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, two Willow Warblers, two Garden Warblers and a Lesser Whitethroat.
On the tip field there was at least one Yellow Wagtail, possibly two, which flew off low to the south-east towards Berkswell.
On the pools there was a Little Egret and initially one female Goosander, rising to three in the evening. Two Ravens went over at 1.45, there were three Little Ringed Plovers on Car Park Pool, together with two pairs of Teal and the first Kingfisher for some days flew east along the railway embankment. In the evening, along with the Goosanders, there were twoCommon Gulls and 59 Common Tern and the pair of Muntjac were again in the crop field.
During the day, insects of note included a Queen Hornet on the kissing gate at the end of the causeway and also four species of Bumble-bee – Garden, Red-tailed, Buff-tailed and Early.
29th April 2014
– Misty start, sunny intervals, north-easterly wind.
The Ruff was present for its third day and a Yellow Wagtail put in a brief appearance. Only two Little Ringed Plovers were present today along with the single unpaired male Ringed Plover and, in the evening, there were 59 Common Terns.
At 1.50 pm, two Muntjac were chasing each other around the south end of the crop field.
28th April 2014
– High cloud, dry, light north-easterly wind, sunny intervals later
Despite extensive searching there was no sign of yesterday’s Nightingale but yesterday’s Ruffreappeared at 9 a.m., and joined a stunning adult Little Gull which spent most of the morning on Railway Pool before departing at about mid-day. At approximately 1.30 pm, threeWhimbrel dropped in and spent much of the afternoon preening and washing on the gravel bar between Oak and Railway Hides. Two male Yellow Wagtails and a Little Egret also appeared in the afternoon and, in the evening, there were at least 68 Common Terns which put on a fantastic raucous aerial display. The Lesser Whitethroat was in good song by the car park.
27th April 2013
– Dry morning, showers p.m., north-easterly wind.
Yesterday’s “drop-ins” were surpassed by a fantastic singing Nightingale, originally by the south-west pond and later along the central stream behind Oak Hide. This first for the Reserve was found by Stuart Hares – what a great bird!
There were also two Little Egrets on the River up by Patrick Farm. A Yellow Wagtail also went over.
The Nightingale stopped singing in the 4 pm region and late comers had no luck up until nearly 9 pm. They were, however, rewarded by a moulting male Ruff which dropped in at 7.45 pm and also a female Goosander and at least 45 roosting Common Terns.
26th April 2014
– Blustery north-easterly wind, mostly cloudy, occasional sunshine and showers.
None of today’s best birds lingered long. A winter plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit came into Railway Pool at about 7.45 am., but was restless and quickly departed towards the flood plain where sadly it could not be relocated. Just after 9 a.m., a Tree Pipit was heard calling a number of times from Siden Hill Wood but, again, it too moved on quickly; in the evening, aCurlew paused briefly on the Car Park Pool islands at 7 pm before it too departed quickly to the north.
Only a single Garden Warbler was noted today singing again between Oak Hide and Railway Pool and there were two singing Lesser Whitethroats, one by the car park gates and one by the top gate and two more on the west side, either side of the Ammunition Dump. At least fourWhitethroats were singing along the Old Road. Four also on the west side, three along the railway and one by the Ammunition Dump.
An adult Peregrine was eating a Black-headed Gull on the tip field at first light and other counts today were one Great Crested Grebe, four Little Grebes, three Herons, threeCormorants, eight Mute Swans, 40 Greylags with one brood of six on Car Park Pool, 52Gadwall, a pair of Teal, 11 Mallard, 49 Tufted, five Moorhen, 19 Coot, five Redshank, eight Oystercatchers, 25 Lapwings, singles each of Ringed and Little Ringed Plover, 350Black-headed Gulls, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 24 Common Terns, 20 Sand Martins, at least five singing Sedge Warblers and two singing Reed Warblers. Bullfincheswere noted along the Old Road and by the back gate and four Willow Warblers were counted, one along the concrete road, one in the back gate copse, another on the Old Road and the fourth on the railway embankment towards the railway arches.
I have just been told that the Bar-tailed Godwit appeared briefly around lunch-time up on the flood meadows by Patrick Farm.
