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Blackburn Meadows NR  -  Data provided by Kevin Bower unless otherwise stated.


Monday 15th November 2004
Wigeon - 11; Lapwing - 22; Green Sandpiper - 1; Snipe - 4; Herring Gull - 2; Green Woodpecker - 1; Woodpigeon - 80+ west; Kestrel - 1; Lesser Black-backed  Gull - 1; Goldcrest - 1; Bullfinch - 4.

Wednesday 22nd September 2004
Little Grebe - 5 (3 juvs); Grey heron - 2; Cormorant - 2 NE; Teal - 5; Mallard - 3; Coot - 7; Moorhen - 3; Snipe - 1; Jay - 1; Swift - 1; House Martin - 14; Meadow Pipit - 38 SW; Chiffchaff - 4; Blackcap - 1; Dunnock - 6; Robin - 3; Willow Tit - 1; Long-tailed Tit - 9; Great Tit - 4; Blue Tit - 9; Goldcrest - 1; Siskin - 1 NW; Bullfinch - 6; Goldfinch - 7; Chaffinch - 7; Reed Bunting - 4.

Wednesday 15th September 2004
Teal - 8; Mallard - 3; Little Grebe - 5; Grey Heron - 1; Coot - 9; Sparrowhawk - 1; Kestrel - 1; Kingfisher - 1; Whitethroat - 7; Chiffchaff - 4; Reed Warbler - 1; Meadow Pipit - 46 SW; Song Thrush - 1; Reed Bunting - 1.

Thursday 9th September 2004
Wigeon - 1 male; Little Grebe - 7; Coot - 12; Mallard - 4; Black-headed Gull - 60+; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 4; Sand Martin - 2 south; House Martin - 6; Whitethroat - 1; Blackcap - 2; Chiffchaff - 3; Willow Warbler - 6; Willow Tit - 1; Dunnock - 6; Robin - 4; Bullfinch - 2; Reed Bunting - 2.

Thursday 12th August 2004
Coot - 14; Little Grebe - 3 + 9 juvs; Grey Heron - 2; Cormorant - 3 west; Mallard -1; Green Sandpiper - 1; Swallow - 20+; House Martin - 30+; Kingfisher - 1; Kestrel - 2; Whitethroat - 10; Willow Warbler - 16; Blackcap - 12; Sedge Warbler - 4; Willow Tit - 2; Goldfinch - 30+; Bullfinch - 2; Linnet - 2.

Saturday 7th August 2004
Shoveler - 2; Little Grebe - 4 + 6 juvs; Coot - 10; Grey Heron - 2; Cormorant - 4 NE; Whitethroat - 30+; Blackcap - 11; Willow Warbler - 20+; Reed Warbler - 1; Goldfinch - 30+; Bullfinch - 7; Greenfinch - 12; Wren - 5; Willow Tit - 2.

Thursday 5th August 2004
Coot - 10; Grey Heron - 1; Little Grebe - 3 + 3 juvs; Green Sandpiper - 2; Ringed Plover - 1 juv; Lapwing - 1 juv; Whitethroat - 20+; Sedge Warbler - 1; Willow Warbler - 12; Chiffchaff - 3; Willow Tit - 1; Long-tailed Tit - 7; Greenfinch - 4; Goldfinch - 15; Reed Bunting 4.

Tuesday 20th July 2004
Cormorant - 1 NE; Little Grebe - 3 + 2 juvs; Green Sandpiper - 1; Lapwing - 1; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 36; Grey Wagtail - 2 juvs; Song Thrush - 4; Sedge Warbler - 3 singing males; Meadow Pipit - 1; Goldfinch - 20+; Linnet - 7; Reed Bunting 5.

Monday 12th July 2004
Cormorant - 1 NE; Little Grebe - 4 + 10 imm; Ringed Plover - 1; Common Tern - 2 west; Sand Martin - 1; Swift - 6; House Martin - 4; Reed Warbler - 3 singing males; Sedge Warbler - 1; Linnet - 1; Reed Bunting - 3 singing males.

