- 1st
|
- 16°C
- Heavy showers
|
| 5 Ringed Plovers, 5 Dunlin, 2 Common
Sandpipers, 1 Wheatear (PW). |
|
- 2nd
|
- 16°C
- Heavy showers
- S4
|
|
07:10 The Great Northern Diver, 1 Cormorant,
a Little Grebe, 3 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1
Pochard, 1 Ruddy Duck, 1 Jackdaw, a Kestrel, 13
Meadow Pipits, several warblers mainly Willow with a few
Chiffchaffs, a Kestrel, Green Woodpecker, up to 10 House Martins,
4 Swallows and 25 Goldfinches.
1 imm Common Tern was fishing over the Swag and
flew to the main pool where it landed on the water and was clearly
in distress. Several Coots
came to inspect but despite a lot of flapping it was unable to
lift off (EO). This bird was later recovered and found to be
waterlogged and wounded on the neck. It is being cared for by
Jason and Val and is making good progress.
Cuckoo Bank: 2 Sparrowhawks were having a scrap
with a Carrion Crow, 1 Buzzard and a Green Woodpecker.
Over 10 Ruddy Darters, up to 20 Common Darters, 8
Common Blue Damselflies, up to 20 Emeralds and 3 Migrant Hawkers.
Butterflies were scarce: 5 Meadow Browns, 1 Small
Heath, 2 Common Blues, 1 Red Admiral and several Speckled Woods.
Up to 12 Red Deer including 6 stags (EO).
|
|
- 3rd
|
- 16°C
- Heavy showers
- SW4
|
| 17:15 I was happy to see a
juvenile Knot with 5 Ringed Plovers and 3 Dunlin on the
sailing shore and was about to leave when I noticed a pale wader at
the end of the slipway. It proved to be a very early juv/1st w Grey
Phalarope which showed great tolerance of the several
wind-surfers that dragged their sails within a wingspan of it.
Torrential rain curtailed proceedings and most of the lake was not
checked (GE, NS, IW, NW). |
- Grey Phalarope © N. Stych
|
|
- 4th
|
- 18°C
- Showers
- W4
|
-
7 Redshanks, 1 Knot, 5 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plovers
and the Great Northern Diver were seen during the morning (NS)
and during the evening a juv Common Tern was present and the Grey
Phalarope was relocated swimming a fair distance off the Sailing
Shore (GE).
- Stubbers Green: A 4th w Caspian Gull (RC).
|
|
|
5th
|
-
- 18°C
- Heavy rain
- ESE4
|
|
At 08:00 the Grey Phalarope was not showing
but the atrocious weather wasn't helping. The Great Northern
Diver was off the Sailing Shore and 5 Dunlin and 3 Ringed
Plovers were present (GE, JB). By 11:30 the phalarope had been
located in the middle of the lake between the Sailing Club and
Waterski Club but it was only obvious when
it flew and every time it landed it was difficult to pick up. It
appeared to fly west and wasn't seen again. A Black Tern
and 3 Common Terns flew east and about 100 House Martins, 2 Sand
Martins and up to 25 Swallows were present (EO). At dusk 2 Ringed
Plovers and a Dunlin flew out high to the south west (GE).
|
|
- 6th
- Sat
|
- 18°C
- Heavy rain
- SE3
|
| Another rain sodden day with just a
short brighter break during the afternoon. Water levels are now at
140 cm off maximum, a rise of 15 cm in two days! The day started
quietly with just a Black Tern, juvenile Arctic Tern, 2
Common Terns, 4 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover and the resident Great
Northern Diver. Only 8 Tufted Ducks and a Pochard were on the Swag
but a walk up to the Slurry Pool produced 341
Tufted Ducks (overall total of 352), 100 Goldfinches and an Osprey
flew over from the north. A quick phone call to Phill on the
Sailing Shore allowed him to see his first Chasewater Osprey in 33
years of looking as it flew south over the lake and produced the news that over 60 Common/Arctic Terns had just
passed through! I walked on to the causeway to just catch a flock of
41 terns (adult Arctics as far as I could tell) flying NNW over the
Swag and minutes later a scan of
the main lake produced about 45 mainly Common Terns that disappeared
to the west. Two vocal Greenshanks joined the Lapwings and an
adult Yellow-legged Gull on the Island (GE). It was not until mid
afternoon that the Grey Phalarope was relocated between Pimpernel Point
and the Island and 7 Common
Sandpipers flew from the north shore (NS), along which 2 Wheatears
were reported. |
|
-
7th
- Sun
|
- 17°C
- Light rain
- WNW3
|
| A quieter day both in birds and
weather: the sun even broke through during the afternoon. The surge
of inflowing water has raised water levels by another 10 cm and
Target Point is fast disappearing. On two occasions, early in the
morning, the Great Northern Diver took flight low over the
water (NS) and later showed well by the Island. The juv Arctic Tern,
6 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sandpipers and 2 Wheatears were present but
there was no sign of the phalarope. Three Swifts were with
50+ House Martins and one Sand Martin (GE). |
|
- 8th
|
-
- 19°C
- Sunny intervals
- WSW2
|
|
Two Wheatears were on the dam and the Great Northern
Diver was still present (PW). At dusk there were over 1000 tightly
packed large gulls and probably around 4000 Black-headed Gulls but it
was too late to see any detail (GE).
|
|
- 9th
|
- 18°C
- Torrential rain again
- ESE3
|
- Three juv Black Terns,
a juv Arctic Tern and 2 (ad and juv) Common Terns were over
the lake and an adult Hobby flew south over the canal and
motorway during the evening (GE). The Great Northern Diver, 2
Dunlin, < 5 Common Sandpipers, 3 Grey Wagtails were also present
(PW). There was also a small flock of Goldfinches and Linnets and a
Shoveler was on Fly Pool (GR).
