[In the following reports, TCPBL = Thrybergh CP Bird List.]

Sunday 28th November 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 20; Cormorant - 23; Grey Heron - 2; Mute Swan - 1pr + 1 cygnet; Canada Goose - 35; Wigeon - 1; Gadwall - 2; Pochard - 3; Tufted Duck - 19; Goosander - 5 f/imm E; Coot - 87; Sparrowhawk - 1; Moorhen - 20; Lapwing - c.70; Golden Plover - 2; Kingfisher - 1; Grey Wagtail - 1.

Saturday 27th November 2004
Pink-footed Goose - c.320 E.

Sunday 21st November 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 22; Cormorant - 18+; Grey Heron - 2; Mute Swan - 2ads + 1imm; Wigeon - 9; Gadwall - 5; Teal - 15; Shoveler - 1; Pochard - 48; Tufted Duck - 77; Coot - 89; Moorhen - 24; Golden Plover - 34; Lapwing - c.120; Snipe - 1; Redshank - 1; Common Gull - 7; Grey Wagtail - 1; Willow Tit - 7, inc at least 3 visiting feeding station; Tree Sparrow - regular visitor to feeding station in good numbers.

Saturday 20th November 2004
Dunlin - 4; Redshank - 1; Green Sandpiper - 1.

Tuesday 16th November 2004
Greylag Goose - 53 in from NW.

Sunday 7th November 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 11; Cormorant - 26; Grey Heron - 3; Mute Swan - 1pr + 6 cygnets still present; Wigeon - 3; Gadwall - 2pr; Teal - 3; Shoveler - 3; Pochard - 12; Tufted Duck - 38; Ruddy Duck - 2; Coot - 95; Moorhen - 17; Knot - 1st winter still present (found yesterday); Collared Dove - 48; Little Owl - 1 calling; Grey Wagtail - 1; Willow Tit - 4, inc 2 visiting feeding station; Tree Sparrow - 60-70 visiting feeding station.

Saturday 6th November 2004 [MAS]
A first-winter Knot. And, of interest, a Black-headed Gull ringed in Lithuania and previously recorded here in the two winters of 2001, has turned up again this morning. See table within the above link for details of it and other ringed birds at TCP.

Sunday 31st October 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 11; Cormorant - 16; Grey Heron - 2; Mute Swan - 1pr + 6 fledged cygnets still present; Gadwall - 5; Pochard - 16; Tufted Duck - 28; Ruddy Duck - 4m, 1f; Goosander - 1f/imm S; Little Owl - 1; Fieldfare - 78 south; Willow Tit - 2.

Tuesday 26th October 2004 [MAS]
A total of 950+ Pink-footed Geese SE in 8 skeins between 0915 and 1000h, the biggest skein c. 400.

Summary, 4th to 20th October 2004
Little Grebe - 3 regularly; Great Crested Grebe - 8-10 regularly; Cormorant - max 26 on 15/10; Grey Heron - 2-3 regularly; Greylag - 1 regularly; Canada Goose - c.190-c.220 regularly; Mute Swan - 1pr + 6 fledged cygnets throughout; Gadwall - 2-4 regularly, 14 on 12/10; Wigeon - max 33 on 10/10; Teal - 8 on 10/10, 9 on 12/10; Pintail - 1 on 08/10; Pochard - 1-2 regularly, 7 on 10/10, 6 on 12/10, 8 on 15/10; Tufted Duck - 26-34 regularly; Goldeneye - a 'redhead' on 11 & 12/10; Common Scoter - a pair present to at least 1230h on 16/10; Ruddy Duck - 1-2 regularly; Grey Partridge - 10 on 12/10; Coot - c.100 regularly; Moorhen - max 26 regularly; Golden Plover - 55 on 10/10, 115 on 15/10; Lapwing - up to 300 regularly; Dunlin - 1 on 10/10; Curlew - 1 on 10/10; Snipe - 1 E on 10/10, 6 W on 12/10; Redshank - 1 on 15/10; Common Gull - 6 on 12/10; Common Tern - 1 imm on 11/10; Kingfisher - 1 regularly; Little Owl - 1 occasionally; Stock Dove - c.40 regularly; Rock Pipit - 1 on 13/10, probably also present on 12/10; Pied Wagtail - 16 on 12/10; Grey Wagtail - 2-4 regularly; Swallow - 1 on 12/10; Redwing - 11 on 10/10, 117 on 12/10, 7 on 14/10; Song Thrush - 7-8 on 14/10; Fieldfare - 15 on 10/10, 2 on 17/10; Blackcap - a pair on 14/10; Chiffchaff - singles on 10, 14 & 16/10; Lesser Redpoll - 1 on 12/10; Brambling - 1 on 14/10.

Saturday 16th October 2004 [MAS]
Two Common Scoter [a male and a fem/juv] until 1000h at least.

Sunday 3rd October 2004
Little Grebe - 2; Great Crested Grebe - 6; Cormorant - 29, inc 15 in from N together, most leaving S/SW; Grey Heron - 3; Mute Swan - 1pr + 6 cygnets, now fledged; 10 additional birds arrived from N/NW but were seen off by residents, returning NW; Greylag Goose - 1; Canada Goose - c.220; Wigeon - 4 (2m); Gadwall - 1pr; Pochard - 1; Tufted Duck - 13; Goosander - 3 redheads S; Ruddy Duck - 2; Coot - 111; Moorhen - 26; Golden Plover - 2; Lapwing - c.300 in adjacent fields; Little Owl - 1; Green woodpecker - 1; Pied wagtail - 16; Grey wagtail - 3; House Martin - 22; Chiffchaff - 1; Goldcrest - 1; Willow Tit - 1.

Sunday 19th September 2004
Little Grebe - 2 ads, 1 imm; Great Crested Grebe - 10 or 11; Cormorant - 10; Grey Heron - 2; Mute Swan - 1pr + 6 imms; Black Swan - 1 ad / 1 imm; Canada Goose - 184; Gadwall - 1pr; Pintail - 3 in briefly before leaving W, 0727h; Pochard - 1; Tufted Duck - 16; Sparrowhawk - 2; Kestrel - 1; Merlin - 1 f/imm harassing passerines in adjacent field, 0700h; Moorhen - 22; Coot - 93; Lapwing - c.210 in adjacent fields; Barn Owl - 1 at S-end, soon after daylight; Green Woodpecker - 1; Swift - 1 or 2 with hirundines; Skylark - 33 S/SW; Meadow Pipit - light S passage (c.3 birds/min); Grey Wagtail - 6; Chiffchaff - 5, inc 2 singing; Willow Tit - 2.

Sunday 5th September 2004
Little Grebe - 1; Great Crested Grebe - 7 or 8; Grey Heron - 2; Cormorant - 7; Mute Swan - 1pr + 6 cygnets close to fledging; Black Swan - 1 in from N, left W 0721h and another or the same in from N onto res 0746h; Canada Goose - c.550, all in from N during morning; Greylag Goose - 1 with Canada Geese; Wigeon - 12 in from S, circled & left NW, 0821h - first of autumn; Gadwall - 4; Pochard - 1; Tufted Duck - 25; Ruddy Duck - 1m; Sparrowhawk - 1f hunting; Red-legged Partridge - 9; Lapwing - 37; Snipe - 1 S at 0706h; Common Sandpiper - 1; Green Sandpiper - 1; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Swift - 1; Pied Wagtail - 18; Yellow Wagtail - 3; Grey Wagtail - 3; Chiffchaff - 6, inc 1 singing; Bullfinch - 3. Also: Emerald Damselfly (1); Migrant Hawker (several). Of interest, injured  Merlin found at Kiveton Park, being nursed back to health by David Morris and almost ready to release.

