BELVIDE 31.7.25 Cloudy NNW 3

The 2 Lesser Scaup remain in front of the west end hide. The female Common Scoter was off the fishing club car park, also 17 Shoveler, 66 Gadwall and 487 Mallard were counted. 1 Green Sandpiper, 10 Common Sandpiper, 5 Ringed Plover, 12 LRP, 4 Dunlin and 2 Oystercatcher were present. 1 Great Egret and 4 Little Egret were noted.  

BELVIDE 30.7.25 Cloudy NW 2

 7 Common Scoter were present today with 3 males and 4 females. 6 had departed by 2pm, leaving the single female from yesterday off the dam . The 2 Lesser Scaup were in front of the west end hide. A juvenile Greenshank dropped in late afternoon, also 5 Ringed Plover, 12 LRP, 4 Dunlin, 15 Common Sandpiper and 3 Oystercatcher were present. A Yellow Wagtail was in front of the Chappell hide. 302 Greylag Geese, 1 Bar Headed Goose and 22 Egyptian Geese were counted. An adult Peregrine and Great Egret were noted. 

BELVIDE 29.7.25 Morning Drizzle NW 1

 A female type Common Scoter at the west end was the first of the year. A Black-necked Grebe off the Gazebo bay was a new arrival. The 2 Lesser Scaup were at the west end. A Sandwich Tern was seen by others flying thru this morning, also 6 Common Tern were present. A Turnstone flew thru at 4pm, also 5 Ringed Plover, 10 LRP, 4 Dunlin, 17 Common Sandpiper and 1 Green Sandpiper were present. A Whimbrel and Sanderling were reported by others early morning. The Egyptian Goose family are down to 1 gosling.

BELVIDE 28.7.25 Cloudy NW 3

 3 Sanderling (photos) were new arrivals with 2 along the dam and 1 on the north shore, also 5 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover, 10 LRP, 17 Common Sandpiper and 1 Green Sandpiper were present. the 2 eclipse drake Lesser Scaup (photo) remain between the Gazebo and West end hides, with one bird starting to moult it's primaries and secondaries, so a prolonged stay seem likely. The 2 Garganey were in front of the Chappell hide. 22 Egyptian Geese were present, including a pair with a 2 newly hatched goslings, which seems very late. An adult Yellow-legged Gull and a Great Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 27.7.25 Overcast NW 2

 The 2 eclipse drake Lesser Scaup were still present amongst the Tufted Duck flock ranging between the Gazebo and West End Hides. The 2 Garganey and a Mandarin were in front of the Chappell hide. 1 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 13 Common Sandpiper, 13 LRP, 1 Dunlin and 5 Oystercatcher were present. A Tawny Owl was roosting in an Ash tree near the ringing station. 1 Great Egret and 3 Little Egret were noted. 54 Cormorant were counted.A ringing session at the west end produced 5 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 6 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff and 1 Whitethroat.

BELVIDE 26.7.25 Overcast NW 2

A very enjoyable days birding today started with a juvenile Arctic Tern that spent the day between the dam and Chappell hide. It was joined by 2 adult Sandwich Tern from 11.35am, again ranging between the dam and Chappell hide and both were still present at 4pm. The 2 eclipse drake Lesser Scaup were still present, also the 2 Garganey remain. 6 Black-tailed Godwit were on the north shore, also 1 Green Sandpiper, 17 Common Sandpiper and 1 Dunlin were present. A juvenile Green Woodpecker flew over the dam this morning. A Spotted Flycatcher was off the west track. A Red Kite, Hobby and Peregrine were noted.

BELVIDE 25.7.25 Sunny W 2

 The 2 eclipse drake Lesser Scaup were still present with one from the Gazebo hide and the other from the West End Hide. The 2 Garganey were in front of the Chappell hide. 2 Redshank, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Sandpiper, 11 Common Sandpiper and 1 Dunlin were present. Photos of the 2 Lesser Scaup.

BELVIDE 24.7.25 Overcast N 2-3

 Incredibly, there are now 2 eclipse drake Lesser Scaup with the Tufted Duck flock opposite the Gazebo hide. The 2 Garganey were also opposite the Gazebo hide. A Whimbrel was at the west end before flying off, also 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Redshank, 2 Dunlin , 12 Common Sandpiper and 13 LRP were present. 200 Starling were at the west end including 188 juveniles and 12 adults. Below is a record shot of the two Lesser Scaup together, which are the left hand and right hand birds.

A correction to the 5 Whistling Duck present on Monday. The 2 paler brown birds were in fact Lesser Whistling Ducks with the 3 White faced Whistling Ducks.

BELVIDE 23.7.25 Overcast NW 3

 The main highlight today was the presumed return of the drake Lesser Scaup, affectionately known as 'Lenny'. It was well in eclipse plumage, showing in front of the West End Hide. The 2 Garganey were opposite the Gazebo hide. 2 Dunlin and 12 Common Sandpiper were present. A Red Kite and Peregrine flew over. 1 Great Egret and 5 Little Egret were on the north shore. 3 Common Tern were noted.

