BELVIDE 31.8.24 Cloudy ENE 2

 The Lesser Scaup remains off the dam, also 2 Garganey, 173 Shoveler and 5 Wigeon were counted. An Osprey flew thru at 9am. 24 juvenile Black-tailed Godwit dropped in briefly this morning, also 4 Ringed Plover, 2 LRP and 4 Common Sandpiper were present. A Great Egret flew east at dawn, also 2 Little Egret were noted. 2 Hobby, 1 Peregrine and a Red Kite flew over. A Spotted Flycatcher was by the ringing station early morning.

BELVIDE 30.8.24 Fair NE 1-2

 A juvenile Wood Sandpiper dropped in at 1.35pm, also 1 Ruff, 1 Redshank, 5 Ringed Plover, 1 LRP and 5 Common Sandpiper were present. The Lesser Scaup remains off the dam, also 2 Garganey, 161 Shoveler, 107 Teal and 4 Wigeon were counted. An adult Peregrine flew over this afternoon.

BELVIDE 29.8.24 Cloudy W 2

 The Lesser Scaup remains off the dam, also 2 Garganey, 110 Shoveler and 4 Wigeon were counted. 1 Redshank, 5 Ringed Plover, 2 LRP and 5 Common Sandpiper were present. 2 Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 28.8.24 Overcast pm Showers W 2

 An adult Black Tern was a new arrival but there was no further sign after 4pm, also 14 Common Tern flew thru this morning. The Lesser Scaup remains off the dam, also the 2 Garganey were from the Gazebo hide. 3 Greenshank were new arrivals, also 10 Ringed Plover, 2 LRP, 5 Common Sandpiper and 1 Snipe were present. A Red Kite flew over, also a Peregrine was noted. This mornings ringing session produced 21 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 18 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler.

BELVIDE 27.8.24 Overcast SW 2-3

 The Lesser Scaup remains off the dam, also the 2 Garganey were off the Chappell hide and 9 Little Grebe were along the south east bay. The juvenile Caspian Gull was again present this afternoon.3 Common Tern flew thru this morning. 7 Ringed Plover, 2 LRP, 6 Common Sandpiper and 1 Snipe were present. 8 Swift flew through. A Red Kite flew over.

BELVIDE 26.8.24 Cloudy WSW 2-3

The Lesser Scaup remains between the Scott hide and Dam, also 2 Garganey, 1 Goosander and 1262 Coot were counted. A juvenile Caspian Gull (photo) was present at the west end this afternoon, also 2 Yellow-legged Gulls. 1 Greenshank, 4 Ringed Plover, 2 LRP, 4 Common Sandpiper and 2 Snipe were present. A Hobby and 2 Red Kite were noted.

BELVIDE 25.8.24 Sunny am/Overcast pm SW 2-4

 The eclipse drake Lesser Scaup remains between the Scott hide and dam, also the 2 Garganey were at the west end. 6 Common Tern dropped in early afternoon. 1 Greenshank, 2 Ringed Plover, 4 LRP and 6 Common Sandpiper were present. At least 42 Swift flew thru. 2 Kingfisher were along the Gazebo bay. A Water Rail was along the south east bay. 5 Yellow Wagtail left their maze field roost below the dam this morning. 2 Red Kite, 2 Hobby and 3 Little Egret were noted. This mornings ringing session produced a Grasshopper Warbler (photo) 9 Sedge Warbler, 7 Reed Warbler, 24 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler 4 Chiffchaff.

BELVIDE 24.8.24 Patchy am Rain SW 1-2

 The drake Lesser Scaup remains in the south east bay. There was no sign of any Garganey today. 1 Greenshank, 5 Ringed Plover, 2 LRP, 11 Common Sandpiper and 1 Snipe were present. 28 Swift flew through. 10 Little Grebe, 1 Goosander and 3 Little Egret were noted. 2 Yellow Wagtail were along the dam. 2 Red Kite were perched in a tree beyond the dam, also 2 Hobby were present.

BELVIDE 23.8.24 Cloudy W/SW 5

 The Lesser Scaup remains between the Scott hide and dam, also the 2 Garganey were at the west end. 1 Greenshank, 5 Ringed Plover, 2 LRP and 5 Common Sandpiper were present. 2 Hobby, 1 Peregrine and a Red Kite were noted. 38 Swift flew through this morning.

