Warwickshire Sightings 2016

Complied reports published in Birdwatching Magazine

Warwickshire January Sightings

Brandon Marsh:  Sightings included a Barnacle Goose, three Shelduck, 72 Wigeon, 17 Gadwall, 20 Shoveler, 41 Pochard, four Goldeneye, three Goosander, two Bitterns, two Little Egret, nine Water Rail, 70 Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Peregrine, Barn Owl and two Willow Tits.

Draycote: Records included six White-fronted Geese, a Brent Goose, 75 Wigeon, three Pintail, 190 Teal, seven Pochard, 280 Tufted Duck, Scaup, 65 Goldeneye, 20 Goosander, two Smew, up to three Great Northern Divers, two Little Egrets, Water Rail, 48 Little and 145 Great Crested Grebes, a Shag (1^st), 70 Golden Plover, 500 Lapwing, Dunlin and two Chiffchaffs, with up to 40 Tree Sparrows and 100 Yellowhammers at the feeders. The huge gull roost contained up to two Mediterranean, three Glaucous and four Yellow-legged as well as single Iceland and Caspian Gulls.

Earlswood Lakes: Sightings included five Wigeon, two Shoveler, a Mandarin, 24 Goosander, 94 Lapwing and the returning Caspian Gull.

Morton Bagot: There were five Wigeon, 63 Teal, two Shoveler, Peregrine, Little Egret, 40 Lapwing, two Green Sandpipers, five Snipe, Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Stonechat, Brambling, 98 Linnets and 137 Lesser Redpolls.

Salford Priors GP: There were sightings of a Pink-footed Goose (to 8th), three Shelduck, three Wigeon, 10 Gadwall, two Pintail, 80 Teal, five Shoveler, nine Pochard, 87 Tufted Duck, 11 Little Grebe, Merlin, two Peregrine, 650 Lapwing, three Jack Snipe, Redshank, seven Green Sandpipers, Yellow-legged Gull, Barn Owl and single wintering Blackcap and Chiffchaff. A flock of 1250 Lapwing were keeping company with 340 Golden Plover to the east of the village.

South-east: Wormleighton Res had five Wigeon, 22 Golden Plover, 570 Lapwing, Woodcock, Chiffchaff, two Willow Tit and 30 Tree Sparrows. A gull flock on pasture at Fenny Compton contained 1200 Common and 300 Herring Gulls, also two Woodcock were seen. Single Jack Snipe were at both Lighthorne Quarry and Priors Hardwick. A pair of Stonechats continued at Knightcote where there was also Barn Owl and Woodcock. A flock of 350 Linnets were at Hodnell, where 30 Wigeon, 27 Tufted Duck, Pochard, Peregrine and Water Rail were also noted. Two Bramblings were attracted to feeders in Avon Dassett. The first Red Kite of the year was at Radway and a flock of 3000 Starlings fed at Oxhill.

Tame Valley: Ladywalk highlights included 50 White-fronted Geese (17^th), six Shelduck, nine Goosander, a Great Northern Diver, two Bitterns, Great White Egret, Peregrine, Jack Snipe, two Woodcock, Green and Common Sandpipers, a Barn and two Short-eared Owls, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, two Blackcaps, a Siberian and four Common Chiffchaffs, Marsh and Willow Tits and two Bramblings. Sightings of one or two Barn and Short-eared Owls also came from Coleshill GP, Whitacre Heath, Lea Marston and in the Dosthill/Kingsbury area. Seven Chiffchaffs were at the Hams Hall outfall. Shustoke Res had a hybrid Scaup, three Red-crested Pochards, a Great Northern Diver and single Mediterranean and Iceland Gull (25^th). Fisher’s Mill had Pintail, Smew and a Mealy Redpoll. 43 Little Egrets were roosting in the valley. Further out, reports from Wishaw included a Merlin, 650 Golden Plover, 16 Grey Partridge, Short-eared Owl and 50 Meadow Pipits.

