- 1st
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- 14șC
- Sunny intervals
- W5
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| Yesterday I saw my first Rook on the
ground at Chasewater in 40 years of looking and today it was the
turn of 2 Jackdaws that were feeding in Southacres Farm in
the company of 6 Red Deer and a Buzzard overhead; an occurrence
no-one would have contemplated 40 years ago. 22 Goldeneye and were
still present, 2 Swallows flew north, 80 Sand Martins were over the
lake and 2 Green Woodpeckers near the dam (GE). The Great
Northern Diver was off the west shore and three Greylag Geese
flew
north west at 13:00 (PW).
A female Sparrowhawk struggled to fly into the wind
over the dam, 1 Chiffchaff was in Fly Bay and 3-4 Willow Warblers
were near the Feeding Station where there were 4 Bullfinches and 1
Willow Tit. Near the Slurry Pool there were 4 Lapwings, 2 singing
Skylarks and a Swallow flew south east (EO).
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|
At Cuckoo Bank there was a female Sparrowhawk, a
Kestrel, 3 Buzzards, 3 Rooks, 1 Snipe, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Teal,
several singing Skylarks, 1 Stonechat and up to 8 Linnets on the
heath. On the top fields there were 2 Mistle
Thrushes, 2 Grey Partridge, 30 Linnets, 8 Starlings and
as I was coming off the fields 4 distant geese were flying
south possibly Canada but unable to see them clearly (EO).
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- 2nd
|
- 14șC
- Overcast with light rain
- WNW 2
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|
Two summer plumaged Black-necked
Grebes were close to the south shore during the morning, moving
closer to the sailing shore during the afternoon. The Great
Northern Diver was again close to the dam, 2 Cormorants were on
the raft, a Kingfisher flashed across, a drake Shoveler
dropped in and 80 Sand Martins, 5+ Swallows and a House Martin
were over the lake. A pair of Great Crested Grebes have hatched
chicks. A male Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest, a
Green Woodpecker and Small Tortoiseshell were below the dam and 22 Goldeneye and a Goosander
were on the Swag. 3 Buzzards were soaring over Cuckoo Bank (GE, CM,
PJ, PW, IW). |
- Bluebells near the dam (GE)
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| Black-necked
Grebes have become regular spring or autumn migrants in recent
years (© G Evans) |
|
- 3rd
|
- 15șC
- Overcast
- NW2
|
- The pair of Black-necked Grebes
were still present but spent most of the time diving far out from
the sailing shore and in the evening they were preening and wing
flapping as if preparing to leave. The Great Northern Diver, a Peregrine,
Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzard, Cormorant, 4 Rooks, 56 Tufted Ducks,
22 Goldeneye, 3 Oystercatchers and 3+ Willow Warblers were present
(GE, PW).
- The small gull roost held 190 Lesser Black-backs,
11 Great Black-backs, 5 Herring Gulls and 7 Black-headed Gulls (GE).
|
- Another photo of the diver's right wing;
perhaps not the best condition for long distance migration
(AR).
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|
| 4th |
- 12șC
- Sunny intervals
- WNW2
|
- No sign of the Black-necked Grebe but the Great
Northern Diver remained along with a pair of Shovelers, 2
Kingfishers, 12 Goldeneye, 2 Oystercatchers, 14 Lapwings, 200 Sand Martins, 2
Swallows, a House Martin, 3+ Willow Warblers, several
Chiffchaffs, 6 Lesser Redpolls, including a singing male and 6
Red Deer (GE). A female Wheatear was on the Norton Bog
hill (EO). The highlight of the day was relaxing on the water's
edge and scanning the skies for raptors which produced 5
Sparrowhawks, 3 Kestrels and a remarkable 14 Buzzards : 8
over the Wryley Common area, 4 over No Man's Bank/Cuckoo Bank
and 2 over the north shore.
- The gull roost held a tight pack of around 150
large gulls and 15 Black-headed Gulls (GE).
