September 2009 Diary and News

All the latest sightings, news and photos from Chasewater, Cuckoo Bank and surrounding areas

All records and photos (jpegs) are welcome, please send them via our comments page.

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September 2009

Sightings, News and Photos (scroll down to view whole month)
1st
 
17°C
Heavy thundery showers
SSW4
2 Ringed Plovers, a Dunlin (GR), 2 Swifts, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Common Terns, 1 Pochard, 405 Tufted Ducks, 187 Canada Geese and a Grey Wagtail (GE) were noted.
At Stubbers Green there was a 3cy Yellow-legged Gull, 6 dark intermedius and several Dutch intergrade type Lesser Black-backs were present (PJ).
2nd
17°C
Cloudy.
Heavy rain in pm.
S4
11 Ringed Plovers and 2 Dunlin were on the Sailing Shore and a Redshank flew over. A Common Sandpiper, 2 (adult and juv) Common Terns, 2 Teal (PW), 8 Swifts, 200 House Martins and smaller numbers of Sand Martins and Swallows, 4 Grey Wagtails and 2 Buzzards were also seen (GE).
At Stubbers Green there were 6 (3 adult, 4cy and 2 3cy) Yellow-legged Gulls, at least 10 dark intermedius, many Dutch intergrade types and a possible adult argentatus Herring Gull (PJ). Lesser Black-back ring numbers were 9JF, PYC, AVV, 2cy red with white D:L and an adult with black and yellow RHIK (PJ, GE).
3rd
16°C
Sunny intervals
W5
7 Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin, 2 Common Terns, 10 Swifts (PW), 1 Common Sandpiper, 200 House Martins and 4 Teal (GR). On the Swag there were 212 Canada Geese and 2 Ruddy Ducks (GE).
4th
17°C
Heavy rain
W5
2 Dunlin and 6 Ringed Plovers, 3 probable Arctic Terns, 2 Common Terns, 2 Swifts (PW), 30 House Martins, 20 Sand Martins, about 25 Swallows and a Sparrowhawk. 12 Speckled Woods, 4 Painted Ladies. 6 Common Blue Damselflies, 1 Brown Hawker, about 6 Common Darters and 4 Red Deer were also seen (EO).
Skies cleared to reveal the full moon and the promise of a dry spell of weather (© G Evans).
At Stubbers Green there were 11 Yellow-legged Gulls and Lesser Black-back rings included PYC, BN, VF, yellow with black SY, white with green DS, blue with orange 861, white with black N4, black with yellow R2DT and finally a darkish adult bird with grey with cream JROX which was ringed in Norway but its history is not yet available (PJ).
5th
Sat
20°C
Sunny intervals
WSW4

10 (2 adult, 8 juvs) Ringed Plovers, 2 juv Dunlin and 3 Common Sandpipers were on the North Shore. A Greenshank flew over and 8 Swifts, over 100 House Martins, 2 (adult and juv) Common Terns and a possible juv Arctic Tern were over the Lake. 517 Tufted Ducks and 2 Pochard were on the Slurry Pool with 10 more Tufted on the Swag and 4 on the Lake making a total of 531. 34 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Little Grebes, a Grey Wagtail (GE), a Hobby and a Buzzard (PW) were also present.
5 Yellow-legged Gulls were at Stubbers Green along with 8+ dark intermedius Lesser Black-backs. Rings noted were VF, 9JF, PYC, N4, DS, R2DT (PJ).
6th
Sun
19°C
Cloudy, sunny intervals
SW3
The 10 Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin and 2 Common Sandpipers were on the North Shore where a Greenshank was present early on. Around 500 House Martins swarmed around the dam, dispersing over the lake during the morning. Also seen were 6 Swifts, a Hobby, 2 Buzzards, a Kestrel, 2-3 Common Terns, 227 Canada Geese, 125 Lapwings, a Grey Wagtail, 20 Linnets and 20 Goldfinches were also seen (GE).
The juvenile Common Tern that has been present with one of its parents for the past few days (GE).

