June 12th

Blue-tailed Damselfly first this year obviously due to the cold and damp conditions. 

May 28th 2024

Red Kite drifted over the north end around 14-30 this afternoon. 

May 27th 2024

As many as seven Spotted Flycatcher's have been located around the lake , which constitutes as a site record as far as iam aware. Also today another Hobby and another Ring-necked Parakeet over the north end. That's three occasions this year so beginning to wonder if there is a nearby pair around. Also noted were 4 x Swift and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers feeding young.

May 25th

There as actually been a fall of Spotted Flycatcher 's overnight as apparently we have five all at different locations , that's our 91st species so far this year .

Spotted Flycatcher photo's by Tracey Stubbs. 

May 24th

Very quiet around this morning only real bird of note was a single Common Tern fishing the lake. 

May 20th

Cuckoo and Red Kite today both new birds for the year.

May 17th 2024

Two Hobbies performed really well mid morning for over half a hour catching insects and displaying to each other . Unfortunately I only had my Butterfly and insect lens with me so had to work hard to get my images. Also present of note was a Tawny Owl being mobbed by finches and corvids , and four Common Whitethroat. 

Butterflies 🦋 

Brimstone 

Small Tortoiseshell 

Peacock

Orange-tip 

Green-veined White 

15th May 2024

Two Swift over the  dam end of the lake . Four  Whitethroat singing south end , also 8 x Garden Warbler  , 1 x Common Sandpiper,  1 x Oystercatcher and single drake Mandarin. Still no Spotted Flycatcher yet.

Butterflies 🦋 

Orange-tip 

Green-veined White 

Small Tortoiseshell 

Peacock

Comma

May 3rd 2024

It seems to be our best year ever for Garden Warbler , with at least 12 singing males . Obviously many more unaccounted for being such a large area. These 12 birds recorded at both north and south ends. So whatever birds are along both sides are unrecorded. 

May 2nd 2024

Hobby over north end today at 11-30 .

Butterflies 🦋 

Orange-tip  x 8

Peacock x 6

Green Veined White x 1 (first this year).

Still to Arrive

If anyone visits Rudyard in the next few days we are missing two of our spring migrants at present Spotted Flycatcher and Swift. Both are imminent so please drop me a text if you come across them . Or anything else you see for that matter.

Cheers Steve.

May 1st 2024

We must have had a fall of Garden Warber overnight as we have gone from just two yesterday , to six singing males at the north end and four at the south end. Also at the south end we have gone from a single Whitethroat yesterday , to three singing males this morning .  All other stuff is as past few days nothing changed. 

Very poor shot of one of the Garden Warblers. 

Good numbers of Treecreeper's around .

Butterflies 🦋 

5 x Orange-tip 

Orange-tip. 

April 30th

Good day today which started very early morning with the surprise of a Barn Owl still out hunting in daylight.  All the Pieds showing really well today , the female above came to check me out as I was photographing a female Redstart. Two Whitethroat at south end along with a single Garden Warbler their aswell. Another Garden Warbler was showing pretty well at the north end. A single Common Tern over the water but did dissappear later in the day. Usual waders around the point , and a few Swallow,  House Martin and Sand Martin over the water.  Also noted were Kingfisher  , Mandarin , Raven , G S Woodpecker,  several Nuthatch and 3 x Mistle Thrush. 

Butterflies 🦋 

Peacock x 3

Comma x 1

Orange-tip x 6

Orange-tip. 

Comma .

Arrival Dates Compared

                                      2022         2023       2024

Chiffchaff                   12/03        19/03      16/03

Sand Martin               15/03        20/03      24/03

Swallow                      10/04       06/04       07/04

House Martin            12/04        06/04      01/04

Blackcap                     10/04       06/04       10/04

Redstart                      21/04       08/04       10/04

Willow Warbler        10/04       23/04       11/04

Common Tern           02/05       20/04       29/04

Pied Flycatcher           ------        22/04      08/04

Garden Warbler        06/05     01/05        29/04

L R Plover                   24/03      19/03        11/04

Common Sand           20/04      11/04       10/04

Spotted Flycatcher    21/05      03/05

Swift                            11/05      09/05

April 29th

We now have a remarkable 6 pairs of Pied Flycatcher's back on site along with our usual 3 pairs of Redstart.  Also noted this morning our first returning Garden Warbler and first Common Tern of the year too. A drake Mandarin photographed in the sheep field and the usual waders around the point. Unusual sighting of 8 x Greylag Geese on the water , we only usual have one or two. 

