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Coney Meadow and Adjoining Areas (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter Woodchat
- Start date
Birder Gladys
Well-known member
Birder Gladys
Well-known member
OMG thanks Trevor, even did some homework didn't even think of Dunnock this one looks like he's just had sunday lunch too.
Woodchat
Cogito ergo sum
This weekend's round-up:
Little Egret, 4+ Yellowhammers Tapenhall + 1 over Droitwich Community Woods, Kingfisher, several Water Rails (1 showed very well between Mildenham and Hawford), Kestrels, Sparrowhawks, Buzzards, Ravens, Nuthatches, Meadow Pipits, Siskins and Redpolls over, Goldcrests, Mistle Thrushes, Fieldfares, Redwings, Grey Herons, Bullfinches, Linnets over, Coal Tits, Song Thrushes, etc.
Little Egret, 4+ Yellowhammers Tapenhall + 1 over Droitwich Community Woods, Kingfisher, several Water Rails (1 showed very well between Mildenham and Hawford), Kestrels, Sparrowhawks, Buzzards, Ravens, Nuthatches, Meadow Pipits, Siskins and Redpolls over, Goldcrests, Mistle Thrushes, Fieldfares, Redwings, Grey Herons, Bullfinches, Linnets over, Coal Tits, Song Thrushes, etc.
Woodchat
Cogito ergo sum
Very limited patch watching this weekend as I was a bit jet-lagged from my trip to Vancouver last week - a working visit but I did manage a full morning's birding around Stanley Park, which was very productive. My highlights included Varied Thrush, Steller's Jay, Fox Sparrows, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Black Oystercatchers, 3 Harlequin Ducks, Barrow's Goldeneyes, Glaucous-winged Gulls (very numerous), Spotted Towhees, Buffleheads, Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, Northwestern Crows, Hooded Mergansers, Surf Scoters, American Coots, American Wigeons, Double-crested Cormorants, Black-capped Chickadees, Mew Gulls, Savannah Sparrow and Slate-coloured Junco.
Back on the patch, a Cetti's Warbler called a couple of times from Coney reedbed and many of the usual wintering birds were recorded.
Back on the patch, a Cetti's Warbler called a couple of times from Coney reedbed and many of the usual wintering birds were recorded.
wheatearlp
Well-known member
A few for your world list?
Woodchat
Cogito ergo sum
Yes - about 8 or 9 depending on splits. Also forgot to mention a 1st winter Yellow-crowned Sparrow I saw in a mixed sparrow flock - also a lifer. Definitely the biggest flocks of Surf Scoter (100s) and Barrow's Goldeneyes (10s) I've ever encountered in my life too. There were also a few offshore Grebes that were a bit too distant to ID (I only had my bins).
Birder Gladys
Well-known member
Woodchat
Cogito ergo sum
Today's spring-like conditions prompted a few birds into song - including Great Tits and Song Thrushes.
A Chiffchaff this morning at Tapenhall fishing pool reinforced the spring-like feel and was the first seen on the patch since October.
Other species recorded included 3 Common Snipes and Water Rail showing well (Coney - in front of screen), 1 Yellowhammer Tapenhall, Meadow Pipits, 4 Siskins, 7 Lesser Redpolls, Cormorants, Fieldfares, Coal Tits, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Goldcrests, Grey Wagtails, Redwings, Green Woodpeckers, Stock Doves, Bullfinches, Mistle Thrushes, Goldfinches, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Buzzards, Kestrels, Sparrowhawks, Canada Geese, Mute Swans, 3 Ravens, Starlings, Pied wagtails, Reed Buntings, etc.
At least 1 Cetti's Warbler called from Coney reedbed but proved impossible to catch sight of.
A Chiffchaff this morning at Tapenhall fishing pool reinforced the spring-like feel and was the first seen on the patch since October.
Other species recorded included 3 Common Snipes and Water Rail showing well (Coney - in front of screen), 1 Yellowhammer Tapenhall, Meadow Pipits, 4 Siskins, 7 Lesser Redpolls, Cormorants, Fieldfares, Coal Tits, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Goldcrests, Grey Wagtails, Redwings, Green Woodpeckers, Stock Doves, Bullfinches, Mistle Thrushes, Goldfinches, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Buzzards, Kestrels, Sparrowhawks, Canada Geese, Mute Swans, 3 Ravens, Starlings, Pied wagtails, Reed Buntings, etc.
At least 1 Cetti's Warbler called from Coney reedbed but proved impossible to catch sight of.
Woodchat
Cogito ergo sum
2015 Highlights (and a few lowlights)
Barnacle Goose – one with a flock of Canadas flew down the Salwarpe Valley on 1st July.
Mandarin Duck – several flocks seen in September and October between Mildenham and Hawford Grange – in total, involving a minimum of 17 birds.
Little Grebe – a welcome return for this species after several years’ absence. Individuals seen at Tapenhall fishing pool in August and December, with a pair there on 29th December.
Little Egret – increasingly frequent visitor throughout the year with records coming from all calendar months except March and July.
