Notebook from Rudyard: February 17th 2026

South End Heron Marsh area

Tawny Owl , Dipper and Water Rail along the channel.

Water Rail photo by Gill Hammond.

Rudyard Lake Staffordshire

Rudyard Lake lies on the edge of the North Staffordshire moors and covers some 168 acres and is over 2.5 miles long . It is owened by the Canal & river Trust built in 1799 as a canal feeder . The area is abundant in wildlife and due to Rudyard still feeding the canal systems the water levels do vary , and many wading and migrating birds can be seen on the mud flats at the northern end. Rudyard holds a very impressive list of bird species with 188 recorded to date.

Lake Ranger 07718 808881

Post Code ST13 8XB

SJ9458

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS ARE TAKEN BY MYSELF UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED AND ALL PHOTOGRAPHS ARE COPYRIGHT AND MAY NOT BE USED ELSEWHERE WITHOUT PERMISSION.

Calendar

Resident
G C Grebe , Grey Heron , Mute Swan , Canada Geese , Mallard , Mandarin ,Sparrowhawk , Kestrel , Kingfisher , Grey Wagtail , Gt S Woodpeckers , Raven , Buzzard .

April/June
Oystercatcher , L R Plover , Ringed Plover , Dunlin , Curlew , Common Sandpiper , Common Tern , Redstart , Pied and Spotted Flycatcher , Chiffchaff , Willow Warbler , Blackcap , Garden Warbler .

July/Sept
Passage Species.Osprey , Whimbrel , Redshank , Greenshank , Green Sandpiper , Little Stint , Curlew Sandpiper , Black-tailed Godwit , Wood Sandpiper , Arctic Tern , Black Tern , Yellow Wagtail .

Oct/March
Whooper Swan , Pink-footed Goose , Shelduck , Wigeon , Teal , Gadwall , Pintail , Shoveler , Pochard , Goldeneye , Goosander , Water Rail , Woodcock , Snipe , Willow Tit ,Brambling , Siskin ,Lesser Redpoll and occasionally we will get a rare Sea Duck.

Rare / Scarce Bird Sightings