Potteric Carr Nature Reserve: Bird News

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Potteric Carr Water Level Management Plan Implementation Works

Summary of Potteric Carr Birds to end of

August 2010

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A reminder that the Sedum House Car Park is locked at 5pm and visitors wanting the leave the Reserve after that time should park in the Overflow Car Park

'Birdwatching for Beginners' from 10am to 12-noon on Sunday, 5th September 2010, starts at Sedum House. Join Mark Roberts, YWT Field Officer, for identification tips and the best way to find birds at Potteric Carr. No event charge but normal admission applies. Booking is essential for a place on this event (01302) 570077

Steve Furber reports on a visit this morning: A CETTI'S WARBLER was singing from Decoy Marsh at dawn. 1 juv MARSH HARRIER flew over Huxter Well Marsh at 9.00am, and also there were 2 GREENSHANKs (plus 4 north over Willow Marsh), 1 SPOTTED REDSHANK, 2 Green Sandpipers and a YELLOW WAGTAIL south.

Little gret and Grey Heron at Potteric Carr on 1st September 2010 © Tom Balaam

A NUTHATCH first heard at 9.45am called along Hawthorn Bank and was independently heard later near Piper Marsh (SMB, DC, HW, SP). A SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (HB, A&P) near Huxter Well Bridge eluded most observers. Juv Little Ringed Plover was seen on cell 1b from Mitchell Hide (BGAB), also from there, a Water Rail on 3b (JB), and Kingfisher flew by. A BITTERN flew across Low Ellers Marsh at 10.05am (HB, SC, SC) and a possible was at Piper Marsh at the same time. There were 2 Kingfishers and 4 Wigeon seen at Low Ellers, and a Kingfisher also showed at Piper Marsh. Other Water Rails came into view at Willow Pool (HW) and Piper Marsh. Still on Huxter Well Marsh were 3 LITTLE EGRETs, the BLACK-NECKED GREBE and an adult YELLOW-LEGGED GULL. A number of Common Buzzards soared around the Reserve in the warm and sunny weather. Waders today at Huxter Well/Piper Marsh included 1 GREENSHANK, 2 Snipe, 3 Green Sandpipers and 1 SPOTTED REDSHANK. 6 Swifts flew WSW, and 50+ Swallows (IH) and many martins went over the site. Common Whitethroat, Blackcap (some feeding on Elderberries) and Chiffchaff were all noted. The adult LBBG and almost independent juv was on a cell 1b island.

Monday 30th
A sunny Bank Holiday and bird photographers at Potteric Carr produced some stunning quality images as can be seen from today's collection. 2 Curlews flew over in the morning (MR). There were 12 Wigeon on Low Ellers Marsh and 3 on Huxter Well Marsh (SMB, RWB). A HOBBY was over Huxter Well catching dragonflies (SMB, RWB). Waders had decreased but there was still 2 GREENSHANK, 1 CURLEW NW, 1 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper and 2 SPOTTED REDSHANKs on Huxter Well and 2 Green Sandpipers on Piper Marsh. The BLACK-NECKED GREBE was again on Huxter Well Marsh (per BirdGuides). 2 Common Buzzards were south of the motorway and 1 over Beeston Plantation. There were several families of Reed Warblers, with young on Cottage Drain only recently fledged. 3 Swifts and 5 Swallows were seen. A visible migration (Vismig) watch from 6.20—7.50am by PCNR Bird Recorder, Richard Scott, logged the following: 279 Wood Pigeons S, 1 Stock Dove S, 1 Collared Dove W, 337 Lesser Black-backed Gulls SW, 13 Starlings SW, 5 Snipe W, 1 YELLOW WAGTAIL over, 1 Chaffinch over. 2 Golden Plovers dropped down on Wadworth Carr. Gulls on Huxter Well included 29 LBBGs, 1 Herring Gull and in the evening, an adult YELLOW-LEGGED GULL (NPW). In a two hour walk covering less than half of the Reserve a count of warbers resulted in ca.30 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 8 Whitethroats, 10 Blackcaps, 6 Reed Warblers and 1 Sedge Warbler. 3 Water Rails on Huxter Well was a good number (NPW), and there were 8 Green Sandpipers.