Yesterday's confusing 1cy tern was again present but was not seen well in flight. Its size and structure was that of a Common Tern, especially the longish legs and long bill, which can be all black in 1st w birds, but the apparently all translucent primaries and broadly white tipped secondaries point to Arctic Tern. However, I feel good views in flight would show this to be a 1st w Common Tern (© GE).
At Stubbers Green there were 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls and an argentatus Herring Gull (GE).

Northern argentatus Herring Gull at Stubbers Green with very restricted black in primaries and extensive white tips © G Evans.
7th
20°C
Light showers
WSW3
3 (2 drakes and a duck) Common Scoters were ignoring the water-skiers on the lake this evening (PW, JT, RSo, GE), 10 Ringed Plovers, 3 Dunlin, 5 Common Sandpipers, 4 Teal, 3 Cormorants and the 3 terns (PW, RSo) and an adult Yellow-legged Gull (GE) were also present.
Common Scoters (GE)
8th
20°C
Cloudy
SW4
10 Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 terns and a Green Woodpecker (EO). The gull roost included 4 (3 adults and a 3cy) Yellow-legged Gulls and many intergrade/ intermedius Lesser Black-backs (GE).
On Cuckoo Bank there were 3 Kestrels, 2 Buzzards, 2 Ravens, up to 10 Willow Warblers and 6 Long-tailed Tits.
6 Speckled Woods, 4 Painted Ladies, 3 Red Admirals, 2 Small Tortoiseshells, 1 Large White, 15 Ruddy and 25 Common Darter, 1 Common Hawker. 10 Emerald and 2 Common Blue Damselflies (EO).
Large numbers of gulls were at Stubbers Green during the early evening but they didn't stay long. At least 9 (6+ adults, a 4cy and 2 3cy) Yellow-legged Gulls, 65+ intermedius or Dutch intergrades including DS and a Dutch ringed E634 (PJ).
9th
19°C
Sunny intervals
NNW2
Two Buzzards were over the North Shore. The gull roost was impressive with over 2500 large gulls including several intermedius Lesser Black-backs, 4 Yellow-legged Gulls and the argentatus that was photographed at Stubbers Green on the 6th was amongst several argenteus Herring Gulls (GE, PJ).
Over the No Mans Bank and Cuckoo Bank areas there were 2 Ravens, 7 Buzzards and 3 Kestrels. Also seen were 2 Stonechats, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Whitethroat, 5 Willow Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs, 30 Meadow Pipits, 30 Goldfinches, Stock Dove and a Yellowhammer. Good numbers of dragonflies were evident including several Emerald Damselflies, 3 Migrant Hawkers, Brown Hawker, Common Hawker and 2-3 Black Darters (GE).
Male Black Darter (© G Evans)
At Stubbers Green there were 6 (3 adult, a 4cy and 2 3cy) Yellow-legged Gulls, 3 probable argentatus Herring Gulls and 15+ intermedius Lesser Black-backs. Ring numbers were DS, E634, 9J3, R2DT, blue with orange DKE and a Black-headed Gull with a Danish white with black FOA (PJ).
10th
19°C
Sunny
NE2
2 Whimbrels flew south-west and a Dunlin and 3 Wheatears were also present (BM).
Only 3 (2 adults and a 3cy) Yellow-legged Gulls at Stubbers Green this afternoon/evening, 2 probable argentatus Herring Gulls, including the pale winged bird, 6+ intermedius Lesser Black-backs, 9JF, PYC, R2DT, 861, and a blue with orange HMT (PJ).
11th
19°C
Sunny
ENE2
