nature reserve news

  30th September 2023 Sunny intervals, mostly still, cloudy pm. Two Green Sandpipers and a Common Sandpiper, along with 10 Snipe and a few Lapwings were the waders on site. 

  Work Party Dates Saturday March 4th – 2 pm Saturday April 1st – 2 pm Wednesday May 10th – 6 pm Link to West Midland Bird Ringing Group:  https://www.westmidlandsringinggroup.co.uk/ Updates

Link to West Midland Bird Ringing Group:  https://www.westmidlandsringinggroup.co.uk/ Updates 31st January – Photographs added 19th January – Photographs added 24th January – Photograph added 16th January – Photographs added 11th to

Link to West Midland Bird Ringing Group:  https://www.westmidlandsringinggroup.co.uk/ Updates 15th December – Photographs added 7th December – Photograph added 3rd December  – Photographs added 17th November  – Photograph added 25th November

RABBIT ACTIVITY As regular visitors will have noticed, rabbit activity is causing holes on the hard core tracks and whilst we try and in-fill them, please be aware that the

Updates 31st October – Record added 30th October – Photograph added 17th October – Photographs added 18th October – Records added 17th October – Record updated (second update on 26th

OLD ROAD – 4TH TO 7TH OCOTBER 2022 Please note that the Old Road is to be used for an upcoming ITV drama on the 5th or 6th October (likely

RABBIT ACTIVITY As regular visitors will have noticed, rabbit activity is causing holes on the hard core tracks and whilst we try and in-fill them, please be aware that the

TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER – MARSH LANE, HAMPTON IN ARDEN Please note that with effect from 20th January 2021 Marsh Lane, Hampton in Arden will be gated just north of the

TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER – MARSH LANE, HAMPTON IN ARDEN Please note that with effect from 20th January 2021 Marsh Lane, Hampton in Arden will be gated just north of the

  Updates 9th to 16th May – Records added. 6th May – Photographs added. 27th April – Photograph added. 1st and 5th May – Records updated. 5th and 7th May

  30th April 2022 Bright and sunny. Warblers continued to arrive and there were four Lesser Whitethroats heard today, one at the north end of Car Park Pool, one on

NEW TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER – MARSH LANE, HAMPTON IN ARDEN Please note that with effect from 20th January 2021 Marsh Lane, Hampton in Arden will be gated just north of

  28th February 2022 Sunny and mild after overnight frost. A Chiffchaff was again seen on the Old Road though again not in song. A juvenile Peregrine was present, a

Link to West Midland Bird Ringing Group:  https://www.westmidlandsringinggroup.co.uk/ Updates December records updated from the 27th to 31st. 31st January 2022 The strong wind did not help viewing conditions but there was

NEW TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER – MARSH LANE, HAMPTON IN ARDEN Please note that with effect from 20th January 2021 Marsh Lane, Hampton in Arden will be gated just north of

NEW TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER – MARSH LANE, HAMPTON IN ARDEN Please note that with effect from 20th January 2021 Marsh Lane, Hampton in Arden will be gated just north of

  Updates 3rd October – photographs added 18th October – Record Updated 15th October – Record Updated 13th October – Record updated 5th October – Photograph added 8th October –

NEW TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER – MARSH LANE, HAMPTON IN ARDEN Please note that with effect from 20th January 2021 Marsh Lane, Hampton in Arden will be gated just north of

NEW TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER – MARSH LANE, HAMPTON IN ARDEN Please note that with effect from 20th January 2021 Marsh Lane, Hampton in Arden will be gated just north of

NEW TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER – MARSH LANE, HAMPTON IN ARDEN Please note that with effect from 20th January 2021 Marsh Lane, Hampton in Arden will be gated just north of

MAIN CAR PARK SURFACE During Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th June 2021 work will be taking place to the surface of the main car park at the Reserve.  We apologise