Hobby – frequently recorded on the patch between late April and September. Probable local breeder.
Coot – only recorded between January and June. This species deserted its only regular haunt in the second half of the year. May prove very difficult to connect with on the patch in 2016.
Oystercatcher – one flyover on 10th April.
Lapwing – regularly encountered in the spring (March – May) but none seen since. Two pairs were nest-prospecting around Copcut in April.
Little Ringed Plover – 1 seen at Copcut Rise on 21st April before flying off – first patch record.
Common Sandpiper – one at Porter’s Mill, near the fisherman’s car park, on 19th and 26th April and another in exactly the same place on 28th August.
Green Sandpiper – just one record this year – one flew over Coney Meadow on 31st October.
Whimbrel – a flyover calling bird on 25th July.
Cuckoo – still fairly numerous in the Salwarpe valley between April and July although they appeared to depart promptly this year. One of the much rarer hepatic (female) morphs was recorded in May and June.
Barn Owl – day flying individuals recorded hunting over Coney Meadow in February and March. One seen on Gorsey bank in July during a Glow-worm survey and another recorded along Copcut Lane in December.
Other Owls – Tawny and Little Owls regularly recorded throughout most of the year.
Tree Pipit – flyover passage migrants in August and September. No spring records this year.
Yellow Wagtail – Its status as a scarce passage migrant on the patch was maintained this year with several birds recorded in April and May and again in August and September.
Northern Wheatear – Very good spring passage with 6+ individuals noted around Copcut in April and May. Just one autumn record, at Mildenham, in September.
Stonechat – one spring record on 7th March followed by two autumn records in September and October.
Whinchat – One spring bird at Tapenhall fishing pool on 18th -19th April and two records of autumn juveniles at the same location on 27th and 31st August.
Redstart – a few records between July and September from Salwarpe, Coney Meadow, Tapenhall and Jacob’s Ladder.
Garden Warbler – passage birds recorded in April-May and again in September. No evidence of breeding this year.
Cetti’s Warbler – sporadic but increasing number of records of this generally secretive species at Coney Meadow between August and December. Two birds present on 14th November.
Grasshopper Warbler – recorded from Coney Meadow in April and May, although no evidence of breeding in this area following the fire which decimated the reedbed in April. Also recorded around Mildenham between April and June, with breeding in this area a distinct possibility.
Firecrest – a singing male found on 8th March was present for several days in the plantation just west of Salwarpe village. Although it often proved to be very elusive, many observers eventually managed to connect with it.
Spotted Flycatcher – double passage-migrant with no evidence of breeding this year. Recorded in May, August and September.
Brambling – one at Coney Meadow on 18th October.
Hawfinch – one flew over Coney Meadow on 31st October.
In addition, a Great White Egret was seen to fly over Coney Meadow on the morning of Wednesday 14th October. Unfortunately, I was at work at the time.
Notable concentrations of birds included a minimum of 48 Yellowhammers at Copcut Rise in February and 59 Mistle Thrushes from Coney Meadow in August.
Glow-worms – 2015 was a very good year with around 70 individuals recorded at the Droitwich Community Woods colony in July and August. The Harford Hill colony was not surveyed this year.
The lowlights included the loss of a substantial area of productive farmland habitat at Copcut Rise – currently being developed for housing – one of my ‘happy highways’ bites the dust! Also, the mindless vandalism at Coney Meadow in the spring which devastated the reedbed at just the wrong time. On a happier note, it seems to have recovered well since.
A very Happy New Year and good birding in 2016!
Barnacle Goose – one with a flock of Canadas flew down the Salwarpe Valley on 1st July.
Mandarin Duck – several flocks seen in September and October between Mildenham and Hawford Grange – in total, involving a minimum of 17 birds.
Little Grebe – a welcome return for this species after several years’ absence. Individuals seen at Tapenhall fishing pool in August and December, with a pair there on 29th December.
Little Egret – increasingly frequent visitor throughout the year with records coming from all calendar months except March and July.
Hobby – frequently recorded on the patch between late April and September. Probable local breeder.
Coot – only recorded between January and June. This species deserted its only regular haunt in the second half of the year. May prove very difficult to connect with on the patch in 2016.
Oystercatcher – one flyover on 10th April.
Lapwing – regularly encountered in the spring (March – May) but none seen since. Two pairs were nest-prospecting around Copcut in April.
Little Ringed Plover – 1 seen at Copcut Rise on 21st April before flying off – first patch record.
Common Sandpiper – one at Porter’s Mill, near the fisherman’s car park, on 19th and 26th April and another in exactly the same place on 28th August.
Green Sandpiper – just one record this year – one flew over Coney Meadow on 31st October.
Whimbrel – a flyover calling bird on 25th July.
Cuckoo – still fairly numerous in the Salwarpe valley between April and July although they appeared to depart promptly this year. One of the much rarer hepatic (female) morphs was recorded in May and June.
Barn Owl – day flying individuals recorded hunting over Coney Meadow in February and March. One seen on Gorsey bank in July during a Glow-worm survey and another recorded along Copcut Lane in December.
