Kites & finches

Red Kite over head

Red Kite chasing off the corvids

Little Grebe 

Fallow Deer

Main Pit island ready for spring

Yellowhammer in great voice

Greylags

View of main pit from orchards

More Yellowhammers

Two patch visits this week as I managed to drop in on the way home from Evesham after picking up my international driving licence for an upcoming trip. On arrival I found Mike Inskip by Pophills & then found Chris Lane walking towards me on the lane down from Dunnington.

Before I reached the pits I found our returning pair of Red Kites to the east of pits. I quickly jumped out the car to watch the birds closely above me. With Red Kites duly added to the patch year list we added another on the main pit where a female Goosander was resting on the Oystercatcher island. The rest of the wildfowl numbers were very quiet. 

I then headed up to the orchards with Chris where there were still good numbers of Fieldfare & a handful of Fallow Deer before us on the path. Chris had seen a Brambling an hour before but as the light faded we had to be happy with an excellent flock of Chaffinches. 

It was a foggy start on Sunday but thankfully it burnt off quickly making it quite a reasonable morning. I met up with Jon as planned before we started our circuit. In the area where the main bund stood a flash has developed which seems to be attracting the Lapwing and our Green Sandpiper. This area may be profitable come the spring if the water level is maintained. A single drake Wigeon was joined by another good flock of teal on Pophills. Over at the main pit highlights included 3 Shelduck, 3 Pochard (1 extra on central lagoon), 25 Lapwing and an Oystercatcher.

Jon headed to check the southern end of the pits whilst I headed up the orchard to find the finch flock. A Kestrel kindly flushed their position feeding on the rough crop so I set up my scope and started working my way through the flock. The Yellowhammers & Reed Buntings were both singing which is always a pleasure. The flocks approximate numbers were 250 Chaffinch, 20 Reed Bunting, 40 Yellowhammer, 30 Linnet, 5 Greenfinch and a pair of Bramblings. 

Other sightings included 7 Little Grebe, 7 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, pair of Mute Swan, 310 Greylag, 28 Canada Geese, 13 Gadwall, 115 Teal, 310 Mallard, 21 Shoveler, 87 Tufted Duck, 6 Moorhen, 104 Coot, a Snipe, Sparrowhawk, 40 Black-headed Gulls,2 Buzzard, Great Spotted & Green Woodpecker, Grey & Pied Wagtail, 4 singing Song Thrushes, a Mistle Thrush and a pair of Raven.

We also recorded 4 Fallow deer, 8 Roe Deer & 4 Brown Hare. 

Goosander, Brambling, Siskin & new access

Mondays single Goosander

Greylag Geese

Abbots Salford

Siskin

Feeding Siskin

Upside down Siskin

Treecreeper

 Long-tailed Tits on the feeders

 Goosander pair

 Two of the seven Shelduck on the frozen main pit

Buzzard over Pophills

January Patch Challenge Midland Table

A very mixed bag of weather this week resulted in our first Goosander appearing on Monday which was followed up by a pair on Tuesday which then hung around all week. Paul and I had our first walk around Abbots Salford after access was granted. The walk around the lakes there is much easier that Salford Priors therefore is ideal as an additional area to survey to the pits. The area has two pools, which are used for fishing, a couple of islands, crops fields, pasture, good hedgerows and a river, so I'm hoping we had record a few additional sightings. Previously I could only record what I've seen from the gate. On the one side of the lake three Siskin showed very well right above us. Two Treecreeper landed is the trees on the river bank. The dodgy local Snow Goose was keeping company of the Canada Geese our only disappointment was we never added Kingfisher or Great Crested Grebe to our patch list. 

Chris Lane found a pair of Brambling on Thursday around the orchards which I managed to relocate. I could not get near enough for a decent photo of the stunning male. Chris also found a Stonechat on the edge of Broom but despite two searches I couldn't relocate. Paul Hands recorded a Grey Partridge towards Abbots Salford which is the third record of the year to date.

Sunday's count included :- Mallard, Coot 65, Tufted Duck 128, Little Grebe 14, Canada Goose 87, Lapwing 19, Gadwall 10, Shoveler 4, Teal 52, Mute Swan 2, Jack Snipe 1, Snipe 10, Cormorant 37, Shelduck 2, Oystercatcher, Greylag 180, Pochard 1, Buzzard 3, Green Sandpiper 3, Meadow Pipit 1, Reed Bunting 4, Pied Wagtail 8, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull 3, Linnet 12, Starling 5, Jackdaw 30, Rook 15, Sparrowhawk, Song Thursh, Greenfinch 4, Grey Heron 2, Stock Dove 4.

