October 2002 Bird Notes

October highlights were Slavonian Grebe, Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Red-crested Pochard, Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Goshawk, Merlin, Peregrine, Great Skua, Mediterranean Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Kittiwake, Arctic Tern, Rock Pipit, Stonechat and Brambling.

A Slavonian Grebe was present off Stones Island from 16:00-16:30 hrs on 17th unfortunately it couldn’t be relocated, six adult Whooper Swans were observed on 18th with two present until 22nd, additionally two adults were observed flying north on the 22nd. Several skeins of Pink-footed Geese were noted, 205 flew north east in three skeins of 63, 110 and 32 on 16th, 260 flew east in one skein on 17th and 105 flew east in two skeins of 25 and 80 on 18th, a single was present on the reservoir on 4th. Red-crested Pochard were regularly recorded from the 14th with a maximum five on 21st, six Common Scoter, on 2nd, a Red-breasted Merganser on 28th.

Wildfowl counts were 50 Little Grebe on 12th, six Great Crested Grebe on 16th numbers of this species usually decline at the time of year, 43 Cormorant on 23rd, 332 Canada’s on 9th, 17 Barnacle Geese on 28th, two Shelduck on 9th and 30th with singles present from 7th, 200-300 Wigeon all month, 15 Gadwall on 29th with seven to fourteen present all month, 158 Teal on 3rd Pintail were regularly recorded with seven on 1st being the maximum, ten Shoveler on 22nd and 24th with up to eight regularly seen, 92 Pochard on 29th. Goldeneye were present from 21st with three on 22nd, a single Goosander on 3rd with two on 29th, 14 Ruddy Duck on 5th was the maximum counted.

Six species of raptor were recorded a Goshawk was seen on 3rd, Buzzard were regularly present with 14 observed on 24th all in the air at the same time in groups of five, seven and two all drifting/circling eastward. A Merlin was noted on several dates between 3rd and 27th, a Peregrine was observed on 12th and 24th.
Eight species of waders were recorded, much fewer than in previous months, eight Ringed Plover on 2nd with six on 3rd and two on 4th, 18 Golden Plover on 2nd, 109 Lapwing on 3rd was the maximum counted, 10 Dunlin on 20th, nine on 22nd with smaller numbers present on most other dates, six Snipe on 4th with one to five regularly noted, two Woodcock on 15th in Hall Wood, a rather under recorded species at Carsington, single Curlew on 13th, a late Common Sandpiper on 31st.

Incredibly a juvenile Great Skua was observed briefly on the reservoir at 08:30hrs before flying North West, the fourth record since 1st August, a single 1st winter Mediterranean Gull roosted on 7th and 18th, several Yellow-legged Gulls were regularly noted roosting with five present on 18th, single juvenile Kittiwakes also roosted on 25th and 31st. The roost continued to attract large numbers of Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls, 25 Common Gulls were noted on 18th with smaller numbers on other dates. A single Arctic Tern was present on 7th.

Other species recorded were a Kingfisher on 13th and 21st, 10 Skylark on 28th with one to four present on several other dates, a scarce species nowadays at Carsington, Swallows were recorded until 19th with 49 on 14th, House Martins were noted till 18th, 40 Meadow Pipits were counted on 30th with smaller numbers on several; other dates, four Rock Pipit on 7th with one to two on several dates till 14th, a late Yellow Wagtail on 4th, five Grey Wagtails were seen on 14th, a female Stonechat on 7th, 40 Fieldfare flew south on 24th, 30 were present on 29th, Redwing were seen flying south 439 on 13th and 285 on 17th. Chiffchaff were regularly noted until 21st with one singing on 9th, a Marsh Tit was present at Paul Stanley feeders on 7th and 28th, four Raven were observed in a synchronised flying display on 12th with two to four observed on several other dates during the month. A Brambling was noted at the Wildlife Centre feeders on 17th, a scarce bird at Carsington, 35 Siskin on 30th with smaller counts on several other dates, eight Lesser Redpoll on 30th with one to three also seen on several other dates.

An excellent month with 103 species recorded compared with 91 in October 2001, 87 in 2000 and 84 in 1999.

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.

Eddie Walker recorder