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West Midland Bird Club

Belvide Reserve News from 2010

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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December 2010

• 31: 3 Dunlin were seen in the morning and 10 Curlew noted in the afternoon. Teal numbers increased to 492 and Wigeon to 175. 18 Gadwall, 9 Goldeneye and 5 Goosander were counted. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls roosted. 37 Pink-footed Geese flew over to the south at 3:35pm, but there was no sign of any Bewick's Swan at dusk.
• 30: The highlight was when 20 adult and 3 juvenile Bewick's Swan flew in and landed on the ice at 4:30pm. Sightings in these numbers are rare, although 32 were counted in December 1970 and, again, 32 in February 1980. 13 Goosander (3 drakes) flew in at dusk, also 3 Goldeneye. 142 Wigeon and 10 Gadwall were noted. 1 female Blackcap was seen feeding by the Gazebo Hide and Marsh Tit and Willow Tit were also present. 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull roosted.
• 28: A Shelduck was a new arrival, 3 Goosander, 3 Goldeneye, 2 Pochard, 93 Wigeon, 163 Teal, 3 Gadwall and 321 Mallard were counted. Only 1 Yellow-legged Gull was noted amongst a large number of other Gulls.
• 26: 252 Teal, 67 Wigeon, 1 Pochard, 1 Goosander and 1 Goldeneye were noted. A single Raven flew over in the morning.
• 23: 1 Woodcock was seen in the reservoir plantation. 1 Curlew and 1 Snipe were present. 3 Yellowhammer, 40 Tree Sparrow, 1 male Brambling. 1 Goosander and 3 Mute Swan were counted.
• 21: 1 male and 1 female Brambling and 2 Lesser Redpoll were noted at the Gazebo feeders. 108 Wigeon, 227 Teal, 1 Gadwall, 238 Mallard, 7 Goldeneye, 1 Pochard and 77 Coot were still present.
• 19: The temperature this morning was −14°C and 99% of the reservoir was covered in ice. 1 Waxwing was present early morning along the south east bay. 9 Curlew roosted. 94 Lapwing were noted. 2 Buzzard were seen feeding on 2 dead Mallard. 1 Raven and 40 Tree Sparrow were at the Gazebo feeders. WeBS count produced 25 Goldeneye, 7 Pochard, 3 Tufted Duck, 81 Wigeon, 227 Teal, 397 Mallard, 7 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 1 Goosander, 72 Coot, 79 Greylag Geese, 1 Canada Goose and 3 Grey Heron.
• 17: 6 Goosander, 19 Goldeneye, 24 Pochard, 129 Wigeon, 315 Canada Geese and 1 Great Crested Grebe were counted. 9 Curlew and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls roosted. 20 Siskin were noted and 2 Raven flew over. 25 Tree Sparrow were noted at the Woodland feeding station.
• 14: A ringtail Hen Harrier was present at the west end at 2:30pm. 1 Little Egret dropped in and 3 Curlew were seen at dusk. 134 Wigeon and 1 Goosander were counted. 2 Brambling were below the dam. 3 adult- and 2 first-winter Yellow-legged Gulls roosted.
• 13: 4 Goosander and 20 Gadwall were present but there was no sign of the 2 redhead Smew. 12 Brambling were in the hedge below the dam. Several hundred Redwing and Fieldfare were feeding in the surrounding pasture fields. 4 adult Yellow-legged Gulls and 9 Great Black-backed Gulls roosted. 3 Curlew were counted.
• 12: 2 Redhead Smew were still present. 107 Wigeon, 15 Gadwall, 2 Goosander, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 16 Goldeneye were counted. 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull roosted.
• 11: New arrivals were 2 redhead Smew including a probable first-winter drake and 3 Goosander were counted. 17 Pochard and 90 Coot were noted. 1 adult Mediterranean Gull was in the pre roost before flying west and 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls roosted. 5 Curlew flew over to the north late morning and returned to roost at dusk. 11 Siskin were along the south east bay.
• 10: 1 Yellow-legged Gull was noted in the afternoon. 2 Goosander and a Grey Wagtail were reported.
• 8: A Barn Owl was present along the south east bay and the first recorded sighting for 2 years. 20+ Waxwing and 3 Lesser Redpoll were seen in the morning also along the south east bay.
• 7: 25 Waxwing feeding in Hawthorns together with large numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare was the highlight. The flock flew south at 12:20pm, returned briefly at 1:15 before flying off again.
• 5: 3 Egyptian Geese were noted early afternoon. 8 Goosander flew over in the morning. 73 Wigeon, 232 Teal, 7 Gadwall, 333 Mallard, 2 Pochard and 10 Mute Swan were counted. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls roosted.
• 4: 20 Siskin were noted along Gazebo Bay. 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 180 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 7 Herring Gulls were present. At dusk a Sparrowhawk was seen feeding on a Great Tit.
• 3: A rare sighting was a Long-eared Owl roosting in the west marsh. 2 Woodcock were noted. 11 Goldeneye, 2 Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck, 41 Wigeon, 200+ Teal, 300+ Mallard, 196 Greylag Geese and 3 Mute Swan were counted.
• 1: The wildfowl present were 2 drake Mandarin, 81 Wigeon, 214 Teal, 316 Mallard, 14 Gadwall, 5 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 1 Tufted Duck and 20+ Goldeneye.

