Tuesday, 12 January 2016
Tuesday 12 January
The Great Northern Diver was still present today, yesterdays Red-crested Pochard apparently flew off late morning, I had a good search this afternoon but to no avail.
There were still in the region on 80 Pochard with an increase of Gadwall which were into double figures – just. Interestingly there were two Wigeon on the small pool which were feeding on the grassy bank, a bit of a throwback to when we used to had a good number wintering. If nothing else it is an increase on last years high of one!
I had a search for Snipe but only turned up one Common Snipe I did however put up a flock of eleven Meadow Pipit.
When I was about as far away from the car as I could get, the sky darkened and I got absolutely drenched.
Sunday, 10 January 2016
Sunday 10th January
My eldest rescued me today when he phoned to see if the wife wanted to go shopping – RESULT! Anyway, Joy dropped me at Wishaw and I had a pleasant few hours walking the lanes looking for a few year ticks. I managed three with Little Owl (please don’t asked I am sworn to secrecy) there were around 30 Golden Plover where I normally see them but further in the distance there were around 150+ up in the air at one time.
I made my way to the church then around Blind Pit Lane where there was an impressive 200+ Rook and a little further up the lane I saw my first Grey Partridge of the year. Also seen were a good number of Skylark on the stubble in the vicinity of the Bee Hives. All in all not a bad day with the youngest son and his partner cooking Sunday lunch it was a pleasant Sunday.
The Gt Northern Diver was still present and the Scaup turned out to be a hybrid when it came closer. I have to say it did look small even at a distance. I would not be surprised in one half of its parentage turned out to be Lesser Scaup.
I made my way to the church then around Blind Pit Lane where there was an impressive 200+ Rook and a little further up the lane I saw my first Grey Partridge of the year. Also seen were a good number of Skylark on the stubble in the vicinity of the Bee Hives. All in all not a bad day with the youngest son and his partner cooking Sunday lunch it was a pleasant Sunday.
The Gt Northern Diver was still present and the Scaup turned out to be a hybrid when it came closer. I have to say it did look small even at a distance. I would not be surprised in one half of its parentage turned out to be Lesser Scaup.
Wednesday, 6 January 2016
Wednesday 6th January
Spent the morning planting bulbs! Not my choice!
Received a message to say that a Great Northern Diver had appeared at the Reservoir. I packed everything away and headed over. The bird was ridiculously close and showed really well before disappearing briefly. Also present was a Scaup which was rather distant.
I then went to the Gravel Pits where I met Bobby D for the 2nd time in the day a roosting Barn Owl performed well but I had to wait until dusk for the Short-eared Owl to appear. Whilst we were there a Little Egret flew past.
Received a message to say that a Great Northern Diver had appeared at the Reservoir. I packed everything away and headed over. The bird was ridiculously close and showed really well before disappearing briefly. Also present was a Scaup which was rather distant.
I then went to the Gravel Pits where I met Bobby D for the 2nd time in the day a roosting Barn Owl performed well but I had to wait until dusk for the Short-eared Owl to appear. Whilst we were there a Little Egret flew past.
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| Great Northern Diver, Shustoke Reservoir |
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| Great Northern Diver, Shustoke Reservoir |
Tuesday, 5 January 2016
Tuesday 5th January
Firstly, yesterday I spent the morning at Ladywalk NR, where I managed to miss a Bittern even though I was sat next to the person who saw it (Dave Hutton). I heard the shout, just didn’t pick it up as it flew a few yards before doing what Bittern do best! There was a good selection of birds but my day was cut short by a phone call summonsing me for some emergency dog walking!
Today I made my first visit to Shustoke of the year, and bearing in mind that I only saw 111 species there last year I thought 53 species in a day wasn’t bad, I also missed a couple of Dollies into the bargain. Highlights today, in no particular order included: Snipe, Golden Plover, Goosander, Siskin, Treecreeper, Yellowhammer and Raven. The Golden Plover were in the air over the Botts Green area but I’m counting them.
After missing the Bittern yesterday I thought I would have another go this afternoon. I walked to the reserve and went straight to Riverwalk hide, the car park was full, so I was rather surprised when I got into the hide to find it empty! I sat there for an hour and a half but no Bittern showed. I did see Water Rail and Kingfisher and as dusk approached I walked along the river to view Whiteacre Heath NR where there had been Short-eared Owl, the phrase HAD BEEN explains all you need to know. Looks like Coleshill GPs tomorrow night.
Today I made my first visit to Shustoke of the year, and bearing in mind that I only saw 111 species there last year I thought 53 species in a day wasn’t bad, I also missed a couple of Dollies into the bargain. Highlights today, in no particular order included: Snipe, Golden Plover, Goosander, Siskin, Treecreeper, Yellowhammer and Raven. The Golden Plover were in the air over the Botts Green area but I’m counting them.
After missing the Bittern yesterday I thought I would have another go this afternoon. I walked to the reserve and went straight to Riverwalk hide, the car park was full, so I was rather surprised when I got into the hide to find it empty! I sat there for an hour and a half but no Bittern showed. I did see Water Rail and Kingfisher and as dusk approached I walked along the river to view Whiteacre Heath NR where there had been Short-eared Owl, the phrase HAD BEEN explains all you need to know. Looks like Coleshill GPs tomorrow night.
