Friday, 27 January 2012
27-1-12, Whitemoor Haye.
After a three day 1st aid course I had a good 90 mins of light spare at the end of the day so I got my dog and headed out to the good old local patch. I started off at the quarry pool area and the skies were like a scene from Independance Day. A big black cloud slowly started moving over Whitemoor Haye apart from a thin sliver in the middle and in each side it was hammering down but the middle was not too bad. I stayed at the pool and in that area I noted Pheasant, Black Headed Gull, Magpie, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Blackbird, about 1000 Lapwing were flying around being very insettled (another circa 250 were in another field further on around the lanes), 9 Wigeon, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon (I saw circa 600 birds flying into roost whilst counting the last group of Mute Swans), a single Buzzard, Canada Geese, Wren, Blue Tit, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Robin, 4 Mallard, 2 Fieldfare flying over the pool but I also added another 120ish further around the lanes, and a single Goldfinch over. Onto the lanes and the skies were really black and as I was looking for the Little Owls it started raining although not too bad but either side it was really heavy for about ten minutes. A tad lucky me thinks. Birds noted around here were two groups of Golden Plover of circa 30 and circa 100, 365 Mute Swan, Chaffinch, circa 30 Tree Sparrow, Reed Bunting, Cormorant, Yellowhammer, Dunnock, 2 Grey Partridge, 13 Pied Wagtails flew over head, 5 Redwings in with the second group of Fieldfares, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Moorhens and a single Little Owl at dusk.
Monday, 23 January 2012
23-1-12, Whitemoor Haye.
A day off today and thank whoever the wind had dropped and it was very nice around Whitemoor Haye. Around the lake and woods I noted Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Carrion Crow, Robin, Black Headed Gull, 39 Wigeon, 1 Little Egret, 8 Mallard, Wren, 5 Tufted Duck, Woodpigeon, Skylark, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Blackbird, Meadow Pipit, Starling, 2 Fieldfare, Pheasant, Magpie, 2 Grey Heron and Canada Geese. On to the lanes and I added about 1000 Lapwing, about 500 Golden Plover, Dunnock, 1 Grey Partridge, Pied Wagtail, 337 Mute Swan, a single Corn Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Great Tit, Reed Bunting, Cormorant, Stock Dove, Buzzard, Linnet and 2 Collared Doves. There was a noticable increase in Reed Buntings today. In recent visits I have had the odd one, always female but today there was a few males and females around.
Stubbers Green.
After a bit of shopping I headed again for a bit of punishment and targeted the gulls at the sailing pool. When I arrived there was a fair few cars around and things were looking promising. Birds noted were Mallard, Canada Geese, Coot, Black Headed Gull, Lapwing, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Magpie, Moorhen, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Common Gull, Starling, Dunnock, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove and a couple of pairs of Shoveler.
As soon as I arrived on site I joined a few other birders who were on a possible Caspian Gull. As this is a nightmare bird for me I had bought along the gull bible (written by the Swedish or Danish people but cannot remeber as book still in the car) to try and find one. I fetched the book and we pondered over the bird for some time and to us it ticked all of the boxes. Sloping forehead, flat head, cigar looking bill and small dark eye. We couldn't see the legs as the bird was always in the water. The group of us were very happy but then a birder came along who was not sure as it just didn't look right, he thought it was a possible Yellow-legged Gull. I did take some photos but only with a 500mm slr and the bird cannot be seen good enough. After coming back home and looking at the bird on the Chasewater wildlife website I am convinced this is the bird we were watching.
Stubbers Green.
After a bit of shopping I headed again for a bit of punishment and targeted the gulls at the sailing pool. When I arrived there was a fair few cars around and things were looking promising. Birds noted were Mallard, Canada Geese, Coot, Black Headed Gull, Lapwing, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Magpie, Moorhen, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Common Gull, Starling, Dunnock, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove and a couple of pairs of Shoveler.
As soon as I arrived on site I joined a few other birders who were on a possible Caspian Gull. As this is a nightmare bird for me I had bought along the gull bible (written by the Swedish or Danish people but cannot remeber as book still in the car) to try and find one. I fetched the book and we pondered over the bird for some time and to us it ticked all of the boxes. Sloping forehead, flat head, cigar looking bill and small dark eye. We couldn't see the legs as the bird was always in the water. The group of us were very happy but then a birder came along who was not sure as it just didn't look right, he thought it was a possible Yellow-legged Gull. I did take some photos but only with a 500mm slr and the bird cannot be seen good enough. After coming back home and looking at the bird on the Chasewater wildlife website I am convinced this is the bird we were watching.
22-1-12, Whitemoor Haye.
Today I had planned to visit a few sites but I had not taken into consideration the weather. It was pretty blowy at home but after loading up the dog and arriving at the quarry pool it was an absolute gail. I had a scan through the ducks on the pool but they kept disappearing behind huge waves and at one point it blew my scope over but no damage. Birds noted on the pool and around the area were Starling, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 13 Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, about 1000 Lapwing, Teal, Wren, Mallard, Wigeon, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Robin, Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Black Headed Gull and Chaffinch. Onto the very windy lanes and I could only add about 250 Golden Plover, a single Great Black-backed Gull, Dunnock, Skylark and Blackbird. I cannot remeber the last time it happened but I gave up birding after reaching the swans when I couldn't hold the bins steady enough to count the swans. It was not very enjoyable so I went home.
