Car-park birding (1 Viewer)

Hi folks,

Yes I know that car-parks are not the first places that spring to mind when thinking about birding but don't be so quick, just remember that the only Golden-Winged Warbler ever seen in the UK was in a Supermarket car-park in 1989 (and I was less than an hour away around the M25 and never went!!!!!).

But I must confess that my visit to a car-park yesterday didn't turn up anything so glamourous. Obviously (because it was in the middle of a city) there were the usual Gulls up on the roofs but also of interest (and those with long memories may remember this one from last year)was the Spadgers nesting in a hole in the wall. Photo 3 shows the location; you can just see the male on the water downpipe collector and over on the right a pair of joined holes with nesting material just showing. Photo 4 is the male. He was at the hole when I arrived but he wouldn't go back while I was standing watching him.

So OK, not desperately exciting but interesting all the same, especially as this is at least the 2nd year that they have nested in the hole.

Next time you park in a car-park have a good look (and listen) around, you never know.

Bill

Yes, it is interesting, Bill and just goes to show that anywhere and everywhere can turn up something different. Well spotted with the sparrow. Let us know how they get on.

I always do Bill, where ever I go.
Car parks can be very interesting places for birding. Tesco's has a large population of Pied Wagtails plus Corvids plus others. The car park at the West of England show ground at Shepton Mallet had lots of House Martins & Swallows & Pied Wagtails , don't know if it still does. One car park in Plymouth had lots of Bramblings one year. Which I missed out on seeing.
In fact most big venue car parks seem to have a good population of birds, even if they are 'common' ones.

Aw bad luck with the GWW Bill, I sense your pain 20 yrs on! eek! lol!
I agree car parks are worth keeping an eye on. A lot of shopping outlets can attract Birds such as Waxwing due to the type of trees planted by developers like Rowan & Hawthorn.

Also the thorny bushes in car parks attracts little gems & my local Asda has a Heronry.
Reserve car parks can be good too, Ive seen lots of interesting birds while getting booted and kitted up.

Interesting observations and pictures Bill, how about a car park Bird of the month thread?