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November 2010

• 28: Early morning temperature was −9°C and the reservoir surface was largely frozen with a narrow channel just off the north shore attracting all the wildfowl. 45 Goldeneye, 4 Goosander, 530 Mallard. 1 Redshank, 2 Dunlin and 1 Golden Plover were counted. The Blackcap remained but no sign of the redhead Smew.
• 27: The first dusting of snow this winter. 1 Redhead Smew remained off the dam wall and 6 Goosander were still present. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull and 5 Common Gull roosted. 2 Redshank, 1 Dunlin and 2 Snipe were noted. A Woodcock flew past the Scott Hide at dusk. 1 male Blackcap remained.
• 26: 6 Goosander, 34 Gadwall, 268 Teal, 59 Wigeon, 268 Mallard, 18 Tufted Duck and 18 Pochard were counted. 1 Dunlin and Redshank increased to 4. 1 male Blackcap was still along the south east bay. 8 Yellow-legged Gulls roosted.
• 25: Numbers of the Yellow-legged Gull increased to 7 which include 5 adults, 1 third winter and 1 first-winter. 2 Goosander and 1 redhead Smew were present. 3 Dunlin and 2 Redshank.
• 24: 5 Goosander were present and 1 redhead Smew remained off the dam. 2 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 322 Lapwing, 1 Snipe were noted and 1 Little Egret appeared in the morning and evening. 1 male Blackcap was seen again along the south east bay. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls roosted.
• 23: 1 Bewick's Swan (first recorded sighting since 15 December 2007). In addition 5 Egyptian Geese were the first of the year and the greatest number ever seen at Belvide. The redhead Smew was still present also 2 Goosander and 15 Gadwall were counted. 4 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper were noted. 3 adult Yellow--legged Gull roosted.
• 22: Waders present include 365 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Snipe. 30 Siskin were feeding along the Gazebo bay. 2 Goosander flew in at dusk.
• 21: 2 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Dunlin. 76 Great Crested Grebe were counted. 2 Shelduck and 1 Little Egret appeared briefly. The redhead Smew remained and 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull roosted.
• 20: 1 Redhead Smew and 1 drake Mandarin remained. The Little Egret was seen by the Scott Hide in the afternoon and 2 Redshank were noted. 6 Yellow-legged Gulls roosted. 1 Brambling was at the woodland feeding station.
• 19: The reservoir was fog-bound all day except for 1 hour early afternoon which revealed the redhead Smew, 5 Goosander, 1 Little Grebe, 10 Dunlin, 2 Redshank and 1 Green Sandpiper.
• 18: The day's highlights included 1 redhead Smew, 1 Grey Plover, 1 adult Little Gull and 1 female Red Crested Pochard sightings. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls roosted. 11 Dunlin, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Redshank and 1 Little Egret were noted. 1 Shelduck was at the west end. 5 Goosander dropped in at dusk. 1 male Blackcap, 21 Siskin, 1 Brambling were counted.
• 17: 2 Redshank remaine and numbers of Dunlin now increased to 10. 62 Wigeon and 1 female Pintail were counted, 1 drake Mandarin made a re-appearance. 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull was in the pre roost but there was no sign of the Caspian Gull.
• 16: A fourth-winter Caspian Gull roosted this evening together with 5 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. 1 Little Egret was a new arrival. 2 Redshank, 7 Dunlin, 3 Golden Plover, 2 Snipe. 55 Wigeon were counted and 1 Goosander dropped in at dusk.
