7th December 2008

On the pool this morning good numbers of gulls, ducks and winter wildfowl:
19 Mallard, 85 Canada Geese, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 10+ Coot, 5 Moorhen, 2 Mute Swan, 4
Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 50+ Black Headed Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 3 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black Backed Gull, Chaffinch,male Bullfinch,Kestrel, 30+ Wood Pigeon, 2 Stock Dove. Common Buzzard eating rabbit in ploughed field next to anglers car park.
31 species seen in total.

(Aan Ramsell )

22nd November 2008

Goldcrest with LT Tit flock. Male Shoveler, 10 Tufted Duck, 94 Canada Geese, 85 BH Gulls, 2 Lesser BB Gulls, 1 Common Gull and a Common Buzzard.

Colin Green.

28th October 2008

Yellowhammer,2 flyover Lesser Redpoll,Siskin & a few Skylark over,on the pool itself 2 Kingfisher,1 drake Shoveler,19 Tufted Duck,4 Greylag Goose & 2 Canada Goose,2 Lesser Blk backed Gulls,3 Common Gulls & 20+ Blk Headed Gull & a single Redwing over

(D.Hutton)

20th October 2008

My 1st Fieldfares of the Autumn this morning with 7 birds present also 3 Redwing,25 Tufted Duck on the pool being about the only birds of note,yesterday at least 30 Redwing over & a late Red Admiral butterfly.

(D.Hutton)

17th October 2008

This afteroon a Kingfisher by the sunken trees. 1 Common Gull, 16 Tufted Duck, 24 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 1 Grey Heron and small flocks of Goldfinch and LT Tit.

Colin Green.

15th October 2009

Duck numbers are now builing up on the pool with 24 Tufted Duck & 10 Mallard,still good sized mixed flocks of Tits,mostly Long-tailed with a few Goldcrests mixed in 3 Siskin & 1 Lesser Redpoll over & 1 Little Owl

(D.Hutton)

8th October 2008

A late afternoon walk produced a flock of Long, Blue and Coal Tits with another small flock of Goldfinch. 5 Tufted Duck, a Cormorant flying over and several Phesants.

Colin Green.

8th October 2008

Yesterday on the pool (7/10/08) my 1st Redwing of the Autumn on the pool, also 1 male eclipse Shoveler,4 Tufted Duck + a few Siskin over also seen 3 Migrant Hawker. Today on the pool even quieter with 7 Redwing over,14 Pheasant & 3 Goldcrest

(D.Hutton)

2nd October 2008

The last week has been very quiet on the pool with around 10 Chiffchaff still present & occasional Swallow through,this morning was a little better with 4 Skylark,7 Meadow Pipit,5 Siskin,12 Lesser Redpoll,good numbers of Long-tailed Tit,2 Goldcrest,10 Greylag Geese,2 Common Buzzard,1 Kestrel,1 male Blackcap,6 Chiffchaff & a late Willow Warbler

(D.Hutton)

27th September 2008

A pleasant afternoon walk around around the pool in warm sunshine netted one Swallow, mixed flocks of Long Tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tit, Goldcrest, Goldfinches and Chiffchaff,2 Mute Swans flew in only to be chased off by the 2 resident Mute Swans,2 Greylag Geese flew over,2 Grey Wagtails,1 Green Woodpecker,1 Great Crested Grebe & 2 Tufted Duck.


(Alan Ramsell)

18th September 2008

1 Spotted Flycatcher in hawthorns off the point this morning with at least 20+ Chiffchaff also seen 2 Tufted Duck,1 Kingfisher also good numbers of both Meadow Pipit & Siskin over

(D.Hutton)

17th September 2008

Very quiet on the pool today with no sign of any Flycatchers (Morning or afternoon) at least 20+ Chiffchaff though in with a mixed flock of Tits,the 1st Wigeon of the Autumn a male was flying around the pool this morning but spooked by a low-flying aircraft also 3 Blackcap & Swallow on the pool & a cpl of Common Buzzard over


(D.Hutton)

16th September 2008

Quick walk around this morning with the dog,Spotted Flycatchers again in the hedgerow at the back of the pool showing well also a male Common Redstart on poolside fence further around the pool also seen 10+ Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker,1 female Pochard

(D.Hutton)

