Knypersley Res & nearby Marshes Hill.

1st March 2012

2012-03-01T10:33:00.001Z

A Peregrine flew south east over main lake this morning , also 30 Goosander on the Serpentine (21 drakes) . Eleven Great Crested Grebe now back on site along with a single drake Tufted Duck . Also noted were two Siskin and Dipper along the stream...........G Brereton.

27th Feb 2012

2012-02-27T10:59:00.002Z

Fourty Two Goosander on the Serpentine , also two Dipper along stream.

25th Feb 2012

2012-02-26T09:50:00.001Z

Ked Kite over early morning , also Tawny Owl and Crossbill........G Brereton

12th Feb 2012

2012-02-12T15:44:00.000Z

Seven White-fronted Geese again upto 8-00 this morning , also eleven Goosander (4 x drakes) , a single Woodcock , pair of Tufted Duck , two Dippers , a single Curlew flew over one Common Gull , two Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 170 Black-headed Gulls.........G Brereton.

8th Feb 2012

2012-02-08T13:58:00.001Z

Heavly cropped dull shot of the arriving White-fronts.

The White-fronted Geese returned today , arrived at 11-30 with large flock of Canada's they landed but the White-fronts circled several times but never landed finally departing in easterly direction towards Marshes Hill / Endon . Also present a drake Wigeon which was new in along with three Great Crested Grebes and the adult winter Common Gull still on the ice . Two Raven called as the flew overhead and several Coal Tit and Nuthatch around the bridge area along with a single Willow Tit . The Dipper was also seen again this morning around its usual area .

Knypersley!!!!!! MEGA!!!!!!!

2012-02-07T13:39:00.006Z

White-fronted Geese.

Seven Eurasian White-fronted Geese on small patch of unfrozen water by the bridge mid-morning .
Also adult winter Common Gull on the ice and a single Raven over.

6th Feb 2012

2012-02-06T12:29:00.001Z

Ice and Fog over main pool.

Very foggy and both lakes frozen over.........Snow still lying on the ground and its very icey and dangerous in places. As we go into the first week of February the site list stands at 64 species recorded so far. If out and about around the site be carefull .

4th Feb 2012

2012-02-04T17:51:00.001Z

Very cold with both pools frozen over this morning , just a small bit of unfrozen water by the bridge which held eight Tufted Duck and five Teal. On the ice 258 Mallard were counted and another 33 on the small fishing pond . The Dipper was again around the waterfall area also four Jay and several Coal Tits and a single Willow Tit.

1st Feb 2012

2012-02-01T16:53:00.000Z

Thirty two Goosander on the main pond this morning , four Raven over also three Buzzard and a single Sparrowhawk . Several Willow Tit seen along with one definate Marsh Tit , four Jay and good numbers of Nuthatch (around x 14) and several Coal Tit and four Siskin . No sign today of the Polish ringed Black-headed Gull .

26th Jan 2012

2012-01-26T16:30:00.000Z

Willow Tit photo by G Allbutt taken on the bridge .

22nd Jan 2012

2012-01-22T12:42:00.001Z

Seventeen Goosanders this morning , four pair on the Serp and the rest on the main pond . Lots of the normal woodland species around this morning , but no sign of the returning polish Black-headed Gull .

Polish Black-headed Gull Returns

2012-01-16T19:47:00.003Z

White Ring No T67A.......metal ring No FN50324

I first photographed this bird at Knypersley on Feb 8th 2011 and today the bird has returned to winter again .
It was ringed by Marcin Sidelnik at Wisia Nowe Grochale Polska on 7th July 2007 .
see link below.........

/http://www.kuling.org.pl/ring2/larrid/

16th Jan 2012

2012-01-16T19:31:00.000Z

Frosty and cold first thing but what a glourious morning . Ten Goosanders were on the main pond (6 x drakes) , four Jays were looking for acorns at the end of the Serp causeway along with two female Bullfinch , four Siskin , several Coal Tits and Nuthatch,s , a couple of Goldcrest and a small party of Long-tailed Tits. Raven and Buzzard called overhead and another ringed Black-headed Gull was photographed in the car park (T67A) just checking ID now.

14th Jan 2012

2012-01-15T10:59:00.000Z

Three Eurasian White-fronted Geese on the pond again yesterday morning before flying off west at 8-05 , also an Egyptian Goose , six male and one female Wigeon and five male and one female Teal . Also around the site was five Goosander a male Brambling by the castle and a Woodcock at the end of the Serp......G Brereton.

10th Jan 2012

2012-01-10T16:15:00.000Z

Four Bramblings still hanging on around the usual place by the green bench top bend towards the Serpentine....Carlton.

Brambling (male).....photo by C Gater.

