6th & 7th July

Friday 6th July

Cannock Chase

Although the weather wasn't ideal, the rain had cleared up enough to tempt Martyn and myself into another crack at Nightjar.

It was a bit cool though and Nightjar were clearly taking longer to get going than on our previous visit. First churning was not heard this time until nearly 10pm. We saw 2 and this was brief, however it was a good view of a male.

Our night was made by roding Woodcock which showed very well. There were at least 2 birds, possibly even 3 and a scuffle was observed.

There was also a brief sighting of Long-eared Owl.

Other sightings throughout the evening included 2 Tree Pipit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a few Whitethroat and a Kestrel.

Saturday 7th July

As Martyn explains we began with an interesting stroll canalside. A very different way to see our great city, Birmingham's hinterland is atmospheric and steeped in industrial history.

Bird sightings included 2 Peregrines on BT Tower and 2 Grey Wagtails but sadly the nest of the latter seemed to have been disbanded.

Croxall Lakes, Staffs

On to a more traditional birding haunt. Still very high water levels all around meant it didn’t look good for waders, the only ones we saw were 5 Oystercatchers and even those were flying away.

Also of note 2 Shelduck, 3 Common Tern and 1 Little Egret. Warblers included 3 Reed Warbler, Blackcap and Whitethroat. Banded Damoiselle was on the wing.

Common Tern - image courtesy Martyn Yapp

Great Crested Grebe - image courtesy Martyn Yapp

There was an important military event going on nearby at Alrewas War Memorial, the crowds and traffic made it difficult for a loo stop and a look at the sightings book.

Nearby there was a family party of 4 Kestrels and a flock of 14 Lapwing and about 100 of these seemingly freshly emerged five-spotted burnet moths.

Five-spotted Burnet Moths

Whitemoor Haye

Here we had 4 Grey Partridge, a singing Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer and Kestrel.

On the pit there were 3 Oystercatchers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Ringed plover 1 and 5 Common Tern.

Blithfield

As it had began raining there was a change of plan and we made Blithfield the final stop of the day. 

Disappointingly there was no Osprey. Notable birds here included 5 Common Sandpiper and 27 Common Tern, a redhead Goosander over the causeway, 2 Oystercatcher and a juvenile Black-headed Gull.