BELVIDE 16.5.24 Afternoon Rain SE 1

 Despite the rain and light south easterly wind, there was very little to shout about. 2 Dunlin flew thru and 2 Ringed Plover dropped in. 3 Common Tern and 62 Gadwall were noted.

BELVIDE 15.5.24 Fair SE 2

 The drake Garganey remains at the west end. 2 Ringed Plover and a single Curlew were the only other birds of note.

BELVIDE 14.5.24 Early Rain SSE 3

 The drake Garganey was present again at the west end, also a drake Mandarin. 5 Ringed Plover and a Curlew were on the north shore. 4 Red Kite flew thru south this afternoon, also a Hobby was noted. 2 Yellow Wagtail were off the west track. At least 250 Swift this afternoon. A Little Egret was present this morning.

BELVIDE 13.5.24 Overcast SSE 3

 A Great Egret was present briefly early morning. A Mandarin was seen along the boundary ditch with 6 ducklings. 1 Ringed Plover and 1 Curlew were on the north shore. 2 Red Kite flew over. 40 Tufted Duck, 3 Pochard, 49 Gadwall, 52 Mallard, 6 Shoveler were counted.

BELVIDE 12.5.24 Cloudy SE 2

 A Black Tern flew thru at 6.30am, also 3 Common Tern were present. A Great Egret dropped in this morning, before continuing east. A drake Garganey was along the south east bay. 1 Redshank, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew and 1 Common Sandpiper were present. An Alexandrine Parakeet (photo) was at Hawkshutts farm this morning and is a new bird for the exotica list.

BELVIDE 11.5.24 Cloudy SE 2-3

 7 Black Tern flew thru today with 3 present between 10am-10.55am. Then another 4 flew straight thru at 11.24am. Also 2 Common Tern were present. 3 Whimbrel remain on the north shore, also 3 Common Sandpiper were present. 2 Red Kite flew over this morning.

Last night, I visited the reserve to witness a spectacular Aurora. Probably one of the strongest ever showings this far south.

BELVIDE 10.5.24 Cloudy SE 1

 A flock of 24 Snow Geese (photos by Paul Smith. dropped on the north shore at 7am. They included 23 white morph and 1 blue morph. They had been seen the previous day at Crossens Marsh in Lancashire, a distance of 76 miles. They were present until 8.10am, when they appeared to fly off south. However, they must have done a U turn, as the same flock was relocated 111 miles to the north west at Halforth in Cumbria 3.5 hours later.. A bizarre bit of migratory behavior. I presume these birds are from a large flock of feral birds that roam around the Oxfordshire area.

Other birds today included a Greenshank briefly this morning. The 3 Whimbrel remain on the north shore, also 2 Ringed Plover, 3 LRP and 3 Common Sandpiper were present. 20 GC Grebe and 177 Coot were counted.

BELVIDE 9.5.24 Fair

 A drake Garganey at the west end was a new arrival. 4 Whimbrel were on the north shore, also 1 Curlew, 4 Ringed Plover and 2 LRP. A Wheatear was on the Barn roof opposite the car park this afternoon. 2 Red Kite flew over. 2 Common Tern were noted.

BELVIDE 8.5.24 Cloudy Warm SSW 2

 The main highlight today was a Common Crane found on the north shore at 7.30am by Paul Smith. It was present until 11.17am when it flew off to the north. It is very likely that it dropped in the evening before. This becomes the 7th record and the first since 3 flew over on the 8th October 2009. The other 5 records records are as follows. 1 May 5th 1979. 2 April 25th-26th 1991. 6 flew east 30th August 2003. 1 15th October 2005. 2 flew over 22nd June 2009. 3 Whimbrel remain on the north shore, also 1 Ringed Plover and 1 LRP were noted. A Hobby was hawking above the reservoir, also a Red Kite flew over. A video of the Crane can be viewed by clicking the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bcd6kc4Tk0

BELVIDE 7.5.24 Cloudy NE 2

 A female Common Scoter was new for the year. 3 Whimbrel remain on the north shore, also 1 Curlew, 1 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 LRP and 1 Common Sandpiper were present. A male Wheatear was on the north west shore, also a Yellow Wagtail was at the west end.

