BELVIDE 30.11.24 Cloudy S 2

A Ring tail Hen Harrier was photographed over the Scott hide reed bed late afternoon.The Lesser Scaup was still present, also 470 Tufted Duck, 111 Pochard, 112 Wigeon, 165 Teal and the Pintail x Pochard hybrid (photo) were counted. 15 Redpoll and 3 Siskin were along the south east bay. A single Dunlin flew thru. A drake Goosander and Peregrine were noted.

BELVIDE 29.11.24

 News received today included the Lesser Scaup off the dam, also the Pintail x Pochard hybrid on the Chappell bund. The male Merlin was seen again at the west end. A Chiffchaff was by the West end hide. A male Stonechat was along the south east bay. 2 Dunlin and Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 28.11.24 Fair SE 1

 The Lesser Scaup remains off the dam. A drake Pintail was at the west end and a drake Goosander dropped in at dusk. A male Merlin was again at the west end this afternoon, also a male Stonechat. The Ring-billed x LBB Gull (photo) roosted again this evening.

BELVIDE 27.11.24 Morning Rain N 1-2

 The Lesser Scaup was off the dam. A drake Pintail was at the west end, also a Goosander dropped in at dusk. A male Stonechat was along the south west shore. 3 Yellow-legged Gulls roosted this evening. 2 Little Egret and 8 Lesser Redpoll were noted.

BELVIDE 26.11.24 Sunny SW 1

 The Lesser Scaup was at the west end, also 11 Goldeneye and the Pintail x Pochard hybrid was on the Chappell bund. A juvenile Goshawk flew into the reservoir plantation. 2 adult Peregrine were at the west end, also a Red Kite flew over. 2 Yellow-legged Gulls roosted. A Little Egret was noted.

BELVIDE 25.11.24 Cloudy W 3

 The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 2 drake Goosander were present. The Ring-billed x LBB Gull hybrid roosted again this evening, also a 1st winter Caspian Gull and 4 Yellow-legged Gulls. 1 Great Egret and 1 Little Egret were noted. 5 Water Rail were below the Scott hide. The Starling roost has all but ended with only 40 birds roosting this evening.

BELVIDE 24.11.24 Rain SW 2-3

 2 Redhead Smew flew in together at 10.50pm, before splitting up. The one bird was off the dam until 11.22am, when it flew off south. The other bird dropped in again at 12.45pm, then again flew off south. The Lesser Scaup was off the dam for it's 100th day, also 250 Teal were counted. A male Merlin flew over the west end early afternoon, also an adult male Goshawk and Peregrine were noted. This evening's Gull roost had the returning adult Ring-billed x LBB Gull hybrid, 1st winter Caspian Gull, 7 Yellow-legged Gulls, 3 adult GBB Gulls and a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull. 2 Great Egret and 2 Little Egret were present. 3 Stonechat and 2 Cetti's Warbler were noted. 8 Bullfinch and 13 Lesser Redpoll were noteworthy.

BELVIDE 23.11.24

 No news received today

BELVIDE 22.11.24 Cloudy W 2

 The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also a drake Pintail, 1 Pink-footed Goose and 1 Barnacle Goose were present. The Great Egret and a Little Egret were noted. 2 Stonechat were at the west end. 11 Common Gull roosted this evening. There was no sign of the Bittern using the thermal imager.

BELVIDE 21.11.24 Sunny NW 2

The Lesser Scaup remains off the dam, also 210 Teal, 105 Gadwall, 91 Shoveler, 159 Wigeon, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Barnacle Goose, 5 Egyptian Geese, 1 Bar Headed Goose and 402 Greylag Geese were counted. A single Dunlin was on the north shore, also 21 Snipe at the west end. The Great Egret was in the ditch behind the Gazebo hide, also 1 Little Egret. 2 Stonechat were at the west end. I didn't stay late to look for the Bittern.

BELVIDE 20.11.24 Early Snow/Sunny NW 2

 An adult Kittiwake was at the west end between 1.15-1.55pm when it flew off east. A Bar-tailed Godwit on the north west shore was an unusual November record. The Lesser Scaup was off the dam. 1 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Barnacle Goose and 307 Canada Geese were counted. A male Stonechat was on the shingle island. 3 Yellow-legged Gulls roosted. There was no sign of the Great Egret, which is the first day since September the 5th there hasn't been one. 2 Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 19.11.24 Morning Snow N 2

 The Bittern was again left of the Scott hide this afternoon and seen briefly in flight at dusk. A juvenile female Goshawk (photo by Trish Wellings) gave amazing views at dusk as it hovered above the reed bed hunting the roosting Starlings. The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also a Goosander was noted. The Great Egret was flushed out of the ditch behind the Gazebo hide. 22 Snipe were counted. 5 Water Rail were below the Scott hide. 5 Yellow-legged Gulls roosted this evening.