Other sites: A Whooper Swan visited Alvecote Pools (19^th), where six Goosander were present. Napton Res had ten Wigeon, eight Gadwall, three Shoveler, eight Pochard, 57 Tufted Duck, 2000 Common Gulls and a Chiffchaff. Up to 1000 Golden Plover, 400 Lapwing and 20 Corn Buntings were in the Charlecote area. Several Brambling were in a Shrewley garden and a Hawfinch reported from Wolford Wood.

February Sightings

Brandon Marsh:  Sightings included a Barnacle Goose, four Shelduck, 80 Wigeon, 11 Pochard, a Goldeneye, three Goosander, a Bittern, Little Egret, two Water Rail, 50 Lapwing, four Common Snipe, three Oystercatcher, Brambling, Cetti’s Warbler, Bearded Tit (14^th) and two Willow Tits.

Draycote: Records included six White-fronted Geese, a county record 51 Brent Geese (16^th), two Shelduck, 14 Wigeon, 10 Pintail, Shoveler, four Pochard, three Scaup, Common Scoter (26^th), 20 Goosander, two Smew, two Peregrine, Red Kite, Merlin, three Great Northern Divers, three Little Egrets, Water Rail, 250 Golden Plover, 750 Lapwing, Green Sandpiper, two Snipe, three Chiffchaffs, Brambling and up to 60 Tree Sparrows at the feeders. The gull roost contained a Mediterranean, three Glaucous and two Yellow-legged as well as single Iceland and Caspian Gulls.

Earlswood Lakes: Sightings included a Shelduck, 24 Tufted Duck, two Pochard, a Mandarin, 18 Goosander, Peregrine, 46 Golden Plover, Oystercatcher, Woodcock, Mediterranean Gull, Yellow-legged Gull and the returning Caspian Gull.

Morton Bagot: There were two Shelduck, 66 Teal, two Shoveler, 22 Lapwing, two Green Sandpipers, Redshank, three Snipe, Stonechat and 115 Lesser Redpolls. There were also sightings of all three common owls.

Salford Priors GP: There were seven Shelduck, 30 Gadwall, two Pintail, 58 Teal, 11 Shoveler, a Pochard, 126 Tufted Duck, a pair of Goosander, 15 Little Grebe, two Peregrine, two Oystercatcher, 211 Lapwing, nine Golden Plover, a Jack Snipe, ten Snipe, seven Green Sandpipers, Yellow-legged Gull, two Brambling and a Chiffchaff. Nearby Abbots Salford Pool attracted a Mandarin, six Wigeon, 29 Pochard, Water Rail, 60 Lapwing and 14 Golden Plover.

South-east: A pair of Gadwall at the Neal Trust Reserve was the first there since 1963. Two Water Rails were at Wormleighton Res, a Red Kite north of Wormleighton and a Merlin at Knightcote. A flock of 550 Lapwing and 190 Golden Plover ranged across the area between Hodnell and Wormleighton Res. Snipe included eight at Knightcote and 11 at Priors Hardwick, with Jack Snipe at the latter and Lighthorne Quarry. A Woodcock was at Neal Trust Reserve and a Curlew at Fenny Compton. Yellow-legged Gulls appeared at Fenny Compton and Priors Hardwick. All three common owls were active across the district, plus there were sightings of Short-eared Owls at Kineton, Knightcote and Priors Hardwick. Passerines included Stonechats at Fenny Compton and Knightcote (two), Chiffchaff all month at Wormleighton Res, Willow Tits at Neal Trust Reserve and Wormleighton Res, and flocks of 30 Tree Sparrows at Priors Hardwick and 27 Brambling at Avon Dassett.

