Woolston Eyes

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

RE: Woolston Eyes

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Another of those special mornings at The Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve, with gorgeous skies and plenty of good birds. We started with sunrise from the Morgan Hide and, after a quick breakfast, went to stake out the No.1 bed reed-bed for Bittern. No luck with this but plenty to compensate, with 1 Cetti's Warbler,1 Peregrine Falcon actively hunting nearby, 2 Water Rails, 7 Snipe, 8 Reed Buntings, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Buzzards, 1 Redwing, 1 Kestrel and 1 Little Grebe the highlights. Then, after a quick puncture (ahem!), back onto No.3 bed for 27 Bramblings, 1 Willow Tit, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 30 Pochard, another Water Rail, 310 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Common Gull and 2 Mistle Thrushes the pick of the bunch.

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

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

A very chilled morning at The Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve, spent sitting in the Morgan Hide on No.3 bed, watching the comings and goings as most birds start to engage in pre-breeding activity. Highlights were the first Black-tailed Godwit of the year, 5 Bramblings, 1 Snipe, 10 Lesser Redpolls, 8 Reed Buntings, 75 Pochard, 56 Tufted Ducks, 5 Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Grebe, 311 Black-headed Gulls, 9 Shelducks, 12 Lapwings, 10 Shoveler, 16 Gadwall and 60 Teal.

Cheers David (with Alan Warford, Dave Steel and David Spencer)

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

It was Wildfowl Count morning today, so we started in No.3 bed before covering Nos.1 and 2 beds and as far as Bollin Point. A small Starling roost of 2,500 birds started the morning well (there is currently another larger roost of 25,000 on No.1 bed). Among the total of 61 species recorded were highlights of: 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Marsh Tit, 2 Willow Tits, 35 Bramblings, 2 Snipe,2 Goldeneye, 4 Water Rails, 2 Siskins, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Peregrines, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Buzzards, 110 Tufted Duck, 25 Pochard, 7 Shelduck, 2 Goldcrests, 8 Reed Buntings and 10 Bullfinches.

Cheers David

Jon Bowen · Status: Offline

A good hour this morning in poor weather.

38 Brambling

7 Bullfinch

40+Greenfinch

5 Goldfinch

30 Chaffinch

Marsh Tit

Reed Bunting

4 Pochard

Song Thrush

Lesser Redpoll showing close in at Morgan

Male Sparrowhawk flushed the birds off the feeder then spent 10 minutes sitting in the rain

Woodcock across the path as I had walked back to the car

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 6th of February 2016 09:42:16 PM

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

An interesting day on No.3 bed , where we'd hired a Truxor for two days. It's basically a reciprocal cutting machine, which can be used on water or in wet reed-beds to cut channels or create pools. The first day went really well and we managed to see some good birds too, with highlights of: 1 Marsh Tit, 2 Willow Tits, 12 Bramblings, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Water Rail, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Siskins, 1 Goldeneye, 120 Greenfinches, 5 Bullfinches and 110 Chaffinches.

Cheers David (with Brian Ankers, David Spencer and John Langley)

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Another really enjoyable morning, with a spring-like feel to the day. We covered No.3 bed and then walked from No.1 bed down to Bollin Point and back. In total we recorded 64 bird species, with highlights of: 1 Jack Snipe, 3 Common Snipe, 2 Willow Tits, 1 Peregrine, 4 Goldeneye, 9 Bramblings, 5 Siskins, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Kingfishers, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel, 3 Buzzards, 238 Tufted Ducks, 1 Water Rail, 405 Lapwings, 3 Reed Buntings, 21 Gadwall, 3 Shelduck, 7 Song Thrushes, 2 Fieldfares, 49 Redwings, 8 Bullfinches, 2 Pied Wagtails, 60 Greenfinches, 110 Chaffinches, 2 Linnets, 3 Skylarks, 2 Meadow Pipits, 28 Goldfinches, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Little Grebes, 42 Pochard and 8 Cormorants (including a nice one of the continental race sinensis in breeding plumage).