I would like to stress that all images of birds taken at Rudyard are done so from a safe distance as not to disturb the birds .

Distant record shot over 200 mts away of our first Common Tern of the year.

Mandarin drake in sheep field.

Pied Flycatcher male.

Redstart male.

April 24th

Yellow Wagtail in cow field towards the point early morning , also Common Whitethroat singing both birds new for the year.

April 23rd

Another movement of Chiffchaff through this morning with 21 birds noted singing . Just makes you think how many more there are undetected. Three Oystercatcher's on the point along with 3 x Common Sandpiper.  Unfortunately yesterday's passage through Staffordshire didn't produce any more Arctic Terns , and yesterday's two must have departed overnight. Green Woodpecker calling in farm field but not seen , Raven and Buzzard overhead. And a Osprey seen at nearby Tittesworth didn't come our way .

Just two of the many Chiffchaff on site.

Treecreeper. 

Hirundines late evening

Good numbers of Hirundines this evening hawking insects over the water with around 250 Swallow,  45+ House Martin and around 20+ Sand Martin . The two Arctic Terns were still present late evening. 

Past Arctic Tern Records

Arctic Tern records are few and far between here at Rudyard , below is the last 20yrs that gives you some idea.

22/04/24  x 2

16/04/24 x 1

16/07/17 x 4

10/05/16 x 1

04/05/13 x 2

30/07/11 x 2

08/98/10 x 3

09/95/08 x 2

25/09/05 x 2

30/08/04 x 1

Apri 22nd

Two Arctic Tern's dropped in mid-afternoon after a large influx throughout the UK,  with good numbers at large Staffordshire waters. Weather conditions were terrible and the three shots below are heavily cropped. But we don't get many Arctic's here so made the best of what I could get in the conditions. 

April 18th

A walk to the point this morning produced Curlew , 3 x Oystercatcher,  2 x Common Sandpiper and a LRP. Plenty of Warblers around calling , also 3 x G S Woodpecker drumming and a distant Green Woodpecker.  Sand Martins and Swallows hawking insects over the water and three Buzzards displaying overhead. 

April 17th

First female Pied Flycatcher noted this morning. 

April 16th

Arctic Tern this morning very briefly between 9-00 and 9-30 when it flew off hight to the north . Still two Common Sandpiper and 5 x Oystercatcher's present . 

April 14th

Good early morning birding today with two Dunlin new in , also 5 x Oystercatcher's still. Two male Redstarts made a timely appearance,  so did two male Pied Flycatcher's.  Both different birds from last year as one was a first year male which could be one of our offspring from last year returning. 

Pied Flycatcher first year male.

April 11th

Little-Ringed Plover x 1 ( first back)

Common Sandpiper x 3

Oystercatcher  x 5

Willow Warbler  x 4 ( first back)

Blackcap  x 7 

Chiffchaff  x 18

Pied Flycatcher  x 1 male (until mid day)

Redstart x 2 male (long periods dissappearing)

Raven

Mandarin x 5 drakes (along inlet stream)

Little  Egret  x 2

Butterflies 🦋 

Peacock x 2

Chiffchaff .

2024 Returns

First Dates

Mar 16th  Chiffchaff 

Mar 24th Sand Martin 

Apr 1st House Martin 

Apr 7th Swallow

Apr 8th Pied Flycatcher 

Apr 10th Blackcap 

Apr 10th Redstart 

April 10th

Our first Redstart of the year this morning with two males seen at different locations. Also Common  Sandpiper  x 3 , Oystercatcher  x 2 , Blackcap x 1 and good numbers of Swallow and House Martin over the water.

April 9th

And some good news it looks like we have Willow Tits back in a completely different location at Rudyard. 

April 8th

First male Pied Flycatcher back today , earlier than last year which was 22nd April.

4th April

 Two Tawny Owl .

24th March

Sand Martin x 2

Chiffchaff x 6

Greylag Geese  x 5

Oystercatcher  x 8

Greenfinch

G S Woodpecker 

Mistle Thrush

February 15th

Oystercatcher  x 5 , Little Egret x 3 and Goosander  x 7.

February 2nd 2024

I couldn't find the Merganser  in a two hour search this morning , but did manage two female Goldeneye.  5 x Goosander,  30 x Tufted Duck , 78 x Canada Geese  , 89 x Lapwing ,and a single Little Egret.  Also good numbers of Siskin around , 3 x Buzzard , 2 x Jay and a Kingfisher. 

