May 2010 Bird Report

May is the peak of the local breeding season, with migrants heading north to breed.

Swans, Canada Geese, Egyptian Geese, Mallards and Coot have young during the month. Most of the Blue and Great Tits nesting in the boxes have successfully fledged, as have Mandarin Ducks, most of the first and second clutches of Stock Doves and a nest of Nuthatches.

A nest of Lapwing chicks were seen on the 3rd while some adults are still incubating. Up to 10 pairs of Common Terns are nesting  on Tern Island with and some Tufted Ducks and a few Black-headed Gulls. Unfortunately Crows and Jackdaws are hassling the Gulls and taking the occasional egg. On the 23rd a colour ringed immature Black-headed Gull was present which was one of 100 ringed as chicks at Hosehill Lake (Theale) last August.

Only a few Hobby sightings so far, along with regular Kestrels, Buzzards, Red Kite and Sparrowhawks. A Peregrine on the 30th. Regular sightings of Barn Owls and Little Owls. There are sightings of Kingfishers, but probably less that in recent years.

Occasional reports of Herring Gulls may indicate breeding somewhere in the general area. An Arctic Tern was recorded on 8th. Plenty of Cuckoo sightings in the area with a pair seen on 24th.

Up to 3 Common Sandpipers passing through, last on the 27th. A Ringed Plover on 22nd. A Turnstone on 8th and two on 20th. The best ever passage of Whimbrel with  28 on 8th, 1 on 20th, 2 on 21st. Oystercatcher on 26th and 3 on 16th. Two Redshank still present at the end of the month, but no conformation of successful breeding. Four Little Ringed Plovers still present at the end of the month. A Snipe was still present during the first week of May. Dunlin on the 30th.

A male Garganey was present on 21st, 2 male Shoveler 27th and a male Teal in the last week.

Pair of Stonechats have been present all month - possibly breeding. Also at least one Meadow Pipit has been present all month. Yellow Wagtail on the 8th and a White Wagtail on the 3rd.

All the common Warblers are established and a passing Lesser Whitethroat on the 3rd. Pleased to see at least one and possibly 2 male Yellowhammers singing on the workings.

My unofficial count of species recorded for 2010 is about 122, 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