Last update: Friday 3rd Feb 2012 at 21:50


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Please read this before sending in your news or photographs, especially regarding which species to report for the news page [Click Here] (updated 1st January 2011)

Species shown in red on this page are BBRC rarities or species recorded on less than ten occasions in the county and those in blue are county rarities (generally between 10 and 50 records since 1941).

New Photo Gallery Please continue to send your bird photos to the usual birdnews@lros.org.uk address for inclusion in the new gallery. Scarce and rare species will be featured on this page, whilst images of commoner species will go straight into the gallery. Click here to visit the new gallery. A reminder to everyone to please read the Guidelines page before sending in bird news. The Latest Bird News page and Twitter feed are intended to alert birders to scarcer species that they might be interested in seeing. Records of common species, birds in gardens etc should be submitted via LROS Recorder or paper record slips (see the Bird Recording page for details), and are summarised in the monthly Field Notes in The Grebe. Listing page updated 3rd February 2012.

FEBRUARY

Friday 1st

Syston: Tundra Bean Goose, Pink-foot and 17+ White-fronts in fields behind the Gate Hangs Well pub (SK628128); Bean Goose was still present at 16:30, but the White-fronts were flushed by a dog and flew towards Wanlip North Lakes at 15:55.

Rutland Water: 1st-winter Iceland Gull, Gadwall hide this afternoon, also 9 Smew.

Thursday 2nd

Wanlip North Lakes: Tundra Bean Goose, 18 White-fronted Geese + 1 Pink-footed Goose still, till 14:05 when they were flushed (by a birder) and flew south. Please DO NOT leave the footpath or attempt to get closer to the goose flock - apart from risking flushing them, the entire area is private.

Eyebrook Res: 1st-winter Iceland Gull at the island again this afternoon, then flew towards Rutland Water at 15:50. Also Green-winged Teal & drake Smew. Nearby, 3 Short-eared Owls off the Goadby Road at Hallaton.

Beacon Hill: 12+ Bramblings at the top car park.

Wednesday 1st

Wanlip North Lakes: Tundra Bean Goose, 18 White-fronted Geese + 1 Pink-footed Goose still. Park at Cossington Meadows, walk back along the road towards Rothley, then cross over and take the footpath south at SK593128 and look ENE from SK595121. NB - there is no public access to this area other than along the marked footpath.

Eyebrook Res: 1st-winter Iceland Gull at the island briefly at 16:00, then flew towards Rutland Water. Also Green-winged Teal off Stoke Dry, Slav Grebe & 2 drake Smew still.

Shawell: 3rd-winter Iceland Gull on the main balancing lake again this morning.

JANUARY 2012

Tuesday 31st

Wanlip North Lakes: Tundra Bean Goose & 18 White-fronted Geese. Flew off, but may still be in the area.

Rutland Water: Long-tailed Duck still, North Arm; 12 Scaup & 3 Smew, Lagoon 3.

Eyebrook Res: Green-winged Teal still, also Slav Grebe & 3 drake Smew.

Monday 30th

Shawell: 3rd-winter Iceland Gull again on the balancing lake from 09:15 - 09:45 at least.

Hallaton: 7 Short-eared Owls off Goadby Road this evening (unconfirmed reports from gamekeepers/ farmers of up to 14 in the area recently!).

Eyebrook Res: Slav Grebe still, also Green-winged Teal north of the island, adult Med Gull & 3 drake Smew.

Burton Lazars: 3 Short-eared Owls this evening.

Sunday 29th

Evington: Waxwing in Hospital Close this morning.

Eyebrook Res: Slavonian Grebe off Holyoaks; drake Green-winged Teal at the inflow, also 2 drake Smew.

Rutland Water: 4 Smew & 4 Scaup, Lagoon 3; 3 redhead Smew, Lapwing hide.

Burton Lazars: 2 Short-eared Owls.

Saturday 28th

Shawell: 3rd-winter Iceland Gull again on the balancing lake this morning.

Rutland Water: adult Glaucous Gull in South Arm roost again; Long-tailed Duck, North Arm; 4 Bewick's Swans, Lagoon 1; 4 Scaup & 4 Smew, Lagoon 3; 2 Scaup, Fishponds.

Stanford Res: Knot at the inflow end.

Friday 27th

Rutland Water: 1st-winter Iceland Gull & adult Glaucous Gull, South Arm 3 roost; Long-tailed Duck, North Arm; 4 Bewick's Swans & Stonechat, Lagoon 1; 3 Short-eared Owls, Lagoon 1/Lax Hill; 3 redhead Smew & 4 Scaup, Lagoon 3; Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Ruff & 86+ Dunlin around the reserve.

Eyebrook Res: drake Smew.

