Brightside Birding

Single White Female

2011-01-18T11:43:00.000-08:00

The observatory at Welney WWT has a log book to record ring numbers of Whooper Swans noted at the reserve. This is helpful in tracking the birds as the staff do not have time to monitor the swans as often as they would like to. Going through my photos, I noticed I had captured an image of this Whooper showing off its bling.

I emailed Welney with the image and number and asked if they could supply me with any information on this individual. This morning, I received the following reply from Emma Brand, the Events and Marketing Officer:

Hi Kay

Nice photo; the whooper swan in question (E4A) was ringed at WWT Welney on 25^th November 2009 as a cygnet. The swan has returned to Welney this winter and she’s a female so hopefully we’ll see her return to Welney in the future with a mate of her own.

Cheers

Emma Brand

More from Norfolk

2011-01-17T11:06:00.000-08:00

I spent yet more time at Titchwell on the 11th and 13th, only venturing into the new Parrinder Hide as a matter of necessity to see six of the reported eight Shore Larks present on the 13th. Awesome little birds. This was a very good day for passerines on the brackish marsh and I also saw a Rock Pipit, c.40 Twite (RSPB are putting out seed for them) around 20 Skylark, Linnet and some Meadow Pipit. Unfortunately a Lapland Bunting was also seen before I arrived.

There were also a variety of Ruff, including some very nice white-headed ones. I saw the female Scaup on both of these visits, although she can be a bit difficult to find, as she has been lurking around the back of the fresh Marsh.

The Whooper Swan was still feeding with Mute Swans in the field left of the access road on both occasions. On the 13th, I got a further brief glimpse of the Northern Harrier over Thornham Marsh and at dusk two ringtail Hen Harriers.

On the 11th I visited Holme NWT after Titch, walking from Gore Point up to the hides. Here, I added Snow Bunting to my year list, with a flock of around 20 on the beach. A seawatch got me a Great Northern Diver, a Red-throated Diver, 2 fly-past Long-tailed Duck, 2 Fulmar, Shelduck and c.30 Oystercatcher.

The reserve itself was a little quieter. Around 40 Fieldfare were feeding in the thorny orange berries, 7 Grey Partridge flew over the path, and on the marsh/fields were Golden Plover, Lapwing, Redshank, Wigeon, Brent Goose etc. 3 Marsh Harriers and a Sparrowhawk hunted over towards the church.

Late in the day I briefly popped to Burham Norton, mostly for reconnaissance purposes. There seems to be more wintering Marsh Harriers in Norfolk than I've ever seen before and at least 5 hunted the reedbeds here, including a nice male. I also spotted a ringtail Hen Harrier. Skeins of Pink-footed Geese were flying over, always a lovely way to end a Norfolk birding day.

On the 12th Jan, I visited Welney WWT. The reserve looked drastically different to my previous visit in October when a Wilson's Phalarope had graced the small pool. The entire meadows were now completely flooded; an important wintering haven for wildfowl. Around 40 Whooper Swans were waiting for the feed outside the observatory, so I decided to use this opportunity for a spot of photography.

Whooper Swans

Tufted Duck

Pochard

Amongst my Whooper photos, I have a photo of an adult wearing a yellow colour ring - number E4A. I've emailed Welney to ask if they have any info on this bird.

A very narrow exposed peninsula held c.40 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Dunlin and a Redshank. Two Tree Sparrows at the feeders and a Barn Owl, 2 Marsh Harriers and a Buzzard from Lyle Hide. There were 1000's of Wigeon present (6409 as per Welney's latest WeBS count) and a few Goldeneye were noted.

Late in the day, Snettisham. From about 4:00pm till at least 4:40 seemingly endless skeins of Pink-footed Geese passed over, in from the east and off out to roost on the Wash. Now, I've witnessed large flocks of Pinkies in Norfolk many a time, but this was something else, a staggering number of geese. On the Monday morning, apparently some 37,350 had been counted leaving the roost.

Other highlights here included a single female Brambling, a drake Red-breasted Merganser and 8 Goldeneye on the lagoons and the usual array of waders out on the estuary; Curlew, Black and Bar-tailed Godwits, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Knot and Redshank.

On Friday 14th, a visit to Strumpshaw Fen and Buckenham/Cantley Marshes. The plan was to explore Strumpshaw in the morning then around lunchtime set about the task of trying to spot the Lesser White-fronted Goose.

First time I'd visited these places and I was mightily impressed, although I didn't see too much at Strumpshaw itself apart from 3 Marsh Tit, a Treecreeper, 5 Marsh Harriers and from the tower hide, a nice little selection of wildfowl including Gadwall and Goldeneye.

Would have been nice to spend more time there, but I was keen to get out onto Cantley and Buckenham. It's an impressively vast place and the task of searching the distant huge goose flocks for this Lesser White-fronted Goose was daunting. Helpfully, two birders directed me to where this goose was usually being seen. Other birders were also concentrating their efforts here, although no one could find it. It was later reported at another spot in the marsh. I wasn't too disappointed though, the good views of six Taiga Bean Geese was worth trip here in itself. Whether the record of the Lesser White-fronted Goose will be accepted or not depends on whether the goose disappears with his Taiga Bean Geese or disgraces itself by staying the summer hanging with the Greylags.

Also noted a flock of c.450 White-fronted Geese, Pink-footed Geese, Barnacle Geese (feral) and Egyption Geese. A Red-necked Grebe on the Yare was very nice and a Barn Owl was hunting.

The last couple of days were a bit hard-going; although it wasn't cold the winds were very harsh and it was difficult to steady your scope and bins at most times. Despite this, there were a few more good spots.

On 15th, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose (most in Norfolk are of course of the Dark-bellied race) at Burnham Overy Staithe and at Holme later that day 2 Waxwings were by the car park.

Why do I never see Waxwings when the sun shines?

On Sunday the 16th, I visited Weybourne in the hope of seeing Lapland Buntings. Up to 15 have been seen recently in the stubble fields east of the coastguards cottages. I did get to see about seven, however only in flight and calling and never got a good view of one on the deck. This was rather disappointing, I've not had a decent view of one in a long while.

Final stop of the trip, Warham Greens. A spot of raptor watching. I had been hoping for Short-eared Owl or a male Hen Harrier, but what I got was far better. I noticed a raptor to the far left drifting along the bank, I couldn't quite place it at first, it turned slightly and I noticed white on the rump and thought Hen Harrier. But something wasn't right, the jizz was all wrong. As the bird came closer, I followed it along and noted it was a heavier looking bird with deeper wingbeats. It was heading west and it banked and I could now see a lot better. Not a white rump, but a white tail with a single band. Light belly with a dark patch and carpal underwing patches. Yes! A Rough-legged Buzzard!! I think this was a first-winter bird as it had a buff tinge to the underparts. I couldn't believe my luck. Also here I had two ringtail Hen Harriers, one Marsh Harrier and 6 Little Egrets.

Anyway, sorry for all the waffle, I guess this is what happens when you don't post for a while.

Yanks in Norfolk

2011-01-10T10:05:00.001-08:00

Holiday time at the moment and I'm in Norfolk. I was itching to have a go for the Northern Harrier that's been knocking around Thornham, but then a stone's throw from my accommodation loomed the chance of a lifer, American Wigeon. So there I was on Cley's famous East Bank first light on Saturday morning.

Luckily the Wigeon flock were feeding fairly closely and as the light picked up it was fairly easy to pick out this handsome drake. The field also contained a small flock of Dark-bellied Brent Geese and a few Pink-footed Goose.

So, first lifer of the year under the belt before breakfast, but a hearty fry-up meant missing the Northern Harrier fly through Thorham Harbour. Oh dear. I did more than make up for this yesterday however, with spectacular scope views of the Northern Harrier over Thornham Marshes in the morning and later from Titchwell shortly after midday, where it even came over the main path before heading out east.

When you see this harrier well, it certainly is a distinctive bird with its orangey-rusty underparts, dark hood and very dark upperparts. The most distinctive ID feature for this particular Northern Harrier is what my fellow Midlands birders might well term a 'gammy foot', the bird has a damaged foot that dangles down conspicuously in flight. There you go, technical stuff.

Spent a lot of time around Titchwell RSPB on Saturday and Sunday. Now I must mention this new Parrinder Hide. It's awful. From the outside it looks more like an air traffic control centre than a bird watching hide, inside its smart, but completely impractical for birding. The dudes seem to like it, its warm and insulated. The glass window panes slide open using a weird pully system, incidentally most of the types in the hides didnt like them opened!! View is also quite restricted for scope usage, so I soon gave up and set my scope up on the path. Most other birders were also voting with their feet doing the same, which caused a lot of congestion along the path. I wonder if birders were consulted at all in the design process?

Anyway, moan over, the birding at Titchwell was fantastic over the weekend. The long list of highlights as follows; Northern Harrier, Water Pipit, a Whooper Swan feeding with Mutes on the fields left of the access road, a flock of 25-30 Twite feeding on the Brackish Marsh, a few over-wintering Marsh Harriers and a Water Rail.

The sea was good and I managed to pick out the following on a brief seawatch; 1 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Red-necked Grebe, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 100's of Common Scoter and a few Eider and Goldeneye. The juvenile Iceland Gull flew over the beach on the 8th.

Of course the usual array of waders were in attendance, the best being this Spotted Redshank. Also plenty of Ruff on the islands of the fresh marsh.

Barn Owls seem to be all over the place at the moment and can be encountered frequently along the roadside along the A149. Saw one catch a vole within two feet this morning.

Today was another good day of birding, mostly spent around Holkham and Wells-next-the-Sea. The outstanding highlight were two Rough-legged Buzzards that could be seen over Burnham Overy Staithe dunes at 11:15am. They were rather distant but the light was good and the white tails, light underside and dark carpal and belly patches could be seen. Tried to get a bit closer but they were drifting west (later reported at Scolt Head) so it didn't feel like I was getting any nearer to them. Pleased with the lifer though and if I'm lucky maybe I'll get a better view before I go back to Brum. Other raptors included 2 Common Buzzards, ringtail Hen Harrier, several Marsh Harriers and 2 more Barn Owls.

From Joe Jordan Hide there were many White-fronted Geese, Pink-footed Geese and 2 Grey Partridge. At Wells, there were two redhead Smew on the boating lake by Wells Wood, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers and a few Goldeneye feeding in the harbour and the Black Brant remained with the flock of Dark-bellied Brent Geese on the pitch and putt.

Bombycilla-tastic

2011-01-05T11:21:00.000-08:00

Firstly, greetings of the New Year to anyone who's still awake. I'll post a bit more this year, I promise...

Not too much birding news as yet, I'm saving myself for a biggie down in Norfolk, beginning on Friday afternoon. News on that should follow shortly.

I'd hoped to find some Waxwings before the turn of the year and had put in a lot of time wandering the suburbs and mapping out the berry bushes. However a bout of seasonal (and suspected swine) flu put paid to that. Waxwings were reported nearby as I lay on my sick bed and I couldn't even summon the strength to go and see them.

Rather find my own anyway and on New Year's Day I wandered down to Shirley and checked a berry bush I've had my eye on, on Shakespeare Drive, where Waxwings have been seen in previous years. Two Waxwings were present - hurrah and Happy New Year to me!

Unfortunately it was a very dull day, so the photos are rubbish. The Waxies allowed me very close to the tree, so I wish the light had been better but you can't have it all. Watched them for 20 minutes until a Mistle Thrush saw them off.

Happy Birding in 2011 to all.

Twitches, ditches and dips

2010-10-15T12:43:00.000-07:00

The next morning (10th) and tons of common migrants (especially thrushes) were still on the move during a walk round Warham Greens. Also a sighting of Warwickshire birder John Harris!

As soon as the tide had receeded sufficiently, I was off after the Olive-backed Pipit. Across the marshes to the small patch of gorse where the bird had been showing the previous day. Tensions were running high and one pleasant chap was shouting abuse and threatening other birders. Mind you, the numpties walking right into the gorse were unbelievable. After about an hour and a half all I'd had were brief (and untickable) flight views, however the pipit then began to work its way across the the bottom of the gorse near where I was standing and eventually I was able to see it out in the open from 5ft away. Lifer. Hurrah!

Argy-bargy at the OBP Twitch!

This patch of gorse was something of a mini migrant trap, with a female Redstart, Chiffchaff, Brambling, Wheatear and several Goldcrest also noted here.

Birdguides reports stated 'wellies recommended'. I had none with me so returned very muddy indeed after falling a few times and traipsing through ditches. Who cares though; as two birders I met later in the Titchwell car park so eloquently put it; 'if you come back from Norfolk looking like that, you know you've seen a good bird'.

It was a day for twitching and Titchwell was soon abandoned as news came of a report of an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler in Wells Wood. Arrived on scene to find frustrated and disappointed Norfolk birders combing the pines. The finder was now nowhere to be seen and people weren't exactly sure where to look for the bird (a potential first for Norfolk). Very odd.

Again migrants were abundant here, including Brambling. This female was feeding on the path and didn't flush when birders passed or paused to take her picture. Exhausted no doubt.

The 11th was a very good morning's birding Another lifer in the form of a stunning Pallas's Warbler at Burnham Overy Staithe. This bird showed well as it flitted around the bushes near the boardwalk. Also here a Short-eared Owl came in high over the dunes, 2 Lapland Bunting over, Brambling, Wheatear, Chiffchaff and Marsh Harrier as well as the now ubiquitous Goldcrests and Redwings. Seawatching produced 2 Great Skuas and a Manx Shearwater.

Pallas's Warbler twitch

Little Egret

A later walk near Kelling produced an unexpected sighting with this Long-eared Owl sitting in a meadow! Not too much else here of note though, apart from 3 Wheatear and a Marsh Harrier.

On the 12th the morning was spent around Cley. The undoubtable highlight here was the 5 Shore Lark on the shingle ridge above Arnold's Marsh. Super little birds, it was fantastic to watch them feeding on the bank at close quarters. Also here a nice Curlew Sandpiper and a group of Ruff feeding on the muddy field.

The final day and a half it did go a bit quiet again, although there were still smaller numbers of thrushes, Goldcrest and Brambling etc passing through. Attempts at trying to find my own rarity at Holme, Stiffkey and Warham never worked out, but was enjoyable birding all the same. The final highlights included Rock Pipit, Garden Warbler, 4 Grey Partridge and a Sparrowhawk catching an unfortunate Goldfinch.

More Norfolk

2010-10-11T13:54:00.000-07:00

A large proportion of Wednesday 6th October was spent deliberating over a binocular trade-in. Although never any doubt over quality, my trusty Swarovski SLC 8x32s, never gave quite the magnification and field of view I required. After much umming and arring, I struck a deal with the extremely helpful and patient folks at Cley Spy. I came out heavier around the neck and much lighter in the purse, with a pair of 10x42 SLC HDs. I have to say the improvement has been staggering.

