Alas, nowt much on and the weather not bad so I was out of the house at dawn. I was thinking of doing Belvide and Gailey before heading around the chase in the hope of finding first a Two-barred then a proper Parrot Crossbill. So it was the local pits then!!!!
Alrewas GP.
61 Tufted Duck, 5 Mallard, 10 Coot, 17 Lapwing over, 26 Wigeon over, 7 Goldeneye, 2 Pochard, 3 Bullfinch (the first of quite a few today) and three Chiffchaffs. I saw two to begin with and the light was very bright and they were not brilliant views. What were the chances of these being tristis? Slim to be honest but you never know. The third was definitely collybita.
National Arboretum.
A Snipe along the river bank was as good as it got, oh yeah, several Bullfinch too.
Junction Pit.
Not a lot but a Chiffchaff on the fence and a couple of Bullfinch in the willows.
Whitemoor Haye.
142 Wigeon, 73 Teal, 35 Tufted Duck, 5 Redshank, 600+ Lapwing, 30 Coot, 2 Little Owl and you guessed it, a pair of Bullfinch. The downside of this visit was watching, at close hand, a stout chase down and finally kill a rabbit. Pretty gruesome really but its nature, nature aint nice.
Field opposite National Arboretum entrance.
This field was quite good last year but a bit too overgrown this year however there was the odd Mipit and a bird with a white rump and a..... okay it was a bloody Bullfinch.
Cracking stuff Grommit.
Monday, 6 January 2014
Saturday, 4 January 2014
4-5-14.
No birding today as I was working all day felling trees near Fradley however I still managed to nail some year ticks. Song Thrush, Siskin, Nuthatch and Treecreeper wall all noted. Ideal.
Friday, 3 January 2014
3-1-14, Swithland Reservoir
I really wanted to get some work done today so I spent most of the day rubbing down and welding together my old trailer I decided to repair. What a mistaker to maker.
There has been a Black-throated Diver at Swithland Reservoir for sometime now, a bird which I did not get last year and a site I have never been to. I was meant to have a go over the holidays and when a message on the pager saying it was showing well off the dam I just had to go I collected my mate and 90 minutes later we were on site. By this time it was about 15.30 and chucking it down and blowing a gale. Then rain soon stopped and the diver was found in the middle of the reservoir, hardly showing well. Nearby were 3 out of the 4 Scaup that had also been present some time, bonus, then we lost the diver for 5 minutes but it soon reappeared right next to the dam. Cracking. A few more year ticks were collected and we went home happy.
There has been a Black-throated Diver at Swithland Reservoir for sometime now, a bird which I did not get last year and a site I have never been to. I was meant to have a go over the holidays and when a message on the pager saying it was showing well off the dam I just had to go I collected my mate and 90 minutes later we were on site. By this time it was about 15.30 and chucking it down and blowing a gale. Then rain soon stopped and the diver was found in the middle of the reservoir, hardly showing well. Nearby were 3 out of the 4 Scaup that had also been present some time, bonus, then we lost the diver for 5 minutes but it soon reappeared right next to the dam. Cracking. A few more year ticks were collected and we went home happy.
The best I could get on a darkening and rainy late afternoon but worth going to see.
2-1-14, Kick Off.
After spending a day watching garbage on TV I was fit and gagging to get out and I decided to spend the day down the usual gravel pits to kick start my year list. I have made no new year resolutions for birding this year, just going to do what I can and bloody well enjoy it.
Home.
Whilst getting my bike ready I managed to sort out a few year ticks including Jackdaw and Black headed Gull. Easy birding.
North of Alrewas.
On route to the first pit I noted the usual 4 Red-legged Partridge along with about 400 restless Lapwing.
Alrewas GP.
A steady walk around and I noted 80+ Lapwing over, 39 Tufted Duck, 9 Coot, 12 Teal, 14 Goldeneye, 1 Smew (redhead) and 2 Wigeon.
