Carsington June 2004 Bird Notes

June highlights were Red-crested Pochard, Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter, Red Kite, Osprey, Peregrine, Black-tailed Godwit, Reed Warbler and Pied Flycatcher.

Two Red-crested Pochard were noted on 11th increasing to five including four drakes by 20th, two to four were regularly present until 29th. An unseasonable female Long-tailed Duck was reported on 15th and was still present at the month’s end, initially giving excellent views close to Millfields Island and later in Shiningford Creek. Four drake Common Scoter were on the reservoir on 24th.

Wildfowl counts were eight pairs of Little Grebe on 20th, 34 Great Crested Grebe including four broods on 20th, 13 Cormorant on 20th with ten on 28th. Two pairs of Mute Swan with four cygnets each on 20th, ten Greylag Geese on 6th with one to two regularly noted until 24th, 950 Canada’s on 26th including lots of young. Barnacle Geese bred successfully again with four broods present on 20th, two Shelduck on 6th, four Wigeon on 19th, single Gadwall on 1st, three Teal on 20th. One pair of Shoveler on 4th with two drakes on 25th and one female on 29th, two drake Pochard on 1st with a single female regularly recorded during the month. 93 Tufted Duck on 20th with young noted from 27th. Coot numbers started to increase with 63 counted on 26th.

A Red Kite was reported flying west at 11:30hrs on 3rd and a second on 29th also flying west. Buzzards were regularly noted during the month, the most being 11 on 7th, An Osprey was reported flying over the reservoir at lunchtime on 27th. Single Hobby on 3rd and 10th, a Peregrine on 1st. Kestrels were also regularly seen, hovering alongside the verges beside the dam.

With high water levels, few waders were recorded during the month, 14 Oystercatchers on 20th with smaller numbers present most dates, two Little Ringed Plover on 1st with a single on 20th. Nine Black-tailed Godwit on 1st, single Curlew on several dates with five on 17th, up to two Common Sandpiper were regularly present.

Other species recorded were 100 plus Lesser Black-backed Gulls roosting on 29th, three Great Black-backed Gulls on 25th, two to four Common Terns were noted during the month, unfortunately none bred this year. Three Arctic Terns on 25th was unusual. A Tawny Owl was seen on 14th, 60 Swift were present on 12th with 50 on 24th, single Kingfishers were regularly seen from 22nd, 200 Swallows and House Martins on 24th, 50 Sand Martins on 26th. A Reed Warbler was regularly heard singing from 9th until the month’s end a scarce bird at Carsington. Three Spotted Flycatchers on 6th. Last month’s male Pied Flycatcher continued to sing and display, unfortunately to no avail. Nuthatch were seen feeding young on 6th, this species has now become well established at Carsington. Five Raven on 20th with singles on several other dates.

In what is usually a quiet month 93 species were recorded compared with 84 species in June 2003, 95 in June 2002, 75 in 2001 and 74 in 2000.

For the latest updates see www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk or the notice board outside the new Water Rail shop in the courtyard at the Visitor Centre Carsington Water.

Eddie Walker recorder