6 x Shoveler
1 x Black-tailed Godwit
50 x Teal
Very quiet on the bird front lately at north end just 2 x Common Sandpiper
1 x Oystercatcher
1 x Little Egret
1 x Green Woodpecker
3 x Common Gull
And a nice surprise on the point was a Vestal a Migrant moth .
Dragonflies
9 x Common Darter
1 x Southern Hawker
Several Common Darter where enjoying the afternoon sunshine yesterday, these two where captured sunbathing on the road back to the car park.
I managed to get some photos of only our second record of Clouded Yellow at Rudyard . Andy Hearn had one fly over the water at the north end 5 days ago , so this could possibly be the same individual. I was checking for waders on the spit as it caught my eye flying only yards in front of me. I only had my big lens and trying to capture a butterfly with that is almost impossible. After 20 mins of flying around it eventually landed , to say iam happy to get it on camera is a understatement. Several Common Darter Dragonflies were noted on the way back to the car. Very little news on the bird front the Peregrine went over again , 5 x Common Snipe and a single Little Egret. One adult Common Gull and 8 x Grey Heron out on the mud .
It's looking good for waders at the north end plenty of exposed mud and a nice shoreline all the way down to the spit.
Couple of hours early morning at the north end produced .
2 x Black-tailed Godwit
2 x Ringed Plover
2 x Common Sandpiper
1 x Dunlin
109 x Teal
1 x Little Egret
1 x Peregrine
1 x Kingfisher
2 x Swallow
1 x Buzzard
2 x Raven
2 x Common Gull
and a small flock of around 20 Linnet.
Common Gull showing the distinctive white mirrors on the outer wing tips.Our first record of Clouded Yellow butterfly this afternoon at the north end. On the wader front still two Black-tailed Godwit's , two Ringed Plovers , Common Sandpiper and Little Egret.
A Dunlin fresh in today also the two Black-tailed Godwit's are still present along with a single Little Egret.
We have one Black-tailed Godwit which arrived on August 8th , and the one which arrived yesterday . Yesterday's bird is a bright orange individual just coming out of moult . The birds we usually get at this time of the year are already grey and in their winter plumage. But this individual stands out especially when the sun catches it.
If you are looking at this blog for the first time on your phone scroll to the bottom of the page and open it up in web version this allows you to view as if on a computer and will allow you access to more information . All sightings are recorded and logged which adds a picture to what's happening to our wildlife especially here at Rudyard. Birds that you might think are common elsewhere may not be the case at this site , high counts of species are just as welcome . Not only Birds we are also interested in Butterfly and Dragonfly sightings to add to our records .
Steve
No sign of yesterday's Baird's Sandpiper this morning after a good search. I honestly thought it would have stayed with overnight rain and a cloudy wet start. Noted this morning now 6 Ringed Plover , 2 x Black-tailed Godwit, Peregrine through which momentarily flushed the waders . Small flock of Linnets on the point along with good numbers of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtails. Both yesterday's two Ruff and three Egyptian Geese have also moved on.
A mega rarity found this lunch time by Charles Linfoot a Baird's Sandpiper only the 3rd record for Staffordshire. The first was Blithfield 1996 and the second at Chaswater 2005 .Charles phoned around 12-30 to say he had found our first record of Baird's at Rudyard needless to say within 10 mins i was watching this American gem for myself. All Id features ticked off and yes it was Staffordshire third record and our first well done Charles and thanks for the call. The bird was quickly put onto social media sites allowing fellow birders to connect with this magical little wader. The bird is feeding at the north end with 5 Ringed Plovers. Also present are 2 x Black-tailed Godwit, 2 x Ruff , 2 x Common Sandpiper and 3 x Egyptian Geese.
Below are three excellent images taken by Steve Nuttall.
My thanks to Steve Nuttall for the images much appreciated.
As far as my records stand this is our 192nd species recorded at our site.
The Black-tailed Godwit and 4 x Ruff are still present along with 4 x Common Gull and 49 x Teal.
Late News
Wednesday 2nd Sept
3 x Shoveler
Black-tailed Godwit and 2 x Ruff still present at the north end . Also noted 3 x Little Egret, Peregrine, Shoveler , Wigeon first for the autumn and 6 x Swallows.
Four Ruff single Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Little Egret and Ringed Plover still at the north end. Also around 50 Teal a Kingfisher and two Raven over calling .