15th September2008

Chiffchaff
Long-tailed Tit

Up early after just a cpl of hrs sleep after a long night shift to be greeted by Nigel ,Malc & Brian already on site waiting for the Spotted Flycatchers to perform sadly they were present but not so showy (Well not until there was only me left)At least 4 birds showed well with a backup cast of 3 Blackcap,2 Garden Warbler,5+ Chiffchaff with plenty of Swallows & Martins flying over South also seen Long-tailed Tits,Goldfinch,3 Buzzard,1 Green Woodpecker,Speckled Wood,Small Tortoiseshell,Migrant,Brown & Southern Hawker & Common Darter

(D.Hutton)

14th September 2008

Went a walk up Seeswood to try for some photo's of Spotted Flycatcher not a cat in hells chance
there was 4 birds present but stayed high up in the tree tops catching insects also a large party of Long-tailed tits and a Kingfisher sitting in the big Oak tree which i thought was strange with it not being near water also 20+ Meadow Pipits moving through,34 Lapwing,3 Cormorant,1 Reed Warbler and 10+ Chiffchaff,1 Common Buzzard,1 Sparrowhawk,1 Kestrel also Green-veined White,Speckled Wood butterflies,1 Brown & Migrant Hawkers and a few Vapourer moths on the wing
R.Dawkins

13th September 2008

Spotted Flycatcher

Common Whitethroat

(Common Whitethroat & Spotted Flycatcher photos by D.Hutton)

Bumped into John Harris whilst walking the pooch who had had 5 Lesser Redpoll over,1 Vapourer & Silvey Y(Moths) (John not the pooch!!) also seen by myself & John 2 Raven over + another calling over about an hr later,1 Common Whitethroat,at least 4 Spotted Flycatcher (poss upto 7) 15+ Chiffchaff,1 Garden warbler,2 Reed Warbler,Swallows,House martins stll in good numbers around the pool, 4 Common Buzzard & 1 Little Owl also seen Speckled Wood,Green-veined White,2 Red Admiral,2Common Darters,Southern Hawkers,Migrant & Brown Hawkers

(D.Hutton)

10th September 2008

Spotted Flycathers (Dave Hutton)

Still a few migrants around the pool with Swallow.House Martin & Sand Martin,1 Reed Warbler,2 Willow Warbler,10+ Chiffchaff,1 Blackcap & at least 5 Spotted Flycatcher also seen 4 Common Buzzard,1 Sparrowhawk,30+ Siskin (Very early) also a few Meadow Pipits over whilst Butterflies inc Green-veined White,Speckled Wood & 1 Red Admiral with Migrant Hawkers & Brown Hawkers in good numbers

(D.Hutton)

10th September 2008

3 Spotted Flycatchers at back of pool in red berry bush next to main gate to field. Otherwise quiet. Several Swallows and a couple of Sand Martin over pool.

Colin Green

8th September 2008

Havin neglected the pool the last few days having spent the majority of my time at Shustoke Reservoir (Grey Phalarope,Arctic Tern,Black Tern etc) i finally managed to get around for an hour this afternoon,not much to report (Probably missed it all!!) good numbers of Chiffchaff at the back-end of the pool & a Green Sandpiper being the only highlight which was sat on the poolside stages but was very flighty also seen Brown Hawker & Migrant Hawkers

(For more details on the Shustoke birds follow the links & photos on my webpage)

(D.Hutton)

3rd September 2008

Still a visible passage thru the pool this morning with at least 10 Chiffchaff,2 Reed Warbler,200+ House Martins several Sand Martins & Swallows,1 Swift,1 Yellow Wagtail,1 Spotted Flycatcher & a Whinchat (the 1st on the pool this year) other bird seen include 2 Common Buzzard,1 Sparrowhawk. This afternoon whilst trying to locate this mornings Whinchat (No luck!!) I had another 2 Spotted Flycatcher & an early Siskin


Whinchat (D.Hutton)

(D.Hutton)

2nd September 2008

Spotted Flycatcher (D.Hutton)

A little more movement on the pool today after last nights heavy rain.
Hobby over at 8:58, 2 Kingfisher good numbers of both Willow Warbler & Chiffchaff working the many small bushes & reeds around the pool & at least 3 Spotted Flycatcher (1ad 2juv) in hedgerow towards the back of the pool. This afternoon on the pool 4 Common Buzzard,1 Juv Common Whitethroat,1 Juv Hobby hunting martins,plenty of House Martin & Swallow with at least 1 Sand Martin & the 3 Spot Flys still present


