July to December 2008
Birdwatching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January to June 2008 sightings
Total of 148 species recorded at the
site in 2008 (see Latest
Site Species List for details).
With my personal total for the site in 2008 at 137 species.
Wednesday 31/12/08 – A bitterly cold afternoon (-2 degrees C) forced 3 Pochard (2 adult males) onto the tidal reservoir (first record since December 2002). There were 9 Golden Plover with the Lapwing on Lagoon 1. The flock of 54 Canada Goose were still in the fields by the yacht club. Also: 2 Ringed Plover, 6 Oystercatcher and 4 Stonechat.
Pochard, Tidal Reservoir, 31/12/08.
Views downriver and of Lagoon 1, 31/12/08.
Tuesday 30/12/08 – The annual stroll with AM/MP produced: 3 Yellowhammer, 2 Mistle Thrush, 20 Snipe, 14 Shoveler, 68 Canada Goose, 1 Peregrine, c500 Dunlin, 100+ Herring Gull and c40 Lesser Black-backed Gull (heading low upriver). (A good total of 56 species.)
Monday 29/12/08 – MP reported: 203 Wigeon and c300 Common Gull roosting on tidal reservoir, with many 1,000’s of Gull sp on river.
Saturday 27/12/08 – A Treecreeper and a Stonechat reported.
Wednesday 24/12/08 – A Treecreeper along the bridleway to the shore.
Tuesday 23/12/08 – MP reported: 8 Shoveler, 3 Tufted Duck, 70 Curlew, c2,000 Dunlin, c1,000 Lapwing, 200 Fieldfare and 4 Snipe.
Monday 22/12/08 – AM reported: 8 Stonechat, 2 Raven, 240 Teal, 183 Wigeon, 14 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 60 Mallard, 44 Curlew, 250 Dunlin, 320 Lapwing and 4 Oystercatcher.
Saturday 20/12/08 – Lots of birds and species (55 seen) today, but nothing out the ordinary. A pair of Tufted Duck on the pond. Totals of c550 Lapwing and c450 Dunlin from Shepperdine to the yacht club, where 57 Canada Goose and 2 Oystercatcher. The Peregrine pair flying around the towers in the wind. Flocks of 37 Stock Dove, c50 Linnet and c50 Chaffinch on the seeds of lagoon 3. At Shepperdine, c120 Wigeon and c150 Teal.
[A dog-walker reported, what sounds a good description of, a male Hen Harrier – flushed from the long grass on lagoon 2, about 3 weeks ago.]
Sunday 14/12/08 – An eclipse male Tufted Duck on the pond (first since 23rd July), and a Siskin over.
AM reported c6,000 Gull sp, most thought to be Black-headed Gull at dusk on tidal reservoir.
Buzzard, 14/12/08.
Saturday 13/12/08 – A family party of 5 Bewick’s Swan flew low overhead and upriver at 2:50pm, calling sofly “whu,whu,whu” (2 adult & 3 juveniles). The fields towards the yacht club held 56 Canada Goose, c400 Lapwing and 14 Skylark. Also: 2 Stonechat and 17 Shoveler.
MP reported: 2 Yellowhammer, 2 Mistle Thrush and 1 Golden Plover.
Tuesday 9/12/08 – A Black Redstart again, this time on the jetty. And a Spotted Redshank on lagoon 1.
Monday 8/12/08 – A Merlin again, flew from lagoon 1 all the way downriver to lagoon 3. 10 Black-tailed Godwit on lagoon 1.
Sunday 7/12/08 – The ponds and lagoons completely frozen this morning, and freezing fog with bright sun giving a magical feeling to the estuary. A (juv/fem) Merlin again; this time it perched briefly in the small wood towards the yacht club, before streaking off over the fields. A Golden Plover amongst the Lapwing in the corn-stubble field by the yacht club. There is a good flock of birds building on the weeds of lagoon 3: c25 Skylark, c50 Chaffinch, 2 Reed Bunting and c10 Linnet.
Saturday 6/12/08 – A Treecreeper with a tit flock by lagoon 2. Also 4 Raven at Shepperdine and 5 Stonechat.
AM watched a Marsh Harrier fly over the river being mobbed by gulls, and carry on over lagoon 3 and on towards the south. (This is the latest S. Gloucs. record by 21 days – thanks, MH.) Also: c800 Dunlin, 425 Lapwing, 23 Redshank, 51 Curlew, 137 Wigeon, 3 Snipe and 2 Mute Swan.
And a Chiffchaff was reported.
Friday 5/12/08 – A male and a female Merlin in an aerial duel over the shore by lagoon 3, with plenty of calling between them. And later, a male Peregrine unsuccessfully attacked a lone Dunlin over the river. Also: 1 Grey Wagtail and 3 Stonechat.
