West Midland Bird Club

Belvide Reserve News from 2007

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

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

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December 2007
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December 2007

31: 3 Nordic Jackdaws (Corvus monedula monedula; see Rudy Offereins' article on Jackdaw races ) were with the main Jackdaw flock, feeding in fields below the dam. The same area held a Green Sandpiper, and a single Yellow-legged Gull was in the roost.
30: 4 Lesser Redpoll, 14 Siskin, and 2 Brambling were seen. Over 50 Tree Sparrow were on the Gazebo feeding station and a Water Rail showed in front of the Scott Hide.
29: 98 Gadwall, 392 Teal, 40 Shoveler were counted. 3 Nordic Jackdaw below the dam. The pair of wintering Stonechat remain at the west.
28: 2 Goosander, 56 Pochard, and 70 Goldeneye were counted. 3 Yellow-legged Gulls were in the roost.
24: 2 Stonechat, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Goosander, and 1 Water Rail were the highlights of the day.
23: 1 Little Egret feeding feeding below the dam. 74 Goldeneye, 94 Wigeon, 250 Teal, 26 Pochard, 26 Shoveler & 17 Great Crested Grebe. A first winter drake Scaup was a new arrival.
22: 1 juvenile Iceland Gull and 3 Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost. Little Egret was new in. 1 Common Redpoll, (with Lesser Redpoll), 1 male Brambling, 2 Stonechat. 52 Golden Plover flew over.
20: 1 Short-eared Owl at the west end.
19: A female Merlin flew through, and there was 4 Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost.
18: The Lesser Redpoll flock in the south east bay held 3 Common Redpoll. 2 Goosander and 1 Shellduck were new in. A single Redshank was seen.
17: Wigeon numbers increased to 147. There were 5 Goosander, 56 Goldeneye and 30 Lesser Redpoll.
16: the gull roost held an all-white Black-headed Gull, 1 Caspian Gull and 3 Yellow-legged Gulls. A Kingfisher showed well, at the west end.
15: highlight of the day was 6 Bewick's Swans that flew over at 8.45am.
13: 4 Pintail were new arrivals, 17 Great Crested Grebe & 24 Shoveler were counted. 2 Water Rail showed well at the Scott Hide. 1 Redshank and 21 Siskin.
12: Female Scaup, 1 Dunlin, 3 Shellduck, and 1 Redshank were present.
11: A Short-eared Owl showed well in the late afternoon, at the west end. 3 immature Female Scaup were new in and 2 Green Sandpiper were on the dam wall.
10: The Gazebo bay hide area, held a Short-eared Owl mid day and over 50 Tree Sparrow.
9: A wildfowl count produced 10 Shoveler, 32 Gadwall, 272 Teal, 373 Mallard, 84 Wigeon, 88 Tufted Duck, 18 Pochard, 18 Ruddy Duck, 66 Goldeneye, 290 Coot, 10 Great Crested Grebe, and 5 Greylag Geese.14 Lesser Redpoll and 59 Siskin were present.
7: a male Brambling was at the Gazebo feeding station. Single Dunlin & Redshank were present.
6: A Short-eared Owl put in an appearance late-afternoon, and there were 10 Yellow-legged Gulls (5 adults, 4 second winter and 1 third winter bird) in the roost.
5: 1 Raven flew over, 4 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Redshank.
3: 26 Snipe were on the north shore, with single Dunlin and Redshank.
2: 63 Tree Sparrow were present at the feeders. An early morning Goshawk flew through and 2 Common Redpoll were seen.
1: Highlight was a Whooper Swan, which remained most of the day. The gull roost held 4 Yellow-legged Gulls, 8 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2500 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 50 Herring Gulls. A Peregrine was seen in the afternoon.