NEW TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER – MARSH LANE, HAMPTON IN ARDEN Please note that with effect from 20th January 2021 Marsh Lane, Hampton in Arden will be gated just north of

NEW TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER – MARSH LANE, HAMPTON IN ARDEN Please note that with effect from 20th January 2021 Marsh Lane, Hampton in Arden will be gated just north of

NEW TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER – MARSH LANE, HAMPTON IN ARDEN Please note that with effect from 20th January 2021 Marsh Lane, Hampton in Arden will be gated just north of

NEW TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER – MARSH LANE, HAMPTON IN ARDEN Please note that with effect from 20th January 2021 Marsh Lane, Hampton in Arden will be gated just north of

NEW TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER – MARSH LANE, HAMPTON IN ARDEN Please note that with effect from 20th January 2021 Marsh Lane, Hampton in Arden will be gated just north of

 Covid-19 (Coronavirus) – Updated 31st December 2020 The Reserve remains open.  Members have been helpful and responsible during the Covid-19 Pandemic.  Please continue to co-operate by: Remembering social distancing –

Covid-19 (Coronavirus) – Updated 9th November 2020 The Reserve remains open.  Members have been helpful and responsible during the Covid-19 Pandemic.  Please continue to co-operate by: Remembering social distancing –

Covid-19 (Coronavirus) – Updated 30th September 2020 The Reserve remains open.  Members have been helpful and responsible during the Covid-19 Pandemic.  Please continue to co-operate by: Remembering social distancing –

Covid-19 (Coronavirus) – Updated 30th September 2020 The Reserve remains open.  Members have been helpful and responsible during the Covid-19 Pandemic.  Please continue to co-operate by: Remembering social distancing –

Covid-19 (Coronavirus) – Updated 24th March 2020 As going to the Reserve is exercise and as the Reserve is spacious, after much deliberation we have decided to leave the Reserve

Covid-19 (Coronavirus) – Updated 24th March 2020 As going to the Reserve is exercise and as the Reserve is spacious, after much deliberation we have decided to leave the Reserve

Covid-19 (Coronavirus) – Updated 24th March 2020 As going to the Reserve is exercise and as the Reserve is spacious, after much deliberation we have decided to leave the Reserve

Covid-19 (Coronavirus) – Updated 24th March 2020 As going to the Reserve is exercise and as the Reserve is spacious, after much deliberation we have decided to leave the Reserve

Covid-19 (Coronavirus) – Updated 24th March 2020 As going to the Reserve is exercise and as the Reserve is spacious, after much deliberation we have decided to leave the Reserve

Updates Covid-19 (Coronavirus) – Updated 24th March 2020 As going to the Reserve is exercise and as the Reserve is spacious, after much deliberation we have decided to leave the

Updates 25th to 29th February – Records added 24th  February 2020 – Record updated Work Party Dates 7th March 2020                     2 pm 29th February 2020 Mild and wet start turning

29th to 31st January 2020 – Records added 28th January 2020 – Records updated 27th January 2020 – Records updated Please Note:  Could people who are eating tangerines in Car

31st December – Records Added 30th December – Records Updated All members should now have received the 2018 Annual Report which has been re-designed.  It is packed with information and

Updates 30th November – records added 29th November – records amended 28th to 29th November – Records added 27th November  – Records added Work Party Dates 7th December 2019              2

Updates October 17th and 22nd – Records added 31st October 2019 Sunny and cool. A few birds were clearly new in with at least six Chaffinches in and out over

Work Party Dates: 5th October 2019 – 2 pm 9th November 2019 – 2 pm 7th December 2019 – 2 pm Ringing Returns With thanks to Graham Rowling the details

Work Party Dates: 3rd September 2019 – 6 pm 5th October 2019 – 2 pm 9th November 2019 – 2 pm 7th December 2019 – 2 pm Update to 20th

Updates: 30th and 31st July – Records updated 8th July – Record updated 4th July – Record updated. 23rd July – Record updated Work Party Dates: 3rd September 2019 –

