BELVIDE Rain NW 3-6

 Storm Austin hit the region from late morning though nothing blown in yet. The 1st winter Little Gull was again present , dropping in late morning. 10 Great Egret were counted. 4 Ringed Plover remain. 36 Siskin flew over. 4 Pintail were counted. 

BELVIDE

 No news received today. 

I have had a successful trip to Flamborough head to see a Rufous Tailed Robin at South Landing. The bird was very elusive  but I managed to see the bird 5 times between 0730-1530 hrs. Some excellent but brief views were had on each occasion of this far eastern Robin. I think this becomes the 6th record for Britain 

BELVIDE Rain W 3

 A Cattle Egret was T the west end late afternoon, also 9 Great Egret. 4 Ringed Plover were on the north shore. 186 Cormorant were counted. A Peregrine flew over. Just 2 Pintail were present today. The 3rd winter Caspian Gull was still present . 

The work on the Car Park is now finished and ready to use. 

BELVIDE Rain E 2

 The 1st winter Little Gull was present again early afternoon only. A Rock Pipit was on the north shore this morning. 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Ruff, 3 Dunlin and 1 Ringed Plover were present, though they were all scared off by the pesky Peregrine this afternoon. An adult male Goshawk (photo) flew over. 13 Pintail, 226 Wigeon, 35 Gadwall, 1 Mandarin and 1 Goosander were counted. The 3rd winter Caspian Gull (photo) was present all day. 8 Great Egret were noted. 181 Cormorant were counted.

There was no work on the car park today due to the rain, so expect again very limited spaces tomorrow. Park at Leafields Barns if so.

 

BELVIDE Overcast/Cloudy SE 2-3

 A fantastic days birding from dawn to dusk today. A record 7379 Redwing flew over during the day, all heading in a north easterly direction. Also 29 Fieldfare, 7 Song Thrush, 6 Blackbird, 10 Brambling, 76 Chaffinch, 7 Redpoll and 11 Siskin between 0700-1200hrs. A 1st winter Little Gull (photo) dropped in at 4,30pm, 2 1st winter Med Gulls (photo) roosted this evening, also 19 Common Gull and a 3rd winter Caspian Gull. 177 Golden Plover flew over. 2 Scaup (photo) were new arrivals, also  9 Goldeneye, 11 Pintail, 243 Shoveler, 106 Wigeon and 1 Mandarin were counted. A Goshawk, Peregrine and 2 Red Kite flew over. 10 Great Egret were noted.

BELVIDE Sunny NE 2-3

 Firstly I would just like to say I will not be submitting the Buff-breasted Sandpiper from yesterday. Because of the magnitude of the record, the brief and less than ideal views of the bird, it doesn't sit right with me as a Belvide and Staffordshire tick, even though I know what it was.

A Ringtail Hen Harrier (photo by Kev Wardlaw) flew thru south at 3.05pm. A single Whooper Swan flew south east at 8.05am. A Vis Mig off the dam between 0730-0910 hrs produced 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Brambling, 14 Chaffinch, 560 Redwing, 26 Fieldfare, 348 Starling, 1 Yellowhammer, 4 Siskin, 4750 Wood Pigeon and 15 Stock Dove. A single Dunlin flew thru, also 2 Oystercatcher remain. 3 Goldeneye, 11 Pintail and 24 Pochard were counted. The 3rd winter Caspian Gull was present again along with 3 Yellow-legged Gulls. A Barn Owl was seen at the west end this evening. A Peregrine and Red Kite were noted. 

Tomorrow, work will start again resurfacing the Car Park. It is very likely that spaces will be very limited, so it would be better to park at Leafield Barns, that is signposted. 

 

BELVIDE Fair NNE 2

 The main highlight today was a Buff-breasted Sandpiper that flew around the reservoir twice at 9.50am then was lost to view at the west end with no further sign, despite an extensive search. If accepted this becomes a first record for the reserve and the 3rd record for Staffordshire. 