Spent the rest of the next day or so testing them around Titchwell and Cley. Titchwell held a fair selection of waders; Greenshank, Ruff, Golden and Grey Plover, Snipe, Sanderling, Dunlin etc, however the place seemed generally quiet with the ongoing work causing some disturbance.

Notable sightings from the Cley area included 2 Spoonbills east over Arnold's Marsh (6th), 3 Whinchats in the reedbed from East Bank, Wheatear, 2 Spotted Redshank on Arnold's Marsh (7th) with other waders including Ringed Plover, Ruff, Knot and Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwit. Hunting Barn Owl, Peregrine and 4 Marsh Harriers with 8 Buzzards circling high over the distant church roof. At sea, plenty of Gannets (mainly juvs), Guillemot, Red-throated Diver and Brent Geese. A Tawny Owl was accidentally flushed at Wolsley Hills. Bearded Tits continued to show well.

A flock of 20 or so Snow Buntings were present at Holkham and seemed to be favouring the west of the beach.

By the afternoon of Friday 8th the easterly winds at last began to bear fruit. A cracking juvenille Red-breasted Flycatcher turned up in the pines at Holme NWT and a female Black Redstart hopped around the roof of the visitor centre. There had been a massive fall of Goldcrests and tons of thrushes were passing overhead, with some dropping in; mainly Redwings and Song Thrush but also quite a few Blackbirds. Also a few Chiffchaffs, Wheatears and Siskins around and it was very surprising to see a Cuckoo. Apparentely the latest Cuckoo record for Holme.

The next morning Holme continued to be good. This Pectoral Sandpiper put in an appearance on the marshes NE of the golf course. The long walk out there and the resulting missing of a few other good birds was worth it for the views of this confiding wader.

Also here 3 Common Redstart, 5 Chiffchaff, many Siskin and every bush in sight crawling with Goldcrests. The movement of thrushes continued with 100's of Redwings and smaller numbers of Song Thrush (official counts from Holme included 400 Siskins, 500+ Goldcrests, 1000+ Redwings, 400 Song Thrush and 70 Blackbirds. See here for more sightings from Holme). A Kingfisher was on the marshes.

News came through of an Olive-backed Pipit at Stiffkey, however by the time I got back , the tide was coming in and filling up the channels on the very boggy marsh. I didn't fancy getting caught out overnight so had to wait and hope the Pipit would remain till low tide the next day.

To be continued......

Phalaropus Trios

2010-10-05T15:06:00.001-07:00

My spiritual home, the north Norfolk coast. I'm currently holed up in the village of Cley-next-the-sea birding away the remainder of this year's annual leave entitlement (which expires 1st November!).

Sunday 3rd October

First stop had to be a walk of the East Bank down to Arnold's Marsh. Plenty of Bearded Tits pinging about and flitting over the reeds. (they are dead easy there at the moment). Unfortunately no sign of the earlier reported Spoonbills and there didn't seem to be anything particularly unusual about. 15 Little Egrets were noted, along with Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, the odd Knot etc. Out at sea 2 juv Gannets, 2 Sandwich Tern, Razorbill and a distant diver sp.

Next down the road to Gramborough Hill to look for the Barred Warbler, a bird I've dipped before. It continued to elude me as I waited hopelessly for an hour in strong southerly winds. Two Wheatears, lots of Meadow Pipits and Egyption Geese were all that was about.

It was now raining, not heavily, but persistently during a visit to Burnham Overy Staithe. The reported Grey Phalarope was nowhere to be seen, however things were suddenly on the up with a flyover Spoonbill heading NNE and a ringtail Hen Harrier quartering the fields. Also here; Peregrine, Kestrel, Wheatear, lots of Dunlin and Redshank with the odd Grey Plover and Black-tailed Godwit, also 5 Little Egret.

Final stop for the day was back at Cley Marshes, where a Red-necked Phalarope could be seen swimming and spinning around the gulls at the back of Simmond's Scrape. Also around 15 Avocet here.

Monday 4th October

Southerly winds, rain and fog at Cley this morning, so I headed inland to Welney WWT where a first-winter Wilson's Phalarope had already been present for a couple of days. A bird I first met on the famous day of 23rd September 2007 at Upton Warren. Older, supposedly more wiser and definitely more jaded and cynical these days, it was nonetheless great to get reacquainted with this superb little bird. I never tire of watching Phalaropes and the Wilson's has so much character.

Seriously stretching the term 'record shot' here....if you squint you can just see a light shadow near the centre of the photo, near the end of the peninsula. That's the Wilson's Phalarope. Honest.

This very enjoyable visit to Welney also included sightings of 2 Little Stint, several Snipe and Ruff, a Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit and 3 hunting Short-eared Owls, 2 Barn Owls and a Marsh Harrier. Surprisingly Swallows were still nesting inside the Lyle Hide with the unfledged young being fed.

Finally a visit to Hunstanton Cliffs to catch up with a Wryneck, another bird I've not seen for a while. The Wryneck was very active and confiding, a super bird.

Tuesday 5th October

Scaling the dizzy heights of Gramborough Hill once again, this time the goods were produced with a sighting of the Barred Warbler (lifer!). The large warbler showed well on the brambles, but not for very long. Also here a Whinchat, 3 Wheatear and many Meadow Pipits.

A seawatch from Cley Beach produced a distant Arctic Skua, Guillemot, Red Throated Diver, 4 Sandwich Tern, a small raft of Common Scoter, Eider, Gannet and a Great Crested Grebe.

Two Spoonbills were on Cley's North Scrape for most of the morning and other birds I saw around the reserve that morning included a ringtail Hen Harrier, Peregrine, 2 Marsh Harrier and the expected range of waders and ducks.

Later on, I heard the Grey Phalarope was back at Burnham Overy, so decided to complete the hat-trick of Phalaropes. The third Phalarope in as many days, the Grey Phalarope showed well in a small pool in the cattle fields just south of the dunes.

As the day drew to a close, skeins of Pink-footed Geese could be seen coming in, a Short-eared Owl quartered the fields at close range, with at least 3 Barn Owls and a Marsh Harrier were also out hunting. Three Wheatears were on the barbed wire fence and a number of Swallows gathered overhead.

Migration is clearly happening, although a bit more slowly than I'd like. The constant southerly winds mean that migrants are a bit thin on the ground, but with winds set to swing round to easterlies by the end of the week, my hopes are high for this weekend....

Cumbria and Lancs

2010-09-13T13:12:00.001-07:00

This posting is beyond late, but I feel it’s time to get the old blog rolling again. A recent trip to the northwest began at Haweswater in Cumbria on 14^th August. No prizes for guessing what for. It was surprising to see a day-flying pipistrelle bat on the walk up to the Eagle viewpoint. Wheatear, 4 Ravens, Curlew, Meadow Pipit and 4 deer (including a young stag) were noted whilst waiting and hoping for an Eagle sighting. The Golden Eagle suddenly appeared around 4pm and perched reasonably close to the viewpoint, before being mobbed by 3 crows and chased by them breathtakingly close to the viewpoint (good work corvids!). Eventually he settled higher up on the mountain, where he could be scoped. Back down at the reservoir a Spotted Flycatcher flitted around the conifers and 5 Goosander were on the water.

The next day it was a visit to Lake Bassenthwaite to see the Ospreys. This is where I first saw Ospreys (probably about 7 years ago?) when I was here in the capacity of a tourist, not a birder. Seeing birds like this had been the catalyst reigniting the YOC member in me and leading me down the path of ‘adult’ birding. Anyway, I digress...3 Ospreys were seen well from Dodd’s Wood Viewpoint, perching, in the air, mobbing Buzzards etc. Also several Siskins and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers visited the feeders, c70 Goosander on the lake below and a Raven over. However, it was packed with Lakeland dudes, kids and wood wasps. Time to move on.

Heading to the coast, Walney Island was a place I’ve wanted to visit and I would certainly recommend it, however it would be nice to see at different times of year. From the hide at the tip of the island an incredible number of Oystercatchers, must have been 1000’s, the shingle was coated black with them. On the island, I also noted 1 Greenshank, many Redshank, Turnstone, Dunlin, 2 Wheatear, Stonechat and Eider and Grey Seal on the sea.

Hawfinch are often seen from the car park at Sizergh Castle, however a later stop there drew a blank.

On 16^th August, a visit to Leighton Moss RSPB. Again, not the best variety at this time of year, but always a great reserve to visit. A quick look at the sightings book in the visitor revealed that a White-tailed Sea Eagle was seen the day previously (dude with a sense of humour, one imagines..). Two Raven over, 4 Greenshank from Public Hide and small numbers of wildfowl also a Water Rail and 5 Black Tailed Godwit. From the Eric Morcombe Hide an impressive 35 Little Egret were counted and a Spotted Redshank and 8 Greenshank mingled with a larger number of Redshank. A Peregrine was seen in a skirmish with 2 Buzzards.

What a Prat!

2010-06-01T13:30:00.000-07:00

Not our new Prime Minister, or his Con-Dem sidekick, I’m talking about the main highlight of a recent trip to Norfolk, during election week. I feel slightly guilty for cheating in the twitching stakes, not getting the two ‘commoner’ Pratincole visitors to the UK first, but the temptation of this mega turning up in the next county was just far too good to resist.

The Oriental Pratincole was unlike any bird I’ve ever seen before, elegant in the air (reminiscent of a cross between a giant swift and a tern) and then dashing about on the ground. The bird was very active throughout my visit and showed off and on, very well at times between resting behind vegetation for short periods of time.

Oriental Pratincole, Frampton Marsh, Lincs - picture courtesy of Adam Archer
http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/archie69asbo/

I would heartily recommend a visit to Frampton Marshes RSPB, even now the Pratincole has departed. This bird and the recent Lesser Yellowlegs have put the reserve on the map and the wardens I spoke to are passionate about their work here, since recently acquiring land to extend the reserve. It really does feel like something special. Other stuff I saw there included Greenshank, several Ruffs (in various states of acquiring summer plumage), Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers, Pintail, 3 Little Gulls (I’m sure there’s a song about that...), Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Yellow Wagtails, Tree Sparrows, a few Wheatear, Little Egret and Hares.

Other highlights from the trip were as follows...

Three other lifers came my way, in the form of a splendid White-spotted Bluethroat at Welney WWT, at last a pair of Montagu’s Harriers at an undisclosed location and finally the 1^st summer male Woodchat Shrike at Winterton Dunes. The visit to the NW Norfolk neck of the woods included a most enjoyable visit to Hickling producing 3 Wood Sandpipers, 3 Hobbies, 4 Marsh Harriers, Cuckoo and a Warbler-tastic bevy of Warblers; Willow, Sedge, Reed, Blackcap, Chiffy, Whitethroat with Cetti’s and Lesser Whitethroat heard. Also a Grass Snake.

The Woodchat Shrike showed well, despite this awful picture - passing non-birders were heard commenting on the rare 'Whinchat Shrike' that had been spotted!

Yellow Wagtail at Welney WWT

No Common Cranes at Hickling, but this was clawed back with a solitary bird which was hanging about at Holkham. Cranes seem to be branching out lately in the county, with a number of sightings around the coast during my stay.

I was quite surprised by the number of Brent Geese still about, but even more so by the remaining 12 or so Whooper Swans left at Welney WWT. That was something I hadn’t anticipated. Local birders felt that migration had been slowed by constant northerlies, meaning Brents were taking longer to disperse and stuff had been slower coming in.

Visits to a favourite place of mine, Cley Marshes produced fleeting views of Bearded Tits, 3 Temminck’s Stints, a White Wagtail, Sandwich Terns and a selection of passage and breeding waders such as Ruff, Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits. etc as well as the usual Marsh Harriers. A Stoat was a mammal lifer here but not such good news for breeding Lapwings and geese. A couple of Weasels also noted.

Titchwell is looking rather unwell at the moment but hopefully the disruption to visiting birds and birders will soon pay dividends. Still some nice stuff about, with a drake Garganey, Bittern in flight a few times, Grasshopper Warbler showing well, Pintail, Grey, LR and Ringed Plovers, and at sea Gannet, Little Tern, Eider and a Common Scoter flock. On the other side of the marsh a Red-necked Grebe showed well in a drainage channel (I read on Archies blog that the grebe has sadly now passed away...RIP).

Avocet at Titchwell

Yellowhammer near Titchwell

I found new love for Holme NWT. Highlights here included a Gropper, Turtle Dove, Cuckoo, and Grey Partridge. Fulmar Gannet Little Tern past at sea.

It was nice to get reacquainted with Stone Curlews (albeit distant) at Weeting Heath, but there wasn’t much else about apart from a male Wheatear. Golden Orioles were dipped at Lakenheath Fen RSPB, highlights there were c40 Hobbies, Cetti’s Warbler and Cuckoo. Two Barn Owls were seen hunting daylight during the trip. All in all 119 species were seen during the trip, with a further 4 heard but not seen. Bonus Red Kites picked up near Northampton.

Slimbridge

2010-02-01T12:30:00.000-08:00

Slimbridge WWT. Despite the high plastic and dude content, I was keen to visit the 'proper birding' areas of this well-situated reserve once again and bag a few more year ticks. Beating a path through unruly hoards of over-friendly Hawaiian Geese, I was keen to get to the South Lake to look for the female Ring-necked Duck that had turned up the previous evening.

I was pleased to spot this little beauty with relative ease, as she swam alongside the Tuftys. The first time I have seen a female of this species and, much more interestingly, it was here at Slimbridge where the first of this species for the Western Palearctic was found in March 1955 by Lady Scott.

Excellent binocular views were had, although she didn't come close enough to my camera for any more than a record shot...

The views of other wildfowl were excellent here, with many of our common ducks such as Gadwall, Pochard, Shoveler and Teal very close in. The light was very good, so I decided to give my camera an airing as well as my year list.

Moving on to the Rushy, there were many Pintail and a few Bewicks Swans and Shelduck behind the screens, as well as c100 Pochard. Out on the Tack Piece, further herds of Bewick's Swans, European White-fronted Geese, a solitary Curlew, flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover, a small party of 8 Ruff and also 3 Buzzards.

Holden Tower next. The very high tide of this morning had retreated and most of the birds were very distant by now, however further year ticks such as Dunlin and Barnacle Goose (yes, M.Y.!) were added. The gulls were simply to far out to look for rarer ones with LBBG, GBBG and Herring Gull noted.

You couldn't avoid the extremely over-fed and lazy Wood Pigeons that were hanging around the plastic enclosures, they would scarcely bother to fly off as you passed them and one had even set up shop in the Zeiss hide. I spent quite a bit of time in the South Finger Hides later in the afternoon, waiting to see if one of the 3 Bitterns present on the reserve would show. None did, however I did spot a Water Rail and a Cetti's Warbler in the reedbed as a couple of foxes lurked nearby. A Great Spotted Woodpecker visited the feeder at the River Hide.

The big Starling roosts apparently finished a few days ago and although I missed out on this spectacle I was pleased with my 12 year ticks and photos of some birds new to my camera. I'll leave you now with a few Pintails...