Thursday 26th

Rutland Water: 1st-winter Iceland Gull, adult Glaucous Gull & adult Med Gull, South Arm roost this evening; drake & 3 redhead Smew, Burley Fishponds; redhead Smew, Lagoon 3.

Shawell: 3rd-winter Iceland Gull on A5 pool.

Eyebrook Res: drake Green-winged Teal & 2 drake Smew opposite Stoke Dry car park.

Cold Overton: 2 Short-eared Owls.

Wednesday 25th

Rutland Water: 4 Bewick's Swans, Lagoon 1; drake & 2 redhead Smew, Lagoon 3; 2 redhead Smew, North Arm.

Burton Lazars: 1 Short-eared Owl.

No sign of reported Rough-legged Buzzard in Loughborough area.

Tuesday 24th

Rutland Water: 4 Bewick's Swans, Short-eared Owl & Stonechat, Lagoon 1; Ringed Plover, Lagoon 4; redhead Smew, North Arm.

Monday 23rd

Loughborough: report of a Rough-legged Buzzard seen briefly flying over the A6 at 11:15 - flew from the direction of Quorn Borrow Pit into trees on the far side of the playing fields/cemetery.

Swithland Wood: male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker briefly by the stream at the Cropston end of the wood at 11:00.

Cossington Meadows: 4+ Short-eared Owls, Swan Meadow this afternoon. Please keep strictly to the waymarked paths on the LRWT reserve.

Sunday 22nd

Eyebrook Res: Green-winged Teal from the hide, also 3 drake & 1 redhead Smew.

Albert Village Tip: 1st-winter Little Gull this morning - flew towards the lake, but no further sign.

Rutland Water: 4 Bewick's Swans + Black-tailed Godwit, Lagoon 1.

Saturday 21st

Beacon Hill: 15 Bramblings around the Beeches by the top car park.

Thursday 19th

Beacon Hill: 5 Bramblings with Chaffinch flock in the top car park.

Wednesday 18th

Rutland Water: Long-tailed Duck, North Arm; Snow Bunting, Old Hall; 5 Smew, South Arm 3.

Eyebrook Res: drake Green-winged Teal south of the island, also 3 drake Smew.

Cossington Meadows LRWT Reserve: I have been asked by the warden to remind everyone to keep strictly to the waymarked paths at this site. The Short-eared Owls can be seen perfectly well from the main path alongside Swan Meadow - DO NOT enter the meadow under any circumstances!

Tuesday 17th

Shawell A5 Pool: 3rd-winter Iceland Gull this morning.

Eyebrook Res: drake Green-winged Teal south of the island; Ruff north of the island.

Hallaton: 2 Short-eared Owls off Goadby Road at 15:00 (present for 2 weeks).

Hicks Lodge: 3 Short-eared Owls from 14:45.

Rutland Water: Long-tailed Duck, North Arm; Snow Bunting east of Old Hall; adult Glaucous Gull in South Arm roost; 4 Bewick's Swans, Lagoon 3/4/South Arm 3; Stonechat, Lagoon 1; 9 Smew, Lagoon 3/South Arm 3: 12 Scaup dam/Whitwell/Old Hall.

Monday 16th

Rutland Water: Bittern, Lagoon 3; adult Glaucous Gull roosted in South Arm, also 4 Scaup, South Arm 3 & Snow Bunting still at Old Hall; Long-tailed Duck, North Arm; 4 Bewick's Swans, Lagoon 1 & 10 Smew (2 drakes) around the reserve.

Albert Village Tip: near-adult Glaucous Gull still.

Somerby/Cold Overton: 5 Short-eared Owls between the two villages in the new plantations north of Somerby Road.

Hicks Lodge: 4 Short-eared Owls this evening, from the path from Oakthorpe picnic site.

Swithland Wood: female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker by the start of the bridle path on the east side (SK542122) at 12:20.

Sunday 15th

Rutland Water: Snow Bunting still west of Old Hall with Meadow Pipits but mobile; Long-tailed Duck, north Arm, off fishermen's car park; 4 Bewick's Swans, Lagoon 1; drake & 5 redhead Smew, lagoon 3.

Cossington Meadows: 4 Short-eared Owls over Swan Meadow from 15:00.

Hicks Lodge: 1 Short-eared Owl this evening.

Eyebrook Res: 1 Short-eared Owl over fields above fishing lodge this evening.

Stanford Res: 2 drake Smew.

Saturday 14th

Eyebrook Res: drake Green-winged Teal still at the north end + 2 Smew at the south end.

Hicks Lodge: 3 Short-eared Owls.

Burton Lazars: 1 Short-eared Owl.

Rutland Water: 8 Scaup still off the dam.

Friday 13th

Groby: 3 Waxwings in Beaumont Green this morning.

