This report combines all the records as detailed in the “Southfield Reservoirs & Went Ings bird reports” for the years 2005-2013 inclusive.

 

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata. 

2005: One was present on the 14th February

 

Black-throated Diver  Gavia arctica   NOTE (this record falls just outside the recording area.)

2005: On 25th February one was seen heading east along the canal, near A614 double bridges. AM. CF.

 

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis.

2005: Present daily from 1st January to 14th March and 1st August to the year end, there was just one record between these periods of two on 26th July.

 

Little Grebe

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

8

5

4

0

0

0

2

3

4

5

7

8

 

2006: In April single birds on 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, & 17th. In May one was present from 11th-17th. In June singles on 5th, 12th & 15th. In July birds present from 3rd-30th and in August singles on six dates and two birds on the 27th. Finally 10 on 22nd December.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

6

7

6

1

1

1

3

2

4

4

8

10

 

2007: The only May record was one on the 21st. Recorded on just three dates in August. In September birds were present daily from the 18th. The maximum count of the year was eight on 30th January and 13th of February.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

8

 

8

4

1

1

0

0

3

3

6

5

3

 

2008: In April singles on three dates, in June singles on two dates, in July singles on four dates and two on the 20th. In August singles on two dates, in September singles on five dates and two on the 20th; Recorded regularly from the 10th of October to the year end.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

5

7

4

1

0

1

2

1

2

4

5

7

 

2009: Present daily during the first four months; with two present on Went Ings throughout April and up to the 2nd of May. In June an adult was on the reservoirs on the 2nd and an adult was on Went Ings on the 15th and 30th. Two (1 adult) were on the reservoirs on the 24th. The only July record was one on Went Ings on the 6th. In August single birds were seen on four dates, with two on the 3rd. In September there were single birds on seven dates. Then present daily from October to the year-end.  Monthly maximum counts were as follows

 

 JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

6

3

2

2

2

2

1

2

1

6

4

3

 

2010: There was a notable decline in records; with a maximum count for the year of four birds on the 6th November. 

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

2

1

1

0

0

3

1

2

2

2

4

2

No of days

3

3

1

0

0

1

2

4

3

9

8

4

 

2011:   A decline in records probably a result of the recent cold winters. The maximum count during the year was of five on the 11th of November.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

2

1

2

0

2

1

0

1

1

4

5

4

No of days

4

3

2

0

2

1

0

3

1

6

11

4

 

2012:  Recorded in every month of the year; the maximum count was of eight on Went Ings on the 30th of October. All the records from March to September came from Went Ings.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

2

2

1

2

3

1

4

5

3

8

3

1

 

 

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus. 

2005: The species continues to increase with a new site record count of 52 on 16th November.

 

 G.C.Grebe

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

27

36

25

26

19

19

17

18

26

42

52

39

 

2006: Maximum count for the year was a new site record of 63 on 28th October. Five pairs bred and raised a total of eleven young, the first breeding since 1993.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

22

21

20

25

22

31

23

24

27

63

50

42

 

2007: A total of seven nests were found along the west bank on the 2nd of July, six of these contained eggs. Five broods were successful, with a total of nine young. Monthly maximum counts were of adults only; young birds were only counted when they became juveniles i.e. fully feathered. The maximum year count was 40 on 3rd January.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

40

33

17

31

34

22

20

23

6

15

6

8

 

2008: The maximum count for the year was 48 on the 26th and 31st of October. Seven nests were found in the Sweet Flag which grows along the west bank on the 17th of June, four of these contained eggs. There was in the end a total of five broods but only four young were reared in total. Two broods with three chicks in each were noted; and in each brood the oldest chick relentlessly attacked its younger siblings causing them to get no food and succumbed.

Monthly maximum counts were,

   

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

7

7

9

14

26

22

26

30

35

48

38

24

 

2009: Despite up to seven nests being built (some containing eggs) in the Sweet flag reed along the west bank, there was a complete breeding failure, which was probably caused by the wet weather. The maximum count for the year was 60 on the 7th November; monthly maximum counts as follows. 

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

13

23

21

27

30

33

26

30

37

54

60

39

 

2010:  Three young were reared from two broods. The maximum count for the year was 40 on the 5th of October. In December the reservoirs were mostly frozen over and no birds were seen until the 23rd when a single bird was seen; then two were present from the 28th-31st. The maximum monthly counts were as follows.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

34

35

23

20

25

27

34

24

37

40

17

2

 

2011: There was no count in February as only small numbers were present. One pair bred and raised three young. The maximum count was of 53 on the 11th of October.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

8

nc

21

22

22

37

39

25

38

53

36

33

 

2012: The maximum count for the year was 45 on the 9th of October. No birds managed to breed successfully this year.  

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

8

10

15

16

17

22

17

22

30

45

34

8

 

Red-necked Grebe P. grisegena.

2010: One was present on the 15th of March and was the sixteenth site record; it was last recorded in January 2004.

2011: A bird in winter plumage was present on the 22nd of March.

 

Slavonian Grebe P. auritus. 

2010:  One was present on the 26th of January, it was the first time it has been recorded in this month, it was also the eleventh site record; the last record was in 1996.

 

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis.  

2006: One present on the 31st August, remained until the next day.

2008.  One in full summer plumage was seen on the 31st of March

2009: There were three records, all of single birds; the first one was a bird in almost full summer plumage on the 12th of March. Second was a bird in summer plumage on the 12th of August and finally a bird in winter plumage on the 8th of September.

2010:  One was present on the 26th of October.

2011:  A juvenile bird was present on the 12th of July.

2012: There was just one record of a bird in full summer plumage seen on the 16th of March.

 

Northern Gannet Morus bassanus. 

2007 on the 28th of September a day total of 13 juveniles were recorded flying west during strong north-easterly winds, in parties of 4, 2, 5, & 2 They represented the fifth-eighth records for the site. 

2013:

 

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo. 

2005: The maximum count was 65 on 14th October.

 

Cormorant

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

27

28

20

44

48

19

Nc

34

54

65

60

44

 

2006: The maximum count for the year was a site record of 72 on 12th October  Sinensis type birds were recorded as follows; in January singles on 16th, 27th & 31st. Recorded on twelve February dates, with four on the 10th & 11th. Recorded on sixteen March dates, with five on 6th, 13th, 14th, & 31st. There were records on six April dates up to the 12th, with a maximum count of five on the 1st.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

40

36

23

24

18

23

24

48

55

72

54

50

 

2007:  The maximum count was of 60 on the 12th October.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

34

27

24

22

31

16

10

44

56

60

43

56

 

2008:  The maximum count for the year was 69 on the 27th October.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

29

23

27

32

20

18

26

34

65

69

43

35

 

2009: There was a new site record count of 83 birds on the 12th September; monthly counts were as follows.

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

30

29

26

58

54

18

35

56

83

81

66

49

 

2010: The maximum count for the year was 58 on the 30th of September and again on the 5th of October. The maximum monthly counts were as follows.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

38

27

27

29

26

16

18

44

58

58

38

32

 

2011:  The maximum count during the year was 68 on the 29th of September. Monthly maximum counts were as follows.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

27

25

25

33

27

23

29

43

68

59

50

32

 

2012: The maximum count was 58 on the 26th of September.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

41

NC

30

NC

12

25

18

31

58

51

40

33

 

2012: Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis. Our first record since October 2002; One was seen on the concrete blocks in the opening in the Western reservoirs on the 30th of April.

 

Great White Egret Egretta alba.

2006: One flew in from the east on the 28th October; it alighted briefly on the west bank before continuing westwards. A new species for the reservoirs list. (A.S. J.S.)  

2012: The second record for the site and another October record; one was present on the 3rd of October, it was seen to alight in the small Willow tree on the middle bank; known as the night Heron tree, it was then lost from sight. Later it was seen in flight approaching the middle bank where it landed for about 5 minutes before flying off over Went Ings before heading east at 08:15.

2013:

 

Little Egret Egretta garzetta.  

2005: One flew west at 19:15 hours on 31st July, the fifth record.  

2006: One flew south-west on 14th January. Another flew east on 25th July. There have now been seven recorded sightings.

2007:  A good year for this species with three records, the first was on the 17th of May. In August one was present and mainly recorded in flight over Went Ings on the 2nd, 3rd, 7th & 10th. A party of three flew north over the sailing club on the 27th of September. These records bring the total number of records to ten.    

2008: In July two on the morning of the 22nd alighted on the middle bank briefly before flying off to the south. One flew in on the evening of the 24th and landed on the middle bank, one was also here on the evening of the 26th. In August two on the middle bank on the evening of the 1st and singles birds on the 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th 9th & 12th; on the 14th one flew west in the morning, that evening one flew in from the east and landed on Went Ings, the final records for August were singles on the 19th & 28th.

In September one flew in on the evening of the 14th, two flew in from and out to the east on the 18th. The next records were in December with two on the 29th & 30th and a single on the 31st.          

2009: One was seen late afternoon on the 6th and 8th of January and was seen to fly to roost on the middle bank. In July one on the east bank on the evening of the 3rd flew over to Went Ings; on the evening of the 30th one flew in from the east and landed on the middle bank, 15 minutes later it flew off east. On the morning of the 4th of August one flew in from the east and landed on the middle bank, it later flew off east. Also in August one was seen in a tree on Went Ings on the evening of the 8th.      

2010:  One was present for five minutes on the 25th June before flying off South; this was the first to be recorded in this month. In July two flew West at 07:10 on the 5th and on the evening of the 29th one flew South at 18:15; then one was found on the middle bank at 21:15. There was one on the 16th September and two flew south-west on the 4th of October        

2011:  There were four records during the year; the first was one North on the 18th of June, next was one South on the 9th of August. In September one flew West on the 10th and one West again on the 19th.

2012: Single birds were seen on the 5th of March and the 26th of April. The next record was two on Went Ings on the 29th of June. In July singles on Went Ings the 3rd, 7th, 23rd 27th & 31st; two on the 26th & three on the 24th. In August present on Went Ings all month, with five together on the 8th seven together on the 9th & 11th and eight (4+2+2) on the 18th. The final records of the year were in September, with six on Went Ings on the 3rd, three on the 12th & 13th and singles on the 16th & 21st. 

2013:

 

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea. 

2005: Maximum counts were of 11 on 5th May and 27th June; and 10 on Went Ings on 24th July.

 

Grey Heron

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

3

3

6

8

11

11

10

8

6

4

5

5

 

2006: A count of 19 around the reservoirs on 11th May, they were attracted by spawning fish around the reservoirs edges, the only other high count was 11 on 4th June.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

5

3

3

5

19

11

5

5

5

4

4

4

 

2007: Maximum counts for the year were of 12 on the 21st of May, 11 on 2nd of August and 10 on 1st of September.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

5

4

3

9

12

6

6

11

10

4

4

3

 

2008: Maximum count for the year was 11 on the 25th of May and 26th of July.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

4

2

5

6

11

9

11

6

9

3

4

8

 

2009: The highest count for the year was 18 on the 29th of July. Monthly highs were as follows.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

3

2

4

7

9

9

18

9

8

5

4

4

 

2010:  The maximum count for the year was 12 on the 3rd of June.

The maximum monthly counts were as follows.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

5

3

8

6

10

12

10

4

5

3

4

4

 

2011:  The maximum count was eight on the 3rd of June.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

2

2

3

4

6

8

3

5

2

3

4

4

 

2012: The maximum count for the year was of 22 on Went Ings on the 1st of August.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

4

3

4

6

7

11

7

22

5

4

4

3

 

Mute Swan Cygnus olor. 

2005: The maximum count for the year was 21 on 23rd June.

 

Mute Swan

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

8

8

12

14

14

21

Nc

14

11

5

6

9

 

2006: On the 9th June four cygnets were seen, but with no sign of any parents. By the 15th the number had fallen to three and only two remained on the 6th July. Also in June 27 adults were noted on the 15th. A pair built three nests on Went Ings in April and May, but all were unsuccessful because of flooding. A lone cygnet was seen on 4th August. Later in the month the R.S.P.C.A. were called to the reservoirs by a visitor who had reported it as being in an emaciated condition. - No further details received.   

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

10

6

6

9

12

27

17

9

10

7

2

12

 

2007:  The maximum count was 14 on the 5th of May and 7th of September. Just small numbers were recorded in November and December. 

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

6

6

11

10

14

11

9

7

14

10

n/c

n/c

 

2008: One was on a nest on Went Ings on the 6th of May. On the 23rd of June two adults with one cygnet were seen on Went Ings; and two adults with seven cygnets were seen on the canal on the 2nd of July. Maximum year count was 24 in the 4th of April. Monthly maxima were as follows.

  

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

12

20

16

24

6

8

13

17

15

9

12

16

 

2009: The maximum count was of 29 (8 immature) on the 14th October. A pair which bred on Went Ings was seen with six cygnets on the 30th of June. Adults with broods of 4, 5, & 7 were seen on the canal during June & July, but these did not breed in the recording area. Monthly maxima counts were as follows; 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

3

14

17

14

16

20

16

23

10

29

11

11

 

2010:  There were 27 adult birds on the 19th of May. A pair bred on Went Ings and reared five young. There were also broods of four and seven young on the canal on the 8th of July which bred outside the recording area. The maximum monthly counts were as follows.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

20

8

10

10

27

23

13

12

14

7

11

8

 

2011:  The maximum count was 20 on the 27th of March. A pair was seen with four cygnets in June, but these didn’t breed within the recording area.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

19

8

20

10

9

6

5

5

5

8

11

6

 

2012: The maximum count for the year was 20 on the 11th of August. A pair breeding on Went Ings had their first two nests flooded out, so their third attempt was on top of the floodbank and was successful. A brood of three cygnets were noted from the 7th-18th of June but were not seen again after the latter date. A brood of five cygnets from the 19th of June to the 2nd of July were not seen again after the latter date. The counts of June & July below are of adult birds only.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

9

10

12

4

16

19

16

20

19

14

11

13

 

Bewick’s Swan C. columbianus. 

2006: The only record was of two on the reservoirs on 14th January.

2009: There were two adults on the reservoirs at dawn on the 7th of January; they remained until 11:00am when they flew off north-west. On the 2nd of April an adult flew in with 4 Whooper Swans at 09:35 remaining until 11:45 then it along with the Whoopers flew off north-east and was later seen at Swillington Ings.  

 

Whooper Swan C. cygnus. 

2005: In January one south on 16th, three east on 29th. In February four north on the 6th. In March, on the 20th, 12 flew north in the morning and 50 flew south-west in the afternoon.  The next day passage involved 60 birds, 16 were on the reservoirs on observer’s arrival at 06:30, a further herd of 25 flew north-west; and then a herd of 19 arrived to join the others on the reservoirs.  Some 90 minutes later all 35 birds flew off to the north-west, but 10 of these returned to the reservoirs a few minutes later and remained.  Seven on the reservoirs for almost an hour on the 29th departed to the north-west. The last of the spring birds was a party of 20 birds on the reservoirs on the 3rd April.

In September returning birds were four adults on the reservoirs on 26th, three on the reservoirs 28th.  Recorded in October but the observer and date not known.  In November herds of nine and 12 flew south-east on 13th, finally an adult flew west on 31st December.  

2006: Four on the reservoirs on 14th January and two on the reservoirs on 17th February. In March seven present on the 7th and an adult flew north on the 12th, followed by 20 north on the 15th and six north on the 23rd. Eight adults flew north on the 5th October, on the 30th October 10 on the reservoirs and 11 flew south-east. Three adults flew west on 1st November. In December two flew south on the 1st. Records of an adult on the reservoirs on 22nd, 24th & 26th may relate to the same individual.

2007: The first birds of the year occurred on the 8th of March, when 33 were noted, 17 of these on the reservoirs and 16 flying north-west. Also in March a herd of 22 flew north on the 16th. In April six flew north on the 8th. In October one flew west on the 2nd. On the 12th, ten were present for two hours before flying off east. Eleven flew east on the 25th and an adult was on the reservoirs on the 30th. In November four flew south on the 1st, two on the reservoirs for an hour on the 2nd then flew off west: next day three (one immature) were present for five minutes then flew off east. There were no December records.         

2008: In January an adult flew south on the 5th and two adults were on the reservoirs on the 6th. In March seven on the reservoirs on the 9th later flew off west. A herd of 12 flew north-west on the 14th and 23 flew north on the 29th. In April an adult was present on the 28th-29th. In May an adult was on the reservoirs on the evening of the 22nd.

In the second half of the year the only record was of six on the reservoirs at dawn on the 17th of November they flew off south a short time later   

2009: Fourteen flew north-east on the 20th of February. In March between the 5th and 20th, a total of 127 birds passed through on six dates; with 46 on the 20th being the highest day count. In April a further 48 birds passed through with 33 on the 1st and 15 on the 2nd.

In October a single adult was on the reservoirs on the 21st. Six adults flew east on the 23rd and six adults also flew east on the 27th. In November five flew south on the 4th; five were on the reservoirs the next day briefly, before also flying off south-east. Three adults flew south-east on the 6th; a herd of 28 flew south on the 8th, three adults south on the 16th, three (1 immature) flew north-west on the 27th; Five (three immatures) flew south on the 29th; finally on the 30th, three flew south and nine landed on the reservoirs briefly before flying off south. There were no December records.         

2010:  Fifteen birds flew West on the 28th of January. Five were on the reservoirs on the 21st of February. In March 22 flew north-west on the 22nd. A party of ten spent five minutes on the reservoirs on the 25th before continuing westwards. In April 72 flew North on the 2nd and 76 flew North the next day. Four on the reservoirs on the 9th departed to the north-west.

In October two flew East on the 19th; seven were on the reservoirs on the 20th, they then flew into the West fields; and two were present on the reservoirs on the 21st. Five (3 immatures) flew south-east on the 31st. In November 19 flew South on the 1st; on the 6th three adults flew North & five (3 immatures) flew South. Nine flew South on the 7th. The final record of the year was of four (2 immatures) flying South on the 21st.         

2011:  The first record for the year was of five flying West on the 6th of February. In March one was on Went Ings on the 1st, then 23 on the reservoirs on the 5th. A total of 67 (7, 16 & 44) flew north-west on the 7th, finally for March 25 flew north-west on the 12th. In April 12 on the reservoirs on the 3rd remained for just over 2 hours before departing north-west. In May one was on the reservoirs for an hour on the 8th then flew off West.

In October five flew north-east on the 13th, on the 21st, 42 flew west & 13 were on the reservoirs, finally in October two present on the reservoirs on the 28th. There was just one record in November of two East on the 14th. In December eight on the reservoirs on the 2nd departed to the West and finally an adult flew West on the 31st.

2012: Two adults were on the reservoirs on the 14th of January. The next record was of 14 on the reservoirs on the morning of the 22nd of March. In April four flew north on the 13th.

In October one on the 10th, then 14 flew north on the 29th and three flew east on the 30th. In November two adults flying South on the 3rd was the sole record. The last sighting of the year was In December when 12 were seen flying east on the 27th.  

 

Pink-footed Goose A. brachyrhynchus. 

2005: In January skeins of c.80, c.100 and 90 flew west on the 1st.  One was present with Greylags on the 4th. Heavy westerly passage on the 14th totalled 826+ birds in six skeins, the highest of which was 270+ and c.250.  In February skeins of 250+, 130+ and 50 flew west on the 27th.  In March one was present with Greylags on 12th, 100 flew west on 13th, 30 north on 20th and 40 south-east on 24th.

In September returning skeins of 65, 45 and 6 were noted flying east on the morning of the 16th, also on this date 39 flew west that evening.  One was on the reservoirs 26th.  In October four flew west on 3rd, next day two came in from the east and alighted on the reservoirs.  One was present with Greylags on the 7th. One on the reservoirs on 10th flew off north-east early morning.  On the 18th nine flew west in the morning and 51 flew east that afternoon, lastly in October was 65 west on 27th.  In November, on the 4th, 24 flew onto the reservoirs from out of  the west-fields along with the resident Greylags, they stayed for ten minutes before departing westwards on their own.  On the 7th skeins of 140+ and 122 flew east. Five were present with Greylags on 9th, 10th and 13th.  50 flew south on 16th, on the 30th, 23 in from the east joined the Greylags in the west-fields. In December one was present with the Greylag flock on seven dates between the 10th and 22nd. Finally 60 flew north-west on the 24th.

2006: In January skeins of 115 & 200+ flew west on 12th, on the 22nd an unknown number were heard calling as they flew west in fog, also 35 west later that day. A skein of c.140 flew west on 24th, also one east on 27th. During February 89 flew west on 11th, c.70 west on 13th and on 17th 185+ flew west in three skeins. One was present with the Greylag flock on 22nd & 23rd and was seen on eight dates in March up to the 21st. Also in March were skeins of 220+, 50+ & 48 all westbound on the 3rd, 11 flew west on 12th and on the 22nd distant skeins of 100+ & c.20 flying west were probably this species. Finally in the first half of the year 47 flew north-east on 24th April. An unusual date record was one flying over the reservoirs with two Greylags on 6th June. On 23rd October 1,480+ flew east in seven skeins. Two were with the Greylag flock on the 28th October and remained well into 2007 and were possibly of feral origin, they were joined by another bird on 13th & 17th November. Also in November a skein of c.350 flew west on the 9th. In December a skein of 387 flew north-west on the 9th, followed by 30 south on 17th and 107 west on 21st; four birds were present on the reservoirs on 22nd & 24th December.       

2007:  A presumed feral bird was present with the Greylags from 2nd January to the 20th of May. There was two presumed feral birds on 27th March and 3rd, 6th & 17th-21st of April. Wild birds noted were 100+ west on 13th January, 46 north on 9th March and 100+ north on the 7th of April. In September 12 east on the 15th, 23 west on the 17th and next day skeins of 34, 46, & c.30 flew south-east. 40+ flew south-east on the 20th, 27 flew east on 22nd. Skeins of 21 west & 19 east on the 27th and 43 flew west on the 30th. In October 101 flew west on the 1st, c.110 north on the 2nd, 24 north on the 7th, six west on 12th. On the 15th one flew in from & departed east and probably this same bird was seen circling the reservoirs later that day. There were no November records. In December 81 flew south on the 21st and on the 31st skeins of c.160 & c.150 flew north-west.

2008: In January 40+ flew west on the 5th, five flew west on the 17th and one was on the reservoirs with Canada Geese on the 26th. On the 28th one on the reservoirs ands skeins of 170+ & c.150 flew west. In February heard passing over on the 18th in fog. ? On the 28th skeins of 64 & c.60 flew west. No records in either March or April but a late record on the 6th May when 84 flew north. The only October record was of one with the resident Greylags on the 15th & 25th. One was seen regularly with the Greylag flock from the 2nd of November to the 23rd of December; and was joined by a second bird on the 7th December only. Other November records were three on the reservoirs which flew east on the 3rd. On the 5th, 32 flew in from the east and alighted in fields at the northern end of the reservoirs and later flew off east. 600+ flew north-west on the 8th, c.80 west on the 13th, 180+ west on the 17th; on the 18th, 26 west & 48 south-west. The only December record was 120 flying west on the 23rd.   

2009: In January one was with the Greylag Geese on the 2nd & 8th. One circling the reservoirs on the 13th flew off east. In February one with the Greylags on the 6th, 8th & 9th; then on the 19th a total of 1,050+ flew west in seven skeins up to 11:30am. In March one was with the Greylags on the 17th, 29th & 31st. In April one was with the Greylags on the 22nd & 23rd. In May single birds were with the Greylags on five dates to the 15th and two birds with the Greylags on the 14th & 22nd.

The first returning birds were 56 flying east on the 15th of September. During October, on the 8th a distant skein of 150+ flying west, were probably Pink-feet, then on the 12th c.150 flew north-west, 27 flew east on the 17th and 64 flew west on the 26th. On the morning of the 28th skeins of c.120 and 300+ flew east and c.70 flew west; then in the afternoon 190+ flew west at 16:00 hrs. On the 29th, skeins of 120+ flew west and 190+ flew east.   

In November; on the 6th, four flew east, 44 flew north and skeins of 33 & 23 flew west. On the 17th, 80+ flew east; and next day 130+ flew west. On the 29th, 20 flew west and 43 flew east; finally for November 17 flew east on the 30th.

In December a skein of 350+ flew west on the 9th and the final record of the year was 51 flying west on the 21st.          

2010:  The only January record was of one with the Greylags on the 26th. In February 150+ flew West on the 10th. Five were on the reservoirs with the Greylags on the 20th. In March c.330 flew West on the 3rd and 41 flew west the next day.

In September, on the 17th 80+ distant Grey-Geese flying south-east were probably Pink-feet. On the 24th, c.140 flew East, on the 30th 94 flew north-west. In October 82 flew north-west on the 7th and c.95 flew West on the 11th. C.200 flew West on the 15th. One flew North on the 26th, on the 27th, 29 flew in from the East and joined the Greylags in the west fields and later flew off West; also on the 27th a further flock of 25 birds flew West. The last record for October was c.276 West on the 31st. In November; on the 5th 340+ flew East; and 47 flew West on the 9th. On the 16th 14 flew West; and on the 18th c.50 flew West; finally for November 86 flew West on the 30th. In December 70 flew West on the 21st and one was with the Greylags on the 26th.

2011:  On January18th a total of 880+ flew West in skeins of 550+, 250+ & 80+. Then birds were heard calling as they flew West at 07:00hrs on the 21st. 34 flew West on the 24th, finally in January 41 West & five East on the 28th. The next records were in March, with 30 West on the 4th, 27 North on the 14th; on the 22nd c.85 North & a distant skein of 100+ Grey Geese flying West were probably this species; finally in March 21 flew West on the 23rd. The only April record was one on the reservoirs on the 18th.

In October a total of 235 (in skeins of 35, 37, 78 & 85) flew West on the 7th. A total of c.335 (in skeins of c.75 West, c.200 & 60 East) on the 14th; finally in October 100 flew East on the 26th. There was one November record of three West on the 2nd. In December 100 flew north-east on the 12th & finally 23 flew West on the 30th.

2012: In January; on the 10th, 17 distant grey geese seen flying west were probably this species. Also on the 10th and the 13th one was present with the Greylag flock. On the 14th 120+ flew West and 13 flew east off of the reservoirs. The next day 30 flew west. On the 16th one was on the reservoirs and skeins of 96 & 45 flew west. In February one was present with the Greylag flock on the 14th. 200+ in Skeins of 140+ & c.60 flew west on the 16th. In March between the 6th & 16th 24 were present in the fields around the reservoirs and also on the reservoirs.

In September 48 flew west on the 19th & 73 flew south on the 21st. During October; on the 3rd, c.75 landed in the fields at the northern end of the reservoirs for a short time before flying off west. On the 10th two skeins of 100+ each flew north & west respectively; also on the 10th 85 flew west. 150+ flew east on the 14th and 11 flew east on the 24th, the next day skeins of 30 & 15 flew west and 33 flew south. In November; on the 2nd 80+ flew west & two flew east. The next day 275+ in skeins of 150+, 80+ & 45 flew west. One flew east on the 4th, 50 flew east on the 9th. On the 12th, 180+ & 17 flew west finally in November 25 flying north on the 15th was the final record of the year.   

 

White-fronted Goose A. albifrons.

2010: Five birds, 2 adults & 3 immatures flew north-west on the 5th of November. This was the tenth site record and the first record in this month; the last sighting was in October 2001.

2012: One was seen with the resident Greylag Geese on the 13th of January.

 

Greylag Goose A. anser.  

2005: The species continues to increase, with a new site record of 102 on 19th September.  A record seven pairs produced 35 young, 28 of which survived to become fully fledged.

 

Greylag

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

48

49

39

32

40

60+

Nc

90

102

63

84

76

 

2006: Eight broods were recorded and a total of 26 young fledged, including a pair on Went Ings.  Maximum count was 91 on 30th August. A white bird was seen occasionally from 23rd February into March.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

78

83

82

39

41

47

62

91

63

70

84

90

 

2007:  There were seven broods this year totalling 24 young. During the autumn 27 goose eggs which had failed to hatch, were found in old nests along the middle bank, with 13 of these in one nest. There was a new record count of 131 on 15th December.  

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

106

118

78

47

31

88

76

94

25

86

123

131

 

2008: There were five broods of goslings this year, out of which 20 young were reared. There was a record count of 572 on the 5th of October (among these were 3 white birds)

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

120

64

37

31

35

61

55

34

298

572

270+

400+

 

2009: There was just one brood of goslings this year, of which four young were reared. The highest count was of 368 on the 2nd of January. Monthly maximum counts were as follows;

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

368

62

20

25

45

70

60

47

94

142

127

318

 

2010:  This years maximum count was 234 on the 15th of October, this was 134 birds less than last years maximum. Just one pair bred and raised seven young. The maximum monthly counts were as follows.

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

147

140

nc

21

21

67

71

29

28

234

205

c.145

 

2011:  The maximum count was 181 on the 24th of December. One pair bred and raised four young; another pair appeared on the 24th June with two young, but these were not seen again. Monthly maximum counts were as follows.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

8

70

16

7

21

54

47

137

174

100

148

181

 

2012: The maximum count for the year was 335 on the 10th of January. There were no breeding birds recorded this year.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

335

156

75

4

27

70

75

30

75

c.160

c.262

213

 

Canada Goose Branta canadensis.

2005: The maximum count was 47 on 7th October; one pair bred and raised five young.

 

Canada Goose

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

13

11

9

17

5

16

Nc

29

40

47

29

6

 

2006: A total of 16 young fledged from three broods. Maximum count was of 40 on 26th September, surprisingly there were no records in November.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

6

11

16

27

8

24

31

8

40

27

0

24

 

2007: There was a maximum count of 64 adults and juveniles on the 11th of July. Three broods fledged, totalling nine young.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

24

21

18

12

15

51

64

56

40

30

36

10

 

2008: There were five broods of goslings out of which 17 young were reared. There was a new record count of 84 on the 3rd of October; monthly totals were as follows

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

23

12

14

15

14

49

62

58

56

84

9

40+

 

2009:  Five pairs reared 26 young. There was a new site record count of 101 on the 19th of September. In the following monthly-maximum-totals young birds were only counted when they became fully feathered juveniles. 

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

40+

78

33

22

41

86

89

61

101

81

73

94

 

2010:  Four pairs bred this year and raised a total of 15 young. The maximum monthly counts were as follows.

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

50+

46

42

21

27

68

71

90

87

19

41

70+

 

 

2011: The maximum count for the year and a new record was 169 on the 31st of August. Four pairs bred and raised a total of 15 young.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

29

12

20

12

20

58

57

169

117+

68

21

56

 

2012: The maximum count was 84 on the 4th of February. There were five broods of goslings, of which 26 young were raised; one nest of 5 eggs failed to hatch.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

63

84

16

12

24

28

54

35

25

67

20

80+

 

Barnacle Goose B. leucopsis.  

2005: All the year’s records were thought to be birds of feral origin. Two flew in on the 4th May and joined the Greylags in the east-fields briefly before flying off east.  One on the reservoirs on 15th June flew off south with four Greylags. One flew in with a mixed flock of Greylags and Canada Geese on the 29th August, it remained in the area always in the company of the other geese, it was recorded on thirteen dates between 3rd September and 19th October.   

2009: A party of six were noted flying west with a skein of c.70 Pink-footed Geese on the 28th of October.

2011:  One was present with Greylag Geese on the 31st of May. On the 5th of June two flew in with five Greylag Geese, one continued flying north-west with the Greylags, the other landed on the reservoirs. The final record was of three on the reservoirs on the 20th of June.

2012: There was just one record of a single bird on the 1st of April.

 

Dark-bellied Brent Goose Branta bernicla. 

2008:  Four were present on the 4th & 5th of January and two on the 7th of December.

2009: A Dark bellied bird was seen with the Greylag Geese on the reservoirs on the 8th & 9th 0f February.

2011:   One was on the reservoirs on the 17th of April.

 

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiac. 

2009: There were two records for the year; one on the 19th of April and two flew north from the reservoirs on the 19th of December.  

2010:  All records for the year were probably of the same individual.

One on the 21st & 31st of January, 14th & 20th of February, 24th of March, 10th & 29th of April, 19th & 21st of May, not recorded in June; the final record was on the 13th of July.   

2011:  One was on the reservoirs on the 4th of March. In May there were singles on the 23rd and 30th. In June recorded on thirteen dates, with two on five dates. In July recorded on eighteen dates with two on seven dates. In August one, (which was probably the same bird on each date) on fourteen dates, then two on the 31st. The final records for the year were in September, with two on the 1st & 2nd, then one on five dates between the 4th & 10th. This species was also recorded as new in each of the following months June, August and September.

 

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna. 

2005: The years best counts were 12 (10 west) on 18th May, 11 on 7th February and a family party of 11 (2 adults with nine well grown young) on 11th July. 

 

Shelduck

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

6

11

5

6

12

6

11

7

5

1

1

6

No of  days

5

9

11

20

16

11

1

13

2

1

1

2

 

2006: The maximum counts were eight on 24th May; and in August the month total of eight included four flying west.  

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

5

3

7

4

8

6

2

8

5

1

2

5

No of days

3

6

11

17

17

7

1

4

4

1

2

2

 

2007:  Recorded in every month except September, the best counts were 10 on 4th February, 15 on 12th July and 20 flew west on 23rd August.

2008:  There were records from every month except July and November, the best counts for the year were of 15 on the 16th of January and a new record count of 60 on the evening of the 14th of September, they circled the reservoirs before departing to the west. On the 9th of June a pair of adults were seen with a brood of nine young, but typically were not seen again after this date; It is thought that the adults take their brood out to the river.

2009: The only January record was of three on the 6th. In February there were single birds on six dates, two on the 10th & three on the 7th & 23rd. In March single birds were seen on the 2nd & 29th, with two on the 3rd, 11th & 30th and three on the 6th & 21st. In April one on the 2nd, two on five dates, three on the 28th & five on the 23rd. In May singles on three dates, two on twelve dates, three on the 13th and four on the 10th. In June there were six on the 1st, one on the 9th & 10th & two on the 21st. The only July record was one on the 1st. In August there was singles on three dates, two on two dates and nine on the evening of the 17th. In September singles birds on the 3rd & 8th and four on the 9th. There were no October records. In November there was one on the 8th and four on the 30th. Finally, in December, singles birds were seen on the 4th, 21st & 25th.     

2010:  The maximum count was 13 on the 26th of February.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

0

13

3

5

8

2

2

1

2

1

0

0

No of days

0

6

10

15

15

5

4

1

3

1

0

0

 

2011: The maximum and the only double figure count for the year was of 11 flying West on the 14th of February.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

1

11

5

7

6

6

1

0

0

0

3

0

No of days

1

4

7

11

7

8

1

0

0

0

1

0

 

2012: Birds were recorded in every month except September and December. The maximum count for the year was of 10 on the 29th of May and 11th of August. Two adults were seen with two young from the 13th-15th of June.  

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

1

5

2

5

10

2

9

10

0

1

2

0

 

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata. 

2005: On the evening of 25th September a female gave good views on the eastern reservoir; and was addition to the Southfield area.  A.M.  J.S.  C.F.

2006: The second site record involved a female on the 1st of November.

2008: The first male for the site was present on the 6th of December and was the third site record.

2009: A female was present on the 10th of March.

2011:  A female was present on the 12th & 13th of January; and was a new species in this month.

2013:

 

American Wigeon Anas americana. 

2005: A male on 19th November was last seen on the 10th December, a new species for the site.  A.S. C.F. et-al

2011:  A drake was on the reservoirs with 34 Eurasian Wigeon on the 13th of March; this was the second to be recorded at the site and was a new species in this month. (P. Adams).

