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West Midland Bird Club

Belvide Reserve Latest News

Unless otherwise stated, reports on this page are anecdotal, and have not been verified by the relevant country recorder or rarities committee.

For the scientfic names of these birds, and their local status, see our county lists.

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The latest update covers July–October 2012.

This page is available as an RSS feed ; and has a microsummary.

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October 2012

• 31: 70+ Snipe were on the north shore. 97 Wigeon were counted. 1 adult and 1 first-winter Mediterranean Gull, also 2 adult and a second-winter Yellow-legged Gull roosted.
• 30: A Crossbill flew west at 12. 30pm. 4 Swallow flew through to the south mid-afternoon. A Chiffchaff was along the Gazebo bay. 94 Wigeon, 60 Teal and 2 Shelduck were counted. 2 migrant Hawkers were on the wing in the afternoon. 1 adult and 1 first-winter Mediterranean Gull roosted.
• 29: A single Kingfisher was noted and a Tawny Owl sat in the entrance to the owl box along the Gazebo bay in the afternoon.
• 28: A Cetti's Warbler was along the Gazebo bay calling and showing well. This is the sixth record for Belvide. A late Swallow flew through in the morning and a female Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaff were noted. A single Shelduck was a new arrival. An adult Mediterranean Gull was present in the afternoon. At least 11 Brambling were seen including 6 at the Woodland feeding station.
• 27: 1 Pintail and 94 Wigeon were counted. An adult Mediterranean Gull was present in the afternoon. A Vis Mig watch off the dam in the morning was poor and only revealed 1300 Wood Pigeon moving south-west.
• 26: 30 Goldeneye, 63 Wigeon, 56 Pochard, 4 Little Grebe and 1 female Common Scoter were counted. Several hundred Fieldfare and Redwing were noted. 3 Dunlin flew through. An immature male Peregrine was seen. An adult Mediterranean Gull roosted.
• 25: The highlight was when an adult Pomarine Skua flew in at 3. 55pm harassing the gulls before flying out to the south-east at 3. 58pm. This is the fourth record for Belvide and the first since an adult was reported on the 15th May 2009. The female Common Scoter was still present. A first-winter Mediterranean Gull roosted, also 5 adult Yellow-legged Gull and 19 Common Gull. 1 Dunlin and 1 Chiffchaff were at the west end and an immature male Peregrine was also seen at the west end killing a Wood Pigeon.
• 24: The main highlight was a Great White Egret that was present at the west end between 12. 45pm and 12. 55pm when it flew off to the north-east. This is the second record for Belvide following a bird that flew through on the 31st March 2009. 1 female Common Scoter, 13 Goldeneye and 1 Pintail were noted. The first 50 Fieldfare of the autumn were below the dam. 4 Dunlin flew through late afternoon. The evening Gull roost held 2 adult Mediterranean Gull, 21 Common Gull, 12 Yellow-legged Gull (10 adults, 1 third-winter, 1 first-winter) also 3500 Lesser Black-backed Gull.
• 23: 12 Goldeneye, 102 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 353 Tufted Duck, 40 Shoveler and 1 female Common Scoter were counted. A Chiffchaff was along the Gazebo bay. At least 5 Water Rail were calling in the afternoon with 3 along the south-east bay and 2 at the west end. 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull and 7 Common Gull were in the pre- roost.
• 22: 2 late Swallow flew through in the afternoon, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 12 Redwing and several Goldcrest were counted. 1 female Common Scoter, 1 Pintail and 10 Goldeneye were noted.
• 21: The female Common Scoter was still present off the dam, also 1 Pintail, 53 Wigeon and 36 Shoveler were counted. The first-winter Mediterranean Gull was present in the afternoon. 71 Snipe were on the north shore. A Weasel carrying a mouse was by the West End hide.
• 20: 4 Lesser Redpoll were noted. The first-winter Mediterranean Gull was seen in the evening. 50 Snipe were at the west end. The female Common Scoter was still present. A Vis Mig watch off the dam between 7. 30am – 10. 30am produced 127 Meadow Pipit, 22 Skylark, 7 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 10 Pied Wagtail, 12 Siskin, 1 Redpoll, 12 Linnet, 19 Chaffinch, 7 Greenfinch, 4 Goldfinch, 188 Wood Pigeon and 4 Starling.
• 19: 1 female Common Scoter, 2 Pintail, 50 Wigeon and 28 Shoveler were counted. A first-winter Mediterranean Gull was present in the afternoon, also 2 Yellow-legged Gull were in the pre-roost. A male Stonechat was below the dam with 8 Yellowhammer. 6 Siskin and a Lesser Redpoll were along the south-east bay. 50 Redwing were noted in the morning.
• 18: 3 Water Rail and 6 Redwing were along the south-east bay. The female Common Scoter was present off the dam, also 2 Pintail, 50 Wigeon and 80 Teal were noted.
• 17: An immature female Common Scoter off the dam was a new arrival and 6 Goldeneye were also present.
• 16: 2 Pintail and 6 Goldeneye were noted.
• 15: An immature Goosander was the first of the autumn, also 2 Pintail, 10 Gadwall, 32 Teal, 4 Goldeneye and 4 Little Grebe were counted. 30 Siskin flew over the south-east bay. 5 Yellowhammer were below the dam.
• 14: The WeBS count produced 2 Pintail, 24 Teal, 17 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 22 Shoveler, 39 Mallard, 8 Goldeneye, 346 Tufted Duck, 56 Pochard, 30 Great Crested Grebe, 779 Coot, 11 Mute Swan, 78 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag Geese, 5 Grey Heron and 60 Snipe.
• 13: A Red Kite flew through to the south-east at 11. 35am. Goldeneye have increased to 8. 3 Chiffchaff were noted. A Curlew flew through. The Gull roost held 6 Common Gull and 4 Yellow-legged Gull (2 adult and 2 first-winter). A Vis Mig watch off the dam between 7. 20am – 9. 30am produced 2 Rock Pipit, 19 Meadow Pipit, 1 Swallow, 40 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, 8 Siskin, 20 Greenfinch, 13 Chaffinch, 8 Linnet, 4 Reed Bunting, 5 Yellowhammer, 12 Skylark, 17 Jackdaw, 99 Wood Pigeon, 20 Pied Wagtail and 66 Starling.
• 12: A single Dunlin flew through in the morning. A Swallow flew south over the car park, also 1 Chiffchaff and 12 Redwing were noted. 4 Goldeneye, 40 Wigeon and 53 Teal were counted. An immature Peregrine was seen in the afternoon.
• 11: 4 Rock Pipit flew through to the west between 11. 05am and 11. 25am. 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap and 20 Wigeon were noted. 21 Golden Plover flew around in the afternoon.
• 10: The highlight was a Short--eared Owl that was flying high over the reservoir between 4. 10pm and 5. 30pm. 2 adult Little Gull were new arrivals and were present from mid-morning until 4. 00pm. A female Brambling was by the West End hide in the afternoon and 2 Chiffchaff were also present. A single Redshank flew through. 2 Golden Plover flocks also flew through including 7 and 22. 40 Snipe were noted. 37 Wigeon, 4 Goldeneye and 35 Great Crested Grebe were counted.
• 9: The Scaup passage continues with another new first-winter drake at the west end. 6 female Pintail were new arrivals. An adult Peregrine was seen in the afternoon. 1 Blackcap and 3 Chiffchaff were noted. 40+ Snipe were on the north shore.
• 8: An immature female Scaup and 3 Pintail were new arrivals. The first-winter Mediterranean Gull was present in the afternoon. At least 100 Snipe were on the north shore - the largest count for many years. 12 Swallow flew through and a chiffchaff was noted. A Peregrine was seen in the afternoon.
• 7: A first-winter drake Scaup was a new arrival, 28 Teal, 16 Wigeon and 1 Little Grebe were also present. A first-winter Mediterranean Gull was at the west end. 2 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff and 5 Lesser Redpoll were noted. 21 Buzzard were soaring above the reservoir in the early afternoon. A Vis Mig watch off the dam between 7. 10am – 10. 10am produced 2 highlights – a Rock Pipit flew west at 9. 25am and an immature female Merlin that flew through to the south-west at 9. 57am. Other birds included 8 Redwing, 61 Meadow Pipit, 26 Skylark, 2 Redpoll, 13 Siskin, 4 Chaffinch, 6 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 15 Wood Pigeon, 11 Pied Wagtail and 2 Grey Wagtail.
• 6: 1 adult and 1 third-winter Yellow-legged Gull were at the west end in the afternoon. A Reed Warbler was in front of the Scott hide, also 1 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff and 9 Goldcrest were noted. 353 Tufted Duck, 60 Pochard, 20 Shoveler and 12 Wigeon were counted. A Vis Mig watch off the dam between 7. 15am – 10. 00am produced 52 Meadow Pipit, 46 Skylark, 7 Siskin, 7 Redpoll, 14 Chaffinch, 19 Greenfinch, 1 Linnet, 4 Goldfinch, 48 Wood Pigeon, 1 Stock Dove, 8 Pied Wagtail, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 3 Jay, 38 Swallow and 8 House Martin.
• 5: 1 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest and several Swallow were present. 1 Goldeneye was noted.
• 4: 5 Crossbill flew over to the south at 2. 40pm. 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was noted in Willows west of the Scott hide. 60 Pochard, 270 Tufted Duck, 10 Wigeon, 328 Canada Geese and 149 Greylag Geese were counted. The first-winter Mediterranean Gull was at the west end in the afternoon. A female Ruddy Duck has been present between 27/9 and 3/10.
• 3: The Black-necked Grebe was still present and the first-winter Mediterranean Gull was seen in the morning. A Crossbill flew over the West End hide in the afternoon. Swallow and House Martin continue to fly south and a single Sand Martin flew through.
• 2: A first-winter Black-necked Grebe was a new arrival. 40 Gadwall, 7 Wigeon and 32 Great Crested Grebe were counted. There was a steady passage of Swallow and House Martin in the afternoon. A first-winter Mediterranean Gull was present in the afternoon before flying off south.
• 1: 30 Snipe were flying around the west end. A few hundred Swallow and many House Martin flew through in the afternoon. 5 Yellowhammer were at the west end and 6 Siskin flew south. A Peregrine, 3 Goldeneye and several Chiffchaff were noted.

