Alrewas Birder: Blog

17-8-08, Whitemoor Haye.

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 05:44:51 GMT

After the mornings burst of birding activity, it was then working at home putting up a big shed, also a call-out. We worked until five, had tea and I read the birdguides site. There had been big movements of terns through the country. Having seen Black Tern and Common Tern this time of year at Whitemoor, I decided to spend a bit of time by the pool. Birds I saw were Magpie, Swallow, Mute Swan, Yellow Wagtail, House Martin, Mallard, Carrion Crow, Green Woodpecker, Wood Pigeon, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Black-headed Gull. Not very good and I missed the tern movement. Wader numbers were also disapointing with only one Common Sandpiper. I have put this down to the high water levels at the moment.

Blithfield was good yesterday but it was a bit too far for me to venture whilst on-call. Thursday night will hopefully be Blithers night.

17-8-08, Croxall GP.

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 09:10:51 GMT

With renewed vigour I headed for Croxall. The sun was shining well and the birds I saw were Wren, Magpie, Mallard, Moorhen, Great-crested Grebe, Lapwing, Wood Pigeon, Tufted Duck, Chaffinch, swift, Bullfinch, Cormorant, Sedge Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Dunnock, Mute Swan, Grey Heron, Pied Wagtail, Cormorant and Goldfinch. This was upto the Main Hide. I did not go into the hide but headed to the East Hide. I added Rook, Buzzard, Little Egret, Green Sandpiper, and Kingfisher. Back through to the main hide and I saw Sand Martin, Common Sandpiper, Robin, Teal, Canada Geese, Common Whitethroat, Greenfinch and Blackbird.

17-8-08, Whitemoor Haye.

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 09:05:08 GMT

Foot to bottom - smack! Brain to bottom - message understood. No hangovers, no fishing, on call but nothing in as yet, and no rain so I loaded up the dogs and it was off to Whitemoor for a walk and a bird watch. I have been struggling with a condition in my foot called Plantar Fasciitis. If you have had it, you know how I have been struggling for the past three months. If you have not had it, it is sometimes pure agony. It is an inflammation of the tendons in the bridge of the under foot. I have had some insoles and this was my first walk in them. On to the birds and, as expected, it was quite song wise, but they were their, somewhere. Birds I saw were Wood Pigeon, Swallow, Carrion Crow, Wren, Jackdaw, Tree Sparrow (I reckon I saw around 40 walking around), Black-tailed Godwit (6 flew over early on), Skylark, Garden Warbler, Canada Geese, Kestrel, Stock Dove, Robin, Linnet, Buzzard, Dunnock, Starling, Magpie, Common Whitethroat, Blue Tit, Cormorant, Grey Heron, and Reed Bunting, I stopped off at the quarry lake and added Swift, Pied Wagtail, Great-crested Grebe, Mallard, Greylag Geese, Black-headed Gull, Lapwing, Peregrine, Mute Swan and Long-tailed Tit.

16-8-08, Birdfair.

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 08:55:10 GMT

Although on call, I managed to get some cover and have a day out a Birdfair. It is the third year I have been and it is a brilliant show. There is everything a birdwatcher needs at this show at Rutland Water, a magical place in its own right. My summer birding has been virtually non-existant for various reasons. Another couple of weeks of weekend activity then I will be freed up to do more birding. If you are reading this and have never been to Birdfair, when you open your diary on Chirstmas Day, Find mid-August and scribble in Birdfair, Rutland Water. You will not be disappointed.

8 to 10-8-08, London.

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 05:57:18 GMT

The weekend saw me being a bit of a tourist in London, with my camera in one hand and the underground map in the other. The main reason I plus a few known drinking associates went down was because of the Great British Beer Festival. I have been wanting to go here for a few years and this year we got it together and went. 450 breweries were at the show and yes, we got a little drunk, but a great time was had by all. One of us (no names) even found himself in the corridor naked after some sleep walking. Not a pretty sight. We were all up nice and early the next day and we visited Hyde Park. I do not do cities. There is always a noise and people, there is no where to hide. Hyde Park was brilliant. The noise was in the background but the people were not as busy here and , yes you guessed it, there were birds. I saw Blue Tit, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Barnacle Geese (sorry Martin), Wood Pigeon, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Carrion Crow, Starling, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Ring-necked Parakeet (noisy bleeders), House Martin, Swallow and Mute Swan. Back to the tourist bit and we visited the Science Museum, Natural History Museum, Covent Garden Hyde Park again for speakers corner (bunch of nutters), and then Camden Town, which was an amazing place, before on the train and back home. I will honestly say that it was aa nice time but it was even nicer to get on the train home. Bloody yocal.

25-7-08, Cannock Chase.

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 05:33:58 GMT

Rather late but I eventually got my derriere up to Cannock Chase to find the stunning Nightjar. I took my mother and a friend of the family and we got to the spot for about nine o'clock. From there it was just a matter of waiting. In the mean time I picked out Yellowhammer, Linnet, Common Whitethroat, Song Thrush, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, Wren, Carrion Crow and Green Woodpecker. The light started to fall and the first Nightjar stirred into action. Five minutes later a single Nightjar flew overhead before disapearing into the scrub. Then another five minutes later and a second bird started top chur but this was the last action of the night. It was a little disapointing but it is only my fault for not getting there earlier, however it is another one for the year.

In a fortnights time I have my first free whole weekend. Although I am on call I am going to try to get some better birding in, I promise.

18-7-08 & 22-7-08, Whitemoor Haye.

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 05:26:35 GMT

I have managed to do a bit of dog walking/birding around Whitemoor. These two walks were both evening walks after work and was hoping for the call of a Quail but I heard none so I think it is safe to say Whitemoor is now a non Quail site. Both trips did not include a look around the quarry because of a various reasons. Here is what I saw.

18th = Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Corn Bunting, Reed Bunting, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, Yellowhammer, Linnet, Blackbird, Tree Sparrow, Yellow Wagtail, Common Whitethroat, Stock Dove, Swift and Swallow.

22nd = Corn Bunting, Jackdaw, Yellowhammer, Skylark, Carrion Crow, Linnet, Blackbird, Mallard, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Whitethroat, Greenfinch, and Black-headed Gull.

