Every week 2 members from the WVBS take a walk around Pensthorpe Natural Park and record every species that they have seen / heard and how many they have seen. This is submitted into our recorder, David Gibbons, and he collates all the data and sends it on to the County Recorder.
Below are the results from the recent monitoring visits, including a short summary from members.
Below are the results from the recent monitoring visits, including a short summary from members.
Wednesday 3rd September
I think it’s fair to say that both Stuart and I were somewhat apprehensive about conducting the bird
survey on a day when the weather forecast was one of rain all day with winds gusting to 40mph.
Alas, when we arrived it was dry, with minimal wind but an overcast sky.
A wonderful start with c45 House Martins circling overhead. Apart from plentiful Corvids the fields
and Glamping area adjacent to the carpark were devoid of birds! As we headed towards the
Reserve two Red Kites flew over and we had a very faint view of the sun! Perhaps the forecasters
had got it all wrong, no chance!
We started at Mill Pond where the highlights were a male and female Mandarin Duck (non-
collection). After counting all the other birds, we were going to do an anti-clockwise circuit until the
heavens opened. Keen to push on we decided that the Wader Scrape Hides were probably the
nearest refuge.
En-route we spotted another female Mandarin Duck on Dark Mere. By the time we arrived at the
Wader Scrape the winds had picked up and the rain was coming into the hides with some force.
Visibility had reduced making counting the birds very tricky! However, we managed to record some
nice birds including: Great White Egret, Common Sandpiper (2), Green Sandpiper (3), Buzzard, Red
Kite and Common Snipe (7).
Makin Mere was relatively quiet apart from a Grey Heron which floated past! With the rain still
heavy we decided to try and get some cover and diverted to the Woodland Hide. On arrival, the
feeders were initially really quiet but thankfully the weather picked up and birds started to appear.
Juvenile Blue Tit were joined by Marsh Tit (no rings), Coal Tit, Robin, a male Blackbird and numerous
Chaffinch. The sun broke through and we heard a Buzzard calling overhead which eventually perched
in a tree in the field opposite the hide.
On the way to Lake Hide a Jay called (not seen). Conditions had much improved by the time we
reached Old Squaw but alas there was nothing of note bird wise. From the Wetland Hide we saw a
further three Green Sandpipers along with two Ruff, a lone female Mandarin Duck and a cracking
adult Water Rail. At the Farmland Hide Stuart had a fleeting view of another House Martin. The feeders were quiet with just a few Tits and a Dunnock foraging. There were no birds at all in the field or along the
hedgerow. Finishing up at Moon water we noted a selection of Gulls including: Common, Herring, Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed.
We just made it back to the café for a well-earned coffee before the rain started again!
Despite the conditions it was a great day in cracking company.
46 species.
Howard C, Stuart M.
Wednesday 10th September.
Mark and I had a very pleasant morning at Pensthorpe. We started early as the forecast was
rain later. It was sunny with temperatures from 15°C up to 19°C by the end with a light
southerly wind which gave a slight autumnal chill.
It seemed quiet as we started on the drive, but we were pleased to see 3 Mistle Thrushes
high on the trees and then a line of 14 Swallows on the telegraph wires joined by a Great Tit,
a Blue Tit and a Chiffchaff. Walking back up the drive we heard a curious loud call we
couldn’t place and then saw what was making it: a Raven perched on one of the trees on the
drive! A good start to the morning.
On the whole there was little bird song and it seemed we were at the end of summer visitors
and before the winter arrival influx. We found a Common Sandpiper and a Green Sandpiper
at the Wetland hide and a wisp of Common Snipe (if they are called a wisp on the ground).
There were 12 here and more at the scrape, presumably some at least on passage.
We saw a Green Sandpiper fly onto the Wader scrape so either the earlier one or a second:
otherwise, high numbers of Lapwings added to our wader count. There were many Greylags
and Egyptian Geese but only one Canada Goose and no Barnacles. Raptor wise: 2 Red Kites
perched on the island at the Farmland hide, one Marsh Harrier over the Wetland a Kestrel
and at least one Buzzard. Gull counts were markedly down.
It was a good day for autumnal butterflies with notably 2 exquisite Small Coppers, 1 Common
Blue and 2 Commas.