November 2007

30: 93 Wigeon, 2 Raven, 1 Redshank and 14 Golden Plover.
29: 8 Lesser Redpoll were in gazebo bay and a Little Egret was seen late afternoon.
28: A Caspian Gull and Yellow-legged Gull were in the roost. 6 Dunlin called in briefly and a single Redshank was on the north shore.
27: 2 Stonechat, and 68 Goldeneye were present at dusk. 3 Yellow-legged Gull, and a Sparrowhawk was seen to catch a Black-headed Gull.
26: 40 Snipe, 1 Redshank and 127 Golden Plover were at the west end. A Green Sandpiper was on the dam. An impressive 43 Tree Sparrow were at the gazebo feeding station, and 20 Siskin and 7 Lesser Redpoll fed in the same area. A single Shelduck and Water Rail were seen.
25: Marsh Tit and Willow Tit were at the Woodland feeding station. 2 male Brambling were feeding on the main path, and 30 Siskin were in the Alder trees. A Peregrine was also seen briefly.
24: A fine adult Caspian Gull was present for half an hour in the morning, at the west end. 442 Teal and 292 Coot were counted.
23: 3 Yellow-legged Gulls and a leucistic Black-headed Gull were in the roost. A Peregrine was seen, and waders were represented by 2 Dunlin and a Redshank.
22: 9 Lesser Redpoll and 1 Common Redpoll were present. The Knot remained, and 427 Golden Plover were on site. 5 Great Black-backed Gulls, joined the roost.
21: 4 Knot were present early on, but a single by late afternoon. 66 Goldeneye were counted. The Common Redpoll was again seen in the Lesser Redpoll flock.
19: Waders present were single Redshank, Knot, Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwit. A probable Siberian Chiffchaff in the south east bay. A Woodcock flew over at Dusk.
17: A Jack Snipe was at the west end. 24 Siskin and a pair of Stonechat were observed. The Scott hide feeding board, held a Water Rail and a Peregrine was seen in the morning.
16: a Black-tailed Godwit was a new arrival, joining 2 Dunlin and a single Redshank. 2 Brambling, Marsh Tit and Willow Tit were in the plantation.
15: 3 Bewick's Swan spent the day on the reserve, and 2 Egyptian Geese called in. A Green Sandpiper was on the dam and 2 Chiffchaff were at the west end. An all white Black-headed Gull roosted.
14: 66 Goldeneye and 1 Goosander were noted. Dunlin increased to 5.
11: A wildfowl count produced 4 Goosander, 352 Teal, 90 Wigeon, 14 Gadwall, 10 Shoveler, 292 Mallard, 25 Pochard and 80 Tufted Duck. A Brambling was in the car park. 40 Snipe and 23 Golden Plover were present.
9: 4 Whooper Swan dropped in for 3 hours and 2 Egyptian Geese were also present briefly. 24 Meadow Pipit were on the north shore and 13 Common Gull were in the roost.
7: Single Dunlin and Green Sandpiper were present, and a Turnstone flew through. 85 Greylag Geese and 2 Chiffchaff were seen early on.
6: 1 Jack Snipe, 25 Snipe, 1 Dunlin and 451 Golden Plover were present. A Great Black-backed Gull was seen to take a Tufted Duck in the afternoon.
5: A Pectoral Sandpiper flew around, but did not settle, leaving in a westerly direction. 2 Jack Snipe were at the west end.
2: A Long-eared Owl was noted today, in the south east bay scrub and also 1 Kingfisher was seen.
1: 141 Wigeon were counted and a single Pintail was present. Golden Plover stood at 571 and there was a male Stonechat on the north shore.

October 2007

31: An impressive flock of 563 Golden Plover and 1200 Lapwing. Goldeneye stood at 34, with 48 Gadwall also. A single Yellow-legged Gull was in the roost.
29: 29 Snipe were at the west end. 7 Lesser Redpoll and 5 Siskin fed near the Gazebo hide.
28: 214 Teal, 342 Mallard 7 35 Gadwall were counted, A Water Rail fed in front of the Scott Hide. 110 Golden Plover on the north shore.
27: Adult and immature Peregrines were present in the morning. 155 Fieldfare 7 55 Redwing flew south. 7 Red-legged Partridge were at the west end.
26: the plantation yielded 3 Brambling. A single Dunlin and 316 Golden Plover were on the north shore.
25: The day's highlight was a Water Pipit, which fed with the madows on the north shore. A single Ruff joined the Dunlin and Golden Plover. A late Swallow was seen from the car park.
24: The Great Black-backed Gull was seen to take a female Ruddy Duck late on. A Stonechat was present, and 12 Siskin were in Gazebo bay. Wigeon have increased to 147 and there were 8 Common Gull and an adult Yellow-legged Gull in the roost.
21: Birds moving through included 3 Yellowhammer, 323 Redwing, 55 Fieldfare, 182 Starling, and a single Swallow. A Little Owl was at the west end and a Rock Pipit flew over.
20: a single Bewick's Swan flew in early, and remained for most of the day. 199 Golden Plover were present and a Green Sandpiper flew through.
19: 3 Kingfisher, 8 Lesser Redpoll. A single female Pintail was new in and Goldeneye stand at 12.
18: Surprise of the day was a Leach's Petrel that remained all afternoon. Waders noted were 1 Grey Plover, 235 Golden Plover. single Wheatear fed on the north shore. A drake Goosander was new in.
17: 4 Whooper Swans were the first for the year, and the Great Black-backed Gull was seen to take a Ruddy Duck. A Raven flew over, midday.
16: A Long-eared Owl was in the south east bay scrub, mid morning. A female Wood Duck was in front of the Scott Hide and a Chiffchaff moved through, with a mixed flock.
15: 2 male Stonechat were new in, 55 Siskin and a single Rock Pipit flew through. A Redshank joined the Golden Plover flock and the single Grey Plover.
14: A Mediterranean Gull was present early on. 2 Dunlin and 3 Shellduck were new in. Redwing, Fieldfare, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Brambling and Rock Pipit were seen, on a sky watch from the dam.
10: a juvenile Grey Plover was present. Wildfowl included 85 Wigeon and 5 Goldeneye. 3 Chiffchaff remained in the wood.
9: weather conditions produced 10 Little Gull, juvenile Arctic Tern and 3 Common Tern. A Rock Pipit fed on the north shore and a single Knot was new in.
7: A Cetti's Warbler sang in Gazebo bay, a single Brambling paid a brief visit. Waders included 1 Curlew, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Plover and 17 Golden Plover. 2 Shellduck, Goldeneye and Goosander were present.
5: The drake Mandarin remained. A single Peregrine was seen, and a Yellow-legged Gull was in the roost. 963 Lapwing were on the north shore.
3: A Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Dunlin and 2 Ruff were all new arrivals. 2 Ringed Plover and a Green Sandpiper were also noted. 898 Coot were counted.
2: Wildfowl included 3 Pintail, 147 Shoveler, 346 Teal, 1 Goldeneye and 1 Goosander. 4 Chiffchaff and 1 juvenile Common Tern were still present. The drake Mandarin was also seen.
1: A Grey Plover was new for the year, and joined 22 Golden Plover and 626 Lapwing. 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpiper and 1 Common Sandpiper were also noted.153 Cormorant and 18 Grey Heron were counted.

