Thursday, 27 March 2014
26-3-14, Ladywalk NR
Today I had a site visit in Bath before going to our Gloucester office. On the pager I noticed the Bittern showing at Ladywalk. Now last year I had a nightmare with Bitterns. In February I went to Hams Wall and heard them booming but no sight and I then in May I was at Lakenheath where there were loads booming but I saw none. I was just never going to see one last year. On the way home I decided I would have enough time to visit Ladywalk NR before the sun went down and so with a good trip back I arrived at the reserve at about 17.20. A ten minute walk I was in a hide overlooking the feeders (sorry don't know any names) and within minutes was watching a beautiful Bittern hunting in the reeds. I was well made up. Also noted were 5 Goosander, 2 Oycs and several Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall and Shoveler plus a constantly calling Green Woodpecker and a nice Willow Tit.
25-3-14, Whitemoor Haye
With my new role in CRT I am in my own car so on the way home I am free to go where I want ( I used to drive a tracked van and could only go straight home after work). This means I can pop anywhere straight after work. Yee haaaa. Tonight I thought I would check the lake for any migrants and count the ducks. Unfortunately there were boaters on the lake so ducks numbers were low. 7 Coot, 2 Shelduck, 16 Tufties, 13 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Gadwall, 2 Oycs, 2 Redshank and 2 Mute Swans. Woopeeee. In recent weeks a speed boat and about six sailing boats have turned up on the lake and so I think this summer it will be as busy as Chasewater. Deep joy.
Monday, 24 March 2014
Up to the weekend beginning 22-3-14
Hi folks or just folk. Its been bloomin ages since I last updated this blog so I will do a quick update and give you the best of each site over the last few weeks.
27-2-14, Home.
Made up when a male Blackcap was feeding on the feeders in the back garden.
2-3-14, Alrewas GP
16 Mallard, 53 Wigeon, 8 Coot, 30 Tufted Duck, 4 Goldeneye, 9 Gadwall, 1 fem Scaup, several Chiffchaff, 1 Long-tailed Duck.
2-3-14, National Arboretum.
Several Fieldfare and plenty of Redwing.
2-3-14, Junction Pit.
4 Mallard, 18 Teal.
2-3-14, Croxall Wides.
2 Redshank, 2 Grey Wagtail.
2-3-14, Whitemoor Haye.
25 Tufted Duck, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 411+ Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 1 Little Owl, 3 Goldeneye, 88 Golden Plover.
8-3-14, Whitemoor Haye.
34 Tufted Duck, 89 Wigeon, 2 Goldeneye, 17 Mallard, 35 Coot, 2 Shelduck, 2 Grey Partridge, 5 Tree Sparrow, 8 Yellowhammers, 1 Little Owl.
8-3-14, Fradley Junction NR.
3 Goosanders.
9-3-14, Worlds End.
12 Black Grouse.
9-3-14, Llanddulas.
Red-throated Diver, thousands of Common Scoter.
9-3-14, Pensarn.
On the 6th attempt I finally located several drake SURF SCOTERS in with thousands of Common Scoter.
9-3-14, River Dane near Flash.
Dipper, Grey Wagtail.
9-3-14, Knotbury.
Red Grouse, Curlew, Raven, Sparrowhawk.
11-3-14, Whitemoor Haye.
17 Mallard, 31 Mute Swan, 2 Oystercatcher, 31 Coot, 40+ Tree Sparrow, 15+ Yellowhammer, Treecreeper, 2 Shelduck.
11-3-14, Alrewas GP.
16 Mallard, 157 Wigeon, 26 Tufted Duck, 9 Gadwall, 2 Oystercatcher, 9 Goldeneye, 1 Coot, 8 Teal, 1 Long-tailed Duck, several Chiffchaff, Redwing.
12-3-14, Hopwood.
Great Grey Shrike.
13-3-14, Branston GP.
Wigeon, Little Grebe, Teal, Gadwall, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Curlew, Shelduck, Water Rail, Ruff, Cetti's Warbler, Ringed Plover, Goldcrest, Green Woodpecker.
17-3-14, Elford.
Corn Bunting.
