Stonechat2
Tooty Fruity Member
Hi all,
Today i set off out to sandwell valley at 7:15, i got the bust to dudley, from dudley to west brom and from west brom to the valley, if only it was that easy, i got off the bus way to earloy on the way and so had to walk a fare distance to find the valley as it was a new area and i was lost, not a good start.
However i found it and as i was walking up to the visitor centre i saw all the usuals, Blackbird, Blue tit, Great tit, Robin, Wren, Woodpigeon and so on. I continued to the lake screen and got fantastic views of reed bunting and my first lifer, a Sedge Warbler! I stood watching and i also saw Greenfinches and lots of Goldfinches, a few jays was also a welcome surprise.
I continued on around the lake and saw Canada goose, Mute swan, Gadwall, Tufted duck, Lesser black backed gull, Black headed gull, Grey heron and Mallard. I moved into a more scrubby part and it was alive with whitethroats and willow warblers.
I moved on along the River Tame which runs through the reserve and met three other birders, we got chatting and i went around with them. We went for a coffee and then had a look around forge mill farm to see nesting swallors, pied wagtails and along the river a solitary grey wagtail appeared. We then went and had a look into a plain field and across the field came severn mistle thrush along with Lapwings, Carrion crows and Jackdaws.
We then passed the heronry where lifer number two came and it was a absoluteley terrible view of a kingfisher but it definateley was one. We also looked for ruddy duck but this time it evaded us. We passed through a prime little owl neighbourhood but again we didn't it. Also we passed throug territory which usually holds Stonechat but again none were about.
We then passed a large pond agin and what was there, A Artic tern which left soon after we got there but srtill another lifer. We then went back to the visitor centre and on the way got great views of Reed Warbler and Sparrowhawk, fantastic.
Anyway i went home then and arrived back at 5:00 and a total of around 45 species in all, all in all a great day. :bounce:
Steven
Today i set off out to sandwell valley at 7:15, i got the bust to dudley, from dudley to west brom and from west brom to the valley, if only it was that easy, i got off the bus way to earloy on the way and so had to walk a fare distance to find the valley as it was a new area and i was lost, not a good start.
However i found it and as i was walking up to the visitor centre i saw all the usuals, Blackbird, Blue tit, Great tit, Robin, Wren, Woodpigeon and so on. I continued to the lake screen and got fantastic views of reed bunting and my first lifer, a Sedge Warbler! I stood watching and i also saw Greenfinches and lots of Goldfinches, a few jays was also a welcome surprise.
I continued on around the lake and saw Canada goose, Mute swan, Gadwall, Tufted duck, Lesser black backed gull, Black headed gull, Grey heron and Mallard. I moved into a more scrubby part and it was alive with whitethroats and willow warblers.
I moved on along the River Tame which runs through the reserve and met three other birders, we got chatting and i went around with them. We went for a coffee and then had a look around forge mill farm to see nesting swallors, pied wagtails and along the river a solitary grey wagtail appeared. We then went and had a look into a plain field and across the field came severn mistle thrush along with Lapwings, Carrion crows and Jackdaws.
We then passed the heronry where lifer number two came and it was a absoluteley terrible view of a kingfisher but it definateley was one. We also looked for ruddy duck but this time it evaded us. We passed through a prime little owl neighbourhood but again we didn't it. Also we passed throug territory which usually holds Stonechat but again none were about.
We then passed a large pond agin and what was there, A Artic tern which left soon after we got there but srtill another lifer. We then went back to the visitor centre and on the way got great views of Reed Warbler and Sparrowhawk, fantastic.
Anyway i went home then and arrived back at 5:00 and a total of around 45 species in all, all in all a great day. :bounce:
Steven