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31st August 2010 - Cool misty morning, light northerly, warm and sunny during the day
Aside from a Hobby hawking over the Reserve, the limited news comes from the area around the ammunition dump by the north car park on the west side. There was a Yellow Wagtail feeding in the grass and Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and Chiffchaff amongst a number of more common species in the bushes there.
In the evening the Garganey remained on view and there were three Snipe and a juvenile Ringed Plover.
A count of 160 Canadas was noteworthy.
30th August 2010 - Sunny start, cool north easterly wind, clouding over later.
Two Ringed Plovers and the first returning Wigeon of the autumn (three) were the main birds at the beginning of the day. Reed Warblers remained scattered around on the Old Road, Railway Embankment and still in the Marsh.
On the west side, a scattering of Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and a Whitethroat were all that could be found in the hedges there.
A Dunlin was seen later in the day along with two juvenile Yellow Wagtails on the flood meadows. Jackdaws totalled 70, a Coal Tit visited the Oak Hide feeder and a Hobby put in its regular appearance. The drake Garganey remains.
29th August 2010 - Initially some cloud, a progressively increasing wind initially south west turning north west. Heavy showers, sunny later.
Possibly as a result of the rise in water levels, both Shoveler and Pochard numbers were up, to 17 and 23 respectively. The odd House Martin and Swallow were moving through early on. The day began to improve from mid-morning when a freshly fledged juvenile Peregrine circled low over the Pools and then flopped down on the bank in front of Railway Hide before disappearing over Siden Hill Wood. It was clearly inexperienced, “buzzing” a number of the ducks and other birds but in a very amateur way. As it flew past Siden Hill Wood, it triggered alarm calling from a Hobby and was attacked by a Sparrowhawk. Shortly after, the Hobby came out of the wood and disappeared in hot pursuit of one of the House Martins that was moving south. There was also a first-winter Common Gull, the first of the autumn.
A very heavy rain shower on an increasingly blustery wind came through at approx 12.30pm In expectation of something being brought down, Paul Hyde visited the Reserve and found a flock of eight juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, one of the best wader records ever at the Reserve. The last of the five previous records was on 7 September 2002.
Whilst the wind remained blustery, the showers moved away. The Curlew Sandpipers lingered for approximately two hours, seemed relatively settled in front of Car Park hide despite the fidgety nature of about 200 Starlings on the islands, but just after 3pm the birds flew off to the south east and what was probably the same group of eight were later found at Upton Warren.
28th August 2010 - Sunny, cool north westerly
The Garganey was seen early on but became more elusive later. Two Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper and about 80 Lapwings were the only waders to report early on. A good scattering of warblers included at least six Sedge Warblers in the marsh but these too became elusive as the morning wore on.
A few House Martins moved south east at some height during the morning, probably no more than 30 in number, and at least 40 Swallows feeding around Patrick Bridge became very agitated when Sparrowhawks appeared.
In the early afternoon a Ringed Plover flew over calling and what was presumably the same bird re-appeared in the evening together with three Snipe and a Hobby which was chasing about 40 House Martins. The full day counts, courtesy of Graham Rowling, were as follows:
11 Dabchick, five Heron, six Cormorants, ten adult Mute Swans and four cygnets, 359 Greylags, 67 Canadas, 15 Shoveler, 24 Teal, 103 Mallard, 47 Gadwall, 13 Pochard, 21 Tufted, 149 Coot, 12 Moorhen, 301 Lapwing, a Kingfisher on the Railway Pool, 156 Black-headed Gulls and five Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
27th August 2010 - Cool start but sunny, light north easterly. The clouds slowly “peeled back” to reveal a stunning autumn day.
The previous days’ rain caused the Blythe to burst its banks and flood the Railway Pool and also the scrapes. A positive torrent was racing through the scrapes and I am pleased to say that a Green Sandpiper and four Mallard were attracted to them.
21 Goldfinches fed along the river margins and at least 25 each of Swallow and House Martin fed over the ice rink field.
Six to eight Nuthatches, two Treecreepers and two Goldcrest were amongst the more vocal birds in Siden Hill Wood. At the north end of the ammunition dump at least six Whitethroats, a Blackcap and a Chiffchaff joined a family of party of Linnets and at least 40 Starlings flew over from the east, presumably having left a roost nearby.
