Carsington April 2003 Bird Notes

April highlights were Fulmar, Eider, Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Merlin, Peregrine, Water Rail, Sanderling, Ruff, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Greenshank, Turnstone, Little Gull, Kittiwake, Black Tern, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Water Pipit, Wood Warbler and Raven.

The main highlight was a Fulmar, a new species for Carsington, observed on 18th at 09:20hrs, unfortunately it left at 09:55hrs and couldn’t be relocated. 16 Eider were present on the reservoir on 21st, comprising of three males, one immature male and 12 females. They appeared on the reservoir at approximately 18:00hrs and remained until after dark, they weren’t present the following morning. Common Scoter were recorded on several dates, two males and a female on 6th, one male, two females on 10th. A single male was present from 17th and remained until 25th. A pair of Red-breasted Merganser was noted on 23rd.

Maximum wildfowl counts were 30 Little Grebe on 24th, 32 Great Crested Grebe on 22nd, 10 Cormorant on 1st, 13 Mute Swan on 29th, a single Pink-footed Goose all month. Three Greylag Geese on 24th, 25th with one on 15th, 16 Barnacle Geese on 3rd with smaller numbers most dates. Two Shelduck on 12th with singles on 16th and 26th, 64 Wigeon on 2nd with smaller counts until 23rd, two Gadwall on 12th and 15th, 18 Teal on 6th with one to four most dates until 23rd, one male remained on the 30th, 70 Mallard on 21st, a female with 14 young was noted on 18th. Two Shoveler on 6th, 15th with one 9th, single Pochard on 12th, 128 Tufted Duck on 24th. One to two Goldeneye were present until 21st, nine Ruddy Duck on 23rd. One to two Heron were present most dates.

Despite high reservoir levels 17 species of waders were recorded, up to ten Oystercatcher all month, nine Little Ringed Plover on 17th, two Ringed Plover on 16th and on most dates until 21st, three were noted on 29th, single Golden Plover on 7th, 30 Lapwing on 3rd with one pair plus three young on 28th, a Sanderling was reported on 15th. Small numbers of Dunlin were present during the month, seven on the 27th being the maximum counted. A Ruff was present from 5th until 10th, seven Snipe on 1st and 2nd with one to four noted most dates. Three Black-tailed Godwit on 21st, two Bar-tailed Godwit on 17th with one on 18th, three on 20th, two on 21st. The first Whimbrel on 15th with one on 20th three on 21st, two on 22nd, four on 23rd, two on 24th, six on 27th, three on 28th, five on 29th and three on 30th, 12 Curlew on 1st 24 on 6th 18 on 29th with smaller counts most other dates. 12 Redshank all month. A Greenshank was present from 18th until 25th. The first Common Sandpiper was noted on 9th with two to four regularly present from 15th. Single Turnstone on 18th and recorded most dates until 30th.

Other species noted were, up to four Buzzard regularly seen during the month, single Merlin on 1st, 2nd and 20th, a Peregrine on 5th, a Water Rail beside the wildlife centre feeders on several dates, eight Little Gulls (seven adults/ one 1st summer) on 17th with two on 20th, adult Kittiwake on 2nd, 6th and 22nd, single Common Tern on 13th with one to three on several other dates, six Arctic Tern on 17th with singles on 27th and 30th, a Black Tern on 17th. The first Swift was reported on 19th, three on 25th and 100 plus on 27th. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker on 6th and 22nd, the first Swallow was noted on 6th and the first House Martin on 13th.

A large movement of Swallows and Martins occurred from 19th to 29th when in excess of 150 Sand Martins, 250 Swallows and 300 House Martins were present. A Water Pipit was seen on Stones Island on 15th the second Carsington record. The first Yellow Wagtail was present on 1st with two to five regularly noted from 13th, single White Wagtails on 5th, 27th and 30th. The first Redstart was seen on 15th with six present at the month’s end, a single Wheatear on 4th was the only record. Winter Thrushes noted were, 41 Fieldfare on 2nd 83 on 9th 100 on 13th 61 on 17th and 15 on 20th. Redwing sightings were 65 on 5th 39 on 6th 27 on 7th 12 on 9th three on 15th 20 on 23rd and one on 24th. The first Sedge Warbler on 24th with three on 29th, Lesser Whitethroat on 22nd and on several other dates. Whitethroat on 17th with 13 on 23rd, Garden Warbler on 14th with ten on 26th, 37 Blackcap on 23rd. A Wood Warbler was singing from 21st until 27th, 13 Chiffchaff on 3rd with 17 on 23rd, 61 Willow Warblers on 23rd. A Marsh Tit on 15th, several records of Willow Tit were recorded mostly from the feeders at Paul Stanley hide. Several Raven were present all month.

120 species were recorded compared with 107 in April 2002, 103 in 2001, 101 in 2000 and 96 in 1999

For the latest sightings see www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk or the notice board outside the Goldeneye shop in the visitor centre, or in the entrance when closed.
Eddie Walker recorder