A crisp cold morning was followed by an a late afternoon Starling murmuration and an evening with partially clear skies for watching the Geminid Meteor shower from No.3 bed. Early highlights included: 7 Goldeneyes on the Weir Pool, 800 Teal out on the ice of a largely frozen No.3 bed, along with 4 Snipe, 3 Water Rails, 2 Black-tailed Godwits and 17 Moorhens. Roughly 8,000 Starlings then put on a nice display at dusk, with the usual Sparrowhawks and Tawny Owl in attendance. Best of all was the star-watching which followed, with plenty of Geminid meteors including five bright "fire-balls" which really lit up the night sky. As an added bonus, the International Space Station also passed over.


Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Al Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Les Jones and my intrepid sky-watching companions, Joan and Philip Bowman, Diane Shepherd and George Dunbar)

With a hard frost, clear skies and an overnight full moon, the omens for the morning's birding were excellent. Sure enough, we flushed a Woodcock from by the entrance barrier and then Kelly picked up a Weasel under the Morgan Hide feeders. Although the majority of the water on No.3 bed was frozen, the remaining wildfowl, including 330 Teal, were working hard to keep a couple of pools open. A Cetti's Warbler then flew in front of the hide and a Water Rail also flew by. Heading off the bed a Kingfisher showed well from the footbridge. A quick stop at the Weir Pool produced 6 Goldeneyes among the commoner wildfowl. On No.1 bed Mike Baron caught and ringed a large pale Redpoll, probably a Common Redpoll, among the many Lesser Redpolls he'd caught. At Bollin Point a pair of Mandarin's were a good find among the hundreds of Mallard and Tufted Ducks. Altogether, a really great morning.

Cheers David (with Al Warford, Sue Haddock, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Kelly Ainsworth, Diane Shepherd and George Dunbar)

The highlight of this morning on No.3 bed was a nice Siberian Chiffchaff, caught and ringed by Kieran Foster and the ringing team. This is only the second to be ringed on the Reserve. They also ringed 13 new Teal, making 28 in the last two sessions. Other sightings included: 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Water Rails, 2 Snipe, 400 Teal, 60 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 40 Linnets, 60 Greenfinches, 20 Goldfinches, 80 Chaffinches, 14 Redwings, 10 Reed Buntings, 1 Goldcrest and 8 Bullfinches.

Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Brian Martin, Al Warford, Les Jones and Diane Shepherd)

On a pleasant, sunny morning we started and ended on No.3, completing a Common Bird Survey on No.4 bed inbetween. Highlights were: 27 Snipe, 230 Teal, 128 Chaffinches, 135 Linnets, 6 Wigeon, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Goldcrests, 4 Sparrowhawks, 145 Gadwall, 15 Bullfinches, 2 Willow Tits and 3 Reed Buntings.

Cheers David (with David Spencer, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Diane Shepherd and George Dunbar)

-- Edited by DavidBowman on Saturday 22nd of November 2014 01:52:46 PM

Managed to squeeze in an hour's birding between two meetings this morning. From the Morgan Hide, 2 Goldeneyes, 2 Water Rails, 9 Wigeon, 2 Black-tailed Godwits and 12 Snipe were the main sightings. Interestingly, maybe due to the shallower water levels in autumn, there have been more Black-headed Gulls this year, staying and feeding after the breeding season. A group of 25 was co-operatively plunge-diving this morning.

Cheers David

We made the best of this morning's clear skies, covering from No.3 bed to Bollin Point and back before it started to drizzle. Highlights were: 588 Fieldfares, 312 Redwings, 540 Starlings, 400 Teal, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Goldeneye, 2 Siskins, 6 Lesser Redpolls, 35 Linnets, 14 Goldcrests, 1 Willow Tit, 1 Peregrine, 2 Water Rails and 4 Sparrowhawks.

Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Al Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Les Jones and George Dunbar)

A pleasant couple of hours on No.3 bed this morning, with a short flurry of excitement when a gull, showing characteristics of Ring-billed, touched down briefly before flying west. Noticeably stockier, longer-winged and paler than an adjacent Common Gull, it showed a pale iris and strong bill-band. Didn't have time to check all fieldmarks, so it'll have to stay as a "possible". Otherwise, 15 Golden Plover flew over to the east, along with 50 Fieldfares and 23 Skylarks, with 7 Black-tailed Godwits still present.