21-1-12, Croxall GP.
After the ups and then the downs of the Atherstone Night Heron it was back to normal sort of. Midweek my plan was to head south to see a Spanish Sparrow and a Dark-eyed Junco but after this year deciding to try and get or join people to go on twitches to share fuel but this time failing to get anyone and also doing my back in on Thursday night whilst cutting up logs, I decided to stay local. Birds noted were Magpie, Great Tit, 1 Kingfisher, about 80 Tufted Duck, about 60 Lapwing, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Wren, Blackbird, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 196 Teal, 40 Mallard, 7 (4 female, 3 male) Goldeneye, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Chaffinch, Robin, Cormorant, an amazing 483 Pochard, 1 Mute Swan, about 100 Black Headed Gull, a single Kestrel, Jackdaw, Canada Geese, 4 Wigeon, Meadow Pipit, Rook, 1 Little Egret, 2 Goosander on the river and Stock Dove.
Whitemoor Haye has been short of Pochard recently but it looks like Croxall has them all.
Whitemoor Haye.
First stop was by the pool and there was actually some life on there but I then noticed some trigger happy shooters walking around the pool blasting anything that flew past them and the worse thing is not picking anything up to be cooked or given away. Im not against shooting and my fridge has its fair share of Pheasant and Mallard breast meat ready for a nice casserole but to shoot and leave it to rot or for the fox, I don't understand it. Anyway they had driven the ducks to the road end of the pool and in the area I noted Starling, Magpie, about 25 Mallard, about 40 Pochard, about 20 Wigeon, Black Headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Goldfinch, Long-tailed Tit, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Wren and Woodpigeon. Onto the lanes and I added Pied Wagtail, Tree Sparrow, about 1000 Lapwing, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, 1 Buzzard, 358 Mute Swan, 1 Goosander flying over, 14 Grey Partridge, Dunnock, Blackbird, Stock Dove, Robin, 1 Song Thrush, a single Golden Plover flying over and a few Meadow Pipits.
Stubbers Green.
A new year, a new list and gulls are needed so it was off to the gull Mecca of the West Midlands to try and fill some gaps however my timing was absolutely awful. I arrived just after 11.00 and noted Black Headed Gull, Mallard, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Canada Geese, Pied Wagtail, Coot, Magpie, Moorhen, Carrion Crow, Starling, Lesser Blacl-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Cormorant and Jackdaw. I left just before midday and later on when I was at home cutting up more logs news came through of Iceland, Glaucous and Caspian Gull present at 12.00. Arrggggghhhhhhhhhhh
Whitemoor Haye has been short of Pochard recently but it looks like Croxall has them all.
Whitemoor Haye.
First stop was by the pool and there was actually some life on there but I then noticed some trigger happy shooters walking around the pool blasting anything that flew past them and the worse thing is not picking anything up to be cooked or given away. Im not against shooting and my fridge has its fair share of Pheasant and Mallard breast meat ready for a nice casserole but to shoot and leave it to rot or for the fox, I don't understand it. Anyway they had driven the ducks to the road end of the pool and in the area I noted Starling, Magpie, about 25 Mallard, about 40 Pochard, about 20 Wigeon, Black Headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Goldfinch, Long-tailed Tit, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Wren and Woodpigeon. Onto the lanes and I added Pied Wagtail, Tree Sparrow, about 1000 Lapwing, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, 1 Buzzard, 358 Mute Swan, 1 Goosander flying over, 14 Grey Partridge, Dunnock, Blackbird, Stock Dove, Robin, 1 Song Thrush, a single Golden Plover flying over and a few Meadow Pipits.
Stubbers Green.
A new year, a new list and gulls are needed so it was off to the gull Mecca of the West Midlands to try and fill some gaps however my timing was absolutely awful. I arrived just after 11.00 and noted Black Headed Gull, Mallard, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Canada Geese, Pied Wagtail, Coot, Magpie, Moorhen, Carrion Crow, Starling, Lesser Blacl-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Cormorant and Jackdaw. I left just before midday and later on when I was at home cutting up more logs news came through of Iceland, Glaucous and Caspian Gull present at 12.00. Arrggggghhhhhhhhhhh
Saturday, 21 January 2012
19-1-12, Atherstone.
I was helping with a lock stoppage open day at Atherstone on the Thursday and when I arrived the work lads (knowing I am of the birding persuasion) started talking to me about a heron that had been present for a couple of days and on that morning was sitting in the paddle hole which is no more than two foot high. We then argued about Grey Heron being too big for the hole and juveniles not born yet then we got too work. A couple of hours later one of the lads shouted me down the towpath to come and look at something and when I was theer he pointed in the tree and there was what I thought was an adult Night Heron. Not ever seeing one before though my other mate used modern technology and googled it on his phone and sure enough, it was. Un ortunately no cameras were available. I was thinking about putting the news on RBA but the towpath was closed to general access for construction works so birders would not be able to get close but I knew that the big lens boys would certainly try so I spoke to some birders in the evening and we decided to not let the information out until the towpath was empty. The news broke on Saturday 21st by a local person so I rang RBA to mention about the no access on site due to H&S but by looking at some photos this has obviously been ignored.