- Stubbers Green: Two ( 2nd w and 4th w) Caspian
Gulls (RC).
-
 |
 |
|
Gull photos © R. Clay |
|
|
- 10th
|
- 19°C
- Sunny intervals
- SSW4
|
| Water levels are now at 121cm off
maximum and wader habitat is greatly reduced from last week's
levels. However, there were still 2 Dunlin and 5 Common Sandpipers
along with a juv Arctic Tern and an adult and juv Common
Tern. The Great Northern Diver was near the Island (PW,
GE). A few Linnets were on the south shore and up to 10
Swallows passed through (EO). |
|
- 11th
|
-
- 20°C
- Heavy showers
- S4
|
|
The Great Northern Diver was near the island and
2 Common Terns, 1 juv Arctic Tern, 1 juv Black Tern, 5
Little Grebes were also seen (GE, GR).
|
|
- 12th
|
- 18°C
- Sunny intervals
- NW3
|
| 10 Cormorants (PW), a juv Arctic
Tern (GE), 3 Snipe and a Woodcock (JT).
Cuckoo Bank: 1 Spotted Flycatcher, Willow
Warbler, Chiffchaff, 3 Herons, Buzzard, a large mixed flock of tits,
Green Woodpecker, 10 Red Deer (GR). |
|
- 13th
- Sat
|
- 18°C
- Sunny
- W2
|
|
The Great Northern Diver, juv Arctic Tern,
5 Jackdaws, 3 Rooks (GE, NS), juv Common Tern, 1 Dunlin, <4 Common
Sandpipers, (PW), 2 Red Admirals, 2 Migrant Hawkers and a Brown
Hawker (GE, NS).
Cuckoo Bank: A Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Grey
Partridges, 5 Buzzards, 3 Yellowhammers, 13 Red Deer (GR).
|
|
Stubbers Green: 162 Lapwings, 3 Cormorants, 2
Herons (GE) and 2nd yr Caspian Gull (RC). |
|
|
- 14th
- Sun
|
- 17°C
- Misty start. Sunny intervals.
- E1
|
- The Great Northern Diver wasn't reported today
and no terns were present.
- Swag: 59 Tufted Ducks, 1 Pochard, 1 Gadwall, 1
Kingfisher, 7 Red Deer feeding on the east shore (GE).
- Slurry Pool: 418 Tufted Ducks, 1 Pochard, 1
Ruddy Duck, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Heron.
- North end of Lake: 1 Common Sandpiper (PW), 1
adult Common Gull, 27 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Little Grebes, 1
Shoveler and 2 Tufted Ducks (total = 479).
- Pier: 18 Lapwings and a Grey Wagtail (GE).
|
|
- 15th
|
- 17°C
- Sunny intervals
- ESE3
|
|
2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Common Tern (PW).
|
|
- 16th
|
- 18°C
- Sunny intervals
- SE3
|
| 1 juv Little Gull (GE), the Great
Northern Diver and a Common Sandpiper (PW). |
|
- 17th
|
- 16°C
- Sunny
- E3
|
| 3 Redshanks flew through during
the morning (PW). At dusk the juv Little Gull was present
along with the Great
Northern Diver, 3 Common Sandpipers, 1 Common Tern, 4000
Black-headed Gulls, 1400 Lesser Black-backs. Water is again being
let out into the canal (GE). |
|
- 18th
|
- 17°C
- Hazy sun
- SE2
|
| At dusk the juv Little Gull was
still present, feeding on insects low over the west shore. The gull
roost was impressive but not counted and there was at least 1 adult Yellow-legged
Gull and several other unchecked herring gull types. 2 Grey
Wagtails flew over the dam and water levels have fallen back down to
119 off maximum (GE). |
|
- 19th
|
- 17°C
- Sunny intervals
- W1
|
- At
dusk the Great
Northern Diver
was near the Island (GE).
-
- Cuckoo
Bank: 1 Hobby,
5 Buzzards, 5 Kestrels, 2 Sparrowhawks, Green Woodpecker, 75
mixed finches and
- 12
Goldfinches. Signs that the deer rut has started; 2 mature stags
each with 10 -12 hinds and 3 young stags watching from a safe
distance (GR).
|
|
- 20th
- Sat
|
- 18°C
- Sunny
- SSW2
|
|
Tufted Duck numbers have risen to 650 (mainly on the
Slurry Pool), there were 12 Wigeon and 3 Teal on the Swag and 1-2
Siskins flew over. A Hobby, 4 Buzzards, 3 Sparrowhawks and
a Kestrel were seen to the north from Norton Bog hill. Several Migrant
Hawkers, 2 Brown Hawkers, a few Blue-tailed Damsels and many Common
Darters were on the wing (GE).
|
|
- 21st
- Sun
|
- 18°C
- Sunny
- E3
|
| The Great Northern Diver was off
the Sailing Shore during the morning (NS).
