Took the dog for a walk around Elton Reservoir this afternoon, was a pleasant walk minus the 300,000 school children walking around it, slightly ruining the ambience .
Without repeating previous sightings too much: 3 Scaup still present sometimes very hard to pic out amongst all the Tufted Ducks, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Kestrels were hunting over the cow fields, a single common tern was showing off its fishing skills right in front of me for a few mins. Was nice to meet George and Steven too
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Friday 8th of July 2016 05:09:11 PM
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Friday 8th of July 2016 05:10:51 PM
On first sighting the Scaup were accompanied by a female Tufted Duck that turned its attentions to a seemingly all-black diving duck, possibly a Common Scoter. The two were still together when I left at approx. 12.45 and the Scaup were still present near the point.
-- Edited by George Warburton on Friday 8th of July 2016 01:32:17 PM
Ian Campbell said
Fri Jul 8 12:08 PM, 2016
Simon Johnson wrote:
3 Drake Scaup still present showing very well off wader point
............................... I must be going blind as I didn't see them earlier. Cheers Ian
Simon Johnson said
Fri Jul 8 11:16 AM, 2016
3 Drake Scaup still present showing very well off wader point
Ian Campbell said
Fri Jul 8 10:24 AM, 2016
Mid morning visit, no sign of yesterday's Scaup, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Common Tern, 2 Oystercatcher and 100's of Sand Martin. Apparently it's the wall repairers last day and they are leaving the site. Cheers Ian
Simon Warford said
Thu Jul 7 9:44 PM, 2016
This evening, 3 drake Scaup still present, also Meditteranean Gull, 1 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Tern and 350 Sand Martin.
3 adult scaup drakes still here. Well done Steven for the find. Glad there was a change I my work patten today so I can see them. They are now currently hanging around with the tufted ducks in the middle.
Ian Campbell said
Thu Jul 7 3:43 PM, 2016
The 3 Male Scaup still present at 3.30, great find Steven, my 1st male Scaup at Elton, also now 5 Oystercatcher. Cheers Ian
Steven Higginbottom said
Thu Jul 7 2:52 PM, 2016
3 Drake Scaup present 14:45pm 3 Common Tern 2 Common Sandpiper 2 Oystercatcher 1 Cuerlew over Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Thursday 7th of July 2016 03:53:43 PM
a.m. 1 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper and 3 Oystercatcher(one appeared to have only one leg). Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Tue Jul 5 8:09 AM, 2016
6.15-7.30 a.m. from pumphouse at 6.30 heard Curlew, 'scoped far bank to see 2 Curlew with 2 Black-tailed Godwits, unfortunately all 4 birds flew West as I was about to text the news out. Also 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Oystercatcher, 25 Lapwing, 26 Tufted Duck(24 male), 8 Great Crested Grebe and at 7.25 another Curlew flew in, landed on wall before flying off North. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Mon Jul 4 8:44 AM, 2016
This a.m. 4 Oystercatcher(1 a juv.), 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Curlew. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Sat Jul 2 10:46 AM, 2016
a.m. with Steven H, on res 1 Common Sandpiper and 3 Oystercatcher. In Old Hall Marsh at least 3 Water Rail could be heard squeeling(sp ) in a small area. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Fri Jul 1 9:18 AM, 2016
This a.m. 10 Tufted Duck(all male), 7 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Redshank, 22 Lapwing and many Sand Martin, also ridiculously cold for 1st July. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Thu Jun 30 9:26 AM, 2016
This a.m. now 9 Tufted Duck and 8 Great Crested Grebe, also 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Oystercatcher and 100's of Sand Martin. Cheers Ian
Steven Higginbottom said
Wed Jun 29 3:02 PM, 2016
1 Common tern 14:50 pm flew of east at 14:58 7 Great crested grebes 2 Tufted Ducks Water level gone up by about 500mm since Tuesday with none going out. Cheers Steven
Ian Campbell said
Wed Jun 29 9:37 AM, 2016
This a.m. 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Raven over. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Sun Jun 26 8:39 AM, 2016
This a.m. spectacular numbers of Sand Martin, at least 600, then at 7.45 they all flew high together as a Hobby flew through, awesome. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Sat Jun 25 10:50 AM, 2016
Quick visit this morning, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Redshank, 1 Buzzard(not the pale one) and the 7 Great Crested Grebe still. Cheers Ian
Simon Johnson said
Fri Jun 24 7:47 PM, 2016
this afternoon
300+ Sand Martin many adults feeding young on the wing Oystercatcher 7 Great crested grebe plus pair on withins with 2 young Buzzard - pale bird back at Crow tree with the male Kestrel mobbing 6 Lesser Whitethroat - family party along canal Mute Swan pair with 5 cygnets
Simon Warford said
Mon Jun 20 6:10 PM, 2016
Common Sandpiper and 2 Redshank present this morning.
