31st March 2024
Sunny and showers, westerly.
The year’s first Sedge Warbler was seen and heard in the North Causeway Bay this morning, and other migrants included four Sand Martins through to the north, and three Little Ringed Plovers.
A Red Kite went over, there were two each of Goosander and Great Crested Grebe, whilst on the Flood Plain there was a pair of Shelduck. A second-summer Common Gull was a brief visitor to Car Park Pool.
30th March 2024
Sunny spells, light south-easterly.
A noticeable increase in Blackcaps occurred overnight, with seven heard or seen today spread widely around the Reserve and including Siden Hill Wood (where there was also a Nuthatch).
A Red Kite flew along the Central Stream at 10.00.
Other counts today comprised five Mute Swans, 23 Canadas, a Canada/Greylag hybrid, 32 Greylags, two Egyptian Geese, 17 Shoveler, 29 Gadwall, 23 Wigeon, 10 Mallard, 18 Teal, a drake Pochard, 31 Tufted, 16 Cormorants, three Little Egrets, one Heron, two Little Grebes, five Moorhen, 30 Coot, 14 Oystercatchers, 11 Lapwings, four Redshank, three Snipe, 2,350 Black-Headed Gulls, two Mediterranean Gulls, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and one Herring Gull.
29th March 2024
Sunny spells, sharp showers, blustery southerly wind. Continued flooding at Patrick Bridge.
Two House Martins came in from the south this morning and were the first of the year. Also, a Curlew appeared briefly on Car Park Pool, then moved to the Flood Plain but did not linger there either.
Three Mediterranean Gulls included the regular adult and second-summer, together with a second-winter bird, moulting to second-summer plumage.
The singing Blackcap was again in the Back Gate Copse, and other birds included the drake Pochard, a single Goosander, nine Oystercatchers, three Redshank and two Shelduck.
28th March 2024
No records.
27th March 2024
Overcast, sunny, sharp showers, blustery south-easterly. Continued flooding at Patrick Bridge.
Three Sand Martins put in a brief appearance, whilst the Back Gate Copse recorded its first singing Blackcap this morning.
Wigeon numbers are varying day by day and there were 42 today, along with one Egyptian Goose, the usual two Mediterranean Gulls, four Little Ringed Plovers, nine Oystercatchers, one Redshank and a pair of Great Crested Grebes. In the afternoon there were 17 Snipe, three Little Ringed Plovers and four Goosanders.
26th March 2024
Sunny, light south-easterly.
Warmer weather today brought out at least two Brimstones and a Peacock butterfly.
There were four Redshank on Railway Pool, three Little Ringed Plovers on the Flood Plain, nine Oystercatchers in total, 28 Wigeon, a drake Pochard and the drake Tufted/Pochard hybrid, seven Little Egrets, both Mediterranean Gulls and a Red Kite high over Railway Pool.
A Blackcap was heard at Packhorse Bridge, the first of the year, and there were a handful of Snipe spread between the pools.
25th March 2024
Drizzly rain through the morning, clearing in the afternoon, north westerly.
The Reserve’s 213th species appeared on Railway Pool today in the shape of a Glossy Ibis which has been wandering the Tame Valley over the last few days. It was originally on Car Park Pool before moving to Railway Pool where it was seen both in front of River and Railway Hide before it flew off north-east.
Glossy Ibis in front of Railway Hide – Photograph by Paul Reay
Other birds today comprised the now regular adult and second-winter Mediterranean Gulls, ten Oystercatchers, three Redshank, two pairs of Great Crested Grebes, one Little Ringed Plover, four Sand Martins, three Collared Doves (at Patrick Farm) and still 17 Wigeon.
24th March 2024
Sunny intervals, north westerly.
The two Little Ringed Plovers from yesterday were still on the Flood Plain in the large wet area west of the river. Twelve Goosanders on Car Park Pool in the afternoon were, as usual, birds going to roost.
Other birds during the day included the adult and second-summer Mediterranean Gulls, eight Herring Gulls, an adult Peregrine, three Great-Crested Grebes, six Little Egrets and two Redshank.
23rd March 2024
Showers, fresh north-westerly, sunny spells.
There was a male Brambling at the Car Park feeders this morning, together with the regular birds. This species will start moving back through over the next few weeks.