Sunday 29th August 2004
Little Grebe - 1; Great Crested Grebe - 9 (1 left to W); Cormorant - 4; Grey Heron - 2; Canada Goose - c.440 by mid-morning, coming in from N; Mute Swan - 1pr + 6 well-grown juvs; Gadwall - 2m, 1f; Pochard - 1m; Tufted Duck - 25; Ruddy Duck - 1f; Sparrowhawk - 1-2; Moorhen - 24; Coot - 88; Lapwing - 15; Dunlin - 2; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 96 heading W/SW in parties up to 28; Swift - 14; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Sand Martin - less than 10; Swallow - 50-60; House Martin - 70-80; Pied Wagtail - c.30; Yellow Wagtail - 8, all heading S; Grey Wagtail - 1; Whinchat - a juv appeared very briefly near visitor centre before flying off to E (first record of year); Chiffchaff - c.10 feeding in adjacent bean crop + 1 singing; Willow Tit - 3, inc 2 in bean crop; Nuthatch - 1 heard calling from direction of golf course; Tree Sparrow - c.70 in adjacent stubbles.

Sunday 22nd August 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 9; Cormorant - 2; Grey Heron - 2; Mute Swan - 1pr + 6 cygnets; Canada Goose - c.170 in from N from 0830h, presumably inc most if not all feeding flock of c.120 on Denaby Common earlier; Pochard - 2m; Tufted Duck - 34; Coot - 70; Moorhen - 24 inc juvs; Lapwing - 11; Common Sandpiper - 1; Kingfisher - 1; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Yellow Wagtail - 1; Grey Wagtail - 3; Chiffchaff - 3+.

Sunday 15th August 2004
Little Grebe - 1 imm; Great Crested Grebe - 11; Cormorant - 7; Grey Heron - 1; Canada Goose - 7; Mute Swan - 1pr + 6 cygnets; Gadwall - 2; Pochard - 2m; Tufted Duck - 29 + 2juvs; Lapwing - 8; Ringed Plover - 1 ad; Common Tern - 1 ad; Kingfisher - 1; Green Woodpecker - 1; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Yellow Wagtail - 12; Grey Wagtail - 1; Grasshopper Warbler - 1 reeling (first record of year); Lesser Whitethroat - 2; Willow Tit - 2; Tree Sparrow - 80-90; Bullfinch - breeding confirmed: 2 family parties. Also successful moth-trapping session.

Friday 13th August 2004
Little Ringed Plover - 1 feeding with a Dunlin; Ringed Plover - 4 in with a Dunlin, circled and left; Dunlin - one in with 4 RP's and one feeding with the LRP.

Sunday 8th August 2004
Little Grebe - 1ad, 1imm; Great Crested Grebe - 10; Cormorant - 4; Grey Heron - 3; Mute Swan - 1pr + 6 cygnets; Gadwall - 5; Pochard - 2m; Tufted Duck - 35 + 2 juvs; Coot - 79, inc juvs; Moorhen - 25, inc juvs; Lapwing - 30; Redshank - 1; Green Sandpiper - 2 W; Common Tern - 3 ads; Kingfisher - 1; Pied Wagtail - 8; Yellow Wagtail - 5, inc 3 south; Blackcap - 2; Willow Tit - 5; Tree Sparrow - sizeable post-breeding flock along E side of res.

Sunday 1st August 2004
Little Grebe - 1 imm (presumed in from elsewhere); Great Crested Grebe - 8; Cormorant - 2; Grey Heron - 1; Mute Swan - 1pr + 6 cygnets; Canada Goose - 68; Gadwall - 1; Pochard - 2m, 1f; Tufted Duck - 35 + 2 juvs; Ruddy Duck - 2m, 3f; Common Tern - 6 ads (inc another ringed bird); Willow Tit - 6, inc 1 singing.

Sunday 25th July 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 7; Cormorant - 3; Grey Heron - 3; Mute Swan - 1pr + 6 cygnets; Pochard - 2m; Tufted Duck - 41 + 2 ducklings; Ruddy Duck - 1m, 1f; Common Sandpiper - 4; Common Tern - 3ads, 3juvs; Stock Dove - 1pr; Grey wagtail - 1; Lesser Whitethroat - 1; Willow Tit - 3.

Friday 23rd July 2004
Two Green Sandpipers this morning.

Sunday 18th July 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 7-8; Cormorant - 2; Grey Heron - 3; Mute Swan - 1pr + 6 cygnets; Canada Goose - 8; Gadwall - 1 briefly; Pochard - resident drake only; Tufted Duck - 52 + 2 ducklings, brood of 3 appeared on 16/07, one presumed lost; Ruddy Duck - 2m, 1f; Sparrowhawk - 1; Lapwing - 16; Common Tern - 2 ads + 2 juvs [below]; Green Woodpecker - 1 calling; Grey Wagtail - 4; Sedge Warbler - 1; Whitethroat - hedgerows 'teeming' with fledged juvs.

Photograph Copyright © Paul Leonard

Sunday 11th July 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 7; Cormorant - 3; Grey Heron - 3; Mute Swan - 1pr + 6 well-grown cygnets; Canada Goose - 7 regularly; Pochard - 2m; Tufted Duck - 42, mostly drakes; Coot - 68 + 12 juvs; Moorhen - 11 + 4 juvs; Ringed Plover - 2 ads; Common Sandpiper - 3; Common Tern - 3ads + 2juvs; Kingfisher - 1; Stock Dove - 2; Sand Martin - c50; Yellow Wagtail - 1; Grey Wagtail - 2 family parties with fledged broods of 2 & 3; Sedge Warbler - 1. Also: successful moth trapping session by Dean Stables.

[Further re Common Terns: a bird carrying BTO ring number SX79046, read a few weeks ago, was ringed as a nestling on 01/07/98 at Colwick Country Park, Notts by South Notts Ringing Group. The last ringed Thrybergh bird (SX79036) was ringed at Holme Pierrepont at around the same time. Of interest, SX79046 was a female with a deformed, down-curved bill and was the bird whose mate disappeared and breeding failed].

Sunday 4th July 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 10; Cormorant - 5; Grey Heron - 1; Mute Swan - 1pr + 6 cygnets; Tufted Duck - 23; Ruddy Duck - 2m; Little Ringed Plover - 1juv; Common Sandpiper - 3-4; Common Tern - 7 ads + 7 juvs, all fledged; Grey Wagtail - 1.

Thursday 1st July 2004
A brief summary of the common tern breeding status at Thrybergh CP [MASmethurst].
Four pairs have again nested this year - 2 on the tern rafts and 2 on the old pontoon in front of the visitors centre. The 2 pairs on the rafts have raised 3 young each. 1 pair on the pontoon hatched 2 but 1 disappeared ( possibly predation ). The second pair layed 3 eggs but just as they started to hatch, the male went missing. The female, left to cope on her own, eventually abandoned the third egg to concentrate on feeding 2 chicks which had hatched. Even this proved too much - 1 chick disappearing within a few days and the second one also eventually going missing. In summary: out of at least 11 eggs layed, 10 chicks hatched and 7 have survived so far, of which 4 are now free-flying.

Photograph Copyright © Mike Smethurst

Sunday 27th June 2004
Little Grebe - 1 very elusive adult seen; possibly breeding; Great Crested Grebe - 3prs. No signs of successful nesting despite pair sitting for a couple of weeks; Mute Swan - 1pr + 6 cygnets; Pochard - resident drake joined briefly by female; Tufted Duck - 22; Ruddy Duck - 2m; Coot - 70 Ads + 16 juvs; Moorhen - 8 Ads + 4 juvs; Common Tern - 8 Ads + 6-7juvs, some almost ready to fledge; Kingfisher - 1 [an early record, usually late July/early August onwards]; Collared Dove - 21 on wires, inc juvs; Grey Wagtail - 1; Lesser Whitethroat - 3 singing; Willow Tit - 3+. Also: at least 45 flowering Bee Orchid spikes in car park; Ringlet (1); Large Skipper - numerous.

