The Derbyshire Ornithological Society

Carsington Water News

A juvenile Black-necked Grebe was in front of the Wildlife Centre on 28th at 0930hrs but was not seen again until 1700hrs and has not been seen since. Similarly, a Garganey was there on 30th but could not be found later that evening. Cormorant numbers increased through the month to 36 on 30th, 38 Mute Swans on 1st included broods of 2 and 7, 2 Shelduck were near Lane End on 23rd, 111 Mallard on 16th, 1 Shoveler on 19th, a pair of Red-crested Pochard on 25th, 248 Tufted Duck on 16th, 1 Goosander on 29th and 487 Coot on 16th. Wintering ducks started returning at the end of the month with 20 Wigeon on 31st, 23 Gadwall on 30th, 41 Teal on 30th, and 8 Pochard on 30th. The number of broods counted this year included: 5 of Little Grebe, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 22 Mallard, 20 Tufted Duck, 9 Moorhen and 15 of Coot.

Three Osprey records this month. One Osprey was chased away from the Wildlife Centre area at 1630hrs on 2nd by adult Black-headed Gulls, another was seen from Sheepwash at 1745hrs on 5th and a further one was reported over Stones Island on 24th. Other raptors included young Sparrow Hawks calling from 2 regular nest sites and a young Common Buzzard calling, and later flying, which is the second breeding record for this site [previously bred in 2004]. A probable family group of 3 Kestrels were over Middle Wood on 1st, a Hobby was seen insecting from Paul Stanley Hide on 3rd and single Peregrines were noted on 7th and 20th and then, on 30th, an adult male took a juvenile Moorhen from Horseshoe Island up onto one of the pylons.

A good mix of wader species were recorded this month, mainly on Horseshoe Island but, sadly, most stayed less than a day. These included: 2 Oystercatchers on 17th, 1 Ringed Plover on 21st, 6 Golden Plover flying south on 14th, Lapwing all month, with 107 counted on 15th, 1 Little Stint on 21st and another on 26th, 1 Curlew Sandpiper on 26th, 1 Dunlin on 21st and 29th-31st, 3 Snipe on 29th, 1 Black-tailed Godwit on 15th, 5 Curlew flew over on 21st, 1 Redshank on 3rd, 26th and 28th, 1 Greenshank on 20th and 23rd, 1 Green Sandpiper on Sheepwash Spit on 30-31st, Common Sandpiper all month with 2 on 15th and 21st and 2 Turnstones on 3rd.

The gull roost started this month with 1200 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on 17th, an adult and a juvenile Common Gull on 17th, a juvenile Herring Gull on 28th and 7 Yellow-legged Gulls of various ages on 28th. The only Terns recorded were Common Terns with an adult on 3rd and single juveniles on 23rd, 26th and 28th.

Two Stock Doves were feeding on Hopton Bypass grass verge on 1st, 3 Little Owls were on view from the Wildlife Centre on 1st and a single Swift noted on 22nd. In a very rare event, all 3 woodpecker species were recorded this month: 1 Green Woodpecker on 3rd near Hopton End, 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Paul Stanley Hide on 11th and Great Spotted there most days and 1 at the Wildlife Centre on 11th. Sand Martin passage numbers have dwindled, with just 1 on 30th. Swallows, 45 on 19th, and House Martins, 50 plus on 12th, are still on passage in good numbers. Other migrants included a Yellow Wagtail on 11th, 2 Redstarts on 23rd and on 26th, a Wheatear on 12th, 1 Sedge Warbler on 1st, 1 Reed Warbler on 29th, 1 Lesser Whitethroat on 3rd, 4 Whitethroat on 7th and 5 Spotted Flycatchers on 7th and again on 17th. A Kingfisher is now visiting many locations on site, Jays are regularly around Paul Stanley Hide with 2 near the feeders on 19th, 150 Jackdaws were over Hall Wood on 7th and 2 Raven on 19th. A Goldfinch flock on Stones Island all month totalled 70 on 28th, 40 Tree Sparrows were around the Wildlife Centre feeders on 5th, 7 Linnets were noted on 28th and an adult Linnet was feeding a juvenile on Sheepwash Spit on 30th which is the only sign of breeding this year.

109 Species were recorded this August compared with 98 in 2006, 105 in 2005, 113 in 2004 and 110 in 2003.

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