The 2 juvenile Black-necked Grebe were still present. A juvenile Whinchat was off the west track, also a buck Roe Deer. 2 Ruff, 2 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plover, 5 LRP, 1 Dunlin and 1 Snipe were present. A Marsh Harrier was seen this morning. A juvenile Peregrine and Hobby flew over. 8 Great Egret were noted.
2 juvenile Black-necked Grebe were off the Gazebo bay. 3 Greenshank, 1 Ruff, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpiper, 7 Ringed Plover, 1 LRP, 3 Dunlin and 3 Snipe were present. 8 Great Egret, 8 Little Egret and 28 Grey Heron were at the west end. 110 Shoveler and 1 Mandarin were counted. An imm Peregrine flew over. A Whinchat and 4 Stonechat were on Hawkshutts ridge this evening.
The main highlight today was a Nightjar seen by the ringing group along the south east bay at 4.30am. This becomes the 2nd record for Belvide following a bird flushed off the dam on August 6th 1978. A Tree Pipit flew over the dam at 7am. The Black-necked Grebe remains off the dam. A juvenile Spotted Redshank (photo)was at the west end this evening till 8.17pm when it flew off south west, also 4 Ruff, 4 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover and 2 LRP were present. 3 Wigeon were new arrivals. 5 Great Egret were at the west end. 2 Hobby, 1 Peregrine and 2 Red Kite were noted.
4 juvenile Ruff, 3 Greenshank, 3 Curlew, 2 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, 7 LRP, 2 Green Sandpiper and 4 Common Sandpiper were present. The Black-necked Grebe remains off the dam. A juvenile Mediterranean Gull and adult Yellow-legged Gull were present this afternoon. 8 Great Egret were noted.
1 Ruff, 3 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 8 Common Sandpiper, 3 Ringed Plover, 1 LRP and 2 Snipe were present. 7 Great Egret remain. A Hobby and Peregrine flew over. 80 Swift were present late afternoon.
A juvenile Whinchat was trapped and ringed this evening along the south east bay. 4 Greenshank were still present, also 1 Redshank, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Green Sandpiper, 10 Common Sandpiper, 5 Ringed Plover, 7 LRP and 2 Snipe were present. A juvenile Water Rail was along the Gazebo bay. 7 Great Egret and 10 Little Egret were counted. 84 Shoveler and 2 Hobby were noted. 60 Swift were feeding over the reservoir this afternoon.
The new Andrew Chappell hide is coming along nicely. The upper tier will be finished this week, with the lower tier to be completed next week.
A juvenile Ruff and 4 Greenshank were new arrivals, also 2 Green Sandpiper, 6 Common Sandpiper, 13 Ringed Plover and 6 LRP were present. The Black-necked Grebe was off the dam. 6 Great Egret and 6 Little Egret were noted. 71 Shoveler and 17 Little Grebe were counted. A Redstart was on Hawkshutts ridge.
Another Glossy Ibis dropped in at the west end at 10.10am where it fed along the west marsh feeder stream until 10.45am when it got up and started to circle on the thermals. Amazingly it was joined by a juvenile Red Kite that began to spar with the Ibis above our heads. It eventually flew off high to the north east at 10.54am. A juvenile Marsh Harrier flew thru at late morning. 2 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 7 Common Sandpiper, 9 Ringed Plover, 7 LRP, 1 Black-tailed Godwit and 6 Snipe were present. 6 Great Egret and 6 Little Egret were noted. A Common Tern flew thru this afternoon. The juvenile Black-necked Grebe was off the Gazebo bay. Today's WeBS count produced 122 Teal, 62 Shoveler, 51 Gadwall, 310 Mallard, 146 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 1 Mandarin, 308 Canada Geese, 510 Greylag Geese, 23 Egyptian Geese, 52 Mute Swan, 110 Cormorant, 173 Moorhen, 722 Coot, 16 GC Grebe, 15 Little Grebe. A Spotted Flycatcher was at the west end. At least 50 Swift flew thru this morning.
The main highlight today were a flock of 6 Glossy Ibis that appeared from nowhere along the south shore on the Chappell point at 1.45pm. They follow the flock of 7 that were present on the 6th May. A juvenile Black-tailed Godwit was at the west end, also 2 Green Sandpiper, 7 Common Sandpiper, 3 Ringed Plover, 5 LRP, 6 Snipe and a Sanderling was reported early morning. 2 Hobby , 2 Red Kite and a Peregrine flew over. 4 Great Egret and 9 Little Egret were present. 122 Teal and 62 Shoveler were counted. A Black-necked Grebe was reported on Bird Guides but we didn't see it?? 2 Grasshopper Warbler were trapped and ringed this morning.
