Covid-19 (Coronavirus) – Updated 24th March 2020
As going to the Reserve is exercise and as the Reserve is spacious, after much deliberation we have decided to leave the Reserve open to members only, but we will monitor the position daily. In order to do this, members are asked to please co-operate by:
- Remembering social distancing – 2m minimum between people.
- No more than two people, per hide at any one time, subject to (1) above.
- Please carry cleanser with you for hide doors, flaps and locks and wipe down regularly.
Can members users please ensure they follow HM Government guidance in respect of hand sanitisation and social distancing, and ensure they avoid the Reserve if they or any family members (or anyone else you may be in contact with) are showing any symptoms associated with Covid-19.
Work Party Dates
Subject to the Government lifting the lockdown restrictions, the proposed Work Party dates are:
17th June – 6 pm
15th July – 6 pm
11th August – 6 pm
15th September – 6 pm
Updates
29th to 31st May 2020 – Records added.
28th May 2020 – Records amended and photographs added
31st May 2020
Warm, sunny north-easterly.
The Whooper Swan flew into Car Park Pool at 4 p.m. where it joined ten Mute Swans there. A drake Teal and a pair of Shoveler were on Railway Pool, six Little Ringed Plovers were spread across the pools, 25 Lapwings were counted in the tip field and a Cuckoo was heard.
30th May 2020
Warm and sunny, brisk easterly.
A Broad-bodied Chaser was noted from the North Causeway Hide and a Four-spotted Chaser in the car park vegetation.
The adult Whooper Swan appeared again on site and a there was still a drake Teal. Three Little Egrets, five Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk, six Little Ringed Plovers, two singing Cetti’s Warblers, a singing Lesser Whitethroat and two Willow Warblers on the Old Road were all noted in the book. A pair of Egyptian Geese appeared later in the afternoon and there were at least three families of Blue Tits seen in the Old Road, causeway and back gate.
Dunnock with a beak full of Greenflies – Railway Hide – 25th May 2020
Photographs by Stef Fraczek
Jay – Railway Hide – 25th May 2020
29th May 2020
Warm and sunny, east south-easterly wind.
The first Emperor Dragonflies were seen today (male and female) along with the first Meadow Brown. Other insects included two Banded Demoiselles, Broad-bodied Chaser, Four-spotted Chaser, Beautiful Demoiselle and Black-tailed Skimmer. A Ruby-tailed Wasp was seen near the River Hide.
A male Yellowhammer visited the car park feeder, both Willow Warblers and the Lesser Whitethroat were in song along the Old Road.
Four-spotted Chaser – Dragonfly Pond – Photograph by Alan Rich
28th May 2020
Sunny, warm with temperatures again over 20 degrees, south-easterly.
A pair of Redshanks joined a pair of Little Ringed Plovers, the adult Whooper Swan and nine Mute Swans on Car Park Pool this morning with two Sand Martins over low south and a least two House Martins high thermalling above the Reserve prior to 10: a.m.
There was still plenty of song along the Old Road with at least four Blackcaps between the cottages and the Dragonfly Pool along with two Whitethroats (a new one down by the cottages and a second roving between the car park gates and the Dragonfly Pond), both Cetti’s Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat in the section north of the car park, a Reed Warbler in the blackthorn clump by the Weeping Willow and both Willow Warblers one by the car park and the other by the top gate near the Dragonfly Pond were still in good song. At least three Chiffchaffs were also present in the same sections. A second Lesser Whitethroat could be heard west of the river in the hedgerows leading towards the mobile phone mast.
Family parties of tits are just appearing now with a large group of Long-tailed Tits working south from the bale store and at least one brood of Blue Tits in the copse opposite the cottages by the entrance gate.
Whitethroat – Railway Hide – 13th May 2020 – Photograph by Alan Rich
Reed Warbler – North Causeway – Photograph by Alan Rich
27th May 2020
Warm and sunny, increasing south-easterly breeze.
Two Little Ringed Plovers, two Little Egrets and drake Pochard were on Car Park Pool this morning and the Lesser Whitethroat continued to sing as it roved up and down the Old Road between the car park and the Dragonfly Pool.