The building works around the new restaurant may have reduced the count around the
centre and the HOOTz House and there were some tree cutting activity beyond the wader
scrape but we did pretty well.
Mark H and Cath R.
Wednesday 17th September.
Well, it was a wet morning, the light was murky and the reserve was deserted. Ray and I
were on our own after a misunderstanding so we agreed the plan: a quick dash from hide to
hide and back for a coffee. But even so we were pretty soaked as it didn’t really let off all
morning. Oh, the trials of wearing glasses when everything gets wet and/or steamed up...
A quick Gull count and then on to the Wader Scrape where fortunately there weren’t too
many birds! One Common Snipe and a small flock of Lapwing accounted for the waders: the
Great White Egret and Little Egret were still there from last week but best of all we glimpsed
2 Bearded Tits through the gloom low down at the water’s edge and partly obscured by
reeds. The first I have seen in the Valley.
On through the rain to the Woodland Hide with the usual complement of Blue and Great
Tits, one Coal Tit and some Chaffinches. On through more rain to Old Squaw Lake where we
were entranced by as many as 40 Hirundine swooping across the lake but also perching up
on the branches to our right. With as many as 30 Swallows perched there it was hard to
estimate exactly how many there were altogether. Afterwards at the Wetland Hide we saw
just as many swooping low: different ones or the same?? There were 3 Green Sandpipers
here but also unusually the small flock of Mandarin Ducks out in the open water in front of
the hide.
On again to the Farmland Hide which gave us our first Magpie and a bedraggled looking
Buzzard before we could finally have our coffee and sausage rolls.
Highlights: Bearded Tits, Mandarin Ducks and Hirundine.
With thanks to Ray for his company and note-taking in the rain. Did I say it was raining?
Cath and Ray.
Saturday 20th September.
After the mini heatwave of the previous couple of days it was back to earth with a bump when I
arrived in the car park at 0745. There was an autumnal mist in the air, grey skies above and it was a
distinctly cool 11c. There was an occasionally fresh SW wind too which added to the chilly feel.
Walking towards the Wader Scrape there were few Passerines about. A small Tit flock held a couple
of Goldcrests and I heard a single Chiffchaff. This set the tone for the morning. Other than another
Chiffchaff there were no summer Warblers at all, presumably they have all now left the valley and
are on their way to their winter quarters. Cetti’s Warblers were a different matter. They have now
abandoned their Trappist silence whilst breeding and were ‘shouting’ from all across the reserve. I
tallied ten in total.
Reaching the Scrape I heard a Kingfisher call as it flew away and also a Common Sandpiper, with its
similar call. The scrape itself was fairly quiet. Geese were thin on the ground. It appears that all our
Barnacle Geese have gone to Suffolk and will likely not be back until Christmas/New Year. A juvenile
Marsh Harrier flushed a good hand of Lapwing, and I saw four Common Snipe in a quiet corner. Just
then I heard the tell-tale ping of Bearded Tits and saw a pair feeding low in the reeds before flying
into cover. Until this year Beardies have been very scarce at Pensthorpe but since the summer I have
seen or heard them on almost every visit. Good stuff!
Walking west across the reserve Makins Mere held 8 Mandarin Ducks; a Grey Wagtail and I heard
the squeal of a Water Rail. Reaching Moon Water, the summer Gull roost was much reduced, with
just a few each of the four regular Gulls. A single Great Crested Grebe was about and another
Kingfisher flashed through.
The next stop of note was Wetlands Scrape. Almost immediately I heard more Bearded Tits but could
not lay eyes on them. Judging by the calls there were at least two here. There were three Green
Sandpipers. It has been an excellent autumn migration for waders at Pensthorpe, but inevitably this
is now drawing to a close. Still, some good totals have been seen over the last three months. As the
season turns winter ducks are increasing. I managed one short of a century of Teal and Shoveler,
Gadwall and Tufted Duck numbers are increasing too.
I had a quick look from the Farmland Hide. The field has been ploughed ready for a winter bird feed
mix to be drilled. A couple of Mistle Thrushes and Stock Doves were added from here. A total of
twenty-five Swallows on a distant telegraph wire were a sure sign that migration is afoot. We are
now at that stage of the month when every hirundine we see might be the last one until next spring.
