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 was a female Gadwall with two relatively small young. TheLapwing flock which were mostly on Railway Pool were spooked by a male Sparrowhawk and moved to Car Park Pool at about 9 a.m. They totalled in the region of 70 birds. There was a separate Sparrowhawk perched on the flood plain, a mewing young Buzzard around Siden Hill Wood and 20 plus Sand Martins either over the pools or trying to gain height to avoid one of the Sparrowhawks.
A Whitethroat showed well in front of Railway Hide and there were some young Linnetsaround the car park.
Lastly, today’s Teal count totalled 28, there was a single female Shoveler and the eclipse male Wigeon.
30th July 2014
– Sunny intervals, light north-westery wind.
Today’s counts were as follows: 57 Greylag, 15 Canada, 16 Herons, an Oystercatcher, twoCommon Sandpipers, 16 Tufted broods totalling 99 Ducklings, nine adult Common Ternsand five fledged juveniles, four Gadwall broods with one on Car Park Pool and three on Railway Pool and Little Grebes with one chick on Railway Pool and two fledged juveniles now on Car Park Pool from elsewhere. There were at least six Chiffchaffs in a large Long-tailed Tit flock on the causeway in the evening.
29th July 2014
– Hot and sunny, light north westerly, some cloud
A more interesting selection of birds today which included a Little Egret which showed well on the gravel bar, best viewed from River Hide. In the evening, three Common Sandpipers, twoGreen Sandpipers, a Ringed Plover, a Hobby and a Mediterranean Gull. There were at least 40 Sand Martins over the pools and the Teal count had jumped to 38.
28th July 2014
– Mostly warm and sunny, light north north-easterly
Car Park Pool hosted a Little Egret and two Common Sandpipers this morning and from Oak Hide, there was just a single Oystercatcher, a Wigeon and good views of a Green Woodpecker. Fledgling Reed Warblers were on show along the causeway.
27th July 2014
– Sunny, some cloud, west north westerly
The adult Yellow-legged Gull flew over Car Park Hide towards Oak Hide at 3.30pm this afternoon and a Little Egret roosted on Car Park Pool in the early afternoon. Waders comprised singles of Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper plus eight Oystercatchers and there were also 20 Teal.
26th July 2014
– Sunny, south westerly
The best bird today was an adult Yellow-legged Gull which perched and showed well on the Car Park Pool islands together with a Herring Gull and three Lesser Black-backs. There were a few more migrant waders today with a Ringed Plover, a Little Ringed Plover, a Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper.
Other counts today comprised seven Cormorants, seven Herons, three Little Grebes, 30Greylags, six Canadas, 44 Mallard, a rise in Teal to 26, five Gadwall and three broods, aShoveler, a Wigeon, 20 Tufted and ten broods, a Pochard, 55 Coot, 13 Moorhen, only 15Black-headed Gulls, 11 Common Terns and five juveniles, 76 Lapwing and tenOystercatchers. A few Swifts were on the move early on.
25th July 2014
– Sunny, north westerly
A Red Kite was seen from Oak Hide, distantly beyond Railway this morning, between 9.50am and 9.55am. Yesterday’s Common Sandpiper remained but a Little Ringed Plover was new in and there were ten Common Terns, ten Herons, and a Little Grebe with two chicks from the causeway.
Butterflywise, two male Brown Argus from the second generation showed well between the south-west pond and the Railway and a Small Copper added interest on the edge of the Reedbed Pool. Both Ruddy Darter and Common Darters were in flight over the Car Park Pond and Small Red-eyed Damselflies were up to double figures on the Dragonfly Pool. There were also at least two female Emperors there.
24th July 2014
– Sunny, east north easterly
Quiet again. A single Common Snipe showed again from Oak Hide, there was a Common Sandpiper in front of Railway Hide, three Teal spread across the Reserve and a Kestrel was seen.
23rd July 2014
– Sunny, east north easterly
The first Small Red-eyed Damselflies of the year were seen on the Dragonfly Pond today, often perching on the pond weed in the middle. Lots of butterflies were also on the wing in the good weather including a Brimstone by Railway Hide and a number of Common Blues around the car park.
Few birds of note today, with just a single Oystercatcher on Car Park Pool and a family party of Chiffchaffs around the car park.
