Friday 31 December 2010

Northern Pits: Black-necked Grebe, Eurasian White-fronted Goose, 6 Pintail (4 drakes), Little Owl.

Thursday 30 December 2010

Rudd Pit: Bittern reported.

Moorings: Bittern flew south and then back north at 09:50; 8 Goosander (4 drakes).

Island Pit: Sparrowhawk.

Little Paxton village: WAXWING in tree along Great North Road briefly at 08:20 before flying NE.

Wednesday 29 December 2010

Island Pit: 4 Smew (2 drakes), Woodcock, Buzzard.

Heronry South: 2 Marsh Tits by education centre.

Moorings: 15 Goosander (7 drakes).

Washout Pit: 14 Siskins over.

Monday 27 December 2010

Little Paxton village: 5 WAXWINGS feeding in a rowan tree along Hawthorn Close from c.14:10-15:00.


















One of five Waxwings, Little Paxton.

Sunday 26 December 2010

A1 North Pit: 5 Smew (2 drakes).

Heronry South: 14 Lesser Redpolls.

Moorings: 10 Goosander (4 drakes) on river, Bittern.

Saturday 25 December 2010

Great Meadow: Chiffchaff, Treecreeper.

Heronry South: Marsh Tit nr Hayden Hide.

Moorings: 6 Goosander (1 drake) on river, plus a further 6 drakes flew over.

Little Paxton village: 2 Coal Tits and 2 Reed Buntings in Gordon Road.

Thursday 23 December 2010

Heronry South: 53+ Skylarks flew south, 15 Lesser Redpolls in Silver Birches by Hayden Hide.

Island Pit: 2 Woodcocks

Moorings: 6 Goosanders (4 drakes) on river.

Wednesday 22 December 2010

Washout Pit: 2 Bitterns flew towards river at 15:25.

Sunday 19 December 2010

A1 North Pit: 7 Red-crested Pochards (5 drakes), 3 Buzzards, c.20 Fieldfare.

Island Pit: 3 Peregrines (a male and 2 females) over together, c.35 Skylarks north.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 4 adult Whooper Swans flew NE, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Curlew, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk.

Saturday 18 December 2010

A1 North Pit: 8 Red-crested Pochards (6 drakes).

Heronry North/Washout Pit: Little Owl just north of main quarry workings offices.

Wednesday 15 December 2010

Washout Pit: Bittern flew to south west corner of reedbed at 15:05.

Monday 13 December 2010

Northern Pits: 3 drake Pintail, 2 Woodcocks, Curlew still.

Heronry Pits: 2 Sparrowhawks, Marsh Tit.

Island Pit: redhead Smew.

Sunday 12 December 2010

A1 North Pit: 7 Red-crested Pochards (5 drakes), Sparrowhawk, Siskin over.

Heronry Pits: Kingfisher, Nuthatch (heard only), 2 Marsh Tits, 11 Lesser Redpolls feeding in Silver Birch tree by the Hayden Hide.

Island Pit: Siskin over.

Moorings: Bittern seen in flight along river at midday.

Diddington/Pumphouse Pits: 3 Snipe, Curlew, 3 Redshank.

Sailing Lake: Sparrowhawk, Siskin over.

Visitors' Centre: Marsh Tit at bird table.

Washout Pit: drake and redhead Goosander on river adjacent to Washout.

Little Paxton village: Buzzard over west, Grey Wagtail.

Saturday 11 December 2010

Northern Pits: drake Pintail, immature male Peregrine, Curlew.

Meadow: Woodcock over at dusk.

Friday 10 December 2010

Island Pit: redhead Goosander, 5 Woodcocks.

Northern Pits: redhead Smew, 5 Snipe, 2 Redshanks.

Boughton Lodge Farm: Siskin.

Wednesday 8 December 2010

Bittern reported, though no location given.

Sunday 5 December 2010

Island Pit: 78+ Barnacle Geese over, heading SSW (probably originating from the Bedfordshire population); drake and redhead Goosander.

Heronry North: redhead Smew.

Northern Pits: female Scaup, 14 Snipe, 1+ Redshank.

Boughton Lodge Farm: Siskin.

Saturday 4 December 2010

Heronry South: Snipe over, Marsh Tit nr education centre, 3 Lesser Redpolls feeding in Silver Birch between Hayden Hide and education centre.

Arable Fields: c.60 Fieldfare.

Monday 29 November 2010

Little Paxton village: 8 WAXWINGS visiting a rowan tree at the west end of Gordon road (approx TL186622) on two occasions around 10am this morning.

Sunday 28 November 2010

A1 North Pit: Little Egret over, 5 Red-crested Pochards (3 drakes), 18+ Skylarks in feeding in stubble fields.

Heronry Pits: 3 Red-crested Pochards (1 drake), c.120 Teal, 2 Kingfishers, 5 Siskins.

Island Pit: 4 Red-crested Pochards (1 drake).

Pumphouse Pit: 2 drake Pintail, drake Ruddy Duck, plus 2 Siskins and 6 Redpolls over.

Sailing Lake: c.10 Siskins.

Saturday 27 November 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Little Egret, eclipse/1w drake Smew, 3+ Buzzards, Dunlin, 3+ Redshanks, Green Sandpiper.

Wednesday 24 November 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 6 Little Egrets, pair Shelduck, drake Ruddy Duck, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Redshank.

Heronry Pits: Marsh Tit in Wray House Garden

Island Pit: pair Red-crested Pochards, Green Sandpiper (swimming in middle of lake!), 154 Fieldfare.

Sailing Lake: c.10 Siskins.

Tuesday 23 November 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 7 Little Egrets, Shelduck, drake Ruddy Duck, Dunlin, Redshank; Water Pipit flew from SW corner of Pumphouse Pit and flew towards Diddington Pit.

Monday 22 November 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 3 Whooper Swans (2 adults), flew north at 09:50; 8 Little Egrets, drake Ruddy Duck, Buzzard, female Peregrine, 25 Golden Plovers, 9+ Dunlin, Ruff, 6 Redshank, 3 Snipe, Kingfisher.

Island Pit: Siskin over.

Visitors' Centre: Grey Wagtail.

Saturday 20 November 2010

A1 North Pit & Sailing Lake: Grey Wagtail (probably the same bird at both pits), 4+ Bullfinches.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 3-4 Little Egrets, 9+ Dunlin, Ruff, 12 Redshank, 2-3 Green Sandpipers, 5 Snipe, Kingfisher.

Heronry North: drake Goosander.

Island Pit: drake Red-crested Pochard, Water Rail.

Friday 19 November 2010

Diddington Pit: 4 Little Egrets, 2 Shelduck, 2 drake Pintail, c.40 Red-legged Partridges, 49 Golden Plovers, 13 Dunlin, Ruff, 5 Redshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, 11 Siskins.

Wednesday 17 November 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 4+ Little Egrets, Bar-headed Goose, female Shelduck, drake Pintail, Buzzard, c.300 Lapwings, Ruff, 7+ Redshank, Green Sandpiper.

Island Pit: drake Red-crested Pochard.

Sailing Lake: Siskin.

Visitors' Centre: Coal Tit at the feeding station again.

Tuesday 16 November 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 6 Little Egrets, drake Pintail, Buzzard, Ruff, 5 Redshank, Green Sandpiper.

Island Pit: drake Red-crested Pochard.

Little Paxton village: 2 Grey Wagtails over.

