Final Table
Bird of the year - Pectoral Sandpiper
Patch star species
The year started well with a Scaup present until 4th January. A wintering Common Sandpiper was present throughout the month whilst a count of 15 Jack Snipe was the highest in the county. A peak of 10,000 Wood Pigeons was recorded in February whilst up to 6 Water Rail were present in south reed bed. Two different Peregrines were recorded and a Merlin was seen hunting a number of times.
March brought the arrival of Little Ringed Plovers which successfully bred, Ringed Plover, Dunlin and a Stonechat when there was movement throughout the county.
Five Avocets were the April highlight with other notable sightings including Goosander, two Hobby (from 16th),Whimbrel (19th), Redshank, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Tern, Cuckoo, Common Redstart, three Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler and 11 Yellow and two White Wagtails.
A Pectoral Sandpiper found on the 31st May to claim bird of the year honours. This was to be the 191st species recorded at the site. A Marsh Harrier flew south on May's all day Warwickshire bird race competition. Little Egret made appearances throughout the month whilst two Red Kites drifted across from Bredon Hill. More migrants were observed including Hobby, Sanderling, four Arctic Terns, two Turtle Doves, Cuckoo, 500-1000 Swifts, 600 House Martins and several Yellow Wagtails.
The regular pair of Shelduck revealed a brood of nine of which all successfully left the area. Eight Little Ringed Plovers were noted and a Grey Partridge was a welcome observation.
A juvenile Garganey were the star attraction in July with other key sighting included an Avocet and a Little Stint.
August proved to be the best month of year for the area with a stream of great birds using the pits as a welcome stop on migration. A second Garganey was present until the to 24th, whilst waders included four Little Ringed Plover, nine Ringed Plover, five Dunlin, Little Stint (23rd), Snipe, four Black-tailed Godwit, two Ruff, Spotted Redshank (30th), 11 Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper (16th), eight Common Sandpiper and two Turnstone. Four Black Tern, thought to be a first for the site, was a superb record whilst a Mediterranean Gull (10th) was a rare find. Other sightings included Yellow-legged Gull, seven Common Terns, five Turtle Dove, two Common Redstart, Whinchat, two Wheatear, Grasshopper Warbler, Tree Pipit and several Crossbills.
Three Turtle Dove chicks successfully fledged and were seen around the area before their migration south.
Wintering wildfowl returned in September including two Pintail, eight Wigeon whilst 51 Teal highlighted the lack of the suitable habitat. Four Winchat were present with two Stonechats.
A Bearded Tit was discovered on the 18th October whilst other monthly highlights included 18 Wigeon, two Pintail, eight Shoveler, Water Rail, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, 95 Lapwing, 32 Snipe, four Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, two Yellow-legged Gulls, Short-eared Owl (22nd), 300 Meadow Pipits, Tree Pipit, White Wagtail, four Stonechats, two Wheatears, a late Reed Warbler (4th), 25 Lesser Redpolls and a Corn Bunting.
November saw yet more finds included two Red-crested Pochard, a Rock Pipit, Stonechat and a Brambling. Three Whooper Swans were also recorded flying over Bidford (9th).
The year closed with a Pink-footed Goose found on the 28th whilst a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was reported at nearby Dunnington and four Grey Partridges were at Bidford-on-Avon.
The site has some very challenging times ahead with restoration being accelerated and a number of key habitats being destroyed. Habitat and access remain a major concern for 2016.
Many thanks to Jon Bowley, Paul Hands, Anne & Noel, Mark Islip, Chris Lane, Lee Taylor and Mike Inskip.
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