Hot news, hot news, hot news.  Just viewed birguides after writing my blog and the mega Sandhill Crane which has been in Orkney for a few days is on the move.  It is currently, or was currently on the north east coast of Scotland.  If it continues, it will be around Flamborough in a few days.  Come on bird...

I forgot to write an account of a small visit to Whitemoor Haye one evening.  I cannot remember going but birds noted were Carrion Crow 2, Great Tit 1, Linnet 7, Mute Swan 3, Wood Pigeon, Tufted Duck 4, Pied Wagtail, Stock Dove 1, Canada Geese 9, Blackbird 1, Wren 1, Blue Tit 2, Black-headed Gull 2 then circa 100 flying behind tractor which was ploughing, Chaffinch 1, Magpie 3, Meadow Pipit 8, Lesser Black-backed Gull 70.

Over to today and a quick visit to the pool, a small walk down the wood near the pool, then a small walk along the first leg of the square walk.  The sun was going quick so birds noted were Mallard 4, Tufted Duck 2, Mute Swan 2, Carrion Crow 3 around the lake then loads around the fields, Blackbird 2, Robin 5, Pheasant 1, Swallow 1, Dunnock 3, Wren 1, Wood Pigeon 1, Magpie 2, Canada Geese circa 225 flew over, Jackdaw circa 60 in one group  with lots of others around, Black-headed Gull 19 overhead but lots on the pools in the distance, Blue Tit 2, Great Black-backed Gull 25 in a field along with circa 100 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  

It is very slow on the pool at the moment and things might be about to get worse.  There is now full security around the gravel pit.  the cameras are always manned and if you try and enter, a man speaks to you through the speakers.  You have been warned.  Also, I have heard from a local resident that work is about to start on building on the grass land next to the pool as well as the old farm builings.

As the nights are drawing in very quickly, I have decided to take up a challenge.  Armchair birding.  I first read this a couple of years ago about a chap in America who has built up a massive list of birds seen and heard on TV. m Unsure of his rules, mine are easy.  The programme cannot be a wildlife documentary, an article on something like 'The One Show' (guess what I am watching whilst writing this), or a story about a bird on the news.  Examples are Curlew calling on All Creatures Great and Small, a Robin singing on the mornings weather etc etc.  I will see how this develops.

Sorry guys, no birding this weekend.  Been very busy lately.  Works golf day on Friday which was rubbish (me, not the day), works fishing match yesterday (Saturday) which I came second, and a late night celebrated my old mans 60th birthday.  Gonna chill, chill, chill today.

I have just been reading a a few accounts of twitching.  With a Sandhill Crane showing in Orkney, the keen boys and girls are on their way.  Fair play to these people.  The Midlanders have a ten hour drive to John O'Groats, then a ferry crossing, then sort out travel to get to the bird (providing it has stayed all of the while), and then wait for the ferry and the drive home.   God knows what sort of journey someone from Cornwall would have?  I was in Orkney a few years ago but I flew up.  It would have been cheaper to fly abroad but it was quick.  I doubt I will ever be as keen to twitch a bird in theses far flung places.  Time and money are things I dont have so reading these accounts of these bad twitches is great reading.  Patch work rules but keep it up you nutters.

As I am one of the world worst sleepers, I was walking around the harbour at dawn just to have a look around the beach and a bit of a sea watch.  Birds noted were Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Turnstone, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Pied Wagtail, Mallard, House Sparrow, Oystercatcher, Starling, Dunnock, Barnacle Goose, Kittiwake and Redshank.  Time for a full english breaky.

 

 

I was unsure about what to do today.  With no pager still, I had messages coming on my phone via Birdguides.  Spurn looked the place to be but I was not sure.  I was not up for walking around, searching bush after bush, in the hope of finding something good.  I fancied a few hides, a few photo oppurtunities, and a few year ticks.  I also wanted to work my way home too as after yesterdays birding, I was a bit tired (not mentioning the drunk jocks that rolled into the hotel at something o'clock am).  Call me lazy, not a birder, blah blah blah, but I forgot about Spurn and went to Blacktoft Sands RSPB reserve where I had a great couple of hours.  (There is also another reason for heading in this direction and that will come clear in a bit).  Birds noted were Tree Sparrow, Robin, Marsh Harrier, Wren, Long-tailed Tit, Swallow, Wood Pigeon, Carrion Crow, Goldfinch, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Meadow Pipit, Teal, Redshank, Greylag Geese, Starling, Snipe - loads,  Grey Heron, Pintail, Stock Dove, Pied Wagtail, Moorhen, Black-tailed Godwit, greenshank, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ruff, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Jackdaw.  A great couple of hours, with close up views of birds.  Well recommended and only just over an hour from Alrewas.