13-7-08, NEWS

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 06:51:54 GMT

Hello all. June and July birding for me this year is looking to be almost not existant. This weekend I am working both days. Next weekend is th Alrewas show which I always work there all day, and then there is a big party afterwards which will no doubt involve lots of real ale. The next weekend I am also working the whole weekend. But this does mean I will have four days off owing me and I am thinking about visiting Devon. Keep reading guys and I will do my best to get out and do some birding when possible. Cheers.

8-7-08, Whitemoor Haye.

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:41:21 GMT

With the light fading fast I decided on a quick scan over the quarry pool. I saw Black-headed Gull, Lapwing, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Heron, Song Thrush (singing behind), Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, Swift, Carrion Crow, Wren and Blackbird. Unfortuately there was three people with a couple of lurchers trying to hunt the hares. I have not seen one for months now, they have all been illegally killed. I have the car reg and will be contacting the police.

8-7-08, Croxall GP.

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:49:08 GMT

Hooray, Iv'e been out birding. I have finally dragged myself out to watch some birds. It was a nice evening so I decided on a stroll around Croxall. Tonight there must have been an insect hatch as there were hundreds if not thousands of Swifts flying around. I remember experiencing this last year at Croxall. Some of the birds came within a couple of feet as they flew passed. I saw Swift, Magpie, Chaffinch, Song Thrush, Dunnock, Common Whitethroat, Coot, Tufted Duck, Canada Geese, Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Oystercatcher, Common Tern, Lapwing, Mallard, Sand Martin, Shelduck and Grey heron upto the first hide. Lokking out of there was pretty hopeless as the sun was low in the sky and the reflection of the water is sometimes blinding. Through to the east side and I added Wood Pigeon, Swallow, Little Egret, and Wren. Once the sun had settled enough I sat in the Main Hide and added Great-crested Grebe, Skylark, Redshank, Comon Sandpiper, Teal and Ringed Plover.

8-7-08, The Big Bird Quiz.

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 05:54:58 GMT

I have finally written The Big Bird Quiz. It has 100 questions on anything to do with birds. All you do is send me a pound for the quiz sheet, fill as many questions in as you can and then after a certain period, the winner will recieve 60% of the takings. The rest of the money will go to second and third place. There are tough questions as well as easy ones. If you want a go contact me on welshweasels@aol.com. If you know your birds you will need this quiz.

5-7-08, Waddington.

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 07:06:04 GMT

My busy schedule continues with a trip to Waddington Air Show. I am not a plane buff but I do enjoy going to these shows and this one did not disapoint, even though it took two hours of queing to get through the gates. Never mind. The highlight of the day was a Vulcan having its first flight after being rebuilt by enthgusiasts. This plane was never going to fly again but the enthusiasts mange to get money together to get the girl flying again and it was a privalage to watch it flying again. The Euro Fighter and Spitfire did an 'old - new' demo which I thought was brilliant. The Vulcan also did a fly-by with a Lancaster. The Lancaster then teamed up with a Spitfire and a Hurricane to form the Battle of Britain formation. Living in Alrewas we see this formation quite often as they are always showing over the Arboretum. Other planes included a Chinook helicopter, Apache Gunship and Tornados. All in all an excellent day.

1-7-08, Whitemoor Haye.

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 06:58:21 GMT

Golfing today but I did manage to walk the dogs around Whitemoor and the birds I saw were Wren, Carrion Crow, Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting, Skylark, Common Whitethroat, Swift, Linnet, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Tree Sparrow, Jackdaw, Starling, Dunnock, Blackbird, Magpie, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Black-headed Gull and Kestrel.

29-6-08, News.

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 09:35:30 GMT

I have decided to give Norfolk a miss this year and, instead try a spring visit. i am going to have a week visiting my family in Ramsgate and have had an idea of going down to Dover and pop over o France for a couple of days on my push bike. Around Calais there is, apparently, some good birding. Other places I am not sure on. If anyone out there could give me any ideas, places or hints then please contact me on this blog or on my email welshweasels@aol.com. Thanks.

29-6-08, Whitemoor Haye

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 09:31:51 GMT

I managed to limp around the square after an early call out and saw Grey Heron, Skylark, Mallard, carrion Crow, Common Whitethroat, Cormorant, Yellowhammer, Wren, Blue Tit, Linnet, Starling, Corn Bunting, Swallow, Stock Dove, Chaffinch, Swift, Wood Pigeon, Common Tern, Magpie, Jackdaw, Robin, Collared Dove, Mute Swan, Yellow Wagtail, Reed Bunting and Tree Sparrow. On the way home I stopped off at he rather duckless quarry pool and added Canada Geese, lapwing, Pied Wagtail, Ringed Plover, Sand Martin, Oystercatcher and a Garden Warbler warbling away in the wood over the road.

28-6-08, circa Alrewas

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 09:09:57 GMT

8.00 am to 6.30 pm working so all I could muster was a walk around the river with my dog (oh and a quick pint beforehome). Birds I saw were Starling, House Sparrow, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, Swift, Wren, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Grey Heron, Great-crested Grebe, Dunnock, Magpie, Collared Dove, Mute Swan, Sedge Warbler, Carrion Crow and Moorhen.

28-6-08, Whitemoor Haye.

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 08:30:54 GMT

I'm back. Sorry to my regular readers for going AWOL but a mixture of socialising, work, illness and injuries has prevented me from any birding over the last two weeks. This weekend I am on call so I am limited to where I can go and I have also hurt my foot so walking is a bit tricky. A bit of a pain really as I have got to drag myself round a golf course on Tuesday. Anyway baxk to the job in hand and I managed a walk around Whitemoor before getting called out and ending up working all day. Here is my bird list. Dunnock, Wood Pigeon, Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting, Wren, Grey Heron, Carrion Crow, Common Whitethroat, Skylark, Chaffinch, Pied Wagtail, Linnet, Starling, Black-headed Gull, Magpie, Jackdaw, Blackbird, Swift and Pheasant. The highlight of the day though was a probable pair of juvenile Stoats. Me, my mother and the two dogs managed to get about thirty foot away from them and they were happily playing in the puddles on the road. we watched themn for about ten mins before they noticed us and disappeared.

14-6-08, Whitemoor Haye.