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September 2012

• 30: 3 Golden Plover flew through in the morning. There was a strong passage of Swallow and House Martin in the morning and several Sand Martin were also noted. 3 Goldeneye and an immature Peregrine were seen.
• 29: 2 Raven were present and a Sand Martin flew through late morning. 3 Goldeneye and 60 Pochard were counted. A Vis Mig watch off the dam between 7. 15am – 9. 00am produced 74 Meadow Pipit, 23 Pied Wagtail, 29 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 4 Skylark, 4 Chaffinch and 6 Siskin.
• 28: 2 Goldeneye were present. 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull and an immature Peregrine were noted.
• 27: The first 2 Goldeneye of the autumn arrived. 28 Great Crested Grebe were counted. A late Lesser Whitethroat was by the ringing station, also 1 Reed Warbler and 15+ Chiffchaff were noted. 8 Siskin flew east in the afternoon.
• 26: A Grey Plover flew through which was the first of the year. A single Hobby and a Peregrine were seen. 100+ Swallow, 20 House Martin and 10 Sand Martin were counted. A second-winter Yellow-legged Gull was present in the afternoon.
• 25: The highlight was a juvenile intermediate Long Tailed Skua that flew in from the north at 2. 05pm before flying straight off to the south-east. If accepted, this will be the second record for Belvide following another juvenile on 15/9/94. A single Hobby was seen. Hundreds of Swallow and House Martin together with several Sand Martin, were noted.
• 24: 1 adult and 1 first-summer Common Tern were present. A single Knot flew through at 7. 10am. 1 Dunlin and 20 Snipe were on the north shore. A Pintail was a new arrival, also 35 Gadwall were counted. A Hobby was seen in the afternoon.
• 23: A first-winter drake Scaup was a new arrival. 60 Shoveler, 32 Wigeon, 50 Teal and 18 Gadwall were counted. Several hundred Swallow and House Martin were noted in the morning together with several Sand Martin. A Reed Warbler was by the Scott hide.
• 22: 1 drake Common Scoter was present until 7. 40am when it flew off to the south-east. 30 Teal and 34 Shoveler were counted. A late Sedge Warbler was at the west end, also 3 Reed Warbler, 5 Blackcap and several Chiffchaff were noted. There was another huge passage of hirundines with probably a few thousand Swallow and House Martin through and also 50+ Sand Martin. A Migrant Hawker was seen.
• 21: 1 drake Common Scoter was reported in the morning.
• 20: An Osprey flew through to the south at 3. 02pm. A drake Common Scoter was a new arrival also 36 Shoveler and 9 Wigeon were counted. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was present in the afternoon.
• 19: There was a huge passage of Swallows and House Martin in the afternoon with several thousand birds involved, also a smaller number of Sand Martin. A Hobby was seen in the afternoon. 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Grey Wagtail and 7 Wigeon were noted.
• 18: The Black-tailed Godwit was still present, also 4 Golden Plover flew through. A Spotted Flycatcher was again in the north shore willows. Other migrants include 1 Hobby, 2 Reed Warbler, several Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Sand Martin.
• 17: Summer migrants noted were 1 Wheatear on the dam, and1 Spotted Flycatcher in the north-west hedge, 2 Hobby, 1 Willow Warbler, many Chiffchaff, Blackcap and several Sand Martin. The Black-tailed Godwit was present.
• 16: The first reported sighting for 10 years were 2 Grey Partridge that were flushed below the dam. The Black-tailed Godwit was still at the west end. 1 Peregrine, 1 Whitethroat and 30+ Meadow Pipit were noted. A WeBS count produced 547 Tufted Duck, 48 Pochard, 45 Shoveler, 11 Wigeon, 27 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 213 Mallard, 958 Coot, 28 Great Crested Grebe, 214 Greylag Geese, 213 Canada Geese, 24 Mute Swan and 31 Cormorant.
• 15: A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was reported again along the Gazebo bay in the afternoon. 38 Shoveler and 4 Little Grebe were counted. A Hobby was catching dragonflies in front of the Gazebo hide in the afternoon. The Black-tailed Godwit remains.
• 14: 2 Hobby were chasing House Martin and several Sand Martin were also present. The Black-tailed Godwit remains on the north shore. 30 Shoveler, 33 Pochard and 211 Greylag Geese were counted.
• 13: 11 Wigeon and 23 Shoveler were counted. Several Sand Martin were present in the afternoon. The Black-tailed Godwit remains on the north shore.
• 12: The predatory Great Black-backed Gull has returned, threatening the Tufted Duck population. 1 juvenile Black-tailed Godwit is still present, also 1 Redshank 12+ Snipe were noted.
• 11: 6 Wigeon, 22 Teal and 12 Shoveler were counted. A juvenile Hobby was seen in the afternoon. A large passage of House Martin were noted with several Sand Martin. The juvenile Black-tailed Godwit remains on the north shore.
• 10: 33 Pochard were counted. The juvenile Black-tailed Godwit was noted.
• 9: A single Dunlin was a new arrival, 4 Snipe and 1 juvenile Black-tailed Godwit were noted. 450 Tufted Duck, 23 Pochard and 27 Great Crested Grebe were counted. A Peregrine was seen in the morning.
• 8: A Day List between 6am and 8pm identified 83 species:- Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Hobby, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collard Dove, Tawny Owl, Little Owl, Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Wheatear, Blackbird, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Wren, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Crow, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Siskin, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting and Yellow Hammer.
• 7: A single juvenile Black-tailed Godwit was still on the north shore. A possible Knot was reported to have flown through at 12. 30pm. 400 Tufted Duck and 2 Wigeon were counted.
• 6: 3 juvenile Black-tailed Godwit were noted.
• 5: The juvenile Black-necked Grebe was still present at the west end, also 4 Little Grebe were noted. An adult Ruff and a Whinchat were on the north shore. 2 Hobby were seen. 904 Coot were counted including a partial leucistic individual.
• 4: 5 Whimbrel flew through to the south-west at midday and a Golden Plover flew north. The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was seen with a Tit flock near the Woodland feeding station around 5pm. 2 Hobby and 1 Peregrine were seen in the afternoon. 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat and 1 Willow Warbler were noted. 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Little Grebe, 22 Great Crested Grebe, 24 Teal, 26 Shoveler and 3 Wigeon were counted. The juvenile Black-necked Grebe was still present at the west end.
• 3: A juvenile Black-necked Grebe was first of the year. 884 Coot and 2 Little Grebe were counted. 2 Willow Warbler and 1 Sedge Warbler were noted. 1 juvenile Hobby and 1 Peregrine were seen in the afternoon.
• 2: The first 2 Meadow Pipit of the autumn flew over to the south in the morning. A second-winter Mediterranean Gull was present briefly mid-morning. 252 Tufted Duck, 14 Pochard, 28 Shoveler, 20 Teal, 1 Wigeon and 18 Great Crested Grebe were counted. 1 immature Peregrine was seen in the morning.
• 1: A Hobby was noted. 11 Pintail and 11 Wigeon dropped in and 15 Shoveler were counted. A Little Egret flew south-east at 7. 10am. A Tree Pipit flew south at 8. 14am. Other migrants included a Spotted Flycatcher by the car park, 2 Grey Wagtail below the dam and a Lesser Whitethroat was by the Andrew Chappell hide.