Rutland Water: Long-tailed Duck still, North Arm; Snow Bunting 300m east of Old Hall this morning, also 2 Scaup there; 8 Scaup at the dam; adult Glaucous Gull roosted in South Arm 3; 5 Pink-footed Geese north over Egleton Meadows late afternoon.

Eyebrook Res: drake Smew off Stoke Dry car park (+ possibly different bird opposite the island); pair of Red-crested Pochard; Short-eared Owl over Alec Lane + Ruff at the inflow.

Burton Lazars: 2 Short-eared Owls again this evening.

Thursday 12th

Burton Lazars: 2 Short-eared Owls along Sawgate Road, c500m east of the village, from 15:40 (also present yesterday evening).

Cossington Meadows: 4 Short-eared Owls over Swan Meadow this evening.

Hicks Lodge: 4 Short-eared Owls this evening, also 1 Ruff.

Eyebrook Res: 2 Short-eared Owls in fields near the fishing lodge this evening.

Wednesday 11th

Rutland Water: Long-tailed Duck still, North Arm.

Tuesday 10th

Rutland Water: Glaucous Gull in South Arm roost (and yesterday); Snow Bunting just west of Old Hall + 7 Scaup east of Old Hall; Jack Snipe & 3 redhead Smew, Lagoon 3; 4 Bewick's Swans, Lagoon 1; Short-eared Owl, Lax Hill; drake & redhead Smew, South Arm 2; c40 Dunlin, Lapwing hide, als 3 Green Sandpipers, 10 Ruff & Black-tailed Godwit around the reserve.

Cossington Meadows: 4+ Short-eared Owls from 15:10.

Eyebrook Res: drake Green-winged Teal & drake Smew still off Stoke Dry car park.

Monday 9th

Shawell: 2nd-winter Iceland Gull again on the balancing lake by the A5 this morning.

Groby Pool: 1st-winter Glaucous Gull flew WNW just north of the pool at 09:05.

Eyebrook Res: drake Green-winged Teal & drake Smew off Stoke Dry car park.

Hicks Lodge: 3 Short-eared Owls from 15:30.

Cossington Meadows: 2 Short-eared Owls this evening.

Rutland Water: Snow Bunting still 1/2 mile west of Old Hall; 4 Bewick's Swans still, Lagoon 1; 3 redhead Smew, Lagoon 3; Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Green Sandpipers & 12+ Ruff, Manton Bay.

Sunday 8th

Rutland Water: Snow Bunting still, Old Hall + 8 Scaup; Jack Snipe & redhead Smew, Lagoon 3; drake & redhead Smew, Lagoon 2; 4 Bewick's Swans, Lagoon 1.

Eyebrook Res: drake Green-winged Teal still.

Hicks Lodge, Moira: 3 Short-eared Owls this evening.

Longmoor Lake: 1 Short-eared Owl this morning.

Saturday 7th

Shawell: 2nd-winter Iceland Gull on the balancing lake this afternoon.

Rutland Water: Snow Bunting still east of Old Hall, also 5 Scaup; Jack Snipe & 3 redhead Smew, Lagoon 3; drake Smew, 4 Bewick's Swans, Short-eared Owl & male Stonechat (scarce in the county this winter?), Lagoon 1.

Eyebrook Res: drake Green-winged Teal off Stoke Dry carpark, also 2 drake & 1 redhead Smew.

Friday 6th

Rutland Water: Long-tailed Duck still North Arm; Snow Bunting still Old Hall; 4 Bewick's Swans & Short-eared Owl, Lagoon 1.

Eyebrook Res: Short-eared Owl west of track to the fishing lodge late afternoon, 2 drake & 1 redhead Smew + 1 Green Sandpiper.

Stanford Res: 1 Ruff.

Thursday 5th

Eyebrook Res: drake Green-winged Teal still + drake Smew.

Albert Village Tip: near-adult Glaucous Gull still (wellies needed as path by the gate is under water).

Rutland Water: Short-eared Owl, Lagoon 1.

Wednesday 4th

Shawell A5 Pool: 1st-winter Glaucous Gull.

Eyebrook Res: drake Green-winged Teal east of Stoke Dry car park, also drake Red-crested Pochard & redhead Smew; drake Smew & Ringed Plover from the hide + 2 Ruff north of the island.

Tuesday 3rd

Rutland Water: Snow Bunting still, Old Hall; 4 Bewick's Swans still, Lagoon 1; 3 redhead Smew & 2 Red-crested Pochards, Lagoon 3; 7 Ruff, 3 Black-tailed Godwits & 65 Dunlin around the reserve (mostly Manton Bay). NB Lapwing hide is currently closed due to storm damage.

Monday 2nd

Uppingham: 2 Cranes flew south-west at 08:20.

Eyebrook Res: drake Green-winged Teal east of Stoke Dry car park, also drake Smew, female Scaup, Short-eared Owl & 2 Ruff, but no sign of yesterday's small Canada Goose.