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

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

17.01.2015 11.30-14.30
Lesser Redpoll- 2
Great spotted Woodpecker-2
Siskin - 1 Male
Brambling -20
Marsh Tit - 1
Sparrowhawk- 1 Juvenile
Common Snipe-15
Common Buzzard -2
most of the pools were frozen ,so no water birds apart from 2 Mute Swans and a few Moorhen

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

With the first hard frost of the year we arrived to find No.3 bed mostly frozen over. As it was Wildfowl Count day we wandered, in crisp, bright sunshine, down to Bollin Point and back. With the wildfowl largely compressed into small areas of open water or on the river and canal, we still managed some decent totals. These included: 700 Teal, 8 Goldeneyes, 37 Shovelers and 280 Tufted Ducks. On the way back from Bollin Point we watched the female Peregrine flying around the Viaduct nest-site and then had a Fox trotting ahead of the car. Finch variety and volume were another feature of the day, with totals of : 30 Bramblings, 20 Siskins, 6 Lesser Redpolls, 21 Bullfinches, 100 Greenfinches and 150 Chaffinches. Finally, finishing back on No.3 bed, we added Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, 2 Ravens and a marauding male Peregrine to the day list. Very enjoyable

The video clip tries to give a flavour of the morning.

Cheers David (with David Spencer, Paul Hazlehurst. Brian Baird, Helen Allan, Les Jones and later on, Kelly Ainsworth and George Dunbar)

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Spent the afternoon on No.1 bed at The Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve and though not much was moving, what there was was of high quality. Near the viaduct the resident pair of Peregrines were very active. They chased a flock of Woodpigeons, with the male making the initial stoop to break up the flock while the female came down like a rocket to turn one of them into a cloud of feathers. Near the feeding station,2 Willow Tits and 2 Lesser Redpolls were with 30 Greenfinches and 40 Chaffinches, while 8 Pheasants were also in attendance. Near the eastern reed-bed a Cetti's Warbler called several times, as did a Water Rail, while Grey Wagtail and Snipe were also noted.
Cheers David

John Williams · Status: Offline

13.00-15.30

Woolston Weir

2m Goldeneyes, 56 Tufted Ducks, 2 Shelducks and 1 Grey Wagtail.

No 3 Bed

3 Grey Herons, 3 Wigeon, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Shovelers, 12 Gadwall, 48 Tufted Ducks, 1 Lapwing and 5 Shelducks.

4 Fieldfares were with a flock of 12 Redwings.

By the nearby motorway interchange a Buzzard was scattering a large flock of Woodpigeons.

Also, the footpath from Weir Lane that runs along the edge of No 2 Bed is partially flooded, wellies are recommended.

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

An excellent morning's birding, with some good counts and nice variety. Aside from the usual common residents, the pick of the bunch were: 1 Marsh Tit, 25 Bramblings, 1 Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Snipe, 1 Peregrine, 3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Buzzards, 2 Wigeon, 1 Siskin, 18 Redwings, 450 Teal, 5 Pochard, 116 Tufted Ducks, 27 Gadwall, 10 Shovelers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 200 Greenfinches, 100 Chaffinches, 1 Common Gull, 6 Bullfinches, 3 Reed Buntings, 2 Song Thrushes, 221 Lapwings, 1 Grey Wagtail,1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Stock Doves, 8 Jackdaws, 6 Jays, 1 Treecreeper , 2 Shelducks, 16 Herring Gulls, 21 lesser Black-backed Gulls and 625 over-flying Black-headed Gulls.

Cheers David

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Bob Dickinson · Status: Offline

Visited at 8.15 this morning (23/12/15). Large numbers of Greenfinches on feeders on No.3 bed. Six Bramblings.
Two drake Goldeneye on Weir. Four Whooper Swans flew West down the river from the Weir at 10.00am and were
seen later at 11.00am from my home in Paddington (Warrington).

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Down on Nos.3 and 4 beds this morning for a meeting and managed a bit of birding on the way round. There was a substantial movement of thrushes, filtering east across No.4 bed. with 60 Fieldfares mixed in with 350 Redwings. Ten Lesser Redpolls and 40 Goldfinches were also feeding around the Loop of the bed. On No.3 bed, I spent some time trying to get a count of the Brambling flock, settling on a maximum of 60, split evenly between the Morgan Hide feeders and the winter feed crop. They're very mobile, sometimes joining into a single flock with c.100 Chaffinches when disturbed. Greenfinch numbers remain at c,150.

