Movement at last

Lesser Whitethroat

Scanning at the pits

Super truck

Abbots Salford flash

 Gull trouble

Grey Heron family 

Sole remaining local Wigeon 

Cormorants 

Grey Heron

I was out around the patch on Monday - as my car was in for repair I was in my loaned super truck. I spent an age scanning for migrants but still no real movement. A Sand Martin was the only bird moving through whilst on the pits the main action involved the now resident Gulls who had got their hands on a egg for breakfast.  With five pairs flying around it could cause plenty of trouble for our regular breeding species.

I then tried Abbots Salford as they tend to attract warblers before ourselves. This theory was correct as I found a pair of Lesser Whitethroat clearly stealing a march on other warblers in the scrub. A single Wigeon was an interesting record whilst 7 Grey Heron & a Green Sandpiper were the other records of note. 

Late morning I met head of Ragley Farming Hamish Stewart for a coffee at Hillers. Hamish is very passionate about his conservation & explained how species such as Barn Owl, Skylark & Lapwing are doing really well. Of the 10 new Barn Owl that went up last year a number have new residents. Let's hope the Tree Sparrow boxes have similar success but everyone accepts this is more difficult. Whilst not a birder himself, Hamish was very interested in our sightings recorded and wished to be kept in touch. Let's hope this a first step to a progressive partnership.

Whitethroats return

 Ipsley Meadows

Common Whitethroat

Common Tern

With a week of mixed weather I've been down to Arrow Valley plenty of times hoping to catch some thing new. It's a bit strange some times when you are the only person there walking in the rain. However this was rewarded when I managed to observe two Common Terns land in the south corner of the lake for about 15/20 minutes. Once rested they did a couple of laps of the lake before gradually getting higher and flying north east. (Arctic Tern also reported this week)

The scrub land on the back of the east path has been a hive of activity this week before 4 Common Whitethroats seen on Thursday along with Long Tailed Tits, Chiffchaffs, Greenfinches, Willow Warblers along with the normal resident birds.

Two Heron chicks are now clearly visible but I'm still unclear how many other nests are actually being used this year. 

Two Reed Warblers were also new migrants to arrive on lake side. 

After a ramble around the east side on Saturday I walked down the River Arrow to Ipsley Meadows, an area I remember well from my childhood. Despite the persistent dog walkers (all very friendly and keen to find out what I'm watching) its an area that has matured and could well attract some nice birds. On this visit I found at least two Lesser Whitethroat. Despite my best efforts I was unable to get any sort of image for a record but I will be trying again.

Earlswood delivers early migrants

With a late start planned at work I headed over to Earlswood Lakes on Tuesday morning to meet up with Matt. Whilst waiting on the causeway an early returning Common Sandpiper was on the side of the Engine Pool and then treated me to a fly pass when a couple of dog walkers flushed the bird. The Windmill Pool was hosting 4 roosting Common Terns are always great to see. 

Once Matt arrived we headed to some scrub land where a Lesser Whitethroat could be heard instantly and then showed on and off for about 40 minutes. My first Common Whitethroat was also picked up in the same location whilst Chiffchaffs and Reed Buntings were also enjoying the spring sunshine. 

A great start to the day……..