Oh and the Dude Comment of the Day Award goes to the bloke I passed on a path who said 'I thought that was a parrot on your shoulder' (referring to my scope, of course). Stick to the Flamingos mate!

Warwickshire Birding Blog

2010-01-27T11:27:00.000-08:00

Steve Seal's Warwickshire Birding blog has been relaunched. Myself and a few others will be helping keep the blog updated daily.

You can now submit sightings by email to Warwickshire Birding at warksbirds@hotmail.co.uk

Warkwickshire Birding is also now on twitter. Follow us here: http://twitter.com/WarksBirds you can also tweet your sightings news to us on @WarksBirds

Free birding news sites are what you make them, so please support us by letting us know what's about. And don't forget Worcestershire Source, whenever you're out and about in Worcs...

Stubbers and Staffs

2010-01-24T10:28:00.000-08:00

A day out with Martyn, the not-so Blurred Birder and Richard P. Starting at Stubber's Green at first light, our luck was in with the third-winter Caspian Gull. It isn't exactly classic Casp, but not too difficult to separate from the Herring Gulls with it's pear-shaped head, long parallel bill and black eye as well as the diagnostic primary pattern.

Caspian Gull - old school Blurred Birder stylee

Also present here were around 6 Goosander, Pochard, Redwing and a flyover Redpoll (let's assume Lesser..) as well as the expected array of Gulls. We watched for a while as numbers of the big guys rolled in, but with no Glaucous Gulls forthcoming, we decided to try our luck at Chasewater, where two had lingered the previous morning.

The visibility wasn't too great at Chasewater, but it was clear there were no Glaucs around. Richard located the drake Smew in the south-west corner, along with a small party of Goosander and a Cormorant (must be good fishing in that corner).

Smew - courtesy of the Local Birder

We were then drawn northwards by the magnetic pull of the Mighty Blithers (Blithfield Reservoir) where we spent a fair proportion of our day. The water levels were very high and we did well for ducks in Blithe and Tad Bays including a fine drake Pintail, one Shelduck, 61 Pochard, Goosander, Shoveler and plenty of Teal. A grey-backed aretha duck in Tad Bay caused at first mild excitement, followed by slight panic when it showed a peaked crown, however this was identified as a hybrid (we think probably Tufted x Pochard).

As I haven't managed to get out much yet this year, the year ticks kept coming aplenty, including this Pink-footed Geese we spotted feeding with the Greylag flock.

Pinky with the lags by Richard Powell

A Linnet flock mixed in with Chaffinch and Goldfinch also contained a few Brambling, two of which (a male and female) showed really well under the feeders shortly after. At the feeders also Marsh Tit (plus Willow Tit heard), Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Nuthatch.

Not much else to see at the deep end, apart from a flock of Fieldfare and Redwing. We soon started to get twitchy for Glaucous Gull and sped back to Chasewater for an early start at the gull roost. Worst decision of the day; c30 minutes later news of a Glauc came through from Blithers!

The roost was somewhat of a struggle with the bad light making it difficult to pick out Yellow-legged Gull from mantle colour (got one that I was reasonably happy with). Scanning up to a million BH Gull for a Med in the freezing cold was without reward and the Glaucs never showed up.

On the bright side we did see Alrewas Birder there and a Tawny Owl at an undisclosed location was a particularly pleasing year tick.

Happy 2010

2010-01-03T12:51:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year bloggers!

I know, I've slacked off with the blogging over the latter months of 2009. Those who know me will know this is due to changes in my personal circumstances. Thanks to anyone who is still reading this and now I notice I'm somehow still attracting new followers, I should really write something.

I had another trip to Norfolk early December, neglected to blog it as in the most it was similar to previous winter trips but brief highlights were; following a very mobile but stunning Great Grey Shrike round Dersingham Bog, a lifer in the form of a Ferruginous Duck at Snettisham (poor views as it slept on the bank, but diagnostic white backside), vast flocks of Pink-footed Geese at Holkham with hunting Barn Owls and Marsh Harriers. Snow Bunting flocks were at Snet and Cley and c10 Twite at Titchwell. A total of 6 Common Cranes at Stubb Mill, Hickling although few raptors that day.

Seawatching stuff along the coast at Holkham, Cley etc included Slavionion Grebes, all 3 Diver species, Gannet and Red-breasted Mergansers. Add to that all the expected duck and wader suspects. Nice little break.

Gulls on Cley Beach during a particularly bleak seawatch session gave me a chance to get my camera out...

So what next for Brightside Birding? Ok I'm a bit stuck, a landlocked brummie without a car, but I'm making a fist of it with a modest start to 2010 exploring some new urban spaces. I've also learned of a couple of small Warks WT reserves within striking distance, which look worth a shuftie, plus I'll be making more of an effort to visit the few places I can access locally on public transport; Sutton Park, Earlswood and Upton Warren to name a few.

Brueton Park in Solihull had a healthy amount of the commoner bird species yesterday. Six Siskin, GS Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Goldcrest, Jay, Buzzard and Kestrel were all noted fairly easily. There is a feeding station there by the cafe with Nuthatch visiting frequently, so worth a visit for local photographers and also the SSSI land looks good for butters and dragons in the summer.

Have I Got Birds For You!

2009-12-20T15:11:00.000-08:00

Good evening and welcome to Have I Got Birds For You. Finishing off the year with a bit of fun (or a little too much time on my hands) I've devised this festive birding quiz based on the popular current affairs show with the similar name. please feel free to take part by entering your answers in the comments box, results will be published and announced on 2nd January. Good luck and Merry Xmas.

Round 1 -Tabloid Headlines Round

These are recent headlines taken from the birding press (magazines and web). All you have to do is identify what they are about. Shouldn't be difficult, three points for each correct answer.

No.1

No.2

No.3

No 4

Round 2 - Odd one out round

Which is the odd one out? One point for guessing the odd one out and a further two points if you can explain why.

No.1

a) Blue Tit

b) Long-tailed Duck

c) Black-headed Gull

d) Great Grey Shrike

No.2

a) Starling

b) badger

c) Grey Heron

d) Avocet

No.3

a) Bill Oddie

b) Ring-necked Parakeet
C) Urban Birder David Lindo

d) George Michael

No.4

a) Hooded Crow
b) Archbishop Desmond Tutu

c) Blackcap

d) Jean Paul Gaultier

Round 3 - What have we Pixalated?

Ok, this round is actually inspired from Buzzcocks. I have distorted these bird images with special effects. Two points for each correct answer.

No.1

No.2

No.3

No.4

No.5

No.6

No.7

Round 4 - Missing Words Round

Here are headlines from various birding and wildlife publications. Three points for each missing word guessed correctly and a bonus point if you can name the publication as well. This week’s obscure guest publication is the The Sun newspaper.

No.1

No.2

No.3

N0.4
No.5

No.6

No.7

N0.8

Thanks for taking part, I hope it has been fun. Also thanks to everyone who has read my blog in 2009, see you in the field sometime next year.

It's Stubbers Time!

2009-11-03T13:13:00.000-08:00

The nights are closing in, it's getting cold and with the spectre of Christmas now looming you have to find something to keep your spirits up. What finer way to do so, than by standing by a pond in Walsall on a Saturday morning, waiting for the gulls to roll in from the tip, have a bath, before they nap on the shore. Yes, it can only be Stubber's Green.

Joking aside, I seriously love this place. For close-up views of gulls, it can't be beaten in the region. I was here again with Reg the Birder and his father Ray, particularly looking for a Caspian Gull. Following our experience here in December 08 with the controversial gull (larophobics look away now!), we were keen to see a 100% cast-iron Caspo this time.

Despite a three and a half hour grilling of the gulls, neither of the two Caspians that have been visiting in recent weeks showed up. The highlight was 3 Yellow-legged Gulls, like this one below (picture courtesy of Reg).

Yellow-legged Gull

Also present 2 Great Black Backed Gulls and a few Common Gulls, amongst the larger numbers of Herring, Lesser Black Backed and Black Headed Gulls. Lapwing flock and a Kestrel also noted.

A proposed trip to Fisher's Mill to look for Glossy Ibis was aborted, although this turned out to be the right decision, as the bird hasn't been seen since Friday evening. Finally, I was pleased to see a Buzzard flying very low over a suburban area of Shirley at about 4.00pm.

I'm still here!

2009-09-30T12:18:00.000-07:00

Rumours of my retirement from birding are unfounded, although it's true I've been away from the field and therefore the birding blogosphere for the past month or so. I've recently returned from a short birding break in one of my favourite parts of the world, the North West Norfolk coast.

Highlights are as follows:

Cley Marshes on Saturday turned up a few goodies. A juv Curlew Sandpiper on Arnold's marsh was a year tick, a Red-throated Diver moulting from summer plumage preened close offshore and best of all, the recently discovered Spotted Crake pottered in full view yards from the Bishop Hide at dusk. My second ever sighting of this intriguing species. Knot and manky Gypo Geese provided further year ticks. Passerine activity included Bearded Tits, two Stonechats, Cetti's Warbler and Reed Warbler. Four Marsh Harriers were noted and a Barn Owl was seen that evening.

A seawatch from Holkham Gap on Sunday provided excitement when upon spotting a grebe not far out, it soon became apparent I had located a Red Necked Grebe! This has to go down as one of the best, if not my best self-found bird. Chuffed to bits, the birding gods were still smiling on me on my walk back through the pines when a Firecrest showed with the tit/crest flock. Chiffchaff also noted here. Its not Holkham without Pinkies of course, the numbers are building up nicely now for the winter.

A visit to Titchwell that afternoon and although as you can see there is much upheaval afoot as the sea defences are moved back and the main marsh is drying up a good selection of waders were still present; many Ruff, a couple of Avocets, Grey and Golden Plover, Black and Bar Tailed Godwit, Dunlin, with Sanderling and Ringed Plover on the beach. The usual Gannets, Eider, Scoter etc offshore.

On the beach ruins this single Snow Bunting was very confiding...

And this Gannet was even more confiding...

Poor thing. At least it had a good send-off with this shell based memorial (and no that wasn't me that did that!).

A further visit to Cley on Monday and now 4 Spotted Redshanks present along with 3 Greenshank and the Curlew Sandpiper still. A ringtail Hen Harrier flushed everything on Arnold's Marsh and a Water Rail was heard squealing.

Finally Tuesday was spent around Burnham Overy and Titchwell and although it was an enjoyable day there wasn't anything new to report. My only complaint about the trip was that the winds didn't turn easterly during my trip, causing some disappointment on the rare migrant passerine front.

Butterflies and Bugs

2009-08-11T11:08:00.000-07:00

A selection of butterflies and bugs from the last few weeks.

Painted Lady

Pellucid Hoverfly

Pellucid Hoverfly

Small Tortoiseshell

Painted Lady and Peacock

Peacock

Painted Lady

Peacock

Painted Lady

Ryally Good

2009-08-07T14:32:00.000-07:00

Just a brief post today. No birding planned over the coming weekend as we'll be celebrating the holy occasion of Max's birthday by drinking plenty of wine and eating Italian food. However, as I had the day off I persuaded Max to finish work early for a visit to Ryall GPs.

Green Sandpiper numbers had now swelled to nine, two Common Sandpipers were still present and five Common Snipe were new arrivals. There was a large gathering of hirundines near the gravel extracting machinery; mainly Sand Martins and there were also several juv Pied Wagtails around.

Plenty of Painted Lady butterflies on the wing....

Along with the usual Common Darters...

And making our day, this baby Toad.

More Worcestershire

2009-08-04T15:26:00.000-07:00

Yellowhammers are supposed to say 'a little bit of bread and no cheese' and Quails say 'wet my lips'. To my mind, Yellowhammer song sounds more like a cross between a rusty gate and someone having an asthma attack, but at least the Quail song resembles its mnemonic. This was the soundtrack on Sunday morning as we had another bash at Quail, this time with Martyn at Chaddersely Corbett in Worcs.

It was never going to be an easy one to see. But with the good year we've had for Quails, it's been well worth spending plenty of time in the field (quite literally), just to hear them, even with the slenderest of chances that one might actually show. The Quails (at least two here) were very vocal and after three hours and ten minutes we were lucky enough to see a Quail take flight and whizz across the field (lifer 260).

Job done, Worcestershire was our oyster for the rest of the day. Next up Ryall GPs. Things had picked up from the previous day with now 3 Green Sandpipers and 2 Common Sandpipers present on the main pit. Also a Hobby, a superb Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Sedge Warbler were spotted.

Silly me, I forgot my camera, but here are some butterflies/dragons from a previous visit.

Common Blue Butterfly

Common Darter

Black Tailed Skimmer

Just back up the A38 is Clifton GP. Some Black Terns had been reported there earlier in the day but had departed by the time we arrived. However we did see this...

Spot the plastic - A Blurred Birding exclusive preview

If you squint and look towards the back, you can make out the red bill of an eclipse Red-crested Pochard. Martyn was suitably cynical of this dubious visitor.

Moving swiftly on, a visit to Grimley New Workings where we had 1 Little Egret, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Oystercatcher, 10+ Common Terns, including several juvs and a female Shoveler.

Little Egret - photo courtesy of Martyn Yapp

A visit to Upton Warren Flashes brought the day to a close. An impressive 11 Green Sandpipers were knocking about, along with 2 Common Sandpipers, 15 Curlew, 1 Common Snipe and 5 Teal.

It was interesting to learn that the Bittern that has unusually turned up at the Warren this time of year has been very mobile, putting in appearances at The Flashes and the Hen Pool as well as the Moors Pool.

Summer Gravel Pit Tour

2009-07-19T14:48:00.000-07:00

I've been a little quiet on the blogging front of late, but I haven't packed in the birding for the summer. Recent outings have been characterized by listening out for Quails in cereal fields. We haven't glimpsed one yet but we've heard them at Swindon in the Black Country and Chaddersley Corbett in Worcs, where three singing males have been present.

You can never rest on your laurels in the old birding game, even this time of year, as Local Birder Richard found when he stumbled across a Spoonbill on a routine visit to his local patch last week. Waders are already starting to trickle back through the region so with this in mind we set off on a day out in Worcestershire with Mr Powell, hoping he might bring a bit of the Spoonbill-finding magic to the county.

First up Kemerton Lake where we saw a few mildly interesting wooden sculptures. Not too much to write home about, although a drake Pochard, GS and Green Woodpecker and a Herring Gull were noted.

Then there was Gwen Finch where we struggled to find the correct path down to the actual reserve but we could observe most of it from the roadside. Blackcap, Grey Wagtail and Yellowhammer here as well as some close flying Buzzards. Thankfully the Buzzards in Worcestershire are much friendlier than those from Cornwall.

Things picked up at Ryall GP; a proper gravel pit with machinery and a wader-friendly looking pit with mud and shingle islands - now we were rocking! A Hobby hawked Dragonflies, plus three Ravens and a Redshank here. Definitely a place to visit again.

Ryall GP - a bit of excavation, now that's what we like to see!

