Wyver Lane Nature Reserve (DWT) (1 Viewer)

[DaveN]

Fair enough but I've always gone with true hybrid ducks being ducks with 2 clearly different parents. I.E Mallard/Wigeon, Mallard/Gadwall etc and the recent Scaup/Tuftie at Carsington.

In my eyes a lot of these dodgy looking Mallard types aren't hybrids as both parents are from Mallard origin.

There are certainly some large fish in the main pool. The ducklings have enough to contend with with Herons, Corvids, and maybe Mink and Otter never mind Pike. And talking of young, Coots had young on the top pool as of Wednesday.

 

[DaveN]

A pair of Common Terns down Wyver this afternoon. One bird is ringed and looks like the same bird that's been coming since 2012. If only they would stay and breed. A pair of Redstarts nest building up near the woods.

Pair of Greylags with 8 fresh young. 7 Gadwall, 4 Mandarin, drake Teal and 8 Tufteds. The domestic type Mallard still has 7 young. Pair of Coots on the top pool with a healthy 7 young.

Only saw the one Oystercatcher but I presume the female was sitting just out of sight. There's 3 BH Gull nests on the raft. 29 birds in total and a 1st s Common Gull.

At least 2 Sedge Warblers on site, together with a Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaffs and 3 Blackcaps.

Other bits include 3 Stock Doves, Green Woodpecker, 4 Lapwings, Snipe, 6 Swallows, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and 3 Reed Buntings.

 

[DaveN]

Here is the latest Wyver Lane bird list in its entirety with all dates correct as of today. If anybody knows of any errors then please let me know.


