A Hen Harrier was seen locally on a couple of occasions last week close to Coleshill Quarry I made a couple of visits but only saw Barn Owl and a Stonechat.
Today I spent the morning at the Reservoir adding Goldeneye to my year total which now stands at 110. That is probably the poorest I have accumulated in recent years despite a lot more visits!
There were a good number of birds around today which was in part due to the wind dropping no doubt. There were a few Redpoll which were the first of the winter, also seen were 20+ Siskin and a lot of winter thrushes. There was a fly over Raven as well.
Monday, 16 November 2015
Wednesday, 11 November 2015
Wednesday 11th November
Again I have been birding most mornings, Monday saw me at Draycote Water where I walked the whole way around, it was rather poor until the last mile or so – I will walk the other way round next time. The wind was howling but it was quite mild for the time of year. Highlights included Scaup, 4 Red-crested Pochard, Pintail and @6 Tree Sparrows.
Tuesday saw me spending the morning at the Reservoir, the wind wasn’t quite as strong but most of the passerines were keeping their heads down. I saw over 50 Fieldfare and a lesser number of Redwing but the numbers of wildfowl were low apart, or course for Coot there were over 500 of those. The highlight was a Common Sandpiper normally unusual for this time of year, but with one wintering last winter, maybe we are due a repeat experience.
Wednesday I spent at Middleton Lakes RSPB and whilst I quiet enjoyed myself (I always do) there was little in the way of Avian interest.
In the afternoons I have been walking my sons dog as he and his partner are very busy. I have been taking him along the trail on the River Cole in Shard End. I have to say the footpath heading towards Babs Mill looks fantastic and whilst I haven’t seen that much it has potential, a calling Tawny Owl is my best so far.
Tuesday saw me spending the morning at the Reservoir, the wind wasn’t quite as strong but most of the passerines were keeping their heads down. I saw over 50 Fieldfare and a lesser number of Redwing but the numbers of wildfowl were low apart, or course for Coot there were over 500 of those. The highlight was a Common Sandpiper normally unusual for this time of year, but with one wintering last winter, maybe we are due a repeat experience.
Wednesday I spent at Middleton Lakes RSPB and whilst I quiet enjoyed myself (I always do) there was little in the way of Avian interest.
In the afternoons I have been walking my sons dog as he and his partner are very busy. I have been taking him along the trail on the River Cole in Shard End. I have to say the footpath heading towards Babs Mill looks fantastic and whilst I haven’t seen that much it has potential, a calling Tawny Owl is my best so far.
Wednesday, 4 November 2015
Tuesday 3rd November
I spent the end of the week and the weekend in Norfolk where I finally beat my record year total for the UK. I added Water Pipit, Red-necked Grebe, Firecrest, Spotted REDSHANK, Velvet Scoter and Bewick Swan to my year list.
In Norfolk we only spread our wings as far as Titchwell and Holkham and as usual we did a fair bit of walking other good birds seen were Rough-legged Buzzard and Black Redstart.
I haven’t been to the Reservoir much in recent weeks but when I have it has been rather poor. I dragged myself over yesterday and the most eventful thing that happened was that I was set upon by a dog! The couple had been walking behind me for a while and I could hear them shouting at a dog most of the way, I was rather miffed as it had been a pleasant quiet day to that point. Then I heard a louder shout then this bloody mutt tried to take a chunk out of my leg. It was snarling and showing is teeth and trying to get at me. The couple said hysterially “He doesn’t normally do that!” I retorted with “well if he was on a lead it wouldn’t be a problem” It would appear that remarked upset them a little, as there was a lot of puffing out of shoulders and aggressive mumbling as they went past, the dog then went off to harass someone else who had there dog on a lead – some people!
Bird wise there was a good scattering of wildfowl with around 15 Pochard, 8 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall and single Wigeon and Teal.
I’m sitting here and the fogs lifted so I’m off out – the hounds are hungry.
In Norfolk we only spread our wings as far as Titchwell and Holkham and as usual we did a fair bit of walking other good birds seen were Rough-legged Buzzard and Black Redstart.
I haven’t been to the Reservoir much in recent weeks but when I have it has been rather poor. I dragged myself over yesterday and the most eventful thing that happened was that I was set upon by a dog! The couple had been walking behind me for a while and I could hear them shouting at a dog most of the way, I was rather miffed as it had been a pleasant quiet day to that point. Then I heard a louder shout then this bloody mutt tried to take a chunk out of my leg. It was snarling and showing is teeth and trying to get at me. The couple said hysterially “He doesn’t normally do that!” I retorted with “well if he was on a lead it wouldn’t be a problem” It would appear that remarked upset them a little, as there was a lot of puffing out of shoulders and aggressive mumbling as they went past, the dog then went off to harass someone else who had there dog on a lead – some people!
Bird wise there was a good scattering of wildfowl with around 15 Pochard, 8 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall and single Wigeon and Teal.
I’m sitting here and the fogs lifted so I’m off out – the hounds are hungry.
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