- 1st
-
|
- 17°C
- Sunny
intervals
- SSW4
|
| Two Red Deer stags were on the North
Heath, one was with 6 hinds (GR). The gull roost was less disturbed
tonight but there were only around 2000 Lesser Black-backs, 55
Herring Gulls, 4+ (2 adults, 4cy and 2cy) Yellow-legged Gulls
and 8000 Black-headed Gulls (GE). |
| At Stubbers Green there were 5 (3
adults, 4cy, 2cy) Yellow-legged Gulls and the following
Lesser Black-backed rings: T2, E634, PYC, and a
new blue with orange AKH (PJ). |
|
- 2nd
|
- 14°C
- Sunny intervals
- W4
|
| 7 Teal and a Ringed Plover were
by the pier. Also present were 6 Little Grebes, 50 Lapwings, 55
Linnets, 8 Meadow Pipits (EO) and a Kingfisher. 2 Redshanks
were present at dusk and for a few minutes they sat on the water
amongst the gulls which were badly disturbed by 2 sailing boats that
did not get off the water till 19:20 (GE). |
|
- 3rd
- Sat
|
- 14°C
- Light
rain
- WSW5
|
|
A juvenile female Ruff, with 36 Lapwings, was a
new species for the year. Also present were 6 Cormorants, 2 Herons and
20 Linnets. On the Swag there were 33 Wigeon, a male Gadwall, and Grey
Wagtail. On the Slurry Pool there were over 900 Tufted Ducks,
including the hybrid, and 8 Pochard. 5 Yellow-legged Gulls were
in the roost and an adult (or 4cy) Caspian Gull was also
present (PJ, GE).
|
|
- 4th
- Sun
|
- 15°C
- Sunny
intervals
- WNW3
|
| A juvenile/female Red-crested Pochard
was on the Swag and apart from 23 Mallard it was the only duck on
the pool. However, 926 Tufted Ducks were on the Slurry Pool along
with 8 Pochard and a male Gadwall. The juvenile Ruff was on
the North Shore (GE) but there was no sign of the Caspian Gull
amongst the roost which did have 5 Yellow-legged Gulls, a
Common Gull and an adult Great Black-backed Gull (PJ). |
- Red-crested Pochard (© GE)
|
| At Stubbers Green there were 5 (adult,
2 4cy, 3cy, 2cy) Yellow-legged Gulls, an adult Great
Black-backed Gull, 15+ argentatus Herring Gulls and 25+ intermedius
Lesser Black-backs. Ring numbers were PYC, T2, HMT,
861, AVV and a
new blue with orange CKN. |
|
-
5th
|
- 15°C
- Sunny
intervals
- SE2
|
|
The Red-crested Pochard was
still on the Swag along with 29 Wigeon and 3 Little Grebes.
The gull roost was undisturbed tonight but was rather small with
around 1200 Lesser Black-backs, 1 adult Great Black-backed Gull,
40 Herring Gulls, 2 (adult or 4cy) Yellow-legged Gulls and
around 5000 Black-headed Gulls (GE). |
|
- 6th
|
- 18°C
- Heavy
showers
- SSW5
|
| No sign of the Red-crested Pochard
today and the Ruff appears to have moved on to Belvide. A Curlew
paused briefly on the Balcony shore, 2 Kingfishers were along
the West Shore and a Buzzard and Kestrel were hunting overhead. The
gull roost was small, having been affected by fireworks being let
off, but there were fairly good views of the adult or 4cy Caspian Gull, 4
(adult, 4cy,3cy,2cy) Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Great
Black-backed Gulls and a bat, probably Daubenton's, was
performing well low over the water off the West Shore (PJ, GE). |
- Record shots of the
- Caspian Gull (© GE).
|
|
|
-
7th
|
- 13°C
- Heavy
showers
- N3
|
| An adult Mediterranean Gull and
2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls were seen in the roost (PJ, IW). |
|
- 8th
|
- 12°C
- Sunny
- WNW3
|
| It would seem that it is quite likely
that 3 Cranes passed over during the mid afternoon since at 13:30
they were seen over Hinckley, Leicestershire heading WNW ie. along
the A5 and then again, heading west, at Belvide at 16:15. They would
have even had time to rest for a while along Crane Brook! 912 Tufted
Ducks, including the hybrid, were counted (PJ). 3 (2 adults, 1 3cy) Yellow-legged Gulls
and an adult Great Black-backed Gull were in the roost (GE). |
| At Stubbers Green there was a Green
Sandpiper on the marsh and 2 (adult and 3cy) Yellow-legged
Gulls. Ringed Lesser Black-backs were ALL and a Walney
ringed W4JV (PJ). |
|
- 9th
|
- 13°C
- Light
showers
- S4
|
|
A Rock Pipit flew through and a Green
Sandpiper briefly settled on the South Shore. 70 Siskins
were around Fly Pool and 150 Goldfinches were in the Norton Bog
area. The adult Mediterranean Gull, 6 ( 2 adult, 2 3cy, 2 2cy) Yellow-legged
Gulls, 4 Common Gulls and a Great Black-backed Gull were seen in
the roost (PJ). Also seen were a Green Woodpecker, Buzzard, Kestrel, 2
Grey Wagtails, 2 Red Deer (EO), 60 Lapwings and 36 Wigeon (GE).