Sunday 14 November 2010

Diddington Pit & Pumphouse Pits: 5 Little Egrets, drake Red-crested Pochard, drake Ruddy Duck, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, 5 Golden Plovers, c.250 Lapwings, 5 Dunlin, Ruff, 5 Snipe, 7 Redshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, Kingfisher, 12 Siskins over (groups of 5, 6 & a single).

Island Pit: 75 Goldeneyes, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, c.150 Redwings, 1+ Siskins over.

Tuesday 9 November 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: redhead Goosander, Golden Plover, 3 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, Green Sandpiper, two 1st winter Little Gulls, 6+ Siskins.

Heronry Pits: Marsh Tit at north end of Haul Road.

Sunday 7 November 2010

Northern Pits: 2 adult Whooper Swans flew in from the south late morning (also seen flying over Cainhoe in Bedfordshire shortly beforehand), 4+ Little Egrets, redhead Goosander, 3 female Pintail, 2 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpipers, Greenshank over, 5 Redshank, Snipe, Kingfisher, Rock/Water Pipit (heard only), Marsh tit, Brambling, 3+ Siskins.

A1 North Pit: Short-eared Owl, male Grey Wagtail and male Stonechat.

Heron Trail: Coal Tit & Marsh tit (also both seen at visitors' centre bird table), Siskins.













Whooper Swans at Diddington Pit.

Saturday 30 October 2010

Cloudy Pit: Cetti's Warbler singing, Siskin over.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: c.6 Little Egrets, Pintail, 2+ Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 21 Golden Plovers over, c.400 Lapwings, 3 Dunlin, 4 Ruff, 8+ Redshank, 2-3 Green Sandpipers, Lesser Redpoll.

Heronry South: 5 Red-crested Pochards (4 drakes), 5 Lesser Redpolls around basin.

Great Meadow: 2 Lesser Redpolls.










Red-crested Pochards at Heronry South Pit.

Thursday 28 October 2010

Heronry South: 5 Red-crested Pochards (4 drakes).

Tuesday 26 October 2010

Little Paxton village: 2 WAXWINGS in Rowan trees briefly at c.12:40 towards bottom (west) end of Gordon Road.

Sunday 24 October 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 17 Little Egrets, 17+ Golden Plovers with c.400 Lapwing, 4 Ruff, Dunlin, 4 Green Sandpipers, 6 Snipe, 1+ Kingfishers, several small groups of Fieldfare, plus one larger group of c.80 birds flying west; 3+ Lesser Redpoll over, 11+ Siskins over, c.80 Goldfinches.

Island Pit: 4 Red-crested Pochards (2 drakes).

Thursday 14 October 2010

Heron Trail: Marsh Tit and Coal Tit at Education Centre, flock of 9 fieldfares in car park & small flocks of Redwings arriving all day; Water Rail calling at moorings.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 13 Little Egrets, 3 Pintail, 2 Snipe, 2 Greenshanks, Barn Owl, 15 Redwing.


Island Pit: female Goldeneye, Water Rail, 25 Fieldfare.

Meadow Trail: 7 Shoveller on Hayling Pit.

Wednesday 13 October 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Pintail, Ruff and Redshank. No sign of yesterday's Slavonian Grebes.

Tuesday 12 October 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2 SLAVONIAN GREBES (adult and juvenile) on Pumphouse Pit; 4 Little Egrets, Bar-headed Goose, 15 Pinatail, Ringed Plover, 14 Golden Plover, 2 Snipe, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Curlew.

Sunday 10 October 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 6 Pintail, Buzzard, 1+ Sparrowhawks, imm. Peregrine, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover over, 450 Lapwings, Dunlin, Ruff, Redshank, 1+ Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 2 Kingfishers, 3 Yellow Wagtails, female Stonechat, Coal Tit, Brambling over (flew NW).

Saturday 9 October 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Pintail, Buzzard, 2 Golden Plovers (flew over SE), 2 Dunlin, 6+ Snipe, Redshank, Greenshank, 2w Yellow-legged Gull, sub-adult Caspian Gull, 2+ Kingfishers, 2 Swallows, 3 Yellow Wagtails flew south, c.500 Redwings (in several flocks - all heading east), 2 Chiffchaffs, 3+ Goldcrests, Jay, 1+ (possibly 11) Brambling over (heading SE), 7 Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll.

Also, a belated report of a Great White Egret, which flew west from north western end of pit complex at 16:20.

Friday 8 October 2010

Heron Trail: about 30 Redpolls on Silver Birches, briefly joined Goldfinches and then left.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 8 Little Egrets, Pintail, Peregrine, Ringed Plover & Rock Pipit.

Thursday 7 October 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 4 Little Egrets, 3 Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, 500 Lapwing, Greenshank.

Tuesday 5 October 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Little Grebe, c.6 Little Egrets, Buzzard, Peregrine (chasing waders), 3 Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, c.70 Lapwing, Little Stint, Dunlin, Ruff, 3 Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, covey of 8 Grey Partridges, Rock Pipit along bund at Diddington Pit. Also probable Tree Pipit heard briefly just before dusk.

Saturday 2 October 2010

Boughton Lodge Farm: female-type REDSTART around Ash Trees along footpath, just south of farm (north of main quarry workings) but fairly elusive.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Immature Marsh Harrier seen in mid air battle with a female Peregrine; 2 Buzzards, 11 Ringed Plover, 3+ Dunlin, 3 Greenshank.

Heronry Pits: Egyptian Goose, Chiffchaff, Marsh Tit, Treecreeper, plus 3 Siskins (flew over).

Island Pit: 6 Redwings.

Also 6+ Little Egrets and 5 Kingfishers around pit complex.

Little Paxton village: Peregrine and Buzzard over Park Way in afternoon; groups of 9 and then 1+ Siskins over Hawthorn Close during morning

Friday 1 October 2010

Visitors' Centre: Reed Bunting, House Sparrow, Coal Tit, Greenfinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Goldfinch and Chaffinch.

Heronry Lakes: Marsh Tit, Bar-headed Goose, plus many Swallows and Martins.

Tuesday 28 September 2010

Visitors' Centre: Coal Tit on the bird table several times.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pit: 3 Little Egrets, Egyptian Goose, Ruddy Shelduck (seen in flight again -presumably this species and not one of the other similar exotic escapees!), c.50 Lapwing, Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 2+ Greenshank, 1+ Kingfishers.

Monday 27 September 2010

Heron Trail: c6 Chiffchaffs, 3 Song Thrushes, 3 Redwings, quite a few Blackcaps on elderberries, Treecreeper, Spotted Flycatcher near classroom. Marsh Tit at the Hayden Hide, c 20 House Martins, 6 Swallows a few Sand Martins. LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER near Kingfisher hide (JAS).

Diddington Pit: 2 Little Egrets, c.20 Teal, 5 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, Redshank, Greenshank, Snipe, Kestrel, Kingfisher, 2 Swallows.

Sunday 26 September 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 11 Ringed Plover, juvenile Little Stint, 4 Dunlin, 2 Greenshanks.















Juvenile Little Stint, Diddington Pit © Martin Davis.

Saturday 25 September 2010

Pumphouse & Diddington Pits: Ruddy Shelduck (or possibly Cape Shelduck) flew north mid morning, 3 Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin, 2+ Snipe, 4 Greenshank, 2 ARCTIC SKUA'S (dark phase and adult pale phase) circling to north of Pumphouse Pit at 17:50, then flew low SW towards Diddington Pit; c.10 Yellow-legged Gulls, sub-adult Caspian Gull, juvenile Black Tern south at 09:20, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail.