Butterflies included two Common Blues around the car park along with a Latticed Heath and Burnet Companion Moths. Other moths included a Silver Y and Straw Dot in the horse paddock.
26th May 2020
Some cloud, mild, light south-westerly.
There were at least 45 Gadwall on site today including a group of 27 males on Railway Pool. Presumable the females are all on eggs.
Four Whitethroats included one in front of Railway, another to the west of it and other birds by Oak and River Hide respectively. A Garden Warbler sang along the railway embankment towards the river arches and a Mistle Thrush was still singing by the back gate. A drake Teal was hiding in the rushes on Car Park Pool and there was a Canada brood of five on Railway Pool.
25th May 2020
Hot and sunny.
The pair of Shoveler were feeding in front of Oak Hide this morning along with a Little Egret and there were a pair of Great Crested Grebes on Car Park Pool. Both Cetti’s Warblers were in song and most of the Warblers continued to advertise their territories.
Butterflies recorded included two Common Blues around car park and a Brimstone by the back gate.
24th May 2020
Still windy from the west but slowly decreasing, sunny intervals.
The Ringed Plover remained on Railway Pool and there were six Little Ringed Plovers spread across the site. A pair of Shoveler and Teal were also still on Railway Pool and a pair of Shelducks flew into Car Park Pool. The Lesser Whitethroat was in song on the Old Road and a Mistle Thrush was singing outside the back gate.
23rd May 2020
Mostly overcast, very windy from the south-west.
An adult Peregrine hunted over Railway Pool and a Hobby over Car Park Pool in the morning and yesterday’s Ringed Plover was still present along with four Little Ringed Plovers. Nine Swifts went through early morning with a further 25 later on.
The Lesser Whitethroat was still in song along the Old Road and other bits pieces included two Little Egrets and a pair of Shovelers.
22nd May 2020
Cloudy start after very light rain, increasingly blustery south-westerly.
The cloud that built-up over night produced no substantial rainfall at all. Very light passage early morning comprised one each of Swift, House Martin and Sand Martin.
One of the pairs of Oystercatchers on Railway Pool seems to have lost a chick (the pair in front of Railway Hide) but all the other youngsters seem in tact.
A Lesser Whitethroat was very vocal on the railway embankment this morning where a new Willow Warbler was also in song. Four Whitethroats on the Reserve were all in good song being one to the west of Railway, one by the South-west Pond / Oak Hide, one on the river side of River Hide and one around the Reedbed. None were heard on the Old Road or along the concrete road this morning.
A Garden Warbler sang in a rather muted way just north of the car park gates and both of the Willow Warblers were still singing at either end of the Old Road. Both Cetti’s Warblers were also in song and courtesy of Ben Dolan, a juvenile Cetti’s Warbler that was ringed at Marsh Lane on the 8th July 2019 was re-caught on the 17th May 2020, at Chelmarsh Nature Reserve Shropshire, 49 kilometres away.
At 09:30 a Red Kite flew over going north, the fifth record this week. A Ringed Plover dropped in, a Hobby flew over and a Lesser Whitethroat was in song at the southern end of the Orchid Field, a new location for this species so presumably a late migrant.
In the evening a Mediterranean Gull was recorded along with a number of interesting insects; Scorpion Fly, Six-legged Flower Beetle, an Orange Tipped Butterfly and a Beautiful Demoiselle.
Unfortunately, the cattle in search of fresh grass have made it across Car Park Pool islands and around Car Park Hide both this evening and subsequently. The river has been electric fenced and this being extended.
21st May 2020
Sunny, warm 24 degrees.
No records.
20th May 2020
Sunny and hot.
An early morning visitor to the car park was greeted by a Muntjac there on arrival. Plenty of birdsong included Garden Warblers by the cottages and the railway, plenty or Reed Warblers around the causeway, both Willow Warblers on the Old Road and a Cuckoo wandering around the whole Reserve.