|
|
On Cuckoo Bank there was lots of activity on the top
fields with 250+ Woodpigeons, 150 Linnets, 50 Carrion Crows, a Peregrine,
2 Kestrels, Buzzard and female Sparrowhawk. Also seen
were 2 Pheasants, 4 Grey Partridges, several Skylarks, Meadow Pipits,
a Siskin and about 8 Reed Buntings. On the heath there were 2 Stonechats
and 2 Jack Snipe (EO).
|
|
- 10th
- Sat
|
- 15°C
- Foggy
start, sunny
intervals
- W3
|
| 2 Rock Pipits were present early
on but were not seen later. 858 Tufted Ducks, including the hybrid,
were counted and on the Swag there were 39 Wigeon. Other
sightings included 9 Cormorants, 5 Herons, 130 Lapwings, a Kingfisher, a Buzzard,
2 Kestrels, 2 Grey Wagtails, a Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest. 25 Red
Admirals and 10 Commas were on the Ivy on Pool Cottage,
at the north end of the dam (GE, PJ). The gull roost held at least 2
adult Yellow-legged Gulls, 2800 Lesser Black-backs and over
6000 Black-headed Gulls (GE). |
- The low water levels are producing good
catches of Pike. This one was off the south end of the dam
(GE).
|
| At Stubbers Green there were 5 (2
adult, 2 4cy, 2cy) Yellow-legged Gulls and Lesser Black-back
ring numbers were ALH, ALL, HCA, Ribble ringed R2DT
and R4H7, blue with orange CMP and 525. A
Kingfisher, Buzzard and Grey Wagtail were present and a Green
Sandpiper and 39 Teal were on the marsh (PJ, GE). |
|
- 11th
- Sun
|
- 14°C
- Light
rain at times
- NW5
|
| All but 2 of the 988 Tufted Ducks,
including the hybrid, were on the Slurry Pool (PJ) and on the Swag
there were 36 Wigeon and a drake Shoveler (GE). A Curlew
flew in at dusk and the gull roost held 5 (3 adults, 2 2cy) Yellow-legged
Gulls and 3 Great Black-backs (PJ, GE). |
| A 3cy Yellow-legged Gull was at
Stubbers Green (PJ). |
|
- 12th
|
- 15°C
- Sunny
intervals
- NW2
|
| A quick evening visit produced a good
sized gull roost with 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, 90 Herring
Gulls, a 1cy Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Common Gulls, around 8000
Black-headed Gulls and uncounted Lesser Black-backs. 1-2 Kingfishers
are now regular at dusk near the Balcony (GE). |
|
- 13th
|
-
- 15°C
- Sunny
- SW1
|
| Despite falling water levels the only
waders noted were 70+ Lapwings and a Dunlin. The roost held 5
(3 adults, 3cy, 2cy) Yellow -legged Gulls and an adult Mediterranean
Gull (PJ, GE). |
| On Cuckoo Bank there were 2 Ravens,
4 Buzzards, over 50 redpolls and about 40 Redwings
flew through. 1-2 Commas were also noted (PW). |
|
- 14th
|
- 14°C
- Cloudy
- NE2
|
|
|
| 3 Scaup were just off the north
shore this evening along with a Goldeneye and 14 Little
Grebes (PJ, GE). |
|
- 15th
|
- 13°C
- Drizzle
- E1
|
- Common Scoters (GE)
|
One of those days when you just knew
more interesting things were happening at the Pool than at work but
no-one seems to have been able to get there until late afternoon when,
despite an annoying ski-boat and terrible visibility, a juv Black-throated
Diver (PJ, GE, PW), 5 (1 drake, 4 imm/ducks) Common Scoters
(GE), a Sanderling, Wheatear (PW) and a Rock Pipit (PJ)
were all seen from the dam and Sailing Shore. I wonder what was missed
up at the northern end of the site.