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August 2012

• 31: 6 Dunlin dropped in briefly in the morning, also 1 Ringed Plover flew through in the afternoon. 2 Wheatear were on hay bales at the west end. A Spotted Flycatcher was along the Gazebo bay. 1 Wigeon and 15 Shoveler were noted.
• 30: 1 juvenile Ruff was a new arrival, 1 Common Sandpiper and 6 Snipe were also present. The Osprey passage continued with another bird flying through high to the south at 4. 05pm. A male Redstart was in the boundary hedge on the north shore. A Spotted Flycatcher was near the car park. The juvenile Black Tern and the juvenile Common Tern were still present. 2 Ruddy Shelduck were seen in the morning only. A single Hobby was noted.
• 29: A juvenile Osprey flew through at 2. 50pm. A second-winter Mediterranean Gull was present in the afternoon. The juvenile Black Tern and the juvenile Common Tern remain. 1 Common Sandpiper and 13 Snipe were noted. 193 Canada Geese and 12 Shoveler were counted. 3 Swift were seen in the late afternoon, also 3 Hobby were seen together.
• 28: An Osprey was present between 3. 05pm and 3. 15pm when it flew off south. 3 Ruff flew through at 11. 30am, also a single Common Sandpiper was noted. A Green Sandpiper dropped in. The juvenile Black Tern was joined by another for a short time also a juvenile Common Tern was present. 2 Spotted Flycatcher were along the west lane in the evening.
• 27: The juvenile Black Tern and 15 Common Tern were present. A Ringed Plover flew through mid morning. 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 immature Wheatear were on the north shore. 5 Swift, 1 Hobby, 12 Shoveler and 164 Tufted Duck were counted.
• 26: A juvenile Black Tern dropped in at 7. 30am and a juvenile Common Tern was also present. A single Ringed Plover flew through early morning, a juvenile Little Ringed Plover arrived in the afternoon and a Common Sandpiper was on the north shore. 20 Pochard, 126 Tufted Duck, 23 Teal, 23 Gadwall, 5 Shoveler, 20 Great Crested Grebe and 44 Cormorant were counted. A Swift flew through late morning. A Yellow-legged Gull and a Hobby were noted.
• 25: 3 juvenile Ruff were new arrivals. A Ringed Plover flew through early morning and 1 Common Sandpiper was noted. Migrants include 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Swift. 34 Cormorant and 11 Pochard were counted. A Hobby was sparring with 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine, 14 Buzzard and 2 Raven were also noted.
• 24: A Ring Tail Hen Harrier flew through to the north-east at 10. 58am. 2 Common Sandpiper and 1 Green Sandpiper were on the dam. 10 Pochard and 100 Tufted Duck were counted. A Lesser Whitethroat was at the west end.
• 23: The male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was seen again along the Gazebo Bay. 3 Common Sandpiper were on the dam. 18 Teal, 6 Pochard and 17 Cormorant were noted. A Lesser Whitethroat was along the south-east bay.
• 22: An immature Pied Flycatcher was showing well towards the West End hide. 16 Teal were noted.
• 21: 1 Redshank and 1 Common Sandpiper were noted. 7 Shoveler and 14 Teal were counted. A Spotted Flycatcher was by the Andrew Chappell hide.
• 20: The first Lesser Spotted Woodpecker of the year was seen briefly behind the Gazebo hide. A female Common Scoter was a new arrival, 5 Pochard, 6 Shoveler, 13 Teal and the eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard were also present. 2 Common Sandpiper and 1 Redshank were noted. A Spotted Flycatcher was along the west lane. An Osprey flew in at 2. 15pm and spent fifteen minutes flying around and plunging a total of eight times into the reservoir to bathe before flying off south.
• 19: A juvenile Black-tailed Godwit dropped in briefly at 8. 50am before flying off south-east and 5 Common Sandpiper were also present. A Spotted Flycatcher was near the West End hide. 10 Mistle Thrush were feeding in a stubble field nearby. A WeBS produced 1 eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard, 2 Pochard, 60 Tufted Duck, 10 Gadwall, 12 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 40 Mallard, 10 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 820 Coot, 34 Moorhen, 71 Mute Swan, 72 Greylag Geese, 100 Canada Geese, 3 Grey Heron and 2 Kingfisher.
• 18: 1 Black-tailed Godwit dropped in briefly at 6. 50am before flying off west, also 1 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpiper and 4 Snipe were noted. 4 Wigeon were present and the eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard remains. A Water Rail was calling near the Andrew Chappell hide.
• 17: 34 Common Snipe were at the west end, also 3 Common Sandpiper were present. A female Wigeon was a new arrival, the eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard and 7 Teal were noted.
• 16: The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard was at the west end in the afternoon, also 4 Shoveler and 10 Teal were counted. 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Redshank and 1 Snipe were present. 1 Common Tern and a Peregrine were noted.
• 15: 5 Greenshank were on the north shore between 10. 05am and 11. 20am when they flew south, 1 Redshank, 3 Common Sandpiper and 8 Snipe were also present. An adult Mediterranean Gull was with a large increase of Black-headed Gulls in the early afternoon. The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard remains, 16 Teal and 3 Shoveler were counted. 3 Common Tern were noted.
• 14: A Greenshank was seen briefly on the spill weir in the morning, also 1 Redshank, 1 Ringed Plover and 1 Common Sandpiper were noted. A Spotted Flycatcher was along the Gazebo bay. The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard was still present, also 1 Pochard and 3 Common Tern.
• 13: 2 juvenile Greenshank dropped in on the north shore at 4. 05pm, a single Ringed Plover was a new arrival, also 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Redshank and 1 Snipe were noted. The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard and 11 Teal were present.
• 12: A third-summer and first-summer Yellow-legged Gull dropped in early afternoon. 12 Common Tern flew through in the morning. 1 eclipse drake Red- crested Pochard, 23 Teal, 828 Coot and 237 Canada Geese were counted. A Green Sandpiper flew through, also 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Redshank and 4 Snipe were noted.
• 11: The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard, also 3 Pochard, 2 Teal and 2 Shoveler were present. 2 Common Sandpiper and 1 Redshank were the only waders present. A few summer migrants were along the west marsh in the morning including 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 juvenile Yellow Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and several Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler.
• 10: 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull was seen in the afternoon. 6 Pochard were noted and the eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard remains. In the morning 2 Greenshank and a probable Ruff were reported to have flown through, also 2 Common Sandpiper and 1 Redshank were present.
• 9: 1 Common Tern, 2 Common Sandpiper and 1 Redshank were noted. 1 Lesser Whitethroat was present. 1 eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard and 5 Pochard were counted.
• 8: The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard was in the south-east bay. 2 Common Tern and 1 Common Sandpiper were noted.
• 7: The female Common Scoter and the eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard were still present. 1 Common Tern, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 adult Little Grebe were noted.
• 6: 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Tern and 1 Redshank were noted. The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard was along the south-east bay and the female Common Scoter remains.
• 5: 9 Shelduck and 6 Pochard were new arrivals, also present were the female Common Scoter and the eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard. 5 Common Tern, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Redshank were noted.
• 4: A juvenile Dunlin was on the floating weed in front of the Scott hide in the morning before flying north-west, 2 Common Sandpiper and 1 Common Tern were also present. The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard and the female Common Scoter were noted.
• 3: The female Common Scoter was ranging between the Andrew Chappell and West End hides and the eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard was also present. 1 Common Sandpiper and 3 Common Tern were noted. 1 adult Peregrine was seen.
• 2: 6 Common Tern, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Redshank and 108 Greylag Geese were counted. A Lesser Whitethroat was by the west end hide. The female Common Scoter was at the west end and the eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard was in the south-east bay.
• 1: A female Common Scoter was a new arrival, also present was the eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard. 3 Common Sandpiper and 3 Common Tern were counted. 1 immature Pergerine was noted.

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July 2012

• 31: The drake eclipse Red-crested Pochard was still present. 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Redshank and 3 Common Tern were noted.
• 30: The immature female Pied Flycatcher was still present in the oaks above and behind the Woodland hide. The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard remains in the south-east bay, also 1 Pochard, 627 Coot and 70 Greylag Geese were counted. 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Redshank, 1 Curlew and 1 Common Tern were noted. A Hobby was seen in the morning.
• 29: An immature female Pied Flycatcher was in the hedge by the Andrew Chappell hide early morning and was later relocated at the Woodland feeding station around 12. 20pm. This is an increasingly scarce migrant at Belvide. A Spotted Flycatcher was below the dam, also several Willow Warbler were along the boundary hedge. An immature Peregrine flew through. A Green Sandpiper was a new arrival and 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 2 Redshank were also noted. The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard was still present. 67 Greylag Geese and 1 Common Tern were counted.
• 28: 3 Dunlin were new arrivals, also 9 Common Sandpiper and 2 Redshank were present. A Spotted Flycatcher was by the Woodland hide. 2 Lesser Whitethroat were at the west end. The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard was in the south-east bay, also 1 Teal, 2 Shoveler and 83 Mute Swan were counted. An immature Peregrine, 1 Hobby, 3 Common Tern, 2 Raven and 1 Kingfisher were noted.
• 27: The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard was still present, also 4 Shoveler, 70 Mallard and 1 Little Grebe were counted. 4 Redshank and 3 Common Sandpiper were noted.
• 26: 47 Tufted Duck, 1 Teal and 1 Shoveler were counted. 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher and 6 Common Tern were noted. A juvenile Spotted Flycatcher was east of the Scott hide. The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard was in the south-east bay.
• 25: The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard was viewable from the Scott hide. 3 Common Sandpiper were on the dam. 3 Common Tern, 3 Little Grebe and 27 Greylag Geese were noted.
• 24: A Clouded Yellow Butterfly was seen from the West Lane. 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 4 Common Tern, 1 Little Grebe and 1 Common Gull were noted.
• 23: 1 Common Sandpiper and 3 Common Tern were noted. 1 Teal and 1 Pochard were present. 1 Sedge Warbler was also noted.
• 22: 9 Crossbill flew over to the south-east at 7. 40am and a single Siskin flew through. 5 Common Tern, 4 Common Sandpiper and 1 Oystercatcher were noted. The WeBS Count produced 1 eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard, 1 Pochard, 14 Tufted Duck, 39 Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 527 Coot, 16 Great-crested Grebe, 37 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag Geese and 81 Mute Swan.
• 21: The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard was still present. 2 female Pochard were new arrivals. 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Oystercatcher and 2 Common Tern were noted. A Spotted Flycatcher was in the north-west corner and a Lesser Whitethroat was at the west end with 15+ Whitethroat.
• 20: 5 Crossbill flew over to the west at 2. 19pm. An adult summer Sanderling flew in at 1. 10pm settling on the carpet of weed in front of the Scott hide to feed where it remained until at least 5pm. 6 Common Sandpiper were on the dam, also 1 Oystercatcher and 1 Redshank were noted. 2 Common Tern were present. 8 Gadwall were at the west end. A Hobby was seen in the afternoon. The eclipse drake Red- crested Pochard was in front of the Andrew Chappell hide.
• 19: The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard was still present. The bird is now in heavy wing moult and is probably unable to fly. 5 Common Sandpiper were on the dam and 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Redshank and 2 Common Tern were noted.
• 18: 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Oystercatcher and 1 Common Tern were noted.
• 17: A Lesser Whitethroat was by the Andrew Chappell hide. The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard, 2 Oystercatcher and 1 Common Tern were present. Mute Swan have increased to 81.
• 16: The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank and a Common Tern was noted.
• 15: A juvenile Redstart was along the hedge by the Andrew Chappell hide. A Spotted Flycatcher was in the north wood. The eclipse Red-crested Pochard was still present. 6 Common Tern, 1 Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpiper, 5 Oystercatcher and 3 Redshank were counted.
• 14: 14 Black-tailed Godwit were on the north shore between 9:00am and 10:00am when 12 flew off. The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard, 1 Pochard, 15 Tufted Duck, 15 Gadwall and 1 Teal were counted. 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Redshank and 3 Oystercatcher were noted. 3 adult Willow Warbler were the first sign of Warblers returning.
• 13: The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard, also 1 Pochard, 1 Teal and 72 Mute Swan were counted. 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank and 3 Common Tern were noted.
• 12: 3 Pochard were new arrivals and the eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard was still present. A new brood of 10 Tufted Duck were at the west end with the mother also fostering what appears to be 2 Gadwall chicks. 9 Common Tern, 1 Common Sandpiper and 3 Oystercatcher were noted.
• 11: 6 adults and 1 first summer Common Tern, 3+ Oystercatcher, 1 adult and 1 juvenile Redshank were noted, also 2 Common Sandpiper were on the dam. 93 Lapwing were counted. The Tufted Duck brood is down to 5. The eclipse drake Red- crested Pochard remains. 14 Greylag Geese were present.
• 10: The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard, 4 Teal and 1 Shoveler were noted. 3 Common Sandpiper were on the dam, also 3 Oystercatcher were present.
• 9: A Spotted Flycatcher was at the far west side of the reservoir plantation by the second bridge. This is only the second record this year. The eclipse drake Red- crested Pochard and 4 Teal were noted. 5 Common Sandpiper were on the dam, also 2 Oystercatcher and 1 Redshank were counted. A Hobby was over the dam in the afternoon.
• 8: A drake Common Scoter was the first of the year, also present was the eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard. 6 Common Sandpiper were on the dam and 4 Common Tern were noted.
• 7: A colony of Bristly Millipedes were reported in the spill weir/dam area. They are the smallest species of Millipede in the world and this is only the third record for Staffordshire. The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard, 3 Teal, 14 Gadwall and 514 Coot were counted. 3 Common Sandpiper were on the dam, also 1 Curlew, 3 Redshank and 1 Oystercatcher were noted. 8 Common Tern flew through.
• 6: The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard was still present. 4 Common Sandpiper and 3 Common Tern were noted.
• 5: 5 Black-tailed Godwit were on the north shore until 9. 45am when they flew off south. 8 Common Sandpiper were on the dam wall. The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard and 5 Pochard were noted.
• 4: The Tufted Duck brood is down to 7 and the Gadwall brood is down to 6. The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard was still present. 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Redshank and 2 Common Tern were counted. A Hobby was noted.
• 3: An eclipse drake Wigeon was a new arrival and the first brood of 10 Tufted Duck were at the west end. The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard was in front of the Gazebo hide. 6 Common Sandpiper were on the dam, also 2 Common Tern were present. 1 immature Peregrine and a single Raven were noted.
• 2: 5 Common Pochard were new arrivals, also 65 Mute Swan were counted. The eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard was in front of the Scott hide. 7 Common Sandpiper, 5 Oystercatcher, 3 Redshank and 1 Common Tern were noted.
• 1: An eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard, viewable from the Gazebo hide, was the first record since 2 immature females on 19/8/2010. 2 Shelduck and 47 Tufted Duck were counted. A single Common Sandpiper and 4 Common Tern were present. 1 immature Peregrine was noted.