(D.Hutton)

29th August 2008

Vapourer

4 Willow Wabler,2 Reed Warbler,Swallows,House Martin,2 Flyover Yellow Wagtails + 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers being the only birds of note today whilst Butterflies seen were Large White,Green-veined White & Speckled Wood whilst moths seen were 2 Vapourer,1 Green Carpet,5 Straw Dot & 1 Silver Y, Dragonflies & Damsels 3 Migrant Hawker,7 Brown Hawker,Common Blue Damselfly & 1 Blue-tailed Damselfly

(D.Hutton)

27th August 2008

Quiet on the pool the last few days with the highlights being 3 Reed Warbler (25/8/08) & a flyover Yellow Wagtail (26/8/08) so with that in mind Rich Dawkins & myself decided to do a Moth Trapping session from 8-30pm (26/8) till 5am this morning! We ran 3 traps resulting in 65 Species & total of 811 moths caught with the highlights below



Dusky Thorn
Ghost Moth (male)
Bulrush Wainscot
Drinker
Frosted Orange

Flame Carpet
Green Carpet
Gold Spot
Canary-shouldered Thorn
Orange Swift

Red Underwing
Sallow
Centre-barred Sallow
Oak Hook-tip
Coxcomb Prominent

19th August 2008

10+ Swift,House Martins,swallows,1 common Whitethroat,1 Reed Warbler,1 Chiffchaff.3 Willow Warbler,Blackcap,2 Common Buzzard,1 Sparrowhawk also seen Green-veined White,Speckled Wood,Gatekeeper,Common Blue Damselfly & Blue-tailed Damselfly & a cpl of species of moth seen with Common Carpet & Udea Lutealis

(D.Hutton)

14th August 2008

Still good numbers Of Swallows & House Martins on the pool with 4 Sand Martin & 7 Swift also 9 Cormorant over,1 Little Owl in usual roost,2 Common Buzzard,3 Willow Warbler,1 Reed Warbler,4 Blackcap (3 Juv 1ad male) Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker.Butterflies seen inc Large White,Green-veined White,Peacock,1 Red Admiral,Speckled Wood,Gatekeepers & 1 Holly Blue whilst the only Dragonflies were 11 Brown Hawker

(D.Hutton)

13th August 2008

Plenty of Swallows,House Martins,4 Swift & 4 Sand Martins hawking over the pool also seen 1 Sedge Warbler,1 Reed Warbler & 2 Willow Warbler,Butterflies seen Gatekeepers,Green-veined White,Large White & 1 Red Admiral

(D.Hutton)

11th August 2008

The last month has been very quiet with hardly any movement or anything of real note!! Today was no different with just House Martins,Swallows & a few Swifts hawking over the pool & a single Reed Warbler seen. Dragonflies included 5 Black-tailed Skimmers,2 Brown Hawkers & a few Common-blue Damselflies whilst Butterflies inc 1 Meadow Brown,20+ Gatekeeper,2 Speckled Wood,3 Peacock,Large White & Green-veined White

(D.Hutton)

13th July 2008

4+ Lesser Whitethroat,7 Reed Warbler,2 Little Owl,1 Common Buzzard & 1 ad Mediterranean Gull & 1 Common Tern briefly before flying off also seen 5+ Large White,4 Gatekeeper,1 Comma,2 Large Skipper,10+ Ringlet,Meadow Brown,30+ Common Blue Damselfly,3 Brown Hawker & 9 Black Tailed Skimmer

(D.Hutton)

10th July 2008

Good No's of Swift,House Martin,Swallows & a single Sand Martin hawking over the pool also 2 Reed Warbler & a male Lesser Whitethroat singing around the pool,2 Hobby hunting the Martins but sighting of the day has to go to the 2 Common Crossbill
flying over the backend of the pool & appear to land in the pines in the copse in the NW corner (A 1st record for the pool taking the total recorded upto 180 species) also seen 1 Meadow Brown,20+ Ringlet,2 Large Skipper,3 Gatekeeper,10 Common Blue Damselfly & 1 Black-tailed Skimmer

(D.Hutton)

1st July 2008

3 Reed Warbler singing today on the pool also my 1st Hobby of the year on the pool taking out a Swift

(D.Hutton)