Max's digi-scoped Hobby shot

We then popped into Grimley New Workings where we saw two Little Egrets. Our final stop of the day was Holt to look for the local Spotted Flycatcher which showed well in the gardens opposite the church.

Throughout the day there was also a good array of Butterflies which included Peacock, Gatekeeper, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Blue, Meadow Brown, Painted Lady and Small Copper and some white ones which I haven't learned the names of as yet. Many Common Darters were on the wing at Ryall GP.

Enter the Dragon

2009-07-06T00:43:00.000-07:00

Mainly pics this time. Apart from trying and failing to net a year tick (Spotted Flycatcher) and a lifer (Quail) this past week, these little fellas have been keeping me amused and giving me the chance to practice my photography.

Male Banded Damoiselle

Female Banded Damoiselle

Southern Hawker

Southern Hawker

Southern Hawker

Ringlet

Comma

A couple of the more notable bird sightings from the last few days included a Tree Pipit at Cannock Chase in the Seven Springs area on Sunday and a Hobby north of Evesham yesterday.

Glastonbury Festival 2009

2009-07-01T10:14:00.000-07:00

Just a few pics from the weekend's festivities...

Trash City

Trash City

A sea of flags at the legendary Pyramid Stage

Madness - a bit dad-ska - The Specials were so much better

Campsites and Stone Circle

Chillaxing on the filthy floor

An emotional Blur close the festival - you could feel the love!

Birds noted on site included Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Wrens all singing away in the mornings despite all the disturbance, loads of Lesser Black Backed Gulls circling for festival fodder scraps and the usual Somerset Buzzards, one of them enjoying a bit of Dizzee Rascal, as it thermalled lazily over the crowd.

On the Level

2009-06-22T12:37:00.000-07:00

A pre-Glasto Somerset twitch at Ham Wall NR yesterday. Arriving at Loxton Marsh the Little Bittern could be heard calling deep in the reedbed, sounding something like a muffled dog's bark. The reeds were taller than us though, this was going to be difficult and would require a little luck. We found a vantage point on the other side of the reedbed and thankfully after a short while the Little Bittern took flight, giving brief but excellent views (lifer 259).

We stayed in position for a couple of hours but he didn't show again, he has become a lot more elusive than when he first arrived, so we were happy with what we got.

On the way back, another twitch closer to home - a gorgeous Red Necked Phalarope was at Upton Warren, I'd forgot how tiny these were. Also of note 2 Green Sandpipers.

It wasn't all twitching though; before that we'd spent most of the day exploring Ham Wall and the adjacent Shapwick Heath NR, an extensive area of reedbed on the Somerset Levels - highly recommended for a day out birding. Highlights included were 2 Bitterns, c8 Hobbies, Cuckoos, Cetti's Warblers and a Little Egret. Common warbler species were in abundance and showed very well.

There were also plenty of insects to look at and I enjoyed a spot of photography.

Blue Tailed Damselfly

Damselfly mating - the ever romantic 'headlock manoeuvre'

Dragonfly lifer - Black Tailed Skimmer, also lots of Emporer Dragonflies about, my favourite but too quick for my camera

Mute Swan preening

Common Whitethroat

Scarlet Tiger moth, most moths I hate, but day-flying moths like these are real beauties

Nightjars Part Deux

2009-06-14T15:09:00.000-07:00

Rainy weather scuppered the previous bloggers Nightjar meet, but a few days of drier weather last week meant that the Cannock Chase outing was hastily rearranged for Friday evening. In attendence; Local Richard, Alrewas Stuart, The Notorious A.S.B.O Archie along with Tame Valley birders Tom and Julian.

Me and Max had a Cuckoo fly past on our way to meet the others. When we arrived everyone was listening to a Grasshopper Warbler reeling away in the heather. Before long it was located and we all had pleasing views. That was a bonus year tick, however we dipped on our main quarry of Nightjar, hearing only a couple of distant churrings. We did get closer to one just before 11pm, but it was dark by now, so we didn't get as much as a glimpse.

There were a lot more birders than birds on the Chase that night, and although it was now dark we recognised the familiar voice of Warks birder John Harris on the walk back. Back at the car park, a considerate car driver flashed their full beams on us, presumably so Max and I could find our car in the dark. See Archie's blog for the 'uncut' version!

Yesterday afternoon Max and I went for a sun-drenched walk along the Dowles Brook area of the Wyre Forest. I'd hoped to see Silver Wash Fritillary butterflies, but we didn't see any, just tons of Speckled Wood and the odd Brimstone. I don't know much about butterflies so perhaps the timing is wrong?

We had a singing Tree Pipit, 2 Wood Warblers (heard), several Marsh Tits that showed well, Willow Warbler, Blackcap and two family partys of Wrens. Kingfisher and Grey Wagtails were on the brook, however no Mandarins, I never see them there.

Shrike Dip and Scandal on the Chase

2009-06-03T13:33:00.000-07:00

A Woodchat Shrike was at Brandon Marsh on Friday evening. Unfortunately I wasn't. By the time I heard this news Max was already on his third pint and my friend was on the way over for a girly night out. Not being a car driver myself I was well and truly stuck.

Saturday morning we headed down there, both nursing hangovers, but the Shrike had departed. The lack of negative news had kept vague hopes alive, but when we got there local birders had already given up the search and gone home, nice of them to tell us. This is fast turning into 'Darkside Birding', so I better lighten the mood with a couple of pics.

Large daisy with small spider

Common Blue Damselfly

Holly Blue butterfly also noted. The birding was quiet, save for a Hobby from Carlton Hide and a good selection of Warblers in song.

Sunday was a full day out in the field in Worcs with Martyn. Trawling many spots in the intense heat was hard work, especially looking out for non-existant Turtle Doves. Highlights included Lesser Whitethroat at Old Yarr, Garden Warbler at Throckmorton, Cuckoos at Gwen Finch, Bredon's Hardwick and Longdon Marsh. Longdon also contained a very elusive and annoying Lesser Whitethoat, lots of Brimstone and Painted Lady butterflies and many Banded Damoiselles and a female Broad Bodied Chaser.

Brimstone

Last night Max and I went for a pre-bloggers outing reccy on Cannock Chase, keen to see Nightjars. We had one sighting, with two churring birds heard. A Woodcock was roding, a Cuckoo called, Tree Pipit heard, plus Hobby and Green Woody.

Getting back to our car there was some rather dubious activity going on in the car park - a middle aged harlot was sat on the bonnet of a car blatantly flaunting her legs! For anyone who isn't aware, Cannock Chase, as well as being famous for Nightjars, is rather infamous for other nocturnal activities; if you're not sure what I mean, think Stan Collymore! A bit unerving, so be careful fellow birders - don't go up there alone.

The Great British Bank Holiday

2009-05-25T14:27:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we nipped off for a short break on Anglesey, north Wales. It had been a toss up between there and Norfolk for the bank holiday; although Norfolk was tempting us with high-octane twitching and the possibility of a lifer or two, we decided to kick back and watch seabirds in the Wales instead.

Stopping off at Great Orme Head near Llandudno on the way, many Fulmars were nesting on the cliffs. One of my favourite birds I have to say, although Max doesn't agree. Not far offshore a large number of Gannets were pelting down into the sea, with Guillemots, Razorbills and Kittiwake present. A flock of Common Scoter passed further out. Stonechat and Wheatear noted but no Choughs here.

A stop for lunch and cheesecake at Llandudno (told you it was easy street this weekend!) before moving on to South Stack RSPB. On entering South Stack Visitor Centre I spotted a single Puffin in the water below but before I could get the scope up for a proper look, I was distracted by the RSPB woman who insisted on launching into her well-rehearsed speil - 'a Chough is like a crow, but with a red beak'- well, fancy!

The wind was stiff to say the least, so no photos, but it didn't spoil the seabird spectacle, the colony bustled with nesting Guillemots, Razorbills, Fulmars, Kittiwakes and Herring Gulls. Ravens frequently mugged auks for their eggs. We located the Puffin base and saw at least 5 there and watched them flying back and forth from fishing trips. The Choughs were a bit elusive as they nested deep within crevices, but with a bit of patience they wafted out of the cave now and again and another pair fed openly on the cliff above them.

We were headed to The Range for a seawatch however a sea fret descended so we abandoned this idea. Wheatear, Stonechat and Linnet on the heather.

The next morning we went to Cemlyn Bay home of the famous tern colony. Three Whimbrel and a Ringed Plover were on the rocks at the west of the bay. Sandwich, Arctic and Common Tern were all present in the colony, also 2 Red Breasted Mergansers, a Redshank, a small flock of Dunlin and Wheatear present.

Meadow Pipit, Cemlyn Bay

Cemlyn Bay

A great reserve where we spent much longer than intended, before heading off to Point Lynas. This was another beautiful spot; on the headland Gannets passed very close in and the usual selection of seabirds were easily found out over the waves. Much further out I spotted four Manx Shearwaters go past, a pleasing year tick, but a bit of a squint. Another Whimbrel dropped by, pausing on the rocks below. Oystercatcher, Shag and Wheatear here too.

Point Lynas

Gannet

Crazy Pony

On bank holiday Morning there was a search for Turtle Doves in Worcestershire, which was completely unsuccessful. It's a reliable spot though, so fingers crossed the doves will return safely soon. We popped into Upton Warren, which was very quiet apart from the breeding species. I did enjoy watching the Reed Warblers at the North Moors Pool and taking a few photos.

Reed Warblers

Lapwing

Liver Bird

2009-05-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

Or should that be lifer bird?

Chasewater was looking very wader-friendly yesterday. The water is being drained out to prepare for essential maintenance work to the dam. Extensive shingle and mud is now exposed and apparently plans are to drop the water level by another metre for the next two years. Hopefully good things to come for Chasewater.

Whilst we couldn't find Saturday's Little Stint, the shingle spits were crawling with Ringed Plover and Dunlin, always nice to see a bit of wader passage here in the Midlands. Also two Oystercatchers.

Next stop Blithfield. It was bloomin' cold and windy there. We started to walk towards Blithe Bay before beating a hasty retreat when it started pelting down; choosing to watch for passing Arctic or Black Terns from the comfort of the car. A Turnstone was on the dam wall and a couple of Oystercatchers present, but the only Tern spotted was one Common Tern. Lots of Swifts, Swallows and Martins came down in the rain.

We saw Martyn here too, although only briefly as we decided to head up to Seaforth to try for the Pallid Swift that's been around for a few weeks now.

Pallid Swifts usually breed in the Mediterranean, so this one has overshot just a tad and must be a bit bewildered to end up on Merseyside. Many of my W Midlands blogging colleagues have been to see this bird and enjoyed crippling overhead views. I wish I could say the same, however the Swift remained elusive, despite waiting hours by the fence separating Crosby Marine Park and Seaforth LWT. Eventually the Pallid Swift was picked up in the scopes of other birders over the other side of the Marine Lake. The light wasn't great, but when the Pallid Swift dipped in front of buildings it's lighter colour could be seen. Lifer 258 for me, but unfortunately Max didn't manage to see it. There were hundreds of Swifts around and checking them all sent you dizzy.

Other highlights of the afternoon were two more year ticks in the form of two 1st summer Little Gulls and a few Sandwich Terns. There was a raucous Common Tern colony on Seaforth and it was a shame I forgot my camera as photo opportunities were missed with close encounters with Wheatear and Dunlin and it would have been nice to get a picture of the Iron Men of Crosby Beach.

Good Times, Bad Times

2009-05-07T13:07:00.000-07:00

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.

Brightside on tour - Part 3 - Isle of Mull

2009-05-02T13:39:00.000-07:00

And here it is at last; the final installment of the big Scotland epic.

Friday 17th April

The crows had changed over to Hooded Crows again and summer plumage Black Guillemots were in Oban harbour as we arrived for our ferry crossing to Mull. By the afternoon we had checked into our B&B in Lochdon. Lochdon is noted for White-tailed Sea Eagle, so as Eagles were lacking in Highland, we stayed put in this area for the afternoon's birding.

Two Great Northern Divers were seen from Grasspoint and a few Red-breasted Mergansers were also present. A huge raptor appeared, quite clearly an eagle, as it tilted it's short white tail was revealed - t'was White-tailed Sea Eagle! (lifer 254). Things were off to a corking start.

Around the bay Bar-tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Wigeon, Goldeneye, 2 Stonechat and many singing Willow Warbler all noted.

Saturday 18th April

Salen Bay is a nice little spot and reputably a good spot for Otter. Here we had our first Swallow of the year, 8 Eider, Shags and a party of Red-breasted Mergansers close in, plus 2 Rock Pipits and Wheatear. Seals out on the rocks and Red Deer up on the hills. Red Deer are everywhere on Mull and very showy, in fact you have to be careful not to run them over.

Next stop, nearby Loch Frisa. It was hard work walking down the rubbled path to get to the Eagle viewpoint. When we got near however, we were lucky enough to see a White-tailed Sea Eagle drift in over the hillside, a Raven having a pop at it as it passed through Raven territory. You could see that it was twice the size of the Raven in wingspan, impressive indeed. Walking a bit further down we came across the Mull Eagle Watch Wardens, they now had the Eagle perched. Locating this magnificant bird in our scope, they informed us that this was the female Eagle.

The rest of the afternoon was spent exploring this glorious island, stopping off at roadside spots, everywhere looks great, you just don't know where to start. Around the shores of Loch Na Keal we had Common Sandpiper, Golden Plover, Wheatear, Rock Pipit and Grey Wagtail. Shag, Eider, Black Guillemot, Red-Breasted Merganser and Great Northern Diver were all out on the water. The corvids on Mull are mainly Raven and Hooded Crow, both can be readily viewed from the roadside.

At Loch Scridan there were also 7 Razorbill in the loch with Black Guillemot around the mussel farm and many of the 8 Great Northern Divers here were nearly into breeding plumage.

Round the corner at Loch Beg, 4 Greenshank and a few Ringed Plover were added to the trip list, Redshank and Swallow were noted and best of all the first summer Ring Billed Gull was present, I wasn't quite sure at first as I've never seen one before, but this gull looked too big billed and stout and stood out as being bigger and paler than the many adult Common Gulls present. Luckily Big Yin of the excellent Beg Bits Mull wildlife blog was here and confirmed the ID. A first for Mull and lifer 255 in the bag. On the way back through Glen More we had crippling roadside views of a Short Eared Owl.

Sunday 19th April

We thought Mull was tranquil, but were yet to sample Iona. Iona is reached by ferry from Phionnport (below), ten minutes by ferry. Once again we enjoyed glorious weather, with the clear blue skies and water and rocky coastline it was bliss.

Rock Pipit and Wheatear were at the ferry port and Guillemot, Black Guillemot, Shag and Razorbill seen on the crossing.

In birding terms, the island is most famed probably for Corncrake, however we were a tad on the early side for these, although there had been an unconfirmed report of a calling Corncrake earlier in the week.

The fields here full of migrants; Wheatears, Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails and we picked out a couple of White Wagtails here, a first for us.

