This morning I went for a walk around my local patch, the morning was chilly but sunny I saw -- Wood Pigeon, Mute Swan, Black-headed Gull, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Magpie, Jay, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Great-crested Grebe, Blue Tit, Blackbird. Not a lot but it was nice to see the Little Grebe as I hadn't seen one there for ages, there were 6 Jays all gathering Acorns and I also heard a Buzzard.  I also saw 2 Speckled Wood butterfly's. 

Today we all met up for a mornings birding at Belvide, where a Ferruginous Duck, Pintail and Little Stints had been reported.  We saw – Greenfinch, Nuthatch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Great-crested Grebe, Shovler, Teal, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Cormorant, Black-headed Gull, Buzzard, Lesser-black-backed Gull, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Ruddy Duck, Willow Warbler, Goldfinch, Long-tailed Tit, Golden Plover, Little Stint, Dunlin, Greylag Geese, Ringed Plover, Pochard, Lapwing, Stock Dove, Wigeon, Pintail, Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Tree Sparrow, Robin, Blackbird, Kestrel. 40 species in all. Shame we couldn’t add Ferruginous Duck. But it was not to be found! 

Later on our way home via Cannock Chase we added Green Woodpecker, Jay Pheasant and Red-legged Partridge, to the days list.   

As I couldn’t make todays Bird Group meeting I decided to go for a short walk around my local patch in the afternoon.  It’s ages since I’ve been there for a birdwatching walk.  I saw – Magpie, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Mallard, Wood Pigeon, Great Tit, Crow, House Sparrow, There was also a small flock of Housemartins flying around, as well as a very large flock of mixed Gulls, but the best birds of the walk were two views of a Kingfisher and a Goldcrest, it's the first time I've recorded Goldcrest there. 

Today we all met up at Croxall in the hope of  seeing a few waders! Birds seen -- Great crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Moorhen, Lapwing, Canada Geese, Teal, Mute Swan, Crow, Rook, Magpie, Dunnock, Kestrel and 1 Common Sandpiper, so not much luck with the waders!  On to Whitemoor  where we added -- Pochard to the list, a walk along the lanes produced -- Wood Pigeon, Jackdaw, Whitethroat, Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Tree Sparrow, Greenfinch, Kestrel, Swallow, and House Martin.  On our way home via Blithfield my friend and I saw -- Ringed Plover, Black-headed Gull, Lesser black-backed Gull, Buzzard, and Pied Wagtail.  On Cannock Chase we saw Willow Warbler, Pheasant, and a large flock of House Martins and Swallows.

Today we all met up at Chasewater for a mornings birding, the weather was calm, which made a change for Chasewater!! Birds seen -- Goldfinch, Pied Wagtail, Great Tit, Blackbird, Robin, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Mallard, Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen, Great-crested Grebe, Lapwing, Tufted Duck, Common Tern, Oystercatcher, Crow, Starling, Magpie, Swallow, House Martins there were a lot of these on the shore and sitting on the overhead wires. We got back to the cars for lunch just before the rain came!!

After our lunch my friend and I headed for Croxall & Whitemoor Haye where Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, had been reported. We saw Green Sandpiper. Plus another wader, which we struggled to ID!  Then we came home via Blithfield and added Osprey, Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper, to the days list.

Today we all met up on Cannock Chase for mornings birding we saw --Blackbird, Magpie, Blue Tit, Stonechat, Swallow, House Martin, Crow, Kestrel, Wood Pigeon, unfortunately that was about all the birds we saw.  But we had a an enjoyably mornings walk looking at all the butterflies that were about and trying to work out just what they were!

After lunch my mate and I went over to Belvide to see if we could improve our bird count there we saw – Buzzard, Blue Tit, Dunnock, Robin, Great Tit, Willow Tit, Chaffinch, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Common Tern, Mute Swan, Mallard, Lapwing, Canada Geese, Black-headed Gull, Black-backed Gull, Ruddy Shellduck, Greylag Geese, Gadwall, Shovler, Sanderling, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Little-ringed Plover, Coot, Moorhen, Pochard, Little Owl, Tree Sparrow, Hobby, Pheasant, Wood Pigeon.  So a good afternoon was had.

