Thursday 30th July - Evening - Common Buzzard

4:15 > 5:30pm
Post thunderstorm, sunny, warm, odd ominous cloud. Brisk westerly wind at times.

Singles of both Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper remain. No sign of any Lapwing today and gull numbers down to around 40 Black Headed Gulls, three Lesser Black Backed Gulls and a single Herring Gull that certainly didn't have yellowish legs. Three Common Terns also present.

A pair of Little Egrets were also out on the mud while a third joined them briefly when flushed from back brook. A Common Buzzard, again swooping low over the site, sent everthing skywards for a while. The Kestrel still hunts over the muddied area.

Lesser Black Backed Gull - Birdguides
Lesser Black Backed Gull - BTO
Lesser Black Backed Gull - RSPB
Lesser Black Backed Gull - Wiki

Tuesday 28th July 09 - Evening - Common Sandpipers

5:00 > 5:30pm
Cloudy, breezy.

An influx over previous days. Four Green Sandpipers on the small poools to the west were joined by two Common Sandpipers.
A single juvenile Common Tern sat among the large group of gulls which consisted of circa 100 Black Headed Gulls and seven Lesser Black Backed Gulls.
Around fifty Lapwing were dotted around the site but very flighty.
For the second day running a Kestrel was paying close attention to activities on the mud.

Common Sandpiper - Birdguides
Common Sandpiper - BTO
Common Sandpiper - RSPB
Common Sandpiper - Wiki

Monday 27th July - Afternoon - Common Tern

Black Headed Gull

4:00 > 4:30pm
Windy, drizzley rain, sun breaking.

One of those sparse days. Just a single Common Tern and a handful of BHG's about.
However the (what looks like completed) work on the original 'Wader Pit' immediately east of Godwit Corner looks like it might be interesting with a bit of rain.

Common Tern - Birdguides
Common Tern - BTO
Common Tern - RSPB
Common Tern - Wiki

Friday 24th July 09 - Evening Update - Med Gull

From Si Nicholls on NNBR from Rob (Hill?)

"19:49 Rob has just texted , there is a juv Mediterranean Gull at Manor Farm currently!"

Possibly came down in the deluge mentioned below earlier today?

Med Gull - RSPB
Med Gull - Birdguides
Med Gull - BTO
Med Gull - Wiki

Friday 24th July 09 - Afternoon - And the the rain came...

2:30 > 4:30
Sunny, warm, then thunderstorms with heavy downpours.

On arrival not of lot of life out on the mud/water.
A dozen or so Black Headed Gulls, five Lesser Black Backed Gulls and a couple of Green Sandpipers were all that was on view.
Then the heavens opened.
In twenty minutes the main body of water (or the mud where the main body of water used to be) was awash with birds. I gave up counting the gulls at over 200 of varios types, again mostly BHG's but at least a couple of Herrings the throng, these were joined by around 15 terns, not identifiable in the deluge but mostly (if not all) Common Terns including a few juveniles.
Three Little Egrets also put in appearance during the downpour.

Little Egret - Birdguides
Little Egret - BTO
Little Egret - RSPB
Little Egret - Wiki

Wednesday 22nd July 09 - Evening - Canada Geese influx

5:15 > 5:30pm
Cloudy, warm, very breezy.

Very brief visit, just a single Green Sandpiper of note plus around sixty Canada Geese out on the mud.
Water levels holding steady but doubt there will be much attraction come autumn as there was on spring migration.

Canada Goose - Birdguides
Canada Goose - BTO
Canada Goose - Wiki

Tuesday 21st July 09 - Afternoon - Nowt!

4:15 > 4:30
Cloudy, breezy, spitting rain.

Apart from 31 BHG's and a couple of crows nothing on site.

Monday 20th July - Afternoon - Green Sandpipers

3:15 > 4:00pm
Cloudy.

A build up of Green Sandpipers, up to six on site at any one time.
Single Little Ringed Plover.
Little Egret
Gulls:
BHG C70
LBB 3
Herring 1
Single Common Tern.

Friday 17th July 09 - Afternoon - BHG's en masse and possible Mink

2:00 > 3:00pm
Very heavy showers, sunny spells, strong westerly wind when raining.

First visit for a week due to working away and water levels remain pretty steady after recent days of heavy showers.
The only notable birds were a a single juvenile Little Ringed Plover, now spreading its wings and flying around the site, and a Green Sandpiper.

Notable at the site, and not just around the water but around the fields surrounding were around 500 gulls, the usual 100 or so regulers bolstered possibly by others brought down by the rain. Mostly BHG's with a sprinkling of larger gulls here and there. Around 50 Lapwing were also on site.

Along the banks of Back Brook I saw a juvenile Moorhen getting dragged back into the water by an unseen assailant, the only conclusion I can come up with with is tha we have Mink in the area and this might explain the juvenile Black Headed Gull ripped to bits one afternoon last week (see somewhere below).

Friday 10th May 09 - Afternoon - Very little

2:00 to 4:00pm
Sunny spells, warming up.

With work at either ends of what was the main body the only birds of note were a single Little Ringed Plover and a pair of Green Sandpiper. All Lapwing and BHG's which were on site in numbers last week or so have gone.

Thursday 9th July - Morning - Little Egrets Standoff

7:00 > 7:20
Sunny, warming up.

Another brief visit, nothing of note really just two Little Egrets having chases across the mud vying for position on the new pool that has been attracting waders recently. (SW corner of what was the main body of water).
On the wader front nothing at all apart from a dozen Lapwing, these are down in number as are the Black Headed Gulls, down to 35.
The recent heavy rain appears to have refilled some of the pools in the inlet are (NW corner) for any taking a look at MF might be worth a walk to the end as this is where yesterdays Green Sandpipers were flitting in and out of.

