July birdwatching round up

“Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” – Sam Keen

Much of the first half of July was thematically similar to June, relatively disappointing, but some regular performers such as Osprey to liven the days up. Towards the end of the month a red colour-ringed Great White Egret ‘APB’ took up residence, although was often elusive.  APB had been ringed in late April this year at Ham Wall RSPB reserve in Somerset, the origin of last year’s colour-ringed bird (AAU).

Great White Egret ‘APB’ on Kiln Photo: Tim Jones

Another rather nice thread was the continued presence of Common Redstart down the end of Flasks Lane in the small fields, peaking at five on 7th. On this date, both an adult male and female were present, with the rather splendid male lingering until the end of the month.  If they haven’t bred in the area, they clearly have done so very nearby.

Some of the Flask Lane Redstarts Photos: Tim Jones

On 3rd a flock of 33 Long-Tailed Tits flew along the hedge by the Reserve car park - a most impressive count.  In addition, six very smart summer-plumaged Black-tailed Godwits were also on the Reserve - difficult to know if they were still heading north, or more likely, heading back south from Iceland.  A build up of Stock Doves was also notable, with 45 between the Reserve and Langwith, the two most popular sites for this species.

More Black-tailed Godwit action occurred on 9th, when 22 appeared on Flasks Lake.

A build-up of Pochard in the Lingham/Ladybridge Lake area became noticeable on 14th, with seven on Lingham.  More exciting however, were two Quail flushed from the edge of a field by Flasks Lane.

In the intense heat in the middle of the month, where 40°C was narrowly exceeded further south, Little Owl breeding success was manifest by up to two grown photogenic young along Flasks Lane.

The last nine days of the month showed a distinct upturn in the tempo.  Starting on 20th, a Common Scoter was located on Lingham Lake, with 18 Little Egrets and a group of 21 Grey Partridge along Green Lane, comprising two adults and 19 almost fully grown young.  The Scoter theme was repeated on 22nd, with a drake flying east over Langwith and 22nd proved to be one of the best days of the month so far, with two Turnstone, two Sanderling and four Arctic Terns also through Langwith during the day and elsewhere,18 Little Egrets and a Wood Sandpiper.

A further Turnstone, two Wood Sandpipers and one of a handful of sightings of Mediterranean Gull enlivened 24th. The continued build-up of Tufted Duck and Pochard was sustained (see later) on the following day and the first of a handful of Green Sandpiper observations was noted on the main reserve.

The avian escalation continued on 26th, with two splendid summer plumage Little Gulls on Flasks Lake beach, with the regular Osprey and Great White Egret as supporting cast.

Little Gulls Flasks Photo: Tim Jones

Generally, rain deters many birders at Nosterfield, but for the diehards it is the nectar of the Gods, with many of the very best days being somewhat damp.  The 28th read the rule book and just by the Lingham car park the third-ever Wood Warbler for the area was found, but only seen by two observers as it fed enthusiastically in the tall trees.  Also notable was a fantastic count of 521 Curlew.  The morning of 29th was also wet, with low heavy cloud and reduced visibility.  Not to be outdone by the previous day a phenomenal flock (estimated to be in the region of 200) of Common Scoter appeared to the east of Langwith and flew through WNW; a magnificent sight and easily the most recorded in the Nosterfield area on a single day.  A summer-plumaged Arctic Tern and a summer-plumaged Knot headed south, the first Ruff for some while and two Green Sandpiper were a commendable supporting cast.

The next day was relatively calm, with Whimbrel and Marsh Harrier supplying some of the interest.  With only one day left a betting person might think that the best days of the month had past.  Not so, the 31st was outstanding.  With rain varying from light to heavy at times and often very reduced visibility, the stage was set for a decent Nosterfield day.  The first observer to arrive at Langwith decided to improve the visibility at the site by giving ‘attention’ to the long grass obscuring some of the view.  These efforts came to an abrupt halt as a flock of ten terns flew through.  By the end of the day, a minimum of 26 Common and 23 Arctic Terns passed through the recording area.

At 07.36 a flock of waders appeared out the gloom to the south, a stunning 11 Turnstones and a splendid Red Knot.  Through the morning three flocks of Black-tailed Godwits passed through, totalling 44 birds and a flock of ten Wigeon headed north.  A harder look at the water actually at Langwith revealed five Common Scoter.  Later a call on the group chat announced six further Common Scoter on Flasks Lake, which prompted another look at the Langwith flock, which had miraculously grown to 11. The six at Flasks later headed off north, leaving the Langwith birds still sleeping.

In general, it was a great day for duck, with 208 Tufted Ducks, 24 Pochard and 308 Mallard across all sites.  In the end though the last notable bird of a fantastic day was a gull, an adult Yellow- Legged Gull found on Ladybridge Lake.  All in all, a terrific finale to the month.

Andrew Hanby on behalf of the Nosterfield Naturalists, 2nd Aug 2022