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 was visible in the box on the central streamline.
No Broad-bodied Chasers yet, but the first Black-tailed Skimmers were on the wing today at the Dragonfly Pond, along with two Four-spotted Chasers and the following Damselflies:Blue-tailed, Azure, Common Blue and Red-eyed. A female Beautiful Demoiselle was by the south-west pond and three male Beautiful Demoiselle and four females along the Old Road towards the bale store.
John Oates found the following Bumblebees: White-tailed, Tree, Buff-tailed, Red-tailed, Early, Forest Cuckoo and Garden. There was also a Hornet near Railway Hide.
Bird counts today, courtesy of Graham Rowling, were: five Herons, six Cormorants, threeGreat Crested Grebes, four Dabchicks, nine adult Mute Swans and the brood of six on Railway Pool,( the two sitting pairs on Car Park Pool and Reedbed Pool appear to have failed), 30 Greylags and 32 goslings (Railway Pool 23, 6 and 3), 37 Canadas, 21 Gadwall and a brood of four on Railway Pool, a pair of Shoveler, 95 Tufted (an excellent count for this time of year), 22 Coot and three broods (four in the pond by the car park, two on Car Park Pool and two on Railway Pool), six Moorhen and a brood of five on Railway Pool, eight Oystercatcherswith single young on Car Park Pool and Railway Pool, four Redshank, 33 Lapwing and four broods (one on Car Park Pool and a single and two lots of two on Railway Pool), two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 170 Blackheads and 30 chicks and 30 Common Terns.
During the afternoon there were five Swifts, at least 40 House Martins and two Swallowsover the pools.
30th May 2014
– Overcast, light easterly wind.
Slightly milder today and also slightly brighter. A single first-summer Mediterranean Gull was on Car Park Pool opposite the hide at 9 a.m., and a few Swifts and Martins were feeding over the pools.
Later in the day, a late Common Sandpiper appeared on Railway Pool and all three first-summer Mediterranean Gulls were on site.
A total of nine Lapwing chicks were counted this morning, there were three Shoveler (two males and a female) and a Shelduck briefly on Railway Pool.
29th May 2014
– Overcast, drizzly, cool, north-easterly wind.
The three first-summer Mediterranean Gulls again came and went throughout the day. Frequently the pair on Car Park Pool are directly opposite the hide and close to the bay on the main island; the single bird seems to prefer Railway Pool but in the evening all three were together on Car Park Pool. A Hobby went over the Old Road in the afternoon and a fledged juvenile Pied Wagtail and an adult were on Railway Pool. It is not clear whether this is a separate adult and juvenile to one earlier in the week by Patrick Farm.
Ten Cormorants were roosting on the gravel bar in front of River Hide and a brood of seven young Moorhens were being eyed up by the Black-headed Gulls. One particularly persistentGull picked up a young Moorhen on two occasions, but dropped it when pursued by one of the adult Moorhens. I suspect the brood will not last at this number for very long.
28th May 2014
– Wet all day, cool north-easterly wind.
No records.
27th May 2014
– Cool, northerly wind, overcast and drizzly all day
With the weather remaining inclement, there was little out of the ordinary on the bird front, although the three first-summer Mediterranean Gulls were again on site for part of the day. A second Gadwall brood has now hatched on Railway Pool and there was a brood ofMoorhens there as well.
Again thanks to Graham Rowling, a more detailed count of the Twayblades revealed 107 in the back gate copse (maths was never my strong point!).
26th May 2014
– Overcast, cool, drizzly, south-easterly wind.
With the waning of the spring migration attention turned elsewhere today, and in some style (!), Martin and Paul Reay found Common Twayblade orchids in the back gate copse, a new species to the Reserve and on a quick look in miserable weather, there were at least 33 plants on either side of the walkway through the copse today. Please tread carefully!
More excellent news came in the shape of amazing counts of Southern Marsh Orchids in the orchid field, with Graham Rowling having the patience to count 750 there along with 80 Common Spotted. More Southern Marsh are coming up to the left of Car Park Hide with at least six stems visible there too.