Friday 24 September 2010

Diddington Pit/Island Pit: 2 juvenile ARCTIC SKUA'S circling high and to the SE of Diddington Pit/Island Pit at c.17:25. Also Greenshank.

Wednesday 22 September 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Egyptian Goose, female Pochard with blue nasal saddle, 19 Ringed Plover, juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 16 Dunlin, 5 Snipe, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew, 29 Redshank (inc. flock of 26 south mid morning), 3 Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 6 Common Terns & juvenile Black Tern briefly mid morning, female-type Wheatear.

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler.

Saturday 18 September 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 5 Hobbies, female Peregrine, Little Ringed Plover, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 juvenile PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 4+ Dunlin, 5 Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpipers, 17 Yellow-legged Gulls, sub-adult Caspian Gull, Kingfisher, 3 Yellow Wagtails.
















2 juvenile Pectoral Sandpipers, Diddington Pit, Paxton Pits © Neal Parkin.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 16 Little Egrets, Egyptian Goose, Bar-headed Goose, 7 Dunlin, 2 juvenile PECTORAL SANDPIPERS still (showing very well at times), 13 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper.
















1 of 2 Pectoral Sandpipers showing well on Diddington Pit today © Mark Hawkes.

Friday 17 September 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2 Buzzards, Greenshank, Kingfisher, Whinchat.

Thursday 16 September 2010

Heronry Lakes: Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, 2 Hobbies, Kestrel; many Sand Martins, House Martins and a few Swallows; juv Chiffchaff with Long-tailed Tits.

Wednesday 15 September 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 3 Little Egrets, 5 Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Swift. No sign of yesterday's Pectoral Sandpiper between 12:00-14:00.

Tuesday 14 September 2010

Diddington Pit: juvenile PECTORAL SANDPIPER from 18:40 - 19:35 at least on small shingle island in middle of pit. Also juvenile female Peregrine, 3 Ringed Plovers (at one point being chased by the Peregrine) and Greenshank.

Please remember to only use car park at north end of Diddington village and then walk back south to view pit from public footpath at SE end of village.

Monday 13 September 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2 Ringed Plover, Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, 3+ Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Kingfisher.

Sunday 12 September 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 4+ Little Egrets, 4+ Buzzards, 1+ Hobbies, 6 Ringed Plovers, 3 Dunlin, juv Ruff, 1+ Greenshank, 2+ Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, Kingfisher, c.80 Swallows, Grey Wagtail, Whinchat, Lesser Whitethroat.

Farm Pit: Kingfisher.

Island Pit: Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler singing briefly.

Saturday 11 September 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Egyptian Goose, Pintail, male Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzards, adult Hobby, juvenile female Peregrine, juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 4 Ringed Plovers, Curlew Sandpiper (on Diddington Pit again briefly, then flew high ENE), 3 Dunlin flew SE, 3 Ruff, Snipe, juvenile Spotted Redshank (dropped in to Diddington Pit briefly at c.19:10, then flew high NE), c.7 Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpipers, Swift flew south.

Island Pit: 13 Little Grebes, good numbers of Wigeon (many arriving from the north during morning).

Friday 10 September 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Hobby, juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 2 juvenile Ruff, 3+ Greenshank, Common Sandpiper.

Little Paxton village: Hobby over Anchor pub.

Tuesday 7 September 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Egyptian Goose, male Sparrowhawk, 1+ Buzzards, 3 Hobbies, 3+ Little Ringed Plovers, 3+ Ringed Plovers, juvenile Little Stint, juvenile Curlew Sandpiper (for 10 mins early evening, before flying north), 3 Dunlin, 8+ Greenshank, 1+ Green Sandpipers, juvenile Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 3 Common Terns flew south, 2+ Kingfishers, Lesser Whitethroat, 3+ Goldcrests, Spotted Flycatcher (along Anglian Water road), c.100 Goldfinches.

Island Pit: 2 Red-crested Pochards (inc. leucistic bird), 1+ Cetti's Warblers, 3+ Lesser Whitethroats.
















Spotted Flycatcher, Pumphouse Pit.

Thursday 2 September 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Egyptian Goose, 8 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, Ruff, 3+ Greenshanks, 5 Green Sandpipers, 1+ Common Sandpipers, 3 Common Terns, 2 Kingfishers.

Tuesday 31 August 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2 Egyptian Geese, Shelduck, eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard, female Marsh Harrier, 3+ Buzzards, female Merlin still mid morning (then flew strongly SSE), 3+ Hobbies, 5 Little Ringed Plovers, 3+ Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin, 2 Curlew, Greenshank, 3+ Common Sandpipers.

Island Pit: Ringed Plover flew south, Kingfisher.

Meadow: Hobby.

Monday 30 August 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Egyptian Goose, female Merlin showing well at times early evening, 2 Greenshank, juvenile Mediterrean Gull, Turtle Dove, Kingfisher.

Haul Road: Spotted Flycatcher.

Heronry North: Possible Honey Buzzard flew north.

Friday 27 August 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Egyptian Goose, immature/female Marsh Harrier (flew NW early evening), Ruff, Curlew briefly early evening (before flying south), 2+ Greenshank, 3+ Green Sandpipers, juvenile Wood Sandpiper, 52 Yellow Wagtails.

Farm Pit: 2 Turtle Doves.



Wood Sandpiper, Diddington Pit © Jamie Wells.

Monday 23 August 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 8 Little Egrets, Egyptian Goose, juvenile Shelduck, Garganey, Little Ringed Plover, 5 Ringed Plovers, 3 Dunlin, Redshank, Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpipers, 3 Common Sandpipers, 3 Whinchats.

Sunday 22 August 2010

Boughton Lodge Farm: juvenile Buzzard, Kingfisher, Reed Warbler.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Egyptian Goose, Bar-headed Goose, juvenile Marsh Harrier, 3+ Buzzards, 1-2 Hobbies, c.6 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin, 5 Snipe, Spotted Redshank (in evening) Common Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 6 Green Sandpipers, 3 Common Sandpipers, Common Tern, Turtle Dove, Kingfisher, Whinchat, c.40 Linnets.

Diddington village: Large, pale and broad-winged (probably hybrid) Falcon - perhaps Peregrine x Gyr - circling low over village late morning, then drifted west; c.6 Yellow Wagtails feeding around farm building.















Yellow Wagtail, Diddington.

Tuesday 17 August 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2 juvenile Black-necked Grebes, c.10 Little Egrets, 2 Egyptian Geese, Bar-headed Goose, 3 Canada x Greylag Geese hybrids, Garganey with 2 Teal, male Sparrowhawk, 3 Avocet, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 10 Ringed Plovers, Sanderling, 7 Dunlin, 3 juvenile Ruff, 3 Snipe, 2 juvenile Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpipers, 4 Common Sandpipers, c.40 Yellow-legged Gulls, Swift, Kingfisher.

Farm Pit: 2 Turtle Doves.

Monday 16 August 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Sanderling, 6 Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 Common Sandpipers.

Sunday 15 August 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Egyptian Goose, Bar-headed Goose, 2 Canada x Greylag hybrids, juvenile Shelduck, 2 Buzzards, 3 Avocets (adult and 2 juvs still), 2 Little Ringed Plover, several Ringed Plover, Golden Plover over, juvenile Sanderling, c.10 Dunlin, juvenile Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank (heard several times at 08:09, but not located), 2 Common Redshank, 1+ Greenshank, 4 Green Sandpipers, 2+ Common Sandpipers, adult Mediterranean Gull moulting to winter plumage, c.35 Yellow-legged Gulls, 2+ Yellow Wagtails.