Sunday 20th June 2004
Little Grebe - 1; Great Crested Grebe - 3prs, inc one sitting; Cormorant - 2; Grey Heron - 2; Mute Swan - 1pr + 6 cygnets; Black Swan - 3 doing their usual, annual 'rounds'; Tufted Duck - 15; Coot - 61 ads + 20 juvs; Common Tern - 4prs + juvs. Male of one pair 'disappeared' inexplicably a few days ago. Female stopped incubating remaining eggs to concentrate on single chick which sadly, appears to have succumbed; Reed Warbler - 1 singing; Lesser Whitethroat - 1  singing; Linnet - post-breeding flock of 34.

Saturday 19th June 2004
Oystercatcher - 2.

Sunday 13th June 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 2prs, one with nest; Cormorant - 3; Grey Heron - 1; Mute Swan - 1pr + 6 cygnets; Tufted Duck - 19; Common Tern - 4prs nesting: 2prs each with 3juvs, 1pr with 2 (soon to be 3?) and 1pr still incubating - best ever year if all goes well; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1-2 raiding nest boxes for nestlings; Grey Wagtail - 1; Lesser whitethroat - 1 singing; Nuthatch - 1, uncommon here. Also: Elephant Hawkmoth (6); Buff-tip (2); Pale Prominent (2); Gold Spot (1), all caught in MV trap with lots of other 'goodies' by D.Stables.

Sunday 6th June 2004
Little Grebe - 1; Great Crested Grebe - 2prs, one with nest; Cormorant - 5; Mute Swan - 1 pr + 6 cygnets; Gadwall - 2m, 1f; Shoveler - 1m + hybrid f in from S; Tufted Duck - 18; Ruddy Duck - 2m; Ringed Plover - 1 over calling; Turtle Dove - 1 singing; Willow Tit - 1 family party. Also: Poplar Hawkmoth (2); Elephant Hawkmoth (3) caught in MV trap by Dean Stables.

Weekend 29th-31st May 2004 [as indicated]
Great Crested Grebe - 3; Cormorant - 6, 30/05; Grey Heron - 1, 30/05; Mute Swan - 1pr + 6 cygnets; Canada Goose - 58, 30/05; Gadwall - 2m; Tufted Duck - 7, 31/05; Ruddy Duck - 2m, 31/05; Kestrel - 2, 30/05; Hobby - 1 in from S, 0654hrs on 30/05, passed within 50m and left N/NE; Grey Partridge - 1, 30/05; Ringed Plover - 1, 30/05; Little Ringed Plover - 1, 31/05; Curlew - 1 E, then returning NW, 30/05; Common Gull - 1 SW, 30/05; Common Tern - 4 prs, all appear to be sitting; Yellow Wagtail - breeding confirmed: carrying food; Grey Wagtail - 1, 31/05; Willow Tit - breeding confirmed: 1-2 family parties; Reed Bunting - 5 singing.

Sunday 23rd May 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 4; Cormorant - 7 flew E together; Grey Heron - 3 flew NE calling; Mute Swan - 1pr + 6 cygnets; Shelduck - 1pr alighted in adjacent field; Gadwall - 2 drakes; Tufted Duck - 8; Grey Partridge - 1; Common Tern - 4prs on nesting rafts. Two birds appeared to be 'sitting'; Willow Tit - 1. Also: Lime Hawkmoth [see below] caught in mercury vapour trap [by D.Stables].

Photograph Copyright © Paul Leaonard

Monday 17th May 2004
A summer plumage Knot - all day.

Photograph Copyright © Mike Smethurst

Sunday 16th May 2004, unless otherwise stated.
Common Tern - apparently 4 distinct pairs, plus odd visiting birds - one (male?) bird with strongly de-curved bill and wearing BTO ring SX79046. A few years ago, SX79056 bred successfully at TCP. This bird ringed as nestling at Holme Pierrepont, Notts in July 1998. SX79046 probably from same source [?].

Photograph Copyright © Paul Leonard

Great Crested Grebe - 4; Greylag - 3 briefly, before leaving NW; Mute Swan - 1pr + 6 cygnets (1 addled egg in nest); Gadwall - 2m, 1f; Pochard - 1m; Tufted Duck - 5; Red Kite - 1, 12/05; Common Buzzard - 1 low to N; Knot - 1, 17/05; Turnstone - one (presumed same bird as 13/05, also at Silverwood Lagoon 15/05). Arctic Tern - 2, 12/05; 3, 13/05; Yellow Wagtail - 3m; Tree Sparrow - 7-8 nestboxes occupied, plus a few additional pairs around the site.

Sunday 2nd May 2004
Grey Heron - 1; Mute Swan - 1pr + nest; Gadwall - 2; Shelduck - 1pr visiting regularly; Tufted Duck - 10; Ruddy Duck - 3m; Sparrowhawk - 1; Common Sandpiper - 1.

Saturday 1st May 2004
Cormorant - 1; Greylag Goose - 3 in, circled & left NW; Gadwall - 3; Common Sandpiper - 2.

Red-rumped Swallow - The bird found amongst c2000 hirundines on 30/04 was not seen reliably after the initial sightings that morning, despite reports, and was assumed to have left as birds left and numbers dwindled. However, I visited early on the off chance on 01/05. Virtually no hirundines or Swifts present. While speaking to another birder, we looked up simultaneously to find the RRS circling overhead at 0620h! As it drifted west, we drew the attention of another local birder who kept his eye on it as we made our way over. By this time it had settled on wires with a few Swallows where it sat for c.20mins, allowing detailed description, photographs and video footage to be taken. News was put out but, by the time birders began to arrive it had flown and was hawking over fields to the NW, occasionally settling on distant wires. After c.45 mins of distant views, it headed back towards the reservoir and was last seen heading out low over the water. Viewing against the sun, it was soon lost from view and wasn't relocated.

Friday 30th April 2004
Red-rumped Swallow - a good find by Philip Ridsdale amongst c.2000 hirundines mid-morning and not seen reliably after the initial sightings, despite one or two reports, and was assumed to have left as birds left and numbers dwindled.

Tuesday 27th April 2004
Little Ringed Plover - 3; Bar-tailed Godwit - 1 N; Spotted Redshank - 1N with godwit; Redshank - 2; Greenshank - 1N; Swift - 30-40; Sand Martin - back up to c.300 after a 'lull'; Swallow - 30+; House Martin - 20+; Wheatear - 1f (also present yesterday).

Sunday 25th April 2004 [unless otherwise stated]
Great Crested Grebe - 5; Cormorant - 2; Mute Swan - 1pr, with bird still sitting on clutch of at least 7; Shelduck - a pair, present from 0600h, left NE at 0712h; Gadwall - 1m; Tufted Duck - 18; Little Ringed Plover - 1; Common Tern - 4, with much calling/displaying (up to 8 in recent days); Cuckoo - 1 (first seen/heard 24/04); Swift - first 2 on 22/04; Sand Martin - 1 up until 0915hrs! A huge drop after record count of c700 on 19/04; Swallow - 5; Sedge Warbler - first on 24/04; Lesser Whitethroat - 3 singing. (First 2 on 23/04); Whitethroat - 4 singing; Blackcap - 1 singing; Willow Warbler - 2+ singing; Nuthatch - 1 - a site rarity - on 19/04.

