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Sedgley (December 31)

Final entry of 2008 and I checked out the birds in the back yard. I topped up the seed feeder, put fresh water out and hung some new fat balls. This is the time (very severe cold at present) that they need our help and assistance.
There were a pair of collared dove in a tree, a female blackbird feeding on the ground and the usual gang of male and female house sparrow around.
Have a great New Year's Eve and I'll see you in 2009!

Near Kinver (December 30)

Back after the raven but just one brief sighting of a single bird in flight. But I'm now pretty confident that they are hanging around the wider area so I will be back again in the New Year to have a look.
A flock of c.12 siskin feeding on common alder trees in the area. Also saw pheasant (male x2, female), green woodpecker, kestrel, grey heron.

Near Kinver (December 29)

Back in the same area as before and the raven were still around. Several sightings of the birds, which were never that far from each other. One is very easy to recognise at the moment by a gap in his wing as a few feathers are missing.
Also saw kingfisher, jackdaw, jay.

Baggeridge Country Park (December 28)

A brief afternoon visit to Baggeridge. The very cold spell continues. Highlight was a peregrine perched about 4/5 of the way up the chimney stack at the brickworks. I managed to get some footage of the bird and although I was some distance away it's still interesting enough. You can view it here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dqZrdLgcCxs&feature=channel_page
A raven in flight, heading from the Red Lane area to the Straits, although high in the sky and showing no sign of dropping down.
Other birds included: bullfinch (3 males near visitor's centre, male and female near brickworks), goldfinch, greenfinch, chaffinch.

Turls Hill (December 27)

This is my local patch as in the closest to home and I have spent considerable time over there, but it's been a long time since I last paid a visit so I decided to have a walk over there on a very cold afternoon.
Single common buzzard flew from Turls Wood, then mobbed by a single carrion crow as it flew over the Tipton Road fields. A male kestrel perched in a tree.
A goldcrest in brambles alngside the brook, and finches seen were greenfinch (7 in tree), goldfinch (5 in flight), chaffinch (2 males) and bullfinch (separate sightings of male and female).
Hundreds of wood pigeon and in amongst c.70 on a field was a single stock dove. It pays to look at everything. A flock of c.20 house sparrow (male and female) on the edge of the site by housing.
In flight a grey heron and a lesser black-backed gull.

Near Kinver (December 26)

Out on Boxing Day, very cold as the easterlies kicked in after a mild Christmas. Highlight was a pair of raven, who could well be pairing up for the breeding season as they are early starters. I will keep an eye on the area anyway and if they do breed that would be brilliant. Several sightings and sometimes just the birds calling.

Others birds included: jackdaw (several noisy birds), common buzzard, grey heron, green woodpecker, goldfinch (c.8)

Sedgley (December 25)

Topped up the feeding station in my back garden, a blue tit immediately came in to feed. A couple of collared dove and two wood pigeon in trees and a carrion crow in flight.

Near Kinver (December 24)

Alongside the Staffs / Worcs Canal in South Staffordshire. Three great spotted woodpecker flew into trees. Also two sightings of single green woodpecker.
Several jackdaw, very noisy birds. Single sighting of common buzzard and kingfisher.

Tipton (December 23)

Not much free time at all today so kept my eyes peeled in and around Asda, Tipton where we did our Christmas food shopping.
A single lesser black-backed gull circling low over the store and several black headed gull in the area. A single long tailed tit in bushes.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (December 22)

Mild and dry day today, it seems as if the weather is improving and long may that continue. The field next to Red Lane Farm again had a grey wagtail feeding on it. A couple of pied wagtail further down the lane.
The lane pond still has the 4 moorhen, 2 adult and 2 non-adult plumage. A couple of stock dove flew from tree in lane alongside the last field on the right. It's unusual not to see the birds in that area.
Other birds included: black headed gull (several in flight), starling, carrion crow.

Sedgley (December 21)

Very busy day today as we had church in the morning and the carol service in the evening. Consequently was limited to a brief moment or two in the back yard. A couple of carrion crow were active in the area and wood pigeon and collared dove were in the garden itself.

River Dove, Derbyshire (December 20)

Highlight today was a merlin. I was fishing on a bend underneath my umbrella as the bird came towards me flying low. It literally just scraped over the umbrella so was in effect a metre away from me. Brilliant.
Four sightings of little grebe, twice of a pair and twice a single bird. Other birds included: cormorant (single bird in flight), chaffinch (male singing), great tit (calling).

Baggeridge Country Park (December 19)

I did a video of today's birding session and you can view that here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=sZVZJQij5oQ&feature=channel_page
The tawny owl in Whites Wood was in its usual spot and giving good views. That bird is such a celebrity I wouldn't be surprised if it appeared on the local news one night.
Several sightings of a single kestrel, hovering and in flight. Just one common buzzard, a distant soaring bird.
Several black headed gull in flight and also on the Island Pool. Single herring gull in flight.
Other birds included: nuthatch, greenfinch, bullfinch, goldfinch, coal tit. Heard a raven calling when I was by the Spring Pool but didn't get to see it.

M42 Worcestershire (December 18)

Took someone to Birmingham airport and whilst it vwas dark on the way there I used the journey back to see if I could maybe spot a red kite as they aren't that far south from the area. Obviously I kept my eyes on the road but traffic density was low so there was no safety compromise.
No red kite but a couple of common buzzard, several magpie, carrion crow and jackdaw.