Farm Pit: 14 adult Little Grebes, Kestrel, Kingfisher.

Saturday 14 August 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 11+ Little Egrets, Egyptian Goose, juvenile Shelduck, 3 Avocet, 7 Little Ringed Plover, 9 Ringed Plover, 72 Lapwing, 2 Sanderling, 11+ Dunlin, Ruff, 9 Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit flew south, 10 Greenshank (inc. 7 straight through early am), 6 Green Sandpipers, 5 Common Sandpipers, 34 Yellow-legged Gulls, 6 Swifts, Kingfisher, 11+ Yellow Wagtail.

Boughton Lodge Farm quarry pit: 4 Green Sandpipers.

Washout Pit: single Green Sandpiper.

Friday 13 August 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 3 Avocets, c.8 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, Redshank, 3+ Greenshank, 5+ Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, c.60 Yellow-legged Gulls, probable adult Caspian Gull.

St.Neots Common: female Marsh Harrier over (arrived from direction of Paxton Pits).

Thursday 12 August 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 18 Little Egrets, 2 Buzzards, juvenile Hobby, 3 Avocets, juvenile Sanderling, 8 Dunlin, 7 Greenshank, 11 Green Sandpipers, 6 Common Sandpipers, adult summer Mediterranean Gull, 36+ Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Turtle Doves.

Tuesday 10 August 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 15+ Little Egrets, 10+ Teal, 3 Avocets, 6+ Little Ringed Plover, 5+ Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 8-10 Green Sandpipers, 4 Common Sandpipers, 34 Yellow-legged Gulls, Kingfisher, 15 Yellow Wagtails.

Island Pit: Leucistic drake Gadwall, Kingfisher.

Monday 9 August 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Egyptian Goose, juvenile Shelduck, 8 Teal, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 7 Ringed Plover, 4 Snipe, juvenile Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 3+ Green Sandpipers, 1+ Common Sandpipers, c.40 Yellow-legged Gulls, Yellow Wagtail.

Sunday 8 August 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 16+ Little Egrets, Egyptian Goose, juvenile Shelduck, Buzzard, 6+ Little Ringed Plover, 6+ Ringed Plover, 3 Avocet, 4 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 5 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common sandpiper, 53 Yellow-legged Gull, Kingfisher.

A roving tit flock along the footpath at the north of Pumphouse Pit contained: 2 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser whitethroat, Reed warbler, 4+ Chiffchaffs, 3+ Willow Warblers, 2 Garden Warblers, 6 Bullfinch (family party), plus Jay.

Heronry North: Green Sandpiper.

Meadow Trail: Cetti's Warbler.

Washout Pit: 2 Green Sandpipers
Northern Pits: Green sandpiper (6), common sandpiper (4), dunlin (2), little ringed plover (6+), ringed plover (6+), black-tailed godwit (1), greenshank (3), yellow-legged gull (53), buzzard (1), little egret (16+), shelduck (juv), kingfisher.

A roving tit flock on the footpath at the north of Pumphouse Pit contained: whitethroat(2), lesser whitethroat (2), reed warbler, chif chaffs (4+), willow warblers (3+), garden warblers (2), bullfinch (fam of 6), jay, robin, blue tits, great tits, long-tailed tits, chaffinches. (MD)

Thursday 5 August 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 26 Little Egrets, Egyptian Goose, 2 Buzzards, 2 Hobbies (inc. 1 juvenile), 3 Oystercatchers, 3 Avocets, 5 Little Ringed Plovers, 11 Ringed Plovers, 5+ Dunlin, 12 Black-tailed Godwits (flew north, just before dusk), 3 Greenshank, 4+ Green Sandpipers, 2+ Common Sandpipers, c.50 Yellow-legged Gulls, Bar-headed Goose + Canada x Greylag Goose hybrid.

Paxton Pits: 5 Kingfishers noted around complex.

Wednesday 4 August 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 17 Little Egrets, Egyptian Goose, Bar-headed Goose, 5 Teal, 2 Buzzards, Hobby, 2 Oystercatchers, 3 Avocets, 9 Little Ringed Plovers, 7 Ringed Plovers, 6 Dunlin, 4+ Greenshank, 5 Green Sandpipers, 4 Common Sandpipers, 41 Yellow-legged Gull, pos. adult Caspian Gull.

Tuesday 3 August 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 13 Little Egrets, Egyptian Goose, wing-tagged Red Kite again, 4 Buzzards, 4 Oystercatchers (inc. 2 chicks/juvs), 3 Avocet (2 juvs), 10 Little Ringed Plover, inc. 4 chicks (2 broods), 8 Ringed Plover (2 chicks), 8 Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 5+ Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, c.30 Yellow-legged Gulls.

Sunday 1 August 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 14+ Little Egrets, wing-tagged Red Kite, 3+ Buzzards, 2 Hobbies, 4 Avocets (3 juvs), 6 Dunlin, Greenshank, 4+ Green Sandpipers, 42 Yellow-legged Gulls (inc. colour ringed adult), adult Caspian Gull, 8 Turtle Doves (inc. at least 2 juveniles), Barn Owl, Yellow Wagtail.

Boughton Lodge Farm (quarry pit): 3 Green Sandpipers around pit, just south of the farm.

Saturday 31 July 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 18+ Little Egrets, Egyptian Goose, 6 juvenile Shelduck, 2 Teal, 3 Shoveler, Buzzard, Hobby, 4 Avocets (3 juveniles), 8 Little Ringed Plover (inc. 2 chicks), 13 Ringed Plover (inc. 3 chicks), 5 Dunlin, Snipe, 2 juvenile Greenshank, 4 Green Sandpipers, 5+ Common Sandpipers.

Boughton Lodge Farm: 15 (fifteen) Green Sandpipers in newest quarry pit, just south of the farm.

Visitors' Centre: Hobby flew over.

Washout Pit: 2 Snipe, Green Sandpiper.

Friday 30 July 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 16 Little Egrets, 2 Buzzards, Hobby, 7 Oystercatchers (inc. 3 juveniles), juvenile Ruff, Redshank, 5+ Common Sandpipers, 45+ Yellow-legged Gulls.

Island Pit: 44 Pochard, Hobby.

Thursday 29 July 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 6+ Little Egrets, 10 Shoveler, Hobby, 7 Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpipers, 7 Common Sandpipers, c.20 Yellow-legged Gulls, Kingfisher.

Wednesday 28 July 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2 juvenile Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 Common Sandpipers, 36+ Yellow-legged Gulls.

Tuesday 27 July 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 10 Little Egrets, Little Grebe family, immature female Peregrine, Water Rail calling, 10 Little Ringed Plovers, (inc. 5 chicks from two separate pairs), 8 Ringed Plovers, 3-4 Dunlin over, 3 Green Sandpipers, 5+ Common Sandpipers, 35+ Yellow-legged Gulls, pos. 4CY Caspian Gull, 2+ Turtle Doves, Kingfisher.

Diddington Village: adult and young Tawny Owls calling at dusk.

Monday 26 July 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 9+ Little Egrets, 9 Little Ringed Plovers (including 2 chicks), 11 Ringed Plover, 3+ Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, 23+ Whimbrel (flew south at 17:45), Curlew (flew south at 19:20), 3 Redshank, Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpipers, 38+ Yellow-legged Gulls, Kingfisher.

