3 Dunlin 3 Ringed plover Curlew 3 Oystercatcher Common Sandpiper 12 Swift 40+ House Martin 2 Wheatear - male and female by the creek Sedge Warbler Whitethroat Reed Warbler singing coney green 2 Lesser whitethroat - Coran Stud and below pump house
brian fielding said
Mon Apr 25 12:11 PM, 2016
This morning before rush to audenshaw, 3 dunlin,
1 curlew, 1 common tern and 1 swift.
Simon Johnson said
Sun Apr 24 8:11 PM, 2016
evening visit
Arrived to find someone stuck in the mud in front of the sailing club waist deep...2 fire engines 2 ambulances and 3 other emergency vehicles all present trying to get them out. Even with this happening there were still people trying to walk right on the waters edge oblivious to the danger of the mud. At one point the sailing club had to make a tannoy announcement warning people to stay off the shore. Guess people don't like sticking to the paths!
still a few birds about which included:
Dunlin, 4 Ringed plover, Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher and 2 Gadwall on the res.
6 Swift, 30+ House Martin, 150+ Swallow, 250+ Sand Martin, Wheatear, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, 8 Blackcap, 2 Pheasant, Common Gull and 3 Herring Gull over
Paul Wilson said
Sat Apr 23 2:00 PM, 2016
Early morning mostly with Ian Campbell - Highlights of a total of 53 species seen were:
Reed warbler singing near the reeds between the canal and the old railway junction just before the big red bridge.
Simon Warford said
Fri Apr 22 9:49 PM, 2016
This evening, 3 Ringed Plovers, 2 Swift, 500+ Sand Martin and 1 Lesser Whitethroat.
Simon Johnson said
Fri Apr 22 3:52 PM, 2016
Early morning
Sedge Warbler - wader point 2 Whitethroat Lesser Whitethroat -crow tree Ringed Plover 2 Common Sandpiper 4 Oystercatcher 4 Gadwall 3 House Martin
Richard Thew said
Fri Apr 22 10:59 AM, 2016
The 1st swift has arrived. Currently over old hall marsh.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Apr 21 11:16 PM, 2016
Unfortunately, an increase in 'antisocial behaviour' at this site has been prominent of late, due in the main to a certain individual (or individuals) who are currently residing very close to the reservoir.
Could I please ask visitors to this site to report any instances of antisocial or criminal behaviour to the Police immediately. Ignoring the problem will not make it go away but building at case, even if that comes in the way of collating a multitude of complaints, may well be a means to an end.
The Police have already recently been called out to an instance of 'an individual' discharging a firearm around the reservoir (in this instance it was an air rifle which remains an offence in a public place but who's to know what type of weapon it actually is!?) and they took the matter very seriously. Whilst minor disturbance can be reported to the Police via the non-emergency 101 number, I would suggest that anything which could seriously endanger wildlife or indeed the public (and I include tearing around footpaths or public areas on quad bikes in that; imagine one of those striking a pet or child, not to mention an adult) should be reported via 999. Try to obtain a reference (crime) number if possible so the amount of complaints can be collated. Note also that all information provided to the Police is confidential.
This post is of course purposefully vague in its direction towards any particular individual or indeed area of the reservoir but anyone requiring any further information should not hesitate to contact me.
Ian
Simon Johnson said
Thu Apr 21 9:40 PM, 2016
This evening
6 Gadwall (3 pairs) 6 Common Sandpiper Wheatear Oystercatcher
Ian Campbell said
Thu Apr 21 11:56 AM, 2016
This a.m. with Steven and Malcolm, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Oystercatcher and 4 Gadwall at the res. 1 Whitethroat below pumphouse. 1 Lesser Whitethroat along canal near Corran Stud and a Tawny Owl near the "hospital". Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Wed Apr 20 12:12 PM, 2016
This a.m. the colour ringed Common Sandpiper was not seen, present were 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin and 1 Common Tern. Cheers Ian
Simon Warford said
Tue Apr 19 8:29 PM, 2016
Of interest the colour ringed Common Sandpiper from 17th April (which was still present this evening per Simon Johnson), was ringed in Pontevedra, Spain on 17th September 2014 and its presence at Elton is the first time its been seen since. It is thought to be at least five years old.