River Dove, Derbyshire (December 17)

Single goosander high overhead in flight at dusk. Also 2 mallard in flight and 5 single sightings of cormorant.
Flock of c.15 pied wagtail in flight and 3 birds on ground. Single grey wagtail.
Three common buzzard soaring and a single bird seen previously. Other birds included: mistle thrush (2 in flight), stock dove (4 in tree), bullfinch (male), fieldfare (single bird).

Penn Common (December 16)

Parked on the top car park by the pond and covered the area that side of the main road. A single mistle thrush on fields by the farm and a single fieldfare in a tree on the common.

A hedgerow by the top farm had 4 bullfinch (1 male, 3 female) in it and other birds included jackdaw, house sparrow, pied wagtail, goldfinch (c.12 in flight), coal tit.

Baggeridge Country Park (December 15)

Cold but dry day and so had a coiuple of hours in the morning over Baggeridge. Covered Whites Wood to the visitor's centre and back again. The tawny owl is still in his roosting spot in the wood, very regular bird but always a pleasure to see.
Several nuthatch, both in Whites Wood and by the visitor's centre. Several goldfinch by the centre as well as a single siskin.
The field alongside the miners path had 4 mistle thrush and 4 redwing feeding on it. Other birds included 3 bullfinch (1male, 2 female) by Lydiates crossing, kestrel (2 female birds squabbling in a tree, probably over food and a single bird by visitor's centre), house sparrow (male and female by visitor's centre), coal tit, jay.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (December 14)

Late afternoon walk down a quiet Red Lane, just one person on horseback. The recent rain has pushed the lane pond just into the surrounding fields. The moorhen were active, a single adult bird seen and 2 birds still yet to attain full plumage.
Two sightings of single common buzzard in flight and a female kestrel perched on a tree on the lane.
The bottom field on the right had c.20 black headed gull on it. Other birds seen included: green woodpecker (calling in flight), song thrush, goldfinch (c.8), redwing (single bird), pied wagtail.

Sedgley (December 13)

Working today so some back garden birding to entertain me. The school behind had a carrion crow perched on the roof but that's as far as they venture to the garden.
The usual crowd of male and female house sparrow on the seed feeder and the fat balls. The ground below had 3 dunnock and 3 collared dove feeding as well as a male and female blackbird.
A brief visit from a blue tit and a robin sang through the rain.

River Dove, Derbyshire (December 12)

A few hours fishing on the River Dove. Very grey and overcast and not much bird action.
Not much on the river itself, just a single little grebe diving in quite fast water on the far bank. Saw 3 sightings of a single cormorant in flight.
Several black headed gull in flight in the area and just a single fieldfare, last visit there were hundreds of them. Other birds included: goldfinch, jackdaw, long tailed tit.

Fens Pool, Pensnett (December 11)

First birding sesssion in over a week due to having the flu - and the proper thing as well, not just the man-version. The loss of 11lb proves that.

My wife and youngest daughter were at Russell's Hall Hospital so I took advantage of being close to the Fens Pool and so paid a visit there. Walked around the top pool, which was a good two-thirds frozen over.

The open water had a male goldeneye and a male shoveler, the former diving often. Lots of gulls on the ice, mostly black headed gull, several lesser black-backed gull and the odd herring gull.

Other birds included: mistle thrush, jay, tufted duck (numerous), little grebe (2), grey wagtail and a willow tit / marsh tit that I didn't get chance to id.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (December 2)

Did a short video of the session which you can view here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EgVWZphCWxo&feature=channel_page
There were 4 moorhen feeding on the field alongside the lane pond, 2 adult plumage and 2 in juvenile plumage. Also around the pond were a male and female bullfinch, presumably the same birds from last visit.
The last field on the right had 6 meadow pipit on it and 2 song thrush. Other birds seen included: pied wagtail, great spotted woodpecker, stock dove (4 in flight beyond Penn Brook), common buzzard.

Sedgley (December 1)

Backyard birding for me today, watching limited activity through my office window. Several black headed gull in the area and also several starling, many coming into the garden and paying the occasional visit to the birdtable.
The house sparrow are regular and again several male and female. A single wood pigeon and 2 collared dove.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (November 30)

A late afternoon walk, very cold. Saw a pair of bullfinch in trees by the lane pond, which had me thinking as to the last time I saw bullfinches at Red Lane. Without scouring through my daily notes I can't remember - if ever - although I'm sure I have at some point. There are reliable spots the other side of Penn Brook, but this side they are scarce.
Female kestrel in flight and later 2 birds hovering by the ridge within yards of each other. Two sightings of single common buzzard, a soaring/calling bird over the ridge and a perched bird in tree alongside Penn Brook.
A field alongside Red Lane farm had a feeding grey wagtail on it. The field alongside the lane pond had 2 adult and 2 juvenile moorhen feeding.
Other birds included: black headed gull (several in area), chaffinch, starling.

Whites Wood, Baggeridge Country Park (November 29)

There is a video of today's birding session that can be seen here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7vmTcp0SVYM&feature=PlayList&p=597AA5DC5989B14F&index=0

Good view of a roosting tawny owl. Although the bird has been a regular there for some time, and become a local celebrity in the process, it's still great to see it. I scanned other spots where I have seen roosting birds before but none produced the goods.
Several sightings of nuthatch, no doubt some the same bird. Other birds included: bullfinch (4 male and female birds), jackdaw, goldfinch, greenfinch, goldcrest, house sparrow (several male and female), great spotted woodpecker (male).

