22nd July 2012

With a bit of sunshine and warm weather punctuating the rainy season it was perhaps the best shot at Honey Buzzard in quite a while. A bird that has long evaded my list; I never quite got around to visiting the traditional sites and some of these have become less reliable in recent years.

Martyn and I headed north to Welbeck, near Clumber Park, Notts. Probably the nearest site from the West Midlands, although it too has also suffered a poor Honey Buzzard season.

On the way up, a call in at Croxall Lakes. Still no shore or wader scrapes. Here we noted 5 Oystercatcher, around 7 Common Terns, 1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, Kingfisher and a female Kestrel eating a vole.

Kestrel - image courtesy of Martyn Yapp

Common Tern - image courtesy of Martyn Yapp

All very nice, but we were hungry for more raptor action. Welbeck did not disappoint. On arrival at 10:00am a Red Kite was on show, high up. Despite the news that the HB season had been ‘diabolical’ with sightings only once or twice a week, we were lucky enough to get on to one around 10:15am. Although this was fairly distant, the distinctive profile of Honey Buzzard could be noted; a longer-winged, bulkier bodied and long-tailed Buzzard than Common.

Although the HB drifted up and out of sight and was not seen again, the action did not end there. A bit later in the morning an Osprey performed well over the pool and was mobbed by Buzzards and a Kestrel. 2 Sprarrowhawks were also noted.

Shortly after noon, we headed back towards Staffs – Blithfield in particular where the rest of the arvo was spent.

This time last year a visit to Blithfield provided a vast array of wader species (in Midlands terms), in comparison to what we have now (these included Greenshank, Dunlin, Sanderling, Ringed Plover and a staggering 27 LRPs). Of course this is entirely due to the volume of water probably being twice what it was then! One good thing about this very hot weather, if it can just drop water levels a few inches we may yet see some wader return passage.

Noted were 3 Oystercatcher, 5 Common Sandpiper, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 46 Common Terns (only 1 juv).

The most interesting bird of the afternoon, was this 3^rd CY Yellow-legged Gull. Note retained immature feathers. Many of the feathers looked bleached out and ready to drop. It will be interesting to see how it looks in a few weeks, should it stick about. The gull also had a rather stonking bill, of almost Caspo like proportions.

YLG - image courtesy of Martyn Yapp

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.

Little Swift

Sunday 24^th June 2012

Negative news (or lack of news, many birders probably otherwise engaged with Euro 2012) on Saturday night meant prospects of catching up with the New Brighton Little Swift on Sunday looked uncertain.

Martyn and I hatched a plan with options; a fairly early start (6.00am) to the day in Staffs with a strategic exit route up to Merseyside via the M6 should news of the Little Swift break.

We began at Gailey. Every time I’ve been there lately it tends to pee it down and this was no exception to that rule. Some Swift movement going on with 100+ and also smaller numbers of House Martin. Also 5 x Common Tern, Pochard, Little Grebe, Reed Bunting and a Blackcap (h).

A walk across the causeway then resulted in a major soaking. Negative news on the Swift received. Change of tack, Blithfield. There, we would find refuge from the rain at least, until it cleared.

Sitting in the hide at Tad Bay we noticed an unusually large number of Common Terns for this time of the year, 31 in this bay alone. Many of these possibly failed breeders, the high water levels this year no doubt resulting in a disappointing breeding year for many of our common species. Also 2 Oystercatcher, Shoveler and again a huge number of Swifts. Talking of Swifts, Martyn then received a pager message regarding the Little Swift. It was back and we were headed Scouseside.

The drive north went smoothly, but I was worried by messages of no news. In just under two hours we were in New Brighton and by this time the birders present had managed to relocate the Little Swift above the residential streets around St George’s Mount.

Although it wasn’t on view upon our arrival we didn’t have long to wait. There was a number of Common Swifts doing a feeding circuit and the Little Swift would appear every 10-15 minutes or so.

It was a very distinctive bird and could be picked out from the Common Swift with ease once you had got your eye in. Aside from the extensive white rump (which could only be seen in the right light) the bird was different from Common Swift in a number of ways. The easiest way to pick it out was by its tail, which was short and square-edged. Its flight was a little more fluttery than Swift too.

