Derbys: Carsington Water: Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe, 15 Shoveler, Redshank.
Derbys: Staunton Harold Reservoir: Adult Caspian Gull again this morning then flew off; also 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls.
Derbys: Carr Vale NR: Female Common Scoter still.
Staffs: Chasewater: Juvenile Great Northern Diver still on The Swag this morning; also 9 Goosanders.
Staffs: Blithfield Reservoir (permit only): Adult Caspian Gull today; also female/immature Common
Scoter.
Staffs: Upper Longdon: Great Grey Shrike still in the clearfell south of Startley Lane this morning SK051143.
Staffs: Burston-Aston: 120 Wigeon, 55 Teal, 12 Goosander, 33 Snipe, Green Sandpiper, 110 Skylark in one flock on stubble, 46 Fieldfare, 38 Redwings, 21 Tree Sparrows, 2 Cormorants, 11 Mute Swans.
Staffs: Whitemoor Haye: 1500 Lapwing/Golden Plover, 159 Fieldfares, Dunlin, 30 Skylarks, 30 Mallards, 10 Tufted Ducks, 20 Teal, 6 Shoveler.
Staffs: Croxall GP's: 244 Lapwings, 193 Mallards, 548 Teal, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 82 Pochard, 62 Tufted Ducks, 6 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 4 Goldeneye, 6 Redshank, Snipe.
Staffs: Lichfield: 80 Waxwings still at the Eastern Avenue/Gilbert Road junction at Nether Stowe.
Staffs: Dosthill NR: 42 Waxwings still between Ascot Drive and Sefton Road.
Staffs: Stafford: 6 Waxwings at the Cornwall Drive/Baswich Lane junction at 10.10.
Notts: Nottingham: 30+ Waxwings at the Manton Crescent/Wensor Avenue junction early afternoon.
Notts: Nuthall: 2 Waxwings on Mornington Crescent.
Notts: Nottingham: 15 Waxwings in Carrington at the junction of Fern Avenue and Hucknall Road at 12.10.
Notts: Langford Lowlands RSPB: Great White Egret flew over to north late afternoon.
Notts: Gedling: 2 Short-eared Owls at Pit Top mid-afternoon.
Leics: Shawell: 2 adult Caspian Gulls on the silt ponds late morning; also 4 Yellow-legged Gulls and Waxwing over.
Leics: Rutland Water: Hawfinch still in the Egleton car park today, Slavonian Grebe still in the bay east of Hambleton Wood; also Long-tailed Duck still off Old Hall.
Leics: Loughborough: 12 Waxwings behind the bowls club at the end of Watermead Lane early afternoon then flew
towards Brook Lane.
Leics: Loughborough: 100+ Waxwings on Brook Lane mid-afternoon.
Friday, 30 November 2012
Thursday, 29 November 2012
Latest Sightings 29/11/2012
Derbys: Wyver Lane NR: 6 Cormorants, Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebes, c70 Canada Geese, 36 Greylag Geese, 55 Mallards, 17 Wigeon, 37 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 7 Mandarin, 2 Tufted Ducks, Pochard, 11 Goosander, 18 Coots, 10 Moorhens, 3 Buzzards, Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawks, 8 Snipe, 550 BH Gulls, Stock Dove, 16 Fieldfare, 10 Starlings, 11 Blackbirds, 7 Robins, Song Thrush, 15 Wrens, 10 Great Tits, 12 Blue Tits, 27 Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tit, 3 Dunnocks, 2 Goldcrest, Chiff Chaff, Pied Wagtail, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Reed Buntings.
Derbys: Carsington Water: Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, Common Scoter, 111 Pochard, 5 Goldeneye, Dunlin, Redshank, Kingfisher, 4'000 BH Gulls, 3'000 LBB Gulls, 600 Common Gulls.
Derbys: Staunton Harold Reservoir: Adult Caspian Gull this morning; also 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: c270 Pink-footed Geese flew ESE in 3 skeins, 4 Mandarin, 7 Pochard, Peregrine, Kingfisher.
Derbys: Chesterfield: 12 Waxwings opposite KFC.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir: Cetti's Warbler drake Pochard x Tufted Duck hybrid, 8 Water Rails, 4 Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Lesser Redpoll.
Staffs: Blithfield Reservoir (permit only: Little Egret, 4 Scaup (1st winter male, 1st winter fem, fem and imm), 8 fem/imm Common Scoters.
Staffs: Westport Lake: Waxwing over, female Mandarin, 2 drake Goosander, Goldeneye, 7 Pochard, 30 Tufted Ducks, 6 Fieldfare, Cormorant, Common Gull, Herring Gull.
Staffs: Uttoxeter Quarry: Barnacle Goose, Goldeneye, Pochard, 6 Shoveler, 8 Goosander, 14 Snipe, 250 Lapwings, 26 Cormorants.
Staffs: Whitemoor Haye: 32 Fieldfare, 6 Redwings, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Reed Buntings, 22 Tufted Ducks, 1500 Wood Pigeons, c1000 Lapwing/Golden Plover, 78 Mute Swans, 6 Tree Sparrows, 10 Teal Kingfisher, 57 Skylark, 24 House Sparrows, Shelduck.
Staffs: Black Bank: 3 Waxwings flew southwest this morning.
Staffs: Lichfield: 30+ Waxwings on Europa Way early morning.
Staffs: Lichfield: 50+ Waxwings at Nether Stowe on Eastern Avenue.
Staffs: Stafford: 12 Waxwings at Highfield Grove.
Staffs: Stoke-on-Trent: 3 Waxwings at Heron Cross early morning.
Staffs: Stoke-on-Trent:10 Waxwings in cemetery on Lonsdale Street this afternoon.
Staffs: Stoke-on-Trent: 4 Waxwings on Whieldon Road, Fenton, then flew off.
Staffs: Stoke-on-Trent: 3 Waxwings by Fletcher Road/South Terrace early morning ST4 4BB; also 4 along canal path at Radial Park.
Notts: Gedling: At least 6 Short-eared Owls at Pit Top.
Notts: Chilwell: 6 Waxwings in tree across from NK Motors on Nottingham Road.
Leics: Rutland Water: Slavonian Grebe off Old Hall with the Long-tailed Duck today; also 2 Hawfinch showing well at Egleton Reserve car park this afternoon.
Leics: Whetstone: 6 Waxwings on Springwell Lane late morning.
Leics: Evington: 10 Waxwings briefly.
Derbys: Carsington Water: Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, Common Scoter, 111 Pochard, 5 Goldeneye, Dunlin, Redshank, Kingfisher, 4'000 BH Gulls, 3'000 LBB Gulls, 600 Common Gulls.
Derbys: Staunton Harold Reservoir: Adult Caspian Gull this morning; also 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: c270 Pink-footed Geese flew ESE in 3 skeins, 4 Mandarin, 7 Pochard, Peregrine, Kingfisher.
Derbys: Chesterfield: 12 Waxwings opposite KFC.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir: Cetti's Warbler drake Pochard x Tufted Duck hybrid, 8 Water Rails, 4 Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Lesser Redpoll.
Staffs: Blithfield Reservoir (permit only: Little Egret, 4 Scaup (1st winter male, 1st winter fem, fem and imm), 8 fem/imm Common Scoters.
Staffs: Westport Lake: Waxwing over, female Mandarin, 2 drake Goosander, Goldeneye, 7 Pochard, 30 Tufted Ducks, 6 Fieldfare, Cormorant, Common Gull, Herring Gull.
Staffs: Uttoxeter Quarry: Barnacle Goose, Goldeneye, Pochard, 6 Shoveler, 8 Goosander, 14 Snipe, 250 Lapwings, 26 Cormorants.
Staffs: Whitemoor Haye: 32 Fieldfare, 6 Redwings, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Reed Buntings, 22 Tufted Ducks, 1500 Wood Pigeons, c1000 Lapwing/Golden Plover, 78 Mute Swans, 6 Tree Sparrows, 10 Teal Kingfisher, 57 Skylark, 24 House Sparrows, Shelduck.
Staffs: Black Bank: 3 Waxwings flew southwest this morning.
Staffs: Lichfield: 30+ Waxwings on Europa Way early morning.
Staffs: Lichfield: 50+ Waxwings at Nether Stowe on Eastern Avenue.
Staffs: Stafford: 12 Waxwings at Highfield Grove.
Staffs: Stoke-on-Trent: 3 Waxwings at Heron Cross early morning.
Staffs: Stoke-on-Trent:10 Waxwings in cemetery on Lonsdale Street this afternoon.
Staffs: Stoke-on-Trent: 4 Waxwings on Whieldon Road, Fenton, then flew off.
Staffs: Stoke-on-Trent: 3 Waxwings by Fletcher Road/South Terrace early morning ST4 4BB; also 4 along canal path at Radial Park.
Notts: Gedling: At least 6 Short-eared Owls at Pit Top.
Notts: Chilwell: 6 Waxwings in tree across from NK Motors on Nottingham Road.
Leics: Rutland Water: Slavonian Grebe off Old Hall with the Long-tailed Duck today; also 2 Hawfinch showing well at Egleton Reserve car park this afternoon.
Leics: Whetstone: 6 Waxwings on Springwell Lane late morning.
Leics: Evington: 10 Waxwings briefly.
Wednesday, 28 November 2012
A couple of decent bits
It was nice to get a bit further afield over the past couple of days. We are still without a car but with Chris now being mobile again at least it gives me the chance of escaping from Wyver. In saying that we still did Wyver for a couple of hours yesterday and today. Yesterday we had a mega down Wyver. A single Herring Gull which was a site tick for Chris and the first for Wyver this year. To give you some sort of idea of how rare Herring Gulls are down Wyver it was only my 4th there in 10 years.
We then ended up at Carsington where there was a Slav Grebe reported from the Wildlife Centre. We ticked that and then headed off to Sheepwash for the Great Northern Diver. We saw that and had the added bonus of 3 Scaup. A little later Clive who had also joined us picked out a 2nd GN Diver. Funny because earlier we saw the report of one at Ogston and we all said that it would leave there and end up at Carsi. One did exactly that in November last year.
There seems to be a lot of Great Northerns turning up in the midlands and I reckon that by the turn of the year there could well be a couple more at Carsi.
A fairly uneventful day today apart from one of the GND's again, but I did get a few shots of a resident pair of Black Swans on a village pond not far from Carsington. Very plastic but still nice to look at.
Slavonian Grebe
Black Swans
We then ended up at Carsington where there was a Slav Grebe reported from the Wildlife Centre. We ticked that and then headed off to Sheepwash for the Great Northern Diver. We saw that and had the added bonus of 3 Scaup. A little later Clive who had also joined us picked out a 2nd GN Diver. Funny because earlier we saw the report of one at Ogston and we all said that it would leave there and end up at Carsi. One did exactly that in November last year.
There seems to be a lot of Great Northerns turning up in the midlands and I reckon that by the turn of the year there could well be a couple more at Carsi.
A fairly uneventful day today apart from one of the GND's again, but I did get a few shots of a resident pair of Black Swans on a village pond not far from Carsington. Very plastic but still nice to look at.
Latest Sightings 28/11/2012
Derbys: Wyver Lane NR: Mute Swan, 3 Cormorants, 2 Grey Herons, 21 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 8 Wigeon, 7 Mandarin, 46 Mallards, 8 Tufted Ducks, 11 Goosander, 3 Snipe, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, 9 Magpies, c20 Goldfinch.
Derbys: Carsington Water: 2 Great Northern Divers still, redhead Goosander, 158 Pochard, 2 Redshank, Yellow-legged Gull.
Derbys: Bradley Dam: 8 Goosander, 51 Mallards, 2 Teal, Grey Heron.
Derbys: Beeley Moor Triangle: 2000 Pink-footed Geese SE in 11 skeins in 20 minutes.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: c320 Pink-footed Geese flew ESE at 09.03 hrs, 5 Goldeneye, 2 Kingfishers.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): A juvenile Great Northern Diver flew in at 14.03hrs and dropped in at the west end. After a short while it flew towards the dam. It was present until 14.45hrs but there was no further sign by dusk. 2 drake Goosander, 71 Pochard, 20 Great Crested Grebes, adult Med Gull, 4 Yellow-legged Gulls, Water Rail.
Staffs: Uttoxeter Quarry: Great Northern Diver, 15 Whooper Swans, 6 Goosander, Goldeneye, Shoveler, Common Sandpiper, Golden Plover, 2 Pochard, no sign of Great Northern Diver by 15.00.
Staffs: Chasewater: Great Northern Diver still on The Swag this morning.
Staffs: Dosthill: c50 Waxwings in garden at Ascot Drive.
Staffs: Whitemoor Haye: 2 Kestrel, 62 Mute Swans, 300 BH Gulls, 7 Tree Sparrows, 3 Grey Herons, 100 Starlings, 40 Lapwings, 2 Skylark, Grey Partridge.
Staffs: Lichfield: 84 Waxwings still outside Walter Tipper Ltd on Europa Drive at c.SK138096 this morning.
Staffs: Pool Hall Fisheries: Great Northern Diver still.
Notts: Kilvington: 2 female Common Scoters on East Lake this morning.
Notts: Idle Valley NR: Common Scoters on Neatholme Scrape this morning, also a Waxwing over Chainbridge Scrape.