Also on the island we saw a single Twite, many Linnet, Rock Doves, which we assume are wild ones, or very near to - the plumage looked spot on. If anyone has any info on their pedigree I'd be interested to hear it.

Fulmer, Gannet and Great Northern Diver were spotted from the west side of the island and we were startled to come across a small raptor on the golf course about 7 metres away as it turned to look at us, we could see it was a female Merlin! She moved off pretty quick of course, leaving us amazed - one of the best moments of the holiday.

Back on the mainland, we had brilliant views of four Twite feeding at Fidden Farm, plus another White Wagtail and the now ubiquitous Wheatears and a few Snipe. At Uiskin Bay a spanking full breeding plumage Great Northern Diver was fishing very close in. Two more presumed wild Rock Doves nearby and a nice Barn Owl on a post in the evening at Lochdon.

Monday 20th April

We were more than a little worried, this being our last day on Mull and that both Golden Eagle and Otter were still yet to be seen, we had been looking out for both of these along the way, but hadn't given them the time they deserved. Today we would pour our efforts into these Mull specialities.

We drove round to the Croggon side of Loch Spelve, we had been told this was a good spot for Otter. It was completely silent here, with a gently incoming tide. We spotted a distant Otter through the scope, but then however noticed one much nearer and it was gradually coming towards us as it fished, when it climbed onto the shore and ate a big fish it was immense, I must admit I felt quite misty-eyed. House Martin, Ringed Plover, GN Diver and Black Guillemot here.

Next we staked out a spot we had obtained some Golden Eagle gen on and thankfully this time we were successful and we were able to watch first a single Eagle then the majestic pair soaring over the glen, lifer 256.

On the way out to the pub that evening, as we drove over Glen More a further Merlin was seen to the left of the car, we got out to view it, by which time it was very high up. Then another Golden Eagle (this one quite tatty) appeared gliding over the cliff and soaring to dizzy heights. Two Short Eared Owls on the way back from the pub, one sitting in the road! Our last notable spots of the trip were a Greenshank at Lochdon and a Red Throated Diver at Craignure port the following morning.

Wednesday 22nd April

Having had an overnight stop off at Windermere last night, it was a relatively easy journey to Inner Marsh Farm in Cheshire. What a fantastic reserve, the main purpose of the day had been to twitch the two Spoonbills, but we ended up spending hours here and having a thoroughly enjoyable day despite only having brief flight views of the two Spoonbills (lifer 257). Highlights included a ringtail Hen Harrier, unbelievably the third Merlin of the week (after not seeing one at all in 2008!), at least 4 hunting Short Eared Owl, 4 Spotted Redshank moulting into summer plumage, 4 Greenshank, Black Tailed Godwit, Ruff, Ringed Plover, several Little Egret and 4 Pintail.

It was certainly miserable returning to the grimy rat race of Brum after experiencing the utopian Isle of Mull, so clean, peaceful and safe with such breathtaking scenery and wildlife. Definitely a place we'll return to before too long, I hope.

PS Big thanks to everyone who gave us such excellent gen and advice on where to go in Scotland and lent us books, maps etc, you know who you are, cheers :)

Brightside on Tour - Part 2 - More Highlands

2009-04-28T13:04:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 14th April

Another Highland bird we were keen to connect with was Black Grouse and we'd set this morning aside for this purpose. We had the options of a rather distant and sometimes unreliable lek near base or intelligence from Reg of a roadside lek some distance away. Of course we went with Reg's gen, also meaning we could also visit Loch Muick and Glen Shee today.

We arrived to find the moorland submerged in a blanket of fog; a right pea souper. We drove up and down the road, staring into the fog in futility and only hearing Red Grouse and sheep, very disheartening. Just as we were close to giving up, there was a slight lift in fog and we parked by a gate. I saw a brown game bird and realised it was a Black Grouse hen (lifer 253). It then flew across the road disappearing into the fog, swiftly followed by a male. Now we could hear burbling calls deeper into the fog and a handsome male emerged in the next field up the road. It was a shame we couldn't see the lek but Reg's gen had proved watertight! Also Buzzard, Kestrel, Curlew and Red Legged Partridge here.

Not long after, Near Loch Muick we were rubbing our eyes in disbelief - unwittingly we had stumbled across 16 male Black Grouse, engaging presumably in post lek feeding! Still birding wouldn't be birding without the highs, the lows and the pre-tick tension, would it?

Digiscoped Black Grouse by Max - perhaps looking for a job at Blurred Birding

Loch Muick

At Loch Muick itself Snipe was added to the trip list and their drumming was heard, not a sound we hear often where we see them. Also Wheatear, two Jays, 6 Goosander and some Red Deer including this fine stag.

King of the hill

At Glenshee the hope was to see more Ptarmigan, maybe get closer to them, perhaps even see a Golden Eagle. On our mountain walk one Ptarmigan seen was one briefly in flight, but sadly Max didn't see it. Mountain Hares were a mammal lifer providing some entertainment. Several Red Grouse, 2 Wheatear 3 Ravens and Peregrine noted here.

Wednesday 15th April

A stop at a picnic site near Aviemore produced excellent views of at least 4 Crested Tits. Although they showed well they never stopped still for long so I was pleased with this record shot.

Crested Tit

Chaffinch

We then headed to Loch Ruthden RSPB reserve, famous of course for its population of breeding Slavonian Grebes. A check of Birdguides and a text from Richard alerted us to a Ring-necked Duck being spotted there this morning. The friendly wardens directed us to a smaller nearby lochan to see the Ring-necked Duck. A lifer for Max and a nice bird to see again, excellent views.

On Ruthden there were at least 6 gorgeous summer plumage Slavonian Grebes and they seemed to be pairing up. Let's wish them a successful breeding season.

Not much else to see here apart from Willow Warblers so with the weather warming up we headed off to Findhorn for another raptor watching session, hopes high again for Golden Eagle.

Near the start of the valley I spotted a raptor in flight so I shouted to Max for an emergency stop. It was a splendid Osprey, first time we've self-found one, definately much more exciting away from the hoardes at the Osprey Centre.

It turned out to be an enjoyable afternoon as we met with a great crowd of like-minded birders; a few chaps from Somerset and a Wolverhampton couple. More pairs of eyes looking and a good craic had by all, still no Eagle though. Two Peregrines, a singing male Ring Ouzel, many Buzzards, Kestrels, a few Ravens.

Common Gull, trying to scrounge birders crisps

That evening we walked in the woodlands behind our excellent rented accommodation Juniper Hill Cottage. We heard a Tawny Owl calling and we discovered bats and roding Woodcock. Throughout our stay the bird table had been very active, including visits from many Siskins, a pair of GS Woodpecker as well as a Red Squirrel. A great holiday location for visiting birders, not far at all to Loch Garten, Cairngorms, Aviemore etc and a cosy base to come back to.

Thursday 16th April

We spent more time in the Abernethy Forest today due to the lack of Crossbills throughout the trip, not saying I would have been able to ID them mind - a notoriously difficult task, but it would have been nice to gain some Crossbill experience and at least have the debate. Crossers had gone very elusive though and we couldn't find any despite taking the Mallachie trail again, a long walk in the Forest Lodge area, plus a very unproductive walk in the Carrbridge woods in the evening.

Highlights of the day were finding a singing Redstart (first of the year) on our morning walk around Loch Mallachie plus yet more Crested Tits and 3 Red Squirrels and also seeing a Dipper in Carrbridge. Some time had to be spent out of the field on this day in order to make preparations for the trip to Mull the following day.

Ending the day again with 'Woodcock Watch' which produced three roding birds, we felt sad that our time in Highland had come to an end but very excited about the next few days to come on Mull, hopefully we might get our Golden Eagle there...

Brightside on Tour - Part 1 - Highlands

2009-04-26T11:25:00.000-07:00

Saturday 11th April

Arriving in the Highlands late Friday afternoon, there were early reconnaissance missions; firstly looking for Crested Tits in Carrbridge and then elsewhere in the vague hope of a Golden Eagle before the day was out, however all this had come to nothing. So here we were, Saturday morning in the dark, queuing outside Loch Garten's RSPB Osprey Centre for Caper Watch. Capers had showed several mornings the previous week, so my heart was in my mouth, if a Caper showed it would be lifer 250 for me and of all the highland birds, for me, Capercaillie was the big one.

Over the next two hours or so we waited as the Capers failed to materialise. The two Ospreys could be seen on the nest and a few Crossbill were seen although they remained flighty and distant. At one point someone briefly had a Crosser in his Scope and reckoned it was either Parrot or Scottish. A Stonechat was seen and a Red Squirrel was on the nuts.

The most famous Ospreys in the world

Leaving disappointed, we pressed on with a walk through the pine forests around Loch Mallachie, keen to connect with one of the Scottish Specialities on this first full day's birding. Halfway down the trail I spotted two small agile birds - Crested Tits! (lifer 250), they didn't stay long but it was a memorable moment and with the first lifer of the trip bagged we began to relax. Also seen were 2 Treecreeper, Goldcrests, and numerous Siskins. Around 10 Goldeneye were on the small Loch along with Greylag, Teal and Wigeon.

Loch Mallachie

Next an area of Moorland on the A939 towards Tomintoul. Red Grouse, Curlew, Oystercatcher (everywhere up there) and Skylark were seen.

We spent time in a woodland near Grantown-on-Spey looking out for Caper towards the end of the day. Here there were Crossbills, however, again they were too distant to even have a stab at ID-ing. Siskin and Coal Tit were plentiful. Although we didn't see much in the latter part of the day we were putting a lot of effort in and learning that Highlands birding is hard work at times. When you do find something its more than worth it. Not tonight though. We pencilled in another Caper Watch for Monday.

Sunday 12th April

First stop Loch Morlich. A beautiful clear morning and the Loch was so still it resembled a pane of glass reflecting the Cairngorm mountains. Three beautiful summer plumage Red Throated Divers here, we could even hear their melancholy calls. Also c30 Goldeneye and Goosander.

Loch Morlich

Next the Cairngorm Mountains. Some Ring Ouzels had been sighted near the visitor centre and it didn't take us long to track down a pair. Things were looking up. It was a nice day and with the forecast good for "two days" we decided on the walk up to the coire to look for Ptarmigan rather than taking the funicular railway.

Although the peaks were still snow capped, the conditions were hardly Alpine, we soon got very hot in all the layers of clothes we had cocooned ourselves into. In fact by the end of the day we'd caught a nice suntan! A very rewarding walk up to the Coire - 2 Ptarmigan near the snow line (lifer 251) as well as 5 Wheatear, 3 Red Grouse and large numbers of Meadow Pipit and Skylark.

Cairngorms - Ptarmies near where the snow has melted shaped like a 'map' of Britain.

Max rocks the Coire!

On the way back to the rented cottage we decided to pop into the Osprey centre on the off chance of a Capercaillie being on show. On arrival the RSPB staff advised 'you've just missed a Caper by five minutes' and then tried to cheer us with tales of how many times the Ospreys had mated that day.

After a few minutes however, a woman standing near us in the hide (who was more interested in deer than birds) nonchalantly asked "do Capers go in trees?", someone replied "yes" and the lady continued "oh, oh I think I've got one". Cue mass panic! Anyone who's been to the Osprey centre will know that it's very hard to give directions to anything, the window slats are small and everyone has a different view of the landscape of heather and trees. "Where is it?" everyone demanded. "It's in a tree" the woman replied. "Which one?" but by then she'd lost it. A chap had just clocked it in his bins, but when asked for directions he also stated it was in a tree, understandably not daring to shift his bins an inch. The original finder scolded him "It's no use saying it's in a tree - which one?"... Thankfully a sharp eyed lady found it and helped everyone to get their fill with scopes and bins. A spankingly handsome male Capercaillie sitting in a tree, sleeping and waking to preen every so often. This was lifer 252 and we were lucky enough to be able to watch him for the next 45 minutes or so.

Monday 13th April

Early morning Caper watch abandoned, so a change of scenary away from the pines; we headed to Udale Bay on the Cromarty Firth. Although it didn't look good when we arrived with the tide out and fog on the firth, this situation soon turned around for a highly enjoyable morning's birding. There were c60 Scaup and c50 Long Tailed Duck (1000's of LT Ducks winter in this area). Sea ducks like this I've only seen in very small numbers inland in winter so it was great to see them in larger numbers.

Also five Slavonian Grebes in summer plumage, a Red Throated Diver, Eiders, c1000 Pink-footed Goose, c 18 Red Breasted Mergansers, and several Hooded Crows were amongst the highlights.

Udale Bay

Pinkies

It was now a warm clear afternoon, so we headed to the Findhorn Valley for a spot of raptor watching. Findhorn is well known for a variety of raptors, particularly Golden Eagles. However the best we could do was several Buzzards, a Kestrel and 3 Raven. A chap stood in the next valley had briefly had a Golden Eagle.

Common Gull and Oystercatchers are common breeders in the valley and were everywhere. Great Spotted Woodpecker, herds of Red Deer and a few Hare were noted as well as the Feral Goats.

Findhorn Valley

Our final stop of the day was Lochindorb. We saw two summer plumage Black Throated Divers, and the moors here were crawling with Red Grouse, some of them very tame as you can see from these pictures. We saw one Grouse attacked by a Sparrowhawk a few feet away, the Grouse fighting the Sprawk off. Also a Common Sandpiper, 3 Redshank and 2 Red Legged Partridge here. A Short Eared Owl was seen on the way home.

Red Grouse

Another two parts to this trip report are on their way - our last few days in the Highland followed by our trip to Mull.

Eight out of ten birders prefer Whiskered

2009-04-24T15:21:00.000-07:00

I didn't see this one coming! After enjoying most of the day birding around Tame Valley we gradually became more and more twitchy about the Whiskered Terns not too far away at Willington GP in Derbyshire. Half an hour later we were watching eleven of these stunning Terns swooping around pleasing the assembled crowd with amazing views. A lifer of course and all the more special as I believe this is the largest gathering of these ever recorded in the UK (usually turning up in ones or twos).

Record flight shot by me

Max's digiscoped pic.

Other highlights of the day were discovering an adult summer Yellow Legged Gull and 2 Wheatear, both nice surprises. Also Black Tailed Godwit, LR Plover, Sedge Warblers, Whitethroats and Common Terns were also seen (the latter three being year ticks) all around the Drayton Bassett area.

We arrived back from bonny Scotland on Weds evening. I won't say too much just yet but it was, to say the least, stupendous. I'm currently in the process of sorting out my photos, then a full trip report will soon follow.

Long Weekend

2009-04-05T13:08:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend a few people have commented that I've been 'slacking off' with my blog of late. Not true, I just counted back and there were five posts last month, that's more than one a week. Anyway here's a 'bumper' edition and then that's all folks.....until I get back from Scotland that is.

Thursday 2nd April

Keen to catch up with the Cattle Egret at Middleton Hall for my year list and my WMBC region list a pre-work twitch was in order. We spent an enjoyable hour following this entertaining bird around and still made it to work for 9.00am. Also two singing Blackcaps were noted.