 

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope. 

2005: A pair on 15th May, a female 13th June and one on 31st August, were the only records in those months.  September was also poor with nine on 3rd, two 5th, then singles on ten dates between 6th and 27th. 

Wigeon

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

216

232

262+

55

2

1

0

1

9

35

135

145

 

2006: Birds remained throughout April and into May, with two males on the 1st May, one of which stayed to the 3rd. Also in May two males, one from the 9th-26th, the other (which had yellow wing tags on both wings with the letters “DC” in black) remained from the 9th-27th, these were joined by a female on 19th only. The count of 40+ on the 17th April was from Went Ings. The single July record was on the 31st.

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

197

121

c.200

40+

3

0

1

2

49

28

17

228

 

After further enquiries, the tagged birds details from the ringer stated, the ring number was FP97532, date of tagging/ringing was 19/01/06, age/sex-1st year male and place of ringing was the Lower Derwent valley near York.  

 

2007:  One was on Went Ings on 10th July. In September recorded on seven dates between 12th & 30th, with a maximum of 43 on the 29th. In October recorded on nine dates with a maximum of 25 on the 3rd. The year’s best total was 306 on 30th January.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

306

c.295

145

53

0

0

1

0

43

25

69

148

 

2008:  In May a pair on the 6th, then a male on the 8th & 10th; a late record was of a male on the 1st of June. Eight on the reservoirs on the 23rd of August was the only record for the month. In September recorded on six dates between the 1st & 18th. In October recorded on nine dates. In December 220 on the 26th was the highest count of the year. Monthly totals as follows.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

201

c.140

138

0

2

1

0

8

13

13

79

220

 

2009: The only August records were of one on the 26th & two on the 27th. The only September records were of 34 flying west on the 10th, six on the 16th and one on the 22nd & 23rd. There were regular sightings in October, with a maximum count of 28 on the 15th; this was the only double-figure count for the month. The maximum count for the year was 280+ on the 9th of February and an exact count of 280 on the 19th of December. Monthly maximum counts as follows.  

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

266

280+

131

110

0

0

0

2

34

28

81

280

 

2010:  The maximum count for the year was 275+ on the 28th of December. Birds were present daily from 1st January to the 14th of April. In May a female was present from the 21st-23rd being joined by a male on the 22nd only. In June a male was present on the 1st & 2nd. The next record the only one for the month was of one on the 14th August. Recorded on five dates in September, and then recorded regularly during the last three months of the year. The maximum monthly counts were as follows.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

210+

160

115

45

2

1

0

1

8

23

84

275+

 

2011:  The maximum count for the year was 500+ on the 13th of January. In April there were no records obtained after the 7th; the next sighting was a male on the 10th of June. In July there were three on the 11th and one on the 29th. In August one on the 1st was the only record. Birds were recorded on four September dates, with 23 on the 27th the most. In October recorded on nine dates, with 16 on the 31st the most. Birds were then recorded regularly during the last two months of the year.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

500+

213

300+

49

0

1

3

1

23

16

26

198

 

2012: The maximum count for the year was 428 on the 10th of January. In May a male on the 22nd was the only record. In July on the flooded Went Ings there were three on the 11th and one on the 25th. In August recorded on seven dates mostly from the flooded Went Ings, with a maximum of four on the 11th. In September recorded on nine dates with a maximum of nine on the 1st. In October recorded on eight dates with a maximum of c.85 on the 12th.   

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

428

c.330

89

21

1

0

3

4

9

c.85

108

c.220

 

Gadwall Anas strepera. 

2005: Maximum count was 30 on 2nd March.

 

Gadwall

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

16

21

30

4

2

3

0

4

2

4

18

12

 

2006: The maximum year count was 37 on 4th March. In July three broods of young were seen, totalling 24, they were difficult to count as they remained in the Sweet Flag reeds along the west bank, it is thought all survived to fledge as they were seen more frequently as they grew larger. 

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

8

16

37

6

4

5

3

7

3

3

11

26

 

2007:  In January there were 47 on the 25th. In February a count of 39 on the 9th. Two on 29th September was the only record in that month. In October the only records was a pair on the 20th & 24th There was no evidence of breeding this year. 

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

47

39

25

7

5

4

4

13

2

2

5

25

 

2008:  A female with nine young was seen on Went Ings on the 20th of June. In July a flock of 12 birds flew west on the 1st. A female with four young was on the reservoirs on the 16th but was down to three young by the 31st. In September recorded on six dates, in October recorded on four dates. The maximum count for the year was 24 on the 16th of February. Monthly totals are as follows.   

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

22

24

16

12

11

5

12

7

6

4

11

23

 

2009: On February 8th a new site record count was achieved of 60 birds, 32 of these were males. However in December this was beaten with counts of 73 (42 males) on the 19th and next day a total of 75 were counted (46 males). Breeding took place and nine young were reared from two broods. Monthly maxima counts were as follows.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

24

60

26

8

9

8

7

10

7

13

7

75

 

2010:  The maximum count for the year was 41 on the 20th January. A female was seen with two fully feathered young on the 29th July. The maximum monthly counts were as follows.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

41

27

18

10

9

3

6

3

10

10

7

7

 

2011: The maximum count for the year was 28 on the 5th of March. A female was seen with three young on the 15th of July.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

9

23

28

7

3

3

1

1

2

2

8

3

 

2012: The maximum count for the year was 37 on the 15th of December. A female was seen on Went Ings with six young on the 23rd of July, she was down to five fully feathered young on the 1st of August. Birds were recorded on just six dates in September, three dates in October and four dates in November.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

18

15

10

4

5

6

3

6

6

3

3

37

 

Common Teal Anas crecca. 

2005: Single birds on three dates in June and two in July, these were the only records in those months.

 

Teal

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

36

38

80+

19

0

1

1

27

9

18

37

45

 

2006: The peak counts were 87 on Went Ings on 5th April and 100+ flew from Went Ings onto the reservoirs on 2nd December.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

27

c.40

c.30

87

0

1

12

4

5

5

8

100+

 

2007:  The maximum was 75 on the reservoirs on the 17th of December. One on 23rd May, six on 29th June, two on 10th July were the only records in those months.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

49

24

22

31

1

6

2

26

8

8

5

75

 

2008:  A flock of 110 was on the reservoirs on the 28th of January. Birds were present on Went Ings into May, as standing water remained after a big flood in January. In June a drake was on the reservoirs on the 1st & 2nd. The only record in July was one on the 31st. In August three were present on the 7th & 25th. In September recorded on nine dates. In October 60+ were present on Went Ings on the 15th, there were records on only three October dates, but there would have been more if the Went Ings had been visited more often. On 27th of December a flock of 111 was logged.  

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

110

29

84

33

3

1

1

3

17

60+

8

111

 

2009:  The best counts of the year were; 86 on 1st of January, 83 on 22nd of March and 100+ on Went Ings on the 9th of December.  The only April record was of four on Went Ings on the 2nd; the only May record was a pair on Went Ings on the 29th. The only July record was one on Went Ings on the 27th. August records were of two on 1st & 5th. Monthly maxima were as follows.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

86

48

83

4

2

0

1

2

24

24

12

100+

 

2010:  The maximum count for the year was 50+ on Went Ings on the 9th of February. The maximum monthly counts were as follows.

 

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

26

40

50+

30+

2

0

1

6

6

2

16

14

 

Correction to the 2010 report:

There was a maximum count of 70 on Went Ings on the 13th of March; not 50+ on the 9th of February as reported.

 

2011:  The maximum count was c.75 on Went Ings on the 16th of March.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

18

66

c.75

13

0

1

3

9

14

3

9

8

 

2012: Recorded in every month. The maximum count was 132 on Went Ings on the 13th of September. In April birds were noted regularly on Went Ings. In May a male on the 30th & 31st was the only record. The only records In July were on Went Ings with seven on the 21st and three on the 23rd. Birds were regularly seen again on the flooded Went Ings from August to the year end

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

81

32

13

5

1

2

7

113

132

48

71

53

 

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos. 

2005:  Maximum count was 520+ on 19th November. Only five broods of young were noted this year.

 

Mallard

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

218

70

120+

19

46

81

Nc

68

162

282

520+

510

 

2006: The maximum count for the year was 523 on 26th December.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

450+

c.405

224

42

63

105

180

c.230

156

228

285

523

 

2007: The maximum year count was 492 on 30th January and the total number of broods was six.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

492

450+

127

35

82

108

n/c

210

117

c.280

246

368

 

2008:  The maximum count for the year was 668 on the 7th of December. There was a total of c.10 broods of young seen on the reservoirs and one brood was seen on Went Ings, there would probably have been more if Went Ings had Been visited more regularly. Monthly maximums were--

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

c.400

430+

152

70

47

90

101

38

400+

450+

c.600

668

 

2009:  Around ten broods of ducklings were seen on the reservoirs and three broods on Went Ings. The best counts for the year were 650 on 8th of November and c.790 on 19th of December. Monthly maxima were as follows.   

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

407

441

116

103

85

c.160

c.135

127

c.240

540+

650

c.790

 

2010:  The maximum count for the year was 590+ on the 31st January. Ten broods of young were noted during the breeding season. The maximum monthly counts were as follows.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

590+

460+

39

26

150

100+

c.115

240+

253

c.260

nc

260

 

2011: The maximum count for the year was 550+ on the 13th of January.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

550+

346

c.105

55

77

c.230

c.175

160+

280+

c.230

293

365

 

2012: High counts in the first two months of the year were 515+ on the 14th of January and 550+ on the 4th of February. The year’s maximum was count was 670+ on the 6th of December. There were around ten broods of young seen at the reservoirs and three broods were seen on Went Ings.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

515+

550+

81

nc

93

30+

44

130+

220+

148

267

670+

 

Pintail Anas acuta. 

2005: In January five (3s) on the 1st and 5 s on 11th. In February five (3s) on 2nd. Five s on 11th, a pair 12th, a 18th.  A pair on the 13th March was the only record in that month.  In September three on the reservoirs 19th flew off east.  On 4th October two arrived from the east with a flock of 30 Wigeon, circled the reservoirs and flew off east, then one on the 18th.  In November a 4th and 9th, a 13th, three (2s) 16th were the last of the year.      

2006: The only January record was a female on the 6th. In February a single male was seen on four dates between the 13th & 18th. In March a single female on six dates between 2nd & 16th, then a pair were on Went Ings on the 22nd, with three (one male) there on the 23rd and 31st. In April a male was on Went Ings on 16th; and three (one male) there on the 17th, then down to a single male on the 19th. In September eight on the 8th, then single birds on the 11th & 14th. The only October record was six flying west on the 1st. There were no records at all in November. In December a male was present from 1st-24th, it was joined by three females on 22nd, two remained to the 24th and one to the 29th.    

2007:Recorded on twenty dates between 13th of January and 30th of March, with a maximum of nine (5 males) on 24th January; and eight (6 males) on 9th February. A poor showing in the second half of the year; in September single birds on the 19th & 27th, one on 7th October, two on 1st November and a female on 26th & 27th December.   

2008:  In January a female was present on the 6th and a male on the 17th. In February there was seven (5 males) on the 4th, a female 5th, two males 13th and three pairs on the 24th. No records in March and the only record in April was a pair on the 17th. One was present on the 29th of August. In September singles birds on the 4th, 10th, 20th & 21st. In October four on the 10th, then present from the 27th of October to the 27th of December, with a maximum of 15 (7 males) on the 11th of November.

2009:  In January a male was present from 27th-29th. In February birds were recorded on twelve dates between the 3rd & 24th, with a maximum of eight (5 males) on the 13th. The next records were not until October, when birds were present between the 8th & 17th with a maximum of six on the 8th. The next records were in December, with nine (5 males) circling the reservoirs on the 4th, two males on the 19th and a male on the 20th, 21st & 25th.     

2010:  In January a pair were seen on the 20th and a male on the 31st. In February, a pair were seen on the 16th, a male 20th, a pair 27th & five (3 males) on the 28th. In March birds present daily from the 1st-9th with two females on the 1st, 3rd & 4th; two males & a single female on the 2nd. A pair present 6th-9th & again on the 12th. In April a male on the 14th was the last record in the first half of the year.

There was a poor showing in the second half of the year; in September six flew West on the 5th, one on the 17th & five on the 27th. The only other record was a female on the 22nd of November.     

2011:  In January there were four birds on the 7th (1 male), four on the 21st (2 males) and a pair the next day. In February two pairs on the 24th. In March a pair on the 4th.

In the second half of the year, there was one on the 29th of September. In October 13 were present on the 1st and a male on the 18th. In November three males on the 13th was the only record. In December there were 14 on the 5th (8 males), a male on the 9th, three males on the 12th, a male on the 20th and finally nine on the 23rd (5 males).

2012: In the first half of the year the only records were in January; recorded regularly between the 1st & the 20th, with the only double figure count being 15 (9 males) on the 12th.

One was on Went Ings on the 31st August. In September there was one on Went Ings on the 21st, six on the 28th and one on the 29th. In October ten on the 12th was the only record. In November there was one on the 9th and two on the 12th. In December there were 5 on the 15th two of these were males.    

 

Garganey A. querquedula.

2009:   A male was present on Went Ings on the 10th and 29th of May.

2010:  A male on Went Ings on the 27th of March was our earliest ever record, It was also the first site record for March. In May a male was on Went Ings on the 7th and on the reservoirs on the 11th, 13th & 21st.

2012: One was on Went Ings on the 19th of August.

 

Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata. 

2005: The maximum count was of eight flying west to Went Ings on 11th April.

 

Shoveler

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

3

4

4

8

2

0

0

5

6

1

4

7

No of  days

2

2

6

6

4

0

0

6

3

2

6

4

 

2006: Recorded on a total of forty days.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

1

3

5

3

1

2

0

2

2

2

1

3

No of days

1

3

4

9

1

1

0

6

2

2

2

9

 

2007: The maximum count was 16 on Went Ings on 8th August.

 

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

5

3

2

3

4

3

9

16

3

1

1

4

No of days

6

9

7

2

10

6

4

10

5

5

4

1

 

2008:  Recorded in every month and bred for the very first time; when in July a female was seen with seven young on the 1st & 3rd and down to five young on the 18th, they were last seen on the 30th when they were fully feathered. The maximum count for the year was 10 on the 1st of September; the best month of the year was April with fifteen records.                            

2009:  In January a female was seen on the 17th and single males on the 27th and 29th. In February single males noted on the 7th and 23rd, a pair on the 19th, then three (2 males) on the 20th. In March recorded on seven dates, with a maximum of seven (4 males) on the 9th. In April birds present all month on Went Ings, with a maximum of six (4 males) on the 18th. In May birds were seen regularly on Went Ings to the 17th, with a maximum of seven (4 males) on the 2nd. The only June records were two males on the 2nd, two pairs on the 4th and a pair on the 6th then the 10th-12th.

In July a female appeared on the reservoirs with six young on the 16th, of which five were reared, and four adults were seen on the 30th. The female and her brood were the only Shovelers seen during August. From September to the year end recorded on 31 dates; the best counts for this period were in November with 22 (6 adult males) on the 6th, increasing to 28 (8 adult males) the next day.   

2010:  The maximum count for the year was 14 on the 11th of December.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

5

8

7

5

5

1

1

9

8

3

0

14

No of days

8

8

13

8

10

2

2

1

6

2

0

3

 

2011:   It was a poor year for this species, maximum counts as follows.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

1

3

4

2

2

2

0

3

3

5

5

3

No of days

2

4

5

4

5

1

0

3

2

2

2

7

 

2012: Recorded in every month of the year. In August recorded regularly on the flooded Went Ings, with a maximum of 19 on the 10th. Recorded regularly again in September on Went Ings with a maximum count of 23 on the 9th.

 

Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina. 

2005: A female was present on 19th September.

2009: A remarkable count of seven (5 males) on the 8th of January, this was the fifth record for the site; birds have now been recorded on a total of nine dates.  

 

Common Pochard Aythya farina. 

2005: The maximum count was 147 on 20th November.  A male on the 5th and 19th of April and In July two on the 11th, were the only records in those months.  Recorded on only four dates in August, two of the records were single birds on the reservoirs and six flew west on the 2nd and 19th August.  A low maximum of 11 in September on 25th

    

Pochard

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

129

50

57

1

0

0

2

6

11

115

147

138

 

2006: The peak year count was 203 on 20th January. In April after three on the 2nd, one female remained next day and stayed to the 22nd; and a pair was present from 25th-27th. In May single males recorded on six dates between the 7th & 29th. A good showing in both June and July with birds present almost daily, however August was poor. In September birds occurred in double figures from the 20th onwards.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

203

187

85

3

1

10

17

4

19

55

54

86

 

2007: A poor year for this species, the maximum count was 122 on 16th December. In May single males noted on the 20th & 27th,

In June singles on the 4th & 26th, then three on 28th and four on the 20th. In July five on the 2nd and singles on 5th & 18th. In August six on the 1st and singles on 14th & 19th. In September singles on 27th & 29th and three on the 28th.   

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

62

47

52

12

1

4

5

6

3

26

83

122

 

2008:  In May there were singles males on the 6th, 9th, 10th & 22nd and three males on the 30th. In June there were six males on the 1st, a single male on the 21st and five males on the 22nd. In July a pair was present from the 8th to the 10th, a single male on the 11th was joined by a female the next day. A female flew west on the 23rd, two males seen on the 25th and two birds on the 30th. The only August record was a male present from the 13th-15th. In September recorded in small numbers from the 11th to the 21st, then into double figures from the 22nd to the month end.

The maximum count for the year was 147 on the 1st of January and 151 on the 12th of December.       

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

147

26

23

0

3

6

2

1

20

42

130

151

 

2009:  In April a male was present on the 5th, then nine (8 males) on the 17th with just a single male remaining next day. In May a male was present from the 1st-3rd and another on the 26th. In June recorded on seven dates with a maximum of eight on the 3rd. In July birds were recorded on ten dates, with a maximum of six on the 3rd & 5th. In August there were single birds on four dates. In September three on the 11th and one on the 15th, birds were then present daily from the 22nd to the month end.

The years maximum count was of 257 on the 30th and 31st of December. Monthly maxima were as follows;

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

199

221

64

9

1

8

6

1

10

96

176

257

 

2010:  Birds were recorded regularly but in small numbers from the 1st of April to the 30th of September. The maximum count for the year was 254 on the 25th of November, but numbers declined sharply after this date as the reservoirs became frozen. The maximum monthly counts were as follows.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

227

251

170+

1

1

7

7

2

4

111

254

63

 

2011:   The maximum count for the year was 189 on the 24th of February.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

155

189

148

0

1

1

2

1

1

36

106

18

 

2012: The maximum count for the year was 119 on the 8th of January and again on the 21st of February. In April the only records were of six on the 23rd & 27th. In May there was three on the 3rd, then eight (2 females) on Went Ings on the 4th, two males on the 29th and a male on the 31st. In June a male on the 14th, then eight (1 female) on the 17th, three on the 28th, a male on the 29th and three (2 males) on the 30th. In July there were eight on the 7th and four on the 11th. The only August record was a single on the 2nd. In September singles on three dates and a pair on the 9th. In October recorded regularly from the 9th to the year end.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

119

119

64

6

8

8

8

1

2

20

63

59

 

Tufted Duck A. fuligula. 

2005: Maximum count was 75 on 31st December.

 

Tufted

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

20

17

13

4

7

8

7

15

10

12

56

75

 

2006: The maximum year total was 89 on 6th January. It was the best ever breeding season with five broods totalling 33 young, of which 30 became fully fledged. Like Pochard there was a good showing in both June and July. 

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

89

43

32

39

12

24

27

22

24

13

26

56

 

2007: The maximum count was of 63 on 26th December. It was a good breeding season with six broods on the reservoirs and two more on Went Ings.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

29

22

34

23

20

26

20

6

34

20

40

63

 

2008:  Two broods were recorded, raising a total of 12 young. The maximum count for the year was of 62 on the 18th of December. Monthly maxima were as follows.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

39

24

20

17

25

26

33

14

10

37

36

62

 

2009:  The year’s maximum count was c.145 on the 30th of December. There were two broods of ducklings on the reservoirs, with a total of six young being raised. Another pair of Tufted Duck was present on Went Ings and raised 2 chicks.  Monthly maxima were as follows;

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

45

64

28

25

39

34

31

3

12

58

72

c.145

 

2010:  Four broods of young were noted; a, 2, 5, 6, & 7 on the 29th of July. The maximum count for the year was 197 on the 9th of January. The maximum monthly counts were as follows.

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

197

80

20

30

30

20

10

10

13

43

70

120+

 

2011:  The maximum count was 118 on the 3rd of January. Bred once again and eight young were raised from two broods. The monthly maximum counts were as follows-

 

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

118

30

20

59

31

29

9

11

12

13

21

46

 

2012: The maximum count was of 156 on the 10th of February. A single young bird was noted on the 9th of August.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

51

156

18

28

12

15

12

11

15

34

29

58

 

Scaup A. marila. 

2005: Three first-year birds on 24th August. In October a on the 2nd, an immature on 4th remained to 11th.  Two first-year s on 10th November, followed in December by a from 1st-18th, this bird or another appeared on the 30th.

2006: The only record was an adult male on the 27th of September.

2007: Two immature males present in January (no date). The only other records were of a female on the 3rd of March and two first-year males on the 21st of December.

2008:  The only record for the year was an immature male on the 16th of October.

2009:  An immature bird was present from the 13th-15th of October; another immature was present on the 27th, it was not seen on the 28th but reappeared on the 29th, it was then joined by a second immature on the 8th of November and they both remained until the 19th of November.   

2010:  The only record for the year was a female on 23rd October.

2012: An adult male was seen on the 18th of September. Four immature birds one of them a male were seen on the 15th of October. Finally an adult male was seen on the 9th of November.

 

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra. 

2005: In June two s on the 9th, one of these remained to the 16th.  An adult was present from 23rd-28th August.

2006: In March single males on 13th & 26th. In April a female on the 6th. In June, singles on 22nd & 25th. In July a party of eight included four males on the 19th. The final record was a male on 1st October. 

2007: On March 29th five were present including two males; a female remained the next day. There was a male on the 20th of June and another male on 27th of September.

2008:  There were three records for the year, starting with, three on the 24th June, a female on the 9th of August and a pair on the 25th of September.

2009:  A male was present on the 15th of October and a female was present on the 13th of November.

2012: A male was present on the 22nd & 23rd of April. Two females were present on the 6th of August. A male was seen on the 24th of September. A female seen flying east on the 30th of October may have come off of the reservoirs. Finally in November a female was present from the 28th to the 30th.  

 

Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca.

2010:  A female/immature bird was present on the 15th of January; it was on a patch of unfrozen water for just five minutes before flying off West. This was the eighth site record and the first record in this month.   

 

Goldeneye Bucephala clangula. 

2005: Maximum count was 12 on 29th January.

 

Goldeneye

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

12

11

11

6

0

0

0

0

0

6

9

7

 

2006: Maximum for the year was 23 on 2nd of November, with further peaks of 15 on 13th of February and 3rd & 24th of March. An adult male on 31st October was the only record for the month. In November 22 on the 1st increased to 23 the next day.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

13

15

15

4

0

0

0

0

0

1

23

6

 

2007: On February 9th ten (5 males) were present. An immature male on 3rd April and a female/immature on 3rd of May were the only records in those months. The best count in the second half of the year was 15 which included five adult & three immature males on 5th November.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

3

10

6

1

1

0

0

0

0

2

15

7

 

2008:  The last bird seen in the first half of the year was a female/immature on the 10th of April. In October an immature on the 26th was the first to return, there was just one other October record of eight (1 adult male) on the 31st. The years peak count was of 14 (5 adult males) on the 17th of November. 

 JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

8

7

10

2

0

0

0

0

0

8

14

10

 

2009:  Present during the first three months of the year, with the last one being seen on the 23rd of March. The best counts in this period were 13 (6 adult males) on the 2nd and 13 (5 adult males) on the 7th and 8th of January. In February 18 (5 adult males) were present on the 7th. In October single birds were seen on the 4th, 13th & 28th and two on the 9th & 15th. Recorded on only eight days in November, with a maximum of three on the 13th and 29th. Birds were present in December, with a maximum of 11 (3 adult males) on the 30th.    

2010:  The maximum count for the year was 15 (4 adult males) on the 27th of February. The only September bird was on the 29th. The maximum monthly counts were as follows.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

13

15

12

0

0

0

0

0

1

2

7

10

 

2011:  The maximum count for the year was 12 on the 7th of January which included 7 adult males. On the 22nd of January there were four adult males. After 10 birds on the 2nd of February the next best count was of five on the 8th of December. The only October records were of three immatures on the 13th, with one remaining the next day. Birds were recorded regularly in November from the 11th, with four on that date being the most.

2012: Birds were present for the first three months of the year, with a maximum of 11 (6 adult males) on the 14th of February.

In October an immature male was present on the 9th & 10th, then two on the 28th, four (1 adult male) on the 29th, four female/immatures on the 30th, then five (1 adult male) on the 31st. In November birds were recorded on eight dates, with a maximum of six (2 adult males) on the 29th & 30th. In December they were present daily with a maximum of seven (2 adult males) on the 16th & 21st.  

 

Smew Mergellus albellus. 

2005: A male was present on the 2nd February.

2006: The only record was of three males on 26th, 27th and 28th of December.

2011:  The only record was of a redhead on the 22nd January.

2012: In February a redhead was present from the 10th -21st; it was joined by a second redhead on the 14th only.

 

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator. 

2005: A female/immature was present from 15th November to 4th December.

2006: Two females/immatures on 5th October was the only record.  

2007: A male on the reservoirs for about an hour on the 29th of March and a female/immature on 3rd of July flew of west. 

2008:  A male was on the reservoirs on the 19th March. On the evening of the 1st of July an immature was present for 40 minutes before flying off west. In November a female flew in with 14 Goosanders on the 17th and was seen again with Goosanders on the 23rd & 25th. It was also seen again on the 9th December.

2010:  A female was seen on nine dates between 1st & 16th of April.  There was a female/immature bird on the 29th of September. The last record was of a female/immature bird flying West with a female/immature Goosander on the 24th of October.

2011: Three redheads present on the 8th of November, two of these remained to the 15th of the month and one remained to the end of the year; and on into 2012.

2012: A redhead that had been present since November 2011 remained into 2012; it was last seen on the 10th of February. A redhead was recorded on the 10th of April and an adult male briefly on the 21st of December.

 

Goosander Mergus merganser. 

2005: Maximum count was 38 on 29th January. Two were noted flying west on 8th May.

 

Goosander

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

38

24

24

4

2

0

0

0

0

0

17

27

 

2006: Maximum count was 31 on 1st January. A female present from 14th of June accounted for all the records to the end of October, except for six that flew west on 28th August. 

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

31

25

21

16

0

1

1

7

1

1

5

18

 

2007: There was a maximum of 30 on the 3rd of February. One flew north on 30th of July. In October there was single birds on the 17th, 19th & 25th.

 

 JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

20

30

20

7

0

0

1

0

0

1

6

18

 

2008:  The last record in the first half of the year was on the 21st April when four (1 male) were present. The first to return was one flying west on the 10th of September. There were no October records, which is unusual. The maximum count for the year was 25 (10 adult males) on the 29th of December. 

2009:  Birds were present during the first four months of the year; the last record was a female on the 23rd & 25th. The monthly maximum counts were 27 (13 adult males) on the 7th of January, 30 (10 adult males) on the 27th of February, 33 (10 adult males) on the 5th of March and ten on the 1st and 4th of April. The next records were in November; a female/immature flew north-west on the 9th and a male was on the reservoirs on the 30th. Birds were present in December with a maximum of 35 (19 adult males) on the 29th.   

2010:  The maximum for the year was 45 (13 adult males) on the 13th of December. Birds were present daily from 1st of January to the 2nd of April; but only recorded on three April dates; with one on the 12th the last record in the first half of the year.

In October birds were recorded on only four dates between the 21st & 28th. In November birds recorded on just seven dates between the 9th & 30th, but present daily in December. The maximum monthly counts were as follows.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

35

25

20

2

0

0

0

0

0

9

4

45

 

2011:  The maximum count was of 56 (23 adult males) on the 1st of January. In October the only record was of four flying south on the 30th. For the first time ever there were no records during November. Birds were present daily from the 5th of December with a monthly maximum of 15 on the 20th.

2012: In the first half of the year birds were present into April, with a maximum count of 83 (33 adult males) on the 14th of February. In May five flew East on the 6th and an adult male was present from the 7th – 10th.

In October single females seen on the 8th & 12th and an adult male flew West on the 31st. In November an adult male flew West on the 2nd. A female was seen on the 5th and an adult male on the 20th. There was five (2 adult males) on the 29th, then next day five again but only one adult male. Birds were present daily from the 4th of December, with a maximum of 23 (13 adult males) on the 16th.   

 

Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis. 

2005: A poor year for this species.

 

Ruddy Duck

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

1

0

0

1

2

0

2

2

3

3

1

3

No of  days

1

0

0

1

1

0

1

3

10

4

4

7

 

2006: A good year for this species. Might it be the last? Controlled shooting is allowed to try and eradicate the British population in an attempt to stop it interbreeding with the White–headed Duck in Europe.  Peak counts were of 10 (6 males) on 24th of August, in September 13 (3 males) on the 5th and 17 (4 males) on 27th.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

0

1

2

2

1

2

5

10

17

7

2

2

No of days

0

2

4

2

1

3

19+

31

30

8

3

2

 

2007: A male was present from 3rd of March to 5th of April; also in April a female on the 9th, then five (4 males) on the 21st. In May two males on the 2nd. Two females/juveniles  on the 13th of August. The next a female/immature was on the 7th of October and a female/immature were present from 12th November to 5th December.    

2008:  A pair was present on the 28th of January. In March a male on the 5th and two next day, these remained until the 7th. In April a female on the 21st and two males next day, but the female had departed. Finally a male on the 11th of May was the last sighting in the first half of the year. In September single female/immatures on the 15th & 24th and a male on the 25th. In October a single female/immature was present from the 10th-21st. The next record was in December when a male was present from the 5th-7th.           

2009:  A female/immature was seen on the 1st of August and another on the 2nd of October. 

2010: A female was present on the 1st of February, a pair on the 24th of April. A female on the 30th of September; and further single females occurred on the 4th, 5th & 13th of October and the last was on the 7th of November.      

2011:  A female on the 30th of June was the only record; with the nationwide cull might this be the final record for the site?

 

Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus. 

2007: A new bird for June, one flew north-east, over the east-fields on the 11th this species has now been recorded on twelve dates.

2012: One was seen with two Common Buzzards soaring over Went Ings on the 21st of August before flying off westwards.

 

Red Kite Milvus milvus.

2005: On the afternoon of 21st August one was seen soaring over the sailing club by several Beaver Sailing Club members.

2006: One was seen distantly, by different observers, to the south-west of the reservoirs (at Fosterhouses) between the 11th of August and 6th of September. A local landowner said it was resident some time before the first Southfield sighting.

2010:  One flew in from and back out to the North on the 27th of October.

2011:  One flew low over the east fields heading West on the 11th of March.

2012: In March one flew south-west on the 21st and one flew South on the 27th. In August one was seen on Went Ings on the 7th.

2013:

 

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus. 

2005: A good year with twelve records, only two of these in the first half of the year.  An immature male flew north-east on 22nd April and a Creamcrown flew east on the evening of the 5th May.  In the latter half of the year a Creamcrown flew south-west on 31st July.  In August brief views of one flying west on the 9th, a Creamcrown north-east on 15th, a juvenile west on 16th, two juveniles west on 28th, one of these was hunting the sweet flag reed along the west bank.  In September on the 3rd a juvenile with a large white wing-bar went down onto Went Ings, two were seen on the 13th, one of these an adult male which landed on top of a tree, the other a Creamcrown which flew through later that morning.  Adult and first-year males were seen on the 25th; on the 27th, a first-year hunting along the Sweet Flag reeds for 30 minutes flew off east.  The final record of the year was on the 12th December when a first-year male alighted on the middle bank for some 15 minutes before flying off east, this was the first ever record in that month.     

2006: A Creamcrown was seen to go down onto Went Ings on 16th April. In May single Creamcrowns flew east on the 15th and south-east on 21st. In August a juvenile on 14th & 15th was possibly the same bird. One made its way north at height along with seven Common Buzzards on the 25th of August. In September there was a record count of four birds (1 male) on the 8th. Brief views were obtained of one flying east on the 9th. A juvenile was seen to go down onto Went Ings on the 27th. In October one flew north on the 3rd and single first-year birds were seen on 11th & 23rd. 

2007: A Creamcrown flew west on 23rd of April. In May three Creamcrowns passed through on the morning of the 13th and again a week later three Creamcrowns flew west on the morning of the 20th. In August all the records were of juvenile birds, with singles on 9th, 11th, 14th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 22nd & 23rd and two were together over Went Ings on the 21st.

In September a juvenile was seen on the 3rd, two juveniles on the 6th. A Creamcrown was over Went Ings on the 15th. Single juveniles on 17th & 18th, an adult female west on the 20th, a juvenile on the 22nd and an adult female east on the 28th was the final record of the year. 

2008:  A Creamcrown flew west on the 28th of February, which is our earliest recorded date. In April a male flew east on the 17th, a female flew west then back east on the 21st and a Creamcrown was seen on the 28th. Unusually there were no May records. The last record in the first half of the year was a male was on Went Ings on the 9th June. In August a juvenile flew east on the 4th, then there was two on the 10th one of these a juvenile landed in the Sweet Flag reeds along the west bank; finally in August a juvenile flew west on the 19th. In September singles juveniles were seen on the 4th, 9th & 17th. The last sightings of the year were off an adult female and a juvenile on the 18th.   

2009:  There were twenty-seven records for the year, but only five were in the first half of the year. A Creamcrown flew in from and back out east on the 28th of January. An immature male on the 28th of April and what was thought to be the same bird was seen on the 1st of May. Also in May a male over the reservoirs on the 8th was seen to go down onto Went Ings. News of one at Southfield came over the pager service on the 16th of May. In July a Creamcrown was seen on the 15th, a female on the 28th and single juveniles on the 29th and 30th. In August a female was seen on the 5th and single juveniles on the 9th, 11th, 15th & 20th. Then a male was seen on the 21st and two (1 female the other too distant to age) on the 23rd. In September single females were seen on the 1st and the 6th, then a juvenile next day; followed by a juvenile and a female on the 11th, and a female 16th, 21st, 22nd & 23rd. In October a juvenile was seen on the 1st and a female on the 2nd and 19th.    

2010:  A Creamcrown was seen over Went Ings on 11th of February. In April a first year bird was on Went Ings on the 12th and another immature flew North on the 28th. In May, on the evening of the 6th an immature was seen flying north-east, the following morning probably the same immature was seen flying East. A Creamcrown flew North on the 10th. In August a Creamcrown on Went Ings on the 3rd, a male on the 6th, a juvenile North on the 17th; a juvenile alighted in the Sweet Flag Reeds on the 25th, a juvenile flew East on the 27th. A male was seen eating prey in the east fields on the 30th and then flew off East. In September two birds on the 1st (one juvenile), two again on the 5th (a female flying east and a juvenile on Went Ings). An adult female on the 7th and finally a juvenile on the 30th concluded the sightings for the year.     