Sunday 30/11/08 – A Knot and 3 Oystercatcher with the c1,000 Dunlin along the shore, and a flock of 73 Canada Goose on the salt-marsh at the yacht club.
SK and the BOC reported the Black Redstart.
Saturday 29/11/08 – Some cracking views of a juvenile Merlin this morning. First seen along shore by lagoon 3, and then later sat on a fence-post at Shepperdine, where it then attacked the c500 Dunlin there. Also: 3 Stonechat, 10 Shoveler and c200 Lapwing.
SK reported the Black Redstart again along the shore.
Saturday 22/11/08 – The Black Redstart was at the Water Works again, on the fence by Lagoon 2, but mobile. Along the shore towards the yacht club there was a flock of 64 Canada Goose on the mudflats, and a Bar-tailed Godwit with them. In the hedge there, were 2 male Yellowhammer.
Black Redstart, probably 1st-winter male (with light tertial panel), Water Works/Lagoon 2, 22/11/08.
Friday 21/11/08 – MB reported: Black Redstart still (by the parked Fire Engine).
Sunday 16/11/08 – A Little Owl, 3 Stonechat and 6 Great Black-Backed Gull were the only birds of note.
MP reported a Black Redstart (possibly juvenile male) at the Water Works.
Saturday 15/11/08 – A male and a ‘red-head’ Red-breasted Merganser flew over Lagoon 3 and down the river. While scanning for them, a female/juv Merlin was spotted out over the water, heading for the yacht club where it put-up c400 Lapwing and c300 Dunlin. Also: a Mistle Thrush (lagoon 1), 2 Little Egret, 2 Stonechat, 3 Ringed Plover, c50 Redshank, 300+ Fieldfare and c200 Redwing.
MP reported a Greenshank on lagoon 3 and a Rock Pipit.
AM reported (WeBS count): 2 Water Rail, 5 Snipe, 200 Wigeon, 107 Teal, 220 Mallard, 14 Shelduck, 11 Shoveler, 477 Dunlin, 149 Curlew, 450 Lapwing and 28 Common Gull.
Saturday 8/11/08 – The Spotted Redshank on Lagoon 1.
AM reported: 11 Knot, 1 Little Egret, c320 Dunlin, 215 Lapwing, 215 Wigeon, 105 Teal, 90 Curlew, 37 Shelduck and 35 Redshank.
MP reported: 56 Black-tailed Godwit and 5 Grey Plover.
Tuesday 4/11/08 – A Greenshank landed in front of the hide, on Lagoon 3, at 11am. Chaffinch were heading E/NE in even higher numbers today with 800+ counted in 3 hours. Also: 2 Little Egret, 1 Chiffchaff and 13 Snipe.
Greenshank, Lagoon 3, 4/11/08.
Monday 3/11/08 – 6 Greylag Goose highish over to East this morning. Also 1+ Redpoll on tall weeds in NE corner of Lagoon 2. Chaffinch still moving through to NE with c200 estimated. Good selection of waders: 1 Spotted Redshank (Lagoon 1), 2 Knot, c60 Black-tailed Godwit, c500 Dunlin, c250 Lapwing and 25+ Redshank.
[A dog-walker reported a Short-eared Owl on Lagoon 2, “2 weeks ago”.]
HT Roost containing Gulls, Lapwing, Wigeon, Teal and other ducks and waders, Lagoon 1, 3/11/08.
Saturday 1/11/08 – I watched a Merlin for 10 minutes this morning, as it flew from the shore past the yacht club out over the river, heading NE into the wind and gradually gaining height. It then headed over to the far shore. Not such a big migration this morning, but the following seen over to NE from 7:30 – 8am: c175 Starling, c160 Woodpigeon, 60 Chaffinch, 32 Fieldfare, 20 Redwing (+ 100 in bushes) and 1 Skylark. The high-tide roost on Lagoon 1 had: c60 Black-tailed Godwit, c430 Dunlin, 3 Snipe and 5 Shoveler. Also: 1 Siskin (over), another c50 Dunlin, 10 Shelduck, 3 Raven and 2 Stonechat.
WK reported: 13 Pintail downriver, 11 Shoveler, 131 Black-headed Gull on lagoon 1 and flocks of 300+ & 400+ Redwing.