Victoria Park, Tipton (November 28)

I enjoy urban birding and as I was in Tipton I decided to spend an hour walking around Victoria Park. It's just round the corner from my church and so always willing to make the most of every opportunity, if you're in the Black Country and want to attend a carol service, it would be great to see you at Tipton Family Church on December 21. Check out the website for details @ www.tiptonfamilychurch.org
Anyway, the birding...Numeous Canada goose c.75 grazing on the field alone, plus birds on and around the pool. Also numerous black headed gull, several lesser black-backed gull and a single great black-backed gull high in the sky above in flight.
The pool had mallard, coot, moorhen and tufted duck on it. Other birds seen included: magpie (numerous), chaffinch, long tailed tit, song thrush, greenfinch, sparrowhawk (female passed overhead in direct flight).

River Dove, Derbyshire (November 27)

Numerous fieldfare and redwing, both in several flocks seen during day numbering 100's of birds in total.
Single kingfisher and single common buzzard.
Several black headed gull and lesser black-backed gull (c.12 in flight).

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (November 26)

A very enjoyable walk along one of my regular haunts. A male and female pheasant feeding in a field by Westgate Farm, the female was still showing on the return journey.
The field alongside the lane pond had 2 adult and 2 juvenile moorhen feeding on it.
A grey wagtail and a pied wagtail feeding in a field by Red Lane Farm, a single pied wagtail seen later on a field further down the lane.
Trees alongside Penn Brook had 2 goldcrest feeding in them.
Other birds seen included: lesser black-backed gull (several in flight), redwing (several in hedgerow near Red Lane Farm), kestrel (female perched), jackdaw (several), house sparrow (2 males in bushes by water works entrance).

Gospel End Common (November 25)

A cold and frosty morning as you can see from the video here...http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RqhqgmEuN-U

A small flock of 5 redpoll feeding high in trees in woodland adjoining the common. Several long tailed tit, great tit and blue tit and a single coal tit. Several sightings of nuthatch.
The fields around the woodland had a green woodpecker and a mistle thrush feeding. Single common buzzard in flight.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (November 24)

Another cold day, but at least it was dry. The lane pond again had a grey heron on it and 2 adult and 1 juvenile moorhen. Several house sparrow (male and female) in the trees and bushes around the pond, some bathing.
Just one bird of prey, a kestrel being mobbed in flight by a carrion crow.
Other birds included: magpie (numerous and very vocal), stock dove (2 birds on last field on the right), rook (single bird in flight), jay (in bushes along Penn Brook), grey wagtail (in flight near Red Lane Farm).

Sedgley (November 23)

Terrible conditions today, yet in spit of that a robin sang well into dusk in the back yard. Several black headed gull in the area and a single magpie in flight across the garden.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (November 22)

Single mistle thrush on field by Westgate Farm, also a male pheasant in a field by the farm. The closest place where birds are let up for shooting is the Wodehouse estate so it's always encouraging to see birds so far away, particularly as pheasants are not good flyers. I do see the occasional bird in the area but no sign of young birds as of yet.
Flock of c.25 redwing in flight. Also in flight several black headed gull and 2 common buzzard.
The lane pond had 2 moorhen and a grey heron on it. A grey heron was also spotted in the last field on the right.
Other birds included: stock dove (2), kestrel, goldfinch, pied wagtail (2).

Staffs/Worcs Canal (November 21)

Birds seen included: jackdaw, goldfinch, kingfisher, robin, great tit.

Check out this video of a friendly robin: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=39HiGE1F_N4

Staffs/Worcs Canal (November 20)

Single great spotted woodpecker, c.25 goldfinch. Other birds included long tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, greenfinch.

Priory Park, Dudley (November 19)

While my wife and eldest daughter went to Dudley, I walked the park for an hour. Several sightings of coal tit - most seen at one time 2 birds.
Single nuthatch - 3 sightings. Other birds on site included: greenfinch, goldfinch, great tit, blue tit, long tailed tit.
In flight - single kestrel, 2 calling jackdaw, 3 lesser black-backed gull, 3 herring gull, single black headed gull.

Staffs/Worcs Canal (November 18)

On the canal itself - 2 mute swan, moorhen, mallard. Several jackdaw on field.

Sedgley (November 17)

Lots of activity in the back garden today. The house sparrow were regular visitors both male and female birds. A couple of starling paid a brief visit to the bird table. Single robin, collared dove, blue tit and wren. A male and female blackbird and 3 dunnock.

Sedgley (November 16)

A single collared dove in the garden and a single carrion crow on nearby roof.

River Severn, Shropshire (November 15)

Flooded fields alongside the river had 16 mute swan on them plus numerous black headed gull, lots of lesser black-backed gull and several herring gull and great black-backed gull.
In flight - 1 male goosander and 4 female birds.

Sedgley (November 11)

Several black headed gull visible from the garden plus a single lesser black-backed gull.

Sedgley (November 10)

Several starling on the bird table at home along with the regular house sparrow (male and female). Three dunnock feeding on the ground.

Near Stafford (October 24)

First siskin of the autumn, several birds feeding in alders. Several sightings of common buzzard soaring. Four sightings of single kingfisher on River Sow.
Two raven in flight and a single goosander followed some time later by five birds all in flight. Several teal on a water meadow and c.20 fieldfare in flight.

Sedgley (October 23)

Around 30 starling in a flock in the area around my home. Two great tit, one seen entering nest box.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (October 22)

Three separate sightings of jay. Flock of c.20 fieldfare in flight. Single stock dove on bottom field on right. Other birds included: chaffinch, moorhen, greenfinch.

Sedgley (October 21)

The feeding station at home is coming on well. Today had five collared dove feeding on the ground, several male and female house sparrow and a great tit has made itself at home in the nesting box on the cherry tree.