2011:  A male on the 23rd of March was the only record in the first half of the year. In August single juveniles were recorded on the 11th, 16th, 18th & 22nd. Also in August a male was seen over Went Ings on the 25th. In September a juvenile flew West on the 7th, a Creamcrown West on the 17th, an adult female & an immature male on the 27th, finally for September an adult female flew West on the 30th. In October an immature male & an immature female on the 7th, the final record of the year was an immature bird on Went Ings on the 29th of November.

2012: In March single Creamcrown’s flew West on the 2nd, west along Went Ings on the 5th and one was on Went Ings on the 18th. In May an immature male flew West on the 18th and a Creamcrown flew east on the 25th.

In August single first year birds were seen on the 1st & 28th; and single Creamcrown birds on the 10th & 11th. In September single first year birds occurred on the 3rd, 11th, 12th & 17th; then three (2 first year birds & an adult female) on the 13th and single Creamcrown’s on the 22nd & 28th.

In October a Creamcrown flew West on the 4th, a first year bird west on the 29th and a Creamcrown west on the 31st. In November, what was thought to be the same first year bird occurred on both the 3rd and the 4th. The final record of the year was an immature bird on the 14th.       

 

Hen Harrier C. cyaneus.

2006: A ringtail flew north, low over the reservoirs on 12th March and an adult male flew west on 3rd April.  

2009:  A ringtail bird was present for 45 minutes on the western side and northern end of the reservoirs on the 11th of August.

2011:  An adult male flew West on the 14th of February.

2012: This year had the second best showing of this species since 1979, which had eight records. This year Single ringtail birds were logged on a total of six dates: in January, recorded on the 13th, 14th & 25th; it was also the first time the species had been recorded in January. In February one flew south-east over the River Don on the 15th; and in April recorded on the 1st over Went Ings and on the 10th flying over the west fields.

 

Montagu's Harrier C. pygargus.   

2005: Probably a first-year bird, with Rufous underparts flew west on 23rd May. 

2006: A juvenile was seen flying in a southerly direction to the east side of the reservoirs on the 8th of September; this was the first autumn record and the fourth in total.  

 

Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentiles. 

2008: Two in display flight over Went Ings on the 14th April moved off to the north-west.

 

Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus. 

2005: Singles birds on 72 dates, two on four dates, three on 13th March and three soaring together on 28th August.

2006: Single birds were noted on forty-nine dates, two birds on nine dates, three birds on the of 3rd April and again on 22nd & 24th September. Four were together on 11th September and six birds were seen on 9th September.

2007: Single birds were seen on 54 dates, two on six dates and three over Cowick Gorse on the 2nd of April.   

2008:  Singles birds were recorded on 68 dates and two birds on ten dates.  

2009:  There were single birds on sixty-four dates, two on eight dates and four (3 together) on the 7th of September.

2010:  Single birds were recorded on sixty-three dates and two were recorded on five dates.

2011:  There were single birds on 75 dates and two birds on 13 dates.

2012: Single birds were recorded on sixty-one dates and two birds on two dates.

 

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo. 

2005: Our best year to date with thirteen records, all of single birds on the following dates; 14th & 20th January, 6th & 13th March, 10th May, 9th, 17th & 27th August, 1st & 18th September, 14th October and 9th & 13th November.  (13 records)

2006: A record-breaking year, all records as follows. In February two were seen on the 13th and 17th; and three at Cowick Gorse on 27th. In March two in Cowick Gorse on the 4th and one there next day, three in and over Cowick Gorse on 13th and two over Cowick Gorse 15th, then one east the next day. One soaring to the south on 21st. One over Cowick Gorse on the 26th and one over the west side on 31st. In April one was seen on the 1st, two on the 3rd (1 east & 1 south-west), then one over Went Ings on 4th. In May two on the 3rd, 5th, 6th, & 10th and one on 16th. There were no sightings in June or July. August was the best month with a record double-figure day count, records as follows, one on 22nd, 23rd & 24th, an amazing 13 on the 25th involved a party of seven moving north (accompanied by a Marsh Harrier), plus a single bird and five together. In September two noted on the 6th, six+ on the 8th, one 9th, two 11th and three 16th & 17th. In October two on 1st. There was one record in November on the 26th. Finally three were in and over Cowick Gorse on 2nd December. (32 records)        

2007: Birds were noted in every month except June, July & December. Single birds were seen on 23 dates, two on five dates and three on the 17th of April and 18th of September. Four on the 25th of January and 28th of September; and a total of five (4 together & 1 south), on the 15th of September.  (33 records)  

2008:  During the period 5th of January to the 17th of November there were single birds recorded on twenty-eight dates; the best month was June with seven records. Also in this period two birds were seen on nine dates, March producing four of these records. Three birds were recorded on the 27th of February, 27th of June & 22nd of August. Four birds were recorded on 9th of March. (41 records)

2009:  Records of this species continue to increase; birds were seen in every month, with fifty-two sightings for the year. There were single birds on 33 dates, two birds on eleven dates, three birds on the 1st of April, 31st of July, 13th of August, 7th of September and the 7th and 28th of October. The maximum was four birds, on the 17th and 23rd of October.     

2010:  Birds were recorded in every month of the year on a total of fifty-four dates. There were just single records in June & November. The best counts were of six on the 4th of March, nine on the 11th of May and five on the 7th of August, 16th of September and the 20th of October

2011: It was a record-breaking year for this species with a total of 131 sightings. The maximum count for the year was on the 1st of September when there was an incredible count of 18 birds in the air at the same time; 15 to the east of the reservoirs, one over Went Ings & two birds to the South of the reservoirs.

2012: Birds were recorded in every month of the year, with records on a total of 115 dates. The maximum count was six on the 9th of March and the 5th & 11th of April. 

 

Osprey Pandion haliaetus.

2006: On 12th May one flew in from the east and then continued south. 

2007: One flew north on the evening of the 3rd of May.

2008:  The best year ever with a total of eight sightings, though some sightings were probably of the same bird. In April one on the 20th, on the 27th one was seen to catch a fish and fly off west, finally in April one was over the reservoirs for 30 minutes on the 28th. In August one on the 13th, 14th & 16th was probably the same individual; also in August one flew south on the 25th and on the morning of the 30th one was seen on two occasions at 06:50 & 08:45    

2010:  In May one was in view for 27 minutes on the 1st and one for five minutes on the 21st.   

2011: One flew in from the South and out to the East on both the 14th and 15th of July and was the first ever recorded in this month. This could have been the same bird that was resident around this time on Hatfield Moors.

2012: Single birds were recorded on the 7th of May and the 26th of September.  

 

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus. 

2005: Recorded regularly, maximum was five (three juveniles) on 14th July and three on 19th September.

2006: A pair was resident throughout the year. The maximum was four together on 20th September.

2007: Recorded regularly. There were three together on the 13th, 18th and 23rd of August and again on the 2nd of November.  

2008:  Birds were noted regularly around the area throughout the year. In August three were on Went Ings on the 10th and four here on the 13th. There was no evidence of breeding in the Hawk and Owl Trust nest boxes this year.

2009: A long-dead male was found on the 9th of April. A pair on Went Ings on the 10th of May appeared to be at a nest site in an old Ash Tree. There were four together over Went Ings on the 14th of July and five on the 6th of August and 22nd of September.   

2010:  A pair was present all year. There were three birds on the 2nd of January and again on the 9th & 27th of August.

2011:  The maximum count for the year was five on the 21st of July and the 27th of September.

2012: Noted regularly throughout the year. There was a count of three on the 31st of January and four on the 6th of March. One pair nested and reared young in a Hawk & Owl Trust nestbox. There were four on the 16th of July and in August three were seen on the 2nd and three together on the 10th.

 

Merlin Falco columbarius. 

2005: There were seventeen records for the year, seven of these in the first half of the year as follows; January a 7th, and one on 29th.  February 15th, 18th, two on 25th.  The only March record was one on the 20th and the only April Record was a on 13th.  The ten records in the second half of the year were; August single s 15th, 22nd & 23rd and two s 27th.  In September single s on 24th & 26th. A on 3rd October and again on 9th November.  In December a 12th finally a 31st.

2006: In January one on the 2nd, a female 20th and two males together on 22nd were chasing a Skylark. In February single males on 18th & 25th. In March one on the 1st, a male on the 3rd, single females on the 26th & 27th. One on 16th April. There were four records in the second half of the year, one on 6th September a female 28th October and one on 2nd & 25th December.   

2007: A female on the 30th January. A female carrying prey on the 20th February. In March one was seen briefly chasing prey on the 6th and a female flew north on the 27th. In August single adult males were seen on the 17th & 18th. A female noted on the 15th September and finally one on 14th October.     

2008: Only three records for the year; in March a male on the 6th and one on the 14th the last was a female on the 3rd of December.

2009:  A female flew north on the 22nd of April. In August there was an immature male on the 24th, a female on the 27th and lastly a female on the 21st of October.

2010:  A male was seen attempting to catch a Skylark on the 10th of February, this was the only record in the first half of the year. In September one was seen on the 7th and a female on the 16th. In October a male was seen on the 21st and a female the next day. The only November record was one on the 15th. In December a male was seen on the 14th and a female on the 17th.

2011: Single females were seen on the 22nd of January and the 5th of March. One was seen flying South on the 19th of March. On the 3rd of April a female was watched as it tried unsuccessfully to catch a Skylark. In August, single females were seen flying East on the 1st and North on the 7th. The only other record was of a female on the 20th of December.

2012: In January one on the 12th and a female on the 25th. One was seen on the 1st of February. The next and last record of the year was a female which flew east on the 15th of October.

 

Hobby F. subbuteo.

2005: Two for five minutes on 29th April flew off east.  In May two on 8th and singles on 11th & 25th.  One on Went Ings on 16th July, the next was in August when a juvenile was seen chasing Hirundines on the 25th, on 27th two birds one of them an adult; and one bird seen on 28th.  The final birds for the year were in September on the 4th and a first-summer bird on 13th which was seen to catch a dragonfly.     

2006: Our earliest ever recorded occurred on 22nd April; it flew over the reservoirs heading south. In May two north on 9th and single birds on 13th & 16th. In July one on 19th and one on the evening of the 20th which attempted to catch a Swift, it disappeared from view still in pursuit. In August an adult east on 19th, an adult and a juvenile together on 24th & 25th. September was the best month with two birds mobbing a juvenile Montagu's Harrier on the 8th and single birds on 10th, 11th, 12th & 14th, two over Went Ings on 15th and finally one on 17th.  

2007: One flying north on the 6th May was the only record in the first half of the year. In August single birds were seen on the 21st, 28th & 29th. In September there was two on the 9th, 11th & 15th, when one was seen to take a Swallow. The final record was a juvenile on the 17th of September    

2008:  There were no sightings until August when singles birds were recorded on the 8th, 10th, 16th 25th & 28th. In September an adult flew west on the 3rd, the last record was two on the 6th.

2009:  The first of the year was one on the 1st of June, followed by a first-summer bird on the 30th. In July, there was one on the 15th and an adult on the 31st. In August a first-summer bird on the 4th, one on the 19th and an adult on the 26th. In September single adult birds on the 2nd and 4th and one on the 7th was the final record of the year.      

2010:  During May singles were seen on the 2nd, 12th, 25th & 27th. In June two were seen on the 22nd and one on the 25th. In July single birds were seen on the 19th, 22nd & 29th. In August single birds were seen on the 19th & 26th. The final records were in September one on the 7th and two on the 12th & 14th.     

2011: The first records for the year were in June; with singles on the 4th & 14th. In July there were singles on the 15th & 28th. In August one on the 5th, a juvenile on the 10th, an adult on the 11th, two juveniles on the 17th, an adult on the 19th and two on the 20th & 21st; one flew north-east on the 26th, one on the 27th and finally in August an adult on the 30th. In September one on the 7th and one flying south on the 17th were the final records for the year.

2012: The first of the year was on the 26th of April. In May there were singles on the 4th & 23rd. In July there were singles on the 8th & 19th. In August there was one on the 8th & 31st. In September one on the 1st, two together on the 11th, an adult on the 13th and the final record was one on the 18th.

An unconfirmed report of one on the 20th of April would be the earliest site record.

 

Peregrine Falcon F. peregrinus.

2005: Single adult s on 23rd & 29th January.  An adult on 1st February, single immature s were seen flying north on 13th & 11th April.  In August an unaged flew east on 6th and an adult seen on the 12th.  The next was not until 16th November when an immature was noted.  In December all records were of single immature s, one on the 10th, one on 21st spent twenty minutes over the reservoirs chasing gulls and crows, this bird appeared again over the reservoirs on the 27th before going to perch in a tree, it was also seen again on the 31st.  

2006: There were six records in the period January-March of a male which could have been responsible for all of the sightings. It appeared to be an immature in flight, but appeared more like a sub-adult when seen perched. Records are as follows; 20th & 28th January, 7th February, 15th March, when it was seen to take a Lapwing and again on the 21st & 28th. An immature male on 25th April and an adult male on 2nd May. One on 4th August. An immature male over the reservoirs chasing gulls on 1st September. In October single immature males on 12th and on 20th was chasing Carrion Crows. An immature female flew west on 23rd November, finaly an immature male on 13th December.    

2007: An immature male was seen on 5th March and one was seen briefly and distantly on the 25th. An adult male was noted on 17th & 23rd July and again on 12th of August. In September a male on 15th and an immature male on the 20th. single immature males were seen on the 16th of October and 23rd of November.   

2008:  In January an immature male on the 6th and an adult male on the 26th. In February an adult male on the 1st, an adult female on the 16th & one next day not aged or sexed. In March an immature female on the 18th and a single adult male on the 31st. The only April record was an adult male on the 15th. In May one on the 4th and an adult male on the 20th. In June an immature male on the 12th and in July an immature male on the 1st and an immature female on the 24th completes the records for the first seven months of the year. There were no sightings in either August or September. In October a male on the 6th; and the next record was on the 24th of November. In December two males over the reservoirs together on the 6th and a male on the 16th, finally one not aged or sexed on the 31st completed a good year for this species.     

2009:  The first record was one on the 2nd of January. In February there was an adult male on the 7th and a pair together on the 19th. In March two adult males were seen on the 4th and a distant male on the 23rd.

In April, one flew south on the 1st and an adult male was seen on the 22nd. A pair over the reservoirs on the 9th of June flew off north-west. In July an adult female on the 14th, next day one was seen perched on a pylon to the west-side of the reservoirs. In August two were together to the east of the reservoirs on the 20th. In September an immature female was seen on the 4th and an immature male on the 11th. In October an adult male on the 27th and next day two adult males were seen together. There were no records in November and in December males were recorded on the 19th and 21st.

2010:  The first records of the year came in March; with a female on the 3rd and an immature male on the 30th. In April two birds on the 30th; an immature female & an adult male. The only May record was an adult male on the 2nd.

In the second half of the year, there was a male on the 29th of July and an immature female on the 6th of August. There were no September records. In October a male was seen on the 5th and one on the 24th. The only November record was a male on the 10th and the only December record was an adult male on the 17th.   

2011:  An adult male on the 8th of February was the first of the year. In March there were single immature males on the 4th & 11th and single adult males on the 5th & 23rd. The next record was an immature female on the 28th & 29th of August. In October one flew North on the 3rd followed by an immature male on the 25th. The final records were in December, with an immature male on the 20th and an adult male on the 26th.

2012: In January an immature female was seen on the on the 4th. The next records were in March, with one on the 5th, an immature male on the 7th, two immature males together on the 14th, a male on the 16th (not aged). In April one on the 26th and in May two together on the 15th. In July there was an adult female on the 20th, an adult male on the 23rd and an immature female on the 27th. The next records were not until November when one flew north on the 2nd and an adult male was seen on the 24th. In December a pair of adults on the 26th was the final record for the year.   

 

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa.

2005: Just one observer managed to get this species onto the Southfield list for the year, there was just two records both of two birds; the first on Sykehouse Road on 23rd February and along Southfield Lane on the 13th October

2006: The only records for the year were of two on 16th August, then in September, 15 on the 6th and 14 on the 27th. Thirty-plus birds were noted being released at the end of August, so it is surprising none were seen from October onwards.   

2007: In March one on the 8th, two on the 16th. In May one on the 9th and two on Went Ings on the 15th. In July there was one on the 28th and two on the 30th & 31st.

In August a sudden increase to 24 on the 21st suggests birds had been released again for shooting interests. The maximum count in September was 15. On the 1st of October 37+ were noted falling to a maximum of 14 in November. In December there were no records at all.

2008:  The only January record was of 17 on the 7th. Between the 7th of February and the 29th of March recorded on thirteen dates, with a monthly maximum of seven & six respectively. In April singles birds on the 20th & 25th, there was a single record in May (no date). The only June record was of two on the 24th. In July two recorded on the 4th and one on the 16th. In August there was three on the 9th and 16 on the 29th. In September two on the 3rd, eight on the 4th and 14 on the 29th. The only October record was on the 22nd but no count was made, there were no records in November and in December the only records were of four on the 7th and 11 on the 17th.  

2009:  All records for the first half of the year were as follows; In February, nine on the 3rd, three on the 9th and two on the 24th. In March one on the 2nd, four (2 on Went Ings west of the aqueduct) on the 7th, two on the 13th, one 19th, two 22nd, and one on Went Ings on the 27th. The only April record was of two on the 30th. In May two on the 1st and one on the 15th. In June there was just one record on the 15th. The only July record was of five adults on the 29th. In August single birds were seen on four dates, with two on the 12th and six on the 27th. There was a sudden increase in September as birds were released for shooting interests, with a maximum of 26 on the 30th; after this there was 19 on the 9th & 13th of November and was the best count to the year end

2010:  Eight on the 26th of January was the maximum count until August when 10 adults were seen on the 19th; also in August two adults with two well grown young on the 30th. In September a family party of 11 was recorded (2 adults & 9 juveniles) on the 16th. In October the maximum was 19 on the 19th. There were no records during November. In December there was a count of 28 birds on the 23rd, this being the maximum count of the year. 

2011:  Not always easy to see and sightings to August were quite scarce. The first double figure count was not until August, when two adults and nine juveniles were seen on the 15th, followed by a family party of 12 on the 26th. In September there was an increase as birds were released for shooting interests; with 37 on the on the 6th & 7th. In October the maximum count was 50 on the 7th. In November the maximum was 59 on the 23rd and in December 21 on the 4th.

2012: Birds were recorded regularly up to October; then becoming scarce in the final two months of the year. In the first half of the year there was 12 on the 5th of February, this being the maximum count in this period. In the second half of the year a sudden increase in September due to birds being released for shooting interests. There was a count of 38 on the 21st, then 42 on the 30th, with a gradual decline in numbers to the year end.

 

Grey Partridge Perdix perdix.

2005: The maximum count for the year was 20 on 16th August.

 

Grey Partridge

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

7

7

4

2

2

5

2

20

13

18

18

18

 

2006: The year began with eleven on New Years day. In February 13 on the 1st and 14 on the 7th. On 27th July two adults were seen with 10 young along Southfield Lane. The best counts in the second half of the year were in December with 15 on the 8th and 16 on 22nd.

2007: There were no notable counts during the year. Two or three pairs remain around the reservoirs and an adult was seen with 3+ young on the 10th of June.

2008:  Seen in only small numbers in the first half of the year. A pair along Southfield Lane on the 19th of June was seen to have young but no count was possible as they were in tall vegetation. An adult with 10 young was near the Sailing Club on the 28th of July. In August family parties of 12 birds were recorded on the 11th & 22nd also two other adults on this latter date. Also in August a group of 14 were in the east fields on the 30th. In the second half of the year there was 13 on the 6th & 14th of October this was the highest count until December when a flock of 40+ were seen on the 7th & 18th.

2009:  The best count in the first half of the year was 40+ in the east fields during January.

A pair was seen with three young along Southfield Lane on the 1st of July; then an adult with six young was in the same area on the 6th of August. There was a big increase in September and October as birds were released for shooting. There was a large flock of 77 birds on the grassed area at the Sailing Club on the 4th of October, most looked like Grey Partridge but some appeared to be hybrids. The flock was down to 40+ by the 6th of November.   

2010:  There was a count of 15 on the 9th of January. In July there was an adult and 15 juveniles on the 26th and an adult and two juveniles on the 28th. On the 2nd of August there were two adults & 15 juveniles. Finally in December there was a count of 14 birds on the 10th.  

2011:  Birds were recorded on only sixteen dates in the first half of the year, with four on the 17th of April the most. In July there was an adult with 11 juveniles on the 29th. In August there was a family group of 12 on the 18th and two adults & nine juveniles on the 22nd. A count of 20+ on the 21st September was the maximum count of the year.

2012: There is a noticeable decline in records of this species.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

9

2

2

2

2

2

1

0

0

0

3

0

No of days

2

2

2

3

7

1

2

0

0

0

1

0

 

Common Quail Coturnix Coturnix.

2005: One was calling from Went Ings on 28th June.

2010:  One was heard calling from an Oil Seed Rape field/the old turf-field on Went Ings on 11th June.

 

Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus.

2005: Recorded regularly, maximum count was seven on 2nd September.

2006: The only double figure count was 13, which included 4 males; these were all on the eastern side of the reservoirs on 5th March. This species is reared and released in nearby Cowick Gorse for shooting; and is a fairly common resident around the reservoirs.   

2007: A common resident around the reservoirs and Went Ings. The best counts were in October with 15 (3 males) on the 23rd and 17 (4 males) on the 24th.  

2008:  Birds were recorded regularly throughout the year with a maximum count of seven males on the 8th of March.

2009:  Four females and two males were recorded on the 17th of April. On the 9th of May four males and a female were on Went Ings. On the 21st of October four females and three males were on Went Ings; and In November seven males were seen in the east fields on the 5th and six males were here on the 9th.  

2010:  Birds were recorded throughout the year. Maximum numbers were as follows; In March seven (1 male) on the 23rd. On the 2nd of July there was a female and six juveniles, lastly nine juvenile birds on the 4th of September.

2011:  The maximum count for the year was of 10 (5 males) on the 7th of October.

2012: A Common resident breeding species, with birds also being released for shooting interests in nearby woodland. The maximum count was seven on the 15th of January. Four juveniles were seen on the 29th of August.

 

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus.

2005:  On 8th September one was flushed along the middle bank, it was seen again at the same location on the 25th.  In October one on the 2nd, 6th & 10th.

2006: One was seen walking on the ice at the edge of the middle bank on 3rd March. One was seen on 2nd April and one was calling from the drain alongside the south-bank of the canal on 21st December. 

2007: One was on the middle bank on 23rd October and one on the jetties at the sailing club on the 26th of December.  

2008:  Single birds were recorded on the 1st, 3rd & 27th of January; then 16th of February and the 3rd of March

2009:  One was heard calling from Went Ings on the 21st of December.

2010: One was on Went Ings on the 1st of January and the 15th of November. One was on the reservoirs middle bank on the 23rd of December.

2011:  Single birds were seen on the 24th of October, the 11th & 17th of November and the last on the 25th of December.

2012: In January one was on the middle bank on the 1st, 13th & 16th. In February single birds were recorded on seven dates and probably relate to the same individual; as does records on seven dates in March. There were no records in the second half of the year.  

 

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus.

2005: Recorded regularly but only in small numbers.

2006: Moorhens are now more attracted to the middle bank due to the fact that the vegetation is kept low and there is also bare earth in some places. The maximum day-count was nine, in both July and August. Three young were seen along the west bank on the 28th of July and two adults were seen feeding two young on the middle bank during August.

2007: There was a count of 12 on the 9th of February. A pair bred on the middle bank; and three young were seen on the 19th & 29th of July, falling to two on the 2nd of August. Another brood of four was seen on Went Ings on the 21st of August. On 1st September on Went Ings 16 were seen, a mix of adults, juveniles and one young.    

2008:  In August two adults with four young were on the middle bank on the 7th, but only two young noted on the 20th & 22nd. A second brood with three young were also seen on the middle bank during August. On the middle bank in September an adult with one young and two adults with three young were seen on the 2nd. The maximum count of the year was of ten on Went Ings on the 8th of December.  

2009:  There was a count of 12 on Went Ings on the 7th of March. A nest on the middle bank contained seven eggs on the 21st of April, but on the 8th of May all of them were taken by a Carrion Crow. On Went Ings on the 6th of July there were three juveniles, four adults and a brood of five young. Then at the same location on the 29th of July there was a count of eight including two young. On the 6th of August an adult with an indeterminate number of young was in the Sweet Flag Reeds at the north-west corner of the reservoirs. The best count of the year was of, 20 on Went Ings and eight at the reservoirs on the on the 23rd of October.  

2010:  Maximum count for the year was 17, 15 of these on Went Ings and two at the reservoirs on the 3rd of March.

2011:  The maximum count for the year was seven, six of these on Went Ings and one at the reservoirs, on the 3rd of February.

2012: A regularly recorded resident bird. Bred on Went Ings and young birds were seen there in July. There was a very good count of 30 birds on Went Ings on the 31st of August.

 

Coot Fulica atra.  

2005: Maximum year count was 40 on 18th October.

 

Coot

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

11

15

13

0

3

6

23

27

32

40

28

35

 

2006: Maximum count was 53 on 1st February.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

46

53

43

8

7

14

35

32

42

9

10

21

 

2007: The maximum count for the year was 37 on the 21st of August. A pair bred on Went Ings and three young were seen on the 10th of July.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

24

25

24

11

6

6

6

37

28

26

25

20

 

2008:  The years maximum count was of 28 on the 8th of August. An adult was seen with two young on Went Ings on the 20th of June and an adult with one young was seen along the west bank on the 11th of July. The monthly maximum counts are as follows.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

19

15

19

6

10

12

16

28

15

16

10

26

 

2009:  The maximum count for the year was 50 on the 31st of December. Birds bred on Went Ings, where broods of 1, 2, 4 & 5 young were seen on the 17th of May. Also on this date on the Ings a further three adults were sitting on nests, and two other nests were being built.

2010:  The maximum counts for the year were of 51 on the 20th of January. 54 on the 1st of February and 56 on the 28th of December. One pair bred and raised two young. The monthly maximum counts were as follows

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

51

54

24

8

4

6

9

14

15

12

16

56

 

2011:  The maximum count for the year was 48 on the 2nd of January.

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

48

19

19

nc

4

6

nc

nc

2

3

8

10

 

2012: The year’s maximum count was of 22 on Went Ings on the 7th of August.

Three nests were found on Went Ings on the 7th of July, but all were abandoned as floodwater receded. 

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

10

15

10

0

8

5

14

22

3

4

4

14

 

Common Crane Grus grus. 

2009: Two birds flew over on the 16th of May and two flew in from the east on the 21st of May and alighted on Went Ings to the west of the aqueduct. 

 

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus.

2005:  Recorded regularly from 9th March to 26th August; with four on 31st March and again on 12th & 28th April, this was eclipsed by seven on 21st May.  One on 24th December was most unusual being the first December record.   

2006: The first to return was one on the middle bank on 3rd February. The next was on 10th March. A single bird was noted on a further eight March dates. In April and May recorded regularly, with a maximum of four on 6th & 22nd April and 19th & 25th May. Recorded on ten June dates, with three on 22nd the most. In July one seen on 4th, 5th & 6th. The final records for the year were in August with one on 9th, four on 15th and three on 28th.

2007: One to three birds were recorded regularly between the 5th of February & 23rd of July. In May ten were logged (8 east & 2 west) on the 13th; then nine on the 15th, six on 19th and four on the 27th. In June four were seen on the 30th. In August one was seen on the 2nd and two on the 8th. In October there were two on the 19th, finally one on 3rd of November.   

2008:  One was on the middle bank on the 28th of January; and then recorded regularly from the 25th of February to the final sighting of the year on the 28th of July. The maximum count for the year was of six on the middle bank on the 30th of May 

2009:  Birds were recorded regularly between the 19th of February and the 20th of July. The maximum count was of six on the 15th of May.

2010: Birds were recorded regularly between the 26th of February & 23rd of July. The maximum count was of four birds on the 13th & 30th of March. 1st, 2nd & 21st of April and the 6th of May.

2011:  Birds were recorded regularly from the 16th of February to the 31st of May, with a maximum count of six on the middle bank on the 19th of May. Recorded on only four June dates and the only July record was of one on the 12th. The final record for the year was a single bird on the 12th of August.

2012: Birds were recorded regularly between the 25th of February and the 27th of July. The maximum count was five on the 13th of April and the 18th of June.

 

Avocet  Recurvirostra avosetta.

2006: Three were seen flying over the reservoirs on 18th May. One on the middle bank on 2nd June flew off east.  

2007: Two on the 17th April landed on the reservoirs briefly before flying off east.

2008:  One was on the middle bank on the 16th of March representing our earliest spring record. On the 14th of April two circled the reservoirs and then flew east. 

2009:  Two were seen on the 28th of April and one flew east on the 14th of May.

2011:  One on the middle bank on the 27th of April and was the only record.

2012: Just one record of a single bird on the 19th of July; it was also the first time it had been recorded in this month

 

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius.

2005: All records were of single birds on the following dates; 22nd March, this was only the second ever in that month. North on 29th April, in May north on 11th, west on 21st, south on 25th and the final record east on 27th June.      

2006: The worst year ever recorded with only two records, one east on 18th May and one west on 10th July

2007: In April one flew west on the 26th, then one east on the 29th. In May one west with four Dunlins on the 11th and one west on the 14th completed the year’s sightings.

2008:  The only record of the year was of one flying east on the evening of the 1st of August.   

2009: An early arrival flew east on the 17th of March; and was the second earliest date for the site. One flew north on the 23rd of April and one flew east on the 1st of May. In June single birds flew north on the 1st and east on the 15th. One flew north on the 1st of July and was the final record of the year.  

2010: The first of the year was one on the 23rd of March. In April single birds passed through on the 22nd & 23rd, also the 22nd of May. In June single birds on the 17th & 22nd were the final records for the year.  

2011:  One flew West on the 23rd of April. In May the only record was of one flying East on the 3rd. There was just one June record of one flying East on the 7th. In August one was present from the 26th-28th, the final record was of one which flew East on the 1st of September.

2012: The only records were of one north on the 19th of April, one north on the 16th of June and one east on the 11th of July.

 

Great Ringed Plover C. hiaticula.

2005: Recorded on twenty-five dates between 20th March and 25th September.  13 flew east on 1st June and ten records in August was the most in any month.

2006: It was an average year for this species, with birds on 28 days numbering some 47 in total. There were three on the 12th of March and single birds flew west on 16th & 27th March. In April single birds passed through on 3rd & 17th, plus two on the 5th & 15th. Recorded on six dates in May, with four northbound on 15th the most. There were no records in June or July. Recorded on five dates in August, with one on the jetty on 18th and a peak of six flying west on the 26th. Records came on ten September dates up to the 19th, with a year day-count maxima of 11 on 17th.   

2007: Singles on 24th February and 5th April. In May one on the 13th, then three on the jetties on the 29th flew off north, the last of spring was one on 15th June. In August, two flew west on the 2nd, one east on 11th, one west 17th one north 23rd and one west on 30th. In September single birds noted on the 3rd, 13th, 15th & 27th with the final record of the year on the 29th. A noticeable decline in records.

2008:  The first record of the year did not occur until the 26th of May, when four birds were recorded. In July single birds were recorded on the 8th, 28th & 31st. In August single birds were noted on the 14th & 29th and two on the 23rd. In September three flew east on the 16th and one on the 20th, one was on the jetties on the 22nd and two flew east on the 23rd. A late bird flew east on the 31st of October.

2009:  The first one of the year flew north on the 27th of February. The next was on the 1st of April. In May, two north-east on the 13th, one north-east on the 14th, four flew north-east along with 15 Dunlins on the 15th, finally in May one on the 17th. In June one flew north-east on the 1st and one flew east on the 19th. In July single birds recorded on the 2nd and 26th. The only August record was one on the 11th and the only September record was one flying east on the 11th. In October four flew west on the 2nd and finally for the year one flew east on the 22nd of October.      

2010:  In March single birds were noted on the 2nd, 14th & 24th. The only April record was of four flying North on the 25th. The only May record was of one on the middle bank on the 21st. The only June record was of two flying West on the 1st, and the only July record of one on the middle bank on the 21st. In August there was one on the 10th, two East on the 15th, one East on the 17th and two on the 31st. In September five flew West on the 5th and one flew West on the 7th. One was flying around the reservoirs with three Dunlins on the 28th and next day three were logged. The final record was of one on the 6th of October.

2011:  In March there were single birds on the 17th & 25th then two flew West on the 24th and three East on the 22nd. In April there was singles on the 15th & 18th. In May four flew west on the 24th. In June five flew North on the 14th. The next records were in August, with single birds on the 21st, 26th & 31st and four flew East on the 30th. In September single birds were recorded on the 7th & 23rd and finally in October three on the 25th.

2012: There were just three records in the first half of the year; one east on the 27th of April, two west on the 28th of May and one west on the 9th of June. The first record in the second half of the year was not until the 9th of August, when one was seen flying onto Went Ings, where it remained until the 11th. The only other August record was one on the 22nd. In September all records were of passage birds, with two on the 9th, singles on the 18th & 19th, two on the 21st, three on the 24th and one on the 29th. In October one flew west on the 1st. The final record of the year was of one heard calling over the reservoirs on the 19th of December; this was the first ever record during this month.    

 

Dotterel C. morinellus.

2005: Recorded for the first time, when a calling bird was seen flying north at 07:40 on 8th May.  J.S.

 

European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria.

2005: The maximum count for the year was 900+ on 7th November    

 

Golden Plover

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

80+

200+

24

12

0

0

19+

150+

500+

850+

900+

180+

 

2006: Not as numerous or as regular as previously recorded just a few years ago. From 1st January to 15th April the peak count was a just 130+ on 3rd April. The first to return was one on 5th July with a further four records during the month, with a maximum of three birds on the 20th. The maximum for August was 500+ on 30th. In September the peak occurred on the 22nd when 3,000+ flew in from the north, followed by a party of 700+ from the north on the 26th. After this the best count to the year end was a paltry 119 on 1st November.

2007: The maximum count in the first half of the year was a lowly 63 on 14th March. An unseasonable bird flew east on the 9th of May. In July the first returning birds were ten in the west-fields on the 10th; the only other July record was of two on the 31st. The best counts in the second half of the year were 400+ on 3rd of September and 250+ on 1st of November

2008:  The maximum count in January was 200+ birds on the 8th and was the best count in the first half of the year. There were Records on three dates in February and March, with a maximum of c.100 on the 11th of March. The only April record was of 52 flying west on the 6th. In July one flew north on the 9th and three flew east on the 24th. In August recorded on six dates, with 160 on the 4th. The autumn maximum was of 2,000+ on the 26th of October. The best count during the last two months of the year was 210+ on the 26th of November.    

2009:  In the first half of the year 200+ were seen on the 1st of April, this was the highest count of the period and the only count above 70. A count of 14 on the 2nd of April was the last record in the first half of the year. In July five on the 3rd and 31st were the only records. Birds were recorded on seven August dates, with a maximum of 200+ on the 20th. The best count of the year was of 900+ on the 22nd of September, falling to 230+ on the 7th of October. The maximum number recorded in the last two months of the year was 97 on the 20th of December.    

2010: The only January record was of a single bird on the 20th and the only February record was one on the 5th. In March 10 on the 3rd, 55 on the 22nd, 11 on the 24th & five the next day were the only records in the first half of the year.

In July four flew East on the 26th & three on the 28th. In August recorded on seven dates with a maximum of 380+ on the 14th. The maximum count for the year was 1,000+ on the 22nd of October. 