Friday 31/10/08 – Fantastic visible migration this morning: c3,000 Starling, c3,000 Redwing, c500 Fieldfare, c300 Chaffinch, 16 Skylark, 12 Siskin, c20 Jackdaw, c10 Rook and 1 Blackbird. All heading NE, into wind. (Why would they want to go in that direction ?!) Not classic weather, either; little cloud and sunny. But they were still moving at 10:30am. Lagoon 1 had 57 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Snipe and a Knot. A Rock Pipit was on the jetty, with 2 Stonechat nearby (and another 2 on Lagoon 2). A probable female/juvenile Goldeneye flew upriver.
Redwings,31/10/08.
Tuesday 28/10/08 – The single Spotted Redshank and Knot plus the Black-tailed Godwit flock were on Lagoon 1 again. A definite influx of Blackbird overnight with c30 counted, many thin-looking and gulping Haws from the bushes. Also: 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Stonechat, c90 Dunlin and 40+ Redshank.
Sunday 26/10/08 – A Red-breasted Merganser was on the tidal reservoir. A large flock of 72 Canada Goose were grazing on the salt-marsh by the yacht club, and 9 Grey Plover there on the shore. Lagoon 1 had: 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Knot, 56 Black-tailed Godwit, c20 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 12 Shoveler, 1 Little Egret and a Fox. Also 2 Stonechat.
Red-breasted Merganser, Tidal Reservoir, 26/10/08.
Saturday 25/10/08 – 11 Bullfinch were at the south end of Lagoon 2 this morning. Other migrants over: c30 Redwing, c50 Chaffinch, c20 Greenfinch, c100 Starling and movements of Woodpigeon. The 60 Black-tailed Godwit and 174 Teal were at Shepperdine. Also 2+ Stonechat and 15 Snipe on lagoon 1.
Thursday 23/10/08 – A male Merlin zoomed along the shore by lagoon 3, heading downriver into strong wind. The Spotted Redshank on lagoon 1 again.
Sunday 19/10/08 – Even more birds seen migrating to SW this morning: 300+ Redwing, c250 Starling, 60+Fieldfare, 1 Mistle Thrush, c100 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch and 3 Yellowhammer. Waders pretty much same as yesterday, but Spot. Redshank not seen and 5 Grey Plover at the yacht club. Also 1 Blackcap eating sloes.
Saturday 18/10/08 – Potentially excellent weather conditions for visible migration this morning (low cloud and light drizzle following a clear night), didn’t disappoint: 250+ Redwing, 11 Fieldfare, 1 Mistle Thrush, c20 Song Thrush, 3 Siskin, 1 Redpoll, 3 Skylark, c50 Chaffinch and c10 Greenfinch over, most heading SW into wind. A late Swallow was at the south end of lagoon 1, where also: 1 Spotted Redshank, c30 Redshank, c80 Dunlin and 50+ Black-tailed Godwit. Lagoon 3 had c150 Lapwing. Also: 5 Stonechat (lagoons 2 & 3) and 1 Peregrine.
MP also reported: 86 Starling, 92 Chaffinch, 7 Meadow Pipit, 1 Mistle Thrush (back of field to N of lagoon 1), 21 Woodpigeon, 2 Rock Pipit (sluice to lagoon 3) and 1 Collared Dove on stone bank near lagoon 1.
AM also reported: 25 Shoveler, 57 Canada Goose and 1 Little Egret.
Spotted Redshank, Lagoon 1, 18/10/08.
Sunday 12/10/08
– The mist this morning caused a ‘fall’ of thrushes again
with 15+ Song Thrush and 10+ Blackbird along the main
Saturday 11/10/08
– Waders at Shepperdine approaching High Tide: 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Grey
Plover, c50 Black-tailed Godwit,
4 Dunlin and c70 Lapwing. There were 6 Snipe on lagoon 1. Also, 2 Stonechat at Shepperdine and another 3+
on lagoon 2 (reported by AM). The first Redwing
of the autumn was along the main
Curlew Sandpiper at Shepperdine, and a Mystery Bird sat on the water of the Tidal Reservoir (click Link to reveal what !), 11/10/08.
Friday 10/10/08 – MP reported, in evening: 64 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 11 Redshank, 6 Snipe, 8 Shoveler (all on lagoon 1), 3+ Stonechat (lagoon 2), 59 Lapwing, 5 Ringed Plover (lagoon 3).
Thursday 9/10/08 – MP reported: 67 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Knot, 1 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 12 Grey Plover, 48 Dunlin, 8 Ringed Plover, 16 Curlew, 44 Redshank, c70 Lapwing, 75 Turnstone, 4 Snipe (lagoon 1), 1 Little Egret (not even a hint of blue !!), 17 Shoveler, c150 Teal, 42 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 2 Stonechat, 2 Raven and c100 Pied Wagtail.
