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 elusive female Wheater showed briefly around the car park before moving to the tip field and particularly the fence line running west to east, but that too departed just after 10am.
Shortly after that, a full summer adult Iceland Gull circled the Reserve and the tip field before heading off north. This was the third record of the year with each bird separated exactly by a fortnight and appearing at roughly the same time of day on each occasion.
The Reserve was not “done” with rare Gulls, as from mid-morning a first- winter / moulting to first-summer Mediterranean Gull appeared on Railway Pool and commuted to the newly ploughed crop field and to Car Park Pool all day before eventually departing with the otherGulls in the early evening. The second-summer Mediterranean Gull also appeared again in the late afternoon.
Three further Sand Martins went through at about 3pm and other migrants included the first two singing Blackcaps since last Sunday, one on the Old Road and one on the Concrete Road, at least seven Chiffchaffs and two Little Ringed Plovers.
Wildfowl continued to depart as reflected in the following counts: Six Cormorants, twoHerons, three Great Crested Grebes, two Dabchicks, four Mute Swans and a Black Swa, six Greylags, four Canadas, a pair of Shelduck, 17 Wigeon, five Teal, 33 Gadwall, sixMallard, 16 Shoveler, one Pochard, 48 Tufted Ducks, 38 Coot, seven Moorhen, 230Black-headed Gulls, four Lesser Black-back Gulls and two Herring Gulls.
In addition to the Lapwings, there were five Redshank, two Oystercatchers and oneRinged Plover.
30th March 2012
– Cold north-westerly wind, cloudy.
In the morning, at least, there was no change to the species of the proceeding days.
Four Chiffchaffs were in song with three on the Old Road and at least one by the back gate and two pairs of Linnets were showing interest in the causeway gorse. There appear to be about 11 pairs of Lapwings on site at the moment, seven on Railway Pool, two on the Car Park Pool islands, one by the Dragonfly Pond and one or possibly two in the crop field. FourYellowhammers paid a brief visit to the car park and at least two pairs of Lesser Black-backed Gulls were in display flight over the pools.
25 Fieldfares flew low, west over the causeway, but there has not been a Redwing now for some days.
29th March 2012
– Light frost, sunny. Initially a south-easterly wind, turning cooler from the west.
Two Curlews flew over at 11.10 a.m. and were by far and away the most noteworthy species of the day. Other than single Ringed Plovers and Little Ringed Plovers there was nothing else in the log.
28th March 2012
– Frost and early mist quickly clearing.
Similar to yesterday; four Little Ringed Plovers appeared in the late evening and the JackSnipe showed briefly in the Marsh. The Mute Swan and Black Swan were up to no good!
27th March 2012
– Frosty and misty start with both burning off quickly in the sunny and warm conditions.
There seem to be about five Chiffchaffs singing on site at the moment with one by the cottages, two further birds either side of the top gate and two by the south-west pond. ThreeSkylarks circled the car park with one in song and there are birds singing both on the tip field and by the aeromodellers and east of the A452.
A Treecreeper called along the central streamline, a Redpoll was heard along the Old Road and there were still 67 Wigeon with a diminishing number of winter wildfowl on Car Park Pool. There remains plenty of activity from Oystercatchers and Redshank as well.
Later in the day there were four Little Ringed Plovers, mostly on the Car Park Pool islands and the Jack Snipe showed with three Common Snipe in the Marsh. In the late evening aBarn Owl was heard around the car park and a Bat species, probably a Pipistrelle, appeared.
Four dry cows are being introduced onto the Railway Pool banks to graze them for a couple of weeks to try and improve the sward. Please make sure the gates are kept shut.
26th March 2012
– Frosts, but warm and sunny thereafter – 18 degrees
Two Little Ringed Plovers were on Car Park Pool in the afternoon and the single RingedPlover again was visible from Oak Hide, along with seven Redshanks. A Goldcrest sang from the railway embankment and 18 Fieldfares went over.
25th March 2012
– Sunny, light south-easterly wind. Remaining warm, temperatures up towards 20°.
The second summer Mediterranean Gull reappeared in amongst the Black-heads on Railway Pool this morning and there was at least one Little Ringed Plover present as well.