Cheers David

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Another good morning, despite the constant drizzle. After a quick breakfast in the Morgan Hide, David Spencer, Paul Hazlehurst, Les Jones and I completed the monthly wildfowl count, wandering as far east as Bollin Point, while the rest of the crew stayed snug and warm in the hide wink emoticon Highlights were a Woodcock flushed from No.2 bed, 6 Little Grebes at Bollin Point and on No.3 bed: 1 Marsh Tit, 20 Bramblings, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Lesser Redpolls, 2 Wigeon, 1 Kingfisher, 150 Greenfinches, 2 Snipe and 40 Goldfinches.

Cheers David

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 12th of December 2015 04:31:04 PM

John Williams · Status: Offline

10.00-12.00

No3 Bed

1 Kingfisher, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Shelduck, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Buzzard, 1 Cormorant, 1m Shoveler, 1m+1f Wigeon, 1 Snipe, 55 Lapwings flying SW, and on the feeders

1 Siskin, 2m Bullfinches and 2 Willow Tits. At one point 6 Bramblings were feeding below the feeders, with more mixed in with the big roving finch flock.

One of the feeders had 20 Greenfinches clinging to it at one point. Oddly, the only Reed Bunting seen was a single male, mixed with Chaffinches by specially seeded meadow.

10 Gadwall, 2 Grey Herons, 5 Cormorants and 7 Tufted Ducks were on the old river, whilst 102 Tufted Ducks and a single Shelduck were on the weir pool.

Another 11 Tufted Ducks were on the ship canal.

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

A few hours on Nos.3 and 4 beds today, with pleasant sunshine and the odd shower. On No.3 bed, the Marsh Tit was still around the Morgan Hide feeders, with up to 20 Bramblings, a Willow Tit and the odd Lesser Redpoll. On No.4 bed, 2 Woodcocks were flushed, 2 Willow Tits were calling and a few Fieldfares feeding.

Cheers David

John Williams · Status: Offline

Quick visit this afternoon, 14.00-15.15

No 3 Bed

5 Lesser Redpolls, 5 Bramblings, 3 Cormorants, 1 Great Crested Grebe (+ 1 more on the ship canal) and 1 Buzzard.

Also of note, a very pale female Chaffinch which really stood out amongst the numerous others around the feeders.

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Mission accomplished on No.3 bed today, where we set out, with Kieran Foster and his ringing team, to try and catch and ring the Marsh Tit which has been around for the past couple of weeks. It obligingly went into a net at the Morgan Hide feeding station, along with a Willow Tit for comparison. It turned out to be a bird of the year and it would be fascinating to know where it fledged from. We also kept a weather eye out for other birds with highlights being: Marsh Tit 1, Willow Tit 1, Brambling 22, Siskin 1, Black-tailed Godwit 2, Snipe 13, Fieldfare 3, Lapwing 191, Teal 375, Greenfinch 130, Grey Wagtail 1 and Shoveler 16.

Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Kieran Foster, Alan Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Helen Allan and George Dunbar)

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Marsh Tit confirmed at Woolston Eyes. After a week of speculation we've finally managed to confirm that a bird which has been frequenting the Morgan Hide feeders is a Marsh Tit. While we have a healthy population of Willow Tits, Marsh Tits don't occur, with the nearest breeding site being at Aston in the lower Weaver valley. Although it looked like a Marsh Tit we could never get good enough views to see the diagnostic white cutting edge to the mandible. Frustratingly, despite it being watched for hours, it refused to give the diagnostic call of either species, preferring to give constant "chee" calls. David Spencer managed to record the call and create a sonogram, which he sent off to Richard Broughton, the national expert on Poecile tits, who admitted that he didn't know what it was. Finally, today, David managed to get it to respond to the playing of a Marsh Tit tape with the classic Marsh Tit "pitchoo" call. Not often I get a Woolston lifer smile emoticon

Paul Richardson · Status: Offline

Dry but overcast morning today - at last ended my 2015 drought of Brambling with just 2 under the feeders at Morgan hide. smile

Mixed flocks of Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch over with Siskin heard, Greenfinch quite numerous on the feeders.
1 Willow Tit
2 Black Tailed Godwit
1 Kingfisher (Rotary Club hide)
1 Sparrowhawk over (m)
1 Jay
2 Redwing

Gadwall, Teal, Tufted Duck, Grey Heron, Cormorant.