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 05:58:24 GMT

Since returning from Northumberland, I have been struggling to get out due to illness, weekends out etc, etc. I am writing this on the 18th of June and the weeknend coming is no different. I have a fishing competition all day Saturday but I will keep a list of birds seen. Back to the 14th June and I did get out with the dogs around Whitemoor. This was the first walk since I got a horrible bug which zapped all of my energy. A walk to the shops had me out of breath. It was nice to get out and a slow walk around Whitemoor produced Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Common Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lapwing, Blue Tit. Greylag Geese, Yellow Wagtail, Dunnock, Swallow, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Wren, Swift, Corn Bunting, Starling, Skylark, Stock Dove, Kestrel, Linnet, Jackdaw and Blackbird.

8-6-08, LeO or SeO

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:55:21 GMT

If you have read about my trip to Northumberland, you will see I queried whether I had seen a Short-eared owl and a Long-eared Owl. I have downloaded the photos to my computer and I am convinced it is a Long-eared Owl. The bird flying around in the next meadow was definately a Short-eared Owl which I knew anyway. Check out the photos and tell me what you think. The local birder I told was not convinced.

Northumberland Trip.

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 07:19:39 GMT

2-6-08, Seahouses.

I set off for Northumberland on the Monday morning and arrived in Seahouses at about 2pm. I'd booked a B & B for a couple of nights in Seahouses, but first I parked up and had a fish and chip lunch. Once I'd found the B & B I gathered my bins and camera and had a stroll around the large village/small town of Seahouses, and along the shore and harbour. I saw House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Starling, Black-headed Gull, Starling, Eider, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Shag, Great Black-backed Gull, Fulmar, Razorbill, Oystercatcher, Kittiwake, Carrion Crow, Collared Dove, Pied Wagtail, Rook, Gannet, Guillemot, Sandwich Tern, Swift, Rock Pipit, and a distant but probable Arctic Tern. Also, whilst driving to Seahouses, I saw Kestrel, House Martin, Yellowhammer and Coot. From Seahouses I got my glimpse of Farne Islands through the sea mist. I could not wait to get over onto the islands.

2-6-08, Holy Island/Lindisfarne.

I decided to head upto Holy Island in the afternoon as this would be the only chance of the holiday. The causeway would be accessable from about half four. i arrived about threeish so had to chillout until it was clear. I saw Whimbrel, Fulmar, Sandwich Tern, Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Eider, Grey Heron, Swallow, Skylark, and Red-breasted Merganser from the car park. A message was on my pager about an organised flush in early evening to find the Great Snipe which had been around a few days. I was not too bothered about this so once we were on the island I set off for the beach to see what was at sea. I did see Chaffinch, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Manx Shearwater, Gannet, Kittiwake, Common Scoter, Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, Ringed Plover (hundreds of them), Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail and Kestrel. I was walking back to the car when I saw the birders heading off to the area where the Snipe was flushed in the morning so I decided I might as well tag on. I got there and there was about thirty people hanging about. One chap picked four peole with wellies to hang on whist the rest of us walked along the dunes. The bird hand been seen in a damp area within the dunes so this place was the area we were all watching. Also there was a guy with his huge lens. He had seen it land in that area but not lift. The wellied people started to move through the marsh when a Snipe lifted and people started asking if this was the bird. Fortunately the guy with the camera was able to get a few good shots and the organises of the flush identified the bird definately, as the GREAT SNIPE. I walked back to the car. Now usually when I get a lifer I have a grin of a Cheshir cat on my face. This feeling was different. Yes, I had seen the bird lift and fly into the dunes. Yes, it was positively identified as a Great Snipe. But the way in which we got to see the bird, I was not comfortable with. I know without doing this, you might never see some birds but I did not feel right in doing this and I will have to think hard if I was ever asked to partake in flushing a bird from its resting, feeding area again. What does everyone else think on this subject? Maybe I am being a bit over the top, I don't know. Birds I saw or heard driving upto Holy Island were Wood Pigeon and Blackbird.

2-6-08, Budle Bay.

On the way back to Seahouses, and more importantly, the pub, I stopped of at a very nice spot by the roadside called Budle Bay. The tide was going out and there was a vast expanse of mud. This waould be excellent in the Autumn months. Today I saw Jackdaw, Herring Gull, Shelduck, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Carrion Crow, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Eider, Swallow, and Great Black-backed Gull. Other birds I saw or heard near were Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Blue Tit, Goldfinch and Pheasant.

3-6-08, Seahouses.

Today I was booked on a boat to go over to Farne Islands. Big problem, it was lashing down and the forecast was all day. I walked down the the booth near the harbour and cancelled my seat as there was no point going. The lady said I had made the right decision and the forecast for the next day (Wednesday), was much better. I confirmed my place on that trip and then walked back to my B & B, feeling a bit gutted. The birds I did see were Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, House Sparrow, Starling and Eider.

3-6-08, Kielder Water.

The forecast for the day was awful on the east coast. rain, rain, and rain, clearing up in the evening. A normal person would find a tourist guide and find places to visit. Castles are high on the agender in this area. Banburgh castle looked very impressive when I drove past it the night before. However, I am not a normal person. I don't do tourist things. Impressive the castle might be, but walking around them, that is not me. I wanted to watch birds. So I decided to get my gear in the car and drive west. Keep driving untill the rain stopped. I was thinking of St Bees Head in Cumbria, but the drive was a bit too much. Instead I optedfor Kielder Water, as here there was an exhibition, cafe, and also a bird hide. The rain was still falling, but in showers so there was some hope. I walked around the exhibition which was very interesting and the had a spot of lunch int the cafe. I sat by the window which had feeders set up. The rain had eased off now and I saw Chaffinch, Blue Tit, and Siskin on the feeders, and Swallow, House Martin, Song Thrush, Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Wren and Common Whitethroat in and around the bushes. I also heard several Willow Warblers. Things were looking up. I decided to head for the bird hide which was about a five mile drive up the resevoir. Birds I added to y list for the day were Curlew, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Robin, Grey Heron, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Buzzard, Teal, Goldcrest, Great Tit, Oystercatcher, Little Grebe, and Rook. I spent a couple of hours in the hide, avoiding the now showers. I met a guy in there and he told me about the Little Tern colony, not far from Seahouses. This would be my next destination. Birds I saw driving around were Lapwing, Magpie and Greenfinch.

3-6-08, Long Nanny and Beadnell Bay tern colony.

