Tale of Serin & a Sat Nav

Serin

Yet another strange place for a twitch

Serin

RSPB Fen Drayton

RSPB Fen Drayton

Rutland Water - North Arm

Paul scoping at Eyebrook

Little Egret

Slavonian Grebe

I must admit the idea of going to RSPB Fen Drayton to see two Serin didn't inspire me as my only previous visit was a disaster resulting in dipping a Baikal Teal. However Dave J had called me and said it was a pretty easy journey (even easier with Paul picking me up) and the birds were showing well.

The journey took just over two hours and some poor navigating out of the car park took us the wrong way however we did find some large flocks of wintering Wigeon. Once back on track we found a group of birders heading towards us saying the Serin had flown in our direction. There was no sign for about an hour until I scoped the birds feeding about 200 yards to me left on the busway weeds between Elney & Oxholme lakes. The downside was Paul had nipped to the card to pick up his mittens for his little hands. Once he saw all the birders were on the birds he sprinted back to his scope, showing exceptional pace considering he was carrying a dodgy foot. Serin sightings tend to only on passage however it is thought there has been irregular breeding.  We then decided to take a walk round the reserve but as we approached the turn we picked up both Serin again by a much smaller pool where I managed to get a few record shots. Other sightings included numerous Goldeneye, two Egyptian Goose, three Marsh Harrier, Goldfinch,  Great Black-backed Gull B, Bullfinches, Cetti's Warbler and many Redwings. 

Leaving we opted to head to Draycote however the SatNav took us to within 8 miles of Rutland Water ! Blame the programmer ! Given we were so close I thought I'd show Paul the best spot to view the North Arm and it proved very rewarding as I found two Black-necked Grebes straight in front of us. It was my only second time of seeing this species, so we were very pleased. Additional highlights included three Goosander, two Barnacle Goose, huge flock of Wigeon, 50+ Common Gull, Great Crested Grebes, a Redshank, three Egyptian Goose, 50+Teal, Pochard and many Goldeneye.

Given our location it would be rude not to call in at Eyebrook Reservoir. When scoping the large numbers of waterfowl including Goldeneye and Wigeon we picked out a stonking drake Smew. A Little Egret fed very close to us but didn't seem to take any notice of us. Our great birding day finished with some superb views of a Slavonian Grebe as we headed back round the reservoir. 

Patch year ticks steadily build

 Green Sandpipers

 Chiffchaff

 Lapwing

 Feeding station

 Early interest

Fallow Deer stags

Three stags & a hind

Marsh Tit & Goldcest

Red-legged Partridge

Brambling

Distant Common Gull

Being under my normal strength visits to the pits have been very limited. Paul and I have set a feeding station up for some added interest and it will be interesting if it proves as successful as the one at Hilliers.

For a change we walked the field to the east of pits where we found six Green Sandpipers feeding at the flash. Further along we found a wintering Chiffchaff, Treecreeper and Bullfinch. After passing under the bridge a male Peregrine was on the look out for a late lunch whilst the dry central lagoon contained a single Jack Snipe.

I stopped in at Netherstead Farm, Morton Bagot for a very short walk as I'd only been to the main flash before. Reaching the farm feeders it was good to see them very busy with a nice selection including Great Tit, Blue Tit, Greenfinch, House Sparrow and a single Marsh Tit. As I walked down the path towards the paddocks I heard a Brambling calling which I was able to locate. A Sparrowhawk flew straight across in front on me sending everything diving for cover and I was unable to see if more than one bird was present. I did however record three Lesser Redpolls, four Common Buzzards, a flock of Redwing, Linnets, two Pied Wagtail and two Raven above a hugh flock of corvids.

Highlighted sightings from the weekend care of Jon & Paul included a Common Gull, three Jack Snipe, 195 Greylag, Jay, 135 Lapwing, two Pochard, three Shoveler and three Green Sandpipers.

Patch challenge year list has moved to 72 species (75 points) . Still need a Nuthatch !

Marsh Tit & Merlin provides light relief from hospital stay

Hospital visit

Marsh Tit

Goldcrest

Pink-footed Goose

View of pits from A46 bridge

View of Pophills from A46 bridge

Coffee & Dundee Cake - Hilliers Speciality

I experienced some ill health at the start of January resulting in two days in hospital so I've really been restricted in attendance.  This blog records visits before hospital stay and two short visits since as I've tried to get back on my feet. The first visit was just to Hilliers Coffee shop where I saw a nice selection of birds on the feeders including my first patch Marsh Tit. 

Other annual additions when driving around the pits included a male Merlin chasing its quarry, Yellowhammers, Linnets, Bullfinch whilst the Pink-foot was present until the 8th. Paul Hands recorded the Pink-foot and also observed 7 Whooper Swans that flew low south over the main pit also on the 8th.

