The continuing redevelopment of the Water's Edge complex at Barton-on-Humber saw the opening of the southern part of the site to the general public in April 2001. The impact of this development on the breeding birds can be assessed through the results of the breeding bird survey, which was again conducted by Graham Catley for Nyctea Consultancy. Additional observations of birds occurring on the complex throughout the remainder of the year were also recorded as were occurrences of butterflies, dragonflies and visible mammals.
The results of the breeding bird survey and a summary of the ornithological occurrences throughout the year are presented below with comparative analysis of the relevant breeding bird data from both 1999 and the year 2000. A partial breeding bird survey, concentrated on waterfowl and breeding warblers, was undertaken in 1999 with a full breeding bird survey following in 2000 the latter being repeated in 2001.
Summary of the Water's Edge ornithological year 2001
The ornithological importance of a site means different things to different people and assessing the qualities of an area is often a subjective process. The year 2001 however, produced exceptional numbers of breeding birds, especially waterfowl, passage migrants and five star rarities to satisfy anyone be they conservationist, ornithologist, rare bird enthusiast or just general lovers of birds. The variety and quality of birds recorded from such a restricted area of habitat demonstrated just how attractive the site has proven to be with the birds and bird watchers. In total 127 species of bird were recorded on the actual site during the year with another 11 species being seen flying over the area.
January got off to a very cold start with a freezing snap concentrating waterfowl onto ice-free waters. A peak of 143 Coots gathered in small openings in the ice and gatherings of wildfowl included a redhead Smew. Scarce wintering passerines included Grey Wagtail and Stonechat while the Green Woodpecker made its presence felt throughout as it bounded around the site eventually staying into March. Evenings saw up to five Sparrowhawks roosting in the sallows on the Pond B island and occasional flights by secretive wintering Woodcock. The first rare bird of the year a drake Green-winged Teal was present briefly on the Middle Lagoon on the 28th. This stranger from the Nearctic was the first of no less than three such visitors to appear on the site during the year.
A drake Ferruginous Duck that joined the wintering Tufted and Pochard on the Middle Lagoon from February 16th originated from the opposite direction to the teal, eastern or south-east Europe. A new species for the clay pits it obliged by staying on the site through to April 18th. A late evening search for the Ferruginous Duck on 17th revealed a Long-eared Owl flying over the site as dusk fell.
March produced the first spring songster, a Chiffchaff on the 11th, that subsequently set up a territory by the Pasture Road entrance and reared two broods of young.
Early promise in April is often dashed and an exceptionally early brood of young Coot seen on April 1st failed to survive for more than a few days in the cool and damp weather. Further spring migrants announced their presence with the first records of singing Blackcap 3rd, Willow and Sedge Warbler 5th and Reed Warbler 13th. The latter species increased dramatically in 2001 with 55 territories occupied during the summer. A singing Grasshopper Warbler on the 29th was a brief stayer. It was another extreme rarity from the east that raised most excitement amongst local bird watchers during the month however, when a singing male Penduline Tit, found feeding on the heads of reed mace in Pond D, proved to be only the fourth record for Lincolnshire.
A fly-over Osprey on May 1st started another good spell for rare birds with a drake Ring-necked Duck appearing on the 30th and staying to June 5th. Another visitor from across the big pond, it was yet another first record for the site. The second Little Egret in successive years also put in an appearance on the 31st.
Full details of the breeding season are detailed below but suffice to say that it was an exceptional summer for breeding birds with three new species recorded, Great Crested Grebe, Kestrel and Barn Owl. Most species especially wildfowl reared record numbers of young. During June it became apparent that one of the nesting female Bitterns from the western clay pits was making several journeys daily over the site en route between her nest and favoured feeding areas to the east. This bird provided many observers with first views of this normally elusive species as she passed on her predictable course. Good hatches of flying insects attracted large flocks of Swifts and hirundines to feed over the pools and trees in June and July with a large pre-roost gathering of Sand Martins being noted in the evenings in August. As if to emphasise their excellent breeding season the number of Coot reached 205 in July as other birds swelled the local breeding stock as they moved onto the site to moult.
The levels on the Middle Lagoon and Pond A fell considerably in August revealing rich feeding areas for waders and wildfowl. In addition some of the newly created pools on the northern site and even the partly flooded excavated areas of the work site proved to have a magnetic attraction for passage waders. In all 15 species of wader were recorded from the site in 2001 and an additional eight species were seen flying over. Highlights of August included up to five Green and a Wood Sandpiper, a brief visit from an Avocet, Little Stint and a regular Greenshank. One to two Garganey frequented the muddy expanses at the southern end of the Middle Lagoon in early September along with a record 30 Shoveler. Not to be outdone Gadwall also reached a new record total of 43 on Pond B at the same time later increasing to 52 by the month's end. The third Nearctic visitor of the year proved to be yet another new bird for the clay pits, a juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper. It arrived on a typical date, 4th and stayed for six days feeding in the partly flooded excavations on the northern site. At first when accompanied by a Redshank it was very wary but it soon detached itself from its skittish companion and adopted a more typical confiding attitude feeding within 30m of jack-hammers and heavy lorries. The first true winter visitor, a Redwing, arrived on September 20th but a rarer thrush was a male Ring Ouzel found on 27th only the second record for the park. Some late migrants continued to appear in early October with two Wheatears on 6-7th and a Little Stint on the 6th. The variety of wildfowl increased with records of two Pintail and two different juvenile Scaup. It was a good month for raptors with an adult Peregrine 17th and the second Osprey of the year, a juvenile, doing its best to fish Pond B before giving in to the aggressive attentions of the local Carrion Crows. A Jay flying west on the afternoon of the 5th was unusual but a male Stonechat 19th and the odd Great Spotted Woodpecker were more expected. After a summer absence a Green Woodpecker reappeared to frequent the country park on a daily basis making itself obvious with its loud yaffle calls. Up to three Grey Wagtails were feeding on the northern site with two staying on to winter. The first short spells of cold weather arrived in mid-November bringing with them influxes of wintering thrushes including an impressive flock of 300 Fieldfare and an amazing count if 61 Blackbirds made on the 23rd. Other birds of note in the month included up to six Water Rails, the first Woodcock late in the month and up to five Rock Pipits that frequented the works on the northern site. A flock of seven seasonal Snow Buntings on the Humber bank path on the 17th were followed by a singleton flying over the Folly on the 27th a day before a wintering Chiffchaff arrived in the new plantation by the entrance gate. Short days provide little opportunity for birding in December and benign weather produced few surprises. At least six Water Rails were squealing from the reedbeds while a Merlin pausing briefly on the perimeter fence on the 6th was the first record of the year. A Tawny Owl perched out in an open ash tree by Pond D on the 11th confirmed the species presence in the area, suspected for some weeks. Another two park firsts a Siberian Chiffchaff and two Mealy Redpolls brought the year to an eventful close with the Chiffchaff attracting a steady stream of admirers through the Christmas period.
Breeding bird species
Summary
A total of 48 species bred or attempted to breed on the complex during 2001 compared with the 44 species recorded in 2000. There were notable increases in a number of specialist wetland species including Little Grebe, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Ruddy Duck, Water Rail, Coot and Reed Warbler while new breeding species included Great-crested Grebe, Kestrel and Barn Owl.