Another juvenile Black-necked Grebe was off the Gazebo bay. 2 Green Sandpiper were along the Gazebo bay, also 10 Common Sandpiper and 6 LRP were present. 4 Great Egret and 7 Little Egret were noted. 103 Teal and 1 Wigeon were counted.
The highest temperatures of the summer, reaching 37 degrees this afternoon. A visit early morning to avoid the heat produced 1 Curlew, 1 Green Sandpiper, 13 Common Sandpiper and 7 LRP. 4 Great Egret, 9 Little Egret and a juvenile Peregrine were noted.
A Marsh Harrier was seen late morning. 2 Green Sandpiper, 6 Common Sandpiper, 1 Oystercatcher and 1 LRP were noted. 64 Teal were counted.
2 Green Sandpiper were along the Gazebo bay, also 8 Common Sandpiper and 6 LRP were present. 3 Peregrine were being pesky. 4 Great Egret and 7 Little Egret were noted. 4 Yellow Wagtail were on the Chappell bund.
The juvenile Black-necked Grebe was along the south east bay. 4 Black-tailed Godwit were new arrivals, also 1 Redshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 15 Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin and 5 LRP were present. 4 Great Egret and 7 Little Egret were at the west end. A Wheatear was off the west track, also at least 10 Yellow Wagtail were present. 53 Teal and 38 Shoveler were counted.
At last this week you will finally see the start of installation of our new Andrew
Chappell Hide. Unfortunately the delay getting permissions through from CRT,
our landlords, means that we have missed the slot originally booked with Gillard
Bros. our contractors so instead of them being on site for 2/3 weeks from start to
finish as originally planned once they start the job they will have to leave to
honour other commitments and return to us as these commitments allow. The
foundations should be in later this week and then they will start by erecting the
upper level which consists of all preconstructed panels. It may be some time
before they can complete the lower level which will be constructed on site but
rest assured that this will done as promptly as possible and well worth waiting for.
A juvenile Black-necked Grebe off the dam was a new arrival, also 21 Little Grebe were counted. 4 Green Sandpiper were at the west end, also 14 Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, 12 LRP and 2 Snipe were present. 25 Swift flew thru this morning. 4 Great Egret, 7 Little Egret, Hobby, Peregrine, and 4 Red Kite were noted. 6 Yellow Wagtail were in front of the west end hide. Forgot to mention a juvenile Water Rail was along the Gazebo bay yesterday.
The first Grasshopper Warbler of the year was trapped and ringed this morning. 2 Green Sandpiper, 12 Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover and 5 LRP were present. 5 Great Egret and 7 Little Egret were at the west end. A Red Kite and Hobby flew over. 5 Yellow Wagtail were on the shore below the West End Hide. 35 Teal and 19 Little Grebe were counted.
1 Green Sandpiper, 15 Common Sandpiper, 4 Ringed Plover , 10 LRP and 2 Dunlin were present. 5 Great Egret and 7 Little Egret were noted. 4 juvenile Yellow Wagtail were on the Chappell bund.A pair of Small Red Eyed Damselflies were mating on the Chappell bund pool.
A Whimbrel dropped in late afternoon, also 22 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover and 13 LRP were present. The Grey Wagtail record was broken again with 28 counted along the spill weir and dam this afternoon. A juvenile Wheatear was at the west end. 4 Great Egret and 7 Little Egret were noted. 2 juvenile Black-necked Grebe were reported on the board but I couldn't find them anywhere? A Hobby and Peregrine flew over this afternoon. 435 Greylag Geese were counted.
A Greenshank dropped in this afternoon, also 1 Green Sandpiper, 12 Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin and 22 LRP were present. 6 Great Egret and 20 Little Egret were off the Chappell point at dawn.
A Whimbrel flew thru early morning, also 1 Green Sandpiper, 13 Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover , 8 LRP and 2 Snipe were present. 158 Tufted Duck, 2 Mandarin and 32 Egyptian Geese + 5 goslings were counted. A Red Kite came down for a drink along the south east bay. 5 Great Egret and 7 Little Egret were noted .
A drake Common Scoter off the dam was a new arrival. The Wood Sandpiper remains at the west end, also 1 Dunlin, 9 Common Sandpiper, 10 LRP, 2 Snipe and 2 Oystercatcher were present. 5 Great Egret and 7 Little Egret were at the west end. A new family of 5 Egyptian Geese goslings have appeared on the north shore, also 322 Greylag Geese were counted. 3 Common Tern and 19 Little Grebe were noted.
The Wood Sandpiper remains at the west end. A Greenshank dropped in this morning, also 1 Green Sandpiper, 10 Common Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover, 14 LRP and 2 Oystercatcher were noted. A juvenile female Goshawk was perched in an ash tree near the Gazebo hide this morning. A Redstart, 4 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 juvenile Red Kite were on Hawkshutts ridge. 3 Great Egret and 8 Little Egret were at the west end. A juvenile Mediterranean Gull was hawking over the west end this afternoon, also a 2nd summer/3rd winter Yellow-legged Gull. 160 Moorhen were counted around the exposed shoreline, also 25 Shoveler and 16 Little Grebe. 2 Common Terrn flew thru this morning. A pair of Willow Emerald Damselflies (photo) were mating along the Gazebo bay.
