Carsington Bird Club – January 2003 Bird Notes

January highlights were Great Northern Diver, Bewick’s Swan, Mandarin, Red-crested Pochard, Greater Scaup, Water Rail, Mediterranean Gull and Stonchat.

The Great Northern Diver remaining from 22nd November 2002 was last recorded on 5th, two Bewick’s Swans were located on the spit on 7th at 12:15hrs unfortunately only staying for a short time, four Mandarin Duck were present on 5th and 7th, one to three Red-crested Pochard were noted on several dates from 1st until 21st. A female Greater Scaup was seen near the draw off tower, beside the dam on 7th being joined by another female on 16th, both remaining until 29th.

Wildfowl counts were five Great Crested Grebe on 8th, single Greylag Geese on 10th and 19th, 18 Barnacle Geese on several dates during the month, often accompanied by a Barnacle/Canada type hybrid, 250 Wigeon on 8th, one to three Gadwall were regularly present. 19 Goldeneye including six males on 14th with 16 on 22nd, one to 15 were regularly recorded during the month, five Goosander on 7th with one to five on several other dates, 103 Ruddy Duck on 28th with 92 counted on 19th. Cormorants were regularly present with 17 counted on 18th, single Herons were also regularly seen.

Raptors recorded were two Sparrowhawk on 9th with singles on other dates, single Buzzard on 3rd, single Kestrels also regularly present, a Merlin was seen being mobbed by two Raven on 22nd, a Peregrine was recorded on 30th.

Five species of waders were noted, a single Oystercatcher from 21st with two on 30th, 470 Lapwings on 22nd with 200 to 400 present on several other dates, a single Dunlin on 8th, nine Snipe on 7th with one to seven regularly noted. Two Redshank were also regularly present throughout the month.

Other species recorded were a Water Rail seen regularly beside the Wildlife Centre, two Mediterranean Gulls on 5th, a Yellow-legged Gull also on 5th, a single Kingfisher was regularly seen during the month. A Green Woodpecker on 15th, Great Spotted Woodpeckers were often seen at the Sheepwash and Paul Stanley feeders. 12 Meadow Pipits on 15th and 18th with smaller number regularly present, single Grey Wagtail on several dates, a female Stonechat on 4th, 5th and 15th. 300 Fieldfare on 21st with several smaller flocks noted, however Redwing were particularly scarce with 15 counted on 4th and 24th these being the only records. Five Mistle Thrush on 19th. A Chiffchaff was seen near Paul Stanley hide on 1st, 10 Long tailed Tits on 10th with smaller counts on other dates, one to two Willow Tits were regularly present at Paul Stanley feeders, a Nuthatch on 3rd with two reported at the Wildlife Centre feeders on several dates.Two Raven were regularly recorded during the month with four on 4th. 73 Siskin on three flocks were counted on 21st with several other counts of 20 plus on other dates, seven Lesser Redpoll on 21st with smaller counts on other dates, four Bullfinch on 17th, a Reed Bunting on Stones Island on 30th, a rather scarce bird at Carsington in winter.

87 Species were recorded compared with 75 in January 2002, 73 in 2001 and 80 in January 2000.

For the latest sightings see www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk or the notice board outside the Goldeneye shop in the Visitor Centre courtyard of in the entrance when closed.

Eddie Walker recorder