Birmingham Main Line Canal, Coseley (October 20)

On the canal itself - coot, mallard, moorhen. Several black headed gull in area and a lesser black-backed gull in flight. Three goldfinch in bushes.

Sedgley (October 19)

Back garden birding. Single great tit, collared dove, blackbird and robin. Several house sparrow, male and female.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (October 18)

The bottom field on the right had 17 rook on it. Several noisy jackdaw in trees alongside Penn Brook. Two jay in flight and carrion crow. Heard a pheasant calling from land between Westgate Farm and single great black-backed gull in flight.

Sedgley (October 17)

No matter how short the time I spend in the back garden, a robin is usually one of the ticks and singing today. Also had 3 great tit for the first time and I suspected that there was an 'intruder' when I noticed one bird behaving very aggressively towards another. Other birds included: blue tit (2), blackbird (male), collared dove.

Near Stafford (October 16)

In the Stafford area so taking advantage of that, along went my binoculars. Regular sightings of raven, soaring high in the sky - and I just love their call as well. Most birds seen at one time was three, although could only capture two in the frame.
Several goosander sightings (most seen - 6 in flight) including a feeding female on the River Sow.
Two separate sightings of a pergerine falcon in flight, both about 30 seconds each as it flew across a lovely clear blue sky. Too quick to get a photograph though.
A single snipe flushed from a wet meadow. Other bids included; grey wagtail, kingfisher, goldfinch (flock of c.25 birds), lesser black-backed gull (c.9 in flight).

Sedgley (October 15)


The building behind the garden had a pied wagtail on it. The flock of starling in the area is now c.50 and c.12 black headed gull also around. Just a single great tit visiting the seed feeder.

Sedgley (October 14)


The collared dove are consistent visitors to the back garden and the only birds that regularly use the water bowl. Single great tit, robin and a male blackbird also visited today.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (October 13)

A very active willow warbler in trees around Red Lane Farm. Saw it on the way down and the way back. Typical autumn / winter Red lane with lots of finches around, chaffinch, greenfinch (largest group c.6), goldfinch (largest group c.12).
Other birds included: collared dove (2), mistle thrush (another seasonal Red lane bird), stock dove and two green woodpecker.

Sedgley (October 12)


The great tit is a daily visitor to the back garden, usually two birds but today in a brief watching spell, just seen the one bird. Great news is that the coal tit was back again, making several quick visits to the feeder. Also a blue tit, dunnock, wren and blackbird in the garden.

River Severn, Worcestershire (October 11)


A couple of distant kestrel hovering against the backdrop of a sunrise and if you look closely above you can make out one of the birds. I also captured one on video that you can check out here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=clJp4ecfscg
Lots of noisy Canada goose (c.100) in flight at dawn and a single cormorant also in flight.

River Severn, Worcestershire (October 10)

A fishing trip to the lower Severn near Upton. A tawny owl flew from an English oak about 20 metres away in darkness and at dusk I had a brief glimpse through trees of what I am certain was a barn owl, but it was such a limited view that I couldn't be 100% and so it didn't get ticked.
Other birds included jackdaw (numerous), grey heron, stock dove (c.12 on ploughed field), kingfisher (single sighting).

Sedgley (October 9)

Everything is relative of course, but it's very exciting news that a coal tit has been visiting the garden regularly today, spending time at both the seed feeder and nuts. Also great tit, collared dove and robin.

Staffs/Worcs Canal, Dimmingsdale (October 8)


A short walk along the canal with Twinkle my Bedlington Terrier. Several sightings of common buzzard soaring in the sky, several black headed gull in flight and a couple of jackdaw calling in flight.
Water-based birds included mallard, grey heron, mute swan.

Sedgley (October 7)


It doesn't take long for the grey squirrel to move in on a free feast and today I had one visit the feeding station. Twinkle my Bedlington Terrier was on to it in a flash though and as she is a regular in the garden I'm hoping that she will be at least some sort of deterrent, just as she is for the local cats.
Bird-wise, single blue tit, dunnock, robin and collared dove. Several starling and black headed gull in the area.

Sedgley (October 6)


More tales from my backyard! A total of 14 species seen today which may not be much when I'm out and about but from my normally barren garden, that's pretty impressive. The feeding station is working!
Highlight was a male blackcap. Just a brief glimpse of the bird in the hedge but enough to give a positive id. It brought back memories of an overwintering bird from a couple of years ago, so if that will happen this year, that would be brilliant.
Also a female chaffinch, another bird that I don't see at all in the garden. Just a brief visit, but hopefully she will be back. The house sparrow (both male and female - pictured) are now part of the furniture and as I love all birds I'm more than happy to see those.
Other birds included: black headed gull (resident during the autumn and winter in the area), collared dove (2), great tit (single), blue tit (single).

Sedgley (October 5)


A robin visited the feeding station in the back yard today as well as a single wood pigeon and several house sparrow (male and female). Also 2 great tit as well, which was encouraging. The birds are beginning to come along regularly now.

River Severn, Worcestershire (October 4)


Several tawny owl heard in immediate area and distance in early hours, but not seen. Pair of great spotted woodpecker in common alder tree, also female in same earlier. Several meadow pipit in the area, in flight and on ploughed field.
A common sandpiper landed on the edge of the river where I was, as soon as it saw me, off it went. Gulls in flight - great black-backed gull, black headed gull, herring gull, lesser black-backed gull.

