Reservoir Logs - February 25 round-up

               The Red-necked Grebe drew a steady stream of admirers pic @samodonnell25.bsky.social

 

         The first Red-necked Grebe for 25 years brightened what had been up to then a dismal month. It was followed, of course, immediately by the first Black Redstart for over a year which flew over birders enjoying the grebe and two days later by a Mediterranean Gull, another species which for some reason was not seen last year. With a returning Caspian Gull and fly over Siskins also seen at the end of the month, February finished a lot stronger than it began. The six additions take the annual list to 86, just two behind last year but well ahead of the 81 in 2023.  

          Barnacle Geese continued to roost and feed at the reservoirs most days. Shelduck slowly built up with nine being counted on the 19th.  The regular waterbird surveys confirmed that Tufted Duck numbers are lower than usual with just 242 counted across the reservoirs at the beginning of the month compared to 356 last year and 339 in 2023. Goldeneye numbers remained low as well with no more than three seen in a day while the only Goosanders were a single bird on the 2nd and two on 16th.

         As expected, waders were also scarce. The frost early in the month saw two Lapwing on the 7th & 8th with a single on the 16th. Common Snipe were seen occasionally - again usually when frost had forced them off the marsh -  in the East Warwick island with three on the 17th and 28th the peak count while the Common Sandpiper continued to winter, usually on High Maynard. 

                                 A long overdue Mediterranean Gull pic @birdbrainuk.bsky.social

          Black-headed Gulls returned in force to the Lockwood rafts by the middle of the month. The gathering probably attracted a 1W Mediterranean Gull found by DDL, a bird not recorded at all last year, on the 16th while SD picked out December’s rung Caspian Gull on the same reservoir on the 22nd.

          This 1W Caspian Gull was also re-found on Lockwood pic @samodonnell25.bsky.social 

       The highlight of the month was the Red-necked Grebe found at the south end of Lockwood on the 14th. It is the first record since one wintered on West Warwick from late December 1999 into the Spring of 2000. But there was to be no repeat of this long stay as, after circuiting the reservoirs high several times during its three day visit,  it was watched flying off north at lunchtime on the 16th.

The Red-necked Grebe practising for departure pic @samodonnell25.bsky.social 

         The Buzzard continued to winter at the reservoirs, roosting on No 1 island, while two Red Kites were seen on the 24th. More unusual was the Barn Owl which was watched hunting over the flower farm again on the 9th and 17th although sadly missing on other mornings. 

               The Barn Owl continues to appear occasionally pic @chris-farthing.bsky.social 

         It has been a remarkably bad year for winter thrushes with only one record of Fieldfare on the 23rd and seemingly no Redwing at all this month although there are a few on Walthamstow Marsh. The first sign of Spring passage at the reservoirs is often a movement of Stonechats with two bang on schedule on the 18th, two days later than last year, with two more obvious migrants on the 25th. Small numbers of Meadow Pipits also began to appear. 

       The first Skylark, another early migrant, flew over on the 21st with two on the 23rd.  But the most striking sign of migration was the female type Black Redstart, picked up by RB as it flew over the group enjoying the Red-necked Grebe on the 14th. It perched on a nearby tree for a few seconds before continuing on its way north. The first two Siskins of the year were picked up by LB going SW on the last day of the month.

DB @davidbradshaw1952.bsky.social

Reservoir Logs - January 2025 round-up

      

                   The Golden Plover gave amazing views during its stay pic @samodonnell25.bsky.social
  

      A remarkably tame and long-staying Golden Plover was the highlight of an otherwise dull January. The month did also see an elusive Redpoll and a brief re-appearance of a Barn Owl but only 80 species were recorded - three less than last year - with no additions to the year list after the 20th. Even the usual New Year's Day blitz had to be postponed as the Wetlands was shut because of high winds until the afternoon. Which just about sums the month up....   

                   A stunning photograph of the showy drake Goldeneye pic @samodonnell25. bsky.social                                                   

       The Barnacle Goose flock remained at the Wetlands with occasional forays further up the valley although, by the end of the month, it had reduced in size from 15 to 13. Goldeneye numbers also fell from the modest four to just two with the drake and female which had paired up disappearing. Wigeon were seen on three days with a cold weather influx of ten on the 11th. Goosander were also recorded on three days although the five seen over Lockwood on the 7th were three more than the peak count last January. 