25th April 2014
– Rain all day
The only birds in the log today were a single Common Sandpiper, ten Common Terns, twoLittle Ringed Plovers and a rather out of season five Yellowhammers. A House Martinalso went over.
24th April 2014
– Cloudy am, clearing to sunny intervals pm, light south easterly
Two Lesser Whitethroats were singing by the former ammunition dump on the west side, one just north of the Car Park and one in the scrub by the south end.
I am pleased to say that, as a result of a
court order
and the fantastic efforts of a number of people, including many of the farmers, the travellers left site in the late afternoon. The Reserve fortunately remained intact, save for a cropped lock and chain off the main gate and rubbish along the Old Road (now cleared up). A big load of farmyard manure was deposited to prevent the travellers moving further down the road and a way through this has been made but the majority has been left in place temporarily, just in case. Also, some lumps of concrete had been put by the main gate to act as an impediment to articulatedvehicles eg; caravans! Cars should be able to work their way round them. I am sorry for the inconvenience but we need to make sure that the travellers do not come back.
In the evening, 38 Common Terns were on Car Park Pool.
23rd April 2014
– Mostly dry am, showery pm, light south westerly
Due to the presence of travellers discouraging people from visiting the Reserve there were no records in the log.
22nd April 2014
– Mostly overcast and drizzly am, brighter with showers pm, south westerly
Two Garden Warblers were today’s new arrival with birds between Oak Hide and Railway, and north of the Car Park gates along the Old Road. A Lesser Whitethroat sang again from the area around the ammunition depot. There were four Little Ringed Plovers on Car Park Pool along with a Common Sandpiper and a Peregrine went over at midday.
In the evening, 26 Common Terns roosted and at least 80 Sand Martins fed with a fewSwallows over the Pools. Six Pied Wagtails dropped in to feed as well.
Lastly, a brood of six Greylags has hatched on Railway Pool.
21st April 2014
-Misty start, mostly overcast with occasional sunny intervals. Cool north-easterly
A Lesser Whitethroat sang and showed well just north of the Car Park gate for much of the day, a female Wheatear was in the crop field and a Cuckoo was heard from Siden Hill Wood direction. Four probable Arctic Terns went high over in the morning and other records of note included a male Goosander, Common Sandpiper, Snipe, a fledged Dunnock at the Oak Hide along with Treecreeper and at least four Linnets around the crop field.
20th April 2014
– Mostly sunny, cool north-westerly, heavy rain late afternoon
In the middle of the afternoon there were at least 14 Common Terns but by the end of the day, 30 came into roost. There were also two “Commic” Terns, the identity of which was not clinched as to their identification. A passage of hirundines was obviously on the go with, in the middle of the day, at least 12 Swallows and two House Martins by the Farm and in the later afternoon, at least 30 Sand Martins, ten Swallows, nine House Martins were on the main Reserve.
Yesterday’s Common Sandpipers had mostly moved on and only a single remained.
A Peregrine took a Black-headed Gull in the late afternoon.
19th April 2014
– Mostly sunny, cool north-westerly
Today’s highlight was a brief fly over Grey Plover and a Jack Snipe, somewhat bizarrely, flushed from the bank on the causeway. A Yellow Wagtail lingered briefly in front of Car Park Hide just before midday. Sedge Warblers were up to six and other noteworthy counts included 65 Gadwall, 63 Tufted, four Little Ringed Plovers (two on the Reserve and two east of the A452), still six Common Sandpipers, 13 Common Terns, two Snipe and aLesser Whitethroat on the Old Road.
A Green Sandpiper was feeding on one of the flashes in the wet field north of Siden Hill Wood where there were also a pair of Lesser Whitethroats, the male in good song. A Lesser Redpoll went over, a Yellowhammer sang south-west of the ammunition depot, aWhitethroat, Blackcap and Chiffchaff were also singing there. A noteworthy 28 Crows were feeding on the flood plain.
18th April 2014
– Sunny, cool north easterly
Highlights for the day were the first Reed Warbler of the year, six Common Sandpipers, aYellow Wagtail and two Lesser Whitethroats. The Reed Warbler was singing in the south-east corner of the Reed Bed along with two Sedge Warblers with a third Sedge by Oak Hide and a fourth in the Marsh. The Common Sandpipers were preferring the grass either side of Car Park Hide and the Yellow Wagtail lingered briefly in front of Oak Hide.
