Black Tern visit to Shustoke

 Black Tern

Shustoke Reservoir 

It was typical three Black Terns dropped into Upton Warren on Sunday when I was away in Wales so when I checked reports of a sighting at Shustoke Reservoir I decided to take a chance and make the journey to this Warwickshire site fairly close to the NEC.

As soon as I'd parked and set up the scope the Tern was flying out in front of me. Whilst the light was very poor for digiscoping I managed to get some good views just through the scope. These birds have a real natural beauty and a contrast between the black head and body and the slate grey wings. You can see the size of the bird on image three where you can see a Black-headed Gull behind the Tern. 

For those who don't know Black Terns are rare UK breeders and generally only seen on passage migration.

Biggest Twitch to Worlds End

Worlds End at dawn

 Black Grouse

  

 Worlds End

 Cuckoo

 Grey Wagtail

Nant Ffrancon

 Meadow Pipit

Wheatear

After a brilliant day with Alan Davies (The Biggest Twitch) previously I opted to take advantage of one of his trips to watch the Black Grouse lek in North Wales. 

I met Alan at 5am and we made the short journey up on to the top of the Moors. We arrived at the lek in darkness but the noise of the Grouse bubbling call was extremely loud - so loud you would estimate there were at least 30-40 birds however we counted 13 in total as the light lifted slowly. It was interesting to watch the jousting at close quarters. The dominant males in the middle of the lek appeared more interested in their own superiority and completely missed a rare appearance of a female bird on the edge of the lek. During the lek a Red Grouse and a Red-legged Partridge appeared, obviously to see what all the fuss was about. It was definitely a session of birding I will never forget, simply awesome.

As we drove to the other side of moor we saw another two Red Grouse fly across low and quickly whilst a Whinchat was calling loudly and sitting up wanting to get noticed.  Once parked up and refreshed with a Hot Chocolate (luxury birding, I know) we walked up through the moor for a higher view. At least another 15 Black Grouse could be picked out at various points whilst a great range of woodland birds were observed here and slightly further down the valley including Cuckoo, Tree Pipit, Redstart, Coal Tit, Dipper, Stonechat, Crossbill, Raven, Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler and Stock Dove.

After a rather hearty full welsh breakfast (whilst watching Goldfinch, Chaffinch and Buzzard) we headed through Betws y Coed and stopped off to watch Dippers and Grey Wagtail riverside. The birds offered superb views and were just happy carrying on their daily business.

Our final stop was the beautiful old glacial valley called Nant Ffrancon. As soon as we arrived numerous Wheatears were picked up and the call of Ring Ouzel rang round the valley. We watched a male and female Ouzel on the steep banks of the valley whilst a Raven was making it very difficult for Common Buzzard. In a area of small trees a returning Garden Warbler sang his heart out in the company of the Willow Warblers.

As we headed back round in a circle we picked up around 20 Sandwich Tern feeding off the sea front at Ross, no doubt they will be heading to Cemyln Bay on Anglesey.

This rounded off a brilliant day and I'd urge anyone to look up the Biggest Twitch. Alan and Ruth know every bit of North Wales and I enjoyed the fact I could take in the stunning scenery instead of concentrating on the driving. 

It's raining Terns at Earlswood Lakes

 Arctic & Common Terns from the Causeway

 Common Terns

Swallow

On Thursday evening I was just heading down to Arrow Valley when I received a text from Matt at Earlswood Lakes that Arctic Terns were passing through. I noted the s on the end of Tern so was hopeful it was more than just a single bird. 

Arriving on the Causeway in pouring rain the sky were full of Terns ! A real spectacle at an inland reservoir. It was very difficult to count the birds but there was at least 20 Arctic and 20 Common Terns. They were superb viewing and they were joined by a good number of Swallows feeding over the water. A single Grey Wagtail was also very close in front of us. We watched 20+ Arctic Terns rise gradually before setting off further north on their migration, perhaps bound for the Farne Islands where I will be visiting in June.

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.

Operation Swift

Every summer we get screaming Swifts around the house which always gives us a great deal of pleasure to watch from the garden, so this year with the help of my Dad I've installed 2 Swift nest boxes on the house. 

Swifts are generally one of the last spring migrants to arrive, but the first to leave. Swifts are now on the Amber List  meaning they're birds of conservation concern. Their numbers have declined dramatically in the past 10 years and one of the possible reasons is that their nest sites are being destroyed.

Whilst a small number of Swifts have been reported nationally we are still awaiting the first one in Bilbury Close. I will of course post any updates.

Digiscoped Video

A walk in the Wyre

 Dipper

 Tree Pipet Bench

 Knowles Mill

Wyre

Moors Pool (Upton Warren)

Swallows at Arrow Valley Lake

It was off to the Wye Forest on Sunday morning for a spring walk despite there being a sharp cold breeze. Parking at the end of Dry Mill Lane I headed down the railway line where Willow Warblers and Chiffchafs were calling. 

The usual Pipet field on the left of the patch delivered instantly as I observed a Tree Pipit land and then call. Tree Pipit are always difficult birds to find so it was good to get a good view even if it was fleeting. 

Dropping down towards Knowles Mill I picked up a pair of Wood Warbler calling and clearing enjoying themselves. 

When reaching Knowles Mill I noticed a Dipper feeding only to be flushed by a loose dog ! Some people have no idea. Once the carless dog owners had moved on I got treated by a flyover by the same Dipper and some views of Grey Wagtail. Further along the river I re-located the Dipper and managed to get some video footage.

After a quick coffee at Webbs I spent a few hours at the Moors, Upton Warren. Two Arctic Tern had passed through earlier in the morning but no more appeared. A good selection of Warblers were busy on the East path whilst other sighting included Teal, Shelduck 10, Gadwall, Tufties, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Sedge & Reed Warbler and good numbers of Swallows & Sand martins.  

As the weather worsened during afternoon I dropped down to Arrow Valley in case a Tern or Little Gull had dropped in. Whilst there was no superstars 30+ Swallows were feeding joined by my first Sand martins and House martins.