One of two cream-crown Marsh Harriers seen from Duchess Hide on 27th August 2010 © Adrian Rowe

Sunday 29th
2 RED-CRESTED POCHARDs on Low Ellers Marsh were seen from Childers Hide (SP, PBowker). 4 SPOTTED REDSHANKs were together on East Scrape before taking flight and settling elsewhere on Huxter Well Marsh (DC, SMB, RWB) and moments after, at 9.15am, the same observers had 14 Curlews low flying west over the marsh. Huxter Well also had 2 LITTLE EGRETs, 3 GREENSHANKs, a pair of Wigeon and the BLACK-NECKED GREBE on cell 1b. GARGANEY was on Low Ellers in the morning (PB) and Huxter Well Marsh in the evening (NPW). Piper Marsh had lost most of its waders but 2 Green Sandpipers lingered there and occasionally waders from Huxter Well put in an appearance. 2 Common Buzzards briefly displayed over Beeston Wood soon after shooting was heard there and all the birds on Huxter Well were spooked. Visible migration for one hour this morning logged 13 Swifts W, 5 Swallows W, 1 Collared Dove N, 34 Woodpigeons S and 221 N. More Swifts (5) and Swallows (8) were seen later, with good numbers of House and Sand Martins. There were 2 adult YELLOW-LEGGED GULLs on Huxter well in the evening (NPW) and 8 Swallows went to roost in the reedbed.

Black-necked Grebe on Huxter Well cell 1b on 26th August 2010 © Richard Scott

Saturday 28th
Perhaps the same juv MARSH HARRIER as yesterday appeared low over Huxter Well at 6.30am at the start of a visible migration watch (SMB, RWB), and did some hunting over the reedbeds. GARGANEYs were on cell 3b (SMB) and Decoy Marsh (LJD), the BLACK-NECKED GREBE on cell 3b, a BITTERN at Piper Marsh (LJD) and HOBBY chased a martin over the Mitchell Hide at 12.45pm (RWB, SMB), seen from Duchess Hide. Huxter Well waders included 2 GREENSHANKs, 3 Dunlin, 1 SPOTTED REDSHANK on cell 1b, 1 Common Sandpiper (BGAB), 1 Ringed Plover and a great sight, 20 fresh-in Snipe feeding out on the Lagoon (LJD), where 225 Lapwings were also counted. Waders on Piper Marsh had reduced, or perhaps flushed off by a Fox that was photographed there in the morning; 4 Green Sandpipers and 76 Teal were counted there early afternoon, and a Grey Wagtail flew west (SMB), with Water Rail also seen (LJD). 2 LITTLE EGRETs were on Huxter Well, a Common Buzzard flew low over Seven Arches Carr and 500 Starlings were in a feeding flock there. 2 Willow Warblers were near Huxter Well bridge. Results of the two-hour visible movement watch early morning: 50 Lesser Black-backed Gulls SW, Woodpigeon 187 S, 161 N, Snipe 4 S, Golden Plover 6 S, Collared Dove 1 S, Jackdaw 4 SE, Swift 2 W and Swallow 14 W. Later in the day a further 3 Swifts moved W.

Ruff on Piper Marsh, 27th August 2010 © David Roberts

Visible migration watchers at Huxter Well bridge soon after sunrise on 28th August 2010 © Roger Bird

4 SPOTTED REDSHANKs on Piper Marsh was a new Reserve record (JC). 2 MARSH HARRIERs, an adult female and a juv (ARowe, see photo above) and one settled in the Huxter Well Marsh reedbeds for 30 minutes early morning (PMcLean), also there, 5 Green Sandpipers, 1 RUFF and 2 Greenshanks. 3 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover and the BLACK-NECKED GREBE were on Huxter Well (RJS) and a juv HOBBY put in an appearance (JC). In the evening there was a small roost of 14 Swallows and 2 Sand Martins in the reeds on Huxter Well Marsh (NPW). 2 Swifts were over the latter marsh in the evening. 3 Willow Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs and 2 Whitethroats and 3 Reed Warblers were noted.