BELVIDE 6.5.24 Cloudy N 1-2

 A Greenshank on the north shore was a new arrival, also 3 Whimbrel, and 1 Common Sandpiper were present. A Yellow Wagtail was below the dam. 73 Mute Swan and 2 Teal were counted.

BELVIDE 5.5.24 Fair SE 1

 The main highlight today were 2 Hawfinch that flew over the dam heading north east at 7.24am. They are certainly the latest I've seen at Belvide. A female Whinchat (photo) off the west track was the first of the year. A male Wheatear was on the Chappell bund. 3 Hobby flew thru today. 3 Whimbrel and 2 Curlew were on the north shore, also 2 Common Sandpiper and 2 LRP were noted. 7 Garden Warbler were singing. A Little Egret flew over this morning. 2 Common Tern were present.

Yesterday's 91 Species recorded on the reserve as follows. 

1 Mute Swan, 2 Greylag Goose, 3 Canada Goose, 4 Egyptian Goose, 5 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 7 Gadwall, 8 Shoveler, 9 Teal,  10 Pochard, 11 Scaup, 12 Tufted Duck, 13 Goosander, 14 Mandarin, 15 RL Partridge, 16 Pheasant, 17 GC Grebe, 18 Cormorant, 19 Grey Heron, 20 Osprey, 21 Buzzard, 22 Sparrowhawk, 23 Goshawk, 24 Kestrel, 25 Hobby, 26 Peregrine, 27 Moorhen, 28 Coot, 29 Oystercatcher, 30 LRP, 31 Ringed Plover, 32 Lapwing, 33 Dunlin, 34 Common Sandpiper, 35 Greenshank, 36 Whimbrel, 37 BH Gull, 38 Herring Gull, 39 LBB Gull, 40 Common Tern, 41 Feral Pigeon, 42 Stock Dove, 43 Wood Pigeon, 44 Collared Dove, 45 Little Owl, 46 Swift, 47 GS Woodpecker, 48 Skylark, 49 Sand Martin, 50 House Martin, 51 Swallow, 52 Meadow Pipit, 53 Pied Wagtail, 54 Yellow Wagtail, 55 Grey Wagtail, 56 Dunnock, 57 Robin, 58 Wheatear, 59 Song Thrush, 60 Mistle Thrush, 61 Blackbird, 62 Garden Warbler, 63 Blackcap, 64 Whitethroat, 65 Lesser Whitethroat, 66 Sedge Warbler, 67 Reed Warbler, 68 Chiffchaff, 69 Goldcrest, 70 Wren, 71 Great Tit, 72 Blue Tit, 73 Coal Tit, 74 LT Tit, 75 Nuthatch, 76 Treecreeper, 77 Magpie, 78 Jay, 79 Jackdaw, 80 Rook, 81 Crow, 82 Raven 83 House Sparrow, 84 Chaffinch, 85 Linnet, 86 Lesser Redpoll, 87 Goldfinch, 88 Greenfinch, 89 Bullfinch, 90 Reed Bunting, 91 Yellowhammer.

BELVIDE 4.5.24 Overcast am Fair pm SW 2

 Today saw an attempt at the annual spring all dayer. 91 species were recorded between 0430-1930 hours. Highlights included a Little Owl opposite the car park at dawn. 1 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 13 Dunlin, 10 Common Sandpiper, 3 Ringed Plover were present. An Osprey flew thru at 2.15pm, also the first Hobby of the spring, 1 Peregrine and a Goshawk were noted. A Wheatear was on the shingle island. 6 Lesser Redpoll were along the west lane. The drake Scaup remains, also 1 Goosander and a Teal were noted. 4 Yellow Wagtail flew thru. I will publish a full list on tomorrow's blog.

BELVIDE 3.5.24 Overcast WNW 2

 The first Turnstone of the year flew thru at 11.40am, also 9 Dunlin flew thru. 3 Whimbrel and a Greenshank were on the north shore, also 12 Oystercatcher, 3 LRP and 3 Common Sandpiper were present. 12 Arctic Tern flew thru over the day with 3 mid morning and another 9 at 4.25pm. Also 3 Common Tern were present. An Osprey flew north at 1pm, also a Red Kite was present.  The drake Scaup remains. A pair of Wigeon were new arrivals, also 60 Mute Swan were counted. A Little Egret was noted. A Yellow Wagtail was on the south west shore late afternoon.