The Grey Plover was present early morning only, also a male Ruff, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Dunlin and 20 Golden Plover. 2 Merlin flew over early morning. An adult Goshawk was over the dam. A Marsh Harrier flew thru east this afternoon, also 2 Red Kite were noted. 4470 Wood Pigeon flew thru this morning. 325 Redwing and 28 Fieldfare flew west this afternoon. 6 Great Egret and 3 Little Egret were present. 19 Pochard and 10 Pintail were counted. 

BELVIDE Fair/ pm Showers NW/N 3

 A drake Common Scoter off the dam was a new arrival, also 10 Pintail, 232 Shoveler and 13 Pochard were counted. The 3 Grey Plover remain along the south east bay, also 3 Ringed Plover and 2 Oystercatcher. 5 Great Egret, 2 Peregine and 2 Red Kite were noted.

The car park over the weekend will be 90% accessible as work will continue again on Monday.

BELVIDE Overcast SW 3

 First of all a late item of news for yesterday was a Whooper Swan was seen during the morning only. 

The 3 Grey Plover remain from the Chappell hide, also 4 Ringed Plover and 2 Oystercatcher. 7 Great Egret, 11 Pintail and 131 Wigeon were counted. 

Limited car park spaces available tomorrow, though a bit more juggling around as the contractors begin to resurface the car park. The centre path through the wood has been completed. 

BELVIDE Cloudy SW3-4

 The 3 Grey Plover remain in front of the Chappell hide, also 4 Ringed Plover and 2 Oystercatcher. 7 Great Egret and a Little Egret were at the west end. 4 Stonechat were at the west end. 11 Pintail, 109 Wigeon, 224 Shoveler, 19 Egyptian Geese and 138 Cormorant were counted. 

Parking remains the same with limited spaces available.  

BELVIDE Cloudy W 4

 2 Rock Pipit were on the dam this afternoon with possibly a different bird from the Chappell hide. 3 Grey Plover remain, also 4 Ringed Plover and 2 Oystercatcher were present. 5 Great Egret and 2 Peregrine were noted. 11 Pintail, 213 Shoveler and 123 Cormorant were counted.

Limited parking will be available tomorrow with an area cordoned off where work is taking place. Follow signs to Leafields Barns for alternative parking if car park is full. 

BELVIDE Patchy Drizzle S 2

 2 Rock Pipit (photo) were present this afternoon with one on the dam and the other in front of the Chappell hide. The 3 Grey Plover were still present, also 5 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin and 2 Oystercatcher. A late Wheatear was at the west end, also 6 Stonechat and 88 Skylark off the west track. A female Marsh Harrier flew thru east at 2.10pm, also 2 Peregrine were present. 5 Great Egret and a Little Egret were noted. 11 Pintail were counted.

There will be limited parking available on the car park tomorrow. The contractor will cordon off a area to park. If this is full follow signs 200 yards east of the car park to park at Leafields Barns on the gravel area only. DO NOT PARK AT LEAFIELDS FARM!!

BELVIDE Fair SW 2

 The 5 Grey Plover and Little Stint were still present, also 5 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin and 2 Oystercatcher. 9 Stonechat were at the west end, also 78 Skylark were off the west track. 10 Pintail and a female Goldeneye were counted. 4 Great Egret and 1 Little Egret were noted. The 3rd winter Caspian Gull was present again this morning. A Goshawk was perched briefly by the Chappell hide early morning with another east of the dam, also Red Kite and Peregrine were present. 2 Pink-footed Geese were on the north shore. A Green Woodpecker was below the dam this morning. A single Swallow flew thru. 

Work will begin tomorrow to resurface the car park. The car park will be out of use tomorrow as the whole surface will be scraped. At the moment, there is parking for around 4 cars in the layby 300 yards east of the car park. There will be some additional parking at the Barn Conversions just before Leafields Farm at some stage tomorrow when signs have been put out. Please be understanding during this time as we juggle the changing situation from day to day.

