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December 2006 Diary and News from Chasewater
 and Cuckoo Bank

All the latest sightings, news and photos from Chasewater, Cuckoo Bank, Clayhanger/Ryders Mere
and surrounding areas.   All records are welcome, please send them to Graham at chasewater.org.uk  (substitute @ for at) and jpeg your photos and Zip them - OR submit your records via Chasewater Chat FORUM
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Key to Contributors

2006

Sightings/News

Photos
Sunday
31 December
NEW YEARS EVE

2 Great Northern Divers, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 drake Smew, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull (PJ, PW), 22 Goosanders, 91 Goldeneye (PJ).

Gull Roost: 1 juv Iceland Gull, 1 prob 1st w Caspian Gull, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull (PJ).

Stubbers Green: 1 redhead Smew (PJ). 
Saturday
30 December

2 Great Northern Divers, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 drake Smew, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull (PW et al). 

Gull Roost: 1 juv Iceland Gull, 1 1st w Caspian Gull, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull (PJ, JA et al).

Kingswood: 50 Herring Gulls, few Lesser Black-backs, 1 Common Gull, 101 Lapwings, 6 Golden Plovers (GE).

Stubbers Green: 1 redhead Smew (PJ, JH). 
Friday
29 Dec

2 Great Northern Divers, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 drake Smew, 10 Goosander, 85 Goldeneye (PJ). 

Gull Roost: 1 juv Iceland Gull, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, about 750 Herring Gulls (PJ, NS, PW)

Stubbers Green: 1 redhead Smew (PJ).
 


Blue Tit - N Stych


Bullfinch - N Stych
Thursday
28 Dec

2 Great Northern Divers, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 drake Smew (PJ, PW). 

Gull Roost: 1 juv Iceland Gull, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull (PJ et al), 9000 Black-headed Gulls (GE).

Cuckoo Bank: 1 Short-eared Owl, 3 pairs of Stonechats, 60 Lesser Redpolls, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Common Snipe, 1 Kestrel, 1 Heron, 16 Red Deer (GE). 
Wednesday
27 Dec

2 Great Northern Divers, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 drake Smew, 24 Cormorants, 3 Herons, 1 Golden Plover (GE, PJ, CM, PW). 

Gull Roost: 1 1st/2nd winter Iceland Gull, 1 adult Caspian Gull, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls (PJ, PDH et al), 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls (PJ, SR), 155 Great Black-backed Gulls, 540 Herring Gulls (PDH).

Kingswood: 1 1st w Caspian Gull, 230 Herring Gulls, 80 Lesser Black-backs, 23 Great Black-backs, 30 Black-headed Gulls plus 300 large gulls in the air over Cannock Tip (GE).
Tuesday
26 Dec

BOXING
DAY

A superb day with two first records of the year for Staffordshire – Iceland Gull and Red-crested Pochard.

2 Great Northern Divers, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 drake Smew, 22 Goosanders, 13 Ruddies, 77 Goldeneye, 1 Redshank (JA, PJ). 1 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull (GE).

Swag: 1 drake Red-crested Pochard, 12 Gadwall, 1 Kingfisher (JA, PJ, GE).

Slurry Pool: 3 Gadwall (total 15).

Gull Roost: 1 2nd winter Iceland Gull, 1 adult Caspian Gull, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls (JA, PJ).
Monday
25 Dec
XMAS DAY

A brief visit to the south shore produced views of the Snow Bunting, 1 Great Northern Diver and 182 Lapwings (GE).

Gull Roost: 2 adult Caspian Gulls, male and female adult Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Great Northern Divers, Snow Bunting (IW).
Sunday
24 Dec

2 Great Northern Divers, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 drake Smew, 25 Goosanders, 49 Great Crested Grebes, 9 Little Grebes, 13 Gadwall, 8 Shovelers, 8 Ruddy Ducks, 2 Willow Tits (GE).

Gull Roost: 1 adult Caspian Gull, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls (JA, PJ, IW, GE).
Saturday 23 Dec

2 Great Northern Divers, 1 Snow Bunting (GE, PJ, PW), 1 drake Smew, 24 Goosanders, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 6 Yellowhammers (PJ), 32 Cormorants, 1 Mistle Thrush (GE).

Gull Roost: 1 adult Caspian Gull (IW, N).

Goscote Valley: 2 Chiffchaffs (PJ).
Friday 22 Dec

2 Great Northern Divers, 1 Woodcock (PW), 1 Snow Bunting (GE, EO, PW).

21 Goosander, 6 Shoveler (4 dam end, other 2 by ski club), 1 Little Grebe, 8+ Great Black-backed Gulls on island, 5 Lapwings flew over and a flock of 12 Long-tailed Tits past ski club (EO).

