31st October 2013
– Mostly overcast, cool, south-westerly wind.
The water level on Railway Pool was still very high, although much of the flood water by Patrick Farm had subsided. Some light overhead passage included 100 Wood Pigeons, five Pied Wagtails, seven Skylarks, 12 Chaffinches, seven Redwing and 12 Fieldfare, whilst some large Buntings in the company of the Skylarks were just too far away to clinch.
12 Goldfinches (at least) fed on the railway embankment and another seven, along with tenSiskins and six Greenficnhes, were by Oak Hide in the small alder just by the gate.
On the islands, at least 50 Starlings were feeding amongst the Lapwing and about a dozenSnipe on the pools. There were over 80 Shoveler and at least 250 Wigeon.
Approximately six Song Thrushes were heard mostly along the Old Road.
At dusk, a Peregrine was perched in one of the trees on the flood plain.
30th October 2013
– Sunny, cold south-westerly wind.
Other than the regular Raptors and a couple of Common Gulls and seven Snipe, there was nothing else of note.
29 October 2013
– Cool, north westerly. Sunny
It was apparent that there was a movement of Wood Pigeons this morning with at least 300 south just after dawn, visible from the A452. Other birds were apparently also on the move, particularly Wagtails and Skylarks but no counts before 10am. The movement was also noted over Balsall Common and, per Pete Sofley, included 14 Crossbills but by 10am it had eased. Nevertheless between 10am and 10.30am, six Skylarks, 14 Linnets, four Chaffinches, threePied Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail went through with another good build up of Pied Wagtails by the cattle feeder where there were at least 20.
After the deluge from Sunday night into Monday, it was no surprise that there was extensive flooding today with the levels on the two main pools, well up. The Blythe had also burst its bank by Patrick Bridge where many of the wildfowl and Lapwings from the Reserve had congregated to feed on the margins. There were at least 70 Starlings amongst the wildfowl but they were very flighty as a result of the presence of two male Sparrowhawks.
28th October 2013
– Sunny intervals, very blustery westerly
Earlier in the day there were 11 Pied Wagtails by the cattle feeder but by later in the morning numbers had increased to at least 25. Shoveler numbers were up to 84, all on Car Park pool and in a “feeding frenzy” in a tight group.
A scattering of Redwings were present along with Sparrowhawks, Buzzards and Kestrels.
27th October 2013
– Mostly sunny, occasional showers, blustery south westerly
Periods of overnight rain brought in two new birds, a Ruff which fed around the margins of the Car Park Pool Islands in the morning, and a Golden Plover which joined the flighty Lapwingflock.
Neither the Ruff nor the Golden Plover could be found in the afternoon, but the femalePintail was still present and there were Green Sandpipers on both the flash opposite Patrick Farm and on the east to the A452.
The Teal total again increased to a new record of 284 and there were also 82 Shoveler, a further increase on yesterday’s total.
A Peregrine was present late morning and, as the light faded, it could be seen perched in the half dead solitary Alder on the flood plain, opposite Car Park hide. Other birds included a fewRedwings, in small flocks, were making their way south during the day, 16 Stock Doves over Siden Hill Wood, seven Common Gulls and the mixed Finch flock in the Old Road game cover had increased to 40 this afternoon, mostly Chaffinches but a few Greenfinches.
26th October 2013
– Murky start, slowly clearing, sunny intervals, more cloud in the afternoon. Still mild despite the brisk south westerly
500 Wood Pigeons flew south in the early morning and was the first movement of this species so far this autumn. It is certainly the right time of the year but normally it is the first frost that trigger their movement. We have had no frost and it is still incredibly mild. Light visible migration included 14 Siskins, two Redpolls, five Meadow Pipits, seven Pied Wagtails, fourSkylarks, 24 Redwing and a Fieldfare.
On the pools, there were plenty of wildfowl again, including yet another record count of Tealwith numbers at 282, 73 above the last record count only a few days ago.
