doves were high over the water on 28^th and a Kingfisher returned from 25^th, hopefully after successfully breeding elsewhere. Corvids were showing well on 27^th with 18 Magpie, 150 Jackdaw, 9 Rook and 4 Raven, all noted during the day. The Wildlife feeder table held 19 Tree Sparrows on 26^th and 7 Linnet were on Stones Island on 6^th.

91 Species were recorded this month compared with 95 in July 2009, 97 in 2008, 94 in 2007, 94 in 2006, 97 in 2005 and 102 in 2004.

 

JUNE 2010 BIRD NOTES

June Highlights: Hobby, Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank and Pied Flycatcher.

No Little Grebe young yet, but 5 broods of Great Crested Grebe by the end of the month is an improvement on the past few years. Mute Swans had broods of 5 and 4 by 22^nd.  Barnacle Geese have failed on Horseshoe and Sailing Club Island and the birds have left site. Mallard broods totalled 9 by 30^th compared with 13 and15 in the past two years and no broods of Tufted Duck yet, always a late breeder on this site. Moorhen showed 3 broods by 23^rd and Coot 6 broods by 24^th, which compares reasonably with the past few years’ performance. The WeBS count on 22^nd included 27 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Heron, 504 Canada Geese, 1 Teal, 87 Mallard, 177 Tufted and 195 Coot. Other wildfowl sightings were a Pink-footed Goose with Canadas on 17^th and a Shelduck on 14^th.

A Hobby was noted over StonesIslandon 17^th and Fishtail Creek on 27^th. There were probably 8 pairs of Oystercatchers present, based on Big Island, Flat Is/Sheepwash Spit, Shiningford Is, Horseshoe Is, Watersports Is, Sailing Club Is, Fishtail Creek and Millfields Is and 4 pairs successfully reached young stage. Other waders recorded include a Dunlin on Flat Island on 9^th, a surprisingly early Snipe flushed by a balloon on 30^th, a Black-tailed Godwit at the Wildlife Centre on 26^th and a Spotted Redshank on 22^nd. This Spotted Redshank was seen at Millfields during the WeBS count at 0600hrs and then flew west. It is 5 years since the last record and several others were reported in theMidlands and North on the same day.

11 young Black-headed Gulls could be seen from the Wildlife Centre on 6^th. On 8^th, there were 5 nests with young, 3 others probably on eggs and the only nest on Horseshoe Island had failed. The pair on the raft by Paul Stanley Hide had 3 young and another 2 or 3 pairs had nests on Flat Island, also on 8^th. By 26^th there were 4 big young/juveniles on Flat Island, at least 1 of which was well flighted. During thunderstorms on 6^th there were a further 14 Common Terns on site, obviously taking refuge.

Two Little Owls were seen in fields near Fishtail on 25^th and 2 separate groups of young Tawny Owls were noted on 18^th and 25^th. Great Spotted Woodpeckers were feeding at least 3 young in a hole in a tree in Middle Wood on 4^th and 2 family parties were seen on 18^th. A Swallow pair was feeding young in the Stone Barn on 4^th, another pair was around the draw-off tower and House Martins have at least 24 active nests around the Visitor Centre. Juvenile Pied Wagtails were on Stones Island and Flat Island on 9^th, a Sedge Warbler was singing at the ponds in Tail Bay on 15^th and a Reed Warbler singing at Hopton Pond on 9^th and Hopton Arm Reedbed on 22^nd. A Spotted Flycatcher was in the woodland strip north of Hall Wood on 9^th and 2 in Tail Bay on 15^th. The lonely Pied Flycatcher was again singing in Warrington Knob on 4^th but no sign later in the month. A pair of Great Tit was feeding young in the unmarked bird box among the display of bird boxes by the Wildlife Centre on 4^th and many other dates. They obviously failed to notice the box marked Great Tit. Two family parties of Nuthatch were noted on 28^th, a family party of Willow Tit on 30^th, 25 House Sparrows, including this year’s young, were around the Visitor Centre on 28^th and 12 Tree Sparrows including young, were on the Wildlife Centre feeders on 18^th.

