0700 till 1130
1 osprey over heading south at 0805, showed well for 5 mins, also seen by trevor lane, elton first for me.
1 juv common tern

745-1300

2 Ruff flew from the boat house right past me at the creek and continued SW.
One bird was a lot bigger than the other so would guess at male and female.

Spotted Flycather - near creek
Garden Warbler - hedge by pumphouse
Yellow Wagtail - heard flying around highland cattlefield
Whinchat - capsticks - still there 12.30
Goosander 2 and a 6 north

Several hundred Swallows passed over at lunch time

Siskin 3 flew over one at withins and 2 wader point

Goldfinch 54 - crow tree

Whitethroat 5+, Blackcap 5+, Chiffchaff 5+, Willow Warbler 4 - various spots

and a Raven flew north

-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Sunday 4th of September 2011 06:20:16 PM

0645 till 1300
missed 2 ruff found by simon johnson which flew through along the north shore
1 whinchat capsticks field
1 garden warbler
1 juv common tern
2 goosander over
4 teal

JOHN TYMON wrote:

---

steven burke wrote:

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8.00- 3.00pm a good walk around producing 51 species. highlights being..
2 whinchats ( in capsticks field 10.15am )
2 spotted flycatchers ( below withins 10.45am)
1 common tern juvenile (on res )
2 snipe ( over canal )
all usuals on and around the res
also met a chap called pete baron (nice chap), had a chat with him whilst we walked to the dip then he left,where here produced for me..
2 teal
1 little grebe
3 bullfinch
1 sparrowhawk
1 jay
+ chiffchaffs,goldfinches.
also had large flock off goldfinches 50+ on capsticks field
also 300+starlings around the crow trees farm area
and 50+lapwings in fields along canal on my way back to tram.
good day and i think it might off been ian and trevor i spoke too when the tern showed up on the res,if it was sorry i did'nt introduce myself, but nice to meet you guys.

---

Peter has been an Elton recorder of birds for over 30 years

---

it was very nice to meet him john, he was actually telling me he been doing it for over 40 years

steven burke wrote:

---

8.00- 3.00pm a good walk around producing 51 species. highlights being..
2 whinchats ( in capsticks field 10.15am )
2 spotted flycatchers ( below withins 10.45am)
1 common tern juvenile (on res )
2 snipe ( over canal )
all usuals on and around the res
also met a chap called pete baron (nice chap), had a chat with him whilst we walked to the dip then he left,where here produced for me..
2 teal
1 little grebe
3 bullfinch
1 sparrowhawk
1 jay
+ chiffchaffs,goldfinches.
also had large flock off goldfinches 50+ on capsticks field
also 300+starlings around the crow trees farm area
and 50+lapwings in fields along canal on my way back to tram.
good day and i think it might off been ian and trevor i spoke too when the tern showed up on the res,if it was sorry i did'nt introduce myself, but nice to meet you guys.

---

Peter has been an Elton recorder of birds for over 30 years

he is a beltin bloke-quite often brings groups round the flash

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 3rd of September 2011 08:06:04 PM

8.00- 3.00pm a good walk around producing 51 species. highlights being..
2 whinchats ( in capsticks field 10.15am )
2 spotted flycatchers ( below withins 10.45am)
1 common tern juvenile (on res )
2 snipe ( over canal )
all usuals on and around the res
also met a chap called pete baron (nice chap), had a chat with him whilst we walked to the dip then he left,where here produced for me..
2 teal
1 little grebe
3 bullfinch
1 sparrowhawk
1 jay
+ chiffchaffs,goldfinches.
also had large flock off goldfinches 50+ on capsticks field
also 300+starlings around the crow trees farm area
and 50+lapwings in fields along canal on my way back to tram.
good day and i think it might off been ian and trevor i spoke too when the tern showed up on the res,if it was sorry i did'nt introduce myself, but nice to meet you guys.

1230 till 1515 with ian peters
2 spotted flycatchers below withins

7.00-9.30a.m.with Trevor, birds of note: 2 Whinchat top of capsticks field, Little Owl on woodpile and a juv. Common Tern on the res.
Cheers Ian

1345 till 1545
4 yellow wagtails at corran stud found by ian peters, only one present when i got there, it flew towards the highland cattle below pumphouse.

