BELVIDE 31.10.24 Overcast SW 1

 The Lesser Scaup was still present, also 4 Goldeneye and 177 Wigeon were counted. A Ring-necked Parakeet was perched in the reservoir plantation othe the car park before flying south at 4pm. 5 Golden Plover were on the north shore. 3 Great Egret and a Little Egret were present. A Red Kite and 20 Fieldfare flew over.

BELVIDE 30.10.24 Overcast N 1

 The Lesser Scaup was still present, also 4 Goldeneye. 15 Fieldfare at the west end were the first of the autumn and the latest I have gone before seeing one. 4 Great Egret and 28 Snipe were at the west end. At least 4 Yellow-legged Gulls roosted.

BELVIDE 29.10.24 Overcast NW 2

 The Lesser Scaup remains off the dam for it's 84th day, also 1 Pintail, 163 Wigeon and 105 Gadwall were counted. 3 Great Egret were present. At least 4 Water Rail were calling with 2 at the Scott hide,1 Gazebo bay and 1 south west shore.

BELVIDE 28.10.24 Overcast WSW 2

 The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 78 Pochard, 2 Pintail and 8 Shelduck were counted. A Swallow flew south this afternoon. A Cetti's Warbler was by the West end hide. A Stonechat was off the west track.

BELVIDE 27.10.24 Sunny W/SW 2

 A juvenile female (photo) and 1st winter drake Scaup were new arrivals  also the Lesser Scaup was off the dam. 158 Wigeon, 141 Shoveler, 3 Pintail and a Shelduck were counted. The 45 Pink-footed Geese were again present at dawn. 2 Redshank on the north shore were new arrivals. A juvenile male Goshawk was below the dam, also a Red Kite and Peregrine were noted. A Vis Mig off the dam between 0635-0915 produced 12750 Wood Pigeon, 292 Redwing, 53 Chaffinch, 28 Skylark. 3 Great Egret and 2 Little Egret were present. 

This morning our 2nd work party of the autumn saw us continue to coppice the willow scrub along the south east bay. A good turn out by the usual crew. It would be nice to see some new faces join in. There are work parties planned for the next two Sundays. What better way to say thank you for all the scarce bird news we put out over the years.

BELVIDE 26.10.24 Fair SSE 1

 The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 8 Pintail dropped in this morning. 66 Pochard were counted.  A Vis  Mig off the dam between 0750-0930 produced 1 Swallow, 2800 Wood Pigeon, 53 Chaffinch, 19 Redwing, 9 Skylark and 1 Siskin. The 45 Pink-footed Geese were again present at dawn before flying out north at 8.10am. 23 Snipe were at the west end. A Chiffchaff was along the Gazebo bay. 2 Stonechat and 5 Great Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 25.10.24 Overcast SE 2

The 45 Pink-footed Geese flew out north at 7.47am. The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 63 Pochard and a Pintail were counted. 3 Dunlin flew thru this morning. 3 Brambling flew over south this morning. 5 Great Egret remain. A Red Kite and an adult Peregrine were noted.

BELVIDE 24.10.24 Cloudy SSE 3

 The 45 Pink-footed Geese were still on the north shore, then flew off south at 3.15pm, before returning again at 6.20pm. The Lesser Scaup was off the dam. A possible Baltic Gull (photo) roosted this evening, also 11 Yellow-legged Gulls. 6 Bullfinch along the Gazebo bay was noteworthy. 2 Stonechat were off the west track. 13 Snipe and 5 Great Egret were noted. A Red Kite flew over.

BELVIDE 23.10.24 Morning Murk S 2

 The 45 Pink-footed Geese flew in again from the north at 2.23pm, also the Tundra Bean Goose remains at the west end. The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 3 Goldeneye and 5 Pintail were on the north shore. A male Brambling was by the Gazebo hide with a female below the dam. A juvenile male Goshawk (photo) was seen 4 times over the afternoon, also 2 Red Kite were present. 5 Snipe were on the south west shore. 6 Great Egret and a Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 22.10.24 Fair WSW 2

 The Lesser Scaup was still present, also 7 Pintail, 95 Wigeon, 2 Shelduck and a female Mandarin were counted. The Tundra Bean Goose remains at the west end. An adult Peregrine was noted. 6 Great Egret were present.

BELVIDE 21.10.24 Overcast SW 2

 The Lesser Scaup was in the south east bay, also 61 Pochard, 104 Gadwall and 3 Shelduck were counted. The Tundra Bean Goose was still at the west end. 2 Cattle Egret were at the west end early afternoon, also 6 Great Egret and 2 Little Egret were present. 2 Chiffchaff and a Stonechat were noted.

BELVIDE 20.10.24 Morning Rain S-SW 3-5

 The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 2 Shelduck and 6 Little Grebe were counted. The Tundra Bean Goose flew in from the north at 12.40pm after being absent all week. 2 Cattle Egret, 5 Great Egret and 2 Little Egret were at the west end. 2 Red Kite were beyond the dam early morning, also an adult Peregrine was present. 2 Stonechat were below the West End Hide. A Chiffchaff was along the south east bay.