BELVIDE 22.8.24 Morning Drizzle SW/W 4-5

 Storm Ernesto clipped the region today and brought with it a juvenile Kittiwake off the dam from 2.10pm- 4pm at least. The eclipse drake Lesser Scaup remains off the dam and is now undergoing a heavy wing moult, so probably wont be going anywhere soon. The 2 Garganey were at the west end, also 2 Goosander were new arrivals. An adult female Ruff dropped in at midday and was only the 2nd record of the year, also 1 Greenshank, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 LRP, 6 Common Sandpiper and 3 Snipe were present. A Goshawk, Red Kite, 2 Hobby and a Peregrine were all seen today. 14 Swift flew thru. 3 Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 21.8.24 Overcast SW 3-4

 The drake Lesser Scaup was still present mainly feeding between the Tern rafts and dam today. The 2 Garganey remain at the west end, also 91 Shoveler, 5 Wigeon, 451 Canada Geese, 318 Greylag Geese and 11 Egyptian Geese were counted. The Greenshank was still present, also 1 Ringed Plover, 2 LRP and 6 Common Sandpiper. 2 Hobby, 1 Peregrine and 2 Little Egret were noted. This mornings ringing session produced 26 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 18 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 10 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler and 3 Goldcrest.

BELVIDE 20.8.24 Morning Rain WNW 3-4

 The eclipse drake Lesser Scaup remains in the south east bay, also 2 Garganey and 5 Wigeon were at the west end. A Greenshank and juvenile Black-tailed Godwit were new arrivals, also 2 LRP and 7 Common Sandpiper were present. A Peregrine and Red Kite was noted.

BELVIDE 19.8.24 Afternoon Showers SSW 3

 The eclipse drake Lesser Scaup was still in the south east bay, best viewed from either Scott or Chappell hides. Also the 2 Garganey remain at the west end. 4 adult Arctic Tern dropped in at 4.50pm. 2 Turnstone flew thru at 4.05pm, also 1 Ringed Plover, 1 LRP and 4 Common Sandpiper were present. 3 Stonechat remain off the west track. At least 20 Swift flew thru. 2 Hobby and a Peregrine were noted.

BELVIDE 18.8.24 Cloudy W 2-3

 The main highlight today was an eclipse drake Lesser Scaup that was in the south east bay with the Tufted Duck flock for it's 2nd day. Paul Smith had found the bird yesterday and suspected it was the species, but lost it soon after and was unable to relocate it. This becomes the 2nd record for Belvide, following the drake in May 2023. A juvenile Osprey was present between 1.49-2pm when it drifted off south. The bird had a blue ring with code 4R2, which was ringed in Staffordshire. A fresh juvenile Goshawk was seen twice around the reserve today, also a Peregrine was noted. 3 Tree Pipit flew thru this morning, with 2 at 6.40am and another at 10.23am. A juvenile Black-tailed Godwit was a new arrival, also 9 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 LRP, 7 Common Sandpiper, 5 Snipe and 64 Lapwing were present. Today's WeBS count produced 2 Garganey, 40 Teal, 80 Shoveler, 5 Wigeon, 114 Gadwall, 198 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 110 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard, 1167 Coot, 319 Canada Geese, 235 Greylag Geese, 11 Egyptian Geese, 9 GC Grebe and 6 Little Grebe. 3 Stonechat remain off the west track. 1 Little Egret was noted.16 Swift flew thru.

BELVIDE 17.8.24

 News received today included the 2 Garganey still at the west end, also 4 Wigeon. 8 Common Sandpiper and 2 Snipe were present. 3 Stonechat and a Hobby were off the west track. A Tree Pipit flew over at 9.15am. 24 Greenfinch from the car park was a noteworthy total. 12 Swift flew through early morning. 6 Little Egret were noted. This mornings ringing session produced 1 Redstart, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 12 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 15 Reed Warbler, 9 Sedge Warbler and 13 Blackcap.

BELVIDE 16.8.24 Fair W 2

 The 2 Garganey remain at the west end, also 4 Wigeon and 80 Shoveler were counted. 3 Stonechat and a Whinchat were off the west track. 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 LRP and 2 Snipe were present. 2 Hobby were noted.

BELVIDE 15.8.24 Afternoon Rain SW 3-4

 The 2 Garganey remain at the west end, also 4 Wigeon and 2 Mandarin were counted. 2 LRP were new arrivals on the north shore, but wader numbers remain very poor with just 4 Common Sandpiper and 2 Snipe. A Wheatear on the north shore was the first since the spring. 8 Swift flew thru this afternoon.

BELVIDE 14.8.24 Morning Drizzle NNW 1-2

 A drake Common Scoter was a new arrival, also 2 Garganey, 55 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 91 Gadwall and 2 Mandarin were counted. A juvenile Marsh Harrier flew thru early afternoon, also 3 Red Kite were in the area. A Greenshank dropped in mid morning, also 1 Green Sandpiper and 10 Common Sandpiper were present and a Ringed Plover flew thru. 1 Whinchat and 3 Stonechat were off the west track. At least 6 Yellow Wagtail were at the west end. This mornings ringing session produced the first Tree Pipit of the year, also 19 Sedge Warbler, 7 Reed Warbler, 6 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Kingfisher.

BELVIDE 13.8.24 Cloudy SSW 2-3

 A Goshawk raided the north wood early afternoon afternoon. The 2 Garganey were at the west end, also 3 Wigeon. 7 Common Sandpiper were the only waders present. A Tawny Owl was along the Gazebo bay.

