Rudd Pit: 3 Bearded Tits still late morning

Heronry Pits: Little Egret, female Peregrine, 2+ Buzzards, Kingfisher, Marsh Tit.

Washout Pit: Bittern flew to NW corner of reedbed early afternoon.

Pumphouse Pit: Black-tailed Godwit, male Pintail, Peregrine.

A1 South: Buzzard, 3 Snipe.

Heronry North: Marsh Tit nr Wray House Garden.

Island Pit: female Red-crested Pochard.

Northern Pits: Woodcock, 3 Redshanks.

Rudd Pit: 3 Bearded Tits still.

Heronry South: Ruddy Shelduck early afternoon.

Rudd Lake: 3 Bearded Tits still in reedbed on north side of lake.

Rudd Lake: 3 Bearded Tits still (2 males); Water Rail.

Little Paxton Village: male and female Blackcap in Hawthorn Close garden.















Male Bearded Tit at Rudd Lake © Jamie Wells.

Rudd Lake: 3 Bearded Tits (2 males, 1 female) in small reedbed along north edge of lake, opposite Meadow Trail boardwalk.

Boughton Lodge Farm: 26 Bewick's Swans (inc. several juveniles) flew SW in morning; several Siskins in wood north of the farm.

Island Pit: male Sparrowhawk, male Stonechat.

Diddington Pit & Pumphouse Pit: Little Egret, Buzzard, Peregrine, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Jack Snipe, 4-5 Snipe, c.80 Skylarks.

Little Paxton village: Green Sandpiper flew over Hawthorn Close early afternoon.

Paxton Pits: Curlew flew south; leucistic drake Gadwall still around.

Little Paxton village: 2 Bewick's Swans (adults) flew south over Hawthorn Close at c.8:40.

A1 Pits: 100 Fieldfare, 150 Redwing, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, 3 Bullfinches.

Sailing Lake: 2 Siskins.

Northern Pits: 2 Little Egrets, 2 Shelduck, 2 Sparrowhawks, imm. female Peregrine, 3 Dunlin, Woodcock, Redshank, 2+ Siskin over, c.150 Linnets.

Northern Pits: 6 Little Egrets, Bar-headed Goose, 5 Pintail, 2 Peregrines, Water Rail, 5 Green Sandpipers.

Heronry Pits: Egyptian Goose.

Heronry South: Little Egret, Egypian Goose, Marsh Tit.

Northern Pits: 3 Little Egrets, female/juv Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzards, adult Peregrine, Redshank, 3 Green Sandpipers, c.50 Linnets.

Northern Pits: 8+ Pintail, adult male Peregrine, Dunlin.

Cloudy Pit: female Merlin reported, 3 Kingfishers.

Hayling Lake: 1200 Starlings in roost.

Visitors' Centre: Tawny Owl flew over.

Heronry South: Sparrowhawk, Grey Wagtail.

Hayden Hide: Kingfishers, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Coots, Shovelers, Moorhens, GC Grebe (+ juvs) 2 Little grebes, Herons. Buzzard

Island Pit: Barn owl, lots of goldeneyes, pochard, tufted ducks. Male stonechat.

Northern Pits: 6 Little Egrets, 11 Pintail, Buzzard, Water Rail, c.200 Golden Plover, 2 Dunlin, Ruff, 7 Redshank, 4 Green Sandpipers, Barn Owl, Grey Wagtail.

Heronry North: 2 Whooper Swans still.

Meadow Trail: Little Egret, Grey Wagtail, 3 Redpolls.

Northern Pits: 3+ Little Egrets, 15+ Pintail, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1-2 Buzzards, 25+ Golden Plover, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, 3 Fieldfare over, single Siskin & Redpoll over. Also Clouded Yellow and 2 Painted Ladies.

Heronry North: 3 Pintail.

Northern Pits: 3 Little Egrets, 19 Pintail, 80 Shoveler, Sparrowhawk, 2 Dunlin, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 130 Linnets.

Diddington Pit: 5 Golden Plovers, 1000 Lapwings.

Hayden Hide: 8 Redpolls in silver birch. Marsh tit at feeder.

Hayling Pit: pre-roost count of c.3000 Starlings attracting the attention of a female Sparrowhawk.

Northern Pits: 5 Little Egrets, 2 Pintail, 1-2 Buzzards, 70+ Golden Plover, juvenile Little Stint, 9 Dunlin, 2 Jack Snipe, several Common Snipe, 5 Redshank, Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpipers, pos. Rock Pipit heard briefly.

Northern Pits: 3 Little Egret, Bar-headed Goose, 290+ Teal, 9 Pintail, 65 Golden Plover, 800 Lapwings, 4 Dunlin, Snipe, Redshank, Blackcap, Chiffchaff.

Northern Pits: 3 Little Egrets, 6 Pintail, Buzzard, 15 Golden Plover, 6 Dunlin, Snipe, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 4 Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Kingfishers, 150 Fieldfare, 100 Redwing.

Northern Pits: 4 Little Egret, 7 Pintail, drake Scaup, 26 Goldeneye, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Golden Plover, 2 Dunin, 2 Snipe, Redshank, Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, Kingfisher.

A1 South Pit: Buzzard low over.

Heronry North: 2 adult Whooper Swans still, female Pintail, Marsh Tit (moorings).

Island Pit: female Pochard with pale blue nasal saddle, Siskin over.
















1 of 2 adult Whooper Swans on Heronry North Pit.

Diddington Pit: 6 Little Egrets, Egyptian Goose, 7 Pintail, 3 Dunlin, 2 Greenshank.

Farm Pit: Drake Scaup still amongst c.900 Tufted Ducks.

Island Pit: Barn Owl hunting at dusk.

Pumphouse Pit: 1st winter Mediterranean Gull, 4+ adult Yellow-legged Gulls.

Heronry Pits: 2 Whooper Swans loafing with mutes near Kingfisher hide. Also drake red crested pochard with very high numbers of wigeon and gadwall. 2 kingfishers, redwings, marsh tit.

Diddington Pit: 4 Little Egrets, Barnacle Goose, Egyptian Goose, 4 Pintail, 6 Dunlin.

Farm Pit: 2 Scaup; an eclipse male and adult female.

Island Pit: Little Egret, eclipse drake Scaup, 12+ Goldeneye.

Northern Pits: 3 Little Egrets, 8+ Pintail, Ringed Plover, 2 Golden & single Grey Plover over together, heading SW; 6 Dunlin, Green Sandpiper.

Drake Scaup (left) with Tufted Duck, Island Pit, Paxton Pits.

Heronry North: 2 Whooper Swans.

Island Pit: 12 Goldeneye, Water Rail.

Northern Pits: 6+ Little Egrets, 2+ Pintail, Ringed Plover, 7 Dunlin, 3 Snipe, Redshank, 2-3 Greenshank, Green Sandpipers.

A combined count of Tufted Ducks on Island Pit, Farm Pit, Diddington Pit and Pumphouse Pit produced an exceptional 1614 birds.

Northern Pits: 4 Little Egrets, juvenile Scaup, Golden Plover 6 Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, 3 Rock Pipits.

Island Pit: Long-eared Owl at 17:00, mobbed by a Carrion Crow.

Heronry North: Pintail, female Red-crested Pochard.

Island Pit: male Red-crested Pochard.

Northern Pits: 4 Little Egrets, 1470 Tufted Ducks, Buzzard, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, 9 Dunlin, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.

Northern Pits: 6 Little Egrets, 2 Whooper Swans (flew off north from Pumphouse Pit), Bar-headed Goose, 5 Pintail, Ringed Plover, 190 Golden Plover, 7 Dunlin, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, 200+ Redwing.

Northern Pits: Lesser White-fronted x Bar-headed Goose hybrid again.

Northern Pits: 4 Little Egrets, 5 Pintail, Sparrowhawk, 9 Buzzard (inc. 6 together, heading south), Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, 450 Lapwing, 5 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, Stonechat.

