Lockdown birding (West Redditch)

Treecreeper

Goldcrest

Song Thrush

Fieldfare

Blackbird

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Greenfinch

Horse paddocks

View south

Moon views

Roe Deer

Goldfinch

Malvern views

With the outbreak of COVID-19 forcing everyone to stay home, I mapped out a series of routes from my home on the edge of Redditch making the most of my permitted time allowed for exercise. My best find on this area historically is a Common Redstart.

The habitat is quite mixed and rather secluded. There are a number of small pools in the area but nothing that would attract a wader. I've love to find a Ring Ouzel here during spring migration but I could just be being very hopeful.  

From the highest points you get excellent views of Bredon & Malvern Hills, whilst closer to home you can see the masts at Upton Warren. 

Most of the birding is as expected in all honesty but I've really enjoyed walking and trying differnet routes from home and adding in something new each day. I had been struggling for a few expected species but given a bit of patience they have duly been added. 

The Treecreeper we watched at close quarters was particually enjoyable whilst by the end of the week there were Chiffchaffs  everywhere and the first of the Blackcaps had arrived. I've created a page as a permanent record and I'll keep an updated list.

After the first two weeks of lockdown I'd recorded 53 species including Red Kite, Skylark & Yellowhammer.  

Aquatic Warbler record from 2009

All footage taken by Ian Lavell

On Sunday 27th September 2009, Jon discovered an Aquatic Warbler in the reeds where the current meadow stands today. This was sadly before my time being interested in rarities as I had a young family. I've never found anything in terms of photographs of this unique record despite trying many times. With a stream of twitch photos appearing on social media during the COVID-19 crisis I dropped a tweet out appealing for any images and thankfully a birder who I've never met called Ian Lavell replied and kindly forwarded some video and screen shots.

The juvenile bird was present from Sunday 27th September to 1st October 2009. This was only the second record in Warwickshire & third for the region. It was an amazing find by Jon who also found the previous county record at Toft Farm Lakes in August 2005.

Apparently many birders connected with the bird during it's stay but it did cause a long term issue & never to be repaired relationship with CEMEX. Access for all who wanted to see the bird was being arranged until those who couldn't wait trespassed on site after hours. The main cause was a certain midlands birder who released the news to a wider audience before access could be arranged as it was a Sunday. 

If anyone reading this did take any photographs, I would love to add them to this digital record. There are not any photographs in the West Midland Bird Club Annual Review.

Catching up at the pits

I've not done a post from the pits for a while as there hasn't been anthing to note. The sightights have not varied, the only addition in February was a Woodcock I managed to get some amazing flight views of.

Chris Lane recorded our first Great Crested Grebe and Cetti's Warbler of the year on Friday. This Sunday was our monthly count which was effected by contractors being on site which was frustrating.

Our best finds were a female Merlin that came in over the plantation and allowed us some great views and when looking for the Cetti's we found there was actually two singing males on terrirorty.  

Other sightings of note included 3 Red Kite, 8 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Raven, 2 Oystercatcher and a Shelduck.

Snow Bunting at Titterstone Clee Hill

Old quarry at Titterstone

Snow Bunting (Anthony Page)

 Even the Bunting was cold (Anthony Page)

Always a pleasuure to see at close quarters (Anthony Page)

Witley Court

Witley Court

I don't tend to venture towards Shropshire very often as I don't like making the journey I make on a Monday to Friday. However on Saturday we thought we would try and beat the weather by making an early start & and do Titterstone Clee Hill. It's only an hour from home, the route had some serious pot holes that I was glad to avoid.

There were a couple of Stonechats after turning off the main road up the quarry and there were plenty of singing Skylarks. Raven flew over head honking as I walked over to speak to Anthony from Alcester. As we chatted I dropped my camera hard on the road, instantly knowing the camera's life was over and this was confirmed as I switched it on. Totally gutting and I should have checked the clip was on properley. Anthony was kind enough to send me some photos of the showy Snow Bunting that took around fifteen minutes to show. 

From there we headed in Ludlow for a walk & brunch before stopping at the stunning Witley Court when back into Worcestershire. There I noted a Grey Wagtail, Mute Swan, Buzzard and Skylark.

The beast of the Uptons

   

I did a 14 hour day at work on Wednesday so took Thursday off to take advantage of the Glaucous Gull which has been roosting at Upton Warren. The walk down to the hide was in complete darkness and it was a case of waiting for light to break to see this absolute brute of a bird. The bird was the very last gull to leave the roost but was good enough to hang around for a good wash & preen before flying south.

On Saturday, news emerged the same gull had been seen at Upton Snodsbury which is only ten minutes from the pits. So after my Sunday count with Jon I headed over on the hope it had returned. As I headed towards the Church I picked the Gull out flight high above the village. The bird kindly landed in the field to the north of the A422 giving absolutley amazing views.

The bird seemed very content in the field feeding on earth worms and on occasions visting the field directly behind. If you have never seen this species I'd suggest you make a special trip over to enjoy this great bird.

Blackminster Waxwing

A real bonus bird this week was a Waxwing being found locally in Blackminster close to Evesham. This female bird has been feeding on berries right next to the railway line allowing all visitors some outstanding views.

The bird doesn't seem to be effected by the the crossing gates, traffic or people. On what has been a very grim month this bird has definitley been the highlight. It's been a poor winter for Waxwings with very few sightings in the midlands therefore the bird was receiving plenty of visitors.

Ferruginous Duck at Seeswood Pool

Ferruginous Duck

View from the causeway

  

After doing the WeBS count early at the pits I was still keen to make the most of Saturday with Storm Ciara due to hit the UK on Sunday.

Dave Hutton had reported the first winter Ferruginous Duck was back at Seeswood Pool and with it only being forty minutes from home it was worth a drive. I was expecting to see a few other birders but I had the causeway to myself. The striking looking duck was always with the Tufted Duck flock in the middle of the pool but the winter sunshine allowed me to get some reasonable footage. 

I've not seen that many of this species so really nice to see this bird in near adult plumage.

If you are going to try and see this bird please be aware there is no parking other than on the patch past the pool if arriving from the south. The Pool is private and viewing is from the causeway only where a stunning Grey Wagtail was flying up and down.