Friday 30 April 2010

Friday 30th April 2010 - Afternoon

14:00 > 16:00

11c, cool SW breeze, cloudy.

Little Ringed Plovers and Yellow Wagtails remain but the highlight was three Oystercatchers not only down on the shore but also up on the hill amongst the sheep for a time. Three Lapwing along with a lone Common Sandpiper are new additions whilst overhead a multitude of Swifts passed through.

The Common Buzzard sent everything skywards with a low glide over the water, even the Shelduck pair got second best for once which for a while left the Gadwall in peace. Sedge Warblers heard along the River Ouse and Chiffchaff heard in several places.

Thursday 29 April 2010

29th April 2010 - NBBR

Per Chris G

A male Common Wheatear up on the slope in the far south western corner then later down on the banking at the west end.
Water levels now way, way down and little hope now I think of any passage waders this year. Six LRP still dotted about as are still a smatteing of Yellow Wagtail but nowhere near the numbers of last week nor any sign of Blue Heads. Pieds dominate still and a White Wagtail can still be found amongst them.
And finally a personal 'mega' a bird that everyone sees apart from me, at last I can cross off Little Owl from the confines of the site.

Wednesday 28 April 2010

Weds 28th April 2010 - Afternoon

16:00 > 16:30

Cloudy, muggy, 18c

Water levels increasingly low.A handful of Yellow Wagtails still about and a single White Wagtail still amongst the Pieds.

Housemartins over the water increasing in number.

Three Little Ringed plovers seen but the only other wader a single Oystercatcher over.

The Common Shelduck pair continue to rule the roost whilst the resident Common Buzzard can still be found in the cluster of trees in the central field.

Monday 26 April 2010

16th April 2010 - NBBR

Per Chris G

A little bit of an influx overnight at the Farm, at 7am five LRP's three of which are very flighty, two RP's on one of the gravel islands close to the southern bank and a fair smattering of Yellow Wagtails plus the usual multitude of Greensands and a pair of Little Egret.

Monday 26th April - Late Morning

11:30 > 12:00
14c Spitting rain, NW breeze, feeling cool.

A pair of Common Terns prospecting the gravel islands were a welcome site but if the water level doesn't hold any chance of nesting will be gone if by predation by the active foxes if nothing else. Shelduck pair remain as do at least four Little Ringed Plover. No sign of and Yellow Wagtail or Green sandpiper now, the latter due no doubt to the water levels or lack of. A party of Housemartins were making use of the wet mud though taking off mouthfuls for nest building watched over by a Common Buzzard in Godwit Corner who looked like he didn't have a care in the world despite the odd mobbing by passing corvids.

Friday 23 April 2010

Friday 23rd April - Afternoon

14:30 > 16:30

A good wander around the perimeter. Greeted by a pair of Common Buzzard and fleetingly an Oystercatcher overhead. Out on the water, or what remain of it, the Little Ringed Plovers and Green Sandpipers remain as do the pair of slumbering Common Shelduck, leaving the Gadwall pair alone for once. Highlight of the day though was not one but two Blue Headed Wagtails.

Alerted by Rob Hills sighting yesterday and it being a bird that had not really occurred to me before I don't know how I missed amongst what must be around fifty Yellow Wagtails around the site. In with around twenty Yellows in the centre they were easy to pick out once you knew what you were looking for and I can only put it down to ignorance that I'd not seen the wood for the trees before. One a very standard blue head and the second a light more grey headed bird, almost a 'Channel'. (see I'm an expert already!).

Other birds of note a single Common Sandpiper hugging the eastern banking whilst a single Common Redshank was wading along the side of the last patch of deep(ish) water. On the silt beds a pair of Tufted Duck look well settled whilst a Common Gull low over was a suprise. four Lapwing looked pristine in the afternoon sun alongside a single Little Egret.

On the butterfly front Orange Tip were in abundance, especially along the river bank.

Thursday 22 April 2010

22nd April 2010 - NBBR

Per Rob Hill

Still 1m BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL at Manor Farm this evening, with 7 Yellow Wags, in the pasture between the buildings and the pit. About 25 Yellow Wags on site in total.

Also on site 4 Green Sand, 4 LRP, 1 Common Sand, 1 male White Wag, and 1 Little Egret. 1ad LBB Gull flew over.

Wednesday 21 April 2010

21st April 2010 - NBBR

Per Rob H & Chris G

Rob:
At Manor Farm this evening, highlight was a female BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL in the pasture field between the farm and the pits. The bird then flew off towards the pit and I couldn't relocate it. The bird looked very similar to the individual seen & photographed at Calvert by Tim a couple of years ago, but the superc. was more flared behind the ear coverts (apparently within variation) and the throat was a touch cleaner white than the Calvert bird.