6th Jan 2012

2012-01-06T16:17:00.001Z

Sunrise over the main pond. (taken with my phone).

I photographed what I thought at first was a Willow Tit but on returning home and looking at the poor images it seems to be our first Marsh Tit for around five years , just getting someone else to verify the images. All looks good smaller head , glossy cap , and no light secondaries on the wing also a distinctive pale spot at the base of the bill so fingers crossed. Also this morning a male Brambling by the green bench on the bend to the Serp and three Goosander on main pond (2 x drakes) . Good numbers of Long-tailed Tits , Coal Tits and Chaffinch,s around and three Jay by the Serp causeway. A single Raven and Buzzard over and some Lesser Redpoll,s heard but couldn't find them .

4th Jan 2012

2012-01-04T23:11:00.002Z

Fourteen Goosander this morning (4 x drakes)........Mike Neate.

2nd Jan 2012

2012-01-02T11:02:00.000Z

No sign of yesterdays drake Scaup this morning , but four drake Goosander present . Cold and frosty start early morning saw myself and Gerald searching for the Scaup and Goldeye but alas they had moved on . A adult Common Gull was on the main pond also a white ringed Black-headed Gull by the car park but it flew back onto the pond before I got to read it . Couldnt stay any longer as yes again I have to go to work on bank Holiday Monday !!!!!!!!!!

New Years Day MEGA !!!!

2012-01-01T23:16:00.001Z

A drake Scaup was present on the Serp this morning the first since March1987 and the only other record was a pair during Oct 1982 . Also present this morning was a pair of Goldeneye which again is another scarce bird for the site all this and i had to go to work on New Years Day. Well done to Neil Pope for finding and reporting these two very good birds for Knypersley.

Goldeneye photo by Neil Pope.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2011-12-31T13:57:00.000Z

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL.............

29th Dec 2011

2011-12-29T16:35:00.000Z

A couple of images kindley sent to me by Chris Cook taken around the pond yesterday.

Goosander (pair)

Brambling (female)

25th Dec 2011

2011-12-25T10:25:00.000Z

23 Dec 2011

2011-12-23T10:46:00.000Z

Willow Tit photographed by the bridge this morning by Graham Allbutt .

Jay's

2011-12-13T18:30:00.000Z

We have around seven adult Jay's present at the moment and at least four juveniles so it looks like they have had another good year , they can be found gathering acorns along the main tracks through out the site.

Photo by Carlton Gater.

12th Dec 2011

2011-12-12T17:15:00.002Z

Four Goosanders (1 x drake) on the Serpentine this morning , also still around 20+ Brambling in there usual place up from the car park towards the Serpentine Lake . I had planned to stay all day but a text on my phone saying there was a drake Eider at Rudyard VERY QUICKLY changed my mind .!!!!!!
See link below for more details.
http://steveseal.blogspot.com/

Request

2011-12-11T17:16:00.002Z

Below is a list of species seen here last year 2010 but have not been recorded here this year so this is to everyone who has visited in 2011 please check your note books and let me know if any of these have been overlooked .
Pintail
Hen Harrier
Red-legged Partridge
Little Ringed Plover
Turnstone
Green Sandpiper
Redshank
Whimbrel
Arctic Tern
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Redstart
Marsh Tit
Common Redpoll
Yellowhammer.
Either use the link under sightings top right of front page and drop me an e mail or text me on 07415 138292 .
Regards Steve Seal.

11th Dec 2011

2011-12-11T10:46:00.003Z

Twelve Cormorant fishing the main pool early this morning.

10th Dec 2011

2011-12-10T16:22:00.000Z

NEW BIRD FOR THE RESERVOIR.
This morning seven European White-fronted Geese were present for a short period on the grass by the bridge before flying off south west at 8-20............GB.

9th Dec 2011

2011-12-09T11:41:00.002Z

A nice bright but cold morning with plenty of woodland birds on show !!!!!!!!
Brambling numbers are holding there own with still around twenty plus between the car park and the Serpentine Lake . The odd looking Carrion Crow with the white wing panels still by the Serp , also good numbers of Goldcrest , Redwing , Bullfinch , Jay , Nuthatch , Treecreeper , Great Spotted Woodpecker , Coal Tit , Willow Tit , Long-tailed Tit , Lesser Redpoll and Siskin . Three Buzzards displaying over the Serp dam and two Raven over Hollins Wood .It was a nice peacefull walk around this morning in good weather for a change .
Ah well good things dont last off to work now.

Goldcrest.

7th Dec 2011

2011-12-07T09:50:00.000Z

Four Goosanders (3 x drakes) on the Serpentine early morning , also still a good number of Brambling around the entrance to the car park and up towards the Serpentine lake estimated around thirty still . Also a single Raven over , four Jay , three Great Spotted Woodpecker and a large tit flock with nineteen Long-tailed Tits amongst them . Also noted on my walk around the main lake was three Bullfinch , several Nuthatch , two Goldcrest and a single Willow Tit .