January 31st 2024

The female Red-breasted Merganser has reappeared at the north end of the lake , found this morning feeding 100mts down from caravans. Also a single Oystercatcher  , 5 x Goosander and 5 x Snipe . At the south end past miniature railway 3 x Little Egret,  Kingfisher,  Gt S Woodpecker and Kestrel.

January 20th 2024

The lake is still frozen but in one of the pockets of unfrozen water a single Goldeneye amongst the Mallards and Coots. Plenty of Redwing and Fieldfare around , 7 Snipe along the edge on west side and several small flocks of Siskin. Two separate Great Spotted Woodpecker heard drumming this morning. 

Female Goldeneye 

January 19tth 2024

Overnight temperatures again down to minus 7 has completely frozen over the 2.5 mile lake . Just three very small pockets of unfrozen water. Holding quite a few wildfowl.  

Wigeon x 78

Teal x 38

Goosander x 7

Mallard x 97

Coot x 17 

Canada Geese  x 217

Snipe x 8

Little Egret x 1

38 species recorded in two hours.

Siskins's showing well at the feeders.

Wigeon and Teal.

January 18th 2024

Single Little Egret .

Late News

Yesterday Jan 17th

Brambling x 6 at house feeder in village.

January 15th 2024

Red-breasted Merganser female still frequenting the area opposite the scout hut. Also female Goldeneye,  2 x Goosander and 3 x Snipe.

Late News

Tawny Owl x 1 on 14th.

January 14th 2024

Just a quick visit this morning , I try not to visit at weekends as there are too many people around for my liking . Red-breasted Merganser was at north end  by caravan park, also female Goldeneye . 

For anyone visiting the bird it is at the north end commuting between the reedbed by the caravans and the scout hut which is about 800 yds down the old Railway line. Its usually on the far side which is the west bank. Occasionally it can be seen feeding just in front of the scout hut. Merganser's are rare inland especially at Rudyard as you can see from the records below.

Red-breasted Merganser past Records.

09/01/24 ......1 x female

04/05/22 ......1 x pair

04/04/95 ......1 x pair

14/11/87 ......1 x female

13/11/83 ......1 x female

January 13th 2024

Red-breasted Merganser still at the north end also 17 x Wigeon , 2 x Goosander  , fem Goldeneye,  Common  Gull and another rare visitor to Rudyard a Great Black Backed Gull.

Red Breasted Merganser. 

January 11th 2024

Red-breasted Merganser still at the north end along with 4 Whooper Swans.

January 10th 2024

Female Red-breasted Merganser still present opposite scout hut , also female Goldeneye eighteen Wigeon , 26 Siskin and a Great Black Backed Gull.

R B Merganser photo by Steve Gibson.

Mega 9th Jan 2024

A female Red-breasted Merganser at the north end today. Also 17 x Wigeon , 10 Goosander and a couple of Lesser Redpoll. 

December 23rd

A very quick visit this morning found 7 x Goosander , 1 x fem Goldeneye,  1 x Little Egret and 5 x Snipe.

December 17th

At the north end 10 x Goosander , 47 x Wigeon , 18 x Teal , 1 x Kingfisher.  At the south end 4 x Little  Egret , 8 x Snipe , 1 x Tawny Owl and 2 x Grey Wagtail. Good numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing around the lake and several good sized flocks of Siskin.

December 5th

A north end visit this morning produced our first Goldeneye of the winter period a single female.  Also recorded were 37 x Wigeon  , 12 x Teal , 7 x Goosander,  9 x Tufted Duck,  3 x Snipe , 11 x Cormorant,  267 x Canada Geese,  2 x Raven over calling and Siskin on the feeders. Temperatures were a little milder this morning with all the previous days snow and ice gone.

December 3rd

Overnight snow and a very misty start to the day , temperatures around -3 . Only birds of note were 2 x Goosander and 3 x Little Egret. 

December 2nd

Overnight temperatures of -4 saw some good duck numbers not seen on the lake for a while. With 5 x Gadwall and 5 x Shoveler making a welcome appearance.  Also 56 x Wigeon , 17 x Teal , 15 x Tufted Duck and 4 x Goosander all at the north end . This obviously didn't last long as paddle boarders (AGAIN) flushed them all . This situation needs dealing with urgently.  At the south end a Tawny Owl was getting some winter sunshine and 4 x Little Egret were feeding in the Marsh area. Good numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare can be found and a female Reed Bunting and four Bullfinch were noted along with a single male Kestrel and two Buzzard.

Gadwall amongst the Wigeon , scarce here at Rudyard .

Kestrel getting some winter sun.

December 1st

A Willow Tit has been sighted on the Marsh at the southern end , also Lesser Redpoll at north end feeders.

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.