Wednesday 30th June 2004
Mute Swan - 2; Coot - 6 + 8 juvs; Little Grebe - 2 + 2 juvs; Green Sandpiper - 1; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 40+ west; Swift - 30+; Swallow - 20+; House Martin - 20+; Whitethroat - 4; Sedge Warbler - 2; Blackcap - 2; Willow Warbler - 1; Chiffchaff - 2; Robin - 2; Dunnock - 4; Bullfinch - 1; Goldfinch - 6; Reed Bunting - 6.

Thursday 10th June 2004
Mute Swan - 2; Little grebe - 8 (including 3 juvs); Little Ringed Plover - 2; Lapwing - 3; Coot - 6 (including 2 on nests and 2 juvs); Moorhen - 1+; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 120+ west between 0550 and 0600h; Swift - 60+; Kestrel - 1; Jay - 1; Stock Dove - 2; Willow Warbler - 2 singing; Sedge Warbler - 2 singing; Reed Warbler - 4 singing; Whitethroat - 11 singing; Blackcap - 6 singing; Chiffchaff - 2 singing; Pied Wagtail - 2 juvs; Reed Bunting - 3 singing.

Thursday 3rd June 2004
Ruddy Duck - 3 males; Little Grebe - 2; Lapwing - 1 + 2 juvs; Mute Swan - 4, Swift - 60+; House Martin - 40+; Reed Warbler - 2 singing; Sedge Warbler - 1 singing; Willow Warbler - 2 singing; Whitethroat - 4 singing; Chiffchaff - 3 singing; Blackcap - 3 singing; Great Tit - a pair nesting in wall of hide; Chaffinch - 1 singing; Reed Bunting - 3 singing males.

Monday 24th May 2004
Ruddy Duck - 2 males; Gadwall - 1 male; Little Grebe - 2; Lapwing - a pair + 2 juvs; Little Ringed Plover - 3; Coot 6 + 3 juvs; Whitethroat - 12 singing; Sedge Warbler - 5 singing; Willow Warbler - 3 singing; Garden Warbler - 1 singing; Blackcap - 4 singing; Reed Warbler - 1 singing; Chiffchaff - 2 singing; Bullfinch - 1; Chaffinch - 1; Reed bunting - 4.

Wednesday 28th April 2004
Gadwall - 2 males; Tufted Duck - 18; Mallard - 4; Little Grebe - 5; Grey Heron - 1; Little Ringed Plover - 1; Mute Swan - a pair; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1 west; Black-headed Gull - 2; Swift - 40+; Swallow - 9; House Martin - 5; Stock Dove - 5; Lesser Whitethroat - 1; Common Whitethroat - 8 singing males; Blackcap - 5 singing males; Sedge Warbler - 2 singing males; Willow Warbler - 5 singing males; Chiffchaff - 2 singing males; Willow Tit - 1; Linnet - 5; Reed Bunting - 3 singing males.

Tuesday 13th April 2004
Shelduck - 1 male; Gadwall - 2; Little Grebe - 5; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 6 west; Willow Warbler - 4; Chiffchaff - 8; Blackcap - 3; Jay - 1 south; Willow Tit - 2; Chaffinch - 2 pairs; Reed Bunting - 2 pairs.

Thursday 1st April 2004
Mute Swan - 2; Gadwall - 3; Teal - 4; Mallard - 9; Grey Heron - 1; Little Grebe - 3; Cormorant - 1 east; Ringed Plover - 2; Little Ringed Plover - 2; Lapwing - 4; Redshank - 1; Green Sandpiper - 1; Herring Gull - 2 east; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 14 north; Black-headed Gull - 60+; Swallow - 1 feeding around lake, then flew north; Sand Martin - 3 feeding around lake; Stock Dove - 4; Green Woodpecker - 1; Chiffchaff - 5 at least; Willow Tit - 2; Goldcrest - 1; Reed Bunting - 3, including 2 singing males.

Friday 26th March 2004 [KB]
Little Ringed Plover - 1; Redshank - 2; Lapwing - 9; Little Grebe - 2; Chiffchaff - 1; Meadow Pipit - 15 north in 1 hour; Gadwall - 2; Teal - 1; Common Gull - a 1st-winter; Song Thrush - 2; Linnet - 1 singing male; Chaffinch - 2 singing males; Reed Bunting - 1 singing male. Also 2 Peregrines, one on each cooling tower, at Tinsley between 1100h and 1300h at least [P.Ridsdale].

