The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the three Lapwing chicks in front of the Morgan Hide. The adults moved the three young off the shell island to the next island where they will be less exposed. The young, one of which only hatched that morning, were encouraged by the parents to swim to the next island. The first two crossed fairly promptly but the third (probably the youngest) took more persuading but I understand it eventually crossed over! Also present was a Mute Swan brood of 6 small young and a Black-tailed Godwit. On the Loop of No.4 bed were a minimum of four and almost certainly five Pochard broods. Butterflies included 3 Painted Ladies and 8 Common Blues.

Gadwall drake in front of John Morgan hide

A wild “funny wabbit” on path by south screen

Common Whitethroat (f) from John Morgan hide

Little Grebe in front of John Morgan hide

Black-tailed Godwit in front of John Morgan hide

Common Pochard drake in front of John Morgan hide

Lapwing in flight, in front of John Morgan hide

Common Whitethroat on No.3

Black-necked Grebe (record shot) seen from south screen

An Emperor Dragonfly and several Four-spotted Chasers were on No.1 bed today together with numerous damselflies.

Photo of A Four-spotted Chaser

Whitethroat from the John Morgan Hide

Lapwing chicks on the shingle scrape

The drake Garganey, last seen on the 27th, was seen again this afternoon briefly as it crossed the channel from the south screen. The three Lapwing chicks survived their first night and had been led, in the afternoon, by the adults from the shingle scrape to the first scrape. Other sightings included 2 Black-tailed Godwits and 3 juvenile Black-necked Grebes.

One of yesterday’s Mediterranean Gulls bore a green darvic RE95. It was ringed as a pullus on 25/06/2015 at Lanchères,Maison de l’Oiseau, Somme, FRANCE. Since then it has been seen at: 18/09/2015 Querqueville, Manche, FRANCE 49,4N 1,42W 27/10/2015 Saltpans near Tavira, Algarve, PORTUGAL
05/08/2016 Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE
06/08/2016 Le Portel, Hub port, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 04/11/2016 Playa San Lorenzo, Gijón, Asturias, SPAIN
05/11/2016 Playa San Lorenzo, Gijón, Asturias, SPAIN 28/04/2017 Ottersaat, Oudeschild, Texel, Noord-Holland

Sightings today included 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Common Tern, 1 Black-tailed Godwit and a pair of 2nd summer Mediterranean Gulls. The highlight though was the hatching of the Lapwing chicks on the shingle in front of the John Morgan Hide. The first chick hatched at 09:00 and by 12:00 there were at least two, although they spent almost all the time hidden under the adult female. The male was busy harassing any gull or corvid which ventured onto the scrapes. The chicks were still present this evening being sheltered from the heavy rain by the female.

Well, a total of twelve hours spent produced a wide variety of sightings. Starting with Friday evening’s moth-trapping and bat-surveying, with a good bit of birding thrown in. Highlights of the evening were the bats, with: 14 Soprano Pipistrelles, 5 Common Pipistrelles, 2 Noctules and a possible Daubenton’s. They were joined by a Hobby, which, as last year, was trying to catch bats in the half-light. Then, home before 1.00 am for four hours sleep and back at 6.30 am, to check the moth-traps. A decent catch of moths for a cloudless night, then we found the seventh brood of Pochard so far this year, along with 3 Ruddy Ducks and the usual Black-necked Grebes, plus a single Black-tailed Godwit. Then, onto No.1 bed to confirm breeding by the Peregrines, which had at least one visible young at the nest and to do a short dragonfly survey, which produced: 17 Four-spotted Chasers, 1 Large Red Damselfly and scores of “blue” damselflies to go with the stunning male Banded Demoiselle we’d found earlier on No.3 bed. The best, though, was saved for last, when, after lunch on No.3 bed, a thunder storm brought in a Common Tern and David Spencer found a drake Garganey in front of the South Screen.

Photo of the Banded Demoiselle Cheers David Bowman (with, at various times, David Spencer, George Dunbar, Alan Warford, Helen Wynn, Kelly Ainsworth, Diane Shepherd, Ashley Radford, Rebecca, Brian Baird and Les Jones)

This hoverfly is Eristalis intricarius. A quick ID feature can be seen - if you look at the second wing vein near the tip of the wing, it has a pronounced squiggle. This is characteristic of the Eristalini, (8 genera) and can save a lot of time wading through keys.

The wasp beetle, Clytus arietis. There are very few longhorn beetles found commonly in the northwest, most of them are insects of southern ancient forests. The wasp beetle has a fondness for Wisteria which probably helps it establish itself further north. The other longhorn which is beginning to become very common here is Agapanthia villosoviridescens - see sightings already submitted. Agapanthia larvae feed in thistle stems.