6th Dec 2011

2011-12-06T23:22:00.000Z

Two female Goosanders at 10-00 this morning viewed from the road dam , also five drake Wigeon and still a good number of Bramblings around the car park entrance but to difficult to count . .....K Tate.

3rd Dec 2011

2011-12-03T12:55:00.000Z

Two female Goosander on the pool early morning ........GB , also seven Brambling still by the car park this morning and three Raven and a Buzzard over .

29th Nov 2011

2011-11-29T20:42:00.002Z

Ten Bramblings still today up by the Serpentine........K Tate.

28th Nov 2011

2011-11-28T18:16:00.003Z

Male and female Brambling taken on friday at Knypersley .
Many thanks to Glyn Simpson for forwarding them to me .

Both Images taken by Glyn Simpson.

27th Nov 2011

2011-11-27T15:26:00.002Z

After much searching all day the only Bramblings we could find were around eight birds by the entrance to the car park , the main flock of around fourty plus seems to have vanished . This may just be due to the high winds today which might have kept them low and out of the way somewhere else , with plenty of beech seeds still around and the heavy rain and strong winds during the night it would seem unlikely they have moved on .
The photograph below shows an unusual Carrion Crow by the Serpentine late this afternoon with identical white markings on both wings .

26th Nov 2011

2011-11-26T10:48:00.001Z

Bullfinch........photo by G Allbutt.

Brambling numbers are increasing with 60 birds counted this morning around the car park and up towards the Serpentine Lake , also two Raven over mid-morning.

25th Nov 2011

2011-11-25T12:20:00.000Z

Possibly more than fourty Bramblings this morning walking up from the car park they seemed to be everywhere this time out numbering the Chaffinch's , trying to get a reasonable photo is doing my head in .

24th Nov 2011

2011-11-24T14:28:00.002Z

Still around fourty Bramblings present today between the car park and the Serpentine Lake , also two Raven over mid-day .

23rd Nov 2011

2011-11-23T11:09:00.003Z

At least 40 + Brambling this morning up from the pool car park towards the Serpentine , also a smaller flock around the car park entrance . Anybody that visit's please bring a little seed with you any small amount will help .

At 15-00 this afternoon three female and one male Goosander on the main lake but flew off south at 15-15 , these are the first birds back this winter...........K Tate.

Photo taken by G Allbutt.........Brambling female.

22nd Nov 2011

2011-11-22T10:55:00.000Z

Around fourteen Bramblings were feeding in the pool car park this morning , also a small number around there usual feeding area it looks like the flock is split with a larger group moving down to the car park so all in all still around twenty birds present . On the main pool a single female Wigeon .

21st Nov 2011

2011-11-21T13:05:00.005Z

Another rare day off work today so it was time to go and put some more seed down for the small Brambling flock , iam desperatly trying to keep them here for the winter ,around twenty birds were seen again in there usual feeding area this morning so still a good sign . There is also another small flock by the car park with Chaffinchs .
Met up with Pete another warden from Knypersley this morning who had just heard a Tawny Owl calling by the Serpentine just before I got there . We had a good chat on our walk around , several Nuthatch and Coal Tit were noted also some old Nuthatch nest sites were pointed out to me which i missed during the summer (mental note must look harder next year ) . Great Spotted Woodpeckers , Jays , and good numbers of Long-tailed Tits were also seen , a single drake Tufted Duck was on the Serp but no sign of the drake Mandarin.

Below is a very poor shot of a male Brambling taken in realy bad light and at some distance but will be used as a record image , as its the only one we have for the site so far . If they stay and with the right lighing conditions as its always difficult in a wood hopefully we be able to get better .
The challange has been set to all you local Knypersley Photographers !!!!!!!!!

20th Nov 2011

2011-11-20T11:09:00.000Z

No sign yesterday of the drake Mandarin on the Serp but it can be very elusive hiding under cover around the edge of the lake but a few Brambling noted feeding along the path just up from the car park......G Allbutt.

18th Nov 2011

2011-11-18T13:13:00.008Z

A very elusive drake Mandarin was on the Serp this morning as far as records show it's the first since August 2007 . I am putting seed down for the small Brambling flock we have in hope that they stay throughout the winter we have around 20 birds now so they are increasing gradually ( no photos yet but iam working on that ) , also another small group was seen with a Chaffinch flock by the pool car park with four females and one male present feeding on the seed dropped from the beech trees.
It is quite possible that there is more around than we are seeing . Also present on my walk this morning was two Willow Tit , several Nuthatch , two Great Spotted Woodpeckers , a Green Woodpecker heard but not seen and a single Raven overhead . Three Cormorants were fishing the main pool also a drake Tufted Duck noted .

