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

Coney Meadow and Adjoining Areas (3 Viewers)

Further species recorded on the patch on the first weekend of October:

A few flocks of Swallows and House Martins passing through, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks, a few Siskins, Tufted Duck, 1 yellowhammer near Chatley, Reed Buntings, 3 Kestrels, 2 Cormorants, Mute Swans, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Goldcrests, Mistle Thrushes (inc flock of ~20 Copcut Lane), Grey Herons, Ravens, lots of Jay activity, Pied and Grey Wagtails, Water Rails, 2+ Kingfishers, Linnets etc.

I disturbed a Buzzard on a kill in Droitwich Community Woods - when I inspected the corpse I found it was......another Buzzard!!
 
Frosty morning

First frost (of sorts) this morning in Salwarpe. Ice on car so a definite change in seasons.

Seems to have been a good year for Jays in the village (a few seen this weekend) with much fewer magpies than previous years.
 
Historical Records

I find it fascinating to look through the old reports of the West Midland Bird Club (formerly Birmingham Bird Club) and see how the birding scene has changed over the years. I have copies of reports (which were kindly given to me several years ago) which go back to 1934. A few snippets from these which either relate to (or possibly relate to) the Salwarpe valley between Droitwich and the Severn confluence are given below:

1934 and 1935 - H.G. Alexander of Selly Oak recorded Corncrake along the Droitwich canal (on 10th May 1934 and an unspecified date in May 1935).

Also in 1934, a very intriguing (presumably unsubstantiated) record of a Roller: An article in the Birmingham Post for September 17
signed " E.H.," records that " a Roller has been seen on two days
in the neighbourhood of Droitwich." No further details are
given.


In 1940, the return date for Turtle Dove at Droitwich is given as the 4th May (H.G. Alexander) . How times have changed!!

The 1947 report alludes to the presence of Marsh Warbler in the Salwarpe valley, with an arrival date of 30th May and the following further text:
"It is good to record that although
birds were scarce in the Avon Valley, only three nests
being found after much searching, three birds were found
and breeding suspected in a new locality in the north of
the county. (F.F., A.J.H., A.J.M.)"


In 1950, the arrival date for Nightingale in Droitwich is given as 30th April (A.J. Martin) and there are further records for the area in subsequent decades (at least up to 1972).

In 1957, the report states: Dipper. Nest with eggs seen near Droitwich on April 24th and believed to have bred there for two previous
years (D.G.B.). [An addition to the 1951 Breeding
Survey.—Ed.] (D.G. Boddington)


In 1966, Bearded Tit. One seen along Droitwich Canal on October 9th (M.P.B., A.R.D., B.R.D.).

and

Greenshank. Bird heard calling at Salwarpe on March 21st (C.P. Brooking)



In 1972, Golden Pheasant Worcs One seen along Droitwich Canal on March 19 and in nearby
garden on 22 C.P. Brooking.


and, more interestingly, the same observer recorded 100 Tree Sparrows at Briar Mill (now part of Droitwich Community Woods) on 16th January.

Corn Buntings were recorded as 'present in the breeding season' at Salwarpe in 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975 (at least).

In 1973, 30 Bramblings were recorded along the 'Salwarpe canal' on 28th December and single Jack Snipes were also recorded during the winter.

In 1975, a pair of Stonechats were present at Chawson and a Barn Owl was also recorded there as well as at Hawford.


Some of these birds still occur (or could occur) but it is difficult to imagine breeding Corn Buntings or large flocks of Tree Sparrows in the modern context. :-C:eek!:
 
Redwings starting to arrive - two flocks of 15 and 27 so far over Coney this morning plus a single bird at Tapenhall earlier.

Peregrine on pylon between Tapenhall and Chatley.
 
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A Cetti's Warbler called twice from the reedbed left of the screen at Coney this evening.

Further birds recorded over the weekend as follows:

2 Peregrines perched on pylons, viewed from Middleton Bank, Chawson Lane yesterday. A flock of 12 Skylarks over there and widespread smaller flocks and individual birds yesterday and today.

A Little Owl sunning itself at Ladywood this morning.

A Fieldfare over Coney this evening plus one near Chatley this morning. Widespread flocks of Redwings.

No hirundines noted at all this weekend and only one or two Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps.

A male Yellowhammer over Coney this evening, lots of Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails, Skylarks and at least 3 Water Rails calling.

Also recorded today, 2 Treecreepers, Goldcrests, Tufted Duck near Chatley, Ravens over Egg lane (2) and High Park (2), Coal Tits, Greenfinch, Goldfinches, Starlings, Mistle Thrushes, Red-legged Partridges, flyover Siskins in various places, Reed Buntings, Grey Wagtails, 5+ Cormorants, Canada Goose, Stock Doves, Grey Herons, Sparrowhawk and Buzzards.

Insects on the wing this weekend included Common Darter, Red Admiral and Large Whites.
 
2 Redpolls over Chatley yesterday - the first of the autumn. 50 - 60 Meadow Pipits over Coney + several Skylarks.

Female Yellowhammer yesterday over Salwarpe and one over Coney this evening.

Tufted Duck on farm pond near Chatley, Fieldfare over Tapenhall, a few Redwings and Siskins, Kestrel, Buzzards and Sparrowhawk.
 
