Bob the Birder

Tuesday, 27 September 2016

Sandwich Tern at Draycote Water

Tuesday 27th September 2016

Started the day at Brandon Marsh, which was very quiet with all the hides deserted. The only birds of note were a pair of Stonechat viewed distantly from the Ted Jury hide. Moving on to Draycote Water I walked towards Toft, a young Yellow wagtail was seen briefly on the rocks and the group of Ringed plovers were at the 'entrance' to Toft Bay. I had no intention to walk round the pond so made my way back along the dam. There was a large flock of B H Gulls on the freshly harrowed fields. The birds suddenly 'got up' and flew round with a single Ruff among them. It could not be relocated on the ground when the gulls settled. Approaching the cafe another bird caught my attention, smaller than the gulls it landed on a pontoon used by the fishermen. With better views as I got closer it was clearly a Sandwich Tern. The priority was to try and get a couple of photos for the record and to notify other birders. It got a bit complicated due to the fact that I'd left my mobile at home. With the cooperation of the blokes in the fishing lodge and the manageress of the Cafe I managed to achieve both goals.

Sandwich Tern, Draycote Water

Sandwich Tern

Sunday, 25 September 2016

Local walks

Sunday 25th Sept. 2016

Did the Mancetter walk but the only birds on the hill were Chiffchaffs today and also quiet around Caldecote, although I didn't complete the full circuit. There were a flock of Meadow pipits on the track leading to the riding stables, I reckon about 25 but apart from Cormorants flying along the river and the odd Buzzard not much else.

A rather poor shot of just a small part of the Meadow pipit flock on the track in Caldecote.There are 9 birds in this shot.

Saturday, 24 September 2016

Birding around Warwickshire

Friday 23rd September 2016

A few images from today's birding at Draycote Water, Alvecote pools and a couple of local sites.

Rock pipit, Draycote Water

Rock pipit

Ringed plovers

Dunlin

Common Scoter

Tufted Duck

Pintail, Mill pool, Alvecote

Pintail

Black tailed Godwit

Wednesday, 21 September 2016

Brandon Marsh and Draycote Water

21st September 2016

First stop Brandon Marsh. Reasoning that the huge influx on Yellow browed warblers would have not yet reached Warwickshire my main focus would be the pools. The main island on East Marsh had a long staying Ruff and a Common Sandpiper mingling with the Lapwing flock. The number of Snipe had increased since my last visit. I counted 9 but I'm sure there were many more. At Draycote there were 9 Dunlin, a dormant Knot, a drake Common Scoter and a Red crested Pochard. I managed to get a few images.

Migrant Hawker, Brandon Marsh

Little Egret, Draycote Water

Little Egret

Common Scoter

Red crested Pochard

Tuesday, 20 September 2016

Visits to Draycote Water and Alvecote pools

Monday 19th September 2016

A grey day and a grey bird. It was a gloomy day with steady drizzle. Ideal for Draycote Water I thought. Trouble was the vis wasn't much good. I set off towards Rainbow.Not many people about which was good but not many birds either which wasnt so good. I returned to the cafe for a cuppa and then walked the dams toward Toft. The first bird of note was a Yellow wagtail amongst the Pied wagtails. At the elbow was another surprise the Knot which had been around for a couple of days but I had no idea it was still there At the end of the dam wall were a few more waders 3 Dunlin and 8 or so Ringed plovers.

Yellow wagtail, Draycote Water

Knot

Dunlin

Tuesday 20th September 2016

A walk up the hill at Manctter was fruitless birdwise although there seemed to be more Chiffchaffs and Robins about than usual. At Alvecote there were 2 Great white Egrets, quite mobile but showing well, as I wandered on a Black tailed Godwit flew in. I lost it in the sun as it flew overhead quite high but then was amazed that it had landed in the middle of Teal pool. It was joined by both Little and one of the Great white Egrets. I counted 7 Snipe also.