The number of breeding waterfowl was very encouraging with all species rearing record numbers of young. As shown in the charts there have been overall increases in the amalgamated totals for pairs/breeding females, hatched and fledged young of the key sixteen species of waterbirds that occur on the site. Even excluding the totals for Coot, which were so impressive in 2001, the increases over the three year period are still apparent (see charts). Such a rapid increase as was apparent between 2000 and 2001 is however, largely as a result of improvements to the quality of the habitat in Pond B following reclamation in 2000. The very high productivity apparent in Pond B is typical of that shown in newly created wetlands such as gravel pits and subsidence areas. The early stages of ecological succession, which this habitat rejuvenation represents, typically lead to a rapid increase in the number and variety of breeding birds. Closely allied with increases in nutrients and consequent changes in the botanical and invertebrate populations of the developing site breeding bird populations rise quickly to reach a peak after a period of two to four years. These peaks are usually then followed by a levelling out of production and then a subsequent fall to a maintainable lower level after seven to ten years. Given a regular circulation of water into the area through Pond B however, the high productivity may well be maintained for a longer period on the Water's Edge site. Continuing surveys will reveal whether the present levels of productivity can be maintained. During 2001 the Water's Edge site was clearly the most productive area for breeding waterfowl within the Barton to New Holland clay pits complex as shown by the attached charts produced using ongoing census data obtained by GPC.
It was very encouraging to see that overall numbers and productivity of breeding birds were not adversely affected by the opening of the southern site to the public at the start of the breeding season. Indeed most species appear to have adapted very well to the increased amount of potential disturbance. The majority of public visits to the area during the season appeared to fit into a category that may best be described as transitory with few people spending long periods in any particular single spot. Such a constant turnover allows birds to feed and adapt to quiet periods even if there is disturbance during certain times of the day. An obvious example of adaptation was demonstrated by the pair of Kestrels that bred in nest box 3 adjacent to the Folly. Although the adult birds would not visit the box when people were in the vicinity there were clearly enough quiet spells during the day to allow them to feed the young, three of which fledged successfully. The fact that the country park is at present closed in an evening in the summer may however, be beneficial to breeding birds. If this situation were to change allowing a greater degree of potential disturbance over a longer period of daylight hours then it is possible that there may be a negative impact on the breeding birds but this would need to be assessed.
There are regular suggestions from anglers that the park should be opened up for fishing. Apart from the obvious negative impact of discarded tackle, which is a major danger to waterbirds on many of the pits in the Barton complex, the degree of disturbance would severely impact on the breeding waterfowl and such moves should in our opinion be vehemently resisted.
Full details of breeding species with the number of territories, pairs, broods and fledged young, where applicable, can be found in the accompanying tables along with comparative data for the 1999 and 2000 breeding season summaries.
Species accounts:
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Up to six birds were present throughout the winter. A rapid increase to 12 birds occurred in mid-March as breeding birds returned with the first nest building being noted on the 22nd. The eventual total of eleven pairs showed an increase of one over 2000. No broods were seen until June 22nd when two nearly fledged juveniles appeared on the Middle Lagoon. There was then a simultaneous hatch of first brood juveniles over the ensuing week. Distribution of pairs is shown on the map: Pond B-5, Pond C-1, Pond D-1, Middle Lagoon-4. Most of the young that hatched from late broods in July and August all fledged successfully. Avery late brood of three young, about a week old, appeared on Pond B on August 30th. The final total of 35 fledged juveniles was ten higher than 2000.
As birds dispersed away from the site during September the total of birds present fell from a peak of 43 to 13 by the 27th but rose again to 16 with rising water levels in early October before dropping to around 10 or less in November and 2-6 in December.
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
There were no winter records. The first bird of the year was seen on Pond B on March 11th and a male settled there on April 15th where he attempted to attract a mate. This singleton remained on Pond B with a female first being noted on 29th and remaining to May 2nd when a third bird was also present on Pond B. The pair then built a nest in the small bay on Pond B and were incubating by mid May but had abandoned the attempt by 30th when only one bird remained. A second individual appeared on the country park on June 6th and yet another bird on 25th when a pair was noted displaying on Pond B with a new nest constructed by July 1st. No eggs appear to have been laid in the final attempt, however, and the nest was soon abandoned. A single bird remained on Pond B to September 20th and was present again on several dates in October and early November.
Mute Swan Cygnus olor
Two birds were usually present in January-February increasing to four regular birds, two pairs, and occasional immature visitors, during March when up to five young birds were on Pond A. One pair nested on Pond B laying nine eggs and hatching seven young which all fledged successfully. Additionally a young pair moved between Pond C and the Middle Lagoon but failed to nest. Several other immature birds visited the site during the late June to late August period often being expelled by the resident breeding male. A colour ringed immature bird, present on Pond C from August 12-late November, bearing a red ring inscribed with 374 had been ringed as a rehabilitated bird having been picked up injured at Sherrif Hutton near York on December 20th 1999 and after rehabilitation was released at Hagg bridge Lower Derwent Valley NNR on January 17th 2000. It settled in with the flock there to January 24th but was not seen again until its appearance at Water's Edge.
The fledged young of the breeding pair began to disperse from the site in late September but usually returned quickly before the whole party disappeared in late November. There were also three additional immatures present on the ponds in September and further visitation by young birds and even family parties often swelled the overall totals in late October and November.
Greylag Goose Anser anser
Two pairs were present in March with an increase to three in April. All three pairs nested. The first brood of two juveniles was seen on Pond B on the early date of April 5th and both of these fledged. The second pair hatched just one juvenile on April 30th with 4 eggs remaining in the abandoned nest while a third pair hatched five juveniles in mid May. All eight juveniles fledged in addition to which another four juveniles and up to five adults frequented the country park on occasions from mid June to July.
Canada Goose Branta canadensis
A pair moved onto the country park from March 18th. By early April two pairs were present on Pond B and Pond C. The first pair were considered to have nested on the eastern side of Pond B while the second pair eventually settled to nest next to a Greylag on the island in Pond C in mid April. Both pairs hatched young with broods of five and one present from late May and all six then fledging successfully. This party left the park in mid August but a flock of up to 61 birds was on Pond A at dusk from 19th of the month. The only later records were of 12 on Pond A on September 22nd and 34 there briefly October 6th. A flock of 79 birds appeared in mid November soon declining to between 21 and 24 birds which took up temporary residence on the new lagoons on the northern site.
Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
None were seen in January-February but 2-5 birds were noted regularly on Pond B from mid-March with two pairs being regular in April. One of these pairs almost certainly nested in the southerly area of scrub between the Middle lagoon and Pond C while a second pair appeared to be attempting to nest in one of the rubble piles on the northern site in mid June. No juveniles were seen and the northern nest site was destroyed during work site operations in July. A single bird was on Pond B on November 10th.
Gadwall Anas strepera
During the early winter Gadwall were a prominent feature of the waterfowl population on the country park with monthly maxima of 22 January, 31 February and 28 March. From mid-March several birds were noted in display flights. Favoured areas were Pond B and the Middle Lagoon with Pond C occasionally being visited. Three pairs were regular to late May with additional summering males giving a country park maxima of 17 birds on June 24th. A female with a brood of eight small juveniles appeared on Pond B on July 5th reducing to six by 14th. A second brood of five newly hatched juveniles was found on Pond B on July 16th another late date for this species. From these two broods a total of eleven young fledged successfully two more than in 2000. The total of non-breeding birds and fledged young reached a peak of 33 birds in August and 55 on September 29th before declining by the end of October to 16 birds. Totals from then on were more variable but included high counts of up to 44 birds in November when the majority of the flock resorted to the Middle Lagoon.