The pair of first-summer Mediterranean Gulls and at least one drake Shoveler were on Car Park Pool and a Jay has become a regular visitor to the peanuts and is presumably feeding young. In the inclement weather, Swifts and hirundines included at least 25 of the former, together with five Swallow, two House Martin and 50 Sand Martins.
25th May 2014
– Blustery, south-easterly wind. Sunny intervals and dry.
The three first-summer Mediterranean Gulls were present again this morning with the pair favouring the central island on Car Park Pool and the other bird joining the Black-heads on the point to Tern Island. A Kingfisher flew across Car Park Pool and of the 31 Common Ternsthere appeared to be as many as 24 now sitting. Black-headed Gull chicks are hatching every day now and there were at least four this morning.
24th May 2014
– Mostly wet, east, north-easterly wind.
The unrelenting rain today brought down a summer plumaged Sanderling onto Railway Pool but the bird paused only for a few seconds and flew off at 12.15. The pair of first-summerMediterranean Gulls were on Car Park Pool again and a Kingfisher showed well along the river. At least 50 Swifts and 15 House Martins were feeding over the Reserve and towards Siden Hill Wood and there does appear to be a late movement of House Martins taking place.
Other counts today were: three Cormorants, four Great Crested Grebes, four Little Grebes, five adult Mute Swans with a brood of six on Railway Pool, 20 Gadwall and the brood of eight still on Railway Pool, four male Shoveler and two females, seven Mallard and the brood of eight still on Car Park Pool, 63 Tufteds, five Moorhen, 14 Coot with four broods (four in the pond by the car park, two on Car Park pool itself, four on Railway Pool and a breed of two in the Reedbed). 27 adult Lapwings and at least three broods (two on Car Park Pool, one in the crop field and two on Railway Pool), eight Redshank, two Little Ringed Plover, sixOystercatchers with a well grown youngster on Railway Pool, 37 Common Terns, including the Brandon bird ringed in 2010, 224 Black-headed Gulls and two chicks and six Lesser Black-backs.
23 May 2014
– Blustery and cool south-easterly wind, mostly overcast.
The pair of first-summer Mediterranean Gulls were on Car Park Pool briefly this morning, along with a pair of Shoveler, additional drake and a brood of nine well grown Mallardducklings. The other Mediterranean Gull was on Railway Pool.
There appeared to be a movement of Swifts and House Martins taking place, though final numbers were difficult to ascertain. There was a minimum of 25 Swifts and ten House Martins, one Swallow and a number of Sand Martins and three Herring Gulls went over with six Lesser Black-backs.
22nd May 2014
– Heavy overnight and early morning rain, initially clearing through by 8 a.m., remaining overcast, light south-easterly wind.
Seven Northern race Ringed Plovers dropped in between 8 and 9 am this morning before departing to the east at 9.40. As with others they were noticeably smaller than the residentRinged Plover and nearer in size to Little Ringed Plover. They again lacked the orange on the bill and legs of the resident bird.
21st May 2014
– Mostly sunny, with cloud building as the day progressed, variable winds.
Yesterday’s Dunlin were still present and the three first-summer Mediterranean Gulls came and went throughout the day. There were still two male Shoveler on Car Park Pool, twoHouse Martins went through and at least eight Buzzards were counted together north of the car park. Male Banded Demoiselle were present by the top gate and by Packhorse Bridge, with a male Beautiful Demoiselle by the railway arch near the back gate and also on the Old Road. More Damselflies are also on the wing now, including Common Blue and Blue-tailed.
20th May 2014
– South-easterly wind, mostly overcast, periodic rain.
The promising weather failed to deliver much more than two summer plumaged Dunlin on Railway Pool.
Nevertheless, four singing Sedge Warblers and two singing Whitethroats along the river between the railway and the north end of Car Park Pool were good counts. There were no Reed Warblers of yet but they quite often arrive late in this locality.
A Mink also swam a cross the river on the major dog-leg bend, which was distinctly less welcome.
At least eight Lesser Black-backed Gulls were quartering the pools, no doubt on the look out for un-guarded young.
By the track through the wood adjacent to the railway embankment, there were singingBlackcap, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest, and a calling Treecreeper, together with a maleBullfinch which showed well perched on the gate post. Another Whitethroat was in good song on the railway embankment in the same location.