Two Mediterranean Gulls consisted of an adult and a second-winter and on the Flood Plain there was a male Wheatear, along with two Little Ringed Plovers.
On the pools the full counts of wildfowl and other birds today comprised of four Mute Swans, 12 Canadas, a Canada/Greylag hybrid, 26 Greylags, two Egyptian Geese, two Shelduck, six Shoveler, 25 Gadwall, 51 Wigeon, 16 Mallard, seven Teal, a drake Pochard, the Tufted/Pochard hybrid, 28 Tufted, four Goosanders, 30 Cormorants, three Herons, three Little Egrets, two Great Crested Grebes, six Little Grebes, seven Moorhen, 34 Coot, 11 Oystercatchers, 10 Lapwings, three Redshank, three Snipe, 3,300 Black-headed Gulls, one Common Gull, three Herring Gulls and seven Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
22nd March 2024
Sunny spells, light north-westerly.
There was another appearance of a Red Kite today, this time over Railway Pool. A Kingfisher flew south past Oak Hide and a male Grey Wagtail, probably from the Flood Plain, flew north past Car Park Hide.
The Tufted/Pochard hybrid was again present, along with a pair of mating Goosander, three Great Crested Grebes (a pair displaying and collecting nesting material), one Shelduck, 10 Oystercatchers, two Redshanks, and both one of the regular adult Mediterranean Gulls and the second-winter.
Later in the day there were 33 Cormorants, four Little Egrets and two Shelducks.
21st March 2024
No records.
20th March 2024
Overcast, light showers, light south-easterly.
The Tufted/Pochard hybrid was back, last seen on the 8th March and this was in addition to the long-staying drake Pochard.
Three Mediterranean Gulls comprised of two adults and a second-winter, and there were again three Great Crested Grebes.
Four Sand Martins put in a brief appearance, as did a Peregrine.
An impressive 14 Oystercatchers included four on each of the pools, and a further six on the Flood Plain.
An adult Mediterranean Gull put in a brief appearance on Car Park Pool. This appeared to be a different bird than the regular pair, with more white on the head and deformed feet.
At 16:30 in the afternoon a Little Ringed Plover appeared on Car Park Pool.
Blue Tit gathering nesting material – Photograph by Graham Dyer
19th March 2024
Overcast, brightening to sunny spells, fresh southerly.
The first Sand Martin of the year appeared high over Car Park Pool this morning, but typically did not linger at this time of year. A Kingfisher was making use of the reed stems in the North Causeway Bay and additional birds included two Egyptian Geese, two Shelducks, the drake Pochard, 10 Oystercatchers, two Redshanks, two Mediterranean Gulls (one adult and one second-winter) and an over-flying Raven.
A midday shower brought in a Little Ringed Plover to Car Park Pool but it did not linger.
18th March 2024
Sunny spells, fresh southerly.
A Red Kite was working the HS2 site at 09:00 before disappearing. There were four Little Ringed Plovers and at least 10 Oystercatchers and two Redshanks on the pools and a colour-ringed Lapwing. The second-winter Mediterranean Gull was also present, along with a noticeable increase in Common Gulls (12). Two Great Crested Grebes, the drake Pochard, three Herons, a female Goosander, at least 10 Chiffchaffs and a Grey Wagtail, again on the Flood Plain. A male Yellowhammer at the Car Park feeders was a good sighting with very few records this winter.
17th March 2024
Early rain, light southerly.
Just a single adult Mediterranean Gull was present this morning, together with three Goosanders, a drake Pochard, three Great Crested Grebes, nine Oystercatchers, four Redshanks, 32 Snipe, four Cetti’s Warblers, at least seven Chiffchaffs, a Raven and, in the mild weather, two Brimstones, one along the Old Road and one in Siden Hill Wood.
16th March 2024
Sunny spells, fresh south-westerly.
Full counts from Graham and Dave today were as follows: three Mute Swans, 16 Canadas, a Canada/Greylag hybrid, 15 Greylags, a Swan Goose of distinctly unknown origin, eight Shovelers, 36 Gadwall, 99 Wigeon, 15 Mallard, 10 Teal, the drake Pochard, 13 Tufted ducks, a pair of Goosander, 21 Cormorants, five Little Grebes, a Heron, one Little Egret, six Moorhen, 47 Coot, seven Oystercatchers, 20 Lapwings, three Redshanks, 25 Snipe, 1,925 Black-headed Gulls, an adult Mediterranean Gull, just one Common Gull, seven Herring Gulls, six Lesser Black-backed Gulls: and finally, at Patrick Farm, two Collared Doves and at least one House Sparrow.
