- 1st
|
- 16ºC
- Heavy thundery rain
- N2
|
| 4 Common Sandpipers were present (PW),
3 Common Terns, 3 Black-headed Gulls and 3 Lesser Black-backs (GE). |
|
- 2nd
|
- 17ºC
- Cloudy
- S3
|
| The water level is now down to 100 cm
off maximum and the sailing shore looks quite attractive for waders
(and dog walkers!). There was 1 Ringed Plover, a Little
Ringed Plover (PW), 60 Black-headed Gulls, including 2 juveniles,
about 10 silhouetted large gulls and 4 Common Terns (GE). |
|
- 3rd
|
- 16ºC
- Heavy thundery showers
- N2
|
| The 2nd summer Yellow-legged Gull
was present with 7 Lesser Black-backs, 60 Black-headed Gulls, an
Oystercatcher, 4 Common Terns and 42 Canada Geese (GE). |
|
- 4th
|
- 19ºC
- Heavy showers
- N2
|
- Green Woodpecker, Reed Warblers, Willow Warblers
and Whitethroat singing. 2 Common
Blues, several burnet moths and a couple of Four-spotted Chasers (EO).
There were several Reed Warblers singing around the Slurry Pool
and 1 Sedge Warbler (GR). 160 Black-headed Gulls were present during the evening
along with a Little Ringed Plover, 2+ Common Terns and 1-2 Lesser
Black-backs (GE).
Cuckoo Bank: At 11:15 a pair of Hobbies were
hawking in the air over the water and unsuccessfully attacking
Swifts. It was the best day of year for butterflies and dragonflies.
Totals included 25+ Ringlets, 40+ Meadow Browns, 10 Small Heaths and
up to 10 skippers. There were at least 3 Emperor Dragonflies, up to
20 Black-tailed Skimmers, several Common Hawkers and up to 300
damselflies. 6 Red Deer stags, with various length antlers, were
standing in water at the top pool (EO).
|
|
- 5th
- Sat
|
- 19ºC
- Sunny intervals, heavy showers.
|
-
The Great Northern Diver was off the north
shore. The Swag held 32 Tufted Ducks, 1 Ruddy Duck, 57 Mallard, 6
Great Crested Grebes, 1 Heron, 2 Common Terns and Kestrel and Buzzard
were overhead. On the Slurry Pool there were 26 Tufted, a Ruddy Duck
and the first returning Pochard (GE).
- A Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper were
on the Sailing Shore early in the morning and a Kingfisher flew
over the dam (NS). A terrapin was seen on the Nine-foot Pool (PW).
|
|
- 6th
- Sun
|
- 19ºC
- Heavy thundery showers
- WN3
|
|
6 Common Terns and 3 Common Sandpipers were present but
the diver was not seen during a search of the north end of the lake.
Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were all seen overhead and several
Ringlets were in flight. The Bog Pimpernel is flowering well on the
north shore but very few of the many Round-leaved Wintergreens appear
to be flowering. 5 Red Deer were on the Norton Bog hill (GE).
|
|
|
7th
|
- 19ºC
- Heavy showers
- W2
|
| Up to 8 Common Sandpipers, 1
Oystercatcher, 6 Common Terns, 1 Stonechat, 1 Pheasant, 1 Fox (GR).
During the early evening there were 2 Common Sandpipers and 12
Lapwings on the jetty, 8 Common Terns, 55 Canada Geese and the Great Northern
Diver was asleep just off the North Shore (GE). |
|
- 8th
|
- 17ºC
- Sunny intervals
- W4
|
|
During the late afternoon the Great Northern Diver
was actually awake between the north shore and the island. A Common
Sandpiper was on the Sailing shore, 14 Lapwings on the jetty, 3 Common
Terns were over the lake and a Buzzard soared over the Swag (GE).
|
|
- 9th
|
- 16ºC
- Heavy rain
- SSE2
|
| A very murky evening but there was no
boating disturbance and the gull roost is growing in size and
interest. There were 2 sub adult (prob 3rd s) Yellow-legged Gulls,
25 Lesser Black-backs, 220 Black-headed Gulls, 1-2 Oystercatchers, 5
Common Terns and the Great Northern Diver (GE). |
|
- 10th
|
- 19ºC
- Light showers
- SSW2
|
| A Dunlin and Little Ringed Plover were
on the Sailing Shore (PW). Another dark evening with threatening
black clouds. The gulls were disturbed by water-skiing till after
21:30 but eventually settled. At least 2 Yellow-legged Gulls
(2nd and 3rd s) were present along with 26 Lesser Black-backs, 395
Black-headed Gulls and 4 Common Terns (GE). |
|
- 11th
|
- 21ºC
- Heavy showers
- SW2
|
|
06:30 2 Black-tailed Godwits were at
the dam end of the Sailing shore but 6 Black-headed Gulls spooked
them and they flew east over dam where there were 2 Common
Sandpipers and the Great Northern Diver was 6ft from the
dam wall. Also seen were 3 Common Terns, Kingfisher, Green
Woodpecker and a Sedge Warbler, with a damselfly in its beak, by
the Slurry Pool. There were small numbers of
damselflies and several Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Small Heaths,
Small and Large Skippers and 6 Gatekeepers (EO).
Cuckoo Bank: Grey Wagtail, 20 Linnets, 2 Green
Woodpeckers, 2 Kestrels and a Buzzard. Two pairs of Little Grebe
with broods including one with a large juvenile and two much
smaller young. Only about 40 damselflies,
with 2 Black-tailed Skimmers, 1 Brown Hawker and 1 Common Darter.
There were also 35 Meadow Browns, 25 Ringlets,
8 Small Heaths, 25 skippers, 1 Red Admiral and a Comma (EO).
|
|
- 12th
- Sat
|
- 19ºC
- Sunny intervals
- NNW1
|
| On the Swag there were 94 Tufted Ducks,
67 Mallard and a Heron whilst on the Slurry Pool there were 9
Tufted, 9 Mallard and a Heron. There were 2 more Tufted (total of
105) at the north end of the lake and a Little Grebe was calling. At
dusk the Great Northern Diver was off Target Point and 2
Oystercatchers were with the Black-headed Gulls on the Sailing Shore
and 5 Yellow-legged Gulls (2 2nd s, 3 3rd s or adult) were
amongst 28 Lesser Black-backs, including one probable intermedius,
on the raft. A much paler mantled 2nd/3rd s herring type was
tantalisingly obscured by a moored boat (GE). |
|
- 13th
- Sun
|
- 20ºC
- Sunny
- W2
|
| 101 Tufted Ducks were on the Swag and
Slurry Pool. At dusk the 2 Oystercatchers were again with
Black-headed Gulls on the Sailing Shore and at least 5 Common Terns
were present, two of which flew over, carrying fish, to the south
west. The gull roost is really picking up now and is full of
interest. Around 80 Lesser Black-backs were present tonight and
amongst them there was a near adult and at least 3 2nd s Yellow-legged
Gulls and 2 hefty 1st s birds that could well have been Caspian
but the light was fading and they were tightly packed on the
raft (GE). |
|
- 14th
|
- 21ºC
- Cloudy
- SW3
|
| The Great Northern Diver was by
the Island, 111 Tufted Ducks were present along with 11 Common
Terns, 30 House Martins and 2 Herons. The gulls on the raft were
tightly packed and facing on but there was at least one 2nd s Yellow-legged
Gull amongst them (GE). |
|
- 15th
|
- 23ºC
- Light showers
- W3
|
|
The Great Northern Diver was of the north shore
and at least 6 Common Terns were present. There were much better views
of the gulls tonight with a total of 6 Yellow-legged Gulls
composed of 1 1st summer, 3 2nd summer and 2 near adult birds (GE).
|
|
- 16th
|
- 19ºC
- Cloudy
- WNW3
|
| A brief visit produced 3+ Common Terns
and the usual pack of large gulls were around the raft (GE). |
|
- 17th
|
- 18ºC
- Heavy showers
- W2
|
| The Great Northern Diver was
between the island and Target Point, a Pochard was on the Slurry
Pool, 2 Grey Wagtails on the dam, 4+ Common Terns were present and 2+ (1st s, 2nd s) Yellow-legged
Gulls (GE, DD). |
|
- 18th
|
- 17ºC
- Light rain
- WSW2
|
| The Great Northern Diver was
between the west shore and the island, 8 Common Terns were present
including one flying off to the south-west with a fish. The gull
roost was composed of at least 550 Black-headed and 50+ unchecked
large gulls (GE). |
|
- 19th
- Sat
|
- 18ºC
- Light showers
- W4
|
| The Great Northern Diver was
just off the west shore, by the island. 131 Tufted Ducks were on the
Swag along with 52 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Moorhens, a
Kingfisher, a Sparrowhawk and 2 Red Deer were on the shore. A
further 9 Tufted and 2 Pochard were on the Slurry Pool. An Oystercatcher was on the Sailing
Shore, a Buzzard and Cormorant flew over and at least 4 Common Terns
were present. At 18:10 a flock of 10 Redshanks dipped down
over the island and settled on Pimpernel Point, staying until at
least dusk. This is the largest flock of Redshanks for many years
(GE). |
- Redshanks (© N Stych)
|
|
- 20th
- Sun
|
- 16ºC
- Sunny intervals
- NW4
|
| The results of the monthly WeBS count are
not yet available but 2 Dunlin were near the pier, a Grey Wagtail was
on the dam, 3 Cormorants flew north and a Common Sandpiper was on the
eastern shore of the Swag (GE). |
|
- 21st
|
- 17ºC
- Sunny intervals
- W2
|
| A very late visit produced a beautiful
sunset and an adult Sanderling and an Oystercatcher on the
sailing shore (GE). The 2 Dunlin were still present along with 6
Common Terns (PW) and a Common Sandpiper (GR). |
|
- 22nd
|
- 22ºC
- Sunny intervals
- W2
|
A first-summer Yellow-legged Gull was on a
buoy, 7 Common Terns were present and 17 Lapwings flew in to roost
(GE). Also noted were 3 Herons, several Whitethroats and Linnets, 10
Goldfinches, Green Woodpecker and Reed Warbler (EO)
A Woodcock was a pleasing find on Cuckoo
Bank where there was also a flock of over 20 Goldfinches, good
numbers of Linnets, 2 Bullfinches, a Buzzard and a Kestrel.
Butterflies included up to 50 Meadow Browns,
30 Gatekeepers, 15 skippers, mainly Small and 3 Small Heaths. There
were several Brown Hawkers, Common Darters and 3 Black-tailed
Skimmers (EO).
|
|
- 23rd
|
- 25ºC
- Sunny intervals
- S2
|
| The Great Northern Diver and 2
Dunlin remain (PW). The evening was very disturbed with seven
water-skiers out at 21:00. 13 Common Terns were present and about
500 Black-headed Gulls roosted along with 25 Lesser Black-backs and
3 Yellow-legged Gulls (GE). |
|
- 24th
|
- 24ºC
- Light showers
- ESE2
|
| The Great Northern Diver, 2
Dunlin, 120 Tufted Ducks, 1 Pochard, a Buzzard, 2 Kestrels and 2
Herons. The patch of Sundew near the overflow is appearing very
healthy and extensive and a good sized terrapin was attempting to
clamber onto the 'No Swimming' tyre on the Nine Foot pool (GE). |
|
- 25th
|
- 27ºC
- Sunny
- SE3
|
| The Great Northern Diver was
close to the dam, the terrapin was on its tyre and the 2 Dunlin were
photographed by Phill (GE). |
|
- 26th
- Sat
|
- 27ºC
- Sunny
- SSW3
|
| A Buzzard drifted over from Chasewater
as I slaved all day in the garden. However, a late evening look at
the gull roost showed it to be quite impressive. but I arrived too
late to examine it in detail. There were 7 Common Terns, 1300
Black-headed Gulls, 330 Lesser Black-backs and at least 3 Yellow-legged
Gulls (GE). |
|
- 27th
- Sun
|
- 27ºC
- Sunny
- S1
|
| Another very busy day. The Great
Northern Diver just ignores the disturbance as did the 2 Dunlin
which spent most of the day on the jetty but couldn't be found
during the evening (NS). A Ringed Plover was on the north
shore and 92 Lapwings flew over from the east and circled the Slurry
Pool. A 1st summer Common Gull and 4 (1st s, 2 2nd s and 3rd
s) Yellow-legged Gulls were present during the morning.
The gull roost held at least 1300 Black-headed Gulls
but the 150 large gulls were down from last night until 420 flew in
from the west at 21:40 when there was also a sudden twittering
of Common Sandpipers on the south shore: 6 were seen together on the
shore but there were also 1-2 high flying birds calling as well
(GE). |
|
- 28th
|
- 27ºC
- Sunny.
- Evening thunder
- ESE2
|
| Water levels have now fallen to 132 cm
below maximum and the shoreline is looking very attractive for early
morning waders. The Ringed Plover and 2 Common Sandpipers
were on the north shore and the Great Northern Diver was
close in off the Sailing Club. 6 Common Terns were present and
yesterday's 4 Yellow-legged Gulls continued to loaf during
the day. Several Black-tailed Skimmers and a Common Darter were seen
along with many Gatekeepers, several Small Skippers and 1-2 Small
Tortoiseshells. The terrapin was on its tyre again. The numbers of
Round-leaved Wintergreens in the North Marsh appear to be down this
year with only 13 flowering and 23 non-flowering plants seen during
a rather quick look. However, the new patch away from the marsh held
over 70 flowing and numerous non-flowering plants (GE). |
|
- 29th
|
- 21ºC
- Heavy showers
- S4
|
| An adult Turnstone was on the
island during the morning and the Ringed Plover and 2 Common
Sandpipers were also present (PW). A Black Tern was also
reported (JT). 1 Dunlin on North shore, juv
Cuckoo in trees near Fly Bay, 3 Green Woodpeckers and a Reed Warbler
still singing near the Slurry Pool (EO).
Cuckoo Bank: 2 Kestrels, 2 Buzzards, a female
Sparrowhawk,1 Heron, 14 Lesser Black-backs flew over and 2 Green
Woodpeckers. 200+ Gatekeepers, 125 Meadow
Browns, 15 skippers, 6 Small Heaths and up to 12 whites. Over 100
blue damselflies with 5 Emeralds, 5 Emperors, 3 Brown Hawkers, 25+
Common Darters and 1 Broad-bodied Skimmer.
Not quite a plague of frogs but many small
specimens both at Chasewater and Cuckoo Bank (EO).
|
|
- 30th
|
- 23ºC
- Sunny intervals
- S3
|
| The Great Northern Diver was
diving in the water enclosed by the Water ski Club jetties. 17
Common Terns and 2 Common Sandpipers were present and the Ringed
Plover and a was on the island. 140 Lesser Black-backs and at least
2 Yellow-legged Gulls were on the lake at mid-morning (GE). |
|
|
31st
|
- 23ºC
- Light showers
- SE2
|
| 82 of 220 Black-headed Gulls on the
pier at dusk were juveniles (GE). |
|