Having found the car park, I sat watching the drizzle fall. I watched a few birders leave their cars and head off along the dunes with all of the waterproofs in place. They walked in a straight line for some distance before disappearing over the dunes. Could I be bothered getting all of my gear wet? It was about a mile walk to the colony and I was seriously thinking not to bother. There was a pause in the weather and I got out to stretch my legs. I asked a guy, who was getting back to his car, how far away the terns were. He replied "About a mile from here and there is a Lesser Grey Shrike on the fence near trhe pool." WHAT? Sod the weater. I got my gear on and I also took my brolly and about three quarters of a mile later I was standing next to six, very soaked, people. On the way up I also saw Stonechat, Skylark and Meadow Pipit. I did see the bird from a distance but on arrival it flew down into the grass. I knew it would show eventually so I hung around. I wanted to get a photo of the bird so I decided to drop back from the group so I could put my brolly up. Eventually it popped up out of the grass and I had my first LESSER GREY SHRIKE. Whata bonus and what a great bird. Apparantly, it was on the pager but mine was not working to well in the part of the country. It kept perching and then dropping for the next hour, untill I decided to go and see the Tern colony. This was just over the next group of dunes. This was excellent. There was mainly Arctic Terns which were flying upto two feet away from you. There was also a few Little Terns but they stayed away. I stayed ther, chatting to the volunteers, for about an hour. Other birds I saw were Herring Gull, Ringed plover, Great-Black-backed Gull, Pied Wagtail and a fly over from a Cuckoo. Fortunately the rain was very light so I did not get too wet and this place was a great place to end the day.

4-6-08, Seahouses.

In my own bed I sleep rubbish. That is why I started writing this up on Saturday morning at 06.00. When I stay in B & B's it is even worse. 04.30 is my usuall time of waking up and this was made worse by knowing that this could be the day I go and visit the Farne Islands. I was like a six year old on Xmas Eve night. I try and get an early morning walk in, especially when I am in a seaside town, see what the area is like before the tourists wake up. Before I went out I checked the forecast. It was brilliant for the day. I was well excited. On my walk I saw House Sparrow, Starling, Wood Pigeon, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Eider, Razorbill, Fulmar, Gannet, House Martin, Swallow, Oystercatcher, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Kittiwake, Grey Heron, Sandwich Tern, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Pipit, Rook, Swift, Sand Martin, Mallard, Ringed Plover, Linnet, Blackbird, Wren, Goldfinch, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock and Blue Tit. I got back to my B & B and got all of my camera gear ready and I was off (after my massive full english brecky that is).

4-6-08, Farne Islands.

I caught the boat at 10.00. There was about seventy of us crammed into the back of the boat. As we sped towards the island, the skipper gave us a brief commentary of the history of the Farnes. We sailed past a Cormorant colony before going to the seal colony on a fars island. This was all right but the people on the edges of the boat stood up and spun round. Us in the middle of the boat had nothing to hold onto so we couldn't stand, and we could not see over the boat as everyone was standing up. Fortunatley seals do not excite me that much, but I am sure other people were annoyed. From their, we headecfor Staples Island. This was the first of two islands we could get off. The othe being Inner Farne Island. We had about two hours on Staples Island and I saw (at very very close range), Razorbill, Guillemot, Kittiwake, Puffin, Shag and passing Arctic Terns. There was also Herring Gulls, Eider, Great Black-backed Gulls, Oystercatcher, Fulmar, Turnstones Black-headed Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Pied Wagtails, and we had a flyby from about thirty Canada Geese. The two hours went very quickly and I did manage to fire a couple of hundred shots. Next it was off to Inner Farne Island. Again we had two hours here and this was by far the best of the two. Here you had to walk along the boardwalks. Eider and Arctic Tern were nesting right next to the boardwalks. The Eiders stayed perfectly still but the Arctic Terns led an aerial assault on anyone who dared walked past the nest. This was an experience of a life time, being pecked on the head my a small bird, but feeling a fair bit of pain. One bloke had blood tricklling from his head. were there's a blame, there's a claim. The day was slightle stained from a large group of young school girls with brollies that stood in the area where the terns were and screamed constantly. There was also a small colony of Sandwich Terns which stayed away from the masses and got on with their lives. This is where the Roseate Terns also nest but they have not appeared for the second year. The two hours were over very quickly and we were soon back on dry land., it was an unforgettable experience and I will, without doubt, be coming here again.

4-6-08, Seahouses Pool.

After this long day I was very tired. There is a small pool just out of Seahouses so I drove down and had a look. On the pool was Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Common Tern, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Mute Swan, Herring Gull, Coot, Lesser Black-backed Gull, House Martin, Carrion Crow, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Teal, Shelduck,and Sand Martin.

5-6-08, Druridge Pools.

It was home time. I tucked into my last massive breakfast. The last two English breakies were very filling so I went for a small brecky of Caister kippers. Well I was assuming they were going to be small. Instead Kirsty (the owner) bought out what looked like two smoked whales. They were huge. Again I was stuffed with breakfast, I paid my money and I departed for the long drive home. I wanted to stop at a place on the way home and I opted for Druridge Pools (thanks Brightside Birder for mentioning this place on your blog). It is a small nature reserve on the coast. It consists of a couple of ponds and three hides, two of which I was to find had been recked by the local nutters. First I had an owl problem. I parked up near the entrance and immedieately saw wgat I thought was a Buzzard sitting in a low bush. I got out and set my scope up and nearly fell over. It was only a Long-eared Owl, or so I thought. I took some photos, cleared my stuff away to go for a walk when I saw a Short-eared Owl. This was a definate id, as it was hunting in the grass near my car. But had I mistook the LeO for an SeO. I had the evidence on camera so I would find out when I downloaded to pictures back home. I walked around the rest of the reserve and added Grey Heron, Linnet, Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Lapwing, Wood Pigeon, Chaffinch, Swallow, Mallard, Gadwall, Willow Warbler, Mute Swan, Black-headed Gull, Common Whitethroat, Starling, Carrion Crow, Teal, Coot, Pied Wagtail, Reed Bunting, Magpie, Wren, Meadow Pipit, Snipe, Swift, Shelduck and Shoveler. To be honest, I did not fancy leaving my car too long as this felt not the nicest of places. This was re-inforced by a police car checking up on the area. He pulled up, had a chat and said there was a Spoonbill on a pond about half a mile away. Nice one officer.

5-6-08, Cresswell Pools.

