BELVIDE 31.5.25 Overcast SW 2

 A Spotted Flycatcher was singing along the path between the car park and the spill weir. 1 Sanderling, 13 Ringed Plover and 3 Dunlin were on the north shore.2 Great Egret were present. 3 Red Kite flew over. 73 Mute Swan were counted.

BELVIDE 30.5.25 Overcast WSW 3

 7 Sanderling were present today, with 6 this morning and another dropping in at 4pm. Also 13 Ringed Plover, 9 LRP, 7 Dunlin and a Curlew were present. A Spotted Flycatcher was along the west lane briefly this morning. 3 Red Kite flew over this afternoon. 12 Common Tern, 15 Pochard, 1 Mandarin and a Great Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 29.5.25 Cloudy SW 4-5

 30 Ringed Plover, including 21 grounded and 9 through today, also 12 Dunlin and 1 Curlew. 1 Goshawk, 1 Red Kite and a Peregrine were in the area. 1 Great Egret and 1 Little Egret were at the west end. 415 Coot were counted.

BELVIDE 28.5.25 Showers NW 2-3

 The Cattle Egret was again at the west end late afternoon, also 1 Great Egret, 1 Little Egret. 1 Sanderling, 12 Dunlin and 22 Ringed Plover were on the north shore. A female Mandarin was on the Chappell bund. A Red Kite flew over.

BELVIDE 27.5.25 Rain S 2

 A Cattle Egret was at the west end mid afternoon, also a Great Egret. 2 Sanderling, 10 Dunlin and 13 Ringed Plover were on the north shore. A Cuckoo flew over the Chappell hide early afternoon. 2000 Swift were noted. A drake Mandarin was on the north shore.

BELVIDE 26.5.25 Showery W 3-4

 2 Sanderling dropped in this morning, also 9 Dunlin and 10 Ringed Plover were present. A Great Egret, 8 Common Tern and a Red Kite were noted. At least 70 pairs of BH Gull now nesting on the islands at the west end.

BELVIDE 25.5.25 Early Rain W 3-4

 A Sanderling dropped in briefly this morning, also 19 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin and 1 Redshank were present. 8 Common Tern and a Great Egret were noted. Today's WeBS count produced the Red Crested Pochard, 12 Pochard, 75 Tufted Duck, 120 Gadwall, 107 Mallard, 7 Shoveler, 3 Teal, 3 Shelduck, 349 Coot, 24 GC Grebe, 67 Mute Swan, 96 Canada Geese, 19 Greylag Geese and 6 Cormorant.

BELVIDE 24.5.25 Overcast W 3-4

 A change in the weather today certainly perked up the birding. A drake Red Crested Pochard at the west end was the first record for 3 years. A 2nd summer Kittiwake was present between 9.40-9.52am when it flew off west. 2 Sanderling dropped in at 11.20am, also 1 Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plover and 10 LRP were present. A pair of Stonechat with 4 fledged juveniles were on Hawkshutt ridge. A Tawny Owl was roosting along the Gazebo bay. 1 Hobby, 1 Little Egret and 8 Common Tern were noted.

BELVIDE 23.5.25 Cloudy WNW 1-2

 2 Avocet were present early morning, when they flew off east at 8.45am. At least 62 pair of BH Gulls are nesting. 1 Great Egret and a Hobby were noted.

BELVIDE 22.5.25 Overcast E 1

 A Cattle Egret was on the north shore this morning, also 2 Great Egret. 2 Hobby, 1 Peregrine and a Red Kite flew over. 5 Ringed Plover were at the west end. A pair of Lapwing with 3 chicks were along the path by the west end hide. 6 Common Tern were noted.

BELVIDE 21.5.25 Heavy PM Showers. N/E 1-2

 Pretty quiet this afternoon, with 9 Ringed Plover, 6 Common Tern,1 Red Kite and 2 Great Egret the only birds of note.

BELVIDE 20.5.25 Fair NE 1

 2 Avocet on the north shore were new arrivals, also 1 Redshank and 12 Ringed Plover were present. A Tawny Owl was roosting along the Gazebo bay. 1 Great Egret was noted.