Below are a couple of dull distant cropped shots just for record !!!!

The Mandarin sighting takes us to 106 species recorded at the site this year which also equals last years total.

16th Nov 2011

2011-11-16T15:13:00.001Z

Very winter like this morning overcast and cold and on first looking very little on view . But with a bit of searching upto eight Brambling were still in their usual feeding area with three stunning males on show . Two drake Teal were on the Serp along with a drake Wigeon and drake Pochard on the main lake . Around 200 Wood Pigeon passed overhead and a couple of Siskin were heard but not seen . Several Redwing were feeding on berries and a couple of Bullfinch's put on a good display while searching for food . Black-headed Gull numbers have started to increase now the colder weather is arriving , and around eight Mistle Thrush noted on the walk around .
Also two Siskin on car park feeder by visitor's centre........G Allbutt.

Kestrel.......Marshes Hill.....photo by G Allbutt.

14th Nov 2011

2011-11-15T17:26:00.000Z

Eight Pochard ( 6 x drakes) , four Siskin by the bridge and nine Lesser Redpoll and a female Brambling by Gawton's Stone . 741 Wood Pigeons flew north west between 7-20 and 8-10 , also Chiffchaff calling in willow by the bridge and a Red Admiral butterfly in the field up from the castle......G Brereton.

8th Nov 2011

2011-11-08T15:10:00.001Z

A good selection of species this morning at the feeding station by the car park at the visitor's centre ,a single Great Spotted Woodpecker , two Bullfinch , four Nuthatch , six Greenfinch , four Dunnock , three Coal Tit , six Blue Tit , two Great Tit , and a single Chaffinch all being noted ........G Allbutt.

Bullfinch (male) photo by G Allbutt.

5th Nov 2011

2011-11-05T13:18:00.000Z

Ten Bramblings now on site of which two are males , also four Siskin by the bridge 168 Wood Pigeon heading east over main lake and 298 Mallard recorded..............G Brereton.

3rd Nov 2011

2011-11-03T12:36:00.000Z

Eight Brambling ( 1 x male) were found this morning feeding with a large Chaffinch flock hopefully this flock could increase as colder weather as been forcast for next week . We have put seed down in the area where they are feeding to try and keep these finches interested so fingers crossed and watch this space !!!!! . Also this morning i found a drake Gadwall which are quite scarce here this only being the second record this year and only the third record since 2008 , all in all not a bad morning really.

26th Oct 2011

2011-10-27T10:51:00.002+01:00

A pair of Bullfinches at the visitor's centre feeding station.......M Neate.

24th Oct 2011

2011-10-24T23:45:00.000+01:00

Green Woodpecker Marshes Hill ......photo by C Gater.

Marshes Hill

Eighteen Redwing over this morning , also six Mistle Thrush and ten Meadow Pipits. The Green Woodpecker showed well today as per photo above.
No sign of the male Brambling today in the car park at Knyp............C Gater.

23rd Oct 2011

2011-10-23T12:44:00.005+01:00

A male Brambling was found this morning on the left hand side of the car park feeding with a small mixed finch flock. Bramblings used to be quite frequent around the site feeding during the winter months on the Beech Mast , but during the last few years just single birds are reported or maybe just overlooked Also eight Siskin flew over towards the castle , the Kingfisher was present on the Serp and a small flock of fourteen Long-tailed Tits along with two Bullfinch and eight Greenfinch and a Willow Tit . Several Nuthatch were either seen or herd and a single Raven passed overhead.

Marshes Hill
Four Goldcrest , a good number of Meadow Pipits and six Mistle Thrush.......G Allbutt.

Dragonfly Year 2011

2011-10-22T18:00:00.004+01:00

Common Darter (female).

Its been a poor year this year with the number of speices and the number of days in which they have been recorded on , with only six species of Dragonfly and just five species of Damselfly But we did have a Banded Damoiselle for just one morning only, the first for a number of years.
Species List.
Emperor Dragonfly recorded on just two dates during July.
Brown Hawker recorded on six dates during July , Aug and Sept .
Southern Hawker both male and fem four dates during Aug and Sept.
Migrant Hawker female just one day during August.
Common Hawker 3 individuals on two dates during Sept and Oct .
Common Darter male and female on five dates during Aug and Sept.
No reports this year were recieved for Broad-bodied Chaser , Four-spotted Chaser or Black-tailed Skimmer of which all have been recorded quite frequent during the past few years.
As mentioned above just five species of Damselfly , along with the record of Banded Demoiselle we also had Blue-tailed , Common Blue , Azure and Large Red Damselflies.
Work is due to be carried out on the Dragonfly pond during the winter months and hopefully this might make it more attractive for the species next year , watch this space.
This report all relates to the small pond next to the visitor's centre to the left of the road as you drive towards the car park .