• 15: 7 Dunlin , 3 Redshank were still present. 1 Shelduck remained. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull roosted.
• 14: 3 Redshank were new in, 3 Dunlin were seen at the west end. 1 Shelduck was present in the morning. Also noted were 1 Brambling, 2 Lesser Redpoll and 7 Yellowhammer. 12+ Bullfinch, 3 Marsh Tit, 2 Willow Tit. A Tawny Owl roosted along the south-east bay.
• 13: The highlight was when a ringtail Hen Harrier flew through to the north at 10:30am. 4 Dunlin and 1 Green Sandpiper were present. WeBS count produced 74 Goldeneye, 76 Great Crested Grebe, 309 Mallard, 42 Wigeon, 87 Teal, 24 Shoveler, 11 Gadwall, 58 Pochard, 22 Tufted Duck, 55 Coot, 259 Greylag Geese, 8 Grey Heron. 1 Brambling and 15 Reed Bunting were counted.
• 12: 2 Peregrine were present in the morning. 3 Dunlin were noted. 174 Cormorant, 285 Greylag Geese, 40 Wigeon and 48 Pochard were counted. Marsh Tit and Willow Tit were seen at the Gazebo feeders.
• 11: 9 Dunlin and 1 Peregrine were the only birds of note on an otherwise quiet day.
• 10: Ducks and waders noted include 39 Pochard, 63 Goldeneye, 6 Dunlin and 1 Green Sandpiper.
• 9: 1 Spotted Redshank made an appearance (the latest sighting for almost 30 years), 1 Redshank, 5 Dunlin. 4 female Pintail remained, 1 Goosander and 169 Cormorant were counted.
• 8: 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese were seen briefly in the morning before flying south-west. 14 Dunlin were present and 1 Knot dropped in around 4pm. There was no sign of the Common Scoter. 4 Pintail were new arrivals joining 50 Goldeneye, 11 Gadwall, 31 Wigeon and 161 Cormorant.
• 7: The female Common Scoter was still present. 1 Pink-footed Goose was still seen with the Greylag Goose flock. 1 Dunlin, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Golden Plover and 71 Great Crested Grebe were noted. 32 Reed Bunting were by the Scott Hide. Visitors included a Rock Pipit, an adult Yellow-legged Gull and 2 Curlew. A "Vis Mig" watch off the dam between 7:10 and 9:00am produced 4522 Wood Pigeon, 9 Stock Dove, 18 Brambling, 16 Chaffinch, 3 Linnet, 2 Redpoll, 19 Skylark, 135 Fieldfare, 47 Redwing and 291 Starling.
• 6: 2 Whooper Swan that flew in at 1:00pm were the first of the year. A female Common Scoter and the first-winter female Scaup were still present. 2 Brambling, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 32 Goldeneye and 1 Tawny Owl.
• 5: 1 drake Mandarin, 1 female Common Scoter and first-winter female Scaup remained. A drake Goosander flew west in the afternoon. 1 adult Peregrine was noted on the north shore. 1 Redshank and 135 Cormorant were counted.
• 4: 1 drake Mandarin re-appeared, joining 1 Common Scoter, 1 Scaup and 44 Pochard were counted. 1 Pink-footed Goose was with 279 Greylag Geese at the west end. The Redshank was still present along Gazebo Bay.
• 3: 1 female Common Scoter and female Scaup were still present. 1 Redshank was seen along the Gazebo bay and 12 Golden Plover flew through this afternoon. 1 Peregrine was also noted in the morning. It is worrying to see a Great Tit showing all the signs of Avian Pox. This is highly contagious and has also been noticed on birds on nearby Cannock Chase.
• 2: 1 drake Mandarin was a new arrival, 1 female Common Scoter and the female Scaup. Also counted were 41 Pochard, 274 Greylag Geese and 108 Cormorant. 1 Green Sandpiper was seen in the morning, 1 Redshank remained.
• 1: 1 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 60 Golden Plover. 65 Great Crested Grebe and 34 Shoveler were counted. 1 female Common Scoter is still present and the first-winter female Scaup has re-appeared. 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull roosted.