7.00-10.00 a.m. with Trevor. Best for me was my 1st Buzzard of the year. We also had a Whinchat showing really well at Capsticks(sorry Adrian). On the res after Trevor left I spent 45 mins waiting for an Osprey to fly over(it didn't), I counted 23 Great Crested Grebe and amongst the highland cattle 25 Lapwing.
Cheers Ian

-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Friday 2nd of September 2011 10:26:12 AM

1200 till 1445 with ian peters
1 peregrine over
1 lesser whitethroat below withins

HI ALL JUST BEEN ROUND THE RES 10 .30 AM REALLY REALLY GREAT VIEWS OF LOW FLYING BUZZARD NR THE TOP END OF RES (RUSTING MINI IN WATER AREA )
PERFECT WEATHER CLEAR BLUE SKY AND BUZZARD SO CLEAR
CHEERS DAVE L

7-9.00 a.m. with Trevor and another guest appearance from Adrian. 2 Swift and lots of Swallows around, warblers included Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat(showing really well in Redstart hedge), Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler. Also Peregrine on pylon 20 again.
Cheers Ian

-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Thursday 1st of September 2011 10:15:23 AM

Also completely forgot the best bird for me, a Goldcrest1st of year in big tree below pumphouse

-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Thursday 1st of September 2011 01:14:40 PM

Ian Campbell wrote:

---

7.00-10.00am with Trevor L, Ian P and also Adrian Dancy(looking for Whinchat). Unfortunately most birds were elsewhere, there was a Peregrine on pylon 20, flock of 60-70 Goldfinch near Withins, some nice views of Whitethroat and a hunting Kestrel and 2 Grey Wagtail at the res.
Interestingly Adrian was up last night and had a Green Woodpecker calling in approx the same place one was recently seen.
Cheers Ian

---

Good to meet you this morning. We also had 17 mistle thrush.
I stayed by the hedge/ brook at OldHall Farm and got 3 sedge warbler. Alas no whinchat

7.00-10.00am with Trevor L, Ian P and also Adrian Dancy(looking for Whinchat). Unfortunately most birds were elsewhere, there was a Peregrine on pylon 20, flock of 60-70 Goldfinch near Withins, some nice views of Whitethroat and a hunting Kestrel and 2 Grey Wagtail at the res.
Interestingly Adrian was up last night and had a Green Woodpecker calling in approx the same place one was recently seen.
Cheers Ian

Also from this morning what is interesting is the birds that were not there. Yesterday there were still local Swallows on the wires etc. This a.m. they had all gone but there was also a large passage of House Martins taking place, over a 100 birds involved.
We also had 3 Kestrels and 2 Sparrowhawks.
Cheers Ian

0645 till 1145 with ian campbell and trevor lane
1 whinchat capsticks field
1 wheatear sheep field
1 garden warbler hedge nr wader point
1 willow tit heard only in the dip
2 goosander over

This morning, very pleasant circuit produced:

6 Spotted Flycatchers (2 in the small Oak tree at wader point, 2 in hedge near stream at Crow trees farm, 1 in hedge above the marsh near the willows and 1 at the top of the Dip). Always good to see them in the same spots each year.

Single Garden warbler in the hedge at wader point.
Single Lesser whitethroat top of the Dip with 3 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat.

Only other notable sighting was a Raven which flew over and landed briefly on the pylon near the creek.


-- Edited by Simon Warford on Monday 29th of August 2011 08:25:10 PM

0645 till 1100
2 spotted flycatchers below withins
1 goosander over

1.30-5.30pm 33 species seen
a walk from tram station to canal, up onto res, back down through withins, and back along canal.
1 redstart (f) (in hedges near old hall farm at 2.15pm lost when the rain arrived)
no signs off the whinchats
1 whitethroat (canal)
1 reed bunting (canal)
2 blackcap (withins)
1 willow warbler (withins)
2 kestrels (over res)
flock off about 200-300 starlings around the fields near withins
lots off coots and great crested grebes on res + 5 tufted duck
plus all usuals around.

was under bridge 20 near bennies keeping out off the rain and a mink came out the grass and walked along the the ledge on the far side off bridge,little bugger stopped half way looked at me then legged it

also watched a ginger and white cat on bridge just past withins towards canal hunt/catch/ and eat a mouse,he actually eaten the lot, tail as well

blockquote>brian fielding wrote:

