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In and around Sedgley (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Sedgley
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Sedgley
Bedlington Terrier
Another cold day, but dry, and so I can certainly live with that. It was a choice between fishing and birding this afternoon - the latter won.
Visited Baggeridge Country Park, entering Whites Wood where I spent an hour or so. Logged 18 species in the wood alone, including five different tits - blue tit, long tailed tit, great tit, coal tit and marsh tit. Multiples seen of the first four, the latter was a single bird.
Lots of goldcrests in the wood, the most seen at one time was 6. Also spotted a female great spotted woodpecker.
From the wood made my way to the series of pools that nestle in the valley. Nothing special on them, just moorhen, coot and mallard and a solitary grey heron perched 20 feet up a tree overlooking the Spring Pool. Highest bird count was on that pool - 9 moorhen and 34 mallard.
Walking up the valley encountered a flock of c.75 siskins and redpoll, with the flock being mostly the former. Difficult to give exact figures and proportions as the birds were very edgy and were constantly on the move as people passed by on the footpath beneath.
At the feeding station by the visitor's centre there were 2 pairs of bullfinches visiting, plus a single coal tit.
Just one small group (5 birds) of redwings and no fieldfares. Birds of prey - common buzzard and a male kestrel. Ended the afternoon with 32 species.
Visited Baggeridge Country Park, entering Whites Wood where I spent an hour or so. Logged 18 species in the wood alone, including five different tits - blue tit, long tailed tit, great tit, coal tit and marsh tit. Multiples seen of the first four, the latter was a single bird.
Lots of goldcrests in the wood, the most seen at one time was 6. Also spotted a female great spotted woodpecker.
From the wood made my way to the series of pools that nestle in the valley. Nothing special on them, just moorhen, coot and mallard and a solitary grey heron perched 20 feet up a tree overlooking the Spring Pool. Highest bird count was on that pool - 9 moorhen and 34 mallard.
Walking up the valley encountered a flock of c.75 siskins and redpoll, with the flock being mostly the former. Difficult to give exact figures and proportions as the birds were very edgy and were constantly on the move as people passed by on the footpath beneath.
At the feeding station by the visitor's centre there were 2 pairs of bullfinches visiting, plus a single coal tit.
Just one small group (5 birds) of redwings and no fieldfares. Birds of prey - common buzzard and a male kestrel. Ended the afternoon with 32 species.
Sedgley
Bedlington Terrier
Not a birdwatching trip but a fishing one to the River Severn near Ironbridge. Must remember to take binoculars with me though at all times.
Three goosander flying overhead, they are quite common on this section of the Severn, pretty much guaranteed to spot them when fishing. A large flock of black blacked gulls in the distance, again frustrated because I didn't have binoculars with me to be more specific.
But the biggest frustration was a small wader. Just couldn't get a proper look with the naked eye.
On the way back noticed a rookery up and running. After the recent cold spell, the birds must be thinking that the current mild spell is spring?
Three goosander flying overhead, they are quite common on this section of the Severn, pretty much guaranteed to spot them when fishing. A large flock of black blacked gulls in the distance, again frustrated because I didn't have binoculars with me to be more specific.
But the biggest frustration was a small wader. Just couldn't get a proper look with the naked eye.
On the way back noticed a rookery up and running. After the recent cold spell, the birds must be thinking that the current mild spell is spring?
Sedgley
Bedlington Terrier
Back to Baggeridge Country Park, and with less than three hours (before I went to Molineux) decided to focus on one wood section. There has been a firecrest spotted there recently, and there were a few birders out and about, but the bird itself didn't come out to play. Bit the like Wolves this afternoon really, but we won't go into that.
Saw 19 species in the wood and surrounding fields etc. A couple of coal tits, plus blue, long tailed and great tits.
A couple of nuthatches and a single treecreeper.
Just one bullfinch, a female. Often when you see one bird, the other isn't too far away but on this occasion the male was nowhere to be seen. Great birds though. I find it hard to state a favourite, but if pushed at the moment (I change like the weather) I would name the species as my number 1.
Saw 19 species in the wood and surrounding fields etc. A couple of coal tits, plus blue, long tailed and great tits.
A couple of nuthatches and a single treecreeper.
Just one bullfinch, a female. Often when you see one bird, the other isn't too far away but on this occasion the male was nowhere to be seen. Great birds though. I find it hard to state a favourite, but if pushed at the moment (I change like the weather) I would name the species as my number 1.
John N
Well-known member
Hi Sedgley. I was in Whiteswood this morning, talking to a couple of Birders looking for the Firecrest. I didn't see it today either, but I saw Marsh/Willow tit on the edge of the wood ,but did not get a good enough view to say which species it was.Did you see two people with two West Highland terriers in the wood ,one of them was me,you never know I could have been talking to you wihout knowing it. I'll try again tomorrow for firecrest without dog. All the best John.
PS. Idon't think I had better mention Wolves until I feel better!
PS. Idon't think I had better mention Wolves until I feel better!
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Sedgley
Bedlington Terrier
Hello John, think we missed each other. I am going again today though, as I do have a few hours free so will be visiting Baggeridge once more.
Funnily enough I also saw a marsh/willow tit on the edge of the wood (where it joins Lydiates Hill) but couldn't get a decent view.
Funnily enough I also saw a marsh/willow tit on the edge of the wood (where it joins Lydiates Hill) but couldn't get a decent view.
