BELVIDE 31.10.25 Afternoon Showers S 3

 A probable Water Pipit flew north over the Chappell hide at 4.05pm. A Merlin flew west late afternoon , also 2 adult Goshawk were beyond the dam this afternoon. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull roosted. 1 Little Egret was noted . 

BELVIDE 30.10.25

 No news received today 

BELVIDE 29.10.25 Cloudy W 2

 Still pretty quiet. A Great Egret and Little Egret were present. A Stonechat was off the west track. 100 Golden Plover were in the distance east of the dam. 185 Teal were counted.

BELVIDE 28.10.25

 No news received today 

BELVIDE 27.10.25 Overcast WNW 3-4

 Very quiet today. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost were the only birds of note.

BELVIDE 26.10.25 Showery W/NW 3

 A 2nd winter Caspian Gull (photo) was at the west end this afternoon. A juvenile male Goshawk raided the north wood. 2 Dunlin were at the west end. A drake Pintail, 1 Great Egret and 7 Redpoll were noted.

A great turn out for the work party this morning, where 16 volunteers helped clear a lot of willow scrub along the south east bay and in the Scott hide reed bed. 

BELVIDE 25.10.25 Showery NW 3-4

 Another 16 Whooper Swans dropped in today taking the total up to 40 birds over the last 4 days. Firstly 6 including 3 adults and 3 juveniles were present between 10.28-11.34am when they flew off east. Another 10 dropped in at 12.22pm, including 4 adults and 6 juveniles. An adult Mediterranean Gull was present early morning. A Juvenile male Goshawk raided the north wood, also a Peregrine was noted. 8 Dunlin, 1 Black-tailed Godwit and 1 Golden Plover were present. The Pink-footed Goose remains, also a drake Mandarin and Goosander were noted.

BELVIDE 24.10.25 Afternoon Rain W 2

 Another 4 adult Whooper Swans were present today until 3.22pm when they flew off east. The 1st winter Pink-footed Goose remains. 6 Goosander and a Shelduck were present. 1 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Dunlin were at the west end . 

BELVIDE 23.10.25 Cloudy/pm Rain NW 2-4

 16 Whooper Swan dropped in this afternoon including 12 adults and 4 Juveniles. 2 Pink-footed Goose were present with the 1st winter with a record 946 Greylag Geese and another flew over to the southeast this morning. A female Common Scoter was a new arrival, 90 Gadwall and 3 Mandarin were counted. 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Dunlin and 1 Golden Plover were present. A Peregrine, Great Egret and Little Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 22.10.25 Cloudy S 1-2

 4 adult Whooper Swan were new arrivals. The Pink-footed Goose remains. A Marsh Harrier was seen this morning, also a Red Kite flew over. 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover and 2 Dunlin were still present. 2 Goosander were noted. A Cetti's Warbler and 3 Chiffchaff were along the south east bay.

BELVIDE 21.10.25 Cloudy SW 3

 Pretty much as you were with the Pink-footed Goose, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover and 2 Dunlin all still present. An adult female Goshawk was beyond the dam this afternoon . 300 Wigeon , 5 Pintail and 2 Mandarin were counted. 

BELVIDE 20.10.25 Showers SE 2

 The 1st winter Pink-footed Goose was still with the Greylag flock. The Black-tailed Godwit was still present, also 1 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover and 2 Dunlin. 5 Pintail, 2 Mandarin and a Great Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 19.10.25 Rain SE 3

 2 Rock Pipit were at the west end. 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Redshank, 48 Golden Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin and 3 Snipe were present. 12 Goldeneye , 6 Pintail and 3 Mandarin were counted . A 1st winter Pink-footed Goose was with the Greylag flock.A Wigeon with a green ring and white code XN was noted . A Vis Mig off the dam between 0800- 0920 produced 188 Redwing, 84 Fieldfare, 58 Chaffinch,13 Greenfinch, 7 Redpoll, 15 Siskin, 198 Wood Pigeon,  24 Stock Dove ,  341 Starling.

BELVIDE 18.10.25 Overcast SE 2-3

 2 Juvenile Goshawk and a Red Kite were viewed off the dam this morning. 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Redshank, 4 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plover were present. 6 Goldeneye, 4 Pintail and a pair of Mandarin were noted . 17 Redpoll were at the west end. 1 Great Egret and 3 Little Egret were noted. 

Tomorrow's work party has been cancelled due to the poor weather forecast.  

