Update
Black-headed Gull ringing information added 25th April 2018.
Photographs added to the 21st , 23rd and 24th April.
Apologies for the late news of two colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls seen on March 17th. Yellow 2DJV was ringed as an adult on Rainham Tip, London, on the 22nd February 2014. The only other sighting of this bird was at the Wildfowl & Trust Reserve at Llanelli Wetland Centre on the 29th June 2014.
The other bird on the same day was Red V418. This was ringed as a chick at Hirsholm, Denmark, on the 12th May 2011. Hirsholm is an island of the Kattegat, off Fredrickshavn on the northern tip of mainland Denmark. After ringing it was seen in the colony until the 7th January 2011 and was back in the same colony from the 16th May to 26th June 2012. There have been no further sightings until the record on the 17th March. This is the second colour-ringed bird from Hirsholm to be seen at Marsh Lane, the other was White SKH, seen on the 12th February 2016.
30th April 2018
Cloudy, northerly wind.
The morning saw three Common Sandpipers, a Little Ringed Plover, two Redshanks (on the pools), and ten House Martins and two Swallows feeding over the new muck heap along the Old Road with a flock of ten Goldfinches nearby.
The slowly diminishing flock of Linnets in the crop fields still totalled 15 and the car park feeder continues to be attractive to a variety of birds including two Yellowhammers and eight Reed Buntings.
In the evening, there was an impressive 37 Common Tern, two Little Ringed Plovers, just two Common Sandpipers and two Shelducks.
29th April 2018
Overcast and drizzly, cool, light north-easterly wind.
There were a few more birds on the move today with the hirundine passage perhaps being the most notable. There was a steady turnover of birds all day with 25 Sand Martins, 15 Swallows and three House Martins by 11 am but in the early afternoon the number of Swallows had increased to at least 80 and House Martins to at least a dozen with the latter favouring the flood plain north of the Reserve. Iin the evening, the hirundine total had reached at least 150, although no breakdown was put in the log.
There were three male Yellow Wagtails on the Car Park Pool islands during the morning, although none lingered, a Hobby was seen twice in the afternoon and early evening, two Swifts went through and, in the afternoon, a Grasshopper Warbler reeled away from time to time in the wet field near the mobile phone mast.
Meantime the adult Whooper Swan must have roosted overnight before departing at 8 am. It again called regularly until it left. Also, a Great White Egret was seen briefly at Patrick Bridge in the late morning, before flying north.
Other birds of note included the Cuckoo (seen on at least three occasions), one Common Sandpiper, one Little Ringed Plover, 26 Linnets (crop field) and at least four Willow Warblers (one in the back gate, two around the central stream / causeway area) and one by the car park gates. There was also a Ringed Plover present on the pool margins and two Red-legged Partridges east of the A452.
28th April 2018
Overcast, showery, remaining cold in the light north-easterly wind.
The wandering Whooper Swan was on Car Park Pool early this morning, calling away regularly before it flew off south prior to 8 am. Also, a male Yellow Wagtail spent part of the morning feeding on the Car Park Pool islands.
Other birds of note included three Little Ringed Plovers, a male Wheatear east of the A452, one male and two female Goosanders and at least 22 Common Tern.
Meantime, hirundine passage at last seemed to be gathering pace with 40 Swallows, 40 Sand Martins and ten House Martins counted at one stage this morning.
27th April 2018
Feeling cold with temperatures below 7 degrees, periods of rain, north-easterly wind.
The Cuckoo had moved to the central streamline today but does remain elusive. The pair of Whitethroats were showing well behind Railway Hide again and there was a male Bullfinch in the area. Swallow passage continues with 20 at any one time on Car Park Pool but there was little else of note.
26th April 2018
Cloudy, blustery westerly wind and showers.
A male Cuckoo was singing behind Railway Hide at mid-day and there were again at least 20 Common Terns on site. 31 Lesser Blackbacks and two Herring Gulls were the maximum counted during the day and there were at least five Yellowhammers at the car park feeder. Singles of Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper were also on site at various stages during the day.