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

A really enjoyable day on No.3 bed, where the rain held off till we were leaving after lunchtime. We didn't manage to re-find the Firecrest reported yesterday afternoon by Kieran Foster but found plenty of other stuff. Most spectacular were the 30+ Bramblings, with 25 feeding under the Morgan Hide feeders, along with 9 Lesser Redpolls feeding on Mugwort right in front of the hide. There has been a significant influx of finches recently with totals today of 140 Linnets, 200 Chaffinches, 20 Goldfinches and 100 Greenfinches alongside the Bramblings, Redpolls and the odd Siskin. Other sightings included: 1 Water Rail, 3 Pintails, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Willow Tits, 2 Coal Tits (ringed by K. Foster), 4 Fieldfare, 7 Redwings, 200 Teal, 10 Shovelers, 16 Gadwall, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Buzzards and 350 Starlings from the roost at dawn.

Cheers David

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 28th of November 2015 05:45:40 PM

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

In bright sunshine but a biting northerly wind, we spent the morning on No.3 bed, largely making counts of the local birds and looking out for any hard weather movements. 24 Golden Plover, flying west, were a very unusual sighting for the bed and the 2 female Goldeneye in front of the Morgan Hide were also unexpected. The latter are more usually found at Woolston Weir or at Bollin Point. Other records of interest were: 6 Bramblings, 300 Pink-footed Geese, 390 Lapwings, 2 Kingfishers, 55 Fieldfares, 750 Starlings from a roost at dawn, 9 Redwings, 200 Teal, 5 Sparrowhawks, 5 Buzzards and finally, a Peregrine hunting low over the bed.

Cheers David

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Spent a squally afternoon dodging the rainstorms on No.3 bed this afternoon. Despite the conditions I managed to catch up with a good variety of birds, starting with a Woodcock, flushed from underfoot, then a nice male Brambling in with 100 Chaffinches and 48 Linnets on the north meadow. From the Morgan hide, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Snipe, 1 Mistle Thrush, 3 Wigeon, 225 Teal, 2 Water Rails, 1 Kingfisher, 65 Greenfinches, 2 Willow Tits, 2 Little Grebes, 65 Tufted Ducks and 1 Sparrowhawk were the highlights. With the light almost gone, 750 Starlings came in to roost, hopefully harbingers of another massive winter roost smile emoticon

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Despite an adverse forecast the rain held off while we did the monthly wildfowl count at The Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve today. Covering from No.3 bed to Bollin Point at the eastern end of the reserve, we picked up a decent variety of birds including: 2 Green Sandpipers,1 Snipe, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Peregrine, 5 Wigeon, 155 Teal, 40 Gadwall, 6 Little Grebes, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 34 Fieldfares, 21 Redwings, 35 Blackbirds, 3 Shelducks, 5 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels and 3 Grey Wagtails. Then, with things quietening down by mid-morning, most of us treated ourselves to a quick dash to see the Smew at Marton, where several Green Woodpeckers also gave close views.

Cheers David (with David Spencer, Alan Warford, Brian Baird, Paul Hazlehurst, Helen Allan, Kelly Ainsworth and George Dunbar)

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Another good morning, starting in torrential rain on No.3 bed and ending up in sunshine. As usual, there was a good variety of birds, with singles of Brambling (ringed by Kieran Foster), Siskin, Pintail, Kingfisher, Water Rail, Grey Wagtail and Willow Tit, along with 2 Wigeon, 250 Pink-footed Geese, 90 Fieldfares, 40 Redwings, 60 Chaffinches, 80 Teal, 55 Greenfinches, 2 Little Grebes, 6 Snipe, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Lapwings and 3 Song Thrushes. The highlight, though, was wandering down to Woolston Weir to watch three Salmon leaping, no doubt triggered by the Mersey being in spate due to the recent heavy rain.

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

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Another of those really special autumn days spent vis migging from Butchersfield Tip last Saturday. Right from the off it had the feel of birds moving, with Brambling, Lesser Redpolls and Siskins calling as we wended our way up the steep track to the top of the tip (well, some of us anyway) loaded down like sherpas. An early highlight was a Short-eared Owl, picked up coming in high from the north-west before drifting eastwards. There was also an excellent movement of Fieldfares, with lesser numbers of Redwings. Selected totals were: 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Crossbill, 1 Raven, 2 Yellowhammers, 200 Pink-footed Geese, 9 Siskins, 1 Brambling, 6 Lesser Redpolls, 1,890 Fieldfares, 214 Redwings, 16 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, 4 Mistle Thrushes, 1,178 Starlings, 1,956 Woodpigeons, 143 Skylarks, 34 Meadow Pipits, 23 Bullfinches and 330 Teal.

