Friday 24th June 2011 - Afternoon

Leftovers...

14:00 > 16:00
Broken cloud, westerly wind, 20c.

Having not walked the complete perimeter for a few weeks now I took a couple of hours out to do the complete circuit from aquaduct to viaduct and back.

First been seen, or rather heard was a Little Owl, no doubt one of yesterdays pair, in the hedgerow leading down to the water behind the farm.

Waterside I counted nine Little Ringed Plovers of various ages whilst Yellow Wagtials continue to expand their range post breeding with birds seen feeding on the cut grass areas alongside the River Ouse.

Also along the Ouse a pair of Common Tern continue to fish and for any of you photographers wanting close up shots they are hovering aboves pools just a matter of feet away from the path.

And talking of fishing also along the river the first Kingfisher I've seen in a while since the bank and tree clearance in the Kingfisher 'hot spot' of the last few summers. The bird came off the closed off area of the river so maybe one of the pairs nearer the railway is heading west for a bit more peace and quiet.

And in reverse a Treecreeper, a bird that numerous at the western end but all but missing in the east was seen just by the viaduct itself. Also in this area the multitude of Sand Martin coming off the gravel working to hunt and drink along the river.

Others birds of note, a pair of Common Buzzard, the Great Crested Grebe and three Little Egret including one in the river.

Given the weather insect activity has been slow on the uptake this year but a noticable increase in numbers of the commoner butterfly species and dragon and damselfly was noted today.

Last word though goes to a crustacean and a dead one at that. The American Crawdaddy or Signal Crayfish to you and me. I've seen live 'crawdads' further upstream around Stratford and have viewed people trying to catch them to the eastern end of the site, with little success, but the first definite proof i've encountered were the remains found along Back Brook, see pic above.

Whatever had it for lunch seemed to know its business, leaving the sharps bits on the bank while the fleshy body was nowhere to be seen (you'd like to think Otter but who knows). The claws were around an inch or so long on their own so it gives you an idea of the size these pests are getting up to. One down, a few hundred thousand countrywide to go but at least at Manor Farm they seem to have a predator.

And a tip for you. Having left my camera at home on Friday I wrapped the claws in a bag and put them in my rucksack to photograph at home. Not advisable on a warm day. The stink on opening was rich to say the least. Dead shellfish and sun, don't mix...

Wednesday 22nd June 2011 - Evening

An increasing prickly problem...



17:30 > 18:30
Sun after showers, SW wind, 20c.

An evening stroll around the site and still much to see. A third pair of Little Ringed Plover now have young whilst a fourth Lapwing family can also be seen. All viewed from the riverside walk along the Ouse but views from this path are few and far between now as the thistles are growing like wildfire along the area between the river and the main body of water, some up over seven feet already. Whilst no doubt they will atrract butterflies a plenty as they did last year, the views could all but disappear before summer is out on this side.

Still plenty to see from the southern banks though. A pair of Oystercatcher still remain as do the Common Terns but its was herons who stole the show today, alongside what looked like a family party of five Little Egret were nine Grey Heron including a handful of gawky gangly juveniles.

Out on the water Tufted Ducks with chicks and the Great Crested Grebe pair continue to doze with little or no effort to do much else it seems.

Away from the water a Hobby put a late sortee through the site, sending the numerous Sand and House Martins in all directions while up on the slopes a few Yellow Wagtails have started to appear in evenings again.

And finally around the farm building a pair of lively Little Owl could be seen as I headed off home.

Tuesday 14th June 2011 - Evening



17:30 > 18:30
Sunny, warm, SW breeze, 22c.

A midweek visit in hope rather than expectation but suprisingly quite a lot going on at the site.

A pair of Common Redshank are new arrivals but its the 'long stayers' that are the main attraction still. Two Little Ringed Plover families can now be found along the shoreline. One pair with every growing young catching up with their parents while a second have a couple of the 'fluffy golf balls' running about.

Not to be outdone a second Yellow Wagtail family with young looks like being joined by a third as adults were seen taking food into into the vegatation. A combination of the right habitat arriving just as the multitude of Yellowags arrived this year has tempted a few to stay with the desired result.

The two Lapwing broods continue to do well and given the aerial bombardment any visiting crows get I suspect there are other unseen families about the site.

