29th Sept 2026

6 x Shoveler 

1 x Black-tailed Godwit 

50 x Teal

28th September 2026

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 

Common Darter

Several Common Darter where enjoying the afternoon sunshine yesterday,  these two where captured sunbathing on the road back to the car park.

Mega Butterfly 24th Sept 2026

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 . 

22nd Sept 2026

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. 

We have just one single Black-tailed Godwit left along with a single Little Egret,  5 x Snipe ,103 x Teal and 6 x Common Gull . A Red Kite passed over distantly drifting south .

Late News

Monday 21st

Tawny Owl

40 x Rook.

A few images of this mornings Godwit in nice light.

20th Sept 2026

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.

19th September 2026

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. 

18th September 2026

A Dunlin fresh in today also the two Black-tailed Godwit's are still present along with a single Little Egret. 

16th September 2026

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.

First time visiting this Blog

 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

16th September 2026

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.

MEGA Baird's Sandpiper 15th Sept

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.

Sept 3rd 2026

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 

1st September 2026

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. 

Black-tailed Godwit

A little bit better photo of the Godwit but still distant.

August 30th 2026

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.

August 29th 2026

We now have four Ruff at the north end along withe the single Black-tailed Godwit , Dunlin and Ringed Plover.

August 28th 2026

A single Black-tailed Godwit and three Ruff at the north end this evening. Also a count of around 50+ Teal.

August 21st 2026

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 

Painted Lady. 

Scarce Species

 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.

First time visiting the blog.

 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

August 20th 2026

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. 

August 19th

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. 

March 6th 2026

The first Chiffchaff at the north end today along with the three still south of the dam.

March 4th 2026

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. 

February 17th 2026

South End Heron Marsh area

Tawny Owl , Dipper and Water Rail along the channel. 

Water Rail photo by Gill Hammond. 

February 11th 2026

 South End

Little Egret  x 8

Teal x 17

Wigeon x 29 .

January 26th 2026

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 .

January 25th 2026

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.

January 24th 2026

Water Rail x 1 , Little Egret x 7 and a single Goosander today.

Wigeon x 24 north end.

January 21st

Miserable rain all day , cloudy 10dg.

Little Egret x 7 in the field approaching Rudyard village just before railway bridge.

January 20th 2026

Cloudy breezy start 7dg

North end

Common Snipe x 17

Water Rail

January 19th 2026

Misty / Foggy light drizzle 8dg.

At least 20 Common Snipe at the north end on the edge of reedbed.

Great Crested Grebe 20yrs

Our Great Crested Grebe population seems to be pretty stable with records pretty consistent over the past 20 years.

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

January 18th 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. 

January 17th 2026

Cloudy start sun breaking through midday 7dg.

Eight Little Egret in field off Rudyard Rd opposite BT exchange building. 

Highfield Farm 

Ring-Necked Parakeet 

January 16th 2026

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.

January 14th 2026

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 .

January 13th 2026

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. 

January 12th 2026

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. 

January 9th

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.

Scarce Species

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.

January 7th

Water Rail heard calling from area near Heron Marsh again early this morning also Kingfisher present. 

First Time Looking

 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

January 6th

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. 

January 5th

Lake completely frozen over after overnight temperatures down to around -10.

January 4th

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. 

Late News December

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.

Happy New Year

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.