Wednesday 8th July - Evening - Buzzard

17:00 > 17:30
Sunny spells, increasing cloud.

No sign of Common Sandpiper seen earlier.
Two Green Sandpipers on site plus one Little Ringed Plover and a remaining Little Egret.
Since my lunchtime visit something had literally ripped apart one of the gulls out on the mud (feathers everywhere), no sign of culprit but a Common Buzzard swooping in a few times to inspect what was left put everything to flight including 100+ BHG's and the forty or so Lapwing.

Wednesday 8th July 09 - Lunchtime - Common Sandpiper

12:15 > 12:45
Cloudy, odd sunny spell, NW breeze, drizzle at times.

A quiet visit the only bird of note being a Common Sandpiper mostly on the clay at the side of what was the main body of water but seen in flight to other 'deeper' area.
Still plenty of pools remaining but none of the other waders seen in previous days including the resident Little Ringed Plovers.
Four Little Egret here and there is the most I have seen at the site to date.
Others counts, circa 80 Black Headed Gulls and c40 Lapwing.

Tuesday 7th July 09 - Morning - Green Sandpipers

7:00 to 7:20am
Cloudy, sunny periods after overnight rain.

Recent heavy rain (with more to come) has boosted remaining pools and puddles.

Two Green Sandpipers were the highlight.
A single Little Ringed Plover on the mud.
Counts of 97 Black Headed Gulls and a single Herring Hull.
30 Lapwing and c couple of arriving Grey Heron on the pool that held a dozen on Friday.

Friday 3rd July - Afternoon - Greenshank

2:00 to 4:00pm
Warm but cooler of late, sunny spells, visit after heavy lunchtime showers.

After the heavy downpour this lunchtime I looked in at MF on the off chance, new pools formed that attracted the following.
Greenshank (a first for the site) present from 2:00 till at least 4:00pm when I left.
At least three Green Sandpipers.
A single Oystercatcher
Three Little Ringed Plovers
30+ Lapwing
40+ BHG's and a single LBB.
Little Egret
Hobby over
And one smallish pool with an impressive 12 Grey Herons including several juves.

Monday 29th June - Evening - All change!

Sunny, hot!
4:00 to 4:30pm

First visit for a coulple of weeks due to holidays and much has changed. Water level now well down with just one sizable pool in the NE of what was the main body of water and a series of puddles. Unless there is drastic change given the current weather the hot spot might not be so warm come autumn migration.

For the record the only birds were;
38 Black Headed Gulls
39 Lapwings
2 Grey Heron
1 Little Egret
and a pair of Little Ringed Plover are hanging on in there on the baked mud.

Friday 12th june 09 - Update - Little Owl

Via email from Rob Norris:

"A Little Owl - a bird I don't think you've reported before - down at the Haversham end where the big lorries cross the path to dump the gravel."

Friday 12th May 09 - Quietness returns.

2:00 to 2:30pm
Warming up, sunny intervals.

Two LRP, a single Lapwing and a Little Egret that walked the width of the lake showing how low the water levels are getting, were the only things of note.
A fledged family of Pied Wagtails were at the west end of lake.

Monday 8th June 09 - Evening - More of the same...

5:00 to 5:30
Cool, cloudy, breezy, spitting rain (its June!)

Highlight was Fox mother ambling along north shore being divebombed by crows. Birdwise, three LRP's, single Oystercatcher, single Common Tern and thats your lot...

Friday 5th June 09 - Afternoon - Oystercatcher

3:30 to 4:00pm
Sunny spells, cloud, cool east wind.

Brief visit, Oystercatcher, two LRP's and five Lapwing on mud, nothing much else.

Friday 5th June 09 - Early Morning - Tufted Ducks

6:30 to 7:00am
Dull, cool easterly breeze.

A newly arrived pair of Tufted Ducks the highlight.
Also Little Egret over, three Little Ringed Plovers, five Lapwing.
Mallard have bred with four chicks, their safety may well be down to the absence of the Shelduck pair (now not seen for over a week) who were driving all other wildfowl off the water.

Thursday June 4th 2009 - Morning - BHG's

7:00 to 7:15am
Cool, sunny, still, mirror like lake.

Brief visit, quiet.
Wader wise, single Lapwing, single LRP.
Three very pristine summer plumaged Black Headed Gulls.
Fifty plus movement of Swifts over and through heading north.

Wednesday 3rd June 09 - Evening - Fox Cubs

4:30 to 5:30
Cool breeze, cloudy, sunny spells.

Little Egret usually seen around Back Brook for the first time seen in shallows of main body of water.
Three Common Tern.
Three Little Ringed Plover
Seven Lapwing, increasing in number day on day.
Gadwall
Twenty Greylag Geese on water.
Further Canadian Goose goslings in evidence.
And at a well hidden part of the general area a pair of Fox Cubs playing in the evening sunshine.

Wednesday 3rd June 09 - Early Morning - Little Egrets

7:00 to 7:15am
Cloudy, sunny spells, slight breeze, less warm than of late.

Usual suspects seen in brief visit to south side.
Single Little Ringed Plover and five Lapwing on 'Wader South Central'
Pair of Common Terns flitting about.
Two Little Egrets on Back Brook.

Monday 1st June - Evening - Lapwing

5:15 to 5:30pm
Warm, sunny, breezy.

Brief visit, south side.
Highlights were:
Five Lapwing
Four Common Tern
Three Little Ringed Plover

Monday 1st June - Morning - BHG's

7:00 to 7:20am
Sunny, warm, breezy.

Three Little Ringed Plovers on mud.
Two Lapwing.
Oystercatcher pair.
Three SumPlum Black Headed Gulls
Six Mute Swan.

