30th September 2010
– Heavy mist cleared to sun all day.
Both the Ruff (actually a Reeve and a Ruff) and the Common Terns were present again but all five were mobile and often went missing for some time. A Green Sandpiper, 15 Snipe, aHobby, a Sparrowhawk, ten Buzzards and a Tree Sparrow at the Oak Hide feeders were other birds of note whilst, in the warm weather, both Southern and Migrant Hawkers (five) and Common Darters (ten) were seen on the Reserve.
29th September 2010
– Overcast, warm southerly, increasingly wet.
Yesterday’s “Commic” Terns proved to be three juvenile Commons which lingered until lunchtime. The two Ruff had also returned by mid morning and were feeding with Lapwingson Railway Pool.
There was a clear movement of Gulls, principally Black-heads with about 200 on site at any one time, but birds moving in and out all morning. Up to five Common Gulls and four Lesser Black-backs were with them during the morning.
Both Wigeon and Teal numbers had increased with Wigeon up to 104 and Teal to 78. Other birds of note included a pair of Ravens around Siden Hill Wood at 10.30 a.m., together with aHobby. 13 Swallows and a Grey Wagtail moved north, ten House Martins and a Skylark moved south and, new in, a female Pintail, showed well in front of Oak Hide.
28th September 2010
– Grey and overcast, light south-easterly wind.
Remaining quiet. 12 Meadow Pipits and a Pied Wagtail flew over but nothing else appeared to be on the move. Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff were in a small Tit flock on the Old Road and aTreecreeper in a similar flock by the south-west pond. At least four Jays were busy collecting acorns and flying off to store them for the winter.
In the late afternoon, a period of clearer weather lead to some migration. Firstly an adultArctic Tern was found roosting on Car Park Pool at about 6 p.m. but soon departed, only to be replaced by two Ruff, which also moved on. At dusk, three juvenile “Commic” Terns flew into Car Park Pool but the light proved too poor to identify them conclusively.
27th September 2010
– Grey and overcast.
No records.
26th September 2010
– Sunny start, quickly clouding over. Cold northerly wind. Overnight drizzle.
Not a great deal to report. Wigeon had again increased with the numbers now up to 56. TheStock Dove flock has also increased with at least 80 around Siden Hill Wood and on the flood plains. A male Sparrowhawk and the immature female Peregrine were again responsible for keeping birds on the move. A Great Black-backed Gull flew over, a Coal Tit visited the Oak Hide feeder and the hybrid Mute Whooper Swan has reappeared.
25th September 2010
– Light frost, cool northerly wind, sunny intervals.
Despite the early morning frost, there was little of note on the move. A Hobby was perched up on the south side of Siden Hill Wood, but flew off as the morning progressed. A flock of about 35 mobile Greenfinches commuted between the two game covers and 12 Reed Buntingswere in the main crop field. Five Chiffchaff were spread down the Old Road, along with fourSong Thrushes and a Coal Tit, whilst overhead a Skylark, a
Grey Wagtail, three Pied Wagtails and eight Swallows were the only birds of note.
On the pools, the weekend’s counts were as follows: one Dabchick, four Herons, 24Cormorants, 20 Mute Swans, 205 Greylags, 35 Canadas, 23 Gadwall, 40 Wigeon, 65Teal, 39 Mallard, 26 Shoveler, 30 Pochard, 18 Tufted Ducks, 19 Moorhen, 112 Coot, 182Lapwing, 12 Snipe, 168 Black-headed Gulls, one Common and five Lesser Black-backed Gulls, six Buzzards, one Kestrel, a Sparrowhawk, a Raven, 42 Stock Doves and fiveRook.
24th September 2010
– Overcast, grey, cold northerly wind, regular showers
A gloomy start with a brisk and cool northerly wind meant searching for birds in the bushes was a complete waste of time and, aside from a couple of calling and singing Chiffchaffs near the gate, everything else was keeping out of sight. The best of this morning’s birds was a Little Egret which circled Car Park Pool at about 7.30 a.m. and then appeared to drop onto the river.
Wigeon had increased to 35 whilst a group of at least 20 over-flying Jackdaws included half a dozen Rooks. Five Stock Doves were amongst the Wood Pigeons near Siden Hill Wood. AKingfisher called from the Reedbed.
A Hobby again showed well and, of note, were three Coal Tits and a Tree Sparrow at the Oak Hide feeder. 63 Teal was nearly double the month’s previous maximum.
23rd September 2010
– Cloudy, south-westerly wind after overnight rain.