Teal Anas crecca
The number of Teal in the early year was quite low with a maximum of 15 noted in February surprisingly increasing to 18 on April 1st but then falling to 12 by 17th and 6 by 22nd with just a single pair by 30th. The latter pair was noted to July 7th but there was no actual proof of successful breeding in 2001 although the female appeared to be returning to a nest site in Pond C on July 1st and 7th.
The first returning birds, six, arrived back on June 24th with 10 present July 3rd. Up to 12 birds were regular in August with occasional appearances of larger migrant flocks. This increased to peaks of 21 in September and October and occasionally to as many as 37 in November when up to 10 birds fed on the old Pond A with others favouring the Middle Lagoon.
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Between 33 and 36 birds were regular in January-February but the total fell in March as pairs dispersed onto breeding sites. The first brood of 8 juveniles was seen on Pond B on May 2nd a late date for this species. The subsequent total of 15 broods hatching 101 small juveniles was up by 29 on 2000 and the number of broods up by four on 2000 and six on 1999. A record 62 juveniles fledged, a 63% increase on 2000.
In addition to these totals three broods of aberrant Mallard hatched totalling 19 juveniles of which 17 fledged.
The number of birds on the ponds was fairly low throughout the early autumn but increased to 70 by late September with monthly peaks of 59 October, 60 November and 35 December.
Pochard Aythya ferina
There were few Pochard in the early winter but up to 15 birds became regular in March as prospecting pairs moved onto the country park. The first brood of six juveniles appeared on May 26th and it was then a record year for the number of young hatched, 60 from 8 broods, and fledged with 25 reaching adulthood. The number of broods was one up on 1999 but showed an increase of five on 2000. Significantly all of these broods hatched on Pond B, which was in poor condition in 2000, some subsequently moving onto the Middle Lagoon and Pond A. Few occurred during the autumn or late winter with a maximum of just nine birds being noted.
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
After a very quiet start to the year there was a rapid increase in the number of Tufted Ducks present with 40 counted by March 24th. A number of pairs were obviously prospecting potential breeding sites by mid-March. The first brood of juveniles was not seen until June 25th when a female, accompanied by a brood of eight fluffy juveniles, appeared on Pond B. During the following week a further three broods of nine, eight and seven hatched on Pond B. Late broods appeared on Pond A on July 21st and Pond B on 23rd and August 5th. The eventual total of ten broods was up by three in comparison with 2000 while the number of juveniles hatched was almost three times that year's total, 60 as opposed to 21 in 2000. Of these a surprisingly high number perished in the first few days after hatching but it was still a record year with 32 subsequently fledging. There was a slow build up to 18 birds by the end of October and variable numbers from then on but peaks of only 14 in November and 11 December.
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis
A single male returned to the country park on February 20th. By late March two pairs were present on Pond B and Pond C/E increasing to 6 males and 2 females on 31st then a peak of 8 males and 4 females April 17th. Subsequently there were five females, 1 Pond C, 2 Pond B, 1 Pond E with 1 on the Middle Lagoon. The first brood of three newly-hatched juveniles was on Pond C on June 18th with only two remaining on the 19th and one by 25th when a brood of one was also seen on Pond B. A large brood of seven hatched on Pond B on July 12th and a late second brood of five on Pond C on August 25th. The final total of seven broods hatching 25 young and fledging 10 were all yet again new records for the country park. By September most birds had left the site with a maximum of just three recorded in October but a slight resurgence in early November saw six birds again present on Pond B and this small flock increased to eight birds by the month's end with up to five present through December.
Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
Up to five birds were roosting in the sallows on the island in Pond B in January with 1-3 birds noted through February. By early March the local pair was already in display and established in their usual breeding territory in the south-east of the complex. It seems likely that the first nest failed and the pair relayed as the first juvenile was not seen on the wing until August 3rd. Possibly due to the increase in the number of people passing the southern area of the site the juveniles were less visible than usual but at least three were located although possibly more fledged. The adult male and a young male were roosting in the usual willow thicket on the Pond B island during October with three birds there in November-December.
Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
A single young male spent long periods of the early winter feeding on the northern part of the site. What was presumably this male and a first-summer female adopted the newly erected nest box by the Folly from April 9th and appeared to be attempting to breed in the box. The male brought in several items of food for the female who spent long periods sitting in the entrance to the nest box and both birds also brought in items of nest material. The pair was seen bringing food to the young in mid June and at least three large juveniles were seen walking around in the box on 30th and inspecting their immediate environs from the entrance to the box in the first two weeks of July. All three flew on July 13th but they continued to roost in the box until at least 17th but then departed the site after 21st. Up to three birds were present in early October including what may have been the breeding male. After an extended absence two birds were again present on November 28th.
Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
Two males and at least one female were present through the breeding season with 1-2 birds seen throughout the rest of the year.
Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
Up to three individuals were heard in January on ponds E, B and D. At least two were still present in March with one territorial bird at the southern end of Pond B from April 1st-June 19th. Another bird was present under the flooded willows between Pond B and Pond D on April 11th. A territorial bird was heard in Pond C from June 14-24th suggesting that two pairs may have bred. A number of birds, at least six being estimated, were heard and seen from October through November when birds were present on Ponds B, C and D and even occasionally on the Middle Lagoon island.
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
The peak early winter count of 35 birds in February was probably a pretty accurate reflection of the population at the time. No broods were seen until June 1st when one juvenile was on the Middle lagoon. The 19 pairs located in 2001 compared favourably with 10 in 2000 and 9 in 1999 showing that in spite of predation of young by harriers and a variety of other species Moorhens are continuing to thrive in the country park. Detecting young broods of this species can be difficult in large areas of reeds and channels but at least 14 broods were known to have hatched from which a minimum of 40 juveniles fledged 20 more than in 1999and 2000. At least 55 birds were still present in September with 49 counted in October, 38 November and 43 December.
Coot Fulica atra
Regular counting of birds throughout the winter showed a swift response to periods of cold freezing weather when numbers increased rapidly followed by a subsequent decrease as the ice melted. After a peak of 143 in January the February maximum was 98 with the March figure being more a reflection of the potential breeding population plus non-breeders. The first nests were seen in March with the first juveniles hatching on April 1st four days earlier than in 2000. This brood appeared to succumb to the cold weather as did three more nests on Pond C which all appeared to have been deserted during a spell of very cold weather in mid-April. The next broods appeared at the southern end of Pond B from April 24th when a rise in air temperature and increased weed growth produced better conditions for chick survival. Broods continued to be hatched until late June. The overall total of 20 pairs was almost double that present in 2000, 11, and they hatched 35 broods with 127 small juveniles being seen soon after hatching. Of these a record 79 fledged compared with the previous peak of 22 in 2000. Broods were distributed on all waters, excepting Pond A, with the majority on Ponds C and B and the Middle Lagoon. A late nest with four newly hatched young was located on Pond B on July 13th and an even later one hatched a single juvenile on the Middle Lagoon on August 3rd.
