Sandwell Valley (1 Viewer)

[Abbeybirder]

Will be updating with a full list of ALL species seen around the RSPB reserve only at present if I have time I will wonder round the Paddocks and swan lake but weather not looking to bad for Saturday Hope to see some of you there if you do see me please feel free to make your self known (I don't bite) lol

 

[steve_zodiac]

A very wet Swan pool this afternoon......

3 Chiffchaffs (2 singing)
24 Tufted Ducks
2 Pochard
11 LBB Gulls

And that was about it until I became waterlogged and gave up :C

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

Reserve update

At Sandwell it is about time for the meadow cut and this year we will be tackling this en masse with ‘Allen Scythe’ and brushcutters. We hope to be able to find and remove any remaining willows or thorns so that next year we can return to contract mowing. This approach though will give us more variety in the sward that should prove popular with wintering snipe and breeding lapwing. Then it’s into the reedbed to open up some of the encroaching woodland. Fergus will be wielding the chainsaw but there will be lots more felling, brashing and burning to be done so some big fires might call for jacket potatoes! Watch this space for an outline programme of work parties coming soon!

Then the diggers are coming again! A long awaited piece of work funded by the government backed Nature Improvement Area scheme (NIA) of which Birmingham and the Black Country are one of only a dozen in the country. The two projects for this year are to re landscape the island forming more edge and bringing features closer towards the hide and to also remove some of the old leaf litter that has dried up the reedbed over the last 20 years. This will revitalise this precious habitat making it more attractive to a wide range of species from rails, to warblers, fish toads and of course who knows what else!! These will kick off in November and last two weeks.

Nick Martin

Note this is copied from an RSPB Newsletter

 

[Ixer]

At Sandwell it is about time for the meadow cut and this year we will be tackling this en masse with ‘Allen Scythe’ and brushcutters. We hope to be able to find and remove any remaining willows or thorns so that next year we can return to contract mowing. This approach though will give us more variety in the sward that should prove popular with wintering snipe and breeding lapwing. Then it’s into the reedbed to open up some of the encroaching woodland. Fergus will be wielding the chainsaw but there will be lots more felling, brashing and burning to be done so some big fires might call for jacket potatoes! Watch this space for an outline programme of work parties coming soon!

Then the diggers are coming again! A long awaited piece of work funded by the government backed Nature Improvement Area scheme (NIA) of which Birmingham and the Black Country are one of only a dozen in the country. The two projects for this year are to re landscape the island forming more edge and bringing features closer towards the hide and to also remove some of the old leaf litter that has dried up the reedbed over the last 20 years. This will revitalise this precious habitat making it more attractive to a wide range of species from rails, to warblers, fish toads and of course who knows what else!! These will kick off in November and last two weeks.

Nick Martin

Note this is copied from an RSPB Newsletter

There is a lot of exciting improvement works planned for the Valley and I just hope it is all done properly without any half-arsed jobs. I've seen the plans for the new island and they look excellent ... fingers crossed for something special!

I'll be about tomorrow so I hope to bump into some of you.

Mike

 

[Abbeybirder]

Arrived around 8.30am on a bright and mild morning not too many people around as I set my camera and tripod up at the Visitor centre (the porter cabin) just as you enter from Tanhouse lane (I think it is).

First bird to be seen was a Song Thrush right in front of the Visitor Centre in the bushes sitting on top also along this area of bushes and trees were Robin, Blackbird, Wren, Dunnock and Woodpigeon as I walked over the railway bridge and down the path through the small wooded area to the river I saw a Chaffinch, Great spotted woodpecker, Grey squirrels, Little grebe (x3) on the river (1ad & 2juv), Blue tits and Great tits.

My first visit to the feeding station by the old visitor centre (burnt down a couple of years ago and son to be rebuilt) only managed to see Great tits, Blue tits, Greenfinch and Blackbirds as I walked towards the Marsh screen area through the coppiced area not too much to report from here just a couple of Robins and a few Wood pigeons.

When I arrived close to the Marsh screens I bumped into another birder (Roger) who was a regular at Sandwell and he explained that the area around the screens had not been cut back so viewing was a real headache, I decided to give this area a miss as I did the Band Stand screen area this was the same viewing was poor to say the least but this still didn’t stop me having a quick look but other than Black headed gulls there was nothing to see from here (I used to really like this area but it’s a shame the state it is currently in).

