RSPB Middleton Lakes (12 Viewers)

[Piccalilli]

Plenty of mud appearing on the main JW pool but few waders today. 7 LRP and 3 Redshank plus 2 Curlews which came in from the South did a 180 round North Pit and headed South again down the Water Ski Pools.

Up on North Pit both Med Gulls are still there and directly behind them was a colour ringed Black Headed Gull - Black Digits on White Ring 2P35. This would appear to be a UK ringed bird.

To the left of the hide was a single Wheatear on the grass.

Also my first Blackcap of the year, seen and heard singing in Mill Plantation.

Steve

 

[geoffw1946]

http://www.birdfinders.co.uk/tours/the-netherlands.html
I see you can go on a tour of the Netherlands to see Black Swan and Bar-headed Goose, no need when you can see them at Mid Lakes although they may have returned to Holland by now? A Bar-head was reported at Spurn on the 3rd April heading towards Holland? http://www.spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/sightings/

 

[JHollier]

Very quick look around this evening in the last of the light and was able to pick up 2 Ringed Plover,2 Lrp and a Redshank on the Jubilee. On the way out a Barn Owl on the Meadow Trail. Regards Jeremy

 

[Piccalilli]

Very quick look around this evening in the last of the light and was able to pick up 2 Ringed Plover,2 Lrp and a Redshank on the Jubilee. On the way out a Barn Owl on the Meadow Trail. Regards Jeremy

Jeremy

I can't add much more and I was there 4 hours. The 3 Avocet were on North Pit as were the two Med Gull and 12 Goosander. Apart from that vey quiet.

Steve

 

[SteveAtkinson]

Greenshank, 5 LRP, at least 5 Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank and a Little Egret on Jubilee Wetlands. 2 Mediterranean Gulls on the North Pit. Blackcap in Mill Plantation and 3 Avocet around the reserve. As I was leaving I saw my first Middleton Swallow of the year over Fisher's Mill.
Apparently the Greenshank was the second for the year for WMBC after one seen at Belvide yesterday.
On my way to the reserve I spotted a Red Kite on the Warks side of the A5 near Fenny Drayton. Possibly the same bird that was seen at Ladywalk 95mins earlier.

All the best

Steve

 

[geoffw1946]

Greenshank, 5 LRP, at least 5 Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank and a Little Egret on Jubilee Wetlands. 2 Mediterranean Gulls on the North Pit. Blackcap in Mill Plantation and 3 Avocet around the reserve. As I was leaving I saw my first Middleton Swallow of the year over Fisher's Mill.
Apparently the Greenshank was the second for the year for WMBC after one seen at Belvide yesterday.
On my way to the reserve I spotted a Red Kite on the Warks side of the A5 near Fenny Drayton. Possibly the same bird that was seen at Ladywalk 95mins earlier.

All the best

Steve

The Greenshank was on north pit today with a Dunlin otherwise much as previous.

 

[Piccalilli]

After spending what seemed like hours trying to locate a Gropper out the back of Fishers Mill we came across an individual reeling away bang opposite the steps onto the reserve. One of my squint and you can just about make it out photos below. We were however treated to excellent close-up views, and I mean a few metres, of a Short Eared Owl hunting round the two small ponds.

Out on the main reserve, as expected water levels are now high. On JW was a Wheatear and Common Sandpiper virtually together on the division bank between the West scrape and the pool that runs parallel with the path. Up on North Pit were 3 Redshank and 3 Snipe flew through.

Steve

 

[JHollier]

I think I had the reserve to myself for the last hour or so tonight. On the wader front I could find 3 Ringed Plover and 3 Redshank on the JW. Blackcaps and Sedge Warblers about. A Barn Owl was hunting on the play meadow just before dark.

All the best Jeremy

 

[SteveAtkinson]

A 7:45 start reaped dividends this morning with superb views of a Grasshopper Warbler at the south end of Fisher's Mill Pool in a shrub. Probably watched it for 10mins reeling about 18ft away. Lots of Warblers around the reserve; Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Willow, Sedge, Lesser Whitethroat and at least 4 Cetti's. Plenty of Swallow and a House Martin. Common Sandpiper still on JWs. No Tern though, so I had to nip over to Shustoke where there were 15 Common plus the bonus of a Common Scoter - missed the Artic though. Hardly any other people while I was there, so a very enjoyable morning.
Noticed that the RSPB have taken the pump away from the New Reed Bed Pool, I wonder what's gone on there?

All the best

Steve

 

[geoffw1946]

A 7:45 start reaped dividends this morning with superb views of a Grasshopper Warbler at the south end of Fisher's Mill Pool in a shrub. Probably watched it for 10mins reeling about 18ft away. Lots of Warblers around the reserve; Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Willow, Sedge, Lesser Whitethroat and at least 4 Cetti's. Plenty of Swallow and a House Martin. Common Sandpiper still on JWs. No Tern though, so I had to nip over to Shustoke where there were 15 Common plus the bonus of a Common Scoter - missed the Artic though. Hardly any other people while I was there, so a very enjoyable morning.
Noticed that the RSPB have taken the pump away from the New Reed Bed Pool, I wonder what's gone on there?