 

 

This was the other reason I did not head for Spurn.  Not the reserve itself, but a bird on the reserve.  A Pectoral Sandpiper had been present for a few days and , to my shame, I had never seen one.  With no lifer for months and a landmark in my birding life coming up (300 birds in Britain and Europe), seeing this bird was more important than hoping for anything around Spurn.  Walking to the pool, two women were walking away and they could not find it.  Bugger.  There was a path all the way round so I went in the opposite direction and met up with another birder.  Up to then, birds seen were Swallow, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Goldfinch, Lapwing, Mallard, Coot, Cormorant, Meadow Pipit, Golden Plover, Starling, and Black-headed Gull.  I asked the chap if there was any sign and he indicated it was on this bit of mud.  Scope set up, eyes on, and my first PECTRAL SANDPIPER.  I think I will have mentioned this before, but I gave a little cry of "come on" when I saw it.  Then I could not believe the size of it.  A Pied Wagtail walked past it and dwarfed the sandpiper.  A great bird anyway.  I tried to take some shots but they all came out pretty rubbish.  Never mind, another one towards my 300.  After watching it for some time I scanned around the rest of the pool and added Snipe, Greenshank, Starling, Teal, Canada Geese, Mute Swan, Green Sandpiper, Grey Heron, Linnet, Long-tailed Tit, Carrion Crow and Kestrel.  I was amazed at the number of species found on this small pool.  A great place.  The Pectoral Sandpiper was also a great bird and it took some peeling away but I had to get home.

 

A great couple of days birding with 15 year ticks and one lifer.  Not bad.

Saturday was a no birding as Friday was a dissapointing beer festival night.  No ill effects but I had a few jobs to carck on with.  Sunday was an early start up to Flamborough Head.  I got there just after 8am and had a walk along the cliffs to the north side before heading back to the car park.  Birds noted were House Sparrow, Stonechat, Gannet, Meadow Pipit, Herring Gull, Starling, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Wren, House Martin, Moorhen, Fulmar, Shag, Kittiwake, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Swallow, Redshank, Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Common Whitethroat, Blackbird and Dunnock.  Walking back along the path towards the lighthouse some chaps asked me if I had seen the Barred Warbler.  They had and it had been showing well.  It was only round the corner so I walked to where a few people were looking for it.  Ten minutes of staring into brambles was eventually paid off with some great views of a Barred Warbler.  I will admit now that I set my digi-scoping gear up and just about to take some photos when I realised the memory cards were back in the car.  I left the scene and headed off to new fall hedge.  This can be an amazing place for migrants and raraties.  It can also be rubbishand, yes youve guessed it, today was rubbish.  One single Great Tit along a long hedgerow and small group of trees.  From there it was south to the sea and then walk back north to the carpark.  Other birds noted were Greenfinch, tree Sparrow, Pheasant, carrion Crow, Black-headed Gull, Curlew, Skylark, Buzzard, Wheatear, Linnet, Sooty Shearwater and loads of feral Rock Doves.  Along with the Barred Warbler, my excitement was raised when, looking in a pre-ploughed field at the Wheateras, Skylarks and Linnets, I found a Snow Bunting.  I took a few digi-scope shoys but they turned out rubbish.  A few chaps were walking by so I put them on the bird, and in return they told me a juvenile Great Skua had just flown in off the sea and landed in the same field.  Bonus.  I walked along the cliff edge, located the bird, and took some more rubbish photos.  Heat haze was my excuse. 

 

All in all a great morning on Flamborough Head.................but it could have been better!!!!  After walking down to the bottom of new fall hedge, I turned right as if to walk back to the car park.  After a few strides I looked up and saw a flock of Starlings.  They were all grouped together and going up and down in flight, as if dive-bombing.  Then out of the sun I saw what I thought was probably a Buzzard, and I wrote it down in my notebook.  However, something was different.  The bird was definately around that size but the profile of the wings was different when soaring.  Much flatter.  My thoughts then went to a Honey Buzzard, but having never seen one or read up on one, I was not sure.  The guys who I told about the Snow Bunting also said the same.  They said they had just seen a raptor fly over them and they were sure it was a Honey Buzzard, but not 100% positive.  Reading up, I am pretty sure it was a Honey Buzzard but as it was a lifer, I will have to be strict on myself.