Later in the day there was a single Redwing with 12 Chaffinches in the Crop Field. In the afternoon a second-winter Mediterranean Gull was present, and there was a pair of Little Ringed Plovers on Car Park Pool.
Chris Laight has undertaken some reed cutting and removal on the eastern side of the Reedbed.
Reed Clearance – Photograph by Nick Barlow
15th March 2024
Sunny spells, light showers, fresh southerly.
A Red Kite flew south at 09:25, with increasing sightings of this species south of the Reserve on an almost daily basis now. Other species recorded were three Goosanders, the long staying drake Pochard, three Redshanks, eight Oystercatchers, just one adult Great Crested Grebe, both adult Mediterranean Gulls, two Egyptian Geese (on the HS2 settlement ponds), a rise in Chiffchaff numbers to six, three singing Cetti’s Warblers, a Fox along the Causeway and a Stoat by the Car Park feeders.
14th March 2024
No records.
13th March 2024
Overcast, brisk south-westerly.
Four female Goosanders were present on Car Park Pool for much of the morning, and there was again a small flock of Chaffinches (at least 15) in the Crop Field, whilst 10 Redwings flew over prior to 08:00.
Later in the day, two adult Mediterranean Gulls were present in the Black-headed Gull colony on Railway Pool and the Goosander numbers had increased to include five females and a male. There were still two Redshanks, whilst singing Chiffchaffs included one in the Back Gate Copse and one on the Concrete Road.
12th March 2024
No records.
11th March 2024
Overcast, misty, light northerly. Continued flooding at Patrick Bridge.
Great Crested Grebes have either not nested, or not been successful, for some time so a pair displaying and collecting weed on Car Park Pool was good news.
In addition, there were five female Goosanders, the long staying drake Pochard, nine Oystercatchers, two Redshanks and two singing Chiffchaffs, the latter at the South-West Pond and on the Old Road opposite the former Bale Store. An adult Mediterranean Gull again came and went, there was a Grey Wagtail at Patrick Bridge, and at least 25 Frogs and 10 clumps of Frogspawn in the North Causeway Bay.
10th March 2024
Wet all day.
A Little Ringed Plover was another sign of spring this morning, favouring the area around Car Park Hide, but also flying to and from the Car Park Pool islands. This was equal to the earliest ever date, with the previous same date in 2007. It is 17 days earlier than the average first arrival date. At least 50 Chaffinches were favouring the Crop Field to the south of the Oak trees.
Two Shelducks flew over, there were 38 Tufteds on site, together with nine Oystercatchers, 40 Lapwing, at least three Redshanks and three Little Egrets.
Little Ringed Plover – Photograph by Dave Hutton
9th March 2024
Sunny spells, fresh easterly.
Today’s counts were two Mute Swans, 23 Canadas, 12 Greylags, 25 Shoveler, 32 Gadwall, 173 Wigeon, 15 Mallard, 20 Teal, a drake Pochard, 23 Tufted ducks, a drake Goosander, 41 Cormorants, four Little Grebes, a Heron, seven Little Egrets, nine Moorhen, 34 Coot, nine Oystercatchers, 55 Lapwing, two Redshank, at least 50 Snipe and four Jack Snipe, 825 Black-headed Gulls, an adult Mediterranean Gull, four Common Gulls, six Lesser Black-backed Gulls and five Herring Gulls.
Frogspawn was visible in the Dragonfly Pond.
Six attended the work party with work centred on the islands: clearance of some of the worst of the vegetation from the Car Park Pool islands and general control of vegetation on the Railway Pool islands.
As a result of this the Marsh was disturbed, and at least 50 – 60 Snipe and four Jack Snipe came out. The Jack Snipe seemed to be favouring the area tight to the bank, to the right of Oak Hide.
8th March 2024
Overcast, sunny spells later on, fresh easterly.
