Turnstones at Shustoke reservoir

Tuesday 29th April 2014
In between picking up prescriptions, sending off samples and other geriatric time fillers I visited Shustoke Reservoir this morning. Max was there and put me on to the adult Black Tern sitting on the floats some way off shore. It was while we were chewing the fat that we noticed 2 waders flying along the west shore and then round to the far shore line. It was still quite gloomy and we lost sight of the birds as they flew low down to the far end. Uncertain as to whether they had landed I went for a bit of a look round but could not relocate them.

Turnstone, Shustoke Res.

Turnstone

Turnstone

Black Tern

Black Tern

Survivors

Saturday 26th April 2014
After the depressing images coming out of Malta, duplicated through much of Mediterranean Europe and the Middle East but perhaps not on the industrial scale of Malta, its great to see some survivors locally. Today my birding time was limited but I still managed to get out to see a Black tern at Shustoke and a Whinchat at Corley.

Black Tern, Shustoke

Whinchat, Corley

Another good days Birding in North Warwickshire

Thursday 24th April 2014
Another interesting days birding centred around two County semi rarities. Having drawn a blank looking for a Bar tailed Godwit reported around Lea Marston yesterday. Acting on some more detailed info the bird was still on site this morning at Marston, near Kingsbury.

Bar tailed Godwit, Marston

The search for more migrants took me first to Piccadilly near Kingsbury and then to Wishaw but apart from Yellow Wagtails there wasn't much to see. I had just tucked in to my lunch at Wishaw when a call from Steve H. made me abandon the food and head back to Shustoke Res where he had found a Little Tern. Excellent.

Little Tern, Shustoke Res.

Little Tern

Little Tern with Common Tern

Little Tern with Common Tern

A good day's Birding in North Warwicks.

23rd April 2014
Started the day at Middleton Lakes and was delighted to be met by a Glossy Ibis flying over Fishers Mill towards Middleton Hall. I didnt have to go too far before the next Magic moment. As I walked round Fishers Mill pool I could hear Sedge warbler. Keen to see a new bird for the year I waited for it to come up and show. I focussed on a small area of dead Reed stems. The Sedge continued to sing but remained in cover. Eventually a bird did appear but had no supercilium and a rounded tail. I couldn't believe it, a Grasshopper warbler feeding just a few feet away. I did see a Sedge warbler a little later but getting such a good look at a Gropper was the main event. Not much else around the Wetland trail but I did get another view of the Glossy Ibis as it flew south from Fishers Mill towards Kingsbury Water Park. Other good birds during the rest of the day included a Cuckoo, Lesser spotted Woodpecker and Arctic tern.

Its that time of the year

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
Had a quick look around the farm where the Black Redstart was found yesterday but no sign today. Another phone call from Dave H. soon had me on the move again though. This time it was a Garganey at Shustoke where there was also a Common Sandpiper and a couple of Arctic terns. It was the sort of day, damp and misty with low cloud and the threat of rain that you could believe anything could drop in. Several of North Warks. hardcore birders were on site and there was a good deal of light hearted banter and speculation about what might 'drop in'. Needless to say it didnt, but maybe tomorrow Eh.

Garganey, Shustoke Reservoir

Garganey

One of those Days

21st April 2014
The Plan : the plan was to have a quick look around the Mancetter Hills, principally to look for Ring Ouzel and then ease up to Middleton Lakes to look for Grasshopper warbler and then maybe pop in to Shustoke Res. That was the plan but things didnt quite work out that way. I started at Steppy Lane but there wasnt much about except Linnets, Sand Martins and the odd Skylark. I walked back to the car but instead of going on to the Tame valley decided to check out some Sheep enclosures and Horse paddocks where a Wheatear had been found a couple of days before. Nothing in the paddocks except a single Yellowhammer but on a gate next to some disused farm machinery was a rather dark looking Redstart. My immediate reaction was Black Redstart but then caution took over as there hadnt been too many records and certainly not in Warwickshire. I continued to watch becoming more and more convinced it was indeed a Black Redstart. I phoned Steve H. and went back for my camera. On returning the bird showed again and I got a record shot.

Black Redstart, Mancetter N.Warks

Black Redstart

After putting out news I was joined by a few other local enthusiasts and although the bird disappeared for a while it eventually reappeared to give everyone reasonable views.

It was now probably too late to look for Grasshopper warbler so it was lunch at home, during which Dave H. phoned with news of a possible Red rump Swallow at Draycote Water. I wasnt dashing over for a possible but when it changed into a Fulmar I made a move. Normally I would avoid Draycote like the plague on a Bank holiday but a Fulmar is a great bird for Warks. so it was worth a try. Now can you 'see' a bird you didnt identify for certain at the time? I saw the Fulmar shortly after arriving. It was circling quite high up but the dark grey wings with white marks were clear however, the shape and pointed wings didnt seem right so I dismissed it. It was only when I saw Tim Marlow's photo that I was sure the bird I'd seen was the Fulmar. Other birds on site were less problematic: 7 Little Gulls, 2 Common Scoters and a flyover Whimbrel.

I needed a cup of tea and some peace and quiet after all the excitement. Morrisons on the way back was just the ticket. I was the only person in the Cafe. Back at home I remembered that I'd picked up a message somewhere along the line that the Red crested Pochard were still on Mill pool Alvecote.If I was going to do a County year list I needed to go.

Red crested Pochard, Alvecote

Happy Hour at Shustoke Res.

Sunday 20th April 2014
Got a call from Dennis W. first thing saying a few Arctic terns had dropped in at Shustoke Res. With overcast skies and rain in the air I decided it was worth a go even though I didnt have alot of time. No sign when I got there though, I checked out Coton on the off chance but nothing doing there either. I'd just returned home when a call from Dave H. said 2 Arctic terns had just dropped in to Shustoke. Cash in or cash out.  Do you - Dont you? Guests were not arriving till later than I'd thought so off I set again. Having parked up it was clear what Terns there were, were down at the far end. Great, a brisk walk was called for. I could see 3 birders on the far bank so I headed off round the west bank. I was half way round the bank when something almost surreal happened. I was suddenly surrounded by Arctic terns flying low only just above head height against the strengthening wind. I reckoned a flock of about 20 birds. It reminded me of a scene from the film 'Tora, Tora, Tora', about the Japanese attack on Pearl Habour. A young lad was having a flying lesson when his little plane is surrounded by Japanese Zero fighters coming in to attack.
Anyway, I continued around the reservoir to where the flock was concentrated. Dave H. Martyn and Kay were already there, watching the flock of 26 Arctic Terns and a single adult Little Gull. It s always a great sight every spring to see these long distance migrants in such pristine plummage. On the way back to the car park I saw my first Swift of the year. So it had been a quite productive visit.