6 Dunlin 2 Common Sandpiper Ringed Plover Redshank heard Curlew 2 Oystercatcher 5 Wheatear - wader point 4 White Wagtail 3 Lesser Whitethroat singing - Crow tree farm, below withins and wader point 3 Gadwall 2 House martin 150+ Sand Martin 30+ Swallow 3 Jay
not going to say too much but a warning to be vigilant in the Withins area
Simon Warford said
Sun Apr 17 5:32 PM, 2016
On closer inspection the new Common Sandpiper had four colour rings on its right leg, red above the knee, and below the knee red above green above yellow and a metal ring on left leg, the bird actually seemed irritated by the rings and was pecking at them from time to time, trying to find out details on it.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 17th of April 2016 05:33:20 PM
evening visit - joined by Simon Warford - still plenty of waders present
16 Ringed Plover 13 Little Ringed Plover Green Sandpiper 10 Dunlin 2 Redshank 3 Oystercatcher 500+ Sand martin 7 House Martin Wheatear - male highland cow field
on withins Pink-footed goose Greylag Goose
Steven Higginbottom said
Tue Apr 12 3:35 PM, 2016
14:00-15:15pm of note 15 Ringed Plover 12 Dunlin 7 Little Ringed Plover 1 Common Sandpiper 2 Wheatear's 2 Gadwall 1 White Wagtail 1 Blackcap 6 Willow Warblers 2 Chiffchaff 30+ Swallows moving through 50+ Sand Martin's
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Tuesday 12th of April 2016 10:45:44 PM
Green and common sandpipers still present when I left at 10.15.also 2 ringed plovers and 3 little ringed plovers, gadwall, teal and goldeneye, oystercatcher and house martins.water level very low and set to get even better with a further 1.7 metres of water to be pumped out due to on going repairs.
Simon Warford said
Tue Apr 12 9:54 AM, 2016
Also at first light, 2 male Wheatear along shoreline between Creek and Wader Point.
Richard Thew said
Tue Apr 12 8:13 AM, 2016
Main thing to note first thing is a common Sandpiper and a green sandpiper in front of Sailing Club. Slightly Disappointing somewhat otherwise.
Simon Warford said
Mon Apr 11 8:50 PM, 2016
Remarkable evening with Peter Baron's very happy birdwatching class, 5.30pm till dusk. Highlights were 10 Little Gulls (8 adults and 2 first summers) that dropped in around 7.50pm and stayed till dusk, the highest ever count at Elton. Also 3 Arctic Terns, 1 Common Tern, Green Sandpiper still, 2 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 11 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Gadwall and 1 Buzzard.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Monday 11th of April 2016 09:35:16 PM
Steven Higginbottom said
Mon Apr 11 2:24 PM, 2016
1 Common Tern first seen at 11:15am photographs attached 1 Singing male Blackcap 3 Little Ringed Plover 1 Green Sandpiper
This morning so far, 1 green sandpiper,2 little ringed plover, 1 wheatear, 4 gadwall, 2 goldeneye, 1 house martin, 2 oystercatcher, also Arctic or common tern in front of sailing club found by Steve higginbotham.
Richard Thew said
Mon Apr 11 11:05 AM, 2016
green sandpiper in front of Sailing Club.
David Boulger said
Sun Apr 10 12:51 PM, 2016
For info - last year the Little Owl nest box (I shan't say specifically where so as to protect it) was 'commandeered' by a stock dove. This years new residents are either kestrels or sparrow hawks - not quite been able to tell from my window yet as not particularly an expert on these things.
Update - 99% sure they are kestrels (but would welcome an expert view). Had the privilege today of watching 3 of them engaged in some spectacular (and vey vocal) courtship behaviours before mating. All 3 remaining within the vicinity.
-- Edited by David Boulger on Sunday 10th of April 2016 12:59:37 PM
brian fielding said
Sun Apr 10 11:36 AM, 2016
This morning, 1 redstart, male on main path at the back of capsticks, 1 wheatear, 3 little ringed plover, 5 oystercatcher, 1 house Martin, 2 gadwall, 4 blackcap.