The malachite beetle Malachius bipustulatus.

The hoverfly Sphaerophoria scripta. Sphaerophoria are usually quite difficult to identify, requiring microscopic examination, but scripta is easy as it’s the only species whose abdomen is substantially longer than the wings - it protrudes when the wings are folded.

The Clouded Border, Lomaspilis marginata.

The cranefly Tipula oleracea. This is the cranefly most likely to be seen in spring. The very common species emerging in late summer is Tipula paludosa.

Oedemera nobilis, the “swollen-thighed flower beetle”. Only the males have the swollen thighs. Oedemera lurida is also present on the reserve, it’s slightly smaller and a more dullish green/bronze. And the males have normal thighs!

The nettle weevil Phyllobius pomaceus. There are a number of these metallic green weevils in the genera Phyllobius and Polydrusus. This species usually has a characteristic bluish tint. It’s much easier to identify at this time of year than in late summer when all the scales have worn off!

The click beetle Athous haemorrhoidalis. Probably the commonest British click beetle.

These elongated spiders are Tetragnatha species. This one is probably Tetragnatha extensa although a closer look would be needed to be sure - there are eight European species.

The Soldierfly Rhagio Scolopaceus. Very common on the reserve at present.

Peacock (Inachis io) No3 Bed

Pochard (Aythya farina) from the John Morgan Hide

Black-necked Grebe (podiceps nigricollis) south pool, No3 Bed

Black-necked Grebe (podiceps nigricollis) south pool, No3 Bed

An early start this morning, as we completed a breeding bird survey of No.2 bed. Totals of birds in song included: 2 Cetti’s Warblers, 2 Garden Warblers, 19 Chiffchaffs, 13 Blackcaps, 9 Whitethroats, 4 Willow Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 22 Wrens, 19 Robins, 7 Greenfinches, 7 Dunnocks, 4 Blackbirds, 5 Chaffinches, 4 Song Thrushes, 2 Goldfinches and 1 Linnet. We then checked out the breeding Peregrines on Thelwall Viaduct, where we located the female guarding the same nest-site as last year, presumably with young present. Then back onto No.3 bed for a few hours scanning for broods. It was pleasing to find a sixth Pochard brood, along with plenty of Black-necked Grebes. Highlight, though, was watching the male Peregrine from the breeding pair climb steeply to disrupt a passing flock of racing pigeons before stooping vertically to snatch one and hare off towards the Viaduct. Cheers David Bowman

A quiet morning on No.3 bed today, though it started well with a Cuckoo cruising over the reed bed. Mainly spent counting wildfowl broods and getting a feel for the number of visible Black-headed Gull nests around the bed. Most of the gull nests are within the cover of the reeds and we’re hoping to conduct a drone survey of the nests, for the first time, soon. Nevertheless, I still managed to find 83 nests visible from the perimeter of the bed, with 6 small young dotted around. Less pleasing was watching, for the first time this breeding season, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, catching and swallowing a well-grown Coot chick. Finished with an hour’s insect photography and a Little Ringed Plover in front of the Morgan Hide.

Cheers David Bowman

With migration now largely over, it was largely about checking for early broods of wildfowl on No.3 bed this morning. Most pleasing were the five early broods of Pochard (of 4, 5, 6, 8 and 3 young respectively.) In addition, at least 10 adult Black-necked Grebes, with 4 small young, were visible from the Morgan Hide. The three drake Ruddy Ducks were still sailing around bed looking unsuccessfully for mates, Coot broods must now be approaching double figures and perhaps less pleasingly, the exceptional numbers of Canada Goose young (with the large creche still holding about 40 chicks) were still very evident. Other birds of note were two Mediterranean Gulls, a soaring male Peregrine, 60 Swifts and about 70 hirundines, mainly Sand Martins.

The photo is of a fly sp. from No.3 bed

Cheers David

some Beetles from number 3 bed from top left Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis) Soldier Betle (Cantharis decipiens) Golden-bloomed Grey longhorn Beetle (Agapanthia villosoviridescens) Thick-Knee Flower Beetle (Oedemera nobilis)

Was also nice to meet Hazel and her husband

Longhorn Beetle (possibly Golden-bloomed Grey Longhorn - Agapanthia villosoviridescens )

Thanks to Keith G. for spotting this one !

Common Tern in front of Morgan Hide

Canada gosling showing plenty of attitude already as one grabs its sibling by the scruff of the neck !