Monday 22nd March 2004
Mute Swan - 2; Little Ringed Plover - 2; Lapwing - 7; Redshank - 2; Green Sandpiper - 1; Snipe - 8; Water Rail - 1; Coot - 5; Moorhen - 4; Grey Heron - 2; Gadwall - 9; Mallard - 11; Tufted Duck - 7; Teal - 12; Little Grebe - 2; Common Gull - 1; Black-headed Gull - 40+; Willow Tit - 2; Long-tailed Tit - 9; Song Thrush - 1; Blackbird - 7; Reed Bunting - 2. In addition, at Tinsley SF: Teal - 2; Tufted Duck - 2; Gadwall - 4; Grey Heron - 1; Lapwing - 5; Herring Gull - 2 west; Black-headed Gull - 80+; Kingfisher - 1; Green Woodpecker - 1; Sparrowhawk - 1; Stock Dove - 6; Woodpigeon - 8; Willow Tit - 2; Chiffchaff - 1; Grey Wagtail - 2; Pied Wagtail - 4; Meadow Pipit - 1; Skylark - 1; Chaffinch - 1 singing; Linnet - 2; Goldfinch - 1.

Wednesday 7th March 2004 [AD]
This lunchtime: one Little Ringed Plover, a Green Sandpiper, 11 Tufted Ducks, 7 Gadwall, 5 Teal, 2 Little Grebe.

Green Sandpiper, Blackburn Meadows NR, 17th March 2004 - Andy Deighton
Photograph Copyright © Andy Deighton

Sunday 8th February 2004
Wigeon - 2; Teal - 18; Shoveler - 2; Tufted Duck - 5; Mallard - 4; Green Sandpiper - 1; Snipe - 4; Cormorant - 2; Lesser Redpoll - 40+.

Saturday 7th Februsry 2004 [AD]
Counts of: c.40 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 7 Tufted Ducks, c.10 Lesser Redpoll and a single Willow Tit.

Friday 9th January 2004 [M.Langston]
A morning visit: 6 Goosander, 6 Shoveler, 1 Gadwall, 10 Teal, 21 Lapwing, c.90 Black-headed Gulls, 15 Great Black-backed Gulls, 6 Herring Gulls, 1 Lesser Redpoll and a Reed Bunting.

Tuesday 25th November 2003
Mute Swan - 9; Gadwall - 3; Teal - 1; Mallard - 7; Coot - 8; Jack Snipe - 1; Snipe - 3; Cormorant - 1; Grey Heron - 1; Herring Gull - 40+; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 15+; Common Gull - 1; Black-headed Gull - 120+; Kingfisher - 1; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Meadow Pipit - 4; Skylark - 1; Redwing - 30+; Song Thrush - 20+; Blackbird - 40+; Robin - 9; Willow Tit - 2; Goldcrest - 2; Linnet - 12; Lesser Redpoll - 1; Bullfinch - 5; Chaffinch - 8; Greenfinch - 8; Goldfinch - 4; Reed Bunting - 3.

Sunday 23rd November 2003 [R.Dale]
This afternoon: Wigeon - 41; Teal - 2; Lapwing - 3; Bullfinch - 5; Song thrush - 2; Redwing - 10; Kingfisher - 1; Sparrowhawk - 1; Snipe - 1; Black-headed Gull - c.70; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 4; Herring gull - 6; Grey Heron - 1; Goldcrest - 3; Chaffinch - 6.

Wednesday 19th November 2003
Mute Swan - 3; Wigeon - 51; Teal - 1; Coot - 5; Jack Snipe - 1; Snipe - 5; Herring Gull - 28; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 6; Black-headed Gull - 60+; Grey Wagtail - 1; Meadow Pipit - 6; Fieldfare - 1; Redwing - 40+; Mistle Thrush - 4; Goldcrest - 1; Lesser Redpoll - 12; Goldfinch - 1; Bullfinch - 2; Linnet - 8; reed Bunting - 3.