River Severn, Worcestershire (October 3)


Female great spotted woodpecker in a common alder tree, stayed there for some time and I was able to get some good video footage of it. Two sightings of cormorant in flight (3 birds and 2 birds). Three sightings of single kingfisher.
Pied wagtail on ploughed field (c.12 birds), meadow pipit also on field (2), great black-backed gull (3 in flight).

Sedgley (October 2)


My feeding station has had 2 great tit visit as well as the usual several house sparrow. Several black headed gull in the area.

Near Stafford (October 1)


Taking advantage of being in the area by doing some birding, including a short section of the River Sow. Birds on the river were mute swan and moorhen, with mallard, cormorant (1st year bird) and grey heron in flight.
Lots of starling around with largest flock c.250 birds (pictured). A flock of c.16 lapwing passed through. Other birds included jackdaw (c.20 on fields), common buzzard, grey wagtail (single bird and then a pair, in flight), goldfinch.

Sedgley (September 30)


The feeding station in my back garden is still quieter than I would like. One definite visitor has been a single blue tit (pictured) and I'm hoping that it brings some of its friends along on a regular basis.
The cherry tree which overshadows the area has had wood pigeon and collared dove in it. Not sure of exact numbers but at least 2 of each.
A small group of black headed gull are now resident in the area, which happens at this time of the year, and a single lesser-black backed gull was perched on a building behind the garden.

Sedgley Beacon (September 29)


The meadow pipit are around in numbers today with numerous sightings of birds rising from the long grass on and around the plateau. The most seen at one time - 11.
Two birds of prey seen - a kestrel in flight and a male sparrowhawk perched in a hawthorn bush.
Other birds included: jay, mistle thrush, goldfinch, greenfinch. Heard a green woodpecker but didn't see it.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (September 28)


Late afternoon walk, several robin singing (pictured). The top field on the right had a moorhen feeding right next to the main road. On the return leg of the walk the bird had moved to the top pool. There were 2 moorhen visible on the lane pond.
The top field also had 2 pied wagtail feeding on it and a grey wagtail was on the shallow stone strewn section of Penn Brook at the bottom of the lane.
Single stock dove in tree alongside Penn Brook.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (September 27)


Three sightings of common buzzard and a kestrel perched right at the top of the tallest mast in the lane (pictured).
One of the fields beyond Penn Brook had 4 jackdaw on them. Two grey heron in flight, high in the sky.

River Severn, Worcestershire (September 26)


Finished early morning so limited birding. Did hear little owl and tawny owl in the early hours but no sightings.
The far bank tree had the resident great spotted woodpecker on it and a common buzzard was being mobbed by carrion crow (pictured). A small group of pied wagtail passed through.

River Severn, Worcestershire (September 25)


A two-night session so still on the river. A great crested grebe was still on the river, very active (pictured). Also on the river itself were moorhen (single bird), mallard (male, female) and a sandpiper that flew past but with such a brief view that I wasn't able to id it.
Other birds included: great spotted woodpecker (dead tree on far bank a regular haunt), lesser black-backed gull (c.15 in flight), cormorant (4 in flight), swallow (numerous birds over fields), house martin, tawny owl (heard bird in common alder tree next to where I was fishing, it then flew right in front of me), great black-backed gull (9 in flight).

River Severn, Worcestershire (September 24)


A fishing session below Upton, and due to the type of angling that I do I also get chance to do plenty of birding. Highlight was watching 5 raven soaring and calling over a wood behind where I was fishing. The only downside to birding when fishing is that I don't have my usual gear with me but a cheap pair of Bushnell binoculars. But they're better than nothing and I daren't risk taking any quality gear along because I need to look after it better than I can when fishing.
At dusk large flocks of canada goose passed through the area (pictured above).
Three sightings of single kingfisher, a flock of 21 long tailed tit and a single cormorant in flight.

Sedgley (September 23)

A flock of c.40 starling in the vicinity of my home. Autumn is well and truly here!

Sedgley (September 22)

A little more action on my feeding station. A single blue tit on a peanut feeder and a robin and a male blackbird also present. A black headed gull was on the school roof beyond the garden.

Sedgley (September 21)

An update on my feeding station at home. It's still very quiet but did have c.6 house sparrows feeding today.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (September 20)

Several sightings of kestrel, likely to be the same pair of birds (most seen at one time - two birds). One was carrying a mouse in flight for one sighting.
A grey heron was on the last field on the right above Penn Brook and the trees along side the brook contained some very noisy jackdaw.
A flock of c.12 migrating house martin. The swallows from the two farms appear to have gone.

Whites Wood / Baggeridge Country Park (September 19)

A noisy and very active nuthatch in Whites Wood and a great spotted woodpecker showing well. A green woodpecker feeding on the grass on the pit mounds.
Several migrating swallow and a single house martin high in the sky. Single lesser black-backed gull and black headed gull, both in flight.
One kestrel, several common buzzard sightings of birds soaring / calling.
Single mistle thrush and jay, both in flight.

River Dove, Derbyshire (September 18)

Several single sightings of common sandpiper in flight low over the river - could possibly be the same bird. Other birds on the river included a female mallard and several moorhen. Two goosander resting / preening along the water's edge.
Group of 7 mistle thrush in flight, single cormorant, single grey heron and 2 noisy birds in flight well into dusk.
Six separate sightings of kingfisher, 5 of a single bird, the other of a pair.
Several common buzzard soaring / calling and a kestrel perched on a pylon.