Wednesday 8/10/08 – A glorious sunny day! A Kingfisher flashed along the main rhine; 3 Rock Pipit on the shore (2 on reservoir wall and one at Shepperdine); a Little Grebe was in the pools by the tidal reservoir just off lagoon 3; and, an unusual sight of 4 Rook with Crows on the shore. A lot of waders about today: 11 Grey Plover, 150+ Redshank (inc. a flock of 144 towards yacht club), 66 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Egret, 6 Snipe, c50 Lapwing, 6 Ringed Plover and 40+ Dunlin. The Treecreeper was along the track to the hide. Also 9 Skylark, 4 Stonechat and 50+ Stock Dove (flying to SE of lagoon 2).
[60 species seen
today. Rock Pipit was my 130th species at the site this year. 142 species seen
by all-comers at the site this year.]
Tuesday 7/10/08 – On lagoon 1 at high tide: 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, c60 Black-tailed Godwit, c10 Redshank, 1 Knot, c200 Starling, 2 Mute Swan, 155 Teal, 8 Shoveler, c20 Lapwing, c40 Wigeon and 10+ House Martin.
Also: 1 Oystercatcher, 3 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin and 2 Siskin heading downriver.
Adult Knot (on left) and juvenile Curlew Sandpiper at back of right-hand photo (but on the move), 7/10/08.
Sunday 5/10/08 – 2 adult winter Mediterranean Gull on Lagoon 3 this morning. There appeared to have been a passage of thrushes overnight, with c10 each of Song Thrush and Blackbird on lagoon 1, and also 5 Robin there. The number of Goldcrest has also increased in the last week with c10 counted on-site today. The 59 Black-tailed Godwit on lagoon 1 were joined by a Curlew Sandpiper, 23 Turnstone and c15 Dunlin at high tide. Flying over were: 10+ House Martin, 20 Canada Goose and a few Chaffinch. Also: 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Plover and c20 Redshank.
MP reported: The Treecreeper
along the main
Adult winter Med. Gull, 5/10/08.
Saturday 4/10/08 – Heading downriver into the wind were 6+ House Martin and 7+ Swallow, which are quite late. The large flock of 62 Black-tailed Godwit were at Shepperdine again, plus 1 Grey Plover and 70 Turnstone there. Also 2 Raven on a sheep carcass in a field there. A Treecreeper was with a tit flock along the bridleway to the shore (same place I found one on 6/10/07 !). A pair of Mute Swan are on Lagoon 1 (having been absent from the site since May. Only 3 Ringed Plover and 2 Dunlin.
AM also reported: 2 Pintail and 1 Little Egret.
MP also reported: 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and 1 Stonechat.
Wednesday 1/10/08 – A wintery NW wind this evening. Lagoon 1 had a Pintail, 9 Shoveler, 1 Snipe and 65 Black-tailed Godwit.
Sunday 28/9/08 – PD reported: 1 Wheatear, 1+ Water Rail (heard, lagoon 2) and 1 Green Woodpecker.
Saturday 27/9/08 – AM reported: 1 Wheatear (probably of ‘Greenland’ race), 65 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Shoveler, 6 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, 4 Snipe, 82 Teal, 115 Wigeon, 1 Little Egret, 63 Lapwing, 2 Raven, 40 Turnstone, 50 Meadow Pipit, 20 Stock Dove and 5 Jay.
Friday 26/9/08
– On the shore this morning were: 1 Greenshank,
1 Knot, 4 Grey Plover, 71 Black-tailed
Godwit, 2 Snipe (plus one on
lagoon 3), c40 Redshank, c10 Dunlin, c80 Wigeon and 51
Thursday 25/9/08 – MP reported: 2 Snipe, 76 Canada Goose, 60 Black-tailed Godwit, 54 Lapwing, 15 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover and 15 Shoveler.
Sunday 21/9/08 – A Kingfisher flew past the hide and then around the reeds on lagoon 3 several times (where water being pumped in). There were 2 Stonechat towards the yacht club, with another (juv) on lagoon 2. A good flock of 34 Black-tailed Godwit at Shepperdine, but just 26 Dunlin, 16 Ringed Plover and 8 Redshank at high tide. Still c500 House Martin gathering around the cooling towers.
MP also reported 2 Little Stint at Shepperdine with a flock of small waders and 2 Snipe.
Juvenile Ringed Plover. (Photo by MP) (21/9/08).
Saturday 20/9/08 – A few migrants over this morning: 19 Greenfinch, 1 Skylark, 8 Meadow Pipit and a Siskin. 3 juvenile Grey Wagtail briefly landed by lagoon 2. A flock of c60 Redshank were along the shore to the yacht club. A flock of 56 Canada Goose flew downriver. Also: 1 Wheatear, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap and c35 Lapwing on the flooded lagoon 3. Butterflies seen: Small Copper, Comma and Red Admiral.