Gentleshaw Common: 4 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, a
Sparrowhawk, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Green Woodpecker, male
Stonechat, Siskin and fleeting glimpses of a probable Redstart (GE). |
|
- 22nd
|
- 16°C
- Cloudy with afternoon drizzle
- NNE3
|
| A
dark phase juvenile Honey
Buzzard was
photographed passing over the south shore to the south at 09:45. The Great
Northern Diver
was present and a pair of Common
Scoter
was near the Island (AS). During
the evening a very brief visit showed the Common
Scoters
still present and 44 Lapwings were on the
pier. Water levels are now back down to 125 off maximum and work has
started on testing the security of the dam (GE).
|
- This is only the second
Honey Buzzard record for Chasewater (© A. Slade).
|
| Cuckoo
Bank: There seems to be a shift of power in the deer ranks; one of the
stags has 24 hinds and was bellowing very loudly during the morning.
There were also 3 Wheatears,
3 Grey Partridges and Skylarks are now evident (GR). |
|
- 23rd
|
- 15°C
- Cloudy
- NNE3
|
The Great Northern Diver was
close in near the Sailing Club (JT). There were at least 695 Tufted
Ducks, 3 Pochard, 4 Ruddy Ducks and a Wheatear (FCG, BC). At
dusk the large gull roost was badly disturbed by water-skiers and
was not closely examined (GE).
Cuckoo Bank: One Grey Wagtail, 2
Stonechats, < 60 Meadow Pipits, 1 Snipe and a Heron. On the
top at the back of the wheat fields there were <30 Goldfinches,
up to 25 Linnets, <200 Wood Pigeons, 40+ Carrion Crows, 3
Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Swallows and 4 Red Deer. Up
to 15 darters mainly Common with 2 male Ruddy and only 1 male Emerald
Damselfly. A Migrant Hawker was basking in a sheltered spot and at
the west end of Eights Wood there was a Speckled Wood, a Comma, a
Large White and a Meadow Brown (EO).
|
Stubbers Green: A 4th w Caspian
Gull (RC).
|
|
|
- 24th
|
- 16°C
- Cloudy
- NE2
|
| At dusk the Great Northern Diver was
near the pier and there were 4200 Black-headed Gulls, 1500 Lesser
Black-backs and several unchecked herring types (GE).
At Stubbers Green there were 2 (2nd w and 4th w) Caspian
Gulls and 2 (2nd w and adult) Yellow-legged Gulls (AS).
|
|
- 25th
|
- 18°C
- Bright intervals
- NE2
|
| At dusk the Great Northern Diver was
by the island and the gull roost numbered around 2000 Lesser
Black-backs, 30+ Herring Gulls, 1 Common Gull and uncounted
Black-headed Gulls. The roost needs to be given far more time than I
can afford at the moment; the Caspian Gull and Mediterranean Gulls
are almost bound to be amongst the hoards (GE).
Stubbers Green: A 4th w Caspian Gull (RC). |
|
- 26th
|
- 17°C
- Sunny intervals
- ENE2
|
| Not arriving till 19:00 meant that the
gull roost could only be given a brief 20 minutes in fading light.
Again it was impressive in size and its sure to hold more of
interest than I managed to see tonight (GE). |
|
- 27th
- Sat
|
- 19°C
- Sunny
- ESE2
|
|
The Great Northern Diver was near the Island,
671 Tufted Ducks were counted along with single Pochard, Wigeon,
Shoveler, 2 Teal, 7 Little Grebes and a Common Sandpiper. Several
Common Darters and 1-2 Migrant Hawkers were enjoying the sun (GE, PJ).
In the gull roost there were at least 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls,
2 (adult and 3rd w) Yellow-legged Gulls and the 3rd/4th yr Caspian
Gull from Stubbers Green (PJ). Thanks Paul for giving the roost
some time; it certainly paid off (GE).
Stubbers Green: The Caspian Gull was again
present and was felt likely to be a 3rd year bird rather than 4th
since it had dark markings on the primary coverts, a few faint brown
feathers in the coverts and one or two small dark marks in the tail. There is a strong possibility that its last
year's 2nd year bird returning for another winter (PJ, GE).
|
|
- 28th
- Sun
|
- 17°C
- Morning drizzle. Sunny intervals
- WNW2
|
| A mixed flock of Lesser Redpolls,
Siskins and Goldfinches was in the birches along the Sailing Shore
along with 1-2 Goldcrests and Willow Tits. Water levels have now
dropped to 135 off maximum (GE). |
|
- 29th
|
- 16°C
- Sunny intervals
- W3
|
| An adult Mediterranean Gull was
on the jetty at dusk (GE). |
|
- 30th
|
- 15°C
- Heavy Rain
- W4
|
|
