Sightings January 2010
2010 Archive
Sunday 31st January
7 Goosander on the river between Beeston Weir and the river bend at the Grove this morning, also 1 Common Snipe flushed from the side of the river and a single Kingfisher in willows near the weir. C200 Fieldfare in fields near Barton Flash but nothing on the flash as it was compleatly frozen over. A single Common Gull on Holme Pit and up to 5 calling Water Rail.
56 Mute Swan in fields between Barton-in-Fabis and Thrumpton and C400 Northern Lapwing in various fields in the area. A nice flock of C40 Linnet feeding in fields off Barton Lane.
female Common Kingfisher -near Beeston Weir
Saturday 30th January
No sign today of the regular roosting Little Owl off Foxcovet Lane, but another or the same individual was seen in dead Ash trees along the hedge-row facing Branshill Wood. 3 Goosander on the river between Cottages Flash and Barton Island. 3 Common Buzzard and the Red-tailed Hawk over fields behind the Yellow Gate Pond. Large numbers of Fieldfare in the area today with birds noted at most locations but only small numbers of Redwing. 1 Common Gull with Black-headed Gulls on Beeston Weir and several Pied Wagtail feeding around the weir.
Pied Wagtail - Beeston Weir
Wednesday 27th January
(Sightings from Clifton Pastures, J.Christmas)
Strong evidence of short-eared owl with 2 seperate pellets found along the footpath on edge of dyke. Other sightings from Clifton Pastures were,3 Corn Bunting perched in big tree in the garden of farmhouse,they then headed towards gotham lay-by, 3 Golden Plover on the drift, 2 Common Kestrel, 2 Grey Partridge, 13 Skylark in various locations, 2 Wren and a flock of 70+Linnet. On the far side of the brook were 200+fieldfare also this morning was a grey wagtail in my back garden.
Tuesday 26th January
A count of 106 Mute Swan's in fields between Thrumpton & Barton-in-Fabis and C450 Northern Lapwing, 3 Common Buzzard and mixed flock of C50 Linnet and Greenfinch in fields off New Road Barton-in-Fabis on a late afternoon visit after work.
Monday 25th January
No sign of the drake Mandarin this morning from 8.00-9.30am but could still be in the area as it was reported as very elusive yesterday afternoon. Male and female Pochard and the single female Goosander on Holme Pit.
The Little Owl again at its roost Site this morning and 7 Reed Bunting Holme Pit(I.Blackmore)
If anyone intends viewing the Little Owl can they please view from a sensible distance as it is being reported as flushing from the sight if approached to close.
Sunday 24th January
A drake Mandarin was seen this afternoon at 2.00pm in the area of flooded trees on the river bend between Clifton Grove and Beeston Weir.(L.Archibald) This will be a new addition to the Systematic List of birds seen in the area.
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2 Corn Bunting this afternoon on Clifton Pastures(very scarce this winter) a single female Stonechat feeding along the drainage dykes, 6 Common Buzzard and the adult Peregrine again sat on its regular lookout on top of the pylon.
Red-tailed Hawk - over Branshill Wood
Saturday 23rd January No sign of the reported Short-eared Owl this morning despite searching the whole area. The Little Owl seen sat out in the open on its regular roost site was a nice sighting. The now very flooded Barton Flash is attracting large numbers of wildfowl with a count of 57 Teal, 8 Shoveler and 12 Wigeon, also 4 Common Snipe. Cottages Flash is also attracting good numbers of wildfowl with 43 Wigeon, 12 Teal and a single Little Grebe. (if viewing either of the flashs it is best to creep up behind the hedge-rows as all the wildfowl is easily flushed) A single Grey Wagtail was seen on the weir field this morning with l2 Pied Wagtail and several Meadow Pipit. The female Goosander is still on Holme Pit also several calling Water Rail.
A single Woodcock was flushed from the hedge-row facing Branshill Moor this morning (I.Blackmore) and a little Owl was in trees behind Holme Pit (J.Hall & K.James)
Little Owl - Clifton Grove
Thursday 21st January
Several reports this week of a Short-eared Owl in fields off the Foxcovet Lane, know locally as David's Lane area of Clifton Grove. Due to work I haven't had chance to look for it myself but it will be looked for at the weekend.
Sunday 17th January
The female Goosander still on Holme Pit this morning and showing down to 30 feet. 2 Teal, 1 Kingfisher and 2 calling Water Rail also Holme Pit. 1 Little Owl roosting in dead Ash tree off Fox Covet Lane but quickly retreated into a tree Hole when it saw me approaching. 5 Common Snipe flushed from Barton Flash also 12 Teal on the flash, 180 Redwing, 55 Fieldfare and 7 Song Thrush feeding around the edge of the flash. 12 Wigeon and 150 Black-headed Gull on Cottages Flash. A small group of 33 Skylark high over to the east near Barton-in-Fabis. The Red-tailed Hawk and 4 Common Buzzard seen over fields near Branshill Wood.