The female Peregrine carried a large kill (later seen to be a Racing Pigeon with a blue leg-ring) to a pylon, followed by the male. The female ate her fill, before handing over the carcass to the male. They also dive-bombed a Buzzard flying past beneath them.
AM reported a Redstart on lagoon 2, a total of 79 Canada Goose and c700 House Martin around the cooling towers.
The Peregrines squabble over a kill.(20/9/08).
Friday 19/9/08 – 30 Black-tailed Godwit and a Little Egret on the shore by lagoon 1 this evening. (Water being pumped into lagoon 3.)
Wednesday 17/9/08 – On the shore by Lagoon 1, this evening: a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 254 Curlew, 12 Ringed Plover and 11 Dunlin. 133 Teal were on Lagoon 1. The first 2 Water Rail of the autumn ‘squealed’ from the reeds on lagoon 2. A flock of c500 House Martin were gathering around the cooling towers, and a similar sized flock was hunting high over the fields to SW. A Green Sandpiper was heard by the outlet to lagoon 3.
House Martins perched on the power station.(17/9/08).
Sunday 14/9/08 – MP reported, in evening: a juvenile Little Stint, 2 Knot, a Siskin, 29 Wigeon, 77 Teal, 1 Common Sandpiper, 18 Lapwing and 212 Mallard.
Saturday 13/9/08 – An adult Little Grebe on lagoon 1; plus 120+ Teal and 5 Shoveler there. A flock of c60 House Martin gathered on and around the cooling towers and c20 more headed SW. Lagoon 2 had 1+ Whinchat and a Whitethroat. A large High Tide roost of 324 Curlew at the yacht club. Also: 5 Ringed Plover, 41 Redshank, 1 Little Egret and 14 Lapwing.
Little Grebe (lagoon 1) and Whinchat (lagoon 2). (13/9/08).
Friday 12/9/08 – This evening a site-record flock of 75 Canada Goose noisily flew upriver and settled briefly on the water at Shepperdine, before most headed further upriver. The only small waders were 2 Common Sandpiper and 2 Turnstone (one juvenile). 3 Wheatear along the shore.
Earlier MP also reported: 5 Shoveler, 55 Teal, 1 Little Egret, 10 Lapwing and 10 Ringed Plover.
Sunday 7/9/08 – Another first for the site this morning; a cracking Firecrest in the hedge along the bridleway from the entrance to the shore, by the large oak tree (halfway along), and still there at 12:30pm. There were 55 Canada Goose on lagoon 1 (MP count) and 3 Wheatear still. Also a flock of 14 Cormorant downriver (and another 6 seen).
Saturday 6/9/08
– AM had a spectacular morning. At c10:30am he watched a Spoonbill flying across and up river,
circle a few times and land into lagoon 3. It stayed for 5 minutes, but was
extremely flighty, and despite being with 2 Little Egret on the ground, left and headed downriver (relocated at
At 10am a flock of 55 Knot flew high upriver, circled around Shepperdine for 10 minutes and then flew low back down river. The birds were in various states of moult, with some having quite a lot of red, but others all grey. (This is the third largest flock ever to be seen at the site; largest being 63 and 80, in 1994.) There were another 2 Knot on lagoon 1, with 81 Black-tailed Godwit and 97 Teal. A Tree Pipt was on lagoon 2. c10 Blackbird (mainly juveniles), 5 Song Thrush and 3 Blackcap in the hedge of lagoon 1. Also 3 Wheatear, 2 Grey Wagtail and a c30 Swallow.
(That’s 140 species at the site this year.)
Friday 5/9/08 – Zero small waders this evening. 95 Teal, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Lapwing and 4 Redshank on a very full lagoon 1. Also, 6 Song Thrush and 4 Blackbird on lagoon 1, which were probably migrants. 3 Wheatear on the shore. Mixed flocks of c60 House Martin and c50 Swallow.
Thursday 4/9/08 – MP reported, in evening on lagoon 1: 1 Greenshank, 1 drake Gadwall, 93 Teal, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Redshank, 25+ Canada Goose (flew on at dusk) and 6 Lapwing. Also, 284 Curlew with 2+ Whimbrel in pre-roost gathering on shore near lagoon 1, then onto lagoon 1 when nearly dark. Plus 13 Black-tailed Godwit on shore, 20 Dunlin, 15 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Owl and 1 Wheatear.