2011:  The only records in the first half of the year were six on the 11th of February; in March single birds on the 4th & 21st, in April seven North on the 6th and c.50 West on the 7th. The next records were in August, one on the 10th, two in the north-fields on the 18th, 105 flew in from and back out North on the 26th; and singles were recorded on the 27th-29th. In September there were 220+ on the 1st, 660+ on the 9th and 700+ on the 21st. In October 780+ flew in from the North on the 21st, 1,150+ flew in from the North on the 24th as did 1,100+ on the 26th. The November maximum was only 26 birds on the 14th and the December maximum was 61 on the 5th.

2012: All records in the first half of the year were as follows; in January singles on the 11th & 15th and two on the 16th. In February one east on the 6th, two west on the 27th. In March 21 west on the 2nd and two west on the 23rd. In April the only record was of 35 distant birds to the east of the reservoirs. In the second half of the year one on the 9th of July was the only record in that month. In August there were 10 on the 10th, one north on the 28th and four east on the 30th. In September recorded on only six dates, the best of which was a flock of 1,000+ flying in on the 23rd. In October recorded regularly with 1,500+ on the 25th, increasing to c.2000 the next day. In November recorded on three dates with 1,400+ on the 30th as the maximum. In December the only records were six on the 15th and two on the 27th.

 

Grey Plover P. squatarola.

2005: One in from the east flew back out east on 31st March.  A summer plumaged bird flew north on 12th August and two flew east on 14th October.

2006: Two were on the middle bank for 45 minutes on 24th January. A moulting bird flew west on 15th August and one flew west on 2nd September.

2007: In March one west on the 14th and one was heard calling on the 27th. One on 28th April. One in winter plumage circling the reservoirs on 8th of June flew off west. One in non-breeding plumage flew west on the 5th of August. In September one flew west on the 10th, five in from and departed to the east on the 27th. In October two on the 10th and 17th, the final record was one in from and out to the east on 15th of November.

2008:  In August single birds flew west on the 12th & 30th. On the 24th of November one came in from the east and departed the same way.

2009:  One flew west on the 23rd of July. One was circling the reservoirs on the 4th of August; finally one flew in from and back out east on the 15th of October.  

2010: There were four records for the year starting with one on the 26th of February. In September two flew West on the 16th, one on the 27th and four (1 West & 3 south-west) on the 29th.

2011:  Four circled the reservoirs then flew East on the 23rd of March. In September single birds flew West on the 18th & 21st. In October single birds circled the reservoirs then flew West on the 12th & 24th. Finally one was heard calling as it flew over on the 14th of November.

2012: The only record for the year was of one flying west on the 15th of December.

 

Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus.

2005: Maximum count was 900+ on 17th & 18th August.

 

Lapwing

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

600+

300+

60

21

Nc

100+ nc

Nc

900+

600+

500+

480+

600+

 

2006: The January maximum was 250+ on the 22nd. There was an increase in February with 500+ on the middle bank on 21st, increasing to 600+ next day. The March maximum count was 280+ on 10th. Eleven pairs were on breeding territory around the reservoirs on 21st of May.  An increase in numbers in August gave a maximum of 400+ on the 30th. In September 650+ on the 5th decreased to 500+ on the 9th. After this the maximum to the year end was only 180+ on 22nd November.  

2007: The maximum count in the first half of the year was a low figure of 170+ on the 30th January and 15th of February. There was a count of 39 in the west-fields and Went Ings on the 17th April. Two chicks were seen in the west-fields on 4th of May; and there were 33 adults around the reservoirs on the 9th of May. There were 16 adults and one chick in the west-fields on 21st of May. In June there were 280+ in the west-fields on the 28th increasing in July to 720+ on the 18th. The best count from July to the year end was 400+ on the 3rd of November.      

2008:  A count of 500+ on the 22nd of January was the highest in the first half of the year. Four pairs were on breeding territory on Went Ings on the 6th of May and two young were seen here in June. A count of 300+ on the 22nd of August was the maximum count in the second half of the year.

2009:  The maximum count in the first half of the year was 170+ on the 17th of February. Six pairs were on breeding territories around the reservoirs; with a further four pairs on Went Ings, where a pair with four young was seen on the 9th of May. The maximum count in the second half of the year was 280+ on the 14th of September.

2010:  The maximum count for the year was 200+ on the 26th of January, 5th of November & the 22nd of November.

2011:  The maximum count in the first half of the year was 450+ on the 11th of February. In the second half of the year the maximum count was 500+ on the 24th of November.

2012: In the first half of the year the maximum count was of only 70 on the 31st of January. Around 15 pairs attempted breeding in the surrounding stubble fields, but the outcome of any success is unknown. In July there were c.175 birds on Went Ings on the 20th. The year’s maximum count was of 400+ on the 4th of December.

 

Red Knot Calidris canutus.

2005:  On 13th August one circled the reservoirs for five minutes then flew off east.  On 10th September one arrived from and departed to the east.  In October one circling the reservoirs on the 4th, also one flew in and alighted on the middle bank on the 7th, finally seven flew east on 18th November. 

2006: One accompanied three Dunlins on the middle bank briefly on 26th January. Single birds were noted on 16th April and 3rd August. The last record was one on the reservoirs banks and jetties on 24th December.

2007: In August one circling the reservoirs flew off south-east on the 18th. Four (one in summer plumage) flew east on the 21st. In September three on the middle bank on the 3rd and two on the 28th

2008:  The only record was of one flying west on the 14th of August.

2009: There were three records during the year as follows; two on the 15th of October, one circling the reservoirs on the 27th of October and one flying around the reservoirs on the 30th of December.

2010: There was one record, of a single bird flying North on the 26th of February. 

2011:  One flying around the reservoirs on the 11th of August departed to the East, the only other record was of two birds on the middle bank on the 26th of October before eventually flying off West.

2012: On the 19th of September one was circling the reservoirs and calling, this was the only one to be recorded for the year.   

 

Sanderling C. alba. 

2005: One on the middle bank on the 19th May, in June two on the middle bank on the 1st flew off east, next day two on the middle bank briefly, they flew off west and also another bird flew north later the same day; and one was flying around the reservoirs on 14th.  in August, on the 12th two arrived from the east along with six Ringed Plovers and a Turnstone, they departed east along with the Turnstone, three hours later one came in from the east along with three Turnstones, then departed to the  west. On the 16th one arrived from and departed back eastwards.  The final record was one on the 11th September. 

2006: In May one east on the 2nd, one on the middle bank on 11th and three there on the 13th completed the spring sightings. The only autumn passage bird was one which flew in from and returned back east on 22nd August.

2007: One flew in from and out to the east on the 12th of May and five flew north on the 25th.

2008:  The only record was of a bird in summer plumage on the middle bank on the 12th of July.

2010:  One was on the middle bank of the reservoirs on the 26th of May.

2011:  The only record was of one flying around the reservoirs on the 18th of July.

2012: In May three flew west on the 14th and one flew in from and back out to the east on the 29th.

 

Little Stint C. minuta.

2006: Two records for the year both in September, one flew in from and back out west on the 14th and one was seen on the 17th.

 

Curlew Sandpiper C. ferruginea. 

2005: Our first ever spring record was a bird in full summer plumage on the 18th May, it was seen on the middle bank early morning for about 40 minutes.  The only other record was of two which flew west on 25th September.

2007: One flew west on the 15th of September.

2009: A record count of five together, were seen flying north on the 14th of September.

 

Dunlin C. alpina. 

2005: Through the year there were double figure counts on six dates as follows; in May 13 east on 1st, 10 on 15th, 17 on the 21st (6 of these on the middle bank later flew north) and 11 flew west.  A flock of 23 flew west on 11th September, in November 10 flew east on the 13th and on the 9th 12 birds were noted; - a single and a party of 11 in the west-fields with Lapwings & Golden Plovers before flying off westwards.

 

Dunlin

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

0

1

3

3

17

5

4

5

23

7

12

2

No of  days

0

1

1

9

12

1

3

14

10

5

5

5

 

2006: The highest counts of the year were as follows, 14 flying east on 16th March. On 16th May three were on the middle bank and a flock of 11 were circling the reservoirs before flying off north-east. On the 29th a flock of 22 flew in and landed on the middle bank where they remained for an hour and 45 minutes before flying off north. In November flocks of 14 west on 11th and 12 west on 13th.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

5

2

14

1

22

0

3

4

6

1

14

9

No of days

3

2

10

1

16

0

7

5

10

1

3

1

 

2007: The first birds of the year didn’t appear until March, when there were single birds on five dates. In April there were three on the 24th & 28th and four flew east on the 26th. In May recorded on ten dates; with ten birds (flocks of 7 & 3) on the 10th. On the 13th, 12 birds passed through with the largest flock consisting of five. In the second half of the year recorded on 32 dates between 19th of July and 20th of November; with a party of eight flying east on the 28th of September being the most. There were no records in either June or December.    

2008:  Single birds were recorded on the 5th of January and the 6th & 20th of March. A total of 20 passed through in small parties on the 27th of April and was the only record for the month. In May birds were recorded on six dates with a maximum of four flying north on the 29th. No records then until the 11th of July when nine (3 on the middle bank) were seen. There was 11 on the middle bank on the 15th then birds were recorded on a further four July dates; all of these were fly-through records, with a flock of 50+ birds west on the 18th. In August singles on four dates and two on the 18th. in September recorded on seven dates with a maximum of 13 flying west on the 14th. In October recorded on six dates with three on the 31st the most. There were records from five November dates with 20 circling over the reservoirs along with a number of Wigeon on the 17th. In December one flew west on the 7th and one was on the middle bank on the 30th..     

2009:  In January single birds were seen on the 2nd and 8th. The only record in February was one on the 24th. In March one was in the north fields on the 2nd, five flew west the next day and one flew east on the 21st. In April singles on the 18th and 23rd. in May recorded on ten dates, with a good count of 33 passing through on the 15th, with the largest flock size being 15. There were no records in June, but between the 1st of July and the 31st of December birds were recorded on 24 dates, with a maximum count of 14 passing through on the 25th of September.   

2010: Birds were recorded in every month except June and October. Maximum counts were 22, which flew in from & back out East on the 20th of March; and 16 flew through on the 29th of September.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

1

1

22

2

2

0

3

1

16

0

2

1

No of days

2

1

4

1

4

0

4

1

6

0

3

1

 

2011:  All the records for the first half of the year were as follows; In February one with Lapwings on the 11th, two with Lapwings on the middle bank on the 22nd and a single the next day. In March one was on the middle bank on the 4th & 5th and one on the 11th; then three were flying around the reservoirs on the 17th. The only April record was of one on the middle bank on the 22nd. The only May record was three flying North on the 24th.

In the second half of the year all the records were as follows; In July just one record of two flying East on the 12th. The only August record was of one flying East on the 30th. In September there were singles on the 15th & 17th, two North on the 2nd and three on the 1st & 9th. In October singles on the 12th, 25th, 27th & 28th. In November the final records of the year were singles on the 7th, 8th, 13th & 14th and a party of seven which flew East on the 11th.

2012: Recorded in every month except March and June. A flock of 40+ flying north-west on the 25th of February was a good site count.   

 

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

11

40+

0

1

6

0

9

2

2

1

1

1

No of days

1

7

0

2

4

0

4

5

3

2

1

2

 

Ruff Philomachus pugnax. 

2005: One flew north with three Dunlins on 15th May, a male circled the reservoirs then flew east on 24th June.  In August one on the 1st, then three west and one on the middle bank on the 8th; four flew west on the 14th and one west and 10 east on the 15th. In September two on 9th, then singles on 12th on the middle bank, west on 16th and the last was on the 25th.      

2006: Three were flying around the reservoirs on the 5th of April, they made a few attempts to land on the middle bank, but it was crowded with gulls. A male was noted flying around on 5th July. In August one flew north on the 14th, two east on 24th and two west on 27th. In September one east on 8th, two on the 11th & 17th, finally one circled then flew east on 27th. 

2007: By far the worst year for records ever; there was just one record of a single on the 27th April, which landed on the middle bank before flying off west.

2008:  Last years worst ever total was again equalled, there being just one record of a single bird flying north on the 23rd of September.

2010: In August two flew West on the 9th and seven in from & back out East on the 17th. In September three on the 5th, one on the 29th & three flew south-west on the 30th. In October one was seen with Lapwings on the 19th & one flew West on the 23rd. In November a flock of 12 flew West on the 5th.

2011:  The first records were in August, with singles on the 5th & 26th then two flew West on the 22nd & 30th. In September, singles on the 2nd, 10th & 22nd and two on the middle bank on the 27th & 30th and three there on the 19th. The final record was of two on the middle bank on the 1st of October.

2012: In August present on Went Ings from the 17th – 28th; the maximum count was four from the 20th – 25th. In September the only record was of a flock of 12 flying around the reservoirs on the 25th, this was also the last recorded for the year.

 

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus. 

2008: One was flushed from the marshy area on Went Ings opposite the fishermen's car park on the 3rd of December.

 

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago. 

2005: There were double figure counts on five dates as follows; in August 25 over Went Ings on 23rd and 15 on 26th, in September 12 on 2nd, 11 on 13th, finally 11 were flushed out of the north fields on 24th December.

 

Snipe

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

4

1

7

3

0

0

0

25

12

5

6

11

No of  days

1

4

5

3

0

0

0

10

13

4

5

8

 

2006: Between 31st January and 3rd April recorded on twelve dates. The only double figure count in this period was an excellent 27; these were flushed from set-aside fields at the northern end of the reservoirs on 5th March. In the second half of the year between 5th August and 31st December recorded on thirty-three dates, with a maximum count of nine on the 10th & 27th September.   

2007: Between the 1st of January and 17th of April, recorded on nine dates, with five on the 1st of February the most. Between the 29th of July and 23rd of October recorded on 37 dates, with birds seen in flight around the area and on Went Ings. No doubt more records would have been obtained had the Ings been visited regularly. August was the best month with 14 on the 5th & 23rd and 17 on the 19th. There were no November records and in December there was two on the 16th and one on the 17th.   

2008:  There were no records until February; then between the 4th of February and the 21st of April there were single birds on eight dates; with a count of five birds on the 17th of February. Between the 31st of July and the 27th of December birds were recorded in each of these months on 26 dates, with a maximum count of 32 on the 17th of September.

2009:  Between the 6th of January and 18th of April birds were recorded on fifteen dates, with the best counts being of 21 which flew up from Went Ings on the 28th of January and 11 on Went Ings on the 27th of March. Between the 9th of August and 19th of December recorded on twenty-one dates, with a maximum count of nine on the 9th of August and 19th of December.

2010:  The maximum count for the year was 11 over Went Ings on the 16th of November. The monthly maximum counts and number of bird-days were as follows        

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

2

1

1

3

0

0

0

4

2

3

11

1

No of days

3

3

4

2

0

0

0

3

6

5

2

1

 

2011:   All records for the year were as follows; in March all the records came from Went Ings, with one on the 7th, three on the 16th and seven the next day; three on the 22nd and two on the 30th. In April four were on Went Ings on the 2nd and two there on the 7th. In May one on Went Ings on the 3rd.

In August singles logged on the 2nd & 31st. In September one North on the 2nd, then six flew west along Went Ings on the 17th. In October one North on the 2nd and one flushed from the west bank on the 26th. In November two flew East on the 11th, one on the 23rd and finally one on the 4th of December.

2012: Birds were recorded in every month from the 14th of January to the 16th of April. There were eleven records during this period and a maximum of four birds was recorded on the 6th of March and the 16th of April.  The next record was of 14 flying over the flooded Went Ings on the 30th of July. Recorded regularly on the flooded Went Ings from the 2nd of August to the 31st of December. The best counts were 37 on the 13th of August. 30+ were flushed by a Marsh Harrier on the 17th of September. In October 25 on the 15th, in November 13 on the 30th and in December the maximum count was of just two on the 1st & 4th.

 

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola. 

2005: One was flushed from the bottom of the east bank and flew towards Southfield Lane on 9th November.  One was on Went Ings on the 19th November.

2008:  One flew over the Sailing Club car park and landed in the north fields on the 17th of October.

2010:  Single birds were on Went Ings on the 10th of March and the 19th of December.

2011:  Two birds together were flushed from Went Ings on the 29th of November.

2012: One was flushed at the Northern end of the reservoirs on the 27th of February.

 

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa. 

2005: There were just two spring records, a flock of 27 flew north on 24th April and seven flew west on 10th May.  In August nine flew east on 12th and six flew east on 18th.  In September one east on 3rd, 2 east on 9th, one circled then flew west on 16th.  Recorded for the very first time in November and December, in the former month on the 9th four arrived from the east and joined Lapwings and Golden Plovers in the west-fields, another one on the 13th came from the west-fields with Lapwings and Golden Plovers and flew off west.  In the latter month on the 16th, one flew in landed on the middle bank and began feeding.

2006: The only spring passage birds were two on 8th April, which might have come from Went Ings. On the 10th of May 10 flew in from the east and landed on the middle bank briefly, then flew back out east. In July a calling bird was flying around for five minutes on the 6th before it flew off east. Four flew east on 26th July and one on the evening of 28th was feeding on the middle bank, lastly for July one was circling the reservoirs on 31st. The only August record was of one flying west on the 23rd. In September six flew west on 20th. The final record of the year was one on the 22nd that landed briefly on the middle bank before flying off east.        

2007: A party of six flew in from & back out east on the 27th of July. Three flew east on the 10th of August and finally nine in from and out to the west on the 10th of September.

2008: 

In April six flew west on the 15th and two were on Went Ings on the 17th. A party of eight flew in from and departed back east on the 28th. The only May record was one on the 24th. In June 12 flew south on the 29th. In July five flew east on the 24th, there were no records then until September, when 11 were on the flooded Went Ings on the 9th & 10th. An unseasonable record was of one on the middle bank on the 5th of November.

2009:  The only records were in July; three flew east on the 3rd and 11 flew east on the 5th.

2010:  A party of six flew in on the evening of the 23rd of April they landed on the middle bank of the reservoirs to roost. A party of seven flew South on the 5th of July.

2011:  Just two records for the year; two flew West on the 22nd of March and two flew East on the 8th of July.

2012: In July, one was on Went Ings with Lapwings on the 3rd; on the 25th, 17 flew East in the morning and in the evening 13 flew west, an hour later they flew back east.

In September, one was flying over the reservoirs with Lapwings on the 9th and one was on Went Ings on the 13th

 

Bar-tailed Godwit L. lapponica. 

2005: Only two records for the year, both in May; two flew east on the 1st and on the 24th a winter plumaged bird circled for five minutes before flying off east.  

2006: The only records were in August, with one north on 18th and two flying west with 11 Curlews on the 23rd.

2007: Four in winter plumage flew in from & back out east on the 14th of May.

2009:  One in winter plumage flew in from and back out to the east on the 15th of May.

2012: Just two records for the year; on the 17th of April one circled the reservoirs before flying off east; and on the 15th of August seven flew east.   

 

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus. 

2005: In April one in from and out to the east on the 19th, on 22nd five birds recorded, one in the morning flew west, returning later and flying east; and that evening four birds flew east.  Next day six birds came out of the east-fields, flew over the reservoirs and flew off east, finally in April one flew onto Went Ings on the evening of the 25th.  In May two flew east on 3rd; and on the 5th one arrived from and departed east.  The only records in the second half of the year were in August with singles on the 1st & 5th.  

2006: In April single birds on 23rd & 30th. In May single birds north on 2nd & 5th and one was flying around on the 11th. Further singles in May flew west on 13th, east on 14th and one noted on 18th. In July one east on 17th, three west on 27th, two east 28th and one west on 31st. Incredibly there were no records in August. The last bird of the year flew west on 8th September.

2007: On the 12th of April three were on the middle bank briefly before flying off north; and there was three again on the 29th. In May three were on Went Ings on the 4th and one here the next day. Three yet again on the 9th, then one west on the 13th, two east on the 15th, two north-east on the 19th and finally in May one on the jetties on the 29th flew into fields at the northern end of the reservoirs. The only autumn record was one flying west on the 19th of August.   

2008:  In April there was one on the 13th, three west on the 27th and one on the middle bank on the 29th.The only May record was one on the middle bank on the 6th. In July single birds flew west on the 18th, east on the 22nd and one on the 29th. The only August record was of one flying west on the 4th. The last record of the year was one flying west on the 3rd of September.

2009:  In April five flew south on the 23rd, four were on the middle bank on the 25th, they later flew into the west fields. In May one in the north fields on the 1st, two were on Went Ings to the west of the aqueduct on the 9th, one flew west on the 10th, one was on the middle bank 11th, with further singles in May on the 13th and 15th. The only June record was one in the west fields on the 4th. The only July record was one in the north fields on the 16th.

In August one was circling and calling over the reservoirs on the 4th, the next day a party of 13 passed through, these were the last of the year.

2010:  Four flew West (1 morning & 3 evening) on the 30th April. In May four were on the middle bank on the 2nd and three flew north-east on the 10th. In July one flying West on the 25th was the only record and was also the last of the year. 

2011:  In April three flew north-east on the 17th and two flew East on the 24th. One was seen on the 25th of June. In August a flock of 16 flew West on the 6th and three West the next day; followed by singles on the 21st, 22nd & 25th. The last record for the year was of one West on the 12th of September.

2012: One flew east on the 27th of April. In July one was heard calling in foggy conditions on the 7th; and six flew north on the 20th. In August single birds were logged on the 10th & 20th.  

 

Eurasian Curlew N. arquata.

2005: Recorded in every month except November and December.  On the 22nd February 13 flew north after leaving the west-fields.  On the 24th 17 were in the west-fields and flying around the reservoirs, next day 15 were present in the west-fields.  In March 18 on the 1st & 5th was bettered by 22 in the west-fields on the 6th.  The best count in the latter part of the year was nine flying north-west on 15th August.   

2006: The first to return was on 11th February, then recorded on a further seven February dates, including a party of 11 in the east-fields on the 18th, 10 south on 23rd and 14 on Went Ings on 26th. In March birds present daily, with a maximum of nine on the 5th. From April, into July a pair was resident and probably bred. There was a light passage in June of three west on 23rd and six west on 28th. In August 27 birds flew west with a maximum day count of 11 on the 23rd. In September one on the 8th, followed by a flock of 20 west on the 9th and one north on 15th. In December one flew east on 22nd with a final bird on the 24th.     

2007: One was present on the 23rd & 25th of January. From the 1st of February to the 1st of August two were present in the area, though there was no evidence of successful breeding. Four birds were in the north-fields on 23rd of February. On the 26th of June one was present and a flock of 28 flew west. On the 2nd of July one was present and ten flew west. Birds were recorded on eight August dates, two in September, one in October and two in November. A party of six flying north on the 22nd of August was the best count in this period.

2008:  The first record was one on the 26th of January, then single birds on five dates in February. In March birds were recorded regularly to the 18th with four on the 4th & 16th. A pair became resident from the 4th of April to the 1st of July but there was no evidence of successful breeding. Three birds were seen on the 7th of May and three were on Went Ings on the 2nd of June. Also in June a party of six flew off of Went Ings and flew west; and one resident bird was seen on the 29th. The next day 14 flew west in flocks of 2, 3, 4, & 5. From the 1st of July to the 8th of October recorded on nine dates with three on the 9th of July the most.    

2009:  The first record of the year was of four birds in the west fields on the 19th of February. Birds were then recorded regularly to the 16th of July; with a pair present, but there was no evidence of successful breeding. The highest count in this period was seven on the 7th of May (6 flying west and 1 present). Birds were further recorded on eight dates between the 27th of July and 29th of November, with single birds on four dates and five birds on the 4th of August. In September, four on the 7th and 12th, the last sighting was of three on the 15th.

2010:  Recorded in every month except January; the best counts were 13 on the 7th of March, then 20, 19 of these flying West and one present on the 24th of June and 11 flying West on the 27th of August. 

2011: In January single birds were logged on the 1st, 2nd & 28th. Birds were then recorded regularly from the 8th of February to the 31st of May, with a maximum of seven on the 7th of March. In June three flew West on the 15th, one was on Went Ings on the 18th. A total of 21 birds in flocks of 15 & 6 flew West on the 20th, then three flew West on the 28th; finally in June one flew in from and back out East on the 30th. In July singles passed through on the 6th, 28th & 29th; also five flew West on the 20th & 21st and five again on the 29th, of which four flew North. In August two on the middle bank on the 1st, one West on the 11th, three West on the 25th and one on the 31st. In September two flew West on the 1st and two again the next day. Two flying West on the 17th was the final record for the year.

2012: In January there were singles on the 14th & 29th. From February to August recorded in every month; with the best counts being in February, with 12 on the 23rd increasing to 13 the next day. In the period September to December the only record was of one flying east on the 4th of October.  

 

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus. 

2005: In October singles flew east on 10th and west on 18th.

2006: The only record was one on 17th September.

2008:  In September one flew east on the 3rd, one seen on the 6th and two were on the middle bank on the 14th. 

2009:  Two flew west with three Dunlins on the 23rd of September.

2010:  The only record was of one flying north-west on the 14th of October.

2011:  The only record was of one passing through on the 22nd of August.

  

Common Redshank T. tetanus. 

2005: One of our poorest years for this species.

 

Redshank

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

2

0

2

2

2

1

1

3

1

4

2

2

No of  days

2

0

4

9

4

2

3

8

2

1

9

8

 

2006: The only spring passage birds were singles west on 23rd April, on the middle bank on 11th May and west on 14th May. In July one flew west on 15th, two east on the 18th and one flying around on 31st. In August singles on eight dates, two on five dates, three on the 18th and four on 22nd. In September singles on 5th, 8th & 11th.  

2007: In January 25 were on the middle bank on the 4th, then single figure counts until 12 on the 29th and 12+ on the 31st. There were no records in February. From 23rd March to 17th of December birds were recorded on twenty-six dates, with just single records were obtained in the months of June and October to December. The highest count in this period was of 14 on the 4th of September.  

2008:  Between the 29th of January and the 10th of April single birds were recorded on seven dates and two were seen to fly west on the 10th of April; there was a record of three on the middle bank on the 25th of March. The next records were in July; from the 2nd of July to the 28th of December birds were recorded on 27 dates, with a count of seven on the 11th of July the maximum. There were no records in September. There were ten records in December; this was more than in any of the previous months.    

2009:  Birds were recorded on thirty-eight dates during the year; the best count was of nine flying around the reservoirs on the 14th of September. 

2010:  Birds were recorded in every month except February, June & December. A party of five on the middle bank on the 25th of November was the most.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

1

0

1

2

1

0

1

1

2

2

5

0

No of days

2

0

3

3

4

0

2

3

2

3

9

0

 

2011:  Single birds were recorded on the 1st of January, 14th & 22nd of March, 3rd, 25th & 27th of April and 3rd & 18th of June. In July singles on the 11th, 18th, 21st & 27th, with two on the 13th & 20th. In August two on the 8th & 9th and singles on the 11th & 17th. In September three on the 7th was the only record. The next were in November; with singles on 7th & 11th, these were the final records of the year.

2012: Probably the poorest year ever for records of this species. Birds were recorded on just 33 days and the maximum count for the year was four.

 

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

0

0

1

2

3

0

4

2

1

0

4

2

No of days

0

0

4

2

7

0

5

8

1

0

2

4

 

Common Greenshank T. nebularia. 

2005: In spring one on 23rd April and two on 5th May.  In autumn; passage in July was singles 18th & 31st, in August singles on 3rd, 4th, 9th & 10th, four flew west on 13th and single birds on 20th & 23rd, finally in August three passed through on 31st.  One on 1st September was the final record of the year.  

2006: A poor year with just 27 records, all records involved just one or two birds, except for a party of seven on 7th September. There were no records in February, June or October.

2007: The only spring birds were singles on the middle bank on the 29th of April & 3rd of May. In August single birds on the 16th, 17th, 18th, 22nd & 31st; and two on the 10th, 21st & 28th; and three on the 13th. In September single birds logged on the 3rd, 6th, 8th & 9th and two on the 1st & 5th.   

2008:  In May there was three on Went Ings on the 6th then single birds noted on the 8th & 11th and on the middle bank on the 22nd. One flew east on the 21st of June. In July single birds noted on the 10th, 24th, & 26th. In August single birds were seen on the 8th, 14th, 15th & 31st, with two on the 10th & 22nd and three on the 9th & 30th. In September single birds on the 3rd, 4th & 6th were the last of the year.

2009:  The only spring record was one on Went Ings on the 17th of May. The first returning bird was one flying east on the 3rd of July and was the only record for the month. In August one on the middle bank on the 3rd, three on the 14th and three the next day on the flooded Went Ings; two on the Ings on the 17th, then five flew west on the 20th. One flew east on the 23rd, three came off Went Ings on the 24th and three again on the 27th.

In September nine together, flew in from and back out to the west on the 1st; lastly for September there were single birds on the 4th, 11th and 14th. In October one flew east on the 7th and was the last record for the year. 

2010:  In May, there were single birds on the 9th, 25th & 27th. In July singles birds recorded on the 13th, 15th & 23rd. In August singles on the 5th, 13th, 18th, 19th, 23rd, 24th & 26th; also three on 6th & 15th and four flew West on the 17th. The final records for the year were in September on the 7th and 16th.

2011:  In May single birds were logged on the 1st & 13th. In July one was on the middle bank on the 13th, this being the only record. In August three flew West on the 23rd and the last record was three East on the 30th.

2012: In August birds were present on Went Ings from the 6th to the month end. The maximum count was five on the 17th. In September recorded regularly, with most records coming from Went Ings; the maximum count was of six birds on the Ings on the 10th. The final record for the year was one on the 21st of September. 

 

Green Sandpiper T. ochropus. 

2005: One flew east on 29th July and one was seen to go down onto Went Ings on the 14th October.

2006: One wintered on Went Ings and was seen on 22nd January, 18th February and 14th March. On 19th March one was seen in the morning and two in the afternoon. One was on Went Ings on 5th April. In the second half of the year single birds on the 28th of July, 5th, 12th & 14th of September, with a final record on 12th October.  

2007: Birds were present on Went Ings between 1st of August and 8th of September, with a maximum of three on the 18th of August. The final record was one on Went Ings on the 23rd of October,

2008: 

During June on Went Ings there were two on the 19th, three next day and two on the 23rd. In August four flew west on the 7th, one was on the middle bank on the 9th and further single birds were seen on the 11th, 18th & 21st, the final record was on the 2nd of September.

2009:  Three were on Went Ings on the 30th of June and one there on the 6th of July. In August one flew east on the 3rd and one was on Went Ings on the 6th and 8th, three were there on the 15th and two on the 17th. Single birds were logged on the 21st and 25th; and lastly two flew west on the 1st of September.

2010:  Two flew West on the 23rd of April. One was on Went Ings on the 27th of June; also one there on the 8th of July. In August one was on Went Ings on the 7th and one at the reservoirs on the 17th. In September one flew East on the 28th and one was on Went Ings on the 30th.

2011:  The only records for the year were singles on the 1st & 9th of August.

2012: One was at the reservoirs on the 17th of May. The next records were in August when birds were present on the flooded Went Ings from the 5th, with a maximum count of six on the 21st. In September there were singles on five dates and two on the 13th. In October there was one on the 23rd and two on the 24th. In November one was on Went Ings on the 11th and in December one was seen to fly onto Went Ings on the 15th.

 

Wood Sandpiper T. glareola. 

2010:  One was heard calling as it passed through on the 23rd of July.

2012: In August there was one on Went Ings on the 11th and two there on the 18th.

 

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos. 

2005: Between 17th April and 28th September birds were recorded on 42 dates; and noted in every month in this period, with a maximum count of three on 15th May.

2006: Spring passage was recorded between 1st April and 19th May, with single birds on eight April dates and four May dates. Two were seen on 27th April and again on 3rd & 14th May. Return passage commenced with one on 25th June. Between 8th July and 17th September single birds recorded on fifteen dates, two on six dates, three on 29th July, four on 23rd July and 10 on 10th July.  

2007: Birds were recorded on sixteen dates between 12th of April and 26th of May, with a maximum of five birds on the 3rd of May. Between 10th of July and 31st of August single birds were recorded on eighteen dates, with two on the 12th of July. In September single birds on the 1st & 3rd, with three on the 29th. The last birds were two on the 2nd of October.

2008:  Between the 17th of April and the 25th of May birds were recorded on nineteen dates, with a maximum of four on the 28th of April. In June there were single birds on the 28th & 29th and two on the 30th. From the 1st of July to the 23rd of September there were single birds on twenty dates, two on sixteen dates and three on the 16th of July, 23rd of September and the 1st of August. There was four on the 17th of July and five on the 26th of July.

2009:  Birds were recorded on eleven dates between the 23rd of April and 15th of May, with three the maximum count. In July recorded on seventeen dates, with a maximum of five on the 27th. In August recorded on twenty-seven dates with a maximum of five on the 25th. In September singles on eight dates and two on two dates up to the 13th.

2010: Three on the 20th of April were the first of the year and one on the 7th of October was the last. Between these dates six on the 21st of April was the maximum count.

2011:  In April, between the 7th and 28th single birds were seen on seven dates, with two on the 12th & 14th. In May recorded only from the 1st to the 6th, with singles on four dates and four on the 3rd. In June there was one on the 6th, two on the 25th and one on the 30th. In July singles on six dates and two on three dates. In August singles on thirteen dates, two on five dates, three on the 6th, 18th, 20th and 28th and four on the 17th. In September, there were singles on seven dates to the 10th; the final record of the year was one on the 2nd of October.

2012: In April there were single birds on the 23rd & 28th. In May singles on the 3rd, 7th, 9th & 16th; with two on the 8th & 15th. In July there were singles on nine dates, two on three dates and three on the 21st. In August birds were present almost daily, with a maximum of four on the 3rd. The final record was of one on the 30th of August.

 

Turnstone Arenaria interpres. 

2005: Thirteen records for the year, nine of these in the first half as follows; one on the middle bank 29th January.  In February on the 10th four flew in and alighted on the jetties, later departing north.  A good count of 16 on the 28th, with two on the middle bank and 14 flying south-west.  One flew west on 1st April, on the 7th May one on the tern raft briefly before it flew to the middle bank, this was followed by 3 north next day.  Two were on the middle bank on the 11th and six there on the 18th, which later flew west; and one was on the middle bank next day.  In August; on the 12th one flew in from the east with two Sanderlings and six Ringed Plovers, it then flew out east with the Sanderlings; three hours later three flew west.  The next day one on middle bank later flew south-west.  On the 31st one spent some time on the jetties and middle bank. The final record in an excellent year was one west on 25th September.

2006: One was on the middle bank on 2nd January. On 11th May three on the middle bank remained all day until 8:15pm when they flew off east. One was on the middle bank next day and three were flying around the reservoirs on the 13th. Another on the middle bank on 19th and five flew north on 29th. In July one on the 27th flew in and landed on the middle bank, it later flew off west. Two more were on the middle bank 28th and one there on 29th, it later flew east. In August one on the middle bank on the 9th and again on the 23rd, it was also seen on the concrete blocks in the canal gap on the west reservoir. The final bird of the year was one flying around before leaving to the west on 9th September  

2007: One flew east on the 25th of May. In September two arrived from and departed back to the east on the 3rd. The final record was of two on the middle bank on the 15th.

2008:  Four were on the middle bank on the 25th of July and four here again on the 6th of September.

2009:  On the 15th of May a total of 19 birds passed through (flocks of 10 & 9). In July one flew west on the 23rd and one was on the middle bank the next day.

