30th June 2015
– Hot, sunny, light south-easterly wind.
The first Hobby for some days was seen over Siden Hill Wood at about 10.45 before drifting off. There was still a male Shoveler on Car Park Pool and a Water Rail showed from the north causeway hide.
29th June 2015
– Sunny intervals, light south, south-westerly wind.
The Melodious Warbler continues to sing away for its 19th day whilst on the Reserve what appears to be the first record of Bee Orchid for the Reserve has been found just on the side of the car park on the way to the screen by the gate. A cage is going to be placed over the orchid to try and protect it from being grazed off. Subsequently a further flower spike was found on the causeway close to the screens. This is the fourth Orchid species for the Reserve.
At least five Marbled Whites were on the wing, all between Oak and Railway Hide.
28th June 2015
– Overnight rain continuing into the morning, slowly brightening in the afternoon, south-westerly wind.
The first of this year’s Tufted broods has hatched out on Car Park Pool. Initially five, unfortunately the brood was quickly down to four when a Lesser Black-backed Gull predated one of them. Returning Ducks continued to appear with three drake and two female Tealtogether with a drake Pochard and a drake Shoveler. At least three Lapwing chicks were still visible in front of Railway Hide and at least one Water Rail showed in front of the causeway.
At least five Ringed Plovers were seen today, two flying off east in the late morning and three on the pools with two remaining in the afternoon. There were at least four Little Ringed Plovers but sadly the bird that was nesting in the car park has now deserted.
There were eight Lapwing chicks in the bare field on the east of the A452, and a Raven and three Rooks went over the Old Road.
The Melodious Warbler remains, singing well, east of the A452.
27th June 2015
– Sunny intervals, westerly wind.
Whilst the Melodious Warbler continued to sing away, the Black-necked Grebe appears to have departed. Nevertheless, a Red Kite went over at 11.55 and drifted off east, the second-summer Mediterranean Gull was on Railway Pool from 4 p.m. onwards and the first Marbled White of the year was on the wing near Oak Hide.
Other counts today were as follows: two Herons, one Great Crested Grebe, 13 adult Little Grebes and two chicks in the north-causeway bay, five Cormorants, two Mute Swans, 18Greylags, the pair of Shelduck and six ducklings, 35 Mallard, 31 Gadwall and four broods (Car Park Pool 9 and two; Railway Pool six and seven), a drake Teal, a drake Shoveler, 47Tufteds, seven Moorhen, 58 Coot, six Oystercatcher, six Little Ringed Plovers, twoRinged Plovers, 92 Lapwing and three broods (two lots of two in front of Railway Hide) and two in front of Oak Hide, seven Redshanks, 113 adult Black-headed Gulls and 220 juveniles, five Lesser Black-backs one of which took a Black-headed Gull chick, 16 adultCommon Terns and 13 chicks, and at least one Water Rail and one chick from the causeway.
The first Brown Hawker of the year was also on the wing along the Old Road and theOystercatchers have hatched out at least one chick on Car Park Pool.
26 June 2015
– Sunshine and showers, humid, south-westerly wind.
The only news that I have today is that both the Black-necked Grebe and the Melodious Warbler remain. Two Roe Deer showed well on the flood plain.
25th June 2015
– Sunny intervals, westerly wind.
The Black-necked Grebe remains on Car Park Pool where it is stubbornly sticking to the deep water as the three birds from 2013 also did. Cars parked on the verge of the A452 are testament to the continuing presence of the Melodious Warbler and I understand there was aGrasshopper Warbler reeling there yesterday.
The second-summer Mediterranean Gull was on Railway Pool during parts of the day.
A presumed returning Black-tailed Godwit also put in a brief appearance.
24th June 2015
– Sunny, warm, light southerly wind.
The Black-necked Grebe remains on Car Park Pool, a Common Sandpiper was new in on Railway Pool where there was a Gadwall with seven young.
The first Ringlets were on the wing, particularly around Railway Hide where there was alsoSmall Skipper and Common Blue.
Yesterday evening’s second-summer Mediterranean Gull showed well on Car Park Pool around lunchtime whilst the Melodious Warbler continued to enthral a steady trickle of visitors. A Painted Lady was present at the Warbler site.
Dabchicks have hatched out a single youngster which was visible from the north causeway screen.
The evening counts were as follows: ten Little Ringed Plovers, two Ringed Plovers, fiveOystercatchers, a drake Teal, four Redshanks, a Water Rail and at least one chick from the north causeway hide, three Great Crested Grebes, six Little Grebes and a chick from earlier.