On the Swag there were 5 Gadwall, 4 Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, 9 Teal, 2 Ruddy Ducks, 18 Tufted Ducks and a Little Grebe. On the Slurry Pool there were 725 Tufted, 4 Pochard, 4 Teal and 5 Wigeon. On the Lake there were 10 Tufted (total = 753), 6 Little Grebes, 30+ Great Crested Grebes, a Ruddy Duck and Cormorant. 4 Snipe were on the North Heath and 2 Buzzards flew over (GE), a Hobby passed over the South Shore (EO) and a Ringed Plover and Grey Wagtail were also seen (PW). 8 Speckled Woods, 3 Small Tortoiseshells, a Painted Lady, a worn Meadow Brown, a Migrant Hawker and good numbers of darters were also seen (EO).
On Cuckoo Bank 2 Hobbies were catching dragonflies over the middle pool (per PW).
12th
Sat
20°C
Sunny
NE2
A beautiful day with many people and dogs on the South and Sailing Shores and several people using the Island to sunbathe on. A duck Pintail on the Slurry Pool was a first for the year. Also present were 736 Tufted Ducks, 2 Gadwall and 10 Teal. On the Swag there were 286 Canada Geese, 18 Wigeon, 5 Shovelers, 2 Gadwall, 4 Pochard, 2 Ruddy Ducks, 2 Little Grebes and 18 Tufted Ducks. At the north end of the Lake there were 30 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Little Grebes, 3 Tufted Ducks (total = 757) and a Buzzard. Several Migrant Hawkers and many Common Darters were enjoying the sun (GE).
Pintail (© G Evans)
On Cuckoo Bank there were 4 Snipe and a Hobby hunting dragonflies (PW).
13th
Sun
17°C
Sunny intervals
NNE3
Another day of South Shore disturbance and the only records of note were a count of 67 Mute Swans, 2 Buzzards and a few Chiffchaffs (GE).
On Cuckoo Bank there were 2 Ravens, 3 Buzzards, 5 Snipe, a Stonechat and the Hobby was hunting dragonflies again (PW).
14th
17°C
Cloudy with brief sunny intervals
NNE3
A Ringed Plover was heard and 5 Curlews flew north-west. 20 Swallows and 130 House Martins were over the north end of the Lake including a brief view of what initially was assumed to be a Sand Martin but it was structurally the same as a House Martin but with brown upperparts and buff rump and underparts! 
Around 350 Canada Geese were present until mid morning when many left to the south-east. At least 10 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cormorants, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Grey Wagtail and 3 Buzzards were also present.
One of several Chiffchaffs (GE)
Over the past week the south end of the dam has been covered with a maze of newt traps which are designed to capture newts migrating to their hibernation areas. Before works start on the dam it must be seen that all efforts have been made to protect any Great Crested Newts (GE).
Newt traps (GE)
At Stubbers Green there was a Greenshank, Curlew and a Dunlin along with 7 (2 adult, 2 4cy, 3 3cy) Yellow-legged Gulls, 8+ intermedius Lesser Black-backs, and 3 possible argentatus Herring Gulls. Ringed Lesser Black-backs included PYC, 861, E634, blue with orange APA and a Herring Gull with blue and orange 100 (PJ).
15th
19°C
Sunny intervals
NNE4
Juvenile Ringed Plover (GE)
 The Ringed Plover was on the Sailing Shore with other sightings including 2-3 Buzzards, 2 Cormorants, 9 Teal, 50+ House Martins and 3 Chiffchaffs. Up to 70 Smooth Newts were trapped on the dam for relocation (GE). 
On Cuckoo Bank a Hobby, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and 2 Ravens were all present (PW).
16th
18°C
Sunny intervals
NE4
