[pandachris]

Not from me, halftwo. I wasn't present when the original bird was seen so it wouldn't be fair of me to comment. I know people are still looking so I could end up hoist on my own petard.

I mentione Water Rail because I see the species infrequently enough to make a view of one notable, and if there are rails around, then crakes have to be a possibility.

[pandachris]

Nipped down to Priorslee Lake for my lunchbreak to have another go at the BNG. It was cold, grey and windy so I took the lazy option of remaining in the car and using binoculars. Found it over the far side (from the lay-by) without too much difficulty but paid the price for my laziness.

There were a lot of gulls and much more open water than yesterday. I had a quick scan through them and was fairly happy with a Yellow-legged in amongst the huge numbers of LLBs and then decided to head back to work. As I departed, I noticed another birder who was more dedicated than me, braving the elements with his 'scope. I pulled over to say hello and he told me that he's seen ...

Well, I'll leave it there for now, in case he comes along and wants to add a post about it himself. Don't know if he's a BF contributor or if he uses the SOS observations site, so if nothing is showing up when we get back from Poland on Saturday I'll finish this post off. Wish I'd tried a bit harder, now, though.

[Patrick_L]

Chris

Looking forward to your Ring-billed Gull/Caspian Gull story when you get back from Poland!

All the best for your trip, take a hat, its a bit fresh out there I understand.

Patrick

[Wimpy]

Oh you spoilt it!!

[pandachris]

Spoiled indeed. Seems that the RBG was in clear view close to the bank when I was down at the M54 end of the lay-by. Don't think I could have seen it from there though.

Can't seem to get an accurate forecast for Wroclaw. We've seen one local one saying mainly +1 to +6 C and another saying heavy snow and down to -5. The Wroclaw webcam is showing snow this morning for the first time in a week, and as we're travelling hand luggage only we've decided to wear all our clothes. It's the only rational thing to do.

[jwreeves]

2 caspian gulls at prioslee today, also at least 5 yellow-legged gulls. Didnt see the black-necked grebe tho to be honest didnt really look for it as spent most of my time trying to sort through the gulls!

[Patrick_L]

Sorry Chris (and Wimpy), but the word was out quickly - I would have texted you at the time to let you know but I thought you had already left travelling east!

I hope the weather forecast is more accurate in Poland than it is here - I'm still waiting for the 5" of snow that we're supposed to be getting.

Enjoy the Wroclaw Vodka!

[Patrick_L]

Hello Chris!

I see from the Surfbirds' forum that there is some discussion over the RBG identity - unfortunately I can't access the photo so I don't know what the issues are. Might be worth checking out.

Catch up soon, all the best,

Patrick

[The Moore-hen]

Originally Posted by Patrick_L

Hello Chris!

I see from the Surfbirds' forum that there is some discussion over the RBG identity - unfortunately I can't access the photo so I don't know what the issues are. Might be worth checking out.

Catch up soon, all the best,

Patrick

Hi All

What is the latest with the identity of the RBG? I was going to have a look on my lunch break today (until the snow) and i see it has been reported on the RBA pager again as being present at 12.00 (typical...). Are there any photos doing the rounds that could be posted on here?

Cheers

[jwreeves]

Originally Posted by The Moore-hen

Hi All

What is the latest with the identity of the RBG? I was going to have a look on my lunch break today (until the snow) and i see it has been reported on the RBA pager again as being present at 12.00 (typical...). Are there any photos doing the rounds that could be posted on here?

Cheers

Cant remember where ive read this but i think there is a ring-billed about plus a possible ring-billed hybrid

[The Moore-hen]

Originally Posted by jwreeves

Cant remember where ive read this but i think there is a ring-billed about plus a possible ring-billed hybrid

Yep i think that was the confusion, i've heard the same now. Cheers for the update tho...

[The Moore-hen]

Priorslee Lake 12.45-13.40 today

No sign of the Ring-billed Gull in my lunchtime visit although unfortunately nearly all of the large gulls flew off just after i arrived...typical a Buzzard flew low over the ice...

I did talk to a lad there who had just seen the adult Caspian and 2 Yellow-legged Gull just before i arrived...that will teach me to venture out of Staffordshire!

There was also no sign of the Black-necked Grebe just a single Little and a few Gt C Grebe.

There was another bloke there who said a Bittern had been present on Monday but i couldn't locate this anywhere on the ice around the reedbeds!!

