Little Egret - a new garden bird

Bullfinch, Ladywalk N.R.

Redwing, Sutton Coldfield

Lesser Redpoll, Ladywalk

Long tailed Tit, Ladywalk N.R.

Thursday 3rd March 2011

Working on the theory that lying in bed of a morning is good for your garden list, I generally take my time getting up, and its working. Today a Little Egret flew by. Grey Herons are quite a regular sight early in the morning but this was my first Little Egret. Although I live on an estate, we're in a corner with open countryside on two sides. I think birds quite often 'cut the corner' and fly over the garden.

Not much time for Birding yesterday.

Local stuff

Lesser Redpoll, Whitacre Heath N.R.

Monday 28th February 2011

So that was February, relatively mild but rather damp. Not a great birding month, OK two interesting twitches but not much to shout about otherwise. Draycote can usually come up with one of the rarer Grebes or a Diver of some description but the reservoirs of the Midlands have had a lean spell even duck numbers have been low with few records of the scarcer species, presumably wintering much further south as a result of the freeze up in December.

Anyway, another short walk in the rain today, starting at Weddington, Nuneaton across to Caldecote and back. I reckoned on about 30 Yellowhammer in the field beyond the old railway, 20 Skylark, 10 Reed Buntings, a pair of Grey Partridge and a single Meadow pipit. The flood meadows at Caldecote were very quiet except for the usual Corvids, a couple of pairs of Stock Dove and 27 Fieldfare. Back at the Church in Weddington a flock of at least 50 Goldfinches congregated (sorry) in the Churchyard Birches.

Tuesday 1st March 2011

Another dull day, not very Spring like at all but several species were in song including Cettis warbler. Ventured into the Tame valley, but only managed the Southern end and not much of that. Evidence of Copper theft at Coton similar to evidence left in fields near the railway at Hartshill.

At Cliff pool, Kingsbury there were 3 Shelduck, 100 + Shoveler, a pair of Goldeneye and 2 Little Egrets.

They're still around

Sunday 27th February 2011

No, not Waxwings, Chinese Lanterns. On a couple of local walks around Caldecote and Burton Hastings there seemed to be more than ever adorning the hedges and trees. I saw them for sale in Atherstone recently while I was doing a restock from Gales' pie shop ( I really do recommend their Pasties and Apple pies). The advertising claimed the Lanterns were 100% degradable. Fine, so why are they still decorating the countryside? Nuclear waste is degradable if you wait long enough, its the damage it does in the meantime thats the problem! I'm sorry if this blog sounds like the grumblings of a 60 something but we all have our off days. Yesterday was one of them: the weather, getting mown down by a mountain biker etc. and not too many birds. The high spot of the day, apart from England beating France at Twickenham and the Villa having a confidence boosting win, was an encounter with a Stoat. I was checking out game bird feeders for Buntings etc. When a Stoat appeared, the encounter went on for sometime as the inquisitive creature got closer and closer, frequently running back to cover but coming back to within a few feet and standing upright on its back legs. If only I'd had a camera. How many times have you heard that?
Birdwise generally quiet in the hedgerows but it was good to see so many Skylarks getting up and singing. I also had 5 Golden Plover fly over and small flocks of Redwing and Linnet feeding on the ground. So perhaps it wasn't such a bad day after all.

Guardians of the Environment

Clear enough?

The notice most dog owners choose not to notice.

What part of 'keep you dog on a lead' don't you understand?

Thursday 24th February 2011

Guardians of the environment is how Severn Trent Water would like to be percieved and certainly they do have a huge responsibility, not only in terms of public needs for a reliable water supply, sewage and even leisure, but also to wildlife. It is difficult to estimate the importance of Severn Trent reservoirs and land in the Midlands to Birdlife in particular. Annual records show the diversity of species that benefit from Severn Trent sites for breeding, wintering grounds and vital resting and feeding grounds during migration. Severn Trent is aware of this but is also aware of pressure from the public for recreation and leisure activites. The increased demand for such activities causes friction between various user groups and the needs for genuine conservation. Nowhere illustrates these problems more than Draycote Water near Rugby where visitor numbers have escalated over the past few years to unmanagable levels.

