Whoopertastic

 

I'm trying to keep to a routine of aiming to get out at least once a day for a walk as home working is certainly not as good as it's cracked up to be. On Monday, I was due to set out when I had a text to say there were Whooper Swans at Earlswood. Only a short drive, I could do a sharp lap of the pools before heading back to the laptop. Whoopers never hang around very long so I was pleased that the flock of 14 were still present and located right in the middle of engine pool, allowing some excellent views. I took a few photos as I circled the pool and also noted 2 Gossander, 30 BHG and 3 Snipe. Nice lunch break...................

Earlswood Ternage

Common Sandpiper

Common Tern

Common Tern

Clearly bossing the water marker

Great Crested Grebes

Common Tern

Grey Heron

On Monday, I wanted to try a few flight shots on the camera and there is no better species to try and captures than a Tern so I thought Earlswood would be a good idea. It seemed like everyone else had the same thought (perhaps not for tern photography) as it was packed with people.

In truth the camera seemed to struggle with the birds in flight especially when there was any sort of background. I'm going to do an article on the P900 is coming weeks covering the benefits and areas that can be improved upon.  

Sightings included my first Common Sandpiper of the year, 6 Common Tern, a Little Egret & many great Great Crested Grebe.

Sunday Double

Pied Flycatcher

Stunning morning

Frog ID please

Some off fella behind the bench

Pied Flycatcher

Black Tern

Black Tern

Black Tern

 

With very little movement being reported I headed to the Wyre Forest on Sunday to take advantage of the weather but also the cover available. I won't blog about every step of the morning as I've done that on a previous blog.

The star performers of the morning were definately the Pied Flycatchers. I didn't take a photo in the first hour of the walk but in one of the favoured spots a male bird perched superbly enabling me get take a few nice shots and also record a video clip. 

Word of warning if you are going, go early. The car park on Dry Mill Lane was at capacity as we left. We stopped in Bewdley for a spot of lunch as they had a food festival on before heading for home.

No sooner were we home when a Black Tern was reported for the second time at Earlswood Lakes. Earlswood is only fifteen minutes from home so I headed over to see this fantastic looking bird. The bird was reported on Engine Pool but thankfully it had relocated to Windmill pool. 

The bird sat perched on a buoy and only flew when flushed by one of the sailing boats. The Tern did not seem over fussed by the boats or the local rugby term that arrived for an afternoon swim ! Quite a sight. 

Easter Migfest

Bredon Hill

First sighting of a Redstart this year

Pesky Wheatear

 Common Redstart in the Wyre

Best shot of Wood Warbler possible

 Dowles Brook

Hearty breakfast at the George pub

 Common Tern at Earlswood

 Stretching out

Common Tern close up

With no spring rarities tempting me to venture out of the county I've been concentrating on the migrants moving through the local area over the Easter break. 

First destination was Bredon Hill which is just 20 miles south from home. As we headed up the sharp accent the thought did pass what are we doing as it was cold & miserable. Thankfully the weather past through allowing some great views as always and the sighting of our first Ring Ouzel which was a male flying across the north escapement. Four Common Redstarts were an additional year tick, there were also four Wheatear on the lower slopes.

Bank Holiday Monday is now a traditional to head to the Wyre Forest for a good walk & hearty breakfast. Two Marsh Tit were calling by the bench before we turned left to record our only Tree Pipit in the company of a big fall of Willow Warblers. Entering Knowles Coppice I heard what a I thought was an early Wood Warbler. This seemed a little early however this was the first of two that showed very well but trying to get a photograph was very difficult.  Three Pied Flycatchers were keeping their distance in their usual spot so we moved through to the orchard where I found a male Redstart, a bonus. Cuckoo was the next bird added to the year list as we headed down to Dowles Brook. We didn't have any luck with Dippers but we did get two Grey Wagtails.

After a morning visit to the pits I headed over to Earlswood for a mooch around where I found my first two Commmon Terns of the year. Earlswood is a great place for watching terns as they fly so close to you and there is always chance of getting a passing Arctic, Black or Sandwich, all of which I've seen previously there. Additional sightings were a Common Sandpiper, a brood of Mallard, Great Crested Grebes,  30 + Sand Martin, 5 Swallows and a strange sight of a Lapwing flying low over Engine pool.

Black-necked Grebe at Earlswood

Black-necked Grebe

Black-necked Grebe

 Common Tern

Great Crested Grebes

A glorious weekend for cricket but not so good for birding with very little movement in the Midlands. The only report of note from Salford Priors was eight Teal including six drake that were present on Sunday.

For a change on Sunday afternoon we opted to have a walk around Earlswood Lakes as it's a nice circular walk and has plenty to look at. Four Common Tern were around for most of the visit and it was enjoyable to the see the Great Crested Grebes with their broods. A Green Woodpecker was showing well in the horse paddocks but was just out of distance of the camera.