---

0630 till 1130 with the 2 ians and trever lane
................................................
Who will be collectively known from now on as the 4 SCAUPATEARS.
Sorry, it's an in joke that just needed airing

0630 till 1130 with the 2 ians and trever lane
2 whinchats in cattle field below old hall farm
1 female redstart in hedge close by
1 peregrine over dip
2 goosander going south
3 swift

1300 till 1545 with ian peters
1 lesser whitethroat below withins

thanks ian for sending the pictures, this is the bird.the one that dennis has sent me isnt the same bird, thanks to adrian and dennis for taking the time to go down and get the pictures, i have taken your comments on board ian.we saw this bird at fairly long range on its own, it seems we were too hasty to call it a scaup based on the round head and the white around the bill and it should have been grilled more closely to look for other features, im glad in the end that it has been sorted because i dont want anything on my year list that isnt certain.

I have Adrian's images and one of Dennis Atherton's in my possession (many thanks again boys ) but it needs confirming as the right individual. Any of the Elton guys who have seen the bird and would like to see the shots please contact me privately.

As a result of Brian's request I went to the res and took a few images of the most likely candidate.

This debate has really focussed our minds on the potential pitfalls of identification. The Duck in question does have no hint of a crest and has a bigger white bill surround than "normal juv. Tufted. It does not have paler ear coverts as juv Scaup are supposed to have but how long do these last?. As Ian Peters and myself were leaving this a.m. on a fruitless search for a Wryneck we saw Jill Islam and I asked if she could photograph the little rascall (no not Ian, the juv. Duck) any luck Jill?, sorry to put you on the spot.
Cheers Ian

I called in after work today and had a good check of all the Tufted ducks, with Dennis Atherton we counted 9 of them including 2 or 3 juveniles, one did have a rounded head but just looked like a typical tufted in size, shape, colouration & bill to me. Certainly during the time I was there I couldnt see anything resembling a Scaup or a hybrid. But that doesn't necessarily mean I've seen the same bird. I also called in last night and couldnt see anything different then either.

Ian are you able to meet me at elton in 30mins and show me this bird as it doesnt sound anything like what i have been discussing with Brain.

thanks

Has anyone seen anything more than a White blaze and a round head on this bird?

Does it have a pale cheek spot Brian? Is it bigger than the tufted's then?
There was only 2 tufted with White blazes yesterday

0645 till 1145
1 lesser whitethroat
1 garden warbler both below withins
tufted/scaup lookalike still present, also 2 other female tufteds showing white around the bill, would be great if someone could get a decent photo of this bird and post it on here so the pitfalls could be explained, the difference in structure between the most obvious tufted and this bird is quite striking.

Sightings from the afternoon

Yellow Wag - sheep field
Redstart 2 (female at coney green and a bird which flew across the path at capsticks)
Raven flew over withins
Teal - on res for short while
Swallow 54 NW
Kestrel 4
Peregrine soaring around
Little Owl - crow trees

Blackcap and Whitethroat below withins

brian fielding wrote:

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i was referring to the birds bill base when i said not big enough. the bird was on its own when we were watching it so body size couldnt be compared, the round head plus white around the bill is why we called it as a scaup, it is a learning curve and i now know that these features alone dont make it a scaup as some juv tufted ducks can show these features, as simon pointed out to me on the phone when he saw the bird up close it should show a pale cheek patch and a nail tipped bill, he saw none of these features and no size difference to 2 tufted ducks that it was now with.i will certainly look more closely in future.

---

Brian
Theres nowt wrong with making a mistake,its much better to be a person who admits when there is a mistake rather than the many others who seemingly never make a mistake- I am sure you remember the notorious treemippet at penny a few years back ,everyone who claimed it dissapeared overnight,and it was only myself if I remember who admitted the mistakes I made.
I have seen hundreds of scaup and still spent an hour last year photographing what looked like a definate,only to find from the pictures it was more likely a hybrid scaup / tufted.
You are turning some good stuff up there hammering that patch,and found many good birds-keep it up and keep posting


-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Thursday 25th of August 2011 08:58:20 PM

i was referring to the birds bill base when i said not big enough. the bird was on its own when we were watching it so body size couldnt be compared, the round head plus white around the bill is why we called it as a scaup, it is a learning curve and i now know that these features alone dont make it a scaup as some juv tufted ducks can show these features, as simon pointed out to me on the phone when he saw the bird up close it should show a pale cheek patch and a nail tipped bill, he saw none of these features and no size difference to 2 tufted ducks that it was now with.i will certainly look more closely in future.