Now for the good points about the reserve and my visit the main pool (Forge mill) was very lively with bird species for this time of year not many species but quite a few of each of the species a round, on the main pool (by South Island) I saw Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Mute swan, Common snipe, Teal, Mallard, Water rail & Grey heron.

As I walked around the reserve back to the hide I managed to see a few more species (Full list 47 species on my blog link at the bottom of review) I did notice that the vegetation had grown past what I would say was reasonable proportions and it was in some areas very intrusive yet on the other hand this was great for the wildlife as there were thousands of insects around the reserve and I do appreciate that without these area’s many bird species would not entertain visiting or even staying around the reserve.

Unfortunately I didn’t see the Bittern that was seen on Thursday but did have some great views of the Marsh tit at the feeder on my second visit on the way out of the reserve also saw a Green woodpecker just by the old visitor centre on my second visit.

I do like the way the reserve as a natural wild look about it and I now they are going to have some big works carried out on the reserve all I ask is that they clear the brambles and weeds from in front of the viewing screened areas but PLEASE KEEP IT everywhere else as this can only add to the varied species of birds and insects seen around the Reserve



Blog link - http://abbeybirder.wordpress.com/2013/10/05/sandwell-valley-rspb-visit-05102013/

A total of 47 species seen around the reserve I will be returning more next year as I must admit I have missed visiting the place, also thank you to everyone for their help today and especially Roger for allowing me to watch the snipe through his scope great views

 

[West Midlands Birder Boy]

Hi all got a few sightings from this morning for you to look at here you,

Water Rail (heard), Canada Goose 20+, Lapwing x35, Goosander x1 (drake), Pochard x1, Grey Wagtail x2, Cormorant x21, Black headed Gull 20+, Lesser black backed Gull X1, Teal 10+, Snipe 3+, Tufted Duck 10+, Gadwall x1, Starling 5+, Carrion Crow x1, Goldfinch 5+, Coot 20+, Moorhen 5+, Great crested Grebe x3, Little Grebe x1, Jackdaw x2.

very wet throughout the morning rain virtually didn't at all.

Hope is helps.

WMBB

 

[hughie king]

Hi all got a few sightings from this morning for you to look at here you,

Water Rail (heard), Canada Goose 20+, Lapwing x35, Goosander x1 (drake), Pochard x1, Grey Wagtail x2, Cormorant x21, Black headed Gull 20+, Lesser black backed Gull X1, Teal 10+, Snipe 3+, Tufted Duck 10+, Gadwall x1, Starling 5+, Carrion Crow x1, Goldfinch 5+, Coot 20+, Moorhen 5+, Great crested Grebe x3, Little Grebe x1, Jackdaw x2.

very wet throughout the morning rain virtually didn't at all.

Hope is helps.

WMBB

To add to that. Another Goosander (f) 2 Wigeon, 26 Cormorant, pair of Gadwall,
Buzzard.
Later in the afternoon a Green Sandpiper in the marsh found by Greg Evans.

Cheers Hughie.

 

[West Midlands Birder Boy]

Hi all, the main sightings from the hide today include a Water Rail near number 3 post, 2 (at most) Kingfishers flying around, a Grey Wagtail, and a single Snipe, here's the full sightings I got down,

Water Rail x1, Kingfisher x2, Gadwall 5+, Tufted Duck 20+, Pochard 5+, Black headed Gull 50+, Lesser Black backed Gull x3, Grey Wagtail x1, Pied Wagtail x1, Snipe x1, Lapwing 20+, Little Grebe x2, Great crested Grebe x4, Canada Goose 10+, Mute Swan x1, Moorhen 5+, Coot 20+, Buzzard x1, Starling 5+, Goldfinch x3, Wood pigeon 10+, Crow 5+, Teal 10+, Shoveler x1.

Hope this helps.

WMBB

 

[West Midlands Birder Boy]

Hi all, a few birds of note this morning, the most note worthy species was that of 24 Barnacle Geese on Forge Mill Lake. Here's some of the other main sightings we got from the morning in the hide.

Barnacle Geese x24, Snipe 5+, Gadwall 5+, Great crested Grebe x2, Little Grebe x2, Canada Goose 5+, Grey Heron x1, Cormorant x7, Grey Wagtail x1, Tufted Duck 10+, Coot 10+, Black headed Gull 50+, Pied Wagtail x1, Goosander x7, Jay x1, Starling 5+, Teal 5+, Shoveler x1, Mute Swan x2, Buzzard x1, Moorhen 5+.

