West Midlands/Warwickshire local patches. (1 Viewer)

[Duck_Pond]

On sunday it was right at the back of the Lower Bittell and could be viewed from the roadside (allthough I missed it!). It is quite a shy duck and was hiding in the vegatation. It is an immature male apparently.

I've probably seen it and not recognised it then!

I did try to get a key for the lakes, after bumping into 2 of the owners recently. However, the lakes manager was less enthusiastic about my photography ideas and said "No".

At least the lakes are now filling up again. Much to the annoyance of the herons, who must have thought it was their lucky day with all the fish concentrated in the smaller ponds left over!

 

[senatore]

Max - has anyone said where exactly on Lower Bittell, the garganey has been seen? I live fairly local to the lakes and have yet to see it.

Hi Duck Pond,
No all the report said was "at Lower Bittell Res." which isn't much help.I've had the same trouble searching for a reported bird at Draycote Water which is a big place.I look out for fellow birders in these circumstances and they are allways very helpful.

Max.

 

[senatore]

Great weather this morning and would you believe it I've got to stay in and wait for a furniture delivery which will probably come late this evening.I bet there's some great birds out there posing for pics.

Seen by others yesterday in our area:-

Bittern at Brandon Marsh.

Glaucus and Iceland Gulls at Bartley Res.

Max.

 

[KayD]

It's Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, so you need a code to get through the gate just like Brandon Marsh out of hours access.

Cheers

Jeff

Good job you mentioned this, as I was planning to go this weekend. Have just emailed the Trust to find out about Permits/Membership.

 

[charliehilken]

Sandwell Valley

Thanks for the info on Sandwell Valley Swan Pool could be good for Little Owls.

The New Hide is wonderful, with a swing gate to it that can be closed to discourage vandals. It has large picture windows. The only trouble is that the amount of work that has been going on over the summer has discouraged birlife - hopefully only temporarily. There has been only one lapwing recently instead of the local flock, and snipe have been much less in evidence during the day. It all looks rather bare at the moment.

Charlie.

 

[xFritzx]

The New Hide is wonderful, with a swing gate to it that can be closed to discourage vandals. It has large picture windows. The only trouble is that the amount of work that has been going on over the summer has discouraged birlife - hopefully only temporarily. There has been only one lapwing recently instead of the local flock, and snipe have been much less in evidence during the day. It all looks rather bare at the moment.

Charlie.

i went round a few days ago, trying to introduce a friend to birding. And there was one lonely lapwing on the island! dont think that was a good introduction...

 

[senatore]

Popped down to Brueton Park yesterday and it was nice to walk round in the sunshine for a change.Not too good on the bird front but I did take a couple of pics of these 2 birds because they did'nt look "quite right".What do you think they are?

Max.

 

[senatore]

Reported yesterday in our area:-

Siberian Chiffchaff at Kempsey SW.

Great N/Diver at Draycote Water.

Glaucus and Iceland Gulls at Bartley Res.

Max.

 

[Periwinkle]

Popped down to Brueton Park yesterday and it was nice to walk round in the sunshine for a change.Not too good on the bird front but I did take a couple of pics of these 2 birds because they did'nt look "quite right".What do you think they are?

Max.

The first one is a hybrid mute/whooper swan which has been in the area years. The other is a farmyard goose.

 

[senatore]

The first one is a hybrid mute/whooper swan which has been in the area years. The other is a farmyard goose.

Thanks Perewinkle.That's what I thought.

Max.

 

[senatore]

Popped down to Marsh Lane early this morning.It was a bit chilly specially when you opened a hide window and the wind hit you.The usual Gulls,Ducks and Geese were there in numbers incl. 2 Common Gulls.The highlight for me was 2 Male and 2 Female Goosanders which were pretty close to the Oak Hide and looked great.A Goldcrest showed very well outside the Railway Hide and a flock of Long Tailed Tits was nice to see.

Seen by others yesterday in our area:-

18 Ravens at Radford Semele.

Scaup at Coombe Abbey.

6 Jack Snipe at Castlemorton Common.

Bitterns at both Upton Warren and Ladywalk.

Mandarin Duck at Smestow Valley.

Anyone had any luck today?

Max.