There were three Gadwall broods, a nine and a two on Car Park Pool and a seven on Railway Pool, at least one brood of Lapwings in front of Railway Hide, a Mallard brood of five well grown youngsters on Railway Pool, four Shelduck and six now well grown chicks on Railway Pool, the pair of Mutes still with four cygnets and at least 12 Common Tern chicks, some now fledged, with 16 adults
23rd June 2015
– Westerly wind, occasional sunny intervals.
The Black-necked Grebe and the Melodious Warbler still remain and, in the evening, a second-summer Mediterranean Gull came in to Car Park Pool. A pair of Redshanks had hatched out some young in front of Oak Hide and a Coot predated one of the chicks despite being attacked by four Redshanks.
The Water Rail pair were mating again in front of the causeway screen where both adults were joined by two chicks at least.
22nd June 2015
– Blustery and cool westerly wind, sunny intervals.
The Black-necked Grebe and Melodious Warbler both remain and, in addition, an adult and at least one juvenile Water Rail were visible at the north causeway hide. There were still twoRinged Plovers on Car Park Pool and four Little Ringed Plovers, two on each pool.
On the Dragonfly Pool there were Red-eyed Damselflies, Emerald Damselflies andCommon Darters.
21st June 2015
– Sunny intervals, blustery north-westerly wind.
Both the Black-necked Grebe and the Melodious Warbler were on show with Water Railheard and seen in the causeway area along with a Mink. There were at least four Little Ringed Plovers (two on each pool) and two adult Ringed Plovers on Car Park Pool.
20th June 2015
– Overcast, periodic rain, westerly wind.
The Black-necked Grebe was very elusive but continued to show on Car Park Pool all day, diving regularly; and the Melodious Warbler continues to entertain along the bridleway opposite Marsh Lane. Hobby and Raven were both recorded in the last few days.
Today’s counts were five Herons, one Cormorant, two Great Crested Grebes, six Little Grebes, three adult Mute Swans and four cygnets, 27 Greylags, two Shelduck and six ducklings, 17 Gadwall and three broods of two, ten and seven on Car Park Pool, 65 Mallardand eight well grown ducklings in the Marsh, two male Teal, 40 Tufted, seven Moorhen and two broods of six on Car Park Pool and three on Railway Pool, 40 Coot and three broods, two of singles on the Car Park Pool and the Reedbed and three on Railway Pool, sixOystercatchers, seven Little Ringed Plovers, six Ringed Plovers, 36 Lapwing and two broods of two each on Railway Pool, six Redshank, 20 Common Terns and 16 chicks, a first-summer Mediterranean Gull, 287 adult and 225 juvenile Black-headed Gulls and twoLesser Black-backed Gulls.
19th June 2015
– Sunny intervals, but mostly overcast.
The Black-necked Grebe is still on Railway Pool this morning with a brood of newly hatchedGadwall. I understand that the Melodious Warbler also remains in its favoured location along the bridleway. There was also a first summer Mediterranean Gull on Car Park Pool at 9.30 a.m.
A Little Ringed Plover is attempting to nest in the car park and it would be appreciated if members could either park on the Old Road and only enter the car park on foot, or park near the back gate and come in from that way to avoid the car park as much as possible
In the shelter from the north-west wind, Painted Lady (with one yesterday on the causeway as well), Red Admiral and Common Blue butterfly showed well on the concrete road with at least ten Four-spotted Chasers, one Black-tailed Skimmer and one Emperor on the Dragonfly Pond itself. A male Brimstone worked its way north along the Old Road.
18th June 2015
– Mostly sunny, decreasing north westerly wind
During the mid afternoon, a summer plumaged Black-necked Grebe appeared on Railway Pool and was still showing well between Oak and Railway Hides until dusk. The Melodious Warbler continues to sing and show well along the bridleway opposite Marsh Lane and, in the morning, there was still plenty of bird song with both Willow Warblers and Garden Warblers singing well in the back gate area. About 70 Sand Martins, one House Martin and 12 Swifts were feeding over Car Park Pool at 8 a.m., in the blustery winds.
17th June 2015
– Mostly overcast with rain in the afternoon, westerly wind.
The Melodious Warbler is still on site and on the Reserve I have been notified of aGrasshopper Warbler singing by the Reedbed screen at 11 a.m. A slightly unusual record for this time of year. This would suggest either a failed or relocating breeder.
On the opposite side of the causeway, at least one Water Rail chick was visible.
16th June 2015
– Sunny, light westerly wind.
The only news I currently have for today is that the Melodious Warbler continued to sing and show well east of the Reserve. Anyone know of a female anywhere?