It turns out now the bird has a ring and was originally from Holland. I rang Twycross Zoo on the Thursday night as I thought the bird could have escaped from there but they have no records of Night Herons at there zoo. I wonder where this one has come from????
It turns out now the bird has a ring and was originally from Holland. I rang Twycross Zoo on the Thursday night as I thought the bird could have escaped from there but they have no records of Night Herons at there zoo. I wonder where this one has come from????
Monday, 16 January 2012
15-1-12, Alrewas GP.
I still have not decided on what my main objectives are this year birding wise but today I thought I would stay pretty local and mop up some year birds.......that is until I was checking the Chasewater wildlife website about any white-winged gulls when I saw it was WeBS count weeknend. Doh. So it was off around the pits I go. I was out of the house at dawn, on my bike, and soon walking over some very frozen grass. Absolutely lush, it can stay cold, frosty and sunny for ever as far as I'm concerned but might have to move to the tundra for that. Birds noted were Redwing, Robin, Canada Geese, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Pied Wagtail, Great Tit, Grey Heron, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Blackbird, Black Headed Gull, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Coot, Carrion Crow, Fieldfare, Wren, Great Crested Grebe, Wigeon, Pochard, Gadwall, Blue Tit, Goldeneye, Mute Swan and Grey Wagtail which was an unexpected but welcomed bonus.
National Arboretum.
Although this is not a proper counting area I have to pass through here for the other sites so I noted down what I saw plus any wildfowl/waders on the river. Birds noted were Bullfinch, Dunnock, Mallard, Carrion Crow, Lapwing, Blue Tit, Robin, Canada Geese, Blackbird, Wren, Cormorant, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Lesser Redpoll, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Goldeneye, Buzzard, Magpie, Tufted Duck, Coot and Greenfinch.
Junction Pit.
Once again not a lot to report on here. Grey Heron, Canada Geese, Mallard, Blue Tit, Kingfisher, Blackbird, Wren and Bullfinch were all I could find with Mallard being the most numerous with a single pair. Say no more really.
Croxall GP.
During the walk around Junction Pit I walked along the river to pass through the arboretum and here I could view the wides a lot easier than spooking everything from the reserve side and I noted Redshank, Canada Geese, Mute Swan and Little Egret. From the arboretum I could see that duck numbers were pretty high on here so walking upto the hide I concentrated on counting the ducks then the other birds on the way back. I added Lesser Redpoll, Goldfinch, Long-tailed Tit, Fieldfare, Chaffinch, Carrion Crow, Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Coot, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Grey Heron, Wren, Gadwall, Moorhen, Goldeneye, Mute Swan, Great Tit, Bullfinch, Snipe, Dunnock, Black Headed Gull, Kingfisher, Cormorant, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Robin.
Whitemoor Haye.
Apart from a quick trip to Barton marina pool that was the count done so I had a steady walk around the usual patch to see what was about. Unortunately the pool was very unproductive, the birds have been well frightened off from the boats. Is this the end of this pool for birding??? A nice find was feeding in the small wood by the quarry entrance but it was back to earth with a bump with some quiet lanes. Birds noted were Grey Partridge, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Blackbird, Tufted Duck, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Robin, Wren, Stock Dove, Blue Tit, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Willow Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Black Headed Gull, Buzzard, Mute Swan, Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Tree Sparrow, Little Owl, Lapwing, Skylark, Golden Plover, Linnet, Pied Wagtail, Wigeon and Bullfinch.
Fradley Junction NR.
After Barton pool to count ducks it was the last visit of the day to the reserve I work on in work and I fancied doing a bit of photography. I have set up a feeding station in the reserve and I regularly get Nuthatch on the bird table and this was my main target but a decent photo of anything would have done. Infortunately rsults were pretty poor but I might put my best ones up. Birds noted whilst there were Mallard, Black Headed Gull, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Nuthatch, Great Tit, Woodpigeon, Buzzard, Blackbird and Chaffinch. Nothing stunning but was nice just sitting watching the birds feed away pretty close.
National Arboretum.
Although this is not a proper counting area I have to pass through here for the other sites so I noted down what I saw plus any wildfowl/waders on the river. Birds noted were Bullfinch, Dunnock, Mallard, Carrion Crow, Lapwing, Blue Tit, Robin, Canada Geese, Blackbird, Wren, Cormorant, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Lesser Redpoll, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Goldeneye, Buzzard, Magpie, Tufted Duck, Coot and Greenfinch.
Junction Pit.
Once again not a lot to report on here. Grey Heron, Canada Geese, Mallard, Blue Tit, Kingfisher, Blackbird, Wren and Bullfinch were all I could find with Mallard being the most numerous with a single pair. Say no more really.
Croxall GP.
