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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

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  1. andythomas

    Saltwells LNR & Netherton Reservoir

    At least two male Redstarts on Netherton hill yesterday evening, with another one at Daphne Pool. There was also a Lesser Whitethroat singing on the hill, equalling my earliest date for that species at Saltwells. -- Andy
  2. andythomas

    Fen's Pool Nr

    I thought with all the Wheatears being reported this morning I'd see if I could find one at lunchtime. Found a male Wheatear on the bank on the south side of Middle Pool at 13.20. That's a site tick for me. There are also a lot of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs round the pools, felt like there...
  3. andythomas

    Fen's Pool Nr

    Male Redstart again in the south east corner of the top pool at 13.45, with three male Reed Buntings. Also at least four Willow Warblers round the pool, and a pair of Shovelers, possibly the same pair that were at Netherton reservoir first thing this morning.
  4. andythomas

    Fen's Pool Nr

    Male Redstart singing and flycatching in the south east corner of the top pool at 13.40. Also Swallow, Blackcap, Willow Warbler.
  5. andythomas

    Sandwell Valley

    The Scoter was still active when I left. It was to the right of the ramp with some Tufties, but spending a lot of time underwater. It took me a while to pick it up when I arrived - I thought it had left. Sorry I just missed you, I could have put you on to it. Cheers Andy
  6. andythomas

    Sandwell Valley

    Common Scoter was still on Forge Mill Lake when I left at 19:20. That's my first one in the Valley. Also present 10+ Swallows, a House Martin, and a pair of Greylags flew over.
  7. andythomas

    Saltwells LNR & Netherton Reservoir

    There were four Wigeon on the reservoir at 7.15 this morning. They flew off and returned while I was watching, but when I returned from my walk round the hill at 9.00 they had gone. I saw a male Stonechat in the field between the hill and the canal on Thursday lunchtime. Chiffchaff, Meadow...
  8. andythomas

    Saltwells LNR & Netherton Reservoir

    Thanks Matt. I used to see Willow Tits regularly on Netherton Hill up until 2004, but numbers dropped dramatically in 2005. I haven't seen one in that area since 2011.
  9. andythomas

    Saltwells LNR & Netherton Reservoir

    Saltwells 2015 My patch total for 2015 was 83 species. Highlight of the year was the male Pied Flycatcher seen in Saltwells Wood in May. I first heard it singing in the wood on the morning of 16 May and put the news out on twitter. Fortunately it stayed for at least a week allowing plenty of...
  10. andythomas

    Sandwell Valley

    Had a stroll round Forge Mill first thing this morning. In addition to the above I saw 3 Goldeneye (m&2f), Grey Wagtail and Water Rail calling in the marsh.
  11. andythomas

    Sandwell Valley

    I was down at Forge Mill Lake quite early this morning and walked all the way round. Just after nine I was standing by the river opposite the farm and a Short-eared Owl flew high over the farm in a southerly direction. Unfortunately I didn't notice it until a crow flew up to mob it, and it had...
  12. andythomas

    Saltwells LNR & Netherton Reservoir

    Thursday 17th April Common Sandpiper on the reservoir early this morning. Lesser Whitethroat still singing by the Cattle Bridge. Andy
  13. andythomas

    Saltwells LNR & Netherton Reservoir

    Wednesday 1st May Yellow Wagtail at the top of Netherton Hill at 13.45, feeding in the recently burnt area. Five minutes later it flew off in the direction of Fens Pools. Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat singing on the hill, 3 Common Terns on the reservoir and Sedge Warbler and Garden...
  14. andythomas

    Saltwells LNR & Netherton Reservoir

    Wednesday 24th April Female Whinchat on Netherton Hill at 13.50, at the Blackbrook Road end of the paddock between the hill and the canal. One or two Lesser Whitethroats singing near the Cattle Bridge. Had a Common Tern fly over my back garden yesterday evening, coming from the direction of...
  15. andythomas

    Saltwells LNR & Netherton Reservoir

    Thursday 18th April Male Wheatear on Netherton Hill at 13.45, in the paddock between the hill and the canal.
  16. andythomas

    Gloves off for the ultimate Birdwatcher vs Twitcher Debate!

    More rules for birdwatchers Thanks to Colin and Al for their endorsement of rules 4 and 5. They've reminded me of two more valuable rules. 6. If you must keep a list, make sure it's in the right order. The correct order for UK birdwatchers is Starling, House Sparrow, Blue Tit, Blackbird...
  17. andythomas

    Gloves off for the ultimate Birdwatcher vs Twitcher Debate!

    Rules for birdwatchers 1. Any travelling involved to go birdwatching should be on foot or by bike. Cars, buses, trains, planes etc can not be used. Only a twitcher would use up valuable fossil fuels just to go and see a bird. 2. No visits to any location where birds are known to be present...
  18. andythomas

    A scope at last!!

    Hi Joey Glad to hear you're joining the West Midland Bird Club, and I hope you get alot out of membership. There's a branch in Tamworth with indoor and outdoor meetings, if that's your thing. There are a few other members on Birdforum, including a couple on the Executive Council ;). Pm me if...
  19. andythomas

    Gibraltar Point NNR

    Sunday 5th October was a quiet day at Gibraltar Point. We arrived at 9.30am to find cloudless skies and a westerly breeze. An early morning fall of finches and thrushes including Bramblings had already moved on, and rarities discovered earlier in the week had not been seen for several days. We...
  20. andythomas

    Bird species Number of Each country

    Easter Island belongs to Chile. According to Avibase, it has 21 species. The list is here. -- Andy
  21. andythomas

    Why are Dartford Warblers so rare in the UK?

    Actually Dartford Warbler is on the Staffordshire list, due to breeding records from Cannock Chase of an unknown date. Probably mid-late 1800s. No records since. The last one seen in Warwickshire was in October 1914. However, in Worcestershire there were no records at all until the early 1990s...
  22. andythomas

    Dont Feed the Red Kites advises local officer

    Birds were released in England and Scotland because there was no sign of the Welsh population recolonising the rest of the UK under its own steam. Presumably the hope is that the populations in the Chilterns, east Midlands, Yorkshire and Scotland will eventually spread out to fill in the gaps...
  23. andythomas

    Blacktoft Sands RSPB

    I visited this reserve on 21st September after spending the morning at Fairburn Ings. This was my third visit to Blacktoft, my two previous visits being during the spring. The birds seen on this occasion were somewhat different. Blacktoft Sands lies on the southern side of the Humber Estuary...
  24. andythomas

    Fairburn Ings RSPB

    I visited this reserve for the first time on 21st September. Unfortunately we only had two hours there which was not enough time to cover the whole reserve. Fairburn Ings lies next to the River Aire, near Castleford. The pools on the reserve were caused by mining subsidence, and a third of the...
  25. andythomas

    Potteric Carr

    Hi Andrew, I don't know if it's any help, but I when I was up in Yorkshire a few weeks ago we saw plenty of Tree Sparrows at Fairburn Ings RSPB and Blacktoft Sands RSPB. -- Andy
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