BELVIDE Fog am/Sunny pm Calm

 At least 3 Goshawk were in the area , also a Red Kite. 53 Shoveler, 124 Wigeon and 75 Teal were counted.

BELVIDE

 The only note worthy report received today was the first Blackcap of the year in the reservoir plantation. 

BELVIDE Fair E 2

 A juvenile Goshawk showed well at the west end this afternoon, also an adult was seen to the east. A single LRP was on ther north shore this afternoon, also 70 Golden Plover were in the distance to the east. 109 Wigeon, 19 Shoveler, 1 Goosander, 11 GC Grebe and 1 Little Grebe were counted.

BELVIDE Warm Sunny SE 1-2

A Black-necked Grebe was new for the year and showed well at the west end late afternoon. An adult winter Little Gull was also new for the year. 6 Shelduck and 5 Snipe were noted. 

BELVIDE Sunny S 3-4

 Between 5pm-5.40pm at least 28 Brambling flew south along the dam with 50+ Chaffinch, which was unexpected in number and flight direction. A Black-tailed Godwit was at the west end. A Sand Martin flew thru late afternoon. A Goshawk was seen this morning, also 2 Red Kite, 1 Peregrine and 1 Goosander were noted.

BELVIDE

 News received today included the Black-tailed Godwit still on the north shore, also 2 Goshawk and a Red Kite were in the area. 

BELVIDE Afternoon Rain SW 3-4

 A Black-tailed Godwit was a new arrival on the north shore this afternoon, also 220 Golden Plover in flight in the surrounding area and a single Snipe. 3 Sand Martin dropped in during the rain. At least 2 juvenile Goshawk (photo) were off the west track this morning, also a Red Kite and Peregrine. A Pink-footed Goose was on the north shore, also a single Goosander and 187 Tufted Duck were counted.Several hundred Redwing are around the reserve at the moment with many singing and chuntering in the plantation and surrounding copses.

BELVIDE Fair NW 2

 5 Goshawk were ithe area also a Red Kite. 4 Sand Martin flew through this morning. A Stonechat was off the west track. 7 Shelduck and an Australian Shelduck were present, also a drake Mandarin and 47 Goldeneye were noted. A Pink-footed Goose was on the north shore. 60 Golden Plover were flying way east in the distance . 

BELVIDE

 News received today included a Dunlin and Redshank on the north shore. 2 Red Kite and a Peregrine flew over. The Cetti's Warbler was singing at the west end. 2 Shelduck were noted.

BELVIDE Afternoon Showers SSW 5

 A single LRP was present briefly on the north shore this morning, with another dropping in at 4pm. A single Redshank was on the north shore , also 150 Golden Plover were in the distance east of the dam. At least 8 Common Gull flew thru.

BELVIDE Cloudy WSW 3

 The Siberian Chiffchaff was still between the west end hide and Gazebo bay this afternoon. An adult summer Mediterranean Gull roosted this evening. A Curlew dropped in at dusk, also a Redshank was reported on the board. 2 Shelduck and a Little Grebe were noted.

BELVIDE Overcast S 3

 3 Redshank were on the north shore , also 153 Golden Plover were flying in the distance east of the dam. 2 Red Kite flew over. 145 Wigeon, 26 Shoveler and 1 Shelduck were counted. GC Grebe photo by Trish Wellings.

I've been made aware that some members who were issued with a paper membership have been trying to gain access without the new code. You must email the membership secretary to be issued with a proper membership card with the 2026 access code. membership@westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk 

BELVIDE

 News received today included the Goshawk was seen a few times today, also a Peregrine. A Redshank was on the north shore. The Siberian Chiffchaff was reported by others this morning. The Cetti's Warbler was singing at the west end. 1 Goosander and a pair of Bullfinch were noted.