 

 

I had booked myself on the RSPB Skua/Shearwater Cruise, sailing out of Bridlington.  The aim is to sail a few miles out to sea, and see what we could see.  For those of you who have not been on any of these trips, go, they are worth it if the weather is right.  this was an early eveing cruise so I decided to book a hotel for the night.  I parked my car up at the hotel about 13.30 and had a walk around the harbour before queueing up.  Birds seen around the harbvour were Herring Gull, Starling, Turnstone, Barnacle Goose, Redshank, Great Black-backed Gull, House Sparrow, Shag and Mallard.

 

 

This is my fourth time on this cruise, the last two times being fog but the first time was brilliant.  Today was very sunny and not much was seen on the Saturday evening cruise.  the cruise turned out pretty good, with great views of a Great Skua chasing a gull to make it cough up its food.  Really close to the boat and it lasted a good couple of minutes.  These cruises are great to get into their world, on their patch, and watch what vthey do best.  Birds noted were Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Shag, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Kittiwake, Common Scoter, Manx Shearwater, Sandwich Tern, Guillemot, Razorbill, Puffin, Great Skua, Red-throated Diver, and two Comic Terns seen coming into the harbour.

Comic Terns I hear you say.  A mix of Common Tern and Arctic Tern as we could not tell as the light was poor.  It is not a new species. 

 

I enjoyed the trip but was looking forward to some traditional fish and chips and a beer.  Come on. 

 

 

I had a good feeling about this mornings visit to Croxall as soon as I walked out of the door.  It was sunny but a slight chill in the air.  Almost an Autumn morning.  Croxall was also not to dissapoint with a) no dog walkers, and b) loads of birds.  In the carpark I saw Greylag Geese (two flocks of about 130 birds flew over as I was in the car park), Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Wren, Robin, and Canada Geese.  A walk iupto the Main Hide produced Black-headed Gull, Grey Heron 3, Moorhen, Mallard, Cormorant 48 in total, Great-crested Grebe, Carrion Crow, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon, Green Sandpiper 2, Yellow Wagtail 1 flew over, Dunnock, Magpie, Bullfinch 5, Reed Bunting, Coot, Teal and 23 Lapwing.  Two chaps behind me went into the hide so I decided to do the east side first.  Good option.  As I walked through the railway the bushes along the railway line were a) loaded with berries and consiquently b) loaded with birds.  Birds noted onh this side were Lesser Whitethroat 2, Garden Warbler 1, Blue Tit, Starling, Goldfinch, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap 3, Skylark 1 heard overhead, Long-tailed Tit, Pheasant, Great Tit,and Kingfisher 1.  Back to the main side and a visit to the hide before back to the car added Snipe 4, Mute Swan 2, Lesser Black-backed Gull 1, Tufted Duck 6, Goldeneye 1, Kestrel 1, Pied Wagtail and Stock Dove.  Very enjoyable.

 

 

I spent so long at Croxall, my intended trip to Branston gravel pits was abandoned (grand prix and football this afternoon), so I decided to have a walk around the square at Whitemoor and then visit the lake.  Birds noted around the walk were Swallow 11, Carrion Crow, Linnet, Wren, Wood Pigeon, Sparrowhawk 3, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Goldfinch circa 120, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Dunnock, Tree Sparrow circa 40, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Kestrel, Starling, Magpie, Bl;ack-headed Gull, Greenfinch and Jackdaw.  Over at the pool I added Grey Heron 1, Pochard 14, Tufted Duck 8, Mallard 4, and a single Coot.

 

I think I mentioned ithis last year.  The Goldfinch population around Whitemoor and Croxall is doing very well.  Amongst the 120 birds around Whitemoor, most were juveniles and the same goes at Croxall too. 

A busy afternoon so I spent the last hour and half around Whitemoor.  I hung around by the lake for a bit, before walking along the rough track,  but there was a bit of disturbance by a hot air balloon that ditched between the two pools in the quarry.  I counted circa 816 Canada Geese fly in, then divert away from the baloon, landing in the stubble field near the road.  They were easy to count as they flew in, in small groups.  It was a mini winter Norfolk evening.  Other birds noted this ebening were Mute Swan 3, Wood Pigeon, Tufted Duck 5, Carrion Crow, Pochard 2, Greylag Geese 16, Mallard 3, Kestrel 1, Starlings, Wren 3, Robin 4, Lapwing 6, Lesser Black-backed Gull 22, Magpie 1, Rook circa 80, and a single Great Tit.   