On the scrapes, a pair of Redshank and a pair of Gadwall showed well from Lower Siden Hide.
In the afternoon and evening, the three first-summer Mediterranean Gulls were present along with Common Sandpiper, three Little Ringed Plover and three drake Shoveler, threeGoosanders, a pair of Mutes with five cygnets (on Railway) and 80 Sand Martins.
19th May 2014
– Mostly sunny, light south-easterly wind, cloud building late afternoon.
The single first-summer Mediterranean Gull was on Railway Pool in the morning and after it departed the pair were seen together later in the day.
A Common Sandpiper came and went from Railway Pool and singles of Little Ringed Ploverand Ringed Plover were on Railway Pool and Car Park Pool respectively. A pair of Bullfinchesshowed well on the Old Road.
18th May 2014
– Sunny, warm, brisk southerly wind.
The first-summer Mediterranean Gulls came and went again today and, in the early afternoon, were joined by three Greenshanks which showed well, periodically, favouring the gravel bar in front of River Hide (one was present briefly in the morning). Unfortunately they could not be found in the evening.
Migratory Dunlin and a late Common Sandpiper provided other wader interest, a Hobbyappeared briefly and the pair of Shoveler showed on Car Park Pool. A female Goosander was a brief visitor to Railway Pool and there were still two Ringed Plover this morning.
Both Beautiful Demoiselle (back gate) and Banded Demoiselle (Old Road) were seen and at least three Brimstones were noted on the wing.
17th May 2014
– Sunny, warm, light south-westerly wind.
In summary and warm conditions with temperatures over 20 degrees it was a pleasure to be out. Aside from birds, it was the first real showing of Odonata as well today.
The pair of first-summer Mediterranean Gulls were on Railway Pool early on and, as the day progressed, all three appeared and showed well in the middle of the day. They are apt to come and go but seem, at the moment, content to return. There was a Kingfisher along the flood plain and a northern race Ringed Plover showed well on Railway Pool throughout most of the day. It had darker plumage tones than the resident bird and lacked the orange bill base and orange legs which develop later, once the bird is on the breeding ground. It was also smaller than the resident bird and tended to hold itself in a flatter profile.
There are at least six singing Garden Warblers today, one on the railway embankment, two either side of the central stream crossing, one by the car park, one by the top gate (apparently) and another by the turning circle by the underpass.
A late female Teal also appeared in the middle of the morning looking tired and spent at least the first half an hour after arrival asleep before feeding voraciously along the margins of the Railway Pool islands.
A Buzzard that was picked up distantly circling over towards Berkswell was probably a Honey Buzzard as others were seen elsewhere in the region today. A Common Buzzard appeared from on high steepling down towards the probable Honey Buzzard and “buzzing” it. They briefly circled together before the putativeHoney Buzzard headed off south. It was more clearly marked under the wing and on top, with paler primary bases and paler shoulder patches than the Common Buzzard, a smaller head, slightly longer wings and tail and in profile flying away had drooped wings and all wing beats were in the horizontal down only.
Other counts today included three Great Crested Grebes, three Dabchicks, a Heron, oneCormorant, five Mute Swans, 16 Greylags, four Canadas, two Shelduck, a maleShoveler, 25 Gadwall, 19 Mallard and two broods (4 and nine on Car Park Pool), 73 Tufted, 23 Coot, 10 Moorhen, 270 Black-headed Gulls, seven Lesser Black-backs, 37 Common Terns, 30 Lapwing and a brood of three on Car Park Pool, eight Oystercatchers and two broods only (just a single remaining on Railway Pool and a brood of two on Car Park Pool; the second pair on Car Park Pool appear to have failed), six Redshanks, a female Sparrowhawkcarrying prey onto Siden Hill Wood, at least 11 singing Sedge Warblers, eight singing Reed Warblers and eight Long-tailed Tits on the Old Road.
The majority of the Odonata were recorded on the Dragonfly Pool with some in the pond by the car park and included at least four Four Spotted Chasers, a male Banded Demoiselle by Railway Hide, male and female Beautiful Demoiselle along the Old Road beyond the top gate,Large Red, Azure, Common Blue, Blue-tailed and Large Red-eyed Damselfly.