September 2007

30: Waders present were 7 Golden Plover, 2 Curlew, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin and 1 Green Sandpiper. A sky watch of the dam yielded amongst others, 2 Brambling, 16 Linnet, 1 Siskin, 2 Yellowhammer, 35 Swallow, 52 House Martin and a single Sand Martin.
29: 3 Sandwich Tern were the day's highlights. Also recorded were 2 Little Gull, a juvenile Arctic Tern, and a Mediterranean Gull in the evening roost. 27 Redwing flew through to the west.
28: 3 Juvenile Arctic Tern and a single adult Common Tern was present. 24 Redwing were the first of the autumn. Wildfowl included 5 Shellduck, 3 Pintail and 143 Shoveler.
27: 1 female Garganey, 77 Wigeon, 372 Teal, 3 Pintail and a drake Mandarin. A Yellow-legged Gull and 1 Mediterranean Gull were in the evening roost.
26: 21 Pink-footed Geese flew in late afternoon and departed at dusk. This is the second largest flock at Belvide, ever. Single Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpipers were present. 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 4 Chiffchaff were noted.
25: 3 Little Gull, 3 Arctic Tern over the water, and a Merlin flew through mid afternoon. The drake Mandarin and 6 Pintail were present.
24: Migrants seen were 300 House Martin, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff and a handful of Sand Martin. The Great Black-backed Gull was seen to take a drake Tufted Duck, early morning.
23: A single Green Sandpiper and 7 Mallard were the waders noted. Fly-overs included 1 Hobby, 2 Siskin and 6 Raven. 20 Tree Sparrow were at the Gazebo feeding station.
22: A Peregrine was seen to take and eat a Lapwing in the afternoon. A Mallard showed well near the Scott hide and a single Common Sandpiper was on the dam. Waders also included 6 Golden Plover and 1 Ringed Plover.
21: The highlight of the day was a Cetti's Warbler, which was caught and ringed by the Belvide ringing group. Migrants seen were 1 Wheatear, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff and 6 Sand Martin. Wildfowl included 5 Pintail, 112 Shoveler, and a drake Mandarin. An immature Peregrine was flying around this afternoon.
20: 'Our' Great Black-backed Gull returned, and caught and swallowed whole, a female Ruddy Duck! The juvenile Scaup was still present Wigeon have increased to 26.
19: Peregrine, Hobby and also a Merlin were seen. Waders consisted of a Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin and a single Common Sandpiper. A Scaup was new in, along with 5 Pintail.
18: A juvenile Little Gull was seen and 2 Hobby were hunting over the plantation.
16: A wildfowl count produced 22 Wigeon, 97 Shoveler, 247 Teal, 336 Mallard, 83 Gadwall, 265 Tufted Duck, 7 Pochard, 1032 Coot, 117 Moorhen, 132 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Little Grebe, and 108 Mute Swan. A single Mallard was also seen.
15: 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Golden Plover, 1 Dunlin, 1 Curlew were on the north shore. A Mediterranean Gull was present at the western end.
14: 2 Mediterranean Gulls were in the roost, and 2 Hobby performed well. Birds on the water included 142 Greylag Geese, 1 female Mandarin and 6 Pintail. 14 Mallard were on the north shore.
13: A Little Stint was seen early on, other waders noted were 4 Ringed Plover and 1 Dunlin. The ringing group caught 12 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Blackcap and 1 Sparrowhawk!
12: A lucky Lapwing escaped the clutches of a Peregrine, and a Hobby was hawking over the wood. The Little Stint remained for its sixth day.
11: The gull roost included 2 first summer Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Common Gull and 1 Mediterranean Gull. 2 Common Tern were present.
10: Little Stint, 2 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, and 1 Common Sandpiper were the waders present. Wildfowl included 2 Pintail and 15 Wigeon.
8: 3 Hobby were present all day, including resting birds on the north shore. 9 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap and 1 Reed Warbler were caught and ringed.
7: A Little Stint was a new record for the year, in the company of 4 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin and 1 Common Sandpiper. 104 Greylag Geese, 4 Common Tern and a single Peregrine were recorded.
6: A Whimbrel and single Swift were seen. 33 'new' Chiffchaff were caught and ringed.
4: Lapwing numbers stood at an impressive 907, along with 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper and a single Redshank. 2 Green Woodpecker and 2 Peregrine were present.
3: 2 Greenshank dropped in, 2 Golden Plover and 3 Curlew. 7 Common Tern remained and 132 Great Crested Grebe were counted.
2: Fly-throughs included 4 Swift, 1 Green Sandpiper and 2 Raven. 1406 Coot were counted.
1: A Little Egret flew through early morning, and an Osprey did like wise, at midday. Hobby and Peregrine were present in the afternoon. The ringing group processed 3 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 19 Chiffchaff, 4 Bullfinch, and 3 Willow Warbler. Wildfowl included 3 Pintail, 137 Shoveler, 132 Gadwall and 1 Shellduck. 2 Swift passed through.

