Desert Wheatear in the Midlands

Desert Wheatear, female, Clee Hill, Shropshire
Desert Wheatear
Saturday 26th November 2011

I travelled to Clee Hill near Ludlow in the depths of Shropshire with Steve Haynes to see a female Desert Wheatear. Steve was familiar with this probably underwatched area. It was certainly new to me though. The Wheatear had been in an area of derelict buildings just below the car park near the summit of the hill. The bird was in view as we parked up, appearing briefly on the top of a grassy bank before disappearing over the other side. There were also a good many familiar faces from the West Mids birding fraternity many with cameras. There was alot of movement as birders attempted to get better views which in turn made the bird mobile although thankfully it stayed in the same general area. Eventually the bird settled in a mossy hollow and gave everyone excellent views. The bird found some relief from the strong westerly wind in the hollow while the birders made their own arrangements to avoid the cold blast on the more exposed slopes as the wind continued to strengthen. On the way back we checked out a site for Dipper but only managed a Kingfisher. Despite the heavy cloud cover the views across the miles of unspoilt countryside were outstanding. An area I would certainly like to visit again.

First Bittern of the Winter

Bittern, Brandon Marsh N.R., Warks.
Bittern
Bittern

Bittern

24th November 2011

Visited various sites in the Tame valley today but didnt see much. Drew a blank at Shustoke. When I say blank I mean I didnt see anything that I wont see every time I go over during the next 4 months. Had Common Snipe and Cettis warbler at Coton but again nothing at Kingsbury Water Park, Dosthill or Fishers Mill. Four Dunlin were seen in flight with the Lapwing flock and 4 Goosander flew down the river at Middleton Lakes RSPB. A Sparrowhawk nearly took my head off as it flashed across the canal but that was about it.

25th November 2011

Brandon Marsh was the venue for a few hours birding today. The East Marsh hide proved to be the most productive as it provided my first Bittern of the winter, although they've been around for a while. The bird was seen to fly in and showed well, if distantly for 10 minutes or so.

Humming bird? I dont think so.

Stonechat, Middleton Lakes, RSPB. Staffs
Stonechat

Stonechat

Tuesday 22nd November 2011

More like 'the old days' today at Middleton Lakes RSPB with the hardcore regulars outnumbering the visitors. The birdlife too was pretty regulation. Numbers of winter thrushes had increased to several hundred and numbers of Wigeon and Golden plovers had increased since my previous visit. There were still a few Dunlin about according to Geoff Williams, and a single Common Snipe was feeding with Lapwing on the 'New Reedbed' pool. At least 4 Little Egrets were seen dotted about but no sign of any SE Owls. A 1st winter Stonechat popped up near the track at the North end of the reserve and did a very good impression of a humming bird but that was as exciting as it got.

Great grey Shrike on Cannock Chase

Great grey Shrike, Cannock Chase, Staffs.
Great grey Shrike

Great grey Shrike

Great grey Shrike

Monday 21st November 2011

A few images of the wintering Great grey Shrike around the shooting butts area of Cannock Chase. Again chose the perfect day for photography, heavy mist and drizzle but managed to get a few images when I eventually found the bird nearly a mile away from its favoured Holly bush.

White fronted Geese and Flying Weasels

White fronted Geese, Adult and Juvenile, Draycote Water
Weasel
Weasel

Weasel

Flying Weasel

White fronted Geese

White fronted Geese

White fronted Geese

19th November 2011

It was destined to be another gloomy day at Draycote Water. As I drove past Coventry it became quite foggy and prospects of seeing anything at Draycote didnt look good. However, when I got there it was possible to make out the 10 White fronted geese although they were distant. Fortunately on a later visit to Toft they were seen in flight and then much closer in the field next to the service road. A Weasel provided some entertainment as it ran over the rocks near the visitors centre until confronted by workmen. It then retraced its steps, again at high speed. Meanwhile, other birds seen included female Common Scoter, 3 Dunlin, Adult Yellow legged Gull, and Grey Wagtail. Minor irritation was caused by a small dog called Mollie with a liking for Denim. I fantasised about a large eagle species swooping down and carrying the dear little thing off. I also had to content with gangs of cyclists in yellow passing, silently at Mach speed, but apart from that it was a pleasant enough walk round.

Other 'Eastern' birds

Eastern Yellow wagtail, Sumburgh Farm, Shetland
Eastern Yellow wagtail
Eastern Yellow wagtail

Eastern Yellow wagtail

Eastern Yellow wagtail

Thursday 17th November 2011

There seems to be a debate developing on the status of eastern forms of a number of species familiar in the U.K. fuelled by the late influx of 'eastern' birds recently. I can offer no insight into the status of such species or sub-species, I'll leave that to the 'experts' but I can offer some images of what was suggested was an eastern Yellow wagtail taken on the Shetland Isles this autumn.

Comparison of sub-species of Black Redstart

Black Redstart, Margate, Kent
Black Redstart

Black Redstart, Eastern Turkey, June 2009

Black Redstart, Morocco, 02.10

Black Redstart, Coleshill, Warks.,02.09

Black Redstart, Coleshill, Warks.

Monday14th November 2011
Travelled down to Kent today with Tony Shepherd to see perhaps one of the rarest birds to visit our shores this year- an interesting Eastern sub species of Black Redstart. We set off at mid day on a dismal day which got gloomier as we crossed the Thames. With speed restrictions on the M25 and the fog getting thicker we began to wonder if we would make it in time. We did, and were rewarded with excellent views as the bird fed on the sand and mud at the end of a concrete ramp with Turnstone and Rock pipit.

Have included a number of other images of Black Redstart encountered on my travels for comparison.