Had a rather busy week, so birding has been at a premium, although today for a change I visited Middleton Lakes RSPB. There was little on the feeders although there was a carpet of Brown Rats under them.
It was rather quiet with a pair of Hobby, one adult and a jug feeding over the reserve. We were scanning Jubilee when all the birds went up, I scanned for something overhead, but nothing, then I picked a Raptor up headed south-east over the trees in the distance. I was surprised to see a Marsh Harrier, how it managed to spook everything from that distance came as a surprise. It was a cream-headed bird and it just continued on its way.
On the North Pit there was a good variety of wildfowl including a Pintail, in all honesty it was too warm for birding so after a three hour stint we headed home.
Friday, 20 September 2019
Monday, 16 September 2019
Sunday 15th September
FARLINGTON MARSHES
We had a rather eventful Saturday resulting in a loss of a few hours sleep, so it was a pleasant surprise that news broke of an Easter Olivaceous Warbler at Farlington Marshes, Hants. This is a bird that I needed so we decided to wait for news the next morning before committing ourselves to the drive.
As it happens it was seen very early so after a coffee we took a steady drive to the south coast and arrived in two and a half hours, with Motorway all the way. We parked up and made our way to where the bird was performing well. We were around 30 yards away but as usual some needed to get closer. What followed over the course of the next two hours summed up what is wrong with birding. Firstly, cameras outnumbered telescopes by about six to one, one or two photographers appeared not to even have binoculars! The fieldcraft/good manners was crap with people wandering between birds and the bird. At various times people were claiming the bird when it was Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Robin and even Blue Tit!
Joy and I got good views and relocated the bird in a Sallow, the assembled crowd then joined us forming an orderly line in front of us, as I said – no manners!
Having had a couple of interrupt nights sleep we left for home and I had a leisurely afternoon watching the conclusion of the cricket.
We had a rather eventful Saturday resulting in a loss of a few hours sleep, so it was a pleasant surprise that news broke of an Easter Olivaceous Warbler at Farlington Marshes, Hants. This is a bird that I needed so we decided to wait for news the next morning before committing ourselves to the drive.
As it happens it was seen very early so after a coffee we took a steady drive to the south coast and arrived in two and a half hours, with Motorway all the way. We parked up and made our way to where the bird was performing well. We were around 30 yards away but as usual some needed to get closer. What followed over the course of the next two hours summed up what is wrong with birding. Firstly, cameras outnumbered telescopes by about six to one, one or two photographers appeared not to even have binoculars! The fieldcraft/good manners was crap with people wandering between birds and the bird. At various times people were claiming the bird when it was Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Robin and even Blue Tit!
Joy and I got good views and relocated the bird in a Sallow, the assembled crowd then joined us forming an orderly line in front of us, as I said – no manners!
Having had a couple of interrupt nights sleep we left for home and I had a leisurely afternoon watching the conclusion of the cricket.
Saturday, 14 September 2019
Friday 13th September
Started off with a walk around Shustoke but apart from five Common Sandpiper it was pretty quite, the stubble field has been ploughed over but the Linnet were still present, though maybe only c.80 present.
Joy and I then drove to Draycote for our first visit of the year, we used to visit monthly and probably will again in the future, now nearly all the road works are completed making it a little easier to access now.
We started off along the dam finding a Wheatear and then a Turnstone at the end of the dam there were two Ringed Plover and a Ruff feeding on the edge. Whilst scanning through the far bank a Greenshank flew through my field of view and it would be the only sign all day. There were around a dozen Teal from the hide and a single Common Sandpiper.
The next stretch was quiet apart from a pair of Raven closely followed by a pair of Sparrowhawk. Between the Valve Tower and the outflow there were eight evenly spread Little Egret taking the days total to c.15. At the Outflow there were three Shoveler, Wigeon and a Gadwall. Along the southern shore it was relatively quiet apart from three or four Common Sandpiper and another or the same Ruff.