As I am on call, distance is limited.  A phone call at 07.20 nearly had me rushing off to see the Rose-coloured Starling which was showing again at Tittensor (much appreciated for the call Mr Yapp).  However, it was a bit to far to travel just in case I had a call out.  I decided to head for Willington in the hope of the Bittern showing early on.  I did all three platforms in order, and then stayed on the third one for about an hour.  I met another chap who said the canal scrape only held a Ringed Plover and a Redshank, so I decided not to go there, instead go home and have breakfast.  Birds noted were Goldfinch, Robin, Wren, reed Bunting, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Great Tit, Black-headed Gull, Teal, Mallard, Coot, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Tufted Duck, Great-crested Grebe, Grey Wagtail, Grey Heron, Lapwing, Moorhen (see the dodgy, arty farty, photo I attempted on Birdguides),  Cormorant, Mute Swan, Reed Warbler, Snipe, Marsh Tit, Green Woodpecker, Stock Dove, Carrion Crow, Meadow Pipit, House Sparrow and Lesser Whitethroat.  With no Bittern,it means I will have to come here again and again.  Damn.     

After an early morning call out, I finished work at lunch time, went home and had some dinner.  Whilst eating, I looked at Birdguides and noticed a Rose-coloured Starling at Tittensor.  I was back on call after 4pm so I had two hours to get there, see it, and come back.  I set of and arrived after 40 minutes to see a load of fed up birdes.  The bird had not been seen since early morning so the news was not good.  Another bird seen locally was a Slavonian Grebe at Blithers.  With limited time, I did not hang around in Tittensor, and headed for Blithfield.  Once there, I looked on my Blithers map for concrete bay.  It was not on there but I knew a bay which had a concrete edge.  a quick browse produced Black-headed Gull, Great-crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Mute Swan, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Chiffchaff, Pied Wagtail, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese and Starling. 

I had a quick chat with another birder and the bird was in the area I was in but had been very mobile due to the boats,  Two birds, two dips.  He had also seen a Red Kite about twenty minutes earlier.  I packed up and went home. 

 

 

Again, another nice evening, so I popped down to spend the last hour between the pool and the lane.  Birds noted were Mallard (9), Carrion Crow (43), Magpie (4), Great-crested Grebe (4), Pied Wagtail (1), Linnet (5), Tufted Duck (2), Jackdaw (126, a few heard in the quarry and two large groups flying through), Canada Geese (282), Black-headed Gull (4), Lesser Black-backed Gull (about 500 on the ploughed field and another 5 spotted flying in), Robin (5), Wren (4), Cormorant (1), Lapwing (3), Wood Pigeon (2), Whimbrel (2, settled down on a ploughed field near dusk), Rook (1 seen in a field but probably loads more), Tree Sparrow (about 20), Blackbird (1), Dunnock (1).   

 

Another nice evening and I thought I would pop out and do some evening birding before the footy match.  On and around the pool I noted Linnet, Carrion Crow (13) + lots flying inside the quarry and on the surrounding fields), Grey Wagtail (1), Grey Heron(1), Long-tailed Tit (2), Robin (2), Wren (2), Wood Pigeon (10), Canada Geese (59), Mute Swan (2), Herring Gull (3), Black-headed Gull (8), Jackdaw (2 but more heard in the distance), Mallard (6), Swallow (17), Magpie (2), Dunnock (1).  Unfortunately my trip had to be cut short for reasons I will not tell.  Pleasant none the less. 

Before my birding news tonight, a quick update on the Osprey.  It sounds like they got Alrewas mixed up with Alvecote according to Tame Birding site.  Easily done I suppose.