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|
- 5th
- Sat
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- 9șC
- Light showers
- NNW3
|
| A very cold early morning with only the
Great Northern Diver, a Great Black-backed Gull, a Snipe, 200 Sand
Martins and 2 Swallows of note (GE). An Osprey passed over at
13:15 (ICB); one of many seen across the country today and a Muntjac
was seen (IW). |
| At Kingswood 4 Little Ringed Plovers,
4+ pairs of Lapwings and a Buzzard were present. A man with a young
male Peregrine x Lanner and a dog is being employed to keep the area
to the north of the road clear of schedule 1 breeding birds so that
building work won't be delayed! Apparently the Little Ringed Plovers
held up 'development' last year and they are now being 'encouraged'
to use the area south of the road. I wonder where they will be
encouraged to go next year? (GE) |
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- 6th
- Sun
|
- 6șC
- Early heavy snow. Sunny morning then wintry showers
- NNW2-3
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- Anglesey Basin (© G Evans)
|
- Fly Bay (© G Evans)
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| A wonderfully picturesque carpet of
snow enlivened the early morning; the spring migrants must have
wondered why they'd bothered! The Great Northern Diver felt
at home, 3 Oystercatchers flew onto the raft, 350 Sand Martins, 5
Swallows and a House Martin were over the lake. A Buzzard soared
over 6 Red Deer at Southacres Farm. Willow Tits were in song at the
feeding station and the Swag and 2 Sparrowhawks were over the north
shore. Other totals were 34 Tufted Ducks, 9 Goldeneye, 1 Ruddy Duck,
90 Mallard, a Teal, 32 Mute Swans, 13 Canada Geese, 4 Little Grebes, 24
Great Crested Grebes, a Cormorant, a Heron, 130 Coot and 4+ Moorhens
(GE). 2 Grey Partridges were on the north heath (PW). |
- Raceway Heath (© G Evans)
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- 7th
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- 8șC
- Sleet showers
- WSW2
|
| The Great Northern Diver was in
the middle of the lake by the gull roost which was comprised of a
2nd summer Yellow-legged Gull, 317 Lesser Black-backs, 3
Great Black-backs, 11 Herring Gulls and 15 Black-headed Gulls. 2
Oystercatchers were on the raft and 250 Sand Martins and a few
Swallows were over the lake. Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff
sang from the dam (GE). |
|
- 8th
|
- 10șC
- A bright start then sleet showers
- SSW2
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|
The Great Northern Diver took 3 crayfish in
the short time I was on the dam. A Great Crested Grebe had two young on her
back. At the back of Fly Bay there were several dead bumble bees on
the path, I think the frost had killed them. Several Willow Warblers
were singing and there were up to 250 Sand Martins at the mouth
of Fly Bay (EO).
A sunny and bright early morning on Cuckoo Bank with
almost no wind. Chiffchaffs and Blackcap were singing in Eight's
Wood and a Mistle Thrush sang from the top of a tree on the edge of
the heath.
On the heath there were 2 Little Grebes, a Stonechat,
2 Buzzards, a female Sparrowhawk, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Jays, 2 Red
Deer and 2 Rooks and 2 Cormorants flew over (EO).
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|
- 9th
|
- 11șC
- Light showers
- WSW2
|
| A party of Bramblings was
reported below the dam (BS) and a Peacock butterfly was seen during
the day (PW). During the evening there were around 400 Sand Martins,
1-2 House Martins and Swallows, singing Blackcap and Willow
Warblers, 150 Lesser Black-backs, 2 Great Black-backs, 4 Herring
Gulls and the Great Northern Diver (GE). |
|
- 10th
|
- 11șC
- Sunny. Rain in evening
- WSW2
|
| 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Snipe, a Short-eared
Owl and the Great Northern Diver were all present around
mid-day (PW). During the evening there were 2 Oystercatchers, 300+
Sand Martins and the gull roost numbered 150 Lesser Black-backs, 3
Great Black-backs, 11 Herring Gulls and 4 Black-headed Gulls (GE). |
|
| 11th |
- 10șC
- Heavy showers
- S4
|
| A Common/Arctic Tern passed through (GR).