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October 2010

• 31: 1 Dunlin, 1 Green Sandpiper, 22 Golden Plover. 5 Redshank were new arrivals. 1 female Common Scoter remained but no sighting of the Scaup. 63 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 31 Shoveler and 13 Mute Swan were counted. A "Vis Mig" watch off the dam between 6:45 and 8:45am produced 4 Brambling, 24 Chaffinch, 3 Linnet, 1 Bullfinch, 3 Greenfinch, 4 Siskin, 100 Wood Pigeon, 124 Starling, 18 Meadow Pipit and 117 Fieldfare.
• 30: 2 adult Peregrine were seen on the north shore and 1 juvenile was seen earlier in the day. 1 female Common Scoter and first-winter female Scaup were still present. 38 Goldeneye, 1 Green Sandpiper and 29 Golden Plover were counted. A "Vis Mig" watch off the dam between 7:45–10:00am produced 4154 Wood Pigeon, 24 Stock Dove, 12 Brambling, 43 Chaffinch, 2 Linnet, 32 Greenfinch, 6 Goldfinch, 14 Redpoll, 3 Siskin, 20 Redwing, 47 Fieldfare, 2 Song Thrush, 107 Starling, 32 Skylark, 6 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 , 9 Meadow Pipit.
• 29: 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Golden Plover were with Lapwing at the west end. Also seen on the west end shore were a host of smaller birds including 81 Pied Wagtail, 30+ Meadow Pipit, 70+ Linnet. 1 adult Peregrine was noted on the north shore in the afternoon and 29 Pochard were counted.
• 28: 65 Golden Plover and 1 Green Sandpiper were present. 1 Pink-footed Goose was still with the Greylag Goose flock. 63 Great Crested Grebe, 30 Shoveler and 14 Pochard were counted. 16 Siskin flew over to the north west in the afternoon.
• 27: Waders present 4 Goosander, 87 Golden Plover, 1 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpiper.
• 26: First-winter drake Scaup was a new arrival with the first-winter female still present. 1 female Common Scoter also remained but proves elusive due to it spending long periods under water. 1 Green Sandpiper was seen off the fishing club car park and 7 Golden Plover flew through. 1 adult Peregrine was sat at the west end.
• 25: A pair of Goosander were at the west end in the afternoon. 1 Pink-footed Goose was still with the Greylag Goose flock. 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Snipe and 17 Golden Plover were noted. 11 Raven flew south east early afternoon. A Kingfisher was seen nearby in the morning.
• 24: 1 Green Sandpiper, 16 Golden Plover. 32 Goldeneye were counted and 1 female Common Scoter and 1 immature female Scaup were still present. A "Vis Mig" watch off the dam between 7:35 and 9:20am produced 1617 Wood Pigeon, 376 Fieldfare, 8 Redwing, 11 Chaffinch, 8 Greenfinch, 1 Redpoll, 1 Siskin, 90 Starling and 21 Pied Wagtail.
• 23: 224 Teal, 58 Great Crested Grebe. 1 Pink-footed Goose was with 233 Greylag Geese at the west end. 1 Ringed Plover was still present, 1 Green Sandpiper and 3 Golden Plover. A highlight of the day was when 1 female Hen Harrier flew through to the north at 8:25am. Between 7:40 and 9:30am the following were counted in flight 38 Fieldfare, 26 Redwing, 26 Chaffinch, 6 Greenfinch, 2 Brambling, 2 Bullfinch, 5 Redpoll, 4 Siskin, 24 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Reed Bunting, 18 Pied Wagtail, 126 Wood Pigeon, 13 Stock Dove.
• 22: 1 immature female Scaup was a new arrival, 74 Wigeon. 1 female Common Scoter remained. 1 Ringed Plover was a new sighting, 1 Green Sandpiper, 70 Golden Plover were also present. 1 adult Peregrine was around for much of the day.