Cheers David (with David Spencer)

Went onto No.3 bed on a nice, sunny morning, intending to do a bit of photography. Pink-footed Geese were passing over, with c.1,450 heading east in an hour. 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Snipe, 2 Water Rails, 210 Teal, 25 Shoveler, 40 Gadwall and 2 Goldeneyes (reported by David Spencer at the Weir Pool) were the early highlights. Then went to the Linley Hide, where I was surprised to see a Woodcock feeding out in the open. Grabbed my camera to find that my battery was flat, as was my spare - typical!

Cheers David

A rewarding session of Visible Migration watching from the top of Butchersfield Tip this morning. Clear skies and unseasonally warm temperatures made for good visibility, with just a slight haze over towards Winter Hill. Highlights were: 5,000 Starlings, 4,176 Woodpigeons, 635 Fieldfares, 487 Redwings, 505 Pink-footed Geese 88 Skylarks, 2 Siskins and 10 Redpolls.

Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Les Jones and George Dunbar)

A very productive morning creating channels and pools in front of the "Tower Hide" on No.3 bed. Grateful thanks to all those who turned up to help and made an arduous job a whole lot easier. Should be good for waders, rails (even crakes) now. Birds noted during the morning included: 19 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Redshank, 1 Pintail, 2 Wigeons, 1 Snipe, 37 Redwings, 12 Skylarks, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 3 Sparrowhawks and 6 Buzzards.

Cheers David

We'll be doing a morning's reed cutting on No.3 bed next Tuesday. The aim is to improve the feeding for birds (and the viewing for visitors) in front of one of the hides. We'll start and finish with some birding. If you fancy helping, you don't have to be a permit holder, just let me know.

Cheers David

Had a contractor's meeting this morning, looking at work to be done on Nos.1 and 4 beds over the autumn/winter. Some nice sightings during the meetings and finished with a nice hour in the Morgan Hide. On No.4 bed, 16 Snipe and 30 Teal and a couple of Redwings flushed as we walked onto the Loop. No.1 bed was mainly notable for c.200 Fly Agaric toadstools spread across the area of birch scrub. No.3 bed had 200 Teal, 2 Shelducks, 70 Goldfinches, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Snipe and an unusual 25 Skylarks which flewlow, staight over the hide heading west.

Cheers David (with David Spencer and Brian Ankers)

Went on to No.3 bed yesterday during the height of the storm, hoping for a wind-blown seabird. We've had petrels and skuas in similar conditions in past years but no luck this time. Despite the howling wind, rain and sleet there was plenty to see from the shelter of the Morgan Hide. Most notable were 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Water Rails, 8 Wigeon and a few Snipe, feeding happily alongside the hundreds of other wildfowl.

Cheers David

Was supposed to go vis miging from Winter Hill this morning, with David Spencer and Simon Warford. Unfortunately, two urgent site meetings at Woolston got in the way. Went down early onto No.3 bed instead to do my own vis mig and had a great morning, with clear blue skies. 803 Redwings, 90 Pink-footed Geese and 780 Woodpigeons went south in two hours, with a few Meadow Pipits and Skylarks, too. Of the local birds, 51 Snipe, 2 Water Rails, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Willow Tits, 3 different Sparrowhawks and 220 Teal were the pick.

Cheers David

Not a bad option, Pete

Thanks Dave I know where you mean now I bet it's a fantastic panorama for watching migrations the only problem with Saturdays for me is I go to the pub on Friday nights so early starts are a no no a cup of tea newspaper and a buttered tea cake is the norm

-- Edited by Pete Astles on Sunday 12th of October 2014 07:14:17 PM

Hi Pete, it's at the eastern extreme of the Reserve, adjacent to No.1 bed. Unfortunately, the Ship Canal Co won't allow access to permit holders unless accompanied by a warden, for health and sfety reasons. You'd be welcome to come with us any Saturday morning if you fancy it. The area of the River Mersey with the Mandarins is viewable from the permissive footpath on the north bank of the river, though.

Cheers David

Where is butchers field tip Dave ?

