Shropshire Birding (1 Viewer)

[Wimpy]

This came in from somewhere and stayed at Venus Pool for a while today.

Talk about a black necked grebe! Now that's a black neck!

 

[birding maniac]

Had a good walk around REA BROOK today, i didn't want to go far. Highlight today was a PERIGRINE between Meole and Lord Hill column, along with a Buzzard. I watched for 5 Minutes, before it flew of towards Meole. Lots of redwings, Bullfinches as well as a Kingfisher Zipping past. Hopefully VP will be on the cards tommorrow too.

 

[birding maniac]

That Black swan is a beauty.

 

[tabs41]

Black Neck Grebe still showing well yesterday, also Pochard, Tufties and lots of big grey and white jobbies amongst them Herring and Lesser blackback and Blackheaded.

 

[pandachris]

Nearly forgot this ...

Boxing Day (26th December) - 7 small geese over the Oxon Priory pub (or whatever it's called nowadays) well after sunset. Sadly silent but not ducks and way too small to be Canadas, so assumed to be Brents. Silhouette looked about right. They're not going on my Shropshire year list (well, I haven't really got one). anybody been seeing Brents about?

Hoping to get a quick look for the BNG at Priorslee later and perhaps the Crake at Hadley Castle if I can find any info.

Off to Poland for New Year so good luck to all those who are out looking for some good birds to start 2010.

 

[pandachris]

This thread doesn't sound too promising, but might still have a go ...

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=159645

Hadn't realised how few UK records there are for this species.

 

[jwreeves]

Had a look for the reported possible little crake this afternoon at hadley castle, didnt see it but had 2 water rails on the stretch of canal left of the bridge (towards the A442). Anybody know anymore details on the sightings?

 

[halftwo]

It is on the rarities map again today - so someone has claimed it again. Anyone any ideas?

 

[pandachris]

Julie and I also had a look (my guess is that it was JWReeves who we spoke to whilst there) and saw the same two Water Rails north of the footbridge. Nothing more exciting on show whilst we were there.

Couldn't see the BNGrebe at Priorslee either but we were a bit late and the light was awful. I might nip down at lunchtime for a better look. Plenty of gulls on the lake in the very limited amount of open water.

 

[halftwo]

Is the opinion one of mistaken identity, Chris?

 

[pandachris]

Not from me, halftwo. I wasn't present when the original bird was seen so it wouldn't be fair of me to comment. I know people are still looking so I could end up hoist on my own petard.

I mentione Water Rail because I see the species infrequently enough to make a view of one notable, and if there are rails around, then crakes have to be a possibility.

 

[pandachris]

Nipped down to Priorslee Lake for my lunchbreak to have another go at the BNG. It was cold, grey and windy so I took the lazy option of remaining in the car and using binoculars. Found it over the far side (from the lay-by) without too much difficulty but paid the price for my laziness.

There were a lot of gulls and much more open water than yesterday. I had a quick scan through them and was fairly happy with a Yellow-legged in amongst the huge numbers of LLBs and then decided to head back to work. As I departed, I noticed another birder who was more dedicated than me, braving the elements with his 'scope. I pulled over to say hello and he told me that he's seen ...

Well, I'll leave it there for now, in case he comes along and wants to add a post about it himself. Don't know if he's a BF contributor or if he uses the SOS observations site, so if nothing is showing up when we get back from Poland on Saturday I'll finish this post off. Wish I'd tried a bit harder, now, though.

 

[Patrick_L]

Chris

Looking forward to your Ring-billed Gull/Caspian Gull story when you get back from Poland!

All the best for your trip, take a hat, its a bit fresh out there I understand.

Patrick

 

[Wimpy]

Oh you spoilt it!!

 

[pandachris]

Spoiled indeed. Seems that the RBG was in clear view close to the bank when I was down at the M54 end of the lay-by. Don't think I could have seen it from there though.

Can't seem to get an accurate forecast for Wroclaw. We've seen one local one saying mainly +1 to +6 C and another saying heavy snow and down to -5. The Wroclaw webcam is showing snow this morning for the first time in a week, and as we're travelling hand luggage only we've decided to wear all our clothes. It's the only rational thing to do.

 

[jwreeves]

2 caspian gulls at prioslee today, also at least 5 yellow-legged gulls. Didnt see the black-necked grebe tho to be honest didnt really look for it as spent most of my time trying to sort through the gulls!

 

[Patrick_L]

Sorry Chris (and Wimpy), but the word was out quickly - I would have texted you at the time to let you know but I thought you had already left travelling east!

I hope the weather forecast is more accurate in Poland than it is here - I'm still waiting for the 5" of snow that we're supposed to be getting.

Enjoy the Wroclaw Vodka!

 

[Patrick_L]

Hello Chris!

I see from the Surfbirds' forum that there is some discussion over the RBG identity - unfortunately I can't access the photo so I don't know what the issues are. Might be worth checking out.

Catch up soon, all the best,

Patrick

 

[The Moore-hen]

Hello Chris!

I see from the Surfbirds' forum that there is some discussion over the RBG identity - unfortunately I can't access the photo so I don't know what the issues are. Might be worth checking out.

Catch up soon, all the best,

Patrick

Hi All

What is the latest with the identity of the RBG? I was going to have a look on my lunch break today (until the snow) and i see it has been reported on the RBA pager again as being present at 12.00 (typical...:C). Are there any photos doing the rounds that could be posted on here?

Cheers

 

[jwreeves]

Hi All

What is the latest with the identity of the RBG? I was going to have a look on my lunch break today (until the snow) and i see it has been reported on the RBA pager again as being present at 12.00 (typical...:C). Are there any photos doing the rounds that could be posted on here?

Cheers

Cant remember where ive read this but i think there is a ring-billed about plus a possible ring-billed hybrid