26 August 2010 - Unrelentingly wet. Cool. North easterly wind.
I am tempted to say that, aside from the drake Garganey and rain, there was nothing else to report. However, this was not quite true in that the Blythe had burst its banks at Patrick bridge, providing ideal conditions for wildfowl. All the Greylags, some Mallard and Gadwall, presumably from the Reserve, were feeding in the margins and at least 40 each of Lapwing and Starling were feeding on the slightly higher ground. Hirundines hawked the water, including a late Sand Martin and overall there were probably 30 House Martins and a few Swallows spread between the floods and the Reserve.
25th August 2010 - Sunny, cool, still start, slowly clouding over from the south west, rain in the afternoon.
The drake Garganey was showing well from Oak Hide where it was preening on the point in front of the hide at 8am. The marsh was lively too - at least six Reed Warblers and a single Sedge Warbler fed near the hide and 15 Goldfinches frequented the thistles by the hide door.
In the Old Road hedges, two Whitethroats, a Chiffchaff, a Reed Warbler, five Reed Buntings, 11 Greenfinches and two Goldfinches were the totals between the Car Park and the Cottages before four House Sparrows flew in from the west and chattered away near the Car Park gates.
Apologies for the interruption in reports and thanks to Paul Johnson for the updates. Here is now a more complete summary of the birds from 9th - 24th August.
24th August 2010
Not a great deal of note in the initially sunny conditions but the westerly wind really increased during the day and it clouded over until the evening. Common Sandpiper, Snipe, Sparrowhawk, 236 Lapwing, six Teal and nine Pochard were the only birds recorded in the log initially but, in increasingly blustery conditions, a Hobby briefly patrolled the central streamline where one or two hirundines were present. A Kingfisher was seen again and at least six Buzzards were riding the wind.
In the afternoon and evening, the drake Garganey showed well, a Hobby appeared again and 40 mixed hirundines fed over the Pools.
23rd August 2010
The drake Garganey was on Car Park Pool today and there was a flock of at least 100 Starlings. About 25 House Martins moved through.
22nd August 2010 - Warm and sunny, light westerly breeze
Snipe, Common Sandpiper and juvenile Water Rail were the birds first noted in the morning. Later on, the eclipse male Garganey was refound on Railway Pool but the second bird could not be located. Hirundines were on the move with a flock of over 100 House Martins feeding over Patrick Farm with small numbers, including a few Sand Martins, moving through over the pools. An adult Common Tern preened on the gravel bar on Railway Pool.
A few Warblers were found including a couple of Blackcaps (Old Road and Railway embankment) two Whitethroats (Old Road), Sedge Warbler (Marsh), Reed Warbler (Old Road, Car Park Pond and Causeway) and at least four Chiffchaffs along the Old Road. Two juvenile Bullfinches and Linnet were also amongst the birds on the Old Road and two Ravens enjoyed the breezy conditions over Siden Hill Wood before drifting off to the west. The warm weather was good enough to encourage out a number of Dragonflies of which at least six Brown Hawkers on the Reedbed pool was notable. Small Whites were in profusion over the two game covers with at least 20 over each.
21st August 2010 - Heavy overnight rain
The two Garganeys remained with one today asleep in front of Car Park Hide and the other asleep in front of Oak Hide. A Treecreeper was amongst a tit flock along the River and Grey Wagtail and Common Sandpiper were other birds of note in the early morning.
The total counts for the day were ten Little Grebes, three Cormorants, five Herons, seven adult Mute Swans and four cygnets, 379 Greylags, 96 Mallard, 77 Gadwall, seven Shoveler, 16 Teal, two Garganey, six Pochard, 30 Tufted, 139 Coot, 19 Moorhen, 232 Lapwing, three Snipe, a Green Sandpiper, a juvenile Water Rail on the Causeway, a Kingfisher on the Reedbed, 28 Black-headed Gulls and a single Common Sandpiper. 300 Starlings was a good count and, in the afternoon, an adult Arctic Tern dropped on to Car Park Pool with the Black-headed Gulls but all were flushed and the Tern did not return. A Hobby at 3.30pm, which may have been the cause of the panic of the other birds, was the first record for August.
20th August 2010 - Heavy showers
Both Garganeys remained and a Common Sandpiper but no other birds of note.
19th August 2010
The Greenshank remained as did the two Garganey which were both together on Car Park Pool.
A Heron was seen to take a full grown Tufted Duck in front of Car Park hide.
25 Swallows and five Sand Martins over Car Park Pool moved south fairly quickly. A Common Tern flew south in the evening and duck numbers of note included 11 Shoveler, 16 Teal, 85 Gadwall and six Pochard. There was also a Common Sandpiper.
18th August 2010
No records of note.
