Tuesday 20 January 2015

Jack Snipe headline at Gravel Pits

 Canada Geese feeding on Pophills fields
Lower Pophills fields

Finally a good morning at Salford Priors Gravel Pits on Sunday where we only had to battle the cold for a change. A pair of Goldcrests greeted me as I got out the car before I spotted a flock of 90 Canada Geese behind the Pophills pit. I picked a small number of Yellowhammers in the hedgerows whilst a flock of 60 Golden Plover could be seen towards Alcester.

The main pit and Pophills were both very quiet and wildfowl numbers seemed low. After passing the workings we tried one of the old lagoons for Jack Snipe and we flushed 10, my highest total on the site. We recorded an additional 25 Snipe on the rest of our walk. 

The wintering Common Sandpiper flew over as we walked the main meadow towards the bunds. We decided to walk over the bunds to try and see what else was about, over head were 6 Common Buzzards circling we also picked up a Sparrowhawk and Kestrel hunting. There are two small pools that can only be seen from the top of the bunds and we found a Water Rail and 50 Teal. Other sightings included a couple of Reed Buntings and a Song Thrush both needed for the Patchwork challenge ! 

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