Tame Valley:  Ladywalk NR highlights included two Shelduck, 200 Wigeon, 12 Goosander, Valley, up to three Bitterns, Water Rail, Oystercatcher, three Short-eared Owls, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, a Siberian and seven Common Chiffchaffs, and both Marsh and Willow Tits. Sightings of one or two Barn and Short-eared Owls also came from Coleshill GP, Whitacre Heath and Lea Marston. Shustoke Res had a Great Northern Diver, Oystercatcher and Mediterranean Gull, while Kingsbury WP recorded a Great White Egret (23^rd) and a Bittern amongst their highlights. A Red Kite was observed at Lea Marston.

Other sites: A Snow Bunting was found in a winter survival mix, however no further details are available at this time. A Whooper Swan (2^nd) and a Mediterranean Gull were seen at Alvecote Pools.

March Sightings

Alvecote Pools: A Whooper Swan, Avocet, seven Shelduck, four Goosander, Jack Snipe, 15 Snipe and a Willow Tit were noted.

Brandon Marsh: Sightings included a Barnacle Goose, five Shelduck, 37 Wigeon, six Pochard, three Pintail, a Bittern, two Little Egret, Great White Egret (17th), Water Rails, four Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Bittern, 15 Common Snipe, five Oystercatcher, two Kittiwake (5th), Glaucous Gull (21st), Cetti’s Warbler, Bearded Tit (25th) and Willow Tit.

Draycote Water: Records included two Whooper Swans, six White-fronted Geese, two Shelduck, 59 Wigeon, 12 Gadwall, 31 Teal, two Pintail, nine Shoveler, a Pochard, three Scaup, 50 Goldeneye, Garganey (28th), seven Goosander, Smew, Peregrine, Red Kite, three Great Northern Divers, Slavonian Grebe (31st), three Little Egrets, Water Rail, Avocet, two Oystercatcher, 50 Golden Plover, 200 Lapwing, Curlew, Woodcock, Dunlin, Redshank, three Rock Pipits, Wheatear, seven Chiffchaffs, Stonechat, Brambling and up to 50 Tree Sparrows at the feeders. A Kittiwake was observed on the 8th, whilst the gull roost contained two Mediterranean, two Caspian and four Yellow-legged Gulls as well as single Glaucous and Iceland Gulls.

Earlswood Lakes: Sightings included, two Shoveler, ten Goosander, Red Kite, Oystercatcher, Redshank, two Black-tailed Godwits, a Whimbrel (20th), Water Rail, Yellow-legged Gull, a Brambling and two Stonechat.

Morton Bagot: There were 55 Teal, two Oystercatchers, 138 Golden Plover, three Dunlin, Curlew, 16 Snipe, two Redshank,three Green Sandpipers, two Wheatear, Stonechat and an exceptional peak of 225 Lesser Redpolls.

Salford Priors GP: Records included six Shelduck, four Wigeon, 30 Gadwall, 72 Teal, 20 Shoveler, nine Pochard, 116 Tufted Duck, a pair of Mandarin, Little Egret, Water Rail, 15 Little Grebe, a Merlin, two Peregrine, two Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover (from 21st), a Jack Snipe, three Snipe, Redshank, Curlew, four Green Sandpipers, Rock Pipit (27th), White Wagtail, 15 Chiffchaff and a Firecrest (28^th). A Grey Partridge was nearby at Kingley.

South-east: Regular sightings of Red Kite came from both Edge Hill and Fenny Compton, with the latter also having a passage Merlin. There was a peak of 620 Golden Plover at Fenny Compton, with two Jack Snipe at both Lighthorne Quarry and Priors Hardwick, and both sites holding up to 15 Snipe. Two Short-eared Owls were at Priors Hardwick and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Avon Dassett. Two Stonechats remained at Knightcote. Early migrants included White Wagtail at Fenny Compton (25th), Yellow Wagtail at Wormleighton Res (29th) and two Tree Pipits at Lighthorne Quarry (31st). Up to 40 Tree Sparrows were at Wormleighton Res, a Mealy Redpoll at Lighthorne Quarry (31st), while an Avon Dassett garden attracted up to 20 Siskins and ten Bramblings to the feeders.