It was a nice evening tonight, and I fancied a walk to rid myself of my tea (liver and onions for those who are interested, and very nice too).  Whitemoor, as usual, was the destination and I started at the pool where, today,a Redstart had been seen in the hedge.  Next I parked down the rough track and walked to the bend and back before darkness started to set in.  Birds noted were Wood Pigeon (6), Common Sandpiper (1), Carrion Crow (10), Mallard (17), Canada Geese (286), Wren (3), Lesser Black-backed Gull (257), Greater Black-backed Gulls (12), Greenshank (1), Robin (4), Dunnock (2), Swallow (2 groups 1 - c50, other - c70), Tree Sparrow (c50), Grey Partridge (4), and Magpie (2).   Can anyone spot the difference tonight from other days.  Numbers!  One thing I am slack with is individual species numbers.  Every other blogger I know does it and it is important, so I have decided to make an extra effort. 

If Jo from the now retired abirdinthescope still reads this, good views of the partridges as they are feeding on the cut fields.

The Lesser Black-backed Gulls were resting/feeding in one of the ploughed fields and I counted those on the floor and those flying in.  It is the most I have seen here.  No Redstart and no Whinchat as seen yesterday but a nice evening stroll.

I am writing this at 09.20, Sunday morning.  No birding yesterday as Friday I drove down to Luton for a works golf day (which I won, ha ha).  Friday night I then drove upto Ely in Cambridgeshire as I was in the British Waterways angling team in the Waterways Industry Coarse Angling Championships (WICAC).  After all of the practice, the day was awful.  My bag of 2lb, 9oz turned out to be quite good.  I was 18th out of 78 and the team got 6th out of 14.  Not the result we were after but there we go.  One bonus was 7 Whimbrel flying over the Great Ouse.  However, I got home at 20.30 last night, popped down the pub, and when I came back, Birdguides had noted an Osprey in Alrewas near the millstream.  Gutted.  Got various things to do today so doubtful whether any birding will be done.

Dog walking duties and as there is constant shooting over Whitemoor, I decided to do Alrewas gravel pits also hoping I might locate my pager.  Birds noted were Mute Swan, Cormorant, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Chaffinch, Mallard, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Swallow, Robin, Reed Bunting, Great Tit, Starling, Wren, Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Wood Pigeon, Pochard, Great-crested Grebe, Greenshank, Grey Heron, possible female Scaup, Pied Wagtail, Greenfinch, lapwing, Grey Wagtail, Linnet, Lesser Black-backed Gull, and Buzzard.  The possible female Scaup was showing on the far side of the lake.  I could not pick out any tuft and the head looked more rounded than some nearby Tufted Ducks.  But it was too far to make a definate.  Not a bad list for this small site, my best species count on this site by far.

 

 

I could not resist popping into the National Arboretum and having a look over the pool.  Birds noted were Carrion Crow, Grey Wagtail, Wood Pigeon,Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Grey Heron, Teal, Blue Tit, Canada Geese, Great Black-backed Gull, Long-tailed Tit, Dunnock, Great-crested Grebe, and Tufted Duck.

 

 

I was passing so I had a quick look over the pretty poor pool.  Birds seen were Mallard 36, Carrion Crow 5, Mute Swan 2, Greenshank 1, Tufted Duck 8, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Magpie, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wren and Long-tailed Tit.  Busy compared to a few previous meetings!!! 

 

 

I hang my head in shame.  As yet, I have never seen an Osprey in Staffordshire, not one anywhere except Rutland and Loch Garten.  Very poor considering the amount of sightings at Blithfield.  Blithfield was the destination for today as Osprey has been reported for the last few days.  I will (and have) also admit that Blithfield is not my favorite site.  I don't know why, it just doesn't do it for me.  Today, however, was different.  I started in Tad Bay trying to locate a dead tree but failed (even calling a certain Mr Yapp for help).  I then walked around the point (cannnot remember the name off hand), then into Blythe Bay.  I hung around for a bit then walked back via the point, and back to Tad Bay, to search for the dead tree (which I eventually found but was empty).  Birds noted were Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Swallow, Chaffinch, Wren, Ruddy Duck, Mallard, Wigeon, Greylag Geese, Pied Wagtail, Great-crested Grebe, Black-headed Gull, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Barnacle Geese (early returners from the breeding grounds!!!!!!!!!), Canada Geese, Goosander, Teal, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Coot, Cormorant, Buzzard, Pintail, Wood Pigeon, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Shoveler, Willow Warbler, Blackbird, Wheatear, Common Sandpiper, Kestrel, Little Grebe, Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, Great Black-backed Gull, Hobby and Herring Gull.  It was agood few hours here, except for no Osprey. 

The bit about the Barnacle Geese is in jest so no comments please.