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.

BELVIDE 15.4.24 Showery NW 5-6

 The first Whimbrel of the spring was on the north shore early morning only. An Arctic Tern dropped in around 1pm, was also new for the year. 3 Common Sandpiper and 4 LRP were present. A pair of Egyptian Geese were on the north shore with 4 goslings. 4 Shelduck and 21 Mute Swan were counted. A Goshawk and Peregrine were in the area. A Lesser Whitethroat was singing off the west track. 2 Yellow Wagtail and 2 White Wagtail were on the north shore plough this morning.

BELVIDE 14.4.24 Cloudy SW 2

 The first 2 Lesser Whitethroat of the spring were present with one off the west track and the other in the hedge by the car park. The north shore was ploughed this afternoon and immediately there were 6 Yellow Wagtail and 3 White Wagtail on there. 6 Common Sandpiper, 4 LRP and 12 Oystercatcher were present. 3 Willow Warbler and 4 Reed Warbler were noted. A Red Kite flew over. A male and female Brambling were at the Gazebo feeders. A Little Egret was on the north shore.

BELVIDE 13.4.24 Cloudy SW 2-3

 The main highlight today were 2 1st summer Spoonbill that dropped on the south west shore at 10.45am. They were present until 11.27am when they flew off north. It becomes the 14th record for the reserve, that has become an annual visitor in recent years. An imm male Goshawk was seen a couple of times this morning, also a Red Kite and Peregrine were present. 3 Ring-necked Parakeet flew south at 8.09am. 10 Common Sandpiper were still present, also 6 LRP and 60 Golden Plover were in flight east of the dam. A female Wheatear was off the west track, also 8 Sedge Warbler and 3 Reed Warbler were present. A male and female Brambling were at the Gazebo feeders. A drake Mandarin was at the west end.

BELVIDE 12.4.24 Cloudy SW 3

 An enjoyable afternoons birding. The first Common Tern of the spring flew thru early afternoon. A Greenshank and 2 Ruff flew thru to the west at 5pm were new for the year. A  noticeable arrival of 15 Common Sandpiper with 9 at the west end and 6 along the dam. Also 4 LRP, 3 Curlew and 8 Oystercatcher. 3 Greenland Wheatear were on the shingle Island. The female Scaup has turned up again, also 21 Goldeneye were counted. A Goshawk, Red Kite and Peregrine were in the area. At least 2 Brambling were at the Gazebo feeders. A single Yellow Wagtail was on the north shore.

BELVIDE 11.4.24 Cloudy SW 2-3

 4 male Yellow Wagtail dropped on the north shore late afternoon during some light rain.2 male Wheatear were on the shingle island this afternoon. 3 male Brambling remain at the Gazebo feeders. 6 LRP were present. An adult and imm Goshawk were in the area. 14 Mute Swan were counted.

BELVIDE 10.4.24 Rain S 3

An Osprey flew throughNorth at 5.30pm (John Reeves) 2 Wheatear were at the west end, also 9 Fieldfare. 3 male Brambling remain at the Gazebo feeders. Hirundine numbers are still struggling with 25 Sand Martin, 40 House Martin and 30 Swallow. 8 LRP, 2 Curlew and 10 Oystercatcher were present. 15 GC Grebe, 1 Mandarin and a Shelduck were noted.

BELVIDE 9.4.24 Rain NW 4-5

 A 1st winter Little Gull was present between 11am-11.45am only. A Whitethroat was heard by others at the west end, also 2 Sedge Warbler were present. 3 male Brambling were at the Gazebo feeders. 4 Curlew, 4 LRP and 8 Oystercatcher were present. A pair of Mandarin were from the Gazebo hide. A Red Kite was over Stretton wood. At the moment Swallows are out numbering Sand Martin with 70 to 40, also 20+ House Martin. 8 Fieldfare were at the west end.

BELVIDE 8.4.24 Overcast S 2

 The Grasshopper Warbler was reeling again by the Gazebo hide, though it has yet to be seen. Sedge Warbler have increased to 4, also 1 Reed Warbler and 3 Willow Warbler were noted. 4 Wheatear were off the west track including 3 males and a female.There were still 2 male Brambling at the Gazebo feeders. 5 Curlew were on the north shore, also 11 Oystercatcher 1 Common Sandpiper and 4  LRP were present. A drake Mandarin and 3 Shelduck were noted.

BELVIDE 7.4.24 Heavy Showers SSW 4-5

 A Grasshopper Warbler reeling by the Gazebo hide becomes the earliest on record. Also a Reed Warbler from the Scott hide becomes an earliest record. 3 Willow Warbler were singing. A Wheatear was on the shingle island this afternoon. At least 50 each of Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin today. At least 33 Brambling in the area, with 3 males at the Gazebo feeders and a flock of 30 flying around a copse just west of the reserve. 2 Common Sandpiper were along the dam, also 4 LRP and 10 Oysterctacher were present. Today's WeBS count produced 70 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 5 Shoveler, 37 Gadwall, 40 Mallard, 142 Tufted Duck, 9 Pochard, 18 Goldeneye, 6 GC Grebe, 57 Coot, 18 Greylag Geese, 55 Canada Geese, 2 Egyptian Geese, 3 Mute Swan. 2 Red Kite flew over. An imm Peregrine killed a Coot this morning.

BELVIDE 6.4.24 Cloudy S 4-5

 The first Sedge Warbler of the spring was singing at the west end, also the first Yellow Wagtail of the year flew over this morning. 60 Sand Martin, 7 House Martin and 16 Swallow flew thru today. 1 Common Sandpiper, 9 LRP, 1 Curlew and 10 Oystercatcher were present. The male Brambling remains at the Gazebo feeders. A Red Kite flew over this afternoon. 5 Egyptian Geese were noted.

BELVIDE 5.4.24 Cloudy SW 4-5

 A Common Sandpiper was a new arrival along the spill weir, also 2 Curlew, 9 Oystercatcher and 4 LRP were present. The male Brambling remains at the Gazebo feeders. A Willow Warbler was singing near the Gazebo hide this morning. 20+ Sand Martin, 6 House Martin and 1 Swallow flew thru this afternoon.

BELVIDE 4.4.24 Overcast SW 2

A male Brambling was at the Gazebo feeding station for it's 3rd day. A Red Kite flew over this afternoon. 6 LRP and 10 Oystercatcher were present. 7 Swallow flew thru.

BELVIDE 3.4.24 Overcast W 4

 The first Osprey of the year was seen by visiting birders mid morning, also a Red Kite and Peregrine flew over this afternoon. 9 LRP and 8 Oystercatcher were present. Just 2 Swallow and 2 Sand Martin were noted. 18 Goldeneye were counted.

BELVIDE 2.4.24 Cloudy SW 2

 A female Scaup was along the south east bay, also 140 Tufted Duck, 7 Pochard, 2 Goosander 12 Goldeneye and 12 Mute Swan were counted. 6 LRP, 9 Oystercatcher and 2 Curlew were present. 5 Sand Martin flew thru this afternoon. A male Brambling was at the woodland feeding station.