Wednesday 3/9/08 – Stormy winds and rain blowing up the channel this evening left an exhausted juvenile Shag on the shore by the jetty at dusk. It struggled back in the water when I approached along the path and disappeared round the end of the jetty. Some good waders around as well, with juveniles of Curlew Sandpiper and Sanderling. Also, lagoon 1 held a good count of 23 Black-tailed Godwit, with 2 Turnstone (unusual here) and 5 Wigeon. A juvenile Moorhen was away from permanent water along the bridleway from the entrance to the shore. Plus a Wheatear.
Monday 1/9/08 – MP reported: 1 Grey Plover, 1 Sanderling, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit (lagoon 1), 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Little Egret, c100 Ringed Plover, c120 Dunlin, 27+ Turnstone, 3 Redshank, c30 Curlew (lagoon 1), 14 Teal, 1 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail (over) and quite a few Swallow moving SW early morning.
AM reported: 100 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Sanderling and a Tree Pipit (lagoon 2).
Grey Plover starting to moult out of summer plumage (Photo by MP). (1/9/08).
High Tide roost on lagoon 1 from 31/8/08 (Photo by MP).
Here is a report of
my recent trip to The Camargue, south France
Sunday 31/8/08 – MP reported, this evening: 143 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Knot, 1 Redshank, 12 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 6 Lapwing, 5 Grey Heron. Also: 10 Cormorant roosting, 1 Wheatear and the Peregrine pair on the cooling tower.
This morning, a Lesser Whitethroat was ‘tac’ing from bushes along the road. A Willow Warbler and c10 Chiffchaff were about (with latter singing).
Saturday 30/8/08 – This evening, a Redstart in the Buckthorn bush at the river end of Lagoon 1, and a Whinchat and 2 Whitethroat on lagoon 2. Along the shore were 11 Black-tailed Godwit, 40 Redshank, 5 Common Sandpiper, 4 Wheatear, 1 Little Egret and a flock of c150 Ringed Plover and Dunlin. A flock of c300 Swallow headed downriver at dusk.
MP reported, this morning: a Kingfisher along the shore at high tide, c15 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Sandpiper, c40 Ringed Plover, c20 Dunlin and 6 Grey Heron.
WK also reported: 2 Blackcap and 60+ House Martin over the lake.
Wednesday 27/8/08 – AM reported: 2 Knot, 37 Dunlin, 64 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Egret, 1 Wheatear and a Peregrine retrieving a dead Redshank from a cache on the cooling tower.
Saturday 23/8/08 – 12 Black-tailed Godwit and a Knot at Shepperdine. The high tide roost on lagoon 3 had 68 Ringed Plover and c50 Dunlin. Around 100 House Martin were gathering on the cooling tower and c80 Goldfinch were on weeds. Also: 2 Sanderling (in flight, downriver), 1 Whinchat (lagoon 2), 2 Wheatear, 5 Whitethroat, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Oystercatcher, 16+ Turnstone (on ‘ledges’ buoy), 9 Redshank and a singing Chiffchaff.
Black-tailed Godwit (Shepperdine). (23/8/08).
Friday 22/8/08
– This evening there were 4 Whinchat
and 3 Whitethroat on lagoon 2, in
the SUN ! Along the shore were 2 Wheatear,
1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Oystercatcher, 7 Ringed Plover and 1 Dunlin.
On lagoon 1 there were 7 Lapwing and
3 Teal.
Thursday 21/8/08 - MP reported, on falling tide this afternoon: 10 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 23 Canada Goose, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Whimbrel, 13 Curlew, 3 Common Sandpiper, 7 Lapwing, 2 Yellow Wagtail (feeding on lagoon 1 around cattle), 14 Redshank, 3 Little Egret, 2 Raven and only 2 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plover.
Wednesday 20/8/08 – 1 Little Egret and 6 Common Sandpiper on the shore this evening. Also 10 Canada Goose and 2 Teal on lagoon 1, and 150+ Swallow.
MP reported: 2 Little Tern downriver at 8am, 3 Sanderling (downriver at high tide), 1 Whinchat (lagoon 2), 1 Little Egret, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 42 Dunlin (lagoon 3), 71 Ringed Plover (lagoon 3), 1 Whimbrel, 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 13 Teal, 63 Mallard, 1 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher, a House Sparrow and lots of warblers about including many bright juvenile Willow Warbler.
Tuesday 19/8/08 – MP reported: an eclipse male and a female Garganey (lagoon 1), 1 Whimbrel, 1 Wheatear, 42 Ringed Plover, 37 Dunlin, 5 Common Sandpiper, 1 Tree Pipit (over) and a Teal.
Sunday 17/8/08 – This evening, 2 Little Egret and 4 Common Sandpiper.