  Updates: 28th June – Photograph added and record updated. 26th June – Photograph added and record updated. 20th June – Record updated. 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th

Announcement: (2) The all day bird count will take place on the Reserve this coming Saturday, 4th May 2019, and all contributors welcome. (1)  The West Midlands Ringing Group are

Announcement: (2) The all day bird count will take place on the Reserve this coming Saturday, 4th May 2019, and all contributors welcome. (1)  The West Midlands Ringing Group are

Please Note : Severn Trent water are doing repair works by the pumping station off Meriden Road from Thursday (28th March) to Saturday (30th March) so the track to the

Work Party Dates: 9th March 2019 – 2 pm 6th April 2019 – 2 pm Updates: We send our apologies that our site has been down for almost a week. 

Work Party Dates: 12th January 2019 – 2 pm 29th January 2019 – 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.     Additional volunteers required for this additional work party which is indirectly

Work Party Dates: 2019 12th January 2019 – 2 pm 9th February 2019 – 2pm 9th March 2019 – 2 pm 6th April 2019 – 2 pm Updates: 31st December

  Updates: 4th November – record updated (to include Herring Gull and Little Egret numbers) and new paragraphs added. 2nd November – record amended (Common Darter numbers) and new paragraph

Work Party Dates: November 10th – 2 pm December 8th – 2 pm Updates: Railway Pool and Islands: Further to previous updates, the water level on Railway Pool has been

Work Party Dates: September 11th – 6 pm October 13th – 2 pm November 10th – 2 pm December 8th – 2 pm Ringing Recoveries 29th September 2018 – Courtesy of

Ringing Recoveries One of the young Black-headed Gulls ringed in 2016 has just been seen at the RSPB Conway Reserve in Wales; and Common Tern C15 was sighted on the

Work Party Dates: July 10th -6 pm August 8th – 6 pm September 11th – 6 pm Updates: Update of record for 31st July. Update of record on 26th July

  Other News It is  with sadness that I report that I have just heard that Geoff Wardle, a long time supporter of the Reserve, passed away recently. Some of you will

Work Party Dates: June 13th – 6 pm July 10th -6 pm August 8th – 6 pm September 11th – 6 pm Update 19th, 20th and 24th May – Photographs

  Update Black-headed Gull ringing information added 25th April 2018. Photographs added to the 21st , 23rd and 24th April. Apologies for the late news of two colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls

Updates Final paragraph added for the 6th. 8th March 2018 – Dunlin photograph added. 17th March – late news of two colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls seen on March 17th  added .

Work Party Dates: March 10th – 2 pm April 14th – 2 pm May 15th – 6 pm June 13th – 6 pm Updates: Cetti’s Warbler photographs added to 30th

Updates: Updates made to December 2017 records and female Brambling photograph added to 30th December 2017 Work Party Dates: February 10th – 2pm March 10th – 2 pm April 14th

  31st December 2017 Mostly overcast, south-westerly wind. The drake Mandarin was again on Railway Pool and yesterday’s Green Sandpiper was feeding either on the river or on the floods

Work Party Dates: 9th December 2017 – 2 pm 6th January 2017 – 2 pm 10th February 2017 – 2 pm 10th March 2017 – 2 pm Ringing Recovery The

  Work Party Dates November 11th – 2pm December 9th – 2 pm 31st October 2017 Sunny intervals, remaining mostly mild. There were two Dunlin today and Kingfisher and Grey

Notices / Updates 5th September – photograph added. 6th September – final paragraph added. 5th September – final paragraph added. Lost Property (Found): Man’s cap brown with embroidered eagle on

Notices / Updates 30th and 31st August – photographs added 28th August – new final paragraph added 28th August – final paragraph added and photographs added. 15th August – Photographs

Work Party Dates: August 9th – 6 pm September 6th – 6pm Updates I have omitted to mention that a brood of nine Shoveler ducklings were seen with a female

  Updates: Photograph added to 27th June. Photographs added to 17th June. New records and photographs added to the 7th June. New records added to the 4th and 5th June.

