BELVIDE Cloudy S 2

 The 2 Black-necked Grebe were off the Chappell hide. 2 Greenshank, 1 Curlew and 1 Common Sandpiper were present. 8 Common Tern were noted.

BELVIDE Cloudy NE 2-3

The main highlight today was a flock of 7 Glossy Ibis on the north shore found by Chaz Mason and Ray Fellows this morning. They were still present this evening. This becomes a site and Staffordshire record. The 2 Black-necked Grebe remain off the dam. 1 Greenshank and 1 Common Sandpiper were present. 21 Shelduck, 70 Gadwall and a drake Mandarin were counted. Some video oof the Ibis can be viewed here. https://youtu.be/mtCJemKclig

BELVIDE Cloudy N 2

 The 2 Black-necked Grebe were at the west end. The Wood Sandpiper (photo) was still on the north shore, also 3 Greenshank, 3 Dunlin and 2 Common Sandpiper were present. A female Marsh Harrier flew north at 3.15pm. A juvenile Goshawk flew over the dam this afternoon, also 3 Red Kite and 2 Hobby flew over. An adult Tawny Owl was along the Gazebo bay. 34 GC Grebe and a Mandarin were counted.

BELVIDE Overcast NE 1-2

 Another 2 Black-necked Grebe were off the spill weir. A 1st summer Little Gull was a new arrival. The Wood Sandpiper was still on the north shore, also 1 Sanderling, 3 Greenshank, 7 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover and a Whimbrel flew thru at 3.20pm. A Wheatear was in the paddocks.

I had a day off from Belvide to see a male Lesser Kestrel in Cornwall at Goonhilly Downs on the Lizard. It had been 24 years since my last one in Britain on the Scilly Isles in 2002, so it was time to see another. The bird was present on arrival and performed very well in isolated Pine trees on the heath/bog land.

This bird was in a  much better plumage than the 1st summer bird I saw on the Scillies. It differs from Kestrel, having distinctive blue grey greater coverts and tertials. A clean blue grey  head with no moustachial stripe. The underparts are buffier and plainer. They also have pale claws instead of black. The underwing is also paler. This becomes only the 23rd record for Britain. We spent a pleasant couple of hours watching this mega bird, before heading back home. Some video footage can be viewed here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL2SXw34OWw

BELVIDE Overcast/Murk W/NW 2

 The weather encouraged a bit of wader movement. 1 Wood Sandpiper was still present. 3 Sanderling, 16 Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plover, 13 LRP 3 Common Sandpiper and 3 Greenshank were present. The 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls were present early morning only. A Great Egret in summer plumage (photo) dropped in briefly, also 5 Little Egret. 2 Wheatear were in the paddocks. A Hobby and Red Kite flew over. 9 Common Tern were present. 5 Goosander flew thru east.

The 88 species recorded yesterday are 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 Tufted Duck, 12 RL Partridge, 13 Pheasant, 14 GC Grebe, 15 Cormarant, 16 Little Egret, 17 Great Egret, 18 Heron, 19 Red Kite, 20 Buzzard, 21 Sparrowhawk, 22 Kestrel, 23 Hobby, 24 Moorhen, 25 Coot, 26 Oystercatcher, 27 LRP, 28 Ringed Plover, 29 Lapwing, 30 Dunlin, 31 Wood Sandpiper, 32 Common Sandpiper, 33 Greenshank, 34 BH Gull, 35 Med Gull, 36 Herring Gull, 37 LBB Gull, 38 Common Tern, 39 Feral Pigeon, 40 Stock Dove, 41 Wood Pigeon, 42 Collared Dove, 43 Little Owl, 44 Tawny Owl, 45 Swift, 46 GS Woodpecker, 47 Skylark, 48 Sand Martin, 49 Swallow, 50 House Martin, 51 Pied Wagtail, 52 Yellow Wagtail, 53 Grey Wagtail, 54 Dunnock, 55 Robin, 56 Wheatear, 57 Stonechat, 58 Song Thrush, 59 Mistle Thrush, 60 Blackbird, 61 Garden Warbler, 62 Whitethroat, 63 Lesser Whitethroat, 64 Sedge Warbler, 65 Reed Warbler, 66 Chiffchaff, 67 Goldcrest, 68 Wren, 69 Great Tit, 70 Blue Tit, 71 LT Tit, 72 Nuthatch, 73 Treecreeper, 74 Magpie, 75 Jay, 76 Jackdaw, 77 Rook, 78 Crow, 79 Raven, 80 Starling, 81 House Sparrow, 82 Chaffinch, 83 Linnet, 84 Redpoll, 85 Goldfinch, 86 Greenfinch, 87 Reed Bunting, 88 Mandarin. 