This morning, MP reported: 40 ‘Commic’ Tern and 1+ Black
Tern downriver at c10:30am. Also the Redstart
again and 7 Common Sandpiper.
Saturday 16/8/08 – A good variety of autumn birds; matching the weather ! 1 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Tree Pipit over to SW (latter may be going onto lagoon 2), 2 Wheatear on lagoon 2 and 2 Knot on lagoon 1. The Redstart was again on the lagoon 1 fence (viewable from lagoon 2). Also: 26 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpiper and c10 Ringed Plover on lagoon 3. Best sighting was a huge Red Underwing moth, 2 inches long, flying down the shore.
RS reported a Whimbrel on lagoon 1.
Wheatear(lagoon 2) and Knot (lagoon 1). (16/8/08).
Red Underwing moth on the shore. (16/8/08).
Friday 15/8/08 – A Hobby was over the farm to south of lagoon 2. A Redstart was on the same fence as on 8th, so assume same bird. The family of 4 Canada Goose moved to lagoon 1, with the young probably taking their first flight to get there. A juvenile female Peregrine flew low over my head and then half-heartedly attempted to attack a Mallard , then a Black-headed Gull. Also: a Yellow Wagtail over, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat and 3 Blackcap.
AM reported: 86 Ringed Plover, 38 Dunlin, the Peregrine pair flying to a pylon with a kill, 2 juvenile Sparrowhawk and a Wheatear.
Tuesday 12/8/08 – A mixed flock of waders at Shepperdine had: 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel, 77 Ringed Plover and c40 Dunlin. There were c25 Canada Goose at the yacht club and the family of 4 still on the lake.
MP/AM reported: 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Green Woodpecker and 2 Oystercatcher.
Saturday 9/8/08 – At Shepperdine this morning were: 34 Ringed Plover, 18 Dunlin and 4 Oystercatcher. 12 Canada Goose on the lake and nearby the female Sparrowhawk brought in a kill for the two noisy juveniles.
Friday 8/8/08 – A juvenile Redstart was on the fence in the middle of lagoon 1. Lagoon 3 had 43 Ringed Plover and 43 Dunlin roosting on it at high tide, as well as lots of gulls. A Willow Warbler was by the reeds on lagoon 2. There were 14 Canada Goose on the lake, with a further 10 at the yacht club. A family of Sparrowhawk were very vocal in trees by the hide.
AM also reported: 1 Common Sandpiper, a family party of 7 Raven and 21 Whimbrel.
Redstart, lagoon 1. (8/8/08).
Wednesday 6/8/08 – 1 Green Sandpiper and 10 Lapwing on lagoon 1, 3 Raven, 5 Redshank,
Sunday 3/8/08 – At high tide, Lagoon 3 held: 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin and c300 Black-headed Gull. There were 6+ Turnstone roosting on the ‘Ledges’ buoy, 2 Common Sandpiper at Shepperdine, an adult Reed Warbler feeding a young fledgling and c90 Mallard.
AM reported: 8 Common Sandpiper, a female Tufted Duck with 12 ducklings on the lake, 20 Redshank, 2 juvenile Sparrowhawk.
Large Yellow Underwing moth in the hide. (3/8/08).
Thursday 31/7/08 – MP reported: 7 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Lapwing, 1 Whimbrel, 7 Canada Goose, c400 Black-headed Gull, 5 Common Gull and the Peregrine pair.
Wednesday 30/7/08 – MP reported: 1 juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 1 Green Sandpiper (juvenile), 3 Common Sandpiper, 8 Lapwing, c400 Black-headed Gull, 9 Common Gull (7ad, 1 2nd sum, 1 juv).
Tuesday 29/7/08 – MP reported: 33 Pied Wagtail (inc. 25+ juvenile), 7 Stock Dove, 9 Lapwing, 1 Little Ringed Plover (juvenile on lagoon 1), 1 Wheatear (juvenile), 2 Redshank, Peregrine pair, 61 Mallard, 2 Common Gull, c.550 Black-headed Gull and 2 Fox.
Sunday 27/7/08
– MP reported: 1 Spotted
Flycatcher, 1 juvenile Sedge Warbler,
8+ juvenile
Saturday 26/7/08 – AM reported: 8 Lapwing (lagoon 1), 6 Stock Dove, a family of Bullfinch and Reed Warbler very active with estimated 30 pairs.
Friday 25/7/08 – This evening, lagoon 1 held: 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 9 Lapwing, 1 Grey Wagtail and 5 Stock Dove. A female Mallard was with 9 small ducklings on the shore.
Wednesday 23/7/08 – A Greenshank and a Lapwing on lagoon 1, c200 Swallow going to roost in the reeds on lagoon 2 and c300 Curlew on mudflats.