A hybrid Pochard/Tufted duck caused some initial confusion this morning before its identity was established.
Thrushes have been relative scarce recently so 16 on the Flood Plain was good to see. Two Lesser Redpolls were present around Patrick Bridge, and otherwise there were three female Goosanders, nine Oystercatchers and a Redshank.
Hybrid Pochard/Tufted Duck – Photograph by John Hunt
7th March 2024
Mostly overcast, cool easterly.
Nine Oystercatchers were mostly on the islands across the pools, whilst a pair of Redshanks were together on the Flood Plain and five Goosanders were present on Car Park Pool.
Other totals comprised 58 Lapwings, three Little Egrets, three Siskins around the Car Park, and six Pied Wagtails and a Meadow Pipit on the Flood Plain. The adult Mediterranean Gull dropped into Railway Pool just after lunch.
6th March 2024
Misty start lifting to low cloud, still.
A Kingfisher was feeding on Railway Pool near River Hide this morning but, otherwise, birds were quite similar to the previous few days with two Pochard, four Goosanders, nine Oystercatchers, a Redshank, the adult Mediterranean Gull, a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker in the Crop Field Oaks with a second by the South-West Pond, and two Collared Doves and a House Sparrow at Patrick Farm.
Opposite Patrick Farm there were three Roe Deer feeding in the fields there. Thirty Snipe were counted in front of Oak Hide.
5th March 2024
Sunny spells, light southerly.
Seven Oystercatchers, a Redshank, seven female Goosanders and a drake Pochard were the only birds in the log.
4th March 2024
Sunny, light southerly.
What was presumably yesterday’s male Stonechat had moved to the fences around Car Park Hide today. A male Peregrine put in a brief appearance and other birds today were as follows: one Shelduck, a drake Pochard, seven female Goosanders, five Little Egrets, four Herons, nine Oystercatchers, the adult Mediterranean Gull, a singing Skylark over the Tip Field, 13 Meadow Pipits on the Old Road muck heap site, one Redshank and, unfortunately, a Mink in the North Causeway Bay.
3rd March 2024
Sunny intervals, light south-westerly.
There were still five Goosanders on Car Park Pool this morning, a single male and four females. Forty-five Coot and 200 Wigeon were spread across the pools, and there was just a single Great Crested Grebe today. A colour-ringed Redshank was feeding on the Flood Plain, and 65 Snipe comprised 49 in the Marsh and 16 on Car Park Pool.
The Green Sandpiper was again on the HS2 ponds, and an adult Mediterranean Gull came and went from Railway Pool during the day.
A Chiffchaff was in song on the Old Road just north of the Car Park gates, and a male Stonechat was a new arrival, feeding in the Marsh area just north of Oak Hide.
News on the colour-ringed Herring Gull from last week: this bird with the green ring was ringed on the 30 June 2022 in Worcester city centre and was part of the University of Bristol urban gulls project.
2nd March 2024
Overcast, fresh south-easterly.
Today’s counts, care of Graham Rowling and Dave Scanlan, were as follows: Four Mute Swans, 59 Canadas, a Canada/Greylag cross, seven Greylags, 15 Gadwall, 15 Shoveler, 240 Wigeon, 17 Mallard, 38 Teal, a drake Pochard, 20 Tufted ducks, three Goosanders, 38 Cormorants, one Heron, five Little Egrets, two Great–Crested Grebes, two Little Grebes, nine Moorhen, 41 Coot, 9 Oystercatchers, 79 Lapwings, 32 Snipe, two Redshanks, 525 Black-headed Gulls, a Common Gull, an adult Mediterranean Gull, one Herring Gull, three Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a Green Sandpiper (on the HS2 settlement ponds by the mitigation area alongside the Old Road), six Siskins south over Oak Hide and a Chiffchaff on the Old Road by the former Bale Store.
Later in the day the Goosander count had increased to nine, seven females and two males.
Teal from Oak Hide – Photograph by Bob Breach
1st March 2024
Overcast, showers, fresh southerly.
A Dunlin was a new arrival in front of Oak Hide this morning, but there was only one adult Mediterranean Gull today. There were ten female Goosanders, a Treecreeper in the Back Gate Copse, 47 Cormorants, eight Oystercatchers, and singles of Great Crested Grebe and Redshank.