A melancholic note on which to end another enjoyable count.
61 species.
Nick P.
I think it’s fair to say that both Stuart and I were somewhat apprehensive about conducting the bird
survey on a day when the weather forecast was one of rain all day with winds gusting to 40mph.
Alas, when we arrived it was dry, with minimal wind but an overcast sky.
A wonderful start with c45 House Martins circling overhead. Apart from plentiful Corvids the fields
and Glamping area adjacent to the carpark were devoid of birds! As we headed towards the
Reserve two Red Kites flew over and we had a very faint view of the sun! Perhaps the forecasters
had got it all wrong, no chance!
We started at Mill Pond where the highlights were a male and female Mandarin Duck (non-
collection). After counting all the other birds, we were going to do an anti-clockwise circuit until the
heavens opened. Keen to push on we decided that the Wader Scrape Hides were probably the
nearest refuge.
En-route we spotted another female Mandarin Duck on Dark Mere. By the time we arrived at the
Wader Scrape the winds had picked up and the rain was coming into the hides with some force.
Visibility had reduced making counting the birds very tricky! However, we managed to record some
nice birds including: Great White Egret, Common Sandpiper (2), Green Sandpiper (3), Buzzard, Red
Kite and Common Snipe (7).
Makin Mere was relatively quiet apart from a Grey Heron which floated past! With the rain still
heavy we decided to try and get some cover and diverted to the Woodland Hide. On arrival, the
feeders were initially really quiet but thankfully the weather picked up and birds started to appear.
Juvenile Blue Tit were joined by Marsh Tit (no rings), Coal Tit, Robin, a male Blackbird and numerous
Chaffinch. The sun broke through and we heard a Buzzard calling overhead which eventually perched
in a tree in the field opposite the hide.
On the way to Lake Hide a Jay called (not seen). Conditions had much improved by the time we
reached Old Squaw but alas there was nothing of note bird wise. From the Wetland Hide we saw a
further three Green Sandpipers along with two Ruff, a lone female Mandarin Duck and a cracking
adult Water Rail. At the Farmland Hide Stuart had a fleeting view of another House Martin. The feeders were quiet with just a few Tits and a Dunnock foraging. There were no birds at all in the field or along the
hedgerow. Finishing up at Moon water we noted a selection of Gulls including: Common, Herring, Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed.
We just made it back to the café for a well-earned coffee before the rain started again!
Despite the conditions it was a great day in cracking company.
46 species.
Howard C, Stuart M.
Wednesday 10th September.
Mark and I had a very pleasant morning at Pensthorpe. We started early as the forecast was
rain later. It was sunny with temperatures from 15°C up to 19°C by the end with a light
southerly wind which gave a slight autumnal chill.
It seemed quiet as we started on the drive, but we were pleased to see 3 Mistle Thrushes
high on the trees and then a line of 14 Swallows on the telegraph wires joined by a Great Tit,
a Blue Tit and a Chiffchaff. Walking back up the drive we heard a curious loud call we
couldn’t place and then saw what was making it: a Raven perched on one of the trees on the
drive! A good start to the morning.
On the whole there was little bird song and it seemed we were at the end of summer visitors
and before the winter arrival influx. We found a Common Sandpiper and a Green Sandpiper
at the Wetland hide and a wisp of Common Snipe (if they are called a wisp on the ground).
There were 12 here and more at the scrape, presumably some at least on passage.
We saw a Green Sandpiper fly onto the Wader scrape so either the earlier one or a second:
otherwise, high numbers of Lapwings added to our wader count. There were many Greylags
and Egyptian Geese but only one Canada Goose and no Barnacles. Raptor wise: 2 Red Kites
perched on the island at the Farmland hide, one Marsh Harrier over the Wetland a Kestrel
and at least one Buzzard. Gull counts were markedly down.
It was a good day for autumnal butterflies with notably 2 exquisite Small Coppers, 1 Common
Blue and 2 Commas.
The building works around the new restaurant may have reduced the count around the
centre and the HOOTz House and there were some tree cutting activity beyond the wader
scrape but we did pretty well.