Tina Wareham said
Fri Jun 17 2:38 PM, 2016
Cuckoo seen!
Sat in classic pose of wings down, tail up. Sat on a post in the corner of field nearest the tram line side.
Spotted it from the tram on way to bury.
It was just before the stables next to the road/tram crossing
Ian Campbell said
Thu Jun 16 10:02 AM, 2016
This morning a Peregrine and a probable Hobby, also at least 400 Sand Martin feeding over the res. with 60 Swift. Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Thursday 16th of June 2016 10:02:44 AM
Ian Campbell said
Wed Jun 15 9:48 AM, 2016
7-8.30 a.m. very quiet, 1 Oystercatcher flew over with food and 1 Ring-necked Parakeet(or should this be Rose-ringed?). Cheers Ian
Simon Johnson said
Fri Jun 10 10:09 PM, 2016
this evening
Adult Mediterranean Gull Buzzard in dip 17 lapwing 2 Oystercatcher
and first 3 fledged black-headed gull young
-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Friday 10th of June 2016 10:14:26 PM
Steven Higginbottom said
Sat Jun 4 7:26 AM, 2016
3 Sanderling present this morning Sat 4th June (photo attached)
1 Greylag goose
1 Pale Buzzard Crow trees
cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Saturday 4th of June 2016 03:09:57 PM
7-8.15 this a.m. best was an adult Mediterranean Gull in the creek around 8ish, also 1 Redshank, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Gadwall and approx. 150 Swift. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Sat May 28 4:06 PM, 2016
This a.m. with Simon J and Paul W, only bird of note was a Greenshank and 2 Greylag Geese also flew in. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Fri May 27 3:46 PM, 2016
Arrived just after you left Simon, only thing to add was a Great Spotted Woodpecker collecting and flying off with bread (presumably to feed to young), something I've never seen before. Cheers Ian
Simon Warford said
Fri May 27 8:31 AM, 2016
This morning 6.00am till 7.25am,
6 Ringed Plover (9 yesterday per Simon J). 1 Common Sandpiper 2 Gadwall 1 Peregrine 1 Garden Warbler
Simon Johnson said
Wed May 25 8:05 PM, 2016
This evening
3 Garden Warbler Ringed Plover 2 gadwall
Ian Campbell said
Tue May 24 8:25 AM, 2016
6.30-8.15 a.m. just 1 Common Sandpiper and 3 Oystercatcher of note on the res. Cheers Ian
Steven Higginbottom said
Mon May 23 3:32 PM, 2016
15:25 Hobby flew through NW in front of sailing club Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Monday 23rd of May 2016 05:56:54 PM
steven burke said
Mon May 23 12:01 PM, 2016
a few photos from myself of yesterdays curlew sandpiper.
Couldn't resist a quick visit this afternoon at 4.45.. Curlew Sandpiper showing well down from the sailing club with 6 Dunlin and Turnstone. Two Common Tern through as well. Good numbers of Swift and Whitethroat
Simon Warford said
Sun May 22 4:56 PM, 2016
2 Whimbrel dropped onto the mud for half hour around 2pm, bathed for a while then departed, 8 Oystercatchers also dropped in for a while.
Richard Thew said
Sun May 22 4:28 PM, 2016
Curlew sandpiper and dunlin Co are still here between the two white boats in front of the sailing club. I did have the Turnstone in view but lost sight of it.
Simon Johnson said
Sun May 22 1:53 PM, 2016
Just a polite notice to ask all bird watchers and photographers who are going for the Curlew Sandpiper or even to Elton in general to please stick to the path around the reservoir.
It may seem very tempting to come off the track with the low water levels onto the mud to try and get a better photo or a better look, however several people have been stuck in the mud and have had to be rescued by the emergency services. There is also given the time of year a high chance you will be disturbing breeding birds.
I know dog walkers and others are going to the waters edge but I can just ask that us birders/photographers don't add to the the disturbance during the breeding season.
Thank you
bernard hooley said
Sun May 22 1:11 PM, 2016
walking back to the carpark after seeing curlew sandpiper and dunlins I was about halfway between the farm and the pumping station I saw a spotted flycatcher catching flies as they do.
