30th September 2024
Overcast, drizzly, misty, light north-easterly. Still some flooding at Patrick Bridge but receding.
This mornings counts were as follows: 19 Mute Swans, 365 Greylags, 16 Canadas, 41 Shoveler, 86 Gadwall, 120 Mallard, 65 Wigeon, 38 Teal, nine Tufted Ducks, 17 Cormorants, two Little Egrets, a Heron, a Great Crested Grebe, 11 Little Grebes, five Moorhen, 57 Coot, 100 Lapwing, four Snipe, 32 Black-headed Gulls, the adult Mediterranean Gull south over Railway Hide, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a Skylark present on the Flood Plain and a single Collared Dove at the Car Park feeders.
29th September 2024
Dry, light cloud, south easterly.
A single Cattle Egret was present on Car Park Pool between 12.15 and 12.45 today. A single juvenile Hobby remains on site and there were two Kestrels, a Sparrowhawk, and a Raven either in the air over the Reserve or seen from it.
What was presumably yesterday’s adult Mediterranean Gull re-appeared on Car Park Pool and the adult Greater Black-backed Gull roosted as well, along with four Herring Gulls.
A Green Sandpiper was present on site, a Kingfisher was seen and, overhead, 10 Meadow Pipits, 16 Swallows and four Linnets went south, along with three Skylarks.
Two Nuthatches and two Treecreepers were present in the Back Gate Copse and a Water Rail was heard by Railway Hide.
28th September 2024
Sunny spells, clouding over, fresh west/north-westerly, flooding still at Patrick Bridge.
The Osprey again hunted over Railway Pool before moving north, only to reappear over Car Park Pool at 10.45, gaining height and moving off south. A single juvenile Hobby, two Kestrels, two Sparrowhawks, three Buzzards and a Raven were also seen and there was a Kingfisher on Car Park Pool, the long-staying Great Crested Grebe there as well and a single Common Gull.
A Sparrowhawk showed well in front of Car Park Hide in the afternoon.
27th September 2024
Overcast after heavy overnight rain, with flooding at Patrick Bridge. Fresh northerly.
An Osprey was hunting over Railway Pool between 08.30 and 09.45 when it moved to Bradnocks Marsh, caught a large fish, and flew off east at 09.50.
Two Cattle Egrets were amongst the cattle by the sewage works this morning, and a juvenile Hobby was present along with a Peregrine and two Kestrels. There was a Common Sandpiper on the Flood Plain and 11 House Martins and three Swallows south.
An adult Mediterranean Gull appeared later in the day, and this was the third bird of the autumn so far.
26th September 2024
Heavy overnight rain clearing, sunny by 08.10, light south-easterly.
The juvenile Hobby showed particularly well, perched on one of the dead Alders to the rear of Oak Hide at 08.00.
Large Tit flocks between Oak and Railway Hide included at least four Chiffchaffs, including a singing bird, three Goldcrests, Treecreeper and Blackcap (with a second bird behind Railway Hide). There was also a Song Thrush and three Blackbirds with a further three Blackbirds on the Causeway. Five Swallows and four Meadow Pipits went south at 08.00 and two Linnets dropped into the Railway Pool islands to feed.
At dawn 80 Jackdaws flew south, low over the Car Park at 07.00, with a similar number in the Flood Plain trees. A Grey Wagtail also flew over Railway Hide.
Later in the morning 18 Egyptian Geese, a site record, dropped into Car Park Pool where there was also a single Great Crested Grebe and a long-staying female Pochard.
On Railway Pool there were singles of Green and Common Sandpiper with two Snipe, and during the morning 18 House Martins and a further two Swallows went south, along with three Meadow Pipits. Four Common Darters and a Migrant Hawker were also seen.
25th September 2024
A different adult Mediterranean Gull was present this morning, as was a Great White Egret, still the two juvenile Hobbies, a Green Sandpiper, 23 Swallows and 12 Meadow Pipits south, a female Blackcap at the Car Park feeder, and 12 presumed Linnets. A small wader flew through Car Park Pool, and low away over the Central Stream, and was thought probably to be a Dunlin.
24th September 2024
A single Great White Egret, three Little Egrets, a female Pochard and a Hobby were the only birds making the log today.
23rd September 2024
Overcast, rain, light northerly.
