Middleton Lakes

Friday 10th February 2011
The pools at the southern end of the reserve were all frozen but there were areas of ice free water at the northern end and on Dosthill N.R. My first circuit of the wetland trail produced very little There were a pair of Stonechat on posts along the main track, Great spot Woodpecker drumming and a Green Woodpecker calling. In the sheep field were about 20 Yellowhammers. From the feeding station a Raven could be seen and heard but that was about it. After a sausage and egg sandwich at the cafe it was back to work. The Raven was now being mobbed by a couple of Rooks as it attempted to overfly the Rookery. I teamed up with Geoff Williams briefly and we picked up the Pintail flying in and then out of the North pit. A couple of Little Egrets were seen and a Cetti's warbler heard, all at the North end. Roll on the Spring.

The Fieldfare

Fieldfare, the garden
Fieldfare

Fieldfare

Fieldfare

Fieldfare

Fieldfare

Fieldfare

Fieldfare

Part of the flock of Fieldfare

Tuesday 7th February 2012

Well if I couldn't go to the birds the birds would have to come to me. A nice flock of 40 or so Fieldfare did drop in to feed on a bag of apples I'd been saving in the garage. Strangely the local Blackbirds weren't too impressed with the offering. Just as well cos as soon as the passing flock of Fieldfare found them they didnt last very long. Not much else in the garden though, the odd Redwing, single Greenfinch , Long tailed tit and Song Thrush have been among the more unusual visitors with the Goldfinch roost building up to 20 birds now.

Short eared Owl, Dosthill lakes
Short eared Owl

Short eared Owl

Short eared Owl

Short eared Owl

Short eared Owl

Willow tit, Whitacre Heath

Lesser Redpoll

Saturday 4th February 2012

Not done a lot this week due largely to back problems but did get out to a couple of spots in the Tame valley yesterday. Started round Lee Marston and the Whitacre Heath Reserve. At the feeding station were 4 Lesser Redpolls and a Willow tit. I say 4 Redpolls, there were 4 to begin with but a Sparrowhawk went through picking off a Redpoll from the feeder. Just like picking an apple off the tree. Also had a walk round Dosthill where there was a Redshank flying over, 3 Meadow pipits a Kingfisher and certainly 2, possibly 3 Short eared Owls.

Stubber's Green revisited

Tree Sparrow, Whitemoor Haye, Staffs.
Caspian Gull, Stubber's Green, West Mids.

Saturday 28th January 2012

Back to Stubber's Green to check out the gulls. Quite a popular spot for Gull watching but unfortunately I just missed the near adult Iceland Gull. However, the Adult Caspian gull did put in an appearance and thankfully there were no ifs, buts or maybes about the ID. On the way back a short detour took me to Whitemoor Haye. I was joined by Mr TP who located the Little Owls and a decent flock of Tree Sparrows but there was no sign of any Corn Bunting.

Les's last Ding

Les's last Ding at the Church End Brewery Tap (photo courtesy of Mark Maddox)

Thursday 26th January 2012

Forgot that Thursday was work party day at Brandon Marsh. Lots of work going on so not much bird activity except Kingfisher and woodland species. The volunteers were certainly getting on with it so well done to them. The evening saw the last shift of Les Hall, well liked and respected barman at the Church End Brewery tap. Les has worked at the tap from its beginings in 2002 and has pulled alot of pints in that time. The Thursday club made a small presentation and our best wishes go with him. No doubt he will continue to frequent a variety of Real Ale pubs in the area.

Birding has been typically quiet locally: a few Shelduck and Common Snipe at Alvecote, Grey Wagtail on the river at Mancetter and the usual woodland species at Bentley Wood.

The Warwickshire 13

Beer No. 13
Wednesday 25th January 2012

Thats it, job done. The Warwickshire 13 are in the bag. After a phone call and and dash across to Tamworth to complete my mission. Appropriate as my destination was the Flare-path (RAF) club. The urgency was that they didnt have much 'Merry miner' left, but in the event the barman put one by for me. The 5% porter isnt really to my taste but I enjoyed the club atmosphere with a skittles match going on. It will be the Warwickshire 14 next month when the Nelson Inn Brewery, Ansley starts production but I understand their first 'brew' wont be ready till the middle of February. So thats it, a bit of fun to start the year.

One to go

Iceland Gull, Stubbers Green, West Mids,
Iceland Gull
Beer No 12, Byatt's

Tuesday 25th January 2012
Well I've strayed on to a slippery slope now. Drinking in Wetherspoon's at 10.30 am. I'd been ringing round a few breweries, as you do, to try and locate outlets for my last 2 Warwickshire independant breweries. The Byatt's brewery told me that the Felix Holt in Nuneaton town centre had it on. I rang the pub to confirm the report and was off. Bit like twitching really, once you know its there you've just got to go, you know it could go at any time and you dont how long you've got to wait before you get another chance. In the end it was a pleasant experience and at £2.15 a pint not an expensive one. Ironically the last brewery I need is the closest to home. Again it has very restricted outlets and seems to supply mainly private clubs, perhaps I'll have to start wearing a tie if I can find one.
After lunch the persistent rain eased off, so I decided to have another look at Stubbers Mill. There were far more large gulls about, including a near adult Iceland gull.