Updates: Photographs added 25th May 2017 Photograph added 21st May 2017 Photographs added to 14th May 2017. Updated record for 12th May added. Photograph added to 27th April 2017 and

  Work Party Dates: 9th May 2017 – 6 p.m. 6th June 2017 – 6 p.m. Updates: See new photograph added 31st March 2017. Updates added to 26th, 27th (plus

Updates: See new photographs added under the 4th March 2017. See new photograph added 31st March 2017. 31st March 2017 Heavy rain showers early on, clearing, sunny, mild south-westerly wind.

 Work Party Dates: 18th March 2017 – 2 p.m. 15th April 2017 – 2 p.m. 9th May 2017 – 6 p.m. 6th June 2017 – 6 p.m. Updates: See Stonechat

Wishing all our members a very Happy New Year! Work Party Dates: 18th February 2017 – 2 p.m. 18th March 2017 – 2 p.m. 15th April 2017 – 2 p.m. 31st

Wishing all our members and visitors to this site a very happy Christmas and New Year 31st December 2016 Misty start, occasional sunny intervals p.m., south-westerly wind. The year ended

Work Party Dates: 17th December 2016 – 2 p.m. 21st January 2017 – 2 p.m. 18th February 2017 – 2 p.m. Update: Late news for the 4th,  two Water Pipits were

Update: I am having a catch-up on a few pieces of information that have been supplied to me and upon which I have been remiss in adding to the Website.

30th September 2016 Mostly sunny, west south-westerly wind. There was again good visible migration this morning with birds going through in reasonable numbers for much of the morning. In a

Note:   A Goldfinch, D788283, ringed at a Marsh Lane Reserve feeder on the 28th December 2013 was found dead at Birchfield, Hope, Derbyshire (SK1784) on the 26th May 2016.  Thank

31 July 2016 – Mostly sunny, westerly. Both Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper were either present or heard going over today with a single Little Egret amongst a few Black-headed

Work party 15 June 2016 – 6 p.m. Members notice Scott Hackett and Glen Giles are running a month night on the 11th June 2016. This event will go ahead, whatever the weather

Members notice Scott Hackett and Glen Giles are running a moth night on the 11th June 2016. This event will go ahead, whatever the weather and members and their guests are welcome

Update: The colour-ringed Redshank that was present at Marsh Lane on a number of dates between the 19th March and 29th April was ringed as an adult on Thorny Island,

Update: The colour-ringed Redshank that was present at Marsh Lane on a number of dates between the 19th March and 29th April was ringed as an adult on Thorny Island,

29th February 2016 – Frosty and sunny start slowly clouding over Records in the log today were 40 Snipe in the Marsh, three Oystercatchers on the islands, two Shelduck and

31st January 2016 – Grey, mild, drizzly. The first Oystercatcher of the “spring” was a bird feeding on the flood plain at mid-day. TwoGreen Sandpipers were also good records, with

31st December 2015 – Mostly sunny, increasing south-westerly wind, cooler. There were three Jack Snipe in the Marsh this morning, two together half way towards the water and a third

30th November 2015 – Drizzly and overcast, south-westerly wind, remaining mild. The drake Goldeneye remains on Car Park Pool where it was joined by a Little Egret during the morning.