Cheers David (with David Spencer, Brian Baird, Paul Hazlehurst, Helen Allan, Kelly Ainsworth, Diane Shepherd and Les Jones)

-- Edited by DavidBowman on Wednesday 4th of November 2015 11:11:36 AM

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 4th of November 2015 12:30:19 PM

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Woolston Eyes NR - 27.09.2015
11.30-14.30
Black tailed Godwit - 39
Common Snipe-18
Jay-4
Sparrowhawk -1 female chasing the wader flocks on a couple of occasions
Chiffchaff-2
Cettis Warbler - Singing near to tower hide and possibly 1 near rotary hide
Little Grebe-5
Swallow -6 > South
Lapwing -c 350
common Buzzard-1
plus the usuals :)

Chris Harper · Status: Offline

Highlights of a lovely couple of hours this morning:
3 Ruff
Green Sandpiper
30+ Black Tailed Godwit
30+ Snipe
Willow Tit
Many Chiffchaff, some singing
6 Shoveler
Pintail
Little Grebe

Plus lots of the 'usuals'.

Chris Harper · Status: Offline

Highlights of a lovely couple of hours this morning:
3 Ruff
Green Sandpiper
30+ Black Tailed Godwit
30+ Snipe
Willow Tit
Many Chiffchaff, some singing
6 Shoveler
Pintail
Little Grebe

Plus lots of the 'usuals'.

David Spencer · Status: Offline

Yesterday a Great White Egret was seen from the tower hide before flying off west at 9:00 a.m. and was not relocated. Other recent sightings have included 86 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Ruff, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper and 41 Snipe. A Cettis Warbler is singing frequently in the centre of the bed, best heard from the tower hide. A flock of 30+ Siskin was near the footbridge yesterday evening and smaller numbers are regularly being seen/heard overflying the bed.

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

13.09.2015 11.00-14.00 really Nice weather
Another few Hours at Lunchtime today -Only one on the reserve for much of that time which amazes me with so many waders about ,anything could be missed at this time of year.
Black Tailed Godwit -51
Ruff-1
Green Sandpiper - 4
Common Sandpiper-1
Lapwing - 300
Chiffchaff- 11
Willow Warbler-1
Common Snipe - 23
Common Buzzard - 4
Swallow- c100 > south
House Martin- 2 > South
Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1
Jay-3
:)

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 18th of September 2015 04:20:36 PM

David Spencer · Status: Offline

Nine species of waders recorded on No.3 bed today. 370 Lapwing were roosting in the centre of the bed. Amongst these were 14 Snipe and 1 Dunlin. Spread more widely across the bed were 79 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Ruff, 3 Green Sandpipers, 1 Common Sandpiper. The heavy rain brought in a Greenshank and 1 Curlew was heard calling from the south bank. Other highlights included 2 Kingfisher from the John Morgan hide and a Cettis Warbler singing briefly from the tower hide.

John Watson · Status: Offline

John, could it be Arctica ?

John Williams · Status: Offline

The wader I seen last night and suspected might be a Curlew Sandpiper, is in fact a Dunlin.

It shown it's rump today, which it did'nt do for me, can't say I blame it. False alarm folks.

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

11.09.2015
I am just beginning to fully appreciate what a great place this is if you just want a quiet few hours after a mad week in the factory, and more so as Pennington flash is just becoming too busy people wise even for me, and Woolston reminds me how the flash once was. :)
12.00-2.30 A couple of hours after work produced

Black Tailed Godwit -61
Ruff-3
Dunlin-1
Green Sandpiper-3
Lapwing-c300
Peregrine - 1 adult put everything up at 1.30pm
Swallow- Constant stream south
House Martin-10 > S
Chiffchaff-1
Common Snipe-21+
The water is very low so if your going take your scope as you never know what you may end up seeing,it just feels right for a very rare wader at the moment.