The Reserve had another exceptional day for bird interest. An OSPREY flew south at 8.30am (RJS) and a BLACK-NECKED GREBE was present all day on Huxter Well cell 1b (RJS). In the morning a NUTHATCH was along Hawthorn Bank (MR), still an unusual bird for Potteric Carr. The 2 GARGANEY were on cell 2a today. A HOBBY flew over Duchess Hide at 2.15pm (DC, SMB, RWB) and 2 SPOTTED FLYCATCHERs were in the silver birch on the Willow Pool island left of the hide at 3.30pm (SMB, RWB, DC). A 3rd-Year YELLOW-LEGGED GULL dropped in on the Lagoon (RWB, SMB, DC). Waders on Piper Marsh/Huxter Well remained from recent days and included 1 KNOT, 1 RUFF, 2 SPOTTED REDSHANK, 2 WOOD SANDPIPERs, 2 GREENSHANKs, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 DUNLIN, 5 Green Sandpipers, 2 Snipe, Oystercatcher (west) and 400 Lapwings. About 20 Swifts, 3 Swallows and three-figure low-flying martins were seen on the move. A male Wigeon was on Decoy Marsh (CGJ, RT) and Low Ellers (DF), 10 Mute Swans on Low lers, 2 Chiffchaffs near Piper Marsh and a newly-fledge Song Thrush also near the latter marsh. 4 Cormorants roosted at Old Eaa Marsh. A flock of 100 Goldfinches was around the Sedum House car park (MAB, BGAB). There were 2 LITTLE EGRETs on Huxter Well Marsh. Late news was a BITTERN at Piper Marsh (Cameron O'Neil) , in the wet reedbed and a Common Whitethroat in Adams' Paddock on 25th, and a family of Sedge Warblers at Piper Marsh on 24th.

Wednesday 25th
Evening update by KD and PC: From Mitchell Hide, 3 Curlews, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Dunlin, 1 Knot and 2 Spotted Redshanks. From Piper Marsh Hide, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpipers and a Kingfisher.

The KNOT was on Huxter Wel Marsh (cell 1b) and a REDSTART was in Adams' Paddock (hawthorns in cut grass area), see photos (RCC). RJS had 3 GREENSHANKs, 1 SPOTTED REDSHANK, 1 WOOD SANDPIPER, 1 RUFF, 1 LITTLE EGRET and 3 Reed Warblers on Piper Marsh; also the Knot (photo), 1 SPOTTED REDSHANK, 2 GARGANEY and a male Wigeon on Huxter Well Marsh. CETTI'S WARBLER was reported at Decoy Marsh. There was no sign of the crake at Piper Marsh.

1st-Winter Yellow-legged Gull on Huxter Well, 24th August 2010 © Richard Scott

Another excellent day for birders at Potteric Carr as passage birds were again very much in evidence. At 9.30am a SPOTTED CRAKE (imm) put in a tantalisingly brief appearance at the edge of a Piper Marsh reedbed (DC, PG) but was not relocated, though up to 2 WATER RAILs showed on and off on the same marsh. A welcome new wader arrived on Huxter Well after heavy rain at 11.10am — KNOT (SMB, RJS, DC). 2 GARGANEYs were on the Reserve, both seen together on Huxter Well cell 2a at 3.45pm (RJS) including the rufous bird, and a typical eclipse-plumaged Garganey had also been seen earlier on the Reedbed Filtration Ponds (SF). YELLOW WAGTAIL called as it flew over Huxter Well (RJS). A BITTERN was seen well in flight at 10.30am at Willow Marsh (HB, DG); present for at least a week now. Unusually, a LITTLE EGRET was seen at one of the Loversall Field ponds (MAB), and was perhaps the same individual watched earlier on Huxter Well cell 1b. Now for waders additional to the Knot. Piper Marsh/Huxter Well Marsh hosted many of the stop-over passage waders of recent days and provided a good show for Potteric Carr. They involved 1 RUFF, 3 SPOTTED REDSHANKs, 1 WOOD SANDPIPER, 2 GREENSHANKs, 2 DUNLINs, 3 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpipers and new in, 1 Common Sandpier (cell 3a) (KL, HH). A good number of Swifts for late August were on the move with at least 20 SW, including one with a white mantle (RJS). In around one hour 12 Swallows, 107 House Martins, and 88 Sand Martins flew south,including a possible hybrid with white on its rump. A 1st-winter YELLOW-LEGGED GULL was photographed on Huxter Well Marsh (RJS), and there was 1 Common Gull there. Several Wigeon were seen including a pair on Huxter Well cell 1a (HB), a male on Decoy Marsh and a female on Low Ellers. There were 8 Grey Herons around Piper Marsh, resting in bushes, and a large tit flock had around 30 Long-tailed Tits in its number. Willow Bank had a Common Buzzard fly overhead. A Kingfisher flew towards Old Eaa Marsh. 1 Willow Tit was at Willow pool feeding station, where there was ajuv great Spotted Woodpecker and a Moorhen with one very young chick.