August 2007

31: 8 Pintail — first of the autumn, 109 Teal, 6 Wigeon and a single Shellduck. Raptors included single Peregrine and Hobby. A Yellow Wagtail was on the dam wall.
30: Yellow-legged Gull in the evening roost and the Peregrine put in an appearance.
29: First summer Caspian Gull and Yellow-legged Gull were in the roost. Waders consisted of 6 Snipe, 2 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover and 2 Common Sandpiper. A juvenile Arctic Tern was on show, along with 160 Shoveler, 10 Wigeon and 7 Shellduck.
28: Great Crested Grebe stood at 121. Waders noted were a juvenile Black-tailed Godwit, single Greenshank, 2 Dunlin and 2 Common Sandpiper. A Spotted Flycatcher was near the Gazebo hide.
26: An immature Peregrine flew over this morning, with Green Woodpecker also present. Common Tern are now down to 21 birds present. Single Black-tailed Godwit and Green Sandpiper were on the reserve, along with 4 Common Sandpiper. Coot increased to 1340 and a pair of Little Grebe were seen with one chick, in the south east bay.
25: The Long-eared Owl, showed well early on, this morning.400 Tufted Duck and 46 Pochard were counted.
24: Mute Swan increased to 117 birds. 2 Ruff and a single Redshank were present. 6 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat and 2 Bullfinch were ringed.
23: An influx of wildfowl, with 13 Shellduck, 6 Wigeon, 94 Teal and 46 Shoveler. A Common Sandpiper was the only wader present, maybe due to 2 Peregrines, which around the reserve.
22: 5 Common Sandpiper and a Curlew and Dunlin, flew through. The juvenile Black-necked Grebe remained at the west end.
21: An impressive 50 Common Tern were counted. Waders included single Greenshank, Redshank, and Ringed Plover respectively.
19: A Sparrowhawk was caught and ringed.
18: 2 Mediterranean Gulls were in the roost, single juvenile Arctic Tern and a reserve record of 84 Common Tern. Black-necked Grebe, 30 Pochard & 354 Tufted Duck were noted. 130 Swifts flew through.
17: 541 Lapwing were counted, along with an attendant juvenile Peregrine. 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Ringed Plover and 1 Little Ringed Plover, were on the north shore.
15: Common Scoter and 87 Gadwall were on site. The ringing group caught 11 Chiffchaff, 14 Willow Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, and 3 Lesser Whitethroat.
14: 2 Yellow Wagtail, 10 Swift and two Common Sandpiper were at the dam end. 1 Mediterranean Gull roosted. The Black-necked Grebe was present in the south east bay.
12: A Whimbrel flew through, in the evening. A single Black-tailed Godwit and 9 Snipe were present. The drake Common Scoter was off the dam, and other wildfowl included 27 Pochard, 247 Tufted Duck, 202 Mallard, 71 Gadwall, 1 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 56 Shoveler, 1226 Coot, 100 Great Crested Grebe and 120 Greylag Geese. A Little Egret was seen late pm.
11: A Sanderling flew east late morning, 7 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank and 1 Little Ringed Plover were present, on the reserve. A Kingfisher was seen on several occasions.
9: A Spoonbill was reported, circling over the reserve in the morning, but did not settle. The north shore held Redshank, Dunlin, and Little Ringed Plover. The Long-eared Owl was seen again, and a Hobby was chasing the Swallows in the afternoon.
8: A juvenile Marsh Harrier flew through, mid afternoon. A pair of Common Scoter were new in, and the Black-necked Grebe was still present. A pair of Spotted Flycatcher were noted and the gull flock held juvenile Yellow-legged Gull and 2 juvenile Mediterranean Gulls.
7: 10 Black-tailed Godwit, including 2 juveniles dropped in, but the highlight, was an Otter, which was closely viewed from the west lane bridge.
6: 2 Long-eared Owls & 2 Tawny Owls were present, along with fly over Raven and a Peregrine, which scattered everything in sight! Waders consisted of a Greenshank and 3 Common Sandpiper.
5: The Osprey put in an appearance, twice this morning, taking a battering from the Common Terns, in the process. The Long-eared Owl reappeared, 2 Yellow Wagtails were on the dam, a single Whimbrel flew through and a Water Rail was on the north shore.
4: The day's main highlight was an Osprey, which called in, late afternoon. A productive ringing morning, yielded 27 Chiffchaff, 12 Garden Warbler, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Blackcap, 19 Willow Warbler, 11 Reed Warbler & 8 Sedge Warbler and a single Treecreeper.
3: The Black-necked Grebe was present, along with the first returning Wigeon, and 148 Greylag Geese. 400 Lapwing were on the north shore.
1: 5 Common Sandpiper were along the dam wall and 3 Snipe on the north shore, made up the waders present. 3 Lesser Whitethroat were between the Gazebo and Bryant hides.