Rutland Water: Jack Snipe, Lagoon 3 (Shoveler hide); Long-tailed Duck still, North Arm; Snow Bunting still, Old Hall.

Sutton Cheney: report of possible Rough-legged Buzzard flying east at 14:30.

Sunday 1st

Rutland Water: Snow Bunting still at Old Hall; Long-tailed Duck still, North Arm; 4 Bewick's Swans, Lagoon 1; adult Glaucous Gull, South Arm roost.

Eyebrook Res: drake Green-winged Teal & drake Smew in bay south-west of the island; Short-eared Owl on the west side at 16:15, also a 'small' Canada Goose (probably a Richardson's Canada Goose) of unknown origin at the north end.

Albert Village Tip: near adult Glaucous Gull still.

DECEMBER

Saturday 31st

Eyebrook Res: adult Glaucous Gull in the roost this evening from 15:15, also Short-eared Owl and 2 drake & 1 redhead Smew.

Rutland Water: Snow Bunting still at Old Hall; 5+ Scaup off Hambleton Wood; Long-tailed Duck still North Arm from the fishermen's carpark; 4 Bewick's Swans still Lagoon 1.

Friday 30th

Rutland Water: Whooper Swan, Lagoon 4; 4 Bewick's Swans still Lagoon 1; Long-tailed Duck still North Arm; Snow Bunting still Old Hall + 3 Scaup.

Albert Village Lake: near adult Glaucous Gull again today.

Thursday 29th

Langham/Ashwell: male Merlin in the area at 12:00.

Wednesday 28th

Swithland Res: Temminck's Stint still on the north side, in the bay viewed from Kinchley Lane railings this morning at least.

Albert Village Lake: near-adult Glaucous Gull, 13:00 - 13:10.

Rutland Water: 3 redhead Smew, Lagoon 3.

Also a quick note about Twitter, given that some people apparently didn't get the message about the Temminck's Stint today: occasional problems with receiving Tweets are almost always down to your phone network, rather than Twitter itself. Because it is a free service, sending Tweets as texts isn't a high priority for networks, and Orange seem to be the worst 'offenders' in this respect. The most reliable way to receive Tweets is via an app on a smartphone, but even this isn't always guaranteed to work. In my experience, the BlackBerry Twitter app is better than the Android one; not sure about the iPhone app as I haven't used it myself.

Tuesday 27th

Shawell Balancing Lakes: adult Iceland Gull from 12:40 - 12:55, then flew south.

Rutland Water: Snow Bunting still near Old Hall (with Meadow Pipits), also 6 Scaup off Hambleton Wood; Long-tailed Duck still, North Arm + redhead Smew; 4 Bewick's Swans still, Lagoon 1 + Black-tailed Godwit; redhead Smew, Heron hide.

Monday 26th

North Kilworth: Merlin flew north at 13:00.

Sunday 25th

Rutland Water: 4 redhead Smew, Lagoon 3; 4 Bewick's Swans, Lagoon 1; Black-tailed Godwit, 75 Dunlin & 11 Ruff, Manton Bay.

Saturday 24th

Swithland Res: Temminck's Stint on the north side, viewable distantly from the ralings on Kinchley lane.

Rutland Water: Snow Bunting still in South Arm near Old Hall, also 7 Scaup off Hambleton Wood; Long-tailed Duck still, North Arm.

Welby: 1 Crossbill.

Friday 23rd

Rutland Water: 10 Crossbills flew over; 4 Smew, Lagoon 3.

Thursday 22nd

Rutland Water: Grey Phalarope in North Arm this afternoon, but flew off high to the south at 14:20 and no further reports. Also female Long-tailed Duck still in North Arm; 4 Bewick's Swans still Lagoon 1; 2 redhead Smew, Lagoon 3.

Albert Village Tip: near adult Glaucous Gull still.

Wednesday 21st

Rutland Water: Snow Bunting still at Greenbank, South Arm, with Linnet flock.

Albert Village Tip: near adult Glaucous Gull still.

Tuesday 20th

Priory Water: Great White Egret this morning (not visible from the road or public footpath); flew towards Frisby GP at c13:00 (seen in flight at Frisby at 14:45 and presumably landed somewhere in the area). NB Priory Water is a private site - access may be possible later in the week if the bird returns; any arrangements will be advised via Twitter.

Eyebrook Res: drake Green-winged Teal still.

Rutland Water: female Long-tailed Duck, North Arm; Snow Bunting still in South Arm 3 this morning, at the Lagoon 3 end of Greenbank; adult Glaucous Gull in South Arm roost; 4 Bewick's Swans still, Lagoon 1; 7 Scaup on south side of Hambleton Peninsula; 2 redhead Smew, Lagoon 3 & another 2 in South Arm 2; Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Ruff & 100+ Dunlin, South Arm.