Sunday 20/7/08 – A male Teal was a surprise, moulting in reeds on the lake.
MP reported: 4 Dunlin, 6 Great Black-backed Gull, c700 Black-headed Gull, 6 adult Common Gull, c150 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin and 2 Peregrine.
Saturday 19/7/08 – What looked to be the same Yellow-legged Gull as MP reported, on lagoon 1 this morning; it appears to be a 3rd year moulting to adult (or a ‘worn’ adult moulting). Large high tide gull roosts on lagoons 1 and 3, and after the latter dispersed, an adult and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull were left.
AM reported: a Grey Wagtail at the water works (possibly carrying food) and 15+ House Martin.
(Total of 130 species seen at the site so far this year.)
Yellow-legged Gull, lagoon 1. (19/7/08).
Friday 18/7/08 – A Sedge Warbler singing on lagoon 2. Another large gull roost at evening High Tide, including 3 Great Black-backed Gull (2 x 3rd yr and a adult). Also 5 Jay and 3 Fox seen.
Earlier, SK reported: 1 Little Egret and 3 Green Woodpecker.
Thursday 17/7/08 – MP reported a 3rd year Yellow-legged Gull and a Mediterranean Gull on lagoon 3 in the evening, with c900 Black-headed Gull.
Yellow-legged Gull, lagoon 3. (17/7/08). (Photo by MP)
Wednesday 16/7/08 – A Mediterranean Gull moulting from summer plumage (thought different to yesterday’s bird) with the c800 Black-headed Gull on lagoon 3 in evening roost, another c200 Black-headed Gull on lagoon 1.
Tuesday 15/7/08 – MP reported: 1 Mediterranean Gull beginning to moult from summer plumage with the c600 Black-headed Gull (inc. 11 juveniles) and 2 Common Gull on lagoon 3 in evening roost. Also: 2 Redshank and 2 Peregrine.
Sunday 13/7/08 – 2 possible ‘Islandica’ Black-tailed Godwit, a Whimbrel and a Little Egret on lagoon 1. 5 Common Sandpiper, 5 Redshank and 2 Oystercatcher on the shore. c450 Black-headed Gull on lagoon 3 and c100 on lagoon 1. The last Buzzard juvenile has fledged the nest. Also a Grey Wagtail on lagoon 2.
Saturday 12/7/08 – Pretty much same again. The possible ‘Islandica’ Black-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel on lagoon 1; and an adult Mediterranean Gull in summer plumage with the Black-headed Gull flock on lagoon 3. Two of the Buzzard juveniles have left the nest, leaving one remaining. A small juvenile Coot was on the lake. Also a Sedge Warbler and a male Emperor Dragonfly.
MP also reported 2 Mediterranean Gull and 4 Common Sandpiper this morning.
‘Icelandic’ Black-tailed Godwit, lagoon 1. (12/7/08).
Whimbrel (lagoon 1)
and Pyramidal orchids. (12/7/08).
Friday 11/7/08 – A Green Sandpiper, a Black-tailed Godwit of Islandica sub-species (I think) and a Whimbrel on lagoon 1. Another 2 male Black-tailed Godwit Islandica on the shore, and 2 Little Egret there. A Peregrine was flying low over the river carrying prey. Also 4 juvenile House Sparrow in hedge along main rhyne.
‘Icelandic’
Black-tailed Godwit and Green Sandpiper, lagoon 1. (11/7/08).
Tuesday 8/7/08 – An adult Mediterranean Gull in summer plumage roosting with the Black-headed Gull flock on lagoon 3, and 2 Whimbrel with Curlew on lagoon 1. The 2 Canada Goose goslings are still on the lake with parents and the Buzzard fledglings were still in the nest.
Mediterranean Gull,
lagoon 3. (8/7/08).
6/7/08 – AM reported: 13 Common Sandpiper and a juvenile Herring Gull with orange leg-ring with blue letters ‘DYT’.
Wednesday 2/7/08 – Return passage really got going with an adult Mediterranean Gull among c150 Black-headed Gull flying downriver at High Tide and then roosting at the yacht club, this evening. Also 28 Curlew there. Another c250 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull and 6 Oystercatcher were roosting on lagoon 3. Along the shore were 8 Common Sandpiper and Shelduck broods of 20+ and 8+. A Buzzard nest just off-site has 3 fully grown juveniles in it; wing-flexing and ready to go.
Buzzards in nest.
Third juvenile is behind on left. (This was taken from about 100 yards away
from nest; digi-scoping using x40 zoom.)
(2/7/08).
January to June 2008 sightings
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