Steven Higginbottom said
Sat Apr 9 10:38 AM, 2016
06:20-10:20am 1 Linnet (first for me this year at Elton ) 4 Wheatear 1 Meadow Pipit 14 Teal ( 8 Elton Res 6 Withins ) 2 Gadwall 2 Shoveler 1 Goldeneye 1 Goosander ( On River Orwell ) 3 Oystercatchers 40+ Sand martin's 3 Swallows 2 Willow Warblers 1 Chiffchaff 6 Skylarks 1 Kestrel
Cheers Steven
Simon Warford said
Fri Apr 8 9:48 PM, 2016
male Ring Ouzel still present at 7.30pm, in hedge and juncus along the top edge of Old Hall Marsh, also 6 Wheatears, 15 Willow Warblers, 5 Little Ringed Plovers and 1 Greylag Goose around the whole Elton recording area.
Simon Warford said
Fri Apr 8 6:04 PM, 2016
Cracking male Ring Ouzel Old Hall Farm marsh with 4 Wheatear 6pm. Elton Rarity!!!
This morning, 1 house martin, 3 shelduck, 1 redshank, 3 little ringed plover, 2 wheatear, 6 willow warbler, goldeneye and teal still present,.2 oystercatcher.
Paul Wilson said
Mon Apr 4 11:32 PM, 2016
Rob Creek wrote:
Also thought it worth mentioning... I've never seen Elton water levels so low and the question was asked by those present and passers by if it was being drained, and it looks like there's a bit of clearing out of some of the hedgerow below the Pumphouse that holds a lot of the migrants in the autumn, making some kind of a driveway. Hope it doesn't affect them too much.
The reservoir has been drained slowly over the past few months. The ground behind the dam wall has been slipping for some time and it is going to be repaired shortly. Some of the hedgerow has been removed and a roadway built (temporary) in order to get the machinery in place to perform the repairs. I don't think there will be much more water drained and hopefully the area between the pumphouse and the sailing club will recover over the next couple of years.
-- Edited by Paul Wilson on Monday 4th of April 2016 11:35:11 PM
Rob Creek said
Mon Apr 4 8:19 PM, 2016
Late post for Sunday morning approx 10am - 1.30pm
- Little Gull (a Lifer in this plumage and good prolonged views only ever having seen a juvenile at the end of Pennington Flash spit and not brilliant views way out to see at Spurn). Was showing well, albeit sometimes distant but easily picked out in flight with its small size and dark underwings. Sometimes was even flycatching whilst sat on the water.
Other birds of note... - Gadwall 2 - Goldeneye 10 in total - Oystercatcher 6 seen (possibly same 2 seen 3x ?) - Grey Wagtail 1 - Pied Wagtail 4 - Meadow Pipit 15-20 - Greenfinch 3m - Chiffchaff 1 seen, 4 heard in different locations - Robin 4 together back of sailing club - Sand Martin, big numbers up high then dropped down over the water, then all vanished. - Swallow 10+
Also thought it worth mentioning... I've never seen Elton water levels so low and the question was asked by those present and passers by if it was being drained, and it looks like there's a bit of clearing out of some of the hedgerow below the Pumphouse that holds a lot of the migrants in the autumn, making some kind of a driveway. Hope it doesn't affect them too much.
evening visit after the rain - which had dropped some waders
Redshank (finally) Dunlin Ringed Plover 8 Little Ringed plover 8 Oystercatcher 2 Gadwall 2 Teal 2 Goosander 4 Goldeneye 2 Wheatear - male and female in highland cow field below pump house 3 Willow Warbler (2 withins and 1 near creek)
2 White Wagtail and a Redwing at coney green
Steven Higginbottom said
Mon Apr 4 3:47 PM, 2016
14:50-15:20pm Quick check after work 1 Willow Warbler in hedge behind sailing club 1 Willow Tit 3 Chiffchaff Singing 2 Little ringed plover 3 GoldenEye
Cheers Steven
brian fielding said
Mon Apr 4 10:53 AM, 2016
Also this morning, 7 oystercatcher, 2 little ringed plover, 2 ringed plover, 6 greylag geese, 1 kingfisher, at least 10 swallow.
Richard Thew said
Mon Apr 4 8:03 AM, 2016
One shelduck (drake) early this morning And 2 wheatears along the wall section.