The cold weather brought an influx of Wigeon pic @samodonnell25.bsky.social
      

       Seven species of waders were recorded which is a healthy total for January. The highlight was a Golden Plover found on the 12th by JM at the north end of East Warwick. Appearances by the species are usually very brief so it was a major surprise when it was re-found next day on the 4/5 causeway. By the 14th, it had moved to the public side of High Maynard, sleeping and occasionally feeding all day despite a procession of cyclists and joggers just metres away. 

                      This Oystercatcher spent the day on East Warwick pic  @chris-farthing.bsky.social

       An Oystercatcher, which also ignored passers-by, was around East Warwick on the 20th. The only Redshank of the month was on the 10th which also saw the first two Lapwing with a cold weather movement of 15 next day. 

                      Freezing conditions saw Lapwing fly into London pic @samodonnell25.bsky.social

       Common Snipe occasionally appeared on the East Warwick island but, with few on Walthamstow Marsh, numbers never got above three even when there was a heavy frost.  The Common Sandpiper continued its winter stay, largely at the north end of High Maynard. Heavy rain forced Green Sandpipers out of the flooded channels onto Lockwood with two on the 5th and five next day. 

                                   The Buzzard continued to roost on No 1 island pic @chris-farthing.bsky.social                                                         

       January is usually a slow month for raptors at the Wetlands but this month Red Kites were seen on the 7th, 18th and 29th while our first ever wintering Buzzard continued to roost on No 1 island throughout the month. Peregrines were regularly seen on the pylons and neighbouring tower blocks with a food pass between the pair suggesting nesting may take place again in the area.  

       A Barn Owl made an early appearance on the year list when it was watched on the 13th crossing Forest Road to the south side by PG as he waited to go fly-fishing. Unlike last year when the first record of Pheasant was not until October, a female was seen on New Year's Day and regularly across the month. Coal Tit, although still a real scarcity at the Wetlands, is definitely becoming more regular with JN finding one on West Warwick on the 10th. Kingfishers continued to delight visitors with a particularly obliging bird often perching by the Coppermill Tower. 

                            Stonechat numbers fell during the month  pic  @samodonnell25.bsky.social                                                                

        Stonechats continued to be seen on West Warwick but numbers again seemed to fall from four on the 3rd to a maximum of two by the end of the month. Winter thrushes remained exceptionally scarce with just a handful of Redwing and Fieldfare records across the month. Last year a flock of 20 Redwing fed around the Engine House but there are suggestions that a bumper berry crop in Scandinavia this winter has kept birds closer to home. One winter visitor which was unusual was what seems likely to be a single Redpoll - never common at the Wetlands - first seen by MM on the 17th and then intermittently until the 25th. 

DB @davidbradshaw52.bsky.social

      

Reservoir Logs - December 2024 round-up

 

              The first Great Northern Diver since 2013 sparked a mini-twitch pic @chris-farthing.bsky.social

            The first Great Northern Diver for eleven years and a hunting Barn Owl were the highlights of an unusually interesting December. Brent Goose, Little Gull and Redpoll were among other surprising sightings in what is often, unless there is a freezing spell, among the dullest months of the year. 

                                                             Barn Owl with breakfast  pic @MLP

          In all, 83 species were seen across the month. With the late addition of a Raven in October, the diver and owl take the year list to a record 150. This is three more than the previous best in 2017 when this monthly round-up began. The high total is in no small part due to the young eyes, ears and enthusiasm of SD who added and photographed several fly-over species including Hawfinch and Crossbill. Looking back at the year, while there were plenty of good birds, there was no outstanding rarity like last year's Alpine Swift. Unexpected omissions were Mediterranean Gull and both Common and Black Redstart which had been seen annually.  

