BELVIDE 31.7.24 Hot Sunny SE 1

 A quick visit late afternoon produced 2 juvenile female Garganey at the west end, also an eclipse drake Wigeon was a new arrival. 6 Common Sandpiper were along the dam. 200 Greylag Geese and 145 Canada Geese were counted. 3 Little Egret were noted. This mornings ringing session produced 22 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 15 Reed Warbler, 17 Sedge Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler and 10 Goldfinch.

BELVIDE 30.7.24 Hazy N 2

 The Garganey remains at the west end, also 35 Shoveler, 54 Gadwall and 2 Mandarin were counted. A Whinchat and 4 Stonechat were still off the west track. A Greenshank was present early morning only, also 9 Common Sandpiper were present. 3 Little Egret were noted

BELVIDE 29.7.24 Hot Sunny SSW 2

 A Marsh Harrier was on the board for 8am, also 3 Red Kite were in the area. At least 1 Whinchat and 4 Stonechat remain off the west track. 8 Common Sandpiper were along the dam. 29 Shoveler and 131 Greylag Geese were counted. 4 Little Egret were noted. A male Lesser Emperor dragonfly was patrolling the south shore from the west end hide this afternoon.

BELVIDE 28.7.24 Sunny Calm-SW 1

 3 Great Egret were present early morning, also 4 Little Egret. The Garganey remains at the west end, also 13 Teal, 20 Shoveler and 2 Mandarin were counted. 149 Mute Swan were also present and continues to increase the Belvide record. A Green Sandpiper was at the west end and 12 Common Sandpiper were along the dam. 2 juvenile Whinchat and 4 Stonechat were off the west track. A Hobby was chasing dragonflies this morning, also a Red Kite flew over. 5 Common Tern were present, including the return of the family that bred here, but hadn't been seen for a few weeks. This morning's ringing session at the west end produced 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Reed Warbler.

BELVIDE 27.7.24 Cloudy + Showers WSW 2

 A juvenile Whinchat was with 4 Stonechat including a male and 3 juveniles off the west track. A Redstart was below the dam this morning. The juvenile female Garganey remains at the west end. 3 Red Kite and 2 Hobby were in the area. A Common Tern flew thru this morning. 13 Common Sandpiper and 4 Little Egret were noted. A Bar Headed Goose was with the Greylag flock. At least 6 Willow Warbler were along the path.

BELVIDE 26.7.24

 News received today included the Garganey still at the west end. 3 Common Sandpiper and 3 Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 25.7.24 Overcast SW 2 -3

 The juvenile female Garganey remains at the west end. 3 juvenile Stonechat were off the west track. 7 Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Tern and 3 Little Egret were noted.  A Red Kite flew over the Hawkshutts hide this afternoon.

BELVIDE 24.7.24 Overcast light PM Rain SW 2

 The first juvenile Mediterranean Gull of the season was on the north shore this afternoon, also a 1st summer Common Gull. The juvenile female Garganey was again at the west end. An adult male Goshawk raided the north wood this afternoon. 9 Common Sandpiper were along the dam. 3 Common Tern, 16 GC Grebe and 3 Little Egret were noted.This mornings ringing session produced 13 Sedge Warbler, 13 Reed Warbler, 13 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Whitethroat.

BELVIDE 23.7.24 Fair NNW 2-3

 A juvenile Marsh Harrier flew west over the Chappell hide at 3.55pm. 2 Black-tailed Godwit were new arrivals, also 2 Dunlin, 9 Common Sandpiper, 2 LRP and 1 Oystercatcher were present. 4 Little Egret were noted. A Lesser Whitethroat was off the car park, with another at the west end.

BELVIDE 22.7.24 Overcast WSW 2-3

 A single Arctic Tern flew thru to the east mid morning. A juvenile female Garganey (photo) was at the west end, also 11 Teal and 18 Shoveler were counted. 13 Common Sandpiper were along the dam, also 2 LRP were on the north shore. A Red Kite and Hobby were noted.

