Carsington November 2003 Bird Notes

November highlights were Great Northern Diver Whooper Swan, Garganey, Red-crested Pochard, Long-tailed Duck, Knot, Little Stint, Ring-billed Gull, Shorelark Rock Pipit and Brambling. 16 species of duck.
Reservoir record counts of Wigeon, Gadwall and Snipe.

A Great Northern Diver was reported by several birdwatchers on 29th, however it couldn’t be relocated, further details would be welcome. The Five adult Whooper Swans continue their stay, often seen in front of Sheepwash hide. An unseasonal Garganey, a 1st winter male was present from 16th until 22nd.
An immature/female Long-tailed Duck was located near Paul Stanley hide on 18th and remained all month, often proving difficult to locate.

Wildfowl counts were 27 Little Grebe on 16th, 15 Great Crested Grebe on 16th, 38 Cormorant on 16th, 30 Barnacle Geese on 9th with smaller counts on several other dates. Two Shelduck on 13th with one on 25th, two drake Mandarin on 2nd with three (two drakes) on 18th 920 Wigeon on 16th a reservoir record count, 47 Gadwall on 16th also a reservoir record count, 551 Teal on 16th. 13 Pintail on 16th with smaller numbers present all month. Nine Shoveler on 18th with three to six regularly recorded, eight Red-crested Pochard on 21st with smaller counts on several other dates, 473 Pochard on 16th, 335 Tufted Duck on 16th. Up to four Goldeneye were present all month, three Goosander on 13th with one on 18th, 65 Ruddy Duck on 29th.

Single Buzzard were reported on several dates, a Peregrine on 20th, 26th and 27th. Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were regularly noted.

Eight species of waders were recorded, 100 plus Golden Plover on 5th with several flocks between two and 20 were noted, 21 were on spit end on 9th. Approximately 400 Lapwing on 18th, a Knot from 2nd until 14th, a late Little Stint on 12th. Dunlin were present all month 18 on 25th being the maximum counted, several other counts of ten plus were noted. A reservoir record count of 130 Snipe on 20th, the observer noting that only part of the reservoir was covered, a count the following day numbered 78. Up to nine Redshank were present all month. A Green Sandpiper on 28th, 29th was unusual, as this species is scarce at Carsington, even during the passage periods.

An adult Ring Billed Gull was seen on several dates in late afternoons from 15th until the month’s end either from Sheepwash or Lane end hides, the second Carsington record, the previous record being a first summer bird on 21st April 2001. 30 plus Common Gulls on 3rd. 6000 plus Lesser-Black backed Gulls on 3rd, ten Herring Gulls on 3rd. Yellow-legged Gulls were noted an adult in Sheepwash Car Park in thick fog on 4th, three adults on the reservoir 24th with several other sighting of one to two roosting.

Other species noted were one to three Kingfisher regularly present, a Green Woodpecker on 9th. A Shorelark briefly on Stones Island on 15th, the second Carsington record the previous record being two from 24th-29th November 1996 also on Stones Island. A Rock Pipit on 13th. There were few records of winter thrushes, 12 Fieldfare on 25th and six to ten Redwings on three dates were the only ones noted. Three Raven on 18th with several other records of singles during the month. Bramblings were regularly noted 12 on 20th being the largest, several other counts of one to 11 were recorded.

An excellent month particularly, the large numbers of wildfowl present which included reservoir record counts of Wigeon, Gadwall and Snipe. 92 species were recorded with fog making viewing difficult on several days, compared with 95 in November 2002, 84 in 2001 and 70 in 2000.

For the latest updates see www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk or the notice board in the entrance to the Visitor Centre Carsington Water.

Eddie Walker recorder