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June 2012

• 30: 76 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 3 Teal and 1 Shelduck were counted. 3 Common Tern and 3 Oystercatcher were noted.
• 29: 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Curlew, 2 Shelduck and 1 Hobby were noted.
• 28: 2 Redshank and 1 Common Sandpiper were present. 6 Teal and 1 Shelduck were noted.
• 27: 6 Common Tern, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank were counted. 6 Teal were noted. 3+ Ringlet were on the wing at the west end. A single Hobby was seen.
• 26: 7 Teal, 2 Shelduck, 6 Shoveler and a Drake Pochard were at the west end. Common Tern and 3 Oystercatcher were noted. 3 Great Crested Grebe chicks were predated.
• 25: A male Red-veined Darter and a Four Spot Chaser was in front of the West End hide in the afternoon. 1 Hobby was present. 6 Common Tern and 4 Redshank were counted. 4 Shoveler were noted.
• 24: 16 Common Tern flew through in the morning and a Curlew dropped in in the afternoon. The Common Sandpiper was still present, also 4 Redshank and 2 Oystercatcher were noted. A Hobby flew through with prey in the morning. The WeBS Count produced 4 Teal, 31 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 58 Mallard, 61 Tufted Duck, 385 Coot, 18 Great Crested Grebe, 32 Canada Geese and 69 Mute Swan.
• 23: The first returning Common Sandpiper was on the north shore. 4 adult Redshank, 5 Common Tern and 2 Shelduck were noted.
• 22: A Red Kite flew south at 11.15am. 1 Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank + 3 chicks were noted. A family party of up to 6 Raven were around the west end.
• 21: The Redshank family with 3 chicks were present. 2 Dunlin flew through early afternoon. A brood of 11 Gadwall chicks were first of the year. Also new were 3 Great Crested Grebe chicks at the west end. 11 Teal, 2 Shelduck, 42 Tufted Duck and 5 Shoveler were counted.
• 20: 2 Little Egret at the west end were new arrivals. Also new were 4 drake Pochard. 2 Shelduck, 1 Hobby and 6 Common Tern were noted. 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank and 3 Oystercatcher were on the north shore.
• 19: 2 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Redshank and at least 2 chicks were noted. 7 Common Tern were counted.
• 18: A Wood Sandpiper was an unseasonal sighting at the west end. 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher and 70 Lapwing were counted. 4 Curlew dropped in at dusk. 4 Common Tern, 2 Shelduck and 3 Teal were noted. A Hobby was seen in the afternoon.
• 17: 2 Little Ringed Plover and 5 Common Tern were noted.
• 16: 2 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher were counted. 2 Teal were noted.
• 15: The first returning Green Sandpiper was on the north shore in the afternoon. 3 Redshank, 1 Little Ringed Plover and 3 Common Tern were counted. A drake Pochard was noted.
• 14: 2 Curlew and 4 Common Tern were present in the afternoon, also 1 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Redshank and 5 Oystercatcher were counted. A Kingfisher was noted.
• 13: A single Dunlin was still on the north shore, also 7 adult Redshank, 1 Little Ringed Plover and 2 Oystercatcher were noted. 6 Common Tern were present in the afternoon. 2 Shelduck, 1 Pochard and 48 Tufted Duck were counted. A Kingfisher flew past the Andrew Chappell hide.
• 12: 2 Avocet were at the west end in the morning. This is the tenth record for Belvide and the first since a single on the 5/9/2010. 5 Dunlin, 5 Redshank, 1 Little Ringed Plover were counted. 3 Teal were noted.
• 11: 5 Dunlin were on the north shore and 1 Little Ringed Plover was noted. 3 Lapwing chicks were on the ploughed area of the north shore. 325 Coot were counted.
• 10: An immature female Marsh Harrier flew through to the south at 9.30am and a Hobby was at the west end. 5 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover and 1 Little Ringed Plover were on the north shore. There are now three Lapwing broods on the north shore with 4, 3 and 3 chicks. A female Pochard was a new arrival. 59 Mute Swan were counted. 3 Common Tern were noted.
• 9: 7 Dunlin flew in in the afternoon. The Redshank family have 3 chicks. A new brood of 3 Lapwing chicks were on the north shore plough. The Ringed Plover remains on the north shore. The 2 Oystercatcher chicks at the west end have been predated. 90 Canada Geese plus 29 goslings, also 18 Greylag Geese, 1 Shelduck and 60 Gadwall were counted. 2 Hobby were seen in the afternoon.
• 8: A Red Kite was seen again around 2pm in the distance east of the dam. 3 Dunlin and 1 Ringed Plover dropped in in the afternoon, also 1 Little Ringed Plover and 4 Redshank were noted.
• 7: A Red Kite flew in over the West End hide at 12.45pm. The Redshank family are down to 3 chicks and 1 Little Ringed Plover and 3 Common Tern were counted. 4 Teal were noted. A Hobby flew over in the afternoon.
• 5: A Greenshank flew through at 2pm, also 1 Dunlin and 2 Little Ringed Plover were on the north shore. The pair of Oystercatcher on the shingle island have 2 chicks. 2 Shelduck were noted. A Cuckoo was heard calling south of the Gazebo bay.
• 4: 3 Dunlin and 4 Redshank chicks remain on the north shore, also at least 1 Oystercatcher chick was visible on the island.
• 3: 12 Common Tern and 4 Dunlin were noted.
• 2: 7 Sanderling and 1 Ringed Plover flew through at 10.45am, also 5 Dunlin were on the north shore. 1 Arctic Tern dropped in at midday and 6 Common Tern were noted. 5 Shelduck, 3 Teal and 5 Shoveler were counted. The Mute Swan family are down to 5 cygnets. A Cuckoo was around the south-east bay area.
• 1: An Osprey flew in from the west at 3.20pm and headed out south. 7 adult Redshank plus 4 newly hatched chicks were on the north shore. This is the first successful breeding attempt for several years. 3 Lapwing chicks were also on the north shore. 2 Dunlin flew in late afternoon and 2 Little Ringed Plover were noted. 64 Gadwall and 1 Teal were counted.