17-3-14, Whitemoor Haye.
24 Tufted Duck, 14 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 13 Coot, 2 Oystercatcher, 4 Shelduck, 86+ Wigeon, 25+Yellowhammer, 14+ Tree Sparrow, 2 Snipe.
21-3-14, Whitemoor Haye.
35 Tufted Duck, 25 Mallard, 5 Coot, 2 Shelduck, 5 Gadwall, 1 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Ringed Plover, 36+ Yellowhammer, 23+ Tree Sparrow, 12 Golden Plover, 2 Grey Partridge, 1 Little Owl, 3 Meadow Pipit.
22-3-14, Whitemoor Haye.
40 Tufted Duck, 19 Mallard, 4 Coot, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Shelduck, 1 Redshank, 8 Tree Sparrow, 14 Yellowhammer, 3 male Wheatear, 1 Corn Bunting, 3 Oystercatcher.
22-3-14, National Arboretum.
Chiffchaff, Jay.
22-3-14, Croxall Wides.
Little Grebe, Sand Martin.
22-3-14, Alrewas GP.
27 Tufted Duck, 14 Mallard, 18 Coot, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Wigeon, 10 Gadwall, 5 Goldeneye, Sand Martin.
23-3-14, Belvide Reservoir.
Nuthatch, Willow Tit, Chiffchaff, Goldeneye, Sand Martin, Oystercatcher, Wigeon, Velvet Scoter (my first Staffs bird), Scaup, Gadwall, Long-tailed Duck, Snipe, Water Rail, Tree Sparrow, Tawny Owl, Pochard, Teal, Shoveler.
23-3-14, Cannock Chase - Abrahams Valley.
Common Crossbill.
That's me up to date. Sorry for leaving it so long and I will also aim to throw in the odd photo soon.
27-2-14, Home.
Made up when a male Blackcap was feeding on the feeders in the back garden.
2-3-14, Alrewas GP
16 Mallard, 53 Wigeon, 8 Coot, 30 Tufted Duck, 4 Goldeneye, 9 Gadwall, 1 fem Scaup, several Chiffchaff, 1 Long-tailed Duck.
2-3-14, National Arboretum.
Several Fieldfare and plenty of Redwing.
2-3-14, Junction Pit.
4 Mallard, 18 Teal.
2-3-14, Croxall Wides.
2 Redshank, 2 Grey Wagtail.
2-3-14, Whitemoor Haye.
25 Tufted Duck, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 411+ Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 1 Little Owl, 3 Goldeneye, 88 Golden Plover.
8-3-14, Whitemoor Haye.
34 Tufted Duck, 89 Wigeon, 2 Goldeneye, 17 Mallard, 35 Coot, 2 Shelduck, 2 Grey Partridge, 5 Tree Sparrow, 8 Yellowhammers, 1 Little Owl.
8-3-14, Fradley Junction NR.
3 Goosanders.
9-3-14, Worlds End.
12 Black Grouse.
9-3-14, Llanddulas.
Red-throated Diver, thousands of Common Scoter.
9-3-14, Pensarn.
On the 6th attempt I finally located several drake SURF SCOTERS in with thousands of Common Scoter.
9-3-14, River Dane near Flash.
Dipper, Grey Wagtail.
9-3-14, Knotbury.
Red Grouse, Curlew, Raven, Sparrowhawk.
11-3-14, Whitemoor Haye.
17 Mallard, 31 Mute Swan, 2 Oystercatcher, 31 Coot, 40+ Tree Sparrow, 15+ Yellowhammer, Treecreeper, 2 Shelduck.
11-3-14, Alrewas GP.
16 Mallard, 157 Wigeon, 26 Tufted Duck, 9 Gadwall, 2 Oystercatcher, 9 Goldeneye, 1 Coot, 8 Teal, 1 Long-tailed Duck, several Chiffchaff, Redwing.
12-3-14, Hopwood.
Great Grey Shrike.
13-3-14, Branston GP.
Wigeon, Little Grebe, Teal, Gadwall, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Curlew, Shelduck, Water Rail, Ruff, Cetti's Warbler, Ringed Plover, Goldcrest, Green Woodpecker.
