Worcestershire Record No. 26 April 2009 p. 48

Kemerton Lake

In October up to 14 Little Grebe were recorded. 30 Shoveler on 30 and 35 on 31st – along with 2 female Goosander. On 6th October c.100 Coot were present.
Up to 180 Lapwing were present on occasions. Siskin and Redpoll were also recorded with highest counts of 20 Siskin and 8 redpoll on 31st.
On 4th November two Jack Snipe had joined other Snipe – highest counts of six Jack Snipe on 25th and 46 Snipe on 14th. A Green sandpiper was seen on 25th.
Regular sightings of Kingfisher throughout October and November
November/December saw high counts of Wigeon peaking at 1080 on 29th November.
10 Little Grebe on 10th December.
December peak counts of 28 Tufted, Pochard, 650 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 10 Gadwall, 21 Mute Swan, 97 Greylag, three Shoveler, 45 Snipe, four Jack Snipe, 60 Siskin and 20 Redpoll.
An immature female Peregrine was there on 10th December
In January up to 14 Little Grebe were recorded, with numbers of duck dropping sharply.
Raven regular visitor – four on 5th Jan. three Jack Snipe on 13th, 11 Snipe on 16th.
135 Coot were counted on 29th, with 228 Tufted Duck, 19 Pochard, 40 Mallard, 120 Wigeon, 22 Teal,16 Gadwall & four Lapwing.
On 23rd there were 102 Coot, 269 Wigeon, 20 Siskin, Mistle Thrush, 3 Bullfinch and a Jack snipe.
2 Great Black-backed gull on 22nd February
First frog spawn reported on 2nd March and a large frog/toad migration reported across the road towards the lake on 3rd.
On 2nd March 2 Great-crested Grebe, 18 Redwing, five Shoveler and seven Lapwing were present.
two Sand Martins were there on 10th March – also one Jack Snipe.
On 17th there were 42 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 2 prospecting Oystercatcher, 12 Pochard, 2 Great-crested Grebe, 65 Coot, 92 Wigeon, 14 Shoveler. Water Rail calling. An early Comma butterfly. A female Sparrowhawk was seen to take a Green Woodpecker.
On 19th March there were very large numbers of toad. Small Tortoiseshell and Comma butterflies were seen.

Elsewhere on the estate

A polecat was seen in or near Daffurns Orchard on 11th October
25 Mallard on a pool near Westmancote on 23rd October
20th November – a Marsh Tit and two Redpoll were reported feeding at a bird table in Kinsham.
A dead Water Shrew at Ivy Cottage on 21st December
2nd February 2 Woodcock flushed from a dry ditch in Kemerton.
On 6th February c100 Fieldfare in Daffurns Orchard
16th February Brimstone Butterfly at Ivy Cottage.
!5th March – Comma butterfly plus mating 7-spot ladybirds at Ivy Cottage
19th March Chiffchaff calling in John Moore Reserve.
On 21st March Orange Tip, Peacock and Brimstone Butterflies on wing.
22nd March saw this year’s first Swallow – in Stable Orchard.

Around the area

A pair of Raven was watched displaying in and around a Cedar of Lebanon in Kemerton.
26th December – c.50 Golden Plover in arable field on Bredon Hill.
On 19th March three Wheatear and a Red Kite were seen on the summit of Bredon Hill.
Kemerton Conservation Trust is grateful to all contributors – in particular Rob Prudden.