                             A Brent Goose briefly braved the Saturday crowds pic @samodonnell25.bsky.social                           

           Our regular flock of 15 Barnacle Geese roosted every night on the reservoirs before leaving either to the adjoining playing fields or further up the valley to feed. But it looks as if the single bird may have provided an early Christmas dinner for the Wetlands' foxes as it disappeared mid-month. SD found a Brent Goose on East Warwick on the 14th. Having chosen to land on the busiest reservoir in the complex on a Saturday morning, it didn't stay long. A flock of six Shelduck flew south over the Wetlands on the 28th but did not stop to join the two that now seem settled on the reservoirs. 

                                    The tame Goldeneye continued to delight   pic @samodonnell25.bsky.social                           

 

       It was a good month for Wigeon with sightings on eight days including seven on the 10th and 12 on the 13th. Goldeneye numbers increased slowly to at least four by the 30th including a very tame and smart drake which, like its companions, popped up across the reservoirs during the month. Goosander continued to be very scarce with the sole record a drake on Lockwood on the 27th. The days when the Wetlands hosted a small flock in winter look as if they belong to history. 

                   

                           This Buzzard unusually roosted at the Wetlands  pic @chris-farthing.bsky.social

       The roosting Buzzard continued to be seen early morning until the 27th when it may have finally got fed up with its retinue of crows and Magpies. A Red Kite soared over Lockwood on the 29th. The discovery by CF at dawn of a Barn Owl hunting the flower farm next to No 5 on the 13th was a real surprise. Even more surprising, it was there again next morning before disappearing. Barn Owls are just about annual but they are usually only seen when disturbed from a day-time roost.      

                                                     The Barn Owl watching its admirers pic @MLP

             Five species of wader were seen across December including the occasional Common Snipe and the wintering Common Sandpiper which means the species was recorded every month this year. A tame Oystercatcher on Lockwood on the 29th brought back memories of last December's winterer but, despite from the colour of its bill finding plenty of food, it had disappeared next day. Also one-day birds were the Dunlin on the 8th and the Green Sandpiper on the 11th.

                         Oystercatcher found good feeding on Lockwood pic @samodonnell25.bsky.social                                                             

                December saw two good gull species with a IW Caspian Gull photographed by SD on the 17th and a more obliging Little Gull first seen flying south on Christmas Eve before taking up residence on West Warwick. Only the second record this year, it  continued to be seen - often giving stunning views - until the 29th after which it looks as if it returned to KGV reservoir just up the valley where it had been for a couple of weeks before its visit to the Wetlands. 

                                     1W Caspian (above) and Little Gulls pics @samodonnell25.bsky.social                          

          

         The star bird of the month, also found by CF, was a Great Northern Diver. It appeared on East Warwick in strong winds and heavy rain to show, once again, the link between bad weather and good birds at the Wetlands.  Amazingly, it was its repeated eerie call which first gave away its presence in the gloom suggesting it had just arrived. The first since 2013, it kindly stayed around for a couple of hours before flying off high west.  

                            The Great Northern Diver preparing for take-off pic @samodonnell25.bsky.social                           

             

                 There was far less excitement this month, as expected, with smaller birds. A Skylark was seen in the rain on the 8th. Winter thrushes continue to be extremely scarce with the only record of Fieldfare on the last day of the year when three flew over.  Up to three Stonechats continued to be seen regularly around the Warwicks while the 6th produced six Siskin and single Redpoll which may be the same bird seen on the 16th. 

DB davidbradshaw52.bsky.social

 

Reservoir Logs - November 2024 round-up

 

                                                 Whooper Swans made a brief stop on No 5 ivorh.bsky.social                                                        

       A family party of three Whooper Swans - the first to land at the Wetlands for 14 years - was the stand-out record of November. In an excellent first few days, Pintail, Golden Plover and Brambling were also added to the year list as well as additional records of Great Egret, Knot and Rook in the 88 species seen.                                        

      It means the year list - with a month to go - now stands at a record 147, four more than this time last year and one more than the previous highest annual total in 2020. With Common Scoter, Mediterranean Gull and Black Redstart, all recorded most years, still not seen there is time to stretch the record further.   

       Barnacle Geese are now a regular sight at the Wetlands.with the flock of 15 plus the additional lone bird around all month.  Last year's return of a Shelduck on the 12th was the earliest date in recent years but this was beaten with a male from the 4th. 

