Cattle Egret - 19th May 2012

A couple of record shots for now, full report and other updates tomorrow.

Friday 4th May 2012 - Afternoon

From Dick S via Bucksbirders

1315-1545 Walked/waded around
1 hobby, 2 wheatear, 2 LR plover,2 redshank, 2 yellow wagtails, all at western end, didn't do new workings, flood got the better of me.

Flooding continues...

As I left the site yesterday evening the Ouse was once again breaking its banks and with no way of knowing just how much water is still upstream heading for the sea its hard to gauge how long this next period of flooding will last. Talking to a couple up on the hill during the week who had come to gauge just how much their riverside caravan had been affected they said Cosgrove Park had been evacuated on Saturday and looking at the levels last night I wouldn't expect it to be any better today. Of course with it being a Bank Holiday weekend this could put a bar on a lot of peoples plans.

I'm affected in a small way too, early on Saturday morning I was due to lead a group of charity walkers, raising funds for the British Heart Foundation, through the valley on an annual walk from Wolverton to Northampton. Luckily we can walk an alternate route but the back of Wolverton Works compared to the Ouse Valley at first light just isn't the same...


So if anybody does actually read this and are feeling in a charitable mood please consider sponsoring me via the link: Saints with Heart, raising funds for the British Heart Foundation

Thursday 3rd May 2012 - Late Afternoon

Heading down to the site to connect with the summer plumaged Grey Plover seen earlier (see below) I unluckily missed out as had Lee E who I encountered on arrival, he had however seen a pair of Dunlin and three 'Tundrae' Ringer Plovers.

Things appeared to be altogether more quiet than yesterdays mini bonanza, bar of course the rare Plover, but still some birds of interest notably a flock of seven Dunlin coming in together as a flock to the flooded new workings.

Other waders still on site a love triangled trio of Oystercatchers making a hell of a racket circling the site in between trying to set up home on one of the island, a pair of  Common Redshank and a more settled handful of Little Ringed Plovers now seemingly calming down after the trials of the last few days while Common Terns and Little Egrets continued to make the most of flooded areas. Happily it seems a second Lapwing family escaped the weekend floods too. A flock of 18 Tufted Duck were of note for the site.

Over on the North Shore Northern Wheatear numbers are finally thinning out but still at least eight individuals in this area all showing characteristics of Greenland birds. Yellow Wagtail probably number around the same.

As for the site well overnight rain on Wednesday saw levels rise once more on the Ouse to the extent that water once more was started to not only engulf caravans again over the river at Cosgrove Park but start to seep back into the lower site and to flood the meadow at the western end.

Hopefully though a few days respite is on the horizon and an increased area of exposed land in the water will attract more notable birds in.

Grey Plover -Record Pic

Simon N, kindly supplied this record pic of yesterdays Grey Plover.

Thanks Simon

Thursday 4th May 2012 - Afternoon

Simon N reports via text summer plumaged Grey Plover seen on new workings in flying visit (thats Simon not the GP) 14:40 Also three Ringed Plovers.

Redstart?

This appeared on 'Bucksbirders' last night, anyone any info?  The aquaduct is of course the Iron Trunk at the west end of site.


02/5 17:00 : Redstart : Ouse Valley Park. 
Near aquaduct. 
Paul D


Thanks to Simon N on alerting me to pic on Buckinghamshire Bird Club website of this bird. Exact location not known could be west of aquaduct (Iron Trunk) so techically outside Manor Farm boundary but here is the link all the same.


Ouse Valley Redstart

Wednesday 2nd May 2012 - Evening

Rob H via NBBR confirms earlier news of another Little Tern on site.


The Little Tern first appeared over the main floods at about 7.15pm, stayed for 5 mins, before being harassed by 2 Common Terns, after which it drifted off north towards Cosgrove and wasn't relocated.

Also on site, 2 Arctic Terns straight through east, 6 Common Tern, 3 LRP, 2 RP, 2 sum plum Dunlin, 1 Redshank, 2m Shoveler, 2f Teal, c12 Yellow Wag and 5 Wheatear.

Wednesday 2nd May 2012 - Morning/Afternoon

Getting cosy...

Well I had tickets in my pocket for Marston Vale but things were so good at the Farm I never made it to the station, Bedfordshire can wait.


The flooding has eased a bit, the Ouse down at least a couple of feet of Mondays high and no longer pouring into the (lower) site. Has to be said it is better for it, the main area a mass of water with a smattering of islands the place at the moment is a magnet for birds.


On arriving Swifts were noticably abundant in number whilst on the slope a pair of Northern Wheatear, clearly Greenlanders, picked about between the sheep.


Whilst scanning across the water five gulls headed in low from the west over the canal, it wasn't till they were almost alongside me that I took a second look and noticed they were a party of Little Gulls, two in fine summer plumage and quite a sight. Sadly they didn't stop and drifting off west.