I'd like to think that most people who visit Belvide are civilized human beings. But finding crap all smeared on the Gazebo toilet seat isn't acceptable. It's not in my job description as warden to clean said crap off the seat, but here I was doing that.
Whoever did this, then hold your head in shame and treat the toilet facilities with a bit more respect. Do not hover your bum cheeks over the toilet and plonk yourself down and aim better!! Rant over
The first Tree Pipit of the year flew over south east at 7.29am, also a Siskin over south. The first Barn Owl of the year was flushed out of a hedge on Hawkshutts ridge this morning, also a Redstart and 2 Lesser Whitethroat up there. An Arctic Tern flew thru south west at 11.35am , also a single Common Tern. 2 juvenile Black-necked Grebe (photo) were new arrivals. The Wood Sandpiper remains at the west end, also 1 Green Sandpiper, 8 Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 2 Oystercatcher and 22 LRP were present. The adult Mediterranean Gull was again present off the dam. 2 Hobby and 3 Red Kite flew over. 3 Great Egret and 9 Little Egret were at the west end. 23 Grey Wagtail along the dam is a new Belvide record and probably a regional record? Also 3 juvenile Yellow Wagtail. 20 Teal, 15 Shoveler and a Mandarin were counted.
The Wood Sandpiper was still present along with a Green Sandpiper along the west shore, also 1 Redshank, 7 Common Sandpiper, 18 LRP, 2 Snipe and 2 Oystercatcher were present. An adult Mediterranean Gull was present this afternoon. 2 Great Egret and 6 Little Egret were noted. A Clouded Yellow Butterfly was in front of the Hawkshutts hide. A Willow Emerald was along the ditch near the west end hide.
The juvenile Wood Sandpiper was still at the west end, also 2 Green Sandpiper, 7 Common Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 2 Ringed Plover and 18 LRP were present. The drake Common Scoter remains off the dam. A Marsh Harrier flew thru at 11am, also Hobby, Peregrine and Red Kite were noted. 2 Great Egret and 10 Little Egret were at the west end. 17 Little Grebe were counted.
News received today included a juvenile Wood Sandpiper at the west end, also 1 Green Sandpiper, 17 Common Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plover, 14 LRP and 2 Snipe were present. The drake Common Scoter remains off the dam. An impressive 21 Grey Wagtail were along the dam this morning. A Green Woodpecker was at the west end. 2 Great Egret and 7 Little Egret were noted.
A juvenile Wood Sandpiper along the south west shore was a new arrival this afternoon, though there was no further sign late afternoon. 2 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, 20 LRP and 14 Common Sandpiper were present. The drake Common Scoter and 2 Black-necked Grebe remain off the dam. 2 Great Egret and 7 Little Egret were noted.
A drake Common Scoter off the dam was a new arrival, also 2 juvenile Black-necked Grebe. A Turnstone was at the west end, also 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Ringed Plover, 16 LRP, 19 Common Sandpiper and 1 Dunlin were present. 11 Little Egret and 2 Great Egret were at the west end. 2 juvenile Yellow Wagtail were along the south shore. 2 Hobby, 2 Red Kite and a Common Tern were noted.
This morning I found an adult White-rumped Sandpiper on the north shore with 2 Dunlin at 7.54am. It was present till 8.25am, when it flew off high south east. This becomes the 3rd record for Belvide, following the first record on the 6th August 2022 and the ridiculous flock of 8 on the 11th October 2025.
2 Turnstone dropped in at 8.40am, also 5 Ringed Plover, 17 LRP, 1 Redshank, 3 Oystercatcher and 13 Common Sandpiper were present. The juvenile Black-necked Grebe was in the south east bay. 7 Little Egret and a Common Tern were noted. 1 Hobby flew over.
The main highlight today was Belvide's first ever Stone Curlew that graced the north shore all day. A juvenile bird, found this morning by me and Paul Smith looking from off the dam. It started off along the shoreline below the north wood, before moving further west and showed well for a short time from the Hawkshutts hide late afternoon. I think this becomes only the 4th record for Staffordshire and the first available to all.
Other news today included a Turnstone dropping in late morning on the south shore, also 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Redshank, 9 Common Sandpiper and 17 LRP were present. A juvenile Marsh Harrier was agian present this afternoon, also a Hobby flew over. The juvenile Black-necked Grebe remains off the dam. 11 Little Egret and a Great Egret were at the west end. 140 Moorhen were counted.