1. Great Crested Grebe (20/06/2013). 2. Little Grebe (31/03/2014). 3. Red-necked Grebe (05/12/1993). 4. Slavonian Grebe (05/04/1985). 5. Black-necked Grebe (13/05/1988). 6. Cormorant. 7. Grey Heron. 8. Bittern (11/04/2013). 9. Little Egret (06/10/2013). 10. Great White Egret (25/11/2012). 11. Mute Swan. 12. Whooper Swan (28/02/2014). 13. Bewick's Swan (14/11/2011). 14. Black Swan (17/01/2006). 15. Barnacle Goose (10/05/2011). 16. Pink-footed Goose (31/03/2014). 17. Bean Goose (26/03/1990). 18. Egyptian Goose (13/06/2013). 19. Garganey (02/08/2010). 20. Pintail (29/03/2011). 21. Shelduck. 22. Mandarin. 23. Gadwall. 24. Mallard. 25. Teal. 26. Wigeon. 27. Shoveler. 28 (Greater) Scaup ( 1 at River Gardens on 17/02/1963). 29. Tufted Duck. 30. Pochard. 31. Ruddy Duck (29/04/2006). 32. Goosander. 33. Smew (19/02/2006). 34. Goldeneye. 35. Common Scoter ( 22/04/1987). 36. Common Crane (03/04/2006). 37. Coot. 38. Moorhen. 39. Water Rail (10/04/2014). 40. Pheasant. 41. Quail (29/06/1985). 42. Grey Partridge (08/07/1992). 43. Red-legged Partridge (07/04/2012). 44. Rough-legged Buzzard (spring 85). 45. Common Buzzard. 46. Goshawk (10/10/2010). 47. Sparrowhawk. 48 Marsh Harrier (09/04/2013). 49. Red Kite (12/04/2014). 50. Osprey (05/06/2012). 51. Peregrine. 52. Hobby. 53. Merlin (30/12/2009). 54. Kestrel. 55. Lapwing. 56. Golden Plover (22/11/2011). 57. Oystercatcher. 58. Avocet (15/03/2011). 59. Ringed Plover (07/09/2011). 60. Little Ringed Plover (13/09/2011). 61. Turnstone (30/04/1980). 62. Whimbrel (24/08/2013). 63. Curlew. 64. Black-tailed Godwit (01/10/2013). 65. Common Sandpiper (13/04/2014). 66. Wood Sandpiper (13/05/2008). 67. Green Sandpiper (03/07/2013) 68. Woodcock (13/11/2012). 69. Snipe. 70. Jack Snipe (11/10/2013). 71. Ruff (03/08/2010). 72. Dunlin (31/07/2013). 73. Pectoral Sandpiper (20/09/2003). 74. Little Stint (27/09/1998). 75. Knot (29/09/1985). 76. Redshank (15/03/2011). 77. Spotted Redshank (24/08/2005). 78. Greenshank (09/08/2013). 79. Grey Phalarope (1 at River Gardens 11/10/1981). 80. Kittiwake (04/04/2014). 81. Great Black Backed Gull. 82. Glaucous Gull (19/03/1977). 83. Iceland Gull (21/12/1976). 84. Yellow-legged Gull (22/07/2013). 85. Herring Gull (20/03/2014). 86. Lesser Black Backed Gull. 87. Common Gull. 88. Black-headed Gull. 89. Ring-billed Gull (30/11/2004). 90. Little Gull (02/04/2014). 91. Mediterranean Gull (04/10/2006). 92. Black Tern (no date). 93. Arctic Tern (20/04/2014). 94. Common Tern (29/04/2014). 95. Sandwich Tern (28/09/2011). 96. Stonechat. 97. Whinchat (20/08/2013). 98. Firecrest (19/03/1993). 99. Goldcrest. 100. Stock Dove. 101. Wood Pigeon. 102. Collared Dove. 103. Turtle Dove (09/05/1987). 104. Ring-necked Parakeet. 105. Cuckoo (13/05/2011). 106. Barn Owl (30/03/2013). 107. Little Owl. 108. Tawny Owl. 109. Long-eared Owl (this species or Short-eared Owl on 05/02/1986). 110. Swift. 111. Kingfisher. 112. Wryneck (26/08/1983). 113. Green Woodpecker. 114. Great Spotted Woodpecker. 115. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (16/04/2004). 116. Skylark. 117. Sand Martin. 118. Swallow. 119. House Martin, 120. Tree Pipit (18/08/2010). 121. Meadow Pipit. 122. Rock Pipit (18/10/2012). 123. Yellow Wagtail (14/04/2013). 124. Grey Wagtail. 125. Pied Wagtail. 126. Waxwing (25/02/2013). 127. Dipper (05/03/2000). 128. Wren. 129. Dunnock. 130. Robin. 131. Redstart (29/04/2014). 132. Wheatear (02/04/2011). 133. Blackbird. 134. Ring Ouzel (29/04/2012). 135. Fieldfare. 136. Redwing. 137 Song Thrush. 138. Mistle Thrush. 139. Grasshopper Warbler (22/04/2014). 140. Sedge Warbler. 141. Reed Warbler (01/07/2013). 142. Lesser Whitethroat. 143. Common Whitethroat. 144. Garden Warbler. 145. Blackcap. 146. Wood Warbler (18/04/2014). 147. Chiffchaff. 148. Willow Warbler. 149. Spotted Flycatcher (19/08/2013). 150. Pied Flycatcher (02/07/2013). 151. Long-tailed Tit. 152. Willow Tit (02/07/2013). 153. Coal Tit. 154. Great Tit. 155. Blue Tit. 156. Nuthatch. 157. Treecreeper. 158. Jay. 159. Magpie. 160. Rook. 161. Jackdaw. 162. Carrion Crow. 163. Raven (27/03/2014). 164. Starling. 165. House Sparrow (21/03/2005). 166. Tree Sparrow (11/08/1990). 167. Chaffinch. 168. Brambling (20/04/2014). 169. Greenfinch. 170. Goldfinch. 171. Siskin. 172. Linnet. 173. Lesser Redpoll. 174. Common Crossbill (19/10/2013). 175. Bullfinch. 176. Hawfinch (05/10/1985). 177. Yellowhammer (30/10/2012). 178. Reed Bunting. 179. Spotted Crake (02/09/2013). 180. Water Pipit (18/09/2013). 181. Escaped Waxbill sp (25/08/1976). 182. Escaped Cape Shelduck (27/09/2011).

 

[DaveN]

On Tuesday Chris and myself did the spring alldayer at Wyver. It really was hard work this year (I guess it always is) and we only managed 48 species. There wasn't really any stand out highlights but we did get some decent counts of some common birds. Here's the list with counts in brackets.