Notts: Chilwell: 7 Waxwings still around Corn Mill pub and surrounding streets this afternoon.
Leics: Eyebrook Reservoir: No sign of drake Ring-necked Duck but female Common Scoter and female Goosander.
Derbys: Carsington Water: 2 Great Northern Divers still, redhead Goosander, 158 Pochard, 2 Redshank, Yellow-legged Gull.
Derbys: Bradley Dam: 8 Goosander, 51 Mallards, 2 Teal, Grey Heron.
Derbys: Beeley Moor Triangle: 2000 Pink-footed Geese SE in 11 skeins in 20 minutes.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: c320 Pink-footed Geese flew ESE at 09.03 hrs, 5 Goldeneye, 2 Kingfishers.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): A juvenile Great Northern Diver flew in at 14.03hrs and dropped in at the west end. After a short while it flew towards the dam. It was present until 14.45hrs but there was no further sign by dusk. 2 drake Goosander, 71 Pochard, 20 Great Crested Grebes, adult Med Gull, 4 Yellow-legged Gulls, Water Rail.
Staffs: Uttoxeter Quarry: Great Northern Diver, 15 Whooper Swans, 6 Goosander, Goldeneye, Shoveler, Common Sandpiper, Golden Plover, 2 Pochard, no sign of Great Northern Diver by 15.00.
Staffs: Chasewater: Great Northern Diver still on The Swag this morning.
Staffs: Dosthill: c50 Waxwings in garden at Ascot Drive.
Staffs: Whitemoor Haye: 2 Kestrel, 62 Mute Swans, 300 BH Gulls, 7 Tree Sparrows, 3 Grey Herons, 100 Starlings, 40 Lapwings, 2 Skylark, Grey Partridge.
Staffs: Lichfield: 84 Waxwings still outside Walter Tipper Ltd on Europa Drive at c.SK138096 this morning.
Staffs: Pool Hall Fisheries: Great Northern Diver still.
Notts: Kilvington: 2 female Common Scoters on East Lake this morning.
Notts: Idle Valley NR: Common Scoters on Neatholme Scrape this morning, also a Waxwing over Chainbridge Scrape.
Notts: Chilwell: 7 Waxwings still around Corn Mill pub and surrounding streets this afternoon.
Leics: Eyebrook Reservoir: No sign of drake Ring-necked Duck but female Common Scoter and female Goosander.
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Latest Sightings 27/11/2012
Derbys: Wyver Lane NR: 3 Mute Swans, Cormorant, 39 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 37 Mallards, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Goosander, 4 Wigeon, 9 Coots, 3 Moorhens, 2 Pheasants, 325 BH Gulls, Herring Gull (very rare for Wyver Lane), 2 Peregrines, Grey Wagtail.
Derbys: Carsington Water: 2 Great Northern Divers, 20 Cormorants, Grey Heron, 14 Mute Swans, Slavonian Grebe, 28 Pink-footed Geese SE at 11.45, 3 Scaup, Red-crested Pochard, 167 Common Pochard, 3 Goldeneye, 3 Goosander, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Herring Gulls, 6+ Ravens.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: Juvenile Great Northern Diver early afternoon only, Dunlin, 4 Wigeon, 8 Goldeneye, Kingfisher.
Derbys: Belper: 20 Waxwings in Coppice Car Park this afternoon.
Derbys: Long Eaton GP's: 5 (4 drakes) Red-crested Pochards on Conservation Pit; also 2 drake Goosanders.
Derbys: Shirebrook: 18 Waxwings opposite Aldi on Carter Lane.
Derbys: Whittington Moor: c.50 Waxwings between the Red Lion pub and Victoria club on Manknell Road.
Derbys: Long Eaton: c.50 Waxwings along the Erewash Canal between Dockholme and the entrance to Derby Road today.
Derbys: Long Eaton: c.30 Waxwings at the children's park on Cobden Street.
Derbys: Carr Vale NR: Female Common Scoter on Meadow Flash; access via Carr Vale village on Water Lane.
Derbys: Hathersage: 14 Waxwings by the station this afternoon.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): Pink-footed Goose with 30 Greylag Geese, adult Med Gull and 9 Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost, Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, imm Peregrine, Chiff Chaff.
Staffs: Blithfield Reservoir: Juvenile Great Northern Diver still at the Deep End this morning though mobile and no further sign by late afternoon, also 2 Yellow-legged Gulls roosted.
Staffs: Chasewater: Adult Iceland Gull in the roost again this evening; also 1st-winter Caspian Gull.
Staffs: Cheddleton: 200 Pink-footed Geese flew SE down the Churnet Valley at 08.30hrs.
Staffs: Lichfield: 80 Waxwings at Walter Tipper Ltd on Europa Way.
Staffs: Westport Lake: 4 Goosander.
Staffs: Branston GP's: 12 Curlew, Goldeneye, 5 Shelduck, 34 Pochard, 20 Wigeon, 5 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, c250 Teal, 207 Canada Geese, 6 Little Grebes, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 600 Wood Pigeons.
Staffs: Pool Hall Fisheries: Great Northern Diver still at the deep end today.
Notts: Gedling: 3 Short-eared Owls still at Gedling Pit Top this afternoon.
Notts: Hoveringham GP's: 2 female Common Scoters on Railway Pit today, also a juvenile Glaucous Gull.
Notts: Langford Lowlands RSPB: 1st-winter Little Gull on Phase 2 briefly this morning.
Notts: Chilwell: 22 Waxwings; ten at the Corn Mill pub and 12 nearby at Newall Drive.
Notts: Rise Park: 20 Waxwings flew over Rise Park Primary School this afternoon.
Notts: Lenton: 120 Waxwings still below the White Hart pub on Gregory Street early afternoon.
Leics: Rutland Water: 2 female Red-breasted Mergansers still off Old Hall today, redhead Smew on Lagoon III early afternoon.
Leics: Loughborough: c.60 Waxwings in Freehold Street/Bentley Close this morning, 40+ in Warwick Way and c.30 in Rockingham Road.
Leics: Eyebrook Reservoir: Drake Ring-necked Duck still early afternoon.
Leics: North Luffenham: At least 2 Waxwings near the railway bridge southwest of the village today.
Derbys: Carsington Water: 2 Great Northern Divers, 20 Cormorants, Grey Heron, 14 Mute Swans, Slavonian Grebe, 28 Pink-footed Geese SE at 11.45, 3 Scaup, Red-crested Pochard, 167 Common Pochard, 3 Goldeneye, 3 Goosander, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Herring Gulls, 6+ Ravens.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: Juvenile Great Northern Diver early afternoon only, Dunlin, 4 Wigeon, 8 Goldeneye, Kingfisher.
Derbys: Belper: 20 Waxwings in Coppice Car Park this afternoon.
Derbys: Long Eaton GP's: 5 (4 drakes) Red-crested Pochards on Conservation Pit; also 2 drake Goosanders.
Derbys: Shirebrook: 18 Waxwings opposite Aldi on Carter Lane.
Derbys: Whittington Moor: c.50 Waxwings between the Red Lion pub and Victoria club on Manknell Road.
Derbys: Long Eaton: c.50 Waxwings along the Erewash Canal between Dockholme and the entrance to Derby Road today.
Derbys: Long Eaton: c.30 Waxwings at the children's park on Cobden Street.
Derbys: Carr Vale NR: Female Common Scoter on Meadow Flash; access via Carr Vale village on Water Lane.
Derbys: Hathersage: 14 Waxwings by the station this afternoon.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): Pink-footed Goose with 30 Greylag Geese, adult Med Gull and 9 Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost, Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, imm Peregrine, Chiff Chaff.
Staffs: Blithfield Reservoir: Juvenile Great Northern Diver still at the Deep End this morning though mobile and no further sign by late afternoon, also 2 Yellow-legged Gulls roosted.
Staffs: Chasewater: Adult Iceland Gull in the roost again this evening; also 1st-winter Caspian Gull.
Staffs: Cheddleton: 200 Pink-footed Geese flew SE down the Churnet Valley at 08.30hrs.
Staffs: Lichfield: 80 Waxwings at Walter Tipper Ltd on Europa Way.
Staffs: Westport Lake: 4 Goosander.
Staffs: Branston GP's: 12 Curlew, Goldeneye, 5 Shelduck, 34 Pochard, 20 Wigeon, 5 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, c250 Teal, 207 Canada Geese, 6 Little Grebes, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 600 Wood Pigeons.
Staffs: Pool Hall Fisheries: Great Northern Diver still at the deep end today.
Notts: Gedling: 3 Short-eared Owls still at Gedling Pit Top this afternoon.
Notts: Hoveringham GP's: 2 female Common Scoters on Railway Pit today, also a juvenile Glaucous Gull.
Notts: Langford Lowlands RSPB: 1st-winter Little Gull on Phase 2 briefly this morning.
Notts: Chilwell: 22 Waxwings; ten at the Corn Mill pub and 12 nearby at Newall Drive.
Notts: Rise Park: 20 Waxwings flew over Rise Park Primary School this afternoon.
Notts: Lenton: 120 Waxwings still below the White Hart pub on Gregory Street early afternoon.
Leics: Rutland Water: 2 female Red-breasted Mergansers still off Old Hall today, redhead Smew on Lagoon III early afternoon.
Leics: Loughborough: c.60 Waxwings in Freehold Street/Bentley Close this morning, 40+ in Warwick Way and c.30 in Rockingham Road.
Leics: Eyebrook Reservoir: Drake Ring-necked Duck still early afternoon.
Leics: North Luffenham: At least 2 Waxwings near the railway bridge southwest of the village today.
Monday, 26 November 2012
Great White Egret on the patch?
It looks like there could've been a Great White Egret down Wyver Lane yesterday morning. The first I heard about it was via an email from the joint county recorder. The observer, Martin Hanks reported it flying west at 11.15 and has sent his sighting into the DWT website.
Unfortunately there isn't any record of it in the log book, but then again not everybody is a permit holder.
If anybody has any additional info on the sighting I would obviously be very interested. Although it's been a good year for GWE in the county one at Wyver would constitute only the 2nd record for the site following the one in June 2004. And yes, I've missed them both.
Unfortunately there isn't any record of it in the log book, but then again not everybody is a permit holder.
If anybody has any additional info on the sighting I would obviously be very interested. Although it's been a good year for GWE in the county one at Wyver would constitute only the 2nd record for the site following the one in June 2004. And yes, I've missed them both.
Latest Sightings 26/11/2012
Derbys: Wyver Lane NR: Mute Swan, Cormorant, 2 Grey Herons, Little Grebe, 49 Teal, 4 Wigeon, 6 Mandarin, 9 Shoveler, 51 Mallards, 3 Tufted Duck, 11 Goosander, 22 Coots, 16 Moorhen, 2 Pheasants, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 8 Snipe, 230 BH Gulls plus c1000 in fields north of Wyver, 2 LBB Gulls, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Green Woodpecker, G.S.Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, 33 Long-tailed Tits, 10 Blue Tits, 8 Great Tits, 12 Robins, 19 Blackbirds, 11 Wrens, 25 Fieldfare, 2 Dunnocks, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Bullfinch, 3 Jays, Lesser Redpoll, Reed Bunting.
Derbys: Carsington Water: Great Northern Diver still, 67 Pink-footed Geese West at 12.15, also Red-crested Pochard, 151 Teal, 168 mallards, Peregrine, Kingfisher, c280 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, Dunlin, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 5 Herring Gulls, GBB Gull, 30 Chaffinch, Brambling, 30 Blackbirds, 20 Siskin, and a Chiff Chaff.
Derbys: Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still near Wragg's Quarry at c.SK281663.
Derbys: Sawley: 13 Waxwings by Triangle Pond at 11.00.
Derbys: Whittington Moor: c.40 Waxwings around the A61 roundabout area today.
Derbys: Etwall: 29 Waxwings opposite the library today.
Derbys: Barlborough: 3 Waxwings on berries by Yeomans along Midland Way at 14.00.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: 6 Pochards, Water Rail, 2 Kingfishers, c75 Redwings, male Blackcap around West Bank car park.
Derbys: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): A covey of 20 Grey Partridge in stubble field behind the West End hide, adult Caspian Gull in the roost, also 7 Yellow-legged Gulls, adult Med Gull and 2 Chiff Chaffs.
Staffs: Lichfield: 100+ Waxwings still at Walter Tipper's on Europa Way this morning.
Staffs: Pool Hall Fisheries: Great Northern Diver.
Staffs: Codsall: 20 Waxwings west over.
Staffs: Chasewater: Juvenile Great Northern Diver still on The Swag.
Staffs: Stoke-on-Trent: 2 Waxwings opposite the FWB building by the clock tower on Whieldon Road late morning.
Staffs: Stoke-on-Trent: 15 Waxwings in garden on Cavour Street then flew towards MFI.
Notts: Lenton: 45+ Waxwings still between Friary Road and the White Hart pub this morning.
Notts: Lenton: 123 Waxwings still by the Red Cow pub as viewed from the White Hart pub car park at 14.30.
Notts: Gedling: 3 Short-eared Owls still at Gedling Pit Top late afternoon.
Notts: Nottingham: 22 Waxwings near The Fox pub on Valley Road, Basford this morning.