The female Pintail remains although is sometimes elusive, there were two Green Sandpiperson the flood pools east to the A452, a Raven went over and other counts today were as follows:
10 Cormorants, five Herons, five Mute Swans, a Black Swan, only 46 Greylags and fourCanadas, 172 Wigeon, 49 Gadwall, 65 Mallard, 64 Shoveler, four Pochard, eight Tufted, four Moorhen, 25 Coot, 231 Lapwing, five Snipe, at least 10 Common Gulls, 185 Black-headed Gulls, two Lesser Black-backs, one Herring Gull, a Treecreeper, four Goldcrestson the Old Road and a Nuthatch by the south west pond. A Peregrine was again seen and was no doubt the cause of flightiness of the Gulls and Lapwings.
It was obviously still mild enough for a Hornet to be on the wing where it was seen amongst the Oaks on the Old Road.
25th October 2013
– Overnight rain, clearing by 10 a.m., brisk but warm south, south-westerly wind. Temperatures up to 18°C.
The Wigeon flock had increased to 213 and there were 55 Shoveler this morning, along with a Bar-headed Goose.
A Little Egret flew over to the west and the presence of a Peregrine on site was enough to cause the Lapwings and Black-headed Gulls to be particularly skittish. There were approximately 220 Black-headed Gulls and about 150 Lapwings, with three Common Gullsand a Lesser Black-backed on the pools.
A flock of 135 Starlings were feeding on the Car Park Pool islands with a further 112 flying over in small groups.
Within the Old Road game crop, there were ten Chaffinches, four Greenfinches and a Linnetand on the concrete road there were flocks of 30 Siskins and 30 Goldfinches.
A small amount of visible migration included, in addition to the Starlings, two Meadow Pipits, five Pied Wagtails, three Siskins, a Redpoll, four Goldfinches and fourChaffinches
On the railway embankment there was a Green Woodpecker feeding by the hide and a Jay, consuming Hawthorn berries on the railway embankment.
A Green Sandpiper put in an appearance later in the day with birds frequenting the sections of flooded field just east of the A452. The mild conditions were sufficient for there to be at least three Migrant Hawkers, three Common Darters and a Peacock butterfly on the wing.
24th October 2013
– Sunny, mild, south, south-westerly wind.
No records.
23rd October 2013
– Rain pretty much all day, some dry spells.
No records.
22nd October 2013
– Wet all day.
No records.
21st October 2013
– Mostly showery, overcast, south, south-westerly wind.
Limited news today with just a Peregrine over and a single Common Gull with the Black-heads on Railway Pool.
20th October 2013
– Sun and showers.
A noticeable jump in Wigeon from yesterday saw numbers up to 192 and other wildfowl comprised the female Pintail, 54 Gadwall, 61 Shoveler and six Pochard. 12 Fieldfare and five Skylarks few over, whilst three Meadow Pipits fed on the tip and a Grey Wagtail was present by the underpass.
Six Common Gulls were amongst the Black-heads and a couple of Lesser Black-backs on Car Park Pool and the new regular male Kestrel was on the crop field.
19th October 2013
– Mostly overcast, south-westerly wind.
Both Jack Snipe and Water Rail showed well in the Marsh early on, and at least 15 Skylarkand ten Redwing were on the move prior to 9 a.m. There were also at least 20 Chaffinchesin the Old Road game crop.
A record count of Teal was made in the morning, with numbers at 209. Further visible migration between 10 a.m. and 12 mid-day saw 43 Siskin, 30 Redpoll, a Grey Wagtail, 30Fieldfare, 26 Skylark and three Meadow Pipit fly over. There was also a Green Sandpiperon the small pool east of the underpass.
Other counts today were as follows: two Heron, ten Cormorant, one Black Swan, six Mute Swans, 450 Greylags, 39 Canadas, 51 Gadwall, 89 Mallard, 67 Shoveler, four Pochard, seven Tufted, 350 Lapwing, 23 Snipe, seven Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 108 Black-headed Gulls.
A late Chiffchaff was in the hedge by the turning circle, just east of the A452 with sixRedwing in the hedge behind Oak Hide.
18th October 2013
– Murky, light south-westerly wind.
A female Pintail was a new arrival this morning, showing well in front of Car Park Hide between the two central islands. A female Sparrowhawk made a sortie out from the central streamline and panicked the Lapwings which flew off, but the Hawk was unsuccessful and flew back to try again later.