National Arboretum.
Pretty quiet yet again. Winter is usually very good here with Brambling, Redpoll and Siskin recorded last year. Nothing like this this year. I did note a Mistle Thrush and loads of Fieldfares.
Junction Pit.
Once again, pretty rubbish. In the past this has been excellent for Snipe and also noted was Whooper Swan. Today a Bullfinch was the only bird of note.
Croxall GP.
Bird noted included 78 Mute Swan, 114 Mallard, 80+ Lapwing, 3 Goldeneye, 329 Teal, 162 Tufted Duck, a handful of Wigeon (forgot to write dowm how many I counted!!!!!), 94 Pochard and 3 Little Grebes.
Whitemoor Haye.
A vast chunk of the afternoon was spent riding around and around the lanes as well as checking out the pool. Birds noted included 2 Goosander flying over, 16 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 23 Coot, 79 Wigeon, several Yellowhammer and Tree Sparrow, 2 Little Owl, 35 Golden Plover, 400+ Lapwing and 1 Redshank.
Home.
Back home just before dusk and was having a go at photographing House Sparrows out of the back window when a cracking Sparrowhawk flew down and perched on a nearby garden ornament, a full frame shot but the camera and to focus and the bird flew. Bugger, it would have been a cracker.
Home.
Whilst getting my bike ready I managed to sort out a few year ticks including Jackdaw and Black headed Gull. Easy birding.
North of Alrewas.
On route to the first pit I noted the usual 4 Red-legged Partridge along with about 400 restless Lapwing.
Alrewas GP.
A steady walk around and I noted 80+ Lapwing over, 39 Tufted Duck, 9 Coot, 12 Teal, 14 Goldeneye, 1 Smew (redhead) and 2 Wigeon.
National Arboretum.
Pretty quiet yet again. Winter is usually very good here with Brambling, Redpoll and Siskin recorded last year. Nothing like this this year. I did note a Mistle Thrush and loads of Fieldfares.
Junction Pit.
Once again, pretty rubbish. In the past this has been excellent for Snipe and also noted was Whooper Swan. Today a Bullfinch was the only bird of note.
Croxall GP.
Bird noted included 78 Mute Swan, 114 Mallard, 80+ Lapwing, 3 Goldeneye, 329 Teal, 162 Tufted Duck, a handful of Wigeon (forgot to write dowm how many I counted!!!!!), 94 Pochard and 3 Little Grebes.
Whitemoor Haye.
A vast chunk of the afternoon was spent riding around and around the lanes as well as checking out the pool. Birds noted included 2 Goosander flying over, 16 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 23 Coot, 79 Wigeon, several Yellowhammer and Tree Sparrow, 2 Little Owl, 35 Golden Plover, 400+ Lapwing and 1 Redshank.
Home.
Back home just before dusk and was having a go at photographing House Sparrows out of the back window when a cracking Sparrowhawk flew down and perched on a nearby garden ornament, a full frame shot but the camera and to focus and the bird flew. Bugger, it would have been a cracker.
Thats all I got folks!!!!!
Wednesday, 1 January 2014
1-1-14
First of all a very happy new year to whoever reads blogs these days. The Christmas period has been a bit frustrating for me, there are ticks everywhere but it means a fair bit of driving and therefore lots of fuel. I have been very tempted with the Brunnichs Guillemot in Portland harbour, the White-billed Diver in Devon, Buff-breasted Pipit at Burton Marsh, Ivory Gull on the Humber and the recently found Arctic Redpoll in Worcestershire. Great birds for my life list but a lot of driving and lets face it the weather has been pretty rubbish, probably hence the great birds, but with lots of people visiting friends, family or the sales the roads are always very busy and the crap weather can lead to miserable driving. And then theres the fuel. I do have a birding buddy who I go out with but this is not that regular, that does make a difference on a long journey sharing the fuel. In fact we are both keeping an eye on the weather as Friday we are having a day out, at first it was to Rutland Water for the day however a few of the above birds could well be on the radar, I will tell more over the weekend.