BELVIDE 21.7.24 Cloudy NW 2

An adult Mediterranean Gull on the Chappell bund was the 3rd in just over a week. A Redshank flew thru this morning, also 7 Common Sandpiper and 2 LRP were present. A Red Kite flew over this morning. 2 Lesser Whitethroat were off the car park. A ringing session at the west end produced 7 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff.

BELVIDE 20.7.24 Overcast S 1-2

 A female Garganey was a new arrival, also 2 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 177 Mallard, 38 Gadwall, 70 Tufted Duck, 3 Pochard, 6 GC Grebe, 5 Little Grebe, 1106 Coot were counted. A 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull was on the Chappell bund this afternoon. 3, possibly up to 5 Red Kite were in the area, also a Hobby was noted. 12 Common Sandpiper and 4 LRP were present. 4 Little Egret were on the north shore. Today's ringing session produced a Grasshaopper Warbler, 2 Redstart (ad + Juv) 30 Chiffchaff, 25 Sedge Warbler, 17 Reed Warbler, 9 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat 1 Garden Warbler.

BELVIDE 19.7.24

 News received today included 2 Common Sandpiper, 5 LRP, 2 Little Egret, 1 Red Kite, 1 Shelduck, 1 Little Grebe and a Tufted Duck with 7 ducklings.

BELVIDE 18.7.24 Cloudy S 2

 An evening visit to avoid the heat produced 1 Redshank and 8 LRP on the north shore, also 9 Common Sandpiper along the dam. The 11 Shelduck were still present. 3 Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 17.7.24 Cloudy S 2

 An Osprey was present between 3.30-3.40pm when it drifted off ENE. A juvenile Green Sandpiper was a new arrival, also 11 Common Sandpiper, 1 Black-tailed Godwit and 6 LRP were present. 11 Shelduck, including an adult and 10 juveniles dropped in late morning. A Red Kite and Hobby flew over this afternoon. 4 Little Egret were noted. The first ringing session of the season produced 31 Reed Warbler, 19 Sedge Warbler, 18 Blackcap, 15 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat.

IDE 16.7.24 Overcast NW 2-3

 An adult female Goshawk was soaring east of the dam this afternoon, also a Red Kite and Hobby flew over. 7 Common Sandpiper were along the dam. 9 LRP were on the north shore. 3 Little Egret were at the west end.

BELVIDE 15.7.24 Afternoon Rain SE 2-3

 A juvenile Marsh Harrier was quartering the north shore early afternoon before drifting off south. An Osprey was reported on the board at 9.30am. 6 Common Sandpiper and 7 LRP were present. 3 Little Egret were on the north shore. 16 Shoveler were counted.

BELVIDE 14.7.24 Cloudy NW 2

 The pair of Common Scoter were still off the dam. An adult female Goshawk flew over this morning, also 2 Peregrine, 1 Hobby and a Red Kite. 5 Common Sandpiper and 6 LRP were present. The 2 juvenile Common Tern were stretching their wings around the reservoir. 2 Kingfisher were below the dam. 2 Lesser Whitethroat were noted.970 Coot were counted. 2 Little Egret were at the west end.

BELVIDE 13.7.24 Overcast NW 2

 The pair of Common Scoter remain off the dam. An adult Mediterranean Gull was on the north shore this morning. A juvenile Stonechat was off the west track. A Redshank flew thru this morning, also 8 LRP and 4 Common Sandpiper were present. A Hobby was seen several times, also a 1st summer Peregrine. An adult Willow Warbler was by the Gazebo hide.

BELVIDE 12.7.24 Overcast N 2

 The pair of Common Scoter were still off the dam. 2 Redshank were on the Chappell bund, also 10 Common Sandpiper and 15 LRP were present. A Red Kite flew over this afternoon, also a Hobby. 141 Mute Swan were counted. A Little Egret was noted.

BELVIDE 11.7.24 Drizzle NE 2

 A pair of Common Scoter off the dam were new arrivals. 5 Dunlin flew thru this afternoon, also Common Sandpiper have increased to 23. 8 LRP were on the north shore. An imm/fem Mandarin was on the Chappell bund. 166 Mallard and 137 Mute Swan were counted. Despite my efforts yesterday, there was no sign of the GC Grebe chick today. The Common Tern chicks have fledged today.

