BELVIDE 31.12.24

 News received today included the Lesser Scaup off the dam, also a drake Mandarin and single Shelduck. 2 Great Egret were new arrivals. A Goshawk and Peregrine were in the area.

It's been another fantastic year with a total of 175 species recorded on the reserve. The outstanding highlight being the American Golden Plover during late May/early June, that was a new bird for the reserve and Staffordshire. Other highlights included the first Bearded Tits for 39 years in November. A stunning Slavonian Grebe in April and a Common Crane in early May. A Honey Buzzard over in June, 'Lenny' our drake Lesser Scaup took up residency from the middle of August. A Pectoral Sandpiper and 2 Roseate Tern in September, Bittern in November and a Great Northern Diver in December.

I managed to see a total of 170 species, with 321 visits made, missing Crossbill, Avocet, Sandwich Tern, Quail and Honey Buzzard.

Thanks to all of you who have shared with me these great birds and memories and to those of you who have turned out to the work parties to make Belvide a better place.

BELVIDE 30.12.24 Sunny SW 2-3

 The Lesser Scaup remains off the dam, also 2 Shelduck, 117 Wigeon and 217 Teal were counted. 2 Goshawk, 2 Peregrine and a Red Kite were in the area. 19 Grey Heron were on the north shore.

BELVIDE 29.12.24 Cloudy WSW 1

 At around 10.45am I picked up what looked like a Rough Legged Buzzard flying away from me over the stubble fields beyond the west Marsh. The white tail with a broad black tail band could clearly be seen. The bird then banked to show a black lower belly patch. The wings appeared longer and flight was on deeper slower wing beats. Due to the brevity of the sighting, which was no more than 15 seconds and the fact there have been very few records this winter, I have had some doubts. I have encountered many Buzzards over the years with whiteish tails, but have always confidently dismissed such birds. This bird certainly got me excited. I really hope it gets seen again. The only other record for Belvide, was a juvenile male found dead in the reservoir plantation, as a result of poisoning on the 31st March 1979. 

The Lesser Scaup remains off the dam, also 9 Pintail (8 drakes) were present early morning only. 4 Stonechat including 3 male were off the west track.

BELVIDE 28.12.24 Fog/Murky SW 1

 The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 5 Pintail dropped in late afternoon along with 4 Goosander. 30 Siskin were along the Gazebo bay. A Stonechat was by the West end hide. A single Yellow-legged Gull roosted.

BELVIDE 27.12.24

 News received today included the Lesser Scaup and a Little Egret.

I had a day out to see a Yellow Warbler at New Hythe in Kent,that was found on Christmas Eve. It had been 20 years since the last one I saw on Barra. We arrived mid morning and had to wait a couple of hours for the bird to show in a group of Alder trees. It showed for about 5 minutes before disappearing again. It then showed very well around 2.15pm. A difficult bird to digiscope, though I did manage some record shots. This becomes the 11th record for Britain and only the 2nd mainland record. There was also a Firecrest and several Chiffchaff in the area.

BELVIDE 26.12.24

 No news for today as its been foggy in this part of Staffordshire all day.

BELVIDE 25.12.24 Cloudy SW 1-2

 A cheeky hour and a half this morning produced the Lesser Scaup off the dam, also a drake Pintail and a single Shelduck. 10 Lesser Redpoll and 4 Bullfinch were between the Gazebo bay and West end hide.

BELVIDE 24.12.24 Cloudy W 2

 The 3 redhead Smew were present again this afternoon at the west end after an 11 day absence. The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 5 Goosander and 2 Pintail were present. The 2nd winter Caspian Gull roosted again this evening, also an adult Med Gull, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls and 4 GBB Gulls. A juvenile female Goshawk was perched in the reservoir plantation late afternoon. An adult Peregrine and 1 Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 23.12.24 Overcast WSW 2

 The Lesser Scaup was off the dam  also 4 Goosander dropped in at dusk and just 6 Goldeneye roosted off the dam this evening. A 2nd winter Caspian Gull roosted, also an adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls and 2 GBB Gull. 3 Little Egret were at the west end. 5 Siskin and 2 Redpoll were noted.

BELVIDE 22.12.25 Cloudy WNW 3-4

 A quick morning visit produced the Lesser Scaup off the dam, also a pair of Pintail. 300 Lapwing at the west end was the most for a while. 3 Little Egret and an adult Peregrine on a kill were noted.

BELVIDE 21.12.24 Overcast W 3-4

 The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 4 Shelduck and a drake Goosander were present. 2 Goshawk, 2 Red Kite and a Peregrine were in the area. 4 Little Egret were present early morning.

BELVIDE 20.12.24

 News received today included the Lesser Scaup off the dam and 2 drake Pintail.

BELVIDE 19.12.24 Heavy Showers NW 3-4

 3 Mediterranean Gulls roosted this evening, including 2 adults and a 1st winter. The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 1 Pintail, 349 Teal and 42 Gadwall were counted. A Goshawk flew over the dam late afternoon, also an adult Peregrine and Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 18.12.24 Overcast WSW 2-5

 The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 25 Shoveler and a drake Goosander were present. A 3rd winter Caspian Gull, (photo) 2 Yellow-legged Gulls and 2 Med Gulls including an adult and 1st winter (photos) roosted this evening. 1 Little Egret and 14 Grey Heron were on the north shore.

BELVIDE 17.12.24

 News received today included the Lesser Scaup still off the dam, also a pair of Pintail, 1 Shelduck and 2 Snipe.