Diddington Pit: Little Egret, GLOSSY IBIS, 6 Pintail, 2 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 10 Snipe, Rock Pipit.

Pumphouse Pit: 2 Little Egrets, White-fronted Goose-type hybrid (prob. Lesser White-fronted x Bar-headed Goose), Barnacle Goose, 132 Wigeon, 23 Golden Plover, 5 Yellow-legged Gulls, 4CY Caspian Gull.

Island Pit: 582 Tufted Duck, 5 Goldeneye (2 males), Water Rail, Barn Owl, Redwing; 2 Siskin & single Redpoll over, heading south.

Farm Pit: 32 Little Grebes (inc. 2 juveniles still being fed by adults), 163 Tufted Duck.

Northern Pits: 4+ Little Egrets, GLOSSY IBIS, 9 Pintail, c.300 Lapwing, 2 Dunlin, male Stonechat.

Male Stonechat, Paxton Pits.

Northern Pits: 7 Little Egrets, GLOSSY IBIS, Barnacle Goose, 5 Pintail, 4 Buzzards, Dunlin, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls, Kingfisher.

Northern Pits: GLOSSY IBIS still on Diddington Pit; 5 Little Egrets, 2 Pintail, 750+ Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, 3 Golden Plover, Greenshank, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 50 Meadow Pipits feeding.

Diddington village: Peregrine flew south over

Diddington Pit: GANNET flew in from the south early afternoon and spent c.30 mins fishing/preening on the pit, before heading off North West; GLOSSY IBIS and BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER still present; 6 Little Egrets, 22 Golden Plovers, 2 Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, Kingfisher.

Diddington Pit: 1w GLOSSY IBIS and juvenile BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER still today. Please park sensibly and respect residents of Diddington village.

Other sightings from around the Northern Pits: Barnacle Goose, Egyptian Goose, Bar-headed Goose, 780+ Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Avocet, 3 Greenshank, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.

Little Paxton village: Redwing heard late evening.

Diddington Pit: BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER found late morning, favouring the long spit that branches off north from the main island; GLOSSY IBIS still, favouring area at SW end of pit. Also: 3+ Little Egrets, 4 Pintail, 3 Greenshanks, c.100 Linnets.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Diddington Pit.

Diddington Pit: GLOSSY IBIS still today; 7+ Little Egrets, Greenshank, c.100 Linnets.

Diddington Pit: GLOSSY IBIS again today (also seen briefly on Heronry South early pm). Also: 10 Little Egrets, 7 Pintail, Curlew, 2 Greenshank.

Heronry South: Glossy Ibis came into roost at c.18:35 with 3 Little Egrets; 3000+ Jackdaws, 1000+ Rooks in roost.

Diddington Pit: GLOSSY IBIS this afternoon, feeding on exposed mud at SW end of pit. It then flew south towards the reserve at 18:27. Also this afternoon/evening: 11 adult Whooper Swans until c.18:15 before flying NW towards Grafham; 5+ Little Egrets, 4+ Pintail, Marsh Harrier, 3 Greenshank.














Glossy Ibis (above) & below 6 of 11 Whooper Swans, Diddington Pit

Pumphouse: 100 linnets, 1 greenshank, 20 lapwings, mute swans, teal, wigeon, Canada geese, 4 Red legged partridges, shovellers, little grebes, gc grebes, tufted ducks, pochards, kestrel, coots, bullfinch, 2 buzzards, 6 little egrets.

Northern Pits: 11 Little Egrets, 7 Pintail, Sparrowhawk, several Buzzards, 50+ Lapwings, Snipe, 2 Greenshank, Kingfisher.

Visitors' Centre: 5 Buzzards, Hobby, Treecreeper.

Northern Pits: juvenile Black-necked Grebe, 3 Little Egrets, c.170 Wigeon, 6-7 Pintail, 2 Buzzards, 4 Golden Plover, 3 Greenshank.

Hayling Pit: Water Rail calling.

Heronry Pits: Egyptian Goose, 3 Pintail, Sparrowhawk, Marsh Tit.

Island Pit: Little Egret, Sparrowhawk.

Northern Pits: 3 Little Egrets, 2 Pintail, 3 Snipe, 2 Greenshank, Kingfisher.

Northern Pits: 4 Little Egrets, 2-3 Pintail, juvenile Hobby, Golden Plover over, Dunlin, 2 Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 2 Turnstones briefly, Blackcap.

Washout Pit: Willow Warbler.

Little Paxton village: Grey Wagtail over, Coal Tit.

Heronry Pits: Barnacle Goose, Egyptian Goose, Marsh Tit

Visitors' Centre: Red Kite over, 2 Turtle Doves at the bird table.

Northern Pits: 3+ Little Egrets, c.80 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, juvenile/female Marsh Harrier over, several Buzzards, juvenile Hobby, 2 Dunlin, Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, 4+ Yellow-legged Gulls, 2nd winter Caspian Gull.














2CY Caspian Gull, Paxton Pits

Northern Pits: 3 Little Egrets, 3 Pintail, Sparrowhawk, Dunlin, 2 Ruff, 3 Snipe, Greenshank, c.100 House Martins, 3 Grey Wagtails (over).

Island Pit: Barnacle Goose, Bar-headed Goose.

Northern Pits: Pintail, adult Hobby, 2 Ruff, Greenshank, 4 Common Sandpipers, Whinchat.

Northern Pits: 2+ Little Egrets, Pink-footed Goose, 2+ Buzzards, Hobby, 3 Ruff, 8+ Snipe, Green Sandpiper, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls. Also, 4 calidris waders flying north (probably 2 Little Stints & 2 Dunlin).

Northern Pits: 3 Little Egrets, 5 Pink-footed Geese (flew north @ 13:15), 7 Pintail, Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzards, Hobby, 12 Yellow Wagtail.

Rudd Pit: Cetti's Warbler.

Northern Pits: 4 Little Egrets, Pintail, 2 Sparrowhawks, 4+ Buzzards, juvenile Hobby, 2 Ringed Plover, 14 Golden Plover (flew east), Knot, 2 Sanderling (briefly, then flew high west), 2-3 Dunlin, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, c.100 mixed flock of House Martins, Sand Martins and Swallows.

Northern Pits: 4+ Little Egrets, 2 Pintail flew NE, eclipse male and female Red-crested Pochard, several Buzzards, 2 juvenile Hobbies, juvenile Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, 2 Snipe, 2 Curlews, 3 Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, 2nd winter Caspian Gull, Kingfisher, Whinchat, 2 Reed Warblers, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, 2+ Blackcaps.













Whinchat, Diddington Pit, Paxton Pits

Northern Pits: 3 Little Egrets, Buzzard, 2 Hobbies, 5 Ringed Plover, 3 Greenshank, Lesser Whitethroat.

Visitors' Centre: 10.15. Six buzzards overhead.

Pumphouse: 3 little egrets; lots of roosting gulls, c 100 lapwings.

Diddington Pit: Nearest village; 2 med gulls (only gulls on the whole lake), black-necked grebe, 2 redshanks, 3 dunlin, 2 ringed plovers. Lots of coots. Water level dropping.

Northern Pits: 2 Little Egrets, 2 Buzzards, 2 juvenile Peregrines, 3 Hobbies (2 adults, 1 juvenile), Greenshank, 6 Reed Warblers, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, Spotted Flycatcher.

Northern Pits: 6 Little Egrets, 2 Hobbies, Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, 9 Yellow-legged Gulls, 2w Caspian Gull, 6 Yellow Wagtails, Grey Wagtail, Redstart (heard briefly only), Whinchat, Wheatear, Whitethroat.

Northern Pits: juvenile Black-necked Grebe still, 5 Little Egrets, Buzzard, Hobby, 2 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, 10 Yellow-legged Gulls, 11 Yellow Wagtails, Grey Wagtail, male Redstart, 3 Whinchats, Wheatear, 2 Whitethroats.

