July 2009 Bird Report

At least one pair of Great Crested Grebes are still on a nest but no sign of young yet.  Little Grebes have hatched 3 more young. Just one Snow Goose remains from the local feral flock and returned on the 20th. The Numbers of Geese and Coots have increased during the month.  A pair of Maned Ducks (natives of Australia) were present on 26th and 27th; escapees from someone’s collection no doubt.

A total of 8 to 10 families of Tufted Ducks have appeared, but no sign of breeding Gadwall again this year. The male Wigeon returned mid-month after a few weeks away. A Teal was recorded sporadically throughout the month and a Pochard from 30th.

Hobby, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard were seen regular, probably breeding in the general area. Young Kestrels were seen at the end of the month from the resident pair. A pair of Barn Owls are present on the new workings and a family of little Owls have been seen daily around the pony paddock by the car park – check the posts.

Migrant waders increased throughout the month with 2 Oystercatcher on the 11th and a singles on 20th and 31st. 2 Ringed Plover around 22nd. A late Little Ringed Plover hatched early in the month bringing the total to 9 this year of which at least 3 have fledged; 3 juvenile passage birds present on 31st. Up to 210 Lapwing during the month. A Sanderling on the 25th Dunlin regular with 1 on 9th, 2 on 16th, 1 on 20th and 2 on 26th, 27th. Snipe returned on 23rd. Redshank on the 1st, 2nd and 10th. A Greenshank appeared briefly on 4th. Green Sandpipers present every day, peaking at 9 on the 9th and 28th. Common Sandpipers on the 3rd and 4th then up to 3 from 13th onward. A welcome Wood Sandpiper on 28th to 30th. Most of these waders were seen on the diggings west of the Reserve.

A further attack on the breeding Common Terns and Black-headed Gulls, probably by feral Mink, caused complete abandonment of breeding on Tern Island on the 6th; although some adults still remain in the area. A few large Gulls have been loafing on the diggings, mainly Lesser Black-backed Gulls with a one Herring Gull and Yellow-Legged Gulls – peaking at 3 on 14th.

Martins, Swallows and 2 Swifts still present on 31st. Stonechats present and could have bred on site. All the resident Warbler species remain, with plenty of young. Greenfinch and Goldfinch flocks have increased during the month and Linnets have arrived.  Nuthatches have become more evident and may be seen on the peanut feeders along with the Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a multitude of Blue Tits and Great Tits.

My unofficial count of species recorded so far in 2009 is 130, including the escaped Snow and Barnacle Geese.

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