Belvide Birding𓅪

A monster 1st winter Caspian Gull dropped in mid afternoon. A real big hooter on this one. #UKBirding

A few shots of the 2 Russian White-fronted Geese on the north shore this afternoon. #UKBirding

This monster adult female Goshawk flew over the Scott hide this morning. #UKBirding

An enjoyable Xmas eve visit produced to adult Russian White-fronted Geese and part of an influx into the country today. The 2nd winter Caspian Gull was present this morning. A Peregrine buzzed a Little Egret. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. #UKBirding

A trip to Dawlish Warren to see my first Lesser Crested Tern in Britain for 36 years. Finally having some fantastic views on the mud off Cockwood on the rising tide this afternoon. #UKBirding

3 Caspian Gulls roosted this evening, including an adult (photo) 3rd winter (photo) and 2nd winter. A juvenile male Goshawk flew over late afternoon. 3 Brambling were at the Woodland feeders. #UKBirding

This 1st winter Caspian Gull roosted this evening. #UKBirding

This 2nd winter Caspian Gull was at the west end this afternoon. Also a great turn out for this mornings work party, where we cleared a load of encroaching willow scrub along the south east bay and Scott hide reed bed.

No. The other waders in the flock were 1 Dunlin and 3 Ringed Plover.

Someone else said that to me whilst there.😂

One of the most incredible WTF!! moments I have witnessed in 41 years birding Belvide. 8 White-rumped Sandpiper on the north shore between 4pm-5.30pm. Just short of a British Record of 11 on the outer Hebrides. Thought I'd lost the plot when I saw them. Still pinching myself. #UKbirding

My best efforts of the dark morph juvenile Honey Buzzard that flew south east at 7.35am. I picked it up way out to the north. It did the decent thing and flew between us on the dam and the Scott hide. Totally Buzzing. The yellow cere on the bill stood out a mile. #UKBirding

A few shots of the 1st winter Grey Phalarope off the dam this morning. Our 2nd in a few weeks. #UKBirding

A fantastic days birding on the autumn all dayer. 102 species recorded on the reserve today. A few photos of the Glossy Ibis, Whinchat and Black Tern.

A few shots of today's Sandwich Tern that dropped in at 9.55am and was still present around 4pm at least.

The 1st winter Grey Phalarope spent most of the day distantly at the west end. Perseverance paid off when it came closer this evening. #UKBirding

Today's 1st winter Grey Phalarope was my 8th on the reserve and the earliest on record. The last record was on the 13th September 2017. #UKBirding

The 2 eclipse drake Lesser Scaup were showing well from the West End Hide this afternoon and I've finally managed some better shots of them together. One is already dropping it's primaries and secondaries, so a prolonged stay is likely.

These two Sandwich Tern arrived at 11.35am and were still present to 4pm at least. #UKBirding

A few shots of the juvenile Arctic Tern that was present today. #UKBirding

You've heard of 'The Two Ronnies' Well we have 'The Two Lennies' First 2 photos are of the first Lesser Scaup to arrive on the 23rd. The other 2 photos are of the bird that arrived yesterday. Neither are the Audenshaw bird as that was there today. They were much closer with better light today.

Some awful record shots of the 2 eclipse drake Lesser Scaup present today. The left hand and right hand birds in ther 1st photo. Middle two in the 2nd photo and a flap shot of the new bird. #UKBirding

Some shots of the presumed returning drake Lesser Scaup, affectionately known as 'Lenny'. It was last present on the 10th January, when it was frozen out. Hopefully another prolonged stay. #UkBirding

A few shots of the Woodchat Shrike at Stafford Rugby Club/Doxey Marshes. A massive grip back, following the only other Staffs bird at Whitemoor Haye on the 8th September 2010. Thanks to Geoff Hadley for finding this fantastic bird and for getting the news out. #UKBirding

This immature male Goshawk flew over the dam early morning. #UKBirding

The 3 Black-necked Grebe were showing well in the early morning sunshine. #UKBirding

Our 5th Wood Sandpiper of the spring was showing well along the south west shore this afternoon. #UKBirding

A few shots of some of the 4 Arctic Tern present today. #UKBirding

This Black Tern dropped in this afternoon and showed well from the Chappell hide. Also a Hobby was hawking over the reservoir this afternoon and 5 Black-tailed Godwit flew thru. #UKBirding

Another excellent days birding, where the rain and light easterly dropped birds out of the sky. Some shots of some of the 15 Arctic Tern, 7 Bar-tailed Godwit and Little Gull. A full round up of the day here. belvidebirding.blogspot.com