Friday 29th May 09 - Afternoon - Lapwings

4:00 to 6:00pm
Warm, sunny, easterly breeze.

Common Tern 2
Little Ringed Plover 4
Up to 39 adult Canada Geese, seven goslings.
18 Greylag Geese
Lapwing 6, highest number in a while.
Little Egret 1
Pair Mute Swan
Single Oystercatcher over.
And as with everywhere else it seems a smattering of Painted Lady butterflies, no great numbers but passing through in ones and twos all afternoon.
And as you can see Greater Spotted Woodpecker have bred.

Wednesday 27th May 09 - Early Morning - Yellow Wagtail

7:00 to 7:20am
Westerly breeze, moderate rain.

Quiet again.
Three Little Ringed Plovers in Godwit Corner.
One Ringed Plover on 'Wader South Central' along with a single Yellow Wagtail.
Only bird on water single Mute Swan.
Landscaping on eastern side of main body of water has moved right to the edge of Godwit Corner, changes may be about to happen once more.

Tuesday 26th May - Lunchtime - Shelduck

1:10 to 1:50pm
Cloudy, sunny spells, brisk cooling NW wind.

Again not too much about.
Single LRP on mud.
Shelduck pair.
Handful of Martins over water.

Tuesday 26th May - Morning - LRP's

6:30 to 7:00am
Rain, breezy.

Not much about.
One Common Tern
Three Little Ringed Plovers
Ringed Plover
Little Egret on back brook.
Only bird on water single Canada Goose, main flock still in top field.

Monday 25th May 09 - Morning - Greenland Wheatear

6:30 to 11:30am
All over site.
Overcast, muggy, odd sunny spell, later odd spot of rain.

In no particular order.
One very smart almost pinkish looking Greenland Wheatear.
Little Egret, around site all morning.
'Invasion' of 45 Canada Geese.
Six Mute Swans on water.
Pair Shelduck.
Two Oystercatcher on newly emerging mud areas.
Up to four Common Terns around site.
Four sum plum Black Headed Gulls.
Three Tufted Ducks briefly before Shelduck flushed.
Single Lapwing.
One Little Ringed Plover.
Cormorant over.
Cuckoo heard.
On river Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler singing.
Reed Bunting.
Hobby through.
Common Buzzard over.
And last but not least first thing this morning on pool south of farm buildings a Common Sandpiper.

Wednesday 20th April 09 - Evening - No Plovers!

4:15 to 5:15pm
Sunny spells, warming up, slight breeze.

Suprisingly not a single LRP or RP seen on site, worrying.
Single Oystercatcher on WSC only wader to be seen.
Common Tern pair still present, as were the Shelduck.
Hobby over.

Wednesday 20th May 09 - Early Morning - Mute Swan

7:00 to 7:15am
Breezy, sunny, cloud building.

Still quiet times at Manor Farm.
A pair of Mute Swan the only arrivals.
2 x LRP's and 2 x RP's on Wader South Central, others elsewhere.
Lapwing.

Tuesday 19th May 09 - Lunchtime - Red Kite

1:15 to 1:30pm
Breezy, sunshine then heavy rain.

A bird of prey themed visit.
Hobby over Farm Buildings
Pair Common Terns over water.
Usual LRP/RP suspects around site.
Kestrel over west end field.
And as the rain moved in a Red Kite racing the storm heading north.

Tuesday 19th May 09 - Morning - Treecreeper

6:45 to 7:30am
Breezy, cloudy, dry.

Up to six RP/LRP's on mud.
Pair Common Terns, Shelduck and a Treecreeper flitting around the trees at Godwit Corner viewpoint area.

Monday 18th May 09 - Evening - More of the same...

5:15 to 5:45pm
Heavy rain, sunny spell (in the singular).

Not much change from lunchtime, see below.
However number of Little Ringed Plover's has increased to three, two Ringed Plover remain.
Grey Wagtail on Wader South Central.
Little Egret over once more.
Low flying Common Buzzard being mobbed by handful of crows.

Monday 18th May 09 - Lunchtime - Life returns...

1:15 to 1:45pm
Dry, cloudy, blustery.

Same life has returned to Manor Farm. Pair of Commom Terns, 2 x RP and a single LRP and Lapwing on 'Wader South Central'.
Little Egret on Back Brook just in front of same area.
Shelduck pair still present.
Handful of Housemartins, couple of Swallow's and Swift over water.

Monday 18th May 09 - Morning - Quiet, too quiet.

7:00 to 7:20am
Sunny, breezy, dry.
Brief visit south side.

Spookily quiet at Manor Farm, not a single bird common or otherwise on water or mud.
Only thing of note the very healthy looking fox was along the grass track by Godwit Corner.

Friday 15th May 09 - Afternoon - Nothing much...

After the Lord Mayors Show and all the activity this morning.
14:00 to 16:30
Sunny intervals, two bursts heavyish rain.

A couple of hours wandering around the site gave the following in no particular order.
Yellow Wagtail x 2
Lapwing x 3
Ringed Plover x 1
Little Ringed Plover x 1
Black Headed Gull x 2
Greylag Goose x 2
Canada Goose x 2
Green Woodpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Treecreeper
Shelduck x 2
Common Terns x 4
Cormorant over x 2
Grey Heron x 3
Little Egret x 1
Grey Wagtail x1
Heavy rain brought down dozens of swifts, martins and a handful of swallows over water but just the LRP wader wise.

Rob Hill per NBBR earler had:
1 Common Sandpiper
2 Hobby
3 Buzzard

Friday 15th May 09 - Late Morning - And quiet...

