Sunshine, snow & showers

Snow and flooding greeted me on Saturday morning at Salford Priors making it a most forgetful morning. Sessions like this make you consider why you really do it. Everything seemed to be taking cover except for a large flock of all three hirundines. With very little passage of birds over head I retreated home with a morning grump on. 

Not to be beaten I headed for Abbots Salford where thankfully I found our first Reed Warbler of the year and then four Sedge Warblers. The morning rain looked to have brought down large numbers of Blackcaps as I found 20+ all within the same area. A number of Swallows were sat up on the wires between the pools which was great to see. Wildfowl numbers are generally the same except for the dropping number of Teal. 

Hopefully next week will bring something different. 

The February Patch Challenge resulted in a drop of four places to 11th and I will be surprised if I don't get another drop in March. After a brilliant trip to Gambia its been tough to keep motivated with habitat being destroyed daily and a lack of birds. 

Please note I have added the Warwickshire March sightings complied with Jon. You may note a Firecrest is included at Salford Priors. Regular pit birder Mark Islip found this bird on 28th March but given the habitat, access arrangements in addition to me being away on holiday it was decided that the information could not be shared along normal channels. A first for site and reward for Mark for plodding round in difficult conditions. Great work.

Black-winged Stilt's at RSPB Middleton Lakes

 Black-winged Stilt

 Black-winged Stilt

 RSPB Middleton Lakes

 Woodland view

 Common Tern

 Gadwall

I've got no idea

Yellow Wagtail

After an early morning patch visit followed by some sports taxi duties and watching the lads play their Saturday sport, I couldn't resist the temptation of a 40 minute twitch to RSPB Middleton Lakes which is close to Drayton Manor Park.

The service road had showed minor signs of repair but the old huge crater pot holes were still there as you edged towards the car park. Six Swallows were flying around the quary workings half way up the drive.

Making the walk down the lakes the Warblers sounded in good heart espiacally the Blackcaps that could be seen in most of the bushes. After crossing the canal I quickly scanned the first pool to find a drake Garganey sleeping on the edge of the island. It had been reported earlier on in the week, when leaving 2 hours later, I couldn't relocate the duck much to my annoyance.

I headed down towards the screen and the far end of the reserve where two Black-winged Slits were showing well through the scope. It will be interesting to see how long they stay or even better could they potentially breed given their success elsewhere.

The year ticks continued to be observed with three Common Tern, Ringed Plover and Whitethroat whilst I recorded at least three Cettis Warbler, Litte Egret and three Avocets.

Finally as I headed for car I located a Yellow Wagtail in a horse paddock as I was starting to scope a Green Woodpecker. I was chuffed to bits with the find.

A great visit but do wish they would sort out that service road.

It's raining Terns at Earlswood Lakes

 Arctic & Common Terns from the Causeway

 Common Terns

Swallow

On Thursday evening I was just heading down to Arrow Valley when I received a text from Matt at Earlswood Lakes that Arctic Terns were passing through. I noted the s on the end of Tern so was hopeful it was more than just a single bird. 

Arriving on the Causeway in pouring rain the sky were full of Terns ! A real spectacle at an inland reservoir. It was very difficult to count the birds but there was at least 20 Arctic and 20 Common Terns. They were superb viewing and they were joined by a good number of Swallows feeding over the water. A single Grey Wagtail was also very close in front of us. We watched 20+ Arctic Terns rise gradually before setting off further north on their migration, perhaps bound for the Farne Islands where I will be visiting in June.

A walk in the Wyre

 Dipper

 Tree Pipet Bench

 Knowles Mill

Wyre

Moors Pool (Upton Warren)

Swallows at Arrow Valley Lake

It was off to the Wye Forest on Sunday morning for a spring walk despite there being a sharp cold breeze. Parking at the end of Dry Mill Lane I headed down the railway line where Willow Warblers and Chiffchafs were calling. 

The usual Pipet field on the left of the patch delivered instantly as I observed a Tree Pipit land and then call. Tree Pipit are always difficult birds to find so it was good to get a good view even if it was fleeting. 

Dropping down towards Knowles Mill I picked up a pair of Wood Warbler calling and clearing enjoying themselves. 

When reaching Knowles Mill I noticed a Dipper feeding only to be flushed by a loose dog ! Some people have no idea. Once the carless dog owners had moved on I got treated by a flyover by the same Dipper and some views of Grey Wagtail. Further along the river I re-located the Dipper and managed to get some video footage.

After a quick coffee at Webbs I spent a few hours at the Moors, Upton Warren. Two Arctic Tern had passed through earlier in the morning but no more appeared. A good selection of Warblers were busy on the East path whilst other sighting included Teal, Shelduck 10, Gadwall, Tufties, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Sedge & Reed Warbler and good numbers of Swallows & Sand martins.  

As the weather worsened during afternoon I dropped down to Arrow Valley in case a Tern or Little Gull had dropped in. Whilst there was no superstars 30+ Swallows were feeding joined by my first Sand martins and House martins.