Sunday 16th November 2003
Mute Swan - 3; Wigeon - 7; Tufted Duck - 7; Teal - 1; Cormorant - 2; Grey Heron - 1; Jack Snipe - 1; Snipe - 9; Meadow Pipit - 23; Pied Wagtail - 4; Goldfinch - 2; Siskin - 2; Read Bunting - 4.

Friday 31st October 2003 [M.Langston]
This afternoon: an adult winter Mediterranean Gull on the main lake with c.30 Black-headed Gulls and 3 Common Gulls at 1520h. Unfortunately, a female Sparrowhawk came in low flushing the gulls and the Med Gull flew off strongly NE at 15.25hrs. Otherwise: 50 Fieldfare NE and  a Kingfisher

Wednesday 24th September 2003 [AD]
Four Ravens calling over Blackburn Meadows then circling over Canklow. Also Peregrine and Common Sandpiper.

Thursday 18th September 2003 [AD]
Pintail - one female; Greenshank - one; Snipe - one.


Photograph Copyright © Andy Deighton

Wednesday 10th September 2003 [KB]
Mute Swan - 3; Wigeon - 1; Teal - 10; Moorhen - 7; Coot - 8; Little Grebe - 8; Willow Tit - 2.

Wednesday 3rd September 2003 [KB]
Mute Swan - 3; Ruddy Duck - 2; Little Grebe - 5; Grey Heron - 1; Snipe - 2; Lapwing - 2; Swift - 2 SW; Swallow - 150+; House Martin - 90+ SW; Sand Martin - 1; Yellow Wagtail - 1 NE; Whitethroat - 10; Blackcap - 8; Willow Warbler - 12; Chiffchaff - 6; Reed Bunting - 6.

Tuesday 19th August 2003 [AD]
Two juvenile Ruddy Duck. Plus: 4+ Speckled Wood butterflies.

Wednesday 13th August 2003 [M.Langston]
Three pairs of Little Grebe - confirmed breeding with a total of 8 juvs; 6 Herons; 1 Greenshank; 1 Common Sandpiper; 3 imm Common Gulls flew SW; 1 Kingfisher; 3 Swifts; 2 Lesser whitethroats; 2 Willow Tits.

Wednesday 6th August 2003 [M.Langston]
A Greenshank this evening along with one Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Cormorant west.

Tuesday 5th August 2003 [M.Langston]
One Green Sandpiper, an adult Little Grebe with 3 young, 4 Heron, a fem Ruddy duck with 2 young, a fem Shoveler, a Sparrowhawk, .2 Lapwing, 57 Black-headed Gulls, c.30 Swifts, 3 Blackcap and a Chiffchaff. Butterflies included: 3 Painted Lady, 4 Red Admiral, 3 Peacock, 1 Holly Blue, 4+ Common Blue, 10+ Gatekeeper and 2 Wall Browns. Odenata: 2 Southern Hawkers, 1 Brown Hawker, 1 Banded Demoiselle, 4 Common Blue Damselflies, 3 Blue-tailed Damselfly and 5+ Common Darters.

Friday 18th July 2003
Little Grebe - 3; Cormorant - 1 flew NE; Grey Heron - 1; Mute Swan 2 + 1 cygnet; Lapwing - 2 + 4 juvs; Ringed Plover - 1; Reed Warbler - 1; Sedge Warbler - 2; Willow Warbler - 6; Blackcap - 2; Pied Wagtail - 2+6 juvs; Goldfinch - 28; Linnet - 4; Reed Bunting - 4.

Thursday 19th June 2003.
Little Grebe - 1; Mute Swan - 3 [1 cygnet]; Mallard - 2+9 juvs; Moorhen - 5 + 8 juvs; Coot - 5 + 6 juvs; Grey Heron - 2; Little Ringed Plover - 2; Lapwing 3+ 2 juvs;  Kingfisher - 1; Stock Dove - 2; Willow Warbler - 6; Whitethroat - 8; Blackcap - 4; Sedge Warbler - 7; Reed Warbler - 2; Chiffchaff - 1; Skylark - 1; Willow Tit - 1; Song Thrush - 4; Chaffinch - 2; Linnet - 2; Reed Bunting - 3 + 1 juv.

