Withymoor - Amblecote, Stourbridge..... (1 Viewer)

[rollingthunder]

Thur 11th July.......

Was due to cycle from Worcester to Grimley but a no-go because the 'driver' said it was going to be 'too 'ot'|8)|.........and he was right but i would have still gone anyway:C

Withymoor 0800-0930

A slow pooch-mooch on a more productive morning.

BHGulls - ca10
LBB - several adults over
Blackcaps - 3/4 singing birds
Swifts - hawking and drinking in the pool
Linnet - 3 birds over
Chiffchaff - single adult feeding in the pool scrub
Grey Heron - 3 juvs feeding in the 'shallows'
*Sand Martin:eek!: - single bird low over the pool, i do'nt believe i have recorded SM whilst i've been covering the place so, although a surprise, shows how grim the birding is.

The edge continues to grow and time for the next bit of covert 'managment'. The length from the Southern inlet (Stourbridge end) and overflow along to about 2/3 to the Northern inlet (Wolverhampton end) has the best edge and i intend to cut back the woody species in a couple of places. This will form a continuous length of about 30metres but still with higher overhanging vegetation. I will also rake loose twigs into a couple of piles, these can either rot down or be use by the resident species. That's the plan anyway!

The Bridled Tern continues to be mobile and quite where the AIFBird is is anybodys guess? It must be still around somewhere off the West coast of Scotland and the BT was seen off Yorkshire but it can easily head inland? Plenty of waders on the move, it's return migration time.

Laurie:t:

 

[rollingthunder]

Fri 12th July...............

Withymoor o730-0930

An extended visit this morning as i took a pair of loppers to undertake a bit of 'management' and i also bumped into the only other birder (of note) the one and only..............Paul Alan Legge......... cue drumroll, clapping and cheers

As i approached the Southern inflow and overflow i scanned around the 'edge', as you do and was surprised (and pleased) to count no less than 7 Grey Herons feeding in the shallows:eek!: This has to be a record of sorts, finally i can start some statistics for the place! They all looked like juv/non-adult types to my eyes. I would like to think that the reduced water levels have played a part in this. Not only is there 'edge' all the way round but the water upto a metre or so in is obviously much shallower and would be conducive for egrets/herons?

A handfull of moulting BHG's were present and a lone adult LBB and the solitary Coot chick was making enough noise to keep its' parents busy.

Migrants included Blackcap singing on the embankment, Swifts over the pool and a feeding adult Chiffchaff and fem/Juv Blackcap in some low Alder scrub.

Had a nice chat with Paul, had'nt seen him for ages. In the absence of anything of note on the pool we indulged in what birders do, we talked about birds that had been there and birding abroad, Luxembourg in his case and Portugal in mine.

'Management' consisted of lopping a short section of re-sprouting Alder in order to give a view onto the pool, trimmings stacked nicely 'butt' end ready to be picked up the council driver. I also coppiced a section of overhanging and encroaching Dogwood on the 'edge' side. This has extended an area of available mud and will be continued to link sections up to give a continuous feeding area. It will be interesting to see the effect. I have placed a series of Canada Goose primary feathers to indicate various water levels by the outflow.

The spell of fine weather is set to continue with possibly a day of cloud here and there. The high-pressure system over the Azores and is here to stay. This is a major factor but has to be taken into consideration with the current position of the 'Jet Stream'. The JS is well to the North of the British Isles which has'nt been the case since 2006. Last year it was as far South as Northern France, its' position is that important. Weak weather fronts which start to appear at this time of year should have their effect much-reduced by the 'Azores' factor.

Laurie:t:

Below - newly appointed 'Management' for Withymoor. 'Gotch yer permits mate'?!

 

[rollingthunder]

Sat July 14th...........

Withymoor ca0730

Quiet, bumped into Paul........again! Grey Herons down to 5, Blackcaps still singing on the embankment. BHG's just nudging double figures.

Early party of 'screaming' Swifts noted at 0800 about 15 individuals.

Mary Stevens Park ca1630

BHGulls ca25 -

NB - the post-breeding dispersal of Black Headed Gulls is now starting. It's worth looking at the Juveniles as they are not in this exquisite 'ginger' phase for long as most of it takes place at the breeding colonies. Already some of the more advanced birds are showing signs of moult into their 1st-Winter plumage. Either way the infinite variation at this stage is rather pleasing to the eye.

Whilst scanning them do'nt forget that there is always the chance of a 'rogue' Bonapartes Gull like the one pictured below @ Rotherhithe courtesy of Rich Bonser - take note of the subtle differences, somebody has to find them

Laurie:t:

 

[Phil Andrews]

Good call Laurie - I am sure Bonaparte's get overlooked every year

 

[rollingthunder]

Phil - unfortunately my experience is limited to a Winter-plumaged adult on a reservoir somewhere in Derbyshire the '80's but the one thing i do get around here are reasonable numbers of BHG's and 'chance favours the prepared mind' which is my maxim

Laurie:t:

 

[steve_zodiac]

Had a walk round Withymoor pool about an hour ago......Grey Herons down to two. Theres a juvenile BH Gull, either sick or dying, on the nest at the middle of the pool. Apart from that, single Mute Swan, load of Canadas, 2 Tufted Ducks, a few BH Gulls and a Blackcap.