Due to the flood-water the footpath along the river from Clifton Wood to Beeston Weir is now inaccessible.
female Goosander - Holme Pit
Saturday 16th January
2 Common Gull on Beeston Weir with C120 Black-headed Gull also 1 Kingfisher near the weir. C200 Fieldfare, 3 Egyptian Geese and 150 Canada Geese on the Weir Field. A single female Goosander, 2 Teal and 25 Tufted Duck on Holme Pit. 2 Common Buzzard Clifton Wood. 48 Mute Swan, C200 Greylags in fields west of Barton-in-Fabis. 56 Redwing and 25 Fieldfare in trees on the approch Road to Barton-in-Fabis village. A small Covey of 8 Grey Partridge and C2000 Wood Pigeon on Clifton Pastures.
Wednesday 13th January
A very late visit this afternoon after work along the river and holme Pit proir to dusk produced 1 Water Rail, 2 Teal, 3 Common Buzzard and a large mixed tit flock in Clifton Wood.
Sunday 10th January
2 Woodcock were flushed from the bottom of a hedgerow near Barton Flash this morning with both birds flying off towards Branshill Wood, also 1 Common Snipe on the river bank near the flash. Large numbers of Fieldfare feeding in the sheep field next to the flash plus 22 Northern Lapwing and C50 Starling. A small group of 30 Goldfinch feeding on alders in the Alder Plantation but no sign of any Siskin in the area yet. 12 Goosander, 4 Goldeneye and 2 Pochard on the river and 4 Common Gull with C250 Black-headed Gull on Beeston Weir. 5 calling Nuthatch and 6 Bullfinch in the carpark in Clifton Village.
Woodcock - Barton Flash
Saturday 9th January
A skien of C130 Pink-footed Geese were seen heading high N/W this morning at 9.30am. 9 Goosander, 5 Goldeneye, 3 Pochard, 2 Gadwall, 3 Teal and 13 Tufted Duck all on the river bend behind Clifton Hall this morning. 3 Common Buzzard and the Red-tailed Hawk near Barton Flash but not a lot else due to a large pheasant shoot in the area.
A herd of 52 Mute Swan in fields between Barton-in-Fabis and Thrumpton. A walk over Clifton Pastures this afternoon produced 1 Peregrine again sat out on the pylon, 6 Common Buzzard, 1 Stonechat and small numbers of Meadow Pipit and Skylark.
Pink-footed Geese - high N/W over Clifton Grove
Wednesday 6th January
A Bittern was flushed from one of the fishing platforms on Holme Pit this morning at 9.00am and flew over to the far right of the pit and dropped down into the reed-bed. I stayed in the area for over an hour hoping it would walk out of the reeds but it didnt reappear.
Also today were up to 4 calling Water Rail on Holme Pit. large numbers of Meadow Pipit and Skylark were seen passing through to the west. An large influx of Fieldfare and redwing in the area with birds noted in most areas. 5 Goldeneye, 4 Pochard, 7 Goosander, 3 Shoveler, 8 Teal and 12 Great-crested Grebe on the river between Barton Island and Beeston Weir.
Bittern - Holme Pit
Tuesday 5th January
A female/Juv Merlin was watched chasing Skylarks for 15 mins over fields between Barton-in-Fabis and Thrumpton this afternoon at 3.30pm, on a brief stop on the way home from work to check out the mute swan herd for any wild swans. Also a small flock of Linnet in the area and C150 Northern Lapwing.
Sunday 3rd January
Still good numbers of Goosander, Goldeneye and Pochard on the river today between the Weir and the river bend facing Clifton Hall. 2 Grey Wagtail and 25 Pied Wagtail on the Weir Field. 4 calling Water Rail on Holme Pit.
C350 Northern Lapwing and C150 Golden Plover on the Drift, also a flock of C30 Linnet. On Clifton Pastures this afternoon were 2 Stonechat in the drainage dykes plus 12 Reed Bunting. A small covey of 12 Grey Partridge near Fairham Brook. An adult Peregrine sat out on a pylon before heading of towards Gotham Moor.
Peregrine - Clifton Pastures
Saturday 2nd January
7 Goldeneye and 15 Goosander on the stretch of river between the Grove and Beeston Weir this morning. 4 Common Gull with Black-headed Gulls on Beeston Weir. 22 Pied Wagtail and a flock of C40 Linnet on the Weir Field. 4 calling Water Rail, 1 female Goosander, 1 female Poachard and 12 Gadwall on Holme Pit.
Imm Grey Heron - Clifton Wood
After a two week break in India I came back to find that there have been a few good sightings seen in the area over the Christmas break. The Scarcest of the three was a small group of three Bean Geese seen on Clifton Pastures on the 26th December the first record since 1981. A Red-breasted Merganser was seen on the river near Barton-in-Fabis on the 28th December was the first record since 1997 and a Bittern was on Holme Pit on the 23rd December(T Sheields)
Friday 1st January
A first winter Mediterranean Gull was seen very briefly on Beeston Weir this morning but was lost from view as it flew over the marina towards Attenborough, also two 1st W Common Gull on the weir. A good varity of wildfowl on Holme Pit this morning with a single female Goosander, Goldeneye and Pochard all very scarce at this location, also Shoveler, Gadwall,Teal and Tufted Duck. Small numbers of Meadow Pipit and winter Thrushs in the area.
C200 Golden Plover and C500 Northen Lapwing on Clifton Pastures this afternoon viewed from the gotham Road layby.
female Goosander, Goldeneye and Pochard all Holme Pit