17-3-14, Elford.
Corn Bunting.
17-3-14, Whitemoor Haye.
24 Tufted Duck, 14 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 13 Coot, 2 Oystercatcher, 4 Shelduck, 86+ Wigeon, 25+Yellowhammer, 14+ Tree Sparrow, 2 Snipe.
21-3-14, Whitemoor Haye.
35 Tufted Duck, 25 Mallard, 5 Coot, 2 Shelduck, 5 Gadwall, 1 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Ringed Plover, 36+ Yellowhammer, 23+ Tree Sparrow, 12 Golden Plover, 2 Grey Partridge, 1 Little Owl, 3 Meadow Pipit.
22-3-14, Whitemoor Haye.
40 Tufted Duck, 19 Mallard, 4 Coot, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Shelduck, 1 Redshank, 8 Tree Sparrow, 14 Yellowhammer, 3 male Wheatear, 1 Corn Bunting, 3 Oystercatcher.
22-3-14, National Arboretum.
Chiffchaff, Jay.
22-3-14, Croxall Wides.
Little Grebe, Sand Martin.
22-3-14, Alrewas GP.
27 Tufted Duck, 14 Mallard, 18 Coot, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Wigeon, 10 Gadwall, 5 Goldeneye, Sand Martin.
23-3-14, Belvide Reservoir.
Nuthatch, Willow Tit, Chiffchaff, Goldeneye, Sand Martin, Oystercatcher, Wigeon, Velvet Scoter (my first Staffs bird), Scaup, Gadwall, Long-tailed Duck, Snipe, Water Rail, Tree Sparrow, Tawny Owl, Pochard, Teal, Shoveler.
23-3-14, Cannock Chase - Abrahams Valley.
Common Crossbill.
That's me up to date. Sorry for leaving it so long and I will also aim to throw in the odd photo soon.
Friday, 28 February 2014
28-2-14
Well its been a rough couple of weeks. On 12th Feb I woke up to some signs of a possible relapse of my MS, during the day it was pretty much confirmed however I was not able to get to hospital until 26th. Since then I have still been pretty mobile but struggling with my balance and numbness however I managed on.
18-2-14, Chasewater.
I am rubbish with gulls but can usually to sort out the larger white winged birds but Caspian Gulls Ive got no chance. Tonight was no different but I did manage an Iceland Gull, picked out a few Yellow-legged Gulls and a pair of Red-crested Pochard drifted past.
19-2-14, Whitemoor Haye.
Just a quick drive round the lanes and a look over the lake. About 100 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 9 Coot and 5 Mallard. Not very exciting.
22-2-14, Whitemoor Haye.
An early visit before a mornings work. 23 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 32 Coot, 2 Oystercatcher, 84 Wigeon, 14 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Cormorant, 2 Shelduck, 33 Lapwing, 3 Grey Heron, 8+ Tree Sparrow and several Skylarks and Yellowhammer. It was a glorious morning and there was loads of Skylarks singing. Cracking.
22-2-14, Gailey Reservoir. The morning was spent putting up bat boxes but I did managed to spot the juvenile Great Northern Diver.
22-2-14, Chasewater.
I made a bit of an error today. The weather was brilliant which I didn't plan, if I did I would have gone to North Wales as the sea would have been decent enough for Surf Scoter however I was having fun at Whitemoor Haye. As the day went on the wind was strengthening and I was planning on doing Pensarn in the afternoon but the wind was ruining it so I decided to head for my third gull roost this year. Although everything was reported later on I did not pick anything up interesting.
Health wise I was picking up and Monday hoping to cancel my hospital appointment.
23-2-14, Whitemoor Haye.
14 Tufted Duck, 20 Coot, 59 Wigeon, 23 Mallard, 66 Lapwing, 5 Goldeneye, 6 Cormorant, 2 Grey Partridge, 15+ Yellowhammer and 20+ Tree Sparrow.
23-2-14, National Arboretum.
Not a lot but there was a few Goldcrest around, loads of Redwings as usual and 2 Oystercatchers overhead.