22nd July 2014
– Sunny, north easterly
During the day, migrant waders comprised singles of Green and Common Sandpiper, oneSnipe and a Little Ringed Plover, whilst two Oystercatchers remained on site. Within the wildfowl, there was a single Shoveler and a Wigeon and the three usual raptors – Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard – were all on view.
In the early evening, at least two Essex Skippers and plenty of Small Skippers showed well up by the bale store with good numbers of both along the concrete road and in the grasses around the car park pond. There were also Common Blues there and Emerald Damselflieson the car park pond. At least four Southern Hawkers were seen across the Reserve.
21st July 2014
– Sunny, westerly
There were still at least three Green Sandpipers this morning, along with a single Common Sandpiper and the Snipe in the Marsh. Three Oystercatchers put in a brief appearance and there were at least two drake Pochard and ten Teal. A few hirundines were feeding over the pools and one Swift moved south.
An immature Herring Gull also dropped into bathe before moving off.
20th July 2014
– Occasional sunny intervals, humid, variable, mostly north-westerly wind.
An interesting collection of records today with the stand-out being of a Cormorant consuming a fully grown Little Grebe, and from species that was believed to be entirely fish eating! It took at least ten minutes.
A juvenile Wheatear fed for a few minutes on the west shore of Car Park Pool before flying off high, south-west, at 11 a.m. This is a particularly early record for this species and appears to be the first July record. Teal numbers reached 21, there were at least 18 Cormorants, fourGreen Sandpipers, two Common Sandpipers, returning Wigeon, 13 Tufted broods andWillow Warbler, Goldcrest and Blackcap by the top gate.
Noteworthy butterflies included a male Brown Argus and two male Common Blues by the bale store, four male Common Blues between the south-west pond and Railway Hide.Peacock Butterflies were much in evidence today with double figure counts across the Reserve, together with some Small Tortoiseshells and a large number of Small and Green-veined Whites.
19th July 2014
– The overnight rain extended into the morning, with slightly drier conditions in the afternoon, light south-easterly wind.
The Lapwing flock had built up to at least 110 this morning and a very noisy flock of 14Oystercatchers flew into Railway Pool at lunchtime. There were at least three Common Sandpipers and one Green Sandpiper and Swifts were again on the move in the afternoon as the weather improved with at least 20 feeding at the southern end of Siden Hill Wood, joined by 15 House Martins also feeding over the wood. A Sparrowhawk came out of Siden Hill Wood before moving off north and, a little later, a pair of Hobbies were also seen briefly over Siden Hill Wood.
Other counts today included: seven Little Grebes with single youngsters on both Car Park and Railway Pools, 19 Cormorants, six Herons, two adult Mutes and six cygnets, 15 Greylags, five Shoveler, 14 Teal, 35 Gadwall and three broods, 46 Mallard and a single brood, 22Tufted and 12 broods, three drake Pochard, 45 Coot, 15 Moorhen, three juvenile Reed Warblers by Oak Hide with an adult singing behind the hide, another signing to the right hand side and an active bird in the reeds opposite, five Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 81 Black-headed Gulls and 11 adult Common Terns, five fledged juveniles and three chicks.
Sadly there were many dead fish around this morning which is almost certainly as a result of the heavy rain, thunder and lightening of the previous two days. Two things can happen; firstly and particularly in still and humid weather, the oxygen transfer between the air and the water is limited to the top layers and the bottom layers, with cooler water on organic matter become de-oxygenated. Heavy rain produces some turbulent and temperature transfer, bringing the colder de-oxygenated water to the surface and killing the fish. Or the heavy rain and pressure changes can cause a sudden death in algal which also causes water de-oxygenation. An estimated 200lb, mostly of Carp and some Perch are scattered around the margins.
18th July 2014
– Very hot and humid, light south-easterly wind, before further thunder and lightening and overnight rain.
Migrant waders today comprised singles of Common and Green Sandpiper, two Ringed Plover, one Little Ringed Plover and 11 Oystercatchers. Wildfowl included five Pochard, five Shoveler, but only three Teal. Ten Swallows fed over the pools and a Kestrel showed well over the car park.
17th July 2014
– Misty start, sunny later, light south-westerly wind before thunder and lightening, and overnight rain.