87 Species this month compared with 93 in June 2009, 91 in 2008, 93 in 2007, 89 in 2006 and 84 in 2003. The low number is mainly due to few passage species calling in during a calm hot month.

 

MAY 2010 BIRD NOTES

May Highlights: Great Northern Diver, Red Kite, Osprey, Hobby, Sanderling, Turnstone, Mediterranean Gull, Black Tern, Cuckoo and Pied Flycatcher.

The long staying adult Great Northern Diver was last seen flying around in full summer plumage on 8^th. There are no broods of Grebe, Swan, Barnacle Geese, Moorhen or Coot yet but, hopefully, this is only due to the late Spring, and June will be catch-up time. There was only 1 further brood of Mallard to add to last month’s total of 4 broods, probably another indicator of delayed breeding for these water birds. Significant wildfowl counts were all from the WeBS survey on 16^th and included 16 Little Grebe, 40 Great Crested Grebe, 40 Mallard, 147 Tufted Duck and 57 Coot. Additionally, there was a Shelduck on 8^th, 10^th and 17^th and a female Scaup, present from April, was last seen on 7^th.

A Red Kite drifted over Sheepwash on 2^nd and an Osprey perched on a buoy for an hour consuming a fish before flying up Fishtail Creek on 26^th. The first Hobby was noted on 2^nd and a Peregrine flew over on 1^st. There has been little Buzzard activity recorded and there are no signs of breeding, which is not surprising following the well publicised local find of 6 dead buzzards, suspected of being poisoned.

At least 6 pairs of Oystercatchers have so far only produced 1 brood of 3, first noted on 5^th on Millfields Island. Last month’s Lapwing brood on Big Island showed 2 well grown young on 17^th and there were further broods of 4 on 16^th and 3 on 26^th, both on Horseshoe Island. A pair of Redshank with 2 young were on Big Island on 12^th. Passage waders included a Ringed Plover on 12^th and 20^th, 2 Sanderling on 12^th, a Dunlin on 1^st and following days, 3 Black-tailed Godwit on 5^th, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit on 21^st, 15 Whimbrel on 8^th, 2 Curlew on 10^th, a Greenshank flying through on 10^th, 3 Common Sandpiper on 7^th and a Turnstone from 7^th to 11^th.

A first summer Mediterranean Gull on HorseshoeIslandon 1^st obviously stayed over from 30^th May and an adult Little Gull was also on the island on 22^nd. The Black-headed Gull colony at the Wildlife Centre took over the tern raft again, forcing off a nesting Moorhen. These gulls seem to have squeezed what looks like 8 nests onto the raft and 2 young were noted on 29^th. A pair also have a nest on Horseshoe Island and another pair have bred on the raft at Paul Stanley Hide, showing 3 young on 31^st. Three Common Terns were noted from 1^st and a pair have settled on Flat Island again this year. The maximum number of Arctic Terns was 6 feeding off Stones Island on 7^th and a Black Tern was present on 27-28^th.

Three Stock Doves were feeding on spilled seed in Sheepwash car park on 13^th, a Cuckoo was noted near Middle Wood on 19^th, and a Barn Owl on 15^th and a Tawny Owl on 16^th were both around Sheepwash. The first Grey Wagtail since early January was recorded on 2^nd. A Redstart was singing near the Wildlife Centre on 1^st and there was a male Whinchat on the dam wall on 5^th. A Greenland race female Wheatear, a Sedge and a Reed Warbler were all seen on 1^stand 13 Garden Warblers plus 42 Blackcaps plus 29 Willow Warblers were counted on a circular walk on 17^th. A Spotted Flycatcher was noted from 23^rd, 2 singing Pied Flycatchers on 13^th, a pair of Raven with 3 young on 20^th, 4 Linnet on 2^nd and a Bullfinch was heard singing on the Club Dawn Chorus Walk on 8^th.

106 Species recorded compared with 108 in May 2009, 112 in 2008, 103 in 2007, 107 in 2006, 107 in 2005, 114 in 2004 and 110 in 2003.