Sedgley Beacon (September 17)

A couple of meadow pipits in the rough grass on the plateau. As always, there could well be more, the only time you get to see them is when they fly.
Male bullfinch in bushes near the tower, other finches seen were goldfinch (7 juveniles near tower), greenfinch, chaffinch.
Birds of prey seen were a female kestrel in flight carrying a mouse and what I thought at first was a goshawk but which turned out to be a very large female sparrowhawk.
Other birds included: black headed gull (single bird in flight), starling (numerous birds on the masts), lesser black-backed gull (single bird in flight)

Sedgley Beacon (September 16)

It's been ages since I went for a walk over the Beacon and with the possibility of wheatears at this time of the year, it's always worth a visit.
No wheatears though but 4 Meadow pipits and a single skylark. There could have been more pipits, but they were difficult to keep a track of in the long grass on the plateau.
In the rough grassland beyond the plateau, a flock of c.30 goldfinches were feeding on thistles, in trees and in flight. Two noisy green woodpeckers set up from the grassland.
Other birds included: lesser black-backed gull (single bird in flight), kestrel (in flight/hovering), sparrowhawk (female in flight).

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (September 15)

The SWALLOWS seem to have all but gone, I saw just 1 bird around Red Lane Farm. Two other sightings of 2 and c.6 birds respectively were of migrating birds. There were several HOUSE MARTINS high over fields beyond Penn Brook.
The MAGPIES are starting to group together and 13 birds were in one small hawthorn tree.
Unusual sightings for the lane of JACKDAW (6 birds) and ROOK (several in with CARRION CROW) on bottom field on the right.
A juvenile and adult MOORHEN on the lane pond and other birds included: GREEN WOODPECKER (feeding on ground inside water works area), HOUSE SPARROW (female), BLACK HEADED GULL (single bird in flight).

Staffs/Worcs Canal, Dimmingsdale (September 14)

A late afternoon walk along the canal. Birds seen included: STOCK DOVE (single bird in tree), GREY HERON (2 in flight), GREEN WOODPECKER (in flight), JAY, BLACK HEADED GULL (In flight).

Sedgley (September 13)

More backyard birds and a GREAT TIT put in an appearance. I haven't seen many of these at all before in my garden, so hopefully this will be the first of many. A juvenile COLLARED DOVE was in the cherry tree and birds in and around the feeding station included BLUE TIT, HOUSE SPARROW and ROBIN.

Sedgley (September 12)

After a blank yesterday, things are starting to happen in the garden! I've never really had much to get excited about before in the back yard, but then again I've never spent quality time watching. So now that I have a window on the world outside, who knows what will turn up!
Today's birds were all pretty ordinary though. A couple of COLLARED DOVES in the cherry tree and a BLUE TIT on a peanut feeder.
There were 3 BLACKBIRDS (1 male, 2 juveniles), a single ROBIN, a juvenile STARLING and several HOUSE SPARROWS (males and females).

Sedgley (September 11)

Two migrating swallows passed over the street where I live.
I work from home and am presently in the process of moving things around so that my office has a garden view. Always looking to take advantage of situations, I have also set up an area visible from the window to attract birds. Although nothing today, a bird table, seed feeder, fat balls and peanut feeders should start to pull some birds in soon, so watch this space!

Stourton (September 10)

Autumn is here and today watched a group of c.100 starlings feeding in fields and also in flight in their distinctive tight knit pattern.

Merry Hill Centre (September 9)

It doesn't matter where I am, I am always on the lookout for birds, and today having coffee with a fellow church minister at Wetherspoons right in the middle of the shopping complex, I was also watching two pied wagtails feeding on the busy pavement outside.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (September 8)

There are still mallards on the flooded field 'pond' (3 females, 1 male) and they have now been joined by an adult moorhen. Also 2 young juvenile moorhens on the lane pond.
Single lesser black-backed gull in flight, female great spotted woodpecker on a tree. Other birds included: goldfinch, chiffchaff, geenfinch, common buzzard.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (September 7)

The second time in a month that I have seen a hobby along the lane. This bird was in flight over Red Lane Farm before disappearing over the ridge beyond.
The mallards are still on the flooded field 'pond' - this time the number is up to 11 birds. Also a pied wagtail on the field.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (September 6)

Heavy rain flooded the fields and it hasn't taken long for a group of 10 mallards to colonise one 'pond'. They look like they have been there for ever!
Two sightings of single common buzzards, adult and juvenile wood pigeons everywhere. Single lesser black-backed gull in flight, pied wagtail on a field and a female kestrel perched on one of the masts.
The highlight though was a weasel that ran across the lane. This is the closest I have seen one to home and has come with the explosion of rabbits in the area over the last year or so.

Near Yoxall (September 5)

Driving at 5.30am saw a little owl perched on a gate post by the side of the road.

River Dove, Derbyshire (September 4)

Mute swans on the river - 2 adults and 3 juveniles. A kingfisher landed on the tree right next to where I was fishing and gave a great view.
Single great black-backed gull and lesser black-backed gull in flight. Numerous black headed gulls in flight.
Once darkness drew in a tawny owl flew over the field beyond the far bank of the river.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (September 3)

I thought that I'd seen my last swift but today a single migrating bird high in the sky extended the last date sighting. Numerous house martins and swallows around.
The lane pond had a very young juvenile moorhen and 2 adults visible and another juvenile was feeding in the field alongside the small pond mentioned in the last Red Lane blog entry.
Other birds included: collared dove (7 in a tree), stock dove (2 flew from tree), black headed gull (3 birds on bottom field on right), common buzzard.

River Dove, Derbyshire (September 2)

A pair of kingfishers were in the area for some time - chasing each other, perched on branches over river and fishing. Two sightings of single cormorants in flight.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (September 1)

Single common buzzard soaring / flight, also 2 kestrels in flight. A single stock dove in tree alongside bottom field on the right which is a regular haunt for the birds.
The lane pond had 2 adults and 1 juvenile moorhens visible.