This was a fair size pool with not a lot of birds on it. I saw Spoonbill, Shelduck, Black-headed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Lapwing, Coot, Wigeon, Grey Heron, Stock Dove, Skylark, Common Tern and Mallard. I was just about to leave when a gull landed next to the tern. Black-headed Gull I assumed. I took a look anyway and it was a Little Gull. It was a long way away, in misty coditions but I managed to get a rubbish photo of it. I decided to end myNorthumberland trip on that fantastic year tick and head off home.

All in all it was a fantastic couple of days. I stayed at a great B & B (if anyone wants the address, contact me), had some pints at the Olde Ship Hotel which has a fantastic, must see bar, and met some great people. I saw 86 species, 2 life ticks and 10 year ticks. I took about 900 photo and I will wade through them in the next couple of weeks and put them on the blog.

1-6-08, Croxall GP.

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 05:34:08 GMT

June all ready. Where is this year going. Xmas before we now it. I fancied an early visit to Croxall. From the car park I saw Tufted Duck, Magpie, Sedge Warbler, Coot, Herring Gull, and Mallard. Walking up to the first hide I saw Wood Pigeon, Wren, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Great-crested Grebe, Moorhen, Canada Geese, Jackdaw, Chaffinch, Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler, Cormorant, Common Tern, Black-headed Gull and Blackbird. Through to the East side I added Rook, Mute Swan, Redshank, Lapwing, Shelduck, Stock Dove, Grey Heron, Swift, Skylark, Great Spotted Woodpecker, and Oystercatcher. Back throught to the main side I got Ringed Plover, Dunnock, Reed Bunting, Grey Wagtail, Greenfinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Kestrel.

31-5-08, News.

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 05:27:00 GMT

The pair of Black-winged Stilts have had a chick. The day I was there someone mentioned that they had mated and one chick has been produced so far.

31-5-08, Whitemoor Haye.

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 05:25:09 GMT

A late evening walk, hoping for Quail, got me Chaffinch, Starling, Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Skylark, Blackbird, Kestrel, Grey Partridge, Lapwing, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Common Whitethroat, Magpie, Black-headed Gull, Pheasant, Yellow Wagtail, Swallow and Robin. With not too much excitement I had a look over the quarry pool and added Mallard, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Ringed Plover, Common Tern, Little Ringed Plover, Pied Wagtail, Mute Swan and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

31-5-08, Rutland Water.

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:41:48 GMT

I opted for Rutland Water. The main reason was I would be driving a long way to Northumberland on Monday so Rutland, only being an hour and a bit away , would be an easy drive. The other reason was the Marsh Sandpiper. This would be a lifer for me. I arrived just before eight and headed to the Mallard Hide which overlooked the area it has been seen. A few people were in thee and there had been no sign of the bird. I then went to the visitor centre at nine but there was no sign there. No sign either at the Harrier Hide and it was not looking good. Birds I saw through the various hides were Chaffinch, Garden Warbler, Pheasant, Wood Pigeon, Common Tern, Wren, Robin, Chiffchaff, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird, Coot, Egyptian Geese, Mallard, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Black-headed Gull, Teal, Tufted Duck, Greylag Geese, Oystercatcher, Cormorant, Mute Swan, Wigeon, Lapwing, Song Thrush, Canada Geese, Moorhen, Common Whitethroat, Turnstone, Gadwall, Herring Gull, Reed Bunting, Pied Wagtail, Pochard, Little Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Swallow, Great-crested Grebe, Sanderling, Sand Martin, Grey Heron, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Blue Tit, Starling, Willow Warbler, Turtle Dove, Sedge Warbler, Shoveler, Kestrel, Cuckoo, Blackcap, Redshank and Common Gull. I gave up on the sandpiper and decided to go and see the Ospreys. Once through the visitor centre at the Lyndon area, I added to my list :- Goldfinch, Magpie, Dunnock, Bullfinch, Osprey, Buzzard, Reed Warbler, and Grasshopper Warbler. Now, hands up those of you who have had close up views of a Gropper for a long period of time. No, not me either, well, not untill today at Rutland. I was walking along the track back to the car when I heard a tick tick noise. I thought it was a Blackcap and had a look to see if I could see it. Then a bird flew from the grass and into the front of a hedge in a dead bit, only thirty foot away. I got my scope on it and could not believe what I was seeing. I had a Grasshopper Warbler filling my scope. I scrambled for my camera in case it flew (which is usually the case), but I did not have to bother. I watched this bird for about fifteen minutes, just pruning itself. I took loads of photos as did a couple of other peolpe. I then saw the grass moving and another Gropper appeared, proberbly its mate. The grass was still moving and these birds were started the tick ticking again. I put this down as an alarm call to what ever was in the grass. The birds kept following what was moving untill they chased it out onto the track. A stoat had a mouse or shrew, not a baby bird, but the Groppers chased it up the track and then into a field before giving up. I think I might have had the views of a life time of this very secretive bird, and I feel very privileged.

30-5-08, Whitemoor Haye

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:18:54 GMT

I am back. A week off birding due to winds and I was ready for a bit of weekend birding. I had a dilemma, East Yorkshire as there had been windfalls of migrants, or Rutland Water which is always a good days birding and a Marsh Sandpiper was there. First I had a walk around Whitemoor in the evening, hoping for a returning Quail. I stopped off at the quarry pool firstly, and had a quick walk in the quarry itself for the Garganey which keeps getting reported. I had Corn Bunting, Canada Geese, Mallard, Song Thrush, Pied Wagtail, Lapwing, Greylag Geese, Redshank, Gadwall, Black-headed Gull, Tufted Duck, Swift, Swallow, Stock Dove, Carrion Crow, Wood Pigeon, Grey Heron, Starling, Coot, Cormorant, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Common Tern, Skylark, Linnet, Pheasant, Ringed Plover, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Blackbird. No Garganey so I drove to the square were I added Yellowhammer, Common Whitethroat, Wheatear, Buzzard, Robin, Blue Tit, Wren, Kestrel, Dunnock and Moorhen. No Quail heard today. None were heard last year but the year before I heard three when the crop was cereal. last year it was rape but this year it is another cereal, hence the hoping of a return. Not yet however.

26-5-08, No birding.

Mon, 26 May 2008 13:22:12 GMT

I am afraid I have been a bit lazy over the bank holiday weekend. I have got on with various tasks such as watching football, watching grand prix, watching beer glasses empty etc etc, so no birding this weekend. Sorry. Next weekend I will be fresh and ready to go as on Monday 2nd June i am on the way to the Farne Islands. Come on!!! Congrats to Hull FC for there promotion. Well done Phil Brown, bet he is laughing at The Rams demise.

