BELVIDE Cloudy W 5

 A Greenshank dropped in this afternoon, also 1 Green Sandpiper, 12 Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin and 22 LRP were present. 6 Great Egret and 20 Little Egret were off the Chappell point at dawn.

BELVIDE Cloudy SSW 3

 A Whimbrel flew thru early morning, also 1 Green Sandpiper, 13 Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover , 8 LRP and 2 Snipe were present. 158 Tufted Duck, 2 Mandarin and 32 Egyptian Geese + 5 goslings were counted. A Red Kite came down for a drink along the south east bay. 5 Great Egret and 7 Little Egret were noted . 

BELVIDE Hot Cloudy SE 3

 A drake Common Scoter off the dam was a new arrival. The Wood Sandpiper remains at the west end, also 1 Dunlin, 9 Common Sandpiper, 10 LRP,  2 Snipe and 2 Oystercatcher were present. 5 Great Egret and 7 Little Egret were at the west end. A new family of 5 Egyptian Geese goslings have appeared on the north shore, also 322 Greylag Geese were counted. 3 Common Tern and 19 Little Grebe were noted.

BELVIDE Cloudy ESE 1-2

 The Wood Sandpiper remains at the west end. A Greenshank dropped in this morning, also 1 Green Sandpiper, 10 Common Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover, 14 LRP and 2 Oystercatcher were noted. A juvenile female Goshawk was perched in an ash tree near the Gazebo hide this morning. A Redstart, 4 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 juvenile Red Kite were on Hawkshutts ridge. 3 Great Egret and 8 Little Egret were at the west end. A juvenile Mediterranean Gull was hawking over the west end this afternoon, also a 2nd summer/3rd winter Yellow-legged Gull. 160 Moorhen were counted around the exposed shoreline, also 25 Shoveler and 16 Little Grebe. 2 Common Terrn flew thru this morning. A pair of Willow Emerald Damselflies (photo) were mating along the Gazebo bay.

I'd like to think that most people who visit Belvide are civilized human beings. But finding crap all smeared on the Gazebo toilet seat isn't acceptable. It's not in my job description as warden to clean said crap off the seat, but here I was doing that.

Whoever did this, then hold your head in shame and treat the toilet facilities with a bit more respect. Do not hover your bum cheeks over the toilet and plonk yourself down and aim better!! Rant over 

BELVIDE Cloudy WNW 2

 The first Tree Pipit of the year flew over south east at 7.29am, also a Siskin over south. The first Barn Owl of the year was flushed out of a hedge on Hawkshutts ridge this morning, also a Redstart and 2 Lesser Whitethroat up there. An Arctic Tern flew thru south west at 11.35am , also a single Common Tern. 2 juvenile Black-necked Grebe (photo) were new arrivals. The Wood Sandpiper remains at the west end, also 1 Green Sandpiper, 8 Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 2 Oystercatcher and 22 LRP were present. The adult Mediterranean Gull was again present off the dam. 2 Hobby and 3 Red Kite flew over. 3 Great Egret and 9 Little Egret were at the west end. 23 Grey Wagtail along the dam is a new Belvide record and probably a regional record? Also 3 juvenile Yellow Wagtail. 20 Teal, 15 Shoveler and a Mandarin were counted.

BELVIDE Cloudy WNW 2-3

 The Wood Sandpiper was still present along with a Green Sandpiper along the west shore, also 1 Redshank, 7 Common Sandpiper, 18 LRP, 2 Snipe and 2 Oystercatcher were present. An adult Mediterranean Gull was present this afternoon. 2 Great Egret and 6 Little Egret were noted. A Clouded Yellow Butterfly was in front of the Hawkshutts hide. A Willow Emerald was along the ditch near the west end hide. 

BELVIDE Drizzle/ Fair NW 2

 The juvenile Wood Sandpiper was still at the west end, also 2 Green Sandpiper, 7 Common Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 2 Ringed Plover and 18 LRP were present. The drake Common Scoter remains off the dam. A Marsh Harrier flew thru at 11am, also Hobby, Peregrine and Red Kite were noted. 2 Great Egret and 10 Little Egret were at the west end. 17 Little Grebe were counted.