Mark H and Cath R.
Wednesday 17th September.
Well, it was a wet morning, the light was murky and the reserve was deserted. Ray and I
were on our own after a misunderstanding so we agreed the plan: a quick dash from hide to
hide and back for a coffee. But even so we were pretty soaked as it didn’t really let off all
morning. Oh, the trials of wearing glasses when everything gets wet and/or steamed up...
A quick Gull count and then on to the Wader Scrape where fortunately there weren’t too
many birds! One Common Snipe and a small flock of Lapwing accounted for the waders: the
Great White Egret and Little Egret were still there from last week but best of all we glimpsed
2 Bearded Tits through the gloom low down at the water’s edge and partly obscured by
reeds. The first I have seen in the Valley.
On through the rain to the Woodland Hide with the usual complement of Blue and Great
Tits, one Coal Tit and some Chaffinches. On through more rain to Old Squaw Lake where we
were entranced by as many as 40 Hirundine swooping across the lake but also perching up
on the branches to our right. With as many as 30 Swallows perched there it was hard to
estimate exactly how many there were altogether. Afterwards at the Wetland Hide we saw
just as many swooping low: different ones or the same?? There were 3 Green Sandpipers
here but also unusually the small flock of Mandarin Ducks out in the open water in front of
the hide.
On again to the Farmland Hide which gave us our first Magpie and a bedraggled looking
Buzzard before we could finally have our coffee and sausage rolls.
Highlights: Bearded Tits, Mandarin Ducks and Hirundine.
With thanks to Ray for his company and note-taking in the rain. Did I say it was raining?
Cath and Ray.
Saturday 20th September.
After the mini heatwave of the previous couple of days it was back to earth with a bump when I
arrived in the car park at 0745. There was an autumnal mist in the air, grey skies above and it was a
distinctly cool 11c. There was an occasionally fresh SW wind too which added to the chilly feel.
Walking towards the Wader Scrape there were few Passerines about. A small Tit flock held a couple
of Goldcrests and I heard a single Chiffchaff. This set the tone for the morning. Other than another
Chiffchaff there were no summer Warblers at all, presumably they have all now left the valley and
are on their way to their winter quarters. Cetti’s Warblers were a different matter. They have now
abandoned their Trappist silence whilst breeding and were ‘shouting’ from all across the reserve. I
tallied ten in total.
Reaching the Scrape I heard a Kingfisher call as it flew away and also a Common Sandpiper, with its
similar call. The scrape itself was fairly quiet. Geese were thin on the ground. It appears that all our
Barnacle Geese have gone to Suffolk and will likely not be back until Christmas/New Year. A juvenile
Marsh Harrier flushed a good hand of Lapwing, and I saw four Common Snipe in a quiet corner. Just
then I heard the tell-tale ping of Bearded Tits and saw a pair feeding low in the reeds before flying
into cover. Until this year Beardies have been very scarce at Pensthorpe but since the summer I have
seen or heard them on almost every visit. Good stuff!
Walking west across the reserve Makins Mere held 8 Mandarin Ducks; a Grey Wagtail and I heard
the squeal of a Water Rail. Reaching Moon Water, the summer Gull roost was much reduced, with
just a few each of the four regular Gulls. A single Great Crested Grebe was about and another
Kingfisher flashed through.
The next stop of note was Wetlands Scrape. Almost immediately I heard more Bearded Tits but could
not lay eyes on them. Judging by the calls there were at least two here. There were three Green
Sandpipers. It has been an excellent autumn migration for waders at Pensthorpe, but inevitably this
is now drawing to a close. Still, some good totals have been seen over the last three months. As the
season turns winter ducks are increasing. I managed one short of a century of Teal and Shoveler,
Gadwall and Tufted Duck numbers are increasing too.
I had a quick look from the Farmland Hide. The field has been ploughed ready for a winter bird feed
mix to be drilled. A couple of Mistle Thrushes and Stock Doves were added from here. A total of
twenty-five Swallows on a distant telegraph wire were a sure sign that migration is afoot. We are
now at that stage of the month when every hirundine we see might be the last one until next spring.
A melancholic note on which to end another enjoyable count.
61 species.
Nick P.