Back to the water and a drake Shoveler amongst a handful of Tufted Duck and a pair of Great Crested Grebe deep into courtship were noted before getting my eye in on the waders. Little Ringed Plover are again strong in numbers, darting about looking to make up for lost time perhaps. Also a couple of Ringed Plovers consorting with a pair of Dunlin, later three other Dunlin dropped in making it five on site at one time. Three Oystercatchers were noted, including two getting rather cosy whilst a pair of Common Redshank picked around the margins too.  A pair of Common Snipe also dropped in from height to doze on the of the newly formed islands whilst a single Common Sandpiper was observed landing but not seen again.


Common Terns were  passing through steadily with at least five hanging around the area all day, including one clever individual picking trapped fish off the last remaining field of meadow by the river, several Little Egret could be found doing the same. Again a Hobby was noted overhead circling the site.


Heading along the riverside walk itself several more Wheatears were noted especially on the hay bales that seem to have formed parts of now washed away banking. A handful of Yellow Wagtail and a White Wagtail could also be found along the North Shore of the site but are such a fixture now,along with those Wheatears, I was overlooking anything moving about the tree protectors till an odd 'blackbird' was seen nearer the waterline. Hopping between the green plastic poles it took two or three views from different angles to confirm a female Ring Ouzel. Just as I was texting off the news it shot out from cover along with a male alongside and the pair looped over to the west, settling in the pasture along Back Brook to the west. The male was located again on the fence and later on the gravel road back inside the main area.


All in all another good day.

Wednesday 2nd May 2012 - Morning

Via text from Simon N.


2 Dunlin, Shoveler, 3 Snipe, 2 Common Tern, 2 BH Gull, 2 Ring Plover, 2 Oyc, 2 Redshank, 8 LRP and still Lapwing chicks!

Manor Farm Floods - The Movie

Shot the morning of April 30th 2012

Monday 30th April 2012 - Late Morning

Water, water everywhere, but given the current restriction, not a drop to drink. Yep as predicted and confirmed by Simon's pic this morning, see post below, the valley has flooded and with the site being lower than the river it has borne the brunt of the overflow.


By the time I arrived around 10:30 just a single gravel island remained adjoining Back Brook. Sadly several Lapwing families will have been wiped out and at least two Kingfisher and one Little Ringed Plover nest have perished too. Canada Geese were also nesting in a few locations around the perimeter on the whole these look like they have gone as well.


On the plus side it is what the valley has, in my opinion, needed for at least a couple of years. Water levels have been dwindling once more and perhaps this summer and autumn we will not see pools disappearing altogether. Fingers crossed some good will come out of this.

As for the birds well on scanning the gravel a huge gull sitting next to a resting tern looked a monster only for a double take and the realisation that the gull was normal size and a Little Tern was on site. It rested a while before being mobbed off by a gang of Black Headed Gulls escaping from yet another rapidly flooded island. It stuck around for a while if a bit flighty but I failed to see it again after an abandoned trip along the riverside due to the 'rising tide'. Six Common Terns were also seen on and off, resting on the gravel inbetween hunter over the calmer waters of  Cosgrove Lake.


Also on site at least six Little Ringed Plovers in the one area mentioned, I suspect more, two each of Oystercatcher, Common Snipe and Redshank whilst at least five Little Egrets made the most of the flooded fields. 


Northern Wheatears were also still on site but given the area where they were in abundance a few days ago is now under water their numbers are down, the same could be said of Yellow Wagtails, just the odd one flitting about. One of the Common Buzzard pairs made most of the warmer weather riding high on thermals, it could almost be spring...


I left the site and returned mid-afternoon briefly just to catch my first Hobby of the year, unfortunately the water level was still rising...


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Earlier from NBBR via Simon N


6 Northern Wheatears @ Manor Farm


Male Wigeon and 3 Snipe @ a very flooded Manor Farm this morning also 2 Teal and a Swift east. 

Monday 30th April - Morning

Received this pic from someone via phone first thing this morning showing the flooding along the valley, not sure who the sender was? (later confirmed as Simon N, thanks Simon)

Morning !! Manor farm is under water !!

Sunday 29th April 2012 - Evening

From Rob H via NBBR


A visit to Manor Farm this evening proved rather pleasant, once the rain had stopped. Blue skies and sunshine - very unfamiliar after the last few weeks.

Lots of waders on site, but nothing too unusual - 3 Ringed Plover, c10 LRP, 2 sum plum Dunlin, 3 Oycs, 1 Common Sand, 2 Snipe and 1 Redshank. Also c15 Lapwings, several of which were engaged in territorial behaviour, which hopefully indicates the survival of some chicks, athough none of these were seen.

Also 6 Wheatear along the southern shore, scattered wagtails included 4 Yellow and 1 White Wag. And the sky was filled with hirundines - an estimated 150+ Swallow, 100+ Sand Martin, 45+ House Martin and c10 Swift.

The Ouse has broken it's banks, and in several places water was running swiftly down the northern side onto the excavations, which are now severely flooded. This actually has made the site look superb for passage waders, but as for the breeders I'm not so sure. There's still plenty of vegetated ground well above water, where the majority of the Lapwings nested. So hopefully some chicks will have escaped the floods. But who knows how further rain will affect this situation in the future.