Northern Pits: juvenile Black-necked Grebe, 5+ Little Egrets, 1+ Buzzards, juvenile Hobby, 2 tundrae Ringed Plovers, 7 Dunlin, 12 Snipe, 3 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2w Caspian Gull, 6+ Yellow Wagtails, Wheatear, Reed Warbler, 2+ Blackcaps, 2 Willow Warblers.

Northern Pits: 6 adult ARCTIC SKUAS (5 dark phase, 1 pale phase) flew SW over Diddington Pit at 8:53am; 2 Sparrowhawks, 4+ Buzzards, 2 juvenile Hobbies, 3 Grey Partridges, 4 Ringed Plover, 7 Dunlin, 1-2 Greenshanks, Common Sandpiper, Swift, 200+ Sand Martins, several Meadow Pipits & Yellow Wagtails, Reed Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher.

Northern Pits: 6 Little Egrets, Buzzard, 4 Hobbies (2 adults, 2 juveniles), 3 Ringed Plover, 9 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 3 Whimbrel (flew south), Greenshank, 4 Green Sandpipers, Common Sandpiper, 5 Yellow-legged Gulls, Swift, 200 Sand Martins, 20 House Martins, Whitethroat.

Northern Pits: 6 Little Egrets, 563+ Greylag Geese, 2 Greylag x Canada Goose hybrids, tundrae Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, 9 Yellow-legged Gulls, 200 Sand Martins, 30 House Martins, Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcaps, Willow Warbler & Chiffchaffs.

Heronry Pits: Egypitan Goose, Barnacle Goose, 2 Red-crested Pochards still, Marsh Tit.

Great Meadow: Whinchat late afternoon.

Island Pit: Buzzard, Reed Warbler.

Northern Pits: 6 Little Egrets, juvenile Hobby, 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 2 Greenshank, 4 Common Sandpipers, 3 Whinchats, 2 Whitethroats, Reed Warbler.

Washout Pit: Green Sandpiper.

Heronry Pits: Egyptian Goose, 2 Red-crested Pochards (eclipse male and a female).

Northern Pits: 2 Little Egrets, Buzzard, male Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, 3 Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, 3 Dunlin, 2 Greenshank, 6+ Common Sandpipers, 300+ Sand Martins, 3+ Yellow Wagtails, female-type Wheatear, Blackcap.

Little Paxton village: Tree Pipit over School Lane at 10:50.













Juvenile female Peregrine © Jamie Wells

Northern Pits: 4 Little Egrets, juvenile Peregrine, 2+ Hobbies, 7 Dunlin, 4 Ruff, 4 Greenshank, 2 adult Common Terns, Swift, c.100 Sand Martins, possible Tree Pipit heard, 3+ Yellow Wagtails, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Common Whitethroats, Garden Warbler.

Northern Pits: juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 5 Ringed Plover, Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, c.15 Redshank briefly, Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpipers, c.5 Common Sandpipers, Turnstone, c.100 Sand Martins, 1+ Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat.

Northern Pits: Little Egret, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpipers, 3 Whinchats, Wheatear, 3 Lesser Whitethroats.

Northern Pits: 5 Ringed Plover, 23 Lapwing, 5 Dunlin, juv. Ruff, 7 Common Sandpipers, Swift, c.20 Sand Martin.

Little Paxton village: 40-50 House Martins over west end of village mid-evening.

Northern Pits: 5+ Little Egrets, 6 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, Redshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, 7+ Common Sandpipers, Whinchat, Lesser Whitethroat.

Diddington Pit: Whinchat along hedgerow at south end of pit; 5 Dunlin, 8 Ringed Plover.

Little Paxton village: Hobby and Swift over village pub early afternoon.

Northern Pits: 4 Little Egrets, Egyptian Goose, juvenile Mediterranean Gull, Kingfisher, Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wheatears, Spotted Flycatcher.

Diddington Pit: 6 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin.

Northern Pits: 2-3 Little Egrets, Egyptian Goose, Barnacle Goose, 12 Ringed Plover (10 flew south), Dunlin (flew south with Ringed Plovers), 3 Common Terns, 2 Yellow Wagtails, female Wheatear.

Heronry Lakes: Spotted Flycatcher in dead tree near new pond, Red-crested Pochard, c 30 Shovelers, c 20 Pochard, Kingfisher; Turtle Dove crooing at Lafarge Plant and at Kingfisher Hide.

Sailing Lake: Turtle dove calling, Common Sandpiper, Kingfisher, Reed Warbler, Lesser Black-backed gull.

Little Paxton Village: Swift with House Martins in evening.

Northern Pits: 4 Little Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, 8+ Green Sandpipers, juvenile or 2W Caspian Gull, 8 Common Terns over.

Heronry Pits: eclipse drake and female Red-crested Pochard, 3 'purring' Turtle Doves, 1+ Kingfishers.

Washout Pit: Kingfisher, Yellow Wagtail over.

Island Pit: 2 Green Sandpipers, Common Sandpiper.

Northern Pits: 5 Little Egrets, 6+ Buzzards, 2+ Sparrowhawks, 9+ Common Sandpipers, 2 Turtle Doves, Swift, 2 Yellow Wagtails.

Northern Pits: 5 Little Egrets, Barnacle Goose, 13 Teal, Buzzard, 5 Ringed Plover, 2+ Dunlin, 3 Green Sandpiper, 15 Common Sandpiper, c.40 Sand Martin, c.100 House Martin, 10+ Swifts, Wheatear.

Island Pit: female Pochard with nasal saddle, Kingfisher.

Washout Pit: Common Sandpiper.

Northern Pits: 6+ Little Egret, Barnacle Goose, Egyptian Goose, Wigeon, Hobby, juv. Little Ringed Plover, 4 Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, 14 Common Sandpipers, 15 Yellow-legged Gulls.

Northern Pits: 3 Little Egrets, Barnacle Goose, Egyptian Goose, 2 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, 10 Ringed Plovers, summer plumaged Golden Plover, 2 Dunlin, 8 Common Sandpipers + pos. Turnstone heard briefly.

Northern Pits: 2 Little Egrets, Hobby, 6 Dunlin (inc. 4 juveniles), 9+ Common Sandpipers, 11 Yellow-legged Gulls (morning), Yellow Wagtail.

Northern Pits: 6 Little Egrets, Peregrine, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, Greenshank, 3+ Common Sandpipers, 40+ Yellow-legged Gulls, 3 Common Terns.

Northern Pits: 1+ Little Egrets, Buzzard, 4 Little Ringed Plovers (3 juveniles), Ringed Plover, 7+ Dunlin, (4+ juveniles), 2 Islandica Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Green Sandpipers, 15+ Common Sandpipers.

Northern Pits: 6 Little Egrets, Sparrowhawk with prey, 2 Hobbies, juv. Little Ringed Plover, Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 6 Common Sandpiper, c.80 Yellow-legged Gulls, adult Caspian Gull, Black Tern.

Northern Pits: 4 Little Egrets, 4 Little Ringed Plovers (3 juveniles), 5 Ringed Plovers, 6 Dunlin, 1-2 Green Sandpipers, 7 Common Sandpipers, 58+ Yellow-legged Gulls.

Heronry North: fem. Red-crested Pochard.

Northern Pits: 5 Little Egrets, Sparrowhawk (with prey), 1-2 Hobbies, 4 Oystercatchers, 4 Little Ringed Plovers (3 juveniles), 2 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, Whimbrel, Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpipers, c.50 Yellow-legged Gulls, juvenile Cuckoo.









Whimbrel, Diddington Pit
© Jamie Wells

Northern Pits: 3 Little Egrets, Buzzard, 6 Oystercatchers, 5 Little Ringed Plover (3 juvs), 7 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 6 Common Sandpipers, 15+ Common Gulls, 74+ Yellow-legged Gulls, 4 Linnets.