25th April 2018
Sunny with showers, cool south westerly
There were four Common Sandpipers on site today, three in front of Oak Hide and one on Car Park Pool. A pair of Whitethroats behind Railway Hide were showing well and there was a new bird behind Oak Hide. At least four Willow Warblers sang away this morning, two in the back gate copse, one on the causeway and one by the car park. Sedges are also beginning to take up more territories with, for example, birds either side of Oak Hide.
Whitethroat by Railway Hide photograph by Max Silverman
25 Linnets were feeding in the crop field, there was a Greenfinch by the car park feeder, a Treecreeper in the back gate copse and the Cetti’s was very vocal on the causeway.
In the evening, some hirundine passage got going and there were, for example, at any one time 50 Sand Martins, two Swallows and a House Martin. A pair of Goosanders spent part of the day on Car Park Pool and into the evening 32 Common Terns were feeding or coming in to roost.
Graham Rowling saw a colour-ringed Black-headed Gull from Railway Hide on the evening of the 25th April. This is the fourth year in a row is has been seen at Marsh Lane. The history of this bird as far as Graham knows is as follows:
12/06/09 Ringed as a chick at Cokes Pits, Somerford Keynes, Gloucestershire. This is part of Cotswold Water Park.
15/11/10 Seen on the Hayle Estuary, Cornwall.
20/03/15 Seen at Marsh Lane
01/04/15 Seen at Marsh Lane
13/05/15 Seen at Marsh Lane
02/05/16 Seen at Marsh Lane
05/04/17 Seen at Marsh Lane
17/04/17 Seen at Marsh Lane
22/04/17 Seen at Marsh Lane
25/04/18 Seen at Marsh Lane
There have been no other sightings of this bird reported to the Ringer.
24th April 2018
Mostly overcast am, rain pm and into the evening
Whimbrel – photograph by John Hunt
The Whooper Swan left for Bradnocks Marsh at 8am. There were additional goodies in the shape of three Whimbrels with one at 7.15am – 7.30am and then two more between 10.10am and 10.30am. There was a Little Ringed Plover, three Common Sandpipers, and at last the first substantial group of hirundines saw at least 100 birds over Car Park Pool (50 Sand, 30 House and 20 Swallows), a female Goosander, two Redshanks, two Shelduck and the drake Wigeon.
In the afternoon, another grouping of Lesser Black-backs included at least 31 and there were 12 Common Terns on site as well.
A male Goosander appeared after the female had gone. There was a Ringed Plover, a Common Snipe and two first-winter Meditteranean Gulls.
23rd April 2018
Mostly overcast with rain pm
In the morning the Cuckoo was again calling around the Reserve but proved as elusive as ever. There was a single Common Sandpiper, two Little Ringed Plovers, at least four Reed Warblers now and four Little Egrets.
As the day progressed, two Arctic Terns went through and there was a build up of hirundines with 30 Sand Martins, a House Martin and four Swallows.
A couple of Yellowhammers continued to visit the feeder.
In the evening, a Grasshopper Warbler reeled at the far end of the Reed Bed from 18.40 to 19.00 and 24 Common Terns came into roost. There was also a drake Goosander on Car Park Pool.
At the very end of the day a Whooper Swan was found on the Dragonfly Pool.
2nd Summer Mediterranean Gulls – photograph by Max Silverman
22nd April 2018
After heavy overnight rain, the wind had changed to a south-westerly one today and there were sunny intervals with some cloud in the afternoon.
In addition to the erratic pair of adult Mediterranean Gulls, there was also a pair of second-summers, mostly roosting on the island in front of Oak Hide.
From mid-morning until lunchtime, there were two male Yellow Wagtails, initially, with a third arriving later, feeding with the cattle by the feeder, north of Car Park Pool, but these had gone in the early afternoon to be replaced by a male Wheater whilst a Red Kite flew over as well, heading south.
Later in the afternoon a drake Goosander dropped into Car Park Pool and the first Swift of the year went over.
There were at least five Lesser Whitethroats on site today, one behind Railway Hide, one on the Old Road, one by the underpass, one by the pumping station and one by the railway car park on the west side.