School’s out ! Canada goslings

We met at 6.30 am this morning, in perfect spring weather, to conduct our second breeding wildfowl survey of the year, on No.3 bed at Woolston Eyes. Highlights were: 10 -12 adult Black-necked Grebes with 5 young and with, probably, some more females on nests ; 6 - 7 pairs of Little Grebe plus one small young; a few pairs of Great Crested Grebes, though with,as yet, no indication of breeding; 3 unattached drake Ruddy Ducks; 2 drake Teal which looked like they had sitting females nearby; good numbers of pairs of Tufted Ducks and Pochard, the latter with a brood of 5 already on the water; unprecedented numbers of Canada Goose young (the main creche held 42 young yesterday!); masses of Gadwall and a few Mallards. Other birds of interest were: 2 Common Terns which visited for the second successive day (we presume) but today one of them at least touched down briefly on the shell island before being led away to the north by its mate; a hunting male Peregrine away to the east and a Water Rail which showed briefly in the north-east corner.

Photo of one of thsi morning’s Common Terns Cheers David Bowman (with David Spencer, Brian Martin and Alan Warford)

An intermittent light drizzle this afternoon brought in two Common Terns to No.3 bed, with two more having been reported earlier in the day by David Spencer.

Photo of one of the terns

Cheers David Bowman

I had the same experience with the geese this afternoon Dave, not only on the way in but also on the way out of john Morgan hide I was blocked off down both paths !! I proceeded with caution to avoid a nasty nip. I must have looked funny with my arms up saying “easy guys , easy”!! They were very tetchy.

7 adult Canada Geese and 32 goslings were blocking the path to the Morgan Hide this morning!

During this morning’s heavy rain a Little Tern flew in and roosted on the shingle island, making occasional fishing forays. Unfortunately after half an hour, when the rain cleared, it flew off high Northwest. It had a yellow darvic ring on the left leg; initial thoughts are it originated from the Isle of Man.

A nice few hours on No.3 bed this afternoon, watching the comings and goings in front of the Morgan Hide. Two pairs of Black-necked Grebes were feeding young and the three Ruddy Ducks were still cruising the bed in the forlorn hope of finding a mate. A similar situation also seemed to apply to the second-summer Mediterranean Gull which was displaying to any Black-headed Gull which showed a passing interest. Heavy, mid-afternoon showers then brought down several hundred Swifts and hirundines, with an accompanying Hobby. The latter went rattling along the north bank before pitching into the trees, out of the rain.

Photo of a Great Crested Grebe

Cheers David Bowman

One of the pair of Mediterranean Gulls seen on 13th May was colour ringed. It originates from Hungary where it was ringed as a pullus in June 2013. Information provided by the Hungarian Bird Ringing Centre indicates it was next seen in November 2014 at Topsham, Devon. In 2016 there were a series of sightings in the Midlands and on 23 April 2017 it was recorded at Carsington Water. A map of the sightings can be seen at:

Click here to view the map of sightings of this gull…….

or cut and paste the link below into your browser

http://tringa.mme.hu:8080/mme/captures/map/NTU0Njg3Nw

Breeding is now in full swing and our first sighting, at 6.30 am this morning, from the screen on the south bank of No.3 bed, was of three male Ruddy Ducks on a collective hunt for a female, and a pair of Black-necked Grebes feeding one young. Subsequent sightings of interest included a fly-through Little Ringed Plover, a pair of Mediterranean Gulls which landed on the Morgan Hide scrape, a Garden Warbler which showed really well on the west bank, two Cetti’s Warblers in song, a cruising Peregrine Falcon, our first Pochard brood of the year and 150 Swifts, plus scores of hirundines feeding voraciously overhead.

The link is to a short video clip shows the Ruddy Ducks and Black-necked Grebes. https://youtu.be/WRofaozIc34

Cheers David Bowman (with David Spencer, Alan Warford, Diane Shepherd, Brian Baird and Dave Steel plus guests)

The warm sunshine has brought out the first of our damselflies this week,including a pair of Large Red Damselflies seen today on No.1 bed.

Another glorious spring day at Woolston. Garden Warblers were in song on both No.1 and No.2 beds. The Sand Martin colony on the canal held about 20 birds. I found five Mallard broods with a total of 40 young and Canada and Greylag broods were plentiful on No.3 bed where the male Ruddy Duck was showing well. Three pairs of Lapwing were present on No.3 bed and two on the Loop. The fields to the north of No.2 bed still had a pair of Little Ringed Plover and a singing Cetti’s warbler. Amongst the more common butterflies were my first Large White and Small Copper of the year. There was only one record of the latter species last year so hopefully its fortunes will improve! A worrying sighting was of 32 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the Loop of No.4 bed where broods of Mallard and Coot seem to have disappeared.

