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.

At Last.....

Finally caught up with the elusive Ring Ouzel on Saturday morning with the directional help of Monty Curtis. The bird showed well on the grassy bank, west of the main path at the entrance gates to the reserve. It appears we were lucky as it flew low east over the reserve shortly after and as yet has not been seen again. Heres the photo as promised by Steve Rogers. Spring was certainly in the air with 38 Sand Martins over the main pool and a superb male Wheatear nearby. At least four Skylark were singing and two or three Linnets sang. Shelduck numbers totalled nine on the main pool. A Firecrest was at Godrevy Point (Thanks Brian). A short visit in the evening of the same day produced seven Greylag geese on the island, a Little Grebe and two Ravens flew over.

There was no sign of the Ring Ouzel on Sunday 15th, but there were eighteen Purple sandpipers on the rocks at nearby Godrevy Point. These superb little waders occasionally get on the pools onthe reserve so are worth keeping a eye out for. Hopefully the first Little ringed Plover should be seen soon!

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)