Additional warblers today included two Reed Warblers, three Sedges, one Cetti’s and two Common Whitethroats. A Cuckoo called along the streamline but proved elusive. There were 18 Common Terns, a Raven and a lingering drake Wigeon as well as two Common Sandpipers, a pair of Shelduck, three Great Crested Grebes and two House Martins. Hirundine passage has been woeful so far this year.
21st April 2018
Sunny and warm, light south-easterly wind.
An Avocet was a new arrival this morning and it spent most of the day on Railway Pool and was the first since May 12th 2005. This is the 5th Reserve record, albeit the 6th bird. A supporting cast included two Common Sandpipers on Railway Pool, a Little Ringed Plover on Car Park Pool, a pair of Wheatears east of the A452, a pair of Mediterranean Gulls from time to time and the first Garden Warbler of the year which was singing along the causeway.
Other counts today included four Mute Swans, 20 Greylags, 10 Canadas, two Shelduck, a lingering drake Wigeon (which appears to have an injured wing), 30 Gadwall, three Shoveler, nine Mallard, the usual spring push of Tufteds which took the total to 102, two Cormorants, one Little Grebe, two Great Crested Grebe, one Heron, 12 Moorhen, 20 Coot, nine Oystercatchers, 19 Lapwings, 1250 Black-headed Gulls, 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, three Herring Gulls, four Redshank, two Raven over at 11.10 am, a Cetti’s Warbler along the causeway, the first Reed Warbler of the year on the causeway, at least six Sedge Warblers, three Lesser Whitethroats and a Yellow Wagtail.
In the evening, there were 16 Common Terns and seven Reed Buntings visited the car park feeder.
Avocet – photograph by Max Silverman
20 April 2018
It was sunny and warm initially but mist came over at about 7.30 am and temperatures consequently fell.
Early on there was a single Lesser Whitethroat in song by the car park gates and a Snipe opposite Car Park Hide.
A short ringing session along the causeway and in the Reedbed yielded, amongst other things, two Chiffchaffs, one Blackcap, one Song Thrush and a Willow Warbler from the causeway and two Sedge Warblers from the Reedbed.
Sedge Warbler displaying on the river side of River Hide – 20th April 2018 – photograph by John Hunt
Wheatear from Car Park Hide – 20th April 2018 – Photograph by John Hunt
About mid-day a female Wheatear appeared on the grass by Car Park Hide and showed well into the afternoon but, by the evening, it had moved on to the flood plain. This mid-day arrival time is typical for spring Wheatears of the nominate race and perhaps reflects how long it takes them to fly from their previous destination. The later Wheatears which are predominantly leucorhoa are less predictable in their arrival times .
There was also a Dunlin new in on Railway Pool along with three Little Egrets and in the improving weather, once the mist had burned off, there were a number of butterflies including the first Speckled Wood of the year, several Orange-tips, Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells and a Green-veined White.
In the evening, two separate Yellow Wagtails went over, there were two adult Mediterranean Gulls briefly on Railway Pool, two Sand Martins went over the Old Road (scarce so far this spring) and a stand out record, a Common Crane which flew low over the car park heading north-east at 18.50 this evening (the last record for this species at Marsh Lane was on April 22nd, 2005).
19th April 2018
Hot and sunny. Apparently it was the warmest April record since 1949 and temperatures reached somewhere in the region of 27 degrees.
The first Cuckoo of the year sang from along the central streamline and over towards Siden Hill Wood but was very mobile. There were also three Lesser Whitethroats this morning, one behind Railway Hide, one by the car park gates and one by the top gate. Singles of Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Cetti’s Warbler were also seen.
A single adult Mediterranean Gull was present amongst the Blackheads on Railway Pool and there was a Common Sandpipers, four Redshank and at least six Oystercatchers.
Butterflies recorded included five Orange-tips, three Peacocks and two female Brimstones.
18th April 2018
Sunny and warm, southerly wind.
The forecasted warm weather duly arrived and after a slightly cloudy start, temperatures reached well over 20 degrees. It was a pleasure to be out in just a shirt into the evening.