The first Painted Lady of the year, a rather worn individual, put in a brief appearance by the side of Railway Hide before flying off over Railway Pool this morning. Around the Dragonfly Pond, two female Emperor Dragonflies were egg laying and showing well, with a male patrolling and occasionally perching alongside the concrete road. There were also two maleRuddy Darters there, the first of the year, and good numbers of Emerald Damselflies.
Bird wise, the family party of Whitethroats showed well by Railway Hide along with twoGreen Woodpeckers and a Jay and two Chiffchaffs along the path to River Hide.
16th July 2014
– Sunny and warm start, increasing cloud, heavy evening showers. South-westerly wind.
A quiet start to the day on the pools with no migrant waders visible. Nevertheless Swifts were on the move with a progressive build-up to at least 35 at the southern end of Siden Hill Wood with birds appearing all the time. A family party of Blackcaps joined a small group of Great Tits at the west end of the back gate copse and the Whitethroat family showed well around the Guelder Rose adjacent to River Hide.
Later in the day a Little Ringed Plover appeared and wildfowl included 21 Teal, four male and two female Pochard and two Shoveler. Six Oystercatchers were feeding around the margins of the islands and at least four juvenile Common Terns were on the wing with 20 adults in attendance.
Broods of duck were as follows: Gadwall: Car Park one plus one Tufted; Railway Pool 18, 4, 5, Mallard: Car Park 5 plus 3 Tufted; Railway Pool 2, Tufted: Car Park 7, 8 and 4; Railway Pool 6, 2, 7, 2, 3, 7, 2, 8, 5.
15th July 2014
– Sunny and warm, light south-westerly wind.
Yesterday’s three Little Ringed Plovers and the resident Ringed Plover were still on Railway Pool and a Hobby hawked Dragonflies over the pool later in the day.
Butterflies included a female Brown Argus by Railway Hide and two Essex Skippers by the car park near the pools.
In the evening, many thanks to the six who attended the Work Party with jobs done including some clearance around the hides to improve visibility, the opening up of the Marsh and some Ragwort pulling.
14th July 2014
– Sunny intervals, hot, light south-westerly wind, light overnight rain 14th to 15th July.
Today’s highlight was undoubtedly the sighting of a young Cuckoo being fed by a pair of Reed Warblers by River Hide, no doubt the result of the prospecting female in May and June. Other birds included three Little Ringed Plovers and a Ringed Plover on Railway Pool, fourOystercatchers and four Pochard on or around Car Park Pool and a pair of Linnets and a showy Whitethroat on the causeway.
13th July 2014
– Drizzly start, increasingly strong north-westerly wind, sunny intervals and warming from 11.30.
Three adult and three juvenile Little Ringed Plovers were today’s migrant waders. They were all restricted to Railway Pool where, over the weekend, there was not a single Redshank seen. Sadly, there has been no successful breeding this year. One clutch was seen predated by aMoorhen. Other Redshanks were seen disappearing into veegetation, as if on eggs, but no young have been seen and whether all the clutches were predated by Moorhens is not known.
On Car Park Pool, wildfowl included five Pochard, 14 Teal, six Shoveler and a new brood of six Mallard. By the back gate, an adult and two juvenile Green Woodpeckers showed well with a further juvenile Green Woodpecker on the concrete road. Fledged Swallows,Whitethroats and House Sparrows were all conspicuous around Patrick Farm
12th July 2014
– Hot, humid and sunny, with cloud building as the day progressed, south-westerly wind.
In the early morning, a Green Sandpiper was feeding and showing well in the Marsh and theLesser Whitethroat was again in brief song along the Old Road, north of the car park.
Green Woodpeckers have bred successfully, both by Railway Hide and along the Old Road, with adults and at least one young in each location. Other counts today comprised six Heron, four Cormorants, seven Little Grebes (including the pair still on eggs in front of Railway Hide), five adult Mute Swans and six cygnets, the Black Swan, 12 Greylags, 41 Mallardand a brood of two on Railway Pool, an increase in Teal to 15, three Shoveler, 20 Gadwalland at least four broods (Railway Pool: 5,4 and 18; Car Park Pool: a single with two Tufted), seven Tufted and six broods (Car Park: 1,6; Railway Pool: 12, 3, 7 and 1), 56 Coot, 11Moorhens and two broods of two each on Railway Pool, at least 11 Oystercatchers, 150Lapwing, an adult Little Ringed Plover, 142 Black-headed Gulls, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls and at least five adult Common Terns and seven juveniles.