Sedgley
Bedlington Terrier
John N
Well-known member
Sedgley said:
Firecrest was seen today about 10am.Unfortunately not by me.Lots of bird food is left on that gate post by Lydiates and it can provide good views of birds including Marsh/Willow tit,Jay Jackdaws and Nutchatch. Like the photo, looking like that you will be able to carry my scope,tripod and camera as well as your own. John.
Sedgley
Bedlington Terrier
Back in Whites Wood, unfortunately (like John) didn't see the firecrest. Still very enjoyable though, even when the snow started to fall.
Five tit species - blue, great, longtailed, coal and marsh. All multiple sightings, apart from the latter, which was a single bird. The coal tits were spotted individually, but as the birds were seen at opposite ends of the wood, pretty confident that they were separate birds.
Two separate bullfinches ticked, one female high up in a very tall tree, and a male in its much more usual bush setting.
Saw several nuthatches, fairly confident that there were at least three or four individual birds, but the most seen at one time was two.
One kestrel flew through the wood. Couldn't quite get a sex identification, but pretty sure it was a male.
It's getting pretty personal with this firecrest. Right, now how does my diary look for tomorrow.
20 species - 2.75 hour session.
Five tit species - blue, great, longtailed, coal and marsh. All multiple sightings, apart from the latter, which was a single bird. The coal tits were spotted individually, but as the birds were seen at opposite ends of the wood, pretty confident that they were separate birds.
Two separate bullfinches ticked, one female high up in a very tall tree, and a male in its much more usual bush setting.
Saw several nuthatches, fairly confident that there were at least three or four individual birds, but the most seen at one time was two.
One kestrel flew through the wood. Couldn't quite get a sex identification, but pretty sure it was a male.
It's getting pretty personal with this firecrest. Right, now how does my diary look for tomorrow.
20 species - 2.75 hour session.
John N
Well-known member
Down in Whiteswood again this morning,on the fringe of the wood I saw Jackdaw,Marsh, coal and long tail tits,but unfortunately not the Firecrest. At least I bumped into a fellow Birdforum Member (Sedgley) and had a nice chat. I hope he had better luck with the Firecrest than I did. Never mind try again tomorrow.
Sedgley
Bedlington Terrier
Three hours in Whites Wood, although I was determined this time not to spend most of the time in one area staring up at trees hoping to see the elusive firecrest. Therefore I did touch the adjoining pools for a time and therefore logged a few extra birds.
Water birds on the Spring Pool included 43 mallards, 9 moorhen, 2 coots and a solitary little grebe. A count of 30 black headed gulls, mostly adult winter plmage, c.11 birds with first winter plumage.
A kingfisher spotted, flying across the Spring Pool.
A single grey heron on the Island Pool, which itself was about one-third frozen.
Three green woodpeckers in the meadow alongside the Island Pool, due to grass could just make out the top of the heads of the birds as they fed. At one time a couple of the birds fluttered and was able to identify one male and one female.
Also a great spotted woodpecker in Whites Wood, flying overhead.
No firecrest, but the odd goldcrest around.
3 hours - 25 species.
Water birds on the Spring Pool included 43 mallards, 9 moorhen, 2 coots and a solitary little grebe. A count of 30 black headed gulls, mostly adult winter plmage, c.11 birds with first winter plumage.
A kingfisher spotted, flying across the Spring Pool.
A single grey heron on the Island Pool, which itself was about one-third frozen.
Three green woodpeckers in the meadow alongside the Island Pool, due to grass could just make out the top of the heads of the birds as they fed. At one time a couple of the birds fluttered and was able to identify one male and one female.
Also a great spotted woodpecker in Whites Wood, flying overhead.
No firecrest, but the odd goldcrest around.
3 hours - 25 species.
Sedgley
Bedlington Terrier
I know that area well John, I visualised the walk as I followed your account. Did you know that there is a mandarin duck a little further on past Wombourne? It has been there for a while, I haven't seen it yet this year but I am likely to do a canal walk soon. I will need the bird to keep the gap between us.
Saw the male blackcap in our garden again this morning. Been quite a while, I was concerned as we have a cat that loiters around the bird table.
Saw the male blackcap in our garden again this morning. Been quite a while, I was concerned as we have a cat that loiters around the bird table.
I have also found myself looking at the skies whilst at the Molineux this season!!
I visit the Himley/Baggeridge area too though mainly during a run so not ideal to spot birds enroute (although I don't move that fast). I'm new to birding but really enjoy it, I've been visiting Upton Warren a few times and have always been amazed at what I see there - 2 avocets last time plus a kestrel hovering just outside and level with the hide.
I will make sure I take a more leisurely stroll through Baggeridge next time.
Cheers.
I visit the Himley/Baggeridge area too though mainly during a run so not ideal to spot birds enroute (although I don't move that fast). I'm new to birding but really enjoy it, I've been visiting Upton Warren a few times and have always been amazed at what I see there - 2 avocets last time plus a kestrel hovering just outside and level with the hide.
I will make sure I take a more leisurely stroll through Baggeridge next time.
Cheers.
c j little
New member
birds at cotwall end
hi folks colin here,in the last week at cotwall end i have seen grey wagtail,great spotted and green woodpeckers,but best of all a kingfisher just down from the big pond with the carp in.If anyone has seen this great bird please get in touch with me here or,[email protected] ,cheers
hi folks colin here,in the last week at cotwall end i have seen grey wagtail,great spotted and green woodpeckers,but best of all a kingfisher just down from the big pond with the carp in.If anyone has seen this great bird please get in touch with me here or,[email protected] ,cheers
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