Sunday 18th April 2004 [unless otherwise indicated] - poor weather prevented full coverage:
Cormorant - 3; Mute Swan - 1pr + nest with clutch of at least 7; Golden Plover - 21 S; Little Ringed Plover - 1pr; Common Sandpiper - singles on 13th, 15th and 17th, 2 on 16th; Common Tern - singles on 14th, 15th and 18th; Sand Martin - c.500, the largest numbers for several years; House Martin - 1-2; Swallow - at least 15; Yellow Wagtail - one on 15th-16th.

Summary weekend 9th-12th April 2004
Great Crested Grebe - max 8, 12/04; Cormorant - max 6, 11/04; Grey Heron - max 5, 12/04; Mute Swan - 1pr + nest with clutch, plus a couple of extra birds over to NE on 11 + 12/04; Barnacle Goose - 1 NW with Greylags, 11/04; Shelduck - 1, 08/04; 2 N, 11/04; Greylag - 4 NW, 11/04; Gadwall - max 5 (3m), 12/04; Teal - 2, 12/04; Shoveler - 1pr circled & left NW, 12/04; Pochard - resident drake only; Tufted Duck - max 51, 11/04; Ruddy Duck - 2m, 2f, 11/04; Oystercatcher - 1 in from E 0804hrs, still present 0945hrs, 12/04; Golden Plover - max 4 N, 11/04; Little Ringed Plover - 1, 11/04; Redshank - 1 NE, 11/04; B-h Gull - c70 regularly, resting in adjacent field & taking insects hatching from surface of res; Great Black-backed Gull - 6W, 4NW, 12/04; Kittiwake - 1, 06/04; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1, 12/04; Sand Martin - max 32, 11/04; Swallow - max 2, 12/04; House Martin - singles, 11 & 12/04; Wheatear - 1f, 11/04; Blackcap - 1 singing, 12/04; Willow Tit - singles in song, both dates.

Summary Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th April 2004
Little Grebe - 1, 02/04; Great Crested Grebe - 5, 02/04 one of which caught & ate 2 Perch, c100mm in length within a few minutes; 3, 04/04; Cormorant - 11, 02/04; Grey Heron - 4 (inc 3 E), 02/04; Greylag - 2; Mute Swan - 1pr + nest with bird sitting; Shoveler - 1m; Pochard - 3m, 02/04; 2m, 04/04; Tufted Duck - 40; Ruddy Duck - 4m, 2f; Sparrowhawk - 2 displaying over Silver Wood; Coot - 61; Moorhen - 15; Golden Plover - c400 wheeling over, 02/04; c300, 04/04; Ringed Plover - 1 over, 02/04; Little Ringed Plover - 1 over, 02/04; Sand Martin - 33, 02/04; 25, 04/04; Swallow - 1 (first of year) 02/04; 2-3, 04/04; Chiffchaff - 1 singing; Willow Warbler - 1 singing (first of year, though one singing just outside Park on 03/04); Willow Tit - 1 singing; Reed Bunting - 6 singing. Also: Brown Hare - 4, 02.04; 1, 04/04.

Sunday 28th March 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 3; Cormorant - 13, inc 2 south; Grey Heron - 2; Mute Swan - 1pr with nest at S-end (egg seen yesterday), imm dropped in from S but seen off immediately; Gadwall - 3m, 2f, displaying; Pochard - 1m; Tufted Duck - 43; Little Ringed Plover - 1 over calling; Curlew - 1 N (MAS); Common Gull - 12, most moving S or W; Sand Martin - 2; Willow Tit - 1 singing; Nuthatch - 1 singing from Thrybergh Park (golf course).

Sunday 21st March 2004
Little Grebe - 1; Great Crested Grebe - 6; Cormorant - 3; Grey Heron - 1; Mute Swan - 1pr; Greylag - 1 flew west + 23 in adjacent field [these arrived 20/03 around time that birds were being shot at Wentworth; Pochard - 1; Tufted Duck - 13; Goldeneye - 1pr; Ruddy Duck - 1m; Sparrowhawk - 1; Lapwing - 20 birds in adjacent field with frequent display; Redshank - 1 over, calling; Common Gull - W/SW movement involving 11 birds, mostly adults, + 4 birds on res; Pied Wagtail - 8; Meadow Pipit - 2 'down', 11 N; Fieldfare - c.130 W/NW; Chiffchaff - 1 singing; Willow Tit - 3, inc 2 singing; Reed Bunting - 6 singing. Also - Brown Hare (1).

Saturday 20th March 2004
Scaup - 3 birds present to this date. An, as yet, unsubstantiated report of up to 5 [3 males] present on a date at end of last week, but no details.

Wednesday 17th March 2004
Sand Martin - first 3 of spring; Chiffchaff - 1 singing, first noted today.

Sunday 14th March 2004
Little Grebe - 1; Great Crested Grebe - 8; Cormorant - 2; Grey Heron - 2; Mute Swan - 1pr; Greylag - 1; Pochard - 19; Tufted Duck - 17; Scaup - 3 still present; Goldeneye - 1pr; Goosander - 1 redhead left S; Ruddy Duck - 1m; Grey Partridge - 1pr; Coot - 84; Moorhen - 16; Golden Plover - c.500 [including c300 circled and  left S/SE, c.50 N, c.70 S, 50-60 S and 20 S]; Common Gull - light S/SW passage of summer adults noted - 7, + 6 imm birds at Park; Stock Dove - 4; Redwing - 21 N; Willow Tit - 1; Reed Bunting - 4.

Saturday 13th March 2004 [MAS]
Single Dunlin and Ringed Plover together on the "beach" this morning. The 3 Scaup present and a Shelduck flew south.

Photographs Copyright © Mike Smethurst

Sunday 7th March 2004
Little Grebe - 2; Great Crested Grebe - 8; Cormorant - 6; Grey Heron - 2; Mute Swan - 1pr; Greylag - 2 dropped in; Pochard - 19; Tufted Duck - 27; Scaup - all 3 birds still present, drakes looking quite smart; Goldeneye - 1 pr, display; Ruddy Duck - 9 (8m); Grey Partridge - 1pr visiting feeding station; Ringed Plover - 1; Lapwing - c.50; Common Gull - 13.

Thursday 4th March 2004
Common Buzzard - 1 mobbed by crows, drifted E / seen later over Firsby with crows still in pursuit.

Sunday 29th February 2004
Little Grebe - 2; Great Crested Grebe - 9; Cormorant - 4; Grey Heron - 1; Mute Swan - 1pr building nest in Typha at S-end; Wigeon - 4m, 2f; Pochard - 88; Tufted Duck - 161; Scaup - all three birds still present until about half an hour after dawn, then presumably left unseen; Goldeneye - 2m, 1f; Coot - 84; Moorhen - 16; Sparrowhawk - 1 displaying; Ringed Plover - 2-3 present in recent days; Green Woodpecker - 1; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Siskin - 12; Bullfinch - 5; Reed Bunting - 4 singing.

Thursday 26th February 2004 [MAS]
The adult male Scaup showing well in front of the hide at Thrybergh CP this afternoon, with all three still present.

Tuesday 24th February 2004 [MAS]
All 3 Scaup still present at Thrybergh CP, with the second male rapidly approaching adult plumage. A pair of Goldeneye now displaying regularly.

Sunday 22nd February 2004
Little Grebe - 1; Great Crested Grebe - 1pr only, looking furtive around Typha at S-end [have they all moved to Wentworth Lakes?]; Cormorant - 6; Grey Heron - 2; Canada Goose - 35; Mute Swan - 1pr, throwing vegetation around at S-end; Wigeon - 3m, 3f; Gadwall - 2m, 1f; Pochard - 66; Tufted Duck - 48; Scaup - all 3 birds present, but distant; Goldeneye - 1pr displaying; Common Buzzard - 1 with damaged/missing primaries on one wing [the same bird has been returning to a Canada Goose corpse during past week]; Lapwing - c.160 in adjacent field; Golden Plover - 119 with Lapwings; Common Gull - 7; Willow Tit - 1 singing; Reed Bunting - 1 singing. Also - 2 Brown Hares.