Richard Thew said
Sun Apr 3 1:45 PM, 2016
2nd summer little gull still present between wader point and the creek.
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Sunday 3rd of April 2016 02:41:03 PM
3 Dunlin
3 Ringed plover
Curlew
3 Oystercatcher
Common Sandpiper
12 Swift
40+ House Martin
2 Wheatear - male and female by the creek
Sedge Warbler
Whitethroat
Reed Warbler singing coney green
2 Lesser whitethroat - Coran Stud and below pump house
Arrived to find someone stuck in the mud in front of the sailing club waist deep...2 fire engines 2 ambulances and 3 other emergency vehicles all present trying to get them out. Even with this happening there were still people trying to walk right on the waters edge oblivious to the danger of the mud. At one point the sailing club had to make a tannoy announcement warning people to stay off the shore. Guess people don't like sticking to the paths!
still a few birds about which included:
Dunlin, 4 Ringed plover, Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher and 2 Gadwall on the res.
6 Swift, 30+ House Martin, 150+ Swallow, 250+ Sand Martin, Wheatear, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, 8 Blackcap, 2 Pheasant, Common Gull and 3 Herring Gull over
Early morning mostly with Ian Campbell - Highlights of a total of 53 species seen were:
1 Sedge Warbler - Capsticks
1 Wheatear - Creek
3 Oystercatcher
2 Gadwall
1 Redshank
1 Kingfisher
8 Blackcap
6 Chiffchaff
10+ Willow Warbler
3 Common Whitethroat
2 Lesser Whitethroat
1 Lesser Redpoll
1 Common Tern
1 Sparrowhawk
Sedge Warbler - wader point
2 Whitethroat
Lesser Whitethroat -crow tree
Ringed Plover
2 Common Sandpiper
4 Oystercatcher
4 Gadwall
3 House Martin
Could I please ask visitors to this site to report any instances of antisocial or criminal behaviour to the Police immediately. Ignoring the problem will not make it go away but building at case, even if that comes in the way of collating a multitude of complaints, may well be a means to an end.
The Police have already recently been called out to an instance of 'an individual' discharging a firearm around the reservoir (in this instance it was an air rifle which remains an offence in a public place but who's to know what type of weapon it actually is!?) and they took the matter very seriously. Whilst minor disturbance can be reported to the Police via the non-emergency 101 number, I would suggest that anything which could seriously endanger wildlife or indeed the public (and I include tearing around footpaths or public areas on quad bikes in that; imagine one of those striking a pet or child, not to mention an adult) should be reported via 999. Try to obtain a reference (crime) number if possible so the amount of complaints can be collated. Note also that all information provided to the Police is confidential.
This post is of course purposefully vague in its direction towards any particular individual or indeed area of the reservoir but anyone requiring any further information should not hesitate to contact me.
Ian
6 Gadwall (3 pairs)
6 Common Sandpiper
Wheatear
Oystercatcher
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
0715 till 0930 with ian campbell
3 common sandpiper, 5 dunlin, 1 redshank, 1 curlew, 3 wheatear, 1 gadwall.