Belvide 16.12.24

 News received today included the Lesser Scaup off the dam, also a drake drake Pintail. 2 Black-tailed Godwit were new arrivals. 3 Stonechat were noted, also 3 Cetti's Warbler. A Red Kite flew over, also a Peregrine. At least 40 Collared Dove at the farm on the A5 was noteworthy. I forgot to mention that a Barn Owl was opposite the car park at 7.40am yesterday.

BELVIDE 15.12.24 Overcast W 3

 Today's WeBS count produced the Lesser Scaup, 283 Tufted Duck, 100 Pochard, 134 Wigeon, 210 Teal, 32 Gadwall, 16 Shoveler, 185 Mallard, 1 Pintail, 1 Mandarin, 8 Goldeneye, 3 GC Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 200 Coot, 100 Greylag Geese, 63 Canada Geese, 2 Egyptian Geese, 18 Mute Swan, 10 Cormorant, 2 Kingfisher, 5 Water Rail.

BELVIDE 14.12.24 Fair NW 2

 The Lesser Scaup remains off the dam. 7 Pintail dropped in late afternoon with another female at the west end. A pair of Mandarin and a drake Goosander were noted. An adult male Goshawk put in 3 appearances today. A Peregrine killed a Coot, also a Red Kite flew over. 47 Golden Plover flew over this morning, 2 Little Egret and an adult Yellow-legged Gull roosted.

BELVIDE 13.12.24 Murky NE 1

 The 3 redhead Smew dropped in at the west end at 3.45pm to roost off the north shore. The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 144 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 2 Mandarin, 1 Shelduck and a drake Goosander were counted. A Black-tailed Godwit on the north shore was a new arrival. A Goshawk flew over the Gazebo bay this afternoon and a Peregrine killed a Teal. A 2nd winter Caspian Gull and 1 Yellow-legged Gull roosted this evening.

BELVIDE 12.12.24

 No news received today

BELVIDE 11.12.24 Overcast NE 2

 The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 2 Pintail, 122 Wigeon 1 Shelduck and a drake Goosander were counted. 2 Little Egret were noted. I didn't stay late enough to see if any Smew dropped in.

BELVIDE 10.12.24 Overcast NE 3

 3 redhead Smew dropped in at dusk. The question is, where are they hiding and are they probably the same birds we had last winter? 17 Goldeneye at dusk is the highest count of the winter so far, of what has been a poor showing for the species. The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 2 Pintail, 3 Shelduck and 119 Wigeon were counted. An adult Caspian Gull roosted this evening, also an adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls and 2 GBB Gull. A Goshawk flew into the reservoir plantation at dusk. 2 Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 9.12.24 Overcast NE 3-4

 The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 5 Pintail, 367 Mallard, 2 drake Mandarin, 32 Gadwall, 2 Goosander and 2 Little Grebe were counted. An adult Yellow-legged Gull and GBB Gull roosted this evening.

BELVIDE 8.12.24 NNW 4-5

 The imm/female Marsh Harrier was hunting the north west shore early morning. The Lesser Scaup was off the Chappell hide, also 277 Teal,and 200 Coot were counted. 

A storm damage assessment has seen both Tern rafts smashed against the south east wall causing damage to the fibre glass Base. Several trees have come down in the plantation, which will be sorted sometime this week. The iconic tree opposite Hawkshutts farm has also come down.

BELVIDE 7.12.24 Rain NW 7-8

 Storm Darragh arrived overnight producing some of the strongest winds I've encountered at Belvide. The two Tern rafts have been blown into the south east corner. Also a large ash tree opposite Leasowe Farm entrance has come down, blocking the road and taking down telephone cables.Tomorrow's work party has been cancelled.

The conditions were horrendous, meaning I only looked from the Scott hide. A cream crowned Marsh Harrier was hunting the south east bay this morning. The Lesser Scaup was still present, also a drake Goosander and 2 Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 6.12.24 Overcast SW 2

 An imm/female Marsh Harrier flew thru west at 2.30pm. The Lesser Scaup was off the dam, also 146 Teal, 115 Wigeon and 3 Egyptian Geese were counted. A Great Egret and a single Golden Plover flew over early afternoon.

BELVIDE 5.12.24

 No news received today

BELVIDE 4.12.24 Morning Fog/ Murk S 2

 The Lesser Scaup was at the west end, also a drake Goosander was present. A Great Egret and Little Egret were noted. A Cetti's Warbler was below the West end hide. An adult Yellow-legged Gull and adult GBB Gull roosted. A correction to the age of the Caspian Gull that roosted last night. It was the same 2nd winter bird that roosted on the 1st November, not a 1st winter.

BELVIDE 3.12.24 Cloudy SE 1

 The Lesser Scaup was at the west end, also 104 Wigeon and 12 Shoveler were counted. 2 Caspian Gulls roosted this evening including an adult and 1st winter (photo) A Woodcock was flushed out the ditch by the Chappell hide this morning.

BELVIDE 2.12.24 Overcast W 2

An adult Great Northern Diver was found by Ken Mather at midday. It was present until 2.05pm, when it flew off south east. A Female Marsh Harrier flew over south west at 1.50pm. The Lesser Scaup was at the west end. A Little Egret was noted. Also a photo of the Hen Harrier taken by Lucy Biswell on Saturday 30th November.

BELVIDE 1.12.24 Early Rain/ Cloudy SSW 1

 The female Hen Harrier was at the west end at midday, before relocating to Hawkshutts ridge where it was hunting at 12.40pm. It wasn't seen at dusk from the Scott hide. The Lesser Scaup was still present, also 108 Pochard, 434 Tufted Duck and 9 Goldeneye were counted. A Great Egret was at the west end, also 2 Little Egret. 2 Red Kite and a Peregrine were present. A pair of Stonechat and 9 Redpoll were on Hawkshutts ridge.