A non-breeding flock of 30 birds, additional to the local breeding pairs, was present at the north end of Pond B in May increasing to 51 birds by June 14th. A combined count of 205 birds was made on July 21st with a moult concentration of 189 on August 12th falling to 143 by 30th but rising again to 169 on September 19th and 196 by 29th. The flock peaked at 204 on October 27th before falling to 152 over the next three weeks. December totals never exceeded the 160 counted on the 4th.
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius
Two birds were being chased by a Ringed Plover over the new car park area on April 3rd but then flew off west. Another single flew west on April 8th and a male was resting on the north-western site on the 15th. What was presumed to be this male was noted in display flights with a female on April 21st but the male appeared to be alone again on 22nd when he was feeding on the muddy margins of the Middle Lagoon. A pair was again in evidence from April 26th with six adults, four males and two females, present in June when a brood of three well-grown juveniles was found on 23rd. A further search on the 25th revealed a nest with four eggs which hatched the following day. All four chicks were found in the rubble by working lorries and excavators on 28th.The dangers of their immediate environment no doubt accounted for the loss of two of these juveniles by 30th when the remaining two chicks were feeding on the edge of Pond A. Two of the first brood juveniles were still present on the north-west of the site on 30th when one was seen making short flights of 10-15m. Both of these subsequently fledged successfully but the other brood of four all disappeared after 4-5 days. These were the first confirmed successful breeding records of this Schedule 1 species in recent years. No birds were seen after July 5th until two passage juveniles appeared on Pond A on August 28th remaining there to September 15th.
Stock Dove Columba oenas
A regular winter presence of 6-8 birds increased to 12 individuals in March as pairs adopted the nest boxes on country park. Two newly erected boxes quickly attracted prospecting birds in March. The albinistic bird first seen in 1999 was again present through to August. The eventual total of 4 breeding pairs, in boxes 1,2,4 and 5, was an increase of one over 1999 and 2000. Several young fledged were seen on the dead trees on the Middle Lagoon island soon after fledging.
Woodpigeon Columba palumbus
An estimated population of 14 pairs bred. Up to 40 birds were regularly present throughout the remainder of the year.
Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
A pair were regular visitors to the feeder by the entrance gate in March and April and appeared to establish a breeding territory there. A second pair frequented the woodland adjacent to Barton Broads hotel. A few birds were often by the entrance gate and car park later in the year with others flying over the reserve.
Barn Owl Tyto alba
A solitary individual was seen perched in the entrance to box 4, by Pond B, on the evening of February 27th. At 22:00hrs on June 13th a Barn Owl was seen flying west over the new plantation by Maltkiln Road and subsequent investigation revealed that a pair had nested in Box 4 and were feeding juveniles in said nest box. Both adults appeared from the box at 22:30 on June 18th with one hunting the reedbeds and Middle Lagoon island from 22:10 on July 1st. Young birds were audible in the box when an adult returned with food at 23:46 on July 9th confirming successful breeding. Following this a fluffy but full grown juvenile was seen in the box entrance on July 30th prior to the adult leaving to hunt at 21:28. One fledged juvenile left the box on August 19th and roosted during the day in birch trees on the Middle Lagoon island being constantly harassed by Magpies and other passerines. At least two juveniles were seen subsequently but it is possible that more than this number fledged. This is the first known breeding attempt on the country park in recent years.
Swallow Hirundo rustica
An early bird was feeding over the Middle Lagoon on April 1st after which numbers increased only slowly with 7 by April 17th but up to 20 by 28th. A pair then bred in the old block-house on the northern site where they reared a brood of young.
Pied Wagtail Montacilla alba
A pair returned to the northern part of the site in mid-March after a winter absence. They were then noted feeding on the northern site and on muddy margins around the Middle Lagoon in April and bred around the offices fledging a first brood in early June and later broods in July and early August. Up to 23 birds were feeding on the northern site in late August-early September reducing to 2-5 by late October and just 1-4 through November and December.
Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
A total of nine territories compared with eleven in 2000 a reduction no doubt accounted for by the loss of suitable nest sites on the northern part of the site during the first winter period.
Dunnock Prunella modularis
In contrast to the population of Wren the number of Dunnock territories rose by three to nine in 2001. Good numbers of fledged juveniles seen around the country park suggested a successful breeding season. Several birds were then present through the autumn with up to 20 counted on some dates in September and October.
Robin Erithacus rubecula
Robins showed a 37% increase in numbers over 2000 increasing to eleven pairs as opposed to eight in 2000. Territory distribution is shown on the maps. Ten birds were noted on winter territories from late September.
Blackbird Turdus merula
Up to 30 birds were present for most of the early winter period. Twelve pairs bred one down on 2000. This was not however surprising as pairs had bred on the northern site in 2000 in areas that were unsuitable in 2001. Good numbers of fledged juveniles were present in late June. A notable increase in migrants swelled the population to at least 25 birds on October 19th with up to 40 present on several days in early November before a peak of 61 was counted on November 23rd. The number of birds then fell quickly as the berry supply dwindled through early December.
Song Thrush Turdus philomelus
Although odd birds were seen on the south-western part of the country park, especially in the wooded area, during the spring no pairs actually nested on country park. A pair did breed to the south of the woodland area in Barton Broads and these adults and fledged juveniles fed on the country park at times. The reduction from three territories in 2000 was disappointing given that the areas frequented in 2000 were largely unaffected by alterations to the country park over the intervening period. At least one male however, moved onto the south-east of the country park in June where it sang regularly. Other birds were noted feeding in various parts of the complex, including on the extracted rubble and soil on the northern site, in late June.
A few birds returned to the fruiting elders and hawthorns around the country park from mid-September with up to five birds noted per day. Further small arrivals saw up to six birds noted on some days in November on the northern site with a later peak of six together by the car park on December 8th and eight on the 11th.
Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus
By mid March two pairs of Mistle Thrush were moving around the country park setting up their breeding territories. Both pairs were then seen regularly feeding on the western part of the country park in early April but only one pair was noted thereafter.
This pair brought fledged young to feed on the south-western country park in late May and June. The species returned to the site in September-November with 2-6 birds often present from then onwards.
Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
A singing male around the edge of Pond D on April 5th was the earliest site record to date. Subsequently four males established territories. A further male then established a territory in the umbellifers by the office dyke in late June taking the combined total to five a notable increase on 2000 equalling the five territories found in 1999. The last bird of the year, a juvenile, was seen on September 22nd.
Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus
The first spring bird was heard in song in the south-eastern reserve area on April 13th. This remained the only bird on site until 21st when two males were present. Further arrivals were slow with just nine males present by May 2nd but there was a sudden increase in singing birds during the last week of May and early June. The subsequent total of 55 males holding territories was an excellent total. Distribution is too complicated to map but in essence they were located as follows: 1 in Pond E, 18 in Pond C, 30 Pond B and 6 Pond D. The number of territories was over twice that found in 2000 and showed a 52% increase over the 1999 figure. The obvious concentration of birds in Ponds C and B, with good reed growth and an abundant food supply, demonstrated that these two sites in particular were very attractive to the species. Odd birds were present to September 29th.
Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca
A singing male on May 4th and June 1st appeared to be the only bird of the spring, in what was a poor year for this species, but an agitated bird on June 6th suggested a breeding attempt had been made on the eastern edge of the country park. This was indeed proven when a brood of fledged young was found in the willows by the path on the southern country park on June 15th. The scrub on the Middle Lagoon island proved attractive to fledged juveniles in late July and early August when up to four individuals were regularly feeding with flocks of fledged Willow Warblers. The last juvenile of the autumn was seen on September 20th.
Whitethroat Sylvia communis
April 26th produced the first bird of the spring, a singing male on the Middle Lagoon island with a further three birds being noted on 29th and another increase to at least 5 birds on 30th. With the destruction of the main breeding area, on the northern site, prior to the breeding season, only two males established territories in the small remnant areas of nettle and willow herb. The sharp decline from ten territories in 2000 was expected given the loss of suitable habitat on the site. One of the above territories was destroyed during work on the northern site in mid June no doubt accounting for the appearance of transient singing males at other localities on the country park at this time. Subsequently a pair bred on the island in the Middle Lagoon, a male held territory in brambles by the main gate and another adopted the 2000 territory in the rough vegetation on the west side of Pond A. Yet another pair bred in the rough vegetation, that grew up during the summer, on the eastern side of Pond A.
The amalgamated total of five territories compared with ten in 2000 but, as stated above, the losses were inevitable given the loss of breeding habitat on the northern work site. A late brood was present on the northern site to August 30th when most of the scrub they were frequenting was bulldozed but 1-2 birds were still in the area to September 4th with one staying until 15th a late date for this species.
Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
Two males were singing from the scrub dividing Ponds B and D on April 3rd with the first female seen on 15th. Subsequently four territories were located one less than in 2000. Additional transient males did however, also establish temporary territories on the country park during the late spring period. The species often lingers late into the autumn but this year the last records concerned odd birds frequenting the fruiting elders in late September.
Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
First of the spring was a singing male on March 11th with the next being found feeding in the willows by the southern hide on the 17th. From the 26th birds were regular with 1-6 individuals seen daily to mid-April when three males established territories. Subsequently two pairs were present through the summer in the usual favoured south-east part of the country park. One of these adjacent to the southern turnstiles fledged at least three young on June 14th and a later brood in early August. A small flock of up to eight birds frequented the southern site in late August and early September. Another late species there were regular sightings of birds through to October 6th when at least three were present. After a long gap a bird, possibly of the race abietenus, was present in the plantation by the main gate from November 28-29th with presumably the same bird being relocated between there and the car park from December 7-11th.
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
First of the spring was a singing male on April 5th. Eight birds set up territories in mid April in addition to which there was a notable passage of birds through the country park over 28-30th. The number of breeding territories on the country park has been very consistent over the past three years, 8,7,8 in 1999-2001 respectively as the favoured areas of habitat have remained largely unchanged during that period. It was evidently a good early breeding season for this species with good numbers of fledged juveniles being observed in late June. Most birds departed by late August with the last individual seen on September 5th.
Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus
A flock was regular during the winter, usually in the south-east corner of the complex. Here two pairs were present in March with one pair nest building in the bramble scrub in early April. Their fledged brood, of at least seven juveniles, was being fed by the adults on May 31st. Two family parties must then have combined as a flock of 19 bird was encountered on June 13th. A single flock of up to 13 birds was then regular on the eastern part of the complex throughout the autumn and late winter period.
Willow Tit Parus montanus
A singing male was present in the old reserve area on March 15th and was seen subsequently to April 3rd but not thereafter until one accompanied a roving tit flock in the same area throughout July-August with two birds being seen on odd dates in August through to December.
Blue Tit Parus caeruleus
The total of three breeding pairs was one up on 2000. The number of breeding pairs may be constrained by the lack of available cavity nest sites. Erection of nest boxes may well increase the local population. Up to 14 birds were present in mixed tit flocks in October-December.
Great Tit Parus major
Two pairs were located as opposed to three in 2000. Both of these pairs successfully fledged young. As with Blue Tit the lack of suitable nest sites probably limits the number of birds breeding on the country park. Up to six birds were regular in November-December.
Magpie Pica pica
A winter roost flock of 12 birds was regularly present in the late afternoons from January-March. Two pairs subsequently built nests in the elms along the side of Maltkiln Lane and in the Willow thicket on the Pond B island. A brood of seven fledged juveniles, from the Pond B nest, was present from July 7th. A flock of up to 14 birds was then regular throughout the rest of the year.
Carrion Crow Corvus corone
Two pairs again nested on country park in the same areas as in 2000 and a third pair that were often to be found in the tall willows by the south-eastern entrance, attempted to nest in an old willow just to the east of the country park. The pair by the Folly reared four young that fledged in mid June. Up to six birds were regularly noted throughout the remainder of the year.
Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
The total of six pairs found during 2001 was exactly the same as the previous year. This species also appeared to have a very good season with flocks of juvenile birds much in evidence from mid June onwards. Small flocks of migrants were often present late in the autumn with up to 10 birds noted daily in November-December.
Greenfinch Carduelis chloris
With the exception of fly-over birds the main area frequented by this species was the western strip alongside Maltkiln Road where one pair established a territory from late March. A flock of up to 40 birds frequented the northern site and adjacent foreshore in mid-late November and December.
Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
A pair held territory between Ponds B and D from early April to early June with their nest being located in a small hawthorn next to the hide there in mid-June. Fledged young were seen in this area in late July. A pair was occasionally present then through to the year end.
Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus
The first birds moved back onto the country park in mid March with a total of two pairs establishing territories as shown on the accompanying map. Both of these pairs were feeding young in the nest in late May. Subsequently another two males set up territories on site, see map, and both apparently bred. The total of four pairs has been consistent throughout the three-year study period. The species was scarce during the autumn and late winter with a maximum of just four birds noted on any set date.
Non-breeding species
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
One or two birds were occasionally to be found fishing the ponds from January-April. The first fledged juvenile of the year occurred on June 22nd a typically early date for this species which commences breeding in February or March. Observations of colour ringed birds around the clay pits has revealed that most of our birds originate from breeding colonies on the River Trent around Besthorpe but others have come from as far afield as the Solway, Abberton Reservoir (Essex) and the Netherlands. Up to four birds, mainly juveniles, were regular from August to October often day roosting on the pole of nest box 1 and the dead bushes in the Middle Lagoon. A single bird was regular on the same box in November-December with up to three birds on some days.
Bittern Botaurus stellaris
A female, that bred to the west of the Humber bridge, was seen flying over the country park on several occasions from mid June to mid July whilst making fishing forays to pits to the east of the site.
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
One to three birds were occasional in the first five months of the year. Odd adults again fished the pits from late May with a brood of fledged juveniles appearing on June 13th and subsequently up to seven birds being seen daily to August reducing to 2-4 in September-October and just odd singles in November-December.
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Amazingly following the first Barton record on the Water's Edge country park in October 2000 another Little Egret appeared on the northern edge of Pond B on May 31st. It stayed around that area from late morning to 15:45 when it was seen to fly off west.
Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus
A flock of 13 birds landed briefly on the area by the new pools on October 24th; a most unusual occurrence for this very timid wild goose.