BELVIDE 19.10.24 Fair W 2

 Today's WeBS count produced the drake Lesser Scaup, 754 Tufted Duck, 53 Pochard, 2 Goldeneye, 96 Wigeon, 264 Teal, 98 Gadwall, 94 Shoveler, 81 Mallard, 1 Shelduck, 1 Mandarin, 470 Coot, 10 GC Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 56 Canada Geese, 16 Greylag Geese, 6 Great Egret, 2 Little Egret, 12 Grey Heron, 26 Cormorant and 115 Lapwing. Both juvenile male and female Goshawk were in the area, also a Red Kite. A Brambling flew over this morning. 9 Stonechat were at the west end.

BELVIDE 18.10.24 Cloudy S 3

 A male and female Goldeneye were the first returning birds of the autumn. The Lesser Scaup was off the Gazebo bay. 8 Great Egret were present. 2 Stonechat were at the west end. A Chiffchaff was by the ringing station.

BELVIDE 17.10.24 Fair S 2-3

 45 Pink-footed Geese including 27 adults and 18 juveniles were on the south west shore this afternoon and the largest grounded flock I have seen on the reserve. A record 15 Great Egret were scattered around the reserve, also 2 Cattle Egret and 2 Little Egret were present. The Lesser Scaup was along the south east bay, also 3 Pintail, 104 Wigeon and 136 Shoveler were counted. 2 Swallow flew south this afternoon.

BELVIDE 16.10.24 Murky S 2

 A ring tailed Hen Harrier was quartering fields below the dam around 11.15am, before drifting off north. The Lesser Scaup was still present. The female Brambling was again at the Gazebo feeders. 2 Blackcap and a Stonechat were at the west end. 2 Chiffchaff were noted.

BELVIDE 15.10.24 Overcast SE 2

 The Lesser Scaup was still off the dam, also 635 Tufted Duck, 47 Pochard, 91 Wigeon, 91 Gadwall and 133 Shoveler were counted. A Rock Pipit was at the west end this afternoon. 9 Great Egret and a Little Egret were noted. A 3rd winter Caspian Gull (photo) and 5 Yellow-legged Gulls roosted this evening

BELVIDE 14.10.24 Patchy Drizzle ESE 2

 A Grey Plover flew thru south west at 1.12pm. A Brambling flew over the dam late morning, also a female was at the Gazebo feeders. The Lesser Scaup was off the dam. A Swallow and Siskin flew thru. 4 Chiffchaff were noted. At least 6 Great Egret and a Little Egret were present. A male Stonechat was off the west track.

BELVIDE 13.10.24 Cloudy W 1

 The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 45 Pochard and 20 GC Grebe were counted. The Tundra Bean Goose was at the west end this morning. 7 Great Egret and 2 Little Egret were present. 7 Swallow flew thru. An adult and juvenile Goshawk were in the area. A Stonechat was ringed this morning. A Vis Mig off the dam between 0720-0900hrs produced 143 Redwing, 930 Wood Pigeon, 32 Chaffinch, 10 Pied Wagtail and 17 Meadow Pipit.

The first work party of the season saw 12 of us  clear the area between the Gazebo Bay and Chappell hide. This area had become choked up with willows on the shoreline, limiting viewing.

BELVIDE 12.10.24 Morning Rain W 2-3

 The Lesser Scaup was at the west end with an impressive 700 Tufted Duck, 40 Pochard, 81 Wigeon and 1 Pintail were counted. The Tundra Bean Goose was on the north shore. 7 Great Egret and 2 Little Egret were present. A Common Sandpiper along the dam was a new arrival, also 2 Rock Pipit were on the dam this morning. A juvenile Goshawk was at the west end this afternoon. 3 Stonechat were off the west track. A Chiffchaff, Blackcap and single Swallow were noted. 3 Siskin were along the Gazebo bay.

A reminder that the first work party of the autumn is tomorrow morning. There is a lot of work to do, so it would be appreciated if you could spare a few hours. Please meet in the car park just before 9.30am.

BELVIDE 11.10.24 Fair W 2

 A Cattle Egret on the north shore was a new arrival, also 7 Great Egret and 1 Little Egret were present. The Lesser Scaup was off the dam. The Tundra Bean Goose was on the north shore, also 11 Egyptian Geese. A Stonechat was along the west lane. 

Last night a great showing of the Aurora over the reserve. Best displays were looking east and west.

BELVIDE 10.10.24 Fair N 2

 The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 518 Tufted Duck, 27 Pochard and 2 Garganey were counted. The Tundra Bean Goose remains on the north shore. The Black-necked Grebe was still present. 9 Great Egret and 2 Little Egret were present. 2 Rock Pipit were present this afternoon, with one over the dam and another on the Chappell bund. Finally, the Osprey that was present on the 25th September blue ring FC8 has been sighted in Senegal yesterday at the Palmarin Nature Reserve, just 14 days later!!

