Very quiet today. The dark headed Ruddy Duck was still present also 1 Goldeneye, 1 Wigeon and 4 Pochard. A single Common Sandpiper was on the dam.

Here is a sneak preview of the new hide which will be ready some time tomorrow.

The Black-necked Grebe was still present at the west end, also the dark headed varient Ruddy Duck has reappeared infront of the scott hide. The Wigeon and Goldeneye remain and a single Common Sandpiper was on the shingle island.

The new hide will be completed on Thursday. Also due to health and safety issues British Waterways has requested that no permit holders shall walk along the dam.

The Black-necked Grebe was still present at the west end. A Spotted Flycatcher was around the woodland feeding station. A single Hobby was seen this afternoon. The Goldeneye, Wigeon and 3 Pochard were present.

Just a reminder that the new hide is due to be built tomorrow.

The most interesting bird today was a drake Ruddy Duck of the dark headed form(ferruginea) that was infront of the Scott hide. As far as I know this is the first time this varient has been recorded in Staffordshire.The first Spotted Flycatcher was in the reservoir plantation around the feeding station. The Black-necked Grebe was still at the west end. The immatre drake Goldeneye and drake Wigeon remain. A Cuckoo was calling just south of the reserve this morning.

 Thanks for your comments Andy and Mark. In response to the possibility of the bird being an Argentine Bluebill. In the wildfowl book (madge/Burn) It shows the black to be more extensive on the neck on the Bluebill, also the Belvide bird had two raised bumps on the crown, as should be with Ruddy Duck, there is no mention of this with Blubill.

Most of the day was spent dismantling the Bryant hide (photo) so little birding was done. However just as we finished a Black-necked Grebe popped up and was a nice reward for all the hard work. A Cuckoo showed well in the west marsh this morning. Single Dunlin and LRP were on the shingle island. The drake Wigeon and immature drake Goldeneye were still present.

5 Black Tern were present today. A pair of Hobby were hawking insects over the west end this afternoon. 1 Goldeneye, 1 Wigeon and 3 Shoveler were noted and a single Dunlin flew thru late morning.

A notice to permit holders. Work will begin tomorrow on the dismantlement of the Bryant hide for the replacement new hide that is due to be constructed on Monday.

The Black Tern passage continues with 3 birds present today. A Cuckoo was present by the spill weir late afternoon which is becoming a very scarce bird at Belvide. A pair of Hobby were over the dam early afternoon. 2 Common Sandpiper were at the west end and a pair of Lesser Whitethroat were along the west lane. Single Goldeneye and Wigeon remain.

A much better day with the rain doing the trick. A Little Egret flew in from the east at 6.25am and then flew out north east at 6.40am. 2 BlackTern were present first thing and was joined by a 3rd bird at 12.30pm. There was also 11 Common Tern present. A smart summer plumage Grey Plover flew thru to the east at 12.25pm also 3 Whimbrel dropped into a field just north of the dam. A Hobby was seen this afternoon also 15 Sedge Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Reed Warbler, 6 Whitethroat and 500 Swift were noted. The 2 Goldeneye and drake Wigeon remain and 2 Shelduck were new in.

Congratulations to my beloved BAGGIES for being crowned CHAMPIONSHIP CHAMPIONS, BOING BOING!!!!

A Hobby was seen briefly near the scott hide this afternoon. 11 Common Tern were present. 4 Dunlin and a single Common Sandpiper were at the west end. A Lesser Whitethroat was rattling near the Bryant hide. 5 Goldeneye and a pair of Wigeon were still present.

A notice to all permit holders. Over the next week the completion of the footpath up to the Bryant hide will take place. This will involve machinery, so please be cautious when passing by and only pass by on the drivers say so. Also there will be limited spaces in the car park due to the hardcore and stone being delivered there.

A Greenshank was a new arrival on the north shore also a Whimbrel (photo) showed well on the shingle island this afternoon. An adult Little Gull was also new for the year, present between 2.05-2.25pm when it flew off north east. Migrants noted today included 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroat, 11 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, at least 50 Swift and 6 Common Tern. A single  Dunlin flew thru this afternoon and 1 Common Sandpiper was on the north shore. Only 3 Goldeneye and 3 Wigeon remain.

2 Whimbrel were on the north shore between 3.50-4.10pm when they flew off north west. A Garden Warbler was reported in the south east corner this morning also 6 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler and 5 Whitethroat were noted. 6 Swift were overhead and a single Common Sandpiper was at the west end. Common Tern have increased to 6, 5 Goldeneye and 3 Wigeon were still present.

An interesting Phylloscopus Warbler was in a garden 250 yards east of the main car park with a song resembling Iberian Chiffchaff. Plumage and jizz was more like a Willow Warbler except for this strange song. No contact call was heard, but my gut feeling is either Willow Warbler or a hybrid.