2010: In May one on the middle bank on the 11th and two here the next day.

2011: One was on the middle bank on the 30th of May. Four flew West on the 26th of August. In September one was on the middle bank on the 8th. On the 16th three flew in from the East, alighted on the middle bank for five minutes then flew off East.

2012: Just two records for the year; one on the 13th of May and one flying west on the 23rd of August.

 

Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus. 

2007: A dark phase bird flew high to the west on the 27th of April.

2009:  A dark-phase bird was on the reservoirs on the 4th of September.

2011:  A dark-phase bird flew West on the 16th of September.

 

Great Skua S. skua.

2009:  One was present from the 14th-16th May, but unfortunately was found dead on the 17th. 

 

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus.

2005: Two first-winter birds in the gull roost on 25th January. In February an adult 6th a first-winter 22nd, in March first-winter 4th and an adult in summer plumage 22nd.  In August a juvenile in the roost 5th, a second-year was present throughout the day of the 17th, this was most unusual as birds are normally mainly noted at the roost, it was seen on a further eight dates to the month-end and could be found still lingering around the reservoirs to mid morning.  Also in August a record count of three on 22nd, involved two second-year birds and a juvenile; then two second-year birds were in the roost on the 25th.  In September the lingering second-year bird was seen on six dates up to the 16th, a different second-year was noted on the 25th &26th. In October a first-year in the roost 0n the 28th was the last of the year.

2006: An adult and a second-year bird–moulting to adult were in the gull roost on 8th April. An adult in full summer plumage at the roost on 20th July. Finally two in the gull roost on 30th August.   

2007: An adult bird was seen on the 23rd of January and the 1st of February. In August, single juveniles on the 10th & 16th, then an adult on the 18th. In September a second-year bird on the 15th, finally a first-year bird in the roost on the 6th of October. 

2008:  Single adult birds were in the Gull roost on the 16th & 18th of February and the 30th of March. An adult flew east along Went Ings on the 22nd of June this being the first site record in that month. The only record in the second half of the year was a juvenile on the 30th of August. 

2010:  There was an adult in the gull roost on the 19th & 20th of January. In February an adult was in the roost on the 1st, 11th, 21st & 22nd. In March, the only record was an adult in the roost on the 23rd. In April a second summer bird was on the reservoirs at 12:55 on the 14th. On the evening of the 23rd a second summer bird and an adult were together and flew off North.

2011:  Single adults were in the gull roost on the 3rd of January and 12th of October. A first year bird was in the roost on 24th of November. In December single adults were in the roost on the 15th & 28th finally a second year bird in the roost on the 31st.

2012: The only record was of a first year bird in the gull roost on the 13th of January.

 

Little Gull L. minutes. 

2005: An adult on 30th March, in April an adult & a first-year on the 21st, next day six adults, a second-year and a first-year flew in at 09:30 and were still present at 11:00, also on the evening of 22nd two adults & a first-year flew eastwards.  In May an adult from and back out to the east on the 5th, four adults & a first-year 9th.  A first-summer noted on 6th June, the last of the year were in September, an adult 25th, an immature 26th. 

2006: In May an adult and a first-year for five minutes on the 6th, they then departed to the east, a first-year was also noted on the 26th. In June a first-summer was seen on the 15th. The last one was on 17th September.

2007: There was a first-year bird on the evening of 29th of April. Another first-year flew west on the 11th of May. In August six (5 adults & a first-summer bird) flew west on the 7th; a second summer bird flew west on the 16th and ten (1 adult) flew north on the 23rd.

2008:  Two adults flew west on the 23rd of July and two juveniles were seen on the 30th of August. The last record was of two adults and a juvenile flying west on the 15th of September.

2009:  The only record this year was a first-summer bird that flew east on the 29th of May.  

2010:  In April single adults were logged on the 23rd & 25th. In June two first year birds were seen on the 3rd and a second summer bird on the 21st. The only record in the second half of the year was a juvenile on the 7th of September.

2011:   On the 3rd of June four first year birds were present for 15 minutes before leaving to the West. On the 21st of July two adults present for 10 minutes. A juvenile was seen on the 25th of August and the final record for the year was of two juveniles on the 9th of September.

2012: In April there were four adults and a first year bird on the 17th and single first year birds on the 26th & 28th. In May single immature birds were seen on the 1st & 3rd and a first year bird the next day. The only record in the latter half of the year was of a second year bird on the 25th of October.   

 

Black-headed Gull L. ridibundus.

2005: Roost counts were 10,000+ 6th February. 4,000+ 23rd March.  6,000+ 8th August and 10,000+ on 18th. On the morning of 14th September 7,500+ were counted and finally 15,000 on 18th October. 

2006: No apparent change in status, no roost counts undertaken.

2007: The only roost counts made were of 8,000+ on 25th of January and 4,000+ on the 16th of August.

2008:  The only roost counts were of 900+ on the 17th of July and 3,000+ on the 4th of August. 

2009:  Roost counts were of 5,000 on the 5th of March and 2,000 on the 1st of April. In June there are normally just a few non-breeding birds around, but on the 4th a count of c.270 adults gathered to roost, this increased to 350+ on the 12th. The only significant count in the second half of the year was 7,500+ roosting on the 10th of September.

2010: This was a new breeding species for Southfield. A pair bred on one of the Tern rafts and reared two young. No gull roost counts were made this year.

2011:  Some counts/gull roost counts produced the following; 850+ on the 15th of April. 110 on the 30th of May. 330+ on the 30th of June. 7,000+ on the 13th of October. After last year’s breeding attempt on the Tern rafts by a single pair, this year we had a remarkable eight pairs attempting to breed; three pairs were successful and

2012: A record thirteen pairs attempted to breed on two very crowded Tern rafts; in the end only four young were raised. This was probably due to heavy rain in what was such a wet year; and also to some predation. No Gull roost counts were undertaken this year; however in July a count of 700+ were on the flooded Went Ings on the 11th. An Albino/Leucistic bird was seen on the 4th of October. reared seven young.

 

Common Gull L. canus. 

2005: Roost counts were 900+ 6th February, in March 1,600+ on 4th down to 1,150+ on 11th and 1,200+ on 18th November.

2006: No apparent change in status, no roost counts undertaken.

2007: The only roost counts made were of 1,600+ on 23rd of January and 810+ on 15th of November.

2008: There was an unprecedented roost count of 4,000+ on the 28th of August; it was also an unusually high count for the month, as generally there are only double figure counts at this time of year. The only other significant count was of 1,500+ on the 26th of November.

2009:  The only roost counts were of 650+ on the 7th of January, in March 900+ on the 5th increased to 1,600+ on the 10th and in September there was 240+ on the 10th.

2010:  The only gull roost count made this year was of 1,600 on the 9th of March.

2011:  Gull roost counts produced 250+ on the 13th of October and 950+ on the 2nd of December

2012: Noted regularly during the year; but there was no gull roost counts undertaken during the winter periods.

 

Lesser Black-backed Gull L. fuscus.  

2005: One on 29th January.  In February three on the 9th, five on 10th & one on 20th.  Recorded on six March dates with six on 23rd the most.  The decline of this species in the gull roost in the latter half of the year continues, with a disappointing maximum count of 175 on 8th August; it would appear that they are now roosting elsewhere.  There was 38 in the roost on 18th October, 35 on 10th November, falling to three on the 18th & 29th.  In December single birds on the 12th, 20th, 22nd & 31st, with two on the 30th.

2006: Single birds in the gull roost on four January dates. In February, recorded on seven dates, with three birds on the 13th & 21st. In March an increase in numbers with 20 in the gull roost on the 24th and 30 by the 6th of April. The maximum count in the roost in the second half of the year was a paltry 126 on 11th September. The maximum counts for the last three months of the year was 20 on 12th October, nine on 13th November and singles on three December dates.  

2007: The maximum count in the first two months of the year was five on the 24th of January. The maximum in March was 33 on the 25th. In the second half of the year a maximum in September of 800+ in the gull roost on the 5th, falling to 600+ on the 7th. During the last two months a maximum of five on the 14th of November.

2008:  In January single birds on four dates. In February single birds on five dates, with three on the 5th, eight on the 28th then increasing in March with a maximum of 34 on the 28th. In the second half of the year 102 were on the reservoirs in the early afternoon of the 29th of August. 230+ flew east on the evening of the 12th of September. In November single birds recorded on three dates and two on the 17th. In December single birds on the 5th & 27th and two on the 16th.

2009:  In January, there was one on the 6th, two the next day and three on the 28th. In February one on the 17th, three on the 19th and one on the 27th; all these were recorded in the gull roost. Recorded more regularly in March, but the maximum was only nine on the 9th. The best count of the year c.380 flying east and c.150 on the reservoirs on the evening of the 8th of August. In November there was a maximum of four in the gull roost on the 19th and in December three in the roost on the 8th.

2010:  There was just one January record of a single bird on the 21st. In February two on the 11th & 21st were the only records; and the maximum count for March was of seven on the 15th. The only count in the second half of the year was of 90 on the reservoirs & 148 flying East on the evening of the 9th of August.

2011:  Gull roost counts were of one on the 24th of January, two on the 22nd of February. In March one on the 4th, seven on the 7th, eight on the 17th and 12 on the 25th. In April 40 on the 5th was the maximum count for the year!

In the second half of the year gull roost counts continue their decline, with 32 on the 3rd of October being the maximum. In November one on the 1st, two on the 2nd; in December two on the 2nd and singles on the 13th, 20th, 23rd & 26th.

2012:  In January there were singles in the gull roost on the 25th & 26th. In February there were three on the 14th & five on the 16th. In March the maximum was 14 on the 26th. This year’s best count was of 203 flying east to roost on the evening of the 10th of August.  

 

Herring Gull L. argentatus.  

2005: Roost counts were 4,000 on 25th January.  In February 1,200 on 6th down to 1,000 on 9th.  In November 1,500+ on 29th and in December 900 on the 30th.  An adult on 25th May, two flying west on 25th June and one on 20th July were the only records in those months.

2006: A few notable records included 550+ on 10th February, 50+ on 4th April, two on the middle bank on 1st May, an adult west on 19th May and 350+ on 13th December. 

2007: The only roost counts made were of 1,300+ on 23rd of January and 580+ on the 15th of November.

2008:  In January roost counts of 1,200+ on the 4th and 1,350+ on the 28th. In November 500+ on the 27th and in December 2,500+ on the 5th.

2009:  The only count made was on the 7th of January when 1,200+ were in the gull roost.

2010:  The only gull roost count was of 1,300 on the 11th of February. There was just one June record of a single on the 2nd; and in July there were single birds on the 5th & 13th.

2011:  Gull roost counts were 1,500 on the 24th of January and 650+ on the 23rd of December.

2012: Noted regularly during the year; but there was no gull roost counts undertaken during the winter periods.

 

Yellow-legged Gull L. michahellis. 

2005: In February an adult on the 2nd, a second-year on 22nd, two adults & a second-year 24th.  Five in the roost on 1st August and three adults in the roost on 11th September.

2006: An adult flew in on 17th July and later departed to the west. There were two on 30th August and in September, five on the 1st and single adults on 2nd & 13th. 

2007: The only records were In August with single adults on 6th & 21st

2008:  A second-year bird was on the middle bank on the 24th & 27th of May and one seen on the 16th of August.

2011:   There was one record of an adult on the 11th of December.

 

Iceland Gull L. glaucoides.

2005: In January a first-winter in the gull roost on the 25th and a second-winter 28th.  On February 18th an adult flew in at 10:45 and alighted on the reservoirs; then at 11:15 it flew to the west-fields.  A first-winter on the middle bank early morning of 28th flew off south.  On 12th March an adult flew in from the east and departed south, the next day an adult flew into the roost.  A first-year was in the roost 15th & 16th finally an adult in the roost on 22nd December.       

2006: The few records for the year are as follows; a first-year bird on 3rd & 4th March. On the evening of 17th April a first-summer bird on the reservoirs briefly before flying off north. Finally a second-winter bird in the gull roost on 30th December.

2007: In March a second-year bird was in the gull roost on the 11th, 19th, 22nd, 23rd & 24th. A second-year bird was in the roost on the 2nd of April and was seen the following morning.  

Also noted in March was either an immature Iceland or Glaucous gull seen flying south-west away from the reservoirs on the morning of the 29th.

2008:  In January a third-year bird on the reservoirs was present around noon for ten minutes on the 22nd before flying off west. A third-year bird was in the gull roost on the 28th. The only February record was an adult in the roost on the 18th. In March an adult in the gull roost on the 19th & 20th; and an adult was seen on the morning of the 26th, an adult was again in the roost on the 28th. In April a first-year bird flew east on the evening of the 20th. A third-year was in the gull roost on the 26th of November, lastly a first-year was in the roost on the 17th & 18th of December.

2009:  In February a first-winter bird was in the gull roost on the 8th and 15th, this was the only record in the first four months of the year; there were large numbers of this species and Glaucous Gulls in Continental Europe, so it was hoped we would have had more records. The latest ever site record, (but our second May record) was at 08:20 on the 31st of May and involved a first-year bird flying east over the Sailing Club; this individual was seen the previous day at Swillington Ings, in west Yorkshire.  

2010:  A third year bird was in the gull roost on the 22nd of February and was the only record for the year.

2011:  A first year bird was in the gull roost on the 24th of January. A first year bird and an adult were in the roost on the 7th of March.

2012: Just one record of an adult in the gull roost on the 12th of February.

 

Glaucous Gull L. hyperboreus.   

2005: A third-winter in the roost on 28th January was the only record.

2007: A first-year bird was in the gull roost on the 14th &15th of November. In December a first-year bird was in the gull roost on the 17th and again around the Christmas period, date not known.  

2008:  This was the first time for years that this species has outnumbered Iceland Gulls; in January single first-year birds in the gull roost on the 5th & 15th. In February seen regularly in the roost with a first-year and a second-year bird on the 25th & 26th; there was three first-year birds (equalling the site record) in the roost on the 27th & 28th. In March again recorded regularly to the 20th, with a first and a second-year bird roosting on the 3rd; there were three immature birds next day and three first-year birds in the roost on the 7th. In December a first-year on the 18th and a second-year on the 26th concluded the year’s sightings. 

2009:  A first-year bird was in the gull roost on the 26th of March and was the only record of the year.

2010:  In January a first year bird was in the gull roost on the 11th. In February a first year bird was seen on the 9th, in both the early morning & late afternoon. A first year bird on the evening of the 19th flew off East. 

 

Great Black-backed Gull L. marinus.  

2005: Roost counts in January were 650+ on 25th, down to 210+ on 29th.  497 on 6th February and 647 on 4th March. In December 450 on the 31st.

2006: The only count of the year was of c.160 on 10th February.

2007: Counts at the gull roost in January produced 345 on the 3rd, c.400 on the 23rd and c.415 on the 25th. In November there were 230+ on the 14th and in December 350+ on the 27th.

2008:  Gull roost counts were of 355+ on the 5th of January, c.345 on the 27th of November and in December c.475 on the 5th and 450+ on the 29th.

2009:  Gull roost counts were of, 500+ on the 6th of January, c.535 the next day and 470+ on the 30th of December. 

2010:  Gull roost counts in January were of 450+ on the 11th, falling to 365+ on the 20th.

2011:   Gull roost counts were of 160+ on the 13th of January, c.120 on the 14th of February and c.325 on the 23rd of December.

2012: There was a count of 450+ in the gull roost on the 4th of January.

Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla. 

2005: In March an adult on the reservoirs briefly on 12th flew off west.  Two adults on the evening of 13th, then two adults on the reservoirs on 20th later flew of north-west.  An adult flew south on 13th April, finally an adult on the reservoirs on 25th August.

2006: An adult was on the reservoirs on 11th March and two adults were noted on the 2nd of April, followed by an adult on the 4th. An immature on 27th September flew off west. The final record was an adult on 8th December.  

2007: In March there was an adult in the gull roost on the 18th & 19th and an adult flew east on the 22nd. On the 29th four adults were seen in the morning and one flew in to roost that evening. In April 12 adults on the reservoirs on the 3rd flew off east. Next day one was seen soaring among Black-headed Gulls. Finally an adult was seen among Black-headed Gulls on the reservoirs on the 6th.   

2008:  An adult was seen on the 25th & 26th of March, the next was an adult on the 10th of May. In June an adult was circling the reservoirs for five minutes then flew off east, the next day an adult flew west. 

2009:  The sole record was of an adult on the reservoirs on the 17th of March which later flew off west.

2012: One record for the year of three birds on the 31st of March. Two of the birds flew off the other remained at the reservoirs.

 

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis.

2005:  Five on 18th July remained for 45 minutes; this was only the third July record and was the second highest site count.

2006: Three flew north on the 25th of April. Our latest ever record occurred on the 5th of October, involving an adult and a juvenile, they sat on a jetty for a short time, before flying off north.

2007: Single birds seen on the 25th of April, and the 3rd & 16th of May.

2009:  Single birds recorded on the 4th of June and 15th of September, both of which flew off north.

2010:  Two birds were present for just two minutes on the 26th of May and was the only record.

2011:  Two flew North on the 15th of April and two flew West on the 24th of May.

2012: On the 15th of June one was present for five minutes before flying off south. The only other record was of one east on the 21st of July.   

 

Common Tern S. hirundo. 

2005: In April the first occurred on the 11th. Between the 19th & 30th there were singles on three dates, two on the 20th and six on 30th.  In May recorded on thirteen dates, with a maximum of five on 24th.  The maximum count for the year was eight, these were noted on 9th June; and another eight all adults on 2nd August.  An adult & a juvenile on 13th September were the only records in that month and the last of the year.

2006: In April one on the 22nd, next day two flew north and two were present on the 30th. Birds were noted daily from 1st May to 31st July, with a maximum of seven adults on 7th & 28th of May & again on 4th June. A pair bred on the tern raft and raised two young, out of three that hatched. Surprisingly a second pair bred on a carpet on the middle bank, (the carpet was put down to suppress the vegetation) they managed to raise three young. In July 14 birds were noted on the 30th (11 adults & 3 juveniles) and on 4th August 11 birds (6 adults & 5 juveniles). The last birds were in September, with a juvenile on the 5th, three birds on the 6th and finally a juvenile on 16th & 19th.

On the 25th April four either Common or Arctic Terns flew north.

2007: Birds were present daily from the 26th of April to the 31st of August. Maximum counts were 11 adults on 29th of May and 12 birds on 5th of August. Two pairs bred; one pair on a wooden raft, constructed by Gerald Brown from the sailing club. This was built as our own fibreglass raft was awaiting repairs. These managed to fledge one young out of three hatched. The other pair was on the middle bank; these had two young but they disappeared before fledging; maybe because of Mink which appeared around the sailing club in June. An adult still in full summer plumage was recorded on the 28th of September and the last of the year was a juvenile on the 3rd of October.      

2008:  In April the first to return was on the 20th then a count of 10 on the 23rd, sightings were daily from the 26th to the month end. In May birds were resident all month with a pair occupying each of the two nesting rafts, they were noted sitting on eggs from mid month. The maximum count in May was of ten on the 5th, 8th, 9th & 11th and 14 on the 7th. In June just the four breeding birds were seen unfortunately both pairs failed to rear any young. In the second half of the year 26 was the best count on the 7th of August; three on 12th September were the last of the year.

2009:  The first of the year was on the 4th of April, next was eight on the 15th and one on the 20th, they were then recorded regularly to the month end. In May they started to be recorded daily, from when the breeding birds arrived, the maximum count was eight on the 15th. In June, there were ten on the 2nd and the breeding pair had two young on the 23rd, both of which fledged. In July there was a maximum of 12 (10 adults) on the 20th. A second pair appeared to be sitting on eggs, but these failed to hatch, probably as a result of heavy rain on the 17th. In August there was a count of 22 on the 5th. Birds were seen regularly throughout September, with a count of eight on the 1st being the maximum. The last birds were in October with single immature birds seen on the 1st, 9th and 15th. 

2010:  Two pairs attempted to breed on the rafts but only one was successful and reared two young. In April one flying North on the 22nd was the first record of the year. Birds were recorded on a further six April dates, with six birds on the 25th the most; thereafter birds were present until the 30th of August. Maximum counts were eight adults on the 3rd, 25th & 30th of June. On the 6th August eight birds were present including two juveniles. Two adults on the 6th of September was the only record for the month and also the last record for the year.

2011: In April two on the 22nd, one on the 24th, three on the 25th & 27th and four on the 28th; then present daily from the 1st of May to the 26th of August. Maximum counts were 12 on the 30th of May and 14 on the 16th of June. In September there were two juveniles on the 27th and a single juvenile on the 29th. There was a new and very late record of an immature bird which was present briefly on the 8th of November before it flew off north-east; it was also a new species in this month. Four pair attempted to breed on the two rafts, but only one was successful and reared two young.

2012: The first record of the year was of seven birds on the 17th, followed by two on the 20th, singles on the 23rd & 24th, and two again on the 26th & 30th. Present daily throughout May and June and up to the 27th of July. Two pairs attempted to breed on the Tern rafts and two young ones were seen on the 15th of June, but these succumbed to either the wet weather or predation.

In August there was an adult on the 7th and seven adults on the 13th; one flew east on the 15th and finally for August there was a juvenile on the 20th. In September the only records and what were the last of the year were of one on the 22nd and two juveniles on the 24th.       

 

Arctic Tern S. paradisaea. 

2005: In April seven north on 24th, two on 30th.  In May three north on 4th one on 7th, a total of 31 (flocks of 7 & 24) on 16th, the last of spring was two on 18th.  Five on 1st August were the only autumn passage birds.

2006: Recorded only on spring passage; in April four on 26th, one next day and two on 29th. In May one on the 1st, 15 on the 4th, two on 7th and 10 on the 10th. 

2007: In April one on the 25th, two on the 27th one on 28th, six on 29th & three on the 30th. In May two on the 3rd and 23 north next day. The only autumn record was of two juveniles on the 21st of August.

2008:  In April three on the 20th and singles on the 23rd & 27th, followed by one on the 4th of May ended a very poor year for the species.

2009:  The worst year on record for this species, there was just one record of a single bird on the 10th of May.

2010:   A poor year for numbers passing through; with one on the 30th of April, in May one on the 5th, six North on the 9th and two North next day. The only July record was of one on the 22nd. In August five (1 juvenile) on the 14th and the last was an adult on the 18th. 

2011: The only April record was of one on the 28th and the only May record was one flying East on the 3rd. The poor spring was bettered by good and record counts in July; with 13 which included a juvenile bird on the 27th and 10 adults on the 29th. Finally an immature bird was seen on the 10th of September.

2012: The first of the year was one on the 18th of April, followed by six on the 26th and five the next day. In May there were two on the 3rd, two again on the 6th and what was to be the last for the year four on the 25th.

 

Commic Tern sterna species

2007: Either a Common or Artic tern flew north on the 27th of September. 

Little Tern S. albifrons. 

2005: An amazing count of 12 on 1st May involved a flock of nine & three; there was one other record for the year a single on 26th May.

2008:  A total of nine birds were recorded on the 27th of April, a flock of five & a single passed through to the north-east and three flew in and remained on site.  

2009:  Two on the 3rd of June was the only record.

2010:  Three birds were present for just four minutes on the 5th of July before they flew off North.

 

Black Tern Chlidonias niger. 

2005: The only spring birds were six on 1st May.  In July singles on 11th & 18th.  There was an excellent count of 44 on 31st August; this represented the second highest count for the site.  The last of the year were in September with four on 1st, one on the 2nd and three on the 8th. 

2006: The only spring record was one on 9th May. Autumn was not much better with 15 on the evening of 27th August and one next day.  

2007: The only record was of two flying east along the canal on the 1st of May.  

2008:  The first was on the 27th of April. May records were two on the 3rd & 4th seven on the 7th, three on the 8th & two on the 9th. On the 11th of September four in the morning which were seen to leave, then eight were present that evening.    

2009:  In May, there were three on the 13th, five on the 14th, one on the 15th and two on the 31st. In June there were four on the 1st and the final record was of two on the 1st of August.

2010:  The first of the year was on the 23rd of April, next was one on the 27th of May followed by one on the 21st of June. All the records in the second half of the year were in September: there were 11 for three minutes on the 6th which flew off West; also two were seen on the evening of the 6th and one was seen on the evenings of the 7th, 14th & the 22nd. Also on the 22nd 14 were present early morning for 15 minutes before leaving to the North.

2011: The only spring record was of one on the 22nd of April. In September 22 on the 29th, the final record was in October with a single bird on the 1st.

2012: The only records for the year were in the spring; in April one on the 26th and two on the 30th and in May one on the 21st.  

 

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus. 

2010:  The second site record occurred in the late evening   of the 6th of September, when one was seen with two Black Terns. (MP).

 

Stock Dove Columba oenas. 

2005: In January 36 in the east-fields on 4th, 35 flew west to roost on 20th, c.55 on 28th, and 31 on 2nd March.  On 11th April nine were around the Hawk & Owl Trust nest boxes where they often breed; and two were noted at the feeding area on 14th.  The maximum count in the second half of the year was 24 on 27th August.  

2006: In the first half of the year there was a maximum count of 51 in the east-fields on 23rd January; in the second half of the year 180+ were in the east-fields on 10th November.

2007: Noted throughout the year in small numbers, with no significant counts.

2008:  The best counts for the year were 20 on the 26th of January and 45 on the 29th of August.

2009:  The best count of the year was 29 on the 2nd of January.

2010:  Present all year with a maximum count of 15 on the 23rd of December.

2011: Twenty-one birds on the 20th of August was the best count of the year.

2012: A regularly seen resident; the maximum count during the year was of 21 on the 13th of September.  

 

Woodpigeon C. palumbus. 

2005: 900+ on Went Ings on 18th February and 850+ flying east from Cowick Gorse on the morning of 16th December.

2006: On the 1st January 1,100 flew to roost at Cowick Gorse; and on 9th December 1,500 did likewise.

2007: The only significant count was of 550+ flying west to roost in Cowick Gorse on the 5th of December.

2008:  The best count of the year was of 3,800+ flying to roost at Cowick Gorse wood on the 7th of January.  

2009:  The best count of the year was 1,200+ on the 9th of November.

2010:  Maximum counts for the year were of 1,100+ on the 1st of February and 1,200+ on the 11th. On the morning of the 6th of November 3,200+ were seen to leave the roost at Cowick Gorse Wood.

2011:  A count of 3,900+ flying to roost in Cowick Gorse on the 5th of December was the maxima for the year.

2012: The maximum count for the year was 1,800+ on Went Ings on the 25th of January.

 

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto. 

2005: Fifteen were flushed from trees on the Went Ings Barrier Bank; west of the aqueduct on 11th December. 

 

Collared Dove

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

1

1

2

4

2

2

1

3

1

2

1

15

No of  days

4

1

3

4

1

4

1

5

2

1

2

4

 

2006: All sightings are given in the table.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

0

1

3

1

1

2

1

2

1

2

0

1

No of days

0

1

3

4

1

1

2

4

3

2

0

1

 

2007: There were records of single birds on twenty-one dates, two on four dates and three on the 23rd & 24th of March. There were no records in the months January, June, July, November or December.  

2008:  Recorded every month except December. The maximum count was three at Beever’s Bridge on the 15th of March, 29th of September and the 14th of November.

2009:  Birds were recorded in every month except December. The best count of the year was four at Tattersall’s Transport yard (Between Rivers Farm) on the 31st of March and four at Beever's Bridge on the 25th of June and there again on the 21st of October.

2010:  Birds were recorded in every month except January. Six at Beever's Bridge on the 3rd of August was the maximum.

2011:  Birds were recorded in every month except June, November and December. The maximum count was three on the 1st of January, 14th of February and 25th of October.

2012: Birds were recorded in every month except January and June. All the records to the end of September were of single birds noted on fifteen dates and two birds on eight dates. On the 19th October there was an amazing gathering of 73 birds at “Between Rivers Farm”, which is on the eastern boundary of the recording area. In November 18 at “Between Rivers Farm” on the 3rd, then singles on three dates to the end of the month. In December one at Beever's Bridge and two flew east on the 6th. The final record for the year was of two at Beever's Bridge on the 25th.

 

Turtle Dove S. turtur. 

2005: The worst year ever with just three records; one flew south-west on 23rd May, two on Went Ings on 18th July and one flew east on 16th September.

2006: In May, one flew east on the 4th, single birds on Went Ings on the 11th, 17th & 27th. Two together over Went Ings on 3rd June; one of which flew off north. Finally one on 14th June.    

2007: Between the 5th of May and 22nd of September single birds were recorded on only seven dates; with two on the 21st of August.  

2008:  Records from the area are very rare now; one was heard on Went Ings on the 22nd of May and two were seen on the 5th of August.

2009:  One flew west along Went Ings on the 1st of May. The only other record was one on electricity cables at the northern end of the reservoirs on the 5th of August.

2012: In July one was on Went Ings on the 29th. In August one on Went Ings on the 11th & 13th was probably the same bird on both dates as both sightings were from the same area.

 

Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri. 

2010:  One was seen flying North at Went Ings on the 12th of September, this was the fourth site record.

 

Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus. 

2005: Single birds on eighteen dates between 17th April and 25th June. 

2006: Between 25th April and 6th July single birds were noted on 15 dates. Two were noted on the 16th of May, one of these was the Rufous/hepatic type.

2007: One bird was resident from 26th April to the 30th of June. Two were seen on the 20th of May and 18th of June. The last record was one on Went Ings on the 25th of July.

2008:  One was present on Went Ings from the 24th of April to the 30th of June and three were on Went Ings on the 27th of April.   

2009:  Between the 21st of April and the 19th of June one was seen regularly, usually on Went Ings, with two there on the 10th and 22nd of May. A late bird was seen on Went Ings on the 12th of July.  

2010:   The first was on April 25th followed by one on the 30th. In May the only records were of singles on the 13th, 14th & 22nd. In June a single male was calling on the 11th, 13th, 22nd & 27th and again on the 2nd of July which was also the last record of the year.  

2011: A pair was present between the 23rd of April and the 4th of June. A male was logged on the 6th of July when it was still calling. The last record was of a juvenile on the 27th of July.

2012: .  In April singles on the 22nd & 26th. In May recorded regularly, with three noted on the 12th. In June there were singles on the 6th, 7th & 10th. The final records for the year were in July, with a juvenile on the 11th and an adult on the 12th.   

 

Barn Owl Tyto alba. 

2005: One on 7th September flew across the canal from Went Ings to the east-fields.  One was reported on 6th February but was just outside the recording area

2006: One was seen flying along Southfield Lane on the evening of 8th September, it was seen on a further eleven dates to the year-end and remained into 2007. It roosted in one of the Hawk & Owl Trust nestboxes along the canal bank.

2007: One was seen over Went Ings on the 3rd, 4th, & 22nd of February and again on 3rd, 6th, & 12th of March. There were no records in April but seen again on 24th of May. No records in June. In July one on Went Ings on the 2nd, 9th & 12th, this was seen carrying prey to a farm alongside the A614. One on Went Ings on the 25th of August; and one along Southfield Lane on the 21st of September, this being the last sighting for the year.     

2008:  One was seen on Went Ings on the morning of the 24th of November.

2009:  Records came from every month except January and May. Single birds were seen on 31 dates, with two on the 12th of June, 12th of July and 20th of October.

2010:  In January single birds were recorded on the 4th, 7th, 19th & 27th. In February single birds recorded on ten dates and two on the 11th. In March singles on thirteen dates and two on the 31st. In April there were single birds on six dates. The next to be recorded was one on Went Ings on the 7th of August. No records then until single birds were recorded on October 15th & 19th; the final records for the year were in November with two on Went Ings on the 15th and one on the 26th.   

2011:  In January singles on the 12th & 22nd and two on the 25th. In February one on the 22nd was the only record. In March singles on the 4th, 17th, 21st & 25th and two on the 7th. One was seen on Went Ings west of the aqueduct on the 26th of June and the 12th of July. There was just one record in November on the 30th. In December single birds were recorded on eight dates

2012: All the records for the year are as follows; In January singles on the 4th, 8th, 13th, 14th & 28th. In February singles on the 2nd & 4th. In June one on Went Ings on the 15th and lastly one on the 8th of October.

 

Little Owl Athene noctua. 

2005: Single birds on Went Ings on 11th & 13th April and 22nd June.

2006: Single birds seen on Went Ings on the 3rd March, 18th April, 18th May and 27th September. Single birds noted at Southfield Lane on 3rd October and 18th November.

2007: Single birds were on Went Ings on the 14th of May and 10th of August.

2008:  Single birds were on Went Ings on the 23rd of June, 1st of August and 4th of September. One was near “Between Rivers Farm” (Tattersall’s Haulage) on the 6th of November.   

2009:  Single birds were seen on Went Ings on the 20th of July and the 9th and 15th of December.

2010:  Recorded in every month except October; and breeding was proven for the very first time when a pair nested and reared two young at Southfield Lane.

(Over the years birds have always been around with records coming mainly from Went Ings, where they must breed, but it has never been proven).

There was just two other records of single birds on Went Ings on the 7th & 10th of March.   

2011: A pair bred and raised two young and these were seen along Southfield Lane. There was one January record on the 25th. Two on the 22nd February was the only record in that month. The next records were in April with singles on the 7th & 15th. There was one May record of a single on the 30th. In June singles on three dates and two on the 30th. In July singles on four dates, with two juveniles on the 1st and two birds again on the 14th. The next record was in October with one at Beever's Bridge on the 31st. In November one at Southfield Lane on the 30th was the only record. In December single birds were seen near Beever's Bridge on the 1st & 30th.

2012: At the reservoirs there were singles birds on the 5th of January and the 12th & 16th of March. All other records were from Went Ings as follows; singles on the 25th of May, 11th of July, 11th of August and finally on the 2nd of December.  

 

Tawny Owl Strix aluco.

2005: Single birds were recorded on 37 dates, three of these from Went Ings. 

2006: Noted in every month, with single birds recorded on 28 dates. In July an adult was seen feeding two juveniles along Southfield Lane on the 28th; the two juveniles remained here to 8th August. 

2007: There was a total of twenty-three records for the year. All were of single birds, except for two at the north-west corner of the reservoirs on the 16th of December. Twenty of the records came from the northern end of the reservoirs, two from Went Ings and one from Beever's Bridge.      

2008:  Recorded in every month except October. Single birds recorded on Went Ings on ten dates and single birds along Southfield Lane on nine dates. One was at the north-west corner on the 27th, 30th & 31st of December.   

2009:  One was at the north-west corner on ten dates between the 1st of January and the 2nd of April. Single birds were noted at Southfield Lane on the 9th, 23rd and 31st of March, then the 1st of April, 8th of May, 27th of June and 29th of July. The only records for the rest of the year were of one calling on Went Ings on the 27th of November and one calling at the northern end of the reservoirs on the 28th of December.

2010:  In January one was at Southfield Lane on the 6th & 7th; and one was heard calling from Went Ings on the 15th. There was one February record again from Went Ings on the 3rd.

During the second half of the year one was on Went Ings on the 7th of August. One was heard calling at Southfield Lane on the 31st of October; the last record was one on Went Ings on the 30th of November.  

2011:  All records for the year were from Went Ings with single birds recorded on twenty dates and two were logged on the 3rd of December.

2012: During the first three months of the year one could be seen regularly at its daytime roost on Went Ings this was viewed from the reservoirs/canal bank. In April the previously mentioned roosting bird was seen on only four dates between the 14th & 30th. The only other records in the first half of the year were single birds on Went Ings on the 24th of May and the 15th of June.