|
- A ghostly Black-throated Diver (GE).
|
|
- 16th
|
- 13°C
- Sunny
intervals
- NNE3
|
| The Black-throated Diver and 2
duck/imm Common Scoters were still present along with a Dunlin,
Wheatear, Kingfisher and 4 Rock Pipits. 56 Wigeon and
2 Goldeneye were on the Swag. At dusk there was an adult Yellow-legged
Gull and 107 Herring Gulls in the roost and large numbers of
Starlings were gathering to the north of the lake (GE, PJ, PW, EGP
et al). |
- Juvenile Black-throated Diver showing rather
better than last night (© GE).
|
|
- 17th
- Sat
|
- 12°C
- Sunny
intervals
- N2
|
| The Black-throated
Diver, 3 duck/imm Common Scoters and at least 5 (possibly
7) Rock Pipits all performed well for the sudden increase in
numbers of birders. Other records included 5 Jack Snipe, 29 Common
Snipe, a Dunlin, a drake Pintail, 47 Wigeon, 268
Mallard, 2 Shovelers, a Gadwall, 11 Teal, 9 Goldeneye, 2
Ruddy Ducks, 11 Pochard, only 510 Tufted Ducks, 151 Canada Geese, 16
Little Grebes, 49 Mute Swans, 730 Coot, 15 Moorhens, 39 Great
Crested Grebes, a Kingfisher, 3 Buzzards, 5 Jackdaws, Green
Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Goldcrests, several Siskins,
redpolls, Skylarks, Redwings and 2 Grey Wagtails. At dusk the gull
roost held the Caspian Gull seen earlier at Stubbers Green,
an adult Yellow-legged Gull, an adult Mediterranean Gull
(PJ) and to round off a good day, at 18:17, 2 calling Whooper
Swans flew south along the dam and left to the south-east. A Red
Admiral and Common Darter were also seen (GE). |
- Rock Pipit (© GE)
|
|
|
This eclipse drake Pintail was with a small party of
mallard (GE).
|
| At Stubbers Green the
adult or 4cy Caspian Gull (seen in the roost on 6th) performed well
and there were also 5 Yellow-legged Gulls (3 adults, 3cy,
2cy), one of the adults carried a ring; white with black 102C which
was ringed on the Rhone Delta in the south of France. Other ringed
birds were Lesser Black-backs with AKH, ALH, ALL,
CMP, E634, PYC and a new blue with orange DLH,
a red with white ZCN, a Walney ringed W5KX, a white
with black A2ZX ad a Herring Gull with an orange and black 1633
(PJ). |
|
|
|
| The adult or
4cy Caspian Gull at Stubbers Green was later seen in the Chasewater
roost (© GE). |
|
- 18th
- Sun
|
- 12°C
- Mostly
sunny
- WSW2
|
| It was one of those busy
sunny Sundays and the Black-throated Diver was being pushed
from pillar to post. It eventually gave up the ghost and at noon it
flew high and headed east, only to return and circle high above the
lake, avoiding the attentions of a Buzzard and then a Peregrine
(SE, KB, DC) before disappearing over Chasetown. It would seem that
it found more peace and quiet at Branston Gravel Pits where one was
seen during the afternoon. 175 Lapwings, a Dunlin and 12
Linnets were on
the Balcony shore, a Rock Pipit was near the pier and 5
Herons were around the Lake. One or two Red Admirals were in flight (GE, NS).
There was a further reduction to 430 Tufted Ducks, 41 Wigeon and a
Kingfisher were also seen (NS). At dusk several hundred Starlings were flocking over the
Slurry Pool and the roost produced 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls
and inconclusive views of what was probably the Caspian Gull
(GE). |
| Two pairs of Stonechats
were on Cuckoo Bank with another pair on No Mans Bank (NS). |
|
- 19th
|
- 13°C
- Sunny
intervals
- S3
|
| A Rock Pipit was by the pier (IW,
PW).