31st October 2015 – Overnight rain slowly clearing to become sunny again. In a ringing session this morning, a female Cetti’s Warbler was caught by the south-west pond with one,

30 September 2015 – Another cool start, light easterly wind. Precious little seemed to be on the move overhead, but there was still activity around Railway Hide with at least

31st August 2015 – Miserably wet all day, light northerly wind. A Common Sandpiper and two Little Egrets (one of which was colour ringed) showed in the morning and, in

31st July 2015 – Dry, sunny & warm after a cool start; light NW. Potentially the most notable record of the day was of a possible juvenile Redstart which was

30th June 2015 – Hot, sunny, light south-easterly wind. The first Hobby for some days was seen over Siden Hill Wood at about 10.45 before drifting off. There was still

31st May 2015 – Wet for much of the day, brightening towards the end of the afternoon, cool north-westerly wind. The temperatures in May have been below the national average

30th April 2015 – Sunny intervals, cool, south-westerly wind. There was no sign of yesterday’s Whinchat or the Mediterranean Gull, up until 9 a.m. At least three Garden Warblers were

31st March 2015 – Strong blustery westerly wind, sunshine and showers. A dead male Tufted Duck in front of Oak Hide, first seen at the weekend, was probably killed by

28th February 2015 – Mild, overcast and drizzly. Three pairs of Goosanders showed at one time or another today, quite often splitting into two males and a female on one

31st January 2015 – Mostly cloudy, cold, blustery north-westerly wind. The better birds today were a single female Goosander on Railway Pool for much of the day, aWoodcock which flew

31st December 2014 – Frosty but mostly sunny. The Oystercatcher was on Railway Pool this morning and there were 12 Snipe in the Marsh. The Grey Wagtail was again on

30th November 2014 – Mostly sunny, light north-westerly wind. Three female Goosanders were new arrivals this morning. They appeared on Railway Pool at about 11.30 before flying north to the

31st October 2014 – Mild, sunny, light southerly wind. A male Stonechat was found in front of Railway Hide this morning and worked its way down towards Oak Hide before

30th September 2014 – Sunny intervals, light westerly wind. Both the Garganey and the Pintail were present again today but elusive at times. The former initially hugged the shore under

31st August 2014 – Sunny intervals in the morning, clearing to be warm and sunny in the afternoon, light westerly wind. Five Black-tailed Godwits were present for a short time

31st July 2014 – Sunny intervals, south-westerly wind Three Green Sandpipers fed around the margins of either the islands or the shoreline of Car Park Pool this morning where there

30th June 2014 – Sunny intervals, some cloud, light easterly wind. Waders today comprised a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, two adult Ringed Plovers and aGreen Sandpiper. A Hobby was seen

31st May 2014 – Overcast, north-westerly wind, cloud slowly clearing later in the day, sunny evening. Single first-summer Mediterranean Gulls were on each pool at dawn and a Tawny Owl

30th April 2014 – Sunny intervals, light easterly wind. Along the Old Road and concrete road sections, this morning’s tally of singing warblers were eight Whitethroats, five Blackcaps, four Chiffchaffs,

31st March 2014 – Mild, overcast in the morning, showers in the afternoon, south-easterly wind. A Comma was on the wing in the morning, whilst other birds included a Ringed

28th February 2014 – Cold and wet. The early morning on Car Park Pool saw three Herring Gulls and two Lesser Black-backsdrop in to bathe and the now regular adult

31st January 2014 – Mostly wet, south-easterly wind, and cold. Wildfowl counts today included a Shelduck, 36 Shoveler and 46 Gadwall. 22 Snipe in the Marsh, a Great Crested Grebe

31st December 2013 – A wet morning, sunny intervals in the afternoon, south westerly After a quiet period, a pair of Pintail on Railway Pool in the morning was a

30th November 2013 – Sunny, light north-westerly wind A possible Iceland Gull flew north over the tip field this morning and was only visible with the accompanying Lesser Black-backs intermittently

31st October 2013 – Mostly overcast, cool, south-westerly wind. The water level on Railway Pool was still very high, although much of the flood water by Patrick Farm had subsided.