Other birds of note included at least one juvenile Robin by the back gate, a singing Willow Warbler and Whitethroat by Oak Hide, an adult Willow Warbler and two fledged young just north of the car park, at least two juvenile Wrens on the causeway, a juvenile Whitethroatjust north of the car park, singing Goldcrest at either end of the bale store, a very agitated female Blackcap carrying food near the Old Road game crop, two adults and a perched juvenile Buzzard on the flood plain, a male Yellowhammer carrying food from the field below Siden Hill Wood to the railway, a family party of Treecreepers and a juvenile fledgedDunnock at the south end of Siden Hill Wood; and, on the migration front, two adult and three juvenile Swallows came in from the north, fed briefly over the central streamline and then headed south along with a Swift. Five further Swifts followed the wind, feeding as they moved north-east and six other Swifts were feeding over the wood.
Plenty of butterflies and dragonflies were on the wing today, with at least two Marbled Whitesnear Railway Hide, plenty of Small Tortoiseshells, at least two Red Admirals, at least twoCommas and lots of Speckled Woods in Siden Hill Wood.
A number of Brown Hawkers were scattered across the Reserve and at least two Emperorswere patrolling the Dragonfly Pool.
11th July 2014
– Mostly overcast, north-westerly wind.
A number of Essex Skippers showed well in the long grass around the car park area today. In previous years this species has been confined to a small section of the concrete road towards the bend, so with the spectre of HS2 hanging over that area it is good to discover a new colony. Both Small and Large Skippers are also in reasonable numbers on the grass banks.
10th July 2014
– Sunny north-westerly wind.
The turnover of Little Ringed Plovers continues with three adults today, all on Railway Pool. The adult Ringed Plover remains and Teal numbers were up to seven. A Hobby put in a brief appearance over the Railway Pool and there was a new brood of Tufted, this time on Car Park Pool, with ten juveniles.
9th July 2014
– Sunny intervals, blustery north-westerly wind
The adult and juvenile Little Ringed Plover were together and showing well in front of Railway Hide this morning, along with the two fledged Lapwing chicks from the island there. There were also two juvenile Pied Wagtails with an adult and two of the three Mallardducklings from the weekend’s late brood, feeding on the shoreline with the female.
Reed Warblers were in good song both to the west of Railway Hide and in front of the Hide and the Green Woodpecker family there were very vocal.
At least seven Swifts were feeding over the streamline in the blustery conditions and there were still plenty of Black-headed Gull and Common Tern activity.
In the evening, counts were as follows:
Gadwall three broods all on Railway Pool (18, 5 and 6), the female with 18 has done remarkably well to keep them altogether; Mallard brood on Railway Pool down to two; andTufted Duck brood, just a single on Railway Pool.
Non breeding wildfowl comprised, three Teal, two Shoveler and a drake Pochard. There were also an adult Great Crested Grebe, seven adult Little Grebes and a juvenile from elsewhere, eight Oystercatchers, 15 adult Common Terns, five fledged juveniles and three chicks, and the first Southern Hawker of the year by River Hide.
8th July 2014
– Sunny and warm start, soon clouding over, rain mid morning. Northerly wind.
A superb Barn Owl seen all too briefly hunting the grass field north of the concrete road was definitely today’s highlight. The bird was seen at the relatively late time of 8.45 am and then again at 9.05. For clarity this is the field in which the Dusky Warbler was seen and in which the wind sock is located.
After last night’s rain, Warblers were particularly active today with young Whitethroats seen in the back gate compound (two) and a further two to the west of Railway Hide along the fence line where there was also one juvenile Reed Warbler. At least three Sedge Warblers were back in song, one to the left of River Hide (looking out over Railway Pool), one in the north causeway bay and one by the Car Park Pool. A family party of Chiffchaffs showed well along the concrete road with two separate adults in song and Saturday’s family party of Lesser Whitethroats had moved to the east side of the A452 along the concrete road there.
Waders on the pools included at least six fledged Lapwing young, (all Reserve bred), adult and juvenile Little Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper and the resident male Ringed Plover.
Family parties of Reed Warblers were seen to the west of the north causeway screen and on the bank east of Oak Hide.