Wednesday 23rd April 2003 [P.Ridsdale]
Sedge Warbler - 1; Blackcap - a pair; Chiffchaff - 6; Willow Warbler - 3; Common Whitethroat - 4; Reed Bunting - 2 pairs collecting nest material; Kestrel - 1; Canada Geese - 5 flew N; Mute Swan - 2 including sitting female; Coot - 8; Moorhen -2; Grey Heron - 1; Little Ringed Plover - 2; Redshank - 1; Lapwing - 6.

Wednesday 5th February 2003 [P.Ridsdale]
Two Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant NE, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan, 6 Mallard, 14 Gadwall, 26 Teal, 12 Tufted Duck, 6 Goosander, 10 Coot, 4 Moorhen, a large immature Gull found dead on the Main Lake; plenty of Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls and Greater Black-backed Gulls overhead and moving between BMNR and Blackburn Tip.; a flock of 30+ Lesser Redpoll by the canal entrance, 3 Bullfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 2 Grey Wagtails and up to 12 Magpies.

Wednesday 22nd January 2003 [P.Ridsdale]
Cormorant - 1; Grey Heron - 1; Mute Swan - 2 adult's; Mallard - 8; Gadwall - 7; Teal - 12; Tufted Duck - 11; Goosander - 14; Moorhen - 1; Coot - 8; Black-headed Gull - 30+; Great Black-backed Gull - 6; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 12; Herring Gull - 6+; Kestrel - 1; Magpie - 6; Carrion Crow - 2; Blackbird - 6; Mistle Thrush - 3; Song Thrush - 1; Redwing - 18; Meadow Pipit - 1; Pied Wagtail - 2; Wren - 1; Chaffinch - 2; Lesser Redpoll - 5.

Wednesday 15th January 2003 [P.Ridsdale]
Mallard - 3; Gadwall - 7; Teal - 6; Shoveler - 1 fem; Tufted Duck - 24; Goosander - 8; Coot - 12; Black-headed Gull - 20; Great Black-backed Gull -1; Pied Wagtail - 2; Magpie - 16; Redwing - 12; Robin - 2; Wren - 1; Bullfinch - 2.

Tuesday 14th January 2003, 1015h - 1130h [M.Langston]
Goosander - 8 (5m 3f); Tufted Duck - 17; Shoveler - 1 fem; Gadwall - 3; Teal - 13; Cormorants - 2 SE; Kingfisher - 1;Grey Wagtail -2; Redwing - c.45; Sparrowhawk -1; Common Gull - 1; Reed Buntings - c.2; Siskin - 23; Lesser Redpoll - 5 [a mixed flock]; Herring Gull -c.25; Great Black-backed Gulls - 6 [the gulls in and out from the tip].

Tuesday 7th January 2003 [Philip Ridsdale]
Cormorant - 1; Grey Heron - 1; Mute Swan - 1 imm; Mallard - 7; Teal - 12; Tufted Duck - 1; Goosander - 8; Pheasant - 1; Coot - 4; Great Black-backed Gull - 18; Herring Gull - 30; Black-headed Gull - 60+; Woodpigeon - 12; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Pied Wagtail - 2; Grey Wagtail - 1; Starling - 25; Dunnock - 2; Wren - 2; Robin - 4; Blackbird - 8; Fieldfare - 4; Redwing - 33; Song Thrush - 1; Great Tit - 2; Long-tailed Tit - 12; Bullfinch - 2; Goldfinch - 4; Chaffinch - 2.

Friday 27th December 2002 [M.Langston]
Early morning. 0745 - 0900h: 1 Water Rail, 1 male Goosander, 21 Teal, 13 Gadwall, 18 Tufted Duck, 4 Cormorant west, 2 Lesser Redpoll, c.55 Redwing west, 25 Great Black-backed Gulls SW, 22 Herring Gulls SW and 2 Grey Herons.