Per NBBR at 11:19

"Rob Norris has text in that Manor Farm gone quiet. No sign of Black Tern or Plover flock. Just 1 Shelduck and 1 Ringed Plover."

Friday 15th May 09 - Mid-Morning- Black Tern!

Update from Si Nich via NBBR at 9:45am

27 Tundra Ringed Plovers (largest flock in the county for years!)
(In phone conversation Simon says he even probably undercounted these!)
4 summer plumage Dunlin
1 Black Tern

And from Simon himself later...
"Manor Farm held an amazing 27 (minimum) RINGED PLOVERS , all of the smaller Tundra race , also 4 Sum Plum DUNLINS , whilst scanning through the 60 or so mixed Hirundine flock , I was pleased to pick up a Summer Plumaged BLACK TERN hawking over the lake (!) what a great 10 Minutes at a great looking place!"

Friday 15th May 09 - Early Morning - Waderfest!

6am to 7am
Moderate rain easing, still, water almost mirror like.
View from south side only.

Up to 18 waders on the new south central mud areas, overnight rain adding further small pools to the dried out area.
These consisted of a flock of at least 14 (counted in flight around lake) LRP's and RP's the majority arrived overnight.
Also still two sumplum Dunlin, one Common Sandpiper and a Lapwing.
Also seen single Yellow Wagtail, usual Shelduck pair and heard a distant Cuckoo, that may have been just over the border in N'hants.

Thursday May 14th 2009 - Lunchtime - More Dunlin

13:00 to 14:00
Still, overcast, mild.

Much the same as this morning but Dunlin numbers up to three.

Thursday May 14th 2009 - Early Morning - Dunlin

7:00 to 7:20am
Wind dropped, slight mist.

Brief visit to south side only.
Still quiet compared with the hotspots elsewhere around the county.
Highlight two summer plummed Dunlin.
Also the usual collection of RP's & LRP's
Pair Common Tern, pair Shelduck.

Wednesday Evening 13th May 09 - Redshank (no not spotted)

17:00 to 17:30
Wind eased, dull, very dull.
Plovers of various denomination still on site, as were a pair of copulating Common Terns. First Yellow Wagtail i've seen at the site in a week. Numerous swifts, swallows and martins over.
And so to the Redshank. First viewed through bins from the top of the hill the bird looked universally dark all over, very grey underneath with no trace of lighter parts and i'd convinced myself it wasn't a common and as it stayed permantly in the shallows got no real idea of leg length, but there still wasn't something quite right about it. Thinking maybe it might have been a spotted I alerted the local network to the possibility but didn't want to call it as with the light and distance I just wasn't sure. Lo and behold Rob Hill turned up and confirmed, yep it was a common all along.
Yep I know, should have gone to Specsavers.

Wednesday Lunchtime 13th May 09 - Lapwing

12:30 to 13:30
Plover time, 3 x LRP, 2 x RP and 2 x Lapwing.
Little else.

Earler Rob Hill per NBBR had:
"At Manor farm this morning, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 of which was of the 'tundrae' race. Also Cuckoo calling from near Haversham Bridge."

Wednesday 13th May 09 - Early Morning - Pheasant

6:30am
Easterly wind but not as blustery as yesterday, rain moving in.

Nothing much of note.
Pairs of Lapwing & LRP, Common Tern over.
And a somewhat bewildered looking Pheasant wandering about on the mud flats.

Tuesday 12th May - Evening - Housemartins

Another very blustery evening.

In a word, quiet.
Only waders seen were two LRP's and three Lapwing.
The Shelduck pair still mooching about.
Pair of Common Terns
Around 50 or Housemartins over the water, river and surrounds.
Lets see what tomorrows turn in the weather brings?

Monday 11th May 09

From Rob Hill via NBBR

1su Dunlin, 4 LRP, 2 Shelduck & c60 Swift.

Friday afternoon update - May 8th 09

Little to add to Robs visit below.

On a very windy afternoon.
Five 'Ringed Plovers' Two Common Tern and Lapwing on the mud.
A rather odd coloured 'greylag' caught the eye, almost white all over apart from head and wings which appear normally plumaged.
The Shelduck continues its playground bully antics.

Friday 8th May 09 - Morning - Ringed Plover

Per NBBR from Rob Hill

"At Manor Farm 4 Ringed Plover, but little else of note."

Update: Thursday May 7th 09 - Lunchtime - Hobby

Sanderling still showing well at 1:00 alongside the Dunlin, with 3 x LRP and 1 x RP and a lone Grey Wagtail on new mud area. Best viewable from south side half way up the hill of south west field.

Lots of Swift and Martins over water as was a Hobby briefly battling the wind.

Links:
Hobby - Birdguides
Hobby - BTO
Hobby - RSPB
Hobby - Avibirds

Update: Thursday May 7th 2009 - Morning - Sanderling

Per NBBR

Rob Hill has a Sanderling at the site.

Links:
Sanderling - RSPB
Sanderling - Birdguides
Sanderling - BTO
Sanderling - Avibirds

Update from SiNich via Comments

Rob found a mostly winter plumaged SANDERLING @ 11:10 , on the large area of Mud on the South side , Also present were the Sum Plum DUNLIN and one each of Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers

Thursday May 7th 2009 - Early Morning

With rain moving in a very brief visit noted just the Dunlin present on the new area.

Links:
Dunlin - Birdguides
Dunlin - BTO
Dunlin - RSPB
Dunlin - Avibirds

Wednesday 6th May 09 - Evening - Plover Influx

4:00 to 5:30
Dunlin still present, same location (see below)
Influx of plovers to site, just two viewable at lunchtime but at least five, probably seven LRP/RP's present by the evening.
Also on site three Terns, two commons exchanging fish and a third resting on new mud area that appeared to be uniformly darker grey all round which suggested Arctic. (unless anybody has other ideas).
Also on site.
Yellow Wagtail
Little Egret
Shelduck pair.
Movement of swifts through.
Martins and Swallows over water.
Lapwing x 2.