With mainly blue skies, this morning was ideal for the monthy session of Visible Migration watching from the heights of Butchersfield Tip. A pair of Manadarins on the river was an excellent local record, while the migrant highlights included: 3 Swallows, 895 Pink-footed Geese, 233 Meadow Pipits, 175 Skylarks, 26 Pied Wagtails, 1209 Woodpigeons, 122 Linnets, 27 Blackbirds and 47 Song Thrushes. More local movements included: 2 Yellowhammers, 5 Goldcrests, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 4 Reed Buntings and 388 Lapwings. A lunchtime session on No.3 bed then produced 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Water Rails, 30 Snipe and 2 Wigeon.

Cheers David (with Dave Steel, Al Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Les Jones, Ste Dodd, Helen Allan, Kelly Ainsworth and George Dodd)

Despite the persistent rain and windy conditions, we had a very rewarding morning on No.3 bed. A juvenile Hobby was present for an extended period, mobbing Buzzard and Sparrowhawk, flushing Lapwings and perching to give good scope views. One Green Sandpiper, 18 Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Snipe, 2 Water Rails, 9 Wigeon and a Kingfisher were other good sightings from the Morgan Hide.

Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Al Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Helen Allan and George Dunbar)

13 Black-tailed Godwits, 21 Snipe, 1 Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher and 5 Swallows on No.3 bed this afternoon.

Cheers David

Highlights of today were the two new Cetti's Warblers, ringed by Kieran Foster et al on No.3 bed this morning, both juveniles, a male and a female. This makes four for the autumn in three weeks, so far, making it the best year yet. Also in No.3 bed were two Water Rails, showing well in front of the Morgan Hide, as was a single Green Sandpiper. At the eastern end of the Reserve, a light passage of 62 Meadow Pipits and 26 Swallows, along with 15 Song Thrushes, were the main signs of migration. As usual, small numbers of Yellowhammers, Reed Buntings and Skylarks were feeding on the arable land by Rixton Paddocks.

Cheers David (with David Spencer, Al Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Diane Shepherd and George Dunbar)

Another very productive autumn morning, covering from No.3 bed to Rixton Paddocks. The highlights were: 1 Cetti's Warbler (a female ringed by K.Foster et al), 3 Green Sandpipers, 40 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Water Rails, 2 Kingfishers, 3 Yellowhammers, 1 Pintail, 17 Wigeons, 23 Snipe, 260 Lapwings, 6 Goldcrests, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 44 Blackbirds, 22 Song Thrushes, 1 Coal Tit, 5 Blackcaps, 10 Chiffchaffs, 12 Skylarks and 1 Nuthatch.


Cheers David (with David Spencer, Al Warford, Helen Allan and George Dunbar)

A couple of hours on No.3 bed this afternoon produced 1 Hobby, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 31 Snipe, 250 Lapwings, 9 Wigeon and 5 Swallows.

Cheers David

No3 Bed ( 17.45-19.00)

4 Green Sandpipers, 3 Snipe, 7 Black Tailed Godwits, 168 Lapwings and 2 Little Grebes.

Gadwall and Teal are back en-masse, Shoveler in lesser numbers, with just 2 Tufted Ducks.

Moorhens appear to have had a good year with adults and juveniles on virtually every exposed bit of mud.

The godwits were feeding in the the middle of the bed, as the water level seems quite low, ideal for waders, although as I left the heavens opened.

Our morning started really well on No.3 bed, with 4 Green Sandpipers, 2 Greenshanks and a female Garganey, picked up by David Spencer in front of the Morgan Hide. It then showed well, on and off, all morning. We then did the monthly Wildfowl Count for Nos.1 and 2 beds, including Bollin Point. Other sightings of interest included: 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Peregrines, 13 Wigeon,c.200 Lapwings, 4 Snipe, 112 House Martins, 1 Sand Martin and 89 Swallows.

Cheers David (with David Spencer, Al Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Helen Allan, Ste Dodd, Diane Shepherd and George Dunbar)

On a beautiful, warm morning there were planty of butterflies and dragonlies around. The latter were being carried high on thermals, so it was no surprise to see two Hobbies hawking high to the east of No.3 bed. Four Green Sandpipers were reported from earlier in the morning and one was still showing by mid-morning. The usual Kingfisher kept visiting its perch in front of the Morgan Hide and a flock of 70 Shovelers were flushed from the back of the bed. Gadwall were everywhere, which is hardly surprising in the light of the recent record count of c.850.