Other counts today included three Willow Warblers (one in the back gate copse and two on the Old Road), seven Dabchicks, four Great Crested Grebes, four Teal, at least 52Gadwall, 55 Tufted, 30 Lapwing, eight Oystercatchers, two Little Ringed Plovers, aRinged Plover, eight Redshank, at least 11 Common Terns, 80 Black-headed Gull nests,four Shoveler, the very pale Buzzard and in the later part of the afternoon, a small passage of Sand Martins and Swallows with at least ten of the former and three of the latter.
17th April 2014
– sunny, some high cloud, cool westerly wind.
The first Whitethroats of the year sang along the Old Road between the car park and the top gate with the second by the ammunition dump on the west side. Also on the Old Road were at least four singing Blackcaps and four singing Chiffchaffs and a single Willow Warbler.
On Car Park Pool, waders included the Ringed Plover (which seems to have relocated from Railway Pool), a pair of Little Ringed Plovers and two Common Sandpipers.
16th April 2014
– Sunny, south-westerly wind.
A marked increase in Common Tern numbers saw 14 in the evening and there were also fiveLittle Ringed Plovers, the best count of the spring so far. Three female Goosanders and singles each of Common and Green Sandpiper, plus three Snipe were in addition to the resident eight Oystercatchers (two pairs sitting on each of the main pools), and tenRedshank.
Tuesday 15 April 2014
– Sunny, light south-easterly wind.
A cold frosty but sunny start saw new arrivals in the shape of an Egyptian Goose (Car Park Pool) and two new Sedge Warblers (west of Railway Hide and north of Oak Hide). It was probably the latter bird that also sang to the rear of Oak Hide a little later. The first Cuckoo of the year also called briefly. Yesterday’s summer plumaged Dunlin remained on Railway Pool.
At least one male Bullfinch was feeding on buds in the back gate copse. Three singingBlackcaps, two Chiffchaffs and a single Willow Warbler sang across the width of the copse and a regularly calling Green Woodpecker ranged between the railway embankment and the south-west pond. Also by the pond singing Nuthatch and Stock Dove joined in with the common birds while a Mistle Thrush called regularly from the west end of the back gate copse and the northern of the two pairs in Siden Hill Wood flew back to the wood from land east of the river. A few Teal and Shoveler (seven) linger on.
Common Terns were up to seven and there were three Little Ringed Plovers in the evening along with at least 20 Sand Martins. Butterflies included the first Speckled Woods andSmall Whites of the year together with at least 20 Peacocks, 30 Orange Tips, six Green-Veined Whites, three Commas, a Brimstone and a few Small Tortoiseshell.
14th April 2014
– Sunny, light north-westerly wind.
In the lee of the wind along the ride at the southern end of Siden Hill Wood there were lots of butterflies on the wing with a conservative estimate of over 15 Orange Tips, 10 Peacocks, two Brimstones and singles of Small Tortoiseshell and Comma. Mistle Thrushes were singing from both ends of the wood and also along the ride were calling Nuthatch and singingChiffchaff, Blackcap and Goldcrest.
A steady trickle of Sand Martins were moving north with a count in ten minutes of at least 15 birds.
Other birds of note included a Dunlin, two Common Sandpipers and two Ringed Ploversand a Green Sandpiper with the first Green- Veined White of the year on the wing.
13th April 2014
– Sunny, warm away from the cold north-westerly wind.
Two summer plumaged Dunlin were new in today on Car Park Pool and were joined by a pair of displaying Common Sandpipers. One Ringed Plover on Car Park Pool in the late afternoon was having a battle with a pair of Little Ringed Plovers.
An early Lesser Whitethroat sang by the pumping station on the west side of the Reserve andCommon Tern numbers had increased to six. A Sedge Warbler again sang on the Reedbed side of the causeway and at least two Willow Warblers (back gate copse and Old Road), three Swallows, one House Martin, 20 plus Sand Martins, a pair of Goosander, a Raven(north of the Reserve) along with a male Sparrowhawk and a Bullfinch by the back gate made up some of the more interesting birds today.