Sunday 25 July 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 3 Little Grebes (adult with 2 juvs), 14 Little Egrets, Red Kite, juvenile Marsh Harrier again, 3+ Buzzards, 1-2 Hobbies, 7 Oystercatchers (pair with 1 juv, plus pair with 2 juvs), 6 Little Ringed Plovers (inc. 2 chicks), 14 Ringed Plovers, 4-8 Dunlin, 3 Redshank, 6 Common Sandpipers, 3 adult Common Gulls, 33+ Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Turtle Doves, Yellow Wagtail over.

Island Pit: Tufted Duck with 9 ducklings, 19 Pochard, Red Kite (prob same as seen over Pumphouse Pit), Kingfisher.

Saturday 24 July 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 6 Little Egrets, juvenile Marsh Harrier, 2 Hobbies, Oystercatcher, 7 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin, Whimbrel, Greenshank, 4 Green Sandpipers, 4 Common Sandpipers, 25+ Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Turtle Doves.

Friday 23 July 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 19 Little Egrets, Egyptian Goose, 36 Pochard, 7 Oystercatchers (inc. 2 recently fledged juvs), 10 Little Ringed Plovers (incl. 2 chicks), 14 Ringed Plover, Sanderling, 6 Dunlin, 4 Redshank, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 10 Common Sandpipers, adult Mediterranean Gull, 10+ Yellow-legged Gulls, c.30 Common Terns.

Tuesday 20 July 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 15 Little Egrets, Bar-headed Goose, eclipse drake Garganey, female Shoveler, 2 Buzzards, 2 Oystercatchers, 16+ Little Ringed Plovers (incl. 2 chicks), 18 Ringed Plovers, 6 Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Whimbrel (flew south mid-evening), Redshank, Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpipers, 4-5 Turnstone (single around midday + 4 flew south mid-evening), 5 adult Common Gulls, 17 Yellow-legged Gulls, 64 Common Terns, 2+ Yellow Wagtails.

Sunday 18 July 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: single Dunlin, plus Ruff briefly (before flying high south).

Saturday 17 July 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: c.8 Little Egrets, Egyptian Goose, 9 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpipers, 3 Common Sandpipers, 25+ Yellow-legged Gulls, 5+ Turtle Doves.

Friday 16 July 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 5+ Little Egrets, 8 Little Ringed Plovers (2+ juveniles), 3 Dunlin, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Sandpipers, c.20 Yellow-legged Gulls, recently fledged juvenile Yellowhammer.

Wednesday 14 July 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 7 Little Egrets, Buzzard, Hobby, 2 Oystercatchers, 8 Ringed Plover, 6 Little Ringed Plover (inc. 2 juveniles), 3 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Arctic Tern amongst c.40 Common Terns, Turtle Dove, Yellow Wagtail over.

Monday 12 July 2010

Diddington Pit: 5 Dunlin.

Monday 5 July 2010

Diddington Pit: Black-tailed Godwit early evening.

Sunday 4 July 2010

Heronry South: 3 Wigeon, several broods of Tufted Duck.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Little Egret, Buzzard, Curlew, 3 Green Sandpipers, 48+ Common Tern.

Friday 2 July 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 4 Little Egrets, Green Sandpiper, 43 Common Terns (including 2 juveniles), 3 Turtle Doves.

Thursday 1 July 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 3 Little Egrets, 5 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Ringed Plover, 2 Curlew, Turtle Dove.

Wednesday 30 June 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 3 Little Egret, 12+ Teal, Black-tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.

Heronry South: A Red-necked Phalarope reported nr Hayden Hide.

Tuesday 29 June 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2 Little Egret, c.15 Teal, 2 probable Ruff (seen in flight briefly), Snipe, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, Curlew briefly before flying south, 2 Green Sandpipers, 6 Yellow-legged Gulls.

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler.














Black-tailed Godits, Paxton Pits.

Sunday 27 June 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2 Little Egrets, 2 Ruddy Shelduck, 19 Teal, pair Shoveler, 3 Pochard, female Tufted Duck with 4 ducklings, 1+ Buzzard, Little Ringed Plover and Ringed Plover on nests, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2nd summer Yellow-legged Gull, pair Common Terns with 2 chicks, 3 Turtle Doves feeding together, Meadow Pipit singing.

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler singing still, plus Lesser Whitethroat family.

















Common Buzzard over Diddington Pit, Paxton Pits.

Saturday 26 June 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 4 Little Egrets, 4 Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, adult Yellow-legged Gull, c.300 Sand Martins.

Friday 25 June 2010

Heronry/Washout Pits: Red Kite over quarry workings site.

Wednesday 23 June 2010

Heronry Pits: Nightingale feeding on track near Wray House Garden.

Monday 21 June 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 6 Little Egrets, moulting drake Garganey, 5 Yellow-legged Gulls, Green Sandpiper.

Sunday 20 June 2010

Ouse Valley Way: 2 male Cuckoos.

Heronry Pits: Little Egret flew north, 2 Turtle Doves, Nightingale singing.

Meadow: Red Kite over visitors' centre.

















Turtle Dove, Heronry South, Paxton Pits.

Sunday 13 June 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 3-4 Little Egrets, 3 Teal, drake Pochard, male Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Hobby, male Peregrine flew NE, 5 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Ringed Plover.

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler.

Saturday 12 June 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Little Egret, Bar-headed Goose, pair Shelduck, drake Teal, drake Shoveler, 3 drake Red-crested Pochards, drake Common Pochard, Hobby, 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 9 Ringed Plover, 3 Redshank, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler still.

Tuesday 8 June 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2+ Little Egrets, 5 drake Teal, 2 Little Ringed Plover, several Tundra Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, adult Yellow-legged Gull.

Saturday 5 June 2010

Diddington Pit: 3 Little Egret,3 drake Red-crested Pochards, 3 drake Teal, 4 Buzzard, Hobby, c.12 Tundra Ringed Plover, Little Stint & Sanderling still.

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler still.

Friday 4 June 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2 Little Egrets, 4 drake Red-crested Pochards, c.15 Tundra Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Little Stint.

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler.

Meadow Trail: Grasshopper Warbler singing and showing in full view; 2 Cetti's Warblers singing still.

Heronry South: 2 Turtle Doves singing from wires nr new education centre.

Tuesday 1 June 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 6 Little Egret, pair Shelduck, 6 drake Red-crested Pochards, 21+ Tundra Ringed Plover, 11+ Dunlin, Greenshank, 1st summer Little Gull, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls, c.100 Sand Martins.

Island Pit: Cetti's and Grasshopper Warbler singing still.

Monday 31 May 2010

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler & Grasshopper Warbler singing.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2+ Little Egret, 2 drake Red-crested Pochards, 2 Hobbies, 37 Tundra Ringed Plover, Sanderling, 25 Dunlin.

Saturday 29 May 2010

Diddington Pit: SPOONBILL early morning, before flying north (per RBA); drake Red-crested Pochard, 3 Little Ringed Plover, c.40 Tundra Ringed Plover, 3 Sanderling, 14 Dunlin.

[No further sign of female Blue-winged Teal today].

Island Pit: singing Grasshopper Warbler.

Pumphouse Pit: 3 Little Egret, drake Red-crested Pochard, 3+ Little Ringed Plover.

Friday 28 May 2010

Diddington Pit: female BLUE-WINGED TEAL still present around exposed mud and islands in SW corner of pit until c.16:00, but no sign in evening. Parking and viewing instructions as per yesterday; 2 Sanderling, 14 Dunlin.