Distant record shot of the Godwit and one of the Ruff .The little Egret fishing nearby showed a lot better as it was more interested in the fish than me.
We now have four Ruff at the north end along withe the single Black-tailed Godwit , Dunlin and Ringed Plover.
A single Black-tailed Godwit and three Ruff at the north end this evening. Also a count of around 50+ Teal.
Glossy Ibis still present upto 9-50 this morning when it flew off in a north west direction. Also present this morning where 4 x Little Egret, 3 x Common Snipe , 12 x Teal , 1 x Kingfisher and a late Swift heading south.
Late Report from Wednesday.
2 x Gadwall
1 x Green Sandpiper
Butterflies 🦋
Painted Lady
Small White (several)
Speckled Wood
Meadow Brown
Gatekeeper
Peacock
Small Tortoiseshell
Here at Rudyard we have 90 species which can usually be found quiet easily throughout the year . Along with another 10 species which are scarce but are usually recorded at least once or twice if we are lucky during a twelve month period . This forms the start of our yearly list which takes us to the magic 100 mark . The list below is of the 10 scarce species , which if anybody sees them it would nice if you could report the sighting to either myself or a Ranger who will pass the reported sighting on.
Scarce (one or two records per year)
Goldeneye
Pochard
Gadwall
Shoveler
Gt W Egret
Barn Owl
Green Woodpecker
Skylark
Yellow Wagtail
Brambling
Below is a short list of species not recorded during the last 10 years.
Black Tern
Knot
Wheatear
Whinchat
Stonechat
Wood Warbler
Agian if you see or here of anybody seeing any of the above species please get in touch with me or one of the Rangers who will pass the information on.
Like I have always say to people birds that are common at other local lakes and reservoirs may not be the case here. Its always best to record all sightings either on Birdtrack or eBirds where our local Staffordshire county recorder can pick them up.
Thank You Steve.
If you are looking at this blog for the first time on your phone scroll to the bottom of the page and open it up in web version this allows you to view as if on a computer and will allow you access to more information . All sightings are recorded and logged which adds a picture to what's happening to our wildlife especially here at Rudyard. Birds that you might think are common elsewhere may not be the case at this site , high counts of species are just as welcome . Not only Birds we are also interested in Butterfly and Dragonfly sightings to add to our records .
Steve
The Glossy Ibis is still present at the north end and performing well . A flock over 60+ Lapwing flew over but no sign of yesterday's Ringed Plovers.
Glossy Ibis feeding at the north end is a first for Rudyard , a long overdue record of this scare Mediterranean species.
Also 4 x Ringed Plover and 4 x Little Egret.
Over past couple of days around 200 Mallard are now gathering for their annual Autumn moult. And the mud at the north end is now looking promising for any wader passage.
The first Chiffchaff at the north end today along with the three still south of the dam.
The first three Chiffchaff heard singing this morning south of the railway station, also 17 x Wigeon still on the small pond with 3 x Teal.
South End Heron Marsh area
Tawny Owl , Dipper and Water Rail along the channel.
Water Rail photo by Gill Hammond.Twenty one Tufted Duck is a very good count for the site. Very little else around at north end as the where cutting up fallen trees nearby .
95 x Pink-footed Geese over at 11-05 heading south/ east . Also 21 x Wigeon at north end and 6 x Little Egret south end along with Dipper on the Dam overflow.
Water Rail x 1 , Little Egret x 7 and a single Goosander today.
Wigeon x 24 north end.
Miserable rain all day , cloudy 10dg.
Little Egret x 7 in the field approaching Rudyard village just before railway bridge.
Misty / Foggy light drizzle 8dg.
At least 20 Common Snipe at the north end on the edge of reedbed.
24 x Feb 2005
20 x Feb 2008
19 x Jan 2010
18 x Apr 2012
28 x Jan 2016
24 x Jan 2018
21 x Nov 2019
25 x Jan 2020
18 x Dec 2023
17 x Jan 2024
16 x Jan 2025
17 x Jan 2026
Cloudy light drizzle 9dg.
Three drake Pochard amongst the Tufted Ducks at the north end. These birds are very scarce here at Rudyard with only one or two sightings per year. Also of note a large flock of around at least 60 Siskin feeding along railway line north end , and a single Sparrowhawk.