Just as nice were the numbers of Yellow Wag - c30 in total, the largest spring flock I've seen in Bucks for a long time.

On the pits were 8 LRP, 2 Green Sand, 2 Common Sand, 1 Shelduck, and 1 Oyc. Unfortunately the water levels have dropped again, by about 6ft, and conditions are looking less and less suitable for waders. Does anyone know anything about the pumping regime at MF? Hopefully it will stop soon, or maybe rainfall will top up the water levels.

Chris:
Was down this afternoon Rob and yep that waters getting low though for what reason I don't know as work appears to have stopped again, anyone?

Didn't spot the Blue-Head (but then I never would) but i'd double that number for Yellowags on site at least, they were in abundunce along the far west slopes where the sheep are and in the 'flat' field around the farmhouse heading back towards the main road as well as the ones dotted around the pits themselves. In the small field heading down to the pits there were seventeen in one small area at one time, quite a site in the afternoon sun. Only addition to your sighting, one of the White Wagtails out on the mud around Godwit Corner and again on the nearside banking.

Weds 21st April - Evening

17:30 > 18:00

17c Sun, cool north breeze.

Now at least 16 Yellow Wagtails on site while Green Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover numbers remain healthy. The real stars today though were the hirundines. Swallows catching their breath after their long journey perched on the barbed wire
fences whilst a handful of Sandmartin were out over the water.

Friday 16 April 2010

Monday 19th April - Afternoon

15:30 > 16:00
16c Sun, broken cloud.

Brief visit. The Green Sandpipers are 'back' with three dotted about the area around the gravel island.

Water levels down, pumps are back on, concerns of it all disappearing a little too fast for any wader migration.

Still at least four Little Ringed Plovers though. Other birds of note, the ever impressive Yellow Wagtail flock while the Gadwall pair still hold their ground against the two Common Shelduck.

Friday 16th April - Afternoon

14:00 > 15:30

12c Sun, broken cloud, feeling cold.

The cattle have returned making things 'interesting' to say the least. As well as looking skywards its a case of watching what's under your feet too.

Certainly a Wagtail day. As well as steadily increasing numbers of Yellow Wagtail (now double figures) amongst the Pied are two White Wagtails The Shelduck pair continue their aggression of last spring and try to drive all from the water.
Whilst it would be good to see the pair of Gadwall and the sprinkling of teal remain I don't hold out much hope although one Mallard did try to give back as much as he got in a fine bit of aerial combat. A Common Buzzard was long the canal embankment
while the only waders of note were a pair of Little Ringed Plover. It may have been me but Green Sandpiper evaded me today.

Friday 16th April – Morning

7:00 > 7:20
4c Calm, sunny.

Two new birds in a pair of Ringed plover out on one of the gravel islands near to the south banking. At least five LRP’s including a trio of very flighty birds. Usual six or seven Green Sandpipers but no sign of yesterday evenings Redshanks. Two pair of teal still present and were two singles of little egret.

Thursday 15 April 2010

15th April 2010 - NBBR (2)

Per Rob Hill

At Manor Farm this evening, 3 Redshank, 3 LRP, 7 Green Sand, 1pr Shelduck, 1 Barn Owl, c50 Pied Wags, 1 resplendent male WHITE WAGTAIL, 7 Yellow Wags and 1pr each of Gadwall & Teal.

Alas the water level in the western pit is very low, and rather unattractive to waders. Fortunately the eastern pit looks a lot better, and is the better bet for waders.

15th April 2010 - NBBR

Rob Hill (after a request on Barn Owl info)

I've seen the Barn Owl 3 times now over the past week. It prefers the rough grassy area immediately to the east of the eastern pit. At the moment it seems to start hunting at c8.40 - 8.45pm.

I'm surprised it's still around, and not passing through. I wouldn't think there's enough food for it in the rather limited habitat available.

Thursday 15th April 2010 – Afternoon

16:30 > 17:00

First visit in a week and noticeably levels down especially to the west of site. Quick scan reveals three Common Redshank and at least three, maybe more Little Ringed Plovers. Yellow Wagtail now in abundance as are Green Sandpipers as per usual. Also amongst the many Pied Wagtails are at least one (I suspect two) White Wagtails. Also along the banking and out on the mud a couple of reed Buntings and Meadow Pipits. Two pair of Teal and a single pair of Gadwall remain.

