Friday 23rd April 2010 - Todays Sightings

A superb sunny day on the reseve with endless blue skies tempting at least four Buzzards and two Kestrels into soaring around. Dunlins had increased to six birds on the unfenced Pool with a Ringed Plover in tow. It wasn't long before an inconsiderate dog walker had flushed them all onto the gated pools. Thank God for fencing!!
Hirundine numbers were lower today but this was compensated for by the first Swift of the year, which flew south. A drake Gadwall was on the main pool and five 'singing' Whimbrel alighted there briefly before flying off towards the beach. Six House Sparrows were in bushes around the main pool opposite Sandsifter and a Sedge Warbler was singing from the Red River ditch. Suprisingly, not a single Wheatear was seen. Other birds included Chiffchaff (3), Song Thrush (2), BH Gull (2), Magpie (2), Shelduck (10+), Canada Goose (3), Mute Swan (1), Moorhen, Mallard (8), Skylark (4), Linnet (6+) and Pied Wagtail.

1st June 2009

A quick hour round the reserve this morning in the glorious sunshine. Plenty of breeding activity with a brood of seven Shelduck on the main pool and a single Moorhen chick on the small pool with the now healthy looking reed bed. The female mallard seems to have had another brood too. The morning was complete when a Marsh Harrier scattered the gulls from the main pool and flew off high to east.

Drive by sightings

A quick drive past the reserve this morning and birds observed from the car were four male Wheatear between the main pool and the road and 16 Shelduck doing what Shelducks do. A Kestrel flew NW over the pool and still plenty of Skylark singing. Also about 15 Sand Martins over the main pool.

Recent Sightings

Though the weather has been superb over the last few days with light winds from the south and clear skies, there hasn't been much in the way of birds. Derek Jenkins had four Male and a female Wheatear on the 18th with a few Sand Martins along the Red River and Chris Yates had two male Wheatear around the mian pool on the morning of the 19th.

Six Shelduck were doing the springtime chasing and fighting thing this morning (21st) on the main pool and two Male Wheatears were on the open grass between the main pool and the road. The Phal killing Buzzard was walking up and down the bank of the island in aniticipation of another easy snack and there are still plenty of Skylark singing. Photo right; M.Sallis.

Recent Sightings

The male Snow Bunting was seen again at 4pm on the 5th March by Alec George, but neither bird could be located on Friday morning by Derek Jenkins. However, Derek reports that the Scaup (3) are still on the main pool with two Shelduck and ten Canada Geese. Plenty of singing Skylark too but no sign of the drake Pintail.

Saturdays Sightings

Molly Burnley had a superb male Snow Bunting on the reserve on the 28th and the Scaup (3 fem) and Pintail (drk) were still on the main pool. Two Canada Geese were commuting between the main pool and cattle fields over the road during the afternoon and a Little Grebe and two Shelduck were on the main pool. Eight Curlew flew over towards the beach late afternoon. No sign of any Sand Martins yet.

July 2008 sightings

Monday 28th July 2008 - WOOD SANDPIPER still on main pool (C.Yates)

Sunday 27th July - WOOD SANDPIPER on east side of main pool. Female Shoveler on reedbed pool then flew onto main pool. Little Grebe, Common Sandpiper and juv Heron still. Also Reed Bunting (2) on sedge covered pool. Lots of juv Rock Pipits and Pied Wags. ( from P.Freestone)

Friday 25th July - Little Grebe, Grey Heron (juv), Common Sandpiper (1), Greenshank (1) on main Pool. Also Shelduck (4 juvs), Linnet (10+), Rock Pipit (8+), Skylark (2) and Fulmar over. Still plenty of Sand Martins around. (from P.Freestone)

Saturday 11th July - Little Grebe, Tufted Duck (fem), GBB Gull (1), Lssr BB Gull (1), Herring Gull (25), Shelduck (ad and brood of 5), Redshank (2)and Rock Pipit (4+) all on main pool this afternoon. Swift (2) and plenty of Sand Martin over pool. (from P.Freestone)

Sunday 1st June 2008

A drake Scaup was on the main pool until the 12th. It was constantly harassed by the Shelducks guarding thier 7-8 young. (from D.Jenkins et al)