BELVIDE 19.5.25 Cloudy E 2

 13 Ringed Plover were on the north shore, also a single Redshank. At least 3 Red Kite were in the area. A Great Egret was at the west end. 40 pairs of BH Gull are nesting on the islands, with the possibility of more to come. 140 Gadwall were counted.

BELVIDE 18.5.25 Sunny NNE 2

An Osprey flew thru at 2.20pm, alsoa Red Kite wasover the dam. The Cattle Egret was still on the north shore, also a Great Egret. 9 Ringed Plover and 1 Redshank were noted. 133 Gadwall and a drake Mandarin were counted. 2 Yellow Wagtail were on the north shore.

BELVIDE 17.5.25 Overcast am/Sunny pm NE 2

 A Cuckoo was singing by the field off the car park at 1pm, before flying west. A Cattle Egret was on the north shore morning. 2 Ringed Plover were on the north shore. A male Stonechat wason Hawkshutts ridge. A 1st summer Common Gull flew thru. 290 Coot were counted. 2 Water Rail were in the west marsh.

This afternoon, news broke of a Woodchat Shrike at Stafford Rugby club. It was found by Geoff Hadley, who had the initiative to post some shots on Facebook. After it doing a disappearing act, when we arrived on site, I picked up the bird on the opposite side of the rugby pitches, where it showed well along a Hawthorne hedge. It later moved onto the adjacent Doxey Marshes reserve. This becomes only the 2nd Staffordshire record, following a juvenile at Whitemoor Haye on the 8th September 2010. A video of the Shrike can be viewed here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0GxmNy0uIs

BELVIDE 16.5.25 Sunny NE 2

 The 3 Black-necked Grebe remain off the dam, also the drake Garganey was along the south west shore. 3 Ringed Plover were on the north shore. A pair of Lapwing have 2 chicks in the west Marsh. 1 Great Egret, 1 Red Kite and 4 Common Tern were noted. At least 6 Red-veined Darter were from the Hawkshutts hide.

BELVIDE 15.5.25 Cloudy NE 3-4

 Firstly, a male Hairy Dragonfly, perched in a plum tree along the west track becomes the first record for Belvide.

The 3 Black-necked Grebe remain off the dam, also the drake Garganey was along the south west shore. 125 Gadwall were counted. An Osprey flew thru to the north at 1.55pm, also a Goshawk was soaring. An Avocet was reported on the board this morning, but there was no sign this afternoon. 1 Ringed Plover was on the north shore. A Tawny Owl was roosting along the Gazebo bay. 5 Common Tern and a Great Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 14.5.25 Fair NE 3

 The 3 Black-necked Grebe remain off the dam. The drake Garganey was still along the south west shore, also 92 Gadwall were counted. 2 Red Kite and a Hobby flew over. 2 Common Sandpiper and a Great Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 13.5.25 Sunny E 3-4

 The 3 Black-necked Grebe were back again after going AWOL yesterday. 5 Whimbrel were on the north shore until 4.50pm when they flew off north. Also 3 Common Sandpiper were present. A single drake Garganey was still along the south west shore, also 5 Teal, 7 Shoveler, 12 Pochard and 24 Shelduck were counted. 10 Common Tern, 2 Hobby and Great Egret were noted. Of interest, a Red-veined Darter was in front of the Hawkshutts hide this afternoon.

BELVIDE 12.5.25 Cloudy SE 2

 2 drake Garganey were at the west end today, also 18 Shelduck were counted. 4 Common Sandpiper, 4 Common Tern,  1 Great Egret and a Red Kite were noted.

BELVIDE 11.5.25 Sunny ESE 1-3

A mobile Cuckoo calling between the Hawkshutts Wood and reservoir plantation was the first of the spring. Also new for the year was a Spotted Flycatcher briefly below the dam. The 3 Black-necked Grebe remain off the dam. A drake Garganey was at the west end. A single Greenshank dropped in late morning, also 4 Ringed Plover, 4 Common Sandpiper and 2 Dunlin were present. A female Mandarin was on the north shore early morning. A Kingfisher flew along the dam. 1 Great Egret and 1 Little Egret were noted. 2 Hobby and 2 Red Kite flew over.