Finally i would like to thank C Gater , M Neate , J Hill , C Stone and S Clough for there records this year and may you continue to send them next year.
A Full species list appears on this page on the right hand side further down .

22nd Oct 2011

2011-10-22T16:52:00.001+01:00

Only things of note this morning was a Comma Butterfly along the Serp / Knyp dam also there was a Little Grebe and Willow Tit.......J Hill.

During the afternoon 14 Redwing flew over in souith west direction.

19th Oct 201

2011-10-19T19:01:00.000+01:00

Kestrel........photo by G Allbutt.

A Kestrel by the pool dam cottages this morning , also Buzzard over main pool and two Cormorant .
G Allbutt.

18th Oct 2011

2011-10-18T13:41:00.004+01:00

Grey Heron fishing at Knypersley.

Marshes Hill
300+ Redwing over at 11-00 this morning........G Allbutt. M Neate.

15th Oct 2011

2011-10-16T09:51:00.002+01:00

Four Redwing noted around visitor's centre today........J Hill.

13th Oct 2011

2011-10-13T11:34:00.003+01:00

The first Fieldfares noted this autumn with around 60+ birds flying over south west at 9-30 . And the first Teal with a female present on the main pond , also an immature drake Tufted Duck and eight Great Crested Grebes . Two Raven called as they flew over and a single juvenile Grey Heron still present , in the white house garden a party of seven Coal Tit and at the back of the hatchery four Goldcrest . The water levels are now rising with water coming in from the Trent and the overflow from the Serpentine . Also an unidentified small bird called as passed south overhead if only i could have found it !!!!!!!!!!!!!

6th Oct 2011

2011-10-06T18:26:00.000+01:00

A short visit this afternoon just around 30 minutes viewed from the road dam along with K Tate. Fifeteen Pied Wagtails noted along the shoreline along with four Cormorant and four Grey Heron . Three House Martins still flying around the white house , a single Buzzard passed overhead along with two Raven . No sign of any of the Wigeon that have been around for the past few days.

3rd Oct 2011

2011-10-03T19:29:00.000+01:00

Hobby flew west over the road dam at 13-00........C Gater.
Eclipse drake Wigeon present on the mud by the Serp late afternoon .

2nd Oct 2011

2011-10-02T14:52:00.000+01:00

Four Chiffchaffs and two Lesser Redpolls at Lodge Barn Rd this morning , Also two House Martin , twenty four Swallow , two Dipper and 80 plus Meadow Pipits going south . At the back of the hatchery 33 Siskins were back feeding on the beach mast . A single Little Owl and thirteen Pied Wagtails were the only other birds of note.......G Brereton.

Dragonfly Pond

2011-10-01T16:00:00.000+01:00

Two shady looking fellows here staking out the dragonfly pond by the visitors centre .
Both Mike and Carlton are regulars here trying there hand with the resident dragonflies . On the pond today was a single male Common Hawker and a single male Common Darter.

Common Hawker (male)

1st Oct 2011

2011-10-01T10:44:00.000+01:00

A nice warm sunny morning but very quite around the pond , no sign of the three Wigeon that had been present for the last two days . Twenty six Swallows hawking over the water this morning , also two juvenile Grey Herons , two Cormorants , Kingfisher and two Grey Wagtails apart from that very quite .

Marshes Hill
No sign of yesterdasy Stonechat but a singing Chiffchaff present , also Green Woodpecker and two Grey Partridge .

30th Sept 2011

2011-09-30T10:57:00.001+01:00

Yesterdays three Wigeon are still present also three Cormarant , a single Raven , Grey Heron and Dipper . And five Swallows were hawking for insects over the water .
A quick check of the dragonfly pool produced just one male Common Darter (10-30).

Marshes Hill
A male Stonechat present this morning .

29th Sept 2011

2011-09-29T10:15:00.006+01:00

A pair of Common Darters , male Southern Hawker and a male Brown Hawker on the dragonfly pond mid-day today.........Carlton Gater.

Common Darter female......photo by C Gater.

The water level still continues to drop which is good for any passage waders that might find Knypersley after our long staying Greenshank nearly three weeks anythings possible .
The first Wigeon of the Autumn returned this morning with three birds present on the pond , fourteen days later than last years record (15-09-10). Also around were three Cormorant fishing and a juvenile Grey Heron sunbathing , a single Common Sandpiper on the mud by the Serp and two Raven over very vocal and displaying. A pair of Grey Wagtail and several juvenile Pied Wagtails around , a single Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over the pond and a Buzzard circled overhead .