BELVIDE 2.5.24 Overcast ENE 2

 2 Arctic Tern flew thru at 8.20am. The Greenshank and Whimbrel remain on the north shore, also 8 Oystercatcher and 2 LRP were present. The drake Scaup was still off the Gazebo hide. 48 Gadwall and 126 Coot were counted. A Red Kite was off the west track. 21 Sedge Warbler and 10 Reed Warbler were singing.

BELVIDE 1.5.24 Overcast ENE 1-2

 A Little Tern was present between 1.30pm-2.15pm when it flew off south, also 3 Common Tern passed thru. The Whimbrel and Greenshank were on the north west shore. 5 Common Sandpiper were along the dam and a Dunlin flew thru. The drake Scaup has turned up again, also 110 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard and 8 Shoveler were counted. 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat and 6 Garden Warbler were singing.

BELVIDE 30.4.24 Fair S 3-4

 A Marsh Harrier flew over to the south at 11.45am. A Whimbrel was a new arrival, also 1 Greenshank, 1 Redshank and 7 Common Sandpiper were present. A single Goldeneye remains.

BELVIDE 29.4.24 Overcast SSW 4

 A Wood Sandpiper along the south west shore was the first of the year, though there was no further sign after 1.40pm. A Greenshank dropped in at the west end late morning. A Green Sandpiper flew over late morning, also 12 Common Sandpiper were present. 2 Common Tern were present this afternoon.  10 Shelduck, 1 Goldeneye, 9 Pochard 1 Mandarin and 43 Mute Swan were counted. 32 Swift, 100 Sand Martin were noted.

BELVIDE 28.4.24 Morning Rain NW 2-3

An Osprey flew thru to the north at 10.25am, also 5 Goshawk were seen by others. 2 Arctic Tern flew thru this morning with one at 6.55am and the other at 9.40am, also a single Common Tern thru. 1 Ringed Plover, 4 LRP and 5 Common Sandpiper were present, alalso 3 Dunlin flew thru lateafternoon.  3 Yellow Wagtail flew thru. A Lesser Whitethroat was singing by the west end hide. 3 Mandarin were on the north shore early morning, also 7 Goldeneye and 2 Teal remain.

BELVIDE 27.4.24 Light pm Rain ENE 2-3

 The first Black Tern of the spring dropped in at 12.15pm just as the rain started. Also a Common Tern flew thru this morning. 8 Common Sandpiper, 1 Ringed Plover and 4 LRP were present, also a single Dunlin flew thru early morning. 2 Red Kite and a Peregrine were present. 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Garden Warbler and 11 Sedge Warbler were singing. 2 Yellow Wagtail flew thru. 40 Swift, 100 House Martin, 30 Swallow and 10 Sand Martin were present. 7 Goldeneye remain.

BELVIDE 26.4.24 Overcast NE 2

2 Ringed Plover were at the west end, also a Common Sandpiper was along the dam. A Goshawk and 2 Red Kite were in the area. 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Garden Warbler were singing. 50 Swift were present this morning. 7 Goldeneye were noted.

BELVIDE 25.4.24 Overcast NNW 2

 The main highlight today were 2 White Stork that flew over to the north at 4.10pm. They are probably the two birds that were at Coombe Hill Gloustershire this morning, then later over Grimley, Worcestershire at 1.30pm. They are part of the introduced scheme at Knepp Estate in West Sussex. A Curlew Sandpiper flew aroung the reservoir a few times at 4.45pm before continuing north, also 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Redshank, 1 Ringed Plover, 4 LRP and 1 Common Sandpiper were present. A Yellow Wagtail was at the west end. A Garden Warbler was singing by the spill weir. 12 Swift were over the dam. A pair of Mandarin and 5 Shelduck were noted. Others reported a Bar-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel on the north shore earlier in the day. Also a female Scaup.