BELVIDE 10.7.24 Overcast W 2-3

 15 LRP were on the north shore, also 8 Common Sandpiper were present. 5 Little Egret were at the west end. A Common Gull was off the Chappell hide this afternoon. A Red Kite flew over this morning. A Willow Warbler was by the Chappell hide, which is the first I've seen since April. At least 300 Sand Martin were present.

I managed to rescue a GC Grebe chick from being eaten by a Grey Heron this afternoon. The other 2 chicks have been  predated since the weekend. The predation levels have been very high this summer with very little being successful. Gadwall,Mallard, Pochard and Tufted Duck broods have mainly been wiped out by a combination of Crows,Herons, LBB Gulls and Fox all observed taking young and eggs. LRP's have had 8 unsuccessful attempts this year. A nest with 4 eggs was only recently robbed by Crows at the weekend. Belvide can be a brutal place at times.

BELVIDE 9.7.24 Rain S 2-3

The Quail continues to call off the west track. A Greenshank dropped in for an hour this afternoon before flying off south west. Also 2 Curlew, 13 LRP and 6 Common Sandpiper were present. The adult male Goshawk raided the north wood this afternoon, also a Hobby flew over. 2 Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 8.7.24 Cloudy SE 2

 The Quail was still audible off the west track. 8 new adult Redshank were new arrivals, also 9 Common Sandpiper and 10 LRP were present. 6 Little Egret and 20 Teal were at the west end. This afternoon 2 juvenile Common Tern were fitted with colour rings by the Belvide Ringing Group. Also 4 juvenile BH Gulls were on the other raft.

BELVIDE 7.7.24 Showery W 2

 The Quail was still calling off the west track today. The adult male Goshawk put in an appearance this morning. 5 Redshank were new arrivals, also 9 Common Sandpiper and 7 LRP were present. 2 Little Egret were at the west end. A Lesser Whitethroat was at the west end. 4 Common Tern were noted. 

BELVIDE 6.7.24 Showery NW 2-3

 A Quail was calling off the west track this morning. The juvenile Redstart was along the west lane. A single Black-tailed Godwit was joined by 20 more mid afternoon, also 6 Common Sandpiper and 5 LRP were present. A Great Egret was in front of the Gazebo hide late afternoon.  A Red Kite was at the west end. 3 Common Tern were noted.

BELVIDE 5.7.24 Cloudy WSW 2

 A juvenile Redstart along the west lane was new for the year. 6 Common Sandpiper were along the dam. A Hobby flew over this afternoon. 133 Mute Swan were counted, which I think is a record total? 2 Little Grebe were along the Gazebo bay, also 108 Mallard and 77 Tufted Duck were noted.

BELVIDE 4.7.24 Cloudy W 4

 An Osprey was present between 2.08-2.20pm when it drifted off to the east. Also a Hobby was seen twice this afternoon. 3 islandic Black-tailed Godwit were on the north shore, also 4 Common Sandpiper and 5 LRP were present. 2 Little Egret were at the west end. 822 Coot and 13 Shoveler were counted.

BELVIDE 3.7.24 Overcast W 2

 An adult male Goshawk (photo) was perched in the north west corner this afternoon. The Black-tailed Godwit remains on the north shore, also 7 Common Sandpiper and 5 LRP were present. The 1st summer drake Goldeneye was off the Chappell hide. A video of the Goshawk can be viewed here.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1O4v3kkUD4

BELVIDE 2.7.24 Cloudy NW 2

 The presumed continental Black-tailed Godwit was still on the north shore with another islandica bird. A single Dunlin was a new arrival  also 2 Common Sandpiper and 5 LRP were present. The 1st summer male Goldeneye was still present, also 114 Mute Swan were counted.

BELVIDE 1.7.24 Overcast WNW 2

 The Wood Sandpiper was still on the north shore. Also a possible Continental Black-tailed Godwit for it's 2nd day. I'm waiting from a Limosa expert to confirm it. More to follow. 7 Common Sandpiper were along the dam, also 2 Snipe were the first returning birds. 6 LRP were noted. A 1st summer Goldeneye was a new arrival, also 22 Teal were counted.