BELVIDE Murky E 1-2

 Much quieter today. A juvenile Goshawk flew over early afternoon, also a Peregrine and Red Kite were noted. 32 Pochard and 2 Goosander were counted. At least 12 Chiffchaff still.

A Notice to all members that the new 2026 code to the car park gate and hides will be in operation from tomorrow morning. Also Shutt Green Lane is open all the way to Belvide, despite a Road Closed Sign at the beginning of the Lane. 

BELVIDE Overcast/Murk SE 1-2

 A pair of Common Scoter dropped in this morning were part of noticeable inland movement today. A LRP was on the north shore early morning, also 1 Curlew and 1 Dunlin were present. A 1st winter Caspian Gull (photo) dropped in this afternoon, also a noticeable movement of BH Gulls, with several thousand dropping in, then moving on east. 5 Sand Martin were present this morning, also 12+ Chiffchaff. A Goshawk raided Hawkshutts wood this morning, also 2 Red Kite over. 47 Goldeneye, 1 Goosander, 2 Shelduck, 136 Wigeon and 132 Teal were counted. A Pink-footed Goose was on the north shore.

BELVIDE Drizzle NW 2

 A Green Sandpiper flew over the west end was the first of the year, also 1 Redshank, 1 Dunlin and 10 Oystercatcher were present. 6 Sand Martin were at the west end this afternoon. The Siberian Chiffchaff was seen by others, also 12 Chiffchaff were present. 2 Pintail, 21 Shoveler and 150 Tufted Duck were counted. A Peregrine was noted.

BELVIDE Fair S 2

 A 1st winter drake Scaup from the Gazebo hide was the first since the 27th October 2024. 7 Sand Martin dropped in this evening. The Siberian Chiffchaff was near the Gazebo hide this afternoon, also 10 Chiffchaff. 2 Snipe were on the north shore, also 11 Oystercatcher were present. 132 Wigeon were counted.

BELVIDE

The only news received today was the probable Siberian Chiffchaff was still present between the West end hide and Gazebo bay.

BELVIDE Overcast E 2

The first LRP of the spring was on the north shore this afternoon and becomes the earliest site record, beating the previous on the 12th March 2011 and 2017. The Siberian Chiffchaff (photo)was still between the West End Hide and Gazebo bay, also at least 5 Chiffchaff. A juvenile Goshawk flew over the Gazebo bay late afternoon. 42 Goldeneye and 3 Shelduck were counted. Around 5-6000 Starling roosted this evening.

BELVIDE Cloudy S 2-3

 The Siberian Chiffchaff remains in the bushes between the Gazebo hide and Gazebo bay, also 7 Chiffchaff. A Curlew flew west this afternoon, also 12 Oystercatcher were present. 2 Pink-footed Geese were on the north shore this afternoon. 4 Shelduck, 90 Wigeon, 131 Teal and 28 Goldeneye were counted. A Stonechat and 2 Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE Cloudy S 3

 The first two Sand Martin of the year flew thru with one at 10.50am and another at 2.03pm. The Siberian Chiffchaff was near the Gazebo hide early morning, also 2-3 Chiffchaff. At least 3 juvenile Goshawk were in the area, also a Red Kite and Peregrine. A Pink-footed Goose was on the north shore this morning. 1 Goosander, 1 Mandarin, 64 Wigeon, 14 Pochard, 9 GC Grebe and 2 Little Grebe were counted. 77 Golden Plover were flying way east of the dam, also 9 Oystercatcher were noted. 3 Little Egret flew south. A Yellowhammer was off the west track

BELVIDE Cloudy NW 2

 The Siberian Chiffchaff (photos)was still between the West End Hide and Gazebo bay with 2 Chiffchaff. A Bean Goose was seen briefly by Paul Smith early morning before flying off with Greylags. A juvenile female Goshawk (photo) flew over the west end aerly afternoon, also 3 Red Kite and a Peregrine were present. A single Curlew flew thru this morning, also 1 Dunlin and 10 Oystercatcher were present. A Woodcock flew out the reservoir plantation at dusk. 4 Stonechat were off the west track. 1 Mandarin and 3 Shelduck were present. A Great Egret flew thru, also 1 Little Egret was noted. The Starling roost was down to 15-20,000 this evening, but still giving a good display. The reed bed is being flattened, so probably won't last too much longer.

