November 30th

460 Pink-footed Geese over at 9-45 this morning heading west. Only birds of note on the water were two drake Goosander. Their are  several large flocks of Siskin at the north end.

November 29th

Pink-footed Geese over heading west at 12-20 , around 200 birds in one large group and one smaller group. Three Raven and a Sparrowhawk at the north end along with good numbers of Redwing. Also noted Bullfinch , Goldfinch , Chaffinch , 10 x Coal Tit and 8 x Nuthatch .

Whooper Swans

Just heard of a late record from Birdtrack of 6 x Whooper Swans being on the lake on Monday 20th last week. Record is genuine. 

November 26th

South End beyond the Dam.

Two drake Goosander and Kingfisher on the fishing pool and several flocks of Siskin (60+)  and Fieldfare along feeder stream. Several Teal feeding in the stream south of the model railway station . Good numbers of Bullfinch around the south end , also Raven and Kestrel noted. A single Grey Wagtail along the dam overflow and a dead Barn Owl along the main road from Leek to Macclesfield eastern Side of lake.

November 24th

Brief visit this morning to north end saw good numbers of Siskin moving around . The drake Goosander still present and 12 Teal noted amongst the Willows in the swamp area. Goldfinch's are now regular at the feeders with a female Reed  Bunting seen there aswell. Other birds noted were Mistle Thrush , Buzzard , Raven , Bullfinch and several Coal Tits , 4 x Nuthatch and 5 x Chaffinch.

November 23rd

Still no sign of any Willow Tits at the feeding station.  A good count of 43 x Lesser B B Gulls loafing on the water off the scout hut , also 8 x Common Gull amongst them. Also noted 5 x Cormorant,  a drake Goosander and still 12 x Tufted Duck . Plenty of Siskin and Redwing around along with good numbers of the more common species. 

November 21st

Good numbers of Redwing around the lake with several good sized flocks noted. Still concerning news that there is still no sign of the Willow Tits at the feeders. Siskin numbers seem to be good this year with quite a few small flocks especially around north end. No way of counting the size of the Teal flock this winter because the water levels are so high they are feeding down the channel from the reeds towards the bridge.  

November 13th

Still no sign of any Willow Tits at Rudyard this morning , have they been predated or have they simply not breed this year and moved area. 

November 11th.

Around 200 x Pink-feet over early morning. Good numbers of Redwing moving through.

November 10th

The Imm Scaup was relocated this morning unfortunately 4 miles up the road at Tittesworth. 

November 9th

I couldn't find the Imm Scaup this morning it dosnt mean it's not there it could have been further down the lake where I didn't go, it is over 2 miles long. Around thirty plus Siskin in one flock by the bridge feeders also a male Reed Bunting put in an appearance.  Eight Teal were feeding in the swamp area on the left after the bridge .There has been no sign of Willow Tit this winter period so a little concerning. A report of over 200 Redwing and Fieldfare coming into roost at the north end late last night. 

Old Record

Just had notification of a old record from last year of a pair of Red-breasted Merganser's on the lake on 4th May 2022 for the morning only. And apparently a day later a pair were noted at Carsington Water.

November 7th

Imm Scaup still present at North end frequenting between the point and reedbed by caravans. Siskin numbers are increasing around the feeders , 30+ noted last week.

Scaup Records

Past Scaup records

08/05/1980.......... x 4 Birds (2 pair)

02/02/1985.......... x 1 Bird (drake)

16/12/1985.......... x 1 Bird ( imm drake)

07/11/1987.......... x 1 Bird (imm)

20/12/1987.......... x 3 Birds ( imm)

14/04/2013.......... x 1 Bird (adult fem)

16/04/2013.......... x 1 Bird (adult drake)

05/11/2023.......... x 1 x Bird ( imm)

November 6th

Imm Scaup still present at North end along with Peregrine  , Kingfisher and Raven. Good numbers of Redwing around and all the local suspects around the feeders.

November 5th

A large Aythia type duck (possibly Scaup) seen from distance by MS early this morning.  No further sign by mid- morning , also 70 Pink-feet over .

Imm Scaup refound and identified by M Stubbs. Last record was 16/04/2013 M B.

November 4th

Pink-footed Geese x 200 over this morning. 

High Water Levels

High water levels throughout the year have had a major effect on wader passage at Rudyard or as the case maybe the lack of it. Usually each spring / Summer the levels are dropped to feed the canal systems nearby. Exposing a vast amount of shoreline at the north end which in turn attracts a variety of wading species. For reasons unknown the levels were not dropped and kept high throughout.  

November 3rd

1 x overwintering Chiffchaff , 4 x Snipe  and 1 x fem Mandarin .

Oct 29th

 1 x R N Parakeet over by boathouse.

Oct 18th

 2 x Red Kite over the Dam.

October 10th

1 x eclipse drake Wigeon .

October 4th

200+ Pink-feet over N/W.