April 30th.

Today 2x Common Terns, two Mallard broods of 3 & 7, a Whitethroat in song and small numbers of Swift, Swallow , House and Sand Martins. (J Harris).

April 29th.

A lunch time visit produced the first Swifts over the water, also 7 x Common Buzzards, 1 fem Sparrowhawk ,and 3 Common Sandpipers. (Robin D).

April 23rd.

Osprey reported this morning before flying off north west, (Birdguides)

April 21st.

At the pool this morning, Shelduck, Tree Sparrow, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail.
(J Harris).

April 19th.

At 18-45 this evening a Little Ringed Plover at the western end, the first brood of the year a mallard with 8 youngsters and a pair of Gadwall noted. Weather light drizzel with a north east wind. (B Kington).

April 17th.

Willow Warbler

Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail

A text message while i was at work today from Lee Johnson saying he had 6 Yellow Wagtails early afternoon at the pool on the eastern end (Thanks Lee). So straight after work picked up my camera gear, called around for Dave and off we set hoping they were still their and Photographable. Walking down to the eastern end Dave soon picked up there call, and yes with a little effort they were approachable (just). While on our knees photographing there was plenty of birds all around in song, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, and a very confiding Willow Warbler. Also along the shore was 1 White Wagtail and 2 Grey Wags. (S Seal, D Hutton). A Common Tern flew through going N/E this morning (B Kington), it should not be long before they are feeding over the pool as 30 birds were present at nearby Kingsbury this evening.

April 16th.

Very quite again this evening, somehow i get that feeling that migration is happening everywhere except here. Just 10 Swallows, 1 Willow Warbler,2 Shelduck, 3 Blackcap and 2 Common Sandpipers. (S Seal, D Hutton).

April 15th.

20 Swallows and 5 House Martin over the pool this afternoon during a heavy rain storm, (L Johnson).

April 14th.

Another dash to the pool this evening as another Osprey was seen heading in this direction, again i sat in the car in very poor weather, and again no sign of any Osprey. (Arrrh well one day!).Nothing much else to report, 4 Gadwall , and 16 LBB Gulls flying west, 1 Shelduck over flying south , and one lone Swallow hawking over the pool. (S Seal, D Hutton,). Late news on Apr 8th 2 Wheatear (P Forbes).

April 12th.

An afternoon visit due to work this morning, typical when at work sunshine, when at the pool RAIN. I made this visit in hope of a Osprey which had earlier been reported in the Tame valley. Due to the bad weather i decided to sit it out in the car park over looking the pool, very little was moving, 8 Swallows went west, 13 L B B Gulls dropped in to bath then moved of north. A blackcap started to sing but was obscured by branchs for any reasonable images. The saturday sailing club where out on the water so that put pay to anything there, although four Gadwall were noted. A fare few corvids were moving east to west amongst the showers and alas no Osprey. But i still had fun photographing some common birds from the comfort of the car. (S Seal).

April 11th.

Red-legged Partridge

Very quite this evening, 17-15 / 18-45, cool south west wind, clear skies. Only 1 lone Swallow over the pool, 2 Grey Wagtails on the shore in front of the car park, 1 Tree Sparrow around the paddock area, 5 R L Partridge along the lane and 5 Sand Martins on the wires. 2 Blackcaps by the sailing club and a Common Sand on the south shore. A Buzzard over the small pool and a Green Woodpecker calling from by the fishing cottage. 2 Coal Tits , Chiffchaff , and Kingfisher by the waterfall , and 4 Gadwall at the eastern end. 5 more Chiffchaffs calling along the northern side, also Sparrowhawk and 2 more Buzzards. (S Seal).

April 10th.

No sign at 7-45 this morning of yesterdays adult Kittiwake, large number of Sand Martin, 5 Swallow, 3 House Martin and Blackcap , Willow Warbler in the car park (K Groocock). Mid-morning Common Sandpiper on shore by the sailing club, 2 Tree Sparrows along Bixhill Lane, a Blackcap singing by the paddocks, also 150 Sand Martin, 12 Swallow, and 2 House Martins, (B Kington).

April 9th Kittiwake

Kittiwake (adult) Apr 9th 2008......On main pool.