All directions weekend

Great Northern Diver

                                                   Great Northern Diver

Great Northern Diver

Golden Plover 

The weekend visit to Salford Priors was once again hampered by driving rain and gales. After checking out Pophills (two Green Sandpipers still present) I opted to walk the plantation for a change. The only birds I found were Goldcrests, Coal / Blue/ Great Tits, and Redwings. My wait for our first winter Goldeneye will have to wait another week as the wildfowl are still restricted to Tufties, Teal, Gadwell and Mute Swans. 24 Lapwing (Chris Lane reported 138 on Friday) flew in late morning whilst the geese had moved behind the main pit and included 152 Canada & 202 Greylag.  It looks like the old workings is the next part of the site to be returned to agricultural land. The work has got very close to the main pit which may explain why the wildfowl are very unsettled.

I opted for a bit of variation on Sunday and headed six miles in the opposite direction to see the Great Northern Diver at Upper Bittell. It was great to see the bird showing close to the dam and in decent light. On the path to the car we found three Goosander, female Goldeneye and a flock of Siskins at Lower Bittell.

After a coffee and sandwich I then headed to Hawling where I was hoping for an Owlfest like last winter. Sadly it seems that only 2-3 Short-eared Owls have returned this winter and the lack of competition means they don’t need to hunt in the daylight. I got some nice views of one Shortie as the light faded but it wasn’t the same experience as last winter. Other sightings included two Red Kites, Barn Owl, Kestrel, 30 Lapwing and 25 Golden Plover.

Change of scenery at Draycote

Great Northern Diver

Great Northern Diver

Goosanders

Female Scaup

On Sunday I opted to drive over to north Warwickshire and meet Jon for a walk around Draycote Water. If you have never been it's a great place for a good walk and do some birding the only downside is that is also great for runners, walkers, cycles, sailing and fishing.

First notable bird we found was a juvenile Great Northern Diver that was off Farborough Bank. The bird drifted around the reservoir as first the fishing boats came out following by the sailing bikes. As we walked around we recorded five different wintering Chiffchaffs and we managed some close views of a Tree Creeper. It took us over an hour to find the reported female Scaup that was with the Tufted Ducks in Biggin Bay.

Other sightings included three Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Pintail, 9 Tree Sparrow, 8 Goosander, Kingfisher, 30 Wigeon, 8 Shoveler, 20 Pochard, 30 Meadow Pipits, calling Water Rail & 4 Great-blacked Backed Gulls.

Goosanders drop in to the Salford

Goosanders on main pit

 Pochard

 Anne to the rescue

Feeding geese

Weekend patch visit to Salford Priors on Saturday was bitterly cold with strong northerly winds blowing straight through the pits. Shooting was going on around Pophills and the local beaters flushed everything in their usual unsympathetic way.

Surprise of the morning were two Goosanders that were showing on the south end on the main pit before flying west. Goosander sightings are quite limited so it’s always great to see the species on the patch. Last weeks Red-crested Pochards had moved on however 14 Pochards were in charge on the central lagoon. Other sightings included 6 Shoveler, 2 Wigeon, female Scaup, a single Green Sandpiper along with the usual.

The strength of the wind was playing havoc with newly arrived Fieldfare who were almost flying backwards at times. The Wood Pigeon numbers are starting to build up again so will try and do a full count when the weather is kinder.

The local population of Greylag & Canada’s have found a new home by a small pool north of Pophills and I’m quite hopeful (given it’s quiet location) I may well find a rarer species of wildfowl up there.

The visit did have a bit of twist as Ann & Noel had discovered an injured Mute Swan by the Little Owl tree. The bird didn’t seem to be distressed but most definitely in danger given the population of local foxes. Ann called Vale Wildlife Trust who made the drive across the Cotswolds to be led to the bird. The Swan didn’t make any fuss as he was placed in the sling before being taken back to the hospital. Ann did call later in the day and reported the birds wings had been strapped and had been given antibiotics. The bird did also have a limp suggesting it may have hit the ground heavily.

Spring arrivals at Salford Priors

A couple of new arrival and patch ticks last weekend comprised of a Wheatear and a Redshank. The Wheatear was on the old landfill area towards the hidden pools whilst we observed the Redshank in Snipe Meadow, the main pit and also Pophills Pit.

A Goosander was on the spit of the main pit, the first one I have seen land on the patch. Three Jack Snipe were flushed from the old lagoon.There hasn't been any warbler movement as yet but we were very surprised to find a Cetti's Warbler in the reeds by the hidden pools. We were disappointed that we didn't pick any raptors moving through the area but I did check in to see the Little Owl on the way home whilst the normal Sparrowhawk and Peregrine were recorded during the morning. 

Looks like it will have to be Osprey next week !

Steady start at Salford Priors GP

Gravel Pit birding (Flock of Teal just above skyline)

Sparrowhawk (Steve Nash)

With a late morning airport run looming I had to restrict myself to a just a couple of hours down at the Gravel Pits on Sunday.