Wigeon Anas penelope
The only winter record was of five on December 27th. A pair was on Pond B on April 1st and two drakes there on 22nd. Another single bird was present from August 21-September 5th with 3 on the 10-15th and 2 to 20th increasing to 6 on 22nd. A new peak of 14 birds occurred on Pond B on October 16th.
Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis
A drake of this Nearctic species was present with a few Teal on the Middle Lagoon on January 28th. This is the first Water's Edge record of this newly promoted species.
Pintail Anas acuta
A pair was present on the Middle Lagoon on the morning of April 27th. In the autumn a female on August 30th and two on October 16th were notable.
Garganey Anas querquedula
A juvenile bird appeared with Shoveler at the southern end of the Middle Lagoon on August 13th and was seen again in the same spot through to September 5th when it was joined by an eclipse male, both birds being present to the 8th.
Shoveler Anas clypeata
After the exceptional total of 27 was noted in December 2000 there were very few Shoveler in January-February with a maximum of just four birds recorded. During March numbers increased with up to five drakes and three ducks being present usually on Pond C and the Middle Lagoon.
Two pairs lingered to mid-April with one pair to May 1st. Up to eleven birds were again present from late June to August but there was no suggestion of successful breeding. With large areas of mud exposed on the Middle Lagoon feeding opportunities for this species were good. A total of 28 birds was present on September 3rd increasing to 30 on the 6th both new record site counts for this species. This high autumn presence was maintained through to October 19th with 25-30 birds being seen daily. The flock decreased to a maximum of 17 in early November and 29 in December.
Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris
A drake of this Nearctic species was found on Pond B, with a party of drake Pochard, on May 30th. It soon attached itself to a female Pochard remaining faithful to the area to June 5th. This was only the fifth bird of this vagrant species to be recorded on the Barton-Barrow Haven clay pits and another first record for the Water's Edge country park.
Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca
A fine adult drake appeared on the Middle Lagoon on February 16th and stayed faithful to that area through to March 17th with occasional absences from the country park. It was again present from March 21st through to April 18th. Later in its stay it was also seen on Pond B along with a small party of Tufted Ducks but then returned to the favoured southern end of the Middle Lagoon. This was the first record of this rare visitor from Eastern and Southern Europe on the Barton-Barrow Haven clay pits.
Scaup Aythya marila
Two drakes were present on Pond A, with a fine collection of waders, on August 19th a somewhat unusual date for this species which is normally an autumn and winter visitor to the Humber. Both drakes remained until 24th. A juvenile female appeared on Pond B on October 22nd staying through to 28th when a second juvenile arrived both birds being seen through to November 3rd.
Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis
A most unseasonal adult drake was seen on Pond B in mid May.
Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
None were seen during the winter but a single female was on Pond B on April 21st and surprisingly a rather unseasonal male appeared on Pond B on June 3rd with 4 very early autumn birds visiting the site on July 16th.
First bird of the late winter was a male on October 16th and there were subsequent records of up to seven birds on odd dates through to the year's end.
Smew Mergellus albellus
A redhead on January 2nd followed the first ever record of two, seen on December 29th 2000.
Goosander Mergus merganser
Two females flew over the country park on April 19th. A young male arrived on Pond C on November 9th and remained there to at least 11th.
Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
The regular local male returned to the clay pits on March 26th and began to be seen on the country park from early April. A new pair also established a territory to the east of the country park in mid-April with the male visiting the country park to hunt. On some days in April both males and the female from the eastern nest were noted hunting the pits. During May, June and early July both males hunted the country park almost daily taking a toll of the abundant Coot chicks and ducklings. A late juvenile was seen on September 28th long after the local birds had departed.
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
One was seen flying south-east over the country park on May 1st (S.Routledge). Somewhat surprisingly a second bird occurred on October 9th when a juvenile flew across the park and attempted to fish the southern part of Pond B before being driven off by the local Carrion Crows.
Merlin Falco columbarius
A female used the northern fence as a convenient look-out post while hunting waders on the foreshore on the afternoon of December 6th.
Hobby Falco subbuteo
An adult male flew east over the northern site in pursuit of Swallows July 2nd and another occurred on August 29th.
Peregrine Falco peregrinus
An adult male scattered all the waders on the adjacent foreshore and the northern site as it drifted slowly west on October 17th.
Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa
A single bird on March 23rd was the first to be noted for over a year.
Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus
A single bird was on Pond A on March 24th. This species feeds regularly on the adjacent foreshore from mid-February through to July. The new lagoon on the north-eastern area of the site attracted good numbers of bathing and loafing gulls and waders in July with three Oystercatchers joining the Lapwings on 5th.
Avocet Avocetta recurvirostra
An adult flew in off the Humber and made a tour of Pond A before flying back onto the estuary on August 19th. This appears to be the first record for the site.
Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
A pair was noted displaying over the recently re-profiled northern end of the site by Pond B on May 31st and a pair was again there irregularly from June 13-July 3rd but there was no proof of actual breeding. Two birds were using the new pools by the AWA works on July 23rd with a maximum of six there by the month's end. Up to six birds roosted on the mud around Pond A and the new pools during high tides from mid-September to October 6th.
Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
The first two 'settled' birds of the year were two on the muddy southern margin of the Middle Lagoon on June 19th. The newly flooded lagoon to the north of Pond B attracted several Lapwing with a daily maximum of 20 in late June and a peak of 55 on July 23rd.
Little Stint Calidris minutus
Two adults flew west over the northern site on August 19th and single juveniles were feeding on the new pools on the north-east of the site from August 30th to September 1st, on Pond A on September 15-17th and the new pools again on September 22nd, October 2nd and 6th.
Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos
A juvenile of this vagrant species was found on the northern work site on September 4th and stayed in the same area or on the Middle Lagoon to the 9th.
This was yet another new species for the Barton clay pits area the third such Water's Edge contribution in 2001 alone.
Dunlin Calidris alpina
Four juveniles were roosting at high tide on an excavated pool on the northern site on September 3rd with a single to the 7th. A roosting flock of up to 35 birds was present on spring tides around the new pools from mid-September to October 28th with 1-2 in November.
Snipe Gallinago gallinago
There were only odd records of single birds in the first three months of the year and a single on April 21st. A returning bird arrived on June 28th with odd singles seen in late July and up to seven seen from August 19-30th. One or two birds were again noted through September to the year's end.
Woodcock Scolopax rusticola
It seems likely that 1-2 birds were present on the country park from January right through to early March as there were fairly regular sightings of birds either flushed in daytime or seen fighting over the country park at dusk. A single bird was again present on the Middle Lagoon island from late November day roosting in the bracken.
Redshank Tringa totanus
A single bird was present at high tide for a few days in early March on the newly constructed bank in Pond A. A party of three flew onto Pond B on April 15th and two were using the newly filled pools by the AWA works on June 15th.
A single juvenile accompanied the Pectoral Sandpiper on the northern work site pools on September 4-5th and up to 8 birds were scattered around the flooded workings, Pond A and the Middle Lagoon from mid-late September to December.
Greenshank Tringa nebularia
A juvenile was feeding on Pond A on August 19th along with four Green, two Common and a Wood Sandpiper. This or other juveniles were then present daily until September 3rd with one late bird on the 19th.
