Possible Atlas Flycatcher, South landing, Flamborough,East Yorks.
Possible Atlas Flycatcher
Possible Atlas Flycatcher
Possible Atlas Flycatcher
Possible Atlas Flycatcher
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Migrants on the Move
Northern Wheatear,Draycote Water, Warks.
White Wagtail
White Wagtail
Peregrine,Brandon Marsh N.R.
Monday 30th April 2012After Sunday's deluge I anticipated a movement of birds through Draycote today. Wrong, there had been single Black and Arctic terns through earlier and a large number of Swifts but there were very few birds of any description out on the water while I was there. Some consolation in the form of a dozen or so Northern Wheatears and several White wagtails on the dams but little else except a couple of LRPs.
Moving on to Brandon Marsh, where access to much of the reserve was limited due to flooding, there was a good deal more activity. A good many migrant warblers: Common Whitethroat, Sedge and Reed warblers had arrived and were busy claiming territory in the reedbeds and scrubby edges of the pools. Other species seen included Cuckoo, Common Tern and Peregrine.
Sunday, 29 April 2012
Green winged Teal at Blithfield Reservoir
Saturday 28th April 2012
Common Crane, Radford Meadows, Stafford
Common Crane
Common Crane
Common Crane
As I had to go to Staffordshire anyway I thought I'd drop in to Blithfield Reservoir which can produce some good birds at this time of the year. There was a gusty wind but thankfully no rain as I walked round Blithe and Tad bays. 4 Arctic terns and a couple of Common tern were seen off Beech tree point but not much else. After lunch back at the car I decided to have another look at Tad Bay. This time the Green winged Teal showed well at the northern end of the bay. As a bonus an Osprey circled overhead before dropping to take a fish.The bird sat in water for a couple of seconds before lifting itself and its prey into the air. A great sight but unfortunately no camera at hand to capture the moment. With news that the Common Crane was still present just up the road at Stafford I decided to move on and leave Cannock Chase for another day. With a bit of local help the Crane was located on the flooded flood meadows. This time the camera was able to capture a few distant images.
Friday, 27 April 2012
Whimbrel at Alvecote pools
Friday 27th April 2012
In between a day's house clearing and meeting friends of the Thursday Club at the Church End Brewery tap it was possible to get in a bit of birding at Alvecote pools yesterday. Not enough time to bird the whole area properly but the Whimbrel which had been around Mill Pool was still there, in the middle of a large cultivated field next to Teal pool. There was also about 8 Swifts over Mill pool, my first of the year.
In between a day's house clearing and meeting friends of the Thursday Club at the Church End Brewery tap it was possible to get in a bit of birding at Alvecote pools yesterday. Not enough time to bird the whole area properly but the Whimbrel which had been around Mill Pool was still there, in the middle of a large cultivated field next to Teal pool. There was also about 8 Swifts over Mill pool, my first of the year.
Thursday, 26 April 2012
Black winged Stilts in the West Midlands
Thursday 26th April 2012
Phil Ward has kindly sent me a couple of excellent images of the Black winged Stilts which turned up at Clayhanger Marsh, Brownhills last week. Unfortunately the birds only stayed for one day before probably moving on to Leighton Moss in Lanchashire.
Black winged Stilt, Clayhanger Marsh, West Mids. Images courtesy of Phil Ward
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Alan Amery
Wednesday 25th April 2012
Somewhat belatedly I'd like to add a few words of my own to the many tributes to Alan Amery who sadly died very recently. Alan from Derbyshire was a real birding enthusiast who took almost as much joy from meeting old friends,of which he had many, as he did from seeing a rare bird. I had the pleasure of meeting him on many occasions when a good bird turned in the Midlands and on 'twitches' around the country. He was always the same, you were always sure of a genuinely warm greeting and a cheerful smile. I will miss him.
Somewhat belatedly I'd like to add a few words of my own to the many tributes to Alan Amery who sadly died very recently. Alan from Derbyshire was a real birding enthusiast who took almost as much joy from meeting old friends,of which he had many, as he did from seeing a rare bird. I had the pleasure of meeting him on many occasions when a good bird turned in the Midlands and on 'twitches' around the country. He was always the same, you were always sure of a genuinely warm greeting and a cheerful smile. I will miss him.
Monday, 23 April 2012
Monday 23rd April 2012 - St George's Day
I regard myself as a bit of a Patriot but I have to admit I celebrated St Georges Day by accident. I'd been to have another look at the Ring Ouzel at Baxterley but on the way back through the village I noticed a notice (which had achieved its purpose as I'd noticed it) informing me that the local pub The Rose was having a Beer Festival to mark St Georges Day. Well if they'd gone to all that trouble it would be rude not to pop in for a swift half. They certainly had an impressive array of beers, mostly from small independant breweries. The one which caught my eye was Abduction from the Dancing Duck brewery in Derby.
Meanwhile back to the birding; in addition to the Ring Ouzel I'd also seen my first Merlin and first Cuckoo of the year. Further cause for celebration dont you think?
Ring Ouzel, Baxterley
Ring Ouzel
Ring Ouzel
Ring Ouzel
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