Cloudy start sun breaking through midday 7dg.
Eight Little Egret in field off Rudyard Rd opposite BT exchange building.
Highfield Farm
Ring-Necked Parakeet
Overcast misty conditions first thing brightening up after midday 6dg.
Not much change really Tufted Duck upto 19 now which is a good count for us. Wigeon still stable at 14 birds , and still around 100+ Teal this morning. Single Raven over north end car park , still a few Common Snipe can be found amongst the reeds at the north end. Very little else different to be honest.
I did come across some Trumpet Lichen (Cladonia fimbriata) which caught my eye on a fence post.
Overcast conditions overnight frost 3dg.
North end
Teal x 128
Mallard x 192
Common Snipe x 17
G C Grebe x 7
South end
G W Egret over
Little Egret
Dipper
Redwing good numbers
Fieldfare good numbers
Mistle Thrush
Common Snipe x 2
Water Rail x 2
Grey Wagtail x 2
Views of Heron Marsh looking frosty this morning .
Overcast light drizzle 5dg
Dipper along overflow stream south of the dam. Also 6 x Little Egret around Heron Marsh area early morning.
Went back to the Dam after the rain eased this afternoon and the Dipper was singing its little heart out.
Overcast conditions light rain.
Lake is now 80% open water with just the very far north end still frozen. Birds noted at the north end between 10-00 /12-00.
Water Rail on the ice by the reeds.
Mallard x 247
Canada Geese x 253
Wigeon x 14
Teal x 36
Tufted Duck x 3
Greylag Goose x 1
Cormorant x 7
Other birds around the north end.
Buzzard x 4
Chaffinch x 9
Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Great Tit
L T Tit x 7
Treecreeper x 3
Nuthatch x 4
Song Thrush
Blackbird
Carrion Crow
Jay
Wood Pigeon
B H Gull
L B B Gull x 4
Wren
Starling
Robin
Grey Heron
Dunnock
Goldcrest
Siskin
Moorhen
Mistle Thrush
Birds noted south end below the Dam to Heron Marsh.
Dipper on channel below Dam.
Little Egret x 5
Redwing x 30
Fieldfare x 20
Teal x 20
Lesser Redpoll x 2
Siskin x 10
Raven x 2
All together 46 species were recorded on site this morning.
Today the lake is around 50% still frozen with overcast conditions and light rain at times. Only Birds of note really, pair of Siskin on the north feeders and pair Goosander south end towards the Dam.
Here at Rudyard we have 90 species which can usually be found quiet easily throughout the year . Along with another 10 species which are scarce but are usually recorded at least once or twice if we are lucky during a twelve month period . This forms the start of our yearly list which takes us to the magic 100 mark . The list below is of the 10 scarce species , which if anybody sees them it would nice if you could report the sighting to either myself or a Ranger who will pass the reported sighting on.
Scarce (one or two records per year)
Goldeneye
Pochard
Gadwall
Shoveler
Gt W Egret
Barn Owl
Green Woodpecker
Skylark
Yellow Wagtail
Brambling
Below is a short list of species not recorded during the last 10 years.
Black Tern
Knot
Wheatear
Whinchat
Stonechat
Wood Warbler
Agian if you see or here of anybody seeing any of the above species please get in touch with me or one of the Rangers who will pass the information on.
Like I have always say to people birds that are common at other local lakes and reservoirs may not be the case here. Its always best to record all sightings either on Birdtrack or eBirds where our local Staffordshire county recorder can pick them up.
Thank You Steve.
Water Rail heard calling from area near Heron Marsh again early this morning also Kingfisher present.
If you are looking at this blog for the first time on your phone scroll to the bottom of the page and open it up in web version this allows you to view as if on a computer and will allow you access to more information . All sightings are recorded and logged which adds a picture to what's happening to our wildlife especially here at Rudyard. Birds that you might think are common elsewhere may not be the case at this site , high counts of species are just as welcome . Not only Birds we are also interested in Butterfly and Dragonfly sightings to add to our records .
Steve
Still the lake is frozen over with temperatures down below minus again last night . All the common species around the lake as you would expect at this time of the year. Water Rail calling on Heron Marsh and 4 x Little Egret present along with a single Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail.
Rudyard is frozen over today with last night's temperatures dropping to -8 . Plenty of Redwing and Fieldfare movement at north end but very little else.