During the walk around Junction Pit I walked along the river to pass through the arboretum and here I could view the wides a lot easier than spooking everything from the reserve side and I noted Redshank, Canada Geese, Mute Swan and Little Egret. From the arboretum I could see that duck numbers were pretty high on here so walking upto the hide I concentrated on counting the ducks then the other birds on the way back. I added Lesser Redpoll, Goldfinch, Long-tailed Tit, Fieldfare, Chaffinch, Carrion Crow, Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Coot, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Grey Heron, Wren, Gadwall, Moorhen, Goldeneye, Mute Swan, Great Tit, Bullfinch, Snipe, Dunnock, Black Headed Gull, Kingfisher, Cormorant, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Robin.
Whitemoor Haye.
Apart from a quick trip to Barton marina pool that was the count done so I had a steady walk around the usual patch to see what was about. Unortunately the pool was very unproductive, the birds have been well frightened off from the boats. Is this the end of this pool for birding??? A nice find was feeding in the small wood by the quarry entrance but it was back to earth with a bump with some quiet lanes. Birds noted were Grey Partridge, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Blackbird, Tufted Duck, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Robin, Wren, Stock Dove, Blue Tit, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Willow Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Black Headed Gull, Buzzard, Mute Swan, Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Tree Sparrow, Little Owl, Lapwing, Skylark, Golden Plover, Linnet, Pied Wagtail, Wigeon and Bullfinch.
Fradley Junction NR.
After Barton pool to count ducks it was the last visit of the day to the reserve I work on in work and I fancied doing a bit of photography. I have set up a feeding station in the reserve and I regularly get Nuthatch on the bird table and this was my main target but a decent photo of anything would have done. Infortunately rsults were pretty poor but I might put my best ones up. Birds noted whilst there were Mallard, Black Headed Gull, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Nuthatch, Great Tit, Woodpigeon, Buzzard, Blackbird and Chaffinch. Nothing stunning but was nice just sitting watching the birds feed away pretty close.
Saturday, 14 January 2012
13 & 14-1-12, Whitemoor Haye and a little bit of Fradley Junction NR.
Yesterday and today I have been at worked but manged to finish with about an hour of light left on each day so I decied to head to Whitemoor to see what was occuring. On both occasions I headed off to count the swans first before seeing what was down the lanes. Then it was of to the quarry pool and surroundoing area to see what I could add.
13th - Blackbird, 329 Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Robin, Lapwing, Black Headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Carrion Crow, Tree Sparrow, Pheasant, Rook, Grey Heron and Fieldfare down the lanes and 7 Mallard, 1 Tufted Duck, a single gobby Wren and a couple of noisy Jackdaw. The pool was ammazingly empty, dunno whats occuring.
14th - Blackbird, 337 Mute Swan, Black Headed Gull, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Tree Sparrow, Lapwing, Fieldfare, Magpie, Starling, Dunnuck, Little Owl, Canada Geese and quite a few Blue Tits around.Onto the pool and I added a single Tufted Duck, Robin, Great Tit, Wren, 2 Mallard, 2 Red-legged Partridge and a few Pheasants.
A quick chat with Eric Clare and I discovered the reason why the quarry pool had been so quiet, there have been boats on there from the outdoor centre, rubbish. Whilst I was wasting my time at the pool I noticed lots of gulls coming from the other pool at Whitemoor Haye. These gulls are treating Whitemoor Haye as a pre roost and as we were losing light they took off heading for either Foremark or Blithfield but I was amazed by the numbers. I guess at least 600 to 700 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and at least 1000 Black Headed Gulls. There was a conszytant drip feed of larger gulls for about ten minutes before the smaller gulls got up on mass. Impressive.
Whilst working today at Fradley I managed to see a Treecreeper whilst topping up my feeders. Bonus.
13th - Blackbird, 329 Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Robin, Lapwing, Black Headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Carrion Crow, Tree Sparrow, Pheasant, Rook, Grey Heron and Fieldfare down the lanes and 7 Mallard, 1 Tufted Duck, a single gobby Wren and a couple of noisy Jackdaw. The pool was ammazingly empty, dunno whats occuring.
14th - Blackbird, 337 Mute Swan, Black Headed Gull, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Tree Sparrow, Lapwing, Fieldfare, Magpie, Starling, Dunnuck, Little Owl, Canada Geese and quite a few Blue Tits around.Onto the pool and I added a single Tufted Duck, Robin, Great Tit, Wren, 2 Mallard, 2 Red-legged Partridge and a few Pheasants.
A quick chat with Eric Clare and I discovered the reason why the quarry pool had been so quiet, there have been boats on there from the outdoor centre, rubbish. Whilst I was wasting my time at the pool I noticed lots of gulls coming from the other pool at Whitemoor Haye. These gulls are treating Whitemoor Haye as a pre roost and as we were losing light they took off heading for either Foremark or Blithfield but I was amazed by the numbers. I guess at least 600 to 700 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and at least 1000 Black Headed Gulls. There was a conszytant drip feed of larger gulls for about ten minutes before the smaller gulls got up on mass. Impressive.
Whilst working today at Fradley I managed to see a Treecreeper whilst topping up my feeders. Bonus.
Thursday, 12 January 2012
12-1-12, News.
Firstly I managed to catch up on a Nuthatch today whilst checking some work at Fradley Junction. Nice. Just had a look on Birdguides as my pager died this morning and if I got a day off and lots of money and luck I could nail 6 lifers in 1 day, Dark Eyed Junco, Ring-billed Gull and Spanish Sparrow down south and Coues Arctic Redpoll, Western Sandpiper and Lesser White-fronted Goose in Norfolk. Anyone fancy a roadtrip?