At last a chance to get out birding again, after the decorating and other things.  Today we met with the Group at Kingsbury Water Park for a mornings birding, birds seen- Great crested Grebe, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Common Tern, Black-headed Gull, Moorhen, Coot, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Lapwing, Lesser black-backed Gull, Pochard, Teal, Gadwall, Shovler, Kestrel, Wood Pigeon, House Martin, Swallow, plus a possible Garganey?

After lunch some of us went over to Middleton Hall where we added Little Egret to the days list plus a Grass Snake, I know it's not a bird!! but interesting to see nevertheless.

Today the bird group met up on the Cannock Chase, luckily I was able to go.  We were there to look for the illusive Wood Larks, we have tried several times before with no luck, maybe today would be different!!  We saw - Mistle Thrush,  Willow Warbler, Tree Pipit, Chiffchaff, Songthrush (heard), Chaffinch, Cuckoo (heard), Bullfinch, Wood Pigeon, Jay, Blackbird, Magpie, and yes a Wood Lark was seen.

I went on to Marquis drive where I saw Stockdove, Crow, Magpie, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Swallow, House Martin.  After some lunch I went over to another area on the Chase where I added Robin and a Turtle Dove was calling and showing well.  Then I went to Wolseley Bridge SWT  I saw - Mallard, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Great Tit and heard Song Thrush and Sedge Warbler.  It was good day especially as we saw the Wood Lark at last, only got to find that illusive Warbler that frequents the Chase now!!!

No birding this week and little chance of any next week, hopefully I'll get out again soon and update this blog.

Last night the group met up for an evenings walk on Cannock Chase to look for Nightjars Birds seen-- Wood Pigeon, Heron, Stonechat, Kestrel, Cuckoo (heard and seen), Blackbird, Songthrush, Great Tit, Crow, Hobby, Woodcock, Nightjar, we also heard Chaffinch, Willow Warbler and  Pheasant.  It was a  good evenings bird watching with great views of  a pair of Nightjars and good views of Woodcocks. 

On Monday the group visited Belvide Reservoir, we saw-- Red-legged Partridge, Spotted Flycatcher, Tree Sparrow, Greenfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Wood Pigeon, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Coot, Moorhen, Reed Bunting, Common Tern, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Canada Goose,  Blackbird, Gadwall, Pochard, Wigeon, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Pied Wagtail, Buzzard, Mute Swan, Little-ringed Plover, Little Owl, we also heard Song Thrush and Garden Warbler.

Day 4 early morning walk A lovely warm sunny morning, I saw-- Blackbird, crow, Rook, Mute Swan, Cormorant, Black-headed Gull, Redshank, Marsh Harrier, Oystercatcher, Jay, Blackcap, Lesser black-backed Gull, Greylag Geese, Long-tailet Tit, and heard Green Woodpecker. 

 

The lovely sunshine didn't last and was replaced by heavy rain so the plan was for a day at Strumpshaw Fen was postponed! However around lunchtime the rain stopped so off we went to  Strumpshaw Fen for the afternoon birds seen -- Wren, Chaffinch, Mute Swan, Crow, Rook, Swift, Mallard, Greylag Geese, Cuckoo, Coot, Pochard, Gadwall, Long Tailed Tits, Pheasant, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Marsh Harrier, Common Tern, Shellduck, Great-crested Grebe, Shovler, Blue Tit, Great Tit,  Chiffchaff, Hobby. I also heard Bitterns and did see a quick flash of what looked like one going across one of the channels of water!!!

 

Day 5  early morning walk .

 

later that morning we went over to Great Yarmouth for a very windy walk along Breydon Water birds seen-- Common tern, Kestrel, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Shellduck, Mallard, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Swallow, Lapwing.

 

An evening walk back at Burgh Castle produced Shellduck, Avocet, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Blackbird, Swallow. There were lots of waders in the distance but as I hadn't taken my scope I couldn't see what they were.  However hearing a Turtle Dove cheered me up.  

 

Later on we went to Caister-on-sea and had a walk along the beach I saw- Little Tern, Ringed Plover, Swallow, Rook, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Blackbird, Herring Gull.