The three images below show just how low the pond realy is....

Knypersley 1.

Knypersley 2.

Knypersley 3.

Nest Box Results 2011

2011-09-28T11:21:00.002+01:00

The nest boxes are arranged in two areas with a total of 66 boxes currently in place , the majority being small hole boxes although there are a couple of open front ones . Three species used the boxes here in 2011 and the summaries are as follows.

Blue Tit.....A total of 32 nests boxes used (24 in 2010) with 261 eggs laid of which 252 hatched and 173 fledged 69% egg to fledging success rate (78% in 2010) .

Great Tit....A total of 15 nest boxes used (9 in 2010) with 97 eggs laid of which 91 hatched and 86 fledged 89 to 95% egg to fledging success rate (81% in 2010) .

Nuthatch One nest nest box used with 6 eggs laid all of which hatched and fledged (100% success) , same as 2010.

Many thanks to Andy and Jill Lawrence for all there hard work and dedication .

28th Sept 2011

2011-09-28T10:16:00.000+01:00

Mid-summers day today , warm sunny not a cloud in the sky Oh bye the way its nearly October. Water levels are really low now but we still have fourteen Great Crested Grebes on the main pond . Two Cormorants and a single Grey Heron around the shoreline and several Nuthatch calling from various locations around the pond . Buzzard and Raven over the visitor centre and a pair of Grtey Wagtails along the road dam . Oh well off to work now !!!!!!!! .

26th Sept 2011

2011-09-26T23:11:00.001+01:00

Three Common Hawker Dragonflies present today two males and one female , also a male Common Darter all on the small pond by the visitors center...CG.

Common Darter........photo by Carlton Gater.

Common Hawker.........photo by Carlton Gater.

26th Sept 2011

2011-09-26T10:58:00.000+01:00

Now back of holiday so will be able to resume blog now..........Steve.

21st Sept 2011

2011-09-26T10:55:00.002+01:00

Greenshank still present ........CG.

17th Sept 2011

2011-09-26T10:53:00.002+01:00

Greenshank still present also 2x Spotted Flycatcher by the castle, Lesser Redpoll, 2x Siskin and a Kingfisher.........GB

15 th Sept 2011

2011-09-15T21:39:00.000+01:00

Greenshank still present this morning also two Tree Pipits over heading south . G Brereton

11th Sept 2011

2011-09-12T08:23:00.000+01:00

Greenshank still also two Hobbies G Brereton

9th Sept 2011

2011-09-09T19:37:00.000+01:00

I am on Holiday for two weeks as from now and we still have the Greenshank present this evening , with strong west winds due to return over the next few days Please somebody inform me if we get anything at Knypersley .
I am only a text away and could get back within 3 hours if need too , information can still be uploaded onto here through my phone..............Steve Seal.

8th Sept 2011

2011-09-08T16:20:00.000+01:00

Must be something in the mud , the juvenile Greenshank still doing its stuff between the Serp and the bridge . C Gater.

7th Sept 2011

2011-09-07T12:09:00.006+01:00

The juvenile Greenshank must be stuck in the mud as it was still present again this morning , it favours the side between the bridge and the Serp pool . Now the water levels are really low its exposed the metal framework around the pumping area this in tern is now being used by the Cormorants to dry out there wings after fishing.
Also two Buzzard over Mill pool.........G Allbut.

5th Sept 2011

2011-09-05T10:02:00.000+01:00

The juvenile Greenshank is still present and enjoying our muddy shoreline here at Knypersley , its now into its third day that must be a record for any wader thats visited here . Also noted this morning four Cormorant , a single Raven . two Grey Wagtail , Jay and seventeen Great Crested Grebes.......myself and G Allbut.

4th Sept 2011

2011-09-04T12:10:00.001+01:00

Greenshank still present @ 12-05 today between the bridge and the Serpentine causeway....J Hill.

Greenday

2011-09-03T14:51:00.004+01:00

Greenshank.

Just after 11-00 i recieved a phone call from Gerald to say he had just found our second ever record of Greenshank at the pond and the bird was feeding along the muddy shoreline in the corner by the serpentine . This was a new bird for me at Knypersley and wanting to record it on camera for the site i was their within minutes . On arrival the bird could be heard calling as flew around the pond but soon settled down by the bridge amongst a flock of Black-headed Gulls . I managed to run off a few record shots before the bird soon took flight again only to settle back in its origanal place by the serpentine. The one and only other record was three birds present for just 5 minutes on 4th May 2007 . Also present today were two Dipper , seventeen Great Crested Grebe , Grey Wagtail , two immature drake Tufted Ducks , a single Raven , three Blackcap and four Cormorant . The Greenshank was still present at 13-30 when i left back by the bridge .