16 May 2014
– Sunny and warm, but clouding over from mid-morning.
Yesterdays pair of first-summer Mediterranean Gulls were joined by a third bird this morning up to about 9 a.m., when progressively all three departed to the north. Yesterday, however, the pair were catching insects high up over the pools in Siden Hill Wood and subsequently returned and so the same may happen today. Gulls and Terns were again catching insects over the pools and the wood. Yesterday’s pair were again displaying to each other and undertook a sort of display flight across the pools and close to Oak Hide. The third bird was clearly separate and was also less clearly marked on the bill. The bills of the original pair were bright orange with a black tip. The head pattern on all three, however, is a blotchy black which extends across the whole head unlike Black-headed Gull.
A Kingfisher was perched in one of the riverside bushes with its bright blue back catching the sun.
In the bright sun thermals were developing and in one of these 16 Lesser Black-backs and aHerring Gull were hassling a Buzzard. A male Kestrel was hunting along the railway line and then subsequently flew towards the lorry park and the male Sparrowhawk came in at speed towards the car park feeders.
The drake Shoveler remains but there was no immediate sign of any Teal this morning.
The male Whitethroat that has taken up territory around railway hide was showing particularly well on either side and was very showy on the bramble immediately in front of the Hide. Sedge Warblers showed well both at the south-west pond and by Oak Hide and theGarden Warbler on the central stream is still in good song with what was presumably the bird south of the crossing also singing to the north at one stage.
A few Swallows and Martins were feeding over the pools, probably just local birds.
During the mid morning period, there were also two adult Peregrines and a Hobby.
15 May 2014
– Sunny and warm.
After a first-summer Mediterranean Gull on Monday, two appeared today and although they disappeared from time to time, they reappeared and were still present in the mid to late afternoon. They may well have become part of a fly-catching flock over the pools and Siden Hill Wood. The birds were displaying and posturing to each other and clearly appeared to be a pair.
A Red Kite went over to the north at 12.05 and at least five Buzzards were in the air at the same time.
Today’s count of Common Terns was at least 41. A Tawny Owl was heard calling once in Siden Hill Wood in the early morning and the pair of Mistle Thrushes are now feeding young at Patrick Farm. 30 Rooks joined at least 30 Carrion Crows on the flood plan.
14th May 2014
– Cold start and end to the day, sunny and warm in between, light north-westerly wind.
Today’s counts included the following: 135 Black-headed Gulls sitting, 23 Common Ternssitting (19 on Railway and three on Car Park Pool), three broods of Greylag (two totalling 24 on Car Park Pool and one of five on Railway Pool), a brood of four Lapwings on Car Park Pool, a brood of three Mallard ducklings on Railway Pool and the Oystercatcher pairs on Railway Pool have still got one each. There were also seven Redshank, three Little Ringed Plover, aRinged Plover, Sparrowhawk and male Shoveler today.
13th May 2014
– Cold, showery, north-westerly wind, mostly overcast.
Two out of yesterday’s three Dunlin remained and, in the evening, three migrant Ringed Plovers joined the resident bird. A female Goosander spent much of the day on Railway Pool and was joined for part of it by a Little Egret. A Hobby showed well behind Oak Hide and at least 16 Common Terns are now sitting.
In the evening, at least 30 Swift joined quite a few Sand Martins over the pools.
12 May 2014
– Overcast, north westerly, cool, drizzly
The week started well with a first-summer Mediterranean Gull on Railway Pool at 9am. It then moved to Car Park Pool but left pretty well straight afterwards.
Yesterday’s three summer plummage Dunlin were still present but there was no sign of anyCommon Sandpipers. A pair of Shelduck joined the lingering drake Teal and Shoveler and there were three Little Ringed Plovers, a Ringed Plover and ten Swifts went over.
A Mistle Thrush was collecting food in the crop field where there appear to be at least five pairs of Lapwings. A single Garden Warbler was showing well and in good song just north of the Car Park gates. A pair of Hobbies hunted over Oak Hide at 3.30.