Notts: Beeston: 100+ Waxwings on Murden Way.
Notts: Beeston: 20 Waxwings still on Dovecote Lane this afternoon.
Notts: Chilwell: 15 Waxwings at the Corn Mill pub today.
Notts: Mansfield: 25 Waxwings at the junction of Green Lane and Darwin Close this morning.
Leics: Rutland Water: 2 female Red-breasted Mergansers in South Arm III; also female Common Scoter Long-tailed Duck still in North Arm today; also Bittern on Lagoon III and drake Scaup at Fishponds.
Leics: Loughborough: 150+ Waxwings on Rockingham Road early afternoon.
Leics: Barrow-upon Soar: 8 Waxwings still on Fishpool Way this morning.
Leics: Evington: 5 Waxwings at the Barnstable Road/Crantock Close junction today.
Leics: Morcott: 3 Waxwings today; one opposite The White Horse Inn and 2 by the B672.
Derbys: Carsington Water: Great Northern Diver still, 67 Pink-footed Geese West at 12.15, also Red-crested Pochard, 151 Teal, 168 mallards, Peregrine, Kingfisher, c280 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, Dunlin, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 5 Herring Gulls, GBB Gull, 30 Chaffinch, Brambling, 30 Blackbirds, 20 Siskin, and a Chiff Chaff.
Derbys: Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still near Wragg's Quarry at c.SK281663.
Derbys: Sawley: 13 Waxwings by Triangle Pond at 11.00.
Derbys: Whittington Moor: c.40 Waxwings around the A61 roundabout area today.
Derbys: Etwall: 29 Waxwings opposite the library today.
Derbys: Barlborough: 3 Waxwings on berries by Yeomans along Midland Way at 14.00.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: 6 Pochards, Water Rail, 2 Kingfishers, c75 Redwings, male Blackcap around West Bank car park.
Derbys: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): A covey of 20 Grey Partridge in stubble field behind the West End hide, adult Caspian Gull in the roost, also 7 Yellow-legged Gulls, adult Med Gull and 2 Chiff Chaffs.
Staffs: Lichfield: 100+ Waxwings still at Walter Tipper's on Europa Way this morning.
Staffs: Pool Hall Fisheries: Great Northern Diver.
Staffs: Codsall: 20 Waxwings west over.
Staffs: Chasewater: Juvenile Great Northern Diver still on The Swag.
Staffs: Stoke-on-Trent: 2 Waxwings opposite the FWB building by the clock tower on Whieldon Road late morning.
Staffs: Stoke-on-Trent: 15 Waxwings in garden on Cavour Street then flew towards MFI.
Notts: Lenton: 45+ Waxwings still between Friary Road and the White Hart pub this morning.
Notts: Lenton: 123 Waxwings still by the Red Cow pub as viewed from the White Hart pub car park at 14.30.
Notts: Gedling: 3 Short-eared Owls still at Gedling Pit Top late afternoon.
Notts: Nottingham: 22 Waxwings near The Fox pub on Valley Road, Basford this morning.
Notts: Beeston: 100+ Waxwings on Murden Way.
Notts: Beeston: 20 Waxwings still on Dovecote Lane this afternoon.
Notts: Chilwell: 15 Waxwings at the Corn Mill pub today.
Notts: Mansfield: 25 Waxwings at the junction of Green Lane and Darwin Close this morning.
Leics: Rutland Water: 2 female Red-breasted Mergansers in South Arm III; also female Common Scoter Long-tailed Duck still in North Arm today; also Bittern on Lagoon III and drake Scaup at Fishponds.
Leics: Loughborough: 150+ Waxwings on Rockingham Road early afternoon.
Leics: Barrow-upon Soar: 8 Waxwings still on Fishpool Way this morning.
Leics: Evington: 5 Waxwings at the Barnstable Road/Crantock Close junction today.
Leics: Morcott: 3 Waxwings today; one opposite The White Horse Inn and 2 by the B672.
Sunday, 25 November 2012
Latest Sightings 25/11/2012
Derbys: Carsington Water: Great Northern Diver still.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: Gadwall, 4 Goldeneye, Peregrine, 2 Kingfishers.
Derbys: Staunton Harold Reservoir: 5 Waxwings over Derby Hill.
Derbys: Shirebrook: 54 Waxwings on Carter Lane.
Derbys: Findern: 25 Waxwings on Burton Road.
Derbys: Parsley Hay: 300 Starlings.
Derbys: Drakelow NR: Goldeneye, Caspian Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Stonechat.
Notts: Beeston: c.58 still on the corner of Dovecote Park at c.SK530363 this afternoon.
Notts: Gedling: 5 Short-eared Owls at Gedling Pit Top late afternoon.
Notts: Lenton: c.150 Waxwings by The Red Cow pub on Lenton Lane this morning.
Notts: Hoveringham GP's: Great White Egret on Railway Pit this morning.
Notts: Clifton: c.40 Waxwings at Nottingham Trent University at mid-day.
Staffs Blithfield Reservoir: Great Northern Diver still, also 2 female Scaup in Tad Bay today; permit-holders only, also and adult Caspian Gull in pre-roost in Tad Bay; also 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls and 2 Scaup (Permit Only).
Staffs: Chasewater: Great Northern Diver still showing well off the causeway at c.SK035075 this morning, also an adult Iceland Gull in the roost again along with 2nd-winter Yellow-legged Gull and adult Mediterranean Gull.
Staffs: Uttoxeter Quarry: 4 Goldeneye, 43 Teal, 29 Wigeon, 5 Goosander, Ruddy Shelduck.
Staffs: North Staffs Moors- Mermaid Pool: 60 Golden Plover, 25 Lapwings, 150 Fieldfare, 60 Starlings, Kestrel.
Staffs: Morridge: 3 Short-eared Owls at Boarsgrove.
Staffs: Lichfield: 7 Waxwings by the Royal Mail Delivery Office on Cappers Lane at SK114095 this morning.
Staffs: Lichfield: 80+ Waxwings outside Walter Tipper's, Europa Way late afternoon.
Leics: Rutland Water: Great Northern Diver still off Normanton Church; also 1st-winter Little Gull at the dam late afternoon.
Leics: Elvington: 8 Waxwings in the leisure centre car park this afternoon.
Leics: Chasewater: Great Northern Diver still, also a Waxwing over.
Leics: Barrow upon Soar: 4 Waxwings at No.110 Sileby Road late morning.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: Gadwall, 4 Goldeneye, Peregrine, 2 Kingfishers.
Derbys: Staunton Harold Reservoir: 5 Waxwings over Derby Hill.
Derbys: Shirebrook: 54 Waxwings on Carter Lane.
Derbys: Findern: 25 Waxwings on Burton Road.
Derbys: Parsley Hay: 300 Starlings.
Derbys: Drakelow NR: Goldeneye, Caspian Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Stonechat.
Notts: Beeston: c.58 still on the corner of Dovecote Park at c.SK530363 this afternoon.
Notts: Gedling: 5 Short-eared Owls at Gedling Pit Top late afternoon.
Notts: Hoveringham GP's: Great White Egret on Railway Pit this morning.
Notts: Clifton: c.40 Waxwings at Nottingham Trent University at mid-day.
Staffs Blithfield Reservoir: Great Northern Diver still, also 2 female Scaup in Tad Bay today; permit-holders only, also and adult Caspian Gull in pre-roost in Tad Bay; also 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls and 2 Scaup (Permit Only).
Staffs: Chasewater: Great Northern Diver still showing well off the causeway at c.SK035075 this morning, also an adult Iceland Gull in the roost again along with 2nd-winter Yellow-legged Gull and adult Mediterranean Gull.
Staffs: Uttoxeter Quarry: 4 Goldeneye, 43 Teal, 29 Wigeon, 5 Goosander, Ruddy Shelduck.
Staffs: North Staffs Moors- Mermaid Pool: 60 Golden Plover, 25 Lapwings, 150 Fieldfare, 60 Starlings, Kestrel.
Staffs: Morridge: 3 Short-eared Owls at Boarsgrove.
Staffs: Lichfield: 7 Waxwings by the Royal Mail Delivery Office on Cappers Lane at SK114095 this morning.
Staffs: Lichfield: 80+ Waxwings outside Walter Tipper's, Europa Way late afternoon.
Leics: Rutland Water: Great Northern Diver still off Normanton Church; also 1st-winter Little Gull at the dam late afternoon.
Leics: Elvington: 8 Waxwings in the leisure centre car park this afternoon.
Leics: Chasewater: Great Northern Diver still, also a Waxwing over.
Leics: Barrow upon Soar: 4 Waxwings at No.110 Sileby Road late morning.
Saturday, 24 November 2012
Latest Sightings 24/11/2012
Derbys: Carsington Water: Adult Great Northern Diver still today.
Derbys: Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still showing well in roadside birches at Wragg's Quarry.
Derbys: Findern: 4 Waxwings feeding on rowan mid-afternoon.
Derbys: Allestree: c.65 Waxwings at the junction of Birchover Way and Okeover Drive. Also 30 around the Park Farm shopping centre.
Derbys: Derby: 20 Waxwings around Bold Lane car park.
Derbys: Wirksworth: 12 Waxwings on Hannage Way.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: 1 Hawfinch on the north eastern side of the reservoir early morning then flew SE, 2 Waxwings present in the west bank car park briefly at 10.10 then flew NE, 2 Wigeon, Gadwall, 9 Pochard, 4 Goldeneye, drake Goosander present early morning and a female flew SE, Water Rail, 2 Kingfishers, 1 probably 2 Dippers on the River Amber downstream of the reservoir.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): 4th winter Caspian Gull in the roost, also 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Brambling, Chiff Chaff, 2 Grey Wagtails.
Derbys: Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still showing well in roadside birches at Wragg's Quarry.
Derbys: Findern: 4 Waxwings feeding on rowan mid-afternoon.
Derbys: Allestree: c.65 Waxwings at the junction of Birchover Way and Okeover Drive. Also 30 around the Park Farm shopping centre.
Derbys: Derby: 20 Waxwings around Bold Lane car park.
Derbys: Wirksworth: 12 Waxwings on Hannage Way.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: 1 Hawfinch on the north eastern side of the reservoir early morning then flew SE, 2 Waxwings present in the west bank car park briefly at 10.10 then flew NE, 2 Wigeon, Gadwall, 9 Pochard, 4 Goldeneye, drake Goosander present early morning and a female flew SE, Water Rail, 2 Kingfishers, 1 probably 2 Dippers on the River Amber downstream of the reservoir.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): 4th winter Caspian Gull in the roost, also 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Brambling, Chiff Chaff, 2 Grey Wagtails.
Staffs: Blithfield Reservoir: Great Norther Diver still by dam at fishing club mid-morning, and a drake Scaup in Dimsdale Shallows.
Staffs: Lichfield: 21 Waxwings on Cappers Lane near Royal Mail centre.
Staffs: Uttoxeter Quarry: Common Sandpiper, 14 Snipe, 10 Goosander, Goldeneye, 26 Wigeon, 34 Teal, 2 Ravens.
Staffs: Lichfield: 21 Waxwings on Cappers Lane near Royal Mail centre.
Staffs: Uttoxeter Quarry: Common Sandpiper, 14 Snipe, 10 Goosander, Goldeneye, 26 Wigeon, 34 Teal, 2 Ravens.
Staffs: Chasewater: Juvenile Great Norther Diver still on The Swag mid-morning.
Staffs: Wombourne: 2 Waxwings around corner of Common Road and Wombourne Park in trees and on berries.
Notts: Hoveringham GP's: 5 Little Gulls briefly in roost then flew off east.
Notts: Attenborough NR: 50 Waxwings at Kingfisher Hide than flew towards Long Eaton.
Notts: Hoveringham GP's: 5 Little Gulls briefly in roost then flew off east.
Notts: Attenborough NR: 50 Waxwings at Kingfisher Hide than flew towards Long Eaton.
Notts: West Bridgford: 5 Waxwings on Newstead Drive early morning NG2 6LF.
Notts: Nottingham: 4 Waxwings on Hucknall Road by Total petrol station.
Notts: Beeston: 150+ on rowans at junction of Dovecote Lane and Queens Road NG9 1HR this
afternoon.
Notts: Lenton: c.40 Waxwings by Red Cow public house.
Leics: Burbage: 3 Waxwings feeding on a berry tree in a front garden on Brookside.
Leics: Burbage: 3 Waxwings feeding on a berry tree in a front garden on Brookside.
Leics: Eyebrook Reservoir: Drake Ring-necked Grebe still from hide; also Black-necked Grebe, 1st winter female Scaup and drake Mandarin.
Think you've had a good seawatch?
Check out this report by Phil Pickering from Boiler Bay on the coast of Oregon, USA, on Wednesday....and DROOL. Mind blowing stuff!