Friday 20th February 2004 [per PL]
Ringed Plover - 1; Redshank - 1.

Sunday 15th February 2004
Little Grebe - 1; Great Crested Grebe - 6; Cormorant - 11; Grey Heron - 2; Mute Swan - 2; Gadwall - 4; Shoveler - 1; Pochard - 54; Tufted Duck - 56; Scaup - only the first-year drake visible but distant [all 3 birds present on 14th]; Goldeneye - 1pr displaying; Common Buzzard - 1 sat on dam for 20mins; Coot - 114; Lapwing - 94; Common Gull - 9, including 2 very heavily marked 2nd-winter birds;
Willow Tit - 1.

Friday 13th February 2004 [per PL]
Oystercatcher - 2.

Sunday 8th February 2004
Little Grebe - 1; Great Crested Grebe - 5; Cormorant - 8 [a massive drop in numbers]; Grey Heron - 2; Mute Swan - 3; Canada Goose - 69; Pochard - 31; Tufted Duck - 59; Scaup - all 3 birds still present [a 1st-year drake showing bill pattern, brown eyes, blotchy plumage / a 2nd-year/adult drake, eyes golden yellow, plumage now almost 100%, both birds showing green gloss to head]; Goldeneye - 2m, 1f displaying; Coot - c.120; Moorhen - 13; Lapwing - c200 in adjacent ploughed field; Goldcrest - 2.

Friday 6th February 2004
Ringed Plover - 1.

Sunday 1st February 2004
Little Grebe - 2; Great Crested Grebe - 9; Cormorant - 43; Grey Heron - 2; Mute Swan - 2; Wigeon - 5; Pochard - 48; Tufted Duck - 84; Scaup - 2m, 1f still present; Goldeneye - 1m, 2 'redheads'; Common Buzzard - 1 over; Lapwing - c80.

Sunday 25th January 2004
Little Grebe - 2; Great Crested Grebe - 11; Cormorant - 35 in from N at dawn / numbers down on recent weeks; Grey Heron - 2; Wigeon - 19; Pochard - 30; Tufted Duck - 158; Scaup - 3 (2m) still present; Goldeneye - 2 (1m); Ruddy Duck - 2.

Saturday 24th January 2004 [MS]
The male Scaup [at least] still present at Thrybergh CP with plumage developing [below].

Photograph Copyright © Mike Smethurst

Thursday 22nd January 2004
Ringed Plover - one - a very unseasonal record.

Monday 19th January 2004
Pintail - 5.

Sunday 18th January 2004
Little Grebe - 2; Great Crested Grebe - 17; Grey Heron - 2; Cormorant - 57 in from N at dawn, inc flock of 39; Greylag - 34 at dawn, left W/NW at around 0800h; Wigeon - 23; Gadwall - 13; Pintail - a male [below]; Shoveler - 1; Pochard - 57; Tufted Duck - 210; Scaup - at least 2 [1m,1f] still present, but very distant; Lapwing - c.60; Green Woodpecker - 1.

Photograph Copyright © Paul Leonard

Sunday 11th January 2004
The 2 long-staying Scaup joined by a third mid-week [now a 1st-winter female, a 1st-winter male and a 1st-winter/eclipse male, the latter bird in almost full plumage - watched at 30-40m and all show features, including bill pattern, consistent with Scaup. All 3 birds sticking together and associating with Tufted Ducks.
Otherwise: Little Grebe - 2; Great Crested Grebe - 21; Cormorant - 54 in from N at dawn - birds seen lifting from Denaby Ings roost and heading directly for TCP; Grey Heron - 2; Wigeon - 1; Shoveler - 1; Pochard - 24; Tufted Duck - 67; Lapwing - 40; Green Woodpecker - 1.

Summary for 28th to 30th December 2003
Little Grebe - 2 regularly; Great Crested Grebe - 27, 30/12; Cormorant - 54, 30/12; Grey Heron - 2 regularly; Wigeon - 21, 30/12; Gadwall - 10, 30/12; Shoveler - 3, 30/12; Pochard - 40, 30/12; Tufted Duck - c.250; 'Scaup' - drake still present, 30/12 at least; Ruddy Duck - 4, 30/12; Golden Plover - 39 in adjacent field, 30/12; Lapwing - 85, in field with GP's 30/12; Common Gull - 18, 30/12.

Sunday 21st December 2003
Little Grebe - 2; Great Crested Grebe - 26; Cormorant - 52 in from N at dawn, inc parties of 14 and 15, [c.25 remaining on res in recent days]; Wigeon - 3; Pochard - 14; Tufted Duck - 158; 'Scaup' - both birds still present, associating with Pochard and Tufted Ducks; Goosander - 1m; Common Buzzard - 1 with missing primaries in right wing, over fields to E; Falco sp - escaped falconers bird with jesses seen again - made a serious (but ambitious) pass at a Cormorant over water, forcing it to take evasive action; Common Gull - 6. (20-30 gathering in recent afternoons); Black-headed Gull - c.150.

Sunday 20th December 2003
Barn Owl - 1.

Sunday 14th December 2003
Little Grebe - 1; Great Crested Grebe - 15; Cormorant - 54, inc parties of 14 & 25 in from N at dawn - most dispersing S/SW/W; Grey Heron - 1; Canada Goose - 77; Greylag - 1; Wigeon - 9; Pochard - 11; Tufted Duck - 87; Scaup - suspected 1st yr drake joined by female-type on 11/12 - both still present; Sparrowhawk - 2; Peregrine - 1 ad (male on size/build) circled briefly before leaving N, 806h; Falco sp - 1 large, jessed bird over and settled in adjacent field for several minutes before leaving N - long wings and long, ample tail suggested Lanner or Lanner x hybrid - also seen on one or two occasions earlier in week; Lapwing - 23 W; Goldcrest - 2.

Summary 30th November to 11th December 2003
Little Grebe - 3 regular; Great Crested Grebe - 20; 22 on 09/12; Cormorant - 39; 40 inc 28 in together, 09/12; Grey Heron - 3 regularly; Mute Swan - 2 regularly; Whooper Swan - 1 briefly, before chased off by Mutes, 08/12; Canada Goose - 73, 09/12; Greylag Goose - 64, left W at dawn, 09/12; Wigeon - 16; 8 on 09/12; Gadwall - 12, 09/12; Pintail - 2 (1st W m + f), 07/12. Seen at Thrybergh Tip later; Pochard - 14; 33 on 09/12, after cold snap; Tufted Duck - 77, with 141 on 09/12, after cold snap; 'Scaup' - still present with Tufteds, both dates; Goosander - 1m briefly; Ruddy Duck - 1, 09/12; Coot - c.130 regularly; Lapwing - c.140; Golden Plover - c.350 wheeling over fields to S Silverwood Tip lagoon?); Green Woodpecker - 1, 09/12; Stock Dove - 24 in adjacent field, 09/12; Goldcrest - 2, 09/12; Waxwing - 2 N, 30/11; Tree Sparrow - c.40 visiting feeding station; Greenfinch - c.80 visiting feeding station.

Sunday 30th November 2003
Little Grebe - 5; Great Crested Grebe - 18; Cormorant - max 19 'down', with others over; Grey Heron - 2; Wigeon - 11 present from dawn, joined later by a further 16; Pochard - 5; 'Scaup' - still present with Tufteds [watching moult with great interest]; Tufted Duck - 87; Moorhen - 25; Coot - 115; Lapwing - 38 in/over adjacent fields; Herring Gull - 6 W; Stock Dove - up to 35 feeding in adjacent ploughed field in recent days; Green Woodpecker - 1; Grey Wagtail - 1.