Links:
Little Egret - Birdguides
Little Egret - BTO
Little Egret - RSPB
Little Egret - Avibirds

Re: The Tern - on study of books photo's etc now fairly certain it was another Arctic on site.

Links:
Arctic Tern - Avibirds
Arctic Tern - RSPB
Arctic Tern - Birdguides
Arctic Tern - BTO

Wednesday 6th May 09 - Lunchtime - Dunlin

At a windswept Manor Farm this lunchtime a summer plumaged Dunlin was on the newly expanding mudflats central south on main body of water. (see location in post below)

Only other birds of note three Common Terns.

Links:
Common Tern - RSPB
Common Tern - Birdguides
Common Tern - BTO
Common Tern - Avibirds

Tuesday 5th May 09 - Evening - White Wagtail

First visit in five days and yet more changes to the layout.
The lowering water levels reveal an expanse of mud on the south of the main body of water, centrally located viewable through the gap in banking on south side and up the hill. Potentially looks like developing into the best area yet.
Two Little Ringed Plover, two Common Tern and Yellow Wagtail were in this area.
Pair Shelduck still present as are Gadwall.
At the east end of main lake (Godwit Corner side) where the ground has been turned over the Pied Wagtails favouring the deep tyre tracks in the evening, when all traffic has gone) include the 'textbook' White Wagtail, seen on and of at the site.

Links:
Shelduck - RSPB
Shelduck - Birdguides
Shelduck - BTO
Shelduck - Avibirds

Saturday May 2nd 09

Per Rob Hill via NBBR

1 Common Sand, 2 LRP, 1 Yellow Wag, 2 Shelduck and 6 Common Tern.

At last a new bird! - Thurs AM - 30th April 09

6:30am
Three Arctic Terns could be found on the newly emerging island at the centre of the lake.
Male Shelduck doing his usual 'this is my turf' job otherwise nothing at all of note.

Wagtail Wednesday - Evening 29th April 09

A 'full set' tonight of White (now at west end of main water), at least four Yellows, a single Grey and more Pied's than you could shake a stick at.

Not much else about, a single lapwing the only wader and plenty of Martins over the water but otherwise quiet.

A rather too healthy looking fox was mooching around Godwit Corner and the gravel road south of the lake.

And who were the two other birders than attracted so much interest from the herd of young bulls?

Wednesday - Morning and Lunchtime - 29th April 09

Second visit of the day after thick fog in the valley early AM made viewing impossible.
Lunchtime area still quiet. The flat mud area to the east of main lake has been totally churned up due to more advanced work, however a single White Wagtail was picking through the deep ruts between machine movement.
May be an area of interest this evening.

Tuesday 28th April - Lunchtime

Nothing new of note.
Gravel extraction is now alongside main body of water, perhaps the reason.
A pair of Greylags have join the resident Canadians.

Monday afternoon update - 27th April 09

Site quiet again, hopefuly the lull before the holiday weekend storm?

Smattering of Yellow Wagtails, at least seven around the main body of water.
Around 30 Housemartins, 2 Swallows and a Sand Martin over the water.
Shelduck pair still present as was a single Little Ringed Plover.
A woodpecker, probably a Green, was drumming in the trees at the bottom of south centre field.

As for the site itself, unless the rain has changed things, the lowering water levels means the inlet is now cut off just leaving a series of pools but a more extended mud area leading into the main body of water.

Friday afternoon update - April 24th 09

Things return to their quiet normal self after the mini gold rush this morning.
Just a single Lapwing and LRP the only waders.
And just to rub salt in the wound of the only other birder present who was targeting Yellow Wagtails, three Grey's flew across Godwit Corner as I left and then probably might in front of him. It was the first visit in a couple of weeks when none were present.

And a completely new species to the western palearctic viewed briefly on top of the high banking along the north shore. The lesser sunburnt twonk, a male respendent in full summer plumage of just sandals shorts and sunhat looked as if he was looking for a mate, but if you do see this species please flush as its the last one we want to breed.

Friday is Ouzel day!

Its seems Friday is Ring Ouzel day at Manor Farm.

Following on from last weeks bird, another was found this morning on the shingle bank and gravel road south of the main body of water. Again like last weeks bird a stunning male, it flew over the south central field literally a couple of feet over my head giving great views. It was fairly flighty and was last seen around 7:30ish in the field south of the farm building (between farm and Old Wolverton Road), unfortunately I had to head for work but it may still be there in the hills and hollows, a field most of us usually overlook.


Last weeks bird...

Earlier, from my arrival till 7:00, two Curlew, the first reported to have landed on site, were in 'Godwit Corner' they circled lake and headed in a Linford(ish) direction. Also in this corner one RP and one LRP and a single Common Sandpiper.

Three Terns, probably Commons but the Ouzel distracted me, were resting on the signs emerging from the water and the Shelduck pair are still present.

Wednesday Evening Update - 22nd April 09

Four Yellow Wagtail
Single LRP
Single Lapwing
Sparrowhawk over.
Shelduck pair remain.

And an appeal.



Can we get the word around the local birding community that Manor Farm is not just about whats on the water, the surrounds hold far more.
Yet again today we had a birder inside the perimeter fence (which be warned is trespassing despite there being no signs yet) walking around the waters edge, right up to edge on occasions. To cap it all he stood plumb on the bare earth/shingle area that housed a pair of LRP's as he loomed over the entrance to the inlet, everything was flushed from perhaps the best area of the whole site.
If you can imagine someone standing on the spit at Willen or wandering across the bund at Linford you'll get the idea.
If it carries on to be a free for all we might as well forget about this site now.

