West Midlands/Warwickshire local patches. (2 Viewers)

[senatore]

Went to Brandon Marsh this morning.

Didn't see much till I spotted 3 Barn Owls (2 Juv. and 1 Adult) in their usual tree.Never seen more than one before.That was the good news the bad was that wherever I went along the path there were reeds/grass in the way and a good shot was impossible.You need to be 6ft.9 inches tall or take some steps with you to get a decent shot.

There was a lone Green Sandpiper from the Carlton hide and a KF was showing well from the perching pole.Well it was till 2 women and 5 kids arrived one of whom had just won the World's Noisiest Kid Championship and managed to scare off the KF to the other sde of Coventry.

A few pics attached.Is the first shot a juvenile Feral Pigeon.The Owl babysitter seems to have nodded off.

Max.

 

[KayD]

Upton Warren Flashes this evening - 3 Dunlins, 7 Green Sandpipers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 1 Peregrine, c 300 BH Gulls (but no Meds), 2 LBBG, 2 Shoveler. Thirty Curlews came in to roost.

 

[Duck_Pond]

That kingfisher is never there when I go to BM. :C

 

[abagguley]

That kingfisher is never there when I go to BM. :C

Same here - I reckon Max takes a stuffed one with him to annoy us.

 

[Di Stone]

I've often seen it early on a weekend - from 06:45 to about 08:00 on some days :-O.

 

[senatore]

As my friend the weatherman told me today would be the best day of the week I went off to Draycote Water only to be greeted with a damp,cold and breezey morning.Thanks yet again weatherman.

Feeling pretty miserable as I trundled along the Farborough Bank I was immediately cheered up when close to the red buoy I came across an old friend the juvenile Wheatear but this time he had his mum with him ( I think it is a female?).They were both very accomodating and allowed me to get pretty close if you were careful.

Other birds present 2 Common Sandpipers,2 Dunlin,2 Yellow Wagtails and 1 Yellow-legged Gull.

Some pics attached.

Max.

 

[KayD]

Nice pics of the female Wheatear Max :t:

 

[senatore]

Same here - I reckon Max takes a stuffed one with him to annoy us.

Dammit.You've found out my secret.

It was funny on Thursday I'd been in the hide with another birder for 45 minutes waiting for a KF to turn when just as this guy said "The damn thing is not going to turn up" it landed on the perching pole.

I've been lucky the last two times I've been in that hide but failed many times previously.This could be the time to see them.

Max.

 

[Steve Seal]

Nice Wheatear Max. :t:

 

[joser]

Didn't see much till I spotted 3 Barn Owls (2 Juv. and 1 Adult) in their usual tree.

When is a good time to see the Barn Owls at Brandon out of interest? Any help much appreciated.

I visited Brandon for the first time a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed it so much I went back today and joined the WWT. A great couple of visits with very obliging Kingfishers. Got my hopes on a Hobby next visit but waiting for better weather than today!

 

[senatore]

When is a good time to see the Barn Owls at Brandon out of interest? Any help much appreciated.

I visited Brandon for the first time a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed it so much I went back today and joined the WWT. A great couple of visits with very obliging Kingfishers. Got my hopes on a Hobby next visit but waiting for better weather than today!

Hi Joser.Not an easy question to answer.I saw them at just before 12.00 last time but they were not seen in the afternoon.I think it's pot luck and I'm told the juveniles will leave the nest shortly.

Popped down to Marsh Lane this morning.It was cold and miserable not like August at all.Little of interest seen but did get some Buzzard shots from the carpark.

Max.

 

[Duck_Pond]

2nd shot is superb Max :t:

Popped over to BM today to try again for the kf... wasn't disappointed. It was there for 50 mins, after which it was joined by a second one! Over an hour of kf action. Pics to follow, maybe later!

The first one caught a couple of fish - the first one looked too big to swallow. The 2nd kf wasn't quite as good at fishing, but did get one later on.

A good afternoon, in spite of the weather!

 

[Duck_Pond]

A few from earlier... I would post more, but Mr Becks and Mr Kronenburg have lead me astray...


B

 

[senatore]

Congrats Pete on getting the KF's.Great shots as well by the way.

The next shot to go for is one fishing in the water.I've tried and have now got a large collection of water only shots.

Max.

 

[Duck_Pond]

One day... the fish caught first (perch is it?), was scooped out of the water, beneath the edge of the lake, so we didn't actually see the splash. Surprised that it was still hungry after that whopper, but within 30 mins, it caught another.

I think the 2nd one that arrived was a young male, son perhaps... and it wasn't as competent at fishing. Had several attempts before it got one.

Fabulous birds to watch though.

 

[Di Stone]

Great captures Pete, especially of the one feeding.

I can remember my other half being led astray by a certain Mr Grolsch on our first weekend back in Germany. He never drank it again but did become friendly with Herr Schloser Alt then a Herr Dusseldorf Alt on our second posting.

Di

 

[Kevin Groocock]

Draycote this morning was rather strange

Decided to walk Draycote this morning. Very quiet though :eek!:



I think I need another break

 

[Kevin Groocock]

Draycote this morning

Needing to clear my head , I decided to walk Draycote this morning. Arriving at 0715 managed 45 species.

Hobby (1) over country park; Common Sandpiper (1) on Farborough Bank; Juvenile Wheatear (1) on Farborough Bank: Sparrowhawk (1) over fields behind Farborough Bank; Grey Wagtail (2); Willow Warbler (3); Blackcap (2);

 

[Upland Birder]

Little Owl-Shustoke Reservoir

Max, Kevin, Pete,

Thanks for sharing your excellent photo's.

Yesterday evening I walked around Shustoke Reservoir. The highlight of the walk for me was the fact that I came across my fifth species of owl in the wild. Yep!! I finally caught up with a Little Owl perched in a tree, hunting and in flight from about 100ft. I had really good close views through my bins. It's taken me a while to track one of these down. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time

Also present was a high concentration of Great Crested Grebe, Black Headed Gulls, Lesser Black Backed Gulls flying over, flocks of lapwing in flight and on the waters edge, numerous Moorhens, a Common Tern hunting, two pairs of Mute Swans, Heron, Robin, Pied Wagtails and Swallows low in flight and very close to where I was standing.

Quite a breezy evening but well pleased with the Little Owl sighting B

Dean:t::t::t:

 

[KayD]

Well done on the lifer Dean B

Speaking of Owls....can anyone PM me to say where the Barn Owls are at Brandon? I know they're sometimes seen over Newlands, but can anyone direct me to the tree they are being seen in?