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May 2012

• 31: 2 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Redshank and 26 Great Crested Grebe were noted. A Cuckoo was heard.
• 30: 5 Redshank, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Teal and 1 Little Grebe were counted. 2 Hobby were noted. At least 2 Red-veined Darters at the west end.
• 29: 2 male Cuckoo and 1 Yellow Wagtail were present. 3 Oystercatcher, 4 Redshank and 1 Little Ring Plover were counted. 4 Shoveler were noted.
• 28: A female Pintail on the north shore was a new arrival. 3 Teal, 5 Shoveler and 48 Gadwall were counted. The drake Gadwall x Mallard hybrid was still present. 1 Little Ringed Plover and 3 Redshank were noted. At least 7 male Red-veined Darter were at the west end. A female Broad-bodied Chaser, 2 Beautiful Demoiselle and a Red-eyed Damselfly were also on the wing. The first 2 Common Blues were at the west end.
• 27: A Red Kite flew through to the north-east at 9:55am. 2 Hobby were noted. 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank and 5 Oystercatcher were present. 53 Mute Swan were counted. 18 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were noted. A Kingfisher was seen along the boundary wall.
• 26: A Temminck's Stint flew in to the north shore at 2:15pm. 3 Ringed Plover and 2 Little Ringed Plover were present. 2 Hobby were noted. A Cuckoo was heard on the reservoir plantation.
• 25: 3 Ringed Plover flew through. 2 Hobby were seen in the afternoon. A first-summer Common Gull flew south.
• 24: The Mute Swans by the Scott Hide have 6 cygnets. A pair of Lapwing on the north shore plough have at least 2 chicks. A single Hobby flew north-east with prey.
• 23: A Spotted Flycatcher was in the reservoir plantation. 1 Dunlin and 1Little Ringed Plover were on the north shore. 4 Common Tern and 3 Teal were noted. A Tawny Owl roosted behind the container in the car park. A Beautiful Demoiselle was by the ringing station. A very rare sight at Belvide.
• 22: 3 Red Kite flew over to the north-east at 4:40pm, also a Hobby was seen in the afternoon. 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Ringed Plover and 2 Redshank were noted. A pair of Wigeon were new arrivals. A male Wheatear was on the north shore plough.
• 20: A Black Tern and a single Sanderling were new arrivals. 6 Dunlin and 9 Ringed Plover were present. 2 Hobby were noted. The WeBS count found 3 Teal, 7 Shoveler, 27 Gadwall, 62 Mallard, 74 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 17 Great Crested Grebe, 181 Coot, 44 Mute Swan and 50 Canada Geese.
• 19: The first Spotted Flycatcher of the year was in the reservoir plantation behind the Woodland hide. 14 Dunlin, 9 Ringed Plover and 3 Curlew were present and a Sanderling flew through. 3 Teal, 2 Pochard and 2 Shelduck were counted. 2 Hobby were noted.
• 18: A first-summer Yellow-legged Gull was at the west end and is unusual for the time of year. A drake Gadwall x Mallard hybrid was a new arrival. 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Common Sandpiper and 2 Redshank were noted. 2 Hobby were present.
• 17: 2 Little Egret were present between 10:55am — 1:40pm when they flew off north. 2 Hobby and a Lesser Whitethroat were noted. A Greenshank dropped in at 5:15pm also 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Redshank and 1 Common Sandpiper were counted.
• 16: 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Redshank and 4 Common Tern were counted. 3 Teal and 2 Shoveler were noted.
• 15: 2 Ringed Plover were new arrivals, also 3 Little Ringed Plover were present. The female Whinchat and 2 Wheatear were below the damn. 2 Hobby were noted. A Tawny Owl was in the reservoir plantation also a possible Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was reported in the same area.
• 14: A Whimbrel was on the north shore and 2 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpiper and 2 Little Ringed Plover were counted. 3 Teal were present. 2 Hobby were noted. A female Whinchat and 2 Wheatear were below the dam.
• 13: A drake Mandarin at the west end was new for the year. An Osprey flew through to the north at 8:00am. 2 Hobby were hunting Swifts in the morning. A male Wheatear was below the dam. 20 Great Crested Grebe were counted.
• 12: 2 Arctic Tern dropped in mid morning and 5 Common Tern were present. A Little Egret was in the north wood before flying south-west at 9:00am. 2 Hobby were hunting Swift. A Cuckoo was heard to the south of the reserve in the morning. 4 Dunlin flew through. 3 Teal and 2 Shelduck were counted. A Lesser Whitethroat was singing in car park.
• 11: 12 Whimbrel were on the north shore from 2:15pm — 6:00pm. 59 Dunlin passed through, also 1 Ringed Plover, 4 Redshank and 2 Little Ringed Plover were noted. 2 Arctic Tern flew in in the afternoon and 3 Common Tern were present. 2 Hobby were noted. 2 Lesser Whitethroat were in the car park. A single Cuckoo was on the north shore. The 2 Tawny Owl chicks were behind the Gazebo hide.
• 10: A Cuckoo was around the south-east bay/Gazebo area. 4 Common Tern, 4 Redshank, 2 Little Ringed Plover and 2 Pochard were noted. 2 Hobby were chasing Swifts in the afternoon.
• 9: 3 Black-tailed Godwit at the west end were new arrivals. 2 Dunlin, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Common Sandpiper and 5 Redshank were counted. A Hobby was over the dam in the afternoon. 3 Common Tern were present.
• 8: An Osprey flew through to the north-east at 12:05pm. A single Hobby was seen in the afternoon. 1 Dunlin and 2 Little Ringed Plover were on the north shore. 6 Common Tern, 2 Wigeon and 2 Shelduck were noted. 2 Tawny Owl chicks could be seen along the Gazebo bay.
• 7: 2 female Whinchat were in the west marsh, a male and female Wheatear were below the dam and 4 Yellow Wagtail were at the west end. 6 Common Tern, 2 Wigeon, 3 Little Ringed Plover and 4 Redshank were counted. 2 Hobby were noted. 3 Tawny Owl chicks remain along the Gazebo bay.
• 6: 1 Tawny Owl chick was still viewable along the Gazebo bay. 6 Shelduck and 1 Lesser Whitethroat were noted. 2 Wheatear were below the dam. 4 Wigeon remain. 6 Common Tern were present.
• 5: 2 Red-breasted Merganser including an adult and a first-summer drake dropped in briefly at 4:20pm. The first Cuckoo of the year, also the first 2 Whinchat were in the west marsh. A Whimbrel flew north early morning also 1 Dunlin, 5 Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Redshank, 5 Oystercatcher and 1 Snipe were counted. 2 Tawny Owl chicks were sitting high up in Alders along the Gazebo bay. 5 Wheatear, 2 Hobby, 4 Yellow Wagtail and 7 Common Tern were noted. A day list count started at 6:00am and finished at 8:30pm. 88 species were recorded: Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Hobby, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Whimbrel, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Cuckoo, Tawny Owl, Little Owl, Swift, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Pied Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Wheatear, Whinchat, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Wren, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Crow, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer.
• 4: 6+ Arctic Tern and 10+ Common Tern were present. A Ringed Plover was on the north shore, a single Dunlin flew through, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Redshank, 3 Common Sandpiper and 6 Oystercatcher were counted. A Lesser Whitethroat was at the west end. 2 Hobby, 1 female Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 4 Wigeon were noted.
• 3: A Bar-tailed Godwit flew through to the north at 12:10pm. 3 Arctic Tern dropped in at 1:00pm and 5 Common Tern were present. 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Garden Warbler, 8 Whitethroat, 8 Sedge Warbler, 3 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Wheatear were counted. 5 Common Sandpiper, 7 Oystercatcher, 3 Redshank and 2 Little Ringed Plover were noted. 4 Wigeon, 24 Teal, 2 Shelduck and 1 Little Grebe were present.
• 2: 2 Common Tern and 4 Arctic Tern were reported. A male Brambling was at the Woodland feeding station. 3 Tawny Owl chicks were at the Gazebo bay. 3 Redshank, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Ringed Plover and 2 Dunlin were counted. A female Wheatear and a Yellow Wagtail and 1 Hobby were noted.
• 1: An adult female Marsh Harrier flew through to the south at 7:15am. 12 Arctic Tern were present from 12:30pm, also 2 Common Tern. 5 Whimbrel flew through to the north-east at 2:00pm. 3 Dunlin and 2 Common Sandpiper were noted. 2 Hobby were chasing Swift in the afternoon. A female Wheatear was on the shingle island. 3 Yellow Wagtail were on the north shore. 4 Wigeon, 25 Teal and 2 Shelduck were counted. A Water Vole was in front of the Scott hide in the afternoon. The first Lesser Whitethroat of the year and a Garden Warbler were by the Andrew Chappell hide.

