DECEMBER 2006 BIRD NOTES

December Highlights: 3 Great Northern Divers, Black-necked Grebe, Green-winged Teal, Hen Harrier, Ring-billed Gull and Glaucous Gull.

Another excellent month for species and many birders travelled in to see the more sought after species. Last month’s 2 Great Northern Divers increased to 3 from the 3rd to the 19th at least. One unclaimed report of an adult was made on 3 rd but all other records refer to juveniles, including 3 seen together on several occasions and one of the juveniles is dark. Without further clarification, therefore, the records will show 3 juveniles 3rd to 19th . These Divers were heard calling at dusk on 12th and dawn on 19th . A Black-necked Grebe was found at Sheepwash on the 1st and remained there or at Paul Stanley Hide all month. Two Whooper Swans were seen flying northwest on 1 st and 7 landed nearStonesIslandon 19th .

Remember the days of mist overBritain[17th – 22nd ]? Carsington stood above it most of the time, bathed in sunshine and, probably due to it being the only water visible to overflying wildfowl, it attracted several species. Apart from the 7 Whoopers on the 19th , that day also included 9 Shelduck, 5 Pintail, 8 Shoveler and 12 Goldeneye. Out of this list only a few goldeneye were present on 17th and 22nd.

A Dark Bellied Brent Goose was reported near the dam wall on 22nd , a day when other Brents were reported in Notts and Staffs. The find of the month came on the 10th : a Drake Green-winged Teal. This is the second record for Carsington and thirteenth for Derbyshire. The previous Carsington record was seen by one observer and could not be relocated the following day, which is what happened again. Thankfully it was refound on 13th and stayed until 21st . A female Red-breasted Merganser was present on 1-2nd , 15 Goosanders were near the dam wall on 1 st and a count of 2136 Coot on 17th proved to be a new site record.

Raptors also featured, with a male Hen Harrier being recorded twice around the main centre area on 22 nd and Peregrine on 17th , 24th and 30th . Waders included an Oystercatcher at the Wildlife Centre on 31st , 15 Golden Plover flew low over Stones Island on 16 th , 2 Woodcock were seen at separate locations on 2 nd and last months Black-tailed Godwit stayed on at the Wildlife Centre until 7th .

The Gull roost continued to attract a varied cast, including last month’s adult Ring-billed Gull until the 20 th , a first winter Mediterranean Gull on 29th , 5500 Black-headed Gulls on 17th , 4 Yellow-legged Gulls on 2nd and an adult Caspian Gull on 5th ,10th and 20th . A first winter Glaucous Gull was seen onFlatIslandbefore flying off west at 1455hrs on 17th and an adult Kittiwake flew past Paul Stanley Hide on 15 th .

The 4 Blackcaps seen near Sheepwash car park last month were there again on 2 nd and a male was at the Wildlife Centre on 26th . At least 2000 Starlings flew north across the site at dawn on 19 th and, together with other sightings, suggest there is a large roost somewhere south of Carsington Water. 2 Bramblings were at Paul Stanley Hide on 31 st and the escapee Black Swan was at various locations from 1st -11th and offStonesIslandon 31st .

98 Species were recorded, which is the greatest ever for a December and compares with 88 in 2005, 95 in 2004, 97 in 2003, 89 in 2002 and 86 in 2001. It should also be noted that this site held two American species at the same time, Green-winged Teal and Ring-billed Gull.

 

NOVEMBER 2006 BIRD NOTES

November Highlights: Great Northern Diver doubles, Whoopers here again, solitary Brent Goose, Red-breasted Merganser, Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Mediterranean Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Kittiwake and Hawfinch and two Black Swans.

November proved to be an excellent month for the range of site rare species. A juvenile Great Northern Diver appeared on the 28 th near the dam wall and then there were two on the 30 th . Little Grebe numbers are building, with 70 on 21 st and 67 Great Crested Grebes on 6 th and 21 st . Two Whooper Swans were present on 2 nd and 9 th and two escapee Black Swans were at Millfields on 18 th and one stayed for the rest of the month, showing up at most locations around the site. A lone Brent Goose was seen to fly off south at 0900hrs on 27 th and one was reported later that morning near Bolsover at Carr Vale. A Shelduck was onStonesIslandon 3 rd and another onFlatIslandon 16 th . Gadwall reached a height of 91 on 6 th , with 85 still present on 21 st . Other Wildfowl included single Pintails on 3 rd , 8 th and 30 th , 2 Shoveler on 5 th , 4 Red-crested Pochard on 12 th , 10 Goldeneye on 2 nd , 10 Goosander at Millfields on 26 th and a female Red-breasted Merganser moving between Lane End and Paul Stanley Hides on 26 th .

Raptor sightings included an immature Sparrowhawk, which occasionally landed on the fence post alongside Paul Stanley Hide giving good photo opportunities. Four Buzzards over Hall Wood on 9 th , a Peregrine on 5 th , 13 th , 21 st and mobbed by 2 Raven on 18 th , and a frustratingly possible sighting of a male Hen Harrier was reported on the website for the 5 th , any other sightings of this bird in the area would be appreciated.

Waders included 408 Lapwing on 26 th , 4 Dunlin on 29 th , 27 Snipe at Paul Stanley Hide on 8 th , 21 Snipe at the Wildlife Centre on 15 th , a Black-tailed Godwit arrived at the Wildlife Centre on 15 th and was still there on 30 th , several Redshank at various locations, with a maximum count of 5 on 23 rd and a Turnstone was reported on Sheepwash Spit on 9 th .