Northern Pits: 4 Little Ringed Plovers still, 5 Common Sandpipers.

Farm Pit: Little Egret, 34 Pochard.

Sailing Lake: 2 Kingfishers.

Northern Pits: Little Egret, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 6 Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, 2 Whimbrel (flew through, heading south), Greenshank, 4 Common Sandpipers, 25 Yellow-legged Gull.

Northern Pits: 4 Little Egrets, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 8 Ringed Plovers, 2 Whimbrel, Greenshank, 4 Common Sandpipers, 31+ Yellow-legged Gulls.

Northern Pits: 2 Little Egrets, 2 Buzzards, 4 Little Ringed Plovers (2 juveniles), 3 Ringed Plovers, 3-4 Dunlin, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 2-3 Common Sandpipers, 20+ Yellow-legged Gulls, Common Gull, 2 Turtle Doves.

Island Pit: Green Sandpiper.

Heronry Pits: 2 Buzzards, Turtle Dove, Kingfisher.

Northern Pits: drake Scaup mid afternoon (flew towards Island Pit at 15:40); Little Egret, Bar-headed Goose still, 2 Oystercatchers, 5 Ringed Plover, 2 Islandic Black-tailed Godwits (dropped in briefly early evening), 11+ Redshank, Greenshank (flew east), 3 Green Sandpipers, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, adult summer Mediterranean Gull, 2 adult Common Gulls, 30 Yellow-legged Gulls, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail over.

Northern Pits: 4 Little Ringed Plovers (inc. 1 juv), 5+ Ringed Plovers, Wood Sandpiper (flew overhead at 20:17, before coming down to land on island), 2 Common Sandpipers, 4 juvenile Common Terns, Turtle Dove.

Diddington Pit: 2 Common Sandpipers.

Northern Pits: Little Egret, 2 Shoveler, 2 Buzzards, up to 6 Green Sandpipers, Sandwich Tern (mid morning)

Little Paxton village: 4 possible Sandwich Terns flew north early am; female Sparrowhawk, Lesser Whitethroat singing, Coal Tit singing.

Northern Pits: 1-2 Green Sandpipers, Greenshank, 1st summer Common Gull and 3 juvenile Common Terns this evening.

Diddington Pit: male Ruff on island.

Northern Pits: 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Ringed Plovers, Little Egret.

Little Paxton village: Hobby chasing a House Martin early morning, plus 1+ Buzzards.

Diddington Pit: 5 Wood Sandpipers late afternoon.

Heron Trail: Cuckoo still calling, grey heron, cormorant, gadwall with young, greylags, great crested grebes, g.s. woodpecker. Garden warbler, black-cap, blackbird and reedbunting all singing.

Great Meadow: Little egret and turtle dove

Northern Pits: 1-2 Little Egrets, Bar-headed Goose, 9 Yellow-legged Gulls, Turtle Dove 'purring'.

Great Meadow: Buzzard hovering on opposite side of river; male Sparrowhawk

Diddington Pit: Wigeon, 2 Oystercatchers, 2-3 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 singing Cuckoos.

Heronry Pits: 4 Singing Nightingales

Northern Pits: Little Egret, Wigeon, 2 Buzzards, Hobby, Little Ringed Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Greenshank, Turtle Dove singing.

Little Paxton village: Little Egret flew north over west end of village at c.20:15.

Cloudy Pit: Nuthatch in mature trees nr the beech early afternoon, then flew to west side of Cloudy Pit, but not seen again.

Northern Pits: Curlew

Northern Pits: Little Egret, 2 drake Wigeon, 3 Teal, drake Red-crested Pochard, 2 Buzzards, albino male Pheasant, 9 Oystercatchers (inc. 1 chick), 2 Little Ringed Plovers displaying, 9 Ringed Plovers (inc. 3 small chicks), Dunlin, 8 Redshank, Greenshank.

Diddington Pit: Whimbrel this morning, plus the usual two drake Wigeon.

Hayling Pit (south field): Grasshopper Warbler reeling

Northern Pits: 2 Little Egrets, Bar-headed Goose, 2 pairs of Teal, drake Red-crested Pochard, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Ringed Plovers, Grey Plover, 5 Dunlin, 2 Greenshank, 4 Yellow-legged Gulls, Black Tern, Tree Sparrow.

Northern Pits: Little Egret, drake Teal, drake Red-crested Pochard, adult Peregrine, Little Ringed Plover, 4 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, 2 Greenshank, adult Yellow-legged Gull, c.17 Ringed Plovers (inc. several Tundrae)

Northern Pits: Little Egret, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 7 Ringed Plover (3 Tundrae), 5 Yellow-legged Gulls, Black Tern

Diddington Pit: 2 Black Terns late afternoon.

Northern Pits: 1-2 Little Egrets, 2 drake Wigeon, 5 Shoveler, drake Red-crested Pochard, pair Common Pochard, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 7 Ringed Plover (4 Tundrae), Sanderling, Ruff, male Cuckoo singing, c.150 Swift, singing Meadow Pipit, male & female Yellow Wagtail.

A1 North Pit: Red Kite over, heading SE

Diddington Pit: Belated news of 2 COMMON CRANES, initially on bund before flying off south at c.19:00 (scroll down to see excellent series of shots by Les Beeke)

Northern Pits: 2 summer plumaged Black-necked Grebes, 2 Little Egrets, Wigeon, 10 Shoveler (9 drakes), drake Red-crested Pochard, Buzzard, Hobby, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 9 Ringed Plover (7 Tundrae), 29 Lapwings, 3 Dunlin, Wood Sandpiper, Little Gull, two 3rd cal-yr Yellow-legged Gulls.









Wood Sandpiper, Diddington Pit
© Jamie Wells

Common Cranes

Common Cranes, Diddington Pit, 31st May 2009
© Les Beeke

Northern Pits: Little Egret, 2 drake Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 3 drake Pochard, 2 Hobbies, 11 Ringed Plover (8 Tundrae), 3 Dunlin, male & female Cuckoo.

Island Pit: 2 Buzzards, Turtle Dove, Kingfisher, Lesser Whitethroat singing, male House Sparrow.

Heronry South: male & female Cuckoo flew towards visitors' centre.

Washout Pit: Little Egret.

Northern Pits: 2 Grey Partridges, Dunlin, 1st summer Little Gull, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.

Northern Pits: Little Egret, Red-crested Pochard, Buzzard, Hobby, Arctic Tern, Spotted Flycatcher.

Northern Pits: Little Egret, drake and duck Red-crested Pochard, 5 Common Pochard, Sparrowhawk, 1+ Hobby, pair Grey Partridges, 8 Ringed Plover.

Hayling Pit: Adult female Kingfisher feeding 3 young

Northern Pits: Little Egret, 2 drake Red-crested Pochards, Red Kite over (Diddington village), 2+ Hobbies, 2 Dunlin, 2 Wheatears still.









Male Wheatear, Paxton Pits
© Jamie Wells

Northern Pits: Little Egret, 3 Shelduck, drake Red-crested Pochard, pair Grey Partridges, Little Ringed Plover, 6 Ringed Plover, 2 Sanderlings, Dunlin, 5+ Black Terns, 2 (male & female) Wheatear.

Northern Pits: 1-2 Little Egrets, drake Wigeon, 2 drake Shoverler, pr Pochard, 5+ Hobbies, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Dunlin, 12+ Ringed Plover (inc. some Tundrae).

Washout Pit: Shelduck, 2 Redshank (on flooded field on opp. side of river); 1-2 Kingfishers.

Island Pit: 2 Buzzards heading north.

Reserve end: Spotted Flycatcher, 2+ Turtle Doves, 3-4 Cuckoo's

Northern Pits: Little Egret, pr Shelduck, 3-4 Pochard, drake Shoveler, Red Kite (drifting south at 12:33), 3 Buzzards, 2-3 Hobbies, 2 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Turnstones, sub-ad. Yellow-legged Gull.

