Tuesday 3rd July 2012

Today's sightings;

Castle Lake; 24 Greylag Geese, 5 Shoveler, moulting drake Garganey, 2 Grey Partridge, 3 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 85 Lapwing, 1 summer plumage Black Tailed Godwit, 10 Curlew, 1 Redshank, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Tern, 2 Corn Bunting, 6 Yellow Wagtail. Low Hardwick; 1 possibly 2 Quail calling, 7 Reed Bunting, 5 Sedge Warbler, 20 Skylark. (NF, JO, BC). A rather messy looking drake Garganey on Castle Lake this evening before it flew to the A1 Flashes in company with the five Shoveler. Presumabley it is the same individual that has been present on and off for the last few weeks. Plenty of Gadwall broods around now The Little Egret looks well settled despite the close attentions of one or two Grey Heron. Corn Bunting singing close to the hide.

Monday 2nd July 2012

Today's sightings;

Castle Lake;
Redshank, 7 Common Sandpipers, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 50 Lapwing including 3 chicks, 14 Oystercatcher including 4 chicks. 40 adult Gadwall with 21 ducklings, 3 Shoveler, 8 Pochard, 24 Tufted Duck, 40 Mallard, 70 Coot, 2 pair of GCGrebes, 2 pair of Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant, Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 100 Sand Martin, 12 Pied Wagtail, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 40+ Skylark, 30 Linnet, 80 Jackdaw, 30 Common Gull, 20 Black Headed Gull and 4 Stock Dove. (NF,JO,DM).

Saturday 30th June 2012

Sightings today included the following;

Castle Lake;
Little Egret, 2 Shoveler, 9 Pochard, 4 GC Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 3 LR Plover, Common Sandpiper. 
A1 Flashes;
7 Curlew, 2 Grey Partridge. 
Stoneybeck Lake;
8 Pochard, 2 Shoveler, Shelduck pair with 7 juveniles, 4 Little Grebe, 4 Mute Swan.

The first Little Egret of the "summer" at Castle Lake this morning.

Garganey

Distant record photo of today's sleepy drake Garganey on Castle Lake.

A Kingfisher was seen on the River Stell.

Plenty of House Martin's still collecting mud in Town End Farm.

WoodSand

Couple of poor record pictures of todays Wood Sandpiper on the A1 flashes.

A Cuckoo was also heard today, calling from the Low Hardwick/Bradbury direction.

Some pictures of other recent Bishop Middleham sightings.

Common Sandpiper

Yellow Wagtail

Sedge Warbler

Sunday 6th May 2012

Birds seen this evening included the following;

Castle Lake;
6 Whimbrel, c8 LR Plover, 2 Pochard, Greylag pair with 3 gosling, 5+ Yellow Wagtail, 5 Wheatear.
 
A1 Flashes;
4 Curlew, Green Woodpecker.
 
Stoneybeck Lake;
2m Shoveler, 1f Wigeon, 2 Shelduck, albino Mallard, 2 Swift, 2 Grey Partridge

The first young'uns I've seen this year, three Greylag goslings.

Plenty of these around now, male and female Wheatear.

Tuesday 1st May 2012

Birds seen at Castle Lake this morning included the following;

5 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Black-headed Gull, 100 Herring Gull, 10 Common Gull, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 20+ Swift and 2 Wheatear.

Just some of the circa 100 Herring Gull at Castle Lake this morning, certainly unusual to see this many together, possible new site record?

On the A1 flashes were 13 Whimbrel.

Finally another (rubbish) picture of last Saturdays Sanderling.