Thursday 27th November 2003
Scaup - the 1st year bird still present to this date [at least].

Sunday 23rd November 2003
Little Grebe - 3; Great Crested Grebe - 11; Cormorant - 19, most dispersing W/SW; Grey Heron - 2; Mute Swan - 2; Greylag - 1; Pochard - 12; Tufted Duck - 58; Lapwing - 22; Mistle Thrush - 1 singing; Tree Sparrow - up to 40 visiting feeding station in recent days; Brambling - up to 6 regularly.

Sunday 16th November 2003
Little Grebe - 6; Great Crested Grebe - 14; Cormorant - 28, most dispersing to W/SW; Grey Heron - 2; Greylag - 1; Pochard - 3; Tufted Duck - 71; Scaup [pending acceptance] - a convincing 1st yr bird still present from midweek; Coot - 135; Moorhen - 20; Herring Gull - 39 W; Green Woodpecker - 1; Grey Wagtail - 2; Rock Pipit - 1 S/SE at 0716h; Chiffchaff - 1; Brambling - 10 SE.

Sunday 9th November 2003
Little Grebe - 2; Great Crested Grebe - 12; Cormorant - 27, inc flock of 16 in from N at dawn; Grey Heron - 3; Gadwall - 1; Teal - 6; Pochard - 4; Tufted Duck - 47; Ruddy Duck - 1; Golden Plover - 11 south; Greenfinch - c.30 feeding at new feeding station in 'Pond Field'.

Saturday 8th November 2003
Goldeneye - 2m.

Sunday 2nd November 2003
Little Grebe - 6; Great Crested Grebe - 10; Cormorant - 9 minimum; Pochard - 6; Tufted Duck - 50; Water Rail - 1 present since at least 27/10; Moorhen - 24; Coot - 130-135; Grey Wagtail - 1.

Sunday 26th October 2003
Little Grebe - 5; Great Crested Grebe - 10; Cormorant - 10; Grey Heron - 1; Greylag Goose - 2; Pochard - 6; Tufted Duck - 43; Goldeneye - 1 f/imm briefly; Common Buzzard - 1 sat on hedge to E; Black-headed Gull - c.150; Common Gull - 4; Grey Wagtail - 1.

Sunday 19th October 2003
Little Grebe - 6; Great Crested Grebe - 6 or 7; Cormorant - 18; Wigeon - 4; Teal - 3; Pochard - 4; Tufted Duck - 26; Ruddy Duck - 1; Grey Wagtail - 1-2; Fieldfare - 43 minimum; Redwing - 23 minimum; Song Thrush - 7; Brambling - 3 NW; Lesser Redpoll - 4.

Thursday 16th October 2003
Rock Pipit - 1.

Wednesday 15th October 2003
Goldeneye - 1.

Monday 13th October 2003
Red-breasted Merganser - 1; Raven - 1.

Sunday 12th October 2003
Great Crested Grebe - 7; Cormorant - 23; Tufted Duck - 29; Common Buzzard - a 1st year bird perched on hedgerow to E, and 2 over Hooton Roberts in afternoon; Dunlin - 1 north; Knot - a 1st-winter found feeding on N shore around lunchtime, was very approachable, allowing photography to within 1m; Woodcock - 2 flew low to E in semi-darkness at 0652h; Tree Sparrow - 5.

Photograph Copyright © Paul Leonard

Summary, 28th September to 5th October 2003
Little Grebe - 6 regularly; Great Crested Grebe - 7 regularly; Cormorant - max 23 on 05/10; Grey Heron - 2-3 regularly; Mute Swan - numbers much reduced; 6-7 regularly; Wigeon - 1, 30/09; 4 circled & left S on 03/10; Gadwall - 1, 30/09; Pintail - 1 on 28/09; Ruddy Duck - up to 4 regularly; Common Buzzard - 2-3 seen regularly from Park looking E/NE, in afternoon; Grey Partridge - covey up to 30 regularly; Coot - c.130 regularly; Moorhen - up to 39 regularly; Lapwing - flock of c.70 regularly; Golden Plover - 37 N, 03/10; Snipe - 5 left adjacent field, 28/09; Dunlin - 2, 28/09; Kingfisher - up to 2 regularly; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2, 03/10; Skylark - 39 in adjacent fields, 03/10; Grey Wagtail - 2 regularly; Song Thrush - marked influx over period - 11 on 28/09, inc party of 6 in high from NE; Redwing - 5 W, 03/10; Chiffchaff - still 1-2 around; Raven - 1, 23/09 (first site record).

Sunday 21st September 2003
Little Grebe - 3; Great Crested Grebe - 4; Cormorant - 20, inc party of 9 in from N at dawn; Mute Swan - 13; Greylag Goose - 1; Wigeon - 4; Teal - 2; Shoveler - 1;
Tufted Duck - 25; Ruddy Duck - 1; Coot - 151; Moorhen - 33; Meadow Pipit - strong movement south with at least 173 between 0630-0900h, decreasing throughout
morning; Whitethroat - 1; Chiffchaff - 2; Siskin - 5 south.

Summary for 2nd to 8th September 2003
Little Grebe - 3; Great Crested Grebe - 5-6 ads + 2juvs; Cormorant - 13 on 07/09; Heron - 3, 08/09; Mute Swan - 20-21 regularly; Wigeon - first 4 of autumn, 06/09; 8 on 08/09; Gadwall - 1; Shoveler - 1, 08/09; Pochard - 2, 07/09; 3, 08/09; Tufted Duck - 23, 07/09; Ruddy Duck - 2, 08/09; Common Buzzard - 1, 02/09; Grey Partridge - c30, 07/09; Moorhen - 30, 07/09; Coot - 151, 07/09; Swift - 5, 07/09; Kingfisher - 2, 07/09; Alba wagtails - 15, 07/09; Yellow Wagtail - 2, 07/09; 1, 08/09; Grey Wagtail - 1-2 regularly; Sand Martin - 10, 07/09; Lesser Whitethroat - 1, 08/09; Chiffchaff - 5, inc 2 singing, 07/09; Willow Warbler - 1 singing, 07/09; Lesser Redpoll - 1 SE, 07/09; Siskin - 1 SE, 08/09.

Sunday 31st August 2003
Little Grebe - 5; Great Crested Grebe - 10 + 2juvs; Cormorant - 12; Heron - 3; Mute Swan - 19; Canada Goose - 114; Greylag - 1; Gadwall - 5; Tufted Duck - 32; Ruddy Duck - 1; Coot - 151; Golden Plover - 1; Lapwing - 37; Black-tailed Godwit - 15 in low from N, circled and left S, 0637hrs; Black-headed Gull - 50; Swift - 33 through during morning; Sand Martin - 20+; Meadow Pipit - 7 SE + 3 'down' (started moving at Spurn today); Grey Wagtail - 2; 'Alba' Wagtail - 3 at 0630hrs, increased to 31 by mid-morning; Yellow Wagtail - 1; Lesser Whitethroat - 2; Chiffchaff - 3, inc 2 singing; Goldfinch - 40-50; Linnet - 60-70.

In addition: Corn Bunting - a mega rarity these days - one present briefly last week.