Thursday 27 May 2010

Diddington Pit: female BLUE-WINGED TEAL found at c.13:00 and associating with a drake Shoveler around newly exposed islands in SW corner. Park carefully in Diddington village car park (far end of village) and walk back to access footpath in SE corner of village. View carefully from public footpath, just after gap in hedge. Please do not stray from public footpath or enter any of the nearby quarry workings. Still present at 20:00. Also Hobby, 2 Dunlin, 2 Little Ringed Plover & several Tundra Ringed Plover.
















Female Blue-winged Teal, Diddington Pit, Paxton Pits.

Wednesday 26 May 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 3 Little Egrets, 4 Tundra Ringed Plover, Sanderling, 2 Greenshank, Black Tern.

Tuesday 25 May 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: TEMMINCK'S STINT on Diddington Pit in evening; 2 pairs Shelduck, Red Kite, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Tundra Ringed Plover, 3 Sanderling, Dunlin, 3 Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Turnstone.

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler.

Meadow: Hobby over Visitors' Centre.


Temminck's Stint, Diddington Pit © Jamie Wells

Monday 24 May 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Osprey low over Diddington Pit at 09:26, then drifted south (where it was also seen over reserve at 09:30); 3 Little Egrets, 2 pairs Shelduck, 4 drake Red-crested Pochards, 8 Common Pochard, Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, 3 Avocet (2 still Diddington Pit, plus 1 flew west mid-morning), 5 Tunra Ringed Plover, 8 Sanderling.

Meadow: Sparrowhawk, 1-2 Hobbies.

Heron Trail: Tawny Owl nr post 16, chased by a Song Thrush at 21:00; 2 Cuckoos on the river island, seen from river viewpoint.

Sunday 23 May 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 pairs Shelduck, Hobby, 2 Avocet, 4 Black Terns in evening, Turtle Dove.

Little Paxton village: Little Egret NE over Park Way at 21:00, Common Sand heard over Hawthorn Close at 22:10.

Saturday 22 May 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2 Little Egrets, drake Garganey, Sanderling, Dunlin.

Heronry South: 2 drake Red-crested Pochards, Hobby, Turtle Dove.

Great Meadow: Buzzard, 2 Hobbies.

Thursday 20 May 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: TEMMINCK'S STINT on Pumphouse at c.06:35, then seen at 07:30 on Diddington Pit (& still present in evening around main island at Diddington Pit until 20:40 at least). Also drake Red-crested Pochard, 2 Avocets, 4 Tundra Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 2 summer plumage Sanderlings, Greenshank & Common Sandpiper.

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler still in NW corner.

Wednesday 19 May 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 6 Little Egrets, 3 Avocet (flew in at 20:35), 6+ Little Ringed Plover, 6 Tundra Ringed Plover, 7 Dunlin, Wood Sandpiper flew north over Pumphouse Pit at 20:25, 2+ Common Sandpipers, 3rd & 4th cal-yr Yellow-legged Gulls.

Island Pit: 1+ Hobbies, c.200 Black-headed Gulls hawking insects, Cetti's Warbler.

Monday 17 May 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2 Little Egrets, Grey Plover, 2 Sanderling, 7 Dunlin, Turnstone, Yellow-legged Gull.

Island Pit: male Red-crested Pochard & Cetti's Warbler still.

Sunday 16 May 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2 Little Egrets, female Shelduck, pair Wigeon, female Teal, 4 male Shoveler, male Common Pochard, 4+ Hobbies, pair Grey Partridges, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 10+ Tundra Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, 19 Dunlin, Turnstone, female Yellow Wagtail.

Island Pit: male Red-crested Pochard.

Meadow Trail: GOSHAWK seen again.

Saturday 15 May 2010

Heronry Pits and reserve: c.10 Hobbies, 1st summer female Peregrine.

Sailing Lake: 2 RAVENS over at 12pm.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 4 Tundra Ringed Plover, Grey Plover still, 24 Dunlin, Turnstone still, Cuckoo mobbed by pair of Meadow Pipits, female Greenland Wheatear.

Little Paxton village: Red Kite over.

Friday 14 May 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 1+ Little Egret, pair Wigeon, 2-3 Grey Partridges, 9 Tundra Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, 1-2 Sanderlings, 2 Common Sandpipers, Turnstone, 1st summer Little Gull, displaying Meadow Pipit.

Heronry Pits: 3 Red-crested Pochards (2 drakes), Red Kite high over, Kingfisher.

Sailing Lake: Common Sandpiper.

Little Paxton village: male Grey Wagtail at sluice, male Sparrowhawk over.

Thursday 13 May 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: male and female Wigeon, 2 male Shoveler, 3-4 Pochard, Red Kite, Avocet, Grey Plover, Dunlin, 2 male Ruff, Snipe, Curlew, Greenshank, 6+ Common Sandpiper, Turnstone, 3CY Yellow-legged Gull, Nightingale.

Island Pit: drake Red-crested Pochard, pair Common Pochard, 4 Hobbies, Cetti's Warbler.

Visitors' Centre: GOSHAWK mobbed by female Sparrowhawk to east of Visitors' Centre at 13:15.















Avocet, Diddington Pit, Paxton Pits.

Monday 10 May 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Little Egret, female Shelduck, male and female Wigeon, male Shoveler, male Pochard, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 11 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpiper, Turnstone, adult Little Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, 7 Arctic Terns, 2 Yellow Wagtails.

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler.

Sunday 9 May 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2+ Little Egrets, male and female Wigeon, 2 male Shoveler, 15 Tundra Ringed Plover, Grey Plover over, 2 Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, male Ruff, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits flew north, 8 Whimbrel mid-morning, 6 Common Sandpiper, Turnstone, adult Little Gull, 4 Arctic Terns.

Island Pit: 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warblers.















Turnstone, Pumphouse Pit, Paxton Pits.

Saturday 8 May 2010

Northern Pits: adult KITTIWAKE on pool at north end of New Workings between 09:28-09:30, then flew North; male and female Wigeon, female Marsh Harrier flew low west at 06:45, Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 1+ Hobbies, 2 Avocet, 5+ Tundra Ringed Plover, 2 Grey Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, Snipe, 21 (twenty-one) Whimbrel flew in mid afternoon, 2 Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpipers, 6 Turnstone, 3 Little Gulls: adult mid afternoon (then flew north) + adult and 2nd summer mid-evening, 1+ Arctic Terns, adult Yellow-legged Gull, Barn Owl.

Island Pit: pair Red-crested Pochard, 2 drake Pochard, Barn Owl, Cetti's Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler.



















Adult Little Gull, Pumphouse Pit, Paxton Pits.

Friday 7 May 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Adult GOSHAWK again mid evening: flew low SE over Diddington Pit and appeared to land in wood at north end of Boughton Lodge Farm; Buzzard, Grey Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, Curlew, Greenshank, 2 Turnstone, 2 Arctic Tern, c.15 Common Tern.

Thursday 6 May 2010

Visitors' Centre: Three Hobbies at lunchtime, with lots of Swifts. COMMON CRANE high overhead, flying south.

Heron Trail: Turtle Dove singing near Kingfisher Hide. Grasshopper Warbler singing near Southoe Brook at Wray House Farm.

Meadow Trail: At least three Cettis Warblers calling.

Wednesday 5 May 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: male and female Wigeon, 2 male Pochard, female Marsh Harrier flew north at 18:09, female GOSHAWK again - flew north around 17:00 mobbed by Rooks, Dunlin, 3 Black-tailed Godwits flew north, Wood Sandpiper early evening, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Turnstone, adult Yellow-legged Gull, male Greenland Wheatear.

Island Pit: pair Red-crested Pochard, 2 male Pochard, Grasshopper & Cetti's Warblers both singing still.