 

APRIL 2010 BIRD NOTES (to 28^th April only)

April Highlights: Great Northern Diver, Whooper Swan, Osprey, Sanderling, Godwits, Little Gull,SandwichTern, Pied Flycatcher and Common Spring Migrants.

The adult Great Northern Diver stayed all month and was in mostly summer plumage by 29^th. A Whooper Swan was around the Wildlife Centre and Stones Island all Saturday 17^th, 2 Red-crested Pochard on 6^th and 8^th, a female Scaup stayed close in to the Wildlife Centre from 26^th and 4 Common Scoter were seen off Stones Island on 13^th. Counts included 12 Little Grebe on 18^th, 42 Great Crested Grebe on 18^th, 16 Cormorant on 2^nd, 3 Heron on 15^th, 3 Greylag Geese on 7^th and 24^th, 80 Canadas on 18^th, 38 Barnacles on 6^th, 5 Shelduck on 10^th, 7 Wigeon on 7^th and 8^th, 3 Gadwall on 17^th, 48 Mallard on 18^th, 3 Shoveler on 22^nd, 1 Pochard on 8^th, 189 Tufted Duck on 18^th, 13 Goldeneye on 13^th, 3 Goosander on 5^th, 19 Moorhen on 18^th and 106 Coot on 18^th. Four broods of Mallard were noted by 28^th.

Ospreys were seen again from Sheepwash, 1 at 1400hrs on 2^nd and another 1230-1305hrs on 19^th. An immature male Sparrow Hawk was perched close to Sheepwash Hide on 20^th, 14 Buzzards were in the air on 3^rd and 2 Peregrines were over Hall Wood on 26^th, with singles noted on other dates.

Wader passage included 1 Ringed Plover from 19^th to 21^st, 1 Sanderling on 28^th, 2 Black-tailed Godwit on 21^st and 5 on 26^th, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit on 6^th to 11^th, 2 Whimbrel on 21^st and 6 on 27^th, 4 Curlew on 18^th, 4 Common Sandpiper on 19^th and 28^th and 1 Turnstone flew through northwards on 7^th. Breeding Oystercatcher, Redshank and Lapwing were busy and a Lapwing showed 3 chicks on Big Island on 29^th.

An adult Little Gull on 18^th was followed a week later on 25^th by 2 adults and 4 first summer birds. Other gulls were a first summer Herring Gull on 14^th, an adult Yellow-legged on 23^rd, an immature Great Black-backed on 17^th and the breeding Black-headed Gulls, 60 present on 27^th, were busily arguing about space on the tern raft. Tern passage included a Sandwich Tern early on 7^th, 3 Common Terns early on 25^th with the flock of Little Gulls, 4 Common Terns on 28^th and single Arctic Terns on 15^th, 19^th 24^th and 27^th.

The first Swift was on 19^th but only small numbers have been seen since. Hirundine passage continued with 50 Sand Martin on 20^th and over 500 Swallow feeding close to the water on a drizzly morning on 19^th. The first House Martin was on 6^th and, by the end of the month; some birds were around the Visitor Centre breeding colony. A Tree Pipit flew over on 24^th and 40 Meadow Pipits were on the dam on 2^nd. Migrant wagtail species were in low numbers again this year, with the first Yellow Wagtail on Sheepwash Spit on 3^rd, 3 on the dam wall on 11^th and 4 on 19^th. White Wagtail numbers peaked at 9 on Stones Island in the evening of 7^th and Pied Wagtails totalled 37 there on 15^th. There are no records of resident Grey Wagtails since January 1^st. This species is susceptible to long spells of freezing winter weather when they cannot feed along the waters edge and, in case you have forgotten, we have just had an unusually severe winter, so please look out for this species at Carsington. Their former locations were Millfields, Tail Bay outlet stream, Fishtail Creek and Paul Stanley Hide. A Redstart was singing distantly upstream from WLC Creek from 24^th and a male Whinchat was in the Creek on 25^th. Single Wheatears were noted 3^rd and many other dates. Warbler species kept arriving, with 2 Sedge on 24^th, the earliest ever Reed at Carsington on 24^th, 2 Lesser Whitethroat on 18^th, 1 Whitethroat on 17^th and 1 Garden Warbler on 24^th. A count of warblers on 8^th included 13 Blackcap, 52 Chiffchaff and 8 Willow Warbler. A Pied Flycatcher was singing in Warrington Knob on 29^th, 100 Jackdaw were recorded on 3^rd, a female Brambling was in Hall Wood on 22^nd and a site rare Yellowhammer flew over Millfields on 18^th.