As the heat improved two different Red Kites were seen, one over at 08:00 and another, a different bird, at 12:45. A second Cuckoo began to compete with the first one. A Lesser Whitethroat sang from the Old Road and insects included an immature Black-tailed Skimmer, three Four Spotted Chasers and two Common Blue Butterflies, the latter around the car park. Moths included one Latticed Heath and at least two Small Yellow Underwings.
19th May 2020
Warm and sunny, westerly.
At least three pairs of Little Ringed Plovers were spread across the pools this morning, two pairs on Railway Pool and one pair around Car Park Pool. Willow Warblers were singing at both ends of the Old Road and the Lesser Whitethroat was again in song on the Old Road, just north of the car park entrance. Particularly vocal Whitethroats included one between Oak Hide in the South-west Pond and another to the west of Railway Hide. A drake Shoveler was seen on Railway Pool and a drake Teal on Car Park Pool. Along with a brood of six Mallard. The current Tern total appears to be 13 sitting birds.
Butterflies included at least four Peacocks on the paths, a male Orange Tip in the car park and a Beautiful Demoiselle was present along the causeway.
Two work parties of two, one in the morning and one in the evening, mowed the paths and cleared round the hides and undertook some shrub clearance and litter picking. Many thanks to those who attended.
Sunset over Car Park Pool – 19th May 2020 – Photograph by Nick Barlow
18th May 2020
Sunny intervals, westerly.
The second pair of Oystercatchers has now hatched a single young on Car Park Pool meaning that there are two broods of two on Railway Pool and two broods of one on Car Park Pool. Just a single Lapwing was visible on the shoreline in front of Car Park Hide but a number of pairs are laying again. Four Little Ringed Plovers were present. Overhead six Swifts, 10 Sand Martins and two House Martins were feeding along the Old Road, at the north end of Car Park Pool.
A male Yellowhammer was at the car park feeders and has apparently been fairly regular over the last few days but has not made the log.
The Black-headed Gulls were disturbed at about 0900 by a male Peregrine and two Buzzards which flew over Railway Pool.
During the morning two different Red Kites were seen, one at 09:15 over Siden Hill Wood and a second at 12:15 further to the north. Two Lesser Whitethroats were in song, one along the Old Road and one on the railway embankment. Three Shelducks were also recorded.
Later in the morning a male Curlew appeared at 12:30 in the marsh area. This seems likely to have been a failed breeder now silage making has started.
A Yellowhammer and a female Great Spotted Woodpecker were at the car park feeder, two Stock Doves in the meadow to the right of Car Park Hide and further hirundines as the morning wore on included three further Swifts, four Sand Martins north and a Swallow.
A lot of flowering Red Clover and Yellow Rattle is showing the grass area in front of Car Park Hide and Meadow Saxifrage is in flower by the car park itself.
Odonata included at least two Red-eyed Damselflies, one Large Red Damselfly and an Azure Damselfly all shown on pictures below, courtesy of Dave Hutton. The Azure Damselfly is pictured with a 14 Spot Ladybird.
Red-eyed Damselflies – 18th May 2020 – Photographs by David Hutton
Large Red Damselfly – 18th May 2020 – Photograph by David Hutton
Azure Damselfly and 14 Spot Ladybird – 18th May 2020 – Photograph by David Hutton
17th May 2020
South-westerly, longer sunny periods.
The wind swung round to the south-west over night and it was noticeably milder today.
An adult Mediterranean Gull was amongst the Black-heads on Car Park Pool and a female Goosander was recorded on the river. Wildfowl counts included 75 Greylags, 80 Gadwall, a drake Shelduck and a drake Teal. A male Linnet was in song along the causeway and a Lesser Whitethroat on the flood plain by the mobile phone mast. Garden Warblers continuing in song were present on the causeway and in the back gate area.
16th May 2020
Cold north-westerly, sunny intervals.