BELVIDE 12.8.24 Cloudy Hot W/NW 2

An Osprey flew thru to the south east at 11.50am, also a Red Kite was at the west end. The 2 Garganey were on the spit below the west end hide this afternoon, also 41 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 20 GC Grebe, 4 Little Grebe and 398 Canada Geese were counted. A Ringed Plover was on the north shore this afternoon, also 8 Common Sandpiper and 3 Snipe were present. 2 Whinchat and 3 Stonechat were off the west track. 2 Bullfinch at the west end was a welcome sight.

BELVIDE 11.8.24 Fair SE 2-3

 The 2 Garganey were off the Chappell bund today, also 82 Shoveler, 2 Wigeon, 26 Teal, 2 Mandarin, 113 Tufted Duck and the Mute Swan record has increased to 152. 3 Black-tailed Godwit were new arrivals, also 10 Common Sandpiper and 6 Snipe were present. 4 juvenile Whinchat and 3 Stonechat were off the west track. The first Meadow Pipit of the autumn flew south, also a Yellow Wagtail flew thru. 4 Red Kite were east of the dam late morning. 6 Little Egret and a Hobby were noted.

BELVIDE 10.8.24 Morning drizzle SW 2-3

 The 2 Garganey remain at the west end, also 2 Wigeon and 2 Mandarin were present. 8 Common Sandpiper were along the dam. 1 Whinchat and 3 Stonechat were off the west track, also 2 Redstart were below the dam. 2 Red Kite were east of the dam this morning. 2 Common Tern and 6 Little Egret were noted. 3 Kingfisher were along the south east bay early morning.This mornings ringing session produced 15 Reed Warbler,11 Chiffchaff, 9 Willow Warbler, 9 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Goldcrest and 2 Kingfisher.

BELVIDE 9.8.24 Fair WSW 4

 A Black-tailed Godwit was at the west end this afternoon. 5 Ringed Plover flew thru, also 7 Common Sandpiper were present. The 2 Garganey were at the west end, also 68 Shoveler were counted. At least 1 Stonechat was off the west track.

BELVIDE 8.8.23 Afternoon drizzle S 3

 31 Black-tailed Godwit flew thru to the south at 1.23pm, also a Curlew flew thru. The 2 Garganey were at the west end. An imm/fem Mandarin and 5 Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 7.8.24 Overcast W 3-4

 The 2 Garganey were along the south east bay this afternoon. 5 Common Sandpiper were the only waders present 2 Whinchat and 3 Stonechat were off the west track. 5 Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 6.8.24 Cloudy W 2-3

 The 2 Garganey (photo) were still present mainly feeding and loafing on the Chappell bund, also 65 Shoveler, 1 Mandarin, 1192 Coot and 11 Egyptian Geese were counted. 7 Common Sandpiper were along the dam and a single Snipe was on the north shore. 9 Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 5.8.24 Overcast S 3

 The 2 Garganey were still present, also 52 Shoveler were counted. 6 Common Sandpiper were along the dam. 3 Hobby were hawking over the reservoir. 5 Little Egret and a Common Tern were noted.

BELVIDE 4.8.24 Overcast SW 1-2

 A Wood Sandpiper dropped in at 7.35am for half an hour only, also 9 Common Sandpiper along the dam. 3 juvenile Redstart were below the dam. A Spotted Flycatcher was seen along the Gazebo bay. 2 Whinchat (photo) and 4 Stonechat remain off the west track. A Yellow Wagtail flew south over the dam this morning. The 2 Garganey remain at the west end, also 9 Little Grebe were counted. Little Egret have increased to 9. 2 Common Tern were noted. 4 Red Kite flew over.

BELVIDE 3.8.24 Cloudy NW 2

 A Whimbrel flew thru during the early morning rain, also 2 Dunlin, 1 LRP, 5 Common Sandpiper and 2 Snipe were present. The 2 Garganey remain at the west end, also 48 Shoveler and 4 Little Grebe were counted. 3 juvenile Whinchat and 4 Stonechat were off the west track.

BELVIDE 2.8.24 Cloudy SW 3

 The juvenile Yellow-legged Gull (photo) and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull (photo) were on the Chappell bund this afternoon. The 2 Garganey remain at the west end , also 45 Shoveler and 18 Teal were counted. 5 Common Sandpiper were along the dam. 4 Stonechat were off the west track, also a Red Kite flew over. 3 Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 1.8.24 Cloudy N 1-2

The 2 juvenile female Garganey were still at the west end, also 13 Teal, 28 Shoveler, 3 Pochard and 149 Mute Swan were counted. A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull (photo) was the first of the season and part of a noticeable influx of large gulls with at least 300 LBB Gulls present. 4 Common Sandpiper were along the dam. 2 1st summer Hobby were catching dragonflies. 4 Stonechat and a Whinchat were off the west track.