August 2009 Bird Report

The first Great Crested Grebe young of the year were seen on the 8th with a total of 6 from 3 broods. Up to 716 Canadas and 99 Egyptians.  Juvenile Shelduck 1st to 7th. At least 2 pairs of Mandarin Ducks with full grown juveniles throughout the month. One Wigeon for early part of the month.  Up to at least 7 Teal all month. A few Pochard around all month. Shoveler re-appeared on the 22nd.

Up to 3 juvenile Kestrels, probably from the nest in the top of the Owl box. Regular Sparrowhawks, Hobby and Buzzards. A Peregrine on 18th and 22nd The highlight of the month was a female Marsh Harrier on the 9th; only the second site record. Two or 3 Red-legged Partridges were seen on the 30th/31st.

Lapwings peaked at 233 on the 15th. The Resident Little Ringed Plovers left at the end of July, but passage birds were present on the 17th, 28th and 31st. Passage Ringed Plovers were present on seven dates, with 4 on the 23rd. Two Sanderling on the 1st. An adult Little Stint and a Black-tailed Godwit on the 2nd.  A good month for Dunlin with up to 2 from the 2nd to 4th and up to 5 between 11th and 24th.  A Snipe seen regularly throughout the month. Four Redshank on the 27th/28th and a Greenshank on 15th/16th. Up to 12 Green Sandpipers and up to 4 Common Sandpipers present throughout the month.

The Gull roost increased to about 100 large Gulls by month end. A Yellow-legged Gull on the 8th. A few Black-headed Gulls and Common Terns loafing during the day.

Little Owls were prominent in the early part of the month and one or two Barn Owls regularly seen hunting or in the box. Tawny Owls were heard regularly.

Swifts departed during the first week of the month. Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins present with an increase of passage birds at the end of the month.

Passing Wheatears were seen from the 8th onwards. Warblers becoming more mobile through the month as the final broods fledge. Finch flocks formed by the end of the month with flocks of about 30 Goldfinches and 15 Linnets feeding on thistles.

A Spotted Flycatcher on 30th was the first of the year. Tit flocks have been roaming the hedgerows and making use of the feeders near Colebrook hide.

My unofficial count of species recorded so far in 2009 is 134, 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