Summary for 24th/25th August 2003
Little Grebe - 5; Great Crested Grebe - 11 + 2 juvs, 25/08; Cormorant - 7, 24/08; Heron - 3-4 regularly; Canada Goose - 156, 24/08; Greylag - 1, 24/08; Mute Swan - 20; Gadwall - 6, 25/08; Teal - 4, 24/08; Tufted Duck - 49, 25/08; Ruddy Duck - 2m, 2f at least; Coot - 135 inc juvs, 24/08; Moorhen - 33 inc juvs, 24/08; Golden Plover - 2 NE, 25/08; Lapwing - 104, 24/08; Dunlin - 1juv in at 0855hrs on 25/08 [below], very confiding, feeding down to c.5m, damaged/diseased right eye; Snipe - 1NW, 25/08; Curlew - 12N together, 24/08; 16N/NW together, 25/08; Common Sandpiper - 1, 25/08; Common Gull - small numbers moving through; Swift - 1, 24/08; 3. 25/08; Stock Dove - 5, 24/08; Tree Pipit - 2 SE together, 24/08; Yellow Wagtail - 2, 25/08; Hirundines - generally small numbers, but c.20 Swallows, c.20 Sand Martins and c.400 House Martins dropped in ahead of squally showers on 25/08; Sedge Warbler - 1, 24/08; Lesser Whitethroat - 1-2 regularly.

Photograph Copyright © Paul Leonard

Sunday 17th August 2003.
Little Grebe - 3; Great Crested Grebe - 11; Cormorant - 6; Heron - 3; Mute Swan - 21; Canada Goose - 115, inc x Greylag hybrid; Greylag - 1; Gadwall - 2; Teal - 2;
Shoveler - 3; Pochard - 2; Tufted Duck - 35; Ruddy Duck - 2m, 2f; Marsh Harrier - 1 juv, in low from N/NW 0830hrs, gained height & left E/SE 0834hrs; Lapwing - 88 in adjacent field; Ruff - 1m, 1f circled low before leaving S/SE at 0750hrs; Common Tern - 1 adult briefly; Swift - strong S movement 0625-0900hrs, peaking around 0830hrs, in parties up to 30; Yellow Wagtail - 3; hirundines - as in Swift, mostly House Martin with lesser numbers of Swallow; Sedge Warbler - 1; Lesser Whitethroat - 3 together; Willow Tit - 4; Goldfinch - 30-40.

Sunday 10th August 2003.
Little Grebe - 2 ads + 3 juvs; Cormorant - 7; Heron - 3 west; Black Swan - 2 regular; Mute Swan - 21 regular; Greylag Goose - 1; Canada Goose - 45; Gadwall - 2m, 2f/imm; Tufted Duck - 39; Moorhen - 27+; Coot - 131; Lapwing - c.120 in adjacent field; Common Sandpiper - 2; Common Tern - 9 ads; Black Tern - 1 juv for an hour; Yellow Wagtail - 5; Sedge Warbler - 1 regular; Lesser Whitethroat - 1; Tree Sparrow - c.60 around Park, in flocks up to 20. Also: Brown Hare (2); Painted Lady (1); Migrant Hawker (1m), all on 10/08.

Photograph Copyright © Paul Leonard

Friday 8th August 2003
Great Crested Grebe - 11 ads + 2 juvs; Ruddy Duck - 3m, 5f; Cuckoo - 1;

Thursday 7th August 2003
Little Egret - one flew north.

Sunday 3rd August 2003
Little Grebe - 1pr + 2juvs, 01/08; 3 (probably all juvs); Great Crested Grebe - 10ads + 2 juvs; Cormorant - 4; Black Swan - 2; Mute Swan - 19; Gadwall - 2; Pochard - 3; Tufted Duck - 44; Ruddy Duck - 5m, 5f / juvs; Lapwing - 14 S; Common Tern - 10, inc 2 fledged juvs; Kingfisher - 1; Green Woodpecker - 1; Stock Dove - 2 [below]; Yellow Wagtail - 2; Grey Wagtail - 1; Sedge Warbler - 1 juv; Lesser Whitethroat - 4; Willow Tit - 4.

Photograph Copyright © Paul Leonard

Friday 1st August 2003
Sedge Warbler - 1 at filter beds.

Monday 28th July 2003
Cuckoo - 1.

Sunday 27th July 2003
Little Grebe - 2 ads + 3 juvs (one in from elsewhere); Great Crested Grebe - 10 ads + 2 juvs; Cormorant - 8; Canada Goose - 75, numbers building; Greylag - 1 with Canada Geese + 1 flew SE; Mute Swan - 16; Gadwall - 1; Tufted Duck - 37; Ruddy Duck - 11 (6m); Coot - 100 ads, 38 juvs; Moorhen - 11 ads, 9 juvs; Common Tern [below] - 12, inc 4 juvs, at least one flying strongly; Yellow Wagtail - 3 juvs. Also: a Blue-tailed Damselfly [photograph in Dragonflies menu].

Photograph Copyright © Paul Leonard

Sunday 20th July 2003
Little Grebe - 1pr + 2 juvs; Great Crested Grebe - 10+ ads, but juvs not seen; Cormorant - 4; Black Swan - 2; Mute Swan - 14; Greylag - 1;
Tufted Duck - 26; Ruddy Duck - 2m, 2f; Sparrowhawk - 1m to N, carrying prey; Common Tern - 4prs + 4 juvs. Fourth pair now given-up incubation. Two juvs fledged; Yellow Wagtail - breeding confirmed. Also: Red Admiral (1); Painted Lady (9 minimum) [below]; Gatekeeper (common).

Photograph Copyright © Paul Leonard

Sunday 13th July 2003
Little Grebe - 1pr + 2juvs; Great Crested Grebe - breeding finally confirmed - 7 ads + 2juvs; Cormorant - 2; Black Swan - 2; Mute Swan - 14; Gadwall - 1f + 1juv;
Tufted Duck - 24; Ruddy Duck - 3m, 1f; Common Tern - 4prs + 4 juvs; Grey Wagtail - 3.

Sunday 6th July 2003

Photograph Copyright © Paul Leonard

Little Grebe - 3ads, 1 juv; Great Crested Grebe - 9; Cormorant - 8; Grey Heron - 2; Black Swan - 2; Mute Swan - 10; Gadwall - 2f + 1juv; Tufted Duck - 14; Ruddy Duck - 2m + 4f; Common Tern - 4prs + 3juvs; Stock Dove - 2 singing; Yellow Wagtail - 3; Tree Sparrow - 15+.

Photograph Copyright © Paul Leonard

Summary for 22nd to 29th June 2003
Little Grebe - 2prs - breeding confirmed - brood of 2; Great Crested Grebe - 8 or 9 regularly; Cormorant - 1-4 regularly; Grey Heron - 1-2 regularly; 5W together on 24/06; Black Swan - 2, 24 & 29/06; Mute Swan - 9-12 regularly; Gadwall - breeding confirmed - 1f + brood of 1 from 24/06; Tufted Duck - 5-13 regularly; Ruddy Duck - 2m, 2f regularly, but 3m 24/06; Sparrowhawk - seen carrying prey over resr to N/NW regularly; Little Ringed Plover - 2, 22/06; 1, 24 & 25/06; Ringed Plover - 1, 22 & 25/06; 2, 24/06; Redshank - 1, 22/06; Common Tern - 4prs nesting, with 1juv so far. Max 14 ads on 24/06; Yellow Wagtail - 2-3 prs in adjacent fields.

Saturday 21st June 2003 [Birdnet info]
A report of a Red Kite SW over Thrybergh CP at 1012h.

Sunday 8th June 2003
Mute Swan - 9; Redshank - 1; Common Tern - 3prs; Willow Tit - 1 singing.

Sunday 1st June 2003
Little Grebe - 1 visible; Great Crested Grebe - 8 or 9. Nesting birds displaced from S-end by building Mute Swans; Cormorant - 2 imms; Gadwall - 2m still visiting regularly, females presumably on eggs nearby; Tufted Duck - 8; Ruddy Duck - 1m, 1f; Common Tern - 3rd pr prospecting on old pontoon in front of visitor centre; Willow Tit - breeding confirmed; Tree Sparrow - at least 4 family parties.