1. Greylag Goose ( 61 Inc 29 young). 2. Canada Goose ( 4 broods of 1, 2, 3 & 6. 3. Mallard. 4. Gadwall (8). 5. Mandarin (4). 6. Pheasant (2). 7. Cormorant (1). 8. Grey Heron (1). 9. Buzzard (2). 10. Kestrel (2). 11. Sparrowhawk (1). 12. Moorhen (11 Inc pr with 5 fresh young). 13. Coot (16 inc pr with 5 young). 14. Oystercatcher (2). 15. Lapwing (3). 16. BH Gull (26). 17. Stock Dove (3). 18. Wood Pigeon. 19. Swift (2). 20. Green Woodpecker (1). 21. Great Spotted Woodpecker (1). 22. Sand Martin (3). 23. House Martin (25). 24. Swallow (2). 25. Pied Wagtail (1). 26. Dunnock (3). 27. Robin (11). 28. Redstart (1). 29. Song Thrush (2). 30. Mistle Thrush (1). 31. Blackbird (7). 32. Blackcap (5). 33. Whitethroat (8). 34. Sedge Warbler (7). 35. Chiffchaff (9). 36. Wren (17. 37. Great Tit (9). 38. Coal Tit (4). 39. Blue Tit (8). 40. Long-tailed Tit (3). 41. Nuthatch (1). 42. Magpie (4). 43. Jackdaw. 44. Rook (2). 45. Carrion Crow. 46. Chaffinch (15). 47. Goldfinch. 48. Reed Bunting (8).

 

[Daniel Martin]

Constant rain this morning so fsr, so only viewed from the portable hide (!), loads of Hirundines feeding low over the water and also at the river gardens. Counting was near impossible but when they went up with potential predators present I estimated 200-250 birds. 3 Lapwing.
Geese were grazing the fields and duck present included 5 Tufties and 2 pairs Gadwall.
Reed Bunt and Sedge singing but awful conditions meant little else doing.
Carr Vales had some decent passage this morn but its avoided us so far.......

 

[Daniel Martin]

......a very brief break and sun meant a walk to the mound, adding 2 drake Mandarin, cormorant, oystercatcher, Chiffchaff, blackcap and garden warbler, 1 Common Tern dropped briefly but circled high and out of sight, Green Woodpecker. Raining hard again now.

 

[DaveN]

......a very brief break and sun meant a walk to the mound, adding 2 drake Mandarin, cormorant, oystercatcher, Chiffchaff, blackcap and garden warbler, 1 Common Tern dropped briefly but circled high and out of sight, Green Woodpecker. Raining hard again now.

Nice one, Dan. The Garden Warbler is the first this year.

 

[Daniel Martin]

There was one on 26th above mate, Paul Higham had it too near the car.
Did you get text?

 

[DaveN]

There was one on 26th above mate, Paul Higham had it too near the car.
Did you get text?

Ahh yes, I'd forgotten that.

 

[Daniel Martin]

Just giving blood but plan to go back later as it looks good today.

 

[DaveN]

A few bits down Wyver today. The pair of Oycs have one young. I suspected on Thursday they might have as both adults were away from the nest. And judging by the size of the chick I would say it was at least a few days old. It's a little bit earlier than last year as young in 2013 wasn't seen until May 21st.

Also one of the three pairs of BH Gulls on the raft have one young. The pair of Moorhens with 5 young were nowhere to be seen. There was a pair nest building around 18" off the ground in a willow so possibly the same pair that has lost all 5.

There were 8 Gadwall and 2 Tufted Ducks on the main pool. A Grey Heron patrolling the pool edge. 5 Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks and a Kestrel.

c60 House Martins feeding over the main pool during a spell of heavy rain. Also 20 Swallows and 4 Swifts. 7 Chiffchaffs, 7 Blackcaps, 3 Sedge Warblers and 3 Whitethroats. A couple of Stock Doves, both Great Spot and Green Woodpeckers and a Raven.

 

[Daniel Martin]

The Black Heads have two young today at Wyver with 2 pairs still incubating.
Popped down tonight with Richard and also had 2 C Terns all evening, the Oycs with 1 young, 10 Tufties inc 8 drakes, 2 drake and a female Mandarin, 3 pair Gadwall, 2 Sedge W, 2 Whitethroat, a few hirundines about with 3 Swifts, Green Pecker, several LBB over and just as we were leaving a pair of Shelduck dropped in at dusk. I wonder where they are from?

 

[DaveN]

A Red Kite down Wyver this afternoon before drifting off south. 5 Gadwall and 7 Tufteds on the main pool. 2 female Mallards both with 7 young. Pair of Moorhens with 3 young are probably the pair that had 5.