116 Species were recorded compared with 110 in April 2009, 118 in 2008, 103 in 2007, 118 in 2006, 117 in 2005, 116 in 2004, 120 in 2003 and 107 in 2002.

 

MARCH 2010 BIRD NOTES

March Highlights: Red Throated Diver, Great Northern Divers, Whooper Swans, Garganey, Osprey and early summer migrants return.

A Red Throated Diver was off StonesIslandfrom 1630hrs until dusk on 22^nd and the Great Northern Diver count was a juvenile from last month to 5^th plus an adult which remained all month. A Sunday treat for observers on 7^th was 24 Whooper Swans landing at 0930hrs and a single Pink-footed Goose was with Canadas from 8^th. The big surprise of the month was a very early Drake Garganey at the Wildlife Centre on 2^nd March, a day when several were found around England. The earliest record at Carsington previously was 16^th April but the extreme earliest Derbyshire record was on 1^st March 1978. Maximum counts this month total 25 Little Grebe on 14^th, 35 Great Crested Grebe on 14^th, 8 Greylag on 6^th, 46 Barnacle on 1^st and 14^th, 3 Shelduck on 17^th, 53 Wigeon on 5^th, 3 Gadwall on 14^th, 21 Teal on 8^th, 109 Mallard on 8^th, 4 Pintail on 5^th, 5 drake Shoveler on 21^st, 325 Tufted Duck on 14^th, a female Scaup on 2^nd, 28 Goldeneye on 21^st, 8 Goosander on 15^th, a Water Rail on 7^th, 18 Moorhen on 19^th and 247 Coot on 14^th.

Four Sparrowhawks were noted on 21^st and 8 Buzzards were in the air on 14^th, with 10 on 21^st. An Osprey was on site from 1550hrs on 26^th, one day earlier than previous records at Carsington. It was seen from Stones Island and the Wildlife Centre and later it caught a fish and went to dine and roost in Blackbrook Plantation. An immature Peregrine flew north over Sheepwash on 28^th.

At least 5 pairs of Oystercatcher were noted on 8^th and the first Little Ringed Plover record of the year was 1 on Stones Island with a Dunlin on 26^th. The first Dunlin of the year was 1 on 7^th then 2 at the Wildlife Centre on 10^th. Snipe totalled 8 on Horseshoe Island on 20^th and 6 Snipe were seen in flight at Warrington Knob on 7^th. A Woodcock was flushed near Paul Stanley Hide on 24^th. The largest Curlew numbers were 12 at Sheepwash on 9^th, 16 on 11^th and 11 were in a field near Lane Ends on 13^th. 6 Redshank were noted around the Wildlife Centre, Stones Island and Sheepwash on 8^th, 23^rd and 31^st.

An adult Mediterranean Gull was at the Wildlife Centre on 10^th and was subsequently seen in the gull roost on several evenings up to 24^th. Counts of the gull roost proved difficult due to the spread of the roost this month but 242 Common and 65 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were counted in an early roost on 1^st. There was a first winter plus a second winter Herring Gull on 20^th and an adult Yellow-legged on 10^th and 23^rd.