Monday 19th

Frisby GP: Great White Egret along the River Wreake but mobile - last reported near the Environment Agency building at the east end of the gravel pits at 14:10.

Rutland Water: Bittern, Lagoon 3 + 4 redhead Smew; 4 Bewick's Swans, Lagoon 1.

Sunday 18th

Rutland Water: Snow Bunting still around South Arm - in Old Hall/Greenbank area this morning, but mobile; 4 rehead Smew, Lagoon 3; 93 Dunlin, Lapwing hide.

Eyebrook Res: drake Green-winged Teal still, also Whooper Swan, 8 White-fronted Geese & 3 Smew.

Saturday 17th

Eyebrook Res: drake Green-winged Teal west of the island, also Whooper Swan still.

Rutland Water: 4 Bewick's Swans still, Lagoon 1.

Cossington Meadows: 2 Short-eared Owls from 15:25.

Friday 16th

Rutland Water: Black-necked Grebe, North Arm between fishermen's car park & Armley Wood; 4 Bewick's Swans still, Lagoon 1; 1st-winter male Scaup, South Arm east of Old Hall; 2+ redhead Smew, Lagoon 3.

Thursday 15th

Albert Village Tip: 4th-winter Glaucous Gull still.

Rutland Water: adult Glaucous Gull roosted in South Arm again, also Snow Bunting heard calling near Gadwall hide; 4 Bewick's Swans still, Lagoon 1.

Wednesday 14th

Rutland Water: adult Glaucous Gull again in South Arm roost this evening; 4 Bewick's Swans, Lagoon 1; 2 redhead Smew, Lagoon 3; 3 White-fronted Geese in field behind Lagoon 4.

Eyebrook Res: drake Green-winged Teal still at the inflow, also Whooper Swan & 8 White-fronted Geese.

Albert Village Lake/Tip: 4th-winter Glaucous Gull still.

Tuesday 13th

Rutland Water: adult Glaucous Gull again in South Arm roost this evening, also adult Med Gull. Slav Grebe, North arm; 4 Bewick's Swans, Lagoon 1; 3 White-fronted Geese in field north of Egleton church; redhead Smew, Lagoon 3.

Eyebrook Res: adult Whooper Swan still, 8 White-fronted Geese & 2 drake Smew at the dam.

Albert Village Lake: 1st-winter and 4th-winter Glaucous Gulls today.

Monday 12th

Rutland Water: adult Glaucous Gull on South Arm island this evening; 4 Bewick's Swans, Lagoon 1; 4 drake Scaup, Old Hall; 80 Dunlin & 2 Ruff, South Arm 2.

Eyebrook Res: Short-eared Owl flew over the inflow end at 14:05, also adult Whooper Swan still; 8 White-fronted Geese at the island, drake Smew on far side by plantation, 13 Dunlin & 9 Ruff.

Cottesmore Airfield: male Merlin at 12:00.

Cossington Meadows: 4 Short-eared Owls this evening.

Sunday 11th

Eyebrook Res: drake Green-winged Teal between Stoke Dry car park & the inflow, also Whooper Swan, 8 White-fronted Geese, drake & redhead Smew, 24 Dunlin, 9 Ruff & Green Sandpiper.

Saturday 10th

Rutland Water: Snow Bunting still, Lapwing hide; 4 Bewick's Swans, Lagoon 1; redhead Smew, lagoon 3.

Eyebrook Res: 8 White-fronted Geese still (all European birds, not 1 Greenland as reported a while ago) + Whooper Swan, male & female Smew.

Cossington Meadows: 5 Short-eared Owls this evening.

Friday 9th

Rutland Water: Snow Bunting still, Lapwing hide; 2 Common Scoters, South Arm 1; Slav Grebe, North Arm; 4 Bewick's Swans, Lagoon 1; redhead Smew & 3 Red-crested Pochards, Lagoon 3; 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 78 Dunlin & 7 Ruff, Manton Bay.

Eyebrook Res: Grey Plover, redhead Smew & 8 White-fronted Geese south of the island.

Syston: probable Harrier sp seen from the A46 near the Hobby Horse roundabout this evening.

Thursday 8th

Rutland Water: 2 female Common Scoters still from Teal hide; 3 White-fronted Geese still in field west of Lagoon 4; 2 Black-tailed Godwits, Lagoon 1; 3 Red-crested Pochards, Lagoon 3; 9 Dunlin & 1 Ruff, Lapwing hide. No sign of Snow Bunting today.

Eyebrook Res: drake Smew in bay south-west of the island.