30th September 2013 – Mostly overcast, brisk easterly wind. Two Common Gulls, (a first-winter and a second-winter), joined at least ten Lesser Black-backs and 350 Black-headed Gulls on Car Park

31st August 2013 – Cool, light north-westerly wind, mostly sunny. The wind today was not necessarily conducive to migration but after significant arrivals on the east coast it was perhaps

31st July 2013 – Wet nearly all day. In addition to some flooding at Patrick Bridge, the water levels on all the pools has risen with the recent rain and

30th June 2013 – Overcast start, progressively becoming more sunny, south-westerly wind. Today’s more unusual birds were firstly an unseasonal Siskin that appeared from behind Railway Hide at 10.30 appeared

Please note, the Jack Snipe and Common Snipe picture on the final page of the Newsletter (recently distributed) has the birds named incorrectly. The Jack Snipe is the bird on

30th April 2013 – Cool, north-westerly wind, mostly sunny. Warblers were in good song this morning along the Old Road and a further arrival ofWhitethroats means that there are at

31st March 2013 – Sunny intervals, cold easterly Not a great deal of change today with the Little Egret, Jack Snipe, Chiffchaff (in the back gate copse along with six

28th February 2013 – Sunny intervals, light north-easterly wind. No records. 27th February 2013 – Grey start, clearing to give a sunny day, light north-easterly wind, temperatures up to 7

31st January 2013 – Strong south-westerly wind, heavy squally showers The Bittern showed on the east side of the Reedbed at about 8.30 a.m., and the Little Egretwas again feeding

We would like to wish all a members a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. 31st December 2012 – Mostly wet, but mild, south-westerly wind The Bittern has

30th November 2012 – Frosty, still, mostly sunny. The crop field was the most productive part of the Reserve this morning with at least 70Linnets, three Yellowhammers and three female

31st October 2012 – Cloudy and dry until late afternoon, rain which carried on all night. South, south-westerly wind. Pete Sofley has kindly called me to let me know that

30th September 2012 – Overcast, mild, blustery, south-westerly wind. Despite the overcast weather, the rain held off and there were some good records, the highlight of which was two early

31st August 2012 – Sun and showers. The Little Egret was again on Car Park Pool in the morning and other birds of note included aHobby, Buzzard and Kestrel, all

31st July 2012 – Mostly overcast following overnight rain. Occasional showers, increasing south- westerly Two adult Dunlin were new arrivals, frequenting Railway Pool and a Hobby flew along the River

30th June 2012 – Sunshine and showers, south-westerly wind. A female Ruddy Duck was the most unexpected record this morning and it lingered briefly around the causeway area. Of the

31st May 2012 – Mostly overcast. The only record today was an unseasonal male Pochard on Car Park Pool. 30th May 2012 – Hot and humid until rain late afternoon

30th April 2012 – Warm, south-easterly wind. A varied array of species today included the first Lesser Whitethroats of the year with singing birds behind Railway Hide and by Patrick

31st March 2012 – Cold north westerly, mostly cloudy A “good day at the office” commenced with two Sand Martins briefly at dawn which soon departed to the north. An

29th February 2012 – Remaining mild, cloudy a.m., sunny intervals p.m., light westerly wind. A calling Curlew flew over at 2 p.m., there were still 90 Lapwings on the Railway

31st January 2012 – Cold, frosty, mostly sunny. No records. 30th January 2012 – Cold, frosty, mostly sunny. 11 Snipe were in front of Oak Hide in the channel, at

31st December 2011 – Mostly overcast, mild westerly wind, occasional showers. The best of the bird of the day was a first winter Yellowlegged Gull during the late morning on

30th November 2011 – Sunny, cool south westerly wind. The bright but noticeably cool morning saw a fair number of Thrushes on the Reserve. At least 30 Fieldfares dropped into

Please note that on Wednesday 2nd November, some water management will be being undertaken on Car Park Pool during the morning and there will probably therefore be some disturbance. 31st

30th September 2011 – Hot, sunny, south, south-westerly wind. No records. 29th September 2011 – Hot, sunny, south, south-westerly wind. The Old Road was quite lively first thing with at