Dead right Mike, there is also an interesting (well, I think so!) article on the website about the Pennington 'mid' Scaup too. That said, I've still always found 'runt' Scaups (if that's what they are) to be typically broader in the beam and stockier (especially in the neck) than Tufted Duck, something that doesn't equate when looking at sizes in field guides.

I also think Brian is referring to the bill blaze itself when he comments that it 'is not big enough for a Scaup' and not the bird's actual body size, or atleast that's what I understood when discussions were underway.

Either way, it's all part of our learning curve and we learn more this way than any other.

- Just making a point in passing with regard to the putative Scaup female reidentified as a Tufty;- although generally Scaup should be expected to marginally average bigger than Tufted Duck, there is an example on the gallery ( 20. 02. 2010) of two excellent Paul Wilson photos of a drake Scaup at Elton no bigger than Tufted duck, with one shot showing the comparison just about perfectly........

few other bits today
Little Grebe dip, lesser redpoll on lines at crow tree farm a common tern and two house martins crow tree farm.

1515 till 1615
1 juv yellow wagtail, in sheep fields between old hall farm and crow trees but flighty, thanks to simon johnson for the tip off.year list 114

the female scaup from this morning now seems to be a missed id tufted duck, simon johnson has now seen the bird close in and although the bird has a rounded head and a white blaze around the bill it is not big enough for scaup, we didnt know this morning but juv tufted ducks can show a rounded head, thanks to simon for putting it right and i have removed it from my year list.year list now 113.

0645 till 1100 with ian campbell and ian peters
1 female scaup
3 spotted flycatcher, 2 below withins, 1 top of dip
3 garden warblers, below withins
1 peregrine on pylon
2 common tern
1 swift
30+ mistle thrushes nr crow trees.
elton year list 114, latest green woodpecker, scaup and garden warbler.

-- Edited by brian fielding on Thursday 25th of August 2011 10:37:17 AM

7.30-9.30 today, behind boathouse 4 of Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff and 3 Blackcap also 20+ Goldfinch. Little on res. Pylon 20 had a Peregrine and between Elton and Withins was a Kestrel, 50 Swallow and 25 House Martin. At Crow Trees the usual Little Owl in a tree. Best for me was a Dipper on the river, my first here this year.
Cheers Ian

Ian Peters wrote:

---

07:30 - 10:00

Ian Campbell migrating north from his trip to north Africa.
Not much around although the little owl was on the woodpile at Crow Trees and a common sandpiper arrived on the wall around 09:15.

---

Just shows how stupid I am when most things with sense are going South

Early am, 7-9am

2 Spotted Flycatchers top hedge of the dip, also Willow tit, 4 Blackcap, several chiffchaffs.
Garden warbler in hollow near main car park, plus 2 Blackcap.
Yellow wagtail flew over below withins.
6 Teal flew into the reservior then flew off.
19 Mute swans
Good numbers of Whitethroats, chiffchaffs and willow warblers.

Comma and 3 common blue butterflies.

Female Redstart at double gates between Withins Res. and Crow Trees farm at 18:30.

1030 till 1200
not much
1 curlew over
1 common tern

Wheatear - Crow tree farm

Redstart - distant on the other side of field near metal gate at redstart hedge

Whitethroat 6 together wader point + 1 Withins
Blackcap 3 below withins
Sparrowhawk 2
Sand Martin 30+
House Martin 60+
Swallow 100+

0630 till 1045
1 peregrine
12 goosander flew off east first thing.

0630 till 1215 with ian peters, trever lane and nice to meet mike passant again
2 spotted flycatchers between the creek and wader point
1 common tern
1 little owl.

0630 till 1000 with ian peters
2 peregrine, 1 sat on pylon, 1 south over canal
1 willow tit in the dip heard only
1 water rail calling from the marsh
1 little owl.

1200 till 1400
very quiet
1 common tern
no shoreline left now as water continues to rise.