Wednesday 7th

Rutland Water: Snow Bunting still from Lapwing hide + 64 Dunlin & 5 Ruff; 4 Bewick's Swans, Lagoon 1; redhead Smew & 3 Red-crested Pochards, Lagoon 3; 3 White-fronted Geese in field west of Lagoon 4; redhead Smew & 2 female Common Scoters, Teal hide.

Eyebrook Res: 8 White-fronted Geese still north of the island + 1 Dunlin; Whooper Swan & drake Smew off Stoke Dry car park.

Albert Village Tip: 4th-winter Glaucous Gull still this morning and briefly this afternoon.

Tuesday 6th

Rutland Water: Snow Bunting, Lapwing hide, also 1st-winter Kittiwake briefly in South Arm + 2 female Common Scoters still. Slav Grebe still in North Arm.

Eyebrook Res: 8 White-fronted Geese still at the island (1 reported to be Greenland race), also drake Smew north of the island & Whooper Swan off Stoke Dry car park.

Monday 5th

Eyebrook Res: 8 White-fronted Geese & drake Smew in bay south-west of the island, also Whooper Swan at the island, 2 Dunlin & 1 Green Sandpiper.

Cossington Meadows: 3 Short-eared Owls this evening.

Sunday 4th

Albert Village Lake/Tip: 4th-winter Glaucous Gull again this morning - on the tip, then flew towards the lake.

Rutland Water: Slav Grebe still in North Arm; 3 White-fronted Geese in field west of Lagoon 4.

Cossington Meadows: 2 Short-eared Owls this evening.

Saturday 3rd

Rutland Water: Black-necked & Slav Grebes, North Arm, east of the fishermen's car park; 4 Bewick's Swans, Lagoon 1; redhead Smew & drake Red-crested Pochard, Lagoon 3.

Eyebrook Res: drake Smew west of the island, also Whooper Swan still at the inflow.

Earlier Twitter reports of an American Golden Plover at Cossington Meadows were erroneous. The original report came from a completely unreliable source, but unfortunately I was unaware of this until this evening (hence the use of the word 'reported' in the original Tweets). The 13:10 sighting, which I thought was confirmed, seems to have been the result of crossed wires somewhere along the line. Apologies to the many people who wasted their time going to look for this non-existent bird - the national information services have now been made aware of the situation and hopefully will not broadcast anything further from this individual.

Friday 2nd

Rutland Water: Black-necked Grebe & Slav Grebe, North Arm, also 5 Red-crested Pochards & redhead Smew; 6 Whooper Swans over Lagoon 3 + 4 Red-crested Pochards; 56 Dunlin & 4 Ruff, South Arm 3.

Eyebrook Res: Whooper Swan still, also 2 Green Sandpipers.

Thursday 1st

Albert Village Tip/Lake: 4th-winter Glaucous Gull this afternoon, then flew towards Foremark Res.

NOVEMBER

Wednesday 30th

Eyebrook Res: female/imm Merlin at the north end, also drake Smew. 2 Green Sandpipers at the island.

Tuesday 29th

Rutland Water: 2 Common Scoters & 3 Scaup, South Arm; 2 White-fronted Geese, Egleton reserve.

Monday 28th

Apologies for the lack of updates for Monday - my phone wasn't receiving emails for some reason.

Rutland Water: Slav Grebe, North Arm; Great Northern Diver at the dam (presumed same bird earlier in South Arm); Bittern, Lagoon 3; 4 Bewick's Swans, Lagoon 1; 2 Whooper Swans, 2 Common Scoters, 2 Scaup, 4 Red-crested Pochards, 6 Ruff & 35 Dunlin, South Arm. Also the drake American Wigeon was killed and partially eaten by a Great Black-backed Gull in the North Arm.

Swithland Res: 2 Bewick's Swans still on the north side.

Cossington Meadows: 4+ Short-eared Owls from 15:40, also 1 later at Cossington South Lakes.

Sunday 27th

Rutland Water: Arctic Skua reported on Lagoon 3 from 13:00 - 13:30, but no further sign, also 1 Bittern; Great Northern Diver, South Arm 3, off Old Hall; 4 Bewick's Swans, Lagoon 1.

Eyebrook Res: 8 White-fronted Geese still in field west of the island, also Whooper Swan, 2 Green Sandpipers & 11 Dunlin.

Swithland Res: 2 Bewick's Swans still on the north side.

Cossington Meadows: 3 Short-eared Owls.

Saturday 26th

Rutland Water: drake American Wigeon, Black-necked Grebe, Bewick's Swan & 3 Scaup, North Arm; 2 Bewick's Swans, Lagoon 1.

Eyebrook Res: drake Smew, Whooper Swan & 8 White-fronted Geese.

Friday 25th

Rutland Water: 6 Bewick's Swans & 10 Red-crested Pochards, North Arm; 2 redhead Smew, Wigeon hide; 1 Red-crested Pochard, Lagoon 3.