Two Ringed Plovers were on the Sailing Shore (PW). A Golden Plover flew around calling at 16:35, 1-2 Chiffchaffs were calling and around 60 House Martins and 1-2 Sand Martins were over the north end of the Lake. A Buzzard was hunting along the by-pass verge. The sluice was fully opened this afternoon as a test prior to the planned November drawdown to allow work on the dam to commence at the start of 2010 (GE).
At Stubbers Green there were 4 (adult, 4cy and 2 3cy) Yellow-legged Gulls, 6+ intermedius Lesser Black-backs, a juvenile Great Black-backed Gull and 2 probable argentatus Herring Gulls (PJ).
17th
18°C
Sunny intervals
ENE3
A late evening visit to the Balcony produced tantalizing views of a probable Little Stint a Km away on Pimpernel Point island. The gull roost was badly affected by a ski boat that didn't go in till 19:43 but there were still 2500 large gulls, mainly Lesser Black-backs of all shades and 40 adult or near adult Herring Gull types including at least 3 Yellow-legged Gulls and 2 argentatus Herring Gulls. There was also a 2cy Common Gull and uncounted Black-headed Gulls. 16 Wigeon and 6 Pochard were on the Swag. A Common Lizard was caught on the dam along with several Smooth Newts and Toads (GE).
Over 250 large gulls were at Stubbers Green this evening with 50+ considered to be intermedius or Dutch intergrade Lesser Black-backs, 5 (2 adults, a 4cy and 2 3cy) Yellow-legged Gulls. Lesser Black-back ring numbers were R2DT and an adult intermedius type with a blue with white T2 on the left tibia (PJ).
18th
19°C
Sunny intervals
E2
One growing season has not been enough to restore the North Shore to its botanical health of 35 years ago (GE).
September 1974
April 2009
September 2009
No waders, apart from a few Lapwings, were on the shore although 3 Dunlin flew through to the south-east at 10:05. Other records included 3 Cormorants, 6 Little Grebes, 50 House Martins, 3 Chiffchaffs, a Jackdaw (GE), a Buzzard, 15 Linnets, 2 Red Admirals, 2 Specked Woods, several Common Darters and a Brown Hawker (EO).
Fewer gulls this evening at Stubbers Green with 2 (adult and 4cy) Yellow-legged Gulls and 20+ intermedius Lesser Black-backs. Ring numbers were VF, 861 and a new blue with orange ALL (PJ). 
19th
Sat
20°C
Sunny intervals
NNE1
Dunlin (GE)
Common Scoter (GE)
The Wakeboard and Music Festival was in full swing and was bound to have an adverse effect upon the wildlife; it will be interesting to see how today's numbers compare with the WeBS count tomorrow. A duck Common Scoter was near the dam before being disturbed by a ski-boat and relocating to the Swag. A juvenile Dunlin was on the Sailing Shore and a Pintail was near Pimpernel Point. The presumed Tufted x Scaup hybrid has returned for its third year and was amongst 947 Tufted Ducks on the Slurry Pool. The overall total for Tufted Duck was 966 with other totals including 13 Little Grebes, 30+ Great Crested Grebes, 29 Wigeon, 276 Canada Geese, 3 Cormorants, 5 Common Snipe, 6 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 10 House Martins, 10 Chiffchaffs, a Whitethroat and 12 Linnets. 353 flower spikes of Round-leaved Wintergreens were counted at the main patch with 14 nearby and 16 near the original site where there is also a area of Sea Club-rush. Several Common Darters, a Brown Hawker and 2-3 Migrant Hawkers were active (GE). The gull roost was completely disturbed by two large explosions from the 'event' with some returning just before dark (PW).
Water is currently being released into the canal by British Waterways and levels have dropped to 213cm below maximum (GE).
 