BELVIDE Hot Sunny

 News received today included a juvenile Wood Sandpiper at the west end, also 1 Green Sandpiper, 17 Common Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plover, 14 LRP and 2 Snipe were present. The drake Common Scoter remains off the dam. An impressive 21 Grey Wagtail were along the dam this morning. A Green Woodpecker was at the west end. 2 Great Egret and 7 Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE Cloudy WSW 2

 A juvenile Wood Sandpiper along the south west shore was a new arrival this afternoon, though there was no further sign late afternoon. 2 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, 20 LRP and 14 Common Sandpiper were present. The drake Common Scoter and 2 Black-necked Grebe remain off the dam. 2 Great Egret and 7 Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE Cloudy WNW 2-3

 A drake Common Scoter off the dam was a new arrival, also 2 juvenile Black-necked Grebe. A Turnstone was at the west end, also 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Ringed Plover, 16 LRP, 19 Common Sandpiper and 1 Dunlin were present. 11 Little Egret and 2 Great Egret were at the west end. 2 juvenile Yellow Wagtail were along the south shore. 2 Hobby, 2 Red Kite and a Common Tern were noted.

BELVIDE Light Showers NW 4

 This morning I found an adult White-rumped Sandpiper on the north shore with 2 Dunlin at 7.54am. It was present till 8.25am, when it flew off high south east. This becomes the 3rd record for Belvide, following the first record on the 6th August 2022 and the ridiculous flock of 8 on the 11th October 2025.

2 Turnstone dropped in at 8.40am, also 5 Ringed Plover, 17 LRP, 1 Redshank, 3 Oystercatcher and 13 Common Sandpiper were present. The juvenile Black-necked Grebe was in the south east bay. 7 Little Egret and a Common Tern were noted. 1 Hobby flew over. 

BELVIDE Fair W 2-3

 The main highlight today was Belvide's first ever Stone Curlew that graced the north shore all day. A juvenile bird, found this morning by me and Paul Smith looking from off the dam. It started off along the shoreline below the north wood, before moving further west and showed well for a short time from the Hawkshutts hide late afternoon. I think this becomes only the 4th record for Staffordshire and the first available to all.

Other news today included a Turnstone dropping in late morning on the south shore, also 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Redshank, 9 Common Sandpiper and 17 LRP were present. A juvenile Marsh Harrier was agian present this afternoon, also a Hobby flew over. The juvenile Black-necked Grebe remains off the dam. 11 Little Egret and a Great Egret were at the west end. 140 Moorhen were counted.

 

 

BELVIDE Sunny NW 2

 The juvenile Black-necked Grebe was still off the dam. A juvenile Marsh Harrier was again present today. 2 Great Egret and 9 Little Egret were at the west end. 9 LRP, 6 Common Sandpiper and 2 Snipe were noted. 

The Chappell hide has now been taken down in preparation for the new hide that will be constructed in the next few weeks.  

 

BELVIDE Overcast am/Sunny pm NW 2-3

 A juvenile Black-necked Grebe was still present. A juvenile Marsh Harrier was touring around the reservoir this afternoon. 10 Common Sandpiper and 15 LRP were present. 1 Great Egret and 10 Little Egret were at the west end including a colour ringed individual. 20 Teal and a Wigeon were noted.

BELVIDE Overcast N 2

 The 4 Black-necked Grebe were still present. A juvenile Marsh Harrier was present from late morning to early afternoon. 10 Common Sandpiper and 11 LRP were present. 2 Great Egret and 9 Little Egret were at the west end. 1 Wigeon and 25 Egyptian Geese were noted.