A single Great White Egret was present briefly on Railway Pool and with the River having burst its banks at Patrick Bridge, the total of 149 Mallard was a good count, with most by the bridge itself. There were also 14 Snipe, one Green and two Common Sandpipers, the adult Greater Black-backed Gull, Kingfisher, Hobby, Water Rail and three Cetti’s Warblers.
22nd September 2024
No records.
21st September 2024
Overcast start, brightening about 09.30, fresh north-easterly.
The juvenile Hobby was over Railway Pool at 09.30, and a single Green Sandpiper in front of Oak Hide. A Great White Egret and two Little Egrets were also seen.
Subsequent counts by Graham Rowling included 19 Mute Swans, 169 Canadas, 312 Greylags, 45 Shoveler, 65 Gadwall, 20 Mallard, 55 Wigeon, 54 Teal, seven Tufted Ducks, a female Pochard, 14 Cormorants, a Great Crested Grebe, nine Little Grebes, four Herons, two Little Egrets, two Great White Egrets later on, 13 Moorhen, 66 Coot, 94 Lapwing, four Snipe, two Green Sandpipers, 66 Black-headed Gulls, nine Lesser Black-backed Gulls and two Ravens.
20th September 2024
Overcast until late afternoon.
Both Hobbies were present, and the Osprey came back for another look, before again disappearing to Bradnocks Marsh for fish. Photographs indicate that the bird in the last few days is a fresh juvenile, illustrated by the barring on the underparts.
19th September 2024
Overcast, light north-easterly.
Both juvenile Hobbies were seen today, and an Osprey came in over Railway Pool, before disappearing to Bradnocks Marsh. There was also a Kestrel, an increase in Wigeon to 59, two Ravens, a Green Sandpiper and a Great Crested Grebe.
18th September 2024
Overcast, light north-easterly.
An adult Mediterranean Gull was the best of the new arrivals today, and the adult Greater Black-backed Gull also roosted. A single Great White Egret was present briefly, along with four Little Egrets and five Herons. Both juvenile Hobbies were seen and three Cetti’s Warblers in song included birds in the pond by the Car Park, Top Stream and by River Hide.
17th September 2024
Sunny after mist, light north-easterly.
Two Egyptian Geese were present on Car Park Pool this morning, along with nine Snipe and a Green Sandpiper. Twenty-two Mute Swans were present, mostly on Railway Pool, with a Water Rail in the Marsh, and a Hobby seen again.
16th September 2024
Sunny after misty start, still.
Two Hobbies were again present, probably both juveniles, along with two Kestrels and a Buzzard. Waders extended to the usual Lapwings, plus two Green and one Common Sandpiper. A Treecreeper was seen in the remaining habitat along the Concrete Road, a Kingfisher flew across Railway Pool from Railway Hide, and there were at least 18 Mute Swans today.
15th September 2024
Cool morning, light mist to start, clearing as the wind got up.
Further hirundines moved south today with at least three Swallows prior to 07.30 and a further 34 Swallows through between 09.00 and 10.00, all juveniles as far as could be seen.
A Spotted Redshank flew around calling briefly, just before 09.00, but was driven off by Lapwings and sadly, didn’t linger.
A Jay and a Treecreeper were present along the Causeway, along with four Chiffchaffs, a Cetti’s Warbler called near River Hide, there were 13 Cormorants on Car Park Pool, six Chaffinches around the Car Park, along with Comma, Red Admiral and a Hornet. An adult Hobby flew south with a juvenile present around the main parts of the Reserve and later in the morning, an adult and a juvenile showed well, hawking insects around the Central Streamline.
Other birds today included two Ravens, a Kestrel, the adult Greater Black-backed Gull, 25 Shoveler, two Green Sandpipers, one Common Sandpiper and Reed Warblers along the Causeway
14th September 2024
Sunny start, clouding over, light south-westerly.
The good weather today brought out the insects with at least 20 Green-veined Whites, eight Speckled Woods, two Red Admirals, a Comma, eight Common Blue Damselflies, a single Small Red-eyed Damselfly, a Brown Hawker, three Migrant Hawkers, 18 Common Darters and a male Ruddy Darter.
Birds making the log comprised 17 Mute Swans, 20 Canadas, 289 Greylags, 29 Shoveler, 42 Gadwall, 11 Mallard, 12 Wigeon, 49 Teal, six Tufteds, 11 Cormorants, a Great Crested Grebe, 12 Little Grebes, four Herons, five Little Egrets, 17 Moorhen, 64 Coot, 78 Lapwing, a single Green Sandpiper, 60 Black-headed Gulls, 11 Lesser Back-backed Gulls, two Hobbies, five Buzzards, a Kingfisher north over Car Park Pool and a Collared Dove at the Car Park feeders.