The Oycs still with their chick. BH Gulls on the raft still with their 2 chicks. A few Swallows and House Martins and singles of both Sand Martin and Swift. 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Sedge and a Whitethroat.

 

[DaveN]

A flying visit to Wyver this evening didn't produce a great deal. 2 Shelduck, 3 Gadwall and 3 Tufteds on the main pool. The 2 BH Gull chicks on the raft are now quite big. Another one of the pairs on there have produced a chick.

 

[DaveN]

A damp, dreary, dismal, dull, dank and depressing morning down Wyver this morning. Even more depressing when I realised that the pair of Oycs had lost their chick. It would have been over 2 weeks old now, so quite big and I suspect it might be weather related as opposed to predation. Afterall, it has been wet and miserable for a good few days now and must be hard on those young exposed to the elements when they aren't that waterproof.

Anyway, on a lighter note there was 5 Gadwall and a drake Tuftie on the main pool. Hopefully some Gadwall young will be appearing soon. There are 5 BH Gull chicks on the raft. 2 from one pair that are 16 days old and quite large and 3 smaller ones from from the other couple of pairs.


At least 50 House Martins were feeding over the main pool with a few Swallows and Swifts. Despite the weather there was still a few Warblers in song. Sedge (3), Whitethroat (2), Blackcap and Chiffchaff.

One highlight was a female Pheasant with 10 tiny chicks. She looked as miserable as me but was doing a good job in keeping them dry.

 

[DaveN]

A Reed Warbler singing near the hide this morning is the first of the year. I don't know what it is with Wyver but I often get one in early June and often in the hedgerow near the hide as opposed to around the pool.

2 Shelduck, 6 Gadwall and 8 Tufteds on the main pool. A female Mallard with 8 fresh chicks. 2 Grey Herons and the 2 ad Oystercatchers still.

2 Redstarts up near the woods. I could see a male at distance from the mound and another was calling nearby. I got the impression that there were young being fed. Still 5 BH Gull chicks on the raft inc 2 well grown.

A good flock of 23 Long-tailed Tits working their way up and down the lane. I presume several family groups.

 

[DaveN]

No sign of the Reed Warbler today so it was as I suspected a one day bird. There was 9 Gadwall, 9 Tufted Ducks and a female Mallard with 8 small chicks on the main pool.

The 2 oldest BH Gull chicks have left the raft and had several brief flights around the pool. Not bad for just 23 days old. 11 immature Lessers dropped in but they were given absolute hell from the BHG's and quickly left.

The female Peregrine from the mill flew over the main pool towards the mill with pigeon prey.

The resident pr of Oycs were joined by a 2nd pair. Male and female Redstart near Wyver Woods. I'm certain there were juvs around although I didn't see any.

At least 4 juv Robins on the lane. Other young birds inc Reed Bunting, Great Tit, Treecreeper and Chiffchaff.

 

[DaveN]

A flying visit with Chris on Saturday morning produced a Shelduck, an unseasonal female Teal and a Common Tern.

 

[DaveN]

The female Teal was nowhere to be seen today but a drake had taken her place. There was also 6 Gadwall, female Mandarin and 8 Tufteds. 73 Canada Geese inc 57 young. The 2 Oycs still, along with 13 Lapwings. 33 BH Gulls inc the 5 young and a Kingfisher which is my first here this year.

 

[DaveN]

For the 3rd year in a row Gadwall have once again bred down Wyver with the emergence of a female with 10 young on the main pool. Presuming it's the same female she also had 10 young last year and managed to keep all 10. So hopefully a similar scenario this year. The year before she had 9 but ended up with 5. In 2012 the young appeared on June 9th, last year was July 6th, and today 2014

In the log book for yesterday is a record of 3 Gadwall chicks. It is possible to have another female somewhere but we were down for a while today and only saw the female with 10. We did however see a female Mallard with 3 fairly fresh young. As well as the female with 10 chicks there were 5 adults so a total of 16 Gadwall is a site record.

Another surprise today was the pair of Mute Swans with 4 cygnets. I'm not sure where they bred because they originally built a nest on the main pool but then abandoned. They started to build again on the top pool but once again abandoned. They then disappeared until today so they must have been nearby.

Other bits of note was 4 Teal, 6 Tufted Ducks, 2 Oystercatchers, 25 Lapwings, Sparrowhawk with prey, male Kestrel and a Common Tern.