With many thanks to Chris Laight and Mike Hearn, the Sand Martin bank is now complete and could members please note any interest from Sand Martins in and around it. For those who have not noticed, it lies between Oak and Railway Hides on the shoreline, supported on a scaffolding frame.
12th April 2014
– Sunny intervals, north-westerly wind.
More migration today saw the first Sedge Warbler of the year singing on the south side of the Reedbed. At least one White Wagtail landed briefly on Car Park Pool before flying off north-west and two other Alba Wags also went over. Also early on, there were two Common Sandpipers on Car Park Pool, along with five Goosanders (one male and four female), at least four Common Terns, four Snipe and two Ringed Plovers.
As the morning wore on, there was a noticeable influx of hirundines with numbers building up to at least 30 Sand Martins, ten Swallows and two House Martins, mostly just north of Car Park Pool.
A Peregrine was on the flood plain and there were at least four Common Terns.
Other counts today were: three Great Crested Grebes, ten Little Grebes, six Cormorants, four Mute Swans, the Black Swan, 16 Greylags, four Canadas, 66 Gadwall, 14 Teal, nineMallard, nine Shoveler, 66 Tufted, eight Moorhen, 40 Coot, 36 Lapwing, one Little Ringed Plover, two Ringed Plover, ten Oystercatchers, nine Redshank, four Snipe, an increase later in the morning to three Common Sandpipers, 350 Black-headed Gullsincluded a colour-ringed bird, two Lesser Black-backs, four male Blackcaps in the back gate copse along with a Mistle Thrush, one Meadow Pipit on the tip field, at least two singingWillow Warblers, ten singing Chiffchaffs, eight singing Blackcaps, Nuthatch andTreecreeper (Siden) two pairs of Pied Wagtails and a Kestrel.
11th April 2014
– Sunny, south-westerly wind.
An increase in Willow Warblers today saw three by the back gate and one in the orchid field with other birds of note including a pair of Goosander on Car Park Pool, three Snipe by Railway Pool, at least five Peacock and two Orange Tip butterflies.
10th April 2014
– Sunny intervals, westerly wind.
The first Common Sandpiper of the year showed well in front of Oak Hide and two Common Terns appeared on and off throughout the day. Other birds included the Peregrine, a pair ofBullfinch by the back gate, Ringed Plover, 14 Lesser Back-backs, Kestrel, sevenOystercatchers and, last but not least, three Song Thrush on the Old Road.
9th April 2014
– Sunny intervals, westerly wind.
MoreOrange Tip butterflies were on the wing today, along with both Peacocks and Small Tortoiseshells. The first Willow Warbler of the year sang in the back gate copse (there may have been other species on the Reserve prior to this time but they have not been clearly recorded in the log).
Other counts today included two Little Ringed Plovers, one Ringed Plover, nineRedshanks, seven Oystercatchers, a female Goosander (over), at least seven Sand Martins and three male Blackcaps in the back gate copse. A female Muntjac showed well opposite Oak Hide on the bank.
8th April 2014
– Sunny, cold westerly wind.
Despite the early morning sun (it began to cloud over mid-morning) the wind was sufficiently cold to require gloves! Nevertheless, there were more migrants today with a first-winterMediterranean Gull and a male White Wagtail amongst the Black-heads early on before aPeregrine made one of at least four passes and these two departed.
A Dunlin, also on Railway Pool, stuck it out despite the Peregrine and over the flood plain, two House Martins joined at least three Swallows and about ten Sand Martins in the lee of Siden Hill Wood. A probable Redstart called from the south-west pond, briefly, but moved away quickly before being seen.
Three Blackcaps were singing in the back gate copse with two on the east side challenging each other on the boundaries of their territories. One Chiffchaff sang in the copse (but moved backwards and forwards from the pond) with the second on the railway embankment. Only one was audible on the central streamline this morning. Green Woodpeckers were present by Railway Hide and along the Old Road and Treecreepers called again from the south-west pond area.
In the middle of the afternoon, an exceptional 48 Common Gulls dropped in to preen, wash and bathe, before departing to the north-east. There were still 53 Gadwall and 19 Teal, but no Wigeon.