A Little Owl was seen in the field on the left between the main car park and Wildlife Centre on 2^nd, 7^th and 30^th. As expected, the first Sand Martins flew through, with 4 on 18^th and a flock of 12 the following morning. Swallows started slowly with 1 on 25^th then 1 on 28^th. Meadow Pipit records have been unusually low for this time of year with 1 on 19^th and several singles since. A Rock Pipit was on Sheepwash Spit for at least 2 hours on 19^th, 2 White Wagtails were on Horseshoe Island on 31^st and a female Stonechat was on Stones Island on 5^th. The first Wheatear was on the dam wall early on 19^th and 3 were at the Wildlife Centre on 22^nd. A wintering Blackcap was near the Wildlife Centre on 10^th and a pair there on 24^th. Chiffchaff were first noted on 19^th with 5 singing and 12 were singing between Millfields and Sheepwash on 31^st. Two Willow Tits were singing on 8^th and 2 Linnets flew over Sheepwash on 10^th.

 102 Species recorded this March compared with103 in March 2009, 104 in 2008, 95 in 2007, 100 in 2006, 107 in 2005 and 98 in 2004.

 

FEBRUARY 2010 BIRD NOTES

February Highlights: Great Northern Divers, Red-necked Grebes and Jack Snipe.

 A juvenile and an adult Great Northern Diver were present all month, quite often together at dawn and dusk. Early on 23^rd the adult was calling while the juvenile was close by diving. As the mist cleared at 1320hrs on 15^th a Red-necked Grebe was seen and photographed from Sheepwash and Lane End Hides and then lost to view. Searches were made by several birders and the bird was eventually relocated in Hopton Arm, in the rain and near to dusk. It was there that a second bird was noted. One bird remained in Hopton Arm, as far as the ice allowed, until 23^rd, while the second bird was elusive, wandering as far as Millfields. Counts for February included: 27 Little Grebe on 8^th, 41 Great Crested Grebe on 8^th, 45 Cormorant on 15^th, 6 Mute Swans on 23^rd, 46 Barnacle Geese on 1^st, 5 Shelduck on 25^th, 48 Wigeon on 28^th, 6 Gadwall on 22^nd, 59 Teal on 1^st, 141 Mallard on 23^rd, 2 Pintail on 18^th and 28^th, 5 Shoveler on 20^th, 2 Red-crested Pochard on 18^th, 2 Pochard on 28^th, 442 Tufted Duck on 23^rd, 19 Goldeneye on 23^rd, 5 Goosander on 13^th, 5 Moorhen on 23^rd and 401 Coot on 23^rd. These counts were low for winter but similar to or slightly less than those in February last year demonstrating that many of the wintering wildfowl had gone by the end of the month.

Two Sparrow Hawks were noted on 10^th, 6 Buzzard were in the air at the same time on 10^th and, on 1^st, a Buzzard was perched on the cairn on Flat Island while another searched the island for food. Peregrine were noted on several days with a female on 13^th, 1 over Hopton Arm on 16^th, an immature on 23^rd and 1 from Sheepwash on 28^th.

Oystercatchers have been returning and claiming their breeding island and, by 28^th, numbered 10 including a pair mating on Millfields Island and the male with a bar-code leg ring returning to Flat Island and Sheepwash area. A Jacksnipe flew in to Hopton Arm on 19^th for 2 hours and temporarily stole the red-necked grebe’s show, see photograph on our website. Snipe numbers have been low this winter with just 4 recorded on 13^th and 22^nd. A Woodcock was flushed from the path behind Sheepwash Hide on 23^rd. Curlew are now moving through, with the first heard on 24^th, 2 on 27^th and 5 on 28^th including 3 which landed to the right of Sheepwash Hide. Redshank were seen in singles at many locations but the maximum count was only 3 on 22^nd and 24^th.

The gull roost was larger than in mid-February last year, with at least 3000 Black-headed Gulls, 550 Common Gulls and 300 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on 13^th. The daytime resident, little grebe eating adult Yellow-legged Gull has not been recorded since 6^th, and a heron was noted struggling to swallow a gull carcass on 16^th!

 A roost of 60 Woodpigeon was noted at Sheepwash on 8^th and 16^th, a Kingfisher regularly between 14^th and 24^th, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers on 16^th, 2 Skylark flew over on 16^th, a singing wren on 28^th highlighted how few were seen this month, in excess of 50 Fieldfare at Sheepwash on 16^th, 4 Song Thrush singing on 28^th, 8 Long-tailed Tits squeezed onto Paul Stanley feeders on 23^rd, 4 Willow Tits on 24^th, 15 Magpie on 11^th, 50 Jackdaw over Sheepwash on 12^th, 6 Rooks on the dam wall fields on 23^rd, 2 Raven on 6^th and other dates, 4 Brambling in the Visitor Centre car park on 14^th, 13 Siskin at Sheepwash on 15^th and 10 Lesser Redpoll near the Wildlife Centre on 17^th.