8-1-12, Whitemoor Haye.
With a hungover girlfriend in tow I spent the morning steadily ambling around Whitemoor. We decided to check out the lanes first for a change. Birds noted were Collared Dove, Robin, Wren, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Starling, Dunnock, Mute Swan - I tried to count them but they were quite flighty due to a few hunters arounf the quarry), Blackbird, Canada Geese, Black Headed Gull, Tree Sparrow, Great Tit, Skylark, Fieldfare, Lapwing, Stock Dove, Linnet, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Cormorant and Corn Bunting. Very quiet. Onto the pool area and I only added 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Wigeon and a single Goldeneye. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I went home to chill and watch the FA cup.
7-1-12, Whitemoor Haye.
Another morning around Whitemoor Haye and I started looking around the area of the quarry entrance which included the pool, the lane on the otherside of the road to the pool and also the small wood along the lane. Birds noted around here were Dunnock, Magpie, Black Headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Wren, Carrion Crow, 9 Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, an amazing count of 245 Pochard - I cant remember that many before, Blue Tit, Blackbird, 28 Lapwing, Robin, Grey Heron, Goldfinch, Kestrel, Great Tit and Stock Dove. Onto the usual lanes and I added 323 Mute Swans, Pheasant, Buzzard, a single Golden Plover flying over (I had to double check on my cd's that it was not a Grey Plover as I am not to up on the flight calls and one been seen around super Utch GP recently if not that morning (I am writing this 5 days on, memory not good), Starling, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Skylark, Fieldfare, a super adult female Peregrine dropped from out of nowhere on the hunt, Tree Sparrow and Pied Wagtail.
Blithers.
I had to visit the sailing club at Blithfield on work business, that and missing the Black Redstart on Christmas Day, I decided to make the trip worth while.......hopefully. Having sorted out what was needed to be sorted out it was hunting a small blackish bird, I headed towards the usual bay but having read other blogs and also the fact that somebody was having a mooch around the newly dug drains and looking gloomy, I concentrated on the shoreline and within minutes I saw a small bird fly from the shoreline into a small tree but by the time I trained my scope on the bird it had disappeared. I was soon joined by the other chap and after a while around where I saw said tiny bird with no luck we walked adjacent to the shore up to the dam but nothing so returned. A bit further on was a taller tree and after having a look the Black Redstart soon showed itself. Cracking. I must add the conditions were immensely windy so birding on the water was minimal. Other birds noted were Mute Swan, Cormorant, Wigeon, Lapwing, Greylag Geese, Black Headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Coot, Mallard, Fieldfare, Carrion Crow and Wren.
After going home for a bite to eat and look at any FA cup footry, I decided to head to a private gravel pit. Of interest there were plenty of usual wilfowl (Mallard, Wigeon, Tufted Duck and Gadwall) plus a good numbers of Goldeneye, Shoveler and Great Crested Grebe and a pair of Pintail which was a nice bonus. A half decent gull roost was gathering as dusk was approaching and I was interested as to whether theis was a proper roost or just a pre-roost but unfortunately three gun toting people were walking the shoreline and the gulls didn't hang about, and after a few shots neither did I.
Whitemoor Haye.
Dusk was upon me by the time I arrived here but I fancied hanging around looking for any owls that I coulkd add to the year list. Soon enough the Little Owl wasout on the edge of the tree before flying off but no sign of any other owls. I went home.
Blithers.
I had to visit the sailing club at Blithfield on work business, that and missing the Black Redstart on Christmas Day, I decided to make the trip worth while.......hopefully. Having sorted out what was needed to be sorted out it was hunting a small blackish bird, I headed towards the usual bay but having read other blogs and also the fact that somebody was having a mooch around the newly dug drains and looking gloomy, I concentrated on the shoreline and within minutes I saw a small bird fly from the shoreline into a small tree but by the time I trained my scope on the bird it had disappeared. I was soon joined by the other chap and after a while around where I saw said tiny bird with no luck we walked adjacent to the shore up to the dam but nothing so returned. A bit further on was a taller tree and after having a look the Black Redstart soon showed itself. Cracking. I must add the conditions were immensely windy so birding on the water was minimal. Other birds noted were Mute Swan, Cormorant, Wigeon, Lapwing, Greylag Geese, Black Headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Coot, Mallard, Fieldfare, Carrion Crow and Wren.
After going home for a bite to eat and look at any FA cup footry, I decided to head to a private gravel pit. Of interest there were plenty of usual wilfowl (Mallard, Wigeon, Tufted Duck and Gadwall) plus a good numbers of Goldeneye, Shoveler and Great Crested Grebe and a pair of Pintail which was a nice bonus. A half decent gull roost was gathering as dusk was approaching and I was interested as to whether theis was a proper roost or just a pre-roost but unfortunately three gun toting people were walking the shoreline and the gulls didn't hang about, and after a few shots neither did I.
Whitemoor Haye.