July 2007

31: juvenile Black Necked Grebe, 37 Common Tern, 2 Common Sandpiper and 68 Great Crested Grebe. The ringing session resulted in: Pied Flycatcher, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 16 Garden Warbler, 12 Blackcap, 17 Chiffchaff, 14 Reed Warbler, 7 Sedge Warbler, 1 Marsh Tit and 1 Willow Tit.
30: 2 female Common Scoter, 17 Shoveler, 1 juvenile Black Necked Grebe. The 4th pair of Common Terns have hatched chicks.
29: 4 Common Scoter (including 3 drakes), 1 Redshank, 2 Green Sandpiper and 11 Black-tailed Godwit called in briefly.
28: 5 Common Tern chicks have fledged off the hides. A Juvenile Black Necked Grebe was new in. A flock of 21 Tree Sparrows, single Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Common Sandpiper and 1 Oystercatcher.
27: 3 Raven flew through and 26 Common Tern.
25: 84 Greylag Geese were new in, a single Hobby was chasing the Swallows.
23: A Long-eared Owl was again present in the south east bay scrub. The Coot flock stood at an impressive 800.
22: 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 juvenile Bullfinch 7 1 Lesser Whitethroat. 3 Common Sandpiper and 1 Long-eared Owl.
21: 6 Arctic Tern lingered early morning, a single Dunlin flew through and Pochard numbers rose to 22. A single drake Common Scoter was present.
18: A Long-eared Owl was roosting in the shore line scrub.22 Common Tern along with 7 chicks present.
15: Long-eared Owl, a male Whinchat near the west marsh, 3 Common Gull,8 Common Sandpiper, and 4 Oystercatcher. A wildfowl count produced 6 Teal, 12 Pochard, 116 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 95 Mallard, 753 Coot, & 107 Mute Swan.
11: 5 Oystercatcher, 1 Redshank, 43 Common Sandpiper. Single Hobby and a juvenile Shellduck.
10: A superb Long-eared Owl was found roosting in the south east bay scrub, by the ringing group this afternoon. This is the 4th year running that this species has been present on the reserve, in the summer months.
8: A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker paused briefly, at the woodland feeding station. Mute Swan have increased to 104 and Tufted Duck to 104. A single Little Ringed Plover was present on the north shore and a Siskin in the wood was unusual.
7: the two new rafts are holding pairs of Common Terns with 2 chicks each. An unusual, Pochard hybrid was present.
4: A family party of 4 Raven flew through, and a Peregrine was seen in the morning. 4 Oystercatcher and 4 Common Tern.
3: the latest brood of Great Crested Grebe young, were seen, and 10 Common Tern were counted. Coot numbers increased to 440.
2: the two Black Necked Grebe remain and a Hobby circled over the reserve.
1: good views of Kingfisher and the 2 Black Necked Grebe showed well. A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was recorded at the woodland feeding station.

