July 2008 Bird Report

The beginning of the autumn migration and lots of locally bred youngsters is the theme of July.

A few juvenile Great Crested Grebes have appeared and 3 baby Little Grebes at last.  The Geese have regained the ability to fly following moulting and are moving about. Egyptian Geese counts of up to 60 and Canada Geese up to 240.

Mallard seem to have had a good breeding season with full grown young present in good numbers. Gadwall don’t seem to have bred at Moor Green this year, but Tufted Ducks have at last hatched 30+ young; they seem to have faired better on the Manor Farm pits, there is always a high mortality on the more mature waters containing pike and attracting Herons.  A few more Mandarin ducklings are also appearing on the Manor Farm waters. Two Pochard returned mid-month and Teal have been seen a few times. Two juvenile Shelducks were present from 19th to 27th.

I assume the juvenile Kestrel that has appeared was produced by the resident pair using the Barn Owl box.  I am aware of only one sighting of hunting Barn Owl this month. Hobbies are present most days.

Up to 200 Lapwing present by the end of the month. The summering Little Ringed Plovers were seen with 2 late juveniles from 10th. There was a notable passage of 9 additional “LRP”s on 14th.  Occasional Ringed Plovers seen passing through and occasional Redshanks; I don’t think any Redshanks were raised on site this year. Green Sandpiper numbers up to 9 (22nd) and Common Sandpipers up to 7 (19th). Snipe seen in the last week.

Returning passage migrants reported were: Black-tailed Godwit on 13th, Dunlin 18th to 20th, Whimbrel on 20th, Greenshank on 24th/25th.

The Black-headed Gulls had a dismal breeding season, none nests at the end of June hatched any young as far as could be seen. The 3 juvenile Common Terns did fledge. The usual July presence of Yellow-legged Gulls (up to 3) and a Common Gull in the daytime gatherings of Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls on the workings. 

Resident Swifts and Sand Martins seem to have disappeared in the last week. Two or 3 intriguing reports a Wood Warbler during the month will give Ian something to ponder – if you have any details I am sure he would appreciate them.

As always, please report your own sightings on the record sheets in Colebrook Hide or send them to Ian Brown, the Moor Green Bird Recorder.

Bruce Archer