Two Snipe and two Pied Wagtails flew over in the murk.
17th October 2013
– Mostly sunny, occasional showers, mild.
A reasonable selection of birds today with Water Rail and Jack Snipe showing well in the Marsh, two Peregrine over and, in the afternoon, two Black-tailed Godwits flew over the Car Park Pool and appeared to go down on the flood plain, but could not be found from the Old Road. A Brambling was heard passing over, along with two Redwings, a Grey Wagtail and aSkylark.
Six Siskins were seen and in the sunny weather, two Comma butterflies a Migrant Hawkerand a few Common Darters were on the wing.
The Bar-headed Goose was again amongst the Greylags.
16th October 2013
– Driving rain in the morning, slowly clearing to be sunny in the late afternoon, south-westerly wind.
No records.
15th October 2013
– Murky start, sunny intervals in the afternoon, light easterly wind.
In the early part of the day, a Green Sandpiper flew over Railway Pool and a handful of other birds, either flying over or in and around the pools, included one Grey Wagtail, fiveRedwings, a Song Thrush, three Meadow Pipits and a Skylark. On the pools, the Bar-headed Goose was again with the Greylags and there were four drake Pochard on Car Park Pool.
A lovely evening as the light was fading, a Water Rail was heard calling from the Reedbed and other singles were seen from the north causeway screen with a more showy one along with up to a dozen Snipe in the Marsh. Indeed, Snipe were both dropping into the Marsh whilst others on the periphery of the islands were flying out, presumably to feed elsewhere. A Kingfishercalled from the Reedbed before flying off, barely clearing the north causeway screen as it departed.
Today’s Shoveler total was 73, with at least 63 of those feeding in a tight group in the deep end of Car Park Pool, all circling each other as they fed. With the light nearly gone, hundreds ofGeese flighted in onto the pools.
14th October 2013
– Mostly wet, north-easterly wind.
Another wet day, birding was hard work. 25 Redwings flew over in one group, as did 15Siskins which were seen over Siden Hill Wood. The Bar-headed Goose was again with theGreylags and two Treecreepers were with a Long-tailed Tit flock behind Railway Hide.
There had been relatively few Gulls over the last few days and just the odd Common Gull (as today) amongst them.
A male Kestrel was making sorties from the railway arches and then returning to perch out of the rain. Today’s Shoveler count reached 65.
13th October 2013
– Cool, north-westerly wind, rain for most of the day.
Little of note – Teal numbers had risen slightly from the day before to a minimum of 135 and Raptors were quite well represented, despite the wind and rain, with two Buzzards, aSparrowhawk and a Kestrel. One Common Gull joined a thin scattering of Black-headed Gulls and 32 Redwing were seen, one flock of about 30 north of the Reserve and two through from the central streamline.
East of the A452, a flock of Linnets totalling at least 120 were feeding in the plough, with one or two Skylarks and Pied Wagtails.
12th October 2013
– Mostly wet, west, north-westerly wind.
At least 70 Redwing went west shortly after dawn and two Chiffchaffs were still present on site, one by the south-west pond and the other in one of the fenced off enclosures by the back gate. Two Ravens were also seen before the best birds of the day appeared around mid-day. Firstly a juvenile Arctic Tern dropped into Car Park Pool and was present until just before 2 p.m.; and at 5 minutes past mid-day, two Whooper Swans flew low, north, over the same pool.
Other counts today included another record Greylag total; one Heron, 17 Cormorants, oneLittle Grebe, a Black Swan, 17 Mute Swans (14 adults and three juveniles), 540 Greylags, five Farmyard Geese, a Bar-headed Goose, 295 Canadas, 121 Wigeon, 46 Gadwall, 124Teal, 118 Mallard, 58 Shoveler, five Pochard (four drakes and a female), six Tufted, sevenMoorhen, 22 Coot, 130 Lapwing, 23 Snipe, 105 Black-headed Gulls, two Common Gulls, four Lesser Black-backs and two Meadow Pipits.
A further three Redwing fed along the central stream later in the day. The Whooper Swansmay have been a pair that were at Grimley, Worcestershire, earlier in the day but flew off north at 7.35 a.m. The Arctic Tern may have been the same bird that was seen yesterday at the RSPB Reserve, Kingsbury, and after its visit to Marsh Lane the bird appears to have moved north to Shustoke where it was present until dusk.