June 2007

30: 2 Black-necked Grebe.
29: 1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Common Sandpiper and the hybrid Pochard.
28: 2 Egyptian Geese were new in, 2 Black-necked Grebe, 1st returning Common Sandpiper and a Hobby were also present.
27: 2 juvenile Little Ringed Plover and 13 Common Terns present.
24: Oystercatchers have two new chicks on the Gazebo raft. Marsh Tit have bred in the plantation, and also Sedge Warblers, Garden Warblers and Reed Warblers were feeding young. A single Hobby in the morning and the Mute Swan flock stood at 89.
23: 372 Coot, 3 broods of Gadwall, 4 Teal and 7 Pochard.
21: Single Little Ringed Plover, 8 Common Tern and a Black Rabbit!
19: A Hobby was hawking over the reserve and the single Wigeon remained.
17: An adult Peregrine flew through mid morning, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Curlew, 95 Lapwing and 2 new broods of Great Crested Grebe. A Barn Owl was seen late on, in Gazebo bay.
16: The drake Red-crested Pochard was still present, a pair of Redshank, minus their chick, 6 Oystercatcher with 2 chicks, Hobby and single Little Ringed Plover.
15: Bird of the day was an adult Spoonbill, which flew in, at mid day, but then flew out again, 20 minutes later. 320 Coot were noted, 32 Tufted Duck and the Red-crested Pochard.
13: 4 pair of Common Tern, Curlew, Redshank, and Little Ringed Plover.
12: A Barn Owl was hunting in the fields to the rear of the Gazebo hide this evening. A single Hobby, Curlew and 2 Red-crested Pochard were noted.
11: A Red Kite 'hung' around, over the west end for 15 minutes, juvenile Tawny Owls were in the plantation and Gazebo bay. 7 Juvenile Tree Sparrows were on the gazebo feeders and a family of Kingfisher fed in the south-east bay.
10: 92 Gadwall, 123 Mallard, 1 Pochard, 4 Teal, 1 Wigeon and 265 Coot were counted. Single Dunlin flew through
9: The 2 moulting, drake Red-crested Pochard are still present and a single Yellow Wagtail on the telephone wires.
8: Whiskered Tern — a real stunner, which was present from mid afternoon until 8.30pm. Viewed by many, it is only the second record for the reserve, the last being April 1969!
7: 11 Shoveler, 5 Pochard, Redshank and Oystercatcher.
6: The 2 drake Red-crested Pochard and a fly through Red Kite was reported.
5: A male Yellow Wagtail in the West Marsh, 10 Greylag Geese and 105 Canada Geese (including a small race bird).
3: 6 Teal, 14 Grey Heron (mainly juveniles), a pair of Oystercatcher with 3 chicks and 3 pairs of Common Tern looking to breed.
2: 2 drake Red-crested Pochard were new arrivals. A single Hobby and 2 Little Ringed Plover were noted.
1: 1 Cuckoo calling, 7 Shoveler, 4 Teal, 1 summering Wigeon, 2 Dunlin and 3 Little Ringed Plover.