 

[rollingthunder]

Sun 14th July..........

Withymoor

My visit pre-dated Steve's post (0900-1030) only adding a third Tuftie (2m1f) and a 3'rd Grey Heron. There was about a dozen BHG's including 2 juvs and they seemed to be feeding OK.

A total of 3 Buzzards and the only singling Blackcap by the Railway line above the Poundfields (Penfields) estate...........

Laurie:t:

 

[rollingthunder]

Mon 15th July.........

Withymoor 0730-0900

Grey Heron - 4 birds this morning 3 in one Willow and 1 in the other. 2 of the birds stood bolt upright, wings spread facing the morning sun. These trees would be good for the nucleus of a heronry providing there is enough food locally imo.

Tufted Duck - still 2 males and 1 female present
BHGulls - about a dozen but no juvs
LBBGulls - single adult with a handfull overflying

Migrants consisted of Swifts, Blackcaps including a feeding female and a calling Chiffchaff.

Lopped a bit more back from the 'edge' side and it's looking good, just need the waders now...........and talking of which.....

There was a Black Tailed Godwit @ Fens Pools briefly ystda, they probably refer to them as God-Godwits, all very confusing (you would have to be local to appreciate the joke)

Further afield there is/was this Asian beauty, a Pacific Golden Plover in spanking plumage (do'nt try tapping that search phrase in Google Images:eek! I think i've only seen the Yank sub-species on the Scillies and it's only at Rutland Water if you're going do'nt forget your parking permint or somebody will be around to spoil your day and de-value the tick.:-O

Below is an image of the creature altho i must admit i struggled to find it first of all, of note are all the Little Egrets, ca'nt be long before they breed there if they are'nt already?

Laurie:t:

 

[steve_zodiac]

Yeah, I got up early ready to set off to Rutland Water but thought it best to wait to see if there was any news on the pager............needless to say I ended up at Bartley, Upton Warren and Walton hill.............and now the bird has re-appeared :C

 

[rollingthunder]

RBA shows it @ Egleton 0729 this morning - get yer skates on, second thoughts it'll be there all day:t:

Tue 16th July...........

Withymoor 0730-0900

Quiet, as expected - a couple of moulting adult BHG's with some LBB's overflying and a couple of adult Herrings on the way back including 'dangly'

A total of 5 Grey Herons present initially before 3 flying off elsewhere and the 3 Tufties still present. Migrants represented by a couple of Blackcaps singing and several Swifts drinking from the pool.

There was a couple of juvenile Carrion Crows being fed by an adult. Both juvs showed White patches on the upperwing coverts and so did another nearby adult that was feeding on its' own.

If you are fortunate to record any passing Sandwich Terns that happen to perch then see if they have some distinct leg tags. The National Trust have been ringing juvs on my old stamping grounds at Blakeney Point.

http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/Sandwich_sightings_needed.aspx?s_id=814989759

Weathwise it's 'as you were' and it's set to be the driest July for at least 180 years:eek!: I can finally leave the house in search of 'the big one' without one of these...............

Laurie:t:

 

[rollingthunder]

Wed 17th July........

Withymoor 0830-1000

Took a bit of food down for the residents (birds that is) and secateured a bit more of the overhanging vegetation to link some more 'edge' pulling up a few bulrushes in the process........

Tufted Duck - 2m1f
LBBGull - birds overflying none on pool
BHGull - ca10 including a 1s bird
Grey Heron - 4 present
A single Greater Spotted Woodpecker on the embankment

Migrants - Blackcap singing, Swifts and a couple of juvenile Swallows flew thru

Came across this, the sort of thing you expect around here not in one of the remotest areas of the country - just what do you do with people like this?

Answers on a postcard please:C

http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/C...fter_rare_bird_found_shot.aspx?s_id=814992558

Evening rounded off with a few pints in Stourhole with a nice local party of 'Devil' birds entertaining us over the beer garden. A sure sign their departure ca'nt be far off.

Laurie:t:

 

[rollingthunder]

Thur 18th July.........

Withymoor 0800-0930

Quiet, not much change - 3 Tufties, Blackcap singing, Chiffchaff calling, family parties of passers e.g. LTTits/Greenfinch/Accentors etc. Noticeably more Swifts feeding high and hawking over the pool.

Weather shows signs of, if not breaking down then, of changing with showers/thorms next week but still with very high temperatures in the upper 20's. This should lead to some very 'sticky' and humid conditions which will give some people even more to moan about...........not me

I spend as much time looking to the skies for anything of note but unless it is something of a reasonable size it's not easy to resolve detail at height.