Viewing was difficult at times as fog seemed to come and go. A Sparrowhawk was hunting the migrant hill on the farm despite getting harassed by a couple of Magpies. I was quite hopeful a Goldeneye located midweek may be around but sadly no luck. The Green Woodpecker seemed very busy around the plantation as I looked for the Long-tailed Tits that still remained outstanding on the year list for the site. Jon reported he had flushed a Tawny Owl and a Woodcock but neither myself or Lee had the same luck.

The main pit contained the normal suspects however Teal number had increased to 112 and a count of 32 Cormorant was above average. As I edged along the main pit 3 Goosander (one Drake) circled looking to land but then opted to move on sadly. I had a total of 10 Jack Snipe and 25 Snipe throughout my walk and the main meadow had four Skylarks and Meadow Pipits which I watched closely through my scope. Only other notable sighting was the orchard were still full of Fieldfare and Redwing.

A good visit but gutted to have missed Tawny and Woodcock. I did thankfully see our local Barn Owl on the previous Monday evening after Lee had seen him hunting on the Sunday. I would really like to try and capture him on a good photograph but he doesn't seem to come out to hunt until its dark.

The Sparrowhawk photograph was sent to me some time ago by Racing Post photographer Steve Nash who I've known for a good many years. Thought it would be good to show it on the blog.

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.

A day Avon Birding

Brean Down Salt Marsh

Brean beach

Raven 

Stonechat

Great White Egret

Sunday took me down the M5 into Somerset to try and catch up with a couple of species I've been missing on year list. The destination was Brean Down which is a few miles south of Weston-Super-Mare. Parking was a very reasonable winter rate of £1 for the whole day.

Leaving the car park a couple of Stonechats watched me head down towards the farm and salt marsh. The farm is a regular haunt for a small flock of Twite however despite two prolonged searches I didn't have any luck. 

As a walked along the sea wall a Peregrine hunted for an early breakfast over the salt marsh whilst a Sparrowhawk flew past the fields behind. The tide was low so waders were  restricted to Curlews, Lapwings, Snipe and Redshanks. As I was observing a flock of Linnetts a Water Pipit landed by the stream behind the second gate ! A real bonus. 

There were a handful of birders on the site and I had a good chat with a local only for the Lapland Bunting to fly over with a handful of Sky Larks. As hard as I tried I could not locate the Bunting on the ground but I did get another flypast. The birds seems to rotate between the marsh and the field. Fair play to those who got an image.

As I headed back the car a Raven was hounding the local Jackdaws and there was another two Stonechats enjoying the late morning sunshine.

The temptation to head back via Hawling was obvious but instead I stopped in at Chew Valley Lake. Not knowing the area I just drove around the perimeter until I found a place to stop. By pure luck the place was Herons Green where I could see a Great White Egret in the channel. I quickly set up the scope and grabbed a few nice digiscoped images. Other sightings included a Great Northern Diver, flock of Goosander, 2 Egyptian Geese, Snipe,  60+ Cormarants, 10 Shelduck, 30+ Pintails, Wigeon, 3 Little Egret, Grey Heron, Great Black-backed Gull and many of the normal wildfowl. Chew Valley Lake is a place you really need a full day to make the most of it and I need to remember not to go back via Bristol on future visits. The Clifton Suspension bridge didn't compensate for the shocking traffic.

This area is an area that seems to getter better and better for birds unlike most counties and the new reserve at Steart Marshes should be another great place to visit. I will be visiting there in 2015 for sure.

Goosander at RSPB Sandwell

I needed to drive over to West Bromwich on Wednesday afternoon so I took advantage to call in to RSPB Sandwell Valley for a bonus session of birding.

First to catch my eye were eight Goosanders, there doesn't seem quite so many around this winter to date and there haven't been any at all at Arrow Valley. These "saw billed" ducks seem to glide around effortlessly making everything else move out of their way. I like their style.

There was a nice selection of water fowl to see including Wigeon, Pochard, Mallard and Teal topped nicely with a flock of 50+ Canada Geese and a couple of Mute Swans. There was a large and noisy flock of Long Tailed Tits at the bottom of Swan Pool which appeared to follow me back to the car. 

Crested Tits at Anagach Woods - Day 4

Crested Tit

Crestie on the floor feeding

Only way to finish a great days birding in the Highlands

Whilst Capercaille views were always going to be limited (given their diminishing population) I had hoped for some great views of Crested Tits but that had not been the case so far. This wasn’t going to the case for long though as Alan took us for a Pine Forest and river walk in the afternoon. Coal Tits could be seen every where in the woodland and it wasn’t long until we picked up a pair of Cresties. Crested tits are quite plain in colour compared to other tits, but have their stunning identifying crests and striped faces makes them a most distinctive species. We all stood and observed the Crested tits feed actively, clinging to trunks and branches and occasionally getting on the feeders when allowed. In the background yet another Red Squirrel was helping himself at the Squirrel feeding box.

We then walked down to the River where a couple of Goosander were taking shelter from the strong current . A great way to spent an afternoon in Scotland.