A few snaps from the Tame valley over the past couple of days. Finally caught up with Garden warbler and Whinchat in Warks.
Whinchat, Kingsbury
Whinchat
Chiffchaff, Coton
Whimbrel, Middleton Lakes
Blackcap
Thursday, 23 April 2015
Tame valley Birding - mostly
Thursday 23rd April 2015
A few snaps from the Tame valley over the past couple of days. Finally caught up with Garden warbler and Whinchat in Warks.
A few snaps from the Tame valley over the past couple of days. Finally caught up with Garden warbler and Whinchat in Warks.
Tuesday, 21 April 2015
Migrants in the Valleys
21st April 2015
Returned to Middleton Lakes to try and see the Warblers I had missed the previous day. I was partially successful with good views of Sedge and Reed warblers but again missed Garden warbler.
Grasshopper warblers were reeling in several areas of damp vegetation around the periphery of the reserve. Perhaps the bird of the day though was a Curlew Sandpier seen from the western screen.
Returned to Middleton Lakes to try and see the Warblers I had missed the previous day. I was partially successful with good views of Sedge and Reed warblers but again missed Garden warbler.
Sedge Warbler, Middleton Lakes
Sedge warbler
Curlew Sandpiper
In the afternoon I walked around part of the flood valley of the River Anker near Caldecote Hall. The Sheep pastures and weed covered rough ground along this section of the river has often produced Whinchats in the past but none today. What I did see though was at least 9 Yellow Wagtails feeding amongst the Sheep.
Yellow Wagtail, Caldecote
Monday, 20 April 2015
The search for Migrants
Monday 20th April 2015
The search for migrants continued today starting Shustoke Res. and continueing through Lea Marston, Bodymore Heath to Middleton Lakes where I caught up with Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and Grasshopper warbler. According to Steve C. all the breeding warblers of the Tame valley had been seen over the day but Sedge, Cetti's, Reed and Garden had eluded me, as did the Whinchat. On the way home I did what is a regular walk at Mancetter near Atherstone just off the A5. The gentle hills often attract migrants and I was lucky to find a female Redstart, which rounded off the day quite nicely.
The search for migrants continued today starting Shustoke Res. and continueing through Lea Marston, Bodymore Heath to Middleton Lakes where I caught up with Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and Grasshopper warbler. According to Steve C. all the breeding warblers of the Tame valley had been seen over the day but Sedge, Cetti's, Reed and Garden had eluded me, as did the Whinchat. On the way home I did what is a regular walk at Mancetter near Atherstone just off the A5. The gentle hills often attract migrants and I was lucky to find a female Redstart, which rounded off the day quite nicely.
Sunday, 19 April 2015
Black winged Stilts in Staffs.
Saturday 18th April 2015
After the disappointment of the previous couple of days Spirits were lifted with a stroll round the Caldecote walk and news of a couple of Black winged Stilts at Middleton Lakes RSPB. The local walk produced surprisingly little although Sand Martin was a new addition to the area list. House Martin was also seen. When I eventually arrived at Middleton the 2 Black winged Stilts showed well in the pleasant sunshine as did many friends and acquaintances. There was also a drake Garganey on the Fishers Mill pit in Warks.
After the disappointment of the previous couple of days Spirits were lifted with a stroll round the Caldecote walk and news of a couple of Black winged Stilts at Middleton Lakes RSPB. The local walk produced surprisingly little although Sand Martin was a new addition to the area list. House Martin was also seen. When I eventually arrived at Middleton the 2 Black winged Stilts showed well in the pleasant sunshine as did many friends and acquaintances. There was also a drake Garganey on the Fishers Mill pit in Warks.
Black winged Stilt, Middleton Lakes, Staffs.
Saturday, 18 April 2015
Dipping near and far.
Saturday 18th April 2015
Rather lost track of my Blog worthy exploits over the last few days. My local migrant searches were interrupted by a day at Rutland Water where I successfully dipped an Alpine Swift but did see Whinchat, Wheatear and Redstart. I was then lured away to the Scillies where I successfully dipped the Great Blue Heron but did manage to see Wryneck and Hoopoe. This was my fourth Dip in a row having now missed out on American Herring Gull, Osprey, Alpine Swift and Great Blue Heron.Yesterday I was back on the local hills, A Whitehroat was heard briefly but that was about it. Hopefully my next post will be a little more cheerful, with reports of interesting migrants, illustrated with great photos, but I rather doubt it. I might get round to a more complete account of the Scillies trip when I'm in the right mood.
Rather lost track of my Blog worthy exploits over the last few days. My local migrant searches were interrupted by a day at Rutland Water where I successfully dipped an Alpine Swift but did see Whinchat, Wheatear and Redstart. I was then lured away to the Scillies where I successfully dipped the Great Blue Heron but did manage to see Wryneck and Hoopoe. This was my fourth Dip in a row having now missed out on American Herring Gull, Osprey, Alpine Swift and Great Blue Heron.Yesterday I was back on the local hills, A Whitehroat was heard briefly but that was about it. Hopefully my next post will be a little more cheerful, with reports of interesting migrants, illustrated with great photos, but I rather doubt it. I might get round to a more complete account of the Scillies trip when I'm in the right mood.
Monday, 13 April 2015
Little Owl
Monday 13th April 2015
Managed to miss the Osprey at Brandon Marsh but saw my first House Martin of the year.
Managed to miss the Osprey at Brandon Marsh but saw my first House Martin of the year.
The Little Owl, Nr. Atherstone
Saturday, 11 April 2015
Little Owl
11th April 2015
Can you spot the Little Owl in this tree? It should be a little clearer in the next post
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