Cheers David (with David Spencer)

This morning's Visible Migration Watch from Butchersfield Tip started well when a Hobby took a Swallow over the No.1 bed roost site. Despite the early drizzle, we slowly accumulated some decent counts, with the highlights being: 1 Swift, 210 Swallows, 140 House Martins, 4 Ravens, 1 Hobby, 5 Kestrels, 6 Sparrowhawks, 12 Common Buzzards, 5 Grey Partridges (on the fields to the north), 1 Kingfisher, 29 Chiffchaffs and 4 Goldcrests.

Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Diane Shepherd and George Dunbar)

17.00-19.20 (In light rain)

Woolston Weir Pool

12 Tufted Duck & 1 Pochard

No3 Bed

1 juv Black Necked Grebe, 4 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1m+1f Sparrowhawk, 2 Jays, 1 Water Rail, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Lapwing.

Lots of hirundines, mainly Swallows, but a few House and Sand Martins too were swooping low over the water.

Ducks appear to have returned in good numbers, with masses of Gadwall, lesser numbers of Teal and just a couple of Shoveler.

Greenfinches are back on the feeders en-masse, and a couple of Goldfinches were flushed off the meadow by a large female Sparrowhawk.

Thursday 28th Aug. Highlights seen from John Morgan Hide: good views of 2 Black Tailed Godwit & 1 Spotted Redshank end of 2nd scrape, seen at 1pm followed by Kingfisher at 1.30pm, first on front perch nearest hide and then visited other perches before returning to nearest perch.

Tonights highlights included: a probable Spotted Crake, reported from the Rotary Hide at 8.00 pm by David Benson, which we couldn't relocate in the fading light, 1 Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpipers, 1 Snipe, 1 Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Black-necked Grebe juveniles, 3 Wigeon, 25 Swifts and 2 Badgers. The Swallow roost seems to have broken up, with just a couple of hundred gathering before heading off.

Cheers David (with David Spencer, Greg Baker, Barbara Baker, Ste Dodd, Diane Shepherd and George Dunbar)

With reports of Spotted Redshank, Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart and Tree Pipit, last night/this morning at Woolston, and hoards of Swallows and the odd Swifts passing south over my house today, it looks like a good evening to be down on No.3 bed. I'll be dashing down at 4.00 pm ish and staying till dark if anyone fancies it.

Cheers David

Woke early and went onto No.3 bed for a couple of hours at dawn. With 2,000 Swallows leaving the roost, it was no surprise to see a Hobby cutting through them. A Little Egret also left not long afterwards, heading west. On the scrape both Green Sandpiper and Water Rail gave good views, while overhead 3 Swifts headed south. Could only find 1 juvenile Black-necked Grebe, as post-breeding dispersal is now almost complete.

Cheers David

After a week of being holed up with a medical problem, it was good to get out again. A morning of sunshine and heavy showers on No.3 bed, taking it easy, resulted in notable sightings of : 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Snipe, 2 Kingfishers, 1 Wigeon and 4 Swifts. Once again, the Kingfisher was regularly on the perch in front of the Morgan Hide and at one point two Kingfishers were on the same perch. Yesterday evening, the roost of c.2,000 Swallows attracted a Hobby (per K. Foster), though there was no sign of the Marsh Harrier or Greenshank from earlier in the week.

Cheers David (with David Spencer, Brian Baird and Ste Dodd)

Another good morning, roaming from No.3 bed as far east as Bollin Point. Highlights were: a fly-over Little Egret, 3 Black-necked Grebes , 3 Snipe and a Green Sandpiper, 2 Tawny Owls and 3 Garden Warblers (these latter three records from Kieran Foster et al) all from No.3 bed. Heart-in-the-mouth moment also came from No.3 bed, when the Kingfisher which has adopted the new perch in front of the Morgan Hide, came within a talon's breadth of being snatched by one of the local Sparrowhawks. At the eastern end of the Reserve, possible three different Peregrines, including an immature bird, may well have been from the local breeding site.

Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Les Jones, Helen Allan, Ste Dodd, Diane Shepherd and George Dunbar)

Managed to squeeze in some birding before and after a site meeting on No.3 bed. Migration was evident with 4 Tree Pipits, 1 Common Sandpiper and 2 Little Ringed Plovers on the Morgan Hide scrape at various times - (David Spencer also reported a Green Sandpiper from the Loop of No.4 bed.) Overhead, 60 Swifts, 55 House Martins and a few Sand Martins and Swallows were feeding, while a Sparrowhawk scattered the 60 Greenfinches plus Willow and other tits from the feeders. As we've just had a perch put at the water's edge, to give everyone close views of Kingfisher, it was pleasing to see it in constant use all morning .

Brief visit to No 3 Bed (10.00-11.30)

2 Buzzards, 4 adult + 1 juvenile Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Bullfinch, 10 Pochard and 12+ Swifts.

1 adult + 1 juvenile Black Necked Grebes & a pair of juvenile 'Alba' Wagtails

Lots of House & Sand Martins over the water, but very few Swallows.

Masses of Greenfinches on the feeders, also in the reed bed and collecting seeds of the scrape, lesser numbers of Chaffinches too.

12+ Goldfinches feeding on Creeping Thistle heads.

1 Kingfisher showing really well from the J.Morgan hide.

1 Red Underwing moth resting on the metal work of the footbridge.

We went onto No.3 bed this morning hoping for the odd passage wader to be brought in by the rain (there was an unconfirmed report of a Spotted Redshank from yesterday) but no such luck. Black-necked Grebe numbers are reducing as birds start to disperse and 1 Water Rail, 2 Kingfishers, 60 Swifts, 151 Coot, 11 teal, 3 Snipe, 40 Lapwings, 15 Swallows, 40 House Martins and 5 Sand Martins were notable sightings.

Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Paul Hazlehurst, Les Jones, Helen Allan and Diane Shepherd)

Another relaxed evening in the Morgan Hide, watching young badgers under the feeders. The birding was decent too, with plenty of Black-necked Grebes, single Pintail and Wigeon among the masses of wildfowl, 4 Snipe dropping in, 60 Swifts feeding with a few House and Sand Martins and 500 Swallows coming in to roost. Best of all was a Hobby making a high speed pass at a Soprano Pipistrelle bat as the light was fading.

Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Paul Hazelhurst, Jane Cullen, Ste Dodd, George Dunbar and Diane Shepherd)

On a roasting hot day we made an early start on No.3 bed, where sightings included: 23 Black-necked Grebes (9 adults and 14 juveniles), 2 Water Rails, 2 Snipe, 2 Kingfishers, 20 Swifts and a juvenile Teal. Then onto No.1 bed for a butterfly survey. Highlights of this were: a Clouded Yellow (possibly two), 224 Common Blues, 95 Peacocks, 116 Gatekeepers, 55 Meadow Browns, 3 Painted Ladies, 2 Speckled Woods, 1 Large Skipper, 42 Small Whites, 5 Large Whites, 14 Green-veined Whites, 2 Small Coppers, 6 Small Tortoiseshells, 2 Red Admirals, 2 Commas and 14 Small Skippers. Dragonflies for the day included: 5 Emperors, 4 Brown Hawkers, 1 Migrant Hawker, 32 Ruddy Darters, 4 Four-spotted Chasers, 5 Black-tailed Skimmers, 7 Red-eyed Damselflies, 2 Emerald Damselflies and scores of the commoner Damselflies.

Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Paul Hazelhurst, Les Jones, Ste Dodd, George Dunbar, Jane Cullen, Helen Allan and her friend Kelly)

Brief visit till it got too hot. Near the john Morgan hide on no.3 bed there is a very large tree like shrub, from which was active with warblers including garden and willow. However, one was a lovely warm brown and had a rounded tail and only showed for a long 30 seconds. It could only have been a cetti's warbler! Just before leaving, a black necked grebe showed very close in front of the sybil hide. Leaving me half hour to get back to the padgate station, (did it in 15 mins). Well worth it!!

Several Badgers were again showing well in front of the Morgan Hide last night. A small Swallow roost, of about 350 birds, has now formed, along with c.50 roosting Starlings. We also completed our second bat survey on No.3 bed, locating c.12 Soprano Pipistrelles, 3 Common Pipistrelles, 3 Noctules and 1 possible Daubenton's Bat.

