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.
Tuesday, 5 January 2016
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.
Monday, 16 November 2015
Monday 16th November
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.
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.
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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