The Short-eared Owl performed
well over the north shore during the evening in the company of 6 Red
Deer. The Great Northern Diver was present along with 500
Sand Martins and a few Swallows and House Martins. The gull roost was comprised of 100
Lesser Black-backs, 4 Herring Gulls, 2 Great Black-backs and 4
Black-headed Gulls. 2 Yellowhammers were on the motorway embankment
(GE, IW). |
|
- 12th
- Sat
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- 11șC
- Heavy showers
- WSW3
|
| A Green Sandpiper was briefly
seen at the dam end of the Sailing Shore (JW). The Great Northern
Diver was still present but no Goldeneye remain. 2 Little Grebes
and the high total of 12 Great Crested Grebes were on the Swag (GE). |
|
- 13th
- Sun
|
- 11șC
- Heavy showers
- WSW2
|
| The Great Northern Diver, 22
Tufted Ducks and 10 Black-headed Gulls were on the water and 700
Sand Martins were over the lake but still very few Swallows and
House Martins. 4 Blackcaps were singing near the dam, a Jackdaw was
in a tree near the Old Vicarage/Pool House, a Buzzard soared over
and 5 Red Deer were in the translocation field (GE). |
-
- White or female Pied Wagtail
- - opinions please (GE)
|
| The first Cuckoo of the year was
appropriately calling on Cuckoo Bank, where there were also 2 male
Stonechats, a Redstart, Snipe, Tawny Owl, Green Woodpecker, Great
Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jays and 2 Red Deer (IW, GE). |
|
| 14th |
- 10șC
- Bright. Thunder and hail later
- NNW2
|
| At dusk the Great Northern Diver
was with the gull roost which included a 2nd/3rd s Yellow-legged
Gull, 170 Lesser Black-backs, 2 Great Black-backs, 5 Herring
Gulls and 6 Black-headed Gulls (GE, JA). |
|
- 15th
|
- 10șC
- Bright start then heavy showers
- WSW2
|
A Black Redstart was a
good find on the industrial estate east of the bye-pass near
Morrisons (IW).
The first Shelduck of the
year flew in (PW). A possible Sanderling flew across west about 70 yards out, white underneath and pale grey
above apart from darker primaries and secondaries with a distinctive
white wing bar. It kept at a steady height of about 80 feet, but
zig-zagged every 50 yards or so and eventually headed in a WSW
direction. A Common Sandpiper was in Fly Bay and later at the
Swag. The Feeding station was productive with 6 Bullfinches, 2
Willow Tits, a Coal Tit and 6-7 Jays nearby. A Green Woodpecker was
in the woods behind the Slurry Pool. About 200 Sand Martins were
over the water and high by the North Shore. In the Ski Club Bay a
Great Crested Grebe was carrying young. A partial second lap after a
coffee break produced 4 Red Deer behind the dam and 1 bobbing Redshank
on the shore by the Sailing Club and 5 Greylag Geese flew
east. There was no sign of any Green
Hairstreaks and only one Peacock was seen
(EO). A Cormorant was on the raft in the evening (GE).
