Pallas's Warbler and more Starlings than you can count

Pallas's Warbler

Pied Wagtail

Waiting for the Stalings

Grey Heron

Finches & buntings galore

 

Marsh Harrier

This way.....

Who doesn't love a Sunday at the Sewage works

We both fancied going to see the Starling murmuration at Otmoor on Sunday, with the overnight fog due to clear, we set off down the M40 after breakfast. We had to wait for our first Red Kite to flyover, once the first had we then saw them at regular intervals.

 

Our morning target would be at Abingdon Sewage Works, although sounding grim it was easy walking under foot and only about ten minutes from where we parked. As soon as we turned into the lane we could hear a number of wintering Chiffchaff that were feeding on the abundance of insects. I'd only seen one Pallas's Warbler previously which involved brief views up a private drive however this was substanically better with the bird showing instantly low down before flying up above me before crossing over to the high conifers. The stunning individual was very speedy which made for great viewing but very difficult with my camera to get any shots at all. There were loads of Pied Wagtails and a Siberian Chiffchaff present.

 

From there were drove close to Otmoor where we lunched at the Abingdon Arms, highy recommended. Otmoor was very wet making welly boots essential. On the marsh 2 Peregrines were taunting the wildfowl constantly flushing them as they hunted for a late lunch. A female Marsh Harrier could be seen throughout our visit, another first of the year and Red Kites could be also observed at regular intervals.

 

From the hide there were a nice selection of birds feeding on seed placed on the paths includinh Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Chaffinch but no Brambling which was strange given local numbers.

 

In all honesty, the Starlings were disappointing. There were thousands and thousands to be seen but they didn't arrive until very late. In addition they didn't roost in the reeds so there was no big murmuration which is what we really wanted to see.  The walk back to car seemed longer than normal with the cold temperature and muddy wellies.

Heswall Pallas's Warbler opens year account on life list

Pallas Warbler (Thanks to Phil Woollen @PhilWoolen)

Birders from around the county flocked to the Wirral last week when local birder Steve Hinde discovered Cheshires & Wirral's sixth Pallas Warbler at the Sewage Works in Heswell. The stunning individual was a long way from it's regular wintering grounds in South East Asia. A fellow Warwickshire birder kindly offered to take me as we were both keen to add it our life lists. 

On arrival there were four Little Egrets feeding in the horse paddocks leading to the sewage works. The viewing space was very limited however we secured two of the last decent spots and just waited. Whilst waiting the hedges were busy with Goldcrests and wintering Chiffchaffs clearly enjoying the micro climate produced by the sewage works. On occasions you could see passing birds on the estuary including a large flock of 250 Pink-footed Geese and 40 Curlew. After about 90 minutes my esteemed driver picked the Pallas Warbler out feeding above the gate. The views were very brief but you could make out the distinguishing features before it dropped down low to show again (view partially blocked) before disappearing. Happy with the target in the bag we opted to call in to Burton Mere Wetlands (a super reserve) where we observed a wintering Long-eared Owl. 

To wrap the day up we went to the main marsh where we had a great final hour observing birds including 5 Whooper Swans, 2 Short-eared Owls, Merlin, Peregrine and a Great White Egret.