July 2007 Bird Report

The main interest in July is the return of migrant birds, some for the winter and others passing through. Breeding is still evident, especially this year where the weather has had a big impact on success, and some birds are attempting late broods. The flooding on the 20^th appears to have done little direct damage to birds, but the new workings will take some time be pumped out. Quite a lot of fish and other aquatic creatures will have been displaced where the river overflowed into the lakes. 

Over 200 Canada Geese were recorded by month end. The brood of Gadwall still have 3 young, late broods of Tufted Duck and Mallard appeared. The Little Grebe nest on the pond to the north of the new workings got washed out by the floods, but they have started again. Pochard appeared at the beginning of the month and some have remained. Shoveler (8 on the 17th) and Teal have been seen. A very late brood of 7 baby Mandarin Ducks appeared on 28th. 

Hobby, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk have been seen regularly. Little Owls have become more vocal and the Barn Owls have been seen hunting at dawn and dusk on the new workings, on the Reserve and also on the fields to the north by Dell Road. 

Lapwing numbers increased to more 200 by the month end. Little Ringed Plover and Redshank seem to have moved on. Up to 6 Green Sandpipers were around and Common Sandpipers often present. A Curlew was present on 9th and 13th, the first sightings of 2007. 7 Black-tailed Godwit were seen on 10th, with single birds on the 9th, 27th and 30th. Greenshank on the 20th. 2 Turnstones were seen on 20th and 3 on 27th, with one remaining until the 29th; the first autumn record that I am aware of. An Oystercatcher was seen on 24th. 4 Whimbrel flew through on 27th. 3 Dunlin were seen on 17th/18th and 3 on 27th. This exceptional record of early wader sightings is probably the result of the bad weather, causing migrating birds to stop and rest.

The Black-headed Gulls have dispersed from their breeding site on Tern Island, although some are still in the area. Large Gulls have begun roosting on the bare gravel, and include Herring Gulls, Yellow-legged Gulls and recently a Common Gull, but mainly Lesser Black-backed Gulls. 

Despite the high water levels, some juvenile Kingfishers have been seen along the river recently.

There are signs that the warblers are leaving their breeding territories and gathering in local flocks, often with the young Blue Tits, Great Tits and Long-tailed Tits. There are still very good numbers of Common Whitethroat to be seen.

 Bruce Archer