17th August 2010
A Greenshank was a new bird in today whilst both Garganeys remained and Common and Green Sandpiper were also present. A juvenile Water Rail showed from the Causeway screen.
Eight attended the evening work party (many thanks to all those who attended) and achieved the strimming of the Car Park Pool islands, some alder removal and minor opening up of the gaps from the North Causeway screen to enhance viewing from that area.
16th August 2010
Both Garganey remained , two Ravens flew over, a Kingfisher was seen from the Causeway and a Green Sandpiper was also present. Two Water Rails were present on the Causeway.
15th August 2010
Both Garganey remained whilst a count of 57 Canadas was the best so far this year. Later in the day, a Little Egret visited the pools, a Tree Sparrow was seen again along with a couple of Nuthatches and 15 Long-tailed Tits was a reasonably good count.
14th August 2010
The Ruff remained and there now appear to be two Garganeys, one on each of the two main pools. Common and Green Sandpiper continued to linger and pleasing to note, the House Sparrow flock at Patrick Farm totalled 17. 20 House Martins flew over. Other counts achieved despite the heavy showers included nine Little Grebes, nine Mute Swans, three Herons, five Cormorants, a single Canada, 277 Greylags, 40 Gadwall, seven Teal, three Shoveler, 57 Mallard, four Pochard, 42 Tufted and 15 chicks in three broods, 132 Coot, 11 Moorhen, a Snipe, 198 Lapwing, a Tree Sparrow at the Oak Hide feeder (the first for some weeks) and 11 Common Terns.
13th August 2010
Similar birds to yesterday with the Garganey remaining, Common and Green Sandpiper, two Oystercatchers present in the day and in the evening 12 Sand Martins fed along the streamline in the blustery conditions.
12th August 2010 - Heavy rain.
The drake Garganey remained and a Ruff was a pleasant surprise on the Railway Pool this afternoon.
11th August 2010 - Remaining dry for much of the day, with some showers.
The drake Garganey remained and a Wheatear was a new find in the Car Park. Three Ravens went over. Greylags increased to 421 and there were also 21 Canadas together with various mixed race farmyard geese. At least one juvenile Water Rail showed from the Causeway and other waders included three Oystercatchers, a single Common Sandpiper and a lingering juvenile Redshank. Four Swifts, four Swallows and a Sand Martin went through. Teal increased to 15.
10th August 2010 - remaining dry, but dull.
The best bird of the day, and indeed for some time, was an eclipse drake Garganey which showed on Railway Pool and best seen from Railway Hide. Also present in the evening were three Green Sandpipers (one on Railway Pool and two over) a single Common Sandpiper and three Oystercatchers.
9th August 2010 - Occasional sunny intervals, north westerly wind. Late evening and overnight rain.
An adult with two juvenile Water Rails (now well grown) were visible from the north causeway screen and the two juveniles were seen preening each other. Otherwise, there were a number of Reed and Sedge Warblers visible on the causeway as well.
Two Kingfishers were also seen from the Causeway screen. In the evening, the Common Tern count reached an excellent 63, Greylags totalled 391 and Teal had risen to 14. 229 Lapwings was also a good count.
8th August 2010 - Warm north westerly wind.
The Cetti’s Warblers were seen again, although no location was put in the log. Two adults and a juvenile were seen together but otherwise there was little of note on the birding front. Common Blue butterflies have obviously hatched out recently, and at least 20 were counted and both Migrant and Brown Hawker dragonflies were on the wing.
7th August 2010 - Wet start slowly clearing from lunch time onwards south-westerly wind.
The area west of the Reserve was at its liveliest just north of the old ammunition dump, with at least four Chiffchaffs, 12 Goldfinches, eight Linnets and a separate flock of at least 20 Greenfinches. Two Whitethroats and a Blackcap joined loose Tit flocks around the southern end of the wood.
On the Reserve itself, the weekend counts were as follows: ten adult Little Grebes and two chicks, a Cormorant, three adult Mute Swans and four cygnets, 315 Greylags, 21 Canadas, 97 Mallard, 40 Gadwall, three Teal, two Shoveler, a drake Pochard, 14 adult Tufted Ducks and 33 juveniles, ten Moorhen, 109 Coot, 49 Lapwing, an adult and a fledged juvenile Little Ringed Plover, juvenile Redshank, Kingfisher, four Whitethroats (Old Road), a Willow Warbler and two Blackcaps also on the Old Road with another Blackcap on the railway embankment, and finally two adult and three juvenile Buzzards.