BELVIDE Fair WNW 3-4

 The first 2 Rock Pipit of the year was seen by others today. Grey Plover have increased to 5, also 1 Little Stint, 5 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin and 2 Oystercatcher were present. A Merlin was again at the west end this afternoon. At least 3 Goshawk, 5 Red Kite and 2 Peregrine were in the area. The first Goldeneye of the autumn was off the dam.. 3 Great Egret and 2 Little Egret were noted. 5 Stonechat were at the west end. 169 Redwing flew west this morning. 3 Swallow flew south late morning. 91 Cormorant were counted. 2 Yellow-legged Gulls roosted this evening. A Barn Owl was at the west end at dusk.

A notice to all members. Work will begin this Monday to resurface the car park and to hardcore the centre path through the reservoir plantation. The work could take up to 2 weeks to complete, so parking will be limited during this time. There will be additional parking down the lane at Lea Fields Farm, so keep up to date on the blog during this time for forthcoming announcements.

BELVIDE Showery W/NW 3-4

 The first push of Redwing this morning with 838 heading west in the stiff westerly breeze. The Little Stint was still present, also 3 Grey Plover, 4 Ringed Plover, 6 Dunlin and 2 Oystercatcher were present. 3 Goshawk (photo) were sparring east of the dam this morning, also 2 Red Kite and 2 Peregrine were noted. 5 Stonechat were at the west end. The 1st winter Pink-footed Goose was in front of the Chappell hide. The Linnet flock continues to increase with 438 counted at the west end. 11 Pintail, 103 Wigeon, 197 Shoveler, 151 Teal, 10 Gadwall, 70 Mallard, 5 GC Grebe, 140 Coot, 408 Greylag Geese were counted. 5 Great Egret remain.

BELVIDE Cloudy WSW 2

 A Glossy Ibis was found by + photo by Roger Mullard at the west end this morning, but it didn't hang around. The Little Stint was still present, also 3 Grey Plover, 3 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover and 2 Oystercatcher. A Merlin was chasing Linnets at the west end.

BELVIDE Morining Rain NNW 3-4

 A decent days birding with a change in the weather doing the trick. A Spotted Redshank dropped in on the north shore at 9.52am. It was present till 11.10am when it was flushed by a Peregrine and flew off south. The Little Stint was still present, also 3 Grey Plover, 7 Golden Plover, 9 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 1 Ruff and 2 Snipe were present. 4 Whooper Swan dropped in at the west end at 12.44pm were the first of the year. 7 Great Egret remain. 11 Pintail, 98 Wigeon and 9 Pochard were counted.

BELVIDE Morning fog Calm

 A Little Stint on the north shore was a new arrival. Grey Plover have increased to 3 at the west end, also 16 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 1 Ruff and 2 Snipe were present. A different 1st winter Pink-footed Goose was in front of the Chappell hide. 8 Pintail and 92 Wigeon were counted. An adult Peregrine and Red Kite were noted. 6 Great Egret remain.

BELVIDE Cloudy W 2-3

 2 Grey Plover were at the west end, also 9 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin and 1 Common Sandpiper were present. A juvenile Marsh Harrier was sparring with a juvenile Peregrine this afternoon. A juvenile Hobby was over the south east bay, also an adult Goshawk was over Hawkshutts ridge late afternoon. 19 Pintail and 83 Wigeon were counted. A 1st winter Pink-footed Goose was with Greylags this afternoon. 7 Great Egret were noted.

BELVIDE Cloudy W 1

 A Grey Plover on the north shore was the first of the year. 2 Golden Plover flew south west this morning, also 9 Ringed Plover, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Dunlin and 2 Snipe were present. 6 Stonechat were scattered around the reserve. 7 Pintail, 307 Tufted Duck, 124 Coot and 65 Cormorant were counted. 7 Great Egret and a Little Egret were noted. A Barn Owl was by the ringing station at dusk. 