In the second half of the year the first records were in August, with two at Southfield Lane on the 7th, two on the 9th (one at the northern end of the reservoirs and one at the southern end of the reservoirs).

One was at the Northern end of the reservoirs on the 22nd and one on Went Ings on the 29th. The only September record was a calling bird on Went Ings on the 13th. In October one was calling from Went Ings on the 4th and one seen on Went Ings on the 23rd. In November one was seen back at the Went Ings daytime roost site on the 15th, 16th, 20th & 30th. In December the roosting bird on Went Ings bird could be seen regularly.     

 

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus. 

2005: In January one on the 25th was just outside the recording area.  Other records in the recording area were in January; one on 28th and two 29th.  In February two on 2nd & 6th.  In April two on 11th and one next day.  One on 11th September was the only record in latter half of the year.  

2006: One in the east-fields on 7th November. In December seen on the 4th, 16th, 17th & 26th, all records are thought to relate to one individual.

2007: Single birds were seen on the 3rd & 5th of February, 11th of March, 11th & 25th of August a finally on the 17th of December  

2008:  One was along Southfield Lane on the 15th of February. On the 30th of May one was seen in the west fields, lastly one was on Went Ings on the 7th of December.

2009:  One was seen at dusk on the 9th and 10th of December; it flew across the canal from Went Ings to the Eastern side of the reservoirs.

2011: In October single birds were recorded on the 12th, 24th & 26th. In November there was one on the 14th and in December one on the 15th.

2012:  Between the 5th of January and the 28th of April birds were recorded regularly; with four on the 29th of January and the 1st & 5th of April. Five birds were seen on the 18th of March. The only other records for the year were singles on 9th of May and the 3rd of November.   

 

Common Swift Apus apus. 

2005: The only April records were two on 25th and seven on 29th.  The best counts for the year were 600+ on evening of 25th June and 400+ on 3rd July.  The only September records were one of on the 1st and five on 2nd.

2006: First to arrive back was one on 17th April, followed by a count of 100+ on the 30th. In May counts of c.80 on 19th and 110+ on 29th. The years peak count was c.1,000 on 14th June, which fell to 450+ on the 19th. After this 300+ on 9th July was the most recorded. The August maximum was c.50 on the 15th. In September the last records were of one on the 5th, 6th, 8th & 9th.   

2007: Four on the 23rd of April were the first of the year. In June 100+ were seen on the 5th & 7th and 120+ on the 26th. Recorded into August but there were no September records

2008:  The first of the year was on the 22nd of April. There was 300+ on the 12th & 18th of June. In July 550+ birds were seen late in the evening of the 3rd and 500+ on the 17th. The last sighting was on the 10th of September.   

2009:  The first record of the year was four birds on the 28th of April. The best counts for the year were of 1,270+ on the evening of the 26th of May, then in June 850+ on the evening of the 4th and 1,050+ on the evening of the12th.

2010:  In April two on the 23rd were the first arrivals, with c.60 recorded on the 30th. The maximum count for the year was only 200+ on the 27th of May and again on the 4th of July. In September there were 30+ on the 2nd; the last record of the year was of two on the 17th.

2011:  Five on the 27th of April were the first of the year. There was a count of 500+ on the evening of the 30th of May and a count of 2,000+ at 21:50hrs on the 30th of June. The last birds were recorded in September, with seven on the 1st and singles on the 9th, 16th & 18th.

2012: In April five on the 26th was the only record during the month. Monthly maxima counts were; 250 on the 31st of May. 550+ on the evening of the 29th of June. 260+ on the 30th of July. In August a maximum was of only three on the 31st. The final record was of one on the 3rd of September.

 

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis. 

2005: In the first half of the year the only records were single birds on 14th & 25th January and 23rd June.  In the second half of the year there were single birds on 11th & 31st July and from 1st August to 31st December single birds on forty-four dates.    

2006: Recorded on 108 dates.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

2

1

2

2

1

0

1

2

2

2

2

2

No of days

10

7

8

7

2

0

5

11

17

10

15

16

 

2007: A pair was resident in the area, with records from every month, though there was only one June record.   

2008:  Single birds were recorded on three dates in January, again on the 25th of February, three dates in March and April, then on the 22nd of May and the 20th of June.  In the second half of the year one on the 1st & 2nd of July were the only records until the 3rd of August. Recorded regularly thereafter to the year end, with two birds on six dates. One was found dead at the Sailing Club on the 11th of December.

2009:  Recorded in every month, June was the worst month with just one record. The best month was October with twenty-two records. Two birds were seen on the 19th of February, 6th of August, 12th and 14th of September, 28th of November and 19th of December.

2010:  Birds were recorded regularly throughout the year with records in every month. Birds were seen taking food to a nest hole on Went Ings on the 20th of May; then four birds including two juveniles were seen perched on the angler’s bridge on the east reservoirs on the 14th June. 

2011: Records of 1-2 birds came from every month except April, May and July. There was a decline in records, probably due to the recent cold winters.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

1

1

2

0

0

1

0

1

1

1

1

2

No of days

2

3

4

0

0

2

0

5

5

5

7

8

 

2012: From January to July the only records were of singles on the 6th & 31st of January; in February two on the 3rd & 4th and singles on the 5th & 6th. In March singles on the 2nd, 8th, 10th & 13th. In May there was one on the 12th and finally in this period one on the 17th of July.

During the second half of the year; in August there were singles on eight dates between the 1st & 22nd. From the 3rd of September to the 30th of November recorded regularly; with two on the 10th, 12th, & 23rd of October; 2nd, 23rd & 24th of November. Finally in December there were singles on the 2nd, 13th, 19th & 26th.  

 

European Roller Coracias garrulus.

2006: A new species for the site list; it was seen on the evening of 2nd October as it was pursued by a Carrion Crow around the reservoirs east bank area. At the time the observer was not 100% sure of the identification. However a few days later the observer went to see a Roller in Northumberland, which was also pursued by a Carrion Crow. After seeing this bird the observer was then in no doubt about the Southfield sighting. (J.S.)

 

Green Woodpecker Picus viridis. 

2005: Single birds were recorded on twenty-three dates, noted in every month except October.

2006: Noted on 44 days.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

2

2

2

1

1

0

0

1

1

2

1

1

No of days

5

6

7

2

2

0

0

4

8

4

3

3

 

2007: There were records of single birds on twenty-seven dates, noted in all months except July; there was only one record in the months May, June, November and December.        

2008:  The first record of the year was one on the 16th of February, then two on the 28th. In March singles were seen on the 9th & 29th. In April singles recorded on the 4th, 9th, 15th & 29th. Further singles noted in May on the 6th & 26th. One was on Went Ings on the 23rd of June. The next was not until August, with single birds on eight dates between the 1st & the 20th, then no further records until one on the 10th of December.  

2009:  A good year for this species with birds recorded in every month except June. There was one record of two birds on the 21st of April.

2010:  Birds were recorded regularly throughout the year and in every month except June. The only May record was one on the 7th. Single birds were recorded on 76 dates, with two on the 9th of March, 11th of April, 9th of August & 5th of November. There was a record count of four together at the Northern end of the reservoirs on the 27th of July. 

2011:  Birds were recorded in every month except June. From the 1st of January to the 4th of April single birds were recorded on nineteen dates; with two on the 22nd of April. In May one on Went Ings on the 21st was the only record in that month. From the 10th of July to the 30th of December single birds recorded on 33 dates. An adult and a juvenile were seen on the 13th of July.

2012: Records came from every month except May. The only record of more than one bird was two on the 21st of July.   

 

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

1

1

1

1

0

1

2

1

1

1

1

1

No of days

3

3

5

2

0

1

2

8

1

2

7

4

 

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major. 

2005: Single birds on eighty-seven dates and two on seven dates.  A pair breeds on Went Ings, and the species can be seen feeding on peanuts at the feeding areas at both ends of the reservoirs.

2006: Recorded on a total of 80 days. An adult was seen feeding young at a nest-hole on Went Ings on 23rd May.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

2

2

1

2

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

No of days

3

10

12

8

5

2

8

3

11

3

5

10

 

2007: Birds were noted in all months, but there was only one record in June. A pair bred on Went Ings and were seen taking food to the nest-hole on the 14th of May. There was three together on 30th of November, visiting the feeding area at the southern end of the reservoirs      

2008:  Birds were recorded regularly throughout the year, with two birds on the 9th of April, 23rd of June and the 18th of December.   

2009:  Recorded in every month, with counts of three on the 6th of February, 30th of June and 15th of December.

2010:  Birds were recorded throughout the year with three on the 23rd of March & 28th of December.

2011: Birds were recorded in every month except May. Single birds were logged on seventy-six dates and two birds on nineteen dates.

2012: Birds were recorded on eighty-nine dates throughout the year. There were two birds on the 21st of August and 19th of October. Three birds were seen together on the 13th of March.

 

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor. 

2007:  A pair was on Went Ings on the 25th February (AS)

 

Woodlark Lallula arborea. 

2010: This was the first new species to be recorded for the site for almost four years. It was seen on Went Ings near the aqueduct on the 27th August. (RD)  

 

Skylark Alauda arvensis. 

2005: Only small numbers in the first two months of the year, a few more in March as birds took up breeding territories.  A count of 13 (7 singing) in the recording area on 3rd June.  In September 169 flew west on the 18th, 50+ flew west on 2nd October and 60+ present in the east-fields on 24th December.

2006: In January 58 were in the east-fields on the 1st, increasing to c.70 on the 6th. In October 56 on the 10th increased to 80+ on the 12th, these were the peak counts for the year.

2007: A total of 80 were seen on the 18th of October, which was the maximum count of the year.

2008:  With the Governments set-aside policy now ended it was a poor year for this species. In the first half of the year the maximum count was eight on the 16th of February. During the latter part of the year the maximum count was 36 on the 15th of October and 35 on the 7th of December.    

2009:  The only January records were of single birds on three dates. In February two on the 3rd, three on the 7th, seven on the 8th and 110 flew south on the 9th, during a spell of cold weather. The best count in the latter half of the year was 104 flying south on the 19th of December, also during a spell of cold weather.

2010:  In January four on the 9th and singles on the 11th, 18th & 21st. In February single birds on five dates to the 14th, then two on the 19th, and three on the 20th, then on the 21st 40 flew west, thereafter single figures to the month end.

In the second half of the year there was a good count of 215 flying South on the 5th of October. The best count in the last two months was of 82 flying South & 15 present on the 30th of November. 

2011:  The maximum count in the first half of the year was of 21 present on the 1st of January. A total of 95 birds flying South on the 30th of September was the maximum count in the second half of the year.

2012: In January the only recorded count was of five; and was heard singing on the 26th. In February the only double figure counts were of 21 flying south on the 5th, ten on the 15th, 17 (1 singing) on the 16th.

In the second half of the year a maximum count was of 50 flying south on the 15th of October. In December singles on the 5th, 11th, 15th & 26th were the only records.  Birds breed around the reservoirs but success rates are not known.   

 

Sand Martin Riparia riparia. 

2005: The first was on 18th March then on a further nine dates to the month end, with 50+ on the 26th.  The maximum year counts were 200+ on 22nd April and 250+ on 25th August. The last was one flying south on 23rd September

2006: The first to return was four on the 26th March, one next day, then 30+ on the 29th, but only one on the 31st. in April 200+ on the 18th, 600+ on 21st, decreased to 280+ next day. On the 23rd 850+ had decreased to 400+ on the 27th. Finally for spring 500+ on 29th & 31 May. These were the best counts of the year as there were no large autumn gatherings.  

2007: The first was on March 24th, with nine on the 28th, 11 on the 29th and two on the 31st. The spring maximum was 80+ on the 11th of May. The autumn maximum was only 50+ on the 21st of August. One on the 29th of September was the final record of the year.

2008:  The first to return was two on the 14th of March, the only other March record was of three flying north on the 27th. In April there were counts of 400+ on the 20th and 300+ on the 28th. In July 250+ on the 9th and 200+ on the 11th, birds were recorded into September but there were no late records.  

2009:  The first arrivals were five on the 21st of March and two the next day, then nine on the 31st. The maximum count for spring was 150+ on the 8th of May. A count of 200+ on the 15th of July was the maximum count in the second half of the year.

2010:  In January four on the 9th and singles on the 11th, 18th & 21st. In February single birds on five dates to the 14th, then two on the 19th, and three on the 20th, then on the 21st 40 flew west, thereafter single figures to the month end.

In the second half of the year there was a good count of 215 flying South on the 5th of October. The best count in the last two months was of 82 flying South & 15 present on the 30th of November. 

 In March three flying North on the 19th were the first of the summer; then from the 22nd two birds on four dates & three on the 24th. In April the best count of the year occurred with 380+ on the 23rd. After this 150+ on the 3rd & 6th of May, 120+ on the 26th of August were the best counts. Birds were recorded into September but there were no late birds.

2011: One flying West on the 17th of March was the first of the year; and 53 on the 26th was the month’s maximum count. There were good counts in April with 450+ on the 7th and 650+ on the 15th. In June a count of 150+ on the 28th, in July 300+ on the 9th & 27th and 190+ on the 26th of August. In September a maximum of 50+ on the 6th, then quickly declined and two flying South on the 17th were the last of the year.

2012: In March the first to arrive back was on the 29th followed by two the next day. The maximum count for the year was a mere 90+ on the 5th of May. The final record of the year was of one on the 21st of September.

 

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica. 

2005: The first to return was on the early date of 26th March.  The best spring count was c.25 on 30th April.  The highest count of the year was 176 flying south on 25th September.  Recorded on five October dates with a maximum of 12 east on the 7th and last of the year was three south on the 10th.  

2006: Between the 1st of April and 6th October the maximum counts were, 30 on 22nd April and 60+ on 31st August.   

2007: The first of the year flew east on the 29th of March. Twenty on the 13th of April was the maximum spring count. In the autumn the maximum counts were 150+ on the 21st of August, 300+ on the 6th of September. The final two birds were on the 2nd of October. 

2008:  The first to return was on the 31st of March; the spring maximum count was 70+ on the 22nd of May. The maximum count in the latter part of the year was 80+ on the 2nd of September; the last sighting of the year was on the 8th of October.

2009:  Singles on the 30th and 31st of March, were the first birds of the year. The highest count of the year was 60+ on the 13th of May.

2010:  In January four on the 9th and singles on the 11th, 18th & 21st. In February single birds on five dates to the 14th, then two on the 19th, and three on the 20th, then on the 21st 40 flew west, thereafter single figures to the month end.

In the second half of the year there was a good count of 215 flying South on the 5th of October. The best count in the last two months was of 82 flying South & 15 present on the 30th of November. 

The first birds were In March with two on the 30th & 31st. The best spring count was of 35 on the 3rd of May. In October 162 flew South on the 5th and two flying South on the 22nd were the final records of the year.

2011: One on the 2nd of April was the first to return. A count of 42 on the 7th of April was the maximum during the spring period. In the second half of the year the maximum count was 250+ flying South on the 16th of September. In October there were three on the 4th and two the next day, with the final record of one flying South on the 25th.

2012: In April the first record of the year was one on the 6th, rising to 80+ on the 19th. The maximum count for the year was 200+ on the 5th of May.

In the second half of the year there was a maximum count of 100+ on the 21st of September. There was one late bird recorded flying south on the 4th of November.  

 

House Martin Delichon urbicum.

2005: Recorded between 14th April and 30th September; 40+ on 24th May was the year’s maxima.

2006: A poor year for this species, the first was on 11th April and four on 11th October were the last.

2007: One on the 13th April was the first to return. There was 45+ on the 10th of September this being the best count of the year, there were no records in October.

2008:  The first record of the year was of four birds on the 14th of April. The best counts for the year were 20 on the 1st & 27th of May. The last record of the year was six on the 3rd of October.

2009:  The first of the year was one on the 7th of April. There was 60+ on the evening of the 4th of June, this being the best count of the year.

2010:  In January four on the 9th and singles on the 11th, 18th & 21st. In February single birds on five dates to the 14th, then two on the 19th, and three on the 20th, then on the 21st 40 flew west, thereafter single figures to the month end.

In the second half of the year there was a good count of 215 flying South on the 5th of October. The best count in the last two months was of 82 flying South & 15 present on the 30th of November. 

 One on the 3rd of April was the first record of the year. In May 40+ on the 10th, 25th & 27th was the maximum for the year. 32 flying South on the 5th of October were the last of the year.

2011: The first of the year was on the 1st of April, this being the earliest date recorded. The maximum count for the year was of 80+ on the 10th & 16th of September. The final record was of two flying South on the 7th of October.

2012: The first record of the year was one on the 10th of April. The best count of the year was 50+ on Went Ings on the 31st of August; and c.50 on the 8th of September. In October there were three on the 1st and the final record was of ten flying south the next day.

 

Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis. 

2005: One south on the 16th August was the only record.

2007: One flew west on the 17th August and one flew south on the 7th of September.

2008:  The only records of the year were during August, with single birds on the 16th, 24th & 30th

2012: In September one flew north on the 3rd; and there were two birds in Willows on Went Ings on the 16th.   

 

Meadow Pipit A. pratensis. 

2005: Twenty-two on 25th February was the best count in the first half of the year, with just a light spring passage of birds heading north.  In the second half of the year the maximum counts were in September, with 120+ present in the west-fields on the 19th; and 83 flew south on the 26th.  In the last two months only one or two were recorded, the exception being 15 on 24th December.      

2006: Just one-three birds were noted intermittently between January and February. A few more in March but there was only a light spring passage. In September 72 flew south and 40+ were present in the west-fields on the 25th. On 10th October 40 flew east. Next were 16 on Went Ings on 22nd November. Seven on 8th December was the maximum count at the year end.

2007: In the first half of the year the maximum was five, on the 4th of January and 25th of March. 120 flew south on the 22nd of September. 19 were on Went Ings on the 25th of October. 13 flew south on 20th of November, thereafter just single birds on two dates in December.

2008:  Birds were recorded on five January dates and two February dates; the maximum count was three birds on the 26th of January. In March the maximum count was 28 flying north on the 17th. Counts of passage birds flying south in September were of 120 on the 20th and 219 on the 21st. The October maximum was 28 in the west fields on the 6th. There was small numbers recorded in November and December with a maximum count of 20 on the 25th of December.

2009:  There were good numbers present in the first two months of the year, when normally only single figure counts are obtained; In January there were 46 on the 19th and 40 on the 28th; and in February there was 45 on the 3rd. The best count in the latter half of the year was 60 flying south on the 23rd of September.

2010:  In January four on the 9th and singles on the 11th, 18th & 21st. In February single birds on five dates to the 14th, then two on the 19th, and three on the 20th, then on the 21st 40 flew west, thereafter single figures to the month end.

In the second half of the year there was a good count of 215 flying South on the 5th of October. The best count in the last two months was of 82 flying South & 15 present on the 30th of November. 

 In January single birds were recorded on the 5th & 21st. No records in February and in March recorded in only small numbers between the 10th & 31st, with eight North on the 21st the most.

In the second half of the year 33 flying South on the 28th of September was the maximum count. The best count for the final two months was of 18 present on the 6th & 22nd of November.  

2011:  Due to the cold weather there were no records in January or February. The first birds of the year were on the 11th of March when three flew north. The maximum count for March was 16 birds in the east fields on the 13th. In September counts of birds flying South were; 97 on the 9th and 60 on the 27th. In November 35 were in the west fields on the 11th. The only December records were four on the 15th and one on the 25th.

2012: The first records for the year occurred in February, with singles on five dates between the 5th & 29th and there was two birds on the 23rd. In March the only double figure count was of 12 (10 north & 2 present & displaying) on the 23rd.

In the second half of the year the maximum count was 45 flying south on the 9th of September. In November a good maximum count was of 22 in the east fields on the 26th. In December recorded on seven dates, with a maximum of four on the 21st.  

 

Rock Pipit A. petrosus. 

2005: One was present on 27th & 28th September and in October there were single birds on the 4th & 12th.

2007: One was on the middle bank on the 30th of September. Two were around the reservoirs on the 5th of October; the last was one north on the 24th of October.

2008:  The only records were of singles on the middle bank on the 28th of February and the 21st of October.

2009:  One was present from the 29th of September to the 15th of October and another was seen on the 28th of October.

2010: In October one was on the middle bank on the 11th and one flew North on the 22nd. Another was on the middle bank on the 1st of November.   

2011: There were three records for the year; the first was one on the middle bank on the 7th of March, the next were in October; one flew North on the 7th and one was on the middle bank on the 26th.

2012: The only record was of one on the 25th of October.

 

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava. 

2005: Recorded between 4th April and 23rd September.  45 were present on 23rd August and was the maximum count for the year.

2006: In April one on the 15th, then 13 on the middle bank on the 22nd and 21 on the east bank on 29th. In August 29 noted on the 8th and 50+ on 23rd. In September a count of 35 on the 5th and the last bird of the year was on the 25th.

2007: The first of the year flew west on the 9th of April; 14 on the 17th of April was the best count of the year. The last records were In October with one on the 2nd, 3rd & 5th.    

2008:  The first one was on the 13th of April. The best count of the year was of 16 birds at the northern end of the reservoirs on the 21st of August; the last record was one on the 16th of September.    

2009:  The first record of the year was of one on the 6th of April. The maximum count for the year was 20 on the jetties on the 17th of August. The final record was one on the 24th of September. 

2010:  The first to return was on the 10th of April. There were 30+ on the east bank on the 31st of August and was the best count of the year. Recorded into September but there were no late records.  

2011:  In April, one on the 5th of was the first of the year and 35 on the middle bank on the 28th was a good spring count. In August there were counts of c.40 on the 2nd and c.50 on the 16th. In September 14 on the 7th was the maximum count and one on the 17th was the last of the year.

2012:In April the first record of the year was one on the 10th. The maximum count for the year was 23 on Went Ings on the 26th of August. In September one on the 20th was the final record of the year.

 

Grey Wagtail M. cinerea. 

2005: One on 12 & 13th March.  In May a male on the jetties on the 2nd and a male again on the 12th.  A juvenile was noted on 27th June.  Between 1st August and 11th October single birds were recorded on sixteen dates, with two on the 7th August and 5th September.

2006: In March one flew south on the 15th and one north on 26th. Single juveniles were seen on the jetties on 27th June, 8th & 18th of July and 27th August. Between 8th September and 23rd October single birds noted on nine dates, two on four dates and three on 11th September.

2007: In March single birds were seen on the 13th & 22nd. One flew north on the 8th of April. Between the 7th of June & 26th of November birds were recorded every month, with single birds on fifty-one dates; this involved an adult male from 19th of July to the 21st of August.

2008:  Single birds were recorded on five January dates and seven dates in February. Next was one on the 9th of March and a pair on the on the 19th. The only April record was of a male on the jetties on the 30th. In May one on the 4th and a male on the jetties on the 8th. In June a male on the 17th and single juveniles on five dates being joined by a female on the 26th; three together flew north on the 24th. Between the 2nd of July and the 25th of October there were single birds on twenty-three dates. In September there was two on the 3rd and three on the 12th & 22nd. One on the 27th of November was the only bird in that month and also the last of the year.

2009:  In June there were single birds on seven dates between the 9th and 24th; and three juveniles were on the jetties on the 12th and 22nd. In July there was single birds on three dates and two on the 11th, (1 male).

A single bird on the 23rd of August was the only record for the month. In September single birds were seen on six dates, with four on the 23rd and two on the 25th. During October there were single birds on fourteen dates.

2010:  One flew North on the 14th of March. A juvenile was seen on the 28th of June. In September single birds on the 6th, 15th, 16th & 17th. In October there was one on the 5th and two on the middle bank on the 27th. The last record was one on the 5th of November.  

2011: The first was a male on the jetties on the 21st of March; followed by one on the 15th of April. In June there were single juveniles on seven dates and two juveniles the 24th then three the next day. In July the only record was of one on the 19th. The only August record was one flying north-east on the 28th. In September there were singles on six dates. In October there were singles on the 7th, 12th & 29th. The final record was one on the 8th of November.

2012: The first record of the year occurred on the 19th of July, when a juvenile was on the jetties. The next records were not until September when singles were recorded on twelve dates between the 1st & the 27th. In October single birds were recorded on six dates between the 1st & the 29th. In November there were singles on six dates between the 2nd & the 30th, In December one on the 26th was the final record for the year.  

 

Pied Wagtail M. alba. 

2005: A pair were observed taking food to a nest on the canal bank on 29th April.  A pair once again bred on the R.O.D. boat moored out on the reservoirs, the nest contained six eggs on 7th May.  Three juveniles were on the east bank on 14th June, eight (7 juveniles) on the jetties on 24th & 25th June and 29 birds were on the jetties on 6th September.

2006: No change in status, a few notable records were, seven (6 juveniles) on 4th August, 11 on the jetties on 29th September and 18 flew south on 12th October.

2008:  Present throughout the year; the best counts were of 15 on the 22nd & 26th of January and 12 on the jetties on the 20th of August.

2009:  Birds were recorded throughout the year. The only noteworthy record was an adult and five juveniles on the jetties on the 10th of July.

2010:  Recorded regularly throughout the year; there were no notable counts. It was also noted that they didn’t breed on the ROD boat as they usually have done over the last few years.   

2011:  Following the cold weather there were no records in January. In February the first record of the year was one on the jetties briefly before flying off North on the 24th. Birds were recorded more regularly in March with three being the maximum. In June juveniles appeared from the 6th, with seven on the jetties on the 6th & 7th of July and nine birds on the 13th of July; but it was uncertain that these were all juveniles. In October six flew North on the 12th and during the final two months of the year there was just one-two birds.

2012: In January two flying south on the 25th was the only record. In February there were singles on the 8th, 15th & 24th. In March recorded regularly with two seen mating on the 25th. In May a pair bred at the Sailing Club, but only managed to raise one young from their first brood. Their second nest contained five eggs on the 7th of June; and on the 12th of July the two adults and three juveniles were together on the jetties.

In August a juvenile was on the jetties on the 7th and it was noted to have recently left the nest. In October there was a count of 19 flying south on the 2nd. The only December records were singles on the 6th & 16th.

 

White Wagtail M. alba alba. 

2006: Two males were noted on the middle bank in April on the following dates, 22nd & 23rd and one remaind to the 24th. 

2008:  The only record was a male was on the middle bank on the 26th of April. 

2009:  The only record was one on the 1st of April.

2010:  Single males were seen on the 21st, 23rd & 24th of April.

 

Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulous. 

2005: Five birds flew south-west on 4th January.  In November two on the 23rd and one on 29th, these records came from the rare bird alert pager service, observers are not known.

2008:  One was present on the 18th of December.

2010: One was seen flying North on the 25th of November.    

2011:  A flock of 15 were seen in the Hawthorn hedgerow alongside the New Junction Canal before flying off north-east on the 1st of January.

2012: On the 9th of November a flock of 12 birds flew in from the north and alighted in the Ash trees on the canal bank before continuing southwards. Then some-time later a further flock of 16 birds flew in from the north and alighted in the same stand of Ash trees, they stayed for a short while before continuing southwards. On the 17th of December a flock of 50+ were seen to fly onto Went Ings at 15:35 hours, this is the maximum number ever to be recorded for the site.  

 

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes. 

2005: Maximum counts were thirteen (12 singing) in the recording area on 3rd June and 10 around the reservoirs on 6th October.

2006: Status unchanged. There was 13 (12 singing) on Went Ings on 16th May and 15 (14 singing) in the recording area on 19th June.

2007: Ten were in the recording area on the 10th of July.

2008:  Present all year but no significant counts were recorded.

2009:  Birds were recorded throughout the year. There was a count of 15 singing birds on Went Ings on the 9th of May.

2010:  The only notable count was of nine singing on Went Ings on the 27th of June.

2011:  A resident breeding bird with one or two recorded regularly, but there were no counts done this year.

2012: Present all year round; eleven were singing in the recording area on the 11th of July.    

 

Dunnock/Hedge AccentorPrunella modularis.

2005: Seven (4 singing) around the reservoirs on 10th March.

2006: Recorded regularly, with a count of 11 (9 singing) in the recording area on 19th June.

2007: Six were at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 16th of March: and eight were in the recording area on the10th of July.

2008:  There were six singing birds in the recording area on the 23rd of June and was the only significant count of the year.    

2009:  Birds were recorded throughout the year. There was a count of seven singing birds on Went Ings on the 9th of May.

2010:  The only notable count was of eight on Went Ings on the 2nd of January.

2011:  A resident breeding bird with one or two recorded regularly, but there were no counts this year.

2012: Present all year round; four at the Northern end of the reservoirs on the 27th of March was the best count of the year.

 

Robin Erithacus rubecula.  

2005: Ten (8 singing) in the recording area on 3rd June and 11 around the reservoirs on 6th October.

2006: Recorded regularly, 16 (11 singing) in the recording area on 19th June.

2007: A common resident. Seven were in the recording area on the 10th of July.

2008:   Present all year but no significant counts were recorded.

2009:  Birds were recorded throughout the year. There was a count of 11 (8 singing) on Went Ings on the 9th of May.

2010:  The only notable count was of nine. Seven of these at the Northern end of the reservoirs feeding area; and two at the feeding area at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 9th of January.

2011:  A resident breeding bird with one or two recorded regularly but there were no counts undertaken this year.

2012: Present all year round; ten on the 10th of February consisted of seven at the feeding area at the northern end of the reservoirs and three at the feeding area at the southern end of the reservoirs.

 

Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos.

2006: A new species for the site list; one was heard singing on a number of occasions on Went Ings from the 2nd of May until it was last heard on the 25th May (A.S. C.F.)

 

2012:  Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros.  The second record for the site; a female was in bushes alongside the canal on the 30th of April, it was then seen to fly onto Went Ings.  

 

Common Redstart Phoenicurus Phoenicurus. 

2008:  On the 10th of September a male was seen to fly from the north and gave brief views in the hawthorn hedges on the canal bank before quickly flying off south.

 

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra. 

2005: A male was present with three Wheatears near the sailing club on 1st May.  In August singles on 5th & 28th and in September one on 1st & two on 2nd.

2006: The only spring record was of two males on the 2nd of May. In September one on 14th and further single birds on 22nd, 25th & 26th, which is the latest ever recorded for the site. 

2007: The only record was of one on the 9th of August.

2008:  One was along the east bank on the 28th of April, the only other record was one on the 3rd of September.

2010:  Just one record for the year; one was on the west bank on the 30th of September, this represents our latest ever record for the species.

2012: One on Went Ings on the 16th of August was the only record for the year.

 

Common Stonechat S. torquatus. 

2005: A male present along the east bank from 2004 remained until 14th March.  A female was on the west bank on a new late date of 18th March; and two there on 17th October.  A pair at the fishermen's car park on 20th November moved off eastwards along the hedgerow towards Beever's Bridge.    

2006: In October a pair on the east side of the reservoirs on the 3rd, a male on the middle bank on 10th flew into the north-fields and was seen again next day. Also in October a single male appeared on the 30th. In November a pair was near Beever's Bridge on 1st, 9th & 19th.

2007: A male was on Went Ings on January 29th. A male was present at the reservoirs on the 17th, 19th & 31st of December.

2008:  A male along the east bank was seen on eight dates between the 4th of January and the 14th of March.

2009:  The only record this year was of a female which was present from the 2nd-4th of March.

 

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe. 

2005: In April one on 17th and two females on the reservoirs bank near to the sailing club on 30th; one remained until next day and had been joined by two males.  A pair in the east-fields on 3rd May, the male remaining to the 5th.  Autumn passage records were two on 28th August and one on 13th & 14th September.  

2006: Only recorded on spring passage, in April one on the east bank and another on the middle bank on the 9th, a female was in the east-fields on 22nd. In May a female was seen on the 2nd, then seven (6 males) on 3rd, with one male remaining the next day.

2007: In April a male was seen on the 16th and one on the 29th. A late bird was on the middle bank and jetties on the 15th of October.

2008:  The only records were of a male on the 14th of April and two on the 3rd of September.

2009: Two males were in the west fields on the 1st of April. Another male was in the same area on the 21st of May. One was at the northern end of the reservoirs on the 31st of July and the final record was one on the 21st of August.  

2010:  A good April with single males on the 9th, 24th & 26th, followed by four on the east bank on the 30th. In May two on the 1st was the only record. In August two on the 23rd and a late bird in October on the 15th.  

2011:  There were just two records this year, both in the autumn; single birds were seen on the 22nd of August and the 15th of September.

2012:  A very poor year, there were singles on the 28th of April and the 8th of May these were the only records for the year.      

 

Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus.

2007: A male was along the east bank and then flew to Went Ings on the 15th of April

 

Blackbird Turdus merula. 

2005: Maximum counts were twenty-one (17 males, 11 of them on Went Ings) on 3rd June and 16 around the reservoirs on 6th December.

2006: A count of 16 (13 males) in the recording area on 19th June.

2007: By far the best count of the year was 28 at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 24th of October.   

2008:  Resident throughout, with counts of 15 on the 25th of February, 17 in the recording area on the 18th of March, 15 on the 27th of March, 13 (eight males) on Went Ings on the 23rd of June.     

2009:  The best counts for the year were of; 15 on the 8th of January, (14 of these at the southern feeding area); then, 16 on the 29th of January, (12 at the southern feeding area) and lastly on the 6th of February 15+ were noted at the southern feeding area.

2010:  The only notable count was on the 9th of January, with a total of 17; 11 of these were at the feeding area at the southern end of the reservoirs; and six at the feeding area at the northern end of the reservoirs.

2011:  Birds were recorded throughout the year. The best counts were of 15 on the 2nd of January and eight males near the aqueduct on Went Ings on the 3rd of June.

2012:  Present all year round. The maximum count for the year was 17; of these 12 were at the feeding area at the southern end of the reservoirs and five at the feeding area at the northern end of the reservoirs on the 10th of February.

 

Fieldfare T. pilaris. 

2005: The best count in the first winter period of the year was 220+ on 8th January, the peak spring count was a little better with 300+ on 27th & 29th March, the last was on 13th April.  In October the first to return were 50 on the 18th, with a peak count for the month of 170+ on 31st.  There were 300+ on Went Ings on 9th December; this was the best count of the year.

2006: Maximum counts in the first three months were c.70, 70+ & 120 respectively. In April 250+ on Went Ings on the 4th and 55 on the 11th were the last. The best count was in November when 1,150+ flew west on the 1st. A count of 90+ on 19th December was the maximum for that month. 

2007: The maximum count in the first half of the year was 500+ on the 12th of January. The last of the winter period was eight on the 7th of April. In October the first to return were 16 on the 12th with a maximum count of 700+ on the 18th. The best count to the year end was 100+ on the 9th of November.

2008:  The best count in the first half of the year was of c.94 (c.80 on Went Ings & 14 flying north) on the 4th of April, A flock of 40 flying east on the 18th of April were the last in the first half of the year. In October the first returning birds were on the 26th when 46 flew west and the maximum count was of 650+ on the 31st. The maximum counts for November and December were of 500+ on the 4th of November and 250+ on the 10th of December.    

2009:  The maximum count in the first half of the year was c.140 flying north on the 17th of March. The final record for this period was 17 flying north on the 1st of April. In October the first returning birds were 80+ flying west on the 13th, the best count during the month was on the 27th, it was foggy until 12:35pm, but 780+ were noted flying west after this time. The best count during the last two months of the year was 400+ on the 30th of November.

2010:  The best count during the first two months was of 40 on the 30th of January. In March the only records were of nine on the 3rd and 133 flying North on the 23rd. There were no April records.