A good month for Gulls, with the roost numbering 5000 Lesser Black-backed and 4000 Black-headed Gulls on the 26 th . A selection of rarer gulls includes an adult Mediterranean Gull on 12 th and 26 th , an adult Ring-billed Gull on 4 th , 10 th , 16 th , 17 th 26 th and 28 th , 5 Yellow-legged Gulls on 11 th , an adult Caspian Gull on 14 th and a juvenile Kittiwake, which spent an hour on Sheepwash Spit on 13 th .

A site record of 10 Collared Doves were around the Wildlife Centre feeders on 23 rd , a Barn Owl was seen on 23 rd , 1 Little Owl on 6 th and other dates, a Stonechat was near Paul Stanley Hide on 4 th and another in Wildlife Centre Creek on 6 th , 4 late or wintering Blackcaps were at the west end of Sheepwash Car Park on 25 th , a Chiffchaff on Stones Island on 1 st and another at Hopton End on 16 th , a male Brambling was on Stones Island feeders on 12 th and a Hawfinch was noted as a fly-over between Sheepwash and Lane End on 25 th .

97 Species were recorded, which matches the November site record of 97 in 2005, with 95 in 2004, 92 in 2003, 95 in 2002, 84 in 2001 and 70 in 2000.

 

OCTOBER 2006 BIRD NOTES

October Highlights: Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Garganey, Common Scoter, Knot, Kittiwake and Rock Pipit pass on through, Redwing and Fieldfare arrive. 

A Whooper Swan was near StonesIslandearly on 23^rd until chased off by the local territorial cob Mute Swan. Later in the day the Whooper flew low over the Wildlife Centre. Two Pink-footed Geese were flying with Canada Geese on 5^th, skeins had been seen travelling southeast through Derbyshire during previous days. A flock of 150 Pinkfeet flew low northwards over Paul Stanley hide near to dusk on 10^th and were probably disorientated in the misty conditions. Shelduck were recorded at several locations from 13^th to 16^th but never more than 1 until the 19^th when 8 were present. An immature or female Garganey was seen from Paul Stanley hide during the morning of 21^st, then refound at Millfields, where it stayed to the end of the month. Three drake Common Scoters were off Stones Island on 12^th and the first wintering Goldeneye appeared on 15^th and 2 on 31^st. Counts of wintering wildfowl included 41 Little Grebe on 8^th, 47 Great Crested Grebe on 8^th, 51 Cormorant on 3^rd, 7 Herons on 4^th, 21 Mute Swan on 8^th, 603 Wigeon on 8^th, 70 Gadwall on 30^th, 7 Pintail on 15^th, 2 Red-crested Pochard all month, 108 Pochard on 8^th, 312 Tufted Duck on 8^th, 89 Moorhen on 8^th and 1334 Coot on 8^th.

Apart from the local Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and Kestrels, raptor activity included a Peregrine on 22^nd and 26^th and a male Merlin flew fast and low in front of Sheepwash hide on 31^st. Waders included a Ringed Plover at Paul Stanley hide from 7^th to 18^th, a Golden Plover on 30^th, 206 Lapwing on 8^th, a Knot at the Wildlife Centre on 10^th, Snipe maximum of 22 on 9^th and a Common Sandpiper at Sheepwash on 12^th. Gull records included 2 Yellow-legged Gulls on 19^th and 21^st, a second winter Caspian Gull in the roost on 29^th, an adult Kittiwake briefly in front of Paul Stanley hide on 30^th and a juvenile Common Tern flew past Sheepwash on 1^st.

Turning away from the water orientated birds to the less frequently recorded birds at this site, those of farmland, scrub and woodland. A Stock Dove flew over the Wildlife Centre Creek on 26^th, this species breeds in local quarries and must regularly fly over without being noted. Five Collared Doves were at the Ranger Base on 26^th, setting a new site record for this species. A Green Woodpecker was near Paul Stanley Hide on 14^th, only the second record of this species this year. A Skylark on 18^th and 2 on 23^rd flew over calling, this should also be a regular audible sighting during November. The last Swallow record was 4 on 8^th, but no House Martins were noted this month which is surprising when they were still attending young at the Visitor Centre on 29^th Sept. Any later records would be appreciated. Pied Wagtails roost together in good numbers this time of year and 124 came out of roost and along the dam wall in the early morning of 1^st [197 on 6^th Sept]. Four Stonechats were noted this month, which is as good a number as in any previous month, 2 in the Wildlife Centre Creek on 1^st, 1 in Tail Bay on 14^th and 1 in front of Paul Stanley Hide on 28^th. A Wheatear was noted on 8^th and a Chiffchaff was calling on Stones Island on 29^th, will it be the last this year?

Other significant sightings included a Rock Pipit on the dam wall on 19^th, the first of the autumn Redwing, 1 on the 8^th and 400 noted passing through during a 4 hour period on 26^th, 8 Fieldfare on 28^th, 2 Siskin on 4^th, 3 lesser Redpoll on 8^th and 2 now site rare Yellowhammers on 8^th.

100 Species recorded compared with 99 in Oct 2005, 91 in 2004, 94 in 2003, 103 in 2002 and 91 in 2001

 

SEPTEMBER 2006 BIRD NOTES

September Highlights: Garganey; Osprey, Hobby and Peregrine; Curlew Sandpiper; Mediterranean, Little and Caspian Gulls; Black Tern and Rock Pipit. 

Wintering wildfowl, coot and grebe numbers are building up and include, 55 Little Grebe on 19^th, 39 Great crested Grebe 11^th, 41 Cormorant 11^th, 5 Heron 25^th, 26 Mute Swan 12^th, 20 Greylag Geese 26^th, 40 Barnacle 27^th, 546 Canada’s 19^th, 3 escapee Cackling Geese 29^th, 484 Wigeon 19^th, 37 Gadwall 19^th, 5 Pintail 14^th, an elusive female or juvenile Garganey from the Wildlife Centre 24^th to 28^th, 1 Shoveler 18^th, 2 Red-crested Pochard 16^th, 90 Pochard 19^th, 460 Tufted Duck 19^th, 50 Moorhen 19^th and 1694 Coot on 19^th.

