3rd November

Shustoke Reservoir
 
A day birding the northernmost reaches of Warwickshire began at Shustoke with Martyn and Ian. Target bird, the Slavonian Grebe that had been present since 30^th October.

The bird was at the west end near some Great Crests. Always a nice bird to see, especially on an inland water.

Slav Grebe at Shustoke - images courtesy Dave Hutton http://seeswoodpool.blogspot.co.uk/

We did get wet here but noted 1 Goldeneye, 15 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Lapwing, a few Siskin, 1 Bullfinch and 7 Lesser Redpoll. Winter birding has well and truly begun.

Coton

Then a look at Coton Lakes, where frustratingly viewing is rather limited from the hide. It would help if some of the shrubs were kept in check.

We noticed some distant movement of Wood Pigeon involving 500/600 birds and also c300 Fieldfare. Also noted here 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Jay, 1 Kingfisher and Pochard, Shoveler etc. We had a look from the roadbridge, which has been good in previous years for Scaup, but again viewing is limited.


Ladywalk

A couple of Firecrests had been reported here earlier in the week so this was our next target. No luck there, but its easy to see what attracted the Firecrests, with a pair of Blackcap and at least 3 Chiffchaff along this insect-rich path. In November. In Warks.

Also a few Redwing and Fieldfare around the reserve, Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker, Redpoll and Jay. Wildfowl counts included 35 Shoveler, 45 Wigeon and 4 Goosander. Buzzard and Sparrowhawk noted.


Edison road

The Culvert here is another area that has previously had wintering Firecrest, so it was worth a gander.

Here we had 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Raven, a heard only Green Sandpiper and Teal on the River.

The Ravens gave very good views and even landed on a nearby building.

Raven - image courtesy of Martyn Yapp

Coleshill Quarry

The day ended here. An area none of us knew much about, but looked worthy of exploration. Noted 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Egret and 1 Kingfisher .

Big Scilly Adventure Part 3

Tuesday 16th October 

During the morning a juvenile Red-breasted Flycatcher showed well in Old Town Church Yard. 

RB Fly - image courtesy Richard Powell

I didn't stray too far from the dump clump due to the previous day's report of the Hume's YB Warbler. I managed to catch up twice with this intriguing bird; both this morning and also on the 17th.

There was confusion around this bird's identify. Having been initially picked up on call, concerns were raised about the bird's appearance, which was certainly more akin to YBW. However it called like a Hume's; I believe that the bird also gave some mixed calls too, but responded to a recording of Hume's.

My observations of the bird (for what they're worth) were that it looked very bright in the field and there was very little to separate it from YBW plumage-wise apart from slightly duller underparts. The bird had two obvious wing-bars and was just as bright as YBW. We were not looking at a Classic Hume's here. There were also up to two regular YBWs at this site.

One theory put forward to explain the appearance of the bird, was that it might possibly be Hume's of the Asian subspecies mandelli. RBA have posted an interestingarticle about the bird here including sound recordings of the bird that were taken by Sound Approach.

At the dump clump there were also 2 YBW, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and many Goldcrest.

Other birds noted during the day included the Solitary Sandpiper which had now relocated to a field off Old Town Lane.

Wednesday 17th October

As already mentioned, the day included a further visit to the dump clump, in an attempt to get some better views of the mysterious putative Hume's. At least one YBW was also present and 2 Chiffy.

The 3 Ring-necked Ducks (2 ducks and a drake) that had flown in yesterday evening were now quite settled at the pool at Porth Hellick, so settled in fact that they were asleep.

Ring-necked Ducks - image courtesy Mark Rayment

A Snipe also here too and 23 Ringed Plover in the bay. 2 Ravens over Holy Vale were new for my Scilly list (oh god, did I just say Scilly list?). The famous female Great Spotted Woodpecker was also still present.

It was a hard work day really due to the wind, but you have to keep at it. The 2nd-winter Med Gull flew through Porthloo bay; apparently continuing around the coast until it settled at Porthgwarra. No need to chase such birds for one's Scilly list though, just wait for them to come to you. I can't really see the point of folk following the radio and dashing round for stuff you will connect with sooner or later.

Thursday 18th October

It pains me to say it; my last full day on Scilly; it had gone by so quickly. It was a day spent on Brrrrr (Bryher); a last attempt at the Blackpoll.

This bird had been covering a large circuit and often went missing for long periods of time. Today though the Birding God smiled on all present and the Blackpoll was picked up not far from Veronica Farm. The bird kept moving but showed incredibly well as it fed in pittosporum and then (gasp) it was on the beach, feeding at the base of the shrubs and even on the deck!!