7:00-3:30 (11/21):
partly clear with frequent fast moving squalls
becoming mostly clear by mid-afternoon, wind
W 15-25 gusting to 40 with squalls, swells 10+
everything moving south
3000+ Red-throated Loon
80000+ Pacific Loon (flight more notable for persistence
than density, generally 100-300/min for most of
duration with brief pulses to 1000/min)
1000+ Common Loon
30 Horned Grebe (S)
150 Red-necked Grebe (S)
50 Western Grebe
1 BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS (adequate look S 1.5 mile)
15000+ Northern Fulmar (visible movement during
entire duration, mostly 20-40/min. increasing to
100/min around squalls, 98% dark-end)
2 MOTTLED PETREL (obvious singles S both between
1/2-3/4 mile in direct sun, dorsal/ventral patterns,
compact size, energetic flight all well seen)
8 Buller's Shearwater
9 Pink-footed Shearwater
100+ Short-tailed Shearwater (assume low)
20000+ Sooty Shearwater (increasing afternoon, at times
funneling to 150/min)
350 Leach's Storm-Petrel (scattered singles with frequency
gradually increasing during afternoon)
500 Brown Pelican
30 Double-crested Cormorant
200 Brandt's Cormorant (S)
500 Pelagic Cormorant (S)
1600 Brant
15 Mallard
6 Northern Pintail
50 Green-winged Teal
2 scaup sp.
2 Harlequin Duck
100 Black Scoter
150 White-winged Scoter
800 Surf Scoter
1 Bufflehead
100 Red-breasted Merganser
1 Peregrine Falcon
600 Red Phalarope (relatively low density with
widely scattered flocks mostly of <10 birds)
2 Parasitic Jaeger
243 Pomarine Jaeger (majority moving in pairs,
groups to 7)
3 SOUTH POLAR SKUA (singles S all 1/2-1 mile)
500 Bonaparte's Gull
150 Mew Gull
6000 California Gull
1000 Herring Gull
20+ Thayer's Gull (assume low but hard to find
while sampling)
1000 Western Gull
800 Glaucous-winged Gull
500 Heermann's Gull
8000+ larus sp.
1000 Black-legged Kittiwake (about 75% juv. inc
numerous segretated flocks)
8000+ Common Murre
150 Pigeon Guillemot
80 Marbled Murrelet
900 Ancient Murrelet (steady groups to 18)
10 Cassin's Auklet
1 PARAKEET AUKLET (S 150 yards within the breakers,
good look at shape, intermediate size, white to chin)
300 Rhinoceros Auklet
7:00-3:30 (11/21):
partly clear with frequent fast moving squalls
becoming mostly clear by mid-afternoon, wind
W 15-25 gusting to 40 with squalls, swells 10+
everything moving south
3000+ Red-throated Loon
80000+ Pacific Loon (flight more notable for persistence
than density, generally 100-300/min for most of
duration with brief pulses to 1000/min)
1000+ Common Loon
30 Horned Grebe (S)
150 Red-necked Grebe (S)
50 Western Grebe
1 BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS (adequate look S 1.5 mile)
15000+ Northern Fulmar (visible movement during
entire duration, mostly 20-40/min. increasing to
100/min around squalls, 98% dark-end)
2 MOTTLED PETREL (obvious singles S both between
1/2-3/4 mile in direct sun, dorsal/ventral patterns,
compact size, energetic flight all well seen)
8 Buller's Shearwater
9 Pink-footed Shearwater
100+ Short-tailed Shearwater (assume low)
20000+ Sooty Shearwater (increasing afternoon, at times
funneling to 150/min)
350 Leach's Storm-Petrel (scattered singles with frequency
gradually increasing during afternoon)
500 Brown Pelican
30 Double-crested Cormorant
200 Brandt's Cormorant (S)
500 Pelagic Cormorant (S)
1600 Brant
15 Mallard
6 Northern Pintail
50 Green-winged Teal
2 scaup sp.
2 Harlequin Duck
100 Black Scoter
150 White-winged Scoter
800 Surf Scoter
1 Bufflehead
100 Red-breasted Merganser
1 Peregrine Falcon
600 Red Phalarope (relatively low density with
widely scattered flocks mostly of <10 birds)
2 Parasitic Jaeger
243 Pomarine Jaeger (majority moving in pairs,
groups to 7)
3 SOUTH POLAR SKUA (singles S all 1/2-1 mile)
500 Bonaparte's Gull
150 Mew Gull
6000 California Gull
1000 Herring Gull
20+ Thayer's Gull (assume low but hard to find
while sampling)
1000 Western Gull
800 Glaucous-winged Gull
500 Heermann's Gull
8000+ larus sp.
1000 Black-legged Kittiwake (about 75% juv. inc
numerous segretated flocks)
8000+ Common Murre
150 Pigeon Guillemot
80 Marbled Murrelet
900 Ancient Murrelet (steady groups to 18)
10 Cassin's Auklet
1 PARAKEET AUKLET (S 150 yards within the breakers,
good look at shape, intermediate size, white to chin)
300 Rhinoceros Auklet
Friday, 23 November 2012
Raging River
Hardly surprising really after the rain we've had but the River Derwent was well up this morning. I stood there and watched it for several minutes. Pretty amazing really seeing nature so powerful. As I was standing there I thought I'd take a bit of video of it.
Latest Sightings 23/11/2012
Derbys: Wyver Lane NR: 2 Mute Swans, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Cormorants, 2 Little Grebes, c90 Canada Geese, c50 Greylag Geese, 39 Teal, 30 Mallards, 19 Mandarin, 5 Shoveler, 4 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 14 Goosander, Water Rail, 28 Coots, 15 Moorhens, 3 Pheasants, 4 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 5 Snipe, Skylark, 180 BH Gulls plus c500 in fields north of Wyver, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Little Owl, Tawny Owl, 3 Stock Doves, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 15 Wrens, 5 Robins, 5 Dunnocks, 15 Blackbirds, 34 Long-tailed Tits, 10 Blue Tits, 5 Great Tits, Nuthatch, 2 Treecreepers, 2 Goldcrests, 5 Chaffinch, 3 Bullfinch, Reed Bunting.
Derbys: Carsington Water: Great Northern Diver still, Red-crested Pochard, 245 Lapwings, 12 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Reed Buntings,
Derbys: Foremark Reservoir: Adult Caspian Gull in the roost, along with 6 adult Yellow-legged Gulls.
Derbys: Sawley: 12 Waxwings on the golf course off Lock Lane at midday.
Derbys: Somercotes:15 Waxwings on Krays Hill, Leabrooks.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: 4 Pochards, 20 Tufted Ducks, 4 Goldeneye, c350 Lapwings.
Derbys: Allestree: 17 Waxwings on corner of Oakover Drive and Birchover Way.
Derbys: Dove Holes Quarry: 13 Teal, Pochard, 86 Common Gull.
Derbys: Middleton Moor: 5 Wigeon, 57 Teal, 23 Tufted Ducks, Great Black-backed Gull.
Derbys: Bretby: 2 Brambling.
Derbys: Linton: 150 Lapwing.
Derbys: Drakelow: 5 Shelduck, 30 Shoveler, 40 Lapwings.
Derbys: Melbourne: 2 Waxwings at Spinney Hill.
Staffs: Morridge: 2 Snow Buntings at Mermaid's Pool (Blake Mere) near the pool c700 metres north of The Inn on the left hand side of the road SK039612.
Staffs: Doxey Marshes:10 Waxwings flew over the M6 towards Creswell.
Staffs: Silverdale CP: 31 Waxwings flew over 'The Void' late afternoon.
Staffs:: Belvide Reservoir (permit only) 7 Yellow-legged Gulls, 5 Water Rails, 54 Goldeneye.
Staffs Chasewater: Juvenile Great Northern Diver still on The Swag this morning as viewed from the railway causeway.
Staffs: Westport Lake: 1st winter drake Scaup still.
Staffs: Blithfield Reservoir (permit only): Great Northern Diver off the dam.
Notts: Hoveringham GP's: Juvenile Glaucous Gull in roost on sailing lake, also also adult Caspian Gull and 4 Yellow-legged Gulls.
Notts: Arnold: 50+ Waxwings in Killisick area early afternoon.
Notts: Lenton: c55 Waxwings on Science Road early morning though mobile.
Notts: Lenton: 20 Waxwings still by the church on Gregory Street and commuting to Friar Street late morning.
Notts: Gedling: 2 Short-eared Owls at Gedling Pit Top late afternoon.
Leics: Eyebrook Reservoir: Drake Ring-necked Duck still near the lodge today.
Derbys: Carsington Water: Great Northern Diver still, Red-crested Pochard, 245 Lapwings, 12 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Reed Buntings,
Derbys: Foremark Reservoir: Adult Caspian Gull in the roost, along with 6 adult Yellow-legged Gulls.
Derbys: Sawley: 12 Waxwings on the golf course off Lock Lane at midday.
Derbys: Somercotes:15 Waxwings on Krays Hill, Leabrooks.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: 4 Pochards, 20 Tufted Ducks, 4 Goldeneye, c350 Lapwings.
Derbys: Allestree: 17 Waxwings on corner of Oakover Drive and Birchover Way.
Derbys: Dove Holes Quarry: 13 Teal, Pochard, 86 Common Gull.
Derbys: Middleton Moor: 5 Wigeon, 57 Teal, 23 Tufted Ducks, Great Black-backed Gull.
Derbys: Bretby: 2 Brambling.
Derbys: Linton: 150 Lapwing.
Derbys: Drakelow: 5 Shelduck, 30 Shoveler, 40 Lapwings.
Derbys: Melbourne: 2 Waxwings at Spinney Hill.
Staffs: Morridge: 2 Snow Buntings at Mermaid's Pool (Blake Mere) near the pool c700 metres north of The Inn on the left hand side of the road SK039612.
Staffs: Doxey Marshes:10 Waxwings flew over the M6 towards Creswell.
Staffs: Silverdale CP: 31 Waxwings flew over 'The Void' late afternoon.
Staffs:: Belvide Reservoir (permit only) 7 Yellow-legged Gulls, 5 Water Rails, 54 Goldeneye.
Staffs Chasewater: Juvenile Great Northern Diver still on The Swag this morning as viewed from the railway causeway.
Staffs: Westport Lake: 1st winter drake Scaup still.
Staffs: Blithfield Reservoir (permit only): Great Northern Diver off the dam.
Notts: Hoveringham GP's: Juvenile Glaucous Gull in roost on sailing lake, also also adult Caspian Gull and 4 Yellow-legged Gulls.
Notts: Arnold: 50+ Waxwings in Killisick area early afternoon.
Notts: Lenton: c55 Waxwings on Science Road early morning though mobile.
Notts: Lenton: 20 Waxwings still by the church on Gregory Street and commuting to Friar Street late morning.
Notts: Gedling: 2 Short-eared Owls at Gedling Pit Top late afternoon.
Leics: Eyebrook Reservoir: Drake Ring-necked Duck still near the lodge today.
Thursday, 22 November 2012
Cliff Swallow taken by Sparrowhawk
This very rare vagrant from North America recently graced Sweden's shores. If accepted it will be a first for Sweden. But, as is sometimes the case with these rarities it succumbed to predation. The Cliff Swallow was present for around 6 days when this happened.
Latest Sightings 22/11/2012
Derbys: Carsington Water: Great Northern Diver, Red-crested Pochard, Woodcock, Peregrine, 2 Kingfishers.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: 27 Waxwings briefly at 10.30hrs then flew NE, 4 Gadwall, drake Shoveler, Peregrine.
Staffs: Blithfield Reservoir: Caspian Gull, 7 Yellow-legged Gulls,
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): 62 Gadwall, 30 Shoveler, 2 Chiff Chaffs. In the roost an adult Caspian Gull and 3 Yellow-legged Gulls.
Staffs: Trent Washlands: Little Egret, 9 Waxwings this morning.
Staffs: Westport Lake: Immature drake Scaup still, also 26 Tufted Ducks, 4 GC Grebes and 4 Herring Gulls.
Staffs: Burton upon Trent: 9 Waxwings in Clarence Street this morning.
Staffs: Chasewater: Immature Great Northern Diver at The Swag, also 2 adult Med Gulls and an adult Yellow-legged Gull.
Staffs: Upper Longdon: Great Grey Shrike still on the sheltered lower slopes of the Startley Lane clearfell mid-morning SK051143.
Staffs: Lichfield: c40 Waxwings still near the Royal Mail building on Cappers Lane mid-morning.
Notts: Lenton: c50 Waxwings on Science Road, also 62 on Friary Road this morning.
Notts: Bennerley Marsh: 2 Jack Snipe on the old Lindley Coal Plant this morning.
Leics: Rutland Water: 1st-winter drake Scaup at Lyndon NR; also female Red-crested Pochard on Lagoon III.
Leics: Eyebrook Reservoir: Drake Ring-necked Duck still between the island and the dam; also Great Northern Diver still and 2 1st-winter Scaup just south of the island late afternoon.
Leics: Leicester: 21 Waxwings near Marks and Spencer at Fosse Park SK595045.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: 27 Waxwings briefly at 10.30hrs then flew NE, 4 Gadwall, drake Shoveler, Peregrine.
Staffs: Blithfield Reservoir: Caspian Gull, 7 Yellow-legged Gulls,
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): 62 Gadwall, 30 Shoveler, 2 Chiff Chaffs. In the roost an adult Caspian Gull and 3 Yellow-legged Gulls.
Staffs: Trent Washlands: Little Egret, 9 Waxwings this morning.
Staffs: Westport Lake: Immature drake Scaup still, also 26 Tufted Ducks, 4 GC Grebes and 4 Herring Gulls.
