Lower Ure Conservation Trust
Nosterfield Bird and Natural History Review July 2023
by Andrew (Andy) M Hanby
Osprey Photo: David Hill
As in all months, there were continuing themes with this one. These included a good run of Osprey records, with 22 bird days and two birds seen on occasions. This benison involved at least four individuals and one actually sitting on the Osprey platform.
Marsh Harrier was also a recurring performer, with 12 bird days and also at least four different birds, including three together over Ladybridge Lake. Hobby, on the other hand, was scarce with only three sightings.
Curlew and Lapwing numbers grew steadily through the month, with peak counts of 370 (20th) and 2000 (25th) respectively.
The beginning of the month started with three Black-tailed Godwits flying through south-west and another 20 on the Reserve. Unlike last month, when there were a good number of these species throughout the month, the overall numbers over July were well down on the 2022, suggesting that most of the wave of failed breeders alluded to in the last round-up had passed through in June.
Continuing the wader theme, a rather smart Ruff appeared and was seen on three occasions between 9th and 17th.
Ruff Photo: Tim Jones
There was a collective sigh of relief on 2nd, when a Tree Sparrow was observed feeding two well grown young in a Nosterfield village garden, proving that they are not quite extinct in the area.
Tree Sparrow feeding young Photo: Gareth Jones
On 8th there was a little bit of visible migration including 34 Swift and a Greenshank moving south-west. Also moving were 13 Common Gulls and 25 Black-headed Gulls. Normally noting such low numbers of small gulls would not be of interest, but given the ravages of avian flu across the land, documentation is probably worthy.
The 9th welcomed the first Ruff in the area since late May. A Greenshank and five Common Sandpipers were also in the area and the female Mandarin Duck on Flasks Lake was accompanied by five well -grown young.
The Flasks Cuckoo
Common Sandpiper increased further by 11th, with eight being present, a good count for us these days.
Even more notable was a wandering juvenile Stonechat seen from the North hide on 15th. The next day saw the only Mediterranean Gull of the month, on the Reserve, whist a Sanderling was discovered sprinting around the silt at Flasks Lake.
Conor
The 18th was significant as a Bittern was observed in the reedbed, the first sighting there since October 30th 2022. Disappointingly, there were no further sightings during the rest of the month.
For us this has been a bumper year for Cuckoo, with an adult, probable male, grounded on a gloomy 22nd.
The following day was also good, with two Sandwich Terns on Langwith Lake, two male Common Scoter on Flasks Lake and four Goosander. Five Goosander and the scoter were present the next day, with two new birds on Lingham Lake on 25th.
Not a bird that figures much in these round-ups, but a count of 863 Jackdaw feeding on the reserve on 27th was a remarkable count outside winter roost movements. The next day provided arguably the most puzzling observation of the year, of what appeared to be a Red Grouse calling north of the Reedbed. Whilst it is easy to dismiss this record, it is notable that the only confirmed record of Red Grouse in the area was in 2014, when a bird was seen to fly over the reedbed. Very thought provoking.
Finally, the door to August and autumn was reached…….
Andrew Hanby 02/08/2023