In October the first returning bird was one flying West on the 19th, then a maximum count of 1,080+ birds West on the 24th. In November the maximum was 500+ on the 2nd. Birds were very scarce in December because of the cold weather and the only record was 100+ on the 23rd.

2011:  Because of the cold weather the maximum count in the first three months of the year was of only 46 on the 22nd of January. In April eight flying North on the 4th was the only record.

In October c.60 on the 14th were the first returning birds; the October maximum was 300+ on Went Ings on the 28th. In November 1,000+ on the 23rd was this year’s best count. The December maximum was 600+ on the 5th.

2012: In the first half of the year the maximum count was of 130+ on the 4th of January; and one on the 14th of April was the final record of this period.

In October one on the 14th was the first record of birds returning for the winter, the maximum figure for October was 500+ on the 26th & 30th. In November the maximum was 700+ on the 30th. The December maximum was 500+ on Went Ings on the 2nd. 

 

Song Thrush T. philomelos. 

2005: Seven were at the southern end of the reservoirs on 14th October.

2006: Four were singing in the recording area on 19th June and six were seen on 3rd November.

2007: The best count of the year was of five on the 20th of October.   

2008:  Birds were resident throughout, with a maximum of three on any one day.

2009:  The maximum count for the year was three on the 13th and 18th of March.

2010: The maximum count for the year was just four on the 10th of January.

2011:  Four birds was the maximum count for the year on the 17th of March and the 2nd of October.

2012: The only significant records were of three together on the 15th of January. Two were singing at the reservoirs on the 11th of July.

 

Redwing T. iliacus. 

2005: The only records in the first half of the year were in January, three on the 4th and two 14th, the only February record was seven on the 10th.  In March six on Went Ings on 2nd and one on 13th.  In October the first to return were three on the 6th, then a good passage, with a flock of 700+ on 15th, 600+ on 25th & 27th and 300+ on 31st. During the last two months of the year there was a maximum of just four on 27th December.

2006: The only record in the first half of the year was of one on Went Ings on 21st March. Maximum counts in the second half of the year were, 366 west on 12th October, c.110 west on 1st November and 17 on Went Ings on 2nd December. 

2008:  During the first half of the year of the year the only records were of six on Went Ings on the 26th of January, there were no more records until 12 flew west on the 9th of March, six were on Went Ings on the 18th, four on the 28th and one on the 31st; the last of this period was one on the 3rd of April. In October 20 flew west on the 15th and 66 flew west the next day, then 20 on the 31st. A good showing in November and December, with maximum counts of 80+ on the 17th of November and 175 on the 10th of December.     

2009:  In the first half of the year the maximum count was 30 birds on the 19th of January; the final record for this period was one on the 8th of April. The first returning birds produced an amazing passage of 2,850+ birds flying west on the 13th of October. A second wave of birds flying west on the 27th October produced a count of 220+. The best count during the last two months was 150+ on Went Ings on the 10th of December.

2010: Three records in January, with one on the 5th, two on the 11th and three on the 30th. In February six flew West on the 1st and singles on the 22nd & 23rd. There were no records in March. One on the 3rd of April completed a scarce presence in the first half of the year.

In October, 24 on the 15th were the first birds to return, followed by 31 West on the 21st and 32 flew West next day. In November five on the 22nd was the most until the 30th when 30+ were recorded. In December a count of 20 on the 11th was the most.      

2011:  In the first four months the only records were of four on the 1st and one on the 2nd of January. The only February record was three on the 18th and the only March record was of two on the 23rd, finally in this period was one on the 4th of April.

In October four on the 21st were the first returning birds to be seen; the maximum for the month was 60 flying South on the 25th. 70+ on Went Ings on the 18th of November was the maximum for the month and the year. In December 13 on Went Ings on the 3rd was the maximum for the month.

2012: In the first half of the year the only records were of singles on the 1st, 14th, 15th & 16th, two on the 2nd and three on the 4th of January. In February three flying west on the 5th was the only record. The only record In March was on the 27th when four birds were on Went Ings, before flying off west.

In October the first to return were 58 seen flying west on the 12th, 140+ flew west on the 14th and 200+ on Went Ings on the 23rd. In November the maximum count was of 150+ on Went Ings on the 20th. In December the maximum count was of 100+ on the 2nd.   

 

Mistle Thrush T. viscivorus. 

2005: In August 10 at Southfield Lane on 3rd and 12 on Went Ings on 28th.

 

Mistle Thrush

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

2

0

1

0

2

3

5

12

6

0

1

1

No of  days

1

0

1

0

3

4

3

5

1

0

1

1

 

2006: Suspected to have bred at Tattersall’s road haulage depot (River House) Sykehouse Road. The maximum count for the year was nine on 6th October.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

1

0

0

1

1

8

0

0

8

9

1

0

No of days

1

0

0

6

6

2

0

0

5

3

6

0

 

2007: Recorded in every month except January & December. A pair was once again resident at River House/Tattersalls haulage, where it is thought they may have bred. There was a count of ten on Went Ings on the 19th of August.   

2008:  Recorded in every month except January, March and August; there were single records in the months of February and July. One or two birds were recorded on twenty-four dates; five birds noted on the 20th of June and a good count of 19 on Went Ings on the 10th of September. 

2009:  Recorded in every month; a count of 27 on the 28th of July eclipsed all other counts for the year.

2010:  Birds were recorded sporadically through the year.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

0

0

2

1

0

0

1

2

3

3

2

1

No of days

0

0

1

1

0

0

2

1

1

2

4

4

 

2011:  Birds were seen in every month except February, March, April and June. There were single birds on seventeen dates and two on two dates. In July on Went Ings there were seven on the 13th and eight on the 20th. In August there were five on the 11th.

2012: All records for the year were as follows; singles on the 1st & 5th of January; then the 4th of February, 18th of March, 28th of May and the 8th of July. The next records were in October; one flew west on the 1st, then three (2 flew south & 1 on Went Ings) on the 30th. Finally singles on the 15th of November and the 2nd & 21st of December.    

 

Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia.

2005: One on Went Ings from 25th April to 3rd May and one along the east bank on 2nd August.

2006: One on 20th April, then one on Went Ings from 12th May to 1st August. A bird was reeling along the Barrier Bank on 9th June and two birds could be heard reeling on 29th June.  

2007: One was reeling near Beever's Bridge on the 31st of May.   

2008:  One was heard reeling on the 8th of May, one reeling on Went Ings on the 20th of June and again in the same location on the 8th of July.   

2009:  Single birds were heard singing on Went Ings on the 22nd of April and 17th of May.

2010:  In May one was heard reeling on Went Ings, east of the aqueduct on the 11th & 14th. In June one was heard reeling on Went Ings west of the aqueduct on the 22nd. In July one was heard reeling west of the aqueduct on the 2nd, 7th, 13th, 17th, & 19th and was the last record of the year.

2011:  In April one was along the east bank on the 14th and is the earliest recorded; it was also noted again on the 23rd & 28th; one was also on Went Ings on the 18th. In May, three were on Went Ings on the 2nd, with two remaining on the 8th and one on the 13th. In July one was on Went Ings on the 7th and one there again on the 21st of August.

2012: Two were heard reeling near Beever's Bridge on the 30th of April; and one was still reeling from the same area on the 6th & 9th of May.  

 

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus. 

2005: Recorded between 22nd April & mid September. There was a count of 16 (10 singing) in the recording area on 3rd June. 

2006: The first was on 16th April. There was a count of 36 birds (22 singing) in the recording area on 19th June. The last bird was on 25th September.   

2007: The first was on the 16th of April, recorded into September, but there were no late records. 

2008:  The first was on the 21st of April. There was a count of 37 around the reservoirs on the 1st of May; recorded into September, but there was no late records.

2009:  One on the 14th of April was the first of the year. There were 24 singing birds on Went Ings on the 9th of May. On the 24th of June 30 were recorded around the reservoirs. There were no particularly late birds recorded.

2010:  Birds were recorded throughout the breeding season. Significant records were as follows; the first record of the year was of one on the 11th of April. In June 12 were recorded on Went Ings on the 27th; seven of these were singing birds.

2011:  The first record of the year was of one on the 11th of April. 21 were on Went Ings on the 2nd of May. One on the 20th of September was the final record of the year.

2012: One on the 20th of April was the first record of the year. Seven were singing from around the reservoirs on the 11th of July. The final record of the year was one on the 3rd of September. 

 

Reed Warbler A. scirpaceus. 

2005: In June two singing birds on the 3rd and singles on 14th & 25th.  In August one on 6th, three on 18th & one on 30th.  The last of the year was two on 1st September   

2006: One was present on Went Ings from 2nd May to 16th May. Two were singing in willows along the south-bank (south-west corner to canal gap) on 27th May. Three were singing in the same area on the 19th of June, though only one singing bird was present here from 23rd of June to the 25th July. After this period there was just one record on 1st September.   

2007: A singing bird was present in the willows at the southern end of the reservoirs from the 5th of June to the 1st of August. A second bird was singing at the southern end of the reservoirs from the 15th-26th of June. One was on Went Ings on 21st of August. In September single birds were noted on the 7th, 13th & 15th.  

2008:  Single birds were recorded singing along the eastern side of the reservoirs on the 30th of April, also on the 1st, 6th & 29th of May; and in Oil Seed Rape on the 6th of June. One was singing on Went Ings on the 12th & 20th of June, one was in the willows at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 17th of June, the final record was one singing on Went Ings on the 23rd of July.          

2009:  The only record was of a singing bird in the willows at the southern end of the reservoirs from the 4th of June to the 24th of July.

2010:  In May one was singing from an Oil Seed Rape field on the 11th, 13th & 20th. One was on Went Ings on the 14th and one was singing near the Sailing Club on the 25th. In June, one was singing from the north bank, at the small Phragmites patch on the 22nd & 24th. In July one singing on Went Ings on the 8th and one singing from the north-west corner of the reservoirs on the 13th. On August 3rd what was to be the final record of the year involved two birds, one at the southern end of the reservoirs; the another at the northern end of the reservoirs, this bird was seen foraging for food and taking it into the small patch of Phragmites reed on a number of occasions during the evening so presumably had young in there. 

2011:  A singing bird was present near to the Fishermen's car park from the 27th of April to the 20th of June. A singing bird was in the Phragmites patch along the north bank of the Sailing Club compound from the 20th of May, where a pair bred and two young were seen on the 23rd of June. A third singing bird was near the phone tower from the 30th of May to the 10th of July. In August one was at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 5th and one at the northern end of the reservoirs on the 8th.

2012: All records for the year were as follows; in May one singing at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 22nd, one singing on Went Ings on the 24th, one was at the northern end of the reservoirs on the 28th. The next records were in July with one singing at the southern end on the 12th & 27th. In August one was at the Northern end of the reservoirs on the 6th and finally one at the Northern end on the 18th.

 

Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca. 

2005: Recorded between 29th April and mid September.  One near the sailing club on 1st & 5th May and a pair remaind here all summer.  Two were singing on Went Ings on 3rd June.  In September four on the 2nd & 8th were the best counts of the year.

2006: First to return was one singing on Went Ings on the 24th of April. Other singing birds were one at the Sailing Club and two on Went Ings on the 26th. Three were singing on Went Ings on the 16th of May. In July one was singing at each end of the reservoirs on the 4th & 6th. Six birds were in the willows at the southern end on the 18th of July. The final record of the year was one on 8th of September.    

2007: Two were singing, one at each end of the reservoirs on the 17th & 18th of April. Three were singing on Went Ings on the 19th of April. There were four birds at the sailing club on the 28th of July; and three at the southern end on the 13th of August. In September one on the 4th, three on Went Ings on the 7th and finally one on Went Ings on the 13th.     

2008:  The first was on the 26th of April, then single birds were at each end of the reservoirs on the 28th; and three were singing around the reservoirs the next day. Two were singing at Beever’s Bridge on the 28th of May and two were singing on Went Ings on the 23rd of June. There were five on Went Ings on the 23rd of July. Three+ were at the reservoirs on the 28th of August. In September two on the 3rd & 10th and one on the 15th was the final record for the year.    

2009:  The first to return was on the 15th of April, with three singing around the reservoirs on the 20th and 23rd. In May three were singing on Went Ings on the 2nd and four were singing on the 9th, (3 on Went Ings the other near Beever's Bridge). One on the 6th of September was the final record of the year.

2010:  In April one at the Northern end of the reservoirs on the 20th was the first record of the year. One was singing from Went Ings the next day. There were two birds singing on both the 26th & 30th one on Went Ings, the other at the Northern end of the reservoirs. In May three or four were singing in favoured breeding areas inside the recording area. In June three birds at the Northern end of the reservoirs on the 29th. In July five birds were in the Willow trees at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 13th. In August six birds were seen on the 3rd & 18th. The final record for the year came from Went Ings on the 12th of September.         

2011:  Between the 22nd of April (when the first bird of the year was heard singing) and the 30th of June four singing birds were present around the reservoirs. In August there were three at the Northern end of the reservoirs on the 8th & 9th. One on the 15th September was the final record of the year.

2012:  In April one was singing at the Northern end of the reservoirs on the 24th, then two singing here on the 30th. In May three singing at the Northern end on the 2nd.

Five pairs of birds were counted in the recording area during the breeding season. In July there were three together at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 11th, an adult was seen feeding a juvenile on the 12th. In August the maximum count was three on the 1st & 9th. In September the only records were singles on the 3rd & 7th.

 

Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis. 

2005: The first was on 13th April.  There were 24 (20 singing) in the recording area on 3rd June.  Recorded into September but no late records.   

2006: The first arrival was on 21st April. A count on 19th June revealed 24 birds in the recording area. Birds were recorded only into the first half of September. 

2007: The first was on the 18th of April. There were 12 around the reservoirs on the 10th of July. Birds were recorded into September but no late records.     

2008:  The first was on the 24th of April, there were 14 around the reservoirs on the 1st of May, recorded into September with no late dates.   

2009:  The first one was on the 14th of April. On the 9th of May there was 14 on Went Ings (13 singing). One on the 11th of September was the last of the year.

2010:  The first record of the year was of two on the 20th of April and there were seven on Went Ings on the 23rd. In May there was seven singing on Went Ings on the 7th. In June 12 (2 singing) were on Went Ings on the 27th. In September one on Went Ings on the 19th was the final bird of the year.   

2011:  The first record of the year was of one on the 12th of April. There was a count of 23 on Went Ings on the 2nd of May. Recorded into September but there were no particularly late dates.

2012: The first record of the year was one on the 22nd of April. In May there was a count of eleven on Went Ings on the 12th. There were 14 in the recording area on the 11th of July (11 of these singing). The final record of the year was one on the 18th of September.

 

Garden Warbler S. borin. 

2005: Two singing on Went Ings on 3rd June and one near the fishermen's car park on 7th August.

2006: In May one in the willows at the southern end on the 3rd, one on Went Ings on the 16th & 23rd. Single birds on Went Ings in June on the 9th & 19th and again on 27th August.

2007: In May one singing at the northern end of the reservoirs on the 12th. Two were singing on Went Ings on the 16th and one there on the 19th & 31st.  

2008:  In May one was on Went Ings on the 7th & 8th. In June one singing on Went Ings on the 20th and three singing there on the 23rd. There were single birds at the reservoirs on the 3rd of July and the 2nd of September. 

2009:  A very early bird was seen on Went Ings on the 14th of April. In May one was singing on Went Ings on the 9th and three singing there on the 17th. The only record in the second half of the year was one in the Willows at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 24th of July.

2010:  Two singing birds were present on Went Ings from the 7th of May to the 27th of June; and one was singing on the 8th of July. At the reservoirs one was singing at Southfield Lane on the 10th of May. In July one at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 13th and one at the Northern end of the reservoirs on the 23rd. In August two were on Went Ings on the 2nd. In September one on Went Ings on the 12th was the last bird of the year.  

2011:  In April one was singing on Went Ings on the 27th & 28th. In May two singing on Went Ings on the 2nd & 3rd and one singing on Went Ings opposite the Fishermen's car park on the 4th. One was singing on Went Ings on the 13th of May and one singing on the Ings near to the New Junction Canal on the 3rd of June; and two on Went Ings on the 10th of July. Finally one was on Went Ings on the 21st of August.

2012: The only record was of two on Went Ings on the 25th of August.

 

Blackcap S. atricapilla. 

2005: Recorded between 8th April and 8th September.  On Went Ings, six males on 13th April; and two pairs were in the small copse on Went Ings opposite the fishermen's car park on 23rd April.

2006: First to return was a male on the 12th of April. On 26th April two males singing at the northern end, and five males and two females noted on Went Ings. On the 16th of May eight males were on Went Ings. On 14th July, two males and a female with three juveniles were in willows at the reservoirs and another male was singing on Went Ings. The last bird of the year was on 23rd October and was a female/juvenile.    

2007: A male was on Went Ings on the 13th of April; and four males were singing there on the 19th. A pair was at the northern end of the reservoirs on the 12th of May. Four males and a female were on Went Ings on the 16th of May. Five males and three females were in the recording area on the 10th of July. The final record of the year was of a female/juvenile on Went Ings on the 7th of September.

2008:  A male singing on Went Ings on the 4th of April was the first of the year. In May there was four (3 males) around the reservoirs on the 1st and eight (6 males) on Went Ings on the 6th. In June there was seven (6 males) on Went Ings the 12th & 23rd. In July there was seven (5 males) on Went Ings on the 23rd. A male on Went Ings on the 17th of September was the final record of the year.    

2009:  The first was a singing male on Went Ings on the 7th of April and three (2 males) on Went Ings on the 14th of April. There was nine males singing on Went Ings on the 2nd and 9th of May. The final records were in August; it was unusual that there were no September records.  

2010:  A male on the 8th of April was the first of the year. A male was present at the Northern end of the reservoirs from the 1st of May where it probably bred. The best counts came from Went Ings where there were nine birds, (7 of them males) on the 23rd April. Seven males were logged on the 7th of May; nine (7 males) on the 27th of June. On August the 2nd there was seven (three pairs plus a single bird). In September there was eight on the 12th and seven (2 males) on the 19th.  

2011:  The first record for the year was two males on Went Ings on the 2nd of April; these are the earliest ever, apart from one winter record in January 1992. Four birds was the most seen in a day, but would have been higher if Went Ings had been visited more often. The final sighting was of a female/immature at the reservoirs on the 11th of November which is also the latest date recorded.

2012: A male on Went Ings on the 6th of April was the first record of the year; with four birds at this location on the 14th of April. In June there were nine males on Went Ings on the 30th. In July there were 10 (9 males) in the recording area on the 11th. In September there were four birds, two of them males on the 18th this was the final sighting of the year.

 

Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita. 

2005: Recorded between 27th March and 4th October. There was four (2 singing) on Went Ings on 13th April.

2006: In April two were on Went Ings on the 5th and four (3 singing) on Went Ings on 26th. Three were singing on Went Ings on 16th May. Birds were present daily around the reservoirs from 17th August, with three on 27th September. In October four on Went Ings on the 1st. The final bird of the year was at the reservoirs on the 12th.  

2007: In March two were on Went Ings on the 24th; and one was at the reservoirs on the 29th & 30th. Four were singing on Went Ings on the 19th of April. Seven were on Went Ings on the 8th of September; the final birds for the year were in October with one on the 1st and two on the 15th. 

2008:  In March one was recorded on the 29th & 31st. In April there were single birds on five dates. Two were singing on Went Ings on the 6th of May. On Went Ings In June two birds singing on the 12th and three on the 23rd. Two were singing on Went Ings on the 2nd of July and one at the Sailing Club on the 15th & 16th of July. In August singles birds recorded on the 20th, 25th & 28th. One to two birds recorded regularly in September, the final records were in October on the 8th, 14th & 15th.   

2009:  In March one at the north-west corner on the 17th was the first of the year. One was at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 19th, then two on the 21st, with single birds on a further three March dates. Four+ were on Went Ings on the 14th of April, then five at this location on the 22nd of May and five heard again there on the 3rd of June.

The best counts during the autumn period were of five together at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 2nd of September and four in the recording area on the 26th of September. One was recorded on the 12th of October; then in December we had our first ever winter record, when one was seen on Went Ings on the 12th and 13th.

2010: The first one was seen on the 24th of March. The best counts for the year were from Went Ings, where there was six singing on the 27th of March & 11th of April. In May three birds were singing on the 7th. In June four singing on the 13th; in July two singing on the 8th and one still singing on the 24th.

In the second half of the year four were at the reservoirs on the 30th of September this being the best count. One was on Went Ings one on the 15th of November, and one at the same place on the 11th & 12th of December. (Note we had the first December record last year on Went Ings on the 12th & 13th)

2011:  The first record of the year was two singing birds on Went Ings on the 22nd of March; then four birds were singing on Went Ings on the 30th. In April there were five on the 2nd (four singing on Went Ings & one singing at the reservoirs), then on the 4th there was seven (six on Went Ings & one at the reservoirs). There was seven again on the 4th of June (six on Went Ings & one at the reservoirs). The final record was of four on Went Ings on the 2nd of October.

2012: In March one on Went Ings on the 17th was the first record for the year; there were three around the reservoirs on the 23rd and five on Went Ings on the 26th. In April five were on Went Ings on the 1st and six were here on the 6th, then seven here on the 14th. In May four were singing on Went Ings on the 4th. In June five were on Went Ings on the 30th.

In the second half of the year five on the 17th of September was the maximum count of the year and the final record of the year was one on the 10th of October.

 

Willow Warbler P. trochilus. 

2005: An unidentified Willow Warbler or Chiffchaff was seen briefly in the willows at the southern end of the reservoirs on 29th March, next day a singing Willow Warbler was present at the same area and represents the first March record for the site. Eight were singing on Went Ings on 3rd June, there were no late records. 

2006: In April none were recorded until the 12th. There were 15 on Went Ings by the 26th. On 19th June a count revealed 15 birds (14 on Went Ings 13 of these singing). The last of the year was on 14th September.  

2007: The first was on Went Ings on the 7th of April. By the 19th eight were heard singing from there. The last record was two on the 15th of September.

2008:  The first was on Went Ings on the 4th of April. In June on Went Ings nine were singing on the 12th and 11 (10 singing) on the 23rd. One on the 23rd of September was the last.   

2009:   The first record was two singing on the 7th of April. On Went Ings in May there were counts of 16, (15 singing) on the 2nd and 20 singing birds on the 9th. One on the 14th of September was the final record of the year.

2010:  Two on Went Ings on the 9th of April were the first of the year. The best counts for the year were as usual from Went Ings, where there was ten on the 23rd of April, eight were singing on the 7th of May; and 15 (12 singing)  on the 27th of June. The best counts in the second half of the year were also on the Ings, with eight on the 2nd of August and in September six on the 5th with the final record of one on the 7th.  

2011: All records for the year are as follows. One on the 13th of January. Two on the 18th of September. In October singles on the 2nd, 24th, 25th & 26th. One on the 3rd of November and the final record of the year was one on the 3rd of December.

 The first record of the year was of two on the 4th of April (one on Went Ings & one at the reservoirs), the next record was of five singing on Went Ings on the 9th.  A total of 13 were noted on Went Ings on the 10th of July. One on the 7th of September was the only one in that month and was also the last record of the year.

2012: One on the 10th of April was the first of the season, followed by 11 on Went Ings on the 14th and 11 around the reservoirs on the 21st. In August 15+ on Went Ings on the 11th & 21st. One on the 17th of September was the last record for the year.

 

Goldcrest Regulus regulus. 

2005: The only records in the first half of the year were singles on 10th January and on Went Ings on 2nd March.  From 2nd September to 31st December singles were recorded on fourteen dates and two on five dates.

2006: At the reservoirs in the first half of the year, singles birds on the 6th & 31st of January and two on the 1st and 22nd of January; and two again on the 2nd of February. One was on Went Ings on 3rd March. Between 27th August and 26th November recorded every month with singles on eleven dates, two on four dates, three on 21st November and finally one on 2nd December.

2007: In March single birds were logged on the 2nd, 8th & 13th. Between the 7th of September and 26th of November single birds were recorded on twelve dates and two on six dates.

2008:  Singles birds were logged on the 25th of January, 18th of March and the 4th of April. The next records were in September with singles birds on three dates. Birds were present in October with two on the 6th & 31st, also present throughout November and December, with six on Went Ings on the 10th of December.   

2009:  The only records were of single birds on the 1st of January, 20th of March and the 21st of October.

2010: The only records for the year were; one on the 30th of September and in November single birds on the 1st, 6th, 20th & 30th.

2011:  All records for the year are as follows. One on the 13th of January. Two on the 18th of September. In October singles on the 2nd, 24th, 25th & 26th. One on the 3rd of November and the final record of the year was one on the 3rd of December.

2012: In the first half of the year the only record was of one on Went Ings on the 25th of February. Birds were recorded regularly from the 3rd of September to the 21st of December; with seven on Went Ings on the 2nd of December the most.

 

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata. 

2005: The only record was one on Went Ings on 29th August.

2006: One at Beever's Bridge on 27th August flew off east. In September single birds on 11th & 15th both at the sailing club. 

2008:  It’s unusual to have a spring record, but two were seen on the 18th of May, it was also the only record of the year.

2009:  There was just one sighting for the year on the 27th of August.

2010: The sole record was of a single bird on the 17th of August.

2011:  There was one record of a single bird on the 20th of August.

2012: All three records for the year came from Went Ings; in August there were singles on the 21st & 25th and in September a site record count of eight together on the 1st.  

 

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus. 

2005: Seven on 8th February was the maximum count in the first half of the year, in the second half there were c.20 on 16th September and 20+ on 23rd October.

2006: Notable counts were 17 on 28th January, 28 on 26th September, 24 on 11th October and 15 on 21st December.

2007: Birds were seen regularly in small numbers during the first half of the year feeding on suet balls at the feeding areas. In the second half of the year counts of 18 on the 9th of July, 19 on the 22nd of October, 17 on 20th of November and 16 on 17th of December.   

2008:  Ten were at the feeding area at the Sailing Club on the 17th of January. 11+ were on Went Ings on the 23rd of June; with other records of 19 on the 27th of October and c.14 on the 2nd of December.  

2009: Birds were recorded regularly, with the highest count being 21 on the 10th of December. Birds were regular winter visitors to the suet balls at the feeding areas.

2010:  Recorded regularly, the best count was of 34 on Went Ings on the 7th of September.  

2011:  A resident breeding species; there were 18 around the reservoirs on the 24th of January. 25 were on Went Ings on the 9th October and 20 around the reservoirs on the 4th of December.

2012: Present all year, the highest counts during the year were; 20 on the 10th of January, 15 on the 10th of February. 28 on Went Ings on the 2nd of December.

A nest at the Northern end of the reservoirs in early May was unfortunately predated.

 

Willow Tit Parus montanus. 

2005: The decline of this species continues; there were just six records for the year all of them from Went Ings.  There were single birds on 7th & 29th August, 2nd September and 11th & 19th December; the maximum count was three on 23rd October. 

2006: The only records were, singles on 19th & 28th of July and two on the 1st of September.  

2007: One was seen on twelve dates between 30th of January and 8th of April. One was at Beever's Bridge on the 15th of June. Single birds were seen on the 10th of July, 21st & 31st of August; and 1st, 4th, 6th & 8th of September, these were the last records of the year.

2008:  One at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 17th of April was the sole record for the year.    

2009:  There was two together on Went Ings on the 21st of March. In June one was on Went Ings on the 12th and one at the northern end of the reservoirs on the 15th. In July single birds were on Went Ings on the 19th, 20th and 27th. In September single birds were on Went Ings on the 1st and 26th. In October one at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 20th and one on Went Ings on the 21st, with two here on the 23rd. In December single birds were on Went Ings on the 12th, 13th and 19th; finally one at the reservoirs on the 25th.  

2010:  The decline in records of this species in recent years came to an end in 2010, as birds were recorded in every month except January, February & May. Single birds were recorded on 32 dates with two birds recorded on four dates.

2011:  Birds were recorded in every month except September. In the first half of the year a single bird was noted regularly at the southern feeding area up to the 28th of March. There were two together on Went Ings on the 4th of April and single birds on the 2nd of May and the 14th of June. In July single birds were logged on the 1st & 21st. In August the only record was of one on the 21st. In October and November there were records of single birds on four dates in each month also in October was a record count of four on Went Ings on the 9th of October. In December there were single birds recorded on seven dates.

2012: Birds were recorded in every month except May, June and October. In January there were singles on nine dates. In February singles on four dates. In March singles on four dates and two together on the 16th & 26th. In April there was one on the 7th. In July there was one on Went Ings on the 16th. During August there were singles on five dates and two on the 27th. In September two on the 13th was the only record. In November there were singles on sixteen dates and finally during December there were singles on six dates.  

 

Coal Tit P. ater. 

2005: Two on Went Ings on 18th August was the only record.

2006: Two were on Went Ings on 12th April and one on 26th. In September one at the southern end of reservoirs on the 5th, one at the sailing club on the 18th which flew off east. Single birds noted at the southern end on 19th & 27th, with two there on 12th October.  

2007: There was a juvenile on Went Ings on the 10th of July. The only other records were of singles on 8th of September and 1st of October.    

2008:  In March two were present at the Sailing Club feeding area on the 14th and one was here next day, then two again on the 16th. Single birds were logged on the 24th of September and 6th of October. The last record was one on Went Ings on the 15th October.   

2009:  The only records were of one moving west along the hedgerow at the northern end of the reservoirs on the 13th of September and three together on Went Ings on the 23rd of October.

2010:  Records from Went Ings came on the 27th of June when one was seen; this is the first to be recorded in June. The next was on the 8th of July when two were recorded. At the reservoirs there was one on the 13th of October and one on the 1st of November.

2011:  In March there were single birds on the 17th & 25th. In October there was one on the 2nd and two on the 28th; the last record was of one on the 2nd of December.

2012: This year single birds were recorded on five dates as follows; 1st of January, 8th of February, 22nd of September and the 1st & 15th of October.  

 

Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus.

2005: Recorded regularly, with eighteen at the feeding areas on 28th January. 

2006: A count of 17 on 28th February involved birds at the feeding areas.

2007: Twenty-two were at the southern feeding area on the 24th of January.

2008:  Sixteen were at the southern feeding area on the 26th of February. A pair was seen feeding young at a nest box at the northern end of the reservoirs on the 6th of June.   

2009:  Recorded all year; the most interesting record was of a flock of 30+ birds on Went Ings on the 12th of December.

2010: Recorded throughout the year, the best count was of 30+ on Went Ings on the 11th of December.

2011: Breeding resident, the largest count for the year was of 37 on the 1st of March.

2012: Recorded throughout the year, the maximum count was 18 on Went Ings on the 10th of March.

 

Great Tit P. major. 

2005: Recorded regularly in small numbers no specific counts made.

2006: Status unchanged, no significant counts during the year.

2007: Recorded regularly in small numbers 

2008:  The maximum count for the year was five; they were seen on the 23rd of June on Went Ings, on the 25th of November at the southern feeding area and the 10th of December on Went Ings.  

2009:  Birds were regular visitor to the feeding areas, but no counts were made. An adult was seen feeding two young near the Sailing Club on the 11th of July. The only significant record was of six on Went Ings on the 10th of December. 

2010: Recorded throughout the year, the best count was of eight on Went Ings on the 11th of December.

2011:  Breeding resident, the largest count for the year was of 11 on Went Ings on the 19th of March.

2012: Recorded throughout the year, the maximum count was 11 on Went Ings on the 10th of March.

 

European Nuthatch Sitta europaea. 

2007:  One was seen at the fishermen's car park on July 1st (DB)

2012: There were two records during the year; one was noted at the southern feeding area on the 27th of January; and was a new species to be recorded in this month, and one was on Went Ings on the 11th of July.

 

Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familiaris. 

2005: On 11th February one was seen from the fishermen's car park whilst looking onto Went Ings.  One on Went Ings on 20th March and two together there on 3rd April, one there on the 13th was seen carrying nesting material.  One was at the northern end of the reservoirs on 27th June.  In August single birds on Went Ings on 8th & 29th and single birds at the northern end of the reservoirs on 16th September & 22nd December.

2006: There was a total of fourteen records for the year, all of them from Went Ings where they breed, a count of three on 5th April was the most.

2007: On Went Ings single birds were noted on eight dates. Two birds were seen on 7th of February, 30th of March and 1st & 8th of September. One was at the northern end of the reservoirs on the 31st of July, this being the only record away from the Ings.    

2008:  All records came from Went Ings; one on the 26th of January, in June one on the 12th and three on the 23rd. In July one on the 2nd, two on the 23rd and finally one on the 11th of December.    

2009:  On Went Ings single birds were recorded on nine dates during the year; with two on the 28th of February, 21st of March, 7th of April and 10th of July. The only record at the reservoirs was one in the hedgerow at the fishermen's car park on the 29th of October.

2010: On Went Ings single birds were recorded on the 9th & 13th of March. One was seen carrying food on the 7th of May. Four were seen on the 27th of June; and in July there was three on the 8th and one on the 17th. In August singles recorded on the 3rd & 7th. In October there were single birds at the Northern end of the reservoirs on the 19th & 27th. In November one on the 11th flew across the canal from Went Ings to the reservoirs.   

2011: Records came from every month except April, May and June. On Went Ings between the 1st of January and the 19th of March there were records on five dates; with three recorded on the 1st of March and two on the 16th of March. In the hedgerow at the Northern end of the reservoirs between the 10th of July and the 8th of November birds were recorded on eighteen dates, with two on the 10th of July. On Went Ings there was one on the 25th of October, two on the 29th of November and finally two on the 3rd of December.

2012: There was a remarkable twenty-three records during the year. Singles were recorded on eighteen dates; three of these records coming from the Northern end of the reservoirs on the 17th of April, 16th of May and the 11th of July. The rest of the records came from either Went Ings or the southern end of the reservoirs. Two were on Went Ings on the 25th of February and 26th of March. Two on the 11th of July, one on Went Ings and the other at the Northern end of the reservoirs, as logged above; the final records were in August, with two on the Went Ings on the 11th & 31st.  

 

Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius. 

2005: Recorded every month except June, the best count was 12 on 25th September.

2006: The best counts were six flying west along Went Ings on 23rd March, then five (2 north & 3 west) on 26th April. There were no records between 19th June and 26th August 

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

1

1

6

5

3

2

0

1

3

1

2

2

No of days

3

2

 

6

6

5

2

0

2

13

5

4

7

 

2007: Birds were recorded in every month except July. One on the 26th of June was the only record in that month. A count of four on 14th of March was the most.  

2008:  Recorded all months except July, with singles birds on thirty-one dates, two on eight dates, three on 17th of April and four on the 12th & 29th of September.  

2009:  A decline in records this year; recorded on twenty-six dates, with a maximum count of five on the 1st of April at Southfield Lane.

2010:  Fifteen on the 28th of March was by far the best count of the year.

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

1

1

15

1

1

0

1

2

2

6

3

1

No of days

3

2

7

4

3

0

3

2

5

13

8

2

 

2011:  Records came from every month except June and July. From the 1st of January to the 27th of May birds were recorded on thirty-two dates, with six on the 3rd of January and 16th of March; and 12 on Went Ings on the 19th of March. From the 9th of August to the 25th of December recorded on twenty-seven dates, with five on Went Ings on the 2nd of October the most.

2012: Birds were recorded in every month except June. There was a new site record count of 17 together on Went Ings on the 17th of March. One was noted sitting on a nest on Went Ings on the 4th of May but the outcome of the nest is not known. October & November had the most records for the year with fifteen in each month.   