Gull roost: 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 50 Great Black-backs (GE, PJ, IW).

Cuckoo Bank: 2 Stonechats, 4 Reed Buntings, 5 very dark female Pheasants, 2 Jays, 1 Green Woodpecker, 11 Wigeon, 2 Mute Swans on big middle pool on heath, 1 Jack Snipe and 1 Common Snipe on heath (EO).
Thursday 21 Dec 1 Snow Bunting, 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls (PJ, PW).

 


Snow Bunting - P Ward
Wednesday 20 Dec 2 Great Northern Divers, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 18 Goosanders (PJ).
Tuesday 19 Dec 1 Snow Bunting, 2 Great Northern Divers, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull (before the fog came down) (PJ, PW)

At least 12 Goosanders (PS)
 


Snow Bunting - P Ward

Monday 18 Dec 1 Snow Bunting, 2 Great Northern Divers (WMBC).
Sunday 17 Dec

Snow Bunting (N. Stych)

1 Snow Bunting, 3 Great Northern Divers (2 flew off to the north-east at 15:20), 1 imm drake Scaup.

WeBS count: 3 Great Northern Divers, 38 Mute Swans, 27 Canada Geese, 177 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 4 Teal, 68 Wigeon, 1 imm drake Scaup, 367 Tufted Ducks, 38 Pochard, 10 Ruddy Ducks, 80 Goldeneye, 6 Goosanders, 3 Cormorants, 807 Coot, 12 Moorhens, 36 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Grebes, 12 Lapwings, 1 Grey Wagtail (NS, GE).

Gull Roost: 1 first-winter Glaucous Gull, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, 1adult Mediterranean Gull (WMBC), 20 Great Black-backed Gulls (GE).

Feeding Station: Bullfinch, Greenfinch and Reed Bunting and Blue, Great, Long-tailed and Willow Tits. 7 Red Deer hinds just lazing in the trees just north of the feeding station (NW).

Cuckoo Bank: 250 Golden Plovers, 30 Grey Partridges, 100 Fieldfares, 1 Stonechat (WMBC).

 
Saturday 16 Dec

1 Snow Bunting, 3 Great Northern Divers, 1 Scaup, 11 Goosanders, 20+ Goldeneye, 2 Ruddy Ducks (GE, PJ), 10 Jack Snipe, 18 Common Snipe, 32 Cormorants, 34 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Sparrowhawk (GE).

Feeding Station: 5 Bullfinches, 2 Willow Tits.

Swag: 11 Ruddy Ducks, 67 Wigeon, 74 Tufted Ducks, 48 Pochard, 41 Goldeneye, 3 Gadwall, 2 Great Crested Grebes.

Slurry Pool: 332 Tufted Ducks (total 406), 1 Heron, < 10 Lesser Redpolls (GE).

Gull Roost: 1 adult Mediterranean Gull but only 150 Herring Gulls, 200 Lesser Black-backs and 40 Great Black-backs (PJ).

The 3 Great Northern Divers together (© Richard Stonier)
Friday 15 Dec

1 Snow Bunting, 2+ Great Northern Divers (PJ, EO, PW), 5 Little Grebes, 12 Goosanders, 2 displaying Great Crested Grebes, 40 Cormorants, 1 Heron (EO). .

Gull Roost: 1 adult Caspian Gull (PJ).

Cuckoo Bank: 200+ Golden Plover and a mixed flock of 400+ Fieldfares and Redwings (GR).
Thursday 14 Dec

1 Snow Bunting, 3 Great Northern Divers, 1 Scaup, 12 Goosanders (7 adult drakes, 5 redheads), 12 Ruddy Ducks (PJ).

Gull Roost: Back to normal after the influx on 11th with only around 400 Lesser Black-backs and reduced numbers of Herring Gulls, 1 adult Caspian Gull and 1 adult Mediterranean Gull (PJ).

Stubbers Green: 1 adult Caspian Gull (PJ).

Goscote Valley: 3 Chiffchaffs (PJ).
Wednesday 13 Dec 3 Great Northern Divers still, 9 Goosanders, 5 Jack Snipe, 52 Snipe, ad Caspian Gull and 1 ad Yellow-legged Gull (GJM).
Tuesday 12 Dec

3 Great Northern Divers, 1 Snow Bunting (PW), 24 Common Snipe, 4 Jack Snipe (EO).

Gull Roost: 1 adult and  1 first-winter Caspian Gull, 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls (IW)

Stubbers Green: 1 adult Caspian Gull (WMBC).
Monday 11 Dec

3 Great Northern Divers, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Scaup, 3 Goosanders, 12 Ruddies, 2 Treecreepers on the dam and an adult Mediterranean Gull (PJ).

