Clear bright sunny morning with a very light W breeze, temp 12c, visit from 06.00 - 08.00.
Canada Geese have increased to around 310 as they all come into moult, this count includes 39 young and the hybrid CanadaxGreylag, among the largest flock were 2 Greylag Geese with the other 7 on the main lake, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were also on the main lake, a single Little Ringed Plover was feeding along the shoreline area as were 2 Pied Wagtails, on the main lake Great Crested Grebes numbered 10, 3 male Tufted Ducks and the family of 4 Mute Swans, around 70+ Swifts were over the top of the main lake and a Grey Heron flew over as did a single Collared Dove, 5 Blackcaps were seen including a male feeding young, in the nature reserve 3 Coot chicks were newly hatched, just 4 Chiffchaffs seen today, 2 Bullfinches on the top pool as was a Reed Warbler, on the sewage works, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroat and a Garden Warbler, back at the top of the main lake and the male Reed Bunting was seen feeding a single youngster and by Ted Heath Rocks a adult Grey Wagtail was feeding 2 young.
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
Monday, 13 June 2011
13 June 2011
A pretty quiet week while I've been at work, the only news in came from Nick which was the story of juvenile birds, on the 10th he had a male Reed Bunting feeding a youngster on the top pool, the 12th he had young Coal Tits, Whitethroat and Swallow.
On to today, it was a very cloudy morning with a bit of rain in the air, although it did brighten up during the visit, wind was quite strong and from the SW, temp 16c, visit from 05.55 til 08.00.
A single Mistle Thrush was on the playing field with a Pied Wagtail, a single young Pied Wagtail was also along the front of the main lake, around 6 Chiffchaffs were seen/heard around the park this morning, a Grey Heron was along the front edge of the main lake, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the main lake also held a Herring Gull, 3 Tufted Ducks were present with 2 on the main lake and 1 on the top pool, 6 Great Crested Grebes were on the main lake and also 9 Greylag Geese, the CanadaxGreylag Goose remains with the Canada Goose flock, a couple of young Swallows on the fencing around the new reeds (old beach area) are probably from the old canal buildings, at the top of the main lake the Mute Swan family remain 2 cygnet strong and around 60+ Swifts were flying around the top of the main lake, a single Collared Dove was seen twice flying across the main lake, just a couple of Blackcaps were heard today, at least 2 Reed Warblers were on the top pool, a Sparrowhawk flew over the gas and sewage works, also on the sewage works just 1 Whitethroat was heard and the Willow Warbler.
On to today, it was a very cloudy morning with a bit of rain in the air, although it did brighten up during the visit, wind was quite strong and from the SW, temp 16c, visit from 05.55 til 08.00.
A single Mistle Thrush was on the playing field with a Pied Wagtail, a single young Pied Wagtail was also along the front of the main lake, around 6 Chiffchaffs were seen/heard around the park this morning, a Grey Heron was along the front edge of the main lake, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the main lake also held a Herring Gull, 3 Tufted Ducks were present with 2 on the main lake and 1 on the top pool, 6 Great Crested Grebes were on the main lake and also 9 Greylag Geese, the CanadaxGreylag Goose remains with the Canada Goose flock, a couple of young Swallows on the fencing around the new reeds (old beach area) are probably from the old canal buildings, at the top of the main lake the Mute Swan family remain 2 cygnet strong and around 60+ Swifts were flying around the top of the main lake, a single Collared Dove was seen twice flying across the main lake, just a couple of Blackcaps were heard today, at least 2 Reed Warblers were on the top pool, a Sparrowhawk flew over the gas and sewage works, also on the sewage works just 1 Whitethroat was heard and the Willow Warbler.
Thursday, 9 June 2011
09 June 2011
A bit of catching up to do, although it's been rather quite really, as is the norm at this time of year with mainly just young birds to look out for an see whats been successful in the breeding stakes down at Westport.