Eleven Crossbills flew north-west over the Reserve and appeared to land in Siden Hill Wood. The Larches there may well merit investigation. It is the first record for this species since July 1997. The first four Siskins of the autumn flew through to the south.
Later, in the evening, seven Snipe were flushed by a Fox from the shoreline in front of Railway Hide. The Peregrine appeared again and 12 Swallows flew south.
22nd September 2010
– Generally sunny but with high cloud. Initially light southerly wind.
A brief sky watch from the car park between 09.10 and 09.30 yielded the following birds moving south:- ten Meadow Pipits, 39 Swallows, five Greenfinches, four Mistle Thrushes,four Greater Black-backed Gulls (one adult, three first-winters), five Common Terns, oneRook and two unidentified Finches.
There was both Chiffchaff and Blackcap around the car park, at least five Stock Doves with about 75 Wood Pigeons on the west bank of the pool and 16 Shoveler on the pool.
In the early afternoon, an adult Common Tern and three juveniles were split between the two pools. Whether these were part of the original five or four new birds is not clear. A Hobby put in a brief appearance just after 2 p.m., and a Yellow-legged Gull was initially on Car Park Pool before moving to Railway Pool. It was a second calender year bird moulting with second-winter plumage – the same bird as earlier this year?
21st September 2010
– Warm and sunny, light southerly wind, over 20 degrees centigrade.
The best bird was a hunting Barn Owl in the evening which prospected the margins of both pools. A probable Peregrine (or possibly a Hobby) appeared briefly at dusk, with other wildlife of note including a first Great Crested Grebe for some weeks, up to 14 Snipe, fiveBuzzards, a Nuthatch at the Oak Hide feeder and four Commas together around the car park.
20th September 2010
– Increasingly sunny and warm as the westerly wind turned around to the south. 20 degrees centigrade at least.
Aside from a Green Sandpiper, a Hobby and the occasional small group of Swallows orHouse Martins moving through, the weather was obviously too nice for much else of note.
An excellent evening work party achieved a great deal. Nine attended and the islands on Railway Pool have now been strimmed and the Marsh channel re-opened, and by removing some reedmace improved the visibility looking towards the gravel bar in front of River Hide. Thanks to all those who attended.
19th September 2010
– An increasingly south-westerly wind, occasional sunny intervals, generally cool.
The undoubted highlight of the weekend was two roosting Tawny Owls in a large Hazel along the Old Road. The birds were sitting together and were found as a result of the ticking alarm call of a Robin.
Two Hobbies were again present and there seemed to be a small influx of Song Thrusheswith at least five at the north end of the Ammunition Dump and one dropping into the Old Road game cover. Also at the top end of the Ammunition Dump were at least four Blackcapsfeeding on Elders with two or three Chiffchaffs, a pair of Bullfinches, some Linnets,Goldfinches and Chaffinches.
Other birds of interest included a Coal Tit in a Tit flock on the causeway and at least oneGoldcrest in a Tit flock by the back gate.
18th September 2010
– Sunny start, clouding over and rain late afternoon and overnight – wind changing from the north-west to the west.
From 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. there was a steady passage of Swallows, with 80 counted in that period. However, from 9 a.m. onwards birds either went too high to be seen or passage largely ceased, although a few House Martins did start moving (about 20 in the period 9 a.m. to 12 mid-day). Meadow Pipits were also moving through in the first three hours, with at least 26 counted and also a Yellow Wagtail. Only the second Spotted Flycatcher of the year was found in a mobile Tit flock on the Central Streamline, but could not be found later.
Hobbies again showed, with one over Siden and either the same or a different one later over the Reedbed hunting Dragonflies.
A few Chiffchaffs were again counted with the majority on the Old Road, with a singleBlackcap. A Coal Tit visited the Oak Hide feeder along with a Nuthatch and five Ravens flew over in a single group.
25 Reed Buntings were in the crop field with a few Greenfinches and at least 30Greenfinches were at the Oak Hide feeder.
Graham Rowling’s regular waterfowl counts were as follows: two Little Grebes, 25Cormorants, five Herons, 18 Mute Swans, 362 Greylags, one Canada, 23 Wigeon, 24Gadwall, 34 Teal, 30 Mallard, 22 Shoveler, 34 Pochard, 15 Tufted, 23 Moorhen, 94 Coot, 46 Lapwing, two Snipe, 120 Black-headed Gulls and seven Lesser Black-backs.
17th September 2010
– Cool north-westerly wind, sunny periods.