Monday 23rd
Two GARGANEYs were on the Reserve today, one on Huxter Well cell 3b (RJS) and another on Piper Marsh (SMB, RWB), the latter having distinctly more rufous plumage. RJS saw the latter bird on 21st and confirmed that it was different to the one he photographed today (see photos). An exceptional day at Potteric Carr for interesting bird sightings as follows: A SPOTTED FLYCATCHER was near the iron bridge (SMB), a WATER RAIL at Piper Marsh (RWB), CETTI'S WARBLER gave a burst of song at Decoy Marsh in the morning (SMB), 1 LITTLE EGRET was on Huxter Well. Waders moving between Piper Marsh and Huxter Well involved 4 Green Sandpipers, 3—5 WOOD SANDPIPERs (SMB), 1 RUFF, 2—4 GREENSHANKs, 1 DUNLIN, 2 SPOTTED REDSHANKs, 4 Snipe, and 7 Ringed Plovers on West Scrape (departed after a rain shower); also 400 Lapwings were on Huxter Well. At one point some of the above species were flushed by a juv Sparrowhawk on Piper Marsh (RJS). The 2 juv Lesser Black-backed Gulls remained on Huxter Well, and there were again 6 Grey Herons on Piper Marsh. A Treecreeper was found along Hawthorn Bank. 150+ martins were over the Reserve and there was 1 Swift in the morning and 7 in the afternoon. Also, 5 Common Buzzards were up around the Reserve today. A male Wigeon was on Decoy Marsh and a female on Low Ellers Marsh.

Garganey (fem/imm) on Huxter Well Marsh cell 3b, 23rd August 2010 © Richard Scott

A second Garganey, with more rufous plumage was on Piper Marsh on 23rd August 2010 © Sue Bird

Waders were again showing well. Piper Marsh had 8 Green Sandpipers, 2 SPOTTED REDSHANKs and a RUFF, whilst a WOOD SANDPIPER (cell 3a), 2 Snipe (3a), 1 Ringed Plover (1b) and 4 GREENSHANKs (West Scrape) were on Huxter Well Marsh. Five Grey Herons were on cell 2b and a LITTLE EGRET on cell 1b, where the two full-grown juv Lesser Black-backed Gulls remained with an adult.

Late news from Saturday, 21st: A REDSTART was seen in Adams' Paddock (JBr) and a BITTERN in Willow Marsh (JBr).

Saturday 21st
In the evening RJS had a juv GARGANEY on Huxter Well Lagoon and a BITTERN in the open on cell 1a, with a SPOTTED REDSHANK there too. Also, 1 Greenshank, 1 WOOD SANDPIPER and 4 Green Sandpipers on Piper Marsh. Earlier, Andy Bell reported: A GARGANEY on Old Eaa Marsh. Meanwhile Piper Marsh retained the passage waders, that is, 3 SPOTTED REDSHANKs, 2 WOOD SANDPIPERs, 1 RUFF and several Green Sandpipers. Huxter Well Marsh had a Snipe and a Dunlin. The Wigeon was still on Decoy Marsh. Kingfisher showed at Willow Marsh and perched on top of a bulrush. Also noted of interest were Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, Green Woodpecker and Willow Tit.