23-5-08, Ingleby, Derbyshire.

Fri, 23 May 2008 19:58:44 GMT

There are various things which drive people to watch birds- watching behaviour, seeing varities, photography, list builders, etc, and they have different names - birders, twitchers, local patchers, whatever. Whatever you fall into and call yourself, you do it because you love it. I love to see as many birds as possible. I love making lists. I love adding to these lists. But, primarily, I love birds. Today, for me, was a day to remember as I photographed my 200th bird, and I could not have got a better bird. Last weekend I missed the chance of seeing a Red-footed Falcon due to being on call. There were loads around the country but the chances of them staying were bleak. I have been tracking a female in South Yorkshire and my plan was to go up Saturday morning. That was until a female turned up in Ingleby near Willington. I finished work at 4pm, picked up my gear and the dog and found Ingleby and followed the river to a bunch of birders. On the way I saw Swift, Swallow, Mute Swan, Skylark, Mallard, Common Tern and Blue Tit. I got there and immediateley got onto the bird, a female RED-FOOTED FALCON. A stunning bird. Unfortunately the nikon camera has got a fault so I only had my Sony Alpha 100 camera. I attached it to my scope and I photograped my 200th species of bird. A great mile stone for me. Other birds I saw were Sedge Warbler, Kingfisher, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chaffinch, Wren, Herring Gull, Great-crested Grebe, canada Geese, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Robin and Blackbird. Keep birding people.

18-5-08, Croxall GP.

Fri, 23 May 2008 19:43:07 GMT

I have not been here for a few weeks so I was long over due a visit. From the car park I saw Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Canada Geese, Swallow and Chaffinch. Walking up the track I saw Carrion Crow, Magpie, Lapwing, Teal, Robin, Swift, Greenfinch, Common Tern and Great-crested Grebe. Through to the east side and I added Oystercatcher, Avocet (a major suprise and a new bird for me here though it did not hang around, instead flying in the direction of Junction Pool in the arboretum), Shelduck, Rook, Jackdaw, Mute Swan, House Martin (which I photographed becoming my 199th bird), Green Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, Gadwall, Wood Pigeon, Skylark, Willow Warbler, Cormorant, Buzzard, Black-headed Gull, Goldfinch, and Kingfisher. Back to the main side I added Sedge Warbler, Linnet, Dunnock and Chiffchaff. A good visit with a new bird and new photographed bird.

18-5-08, Whitemoor Haye.

Fri, 23 May 2008 19:30:53 GMT

I decided to take the dog for a walk around the square at Whitemoor and I saw Carrion Crow, magpie, Yellowhammer, Jackdaw, Lapwing, Skylark, Corn Bunting, Swift, Blackbird, Linnet, Wood Pigeon, Stock Dove, Wheatear, Common Whitethroat, Swallow, House Sparrow, Lesser Whitethroat, Starling, Tree Sparrow and Pied Wagtail. The walk was ruined by constant shooting at a nearby farm which frightened the dog and she legged itto the car. I stopped at the quarry lake and added Mute Swan, Gadwall, Greylag Geese, Redshank, Mallard, Coot, Tufted Duck, Canada Geese and a single Pochard.

18-5-08, Branston Water Park.

Fri, 23 May 2008 19:25:36 GMT

My mother and a family friend wanted to go to the water park to join Dave Scattergood on one of his walks so I decided to do along. To be honest, there was too many people there, about twenty something. Usually there are only about ten max and everyone can join in. The more there are, the less chance of getting in on the act. We stayed near the back and I tried to find birds for my mom and friend. Birds we encountered on the day were House Sparrow, Canada Geese, Mallard, Pied Wagtail, Swallow, Great-crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Common Tern, Black-headed Gull, Chaffinch, Kestrel, Coot, Sand Martin, Swift, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Wren, Reed Bunting, Dunnock, Moorhen, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Greenfinch, Reed Warbler, Robin, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Buzzard, Bullfinch, Song Thrush, Starling, House Martin, Sedge Warbler, Goldfinch, Lesser Whitethroat, and Common Whitethroat. A good list.

18-5-08, Blithfield Resevoir

Fri, 23 May 2008 19:16:00 GMT

Firstly, my apologies for not writing up the blog for a week. I have been on call and had call outs Sunday evening and Monday evening. Tuesday I was busy, Wednesday football, and Thursday is my pub night. There is a little to catch up on so here goes.

A Great White Egret was reported here on the previous day so up early and a walk around Blithfield before any call outs. Regular readers will know the fun I have with these birds, racing to see one at Tamworth, Stafford plus another three places I can't remember (or don't want to remember), and dipped on every one, the one in Tamworth by two minutes. Back to Blithfield and I walked around to Blithe Bay before heading around the headland and into Tad Bay. Suprise suprise, no Great White Egret but the birds I did see were Pheasant, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Song Thrush, Wood Pigeon, Chaffinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Mallard, Mute Swan, Cormorant, Jackdaw, Great-crested Grebe, Swallow, Tufted Duck, Blue Tit, Lapwing, Coot, Shelduck, Gadwall, Moorhen, Reed Bunting, Swift, Grey Heron, Pied Wagtail, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Stock Dove, Wren, and Willow Warbler. A nice start to the day.

12-5-08, News.

Mon, 12 May 2008 18:56:34 GMT

On Saturday this blog was one year old. When I started it was for various reasons, I enjoy sharing were I have been and what I have seen, to make friends, and to annoy others. I think over the year I have achieved that. At this moment I have had 5845 hits. To me, that is unbeleivable. I would like to say thank you to all who read this blog and hope you all continue, because as long as I live I will be chasing birds, locally, and around the country. I may even venture broad again soon. Cheers, and hope to see you all in the field. Keep on birding.

11-5-08, Back Garden, Alrewas

Mon, 12 May 2008 18:47:55 GMT

I wanted to do a bit more birding in the evening but I was tired so I did something different. I spent one hour in the garden, in a comfy deckchair, and I noted down every bird I saw or heard, either in the garden, flying over, or singing next door. It was good fun, no energy wasted, and I had two suprise birds. Birds I saw were Carrion Crow, Peregrine, Collared Dove, Starling, Black-headed Gull, Greenfinch, Swift, Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Blackbird, Swallow, Wood Pigeon, Common Tern, House Martin, Blue Tit and Great Tit. Birds I heard were Great Tit, Wood Pigeon, Wren, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Swift, Robin and Dunnock. Spot the two suprise birds. This is a good exercise when, like me, you are a recovering alcoholic.