To today and I would love to be out but the weather is pretty rubbish and I cannot drive due to the massive intake of alcohol last night therefore my year list will have to start proper tomorrow although I am keeping an eye on my feeders to see what comes in. Already I have had Blue and Great Tit, Robin, Wren, Dunnock and Blackbird. Easy birding. To be fair though I must not complain about the weather as this is the first January 1st that I have not been able to bird since I started birding in 1999, Ill take today on the chin and watch crap on the TV.
Whilst Im here I might as well catch up on the birding since Boxing Day.
27-12-13, Croxall GP.
I headed to the reserve to do a duck count. 474 Teal, 221 Mallard, 9 Great Crested Grebe, 83 Tufties, 89 Pochard, 12 Wigeon, 34 Coot, 3 Snipe and 6 Redshank.
28-12-13
Whitemoor Haye.
75 Wigeon, 31 Coot, 19 Tufties, 111 Lapwing, 76 Golden Plover, Green Woodpecker and a Little Owl.
Willington GP.
A trip over the border into Derbyshire to this great reserve. It is predominantly a summer reserve, great for warblers however it is always worth a visit anytime of the year. Birds noted were Bullfinch, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Tufties, Snipe, Merlin, Peregrine, Goosander, Gadwall and Shoveler.
Branston GP.
Back down the A38 and I headed to Branston pits to see what was about. I noted 77 Coot, 62 Teal, 10 Gadwall, 8 Little Grebe, 15 Tufties, 1 only Pochard, 29 Mallard, 8 Wigeon, 1 Shoveler, 1 Little Egret, 17 Curlew and 5 Shelduck.
Whitemoor Haye.
I spent the last hour back at old faithful and noted 18 Coot, 2 Goldeneye, 12 Tufties, 2 Teal, 79 Wigeon and 5 Redshank.
29-12-13 saw me do my favourite tour of the pits around Alrewas.
Alrewas GP.
25 Mallard, 11 Great Crested Grebe, 17 Coot, 84 Tufties, 6 Goldeneye, 2 Smew (both redheads), 1 Pochard and 8 Teal.
Whitemoor Haye.
Nothing special around the arboretum or Junction Pit so it was off to the regular patch. 27 Tufties, 232 Wigeon, 62 Teal, 3 Gadwall, 29 Coot, 800+ Lapwing, 2 Little Owls, 250+ Golden Plover and a bonus of 5 Ruff with some Lapwings.
30-12-13, Whitemoor Haye.
327 Wigeon, 27 Coot, 26 Tufties, 8 Mallard, 67 Teal, 1200+ Lapwing, 150+ Golden Plover and a Peregrine.
31-12-13, Whitemoor Haye.
229 Wigeon, 34 Coot, 19 Mallard, 19 Teal, 2 Goldeneye, 400+ Lapwing and 1 Little Owl.
That's 2013 all done and dusted. I ended up with 214 birds for the year, not bad for me but could have been better and I will definitely try harder this year. I didn't even tick Tawny Owl, heard a couple but none seen and thats the same with Bittern. Poor.
Anyway here's to 2014 and loads of birds.
To today and I would love to be out but the weather is pretty rubbish and I cannot drive due to the massive intake of alcohol last night therefore my year list will have to start proper tomorrow although I am keeping an eye on my feeders to see what comes in. Already I have had Blue and Great Tit, Robin, Wren, Dunnock and Blackbird. Easy birding. To be fair though I must not complain about the weather as this is the first January 1st that I have not been able to bird since I started birding in 1999, Ill take today on the chin and watch crap on the TV.
Whilst Im here I might as well catch up on the birding since Boxing Day.
27-12-13, Croxall GP.