Northern Pits: Little Egret, 2 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, drake Red-crested Pochard, 4 Common Pochard (2 pairs), 3 Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Yellow-legged Gull, 85 Common Terns, Black Tern.

Northern Pits: 2 Little Egrets, Garganey, 5 Knot, 11 Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, 7 Turnstone, 9 Black Terns, 18 Ringed Plover (chiefly tundrae).

Northern Pits: Wigeon, 4 Common Pochard, 7 Ringed Plover (inc. 5 tundrae), 2 Knot, 2 Sanderling, Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpiper, Turnstone, Black Tern, Bar-headed Goose

Island Pit: Red-crested Pochard

Northern Pits: drake Red-crested Pochard, 2 Knot, 2 Grey Plovers, 2 Turnstone, Sanderling, 16 Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper & 4 Black Terns.

Heronry North: 8 Black Terns mid-afternoon.

Buzzard over Dodder Fen early evening, plus two Turtle Doves flew across the arable fields nearby. Also 1-2 Turtle Doves purring in the sanctury & a Goldcrest singing in the Wray House Garden.

Moorings: WRYNECK seen & photographed at 1.45 pm.

Dodder Fen: Grasshopper Warbler still

Visitors Centre: 2 hobbies, 2 turtle doves overhead. Dozens of swifts and a few hirundines.
Nightingale singing well in Anglers Car Park. Lesser whitethroat here too, also near boardwalk on Meadow Trail.

Northern Pits: 4 Sanderlings, 4 Dunlin, 3 Buzzards, 2 Hobbies.

A1 North: Male Wheatear, several Yellowhammers singing, Linnets, Skylarks.

Dodder Fen: Grasshopper Warbler reeling

Northern Pits: 5 Buzzards, 3 Hobbies, 6 Dunlin, 3+ Ringed Plovers, Little Ringed Plover.

Island Pit: drake Red-crested Pochard

Northern Pits: c.10 Ringed Plovers, Sanderling, 10 Dunlin, Whimbrel, Turnstone still, Turtle Dove. Also good numbers of Swifts.

Visitors' Centre: Hobby flew north early pm.

Little Paxton: Hobby over A1 flyover.

Little Paxton: female-type Black Redstart early morning (06:55) in garden along Hayling Avenue.

Diddington Pit: male Whinchat west of Diddington Pit, at SE edge of Diddington village; Turnstone, Common Sandpiper.

Also, Little Egret, 9 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover around northern pits.

Northern Pits: Little Egret, 2 drake Wigeon, drake Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 5-6 Ringed Plovers, Sanderling, 22-24 Dunlin, 6+ Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, Turnstone, 2 Little Gulls (adult & 1st summer), 1+ Black Tern.

Cuckoo x2, many swifts, singing garden warblers, whitethroats, lesser whitethroats, sedge and reed warblers, turtle dove x 2.
3 hobbies together all day and at Heronry North in evening.

Island Pit: pair of Barnacle Geese, Buzzard

North end: Black-necked Grebe, 2-3 Little Egrets, drake Pintail, 2 drake Wigeon, drake Pochard, Buzzard, Common Sandpiper, 7-10 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plovers, Cuckoo.

Diddington Pit: adult Little Gull, plus c.50 Common Terns.

Heronry Pits: 2 Hobbies, Cuckoo, Swift.

Diddington Pit: WHISKERED TERN still mid afternoon today. As yesterday, park carefully by farm at SE side of Diddington village, then follow footpath across field to view from the SW corner of pit. Also 25+ Black-tailed Godwits over.





Whiskered Tern in flight over Diddington Pit

© Simon West

Visitors' Centre: male Hen Harrier over, plus Hobby early pm.

Diddington Pit: WHISKERED TERN, adult found at c.15:15. Feeding amongst Common Terns and Black-headed Gulls and also resting on tops of dead willows in centre of the Pit. Last seen flying strongly south at 7pm. Diddington Pit can be viewed in from the footpath, just south east of Diddington village.








Whiskered Tern
© Jamie Wells



Also around northern pits today: Little Egret, drake Pintail, Ruddy Duck, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, 5+ Swifts

Heronry South: drake Garganey

Island Pit: pair Red-crested Pochards still, plus Grasshopper Warbler singing

Northern Pits: drake Pintail, drake Wigeon, female Goldeneye, female Ruddy Duck, 3+ Dunlin, 2 Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit (flew north), female Bar-tailed Godwit, 1+ Common Sandpiper, Wheatear.

Diddington Pit: Little Tern mid-late afternoon at least, adult Little Gull, c.40 Common Terns, Greenshank, drake Pintail still, drake Wigeon, 4 Wheatears (3 males), 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Swifts, 2 Common Whitethroats

Northern Pits: Black-necked Grebe still, 2 Little Egrets, female Ruddy Duck, male Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Dunlin, 3 Goldeneye still, 2 drake Pochards, 6+ Swift

Island Pit: Red-crested Pochard

South end/reserve: Pair Shelduck, Sparrowhawk, Cettis Warbler, 8+ Common Whitethroats, 6 Lesser Whitethoats, 1-2 Garden Warblers, Reed Warbler, Yellow Wagtail over & 2+ pairs of Linnets around southern end of Pits complex this morning.

Great Meadow: Hobby flew north

Heronry North: Black Tern

Washout Pit: 2 Arctic Terns










North end: summer plumaged Black-necked Grebe, 2 drake Wigeon, drake Pintail, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Ruddy Duck (male & female), Sparrowhawk, Little Ringed Plover, 3+ Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, Whimbrel, c.40 Common Terns, Arctic Tern, 3 Black Terns, 5 Yellow Wagtails, female Wheatear, 2 Lesser Whitethroats & 2 Common Whitethroats.









Photo's: Black-necked Grebe (upper) & Whimbrel
© Jamie Wells

Hayling: Cettis warbler showing well, post 10. Lesser whitethroat, chiff-chaff, willow warbler, reed warbler, sedge warbler, garden warbler, black cap and nightingale.

Visitors' centre: cuckoo, buzzard, kestrel, sparrow hawk, common whitethroat, swallow, reed bunting.

Car park area: Common whitethroat, lesser whitethroat and turtle dove:
Overhead: Marsh harrier and at least 6 buzzards. No hobbies yet.

Northern Pits: drake Pintail, drake Red-crested Pochard, 6 Goldeneye, Ruddy Duck, Sparrowhawk, Knot still, Whimbrel, 1st summer Mediterranean Gull, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 18 Common Terns

Dodder Fen: Singing grasshopper warbler, cuckoo.
Anglers' car park: nightigale, lesser whitethroat.
Heron Trail: two yellow wagtails (one blue headed?)

Heronry North: Turtle Dove at north end of Sanctury

Northern Pits: 4 Shelduck, drake Pintail, drake Wigeon, fem. Ruddy Duck, 4 Buzzards, Knot, Whimbrel early am, Curlew late pm, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 2nd summer Little Gull, Black Tern, 13 Arctic Terns (early am - flew north), Cuckoo, 3 Wheatears still & Lesser Whitethroat.

Diddington Pit: Egyptian Goose flew south, drake Pintail, drake Wigeon, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, Knot, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Wheatears (2 males).

Northern Pits: Buzzard, 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, several Common Terns, Yellow Wagtail, Cuckoo.

Island Pit: 1 Arctic Tern briefly this evening with 14+ Common Terns

Diddington Pit: drake Pintail, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, male Wheatear.

Island Pit: pair Red-crested Pochards still, 8 Goldeneye at north end of pit

Diddington Pit: drake Pintail, 3 Dunlin, 4+ Ringed Plover, 8+ Redshank, Snipe

Northern Pits: Sparrowhawk, 3 Snipe, Green Sandpiper, 4+ Common Terns

Garganey still this morning (per Birdguides) & 2 Brambling were seen.

Island Pit: 2 Red-crested Pochards still (pair), Kingfisher.