John Williams · Status: Offline

16.30-18.30

No. 3 Bed

An interesting wader was paddling around resting Lapwing just off the large mudbank, viewable both from the John Morgan and Tower hides.

To me the bird showed the characteristics of a Curlew Sandpiper, but the bird did not show it's diagnostic white rump.

It may therefore be a big Dunlin with a longer than usual beak, I am awaiting a verdict tomorrow, when the bird will checked out again, assuming it's still there.

Although it has apparently been around for a few days, so perhaps it was one of those 3 Dunlin I logged on Tuesday, but viewing the bird this evening, it certainly looked different.

The behaviour was noticeably different tonight, the bird did not leave the water, it just paddled around the Lapwing feeding by pecking below the surface as it walked.

It appeared more lanky and slower than the Dunlin on Tuesday. They all fed in true Dunlin style, on the dry mud, in almost clockwork fashion, pecking the ground vigorously.

Apart from this intrigue, other birds seen were: 44 Black Tailed Godwits, 17 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpipers, 270 Lapwings, 5 Ruff, 11 Greylag Geese, 6 Little Grebes,

1 Common Whitethroat, 1f Pintail and 4 Chiffchaffs.

The bed is wader heaven at the moment, but in addition to that, the numerous Elders are laden with berries that look juicy enough for a human to eat.

It was on those that I found the Whitethroat and Chiffchaffs, and lots Blue Tits etc, too.

John Williams · Status: Offline

16.30-18.30

No3 Bed

46 Black Tailed Godwits, 3 Dunlin, 6 Ruff, 28 Snipe and 300+ Lapwings. 4 Little Grebes and 1 juv Great Crested Grebe.

8 Sand Martins and a couple of House Martins with the more numerous Swallows feeding over the pool.

The water level is really low, hence the abundance of waders.

** The site is currently closed and secured with additional locks at 7pm to deter theft etc **.

PHIL GREENWOOD · Status: Offline

Friday morning visit.

Ruff 5
BlkTGodwit 50+
Snipe 7
Green Sandpiper 2
Pintail 1f
Willow Tit 1
House Martins 5+
Swallows 20+
Buzzard 1
etc.etc.etc.

Also one probable Rose-ringed Parakeet heard only. What else could it have been?

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

PM 02.09.2015 - I had this great reserve to myself this afternoon.
A good number of waders at Woolston Eyes this afternoon. Water level perfect for waders.
Greenshank-1
Ruff-1 juv
Black tailed godwit -57
Common Sandpiper-1
Lapwing -c200
Green Sandpiper-4
Common Snipe- c25
Sparrowhawk-1f
Greenfinch -c50
Plus the usuals :)

David Spencer · Status: Offline

Male and female Ruff this morning feeding amongst the Lapwing flock. Also 1 Great White Egret, 5+ Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Greenshank. On the south bank a Green Woodpecker was heard calling but was not seen.

alan patterson · Status: Offline

With very low water levels there were good views of 20+ Black tailed Godwits that were close to The John Morgan Hide as well as a Green and a Common Sandpiper both on the new scrapes. A Greenshank was showing well from the Tower Hide in with 100 plus Lapwings. I missed the Great White Egret by seconds as it disappeared from view as I walked up the steps. However I did get to see it fly several times and it perched on a dead branch straight out from the hide, but it spent most of its time out of sight in the channels in the reed bed. At least 1 Hobby was seen hunting over the trees to the East of the bed. The Kingfisher decided to have a day off today!

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

An interesting morning with low water levels. To note was close(ish) views of a kingfisher, little grebes were seen around every corner (at least around 16), 2 green sandpipers, 1 common sandpiper, snipe, common whitethroat and about about 20 black tailed godwits.

David Spencer · Status: Offline

The Great White Egret was reported yesterday both on the loop of No.4 bed and No.3 bed. This morning it was again on the loop of No.4 bed. It then flew towards No.3 bed but has not been relocated. On No.3 bed there were 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers and 2 Snipe.

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Great white egret just flew off nw from the tower hide at 1.30 pm Found by Karl Bishop Varified J.Tymon

Dave Riley · Status: Offline

Had a good ringing session on No1 bed with John Blundell, during the morning we had a minimum 25 Siskins fly over, all in one and twos and going in all sorts of directions, we also caught six which is probably unprecedented in July at the Eyes. I have read about unusually high numbers at Landguard and Sandwich Bay observatories during the past two or three weeks as well.