I found this bird an absolute joy to observe and we only took a short Morrison’s sarnie break for lunch then went back for seconds rather than moving on. A friendly and well-behaved twitch too, well apart from a few cobra-drinkers on a street corner. Genuinely interested and friendly locals here too. This was the second time I've twitched a rare Swift in Merseyside, the first being the Pallid Swift just across the river at Seaforth in 2009.

Images of Little Swift - courtesy of Martyn Yapp

Also during our visit we noted (of course) many Common Swift, House Martin, 2 Curlew over and Blackcap (h). A very brief stop along the front and we saw Ringed Plover, 5 Turnstone, Linnet and many Terns out at sea.

On a sad note, a very poorly seal was on the front and had attracted the attention of members of the public, some who were stroking it and thought it was just sleeping and would be fine. I'm sorry to tell you this but...

A few jars

Wednesday 20^th June

An annual summer staple of birding in the West Midlands is a nocturnal visit to Cannock Chase. This usually yields stuff like Nightjar and Woodcock, although you have to be careful - it can be a little hairy up there of an evening, you may bump into ex-footballers and other social degenerates who enjoy loitering in car parks.

Making the most of a rare dry and still evening I headed up the Chase with Martyn. We were early so we had a saunter down to Stepping Stones to see if Pied Flycatchers were around. We could not find any but we did come across a very vocal and mobile Redstart. Also 2 Green Woodpecker and flocking Long-tailed Tits including many juvs by Coppice Hill car park.

Moving on to an area with a reputation for Nightjar, we got into position way before dusk. Whilst waiting we had a Hobby and Kestrel over and warblers such as Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler and Whitethroat gave occasional bursts of song.

Our first churring Nightjar was heard at a surprising 9:15pm. It was of course still almost fully light so we still had a while to go before seeing one. Eventually they appeared around the 10.00pm mark. From then until it got too dark to see, we observed at least 3 separate birds, two of them males. All birds were fairly active and showed in flight off and on. The spine-tingling sound of churring on the Chase is something not to be missed. Also a Woodcock came over a couple of times calling.

Sorry no images, it was a bit dark.

16th & 17th June 2012

This blog is in serious danger of becoming a twitching diary. It was therefore time for some long overdue regional birding. Martyn had just returned from a fortnight’s birding holiday in Turkey so a Staffs day out was planned; beginning at Aqualate Mere, we would move on to Blithfield and then take in the usual GPs on the way home.

Saturday 16^th June 2012

A female Marsh Harrier was hunting the reedbeds upon our arrival and had certainly been present for a few weeks. Quite a surprise and very nice to see in Staffs. Also here Cuckoo, Willow Tit, Yellowhammer, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Buzzard. There were a massive number of Swifts and hirundines here, numbering 100’s of birds.

Marsh Harrier - image courtesy of Martyn Yapp

It was a bit of a windy wet day really and the Turtle Doves could not even be heard purring let alone be seen. I engaged in a little feeder fodder photography before we moved on.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Tit

We then checked out Coley Marsh. It looked like the sort of place that could do a passage wader or two, but today it was quiet. A few pairs of Black-headed Gulls were nesting, also here Gadwall, Little Grebe, Stock Dove and Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Sandwiches scoffed at Blithfield, we were poised ready to put in a few hours here, however we were rudely interrupted by news of a Red-backed Shrike at Black Bank, North Staffs. Blithers cast asunder and we were soon heading north towards a Staffs mega.

This fine female Red-backed Shrike showed well along barbed wire, busily feeding on bees and beetles. Not close, but fine for good scope views. Here we saw lots of familiar faces, glad so many could make it being as the bird only ended up staying one day.

Staffs Mega - Red-backed Shrike - image courstesy of Martyn Yapp

On the way home we checked into Gailey where there were again notably large numbers of Swift and House Martin and 16 Common Tern.

 Sunday 17^th June

Some urban birding in the morning resulted in watching a Peregrine flying and calling around the BT Tower. Peregrines are a regular feature of Birmingham's skyscape these days and I have seen them in the centre quite a few times this year. Across the city at another site there are a pair of Kestrels.