31st August 2011 – High cloud, light northerly The Garganey was refound this morning, in amongst the Teal and best viewed from River Hide. 100 Black-headed Gulls were bathing and

31st July 2011 – Occasional sunny periods, mostly overcast but warm southerly The only records in the book were of singles of Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Redshank, Common Sandpiper,

30th June 2011 – Sunny start, light showers and some overnight rain. The highlight was two Little Egrets which, together with a Green Sandpiper, provided a good end to the

31st May 2011 Mostly sunny, cool north-westerly There were still at least six Ringed Plovers on Railway Pool at lunchtime and a Hobby“powered through” just after 1pm. The Dragonfly Pool

30th April 2011 – Bright and sunny, cold easterly wind. Waders today included a Greenshank, four Common Sandpipers and a Green Sandpiperand the Grasshopper Warbler continued to reel. Graham’s Saturday

31st March 2011 A drake Goosander and five females roosted – the only notable record 30th March 2011 – sunny and warm morning with late afternoon showers The bird of

28th February 2011 – Overcast and damp. North-westerly wind. No records.   27th February 2011 – Cool, overcast, occasionally drizzly. Not a great deal of change. The pair of Ringed

31st January 2011 – Remaining cold but bright. The best birds of the day were a flock of 12 Golden Plover which flew over to the south at 11.15 a.m.

31st December 2010 – Misty again. With the milder weather, Skylarks appeared to be returning with 34 passing over to the east during the morning. Siden Hill Wood was disappointingly

30th November 2010 – Increasingly cold, some sun, strong north-easterly wind. Mink tracks this morning near Oak Hide suggest that the animal seen earlier in the month has taken up

31st October 2010 – Mostly overcast, occasionally sunny intervals and showers. Still, mild but cooler with light north-easterly wind. Five Goosander which flew north and a female Pintail in front

30th September 2010 – Heavy mist cleared to sun all day. Both the Ruff (actually a Reeve and a Ruff) and the Common Terns were present again but all five

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

31st July 2010 – Wet start. Mostly overcast, north westerly The “early birder” caught the best of the action as four Black-tailed Godwits and threeCommon Sandpipers had moved on by

30th June 2010 – Generally hot and sunny. Light winds. The best bird of the day was a Little Egret which dropped onto the pools for 10 minutes at around

31 May 2010 – Sunny intervals, increasingly blustery north westerly wind Two Little Egrets were the best birds of the day, pausing briefly on Railway Pool in the middle of

30th April 2010 – Fine morning, showery afternoon, south-westerly wind. The female type Blue-headed Wagtail, the female Wheatear and a pair of Yellow Wagtailsremained from the previous day and lingering

31st March 2010 – Cold, strong north-westerly wind and showers. The highlights of the day were seven summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwits which landed on Car Park Pool at about 1

28th February 2010 – Cold north-westerly wind, occasional showers and occasional sunny intervals, but mostly cloudy. The Ringed Plover appeared for most of the day and a Curlew on both

31st January 2010 – Sunny, cold frosty start, light westerly wind. Despite a slight change in the wind, birds were much the same as yesterday. The ten Redpollflock had increased

Best wishes to everyone for the New Year! 31st December 2009 – Dry and bright with a cold north-easterly wind A drake Goosander came in this morning from the Berkswell

30th November 2009 – After heavy overnight rain, it was sunny all day, but the wind changed to a cold north-westerly. Whether due to the change in wind or not

31st October 2009 – After overnight rain, mostly sunny, light westerly wind and incredibly mild. Walking around in a T-shirt was a pleasant experience and the warm weather was also

30th September 2009 – Overcast, occasional light drizzle on a north-westerly breeze. Generally quiet. The Pintail remains on Car Park Pool (I think it is actually a male in eclipse,

31st August 2009 – Mostly cloudy, light south westerly Two Hobbies were seen on and off during the day and Snipe had risen to nine. 23 Black-headed Gulls and five