Friday 29th November 2002 [PR]
Little Grebe -1; Cormorant - 2; Grey Heron - 1; Mute Swan - 3 imm; Goosander - 4; Mallard - 5; Gadwall - 24; Wigeon - 14; Teal - 12; Tufted Duck - 1; Moorhen - 2; Coot - 9; Black-headed Gull - 70+; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 5; Herring Gull - 1; Pied Wagtail - 1; Grey Wagtail - 3; Meadow Pipit - 1; Song Thrush - 3; Fieldfare - 7; Redwing - 24; Blackbird - 8; Robin - 2; Wren - 4; Green Woodpecker - 1; Woodpigeon - 5; Magpie - 4; Blue Tit - 2; Long-tailed Tit - 8; Goldfinch - 7.

Friday 22nd November 2002 [KB]
The female Scaup again present at 1430h [P.Ridsdale]. In addition: Little Grebe - 2; Cormorant - 9; Mute Swan - 6; Gadwall - 38; Wigeon - 2; Teal - 4; Tufted Duck - 16; Coot - 9; Great Black-backed Gull - 1; Herring Gull - 15; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 9; Snipe - 1; Skylark - 2; Chiffchaff - 1; Willow Tit - 1; Siskin - 16; Lesser Redpoll - 7; Reed Bunting - 3.

Thursday 21st November 2002 [RH]
A female Scaup.

Friday 15th November 2002
Little Grebe - 2; Cormorant - 13; Mute Swan - 6; Wigeon - 47; Tufted Duck - 5; Teal - 5; Herring Gull - 5; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 2; Black-headed Gull - 20+; Sparrowhawk - 1; Chiffchaff - 1; Willow Tit - 2; Blue Tit - 7; Long-tailed Tit - 15; Blackbird - 30+; Redwing - 2; Song Thrush - 8; Siskin - 3; Lesser Redpoll - 2; Bullfinch - 5; Reed Bunting - 6.

Saturday 9th November 2002
Little Grebe - 3; Cormorant - 1 west; Water Rail - 1; Goosander - 1; Wigeon - 38; Gadwall - 27; Tufted Duck - 2; Shoveler - 2; Teal - 6; Mallard - 8; Mute Swan - 8; Snipe - 3; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 6; Herring Gull - 1 south; Green Woodpecker - 1; Grey Wagtail - 1; Goldcrest - 1; Siskin - 2; Goldfinch - 17.

Thursday 7th November 2002 [KB + RH]
Two female Pintail this morning along with 2 Shoveler and 40+ Wigeon.

Tuesday 5th November 2002 [P.Ridsdale]
Little Grebe - 2; Shoveler - one female; Wigeon - 40+; Tufted Duck - 5; Gadwall - 8; Mallard - 2; Teal - 12; Mute Swan - 9; Cormorant - 9; Grey Heron - 1; Black-headed Gull - 50+; Moorhen - 2; Coot - 8; Snipe - 4; Green Sandpiper - 1; Mistle Thrush - 2; Redwing 30+; Fieldfare - 1; Green Woodpecker - 1.

Sunday 3rd November 2002
Little Grebe - 2; Pintail - 1 female; Wigeon - 8; Gadwall - 4; Water Rail - 1; Green Sandpiper - 1; Coot - 12; Green Woodpecker - 1; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Goldcrest - 1.

Friday 1st November 2002
Little Grebe - 2; Cormorant - 1; Tufted Duck - 4; Snipe - 2; Coot - 14; Moorhen - 7; Mute Swan - 9, including a female with 3 cygnets and a pair with 3 cygnets; Common Gull - 1; Herring Gull - 1; Black-headed Gull - 70+; Goldcrest - 1; Willow Tit - 1; Skylark - 1; Meadow Pipit - 12; Redwing - 50+; Pied Wagtail - 4; Lesser Redpoll - 2; Greenfinch - 6; Goldfinch - 4; Siskin - 1; Reed Bunting - 4.

Friday 11th October 2002
Little Grebe - 8; Grey Heron - 2; Gadwall - 25; Wigeon - 51 (at least); Teal - 12; - Coot - 12; Sparrowhawk - 1; Green Sandpiper - 1; Meadow Pipit - 15+; Skylark - 1; Siskin - 1; Lesser Redpoll - 2; Reed Bunting -1.