Raptors included 4 Common Buzzard on 7^th and on many other dates. An Osprey pleased one observer as it circled Millfields but, mobbed by corvids, it flew on southwards. A Hobby sped low past the Wildlife Centre on 30^th, a Peregrine was seen from the Wildlife Centre on 3^rd, a juvenile female Peregrine gave a spectacular flying display to an observer in Sheepwash Hide on 20^th and another Peregrine was seen to cross the site from Millfields to Middleton Top on 27^th.

The wader passage this year has been exceptionally poor and reports from nearby sites are similar. Records include a Curlew Sandpiper on 11^th and 12^th which spent most of its stay out of sight on the end of Sheepwash spit, 3 Dunlin on 10^th, 26 Snipe on 29^th, 1 Back-tailed Godwit at the Wildlife Centre on 10^th and 2 others at Paul Stanley Hide on 14^th.

The Gull roost is now well established with 3000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on 12^th increasing to 6000 by 25^th, a first winter Mediterranean Gull joined them on 25^th and 30^th, with 17 adult and sub-adult Yellow-legged Gulls on 19^th and a first winter Caspian Gull on 28^th. Two juvenile Little Gulls were seen from fisheries bank on 8^th, 4 Common Terns on 1^st, which was the last record of the breeding family, two juvenile Arctic terns were on buoys near Millfields on 13^th and a Black Tern was reported on Pager on 27^th.

A late Swift was seen from the Wildlife Centre on 3^rd, 2 Kingfishers on 11^th and singles on many other dates at various locations, a fly-over Skylark on 21^st and another on 25^th, many records of Meadow Pipits on the dam wall with a maximum of 25 on 12^th and, a Rock Pipit and 3 Wheatears there on 30^th. The autumn passage of Yellow Wagtail started with 1 on Horseshoe Island on 3^rd and then 5 in front of the Sailing Club on 12^th. A massive 197 Pied Wagtails were on the dam wall early morning on 6^th, these birds were moving on from their roost at Millfields. The last or latest records of migrants included a Redstart on 6^th, 2 Lesser Whitethroats on 8^th and a Whitethroat and a Garden Warbler on 25^th, all in the Wildlife Centre Creek. Chiffchaff were still present at the end of the month with 20 noted on 11^th and 4 Blackcaps and 3 Spotted Flycatchers also on 11^th.

Willow Tits seem to have bred well this year with a probable family party of 8 noted in TailBayon 9^th and many reports from other regular Willow Tit locations. Four Raven were seen from Sheepwash on 3^rd, 70 Starlings were on the dam wall on 21^st together with 30 Goldfinch, 5 Siskin moved into Millfields on 25^th and 4 Lesser Redpoll were noted over Sheepwash on 25^th.

102 Species recorded compared with 101 in Sep 2005, 94 in 2004, 104 in 2003 and 118 in 2002. Allowing for   the lack of wader species, 102 is a good level of species for September.

 

AUGUST 2006 BIRD NOTES

August Highlights: Ruddy Shelduck, Shelduck, and Red-crested Pochard; Marsh Harrier, Hobby and Peregrine; Black-tailed Godwit and Greenshank; Wheatear, Reed Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher.

Coming out of breeding season, Grebes are now more obvious, with 46 Little Grebes on 16^th, 51 on 21^st and 46 Great Crested on 21^st. Cormorants totalled 31 on 16^th, Herons 3 on the same day, Mute Swans 31 on 15^th, including their broods of 4,2 and 1, Greylag Geese 8 on 2^nd, Barnacle Geese 18 on 28^th and Coot 808 on 16^th.

Wintering ducks are trickling back to boost the resident population and include, 8 Shelduck off Lane End on 3^rd, a Ruddy Shelduck all month, 9 Wigeon on 25^th, 13 Gadwall on 21^st, 36 Teal on 18^th, 157 Mallard on 16^th, 5 Shoveler on 23^rd, 2 Red-crested Pochard on 25^th, 7 Pochard on 8^th, 382 Tufted on 16^th, including 8 broods this year, and a female Goosander at the north end on 1^st. The Ruddy Shelduck was found on Millfields Island on 1^st and stayed all month at various locations around the site. Probably the same bird had been seen at Ogston andWyver Lane just days earlier before arriving at Carsington. It is the first record for Carsington but this species is considered as feral/escapee. Briefly the evidence for this species is; it breeds in eastEurope, a feral flock breed in westEurope, modern British records have not been accepted as wild by rarities committees, they are kept on ornamental ponds including JCB at Rocester.  This bird arrived at the same time as other birds arrived at sites inBritain, which is similar to previous years and is coincident with post breeding dispersal/migration, and some British birders list this species. Apart from all that, this bird is worth viewing.

Raptors featured well this month with a juvenile Marsh Harrier being mobbed by the breeding Common Terns over the Wildlife Centre on 5^th, Sparrowhawk young calling from a known usual breeding site, 4 Common Buzzards in the air on 14^th and other dates, a Kestrel reported with a Moorhen in its talons on a fence post to the side of Paul Stanley hide [not known if a young Moorhen or a big kill for a Kestrel], 2 Hobby towards Hall Wood on both 11^th and 12^th and Peregrine reported on 4^th and 5^th and a juvenile on 15^th and 28^th.

Waders included 2 Oystercatchers at Paul Stanley Hide on 15^th, 1 Little Ringed Plover on 3^rd to 7^th, 92 Lapwing on 16^th, 3 Dunlin on 4^th and 2 on 12^th, 3 Snipe on 13^th at the Wildlife Centre, 3 Black-tailed Godwit flying southeast on 1^st, 2 Curlew on 3^rd and 22^nd, 3 Redshank on 4^th, 2 Greenshank for 5 minutes at Sheepwash on 22^nd and Common Sandpiper present most of the month, with 2 on 16^th.

