Leach's Petrel in Warwickshire

Leach's Petrel, Coton pools, Warwickshire

Leach's petrel amongst the Gulls

Leach's petrel

Leach's petrel

Leach's Petrel, Coton pools, Warwickshire

Wednesday 15th Sept. 2010

What a day! Started off with a regulation visit to Shustoke Res. The Little Gull was still there performing in the centre of the pool with several hundred House Martins and 2 Common Swift. Chatted to Brian Kington for a while before moving on to the Cedars for a coffee and then to Coton pools car park to eat lunch. It was just after I'd gone in the hide at Coton that things started to get interesting. Apart from another hundred or so House Martins and a Hobby nothing particularly unusual. Heard a short burst of Cetti's warbler and then picked up some movement on the back pool. It was distant but I was sure I was looking at a Leach's Petrel (167) being chased by 3 Black headed Gulls. I phoned out the news to the paging service and a few friends but lost sight of the bird as I was doing so. Just then who should walk into the hide but Steve Haynes complete with 'scope completely unaware of the sighting. Steve wasted no time in scanning the pool and after some time relocated the petrel sitting on the water very close to the far bank. As other birders started to arrive the bird moved out of sight from the hide. We moved to the track around the lake but with the shore line having a dense line of Willows and other foliage the bird became extremely difficult to see unless it flew to the centre of the lake, which it did from time to time. SH and I were joined by Graham Mant and Steve Cawthray There were a few places where it was possible to see through the willows and at one such gap we found the petrel, a few feet off shore. We had amazing views before the Leach's petrel drifted past us and was again hidden from view. It remained for perhaps another hour but was never very easy to see.