Highlights from the weekend:

2 Common Snipes and 2 Water Rails showing in front of the screen at Coney (Friday only).
Little Owl showing at Ladywood on Sunday.
3 Yellowhammers between Chatley and Ladywood on Friday and 3+ over Coney yesterday.
Blackcap Coney Meadow
Chiffchaff Salwarpe
Redpoll over Coney and widespread Siskins in small flocks.
Definitely more Fieldfares around now and plenty of Redwings
Flocks of Skylarks over (in groups up to 6)
Tufted Duck, Meadow Pipits, Goldcrests, 2 Treecreepers, Nuthatch, Coal Tits, Buzzards, Kestrels, Sparrowhawk, both Woodpeckers, Stock Doves, Cormorants, Grey Herons, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtails, Pied wagtails, LT Tits, etc.
 
A redhead Goosander just flew over Hawford towards Mildenham - only my 2nd ever on the patch after the one over Coney in March this year.
 
A Tawny Owl hooting around Salwarpe this evening.
Two Snipes flew from the reedbed calling.
50 - 60 Pied Wagtails roosted in the reedbed and a Sparrowhawk flew over.
Water Rails calling from Coney reedbed + from the canal earlier at Hawford + from the canal near Droitwich yesterday.

Further birds from the weekend included a few Redpolls over in various places, plus one or two Siskins (numbers currently very low), Fieldfares, Redwings, Tufted Duck, Grey Wagtails, Grey Herons, Cormorants, a few Skylarks over, 3 Yellowhammers between Ladywood and Tapenhall + several over Salwarpe / Coney, Reed Buntings, Green + Great Spot Woodpeckers, Kingfisher, Coal Tits, Nuthatch, Mistle Thrushes and lots of Goldcrests.
 
A Little Owl showed well at Ladywood on Friday morning.
5 Snipe at Coney Meadow of Friday, 3 yesterday and 2 today.
Tufted Duck around Tapenhall and Hawford / Chatley.
Yellowhammer over Hawford / Chatley this morning.

Siskin and Redpoll both scarce at the moment with only one of each recorded over the weekend - at Droitwich Woods and Coney Meadow, respectively, today.

Water Rails at Mildenham and Linacre.

Numerous Meadow Pipits, Redwings and a few Fieldfares, Mistle Thrushes, male and female Kestrels, Sparrowhawks, Buzzards, Grey Wagtails, Kingfisher, Skylarks, Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, 2 Nuthatches, Coal Tits, Goldcrests, several big flocks of Woodpigeons passing through, Cormorants, Canada Geese, Mute swans, Bullfinches, Linnets, Goldfinches, Stock Doves, Mallards, Moorhens, Herring, LBB and BH Gulls, etc.
 
Further birds at the weekend included:

Tawny Owl Salwarpe churchyard Saturday evening
3 Snipe flew out of the reedbed plus one yesterday
5 Lesser Redpolls Coney Meadow yesterday plus a couple of flyovers at Chatley and Hawford
1 Siskin over Salwarpe and another over Coney Meadow
3 nuthatches Salwarpe
Tufted Duck Tapenhall pool
1 Yellowhammer near New Mill
Little Owl Ladywood yesterday

Fieldfares, Redwings, Meadow Pipits, Ravens, Stock Doves, Skylarks, Goldcrests, Reed Buntings, etc.
 
A pretty quiet time of year.

The reedbed roost yesterday evening included up to 500 Starlings and 100+ Pied Wagtails.

Up to 4 Snipe viewable in front of the screen at Coney Meadow over the weekend.

Little Owl, Tufted Duck, Ravens, Coal Tits, Fieldfares, Redwings, a couple of Siskins, Kestrels, Goldcrests, a few Meadow Pipits, Nuthatch, Jays, Mistle Thrushes, Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Grey Heron, Cormorants, etc.
 
Two Green Sandpipers on floods at New Mill near Ladywood this morning.

A Teal flew over Coney yesterday morning.

A Goose sp. seen as I was driving flying over Copcut - looked quite small but I couldn't stop to check it out properly and access is very difficult there at present. May try and sneak in there late afternoon.
 
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this report is from Adjoining Area in the other direction,as my lad was refereeing on Droitwich rugby club. So walked along canal towards town,Maria very quite 2 robin 7 house sparrows 2 mallard.canal to M5 2 mallard 3 redwing dunnuck robins blackbirds C crow 2 cormorants wren 10 wood pigeon Large buzzard kesteral goldfinch pheashant(calling) kingfisher GSW 5BHG collard dove starlings 2 magpie. M5 to Town.lots of robins and sparrows Long tailed tits goldcrest Blue tits. Town .5 morhen 36 mallard 2 white ducks 21 BHGs.on way back Little Egret flew towards town 11.16am,song thrush.
 
ok did the normal end of patch today,just as busy as yesterday.
pic 1 here's a tip don't stand under a lamp post when taking photo's of gulls on top of others isn't bird poo lucky?
pic 2 tog art
pic 3 cold Buzzard.
pic 4 will this leaning tree last the winter?
pic 5 Starling roost you can count the dots if you want.
 

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Two Little Owls together at Ladywood on Saturday and Sunday.

A few Snipes in and around Coney Meadow.

Over 1000 Starlings in one flock on Friday with several smaller flocks roosting on Saturday and Sunday.

Most of the usual species recorded over the weekend, including Water Rail, Kingfisher, Grey wagtails, Pied Wagtails, Meadow Pipits, 8 Siskins near Salwarpe, winter thrushes, Grey Heron, 32 Canada Geese, Kestrels, Cormorant, Buzzards, Mistle Thrushes, Bullfinches, Sparrowhawk, etc.
 

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