Dusk was upon me by the time I arrived here but I fancied hanging around looking for any owls that I coulkd add to the year list. Soon enough the Little Owl wasout on the edge of the tree before flying off but no sign of any other owls. I went home.
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
4-1-12, Whitemoor Haye.
A bit of a Brucy bonus when driving home through Whitemoor Haye tonight, 3 Grey Partridge flew over the road in front of the van. Nice. Ive got to pop to Blithfield on Saturday for work purposes, need to pop to the sailing club to talk about some training for my new boat. Really hoping the Black Redstart will still be showing as I will not be able to resist a bit of birding.
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
2-1-12, Upper Longdon.
Today I decided to head over to Upper Longdon to get the Great Grey Shrike which has been very showy. With the forecast being good I was hoping to try and get a half decent photo of this bird as my previous attempts have been rather crap. I arrived on site and the bird was showing straight away on one of the stumps but after a few minutes it flew off. After a quick chat to a fellow blogger I was told where the bird goes and it returns pretty quickly. We were not disappointed and soon getting great views of this beautiful creature.
Other birds noted were Great Tit, Chaffinch, Woodpigeon and Redwing. With the cold slowly winning we werte about to head off when a chap mentioned he had seen a few Bramblings in a flock of about 100 Chaffinches. I decided to get a bit colder and go and look for them and a quick walk up thje road and the flock showed itself with at least 3 male and 2 female Bramblings. Superb.
Cannock Chase.
I decided to head off for a heathland specialist so it was off to a very busy car park before a decent walk to the spot. Ubfortunately the bird in question did not give itself up today but other birds noted were Blue Tit, Wren, Green Woodpecker, Carrion Crow, Redwing, Blackbird, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit and Chaffinch. Deep Joy!!!
As it was work the next day I decided to go home and rest.
1-1-12, Home.
Ok so its a new year and what a difference a year makes. This time last year I spent new years eve in a travellodge outside Kings Lynn before spending two days around north Norfolk, a crfacking way to spend the start of the year. This year I decided to stay local so before sunrise I took my car to Whitemoor Haye, parked it up, walked back home and had breakfast. whilst scoffing egg on toast I had one eye in the back garden for the first birds of 2012. Birds noted were Blackbird, House Sparrow, Great Tit, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Starling, Dunnock and Black Headed Gull.
Circa Alrewas.
Heading off to my first site and I added Blue Tit, Greenfinch, Magpie, Redwing, Long-tailed Tit, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Carrion Crow, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellohammer, Fieldfare, Cormorant and Song Thrush.
Alrewas GP.
Onto the first main site of the day and I had a slow walk to the far side of the lake. Birds noted on the way were Woodpigeon, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wren, Great Crested Grebe, Mallard, Blue Tit, Lapwing, Blackbird, Great Tit, Robin, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Pied Wagtail, Black Headed Gull, Redwing, Carrion Crow, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Coot, Canada Geese, Pochard, Pheasant, Wigeon, Stock Dove, Little Egret, Goosander, Teal and a Sparrowhawk. Not too much wildfowl on the water, dont know if the fireworks had scared them off.
Junction Pit.
A bit of hunting and I have found a way from the pits to the back of the Junction Pit then I have the choice of entering the arboretum or walking around to the other side of the pit hopefully adding more birds. Birds noted were Pheasant, Wren, Fieldfare, Goldfinch, Dunnock, Cormorant, Tufted Duck, Mallard and Grey Heron. Still rubbish.
National Arboretum.
Naturally it is on through the arboretum as Junction Pit lies within its boundaries and birds noted here were Cormorant, Long-tailed Tit, Woodpigeon, Great Tit, Wren, Grey Heron, Redwing, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Pheasant, Canada Gees, Black Headed Gull, Carrion Crow, Mallard, Goosander, Tufted Duck, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, Coot, Blackbird, Lapwing, Magpie, Little Egret, Fieldfare and a Little Grebe on the river.
Whitemoor Haye.
Onto good old Whitemoor Haye, hopefully the first of many visits this year and I started off around the lake. Birds noted were Dunnock, Robin, Fieldfare, Carrion Crow, 2 Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Lapwing, Redshank, Starling, Mallard, Black Headed Gull, Goldeneye, Wigeon and Lesser Black-backed Gull. On to the lanes and I added Magpie, Redwing, Wren, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Pheasant, 5 Corn Buntings including 3 calling males, Meadow Pipit, Yellowhammer, Tree Sparrow, Linnet, Goosander and Chaffinch. Rather quiet around the patch but it was quite breezy and very chilly so I suppose the birds were taking shelter.
Circa Catton.
With Whitemoor not giving up much I decided to have a drive around the lanes hoping to pick up the odd year tick. I only managed Stock Dove, Carrion Crow and Kestrel, the latter one going towards the year list.
With Catton not being too fruitful I headed off to Croxall but as I got to the car park i noticed there was no room to park. Was there a mega in town?? Nope just loads of dog walkers!!!!!!!
I headed home, picked up my computer from my girlfriends house and saw a Coal Tit on her feeder in the back garden. Bonus. Then I went home.
Circa Alrewas.
Heading off to my first site and I added Blue Tit, Greenfinch, Magpie, Redwing, Long-tailed Tit, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Carrion Crow, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellohammer, Fieldfare, Cormorant and Song Thrush.