However, my main concern is what is happening more locally at Shustoke reservoir near Coleshill. An insignificant pond compared to reservoirs like Draycote but a vital link in survival strategy of birds overflying the North Warwickshire/South Birmingham area. I visited Shustoke today. The signage is clear enough requesting the cooperation of those privileged to use the site. As far as I am aware there is no public footpath around the perimeter. However, during the period from 11.00 am till noon no less than 8 dogs were allowed to roam wherever they liked and only 1 was taken round on a lead as requested by the signs. Seems to me people pretty well do as they please these days and show precious little regard or respect for anyone else. In this case it is the majority who are spoiling it for the minority and only a total ban would solve the problem, but then that deprives local, responsible dog owners, walkers and birdwatchers alike. A limited permit scheme might be the answer but there would be costs involved there. Perhaps its a job for the big society.

.....and the birds; a couple of Raven flew over making a half hearted attempt at display, a few Goosander floated about and two Oystercatcher landed on the only undisturbed area of shoreline near the Sailing club.

Rufous turtle Dove and other Garden birds

Rufous turtle Dove, The Leys, Chipping Norton, Oxon.

Rufous turtle Dove

Rufous turtle Dove

Rufous turtle Dove

Rufous turtle Dove

Brambling, The Leys, Chipping Norton

Sparrowhawk, Shipston on Stour, Warks

Sparrowhawk

Yellowhammer

Rufous Turtle Dove, Chipping Norton, Oxon.

Tuesday 22nd February 2011

After all the reported nonsense at the weekend it was good to see the return of good manners and dignity to birding today. Ok I know most birders have to work for a living and time is precious at the weekend and viewing was often tricky but everyone suffers when the mob instinct takes over. I was lucky today, very lucky, as the bird showed well for a considerable time in the garden and the atmosphere was excellent as everyone made sure everyone else got a good view. A guy even lent me his bins as mine were so steamed up. As well as the Rufous turtle Dove there were other more familiar species such as Siskin, Bullfinch, Brambling and Blackcap, some garden!

On the way back I popped in to see an old friend at Shipston on Stour. Garden birding was far from finished as a flock of 20 or so Yellowhammer came down to feed on his lawn.Some garden!

A Gull too far

Sunday 20th February 2011

Report of a probable American Herring Gull at Hoylake was met with an almost contemptuous indiffrerence. Having gone for a couple previously at Chew valley and Dorset I wanted a bit more than probable. Initially my attitude didnt change when John Terry asked me if I wanted to go up, but with additional info from the Bird forum I decided it was worth a try, even if it was a long shot.
We got there in just 2 hours to find the highest tide of the year according to the locals.There was no beach at High tide but the gulls were best viewed on the ebbing tide so we had plenty of time. As the tide began to ebb and more sand was exposed the gulls came in together with small flocks of various waders. Thousands of Gulls began to cover the shore line and the search began. There were very few birders about which could have told us something but a slim chance is better than no chance. Which is what you get sitting at home playing on your computer. Anyway there was no sign of the probable AHG. We did have a pleasant if cold couple of hours though looking at 2 adult Med gulls, Peregrine and flocks of Knot, Dunlin, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Shelduck and Bar tailed Godwit.
After connecting with the Slaty backed the AHG was a gull too far.

Slaty-backed Gull Twitch

Thursday 17th February 2011

Well its been quite a week with two potential ticks in the bag. Unlike Monday's little escapade yesterday's trip to Rainham Marshes to see the Slaty backed Gull which has reappeared there, this was very much a regulation twitch. Tony Shepherd phoned up on Wednesday to discuss the options of going down. He'd considered going on Wednesday afternoon but sensibly decided to wait until Thursday. Looking at the road works on the M25 he would never have made it. So, we set off at a reasonable time arriving at Rainham Marshes RSPB at midday. We decided to have a coffee before the long trudge to the tip. I was just paying for the coffee when Tony tells me the Gull is showing now on Wennington Marsh. Great! So there we are making haste down the track trying to drink coffee as we go. Fortunately there was a bit of discussion amongst fellow birders as to the route to take which gives me a chance to enjoy the rest of the coffee. Theres even a passing lady who is happy to take the empty cup back to the cafe for me. You see the art of twitching is in the detailed planning. Anyway Tony calls on his vast experience to take charge and get the route sorted out. There were already 50 or so birders viewing when we got to Serin mound. The gulls were quite distant but it wasn't too long before the Slaty-backed was nailed. Easy. A steady stream of birders continued to arrive and were put on to the bird by us experienced Slaty backed gull watchers who had been there for at least 10 minutes. Hum.