Tame Valley: Ladywalk NR highlights included two Shelduck, 40 Wigeon, three Bitterns, Water Rail, Oystercatcher, Green Sandpiper, Great White Egret (19th), three Little Egret, Dunlin, three Redshank, Ringed Plover, two Curlew, 14 Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit (29th), two Short-eared Owls, a Siberian and seven Common Chiffchaffs, and both Marsh and Willow Tits.

A Great White Egret was observed at Lea Marston. Wishaw reported a Wheatear, 30 Golden Plover and a Stonechat.

April Sightings

Highlights: Three Bean Geese were at Draycote and Grandborough (17th), a Great White Egret was at Alvecote Pools (9th) and single Great Grey Shrikes were at Brailes Hill (18th) and Edge Hill (23rd-26th).

Alvecote Pools: Reports came of two Pink-footed Geese (17th), Egyptian Goose, four Goosander, two Little Egret, two Grey Partridge, Osprey, Marsh Harrier (7th), two Hobby, Jack Snipe, Whimbrel (24th), Redshank, two Common Sandpiper, Arctic and Common Terns, Redstart, Whinchat, Wheatear, Grasshopper Warbler and Brambling.

Brandon Marsh: Sightings included five Shelduck, ten Gadwall, 16 Teal, 40 Shoveler, three Pintail, Osprey, Red Kite, Hen Harrier (26th), Bittern, Little Egret, five Oystercatcher, two Little Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, six Snipe, four Dunlin, five Redshank, four Green and two Common Sandpipers, six Little Gulls (11th), Mediterranean Gull, two Common Terns, three Cuckoos, Grasshopper and Cetti’s Warblers, Wood Warbler (21st-22nd), Redstart, Whinchat and Willow Tit.

Draycote Water: Reports during the month included maxima of 11 Shelduck, 59 Wigeon, four Gadwall, 16 Teal, three Shoveler, a Scaup, 270 Tufted Duck, two Common Scoter (15th), 14 Goldeneye, Osprey, Red Kite, a Great Northern Diver (to 17th), Slavonian Grebe (4th-12th), four Little Egret, six Oystercatcher, Little Ringed and Ringed Plovers, up to five Whimbrel, Curlew, five Dunlin, two Redshank, Greenshank, six Common Sandpiper, two Mediterranean Gulls, a peak of 28 Little Gulls (11th), two Yellow-legged Gulls, two different Iceland Gulls (5th and 8th), a peak of 39 Arctic (23rd) and a few Common Terns, 18 Ravens, Grasshopper Warbler, Wood Warbler (27th), Willow Tit, Whinchat, four Wheatear, up to 34 Yellow and seven White Wagtails, and 20 Tree Sparrows.

Earlswood Lakes: Highlights included Osprey, Peregrine, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, three Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Little Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, two Sandwich Terns (13th), up to 21 Arctic (26th) and many Common Terns (from 2nd), Cuckoo, Wood Warbler (14th), Pied Flycatcher (26th), Redstart, two Wheatear, two Yellow Wagtails and a Brambling.

Morton Bagot: There were two Shelduck, two Gadwall, 33 Teal, two Goosander, Red Kite, Peregrine, two Little Ringed Plover, three Curlew, four Snipe, two Redshank, four Green Sandpipers, Cuckoo, two Redstarts, three Wheatear, two Whinchat, Yellow Wagtails and four Water Pipits (16th) around the flash pools.

Salford Priors GP: A good month produced a Brent Goose (23rd), six Shelduck, 38 Gadwall, 57 Teal, 20 Shoveler, a Pochard, 118 Tufted Duck, two Red Kites, Marsh Harrier (7th), two Peregrines, Hobby, Merlin (24th), Water Rail, 18 Little Grebe, three Great Crested Grebes, a Black-necked Grebe (23rd), two Oystercatcher, two Avocets (8th), a Ringed and six Little Ringed Plovers, 25 Golden Plover, Jack Snipe, Curlew, Whimbrel (23rd-24th), Redshank, four Green and seven Common Sandpipers, Cuckoo, two Whinchat, six Wheatear, a Ring Ouzel (28th), and both White and Yellow Wagtails. Abbots Salford Pool nearby had Red Kite, Redstart and White Wagtail.