Simon Johnson said
Sun May 22 11:28 AM, 2016
Curlew Sandpiper still present and showing very well off the creek Turnstone still present near sailing club
Simon Warford said
Sun May 22 8:39 AM, 2016
Curlew Sandpiper still present 8.30 near wader point, feeding with 6 Dunlin and the Turnstone still in front of sailing club with 2 Dunlin and 6 Ringed Plover.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 22nd of May 2016 08:57:27 AM
Simon Warford said
Sun May 22 7:28 AM, 2016
Lovely adult Curlew Sandpiper currently feeding with 8 Dunlin and single Turnstone still present.
Simon Warford said
Sat May 21 10:19 AM, 2016
Turnstone present from early morning till 10am at least, also 1 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover and 1 Gadwall.
Took the dog for a walk around Elton Reservoir this afternoon, was a pleasant walk minus the 300,000 school children walking around it, slightly ruining the ambience .
Without repeating previous sightings too much: 3 Scaup still present sometimes very hard to pic out amongst all the Tufted Ducks, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Kestrels were hunting over the cow fields, a single common tern was showing off its fishing skills right in front of me for a few mins. Was nice to meet George and Steven too
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Friday 8th of July 2016 05:09:11 PM
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Friday 8th of July 2016 05:10:51 PM
Male Scaup (3) still present at mid-day.
Common Sandpiper (singles).
Whitethroat singing everywhere.
Hundreds of Sand Martin over water.
On first sighting the Scaup were accompanied by a female Tufted Duck that turned its attentions to a seemingly all-black diving duck, possibly a Common Scoter. The two were still together when I left at approx. 12.45 and the Scaup were still present near the point.
-- Edited by George Warburton on Friday 8th of July 2016 01:32:17 PM
...............................
I must be going blind as I didn't see them earlier.
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
3 Common Tern
2 Common Sandpiper
2 Oystercatcher
1 Cuerlew over
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Thursday 7th of July 2016 03:53:43 PM
Cheers Ian
1 Common Sandpiper
3 Oystercatcher
2 Dunlin ( I Juv I Adult )
Cheers Steven
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
7 Great crested grebes
2 Tufted Ducks
Water level gone up by about 500mm since Tuesday with none going out.
Cheers Steven
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
300+ Sand Martin many adults feeding young on the wing
Oystercatcher
7 Great crested grebe plus pair on withins with 2 young
Buzzard - pale bird back at Crow tree with the male Kestrel mobbing
6 Lesser Whitethroat - family party along canal
Mute Swan pair with 5 cygnets
Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Thursday 16th of June 2016 10:02:44 AM
Cheers Ian
Adult Mediterranean Gull
Buzzard in dip
17 lapwing
2 Oystercatcher and first 3 fledged black-headed gull young
-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Friday 10th of June 2016 10:14:26 PM
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Saturday 4th of June 2016 03:09:57 PM
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
6 Ringed Plover (9 yesterday per Simon J).
1 Common Sandpiper
2 Gadwall
1 Peregrine
1 Garden Warbler
3 Garden Warbler
Ringed Plover
2 gadwall
Cheers Ian
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Monday 23rd of May 2016 05:56:54 PM
Early morning visit with Steve Burke.
- Curlew Sandpiper 1
- Dunlin 6
- Ringed Plover 2
- Oystercatcher 3
- Whitethroat 2
- Willow Warbler 1
Cheers Ian
1 Curlew Sandpiper ( photo attached )
1 Turnstone
7 Ringed Plover
8 possibly 9 Dunlin
1 Common Tern
4 Gadwall
2 Oystercatcher
1 Kestrel
Cheers Steven
Photos attached this time. Just about got one with all 3 species together, albeit asleep.
Couldn't resist a quick visit this afternoon at 4.45.. Curlew Sandpiper showing well down from the sailing club with 6 Dunlin and Turnstone. Two Common Tern through as well. Good numbers of Swift and Whitethroat
It may seem very tempting to come off the track with the low water levels onto the mud to try and get a better photo or a better look, however several people have been stuck in the mud and have had to be rescued by the emergency services. There is also given the time of year a high chance you will be disturbing breeding birds.
I know dog walkers and others are going to the waters edge but I can just ask that us birders/photographers don't add to the the disturbance during the breeding season.
Thank you
I was about halfway between the farm and the pumping station I saw
a spotted flycatcher catching flies as they do.
Turnstone still present near sailing club
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 22nd of May 2016 08:57:27 AM
Yesterday, 2 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Shelduck, 2 Kingfisher and 1 Peregrine.
Simon W and Simon J.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 21st of May 2016 10:24:21 AM
Could only find a single Dunlin.
Cheers Ian