North end: Little Egret, 4 Shelduck, Bar-headed Goose, drake Pintail, Sparrowhawk, 7+ Buzzards, 7 Oystercatchers, 3-4 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Ringed Plovers, Snipe, 7 Redshanks, 5 Common Terns, Kingfisher, Yellow Wagtail, 7 White Wagtails, female Wheatear.

Heronry South: drake Garganey from Hayden Hide, Whitethroat singing early morning

Diddington Pit: 3 Sandwich Terns: 2 in morning until 8:16am, then flew to Grafham Water (where they arrived at 8:22) and a single in the afternoon (which flew off north at 16:45); 2nd Summer Mediterranean Gull, Little Ringed Plover, 11 Yellow Wagtails, 8 White Wagtails

Northern most Pits: Little Egret, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 1st summer Mediterranean Gull, several Common Terns, 2 Shelduck, 52 Teal

Great Meadow: Little Egret







Drake Garganey, Heronry South Pit
© Jamie Wells

Washout Pit: Green Sandpiper at flooded field on opposite side of river, plus Reed Warbler singing

Sailing Lake: 2 Common Terns, pair of Barnacle Geese

Diddington Pit: 1st summer Mediterranean Gull, Common Tern, Dunlin, 5+ Ringed Plover

Boughton Lodge Farm: Lesser Whitethroat singing

Heronry Pits: 4 singing Nightingales

At least 8, possibly as many as 12 Oystercatchers around complex







1st summer Mediterranean Gull (with adult Black-headed Gull)
© Jamie Wells

Heronry Pits: 8 Nightingales singing early morning; Cuckoo nr Peter's Field & pos. Merlin seen between in area between the two hides

Sailing Lake: 2 Barnacle Geese, Sedge Warbler singing

North End: Little Egret, female Marsh Harrier flew south late morning, 3 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, drake Pintail, Ruff still, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 8 Ringed Plover, Snipe, 4 Oystercatchers, 2-3 Swallows, c.15 Sand Martins, 8+ Yellow Wagtails, 5-6 White Wagtails, 3 Blackcaps, 6 Sedge Warblers, several Willow Warblers, Corn Bunting.

Rudd Lake: Reed Warbler singing in morning.

Little Paxton village: 3 House Martins this morning

North end: drake Pintail, 9 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, Ruff, 2 Snipe, Green Sandpiper over, 2 male Yellow Wagtails, 2 Willow Warblers.

Heron Trail, at least three nightingales singing between the basin and Peter's Field.

Diddington Pit: Single Ruff, 2 Dunlin, 12 Redshank, 3-4 Ringed Plovers, 4 Oystercatchers & a Snipe this evening.

Heronry North: 3 Sand Martins, Willow Warbler

Island Pit: redhead Smew, 2 Red-crested Pochards (1 drk), 4 Sand Martins, Willow Warbler

North end: 3 Black-tailed Godwits, Ruff, Green Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 9 Ringed Plover, 4 Oystercatchers, 3 Snipe, Swallow, Willow Warbler & Sedge Warbler singing, Meadow Pipit singing and displaying, pair of Great Crested Grebes nest building.

Washout Pit: Kingfisher, plus 2 Shelducks & 2 Redshanks on flooded field - opp. side of river.

Little Paxton village: 2 Buzzards west of A1, plus House Martin

North end: Shelduck, c.10 Redshanks, 2 Oystercatchers, 3+ Snipe, 4 Ringed Plovers, 3 singing Blackcaps, 2 singing Willow Warblers

Washout Pit: male Merlin in tree

Heronry South: 2 Swallows

North end: adult winter Little Gull, 6 Oystercatchers, 1+ Little Ringed Plover, 5 Ringed Plovers, Ruff, 3 Snipe, Curlew over (heading south), c.10 Redshanks, 2 Green Sandpipers.

5 Blackcaps singing around reserve end

Island Pit: 3 Smew (1 drk), drk Red-crested Pochard, 2 Swallows (our 1st of the year).

Diddington Pit & north end: Little Egret, 7+ Buzzards, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatchers, 13 Redshanks, c.10 Sand Martins, male White Wagtail with small group of Pied Wags.

Boughton Lodge Farm: 5+ Redwing, 10+ Fieldfare

Washout Pit: Water Rail.

Heronry North: Otter seen briefly

Little Paxton village: 3 Buzzards to west of village

Sailing Lake: 179 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatchers.

Heronry Pits: House Martin (1st of the year at Paxton), 29 Sand Martins, Blackcap.

North end: female Goosander, 2 Pintail (1 drk), Buzzard, Jack Snipe, 18+ Snipe, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, 11+ Redshank, 4 Oystercatchers, 2-3 Ringed Plovers, c.40 Fieldfare flew west

Heronry North: drake Smew

Heronry North: male Blackcap in Wray House Garden

North End: 4 Buzzards

Heronry South: 11 Sand Martins

Island Pit: redhead Smew

North end: drake Pintail, Buzzard, 2 Curlew, 6 Redshank, 2 Oystercatchers, 3 Ringed Plovers

Heronry South: redhead Smew

Sailing Lake: 5 Redshanks, 2 Oystercatchers; Greylag Goose and Mallard on nests

North end: Water Pipit seen for 10 minutes late morning; also Little Egret, 4 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, redhead Goosander, drake Pintail, 2 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plovers, 4 Oystercatchers, 4 Redshanks & Snipe.

Double figure numbers of Chiffchaffs and 5+ Treecreepers singing around the reserve.

North end: Little Egret, 2-3 Shelduck, drake Pintail, redhead Goosander, 3 Ringed Plovers, 4 Redshanks, 2 Snipe, single Sand Martin (flew WNW) + pair of Great-crested Grebes displaying.

Diddington Pit: 3+ Buzzards, Redshank, 4 Oystercatchers

Island Pit: 4 Smew still (inc. 1 drake)

North end: 6 Shelduck, drake Pintail, Curlew, 3 Ringed Plover, 6 Redshank, Meadow Pipit displaying

Little Paxton village: 2 Bramblings this morning, visiting a garden to feed on seed.

Sailing Lake: Red Kite over

Fairly quiet this morning, other than 6 Buzzards, a drake Pintail still, 3 Redshank and a Ringed Plover.

Cloudy Pit: 2 Chiffchaffs singing, 4 Goldcrests.

Heronry South: Male Brambling still, around feeding station at Hayden Hide

Island Pit: 4 Smew, incl. 1 drk

Diddington Pit: Buzzard, 2 Redshank, Oystercatcher

North end: Little Egret, drk Pintail, 4 Redshank, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher

Cloudy Pit: Buzzard over, FIRECREST still, 2 Chiffchaffs

Heronry South: drake and redhead Smew, male Brambling at Hayden Hide feeding station (+ 2 Bat sp.)

North end: 2 Little Ringed Plovers (1st of the year)

Diddington Pit: Red Kite, 4+ Sand Martins

North end: 2 Dunlin, 4 Oystercatchers, 3 Ringed Plover, 3 Redshank

Cloudy Pit: 2 FIRECRESTS (both males) still

Great Meadow: Little Egret

Hayling Pit: Kingfisher

Sailing Lake: Sand Martin over lake

Heronry North: Kingfisher

Washout Pit: Little Egret, Water Rail, 2 Redshank, Kingfisher

Boughton Lodge Farm: Bar-headed Goose, 44 Fieldfare, 87 Redwing

North end: 2 Oystercatchers, 8 Redshank, 4 Ringed Plover, 42 Redwing flew north

Cloudy Pit: FIRECREST in usual area at south end of pit still.

Northern Pits: Buzzard, 2 Oystercatchers, 5 Ringed Plover, Snipe, 6 Redshank, Green Sandpiper, 3cy Yellow-legged Gull & 2 Barn Owls.

