Bentley Wood

Sunday 11th January 2009

A family day, but I did manage a walk through Bentley Woods just west of Atherstone. The wood covers a large area but has very limited public access. There are a few public footpaths through the mixed woodland with belts of Larch, Spruce and a variety of mature deciduous species with areas of Scots pine and new growth. Very few birds were in evidence today,the odd Jay and a few Nuthatches were calling but little else, the strong wind blowing through the tops of the trees didnt help. Visits through the previous year had produced a few good birds including Crossbill, Woodcock, Spotted Flycatcher and Tawny Owl.

Birthday birds

Saturday 10th January 2009

So its your birthday, where do you go to make it special? I know just the place, the sewage outfall at Hams Hall, at least its got running water and handy for the river. It also is a good place for birds in a freeze up. Up to 10 Bullfinches, 3 Chiffchaff, 5 Grey wagtail, a good number of Goldcrest and Long tailed tits, 2 Green Sandpiper and a Common Snipe were seen as well as Dave Hutton and Richard Dawkins. Moving on to Ladywalk I met big lister and old time friend Alan Emery from Ashby we had a good chat but didnt see much except Steve Cawthray and a Water Rail - both of which were year ticks.

Coombe Abbey

Friday 9th January 2009

Thursday had been birdless but I did have the opportunity to indulge other pleasures namely drinking a pre birthday Goats' Milk or two with friends at the award winning Church End Brewery Tap and eating Pork pie. At this point I have to say that despite what my good friends in Leicestershire would have you believe there are outstanding Pork pies to be had outside the boundaries of Melton Mowbray. Enough said : today has been a strange day, started off in grey mist as I tried in vain to find any kind of birdlife in the Coombe Fields area where there used to be flocks of Golden plover, assorted finch flocks a tree sparrow if you were lucky but today absolutely nothing. Decided to move on to Coombe Abbey, the feeding station attracted the usual species including Nuthatch and Marsh tit. As I left the hide a Raven flew over calling which was an unexpected bonus. The weather had brightened considerably by mid-day and by the time I got to Draycote Water it was a beautiful day. However, by the time Id walked to the Valve tower and back a heavy fog had desended, luckily Id seen all the overwintering species. The highlight of the walk though had been the sight of a Coot wrestling with a Perch. The Coot didnt want to swallow the fish so decided to shake it to pieces and eat the bits.

A local walk

Wednesday 7th January 2009

I often take a walk along the Coventry Canal between Atherstone and Polesworth. Its not hugely rich in birdlife but theres usually something of interest along the way. Today started well when a Woodcock flew over and dropped into a Birch Coppice behind the Aldi distribution depot. I had to wait considerably longer for my next 'good' bird -Grey Partridge, not always the easiest bird to find and the 3 birds did their best to imitate clods of earth. Other birds seen Yellowhammer c25, Skylark c30, Woodpigeon c1000, Common Snipe, Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard.

Draycote Water revisited

Tuesday 6th January 2009

Popped in to Brandon Marsh, very well organised place, impressed with the Robins obviously trained to show you around. Then on to Draycote Water to see what it was like without people. I've nothing against people you understand - some of my best friends are people but Draycote can get distinctly overcrowded. However today was perfect good birds and some nice people. The birds include Red throated Diver, Great northern Diver (3), Smew, Shag(2), Red necked Grebe and Yellow legged Gull. The nice people were Dave Hutton, Keith Warmington, Mrs Keith Warmington, John Liggins and Ron Thomas

PS Did you know you cant buy petrol from Morrisons if your car door is open? I dont know if its to do with 'elf and safety or to stop you doing a runner and as if that wasnt enough they expect u to make decisions about whether to pay at the pump or at the kiosk. Keep it simple I say.

Hawfinch in the Snow

Monday 5th January 2009

It was a glorious day, the sun shone and the snow lay crisp and even. It was so good I decided to venture into the frozen wastes of Staffordshire. Cannock chase to be exact. A Hawfinch had been seen at the feeding station near Freda's grave, however, after the hazardous ascent of the north face of Brocton Hill I was greeted by the ever present and often confiding Bernard Smith. Even before I'd exchanged New Year's greeting I was insulted. One day I'll get my insult in first. Anyway the Hawfinch proved far less obvious and certainly less entertaining than Bernard.

It did show well eventually on the ground and I was able to take a few snaps.

Back to Basics

Saturday 3rd January

I was in a good mood to start with, having just bought a Niger feeder for a song on Nuneaton market. The bloke knocked a pound off for no reason, he must have been in a good mood too or was just going with the flow. It was catching, the nice lady from WHSmiths knocked a pound off my 2009 bird watching note book. So in positive mood I set off for the Tame valley. Coton was rather misty and most of the ducks were distant so I didnt give it long. A walk through the water Park and along the canal to Fishers Mill and beyond was called for. It wasnt long before the walk produced a number of interesting species: Hen Harrier, Green Woodpecker, Common Snipe, Little Egret, Short eared Owl, Barn Owl and Grey Wagtail, who said Warwickshire birding was boring?