Monday 12 April 2010

12th April 2010 - NBBR

Per Chris Coppock

At Manor Farm this evening, 3 Redshank, 3 LRP, 7 Green Sand, 1pr Shelduck, 1 Barn Owl, c50 Pied Wags, 1 resplendent male WHITE WAGTAIL, 7 Yellow Wags and 1pr each of Gadwall & Teal.

Alas the water level in the western pit is very low, and rather unattractive to waders. Fortunately the eastern pit looks a lot better, and is the better bet for waders.

Saturday 10 April 2010

10th April 2010 - NBBR (2)

Per Dick & Val

2 yellow wag (scrape nearest digger)
1 grey wag
4 greensand
2 LRP
1 redshank

10th April 2010 - NBBR

Per Rob Hill

At Manor Farm on Saturday evening, 8 Green Sands and the male White Wagtail still

Friday 9 April 2010

9th April 2010 - NBBR

Per Si Nich

Water level is continuing to drop at an alarming rate , and we may miss out on the peak wader passage , but still 6 Green Sandpipers this evening , along with a pair of SHELDUCK , 4 LRP , 84 (!) Pied Wagtails , 7 YELLOW WAGTAILS and a male WHITE WAGTAIL. Best of all was the BARN OWL that was quartering the eastern end.

Thursday 8 April 2010

8th April 2010 - NBBR

Per Ben Miller

Waders - 6-7 Green Sandpipers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 1 Common Redshank, 1 Common Snipe

1 WHITE WAGTAIL, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Meadow Pipit with a pre-roost flock of 50+ Pied Wagtails

Plus 2 female Goosanders, which then flew east.

Manor Farm - Thurs 8th April - Early AM

Site still loooking good.
6:15 > 6:45
4c Calm, clear sunrise.

This morning at first light out on the western mud and around Wader Pool four LRP's, six Green Sandpipers and a handful of Mipits. Little Egret over.

Oddly nothing at all on the eastern side with the Gravel Islands but two Lesser Spotted Birders were seen skulking along by the North Shore. ;)

Chris G

Wednesday 7 April 2010

Does it work

Post sent by email?

Weds 7th April - Late Afternoon

16:15 >17:00
10c calm

With the wind having dropped from lunchtime and work on the inlet finished for the day it was time to take stock. The Common Redshank reamins along with now at least five LRP's. A group of three chasing each other non stop around the site whilst two wander around the margins. Two more seen out on one of the gravel islands may have been the same pair but alongside four Green Sandpipers (i'm guessing numbers much be 10+ of these now) and the Redshank they were the sight of the day, seven waders in the late afternoon breaking sun all camped on a small gravel island no more than three foot long. Why did I leave that camera at home?

The only other addition on the day was a single Little Egret in the Wader Pool.

Weds 7th April - Lunchtime

13:15 > 13:45
8c Cold northerly, spitting rain.

Gravel extraction now apace in the old inlet area with a large digger filling a shuttle service of three large lorries.
The birds don't seem to care though as there were many dotted about the mud and especially round the newly isolated Wader Pool, see post below.

At least three Little Ringed Plover in this area alone along with a single Common Redshank and ever increasing Green Sandpipers which now must be in double figures round the site as everytime you focus in on something a Greensand is there too.

Out on the mud six Yellow Wagtails amongst the multitude of Pieds whilst Meadow Pipit numbers are getting higher too. No sign of the Goosander but other wildfowl as per this morning, again see below. Along the far eastern banking next to the tracks to the pumps Reed Buntings continue their cat and mouse games. A few Swallows still about along with a smattering of Sand and House Martin. A Common Buzzard was over.

Weds 7th April - First Light

6:00am > 6:45
7c Broken cloud, sunrise, calm.

Big change in water levels overnight. Levels dramatically down but the good news is the large wader pool to the far west of site of last summer is now isolated from area being pumped. It now looks better than ever and will hopefully be topped up now and then with rain water. To the east of the main body more gravel islands emerge and if pumps are left running now this area should drain all the faster. Time will tell.

At first light around 20 Canada Geese and a single Greylag and the wandering Barnacle were out on the mud. A female Goosander still remains as do several pairs of Teal, four Gadwall and two pair of Tufted Duck.

A couple of Yellow Wagtails were along the North Shore while at least five Green Sandpipers were dotted about. No sign of any LRP's or other waders but then light first thing was not that great, back at lunchtime.

Tuesday 6 April 2010

Tues 6th April - Afternoon

16:00 > 17:00
14c Hazy sun, clouding over, southerly breeze.

Much the same as lunchtime (see below) with the addition of three Yellow Wagtials picked up in the fading sun.