Tuesday Evening Update - 21st April 09 - Quieter Still...

Just the pair of Shelduck, a single Yellow Wagtail and Green Sandpiper of note tonight.

Evening Update - Monday 20th April 09

4:30pm > 5:30pm
Still quiet, add to the list below at least five Yellow Wagtail favouring grass and mud around inlet.
Single Green Sandpiper.

Monday lunchtime update - 20th April 09

Very quiet in the warm sunshine, viewed from south bank no time to go round to inlet (though there were two other birders in this area if there is anything to report?)

Shelduck pair remain.
LRP in Godwit Corner.
White Wagtail in same area.
Common Buzzard over.

And for the first time in at least a couple of weeks no sign of any Wheatear.


No More? (Taken last Friday)

Saturday AM Update - 18th April 2009 - Ouzel Gone

Rob Norris per NBBR

No sign of RING Ouzel this morning but did have RING-necked Parakeet fly over Manor Farm about 7 o clock this morning heading West.
also Little RINGed plover.

Ring Ouzel + - Friday 17th April - Afternoon

(All pictures taken by Chris G today at Manor Farm, click on image for full size.)

A Ring Ouzel was found by yours truly at 13:45 this afternoon (and was still there when I left at 17:15). In bad light and up a tree in the centre south field to start with I was sure it was a female, brownish bird with a cream crescent, but sunlight and the fine eye of Si Nicholls when he arrived confirmed it was indeed a male. Initially spending the first three quarters on an hour flitting from tree to tree it finally came down to feed on the pasture, see below. After initially being lost it was refound by Paul Moon and myself on the southern shingle banking along the main body of water, where it still was when I left this evening.

Also on site.
Around a dozen Yellow Wagtails
One (at least) White Wagtail
Two Northern Wheatear
Two Little Ring Plovers
Two Oystercatcher
Three Green Sandpipers
Pair Shelduck
And a mystery wader, entrance to inlet but just out of Bin ID range, looked like winter plumaged Dunlin but not sure.

Links:
Ring Ouzel - RSPB
Ring Ouzel - BTO
Ring Ouzel - Birdguides

Thursday 16th April 09 - Afternoon - Dunlin

Robert Norris had a summer plumaged Dunlin at MF this afternoon.

As per his post to NBBR.

As well as the Summer plumaged Dunlin.

2 Oystercatcher
3+ Green Sandpiper
2 Little Ringed Plover
Ringed Plover
3+ Yellow Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
2 Shelduck
Little Egret
and a Cuckoo heard but not seen at Haversham end.

Links:
Dunlin - RSPB
Dunlin - Birdguides
Dunlin - BTO

Wednesday Evening - 16th April 09 - Water Pipit Redux!

From 5:00 to 6:30 this evening.

I've found the secret in finding the Water Pipit, just don't look for it in the first place.
While viewing the White Wagtail, there is still at least one present, the WP dropped down on the adjacent bit of mud, just at the mouth of the NW inlet (best viewable on River Ouse side walk through banking). However I am pretty sure this is not the bird I initially found last week and this backs up Rob Hills theory of two birds last Saturday.
See here.
This does appear to be a browner individual in full sunlight. I'll leave it to the experts.

Also at west end of main body of water half a dozen Yellow Wagtail, the aforementioned White, and a brief view of a Grey. The various Pied's made the set.

Just a single LRP flitting about, two Northern Wheatear, three Green Sandpipers. Two Green Woodpeckers in the grass south of the inlet were giving excellent views. Along the river itself, Kingfisher.

For those on the river side, the reeds on the far bank between the two gaps in the banking always used to be good for Reed and Sedge Warbler, however the proximity of caravans now might change this.

Links:
Yellow Wagtail - RSPB
Yellow Wagtail - Birdguides
Yellow Wagtail - BTO

Tuesday 17th April - Evening -

Spent a good hour or so this evening looking for the Water pipit from the Riverside, no luck.
Certainly two very stunning White Wagtails still on site, got both in the same view squaring up to each other. Frequenting corner of inlet.
Single tern through, probably Common.
3 x Green Sandpiper
1 x Common Sandpiper
2 x LRP but definitely a single Ringed Plover on the south shore.

Links:
Ringed Plover - RSPB
Ringed Plover - BTO
Ringed plover - Birdguides

Downside, at 5:00pm three kids trying to flood the workings by turning on main pipes leading to area now being worked.

Tuesday 14th April - Lunchtime

Second visit of the day (you couldn't see a thing at 6am due to mist) gave nothing new.
However there is a Pipit shaped bird in the NW inlet favouring the corner where it comes off main lake. I did not have time to get to Riverside Walk, others will get a better view but it may be that the on/off WP is back.

Others
White Wagtail
LRP's x 2
At least two Wheatear
Green Sandpier x 2
Shelduck remain (eyeing up the earth moving equipment as their next target)

Bad news(ish): Not only has extraction work restarted at a busier pace than last week but thay have personnel on foot walking the perimeter which might flush prospective nesters.

Manor Farm - How to get there...

Link:

Streetmap

Easter Monday Morning (Update) - 10:30am 13th April 09

Update from Rob H at 10:30

No sign of the Water Pip this morning, in fact very few pipits and wagtails - 1m WHITE WAGTAIL, 1 Yellow Wag, and a handful of Pieds.