11-5-08, Fradley to Alrewas,trent and Mersey Canal.

Mon, 12 May 2008 18:41:19 GMT

It is only about two and a half miles but it is quite a nice walk. Birds I saw were Wood Pigeon, Wren, Chaffinch, Skylark, Mallard, Common Whitethroat, Linnet, Pheasant, Yellowhammer, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Magpie, Song Thrush, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Chiffchaff and Starling.

11-5-08, Fradley Junction Resevoir.

Mon, 12 May 2008 18:38:22 GMT

Not much birding was going to be done today. A few of us had a night out by a bonfire, drinking lots of beer, eating burgers and staying up very late. a top night. Unfortunately it does not mean a good Sunday. Anyway, you have got to have a bit of fun sometimes. I had to drop the van off at work and, instead of being picked up, I decided me and the dog would walk around the resevoir and then walk down the Trent and Mersey Canal back home. The resevoir is only small and surrounded in woodland and I saw Blue Tit, Mallard, Greenfinch, Wood Pigeon, Wren, Goldfinch, Robin, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Great Tit, Pied Wagtail, Moorhen and Carrion Crow. Nothing brilliant but it was for future plans.

11-5-08, Stockton Resevoir/Draycote Water.

Sun, 11 May 2008 08:15:06 GMT

Stockton Resevoir.

Since I was a kid upto the time I moved to Wales in 1998, I was a mad keen fisherman. This finished when I moved to Wales as course fishing is not really done. No canals and the rivers are trout rivers. I work for British Waterways and they hold competitions throughout the year so I decided to have a go. Stockton Resevoir is south of Rugby. I did not do any good but, as I am always a birder I did see and hear Great Crested Grebe, Mallard, Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Wood Pigeon, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Robin, Blackbird, Magpie, Cuckoo and Common Tern. The match was five hours and as it started my pager sprang into action. White-winged Black Tern at Draycote Water. It was funny as only the other day I was looking at this bird in a bird book and was wondering how it was going to grace my black book. I kept an eye on the pager all day and as soon as we finished I put Draycote up on the sat-nav and I was only five minutes away.

Draycote Resevoir.

I did not think I would get my works transit van into the parking area as it was rammed with cars and people in various stages of undress (the hot weather as opposed to a dodgy film set). A bit of searching and I got my spot, got my gear out and set of for Farneborough Bank (I think that is what it is called). There was a group of birders not far along the wall and I approached with excitement. Far out, but visible eith a scope was three Black Terns and one WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN. What a stunning bird. The odd Common Tern was also about. I did not come for a site visit, only to see the bird as I had to get the van back. I also noted Cormorant, Tufted Duck, Willow Warbler, Mute Swan, Mallard, Pied Wagtail, Linnet and Chiffchaff.

7-5-08, Barton GP (aka Branston GP)

Sun, 11 May 2008 08:01:31 GMT

I was in the mood for a bit of midweek birding and , as I have not had a Hobby yet, I decided to walk around Barton GP. I usually get good sightings of Hobbies here. Firstly me and the dog had to run the gauntlet of getting past , what looked to be an innocent cute dog. That was untill we got near it when it pounced onto my dog and started biting it. I kicked it off and got my dog over the stile just as an alsation came running out of the farm. Thus, however, turned out to be soft as sponge and just wanted fussing but the little thing was growling and showing its teeth all of the time. I went to the farm house and banged on the door but no-one was in. Good job really, I was fuming. Anyway I checked Jess over, she was alright, and got on walking along the footpath to the pits. On the way I saw Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Lapwing, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Blackbird, and Swallow. I walked from the south pit to the top end and added Black-headed Gull, Coot, Tufted Duck, Canada Geese, Mallard, Pied Wagtail, Ringed Plover, Robin, Great Crested Grebe, Swift, Oystercatcher, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Moorhen, Dunnock, Wren, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Cormorant, Blue Tit, Stock Dove, Bullfinch, Common Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Shelduck, Grey Heron, Chaffinch, Great Tit, and Buzzard. On the way back I added a Great Spotted Woodpecker. No Hobby tonight and I also managed to avoid the little dog.

6-5-08, Shustoke Resevoir

Tue, 06 May 2008 19:10:44 GMT

I am now going to eat my words. I visited Shustoke yesterday and wrote that I didn't see much blah blah blah. I have just looked on the Shustoke blog site shustoke.blogspot.com and I have changed my minds. The birds they have had there are excellent, and reading the blog, they do get quiet days but they also get Osprey and Gannet and Petrels so, If anyone has told Steve Seal et al that I was horrible about his site (I was not too bad but chinese whispers and all that), I apologise and will be back again. Have a look at the site mentioned above and I will put a link to the site from my blog.

5-5-08, Whitemoor Haye.

Tue, 06 May 2008 18:50:27 GMT

It was nearing tea time so I decided to pop in at Whitemoor on the way home and scan the lake for anything. I saw Redshank, Tufted Duck, Canada Geese, Robin, Magpie, Lapwing, Wood Pigeon, Ringed Plover, Mallard, Carrion Crow, Little Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Gadwall, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Swallow, Cormorant, Common Whitethroat, and Herring Gull. Not the most stunning of birdwatching sessions but a nice end to a good days birding.

5-5-08, Alvecote Pools.

Tue, 06 May 2008 18:47:13 GMT

I am afraid I did a naughty thing here. I arrived at a group of birders and assumed the Spoonbills were there. So I parked the car, left the windows open for the dog, and got my stuff out to see the birds. There were two Spoonbills on Teal Pool, washing and preening on the bank. I got a few shots and then left as i did not like leaving the dog in the car. The only other bird I noted were Gadwall, Canada Geese and Grey Heron. I don't like going to places, seeing one bird, and then leaving but with the hot sun and the dog in the car, I could not stay long.

5-5-08, Shustoke Resevoir.

