Reserve: Belvide

Just wanted to say hi to people, 👋

I came across Belvide Reserve yesterday on my return home from Telford to Tamworth, and a quick Google brought me here, and I purchased a membership.

My wife and I are new to birding and normally visit Middleton Lakes as it's closest to us.

We're looking forward to visiting the various reserves. If there are any major do's or don'ts, please do let me know, as I wouldn't want to break any rules - as i said were new to all of this.

Look forward to meeting some of you.

Thanks

Highlights during a brief visit this evening

Pintail x 4 at West End

Tawny Owl over fields behind Chapell

Ringed Plover x 4 on North shore

Common Sandpiper x 2 West End

Kestrel hunting over Hawkshutts ridge

August was another excellent month at Belvide, with some exceptional rarities, strong wader passage and impressive movements of both wildfowl and passerines.

⭐ Bird of the Month – Nightjar

The standout record was undoubtedly a Nightjar on 22 August. Found at around 4.30am by members of the ringing group along the south-east bay, this was only the second record for Belvide, following the site’s first record in August 1978.

A memorable record and a fantastic early-morning surprise for those lucky enough to encounter it.

Other Major Highlights

August produced several other outstanding birds. Six Glossy Ibis appeared along the southern shore on 15 August, following the flock of seven recorded at Belvide in May. Remarkably, a single Glossy Ibis was seen again the following morning.

July was another excellent month at Belvide, with Black-necked Grebes, a site-first Stone Curlew and the return of autumn wader passage providing the main highlights.

⭐ Bird of the Month – Stone Curlew

The standout record was undoubtedly the juvenile Stone Curlew on 25 July.

• Belvide's first ever record

• Present on the north shore throughout the day

• Only the 4th record for Staffordshire