South Birmingham misc sightings (1 Viewer)

[Rob_S]

I tried to post these in threads relevant to the areas in question, but seemingly old threads are locked.

Ravens over Highbury Park this morning, before it started tipping down.
Also 20+ House Martins.

Barnacle Goose x 2 at Bournville Boating Lake around 4pm.

 

[Rob_S]

Raven calling loudly just off Heath Road, Bournville. Been at it for a good 30 mins already.

 

[Rob_S]

A dozen or so Swallows high over Manor Farm Park this morning, heading south.

Grey Wagtail around the lake, and a couple of large, noisy and mobile Goldfinch flocks.

No sign of any returning Goosander or Shoveler yet. The male Shovelers clearly made their mark, if the number of young Mallard-Shoveler hybrids on the lake is anything to go by.

 

[Rob_S]

Rowheath Park this evening - presumably a hybrid Mallard, happily associating with other Mallards. Anyone got any idea which species may have been involved here?

Brown head, thin pale stripe behind the eye, white front, pale silvery-brown plumage.

Apologies for the crap camera on my phone (and the crap photographer)

 

[keithr]

Threads do unlock......cant remember exactly but you have to click something at the bottom.....

 

[Rob_S]

Threads do unlock......cant remember exactly but you have to click something at the bottom.....

Thanks Keith, must have missed that.

 

[Rob_S]

Sparrowhawk heading north along the River Rea over Dogpool Lane around 4pm yesterday.

 

[keithr]

The usual Grey Wagtails.....at least 3 this time..

Chasing each other along the Rea at Longbridge Town Centre.

 

[Rob_S]

There was a Grey Wagtail at Lifford yesterday morning, first one I've seen there for a few weeks.

We had a Sparrowhawk in our back garden last Sunday.

 

[JackRabbit]

3 Shoveler at Manor Farm Park this morning. Nice to see them back. Also a few Redwing over.

 

[Rob_S]

Another hybrid duck in Rowheath park this afternoon, again happily associating with the Mallards and very approachable.

Noticeably small (the second photo shows it's about the same size as a Coot) and small-billed. Curled tail feathers and general appearance suggests some Long-Tailed Duck heritage at some point?

 

[Rob_S]

Also in Rowheath park - male Sparrowhawk scattered Starlings and mixed Thrushes from the trees around the fishing pool. Grey and Pied Wagtails.

 

[Rob_S]

Manor Farm Park, 3pm - lake almost completely frozen, cluster of Canada Geese, Mallard, Moorhen and Coot at the southern end.

Buzzard overhead.
Great Spotted Woodpecker in the trees to the north of the lake.

Great sledging down that bank at the back of the lake.

 

[Corvus cornix]

Another hybrid duck in Rowheath park this afternoon, again happily associating with the Mallards and very approachable.

Noticeably small (the second photo shows it's about the same size as a Coot) and small-billed. Curled tail feathers and general appearance suggests some Long-Tailed Duck heritage at some point?

Judging by the size, I'd say it's got small "Call Duck" ancestry. (A minature Mallard-derived strain, very vocal and used as decoy ducks to call in wild birds), the curled tail feathers are typical for drake Mallard, although they do look very obvious on this individual. They come in a variety of colours from wild-type to pure white with just about anything in between possible.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/c4/f6/8b/c4f68b06944d367f0463cc44b5a1d6fc.jpg

https://www.purelypoultry.com/images/call-ducklings-for-sale_03.jpg

https://www.efowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/white_call_ducks.jpg

Cheers

 

[Rob_S]

Judging by the size, I'd say it's got small "Call Duck" ancestry. (A minature Mallard-derived strain, very vocal and used as decoy ducks to call in wild birds), the curled tail feathers are typical for drake Mallard, although they do look very obvious on this individual. They come in a variety of colours from wild-type to pure white with just about anything in between possible.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/c4/f6/8b/c4f68b06944d367f0463cc44b5a1d6fc.jpg

https://www.purelypoultry.com/images/call-ducklings-for-sale_03.jpg

https://www.efowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/white_call_ducks.jpg

Cheers

Thank you. The head markings on that first photo are a good match.

 

[Rob_S]

Blackcap (m) on our feeders repeatedly this morning.

We saw a male Blackcap on several occasions last Christmas. I wonder if it's the same bird.

 

[Pam Dragon]

Hi, there were a flock of 5/6 Ring Necked Parakeets in Holders Lane Woods, Cannon Hill Park today!!
A first for us.

 

[zomerset]

Hi, there were a flock of 5/6 Ring Necked Parakeets in Holders Lane Woods, Cannon Hill Park today!!
A first for us.

Hi Pam, yes I heard them the other week when I was at Canon Hill Park. They've been reported at Highbury Park nearby as well.

 

[Rob_S]

I still haven't seen a Goosander or Shoveler in Manor Farm Park this winter. Neither species around this morning either.

Green Woodpecker yaffling loudly in the woods south of the lake.
Mobile tit flock along the edge of the lake, with Treecreeper in there too.

Lots of sitting in treetops singing going on from several species - spring is springing.

 

[keithr]

Had the 1 Goosander there on 30th Nov ....post # 747 on Kingfisher site....