13th September 2024
Sunny, still, cool.
Hirundines continued to move through, with at least 30 House Martins today. A Hobby was also present, as was a late Whitethroat, the latter around the North Causeway Bay area. Other warblers included two Cetti’s Warblers, one from River Hide and one along the Top Stream, 10 Chiffchaffs, and three Reed Warblers, the latter also around the North Causeway Bay area.
Other birds making the log were 12 Wigeon, six Snipe, a Great Crested Grebe and a Kingfisher, the latter flying from the Flood Plain across Car Park Pool.
12th September 2024
Showery, north-westerly.
There was no sign of the Pintail or the Greenshank this morning, but there were two Green Sandpipers and a Common Sandpiper on Railway Pool. A Hobby flew across Siden Hill Wood and hirundines moving south comprised 20 House Martins, five Sand Martins and two Swallows.
11th September 2024
Overcast with occasional sunny spells, fresh north-westerly.
The Pintail was still present but there was no sign of the Greenshank this morning. A Hobby was perched in Siden Hill Wood, and a Mistle Thrush flew over the wood. Hirundine passage included 40 House Martins, five Sand Martins and two Swallows. Singles of Common and Green Sandpiper were still present, two Ravens went over, the adult Greater Black-backed Gull roosted, and Cetti’s Warblers were heard from the Reedbed and the Top Stream.
In the evening, only four people made the work party, but those achieved a lot with the islands on Car Park Pool being strimmed, and vegetation around the Back Gate and Railway Hide cut back. Thanks to those that attended. They also had the benefit of some late evening hirundine passage which included at least 15 Swallows and a Sand Martin. Four Green Sandpipers flew over together calling, along with a Snipe.
10th September 2024
Overcast with occasional sunny spells, strong westerly.
The Pintail and Greenshank remain and the Wigeon count remained at five. There were still singles of Green and Common Sandpiper, and 30 Sand Martins and 20 House Martins moved south. The Greater Black-backed Gull also roosted on Car Park Pool.
9th September 2024
Overcast, blustery north-westerly.
The Pintail was still present this morning, as was the Greenshank, along with two Green and a single Common Sandpiper.
Other counts included 15 Mute Swans, 111 Canadas, the Canada/Greylag hybrid, 231 Greylags, 28 Shoveler, 49 Gadwall, 41 Mallard, 11 Wigeon, 39 Teal, four Tufteds, 18 Cormorants, a Great Crested Grebe, 14 Little Grebes, three Little Egrets, four Herons, 14 Moorhen, 75 Coot, 62 Lapwing, five Snipe, 124 Black-headed Gulls, 16 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, an adult Greater Black-backed Gull, a Peregrine, a female Sparrowhawk, 10 Sand Martins and 10 House Martins.
8th September 2024
Rain for much of the day.
Today’s two highlights were firstly a Cattle Egret which joined two Little Egrets on Car Park Pool in the morning, and for some of the afternoon a female-type Marsh Harrier which hunted over Railway Pool.
The Greenshank and two Green Sandpipers remained on Railway Pool, whilst on Car Park Pool, there was a single Common Sandpiper, along with the Pintail, 67 Black-headed Gulls and 30 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, together with three Herring Gulls.
Other counts included five Wigeon, a Great Crested Grebe, two Collared Doves at the feeders, three Sand Martins south, and a Kingfisher.
As the weather improved in the afternoon, butterflies appeared and there were three Red Admirals and two Commas sighted.
7th September 2024
Overcast, drizzle, light easterly.
The Pintail was still present on Car Park Pool with the Greenshank and two Green Sandpipers on Railway Pool. There was also a Common Sandpiper there.
The first Meadow Pipit passage of the year saw six over east in the morning. A Grey Wagtail was also heard flying over the entrance gate.
Raptors comprised a Hobby hawking over Railway Pool, a Peregrine over Siden and a Sparrowhawk hunting along the Causeway. Twenty Swallows went south.
There was also a full day’s bird count as part of the usual West Midlands ‘all dayer’, but despite the efforts of a number of people, the total was a rather disappointing 68. The full list is as follows: Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Great-crested Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Water Rail, Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Feral Pigeon, Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Kestrel, Hobby, Peregrine, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Long-tailed Tit, Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Treecreeper, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting.