Other Owls – Tawny and Little Owls regularly recorded throughout most of the year.
Tree Pipit – flyover passage migrants in August and September. No spring records this year.
Yellow Wagtail – Its status as a scarce passage migrant on the patch was maintained this year with several birds recorded in April and May and again in August and September.
Northern Wheatear – Very good spring passage with 6+ individuals noted around Copcut in April and May. Just one autumn record, at Mildenham, in September.
Stonechat – one spring record on 7th March followed by two autumn records in September and October.
Whinchat – One spring bird at Tapenhall fishing pool on 18th -19th April and two records of autumn juveniles at the same location on 27th and 31st August.
Redstart – a few records between July and September from Salwarpe, Coney Meadow, Tapenhall and Jacob’s Ladder.
Garden Warbler – passage birds recorded in April-May and again in September. No evidence of breeding this year.
Cetti’s Warbler – sporadic but increasing number of records of this generally secretive species at Coney Meadow between August and December. Two birds present on 14th November.
Grasshopper Warbler – recorded from Coney Meadow in April and May, although no evidence of breeding in this area following the fire which decimated the reedbed in April. Also recorded around Mildenham between April and June, with breeding in this area a distinct possibility.
Firecrest – a singing male found on 8th March was present for several days in the plantation just west of Salwarpe village. Although it often proved to be very elusive, many observers eventually managed to connect with it.
Spotted Flycatcher – double passage-migrant with no evidence of breeding this year. Recorded in May, August and September.
Brambling – one at Coney Meadow on 18th October.
Hawfinch – one flew over Coney Meadow on 31st October.
In addition, a Great White Egret was seen to fly over Coney Meadow on the morning of Wednesday 14th October. Unfortunately, I was at work at the time.
Notable concentrations of birds included a minimum of 48 Yellowhammers at Copcut Rise in February and 59 Mistle Thrushes from Coney Meadow in August.
Glow-worms – 2015 was a very good year with around 70 individuals recorded at the Droitwich Community Woods colony in July and August. The Harford Hill colony was not surveyed this year.
The lowlights included the loss of a substantial area of productive farmland habitat at Copcut Rise – currently being developed for housing – one of my ‘happy highways’ bites the dust! Also, the mindless vandalism at Coney Meadow in the spring which devastated the reedbed at just the wrong time. On a happier note, it seems to have recovered well since.
A very Happy New Year and good birding in 2016!
Last edited:
UW82
Well-known member
Happy New Year Dave.
What is the species list total for your patch now that you and others have been grilling it for a few years now.
Des.
Woodchat
Cogito ergo sum
Cheers Des - I think my personal list is somewhere around 125.
103 species recorded by me on the patch in 2015.
upstarts1979
Well-known member
Not a bad list Dave. You had 10 species I didn't see at upton warren in 2015👍
Woodchat
Cogito ergo sum
The first 3 days of 2016 haven't been very inspiring, especially with yesterday and today's soggy weather.
A female Blackcap this afternoon in the hedgerow bordering the canal between Ladywood and Salwarpe.
Cetti's Warbler called a couple of times from Coney reedbed.
2 Common Snipes on Friday 1st Jan in front of the screen at Coney.
The best of the rest included 2 Ravens, Water Rails at Coney and Porter's Mill, Fieldfares, Redwings, Mistle Thrushes, Goldcrests, Nuthatches, Coal Tits, Treecreepers, Mute Swans, Canada Geese, Siskins over, Bullfinches, Stock Doves, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Meadow Pipits, Grey Wagtails, Grey Herons, House Sparrows, Moorhens, Mallards, Collared Doves, woodpigeons, Pheasants, Kestrels, Sparrowhawks, Cormorants, Buzzards, Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Blackbirds, Dunnocks, Song Thrushes, Robins, Jays, Rooks, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Reed Buntings, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Magpies, Herring Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Black-headed Gulls.
Around 300 Starlings and ~25 Pied Wagtails roosted in Coney reedbed this evening.
A female Blackcap this afternoon in the hedgerow bordering the canal between Ladywood and Salwarpe.
Cetti's Warbler called a couple of times from Coney reedbed.
2 Common Snipes on Friday 1st Jan in front of the screen at Coney.
The best of the rest included 2 Ravens, Water Rails at Coney and Porter's Mill, Fieldfares, Redwings, Mistle Thrushes, Goldcrests, Nuthatches, Coal Tits, Treecreepers, Mute Swans, Canada Geese, Siskins over, Bullfinches, Stock Doves, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Meadow Pipits, Grey Wagtails, Grey Herons, House Sparrows, Moorhens, Mallards, Collared Doves, woodpigeons, Pheasants, Kestrels, Sparrowhawks, Cormorants, Buzzards, Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Blackbirds, Dunnocks, Song Thrushes, Robins, Jays, Rooks, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Reed Buntings, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Magpies, Herring Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Black-headed Gulls.
Around 300 Starlings and ~25 Pied Wagtails roosted in Coney reedbed this evening.
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