        The discovery of the month was the family of Whooper Swans - two adults and a young bird - by TR late morning on the 21st. They seemed settled on No 5 but, with anglers fishing the reservoir, got increasingly jumpy and departed a couple of hours later. They are the first Whoopers seen at the reservoirs since a single bird flew over Lockwood in 2017 and the first to land since a one on No 4 and Lockwood in 2009.  

                                  A mixed flock included the first Pintail of the year samodonell25.bsky.social                            

     Pintail were added to the year list when SD not only spotted but photographed a small flock of duck heading south on the 3rd. Examination of the photographs confirmed his suspicions that the flock contained three Pintail as well as Wigeon and Shoveler. Six more Wigeon were seen next day with a single on the 8th. A female Red-crested Pochard was found on the 9th and, unusually, hung around until the 13th.  

                                This Goldeneye spent the month on West Warwick chris-farthing.bsky.social     

         A female Goldeneye returned to the Wetlands on the 3rd, exactly the same date as last year's first autumn bird. It remained on West Warwick all month with the only other records single drakes on 15th & 29th. This compares to last year when five Goldeneye were regularly being seen by the end of November. Goosander were no commoner with the first two over West Warwick on 23rd and two more over Lockwood five days later. 

                         The Black-necked Grebes continued to show superbly samodonnell25.bsky.social                                   

     The three Black-necked Grebes continued to show superbly with one bird moving from Lockwood to East Warwick. But despite being on different reservoirs, they somehow synchronised departure with none being found on the 22nd. The fourth Great White Egret of the year flew over on the 9th. A Red Kite was seen on the 14th with Buzzards on the 10th and 23rd before another apparently roosted at the reservoirs or in the Paddock as it was seen early morning on both the 29th & 30th. 

                                   The Great Egret got the traditional welcome pic samodonnell25.bsky.social

         Seven species of wader were seen across the month including the first Golden Plover of the year watched by DW and ICE to go south from High Maynard on the 2nd. It is only the fourth year in the last ten that the species has been recorded. Lapwing are much more regular visitors with eight on the 3rd, two on the 9th and 29th and singles on the 12th and 23rd. The 3rd also saw a Curlew going south while two separate Knot, including a bird which landed on East Warwick, were seen on the 9th. Knot is also far from annual at the reservoirs so three in a year is greedy.  

                              Knot is not even annual so three in a year is unusual samodonnell25.bsky.social                                       

      November saw two records of Dunlin with a single on Lockwood on the 2nd and another on East Warwick on the 4th. What looked to be last year's wintering Common Sandpiper remained faithful to High Maynard until mid-month before moving to the south side where it became much more elusive.  Three Green Sandpipers appeared on Lockwood on the 24th, presumably driven off the flood relief channel by the heavy rain associated with Storm Bert. 

                                         Two Dunlin dropped in early in the month chris-farthing.bsky.social                                                      

       Three separate Yellow-legged Gulls were seen this month with a 1W on the 9th, an adult on 16th and a near-adult on the 24th. A Black-headed Gull rung in Oslo fifteen years ago was seen at the reservoirs this month for the first time since it visited in 2021.  The second Rook of the year - a species which is as rare as Osprey at the Wetlands - was seen by MD on the 10th.

                     This adult Yellow-legged Gull was one of three this month samodonnell25.bky.social

    With passage migration coming to a close, it was a slower month for small birds but, as usual for November, there were interesting records. Single Skylarks were seen on the 2nd and 5th. Blackcaps are not common winterers at the reservoirs but two were caught on the 30th by the ringing team. Winter thrushes were scarce but 60 Redwing passed over on the 2nd and twelve Fieldfare on the 11th. 

                                    The year's first Bramblings appeared on the 1st samodonnell25.bsky.social 

       DC picked up another Firecrest by the Ferry Boat Inn on the 9th while a Siberian Chiffchaff was found by SD on the 3rd. It was part of a movement which saw 27 Chiffchaffs caught on the 2nd. Two separate Brambling, the first of the year, were also seen and photographed by SD on the 1st with the first over Lockwood and the second around No 4. It may have been the same bird seen on the 2nd and, less likely, on the 16th in the same area. 

