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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

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  1. T

    Sandwell Valley

    Early morning visit today which was most enjoyable. Highlight was good views of two hobbys together. They flew over the feeding station near the car park while I was waiting for the LSW to make an appearance on the dead tree by the farm (it escaped me). The walk by the river was rewarding...
  2. T

    Upton Warren

    A good morning testing my new bins and was rewarded with views of two Hobbies (a first at UW for me) and a juvinile Sprawk (we thought it a male?) John - thanks for you company this morning it was a real tonic to help me get back on the birding bike after the turmoil of the last few weeks. I...
  3. T

    Kingsbury Water Park

    Spent a delightful 5 hours at Kingsbury today. Water levels were high which affected the volume of birds but that didn't detract from some good birding. Highlights included Goosander, Goldeneye (1 male, 2 Females), Pintail, Little Grebe, Shelduck, Widgeon, Teal, Gadwall, Shovelar...
  4. T

    Kingsbury Water Park

    John You are right about the area in front of the hides. The crescent shaped island is a magnet for a good variety of birds. The field to the left provides good grazing attracting good numbers of geese. Snipe and Jack Snipe are in attendance. Widgeon numbers are usually good and Little...
  5. T

    Kingsbury Water Park

    John My visits here are inconsistent but I've always enjoyed them, it's on my circuit of sites I frequent away from Upton. Whenever I've been it has always been very quiet often I've felt all alone (but that's another story). Some really good briding though often running in parallel with...
  6. T

    Upton Warren

    Thanks John much appreciated.
  7. T

    Upton Warren

    A good four hours at the Moors today. Highlights included Jack Snipe, a flock of c25 Redwing, Siskin, Fieldfare, Nuthatch and Sparrowhawk. Three Water Rail - one directly in front of the East hide and two in front of the new along with two Canada Geese grazing. I'm not good on gulls so would...
  8. T

    Upton Warren

    Spent 4 hours at the Moors today. It must be Sunday because of the large congregation of coots in one corner totalling in excess of 100. The best views of Water Rail I've ever had as it fed on the waterline in front of the new hide for a good ten minutes moving left to right and back again. I...
  9. T

    Blythe Valley, Solihull

    Matt Thanks for this information - will do. Good point made about persecution albeit unbelivable that we should have to consider protective measures. It's all beyond my comprehension. Interestingly last summer I had a close encounter at BVP with a raptor which streaked over my head by just a...
  10. T

    Upton Warren

    Thanks John. What caught my eye was the Lapwing were returning after a flyaround after being spooked. 4 made a beeline for the Curlew by landing on it while it was standing still minding its own business rather than encroaching on a territory as such. Very interesting!
  11. T

    Upton Warren

    First visit of 2013, belated new year greetings. I was surprised to see things in such fine fettle in the face of such bad weather recently. No doubt a result of the workparty's hard work - well done all much appreciated. I stayed at the Moors for about 4 hours adding to the tally -...
  12. T

    Blythe Valley, Solihull

    Matt Thanks for this. I hope 2013 will be good for Earlswood sightings as well. Just sat down after strolling at the back of my house which is the site of an often used roost by a male Tawny Owl. Literally 25 yards away and I hear it most nights. I had a smashing view of it lit by my torch...
  13. T

    Blythe Valley, Solihull

    First visit this morning for a while. Still very soggy off the main paths and the lakes and reed areas are very full. The drainage reeds were the worst I've seen them - I hope this doesn't affect the warblers when they return to breed. Hopefully they should recover. Fairly quiet generally...
  14. T

    Blythe Valley, Solihull

    Unsurprisingly the Blythe had burst its banks when I visisited Sunday morning. Probably the worst I've seen. So much so that a pair of Mute Swans were sailing round and round the 2nd green of the adjoining Shirley golf club. The lakes and ponds were very full and the Woodpecker wood was...
  15. T

    Upton Warren

    Ho flippin ho. Be gentle with me. Put it down to the lower class influence or senility.
  16. T

    Upton Warren

    John I understand the Bittern is a very recent drop into Brandon so keep your chin up. Who knows what's round the corner. They didn't have the O bird, my goodness that was brilliant wasn't it? ;) Alan
  17. T

    Upton Warren

    I was at Brandon as well today and felt uncomfortable not being at Upton. You are right Phil about the Gadwall though, just a touch less classy ;) Not many Widgeon where the Thame valley was much more plentiful. The highlight was the female Smew which was the motive why I went there in the...
  18. T

    Blythe Valley, Solihull

    Headed off to Brandon Marsh today to twitch the female Smew. Despite it being pretty busy I had a great day. Highlights were the Smew of course which was showing well in the very good lighting the day offered. There were two male and one female Goldeneye which again showed perfectly. The...
  19. T

    Blythe Valley, Solihull

    I've been out of circulation the last few days and unable to get to 'The Valley'. Highlight for me though was my first Waxwing of the season. I flushed a solitary bird as I was walking my dog. It was perched in a small tree in someone's front garden in Mountford Road and flew off over the...
  20. T

    Blythe Valley, Solihull

    This is good to hear Matt. Do you know if the WM Bird Club collates information about the site? Otherwise I'm thinking of starting something off but obviously wouldn't want to tread on toes if someone has already blazed the trail so to speak. Alan
  21. T

    Blythe Valley, Solihull

    Matt Thanks for the information. I managed to check them out after returning from Earlswood lakes on Sunday. Pretty quiet there although the highlight was a female Goosander. Alan
  22. T

    Blythe Valley, Solihull

    Matt No I wasn't and thanks for letting me know. Could you let me know precise location, I know the area pretty well? I'm off to Whitacre Heath Nature Reserve and Shustoke Reservoir tomorrow and might drop in at Middleton as well. I can always find time for Golden Plover who are a delight...
  23. T

    Help needed. Black bird with red / orange under wings

    Absolutely. I'd still love to tick it and then it would be a cosmicMF but this would really be stretching it! Nice bird though and it brought a smile. Regards
  24. T

    Blythe Valley, Solihull

    Adrian Thanks for the post, try this for info re transport and location http://www.blythevalleypark.co.uk/location_travel/transport_modes It really is pretty quite most of the time so any day would be OK. Enjoy. I'd love to know how you get on.
  25. T

    Blythe Valley, Solihull

    Matt - Thanks for this, much appreciated. It's nice to hear there are others who are enjoying the reserve as well and importantly having some good birds. I see loads of potential here and wondered if anyone was keeping a coordinated site list. As you say not much comes out from the site. I...
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