A few new arrivals included two Whitethroats behind Railway Hide, a significant jump in Common Tern numbers to 18, three further Sedge Warblers (causeway, Oak Hide and back gate copse) and two Sand Martins went over. Blackcap numbers also increased to eight signing birds this morning, four along the Old Road and four around the back gate copse.
The warmer weather also brought out Comma and Orange-tip butterflies (Orange-tip, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell were also seen on Sunday). A Raven also went over.
In the evening an adult Little Gull made a brief appearance at about 7.30 but did not linger, unfortunately. The drake Wigeon remains.
17th April 2018
Overcast, with patchy drizzle.
A pair of adult Mediterranean Gulls flew over Railway Pool towards Bradnocks Marsh at 11 am and, in the evening, joined eight Common Terns on Railway Pool. There were also two female Goosanders and a drake in the evening and other birds included a drake Wigeon, two House Martins, a Common Sandpiper, two Common Terns, five Oystercatchers, two each of Redshank and Snipe, one Little Ringed Plover, 14 Lesser Black-backs and three Herring Gulls.
16th April 2018
Overcast, south-westerly wind.
The Lesser Whitethroat was again in song down the Old Road and there were at least three Common Terns around the Car Park Pool islands. There was still a flock of 20 Linnets in the crop field and around the railway embankment and the back gate copse there were two Green Woodpeckers, two Buzzards, three Willow Warblers and a Bullfinch.
Both Blackcap and Cetti’s Warbler sang from the causeway area and four Sand Martins went over. The latter species has been thin on the ground this spring, so far.
The car park feeder remained busy with, amongst other things, male Yellowhammer, four Reed Buntings, two male Chaffinches and three Goldfinches.
The drake Wigeon continued to linger and there was a Common Sandpiper on Car Park Pool.
15th April 2018
Still overcast and misty, light south-easterly wind slowly increasing.
The first Lesser Whitethroat of the year was a day earlier than last year and sang, intermittently, up and down the Old Road. Four Common Terns were in display flight over the Reserve and at 10.30 at least four Sand Martins and a House Martin put in a brief appearance before moving off to the north. There were at least three Swallows chasing each other around Corry Farm and, on site, the Warbler count was five Chiffchaffs, three Willow Warblers, at least four Blackcaps and the Cetti’s Warbler which sang and showed well on the causeway.
Two late Siskins were in the Alders by the back gate and there was still a drake Wigeon on site.
14th April 2018
The sunny, warm temperatures were up to 17 degrees.
It was a pleasure to be out today, the first decent day for some time. Four Willow Warblers were singing around the Reserve, the first of the year and three Curlew went through, one north over Car Park Pool at 10.25 and then two further birds landed on Railway Pool at about 10.35 before they flew off to the north a few minutes later.
Other counts today comprised four Mute Swans, 15 Greylags, three Canadas, three Wigeon, 16 Gadwall, three Teal, four Mallard, 12 Shoveler, 74 Tufted, a female Goosander, five Cormorants, six Little Grebes, one Great Crested Grebe, one Little Egret, 16 Moorhen, 25 Coot, 15 Lapwing (but only two east of the A452 – it is a mystery where these seemingly settled birds have gone), seven Oystercatchers, four Redshank, one Common Tern, one Snipe, 1750 Black-headed Gulls, 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, three Herring Gulls, one Cetti’s Warbler, one Sedge Warbler and at least two Blackcap.
Carp were showing well in the Reedbed Pool, surfacing all the time and at least two Yellowhammers were still at the car park feeder.
A successful work party, well attended by ten people, achieved a lot with, amongst other things, repairs undertaken to the car park (pot holes filled), Sand Martin bank repairs, hedge cutting, drainage work and other bits and pieces. Thank you to all those who attended.
In the evening, there were two Common Terns and a male Goosander on site.
Willow Warbler in the plantation area near the south-west pond
Saturday 14th April 2018
Photographs by Max Silverman
13th April 2018
Overcast, light north-easterly, some drizzle, but slowly improving temperatures.