1 Curlew flew over north, 2 LRP, 5 Green Sand, 1 Common Sand and 4m Wheatear.

Links:
Wheatear - BTO
Northern Wheatear - Birdguides
Wheatear - RSPB

Easter Monday Morning - 8:30am 13th April 09

Per Rob Hill (via Si N.) post to NBBR

3 Northern Wheatears and a flyover CURLEW were the highlights of a Manor Farm visit this AM

Links:
Curlew - Birdguides
Curlew - RSPB
Curlew - BTO

Easter Sunday evening update - 18:00 12th April 09

Text from Si Nich

Rob Hill has refound the Water Pipit in the north west inlet. Best viewed from riverside walk to north of site, then through gaps in the banking.

Links:
Water Pipit - Birdguides
Water Pipit - BTO
Water Pipit - RSPB

Easter Sunday morning update - 9:30am 12th April 09

Frpm NBBR via Nik M.

Nothing new at site, no sign of Pipits.

Saturday afternoon update: 11th April 09

From Si Nich via NBBR and text (Thanks Simon)

Rob (Hill) has seen at least 1 , poss 2 WATER PIPITS at Manor Farm , at least 15 Yellow Wagtails and a minimum of 3 WHITE WAGTAILS

And later from Rob himself...

Indeed, the first bird was the more classic grey bird now there for it's 3rd? 4th? day, and showing very well, flycatching from the mounds, and chasing wagtails. Unstreaked back, clean superc., strong bill, white outer-tail feathers, prominent pale edges to the retrices, pale below with limited dark streaking, paleish legs. The second bird, seen briefly once before disappearing behind a mound and not re-appearing, was similarly sized, strong bill, weaker superc., but was noticably browner on the upperparts with heavier streaking on the underparts.

I'm not too familiar with the variability of Water Pips, but wasn't the regular Tring bird of recent years a rather brown specimen?

Anyway, most of the pipits and wagtails (there were 5+ Mipits as well as Yellow Wags and the 3 stunning male White wags) were on the large flat area at the west end of the main pool, where the inlet starts to bend round.

Other birds included 2m Wheatear, 1 LRP, 2 Snipe, 1 Common Sand, 6 Green Sand, 2 Shelduck & 4 Teal.

Links:

Water Pipit - Birdguides

Water Pipit - BTO

Water Pipit - RSPB

A reply to James re access.

As long as you stay in the fields you are okay James, at no point should you be able to get right to the waters edge though, especially as that is where some of the better birds have been ie Water Pipit etc and they were flushed as per yesterday, this site is not just whats on the water, the mud attracts plenty more.

To the south of the water thats the three fields farm buildings side and the one through the wooden gate to the west end. As a guide you should always have the back brook between you and the site. To the north of site the riverside walk, which is giving the better views at the moment is the guide then you can follow 'front' brook. (There is more on this somewhere in blog)

Basically if you are on or have crossed any of the gravel roading you are in the working quarry and are trespassing. Hopefully Hanson will erect more signs to make this more obvious soon.

Hope that helps.

Chris

Saturday morning update - 11th April 09

From Si Nich via NBBR at c9:00am

Rob N has had COMMON SANDPIPER, several House Martins, 4 Green Sandpipers, 3
Oystercatcher 2 LRP , 1 Ringed Plover, 1 White Wagtail and 2 Shelduck but
unfortunately no sign of the Water Pipit at Manor Farm this morning.

Lee Evans Good Friday Report

MANOR FARM PITS (NORTH BUCKS) (SP 805 421)
(Easily accessed off of the main Old Wolverton road and just over a mile
from the A5; park at the main entrance to the Manor Farm business complex and
walk north to the Country Park trail currently under construction)

I was looking forward to visiting this site as all the hype surrounding it
surely was exaggeration - but it wasn't. This new complex of gravel
extraction and shallow scrapes on the River Great Ouse valley certainly is the
'real deal' and a fantastic magnet for migrating birds. The main pool is in
excellent shape and the surrounding areas (whilst wet and fresh) are
certainly attractive for migrant passerines.

I spent a couple of hours tasting the avian delights of this new site and
working out the best ways in which to observe it. The following species were
seen, the highlight being a migrant LITTLE GULL.

Mute Swans (10 including 5 first-years)
COMMON SHELDUCK (pair)
Common Teal (pair)
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (1+)
*GREEN SANDPIPERS (4)
COMMON SANDPIPER (1) (my first county bird of the year)
Common Snipe (2)
Black-headed Gulls (3)
**LITTLE GULL (an adult in winter plumage arrived from the west at 1427 and
was then pursued by the Black-headed Gulls and chased off whilst I was on
the phone to Simon and flew strongly and high SE along the river valley at
1430).

Sand Martin (3)
Barn Swallow (6)
Meadow Pipit (2)
**WATER PIPIT (a bird in transitional plumage was frequenting the
rain-sodden shallow pools to the east of the main pit. It was typically mobile and
flew up calling several times, disappearing to a hidden extraction pool at
the NE of the site)
*WHITE WAGTAIL (male on the eastern edge of the pit and on the bunds)
*YELLOW WAGTAIL (3 gaudy males on the bunds)
*NORTHERN WHEATEAR (highly mobile male on bunds)
Goldfinch (8)

Little Gull & (refound) Water Pipit

Friday 10th April 09 - Mid-afternoon.

Lee Evans had an adult Little Gull briefly this afternoon plus he managed to find the elusive Water pipit once more.

Others present as per message below from this morning.

Little Gull - Birdguides

Little Gull - BTO

Little Gull - RSPB

Better views...

Now the water is down further there are better views to be had along the north side of the site. This is along the River Ouse walk, then looking through the games in the bund. Great views back into inlet and the corner thats not visible from the south side. Further on once through the double gates, where 'Front Brook' leave the main flow follow this route round looking to right. For those that know area, much clearer views over the Water Pipit, White wagtail, Wheatear area, but still in cover of trees. will take a little longer but well worth it.