The gull roost has started to gather, with 470 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on 25^th and 2 Yellow-legged gulls on 4^th. The pair of Common Terns breeding on the raft at the Wildlife Centre saw their two young take their first flight on 6^th, 7 Common Terns were there on 14^th and an immature Arctic tern was flying through south on 23^rd.

Warblers included a Reed Warbler in TailBayon 5^th and a Lesser Whitethroat in Shiningford Creek on 7^th and 24^th. A family of 4 Little Owls were on view from the Wildlife Centre on 12^th and on many other dates, 2 Kingfisher were seen together on 9^th and were recorded most days at various locations, 2 Redstarts were in the Wildlife Centre Creek on 5^th and 10^th, a Wheatear was on the dam wall early on 30^th together with 57 Pied Wagtails, 4 Spotted Flycatchers were behind Sheepwash hide on 18^th and remained several days, a flock of 30 Jackdaws were over Hall Wood on 10^th, 2 Raven noted on 3^rd and 15^th and 110 Tree Sparrows were around the Visitor and Wildlife Centre on 17^th.

97 species recorded compared with 105 in Aug 2005, 113 in 2004, 110 in 2003, 122 in 2002 and 86 in 2001

 

JULY 2006 BIRD NOTES

July Highlights: Escape Whistling Swan and Bar-headed Goose, Shelduck, Common Scoter, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Peregrine and Black-tailed Godwits, Common Terns breed and Reed Warblers sing.

The Bar-headed Goose continued its stay, spending most of the month at Millfields, enjoying picnic titbits from the public. This bird first came in with a Pink-footed Goose during summer, which suggests that the Bar-head escaped from a collection, and is not direct from its homeland, high in Central Asia. There are feral breeding Bar-heads in England, in locations like the Norfolk Broads, but the likelihood of one travelling in with a Pinkfoot by chance is remote. Three Cackling Geese were on site most of the month and these are also considered escapees. This small race of Canada Goose originates from North America and has species status in Britain as Lesser Canada Goose. A Whistling Swan was found on the 9^th, which is the first Derbyshire record. It had been at Tittesworth Reservoir and was back there on the 10^th, then it returned to Carsington on 22^nd and stayed until the 28^th. Before the 28^th this Whistling Swan had suffered an injury to the back of its head and, on the 28^th, the male of a pair of Mute Swans with young, aggressively approached the Whistling Swan on several occasions, eventually it took flight away from Carsington. This bird is also considered an escapee from a collection. Their home is North America and the bird is similar to our Bewick’s Swan but has a black bill with a pale teardrop. These escapees/feral birds are interesting but knowledge of their origin would be beneficial so please let us know if you have any information on where these individuals may have come from. When the now resident Barnacle Geese and occasional Red-crested Pochards first came to Carsington, they were traced to the JCB Pond at Rocester

Other Geese records include 13 Greylag on 3^rd and over 500 Canada on 6^th. The Mute Swans totalled 25 on 28^th, including 3pairs with 4+2+1 cygnets. Duck species include 7 Shelduck on 16^th, 4 Gadwall on 4^th, 3 Teal on 21^st, 2 Red-crested Pochard on 14-16^th, 12 Pochard on 16^th, a drake Common Scoter on 16^th, and 266 Tufted Duck on 11^th. By the end of the month 7 broods of Tufted Duck had appeared, with brood sizes of 10+6+12+1+4+11+3. One further Little Grebe family was noted this month, taking the season total to 5 broods, Great-crested Grebe increased by 1 to 6 broods, Moorhen by 3 to 9 broods and Coot by 7 to 28 broods.

Raptors included a female/imm Marsh Harrier hunting the bank from Hall Wood and into Fishtail Creek on 17^th, a Hobby flew towards Sheepwash on 30^th and a Peregrine was seen from the Wildlife Centre on 9^th.

No more Wader broods were noted during the month and, by the end of the month, all the site breeding adults and Juvenile Oystercatchers and Redshank had left Carsington. With water levels still high, HorseshoeIslandis still the main area to see waders. Wader records include 13 Oystercatcher on 11^th, 45 Lapwing on 16^th, 1 Dunlin on 23^rd, 2 Snipe on 16^th, 2 Curlew on 4^th, 1 Greenshank seen and heard flying over on 26^th, 1 Green Sandpiper on 17^th and 5 Common Sandpiper on 7^th. Black-tailed Godwits have been stopping off on their journey south, with 1 on 4^th, 2 on 13^th, 11 on 17^th, 10 in flight on 21^st, 1 on 22^nd and 1 on 30^th.

The pair of Common Terns are breeding well on one of the rafts from the Wildlife Centre. On the 2^nd they had an egg stolen by a Lesser Black-backed Gull, on the 14^th 3 chicks were noted, from the 21^st another pair of Common Terns were trying to get involved at the nest site, the next week saw one chick on a separate raft, one swimming and another on the island, but, by the 30^th, there were only 2 chicks, both are being well fed on the raft next to the raft they were hatched on.

House Martin breeding success around the Visitor Centre was obvious on 27^th, with 100 birds present, a Kingfisher was seen on 4^th and 18^th and a family party of Redstart were in Wildlife Centre Creek on 15^th. Three different Reed Warblers were noted singing on 9^th. Two were in the new reedbed in Hopton Arm and the other in the small reedbed inBrownAleBay. There are usually only one or two records of Reed Warbler per year, usually on passage, so these 3 were checked throughout the month for signs of breeding, but none were noted. However, STW Rangers efforts to establish the reedbed is already showing success and, hopefully, Carsington’s first breeding Reed Warbler will be on site next year.

