Spring bingers pick up pace

Peregrine looking for afternoon snack

Redstart location

White Wagtail

The pace picked up last week at the Salford Priors Gravel Pits with 67 species recorded over my three visits. Thursday saw we watching the Peregrine on the look out for an afternoon snack whilst the flock of Linnets were feeding in the Old Workings. A Great Crested Grebe was on Pophills pit whilst the first Blackcap of year was singing in front of me on the edge of the plantation.

Two weekend visits brought further new arrivals. My find of the weekend was undoubtedly a Common Redstart I found in the bottom meadow. The bird was sitting up in the hedgerow  before diving for cover when spotting me. Jon then managed to re-locate the bird but it was very difficult to get a digiscope image due to the wind and distance. 

On the main pit a White Wagtail graced the east shore whilst elsewhere there was a Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper and a Dunlin (also appeared on Pophills).

We flushed a male Wheatear on the viewing area of Snipe meadow whilst a Redshank and two Little Ringed Plover joined the regular Meadow Pipits and Skylarks. Our site Jack Snipe was in it's normal spot, perhaps it's last appearance before heading to its breeding grounds.

Other migrants included 17 House Martins and two Willow Warblers. 

Earlswood Ring Ouzel

After the previous days success I noted via Twitter Matt @earlswoodbirds had located a Ring Ouzel in the horse paddock off Gypsy Lane in Earlswood. Following a quick text to him on site to confirm it was still there I made the journey over in quick time and found Matt and a couple of other birders in attendance.

The bird was fairly distant but allowing some nice views given the fading light. 

Ring Ouzel is a 2 pointer on the Patchwork Challenge so will need to work extra hard to get one of these at the pits. Great find Matt ! Arrrhhhhh !

Ouzelling about on Titterstone Clee Hill

Not a bad sight when getting out of the car

Ring Ouzel

Ring Ouzel

Ring Ouzel

Old Quarry workings

Great place on a calm day

Titterstone Clee Hill Summit

Wheatear (down low)

Wheatear (up above)

With one final day off before returning to work I headed west to Shropshire for a bit of ouzelling at Titterstone Clee Hill. With the weather looking beautiful the hour drive soon past. 

Upon getting out of the car I picked up a Ring Ouzel towards the summit and grabbed a quick digiscoped image just incase I didn't pick another one up. The old workings was looking as eerie as ever but was relatively bird free so I headed up towards the summit. As I headed upwards I past a number of Wheatears, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks.

Towards the top I located a pair of Ring Ouzels so I sat down on a comfortable clump of grass and watched the birds feeding on earth worms along the rocks and grass on the summit above the old workings. It always amazes me how distinctive their striking white breast band is. These birds will be refuelling here before they continue their path further north to their breeding grounds.

Spring arrivals at Salford Priors

A couple of new arrival and patch ticks last weekend comprised of a Wheatear and a Redshank. The Wheatear was on the old landfill area towards the hidden pools whilst we observed the Redshank in Snipe Meadow, the main pit and also Pophills Pit.

A Goosander was on the spit of the main pit, the first one I have seen land on the patch. Three Jack Snipe were flushed from the old lagoon.There hasn't been any warbler movement as yet but we were very surprised to find a Cetti's Warbler in the reeds by the hidden pools. We were disappointed that we didn't pick any raptors moving through the area but I did check in to see the Little Owl on the way home whilst the normal Sparrowhawk and Peregrine were recorded during the morning. 

Looks like it will have to be Osprey next week !

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. 

Slapton Ley Wheatear

After failing the fitness test for sea kayaking with a chest infection I headed south to the stunning Slapton Ley Nature Reserve for a couple of hours. Chiffchaff and Cettis Warbler were in good voice to add to the Willow Warbler I'd heard in Dartmouth.

On the beach were three Wheatears which had just landed on their journey north. There was an old tree stump that they seem very comfortable with and kept returning to after feeding along the vegetation. It was brilliant to just sit on the beach and watch these birds go about their business, feeding up before carrying on their journey further north.

Penduline Tit at Darts Farm, Topsham

A bad chest infection almost cancelled my Easter trip to Devon however dosed up with antibiotics we headed down the M5 hoping the Penduline Tits were still near Topsham.

Reports had been really mixed of their appearances so I was delighted that as soon as I reached the reed bed both birds showed very well. With only one photographer watching the bird I had a good 30-40 minutes watching the birds at very close quarters.

The Penduline Tits are actually from central Asia and are famed for their elaborate hanging nests. The birds have created a real stir locally and have brought many visitors to the fantastic Darts Farm. A superb bird friendly place selling local produce as well as great coffee and cake. 

All the the above images were digiscoped.