Joy and I then drove to Draycote for our first visit of the year, we used to visit monthly and probably will again in the future, now nearly all the road works are completed making it a little easier to access now.
We started off along the dam finding a Wheatear and then a Turnstone at the end of the dam there were two Ringed Plover and a Ruff feeding on the edge. Whilst scanning through the far bank a Greenshank flew through my field of view and it would be the only sign all day. There were around a dozen Teal from the hide and a single Common Sandpiper.
The next stretch was quiet apart from a pair of Raven closely followed by a pair of Sparrowhawk. Between the Valve Tower and the outflow there were eight evenly spread Little Egret taking the days total to c.15. At the Outflow there were three Shoveler, Wigeon and a Gadwall. Along the southern shore it was relatively quiet apart from three or four Common Sandpiper and another or the same Ruff.
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| Ruff, Draycote Water |
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| Turnstone, Draycote Water |
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| Wheatear, Draycote Water |
Wednesday, 11 September 2019
Wednesday 11th September
I visited the Reservoir in the morning specifically to check out the stubble field for potential Whinchat as I need it for my Shustoke year list. On arrival seven Shoveler were flying round, for a change I thought I would check out the River Blythe, birding the fields towards Ladywalk. It was a bad move as the path was very overgrown, it took ten minutes of pulling out Himalayan Balsam and brambles before I could cover the 20 yards to freedom. I needn't have bothered there was very little apart from a Little Egret.
I made my way back around the Reservoir where I couldn't locate the Ringed Plover, whilst at the east end there were two Common Sandpiper, also absent were the two Wigeon.
On arrival at the stubble field I walked into the middle, then made my way along adjacent to the road, there was no sign of yesterdays Wheatear but in the distance I saw the flock of c.120 Linnet flying round.
I though I might as well check them in case they might have dragged something good in with them. I did see a bird perched on stubble but it was too far away to have an idea what it was. I made my way closer when the flock took to the air in panic and I was astonished to see a female Merlin making its way at speed through the scattering Linnets. It appeared to have been unsuccessful but nonetheless passed quite close giving great if brief views before it carried on over the Reservoir, I lost sight of it as it made its way westward. In 20 years I think its my 4th record and a fitting bird to be my 110th for the year!
In the afternoon I visited Wishaw again, but it was far too windy, a few each of Meadow Pipit and Skylark was the best I could manage. I did though connect with a Hobby that I disturbed from an Oak tree as it was enjoying lunch, it flew off with what looked like a Swallow hanging from it talons.
I made my way back around the Reservoir where I couldn't locate the Ringed Plover, whilst at the east end there were two Common Sandpiper, also absent were the two Wigeon.
On arrival at the stubble field I walked into the middle, then made my way along adjacent to the road, there was no sign of yesterdays Wheatear but in the distance I saw the flock of c.120 Linnet flying round.
I though I might as well check them in case they might have dragged something good in with them. I did see a bird perched on stubble but it was too far away to have an idea what it was. I made my way closer when the flock took to the air in panic and I was astonished to see a female Merlin making its way at speed through the scattering Linnets. It appeared to have been unsuccessful but nonetheless passed quite close giving great if brief views before it carried on over the Reservoir, I lost sight of it as it made its way westward. In 20 years I think its my 4th record and a fitting bird to be my 110th for the year!
In the afternoon I visited Wishaw again, but it was far too windy, a few each of Meadow Pipit and Skylark was the best I could manage. I did though connect with a Hobby that I disturbed from an Oak tree as it was enjoying lunch, it flew off with what looked like a Swallow hanging from it talons.
Tuesday, 10 September 2019
Tuesday 10th September
After a good day yesterday I found myself visiting the Reservoir again, on arrival a Common Sandpiper flew from the edge. The Ringed Plover was also still present together with two more Common Sandpiper, unfortunately it was soon flushed by a dog and as far as I’m aware it carried on going. Yesterdays two Wigeon were still there as were a pair of drake Gadwall.
