April 2010 Bird Report

A dry, but not necessarily warm, month has left the water levels reasonably low.

The last Goosander of the winter was seen on the 5th; the last Wigeon in the second week of April and the last Teal and Shoveler in the last week. Baby Mallard were seen from 5th, Egyptian Geese from 20th Canadas from 28th. A few visiting Shelduck, including 3 on the 12th. A pair of Greylag Geese looked as if they were settling down to breed, but did not stay. A few non-breeding Cormorants remain. Mandarin Ducks are doing well with 63 eggs in the boxes monitored on the 28th.

Up to 3 Green Sandpipers during the month, the last seen on the 21st. Common Sandpipers first seen on 5th with 3 on the 21st. A Whimbrel briefly on the 9th; another Greenshank on the 22nd, an Avocet on the 24th – the third site record. Oystercatcher on the 19th and 27th. Common Snipe until 19th at least. Up to 6 Little Ringed Plovers in residence, with a few pairs of Lapwings and Redshanks.

Common Terns arrived on 21st, with up to 7 now present. A few Black-headed Gulls are present, but unlikely to breed. Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Red Kite and Buzzard (6 on the 1st) and a Peregrine on 1st. Three pairs of Little Owls often seen sunning them selves, particularly in the willow at the bottom of the paddock.

Wheatear passage with one or two on a few days. The resident Skylarks are singing and Meadow Pipits still present at the beginning of the month. A pair Stonechats present all month, suggesting they may breed; which has occurred in the past. Increasing passage of hirundins, some probably local. Swifts recorded from early in the month. White Wagtail on 3rd Yellow Wagtail 11th, 15th and 21st.

13 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers and 5 Blackcaps were on territory on the 1st. The first Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler arrived on the 12th, Garden Warbler on the 19th and Reed Warblers on the 20th. A Lesser Whitethroat on the 21st and a Grasshopper Warbler on the 23rd were probably passing through.

Siskins and Lesser Redpolls were present at the beginning of the month, but have moved on. A male Brambling was around the feeding station for a few days start of the month, along with the Reed Buntings. Nearly all the tit boxes are occupied and doing well. Jackdaws and Nuthatches are also using the nest boxes this year.

The small Linnet flock was present at the beginning of the month. The singing male Yellowhammer has not been reported at all this month, which is ominous.

My unofficial count of species recorded for 2010 is about 117, 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