This Pheasant was photographed by eight-year-old Ryan Adcock on the Potteric Carr wildlife photography activity for youngsters on 18th August 2010.

Friday 20th
A male Wigeon was on Decoy Marsh. Huxter Well had a single LITTLE EGRET and an adult YELLOW-LEGGED GULL on cell 3b, also 1 Common Gull, the 2 almost independent Lesser Black-backed juvs, 1 Snipe and 1 GREENSHANK (on cell 3a). Other waders included 3 SPOTTED REDSHANKs, 1 WOOD SANDPIPER and 1 RUFF on Piper Marsh, plus 3 Green Sandpipers. There was a light passage of Swifts through the day, totaling 14 or more west and 200 martins also moved over the Reserve. Kingfisher was seen at Loversall Pool from the first floor of the hide. In the evening, 200 Lesser Black-backed Gulls settled on Huxter Well and a Greenshank and 4 Green Sandpipers were present there (MR).

Piper Marsh on 20th August, after reed cutting two days earlier 2010 © Helen Womack

Wednesday 18th
Piper Marsh and Seven Arches Carr produced the following in the afternoon (LJD): 2 WOOD SANDPIPERs, 1 SPOTTED REDSHANK (3 in evening, MR), 1 RUFF, 8 Green Sandpipers, and 3 GREENSHANKs; 1 SPOTTED FLYCATCHER, 1 Willow Warbler, ca.20 Chiffchaffs and 4 Reed Warblers.

Tuesday 17th
The passage waders remained, with Piper Marsh holding 3 SPOTTED REDSHANK (also appeared at Huxter Well), 2 WOOD SANDPIPER and 3 Green Sandpiper. Meanwhile, Huxter Well had 3 GREENSHANK, 3 Snipe, 2 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover and a WHIMBREL south at 2pm (RD). There was a sighting of BITTERN, interestingly, at Huxter Well Marsh where one settled in to the cell 1b reedbed (MAB, BGAB), and 3 LITTLE EGRETs and 3 Cormorants were on the same marsh. A Common Buzzard was over the Field Centre, Willow Tit near the iron bridge, and a Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler and 3 Blackcaps at Seven Arches Carr (SMB), with 4 Reed Warblers at Piper Marsh; 120+ Gadwall took flight from Huxter Well and a Swift flew west.

One of three Spotted Redshanks on Piper Marsh (with small fish), 17th August 2010 © Richard Collis

Mud at Piper Marsh is attracting more uncommon passage waders than ever before. 17th August 2010 © Helen Womack

Monday 16th
Another good day for waders. 3 SPOTTED REDSHANKs (2 Huxter Well, 1 Piper Marsh at same time; SMB, PG), 2 WOOD SANDPIPERs (Piper Marsh), 3 GREENSHANKs (cell 1b) and 4 Green Sandpipers (Piper Marsh) all benefiting from low water levels. The gulls on Huxter Well Marsh included an adult YELLOW-LEGGED GULL on cell 1b, with 2 Herring Gulls and 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the same water. A YELLOW WAGTAIL indicated passage over Huxter Well (KR), and the same marsh had a male PEREGRINE over today (SMB). There were a few warblers on site, involving Whitethroat near the iron bridge, Reed Warbler along the main drive, Garden Warbler near Piper Marsh and a family of Chiffchaffs. Green Woodpecker and Kingfisher were noted.