The usual waders included eight Oystercatchers, nine Redshanks, one Snipe and a Little Ringed Plover.
7th April 2014
– Wet for most of the day. Westerly wind.
Rain was the main feature for most of the day and aside from the first House Martin of the year, at least three Swallows and ten Sand Martins there appeared to be nothing else new in on the migrant front.
A pair of Wigeon were still present on Car Park Pool and there were two Snipe in the Marsh but, otherwise, it was the normal fayre.
6th April 2014
– Mostly overcast, brisk southerly wind.
With migrants appearing to be held up further south, there was precious little that was new in although the first Willow Warbler of the year was reported at Bradnocks Marsh. A Green Sandpiper east of the A452, the first Peregrine for the month, a Raven, one Swallow and six Sand Martins were the other birds of note. At least 12 and probably 14 Redshank was the highest total so far this year.
5th April 2014
– Hazy sun a.m., overcast, occasional light rain in the afternoon, light south-westerly, some overnight rain.
The early morning birds, of interest, sadly soon departed with a Common Tern leaving its roost at 7 am and flying south and an Egyptian Goose on Railway Pool also leaving shortly after dawn.
A few Sand Martins were on the move with 15 at 12.45 and a further five at 2 pm, but not much else appeared to be getting through and it was left to the usual species to provide the interest.
Today’s counts were: two Great Crested Grebes, six Dabchicks, 17 Cormorants, four Mute Swans, the Black Swan, 13 Greylags, nine Canadas, two Shelduck, five Wigeon, 18 Teal, 64 Gadwall, 16 Shoveler, seven Mallard, 32 Tufted, five Moorhen, 32 Coot, sevenOystercatchers, six Redshanks, 33 Lapwing, one Ringed Plover, ten Snipe, four Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 525 Black-headed Gulls and four Blackcaps.
Pairs of Linnets were visible around the causeway and in the gorse patch by the back gate.
Nine attended the work party and three Tern rafts were made for floating out onto Railway Pool a little later in the month. Also the artificial Sand Martin bank is now virtually complete and is just waiting for the sand in the holes. Many thanks to all who attended and in particular to Chris Laight and Mike Hearn for their combined efforts on the Sand Martin banks.
4th April 2014
– Mostly overcast, south-westerly wind.
After the mist and smog of the last few days, a change in the wind to south-westerly brought a fresher feel to the day.
The best of the mornings action was two Little Egrets, one by the causeway and one on Railway Pool before they subsequently joined together and flew off. 11 Sand Martins and twoSwallows flew through and by the Aeromodellers there was a single Fieldfare and fourMeadow Pipits.
Singing Chiffchaffs included four on the Old Road (cottages, between the car park and the top gate, one by the Old Road game crop and another opposite the farm), two on the causeway and at least one in the back gate copse. Blackcaps today included one at either end of the Old Road and two in the back gate copse.
Other birds along the Old Road included Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker with aMistle Thrush by the barns at the farm. A pair of Red-legged Partridges, east of the A452, were the only birds of note on the flashes there.
3rd April 2014
– Overcast, easterly wind.
A Common Tern that spent much of the day commuting between the pools was the first of the year and a Jack Snipe also showed well in the Marsh in the late morning. At least 20 Sand Martins and a Swallow went through, both Little Ringed Plover and Ringed Plover showed during the day. Six Wigeon were still on site.
2nd April 2014
– Overcast, easterly wind.
Despite the run of east or south-easterly winds, there has been relatively little new in and the only new bird today was the first Swallow of the year which flashed through at about 7 pm this evening. There were three Sand Martins earlier in the day, which again did not linger, and a pair of Goosanders roosted in the evening. Five Wigeon, seven Redshank, eightOystercatchers, one Ringed Plover and two male Blackcaps in the back gate copse made up the best of the rest.
1st April 2014
– Misty start, clearing, occasional sunny intervals, light south-easterly wind.
The first Orange Tip Butterfly was on the wing today and a Small Tortoiseshell was also seen.
Birds seen early on included a pair of Goosanders, a Redpoll and three Snipe in the Marsh with two Ringed Plovers on Railway Pool in the evening. Ten singing Chiffchaffs included some migrant birds.
