July 2002 Bird Notes by Eddie Walker

July highlights were Egyptian Goose, Garganey, Common Scoter, Peregrine, Sanderling, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone and Marsh Tit.

A Egyptian Goose was present on 7th, 20th and 30th the second record for Carsington the previous record was in March 1997, up to ten Barnacle Geese were present including the family party of two adults plus two young. Four female or immature Garganey was seen on 29th six Common Scoter including five males were observed on 20th.

Wildfowl counts were 10 Little Grebe on 7th however only one pair were noted with young, 61 Great Crested Grebe on 7th including several pairs with dependent young, 20 Cormorant on 7th with smaller counts most other dates, 16 Heron on 7th also regularly present during the month, 49 Mute Swan including broods of five, four and one. Two Greylag Geese were noted from 1st until 8th, a single male Wigeon on 6th, single Gadwall from 25th with two on 29th and 31st. Small numbers of Teal were present all month with a maximum on five on 29th, the female Pintail continues its stay being recorded all month, two Shoveler on 29th, 30th with five on 31st. Pochard were recorded on several dates during the month with five on 15th and six on 29th, 285 Tufted Duck were counted on 28th including two broods of seven and eight. 328 Coot were counted on 28th.

Fifteen species of waders were recorded, 12 Oystercatcher on 14th with smaller counts on other dates, 24 Little Ringed Plover on 3rd including 15 juveniles, single Ringed Plover on 30th with two on 31st, 194 Lapwing on 17th with smaller numbers present all month, a moulting adult Sanderling on 22nd. Dunlin were regularly present with 12 on 20th and 18 on 30th, a juvenile Ruff on 17th. Small numbers of Snipe were noted from 17th with three on 30th, four Black-tailed Godwit on 8th, single on 9th, four on 10th, three on 17th were recorded flying east at 18:00hrs, 14 in one flock were present at Paul Stanley hide on 31st,later the same day a single was noted flying south-east over Stones island at 19:00hrs (a good year for this species) The only Curlew sighting noted were a single on 2nd, two on 3rd and four on 6th. Redshank numbers declined during the month with one to two present most days, single Greenshank on 15th with two on 28th, the first Green Sandpiper of the year was recorded with one on 6th and 9th (a scarce bird at Carsington). One to eight Common Sandpiper were recorded throughout the month with a maximum 11 on 11th, a Turnstone was noted on 22nd with two on 31st. The majority of the waders were observed from the Wildlife Centre, Stones Island, Sheepwash and Paul Stanley hides,

Other species recorded were single Buzzard regularly noted during the month with three on 28th, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel also regularly observed, an interesting record on the 28th of a Kestrel chasing insects by running! , A juvenile Peregrine on 6th, the family party of Common Tern was last seen on 5th, single adults were noted on 17th, 20th, 27th and 30th, three were present on 31st. Two records of Stock Dove during the month (a scarce bird at Carsington), Little Owl on 2nd. Swift was present all month with 30 regularly counted, Swallow and Sand Martin were also present, House Martin bred again at the Visitor Centre. Single Wheatear on 17th, 18th, a post breeding flock of 16 Mistle Thrush was present in Sheepwash car park on 30th, with a family party of three young noted.
The feeders at Paul Stanley hide attracted a good variety of birds including a Marsh Tit (a scarce bird at Carsington) also Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting and Great Spotted Woodpecker were all regularly seen. Spotted Flycatchers were regularly present between Sheepwash Car Park and Paul Stanley hide

An excellent month with 100 species recorded compared with 90 in July 2001,94 in 2000 and 68 in July 1999.

For the latest updates and advice or information on visiting areas mentioned see www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk or the notice board displayed outside the Goldeneye shop in the courtyard at the Visitor Centre during opening hours or at the entrance when closed.