Sun 7th July 19

Lots of birds on the mounds this morning, some being feed by adults and lots now fending for themselves, + 1 Stonechat (male).

The 2 LRP's and the Ruff were still on the scrape along with a single Dunlin. Avocet chicks reached 14 and 2 fully fledged young from elsewhere were still being guarded by their parents. 1 of the juv Bearded Tits put in a brief appearance in front of the hide.

From the hide :- 10 Shelduck (2+8), 36 Avocet (20 + 2 + 14), 6 Redshank, 6 Lapwing, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 LRP's, 1 Ruff, 1 Dunlin, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 4 Reed Warbler, 3 Reed Bunting, 5 Linnet, 1 Bearded Tit (juv), c100 Swift (over the arable).

Sat 6th July 19

Max Martin

07:54 Juv. Gt. S Woodpecker and 7 Sand Martin's around raised platform.
08:13 Ruff and two LRP on scrape.
08:17 Single Dunlin also, of interest Yellow and Blue ringed Avocet on scrape (Blue left leg, Yellow right leg).

Matt Lonsdale

08:56 Juv Beardies in front of hide just now, singing Corn Bunting and a Med Gull over the car park earlier.

Pete Loud

09:00 Kingfisher just flown past raised platform along brook towards Sluice.

Matt Lonsdale

18:42 Little change on scrape this evening : Ruff just left south, LRP’s still present and Corn Bunting still singing. Med Gull over the scrape on arrival.

Fri 5th July 19

The slow trickle of returning waders continues, no sign of yesterdays LRP or Dunlin but a smart male Ruff was new in. A new brood of Avocet chicks were on the small island on the right hand side of the scrape but only a total of 8 seen this morning, I think some of the larger chicks are hiding up behind the island.
From the Hide :- 11 Shelduck (3 + 8), 26 Avocet, (18 + 8), 6 Lapwing, 6 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Ruff, 4 Cormorant, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 6 Linnet. PRD/MR/JH

Also noted, a Cuckoo flew south passed the hide first thing with a large number of Meadow Pipit in pursuit PRD.

On the mounds 5 Whitethroat, 5 Linnet, 2 Goldfinch, c 16 Swallows were sitting in the entrance to the sluice and the male Stonechat was on the bushes on the way to the hide.
Pete Davis had a Sedge Warbler feeding young on the mounds earlier.

Thu 4th July 19

A lovely sunny day today with just a light breeze. 
On the mounds on the walk down to the hide were several Whitethroat, Linnets & Swallows, a female Blackcap, a Chiffchaff & a female Stonechat, the male Stonechat was in the same place on the way back to the car.

From the Hide :- 10 Shelduck (2+8), 5 Gadwall (1+4), 30 Avocet (20+10), 8 Redshank, 6 Lapwing, 4 Oystercatcher (2+2), 2 Curlew, 1 BlkWit, 1 LRP, 1 Dunlin, 5 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron (juv), 1 Kestrel, 2 Bearded Tit (juvs), 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Bunting.

Sorry about the quality of the photo but I think it's a stunning little bird even out of focus.

Matt Lonsdale

Scrape this evening :- Dunlin and LRP still present, as well as lots of Avocet young and the Oyks.
Corn bunting singing from bramble to right of hide.

Wed 3rd July 19

A couple of new wader species on the scrape this morning, when Pete Davis got to the hide first thing he reported 2 Ruff (black males) and a Common Sandpiper new in, and the 2 juv. Bearded Tits were also seen at this time.
A few more of us got to the hide by mid-morning and the 3 Waders were still showing. Another good breeding record for the year was a female Gadwall with 4 ducklings on the pond to the right of the hide.

From the hide :- 10 Shelduck (2 + 8), 5 Gadwall (1 fem. with 4 duckling), 28 Avocet (21 + 7), 8 Redshank, 6 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Ruff, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Med Gull (adult In & Out), 8 Swallows, 3 Sand Martin, PRD/DW/JH/MR.

12 Species of butterfly seen today inc. another NFY (see Haven Wildlife page).

Tue 2nd July 19

No sign of yesterday's visitors this morning, back to the regulars. Two more Avocet chicks were seen today making 6 to date and the 2 Bearded Tit juvs. put in a brief appearance. Also of note were a  Med Gull (2nd sum.), 2 Marsh Harriers (2cy) that drifted through mid morning and a Red Fox that caused a bit of tension for a while.

From the Hide :- 13 Shelduck (5 + 8 juvs.), 1 Teal, 22 Avocet (16 + 6 chicks), 10 Redshank, 8 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew, 1 Med Gull (2ndS), 1 GBB Gull, c20 Blk Headed & Herring Gulls, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Bearded Tit (juvs), 8 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Reed Warbler, c18 Swallows. PRD/MR/TS/CB

A new Butterfly for the year, Ringlet was added today, see Haven Wildlife page.

Mon 1st July 19


A little cooler on the front this morning with a brisk wind but very pleasant.
A good start to the new month with a super Spotted Redshank, an LRP and a Green Sandpiper new in along with 4 Lt. Egrets (juvs.) that were in a group to the left of the main island first thing but whilst we were watching the waders they vanished, no one saw them fly out, so who knows what else we missed.

Still just the 4 Avocet chicks but 8 Pairs sitting on eggs.

From the hide :- 2 Shelduck + 8 Ducklings, 1 Gadwall, 1 Teal, 15 Avocet + 4 chicks, 12 Redshank, 10 Lapwing, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Curlew, 1 LRP, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Cormorant, 4 Lt. Egret (juvs.), 3 Grey Heron (1 adult, 2 Juvs.), 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. DW/MR/Brian.

A Cetti's Warbler was calling from behind the sluice on the return and several family groups were feeding along the track between the Mounds and the Feeding Stn. incl. Chiffchaff, Lesser & Common Whitethroat, Robin & Goldfinch.