I checked around the small pool seeing Treecreeper (missing from Saturday) then decided to check out some of the areas I had covered on Saturday on foot. I carried on towards Furnace End and checked out the churchyard, then worked my way through the fields back to the Reservoir.
The stubble fields on Bixhill Lane still held c.100 Linnet and c50 Goldfinch and today a single Wheatear, why could I not have connected with this on Saturday.
In the Afternoon I visited the Wishaw area where I saw 2 Whinchat, there were c.50 Swallow, Yellowhammer and a few of both Skylark and Meadow Pipit.
I checked around the small pool seeing Treecreeper (missing from Saturday) then decided to check out some of the areas I had covered on Saturday on foot. I carried on towards Furnace End and checked out the churchyard, then worked my way through the fields back to the Reservoir.
The stubble fields on Bixhill Lane still held c.100 Linnet and c50 Goldfinch and today a single Wheatear, why could I not have connected with this on Saturday.
In the Afternoon I visited the Wishaw area where I saw 2 Whinchat, there were c.50 Swallow, Yellowhammer and a few of both Skylark and Meadow Pipit.
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| Two Common Sandpiper |
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| Ringed Plover |
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| Two Wigeon |
Monday, 9 September 2019
Monday 9th September
I worked on my bird notes this morning as it was raining, but I was itching to get started, so after lunch I made my way to the Reservoir.
From the car park there were a lot of hirundines, mainly composing of House Martin, with smaller numbers of Swallow with about 20 Sand Martin. I started my walk but was disappointed that there were so many dogs off leads with their owners shouting and screaming at their Mutts that were not well trained. I wouldn’t mind but most don’t bother to pay for parking which makes my wonder why I have purchased a permit!
Anyway, surprisingly I had four Common Sandpiper fly in and land briefly (flushed by dogs), then further along I picked up a Ringed Plover my first of the year (109). A Hobby was perched in a tree just the other side of the river and showed really well. At the far end a couple of Wigeon were the first of the Autumn. I made my way along the path beside the railway line and was annoyed to see three Pheasant, try as I might I could not find any on Saturday.
Light rain started to fall so I changed my plans and made my way back to the main Reservoir rather than my initial though of trudging down the back lanes. The fields off Bixhill Lane held an impressive c.120 Linnet, then I heard a Greenshank calling, my second this Autumn, it took ten minutes before I actually saw the bird as it circled round for a little while before heading off in the direction of Ladywalk.
Back at the car park I could only locate Common Sandpiper along the edge, but at least there were a couple of Shoveler resting below the car park to end the trip.
All-in-all a good day with four species that I failed to see on Saturday.
From the car park there were a lot of hirundines, mainly composing of House Martin, with smaller numbers of Swallow with about 20 Sand Martin. I started my walk but was disappointed that there were so many dogs off leads with their owners shouting and screaming at their Mutts that were not well trained. I wouldn’t mind but most don’t bother to pay for parking which makes my wonder why I have purchased a permit!
Anyway, surprisingly I had four Common Sandpiper fly in and land briefly (flushed by dogs), then further along I picked up a Ringed Plover my first of the year (109). A Hobby was perched in a tree just the other side of the river and showed really well. At the far end a couple of Wigeon were the first of the Autumn. I made my way along the path beside the railway line and was annoyed to see three Pheasant, try as I might I could not find any on Saturday.
Light rain started to fall so I changed my plans and made my way back to the main Reservoir rather than my initial though of trudging down the back lanes. The fields off Bixhill Lane held an impressive c.120 Linnet, then I heard a Greenshank calling, my second this Autumn, it took ten minutes before I actually saw the bird as it circled round for a little while before heading off in the direction of Ladywalk.
Back at the car park I could only locate Common Sandpiper along the edge, but at least there were a couple of Shoveler resting below the car park to end the trip.
All-in-all a good day with four species that I failed to see on Saturday.