15th June 2015
– Sunny start, light easterly wind.
The Melodious Warbler remains singing in its usual spot on the embankment about 500m to 600m along the bridleway opposite Marsh Lane.
On the main Reserve, the family party of six Shelduck ducklings and parents and a femaleMallard with at least eight young were both present on Car Park Pool. 40 to 50 Swifts, five to ten House Martins and at least ten Sand Martins were feeding over the pools, there was aBullfinch singing by the car park and a Reed Warbler singing in the copse opposite the entrance gate cottages.
14th June 2015
– Mostly overcast, occasional sunny periods, light north-westerly wind.
The Melodious Warbler remains and continues to enthrawl with its mimetic song. A drakePintail was visible from Oak Hide today and in the warmer sunnier spells, Butterflies and Odonata, mostly around the Dragonfly Pool, were as follows: five Large Skippers, the first two Meadow Browns of the year, five Black-tailed Skimmers, two Four-spotted Chasers, a male Red-eyed Damselfly, an early teneral Common Darter and singles each of maleBanded and Beautiful Demoiselle.
13th June 2015
– Heavy and persistent rain for much of the morning and into the afternoon, remaining overcast thereafter, light north-easterly wind.
The Melodious Warbler continued to show to a regular and continuous stream of birders despite the weather.
The drake Pintail and the pair of Shelduck with six ducklings remained on the Reserve with other counts listed below.
Other counts today on the Reserve were: five Little Grebes, three Great Crested Grebes,three Cormorants, four Mute Swans and four cygnets, 15 Greylags including eight fledged young, three Shelduck and six ducklings, a drake Teal, 28 Mallard, 36 Gadwall and a brood of two on Car Park Pool, 54 Tufted, two Water Rail and at least two chicks in the causeway area, eight Moorhens, 30 Coot, five Little Ringed Plovers, three Ringed Plovers (two Railway Pool and one Car Park Pool), 17 Lapwing and a brood of three on Railway Pool, sixRedshank, three Oystercatcher and a single chick on Railway Pool, 15 Common Terns and six chicks, 350 adult Black-headed Gulls and 237 chicks, two Lesser Black-backed Gullsand at least 100 Sand Martins.
12th June 2015
– Initially sunny, progressively clouding over on a north easterly wind
Much to the pleasure of the assorted hoards the Melodius Warbler showed well again today along the bridleway opposite Marsh Lane. Other records of birds there included Raven,Shelduck and Little Ringed Plover. Can people please make sure they park considerately and not block sight lines on the exit of the bridleway on to the A452.
On the main Reserve, yesterday’s drake Pintail remained as did the Shelduck family with six ducklings.
There was a small flock of about 20 Starlings around the causeway area, mainly young birds, which is encouraging.
11 June 2015
– Fine and sunny
News broke late morning of a Marsh Warbler singing along the bridleway east of the A452 opposite Marsh Lane itself. It transpired that the bird was not in fact this species but aMelodious Warbler which has continued to sing well and show occasionally about 500m east along the bridleway on the first embankment; a fantastic local record.
In addition to the excitement of the Melodius Warbler, there were a number of other interesting records today, including four Shelduck with six ducklings on Car Park Pool in the morning, followed by a very unseasonable drake Pintail and a more regular femaleGoosander later in the afternoon.
A Little Egret fed on the Reed-bed and there were at least two young Water Rails in front of the north causeway hide.
Plenty of butterflies were on the wing in the warm weather including a Small Copper andOrange Tip and there were “numerous” Four Spotted Chasers present around the Reserve.
10th June 2015
– Mostly sunny, north easterly
Aside from at least 50 Swifts feeding over the Pools at approx 10.15am and a pair of Little Ringed Plovers and a single Ringed Plover on Car Park Pool, there were no other records in the log book today.
Additional birds added later in the day were a flock of 50 mixed adult and juvenile Starlingssix Common Tern chicks, 185 Black-headed Gull chicks and a Little Egret. Thanks to Graham Rowling, this year’s orchid count is the best ever: 1,078 Southern Marsh and 129Common Spotted. By all means go and enjoy the spectacle behind Oak Hide but please tread carefully.
9th June 2015
– Mostly sunny but cold easterly
The two adult Water Rails were still feeding four chicks in front of the causeway screen this afternoon and a pair of Terns were eyeing up and perching on one of the rafts.
Three Little Ringed Plovers were again on Car Park Pool with a pair mating and there was a single Ringed Plover there.