My species count has reached 64 species at the site to date.

Heswall Pallas's Warbler opens year account on life list

Pallas Warbler (Thanks to Phil Woollen @PhilWoolen)

Birders from around the county flocked to the Wirral last week when local birder Steve Hinde discovered Cheshires & Wirral's sixth Pallas Warbler at the Sewage Works in Heswell. The stunning individual was a long way from it's regular wintering grounds in South East Asia. A fellow Warwickshire birder kindly offered to take me as we were both keen to add it our life lists. 

On arrival there were four Little Egrets feeding in the horse paddocks leading to the sewage works. The viewing space was very limited however we secured two of the last decent spots and just waited. Whilst waiting the hedges were busy with Goldcrests and wintering Chiffchaffs clearly enjoying the micro climate produced by the sewage works. On occasions you could see passing birds on the estuary including a large flock of 250 Pink-footed Geese and 40 Curlew. After about 90 minutes my esteemed driver picked the Pallas Warbler out feeding above the gate. The views were very brief but you could make out the distinguishing features before it dropped down low to show again (view partially blocked) before disappearing. Happy with the target in the bag we opted to call in to Burton Mere Wetlands (a super reserve) where we observed a wintering Long-eared Owl. 

To wrap the day up we went to the main marsh where we had a great final hour observing birds including 5 Whooper Swans, 2 Short-eared Owls, Merlin, Peregrine and a Great White Egret. 

Bean Geese & Canaries on Norwich day trip

 Carrow Road - Destination of woe

 Distant geese

 Rather closer Wigeon

 Wigeon

 Snapped by my youngest

That's quite enough

There really wasn't any need to gloat

The New year football fixtures took us to Norwich City on Saturday to see our beloved Saints. Whilst the football matched the weather, truly shocking 1-0 loss,  I did manage to see a number of good species. 

We saw two Red Kites when going through Northampton and we took advantage of the location to visit Buckenham Mashes. Located 8 miles south of the football ground it was an ideal place to head with the Taiga Bean Geese as the speciality. 

After crossing the railway line I was soon scanning for the Taiga Been Geese. I did locate a flock of 30+ White-fronted Geese and 50+ Pink-footed Geese which are apparently unusual at the site (according to local birder ?) but the long grass and poor light made viewing difficult and photography impossible. This didn't stop my youngest taking a few snaps to amuse himself. Bean Geese were clearly not his cup of tea. 

There were not as many Wigeon from when I visited previously however I found there were a large number on the canal rather than the meadows. When reaching the view point (that is slightly raised) it was perfect to scan again and after a great deal of searching I found two Beans with the White fronts in the long grass. The Taiga's are bigger birds, have longer dark necks and more colour  that makes them stand out from the white-fronts & pinkies. Apparently the marsh used to host flocks of 100+ in 1930's however this years count has only been around 20.

Other sightings included two Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, a dodgy Snow Goose, many Lapwing, two Shelduck and 30 Barnacle Geese.

Edging past 50 at pits

Pinkie still on view

Main Pit

Dodgy Snow Goose

Just a short blog about Salford Priors as the bad weather continued making birding very difficult and quite unrewarding. The Pink-foot was still staying close with Greylags at first light before heading north. The pair of Shelducks were seen together on main pit whilst the four Green Sandpipers were on Pophills as usual.

I've managed to just edge to 50 species in the recording area missing many obvious ones such as Mistle Thursh, Chaffinch, Treecreeper. I did however find a dodgy Snow Goose on the edge of the lake at Abbots Salford. 

On a positive note I managed to arrange a meeting with CEMEX and the RSPB about the sites restoration. We the increase of work at the site I'm keen to point out some of the remaining key areas that need protection. 

Opening day account of 2016

 Pink-foot with Greylags

 Hoopoe

Great White Egret

Just the 46 species recorded at Salford Priors GP's on the first day of 2016. It was good to register the Pink-footed Goose that thankfully decided to stay over to enjoy the New year festivities. Other sightings included 85 Golden Plover flying south, a Jack Snipe, 17 Snipe, 4 Pochard, 5 Shoveler and 4 Green Sandpiper.

After a quick coffee recharge I had to visit the Wall Heath Hoopoe again given how difficult they are to see. The Hoopoe was much more illusive than on my previous visit and only showed briefly to quite a good size crowd keen to get their year tick.

On the journey home I called in at Upton Warren for any opportunity to see the Great White Egret that remains on the Moors Pool. Not a bad start to the year, who turned the heating off ? Brrrrrrrrrr……..