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April 2012

• 30: A female Marsh Harrier was seen twice in the morning. An Osprey flew through to the north at 3:35pm. 3 Tawny Owl chicks were sat at the hole entrance along the Gazebo bay. The female Brambling was in the reservoir plantation. 4 Wheatear including a male Greenland Wheatear were below the dam. 5 Wigeon remain. 4 Common Tern, 1 Common Sandpiper and 6 Oystercatcher were noted.
• 29: A single Black Tern flew through late afternoon and 6 Common Terns were present. A female Brambling was at the Woodland feeding station, a female Wheatear was on the north shore plough and 8 Yellow Wagtail were noted. 5 Wigeon remain.
• 28: 2 Whimbrel were on the north shore from 10. 45am — 11. 05am when they flew off north-east, 2 Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover and 5 Redshank were also present. A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling at the west end and 6 Wheatear, 14 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Garden Warbler were counted. 5 Common Tern were noted. A Hobby was seen in the morning.
• 27: 9 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sandpiper and 4 Redshank were noted. A Whimbrel was present between 12:15pm — 1:45pm when it flew off north. 1 Common Tern, 4 Yellow Wagtail and 250 Swift were counted.
• 26: The first Hobby of the year flew over the Scott hide at 1:05pm. A Whimbrel dropped in on the north shore at 10:00am for 30 minutes before continuing east. A Dunlin flew through in the afternoon, also 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Ring Plover, 5 Redshank and 7 Oystercatcher were counted. A single Arctic Tern was present from mid morning and 5 Common Tern were noted. 8 Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear and 50+ Swift were present. A single Little Egret flew west at 8:15am. 2 immature male Goosander were noted early morning.
• 25: 62 Arctic Tern, 6 Common Tern, 2 adult and 6 first-summer Little Gull were counted. 20 Swift, 4 Sedge Warbler, 3 Whitethroat and 3 Yellow Wagtail were present.
• 24: A single Common Tern was perched on the rafts. 2 Whitethroat were present, 1 below the dam and 1 by the West End hide. The male Wheatear and 1 Yellow Wagtail were on the north shore plough. 2 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper and 5 Oystercatcher were at the west end. 60 Gadwall, 38 Teal, 5 Wigeon and 2 Goldeneye were counted. 6 Swift dropped in at 5:30pm.
• 23: The first Whitethroat of the year was below the dam. Also new in was a Garden Warbler singing by the Gazebo hide. A single Dunlin was on the north shore, also present were 3 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper and 4 Redshank. 2 Goldeneye, 5 Wigeon and 2 Pochard were noted.
• 22: A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling in a bramble patch below the dam in the morning. A Whimbrel was at the west end. A single Arctic Tern and a Common Tern dropped in in the afternoon. The male Wheatear remains on the north shore plough and 3 Yellow Wagtail were noted. 3 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Redshank, 5 Oystercatcher and 4 Common Sandpiper were at the west end.
• 21: An immature female Marsh Harrier flew through to the south-east at 6:55am. A Sanderling was at the west end and a Greenshank dropped in at 3:25pm. 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Redshank, 5 Oystercatcher and 4 Common Sandpiper were noted. 36 Teal, 5 Wigeon, 5 Shelduck, 3 Goldeneye and 2 Pochard were counted. A male Wheatear, 3+ Yellow Wagtail and 1 White Wagtail were on the north shore plough.
• 20: 7 Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank and 4 Oystercatcher were noted. A male Wheatear was on the north shore plough, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler and 4 Willow Warbler were also present. 6 Shelduck and 3 Wigeon were counted. A female Goosander flew north.
• 19: Several Yellow Wagtail dropped in to feed briefly, a White Wagtail was in front of the West End hide, 3 Wheatear were at the west end, 3 Sedge Warbler and 2 Reed Warbler were also present. 2 Little Ringed Plover and 3 Redshank were noted. A Peregrine flew over.
• 18: The first Black Tern of the year was present until 11:40am, 4 Arctic Tern and 3 Common Tern flew through during the morning. A male Wheatear was on the north shore plough. 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler were noted. 150 Swallow, 7 House Martin and 30 Sand Martin were counted. 4 Pochard and 5 Wigeon were present. 2 Curlew, 2 Little Ringed Plover and 5 Oystercatcher were at the west end. 2 Peregrine were noted.
• 17: 3 male Wheatear were on the north shore plough. Other migrants included 4 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Sedge Warbler and 2 Reed Warbler. The male Brambling was at the Woodland feeding station. 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 4 Oystercatcher and 6 Snipe were counted. 9 Shelduck and 5 Wigeon remain. A Water Rail was in front of the Scott hide.
• 16: An Osprey flew through at 9:40am. The first Sedge Warbler of the year was in front of the Andrew Chappell hide. Other migrants included 2 Reed Warbler, 8 Willow Warbler, 1 male Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 2 White Wagtail. The male Brambling was again at the Woodland feeding station. Shelduck have increased to 18 which equals the most ever recorded and 22 Goldeneye, 5 Wigeon and 3 Pochard were counted.
• 15: A male Brambling was showing well at the Woodland feeding station. 14 Willow Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 male Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Swift were counted. 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank and 11 Snipe were at the west end. 5 Wigeon, 4 Shelduck and 19 Goldeneye were noted. A Lesser Redpoll flew north and a Peregrine was noted.
• 14: There was huge excitement with a probable sighting of a Pallid Harrier which came close to the Scott hide. If confirmed this would be a first for Staffordshire. Also new was an early Swift and the first Reed Warbler of the year was in front of the Scott hide, the male Redstart was below the dam and a male and female Wheatear were on the north shore plough.
• 13: 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover and 3 Redshank were noted. 1 Yellow Wagtail and 2 White Wagtail were on the north shore. A male Redstart was below the dam in the afternoon.
• 12: 8 Shelduck, 52 Teal, 4 Wigeon and 14 Goldeneye were counted. 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail and 1 male Wheatear were on the north shore plough. 3 Common Sandpiper were on the dam wall and 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 5 Oystercatcher and 9 Snipe were noted.
• 11: 60 Sand Martin, 20 Swallow and 5 House Martin were counted. 4 Wigeon, 15 Goldeneye, 7 Shelduck and 17 Greylag Geese were noted. 3 Yellow Wagtail were on the north shore also a male Wheatear. 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 5 Oystercatcher and 8 Snipe were noted.
• 10: A Sandwich Tern flew through at 9:40am. An Osprey flew north north-west at 1:20pm and a female Merlin perched briefly before continuing north at 3pm. 1 Ringed Plover flew through in the morning and 1 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank and 1 Curlew were noted. A male Wheatear was on the north shore plough, 40+ Sand Martin, 10 Swallow and 5 House Martin were counted. The Water Rail was seen from the Scott hide. An immature Peregrine was present in the morning.
• 9: A single Common Sandpiper on the dam was the first of the year, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank and 4 Oystercatcher were also present. A Yellow Wagtail on the north shore was a new arrival. A male and female Wheatear were on the north shore plough. 40 Sand Martin and a few House Martin and Swallow were noted.
• 8: Migrants included 18 singing Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 40 Sand Martin, 10 Swallow, 10 House Martin. 1 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Redshank, 5 Oystercatcher and 6 Snipe were noted. The WeBS count produced 60 Goldeneye, 364 Tufted Duck, 72 Teal, 14 Wigeon, 15 Shoveler, 38 Gadwall, 66 Mallard, 3 Shelduck, 234 Coot, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 20 Canada Geese, 7 Greylag Geese, 24 Mute Swan and 2 Cormorant.
• 7: A female Wheatear was on the north shore, also 2 Willow Warbler, 20+ Swallow, 100+ Sand Martin and 20+ House Martin. A single Dunlin dropped in early afternoon, 3 Redshank, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Curlew and 7 Oystercatcher were also present. 5 Shelduck, 22 Shoveler, 15 Wigeon and 64 Teal were counted. The Water Rail continues to perform in front of the Scott hide.
• 6: 3 Redshank, 3 Little Ringed Plover and 4 Oystercatcher were counted. 9 Shelduck were noted. A female Wheater was on the north shore plough.
• 5: 2 Willow Warbler were singing. 3 Little Ringed Plover were on the north shore, 2 Redshank and 4 Oystercatcher were also present. 40 Sand Martin, 4 House Martin and 5 Swallow were counted. 7 Shelduck were noted.
• 4: A first-winter Great Black-backed Gull was unusual for the time of year. 64 Goldeneye and 5 Shelduck were counted. 2 Little Ringed Plover and 2 Redshank were on the north shore. 30+ Sand Martin, 2 House Martin and 3 Swallow were noted.
• 3: 2 Osprey flew through separately early afternoon. 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank and 4 Oystercatcher were at the west end. 40 Sand Martin, 3 House Martin and 1 Swallow hawked over the reservoir.
• 2: A single Ringed Plover on the north shore was a new arrival, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Curlew, 2 Redshank and 15 Snipe were also present. 26 Common Gull dropped in at 2:25pm including 3 adults, 18 second-summer and 5 first-summer birds. 4 Swallow, 2 House Martin and 15 Sand Martin were counted. 11 Shelduck were noted. The Water Rail was in front of the Scott Hide.
• 1: The first Willow Warbler of the year was singing by the Scott hide, also 5 Blackcap were singing, 12 Redwing were in the car park in the morning. A Green Sandpiper flew north, also 2 Redshank, 2 Curlew and 5 Oystercatcher were at the west end. 51 Goldeneye, 323 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 18 Wigeon, 74 Teal, 18 Shoveler, 57 Gadwall, 8 Shelduck and 5 Great Crested Grebe were counted.

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March 2012

• 31: 3 Swallow and 2 House Martin were the first of the year. 3 Little Ringed Plover were still on the north shore and 3 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 4 Oystercatcher and 25 Snipe were counted. 46+ Sand Martin were seen over the day.
• 30: 3 Little Ringed Plover were on the north shore, 3 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 4 Oystercatcher and 29 Snipe were also present. 13 Shelduck and 18 Wigeon were counted. 10 Sand Martin hawked over the reservoir. 4 Blackcap were singing. 127 Fieldfare flew north and 2 Redwing were noted.
• 29: 2 Blackcap were in the reservoir plantation and Gazebo bay. 13 Shelduck and 15 Wigeon were counted. 2 Little Ringed Plover were still present. 2 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 15 Snipe and 6 Oystercatcher were noted.
• 28: 2 Little Ringed Plover were on the north shore and 3 Redshank, 1 Curlew and 5 Oystercatcher were present. 13 Shelduck and 20 Shoveler were counted. 14 Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcap were singing. The luecistic Gadwall that has been present for the last month was noted.
• 27: 12 Shelduck, 80 Teal, 15 Wigeon and 2 Little Grebe were counted. 1 Little Ringed Plover was on the north shore, 3 Redshank and 6 Oystercatcher were present.
• 26: 4 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper and 7 Oystercatcher were noted. 10 Shelduck and 16 Shoveler were counted. A Raven was seen in the afternoon.
• 25: A Spotted Redshank showed superbly around the west end in the morning. 2 Black-tailed Godwit dropped in in the afternoon. 3 Redshank were on the north shore and 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Curlew and 6 Oystercatcher were noted. 15 Shoveler and 3 Pochard were counted. A Sand Martin flew through early afternoon. A male Blackcap was singing along the Gazebo bay. A Kingfisher was seen in the morning. 1 Water Rail was in front of the Scott hide. 87+ Goldeneye were counted in the evening.
• 24: The first Blackcap of the year was along the west lane. The Little Ringed Plover remains on the north shore and 1 Green Sandpiper, 7 Curlew, 3 Redshank, 5 Oystercatcher and 15+ Snipe were present. 10 Shelduck, 11 Wigeon, 80+ Goldeneye and 1 Goosander were counted. The Lesser Redpoll was at the Woodland feeding station. A Water Rail was showing well from the Scott hide.
• 23: The first Little Ringed Plover of the year was on the north shore, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Redshank, 5 Curlew, 6 Oystercatcher and 18 Snipe were counted. 9 Shelduck were noted. Chiffchaff have increased to 9. A Lesser Redpoll was at the Woodland feeding station.
• 22: A Red Kite flew through to the east at 11am. 1 Dunlin, 6 Curlew and 6 Oystercatcher were at the west end. 8 Shelduck remain. 2 Grey Wagtail and 7 Chiffchaff were noted.
• 21: 7 Oystercatcher, 3 Curlew, 2 Redshank, 1 Dunlin and 14 Snipe were present. 18 Shelduck, 12 Shoveler, 74 Gadwall, 7 Wigeon and 83 Teal were counted. 8+ Chiffchaff were singing around the reserve.
• 20: The Green Sandpiper was still on the north shore and 1 Dunlin, 3 Redshank, 5 Curlew, 5 Oystercatcher and 18 Snipe were counted. 7 Chiffchaff were noted. 8 Shelduck and 7 Shoveler were present.
• 19: A Green Sandpiper was on the north shore, 2 Redshank, 4 Curlew, 5 Oystercatcher and 18 Snipe were counted. 2 Water Rail continue to perform in front of the Scott hide. 1 Little Grebe, 14 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Shelduck and 13 Wigeon were noted.
• 18: The first male Wheatear of the year was on the freshly ploughed strip along the north shore. A Sand Martin dropped in. 5+ Chiffchaff and 20+ Meadow Pipit were noted. 30 Siskin flew over to the north. 4 Redshank, 4 Curlew, 4 Oystercatcher and 15 Snipe were counted. 8 Shelduck, 11 Wigeon and 60 Teal were present.
• 17: 6+ Chiffchaff were around the reserve and 2 Sand Martin flew through at 5.15pm. 3 Redshank were at the west end, 2 Curlew and 5 Oystercatcher were noted. 8 Shelduck were counted. A Water Rail was eating a frog in from of the Scott hide. An immature Peregrine was seen mid afternoon.
• 16: 2 Dunlin were new arrivals, 2 Curlew, 5 Oystercatcher and 16 Snipe were also present. 8 Shelduck were counted. The Water Rail was in front of the Scott hide. 2 Chiffchaff were noted.
• 15: 17 Wigeon and 5 Shelduck were present. 3 Redshank, 5 Curlew, 4 Oystercatcher and 20 Snipe were counted. 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Raven were noted.
• 14: 1 first-winter Yellow-legged Gull is still at the west end. 2 Redshank, 3 Curlew and 5 Oystercatcher were noted. 107 Goldeneye and 336 Tufted Duck were counted. 2 Chiffchaff were still singing.
• 13: 2 Chiffchaff were singing. 2 Redshank were at the west end and 2 Curlew, 5 Oystercatcher and 17 Snipe were counted. A first-winter Yellow-legged Gull was at the west end in the afternoon.
• 12: 2 Redshank, 2 Curlew and 5 Oystercatcher were at the west end. 6 Shelduck, were noted. 12 Siskin and 1 Lesser Redpoll were along the Gazebo bay.
• 11: 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 1 Redshank, 1 Curlew and 5 Oystercatcher were on the north shore. 1 Treecreeper was noted. The WeBS Count produced 104 Goldeneye, 254 Tufted Duck, 6 Pochard, 99 Teal, 14 Wigeon, 6 Shoveler, 67 Gadwall, 78 Mallard, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 40 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, 19 Mute Swan, 384 Coot.
• 10: 1 first-winter drake Scaup was still present. 2 Redshank, 2 Curlew and 5 Oystercatcher were noted.
• 9: 1 Redshank, on the north shore, was a new arrival, also 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Curlew and 4 Oystercatcher were noted. The second-winter Caspian Gull came in to roost at 5.10pm. A Red Kite was reported at 7.20am along the A5 near the reservoir. The first-winter drake Scaup was still present, 7 Shelduck, 94 Teal and 28 Wigeon were counted. A Water Rail was showing well in front of the Scott hide.
• 8: The second-winter Caspian Gull was present until 9.30am and then roosted from 4.20pm with a second-winter Yellow-legged Gull. 1 Green Sandpiper was on the north shore, 3 Curlew and 5 Oystercatcher were counted. The first-winter drake Scaup remains and 7 Shelduck were counted.
• 7: A second-winter Caspian Gull roosted. An adult Kittiwake was present between 1.55pm and 2.40pm when it flew off west. The Green Sandpiper was on the north shore, 1 Dunlin and 5 Oystercatcher were counted. 1 first-winter drake Scaup and 5 Shelduck were present. 1 Sand Martin was noted in the morning.
• 6: The first Sand Martin of the year was in front of the Scott hide from 5.30pm. The first-winter drake Scaup was still present, also 4 Shelduck and 121 Goldeneye were counted. The female Stonechat was on the north shore. 3 Curlew, 5 Oystercatcher and 1 Green Sandpiper were noted. A Peregrine flew over in the afternoon. 1 Water Rail was in front of the Scott hide at dusk.
• 5: A female Stonechat, on the north shore, was the first of the year. The first-winter drake Scaup, 2 Shelduck and 350 Tufted Duck were counted. 3 Curlew and 6 Oystercatcher were at the west end. A second-summer Mediterranean Gull and 3 Common Gulls roosted.
• 4: The first-winter drake Scaup and 6 Shelduck were present. 5 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew and 18 Snipe were on the north shore. 1 Lesser Redpoll and 12 Siskin were along the Gazebo bay. Another 4 Siskin were at the Woodland feeding station.
• 3: A Ruff was seen briefly in the morning, 6 Curlew and 5 Oystercatcher were also present. The first-winter drake Scaup reappeared, 236 Tufted Duck, 17 Pochard, 109 Goldeneye, 102 Teal, 58 Wigeon, 16 Shoveler, 68 Gadwall, 350 Coot, 18 Mute Swan and 1 Little Grebe were counted. A Chiffchaff was by the Gazebo hide.
• 2: 5 Oystercatcher, 3 Curlew and 5 Golden Plover were counted. 8 Shelduck, 105 Goldeneye and 38 Great Crested Grebe were noted. 5 Siskin and 1 Lesser Redpoll were present in the morning. 2 Goosander arrived in the evening.
• 1: 6 Oystercatcher and 3 Curlew were counted. 4 Shelduck were noted.