In the cool conditions, there were at least 60 Sand Martins, 20 House Martins and 20-30Swifts in the mid afternoon, the latter increasing to at least 60 in the early evening. The drakeTeal remained on site and there were a pair of Shelducks as well.
8th June 2015
– Sunny intervals, north westerly
Aside from a few Swifts and a pair of Linnets on the Railway embankment, there was nothing else in the log today.
7th June 2015
– Mostly sunny, light north westerly
At least five Tern chicks were counted today and a pair of Mute Swans on Railway Pool have hatched four cygnets.
Other counts or birds of note today were nine Little Grebes (five on Railway and four on Car Park Pool), three Great Crested Grebes, a female Gadwall with two young (and a drakeGadwall was seen mating with a female Tufted!), two Little Ringed Plovers on Car Park Pool, four Ringed Plovers of which three were on Railway Pool, a Garden Warbler in song by the back gate along with singing Willow Warblers there and along the causeway, threeRooks on the flood plain, Treecreeper and Goldcrest by the bale store and eightOystercatchers with two fledged young on Railway Pool but no sign of the bird on Car Park Pool.
In the warm conditions there were a number of Peacocks on the wing and also a Red Admiral.
6th June 2015
– Warm sunny light westerly
Further news on the Water Rails; the two adults showed off four chicks to those who were patient in the north causeway hide this morning. This is excellent news and there is probably at least one further pair in the Reedbed.
Other counts today included one Great Crested Grebe, six Little Grebes, one Heron, oneCormorant, four Mute Swans, 20 Greylags, drake Teal, 35 Gadwall, and one brood of two on Railway Pool, 25 Mallard and one brood of nine on Railway Pool, 76 Tufted, sevenMoorhen and one brood of four at the causeway, 51 Coot, five Little Ringed Plovers, twoRinged Plovers, ten Oystercatchers and two chicks on Railway Pool, 21 Lapwing, twoRedshank, 286 adult Black-headed Gulls and 192 chicks, three Lesser Black-backed Gulls(including one which took a Black-headed Gull chick), a juvenile Grey Wagtail along the Old Road (further excellent local breeding news), and last but not least a calling Cuckoo from the lorry park in the early morning.
5th June 2015
– Mostly sunny, light south-easterly wind.
Water Rails have bred again this year with yesterday’s activity from two adults in front of the north causeway hide proving to be an indication that young had recently hatched. At least one youngster was seen this morning and there may have been others. A Little Egret also flew over the car park.
A first-summer Mediterranean Gull was also present about 10.15am.
4th June 2015
– warm, sunny, light south-easterly wind.
On a lovely warm morning, a pair of Water Rails showed very well from the north causeway hide for at least an hour. They were interacting with a pair of Moorhens and one of the Water Rails stalked but failed to catch one of four Moorhen chicks.
A pair of Little Ringed Plovers and a single Ringed Plover were on Car Park Pool along with plenty of rapidly growing Black-headed Gull chicks.
In the middle of the morning a Cuckoo flew across Railway Pool from the Siden Hill Wood direction and appeared to land in the back gate copse. It is most likely to be a prospecting female.
A pair of Green Woodpeckers were seen taking food into the Railway embankment. Butterflies on the wing today comprised two Brimstones, two Peacocks, at least 12 Common Blue, Speckled Wood, several Small Whites, and Odonata included a Broad-bodied Chaser on the Dragonfly Pool together with two Four-Spotted Chasers.
3rd June 2015
– Sunny intervals, slowly decreasing westerly wind.
An altogether better day though no obvious migration and sadly the Little Ringed Plover that had been sitting on one of the Car Park Pool islands seems to have either deserted or been predated.
Counts today included two Shelduck, a drake Teal, 22 Greylag and 29 juveniles from five broods, seven Oystercatchers with three chicks, seven Redshank, one Ringed Plover, fiveLittle Ringed Plovers, 190 Black-headed Gull chicks, one Common Tern chick and twoMallard broods, one of six in the Marsh and one of nine on Railway Pool.
A pale morph Buzzard quartered Siden Hill and the flood plain before drifting off and there were at least 70 Swifts over the Reserve in the morning.
2nd June 2015
– Windy, mostly overcast, some rain in the morning.
The only records were in the evening; at least 50 Swifts fed over the pools with about tenHouse Martins, there were two Ringed Plovers on Railway Pool, five Little Ringed Ploverson Car Park Pool and 12 Lesser Black-backs over.
1st June 2015
– Increasingly windy and wet from the south-west.
Two Little Egrets fed around the margins of Railway Pool in the evening and the immaturePeregrine was perched on the railway bridge.