 

[charliehilken]

Marsh Lane

Popped down to Marsh Lane early this morning.It was a bit chilly specially when you opened a hide window and the wind hit you.The usual Gulls,Ducks and Geese were there in numbers incl. 2 Common Gulls.The highlight for me was 2 Male and 2 Female Goosanders which were pretty close to the Oak Hide and looked great.A Goldcrest showed very well outside the Railway Hide and a flock of Long Tailed Tits was nice to see.


Scaup at Coombe Abbey.


Hi Max, We were at Coombe Abbey but missed the Scaup!! Must get a scope. Lovely to see a tree full of herons and lots of cormorants. 44 Pochards. Can tell me where Marsh Lane is please? Sounds good.

Charlie.

 

[xFritzx]

I could swear I saw a nightingale today, is that even possible or am I losing it? any birds with similar jizz that might be more probable?

 

[jeff]

I could swear I saw a nightingale today, is that even possible or am I losing it? any birds with similar jizz that might be more probable?

Your losing it



Marsh Lane is 'Permit only' for more details:

http://www.packingtonestate.net/marsh/frameset/frameset.htm

 

[KayD]

I could swear I saw a nightingale today, is that even possible or am I losing it? any birds with similar jizz that might be more probable?

Cetti's Warbler?

Where did you see this bird Spargeltarzan?


Thanks everyone for the info on Sandwell Valley's new hide. Sounds good - hopefully the vandals keep well away this time :-C

Walked around Chasewater yesterday - very windy so birding was made difficult, but certainly blew the cobwebs away! Saw one of the GN Divers fly accross the lake as we'd just completed the circuit. Other highlights were Redwings, Stonechats on the heath, a female Goosander and many Goldeneyes.

A couple of hours at Upton Warren this morning. Peregrine roosting on radio masts, a kestrel out hunting and a Buzzard being bullied by gulls then a magpie! The Flashes were quiet for waders as conservation work had been undertaken this morning, allthough some Curlews and a flock of c60 Lapwings in the background. On Moors pools saw a Water Rail again and a Kingfisher showed really well by the birdtable right in front of the hide. Jack Snipes and a Goldcrest also reported by others. Had to leave around luchtime to take my Mum out for her Birthday lunch at 'The Peacock' in Kings Norton - no sight or sound of Tawny Owl!

 

[charliehilken]

Your losing it



Marsh Lane is 'Permit only' for more details:

http://www.packingtonestate.net/marsh/frameset/frameset.htm

Thanks Jeff,

Is it difficult to get a key and a day permit? Marsh Lane sounds really good.

Charlie

 

[Pam_m]

A couple of hours at Upton Warren this morning. Peregrine roosting on radio masts, a kestrel out hunting and a Buzzard being bullied by gulls then a magpie! The Flashes were quiet for waders as conservation work had been undertaken this morning, allthough some Curlews and a flock of c60 Lapwings in the background. On Moors pools saw a Water Rail again and a Kingfisher showed really well by the birdtable right in front of the hide. Jack Snipes and a Goldcrest also reported by others. Had to leave around luchtime to take my Mum out for her Birthday lunch at 'The Peacock' in Kings Norton - no sight or sound of Tawny Owl!

We went to The Flashes at Upton Warren this morning, we also saw the Kestral and Buzzard. We must have arrived just after you as while we were there a large flock of 300+ Lapwings arrived and treated us to some spectacular aerial displays! They looked great with the sunshine against them! We also saw a flock of 10-15 Linnets (I think!), I have attached a photograph if someone can confirm their ID for me! Thanks in advance!

At the feeding station were plenty of Blue and Great Tits, a flock of Long Tailed Tits, Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Pheasant, Reed Buntings, Chaffinches and a single Greenfinch. Haven't seen many finches at all here this Winter compared to last year.

 

[Duck_Pond]

kstar - I was at UW today - what were you wearing?

My pics from the day there are here

I managed to miss the kingfisher, but did briefly see the water rail, and the sparrow hawk's swoops made my day.

 

[Emma]

I was also at Upton Warren today with my Mom (Pam_m) and Dad, I have just had a look at your photo gallery for today Duck_Pond and it appears that we have taken near enough exactly the same photograph.....a Blue Tit on exactly the same branch at the feeding station at the Flashes!!

 

[Duck_Pond]

They were making it easy... which just goes to show how poor I (still) am at photography! Ah well!

I was the bloke trying to look like I knew what I was doing (yeah right) in a blue Animal jacket and cheap green wellies