BELVIDE 17.10.25 Overcast E 1

 A Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Redshank were new arrivals, also 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin and 217 Lapwing were present. 5 Goldeneye and 253 Wigeon were counted. 4 Chiffchaff were noted. Some Crossbill flew over the reservoir plantation this afternoon but I couldn't see them.

BELVIDE 16.10.25 Overcast NNE 1

 A Black-necked Grebe off the dam was a new arrival. 3 Goldeneye, 85 Pochard, 388 Tufted Duck, 323 Shoveler, 4 Pintail and 241 Wigeon were counted. A Merlin (photo by Barry Knight) was perched behind the Hawkshutts hide late afternoon, also a juvenile Goshawk was beyond the dam. 1 Ringed Plover and 1 Great Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 15.10.25 Overcast NE 2

 The drake Common Scoter was still off the north end of the dam, also 5 Pintail and 66 Pochard were counted. 2 Rock Pipit and a Stonechat were at the west end. 164 Redwing and a Brambling flew over this morning, also 3 Swallow flew thru late morning. 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin and 2 Great Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 14.10.25 Overcast/Murk NE 1-2

 A pair of Common Scoter off the north end of the dam were new arrivals. 2 Rock Pipit were present, with one on the west shore and another flew over high to the south.  1 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Dunlin and 4 Ringed Plover were from the Chappell hide. A Swallow flew thru this afternoon. A male Stonechat was off the west track. 1 Goldeneye, 3 Pintail and 222 Wigeon were counted.

BELVIDE 13.10.25 Murk/ Overcast ENE 1-2

 3 Rock Pipit were at the west end this afternoon. The first 20 Redwing of the autumn flew over this morning. 4 Ringed Plover and 3 Dunlin were on the north shore. 1 Great Egret and 1 Little Egret were present. 2 Pintail, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Yellow-legged Gull and 4 Common Gull were noted.

BELVIDE 12.10.25 Foggy/Murky NE 1

 A small flock of Crossbill flew over out of site in the fog at 8.43am. Todsay's WeBS count produced 2 Pintail, 335 Shoveler, 201 Wigeon, 101 Teal, 74 Gadwall, 308 Mallard, 56 Pochard, 300 Tufted Duck, 1 Goldeneye, 11 GC Grebe, 158 Coot, 63 Moorhen, A record 813 Greylag Geese, 141 Canada Geese, 17 Egyptian Geese, 10 Mute Swan, 10 Cormorant and 1 Little Egret. 3 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Golden Plover, 1 Snipe and 64 Lapwing were on the north shore. 3 Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcap were noted.

BELVIDE 11.10.25 Overcast NW 2

 Today was one of those incredible moments that birding your local patch can throw at you. An incredible 8 White-rumped Sandpiper were on the north shore from around 4pm. When I first laid eyes on them, I couldn't quiet believe what I was seeing. They were present until 5.30pm when they flew off towards the dam and wasn't seen again. This just falls short of a British record of 11 on South Uist on the 19th October 2019. If I hadn't decided to go back in the West End Hide to count the Wigeon, I would never have found them. Also present today were 3 Dunlin and 3 Ringed Plover. 335 Shoveler and 166 Wigeon were counted. A Stonechat was off the west track. 3 Great Egret were present. 8 Swallow flew south at midday, 3 Chiffchaff were noted. 133 Linnet were at the west  end. A couple of videos of the Sandpipers can be viewed here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOQ7JsjErXc      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chhOiy0YV_w

BELVIDE 10.10.25

 News received today included the Black-necked Grebe still. Also 24 Golden Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin, 1 Goldeneye and 1 Great Egret were present.

A 2nd attempt in Yorkshire today to see the White-throated Needletail ended with success. After drawing a blank at Filey during the morning, the bird was relocated at Scarborough castle. A scene from theWacky races from Filey ensued  for the 8 mile drive along the coast. After a short 15 minute panic when there was no sign of the bird, it all of a sudden appeared on the horizon. Superb views were then had over the next hour as this ultimate flying machine scythed through the air above the gathered crowed. At times coming to within several feet above our heads. This has been one of my most wanted birds to see on the British list. This will be only the 12th record for Britain and the first twitchable bird on the mainland. White-throated Needletail breed in eastern Asia, specifically in areas like Siberia, Japan and the Himalayas. They fly south in the autumn to spend the winter on the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia.

BELVIDE 9.10.25

NNews received today included the Black-necked Grebe, 2 Ringed Plover and 1 Dunlin.