Finally a notice to all WMBC members. The 2026 code to the car park gate and hides will not be changed until Monday 9th March, as the guys who change them aren't available until then.

 

BELVIDE Drizzle N 2

 The first Ringed Plover of the year was seen by others on the north shore this morning, also 12 Oystercatcher. 2 Chiffchaff were near the West End Hide, including a pale grey brown bird, possibly a Siberian Chiffchaff, though I did'nt hear it call. Another great performance from the Starling murmuration with 40,000 birds dropping in front of the Scott hide at 6.15pm.

BELVIDE Afternoon Rain SW 2

 Another spectacular performance this evening from the Starling murmuration. There appeared even more birds, maybe pushing 35000. They finally dropped infont of the Scott hide at 6.13pm. At least 12 Oystercatcher and 3 Mandarin were noted.

BELVIDE Cloudy SW 2

 An unexpected 25-30,000 Starling roosted in the south east bay this evening, finally dropping in at 6.10pm. There hasn't been much of a Starling roost this winter, so this took me by surprise. 15 Golden Plover flew over this afternoon, also 11 Oystercatcher were present. A juvenile Goshawk was chasing Wood Pigeon late afternoon, also a Peregrine was noted. I've posted a video of the Starlings on You Tube. Click on the link to view. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBRPvfLFP5g

BELVIDE Cloudy S 3

 A Goshawk and 2 Red Kite flew over this afternoon. 9 Oystercatcher and 268 Lapwing were counted. A Little Egret was noted. A Lesser Redpoll was along the south east bay.

BELVIDE

 News received today included a Cetti's Warbler singing at the west end . A Little Grebe was a new arrival . A Shelduck was on the north shore. 14 Oystercatcher remain.

BELVIDE Cloudy SW 3-4

 The first Redshank of the year was on the north shore, also 14 Oystercatcher and 248 Lapwing. The first Chiffchaff of the year was by the West End Hide, also a singing Cetti's Warbler. 2 Goshawk and 2 Red Kite were in the area. Today's WeBS count produced 24 Pochard, 120 Tufted Duck, 148 Wigeon, 151 Teal, 13 Shoveler, 31 Gadwall, 73 Mallard, 105 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag Geese, 174 Coot, 1 GC Grebe, 2 Goosander, 30 Goldeneye, 23 Grey Heron, 7 Little Egret and 14 Cormorant. 40 Linnet were on the north shore.

This morning I took a trip to Lea Marston to see a Hume's Leaf Warbler that was found earlier in the week. It's only my 2nd ever in Britain, so was nice to catch up with another. The bird was along the River Tame. We found the bird calling high up in the tree canopy where it hung around in the same area for the hour we were there. The call was very similar to a Pied Wagtail.

Hume's Warbler breed in the high altidude mountains of Central Asia, specifically across the Altai Mountains, Himalayas, Afghanistan, , Pakistan, Tajikistan and into western China. They spend the winter mainly in the Indian subcontinent. 

BELVIDE 21.2.26

 News received today included an adult female Goshawk over the north wood and an imm Peregrine. The 2nd winter Caspian Gull remains. 14 Oystercatcher were present. A Cetti's Warbler was singing at the west end, also a Yellowhammer flew over the west track.

BELVIDE

News received today included The 2nd winter Caspian Gull was present this afternoon. 5 Goosander and 2 Mandarin were noted . 2 Cetti's Warbler were present.

BELVIDE Drizzle NW 2

 14 Oystercatcher and 310 Lapwing were on the north shore. 4 Goosander were noted.