BELVIDE 22.7.25 Overcast NW 2

 A juvenile Marsh Harrier flew thru this afternoon. The 2 Garganey remain at the west end, also 25 Teal were counted. 3 Black-tailed Godwit were on the Chappell bund during the morning only, also 2 Redshank, 2 Dunlin and 17 Common Sandpiper were present. A Green Woodpecker was seen near the Chappell hide this morning. 2 juvenile Yellow Wagtail were noted. 

BELVIDE 21.7.25 Heavy Thunder Showers SW 1

 2 Garganey were at the west end including as new eclipse drake. 5 White-faced Whistling Ducks on the north shore were a new species for the Belvide exotica list. A Greenshank was present in the morning only, also 14 Common Sandpiper and 13 LRP were present.

BELVIDE 20.7.25 Showery SE 2

 A single Ringed Plover on the north shore was a new arrival, also at least 10 Common Sandpiper were present. The Garganey remains at the west end, also 2 juvenile Mandarin were present. An adult Yellow-leggedGull dropped in briefly this morning. 6 Little Egret were noted. 

BELVIDE 19.7.25 Rain Calm

 A Turnstone was on the Chappell bund early morning only, also a Whimbrel flew out the south east bay at dawn, followed by another 5 through south at 11.10am. 2 Juvenile Curlew were on the north shore this morning, also 20 Common Sandpiper were along the dam. 7 Juvenile Stonechat were off the west track. 2 Juvenile Yellow Wagtail were at the west end. The female Garganey remains at the west end. 8 Little Egret were noted. 

BELVIDE 18.7.25 Cloudy SW 1

 A new brood of 2 LRP chicks have appeared on the north shore, also the other brood of 3 are doing OK in the same area. Unfortunately the single chick off the main island looks like it's been predated. 18 Common Sandpiper were along the dam. 21 Egyptian Geese becomes a Belvide record, also 371 Mallard and 71 Moorhen were counted. 4 juvenile Stonechat remain in the south west corner. 6 Little Egret were noted. 

BELVIDE 17.7.25 Morning Drizzle W 1

 The female Garganey remains at the west end. 10 Common Sandpiper and 14 LRP were present. At least 2 juvenile Stonechat were in the south west corner. A distant Goshawk was off the west track. 6 Little Egret were noted. 

BELVIDE 16.7.25 Cloudy NW 2

 2 Goshawk, including an adult over the north wood, then a lovely fresh juvenile into Hawkshutts wood this afternoon. The adult female Garganey was on the north shore. A juvenile Mandarin was on the spill weir. 12 Common Sandpiper and 19 LRP were present. 4 juvenile Stonechat were along the south west corner. A Hobby flew over. The first ringing session of the season produced 33 Reed Warbler, 26 Sedge Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap and 2 Garden Warbler. 

BELVIDE 15.7.25 Rain SW 3-4

 The blustery conditions with rain made for some better birding today. A Turnstone on the north shore was the first of the year. An adult Wood Sandpiper was in front of the Hawkshutts hide , also 1 Green Sandpiper, 9 Common Sandpiper and 22 LRP were present. An adult female Garganey along the south west shore was a new arrival. 1 Great Egret and 6 Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 14.7.25

 News received today included 16 Black-tailed Godwit dropped in mid morning. Also 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Great Egret and 5 Little Egret were noted. 

BELVIDE 13.7.25 Sunny E 2-3

 A Crossbill was heard over the west track this morning. 7 juvenile Stonechat remain off the west track, also a Hobby with prey from there. A fresh juvenile Peregrine flew over this morning. 2 Redshank were new arrivals, also 9 Common Sandpiper and 12 LRP were present. 1 Great Egret and 5 Little Egret remain. 38 GC Grebe were counted. 

BELVIDE 12.7.25 Hot Sunny E 2

 The first Whinchat of the year was off the west track this morning, also at least 8 Stonechat including an adult male and 7 juveniles. 9 Yellow Wagtail were at the west end including an adult and 8 juveniles. 8 Common Sandpiper were along the dam. 1 Great Egret and 5 Little Egret were present. A Red Kite flew over. Today's WeBS count produced 368 Tufted Duck, 5 Pochard, 348 Mallard, 22 Gadwall, 12 Shoveler, 16 Teal, 990 Coot, 31 GC Grebe, 19 Egyptian Geese, 13 Greylag Geese, 123 Canada Geese, 73 Mute Swan, 17 Cormorant, 6 Grey Heron, 133 Lapwing and 9 Oystercatcher. A Lesser Emperor was in front of the west end hide late morning. 