BELVIDE 24.4.24 Cloudy NNE 2

A Bar-tailed Godwit on the north shore was the first of the year, also 8 Redshank were present. 3 Arctic Tern and a Common Tern were off the Chappell hide. The first Garden Warbler of the year was along the south east bay. A Lesser Whitethroat was at the west end. A Barn Owl flying along the field by the spill weir at 4.15pm was unusual. 4 Mandarin were seen by others this morning, also 8 Goldeneye, 6 Teal and 37 Mute Swan were counted. 25 Swift were present this morning.

BELVIDE 23.4.24 Cloudy N 2-3

 A drake Garganey at the west end was the first of the year, also the drake Scaup was still present off the dam. An Arctic Tern (photo) was present this afternoon with 2 birds seen by others this morning. 14 Redshank remain on the north shore, also 1 Common Sandpiper and a Ringed Plover was reported this morning. 8 Swift were noted. A Goshawk was seen this afternoon.

BELVIDE 22.4.24 Rain S 1/E 2

An excellent days birding with the weather conditions doing the trick. The day started with light rain at dawn that got more moderate over the day with a light southerly breeze that later switched east. A Little Tern dropped in briefly at 11.11am. A Total of 35 Arctic Tern dropped in over the day, also 3 Common Tern. An adult Kittiwake was present between 9.10-10.10am when it flew off south. Another Kittiwake was present between 11.25-11.57am when it flew off south east. 14 Redshank dropped in at 8.05am, also 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper and 4 LRP were present. A drake Scaup was a new arrival, also 1 Goosander, 9 Goldeneye and a drake Mandarin were counted. 26 Swift, 80 Swallow, 30 House Martin and 20 Sand Martin were counted. 2 Yellow Wagtail were on the north shore.

BELVIDE 21.4.24 Fair NNE 2

 4 Whimbrel on the north shore were new arrivals, also 1 Curlew, 5 Common Sandpiper and 4 LRP were present. An impressive 7 Goshawk were up this morning in the area, also a Peregrine was noted. 4 Swift were present this morning but there are still very few hirundines about despite the cool conditions this morning. 3 Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Whitethroat were present. A drake Mandarin was noted.

BELVIDE 20.4.24 Fair N 2

 The main highlight today was a superb Slavonian Grebe in full summer plumage. It spent all of it's time diving in front of the Chappell hide. This is the first record since two birds on the 24th November 2016. A cream crowned Marsh Harrier was briefly over the south east bay at 9.10am before flying off south. Also 2 Goshawk and a Red Kite were in the area. 4 Whitethroat were at the west end. A Lesser Whitethroat was singing along the Gazebo bay this morning. A single Yellow Wagtail flew north. 2 Common Sandpiper and 4 LRP were present. 3 Brambling were noted. Some video footage of the Grebe can be viewed here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80_4EFHsmbA

BELVIDE 19.4.24 Cloudy NNW 3-4

 4 Redshank and 2 Ringed Plover were new arrivals at the west end, also 3 Common Sandpiper were present. A Yellow Wagtail flew north this afternoon, also 2 White Wagtail were on the north shore. A pair of Brambling remain at the Gazebo feeders. A Goshawk was up again this afternoon.

BELVIDE 18.4.24 Cloudy W 3

 A 1st summer Yellow-legged Gull (photo) was on the north shore this afternoon. The male Wheatear remains on the north shore plough, also 1 Yellow Wagtail. A pair of Goshawk were up again this afternoon. 8 Common Sandpiper and 4 LRP were present. 61 Gadwall, 7 Shelduck and 29 Mute Swan were counted. A pair of Brambling were at the Gazebo feeders.

BELVIDE 17.4.24 Cloudy NW 3-4

 An adult Kittiwake was present this morning but wasn't seen after 9am. A Whitethroat was off the west track.  The north shore areas have been rotivated today to create wader habitat. A Ringed Plover dropped on there once it was finished, also 6 Common Sandpiper and 4 LRP were present. The plough also attracted a Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail. 2 adult female Goshawk were having a dispute this afternoon. 4 Shelduck were noted.

BELVIDE 16.4.24 Showery N 3

 The first Swift of the spring was over the north wood this afternoon, also 60 Sand Martin, 10 House Martin and 10 Swallow. A male Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail were on the north shore plough. 1 Dunlin, 10 Common Sandpiper and 7 LRP were present.