A Hornet was trapped in the John Morgan hide i took a few photos before letting it out, it was a treat for me as its the first ive seen, you dont realise how big they are till your up close

Grasshopper Warbler just past J Morgan hide 3.15 this afternoon

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba) from The John Morgan Hide

Red-eared terrapin(Trachemys scripta elegans) from the footbridge

So, as well as the two Kittiwakes reported from this morning (found by Bob Dickinson), its pleasing to report that our Black-necked Grebes now have at least three broods, with a minimum of 11 adults noted. This is early, compared with most years and they may be able to double-brood if the weather holds. Otherwise, it was nice to note a small hatch of six Azure Damselflies by the Footbridge onto No.3 bed.

Photo of an Azure Damselfly from this morning.

Cheers David Bowman( with Ashley Radford)

A wonderful, if cool, spring morning, with a record 76 species recorded from No.3 bed, with the addition of an always scarce House Sparrow from the entrance to No.4 bed. The day started well with an influx of Swifts, which accrued steadily over the morning till c.150 had passed through. Warbler highlights on the bed included: 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler,1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Cetti’s Warblers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 17 Reed Warblers, 14 Whitethroats, 8 Blackcaps, 8 Willow Warblers and 10 Chiffchaffs, Best sightings though, were of 3 Black Terns, which dropped in briefly to feed before climbing away to the east, 8 Whimbrels which slid silently eastward over the north bank and the second Cuckoo of the spring. Other regulars included a drake Ruddy Duck, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and the usual Black-necked Grebes. Overflying Siskin and a feeding Redwing were also interesting sightings, as was an early Black-headed Gull chick on one of the nesting rafts. The link is to a short video clip is of the Black Terns.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcE7r9jWHFY

Cheers David Bowman (with David Spencer, Alan Warford, Helen Wynn, George Dunbar, Jacob Spinks, Dave Steel and Brian Baird)

I started the day with a breeding wildfowl survey on No.4 bed and there was a good variety on the loop with a pair of Shoveler and a single male raising hopes that last year’s breeding might be repeated. A Common Sandpiper was at Latchford Locks and a colony of about 20 Sand Martins was on the south bank of the canal opposite No.1 bed. On No.1 bed a singing Skylark appeared to be on territory and a Hobby flew north from Butchersfield Tip. To the north of the river a pair of Little Ringed Plover was in the flooded fields and a Cetti’s Warbler, first seen last week, was still in song. An interesting sighting was a Holly Blue to the north of No.2 bed. About 35 white butterflies appeared to be mostly Green-veined Whites.

Photo of a Hoverfly from No.3 bed

Cheers David

Photo of Greylag Geese with brood from No.3 bed.

Cheers David

Flight shot of a pair of Mallards from yesterday on No.3 bed.

Cheers David

Photo of a Mute Swan in flight from yesterday on No.3 bed

Cheers David

Photo of a drake Pochard from No.3 bed yesterday.

Cheers David

Yesterday, during a blustery morning on No.3 bed, the gusty north-easterly winds seemed to be holding back migration. Despite this we managed to pick up three Whimbrels passing east and a Hobby moving in the opposite direction, along with the odd hirundine. Otherwise, breeding was in full swing, with new broods of Mallard and Coot, five broods of Greylag Goose and one of Canada Goose and the female of the Lapwing pair on the Morgan Hide scrape now sitting on a nest. The regular Great Black-backed Gull plus a few Lesser Black-backs were causing the usual consternation in the Black-headed Gull breeding colony, where scores of nest sites are now occupied.

Photo of a Great Black-backed Gull

Cheers David Bowman (with Alan Warford and David Spencer)

Two black terns still, best views this afternoon were from frank Linley hide and rotary hide. There was a grasshopper warbler reeling on the meadows, near a large bush by the path that cuts across the meadow from the toilet. Also an orange tip butterfly

Another shot!

One of the two Black Terns found by John Barber this evening

When the winds are in the east at this time of year and there’s a chance of rain, it’s tern weather! So, George Dunbar and I headed down to No.3 bed at 6.30 am this morning, hoping for a Black Tern or two. Terns are never common at Woolston, but the right weather conditions can usually be guaranteed to bring through a handful, whether Common, Arctic or Black. Imagine my surprise when, at 9.00 am, I picked up a large flock of birds moving east over the north bank of the bed, raised my binoculars and saw 47 Arctic Terns - an unprecedented count for us. Not since we had an arrival of 105 Black Terns, many years ago, have we had a better tern sighting. Despite much further scanning the only other birds of note were: 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 drake Ruddy Duck, a few Black-necked Grebes and a steady passage of all three hirundines.

Photo of a Lapwing

Cheers David Bowman (with George Dunbar, David Spencer, Brian Martin, Bert Lloyd and John Verdon)