93 Species were recorded this July excluding the obvious escapees, compared with 97 in 2005, 102 in 2004, 95 in 2003, 100 in 2002 and 90 in 2001. The annual variations are mostly to do with wader species passage and high water.

JUNE 2006 BIRD NOTES

June Highlights: Six Species of Geese [!] and Red-crested Pochard, Red Kite and Hobby, Common Terns, Grasshopper Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher.

Six species of geese at Carsington on the 1^st of June? True, but one Pink-footed Goose initially travelled with one Bar-headed Goose, probably from a private collection, two Cackling Geese [rising to 5 on 11^th] were certainly not fresh in from Canada, which leaves two Greylag Geese [rising to 11 on 13^th] plus the breeding feral Barnacle Geese [21 on 22^nd] and the abundant resident Canada Geese [320 on 4^th]. This collection was soon followed by the first drake Red-crested Pochard of the year on 21^st, with 2 on 25^th. Interestingly they first arrived in June last year, from where?

On to truly wild and site rarer birds, a drake Common Scoter was off Lane End on 29^th, a Red Kite [re-introduced?] flew over the Visitor Centre late afternoon on 11^th, five sightings of Hobby on 1^st, 8^th, 10^th and 12^th covered all sides of the site, and the only Grasshopper Warbler recorded this year was reeling between Sheepwash and Lane End on 8^th.

Two Common Terns took up residence on a breeding raft at the Wildlife Centre from 16^th, seen mating on 20^th and were sitting for the rest of the month, hopefully not too late in the season. Successful breeding noted on site so far by the end of June includes broods of 4 Little Grebe, 5 Great-crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 8 Moorhen, a substantial 22 Coot and 12 Mallard. Wader broods include an encouraging 6 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher [reported last month] and 2 Redshank. Other breeding includes 31 House Martin nests around the Visitor Centre, Watersports and Sailing Club buildings, at least one pair of Redstart in the Wildlife Centre Creek, Sedge Warbler in the improved Hopton Arm reedbed, 3 Spotted Flycatcher territories in Hall Wood on 2^nd and 13^th and a further 2 pairs feeding young in Tail Bay on 20^th, a Willow Tit family near Paul Stanley Hide on 8^th, Coal Tit feeding young in Middle Wood on 13^th, another Coal Tit family in Hall Wood on 20^th and Treecreeper young in Hall Wood on 20^th.

A walk round the site by a regular observer on 13^th recorded an impressive 46 Wren, 40 Robin, 22 Dunnock, 7 Song Thrush, 47 Blackbird, 51 Chaffinch, 34 Great-crested Grebe, 11 Greylag Geese, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 22 Blackcap, 19 Chiffchaff, 32 Willow Warbler, 2 Jays and a Little Owl.

88 Species were recorded this June compared with 95 in 2005, 96 in 2004, 84 in 2003, 95 in 2002 and 75 in 2001. Traditionally June is a quiet birding month with local birds busily breeding and feeding young so, generally, birds stay local, but specie numbers can be swollen by passing waders and terns. Sadly, not this year.

 

MAY 2006 BIRD NOTES

May Highlights: Two Roseate Terns [a new species for the site], Little and Black Terns, Osprey, Merlin and Hobby, Garganey and Red-breasted Merganser, Reed Warbler and Pied Flycatcher.

May started with 20 Artic Terns and the first Little Tern since May 2002, off Stones Island during the evening of the 1^st. Terns kept coming, with 2 Common and 7 Black on 4^th, a first summer Kittiwake on 5^th, and then back to Terns, on the 7^th, the day count totalled 2 Roseate, 4 Common, 15 Arctic and 1 Black. The Roseate Terns were the first in Derbyshire since 1979 and, following their identification by Simon Roddis at 1015hrs, modern communication systems mobilised over 30 birders to see them before they flew off high northeast at 1140hrs. The communication systems had already been well tested over the previous two weeks in Derbyshire with the first twitchable Alpine Swift at Ogston Reservoir and the first Woodchat Shrike in the county for 37 years at Long Eaton.

A Pink-footed and a Bar-headed Goose arrived on the 31^st from an unknown source, probably a collection, which may also be missing 4 Cackling Geese present on 18^th and other dates. A drake Garganey was viewable from the Wildlife Centre all day on 15^th and was the first record since Nov 2003. Other duck included 5 Shelduck on 6^th, an unseasonal drake Pintail 4-6^th, a drake Common Scoter on 1^st and a pair of Red-breasted Merganser near the dam wall on 23^rd.

Raptor sightings were wide ranging for May, with 7 Buzzard species high above the ranger Base on 9^th, and Osprey circling the water, then into Hall Wood on 16^th, a Merlin mobbed by a Kestrel on 22^nd, a Hobby reported early pm on 22^nd, 2 seen late pm from the Wildlife Centre chasing Hirrundines, another Hobby seen the following evening 23^rd over Hall Wood and a Short-eared Owl being mobbed by Oystercatcher and Jackdaw on 22^nd near the Wildlife Centre.

Wader passage carried on steadily with 3 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Bar-tailed left over from the April flock. Single Ringed Plover were noted on 7^th and 22^nd, a few Dunlin were around most of the month with a maximum of 11 on 1^st. The last spring record of Whimbrel was 5 on 9^th, a Curlew is regularly visiting Horseshoe Island for a preen suggesting it may be breeding in the area, 3 Common Sandpiper were reported on 5^th and a Turnstone was present on several dates from 5^th.

The first Reed Warbler for two years was found singing on Stones Island on the 8^th only, and a singing male Pied Flycatcher, which is becoming an annual event, was found on 20^th. A female had joined the male by 23^rd but this proved to be the last sighting.