 

A Great holiday in a great place, total birds 86 incluiding 2 lifers or a possible 3 if you count the Egret!!!  Though it would have been more if it wasn't for the LBJ's and the BWG's (Big White Gulls)!!!  I also saw a Stoat and a Grass snake.

 

  Well I have just been on holiday for a week in Norfolk, the weather was good though very windy most days but we only had rain one morning.  Once I had unpacked I went for an evening walk to familiarize myself with the area.  We were staying at Burgh Castle which is the remains of a Roman Fort. 380 yards of wall still remain standing, some of which is about 15 feet high, and about 11 feet thick in parts it was built at the end of 3rd century AD. That's the history bit done, now onto the holiday and the birds.  There is a nice walk which goes along the river and the castle and later I found a path through a small wood to make a nice circular walk. The next morning I got up early for a pre-breakfast walk, it was cool and cloudy but on the way back the sun was shining.  

DAY 1. early morning walk Birds Seen -- Green Woodpecker, Grey Heron, Whitethroat, Magpie, Blackbird, Cuckoo, Woodpigeon, Oystercatcher, Shellduck, Mute Swan, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Reed Bunting, Rook, Crow, Starling, Cormorant, Swallow, during this walk while I was watching a pair of Marsh Harriers  a bird flew low over my head it was an Egret but I couldn't see any yellow feet!! It did seem large for a Liitle Egret!!! All this happened in a second or two!! if it was a Great Egret it would be a lifer for me!!  Guess I'll never know .  back for breakfast and out again in the afternoon to  Hickling broad.

Day 1. Hickling Broad -- Common Crane( A lifer), Marsh Harrier, Redshank, Lapwing, Greylag Goose, Shellduck, Swift, Swallow, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Blackbird, Crow Rook, Egyptian Goose. I was hoping to see a Bittern, though I did see bird flying in the the distance that could possibly have been one!!!  

 

Day 2. early morning walk a Very Windy cool morning.  Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Blackbird, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Shellduck, Mute Swan, Mallard, Coot, Blackbird, Crow, Rook, Marsh Harrier, Great Tit, Cormorant, Whitethroat.

DAY 2. RSPB  MINSMERE  Nightingale(a lifer), Magpie,  Black-headed Gull, Reed bunting, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Mallard, Shellduck, Barnacle Geese, Swallow, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Little Tern, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper, Sedge Warbler, Spotted Redshank(in summer plumage), Pintail, Redshank, Bluetit, Sparrowhawk, Tufted Duck, Great Tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Ringed Plover. this place was just full of birds some of which I had trouble identyfying!!!  I heard Bitterns calling, but unfortunatly didn't see any!!

 

Day 3. early morning walk Blackbird, Rook, Crow, Black-headed Gull, Oystercatcher, Shellduck, Grey Heron, Egyptian Goose, Skylark, Robin, Dunnock, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Sedge Warbler, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Linnet, I heard Reed Warblers and Chiffchaff.

 

Today was a non birding day, well in theory anyway!!!  But the walk produced -- Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Kittiwake, House Sparrow, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon, Starling, Common Terns, Greenfinch, Black-headed Gull, Whitethroat, Crow, Mallard, Moorhen, Rook, Magpie, Dunnock, Herring gull.  Not bad for a non-birding walk!!!   

Today the group had arranged to meet at Branston Water Park, however the weather gods were against us as it poured with rain!! so a diversion to Croxall seemed the best option. Whilst waiting in the car at Branston we saw--- Mallard, Canada Geese, Black-headed Gull, Tufted Duck, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Coot and Moorhen. At Croxall we saw--- Common Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, Sand Martin, Common Tern, Ringed Plover, Black-headed Gull, Redshank, Grey Wagtail, Canada Geese, Mallard, Mute Swan, Lapwing, Lesser-Black-backed Gull, Pied Wagtail, Coot, Moorhen, Great-crested Grebe and a few of us who 'lingered longer' saw Yellow Wagtail.  After lunch as it had stopped raining we had a walk along the river at the National Memorial Arboretum where we saw-- Black-headed Gull, Common Tern, Oystercatcher, Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Blackbird, Sand Martin, Pied Wagtail, Lapwing, Canada Geese, Mallard, Goldfinch, Crow, as we walked along my friend said she wished she could see a Yellow Wagtail close up, as the one we saw at Croxall was in the distance, and low and behold one appeared on a nearby tree as if by magic!!