Staffs: Burton upon Trent: 9 Waxwings in Clarence Street this morning.
Staffs: Chasewater: Immature Great Northern Diver at The Swag, also 2 adult Med Gulls and an adult Yellow-legged Gull.
Staffs: Upper Longdon: Great Grey Shrike still on the sheltered lower slopes of the Startley Lane clearfell mid-morning SK051143.
Staffs: Lichfield: c40 Waxwings still near the Royal Mail building on Cappers Lane mid-morning.
Notts: Lenton: c50 Waxwings on Science Road, also 62 on Friary Road this morning.
Notts: Bennerley Marsh: 2 Jack Snipe on the old Lindley Coal Plant this morning.
Leics: Rutland Water: 1st-winter drake Scaup at Lyndon NR; also female Red-crested Pochard on Lagoon III.
Leics: Eyebrook Reservoir: Drake Ring-necked Duck still between the island and the dam; also Great Northern Diver still and 2 1st-winter Scaup just south of the island late afternoon.
Leics: Leicester: 21 Waxwings near Marks and Spencer at Fosse Park SK595045.
Derwent Valley Birder: Separation of Marsh and Willow Tits
Derwent Valley Birder: Separation of Marsh and Willow Tits: I don't claim to be an expert on the separation of these 2 species but have a vested interest due to Willow Tits (Poecile Montana) being com...
New strain of bird virus sweeps across Britain
A new strain of avian pox is taking its toll on garden birds in Britain, reports new research published this week in PLOS ONE. Scientists from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), the University of Oxford, the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the RSPB report on the impact that avian pox is having on Great Tit populations. Avian pox has been recorded in British bird species such as House Sparrows and Wood Pigeons for a number of years. However, the emergence of a new strain of this viral disease in Great Tits is causing concern amongst vets and ornithologists.
Wildlife vet Dr Becki Lawson from ZSL says: "Infection leads to warty, tumour-like growths on different parts of a bird's body, particularly on the head around the eyes and beak. Although the disease can be relatively mild in some species, Great Tits suffer severe growths that can prevent them from feeding and increase their susceptibility to predation. Whilst a range of tit species are susceptible to this novel form of the disease, detailed monitoring of birds in Wytham Woods by scientists at the University of Oxford show that Great Tits are by far the most susceptible."
"Although recovery from infection can occur, our results show that this new strain of avian poxvirus significantly reduces the survival of wild Great Tits and has particularly large effects on the survival of juvenile birds. Based on the numbers of affected Great Tits that we have observed at Wytham Woods, our models do not predict that this new disease will cause an overall population decline of the species. However, pox-affected populations have lower yearly growth rates. Hence, they are likely to have greater difficulty in recovering from other environmental factors that might reduce their numbers," says Dr Shelly Lachish of the Edward Grey Institute at Oxford University.
With help from the public, scientists at the RSPB and ZSL have tracked the disease, which has spread rapidly in five years from southeast England to central England and into Wales. The annual seasonal peak of observed cases occurs in the early autumn months and incidents continue to be reported at this time of year. Genetic studies on the virus show that it appears to be the same strain seen previously in Scandinavia and more recently in central Europe, and is unlikely to have originated within Great Britain. BTO data on bird movements confirms that Great Tits rarely migrate outside the country. The spread of the virus to Britain is, therefore, thought to have occurred through the arrival of an infected vector, such as a mosquito.
Funding from NERC (the Natural Environment Research Council) enabled the detailed research reported here, and scientists are continuing to work together to monitor impacts of this new avian poxvirus strain on the population of Great Tits in the UK. They are calling on the public to assist in these efforts by reporting any signs of disease in garden birds to the RSPB, and have also highlighted that avian pox is not known to be infectious to humans or other mammals.
Wednesday, 21 November 2012
Latest Sightings 21/11/2012
Derbys: Wyver Lane NR: 2 Mute Swans, Grey Heron, 5 Shoveler, c30 Teal, Goldcrest.
Derbys: Ashbourne: 6 Waxwings at entrance to Buildbase.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: 10 Little Grebes, 3 Gadwall, drake Shoveler, 22 Snipe, Kingfisher.
Staffs: Drayton Bassett Pits: 1st winter White-rumped Sandpiper still today; park at Middleton Hall RSPB car park and walk to view, wellingtons recommended.
Staffs: Lichfield: 30+ Waxwings still near the Royal Mail building on Cappers Lane mid-morning.
Staffs: Silverdale CP: Adult Med Gull, adult Yellow-legged Gull.
Staffs: Westport lake: 1st winter drake Scaup still, drake Goosander, Herring Gull, 5 GC Grebes.
Notts: Edwinstowe: c.30 Waxwings at the Manvers Arms car park.
Notts: Langford Lowlands RSPB: Jack Snipe, 8 Common Snipe, 10 Grey Partridge, Stonechat.
Notts: Nottingham: 10 Waxwings briefly at The Meadows, Houseman Gardens.
Leics: Groby Pool: Female Common Scoter near the overflow.
Leics: Eyebrook Reservoir: Drake Ring-necked Duck still off the plantation today; also juvenile Great Northern Diver still.
Derbys: Ashbourne: 6 Waxwings at entrance to Buildbase.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: 10 Little Grebes, 3 Gadwall, drake Shoveler, 22 Snipe, Kingfisher.
Staffs: Drayton Bassett Pits: 1st winter White-rumped Sandpiper still today; park at Middleton Hall RSPB car park and walk to view, wellingtons recommended.
Staffs: Lichfield: 30+ Waxwings still near the Royal Mail building on Cappers Lane mid-morning.
Staffs: Silverdale CP: Adult Med Gull, adult Yellow-legged Gull.
Staffs: Westport lake: 1st winter drake Scaup still, drake Goosander, Herring Gull, 5 GC Grebes.
Notts: Edwinstowe: c.30 Waxwings at the Manvers Arms car park.
Notts: Langford Lowlands RSPB: Jack Snipe, 8 Common Snipe, 10 Grey Partridge, Stonechat.
Notts: Nottingham: 10 Waxwings briefly at The Meadows, Houseman Gardens.
Leics: Groby Pool: Female Common Scoter near the overflow.
Leics: Eyebrook Reservoir: Drake Ring-necked Duck still off the plantation today; also juvenile Great Northern Diver still.
Tuesday, 20 November 2012
Latest Sightings 20/11/2012
Derbys: Wyver Lane NR: 4 Mute Swans, Cormorant, 175 Canada Geese, 80 Greylag Geese, 62 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 51 Mallards, 23 Mandarin, 4 Tufted Ducks, 9 Goosander, 29 Coots, 15 Moorhens, Buzzard, Kestrel, male Sparrowhawk, 5+ Snipe, 385 BH Gulls, LBB Gull, Tawny Owl, Little Owl, 8 Blackbirds, Song Thrush, 30 Redwing, 15 Fieldfare, 5 Robins, 10 Wrens, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Blue Tits, 3 Great Tits, G.S.Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, c400 Jackdaw, 14 Magpies, Raven, 85 Carrion Crows, Reed Bunting. Also a presumed Pippistrelle Bat near dusk.
Derbys: Belper: 1 Waxwing over south of the town at 08.05.
Derbys: Carsington Water: Great Northern Diver, also adult Yellow-legged Gull and a drake Red-crested Pochard.
Derbys: Willington GP's: 12 Waxwings on Meadow Lane mid-morning.
Derbys: Glossop: 8 Waxwings in Howard Park car park this morning.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: Drake Wigeon, 3 Gadwall, 9 Pochard, 6 Goldeneye, drake Goosander flew NW.
Derbys: Long Eaton: 14 Waxwings in school grounds.
Derbys: Ilkeston: Several Waxwings on Pit Lane at midday, along track near old pithead, which follows side of football pitch.
Staffs: Drayton Bassett Pits: 1st winter White-rumped Sandpiper still by the green water pump on New Workings this afternoon; park at Middleton Hall.
Staffs: Lichfield: 48 Waxwings near the Royal Mail building on Cappers Lane this afternoon.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): 9 Waxwings in the southeast bay just south of Chappell Hide late morning, also adult Med Gull, 5 Yellow-legged Gulls, Green Sandpiper, 39 Snipe, Sparrowhawk, 48 Gadwall, Chiff Chaff.
Staffs: Cheslyn Hay: 10 Waxwings on Coppice Lane this afternoon before flying towards St. Marks churchyard.
Staffs: Burton upon Trent: c.70 Waxwings in Tesco car park off St. Peter's Bridge this morning but mobile.
Staffs: Westport Lake: 1st winter drake Scaup still, also drake Goosander, 6 Teal, Pochard and 5 Goldcrest.
Notts: Nottingham: c.40 Waxwings flew over over the Meadows Way/Sheriffs Way junction heading towards Lenton early afternoon.
Notts: Nottingham: 20 Waxwings near the ambulance station on Houseman Gardens this afternoon.
Notts: Beeston: c20 Waxwings flew over Foster Avenue this morning.
Leics: Eyebrook Reservoir: A Common Scoter flew over the south end early afternoon.
Derbys: Belper: 1 Waxwing over south of the town at 08.05.
Derbys: Carsington Water: Great Northern Diver, also adult Yellow-legged Gull and a drake Red-crested Pochard.
Derbys: Willington GP's: 12 Waxwings on Meadow Lane mid-morning.
Derbys: Glossop: 8 Waxwings in Howard Park car park this morning.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: Drake Wigeon, 3 Gadwall, 9 Pochard, 6 Goldeneye, drake Goosander flew NW.
Derbys: Long Eaton: 14 Waxwings in school grounds.
Derbys: Ilkeston: Several Waxwings on Pit Lane at midday, along track near old pithead, which follows side of football pitch.
Staffs: Drayton Bassett Pits: 1st winter White-rumped Sandpiper still by the green water pump on New Workings this afternoon; park at Middleton Hall.
Staffs: Lichfield: 48 Waxwings near the Royal Mail building on Cappers Lane this afternoon.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): 9 Waxwings in the southeast bay just south of Chappell Hide late morning, also adult Med Gull, 5 Yellow-legged Gulls, Green Sandpiper, 39 Snipe, Sparrowhawk, 48 Gadwall, Chiff Chaff.
Staffs: Cheslyn Hay: 10 Waxwings on Coppice Lane this afternoon before flying towards St. Marks churchyard.
Staffs: Burton upon Trent: c.70 Waxwings in Tesco car park off St. Peter's Bridge this morning but mobile.
Staffs: Westport Lake: 1st winter drake Scaup still, also drake Goosander, 6 Teal, Pochard and 5 Goldcrest.
Notts: Nottingham: c.40 Waxwings flew over over the Meadows Way/Sheriffs Way junction heading towards Lenton early afternoon.
Notts: Nottingham: 20 Waxwings near the ambulance station on Houseman Gardens this afternoon.
Notts: Beeston: c20 Waxwings flew over Foster Avenue this morning.
Leics: Eyebrook Reservoir: A Common Scoter flew over the south end early afternoon.
Monday, 19 November 2012
Latest Sightings 19/11/2012
Derbys: Wyver Lane NR: 2 Mute Swans, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, 37 Teal, 7 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Ducks, 2 Goosander, 34 Coots, 9 Moorhens, 2 Buzzards, female Sparrowhawk, 33 Lapwings, Snipe, 300 BH Gulls, Common Gull, LBB Gull, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, 20 Starlings, 7 Blackbirds, Song Thrush, 18 Redwing, 10 Fieldfare, Meadow Pipit, Green Woodpecker, G.S.Woodpecker, 7 Stock Doves, 15 Magpies.
Derbys: Carsington Water: Great Northern Diver, 5 Woodcock.
Derbys: Willington GP's: Bittern showing mid morning.
Derbys: Darley Dale: c60 Waxwings at Enthoven's factory.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: 3 Gadwall, Shoveler, 8 Pochard.
Staffs: Branston GP's: 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 21 Herring Gulls, 16 GBB Gulls, 450 LBB Gulls, c1000 BH Gulls, 6 Ruff, 13 Curlew, 7 Snipe, Redshank, Dunlin, 251 Golden Plover, c200 Lapwings, 2 Shelduck, 22 Wigeon, c200 Teal, 14 Pochard, 12 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 4 Little Grebes, 2 GC Grebes, 2 Buzzards, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 20 Blackbirds, 2 Skylarks.
Staffs: Branston Water Park: 3 Pochard, Shelduck, Black Swan, 5 Wigeon, 7 Gadwall, 5 Little Grebe, 3 GC Grebes.
Staffs: Hanley: c.20 Waxwings still at Octagon retail Park this afternoon SJ875476.
Staffs: Westport Lake: 1st winter drake Scaup still, 34 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): Adult Med Gull, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, Dunlin.
Staffs: Uttoxeter: 27 Waxwings showing well in the JCB factory in the bushes along the side of the A522.
Staffs: Drayton Bassett Pits: 1st winter White-rumped Sandpiper still but mobile; park at Middleton Hall, wellingtons required.
Notts: Lenton: 40 Waxwings in Lenton on Lenton Lane behind Red Cow pub.
Notts: Clifton: c40 Waxwings flew over Southchurch Drive late morning.