Kittiwakes are not that common at Shustoke, mainly singles on spring passage usually between late March and mid-May. There is evidense of a definate spring passage across the Midlands and this can happen even in fine calm weather, although many can pass overhead undetected in these ideal conditions.Spring passage mainly comprises of adults, with a small influx of immature birds in August, and a further passage of adults in November and December, which frequently coincides with stormy weather.
Previous Shustoke Records.
1993 Jan 24th (winter adult).
1994 Apr 2nd (1st summer).
1994 Apr 17th (adult).
1994 May 16th (adult).
1997 Nov 30th (1st winter).
1998 Mar 23rd (adult).
1999 Sept 14th (adult).
2000 Apr 14th (1st Summer).
2003 Mar 6th (adult).
2004 Apr 12th (adult).
2005 Aug 22nd (1st Winter).
2006 Apr 30th (adult).
2008 Apr 9th (adult).
S Seal.......

April 9th.

Kittiwake (adult) ........on the main pool.

A Dark-bellied Brent Goose at 9-15 flying north over the pool , also an adult Kittiwake mid-morning (K Wimbush). A visit at 17-00 to see if the Kittiwake was still present and to my suprise it was still their, it was the only Gull on the pool. It was sat on the water right in the middle and in good light but just to far for any decent images.It flew towards the eastern end giving Dave and myself a bit of a chance for photography. Also present 1 Common Sandpiper by the sailing club, 1 White Wagtail on the southern shore, and a few House Martins amongst a good number of Swallows. 3 Blackcaps were heard along with 2 Chiffchaff and 2 R L Partridge in the ploughed field. Also noted Grey Wagtail and 4 Gadwall. (S Seal, D Hutton). 2 Common Sands were seen earlier in the day by (T Perrins).

April 8th.

First House Martins today with 2 over the pool, also 8 Swallow, 300+ Sand Martin, 2 Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcap and 6 R L Partridge (L Johnson). Common Sandpiper this evening another first for the year, (B Kington). Early morning 2 Wheatear (P Forbes).

April 7th.

Late evening, 9 Goosanders (3 drakes & 2 sub-adult drakes),230 Sand Martins, 12 Swallows, still no House Martins, 3 Gadwall, 1 Redshank and a Grey Wagtail, (B Kington).

April 6th Spring as Arrived.

With an overnight covering of snow the temptation was to great to get out and do some early morning photography. A 7-00 o,clock start was just what the doctor ordered.
Chiffchaff..in full song. One of several heard this morning.

View of the weastern end taken from the car park.

Tree Sparrow along the lane by the paddock.

A view into the Horse Paddock.

Red Legged Partridge.......trying to hide, 7 were present along the lane.

Sand Martin....well over 500 birds over the main pool this morning.

Swallows enjoying the Spring sunshine.

31 Swallows were back on the main pool this morning.

A view looking north over the Reservoir from Bixhill Lane.

5 Blackcaps were in song this morning.

View of the main pool , looking towards the sailing club.

Pied Wagtail on eastern shore....

Eastern shore of main pool.....

Small pool......

A view of the small pool at the eastern end.

Also noted around the pool this morning , 2 Redshank. 14 Meadow Pipits, 23 Pied Wagtails, 2 Great Spotted and 1 Green Woodpecker.
More images of this mornings session can be found on the link below.
http://steveseal.fotopic.net/
S Seal......

April 5th.

An early morning trip around the pool, 170 Sand Martin, 12 Swallow, 3 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 2 Goosanders, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Grey Wagtail and Blackcap. (B Kington).

April 3rd.

Goosanders .....A pair this evening on the main pool.

This morning at the pool , 10 Gadwall, 4 Teal, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 2 Tree Sparrows, and Little Owl, (B Kington). A late report from last Friday, Stonechat (P Forbes). This evening 18-00 / 19-15, weather calm, mild and sunny. 4 Chiffchaff, 1 male Blackcap, 4 Gadwall, 2 Grey Wagtails, 18 Pied Wagtails, 1 pair Goosanders, 2 Tree Sparrows, 3 Yellowhammers, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 R L Partridge , 2 Green Woodpeckers and a Treecreeper. (S Seal).

April 2nd.

At the pool this afternoon, 2 Willow Warblers , 1 Swallow , first reports for both these species this year . Also 3 Blackcaps and 9 R L Partridge, (L Johnson).A quick visit at 18-30 this evening, weather dull with light drizzle. Swallow was just in front of the car park, my first one this year and 2 pair Goosanders on the water. (S Seal , D Hutton).