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Sandwell Valley (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Kevin Clements
- Start date
Adrian k
Well-known member
Had a great day today not many people around early 7am but good birding with many species around, most of the water on the main lake forge mill that is was thinly iced over with many species hugging the sides in the free flowing water.
The water on Swan Pool was again thinly frozen with good areas of free flowing water, again many species around weather was a little chilly in the shade but quite warm in the sun.
It was good to see so many people around once 9.30 had come around and great to have good banter with the staff and volunteers.
Great views of the Yellow legged gull on the gull resting bars by the island on Swan pool also on here were Goldeneye (Drake) and 11 x Little grebe with Mistle thrush in the shrubs at the end of the car park (Swan Pool).
As I was walking back towards Forge mill farm a Kestrel flew over from the direction of the Golf Course only to be seen for a few seconds on the roof of the farm shop a few minutes later.
Did notice a large black bird approaching from behind the farm shop and then the bird started calling this gave me the confidence to say Raven.
Now for the species seen today (these will be alphabetical order sorry) -
Black headed gull, Blackbird, Blue tit, Bullfinch, Canada goose, Carrion crow, Chaffinch, Coal tit, Collared dove, Common snipe, Coot, Cormorant, Dunnock, Fieldfare (over), Gadwall, Goldeneye, Goldfinch, Goosander, Great crested grebe, Great tit, Green woodpecker, Greenfinch, Grey heron, Grey wagtail, House sparrow, Jack snipe, Kestrel, Lapwing, Lesser black backed gull, Little egret, Little grebe, Long tailed tit, Magpie, Mallard, Mistle thrush, Moorhen, Mute swan, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pied wagtail, Raven (over calling), Redwing, Reed bunting, Ring necked parakeet, Robin, Shoveler, Siskin, Song thrush, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Teal, Tufted duck, Wigeon, Willow tit, Woodpigeon, Wren & Yellow legged gull
The water on Swan Pool was again thinly frozen with good areas of free flowing water, again many species around weather was a little chilly in the shade but quite warm in the sun.
It was good to see so many people around once 9.30 had come around and great to have good banter with the staff and volunteers.
Great views of the Yellow legged gull on the gull resting bars by the island on Swan pool also on here were Goldeneye (Drake) and 11 x Little grebe with Mistle thrush in the shrubs at the end of the car park (Swan Pool).
As I was walking back towards Forge mill farm a Kestrel flew over from the direction of the Golf Course only to be seen for a few seconds on the roof of the farm shop a few minutes later.
Did notice a large black bird approaching from behind the farm shop and then the bird started calling this gave me the confidence to say Raven.
Now for the species seen today (these will be alphabetical order sorry) -
Black headed gull, Blackbird, Blue tit, Bullfinch, Canada goose, Carrion crow, Chaffinch, Coal tit, Collared dove, Common snipe, Coot, Cormorant, Dunnock, Fieldfare (over), Gadwall, Goldeneye, Goldfinch, Goosander, Great crested grebe, Great tit, Green woodpecker, Greenfinch, Grey heron, Grey wagtail, House sparrow, Jack snipe, Kestrel, Lapwing, Lesser black backed gull, Little egret, Little grebe, Long tailed tit, Magpie, Mallard, Mistle thrush, Moorhen, Mute swan, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pied wagtail, Raven (over calling), Redwing, Reed bunting, Ring necked parakeet, Robin, Shoveler, Siskin, Song thrush, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Teal, Tufted duck, Wigeon, Willow tit, Woodpigeon, Wren & Yellow legged gull
Adrian k
Well-known member
One thing I noticed yesterday and I really couldn't understand why even though the staff in the hide did try their best to explain.
Why is there no SIGHTINGS BOOK IN THE HIDE this is a MUST for all good reserves that don't have wardens with the technology at hand to get previous sightings dates and information so the interested public of which their are many can see for themselves where and when the species they are looking for actually arrived or were seen last.
The lack of such a useful source of information is bewildering the only information you can gain from staff (not their fault I must add) is to what species are about on that day.
This is to be honest a Stupid situation and a serious lack of interest from the management towards their customers.
PLEASE PUT RIGHT ASAP.
Rant over.
Why is there no SIGHTINGS BOOK IN THE HIDE this is a MUST for all good reserves that don't have wardens with the technology at hand to get previous sightings dates and information so the interested public of which their are many can see for themselves where and when the species they are looking for actually arrived or were seen last.
The lack of such a useful source of information is bewildering the only information you can gain from staff (not their fault I must add) is to what species are about on that day.
This is to be honest a Stupid situation and a serious lack of interest from the management towards their customers.
PLEASE PUT RIGHT ASAP.
Rant over.
Adrian k
Well-known member
Little egret was from the hide looking to the left down in the corner in and out of the reeds you would probably had better views from the band stand I think
The pheasant was just coming off the golf course going into the scrub on the path on the left hand side as I walked from Forge Mill towards Swan pool in the small wooded area.
The pheasant was just coming off the golf course going into the scrub on the path on the left hand side as I walked from Forge Mill towards Swan pool in the small wooded area.
yamyam
Well-known member
yamyam
Well-known member
Forge Mill from the Hide
Lapwing c12
Wigeon x10
Pochard X2
Greylag
Goosander x9
Gadwall c8
Shoveler x6
Cormorant
Kingfisher
Oystercatcher x4
Snipe x2
Teal x2
Great Crested Grebe
Herring Gull
Lesser Black Backed Gull x10
Black Headed Gull c86
Canada Goose c56
Tufted Duck c31
Ring Necked Parakeet x2
Common Gull
Good Birding YAMYAM
Lapwing c12
Wigeon x10
Pochard X2
Greylag
Goosander x9
Gadwall c8
Shoveler x6
Cormorant
Kingfisher
Oystercatcher x4
Snipe x2
Teal x2
Great Crested Grebe
Herring Gull
Lesser Black Backed Gull x10
Black Headed Gull c86
Canada Goose c56
Tufted Duck c31
Ring Necked Parakeet x2
Common Gull
Good Birding YAMYAM