Alrewas GP.
Onto the first main site of the day and I had a slow walk to the far side of the lake. Birds noted on the way were Woodpigeon, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wren, Great Crested Grebe, Mallard, Blue Tit, Lapwing, Blackbird, Great Tit, Robin, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Pied Wagtail, Black Headed Gull, Redwing, Carrion Crow, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Coot, Canada Geese, Pochard, Pheasant, Wigeon, Stock Dove, Little Egret, Goosander, Teal and a Sparrowhawk. Not too much wildfowl on the water, dont know if the fireworks had scared them off.
Junction Pit.
A bit of hunting and I have found a way from the pits to the back of the Junction Pit then I have the choice of entering the arboretum or walking around to the other side of the pit hopefully adding more birds. Birds noted were Pheasant, Wren, Fieldfare, Goldfinch, Dunnock, Cormorant, Tufted Duck, Mallard and Grey Heron. Still rubbish.
National Arboretum.
Naturally it is on through the arboretum as Junction Pit lies within its boundaries and birds noted here were Cormorant, Long-tailed Tit, Woodpigeon, Great Tit, Wren, Grey Heron, Redwing, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Pheasant, Canada Gees, Black Headed Gull, Carrion Crow, Mallard, Goosander, Tufted Duck, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, Coot, Blackbird, Lapwing, Magpie, Little Egret, Fieldfare and a Little Grebe on the river.
Whitemoor Haye.
Onto good old Whitemoor Haye, hopefully the first of many visits this year and I started off around the lake. Birds noted were Dunnock, Robin, Fieldfare, Carrion Crow, 2 Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Lapwing, Redshank, Starling, Mallard, Black Headed Gull, Goldeneye, Wigeon and Lesser Black-backed Gull. On to the lanes and I added Magpie, Redwing, Wren, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Pheasant, 5 Corn Buntings including 3 calling males, Meadow Pipit, Yellowhammer, Tree Sparrow, Linnet, Goosander and Chaffinch. Rather quiet around the patch but it was quite breezy and very chilly so I suppose the birds were taking shelter.
Circa Catton.
With Whitemoor not giving up much I decided to have a drive around the lanes hoping to pick up the odd year tick. I only managed Stock Dove, Carrion Crow and Kestrel, the latter one going towards the year list.
With Catton not being too fruitful I headed off to Croxall but as I got to the car park i noticed there was no room to park. Was there a mega in town?? Nope just loads of dog walkers!!!!!!!
I headed home, picked up my computer from my girlfriends house and saw a Coal Tit on her feeder in the back garden. Bonus. Then I went home.
Monday, 2 January 2012
End of 2011 catch up.
Ooops, been a bit busy towards the end of the year so a few posts missing so to save boredom (and beer took hold on memory) I will list the birds from my notebook.
27-12-11, Whitemoor Haye - Magpie, Fieldfare, Carrion Crow, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Robin, Wren, Woodpigeon, Great Tit, 10 Tufted Duck, 44 Pochard, 9 Mallard, 336 Mute Swan, 23 Wigeon, Cormorant, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Pheasant, Redwing, Starling, Tree Sparrow, Black Headed Gull, Reed Bunting and Chaffinch.
28-12-11, Whitemoor Haye - Carrion Crow, Lapwing, Greylag Geese, Starling, Black Headed Gull, 31 Mallard, 18 Pochard, Canada Geese, 43 Wigeon, 3 Goldeneye, Grey Heron, 12 Tufted Duck, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Robin, Goldfinch, Fieldfare, Redwing, Woodpigeon, Wren, 328 Mute Swan, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 14 Grey Partridge, Dunnock, Tree Sparrow, Magpie, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Bullfinch, Skylark, Cormorant and Pied Wagtail.
29-12-11, Whitemoor Haye - Carrion Crow, Redwing, Wren, 4 Tufted Duck, 4 Mallard, Lapwing, Starling, Black Headed Gull, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Golden Plover, 3 Goldeneye, 5 Pochard, 23 Wigeon, Fieldfare, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Robin, Tree Sparrow, Blue Tit, Dunnock, Blackbird, Great Tit, 318 Mute Swan, Dunnock, Magpie, Yelloiwhammer, Pied Wagtail.
29-12-11, Croxall GP - Fieldfare, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Redwing, Coot, Teal, Kestrel, Blackbird, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Gadwall, Pochard, Chaffinch, Cormorant, Black Headed Gull, Canada Geese, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Wren, Robin, Kingfisher, Goldeneye, Shoveler, Rook, Little Egret, Great Tit and Moorhen.
30-12-11, Whitemoor Haye - Magpie, Tufted Duck, Great Tit, Carrion Crow, Goldfinch, Robin, Blue Tit, Mallard, Wigeon, Cormorant, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Blackbird, Black Headed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Fieldfare, Chaffinch, Teal, Canada Geese, Goldeneye, Wren, Redwing, Pheasant, Tree Sparrow, Grey Heron, Song Thrush, Lapwing, 330 Mute Swan, Great Black-backed Gull, Yellowhammer, Dunnock, Buzzard, Starling, Linnet and Pied Wagtail.