A late look at the gull roost produced
counts of 4 (3 adult and 3cy) Yellow-legged Gulls, 140
Herring Gulls, 7 Great Black-backs, up to 2500 Lesser Black-backs,
one Common Gull and around 8000 Black-headed Gulls (GE). |
|
- 20th
-
|
- 11°C
- Cloudy,
afternoon rain
- SE4
|
| The gull roost held the adult
or 4cy Caspian Gull, 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, an adult Mediterranean
Gull and Herring Gull numbers have risen to around 200. There were
47 Wigeon on the Swag (PJ, GE). |
|
- 21st
|
- 14°C
- Sunny
intervals
- SE2
|
| Two Rock Pipits were by the pier (IW),
56 Wigeon were on the Swag, 26 Cormorants on the raft, a Kingfisher
along the west shore (GE) and an adult Yellow-legged Gull and
adult Mediterranean Gull were in the roost (PJ). |
|
-
22nd
|
-
- 14°C
- Sunny
intervals
- SSE3
|
| An adult Yellow-legged Gull was in
the roost and 25 Great Crested Grebes were just off the dam (GE). |
| At Stubbers Green a 2cy Caspian Gull
and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were reported (RSo). |
|
- 23rd
|
- 15°C
- Sunny
intervals
- SW3
|
| The adult/4cy Caspian Gull roosted (IW)
along with an adult Mediterranean Gull (GE). A Dunlin
(PJ) and 130 Lapwings were also present (GE). A
mixed flock of Goldfinches and Siskins was near Fly Bay, a Green
Woodpecker was on the heath and a Common Darter and male Migrant
Hawker were in a sheltered area by Fly Pool (EO). |
- Adult Mediterranean gull (GE)
|
| On Cuckoo Bank there was a Raven,
12 Jackdaws, a Little Grebe and a Stonechat (EO). |
| At Stubbers Green 2 (adult/4cy and 3cy) Caspian
Gulls and 4 (2 adults, 4cy and 3cy) Yellow-legged Gulls
were present and a Peregrine flew over (PJ). |
|
- 24th
- Sat
|
- 16°C
- Heavy
rain and sunny intervals
- S4-5
|
|
During the morning the adult Mediterranean Gull
was by the pier, 3 (2 adults and 2cy) Yellow-legged Gulls were
off the Sailing Shore, a Kingfisher briefly landed on the South Shore
and 2 Shovelers were present (GE). At dusk 2000+ Starlings gathered
around the pylon by the Slurry Pool, 2 Redshanks flew in but
nothing new was seen in the gull roost (PJ, IW, GE).
|
|
At Stubbers Green the 3cy Caspian Gull was
present along with 2 (adult and 4cy) Yellow-legged Gulls, 7
Great Black-backs and 125+ Herring Gulls including an argenteus
with green ring with white S:J. Lesser Black-backed rings were VF,
PYC, ALL, CMP and a red with white ZCN.
The Peregrine was also seen again (PJ).
|
|
- 25th
- Sun
|
-
- 16°C
- Light
showers
- SW6
|
| The adult Mediterranean Gull was
by the pier again (RSo) and the 3cy Caspian Gull and an adult
Yellow-legged Gull were in the roost (IW). |
|
|
|
|
These fungi were found on Cuckoo
Bank (© N Stych) |
| At Stubbers Green the 2 Caspian
Gulls were present and it is now clear that the near adult is in
fact a 4cy bird. 4 (3 4cy, 3cy) Yellow-legged Gulls were also
present along with 9 Great Black-backs, 12+ intermedius
Lesser Black-backs with ringed birds noted being ALH, PYC,
CMP, HMT and a new red with gold C,J (PJ et
al). |
|
-
26th
|
- 15°C
- Sunny
intervals
- S4
|
| The water level has now
fallen to 264 cm below maximum. A few Fieldfares and Redwings flew
over the dam during the morning and an adult Yellow-legged Gull was
in the roost (GE, IW) |
| At Stubbers Green the 3cy Caspian
Gull was present along with 3 (adult, 3/4cy and 3cy) Yellow-legged
Gulls, 110 Herring Gulls, 200+ Lesser Black-backs (including
ring CMP), 9 Great Black-backs, 4 Common Gulls, Kingfisher,
Grey Wagtail and a Green Sandpiper (GE, EGP). |
-
- 3cy Caspian Gull (© GE)
|
|
|
|
This Yellow-legged Gull
(© GE) carries a small band of material on its left leg and was
first seen at the end of August when it was clearly in 3cy
plumage (PJ) but the prominent white primary tips would
suggest an older bird. |
|
| Along Ford Brook, near
Ryders Mere there were 3 Little Egrets. Click here
for more information. |
|
- 27th
|
- 16°C
- Overcast
- S3
|
| A mild Mediterranean day filled with