South-east: A county record flock of up to 58 Ravens were present at Priors Hardwick all month, while Peregrine, Curlew, two Whimbrel (23rd), Jack Snipe, eight Snipe, Redstart, Whinchat, Wheatear and a Ring Ouzel (2nd) were also noted. Fenny Compton had sightings of Hobby, Woodcock, Whimbrel (16th), with single Ring Ouzels (7th and 16th), up to three Wheatear and Grasshopper Warbler on the hills there. Wormleighton Res attracted Peregrine, Little Ringed Plover, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Redstart and a singing Firecrest (26th), with Grasshopper Warblers near the village and at Lighthorne Quarry, which also attracted Whinchat. The Short-eared Owl remained all month at Knightcote. Yellow Wagtails were back in fair numbers at their various breeding sites, while Red Kites, Grey Partridges and Willow Tits were present at several locations in the area.

Tame Valley: Ladywalk NR had 4 Shelduck, seven Wigeon, 30 Gadwall, 51 Teal, 61 Shoveler, 13 Goosander, three Little Egret, Osprey, Red Kite, two Oystercatcher, one Ringed and three Little Ringed Plover, two Dunlin, four Snipe, Whimbrel (18th), two Redshank, one Green and four Common Sandpipers, Cuckoo, two Willow Tit, five Cetti’s Warbler, Wood Warbler (27th), Pied Flycatcher (30th), Spotted Flycatcher, two Redstarts and White Wagtail. Shustoke Res held a Common Scoter (15th), 20 Goosander, a Black-necked Grebe (13th-15th), Osprey, Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers, two Common Sandpiper, up to six Little Gulls, single Kittiwakes (7th and 12th), up to 38 Common and four Arctic Terns, Redstart, Wheatear and Brambling. In the Kingsbury/Middleton area there was a pair of Garganey (23rd), 13 Little Egret, Osprey, Arctic and 12 Common Terns, Cuckoo, Grasshopper Warbler, Pied Flycatcher (27th), Redstart, Wheatear, nine Yellow Wagtails and a Brambling.

Elsewhere a Little Gull was at Coton, three Wheatear and four White Wagtails at Marston Fields GP, while Wishaw had an Osprey, Merlin (22nd) and up to seven Wheatears.

Warwick Racecourse: Sightings included Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Common and Green Sandpipers, Cuckoo, two Ring Ouzels (13th), Redstart, two Wheatears and a Yellow Wagtail.

Charlecote: There were Grey Partridge, Red Kite, Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Cuckoo, two Ring Ouzels (14^th) and four Wheatears.

Other Sites: Early Hobbies were seen at both Crimscote and Pillerton Priors on 3rd. Several Redstarts were noted at both Napton Hill and Res. Ring Ouzels were at both Mancetter Quarry (12th-14th) and Hurley (18th), with the former also attracting both Redstart and Wheatear. Wood Warblers were at both Hartshill and Ryton Wood towards the end of the month.

May Sightings

Highlights: Two White-winged Black Terns stayed at Draycote (9^th-12^th). A Glossy Ibis was at Ladywalk (12^th) and over Fisher’s Mill (22^nd). A Great White Egret was over Kingsbury (19^th) and a Temminck’s Stint at Brandon (14^th).