BELVIDE Sunny NW 1

 A Short-eared Owl at the west end this evening was new for the year. 18 Ringed Plover and 2 Dunlin were present , also 5 Snipe flew over. A juvenile female Goshawk was soaring over the dam, also 3 Red Kite and 2 Peregrine were noted. 5 Goosander, 11 Pintail and 303 Tufted Duck were counted. 5 Great Egret were on the north shore. 2 Swallow flew south this afternoon. 

BELVIDE Cloudy SW 3

 A juvenile Common Tern flew thru this afternoon. 18 Ringed Plover were the only waders present. 10 Pintail, 94 Wigeon, 143 Shoveler, 271 Tufted Duck and a drake Mandarin were counted. 5 Great Egret and a Peregrine were noted. 7 Stonechat were off the west track.

BELVIDE Cloudy SW 1-2

 A late afternoon visit produced 1 Greenshank, 19 Ringed Plover and 3 Dunlin. A Yellow Wagtail was  at the west end. 4 Great Egret were noted. A Marsh Harrier was seen by others this morning. 

BELVIDE Early Rain S 3

 21 Ringed Plover and 2 Dunlin were present including a dark smokey breasted individual that stood out from the other Ringed Plovers. 3 Red Kite flew over. 68 Wigeon and 9 Pintail were counted. A single Swallow was over the dam. 3 male Stonechat were at the west end. 3 Great Egret were noted.

BELVIDE Overcast SE 3-4

 18 Ringed Plover were the only waders present. The Yellow Wagtail was still in front of the Chappell hide. A Hobby and Peregrine were present. 260 Linnet were at the west end. 4 Great Egret were noted. 

BELVIDE Fair SE 1-2

 Today's waders included 18 Ringed Plover, 2 Green Sandpiper and 1 Common Sandpiper. An 4th winter/adult Caspian Gull (photo) and 3rd winter Yellow-legged Gull were from the Chappell hide this afternoon. A Yellow Wagtail was still in front of the Chappell hide. 5 Stonechat were off the west track. 47 Wigeon, 9 Pintail and 3 Goosander were counted. 2 Peregrine and 3 Great Egret were noted. 

BELVIDE Patchy Light Rain SSE 2-4

 The 3rd winter Caspian Gull (photo) was again present this afternoon from the Chappell hide, also 2 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gulls (photo) 17 Ringed Plover were the only waders present. 14 Pintail, 10 Pochard and a Mandarin were counted. 2 Hobby flew thru, also a Goshawk was east of the dam. 220+ Linnet were at the west end. A Yellow Wagtail was in front of the Chappell hide. 12 Swallow and 2 House Martin flew south. 6 Great Egret were noted.

BELVIDE Sunny SW 2

 12 Ringed Plover were the only waders present today. 12 Jay flew over this morning which appears to be part of a movement of the Species at the moment. 11 Pintail were counted. 8 Stonechat were at the west end. 3 Red Kite were in the area. A Vis Mig off the dam between 0700-0930 hrs produced 27 Swallow, 83 Meadow Pipit and 17 Chaffinch.

BELVIDE Overcast Patchy Drizzle N 2

 A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper at the west end was a new arrival, also 2 Dunlin and 12 Ringed Plover were present. A Yellow Wagtail and Stonechat were at the west end. 10 Pintail and 37 Wigeon were counted. A Goshawk was chasing Jackdaws east of the dam this afternoon.

BELVIDE Fair SSW 1

 A juvenile Little Stint from the Chappell hide was a new arrival, also 2 Dunlin and 11 Ringed Plover were present. 8 Pintail, 35 Wigeon, 216 Teal and 224 Shoveler were counted. A Red Kite flew over. 3 Stonechat were at the west end.

BELVIDE Showers NW 2-4

 An Osprey flew over high to the west at 1.37pm, also 1 Hobby, 1 Peregrine 1 Goshawk and 2 Red Kite were in the area. 12 Ringed Plover and 3 Dunlin were the only waders present. 8 Pintail, 27 Wigeon, 134 Teal and 218 Shoveler were counted. 1 Great Egret and 1 Little Egret were noted. At least 60 Swallow flew thru south this afternoon.