BELVIDE Cloudy SW 1

 Today a team of us took part in the spring all dayer. A total of 88 species was recorded on the reserve over the day. Highlights included 2 Wood Sandpiper dropping in this aftertnoon, also 3 Greenshank, 1 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, 10 LRP and 8 Common Sandpiper were present. The pair of Oystercatcher on the main island have 1 chick. A pair of adult Mediterranean Gulls were present this afternoon. 7 Little Egret were present, also a Great Egret flew thru. A pair of Stonechat were on Hawkshutts ridge. A female Wheatear was in the paddocks. A Little Owl was opposite the car park at dawn. 4 Red-legged Partridge were below the dam. A Redpoll flew over this morning. 6 Common Tern and a Hobby were noted. I will post a full list tomorrow.

BELVIDE Cloudy WSW 1-2

 The 2 Black-necked Grebe remain off the dam. 2 Greenshank were on the north shore, also 4 Common Sandpiper and 10 LRP. The female Wheatear was still in the paddocks. 13 Shelduck, 7 Teal and a drake Mandarin were counted. 4 Common Tern were present. 4 Yellow Wagtail were noted

BELVIDE Sunny SE 4-5

 10 Black Tern were present this morning , with 7 remaining all afternoon, also 4 Common Tern were present. The 2 Black-necked Grebe were in the south east bay. A single Greenshank was on the north shore, also 8 Common Sandpiper. A female Wheatear was in the paddocks. 2 Yellow Wagtail were noted.

BELVIDE Sunny E 6

 The 2 Black-necked Grebe remain off the dam. A Hobby was at the west end this afternoon. 22 Black-tailed Godwit dropped in briefly this morning, also 3 Greenshank, 1 Curlew, 6 Common Sandpiper and 12 LRP were present. 2 Wheatear were in the paddocks. 3 Little Egret and 4 Common Tern were noted.

BELVIDE Overcast NE 3

 26 Arctic Tern were present today, with 5 dropping in at 11am, increasing to 26 by 3.45pm. Also 4 Common Tern. A Greenshank dropped in this afternoon, also 2 Common Sandpiper and 12 LRP were present. The 2 Black-necked Grebe remain. 120 Swift were counted. 2 Goldeneye were still present. A male Sparrowhawk killed one of the juvenile Mistle Thrushes at the west end. An adult and juvenile Tawny Owl were along the Gazebo bay.

BELVIDE Fair NNW 3

2 Wood Sandpiper on the north shore were the first of the year, also 3 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpiper and 10 LRP were present. A 1st summer Mediterranean Gull (photo) dropped in late afternoon. The 2 Black-necked Grebe remain off the dam. A female Whinchat was on Hawkshutts ridge, also a Lesser Whitethroat there. A female Wheatear was in the paddocks. 4 Yellow Wagtail were on the north shore. 2 Tawny Owl chicks were branching along the Gazebo bay, with the adult keeping watch. 2 Goldeneye, 1 Mandarin and 9 Shelduck were counted. 2 Common Tern were noted. A Goshawk and Red Kite were east of the dam this afternoon . 

BELVIDE Cloudy SE 2

 A pair of Black-necked Grebe off the dam were new arrivals. 2 Dunlin, 5 Common Sandpiper and 11 LRP were present. A single Wheatear was in the west end paddocks. 2 Yellow Wagtail were on the north shore. 2 Goldeneye, 2 Wigeon and a Mandarin were noted. 1 Common Tern was present.

BELVIDE Sunny Variable 1-2

 A male Whinchat on Hawkshutts ridge was the first of the year, also a pair of Stonechat. 4 Wheatear and 2 Yellow Wagtail were in the west end paddocks. A Cattle Egret dropped on the north shore mid afternoon, also 2 Little Egret. 1 Ringed Plover, 10 LRP and 8 Common Sandpiper were present. At least 4 Red Kite were in the area. 24 Sedge Warbler, 12 Reed Warbler and 5 Garden Warbler were singing. 2 Goldeneye remain.