There was then some confusion in the afternoon when a Gull resembling a Mediterranean Gull appeared in a similar location on Railway Pool. Fortunately, the two bird theory was in fact the actual two bird conclusion; the second winter Mediterranean Gull from the 22nd appeared for much of the morning but in the early afternoon a Hybrid Mediterranean /Black-headed Gull was in the same place on the islands on Railway Pool. The first bird is a classic Mediterranean Gull with a full black hood, eye crescents, red bill and legs and is structurally bigger than the Black-headed Gull. The Hybrid has a red bill and legs, like aMediterranean Gull and has the hood colour of a Mediterranean but, in shape, is like that of a Black-headed. Apologies for the confusion until it was realised there were two birds and not just one.
The Jack Snipe showed intermittently in the Marsh and fortunately, and at last, the writer saw it for a nano-second. A Blackcap sang in the copse by the back gate and seems likely to be a genuine migrant. Many of those that have been in song over the last few days in local parks and gardens are more likely to have been central European birds singing before moving south-east.
There were plenty of butterflies about in the warm sun, with at least ten small Tortoiseshells, a number of Peacocks and Commas on the wing.
24th March 2012
– Foggy start, slowly clearing, hazy sunlight, south-easterly wind.
Today’s migrants included at least six singing Chiffchaffs spread across the Reserve, a pair ofLittle Ringed Plovers on the Car Park Pool islands in the evening and a Sand Martin which flew through to the north during the morning. 43 Fieldfares flew over to land on the flood plain.
The warm sun brought out a number of butterflies including Brimstone, Peacock, Commaand Small Tortoiseshell. Toad and Frog Spawn is visible in the Dragonfly Pond. There have been Frogs in the Marsh but the Heron has thinned those out.
The winter Ducks are dropping in number and Graham Rowling’s counts were as follows: threeHerons, seven Cormorants, three Great Crested Grebes, seven Dabchicks, four Mute Swans, a Black Swan, 12 Greylags, eight Canadas, 75 Wigeon, 23 Gadwall, 24 Teal, 12Mallard, 21 Shoveler, three Pochard, 39 Tufted Ducks, 39 Coot, seven Moorhens, fourOystercatchers, a Ringed Plover, 39 Lapwing, eight Redshanks, 28 Snipe, 250 Black-headed Gulls, four Lesser Black-backed Gulls, four Common Gulls and 12 Meadow Pipits.
In the evening, a Peregrine caught and dropped a Lapwing over Car Park Pool and both of them flew off. The Peregrine circled the pools before flying to the south. Also ten Starlingscame in to roost at the Reedbed. A Raven flew over to the south of the Reserve going towards Berkswell.
23rd March 2012
– Misty start, hazy sun, south-easterly wind.
Not quite so exciting today as yesterday, but a Golden Plover over to the north-east in the morning, together with a Sand Martin rewarded those hoping for yesterday’s birds. ThreeLittle Ringed Plovers, a Ringed Plover, six Oystercatchers, six Redshanks, threeChiffchaffs and two Fieldfares were the other birds of note.
22nd March 2012
– sunny but with some high cloud south-easterly.
The change in the wind brought in two excellent birds today (so far anyway), being a second winter Mediterranean Gull and a Sandwich Tern. The former took up ”territory” on the largest island on railway pool and was displaying and moving stones around for about an hour until 12.30 when it flew off north. It seems likely, however, that it will reappear
Shortly after that had gone, a Sandwich Tern also appeared on Railway Pool and remained on and off until 6 p.m. when it flew north with the Black-headed Gulls.
The Mediterranean Gull reappeared at about 3 p.m. and that stayed until 4.45 when it too left.
At dawn there was an apparent increase in Chiffchaffs with at least five present scattered around the Reserve.
Other birds of note included five Redshanks, four Oystercatchers, 11 Snipe, one Ringed Plover, ten Common Gulls and at least 23 Fieldfares. A Small Tortoiseshell showed in the warm sunshine during the day and, in the late afternoon, the elusive Jack Snipe made a brief appearance in the Marsh.
21st March 2012
– Sunny intervals.
The first Wheatear of the year showed briefly on the mounds by Oak Hide but could not be found later. The male Peregrine was again around Siden Hill Wood and a Chiffchaff sang at the north end of Car Park Pool. A Weasel showed well again by Oak Hide and there were still at least 76 Wigeon present on the pools.
20th March 2012
– Warm and sunny, light west, north-westerly wind.
In the afternoon two Jack Snipe showed, one in the Marsh and one in the pool below Railway Hide. A Water Rail also showed in the Marsh. Two Little Ringed Plovers frequented the islands on Car Park Pool in the early evening and other records of note included 15 Meadow Pipits by the Dragonfly Pond, a male Peregrine around Siden Hill Wood and a CommaButterfly.