Sunday 15th
A number of passage waders were of interest and were attracted to low water level mud at Huxter Well and Piper Marsh. WOOD SANDPIPER and SPOTTED REDSHANK (photo), and Green Sandpiper were all on Piper Marsh (SP et al.). Huxter Well hosted WOOD SANDPIPER (TE), a single moulting Northern race Golden Plover (photo), 4 Green Sandpipers, Dunlin, Snipe and 3 Redshanks (TE). A HOBBY flew over Huxter Well mid-day (GC). Common Buzzard was over Seven Arches Carr and Rossington Carr Fields and 4 over Beeston Plantation. Kingfisher appeared at Piper Marsh. A Sparrowhawk harassed a juv Green Woodpecker along Willow Bank. The Lesser Black-backed juvs remained on the large tern-raft in cell 3b. 4 Bullfinches were near the old iron bridge. There were 3 LITTLE EGRETs on Piper Marsh and 2 more on Huxter Well. 20 Swallows flew west. A Whitethroat was photographed today.

Saturday 14th
A juv male PEREGRINE was hunting over Huxter Well at 6am (TE) and half an hour later a juv MARSH HARRIER was over the same marsh and was still there at 9.45am (TE). 2 WOOD SANDPIPERs were again on cell 3a and also a Dunlin. In the evening, 2 juv SPOTTED REDSHANKs were on Piper Marsh (RJS), and the 2 WOOD SANDPIPERs had moved there (NPW), with 5 Green Sanpipers, also 2 on Huxter Well, where a Dunlin remained and there were 4 LITTLE EGRETs. 6 Chiffchaff were at Seven Arches Carr.

Friday 13th
Evidently there had been some disturbance at Huxter Well in the morning which left it devoid of ducks, gulls and the Lapwing flock. In the afternoon there were 2 WOOD SANDPIPERs (SMB, RWB), 2 Green Sandpipers and a Dunlin all on cell 3a. There were also 2 Green Sandpipers on Piper Marsh. Hirundines numbered ca.350 during heavy showers, including a single Swift and 2 Swallows, though the majority were House and Sand Martins. A HOBBY chased dragonflies and later the martins. Kingfisher was fishing in front of Hawthorn Bank Hide and present for 25 minutes. Only one Little Egret. 252 Woodpigeons N were probably moving from feeding on the farmland south of the motorway. 2 Chiffchaffs were near the wooden underbridge.

There was a sensational migration event at Potteric Carr today. In the morning a flock of 12 Willow Warblers and 3 Chiffchaffs had been found near the wooden underbridge at Mother Drain at 7.00am (MR). This was interesting since the local population of Willow Warblers had generally left some time ago, whilst some Chiffchaffs remained on site. During a short but heavy rain/hail shower at 2.45pm a tight flock of some 50 warblers, mainly Willow Warblers, but also Whitethroat and Blackcap, appeared in the Big Hedge at Huxter Well (CM, CB). News was soon heard in the Mitchell Hide by SMB, RWB and DC who immediately went to take a look. There wasn't a warbler left in the Hedge and as they reached the iron bridge over Mother Drain another heavy thunder shower arrived. Walking towards Piper Marsh Hide the observers were elated to witness the flock concentrated across just two or three bushes and involving a 'fall'–like scene. Amongst 70+ passerines counted as they purposefully moved westwards along the bushes were an estimated 50+ Phylloscopus warblers (almost all Willow Warblers identified), 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Whitethroat, 4 Blackcaps, and a PIED FLYCATCHER (DC), with 15 Long-tailed Tits and a handful of other tits included in the tally. The flock moved rapidly, outpacing the observers and the event was over. There have been few records of Pied Flycatcher at Potteric Carr, with the previous most recent in September 1997.

Other news for today involved a single Golden Plover (over), 5 Snipe, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper (cell 3a) and 250 Lapwings on Huxter Well Marsh, where the two full-grown Lesser Black-backed Gull juvs remained on the lage tern-raft. Piper Marsh had 1 WOOD SANDPIPER and 2 Green Sandpipers (CM, CB). 1 Treecreeper, 3 Blackcap, Willow Warbler and 3 Chiffchaffs (Childers Wood), Green Woodpecker, 5 Jays (Willow Marsh) were all noted. A family of Chiffchaffs with 3 young being fed was seen along Hawthorn Bank, and a flock of 100 martins was over Huxter Well.