Mediterranean birds! During the morning the adult Mediterranean
Gull was showing well on the South Shore, a 4cy Yellow-legged
Gull was on a buoy, a Dunlin was with 160 Lapwings and 15
Cormorants were on the raft (GE). Both the 3cy and 4cy Caspian
Gulls were in the roost along with 4 (3 adults and 4cy) Yellow-legged
Gulls (PJ, IW, RC). |
|
- Adult Mediterranean Gull
(© GE)
|
| On the North Shore there
were 2 Grey Wagtails, a drake Goldeneye, 4 Red Deer and a juv/female
Blackcap (EO). |
| On Cuckoo Bank there were 3
Jack Snipe and 4 Common Snipe (EO). |
| At Pelsall, along the Ford Brook, 3 Little
Egrets and a Green Sandpiper performed very well and at
the adjacent Ryders Mere/ Clayhanger Marsh there were 53 Wigeon, 4
Gadwall, 11 Shovelers, 1 Goosander, Buzzard, 70 Fieldfares, 4 Siskin
and a Red Admiral. Its a great shame that the invasive Crasula
helmsii has choked huge areas of marsh and the shores of the
Mere. I hope Natural England are aware of it and are implementing a
control strategy, otherwise the SSSI is greatly threatened (GE). |
|
|
|
| Little
Egrets loafing in a field and feeding in Ford Brook (© GE). |
- A dark-eyed adult Yellow-legged Gull (© GE)
|
- 3cy Caspian Gull (© GE)
|
| A quick afternoon look at Stubbers
Green produced the 3cy Caspian Gull and 2 (adult and 2cy) Yellow-legged
Gulls (GE). |
|
- 28th
|
- 18°C
- Sunny
intervals
- SW2
|
| 490 Fieldfares, 180 Redwings, 8
Jackdaws, 2 Stock Doves, 200 Wood Pigeons, 60 Starlings, 6
Chaffinches and 5 Greenfinches all flew over the dam to the west
during the hour after 07:30. Also seen were 21 Cormorants, a
Goosander, 30 Wigeon, a Kingfisher, 3 Buzzards, 230 Lapwings, 39
Great Crested Grebes, 2 Jack Snipe, 36 Common Snipe, 30 Meadow
Pipits, Grey Wagtail and 15 Lesser Redpolls (GE). A Raven was
mobbed by crows (PJ) and 2 (adult, 3cy) Yellow-legged Gulls
and a new adult Mediterranean
Gull were in the roost (PJ, IW, GE). |
|
|
|
| Autumn
colours around Norton Bog and the Slurry Pool (GE) |
| This patch of Sea Club-rush has only
been identified this year and is, along with Clayhanger Marsh and
Brookleys Lake in the north, the
only site in the vice-county of Staffordshire where it occurs
(GE). |
|
-
(© GE)
|
|
-
29th
|
- 16°C
- Sunny
intervals
- S3
|
| 2 Golden Plovers were near the
pier and 4 Red Admirals, 2 Commas and many bees and
flies were on the ivy
at the north end of the dam (GE). |
- Golden Plovers (© GE)
|
| The 4cy Caspian Gull showed well
at Stubbers Green and Lesser Black-backs 569, 861, PYC
were also seen along with a colour-ringed bird with green on the
left leg and black above red on the right (GE, EGP). |
|
-
30th
|
- 17°C
- Cloudy
- S4
|
| Work has started on clearing trees from
the heathland at Anglesey Basin. By the end of this winter it is
likely that all trees will be cleared from the dam. 3 Red Admirals and a Comma
were still active around the ivy. 9 Goldeneye and a Goosander were
near the dam (GE) and the gull roost held the usual adult Mediterranean
Gull, 5 (3 adults, 4cy and 3cy) Yellow-legged Gulls and
the 4cy Caspian Gull (PJ, GE). |
|
|
-
31st
- Sat
|
- 16°C
- Sunny
intervals after rain at night
- WSW3
|
| 5 Red Admirals, 4 Commas,
17 Lesser Redpolls and a Sparrowhawk were at the north end of the
dam and the Starling roost was making a great cacophony of sound in
the Slurry Pool reed-beds at dusk but arriving at 16:30 was too late
to count them as they arrived (GE). A Woodcock was found by
the Sailing Club (NS). The 4cy Caspian Gull was in the roost
along with two adult Yellow-legged Gulls (IW). |
- A view soon to change!
(© GE)
|
- An Ivy covered haven for butterflies, bees,
flies
- and birds
(© GE).
|
- Red Admiral (© N Stych)
|
- Hoverfly on Ivy (© N Stych)
|
| No Caspian Gulls were seen at Stubbers
Green but there were 3 Yellow-legged Gulls including the dark
eyed adult, a 4cy and the usual 3cy bird. Lesser Black-backed ring
numbers were 861, HMT and ALL (PJ). |
|