• 21: 1 female Common Scoter and 1 Dunlin were the only reports of the day.
• 20: 1 late Greenshank dropped in at 4:20am, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Dunlin were also present. 1 Common Scoter, 24 Goldeneye and 201 Greylag Geese were counted.
• 19: 1 Common Sandpiper was seen off the fishing club car park, 1 Green Sandpiper, 15 Golden Plover. 1 female Goosander was present in the afternoon.
• 18: 1 female Common Scoter was a new arrival, 70 Wigeon, 46 Shoveler, 140 Teal, 5 Gadwall, 34 Pochard were counted. 1 Green Sandpiper and 100 Linnet were at the west end. 3 Peregrine were a constant menace. One of the adults was seen killing a Coot — only to be deprived of its catch by a Buzzard.
• 17: 1 Common Sandpiper and 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 40 Golden Plover were noted. Numbers of Goldeneye increased to 20, 1 Little Grebe, 29 Pochard.
• 16: 16 Goldeneye, 62 Wigeon, 39 Shoveler. 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 60+ Golden Plover were noted. A "Vis Mig" watch off the dam between 7:25 and 9:00am revealed 95 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 53 Chaffinch, 26 Greenfinch, 8 Linnet, 4 Siskin, 13 Skylark, 27 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 228 Wood Pigeon, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Collared Dove.
• 15: 1 Goosander, 33 Shoveler, 48 Wigeon. 3 Raven, 35 Fieldfare and 16 Swallow flew through. 3 Redpoll and 3 Siskin were noted. 1 Rock Pipit was at the west end. 1 Stonechat was seen on the north shore. 60+ Golden Plover made a brief visit.
• 14: 1 Grey Plover was a new arrival. The Common Sandpiper was still present. 47 Wigeon, 2 Little Grebe were noted. 1 Rock Pipit was at the west end in the afternoon. 7 Swallow were hawking over the north shore.
• 13: There was no sign of the Yellow-browed Warbler. 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Blackcap and 6+ Goldcrest were noted. 1 Green Sandpiper on the north shore. 12 Goldeneye, 28 Pochard, 2 Little Grebe. 4 Swallow, 1 Brambling, 100+ Redwing and 6 Fieldfare flew over.
• 12: Excitement, with Belvide's first sighting of 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, initially proving elusive but showed fairly well at around 5pm. 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin. 10 Goldeneye, 2 Little Grebe. 6 Swallow flew through. 2 Pied Wagtail along the south east bay. The first 5 Fieldfare of the Autumn were below the dam in the afternoon.
• 11: 1 drake Scaup, 28 Shoveler, 1 Little Grebe and 69 Great Crested Grebe were counted. 1 Dunlin and 4 Golden Plover were seen this morning. A "Vis Mig" Watch off the dam between 7:30 and 9:45am produced 85 Redwing, 9 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 100 Meadow Pipit, 66 Skylark, 33 Chaffinch, 66 Greenfinch, 23 Linnet, 7 Bullfinch, 4 Siskin, 7 Swallow, 37 Starling, 82 Wood Pigeon, 9 Pied Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail and 79 Jackdaw.
• 10: 1 Little Stint was still present, 1 Dunlin, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 2 Golden Plover. 1 Wheatear and 1 Stonechat were seen below the dam. A WeBS count and "Vis Mig" Watch between 7:20 and 9:00am produced 1 first-winter drake Scaup, 3 Goldeneye, 12 Pochard, 50 Tufted Duck, 20 Wigeon, 136 Teal, 3 Gadwall, 12 Shoveler, 190 Mallard, 60 Great Crested Grebe, 48 Coot, 113 Canada Geese, 60 Greylag Geese, 131 Cormorant, 4 Mute Swan, 4 Grey Heron. 6 Redwing, 45 Meadow Pipit, 25 Reed Bunting, 200 Wood Pigeon, 31 Chaffinch, 17 Pied Wagtail, 5 Hirundine sp., 109 Starling, 3 Siskin, 1 Yellowhammer.