Common Whitethroat (© GE)

The hybrid duck (© GE)

Round-leaved Wintergreen (© GE)
At Cuckoo Bank the Hobby was again present (PW, NS).
At Stubbers Green there were 4 Yellow-legged Gulls, 5 possible argentatus Herring Gulls, 12+ intermedius Lesser Black-backs and ring numbers 861, T2 and a new blue with orange ACC (PJ).
20th
Sun
20°C
Sunny intervals
N2
Not surprisingly, the Tufted Duck numbers had dropped by 240 (25%) with 699 on the Slurry Pool, 24 on The Swag and 3 on the Lake giving a total of 726. The Aythya hybrid was still present on the Slurry Pool. Other totals included 56 Mute Swans (including 12 well grown cygnets), 199 Canada Geese, 226 Mallard, 33 Wigeon, 1 Gadwall, 4 Shovelers, 3 Teal, 6 Pochard, 1 Ruddy Duck, 48 Great Crested Grebes, 10 Little Grebes, 4 Cormorants, 2 Herons, 694 Coot, 7 Moorhens, 1 Common Snipe, 15 Lapwings, a 1cy Common Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 5 singing Chiffchaffs, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Green Woodpecker. Several Common Darters, 3 Migrant Hawkers, a Red Admiral and 1-2 Speckled Woods were also seen (GE, NS).

Clearly showing characteristics of Tufted Duck but was the other parent a Pochard or scaup? Opinions are welcome (GE).
On Cuckoo Bank a Hobby, 2 Ravens, 5-6 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 2 Little Grebes and 2 Stonechats were seen (PW, NS).
21st
16°C
Cloudy
SW3
A brief visit to the Balcony at dusk produced the autumn's first adult Great Black-backed Gull and estimates of over 4000 Black-headed Gulls and around 1500 large gulls (GE).
22nd
 
18°C
Cloudy with slight drizzle
SW3
The Aythya hybrid was still on the Slurry Pool along with 623 Tufted Ducks and a further 21 Tufted were on the Swag and Lake giving a total of 644. At least 46 Wigeon were on the Swag along with a Gadwall, 4 Little Grebes and a Grey Wagtail and over 25 Magpies were on the North Shore at dusk. At least one adult Yellow-legged Gull was seen during a brief scan of the roost (GE). 4 Cormorants and 4 Teal were also seen (PW).
At Stubbers Green there were 5 (adult, 4cy, 2 3cy, 2cy) Yellow-legged Gulls including 3 new birds. At least 15 intermedius Lesser Black-backs were present and the following ring numbers were noted: VF, PYC, R2DT, T2, HMT, a red with white 9WP, D:U and a blue with orange CLV (PJ).
23rd
16°C
Cloudy
W3
Below the dam there were 2 Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Jay. 4 Teal were by the pier but little else was seen at the dam end of the Lake (GE).
At Stubbers Green there were 3 (2 adults, 2cy) Yellow-legged Gulls, a probable argentatus Herring Gull and 10+ intermedius Lesser Black-backs. Ring numbers were DS, 861, T2 and N4 which was probably ringed on Skomer (PJ).
24th
16°C
Sunny intervals
WNW2
The Tufted Duck numbers have now built back up to 988 with 41 Wigeon, a Shoveler and a Dunlin also present (PJ). The gull roost was impressive but badly disturbed by three ski-boats ploughing through the flock until late and making counting or prolonged viewing impossible. However, at least 5 Yellow-legged Gulls were seen including a 1cy bird as well as 2+ adults and 2 presumed 4cy birds and most notable was a probable 1cy Caspian Gull; a very large and attenuated individual appearing to still largely be in juvenile plumage (GE).
On Cuckoo Bank there was a young stag with a very bad neck wound that could have been caused by another stag or it had been in an accident; it looked to be in a bad way. There were also about 1000 Wood Pigeons, 400 Carrion Crows, 40 Linnets, 2 Kestrels and a Stonechat (GR).
At Stubbers Green there were over 1000 large gulls during the afternoon including 11 (3 adult, 4 4cy, 3cy, 3 2cy) Yellow-legged Gulls, 3 probable argentatus Herring Gulls and 25+ intermedius Lesser Black-backs. Ring numbers seen were 861, HMT, T2, N4, E634, 9WP and new red with white PLY, black with yellow R3R8 and blue with orange 955. All the gulls flew off towards Chasewater to roost (PJ).
25th
18°C
Sunny
intervals
W3
200 Canada Geese flew in at dusk but the gull roost was again greatly disturbed by ski-boats. The moth session on the dam attracted 22 species over the course of the night including  Autumnal Rustic, Redline Quaker, Red-green Carpet, Canary-shouldered Thorn, Pink-barred Sallow and Frosted Orange (NS, GE).
Canary-shouldered Thorn (© GE)
Little was seen on Cuckoo Bank apart from 70+ crows and 15 Linnets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Snipe, several darters, a Migrant Hawker, a Small Tortoiseshell and a superb mature male Black Darter on the heath above the big pool (EO). 
At Stubbers Green there were 7 (2 adult, 2 4cy, 3cy, 2 2cy) Yellow-legged Gulls, 2+ argentatus Herring Gulls and 25+ intermedius Lesser Black-backs. Ring numbers were D:U, 9WP, 955, HMT, T2, 9JF, APA, AVV, a new red with white 8WF, orange with blue AKH, a 1cy Black-headed Gull with a British white with black 2Y69 and the Danish Black-headed Gull FOA (PJ).
26th
Sat
18°C
Sunny
WNW2
Whilst identifying moths on the dam during the early morning a Willow Tit, 2 Coal Tits, 2 Goldcrests, a Chiffchaff, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10 Chaffinches and 20 Goldfinches were noted and 7 Skylarks flew to the east (GE, NS). There were 6 Red Deer hinds on the North Heath (GR).
On Cuckoo Bank there was a male Black Darter (NS).
At Stubbers Green there were 4 (adult, 2 4cy, 2cy) Yellow-legged Gulls, the ringed Lesser Black-back T2 and 2 Green Sandpipers were briefly present (PJ).
27th
Sun
17°C
Sunny intervals
NNW2
Kittiwake (© GE).
 During the late afternoon there was an adult winter Kittiwake was on the Swag until it flew off to the north-west. Also present were 35 Wigeon, 5 Tufted Ducks, 2 Pochard, a Grey Wagtail and a Red Deer hind on the shore. On the Slurry Pool there were 822 Tufted Ducks including the hybrid and 4 Pochard (GE).