6th August 2010 - South westerly, high cloud, light rain from lunch onwards
Although the pools have plenty of birds on them, there was nothing out of the ordinary. However, the crop field / Old Road boundary was again busy with birds. At least four Whitethroats fed around the Car Park feeder with a similar number towards the cottages. At least four Chiffchaffs were also in the hedgeline near the cottages; one bird was in song and another was a recently fledged juvenile. A pair of Bullfinches were also feeding at least one fledged young by the cottages and another pair of Bullfinches flew south along the Old Road from the top gate.
A Garden Warbler fed in the ash tree by the central stream crossing and at least six Reed Warblers were present in the same area. An adult Water Rail showed briefly and called continuously from the Causeway.
A Tree Pipit called as it flew over the central streamline.
5th August 2010 - Strong north westerly wind, cool. Occasional sunny intervals
The combination of an adult and juvenile Buzzard flying around the Reserve and a strong wind kept many of the small birds well hidden but a smart juvenile Willow Warbler showed well with the many Reed Warblers on the causeway where there was also one of two family party of Wrens (the other was by the cottages).
A vocal Green Sandpiper, a juvenile Redshank and plenty of Lapwings were the only waders. Other birds of note included a juvenile Kestrel by Railway hide and a juvenile Bullfinch by the cottages.
In the evening a juvenile Little Ringed Plover appeared but I fear that the half grown chick on Car Park Pool has been predated as there has been no sign since mid-morning on Wednesday. As usually happens, the adult depart immediately that happens and there has been no sign of the adult since then either.
Greylags increased again to 381, the Water Rail juvenile was seen by the Causeway screen again, two juvenile Cettis Warblers showed briefly (but regrettably I had no location) and a Swift drifted south in the evening. A Vixen and a well grown cub showed again this evening and both have been visible in the early mornings between Oak and Railway Hide.
4th August 2010 - Rain mid morning, thereafter occasionally sunny intervals, north westerly wind
What was presumably the same Peregrine (probably a female) as two days ago, came in from the east, mobbed by Terns, before quickly departing in the same direction.
The rain failed to bring in any new waders, but the crop field was lively. Birds included a Lesser Whitethroat (frequenting the large elder on the east bank against the Old Road hedge), four Whitethroats, six Goldfinches, four each of Linnet and Reed Bunting and a Chiffchaff.
Waterfowl counts included 320 Greylags, eight Canadas, various farmyard geese, three each of Shoveler and Teal, still two Little Grebe chicks and a Pochard.
3rd August 2010 - Mostly overcast, light north westerly, cooler
There was a distinctly autumnal feel this morning with a noticeably cooler wind. The Blackbirds and Song Thrushes were beginning to search out the ripening Rowan berries. Both the crab apples and guelder berries are ripening rapidly.
142 Lapwings was the best summer count so far and other waders included the adult Little Ringed Plover and chick and a Green Sandpiper. Two Teal were new in and at least three of yesterday’s four Shovelers were still present.
Pairs of Bullfinches were vocal and active both on the Old Road and on the Railway embankment and Treecreepers were much more obvious than of late with calling birds on the Old Road, central streamline and south west pond. Roving Tit flocks were present in a number of places on the Reserve but birds were extremely difficult to see and may be because of the recent presence of marauding Sparrowhawks.
Whether there was an influx of Great Spotted Woodpeckers or not, I do not know, but there were at least five around this morning and possibly coincidentally, I noticed that there had been migrants at both Bardsey and at Portland in the last few days.
In the evening, an adult Yellow-legged Gull flew over, a Snipe put in a brief appearance and Terns again totalled at least 40.
2nd August 2010 - Light north westerly
Two Shovelers were new in this morning (Car Park Pool) and a Lesser Whitethroat showed well in the hedge by the screen near the Car Park gates but otherwise it seemed quiet.
In the afternoon and early evening, Shoveler numbers doubled to four, roosting Terns totalled 41. A Peregrine landed on the islands in front of Car Park Pool before flying off.
Other birds of note included two juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, a Green Sandpiper and 151 Greylags.
1st August 2010 - Overcast, light north westerly
Waders were similar to yesterday - two Ringed Plovers, one juvenile Little Ringed Plover, two Common Sandpipers, one Green Sandpiper, two Oystercatchers, two juvenile Redshanks and 50+ Lapwing. A Kingfisher flew down river.
On the Concrete Road a small Tit flock included two Whitethroats, two bright juvenile Willow Warblers (one of which sang in a subdued way) and Treecreeper.
Thanks to Chris Laight for cutting some of the banks.
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