The first morning of any visible movement for some time.

NEW IN - 3 WIGEON were present on arrival, along with a WHEATEAR, both the first of the Autumn, at 6:40am a RINGED PLOVER called as it circled overhead but did not land nor was it seen, at 7:15am 2 DUNLIN came in and circled the lagoon a number of times but went high west.

LINGERING MIGRANTS - Yesterdays WHINCHAT was still present, the SPOTTED FLYCATCHER was still in the plantation, 1 TREE PIPIT, may have been a new migrant but they have been seen or heard most days.

Resident duck numbers were steady with no increase in numbers, there was no sign of the 2 Gadwall or Shoveler but may still be present in the reeds. Gull numbers vary but remaining low, with a COMMON GULL joining the LBBG and BH Gulls briefly.

Wigeon - Ray Scally

eBird Checklist - 16 Aug 2026 - Middleton Moor - 45 species

eBird Checklist - 16 Aug 2026 - Middleton Moor - 43 species

eBird Checklist - 16 Aug 2026 - Middleton Moor - 51 species

Fairly quiet on the lagoon this morning, the highlights being a Snipe, 2 Gadwall and 2 new broods of Little Grebes.

Elsewhere, 1 Spotted Flycatcher was still in the plantation, the first Whinchat of the autumn was in the gorse field and 7 Stonechats were between there and Black Harry Gate. Plus a Red Kite.

Spotted Flycatcher - Ray Scally

Whinchat - Jon Lowes

Common Snipe - Jon Lowes

Little Grebe - Andy Butler

https://ebird.org/checklist/S383511583

https://ebird.org/checklist/S383493688

https://ebird.org/checklist/S383551324

 This morning's highlights included;

• 2 Arctic Terns, an adult & a juvenile, dropped in at 7.15am but only stayed 5 minutes
• A probable 3rd summer Yellow-legged Gull
• 1 Red Kite
• 1 Peregrine
• A female type Yellow Wagtail
• 2 Tree Pipits

Arctic Tern - Andy Butler

Arctic Tern - Jon Lowes

Yellow Wagtail - Andy Butler

https://ebird.org/checklist/S383155552

https://ebird.org/checklist/S383164378

https://ebird.org/checklist/S383301562

 Early evening visit. Best was 2 Spotted Flycatchers by the north gate and a Common Gull with 173 Black-headed Gulls & 127 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

 09.08.26 - Quieter then yesterday with far fewer passerines, highlight was a GREEN SANDPIPER which dropped in around 7.30, 2 Spotted Flycatcher were still showing in the plantation with 2 Tree Pipit.

 

 An uptick in migrant passerines this morning. Highlights included;

1 Peregrine

3 Garden Warbler

2 Spotted Flycatchers

5 Stonechat

1 Tree Pipit

1 Redpoll

1 Siskin

https://ebird.org/checklist/S381114353

https://ebird.org/checklist/S381074760

Lots of small bird activity today, making it feel like autumn migration had begun in earnest. The highlights were 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 7 Stonechat and a Lesser Whitethroat. A single Dunlin and juvenile Little Ringed Plover were on the lagoon.

Full list on eBird https://ebird.org/checklist/S379084652

Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus)

A juvenile at the north end of no.4 lagoon today. There have been sightings of both adults and juveniles over the past few weeks suggesting that they have bred this year.

Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)

 

Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)

11 Black-tailed Godwits circled no.4 lagoon but didn't land (Alan Stewardson)

Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)

 The second rare grebe of the year, this adult Black-necked Grebe remained until 20th July.

Wood Sandpiper

 On several occasions the first sign of arriving shorebirds has been to hear their calls, this is almost expected with larger birds like Curlew, Oystercatcher and Redshank but it can also be the vase with small shorebirds. 

Today the first indication of an arriving Wood Sandpiper was hearing its repeated chiff-chiff call. It called constantly for at least 5 minutes when it first arrived but once it started feeding it became almost silent.

Wood Sandpiper

Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa islandica)

An 'Icelandic' Black-tailed Godwit on no.4 lagoon this morning.

Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)

 Present since 26th June, the second so far this year.

Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)

 

Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix)

2026 has been a good Quail year nationally and locally, with up to two birds at Middleton Moor, including one singing from fields at the north end of Black Harry Lane from 22nd June to at least 2nd July.

Recording 1

Recording 2

Recording 3

Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)

 

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

What is likely to be a safe bet for bird of the year in 2026, this adult male Red-backed Shrike was found by visiting birders looking for the Temminck's Stint, in bushes below the hide late afternoon on 30th May. Unfortunatley it had departed the following morning. 

More Pictures

Temminck's Stint (Calidris temminckii)

 One found on no.4 lagoon by Andy Butler, remained until the following day.

More Pictures

Woodlark (Lullula arborea)

 A Woodlark was a surprise find this morning. Present on the track at the north end of lagoon no.4 and in nearby fields - a first record for the site.

More Pictures

Barnacle Goose

 My second record of Barnacle Goose for the site today. My first was on the 26 May 2014 which was actually the last time the Barnacle Goose was recorded at Middleton Moor prior to today and that makes just three records for the site.

Its difficult to understand why they are so rare here when feral populations are increasing in the County with birds occurring regularly at Carsington Water.

Unfortunately it didn't stay long and departed west in the early morning when the birds were disturbed by something.

Barnacle Goose

Eurasian Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)

One in fields on the approach road this afternoon (technically just outside the recording area but viewable from within)

Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

Female Marsh Harrier over the settling beds and north end of no.4 lagoon today

 

Common Crane (Grus grus)

 In common with other birdwatchers I always scan the sky when groups of grounded birds are spooked and take flight, in the hope of seeing a raptor overhead. Often there is no obvious reason but today I hit the jackpot with a Common Crane circling just above the gulls. 

It continued to circle, rapidly gaining height before drifting off to the south.

The first record for Middleton was on 14 June 1987 and there has probably been one other making this the third record for the site. With increasing numbers now breeding in Norfolk and Linconshire there is hope for more records in the future.

Common Crane