May 2007

30: Drake Common Scoter, 2 Dunlin and 3 Little Ringed Plover.
29: Oystercatcher have hatched 3 chicks, Redshank with 2 chicks. Hobby, Yellow Wagtail, Green Woodpecker and 6 Common Tern.
25: Ringed Plover with 2 Little Ringed Plover on the north shore. 2 broods of Great Crested Grebe and 2 pairs of Great Spotted Woodpecker feeding young.
21: Black Tailed Godwit, 3 Ringed Plover and a single Dunlin.
20: Drake Garganey, 2 Whimbrel, and 2 Common Sandpipers. 4 Dunlin were on the Dam wall. 1 Drake Wigeon still present.
19: 6 Common Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, Spotted Flycatcher, Hobby and 10 Dunlin.
18: Mute Swan have increased to 45. Also single Wigeon and Goldeneye still present.
16: 28 Dunlin on the north shore. Single Hobby hunting Swifts over the water. A pair of Willow Tit seen feeding young.
15: A female Marsh Harrier flew through late afternoon, and two male Cuckoos were calling. The first Spotted Flycatcher of the year was in the plantation. 17 singing Sedge Warblers and 8 Garden Warblers were noted.
14: Migrants grounded by poor weather conditions included 7 Whinchat, female Redstart, 3 Wheatear and 2 Cuckoo. Waders noted were 37 Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpipers and 1 Greenshank.
11: Birds of the day were 2 Egyptian Geese at the west end. Single Whimbrel and 2 Arctic Terns. Single Hobby present, with 3 Yellow Wagtails and an impressive 2000 Swift.
8: Drake Garganey, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, and Redshank.
5: The adult Tawny Owl and 2 chicks were showing well. 6 Common Tern and 2 drake Garganey.
4: 7 Arctic Terns were present all afternoon, along with 4 Common Tern. 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1000 Swift, 200 House Martin and a hunting Hobby were seen.
3: the Wood Sandpiper was still present, along with 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Little Ringed Plover and a single Redshank. 2 Hobby were hunting over Stretton Wood.
2: A Wood Sandpiper at the west end was a new arrival. Also single Greenshank and Redshank. 13 Teal and 1 Goldeneye were present.
1: a selection of waders were 4 Common Sandpipers, 6 Oystercatcher, 1 Greenshank and 2 Little Ringed Plovers. Good views of the Tawny Owl family were again had.

April 2007

30: 3 Black Tern, Yellow Wagtail, Hobby and an immature Peregrine. 5 Common Tern, drake Garganey and 1 Greenshank.
29: Grasshopper Warbler reeling in the West Marsh, was the first for 3 years. Also Whimbrel & Greenshank flew over. Several Wigeon & Goldeneye remained. 4 Little Gull.
28: 1 Arctic Tern flew through . Also Hobby and Yellow Wagtail.
27: 4 Little Gulls, late afternoon. Adult & 2 young Tawny Owls in the plantation. 1 Cuckoo.
26: Hobby, 3 Goldeneye still remained.
25: 5 Whimbrel flew through. 5 Wheatear, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and Yellow Wagtail. 1 Hobby hawking insects.
24: 2 Whimbrel flew through, 2 Pink Footed Geese feeding with the Greylag Geese. 1 Pair of Yellowhammer nest building.
23: 4 Reed Warbler new in, female Wheatear, Cuckoo and single Hobby were noted. Also 3 Common Sandpiper, 6 Dunlin, 2 Little Ringed Plover and single Ringed Plover.
22: Migration getting into force, with Redstart, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, Whinchat, Cuckoo, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Hobby, and a Honey Buzzard flying high over the reserve.
21: sighting of the day was an Otter that showed in front of the Scott Hide. Also Ringed Plover, 5 Common Sandpiper and 2 Little Ringed Plover. Adult and 2 Juvenile Tawny Owls.
20: 5 Willow Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Redshank, 4 Oysercatcher and 5 Wigeon still. 1 Lesser Whitethroat singing well. 2 Holly Blue butterflies.
19: Redwing in the west marsh. 5 Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Ringed Plover.
18: 5 Willow Warbler, Adult and 2 Juvenile Tawny Owls showing well, Redwing and 70 Sand Martin over the water.
17: Summer Migrants showing — 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Willow Warbler, 4 House Martin, & 4 Little Ringed Plover. Also 'Channel Wagtail' on the north shore ( hybrid cross between British Yellow Wagtail and Blue Headed Wagtail).
16: First Common Tern of the year appeared in the afternoon. Also single Swallow, 3 Sand Martin, and 6 Blackcap.
15: First Sedge Warbler of the Year. Also Yellow Wagtail over, 2 Little Ringed Plover, Wheatear, Redwing, Wildfowl count included 60 Gadwall, 203 Tufted Duck and 2 Pochard.
14: 1 Little Gull & 1 Yellow Wagtail — new arrivals respectively. 2 pairs of Little Owls, 2 Tawny Owl chicks on show in the plantation. 64 Goldeneye gathered to roost.
11: First Common Sandpiper of the year. Single Willow Warbler, 6 Blackcap were noted. Wildfowl included 60 Goldeneye, 5 Wigeon , 50 Gadwall & 134 Tufted Duck.
10: 2 Pink Footed Geese on the north shore. 80 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow , 1 House Martin and single Redwing in the west marsh. 1 Tawny Owl chick in the wood.
9: 1 Osprey again, early a.m. Also 14 Fieldfare & 8 Little Ringed Plover, flew through. 2 Yellowhammer on the woodland feeding station.
8: An Osprey arrived early evening and made some unsuccessful fishing attempts. 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Curlew, 3 Redshank, Garden Warbler & 12 Tree Sparrow on the woodland feeding station. 70 Fieldfare and 6 Redwing flying north.
7: Single Golden Plover and Curlew flew through. Willow Warbler & 50 Meadow Pipit. 2 Water Vole showing well in the west end ditch.
6: 100 Meadow Pipit and a single Swallow. 52 Goldeneye counted at dusk. 1 Brimstone butterfly. 2 White Wagtail in the evening.
5: Single Swallow & House Martin through. A Red Kite was seen 1 mile south of the reserve.
4: 5 Buzzard and 1 immature Peregrine present. 13 Chiffchaff singing and 1 Comma butterfly near the Bryant hide.
3rd: Drake Common Scoter, 70 Teal, 51 Wigeon,47 Gadwall, 2 Shellduck 7 4 Pochard. 4 Swallow, 55 House Martin and Little Ringed Plover through.
1: 3 pairs of Willow Tit, 4 pairs of Nuthatch, 3 Blackcap and 11 Chiffchaff. 80 Sand Martin present in the morning.