Cheers David (along with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Kenny McNiffe, Ste Dodd, Helen Allan and George Dunbar)

08.30-10.45

Weir Lane

A flock of 14 House Sparrows

Weir Pool

A pair of Great Crested Grebes with 2 small young. 4 Pochard.

Ship Canal

1 Kingfisher and 1 Common Sandpiper.

No.3 Bed

6 Black Necked Grebes, 6 Little Grebes + 2 youngsters being fed by a parent, 7 Great Crested Grebes + 1 juvenile & 2 small youngsters.

1 Buzzard and 3 adult + 11 young Shelduck. Just 2 Swallows through, and they were speeding South.

Masses of Peacock butterflies, especially around the Buddelias. Also lots of Gatekeeper and Speckled Wood, plus 4 Red Admiral, 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Small Skippers

and a single Meadow Brown.

Lots of hawker dragonflies, but I didn't identify which species, however a single female Banded Demoiselle damselfly on the meadow looked really resplendent.

Went onto No.3 bed this evening, mainly planning to do a bat survey. Arrived to find two young badgers foraging in front of the Morgan Hide and they stayed in view for the whole evening. 220 Gadwall and 45 Coot were out on the water and 160 Swifts were skimming low until they were scattered by a hunting Hobby. Four Little Ringed Plovers were still on the scrape in front of the hide. At dusk a Tawny Owl came in to land on top of the feeders, scaring the life out of one of the badgers. Then did a wander round the bed and counted 12 Soprano Pipistrelles and 3 Daubenton's Bats. Altogether, a really pleasant evening.

Cheers David

A rewarding few hours on No.3 bed this afternoon produced 12 summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Little Ringed Plovers and a Common Tern, along with 30 Black-necked Grebes (inc. 13 juveniles).

Cheers David

Managed a few hours birding on No.3 bed, either side of another Balsam-pulling session. On the plus side, a tenth brood of Black-necked Grebes and on the minus side a Lesser Black-backed Gull gobbling down a well-grown Little Grebe chick. The level of predation by these large gulls, which are now breeding close to the Reserve has been alarming this year, with the Black-headed Gull colony particularly bearing the brunt. Other sighting of interest were: 1 juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 5 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 85 Gadwall, 1 Sparrowhawk carrying prey in the direction of a known nest-site and 45 Swifts.

Cheers David (with David Spencer, Brian Martin and Brian Baird)

Despite the odd bit of drizzle, we had another productive morning, covering Nos.1, 3 and 4 beds. Highlights were: plenty of Black-necked Grebes with young, a Garden Warbler in full song, 4 Little Ringed Plovers (inc. 2 flying young), 2 returning Snipe, 1 Water Rail, 2 Kingfishers, and proving breeding for the Peregrines.

Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Al Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Les Jones, Dave Goulding and Helen Allan)

After another go at pulling Himalayan Balsam on No.3 bed, Al Warford and I spent a relaxed couple of hours scanning the broods on No.3 bed. It's already looking like a decent breeding season, with a 7th brood of Black-necked Grebes appearing, a good handful of Pochard and Tufted broods, a new brood of Little Grebes and 3 pairs of Little Ringed Plovers likely to have bred across the whole reserve.

Cheers David

Interesting reading Dave, thanks for sharing your visits to the reserve.

Another very enjoyable morning, first monitoring wildfowl broods on No.3 bed and then counting dragonflies around the "New Pool" on No.1 bed. Still 5 broods of Black-necked Grebes showing well, with more expected by the day. These have been joined by a new brood of Little Grebe and 4 new broods of Tufted Duck. An interesting, though not entirely welcome sighting was of Common Buzzard landing on a Black-headed Gull nest and scoffing the young. I've suspected this for a while because of the panic in the gull population whenever a Buzzard passes over but hadn't observed it till today. On No.1 bed, 2 broods of Kestrel were some compensation for the fact that the Peregrines were showing no signs of having young. Dragonflies were plentiful, though not yet at peak numbers. Species recorded included: Emperor Dragonfly, Black-tailed Skimmer, Four-spotted and Broad-bodied Chaser, Common Darter, Azure, Emerald, Blue-tailed, Red-eyed and Common Blue Damselflies, along with Banded Demoiselle.

Cheers David (along with Paul Hazlehurst, Helen Allan and Ste Dodd)

-- Edited by DavidBowman on Saturday 21st of June 2014 02:53:51 PM