Shelduck breed again at Salford Priors GP

Six ducklings

There is always one

Without a care in the world

Rabbit in evening sunshine

Our hopes of having breeding Shelduck at Salford Priors again were realised on Monday when a brood of six emerged on the reed lagoon. Many thanks to Andy Woodhouse who called me following a morning visit on Monday.

As soon as I finished work I was on site and sludging through the mud down to see our new arrivals. The six ducklings were swimming with the mother on the edge of the reeds clealry enjoying some rare Warwickshire June sunshine. One of the ducklings certainly didn't lack confidence and was seen following his own agenda of exploring the lagoon.

Other additional sightings of note were two Green Sandpipers, a Lapwing & a Little Ringed Plover. 

Pink-footed Goose in closing days of year at pits

Greylag flock on main pit

Spot the Pinkie

Hand held shot of Pink-footed Goose

Hand held shot of Pink-footed Goose

Hand held shot of Pink-footed Goose

Hand held shot of Pink-footed Goose

Hand held shot of Pink-footed Goose

Fieldfares

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

November Patchwork Challenge

The Christmas break gave me plenty of time to visit the Salford Priors Pit. As well as doing my regular walks I've been trying to find a goodie like the Brambling I'd found a mile south of my recording area the previous Sunday.

On Monday 28th a smaller bird caught my eye at a distance among the regular flock of Greylags and upon closer inspection I'd found my first gravel pit Pink-footed Goose. I've been checking these geese all winter hoping of finding something different and thankfully it paid off. I'd approached the pit from the old workings so I had to be happy with the images I took from a distance. I did inform the other pit birders but only Ann & Noel could make it, it was a valuable year tick for them.

Other sightings included 60 Black-headed Gulls, 6 Gadwell, 12 Goldcrest, Jack Snipe, 15 Snipe, 8 Shoveler, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzard, 2 Shelduck and Tawny Owl calling (2pm).

Best of the rest in Devon

River Dart in Dartmouth

It would be rude to not take a walk up on Berry Head when down in Devon and it was great to see a Gannet flying very close to the edge of the cliffs. Around 300-500 Guillemots had returned to the cliffs and there was a small number of shags. I also found a pair of Rock Pipits towards the far end of the rock face. At the second  attempt of walking the perimeter fields I located a Cirl Bunting taking cover from the wind (must say I did find the dogs not on leads annoying). On the plus side the car park machine was not working enabling a free for all rampage for parking.

From there we headed down into Brixham harbour for a cup of tea at the breakwater car park before walking along to see the flock of resident Purple Sandpiper and Turnstones. These are difficult birds to see but I find this location one of the most reliable in the country.

Finally, on the journey back home we stopped at RSPB Bowling Green Marsh to get some great views of a Spotted Redshank that was feeding in the estuary. 

Despite the chest infection and not being able to walk as far as I would normally we all had a good Easter break. 

Final work party of winter at Upton Warren

 Returning Avocets

 The Flashes

 Shelduck Nest box

Turf digging for nest Shelducks

Rescue of parts from old nest box

Work party in full swing

I felt it was only right to help out on the last work party before the breeding season at Upton Warren on Sunday. Thankfully the weather was kind to us although a few layers of clothing was needed before we headed down to the Flashes.

Before work commenced we had a quick session from the hide. It was great as always to see the returning Avocet whose numbers had already reached 16. We flushed at least 10 Jack Snipe and 20 Snipe before commencing the duties. Other sightings included eight  Shelduck, 20 Coot, a pair of Mute Swan, 11 Curlew, 200+ Lapwing, two Oystercatcher, two Little Egret, 5+ Herring Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull and a single Linnet.

A good party of 14 included Dave W, Des J, Fraser D, Ian J, John L, Mary O, Mike W, Paul, Phil W, Rich, Tim O, Tracey B, our leader John Belsey and myself were on hand to work through a number of tasks including  rebuilding the two Shelduck boxes, clearing the main breeding island of vegetation, relaying the first flash island, installing heavy duty fencing along the stretch north of the hide, clearing the smaller shingle islands, laying wood chippings along the low points of the main path and checking the fox fence.

As always there was good quality home made lemon drizzle and sausage rolls. A great effort by every one. I for one was nursing a stiff back on Monday morning.

Midweek at the Pits

An early finish at work enabled me to get an hours birding in at Salford Priors late afternoon on Thursday.

As I parked up I could see a large flock of Greylag feeding at Pophills so I thought I'd try this area first. As I walked along the hedgerow I flushed a number of Yellowhammers whilst there were Sky Larks in good voice again.

Sadly I couldn't see any rare geese among the 95 Greylag who were in company of a single Shelduck and 25 Canada Geese. On the pit shingle Sundays Oystercatcher had been joined by another two Shelduck, Common Sandpiper and a first winter Dunlin. Whilst the light wasn't great I did get a couple of record shots. 

As I headed towards the road I came across 2 Jack Snipe and 5 Snipe in the Pophills field.

Over on main pit a Lesser Black-backed Gull was keeping the Black Headed company. A Dunlin was on the main pit however it looked to be the bird from Pophills. Diving duck numbers were very low as I only counted 24 Tufted Duck and one Pochard.