One of the Oystercatcher broods on Car Park has now hatched with a single chick present and both pairs with young on Railway Pool are in tact. Other waders comprised a single Common Sandpiper, one Redshank, five Little Ringed Plovers and there was also a Little Egret. Garden Warblers in song today were towards the cottages and in the back gate and on the duck front a drake Shoveler was the first for some days. There is at least one drake Teal present. Ten Swifts went over continuing the run of passage of this species.
A late report of an Osprey has been confirmed for today at 12:30 when a bird flew straight over to the north.
15th May 2020
Sunny intervals easterly.
In addition to the Oystercatcher pair in front of Railway Hide on the island there, the Oystercatcher pair nesting in front of Oak now have two chicks as well, they had made it to the marsh and were feeding there. Many of the Black-headed Gull pairs have now got young which just adds to the number of marauding Lesser Black-backs present.
The Mute Swans seem to have lost a young in that there were only seven today.
The regular Cetti’s Warbler was moving up and down between River Hide and the south-end of Railway Pool. Both Willow Warblers are still singing on the Old Road at either end and four Swifts and a Sand Martin flew over. A Shelduck was on site as well and a further 20 Swifts appeared later in the morning. A single male Teal remains. Lastly two Common Sandpipers were seen today.
14th May 2020
Frosty start but sunny thereafter.
Two Swifts appeared briefly on the central stream at 8 a.m. but moved off north quite quickly. There were still four Little Ringed Plovers on site and the Lapwing brood in the marsh has hatched with just one chick present. A Whitethroat was singing by the ringing bridge on the central streamline, perhaps having moved from the causeway.
A new Lapwing brood has hatched out on Tern Island with four chicks present there but sadly Lapwings are such lamentably poor parents compared to Oystercatchers that the chances of the chicks surviving long are slim unfortunately.
A Common Sandpiper, a Cuckoo, an immature Peregrine and 20 Swifts were the other records in the book in the morning. As the sun began to generate some heat there were dragonflies in the more sheltered areas including a Large Red Damselfly, three Four-spotted Chasers and a few Azure Damselflies. A Beautiful Demoiselle was also noted.
Down towards Patrick Bridge there was a Redshank and a Little Egret.
13 May 2020
Sunny intervals, light south-easterly wind.
There was a Whimbrel on Car Park Pool islands this morning but it had disappeared by 8.50 am., to be replaced by a Common Sandpiper. Of the two broods of Lapwings in front of Car Park Hide, the right hand bird has still got three chicks in roughly the place of the nest but the one with four chicks has moved down to the shore line and it was impossible to tell how many young were still in attendance.
A Hobby flew in lower the Car Park Pool late morning and the first brood of Little Grebes was on Railway Pool.
Whimbrel – Car Park Pool – 13th May 2020 – Photograph by John Hunt
12th May 2020
Frosty start, sunny morning, cloudy periods in the afternoon, cool, north-easterly wind.
The wind was not as strong today and clearly dropped overnight as there was quite a sharp frost this morning. The sunny morning gave way to a more cloudy afternoon as one of the cold fronts moved south.
The Reserve’s first Hobby of the year came stooping in from the west, into a small group of Swifts and hirundines over Car Park Pool but, without success, it thermalled up and disappeared. The Swift total was difficult to estimate this morning as birds were drifting in and out. At the most, at any one time there were 12 and there could have been as many as 20. There were also four House Martins and two Swallows on the move.
The female Goosander and four chicks were still on the river, just down stream from Packhorse Bridge and there were at least two Cuckoos about this morning. A second Cetti’s Warbler was in song at the north end of Car Park Pool today, in addition to the usual one on the causeway. There were two pairs last year, including one in this location, but it is the first time one has been heard here since the middle of last year.
The two Oystercatcher chicks were still being well marshalled by the adults on the island in front of Railway Hide, but Lapwings were less diligent and only one young could be seen. However, the two pairs of sitting Lapwings in front of Car Park Hide have hatched out seven chicks between them and with a little more cover either on the shoreline or in the adjacent grass, they may be less obvious to the Lesser Black–backed Gulls.
The adult Whooper Swan reappeared again, mid morning, and there was still at least one drake Teal on site. Five Garden Warblers were in song with at least one new bird present, by River Hide.
The first Starling brood of the year was seen around the crop field oaks (two adults and two juveniles) and there was at least one Linnet again on the causeway.
At least 26 Greylag young and four broods were present on Car Park Pool and they must have nested along the river somewhere.
Additional waders seen today included two Common Sandpipers and at least one Redshank.
Once the air temperature increased, insects noted in the log were one Large Red Damselfly, two Four–spotted Chasers, a few Blue–tailed Damselflies, one Azure Damselfly, one Small Yellow Underwing and singles of Brimstone and Small Tortoiseshell.
The Gorse is beginning to go over now, but is being replaced by the Broom and the Hawthorn is full of blossom this year.
Broom on the Causeway – 12th May 2020 – Photograph by Nick Barlow
11th May 2020
Sunny intervals, cold north-easterly wind.
The adult Whooper Swan was back on Car Park Pool this morning after quite a long absence. It has been at Packington Park for most of the intervening period. There are still four Lapwing chicks on Railway Pool, along with two Oystercatcher chicks, although the Lesser Black–backed Gulls are marauding all the time.
A second-summer male Marsh Harrier flew over high to the north during mid-morning. It was identified in part, retrospectively, from photographs which shows the benefit of having cameras to hand for distant birds.
10th May 2020
Overcast, occasional drizzle, 11 degrees, strong and blustery north-easterly wind.
A promised change in the weather began late evening with the wind swinging around to the north-east. A small amount of Swift and hirundine passage in the morning comprised two Swifts, 15 Sand Martins, five Swallows and two House Martins.
There was also a Cuckoo heard and a Little Egret flew over the Reserve, heading up stream.
Common Terns were very active on Car Park Pool with a minimum of 17 at any one time.
A second brood of Lapwing has hatched out on Railway Pool and the Oystercatchers which had one young on the 8th, now have two from the brood on the island in front of Railway Hide.
There are now four broods of Greylags on the flood plain (2 x 7, 1 x 5 and 1 x 3).
Now that the crop field has been sown, there are a regular three pairs of Lapwing there and hopefully they may nest. There are also six Stock Doves.
9th May 2020
Increasingly cloudy but remaining warm, 20 degrees, light south-easterly wind.
Three Greylag broods were feeding with parents between the north end of Car Park Pool and Patrick Bridge, on the flood plain. A Goosander flew up stream and the first Lapwings have hatched out on Railway Pool, along with the first three Black-headed Gulls. It did not take long for the predators to spot the newly hatched Gulls and a Peregrine took one of the young and ate it in amongst the colony. A Redshank was also seen.
8th May 2020
Warm, hazy sunshine – 20 degrees.
Four new Whitethroats were on territory this morning (causeway, River Hide and two along the Concrete Road). The Cuckoo sang in various places, doing a circuit around the Reserve. Mute Swans nesting on Railway Pool had eight cygnets this morning. A single Swallow went north and there were at least four at Patrick Farm. Two Little Egrets flew south and there was one feeding on the river at Patrick Bridge.
Later in the morning, two Common Sandpipers flew in to Car Park Pool to feed. The warm weather was conducive to a good count of butterflies with 15 to 20 each of Orange Tips and Green–veined Whites; there was a Small Copper in the horse paddock, a Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Speckled Wood around the Aeromodellers and a male Brimstone flew north along the Old Road.
Odonata comprised Common Blue and Blue–tailed Damselfly. There was also a single Four Spotted Chaser seen and moths included Mother Shipton and Small Yellow Underwing.
7th May 2020
Sunny, warm, occasional cloud, 18 degrees.
An adult Mediterranean Gull flew over Railway Pool this morning and 27 Common Terns was a good count so far this year. A Cuckoo was heard distantly and eight Swifts went over.
6th May 2020
Sunny and warm after a cool start, light east, south-easterly wind.
There were definitely four Garden Warblers in song this morning. The regular birds in the back gate copse and by the causeway, a third on the railway embankment and a fourth along the Old Road. A Cuckoo sang briefly along the central streamline in the morning and five Swifts went through. There was a single Common Sandpiper along with six Little Ringed Plovers. There were, again, the regular two drake Teal as well.
A Linnet was feeding in the vegetation just north of Oak Hide, towards the causeway and a Greenfinch flew from the causeway towards the central streamline. There was also a Jay there. Vocal Sedge Warblers included birds either side of Oak Hide in the north causeway bay and in the car park pond with at least one in the Reedbed area.
A Small Yellow Underwing, three Red Admirals and a tenural Common or Azure Damselfly were also noted.
5th May 2020
Decreasing easterly wind, sunny and increasingly warm.
The female Goosander and family are down to four chicks, they were on the River Blythe by the river bridge viewed from the Bradnocks Marsh side. There were still Willow Warblers in song at either end of the Old Road and Garden Warblers on the central stream, causeway area and by the south west pond. A Bullfinch was heard by the Kennels, just south of the Reserve, and two Brimstones were seen. A male Pochard on Car Park Pool in the evening was in season.
4th May 2020
Mostly overcast with a blustery north-easterly wind, clearing to be sunny in the afternoon.
A Dunlin flew through early morning and it or another was present in the evening on Railway Pool. Also in the morning at least six Swifts went through. An additional Garden Warbler was singing on the railway embankment against the bird in the back gate copse. There was a female Common Blue Damselfly along the path between Oak Hide and the south-west Pond.
In the evening, as the weather cleared, there was a lot of bird activity. In the period from 5 pm to 6.20 pm at least eight Swallows, six House Martins, six Sand Martins and four Swifts went north-east, with a further 10 to 15 Sand Martins coming in from the west, from the quarries, and often in display flight.
A group of 15 Lesser Blackbacks soared over the Reserve driving south and at least another 15 went over in various different directions, in ones and twos, together with an adult Herring Gull.
A Greylag and seven goslings, together with a Mallard and seven ducklings were both on Car Park Pool and a Mallard with three ducklings were feeding on the far shore of Railway Pool.
A Common Sandpiper, six Little Ringed Plovers, a Redshank, a Sparrowhawk and a Little Egret were all added and, lastly, a Cuckoo was in song on the crop field.
There were lots of Green–veined Whites and Orange Tips on the wing today, ten to 15 of each at least, together with a Peacock.
3rd May 2020
Overcast.
A Cuckoo was heard this morning from the central streamline and there were at least three Garden Warblers in song (Old Road, Causeway and Railway Hide). The Lesser Whitethroat, having been quiet for a few days, was back in song along the Old Road and there were four Whitethroats today (Railway Hide, Oak Hide, Old Road near the Dragonfly Pond and Patrick Farm). In addition, a Peregrine, six Little Ringed Plovers, a Redshank and a Little Egret were all reported.
2nd May 2020
Sunny intervals, 13 degrees, north-westerly wind.
A Mallard, with 11 recently hatched ducklings, was preening just below the north causeway hide this morning. A Raven flew over and there were at least six Buzzards seen at any one time including a displaying bird over the north end of the flood plain.
Ten Sand Martins flew in to feed but did not linger, but there was not much other evidence of passage.
Three Garden Warblers were in good song this morning, one on the railway embankment (along with both Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat), one on the causeway and one by the top gate.
There appear to be five pairs of Blackcaps between the cottages and the top gate, with a further three singing birds north of this.
The weather was good enough for plenty of Orange Tips to still be on the wing (ten plus), along with at least three Green Veined Whites. At about 5 pm a Water Rail was heard from the reeds near the crop field ie., in the Reedbed itself.
1st May 2020
Sunny intervals with heavy showers, west, south-westerly wind.
Two Little Ringed Plovers were seen today along with a Common Sandpiper and two Shelduck, whilst a Water Rail flushed by accident from the reedy area behind Oak Hide flew over the embankment and into the Marsh.
Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler and at least four Blackcaps were heard in the section of the Old Road from the cottages to the top gate, with another Garden Warbler along the causeway again. Six House Martins flew over.