The crows were not the only predators looking for an easy lunch as a female Sparrowhawk flew over an unaccesible part of the site finding itself being mobbed by around one eighty Sand Martins, suggesting there is quite a colony building up following on from the small first time community last year.

Elswhere the Great Crested Grebe pair remain while four Little Egret and three squabbling Oystercatcher were later arrivals. The pair of Common Tern dozed on the end of the spit and look unlikely to be bringing any new life into the world this year.

Common Whitethroat were seen along the thistle banking with food which suggests another breeding success capped a good evenings birding.

Thursday 9th June 2011 - Evening

18:00 > 18:30
Cloud, odd sun break, west breeze and a coolish 16c.

A quick visit and not too much to report re visitors but another breeding success in Little Ringed Plover with two young, the third year in a row the species has bred on site. Not only that but second broods of Lapwing and Yellow Wagtail were also seen whilst our on the water a pair of Canada Geese has six goslings in tow.

Apart from the little breeders though nothing else reallof not bar a lone Little Egret.

Thursday 2nd June 2011 - Evening

17:30 to 18:00
Sunny, warm but with light NE breeze, 22c.

June is definitely here and not just temperature wise as the site slows down for its summer slumber. Not too much to report. The Yellow Wagtail family dip in and out of the vegatation at times whilst a second pair appear more active now (watch this space). The first Lapwing brood appear to have got over the attention of the corvids and all three are now a fair size.

Little Ringed Plovers can still be found on site and a pair of Common Terns continue to hang about as do the displaying pair of Great Created Grebe and a couple of Little Egret.

With water levels going down House Martins are making good use of the wet mud for nesting (the colony in the middle of Wolverton is building up well) with numerous birds dropping in and out, their cousins the Sand Martins continue to mass over the gravel workings and are no doubt busy procreating at an unseen and unaccessible part of the site as they did last year. An odd Swallow or two continue to hunt low over what is left of the meadow while numerous Swift continue north overhead.

A single drake Teal is a new arrival (or very good at hiding) while a pair of Gadwall and half a dozen Tufted Duck can still be found. At least three Mallard broods have been successful with quite a few ducklings already catching up with their parents in size, what a difference from last year when due to a lack of water it was a real struggle.

On leaving one of the Little Owls was flitting about along the Ridge.

Tuesday 31st May 2011 - Evening

Still around...

17:45 > 18:30
Sunny, NW breeze, 17c.

As we say goodbye to May the summer slumber seems to have somewhat already sneaked in given activity today.

Breeding success is again the order of the day with young Pied Wagtail as well as Yellow Wagtail initially seen last week now picking about in the mud along the shorelines. A rather scruffy White Wagtail was seen too, the first in a while but then given what else has been happening it has probably been overlooked.

Elsewhere one of the Lapwing pairs now has three sizable chicks in tow.

Two Great Crested Grebe doing their mating ritual suggests more new life is to come.

The usual Little Ringed Plovers and Oystercatchers were present as were three Little Egret and up to six Grey Heron together in a group on 'Knot Pool'. In the small corner copse by the farm itself a Little Owl flitted about and on leaving a single Common Tern flew in.

And that, as they say, is your lot!

Friday 27th May 2011 - Afternoon



14:00 > 15:00
Cloud, sunny spells, cool westerly, 13c.

First visit for a couple of weeks and although not anything too exciting a couple of breeding sucesses new to the site in both Lapwing and Yellow Wagtail with young.

Elswhere the usual Little Ringed Plovers were the only other waders present. The Common Tern pair still remain while half a dozen summer plumaged Black Headed Gulls were in the inlet. Three Little Egret were dotted about the site.

Along the Ouse one of the Mute Swan pairs has half a dozen signets (see pic) in tow while Sedge and Reed Warbler numbers have increased. Reed Buntings were seen taking food into the reedbed at the entrance to Back Brook suggesting successful breeding also.

Sun 22nd May 2011 - Little Stint confirmation...

Per NBBR

The LITTLE STINT is still at Manor Farm this evening , thanks to Rob H for finally checking it out.

Sat 21st May - Poss Litte Stint per NBBR

From SiNich

Probable LITTLE STINT this evening at Manor Farm this evening - Andy M has emailed me the below, seems pretty good description :-


"I don't know if anyone can help but I have just returned from Manor Farm, Old Wolverton and am pretty sure I've seen a Little Stint on the main island working along the 'shoreline'.

