Coombe Hill NR's Temminck's Stint

 Temminck's Stint

 Temminck's Stint

Temminck's Stint

 Coombs Hill Nature Reserve

Cuckoo

 Pied Flycatcher

Pied Flycatcher

A week off for the Whitsun holiday will hopefully enable me to get out a see some nice birds. With the weather set fair I flew down the M5 to junction 9 to visit Coombs Hill Nature Reserve. A leisurely walk along the canal took me to a new Grundon Hide which had been replaced twice since my last visit due to flooding and wind. 

A Temminck's Stint had been reported in previous days but it kept its head down for thirty minutes until I picked it up when it came out of the undergrowth to the waters edge. The scope views were good but it was difficult to get a digiscoped image due to the low light level. A Cuckoo was calling on a dead tree to the left of the canal. Further along the water line two Lapwing chicks were enjoying their first steps closely watched by mom. Other sightings included 5 Mite Swans, Litte Ringed Plover, 3 Curlew and an array of warblers. 

Next stop on my tour of Gloucestershire was Highnam Woods which was only 15 minutes away. Within two minutes I'd picked up two Marsh Tits, a flock a Long Tailed Tits, Nuthatches and a male Nightingale. Always a pleasure to hear these birds.

My final stop was RSPB Nagshead where I caught up one of my favourite summer stars the Pied Flycatcher.I had hoped a good number would be showing well but I only tracked down two males whilst I presumed the females were on nests. Whilst walking around there were good numbers of the normal woodland birds and I picked up a Wood Warbler by the car park. 

Upton Warrens Temminck's Stint

 Stint with Ringed Plover snapped by Vern Wright

Stint on far side of the Flashes

I hadn't been in a mad rush to get to Upton Warren to see their own Temmincks's Stint (after such a recent observation at Clifton) however a cancelled appointment gave me time to visit on Thursday afternoon. 

The bird was quickly located by one of the LRP cages allowing some very nice views. It was very interesting to note the size compared to the other waders present such Ruff and Ringed Plover. The Temminck's Stint then took flight to the far side where as a work party we worked hard last winter. 

The bird arrived had on Monday 15th September and lasted a record seven days before being taken by a hungry Sparrowhawk. A sad end to a great bird at Worcestershire premium reserve. 

Thanks as always to Vern for the superb image. It was good to hear that he had been approached to supply images to one of the major birding magazines. Great to see this local photographer get some over due recognition on a wider scale.

Temminck's Stint at Clifton Pits

 Spot in Stint ?

  Spot in Stint ?

 Picture care of Vern Wright

Snipe at Upton Warren

One of my target birds in Autumn is a Temminck's Stint so when photographer kindly text me one was reported at Clifton Pits in Worcestershire I duly booked an early finish at work to pick both Vern and Phil up at Upton to make the small journey south of Worcester. I hadn't been to the south pit before so it was at the second attempt we found the destination we wanted. 

A high bank allowed us some cover as we observed the bird at a distance as shown in the first two images. There were 2 Kingfishers, Lapwing and Green Sandpipers present. The bird quite often flew to either end of the muddy bank so we needed to keep a close eye on this juvenile. I then noted the bird take flight, only to land within 30 feet. Vern and Phil took up position on the bank quicker than two paratroopers taking cover under fire and both managed to get some great shots. 

We observed a large flock of Goldfinch and Linnets on the walk back to the car to round up a great couple of hours. 

On Saturday I was on umpiring duty at Belbroughton which allowed me a few hours over at Upton Warren supporting the All-dayer. Upton bagged a very respectable 86 species in the day. Highlight of my own session was watching the Snipe at very close quarters at the Flashes.