11 May 2014
– Cold blustery, westerly overcast occasional showers
In cold and unpleasant conditions, the morning counts saw two Dunlin on Car Park Pool and three Common Sandpipers spread across the Reserve with a third Dunlin appearing in the late afternoon.
Each of the Oystercatcher pairs on Railway Pool definitely have only one chick each now. Both were being brooded in the cold conditions.
A Peregrine (probably an immature female) buzzed both Pools and caused some disturbance but did not appear to make a kill.
Due to the inclement conditions, there were at least 100 Sand Martins feeding over the Pools in the afternoon and early evening and Swifts were coming and going with a minimum count of at least 50.
A female Goosander was roosting on Railway Pool in the late afternoon and other wildfowl, included a lingering pair of Shoveler and a male Teal. At least 32 adult Greylags were spread across the Pools with at least 18 young Greylags on Car Park Pool and a further four on Railway.
10 May 2014
– Blustery south westerly, periodic showers, occasional sunny intervals
The cool blustery conditions were not conducive to much in the way of new migrants. A Yellow Wagtail flew south early on and migrant waders were limited to singles of Common Sandpiper and Dunlin.
Graham’s counts today were as follows: two Cormorants, two Great Crested Grebes, threeLittle Grebes, seven Mute Swans (with nests on Railway, Reed-bed and Car Park), 31Greylags with a brood of five on Railway, two Canadas, male Shoveler, male Teal, 13Mallard, 29 Gadwall, 64 Tufted, 29 Coot, four Moorhen, 11 Oystercatchers with two broods of two and one on Railway, (subsequently reduced to one and one), four Little Ringed Plovers, one Ringed Plover, 24 Lapwing, 285 Black-headed Gulls, nine Lesser Black-backed Gulls (including an adult eating an unidentified chick), 28 Common Terns including the Brandon ringed bird, 40 Sand Martins, eight Swifts and a pair of Raven over the crop field.
9th May 2014
– Sunny intervals, blustery westerly wind, occasional showers.
A reasonable tally of birds today included an adult Arctic Tern on Car Park Pool, showing both well in flight and on the islands, a Hobby, three Common Sandpipers, two Ringed Plovers, a Dunlin, a late Snipe in the Marsh and ten Swifts, a drake Teal and a pair of Shoveler.
8 May 2014
– Overcast with periodic and prolonged rain, south westerly wind.
Swifts are now arriving in force with at least 50 today and over 100 Sand Martins over the pools, all brought down by the cool overcast weather. There were also three Dunlin and sixLittle Ringed Plovers on car park pool.
Despite the overcast conditions, the first Dragonflies of the year were a Four Spotted Chaserfound on the causeway and a further three on the Dragonfly Pool in the early afternoon.
Thanks to Stuart Hares, at least 120 Black-headed Gull nests were counted on Car Park Pool alone, to which most of the Black–heads have relocated. Nevertheless there are still some on Railway Pool along with about a dozen sitting Terns.
On the flood plain there was a brood of at least 18 Greylags and a Peregrine went over along with a Yellow Wagtail.
A Cuckoo was also heard calling.
7th May 2014
– Showery, westerly, occasional sunny intervals
The two most unusual birds today were a very late drake Wigeon (on Car Park Pool) and a first summer Yellow-legged Gull on Railway Pool.
Other birds today included four Little Ringed Plovers, two Ringed Plovers, two Dunlin, eight Oystercatchers with two broods on Railway Pool, six Redshank, pairs each of Shovelerand Shelduck, a male Teal, a brood of nine Mallard on Car Park Pool, at least 40 Common Terns, 20 Sand Martins and 20 Lesser Black-backs over.
6th May 2014
– Cloudy, breezy south westerly, occasional sunny intervals
A Cuckoo was seen briefly on the streamline at 11.45am before flying off south and there were two Yellow Wagtails in the crop field and later on Car Park Pool. At least ten Swifts went through and the lingering Snipe was again seen in the Marsh. There were 45 Gadwall, twoShoveler and a Teal together with a pair of Shelduck.
5th May 2014
– Brisk, southerly wind, sunny start but clouding over.