I am a fairly inexperienced birder so any confirmation of this sighting would be much appreciated. I've checked through my Collins guide and it seems consistent on the basis of size (it stood next to a pied wagtail for a bit and the body size was about the same, minus the wagtails tail obviously) and plumage (distinct cream lines down the back form the nape, upper mottled with dark spots and lower clean white - no dark markings as with 'sumplum' Dunlin) also a dark straight bill and dark legs."

Friday 13th May 2011 - Afternoon



14:00 > 15:30
Cloudy, west breeze, 15c.

Cooler than of late but still something of interest this afternoon at the Farm. The usual Little Ringed Plovers, Lapwings and Oystercatchers while an odd Yellow Wagtail could be seen popping in and out of the vegatation waterside. Elsewhere a single Common Redshank picked about in the shallows.

A lone drake Pochard was a new addition whilst an odd duck family is there in the making. A female Mallard already with ducklings has a drake Tufted Duck in tow. Indeed so enamoured is she of him that when a drake Mallard appeared (and i'm presuming its the father) she gave him what for before returning to her new beau who seems quite settled in his adoptive role.

Bird of the day though was undoubtedly a Hobby, strafing backwards and forwards along the Inlet picking insects off the water, which given they were virtually impossible to see i'm presuming were Mayfly. Ideal position for photography if only the light would play ball, it didn't but still got some record shots, see above and below. (more to follow)



Thursday 12th May 2011 - Evening



17:30 > 18:30
Sunny, west wind 17c.

For a change a walk along the canal stretch before joining the path along the Ouse.

Pretty much the usual suspects in Little Ringed Plovers, Lapwings, Oystercatchers and Yellow Wagtails along with a couple of Little Egret and the resident Common Terns. A fairly large Swift passage this evening also.

A Lesser Whitethroat along the river was a nice addition, whilst a lone Hobby put in its usual aerial display.

Star of the night though a group of Chaffich who have learnt the art of hanging off a pollarded Willow to pick of Mayfly as they rise off the water, see pic above.

Wednesday 11th May 2011 - Evening

17:15 > 17:45
Cloud, SW breeze, 16c.

A quickish evening visit along the South Shore and Slope (try saying that after ten pints!) and apart from a fine 'sumplum' Dunlin not too much to report. The usual suspects in Lapwings, Little Ringed Plovers and Oystercatchers still on site as were the resident Common Terns.

Some Yellow Wagtails still remain around the shorelines and a pair feeding together up on the Top Field south of the Farmhouse, where incidentally the Gadwalls could also be found tonight on the pond.On leaving a single Little Owl was seen flying along Back Brook.

As for the site itself groundwork has already started on the last large part of flood meadow to the north east of the site, the riverside field is bordered by the Ouse and Front Brook that contains the bridge over to Castlethorpe. Yet another area to watch...

Tuesday 10th May 2011 - Evening

18:00 > 19:00
Cloud, westerly breeze, 16c

Mayfly were rising along the Ouse but not in the numbers seen last year whilst overall another quiet day at the site. A lone Common Redshank along the south shores was a newcomer and along a Common Sandpiper and the usual Little Ringed Plovers, Oystercathers & Lapwings made up the wader contingent. Two Little Egrets were on site and as happened last summer there has been a gradual build up of Grey Heron in the area with at least six present tonight. A record number of nine Mute Swans were also in the inlet.

Two Common Tern, and i'm guessing now its the same pair, were again resting on the spit inbetween hunting forays along the Ouse. Along the Ouse itself both Reed and Sedge Warbler could be heard.

Back on the main body of water the first Great Crested Grebe in a while while the odd Yellow Wagtail was still noted around the islands as were a handful of Linnets, the remainder of the large flocks of a month or so ago.

And finally on leaving I got to hear a few short bursts from the male Tree Sparrow in lower Central Field. I'm not a lister by any means but another nice 'tick' for me at the site.

