July 2004 Summary

The low water levels and exposed mud meant that waders were prominent throughout the month, with ten different species being present. The highlights were two Oystercatchers, the first at the reservoir for several years. A total of five Little Ringed Plovers were seen, while other scarcities included an adult Yellow-legged Gull present on a number of dates.

Species

Highest Count

Date

Notes

Great Crested Grebe

24

24

Only a small number of young this year
Little Grebe 1 3rd-4th  

Cormorant

17 24  
Grey Heron 10 5th  
Little Egret 3 21st/24th/28th-29th Singles seen on other dates
Moorhen 10+   At least four pairs bred
Coot 6+   At least three pairs bred

Mute Swan

4

18th

 
Canada Goose 72 21st  
Teal 2 8th-11th Pair present
Tufted Duck 1 4th-5th Single drake present
Hobby 1 31st  
Sparrowhawk 1 12th  

Peregrine

2

 

Single birds seen on several days throughout the month
Oystercatcher 2 24th/27th  
Lapwing 4 5th Also a single bird on 20th
Ringed Plover

1

2nd

 
Little Ringed Plover 4 19-20th Also a single bird on 14th
Black-tailed Godwit 7 5th Also 4 on 15th and singles on 6th and 17th
Common Sandpiper 16 16th  
Green Sandpiper 2 6th Also singles on 16th-17th, 20th and 30th
Dunlin 1 8th/20th/24th/31st  
Redshank 3 19th Also singles on 1st and 6th
Greenshank 2 20th Also singles on several dates
Yellow-legged Gull 1 from 11th Adult bird present regularly
Black-headed Gull 20+ 14th Numbers steadily increasing through the month
Common Tern 2 20th/23rd Also a single bird on 19th
Kingfisher 2 14th Single birds seen on several days throughout the month
Green Woodpecker 1 7th/20th  
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 20th  
Swift 20 8th  
House Martin 30+ 31st  
Sand Martin 16 7th Also 15+ on 31st
Spotted Flycatcher 1 3rd/5th  
Stock Dove 3 8th  
Grey Wagtail 1 2nd  
Pied Wagtail 2 9th Juvenile birds
Whitethroat 5 29th  
Reed Bunting 2 27th