Sunday 29th April 2012 - For Info

Environment Agency: Although levels in the River Great Ouse have fallen after rainfall on Friday, we expect them to start rising again due to the rainfall accumulations on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. At this point we anticipate that only low-lying land and roads near to the river are likely to be affected, but we will monitor the situation closely and issue further flood alerts and flood warnings if the situation changes.

07:17 on 29 Apr 2012

Follow link...
Flood Alert for Rivers Ouse & Tove

Saturday 28th April 2012 - Lunchtime

From Lee Evans via NBBR


MANOR FARM, OLD WOLVERTON (NORTH BUCKS)

After consulting with Simon Nichols and Graham Smith, next stop was Manor 
Farm but typically the waders had gone (particularly the 2 Dunlin I was 
after). However, opposite where I parked the car, a female RING OUZEL was 
showing very well in the sheep field adjacent to the access track.

Much of the complex was flooded and waterlogged, with 1 Oystercatcher and 
a pair of Little Ringed Plovers on view.

Saturday 28th April 2012 - Early Morning

Northern Wheatear this morning...

Down to the Farm at first light on 'Wader Watch' as conditions today were predicted to be favourable. No immediate signs of any new arrivals around the waters edge but it was clear yesterdays Northern Wheatear bonanza continues with a handful of birds up on the slope as dawn broke, later a handful were found in the same area as yesterday along the North Bank, see pics, all taken this morning.

Heading down to take the riverside walk a Cuckoo could be heard just over the border in the Northants section around the Broadwater area.

The Ouse is in full flow and only a couple of inches off bursting its banks in place but the odd Tern still tried its luck to fish, unsuccessfully. There were a steady stream of 'Commic' Terns all morning (or the same half dozen birds doing circuits). None identified one way or the other bar the two resident Common Terns in their usual spot on the spit.

As the light became brighter, well a lighter shade of dull, a pair of Dunlin were seen along the South Shore being seen off by one or two Little Ringed Plovers for their troubles.

As well as the Wheatears already mentioned the usual suspects could be found, albeit in smaller numbers than usual as it was early, in the wagtail flock, both Yellow Wagtail and White Wagtail ticked.

On returning to the hill, a small influx of waders was noted with two Common Redshank and three Common Sandpipers. The Oystercatcher pair were joined for a while by a third bird till it sloped off and and contemplated life on its its own on the new workings. Little Egrets arrived and left all morning with a max of four seen together at one time, total number probably twice that.

Three Greylag Geese, not a common bird at the site, joined the twenty or so Canada Geese on the main body of water around which at least four pairs are nesting. Other wildfowl, both Tufted Duck and Gadwall pairs were observed away from the main body for the first time around the pools and puddles of Top Field. Swallows were in abundance, especially along the canal section, whilst good numbers of House and Sandmartin were seen too, no Swifts today though.

And finally not long before leaving a largish wader was seen in silhouette heading east, if I had to take a stab at ID I'd go for Black Tail Godwit but nowhere near sure.

As for the site itself well as mentioned the Ouse is at bursting point and given the forecast I would expect to see some flooding along the valley in the next 36 hours, sadly the level of water has flooded at least one Kingfisher nest, probably more, but thats nature. Back Brook is in full flow along its full length for the first time in over a year whilst the entry to Front Brook has almost inundated the bridge. The big question is of course with most of the site lower than the river (though held back) what effect this will have in the short term and over the summer with wader habitat. Time will tell...

Saturday Morning Wheatears - Report to follow...

Friday 27th April 2012 - Lunchtime

Numerous...

Northern Wheatears were certainly the order of the day as the spell of heavy downpours continues relentlessly.


Amongst the loose Wagtail flock that picks around the mass of tree protectors a total of eleven birds were seen at one time, including two pristine Greenlanders. Given the nature of the cover, even though many birds were perching on and off on top of the protectors, the true number is almost certainly higher. Amazing too given how close they were coming, down to 20 foot or so during the deluge.


Also in this flock around the same number of Yellow Wagtails, at least one White Wagtail, a couple of dozen Pied Wagtails and a handful of Meadow Pipits.


A group of five 'Commic' Terns dropped in during one of the downpours, one a definite Arctic Tern, maybe some of the others. The two 'resident' Common Terns, just sat on the spit in their usual spot ignoring the squabbling of the other quintet.


On the wader front a single Ringed Plover remains amongst the numerous Little Ringed Plovers. No sign of any Redshank or Sandpipers but the Oystercatcher pair remain. Elsewhere on the water three pair of Gadwall and two Teal remain whilst three Little Egrets rooted about in the shallows.


Low over the water a few Swallows hawked for insects whilst two Swifts overhead were my first of the year.


And finally seen along the manicured riverside a lone Weasel bounding along, totally oblivious to me till ony a few feet away, another for the list.

Wednesday 25th April 2012 - Afternoon

Between the heavy showers Simon N posted this via NBBR


Oystercatcher and 2 Common Terns were all that were of note @ Manor Farm at 16.15