BELVIDE 18.11.24 Overcast SE 1-2

 There was no sign of the Bearded Tits all day. The Bittern was again left of the Scott hide at 4.15pm. The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 2 Pintail, 1 Goosander and a Pink-footed Goose were present. An impressive flock of 60 Lesser Redpoll were along the south east bay this morning.  Stonechat was on Hawkshutts ridge. 8 Common Gull and 3 Yellow-legged Gulls roosted.

BELVIDE 17.11.24 Afternoon Rain W 3

 The pair of Bearded Tit were still either side of the Scott hide though remain elusive. The Bittern was found again with the thermal imager this evening, roosting just west of the Scott hide. A juvenile female Goshawk flew over the south east bay this morning, also 3 Red Kite and a Peregrine were noted. Today's WeBS count produced the Lesser Scaup, 300 Tufted Duck, 105 Pochard, 12 Goldeneye, 3 Pintail, 159 Wigeon, 58 Teal, 62 Shoveler, 90 Gadwall, 89 Mallard, 245 Coot, 8 GC Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Barnacle Goose, 4 Egyptian Geese, 1 Bar Headed Goose, 217 Greylag Geese, 106 Canada Geese, 2 Great Egret, 3 Little Egret, 8 Grey Heron, 114 Lapwing, 8 Snipe and 9 Water Rail.

Some video of the Bittern can be viewed here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pta-7tMuFqI

BELVIDE 16.11.24 Overcast W/NW 1-3

 The pair of Bearded Tit remain in the Scott hide reed bed, ranging either side of the Scott hide, though generally elusive. The Bittern was seen briefly in flight from the Scott hide this afternoon. The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also a single Pintail. A Whooper Swan dropped in this morning, also a Pink-footed Goose was at the west end. Both adult and 1st winter Caspian Gulls roosted this evening. 2 Cetti's Warbler and 16 Redpoll were along the south east bay.

BELVIDE 15.11.24 Overcast SW 1

 The pair of Bearded Tit (photo by Trish Wellings) were still present ranging either side of the Scott hide though elusive. A Bittern (photo by Trish Wellings) flew in front of the Scott hide this morning and dropped in the corner near the ringing station. It was found again this evening roosting along the shore closer to the Chappell hide. The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 2 Pintail and a Goosander were present. A Great Egret and Little Egret were present. 9 Yellow-legged Gulls roosted this evening. 

BELVIDE 14.11.24 Fair ENE 1-2

 The main highlight today was a pair of Bearded Tit in the Scott hide reed bed. I found them calling  this afternoon. They were generally elusive, but did show very well on one occasion. They were still present at 3.40pm east side of the Scott hide. This becomes the 6th record for Belvide and the first since 2 were present between 3rd-5th November 1985. The Lesser Scaup was from the Gazebo hide. A 1st winter Caspian Gull roosted this evening. A Great Egret and 2 Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 13.11.24 Overcast NNW 1-2

The Lesser Scaup was from the Gazebo hide, also 290 Wigeon and 6 Shelduck were counted. A male Merlin flew over the west end this afternoon. An adult Caspian Gull (photo) and 6 Yellow-legged Gulls roosted this evening. A pair of Stonechat were off the west track. At least 15,000 Starling roosted in the Scott hide reed bed putting on a great display. A Great Egret and Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 12.11.24 Overcast NNE 2

 The Lesser Scaup was from the Gazebo hide, also 256 Wigeon were counted. A Pintail x Pochard hybrid (photo) was along the north shore and has been present for 11 days. 2 Dunlin were on the north shore. A single Great Egret was at the west end. A single Pink-footed Goose was with 590 Greylag Geese, 197 Canada Geese and 1 Bar Headed Goose.

BELVIDE 11.11.24 + Scarlet Tanager in West Yorkshire

 An adult Whooper Swan (photo by Ken Mather) dropped in this morning. The Lesser Scaup was still present, also a Goosander. A Black-tailed Godwit was a new arrival, also 1 Redshank, 1 Dunlin and 31 Golden Plover were present. A Great Egret and Little Egret were noted.

Today, I took a trip to West Yorkshire to see a Scarlet Tanager at Northowram. A curious resident had posted a mystery bird in their garden on social media, not realising the interest it was going to cause.

After a 3 hour wait the bird finally perched up in some trees to the gathered crowd. It showed 4 times between 2.30-3.15pm. This is the 8th record of this North American vagrant. I had seen one previously on the Isle of Barra in 2014.