Cloudy Pit: FIRECREST at south end of Pit still, also Chiffchaff

Hayling Pit: 12 Dunlin circled over lake before flying south towards river; Blackcap singing

Heronry South: Drake Smew

Cloudy Pit: 1 FIRECREST still, in area around beach opposite new bench at 12:30.

3 Avocets this morning and a Water Pipit flushed mid afternoon were easily the best sightings of the day. The Avocets had also been seen in the sludge lagoons at nearby Grafham Water yesterday and early on this morning.

Other birds of note around the Pits today: drake and redhead Goosander, Buzzard, 3 Oystercatchers, 3 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 5 Redshank & 2+ Yellow-legged Gulls.

Cloudy Pit: Still at least 1 FIRECREST around.

Haul Road: Buzzard over, Goldcrest singing, pair of Long-tailed Tits nest building & a Coal Tit singing briefly

Heronry South: 2 Barnacle Geese; Kingfisher

Island Pit: 4 Smew (1 drake) & 2 Red-crested Pochards (1 drake)

Moorings: Buzzard flew south, Linnet over.

Washout Pit: 2 Redshanks feeding on flooded field on opposite side of the river

Northern Pits: 2 Pintail (1 drake), adult Peregrine, 5+ Buzzards, 2 Oystercatchers, Ringed Plover, Curlew, 3 Redshanks

FIRECREST still at 11.00 this morning in usual area arount 'The Beach' at south end of Cloudy Pit; also Red Kite and 2 Bullfinches.

Heronry South: 115 occupied Cormorant nests; 10 occupied Grey Heron nests.

Cloudy Pit: 2 FIRECRESTS still at south end of pit around The Beach area.

Heronry South: 2 Smew (drake and redhead) still, viewable from the Hayden Hide.








Firecrest at Cloudy Pit
© Garth Peacock

Weedy Pit/ fisherman's car-park: Male stonechat and grey wagtail.
Heronry South: Pair of smew + redhead showing well, close to shore. Female Sparrowhawk caught and ate blackbird at hide. Pair of green sandpipers flying. Little egret. Great Crested Grebes dancing.
Cloudy Pit: Firecrest still present at The Beach.
Visitor Centre: Sand martin at mid day, exhausted on wires. Later one on Heronry South.
North end: 4 buzzards in the air at once, 5 ringed plovers, little egret, snipe, redshank, 2 oystercatcher, 11 meadow pipits, skylark etc.

Cloudy Pit: Still at least 1 Firecrest this morning, plus Treecreeper.

Heronry South: Drake & redhead Smew still from Hayden Hide.

Cloudy Pit: 2 Firecrests still early afternoon.

Highlights:
4 Smew around today, including a drake and redhead on Heronry South still, viewable from the Hayden Hide. Two Firecrests continue to frequent the area around the Beach at the south end of Cloudy Pit and a Chiffchaff was heard singing nearby. 3 Little Egrets, 4 Pintail (1 drake) and 2 Red-crested Pochards (1 drake) were also noted.

Other sightings: 12 Shelduck, 2 Water Rails, 4+ Oystercatchers, 6 Ringed Plover, 16 Golden Plover, Woodcock, 4 Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail.


[There are some excellent shots of one of the Paxton Pits Firecrests in the photo section of the Cambridgeshire Bird Club website, see: http://cambsbirdclub.blogspot.com/ ]

Hayling Pit: Bittern seen in flight early morning

Cloudy Pit: 2 Firecrests still & Redpoll over

Heronry South: 2 Smew (1 drake)

Island Pit: 4 Smew (1 drake), 3 Red-crested Pochards

Other sightings: 2 Little Egrets, 2 Pintail (1 drake), Curlew, 5 Redshanks, Green Sandpiper, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, Snipe, 6 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 5 Red-legged Partridges.

Cloudy Pit: 2 Firecrests still in usual area around 'The Beach'

Heronry South: 2 Smew (1 drake)

Meadow: 2 Barnacle Geese & Oystercatcher over.

Diddington Pit: male Stonechat

Sailing Lake: Oystercatcher

Other sightings: Caspian Gull (2CY), 2 Pintail (1 drake), 2 Little Egrets, 2 Buzzards, Ringed Plover, 4 Oystercatchers, 2 Redshanks.

Cloudy Pit: Pair of Barnacle Geese (one of which is colour ringed) this morning, aggressively chasing off Canada Geese.

Two Firecrests still around Cloudy Pit and showing well at times. Also today, a male Stonechat.

Firecrest still at south end of Cloudy Pit this morning.

Cloudy Pit: 1, possibly two Firecrests, seen by several visitors throughout the day around area of 'The Beach' again. Also treecreeper with long-tailed tits and bullfinches.

Visitors' Centre: male Blackcap on peanuts.

A Firecrest at the South end of Cloudy Pit around 'The Beach' area this afternoon is star bird of the day today.

WeBS count this morning was also fairly productive: a female Marsh Harrier flew west at the north end of Island Pit late morning, quickly followed by a flock of 80+ Black-tailed Godwits heading in the same direcetion. Also this morning a male Stonechat at Diddington Pit and nearby a pair of Grey Partridges.

Eleven 'Blackwits' present at the Pits late afternoon were then joined by the (presumably same) 80 birds seen earlier in the day.

Island Pit: redhead Smew, male & female Red-crested Pochard, female Marsh Harrier, 80+ Black-tailed Godwits & 2 Woodcock's. A flock of Redwing in trees along the east side of the pit included some birds in sub-song.

Diddington Pit: 4 Pintail (2 males), Buzzard, 11 Red-legged Partridges, male Stonechat.

Unspecified location: 2 Little Egrets, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Water Rail calling, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 3+ Redshanks, pair of Grey Partridges, 5+ Kingfishers & c.65 Redwings.

Male Stonechat, Paxton Pits

2 Red-crested Pochards and a Marsh Tit from the Hayden Hide this morning.

Other sightings today: Little Egret, 7 Shelduck, 7 Pintail (4 drakes), 2 Sparrowhawks, 5+ Buzzards, Peregrine, 2-3 Oystercatchers, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, 300 Lapwing, Snipe, 4 Redshank & a small flock of c.20 Pied Wagtails.

Highlights from late afternoon today:

3 Pintail (1 drake), 2 Shelduck, 2 Sparrowhawks, Oystercatcher, c.60 Golden Plover, c.600 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 8+ Redshank, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (adult and 2W), Skylark singing, 36 Fieldfare flew north.

Today's sightings: 2+ Shelduck, 3 Red-crested Pochards (2 drakes), 4 Smew (1 drake), Ringed Plover, c.60 Golden Plovers, 4 Snipe, Curlew and 2-3 Redshanks.

All lakes across the complex almost entirely frozen today with wildfowl tightly packed in to the few small remaining pockets of unfrozen water. The fields on the eastern side of Island Pit are flooded at the moment due to the high river levels and were being used small numbers of Teal, Shoveler and Mallard.

Todays highlights:

Island Pit: 2 Smew (inc. 1 drake), Woodcock, singing Skylark, c.25 Meadow Pipits.

Diddington Pit: redhead Smew, 2 Redshanks.

Unspecified location: Little Egret, Jack Snipe, 4CY Yellow-legged Gull, 30+ Siskin.

Also today a pair of Grey Partridges were feeding in fields just north of Diddington village (just NW of the pit complex).

3-4 Smew still today around the complex, plus 2 Goosander on the river in the morning. 6 Pintail (including 3 drakes) were new in and there were up to 9 Shelduck. 3 Red-crested Pochards remain, as do the 8 Barnacle Geese that are associating with the main Greylag flock. Snipe have become more noticeable recently as a result of the cold weather and at least 52 were seen around the site today, as well as a single Jack Snipe. 3 Dunlin and 2+ Redshanks were the other waders noted this morning. Other highlights include a Barn Owl seen early in the day, Grey Wagtail near the river viewpoint and single Marsh Tits around the Heron trail at post 4 and at the Snake Pit feeders. 25-30 Yellowhammers were feeding near Peter's Field.