This year the birds are nesting in the garden again.  In the nest box there are Great Tits, at the top of one of the hawthorn trees is a pair of Wood Pigeons, I suspect that Dunnocks have a nest in the Ivy, but why oh why!! do the Blackbirds nest in the Ivy just a few inches from where they nested last year when the Magpie ate their eggs and young!  Once again the rotten Magpie has had em again!!!  They appear to have now abandoned that nest.  I used to think garden birdwatching was relaxing and pleasant!!!! 

On Monday we met up at Croxall for a mornings birding we saw -- Canada Geese, Teal,  Great-crested Grebe,  Common Tern, Ringed Plover, Goldeneye, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Tufted Duck, Greylag Geese, Lapwing, Mallard, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Curlew, Swallow, Sand Martin, Pied Wagtail, Linnet, Rook, Chaffinch, Skylark, Buzzard, Magpie. The Curlew giving us great views in a fly past whilst calling. At Whitemoor we saw -- Pied Wagtail, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Black-headed Gull, Mute Swan, Redshank, Lapwing, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Grey Heron, Tufted Duck, Shellduck, Mallard, Teal, Yellowhammer, Robin, Dunnock, Stock Dove,  Wood Pigeon, Tree Sparrow, House Sparrow, Crow, Rook, Magpie. 

I had a walk around my local patch today I saw - Long-tailed Tit, Blackbird, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Canada Goose, Wood Pigeon, Blue Tt, Mistle Thrush, Green Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Wren, Great Tit, Crow, Magpie, Greenfinch, Collared Dove.  It was nice to hear the Chiffchaffs calling and actually get a view of one.  The birds were all low in numbers but as there were a fishermen about this could account for it.  The area would be a lot better if people would not use it as a dumping ground for their rubbish!!!!! Maybe I should make a list of all the rubbish instead of the birds I'm sure that list would be a lot longer!!!!!

This morning we met at Belvide it's been ages since I have been here! Birds seen -- at the feeder station Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Pheasant, Great Tit, Blue tit, Willow Tit, Dunnock, Nuthatch, Greenfinch, Robin, Around the reservoir -- Songthrush, Buzzard, Reed Bunting, Goldeneye, Gadwall, Mute Swan, Coot, Canada Goose, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Lapwing, Redshank, Mallard, Oystercatcher, Shoveler, Teal, Great-crested Grebe, Crow, Rook, Greylag Goose, Wood Pigeon, Swallow, Pochard, Grey Heron, Pied Wagtail, Goldfinch, Snipe, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Yellowhammer.  Back at the Feeder station we added Great-spotted Woodpecker.  After lunch we went to Cannock Chase where we saw -- a large flock of Crossbills, Stonechat, Jay, Magpie, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Stockdove, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Song Thrush, Rook, Crow, Robin. Also a fox and some deer.  A short visit to another area of the Chase produced --Blackbird, Willow Tit, Pheasant, Jay, Robin, Coal Tit, Dunnock, Kestrel.  On the drive home we added Red-legged Partridge and Jackdaw to our list.

Today we all met up at Chasewater, which as many of you may already know can be a 'trifle breezy' on the best of days.  Today the car park was turned into a dust bowl, things didn't look good for a mornings birding!!  Anyway we had a good walk around and this is what we saw - Mallard, Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen, Great-crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Canada Geese, Goldeneye, Lapwing, Gadwall, Sand Martin, Jay, Magpie, Black-headed Gull, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit. I also heard my first Chiffchaff of the year.   Just as we got back to the car for some lunch the heavens opened!!  After lunch we headed over to Whitemoor haye where we saw- Tufted Duck, Redshank, Canada Geese, Barnacle Geese, Mallard, Lapwing, Goldeneye, Pied Wagtail, Wigeon, Oystercatcher, Greylag Geese, Robin, Teal, Crow, Rook, Wood Pigeon, Heron, Jackdaw, Buzzard, Grey Heron, Stock Dove, Starling,there was also a Skylark singing, couldn't see it though. On our way back via Cannock Chase  we saw - Yellowhammer, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Robin, Magpie, Dunnock, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Pheasant, Willow Tit.