31st July 2009 – Sunny intervals, dry southerly wind. After a cool night, temperatures quickly increased in the sunny intervals. The rain on Wednesday and Thursday have certainly increased water

30th June 2009 – Showers early on, and then sunny intervals and hot and humid. No records in the log, but a brief early evening visit was sufficient to find

31st May 2009 – Hot and sunny, easterly wind. The wildfowl and other counts for the day were as follows:- One Great Crested Grebe – (no sign of any young),

30th April 2009 – Sunny intervals, some showers. A scattering of interesting records included only the second record of Swift for the year, a flock of 50 Starlings behind Oak

31st March 2009 – A sunny and still start with high cloud moving in from mid morning. A summer plumage Black-tailed Godwit was found roosting on Railway Pool at 7.45

28th February 2009 – Overcast and still. A few more birds of note today, the best being a pair of Pintail which fed on Railway Pool for part of the

31st January 2009 – High cloud, some sun, cold south-easterly. 1st February 2009 – Cold easterly wind, sun intervals and snowy showers. Thrushes continue to move north on their progressive

31st December 2008 No records. 30 December 2008 – Overcast and cold morning, sunny afternoon. Tree Sparrow numbers had risen back to eight, split between the two feeders. 13 Snipe

30th November 2008 Although quieter on the pools, the increase in Bunting numbers saw impressive counts of at least 60 Reed Buntings, 30 Yellowhammers, eight Tree Sparrows and a femaleBrambling,

30 October 2008 – High cloud with a “milky” sun with a cold north easterly wind Wood Pigeons were again on the move with an estimated 380 through between 8.20am

30th September 2008 – A blustery westerly wind bringing outbreaks of rain. The weekend’s adult Mediterranean Gull reappeared this afternoon on Railway Pool, with a steady arrival and departure of

31 August 2008 – Warm, mostly overcast start. Prolonged showers in the afternoon and the evening. Disappointingly quiet – Wigeon had increased to nine and there were still Lesser andCommon

1st August 2008 – Sunny intervals.  South easterly wind turning to the south-west 31 Swifts arrived at 7.15am, with at least another 14 close behind.  Upto 10 Sand Martinsand a

30th June 2008 – Mostly sunny, south-westerly. With patience, at least one juvenile Water Rail is visible occasionally from the north causeway screen, together with Reed and Sedge Warblers, Reed

31st May 2008 – Overcast but bright. Light northerly. Warm. A Dunlin was a new arrival, though it could conceivably have been the bird from two days ago. The female

30th April 2008 – Mostly heavy showers and a cool south-easterly wind. The first Garden Warbler was one near the entrance gate to the cottages. Common Sandpipers were up to

22nd to 31st March 2008 The cold north-westerly wind continued until the 26th when the wind shifted towards the west or south-west and became milder with rain and showers. Snow

9th February 2008 – again overcast, but light rain had begun to fall by mid-morning. At least one Oystercatcher and two Ringed Plover were present early on, and there were

31st January 2008 – Windy and wet. Nobody braved the elements or, if they did, saw nothing worth recording. 30th January 2008 – Sunny. 20 Siskins , one Lesser Redpoll

21st December to 3rd January 2008 The cold south-easterly that brought freezing conditions turned to the south-west on the 24th and brought milder weather until January 1st.  The 2nd and

Friday 30th November 2007 – overcast with south-westerly and showers later. Shelduck were up to two and the over-wintering Common Sandpiper, Ruddy Duck, andGoldeneye were present.  Tree Sparrow numbers had

31st October and 1st November 2007 Generally fine and remarkably mild, with a light south-westerly.   Birds remain similar to the previous days with at least one Tree Sparrow present on

Sunday 30th September 2007 Sunny and with a light easterly.  Little of note, aside from the dusk reappearance of the Barn Owl. Saturday 29th September 2007 The wind swung round