DB @davidbradshaw52@bsky.social

Reservoir Logs - October 24 round-up

          

                       This distant male Hen Harrier is likely to be bird of the year pic @FinchleyBirder 

       What seems to have been the first Hen Harrier for at least 25 years and first Hawfinches for seven were the highlights of an exceptional October. The month also saw a Yellow-browed Warbler caught by the ringing team as well as multiple records of Great White Egret, Osprey and Black-necked Grebe. Many of the gaps, too, in the year list were filled with Rook, Rock Pipit, Pheasant and Redpoll all added to the annual total. 

                         The ringing team struck gold with this Yellow-browed Warbler pic @whiteleggdan                                                        

         In all, 90 species were recorded across the month with the six additions taking the year list to 143, one ahead of last year and equal to the record total in 2020. It is probably too late to add Garganey and, certainly, Common Redstart to the annual total but Pintail, Common Scoter, Mediterranean Gull, Black Redstart and Brambling could push it up by the year end close to 150.  

             Stop press: The late addition of two Ravens seen from Lockwood by a visiting US birder on the 7th takes the year list to 144. 

                         The first of six Hawfinches over the reservoirs this month pic @Elliott81756617

       The flock of 15 Barnacle Geese regularly commuted between the reservoirs and Cheshunt with one additional bird refusing to move from its favourite feeding areas around No 5. Two Wigeon were seen on the 2nd with another on the 5th. But in general it was a poor month for wildfowl - with low numbers of Pochard and no early Goldeneye or Goosanders - although a pair of Cape Shelduck caused a ripple of excitement on the 22nd. What was the most embarrassing and inexplicable gap in the year list was closed when a Pheasant was found on the 19th. Both male and female were then - as is normal - seen regularly until the end of the month. 

                              Lockwood proved attractive to Black-necked Grebes pic @Elliott81758817.... 

               

                                    .............and could be amazingly confiding pic @HarringayBirder
                                                           

       September's Black-necked Grebe remained on Lockwood and was joined by two more on the 6th with all three remaining for the month. They could be very mobile and were often separate which made counting challenging but suspicions that the total could be higher, at least on some days, were confirmed when four were found on the 29th. It is the biggest group and longest stay by the species in recent years. 

                         This Great White Egret spent 10 minutes at the Wetlands pic @Chris_Farthing

         After last month's first fly-over Great White Egrets. another was seen on the 3rd. It wasn't until the 27th that one actually put down at the Wetlands with a brief stay on 'Cormorant Island' on No 5 before the combined attentions of Magpies and gulls drove it south again. What was likely to be the same bird was seen briefly on High Maynard next day. 

   

                                         Two late Ospreys were seen this month  pic @LolBodini

         It was an exceptional month for birds of prey,. LB, who has the advantage of having a loft window overlooking Lockwood, picked out Ospreys going south on the 14th and 25th, the third and fourth sightings of the year. Red Kites were seen on the 4th, 5th and 13th with Common Buzzards on the 6th and 12th.  But the pride of place goes to the stunning, if sadly distant, male Hen Harrier seen  and photographed by SL on the 2nd. It seems likely to be the rarest bird seen this year at the Wetlands with no one remembering any record this century.  

                          Common Sandpipers were seen throughout October pic @Elliott81756617 

         Six species of wader were seen in October - halfway between last year's eight and 2022's four. There was a solid passage of Lapwing with records on at least six days including a flock of 20 on the 27th. A Ringed Plover was heard on the 15th, a Black-tailed Godwit seen on 28th and the sole Redshank was on on High Maynard on the 10th. Common Snipe put in regular appearances particularly on the East Warwick island . Common Sandpipers were recorded throughout the month with a peak count of three on 4th and 9th with one staying at the north end of High Maynard - just like last year's winterer - until the end of the month.  