On Cuckoo Bank a large flock of around 300 Linnets flew down from the dry farmland to drink at the middle pool (PW). 3  Snipe, 3 Buzzards, 2 Ravens, Little Grebe, Heron, Pheasant and several Greenfinches were also noted (GR).
28th
17°C
Sunny intervals
NNW2
At least 3 Yellow-legged Gulls were in the roost including 2 adults and a 3cy bird (GE).
29th
18°C
Sunny intervals
WNW3
An impressive gull roost held over 4200 Lesser Black-backs with around 20% being intermedius or intergrade, around 50 Herring Gulls (roughly 35 argenteus and 15 argentatus), >4 (2 adult, 2 2cy) Yellow-legged Gulls and 7000+ Black-headed Gulls, including a bird in full breeding plumage (PJ, GE).
30th
17°C
Sunny intervals. Drizzle at times
WNW2
The Aythya hybrid was on the Slurry Pool (PJ). An adult Mediterranean Gull briefly settled on the Balcony shore before being disturbed by ski-boats. There appears to be a real relaxing of former regulations regarding water-sports; a sail boat and two ski-boats were using the same area of the lake with no rescue boat and stayed out for up to 20 minutes after the light sensitive recall light came on. The gull roost and wildfowl wanting to fly onto the Lake to feed are thoughtlessly and regularly disturbed (GE).
Adult Mediterranean Gull at dusk (© GE)
At Stubbers Green there were 12 Yellow-legged Gulls, 3+ argentatus Herring Gulls, an adult Great Black-backed Gull and 20+ dark intermedius Lesser Black-backs. Ring numbers noted were VF, 861, PLY, DS, R2DT, E634, HMT and new blue with orange ALH and LON (PJ).