23-2-14, Alrewas GP.
30 Tufted Duck, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Coot, 4 Mute Swan, 9 Mallard, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 4 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 1 Scaup, 1 Oystercatcher, 4+ Chiffchaff and the single probable Siberian Chiffchaff.
23-2-14, Junction Pit.
1 Coot, 2 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Mute Swan.
Today was not a lot of walking but I was absolutely knackered and my MS symptoms had come back with style.
26, 27, 28-2-14, Hospital.
It was decided I was to have some mega strength steroids pumped into me over the next three days. Side effects have been pretty horrendous but I am writing this up having had my last dose. I just need to catch up on some sleep which I have had none of since Tuesday, constant indigestion and sickness. They are the side effects I can mention, I don't want to indulge in them all!!!!!!
However the good news is that my numbness is already disappearing but I am a bit wobbly so riding a bike is a no no. next step is another MRI scan to check my brain, yep there is one in there as this is my third scan and then it looks like I am going to go on tablets. Deep joy.
18-2-14, Chasewater.
I am rubbish with gulls but can usually to sort out the larger white winged birds but Caspian Gulls Ive got no chance. Tonight was no different but I did manage an Iceland Gull, picked out a few Yellow-legged Gulls and a pair of Red-crested Pochard drifted past.
19-2-14, Whitemoor Haye.
Just a quick drive round the lanes and a look over the lake. About 100 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 9 Coot and 5 Mallard. Not very exciting.
22-2-14, Whitemoor Haye.
An early visit before a mornings work. 23 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 32 Coot, 2 Oystercatcher, 84 Wigeon, 14 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Cormorant, 2 Shelduck, 33 Lapwing, 3 Grey Heron, 8+ Tree Sparrow and several Skylarks and Yellowhammer. It was a glorious morning and there was loads of Skylarks singing. Cracking.
22-2-14, Gailey Reservoir. The morning was spent putting up bat boxes but I did managed to spot the juvenile Great Northern Diver.
22-2-14, Chasewater.
I made a bit of an error today. The weather was brilliant which I didn't plan, if I did I would have gone to North Wales as the sea would have been decent enough for Surf Scoter however I was having fun at Whitemoor Haye. As the day went on the wind was strengthening and I was planning on doing Pensarn in the afternoon but the wind was ruining it so I decided to head for my third gull roost this year. Although everything was reported later on I did not pick anything up interesting.
Health wise I was picking up and Monday hoping to cancel my hospital appointment.
23-2-14, Whitemoor Haye.
14 Tufted Duck, 20 Coot, 59 Wigeon, 23 Mallard, 66 Lapwing, 5 Goldeneye, 6 Cormorant, 2 Grey Partridge, 15+ Yellowhammer and 20+ Tree Sparrow.
23-2-14, National Arboretum.
Not a lot but there was a few Goldcrest around, loads of Redwings as usual and 2 Oystercatchers overhead.
23-2-14, Alrewas GP.
30 Tufted Duck, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Coot, 4 Mute Swan, 9 Mallard, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 4 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 1 Scaup, 1 Oystercatcher, 4+ Chiffchaff and the single probable Siberian Chiffchaff.
23-2-14, Junction Pit.
1 Coot, 2 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Mute Swan.
Today was not a lot of walking but I was absolutely knackered and my MS symptoms had come back with style.
26, 27, 28-2-14, Hospital.
It was decided I was to have some mega strength steroids pumped into me over the next three days. Side effects have been pretty horrendous but I am writing this up having had my last dose. I just need to catch up on some sleep which I have had none of since Tuesday, constant indigestion and sickness. They are the side effects I can mention, I don't want to indulge in them all!!!!!!
However the good news is that my numbness is already disappearing but I am a bit wobbly so riding a bike is a no no. next step is another MRI scan to check my brain, yep there is one in there as this is my third scan and then it looks like I am going to go on tablets. Deep joy.
Monday, 17 February 2014
17-2-14
On the way home tonight via Whitemoor Haye and a small bird was perched on a lone straw bale that has been left behind on the Skylark field. As I raised my bins I assumed Skylark, as it flew away I knew female Merlin. Cracking, a nice year tick.
