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.