Telling your grandmother how to suck eggs...

I know this is akin to telling your grandmother how to suck (Easter) eggs but we should all remember MF is a working quarry and out of bounds even though there is no signage on the south and west of site (there are plenty on the east and north). There was a case this morning of a birder not only looming over Godwit Corner but standing plumb in the middle of an area that held Water Pipit, Yellow and White Wagtail yesterday. To this end does anyone have a contact at Hanson who operate the site to see if they can post signs along the south and west perimeter?

Good Friday - Early Doors at MF

Friday 10th April 09 - 6am till 10am

From first light at 6:00am not much about at MF but as time wore on the following were found before I left at mid morning.

White Wagtail, possibly two, one in the workings area another on mud entering inlet.
Wheatear, same position as last few days, must be same bird.
Snipe x 2
LRP x 2 plus one single RP/LRP in inlet.
Up to six Green Sandpipers.
One Common Sandpiper

Osprey!

Thursday 9th April 2009 - Evening
Per Rob Hill.
Osprey over at 7:20(ish)

Thursday April 9th 2009 - Lunchtime

Water Pipit still present as lunchtime but about as hard to locate as an MP's properly filled in claims form.
White Wagtail
Wheatear still present.
Handful of Yellow Wags.
Waders represented by Green Sandpiper & LRP.

Update: Water Pipit confirmed (plus White Wagtail)

Thursday April 9th 2009 - Morning - 10:00am

Si Nicholls confirmed Water Pipit present, plus he has male White Wagtail on site.

Links:
White Wagtail - Birdguides

Thursday April 9th 2009 - Morning

7:00am
Possible Water Pipit (very white tail flanks) in SE corner main body of water (Godwit Corner).
Unfortunately the call of work drew me away so i'll leave others to confirm, or indeed blow out the water.
Oddly enough in the 30 or so minutes there I didn't see a single wader so they are probably all well into NW inlet.
Much to see however on the mudflats and hillocks especially those to the right of the main lake.
Pipits, Yellow, Grey and Pied Wagtails and a pair of Wheatears.
So if you're going concentrate on that mud!

So what in heavens is a 'Floodplain Forest'?

The Parks Trust explains...

http://www.theparkstrust.com/parks-trust/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=48243

Tuesday 8th April 2009
Evening 17:00 > 18:00
At least seven Ring plovers now on site, one group of three and two pairs.
Six Yellow Wagtails showing well in evening sun (see location below).
Resident Little Egret and Common Buzzard over.

Tuesday 8th April 2009
Lunchtime 12:30 > 13:30
Addition to the below.
Common Sandpiper
No sign of Common Tern.
Ring Plovers increrasing in number, now certainly at least four. One pair Godwit Corner (ignoring earthmoving next door) further pair at NW inlet.

So to get started, todays sightings. Previous days/months records to follow.
Tuesday 8th April.

Morning: 6:30am
Common Tern favouring area towards inlet.
Circa dozen or so Yellow Wagtails on flat mud area east of main lake.
Pipits - out of Bin ID range.

3 x Ring Plover
Usual wader suspects...
Snipe.
Greensandpiper.
Common Redshank.

Pair Shelduck, still lively and trying to dominate the water.
Two pairs Teal persecuted by the above.

Leaving these shores:
Pair of very finely plumafged Fieldfare.

Posting by Chris G to NBBR - Tues 7th April

Gravel extraction has started again at some pace at MF. Its going out by the large lorry load every ten minutes or so from what has been an untouced area for the last couple of months.
Its being extracted from the old wader pit (east of the main body of water) it has driven what was around more into the NW inlet area.
Of course out of working hours things might return to normality but it could have some effect should it expand.
Lunchtime today
Ringed Plover
Greensand x 4
Oystercatcher x 2
Snipe
A handful of Lapwing.
Redshank
Pair Shelduck
Pair Teal.
And suprisingly not many Pied wagtails.

Post by Chris G to NBBR, Monday 6th April 09

At 6:30 this morning.
Male Wheatear on shingle ridge at Godwit Corner.
Common Redshank x 2
Green Sandpiper x 2
Snipe x 3
Pair of teal.
Shelduck pair continue to try and drive all other ducks off the main water.

Post to NBBR by Chris G at 15:00, 22nd March 09

From lunchtime today
4 x Black Tailed Godwits, favouring either shallows in south east corner of main expanse of water (West lake) or small inlet to north west of same lake), still there at 2:00pm
Also over several sandmartin and my first swallow at 1:00pm
Others include, redshanks, green sandpiper, 2 x L Egret, buzzard over and briefly drake goosander

Post made to NBBR by Chris G, 20th March 19:00

Wader pit gradually drying up, just a single Redshank and a pair of Teal in attendance.
However with the water going down mud is appearing elsewhere especially on the small inlet in the north west corner of the larger lake to the left. This too held a Redshank (maybe the same) half a dozen Snipe and a Green Sandpiper and you can get cracking close views here. To access go through gate on left hand side of usual viewing area (half way up hill) then down to follow back brook to second gate, through then again follow back brook towards Ouse, look for silted area already lush with grass. (Look for the Stronbow cider can). You're close now so quiet. Its easily crossable and on far bank the piled earth gives good cover and cracking views. You're still in the park so not tresspassing. Given what I saw today this area might be well worth watching over the coming days. For those less active its scope viewable from the other end at a distance along the Ouse bank path, keep looking back on yourself after you go through first two gates.

Also in valley area amongst others:
Kingfisher, Little Egret, GS Woodpecker, G Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, 40 or so Fieldfare with a single Redwing, Treecreeper and numerous gulls which I can't even begin to decipher.
Highlight as I was leaving at dusk 3 x female Goosander heading into inlet mentioned above.