Firstly back to May briefly, a total of 73 species were recorded around Westport for the month which is 5 up on last year, highlights included bird of the year so far two summer plumaged Black-necked Grebes found by Nick on his usual early morning rounds, 3 Pink-footed Geese stayed for a day, the 1st of 2 Hobbys were seen this month, a Snipe flew over the main lake briefly which was a first for the year as was 4 Whimbrel which flew over one morning, a Black Tern landed briefly on the main lake during a downpour and 4 Arctic Terns were seen briefy over the main lake by Jeff Jones and Alan Hancock, one possibly two Grasshopper Warbler's were a welcome find after a absence of a few years, up to at least 2/3 Spotted Flycatcher's went through in a single day, and finally 3 individual Yellow Wagtails were seen making May a pretty good month at Westport.
Ok now to up date visits over the last week.
04/06/2011
6 Blackcaps seen including young again, 5 Greylag Geese, 6 Mute Swans including 2 cygnets at last hatched during the week, 2 new Mute Swans on the boating lake included a darvic ring CAN7, unfortunatly it had fishing line in it's mouth.
The photo below of the Mute Swan cygnets is from Pete Lunt.
7 Chiffchaffs were around the park, 7 Willow Tits which included at least two broods of young, just a single Reed Warbler on the top pool, 2 Stock Doves on the gas works, 3 Whitethroats on the sewage works and a single Willow Warbler.
06/06/2011
6 Blackcaps around again including young, around 40 Swifts over the main lake, just 3 Tufted Ducks present and 5 Great Crested Grebes, the pair of Mute Swans with 2 Cygnets, Greylag Geese have increased to 6, 5 Willow Tits seen, 2 Stock Doves on the gas works, 2 Willow Warblers on the sewage works, just a single Chiffchaff singing, a Grey Heron flew over, 3 Whitethroats and 3 Bullfinches.
And finally today 09/06/2011
Just 3 Blackcaps singing today although a few more were calling, a single Pied Wagtail on the playing field and another 2 on the gas works, a single Mistle Thrush was also on the playing field, the Canada Geese Goslings are all together now with the final 7 joining the creche making 39 young in total and there are now 9 Greylag Geese amongst the Canada Geese flock, also among the Canada Geese is a CanadaxGreylag which was found a few days earlier by Nick.
Firstly back to May briefly, a total of 73 species were recorded around Westport for the month which is 5 up on last year, highlights included bird of the year so far two summer plumaged Black-necked Grebes found by Nick on his usual early morning rounds, 3 Pink-footed Geese stayed for a day, the 1st of 2 Hobbys were seen this month, a Snipe flew over the main lake briefly which was a first for the year as was 4 Whimbrel which flew over one morning, a Black Tern landed briefly on the main lake during a downpour and 4 Arctic Terns were seen briefy over the main lake by Jeff Jones and Alan Hancock, one possibly two Grasshopper Warbler's were a welcome find after a absence of a few years, up to at least 2/3 Spotted Flycatcher's went through in a single day, and finally 3 individual Yellow Wagtails were seen making May a pretty good month at Westport.
Ok now to up date visits over the last week.
04/06/2011
6 Blackcaps seen including young again, 5 Greylag Geese, 6 Mute Swans including 2 cygnets at last hatched during the week, 2 new Mute Swans on the boating lake included a darvic ring CAN7, unfortunatly it had fishing line in it's mouth.
The photo below of the Mute Swan cygnets is from Pete Lunt.
7 Chiffchaffs were around the park, 7 Willow Tits which included at least two broods of young, just a single Reed Warbler on the top pool, 2 Stock Doves on the gas works, 3 Whitethroats on the sewage works and a single Willow Warbler.
06/06/2011
6 Blackcaps around again including young, around 40 Swifts over the main lake, just 3 Tufted Ducks present and 5 Great Crested Grebes, the pair of Mute Swans with 2 Cygnets, Greylag Geese have increased to 6, 5 Willow Tits seen, 2 Stock Doves on the gas works, 2 Willow Warblers on the sewage works, just a single Chiffchaff singing, a Grey Heron flew over, 3 Whitethroats and 3 Bullfinches.
