Wednesday 25th August

Another early morning trip which kept up the good run the Reservoir has had recently. The wind had dropped and subsequently passerines were much easier to see and I encountered four good size flocks of mixed warblers, finches and tits. The main pool had a couple of Common Tern, 96 Cormorant and a “Macbeth Duck” which has relocated to the east end.

Warbler Corner provided me with todays highlight, not a warbler but a Little Egret that flew low overhead it had probably been on the river. In total today warbler numbers were approximately 30 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler,  6 Blackcap and a Lesser Whitethroat.

I also had two sighting of Sparrowhawk and two of Kingfisher.

In the evening with heavy rain falling I walked the dog around the reservoir adding Common Sandpiper and Wheatear.

Tuesday 24th August

Much quieter today, visited in the morning for a change, but none of yesterdays goodies were had hung around. There were 100+ Great Crested Grebe, 40+ Cormorant, 60 Lapwing. There were also good numbers of warblers around the reservoir, especially at Warbler Corner 20+ Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 4 Goldcrest and two Marsh Tit.

Coleshill Quarry tonight had a Hobby and 7 Green Sandpiper.

Dropped into Shustoke car park at dusk and added a juvenile Common Tern.

Monday 23rd August

With no sign of yesterdays Turnstone I carried on with my usual circuit and things were not going too well with a stiff westerly breeze blowing. There was nothing of note until I checked the small pool and found a male Pochard amongst the loafing Tufted Duck. I continued to Warbler Corner which was sheltered from the wind and was delighted to be met by three Spotted Flycatcher. There were still around six Chiffchaff and a couple of Willow Warbler in the area.

I continued back to the car park seeing very little, I had a final check for Turnstone or Common Sandpiper but drew a blank. I was then scanning the gulls when I heard the familiar and unmistakable call of Whimbrel, I looked up to see four birds overhead, that was great but as they headed in the direction of my house I was fumbling for my car keys, when fortunately/unfortunately they changed heading and flew off into the sunset, I lost them in the sun, but they were heading in the general vicinity of Ladywalk or was it Coleshill Gravel Pits – where are those car keys!!!

Sunday 22nd August

Turnstone by Des Ridge

After a day at the Bird Fair I thought a walk around the res would be a relaxing end to the day. On arrival there was still a “Macbeth Duck” off the car park, its partner however was not to be seen.

I had only walked around 200 yards when the star bird of the year appeared (for me at least). It came in the form of a near summer plumaged Ruddy Turnstone. It was on the shoreline, making its way over the rocks, it then ran 10 yards up the enbankment to dispatching a large beetle (they must have good eyesight). It became increasingly mobile as the evening wore on, but by the time I left it was feeding on the waters edge by the carpark.

Also tonight there were at least four Common Sandpiper and four Common Tern flew through.

Turnstone by Des Ridge

Saturday 21st August

Had a walk around in showery weather. The weather conditions contributed to 200 to 300 mixed hirundines and a single Swift at the east end of the reservoir, with the overhead wires holding around 70 Sand Martin at one point.

Warbler corner had in excess of 20 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Bullfinch, 2 Nuthatch, 4 Goldcrest.

The two “Scottish Play” duck were still off the carpark. I also counted in excess of 110 Great Crested Grebe.

Friday 20th August

A bit of life at the reservoir today with a female Wheatear on the south-east shore along with a Common Sandpiper. A large flock of 50+ Goldfinch were in the same area. Warbler corner was quiet with a couple of Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler. The highlight today – two “The Scottish Play” Duck (the duck that should not be named) which were off the car park tonight.

Thursday 19th August

With heavy rain falling I didn’t venture out of the car park. I scanned the gulls but the only bird of note was a Common Gull. There was also a single Common Sandpiper.

Wednesday 18th August

The two Common Sandpiper were present tonight along with 80+ Lapwing. A party of ten Bullfinch were still at Warbler Corner and there were around six Goldcrest in the Pines. With the surrounding fields being ploughed the Black-headed Gull numbers have increased dramatically so with luck we might pull in a Med Gull as we have in the past.

Last night a Green Sandpiper was seen per Steve Cawthrey.

Monday 16th August

Greenshank in the evening per Steve Haynes

Saturday 14th August

A search this morning revealed little of interest there was a single Common Tern and a Shoveler on the main pool. Whilst in Warbler Corner there were Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and family party of Bullfinch and a couple of Nuthatch. The Kingfisher was seen in the usual place with a Green Woodpecker on the grassy area by the small pool.

Friday 13th August

A couple of trips over in the rain in recent days but not a lot to report but tonight there was a Hobby over the reservoir briefly.

Sunday 8th August

Paid a visit this evening after a week’s hillwalking in Scotland. With a weeks gap since my last visit, things hadn’t changed much. There were 60+ Lapwing loafing on the South shore and they were accompanied by two Common Sandpiper. With the water levels lower than they have been for a while, we may get lucky and have a few more waders this Autumn. 

Warbler corner had a bit of activity with Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap noted. Black-headed Gull numbers are building up with around 150 individuals noted.