July 2003 Bird Notes

July’s highlights were Black-throated Diver, Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Osprey, Peregrine, Black-tailed Godwit, and Marsh Tit.

The immature Black-throated Diver was regularly seen close beside the dam wall near to Millfields car park, since its arrival on 9th May it has now clocked up 89 days a county record for this species.
Three Common Scoter were present on the reservoir on 17th, a pair of Red-breasted Merganser were recorded on 16th with one drake noted the following day.
Other wildfowl sighting were five pairs of Little Grebe with seven young present on 14th and 17th, 36 Great Crested Grebe including 10 young on several dates. 18 Cormorant on 14th with smaller counts on other dates, four Heron on 2nd with one to three regularly seen, 38 Mute Swan including 14 young all month. Single Pink footed Goose on 21st, one to three Greylag Geese regularly noted, 798 Canada’s counted on 20th, 142 young were counted on 4th. 24 Barnacle Geese including 13 young all month.

Seven Shelduck briefly on 17th, two Wigeon on 2nd with one on 9th, single Gadwall on 30th, a male Teal regularly present until 22nd, 164 Mallard including 49 young on 10th, five Shoveler on 19th. Pochard were present from 2nd with 11 counted on 15th, 185 Tufted on 22nd, 35 young were present on 11th with further broods seen towards the months end. With constant water levels, this species is enjoying an excellent breeding season with fresh broods appearing almost daily. Single Goosander on 6th and 13th, 10 Ruddy Duck were present on 25th. 529 Coot were counted on 22nd.

Birds of prey seen were three Buzzard on 22nd with singles regularly present, an Osprey on 18th, two Peregrine on 15th and 22nd, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were also regularly seen.

Whilst high water levels are favouring Tufted Ducks, with very little mud around the reservoir providing few feeding areas for passing waders, only seven species were recorded. 12 Oysterctcher on 10th with smaller counts on other dates, six Little Ringed Plover on 4th with one to two on several other dates, 150 Lapwing on 23rd with smaller counts on other dates. Two Black-tailed Godwit on 10th, six Curlew on 11th with one to three on other dates, 19 Redshank on 10th with smaller counts on other dates, five Common Sandpiper on 9th with one to two on several other dates.

Other sightings were single Common Tern on 16th with two on 23rd, up to six Little Owls were seen, usually in the Shiningford creek area, single Kingfisher on 12th and 20th, single Yellow Wagtail on 24th, a very scarce bird nowadays at Carsington. Several pairs of Redstart with young were seen. Singing Lesser Whitethroats were heard during the month, a single Spotted Flycatcher was noted from 22nd. A Marsh Tit was seen again on Paul Stanley hide feeders, also present on the same feeders were two Willow Tits., two Raven on 23rd with one on 2nd. 119 Tree Sparrow were counted on 14th.

Generally a quiet month, however 95 species were recorded compared with 100 species in July 2002, 90 in 2001 and 94 in July 2000.

For the latest updates see www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk or the notice board outside the Goldeneye shop in the courtyard at the Visitor Centre Carsington Water.