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- 16th
|
- 10șC
- Light showers
- E2
|
| The Short-eared Owl was again
hunting over the North Heath during the afternoon and 2-300 Sand
Martins and a Swallow were over the dam (GR). The spring's first Little
Ringed Plover was present along with a Common Sandpiper. At dusk the Great
Northern Diver was near the gull roost which numbered around 100
Lesser Black-backs, a 2nd/3rd s Yellow-legged Gull, 5 Herring
Gulls and 3 Black-headed Gulls (GE). |
|
- 17th
|
- 10șC
- Light showers
- E4
|
| During the early evening the Great
Northern Diver was off Target Point, a Little Ringed Plover
was on the South Shore and over 300 Sand Martins were panicked by a
Sparrowhawk (GE). |
|
| 18th |
- 10șC
- Cloudy
- E5
|
| 3 female Common Scoters were
present along with the Great Northern Diver
(PW, JT) and in the evening 2 Oystercatchers flew in and the gull
roost numbered 3 Black-headed Gulls, about 50 Lesser Black-backs and
5 Herring Gulls including very poor views of a presumed adult with
very little or no black showing in the wing tips which was also
present on 16th (GE). |
|
- 19th
- Sat
|
- 10șC
- Cloudy with chilling wind. Rain late afternoon
- ENE5
|
| The 3 Common Scoters were still
present at the north end of the lake. The Short-eared Owl performed
well over the North Heath and 2 Cormorants, 3 Herons, 3 Oystercatchers,
a Common Sandpiper and Grey Wagtail were also seen. There were 50+ Swallows and
about 10 House Martins amongst the 500+ Sand Martins. 3 adult
Herring Gulls stayed for a while and the roost contained 30+ Lesser
Black-backs and 8 Black-headed Gulls. There were 22 Mute Swans on
the Boating Pool and 5 nesting pairs around the site (GE). The Great Northern Diver
made a short flight as if testing its wings prior to migration (PW). |
- Common Scoters (GE)
|
| 3 Common Cranes were
seen flying south over the Goscote Valley (Birdguides). They would
have very likely passed over the Chasewater/ Cuckoo Bank area
minutes before and perhaps I should have taken more notice of my
youngest daughter's cry that a big bird had just flown over the
house! (GE). |
| A White Wagtail and several
Swallows were at Stubbers Green (GE). |
|
- 20th
- Sun
|
- 10șC
- Wet start then cloudy and grey
- ENE4
|
| The 3 Common Scoters, Great
Northern Diver and Short-eared Owl were all present, 2 Common
Terns were joined by the spring's first Arctic Tern (CM,
JA, GE), 2 Kingfishers flew into Fly Bay (PW, JH), 500+ Sand Martins,
100+ Swallows and 20+ House Martins swarmed over the lake and during
the evening a Hobby flew in from the south-west (GE) and a pair
of Garganey was found along the north shore (PW).
At the Fair Lady Coppice 4 pairs of Lapwings were
disturbed by a Fox, a Buzzard was mobbed by 2 Carrion Crows and Tree
Sparrows were using the nest box (GE). |
|
| 21st |
- 12șC
- Cloudy
- NE3
|
| Another good day of interest and
migration. The 3 Common Scoters, Great Northern Diver
and Short-eared Owl were present along with an adult Little Gull, 8 Arctic Terns,
3 Common Terns, 9 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Swifts, a Whitethroat
and White Wagtail. 2 Ravens flew
north over the Anglesey Basin at around 10:30 (GE, IW). A Whimbrel
flew through at midday and there was a male Redstart and Comma
on the
north shore (PW). At dusk 75 Lesser Black-backs roosted (GE). |
| The same
teenagers who started the farm fires a couple of weeks ago set fire to
the overflow heath where the 3 Dexter and 3 Dexter x Jersey cattle are grazing. Fortunately,
the fire brigade were very prompt and the fire was put out before too
much damage was caused and the cattle were unharmed (GE). |
- Dexters in the dark inspecting the fire! (GE)
|
|
- 22nd
|
-
- 17șC
- Light rain
- E2
|
|
The 3 Common Scoters, Great Northern
Diver, adult Little Gull, 5 Common Terns, a
female Wheatear and Green Woodpecker were present (IW, EO),
a Sandwich Tern flew west and at
09:55 a Goshawk circled over the ski club and went east;
its greyish upperparts with pale grey underside was unmistakable.
It had very strong flight with a lot of gliding into breeze. A
Carrion Crow went to intercept but the bird did not deviate and
went over the dam. Six Bullfinches and a Willow Tit were at the
feeding station and a Whitethroat, Stonechat, male Wheatear
and 20+ Willow Warblers were also seen
along with 1 Green-veined White (EO). During
the early afternoon 7 Buzzards were over the south shore (TK). At
dusk there were 77 Lesser Black-backs, 1 Herring Gull and 18
Black-headed Gulls (GE).