19th March 2012
– Mostly sunny.
The evening proved to be the most productive time, with a total of nine Sandmartinseventually counted, although there did appear to be some coming and going of birds throughout the late afternoon and early evening.
In addition to one Little Ringed Plover, a Dunlin also put in a brief visit and other birds of note included 18 Snipe, a single Fieldfare on the Old Road, seven Meadow Pipits and sixRedpolls along the concrete road.
18th March 2012
– Cold, north-westerly wind. Periodic rain and mostly cloudy.
Some passage was evident first thing on the west side of Siden Hill Wood with two groups ofRedwing totalling 27, 18 Meadow Pipits, six Chaffinches and five Linnets, all passing through the north or north-east. Two Green Woodpeckers were calling to each other by the sewage works and 29 Jackdaws and three Stock Doves fed on the ice rink field to the north of Tower Hide. The bird song within the wood was relatively subdued in the cold weather. Hopefully in years to come the new hedge planting there will help to warm up the wood.
On the main part of the Reserve, records and numbers were broadly in line with the previous few days with, on the wader front, one Little Ringed Plover, seven Redshanks, twoOystercatchers and eight Snipe. Chiffchaffs sang by the back gate, three Redpolls were on the central streamline and 33 Toads were counted in the Dragonfly Pond with some frogs spawn noted there as well. A large number of Frogs in the Marsh has not been so apparent this year, but the Heron has certainly been seen hoovering a few up.
17th March 2012
– A wet start, clearing, cool south-westerly wind.
At least one Little Ringed Plover was present for a short period during the middle of the morning but was not seen either side of this time. Other wader totals were eight Redshank, six Oystercatchers, 26 Snipe and 38 Lapwing and what was presumably yesterday’sCurlew again roosted and lingered until about 8.30 before leaving site.
A flock of 18 Lesser Redpolls showed well on the concrete road and included a fine pink male. Other birds of note included a Grey Wagtail by the bale store, a pair of Treecreepers by River Hide and a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker along the Old Road.
Graham’s other counts were three Great Crested Grebes, seven Dabchicks, twoCormorants, six Herons, seven Mute Swan, a Black Swan, ten Greylags, nine Canadas, four Shelduck, 115 Wigeon, 25 Gadwall, 21 Teal, 15 Mallard, 31 Shoveler, four Pochard, 34 Tufted Ducks, 36 Coot, six Moorhens, 240 Black-headed Gulls, 22 Common Gulls, five Lesser Black-backs, 12 Yellowhammers and a single Collared Dove.
Around lunchtime, a juvenile male Sparrowhawk remained perched for a while on the pile of cut willows to the right of River Hide. The generally brown back was predominantly white spotted and it also had a white neck patch.
16th March 2012
– Remaining cloudy with a cool south-westerly wind.
A Curlew was present on Railway Pool at 8.20 but it flew off shortly after. There was also aLittle Ringed Plover on Car Park Pool. There was initially one and subsequently two LittleRinged Plovers on Car Park Pool but as is usual for this time of year, the birds come and go.
Other waders included the erratic visiting Ringed Plover, eight Redshanks and fourOystercatchers and the Jack Snipe showed in the Marsh at 11.50.
March is the prime month for Common Gull passage and birds built up during the day to a minimum of 40 at mid-day.
A Chiffchaff sang along the Old Road by the car park gates.
15th March 2012
– Foggy or cloudy all day, still.
The prompt arrival of the first Little Ringed Plover of the year brightened up an otherwise dull day. Two female Goosanders were also on Car Park Pool in the morning and a Ringed Plover put in its usual brief appearance.
Other counts during the day included three Shelduck, 100 Wigeon, 18 Teal, 30 Shoveler, eight Pochard, eight Gadwall, two Great Crested Grebes, four Dabchicks and a Heron; other waders included 20 Lapwings, two Redshanks, four Oystercatchers and 12 Snipe.
There were at least nine Meadow Pipits and 20 Yellowhammers around the crop field and 14 Common Gulls joined the Black-headed Gulls. It was interesting that at dusk all theBlack-headed Gulls had left the Reserve, presumably to roost on one of the reservoirs.
14th March 2012
– Cloudy again, late afternoon sun, southerly wind.
Birds reported this afternoon were a pair of Goosander, Green Sandpiper, five Redshanks, four Oystercatcher, eight Snipe. five Buzzards, two Green Woodpeckers, a Nuthatch and at least 15 Yellowhammers.