Swithland Res: 2 Bewick's Swans still on the north side.

Eyebrook Res: 8 White-fronted Geese still, also Whooper Swan, 2 Green Sandpipers & 10 Dunlin.

Cossington Meadows: 3 Short-eared Owls.

Thursday 24th

Cossington Meadows: probable Temminck's Stint on Tern Pool/Upper Marsh briefly early afternoon, but flushed by a Sparrowhawk at c14:30 - flew off towards Hobley Lake and no further sign by dusk (Dave Gray). 2 Short-eared Owls, Swan Meadow.

Rutland Water: drake American Wigeon, North Arm, also Black-necked Grebe & 14 Red-crested Pochards, Barnsdale Creek; 2 female Common Scoters, Goldeneye hide; 2 redhead Smew & 2 female Scaup, Teal hide (Lyndon); Short-eared Owl, Lagoon 1.

Eyebrook Res: Whooper Swan still off Stoke Dry car park + 8 White-fronted Geese still in field north-west of the island.

Wednesday 23rd

Rutland Water: drake American Wigeon, North Arm, also 6 Bewick's Swans & 21 Red-crested Pochards; 2 Black-tailed Godwits, Manton Bay; 6 Red-crested Pochards, South Arm 2.

Eyebrook Res: 8 White-fronted Geese in field NW of the island; Whooper Swan, 5 Dunlin & 2 Green Sandpipers.

Stanford Res: 8 White-fronted Geese.

Tuesday 22nd

Rutland Water: 4 Bewick's Swans & 9 Red-crested Pochards, North Arm; 2 Scaup, South Arm 2.

Swithland Res: still 2 Bewick's Swans on the north side.

Cossington Meadows: 3 Short-eared Owls from 14:45.

Monday 21st

Rutland Water: 5 Bewick's Swans & 11 Red-crested Pochards, North Arm; 2 White-fronted Geese, Lagoon 5.

Swithland Res: still 2 Bewick's Swans on the north side.

Sunday 20th

Longmoor Lake: 1 Snow Bunting still.

Saturday 19th

Rutland Water: 1st-winter Iceland Gull in the South Arm roost this evening; 6 Bewick's Swans, North Arm; 3 redhead Smew, Teal Hide (Lyndon); 2 White-fronted Geese, Lagoon 5.

Swithland Res: 2 Bewick's Swans on the north side.

Cossington Meadows: 3 Short-eared Owls, Swan Meadow/The Moor from c15:00.

Friday 18th

Rutland Water: 3 redhead Smew off Lyndon Visitor Centre; 2 White-fronted Geese with Greyalg flock in fields behind Lagoon 5; 6 Bewick's Swans, North Arm, off Barnsdale, also 11 Red-crested Pochards, North Arm; 3 Common Scoters, Whitwell; 3 Scaup, South Arm 2.

Eyebrook Res: 8 White-fronted Geese + Whooper Swan still.

No sign of any geese at Bennion Pools this morning.

Thursday 17th

Beaumont Leys: 2 Bean Geese, 1 Pink-footed Goose & 1 White-fronted Goose (not 4 White-fronts as reported earlier) at Bennion Pools, off Bennion Road/Redruth Road opposite Walkers Crisps factory. Park on Redruth Road and climb up bank to view.

Eyebrook Res: 4 White-fronted Geese at the north end, also adult Med Gull south of the island and Whooper Swan still present.

Longmoor Lake: 1 Short-eared Owl this afternoon.

Rutland Water: 2 Black-tailed Godwits & 2 Green Sandpipers, Manton Bay; 7 Ruff & 25+ Dunlin, South Arm 3.

Wednesday 16th

Hoby: Great White Egret reported flying from River Wreake towards Frisby on the Wreake mid afternoon.

Rutland Water: Knot & 5 female Common Scoters, Whitwell; 6 Bewick's Swans & 13 Red-crested Pochards, North Arm.

Eyebrook Res: adult Whooper Swan still.

Tuesday 15th

Rutland Water: 8 Whooper Swans and 6 Bewick's Swans, Fishponds late morning at least; female Common Scoter & 3 Scaup at the dam; 5 Red-crested Pochards, South Arm 2; Rock Pipit at the dam + Grey Plover flew over.

Eyebrook Res: Whooper Swan, 4 Dunlin & 2 Green Sandpipers.

Monday 14th

Longmoor Lake: 2 Snow Buntings at the southern end of the lake. NB the grid reference given yesterday is correct, but the lake is not shown on most OS maps, as it is a relatively new site, on an old opencast mining area. Access off the B5326 - park on the grass verge south-east of Normanton le Heath at SK380126 and follow the footpath north-east for c1km to view the lake. Alternative access via School Lane in Normanton le Heath, but limited parking (c3 cars) at the end of the track.