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| At Cuckoo Bank there were Willow
Warblers, Blackcap, Green Woodpecker and 2 Buzzards in the woods and
a Stonechat and several Linnets on the heath (EO). |
|
- 23rd
|
- 17șC
- Damp start then bright
- W2
|
| The 3 Common Scoters and Great
Northern Diver were still present and the Short-eared Owl
was being mobbed by crows over the North Shore (IW, N, GE). |
|
- 24th
|
- 16șC
- Heavy showers
- SW3
|
| Four White Wagtails and a Common
Sandpiper on the Sailing shore and a Little Ringed Plover
on the South Shore (PW), the Great Northern Diver, 2 adult Herring Gulls were on the raft and 2 Swifts
were with high flying hirundines (GE). Two Grasshopper Warblers
were reeling on the North Heath (IW) and an Emperor Moth was
found on the grazed East Heath (TK, NW). |
- Emperor Moth (NW)
|
|
| 25th |
- 16șC
- Sunny intervals
- WSW2
|
| The Great Northern Diver was
present and a Tree Pipit was singing near the Slurry Pool (IW).
In the evening there were 3 Common Terns and the adult Herring Gull
with restricted black in the primaries (GE). |
| A male Ring Ouzel was seen in
horse paddocks along the Rugeley Road, Chase Terrace (IW). |
|
- 26th
- Sat
|
- 18șC
- Sunny intervals
- SSW3
|
| Two Shelducks
were on the lake until the first water-skiers appeared at around
07:30.The Great Northern Diver attempted a short flight but
never quite lifted off the water. The Short-eared Owl was
over the North Shore where 2 Grasshopper Warblers reeled and
a Fox was on the prowl. There was a Redstart at Fly Bay, an
Oystercatcher, 32 Tufted Ducks, 3+ Whitethroats, 50+ Swifts and 2
Common Terns passed through. 2+ Reed Warblers and a Sedge
Warbler were singing in the Slurry Pool reed beds and a Hobby
passed over (IW, GE).
|
| The National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme
(NARRS)
training day focused attention on our 'herps' resulting in good views of a
Common Lizard on the grazed heath and several sightings of
Smooth Newts. The Green Hairstreaks are now in flight with
around 12 being seen in the Anglesey Basin area (GE).
|
Common Lizard (GE)
|
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|
- 27th
- Sun
|
- 13șC
- Sunny periods then heavy showers
- SSW2
|
| Fortune smiled on me when during a
snatched half hour visit my second ever Chasewater Red Kite
flew over at 15:07. It appeared from the Chase Terrace area and
glided over Norton Bog, North Shore and across the lake before
heading off towards the Wyrley Common area. The Great Northern
Diver, a Shelduck, Buzzard, 2 adult Herring Gulls, 4
Common Terns, an Arctic Tern and 150 Swifts were also present
(GE). 3 Wheatears were near the Swag (JT). |
|
| 28th |
- 15șC
- Heavy thundery showers
- SW3
|
| Two ringtail Hen Harriers were
reported (JT). Two 1st summer Kittiwakes flew
out over the dam at 14:00, around 500 Swifts swarmed over the
lake and a Dunlin stayed throughout the
day (PW). Two Reed Warblers were present (GR) and during the evening the Great Northern Diver was
stretching its wings again, the 2 adult Herring Gulls were on the
raft and two Common Terns were accompanied by
good numbers of hirundines and hundreds of Swifts (GE). |
|
- 29th
|
- 12șC
- Heavy
- showers
- E3
|
| A Black Kite was reported (JT);
lets hope a good description was made of what would be a first for
Chasewater. The spring's first Lesser
Whitethroat was seen (GR) and there were two Common Terns and
400+ Swifts (GE). |
|
- 30th
|
- 11șC
- Overcast. Heavy hail showers in evening
- W2
|
| The Great Northern Diver was
still present along with 2 Common Terns, 1 Garden Warbler, 1
Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Stonechat, lots of Whitethroats and 100s of
Swifts (GR). During a torrential evening downpour only 2
Black-headed Gulls and 10 Lesser Black-backs were seen (GE). |
| A Cuckoo was present on Gentleshaw
Common (GR). |
|