6 Dunlin
2 Common Sandpiper
Ringed Plover
Redshank heard
Curlew
2 Oystercatcher
5 Wheatear - wader point
4 White Wagtail
3 Lesser Whitethroat singing - Crow tree farm, below withins and wader point
3 Gadwall
2 House martin
150+ Sand Martin
30+ Swallow
3 Jay
not going to say too much but a warning to be vigilant in the Withins area
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 17th of April 2016 05:33:20 PM
2 House Martin's
150+ Sand Martin's
20+ Swallows
2 Common Terns
4 Gadwall
1Dunlin
2 Ringed plover
2 Oystercatchers
Cheers Steven
Cheers Ian
1 Dunlin and 3 Ringed Plover still present
1 Redshank
2 Shelduck
4 Teal
4 Gadwall
1 Common Tern
1 White Wagtail
3 Buzzard
25 Swallows
5 House Martin
Lesser Whitethroat singing Crow Trees
6 singing Blackcaps
15 singing Willow Warblers
Over were 3 Rook and 8 Siskin.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 16th of April 2016 12:37:28 PM
Cheers Ian
Lesser Whitethroat - canal at crow tree farm
2 Wheatear
Shelduck
4 Gadwall
2 Dunlin
3 Ringed Plover
5 Little Ringed Plover
3 Gadwall
Male Wheatear near wader point
White Wagtail
2 Dunlin
2 Ringed Plover
2 Little ringed plover
2 Oystercatchers
1 Kingfisher
2 Kestrels
14 Singing Willow warblers
3 Singing Blackcap's
4 Singing Chiffchaff's
Cheers Steven
16 Ringed Plover
13 Little Ringed Plover
Green Sandpiper
10 Dunlin
2 Redshank
3 Oystercatcher
500+ Sand martin
7 House Martin
Wheatear - male highland cow field
on withins
Pink-footed goose
Greylag Goose
15 Ringed Plover
12 Dunlin
7 Little Ringed Plover
1 Common Sandpiper
2 Wheatear's
2 Gadwall
1 White Wagtail
1 Blackcap
6 Willow Warblers
2 Chiffchaff
30+ Swallows moving through
50+ Sand Martin's
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Tuesday 12th of April 2016 10:45:44 PM
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Monday 11th of April 2016 09:35:16 PM
1 Singing male Blackcap
3 Little Ringed Plover
1 Green Sandpiper
-- Edited by David Boulger on Sunday 10th of April 2016 12:59:37 PM
1 Linnet (first for me this year at Elton )
4 Wheatear
1 Meadow Pipit
14 Teal ( 8 Elton Res 6 Withins )
2 Gadwall
2 Shoveler
1 Goldeneye
1 Goosander ( On River Orwell )
3 Oystercatchers
40+ Sand martin's
3 Swallows
2 Willow Warblers
1 Chiffchaff
6 Skylarks
1 Kestrel
Cheers Steven
2 Shoveler
5 Teal
Female Goldeneye
4 Little ringed plover
oystercatcher
3 Blackcap
10 Willow Warbler
250+ Sand Martin
12+ Swallow
1 Dunlin
6 Little Ringed Plover
1 Ringed Plover
1 Redshank
4 Oystercatchers
3 Shelduck
2 Shovelers
6 Willow Warblers
5 Chiffchaff's
3 Wheatear's ( Highland cattle field )
Cheers Steven
The reservoir has been drained slowly over the past few months. The ground behind the dam wall has been slipping for some time and it is going to be repaired shortly. Some of the hedgerow has been removed and a roadway built (temporary) in order to get the machinery in place to perform the repairs. I don't think there will be much more water drained and hopefully the area between the pumphouse and the sailing club will recover over the next couple of years.
-- Edited by Paul Wilson on Monday 4th of April 2016 11:35:11 PM
- Little Gull (a Lifer in this plumage and good prolonged views only ever having seen a juvenile at the end of Pennington Flash spit and not brilliant views way out to see at Spurn).
Was showing well, albeit sometimes distant but easily picked out in flight with its small size and dark underwings. Sometimes was even flycatching whilst sat on the water.
Other birds of note...
- Gadwall 2
- Goldeneye 10 in total
- Oystercatcher 6 seen (possibly same 2 seen 3x ?)
- Grey Wagtail 1
- Pied Wagtail 4
- Meadow Pipit 15-20
- Greenfinch 3m
- Chiffchaff 1 seen, 4 heard in different locations
- Robin 4 together back of sailing club
- Sand Martin, big numbers up high then dropped down over the water, then all vanished.
- Swallow 10+
Also thought it worth mentioning... I've never seen Elton water levels so low and the question was asked by those present and passers by if it was being drained, and it looks like there's a bit of clearing out of some of the hedgerow below the Pumphouse that holds a lot of the migrants in the autumn, making some kind of a driveway. Hope it doesn't affect them too much.
Redshank (finally)
Dunlin
Ringed Plover
8 Little Ringed plover
8 Oystercatcher
2 Gadwall
2 Teal
2 Goosander
4 Goldeneye
2 Wheatear - male and female in highland cow field below pump house
3 Willow Warbler (2 withins and 1 near creek)
2 White Wagtail and a Redwing at coney green
1 Willow Warbler in hedge behind sailing club
1 Willow Tit
3 Chiffchaff Singing
2 Little ringed plover
3 GoldenEye
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Sunday 3rd of April 2016 02:41:03 PM