I spent the morning at Bempton RSPB reserve in Yorkshire as a White-throated Needletail had been present there till dusk the previous day. Confidence was high to see the bird. However as the first hour of light past, expectation began to drop. News then broke that presumably the same bird had relocated to Aberdeenshire. That theory has since been questioned as the bird has reappeared at Filey Brigg this evening.  A Barred Warbler at South Landing was little compensation.  

8.10.25

 News received today included 2 Whooper Swan (photo by Paul Smith) dropped in at 10.35am before departing east at 12.15pm. The Black-necked Grebe remains. A Merlin flew over this morning, also 2 Peregrine were noted. 3 Ringed Plover and 1 Dunlin were present. 6 Great Egret and a Goldeneye were noted.

BELVIDE 7.10.25

 News received today included a Vis mig session off the dam produced 1 Rock Pipit, 106 Meadow Pipit, 38 Skylark, 19 Pied Wagtail, 34 Siskin, 62 Chaffinch, 2 Swallow .  The Black-necked Grebe was still present. 

Our last day on Shetland produced a Red-breasted Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Warbler and Reed Warbler along  Swininster Burn. The Western Subalpine Warbler again at Levenwick and Blue-winged Teal at Loch of Spiggie. Not a classic year by any stretch, but it was great to see 2 Siberian Thrush. Looking forward now to getting back to the Golden Pond and doing the stuff I enjoy most.

BELVIDE 6.10.25

 News received today included the Black-necked Grebe still. Also 7 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin, 15 Great Egret, 7 Little Egret, 14 Stonechat,  1  Goldeneye  and a Peregrine.

Shetland day 10. We went back to have another look at the Siberian Thrush. Really glad we did , as it showed superbly in the garden continually for nearly 50 minutes. It was great watching it flicking through the leaf litter eating bugs and worms. 

BELVIDE 5.10.25

 News received today included a record 14 Stonechat off the west track. The Black-necked Grebe was off the fishing club car park. 5 Ringed Plover, 1 Pintail, 12 Great Egret were noted. A Goshawk was beyond the north wood. 

Day 8 on Shetland was a better day. Highlights included a female Western Subalpine Warbler at Levenwick. A Red-breasted Flycatcher at Quendale. 3 Storm Petrel at Scalloway, Bean Goose at East Burrafirth, and 3 Yellow-browed Warbler at Aith. Struggling to upload photos with poor Internet at the moment.

BELVIDE 4.10.25

 News received today included 2 new birds for the year. Firstly a Grey Plover (photo by Paul Smith)was from the Chappell hide, then a Curlew Sandpiper was along the feeder stream at the west end. Also 4 Ringed Plover and 1 Dunlin were present and 6 Golden Plover flew thru. The Black-necked Grebe and Goldeneye remain, also 141 Wigeon were counted. 13 Great Egret were noted.

BELVIDE 3.10.25

 News received today included the Black-necked Grebe still. 1 Dunlin, 20 Snipe and 4 Ringed Plover were present, also 60 Golden Plover flew over. The drake Goldeneye remains and109 Wigeon were counted. 14 Great Egret were noted.

Day 7 on Shetland was another hard slog, but we did find Yellow-browed Warblers at Kergoord, Beeston and Wadbister. We called back to Asta Loch late afternoon , where we had some great views of the Siberian Thrush as it fed on the ground in the garden on the opposite side of the road. 

BELVIDE 2.10.25

 News received today included the Black-necked Grebe still. Also 4 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin, 1 Gopldeneye, 15 Great Egret, 14 Little Egret, and 9 Stonechat.

Shetland Day 6 was spent watching a 1st winter Siberian Thrush at Asta Loch. This was a different bird to the one seen at Scatsta a few days ago. This bird performed much better, showing several times as it fed in a clump of Elder berry trees. It never really came right out in the open, but gave satisfactory views and also some great flight views. This is now my 4th Siberian Thrush in Britain.

 

BELVIDE 1.10.25

 News received today included the Black-necked Grebe remains from the Scott hide. The drake Goldeneye and Tufted x Scaup hybrid were still present. 4 Ringed Plover, 6 Stonechat, 3 Redpoll, 15 Great Egret and 14 Little Egret were noted. A short ringing session this morning produced 10 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff and 3 Goldcrest.

Day 5 on Shetland was another day of strong wind and rain. The only birds of note today was a Common Rosefinch at Grutness and a Glossy Ibis at Eshaness.