Breeding among waterside birds has been showing during the month and, so far, include 8 broods of Mallard, 4 of Moorhen, 4 of Coot, 1 of Great Crested Grebe, 2 broods of Oystercatcher from 6 pairs and 4 small broods of Lapwing.

107 species recorded this May compared with 107 in 2005, 114 in 2004, 110 in 2003 112 in 2002 and 106 in 2001. The lowish figure this year is part due to discounting two subspecies and to fewer passage wader species than usual, otherwise it has been a good bird month. 

APRIL 2006 BIRD NOTES

April Highlights: Little Egret and Red Kite fly through, Knot, Whimbrel and Godwits boost the wader species, another Bonxie calls in, Wagtails of all colours show onStonesIsland and spring migrants are welcomed.

Grebe numbers become difficult to count as they distribute into breeding pairs along the vegetated shoreline and others leave site. Little Grebe totalled 24 on 9^th, Great Crested 32 also on 9^th, long staying Red-necked Grebe was last reported on the 19^th, 29 Moorhen on 9^th and 140 Coot on 9^th. Most of the adult Cormorants have gone on to their breeding sites and just 19 others were present on 2^nd. A Little Egret flew in from the south at 1925hrs on 24^th and continued through and off northwest. A Whooper Swan appeared at the Wildlife Centre on 10^th and then gradually moved to Hopton Arm. The feral Barnacle Geese flock numbered 48 on 2^nd and 2 minima ‘cackling’ Canada Geese were on Stones Island on 24^th. These birds are smaller than Barnacle Geese and are considered escapees from a collection. Shelduck were passing through, with 4 on 9^th, 3 on 15^th and 2 on 29^th. Other ducks included 21 Wigeon on 2^nd and 1 male still present on 30^th, 3 male Gadwall on 18^th, 8 Teal on 30^th, 43 Mallard on 9^th, 248 Tufted on 9^th and 182 still present on 30^th, 3 Common Scoter on 30^th, 17 Goldeneye on 9^th and a pair of Goosander on 10^th. On 19^th a female Mallard was escorting 8 ducklings in Fishtail Creek. This is an early breeding record for Carsington. Eight Pheasants were noted on 5^th and a leucistic [pale, lacking pigmentation] bird was around Shiningford on 6^th.

Raptors included a wing tagged Red Kite over the dam wall at 1400hrs on 12^th, a Sparrow Hawk with Woodpigeon kill on 9^th, 7 Buzzards in the air on 23^rd, a male Merlin south of Fishtail on 13^th and a Peregrine over the dam wall on 19^th and another on 23^rd.

Wader sightings included Oystercatchers present all month with 12 on 9^th, Little Ringed Plovers present most of the month with 3 on 21^st, a Golden Plover flying west on 18^th, 4 Knot at the Wildlife Centre on 13^th and 1 on Stones Island on 19^th, 20^th and 25^th, 42 Black-tailed Godwit around the Wildlife Centre on 28^th, reducing to 10 on 29^th and 3 on 30^th, a summer plumage male Bar-tailed Godwit with the Black-tailed from 28^th to 30^th, 2 Whimbrel at the Wildlife Centre on 16^th, 1 on 20^th and 25^th and 3 on 28^th, Redshank present all month with 15 at the wildlife Centre on 16^th, a Common Sandpiper was on Stones Island from the 3^rd and 3 were noted on 13^th and a Turnstone was reported at Paul Stanley hide on 11^th.

Yet another Bonxie [Great Skua] at Carsington on 11^th from 1915 to 1950hrs. The following statistics need to be checked but they give some idea of the Bonxie enigma at Carsington: this is the tenth record involving 12 birds since 1992, these records have nearly doubled the number of Derbyshire records since 1950 and this is the fourth spring record. Gull reports include an adult summer plumage Mediterranean gull on 1^st, 112 Common Gulls roosting on 10^th, a first summer Caspian Gull roosting on 21^st, 22^nd and 24^th, 505 Great Black-backed gulls roosting on 4^th and 540 on 10^th and a late first summer Iceland Gull on 8^th. The first spring Tern was a distant unidentified ‘Commic’ on 18^th, a Common Tern on 21^st and an Artic Tern on 19^th, 23^rd, 28^th, 29^th with 3 on 27^th.

First dates for migrants included a Swift over Stones Island on 21^st, 2 now site rare Tree Pipits near Middle Wood on 22^nd, a male Redstart in Wildlife Centre Creek on 5^th with 4 on 18^th, a Sedge Warbler next to the Watersports Centre on 23^rd with 2 on Stones Island on 28^th, a Lesser Whitethroat singing on Stones Island on 23^rd, a Common Whitethroat singing in Shiningford Creek on 23^rd, 3 Garden Warblers on 24^th and a rare event of a Wood Warbler singing at Sheepwash on 18^th. Wagtails gave splendid views, especially in the evening pre-roost gathering on Stones Island, with 1 Yellow Wagtail on 11^th, rising to 19 on the 18^th and 21^st and just 2 on 30^th. Blue-headed were also noted, 1 at Paul Stanley hide on 13^th and singles on Stones Island on 18^th, 19^th and 21^st. The first White Wagtail was on 4^th, building up to 17 on 18^th and 19^th and had they not been so mobile the count would have exceeded 17. Also Pied Wagtails were present at 20 on 1^st, 5 meadow pipits with the wagtails on 13^th and 2 Grey Wagtails on the dam wall on 6^th.

Other sightings included a Skylark on 18^th, 200 Sand Martins on 21^st, 300 Swallows on 19^th and 400 on 21^st, 4 Wheatears on the dam wall on 6^th with less other dates, 25 Blackbirds on 5^th, 130 Fieldfare over the Wildlife Centre on 3^rd, 19 Chiffchaff on 9^th, 8 Willow Warblers on 9^th, 20 Tree Sparrows on 18^th, a Brambling on 2^nd and many other dates until 21^st, a Siskin singing in Hall Wood on 19^th and a pair there on 29^th and 40 Lesser Redpoll at Millfields on 23^rd.