A Cuckoo was seen along the causeway and later heard distantly to the south of the lorry park. At least 50 Sand Martins were feeding over the pools and the odd Swallow was still moving north.
Five Garden Warblers were still in song (three on the Old Road, one on the central stream and one by the south-west pond), Whitethroats were up to at least 12 and a new Willow Warbler was signing on the central stream crossing.
The male Ringed Plover was in slightly forlorn display flight over Railway Pool, still hoping to attract a mate.
In the evening at about 5.30 pm., an Arctic Tern dropped in amongst the Commons and a pair of Shelduck came in to feed on Railway Pool.
4th May 2014
– Mostly sunny, south-easterly wind.
What was presumably yesterday’s Osprey but in another brief appearance at 09.55 when it again disturbed all the birds on the pools before flying off north-east again. There was an impressive six Little Ringed Plovers on Car Park Pool and 15 Swifts moved north at 11.30 a.m. A male Teal and a pair of Shoveler were still on Car Park Pool along with a Dunlin and the first of the year’s Oystercatcher chicks hatched (two) from one of the pairs on Railway Pool.
3rd May 2014
– Mostly sunny, cool north-easterly wind.
An all day bird count racked up an impressive 86 species, the most in the four years the Reserve has been doing it. The total equalled that at Belvide, but just one less than Upton Warren and seven less than the 93 at Middleton. Thanks to all those who participated with the full list set out below.
As usual, the main species were seen and in the bag by 9.30 (75 at that stage). As the morning progressed, such species as Yellow Wagtail (one over), Grey Wagtail (Dragonfly Pond), and Peregrine were added with a major highlight then being added being an Ospreywhich circled over the Reserve at about 11 a.m., thermaling up before moving swiftly off to the north-east.
Hobby and a calling Tawny Owl from Siden Hill Wood were the last two species added in the afternoon but sadly there was no coverage after 6 pm. Omissions include Kingfisher, Coal Tit, Cuckoo, Water Rail and Common Gull.
The full count was as follows: Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Heron, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Osprey, Kestrel, Hobby (first of the year), Peregrine, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover (three birds including two migrants plus the resident male), Lapwing, Dunlin, Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Feral Pigeon, Tawny Owl, Swift (seven moved north), Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit(one over), Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper (Siden Hill Wood and by River Hide), Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting.
In the sunny weather, there were lots of butterflies on the wing, including over ten Peacocks, two Small Tortoiseshells, five Speckled Woods, five Orange Tips, two Small Whites and a Green-veined White west of the river. There was also an impressive total of six singingGarden Warblers, four on the Old Road, one on the central stream and one by the south-west pond.
2nd May 2014
– Mostly overcast, light north-easterly wind.
The Bonaparte’s Gull was not seen after 5.30 yesterday afternoon and there has been no sign so far today by 9.45 a.m. Nevertheless, a summer plumaged Dunlin, four Common Sandpipers and an Arctic Tern were all new arrivals along with new singing Whitethroatsbehind Railway Hide and on the river side of River Hide. The first Swift of the year was also seen today.
1st May 2014
– Periodic heavy showers, occasional sunny intervals, east, north-easterly wind.
At about 10.30 a.m., John Oates made the amazing discovering of a full adult Bonaparte’sGull on Car Park Pool. It came and went during the day, moving to Railway Pool later in the morning and in the early afternoon and was last seen just before 5.30 before departing to the south and subsequently being seen at Slimbridge on the 5th May. This smaller black-headed “version” of our Black-headed Gull does have a black head, dark bill, pinker legs and slightly darker back, and a different wing pattern and was capable of being overlooked in the mass ofBlack-headed Gulls.
Since the first record in the Midlands at the Abbey Fields in Kenilworth in 1990, this is the 6th record for the four West Midlands counties and was a first rate find. An appreciative audience came and went throughout the day but sadly those in the evening missed out. It represents the 198th record for the Reserve.
Other birds of note during the day included a Little Egret on Car Park Pool, a female Greenland type Wheatear in the crop field (only briefly) and a late Snipe in the Marsh.
With a Nightingale on Sunday and a Bonaparte’s Gull only four days later, two new birds for the Reserve for the week – quite amazing!