Monday 9th May per NBBR

From SiNich

A lovely evening at Manor Farm once again produced a quality wader , unfortunately its stay was brief ! As I never managed to relocate the GREY PLOVER after initially seeing it on the Southern Shore (viewed from the river footpath )


Also present were a Common Sandpiper , 3 LRP , 15+ Yellow Wagtails , 4 Sedge Warblers , 10 Swift , 100+ Sand Martin , 2 Common Tern , 3 Whitethroat , 1 Reed Warbler , 4 Lapwing, 1 CUCKOO and 1 Willow Warbler

Thurday 5th May 2011 per Bucksbirders

From Simon G

Got to the site at about 6:20 and had a good wander round. Still didn't

catch up with the Wood Sandpiper, but saw:

Good numbers of Lapwing and LRP
2 Oystercatchers
1 Greenshank
6 Common Tern (2 on reserve, others fishing over canal and campsite lake)
1 Yellow Wagtail
2 Cuckoo (heard)
Also a bonus pair of Greenfinch and pair of Bullfinch seen by the canal

All in all a good morning, if not quite the wader-fest I was hoping for!

Thursday 5th May 2011 - Evening

Broken cloud, sunny spells, west breeze, 17c.
17:30 > 18:30
A case of after the Lord Mayors show after yesterdays waderfest (see below) but still the odd bird of note.

A lone Greenshank, possibly yesterdays bird, was the highlight waderwise with a Common Sandpiper, the usual Lapwings and Little Ringed Plovers and four Oystercatchers making up the numbers.

A handful of Yellow Wagtails can still be found popping out of the vegatation along the shoreline whilst two Common Tern, the Herring Gull pair and a group of five Lesser Black Backed Gulls over were also of note. Out on the water the ten strong Tufted Duck flock look like they might be settled in for the summer while restless Gadwall pair still remain.

Along the riverside, both Greater Spotted and Green Woodpecker were noted as were Treecreepers. The stars of the day though were two male Common Pheasant going hell for leather at each other at the waters edge in the inlets, even at times ending up in the drink. She must have worth it!

Wednesday 4th May 2011 - Evening



17:30 > 19:00
Sun, warm, 16c

I've been walking this site for a few years now, way before the digging even started but tonight for an hour and a half it was as good as its ever been or indeed ever likely too.

Alerted earlier in the day that two Bar Tailed Godwits were on site, and later a lone Greenshank, I headed down to the Farm after work. In the first bay at the end of Central Field was the Wood Sandpiper that has been on site since the weekend and nearby the Greenshank picked about in the shallows.

A call from Simon N that the Barwits were in the inlet and I headed off noting two Common Sandpiper and a single Green Sandpiper in the bay to the south west end. The Barwits were as Simon described, stunning and well viewable from the Riverside Walk (alas they flew east at 7:00pm). Also along the inlet four Oystercatcher, increasing to five by the time I left.

Little Ringed Plovers were everywhere, one very probable (and there may be more) Ringed Plover was amongst them. Just as I was leaving 'sumplum' Dunlin was found in the south west bay.

Including the usual Lapwings that makes ten species of wader at the Farm tonight and at a sight where not so long ago your heart would skip a beat if you saw a lone Lapwing fly over.

Away from the waders, five Little Egret were seen, including two over heading to roost whilst a handful of Yellow Wagtail can still be found dotted about the islands.

And finally to cap it all the first Swifts i've seen at the site this year darted across the fields as I wandered off after a somewhat surreal hour or so.

Wednesday 4th May 2011 per Bucksbirders

From Simon G

Didn't connect with the Wood Sand, but saw:

at least 4 LRP and 3 Little Egret
2 Oystercatcher
2 Bar-Tailed Godwit

Lots of swallows, House and Sand Martins (my first sand of the year!)

Lots of House Martins coming down to the ground to collect mud for nesting.

Will aim for an early morning visit next time to avoid the heat haze on the
scope!

Wednesday 4th May 2011 per NBBR

From Chris G

And the Wood Sandpiper still at Manor Farm, Old Wolverton this morning at 6:30

Monday 2nd May 2011 per Si Nich

After a disappointing morning , we decided to head to Manor Farm , a Male Bullfinch greeted us at the car park and a Little Owl was calling from the pollarded willows. After scanning the first areas of open water and turning up a few LRP's , we mov through to the 2nd field along and scanned the spit - WOOD SANDPIPER ! all the previous 2 hours agony was washed away ! Cracking bird in full summer plumage. Also on the pits were a further 4 LRP's ( must be up to 6 on the site ) 1 Common Sandpiper , 5+ Lapwings and 2 Common Terns


Whilst walking back we came across a fantastic singing TREE SPARROW , which is probably rarer in North Bucks then Wood Sand !