 

Magpie Pica pica. 

2005: The best count of the year was 21 on Went Ings on 14th December.

2006: Peak counts were 14 on Went Ings on 11th February and 16 on Went Ings on 5th August.

2007: The maximum count for the year was nine on the 21st of August

2008:  Present all year, the maximum count was 19 (17 on Went Ings) on the 26th of February.

2009:  Twelve were on Went Ings at dusk on the 17th of February, Eleven flew from Went Ings on the 25th of February and there were ten together on the 28th of April.

2010:  The best count of the year was of 12 on Went Ings on the 1st of January.

2011:  A breeding resident, with a maximum count for the year of 14 on the 23rd of March.

2012: A resident species, the best count of the year was 12 on the 14th & 23rd of February and again on the 14th of April.  

 

Eurasian Jackdaw Corvus monedula. 

2005: In February 50+ on the 9th and 40+ flew west to roost on the 20th.

2006: There was 70+ in the west-fields on the afternoon of 13th February, and 152 flew to roost on 1st December.

2007: The maximum count of the year was of 163 flying south to roost on the 15th of November.

2008:  Birds were recorded in every month except January but not in any large numbers.

2009:  The only significant record was of 102 which flew south to roost on the 21st of October.

2010:  The best count for the year was of 70+ flying North just after dawn on the 6th of November.

2011:  The maximum count for the year was 28 birds flying South on the 30th of October.

2012: The best counts of the year were 66 flying to roost on the 25th of January and 59 flying to roost on the 14th of November.

 

Rook C. frugilegus. 

2005: Maximum count was 500+ on 9th February.

2006: A count of 171 flew to roost on 2nd December.

2007: The best count of the year was 450+ on the 13th of January.

2008:  Birds were recorded in every month but not in any significant numbers.

2009:  A count of c.250 on the 27th of August was the highest of the year.

2010:  Recorded regularly but there were no counts over a hundred.

2011:  The maximum count for the year was 80+ on the 1st of September.

2012: The best count of the year was 120+ on the 28th of August.

 

Carrion Crow C. corone.

2005:  In January 42 flew to roost on the 7th and 45 flew to roost on 20th.   

2006: Very common species around the reservoirs, but no large counts noted.

2007: Recorded regularly, there were no large counts

2008:  One of the commonest species around the reservoirs but there were no large counts this year.

2009:  Recorded throughout the year; 31 together on the 25th of September was the highest count of the year.

2010:  A count of just 33 on the 15th of January was the best of the year.

2011: The maximum count for the year was 35 on the 28th of September.

2012: The best count of the year was 25+ on Went Ings on the 30th of March.

 

Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris. 

2005: Maximum count was 1,300+ flying west on 25th October.

2006: The best count of the year was of 400+ which were present with Lapwings and Golden Plovers on 30th August.

2007: There were 400+ feeding in the north-fields on the 8th of March. Young were heard in a nest at Beever's Bridge on the 16th of May. Westerly passage in October consisted of 350+ on the 23rd, 475+ on the 24th, and 300+ on the 25th. On the 2nd of November 600+ flew west.   

2008:  A  Flock of 200+ on Went Ings on the 27th of October and 370+ flew west on the 31st of October.

2009:  There was 500+ feeding in stubble fields on the 24th and 26th of February and again on the 4th of March. In October an unusual record was 5,000+ noted roosting on the middle bank on the 15th; and 2,000 flew west the next day.

2010:  In September 450+ were feeding in the adjacent fields and on the 17th. On November the 7th 680+ flew west.

2011:  A flock of 500+ to the west of the reservoirs on the 8th of February was the best count for the year.

2012: The best count during the first half of the year was 400+ in the west fields on the 2nd of March. In the second half of the year 1,070+ flew west on the 29th of October. On the 6th of November a total of 3,200+ flew west; this is the sites second highest count. 3,150+ of these birds moving west in ten minutes and 50+ flying west much later. Also in November 1,000+ flew north-west on the 9th, 1,200+ flew west on the 11th and 600+ were feeding in the east fields on the 30th.

 

House Sparrow Passer domesticus. 

2005: Present daily at the sailing club feeding area with 15 on 13th April, 16 on 25th November and 17 on both the 16th May & 12th December.  Also noted at the house at Beever's Bridge where it was thought to breed; there was a count of nine there (4 males) on 25th June.  

2006: Recorded in every month except August. At the sailing club feeding area present from 1st January to 26th May, with a maximum count of 14 on 20th January; also in this period two males and a female at Beever's Bridge on 6th March. Between 9th June and 3rd of October all records were from Beever's Bridge, where breeding activity was seen. Present at the sailing club feeding area again from 24th October to the year end, with a maximum of 10 on the 23rd November.   

2007: In the first half of the year birds were present at the sailing club feeding area, with a maximum of ten on the 2nd of January.  A male was at the northern end of the reservoirs on the 20th of May was the last noted here during the first half of the year. At Beever's Bridge a male on the 24th of April; and a single male on four dates between 16th of May & 29th of June. There was a single female at Beever's Bridge on the 21st of June and the 30th of July. Birds were present at the sailing club feeding area in November & December with a maximum count of eight on the 27th of December.       

2008:  Birds were present at the Sailing Club feeding area to the 17th of April, with a maximum count of eight on the 1st of February and 17th of March. A male was at the Sailing Club on the 28th of May. At Beever's Bridge, a male was present on the 29th of June and 1st of July and three female/juveniles were here on the 23rd of July; also a pair was here on the 29th of August. Birds were again present at the Sailing Club feeding area throughout November and December with a maximum count of eight on the 24th of November. One at the southern feeding site on the 6th of December was the first record at that area.

2009:  In January birds were noted regularly at the feeding area at the northern end of the reservoirs, with a maximum of five on the 8th and 28th. In February the only record was of a male at the southern feeding area on the 13th. The only record in March was a pair at the northern feeding area on the 8th. In April a male at Beever's Bridge on the 8th, then a pair at the northern feeding area and a male at Beever's Bridge on the 17th; the last of April was a female at the northern feeding area on the 30th. In May a pair were at Beever's Bridge on the 2nd and a single male there on the 9th and 13th. There were no records from June-September. In October recorded on five dates at the northern feeding area with a maximum of two males on the 27th. Birds were present at the northern feeding area during November and December, with a maximum of nine, six males were noted on the 18th of November.   

2010: Between the 9th of January and the 30th of March birds were recorded on twelve dates at the northern feeding area; with a maximum of six on the 15th of March. Also in this period a female was at the feeding area at southern end of the reservoirs on the 23rd of March. In April a pair at the northern feeding area on the 15th was the only record. The next records were of a male at Beever's Bridge on the 14th of May, a female/immature also at Beever's Bridge on the 1st of September. After this the only records for the year came from the Northern feeding area with a pair on the 29th of October and a male on the 11th of December.     

2011: The only records were of a female at the northern feeding area on the 1st of March; and in December a pair at the northern feeding area on the 12th and a female at the same location on the 15th.

2012: For the first time ever there were no records of this species.

 

Tree Sparrow P. montanus. 

2005: Present daily at the feeding areas at either end of the reservoirs. Bred in nestboxes at the northern end; and an adult with four juveniles was seen on 24th May and five juveniles next day, five juveniles noted on 2nd June, an adult feeding two juveniles on 3rd August.  A new record count of 160 at the southern feeding area on 10th December, these were counted as they left the area to go to roost.

 

Tree Sparrow

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

40+

50+

20

27

11

10

Nc

15

37

Nc

40+

160

 

2006: In the first half of the year the maximum count at the sailing club feeding area was 70+ on New Years Day. A count on the 16th March gave a total of c.70, of these 60+ were at the sailing club feeding area. At the southern end of the reservoirs 79 were counted leaving that feeding area to go to roost on 6th April. Small numbers were seen at Beever's Bridge and Tattersall’s (River House) where it is thought they bred; also three-five pairs used nest boxes at the northern end of the reservoirs.  In the second half of the year 34 were near Beever's Bridge on 8th July. 30 birds were around the reservoirs on 26th August. The maximum at the sailing club feeding area was 70+ on 23rd November. 

2007: Present at both feeding areas, with maximum counts of c.45 at the northern end on the 2nd of January. A count of 92 were seen to leave the southern feeding area to roost on the on the 14th of March. A few pairs bred in our nest-boxes around the sailing club area; and probably one or two pairs bred at Beever's Bridge. A count of 40+ at the sailing club on the 2nd of August was the best count in the second half of the year.      

2008:  In the first half of the year 35+ was the maximum count at the Sailing Club feeding area on the 20th of March. No counts taken for the southern area feeding site. 22 birds were still at the Sailing Club feeding area on the 8th of May. Adults were noted feeding young at a nestbox at the Sailing Club on the 22nd of May. One bird was seen at Beever's Bridge on the 29th of June. There were counts of 15 on the 23rd July and 32 on the 2nd of August; and 22 birds were at the Sailing Club feeding area on the 31st of October. Birds were present at both feeding areas during November and December, with maximum counts of 35+ at the Sailing Club feeding area on the 2nd & 6th of November; and 44 were seen to leave the southern feeding site flying off to roost on the 29th of December.

2009:  The maximum counts for the year were of c.60 at the southern feeding area on the 8th of February; then 95+ on the 30th of November, (c.70 at the northern feeding area & 25+ at the southern feeding area). Birds once again bred successfully in nest boxes at the Sailing Club, with six juveniles seen on the 22nd of May and an adult was feeding 2 juveniles on the 19th of June.

2010: The maximum count was of 45 at the feeding area at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 11th of January. Birds once again bred at the nest boxes at the Sailing Club.  

2011: The maximum counts in the first half of the year from each feeding area were, 60+ at the southern feeding area on the 22nd of January and 25+ at the northern feeding area on the 2nd of February. Small numbers were noted at Beever's Bridge throughout the year where they bred. They also bred once again in nest-boxes at the Sailing Club, where a juvenile was seen on the 24th of June and three on the 6th of July. In the second half of the year maximum counts at the feeding areas were 50+ at the northern end on the 24th & 26th of December, 36 at the southern end on the 30th of December; also about 40+ at the northern end on the same date.

2012: A count of c.85 birds were seen flying from the southern feeding area to roost on the 15th of January, this was the best count of the year. At Beever's Bridge nine were seen on the 23rd of March; birds also bred there again and five juveniles were seen on the 30th of June. Birds also bred in nestboxes at the Sailing Club, where nine juveniles were seen on the 29th of May. Around c.30 birds were still present at the northern end feeding area on the 29th of April; and 16 were present at the same location on the 8th of May.

In the second half of the year six birds were at Beever's Bridge on the 7th of August, with some juveniles noted among them. Fifty birds were at the southern feeding area on the 15th of November; this was the best count in this period.         

 

Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs.

2005: In February there was a count 15 on the 8th.  20 (16s) in the recording area on 3rd June and 14 at the northern feeding area on 31st December.

2006: A combined total of 33 birds was counted from both feeding sites on 23rd January. There was 17 (13 males) on Went Ings on 16th May and 24 (18 males) in the recording area on 19th June. The only other large count was 25+ along Southfield Lane on 3rd October.

2007: There was 11 at the feeding area on the 18th of March and a count of 20 (15 males) in the recording area on the 10th of July.

2008:  A flock of 24 were at the southern feeding area on the 7th of February. c.35 were seen along Southfield Lane on the 11th of September and c.30 in this area on the 25th of November.  

2009:  The best counts for the year were of 30+ at Southfield Lane on the 18th of September and c.65 at the southern feeding area on the 30th of November.

2010:  The maximum count was of 43+ at the feeding area at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 11th of January. On the 20th of October a flock of c.40 birds was seen along Southfield Lane.

2011:  There was a new record count of c.70 with 65+ of these at the southern feeding area on the 30th of December.

2012: A resident breeding species. The best count of the year was 50+ at the southern feeding area on the 26th of December.

 

Brambling F. montifringilla.

2005: One on 31st October, a male at the southern end of the reservoirs on 13th November and a male at the northern feeding area on 20th & 22nd December.

2006: In January a male was present at the sailing club feeding area from the 1st to the 30th, it was joined by a female from the 27th, where it remained until 24th March. A second female was at the southern end feeding area from the 19th to 25th of February. In November one flew north on the 7th and one was in the hedgerow at the sailing club on the 21st.  

2007: A calling bird flew north-east on the 7th of April. Two flew west on the 20th of October. In November one flew north on the 1st and one was at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 12th. Single birds flew north on the 20th & 23rd; and one at the southern end on the 26th. 

2008:  One was seen at the southern feeding area on the 25th of February this later flew off north; and there was one here again on the 27th. In April one was at the southern feeding area on the 4th. Two were seen on the 3rd November one of these flew north & the other was at the southern feeding area. One was at the Sailing Club feeding area on the 5th and singles birds were at the southern feeding area on the 6th, 11th, 14th & 17th. In December one at the southern feeding area on the 2nd and one flew south on the 28th.

2009:   In January one was at the northern feeding area on the 2nd, one at the southern feeding area on the 13th; and a female was at the southern feeding area on the 20th of March. In October single birds were seen on the 17th and 28th and in November one flew west on the 8th.   

2010:  In January single birds were at the feeding area at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 11th & 26th of January. In February a female was at the feeding area at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 22nd. The next day a male was at the same location. In March one at the feeding area at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 3rd and a male here on the 14th.

In September one flew West on the 30th. In October all records were of birds flying over; with one South on the 5th, one East on the 11th, one West on the 22nd, three West on the 24th, one on the 25th, two West on the 28th, two West on the 30th and three West on the 31st. In November 11 flew West on the 5th and one flew West next day. The final record of the year was of one seen flying into the hedgerow at the Northern end of the reservoirs on the 20th and later it flew off West.   

2011:  Single birds were at the southern feeding area on the following dates; the 1st of January flew off West, in February heard calling on the 14th & 22nd, in March heard calling on the 4th and a male was seen on the 23rd.

2012: The only record in the first half of the year was a male at the southern feeding area on the 26th of March. In October two flew south on the 2nd and singles flew south on the 4th & 9th; then two flew west on the 12th, 13 west on the 14th and two west on the 19th. In November singles flew west on the 1st & 4th, then two north on the 6th. Two were at the southern feeding area on the 11th, with one there the next day. A male was at the southern feeding area on the 15th, finally in November a male in the hedgerow at the northern end on the 24th. In December single birds were at the southern feeding area on the 11th, 21st, 25th & 27th.

 

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris.

2005: All the years’ counts were eclipsed by 80+ at the southern feeding area on 2nd March. This equalled the second highest count for the site.

2006: A combined count of 75+ from both feeding areas on 2nd January.

2007:  Present at the feeding areas but there were no significant counts

2008:  The only significant count was of 30+ at the southern feeding area on the 26th of November.

2009:  Recorded throughout the year; the maximum count was a flock of c.60 in the east fields on New-Years day.

2010:  On the 28th of February 36 were at the feeding area at the southern end of the reservoirs, this being the best count of the year.

2011: Birds were recorded throughout the year with a maximum count of 28 on the 18th of February.

2012: A resident species, the best counts for the year were at the southern feeding area with c.35 on the 14th of November and 35+ on the 26th of December.

 

Goldfinch C. carduelis.

2005:  In the first half of the year a maximum of only four on 22nd May.  In the second half of the year the maximum count occurred in September with 50+ on the 26th.  The maximum counts for the last three months of the year were 20+ on 4th October, 13 on 10th November and 40+ on Went Ings on 9th December.

2006: The only notable count of the year was 30+ on 11th October.

2007: Regularly present in just small numbers. The best counts of the year were low with ten on the 3rd of February and 12 on the 31st of August.

2008:  During the first half of the year there were counts of 10 on the 26th of January and 11 on the 19th of March. In September counts of c.30 on the 10th c.60 on the 16th & 60+ on Went Ings on the 29th.  40+ were seen on the 6th of October with just small numbers in November and December.   

2009:  The most significant records of the year were, 36 on the 17th of August, which included an adult feeding three juveniles; and on the 19th of December 23 were on Went Ings. 

2010:  During the first half of the year 18 on the 10th of March was the maximum count. In the second half of the year the best counts were in September, with c.40 on the 22nd and 40+ on the 28th.  

2011:  In the first half of the year there was just one double figure count of 12 on the 9th of April. In the second half of the year there was c.60 on the 23rd of August.

2012: The maximum count in the first half of the year was 13 on Went Ings on the 14th of April. The best count of the year was of 43 on the 12th of October.

 

Siskin C. spinus. 

2005: The first records for the year were not until 19th September when nine were recorded; four west, four south and one east.  Recorded on a further five dates in September, with 14 on the 25th the most.  In October one flew south on the 4th, two east 7th, three south on 10th & 14th and three north on 31st.  In November single birds on 9th & 13th. In December two flew east on 1st, two south on 10th, two 11th and finally one 12th.     

2006: In the first half of the year three flew north on New Years Day, next was c.10 on Went Ings on 18th February and two flew north on 6th April. All records in the second half of the year were in September, with single birds on the 17th, 22nd & 28th and two south on the 25th. The last record was a flock of 16 flying south on the 26th. 

2007: The only records in the first half of the year were on Went Ings, with one on the 25th of February and seven on the 24th of March. Between 1st of September and 5th of December birds were recorded in every month, with the best counts being 14 flying south on 15th October; and in November 15 north on the 2nd and 14 west on the 25th.    

2008:  Singles birds were logged on the 8th of January and 5th of March. Single birds were on Went Ings on the 20th & 23rd of June. Recorded on eight dates in September; starting with a new record count for the site of 51 flying south on the 10th. Next was 32 on the 14th, 16 on the 20th and 12 on the 21st all of these flew south and represent the best counts for the period. Birds were recorded on six dates in October, with a maximum of nine on the 15th. One on the 11th of November and one on the 7th of December were the only records for those months.

2009:  One flew north on the 13th of January and two flew east on the 13th of February. In March seven were on Went Ings on the 7th, nine were in trees at the northern end of the reservoirs on the 11th, there was three on the 12th and two flew north on the 17th. Singles were noted on the 19th and 20th, then five on the 21st, three next day and finally in March one north on the 24th. In April three flew north on the 1st and one flew east the next day. In May a late bird flew north on the 2nd.

In September single birds flew west on the 23rd and 24th. In October birds were recorded on ten dates, with a maximum count of 12 flying north on the 20th. Birds were recorded on eight November dates, with six as the maximum on the 13th. The only December record was of one flying east on the 19th. 

2010:  The only records in the first half of the year were in March; six flew north on the 2nd and one flew North on the 4th.

In October birds were recorded on eight dates, with the only count above three birds, being of 15 flying South on the 5th. In November recorded on nine dates with seven flying North on the 11th the most, there were no December records. 

2011: There was one on the 1st of January, the next record was one flying North on the 5th of March; there was a further five records in March, with six North on the 11th the most. The only April record was of three flying North on the 6th. From the 6th of September to the 30th of December birds were recorded in every month, with a total of twenty-eight records in this period, with 12 flying South on the 6th of September the most.

2012: In the first half of the year the only records were in March, with five south on the 4th and singles on the 6th, 7th & 27th. In September recorded on nine dates with 16 (4, 10 & 2) flying south on the 12th being the only double figure count. In October recorded on fifteen dates, the only double figure count was 15 (14 south & 1 east) on the 30th. In November recorded on thirteen dates, with six west on the 26th the most. In December singles on the 12th & 21st were the only records. 

 

Linnet C. cannabina. 

2005: The only records in the first two months were singles on 14th January & 25th February.  In March began to occur more regularly with 48 in bushes on the canal bank on the 24th and 40+ were on Went Ings on 8th April.  In the second half of the year there was a maximum of 50+ in the east-fields on 31st October.  In November one on 9th & 10th and in December four on 24th and one on 31st. 

2006: A poor year for this species, the maximum count was just 20+ on 6th September.

2007: One on the 13th January was the only record in that month. Birds were recorded in just small numbers for the remainder of the year, with 11 on the 10th of July the most.

2008:  In January single birds were seen on the 8th & 16th. In February two on the 7th and singles on the 23rd & 27th; and recorded on seven dates in March, with five on the 29th the most. Seven were on Went Ings on the 23rd of June and was the highest count in the first half of the year.

In August 60+ were feeding in a previously cut Oil Seed Rape field increasing to 300+ on the 29th, after this peak the flock started to decline. On the 31st of October a flock of 150+ were feeding in a stubble field at the northern end of the reservoirs again this flock started to decline in numbers, although the remainder of this flock stayed in this area through November and December with a peak count of 77 on the 5th of December.     

2009:  On the 7th of January a flock of c.35 birds were feeding in stubble fields, this number increased during the month to 60+ on the 29th. In February the flock dispersed and the only records were of singles on the 9th and 27th, then two on the 25th. In March a flock appeared again with 50+ on the 3rd, which increased to 120 on the 31st. The flock size increased still further and on the 2nd of April there were 200+ birds; after this the flock quickly dispersed. The best count in the second half of the year was 39 on the 14th of September.

2010:  In January single birds recorded on seven dates and two on the 21st. In February single birds on four dates. In March recorded on eleven dates, with nine on the 28th the most. In April nine was also the maximum count on the 15th, this was also the maximum for the first half of the year. The best count of the year was of 400+ in the west fields on the 6th of September. Four on the 6th of November was the most during the last two months of the year. In December there were only single birds recorded on three dates.   

2011:  In January single birds were recorded on five dates. In February three birds on the 8th, two on the 14th and one on the 24th. In March birds occurred more regularly, but the maximum count was of only five birds on the 13th. The maximum count for the year was in August with 200+ on the 16th. Five on the 23rd of November was the most in that month. In December recorded on nine dates with three on the 4th the maximum.

2012: In the first half of the year the best count was 26 flying west just after dawn on the 25th of January. The maximum count in the second half of the year was c.50 on the 30th of September.

Lesser Redpoll C. cabaret. 

2005: One flying north on 13th April was the only record until the 24th & 27th September, when singles were recorded on both days.  In October one-three birds on seven dates were eclipsed by a count of 50+ in willows at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 7th, these flew off onto Went Ings.  Recorded in November on nine dates and on nine dates in December; the maximum counts for these months was six on 10th & 30th of November and 20 were on Went Ings on 25th December.

2006: In January single birds on the 1st, 12th & 14th, 10 on the 2nd and a flock of 28 at the southern end of the reservoirs on the 6th. In February one on the 1st and four next day. In April three on Went Ings on the 16th and one flying north on 23rd. in the second half of the year two flew north on 26th September and two flew east on 10th October. From 20th October to 22nd December single birds were recorded on nine dates, with three records in each month.

2007: The only records in the first half of the year were on Went Ings, with three on the 7th of February and two on the 24th of March. Between the 22nd of September and 19th of December single birds were recorded on sixteen dates, two on four dates and three on the 2nd of October. 

2008:  Recorded every day between the 20th and 23rd of September with two, three one & one birds respectively. In October single birds were recorded on the 6th, 10th, 15th & 27th. In November recorded on five dates with a maximum of seven on the 26th. In December there was two on the 8th and singles on the 16th & 18th.

2009:  In January single birds were logged on the 1st and 19th. In April there was two on the 14th and one flew north on the 17th. In October, singles on six dates, two on two dates, then on the 29th a count of 45 was logged (flocks of 33 & 12 flying south). In November there was singles on six dates, two on the 6th and seven on the 15th; finally the only record in December was one on the 9th.    

2010:  One flying West on the 9th of April was the only record in the first half of the year. Two flying South on the 30th of September was the first record during the second half of the year. In October two South on the 5th & 11th then singles on the 19th & 25th and two flew West on the 31st. In November two flew West on the 5th and singles on the 6th, 10th & 16th, two flew over on the 20th & 22nd. In December there were just single birds on the 11th & 23rd. 

2011:  In January there were single birds on the 13th & 24th. Two flew North on the 3rd of February. In April two flew North on the 6th and singles East on the 12th and North on the 15th. From the 9th of September to the 20th of December birds were recorded in every month and there was a total of twenty-five records in this period, with the best counts being in October of 13 flying South on the 11th and 16 flying West on the 14th.

2012: One in the hedgerow at the Northern end of the reservoirs on the 23rd of March was the only record in the first half of the year.

In September birds flying south were singles on the 9th, 19th & 29th and two on the 28th. In October birds were recorded regularly, with 10 on the 25th and 21 were noted feeding in Hawthorns and Willow Herb on the 31st. In November birds were recorded regularly with good numbers present, producing a maximum count of 42 feeding around the reservoirs on the 4th. In December there was a decline in numbers and birds were recorded on only nine dates, with a maximum count of six on the 11th.

 

Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra. 

2005:  Four calling birds flew south on 31st October.

2008:  A calling bird flew west on the 24th of August.

2009:  A flock of 12 calling birds flew west on the 16th of July.

2011: Four calling birds flew South over Beever's Bridge on the 25th of October.

2012: Two (1 male) flew north on the 17th of July. Four flew north on the 2nd of August. One/possibly two flew south on the 1st of October. The final record was one flying south on the 6th of November this is the first time this species has been recorded in this month.

 

Common Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula. 

2005: The best count of the year was of 12 (5s) on Went Ings on 9th December. Also In October there were counts of 11 on 6th & 10 on 14th.

 

Bullfinch

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

1

1

2

2

0

1

1

3

1

11

2

1

No of  days

4

2

2

1

0

1

1

3

1

6

4

2

 

2006: Two males and a female on Went Ings on 19th June was the peak count for the year.

 

Month

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

2

2

2

2

1

3

2

2

1

1

1

1

No of days

5

1

3

4

3

1

9

8

1

1

1

2

 

2007: Birds were recorded in every month, though one on the 13th of January was the only record in that month. Four (2 pairs) were noted on the 29th of March, this was the highest count of the year. In October three birds on the 19th and three males on the 23rd.

2008:  Recorded on thirty seven dates during the year with a maximum of four (2 pairs) on the 6th of May and four (1 male) on the 26th 0f November.  

2009:  Birds were recorded on eighty-five dates during the year, with maximum counts of seven (4 males) on Went Ings on the 12th of December and eight on Went Ings on the 23rd.

2010: Recorded in every month of the year, with a maximum count of seven (4 males) on Went Ings on the 1st of January. On the 11th of April seven birds were recorded (5 on Went Ings & 2 at the reservoirs). Lastly seven were on Went Ings on the 11th of December.     

2011:  Birds were recorded regularly and in every month except September, with five on the 18th of April being the most.

2012: The maximum count during the year was of four birds on the 24th, 25th & 30th of October and again on the 1st of November.

 

 

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max count

3

2

1

3

2

1

1

2

1

4

4

2

No of days

4

4

2

4

1

3

3

6

1

9

12

2

 

Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis. 

2005: One flew north on 28th November; and one on 6th December landed in stubble in the east-fields for a short time before flying off north-east.

2008:   One flew north on the 28th of February and one gave very close views as it fed in the stubble field at the rear of the Sailing Club on the 27th of November.

2010:  On the 1st of November an immature male was flying around the reservoirs for five minutes and was heard calling repeatedly.  

2011: There was one record of a single bird flying around the reservoirs on the 26th of October.

2012: One record for the year, one flew east on the 1st of November.

 

Yellowhammer Emberiza citronella. 

2005: Small numbers were noted at the feeding area at the sailing club during the winter months; and a male was still feeding there on 1st June.  In the first half of the year double figure counts were hard to achieve, with14 on 31st January being the most.  Things were much better in the second half of the year, as birds gathered with Corn Buntings to feed on a small area of abandoned corn in the east-fields; in November 30+ on the 21st had doubled to 60+ on the 29th.    

2006: A flock was present in the east-fields in January with 55 birds on the 27th; also on this date three were at the sailing club feeding area. Five males were in the recording area on 19th June.

2007: Present in small numbers throughout the year. The maximum recorded in any one day was just six. Five males were singing in the recording area on the 10th of July and one was still singing on the 2nd & 4th of August. 

2008:  There was small numbers at both feeding areas with a maximum of seven at the Sailing Club feeding area on the 17th of January. Birds were scarce in the second half of the year with only one or two birds recorded.

2009:  In general it was a very poor year for this species; the maximum count was of four males at the northern feeding area on the 28th of March.

2010:   In the first half of the year the maximum count was of eight on the 22nd of February. In May one or two birds were still visiting the feeding area to the 21st. In the second half of the year the maximum was 12 birds in the east fields on the 20th of November.

2011: In January small numbers were seen regularly at the feeding areas and the only double-figure count of the year occurred in this month with 12 logged on the 2nd; 11 of these in the east fields and one at the southern feeding area. In February one on the 8th was the only record. From March to the end of the year only small numbers were recorded, with a maximum of eight on the 5th of December.

2012: In the first half of the year the only double figure count was of 14 at Southfield Lane on the 10th of January. Small numbers visited the feeding areas up to the 31st of May.

In the second half of the year only small numbers were recorded with a maximum of four on the 1st of October. Two birds were still singing on Went Ings on the 11th of August. Small numbers again visited the southern end feeding area to the end of the year.    

 

Reed Bunting E. schoeniclus.

2005: In the first half of the year a maximum of 13 was counted on 2nd March.  In December a flock gathered in the same fields as the Yellowhammers and Corn Buntings and a count of 21 on the 10th increased to 40+ on the 24th.

2006: A flock was present with the Yellowhammers in the east-fields in January and numbered 47 birds on the 31st. There were 11 males in the recording area on 19th June.

2007: Present in only small numbers during the year. There were five males and a female in the recording area on the 10th of July; it seems the lack of set-aside fields has meant that a few species were fewer in number.

2008:  Small numbers recorded throughout the year with maximum counts of only five during the first and second halves of the year  

2009: A poor year for this species, the best count was of 10+ on the 29th of October.

2010:  Small numbers visited the feeding area regularly; with seven on the 22nd of February. A count of eight birds, included seven males, which were feeding in the west fields on the 15th of April, this was the best count of the year.  

2011: Birds were seen regularly throughout the year, with birds visiting the feeding areas during the winter months. The best counts for the year were of 18 in the east fields on the 13th & 16th of March.

2012: In the first half of the year this species visited both feeding areas regularly, with a maximum of eight on the 26th of February. Four pairs were on Went Ings on the 26th of March. Eight birds were on Went Ings on the 14th of April.

In the second half of the year Small numbers were noted visiting the southern feeding area.

 

Corn Bunting E. calandra.

2005: Recorded in every month except June & August.  In the first half of the year the flock in the east-fields peaked at 40+ on 2nd February with the last bird here on 3rd May.  There were single birds seen on 1st July & 1st September.  The first to return to the east-fields was two on 31st October, increasing to 50+ on 21st November.  In December there were 100+ on the 22nd and 150+ on the 24th.

2006: A flock was present in the east-fields in the early part of the year, in January c.140 on the 1st, c.160 on the 31st. In February c.170 on the 2nd, then 200+ on the 4th, decreasing to 120+ on the 13th. In the second half of the year single birds on the 23rd October and 19th November, finally two on 8th December.

2007: One was at the northern end of the reservoirs on the 28th of March. In May one was along the Sykehouse Road on the 9th and two flew east on the 13th.  A flock of 23 flew south on the 20th of November and in December there was two on the 15th & 26th.  

2008:  The worst year ever for this species, there was just one record on the 10th of May.

2010:  There were just two records for the year; one on the 11th of January in the east fields and two flying East on the 11th of December.

2011:  The only records were of one flying West on the 8th of February and one in the west fields on the 3rd of November.

2012: The only records were singles on the 5th of February and the 24th of October.

 

SUB SPECIES

 

Continental Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis. 

2005: Sinensis types were recorded regularly between 4th January and 13th April, with a maximum count of six on 31st January, 18th, 21st & 22nd February.

2007: White headed birds were noted

2008:

2009: A number of white-headed birds were noted in the early months, but it was uncertain that they were true Continental birds.

2010:  A small number of white headed birds were noted in the early months but it was not certain that they were continental birds.

2011: Once again white headed birds were seen in the first part of the year, but were not specifically identified as such.

2012: White headed birds were noted in the early part of the year but no dates were recorded.

 

Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans.

2005: In February, an adult on the 11th and a third-year on the 20th & 22nd.  On the 24th a remarkable record of seven birds (five adults a second-year & third-year) A.M.  In March the third-year again on 1st & 2nd and an adult on the 4th.  Lastly an immature on the middle bank on May 25th.

2008: Now moved onto category A of the British list

 

OTHER SPECIES & NOTES

 

2012: Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus.  In the late evening of the 13th of May one was seen flying over Went Ings and landed there, but was not seen again. This was a new species at Southfield. (C.F. T.J.F.)

 

Black Swan Cygnus atratus. 

2005: One on the reservoirs on 19th May increased to three next day. Also a party of three flew east on 11th September.

2006: Two flew east on 13th December, then were present on 19th, 21st, 22nd, 24th, 25th & 26th.

2007: In June two were present from the 4th, with just one remaining on the 7th, this lingered until the 21st. However it may only have moved as far as Went Ings when this area was flooded, as a Black Swan was photographed on the floods on the 28th of June (R. Thorley).

In September single birds were present on the 20th, 21st & 27th.

2008:  Three were present on the 7th of April, then one from the 20th of May remained to the 18th of August, the final record was one on the 11th of September.  

 

Bar Headed Goose Anser indicus.

2007: One was present from the 8th to the 11th of June.

2010:  One was with the Greylag flock on the 20th of November. 

 

Ross's Goose Anser rossii.

2011:  The first record of this species occurred on the 2nd-3rd of December; it was photographed in the company of Greylag Geese in the east fields, it also spent time on the reservoirs.

 

Tufted Duck Red-crested Pochard or Ring-necked Duck X  Red-crested Pochard hybrid

2005: The bird, a drake was seen on the 13th March, It appeared basically like a Tufted Duck but not as dark on the back; it had the posture of a Red-crested Pochard and its head appeared taller than a Tufted Duck.  It had a rufous crown; and short rufous crest, extending from the rear crown. A prominent white wingbar was noted.  The bill was greyish in colour and the eye was a bright reddish-orange.

It was thought that this bird was the former species, though it could possibly have been the latter?

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea.  One was on Went Ings on the 15th July; this was the third site record and the first record for July. RD

 

Gadwall x Teal hybrid.  Anas strepera/A crecca. 

2007: A male was present on the 27th of December. It looked like a drake Gadwall; but had green head patches like a Teal which tapered down the neck.

 

Saker Falcon Falco cherrug.

2006: One was seen on 8th September the second record for the site

 

Gyr Falcon Falco rusticolus.

2010:  A white phase bird flew at low level westwards past the sailing club on the 25th of November, it was clearly seen that it had a leather strap hanging from it legs. This was the first record of the species for the site.     

 

Ringing recovery  Great Black-Backed Gull. Larus marinus  

2007: An immature Great Black-backed Gull was seen dead on the middle bank of the reservoirs around December 2006. It was not until July 2007 while carrying out some work on the bank that A.S. found the remains of the gull and the colour ring details recovered.

Ring details

Mid-Blue colour ring with white number J2RP Ring number 3005966. Ringed as a pullus on the 4th of July 2006 at Buanskjeran, Lindesnes, Vest-Agder, Norway. Ringer Morten Helberg

Time since ringing 176 days. Distance 705Km. Direction 227deg.

 


List of observers who submitted records for 2005/6/7/8/9/10/11


A. Marshall

A. Scutt

C. Featherstone

TJ Featherstone

D. Bacon

J. Snowdon

K. Foster

M. Pilsworth

P. Adams

R. Dresser