BELVIDE 10.5.25 Sunny SE 1-2

 The 3 Black-necked Grebe remain off the dam. An imm male Goshawk (photo) flew over the dam early morning, also at least 3 Red Kite were in the area. 4 Common Sandpiper and 2 Ringed Plover were present. The pair of Oystercatcher on the Chappell bund are down to 1 chick. 1 Great Egret and 2 Little Egret were noted. At least 6 pairs of BH Gulls have started to nest on the main shingle island.

BELVIDE 9.5.25 Fair SE 2-3

 Not a bad day with our 5th Wood Sandpiper of the spring showing well along the south west shore, also 6 Common Sandpiper, 3 Ringed Plover and 1 Curlew were present. 3 Black-necked Grebe were again present off the dam after going missing the last 2 days. A drake Garganey was at the west end, also 7 Shoveler were counted. 3 Great Egret were on the north shore, including a summer plumage bird. Also 3 Little Egret were noted. 3 Red Kite and 3 Hobby flew over this afternoon. Finally, a recount of Saturday's all dayer, has put the final total on 97. I forgot to count Osprey. Doh!

BELVIDE 8.5.25 Overcast ENE 2

 The 2 Cattle Egret and Great Egret were still present. 1 Greenshank, 2 Ringed Plover, 10 LRP and 2 Common Sandpiper were on the north shore. A Hobby was chasing a House Martin this afternoon. A single Yellow Wagtail was at the west end. 78 Gadwall were counted. Some fledged juvenile Goldcrest were along the Gazebo bay. 5 Common Tern were noted.

BELVIDE 7.5.25 Cloudy NE 2

 A Spotted Redshank in summer plumage was on the north shore, tucked in the north bay and only visible from the Hawkshutts hide. Also a single Greenshank, 1 Redshank early morning only, a Whimbrel late afternoon and single Ringed Plover were present. 2 Cattle Egret and a Great Egret remain.

BELVIDE 6.5.25 Sunny NE 2

 An Osprey flew over at midday. The 3 Black-necked Grebe remain off the dam, also the pair of Garganey were still at the west end. 2 Cattle Egret and 1 Great Egret were on the north shore. A Redshank was a new arrival, also 1 Greenshank, 4 Common Sandpiper and 1 Ringed Plover were present. The 2 pairs of nesting Oystercatcher have hatched young today with 3 on the shingle Island at the west end and 2 chicks on the Chappell Island. A Green Woodpecker was heard at the west end, also a Lesser Whitethroat. A Green Hairstreak butterfly, along the west lane by the Hawkshutts hide becomes a first record for the reserve.

BELVIDE 5.5.25 Cloudy NE 3

 An Osprey was tracked all the way in from Gailey after I received a phone call from Steve Richards at 9.15am. It reached Belvide at 9.33am where it then hovered for a bit before drifting back south. A single Arctic Tern flew thru north east at 7.55am, also 4 Common Tern were present. The 3 Black-necked Grebe remain, also the pair of Garganey were on the north shore. 2 Whimbrel were on the north shore before continuing north at 9.25am, also 1 Greenshank, 1 Ringed Plover, 10 LRP and 7 Common Sandpiper were present. The 2 Cattle Egret dropped in this afternoon after spending more time out in the cattle fields. 2 Hobby were chasing the hirundine flock. At least 600 Swift were present this morning. A single Yellow Wagtail was on the shingle island this morning.

BELVIDE 4.5.25 Cloudy NNE 2

 The 3 Black-necked Grebe remain out in the middle of the reservoir. The pair of Garganey were on the north shore. 5 Ringed Plover and 2 Common Sandpiper were present. A Hobby, Peregrine and Red Kite were in the area. A Goosander flew north this morning. A 1st summer Yellow-legged Gull was on the north shore. 4 Common Tern were noted.

Yesterday's 97 species are as follows. Again we were missing Willow Warbler for the 2nd year running, also not seeing a Water Rail that was seen several times in the week was frustrating.

