Today Bernie Smith found a 1st winter Great Northern Diver (photo by George Bell) which was present between 1030-11.25am when it flew off east.  A 1st winter Kittiwake flew thru to the west at 3.15pm and 6 adult Yellow-legged Gulls roosted this evening. 4 Green Sandpiper remain also 1 Redshank and 212 Golden Plover were present. The Chiffchaff was along the south east bay late afternoon.

4 Green Sandpiper were again off the fisherman's car park also 9 Dunlin, 1 Redshank, 36 Snipe and 507 Golden Plover were present. 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls were present from 2.30pm. A female Goosander (photo) 3 Ruddy Duck and 55 GC Grebe were noted. The female Stonechat was on the north shore and at least 1000 Fieldfare were below the dam. The Snow Goose was still present at the west end with the Greylag flock.

The Little Egret was still at the west end this afternoon. 8 Dunlin remain also 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Redshank and 245 Golden Plover were present. 2500 LBB Gulls roosted this evening also 3 GBB Gull and 4 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. 2 Ruddy Duck were at the west end and the Snow Goose was with 226 Greylag Geese.

I have just received information back for the drake Pochard we had for several weeks with the light blue bill saddle. The bird was banded in Paris, France on the 29th January 08. It had been logged many times around the Paris area but this is the first sighting away from there.

The 1st winter Curlew Sandpiper was still present also 1 Dunlin, 3 Green Sandpiper, 548 Golden Plover and 38 Snipe were present. A Snow Goose (photo by Martyn Pitt) dropped in with 249 Greylag Geese this morning. 540 Teal were counted.

The 1st winter Curlew Sandpiper was still present infront of the Scott hide also 2 Dunlin, 3 Green Sandpiper and 500 Golden Plover were present. A female Merlin was at the west end at 2.25pm then flew north. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls were in the pre roost. At least 500 Fieldfare were around the reserve this afternoon. A notice to permit holders. A work party is planned on Sunday Morning to burn the Willows that have been cut down. Meet at the Scott hide at 0930.

 Photo of Mistle Thrush near Scott hide.

A 1st winter drake Red-breasted Merganser (photo) was present until 1.30pm, but there was no sign after. An adult Kittiwake (photo) dropped in between 1pm-1.10pm. The 1st winter Curlew Sandpiper was still present also 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Redshank and 430 Golden Plover. 5 Yellow-legged Gulls roosted this evening including 4 adults and a 3rd winter. A single drake Ruddy Duck is note worthy these days also 48 GC Grebe, 1 Little Grebe and 74 Cormorant were noted. An immature Peregrine was present this afternoon.

A male Merlin (photo) was perched in a tree at the west end between 3.05-3.15pm when it flew off to the east. The 1st winter Curlew Sandpiper remains, mainly between the Scott and Gazebo hides. A single Redshank was a new arrival also 3 Green Sandpiper and 427 Golden Plover were present. 5 adult Yellow-legged Gulls roosted this evening. The female Stonechat was on the north shore also 132 Linnet. 72 Cormorant were counted.

A very late 1st winter Curlew Sandpiper (photo) ranged between the west end and Scott hide. This is the latest bird on record at Belvide, the previous latest being 22nd October. A single Ringed Plover was also new, Golden Plover have increased to 332 and 4 Green Sandpiper were off the Fisherman's car park. The Linnet flock has increased to 85 on the north shore. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls roosted this evening.

A 1st winter Black-necked Grebe (photo) was a new arrival and surprisingly our first bird of the autumn. 2 Green Sandpiper were off the fisherman's car park also 1 Dunlin and 159 Golden Plover were present. 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls roosted this evening. A wildfowl count produced 48 Goldeneye, 1 Goosander, 496 Teal, 57 Wigeon, 42 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 260 Mallard, 65 Pochard, 86 Tufted Duck, 138 Coot, 12 Mute Swan, 76 Greylag Geese and 64 Cormorant. An immature Peregrine was seen this afternoon.

I have not been to Belvide today as a car load of us made the trip to the Lizard in Cornwall to see a controversial Greenish or Green Warbler. Because this bird was showing a hint of yellow around the face and supercilium and more yellowy green upperparts, some observers believed it to be the much rarer Green Warbler which would be a 2nd for Britain.

This morning the bird showed well, but was very active mainly sticking to the tree canopy. At 0740 the bird began to call continuously for nearly a minute giving a "chi weeee" call. Luckily someone was on hand to take a sound recording of the bird. To be honest the bird showed the slightest hint of yellow around the face and supercilium but this wasn't easy to see, and to me the upperparts did appear a more yellow green than i remembered on previous Greenish Warblers I had seen.

On the way back home news came on the pagers that the bird was indeed a Greenish Warbler, based on the sound recordings taken that morning. Oh well not the end result we had hoped for, but in this game you have to be in it to win it.

On a final note to Belvide permit holders. The work Party tomorrow has been cancelled due to the weather forecast.