6th September 2024
Overcast, brightening later, light north-easterly.
The Pintail and Greenshank remain, whilst the Little Grebe count reached 16 today.
Butterflies included Large White, Comma, Speckled Woods, Small White and a Painted Lady again.
5th September 2024
Overcast and drizzly, north-easterly.
The immature or eclipse male Pintail was present again this morning and, in a mixed flock on the Causeway, there were at least five Chiffchaffs, two Goldcrests, and a Treecreeper.
Birds on the pools comprised the long-standing Greenshank, and singles each of Green and Common Sandpiper, together with 19 Black-headed Gulls, eight Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a first-winter Common Gull. The latter was present early on, but did not linger and moved off quickly. There was also a female Wigeon present.
4th September 2024
Cloudy, north-westerly.
Kingfisher sightings have been more regular recently, and there was one on the River just north of Patricks Bridge this morning. A Ring-necked Parakeet also flew over Patrick Farm towards Hampton. Two Green Woodpeckers were feeding in the Orchid Field behind Oak Hide, a Hobby hawked over Railway Pool, whilst the Pintail was still in front of Car Park Hide. A Painted Lady butterfly was present around the Car Park in the morning.
The Greenshank remained on Railway Pool along with two Green Sandpipers and two juvenile Sparrowhawks were seen on the far side of Car Park Pool, from Car Park Hide. A Hobby was again present, as were two Buzzards, with one of the young Buzzards in the area continuing to mew plaintively for food from one of the adults.
3rd September 2024
Overcast rain, light north-westerly.
The morning counts, care of Graham Rowling, Glen Giles and John Hunt were as follows: Six Canadas, 58 Greylags, 12 Mute Swans, four Wigeon, 38 Gadwall, seven Shoveler, 29 Mallard, the drake Pintail, 42 Teal, 10 Tufteds, nine Cormorants, two Herons, two Little Egrets, a Great Crested Grebe, 20 Little Grebes, 13 Moorhen, 66 Coot, 61 Lapwing, four Snipe, a Greenshank, two Green Sandpipers, 23 Black-headed Gulls, four Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a Kingfisher, 40 Sand Martins, 20 Swallows and a Hobby.
In the afternoon a Peregrine over Railway Pool, and then Bradnocks Marsh, was mobbed by a male Sparrowhawk. Green Sandpiper numbers have increased too, and there was also a Common Sandpiper, together with five Little Egrets, five Chiffchaffs, a Reed Warbler by River Hide, a Hornet on the mint by Oak Hide and two Collared Doves in the bushes at the feeders
In the evening, Paul Casey picked up a small Falcon mobbing a Sparrowhawk over Railway Pool before it disappeared to the South. A little later on, what was presumably the same bird was perched in one of the Ash trees near Oak Hide, and revealed itself to be an immature female type Merlin.
Merlin – Photograph by Paul Casey
In the evening the bird ringers had a productive time, with firstly a Barn Owl quartering in front of Siden Hill Wood just after 20.00, a Tawny Owl calling in the Back Gate Copse 30 minutes later, and then a Nightjar along the path to Railway Hide at just before 21.00.
2nd September 2024
Overcast for much of the day, occasional light showers, south-westerly.
The Greenshank was still present today, favouring the bay to the left of Oak Hide, with up to two Green Sandpipers, with a third on Car Park Pool.
There were four Snipe feeding on the left-hand island, as viewed from Car Park Hide, and there were four Little Egrets, two Pochard, two Wigeon, with the Pintail remaining, favouring the area between the Car Park islands and the far bank.
A flock of 30 – 40 Swallows flew through early morning.
1st September 2024
Warm, humid, light easterly.
The Pintail and Greenshank remained, and, in the warm conditions, there were plenty of insects to attract a Hobby. Other records included four Little Egrets, a Cetti’s Warbler in the Reedbed, two Wigeon, two juvenile Kestrels over the HS2 workings, a Raven over, a Kingfisher on Railway Pool, at least two Reed Warblers still in the North Causeway area, a Whitethroat by Oak Hide and a Treecreeper in the Back Gate Copse.
An early morning ringing session in the Copse yielded a juvenile Treecreeper, probably to reflect the presumed breeding there, 17 juvenile Blackcaps, a juvenile Song Thrush, juvenile Chiffchaff and a juvenile Blue Tit.
The ringers had been hoping to catch Nightjars but there have been none so far, but a Tawny Owl was heard around the Back Gate Copse area.