Grafham Water (3 Viewers)

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 01 Apr 2024; three Yellow Wagtails on the dam. Two or more immature Yellow-legged Gulls still around. No Ospreys today again except a lady had one on her 'Merlin' App 100 yards from me..... She went home happy! I don't think I will download this piece of trash.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 05 Apr 2024; 5 or 6 Yellow Wagtails on the dam.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 06 Apr 2024; around 10 Yellow Wagtails and 2 White Wagtails this afternoon

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 10 Apr 2024; 20+ Yellow Wagtails and two White Wagtails on the dam. A Common Sandpiper joining the many Little Ringed Plovers.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 13 Apr 2024; on the dam a count of 40+ Yellow Wagtails this evening and 6 White Wagtails plus two 'local?' Grey Wagtails and many Pied Wags allowed some spring time excitement. A brief encounter in the morning with a potential female type Blue-headed or hybrid 'Channel Wagtail' allowed only some record shots before vanishing. The bird wasn't present with the evening gathering so may have moved on immediately. Two of the three Common Sandpipers still and two Sandwich Terns through early morning.
The wagtail: plus some more images here:AU0I5730c1 | Matthew Rodgers | Flickr

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 15 Apr 2024; Kittiwake off the dam in the evening. 50+ Yellow Wagtails
A pair of Grey Wagtails feeding young at a nearby nest

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 19 Apr 2024; evening, the two Sanderling still present on the dam and four Dunlin. The hybrid type Yellow Wagtail still in the wagtail flock.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 20 Apr 2024; possibly the same wagtail as seen on the 13th (see above), much better views this time, also a very yellow headed Yellow Wagtail standing out prominently............ Two White Wagtails too.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 24 Apr 2024; evening, 2 Wheatears and seven White Wagtails on the dam. Reduction in Yellow Wagtails.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 27 Apr 2024; the long-staying Whimbrel still on the dam for 3rd day. A fly over Curlew plus a Dunlin in the evening and many Swifts moving through gave some relief to the cold conditions.
Some high flying terns were Common or Arctic but lost in the grey sky

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 28 Apr 2024; the Whimbrel remained on the dam for a fourth day despite ignorant dog walkers running a dog along the dam amongst the Little Ringed Plovers. An Arctic Tern, two Dunlin and two White Wagtails of note. Not often such close views are possible of Whimbrels:
A better shot of the 'lutea' type wagtail; only identifiable by geographical location.......

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 2 May 2024; a Whimbrel appeared on the dam in the evening; maybe the same bird returning as was very approachable. Comparison of photos suggested same bird.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 3 May 2024; evening (rain); Kittiwake (adult) appeared off Fishing Lodge early evening. A lone Sanderling on the dam, allowed close study as not part of a fast moving group; The Whimbrel also still present.....

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 4 May 2024; continuing with the wader theme a Turnstone this evening and another (or the previous) possible Blue-headed/hybrid type wagtail

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 5 May 2024; the Nightingale watched singing from the south end of the dam this evening.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham Water 8 May 2024; a Whimbrel on the dam early evening before flying off north.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 11 May 2023; two Black Terns off the Fishing Lodge for a short time at mid-day.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 17 May 2024 evening, with birds very thin currently, a surprise Avocet on the dam and Common Scoter just off the dam gave some interest.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 22 May 2024 evening; Osprey at Mander carpark and 11 Sanderling plus a Dunlin on the dam. (Common Scoter on 21 May)

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 23 May 2024; evening, Osprey again in Valley Creek, perched in a tree eating a fish.