BELVIDE Sunny E 2

 11 Black Tern were present today with 6 dropping in at 12.40, being joined by 5 more at 4.25pm. A Drake Garganey at the west end was the first of the year. An Osprey flew thru at 12.35pm, also a Red Kite was noted. 2 Avocet were present early morning only, also 1 Dunlin was present. A female Wheatear was in the horse paddocks. 1 Yellow Wagtail and 1 White Wagtail were on the north shore. 2 Goldeneye, 1 Wigeon, 13 Shelduck 1 Mandarin and 300 Tufted Duck were counted.

BELVIDE Sunny E 3-4

 4 Black Tern and 2 adult Little Gull were present this afternoon and part of a noticeable movement of the two species at many inland reservoirs and Gravel pits. A Lesser Whitethroat was singing at the west end. 3 Wheatear were in the west end paddocks. 6 Yellow Wagtail and a White Wagtail were on the north shore. 2 Ringed Plover, 8 LRP, 2 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpiper and a Redshank were present. 2 Goldeneye and a Wigeon remain. A Common Tern was noted.

BELVIDE Sunny E 4-5

 The first Lesser Whitethroat of the spring was singing by the horse paddocks this afternoon, also a Wheatear there. A White Wagtail and 2 Yellow Wagtail were on the north shore. A Green Woodpecker was in the reservoir plantation early morning. 1 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpiper and 8 LRP were present. A Common Tern and Red Kite were noted. At least 2 juvenile Mistle Thrush have fledged at the west end.

BELVIDE Overcast am/Sunny pm E 4-5

 A Sanderling and Whimbrel on the north shore were new for the year. It also looks like there were probably 3 Bar-tailed Godwit this morning but the 2 observers involved were not sure. Also 1 Dunlin and 1 Redshank were present. The first Hobby of the year flew thru north at 4.34pm. At least 33 Swift were present this afternoon. 2 Wheatear were in the west end paddocks. 2 Little Egret and a Wigeon were noted. 2 Yellow Wagtail were on the north shore.

BELVIDE Fair ENE 2-3

 The female Redstart was still in the west end paddocks, also 7 Wheatear. A Goshawk and 3 Red Kite were over the west end this afternoon, also a Peregrine. 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpiper and 8 LRP were present. A single Common Tern was present. 2 Yellow Wagtail were on the north shore. 2 Garden Warbler were singing along the south east bay. 3 Little Egret were in the west marsh.

I've received a complaint from the local farmer opposite the car park. Over the last few weeks on numerous occasions, there have been some of our members straying off the footpath and standing outside his mom's bungalow, encroaching on her privacy. DO NOT WALK ACROSS THE TRACK AND STAY ON THE FOOTPATH AT ALL TIMES!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

 

BELVIDE Fair NW 2-3

 A female Redstart in the west end paddocks was the first of the spring. Also 10 Wheatear there, including 7 males and 3 females. The first Swift of the spring was over the dam this morning. 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpiper and 8 LRP were present. A juvenile male Goshawk and Red Kite flew over. 1 Goldeneye and 1 Wigeon remain.

BELVIDE Cloudy W 2

 A female Marsh Harrier flew thru at 7.47am was new for the year, also a juvenile male Goshawk flew over the west end. 4 Cattle Egret flew out of the Gazebo bay roost early morning and flew off south, also 4 Little Egret were in the north wood early morning. The 2nd summer Caspian Gull was still present . Wheatear were in the west end paddocks. 2 Garden Warbler were by the ringing station. A Yellow Wagtail was on the north shore. 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 13 Common Sandpiper, 10 LRP and 3 Snipe were present. A single Common Tern was noted. 1 Mandarin, 1 Goldeneye, 61 Gadwall, 95 Mallard, 46 Shoveler, 42 Teal, 1 Wigeon and 2 Shelduck were counted.

BELVIDE Afternoon Rain SW 2-3

 4 Dunlin, 8 Common Sandpiper, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 LRP and 4 Snipe were on the north shore. Also 3 Yellow Wagtail. 4 Wheatear were in the west end paddocks. 1 Goldeneye and 1 Wigeon remain.

BELVIDE Overcast SW 2

 4 Cattle Egret on the north west shore were the first of the year. 2 2nd summer/winter Caspian Gulls were on the north shore this evening. 5 Wheatear were in the west end paddocks. 4 Yellow Wagtail and a White Wagtail were on the north shore. 1 Redshank, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Common Sandpiper, 3 Dunlin and 10 LRP were present. A Garden Warbler was singing by the west end hide this morning. A pair of Egyptian Geese were with 6 goslings. A juvenile male Goshawk was over the west end this evening. 