December 27th
Dipper seen again on the overflow stream just south of the dam.
November
Around 150 to 200 Snipe with apparently 20 Jack Snipe amongst them. Birds where flushed from the vegetation as the water was slowly rising at the far north end of the lake. They were seen and counted by a local birder with excellent knowledge of both species , so with the Jack Snipe that now takes the final year total to 125.
We finished 2025 with a record 125 species well above the average total. I would like to say thank you to all who contributed to the year list by finding the unusual species. We also added two new species to the site with Marsh Harrier and White Stork both making an appearance. Once again thank you to all who visited and contributed to many to mention but you know who you all are.
Best wishes and have a bird filled 2026.
Steve.
South End along feeder stream.
Bullfinch
Siskin
Redpoll
Redwing
Fieldfare
Water Rail x 2 same area.
Little Egret x 4
No sign of yesterday's Parakeet.
A single Ring-necked Parakeet along the feeder down from the Rudyard Hotel this morning, also two Water Rail heard In the same place as I had two yesterday. Tawny Owl calling along the feeder stream aswell.
Photo by Gill Hammond.South end of the Dam.
Goosander x 5
Little Egret x 1
Water Rail x 2 (Heron Marsh)
Kingfisher x 2
Plenty of Redwing/Fieldfare.
Two hundred Wood Pigeon and 7 x Skylark overhead and 15 x Snipe , 70 x Teal north end .
The two Pink-footed Geese are still with the Canada flock this morning in the field at the point north end .
Small numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing moving south west this morning . Still plenty of mud around for any late wader passage but water levels are rising.
Peregrine juvenile
Great White Egret
Little Egret x 2
Pochard
Tufted Duck x 9
Teal x 147
Lapwing x 18
Common Snipe
Common Gull x 3
Three Goosander early morning and Red Kite over before the rain came in around 10-30. Still around 100 plus Teal and 19 x Lapwing.
Around 90 plus Teal counted in foggy conditions this morning there could possibly be more . Along with 12 Snipe and two small flocks of Redwing .
Great White Egret this morning also Ringed Plover , 3 x Snipe , 4 x Wigeon , 90 x Teal and 35 Linnet. No sign of the Little Stint.
Little Stint still present along with 3 x Curlew , 2 x Ringed Plovers, 91 x Teal , 3 x Wigeon and a single Common Gull.
Redshank and Dunlin mid-day but know sign of the 3 x Curlew.
If you are looking at this blog for the first time on your phone scroll to the bottom of the page and open it up in web version this allows you to view as if on a computer and will allow you access to more information . All sightings are recorded onto a database and adds a picture to what's happening to our wildlife especially here at Rudyard. Birds that you might think are common elsewhere may not be the case at this site , high counts of species are just as welcome . Not only Birds we are also interested in Butterflies and Dragonfly sightings to add to our records .
Steve
Little Stint still present two skeins Pink-footed Geese over. Also a single Wigeon and 85 x Teal.
Our 3rd Little Stint of the year this morning also 5 x Ringed Plovers and Dunlin still.
65 x Teal .
First Wigeon of the Autumn back today along with 68 Teal. Also Shelduck, Dunlin and 5 x Ringed Plovers.
Just received a old image of seven Whooper Swans photographed at Rudyard on 9th December 1984.
Photographed by WJL. (Bill Low)Dipper early morning on the stream below the Dam.
Black-tailed Godwit x 1
Ringed Plover x 1
Little Egret x 1
Snipe x 1
Teal x 37
Grey Wagtail x 3 South end
Grey Wagtail x 3 North end
Raven x 2
Single Black-tailed Godwit still present. Also Yellow Wagtail, 5 x Ringed Plover , 6 x Little Ringed Plover and 28 x Teal.
Up by the Old Hall building a single Tawny Owl and Spotted Flycatcher.
One Common Tern hawking the lake as I left and Red Kite over.
228 x Canada Geese
Great White Egret x 1
Ruff x 3
Ringed Plover x 6
Little-Ringed Plover x 4
Yellow Wagtail x 1
Teal x 21
3 x Ruff
6 x Ringed Plover
6 x Little-Ringed Plover
2 x Yellow Wagtail
25 x Teal
56 x Linnet
Ruff photo by S Gibson.Greenshank still present
2 x Ruff briefly
4 x Goosander
7 x Teal
3 x Ringed Plovers
5 x Little Ringed Plovers
A Greenshank was new in this morning having been seen at Tittesworth earlier .