Friday 13th September 2002
Little Grebe - 4; Cormorant - 2; Grey Heron - 2; Wigeon - 1; Mute Swan - 1+3 cygnets; Sparrowhawk - 1; Kestrel - 2; Water Rail - 1; Snipe - 1; Grey Wagtail - 2; Pied Wagtail - 2; Meadow Pipit - 6; Green Woodpecker - 1; Jay - 1; House Martin - 6; Swallow - 2; Chiffchaff - 3; Willow Warbler - 1; Reed Bunting - 2.  And at Tinsley SF: Siskin - 2; Kingfisher - 1; Chiffchaff - 1; Bullfinch - 3; and Chaffinch.

Monday 5th August 2002
Unfortunately 2 adult and 2 cygnet Mute Swans found dead today, presumed shot. The three remaining cygnets are with the surviving female of the pair. Other birds seen were as follows: Little Grebe - 2 pairs both carrying young + an imm; Cormorant - 1; Tufted Duck - 1; Ringed Plover - 1 imm; Little Ringed Plover - 1 flew NE; Common Sandpiper - 1; Green Sandpiper - 1; Kingfisher - 1; Swift - 40+; Swallow - 1; House Martin - 20+; Sand Martin - 2; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Willow Tit - 4, including 3 juvs; Willow Warbler - 3; Sedge Warbler - 7; Reed Warbler - 5; Whitethroat - 4; Grey Wagtail - 2; Mistle Thrush - at least 37; Goldfinch - at least 34; Reed Bunting - 4.

Friday 19th July 2002
Little Grebe - 1 juv + 1 adult on nest; Cormorant - 2 SW; Greenshank - 1; Green Sandpiper - 1; Lapwing - 18 including 15 juvs; Mute Swan - 8 including 5 cygnets; Mallard - 5; Coot - 21 including 15 juvs; Black-headed Gull - 36; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1; Kestrel - 2; Swift - 30+; House Martin - 40+; Sand Martin - 2; Blackcap - 1; Whitethroat - 2; Sedge Warbler - 2; Willow Warbler - 1; Pied Wagtail - 8; Grey Wagtail - 1; Reed Bunting - 2 [a pair). The only butterflies seen were: 3 Gatekeepers and one Meadow Brown.

Wednesday 10th July 2002.
Little Grebe - 2 incl 1 juv; Cormorant - 1; Little Ringed Plover - 3 incl 1 juv; Green Sandpiper - 3; Lapwing - 8 + 1 juv; Mute Swan - 3 + 5 cygnets; Mallard - 14; Coot - 6 + 15 juvs; Black-headed Gull - 40+; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 14 flew west; Sedge Warbler - 2; Whitethroat - 10; Reed Warbler - 2 (a pair); Willow Warbler - 3; Swift - 80+; House Martin - 40+; Sand Martin - 1; Linnet - 2; Goldfinch - 15; Bullfinch - 1; Reed Bunting - 2 pairs. Butterflies included: Small Copper, Meadow Brown and Small Tortoiseshell.

Sunday 21st April 2002
Little Grebe - 2 pairs; Tufted Duck - 3 pairs; Teal - 2; Mallard - 8, including 7 males; Mute Swan - 3, including 2 on nests; Little Ringed Plover - 2; Lapwing - 1; Canada Goose - 2; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 2; Stock Dove - 6; Kestrel - 1; Grey Heron - 2; Pheasant - 3; Sedge Warbler - 1; Common Whitethroat - 1; Willow Warbler - 11 singing males; Chiffchaff - 1; Blackcap - 3 singing males; Yellow Wagtail - 1; Swallow - 5; Sand Martin - 12; Bullfinch - 4; Goldfinch - 2; Chaffinch - 2; Reed Bunting - 2 pairs.
And at Tinsley SF: Grey Heron - 1; Coot - 2; Tufted Duck - 4; Common Sandpiper - 1; Kingfisher - 1; Pheasant - 3; Willow Warbler - 5 singing males; Blackcap - 3 singing males; Chiffchaff - 1; Linnet - 1.

