We were up early this morning and on-site at just at 7.00am, unfortunately a car pulled up with two yapping dogs at 7.01am and followed us round with his dogs barking the whole time – so much for a bit of piece and quiet. In fact the only quiet thing was the birds, apart from several Shoveler and 20 odd Pochard there was very little on-site. The Red-crested Pochard looks well gone!
We got home for 8.00am and I walked the dog to the top of the field and back seeing an impressive 28 species. Highlights were double figures of Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Treecreeper, Fieldfare, Redwing and a small flock of 20 odd Lapwing!
Wednesday, 30 October 2013
Tuesday, 29 October 2013
Out of it
Been a frustrating week so far, on the weekend Joy and I walked the Malvern Ridge, a fantastic walk which turns up some good birds now and again. As you heard in the news there was a bit of a blow on, so birds were at a bit of a premium. Lots of Redwing and even more Fieldfare.
On Sunday not content with Saturdays walk the wife dragged me to Cannock Chase for a yomp! During the course of which we didn’t see Great Grey Shrike. We did however, have good views of Brambling and poor views of Crossbill.
Shustoke wise I popped over Monday morning feeling strangely cheated that we hadn’t felt the full force of the Storm! There was hardly a wave of the surface of the Res when I got there. I had a quick scan from the car park and there was very little.
However, J Harris reported a Red-crested Pochard on the small pool although there was no sign today.
On Sunday not content with Saturdays walk the wife dragged me to Cannock Chase for a yomp! During the course of which we didn’t see Great Grey Shrike. We did however, have good views of Brambling and poor views of Crossbill.
Shustoke wise I popped over Monday morning feeling strangely cheated that we hadn’t felt the full force of the Storm! There was hardly a wave of the surface of the Res when I got there. I had a quick scan from the car park and there was very little.
However, J Harris reported a Red-crested Pochard on the small pool although there was no sign today.
Sunday, 27 October 2013
Sunday 27 October
There was a Little Gull briefly this morning (S Roper). I have been too busy to get over this weekend but it looks like the fun might start early next week as this storm comes through. It might be little late in the autumn for good numbers of birds, but I am hopeful that something will come of it.
Tuesday, 22 October 2013
Monday 21 October
I had two visits today, one in the morning and one mid afternoon.
In the morning it was pouring down but feeling intrepid I headed out, I had gone about 300 yards when what looked like a Bunting flew up about 60 yards in front of me, I got very little on it. About the only thing I can be certain of was that it wasn’t a male Reed Bunting or Snow Bunting. It appeared rather nondescript and plain faced and appeared rather compact. But other than that I haven’t a clue. By the time I had uncovered my bins and got it in view it was above my eyeline and flew off south gaining height steadily. I last saw it high over the sailing club and it kept going until I lost it, or to be more precise, until my bins were completely soaking wet. On the off chance I went back to the car park and searched the south shore just in case but drew a blank.
Later in the day when the rain relented I when back over with the Captain. Again it was quiet but there is a bit of a build up in the wildfowl department with around ten Shoveler, 28 Pochard and the first three Goosander of the Autumn. There are a few Redwing around at the moment but I haven’t come across many Fieldfare as yet.
In the morning it was pouring down but feeling intrepid I headed out, I had gone about 300 yards when what looked like a Bunting flew up about 60 yards in front of me, I got very little on it. About the only thing I can be certain of was that it wasn’t a male Reed Bunting or Snow Bunting. It appeared rather nondescript and plain faced and appeared rather compact. But other than that I haven’t a clue. By the time I had uncovered my bins and got it in view it was above my eyeline and flew off south gaining height steadily. I last saw it high over the sailing club and it kept going until I lost it, or to be more precise, until my bins were completely soaking wet. On the off chance I went back to the car park and searched the south shore just in case but drew a blank.
Later in the day when the rain relented I when back over with the Captain. Again it was quiet but there is a bit of a build up in the wildfowl department with around ten Shoveler, 28 Pochard and the first three Goosander of the Autumn. There are a few Redwing around at the moment but I haven’t come across many Fieldfare as yet.
Monday, 21 October 2013
Sunday 20th October
Haven’t been able to get over much but the Whooper Swan were seen on Thursday early on! Also Steve Haynes had a fly over Greenshank at the weekend.
Unfortunately I have lost my phone, and hence all my contacts. I would appreciate it if you can email me your numbers or conversely text them to me on my new phone.
Unfortunately I have lost my phone, and hence all my contacts. I would appreciate it if you can email me your numbers or conversely text them to me on my new phone.
Monday, 14 October 2013
Monday 14th October
After a long day at work I eventually got over the reservoir at just after 6pm, more for the exercise than the birding! There were a lot of gull in the roost a lot of the “bigs” and I picked out an obvious adult Yellow-legged Gull amongst the numerous Herring and Lessers.
I carried on round noticing that there were several Swans, there have only been around a maximum of four Mute Swan recently so I thought I might be in with a chance given the winds and the rain over the last couple of days. When I got closer I checked them out in the fading light, to my surprise the last two were both Whooper Swan. I hadn’t taken my phone, because it got soaked the other day and by the time I got home it was dark, so apologies to anyone who feels gripped off!
Apparently, there have also been three Rock Pipit seen today, plus Dave Hutton got some good shots of the Tern and it was an Arctic Tern. So I will amend my notes from yesterday then! Thanks Dave.
I carried on round noticing that there were several Swans, there have only been around a maximum of four Mute Swan recently so I thought I might be in with a chance given the winds and the rain over the last couple of days. When I got closer I checked them out in the fading light, to my surprise the last two were both Whooper Swan. I hadn’t taken my phone, because it got soaked the other day and by the time I got home it was dark, so apologies to anyone who feels gripped off!
Apparently, there have also been three Rock Pipit seen today, plus Dave Hutton got some good shots of the Tern and it was an Arctic Tern. So I will amend my notes from yesterday then! Thanks Dave.
Sunday, 13 October 2013
Sunday 13th October
With very poor weather Joy and I made two trips over today, seeing very little due to the weather. The Rock Pipit was reported but I drew a blank with it twice! There was a Tern on the jetty at the sailing club which look like Common to me when I saw it flying around on my second visit.
There were four hirundines (Steve Haynes) but were too distant to be specifically identified.
There were four hirundines (Steve Haynes) but were too distant to be specifically identified.
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