Brummygrine - image courtesty of Martyn Yapp

Much later that day I was in Herts to see the female Little Bittern that had been showing very well along the river at Stockers Lake. This was my second Little Bittern, however my first one was brief flight views of a male at Shapwick Heath in 2009. I’m never truly happy with a bird till I get to see one properly, so I was keen to see this bird.

Little Bittern did not disappoint. After a brief wait whilst the bird skulked, she eventually came out into the open fishing and sometimes climbing up on the reeds and branches. Gorgeous warm brown colouration, breast-streaking, pale brown wing patch and a dark crown showed that this bird is quite different from the male but equally striking.

Little Bittern - with now slightly less topical Euro 2012 football

Little Bittern - image courtesy Mark Rayment

Also here Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Common Tern , Reed Bunting, Whitethroat and Pochard. Butterflies seem few and far between lately but an Orange-Tip was noted along with a few damselflys - Banded Damoiselle, Common Blue and Blue-tailed Damselfly.

East Yorks

Sunday 3^rd June 2012

Two things I can’t abide; royalists and mindless patriotism. The only saving grace of the Jubilee Weekend was an extra couple of days birding granted kindly by our lovely Queen. East Yorks was the destination.

I was keen to all avoid media coverage as far as was humanly possible. This was pretty much achieved apart from encountering a Jubilee special edition of the Daily Fail in a McDonalds and some commemorative tat being sold in the shop at RSPB Bempton Cliffs. There was also bunting there. Sadly, not an Ortolan or anything like that.

Aldbrough

Arriving mid-afternoon sadly did not allow time for a full day in the field, however I was very keen to see the Roller that had been at Aldbrough since 31^st May, following initial sightings at Kilnsea and Spurn.

This superb adult Roller was still present, feeding in the ploughed roadside field and returning to its favoured post regularly, where it was often mobbed by meadow pipits. The colours on this bird were absolutely breathtaking and it looked at its most stunning when it was in flight. Despite the miserable weather the bird seemed to be feeding very well.

Roller - image courtesy of Mark Rayment

 Blacktoft Sands

A Marsh Warbler had been singing here in recent days and we decided to have a go for this next. This however turned out to be a mistake as it was now raining heavily. Attempted to wait it out, but with the weather not getting any dryer we reluctantly decided to return in the morning.

Monday 4^th June 2012

Next morning an entirely different story at Blacktoft. Along with other warblers this reedbed was now alive with singing warblers including sporadic song of Marsh Warbler, something I had not heard before. This is much more varied than Reed Warbler song and can contain a lot of mimicry. The Marsh Warbler occasionally sang from visible perches, views were very good allowing to observe the subtle differences from Reed Warbler including a slightly shorter bill, a more uniform brown rump and pale edging to the primary tips, which in this case was quite subtle.

Marsh Warbler - above images courtesy Mark Rayment

Also noted at Blacktoft – Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat feeding young, Tree Sparrows including juvenile birds, Avocet, Common Tern and Reed Bunting.

Flamborough Head

An adult male Red-backed Shrike was entertaining the crowds near the car park/lighthouse area. We watched this for a while then had a walk down to the plantation. It was a little quiet however 3 Lesser Whitethroat were noted, Corn Bunting (heard) and there was a lot of Gannet and Auk activity out at sea. A Painted Lady butterfly was noted.

Bempton Cliffs

I had never actually visited Bempton before and apart from the annoyingly large crowds of people I was really impressed. The seabird colony was much larger than I had expected with Gannets spilling out on to the top of the cliffs. Gannets hanging in the wind, trying to land could even be captured by my little Lumix.

Gannet flight path

 Also here, rather unexpectedly a Bonxie high over the seabird colony, around 6 Puffin, 1000’s of Guillemots, Razorbill, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Herring Gull and more young Tree Sparrows.

Kittiwake

Tree Sparrows

 Tuesday 5^th June 2012

Frampton Marsh RSPB

The journey home was via Lincolnshire, stopping in at Frampton. There’s always usually something to see here and this was no exception. I noted a drake Garganey from 360 Hide and there was also a lot of wader action, particularly from the North Hide; a single Curlew Sandpiper moulting into sum plum, a Little Stint, 3 Sanderling, c20 Dunlin and c50 Ringed Plover. A few LRP were from 360 and other birds noted around the reserve included Avocet, Reed Bunting, Sedge & Reed Warbler and Tree Sparrow.