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
First bird of the year was a fine adult feeding on the Middle Lagoon on March 24th. First 'autumn' migrant was in the same location on the morning of June 18th & remained in that area to July 1st. A new bird arrived on July 13th staying to 16th. There were then records of between one and five birds daily throughout July and August with birds favouring Pond A, the newly flooded pools on the north-eastern site and the southern end of the Middle Lagoon. One or two birds occurred in September to the 17th.
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
A splendid juvenile was feeding on Pond A on August 19th and could be heard calling there up to at least 21:15 that evening and was still present on 20th. This is only the second occasion that this species has been recorded on the country park.
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
The first spring migrant was feeding at the southern end of the Middle Lagoon on April 27th with another on 30th and one May 2nd with 2 on 3rd. The first autumn returnee was on Pond B on July 7th. One to two birds were then fairly regular on the new northern pools and Pond A during late July with a maximum of four on August 1st when a colour-ringed juvenile was present. The last records of the year were of one on September 3rd and two on the 5th.
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
Feeding and loafing Black-headed Gulls gathered on Pond B in February and March when up to 150 birds were present at any one time. The new lagoon on the northern site also attracted bathing and loafing birds from late June with up to 80 birds present on some days and again in early November when up to 100 birds were present.
Common Gull Larus canus
A few birds, up to 25, were noted with Black-headed Gulls on Pond B in the early year.
Common Tern Sterna hirundo
First bird of the year flew over the Middle Lagoon on May 2nd. There were then occasional visits by up to three birds during late April-July as local breeding birds and migrants passed through or fished the lagoons. The posts in the new pools on the northern site attracted up to four juveniles and four adults in late July and early August.
Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur
One flew east over the country park on June 5th and one west on 21st. One settled in the old willows on the southern country park on June 25th and one appeared to be prospecting the new plantation by Maltkiln Road on 30th. These were encouraging records as the local population of this declining species fell from 14 males in 2000 to just seven in 2001. A single bird was drinking at the southern end of the Middle Lagoon island on July 15th and 28th.
Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
A late arrival saw the first bird appear on April 29th. A single bird was then occasional in May and June.
Long-eared Owl Asio otus
At dusk on February 17th a Long-eared Owl flew west across the country park and moved on over the Humber Bridge approach road. This was the first recent record for the country park. As it flew west two Woodcock flew into the country park from the east.
Swift Apus apus
An early arrival around the clay pits produced fly over birds on April 27th from when the species became regular feeding over the complex with up to 30 birds on 29th and up to 100 in May-July with occasional records of 1-2 birds through to September 21st.
Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
One or two birds were present daily in the first four months of the year. Favoured feeding areas were the southern end of the Middle Lagoon, the channels around Pond E and the weir alongside Pasture Road south.
Although sightings of birds were uncommonly rare in May and early June fledged juveniles appeared again from June 22nd with two together on the Middle Lagoon on 28th. Birds became more regular again from mid July with 1-2 noted on several dates through August-December.
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major
One was seen on a few occasions in February-March often on the dead elms by the side of Maltkiln road. The first dispersing autumn bird occurred on July 10th with others on August 2nd and 30th, September 14th, October 6th, 28th and several dates in November-December.
Green Woodpecker Picus viridis
One was regular from January to March 15th with two birds seen together on February 7th. A bird was often heard yaffling in March. Favoured feeding sites were the open areas on the northern end of the Middle Lagoon, around Pond E and the island in Pond B.
After and absence of 26 days a single bird was noted again on April 10th. Following a summer absence a single bird appeared on the park on October 26th and was seen regularly through November and December, with two birds being seen together on November 14th.
Sand Martin Riparia riparia
First two birds of the spring were over Pond B on March 30th with 30 birds over the country park on 31st and over 50 on April 3rd increasing to 200 by mid-month. Up to 50 were present over the pools in late July and early August with minima of 800 in the late evening pre-roost gatherings in the last two weeks of August.
House Martin Delichon urbica
Significant numbers began to feed over the country park from April 27th when 14 were present peaking in late May with 70 on 30-31st. Up to 60 birds were again in evidence on many dates in June taking advantage of the abundant hatch of insects over the lagoons. The northern pools again attracted feeding birds, up to 25, in late August increasing to 50-60 in mid-September. A high total of 38 was logged on October 2nd when the birds were feeding around the mature trees on the south-west part of the park.
Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis
A single on the northern site on August 30th was surprisingly the first bird of the year. A small passage of birds through the same area in September peaked with 13 feeding around the new pools on 10th. Up to 12 birds were regular on the open areas of the north-west site near the car park from late October to late November.
Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus
Somewhat surprisingly this species was recorded from the complex for the first time in November 2001 in spite of the fact that birds regularly feed on the adjacent foreshore. The excavated works on the northern site and the drained down areas of Pond A proved attractive to a number of birds in the last week of November and early December with as many as five individuals being present at one time.
Yellow Wagtail Montacilla flava
Up to two migrants were present briefly on the northern site in late April involving at least five birds. Odd singles were again noted in early August with up to 15 birds feeding around the new pools on the northern site in the last week of the month and the first week of September with the last sighting of the year being of three on September 22nd.
Grey Wagtail Montacilla cinerea
One was occasional in January to February to 26th with a pair noted on March 8th. The first autumn migrant was a moulting female seen on Pond A from August 19th-29th with the first juvenile appearing on September 4th-7th then 1-2 birds being regular to October 6th. A peak of three birds was found together on October 11th with a male noted singing on a balmy warm autumn afternoon. Two birds were then noted almost daily to the year's end.
Whinchat Saxicola rubetra
A single migrant was feeding on the northern site on the side of the Humber bank from September 6-8th.
Stonechat Saxicola torquata
The male of the pair seen in late 2000 was seen again on January 4-6th. During the autumn a male was present on the island in the Middle Lagoon on October 19th.
Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
A tired migrant appeared on the northern site during heavy rain and strong winds on September 19th with another feeding from the northern fence on the 25th. Two juvenile birds were on the northern site from October 6-7th.
Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus
A male on the southern part of the Country Park on September 27th formed only the second record of this species for the Water's Edge complex, the first having been in October 1999.
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris
A few small parties passed through the site from mid-October with small numbers dropping in to feed during November before a major arrival of up to 300 birds in the last two weeks of the month. This flock soon stripped the remaining hawthorns of their berry crop and moved rapidly on leaving odd birds to December 5th.
Redwing Turdus iliacus
A small flock that reached a peak of 28 birds was frequently present feeding on the mossy ground cover in the young plantation between the access road and Pond E during February-March 24th with a late bird on April 1st. The first bird of the autumn arrived on September 20th with small numbers present in late October and early November. A further arrival in late November gave rise to a daily presence of up to 30 birds but just odd singles were noted in December.
Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia
In a repeat of the 2000 record a singing male was present briefly on the island in the Middle Lagoon on April 29th.
Garden Warbler Sylvia borin
An early male was singing in the small copse by the folly on April 29-30th.
Siberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita tristis
A bird of this rare eastern visitor was present in the copper beech hedge and the young plantation just inside the main country park gates on December 17th a typical late date for this rare wintering species.
It remained faithful to this area through the Christmas period and brought in several birdwatchers keen to see this distinctive bird.
Goldcrest Regulus regulus
A single bird survived the cold winter spells in the low scrub between Ponds A and B and the Middle Lagoon being seen from January-March 22nd. First bird of the autumn appeared on September 28th with 1-2 present daily during October-December.