Greenshank still present @ 18-40 this evening........P Shenton.

2nd Sept 2011

2011-09-02T09:37:00.002+01:00

20 x Great Crested Grebe present early morning .SS.
Two Kingfisher south end of Serpentine.......M Neate.

1st Sept 2011

2011-09-01T10:55:00.003+01:00

A singing Chiffchaff in the car park , three juvenile Grey Herons around the pond , still fifteen Great Crested Grebes present ,and the Kingfisher was darting around all over the pond this morning . A single Raven called as it passed overhead and a pair of Grey Wagtails were along the dam wall . Still around thirty Swallows and seventeen House Martins hawking insects of the waters surface , a single Green Woodpeck by the tower and three juvenile Willow Warblers by the visitors centre.
Insect News
Two Small Coppers on the dam and a Small Heath in the car park.

At 16-15 this afternoon , 105 Black-headed Gulls and 20 Great Grested Grebes.......K Tate.

30th Aug 2011

2011-08-30T09:53:00.001+01:00

Dull wet and pretty miserable this morning , around 30+ Swallows were hawking over the pond numbers are building up before they move off south for warmer climates . Seventeen Great Crested Grebes still around and an adult Lesser Black Backed Gull was present amongst the smaller gulls . The Common Sandpiper still doing its thing around the shoreline and a Green Woodpecker called from behind the car park.

Breeding Records 2011

2011-08-29T12:08:00.005+01:00

My records show we had 38 species breed on site this year with another possable 3 but these could not be confirmed , also three pairs of Great Crested Grebes all failed so these have not been included. The most notable of these were our first Pied Flycatchers for a good number of years they succesfully rasied three young . Also another first for some years were a pair of Spotted Flycatchers , others included two pairs of Grey Wagtails (2 x young) and (3 x young) , Raven (5 x young) , Dipper (2 x young) , Grey Heron (4 x young) , also successfull were Kingfisher , Jay , Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker , Nuthatch , Buzzard and most of the usual woodland species . The three unconfirmed breeding species are Tawny Owl , Willow Tit and Lesser Whitethroat all present on site .
Steve Seal.

29th Aug 2011

2011-08-29T12:03:00.002+01:00

Dull and wet again early this morning as two Raven passed overhead calling , a single Common Sandpiper still and the ever present Kingfisher was showing quite well again fishing along the road dam. Two juvenile Willow Warblers feeding by the visiors centre car park along with two male Bullfinch and a single Chiffchaff calling.

Grebe Count

2011-08-28T11:28:00.001+01:00

Twenty Great Crested Grebes counted this morning by voulenteer warden J Hill , if this is correct then this will be a new site record , also a single Common Sandpiper.

26th Aug 2011

2011-08-26T13:13:00.003+01:00

Very wet this morning but still not a lot of change bird wise with seventeen Great Crested Grebes on the main pond along with two Grey Heron , a single Cormorant , an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull and a juvenile Herring Gull , twenty two Swallow and 45+ House Martin . The Kingfisher darted across from near the serpentine and dissapeared across the road dam , two Grey Wagatils feeding along the shore near the car park and a single Buzzard passed low overhead towards the visitors centre . The water level continues to drop as they are still pumping out to keep the canal topped up for the boating fraternity .The shoreline looks very good for wading birds but alas this is Knypersley and waders are very few and far between but you never know !!!!!!!

24th Aug 2011

2011-08-24T18:37:00.000+01:00

An hour spent late afternoon with Ken Tate viewed from the road dam , 117 Canada Geese , 15 Great Crested Grebe , an adult Lesser Black Backed Gull , Kingfisher , Grey Wagtail , three Pied Wagtails , Buzzard , Cormorant also several Swallows and House Martins .

23rd Aug 2011

2011-08-23T15:36:00.003+01:00

Buzzard over visitors centre , also Song Thrush in car park and a single Cormorant on main pond......M Neate.
Adult and juvenile Common Tern this afternoon...........J Jones.

22nd Aug 2011

2011-08-22T18:34:00.002+01:00

Speckled Wood butterfly along the path by Heron's nest site and two Grey Wagtail below the road dam..........Pauline.

On the main pond still eighteen Great Crested Grebe's this evening , also two Raven over , one drake Tufted Duck, an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull and a single Cormorant and around the visitors centre two female Blackcap , six Willow Warbler ,four Chiffchaff , several Nuthatch , three male Bullfinch , two Song Thrush in the car park and two Buzzard over .

Insect News
Three Speckled Wood butterflies . one Peacock , two Large White and two Gatekeeper , and around the dragonfly pond was a single Brown Hawker and Southern Hawker along with three Blue-tailed Damselflies.

Song Thrush.

