Good Times, Bad Times

Blogging productivity has been a bit scanty since the Scotland trip in order to allow time for the trip report. Here's a brief update from last weekend though and that's me pretty much up to date.


Saturday 2nd May

A North Staffs field trip for Midlands birder bloggers Reg, Richard, Martyn, Max and yours truly. Reg kindly drove and he was also able to tick a few Stobart's on the way. We made it to Dimmingsdale by 8.00pm to find Martyn and Richard already in position and things were soon off to a flyer with three Wood Warblers and some cracking Pied Flycatchers. Also noted Siskins, Grey Wagtail, Goldcrest and a singing Redstart was heard.

At Hawksmoor we tracked down an elusive singing Tree Pipit and enjoyed it's parachuting antics, a male Redstart was seen and further Wood Warblers were heard singing away.

Following a comfort stop (ie toilet and ice-cream breaks) we were off to t'moors for the afternoon, it was hard going at times, as this habitat can sometimes be, but we had some good birds. Two Peregrines, a Hobby, Red Grouse, Wheatear, a flyover Golden Plover and a couple of Raven were noted.

Stock Red Grouse pic from Scotland - they drink more whiskey than the Staffs ones

A final stop at Tittesworth gave us two Common Sandpipers, Little Ringed Plover, Curlew and a flyover Redpoll.

Monday 4th May

You know those day's out birding when you wish you hadn't bothered? That was Monday. We had the bright idea of visiting Berry Hill Fields, near Fenton (AKA the migrant Capital of Stoke-on-Trent). The main target of the day was Grasshopper Warbler. However, we got lost in Stoke for an hour, first parking at the wrong end of Fenton, then almost visiting Park Hall CP by mistake, don't ask.

When we finally arrived there it was howling a gale and there were three reprobate youths in a tent, having kipped out at the Gropper site stockpiling a pile of empty beer cans. Also raining now. The best we could do under the circumstances was three Wheatear and some Whitethroats and Sedge Warblers. An interesting site though, better luck next time.

Blithfield next, also not at all going to plan. Still windy with light showers. The many fishermen everywhere, including the two illegally in a fishing boat in Tad Bay, not to mention another stood right out in the water in his waders in front of the new hide meant the birding wasn't what we'd hoped.

There were, however a large gathering of Swifts and Hirundines above the water, probably at least 200 and I was pleased to see that many of these were House Martins. I was also observing a group of Terns from the causeway and I though at least two of them looked like they could be Arctic Terns, however they didn't come quite close enough for me to be sure and then they headed for the deep end before flying off forever. Fighting a losing battle against the wind we decided to head home.