Migrants this morning included one Common Tern, one Sedge Warbler, three Blackcap, three Chiffchaff, six Sand Martins and two Swallows. There were still three Wigeon, a female Goosander and also two Shelducks. The bigger Gulls comprised 11 Lesser Black-backs, four Herring Gulls and a late Common Gull. There were still two Yellowhammers coming to the car park feeder.
12th April 2018
Misty , drizzly, cold north easterly
In continuing inclement and un-Spring like weather, there was little of note late morning with just six Wigeon, 20 Linnets and five Yellowhammers.
During the morning large Gulls came in again to bathe with up to 20 Lesser Black-backs and four Herring Gulls.
In the meantime, evening counts were as follows: a male Wigeon, four Teal, 18 Shoveler, the presumed hybrid Pochard / Tufted (which was first seen on the 8th), one male and two female Goosanders, seven Little Grebes, one Great Crested Grebe, six Oystercatchers, six Redshank, a Snipe and 21 Lapwings.
11th April 2018
Cold and wet, north easterly
Four Little Egrets flew over to the south this morning and a pair of Goosanders were roosting on the Car Park Pool islands. Warblers comprised one Sedge, one Cetti’s at least two Blackcaps and four Chiffchaffs. There was a flock of 21 Linnets in the crop field and at least ten Reed Buntings feeding around the Car Park feeder.
There was also a pair of Wigeon on the flood plain and in the evening, the first Common Terns of the year (two) appeared. Other birds in the evening drizzle included three Common Snipe, five Herring Gulls, five Redshanks, ten Oystercatchers and an increase in the number of Goosanders to six (one male, five females). The Black-headed Gull numbers were at a staggering 2,200 birds. The Linnet flock had also increased during the day and had reached 50 by the evening and other Wigeon appeared to take the total to eight.
10th April 2018
Overcast with periods of rain, north easterly
Apparently there were “lots” of Sand Martins this morning but no counts unfortunately and on the pools and islands there were three Redshanks, two Great Crested Grebes, two Shelducks, ten Lesser Black-backs and four Herring Gulls. Six Yellowhammers were around the Car Park feeder.
9th April 2018
Overcast am, wet pm and into the evening and overnight. Light south-easterly wind.
Despite the helpful wind direction and a handful of reasonable migrants scattered across the Midlands, the Reserve either did not benefit or suffered from lack of coverage in the wet conditions but, either way, there was little out of the ordinary to report. Two female Goosanders and a Little Ringed Plover were on the Car Park Pool islands in the evening, at least one Wigeon lingered on Railway Pool; and the car park feeder was again busy with up to five Yellowhammers and ten Reed Buntings.
8th April 2018
Mostly cloudy, odd light showers, light south-easterly wind
The years first Common Sandpiper showed well on the islands on both pools, the Sedge Warbler remained in the Reedbed and there were still at least two singing Blackcaps, six Chiffchaffs and the Nuthatch again by the south-west pond.
There was a late Redwing and hirundines were, like yesterday, trickling through with at least six Swallows and 13 Sand Martins but probably more than this with the coming and going throughout the day.
In the afternoon, the spring’s second adult Kittiwake appeared, moving between the pools for half an hour between 2 and 2.30 pm before flying off to the north.
Two Ravens went over, there were still at least three Redshanks, four Great Crested Grebes, six Little Grebes and 19 Lesser Black-backs. A Meadow Pipit went over and there were at least 19 Linnets in the crop field and a pair on the causeway.
7th April 2018
Mostly cloudy, odd light showers, light south-easterly wind
Another good selection of birds today included the first Sedge Warbler and House Martins of the year, the former singing in the Reedbed and the latter over with at least four Swallows and initially eight Sand Martins, although at least another 12 with two further Swallows moving through in the afternoon. Two Red Kites flew over to the south at 12.20 and there were at least eight singing Chiffchaffs, three singing Blackcaps, still seven Yellowhammers and a lingering Snipe.
