Rare and Scarce Birds in Warwickshire (3 Viewers)

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

24/04 09:26 WEST MIDLANDS : Black-necked Grebe, Sutton Coldfield [A] one on the second pit back from the bridleway along Senneys Lane, Marston; also 2 Black-tailed Godwits and Grasshopper Warbler. Park along old Kingbury Road and keep to public rights of way

Birdguides report- Marston gp's again, in Warwickshire same site as yesterday's Bar-tailed Godwit.
Obviously birders have been focusing on the main areas of the Tame Valley and not the smaller areas.

Regards, John

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

24/04 09:26 WEST MIDLANDS : Black-necked Grebe, Sutton Coldfield [A] one on the second pit back from the bridleway along Senneys Lane, Marston; also 2 Black-tailed Godwits and Grasshopper Warbler. Park along old Kingbury Road and keep to public rights of way

Birdguides report- Marston gp's again, in Warwickshire same site as yesterday's Bar-tailed Godwit.
Obviously birders have been focusing on the main areas of the Tame Valley and not the smaller areas.

Regards, John

http://tamevalleybirding.blogspot.co.uk/

Marston Gravel pits are at SP20264 94870

Just West of Marston village and in Warwickshire, easy to check if visting Middleton lakes, Wheatear and Black Tern have been reported in the past, with this dry spell obviously there is some mud showing.

 

[Matt Griffiths]

Turned out to be option 3, by experienced birder Alan Dean, I should have thought these would be called Marston gravel pits and not Marston fields.

http://tamevalleybirding.blogspot.co.uk/

These pits appear to be part of Marston Fields Farm, which would explain Alan's choice of name. Perhaps trying to avoid confusion with the former pits along nearby Haunch Lane?
Matt

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

These pits appear to be part of Marston Fields Farm, which would explain Alan's choice of name. Perhaps trying to avoid confusion with the former pits along nearby Haunch Lane?
Matt

Hi Matt,
The pits by Haunch lane are called Lea Marston lakes old quarry site, so no confusion there with Marston gravel pits.
By putting out Marston fields, from Shustoke Reservoir Bob Duckhouse and David Hutton and myself did not have much idea where it was.
If Marston Gravel pits were put out I would have known right away.

Regards, John

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

The usual progression of gravel pits is :-
Gravel pits are dug then they pick up the local name of the nearest village or Town, after gravel excavation is complete the name goes from gravel pits (short pits) to lake or water then some groups of lakes become a Water park.

 

[draycotebirding]

Spotted Sandpiper

Spotted Sandpiper (found by Bob Hazell) today at Draycote along Draycote Bank near the Valve Tower.

Regards

John

 

[Phil Andrews]

Male Red-backed Shrike at Ladywalk NR. More here: http://archiesbirding.blogspot.co.uk/

 

[Dog]

Male Red-backed Shrike at Ladywalk NR. More here: http://archiesbirding.blogspot.co.uk/

Should have been mega alerted on my pager, far better than all those Pied-billed Grebes they mega'd in Ireland the other year, but not to uncommon in North Warks or for that matter most other species on the British List have been recorded in the area.

Mike.

 

[Cliffhanger55]

Galley Common raptor?

Hi - rank amateur here. Saw a large brown raptor-like bird over field in Galley Common today. It was hovering very low, but as I was driving I couldn't get a pic. About the size of a buzzard, but under-wing plumage looked lighter and different pattern. Any ideas plse?

 

[Jim Milne]

Hi Folks

I've just ( 2:10 pm) had a Red Kite drift NW over New Arley - a first for the village, at least for me.

Jim Milne

 

[scary-canary]

Hi - rank amateur here. Saw a large brown raptor-like bird over field in Galley Common today. It was hovering very low, but as I was driving I couldn't get a pic. About the size of a buzzard, but under-wing plumage looked lighter and different pattern. Any ideas plse?

Buzzards come in lots of shades and colours.
Chris

 

[Phil Andrews]

Night Heron at Seeswood Pool for its second day - any advice about this location? Is there a path around or is the bird only viewable from the road?

 

[draycotebirding]

Night Heron at Seeswood Pool for its second day - any advice about the location? Is there a path around or is the bird only viewable from the road?

Hi Phil

There is some limited space along the road near the southern end. Go over the gate and then walk clockwise round the edge on an obvious track. The bird favours the willows on the opposite side before you get to the point. I think officially its anglers only but they seemed ok yesterday and were keen to talk about it being there for a couple of days before.

Regards

John

 

[Phil Andrews]

Cheers John - will give it a go over the weekend if still present

 

[Dave Hutton]

Night Heron still present this afternoon & showed well for a while!! (Should be some nice photos from Paul Lathbury later) Phil will put news out as early as possible Sat morning & Sun if local....

Dave

 

[Steve Sutton]

Bird still showing on Fishing platform at 1945 until a photographer flushed the bird ,just glad I hadn't driven 200 miles to see it :C

 

[Dog]

Dennis Woodward told me today that a fisherman tried to throw him off site today at Seeswood Pool while trying to see the Night Heron.

Mike.

 

[Reader]

All the Anglers were ok with me on Saturday. What was their objection to Dennis?

John

Dennis Woodward told me today that a fisherman tried to throw him off site today at Seeswood Pool while trying to see the Night Heron.

Mike.

 

[Dog]

All the Anglers were ok with me on Saturday. What was their objection to Dennis?

John

Just been Dennis.

 

[Dave Hutton]

Just been Dennis.

Years ago (Back in the 80's Arbury estates posted signs saying it wasn't a dedicated footpath & the owners didn't wish it to be!! The fact is there has been an established footpath way back & 2 of those are now under water!! That fisherman spouting off needs politely telling that his permit allows him to fish the pool not police the outer edge!! Most of the lads are fine just some silly duffer who thinks that the pool is for his use only!! Might have to raise this with the Seeswood group & have a mass protest & walk (500+ members) 8-P