Blithfield Visit

Sunday's plan was for a spot of afternoon lazy/easy birding with a drive down to Blithfield for a spot of safari birding, just driving along part of the reservoir and seeing what we could find.
Looking from the cause way it didn't look to hopeful, making our way along the edge of the reservoir the first bird we saw was a Little Grebe feeding quite close into the side (never seen a Little Grebe here before), as we continued our way along the edge of the reservoir trying not to wake the little one in the back of the car we soon found quite a few Ringed Plover, I have a weak spot for all waders and these fellows are always good to see. In with the first group were a few Dunlin and then we found a lone Little Stint which was the icing on the cake.

Juvenile Ringed Plover

Adult Ringed Plover

Dunlin

Juvenile Little Stint at Blithfield

Juvenile Little Stint at Blithfield

Didn't drive too far around so didn't see anything else wader wise, but did see the Artic Terns feeding out in the reservoir. Back at the car park there were plenty of Yellow Wagtails in with the Jersey Cows and a group of Linnet feeding on the shore line.

Yellow Wagtail Blithfield Reservoir

Walking along the cause way to get an ice cream we picked up Great Crested Grebe and Cormorant, and Lesley saw what might have been the Shag, it appeared to be smaller than the Cormorants and had the right browny colour but only having a distant arse on view we couldn't be certain. Around the shore near the ice cream van/hut there were quite a few Pied Wagtails adding to the Wagtail mixture.

Black Headed Gull

Great Crested Grebe at Blithfield

Getting back to the car we added a lone female Wheater to the list which was posing nicely on the fence posts.

Female Wheatear at Blithfield

Inner Marsh Farm

Well this was our first trip out as a new family after the arrival of little Gemma aka mini Gronk.
Being only 13 days old and the year approaching fast it was time for her to make a start on her year list.
With fingers crossed for the Spotted Crake still being there we made our way down to the hide, looking across to the new area it looks to be coming on nicely so probably not too long to wait before it fully opens to Joe Public.
The water levels were way down but there was still quite a bit to be seen plenty of Ruff were on show plus the odd Black Tailed Godwit, and a year tick in the shape of a Curlew Sandpiper, pity it wasn't in range of the camera but was good to watch this wader through the scope.
On the insect front there were plenty of Dragonflies around and Common Darter managed to grab a shot of a pair on the stairs to the hide.

Gailey Visit

As quite a few people have done so over the last few days I popped down the M6 to see the summer plumaged Red Necked Grebe that has taken up residence there.
Have called in here breifly before and have found it to be a great little spot, although I have never spent too long here.
Soon as I pulled up by the entrance I saw a Chifchaff calling from the hedge row plus Robin and Great Tit, always a good start to the days birding.
Speaking to a chap as I reached the cause way he told me of a Grey Wagtail hanging around and sure enough on the second pontoon there it was. Saw one of these on the round about in Newcastle town centre!
Walking along the path plenty of other birds to see Great Crested Grebes they seemed to have done well with plenty of chicks of various ages to be seen plus Reed Warbler calling from the waters edge.
Reaching the end of the cause way I sat down near a couple of other birders while scanning for the Red Necked Grebe I managed to see a certain type of duck which I have not managed to see this year. I am sure you all know what I mean.
Soon found the Red Necked Grebe which was heading for the island about half across the lake, but it did come eventually closer allowing me to take a couple of shots.

Red Necked Grebe at Gailey Reservoir 20 Aug 2011

On the hunt for a mid day snack, watched the Grebe fish for some times

Having a good old wash

Red Necked Grebe checking me out, well I like to think I am worth a look

Ok I will admit I went over board and took quite a few shots, but this is the only the second time I have seen one of these birds (first was at Foremark).

No Didn't See It

After working in the garden and get the car nice and clean in the morning Lesley and me decided on just popping over to Blithfield for the afternoon.
First port of call were the hides around Tad Bay, this being a new area for us as generally we stick to the cause way and dam areas even though we are members of the WMBC. Headed down from the visitor centre and the first hide we found was in a very sorry state, so much so we decided it was cleaner to sit on the floor in front of the hide, here we could look up to the top end of the bay (also noting a better hide further up, as I said we are new to this area). There were quite a few LRP around in total we counted 9, plus plenty of wild fowl, Black Headed Gulls, Coots, Great Crested Grebe and Cormorants.  We carried on around the lake towards the cause way we came across a mixed Tit and Warbler flock, of interest were quite a few Willow Warbler plus a Blackcap.
On a fallen tree I noted what I think maybe young Beef Steak bracket fungi developing, this is a really nice fungi which when cut bleeds blood red, but is edible if you fancy giving it a go, trust me I am scientist.

Young Willow Warbler

We then drove around to the cause way and parked up on the opposite side from the ice cream van, Lesley being rather heavily pregnant decided to stay in the car and have a kip while I went for a wander.

Plenty of Yellow Wagtails around both juveniles and adults, with one group having a female Wheatear for company. Feeding around the edge of the water or around the sheep in the grass.