87 Species this month compared with 86 in Feb 2009, 86 in 2008, 88 in 2007, 89 in 2006 and 90 in 2005.

JANUARY 2010 BIRD NOTES

January highlights: Great Northern Diver, Little Egret, Scaup, Caspian Gull and Kittiwake.

One of last month’s Great Northern Divers, a juvenile, remained all month and December’s Little Egret was around the Wildlife Centre area until 24^th, with 2 present on Horseshoe Island from 1415hrs to 1500hrs on 18^th. 150 Pink-footed Geese flew low east over the water at 1130hrs on 8^th. Site counts this month were mainly the WeBS count on 17^th, unless dated otherwise, and included 46 Little Grebe, 45 Great Crested Grebe, 45 Cormorant on 24^th, 4 Heron on 27^th, 28 Mute Swans, 5 Greylag on 20^th, 45 feral Barnacle Geese on 20^th, 6 Shelduck on 24^th, 23 Wigeon (218 in Jan last year), 36 Gadwall, 49 Teal, 122 Mallard, 1 female Pintail on 11^th and other dates, 134 Pochard, 596 Tufted Duck, an elusive first winter female Scaup on 10^th and possibly all month, 12 Goldeneye, 11 Goosander on 31^st, 11 Moorhen and 1424 Coot (1844 in Jan last year). Some of these counts are significantly down compared with recent years, probably due to the abnormally cold weather. Certainly any geese and ducks seeking grazing would have been struggling with the depth of snow. Escapee ducks seen were 2 Speckled Teal on 27^th and a Chiloe Wigeon on 29^th, both South American species.

Raptor records were few, with 4 Common Buzzards in the air on 1^st, a Peregrine on the pylon observed from the Wildlife Centre on 17^th and 24^th, elsewhere on site on 18^th, 19^th and 20^th, and a pair of Peregrine mobbing a Buzzard on 28^th.

An Oystercatcher was seen on 11^th and 16^th, Snipe numbered 12 at the Wildlife Centre on 24^th, a Woodcock was near Lane End Hide on 4^th and 3 Redshank were on site on 1^st and subsequent dates.

The gull roost, visible from Lane End Hide, on 24^th included 4000 Black-headed Gulls, 600 Common Gulls and 500 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Other gull records included 20 Herring Gulls on 18^th, an adult Caspian Gull in front of Sheepwash Hide from 1430hrs on 18^th, 17 Great Black-backed Gulls on Sheepwash Spit early on 1^st, an adult Kittiwake near Millfields at 1000hrs on 28^th, and the resident Yellow-legged Gull was seen eating a Little Grebe on 18^th and a dead fish on 25^th.

The freezing weather and thick snow lying on the ground prevented much activity by non-water birds. Two Barn Owls were out hunting near the Wildlife Centre on 14^th and another near Fishtail Creek later in the month. A Kingfisher was in Penn Carr on 16^th and at other locations later in the month and 2 Skylark flew east over Millfields on 18^th. The annual wintering Meadow Pipit flock, which can usually be located around the Dam Wall and Tail Bay area, has not been seen this January. Presumably this flock has gone south or to the coast where ground feeding is possible. Two Nuthatch were on Paul Stanley feeders on 1^st and other subsequent dates and Siskin flocks have been regularly noted, with the largest totalling 40 on 11^th and 27^th. Four Linnets were near the Wildlife Centre on 1^st and 68 Lesser Redpoll were noted at in the same area on 17^th.

 86 Species this month comparing well with 86 in January 2009, 85 in 2008, 89 in 2007, 89 in 2006, 95 in 2005, 91 in 2004, 87 in 2003 and 75 in 2002.