Sunday, 8 September 2019
Saturday 7th September
THE ALL DAYER
I decided that I would participate in the West Midlands Bird Club “All Dayer” covering Shustoke Reservoir and surrounds.
I started at 7.00am and it was a damp start although the weather did improve during the course of the day. From the car park I saw an unexpected Shoveler, whilst a pair of Hobby spend the next two hours trying to catch one of the near 200 hirundines.
In no particular order I saw Kingfisher, Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Common Sandpiper before heading off towards Hogrills End near the Tamworth Road to check the fields for Wheatear, Redstart, Whinchat etc., were I saw none of said birds. The damp meadow alongside the river at Furnace End produced my first unexpected species whilst checking out a roving tit flock I picked up a Spotted Flycatcher, my first on site for the year. Bixhill Lane didn’t produce the expected Meadow Pipit or Skylark.
I arrived back at the car at 11.00am on 50 species, I went home for breakfast/lunch and watched the cricket for an hour. At 1pm I headed out again checking the roads behind Hogrills End where I picked up Kestrel, House Sparrow and Starling! None of the fields held much at all and I was surprised not to find any Rook amongst 100s of Jackdaw and Carrion Crow.
I then drove to Shawbury Lane and followed the footpaths down to Shustoke and back. I added a few species including my first Yellowhammer for the year, I also added Green Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk and a Herring Gull. I also found another Spotted Flycatcher which was unexpected.
I finished on 62 species but still hadn’t seen a number of regular birds. I got home and watched a little more cricket before heading out hoping for a few species of gull at the Reservoir. Unfortunately the gull roost was poor but I did pull back Bullfinch and Greenfinch so I ended up with a reasonable total of 64 species, which considering I was on my own I was happy with.
I then arranged to meet Steve Haynes at the Griffin to swap notes and have a well earned pint.
It was feasible to have added, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Rook, Pheasant, Swift, Treecreeper, Little Egret, Common Gull and maybe another wader or wildfowl species so it was quite possible to have reached 70 species.
I decided that I would participate in the West Midlands Bird Club “All Dayer” covering Shustoke Reservoir and surrounds.
I started at 7.00am and it was a damp start although the weather did improve during the course of the day. From the car park I saw an unexpected Shoveler, whilst a pair of Hobby spend the next two hours trying to catch one of the near 200 hirundines.
In no particular order I saw Kingfisher, Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Common Sandpiper before heading off towards Hogrills End near the Tamworth Road to check the fields for Wheatear, Redstart, Whinchat etc., were I saw none of said birds. The damp meadow alongside the river at Furnace End produced my first unexpected species whilst checking out a roving tit flock I picked up a Spotted Flycatcher, my first on site for the year. Bixhill Lane didn’t produce the expected Meadow Pipit or Skylark.
I arrived back at the car at 11.00am on 50 species, I went home for breakfast/lunch and watched the cricket for an hour. At 1pm I headed out again checking the roads behind Hogrills End where I picked up Kestrel, House Sparrow and Starling! None of the fields held much at all and I was surprised not to find any Rook amongst 100s of Jackdaw and Carrion Crow.
I then drove to Shawbury Lane and followed the footpaths down to Shustoke and back. I added a few species including my first Yellowhammer for the year, I also added Green Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk and a Herring Gull. I also found another Spotted Flycatcher which was unexpected.
I finished on 62 species but still hadn’t seen a number of regular birds. I got home and watched a little more cricket before heading out hoping for a few species of gull at the Reservoir. Unfortunately the gull roost was poor but I did pull back Bullfinch and Greenfinch so I ended up with a reasonable total of 64 species, which considering I was on my own I was happy with.
I then arranged to meet Steve Haynes at the Griffin to swap notes and have a well earned pint.
It was feasible to have added, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Rook, Pheasant, Swift, Treecreeper, Little Egret, Common Gull and maybe another wader or wildfowl species so it was quite possible to have reached 70 species.
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