DNA analysis has finally come back from the Chiffchaff that was present between 27th February- 11th March as genetic Siberian Tristis Chiffchaff 

BELVIDE Fair N 2-3

 An adult Arctic Tern (photo) off the dam was a new arrival.  The 4 Black-necked Grebe were still present, also 28 GC Grebe, 17 Teal and 25 Egyptian Geese were counted. 2 Great Egret and 7 Little Egret were at the west end. 8 Common Sandpiper, 11 LRP and 2 Snipe were noted. 

BELVIDE Warm Sunny N 2-3

 4 Black-necked Grebe including 3 adults and a juvenile were off the dam. Another juvenile Marsh Harrier flew over early afternoon. 17 LRP and 8 Common Sandpiper were present. 2 Great Egret and 8 Little Egret were at the west end. A drake Wigeon was noted.

BELVIDE Warm Sunny

 Today's WeBS count produced 4 Black-necked Grebe, 10 Little Grebe, 24 GC Grebe, 13 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 240 Mallard, 25 Gadwall, 15 Shoveler, 125 Tufted Duck, 6 Pochard,, 24 Egyptian Geese, 160 Canada Geese, 46 Greylag Geese, 67 Mute Swan, 884 Coot, 2 Great Egret, 4 Little Egret, 13 Grey Heron, 55 Cormorant, 1 Redshank, 6 Common Sandpiper, 17 LRP, 61 Lapwing and 1 Kingfisher. A male and female Redstart (photo) were on Hawkshutts ridge. A Hobby was noted.

This afternoon, I took a trip down to Eastleach Downs, Gloucestershire to see my 2nd Long-tailed Shrike in the last few weeks. The bird has been present since the 8th July, but it's presence has only just come to light. The bird showed well on arrival along a hedge close to the road.

BELVIDE Cloudy NNE 2

 Firstly, The Spotted Redshank I thought I heard yesterday was wrong. There is something else calling and sounding like a distant Spotshank from the Chappell hide, that I can't pin point what it is?

 A Whimbrel flew south at 8.03am, also 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Common Sandpiper and 18 LRP were present. The juvenile Black-necked Grebe remains off the dam. The juvenile Mediterranean Gull was present this morning. 2 Great Egret and 6 Little Egret were at the west end. A Little Grebe was feeding 2 chicks off the Scott hide reed bed. 2 Hobby and 3 Red Kite were noted. At least 20 Small Red Eyed Damselflies (photo) were on the pool inside the Chappell bund.

BELVIDE Hot Sunny N 2

 A Spotted Redshank was heard only flying over at 5.05pm but couldn't be located anywhere on the reservoir. A  yellow wing tagged JR juvenile Marsh Harrier was present this afternoon. Details when I get them. The juvenile Black-necked Grebe was still present, also 7 Little Grebe. The juvenile Mediterranean Gull was again present on the Chappell bund, also at least 12 Common Gull. A Redshank was along the dam, also 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 18 LRP and 6 Common Sandpiper were present. 2 Great Egret and 7 Little Egret were at the west end. A juvenile Green Woodpecker was at the west end. 2 Redstart was on Hawkshutts ridge this evening.  17 Egyptian Geese, 23 Teal and 15 Shoveler were count

BELVIDE Hot Sunny NE 2

 4 Black-necked Grebe were off the dam , with 2 new adults arriving overnight. The first juvenile Mediterranean Gull (photo) of the season was on the Chappell bund this evening, also 7 Common Gull. 1 Greenshank, 10 Common Sandpiper, 20 LRP and a Snipe were present. 3 drake Wigeon, 18 Teal, and 240 Mallard were counted. 4 Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE Overcast am/Sunny pm NE 3

 The adult and juvenile Black-necked Grebe remain off the dam. A drake Wigeon was a new arrival. 1 Greenshank, 1 Dunlin, 23 LRP and 6 Common Sandpiper were present. 17 Common Gull (photos) including 2 adults and 15 1st summers off the Chappell hide was a notable number for July, also 2 Yellow-legged Gull.