Sunday 25th May 2003
Little Grebe - 1pr; Great Crested Grebe - 7; Cormorant - 1 terrorising trout; Gadwall - 1m; Tufted Duck - 6; Ruddy Duck - 1m, 1f; Dunlin - 1 in from S, left W/NW; Common Tern - max 6 (2prs + 2 interlopers); Yellow Wagtail - 2; Tree Sparrow - breeding confirmed.

Sunday 18th May 2003
Little Grebe - probably a pair present/breeding, but very elusive; Great Crested Grebe - 3prs, inc one with nest; Cormorant - 2; Tufted Duck - 3prs; Ruddy Duck - 4m, 2f; Common Tern - 2prs on nest rafts; Yellow Wagtail - 5, inc 1pr displaying. Also - Brown Hare (3)

Sunday 11th May 2003
Turtle Dove - 1 flew N; Yellow Wagtail - 1pr. Also Small Copper butterfly. Plus: Common Sandpiper [D.Bye]

Summary for weekend Saturday 3rd to Monday 5th May 2003
Great Crested Grebe - 3prs, one with nest/clutch of 4; Cormorant - 2 on 5th; Gadwall - 2prs regularly; Tufted Duck - 8 on 5th; Ruddy Duck - 1m, 1f on 5th; Common Sandpiper - 1 on 5th; Common Tern - up to 5 this weekend, including a pair defending each raft so far; Stock Dove - 8 in adjacent field on 5th; Turtle Dove - 1 feeding with Stock Doves on 5th was the first [and last?] of the year; Yellow Wagtail - 3 on 5th; Lesser Whitethroat - up to 4 singing; Common Whitethroat - 5 singing on 5th; Willow Tit - 1.

Sunday 27th April 2003
Little Grebe - up to 3 back on res [TCPBL]; Great Crested Grebe - 3-4prs regularly, 1 with active nest; Gadwall - 1-2prs regularly; Tufted Duck - 12; Little Ringed Plover - 1; Common Tern - 3 (up to 5 in recent days); Swift - 4+.

Saturday 26th April 2003 [PL]
Swift - 8.

Friday 25th April 2003 [PL]
Swift - 3.

Thursday 24th April 2003
Cuckoo - 1 [TCPBL]; Swift - 3 [PL].

Tuesday 22nd April 2003 [PL]
Common Sandpiper - 1.

Friday 18th April 2003 [TCPBL].
Lesser Whitethroat - 1.

Thursday 17th April 2003 [TCPBL].
Common Buzzard - 1.

Monday 21st April 2003
Little Gull - 8.

Sunday 20th April 2003
Great Crested Grebe - 4prs; Gadwall - 2prs; Tufted Duck - 16; Little Ringed Plover - 1; Snipe - 1; Common Tern - 1 briefly; Sand Martin - c.30; Swallow - c.15; House Martin - 1; Whitethroat - 1 singing.

Friday 18th April 2003
Lesser Whitethroat - 1.

Wednesday 16th April 2003
Little Gull - 3.

Tuesday 15th April 2003
Sandwich Tern - 2.

Monday 14th April 2003
White Wagtail - 1; Sedge Warbler - 1.

Sunday 13th April 2003
Great Crested Grebe - 2prs; Cormorant - 6; Gadwall - 2prs; Shoveler - 2prs; Tufted Duck - 5prs; Ruddy Duck - 1 male; Coot - 51 + 6 active nests; Sand Martin - 10; Willow Warbler - 1 singing.

Saturday 12th April 2003
Shelduck - 3.

Thursday 10th April 2003
Goldeneye - 1 male.

Sunday 6th April 2003
Great Crested Grebe - 3prs; Cormorant - 9; Greylag Goose - 1 east; Gadwall - 1pr; Teal - 2prs; Tufted Duck - 16; Snipe - 1; Redshank - 2 east; Sand Martin - 9; Willow Tit - 1 singing. Also a male Marsh Harrier [see Thrybergh Banks].

Saturday 5th April 2003
House Martin - 1.

Friday 4th April 2003
Wheatear - 1.

Tuesday 1st April 2003 [PL et al]
Adult summer Black-necked Grebe all day.

Sunday 30th March 2003
Little Grebe - 1pr; Great Crested Grebe - 3prs; Cormorant - 8; Gadwall - 2prs; Tufted Duck - 11; Redshank - 2 displaying in adjacent field; Sand Martin - 7; Fieldfare - 29 in field to S, singing in sunshine; Blackcap - 1 singing; Chiffchaff - 1 singing; Reed Bunting - 18+ sallying from top of hedgerow after flying insects [in parties of up to 7, mostly females]. Butterlies here: Orange Tip (1m), Peacock (1), Small Tortoiseshell (2).

Saturday 29th March 2003
Greylag Goose - 9.

Sunday 23rd March 2003
Little Grebe - 1pr; Great Crested Grebe - 6, much display; Cormorant - 4; Gadwall - 2pr; Shoveler - 2m, 1f; Pochard - resident male only; Tufted Duck - 17; Coot - 52; Lapwing - 23; Redshank - 1; Grey Wagtail - 2; Chiffchaff - 2 singing; Willow Tit - 1 singing.

Friday 22nd March 2003
Sand Martin - first 2 today.

Tuesday 18th March 2003
Shelduck - 2.

Sunday 16th March 2003
Little Grebe - 2prs, signs of breeding activity; Great Crested Grebe - 1pr, also signs of breeding activity; Cormorant - 4, numbers much reduced; Greylag Goose - 2; Shoveler - 1pr; Pochard - 6; Tufted Duck - 17; Ruddy Duck - 3 males; Little Ringed Plover - 2 in from E, left S, first record of spring; Ringed Plover - 1 E; Chiffchaff - 1 singing; Willow Tit - 2 singing; Reed Bunting - 4 singing.

Friday 14th March 2003
Stonechat - a superb male, from 12th -14th at least.

Thursday 13th March 2003
Kittiwake - one.

Thursday 6th March 2003
One Water Rail still performing well under the willows at the S end, 1300h.

Sunday 23rd February 2003
Little Grebe - 4 min; Great Crested Grebe - 7; Grey Heron - 2; Mute Swan - 12; Greylag Goose - 2; Wigeon - 17 regularly in recent days; Pochard - 80; Tufted Duck - c.150.

Thursday 20th February 2003
Gadwall - 11; Teal - 4; Pochard - 99; Tufted Duck - c.260; Ruddy Duck - 4.

Sunday 2nd February 2003
Little Grebe - 4; Great Crested Grebe - 9; Cormorant - 10 [not so many recently]; Mute Swan - 23 was possibly a site record; Greylag Geese - 2; Wigeon - 23; Pochard - 11; Tufted Duck - 130; Peregrine - an ad female in low from N at 0918h, flushing everything, before leaving W.

Sunday 26th January 2003
Little Grebe - 6; Great Crested Grebe - 6; Cormorant - 21; Mute Swan - 8; Wigeon - 22; Gadwall - 1; Pochard - 20; Tufted Duck - 51; Water Rail - 1 showing well under willows at S-end.

Sunday 12th January 2003
Little Grebe - 5 minimum; Great Crested Grebe - 11; Cormorant - c.50, including parties of 23 and 19, most dispersing to S/SW/W; Greylag Goose - 2; Mute Swan - 18; Wigeon - 22; Gadwall - 22 + the hybrid drake; Teal - 7; Pochard - 79; Tufted Duck - 242; Goldeneye - 1m briefly; Goosander - 1 S; Grey Partridge - 6; Lapwing - c.160 in adjacent field; Golden Plover - 17 with Lapwings; Willow Tit - 2; Bullfinch - 5.

Friday 10th January 2003
Peregrine - 2 (a pair) together at 0830h, one carrying prey.

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