And finally today 09/06/2011
Just 3 Blackcaps singing today although a few more were calling, a single Pied Wagtail on the playing field and another 2 on the gas works, a single Mistle Thrush was also on the playing field, the Canada Geese Goslings are all together now with the final 7 joining the creche making 39 young in total and there are now 9 Greylag Geese amongst the Canada Geese flock, also among the Canada Geese is a CanadaxGreylag which was found a few days earlier by Nick.
Small number of Lesser Black-backed Gulls went through, 5 Tufted Ducks on the main lake with 7 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Grey Herons flew over south with another following shortly after, 3 Bullfinches flew across the boating lake and another 2 were on the sewage works, around 50+ Swifts were over the main lake, the usual Mute Swan family was along the edge of the main lake, a single Little Ringed Plover flew from the boating lake and a bit further along a Grey Wagtail, Chiffchaff seem to be getting there singing voices back with 6 singing, 3 Stock Doves were on the gas works, on the sewage works a single Willow Warbler, 4 Whitethroat including one carrying food, a single Garden Warbler, 4 Rook flew over which included 2 young and 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
Marsh Orchids are now in full bloom.
Monday, 30 May 2011
30 May 2011
A decent morning around Westport today for Nick smith with a Black Tern going through and the Mute Swans have at last managed to succeed in hatching 2 Cygnets.
Sunday, 29 May 2011
29 May 2011
Well that's it, a whole week off work, visited everyday and missed the only year tick of the week in the 4 Arctic Terns that went through the other day!!
This morning was a rather dull almost dark start to the morning with heavy cloud, a strong SW breeze was blowing and despite all the cloud only a slight shower went through late on in the visit, temp was 14c, visit from 05.50 til 08.40.
Again 5 Greylag Geese were among the Canada Geese on the playing field, just 5 Tufted Ducks seen today with 2 on the boating lake and 3 on the main lake, a single Little Ringed Plover was along the old beach area, small groups of Lesser Black-backed Gulls were going through, mainly in groups of 6, 5 and 7's, along the front of the main lake 4 Pied Wagtails of which 3 were youngsters, just 4 Great Crested Grebes were on the main lake, Swifts built up slowly during the visit with around 50+ present as I left, the same numbers applied to House Martins with which 2 Sand Martins were present, a single Black-headed Gull flew over, 6 Chiffchaffs were around the park today and 5 Blackcaps, 2 parties of young Willow Tits were seen with groups of 3 and 4, the resident pair of Mute Swans were in the nature reserve, at least 2 Reed Warblers were heard on the top pool and a single Bullfinch was here, on the sewage works, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroats and 1 Garden Warbler, back by the visitor centre, a Kestrel was seen over the top of the main lake, 2 Collared Doves flew across and a Sparrowhawk was over the centre.
Thats about it for me for the next four days as I'm back at work on early's from tomorrow!
All of a sudden this afternoon my mobile goes nuts with calls and text messages of a Lesser Yellowlegs at Uttoxeter Quarry, found by patch worker Andy Barker, Phil was the first call I received and within 10 mins we were on our way, although distant good views were obtained of a Staffs first for me and I think the 3rd ever Staffs record, also present a Sanderling, plus Ringed Plovers, Little Ringed Plovers, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, Goosander and Yellow Wagtail. Below is the best I could manage but at least it's a record shot.
This morning was a rather dull almost dark start to the morning with heavy cloud, a strong SW breeze was blowing and despite all the cloud only a slight shower went through late on in the visit, temp was 14c, visit from 05.50 til 08.40.
Again 5 Greylag Geese were among the Canada Geese on the playing field, just 5 Tufted Ducks seen today with 2 on the boating lake and 3 on the main lake, a single Little Ringed Plover was along the old beach area, small groups of Lesser Black-backed Gulls were going through, mainly in groups of 6, 5 and 7's, along the front of the main lake 4 Pied Wagtails of which 3 were youngsters, just 4 Great Crested Grebes were on the main lake, Swifts built up slowly during the visit with around 50+ present as I left, the same numbers applied to House Martins with which 2 Sand Martins were present, a single Black-headed Gull flew over, 6 Chiffchaffs were around the park today and 5 Blackcaps, 2 parties of young Willow Tits were seen with groups of 3 and 4, the resident pair of Mute Swans were in the nature reserve, at least 2 Reed Warblers were heard on the top pool and a single Bullfinch was here, on the sewage works, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroats and 1 Garden Warbler, back by the visitor centre, a Kestrel was seen over the top of the main lake, 2 Collared Doves flew across and a Sparrowhawk was over the centre.