Other counts included four Mute Swans, 14 Greylags, 25 Canadas, 11 Wigeon, 12 Gadwall, ten Teal, four Mallard, 31 Shoveler, 48 Tufted, four Cormorants, one Great Crested Grebe, six Little Grebes, 11 Moorhen, 43 Coot, eight Oystercatchers, ten Lapwings on the Reserve and 25 east of the A452, at least three Redshanks, 1550 Black-headed Gulls, 24 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, nine Herring Gulls, three Meadow Pipits on the tip field, two Nuthatch and a Great Spotted Woodpecker by Oak Hide (the latter investigating nest boxes there), a Green Woodpecker on the railway embankment and a Bullfinch by the back gate copse. This latter species has been less recorded this winter. Perhaps it has been adversely affected by the cold weather.
6th April 2018
Sunny intervals, light south-easterly wind.
A combination of better weather, light south-easterly wind, began to have an effect on migration with the first Swallow of the year through this morning. Three Curlew briefly on Car Park Pool at 9.20, at least eight Sand Martins through altogether and the first butterflies of the year, Peacock and Comma both recorded.
Other birds included at least three Chiffchaffs, one Blackcap, two female Goosanders, six Buzzards together over Siden Hill Wood, ten Herring Gulls, seven Yellowhammers, ten Linnets, the Cetti’s Warbler in the Reedbed, two Mistle Thrushes and a Grey Wagtail over the north end of the Old Road and a lingering Brambling in the crop field.
5th April 2018
Bright, sunny and mild. Light S breeze.
Chiffchaffs were again in evidence, being reported from the Back Gate Copse, along the Railway Embankment, around the South-west Pond and along the streamline, possibly some of these being the same bird. In addition, the first Blackcap of the season was recorded: a sighting by the South-west Pond.
Gull counts were back to more normal levels with just the one Mediterranean Gull recorded from Oak Hide, while on Car Park Pool there were six Herring and two Lesser Black–backed Gulls.
Other sightings included Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, four Green Woodpeckers along the Railway Embankment and a Muntjac was seen along the central streamline.
4th April 2018
Scattered showers, some heavy, sunny intervals, milder with light SE breeze.
In total, six Sand Martins passed thorough during the morning between 0920-1200, Chiffchaffs were again present both in the Back Gate Copse and along the Old Road, while the Reedbed held Cetti’s Warbler.
Seven Goosanders, all females, were on Car Park Pool, with two also on the Flood Plain, along with four Redshank in the same location and a further two on Railway Pool. The Oystercatcher count had increased to nine and, in terms of Gulls, there were the two adult Mediterranean Gulls again on Railway Pool, four Herring Gulls on Car Park Pool and a staggering 2300 Black–headed Gulls in total across the Reserve.
3rd April 2018
Light cloud, mild, showers p.m., SW breeze
The flood waters remain high with the pools well above their normal levels and the islands much reduced in area.
There were few records in the logbook but the pair of Mediterranean Gulls was again present on Railway Pool along with three Redshank. Chiffchaffs were in both the Back Gate Copse and along the Railway Embankment, while a Cetti’s Warbler was noted along the central stream line.
View from Oak Hide across Railway Pool – 3rd April 2018 – by John Hunt
Mediterranean Gulls on Railway Pool – 3rd April 2018 – by John Hunt
2nd April 2018
Heavy rain overnight & through the morning, easing later. Milder with light S/SE breeze
Water levels continue to be exceptionally high after the recent heavy rain
Records across the Reserve included: the pair of Mediterranean Gulls on Railway Pool (one of which is ringed), eight Oystercatchers, four Redshank, 34 Wigeon, two Goosanders (F), 13 Snipe, four Herring and ten Lesser Black–backed Gulls. Other sightings were a male Brambling, Green Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk over, Cetti’s Warbler (Reedbed & also by the Crop Field) and three Chiffchaff (one in the Back Gate Copse and two along the Old Road).
1st April 2018
Overcast but generally dry. Light E breeze
With a large part of the Reserve still flooded, there were 32 Gadwall, two Goosanders (M+F) and up to three Redshank on the Flood Plain. The pair of Mediterranean Gulls was again on Railway Pool, there was a female Brambling on the Car Park feeders and a Chiffchaff along the Old Road. Gulls on Car Park Pool included three Herring, two Common and two Lesser Black–backed. Finally, a Sparrowhawk was seen and a Kestrel was hunting over the Crop Field.