30th June 2008

1 Little Owl,1 Common Buzzard,2 Common Terns & at least 2 Reed Warblers still singing also 1 Redshank perched up on 1 of the tree stumps in the water (The 1st on the pool for a few years) Butterflies & Moths seen inc 2 Silver-ground Carpet,1 Speckled Wood & 4 Ringlet whilst Dragonflies inc 7 Black-tailed Skimmers & the 1st Brown Hawker of the year

(D.Hutton)

23rd June 2008

2 Reed Warbler,2 Common Tern,1 Little Owl,2 Common Buzzard being the only real birds of note this morning!!!

(D. Hutton)

16th June 2008

Very quiet still with only 1 Little Owl,1 Buzzard & 3 singing Reed Warblers of any note!
the 1st Black-tailed Skimmers (Dragonflies) were on the wing today with 2 males & 20+ Common Blue Damselflies,nearby at Kingswood Meadows at least 50+ Chimney Sweepers,3 Latticed Heath,10+ Burnet Companion (Moths) 4 Large Skipper,1 Meadow Brown (Butterflies) & again nearby at Whittleford Park 1 Broad-bodied Chaser,1 Four-spotted Chaser,1m Banded Demoiselle,30+ Azure,10+ Blue-tailed & 5 Common Blue Damselflies,1 Common Blue,5 Speckled Wood & 2 Small Copper Butterflies on the wing.

(D.Hutton)

13th June 2008

Lesser Whitethroat (maybe as many as 5), Reed Warbler, Kestrel, Grey Wagtail, Common Tern and Kestrel. Scores of Swift, House Martin and Swallow mostly at the back of the pool.

Colin Green.

11th June 2008

1 Little Owl,2 Common Tern,2 Reed Warbler,4+ Lesser Whitethroat (2ad + at least 2 fledglings)
2 Lesser Blk Backed Gulls

(D.Hutton)

June 9th 2008

Elephant Hawkmoth
Pale Tussock
Scorched Wing
May Highflyer

2 Common Tern & 1 Little Owl being the only birds off note!! Decided to do a Moth trapping session with Rich Dawkins around the pool ran 1 125MV trap from 10pm -2am with just over 100 moths caught of 36 Species with the highlights being Elephant Hawkmoth,May Highflyer,Pale Tussock & Scorched Wing

(D.Hutton,R.Dawkins)

June 4th 2008

Silver-ground Carpet

3 Reed Warbler stll singing,1 Buzzard also seen 1 Brimstone,2 Peacock,5 Green-veined White,1 Speckled Wood & 1 Red Admiral whilst moths seen inc 1 Green Carpet,3 Common Carpet & 52+ Silver-ground Carpet with the 1st Damselflies also being seen today 7 Common-blue & 1 Large Red

(D.Hutton,R.Dawkins)

1st June 2008

Still very quiet on the pool with just the feeding Swallows,House Martins & Swifts & a male Lesser Whitethroat of any note,the Mute Swans have 6 Cygnets! Still no Damselflies seen on the pool which is very unusual & about a month late already,12+ Silver-ground Carpet (Moths) seen this morning

(D.Hutton)

21st May 2008

Very quiet on the pool again with 3 Common Buzzard,2 Common Tern,50 + Swift,6+ Orange-tip Butterfly,3 Green-veined White & 2 Common Carpet (Moths) also a report of a Little Tern? (which would be the 1st record since 1983) but as last year the record is dodgy to say the least! with yet another anonymous sighting! (Last year it was a Juv Common Tern) I spent all afternoon at the pool & the only birds were Common!!!!!

(D.Hutton)

20th May 2008

Looks like i jumped the gun a little yesterday? with a 1st for the pool today!!
a suberb Red Kite circling over the backend fields & over towards Tower Farm before drifting off towards Grove Farm also seen 2 Common Buzzard,2 Common Tern,100+ Swift,House Martins & Swallow (Taking the Bird list for the pool upto 179 Species)

(D.Hutton)

May 19th 2008

The last week on the pool has been very quiet,with most summer visitors & passage migrants now on their breeding grounds,so my attention will probably shift to the Butterflies & Damselflies & Dragonflies (When they emerge!!) The only bird of note today was the pools 1st Common Tern of the year (very late this year)

(D.Hutton)

May 9th 2008

A quick walk with the dog tonight after work produced a long wanted bird to my Seeswood list in the form of Oystercatcher,the 1st record since 1991 although a record was claimed Autumn 2004 of a flyover

(Dave Hutton)

8th May 2008

It's been very quiet on the pool for the past few days & it appears Seeswoods purple patch has ended with only 1 Common Sandpiper,Lesser Whitethroat,2 Blackcap,3 Reed Warbler,2 Little Owl & a pair of Gadwall (Uncommon on the pool) being the only birds of note over the last 2 days!! Butterflies inc Green-veined White,Orange Tip,Large White,Small Tortoiseshell & Speckled Wood.