BELVIDE 10.11.24 Cloudy S/SW 1

 The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 200 Wigeon were counted. 3 Dunlin and 382 Lapwing were on the north shore. 2 Golden Plover flew over and a Redshank dropped in late afternoon. 2 Mediterranean Gulls roosted including an adult and a new 1winter bird. The Starling roost is starting to build, with 10,000 birds estimated. A Great Egret and Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 9.11.24 Overcast SE 1

 4 Knot dropped in briefly on the shingle island at 10.27am, before continuing south at 10.38am, also 1 Dunlin and 1 Golden Plover were present. The Lesser Scaup remains off the dam, also 10 Goldeneye and 5 Pintail were counted. A Great Egret and Little Egret were present.

BELVIDE 8.11.24 Overcast SE 2

 The Lesser Scaup was still present, also 590 Tufted Duck, 102 Pochard and 7 Goldeneye were counted. 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls roosted this evening, also 10 Common Gull and 8 Yellow-legged Gulls. An adult male Goshawk flew over again at dusk. A Great Egret was noted. 1 Dunlin and 356 Lapwing were on the north shore.

BELVIDE 7.11.24 Overcast SE 1

 The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 16 Goosander dropped in briefly this morning. 3 Dunlin and 71 Snipe were at the west end. 2 Great Egret were present. A different adult Mediterranean Gull roosted this evening, also 4 Yellow-legged Gulls before I had to leave early. A Tawny Owl was along the south east bay, also 2 Cetti's Warbler were noted.

BELVIDE 6.11.24 Overcast SSE 1

 The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 189 Wigeon were counted. The Black-necked Grebe was off the Gazebo hide. 3 Dunlin, 64 Snipe and 228 Lapwing were at the west end. The 1st winter Caspian Gull roosted again, also 5 Yellow-legged Gulls, juvenile GBB Gull (photo) a possible adult Baltic Gull and adult Mediterranean Gull. An adult male Goshawk flew along the dam at dusk. A Tawny Owl was roosting along the south east bay.

BELVIDE 5.11.24 Murky SE 1

 A Black-necked Grebe off the Gazebo bay was a new arrival. A 1st winter Caspian Gull (Photo) was present this afternoon and stayed to roost. 3 Dunlin, 7 Golden Plover and 38 Snipe were at the west end. The Lesser Scaup was off the dam. A single Great Egret was present. 5 Lesser Redpoll were noted.

BELVIDE 4.11.24 Overcast SE 1-2

 A Knot on the north shore was the first of the year, also 3 Dunlin, 1 Golden Plover and 32 Snipe were present. The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 6 Goldeneye and a Goosander flew east. 63 Stock Dove were below the dam this morning. 379 Fieldfare, 309 Redwing and 6 Siskin flew over this morning The 45 Pink-footed Geese roosted again this evening.

BELVIDE 3.11.24 Overcast SE 1-2

 A really good afternoons birding was reward for the hard work on the morning's work party. 5 Brent Geese dropped in at 12.48pm, before departing north at 12.56pm. Also the 45 Pink-footed Goose flew out north at dawn. A Sanderling, 3 Dunlin and 2 Oystercatcher were on the north shore.  A late House Martin was hawking above the west end this afternoon. Not quiet the latest, which was on the 7th November 1964. The Lesser Scaup was still present, also a pair of Mandarin. An adult Mediterranean Gull dropped in this afternoon and stayed to roost. Several hundred Redwing and Fieldfare were in the area. 4 Lesser Redpoll flew over. A single Great Egret remains.

This morning's work party concentrated in the Scott hide reed bed, where we cleared an area for viewing and took out the willow scrub that would choke out the reed bed if left. Again it was the same faces that turn up, week in, week out. It would be nice to see some new faces, that could help with the work load. Another work party is next Sunday. Meet in the car park at 9.15am, if you can spare a few hours.

BELVIDE 2.11.24 Overcast SE 1-2

 A Ruff and Redshank at the west end were new arrivals, also 1 Golden Plover, 35 Snipe and 200 Lapwing were present. The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 170 Wigeon, 6 Mandarin (4 drake)  1 Pintail and 400 Coot were counted. The 45 Pink-footed Geese flew out north early morning, also 420 Greylag Geese were counted. At least 300 Redwing and 200 Fieldfare were in the area. 3 Lesser Redpoll and a Cetti's Warbler were off the west lane. 3 Great Egret and a Peregrine were noted. A Brambling flew over this morning.

BELVIDE 1.11.24 Overcast NW 1-2

 The Lesser Scaup was still present, also 76 Pochard, 617 Tufted Duck, 5 Goldeneye and 146 Shoveler were counted. 68 Pink-footed Geese flew west at 3pm, then the 45 dropped in at 4.45pm to roost. A 2nd winter Caspian Gull roosted this evening (photo) 2 Dunlin were on the north shore, also 27 Snipe were along the south west shore. A juvenile male Goshawk flew over late afternoon, also an adult Peregrine was present. A Barn Owl was opposite the car park at dusk.