Thats about it for me for the next four days as I'm back at work on early's from tomorrow!
All of a sudden this afternoon my mobile goes nuts with calls and text messages of a Lesser Yellowlegs at Uttoxeter Quarry, found by patch worker Andy Barker, Phil was the first call I received and within 10 mins we were on our way, although distant good views were obtained of a Staffs first for me and I think the 3rd ever Staffs record, also present a Sanderling, plus Ringed Plovers, Little Ringed Plovers, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, Goosander and Yellow Wagtail. Below is the best I could manage but at least it's a record shot.
Saturday, 28 May 2011
28 May 2011
A very very quiet morning around Westport, weather was forecast for light showers but we didn't see any, it remained cloudy with a WSW breeze, temp was 13c, visit from 06.00 til 08.45.
The first of only 2 Blackcaps was singing as I entered the park, on the playing field 5 Greylag Geese were later joined by another, a single Pied Wagtail was probably part of the family of 4 on the front of the main lake, a single Mistle Thrush was also on the playing field with another along the grass bank, a few small parties of Lesser Black-backed Gulls were going through with the largest a group of 9, 6 Tufted Duck were on the main lake with another couple on the boating lake, just 4 Great Crested Grebes were seen today, 4 Chiffchaffs were heard around the park and at least 7 Willow Tits made up of mainly young birds, around 30+ Swifts increased to around 50+ later but there were very few House Martins compared to the last few days, the resident Mute Swans were in the back and a couple of Bullfinches were around the top pool, a single Whitethroat was singing on the sewage works as was a Willow Warbler and Garden Warbler.
The first of only 2 Blackcaps was singing as I entered the park, on the playing field 5 Greylag Geese were later joined by another, a single Pied Wagtail was probably part of the family of 4 on the front of the main lake, a single Mistle Thrush was also on the playing field with another along the grass bank, a few small parties of Lesser Black-backed Gulls were going through with the largest a group of 9, 6 Tufted Duck were on the main lake with another couple on the boating lake, just 4 Great Crested Grebes were seen today, 4 Chiffchaffs were heard around the park and at least 7 Willow Tits made up of mainly young birds, around 30+ Swifts increased to around 50+ later but there were very few House Martins compared to the last few days, the resident Mute Swans were in the back and a couple of Bullfinches were around the top pool, a single Whitethroat was singing on the sewage works as was a Willow Warbler and Garden Warbler.
Friday, 27 May 2011
27 May 2011
A strange day at Westport, I missed a early start after a night out last night, Nick Smith had 2 groups of young Willow Tits but not a lot else, the weather was rather cold with a strong north west breeze, on the playing field I had 5 Greylag Geese feeding with the Canada Geese, a couple of Tufted Ducks were on the boating lake with another 8 on the main lake, also on the main lake 5 Great Crested Grebes, and really that was about all I had.
I'd just been back in the house about 5 minutes when I received a text from nick saying 4 Arctic Terns on the main lake seen by Jeff Jones and Alan Hancock, so I rushed straight back sadly not in enough time as they had already left, as I stood on the back a Oystercatcher flew in, it flew around the 2 lakes for a few minutes before heading off south.
I'd just been back in the house about 5 minutes when I received a text from nick saying 4 Arctic Terns on the main lake seen by Jeff Jones and Alan Hancock, so I rushed straight back sadly not in enough time as they had already left, as I stood on the back a Oystercatcher flew in, it flew around the 2 lakes for a few minutes before heading off south.
A couple of Mute Swans came into the boating lake, one I managed to read the ring of which was on a blue ring number 7FBB, those that come down to Westport on a regular basis will know that there has been a unusual Coot around for a few months, it basically looks like a Coot that has been bleached, however if you look closely at it's head this is a normal black colour, see the picture below.
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