BELVIDE 11.7.25 Hot Sunny

 News received today included an Osprey over at 9.10am. A probable Wood Sandpiper was seen on the north shore this afternoon, also 2 Common Sandpiper along the dam. The 4 juvenile Stonechat were again off the west track. A family of 5 Yellow Wagtail were at the west end. 1 Great Egret and 4 Little Egret were noted. 

BELVIDE 10.7.25

News received today included a Greenshank was a new arrival also 1 Redshank and 10 Common Sandpiper were along the dam. 1 Great Egret and 4 Little Egret were at the west end. 3 Yellow Wagtail including 2 juveniles were noted .  

BELVIDE 9.7.25 Warm Cloudy W 2

 A single Redshank was on the north shore, also 8 Common Sandpiper were along the dam. The pair of LRP that nested on the main island have come off there but I could only see one surviving chick. The other pair on the north shore still have their 3 chicks. A new brood of 6 Tufted Duck ducklings were along the south east bay. The Mute Swan family are down to 2 cygnets. 

BELVIDE 8.7.25 Sunny NW 2-3

 An adult Wood Sandpiper on the north shore was a new arrival, also 5 Redshank, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Common Sandpiper and 126 Lapwing were present. The pair of LRP on the shingle island have 2 chicks now. A Great Egret and 5 Little Egret were noted. 19 Egyptian Geese and 212 Tufted Duck were counted. 

BELVIDE 7.7.25 Cloudy NW 3-4

 28 Black-tailed Godwit were on the north shore this afternoon, also 1 Redshank, 9 Common Sandpiper and 15 LRP. The pair of LRP that were nesting on the main island have hatched at least 1 chick. There was more Fox disturbance last night scattering the BH Gull chicks further along the shore. I could only count 46 surviving chicks today. Also the remaining sitting Common Tern has gone. The 4 juvenile Stonechat were again off the west track , also the juvenile Redstart was reported. 2 Yellow Wagtail including a fledged juvenile was at the west end. 7 Little Egret and 2 Great Egret were noted. 2 Red Kite and a Hobby flew over. 18 Egyptian Geese were counted. A pair of Mute Swan with 3 cygnets were off the Chappell hide. 

BELVIDE 6.7.25 Morning Rain NW 2-3

 The main island was hit last night by a presumed Fox. The 4 Tern chicks have all disappeared. Only one of the 2 pairs of Common Tern that were sitting remains, but surely only a matter of time before that goes. The remaining BH Gull chicks have dispersed the island and are scattered along the south west shore. There are still at least 58 that are still alive. 

2 juvenile Redstart and 4 juvenile Stonechat were off the west track. 3 Black-tailed Godwit were along the south west shore, also 1 Redshank,  14 Common Sandpiper and 19 LRP were noted. A Red Kite flew over. 18 Shoveler were counted.  2 Great Egret and 3 Little Egret remain. 

BELVIDE 5.7.25 Overcast SW2-3

 17 LRP, including a pair with 3 newly hatched chicks were on the north shore, also 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Redshank, 1 Dunlin and 16 Common Sandpiper were present. A pair of Yellow Wagtail are making regular feeding trips at the south west end. A Red Kite was noted. The pair of Common Tern with 2 chicks on the main island appear to have lost one, also I couldn't find the chick that had made it off the Hawkshutts island. 

BELVIDE 4.7.25 Cloudy SW 3-4

 News received today included 4 Black-tailed Godwit at the west end. 4 Common Sandpiper along the dam. 2 Great Egret and 3 Little Egret. 

BELVIDE 3.7.25 Sunny W 3

 13 Black-tailed Godwit, including 7 grounded and 6 through this morning. A Green Sandpiper was along the south east bay, also 15 Common Sandpiper were along the dam . 1 Great Egret and 7 Little Egret were present. 204 Tufted Duck, 14 Shoveler, 23 Teal and 273 Mallard were counted. The first Tufted Duck brood of 7 were off the Gazebo bay. 

BELVIDE 2.7.25 Sunny NW 3

 5 Black-tailed Godwit were at the west end, also 1 Redshank, 1 Dunlin, 12 LRP, 15 Oystercatcher and 2 Common Sandpiper. 1 Great Egret and 3 Little Egret remain. The Common Tern chick I thought had been predated off the Hawkshutts island was being fed by it's parents on the main island. 15 Egyptian Geese, 12 Shoveler, 14 Teal and 10 Pochard were counted. 

BELVIDE 1.7.25 Overcast NW 2-3

 A cool front moved across the region this afternoon making the birding much more comfortable. An Avocet was reported on the board but there was no sign of it this afternoon. 21 Black-tailed Godwit including a flock of 20 dropping in at 4.20pm, joining the bird from yesterday, also 9 Common Sandpiper were present. A new Pochard brood of 2 ducklings were off the Chappell hide joining the other broods of 5 and 4. 1 Great Egret and 6 Little Egret were noted.

 Finally, the adult Mediterranean Gull with white ring 36VR was ringed as a 3CY on the 22nd May 2025 at De Kreupel Island Ijsselmeer North Holland.