Talking of which and completely un-bird related. Here's a montage of the Space Shuttle Atlantis docking with the International Space Station. The original photographer thought he had detected a couple of sun-spots:eek!:

Somebody find something to look at please, i do'nt fancy trekking over to Rutland Water in this heat for a PGP altho it's a smart looking creature.

Laurie:t:

 

[rollingthunder]

Withymoor 0730-0830

A quick stroll down before spending the rest of the day in Birmingham.....for the Chilli festival i hasten to add - nothing political altho i am a supporter of 'free' speech in a democratic country

http://www.brindleyplace.com/event/birmingham-chilli-festival-3/

Grey Heron x4
BHGulls increased to 20+, no juvs but a couple of first-Summer present
LBBGull - single adult
No tufties but they have been replaced by 3.................TEAL:eek!:. A moulting male and a couple of female-types, one with a buffish head. I have'nt recorded Teal since a moulting male was present this time last Summer.

Migrants - Swifts and a couple of feeding fem/juv Blackcaps.

I had toyed with trying to get to see the PGP but it has appeared to have disappeared, saves me agonising:C

Talking of waders, this stoking beauty was present in Scotland on the Moray on Tuesday but news has only just got out - a Mongolian or Lesser Sandplover:eek!: I've never seen the species but the diminutive size and beak to head ratio looks good...........

Laurie:t:

 

[Paul Allan Legge]

Hi Laurie, been down Lakeside 9.30 am, i was surprised to see 3 Teal(1 Drake 2 Female).
My 1st ever for my Local Patch, just proves what may turn up.
The sides of pool looking good, with the work you are doing.
6 herons, my highest total. Plus 1 also up Canal.

 

[steve_zodiac]

Quite a few Lesser black backs flew up from Withymoor pool while I was walking by the canal on Saturday night, and several attempts were made by the gulls to take Moorhen chicks between Meeting lane bridge and Anchor Hill bridge. All attempts unsuccessful.

 

[rollingthunder]

No Moorhens have bred on Withymoor this year AFAIK and i never saw any chicks, the brood of 3/4 Coot chicks has now been reduced to one and it sticks close to its parents.

Am going to do a trawl of the local 'wetlands' today with a pop into Withymoor after lunch will post all details here and elsewhere........

Paul - i've PM'd you my mobile number, if you could reciprocate, i mean you would'nt want to miss out on the 'big 'un' now would you?

Laurie:t:

 

[Paul Allan Legge]

Been Down Lake mid morning no sign of any Teal. 4 Herons Black H Gulls( small num of Juveniles). On canal under bridge top of bank from lake 100+ fish on top large numbers Perch Roach. nr stables 2 Heron in Trees. Will Tex you my Number Laurie.

 

[rollingthunder]

Popped in ystda at about 1430 for a quick stroll.

Teal have gone and nothing else to add really, there is a juv Moorhen but it is well grown and i do not recall seeing any youngsters so quite where it has come from?

Edge is looking good just needs a wader or two. There are plenty to spare as there is an excellent range in the region on the usual reservoirs and reserves including Sanderling and Turnstone @ Blithfield, Black Tern @ Belvide and an interesting WoodSand down at the Goldfish Bowl that had more than a passing resemblance to a Lesser Yellowlegs - one of my 'bogey' birds having dipped on no less than 4.

That 3 quid will just have to stay in the bank earning interest

Laurie:t:

Message to Paul............Got your number (twice)

 

[steve_zodiac]

Popped in ystda at about 1430 for a quick stroll.

Teal have gone and nothing else to add really, there is a juv Moorhen but it is well grown and i do not recall seeing any youngsters so quite where it has come from?

Edge is looking good just needs a wader or two. There are plenty to spare as there is an excellent range in the region on the usual reservoirs and reserves including Sanderling and Turnstone @ Blithfield, Black Tern @ Belvide and an interesting WoodSand down at the Goldfish Bowl that had more than a passing resemblance to a Lesser Yellowlegs - one of my 'bogey' birds having dipped on no less than 4.

That 3 quid will just have to stay in the bank earning interest

Laurie:t:

Message to Paul............Got your number (twice)

Moorhen possibly from up on the canal......several broods through the summer between Brettell Lane bridge and the Delph.........and I noticed a new brood today.

 

[rollingthunder]

Withymoor -

A couple of visits since the overnight storms, not much change birdwise altho, interestingly all but one of the Grey Herons had departed the water proving too deep and turbid even for them!

The amount of water present was staggering. After weeks of dropping levels and me pruning and creating some 'edge' all that and more were under deep water. 3 Tufties have re-appeared and another fresh brood of 4 Mallard ducklings. Still Swifts hawking over the water but Blackcaps have finally given up singing by the sound of things.

Below - Withymoor in spate with what looks like a local variant of Otter:eek!:, gull dispersal time means keeping an eye out for these bad boys and if you need help with the aging of gulls the 3rd image might help

Laurie:t: