- 1st
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- 12°C
- Cool, blustery and damp
- SSW4
|
|
A Short-eared Owl was over the north heath.
Also seen were 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler (yellowish
with pink legs), 9 Snipe, 10 Goldfinches, 3 Little Grebes and on
the Slurry Pool there was a Ruddy Duck amongst numerous Tufted
Ducks (EO). In the roost 2 3rd w Caspian Gulls were present
along with an adult Yellow-legged Gull and the Great
Northern Diver (PJ).
|
|
- 2nd
|
- 13°C
- Heavy showers
- SSW4
|
Two Bar-tailed Godwits, a new species for the
year, were photographed on the south shore (GT). Today is the 37th
anniversary of the region's one and only Cory's Shearwater. Doesn't
time fly! (GE).
|
|
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| Bar-tailed
Godwits (© G Thompson) |
|
|
- 3rd
|
- 12°C
- Sunny intervals
- SSW4
|
| At dusk the Great Northern Diver
was off the Sailing Shore. Water levels have now fallen to 142cm off
maximum (GE). |
|
- 4th
- Sat
|
- 11°C
- Light rain
- SSW4
|
A Kingfisher flew across the Swag which was again
almost devoid of ducks with just a handful of Tufted and Mallard. Over
600 Tufted Ducks were on the Slurry Pool along with what must be the
same as last year's presumed drake Tufted x Scaup hybrid that
shows many Lesser Scaup features (GE).
|
|
A presumed Tufted x Scaup
hybrid (GE). |
|
At Stubbers Green there was an impressive gathering
of gulls during the morning which included 2 3rd winter Caspian
Gulls, which are almost certainly the same individuals that
occurred last year and 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls along with 3
Cormorants, Common Sandpiper and several Jackdaws (GE, PJ), one of
which had a pale neck collar (PJ).
- Although both Caspian Gulls' plumage looked
nearly adult at rest the wings showed
obvious signs of immaturity. The outer primary was not yet
fully grown.
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-
5th
- Sun
|
- 11°C
- Heavy rain clearing to a cloudless evening
- NNE 4 - N1
|
|
Water levels have risen to 140 cm off maximum due to
the persistent rain over the past 24 hours but they are still low
compared to other local sites and conditions look good for attracting
the formerly frequent October goodies such as Rock Pipit, Snow Bunting
and Grey Plover. The Great Northern Diver was close in to the
Sailing Shore, 14 Common Snipe were on the north shore but no Jack
Snipe yet and no sign of the Short-eared Owl in perfect hunting
conditions after the rain. 749 Tufted Ducks were on the Slurry Pool
along with the presumed hybrid Tufted x Scaup and a pair of
Gadwall. 28 Wigeon, 40 Tufted Ducks, 5 Pochard and the autumn's first
redhead Goosander were on the Swag. At the north end of the
lake there were 25+ Great Crested Grebes, 9 Little Grebes, 4 Ruddy
Ducks and a single Tufted, making a total of 790. Siskins were heard
calling around Fly Pool (GE).
|
|
- 6th
|
- 13°C
- Cloudy
- S3
|
| A Redshank was on the Sailing
Shore (PS), the Great Northern Diver was
present and at least 3 Great Black-backed Gulls roosted (GE).
At Stubbers Green a 3rd w Caspian Gull and
2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls were present (EGP). |
|
-
7th
|
- 15°C
- Rain
- S1
|
| A brief and late look at the jetty
produced an interesting 3rd/4th yr Yellow-legged or Caspian Gull but
condtions were too wet and dark to be sure (GE).
At Stubbers Green there were 4 (3rd w, 4th w and 2
adults) Yellow-legged Gulls (PJ). |
|
- 8th
|
- 14°C
- Sunny
- WNW4
|
One Common Sandpiper during the morning (PW). The good
weather brought out some evening water-skiers, causing great
disturbance to the impressive gull roost and a rather flighty Black-necked
Grebe. Nine Little Grebes were also present but the diver was not
seen (PJ).
At Cuckoo Bank the skylarks thought it was spring,
singing and chasing one another. There were <60 Meadow Pipits, 4
Stonechats on the heath with another 3 behind the harvested fields
along with 20 Goldfinches. 5 Snipe were seen and a female
Sparrowhawk brought up 25 Lapwings from the top fields where there
were also up to 90 Linnets. A Kestrel was being harried by a Carrion
Crow and a Buzzard called from Eights Wood. Also present were 2
mature Red Deer stags, 2 less mature and about 5 hinds on the heath.
2 Red Admirals, 3 Small Whites, 5 Ruddy and about 5 Common Darters
were also seen (EO).
|
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- 9th
|
- 15°C
- Sunny
- SW2
|
|
Nine Little Grebes were present but the Black-necked
Grebe and diver were not seen during a late walk down the west shore.
The gull roost numbered over 2000 large gulls, still mainly Lesser
Black-backs but there were at least 2 (3-4th w and adult) Yellow
legged Gulls (GE).
The 3rd w Caspian Gull was at Stubbers Green
(RC).
|
|
- 10th
|
- 17°C
- Sunny intervals
- SSW4
|
| 18:30 A very late arrival this evening
was greeted by the spectacle of all the gulls in flight and behaving
as if there may have been a skua about. However, I feel that the
panic was more likely caused by fireworks and I fear that we will
have to get used to this problem for the next month or so (GE).
A Caspian Gull was reported from Stubbers
Green (BG). |
|
- 11th
- Sat
|
-
- 17°C
- Cloudy, heavy afternoon drizzle
- SW3
|
|
A Rock Pipit was at the north end of the dam (PJ).
Also present were 7 Teal, 10 Snipe, a Common Sandpiper and a Grey
Wagtail (PJ, PW).
At Stubbers Green the two 3rd w Caspian Gulls
made appearances during the morning (GE, PJ).
|
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- 12th
- Sun
|
- 20°C
- Sunny
- S2
|
| What a difference a day makes; today
was a glorious autumn day and many people were drawn out to enjoy
the day. The Great Northern Diver was near the island along
with 6 Little Grebes, 23 Great Crested Grebes and a Ruddy Duck. 33
Common Snipe, 96 Lapwings and a Common Sandpiper were counted. The
Slurry Pool held 740 Tufted Ducks, the Tufted x Scaup hybrid,
2 Pochard, 1 Ruddy, 3 Gadwall, 2 Shovelers and a Wigeon. On the hill
1-2 Skylarks were singing, several Meadow Pipits were present and a
few Siskins and Lesser Redpolls were in the alders along the stream.
The Swag was amazingly bare with only 6 Tufted, 5 Pochard, 5 Great
Crested Grebes, 15 Mallard, a Grey Wagtail and a Kingfisher. Common
Darters were everywhere and 5 Migrant Hawkers were over the Swag and
Slurry Pool-Norton Bog area where there were also 2 Commas (GE).
|
- Tranquil Swag (© G Evans)
|
- Norton Bog(© G Evans)
|
| At Stubbers Green the regular 3rd w Caspian
Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull were present (PJ). |
|
- 13th
|
- 15°C
- Sunny intervals
- WSW3
|
|
A Cormorant was on the raft and the gull roost was
impressive in size but nothing of note was seen (GE).
|
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- 14th
|
- 15°C
- Light rain
- SSW5
|
|
The Great Northern Diver and the autumn's first
Goldeneye were noted (PJ).
At Stubbers Green one adult Yellow-legged Gull was
present (RC).
|
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- 15th
|
- 15°C
- Heavy rain
- WNW4
|
|
At Stubbers Green the adult Yellow-legged Gull
and 2 Chiffchaffs were present (PJ).
|
|
- 16th
|
- 13°C
- Sunny intervals
- NW4
|
| A Raven flew over the North
Shore pursued by two Crows (PW) and the Great Northern Diver
and 2 Cormorants were present (GE).
At Stubbers Green two adult Yellow-legged Gulls
were seen (EGP).
|
|
- 17th
|
- 13°C
- Sunny intervals
- W1
|
- During the morning several Common Darters and a
Migrant Hawker were seen on the North Shore (EO).
- At dusk the Great Northern Diver, 2
Cormorants and 96 Lapwings were noted but the gull roost was
badly disturbed by boat P102 pulling 3 water-skiers together
through the gulls until 18:35 (sunset was 18:05). I wonder what
risk assessments were made before they set off on their merry
jaunt (GE).
Cuckoo Bank: Arrived at 08:40 when it was sunny,
calm and tranquil. 8 Red Deer were in the open harvested field, 2
Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were noted but Skylarks and
Meadow Pipits were more subdued this week. 4 Stonechats were on
the heath along with 2 Snipe, 8 Redwings, several Jays, a
large flock of Linnets, 2 Buzzards and a Kestrel. Amazingly
no butterflies were seen but there was a Migrant Hawker (EO).
At Stubbers Green there were 3 adult Yellow-legged
Gulls (PJ).
|
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- 18th
- Sat
|
- 13°C
- Sunny intervals
- WSW3
|
| The potentially very attractive falling
water levels (152cm below maximum) have now opened up the North
Shore to a constant procession of dog walkers so the Island is the
only refuge for any waders or loafing wildfowl. Duck numbers have
dropped dramatically during the week with only 344 Tufted Ducks and
1 Ruddy Duck on the Slurry Pool and 8 Tufted and 2 Pochard on the
Swag! Other counts included 10 Little Grebes, 25+ Great Crested
Grebes, 3 Teal, 26 Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe, 55 Lapwings, 1 Buzzard, 2
Kestrels, 2 Sparrowhawks, 5 Jackdaws, a Rook, 10 Lesser Redpolls and
Siskins were heard. Over 150 Redwings, 4 Fieldfares and 30 Starlings
flew over from the east (GE, PW, TH). |
|
- 19th
- Sun
|
- 13°C
- Sunny intervals
- SSW4
|
|
A count from the dam between 08:20 and 10:20 produced
totals of 2 Ravens (at 08:50), 10 Jackdaws, 280 Fieldfares, 260
Redwings, 30 Starlings, 13 Siskins, 10 redpolls, 4 Skylarks, 6
Chaffinches and a Grey Wagtail. The Great Northern Diver was
present along with a Cormorant. Full details of the Wildfowl count
will be posted later. The Swag was again practically devoid
of birds; the grand totals being 7 Tufted Ducks, 1 Pochard, 25 Mallard,
2 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 12 Coot, 6 Moorhens, 1 Mute
Swan and 34 Black-headed Gulls (GE).
In the gull roost there were 2 adult Yellow-legged
Gulls and an adult intermedius Lesser Black-back (PJ, JA).
At Stubbers Green there were 2 (adult and a ringed
3rd w) Yellow-legged Gulls (PJ, JA).
|
|
- 20th
|
- 15°C
- Rain
- WSW5
|
|
2 Cormorants, 3 Teal and a Grey Wagtail were noted in the
rain (PW).
|
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- 21st
|
- 12°C
- Sunny intervals
- WSW4
|
2 Cormorants were on the raft (GE), the Great
Northern Diver was present and 5 Yellow-legged Gulls
(4 adults and a 3rd w) were seen in the roost (PJ).
- On the Cuckoo
Bank heathland, which has seen a marked growth of willow in the
boggy areas since the spring, there were 3 Jack Snipe, 9
Common Snipe. 3 Stonechats, redpolls (JH), <3 Herons and 35
Skylarks flew west. 11 Common Darters
were the only insects of note. No deer were seen today
(EO).
- In the fields
there were 8 Grey Partridges (JH), 2 Ravens
brought up 35 Carrion Crows, up to 150 Starlings and 5 Mistle
Thrushes and
a Buzzard disturbed 45 Wood Pigeons.
There were 4 Stonechats and 15 Redwings and 2 Siskins flew over. A
Linnet flock of 90 also contained 4 Greenfinches (EO).
|
|
- 22nd
|
- 12°C
- Sunny
- W17
|
| My ten minute sessions before dark paid
off tonight with the finding of Chasewater's first ever juvenile Gannet
just off the Watersport Club's jetty, at 18:10. It briefly drifted
into and out of view so I went round to the club and hoped for a
chance of a photo but a firework put up the Gannet and all the gulls
and it flew up the west shore, where Paul was watching a very probable
3rd w Caspian Gull (with a green ring on each leg). It settled
on the water with the gulls, not far from the Great Northern Diver.
In near darkness it was seen to fly low over the water towards the
Island but it almost certainly landed again and should be present in
the morning (GE, PJ, IW). 3 Yellow-legged Gulls (2 adult and
3rd w) were also seen (PJ). |
|
- 23rd
|
- 14°C
- Light rain
- SSW6
|
|
The Gannet was present until 07:45 when it
flew south (GE et al) and was relocated at Ryders Mere where it
eventually flew south at 10:47 (PW). A record of one later at
Bewdley may refer to this bird. The Great Northern Diver was
also present (GE). In the gull roost there was a Herring Gull with a
'kumlien's' type primary pattern (IW).
|
|
 A
record shot of the Gannet leaving Chasewater (GE)
|
- Superb shots taken at Ryders Mere
- © Phill Ward
|
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|
|
- 24th
|
- 12°C
- Sunny intervals
- W3
|
|
- 25th
- Sat
|
- 14°C
- Cloudy with showers
- SSW4
|
| Water levels have now fallen to around
160 cm off maximum. Tufted Duck numbers are down to 326 with 277 on
the Slurry Pool, 11 on the Swag and 38 on the lake. Other totals
were 3 Cormorants, 2 Herons, 6 Little Grebes, 5 Jack Snipe, 9 Snipe,
50 Starlings, 15 Fieldfares, 20 Redwings, 1 Siskin and 10 redpolls.
The Great Northern Diver was again very elusive due to its
preference for being underwater. In one 5 minute period it dived 6
times and was only on the surface for a total of 22 seconds
(GE). |
|
- 26th
- Sun
|
- 13°C
- Light showers
- W4
|
|
- 27th
|
- 13°C
- Light showers
- WNW3
|
|
- 28th
|
- 5°C
- Sleet and snow. Frost at night
- N2
|
| An adult Peregrine flew NNE and
3 Cormorants and 2 Herons were also present (GE).
08:10-08:45 An early morning visit to Stubbers
Green produced totals of 2 (ad, 1st w) Yellow-legged Gulls,
60 Herring Gulls, 150 Lesser Black-backs, 2 Great Black-backs,
250 Black-headed Gulls, one Common Gull and a Raven (GE). |
|
- 29th
|
- 6°C
- Sunny am
- Cloudy pm
- SSE1-3
|
|
|
|
| The Great Northern Diver, 6
Cormorants, 13 Little Grebes, 3 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 2 Pochard and
>300 Tufted Ducks were present. 35 Fieldfares, several redpolls,
Siskins and a Yellowhammer flew over (GE). A probable Rock
Pipit / possible Water Pipit was on the Sailing shore (PJ). In
the gull roost there were 4 (2 adult, 2 3rd w) Yellow-legged
Gulls and a 3rd w Caspian Gull (PJ, GE).
At Stubbers Green there were 2 (adult and 3rd w) Caspian
Gulls and 4 (2 adult, 2 3rd w) Yellow-legged Gulls (PJ). |
|
- 30th
|
- 7°C
- Light showers
- ENE3
|
| The Great Northern Diver was
close to the South Shore, 21 Moorhens were between Fly Pool and the
dam, a pair of Stonechats were on the North Shore heath and other
counts included 6 Cormorants, 14 Teal, 8 Goldeneye, 2 Jack Snipe, 8
Snipe and 2 Herons (GE).
At Stubbers Green the adult and 3rd w Caspian
Gulls and 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls were seen (EGP). |
|
|
31st
|
- 8°C
- Sunny intervals
- NNE4
|
- During the morning there were 13 Goldeneye, 6
Cormorants, 5 Wigeon, 9 Jackdaws, 100 Starlings, 120 Fieldfares,
a Stock dove, Green Woodpecker and 2 Grey Wagtails. Three Red
Deer (young stag, hind and calf) were below the dam (GE). 2
Snipe, a Kestrel and a Buzzard were also noted (EO).
- The Great Northern Diver was present and
the 3rd w Caspian Gull and 2 (adult and 3rd w) Yellow-legged
Gulls were seen in the roost (PJ).
At Cuckoo Bank 25 Fieldfares
flew over and on the farmland there were 12 Grey Partridges, 15
Goldfinches, 50 Linnets, good numbers of Starlings, a Snipe and a
lot of active Skylarks. On the heath there
were 5 Snipe, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, a Kestrel and 5 Red Deer
including a stag (EO).
At Stubbers Green the 3rd w Caspian
Gull and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were reported (per
PJ). |
|