A juvenile Grey Wagtail frequented the shore of the island in front of Railway Hide in the late morning and, in the afternoon, two Greenshanks put in a brief appearance on Railway Pool.
7th July 2014
– Sunny intervals, warm, south-westerly wind. Cloud building later and rain early evening and overnight.
A somewhat out of season (for the Reserve at any rate) first-summer Common Gull flew south at 8.30 in the morning and both Hobby and Kingfisher were seen on or over the Reedbed. A Grey Wagtail, with three Pieds, four Oystercatchers, a Ringed Plover and aGreen Woodpecker were all seen on or around Railway Pool. There were at least 20 Swiftsover, six Teal spread across the Pools and Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Buzzard were all recorded during the day.
At least three Marbled Whites, four Small Tortoiseshells and a Comma Butterfly were seen in the area between Oak Hide and Railway Hide, along with plenty of Meadow Brownsand Ringlets.
6th July 2014
– Sunny intervals, warm, south-westerly wind, some heavy showers around 6 pm.
At least three Gadwall broods showed well on Railway Pool this morning with the 18 young still in tact and two broods of five, one of which is now well grown as well. There was possibly a fourth brood but it was difficult to be sure. A new and late brood of three young Mallard were also on Railway Pool along with 12 Oystercatchers and a Redshank. An impressive 24Rooks were counted on the flood plain and there were two singing Yellowhammers in the arable field north of the Aeromodellers.
Still at least four Marbled Whites were on the wing between Oak and Railway Hides along with seven Commas and lots of Meadow Browns and Skippers. Small Tortoiseshells are having a good year and at least ten were counted today and Odonata included two Emperors, a Brown Hawker, lots of Black-tailed Skimmers and one Banded Demoiselle.
5th July 2014
– Wet until 9 am and then clearing and warming, south-westerly wind.
A pair of Lesser Whitethroats around the concrete road underpass area have raised at least four young with six birds counted between the bend in the concrete road and the underpass. A further bird was in song on the Old Road from a second pair.
Other records of note today included a pair of Emerald Damselflies on the Old Road under the oak tree between the car park and the Dragonfly Pool and an impressive count of 17Oystercatchers.
Other counts were: eight Cormorants, three Herons, seven Little Grebes, six Mute Swansand six cygnets, 32 Greylags, 38 Mallard, six Teal, two Shoveler, 27 Gadwall and two broods of 18 and five on Railway Pool, 35 Tufted and now three broods with two new ones on Car Park Pool of ten and two, 34 Coot and a new brood of three on Dragonfly Pool, eightMoorhen and two broods on Car Park Pool (2 and 1), 30 Lapwing, Ringed Plover, Black Swan, 120 adult Black-headed Gulls and at least 160 juveniles, one Lesser Black-back, nine adult Common Terns, seven flying juveniles and two chicks, at least 40 Sand Martins, 25 Swifts and three Bullfinches by the back gate.
An adult Little Ringed Plover was briefly on Railway Pool at first light but not subsequently.
4th July 2014
– Sunny intervals becoming overcast in the afternoon with light rain, south-westerly wind.
No records.
3rd July 2014
– Sunny intervals, brisk south-westerly wind.
The post-breeding flock of Lapwings is beginning to gather in strength and there were at least 55 birds today mostly on the clear stoney area, extending out from Tern Island and directly out from Oak Hide.
An adult Mistle Thrush was collecting food in the crop field again and Garden Warblers in brief song included one on the Old Road and one either side of the central stream crossing. A young Reed Warbler showed very well on the causeway, just beyond the hide and a pair ofSedge Warblers performed well just to the right of the car park causeway hide.
A Curlew put in a brief appearance on Railway Pool before flying south at 11.15 and a Hobbywas hawking dragonflies over the Reedbed. Later, a Sparrowhawk with prey flew over Railway Pool and today’s butterfly counts saw at least five Marbled Whites, a number ofSmall Tortoiseshells, Ringlets and Meadow Browns and a Red Admiral.
2nd July 2014
– Sunny, west, south-westerly wind.
A change in the wind freshened things up a little but there was little new by way of birds. The only thing out of the ordinary was a dead Mole on the path by River Hide!
1st July 2014
– East, north-easterly wind. Some cloud and sunny intervals.
The only birds in the log today were two male Pochard, an adult Little Ringed Plover.