BELVIDE Hot Sunny NE 4

 An adult female Ruff (photo) at the west end was a new arrival, also 1 Greenshank, 1 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 1 Dunlin, 25 LRP and 7 Common Sandpiper were present. The 2 Black-necked Grebe were still off the dam. A noticeable increase in Gulls with a few hundred LBB Gulls, 1 2nd summer Yellow-legged Gull and 7 Common Gulls. A Red Kite and Peregrine flew over. 6 Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE Hot Sunny ENE 4

 The adult and juvenile Black-necked Grebe were still off the dam. 1 Dunlin, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Common Sandpiper and 20 LRP were present. A Hobby and Peregrine were noted.

BELVIDE Hot Sunny NE 4

 2 Black-necked Grebe were still present from the Scott hide, including 1 adult and 1 juvenile. A juvenile Marsh Harrier flew thru east at 3.45pm. Also 3 Peregrine, including an adult, 1st summer and juvenile. 1 Red Kite and a Hobby were noted. 1 Curlew, 2 Redshank, 7 Common Sandpiper and 18 LRP were present. 15 Teal, 206 Tufted Duck, 1 Shelduck and 6 Little Grebe were counted. 4 Little Egret were noted. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was present early morning.

BELVIDE Hot Sunny ENE 3

 The Black-necked Grebe passage continues with 5 present today including 4 adults and a juvenile between the Chappell hide and dam. A Greenshank dropped in at 10am, also a Redshank and 8 Common Sandpiper were along the dam. 1 Black-tailed Godwit and 20 LRP were at the west end. A Goshawk was beyond the dam this morning, also 2 Red Kite including a fresh juvenile. A 1st summer Peregrine flew over. A new 2nd brood of 7 Shoveler ducklings were opposite the Gazebo hide.. 3 juvenile Yellow Wagtail were on the north shore. An adult Willow Warbler was along the south east bay. 11 Teal and 6 Little Egret were noted. 22 GC Grebe and 3 Little Grebe were counted.

BELVIDE Hot Sunny

 News received today included an imm Marsh Harrier thru west at 12.40pm. 1 Black-tailed Godwit and 5 Common Sandpiper were present. 3 Little Egret were on the north shore. A Clouded Yellow was at the west end.

BELVIDE Hot Sunny

 A quick afternoon visit produced a juvenile Redshank, 27 LRP, 9 Common Sandpiper and 4 Little Egret. 

BELVIDE Hot Sunny NW 1

 A 1st summer Marsh Harrier was along the south east bay late morning. The 2 Black-necked Grebe were still present. 1 Black-tailed Godwit was at the west end, also 1 Green Sandpiper, 7 Common Sandpiper, 22 LRP and 10 Oystercatcher were counted. 6 Little Egret were noted. A Clouded Yellow was again seen at the west end. There were many Red-veined Darter (photo) from the West end and Chappell hides.

BELVIDE Hot Sunny NW 2-3

 The 2 adult Black-necked Grebe remain at the west end. 2 juvenile Great Egret were new arrivals, also 6 Little Egret were noted. A Black-tailed Godwit was on the north shore. 9 Common Sandpiper were along the dam. 15 LRP were counted, also a new family of 3 chicks were on the north shore. 195 Tufted Duck were counted + a new brood of 11 ducklings at the west end. A Clouded Yellow Butterfly was at the west end. 

Yesterday, I took the trip to Crail in Fife to see a Long-tailed Shrike. We arrived at first light and were watching it by 5am. The bird was elusive in the cool overcast conditions, but once it warmed up a bit, the bird performed much better.

This becomes the 2nd record for Britain following a bird on the Isle of Harris on the Western Isles in 2000. Long-tailed Shrike breed in much of South Asia and west to Iran. They have a distinctive black mask that goes over the bill. Greyish head and upper mantle fusing into warm rusty brown lower mantle, flanks and rump. The tail is noticeably longer than other Shrike species.

BELVIDE

 News received today included 11 Little Egret and 4 Common Sandpiper. I'm on my way back from Scotland after successfully seeing a Long-tailed Shrike in Fife. I will put some photos and a write up much later.