                     October is the best month to see Jackdaw at the Wetlands pic @Elliott81756617

         As usual, there was an October passage of Jackdaw, mostly in small numbers but including a flock of 60 on the 11th. The only two Rooks of the year were seen by EDH on the 4th. They remain very scarce at the Wetlands with none seen in 2023. A Coal Tit, again a scarce visitor although they seem to be getting slightly more frequent, was seen by PL on the 5th. Skylarks also passed over towards the end of the month with six on both the 26th & 27th and 11 on the 31st.

       

A superb Firecrest showing off its new ring pic @Elliott81756617

         The ringing team hit gold this month, picking both Yellow-browed Warbler and Firecrest out of their nets around the No 1 reedbed. The Yellow-browed, caught on the 12th, is only the second or third record for the reservoirs. It came during an exceptional influx of these beautiful Siberian visitors into London and across the UK which also saw another unrung bird appear two days later just over the reservoirs' boundary fence on Walthamstow Marsh. To add to the excitement, the team caught a stunning Firecrest - the second record of the year - on the 18th. Unlike the Yellow-browed which disappeared after being released, it was seen with a tit flock on the 1/2/3 path next day. 

                         This exceptionally tame Wheatear was on Lockwood pic @Chris_Farthing               

      The final summer visitors departed with three Swallows on the 1st with a late bird feeding over No 5 on the 20th. The last House Martins were 30 counted on the 7th.  Single  Wheatears were recorded on the 1st, 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th with the last of the month on the 27th. A late Yellow Wagtail was sound recorded over the reservoirs on the 21st. 

        As the summer visitors leave, they are usually replaced by winter thrushes. But it looked as if October was unusally going to pass without a single Fieldfare being recorded before five dropped in to the berry bushes near the Engine House on the 31st.  Redwing passage was stronger with several hundred seen and heard going over on the 12th and a few using the reservoirs to feed. Wintering Stonechats have taken up residence around the Warwicks with up to four birds seen. 

                    Redwing (pic @MLP) and Fieldfare (below) pic @IvorHewstone) 

     With no Spring records of Rock Pipit this year, the bird found over East Warwick by SD on the 5th was the first of the year. It was followed by other records on the 7th, 11th, 20th, 21st and a bird with an injured leg on the 26th & 27th. 

                                                 Rock Pipits were regular during October pic @Elliott81756617

       The last Hawfinches seen over the reservoirs were five over Lockwood during the last big influx year in 2017. SD went one better this month when he photographed one over East Warwick on the 20th followed by five more again over Lockwood on the 26th. The same day and reservoir saw DDL pick up the first Redpoll of the year, 18 days later than the first record last year. Siskin were much more regular with records on or over the reservoirs on at least ten days with 13 on the 31st. 

DB davidbradshaw52@bsky.social @porthkillier

   

  

    

Reservoir Logs - September 2024 round-up

 

                           A Cattle Egret made another brief appearance on No 3 island pic @MK 

           The second ever Yellow-browed Warbler -  four years after the first - was the highlight of September which also saw the long overdue appearance of Great Egrets this year. Cattle Egret, Tree Pipit and Black-necked Grebe were recorded as well for the second time in 2024 while a remarkable flock of 12 Sandwich Terns flew through the reservoirs. In all, 91 species were seen across the month with the year list now standing at 137,  one behind last year and eight ahead of 2022.

                                           Good numbers of Wigeon dropped in this month pic @MLP

        Mid-month saw a flock of 13 Barnacle Geese arrive back after their late summer break to join the single bird that never left. The first Wigeon of the Autumn was found on the 7th - four days later than in 2023 - with singles also on the 14th and 19th, three on the 20th and a dozen including a flock of seven on the 23rd. Good numbers of Shoveler continued to use the Wetlands for their post-breeding moult with 96 counted on the 27th. A very tame Black-necked Grebe, the second record after the pair in April, was found on No 4 on the 22nd. It stayed into October and kindly moved to Lockwood for the last days of September to allow non-permit holders the chance to enjoy it. 

                                   The Black-necked Grebe allowed a close approach pic @Chris_Farthing

        While Great Egret had been seen  at plenty of nearby sites already this year, for some reason the reservoirs had been a no-fly zone until SD picked up the first of the year heading west on the 22nd.  As so often happens after such an inexplicable absence, a second bird flew through two days later. Following last month’s record and an influx into London, another Cattle Egret was photographed on the 3rd.  