13th March 2012
– A drizzly start and cloudy for most of the day.
Seven Oystercatchers, sixRedshanks, ten Snipe, a Ringed Plover and a few Lapwingswere the principle waders of the day, with other birds of note including a Raven that went over at about 8.30, at least ten each of Meadow Pipits and Yellowhammer around the car park, 20 Siskin and 11 Lesser Redpolls on the central streamline and approximately tenRedwings along the Old Road and what may have been the same birds just west of Siden Hill Wood in the afternoon.
The majority of the hedge planting has now been completed at Siden Hill Wood and hopefully the rest will follow in the next few days.
12th March 2012
– Foggy / cloudy start, sun breaking through from about mid-day onwards.
A noticeable increase in Redshanks today, with at least eight, possibly nine, around the Reserve with most in the late afternoon on Car Park Pool. A singing Chiffchaff was in good voice along the central streamline and would appear to be the first genuine migrant of the year. A Raven went over at 4.45 p.m. and both Red-tailed and White-tailed Bumblebeeswere seen on the Reserve.
In the late evening, an impressive three Jack Snipes showed from 5.30 to dusk in the channel in front of Oak Hide. The writer would be quite grateful to see one!
11th March 2012
– sunny all day, light but cool north-westerly wind.
Despite prolonged sky watching in the morning, the Iceland Gull did not show again. TwoGrey Wagtails went north, and may well have been migrants and there were two Fieldfaresseen in the morning. Other counts included three Great Crested Grebes, seven Dabchicks, 200 Black-headed Gulls, six Common Gulls (later 19), five Lesser Black-backs, fourRedshanks and 11 Snipe.
Around mid-day a Curlew went over, and probably the same bird a little later on. A Tree Sparrow was noted in the log, with no location (unfortunately); this is the first record for the year. The elusive Jack Snipe and a Water Rail showed in the Marsh and a Peacock Butterfly, the first of the year, was on the wing.
10th March 2012
– Sunny intervals, cool but light north-westerly wind.
The bird of the day, two weeks after its presumed first visit, was a second winter Iceland Gull, but it went one better than a fortnight ago by actually landing on Car Park Pool, albeit for only a few minutes. Found by Paul Hyde, it showed well to five people (two of whom were lucky to arrive just at the right moment), before it departed to the north-east where it was re-found briefly on one of the quarries at Packington before again departing quickly.
It was a very white and as usual long-winged bird with a pale iris denoting its second year status.
Other counts for the weekend included three Great Crested Grebes, four Dabchicks, aHeron, 11 Cormorants, two Mute Swans, 31 Greylags, eight Canadas, two Shelducks, 130 Wigeon, 19 Gadwall, 40 Teal, 29 Mallard, 52 Shoveler, 13 Pochard, 30 Tufteds, 39Coot, four Moorhens, 71 Lapwings, four Oystercatchers, two Redshanks one Ringed Plover, 15 Snipe, 390 Black-headed Gulls, 33 Common Gulls, four Lesser Black-backs, 17 Lesser Redpolls on the central streamline and two more with ten Goldfinches along the concrete road and 22 Yellowhammers in the crop field. 19 Meadow Pipits fed around the Dragonfly Pond and represented an increase on birds that have been around for some weeks and therefore probably suggested some migration. An impressive (that is the way we look at it) 400 Wood Pigeons fed around Siden Hill Wood.
Five Bullfinches showed during the morning, including a pair on the railway embankment, a pair on the Old Road and one by the car park.
9th March 2012
– Sunny intervals, south-westerly wind.
The Ringed Plover was again present, briefly, along with six Oystercatchers and twoRedshanks.
The fencers have nearly finished and will be off site from the end of this afternoon.
8th March 2012
– Mostly sunny, westerly wind.
The Jack Snipe showed well in the Marsh for much of the day along with four CommonSnipe. The Peregrine was also perched in Siden Hill Wood during the morning. Other counts during the day included two Great Crested Grebes, five Dabchicks, 30 Shoveler, 220Wigeon, 55 Teal, a pair of Goosander, 60 Lapwing, two Oystercatchers, a Ringed Plover, Redshank and 26 Yellowhammers.
7th March 2012
– Generally wet.
No records.
6th March 2012
– Foggy start and still.
By 9 a.m. the fog had not lifted although the sun was making a valiant attempt to break through; as a result it was difficult to see across the pools but the Oystercatchers were vocal with a pair in display flight over Railway Pool. At least ten Snipe showed well on the grass in front of Car Park Hide with another three in the Marsh.