Two Hobbies again, using the wind to monitor a steady passage of mostly Swallows that were going through. At least 50 went through this morning, but probably more than that got missed. Four Snipe, 17 Cormorants, 16 Shoveler and 20 Wigeon were noted, together with two Chiffchaffs by the entrance gate.
16th September 2010
– North-westerly wind, mostly sunny, occasional showers.
The only records came from the evening when an adult and a juvenile Hobby both put in appearances, as did the regular juvenile Peregrine which appeared again at dusk, this time over car park pool. 200 Black-headed Gulls also roosted.
15th September 2010
– Strong north-westerly, blustery showers.
A juvenile Hobby showed for much of the day, particularly along the front of Siden Hill Wood. A Buzzard attempted to take a Pigeon, but failed, and a Peregrine put in a brief appearance.House Martins appear to be on the move, with groups of 25-30 noted on at least two occasions. 14 Cormorants, at least 20 Wigeon, 18 Mute Swans, 20 Greenfinches and aNuthatch were other birds / counts of note.
14th September 2010
– Very wet until the rain cleared away at about 5 p.m. Cool north-westerly wind.
Over half an inch of rain fell during the day and whether or not this was the reason for an increase in Snipe is not known, but numbers jumped from single figures to at least 30.
As the rain cleared, at least 90 House Martins appeared. Some may have been local birds but others were clearly dropping in as the evening progressed. An adult Hobby had presumably sat out the rain and it too soon appeared as the weather cleared, chasing Martins. BothKingfisher and Water Rail were seen around the causeway screens.
13th September 2010
– No records.
12th September 2010
– Mostly sunny. Brisk north-westerly wind.
Whilst the juvenile Peregrine, plenty of Buzzards (including six together over Siden ), twoHobbies and a couple of Sparrowhawks were enjoying the warmth and the wind, they did little to encourage much of interest to linger, and ten Snipe early on soon departed.
The Old Road game crop was also disturbed by a Sparrowhawk, a male, but a smart Painted Lady (missing the bottom parts of both wings) and a Hornet were of interest there.
11th September 2010
– Sun and showers, south-westerly, turning north-westerly late on.
The better birds of the day included Hobby, Raven and the now regular juvenile Peregrinewhich caught and carried off a Moorhen for consumption elsewhere. Seven late Sand Martinswent south, as did a tight group of four Buzzards which also appeared to be on the move.
The Old Road game cover was the liveliest place on the Reserve with small groups of Finchesand Buntings, the majority of the twelve Chiffchaffs recorded, plus Whitethroat andBlackcap. Two lingering Reed Warblers were in the Marsh and Railway Hide Guelder Rose respectively.
The total wildfowl and other counts were: 17 Cormorants, 11 Herons, 459 Greylags, 21Mutes plus one of the hybrid Mute / Whoopers, only six Teal (no Garganeys which were last recorded on the 9th), 30 Wigeon, 105 Mallard, 23 Shoveler, 51 Gadwall, 33 Pochard, 21 Tufted Duck, 13 Moorhens, 105 Coot, 71 Black-headed and three Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 110 Lapwings and six Snipe. A Kingfisher also showed well around the Reedbed.
10th September 2010
– Showery, south westerly
Swallows were on the move in small “pulses” with 37 through between 7.30am and 8.30am together with a single Sand Martin. Two Meadow Pipits also went over. SevenChiffchaffsincluded four in a tit flock on the Railway embankment.
9th September 2010
– Sunny intervals, warm south-easterly turning south-westerly in the evening with overnight rain
All the records come from the evening when a Hobby showed again together with bothGarganeys, six Yellow Wagtails flew over and Pochard increased to 38. A fox was on the hunt by River Hide.
8th September 2010
– High cloud, very light southerly wind, pretty damp under-foot.
Waterfowl this morning included 19 Mutes, both Garganey, 26 Pochard and at least 11Wigeon. Not much on the move with birds overhead limited to four Meadow Pipits, twoHouse Martins and a Pied Wagtail.
A total of nine Chiffchaffs and three Blackcaps were almost entirely located along the Old Road, with the bulk around the horse paddock. The crop field again held 30 Greenfinches and a few Reed Buntings and Goldfinches, with at least another ten Greenfinches at the Oak Hide feeder. Also along the Old Road were at least 30 Blue Tits spread in loose groups withTree Creeper, Nuthatch and lower numbers of Great Tits also in attendance. At least eightRobins were in song along the Old Road.
Around 1pm a pair of Hobbies hawked dragonflies over Railway Pool. Additional waders included a Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper, the latter the first record of this month.