Gull Roost: 2 Caspian Gulls – 1 adult and 1 first-winter, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, up to 2500 large gulls with minimum estimates of 1700+ Herring Gulls and 700+ Lesser Black-backs  (IW, PJ).

Stubbers Green: 1 adult Caspian Gull (PJ).
Sunday 10 Dec

3 Great Northern Divers, 1 Snow Bunting, 6 redhead Goosanders (PW), 2 Dunlin, 2 Herons (GE)

Gull Roost: 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, head on views of probable Caspian Gull, in very poor light, on the jetty, 10+ Common Gulls, 30+ Great Black-backs (GE).

Stubbers Green: 1 adult Caspian Gull coming to bread (PJ).
Saturday 9 Dec

3 Great Northern Divers, 1 Snow Bunting (GE, PW). 1 adult Kittiwake (BD).

930 Coot, 41 Mute Swans, 34 Canada Geese, 14 Ruddy Ducks, 130 Mallard, 39 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Little Grebes (GE).

Gull Roost: 1 adult Mediterranean Gull (BD, IW), 1 adult Caspian Gull flew out to the north-east and didn’t appear to roost (IW).

Stubbers Green: 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 1 adult Caspian Gull that was also seen at the nearby Vigo Landfill, where there was also an adult Peregrine (JA, PJ) and at Chasewater (IW). 

Adult Kittiwake and Mediterranean Gull (©Bob Duckhouse)
Friday 8 Dec

3 Great Northern Divers, 1 Snow Bunting.

Gull Roost: 1 adult Caspian Gull on jetty, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls – 1 adult, 1 2nd winter (PJ, EGP, IW).
Thursday 7 Dec

1 Snow Bunting, 3 Great Northern Divers, 1 imm drake Scaup.

Gull Roost: 1 adult Caspian Gull on jetty, 1 first-winter Mediterranean Gull, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull (PJ, IW) 1 first –winter Kittiwake (IW).
Wednesday 6 Dec

Snow Bunting (P.Ward)

1 Snow Bunting, 3 Great Northern Divers, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Scaup, 3 Goosanders, 8 Ruddies, 1 Dunlin.

Below Dam: 1 Water Rail.

Gull Roost: 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull (PJ).

 
Tuesday 5 Dec Still 2 Great Northern Divers, c30 Golden Plovers, imm Scaup, Snow Bunting between sailing club and dam (GJM). 3 Great Northern Divers, 1 Dunlin (PW). 5 Little Grebes, 2 Goosanders, 20+ Cormorants, 26 Common Snipe, 4 Jack Snipe (EO).

Slurry Pool: 10 Red Deer (EO).

Gull Roost: 1 Yellow -legged Gull

Monday 4 Dec 3 Great Northern Divers, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Dunlin (PW)

1 immature drake Scaup
Sunday 3 Dec

1 Snow Bunting (PW), 3 Great Northern Divers, 1 imm drake Scaup (PJ).

Swag: 71 Goldeneye (PJ), 71 Pochard, 9 Ruddies, 24 Wigeon, 1 Shoveler, 1 Little Grebe. 2 Grey Wagtails (GE)

Gull Roost: 1 adult Mediterranean Gull (IW).

Stubbers Green: 1 adult Caspian Gull (IW).
Saturday 2 Dec

1 Red Admiral basking in the winter sun near the Sailing Club! 1 Snow Bunting, 3 Great Northern Divers, 1 imm drake Scaup, 2 Goosanders, 71 Goldeneye, 62 Pochard, 402 Tufted Ducks, 57 Wigeon, 13 Gadwall, 1 drake Shoveler, 7 Little Grebes, 28 Great Crested Grebes, 22 Cormorants, 180+ Lapwings, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Willow Tit (GE), 30 Redpolls, 1 Treecreeper (PJ, IW).

North Shore: 45 Common Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe (PJ, IW), 5 Red Deer hinds (GE)

1 adult Kittiwake flew north- west mid-afternoon (JA).

Gull Roost: 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull (JA, GE, PJ, IW et al).

Cuckoo Bank: Top fields - 430 Golden Plovers, 1 juvenile Peregrine, 10 Siskin (IW).

                              

                Great Northern Diver (©Ian Butler)                                                    Snow Bunting (Phill  Ward))
Friday 1 Dec

1 Snow Bunting on the Sailing and South Shores is the first Chasewater record since 1987 (IW, PW), 3 Great Northern Divers, 2 Dunlin  (PJ, IW).

Gull Roost: 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls (PJ, IW).

Cuckoo Bank: Top fields - 300 Golden Plover, 250 Fieldfares, 50 Redwings, 30 Goldfinches (GR)

 

Great Northern Diver (P. Ward)