I headed to the reserve to do a duck count. 474 Teal, 221 Mallard, 9 Great Crested Grebe, 83 Tufties, 89 Pochard, 12 Wigeon, 34 Coot, 3 Snipe and 6 Redshank.
28-12-13
Whitemoor Haye.
75 Wigeon, 31 Coot, 19 Tufties, 111 Lapwing, 76 Golden Plover, Green Woodpecker and a Little Owl.
Willington GP.
A trip over the border into Derbyshire to this great reserve. It is predominantly a summer reserve, great for warblers however it is always worth a visit anytime of the year. Birds noted were Bullfinch, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Tufties, Snipe, Merlin, Peregrine, Goosander, Gadwall and Shoveler.
Branston GP.
Back down the A38 and I headed to Branston pits to see what was about. I noted 77 Coot, 62 Teal, 10 Gadwall, 8 Little Grebe, 15 Tufties, 1 only Pochard, 29 Mallard, 8 Wigeon, 1 Shoveler, 1 Little Egret, 17 Curlew and 5 Shelduck.
Whitemoor Haye.
I spent the last hour back at old faithful and noted 18 Coot, 2 Goldeneye, 12 Tufties, 2 Teal, 79 Wigeon and 5 Redshank.
29-12-13 saw me do my favourite tour of the pits around Alrewas.
Alrewas GP.
25 Mallard, 11 Great Crested Grebe, 17 Coot, 84 Tufties, 6 Goldeneye, 2 Smew (both redheads), 1 Pochard and 8 Teal.
Whitemoor Haye.
Nothing special around the arboretum or Junction Pit so it was off to the regular patch. 27 Tufties, 232 Wigeon, 62 Teal, 3 Gadwall, 29 Coot, 800+ Lapwing, 2 Little Owls, 250+ Golden Plover and a bonus of 5 Ruff with some Lapwings.
30-12-13, Whitemoor Haye.
327 Wigeon, 27 Coot, 26 Tufties, 8 Mallard, 67 Teal, 1200+ Lapwing, 150+ Golden Plover and a Peregrine.
31-12-13, Whitemoor Haye.
229 Wigeon, 34 Coot, 19 Mallard, 19 Teal, 2 Goldeneye, 400+ Lapwing and 1 Little Owl.
That's 2013 all done and dusted. I ended up with 214 birds for the year, not bad for me but could have been better and I will definitely try harder this year. I didn't even tick Tawny Owl, heard a couple but none seen and thats the same with Bittern. Poor.
Anyway here's to 2014 and loads of birds.
Thursday, 26 December 2013
26-12-13, Its the pits!!!
First of all I am replying to some messages, its my blog, I set it up and I cannot reply to messages. Unbelievable. Tapper - the Crossbills are favouring a small group of pines in Budby south forest, follow the birders, there are loads of them there. Rob - happy Christmas mate.
It seems ages since I broke up from work but with either the weather being rough or me too drunk to birdwatch I was unable to get out until Xmas day and as I was celebrating my 40th birthday the evening before I felt a bit rough to begin with then but the weather was good and I was not going to miss out on a bit of gravel pit birding on Xmas morning.
I have also had my eyepiece returned. It was not easy and I did have to say a coupe of white lies but its back at last.
25-12-13, Alrewas GP.
4 Grey Heron
29 Coot
2 Wigeon
41 Tufted Duck
1 Pochard
1 Goldeneye
9 Mallard
5 Lapwing
1 Kingfisher
National Arboretum
1 Chiffchaff on river
Whitemoor Haye.
16 Tufted Duck
1000+ Lapwing
11 Coot
12 Wigeon
2 Little Owls
26-12-13.
After a beer free Xmas day I had options. Wales for Hoopoe and Buff-bellied Pipit. Leicestershire/Rutland to grab a Velvet Scoter, Scaup and Black-throated Diver. Humber Estuary and Sheffield for Ivory Gull and Two-barred Crossbill. Each of the above was very tempting but I looked at the weather, the forecast was a lovely day, every man and his dog would be out today Xmas shopping or just out working off yesterdays meal . I don't do bank holidays away from home too far so once again I concentrated on the local pits.