The afternoon’s Work Party was not blessed with good weather but despite this eight hardy souls carried out some very useful tasks which included the strimming of the two main islands on Railway Pool, the opening up and strimming out of the channel through the Marsh and the view over the top of the Reedmace and the opening up of the view from the north causeway screen. Many thanks to those who attended.
As a result of the above, a Jack Snipe was flushed from the path to River Hide and aCommon Shrew was found at Oak Hide.
11th October 2013
– Murky start, subsequent sun and showers, north-westerly wind and cool.
The only records today were the second set of Fieldfares with 20 in the hedgerows behind Oak Hide. The Bar-headed Goose was again present on Car Park Pool.
10th October 2013
– Sunny, cold northerly wind.
There was an increase in wildfowl this morning with Wigeon up to 141 and Shoveler to 70. There were also over 90 Teal, 230Canadas and the Bar-headed Goose in amongst theGreylags, plus two fledged cygnet Mute Swans this morning (presumably one from off site).
Precious little was on the move overhead – singles of Skylark, Pied Wagtail, three Meadow Pipits and two Linnets – but two Ravens were enjoying the cold northerly wind with the other corvids over Siden Hill Wood. A Grey Wagtail was on Railway Pool and 13 Snipe took off from the Car Park Pool islands and flew off to the north-east and 20 Redwings flew west.
9th October 2013
– Mostly sunny, but becoming cooler, westerly to north-westerly wind.
At least two Ravens joined the large corvid flock on the flood plain and there was again Mistle Thrush and Grey Wagtail up by the farm.
Later in the morning, two adult Peregrines were chasing Lapwings, high over Railway Pool and then both of them flew off towards Bradnocks Marsh at 9.45. The male Kestrel hovered over the crop field and the Bar-headed Goose was again on the pools along with four drakePochard.
8th October 2013
-Mostly sunny, westerly wind and remaining mild.
The morning passage, overhead, between 8 and 10 am., comprised six Pied Wagtails, at least ten Skylarks, eight Meadow Pipits and five Linnets, with a further ten Skylarks over at about 11 am. To the east of the underpass, further Skylarks and Meadow Pipits could be heard and there was a flock of at least 60 Linnets there.
Approximately 20 Goldfinches and ten Siskins were feeding in the alders along the concrete road, and a further ten Siskins flew south down the Old Road later. A flock of 15 Goldfinchesfed around the farm with a further ten by the back gate so obviously a few of those have arrived as well.
At Patrick Farm, Nuthatch and at least one Goldcrest were amongst a mixed Tit flock and a noisy Mistle Thrush called from the trees at the back of the farm. A Sparrowhawk put in a brief appearance there, along with a Grey Wagtail and a Yellowhammer.
At 6 pm., two Green Sandpipers flew over to the east and a Treecreeper called by the back gate.
“In a year of plenty”, fruit remains on the trees and in the hedgerows and I can rarely remember Rowan Berries lasting so long on the Mountain Ash.
7th October 2013
– Mostly sunny, westerly wind and remaining mild.
The first Redwing of the autumn perched up, briefly, in the trees near Oak Hide before moving on. Its arrival coincided with a small passage in the north of the county. Also, there were about four Song Thrushes across the Reserve and at least one Grey Wagtail again.
The Bar-headed Goose was again amongst the Greylags and there were counts of approximately 70 Snipe on the shore and the islands in front of Car Park Hide, with a report also of a Jack Snipe amongst them. A Green Sandpiper, in flight, was seen over Car Park Pool several times and this was the only other wader of note. Singles of Common and Herring Gull joined the Blackheads and Lesser Black-backs and a Stoat showed really well by Railway Hide.
6th October 2013
– Warm and sunny, south-westerly wind. Temperatures up to just under 20 degrees.
A male Mandarin on Railway Pool for much of the day was presumably the bird mentioned as a Harlequin a few days ago. There were also 48 Snipe and at least one Common Gull.
The warm weather and the plentiful supply of dragonflies means that one Hobby has chosen to remain on or about the site.