All the best

Steve

A late morning visit for me, highlights were, 1 Pochard, 5 LRP in the potato field, they are probably fed up of being flooded out on the reserve. 3 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 2 Med Gull and 2 Common Tern.
An Osprey was reported after I'd left.
Water levels seemed to be rising again while I was there.
Re the water pump, I presume they couldn't get it to work and have returned it for a replacement?

 

[Piccalilli]

Highlights this evening were Osprey and to get my Bogey bird, Lesser Whitethroat, so early in the year. Osprey came in from the South at 17:50 and tried to fish on the New Reedbed Pool, JW and NP but each time was hassled by the Black Headed Gulls and continued on Northwards. Picture attached but what do you expect from a £30 point and shoot held by someone shaking with excitement.

Also around the reserve were 2 Common Sand and a Redshank on JW and a Barn Owl hunting the Ski Pool bunds. 13 Little Egret still using the roost and the only Gropper heard was in the play meadow.

Chuffed to see an Osprey at Middleton

Steve

 

[Piccalilli]

15 Years I've been doing KWP and Drayton Bassett Pits and never seen an Osprey. Then two on consecutive visits. My ID skills haven't improved in that time though and needed help with the SEO.

The Osprey was again escorted off the reserve by the Gulls after an initial hover on the edge of JW. It continued up the West side of NP and headed on its way North. The SEO was perched up on a plastic post on the Southern Water Ski bund with the usually poor quality shot below taken from the EA flood bank which is over 300 yards away.

Out on the reserve were the usual waders and a Dunlin nearly in full summer plumage.

Steve

 

[DaveJones]

Visited last week for the Garganey, and noticed that the 2 Med Gulls were courting. Any previous Staffs/Warks breeding records?

Hats off to the RSPB, the reserve is coming along nicely!

 

[joser]

Took a trip out to Middleton Lakes on Saturday (23rd) for the first time since it officially opened. The previous and only other time was a guided walk just prior to it opening. I was really amazed and delighted at how the area has developed. It's a very enjoyable walk and nice that it takes you through a variety of different habitats. The highlights were Lesser Whitethroat and Cettis Warbler both near Fishers Mill Pool. I look forward to exploring the reserve a bit more thoroughly next time.

 

[geoffw1946]

A nice selection of birds about today including the pair of Garganey on JWs.
Waders included Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, LRP, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank and 2 Dunlin. 4 Mediterranean Gull, a tern was asleep on JWs
maybe the Artic reported earlier? 1 Swift, 2 Jay, 8 species of warbler were singing including Gropper, 4 Yellow Wagtail and 2 White Wagtail on JWs.
The April list stands at 103 so far, March finished on 105.

 

[geoffw1946]

A possible Goshawk was flying high then headed towards Drayton Manor, a Water Rail was calling at the new reedbed, Avocet numbers had risen to 6, other waders included 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpiper and 7 Dunlin. 4 Mediterranean Gull were still around with 2 Common Tern.

 

[SteveAtkinson]

A possible Goshawk was flying high then headed towards Drayton Manor, a Water Rail was calling at the new reedbed, Avocet numbers had risen to 6, other waders included 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpiper and 7 Dunlin. 4 Mediterranean Gull were still around with 2 Common Tern.

All I can add is the pair of Garganey who made a brief appearance on the west scrape late afternoon plus a LRP and 3 Ringed Plover on JWs. I was on a flying visit so didn't get up to the North Pit but I did see 5 Avocet together on the east scrape so I wondered if there might be more.
A Pied Flycatcher had been reported in the woods near the Silt Pool but neither Katie or I could find it.

All the best
Steve

 

[Dick-E-Dipper]

Steve

We spent most of late morning, to about 2.45 looking foe the Garganies to no avail. Quite a few other birders said that they had`t seen them either. We were looking on the north of JW. Where is the "West Scrape"?

To add to the sightings, around 2pm around 20 House Martins, 12 Swallows & 3 Swifts were flying over JW,
4 Cettis, many Whitethroats, chiffs and 1 Willow Warbler.

We met the couple who saw the Pied Fly, it was in the willows L/H side just before the Silt Pool viewing platform, (around 2.45pm)

Unfortunately we didnt see it!

Dick

 

[SteveAtkinson]

Dick,

The west scrape is the water in front of the canal (west) screen, admittedly not much of a scrape with the levels so high. The Garganey were there by the far bank at 4:15 for about 10mins, then I lost them. They were staying very close to the bank and I assume they went into the reeds.
I searched for the Pied Flycatcher on my way in (with Katie) and on my way out of the reserve exactly where you say but no sign of it.

Cheers

Steve

 

[geoffw1946]

Today a drake Garganey was on NP displaying to a female Teal. Waders included 6 Avocet, Ringed Plover, LRP, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpiper and 14 Dunlin. Also noted were 2 Med Gull and a Lesser Redpoll.