Whitemoor Haye.
I was on site for about 08.30 and I was greeted with dense fog. Bugger. I had a walk about but it was pretty useless, o couldn't even see the pool let alone count ducks, I could just hear Wigeon and Teal. Around the lanes I also heard a Green Woodpecker and could see a Little Owl in its tree.
Home.
I popped home to wait until the sun burnt off the fog and was made up when a male Blackcap was feasting on some fat balls. We have had a pair turn up for the past three winters. Hopefully I will see it again next Wednesday.
National Arboretum.
Very flooded but did see 2 Jay and heard 2 Redshank on the river edge.
Alrewas GP.
31 Mute Swan
3 Mallard
2 Cormorant
82 Tufted Duck
14 Goldeneye
9 Great Crested Grebe
17 Coot
several Mipits
2 Teal
2 Gadwall
1 Pochard
1 Smew (redhead)
18 Lapwing
Whitemoor Haye.
A second visit to end the day
8 Wigeon
c800 Lapwing
25 Tufted Duck
26 Coot
21 Teal
1 Little Grebe
2 Goldeneye
52 Golden Plover
250+ Linnet
1 Little Owl
30+ Tree Sparrow
10+ Yellowhammer
A decent end to the day and made up with finding a female Smew at Alrewas GP.
With another deep depression heading towards the UK and the forecast for the next few days pretty rubbish I am not sure when I will be out next.
It seems ages since I broke up from work but with either the weather being rough or me too drunk to birdwatch I was unable to get out until Xmas day and as I was celebrating my 40th birthday the evening before I felt a bit rough to begin with then but the weather was good and I was not going to miss out on a bit of gravel pit birding on Xmas morning.
I have also had my eyepiece returned. It was not easy and I did have to say a coupe of white lies but its back at last.
25-12-13, Alrewas GP.
4 Grey Heron
29 Coot
2 Wigeon
41 Tufted Duck
1 Pochard
1 Goldeneye
9 Mallard
5 Lapwing
1 Kingfisher
National Arboretum
1 Chiffchaff on river
Whitemoor Haye.
16 Tufted Duck
1000+ Lapwing
11 Coot
12 Wigeon
2 Little Owls
26-12-13.
After a beer free Xmas day I had options. Wales for Hoopoe and Buff-bellied Pipit. Leicestershire/Rutland to grab a Velvet Scoter, Scaup and Black-throated Diver. Humber Estuary and Sheffield for Ivory Gull and Two-barred Crossbill. Each of the above was very tempting but I looked at the weather, the forecast was a lovely day, every man and his dog would be out today Xmas shopping or just out working off yesterdays meal . I don't do bank holidays away from home too far so once again I concentrated on the local pits.
Whitemoor Haye.
I was on site for about 08.30 and I was greeted with dense fog. Bugger. I had a walk about but it was pretty useless, o couldn't even see the pool let alone count ducks, I could just hear Wigeon and Teal. Around the lanes I also heard a Green Woodpecker and could see a Little Owl in its tree.
Home.
I popped home to wait until the sun burnt off the fog and was made up when a male Blackcap was feasting on some fat balls. We have had a pair turn up for the past three winters. Hopefully I will see it again next Wednesday.
National Arboretum.
Very flooded but did see 2 Jay and heard 2 Redshank on the river edge.
Alrewas GP.
31 Mute Swan
3 Mallard
2 Cormorant
82 Tufted Duck
14 Goldeneye
9 Great Crested Grebe
17 Coot
several Mipits
2 Teal
2 Gadwall
1 Pochard
1 Smew (redhead)
18 Lapwing
Whitemoor Haye.
