Carsington Bird Club - December 2002 Bird Notes

December highlights were Great Northern Diver, Bewick’s Swan, Brent Goose, Mandarin, Red-crested Pochard, Water Rail, Mediterranean Gull, Little Gull, Kittiwake, Short-eared Owl, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Stonechat, Raven and Crossbill.

The juvenile Great Northern Diver continued its stay remaining into the new year, eight Bewick’s Swans flew east on 5th, 18 Barnacle Geese were present on 18th and 19th accompanied by a Barnacle/ Canada hybrid. A dark bellied Brent Goose was present on 10th, a pair of Mandarin Duck were noted on 19th, only the second record of the year, up to four Red-crested Pochard were regularly recorded during the month, one to two Pintail were recorded on several dates.

The maximum wildfowl counts were 21 Little Grebe, three Great Crested Grebe, 35 Cormorant, 19 Mute Swan, 173 Canada’s, 361 Wigeon, four Gadwall, 141 Teal, 193 Mallard, 70 Pochard, 211 Tufted Duck, 13 Goldeneye, four Goosander, 53 Ruddy Duck. One to three Heron were regularly present.

Five species of waders were recorded, 300 Golden Plover on 3rd with 30 the following day, a maximum 386 Lapwing, 14 Dunlin on 14th with one to eight regularly present during the month, three Snipe on 3rd with singles on several other dates. One to three Redshank were present all month.

This months gull highlights were 1st winter Mediterranean Gull on 24th and an adult winter Mediterranean Gull on 26th and 27th. A 1st winter Little Gull on 3rd and two adult winter Kittiwakes on 1st. Several Yellow-legged Gulls were recorded roosting during the month along with several hundred Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls. Small numbers of Common, Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls were also recorded.

A Short-eared Owl was present on 5th seen being mobbed by three Raven, a Kingfisher on 3rd, a Green Woodpecker on 9th and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker seen in Hall Wood on 20th, Great Spotted Woodpeckers were regularly present at the Paul Stanley feeders. Meadow Pipits were regularly seen on Stones Island with 20 on 9th being the maximum. Single Grey Wagtails were also recorded. A female Stonechat was present on several dates between 22nd and 30th. Although Fieldfare and Redwing were scarce during December, Blackbirds were numerous particularly males.
Willow Tits were regularly seen at Paul Stanley feeders, several flocks of Long-tailed Tits were noted eight being the largest counted. Raven were particularly evident with two to four regularly seen mainly in the Sheepwash area. Several large flocks of Siskin were recorded 50 on 3rd being the largest, occasionally accompanied by small numbers of Lesser Redpoll, two to six Bullfinch were regularly present. A Crossbill was observed flying over Sheepwash car park on 1st, four Reed Bunting on Stones Island on 3rd.

89 species were recorded compared with 86 in 2001, 74 in 2000 and 71 in 1999.

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Eddie Walker recorder