Sunday 2 May 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 3 Grey Plover, 10 Whimbrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, 6 Sanderling, 26 Dunlin, Common Sand, 11 Arctic Tern (highest count - probably more through), Black Tern, Grasshopper Warbler, Cetti's Warbler.















Sanderling, Pumphouse Pit, Paxton Pits.

Saturday 1 May 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 5-6 Little Egrets, 3+ Hobbies, Black Tern, Dunlin, c.70 Common Terns, pair Grey Partridge.

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler.

Friday 30 April 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: GREAT WHITE EGRET, 1 flew east over New Workings at 20:11 and then over Pumphouse Pit, before heading north and landing in Willow, just east of main Anglian Water building, then dropped out of view; also Little Egret, Red Kite, 2 Hobbies, 2+ Little Ringed Plover, 5+ Tundra Ringed Plover, 11 Dunlin, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, Common Sandpiper, 62 Common Terns, 2 Arctic Terns reported, male Wheatear.

Island Pit: drake Red-crested Pochard, 1-2 Cetti's Warblers.

Thursday 29 April 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pit: Little Egret, Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Sandpipers, Black Tern.

Wednesday 28 April 2010

Diddington Pit: Whimbrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwits still, Whinchat in rape field and around double pilon, SW of the pit.

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler still in NW corner.

Pumphouse Pit: 8+ Little Egrets, Hobby, 3 Dunlin, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Greenshank, c.8 Yellow-legged Gulls, 64 Common Terns, 3 Black Terns, c.50 Swifts, male Blue-headed Wagtail with 31 Yellow Wagtails, male Greenland Wheatear, Nightingale, Grasshopper Warbler.

Tuesday 27 April 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2+ Little Egrets, 2 drake Teal, Peregrine, 4 Dunlin, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 46 Common Terns, 5+ Yellow Wagtails.

Island Pit: drake Red-crested Pochards still, 3 Goldeneye, singing Cetti's Warbler still.

Monday 26 April 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2 Sandwich Terns arrived at 18:10 and rested on New Workings (Pumphouse Pit West) before heading off north; Goldeneye, Whimbrel, 6 Dunlin, adult Yellow-legged Gull, male Blue-headed type Wagtail, Greenland Wheatear.

Sunday 25 April 2010

Heronry South: female PIED FLYCATCHER in conservation area between the Hayden & Kingfisher Hides late afternoon and early evening; female Marsh Harrier high north at 19:20,plus Red Kite and a singing Garden Warbler.












Pied Flycatcher, Heronry South © Mark Hawkes



Heronry North: 2 adult Little Gulls.

Island Pit: Drake Red-crested Pochard, Grasshopper Warbler, Cetti's Warbler.

A1 North Pit: Grasshopper Warbler.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: female GOSHAWK again, showing between 14:35 & c.15:45 occasionally with Common Buzzards, before heading southwards; 2 Little Egrets, Red Kite, 7+ Buzzards, Hobby, male Peregrine, Tundra Ringed Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpipers, c.60 Common Terns, 2 Arctic Terns, 2 Cuckoos, 2 Greenland Wheatears

Video of Goshawk over Diddington Pit © Jamie Wells

Saturday 24 April 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2 Dunlin, 3 Black-tailed Godwits still, 2 Common Sandpipers, Turnstone, 12 Little Gulls (9 adults late morning, 3 in evening), Blue-headed Wagtail, 2 Wheatears (inc. 1 Greenland), Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Garden Warbler.

Heronry South: pair Red-crested Pochards, 2 Sparrowhawks, Hobby, 2 Cuckoos, 10 singing Nightingales, 2+ Lesser Whitethroats.

Island Pit: drake Red-crested Pochard.

Friday 23 April 2010

Heronry Pits: 3 Red-crested Pochards (2 drakes), 4 Common Terns, 2 Cuckoos, 6 Yellow Wagtails, Grey Wagtail, 3 Nightingales, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: drake Wigeon, c.5 Goldeneye, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 9 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, Common Sandpiper, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 21 Common Terns, Arctic Tern, 19+ Yellow Wagtails (inc. female Flava-type).

Boughton Lodge Farm/Farm Pit: 2 Buzzards, Lesser Whitethroat.














2 of 3 islandica Black-tailed Godwits at Diddington Pit.

Thursday 22 April 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: male Sparrohawk, 2 Shelduck, 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Avocets, 10 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, 2 Sanderling, 14+ Dunlin, Greenshank, 4+ Redshank, 5+ Common Terns, Blue-headed Wagtail, male and female Wheatear, singing Grasshopper Warbler.

Wednesday 21 April 2010

Pumphouse Pit: male Sparrowhawk, 2 Knot, 9 Dunlin, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Ringed Plover, 4+ Little Ringed Plover, 5+ Redshank, 5+ Common Terns, 4 Wheatears (2 males), 7 Yellow Wagtails.

Rudd Pit: Cetti's Warbler singing.

Tuesday 20 April 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Ringed Plovers, 5 Dunlin, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, 1+ Green Sandpiper, 6-8 Common Terns, 1 Arctic Tern, 40+ Sand Martins, 10+ Swallows.

Great Meadow: Grasshopper Warbler nr river.

Monday 19 April 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: female GOSHAWK again, seen thermaling high over Pumphouse Pit (being mobbed by single Buzzard) between 11:37 & 11:51; also pair Shelduck, 10 Goldeneye, 4 Buzzards, 5 Whimbrel over at 17:20, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 6 Ringed Plovers, 9 Dunlin, Snipe heard drumming, 9 Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 3 adult Little Gulls, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Common Terns, 8 Swallows, 6 Sand Martins, 14 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Wheatears (2 males), 2 Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroat

Heronry South: 3 Red-crested Pochards (2 drakes), Kingfisher.

Island Pit: 2 drake Red-crested Pochards.

Meadow Trail: 2+ Cetti's Warblers.

Little Paxton village: 2 House Martins.

Saturday 17 April 2010

Washout Pit: female GOSHAWK flew north at 13:15, mobbed by Rooks.

Pumphouse Pit: Red Kite, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, Greenshank.

Friday 16 April 2010

Heronry Pits: 2 Nightingales, Swallow.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Little Egret, pair Red-crested Pochards, Buzzard, 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Ringed Plovers, 2 Snipe, 8 Redshank, Greenshank, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, Common Tern.

Washout Pit: Sedge Warbler.

Thursday 15 April 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 33 Goldeneye, 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Ringed Plover, 8 Redshank, Greenshank, Snipe, Yellow-legged Gull, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail.

Heronry Pits: pair Red-crested Pochards, 2 Buzzards, Cuckoo.

Wednesday 14 April 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 2 Oystercatchers, Little Ringed Plover, 6 Ringed Plovers, 5 Redshank, Greenshank, Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 5 White Wagtails, 12 Pied Wagtails.

Heronry Trail: Two Nightingales still singing, Kingfisher, Stock Dove, Yellowhammer. Young Herons on nest.

Tuesday 13 April 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 6 Redshank, 131 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 21 Sand Martins, Yellow Wagtail.

A1 Pits: Little Egret flew north in evening.

Sailing Lake: 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Redshank, Common Tern, Cuckoo.

Sunday 11 April 2010

Heronry Pits: 2 Red-crested Pochards, 2 Nightingales singing: 1 in Wray House Garden, 1 along the moorings.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 3+ Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Bar-tailed Godwit, Little Ringed Plover, adult Yellow-legged Gull, Common Tern.

Meadow Trail: 4 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 2 singing Cetti's Warblers.