I made a surpising return on Monday as patch birder Matt dropped me a text that a Black-necked Grebe was on the Engine Pool early afternoon. Quickly out of work, I arrived in about 45 minutes and was quickly on the bird. The bird stayed quite distant initally but kindly drifted towards the west bank where it was amazing to see the Grebe in full summer plumage, the red eye & yellow ear tuffs really stood out in the afternoon sunshine. Just a fantastic bird to see on a Monday after a full day at work.

Earlswood Caspian Gull

Given I can only take short & flat walks due to my hernia problem I made the short journey to Earlswood for my bit of daily air to find the third winter Caspian Gull on the Windmill Pool. The Gull was sitting on the buoy being watched by fellow pitter Paul Hands who kindly tipped me off. Whilst I have seen a good number before this was perhaps the best views I'd had of the species.

Little Gull at Earlswood

Nice comparison with Black-headed Gull

Little Gull

Close up digiscope

Common Tern

Little Gull

I was all set and ready to go out for a cycle on Monday however the temptation to see a Little Gull proved to much so I made the fifteen minute drive to Earlswood.

On reaching the causeway I scanned both pools before picking up the little beauty flying with the Black-headed Gulls on Windmill Pool (left of causeway). I walked closer down to get some better views. The Gull was flying past me repeatingly within twenty five feet allowing me to see in detail the all black head and eye, black underwing, rounded white tip on wing and size comparison. 

This is by far the best I've seen a Little Gull and I'd urge anyone to go and see it if it hangs around. 

There were around 30-40 Common Terns that came through as it rained but sadly no Arctics.

I did head down to Salford Priors after but sadly no Terns at all.

Earlswood Ring Ouzel

After the previous days success I noted via Twitter Matt @earlswoodbirds had located a Ring Ouzel in the horse paddock off Gypsy Lane in Earlswood. Following a quick text to him on site to confirm it was still there I made the journey over in quick time and found Matt and a couple of other birders in attendance.

The bird was fairly distant but allowing some nice views given the fading light. 

Ring Ouzel is a 2 pointer on the Patchwork Challenge so will need to work extra hard to get one of these at the pits. Great find Matt ! Arrrhhhhh !

Earlswood Lakes Caspian Gull

Screenshot of Matt's Twitter feed

Saturday morning took me across a very cold Hereford to watch the youngest in Cross Country County Championships, rather him than me. Brrrrrr!

Once returning home I set off to Earlswood Lakes, about 15 minutes away, to catch up with a 2nd winter Caspian Gull. The Gull certainly didn't make it easy as I trekked around all three lakes on the look out. A couple of Goosander were the highlights and made up for the rather treacherous paths around the Windmill pool. 

Matt (@earlswoodbirds) text me I'd be better staking out both lakes from the causeway. As I headed back around I picked the Gull up swimming with the Black-headed Gulls. As typically happens two walkers flushed the group of gulls and despite my best efforts and then Matt's we couldn't relocate it. The bird has now also been reported at Upper Bittel so I wonder if its roosting there or perhaps at Bartley.

We did pick up nine Goosander flying over as we had a good rattle about this year Patchwork challenge. We came to the conclusion that I was just ahead of him at the end of January as I'd bagged a couple of 2 point birds. Scores should be out this week. Both of us have benefited from other birders now visiting our particular area's which is a great benefit as between us we have more chance of finding a superstar.

Mild weekend bring May to a close

 Avocets

Mediterranean Gull 

Common Tern

Mallards

Despite having the week off for Whitsun to spend with the boys there was very little change to the birds locally. We just don't seem to have had the normal passage in recent weeks in Worcestershire, so it's been time to just enjoy the regulars.

I spent an enjoyable few hours at Upton Warren on Saturday where the Avocets chicks stole the show. You could really see how just a few days makes a difference between the chicks. A first summer Mediterranean gull also allowed great views whilst the Little Ringed Plover chicks had just hatched. Lets just hope they get some peace from the Gulls.

My Sunday walk took me across to Earlswood again and I walked the perimeter of all three lakes including Terrys Pool. The highlights were 11 Common Terns and the low flying Swallows right in front of us.

My current year list is 224 on UK 400 only one behind my total score for the whole of 2013. On Birdtrack I stand  5th on 222, not bad considering how tough its been in the Midlands.

I've got a trip away to the Farne Islands in June which I'm very much looking forward to. Should the weather be kind I should see Rosette Terns for the first time in addition to thousands of Puffins, Arctic + Common Terns, Eiders, Shags, Cormorants, Kittiwakes. I'm also hoping to get down to the Forest of Dean on a warm evening to see Nightjar, Woodcock and perhaps a Wild Boar !