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February 2011

• 29: The first Redshank of the year was at the west end in the morning. 10 Curlew and 5 Oystercatcher were noted.
• 28: The first Chiffchaff of the year was near the West End hide. 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Curlew were present. 4 Water Rail were by the Scott hide late afternoon.
• 27: The first-winter drake Scaup, 1 Shelduck, 12 Shoveler and 12 Great Crested Grebe were noted. A Ruff was at the west end in the morning. 5 Oystercatcher and 23 Snipe were counted.
• 26: The first-winter drake Scaup was still present. 1 Little Egret was at the west end late afternoon. 5 Oystercatcher and 2 Golden Plover were noted. 1 Water Rail was showing well in front of the Scott hide from 5pm.
• 25: 1 Little Grebe and 1 Goosander were present. 5 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew and 1 Golden Plover were noted. 2 Water Rail were in front of the Scott hide in the morning. The first-winter drake Scaup remains.
• 24: 22 Snipe and 4 Oystercatcher were at the west end. 2 Shelduck were noted. The first-winter drake Scaup was also present.
• 23: 105 Pochard, 2 Shelduck and the first-winter drake Scaup were counted. The second-winter Iceland Gull roosted again from 4.50pm with 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. 1181 Lapwing were at the west end, 4 Oystercatcher and 1 Curlew were also noted. 1 Water Rail was showing well from the Scott hide late afternoon.
• 22: The first Little Grebe of the year was near the spill weir. The first-winter drake Scaup, a drake Pintail and 135 Goldeneye were counted at dusk. 3 Oystercatcher and 1 Curlew were at the west end. The remains of a predated Knot were found on the dam. A Water Rail was in front of the Scott hide at dusk. 1 adult summer Mediterranean Gull roosted.
• 21: The first-winter drake Scaup, 3 Shelduck, 1 Pintail and 128 Goldeneye were counted. 2 Water Rail were in front of the Scott hide at dusk. 2 Curlew, 3 Oystercatcher and 664 Lapwing were at the west end. 1 adult and 1 third-winter Yellow-legged Gulls roosted.
• 20: A new juvenile Iceland Gull roosted at 5.33pm. 3 Shelduck, 122 Goldeneye and the first-winter drake Scaup were counted. 1 Curlew, on the north shore, was the first of the year, also 3 Oystercatcher, 4 Golden Plover and 2 Snipe were noted.
• 19: The first-winter drake Scaup was still present, 79 Pochard, 1 Pintail, 211 Wigeon and 3 Shelduck were also noted. 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Dunlin and 4 Snipe were on the north shore.
• 18: 1 drake Pintail, 1 Shelduck and the first-winter drake Scaup were present. 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Dunlin and 6 Golden Plover were noted. 1 adult summer Mediterranean Gull roosted.
• 17: The second-winter Iceland Gull was present until 7am when it flew west. 1 adult summer Mediterranean Gull and 1 second-winter Yellow-legged Gull roosted. The first-winter drake Scaup, 1 drake Pintail, 1 Shelduck, 203 Wigeon and 121 Goldeneye were counted at dusk. 1 Oystercatcher, 30 Golden Plover and 644 Lapwing were counted.
• 16: 1 drake Pintail and a first-winter drake Scaup were present. 1 Dunlin was on the north shore. 1 second-winter Iceland Gull, 1 first-winter, 1 second-winter and 1 third-winter Yellow-legged Gulls roosted.
• 15: From 3.40pm 1 adult Ring-billed Gull/Lesser Black-backed Gull was in the roost together with 1 adult summer Mediterranean Gull and 1 third-winter Yellow-legged Gull. The first-winter drake Scaup was present with 2 Pintail and 1 Oystercatcher.
• 14: 1 juvenile Iceland Gull roosted at 3.45pm. 51 Pochard, 2 drake Pintail, 97 Goldeneye, 3 Goosander and the first-winter drake Scaup were counted. 1 Oystercatcher was at the west end.
• 13: Approx. 3500 large Gulls roosted which included 1 second-winter Mediterranean Gull and 5 Yellow-legged Gulls (1 third-winter, 2 second-winter and 2 first-winter). 1 Shelduck, 3 Goosander and 1 first-winter drake Scaup were noted.
• 12: The first-winter drake Scaup was still present with 297 Tufted Duck, 4 Goosander, 280 Teal and 236 Wigeon. 30 Golden Plover flew over 2 the west.
• 11: 1 Green Sandpiper was on the dam wall. 1 adult Peregrine was at the west end. 277 Tufted Duck, 46 Pochard, 80 Goldeneye, 4 Goosander, 62 Gadwall, 7 Shoveler, 217 Mallard, 1145 Coot, 262 Greylag Geese, 290 Canada Geese, 30 Mute Swan and 1 first-winter drake Scaup were counted. The juvenile Glaucous Gull stood on the ice until 8.25am with a fourth-winter Yellow-legged Gull. 250 large Gulls roosted.
• 10: 1 juvenile Glaucous Gull, 1 fourth-winter and 1 second-winter Yellow-legged Gulls roosted. The first-winter drake Scaup was still present together with 8 Goosander (7 drakes). 1 adult male Peregrine was at the west end. 1 Woodcock flew past the Scott hide at dusk.
• 9: An adult male Peregrine was at the west end. The first-winter drake Scaup, 271 Tufted Duck, 48 Pochard, 2 Goosander and 28 Mute Swan were counted.
• 8: 1 juvenile Glaucous Gull roosted again, dropping in at 4.45pm, also a possible adult Caspian Gull. 4 Goosander and the first-winter drake Scaup were noted. 1 Little Egret remains on the north shore. 1 Dunlin dropped in in the afternoon. A Sparrowhawk caught a Redwing.
• 7: 38 Pochard, 231 Greylag Geese and the first-winter drake Scaup were noted. 1 Little Egret was on the north shore. The highlight of a decent Gull roost was a juvenile/second-winter Iceland Gull dropping in at 5pm and 3 Yellow-legged Gulls.
• 6: 1 Snipe was in front of the Andrew Chappell hide. Both Marsh Tit and Willow Tit were at the Woodland feeding station.
• 5: 251 Tufted Duck, 30 Pochard, 41 Goldeneye and 1 first-winter drake Scaup were counted. 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull was in a very small roost of no more than 400 large Gulls.
• 4: The first-winter drake Scaup, 2 Pintail, 160 Tufted Duck and 28 Pochard were counted. 1 Little Egret was noted. 1 Dunlin was seen briefly on the dam wall. 1 juvenile Glaucous Gull was still present until 9.10am when it flew west. 1 adult and 1 third-winter Yellow-legged Gulls were roosted.
• 3: 8 Pintail (3 drakes) were at the west end, also 15 Shoveler, 4 Shelduck, 22 Pochard and 12 Great Crested Grebe were counted. 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Snipe and 1 Green Woodpecker were noted. 1 Little Egret was present and a Water Rail was showing well from the Scott hide late afternoon. 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls and 1 juvenile Glaucous Gull roosted and showed very well from the Andrew Chappell hide from 4.30pm.
• 2: 1 juvenile Glaucous Gull sat on the ice from 5.15pm. 145 Tufted Duck, 19 Pochard, 2 Pintail, 2 Shelduck, 236 Wigeon, 595 Teal, 9 Shoveler and 1 first-winter drake Scaup were counted. 1 Little Egret remains on the north shore. 4 Dunlin were at the west end.
• 1: 1 first-winter drake Scaup was still present, also 2 Pintail, 3 Shelduck, 141 Wigeon, 100 Gadwall, 120 Tufted Duck, 8 Pochard, 982 Coot, 240 Canada Geese, 148 Greylag Geese and 21 Mute Swan were counted. 3 Dunlin dropped in in the afternoon. 1 Little Egret was on the north shore. 1 Woodcock flew past the Scott hide at dusk. There was a very large Gull roost in the evening.

