Little Owls steal show in rain and wind

Once again the worst day of weather of the week saved itself for Sunday much to my annoyance. I started my visit on a positive note despite the weather as both Little Owls were showing well to the west of the pits.

Over at Pophills there were two Shelduck, two Oystercatcher and a Common Sandpiper.

On the main pit two Sand Martin were welcome arrivals. Other notable sightings included Green Sandpiper, two Shelduck, Buzzard, Peregrine, two Water Rail, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, 124 Tufted Ducks, Chiffchaff and Green Woodpecker.

Only a quick update as feeling ill with man flu.

Red-necked Grebe at Farmoor

Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Showing very well

To much to swallow

Perhaps not……..

Black-tailed Godwit at Holt

                         Black-tailed Godwit at Holt (digiscoped through trees)

This Saturday I headed to New Road, Worcester for my pre-season umpires meeting. On the way I called in at Sling Pools, Holt to find a nice Black-tailed Godwit feeding in the pools. Around 150 Fieldfare and Redwing were poised in the fields ready to return to their breeding grounds. I called in at Grimley where the only notable discovery was a first summer drake Goosander which is apparently a difficult bird to see at Grimley.

After my umpires course I made my way over to Farmoor Reservoir, Oxfordshire to try and see the reported Red-necked Grebe. I wasn't convinced I had made the right decision as on arrival it was blowing a gale and raining ! 

After completely walking the wrong round way around the reservoir (poor decision given weather) I found the bird in full summer plumage by the jetty. The bird made it well worth the drive and walk as it showed within 25 feet allowing me to get a couple of sharp digiscoped images. I took advantage of the bird showing well for a good hour before heading back up the M40.

Movement slow at Salford Priors

Sunrise at the pits

Curlew (Patch first)

Weekend coffee break

Sunday find

Little Ringed Plover

Three visits to Salford Priors this week to report on. Thursdays after work visit was rewarded with my first two Curlew at the site. The Curlew were feeding in the Snipe meadow but were not very settled as they twice took off and did a large lap of the site before landing again.

I was on site by 6.10am on Saturday and first bird of the day was a single Dunlin and a pair of Common Sandpiper on Pophills Pit. Along the main pit the Reed Buntings were establishing tertitory whilst a Green Sandpiper was on the far side.  There was a flock of 15-20 Pied Wagtails feeding in the old workings area. The first Sand Martin of spring came through at 7.56am which was most pleasing. Singing Chiffchaffs had increased to five across the reserve. 

Fellow patch birder had found a Ringed Plover on Saturday evening so I was keen to try and relocate the bird first thing on Sunday. However I called in to check out the Little Owls first of all. Whilst initially there was no sign as I headed back past towards the car I noticed the female was watching me closely from a different viewing point before disappearing back inside the tree.

Down at Pophills there was no sign of the Ringed Plover. There was a single Common Sandpiper, a pair of Gadwell & Teal along with regular Coot and Tufties. Three Green Woodpecker were flying around the bunds together allowing some great views. There really wasn't much else to report as there has been no significant changes over night. I caught up with Lee by the Snipe meadow as Skylarks sang above us. I flushed a few Snipe up on the bunds before heading back to Pophills for a final look. At the first glance it looked the same as earlier but after setting up the scope I picked up a Little Ringed Plover. I edged along the hedgerow to confirm my identification and you could clearly make out the yellow orbital ring around its eye. Happy days………..A good find at the end of a frustrating morning.

Upton Warren delights (as normal)

Straight on for the Flashes

 Little Egret

 Common Snipe

Pied Avocet 

Opted for a few hours at Upton Warren on Saturday afternoon, as normal the reserve looked fantastic and ready for an influx of migrants.

Starting at the Moors, a Kestrel hovered above the car park as I headed to the east hide. From the hide it was good to see 4 Little Egrets (a bird I've not seen at the gravel pits yet) had moved in whilst a Common Snipe was on the waters edge giving me the chance to get a digiscoped image. A pair of Oystercatchers were displaying on the near island. Other note worthy sightings included 37 Shoveller, three Lapwing, eight Teal, two Gadwall, four Shelduck and 60 Tufted Duck.

I thought I might see a Sand Martin on the Sailing Pool but had to settle for three Great Crested Grebe. As I headed towards the Flashes I picked up five different singing Chiffchaffs.

As always the Avocet were great to observe. One bird fed very close to the hide. Other sightings included 2 Raven (preparing to nest), 25 Teal, four Shelduck, three Oystercatcher, three Lapwing and a pair of Linnets. I did scan the fields a number of times for a Wheatear but they seem very slow in coming through the Midlands at the moment.

Black Redstart twitch at Worcester Cathedral

After an early morning patch walk on Saturday I needed the take my youngest lad to play football in Worcester. After dropping him off I made the short journey to Worcester Cathedral to try and locate the wintering female Black Redstart. Some of the reports indicated the bird was difficult to locate but you can't beat a challenge.

Starting on the College Green looking at the Cathedral from the south side it only took me two minutes to spot the bird who was feeding on one of the flat roofs above the kitchen area. I watched the bird for  thirty minutes before heading back to the playing fields to watch my sons game. 

Vote for Britain's National Bird

Have you voted for Britain's favourite bird yet ? If not give this link a click and register your vote. Not one to sway your vote but voting for Hen Harrier will give the bird a huge profile lift to the general public and will also help its survival.

First Osprey returns to Rutland Water

It was good to see on social media that the first Osprey has returned to Rutland Water. The eighteen year old bird was first seen at 17th March. No doubt I will make a visit some time this spring to see these fantastic birds.