Not a very successful visit at all to be fair but i didn't have much time.

[pandachris]

A Fieldfare in my back garden this morning. I've a feeling that this is a garden first for me, despite having lived here since 1999.

Large flock of small finches at Haughmond yesterday. Probably about 300, mainly Redpolls with smaller numbers of Siskins and Goldinches.

One Brambling at VP briefly but the birds at the feeding station were very skittish and inclined to scatter at the least stimulus. Both the pool and the fishing pool were completely frozen, so no sign of the Smew.

Ice on the Severn at Atcham in the late p.m. and very few birds.

[The Moore-hen]

Priorslee Lake

Finally caught up with the Bittern today...

It flew from the near right hand corner of the lake at 11.05am and landed in the reeds by the boardwalks. It was also seen Tuesday circling over the lake and M54 with gulls!!

Had an adult Yellow-legged Gull with a couple of hundred large gulls. The ice is now melting there.

male Peregrine at 09.30 hunting over the shopping centre car park at Telford causing havoc amongst the BH Gulls!

[pandachris]

Just had a report from a reliable source of a Glaucous Gull on Priorslee Lake right now, continuing the run of interesting sightings there. I'd nip down there myself but I'm pretty much chained to my desk until 20:00 so hopefully it will be back tomorrow.

[The Moore-hen]

No sign of the Glaucous Gull at lunchtime between 13.00-13.45 but a 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull briefly. This bird had been in the Chasewater area on Sunday and roosted at Belvide yesterday from 5pm...but were it is now is anybody's guess...

[andy latham]

Further to Ians' (moorhen)post ad Caspian was present from 1.30ish - 3.00 1 yl gull but no sign of the Glaucous, by 3.20 when I left site.

Cheers Andy

[The Moore-hen]

Originally Posted by andy latham

Further to Ians' (moorhen)post ad Caspian was present from 1.30ish - 3.00 1 yl gull but no sign of the Glaucous, by 3.20 when I left site.

Cheers Andy

Nice one Andy, good to see you again yesterday... That Caspo must have come in just as i left...i ain't having much luck with the gulls there...the Caspo was present the other day when i arrived and as i set up my scope a Buzzard flushed em all up...and i dipped the Glauc...never liked gulls much tho...more Mr Nuttal's fortay!

Cheers

Ian

[andy latham]

Hey up, ad. Caspian priorslee again at lunchtime. I know what you mean reagrding gulls Ian, however this is the joy of winter birding in Britain!!!!
In a word cr*p!

Andy

[mcmerlin]

Grey wagtail in newport yesterday- by the strine brook, adjacant to the canal.

[mcmerlin]

walked back from town along Newport canal this morning, dont think ive ever seen it that alive with birds. lots of redwing on the field, and loads of common birds in the trees including nuthatch and two Greater spotted woodpeckers (saw one flying and could hear one drumming at the same time) and a Grey wagtail by the lock.
Highlights of my garden at the moment are lesser redpolls, a fieldfare and a female blackcap, with all making regular visits.

[The Moore-hen]

Originally Posted by andy latham

Hey up, ad. Caspian priorslee again at lunchtime. I know what you mean reagrding gulls Ian, however this is the joy of winter birding in Britain!!!!
In a word cr*p!

Andy

Typical! I did see the message on my pager and laugh... think the gulls there are taking the p*ss! Yep i only look at gulls because it's the only thing likely to hold a mega in a midland winter! Roll on the spring (and warblers...)

[pandachris]

Bird activity does seem to be on the increase, mcmerlin. I had to take the train to work this morning and there was lots of common stuff visible from the windoww and some very noisy small finches in the bushes near Telford Station.

[mcmerlin]

Garden birds have been extremely busy, had loads tthe last few days including siskins, and 2 brambling!! and yesterday was pleasently suprsed to have a mealy redpoll on the feeders with the lesser redpolls! fieldfare and both blackcaps (m and f) regular at the moment aswell. mealy a much paler bird with white on the rump, a life tick for me.
Chetwynd pool this morning had the usual common wildfowl plus some shoveler, a small group of wigeon and about 12 Goosander.

[davidearlgray]

Hi Shropshire birders, just wondered if anybody had a image of the recent Ring-billed Gull near Telford, as I found an adult Ring-billed Gull at Shawell, Leics last thursday and was wondering if it was the same bird?
I look forward to your replies,
Cheers,
Dave.