Cracking it was too, a particularly bright juv, with a bright yellow face and breast, slightly tinged with lime green. Two prominent white wing bars on dark wings and also bright orange legs. It had a curious feeding motion too. Bird of the holiday for me, without the slightest shadow of a doubt!

Blackpoll Warbler - image courtesy Mark Rayment

Other birds on Bryher that day; 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, the long-staying Hooded Crow and 2 Coal Tits. Waders on the beach included Knot, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, Redshank and Greenshank.

Friday 19th October

Before the return ferry it was possible to spend some time on the island of St Agnes.

Much better views of Richard's Pipit today, stomping around and dwarfing Meadow Pipits. Also a very distinctive flight call; that's one I won't forget.

In the parsonage there was one each of Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Warbler and a Firecrest. Very nice. Another Coal Tit also on Aggie.

Pied Fly

Pied Fly

Spot Fly

All that remained was to get the inter-island boat back to St Mary's and board Scillionian III.

I can't really describe the feeling of sailing back across towards Penzance watching the sun gradually fade from aboard the vessel. The satisfaction of having gotten out there and done it at last, tinge of sadness that it was all over, falling in love with the place and knowing I will be back again next year....good times, some awesome birds and good peeps. All this, even though this wouldn't really be classified as a 'classic' Scilly autumn for many. The best is still yet to come....

Goodbye Mary's!

And still it wasn't over yet. 3 Balearic Shearwaters flew across the front of the ship as we approached Cornish Waters, squeezing a final tick out of the trip. Just superb.

Big Scilly Adventure Part 2

Saturday 13th October 

The Blackpoll Warbler was refound on Bryher early morning, with the next available boat at 11.00. Thus the remainder of the day was spent scanning the area of scrub and pittosporum at Veronica Farm, where the Blackpoll was seen earlier by a fortunate few.

Birders gradually dispersed and some seemed more interested in Coal Tits. There was a sighting of LGRE and the Solitary Sandpiper was still present on the dung heap. I diced with whether to return to Mary's early afternoon, but resolved to stick it out till the last return boat at 4:30pm. I don't know what hurts more really, dipping the bird in itself, or wasting a whole day of your holiday on it.

The only notable birds of the day were a small flock of 8 Pink-footed Geese seen twice over Bryher and 4 Coal Tits at Veronica Farm.

It was getting late by the time I got back to Marys and I unsuccessfully tried to cheer myself up by not seeing a Wryneck at Port Minck. 

Sunday 14th October 

After yesterday's dip and spending the best part of the last two days on Bryher, I was desperate to do some actual birding and exploring again on St Marys.

The B&B, although otherwise excellent, was not geared up for early morning birder activities (8.30am breakfast) so I got in the habit of pre-brekkie walks around the Old Town Church Yard and/or Penninis Farm Trail. Although this didn't produce anything exciting, it was nice to be out in the field. One thing notable about Scilly is that Song Thrushes are very common, you are guaranteed to see them every time you go out and they are also much more confiding than on the mainland.

In this area I noted 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk and a Kingfisher was in the bay.

Then some explorations at the dump clump (or the clump dump) and Lower Moors. A Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Chiffchaff were around the dump clump and at Lower Moors 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 Goldcrest and 7 Snipe from the ISBG Hide. Both Water Rail and Greenshank were heard.

Next the Holy Vale trail, where a star bird was getting some airtime on the radio - a female Great Spotted Woodpecker. Like Coal Tit, another Scillies rarity. And no, I didn't twitch it, I just happened to be walking by. Also in this area a female Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaff were noted.

Continuing further north around the Pelistry Lane/Mount Todden area. Here there was a male Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wag and 1 Kestrel. I also had a brush with an electric fence.

The American Golden Plover was still in Porth Hellick Bay.

American Golden Plover at Porth Hellick - Image courtesy Mark Rayment

On the walk back round via Porth Minck the Wryneck was showing well, in fact foraging on the path and this had attracted a huge crowd! Now a Wryneck is always a very nice bird to see, but 200 odd birders? Either there was not much else to see, or nobody was really looking.

The Wryneck was soon flushed by an pompous chap who not only walked through the path to the objection of all the birders but actually made a point of shooing the bird away and said he could walk wherever he bloody liked. Well of course you can m'lud, but no reason to be an absolute arse about it.

Ended the day at Penninis Head spending some quality time with a Black Redstart at the lighthouse.