Rutland Water: 12 Bewick's Swans, but no information on exactly where; Short-eared Owl, Lagoon 1; 13 Red-crested Pochards, North Arm.

Sunday 13th

Longmoor Lake: Snow Bunting showing well at SK390130, also 1 Dunlin over.

Eyebrook Res: Whooper Swan off Stoke Dry car park + 2 Bewick's Swans north of the island this afternoon.

Cropston Res: 1st-winter Little Gull, 11:00 - 11:30.

Cossington Meadows: 2 Short-eared Owls, Swan Meadow from 16:00.

Saturday 12th

Aylestone Meadows: 1 Short-eared Owl behind Kings Lock Cottage this morning, till 12:30 at least.

Hicks Lodge: 2 Short-eared Owls from 15:30.

Rutland Water: Short-eared Owl, Lagoon 1.

Friday 11th

Eyebrook Res: drake Red-breasted Merganser.

Hicks Lodge: 2 Short-eared Owls from 16:15.

Cossington Meadows: 1 Short-eared Owl from 16:05.

Rutland Water: 3 Scaup & 6 Red-crested Pochards, South Arm 2.

Thursday 10th

Albert Village Tip: Snow Bunting heard mid-morning then flew south-west at 11:35, but no further sign.

Wednesday 9th

Rutland Water: Great Skua, Gadwall/Goldeneye hide this evening.

Cossington Meadows: 3 Short-eared Owls this evening.

Tuesday 8th

Rutland Water: Curlew Sandpiper still, Manton Bay, and 2 Black-tailed Godwits, but no news on White-rumped Sandpiper since Sunday. Juvenile Marsh Harrier, Lagoon 1; 2 Scaup off Lyndon centre; 4 Pink-footed Geese, South Arm 2/new lagoons.

Cossington Meadows: 2 Short-eared Owls over Swan Meadow from 16:00.

Monday 7th

Rutland Water: drake American Wigeon, Wigeon hide; female Marsh Harrier, Lagoon 1.

Cossington Meadows: 2 Short-eared Owls over Swan Meadow and surrounding areas from 16:10.

Sunday 6th

Rutland Water: adult White-rumped Sandpiper still in Manton Bay; juv Marsh Harrier roosted on Browns Island, also 1 Short-eared Owl, Lagoon 1

Sence Valley Forest Park: 5 Whooper Swans over at 08:10.

Thornton Res: 2 Whooper Swans over at 11:40, also juvenile of uncertain origin present since 24th October.

Hicks Lodge: 2 Short-eared Owls this evening.

Deans Lane: 6 Crossbills south-west + 2 others in the area.

Saturday 5th

Rutland Water: adult White-rumped Sandpiper & Curlew Sandpiper still in Manton Bay, also 5 Whooper Swans briefly at 11:00; drake American Wigeon & 50 Dunlin, Lapwing hide; adult Azorean type Yellow-legged Gull again from Goldeneye hide.

Eyebrook Res: 2 Knot at the inflow end.

Cossington Meadows: 1 Short-eared Owl, Swan Meadow from 16:00.

Hicks Lodge: 1 Short-eared Owl this evening.

Friday 4th

Rutland Water: adult White-rumped Sandpiper still in Manton Bay, also Curlew Sandpiper & 11 Ruff; drake American Wigeon, Lapwing hide; 2 Scaup & 23 Red-crested Pochards, South Arm 2.

Hicks Lodge: 2 Short-eared Owls this afternoon.

Thursday 3rd

Welby: Merlin at 16:15.

Cossington Meadows: 2 Short-eared Owls again this evening.

Deans Lane: 1 Crossbill.

Albert Village Lake/Tip: adult Med Gull.

Wednesday 2nd

Pickworth: Snow Bunting south-west of the village along minor road at SK986136 this morning, but no sign later.

Rutland Water: drake American Wigeon, South Arm 2; White-rumped Sandpiper, 3 Black-tailed Godwits & 7 Ruff, Manton Bay; 4 Ruff, South Arm 1.

Cossington Meadows: 2 Short-eared Owls over Swan Meadow from 16:50.

Fleckney: Black Redstart photographed in a garden.

Tuesday 1st

Rutland Water: adult White-rumped Sandpiper still in Manton Bay, also drake American Wigeon, Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshanks & 21 Ruff. Elsewhere around the reserve, Short-eared Owl, Jack Snipe, Little Gull & Azorean Yellow-legged Gull.

Cossington Meadows: 2 Short-eared Owls, Swan Meadow from 16:45.

Eyebrook Res: Rock Pipit west of the island this morning.

Groby Pool: 7 Crossbills this morning.

Hicks Lodge: Short-eared Owl showing well at 16:40.

Late news for Friday 28th October: report of a male Red-footed Falcon along the minor road between Kegworth and Long Whatton.