Image appears courtesy of Martyn Yapp.

http://yapp2607.blogspot.com/

Friday 3rd April

Burning the candle at both ends there was an after work birding session at Ladywalk NR and very pleasant it was too. The highlights were undoubtedly a male Brambling at the feeders and a Tawny Owl. Also three Oystercatchers and a nice selection of ducks including Wigeon and Gadwall were noted.

Saturday 4th April

Classic Draycote day with the Warks birders out in force and also fellow West Midlander and birding blogger Martyn Yapp; the Green Winged Teal was drawing the crowds in. On the walk to Toft Bay we had two Yellow Wagtails, our first of the year and also the Red Necked Grebe, which now looks fantastic in its breeding finery. I would have liked to try for a slightly better picture than this, however with no time to linger we continued to the top of Toft where the GWT had been seen.

In Toft the Teals were skulking behind the willows and it was hard to see any, Green Winged or otherwise. We scanned for a while and eventually two Teals got flushed out and they landed on the water nearby, fortunately one of these showed a vertical stripe - the Green Winged Teal! A good bird for the region and the second one I've ever seen, my first was in Norfolk in 2007, although I don't think I really realised what it was at that stage. More appreciated this time. Also of note, 2 Great Northern Divers and an Oystercatcher.

Following Draycote we went to Focus Optics, where I treated myself to a new pair of bins. I would recommend Focus to any birder for their excellent service and expertise. Their website is down at the moment, but I'll link it when its up and running again.

Sunday 5th April

A late start to the birding today, due to administrative duties like buying tickets for Glastonbury and some last minute things to sort out for our trip which we will set off for on Thursday evening. Once that was done and dusted we headed out to Upton Warren in anticipation of a few more year ticks.

At the Moors Pool we had three year ticks in the form of a Little Ringed Plover, a Cetti's Warbler which showed briefly and a fine Willow Warbler to the right of the hide. Also 4 Oystercatchers, a Redshank, two Common Snipe, 3 Sand Martins, a Sparrowhawk, several Chiffys and a Bullfinch. Sadly the Mealy Redpoll was nowhere to be seen. Several Peacock butterflies were on the wing.

At the Flashes the bird of the day and a further year tick was a faboulous Jack Snipe which showed well in the far corner to the right of the hide. We also had a Common Sandpiper, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 8 Avocets, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Common Snipe and 2 Redshanks.

I might have mentioned just a couple of times this Scotland trip we're going on. We're off on Thursday night and have a week on Speyside, which will allow plenty of time for exploring Abernethy, Cairngorms, Moray etc. We're then having four nights in Mull. I'm sure you can guess the stuff on the wish list, Capercaillie is of course high on the agenda and with RSPB Caper watch doing the business several times this week hopes are high.

Catch you all soon.

Carry on up the Malverns

2009-03-31T13:18:00.000-07:00

Whenever I think of the Malverns it takes me back to my last year at my junior school; as a rite of passage we were taken on the legendary 'Malvern climb', lead by the headmaster. Some schools get weekends away camping, some even skiing, not us - we just got a schlep up and down Malvern with a packed lunch and a 'Breakaway' bar. We also had to slide down one of the slopes on a bin-liner. What an underprivileged childhood I led.

Fast forward 22 years or so and it could be interesting for some birding, perhaps if we were lucky a Ring Ouzel, surely a Wheatear at least? Well no, but a pleasant walk on Sunday and a useful reconnaissance mission, plus some vital hill training for Scotland.

On the way up we had many singing Chiffchaffs, a male Blackcap, Sparrowhawk and 6 Jays. We had a walk around the North hill and surrounding valleys, nothing too exciting but c60 Meadow Pipits, 2 Stonechat and many displaying Skylarks were seen. On the way back down, we mistakenly came down the steep way and encountered this confiding Buzzard. A tad overexposed, but never mind.

Took a while to get back to the car and then there were further delays and navigational errors before we reached our next destination Chase End Hill. Historically this has been good for Hawfinch and Lesser Pecker. The best we came up with here however, was 2 Treecreeper, 2 Nuthatch and 4 thermalling Buzzards, a pleasant spot but the day's birding continued to be slow.

Last stop Clifton GP. Of note were 3 Green Sandpipers and a Redshank, a flock of c20 Linnets, then we called it a day. A good area for a day out birding, give it a few weeks and there will be plenty more to see.

Further to my posting about the Bird Blog Map last week, the site is now moving to http://www.birdingmaps.webs.com/ so don't worry if you can't see your link now, I believe Jim is in the process of transferring all the links over to their new home, which is time consuming work. A labour of love indeed, good on him!

Putting the West Midlands on the Map

2009-03-23T15:30:00.000-07:00

What a super idea this is:

http://birdblogmap.blogspot.com/

A chap called Jim from Yorks has set this up; an interactive Google Map of birding blogs and sightings pages. I spent last night adding as many blogs and sites from the WMBC region as I could think of. Sorry if there's anyone I've missed, you can add or edit your own entry, move the marker if I've placed it wrong, or add other blogs you use.

Not much birding done over the weekend, apart from a visit to one of my urban patches, Holders Wood, on Sunday morning. Two singing Chiffys were new arrivals, a Kingfisher was on the River Rea and a Buzzard briefly thermalled overhead, before giving it some welly heading westwards (the fastest I've seen a Buzzard move in a while, come to think of it).

Most of the usual stuff was seen, Bullfinch, Stock Dove and the like and most common woodland birds now in full song. I've found that I've made improvements since this time last year in recognising songs and calls, something that I found harder than the visual aspects of birding.

No GS Peckers on Sunday, but a Green Woody was heard calling. I'll be interested to see which spring migrants turn up here and at our other new patch Moseley Bog over the coming month or so, I'm confident there will be Whitethroats, hopefully a Lesser Whitethroat or two, Garden Warblers maybe, who knows perhaps a Spotted Flycatcher, or my wildcard; a Gropper might drop in....you never know!

Upton Warren and Whitemoor Haye

2009-03-15T15:47:00.001-07:00

I've got a lot to thank Upton Warren for (a fair few lifers, many lessons learned and of course that Wilson's Phalarope). Although we don't go there half as much as we used to, we still drop by every once in a while.

A warm, sunny morning was spent in the company of Reg. Highlights were a Bittern on North Moors Pool, plus Kingfisher and Water Rail. Many Cetti's Warblers were in song. On the Flashes were 3 Avocets, Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, quite a few Snipe and a Peregrine.

I forgot to take any pictures as I was too busy chatting with Reg; so in true Blue Peter stylee, here's some I made earlier (during a visit to UW in Jan)...

Now, I must admit that I've had Barnacle Geese on my life list and my WMBC list for a long time, but you can never be sure of the origins of any Barnacles seen in our region as there is a large feral flock in Staffs. Well there's three in a flock at Whitemoor Haye which are the real deal - we know this because of information gleaned from the colour rings they sport, they were ringed in Svalbard and wintered on the Solway Firth.

There they were, behind the main pit keeping a slightly aloof distance from their (assumed) plastic cousins, with their multi-coloured bling on show. Martyn and Stuart were here too and we had a chat and shared some Bakewell Tart that Max had brought from M&S....no jokes about tart's ticks please!

We also saw a Eurasian White-fronted Goose, a Wheatear, Goosander, Goldeneye, Redshank and Oystercatcher.

It was a great weekend's birding with spring in the air, plenty of time in the field, four counties visited and lots of laughs with friends.

14th March Moseley Bog, Trittiford Mill Pond and Bittell

2009-03-15T13:50:00.000-07:00

Moseley Bog - I'm fighting the urge to mention Hobbits, Middle Earth etc here....lets not go there, the purpose of our visit was to investigate it's urban birding potential.

A fine female Sparrowhawk was spotted upon parking the car. Parking in a residential street, it wasn't long before our binoculars attracted unwanted attention; "Is that a Hawk, you's looking at?", an Irish chap spoke, sneaking up behind us. "I have horses and they cause terrible trouble on the farm". Whilst we were dumb-founded wondering how big these Sprawks must be to trouble the man's horses, he went on to say "Of course, you're not even allowed to shoot them now, they're protected". It's hard to reason with such levels of ignorance, but we did reinforce that, no you can't shoot them and they're hardly the menace you're making out.

Shortly after, there was another disconcerting incident, when a dog jumped up at me, tried to eat my bins then started munching on my gloved hand. The owner followed behind and she told me to fold my arms to prevent her dog chewing at me. OK....so it's my responsibility to protect myself from being attacked by your uncontrolled mutt. I think not! I gave her a piece of my mind and she put him back on the lead.

I should say though, that the response Max and I have generally had to our urban birding has been overwhelmingly positive. Folk stop to ask us what we're up too, what we've seen and they'll tell us about the birds they've seen in their gardens. Moseley Bog and Joy's Wood held some fine ancient Oaks and mature woodland, as well as smaller scrubs, we'll definitely be spending more time here over the coming months.

A good variety of common species were seen at this healthy looking location including at least 8 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Green Woodpecker, 2 Bullfinch, Jay, 4 Nuthatch, Stock Dove and Goldcrest.

Next Trittiford Mill Pond; also part of 'The Shire'. full of plastic Mallards, Canada Geese and fishermen, it wouldn't usually be a recommended urban birding spot. Two Lesser Peckers had been seen there this week however, so we were there looking for them.

No Sign. However a most pleasant surprise when two Sand Martins appeared, first of the year - guaranteed to put a smile on my face! Also noted, a small number of Redwing, GC Grebes building a nest, a Treecreeper and another frog orgy.

Time was running out as Max had decided to watch football in the afternoon, but we sneaked in a quick check of the Bittell Reservoirs. Eight Goosander were on the Lower Reservoir and a Raven over the Upper, but otherwise quiet.

Boulderdash

2009-03-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

I've had a hectic last few weeks, with my new job starting and a string of 'social commitments' leaving hardly any time for birding, let alone blogging. Can't wait to get out into the field this coming weekend.

Despite the full schedule a few hours were freed up last Saturday morning to meet up with Richard 'Straight Outta Bharatpur' Powell to have a wander round Cannock Chase.

Richard had never visited the Glacial Boulder before and he had high expectations....I think he was anticipating something like this.....

However this is the Cannock Chase Glacial Boulder.......

Rather underwhelming, isn't it? (I don't know who those folk in the pics are, by the way!).

Whilst Richard regaled us with tales of weird and wonderful birds with names like Greater Racket-Tailed Drongo and Spangled Drongo; tigers and Indian trains (see his blog for the full trip report) we had a pleasant stroll round this area of the Chase, before moving on into Sherbrook Valley and the Cadet Huts.

A fair variety of birds were seen, most notably 15 Crossbills by the Cadet Huts, 4 Ravens, 2 Stonechat, a few Yellowhammers and Willow Tits, lots of Green Woodys and many a Skylark burbling away.

Frog Chorus and Warks Twitching

2009-02-22T10:05:00.001-08:00

An unusually mild and sunny day for this time of year yesterday with early signs of spring in evidence. We were enjoying a day's birding in the Wyre Forest with Mr Blurred Birder, Martyn. Not only did we see 2 Red Admiral butterflies, but this amazing sight....

The photos hardly bring justice to this spectacle. The sun had put the frogs in amorous mood; there must have been c200 of them spawning in this small pool and the air was buzzing with their empassioned croaking. Where's Sir Paul McCartney when you need him?

Anyway, onto the birds... Trimpley Reservoir was a bit quiet, but we did have 4 Goosander on the river, a few Siskin, Great Spotted and Green Woody and 3 Jays.

The walk around the the Dowles Brook and Knowles Coppice area was more productive and the highlights were; Tawny Owl (only my second one!); 2 Ravens, Buzzard, 2 Lesser Redpoll a Bullfinch and several Yellowhammer near Lodge Mill Farm and on Dowles Brook we had a Dipper, Grey Wagtail, several Siskins and a Treecreeper. A Marsh Tit was heard.

This morning we did our local urban patch in Birmingham and saw a Buzzard thermalling over Moor Green Lane. A nice patch tick but not a total surprise; we have seen them over the house before now. I got a picture, but I haven't mastered flight shots yet, so here's it's silhouette...

Next, some Warks twitching. A Black Redstart has been in Coleshill all week and I was itching to catch up with one again, this being my favourite bird, plus we'd have another chance at the Hams Hall Firecrests.

Arriving on site at Gorsey Lane, fellow lady birder and blogger Jo was already present - it was very nice to meet her at last. Martyn then rolled up with his friend Ian. We couldn't see the bird at first and it was cold and windy, but Martyn found it from the other side, we joined him and he soon got us onto the smashing Black Redstart; it was keeping low down at the back with a couple of Mistle Thrush and a Redwing. Scopes were needed as the gates of the industrial estate were closed today.

Everyone soon gravitated towards Hams Hall, where after a short wait the Firecrest with the 'gammy foot' popped up three times, the last time giving especially good views. Another top bird and one which has now achieved the accolade of being Max's favourite bird. Another year tick here in the shape of Mr Dean Powell.

Popping back to Gorsey Lane to drop Jo back off at her car, we couldn't resist another look at the Black Redstart and there it was, now showing well on top of the concrete pipes near the road, although only for a few minutes. We bumped into Pete who got a few shots before it darted away.

A good friendly crowd at both twitches, and a good chat and a laugh. Nice to see a few familiar faces and also meet some new folk. That's what it's all about, innit?

Wax-Kings and Owlmania

2009-02-16T01:36:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning found us engaged in a fruitless search for roosting Tawnys around the patch and local urban parks. Hopefully they'll become more visible as winter turns to spring. Around 50 Jackdaws over at 7.15am and a lot of thrush movement locally; mainly Redwings but also many Song and Mistle Thrush. Song Thrushes now singing.

Our attention then turned to Pipers Hill in Worcs for more of the same thing. Lively with common woodland birds, but nothing outstanding. One Buzzard, 1 Treecreeper and 2 Nuthatch were a poor reward for the efforts invested.

All the looking up in vain at treetops for Tawnys was now causing slight derangment, so some sort of owl fix was needed to settle the nerves. We went to see the Little Owl near Hopwood, which we accidentally flushed to the other side of the field, but then had excellent scope views and it even coughed up a pellet for us.

As we headed home, a mobile check of Birdguides revealed 12 Waxwings had been seen at King's Heath Park. Just about a mile from our house - we were duty-bound to check this out.

At King's Heath Park we searched the east end of the park and then saw the 12 Waxwings as we headed back towards the road. They flew in and landed on a tree near the kiddies playground and flew off again almost immediately, but we soon relocated them on the other side of the road in Highbury Park - that's on the northern reaches of our tetrad - dead chuffed with the patch tick! Very flighty birds though, after flitting around the taller trees, they headed off along the railway line, towards the High Street.

Highbury Park also had a large mixed thrush/Starling flock, must have been well over 100 birds; again predominately Redwings, smaller numbers of Song and Mistle Thrushes, plenty of Starlings and a couple of Fieldfare.