       A Red Kite was seen on the 10th and two Buzzards on the 15th with another on the 21st. Hobby made regular, if again usually brief, appearances with records on seven days - one less than last year - with the last sighting on the 21st while Peregrines were semi-resident on the pylons on the south side. An evening visit on the 28th revealed that at least one,and probably two, Little Owls had re-appeared - just as they did last year - which raises questions again of where they spend the rest of their time.

                                                Snipe arrived back on schedule pic @Elliott81758817 

                  Eight species of wader - the same as last year - were seen in September although unlike last year, there was nothing out-of-the-ordinary. An Oystercatcher spent two days at the Wetlands on the 3rd &4th with two Lapwing on Lockwood on the 6th and another on the 20th.  The first Common Snipe of the autumn was seen on the 1st - seven days earlier than last year - with others on the 2nd, 4th, 21st, 26th and 28th.

         Common Sandpiper passage was strong with a peak count for the Autumn of 19 on the 2nd and still six scattered around the site on the 26th, dwindling to two by the 30th., Green Sandpiper were seen on the 9th & 10th with two on the 17th while Greenshank were recorded on the 1st and 6th. The only Redshank of the month was seen on the 21st.

          The first Common Gull since the Spring was an early bird on the 1st. We count ourselves lucky if we see a couple of Sandwich Terns a year with 2024 already boasting two records. So the flock of 12 first seen going over High Maynard early on the 4th before gaining height over West Warwick was unprecedented. 

          Their appearance came the day after the last family of three Common Terns - whose colour rings showed the two juveniles had been raised on West Warwick - finally left, five days earlier than the the last young birds and accompanying adult departed last year. A flock of around 20 terns briefly over Lockwood on the 2nd where either Common or Arctic as was a single distant tern over West Warwick on the 6th.

         Swifts seem to be leaving earlier with the last definite record on the last day of August, one day earlier than last year. Swallow passage was light with the peak count of 20 on both the 5th & 6th until heavy rain on the 25th saw 65 passing through.The same day saw the final Sand Martins but House Martins remained into October with over 500 still around the Wetlands and filter beds on the 26th. 

       A Yellow-browed Warbler was recorded at the bottom of No 3 reservoir on the 22nd by an experienced observer taking part in the BTO bird race. It is only the second record for the Wetlands following the first in the Autumn of 2020 which stayed for several weeks after going missing after it was first found. It is possible the pattern is repeating itself as there was a second sighting of a Yellow-browed Warbler on the 29th near the Engine House by the Bird Enthusiasts of Colour walk. 

        Reed Warblers, as they did last year, lingered until the end of the month. A ringing session on the 21st showed Sedge Warblers were still moving through with two caught (18th last date last year) while the final record for Willow Warbler were the 16th (18th)  Common Whitethroat 14th (18th) and Lesser Whitethroat on the 22nd (19th). Spotted Flycatchers were only seen on the 1st and 2nd with a late record on the 22nd. 

                                                 Spotted flycatchers were scarce pic @Elliott81758817

                 It was a much better month for Whinchats compared both to August and last September when there was only one record. Birds were seen on 10 days with two on the 2nd and 13th. The first Stonechat of the Autumn arrived on the 18th - two days later than last year - with three together on West Warwick by the 25th.

                                   It was a good month for passage Whinchat pic @Elliott81758817

      Wheatear passage was also much better than in August with birds seen on at least 16 days with a strong bias towards the beginning and end of the month. Six on the 4th was the highest count and there were still two on the 30th.

                                 Wheatear passage continued across the month pic @sjnewton

          The exceptional passage of Yellow Wagtail this year continued with records on at least eight days and peak counts of four on both the 7th and 25th compared to just two last year.  Meadow Pipits began flying over in small numbers from mid-month with 25 seen and heard on the 21st, They included an accompanying Tree Pipit on the 14th picked up by SD.

                                           Yellow Wagtails have been much more common pic @ADH                                                         

DB @porthkillier