117 Species recorded this month compared with 117 in April last year, 116 in 2004, 120 in 2003 and 107 in 2002.

 

MARCH 2006 BIRD NOTES

March Highlights: Black-necked Grebes leave, Red-necked Grebe returns, Curlews roost, Water Pipit and Ringed Plover make brief appearance, Spring arrives on 25^th with Sand Martin, Swallow, Wheatear and Chiffchaff, followed by Little Ringed Plover, House Martin and Blackcap, also Little Gull, Jack Snipe and Common Scoter.

The two Black-necked Grebes, present since 20^th Dec, were last reported on 11^th and the Red-necked Grebe reappeared on the 3^rd after being missing since 12^th Feb. Most of the wintering wildfowl had left site by the end of the month. A few Greylag Geese have been visiting with a maximum of 4 on 21^st, a drake Pintail was present on 21^st, 2 Shelduck on 30^th, 2 drake Shoveler on 25^th, a drake Common Scoter on 11^th and a pair of Common Scoter on 25^th.

Common Buzzard seem to be appearing more regularly around the Sheepwash area and 11 Buzzards were in the air at the same time on the 11^th, 9 were over Hall Wood using thermals to glide and gain height and 2 others were over Millfields.

Wader activity increased with Oystercatchers present all month and 13 counted on 11^th, a Ringed Plover on 11^th, Little Ringed Plover on 30^th, 1 or 2 Dunlin most days and 4 on 31^st, a Jack Snipe on 20^th and 27^th, up to 12 Snipe at Paul Stanley hide on 8^th and a Woodcock on 16^th. Redshank were present all month, with 8 on 11^th and mid-month saw a large Curlew roost on Horseshoe Island with a maximum dusk count of 87 on 17^th which is way ahead of the previous record held at 57 in March 2002.

Gull records included an adult winter plumage Mediterranean Gull on 1^st, 80 Great Black-backed on 19^th, a first winter Little Gull off Stones Island on the windy 30^th and a massive 800 Common Gulls in the roost on 22^nd. Common Gull numbers have been building up in the past few months with good numbers present throughout the day and 800 [actually 794 as light failed and they were still coming in to roost] shatters all previous years maximums held at 200.

After about two weeks of freezing temperatures and occasional snow, spring arrived on the relatively warm Saturday 25^th with spring migrants in small numbers including 2 Sand Martins off Stones Island, 1 Swallow off Lane End, 2 male Wheatears on the dam wall and a singing Chiffchaff on Stones Island. These were closely followed by another Wheatear on 27^th, a House Martin on 28^th, 100 Sand Martin and 20 Swallows on 29^th and a male Blackcap on Stones Island on 30^th but, as this Blackcap was not singing, it could have been a wintering bird and not a spring migrant.

Other notable sightings included Lesser Spotted Woodpecker near Paul Stanley Hide on 2^nd and 25^th, 2 Skylark flying over calling on 9^th and 11^th, 2 Water Pipit and a Meadow Pipit on the sailing club end of the dam wall on 22^nd, a female Stonechat on 20^th and 27^th, 6 Goldcrest on 1^st, 24 Chaffinch on 1^st, 14 House Sparrows around the Visitor Centre on 20^th, 28 Tree Sparrows on 16^th and 15 Lesser Redpoll on Stones Island on 21^st.

100 Species recorded this month compared with 98 in March 2004, 101 in 2003 and 96 in 2002

 

FEBRUARY  2006  BIRD NOTES

February Highlights: Black-necked Grebes stay another month but Red-necked Grebe departs mid-month. Whooper Swans and Smew make short visits. Goshawk, Merlin and Peregrine reported and Curlew return.

The Red-necked Grebe was last reported at Millfields on 12^th and, presuming that it was continuously the same bird, it had stayed since 17^th November. The two Black-necked Grebes remained all month, usually found near Paul Stanley Hide but were seen, sometimes separately, anywhere between Lane End and Hopton End. Other grebes have reduced in numbers after the Dec/Jan highs with 65 Little and 38 Great Crested on 12^th. Cormorants numbered 32 on 8^th, Moorhen 76 on 12^th, Coot 815 on 12^th and Mute Swans just 9, including 3 of last years young on 8^th and 12^th, which is low for this site. On 26^th a flight of 13 Whooper Swans came in over Millfields from the south at 08.30hrs, circled the water and flew on northwest towards their breeding grounds. Two flocks of Whoopers had been reported south of here during the previous afternoon so the sighting was more hoped for than surprising.

Duck numbers have dropped as expected, with 183 Wigeon, 32 Gadwall, 179 Teal, 144 Mallard, 66 Pochard, 558 Tufted, 151 Ruddy, and a high count of 33 Goldeneye, all on 12^th. Other ducks included a pair of Pintail briefly at Sheepwash on 18^th, a welcomed drake Smew at Sheepwash in the afternoon of 19^th, a pair of Shoveler at Lane End on 19^th and four pairs of Goosander along the dam wall on 7^th.

Apart from the resident Kestrels and Sparrow Hawks, raptors included 4 Common Buzzards over Hall Wood on 21^st, a Goshawk at Lane End on 17^th, a male Merlin on 24^th and a Peregrine on 1^st and 19^th.