• 9: 1 Little Stint was a new arrival, 2 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Green Sandpiper were present. 2 drake Scaup, 47 Wigeon, 23 Pochard, 72 Tufted Duck. 1 Stonechat, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls were noted. 27 Redwing, 1 Rock Pipit flew west. A "Vis Mig" Watch off the dam between 7:15 and 9:00am produced 24 Meadow Pipit, 62 Chaffinch, 7 Linnet, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Redpoll, 36 Pied Wagtail, 2 Song Thrush, 138 Starling, 3 Swallow, 124 Wood Pigeon, 4 Stock Dove, 4 Skylark.
• 8: The first Brambling of the year flew over. 6 Swallow were hawking over the north side. 1 very late Willow Warbler was seen by the car park. The only waders noted were 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin and 1 Green Sandpiper. 2 Pintail and 1 Goosander were present.
• 7: 2 juvenile Black Tern remained. 2 Pintail, 1 adult and 1 first-winter Scaup were still present. 11 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin. 1 adult Peregrine was noted on the north shore.
• 6: 2 Scaup, 2 Pintail, 60 Tufted Duck, 13 Wigeon, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Goosander were counted. 1 Little Stint was seen early in the morning, 5 Dunlin and 11 Ringed Plover. 2 Yellow Wagtail were at the west end.
• 5: 2 first-winter Mediterranean Gulls roosted this evening. 2 juvenile Black Tern were present. 2 Little Stint, 7 Dunlin and 10 Ringed Plover remained.
• 4: 3 Scaup, 3 Pintail, 23 Shoveler and 1 Goosander. 4 Little Stint were seen in the morning but only 2 were apparent in the afternoon, 11 Ringed Plover, 6 Dunlin. 1 adult Peregrine and 12 Grey Heron were worthy of note. 1 Blackcap, 5+ Pied Wagtail and small numbers of Swallow and House Martin flew through.
• 3: 3 Grey Plover were seen on the north shore mid afternoon but later flew south, 4 Little Stint, 16 Dunlin, 11 Ringed Plover. 3 Scaup, 40 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 1 Goosander and 78 Great Crested Grebe. 1 juvenile Black Tern was noted. 1 Rock Pipit flew in late afternoon, 1 Yellow Wagtail was seen at the west end.
• 2: 3 Scaup, 19 Pochard, 2 Pintail and 1 Goosander. 1 juvenile Black Tern was noted. 4 Little Stint, 16 Dunlin, 11 Ringed Plover and 2 Snipe. 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Stonechat, 1 adult and 1 immature Peregrine. A skywatch off the dam between 7:00 and 9:30am produced 106 Chaffinch, 41 Greenfinch, 19 Siskin, 45 Linnet, 5 Goldfinch, 86 Skylark, 14 Yellowhammer, 8 Reed Bunting, 18 Pied Wagtail, 4 Song Thrush, 84 Swallow, 50 House Martin, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 215 Wood Pigeon, 4 Stock Dove, 4 Collared Dove.
• 1: 2 Black-tailed Godwit were new arrivals, 4 Little Stint, 16 Dunlin, 1 Green Sandpiper, 9 Ringed Plover and 2 Snipe were also noted. 2 drake Mandarin dropped in at 5:20pm, 1 adult and 1 juvenile drake Scaup, the first returning female Goldeneye, 1 Pintail, 21 Wigeon, 1 Goosander. 176 Cormorant, 1 adult and 4 juvenile Black Tern were counted. 1 immature Peregrine was about and 1 Hobby (possibly the latest on record) was seen late afternoon.

