Staffordshire jaunts

Decided to keep it nice and local today. First port of call was Aqualate Mere on the Staffs/Shropshire boarder near Newport. There have been numerous Bittern sightings of recent so it seemed like a good place to go.

On the way the omens looked good seeing Betty 1 and a Fred on a MGR along the mainline.

At reaching the hide I was informed I had just missed a Bittern by 3 minutes (bugger!), but at least one was around so might appear again. No such luck though. Did get Jay, Great Spotted Woody, Willow Tit plus Great, Coal and Blue Tits. Mallard, Tufted Goldeneye and Wigeon on the duck front. Little Grebe, Black Headed Gull, Greater Black Back Gull, Red Wing and Chaffinch finished off the list.

Was good though chatting to Bill in the hide and sharing what information we both had, it's always good to have a  natter with a fellow birder.

Ont the way back near Hatton Water Works there was a Large Group of Lapwing in the field. Brambling and Chaffinch in the set aside field near Whitmore and finally managed to bag a Red Wing shot.

The afternoon was to be an owl mission trying to get a decent shot of the Short Eared Owl at Berryhill. No such joy as when the owls came out to play I was in the wrong spot and the light had gone from my patch of field (maybe next time).