Sedgley (August 31)

A juvenile and 2 adult collared doves in the cherry tree in my back garden, which is a favourite haunt of theirs. It's nice to see that a successful breeding has taken place and hopefully I will see another juvenile bird as well.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (August 30)

Although devoid of birds for quite a while, a juvenile moorhen was in the field around one of the ponds that just about qualifies for the title. I guess it is one of the birds that has wandered from the lane pond. Hopefully though it may lead to a re-colonisation but the problem in the past has been eggs going missing as soon as the birds lay. The lane pond had one adult bird visible.
Other birds: greenfinch, swallow, house martin, lesser black-backed gull (2 in flight and 1 on field below Westgate Farm), stock dove (perched in tree alongside Penn Brook), common buzzard (in flight).

Blind Institute / Colton Hills (August 29)

An afternoon walk over local farmland. While watching a couple of lesser black-backed gulls in the sky I saw a very high swift. I haven't ticked one for a few days so it was nice to see summer still hanging on.
Other birds included: wood pigeon (numeous adults and juveniles on fields), common buzard (2 soaring/ flight), kestrel (in flight / hovering).

Bywell near Hexham, Northumberland (August 28)

While my wife and others went shopping at the Metro Centre, I headed north on the A1, across to the A69 and then pulled off, parked up and walked the local lanes.
Highlights weren't birds but a) a rabbit ran across the road being pursued by a weasel b) a hare in a stubble field c) a salmon leaping on the River Tyne.
Birds included: herring gulls (numerous on fields), common buzzard (several including one being mobbed by a carrion crow), lapwing (adult and juveniles on field), mistle thrush (c.10 on ploughed field), kestrel (in flight being mobbed by a carrion crow).

Newastle-Upon-Tyne, Northumberland (August 27)

Off to the north-east for a couple of days while my youngest daughter's band records an EP in studios in Gateshead.
On the journey on the A1 near Rainton in North Yorkshire c.100 lapwing circling over a field next to the road.
Went for a long walk once in Newcastle, starting at The Quayside and walking downstream so very much an urban / industrial route. Numerous herring gulls, several lesser black-backed gulls as well as black headed gulls and a single great black-backed gull.
Other birds included: cormorants (several including 13 perched on river-side factory roof), kestrel, swallow, mute swan (3 adults and 2 juveniles on river by Millennium Bridge), blackcap (female eating elderberries).
On the evening while walking along the river, four goosander flew overhead above the Millennium Bridge heading upstream.

Kings Bromley (August 26)

Driving home at 2.30 am, a barn owl perched at the side of the road. I stopped the car and had a brief view of it before it flew away.

River Dove, Derbyshire (August 25)

I saw a single great black-backed gull in flight over Rushall on the way there and also another over the Dove. Also a single lesser black-backed gull in flight.
Two kingfisher sightings, likely to be different birds. Numerous swallows in the area. On the river itself a single mute swan and a juvenile moorhen.
Tawny owl calling after dark but not seen.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (August 24)

The last field on the right had 21 black headed gulls on it. A single lesser black-backed gull overhead in flight.
A single stock dove on same field as gulls. Just a juvenile moorhen on the lane pond, but it's just a visibility issue as to what I see there at this time of the year.
Other birds included: wood pigeon (adults and juveniles), greenfinch (adults and juveniles), grey wagtail (in flight), great spotted woodpecker (in flight), mallard (female in flight).

Wolverhampton (August 23)

Two swifts heading in a southerly direction over the Whitmore Reans area of Wolverhampton.

Whites Wood, Baggeridge Country Park (August 22)

A short walk around the wood, which was very quiet. Highlight, without any doubt, was a lesser spotted woodpecker. The bird was in flight, from the direction of the visitors' centre, flying into Lydiates Hill.
Other birds included: collared dove, great tit, long tailed tit. I did say it was quiet!

River Dove, Derbyshire (August 21)

A couple of female goosander in flight downstream. A while later two birds that I was unable to sex flew past the opposite way, so likely to be the same ones. Three individual kingfisher sightings, all of birds flying low on the river and downstream.
Other birds included: swift (several), black headed gull (numerous - one flock had c.100 birds), chiffchaff, great black-backed gull (3 distant birds soaring/in flight), lesser black-backed gull.

Staffs/Worcs Canal (August 20)

Following the sighting of the barn owl the other day, tonight I went on an after-dark walk around the area. Having a dog means I can kill two birds with one stone, so I get to bird and she gets her walk.
I covered about two miles but not even a sound never mind sight from an owl. Until I was right back at the car that is and a group of noisy tawny owls were heard (but not seen) across fields. So at least I had something to write about.

Sedgley (August 19)

This is the time of the year when I keep more than a casual eye on swifts. We have a reasonable visit every summer from the birds in the area where I live but they have been missing recently. So today I went on a local walk specifically to see if they have all gone. I saw just the one bird. Back at home a single lesser-black backed gull was circling over the house.

Tipton (August 18)

Several swifts over the Victoria Park area of the town.

Staffs/Worcs Canal (August 17)

A late fishing session, it was almost dark by the time I got there so didn't get chance to do any birding as such. A barn owl flew across my path though so that more than rescued the situation. I have seen them a little further down the canal already this year.
Heard tawny owl but didn't see them even though they were in the immediate area.