Monday 15th April 2002
Little Grebe 5, Grey Heron 2, Mute Swan 2 pairs, Kestrel a pair displaying, Grey Partridge 1 (singing - the first one here for more than 2 years), Pheasant 3, Song Thrush 2 singing males, Blackcap 3 singing males, Willow Warbler 2 including 1 singing male, Chiffchaff 1singing male, Goldfinch 1, Chaffinch 2, Reed Bunting 1.

Thursday 11th April 2002
Little Grebe - 2 pairs; Canada Goose - 2; Mute Swan - 1 pair + 1; Snipe - 1; Little Ringed Plover - 1; Tufted Duck - 1 pair; Teal - 3; Black-headed Gull - 24; Stock Dove - 3; Willow Warbler - 2; Chiffchaff - 1; Blackcap - 2; Redwing - 1; Linnet - 1 pair; Bullfinch - 3; Lesser Redpoll - 1; Chaffinch - 2; Reed Bunting - 2.

Sunday 24th March 2002
Little Grebe 4 pairs, Sand Martin 4, Greylag Goose 4 north, Canada Goose 2 north, Goosander 5, Tufted Duck 9, Teal 2 (a pair); Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 east; Black-headed Gull 40+, Sparrowhawk 1, Kestrel 1, Stock Dove 4, Lapwing 1, Fieldfare 40 +6 west; Willow Tit 1, Lesser Redpoll 3, Linnet 5, Bullfinch 3, Reed Bunting 3 pairs. Also, at Tinsley SF: Green Sandpiper 1, Mallard 2, Kingfisher 1 pair, Chiffchaff 1 singing.

Wednesday 27th February 2002
Great Crested Grebe 1, Little Grebe 2, Cormorant 2, Goosander 7, Teal 45+, Tufted Duck 7, Coot 12, Green Sandpiper 2, Snipe 1, Green Woodpecker 1, Reed Bunting 3.

Thursday 21st February 2002 [J.Farrar]
Ten [6 male and 4 female] Goosander; 4 Mute Swan - pair and two cygnets; 1 female Pochard; 3 Tufted Duck; 1 male Shoveler; 4 Mallard; 13 Teal and 1 Little Grebe; [no Gadwall].

Saturday 9th February 2002 [J.Farrar]
Only 10 Gadwall today but at least one Green Sandpiper and the Teal whistling furiously!

Friday 8th February 2002
Great Crested Grebe 1, Little Grebe 1, Goosander 7, Teal 16, Gadwall 14, Tufted Duck 16, Mallard 7, Mute Swan 4, Coot 14, Moorhen 6, Green Sandpiper 2, Herring Gull 4, Black-headed Gull 86, Cormorant 3 NE, Willow Tit 2, Redwing 2, Reed Bunting 2, a mixed finch flock including 20+ Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 3 Siskin, 1 Lesser Redpoll and 4 Chaffinch.

Tuesday 15th January 2002
At BMNR: Teal 36, Mallard 24,Tufted Duck 2, Pochard 1, Gadwall 6, Coot 3, Herring Gull 5, Black-headed Gull 56, Mute Swan 4, Willow Tit 1, Song Thrush 2.  And on Tinsley SF: Grey Wagtail 2, Green Woodpecker 1, Little Grebe 1, Gadwall 8, Teal 11, Mallard 5, Bullfinch 1, Reed Bunting 2, Sparrowhawk 1, Kestrel 1.

9th January 2002
100% frozen, very little around, all birdlife was around the canal hedge and the River Don. Best were: 2 Goosander, a Green Sandpiper, one Green Woodpecker, a Little Grebe, 9 Teal, 6 Mallard, 2 Sparrowhawks.

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On 16th November 2001 David Bellamy was in Sheffield to open two new Sheffield Wildlife Trust Centres and was first given a guided tour around Blackburn Meadows Nature Reserve. He is photographed here, at the entrance to one of the hides and below, along one of the now maturing walk-ways. Thanks to Sheffield Wildlife Trust for permission to reproduce the photographs here.

David Bellamy at Blackburn Meadows NR, Sheffield, Nov 2001
Photograph Copyright © Sheffield Wildlife Trust

David Bellamy at Blackburn Meadows NR, Sheffield, Nov 2001
Photograph Copyright © Sheffield Wildlife Trust

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