Late news for yesterday (11th) evening: A juv Water Rail on Huxter Well Marsh cell 3a was an exciting discovery (SMB, RWB, RJS) and suggests this elusive species has bred at Potteric Carr. Also on Huxter Well Marsh, 3 LITTLE EGRETs (which later roosted at Old Eaa), WOOD SANDPIPER (1 on cell 3a), Green Sandpiper (2 on 3a), Swift (3 over), Oystercatcher (1 over), Shelduck (juv) and a male Kingfisher fishing in front of Hawthorn Bank Hide caught two fish. There were 2 more Green Sandpipers on Piper Marsh. A juv Sparrowhawk was up above Black Carr Wood. Female Pheasant was with 4 young along the main drive. c.60 Sand Martins arrived to roost in the Reedbed Filtration Ponds.

Wednesday 11th
There was an adult YELLOW-LEGGED GULL on HuxteWell Marsh (AP, SP), where there were 3 LITTLE EGRETs and 2 Green Sandpipers, with another on Piper Marsh. 2 Common Buzzards were noted and a pair of Sparrowhawks. A Cormorant was in front of Mitchell Hide and 5 flew over the site. A juv Shelduck was at Huxter Well, also Gadwall and Pochard, Great Crested and Little Grebes.

2 WOOD SANDPIPERs were on Piper Marsh from late morning (SMB, SP, DC) and in the afternoon a third bird had joined them though viewing was not easy due to their partly concealed position behind a reedbed (SP, RWB), and 5 Green Sandpipers were also present on the same marsh where low water levels had exposed more mud. A BITTERN showed for about two hours from 8.30am on Willow Marsh (R.Peasland, SP et al.), where a Kingfisher was also seen. A HOBBY hunted over Seven Arches Carr/Rossington Carr Fields mid-afternoon (SMB, DC). There were 5 LITTLE EGRETs on Huxter Well Marsh. In the evening a moulted Black-tailed Godwit was on cell 3a (RJS). A Song Thrush smashed a snail shell in Hawthorn Field. There were no Mistle Thrush records on the Reserve in July, but at nearby B&Q 4 were seen together (MAB). A Common Buzzard, and male and female Sparrowhawk seen soaring together, seen from Willow Pool Hide (AP, SP, KW), and Kingfisher was also seen from the hide.

Monday 9th
A BITTERN was seen again at Willow Marsh in the morning (AA). There were 2 LITTLE EGRETs on Huxter Well, also Green Sandpiper and Ringed Plover. The two Lesser Black-backed Gull juvs were on the large tern-raft in cell 1b with an adult. 50 House Martins were over Piper Marsh during a rain shower.

Sunday 8th

There were a number of interesting sightings today including a juv BLACK-NECKED GREBE on Huxter Well Marsh (RJS), 5 Green Sandpipers (HWM/PMA), 1 Little Egret and an adult YELLOW-LEGGED GULL on cell 3a (TE). 5 Common Buzzards were seen from the Reserve but generally gave only distant views. Lapwings numbered 510 on Huxter Well, where other waders included 1 Snipe, 1 adult and 1 juv Little Ringed Plover, 1 adult Ringed Plover and 2 Oystercatchers (west). On cell 3a was an adult Common Gull, and there were also 3 juv Shelducks on Huxter Well. 3 Cormorants flew over and a juv Willow Tit was near Piper Marsh. 50 Swifts flew over Wadworth Carr and 90 (E) over Piper Marsh; also 100 House Martins over Wadworth Carr and 3 Swallows, with a single Swallow over Huxter Well.

Saturday 7th
5 Green Sandpipers were on Piper Marsh in the morning (BGAB et al.) and a Kingfisher was seen there carrying a fish, also 2 at Huxter Well. At least 2 Little Egrets were on Huxter Well, also a juv Shelduck and 2 Snipe. Gadwall numbers are building up and totalled 50+ on Old Eaa and 100+ on Low Ellers Marsh, and there were 12 Teal on Decoy Marsh. 3 Common Buzzards were over Seven Arches Carr. A tern sp flew through towards Lakeside. 2 Cormorants at Low Ellers. Three families of Pheasants were on Loversall Bank following what appears to have been a productive season for this species. The controversial Ruddy Duck eradication programme due to end on 31st August has been extended to 31st March 2011, so perhaps this year will see their swan song at Potteric Carr, with only 200 now surviving in the UK – Full report by FERA.