Female Goosander still there along with several Green Sandpiper but only a single Little Ringed Plover seen. Little Egret in the now blocked off Inlet.

Strangely only a couple of Pied Wagtails seen at lunchtime, this evening they were numorous with the crisp White Wagtail along the South Bank of central field.

Rob Hill via NBBR also had the following this evening.

An evening visit, but birds very much as you were from the weekend, with 5 Green Sand, 2 LRP, 1 Little Egret, c40 Pied Wag, 2 Yellow Wag, 1f Goosander & 8 Teal.

Tues 6th April – Lunchtime

16c, Sun, strong southerly wind.

Big change in levels since I was here last Thursday evening and a bit of concern it (the water) is disappearing a bit too quickly. The place still looks good though, and expanse of mud and pools to the west of the main body of water and ever emerging gravel islands to the east. With a strong southerly wind pushing down the slope I suspect there may be things of interest hugged in on the south bank but time restricted me from viewing from the River Ouse side (perhaps this evening).

Three Little Ringed Plovers were out on the mud whilst a single LRP/RP out of bin range was on one of the far gravel islands. At least five Green Sandpipers now and I suspect maybe more as they seem to be everywhere.

One female Goosander still remain the south west corner and three or four pair of Teal still frequent the site.

And with the warmth came the first butterflies of the year for me with four Peacocks, a single and a trio rising together whilst a single ‘White’ was up on the slopes.

Monday 5 April 2010

Mon 5th April - Via NBBR

Simon Nicholls posted the following:

Manor Farm

Looks even better then my last visit ! Roll on May !

3 GREEN SANDPIPERS and 2 YELLOW WAGTAILS were pick of the crop here , backed up by 7 Meadow Pipits , 40+ Pied Wagtails , 4 pairs of Teal , small numbers of Sand Martins and Swallows west , 1 Common Gull was on the main pit.

Friday 2 April 2010

Lee Evans Good Friday Report

MANOR FARM WORKINGS, OLD WOLVERTON (NORTH BUCKS)
(1720-1808 hours)

These workings are looking tremendous at present and will surely pull in
many migrants throughout April and May. This evening, highlights of my visit
included 6 GOOSANDER (1 adult drake), 4 Gadwall, 8 Common Teal, Little
Egret
, a pair of LITTLE RINGED PLOVERS, 4 GREEN SANDPIPERS, 3 Barn Swallows,
an impressive 42 Pied Wagtails, 1 first-summer male WHITE WAGTAIL, 10
FIELDFARE and 3 Linnets. Surprisingly, there were no Yellow Wagtails present.

The site is best accessed north off of the V5 Great Monks Street.

Thursday 1 April 2010

Thurs 1st April - Via NBBR

Si Nicholls had the following:

Hi all

The bitter westerly wind this morning reminded me that I was not about to find hoards of summer migrants and passage waders ! And also what a joke (geddit !) It was getting out and about early !

1 GREEN SANDPIPER was the only wader , 5 Swallows and 4 Sand Martins attempted to make it look summery ! Failed ;-)

Best of the rest was 2 pairs of Teal and 5 Pied Wagtails

That said , the Farm is looking fantastic and as soon as passage gets underway proper , we should be reaping the rewards !

Keep looking !

And later a follow up...

I wonder if there is a precedent for afternoons at the Farm being more productive ?

The full rundown of species this morning was as follows

4 Tufted Ducks , 1 GC Grebe , 4 Teal , 4 Mallard , 5 BH Gulls , 5 Pied Wags, 1 Green Sandpiper !

No Shelduck , herons or any numbers of Small passerines ! A few Fieldfare are still present , watching these as Swallows swooped past them was quite surreal !

Thurs 1st April - Afternoon

15:30 > 17:00
5c Dull, odd shower, NW wind.

A very busy couple of hours this evening at MF.

A female Northern Wheatear along the track leading up to the pumps.
In the same area amongst the multitude of Pieds and the odd Reed Bunting hugging the East Banking was a very smart White Wagtail.
The Shelduck pair return and the drake has already started to try and clear the area of other wildfowl in the area but avoided the two Goosander that still remain.
As for waders, after a sharp shower (and echoing what Bob F has said earlier) there were two LRP's out on the mud while a pair of LRP/RP was on one of the gravel islands. No sign of the recent Redshank but at least five Green Sandpipers now and a pair of Oystercatchers.
Swallows still a plenty with a handful of Sand Martins and the first House Martins i've seen here this year.
All this and a few Teal, Gadwall and Tufted Duck still dotted about on the water and increasing number of Mipits made it all in an enjoyable evening despite the cold and at times wet.