Tue, 06 May 2008 18:43:27 GMT

Now I was stuck. It was too early to head off home and I wanted another chance of some terns. I look in my site guide and I noticed Shustoke Resevoir was only ten minutes away. So off I went and arrived at a car park. This place was not what I expected, being honest, but I head off. I saw Pied Wagtail, Great Tit, Mallard Blackbird and Coot. I had got about a quarter of the way round when the pager went off and two Spoonbills were at Alvecote Pools. A couple of expletives later and I had a choice, carry on or leg it back and get to Alvecote. I decided to carry on, quickening the pace admittedly. The rest of the birds for the walk were Wood Pigeon, Wren, Robin, Mute Swan, Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Great Crested Grebe, Buzzard, Swallow,and Magpie.

5-5-08, Kingsbury Water Park.

Tue, 06 May 2008 18:34:02 GMT

After breakfast I had a practice on the drum kits (how sad can one person get - loves birding and is a wannabe drummer), whilst watching the weather slowly improve. Finally it stopped raing and I fancied a place with lots of birds, a good walk with the dog, and the possibility of some Black Terns. I don't know why I chose Kingsbury. Bank Holiday. Tea rooms. Childrens play areas. Easy walks. I was asking for trouble there. But I was pleasantly suprised. I arrived in the car park and there was loads of cars but not many people around. It is such a huge place that it can absorb loads of people. There are loads of pools and so many places to find some privacy. And the birds were excellent too. Four year ticks and a photo of a Garden Warbler (my 197 photographed species by the way). The birds I saw were Coot, Mute Swan, Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Black-headed Gull, Pied Wagtail, Chiffchaff, House Sparrow, Mallard, Canada Geese, Chaffinch, Magpie, Tufted Duck, Wood Pigeon, Willow Warbler, Wren, Turtle Dove (a major suprise), Song Thrush, Robin, Cuckoo (finally located after lots of searching), Reed Warbler, Gadwall, Shelduck, Cormorant, Sedge Warbler, Moorhen, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Dunnock, Swift, Common Tern, Willow Tit, Buzzard, Collared Dove, Lesser Whitethroat, Marsh Tit, Garden Warbler, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Greylag Geese, Lapwing, and Shoveler. Not a bad bird list for a public place . Oh yes, no Black Terns!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5-5-08, Barton GP (aka Branston GP).

Tue, 06 May 2008 18:21:21 GMT

Forecast for Monday was best day of the hloiday weekend. A beer free and early night led me to waking up to it ............raining. I couldn't believe it. By eight though the rain had stopped so I was off. I started walking to the pools and saw Carrion Crow, Canada Geese, Chaffinch, Skylark, Wood Pigeon, Jackdaw, Blackbird, House Sparrow, Black-headed Gull, Swallow, Common Whitethroat, Song Thrush and Long-tailed Tit. By the time I got to the south pit it was starting to drizzle but I was not going home. On the pit I saw Mallard, Lapwing, Tufted Duck, Coot, Great Crested Grebe, Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Robin and Cormorant. Three Little Gulls had been present a couple of days earlier but with the ever heavy drizzle I gave it a go but had get going back to the car, back home, and back to eating breakfast................and failed on the gulls.

4-5-08, Blithfield Resevoir.

Tue, 06 May 2008 16:45:51 GMT

I have been watching Birdguides for Black Terns in the area, which i have been missing all of the time, so I decided to go and find my own at Blithfield, and failed miserably. As previously mentioned in the Whitemoor entry, I was not in a walking frame of mind so I parked up by the causeway and reversed my car (it's an estate - or in a state), and sat in the boot and scanned for about three quarters of an hour hunting terns. I saw Coot, mallard, Common Tern, Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe, Greylag Geese, Carrion Crow, Chiffchaff, Swallow, Tufted Duck, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Sandpiper, Wood Pigeon and Magpie. No 'blackies' today but I will keep trying.

4-5-08, Whitemoor Haye

Tue, 06 May 2008 16:40:26 GMT

Sunday mornings! Love them and hate them. Today I hated them as I was partaking in a few beverages last night. This and getting up early I was feeling tired all day so when I finally managed to get out it was only at the pool at Whitemoor, no walking - lazy &%£@*!. Anyway, 1 hour there and I had Common Sandpiper, Pied Wagtail, Swift, Lapwing, Canada Geese, Tufted Duck, Blackbird, Ringed Plover, Mallard, Gadwall, Black-headed Gull, Teal, Great Crested Grebe, Carrion Crow and Garden Warbler. A Wood Sandpiper and Whimbrel had been reported over the weekend but to see them I had to go into the quarry, which is unfortunately private property (as you can see this is a blog for birding not moaning so I will not be doing a 'soap-box' bit). Nuff said.

3-5-08, Willington GP.

Sun, 04 May 2008 08:14:23 GMT

The lure of a summer plumaged Curlew Sandpiper, which had been showing well on Friday, was too much to take. I had work to do today so this was going to be my only birding. The bird had been showing at the third platform so I decided to walk to that platform and then visit the others on the way back. The walk up the lane was excellent. It was giving my mother an education on warbler song as there was Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Chiffchaff all showing and singing their hearts out. Other birds I saw were Blackbird, Black-headed Gull, Robin, Mute Swan, Coot, Blue Tit, Wren, Cormorant, Moorhen, Mallard, Canada Geese, gadwall, Common Tern, Tufted Duck, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Shoveler, Shelduck, Great Crested Grebe, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting, Redshank, Mute Swan, Greenfinch, and Magpie. The Curlew Sandpiper had showed first thing in the morning but no sign since. I also had a go at photographing Garden Warbler. That was fun. I kept getting very close to the hedge and the bird was almost sitting on my head but, as it sang away I could not see it at all. Good old warblers.

1-5-08, Whitemoor Haye.

Sun, 04 May 2008 08:03:50 GMT

After the weekends mammoth tour of the UK it was back to local patch work. I took the dogs for a walk and did a a bit of birding at the same time. I walked around the square and saw Carrion Crow, Swallow, Skylark, Common Whitethroat, Blue Tit, Reed Bunting, Chaffinch, Robin, Wren, Wheatear, Linnet, Blackbird, Tree Sparrow, Dunnock, Corn Bunting, Lapwing, Yellowhammer, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Yellow Wagtail and Grey Partridge. I then went and had a look over the lake on the way back. I added Canada Geese, Redshank, Gadwall, Chiffchaff, Black-headed Gull, Pied Wagtail, Mallard and Common Tern.