John Williams · Status: Offline

08.30-11.00

No3 Bed

2 Adult and 1 juv Black Necked Grebes, 8 Little Grebes (including a pair brooding), 2 adult +2 juv Great Crested Grebes.

2 Kestrels, 1 Buzzard, 3m+1f Bullfinches, 4 Lapwings, 1 Black Tailed Godwit (in full summer plumage).

In addition to the commoner butterflies there was 1 Ringlet, plus 1 Clouded Border moth.

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

Another special morning, with some nice birds, plenty of dragonflies and a Reserve "butterfly tick" for us all. We started on No.3 bed with 2 Common Terns, 3 Green Sandpipers, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, a close fly-by from a juvenile female Peregrine and a juvenile Black-necked Grebe. Then onto No.2 bed where efforts to locate a male Ringlet paid off, followed by another Ringlet No.1 bed. Then a dragonfly/butterfly survey of No.1 bed, with 2 more Little Ringed Plovers and 3 more Peregrines noted. Totals were: Ruddy Darter 5, Common Darter 4, Black-tailed Skimmer 3, Red-eyed Damselfly 2 (from No.3 bed), Emperor 1, Southern Hawker 2, Brown Hawker 1 (from No.3 bed), Common Blue/Azure Damselflies common, 2 Ringlets, 2 Large Skippers, 10 Small Skippers, 4 Commas, 9 Red Admirals, 8 Small Tortoiseshells, 1 Green-veined White, 2 unidentified Whites, 8 Speckled Woods, 52 Meadow Browns and 43 Gatekeepers. Then, after a lunch-break chilling out watching the Peregrines under the Viaduct it was back onto No.3 bed where the 2 Common Terns were displaying and giving hope of late breeding (which would be another Reserve first).
Cheers David (with Dave Steel, David Spencer, Alan Warford, Paul Hazlehurst, Brian Baird, Helen Allan and Les Jones.)

DavidBowman · Status: Offline

A lovely sunny morning produced some excellent birds plus good numbers of butterflies and dragonflies. Highlights given are for Nos.1 and 3 beds combined: 3 Green Sandpipers, 1 Curlew, 2 Peregrines, 8 Black-necked Grebes, 3 Willow Tits, 11 Reed Warblers, 7 Blackcaps, 9 Whitethroats, 7 Chiffchaffs, 4 Black-tailed Skimmers, 6 Emperors, 2 Brown Hawkers, 2 Southern Hawkers, 3 Common Darters, 1 Broad-bodied Chaser, 17 Four-spotted Chasers, 3 Red-eyed Damselflies, many scores of Common and Blue-tailed Damselflies, 14 Large Skippers, 1 Green-veined White, 13 Meadow Browns, Speckled Wood 6 and 17 Common Blues.

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

-- Edited by DavidBowman on Saturday 27th of June 2015 04:09:17 PM

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 27th of June 2015 06:42:12 PM

John Williams · Status: Offline

No 3 Bed (09.30-12.00)

No sign of the sandpipers, the only waders being 4 Lapwings on the scrapes.

The family of Shelducks are proving to be real characters, there are 4 small ducklings associating a much larger youngster from a previous brood.

Even the smallest of them are chasing adult Black Headed Gulls off the scrape, unless the gulls give way fearing the wrath of the parent Shelducks if they don't.

Bold Moorhens with youngsters are chasing off adult Coots, ducks and gulls, with absolute fury. There were 3 families of Great Crested Grebes each with a single youngster.

I could only find a single family of Black Necked Grebes, and they had 1 fully grown youngster. I only found 1 Little Grebe too.

Gadwall are here en-masse to moult alongside the Mallards, even the drake Tufted Ducks are looking scruffy and lethargic, as were the 2 drake Pochards seen.

Blackcaps, Wrens, Whitethroats and a couple of Chiffchaffs were still in song. Also seen above the bed, 1 Buzzard, 1 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 2 Cormorants and a single Grey Heron.

Judging by the number of newly fledged Black Headed Gulls around, they've had a very good breeding season. Lots of Swifts and hirundines were hunting above the pool.

A small group of Nemophora Degreerella moths were doing an aerial dance by the S.Hogg hide, and Common Carpet moths abound throughout.