31-12-11, Branston GP - Lapwing, Great Tit, Robin, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Black Headed Gull, House Sparrow, Starling, Teal, Pheasant, Wigeon, Gadwall, Coot, Great Crested Grebe, Greylag Geese, Tufted Duck, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Mute Swan, 13 Curlew, 1 Peregrine, Stock Dove, Goldfinch, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Redwing, Golden Plover, 8 Siskin, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, 1 Marsh Tit, Bullfinch, Moorhen, Buzzard, Greenfinch, Jackdaw, Goldcrest, Dunnock and Magpie.
31-12-11, Whitemoor Haye - 52 Wigeon, 4 Tufted Duck, Fieldfare, Blue Tit, Wren, Buzzard, Woodpigeon, Lapwing, Robin, 1 Pochard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mallard, Carrion Crow, Black Headed Gull, 3 Goldeneye, Blackbird, Starling, 1 Shoveler, Goldfinch, Dunnock, Great Tit, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 304 Mute Swan, Fieldfare, Magpie, Chaffinch, Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer, Pied Wagtail, Canada Geese and Redwing.
That wraps up the birding for 2011 and as it turns out my best year ever with 223 species seen yet I had a pretty crap summer to be honest. One aim I did have was to cover Whitemoor Haye 100 times, I actually managed 103 so happy with that. 2012 I would love to do more. If I was at school I think it will be a C- for this year, bags of room for improvement but not bad.
27-12-11, Whitemoor Haye - Magpie, Fieldfare, Carrion Crow, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Robin, Wren, Woodpigeon, Great Tit, 10 Tufted Duck, 44 Pochard, 9 Mallard, 336 Mute Swan, 23 Wigeon, Cormorant, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Pheasant, Redwing, Starling, Tree Sparrow, Black Headed Gull, Reed Bunting and Chaffinch.
28-12-11, Whitemoor Haye - Carrion Crow, Lapwing, Greylag Geese, Starling, Black Headed Gull, 31 Mallard, 18 Pochard, Canada Geese, 43 Wigeon, 3 Goldeneye, Grey Heron, 12 Tufted Duck, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Robin, Goldfinch, Fieldfare, Redwing, Woodpigeon, Wren, 328 Mute Swan, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 14 Grey Partridge, Dunnock, Tree Sparrow, Magpie, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Bullfinch, Skylark, Cormorant and Pied Wagtail.
29-12-11, Whitemoor Haye - Carrion Crow, Redwing, Wren, 4 Tufted Duck, 4 Mallard, Lapwing, Starling, Black Headed Gull, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Golden Plover, 3 Goldeneye, 5 Pochard, 23 Wigeon, Fieldfare, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Robin, Tree Sparrow, Blue Tit, Dunnock, Blackbird, Great Tit, 318 Mute Swan, Dunnock, Magpie, Yelloiwhammer, Pied Wagtail.
29-12-11, Croxall GP - Fieldfare, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Redwing, Coot, Teal, Kestrel, Blackbird, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Gadwall, Pochard, Chaffinch, Cormorant, Black Headed Gull, Canada Geese, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Wren, Robin, Kingfisher, Goldeneye, Shoveler, Rook, Little Egret, Great Tit and Moorhen.
30-12-11, Whitemoor Haye - Magpie, Tufted Duck, Great Tit, Carrion Crow, Goldfinch, Robin, Blue Tit, Mallard, Wigeon, Cormorant, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Blackbird, Black Headed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Fieldfare, Chaffinch, Teal, Canada Geese, Goldeneye, Wren, Redwing, Pheasant, Tree Sparrow, Grey Heron, Song Thrush, Lapwing, 330 Mute Swan, Great Black-backed Gull, Yellowhammer, Dunnock, Buzzard, Starling, Linnet and Pied Wagtail.
31-12-11, Branston GP - Lapwing, Great Tit, Robin, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Black Headed Gull, House Sparrow, Starling, Teal, Pheasant, Wigeon, Gadwall, Coot, Great Crested Grebe, Greylag Geese, Tufted Duck, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Mute Swan, 13 Curlew, 1 Peregrine, Stock Dove, Goldfinch, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Redwing, Golden Plover, 8 Siskin, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, 1 Marsh Tit, Bullfinch, Moorhen, Buzzard, Greenfinch, Jackdaw, Goldcrest, Dunnock and Magpie.
31-12-11, Whitemoor Haye - 52 Wigeon, 4 Tufted Duck, Fieldfare, Blue Tit, Wren, Buzzard, Woodpigeon, Lapwing, Robin, 1 Pochard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mallard, Carrion Crow, Black Headed Gull, 3 Goldeneye, Blackbird, Starling, 1 Shoveler, Goldfinch, Dunnock, Great Tit, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 304 Mute Swan, Fieldfare, Magpie, Chaffinch, Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer, Pied Wagtail, Canada Geese and Redwing.
That wraps up the birding for 2011 and as it turns out my best year ever with 223 species seen yet I had a pretty crap summer to be honest. One aim I did have was to cover Whitemoor Haye 100 times, I actually managed 103 so happy with that. 2012 I would love to do more. If I was at school I think it will be a C- for this year, bags of room for improvement but not bad.
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