Notts: Nottingham: c.25 Waxwings in trees at southwest corner of Highfields Lake but mobile; also at least 11 Goosander on lake.
Leics: Rutland Water: 6 Waxwings in front of Robin Hide for two minutes then flew off west. Also Long-tailed Duck in North Arm.
Leics: Eyebrook Reservoir: Juvenile Great Northern Diver off the dam, also adult Caspian Gull roosted.
Derbys: Carsington Water: Great Northern Diver, 5 Woodcock.
Derbys: Willington GP's: Bittern showing mid morning.
Derbys: Darley Dale: c60 Waxwings at Enthoven's factory.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: 3 Gadwall, Shoveler, 8 Pochard.
Staffs: Branston GP's: 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 21 Herring Gulls, 16 GBB Gulls, 450 LBB Gulls, c1000 BH Gulls, 6 Ruff, 13 Curlew, 7 Snipe, Redshank, Dunlin, 251 Golden Plover, c200 Lapwings, 2 Shelduck, 22 Wigeon, c200 Teal, 14 Pochard, 12 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 4 Little Grebes, 2 GC Grebes, 2 Buzzards, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 20 Blackbirds, 2 Skylarks.
Staffs: Branston Water Park: 3 Pochard, Shelduck, Black Swan, 5 Wigeon, 7 Gadwall, 5 Little Grebe, 3 GC Grebes.
Staffs: Hanley: c.20 Waxwings still at Octagon retail Park this afternoon SJ875476.
Staffs: Westport Lake: 1st winter drake Scaup still, 34 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): Adult Med Gull, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, Dunlin.
Staffs: Uttoxeter: 27 Waxwings showing well in the JCB factory in the bushes along the side of the A522.
Staffs: Drayton Bassett Pits: 1st winter White-rumped Sandpiper still but mobile; park at Middleton Hall, wellingtons required.
Notts: Lenton: 40 Waxwings in Lenton on Lenton Lane behind Red Cow pub.
Notts: Clifton: c40 Waxwings flew over Southchurch Drive late morning.
Notts: Nottingham: c.25 Waxwings in trees at southwest corner of Highfields Lake but mobile; also at least 11 Goosander on lake.
Leics: Rutland Water: 6 Waxwings in front of Robin Hide for two minutes then flew off west. Also Long-tailed Duck in North Arm.
Leics: Eyebrook Reservoir: Juvenile Great Northern Diver off the dam, also adult Caspian Gull roosted.
44 million birds lost since 1966
It would appear that not only has the England Football team declined since its peak in 1966, but our birds have also suffered.
Since 1966, we've lost breeding birds from our countryside at an average rate of a nesting pair every minute, say a group of conservation organisations in a report published today (Monday 19th November 2012). These shocking statistics are contained in the State of the UK's Birds 2012 report published today, charting the ups and downs of our bird populations over the last few decades. The scientists producing the report estimate that there are 166 million nesting birds in the UK, compared with 210 million nesting birds in 1966. The House Sparrow has seen one of the greatest losses of any bird in the UK. Although since 2000 House Sparrow numbers have started to increase, the UK still has 20 million fewer sparrows than it had in 1966. The current population is estimated at around 10 million.
Dr Mark Eaton is an RSPB scientist who worked on the report. Commenting on the figures, he said: "It is shocking to think that we've lost 1 in 5 of the individual birds that we had in the 1960s, especially when you think that the 44 million birds we have lost since 1966 is equivalent to the current adult human population of England and Wales."
There have been many changes in the UK that have affected birds, most notably changes in land use and the management of our countryside and seas — these can change the amount or quality of key resources needed by birds, such as suitable places to nest or a shortage of food in summer or winter. However, for some species, including the House Sparrow, the precise reasons behind these declines aren't fully understood. The changing fortunes of two related species highlight the changes to the UK's birds: the Turtle Dove and the Collared Dove. In 1966, the Turtle Dove was still a widespread bird with about 140,000 breeding pairs, while numbers of the Collared Dove were very low as the species had only started nesting in the UK in 1955. Today there are thought be only around 14,000 pairs of Turtle Dove nesting in the UK, whereas the Collared Dove has exploded to around one million pairs.
Cold weather is thought to have had a startling effect on bird numbers too. The Wren, for example — still the UK's most numerous bird — has lost an average of 835 individuals a day since 2000. But another garden bird, the Chaffinch, has increased at a rate of 150 individuals per day. Dr Andy Musgrove of the BTO worked on compiling these figures. He said: "We have learnt a great deal about bird numbers in the UK and, particularly, how they have changed through time. Amongst individual species, whilst there have been some winners, the number of losers is greater and the long-term picture is sobering. There is still more to learn, though, and we need the continuing support of ever greater numbers of volunteer birdwatchers, on whose efforts all of these numbers are based."
Dr Tim Hill, Natural England's Chief Scientist, said: "The State of the UK's Birds report is a great example of 'citizen science' in action. Most of the information upon which the report is based is derived from the efforts of the nation's network of skilled, volunteer ornithologists who contribute to national monitoring schemes like the Breeding Bird Survey and Wetland Bird Survey. Such schemes provide a high-quality evidence base underpinning the work of government, conservation organisations and land managers in their joint efforts to conserve the natural environment and its wildlife."
Other elements of the 40-page report include the latest information on the number of ducks, geese, swans and wading birds spending the winter in the UK; and an update on the internationally important birds, including albatrosses and penguins, on the UK's overseas territories. Richard Hearn, Head of Species Monitoring at WWT, said: "Sea duck numbers in Europe have crashed and they urgently need conservation. Velvet Scoter overwintering in the UK have gone from several thousand birds to less than a hundred in just a few years, and the picture for Long-tailed Duck is similar. Several other species have also shown large declines. By tying our findings with similar reports from the Baltic and elsewhere, we're getting a clearer understanding of the problem, but to be effective we need all countries to work more closely together."
David Stroud of JNCC said: "This report highlights the value of undertaking a periodic 'stock-check' of bird numbers in the UK — information central to many aspects of conservation. Thanks to the efforts of the birdwatching community, such assessments are readily available within the UK, but these data do not exist for most of our Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. We need to strengthen efforts to establish routine survey and monitoring in these areas in the light of their global importance for many bird species."
The State of the UK's Birds 2012 report is produced by a coalition of three NGOs — RSPB, British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust — and the UK Government's statutory nature conservation agencies — the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), Natural England (NE), Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC).
Since 1966, we've lost breeding birds from our countryside at an average rate of a nesting pair every minute, say a group of conservation organisations in a report published today (Monday 19th November 2012). These shocking statistics are contained in the State of the UK's Birds 2012 report published today, charting the ups and downs of our bird populations over the last few decades. The scientists producing the report estimate that there are 166 million nesting birds in the UK, compared with 210 million nesting birds in 1966. The House Sparrow has seen one of the greatest losses of any bird in the UK. Although since 2000 House Sparrow numbers have started to increase, the UK still has 20 million fewer sparrows than it had in 1966. The current population is estimated at around 10 million.
Dr Mark Eaton is an RSPB scientist who worked on the report. Commenting on the figures, he said: "It is shocking to think that we've lost 1 in 5 of the individual birds that we had in the 1960s, especially when you think that the 44 million birds we have lost since 1966 is equivalent to the current adult human population of England and Wales."
There have been many changes in the UK that have affected birds, most notably changes in land use and the management of our countryside and seas — these can change the amount or quality of key resources needed by birds, such as suitable places to nest or a shortage of food in summer or winter. However, for some species, including the House Sparrow, the precise reasons behind these declines aren't fully understood. The changing fortunes of two related species highlight the changes to the UK's birds: the Turtle Dove and the Collared Dove. In 1966, the Turtle Dove was still a widespread bird with about 140,000 breeding pairs, while numbers of the Collared Dove were very low as the species had only started nesting in the UK in 1955. Today there are thought be only around 14,000 pairs of Turtle Dove nesting in the UK, whereas the Collared Dove has exploded to around one million pairs.
Cold weather is thought to have had a startling effect on bird numbers too. The Wren, for example — still the UK's most numerous bird — has lost an average of 835 individuals a day since 2000. But another garden bird, the Chaffinch, has increased at a rate of 150 individuals per day. Dr Andy Musgrove of the BTO worked on compiling these figures. He said: "We have learnt a great deal about bird numbers in the UK and, particularly, how they have changed through time. Amongst individual species, whilst there have been some winners, the number of losers is greater and the long-term picture is sobering. There is still more to learn, though, and we need the continuing support of ever greater numbers of volunteer birdwatchers, on whose efforts all of these numbers are based."
Dr Tim Hill, Natural England's Chief Scientist, said: "The State of the UK's Birds report is a great example of 'citizen science' in action. Most of the information upon which the report is based is derived from the efforts of the nation's network of skilled, volunteer ornithologists who contribute to national monitoring schemes like the Breeding Bird Survey and Wetland Bird Survey. Such schemes provide a high-quality evidence base underpinning the work of government, conservation organisations and land managers in their joint efforts to conserve the natural environment and its wildlife."
Other elements of the 40-page report include the latest information on the number of ducks, geese, swans and wading birds spending the winter in the UK; and an update on the internationally important birds, including albatrosses and penguins, on the UK's overseas territories. Richard Hearn, Head of Species Monitoring at WWT, said: "Sea duck numbers in Europe have crashed and they urgently need conservation. Velvet Scoter overwintering in the UK have gone from several thousand birds to less than a hundred in just a few years, and the picture for Long-tailed Duck is similar. Several other species have also shown large declines. By tying our findings with similar reports from the Baltic and elsewhere, we're getting a clearer understanding of the problem, but to be effective we need all countries to work more closely together."
David Stroud of JNCC said: "This report highlights the value of undertaking a periodic 'stock-check' of bird numbers in the UK — information central to many aspects of conservation. Thanks to the efforts of the birdwatching community, such assessments are readily available within the UK, but these data do not exist for most of our Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. We need to strengthen efforts to establish routine survey and monitoring in these areas in the light of their global importance for many bird species."
The State of the UK's Birds 2012 report is produced by a coalition of three NGOs — RSPB, British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust — and the UK Government's statutory nature conservation agencies — the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), Natural England (NE), Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC).
Sunday, 18 November 2012
Latest Sightings 18/11/2012
Derbys: Carsington Water: 37 Waxwings feeding around the Wildlife Centre. Also 2 Redshank, 2 Raven and 11 Meadow Pipits.
Derbys: Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still at Wragg's Quarry.
Derbys: Middleton Moor: Bar-tailed Godwit today.
Derbys: Allestree: 50 Waxwings still at Farnway off Ferrers Way DE22 2AB.
Derbys: North Wingfield: 1 Waxwing flew east over Elin Avenue.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: 22 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Gadwall, drake Shoveler, drake Goosander flew North, 28 Snipe, Water Rail, 2 Kingfishers.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): Probable adult Caspian Gull in the roost, also 7 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Chiff Chaffs, 69 Goldeneye, 23 Gadwall, 146 Tufted Ducks, 122 Canada Geese, 34 Greylag Geese.
Staffs: Burton upon Trent: 23 Waxwings on Clarence Street this afternoon.
Staffs: Hanley: 28 Waxwings still outside Mecca Bingo, Octagon Park early morning.
Staffs: Westport Lake: 1st winter drake Scaup still.
Staffs: Doxey Marshes: Water Pipit still.
Staffs: Lichfield: c25 Waxwings flew over Bakers Lane by Poundstretcher.
Staffs: Drayton Bassett Pits: 1st winter White-rumped Sandpiper still on pit to south of North Pit; park at Middleton Hall,
wellingtons required. Also Long-tailed Duck, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Shelduck, Snipe, 250 Lapwings, 3 Little Egrets with 8 over SW at dusk, 15 Waxwings from Dosthill heading to Middleton Hall to roost.
Staffs: Branston GP's: 30 Waxwings in bushes by storage yard, c350 Golden Plover, c200 Lapwings, 71 Greylag Geese, Peregrine, Buzzard, Green Woodpecker, Jay.
Staffs: Gailey Reservoirs: Black-necked Grebe still on fishing pool.
Staffs: Uttoxeter Quarry: 1st winter Med Gull on Leasowes Farm Pool at 12.25, Green Sandpiper, 30 Snipe, 19 Wigeon, 8 Pochard, 38 Tufted Duck, 12 Teal, Goldeneye, Gadwall, 12 Goosander, 47 Cormorants, Raven.
Staffs: Brookleys Lake: 63 Mandarin.
Staffs: Uttoxeter: 16 Waxwings by JCB parts depot on A522.
Notts: Gedling: 5 Short-eared Owls at Gedling Pit Top.
Notts: Girton Pit Complex: 17 Waxwings by sailing lake on Trent Lane then flew west.
Notts: Idle Valley NR: 9 Whooper Swans on Chainbridge Lane Pit this morning, also 5 Short-eared Owls late afternoon.
Notts: Kilvington: Juvenile Glaucous Gull then flew to southeast mid-afternoon.
Notts: Arnold: 1 Waxwing on Okehampton Crescent NG3 5SE.
Leics: Coalville: 1 Waxwing in Co-op Car Park SK425140.
Leics: Rutland Water: Great Northern Diver still from the south corner of the dam, also a Bittern on still on Lagoon III today; also 3 Scaup and 6 Red-crested Pochard.
Leics: Eyebrook Reservoir: Drake Ring-necked Duck north of island; also Knot.
Leics: Watermead CP: Adult Caspian Gull this afternoon.
Derbys: Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still at Wragg's Quarry.
Derbys: Middleton Moor: Bar-tailed Godwit today.
Derbys: Allestree: 50 Waxwings still at Farnway off Ferrers Way DE22 2AB.
Derbys: North Wingfield: 1 Waxwing flew east over Elin Avenue.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: 22 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Gadwall, drake Shoveler, drake Goosander flew North, 28 Snipe, Water Rail, 2 Kingfishers.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): Probable adult Caspian Gull in the roost, also 7 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Chiff Chaffs, 69 Goldeneye, 23 Gadwall, 146 Tufted Ducks, 122 Canada Geese, 34 Greylag Geese.
Staffs: Burton upon Trent: 23 Waxwings on Clarence Street this afternoon.
Staffs: Hanley: 28 Waxwings still outside Mecca Bingo, Octagon Park early morning.
Staffs: Westport Lake: 1st winter drake Scaup still.
Staffs: Doxey Marshes: Water Pipit still.
Staffs: Lichfield: c25 Waxwings flew over Bakers Lane by Poundstretcher.
Staffs: Branston GP's: 30 Waxwings in bushes by storage yard, c350 Golden Plover, c200 Lapwings, 71 Greylag Geese, Peregrine, Buzzard, Green Woodpecker, Jay.
Staffs: Gailey Reservoirs: Black-necked Grebe still on fishing pool.
Staffs: Uttoxeter Quarry: 1st winter Med Gull on Leasowes Farm Pool at 12.25, Green Sandpiper, 30 Snipe, 19 Wigeon, 8 Pochard, 38 Tufted Duck, 12 Teal, Goldeneye, Gadwall, 12 Goosander, 47 Cormorants, Raven.
Staffs: Brookleys Lake: 63 Mandarin.
Staffs: Uttoxeter: 16 Waxwings by JCB parts depot on A522.
Notts: Gedling: 5 Short-eared Owls at Gedling Pit Top.
Notts: Girton Pit Complex: 17 Waxwings by sailing lake on Trent Lane then flew west.
Notts: Kilvington: Juvenile Glaucous Gull then flew to southeast mid-afternoon.
Notts: Arnold: 1 Waxwing on Okehampton Crescent NG3 5SE.
Leics: Coalville: 1 Waxwing in Co-op Car Park SK425140.
Leics: Rutland Water: Great Northern Diver still from the south corner of the dam, also a Bittern on still on Lagoon III today; also 3 Scaup and 6 Red-crested Pochard.
Leics: Eyebrook Reservoir: Drake Ring-necked Duck north of island; also Knot.
Leics: Watermead CP: Adult Caspian Gull this afternoon.
Saturday, 17 November 2012
Latest Sightings 17/11/2012
Derbys: Allestree: 33 Waxwings still at Farnway off Ferrers Way DE22 2AB.
Derbys: Avenue Washlands: Jack Snipe late afternoon.
Derbys: Ilkeston: At least 1 Waxwing between South Street town centre and Chalons Way, behind doctors surgery.
Derbys: Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still at Wragg's Quarry.
Derbys: Killamarsh: 15 Waxwings.
Derbys: New Whittington: 40 Waxwings.
Derbys: Linacre Reservoir: 30 Mandarin.
Derbys: Drakelow NR: 149 Cormorants, 3 Mandarin, Woodcock, Raven.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: Juvenile Scaup, 6 Goldeneye, Shoveler, 11 Snipe, 3rd winter Yellow-legged Gull flew N, 2 Kingfishers, 6 Waxwings present briefly from 12.05-12.10 then flew ENE, 2 Chiff Chaffs, 2 Ravens.
Derbys: Whitwell: 25 Waxwings on Bondhay Lane next to Bondhay Golf Club course.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): An adult Med Gull and 7 Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost, also 80 Golden Plover, Chiff Chaff, 60 Goldeneye at dusk, 38 Pochard, 122 Tufted Duck, 60 Wigeon, 160 Teal, 14 Shoveler, 658 Coots, 12 GC Grebes, Little Grebe, 4 Grey Herons, 9 Mute Swans, 2 Kingfishers.
Staffs: Rugeley: 2 Waxwings in Morrison's car park.
Staffs: Rugeley: 55 Waxwings on Bryans Lane between magistrates court and fire station mid-afternoon.
Staffs: Gailey Reservoirs: Black-necked Grebe still on Fishing Pool this afternoon. Also adult Med Gull.
Staffs: Lichfield: 50 Waxwings by Gilbert Road.
Staffs: Burton upon Trent: 20+ Waxwings still feeding on rowans near Fitness First, Wetmore Road.
Staffs: Uttoxeter: 7 Waxwings in oak opposite JBC Factory on A522 at 11:45.
Staffs: Westport Lake: 1st winter drake Scaup still today.
Staffs: Doxey Marshes: White-fronted Goose, Water Rail, 12 Goosander, 17 Snipe, 4 Shoveler, Stonechat.
Staffs: Blithfield Reservoir: 14 Goldeneye, 40 Pochard, 9 Shoveler, 137 Wigeon.
Staffs: Uttoxeter Quarry: Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 25 Snipe, Golden Plover, 13 Goosander, 12 Pochard, 25 Wigeon, Shoveler, 22 Teal, Ruddy Shelduck, Willow Tit.
Staffs: Trent Washlands: 2 Waxwings, Little Egret, 12 Wigeon, 14 Teal, adult Yellow-legged Gull, Kingfisher, 2 Little Grebe, Nuthatch, G.S.Woodpecker, 60 Redwings, 4 Bullfinch.
Staffs: Tittesworth Reservoir: 20 Snipe, 3 Pochard, 30 Teal, 6 Wigeon, 2 Common Gulls, Brambling.
Staffs: Drayton Bassett Pits: 1st winter White-rumped Sandpiper still on pit to south of North Pit; park at Middleton Hall, wellingtons required. Also 5 Little Egrets, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Redshank, 10 Fieldfare.
Notts: Besthorpe NWT: 5 Waxwings briefly.
Notts: Idle Valley NR: 2 Jack Snipe showing well from visitor centre on Belmoor, also 5 Short-eared Owls at Tiln North.
Notts: Hucknall: 1 Waxwing showing well.
Notts: Newstead and Annesley CP: 40 Waxwings in pocket park by car park.
Leics: Rutland Water: Great Northern Diver still off Normanton Church showing well. Also adult Glaucous Gull again in South Arm III at Lax Hill and viewable from Fieldfare Hide late afternoon. Bittern still on Egleton NR; also Red-breasted Merganser.
Leics: Eyebrook Reservoir: Adult Caspian Gull in roost from 14:33 until dusk this afternoon.
Leics: Loughborough: 21 Waxwings in town centre late morning.
Derbys: Avenue Washlands: Jack Snipe late afternoon.
Derbys: Ilkeston: At least 1 Waxwing between South Street town centre and Chalons Way, behind doctors surgery.
Derbys: Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still at Wragg's Quarry.
Derbys: Killamarsh: 15 Waxwings.
Derbys: New Whittington: 40 Waxwings.
Derbys: Linacre Reservoir: 30 Mandarin.
Derbys: Drakelow NR: 149 Cormorants, 3 Mandarin, Woodcock, Raven.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: Juvenile Scaup, 6 Goldeneye, Shoveler, 11 Snipe, 3rd winter Yellow-legged Gull flew N, 2 Kingfishers, 6 Waxwings present briefly from 12.05-12.10 then flew ENE, 2 Chiff Chaffs, 2 Ravens.
Derbys: Whitwell: 25 Waxwings on Bondhay Lane next to Bondhay Golf Club course.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): An adult Med Gull and 7 Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost, also 80 Golden Plover, Chiff Chaff, 60 Goldeneye at dusk, 38 Pochard, 122 Tufted Duck, 60 Wigeon, 160 Teal, 14 Shoveler, 658 Coots, 12 GC Grebes, Little Grebe, 4 Grey Herons, 9 Mute Swans, 2 Kingfishers.
Staffs: Rugeley: 2 Waxwings in Morrison's car park.
Staffs: Rugeley: 55 Waxwings on Bryans Lane between magistrates court and fire station mid-afternoon.
Staffs: Gailey Reservoirs: Black-necked Grebe still on Fishing Pool this afternoon. Also adult Med Gull.
Staffs: Lichfield: 50 Waxwings by Gilbert Road.
Staffs: Burton upon Trent: 20+ Waxwings still feeding on rowans near Fitness First, Wetmore Road.
Staffs: Uttoxeter: 7 Waxwings in oak opposite JBC Factory on A522 at 11:45.
Staffs: Westport Lake: 1st winter drake Scaup still today.
Staffs: Doxey Marshes: White-fronted Goose, Water Rail, 12 Goosander, 17 Snipe, 4 Shoveler, Stonechat.
Staffs: Blithfield Reservoir: 14 Goldeneye, 40 Pochard, 9 Shoveler, 137 Wigeon.
Staffs: Uttoxeter Quarry: Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 25 Snipe, Golden Plover, 13 Goosander, 12 Pochard, 25 Wigeon, Shoveler, 22 Teal, Ruddy Shelduck, Willow Tit.
Staffs: Trent Washlands: 2 Waxwings, Little Egret, 12 Wigeon, 14 Teal, adult Yellow-legged Gull, Kingfisher, 2 Little Grebe, Nuthatch, G.S.Woodpecker, 60 Redwings, 4 Bullfinch.
Staffs: Tittesworth Reservoir: 20 Snipe, 3 Pochard, 30 Teal, 6 Wigeon, 2 Common Gulls, Brambling.
Staffs: Drayton Bassett Pits: 1st winter White-rumped Sandpiper still on pit to south of North Pit; park at Middleton Hall, wellingtons required. Also 5 Little Egrets, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Redshank, 10 Fieldfare.
Notts: Besthorpe NWT: 5 Waxwings briefly.
Notts: Idle Valley NR: 2 Jack Snipe showing well from visitor centre on Belmoor, also 5 Short-eared Owls at Tiln North.
Notts: Hucknall: 1 Waxwing showing well.
Notts: Newstead and Annesley CP: 40 Waxwings in pocket park by car park.
Leics: Rutland Water: Great Northern Diver still off Normanton Church showing well. Also adult Glaucous Gull again in South Arm III at Lax Hill and viewable from Fieldfare Hide late afternoon. Bittern still on Egleton NR; also Red-breasted Merganser.
Leics: Eyebrook Reservoir: Adult Caspian Gull in roost from 14:33 until dusk this afternoon.
Leics: Loughborough: 21 Waxwings in town centre late morning.
Friday, 16 November 2012
Latest Sightings 16/11/2012
Derbys: Wyver Lane NR: 2 Mute Swans, 2 Grey Herons, Cormorant, Little Grebe, c200 Canada Geese, 85 Greylag Geese, 37 Coots, 10 Moorhens, 2 Water Rails, 50 Teal, 14 Wigeon, 23 Mandarin, 25 Mallards, 11 Shoveler, 7 Goosander, 3+ Snipe, Buzzard, 460 Bh Gulls, 11 Blackbirds, 2 Meadow Pipits, 2 Jays, Grey Wagtail, Little Owl.
Derbys: Cromford: The first Hawfinch of the winter near the entrance to Willesley Castle.
Derbys: Carsington Water: Red-crested Pochard, Pintail, 2 Redshank, Dunlin, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.
Derbys: Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still at Wragg's Quarry.
Derbys: Foremark Reservoir: Two 3rd-winter Caspian Gulls in the roost this evening; also 12 Yellow-legged Gulls.
Derbys: Hardwick Hall NT: 30+ Waxwings in the gardens this morning.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: 1 Waxwing flew SW, 40 Teal, 5 Goldeneye, 10 Snipe, Kingfisher, 1 Dipper flew SE over Chapel Bay.
Staffs: Stafford: 3 Waxwings briefly at Tollagate Industrial Estate late afternoon.
Staffs: Branston GP's: 6 Ruff, 12 Curlew, 838 Golden Plover, 7 Snipe, 350 Lapwings, 13 Gadwall, 18 Wigeon, 14 Pochard, 5 Shoveler, GBB Gull, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Buzzards, 8 Little Grebes, 3 GC Grebes, c350 Starlings.
Staffs: Trent Washlands: Little Egret, 28 Wigeon, 22 Teal, Goosander, Kingfisher, Little Grebe, 25 LBB Gull, 30 Fieldfares, 70 Redwings, 2 Reed Buntings.
Staffs: Silverdale CP: 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.
Staffs: Rudyard Lake: 8 Goosander, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Willow Tits, 5 Brambling.
Staffs: Cheadle: 7 Waxwings at Park Drive/Leek Road junction this morning.
Staffs: Drayton Basset Pits: White-rumped Sandpiper still by the water pump on New Workings mid-morning.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, Chiff Chaff, 64 Wigeon, 101 Teal.
Staffs: Cannock: 8 Waxwings opposite Motormania on Wolverhampton Road today.
Staffs: Burton upon Trent: c30 Waxwings on Clarence Street this afternoon but mobile.
Staffs: Hanley: 27 Waxwings still at Octagon Retail Park early afternoon.