16-2-14
What a change, what a morning. Blue skies, little wind and best of all no rain. I was at Whitemoor Haye by 07.30.
Whitemoor Haye.
500+ Lapwing, 2 Tufties, 19 Coot, 42 Wigeon, 9 Mute Swan, 2 Oystercatchers (welcome back), 1 Goldeneye, 2 Mallard, 20+ Tree Sparrow, and 1 Grey Partridge. That does not say a lot but it was a great morning with 20+ Skylark in full song and every other bird in full song posing to the opposite sex.
National Arboretum.
This place is not happening this year (see recent posts) but two Goldeneye on the river were rather pleasant and still good numbers of Redwings feeding under the trees. Still no Redpoll or Brambling.
Alrewas GP.
Very high water levels still here but not many wildfowl per square metre, shame as it is a pretty undisturbed lake bar the A38 and the nearby helipad.
Birds noted were 6 Gadwall, 54 Tufties, 32 Coot, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 4 Mute Swan, 6 Wigeon, 1 female Scaup, 6 Goldeneye, 6+ Chiffchaff and the probable Siberian Chiffchaff. No sign of the redhead Smew but with water levels high there was plenty of trees that were submerged providing lots of cover. Great fun here today.
Whitemoor Haye.
500+ Lapwing, 2 Tufties, 19 Coot, 42 Wigeon, 9 Mute Swan, 2 Oystercatchers (welcome back), 1 Goldeneye, 2 Mallard, 20+ Tree Sparrow, and 1 Grey Partridge. That does not say a lot but it was a great morning with 20+ Skylark in full song and every other bird in full song posing to the opposite sex.
National Arboretum.
This place is not happening this year (see recent posts) but two Goldeneye on the river were rather pleasant and still good numbers of Redwings feeding under the trees. Still no Redpoll or Brambling.
Alrewas GP.
Very high water levels still here but not many wildfowl per square metre, shame as it is a pretty undisturbed lake bar the A38 and the nearby helipad.
Birds noted were 6 Gadwall, 54 Tufties, 32 Coot, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 4 Mute Swan, 6 Wigeon, 1 female Scaup, 6 Goldeneye, 6+ Chiffchaff and the probable Siberian Chiffchaff. No sign of the redhead Smew but with water levels high there was plenty of trees that were submerged providing lots of cover. Great fun here today.
15-2-14
Well the plan today was to head north and carry on my great run of form and get my fifth lifer of the year, a cracking Yellow-rumped Warbler. Tuesday I was in Abergavenny on work business, constantly checking the pager whilst watching for floods. Wednesday morning I woke up and something was not right, I was dizzy, unsteady on my feet (yep just like a Saturday night after a few pints) and parts of my body quite numb. I didn't take much to figure out I was have an MS relapse. Bugger. As the week went on it was pretty much confirmed and my chances of getting to Durham were faint, I couldn't drive far and travelling as a passenger would make me sick.
Saturday I decided to have a rest day but I did venture around Whitemoor Haye.
I noted 2 Mallard, 21 Coot, 9 Wigeon, 1 Goldeneye, 6 Tufted Duck, 11 Golden Plover and 300+ Lapwing.
Fradley Junction.
There are a flock of swans at near to Fradley Junction and I am counting them and checking them out as much as possible. Waste of time? Maybe but last year I did the same thing to a flock just up the road and one day I found a Bewicks amongst them. Today there were 39 Mute Swans.
Apologies if the correct terminology was not used, flock does not sound right.
Saturday I decided to have a rest day but I did venture around Whitemoor Haye.
I noted 2 Mallard, 21 Coot, 9 Wigeon, 1 Goldeneye, 6 Tufted Duck, 11 Golden Plover and 300+ Lapwing.
Fradley Junction.
There are a flock of swans at near to Fradley Junction and I am counting them and checking them out as much as possible. Waste of time? Maybe but last year I did the same thing to a flock just up the road and one day I found a Bewicks amongst them. Today there were 39 Mute Swans.
Apologies if the correct terminology was not used, flock does not sound right.
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