Sunday, 3 January 2016
Happy New Year
Finished the year off quietly I had to make a few trips to Scotland towards the end of the year and birding was difficult although I did manage to catch up with American Wigeon and Green-winged Teal for the year. I actually finished on my best ever total for the UK with 247 species seen I haven’t decided yet wether to make a determined effort to beat that this year I will have to wait and see.
Shustoke last year was very disappointing with (off the top of my head) No Black Tern, Little Gull – very few waders and I didn’t even catch up with Spotted Flycatcher. There were no real highlights the Red-crested Pochard, Scaup and Common Sandpiper from 2014 stayed well into the new year. Apart from a Med Gull, three Whinchat and a couple of Black-tailed Godwit there was nothing to get excited about, lets hope this year is better – it could hardly be worse. For the record I ended up with 111 as a year total.
On the 1st Joy and I walked around Draycote Water seeing everything that was on offer whilst in the afternoon we paid a brief visit in the rain to Middleton RSPB where we connected with a couple of Bewick Swan.
The 2nd saw us make an effort at long last to see the Wall Heath Hoopoe which showed well. I dropped into my old haunt of the Sandwell Valley just as the rain started but Joy and I connected with a couple of Ring-neck Parakeets, the first Joy had seen since Sri Lanka!
Today, I have been waiting for the rain to relent but had given up with Joy back at work tomorrow I should have a bit of time to venture forth.
Amazingly on Boxing Day I saw a Bumble Bee flying around. Whilst on Saturday I got out of the car on the drive to be head butted by a Wasp! Maybe the Winter has got a sting in the tail!
Also, in early December on Castle Lane there was a Bat flying around in broad daylight, the weather really has been rather mild.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year with lots of bird filled days. Roll on the Spring.
Shustoke last year was very disappointing with (off the top of my head) No Black Tern, Little Gull – very few waders and I didn’t even catch up with Spotted Flycatcher. There were no real highlights the Red-crested Pochard, Scaup and Common Sandpiper from 2014 stayed well into the new year. Apart from a Med Gull, three Whinchat and a couple of Black-tailed Godwit there was nothing to get excited about, lets hope this year is better – it could hardly be worse. For the record I ended up with 111 as a year total.
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| Scaup, Draycote Water |
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| Smew, Draycote Water |
On the 1st Joy and I walked around Draycote Water seeing everything that was on offer whilst in the afternoon we paid a brief visit in the rain to Middleton RSPB where we connected with a couple of Bewick Swan.
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| Bewick Swan, Middleton RSPB |
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| Hoopoe, Wall Heath |
Amazingly on Boxing Day I saw a Bumble Bee flying around. Whilst on Saturday I got out of the car on the drive to be head butted by a Wasp! Maybe the Winter has got a sting in the tail!
Also, in early December on Castle Lane there was a Bat flying around in broad daylight, the weather really has been rather mild.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year with lots of bird filled days. Roll on the Spring.
Tuesday, 8 December 2015
Tuesday 8th December
Yesterday saw me doing my usual walk around the Reservoir and surrounding areas, it was, as it has been for most of the year, quiet.
However, I did flush a Woodcock, which was the first for the year. The Common Sandpiper was still present, strangely is was associating with a small flock of around a dozen Meadow Pipits. Apart from around eight Snipe it was quiet. I went around this afternoon seeing very little in addition to yesterday apart from a couple of Raven.
The approach road to Blythe Mill has been providing good views of both Short-eared and Barn Owl. Access isn’t easy as the footpath from Water Lane is probably the best, although parking might be a problem. Get as far as the bridge and scan the rough area back towards the Mill and the main road. I was there this afternoon and there was a Short-eared Owl although this was tempered by the sight of a Mute Swan flying into the pylon cables and plunging to its death! Put the mockers on a good day.
However, I did flush a Woodcock, which was the first for the year. The Common Sandpiper was still present, strangely is was associating with a small flock of around a dozen Meadow Pipits. Apart from around eight Snipe it was quiet. I went around this afternoon seeing very little in addition to yesterday apart from a couple of Raven.
The approach road to Blythe Mill has been providing good views of both Short-eared and Barn Owl. Access isn’t easy as the footpath from Water Lane is probably the best, although parking might be a problem. Get as far as the bridge and scan the rough area back towards the Mill and the main road. I was there this afternoon and there was a Short-eared Owl although this was tempered by the sight of a Mute Swan flying into the pylon cables and plunging to its death! Put the mockers on a good day.
Tuesday, 1 December 2015
Tuesday 1st December
After a week in Scotland this was the first opportunity to get out since I got back. The Common Sandpiper was still present and there were close on 70 Pochard, 3 Shoveler, 9 Gadwall and a fly over Raven.
The wet meadows held nine Snipe but no Jack Snipe.
Early evening saw me at Coleshill Quarry where I caught up with the Short-eared Owls that have been around for a week or so. They were showing particularly well just off the approach road to the Mill. They were joined by a Barn Owl later on.
The wet meadows held nine Snipe but no Jack Snipe.
Early evening saw me at Coleshill Quarry where I caught up with the Short-eared Owls that have been around for a week or so. They were showing particularly well just off the approach road to the Mill. They were joined by a Barn Owl later on.
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