Friday 6th
There was a light movement of Swifts heading south, 4, 1, 1, 2 and 1. 25 Sand Martins were settling in the reeds on cell 2b. Other sightings on Huxter Well included 6 LITTLE EGRETs, 2 Linnets (over), juv Shelduck, Green Sandpiper (also 1 on Piper Marsh), 6 Snipe, 1 Dunlin (3b), 2 Oystercatchers (1b), 4 Pied Wagtails, 3 Collared Doves (over), 1 Black-tailed Godwit on 1b (SMB), Chiffchaff (2 calling), Blackcap (juv), and 3 new Little Grebe young on 2b.

5 Green Sandpipers were on Piper Marsh (MR), whilst waders on Huxter Well included 4 Oystercatchers, 3 Snipe (on cell 3a), a juvenile Little Ringed Plover on cell 3a, a Dunlin on 3a and 195 Lapwings on the same water. Chiffchaff was singing near Duchess Hide and 3 juv Blackcaps were eating blackberries near Piper Marsh Scrub. Kingfisher brought in a large fish to the Piper Marsh nest site. The finding of a fresh dead Mallard on the Lagoon on Saturday morning, 31st July, puzzled observers, but it now transpires that it was probably an unwelcome calling card.

A single juv Golden Plover was on Huxter Well cell 1b. A pair of Oystercatchers was with one of their young, still demanding to be fed. The young Lesser Black-backed Gulls are now very mobile and taking short flights — one was on the tern-raft with one parent whilst the other had moved to a different island with the other parent nearby, and the flock of loafing LBBGs numbered 134. There was also a 3rd-summer plumaged YELLOW-LEGGED GULL present (SMB, RWB). At 8.00pm around 100 Sand Martins were overhead feeding. 2 Green Sandpipers were on Piper Marsh and a Common Buzzard was over Loversall Carr Field. The Little Egret roost at Old Eaa Marsh had declined and only held 3 birds in the evening. A Carrion Crow pre-roost had some 30 birds at Old Eaa at twilight.

Tuesday 3rd
A NUTHATCH heard calling along Loversall Bank was a lucky find (JH, MH) and makes this year one of the best for records of this arboreal species. 2 Green Sandpipers were on mud at Piper Marsh. An adult and juvenile Common Buzzard seen and calling over Loversall Carr Fields was indicative that nesting in nearby woodland had been successful. Pochard and three young were on Huxter Well, where at least 3 Little Egrets fed. Song Thrush, Willow Warbler and Willow Tit were amongst other birds for today's bird log. The two Lesser Black-backed Gull juvs born at Potteric Carr are now quite large — It is rare for this species to breed inland in Yorkshire and there are not many coastal nesters in the county (see photo).

9 Little Egrtets were on Huxter Well and a Common Tern flew through. 210 Swifts fed over Wadworth Carr. 347 Lapwings were counted on Huxter Well Marsh and 102 Coot on cell 1b. 3 Collared Doves flew over towards Bessacarr. Both Lesser Black-backed Gull Potteric-bred juvs were still present (RJS). A Green Sandpiper was on Piper Marsh and Huxter Well. 2 Common Buzzards were over Wadworth Carr and up to 5 over the Reserve (between Piper Marsh and Beeston Plantation), with calling frequent. A large mixed tit and associated species was in Childers Wood. A tern flew over Childers Marsh. 2 Swallows, Cormorant, Green Woodpecker, Kingfisher, Green Sandpiper, Reed and Sedge Warbler were all logged. A Lesser Black-backed Gull predated an unidentified bird chick on Huxter Well.

BBC News Report with Roger Mitchell talking on the Potteric Carr Bittern Project, broadcast on 5th February 2007

The information on sightings is given in good faith based on information supplied to us by various individuals. We have no way of verifying that all information is correct and cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of this information.

Potteric Carr Nature Reserve Bird News

Potteric Carr Nature Reserve
Bird News