Heronry North: Red Kite over

Sailing Lake: 3 Smew, (inc. 1 drake) & 3 Red-crested Pochards (2 drakes)

Island Pit: redhead Smew, 3 Goosanders (drake & 2 redheads)

Diddington Pit: 8 Barnacle Geese still, Bar-headed Goose, 3 Dunlin, 17+ Snipe, Redshank, c.25 Meadow Pipits.

Washout Pit: Snipe

Boughton Lodge Farm: 4+ Siskin

Other sightings: 8 Shelduck, 2CY Yellow-legged Gull

Barnacle Goose
© Jamie Wells

Great meadow: 70+ fieldfare, 5 yellowhammer.
All meadows: Kestrel.
Southoe brook: Kingfisher.
Ouse Valley Way: Reed bunting, bullfinch, chaffinch, goldfinch.

Heron trail - by post 3: 3 fieldfares,

Cloudy Pit: Little egret - roosting in trees.

Fields near River Viewpoint: Female stonechat, 9 fieldfare, 1 redwing.

Meadow trail: 12 redwing, 10 fieldfare.

Heronry north lake: Red-crested pochard.

Heronry south lake: Goldeneye, marsh tit.

Unspecified location: Black-tailed godwit, 4 buzzard, woodcock, 6 shelduck, 8 barnacle geese, snipe.

Sailing Lake: Marsh Tit, 2+ Siskins, 2+ Bullfinches.

A1 South Pit: drake leucistic Gadwall.

A pair of house sparrows at the VC garden, + reed buntings, dunnocks, lt tits etc. Male sparrowhawk.

Sailing Lake: 70 bh gulls, 14 mute swans, 20 coots, 2 pochards, 1 goldeneye, 1 rc pochard drake, 5 gc grebes.

Heronry North/Heron Trail: redhead Smew; Marsh Tit at Snake Pit feeding station.

Weedy Pit: 40 Wigeon, 20 Gadwall, 12 Tufted Ducks, 6 coots & Kingfisher.

Diddington Pit: 8 Barnacle Geese, Bar-headed Goose, drake Pintail.

Other sightings: 3 Shelduck, c.700 Golden Plover, 4 Redshank, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls.

Heronry North: redhead Smew, Kingfisher.

Washout Pit: drake Goosander, Snipe, 2 Treecreepers.

Island Pit: redhead Smew, Gadwall x Mallard hybrid(?), Sparrowhawk.

Boughton Lodge Farm: 8 Barnacle Geese, Bar-headed Goose.

Other sightings: Little Egret, 4 Shelduck, 7 Red-legged Partridge, Jack Snipe, 2 Redshank

Drake and redhead Smew on Heronry South.

3 Smew (inc. 1 drake) on Heronry North.

36+ Yellowhammers around arable fields today.

3 red-crested pochards, peregrine, 8 barnacle geese, water rail near KF hide (GR)
Main lakes (not Diddington or Pumphouse); 187 tufted ducks, 206 wigeon, 3 GS woodpeckers, 3 lesser BB gulls, 4 common gulls, 60 goldeneyes, 10 shovelers, 2 reed buntings, 7 bullfinches, 121 pochards, 3 fieldfares, 92 lapwings, 1 siskin. (Terry Brown)

Treecreepers, little egret, fm stonechat, (Chris + Maria)

Kestrel (Great Meadow and Arable), Little egret in the Great Meadow. (Peter W)

Peregrine, Redshank, 2 Shelduck, pos. Lesser spotted woodpecker (heard only) across the river from Island Pit. (MD, JW and NP)

12 yellowhammers on arable, long tailed tits (6), buzzard, teal (12)

Weedy Pit: Red-crested pochard (pair) and about 30 widgeon + gopldeneye, pochard tufted duck and GC grebe.
Heronry: Little Egret in cormorant roost.
Arable: c30 yellowhammers.

Sailing Lake: Male & female Red-crested Pochard.

Diddington Pit: Female Pintail, 1+ (possibly 6) Grey Partridge, Snipe.

Other sightings: Shelduck, Redshank, Yellow-legged Gull.

Heron Trail: Bullfinches, marsh tit, fieldfare, reed bunting, long-tailed tit, goldeneyes, pochards, tufted ducks etc. Singing great tits and dunnocks. Herons and cormorants on nests.

Heronry North: Female Smew, Goldeneye, Shoveler, Pochard, Teal, Wigeon.
Meadow trail: Buzzard, kestrel (2), bullfinches, goldcrest.

Shovelers flying about in pairs (eg Cloudy Pit)
Male smew on Heronry South + little egret, reed bunting and GS woodpecker.

Female smew (redhead) and 8 goldeneye on heronry north. 6 teal, two moorhens and two herons on Heronry South. 12 yellowhammers on the arable and two marsh tits at the snakepits feeder. 6 fieldfares and two redwings, sparrowhawk, kestrel and several bullfinches near the centre.

Milder, brighter conditions today with brisk South-westerly winds, however most pits remain largely frozen.

Diddington Pit: 4 Little Grebes, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese in field SW of the Pit, 400 Greylag Geese, Bar-headed Goose, 1000+ Wigeon, 500 Teal, redhead Smew, c.300 Coots, Buzzard, Peregrine, Dunlin, 15 Snipe.

A1 North Pit: 2 Red-crested Pochards (1 drake), 3 Snipe.

Sailing Lake: c.20 Siskins feeding in Alders.

Heronry North: Water Rail in ditch opposite Peter's Field.

Today we are frozen up again with just a few holes in the ice. (Highest day time temperature minus 2deg C) Goldeneye and a little grebe on river. Other birds included treecreeper, 2 red-crested pochards on Island Pit which also held wigeon, teal and pochard in good numbers. Fieldfares presently outnumber redwings on the site. Great tits singing in several places.

On the 8th the list for the Diddington Pit included 500 wigeon, 300 teal, 100 coots, 6 dunlin, gadwalls, pochards, mallards, tufted ducks, Great-crested Grebe (2), 3 dark-bellied brent geese, 1 bar-headed goose, 2 barnacle geese, 300+greylags. There was a flock of linnets on the finger island and about 12 pied wagtails.The Sailing Lake has been very rewarding this week with 6 Bewick's swans until Wednesday night and good numbers of wigeon (60+), shoveller (40+) and diving ducks.

On the 7th a woodcock flew past the VC at dusk, there was a pair of stonechats behind Lafarge and there was a water rail in the Hayling Ditch.

On the 6th 6 Bewick's Swans, 60 wigeon, 40 shovellers, 2 snipe, 8 moorhens and gadwall, tufted ducks and coots.

On the 5th a flock of siskins flew over the sailing lake.

On the 4th woodcock, male smew, 3 dunlin, 41 snipe, water rail, bullfinches, little grebe, treecreepers, song thrush, goldeneyes, teal, pochards, coots, cormorants breeding, yellowhammers, little grebe on river, fieldfares, redwings and herons. Goldcrest and kingfisher at the moorings.

Heronry Pits: Little Egret, 3 Smew (including a drake), Kingfisher

Island Pit: 3 Red-crested Pochards (1 drake), 3 flyover Goosanders (inc. 2 drakes), Buzzard and a roosting Barn Owl

Washout Pit: Water Rail calling

other sightings: 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Shelduck, Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzards, Peregrine (flew north), 2 Dunlin, Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Green Sandpiper, 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull, Kingfisher, Chiffchaff

At least 43 species seen on the reserve by lunchtime. The smew were the highlights, but we also saw two stonechats on the set-aside and a marsh tit at Wray House Farm.

Heronry Pits: 3 Smew (1 drake), Marsh Tit

Great Meadow: 2 Stonechats

Island Pit: 3 Red-crested Pochards (1 drake)

other sightings: 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Snipe, Jack Snipe, 3 Dunlin, 2 Chiffchaffs.