Several Sedge Warblers now singing around complex.

Saturday 10 April 2010

Diddington and Pumphouse Pits: Spotted Redshank at c.09:20, but later flew north with 2 Common Redshank; 2 Oystercatchers, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Ringed Plovers, 3 Little Gulls (early evening; 2 adults and a 1w), c.20 Sand Martins, 14+ Yellow Wagtails, White Wagtail, 2 Willow Warblers.

Cloudy Pit: Cetti's Warbler singing.

Rudd Lake: a second singing Cetti's Warbler.

Meadow: Cuckoo heard to the south of meadow.

Friday 9 April 2010

Island Pit: Common Tern.

Wednesday 31 March 2010

Heronry South: 30 Swallows early evening.

Sunday 28 March 2010

Cloudy Pit: Cetti's Warbler singing briefly in morning.

Heronry Pits: 3 Red-crested Pochards (2 drakes), Red Kite over, 14+ Sand Martins.

Diddington and Pumphouse Pits: Little Egret, 4 Shelduck, 200 Golden Plover over, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Ringed Plover, 13 Redshank, 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Snipe, 2+ Yellow Wagtails.

Meadow: Kingfisher.

Boughton Lodge Farm: Blackcap singing (just south of farm).

Washout Pit: 2 Shelduck on opp. side of river, Oystercatcher over.

Little Paxton village: Willow Warbler singing at back of village playing field (opp. Sailing Lake).

11+ singing Chiffchaffs around complex.

Saturday 27 March 2010

Heronry Pits: 8+ occupied Grey Heron nests, 107+ occupied Cormorant nests; 5 Red-crested Pochards (3 drakes).

Rudd Pit: Cetti's Warbler singing.

Thursday 25 March 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 10 Redshank, 65 Fieldfare flew east.

Monday 22 March 2010

Heronry Lakes: 3 Smew, 4 Red-crested Pochards, 20+ Sand Martins, 2 Chiffchaffs.

Sunday 21 March 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 3 Little Egrets, 3 redhead Smew, 2 Sparrowhawks, 14+ Buzzards, 3+ Oystercatchers, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 5 Ringed Plovers, 7 Dunlin, 7+ Redshank, Green Sandpiper, c.60 Linnets.

Heronry Pits: At least 8 active Grey Heron nests; 3 Red-crested Pochard (2 drks), 3 Smew (1 drk), 4 Buzzards, Cetti's Warbler reported by post 13, Blackcap singing nr Kingfisher Hide, 3 Chiffchaffs, FIRECREST still at Wray House Garden.

Island Pit: 4 Red-crested Pochard, Woodcock.

Sailing Lake: 2 Oystercatchers, Yellow-legged Gull.

Saturday 20 March 2010

Heronry Pits: FIRECREST, male singing and showing at Wray House Garden and surrounding area between 09:00-09:15; drake Red-crested Pochard, drake Smew, 2 Buzzards, 3 Kingfishers, 13 Sand Martins, 4 singing Chiffchaffs.

Island Pit: 2 pairs Red-crested Pochard, Woodcock, Kingfisher, Barn Owl.

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Little Egret, redhead Smew, 2 Snipe, 7 Redshank, 4 Oystercatchers, single Swallow and Sand Martin.

Friday 19 March 2010

Heronry Pits: drake Red-crested Pochard, drake and 2 redhead Smew, 20 Sand Martins, 3 Chiffchaffs singing.

Meadow: 2 singing Chiffchaffs.

Thursday 18 March 2010

Pumphouse Pit: 3 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Ringed Plover, 6 Oystercatchers, 7 Redshank.

Sunday 14 March 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: Bar-headed Goose, pr Shelduck, 7 Smew (1 drk), 5 Buzzards, 4 Oystercatchers, Bar-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, 5 Green Sandpipers, 2w Yellow-legged Gull, plus 3 TWITE again briefly on east side of Pumphouse Pit, before flying west.

Island Pit: 4 Red-crested Pochard (2 drk), 2 Goosander (1 drk), Green Sandpiper.

Farm Pit: Red Kite flew south.

Heronry Pits: 6 Smew (2 drk), Water Rail, Marsh Tit

Visitors' Centre: Bewick's Swan over.

Washout Pit: Water Rail.

Wednesday 10 March 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 9 Smew (1 drk), 3 Buzzards, 3 Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, 4 Redshank.

Island Pit: pair Red-crested Pochard.

Hayling Lake: Merlin.

Great Meadow: 100+ Fieldfares.

Sailing Lake: Kestrel; Tawny Owl in boundary wood and Black-headed Gulls looking for nesting areas on the islands.

Visitors' Centre: Long-tailed Tits on feeders

Note: Several Weasel sightings this week.

Tuesday 9 March 2010

Heronry South: 5 Smew (2 drakes) showing well in SW corner of lake, plus 2 Marsh Tits at the Hayden Hide feeding station.

Monday 8 March 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 4 Shelduck, 9 Smew (1 drk), 3 Buzzards, 4 Oystercatchers, 3 Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 3 Redshank, Green Sandpiper.

Island Pit: 2 Red-crested Pochards (1 drk).

Sunday 7 March 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: pair Shelduck, 9 Smew (1 drk), 2 Red Kites, 3+ Buzzards, 3 Ringed Plover, Dunlin, 2 Oystercatchers.

Weedy Pit: Buzzard circling.

Saturday 6 March 2010

Diddington & Pumphouse Pits: 3 Shelduck, 7 Smew (1 drk), c.80 Black-tailed Godwits over (heading north), 4-7 Oystercatchers, Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, 3+ Buzzards.

Friday 5 March 2010

Diddington/Pumphouse Pit: pair Shelduck, 12 Smew (2 drakes), 4 Buzzards, 3 Oystercatchers, 5 Ringed Plover, Redshank, Green Sandpiper.

Island Pit: 3 Red-crested Pochard (2 drakes), Buzzard.

Herorny South: 5 Smew (2 drakes).

Sailing Lake: Oystercatcher.

Red-necked Grebe reported today (per RBA), although no details specified.

Tuesday 2 March 2010

Around complex today:

Little Egret, Bar-headed Goose, 5 Shelduck, drk Pintail, female Scaup, 16+ Smew (3 drks), 3 Red-crested Pochard (2 drks), 8+ Buzzard, 4 Ringed Plover, 2+ Oystercatchers.

Saturday 27 February 2010

Heronry South: 14+ Smew (3+ drakes), Marsh Tit.

Heronry North: 3 Red-crested Pochards (2 drakes), Coal Tit and Goldcrest singing in Wray House Garden.

Great Meadow: 3 Sparrowhawks displaying.

Island Pit: drake Red-crested Pochard, Short-eared Owl again on east side of pit, roosting Barn Owl.

Diddington Pit: Little Egret, Green Sandpiper, Redshank.

Pumphouse Pit: drake Pintail, 3 redhead Smew, 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers.

A1 North Pit: drake Red-crested Pochard.

Friday 26 February 2010

Heronry Lakes: 13 Smew incl. 4 drakes. Great Spotted woodpecker.

Wednesday 24 February 2010

Heronry Lakes: 10 Smew incl. 3 drakes and 8 Red-crested Pochards from Kingfisher Hide.

Northern Pits: Bar-headed Goose, 7 Smew (1 drk).

Tuesday 23 February 2010

Heronry North: 7 Red-crested Pochards (inc. 4 drakes).

Herorny South: Sparrowhawk over.

Pumphouse Pit: 2 Buzzards over.