Black Country pool (August 16)

An eel fishing session on a Black Country pool. Arrived late so it was practically dark and combined with the atrocious weather meant that I didn't get to see much at all.
A couple of lesser black-backed gulls flew overhead, a grey heron fished the margins well into dark and mallard and moorhen were on the water.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (August 15)

After yesterday's hobby, there was only one place I was heading today. Didn't see the bird though.

The lane pond had moorhen visible (2 adults, 2 chicks, 1 juvenile). On the return walk along the lane a chick and a juvenile were feeding on the field alongside the pond. The juvenile was 20 metres away from the water, the chick much closer.

Other birds seen included: swallow, long tailed tit (several juveniles), swift, stock dove (in flight over last meadow on right), common buzzard (4 calling birds in flight / soaring), house martin, greenfinch (adults, juveniles).

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (August 14)

A late evening session. Red Lane is not a birding hotspot, in fact in years I have only ever seen two people walking down down there with binoculars. So when I see something special it makes it all the more exciting.

Hence tonight when I saw a hobby fly right in front of me I was really thrilled. Walking down the lane the bird flew from right to left just below Westgate Farm and then over the fields diappearing beyond the ridge. The bird flew directly into the sun for much of the 20 seconds that I got to see it, but I had a good enough view.

Other birds included: moorhen (adult, juvenile and chick on the pond), goldfinch (5 adults and juveniles), kestrel (female), house martin, swift, swallow.

Dudley Canal (August 13)

Out on a fishing session, the weather was so bad that by the time I arrived to fish at 8.00pm it was practically dark. Consequently the bird list was low with those seen including: mallard (female), moorhen, dunnock. Heard tawny owl once dark but didn't get to see the bird.

Penn Common (August 12)



A short walk around the pond area of Penn Common. It did coincide with some sharp showers but if we only went birding in good weather we wouldn't be out that often.
A whitethroat was gathering insects and dropping into a low bush that was a likely nest site. A little further ahead in the nesting scale was a male blackcap and 2 juveniles in a dense hawthorn bush. There may have been more birds, but that's all I could see.
A flock of c.100 starling around the pond. In the field system beyond the common a scan with the binoculars revealed a distant red-legged partridge.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (August 11)



Another short visit to Red Lane. On the pond saw 2 moorhen adults and 2 chicks. There are often house sparrows in the area as well, today saw a male and a female. There is one bush in particular that, if they are about, that's where they will be found. And that's where I saw them.


Several goldfinches about, both adults and juveniles. Lots of swallows including birds perched in trees (see picture above). Other birds included stock dove (2 birds in flight over last field on right), willow warbler (adult calling) and swift.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (August 10)



The vegetation and undergrowth on the lane pond is such that it's difficult to get a totally clear view at this time of the year, but managed to see 2 adults, 2 chicks and 1 juvenile moorhen (pictured above).


Lots of juveniles around of other birds too including swallow, goldfinch, greenfinch, blue tit.


Single stock dove on the bottom field on the right. Several swift, all very high in the sky.

Red Lane, Gospel End Village (August 9)




After a week's birding on Anglesey it was back to earth with a bump! Red Lane is a local walk that I enjoy doing. It's a paved lane and due to the fact that there are just a couple of farms and a water plant at the end it has minimal traffic.


The moorhens on the pond have had another successful brood of young. I heard them but could only see one juvenile due to the dense vegetation and undergrowth.


Other juvenile birds around included great spotted woodpecker, long tailed tit, goldfinch and greenfinch.


The bottom field area on the right is great for stock dove and today I saw 3. Other birds on the walk included willow warbler, collared dove, starling.


Anglesey adventures - Day 7 (August 8)



Last day of the holiday and another visit to Cemlyn Bay. Nothing new to be seen, but after an absence most of the week of sandwich tern I counted 7 birds, both adults and juveniles. And guess what - I didn't have my camera with me so couldn't capture them on film.


The common tern and arctic tern were there as usual along with stonechat (adults and juveniles), red-breasted merganser (the female and the juveniles were on the grass alongside the lagoon preening and basking in the sun), redshank, curlew, turnstone, dunlin and lapwing.


Saw 3 little egret and a further 2 while walking back to the car. I couldn't be absolutely sure, as birds could have passed in flight, but I'm pretty certain that they were all individuals, thus making a total of 5.


On the drive to the site 2 raven were perched on the roof of a barn alongside the road. Again a missed opportunity with the camera.


Video clip of turnstone, dunlin, ringed plover: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kf7f77L8jI

Anglesey adventures - Day 6 (August 7)



Back to Cemlyn Bay for a morning walk along the shingle bank that divides the sea from the lagoon.

The red-breasted merganser female and juveniles were still there (pictured above). They kept their distance but I did get excellent views with the scope. I also managed to capture them on film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5IARZZYZSc
Other birds included: little egret (2), curlew (32 on grass on far side of lagoon), wheatear, redshank (9 seen at one time), dunlin (several), turnstone, ringed plover (several).

Anglesey adventures - Day 5 (August 6)



Back to Cemlyn Bay which is just down the road from where we stayed. There are good numbers of terns present but not as many as when last visited the site at the beginning of June 2007. The sandwich terns were absent today but numerous arctic terns and common terns.


A female red-breasted merganser was on the lagoon with 11 juveniles in tow. Other birds included: stonechat (male, juveniles), little egret (single bird), curlew, wheatear, dunlin (c.20 birds on lagoon islands), turnstone (3 on beach), ringed plover (several on beach), redshank (2 on lagoon).


You can view video footage of the terns here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7kJi4YIuSI
Also saw my favourite British mammal today - a brown hare on the headland at Cemlyn Bay at dusk.