Briefly checking the parks again yesterday morning, with no sign of the Waxwings, we headed out to Stubber's Green. Most of the bigger gulls were not in their usual place, but more distant on a field behind, but luckily the juv Iceland Gull was showing well, swimming on the pool, a nice year tick. Also 6 Goosander.

By early afternoon, we were lucky enough to be watching two awesome Long-Eared Owls at cripplingly close quarters at an undisclosed location...Tawnys can wait for another day!

Twitter Ye Not!

2009-02-09T14:48:00.000-08:00

I'm only having a go at this micro-blogging malarky. Ladies, gents may I present Bsides_ a kind of mini Brightside on Twitter.com.

Trouble is, there's not many of my local blogging network on there so I'm a bit lonley at the moment. Perhaps see some of you on there? This has great potential for sharing sightings etc and perhaps I might even mini-blog from Scotland in April, provided I can get a moby signal up there.

The Bsides feed appears on the right hand side of the blog as well>>>>>>

A Walk in the Snow in Pictures

2009-02-06T06:42:00.000-08:00

My day off at last, so this morning I wandered round taking snaps in the snow - something I've had the urge to do all week. Hardly virgin snow now; a lot of this had thawed by the time I'd finished my walk, but many compacted slippy patches remain. We've had snow on the ground since monday now in Brum. I walked around the local playing fields then past Selly Oak Hospital then down to Bournville.

Playing fields on Raddlebarn Road - the white building is St Mary's Hospice

Black Headed Gulls

Playing fields again

Redwing outside hospital

Stocks Wood, Bournville

Blackbird, Bournville

Pied Wagtail outside hospital

Siberian Staffordshire

2009-02-03T13:22:00.000-08:00

An extremely cold day battling the elements in North Staffs on Sunday was brightened considerably by the company of Mr Reg Telescope, Mr Richard 'Producer' Powell, Mr Stuart 'Alrewas Birder' Collins, Mr Pete 'Not Walkenden it's Walkden' Walkden and the other half Mr Max 'Falco Subbuteo' Ahmed.

Doxey Marshes was first on the list. The Brummy contingent arrived much earlier than expected; so we set about exploring the marsh, keeping on the move in a futile bid to warm ourselves. Richard and Stuart joined us soon after. This produced two year ticks; White Fronted Geese and Barnacle Geese. Also Water Rail, Snipe, 11 Goosander, 3 Buzzards, Kestrel, Reed Bunting and Bullfinch.

Kestrel at Doxey Marshes by Pete Walkden

http://petewalkdensbirdphotography.fotopic.net/

A Reed Bunting enjoys a rare glimmer of sun at Doxey...

http://petewalkdensbirdphotography.fotopic.net/

Coldmeece next. A good site for gulls lately with Richard finding an Iceland here the previous day. A raft of larger gulls including GBBG, LBBG and Herring Gull was difficult to scan with the sun working against us, but it was apparent no white primaries were to be seen. I was a bit worried about Pete at this stage as he dislikes gulls even more than Max, but he found some small birds including this Treecreeper to keep him occupied.

Treecreeper at Coldmeece by Pete Walkden
http://petewalkdensbirdphotography.fotopic.net/

Driving to Park Hall CP in snow flurries, the afternoon's birding now looked in jeopardy. Then the Long-Eared Owls were absent from their usual tree. Despite all eyes searching, they couldn't be located in the canopy. Bugger! We had a Raven, which was a small blessing as it furnished Reg with a year tick. The misfortune continued however, with the Little Owl being AWOL from the quarry. We did however see carvings by neanderthal men on the quarry cliffs, the ever popular 'waves crashing into lighthouse' design....nothing changes, eh?

Just when we thought we were dipping everything we saw a group of Golden Plover in the meadow at the hilltop with more coming down to land totalling around 30. We then bid farewell to Pete and the rest of us, out of hope or sheer desperation decided to take our chances on the moors. If we got stuck, we wouldn't starve; we had Penguins, Doritos and, if the worst came to the worst, Reg's scotch egg to turn to for sustenance.

A long wait watching Swallow Moss from cars, which Max, Reg and I mainly spent comprising an elaborate system of landmarks and directions which we could use to point out birds (only flawed by the lack of birds to point out). It seemed that nearly one hour went by with no birds at all but the odd horizonal snow shower. Eventually a Snipe over, followed by a Carrion Crow over the mound which flushed a couple of Red Grouse (although I didn't see them properly as my view was obscured), then a possible raptor briefly in the same place which disappeared immediately. Then Stuart had a Short Eared Owl, but it was distant and disappeared, with the snow falling once more.

Around 5.00pm we all connected with a cracking male Hen Harrier which showed well before roosting in the heather. Richard and Stuart headed off home and we followed 10 or so minutes behind them. Stuart texted to say he'd seen a Merlin and then just before we reached the Mermaid Pub, in the fading light, the highlight of the day and a lifer for Reg - a Short-Eared Owl hunting the moors!

Hard going conditions at times, but that might help toughen Max and me up for Scotland and I can honestly say that even with the weather and the dips it was a very enjoyable day. So thanks all for being great company as ever, thanks Pete for the photos and thanks Richard for being the tour guide again and for leaving that SEO by the pub!

Birding in the Tame Valley

2009-01-31T12:54:00.000-08:00

My nose is red after a cold day out around Tame Valley, all this winter birding plays havoc with a lady's skin you know - a good job I treated myself to a few skincare products at Clinique yesterday!

Anyway, a quick post to summarise an enjoyable day's birding around Tame Valley looking for something big and white, which we didn't see, but there was some other good stuff and a frustrating gull situation.

At Dosthill Pits we had a Peregrine, 2 Buzzards, Goldeneye and a surprise in the form of a drake Smew on Drayton Basset Pit (must be viewed from Dosthill only). Two Little Egrets were seen from Fisher's Mill.

Now, really annoyingly I saw a large white-winger gull, which I'm inclined to think was a Glaucous Gull, but I can't say for certain as I only saw it from below and in bad light. I could see it well enough to see that it was very large and its primaries were translucent, but I would have had to see the upper wings to be 100%. There's an Iceland in the area too, so I'm a bit cautious in case I've misjudged the size or something.

Some cretins were riding scramblers around Middleton Lakes and then they nearly knocked us over at Dosthill and were flushing everything in site! We moved on and went to the fields above Wilnecote Tip, where gulls sometimes loaf to see if we could relocate our white-winged gull, but none were loafing as said cretins were now biking around these fields. There were gulls but only high up in the air above the tip.

We went to Hams Hall near Ladywalk NR, to see if we could year tick Firecrest. We didn't but there were several Chiffchaffs, which was nice to see; don't remember seeing one in the winter before. Also Goldcrests, LT Tits, 2 Bullfinch, a Siskin and a couple of Grey Wagtails.

Tame Valley is also a place where we plan to do a lot of patching this year. The new RSPB Middleton Lakes is set to open this summer and looks like it's going to be amazing and there's

lots of other places to visit in this area. A new blog by Tom Perrins: Tame Valley Birding reports sightings in the area.

Bridge over the River Rea

2009-01-31T12:15:00.000-08:00

Our humble home is located in Selly Park, somewhere within this here urban sprawl, just 3.4 miles from the centre of Brum.

Running through Selly Park we have the River Rea; a small river running from it's source in the Waseley Hills Country Park in Worcestershire, some 14 miles through Birmingham before merging with the River Tame past Spaghetti Junction. A public cycle path known as the Rea Valley Cycle Route follows the river on its journey through the city.

It's not so much the river itself I'm interested in, but some of the urban green oases which flank the river and the cycle route. So here it is our new local patch, (emphasis being on the word local) and BTO tetrad square.

The yellow marker indicates Holders Wood, off Moor Green Lane.

The pink marker indicates nearby Highbury Park.

The blue marker indicates where the River Rea is in relation. The Rea Valley cycle route takes you to Cannon Hill Park, if you head north.

The red marker indicates the cycle path on the other side of Dogpool Lane heading south through Stirchely along the River Rea route.

This is an experiment to record the birds that can be found on our doorstep, and an opportunity to enjoy commoner birds and observe their behaviour. We've been quietly exploring here for an hour or two here a week over the past month. I will probably blog monthly on our findings, apart from in the unlikely event of an exciting find.

So far we have spent most of our time in Holder's Wood, where the birdlife is healthy to say the least. Stock Doves live here unobtrusively. Three Great Spotted Woodpeckers (2 males and a female) are already fighting over territory and last Sunday the two males were both drumming. A Green Woody has been heard but not seen. Nuthatch are present (at least one pair) and Treecreeper was a patch tick last Sunday.

Siskins are often in the Alders and scrub on the outskirts of the wood and we've had a couple inside the wood, the highest number seen so far was 15. There's also at least 6 Bullfinch in the scrub near the wood. Common finch and tit species such as Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit and LT Tit are all abundant.

I was out for a walk on my own on the 9th Jan, not birding as such but happened to stop for a few minutes to look at the scrubby area off Moor Green Lane and was surprised to spot a male Kestrel perched close by in a tree, before hunting just metres from me. Sometimes, out birding, we're guilty of hardly giving them a second glance, but this was a special moment so close to home. Sadly, we haven't seen it since. I've seen Buzzards a few times over Selly Park last summer, so hopefully we'll see one over the patch at some point. Peregrine is also possible as several pairs are now present in Brum.

I also saw a Redwing that day and 7 in the wood on the 10th. Other thrushes present are Song Thrush and Blackbird. Haven't had Mistle Thrush there yet, but they always seem to be in the playing fields near our house.

On the river itself I have seen a Kingfisher in the past and Grey Wagtail was seen on 14th and 25th. Pied Wagtails are common on local pavements.

Other stuff we've seen around is Moorhen (on a small pond in the wood), a Jay, Dunnock, Robin, Wren, House Sparrows and Starlings. Carrion Crows and Magpies are abundant, Black Headed Gulls loaf on the playing fields and Lesser Black-Backed Gulls can be seen flying overhead.

To find out more about the history and nature of the River Rea see: http://www.riverreatrail.org.uk/

Whitemoor Haye and Croxall

2009-01-25T13:05:00.000-08:00

A visit to Stuart (AKA Alrewas Birder) yesterday morning at his local patches Whitemoor Haye and Croxall GP in Staffordshire.

The hedgerows at Whitemoor Haye were brimming with Tree Sparrows, Yellowhammers, Corn Buntings and Reed Buntings as well as finches. There were large flocks of Wood Pigeons passing over numbering 100's plus a couple of Kestrels, a Sparrowhawk and a few Buzzards knocking around.

There was unfortunately some shooting going on in the area which was frightening Stuart's dog Jess and probably accounted for the lack of Swans in the 'microlight' field. Of late there has been a flock of over 100 Swans present, including a small number of Bewick's and Whoopers, but just 7 immature Mute Swans were present yesterday.

At the quarry pool there were several Goldeneye, the males vying for female attention with their amusing courtship display. Also many Lapwing, Wigeon, and a few Redshank plus a Goosander through. Other birds noted around the area included Skylark and 3 Cormorant over.

Next, a brief look around nearby Croxall GP. Highlights 2 Bullfinch, a Treecreeper, a few Redshank and Snipe, Goldeneye, Wigeon, Teal, and a good number of Pochard including a very light coloured one (which Stuart said had been wintering the last few years). There were 5 Goosander and a few Shelduck on the pit at the back of the reserve.

Many thanks Stuart for the tour and a most enjoyable morning, we'll be back soon!

Rough Justice

2009-01-18T13:45:00.000-08:00

Shortly after last September's East Yorks break, Max received a letter from the Humberside Constabulary, informing him he'd been caught breaking a speed limit by a radar device. And no, it wasn't a twitching-related incident (honest guv!), I have to say Max is the safest driver I know and I was incredulous at this news.

As a legacy of this we found ourselves in East Yorks again this weekend, for Max to attend a so-called 'Speed Seminar' as punishment. We snagged a cheap stay at the salubrious location of the Hull Ibis Hotel and scheduled some birding around Max 'doing bird'.

A stroll around Bridlington Harbour yesterday morning, our target bird was Purple Sandpiper but we wasn't expecting c53 of them huddled on the ledges of the sea wall. I think they are really charismatic little things, one of my favourite waders.

Plenty more wader year ticks were on offer as the tide was in; Oystercatcher, Redshank, Turnstone, Dunlin and Sanderling. Seawatching only produced 2 flocks of c20 Common Scoter and a few Cormorant. There were Meadow Pipits about and a plastic Barnacle Goose.

We then headed to the Reed Hotel on the Lincs side of the Humber, where Max's correctional course was being held. Luckily for me, the hotel was located within Far Ings NR, owned by Lincs WT, so I wandered round there whilst he attended the seminar.

It was a bit quiet there and I didn't grip Max off too badly, only adding two more year ticks, namely Marsh Harrier (male) and two Tree Sparrows. Other stuff of note was Willow Tit, Goosander, Goldeneye and Sparrowhawk.

Today, a visit to Millington Pastures, our target bird, the wintering Rough Legged Buzzard. If we got it, this would be lifer 250 and the first of 2009 -no pressure then. This is a rural hilly location with cavernous valleys, good for a variety of raptors and a Hawfinch has also been seen here of late.

On the way we had four Corn Buntings at Pocklington. Despite some excellent gen from Darrell and the folks from the Yorks BF thread we dipped RLB. We got up to the tops of the hills with some stunning panaramic views and we trawled the valleys checking every Buzzard in sight, but no joy.

Birds noted 3 Red Kites, 2 Sparrowhawk, several Kestrels and Buzzards, Grey Partridge, RL Partridge, Yellowhammer, Linnet, tons of Rooks, a Hare and down on the pond, a Water Rail, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail, but not the Hawfinch. The day was disappointing because of the dip, but on the brightside, four more year ticks were added, a good long walk was had and it was a pleasure as always to see Kites in the air.

In with the New!

2009-01-04T11:58:00.000-08:00

So here we go with 2009 then...

New Year's Day

Bird one of 2009, spotted at curtains open - a Wood Pigeon, not one of my favourites by any stretch of the imagination, but hopefully we'd be year ticking birds of a higher calibre at Draycote Water.

Arriving about 11.30am (year list now on 13) we got on to the handsome drake Smew which wasn't far off Farnborough Bank, in with a party of Goldeneye. The Red Necked Grebe also showed well from here and I spotted a couple of Great Northern Divers, but they were a lot further out and visibility wasn't great.

The five mile walk round the reservoir was good exercise after xmas excess and a pleasing variety of birds were present. We finished the day on 53 ticks, with some nice birds notched up including a Raven at the top of Toft Shallows, c20 Goosander, a Common Sandpiper, 1 Shag, 3 Linnets and last but not least the fabulous Red Throated Diver, which took some finding but eventually gave great scope views from Farnborough Bank.

Smew

Little Grebe

Friday 2nd January - Cannock Chase

Not much free time to bird on Friday so we made do with a short visit to Cannock Chase. First stop Marquis Drive feeding station. I'm sure they've cut back on the feeding station since last year, but we had 3 Brambling and also added Bullfinch (x7), Nuthatch, Willow Tit and Dunnock to the year tally. We saw a running doe Fallow Deer on the way to our next stop.