Also present
1 x Peregrine
3 x Ringed Plover
7 x L R Plover.
Greenshank photo by S Gibson.All at North End
G B B Gull x 1 second summer
Green Sandpiper x 1
Common Sandpiper x 3
L R Plover x 6
Oystercatcher x 3
Redstart x 2 ( 1 x male , 1 x juv )
Spotted Flycatcher x 1
Yellow Wagtail x 1 juv
Mandarin x 4
Teal x 4
Red Kite x 1
Peregrine x 1
Lapwing x 45
Stock Dove x 6
Yellow Wagtail juvenile.13 x Little-Ringed Plover
3 x Ringed Plover
3 x Red Kite
2 x Teal first back this autumn
4 x Stock Dove
North End
1 x Yellow Wagtail
1 x Ringed Plover
4 x Little-Ringed Plover
1 x Common Sandpiper
1 x Common Tern
45 x Lapwing
White Stoprk heading north over the lake at 10-40 .
Also
2 x Snipe
1 x Common Sandpiper
34 x Lapwing
2 x Spotted Flycatcher's ( juveniles)
North End
Green Sandpiper x 2 early morning.
Also
7 x Little-Ringed Plover
1 x Ringed Plover
1 x Little Egret
2 x Hobby
North End
Black-tailed Godwit x 1
Little-Ringed Plover x 5
Lapwing x 44
Redstart x 1
August 4th 2025
Shelduck x 2
Oystercatcher x 2
Water levels very low vast amount of mud at the north end looking good for wader passage later this month.
Oystercatcher x 7
Redshank x 2 flew through
Red Kite x 2
Pied Flycatcher x 1 female
Spotted Flycatcher x 2 juveniles
No sign of the Little Stint today but two summer plumage Sanderling early morning found by Tom . That's only the second ever Sanderling record the last being August 1992.
Today's other sightings
Reed Warbler x 1 (first this year) .
Hobby x 1
Swift x 2
Ringed Plover x 6
L R Plover x 4
Oystercatcher x 10
Common Sandpiper x 1
Redstart x 6 ( 5 x males )
Spotted Flycatcher x 1
Note ......
10 x Oystercatcher's (adults) is a site record.
The summer plumage Little Stint is still present at the north end along with , 8 x Ringed Plover, 2 x L R Plover , Dunlin , Common Sandpiper and 3 x Oystercatcher's.
Frustratingly the bird is very distant and is almost impossible to get a decent image .
Little Stint photo's by Phil Jones.LATE REPORT
A late report of a Sandwich Tern on 26th May for the morning only.
Little Stint on the mud north end . First spring record , the last record on site was August 1995.
Only photo I could get way out of my camera range. The Little Stint is far right of the picture , also Dunlin , Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper in same photo.Hobby over north end early afternoon.
Little Stint photo by Steve Gibson.Little Stint still present at the north end this evening.
A first summer Kittiwake was at the north end this morning, the bird looked oiled and unwell but was surface feeding when I left. It's our first record of Kittiwake since 30th June 2012.
First summer Kittiwake.Dunlin re-located this evening showing well with a bit of patience.
If you are looking at this blog for the first time on your phone scroll to the bottom of the page and open it up in web version this allows you to view as if on a computer and will allow you access to more information . On the right hand side you will see a new email address where to send information too, email also below. All sightings are recorded onto a database and adds a picture to what's happening to our wildlife especially here at Rudyard. Birds that you might think are common elsewhere may not be the case at this site , also high counts of species are just as welcome . Not only Birds but we are also interested in Butterfly and Dragonfly records to add to the database. Thank you for your cooperation and please send us your sightings however common you might think they are.
Steve
The area at the north end is looking good for passage waders .
Today
6 x Ringed Plover
2 x L R Plover
4 x Oystercatcher
1 x Common Sandpiper
5 x Lapwing
Several young Pied Wagtails.
Thirteen Ringed Plovers on the mud at the north end along with a single Dunlin and four Oystercatcher. The previous highest count was 11 in 1983 and 10 in 2021.
Spotted Flycatcher. Redstart female.