Brandon Marsh: Sightings included three Shelduck, Garganey (12^th), Pochard, Osprey, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier (11^th and 23^rd), Hobby, Bittern, Little Egret, Water Rail, four Oystercatcher, Avocet (17^th and 21^st), four Little Ringed and six Ringed Plovers, two Grey Plover, Knot, two Dunlin, two Ruff, three Redshank, Greenshank, three Turnstone, two Common Sandpipers, six Black and 50 Common Terns (10^th), two Cuckoos, Grasshopper Warbler, two Whinchats, White Wagtail and Willow Tit.

Draycote Water: Reports during the month included two Goldeneye, Red Kite, two Hobby, Little Egret, six Oystercatcher, ten Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Knot, two Sanderling, four Dunlin, three Whimbrel, seven Redshank, 15 Greenshank, 15 Common Sandpiper, four Turnstone, maxima of 20 Common, 11 Arctic and 29 Black Terns, Little Tern (11^th), Cuckoo, two Wheatear, two Spotted Flycatcher, Grasshopper Warbler, 20 Yellow and four White Wagtails, and six Tree Sparrows.

Earlswood Lakes: Highlights included Red Kite, Hobby, Oystercatcher, seven Common Sandpiper, single Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls, up to 11 Arctic, one Black and 18 Common Terns, Cuckoo, Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart and several Yellow Wagtails.

Morton Bagot: There were four Shelduck, two Gadwall, Red Kite, Hobby, Peregrine, two Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, Redshank, Wood Sandpiper (6^th-11^th), Green Sandpiper (29^th), Cuckoo, a Redstart and up to four Wheatears.

Salford Priors GP: Sightings included six Shelduck, 28 Gadwall, Teal, two Shoveler, two Pochard, 103 Tufted Duck, a late Smew (10^th), up to three Goosander, Red Kite, Hobby, Peregrine, two Water Rail, 16 Little and three Great Crested Grebes, three Oystercatcher, two Avocets (7^th), two Ringed and six Little Ringed Plovers, two Golden Plover (1^st), single Whimbrel (1^st and 5^th), two Dunlin, six Turnstone, nine Common Sandpipers, Turtle Dove, Cuckoo, four Black Terns (10^th), five Common Tern, Short-eared Owl, Grasshopper Warbler and three Yellow Wagtails.  Abbots Salford Pool nearby had a Mandarin and three Cuckoo, and a Corn Bunting was at Bidford.

South-east: A Ring Ouzel (2^nd) and up to three Wheatears were on the Fenny Compton Hills. A Wood Warbler and the first Spotted Flycatcher were in Wormleighton village (4^th), with many of the latter arriving (8^th). Whinchats were noted at Tysoe and Wormleighton, with Grasshopper Warblers at Knightcote and Lighthorne Quarry. The Short-eared Owl was last seen at Knightcote (2^nd). Red Kites were seen regularly across the district.

Tame Valley: Ladywalk NR had up to five Wigeon, eight Teal, a Garganey, three Pochard and four Goosander, with three broods of Gadwall and one of Shoveler hatching. Also on the reserve were three Little Egret, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier (26^th), two Oystercatcher, Ringed and three Little Ringed Plover, Whimbrel, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Dunlin, Redshank, two Common Sandpipers, five Cuckoos, a Pied Flycatcher (1^st), Spotted Flycatcher, two Grasshopper Warblers and a White Wagtail. Nearby Shustoke Res produced a Red Kite, Hobby, Whimbrel, four Common Sandpiper, with 16 Common and five Black Terns. In the Kingsbury/Fisher’s Mill area there were reports of Mandarin, three Wigeon, Garganey, five Pochard, Goosander, Bittern, five Little Egret, Hobby, two Avocet, Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, four Dunlin, Greenshank and Black Tern. Nearby Dosthill Lake had a Black and two Arctic Terns, with a late Short-eared Owl at the end of the month. A Pied Flycatcher was singing at Middleton Hall (3^rd-4^th).

Charlecote: There were a Hobby and Whinchat recorded.

Other Sites: Alvecote Pools held two Hobby, a Grey Plover and four Redshank. Wishaw attracted up to nine Wheatear and singing Corn Bunting.