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September 2010

• 30: The 4 juvenile Little Stint remained. 1 Lesser Whitethroat was seen along the south east bay. 14 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover and 1 Golden Plover were present. 1 juvenile Black Tern was also recorded.
• 29: The first recorded sighting for over 2 years of 1 drake Scaup and 60 Tufted Duck. 8 Pintail were new in. 17 Wigeon and 1 Goosander. Little Stint doubled to 4. The first Siskin of the autumn flew over early afternoon. 160 Cormorant were noted. Other Summer migrants included 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Blackcap, 7+ Pied Wagtail, 1 Sand Martin and House Martin.
• 28: 20 Skylark and 60+ Linnet were seen at the west end. 2 Little Stint remained. 15 Dunlin and 4 Ringed Plover were also present.
• 27: Numbers of Great Crested Grebe increased to 70. 3 Pochard were noted and 10 Yellowhammer were seen by the West End Hide.
• 26: 2 Little Stint were still present. 4 probable Redwing flew west in the morning. A Coot was killed by an adult Peregrine. A young female Peregrine was seen nearby. 2 Pintail visited in the morning. 14 Wigeon and 17 Shoveler were noted.
• 25: Late afternoon 2 juvenile Gannet flew thru to the west. 1 Rock Pipit was the first of the year and 2 juvenile Little Stint were new in. 8 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover and 1 Green Sandpiper were present. 3 juvenile Common Tern flew in at 10am.
• 24: 2 Greenshank and 1 juvenile Arctic Tern arrived in the afternoon. 2 Golden Plover and 1 probable Grey Plover visited in the morning. 1 young Stonechat was seen at the west end. 150 Cormorant, 50 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Goosander recorded.
• 23: 1 adult Black Tern was new in. 2 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat and several Pied Wagtail were also present.
• 22: The waders were still well represented, with 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 5 Dunlin, 17 Ringed Plover, 1 Curlew, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Common Sandpiper. 11 Pink- footed Geese remained. A Hobby flew over in the afternoon also 1 immature and 1 adult Peregrine were noted.
• 21: 6 juvenile and 5 adult Pink-footed Geese by the West End Hide. 1 Garganey was seen in the morning. 2 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 4 Pochard, 1 Little Grebe and 1 Yellow Wagtail were noted.
• 20: 3 Shelduck, 7 Gadwall, 13 Shoveler and 2 Yellow Wagtail. 3 Curlew Sandpiper were present including an adult and 2 juveniles, 1 Knot, 1 Ruff, 17 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Ringed Plover and 2 Common Sandpiper were recorded.
• 19: 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Yellow Wagtail and still large numbers of House Martin, Swallow and Sand Martin were recorded. 1 adult Peregrine on the north shore. 100+ Meadow Pipit were at the west end.
• 18: A juvenile Arctic Tern flew thru, 11 Raven were recorded over the north west. 1 newly arrived Pintail joined 3 Shelduck and 2 Wigeon.
• 17: An Osprey flew through in the morning. An immature Peregrine caused havoc amongst the waders but only managing to catch 1 Dunlin.
• 16: A Leach's Petrel flew in late afternoon — the 7th record for Belvide. It stayed for only 1½ hours during which time it was harassed by gulls. 1 Curlew Sandpiper was still present. 3 Spotted Flycatcher were by the car park.
• 15: 1 Curlew Sandpiper (the first September sighting at Belvide). 1 Black Tern still present was joined by a juvenile. 1 Peregrine, 1 Wheatear was seen on the north shore. The 6 Little Stint were still around but in the morning only.
• 14: 1 Black Tern and 1 Common Tern. Several sightings of 2 Hobby were recorded. 6 Dunlin, 1 Ruff, 3 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper and 7 Ringed Plover.
• 13: 1 Ruff was a new arrival. 6 Little Stint and 1 Knot remained. 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 20 Shoveler, 1 Goosander.
• 12: 2 Peregrine and 1 Hobby were noted. A Knot was a new arrival. Migrants included 22 Yellow Wagtail over, 7 Grey Wagtail over, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler, 8 Wigeon and many Swallow, House and Sand Martin moved through.
• 11: 6 juvenile Little Stint remained and were seen in front of the Scott Hide, 1 Black Tern and 1 juvenile Common Tern flew thru. 3 Hobby including 2 juveniles set up temporary residence along the Gazebo. 164 Teal were counted and the first-winter Mediterranean Gull was seen in the evening.
• 10: 6 juvenile Little Stint were the day's highlight. Other Waders include 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpiper, 5 Greenshank, 15 Ringed Plover and 2 Little Ringed Plover. 1 juvenile Arctic Tern and 3 Raven were noted.
• 9: 3 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat and 3 Spotted Flycatcher were seen at the west end.
• 8: 2 Wheatear were along the dam, 1 Snipe and 1 Spotted Flycatcher were also present.
• 7: Migrants noted were 6+ Yellow Wagtail on the north shore, 1 Garden Warbler, several Willow Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat and 4 Whitethroat.
• 6: A 4th winter Yellow-legged Gull. 1 Black Tern and 2 late Swift passed through. 6 juvenile Goosander flew in the late afternoon.
• 5: The first ever recorded Autumn sighting of a Belvide Avocet. Also an eclipse drake Mandarin was the first of the year.
• 4: This was competition day between Belvide and Upton Warren. The latter managed 86 species, while at Belvide, between the hours 5:45am and 8:15pm, the following 93 species were recorded — Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Mallard, Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Goosander, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Hobby, Kestrel, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Ruff, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Little Owl, Tawny Owl, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Tree Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Starling, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Crow, Raven, Wren, Dunnock, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Pied Wagtail, Goldcrest, Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thush, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer.
• 3: 1 juvenile Whinchat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4+ Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler and 10+ Willow Warbler were noted. 1 Snipe remained.
• 2: 2 juvenile Spotted Redshank were seen. 1 Little Egret, 4 Wigeon and the first-winter Common Gull were new arrivals. 35 Great Crested Grebe and 6 Goosander (redheads) were counted.
• 1: 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Peregrine and 3 Hobby were seen in the afternoon. 1 Whinchat, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 8 Greenshank, 6 Dunlin, 17 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper. 2 Little Grebe were new arrivals.

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No earlier 2010 sightings are available.

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Further information

• Sightings at Belvide from 2009.
• Sightings at Belvide from 2011.
• About Belvide

Reports by Rob Swift.

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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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