Get 'orf my table!

Next, Coppice Hill feeding station; currently being frequented by an unusually bold Hawfinch. We arrived to find c25 birders and photographers assembled. We'd been there five minutes when the Hawfinch appeared at the top of a nearby tree, before making its way down to the ground to feed. Don't get me wrong, a great bird to get UTB so early in the year and the views no less than crippling, but I couldn't help having some mixed feelings about this event. There was also apparently a 'spot of bother' at this twitch on NYD, so be careful if you're going.

A few more year ticks also added here; Treecreeper, Yellowhammer and Jackdaw. Three Willow Tits were visiting the feeding station.

Saturday 3rd January - Chasewater

We met Richard at Chasewater and found it almost entirely frozen over apart from small areas of open water near the centre, bad news for the birds - we saw a poor Mute Swan struggling to stand up on the ice and apparently last time it was this cold foxes got onto the ice, predating birds who found themselves in trouble. We also saw a Smew, c70 Goldeneye and some Goosanders, always winter favourites but little else, nice to see Richard though. We scanned for Med Gulls without success as the Gull Roost came in for standing room only on the ice.

Sunday 4th January - Urban Birding

Five Waxwings were reported at Garretts Green in Birmingham yesterday, so today we decided to look for some ourselves. We foraged at various urban locations such as Stirchely, Bournville, Maypole, Shirley and Solihull which we felt may have the berry power to pull them in.

We had some good urban sightings, namely 2 Siskins at Stirchely Co-Op, a Stock Dove in the wood on Acacia Road, Bournville and 7 Redwings on a berry tree outside old people's flats on Highters Heath Lane, near Maypole. Ok nothing spectacular; maybe it's just me but they seem 10 times more special in the urban environment and being only a few miles from the heart of Brum.

Although we wanted to find Waxies ourselves we were having no joy, so decided to follow up the lead of the previous day's Garrett's Green/Tile Cross reports, although we weren't hopeful; the reports from yesterday had been vague with no news since.

We found the Mc Donalds (junction of Garretts Green Lane and Meadway East) after driving around and getting lost in some not so salubrious locations. We started to look through our bins with a couple of McDs munching chavs laughing loudly at us. A flock of 17 Waxwings soon came flying in and were feeding from a tree across the road, We edged closer in the car and were able to park near the tree where they fed and watch them frequently commuting between the nearby taller tree and the berry tree for feeding frenzies. At one stage they disappeared but we found them again, round the corner on Outmore Road, resting on trees and rooftop aerials, before returning to their feeding place.

I was able to get a few pics, but sadly the light was very poor

It was a great day which whetted the appetite for future further urban explorations. The day also yielded another five year ticks, I'm on 66 now.

Out with the old...

2009-01-03T10:56:00.001-08:00

This time last year I vowed a series of birding 'new years resolutions' - a list of aims and goals for 2008. Its only now, looking back, I realise I'd seriously underestimated just how much birding I'd be doing once this hobby took a serious hold of my life.

2008 was a tremendous, memorable birding year, which I'm thankful for as it was a not so good year on a personal level, having lost someone close in the April. It gave me something absorbing and positive to focus on, which is what you need at a time like that. It was a year where I feel I grew and learned a lot as a birder, taking time to look into things in more detail and gaining valuable experiences and insights along the way.

However, just when you think you're getting somewhere with your birding, up pops something to confuse you all over again, or you'll make a mistake, or forget some of the stuff you thought you had down to a tee. That's what makes it such an engaging and lifelong hobby, though; not always easy but (nearly) always a pleasure.

So, a little bit about my plans for 2009...

1) Listing - the only listing goal I have for 2009 is to get my WMBC region life tally up to or above 200. It currently stands at 184. For non-local readers; WMBC stands for West Midlands Bird Club, the local bird club covering the mighty quad-county region of Worcestershire, West Midlands, Warwickshire and Staffordshire. Although completely landlocked, there is an wide range of habitat in the region and many great places to visit. Getting out and exploring these places is the very ethos of what Brightside Birding is about.

2) Twitching - we're not the sort of birders who'll travel the length and breadth of the country each week to get ticks. However, anything unusual in the WMBC region is fair game, for reasons mentioned above. We do a lot of local birding, so why not allow ourselves the odd twitch for something rare further afield? Plus, I've never twitched a mega yet, so I'd like to see at least one this year if I get the chance.

3) Patching - Max and I have identified an area which is our new regular patch and we'll try and visit as often as possible, once or twice a fortnight at least. I'll cover this in more detail in a future posting. We'll also be visiting our other favourite haunts, particularly Cannock Chase, Wyre Forest, Chasewater and Stubbers Green frequently.

4) Urban Birding -I will also be doing a bit of urban birding out on foot in my local area here in Birmingham to find out what I can see in my 'hood.

5) Recording - It's only recently I have got myself organised into keeping my records in a notebook (rather than scraps of paper) and I aim to continue being methodical in 2009. I now try to record all I see (including commoner species) and enter my sightings into BTO Birdtrack http://www.bto.org/birdtrack/ - this has several advantages, in that your records are held electronically for you to refer back to, your records are compiled into BTO studies, such as the Breeding Atlas and they also forward your records to your county recorder. I would recommend any birder to get involved in this.

6) Holidays - The big one this year is the Scotland trip to Speyside and Mull in April, with all the special Scottish stuff in mind, particularly Capercaillie, Black Grouse, Ptarmigan, Crested Tit, Golden Eagle, White Tailed Eagle, Corncrake, summer plumage Grebes/Divers and maybe even Scottish Crossbill. We're also hoping to take a pelagic trip to the Bay of Biscay later in the year, for Skuas, Shearwaters and Petrels. We may pop up to East Yorks later this month and I'm sure there will be a few other weekends away and day trips to look forward to.

So that's about it. I hope 2009 is a happy, successful and bird-tastic year for anyone who is reading this.

Turkey and all the Trimmings

2008-12-30T11:25:00.000-08:00

Imagine our delight, when a couple of months ago my Mum and my brother Craig mentioned that being as they'd enjoyed the family xmas holiday in Norfolk last year so much, they wouldn't mind going again this xmas....'well if we must' we replied whilst rubbing hands in glee..

Birding, of course was interspersed with family stuff, so we grabbed a few hours here and there where we could and packed scope, bins and camera on all walks with the family Donaghy 'just in case'. Going into a day to day account of the trip might make for repetitive reading, as we were there a week, so instead I'll round up the highlights.

Glaucous Gull

A visit to Salthouse on our first morning in Norfolk (23rd). A Glaucous Gull had recently been reported loafing on the beach and it didn't take too much finding, just a walk of a few 100 metres up the shingle towards Cley. It was sleeping on the beach at first and I was a bit concerned for its health, but when it got up and swaggered around the shoreline I realised there was no need to worry - the mac daddy of gulls!

Shortly after it flew and headed further up the beach. Also of note here 2 Eider flying out at sea, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Little Egret and various waders including Turnstone, Redshank and a distant flock of Golden Plover.

Snow Buntings

Although we didn't see the Salty Snow Buntings we came across a flock of c40 later that day whilst walking on Brancaster Beach with the others. We also found 11 young Common Seals swimming in the channel, allowing close approach.

We also had c54 Snow Buntings on Holkham Beach on the afternoon of the 24th and a smaller group of 25 on the beach at Titchwell on xmas day (also 2 Jack Snipe that day).

Seawatching Highlights

We didn't do a lot of seawatching really, on most days the light was poor and a fog hung over the sea. We managed a couple of brief sessions though, the highlights being a Velvet Scoter and a Red Breasted Merganser through Titchwell on xmas eve and a Slavonion Grebe there on the 27th.

Although not seawatching, we had a Peregrine hunting the beach at Titchwell on xmas day before dropping down to rest on the sand, always a magnificant sight. It was a lifer for my Mum, although Craig missed it as he was at home tending the turkey.

Also throughout the trip a nice selection of the commoner stuff on and offshore such as Eider, Common Scoter, Goldeneye, GC Grebe, Sanderling, Knot, Black and Bar Tailed Godwit.

Geese

It goes without saying that one of the most evocative sights and sounds of any winter's day birding in Norfolk is a skien of Pink Footed Geese or Brent Geese flying overhead. Pinkies are my personal favourite, not to mention a late tick for my year list. They would pass over our accommodation in the morning and we saw what must have been thousands flying over the one day, on our way to Burnham Overy Staithe. Smaller numbers remained to feed in the fields there, affording excellent scope views. On xmas eve we saw flocks of Pinkies coming in to roost at Holkham.

Dark-Bellied Brent Geese also featured heavily although we failed to find the Black Brant that was reported at Titch.

Warham Greens

On Boxing day we tried the raptor roost at Warham Greens for the first time. It's a vast expanse of Saltmarsh located just east of Wells-next the-Sea, where raptors and owls often hunt and come in to roost late afternoon. I don't think it's as famous as the Stubb Mill roost at Hickling, but I'd recommend this to anyone and it goes down as one of the most memorable experiences of the trip.

Here we had 3 ringtail Hen Harriers, Marsh Harriers a hunting Short Eared Owl plus a Barn Owl seen distantly and briefly. One lady saw a Merlin briefly, but it disappeared before anyone else got on it. Also 5 Little Egret on the marsh and a small group of Grey Partridge in the field behind. Against the setting sun, a skien of Brent Geese flew in to roost. Wonderful, it was.

Wolferton Triangle

Max and I were at Wolferton, Sandringham, well before sunrise on the 28th. We haven't done this before, but thought we'd have a try for the mythical, mysterious Golden Pheasant. We staked out our spot whilst it was still dark. In the halflight we saw 5 Roe Deer and 2 Muntjac, we then had a slow drive around the triangle which flushed 3 Woodcock from the roadside.

Returning to our initial spot (which we decided was best after all) the light now picked up quickly. At 8.08am I noticed movement in the roadside foliage and a flash of red and yellow, I alerted Max of the spot and about 30 seconds later a male Golden Pheasant emerged at the roadside, proceeded to cross the road and then fed openly on the other side! (Lifer 249) We were more than happy with this and were about to leave, but then the car wouldn't start.

As we waited for the AA man and whilst the problem was being dealt with (a flat battery) the bird unbelievably showed again twice - at 8.45am and 9.05am respectively.

That about sums up the most memorable birding moments of the holiday, I think that's just about it from me for 2008. I'll just leave you with a few more pics...

Robin at Titch

Shoveler at Titch

Redwing at an orchard we passed containing c200 Fieldfare and c50 Redwing.

So all that remains to be said is Happy New Year and Happy Birding to all for 2009! See you next year...

Stubber's Gull Update

2008-12-29T09:09:00.000-08:00

Just before setting off for Norfolk last monday I received some excellent news from Graham Evans who runs the Chasewater Website, which also covers Stubber's Green. Over the weekend of 20th-21st December, the unusual gull (that Reg, Ray and I found on the 13th) was observed and photographed extensively by Graham and other birders, both at Stubber's and in the roost at Chasewater.

The new photos reveal greater detail and show that this gull is not a Herring Gull. It isn't a straightforward Caspian either though, some very experienced gull watchers have struggled with this one. It was intallially proposed that it was either a Caspian x Herring Hybrid or perhaps an abherrant Caspian Gull.

However, the bird is now being reported on Birdguides and Chasewater Website as a 2nd winter Caspian Gull and is being treated as such.

Photo appears courtesy of Graham Evans

http://www.chasewater.org.uk/-

For more discussion of this bird see.....

Chasewater sightings diary, see entries 20th, 21st and 27th of December for more photos and a description of the bird: http://www.chasewater.org.uk/diarymonths/2008/December%202008.htm

......and further discussion here on the comments page:
http://www.chasewater.org.uk/CWG_comments/comments.htm

The migrane inducing ID thread on BF:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=129419

The arcticle Alan Dean has written about this bird for his Gulls in the West Midlands Website is a nice summing up (and a bit more user-friendly):
http://www.deanar.btinternet.co.uk/wmgulls/misc/uncertain/2W201208.htm

I'm sure most of you have fallen asleep by now, sorry! I can't claim I understand all of the above but it's part of the learning curve and I'm pleased that all the scanning through flocks of gulls on freezing winters days has finally paid off with something interesting!

I'll be back very shortly with a post about our time in Norfolk over Christmas.

Seasonal Tidings

2008-12-21T12:44:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Here's a couple of seasonal videos you might like. I did want to post the clips on here, but it seems it's not possible, so I've just posted the You Tube links.

One of my favourite cheesey festive moments; Bing Crosby and David Bowie's Little Drummer Boy duet, complete with the cringe-worthy preceeding dialogue
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_zMhSjDqvRs

And on a more poignent note
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=I9gPHoo8loA
It's about a Cedar Waxwing, not a Boho Waxy, but the message is just the same.

No birding this weekend as we've been busy with festive preparations, but I'm off to Norfolk tomorrow for the xmas break. Will be back soon with an update of how we got on.

Have a good one.

More Gulls

2008-12-14T07:44:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning found us partaking in another gull watching session at the Larus capital of Walsall, Stubber's Green along with Reg and his Dad Ray.

It was quiet at first, with the usual array of Herring Gulls, LBBGs, BH Gulls and a few Common Gulls, although we noted an increase in the number of GBBGs. Also Cormorant, Teal, Tufted Duck, Lapwing and a Little Grebe.

Nothing out of the ordinary, until we spotted this interesting gull, just as we were about to leave. We were drawn to it by it's striking white head (with a bit of brown streaking at the back of the neck) and a black beady eye, In case you can't tell, its legs were pink.

Although we noted some Caspian-like features, other things were less clear cut, the bird lacked other Casp features like long legs and the head and body shape wasn't a perfect fit, looking more Herring like. We just weren't quite sure.

Reg did well to get digiscoped shots of the bird before it flew off...

http://regthebirder.blogspot.com/

Thankfully, Reg got these pics and we were able to ask for help on Bird Forum. Here is the debate for anyone who's interested. The thread seems to be leaning towards 3rd winter Herring Gull, although going by some of the pics online ours was extremely white headed for this time of year and it didn't look like any Herring I've seen before. Anyway, nobody said gulls were going to be easy; it's the diversity and the challenge of them that makes them such a fascinating group of birds.

We toyed with the idea of a walk round Chasewater, but we were all freezing by now. Reg and Ray headed home, but for Max and me it was time for something fluffy and cute. We made our way to suburban Codsall in Staffs, where we watched the seven Waxwings for about an hour and a half.

Digiscoped photo by Max...

This was only my second encounter with Waxwings, the first being the solitary (and rather inactive) bird in Allestree, Derby this January. This time we saw the birds in flight a number of times as they commuted between the top of this conifer tree and the berry trees in the front garden of the house. We were also able to learn their trilling call; something we will hopefully hear a lot more of this winter. Love them!