March 2007

31: Blackcap increased to 4. 100 Sand Martin and a single Swallow over the water. 29 Gadwall and 55 Goldeneye counted.
29: 4 Swallows were the first of the species on the reserve this year, 150 Sand Martin, and 200 Meadow Pipit feeding in the fields, south of the reserve. 1 Little Ringed Plover on the shingle island.
27: First Little Ringed Plover of the year, along with a Green Sandpiper on the north shore. 12 Chiffchaff, Blackcap and a flock of 40 Fieldfare. 3 pairs of Kestrel are present around the reserve, and 2 pairs of Little Owl. 46 Goldeneye were counted at dusk.
26: First Willow Warbler of the year, singing in the south east bay. 3 Little Owl (1 opposite the car park). 5 Oystercatcher, 2 Curlew and 2 Redshank on the north shore.
25: 8 Goosander briefly. Shoveler numbers increased to 15. 5 pairs of Long-tailed Tit, nest building on the reserve.
24: 2 Green Woodpeckers calling around the reserve, with a Blackcap singing in the wood. Sand Martin increased to over 30. 2 Dunlin and 2 Curlew on the north shore.
23: 20 Redwing in the woodland and 3 pairs of Nuthatch noted on the reserve. Wigeon increased too 78. 9 Sand Martin present.
20: A single Dunlin on the north shore. Also Raven and a Peregrine recorded.
19: An adult Kittiwake flew through in the afternoon. 135 Coot counted. 12 Sand Martin, looking out of place in the wintry conditions.
18: A wildfowl count produced 62 Wigeon, 41 Teal, 20 Gadwall, 45 Mallard, 6 Shoveler, 19 Pochard, 64 Tufted Duck, 52 Canada Geese and 4 Greylag Geese. 5 Golden Plover flew through and 9 Curlew roosted.
17: A pair of Willow Tit, seen nest hole prospecting. 7 Chiffchaff and 16 Sand Martin.
16: Sand Martin numbers increased to 26. Teal numbers down to 41, with 16 Great Crested Grebe and 3 Little Grebe present.
15: 2 Shellduck were new in, 6 Sand Martin flew through. Good I.D, comparison, of 2 Marsh Tit and 2 Willow Tit on the woodland feeding station. A male Blackcap also singing in the wood.
14: First Wheatear of the spring passing through, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 3 Redshank and 4 Oystercatcher, 12 Buzzard counted in and around the reserve with good numbers of Snipe again; 31 counted.
12: An influx of Chiffchaff, with 9 birds present, also 43 Snipe on the north shore, 9 Curlew and the immature Peregrine again.
11: A Jacksnipe in front of the Gazebo Hide. 3 Sand Martin.
10: Starling flock flying North-East.
9: 1 Green Sandpiper below the dam, 5 Curlew, single Chiffchaff, and a pair of Goosander.
8: Three year-firsts today. 1 Chiffchaff, 11 Linnet and 2 Sand Martin, the Little Egret present again, 2 Redshank and 3 Curlew.
7: 11 Golden Plover. 2 Water Voles in the South-West perimeter ditch.
6: An immature Peregrine, 4 Oystercatcher (remaining all month). 2 Red-legged Partridge at the woodland feeding station were unusual.
4: Little Egret on the North West shore. 5 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Water Rail in front of the Gazebo Hide.
3: 2 Redshank, 4 Oystercatcher and 36 Goldeneye.
1: 9 Curlew, 2 Raven, 107 Wigeon and 20 Pochard counted.

January/ February 2007

There were no updates for January or February 2007

Further information

For the very latest sightings, use our hotline.
Sightings at Belvide from 2006.
About Belvide

Reports by Rob Swift.

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

Ornithology in Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire & the West Midlands county, since 1929.

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