7th September 2010
– Sunny start, heavy afternoon showers, light south-easterly wind.
The Garganey on Railway Pool was showing most of the day but the bird on Car Park Pool did not show. Wigeon numbers had increased to 17 and Pochard to 33. Hobby was about in the morning, but not seen later. At dusk, the juvenile Peregrine that has been seen on at least two previous occasions, came in low and circuited the pools before drifting off to roost. AWater Rail showed again from the causeway screen and a Tawny Owl called from Siden Hill Wood.
6th September 2010
– A strong south-easterly wind with rain from mid-afternoon.
The only records of which I am aware so far today included one flock of 15 House Martinsthat flew south-east at 10 a.m. Later, counts of 91 Canadas, 200 Greylags, 26 Pochard, at least 10 Shoveler and two Wigeon were made.
5th September 2010
– Increasing south-easterly wind, heavy rain in the morning, clearing in the afternoon.
Only a few records noted today. Both Garganey continued to show well, today both were on Car Park Pool. There were seven Snipe, a Ringed Plover, 20 Goldfinches and two Ravenswere perched initially in the “Peregrine” tree in Siden Hill Wood before flying around the Reserve.
4th September 2010
– Mostly warm and sunny, light but increasing south-easterly wind.
In the early morning, birds of note included a steady passage of Swallows, with at least 50 south by 9 a.m., the flock encompassing a late Swift. Both Garganey’s showed well, and a noticeable jump in Reed Buntings included a flock of at least 40 commuting between the crop field and the Reedbed. A Green Sandpiper also put in a brief appearance.
A juvenile or female Pintail was a good find later in the morning as part of the weekend duck count. Two Yellow Wagtails fed on the tip, together with a Skylark, and a trickle ofSwallows and House Martins continued to dribble through.
A juvenile Peregrine landed on the middle island on Car Park Pool in the afternoon, and was presumably the same bird as showed well on the 29th August. A Hobby also put in an appearance.
The full weekend’s counts of waterfowl and other birds were: five Dabchicks, 11 Herons, eight Cormorants, 17 Mute Swans, 375 Greylags, 50 Canadas, 15 Teal, 27 Shoveler, 49Gadwall, 120 Mallard, six Wigeon, two Garganey, a Pintail, 22 Pochard, 20 Tufted Ducks, 148 Coot, 25 Moorhens, 11 Buzzards (including nine over the tip field), 157Lapwings, juvenile Ringed Plover, four Snipe, 138 Black-headed Gulls, one Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Kingfisher.
3rd September 2010
– Mist and low cloud slow to clear, sunny and warm from mid-morning with a light south-easterly wind.
Records which have been phoned in to me today include two Yellow Wagtails feeding with the cattle in front of River Hide, an adult Ringed Plover on Car Park Pool, a Greenshank in the morning but not in the afternoon, and just the long staying male Garganey on Railway Pool. A Hobby also appeared on a number of occasions and a Small Copper, presumably a second generation butterfly, showed well around the car park.
2nd September 2010
– Cool, misty start, quickly brightening light south-easterly wind.
A productive early mornings highlights included the discovery of a new (and therefore third)Garganey of the autumn – there is one bird now on each pool. Also on Car Park Pool there were five Snipe and the lingering juvenile Ringed Plover, together with three Wigeon. An adult Great Black-backed Gull that had probably roosted flew off to the east at about 7.15 a.m.
At about the same time, a Hobby flew across the front of Siden Hill Wood and perched briefly in the top of one of the trees before flying off to the west. Four Yellow Wagtails flew over the car park, calling.
The car park game crop was very active with at least 30 Greenfinches, 15 Goldfinches, 12Reed Buntings, a Whitethroat and a Chiffchaff whilst, along the Old Road itself, there were three further Whitethroats, a Blackcap and three Reed Warblers. At least one Kingfisherwas whizzing about the place and showed in a number of locations.
At 10.50 a.m., what was presumably the same four Yellow Wagtails that flew south at 7.15 a.m., flew back north.
1st September 2010
– Cool and misty start, but sunny all day. Light northerly wind clearing to the east.
The drake Garganey and the juvenile Ringed Plover continued to linger. Goose counts included 400 Greylags and 52 Canadas. There were seven Snipe and at least twoKingfishers.
Courtesy of John Oates, there was also Roesell’s Bush Cricket, Long and Short-winged Conehead, Common Green Grasshopper, Lesser Marsh Grasshopper and FieldGrasshopper.