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata
One flew west across Pond B on the morning of May 26th.
Coal Tit Parus ater
Autumn migrants were present in the old reserve area on September 28th and on several dates in October and November.
Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus
On the afternoon of April 10th a singing male Penduline Tit was discovered in the willow and reedmace on the south-eastern corner of the country park in Pond D. It continued to sing and feed on the reedmace heads throughout that evening and was still present on the following day but was not seen thereafter. This bird was the first of this eastern species to occur in the clay pits complex and formed only the fourth Lincolnshire record of this extremely rare vagrant to the British Isles.
Jay Garrulus glandarius
One flew west across the southern reserve on the afternoon of October 5th.
Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Up to 14 birds were feeding amongst the new plantation along the side of Maltkiln Lane on May 1st. Mixed flocks of adults and juveniles began to frequent the country park from late May with up to 50 birds being occasional increasing to 300 by June 6th. Up to 300 birds attempted to roost in the reeds in Pond C in mid-November.
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Odd birds, from pairs breeding on nearby houses, visited the western side of the country park to feed during the late spring period with up to 10 birds noted in July and again in October.
Tree Sparrow Passer montanus
A party of five birds flew west over the country park on August 24th.
Brambling Fringilla monifringilla
Two flew over the northern site and were tempted to land with the Linnet flock on October 16th but eventually continued westwards.
Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
A flock of up to 12 birds were feeding on the young alders and birch on the northern site in March increasing to 28 on April 3rd. Small flocks were again evident in the same area in late August as they gathered to feed on the thistle seed crop. A flock of up to 20 birds again frequented the weedy margins of the northern site and the alders in the southern site in the second half of November through to December.
Goldfinches on alders - Waters' Edge December 2001
Siskin Carduelis spinus
In a very poor early winter a single birds flew over on February 18th and three were on the alders on March 17th. A few more passed through during April. Several small flocks flew south over the country park in late September and October with up to 10 birds feeding in the alders in November-December.
Linnet Carduelis cannabina
Up to 6 birds were with the Goldfinch flock in early April and subsequently the number increased to a peak of 52 birds in three groups on 17th. Family parties again began to feed on the weed crop on the country park from mid June onwards. The abundant weeds growing on the disturbed soil of the northern site attracted a feeding flock in late August and early September that peaked at 120 birds on September 10th. The bulk of the birds had departed by mid-October but up to 12 remained until early November.
Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret
Up to six birds were frequently to be found feeding on the alders around the country park from January-March with one still there to April 5th. A flock of 9 flew over the country park on April 11th. A flock of 14 flew south over the park on October 6th and 1-2 were noted on several dates later in the month.
Mealy Redpoll Carduelis flammea
Two birds feeding on the alders near the main entrance on December 21st formed a new record for the Country Park.
Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
A flock of seven was feeding on the Humber bank path by the Haven on the morning of November 18th and one flew over the folly on the 27th.
A number of other species were recorded flying over the complex during the year including Fulmar, Gannet, Grey and Golden Plover, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Curlew, Spotted Redshank and Yellowhammer.
Tawny Owl - Waters' Edge December 2001
Butterflies 2001
Brimstone, Orange-tip, Speckled wood and Holly blue were noted for the first time in 2001 taking the species list for the country park to twenty-two species of which seventeen were seen in 2001. The first addition of the year was a splendid male Brimstone seen on April 25th. Orange-tips were regular in the western parts of the site from May 26th right through to June 25th quite a late date for this species. Following a rapid colonisation of the north of the county over the past two years, the first Speckled wood was found in the south-western woodland block on July 23rd. This species may be expected to occur more frequently as it becomes established on the site. Holly blues made a reappearance in the area with a good hatch of second brood insects in early-mid August when one was found on the southern site on the 15th.
The spring in general was not a good one for butterflies with few individuals being evident even on sunny days through to late July. A notable exception was an obvious influx of migrant Red admirals from late June when up to ten were seen daily in the country park. Comma's continued to be visible around the small woodland areas and Gatekeepers numbered up to ten in mid July. Large numbers of Peacocks were present in August when Large whites were also plentiful. Several Speckled woods were seen in September.
A protracted spell of warm weather during late September and early October meant that several species lingered late into the year. Some pristine Comma's along with Large whites, Small tortoiseshells and Red admirals enlivened the early autumn period.
Butterflies recorded in 2001 with first recorded dates:
- Peacock Inachis io April 1st
- Small tortoiseshell Aglais urticae April 1st
- Comma Polygonia c-album April 8th
- Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni April 25th
- Small white Pieris rapae April 27th
- Orange tip Anthocharis cardamines May 26th to June 25th
- Common blue Polymmatus icarus May 26th
- Wall brown Lasiommata megera May 30th
- Large white Pieris brassicae June 1st
- Green-veined white Pieris napi June 13th
- Red admiral Vanessa atalanta June 25th
- Large skipper Ochlodes venatus June 25th
- Meadow brown Maniola jurtina July 1st
- Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus July 1st
- Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus July 6th
- Speckled wood Pararge aegeria July 23rd
- Holly blue Celastrina argiolus August 15th
Odonata 2001
Observations of dragonflies and damselflies continued through the 2001 summer after the first species, Blue-tailed and Azure Damselflies, were seen on May 26th. Of particular interest were sightings of two species seen for the first time in 2000 and located again in probable breeding localities in 2001. Hairy Dragonfly was a new species for the clay pits in 2000 and a sighting of a male patrolling the reedmace in Pond D on June 25th suggests that the species may have colonised the area albeit in very small numbers. Similarly a newly emerged Broad-bodied Chaser in the same spot on May 30th again suggests that this species could well have bred on the site in 2000. Breeding by Four-spotted Chaser was confirmed on May 30th when an individual was seen ovipositing at the northern end of the Middle Lagoon.
Two new species were recorded during the year Azure Damselfly and Brown Hawker. Several Azure Damselflies were found in the Pond D area in late May and early June and are considered likely to have bred there. One or two Brown Hawkers seen in the same area on July 2nd, 26th and August 13th were much less usual as this is a probably annual but infrequent visitor to the clay pits. Black-tailed Skimmers were found again on the muddy southern end of the island in the Middle Lagoon from late June to September 1st, with a maximum of three males being present. An over-mature female seen on July 9th suggested that the species had probably bred in the area in 2001. A male was noted over the new pools on the northern site on July 23rd. Large numbers of Ruddy and Common Darters hatched in early August and the first Migrant Hawkers were found on the 19th.
In total the list of species recorded on the country park now stands at eleven species, all of which occurred in 2001. This compares with the sixteen species recorded from the clay pits complex, of which two are rare vagrants to the area.
Species recorded in 2001 with first dates of occurrence:
- Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans May 26th
- Azure Damselfly Ceriagrion puella May 26th
- Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata May 30th
- Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa May 30th
- Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron pratense June 25th
- Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum June 25th
- Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum July 1st
- Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis July 3rd
- Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum July 3rd
- Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum July 7th
- Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta August 19th
Mammals
Water voles were regularly recorded from the country park during the spring and summer with one to two individuals being seen in Pond C, Pond E, Pond B and Pond D.
Red Foxes were noted occasionally during the spring and summer and there were tracks of deer in light snow at the southern end of the country park in February.
2002