There was a scattering of Redwings along the Old Road and towards the Kennels with 15 to 20 in total. There were two singing Yellowhammers near the car park with ten to 15 birds in the Old Road hedges.
After the fog cleared an adult Yellow-legged Gull put in a brief appearance in the morning, along with a pair of Redshanks, ten Redpoll (no location) and a pair of Treecreepers again by the top gate.
5th March 2012
– Strong north-westerly wind and sunny.
No records.
4th March 2012
– Heavy overnight rain persisted until early afternoon when the front largely cleared. Cold, blustery north-westerly wind.
The inclement weather did little to encourage anything different on the bird front. There were a pair of Redshanks on Car Park Pool and the single Ringed Plover put in a brief appearance on Railway Pool. Seven Stock Doves fed on the banks to Railway Pool and the pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers were chasing each other around both the trees at Oak Hide and later by the back gate.
Wildfowl counts included 29 Canadas and 30 Shoveler, all on Railway Pool, and the islands on Railway Pool remained lively with displaying Black-headed Gulls and Lapwings.
3rd March 2012
– Overcast and drizzly in the morning, wind changing from south-east to south-west. Mild and sunny afternoon.
Thrushes remain on the move with at least 50 Redwings along the Old Road at first light, with a few Fieldfares and then 40 Fieldfares there mid-morning. Nine Meadow Pipits fed in the grass around Car Park Hide and were showing well. Eight Siskins and six Redpolls frequented the Alders along the central streamline and there were still at least eight Yellowhammers in the crop field, including two in song.
The Old Road was quiet first thing, aside from the thrushes, with the odd Goldcrest,Treecreeper and Bullfinch to liven things up; that said, there was plenty of bird song particularly from Song Thrushes with at least seven spread across the Reserve.
The Saturday counts were as follows: two Great Crested Grebes, two Dabchicks, 14Cormorants, a Heron, two Mute Swans, 15 Greylags, six Canadas, a Shelduck, 233Wigeon, 30 Gadwall, 55 Teal, 17 Mallard, 42 Shoveler, nine Pochard, 41 Tufteds, a pair of Goosander, 53 Coot, seven Moorhen, 126 Lapwing, one Ringed Plover, twoRedshanks, three Oystercatchers, 11 Snipe, 140 Black-headed Gulls, three Common Gulls, nine Lesser Black-backs, 300 Wood Pigeons (200 around Siden Hill Wood and 100 on the Oilseed Rape along the Old Road), and a pair of Kestrels around the Car Park.
12 attended the work party in the afternoon. It was extremely successful with approximately 250m of new hedging planted on the west side of Siden Hill Wood. Many thanks to Chris Laight for his help in firstly clearing out some of the vegetation and, secondly, bringing the plants, canes and rabbit guards to site. Thanks to all those who attended.
2nd March 2012
– Foggy start but clearing quickly, hazy sun, light south-easterly wind.
A spring like feel today, with the arrival of the first Redshanks of the year, with three on Car Park Pool along with an increase in Oystercatchers to five. The Ringed Plover was also on Railway Pool, two Snipe were in the Marsh and a Green Sandpiper went over. FourShelducks, two pairs, were on Railway Pool and there were two Meadow Pipits and a number of Yellowhammers around the car park.
In the afternoon, two Green Sandpipers lingered on Car Park Pool and there were eightSnipe in the rushes below the hide.
A pair of Goosanders roosted on Railway Pool in the afternoon, there were seven Meadow Pipits around Car Park Hide and 13 mixed thrushes on the Old Road.
1st March 2012
– Still, foggy and cool start, with the sun trying to break through. Mild and sunny day thereafter.
Birds were difficult to see on the pools in the morning fog, but there were plenty of Wigeon at the north end of Car Park Pool, and a pair of Oystercatchers and a Shelduck on Railway Pool.
In the trees by the back gate there was a flock of 20 Siskins and, on the Causeway, approximately 20 Fieldfares, three Meadow Pipits and four Goldfinches. There was another mixed flock of Thrushes on the concrete road with an estimated 25 Fieldfares and 15Redwings, and two small flocks of Starlings totalling just short of 20 birds.
Later in the morning, a juvenile Peregrine was again on the railway viaduct andOystercatchers have increased to three, whilst in Siden Hill Wood, a Woodcock was flushed from the side of one of the paths.