It's also 20 Years today since Seeswoods finest bird was found by Mr John Liggins!!


'Caspian Tern'

5th May 2008

11 Tufted Duck, 1 Cormorant, several Reed Bunting, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Swift, 10+ House Martin, 2 Swallow, male Kestrel, 3 Common Buzzard, Green Woodpecker, 1 Common Sandpiper.

Orange Tip and Peacock butterflies.

Alan Ramsell

4th May 2008

1 Blackcap,2 Reed Warbler,3 Swallow, 2 Common Sandpiper & 1 Little owl being the only birds of note on the pool early morning also 2 Bank Voles seen

(D.Hutton)

3rd May 2008

Fairly quiet. Grey Wagtail on the dam, Kestrel and Reed Bunting. Several Swifts. Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff and Gt Spotted Woodpecker heard.

Colin Green.

30th April 2008

1 Garden Warbler,1 Chiffchaff,1 Lesser Whitethroat,3 Reed Warbler,5 Swift,Swallow,House Martin,1 Buzzard & 1 Green Woodpecker

(D.Hutton)

nearby in Whittleford park....
3 Whitethroat & 1 Grasshopper Warbler (reeling & showing well)

April 29th 2008

No sign of the Wood Warbler today!! New in Garden Warbler singing this morning also 1 Common Sandpiper,1 Lesser Whitethroat,50+ Swallow,10+ House Martin,1 Swift,1 Yellow Wagtail,1 Little Owl

(D.Hutton)

28th April 2008

Today on the pool at least 4 Swift,100+ Swallow,10+ Sand Martin,20+ House Martin,1 f Whitethroat,1 m Lesser Whitethroat,Blackcap,Reed Warbler,2 Common Sandpiper & the bird of the day a very confiding Wood Warbler (the 1st on the pool since 3/5/95)

24th April 2008

Very quiet on the pool today with no sign of the Black Tern. 1 Yellow Wagtail,1 White Wagtail,3 Sand Martin,5 Swallow & 3 Little Owl seen

(D.Hutton)

23rd April 2008

3 Yellow Wagtail,2 Little Owl,6 Common Buzzard & 1 Black Tern (my 1st on the pool for a few years) 1 Sedge Warbler (1st for the pool this year)

also seen 2 Orange Tip,5 Peacock & 3 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies

(2 Sedge Warbler this evening R.Dawkins,M.Maddox)

(D.Hutton)

22nd April 2008

2 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Common Buzzard & 1 drake Mandarin (only the 5th record for the pool with the last being a drake on 19/9/04) also 1 Peacock butterfly

(D.Hutton,R.Dawkins)

21st April 2008

100+ Swallow & good No's of Sand & House Martins, 5 Yellow Wagtail & 1 White Wagtail

(D.Hutton)

17th April 2008

20+ Swallow,10+ House Martin,5+ Sand Martin,1 Common Sandpiper,2 Yellow Wagtail & 5 Shoveler

(D.Hutton,R Dawkins)

16th April 2008 (Ringing Recovery)

All Photos by D.Hutton

The colour ringed Common Sandpiper on the pool yesterday was rung by Derek Yaldon in Derbys (Details below)

NW11666, ringed as a juvenile, 44.5 g, wing 104 mm (so not fully grown), still with down on nape. 10 July 2002, 19.30 hrs BST, W side of Ladybower Res (N arm) at about SK182885.Seen subsequently at N end of Derwent Reservoir, c. SK170922, 19/6/04, 26/6/05, 14/5/07.

16th April 2008

Visible migration on the pool today!!!
10+ Swallow,3 House Martins,Sand Martins,3 Willow Warblers,Chiffchaff,Blackcap,1 Common Sandpiper,1 Yellow Wagtail over calling but not seen (1st of the year) also 1 Little Owl,2 Cormorant

(D.Hutton)