Black Redstart at Penninis Head

 Monday 15th October

A similar start to the day, taking in Old Town Church Yard before Lower Moor. It was fairly quiet and the best I could do was 2 Grey Wags, 2 Chiffchaff and 6 Goldcrest.

I then walked north through Porthmellon and on to Porthloo Bay, which was a good spot for scanning. 2 Stonechat, 5 Wheatears, 3 Pied Wagtails and Rock Pipit were about it though. It was officially a bit slow.

I stopped at Juliet's for some lunch with a plan to then head further north. That was scuppered however by breaking news on the radio - Hume's Leaf Warbler at the dump clump!

Arrival at the dump clump and birders lined the wooded trail. It was however quite a dull and windy afternoon, not the best for looking for leaf warblers. The enthusiasm of the crowd soon waned and I was just as fickle - a Short-toed Lark was found at Porth Hellick - that sounded like a better bet.

After a swift 20 minute walk, the Short-toed Lark was on the deck in the horse paddock. It soon moved off though, loosely associated with a flock of Meadow Pipits. Just in time!

I bumped into Richard there and we headed back to the dump clump, however there was a heavy shower so we took refuge in the ISBG Hide where we did get very good views of a bobbing Jack Snipe. Also 5 Common Snipe present.

Jack Snipe at Lower Moors - image courtesy of Richard Powell

The Hume's was only seen again briefly that day and a final wet and windy visit to the dump clump had us throw in the towel and resolve to return again at first light....

Velvet Scoter and Great Grey Shrike in Staffs

With Martyn Yapp AKA The Regional Tick on an official blogging sabbatical I better keep my blog updated, particularly with the regional stuff.

Winter birding mode has already begun and we started on Cannock Chase, perhaps to see if a Great Grey Shrike had arrived. As GGS have now arrived in Wales this stood a decent chance.

Beginning at the Glacial Boulder around 7:40am we spent some time scanning a thrush flock which were feeding on berries. These consisted of 40 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing and around 15 Blackbird. There were huge falls of thrushes on the east coast in recent days and it has not taken long for these birds to reach us.

Also noted in this area; 8 Redpoll (over), 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Jay, Green Woodpecker, Bullfinch, Goldcrest and 2 Buzzard.

We then moved on to Upper Longdon, which held a wintering Great Grey Shrike last year. And bingo!

Great Grey Shrike returns to Upper Longdon. Image courtesy of Martyn Yapp

Surely the same returning bird. We put the news out and then watched the bird which showed very well on its favoured tall stump, before moving further down into the valley after getting a bit of hassle from a Kestrel.

Also of note here 2 Raven and a distant thrush flock over the valley, looking to be mostly Fieldfare.

The rest of the day was spent around Blithfield Reservoir; not at all a bad move as it was to turn out....

The juvenille Black Tern was visible from the causeway, although it disappeared shortly after lunchtime. A late record indeed.

In Tad Bay there were c75 Wigeon, 10 Goldeneye, 4 Goosander, 20 Pochard, Teal and Shoveler. From Beechtree Point I counted 117 Great Crested Grebe and Common Gull was noted.

With the weather turning inclement, we returned to the shelter of Martyn's car and set off for the deep end in search of some Common Scoter that had been seen earlier. In particular there was news of 2 Common Scoter by the angling centre.

However we could see no sign of these here and continued around the res to scan for them. Stopping about half way, we picked up two distant large ducks which looked like Scoter, just as we set off to get nearer to investigate, we got a call from Julian Allen who was on these two birds and they were Velvet Scoters!!

Not only a Staffs mega but also a first for Blithfield - this was massive!! 

Record images of Velvet Scoter by Martyn Yapp

 A bit of white knuckle and we were soon viewing them from the fishing hut; an absolutely spanking drake and duck. Unfortunately these birds seemed very nervy and perhaps this was due to sailing boats still being out. Sadly the birds flew north around 2:42pm, having only been present 10 minutes (to our knowledge).

Whilst Martyn, Julian and myself were very lucky to see the Velvets, it was also very disappointing that their stay was so very brief meaning that other Staffs birders were unable to connect, even those arriving on the scene within minutes.

The birds were again searched for but sadly they had clearly gone.

Interestingly, the same morning a pair of Velvet Scoter had dropped in at Anglers Country Park near Wakefield where they also stayed for 10 minutes before flying south. Surely the same birds...

Finally a lone Common Scoter was showing very well by the dam.

Common Scoter by Martyn Yapp