Staffs: Burton upon Trent: c20 Waxwings in Tesco car park late morning.
Notts: Langford Lowlands RSPB: Great White Egret flew over heading north at 16:30.
Notts: Hoveringham GP's: 1st winter Med Gull again in the roost, also 3 Yellow-legged Gulls.
Notts: Idle Valley NR: 3 Short-eared Owls.
Notts: Hallcroft GP's: 22 Red-crested Pochards at c.SK694828 this afternoon.
Leics: Tonge: 5 Waxwings by the road at c.SK425228 this morning.
Leics: Coalville: 14 Waxwings in Co-op car park this afternoon.
Leics: Eyebrook Reservoir: Adult Glaucous Gull in roost from 16:20.
Derbys: Cromford: The first Hawfinch of the winter near the entrance to Willesley Castle.
Derbys: Carsington Water: Red-crested Pochard, Pintail, 2 Redshank, Dunlin, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.
Derbys: Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still at Wragg's Quarry.
Derbys: Foremark Reservoir: Two 3rd-winter Caspian Gulls in the roost this evening; also 12 Yellow-legged Gulls.
Derbys: Hardwick Hall NT: 30+ Waxwings in the gardens this morning.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: 1 Waxwing flew SW, 40 Teal, 5 Goldeneye, 10 Snipe, Kingfisher, 1 Dipper flew SE over Chapel Bay.
Staffs: Stafford: 3 Waxwings briefly at Tollagate Industrial Estate late afternoon.
Staffs: Branston GP's: 6 Ruff, 12 Curlew, 838 Golden Plover, 7 Snipe, 350 Lapwings, 13 Gadwall, 18 Wigeon, 14 Pochard, 5 Shoveler, GBB Gull, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Buzzards, 8 Little Grebes, 3 GC Grebes, c350 Starlings.
Staffs: Trent Washlands: Little Egret, 28 Wigeon, 22 Teal, Goosander, Kingfisher, Little Grebe, 25 LBB Gull, 30 Fieldfares, 70 Redwings, 2 Reed Buntings.
Staffs: Silverdale CP: 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.
Staffs: Rudyard Lake: 8 Goosander, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Willow Tits, 5 Brambling.
Staffs: Cheadle: 7 Waxwings at Park Drive/Leek Road junction this morning.
Staffs: Drayton Basset Pits: White-rumped Sandpiper still by the water pump on New Workings mid-morning.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, Chiff Chaff, 64 Wigeon, 101 Teal.
Staffs: Cannock: 8 Waxwings opposite Motormania on Wolverhampton Road today.
Staffs: Burton upon Trent: c30 Waxwings on Clarence Street this afternoon but mobile.
Staffs: Hanley: 27 Waxwings still at Octagon Retail Park early afternoon.
Staffs: Burton upon Trent: c20 Waxwings in Tesco car park late morning.
Notts: Langford Lowlands RSPB: Great White Egret flew over heading north at 16:30.
Notts: Hoveringham GP's: 1st winter Med Gull again in the roost, also 3 Yellow-legged Gulls.
Notts: Idle Valley NR: 3 Short-eared Owls.
Notts: Hallcroft GP's: 22 Red-crested Pochards at c.SK694828 this afternoon.
Leics: Tonge: 5 Waxwings by the road at c.SK425228 this morning.
Leics: Coalville: 14 Waxwings in Co-op car park this afternoon.
Leics: Eyebrook Reservoir: Adult Glaucous Gull in roost from 16:20.
Thursday, 15 November 2012
Latest Sightings 15/11/2012
Derbys: Wyver Lane NR: 2 Mute Swans, Grey Heron, 2 Cormorants, 90 Greylag Geese, 161 Canada Geese, 63 Teal, 25 Wigeon, 9 Shoveler, 29 Mallard, 23 Mandarin, 9 Tufted Duck, 6 Goosander, 25 Coots, 15 Moorhen, Water Rail, Little Owl, Tawny Owl, c500 BH Gulls, 5+ Snipe, Lapwing, 2 Buzzards, 22 Fieldfare, 13 Blackbirds, 13 Robins, 10 Wrens, 4 Great Tits, 6 Blue Tits, Coal Tit, 18 Long-tailed Tits, Song Thrush, Grey Wagtail, Green Woodpecker, Goldcrest, Treecreeper, 15 Goldfinch, 2 Bullfinch, 5 Reed Buntings, 10 Magpies, c100 Jackdaws.
Derbys: Newton Solney: Great White Egret still to south of River Trent and viewable from footpath west of church early afternoon.
Derbys: Willington GP's: 10 Waxwings flew southwest this morning.
Derbys: Belper: 8 Waxwings briefly by Co op.
Derbys: Chesterfield: 10 Waxwings by bus turning area on Harehill Road early afternoon.
Derbys: Shipley CP: 60 Waxwings today.
Derbys: Hardwick Hall NT: 13 Waxwings in gardens.
Derbys: Allestree: 60 Waxwings still at Farnway off Ferrers Way DE22 2AB.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): Cetti's Warbler, Chiff Chaff, 85 Golden Plover.
Staffs: Cheadle: 10 Waxwings at Highfield Avenue junction by A522 north of Cheadle.
Staffs: Cheadle: 5 Waxwings five at Park Drive/Leek Road junction.
Staffs: Upper Longdon: Great Grey Shrike still in clearfell south of Startley Lane.
Staffs: Newcastle-under-Lyme: Black Redstart on tower at St. Giles Church mid-afternoon.
Staffs: Newcastle-under-Lyme: 20+ Waxwings flew over Borough Arms Hotel.
Staffs: Westport Lake: 1st winter drake Scaup.
Staffs: Stafford: 12 Waxwings on Isabel's Trail in trees near the ambulance station.
Staffs: Drayton Basset Pits: White-rumped Sandpiper still on pit to south of North Pit; park at Middleton Hall, wellingtons required.
Staffs: Burton upon Trent: 35 Waxwings still in Wetmore Road opposite Npower DE14 1SP.
Staffs: Gailey Reservoirs: Black-necked Grebe still on fishing pool.
Notts: Nottingham: 17 Waxwings along Meadow Way by Eugene Gardens in The Meadows early morning NG3 3LF.
Notts: Hucknall: c.25 Waxwings flew over Polperro Way NG15 6JZ.
Notts: Idle Valley NR: 4 Short-eared Owls at c.SK715856 this evening.
Leics: Rutland Water: Great Northern Diver still showing well off Normanton Church today, also adult Glaucous Gull in South Arm this evening; also 1st-winter Little Gull, Black-necked Grebe and female Red-breasted Merganser.
Leics: Leicester: 15 Waxwings in St. Philip's Road to 15:15 when they flew off northeast.
Derbys: Newton Solney: Great White Egret still to south of River Trent and viewable from footpath west of church early afternoon.
Derbys: Willington GP's: 10 Waxwings flew southwest this morning.
Derbys: Belper: 8 Waxwings briefly by Co op.
Derbys: Chesterfield: 10 Waxwings by bus turning area on Harehill Road early afternoon.
Derbys: Shipley CP: 60 Waxwings today.
Derbys: Hardwick Hall NT: 13 Waxwings in gardens.
Derbys: Allestree: 60 Waxwings still at Farnway off Ferrers Way DE22 2AB.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): Cetti's Warbler, Chiff Chaff, 85 Golden Plover.
Staffs: Cheadle: 10 Waxwings at Highfield Avenue junction by A522 north of Cheadle.
Staffs: Cheadle: 5 Waxwings five at Park Drive/Leek Road junction.
Staffs: Upper Longdon: Great Grey Shrike still in clearfell south of Startley Lane.
Staffs: Newcastle-under-Lyme: Black Redstart on tower at St. Giles Church mid-afternoon.
Staffs: Newcastle-under-Lyme: 20+ Waxwings flew over Borough Arms Hotel.
Staffs: Westport Lake: 1st winter drake Scaup.
Staffs: Stafford: 12 Waxwings on Isabel's Trail in trees near the ambulance station.
Staffs: Drayton Basset Pits: White-rumped Sandpiper still on pit to south of North Pit; park at Middleton Hall, wellingtons required.
Staffs: Burton upon Trent: 35 Waxwings still in Wetmore Road opposite Npower DE14 1SP.
Notts: Hucknall: c.25 Waxwings flew over Polperro Way NG15 6JZ.
Notts: Idle Valley NR: 4 Short-eared Owls at c.SK715856 this evening.
Leics: Rutland Water: Great Northern Diver still showing well off Normanton Church today, also adult Glaucous Gull in South Arm this evening; also 1st-winter Little Gull, Black-necked Grebe and female Red-breasted Merganser.
Leics: Leicester: 15 Waxwings in St. Philip's Road to 15:15 when they flew off northeast.
Wednesday, 14 November 2012
Latest Sightings 14/11/2012
Derbys: Wyver Lane NR: 2 Mute Swans, Grey Heron, Cormorant, 212 Canada Geese, 45 Greylag Geese, 51 Teal, 39 Mallards, 20 Wigeon, 7 Shoveler, 17+ Mandarin, 6 Goosander, 8 Tufted Ducks, 23 Coots, 19 Moorhens, Water Rail, 2 Pheasants, 5+ Snipe, Tawny Owl, Little Owl, 585 BH Gulls, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, G.S.Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, 9 Blackbirds, 10 Robins, 3 Wrens, 2 Dunnocks, 2 Goldcrests, 5 Great Tits, 9 Blue Tits, 16 Long-tailed Tits, 9 Bullfinch, 3 Reed Buntings, 2 Jays, 22 Goldfinch, 9 Lesser Redpoll, 450 Jackdaws.
Derbys: Allestree: c70 Waxwings still around Farnway this afternoon DE22 2AB.
Derbys: Newton Solney: Great White Egret still east of Newton Solney and north of the River Trent this morning though elusive.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: 16 Teal, 12 Pochards, 4 Goldeneye, Water Rail, Curlew flew SSE, 9 Snipe, Kingfisher, Brambling.
Staffs: Cannock Chase: Hawfinch still c.100m from the Tackeroo car park, also Great Grey Shrike still in clearfell off Startley Lane, Upper Longdon SK051143. Also 16 near Tackeroo car park; coming from Rugeley, take the track on the right before the car park.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): Waxwing, 18 Golden Plovers.
Staffs: Hanley: 30+ Waxwings near Staples on Octagon Retail Park this morning.
Staffs: Burton upon Trent: 30+ Waxwings feeding on rowans near Fitness First, Wetmore Road.
Staffs: Doxey Marshes: Water Pipit still, also 100 Teal, 50 Fieldfare, 30 Redwing, 40 Snipe, 6 Shoveler, 6 Goosander, 15 Greenfinch, 15 Long-tailed Tits.
Staffs: Drayton Basset Pits: White-rumped Sandpiper still on North Pit this morning; view only from the path west of the pits by the canal and do not cross any ditches or barriers.
Notts: Kirkby-in-Ashfield: Rock Pipit over Astra Carpets.
Notts: Osberton: 12 Waxwings still on Roebuck Way by the Wilkinson Distribution Centre early afternoon.
Notts: Hoveringham GP's: 1st winter Med Gull again roosted on the sailing lake.
Leics: Rutland Water: Great Northern Diver still off Normanton Church, also a Bittern from Buzzard Hide.
Leics: Albert Village: Adult Caspian Gull at Albert Village Lake; also 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.
Derbys: Allestree: c70 Waxwings still around Farnway this afternoon DE22 2AB.
Derbys: Newton Solney: Great White Egret still east of Newton Solney and north of the River Trent this morning though elusive.
Derbys: Ogston Reservoir: 16 Teal, 12 Pochards, 4 Goldeneye, Water Rail, Curlew flew SSE, 9 Snipe, Kingfisher, Brambling.
Staffs: Cannock Chase: Hawfinch still c.100m from the Tackeroo car park, also Great Grey Shrike still in clearfell off Startley Lane, Upper Longdon SK051143. Also 16 near Tackeroo car park; coming from Rugeley, take the track on the right before the car park.
Staffs: Belvide Reservoir (permit only): Waxwing, 18 Golden Plovers.
Staffs: Hanley: 30+ Waxwings near Staples on Octagon Retail Park this morning.
Staffs: Burton upon Trent: 30+ Waxwings feeding on rowans near Fitness First, Wetmore Road.
Staffs: Doxey Marshes: Water Pipit still, also 100 Teal, 50 Fieldfare, 30 Redwing, 40 Snipe, 6 Shoveler, 6 Goosander, 15 Greenfinch, 15 Long-tailed Tits.
Staffs: Drayton Basset Pits: White-rumped Sandpiper still on North Pit this morning; view only from the path west of the pits by the canal and do not cross any ditches or barriers.
Notts: Kirkby-in-Ashfield: Rock Pipit over Astra Carpets.
Notts: Osberton: 12 Waxwings still on Roebuck Way by the Wilkinson Distribution Centre early afternoon.
Notts: Hoveringham GP's: 1st winter Med Gull again roosted on the sailing lake.
Leics: Rutland Water: Great Northern Diver still off Normanton Church, also a Bittern from Buzzard Hide.
Leics: Albert Village: Adult Caspian Gull at Albert Village Lake; also 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.
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