Also a few Redwing flew over the old centre at around 12:30 or so.

Hope this helps

WMBB

 

[Steve Sutton]

Hi WMBB, can you tell me the time the 24 Barnacles were on Forge mill and any idea of what time they departed? many thanks Steve

 

[West Midlands Birder Boy]

Hi WMBB, can you tell me the time the 24 Barnacles were on Forge mill and any idea of what time they departed? many thanks Steve

Hi Steve, the birds were around from about 10:30am (very flighty at that time) and were still on forge mill lake at around 1 or 1:30pm which was the time we left, I was keeping a check but there were no reports on the birds after Sunday so am unsure when they departed.

Hope this Helps

WMBB

 

[West Midlands Birder Boy]

Hi all, here's the Main sightings from today (10:30am- 12:30pm),

Water Rail x1 (also one heard behind the hide), Goosander x3 (1 male and 2 females), Gadwall 5+, Teal 5+, Snipe 5+, Grey Heron x2, Little Grebe x1, Great crested Grebe x3, Canada Goose 10+, Lapwing 10+, Lesser black backed Gull x1, Black headed Gull 50+, Starling 5+, Carrion Crow 5+, Buzzard x1, Tufted Duck 10+, Mallard 5+, Mute Swan x1, Shoveler x2, Kingfisher x1.

It is almost certain there are at least two Water Rail on the reserve, one individual was viewable from the hide near number 2 post, another bird was heard calling from behind the hide near the path leading to the hide, and the first bird was not seen to have flown across to island in anyway. It's good to see the numbers increasing of this species on the reserve hopefully further increase on future years.

Hope this helps

WMBB

 

[Steve Sutton]

thanks WMBB, I was up there on Sunday and walked part way around Forge mill and didnt pick them up, I must get new bins , cheers

 

[yamyam]

I have had a PM telling me I missed Mealy Redpoll of the Valley List.
Good Birding YAMYAM.

 

[Phil Andrews]

I have had a PM telling me I missed Mealy Redpoll of the Valley List.
Good Birding YAMYAM.

Which list is that - the 199 on your signature or the 220 you posted earlier in the autumn?

 

[rollingthunder]

Don't tell him your name Pike...........

 

[zomerset]

Hi all, here's the Main sightings from today (10:30am- 12:30pm),

Water Rail x1 (also one heard behind the hide), Goosander x3 (1 male and 2 females), Gadwall 5+, Teal 5+, Snipe 5+, Grey Heron x2, Little Grebe x1, Great crested Grebe x3, Canada Goose 10+, Lapwing 10+, Lesser black backed Gull x1, Black headed Gull 50+, Starling 5+, Carrion Crow 5+, Buzzard x1, Tufted Duck 10+, Mallard 5+, Mute Swan x1, Shoveler x2, Kingfisher x1.

It is almost certain there are at least two Water Rail on the reserve, one individual was viewable from the hide near number 2 post, another bird was heard calling from behind the hide near the path leading to the hide, and the first bird was not seen to have flown across to island in anyway. It's good to see the numbers increasing of this species on the reserve hopefully further increase on future years.

Hope this helps

WMBB

Hi WMBB - where exactly did you see the kingfisher? I've visited a few times but not seen one. Is it viewed from the hide? Many thanks!

 

[keithr]

Hi WMBB - where exactly did you see the kingfisher? I've visited a few times but not seen one. Is it viewed from the hide? Many thanks!

In the past I have seen a Kingfisher on the River Tame around the golf course area.
Keith :t:

 

[West Midlands Birder Boy]

Hi WMBB - where exactly did you see the kingfisher? I've visited a few times but not seen one. Is it viewed from the hide? Many thanks!

Hi, the location I saw this bird was right in front if the hide from the right hand side, but they can be seen anywhere on the lake most of the the time you just get a blue flash. Occasionally Kingfisher can be seen also from the left hand side of the hide on some if the wooden post sticking out of the water. Just keep an eye out over the water there is at least two birds around.

Hope this helps

WMBB

 

[zomerset]

Hi, the location I saw this bird was right in front if the hide from the right hand side, but they can be seen anywhere on the lake most of the the time you just get a blue flash. Occasionally Kingfisher can be seen also from the left hand side of the hide on some if the wooden post sticking out of the water. Just keep an eye out over the water there is at least two birds around.

Hope this helps

WMBB

Thanks will take a better look!