BELVIDE 31.5.24 Cloudy N 2-3

 The adult American Golden Plover remained on the north shore all day. Not much else to report other than 2 Little Egret and 3 Common Tern.

BELVIDE 30.5.24 Showery NNW 3

 The adult American Golden Plover continued to perform all day on the north shore to a steady stream of admirers. 2 Avocet were present early morning only, also 1 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin and 1 Ringed Plover were present. Some better footage of the AGP can be viewed here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtzxp1MpzB4

BELVIDE 29.5.24 Overcast W2-3

The main highlight today was Belvide's and Staffordshire's first American Golden Plover on the north shore this afternoon. As I arrived at 1pm, I received a text message off Malcolm Page to say he had a Golden Plover on the north shore. Alarm bells were immediately ringing as it was very late for a passage European Golden Plover. I quickly cycled to the Gazebo hide and picked out the Plover on the north shore plough area. It was immediately obvious that the slender structure and longer legs with slimmer bill all pointed to the bird being either an American of Pacific Golden Plover. With the plumage showing a black belly that extended up into the flanks. A noticeable primary projection that extended just beyond the tail and an overall darker golden spangle appearance. The bird was heard to call a double noted clu eee call. All these features confirmed it as an American Golden Plover. The bird was still present this evening. A video of the AGP can be viewed here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu0_NKZK3zw

Other birds today included a Sanderling, 2 Dunlin and a Ringed Plover on the north shore. The Cuckoo was heard again along the south east bay this morning.

BELVIDE 28.5.24 Rain SSW 2-3

 A singing male Cuckoo was highly mobile between the south east bay and west marsh. A new Sanderling was on the north shore, also 6 Dunlin, 7 Ringed Plover and 6 LRP. A Red Kite flew over this afternoon. A pair of Teal and a Yellow Wagtail were noted.

BELVIDE 27.5.24 Showery SW 2-3

 A Sanderling (photo) was a new arrival on the north shore, also 2 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover and 5 LRP were present. A Yellow Wagtail was on the north shore. A Red Kite flew over.

BELVIDE 26.5.24 Rain SE/ SW 2

 Some late passage waders during the morning rain with a Little Stint flying through at 7.30am. A total of 31 Ringed Plover and 8 Dunlin through, also 1 Curlew, 4 LRP and 10 Oystercatcher. 8 Species of raptor today with an Osprey over at 8.15am. An adult and 1st summer Goshawk (photo by Trish Wellings), 5 Red Kite, Buzzard, Hobby, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel. 2 Little Egret were at the west end. 81 Gadwall and a drake Teal were counted. 3 Common Tern were noted.

BELVIDE 25.5.24 Cloudy SE 2

 Pretty quiet. A single Ringed Plover flew thru this morning. 2 Little Egret were at the west end. A Red Kite was off the west track. 280 Coot were counted. 4 adult Egyptian Geese and 4 goslings remain.

BELVIDE 24.5.24 Overcast WSW 2

 8 Common Tern were present with 6 flying through early morning. 9 Ringed Plover dropped in this afternoon. A Hobby and Red Kite were noted.

BELVIDE 23.5.24 Overcast WNW 2

 The drake Garganey remains at the west end. A single Ringed Plover flew thru this afternoon. A Red Kite and Hobby were noted. At least 2000 Swift were present today.

BELVIDE 22.5.24 Rain NW 2

 A very wet day with constant rain throughout the day. 2 Osprey flew thru today with one grounded briefly by the rain before continuing north.8 Sanderling, 12 Dunlin and 10 Ringed Plover flew thru over the day. An Arctic Tern flew thru at 11.30am, also 3 Common Tern were present. The drake Garganey remains at the west end. There were at least 1500 Swift today, also 300 House Martin and 150 Swallow.

BELVIDE 21.5.24 Overcast ENE 2

 A pair of LRP have hatched 4 chicks today. The drake Garganey remains on the north shore, also a drake Ruddy Shelduck, 4 Teal and 8 Shoveler were counted. A Yellow Wagtail was singing at the west end.

BELVIDE 20.5.24

  News received today included the first Cuckoo of the spring off the west lane. An Osprey was reported via Bird Guides for this morning. The drake Garganey was on the north shore..A Hobby and Red Kite flew over. A single Ringed Plover was on the north shore. 

I had the day off to see an Indigo Bunting (photo by Dennis Morrison) at Whitburn just north of Sunderland. After a 3 hour wait, we finally connected as it sang in front of us before flying off again. This will be the 4th record for Britain of this North American Bunting.

BELVIDE 19.5.24

 No news received today

BELVIDE 18.5.24 Early Murk N 1-2

 An Osprey was found this morning perched on the conifer trees as we walked along the Gazebo bay. It spent the morning perched and caught 3 fish on the pool behind the Gazebo bay. It was present until 10.20am, when it flew off high to the south. It had a blue ring with white code 2H8. I quickly found out it was ringed as a chick in the nest at Belvoir Castle near Grantham in Leicestershire on the 15th July 2022. It is a male and part of a brood of 2. This is the first sighting since it's first migration. Other than that it was fairly quiet. 3 Little Egret were on the north shore. 11 Oystercatcher were present. A Yellow Wagtail flew over. 2 Common Tern were noted. Some video of the Osprey can be viewed by clicking the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIltMYU5nCo

BELVIDE 17.5.24 Cloudy Calm

 The drake Garganey remains at the west end. 3 Common Tern were present this afternoon. A pair of Oystercatcher on the Tern rafts has hatched some young though they are not visible. A Little Egret was seen this morning. A Red-veined Darter at the west end was the earliest on record, also a Broad bodied Chaser and several Red eyed Damselflies were off the west lane Bridge. A Painted Lady flew thru to the north.

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.