  1 Mute Swan, 2 Greylag Goose, 3 Canada Goose, 4 Egyptian Goose, 5 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 7 Gadwall, 8 Shoveler, 9 Teal, 10 Garganey, 11 Pochard, 12 Tufted Duck, 13 RL Partridge, 14 Pheasant, 15 BN Grebe, 16 Little Grebe, 17 GC Grebe, 18 Cormorant, 19 Cattle Egret, 20 Little Egret, 21 Great Egret, 22 Grey Heron, 23 Red Kite, 24 Buzzard, 25 Sparrowhawk, 26 Kestrel, 27 Hobby, 28 Peregrine, 29 Moorhen, 30 Coot, 31 Oystercatcher, 32 LRP, 33 Ringed Plover, 34 Lapwing, 35 Sanderling, 36 Dunlin, 37 Wood Sandpiper, 38 Common Sandpiper, 39 Snipe, 40 BH Gull, 41 Common Gull, 42 Herring Gull, 43 LBB Gull, 44 Common Tern, 45 Feral Pigeon, 46 Stock Dove, 47 Wood Pigeon, 48 Collared Dove, 49 Tawny Owl, 50 Barn Owl, 51 Little Owl, 52 Swift, 53 Green     Woodpecker, 54 GS Woodpecker, 55 Skylark, 56 Sand Martin, 57 House Martin, 58 Swallow, 59 Pied Wagtail, 60 Yellow Wagtail, 61 Grey Wagtail, 62 Dunnock, 63 Robin, 64 Song Thrush, 65 Mistle Thrush, 66 Blackbird, 67 Garden Warbler, 68 Blackcap, 69 Whiethroat, 70 Lesser Whitethroat, 71 Sedge Warbler, 72 Reed Warbler, 73 Chiffchaff, 74 Goldcrest, 75 Wren, 76 Great Tit, 77 Coal Tit, 78 Blue Tit, 79 LT Tit, 80 Nuthatch, 81 Treecreeper, 82 Magpie, 83 Jay, 84 Jackdaw, 85 Rook, 86 Crow, 87 Raven, 88 Starling, 89 House Sparrow, 90 Chaffinch, 91 Linnet, 92 Goldfinch, 93 Greenfinch, 94 Bullfinch, 95 Reed Bunting, 96 Yellowhammer. 97 Osprey.

BELVIDE 3.5.25 Overcast NW 2-4

 Today saw a team of us attempt the annual spring all day bird race. We started at 0430hrs and finished at 1950hrs recording a total of 96 species on the reserve.

Highlights included the first Osprey of the year just south of the reserve with a fish, when it was lost to view. A Sanderling on the north shore was new for the year. A Wood Sandpiper was at the west end briefly between 0740-0745. Also 9 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpiper and 1 Snipe were present. The 3 Black-necked Grebe remain off the dam. The pair of Garganey were still present and at times showed well along the Gazebo bay. The 2 Cattle Egret were still on the north shore, also 1 Great and 1 Little Egret. A Green Woodpecker calling east of the dam was the first of the year. Both Barn Owl and Little Owl were seen at dawn opposite the car park gate. 2 Yellow Wagtail and a White Wagtail were on the north shore. At least 300 Swift and 4 Common Tern were noted. A Hobby was seen a few times over the day.

A full list will appear on tomorrows blog entry.

BELVIDE 2.5.25 Sunny N 2

 A pair of Garganey ranging between the Gazebo Bay and West end were the first of the year. 3 Black-necked Grebe off the dam were new arrivals. An imm Marsh Harrier was in the west marsh at 2.15pm and again over the reservoir at 4.20pm, also an imm Peregrine flew over. 5 Ringed Plover and 1 Dunlin were on the north shore and 4 Common Sandpiper were along the dam. The 2 Cattle Egret remain on the north shore, also 1 Great Egret. 2 Yellow Wagtail were at the west end.

BELVIDE 1.5.25 Sunny W 1

 The 2 Cattle Egret remain on the north shore, also 1 Great Egret and 1 Little Egret. 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plover and 7 LRP were present, also 2 Dunlin flew thru this afternoon. 20 Shelduck, 64 Gadwall, 6 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 10 Pochard and 36 GC Grebe were counted. A Water Rail was below the Scott hide this morning.