On the west side there were at least ten Commas and three Small Coppers, the majority of the former feeding on ivy flowers adjacent to the railway embankment, river end. Ivy is a very important pollen provider at this time of year and a number of the Commas, having sunned themselves lower down, were flying high up onto the ivy covered trees to feed. Other butterflies included at least two Red Admirals, plenty of Small Whites and a number ofSpeckled Woods.
A few Meadow Pipits (10) and Skylarks (2) were on the move south and there were at least two Chiffchaffs present on site, one by Railway Hide and the other by the south-west pond.Goldcrests were heard calling in most of the Tit flocks. At least eight Lesser Black-backsand a Herring Gull flew over and, on the flood plain, over 100 Jackdaws, 12 Rooks and 12Crows were noisy and mobile. A Coal Tit called and moved south down the Old Road and, on Car Park Pool islands, at least 20 Snipe and 30 Starlings fed with the wildfowl.
5th October 2013
– Mostly sunny, mild, south-westerly wind.
The more noteworthy birds today included a female Mandarin on Car Park Pool, six Common Gulls, three Swallows south, a Chiffchaff on the Old Road and a record count of Greylags, 510. The Bar-headed Goose continued to associate with the Greylags and also 96 Canadas.
The other counts today were: one Great Crested Grebe, two Little Grebes, three Herons, six Cormorants, six Mute Swans, a Black Swan, 105 Wigeon (another increase over last week’s total), 43 Gadwall, 91 Teal, 83 Mallard, 41 Shoveler, three male Pochards, only eight Tufteds, six Moorhen, 18 Coot, 34 Snipe, 173 Lapwing, 133 Black-headed Gulls, eight Lesser Black-backed Gulls, two Kestrels, two Skylarks, a Meadow Pipit and aCollared Dove.
Butterflies continue to enjoy the sunny weather with at least one Red Admiral, by the south-west pond, and two Commas on the causeway.
4th October 2013
– Wet in the morning, sunny in the afternoon. South westerly wind and mild.
At least one Hobby continued to linger and a Yellow-legged Gull was also recorded, along with 25 Snipe and over 100 Canadas.
3rd October 2013
– Misty, overcast start. Rain from mid-day.
Generally quiet this morning but Snipe numbers had increased substantially with at least 60 birds spread between the shore in front of Car Park Pool, across the Car Park Pool islands and onto the far shore. The first Fieldfares appeared (three), Two Hobbies and two Common Gulls were also present, along with a male Blackcap and two Jay on the railway embankment.
A noteworthy flock of 40 Stock Dove were also counted and a single Siskin went over.
2nd October 2013
– Initially dull and cool, becoming warm and sunny later, south-easterly wind.
The juvenile Hobby remains on site and a juvenile Ruff was associating loosely with theLapwing flock on Railway Pool in the afternoon. A Little Egret came in to roost on Railway Pool in the morning, and it joined 65 Lapwings and 200 Starlings. The Bar-headed Goosewas again with the Greylags and along the Old Road a male Blackcap was in sub-song along with two Chiffchaffs.
The log also mentions a male Harlequin Duck, which apparently appeared at about 5 p.m. from the back of the Car Park Pool islands. This is a totally bizarre record. Unfortunately the recorder has not left any details.
1st October 2013
– Hazy sunshine, brisk easterly wind. Cloudy to the west, hazy sunshine to the east.
Not a great deal on the move in an hours sky watching from 7.15 to 8.15. The meagre totals were three Swallows, four Pied Wagtails, eight Linnets and ten Starlings. At least eightSong Thrushes were scattered along the Old Road with at least five around the Old Road game crop.
A mixed Tit flock around the horse paddock area included four Goldcrests and twoChiffchaffs (one in song) with another one by the car park and one at Siden Hill Wood. There were also six Chaffinches and two Reed Buntings in the Old Road game crop and possibly more Robins than of late, as well.
Two Buzzards were enjoying the cut grass around Car Park Hide and 19 Snipe were feeding on the southerly Car Park Pool islands. At 1 p.m., an adult Hobby flew across the pools closely pursued by Crows and Jackdaws and at least one Raven flew along the face of Siden Hill Wood.