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January 2012

• 31: The first-winter drake Scaup, 2 Pintail, 2 Shelduck, 141 Wigeon and 7 Great Crested Grebe were counted. A female Red-breasted Merganser was circling the reservoir at 3.25pm before flying west. The Little Egret was on the north shore. 12 probable Dunlin flew through at midday. An adult Peregrine was seen in the afternoon. 3 Yellow-legged Gulls were part of a large Gull roost.
• 30: The first-winter drake Scaup and the Oystercatcher were still present. The Little Egret remains on the north shore. A Green Woodpecker was on the north shore in the afternoon. 2 Yellow-legged Gulls roosted.
• 29: The first Oystercatcher of the year dropped in in the morning. A first-winter drake Scaup was noted.
• 28: A male Brambling at the Woodland feeding station was the first of the year. 40+ Siskin were along the Gazebo bay. The first-winter drake Scaup, 2 Shelduck, 134 Tufted Duck and 92 Gadwall were noted. The Little Egret remains on the north shore. 1 Green Sandpiper was on the dam wall. The Water Rail was seen briefly from the Scott hide in the morning. A second-winter and fourth-winter Yellow-legged Gulls roosted.
• 27: The first-winter drake Scaup, an adult male Peregrine and Little Egret were noted. A Water Rail was in front of the Scott hide early afternoon. 19 Pochard were present. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls roosted.
• 26: The Little Egret was still present. 27 Golden Plover were at the west end. The Gull roost held 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, 20+ Great Black-backed Gulls and 2500 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
• 25: An adult male Caspian Gull was at the west end in the afternoon and stayed to roost – this is the first record since November 2010. A pair of Pintail were new arrivals, the first-winter drake Scaup was still present, also 2 Shelduck were noted. 925 Lapwing and 8 Golden Plover were at the west end. An adult Yellow-legged Gull roosted.
• 24: The first-winter Kittiwake was ranging from the Scott hide and the dam. The first-winter drake Scaup was present, also 2 Shelduck and 189 Greylag Geese were noted.
• 23: A first-winter Kittiwake roosted from 4.15pm and is the third bird already this month. 2 adult and 1 second-winter Yellow-legged Gulls roosted. The Little Egret was on the north shore. 2 Water Rail were in front of the Scott hide. 2 Shelduck were noted.
• 22: The first-winter drake Scaup re-appeared. The Little Egret was at the west end in the morning. 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull and 2 Shelduck were noted.
• 21: The Little Egret was present in the morning only. A large influx of Aythya Ducks arrived in the morning with 245 Tufted Duck and 22 Pochard dropping in. 2 Shelduck and 162 Greylag Geese were noted. An adult male Peregrine was present in the afternoon. 1 adult and 1 second-winter Yellow-legged Gulls roosted. A Woodcock flew over the Scott hide at dusk.
• 20: 28 Tufted Duck and 12 Pochard were noted. A large roost included 6 Yellow-legged Gulls, 5000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 6 Great Black-backed Gulls and 86 Herring Gulls.
• 19: Another large Gull roost in the evening but only an adult Mediterranean Gull and 5 Yellow-legged Gulls were worthy of note. The Little Egret was again present. An immature Peregrine was seen in the morning. 2 Shelduck were noted.
• 18: A Green Sandpiper was along the spill weir in the afternoon. 156 Wigeon and 2 Shelduck were counted. The Little Egret was on the north shore. An impressive Gull roost with 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, 5000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 9 Great Black-backed Gulls, 50+ Herring Gulls, 1 Common Gull and 6000 Black-headed Gulls.
• 17: A first-winter drake Scaup and a single Meadow Pipit were new for the year. The Little Egret was on the north shore. A Green Sandpiper was by the west marsh and 7 Snipe were noted. 6 Goosander dropped in late afternoon. 2 adult and 1 second-winter Yellow-legged Gulls roosted.
• 16: An adult Whooper Swan was a new arrival staying until 3.50pm when it flew off to the north-east. 138 Wigeon, 12 Shoveler, 22 Pochard, 2 Goosander and 3 Shelduck were counted. 12+ Snipe were at the west end. The Little Egret remains on the north shore. An adult Yellow-legged Gull roosted. A Green Sandpiper was heard calling at dusk.
• 15: A Woodcock flew over the spill weir at 5.05pm. The Little Owl was showing at box 86. A Kingfisher and 4 Siskin were along the Gazebo bay. The Little Egret was on the north shore. The WeBS Count produced 13 White-fronted Geese that flew over high to the south-west at 12.13pm, 5 Shelduck, 1 male Goosander, 410 Teal, 96 Wigeon, 93 Gadwall, 7 Shoveler, 187 Mallard, 16 Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck, 113 Goldeneye, 11 Great Crested Grebe, 835 Coot, 215 Canada Geese, 7 Greylag Geese, 21 Mute Swan and 4 Grey Heron.
• 14: The Little Egret was still present. 12 Siskin along the Gazebo bay, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Yellowhammer were all new for the year. A Water Rail was seen from the Scott hide. 2 adult, 1 fourth-winter and 1 first-winter Yellow-legged Gulls roosted. The Little Owl was showing at box 86.
• 13: 1 adult Mediterranean Gull roosted. The Little Egret roosted in a Willow tree on the north side. 2 Shelduck and 5 Snipe were noted. The Woodcock flew over the spill weir at 5.06pm.
• 12: An adult Kittiwake dropped in briefly. 3 Yellow-legged Gulls roosted. The Little Egret was at the west end. A Woodcock flew over the spill weir at 5.06pm. 1 Golden Plover and 1 immature Peregrine were noted. 3 Shelduck were present.
• 11: 37 Pochard, 4 Shelduck, 82 Gadwall and 107 Wigeon were counted. 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls and 1 Common Gull roosted. The Little Egret remains on the north shore.
• 10: 9 Golden Plover and 648 Lapwing were at the west end. 4 Shelduck and 14 Great Crested Grebe were noted. The Little Egret was on the north shore from late afternoon. 3 Willow Tit were near the Gazebo hide. 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 adult and 1 sub-adult Yellow-legged Gulls roosted.
• 9: 2 Pintail, 2 Shelduck, 1 Goosander and 113 Goldeneye were counted. 1 Golden Plover was on the north shore. The Little Egret was still present. 1 Mediterranean Gull roosted in the evening and 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls and 42 Great Black-backed Gulls were in the pre-roost.
• 8: 4 Drake Pintail were new arrivals, also 1 Shelduck and 84 Gadwall were counted. The Little Egret remains on the north shore. 7 Marsh Tit were noted including 5 together along the Gazebo bay. 1 Goldcrest displayed. 2 adult and 1 third-winter Yellow-legged Gulls roosted.
• 7: Skylark and House Sparrow were new for the year. The Little Egret was still present. 1 Snipe and 1 Kingfisher were at the west end. A third-winter Yellow-legged Gull roosted.
• 6: 1 Shelduck was new for the year, 1 drake Pintail, 79 Gadwall and 112 Goldeneye were counted. A Little Egret was on the north shore during the afternoon and stayed to roost. 2 Yellow-legged Gulls roosted. A Woodcock flew over the spill weir at dusk.
• 5: 3 Raven and 1 Snipe were new for the year. An immature Peregrine was noted. 18 Pochard were counted. Adult and third-winter Yellow-legged Gulls roosted.
• 4: 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, also third-winter and fourth-winter Yellow-legged Gulls roosted. .A Sparrowhawk caught a Redwing in the reservoir plantation.
• 3: A drake Pintail was a new arrival. 115 Wigeon, 348 Teal, 7 Shoveler, 16 Pochard, 44 Tufted Duck, 63 Greylag Geese, 187 Canada Geese and 713 Coot were counted. An adult Yellow-legged Gull roosted.
• 2: 107 Goldeneye, 63 Gadwall and 10 Great Crested Grebe were counted. 150 Golden Plover were seen to the east. 12 Linnet were on the north shore. 3 immature Peregrine were seen late afternoon.
• 1: 74 species were recorded on the reserve. Highlights were an adult Kittiwake that was sat on the water between 1.20pm and 1.47pm when it flew off east. A Crossbill flew south over the Gazebo bay at 10.25am. 1 adult Mediterranean Gull and 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls roosted. 105 Goldeneye, 2 Goosander, 91 Wigeon, 206 Teal, 52 Gadwall, 5 Shoveler, 8 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 42 Mute Swan and 9 Great Crested Grebe were counted. Marsh and Willow Tit were present, also immature Peregrine, Kingfisher, 30+ Tree Sparrow and 5 Red-legged Partridge were of note. A Woodcock flew over the spill weir at dusk.

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Further information

• Sightings at Belvide from 2011.
• About Belvide

Reports by Sue Miller.

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Belvide Reservoir Nature Reserve is situated near Brewood, Staffordshire, England, seven miles north-west of Wolverhampton, at grid reference SJ870099.

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