BELVIDE Afternoon Rain S 4

 The first Garden Warbler of the spring was seen by others near the woodland hide this morning. 6 Wheatear were in the west end paddocks. A Yellow Wagtail and White Wagtail were on the north shore. The Green Sandpiper was seen by others this morning, also 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpiper, 11 LRP and 2 Snipe were present. A single Common Tern was noted.

BELVIDE Overcast S 3-4

 A single Common Tern was present today. 3 Wheatear were in the west end paddocks. 2 Yellow Wagtail and 2 White Wagtail were on the north shore. The Green Sandpiper remains at the west end, also 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 10 LRP and 4 Snipe were present. 3 Goldeneye and a Wigeon remain. 2 Red Kite flew over.

BELVIDE

 News received today included an Avocet with some flag rings, also 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 10 Common Sandpiper, 1 Ringed Plover, 10 LRP and 2 Dunlin. An Osprey flew over north at 9.15am, also 2 Red Kite were noted. 7 Wheatear were in the west end paddocks. 7 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroat and 3 Willow Warbler were singing. The 2nd summer Caspian Gull was seen again this afternoon.

BELVIDE Showery SW 2-3

 8 Wheatear were in the west end horse paddocks. 4 Yellow Wagtail passed thru, also 6 White Wagtail. Other migrant counts included 2 Whitethroat, 7 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 4 Willow Warbler and still between 1500-2000 Sand Martin with 20 each of Swallow and House Martin. The Green Sandpiper was still at the west end, also 10 Common Sandpiper, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Redshank, 10 LRP, 1 Ringed Plover and 3 Snipe were present. 7 Goldeneye and 1 Wigeon remain.

BELVIDE Showery SW 4

 The first 4 Common Tern of the spring flew in this morning. The first Whitethroat of the spring was at the west end. 3 Yellow Wagtail flew thru, also 3 White Wagtail were present. 7 Wheatear were in the west end horse paddocks. 3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler and 3 Willow Warbler were singing. 2 Avocet on the Chappell bund were new arrivals. The Green Sandpiper was in front of the Hawkshutts hide, also 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Redshank, 6 Common Sandpiper, 12 LRP, 1 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 1 Curlew and 2 Snipe were present. 2 Red Kite flew over, also a Peregrine. Still huge numbers of Sand Martin, with again around 2000 present.

BELVIDE Cloudy S 3

 The first Yellow Wagtail of the spring was at the west end, also 3 White Wagtail. 7 Wheatear were in the horse paddocks, also 2 Sedge Warbler and a Reed Warbler were noted. A Greenshank and Green Sandpiper (photo) were new arrivals, also 1 Ringed Plover, 10 LRP, 6 Common Sandpiper, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Curlew and 2 Snipe were present. This evening there were at least 2000 Sand Martin, which is the most I've ever seen at Belvide. A female Brambling was in the reservoir plantation. 12 Shelduck and 16 Goldeneye were counted.

BELVIDE Afternoon Showers W 3-4

 The first 2 Sedge Warbler of the spring were singing either side of the Chappell hide, also a Reed Warbler was near the ringing station. 4 Wheatear were in the west end horse paddocks. At least 300 Sand Martin, 20 House Martin and 30 Swallow were present. 1 Ringed Plover, 11 LRP, 5 Common Sandpiper, 1 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Snipe were on the north shore. A Goshawk was at the west end late afternoon, also 2 Red Kite. A drake Mandarin was noted. 

BELVIDE Warm Sunny S 1

 An adult Kittiwake (photo) was sat on the water out from the Chappell hide this afternoon. The first Reed Warbler of the spring was in front of the Scott hide. 2 Wheatear were in the west track horse paddocks, including a Greenland Wheatear (photo). The male Brambling remains at the woodland feeders. 2 Willow Warbler were singing. 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Common Sandpiper, 6 LRP and 4 Snipe were present. 8 Shelduck and a Mandarin were noted. A Little Egret was on the north shore this evening.

BELVIDE Sunny SE 2

 A 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull (photo) was amongst the BH Gull colony. 5 male Wheatear were off the west track. 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Redshank and 7 LRP were present. The male Brambling was still at the woodland feeders. A Pink-footed Goose was on the north shore. 2 Willow Warbler were noted. 32 Goldeneye, 2 Goosander and a Mandarin were counted.