Friday 30 October 2009

30th October

An adult YL Gull was present mid afternoon. Also noted were a single Siskin (over) and the usual Chiloe Wigeon.
A Dean, L Johnson, P Forbes...

Wednesday 28 October 2009

28th October

Highlight this morning was the reappearence of the Marsh Tit (assuming its not a different bird). It was present mid morning in a tit flock along the railway line to the west of the confluence. Also along the railway line were 2 Goldcrest, Treecreeper, 5 Siskin and a single Redpoll flew over. A Stoat showed well half way between the confluence and the bridge. A female Goldeneye was on the small pool. Also noted were 1 Pochard, 1 Herring Gull, 5 RL Partridge and 20+ Fieldfare flew over.
L Johnson...

27th October

A Green Sandpiper was present.
P Forbes...

Wednesday 21 October 2009

21st October

Another attempt at locating the small gull sp. in better light conditions this evening. There was however no sign of the bird by dark. 2 Adult Yellow legged Gulls were present along with 2 adult GBB gull.
L Johnson...

Tuesday 20 October 2009

October 20th

Small Gull sp. again present in the roost tonight. Light was fading when it was picked out and the bird was distant. Bird has an obvious dark hood, dark grey mantle and looks short bodied (possibly due to short primary projection) and appeared to have a relativly short bill. A Yellow legged Gull was present again in the roost.
S Haynes, S Cawthray, P & L Johnson...

Monday 19 October 2009

19th Oct Gull roost - Poss Franklin's!!!

Small gull with dark mantle and extensive white tertial crescent present at the eastern end late evening, thought possibly to be Franklin's. Also 600 LBB Gull, 60 Herring, 6000 BH Gull, 1 GBB Gull and a single Common Gull.
S Haynes...

19th October

Very quiet on site this morning. A single Yellowhammer, which flew over the western end of the main pool, was the first for several weeks. The Chiloe Wigeon was the only other bird of note.
L Johnson...

16th October

A female/juvenile Common Scoter was present on the main pool for most of the morning at least, although there was no sign of the previous days two drakes or the Arctic Terns. A single Wigeon was also on the main pool whilst 30 Redwing and a single siskin were noted during the morning.
L Johnson...

Thursday 15 October 2009

15th October - Afternoon

After checking the site this morning with little of note present, and spending most of lunch time wondering why there were no Common Scoter present this morning, dispite good numbers inland outside of Warwickshire. I recieved a text mid afternoon informing me that there were indeed 2 Common Scoter on site, along with 2 Arctic Tern. By 15:30 I was back on site. The two drake Scoter were half way down the main pool, whilst the two juvenile Arctic Tern were present just off the car park. Teal numbers had risen to 4, and 2 Pochard were present. Small numbers of Gulls had started to come in to roost by the time I left, with a single Herring and 2 Common Gull. Both the Scoters and Terns were still present until 16:30 at least.
L Johnson...

15th October

A drake Wigeon on the main pool represents the first record for this autumn/winter period, and was present at the west end with 2 Teal. Several groups of Redwing flew west, totaling at least 85, but numbers were hard to count in the low cloud and drizzle.
L Johnson...

Wednesday 14 October 2009

14th October

No sign of the Marsh tit this morning, however a rather large grass snake was a good record.
P Forbes...

Monday 12 October 2009

12th October - 1st for site!!

Dispite an increase in duck numbers on both pools, there was little of note (apart from the Chiloe Wigeon that was still near the car park). There was some visable migration with 7 Skylark and several Meadow Pipit over. Due to good numbers of Firecrest and Yellow brows around the country in the last few days, some time was spent checking along the railway line. 3 Siskin, 3 Chiffchaff and a male Blackcap were notable. A Marsh Tit called several times from Warbler corner, and showed briefly before heading off west along the railway line with a large mixed tit flock. Although Marsh Tit records have been increasing in recent years in one small area of the Tame valley, it still remains unusual outside this area and todays individual represents the first for Shustoke. Kingfisher and Little Owl were also noted today.
L Johnson...

Friday 9 October 2009

8th October

After yesterdays excitment this morning was very quiet. A Chiffchaff sang briefly behind the sailing club and a single Siskin flew south late morning. The Chiloe Wigeon was again present.
P Forbes, L Johnson...

7th October

A nice surprise today came when I recieved a text, mid afternoon, saying that 4 Whooper Swan had dropped onto the main pool. The 4 adult Whoopers stayed at the western end of the main pool until 6:30pm at least, even allowing me to get back from near Doncaster in time to see them. Also present on the main pool throughout the afternoon was a single Goldeneye. Single Common and Yellow legged Gulls were present in the roost, and a Dunlin was present briefly.
Many observers...

6th October

The adult Arctic Tern was still present throughout the day and was joined by a juvenile late afternoon/evening. A Peregrine was also noted.
B Kington...

Monday 5 October 2009

October 5th

The adult Arctic Tern was present again, proving to be more mobile as the morning went on. Otherwise the site was generally quiet.
L Johnson...

Sunday 4 October 2009

4th October

Yesterdays adult Arctic Tern was still present this morning at the western end of the main pool. 2 Shovler were also on the main pool, along with a reasonably large congregation of gulls, which dropped in to wash at around 10.30. 17 Herring Gulls were present along with 40+ LBB and 80+ BH Gull. There was some visable migration again in the sunny weather, with 6 Siskin, 3 Skylark and 20+ Meadow Pipit.
L Johnson...

October 3rd

An adult Arctic Tern was found late morning, and was present throughout the day.
S Haynes...

Friday 2 October 2009

2nd October

A Teal was present on the main pool and was the only duck of note, aside from the single Chiloe Wigeon. There was some visable migration in the clear weather with 8 Swallow, 2+ Siskin, 1 Skylark and several Meadow Pipit, all heading south. Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail were also noted.
L Johnson...