Juvenile Yellow Wagtail

Winter adult Yellow Wagtail (first time I have seen one in winter colours)

Juvenile Yellow Wagtail

Out on the lake were a small group of Common Terns, well I thought I could see a black bill tip (note to self next time don't leave scope in car boot).  On the waters edge were a few Common Sandpiper no matter how hard I tried I couldn't turn them into Green Sandpipers.

Along the fence line there were plenty of Goldfinch feeding on thistle seed heads.

Juvenile Goldfinch

Adult Goldfinch

Getting back to the car (and to explain the tile) speaking to a fellow birder found out we had missed in Tad Bay the Black Necked Grebe, Osprey and Garganey.

Oh well better luck next time, still was nice to be in the fresh air and all that, after all its about what you see and not what you don't.

Horse Shoe Pass

Popped over to Llangollen today just for some where to go and have a gentle stroll around.
The town was quite busy with a 1960's weekend on at the Railway with most of the home fleet seeing some action.

BR Green class 109 DMU leaves Llangollen

31162 just arrived at Llangollen

After walking around the town we headed up to the Horse Show Pass for lunch, as always it was over flowing with balding over weight born again bikers aka donors on wheels.
After a bite to eat I left Lesley to have a nap in the car and walked over to the quarry workings to see what was around. As I walked across the bit of heath/moor I saw Meadow Pipit, Linnet and Stone Chat plus a Peregrine flew over head, and then could be heard calling from some where near by.
Around the quarry and the edge of the heath were quite a few juvenile Wheater which lead me a merry dance for a while till I could get into a spot where I could get closer enough for a shot but not disturb them.

Meadow Pipit, I seem to be seeing alot of these this year.

Juvenile Wheatear

Juvenile Wheatear

Peak District Wanderings

Well Saturday's plan was to go and visit the great little farmers market at Bakewell and have a nice lunch out.
The plan didn't quite work out, due to Bakewell show being next week the farmers market had been brought forward by a week thus we were a week late like quite a few people who were asking where it was.
Oh well at least we had a nice lunch out.
So plan B was put into action and I don't mean the music chap (his CD was sitting at home), first port of call was Derbyshire Bridge always a scenic part of the moors and can hold some good birds. In the car park was a mixed flock of Blue/Great Tits and adult and juvenile Willow Warblers, plus what I thought were two Tree Pipits that put in a very brief show.

Juvenile Willow Warbler

Adult Willow Warbler

From here it was over to Dane Bower Quarry, a nice little spot were you can just sit back and enjoy the view and the birds.
Here I managed to add Meadow Pipit, Wheatear, Wren and Linnet.

Juvenile Meadow Pipit Dane Bower Quarry

Wren Dane Bower Quarry

Posing Wren Dane Bower Quarry

Cannock Chase

Didn't feel like doing too much today after working in the garden in the morning, just felt like enjoying the sun.

So Lesley and me popped down to Cannock Chase first off was a spot of lazy birding from the car at Freda's Grave, just Blue, Great, Coal and Willow Tit plus Chaffinch on show round the feeding area.
In the near by shrubs were a few Whitethroat can't seem to go any where with out seeing these. Plus across the heath a female Fallow Deer and fawn dashed past.

Fallow Deer Cannock Chase

Then cruised down towards the big chunk of rock that is the glacial boulder, last year I saw a family group of Redstarts down here this time though just a single lone Juv male.

Juvenile Redstart Cannock Chase

Juvenile Redstart Cannock Chase

Just down from this spot I know there is a small pool which I though might hold a few Dragonflies, I am no expert at what I am looking at but enjoy seeing and photographing them when I get the chance.

Young Common Darter

Emperor Dragonfly at Cannock Chase

 

First go at taking flight shots of these, only noticed on the photo how it hangs its leg down to grab its prey.

Large Skipper on Cannock Chase

Attenborough

Paid the Notts Wildlife Trust site at Attenborough a visit on Friday.
Even on a week day this place is getting to be quite busy, but always well worth a visit any time of year.

Quite a few Whitethroats around the car park area one looking rather worse for ware, probably an adult trying to recover from raising their little ones.

Adult Whitethroat at Attenborough looking rather shabby

Juv Whitethroat at Attenborough

Heading over to the visitor centre there were plenty of Common Terns flying around which I always find a great sight.

Common Tern

Common Tern Attenborough

In the reeds just by the raised path leading to the visitor centre was a family group of Reeds Warblers being fed by the parents the pair of fledglings sticking close to one another.

Young Reed Warbler Attenborough

Pair of young Reed Warblers

Seen passing along the line just by the reserve were 37069 and 610 on a track section departmental working.

37069 leading and 610 haul a rake of track panels from Toton to Mossend past Attenborough.

From the tower hide the usual suspects were seen Black Headed Gull, Reed Bunting, Goldfinch, Reed Warbler, Coot, Mute Swan, Grey Heron

Whitethroat at Attenborough

Reed Warbler at Attenborough

Walking around the paths again more Whitethroat were seen seems like it has been a good year for them at least at Attenborough it has, every other group of trees seemed to hold a family group.