Waders saw the Oystercatcher numbers rise to nine by the 22^nd and potentially breeding pairs have already claimed territories on both Big and Millfields Islands. Lapwing numbers are gradually reducing as birds move on, with 671 on 3^rd, 549 on 12^th and 450 on 24^th. A single Dunlin was at the Wildlife Centre on 4^th and 5^th, Snipe numbers reached 8 at the Wildlife Centre on 8^th and 19 at Paul Stanley Hide on 27^th, a Woodcock was flushed at Sheepwash on 3^rd and two flushed in Tail Bay on 27^th, Redshank were present all month with a maximum of 6 on 14^th and Curlew first arrived on their movement northwards to breeding grounds with 5 at the Wildlife Centre on 20^th and 6 on 25^th and 28^th.

Adult Mediterranean Gulls were seen in singles on 11^th, 14^th, 16^th and 22^nd. These records included two different birds, a winter plumage adult and a near full summer adult, and they were seen occasionally during the middle of the day as well as at roost.

Other records include 4 Stock Doves over Millfields on 16^th, 70 Woodpigeon on 27^th, 2 Kingfishers on 20^th, with 1 seen most days, a Skylark over Fishtail on 10^th, 26 Meadow Pipits on dam wall on 10^th, 15 Robin on 8^th, 29 Fieldfare on 24^th, 6 Treecreeper on 8^th, 120 Jackdaw over Hopton End on 16^th, 500 Starlings over Watersports on 24^th, 6 House Sparrows on 8^th, a male Brambling on 16^th, 3 male Reed Bunting on Paul Stanley feeders on 5^th and 6^th and an unseasonal Linnet seen and calling from Paul Stanley Hide on 12^th.

89 species recorded compared with 90 in February 2005, 96 in 2004, 92 in 2003 and 78 in 2002.

 

January 2006 Bird Notes: 

Highlights: Wildfowl numbers drop from December’s records, Red-necked and Black-necked Grebe stay all month, Pink-footed Geese fly over, and Gull species, Woodcock, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Hawfinch start the year list.

With the majority of January spent in a dull, grey, cold, calm, boring, shroud, Carsington saw many visiting birders obviously seeking the rarer Grebes and then going on to find other good birds. December’s record count of Little Grebes was matched exactly at 105 on 13^th. The 2 Black-necked Grebes remained all month, initially faithful to the Paul Stanley Hide, then visiting Sheepwash and, towards the end of the month, were usually found at Hopton End and Big Island. The birds were seen offering each other fish so can be referred to as a pair, if only they would stay into breeding season. The Red-necked Grebe started the year at Millfields, then in front of the sailing club, then near Fishtail Creek on 3^rd, then reported on two occasions in two places at once, then it was an adult and not a first winter. So were there two? Or had it matured and become very mobile? Learned literature states little is known about maturing dates and periods for their bill and plumage, except that they are variable. So, checking photographs and any detailed records and dates available, the rational conclusion, so far, is that there is only one Red-necked Grebe, which is mobile, and the bill colouring matured from first winter over the Christmas and New Year period.

Pink-footed Geese were seen flying West, which is part of their staged journey back to their northern breeding grounds, with 66 on 18^th and 300 plus 200 on 29^th. Wildfowl numbers generally decreased from the mid December records, except Ruddy Duck with 182 on 16^th and Goldeneye 24 on 16^th. Also a Shelduck was present on 16^th, a female Shoveler on 9^th and a pair of Pintail on 22^nd.

Raptors included 4 Common Buzzards over Hall Wood on 21^st and a hunting Peregrine near Hall Wood on 19^th. Waders included 2 Oystercatchers at Sheepwash on 29^th, 840 Lapwing on 16^th, 3 Redshank on Stones Island on 24^th, up to 17 Snipe from Paul Stanley Hide on 15^th, and a Woodcock flushed from the north edge of Fishtail on 18^th.

The afternoon pre-roost plus the gull roost included an adult Mediterranean Gull on 4^th, 9^th and 12^th, adult Yellow-legged Gull on 2^nd, 12^th 13^th and 15^th, Caspian Gull third winter on 14^th, adult on 18^th and adult plus first winter on 19^th, a first winter Glaucous Gull on 8^th, and an immature Kittiwake flew through low on 19^th.

Other sightings listed are, a Skylark calling over Stones Island on 1^st, 20 Meadow Pipits on the dam wall on 2^nd, 50 Redwings at Sheepwash on 13^th, a Blackcap near the Wildlife Centre on 18^th, a Chiffchaff in short song at Sheepwash on 18^th, 4 Raven over Hall Wood on 1^st, a flock of 100plus Siskin at Millfields on 24^th and a Reed Bunting at the Wildlife Centre on 9^th and on Paul Stanley feeders on 27^th. Also a Hawfinch was seen at the Millfields end of the dam wall feeding on seeds of the Field Maple on 20^th. This is only the second record for the site for this species, the first was just last month onStonesIsland.

90 species recorded compared with 88 in January 2005, 91 in 2004, 87 in 2003 and 75 in 2002.

2005 Notes – pdf file only…

December highlights: Wildfowl counts set new County record! Red-necked and Black-necked Grebes attract observers. Chiffchaff and Blackcap seen and Hawfinch and Common Redpoll extend the site list.

Another excellent month for wildfowl numbers, with new county records for a single site being set on the 18th [RWK,RMRJ,TD] at 1248 Tufted Duck 105 Little Grebe, and 2048 Coot.

[gview file=”http://www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk/CBC/pdfs/BirdNotes/2005birdnotes.pdf”]

 

 

 

 

2005 Notes – pdf file only…

December Highlights: Ring-billed Gull and Great Grey Shrike remain., but elusive. Black-necked Grebe and Scaup appear, on the same day, a pair of Green Woodpeckers and a Chiffchaff are good records and a Glaucous Gull is added to this season’s gull-roost tally.

Little Grebe totals at 58 and Great-crested Grebe numbers at 41, both on the 15th.

[gview file=”http://www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk/CBC/pdfs/BirdNotes/2004birdnotes.pdf”]