A second visit to end the day
8 Wigeon
c800 Lapwing
25 Tufted Duck
26 Coot
21 Teal
1 Little Grebe
2 Goldeneye
52 Golden Plover
250+ Linnet
1 Little Owl
30+ Tree Sparrow
10+ Yellowhammer
A decent end to the day and made up with finding a female Smew at Alrewas GP.
With another deep depression heading towards the UK and the forecast for the next few days pretty rubbish I am not sure when I will be out next.
Monday, 16 December 2013
15-12-13, Peices of 14.
Budby South Forest.
Saturday was a working day for me but the night time was all play, well drinking!! Back to the birding and as I was not fit to drive early Sunday I employed my birding mate to do the driving, I just sat in the passengers seat and talked rubbish. We were soon at our destination, Sherwood Forest, and in particular Budby south forest and our target was Parrot Crossbills. 14 birds (hence the title) have been present for a few days and as I have failed miserably with the two-barred variety, these were a must.
We parked in Sherwood Forest visitor centre and had a decent walk to find the birds but it was ideal to sober up. We soon found the south forest and eventually the loads of birders present all surrounding a couple of pines and there at the top were several crossbills, several Parrot Crossbills. BOOM, get in there.
Sherwood Forest.
After enjoying the crossbills we had a steady walk back to the car via quite an important tree nearby, the 'Mighty Oak' which is meant to be quite famous as Robin Hood lived or hid in it, sorry history is not my strongest point. Anyway a mighty tree all the same, in fact there was several decent oaks around the forest and loads of birch that was a victim of the recent winds, by-eck there was some damage done. Nowt much to add here but we did come a cross a woman feeding the birds, she does them daily, and when the food was put out it was a frenzy of birds. Blue, Coal and Great Tits everywhere, at one point there was at least 20 Great tits queuing up. Three Nuthatches were also having a good feed.
Rufford CP.
The day was getting on a bit and after a quick food stop where we managed to miss a harsh shower we decided to head for Rufford park as both of us had not had Lesser Peckers this year. In fact this site produced my one and only Lesser Pecker a few years ago. Unfortunately we were not lucky today however we did see a Hawfinch at the tops of the trees and in the Yews there were loads of Redwings but not a lot else.
With not a lot of daylight left we headed home.
Saturday was a working day for me but the night time was all play, well drinking!! Back to the birding and as I was not fit to drive early Sunday I employed my birding mate to do the driving, I just sat in the passengers seat and talked rubbish. We were soon at our destination, Sherwood Forest, and in particular Budby south forest and our target was Parrot Crossbills. 14 birds (hence the title) have been present for a few days and as I have failed miserably with the two-barred variety, these were a must.
We parked in Sherwood Forest visitor centre and had a decent walk to find the birds but it was ideal to sober up. We soon found the south forest and eventually the loads of birders present all surrounding a couple of pines and there at the top were several crossbills, several Parrot Crossbills. BOOM, get in there.
Male Parrot Crossbill.
Female Parrot Crossbill
Sherwood Forest.
After enjoying the crossbills we had a steady walk back to the car via quite an important tree nearby, the 'Mighty Oak' which is meant to be quite famous as Robin Hood lived or hid in it, sorry history is not my strongest point. Anyway a mighty tree all the same, in fact there was several decent oaks around the forest and loads of birch that was a victim of the recent winds, by-eck there was some damage done. Nowt much to add here but we did come a cross a woman feeding the birds, she does them daily, and when the food was put out it was a frenzy of birds. Blue, Coal and Great Tits everywhere, at one point there was at least 20 Great tits queuing up. Three Nuthatches were also having a good feed.
Rufford CP.
The day was getting on a bit and after a quick food stop where we managed to miss a harsh shower we decided to head for Rufford park as both of us had not had Lesser Peckers this year. In fact this site produced my one and only Lesser Pecker a few years ago. Unfortunately we were not lucky today however we did see a Hawfinch at the tops of the trees and in the Yews there were loads of Redwings but not a lot else.
With not a lot of daylight left we headed home.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)