BELVIDE 9.10.24 Overcast N 3

 The Lesser Scaup remains off the dam for it's 58th day. 2 Garganey were at the west end. The Tundra Bean Goose was on the north shore with 425 Greylag Geese. The Black-necked Grebe was still present. 2 Rock Pipit were reported on the dam this morning with another at the west end this afternoon. 7 Great Egret and 3 Little Egret were noted. 20 Swallow flew thru this afternoon. A Ring-necked Parakeet flew over the north wood mid afternoon. A Goshawk was over the dam before drifting south east.

BELVIDE 8.10.24 Overcast Showers SSE 2

 The Lesser Scaup was still present, also 1 Garganey and 2 Pintail. The Tundra Bean Goose was seen this morning but no sign this afternoon. The Black-necked Grebe remains. 40 Swallow and 10 House Martin were present this afternoon.

BELVIDE 7.10.24 Fair S 2

 The drake Lesser Scaup remains off the dam. The Tundra Bean Goose was showing well with 344 Greylag Geese along the south east bay from the Chappell hide this afternoon. The Black-necked Grebe was off the Gazebo bay. 7 Great Egret and 2 Little Egret were present.

BELVIDE 6.10.24 Overcast SSE 2-3

 A Juvenile Black Tern dropped in at 10am. The Lesser Scaup was still present, though there was no sign of the female Scaup today other than several Scaup faced Tufted Ducks. 2 Garganey were at the west end, also the Black-necked Grebe remains. 3 Rock Pipit were present with one on the dam, one at the west end and another thru south this morning. 9 Great Egret and 2 Little Egret were present. 62+ Swallow and 24 House Martin flew thru. A Dunlin and 11 Golden Plover flew thru this morning, also 2 Snipe were on the south shore. 3 Stonechat were off the west track. 19 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush and 38 Chaffinch flew over on a much quieter Vis Mig this morning.

BELVIDE 5.10.24 Cloudy SSE 2-3

 The Lesser Scaup remains off the dam, also the female Scaup, 417 Tufted Duck, 1 Garganey and 159 Shoveler were counted. The Tundra Bean Goose and Black-necked Grebe were at the west end. A Rock Pipit was by the shingle island this morning. A Vis Mig off the dam between 0715-0930 produced 63 Redwing, 10 Song Thrush, 5 Mistle Thrush, 343 Swallow, 54 House Martin, 18 Skylark, 18 Chaffinch, 2 Siskin, 18 Meadow Pipit. A Cetti's Warbler was ringed this morning.

BELVIDE 4.10.24 Cloudy SE 2

 A couple of Willow Emerald Damselflies were along the Gazebo bay this afternoon. I forgot to mention that the first record for Belvide was recorded on August 11th. The species only colonised Britain in 2009, but has rapidly spread across the country since.

The Black-necked Grebe was at the west end but there was no sign of the 3 reported anywhere on the reserve other than 4 Little Grebe. The Lesser Scaup remains off the dam, also the female Scaup was along the south east bay. The Tundra Bean Goose was still on the north shore. 1 Garganey, 90 Wigeon and 2 Pintail were counted.

BELVIDE 3.10.24 Fair SE 2

 This evening the WinGS survey was conducted, producing a 1st winter Caspian Gull, 4 Yellow-legged Gulls, 15 Herring Gulls, 3750 LBB Gull, 8 Common Gull and 1064 BH Gull. The Lesser Scaup was still present, also a female Scaup, 1 Garganey, 1 Pintail 23 Pochard and a female Mandarin were counted. The Tundra Bean Goose was still at the west end, also 9 Egyptian Geese. The Black-necked Grebe remains off the Gazebo bay. A Rock Pipit (photo) was on the Chappell bund this afternoon. 44 Redwing flew west at 6.25pm. 4 Stonechat were off the west track. 7 Great Egret and 3 Little Egret were noted. A Tawny Owl was roosting along the south east bay. This mornings ringing session produced 33 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Goldcrest.

BELVIDE 2.10.24 Cloudy NE 4

 A female Common Scoter off the dam was new arrival before flying off north this afternoon. The Lesser Scaup remains off the dam, also the female Scaup was along the south east bay. 3 Garganey and 2 Pintail were on the north shore. The Black-necked Grebe was along the Gazebo bay. The Tundra Bean Goose was still on the north shore. 2 Rock Pipit flew south this afternoon, with one over the dam and the other over the west end. 8 Stonechat were off the west track. 2 Dunlin and 116 Lapwing were on the north shore. Several Sand Martin were present with many Swallows and House Martin. 8 Great Egret and a Little Egret were present. 600 Coot and 32 Mute Swan were counted.

BELVIDE 1.10.24 Rain NNW 2-3

 The Tundra Bean Goose dropped in from the north west at 12.15pm with 396 Greylag Geese and a Bar Headed Goose. The Lesser Scaup remins off the dam. The female Scaup was along the south east bay, also 371 Tufted Duck, 19 Pochard, 225 Shoveler, 69 Wigeon, 2 Pintail and 3 Garganey (photo) were counted. The Black-necked Grebe was along the Gazebo bay. 8 Great Egret and a Little Egret were noted. At least 300 Hirundines this afternoon, mainly House Martin and Swallows with a few Sand Martin.