Grebe Record

2011-08-21T20:37:00.000+01:00

A second count this morning proved there were 18 Great Crested Grebes on the main pond my records go back to April 1968 and as far as we can see this is a record count for the site .

Dragonfly Pond

2011-08-21T14:22:00.002+01:00

A good couple of hours spent by the dragonfly pond around mid-day today with three species present . First a pair of Common Darter mating on a reed stem , then a female Southern Hawker flew in and started egg-laying followed by a female Brown Hawker which did the same . It was nice to see four dragonflies on the pond at once , a pleasant couple of hours spent in the sunshine .

Common Darter (pair).

Brown Hawker (female).

Southern Hawker (female).

20th Aug 2011

2011-08-20T20:20:00.000+01:00

Brown Hawker again on the dragonfly pond , also 18 x Great Crested Grebes on the main lake.......C Gater.

Brown Hawker female.

17th Aug 2011

2011-08-17T19:37:00.000+01:00

Migrant Hawker fem........photo by C Gater.

Migrant Hawker female around the dragonfly pond today........C Gater.

15th Aug 2011

2011-08-15T10:57:00.002+01:00

No change from yesterday except the sun is out this morning and ive got work again at dinner time Bugger !.
Sixteen Great Crested Grebes still on the main pond early morning also a pair of Grey Wagtails with a single juvenile in tow . Numbers of Black-headed Gulls are now starting to increase with a large portion being juveniles , still around 25 + House Martins and the same with Swallows aswell also three juvenile Grey Herons bye there old nest site . A single Buzzard over the visitor's centre and a couple of Gatekeeper butterflies by the dragonfly pond . No dragonflies seen but still nine larva casings stuck on the reed stems . If the sun stays out i would of thought dinner time would be a good time to find some .
Oh well off to work now , then off for six days......HEAVEN.

A Hobby was seen three times late morning hunting over the dragonfly pond , also on the pond two Southern Hawkers and a Brown Hawker..........C Gater....(Always happens when i go to work).

14th Aug 2011

2011-08-14T10:40:00.001+01:00

Still very quite around the main pond just 16 x Great Crested Grebes , one pair of Grey Wagtails , two Jays and several Nuthatch . A single Raven and Buzzard overhead and around thirty House Martins hawking insects over the water .

Insect News
A look at the Dragonfly pond this morning and i found nine Dragonfly Larva attached to reed stems which must have imerged during the early hours this morning . Due to the dull weather no butterflies were on the wing .

Oak Bush-cricket.

2011-08-09T19:59:00.001+01:00

A resident of warm ancient woodlands, hedgerows, parklands and gardens, the Oak Bush-cricket can be found in the canopy of mature trees. Our only completely arboreal species, it is probably one of the least often seen crickets. However, the adults do fly well and are attracted to lights at night, occasionally turning up in moth traps or on windows. The Oak Bush-cricket is carnivorous and feeds on smaller invertebrates. It does not have a 'song' as such, but drums on leaves with its hind legs. The female lays her eggs in tree bark in late summer and the nymphs emerge the following June.

7th Aug 2011

2011-08-08T19:17:00.003+01:00

Southern Hawker seen for a short while around the Dragonfly pond on Sunday around mid-day , this is the first record of this species this year.........C Gater.

Late News
Late news from friday 5th Common Darter again also female Brown Hawker......M Neate.

6th Aug 2011

2011-08-06T15:53:00.000+01:00

A Wood Warbler was located briefly this morning by the visitor centre by James Hill before flying into cover . Also four Common Tern (3 x adults , 1 x Juv ) at 6-35 before flying off west . Little Grebe on the main pond and two Willow Tit and a single Whitethroat along Lodge Barn Rd........G Brereton.

Seeing Blue

2011-08-03T16:05:00.008+01:00

Four Spotted Flycatchers along the path to lodge Barn Rd this morning one adult feeding three juveniles , also a Little Owl along the fence posts . On the pond still twelve Great Crested Grebes , one lone drake Tufted Duck and the ever present Kingfisher .

Insect News
Another large Dragonfly was seen briefly around the Dragonfly pond this morning but not identified possibly another Emperor . Common Butterflies were out in good numbers today along with singles of Small Copper , Gatekeeper , and Comma by the dragonfly pond and the star of the show a Holly Blue only my second record for the site . The last record was 27th August 2010.

Holly Blue.

Dragonfly Pond

2011-08-02T23:13:00.002+01:00

The first Common Darter for over a year was found and photographed today on the Dragonfly pond by Sarah Clough.

Common Darter......distant shot by Sarah Clough.

31st July 2011

2011-07-31T23:31:00.000+01:00

One Common Tern present for a short while this morning then flew off south at 10-50.
J Hill.