June 2010 Bird Report

An influx of Great Crested Grebes occurred mid month with no signs of breeding yet. A pair of Widgeon on 18th and a pair of Teal from 23rd onward. The First Tufted Duck young were seen on the 14th, since then several more nests have hatched. Gadwall with 11 young on 20th, down to 9 on 25th. Several broods of Mallard present. Mandarin Ducks had a good breeding season with 58 young hatching from the nest boxes, and a few more from natural nest sites. A Shelduck passing through on 4th.

Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Hobby and the occasional Red Kite seen during the month.

Up to 2 Redshank remained to the end of the month; although no evidence of breeding this year? At least 6 Little Ringed Plovers hatched this month and 2 had fledged by month end. The first Green Sandpiper was seen on the 26th; up to 4 by the end of the month. Ringed Plover 25th. Lapwing numbers increased during the month, with a few broods raised on site.

Juvenile Common Terns seen on Tern Island from the 19th, and Black-headed Gulls a few days later. A few sightings of LBB and Herring Gulls.

Kingfishers became more active mid month, possibly because they were feeding young somewhere. A juvenile Cuckoo was seen on 29th - which is an intriguing record and could have bred locally, Reed Warblers being a common host species.

A nest of 3 Little Owls were ringed, and a further juvenile from another nest was seen during the month. Unfortunately one young was found dead - it appeared to have got tangled in a fence. Barn Owl daytime activity seems to have diminished, which would indicate that there are no young being fed.

The pair of Stonechats that have been resident on Honey Field were proven to have bred when 3 juveniles were seen on the 27th. This is the first confirmed record of breeding for the site. Skylarks have been active and must have bred. Pied Wagtails have also done well, but not sure if Grey Wagtails have bred on site this year.

Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatches and Treecreepers seem to have done well. Warblers also seem to have had a good breeding season with lots of juveniles, especially Common Whitethroats, Reed Warblers and Sedge Warblers.

There seem to be more Reed Buntings than ever as the reed beds develop on Manor Farm. Yellowhammers have been singing still at the west end of the site.

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