Black Tern

After a quite walk around Knypersley Reservoir in the morning and seeing not a lot although very pleasant and sunny we did hear off another bird about three Black Terns at Tittesworth Reservoir, we did consider going after our stroll around Knypersley but our hunger won out and we headed home.

But in the afternoon we gave in and headed for Knypersley, we couldn't see the Black Terns from the car park just a pair of Common Terns on the now grounded Tern raft, walking around to the causeway though we could see the Black Terns some distance away around where the boats were moored up.

I did head around to the spit to get better views but they never came really close probably because it was so busy, but I did get to see one take an insect on the wing through my bins which was a nice sight.

Not great shots but gives you an idea at least.

Consall Forge

After seeing but not being able to get a shot of the Pied Flycatchers at Lake Vyrnwy (the story of my life) I decided to try a more reliable and closer spot in the shape of Consall Forge in sunny Staffordshire, here I know just the spot to head for a stake out and sure enough a pair soon showed them selves.

Lake Vyrnwy

We delayed our annual visit to Lake Vyrnwy to the second week in May this year as previous years although often productive could be hit or miss with certain species such as Wood Warbler although this year the pressure was off as we had already seen our usual three target birds (Pied Flycatcher, Redstart and Wood Warbler).

After arriving we headed down to the woodland area below the dam our first bird of note was a high up Goshawk being mobbed by Crows circling to get out of the way and on occasion attacking the Crows. In the wood itself we noted Goldcrest, Willow Warbler, Pied Flycatcher and heard but not seen Redstart.

Moving to the opposite end of the reservoir around the Centenary Hide we noted again Pied Flycatcher and once again heard but could note locate a Redstart, Wren, Siskin and Marsh Tit.

Moving on to the moors along the Bala road we noted Tree Pipit and finally saw a Redstart plus a fine looking male Winchat along we some fly over Redpoll.

Heading back to the lake we again heard but did not see a Wood Warbler calling by the Dinas road.

Back by the visitor centre we saw from the hide Pied Flycatcher, Siskin, Chaffinch and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Cannock Chase

Having not bin to the Chase for quite some time and still not being able to see any Cuckoo around Hanchurch we decided to try Cannock Chase this always being a reliable location for us in the past.

We started off around Freda's Grave and soon as we got out of the car we could hear a couple calling around us one sounding quite close just into the Valley which we soon located.  Calling from a Birch just at the top of the valley just before the paths descend into the valley.

 

 As we walked down into the Valley we came across a pair of Stone Chat collecting food for their young.

About half way down we came across our first Tree Pipit in the end between Freda's Grave and the Glacial Boulder we saw at least 5 Tree Pipit in total and around 3 Cuckoo

As we walked back up to the car we came across another showy pair of Stone Chats

 The Cuckoo that had been at the top of the valley was now half way down and the resident Tree Pipits were not happy to see it.

We decided to have a comfort break at the visitor centre on the way there we were lucky enough to spot a small group of deer

We still had not seen a single reptile although we had done our best to see any so we decided to move along to the spot we had previously noted Slow Worms around the Punch Bowl it was nice and peaceful walking towards the main body of the Chase through the wooded area seeing a couple of Black Cap and a single Gold Crest

Getting to the end of the track I heard a Wood Warbler calling so it was then a case of tracking it down, I eventually found it and even managed to grab a few shots.

Over all a great day out and a nice haul of birds.

Doxey Marsh

Last time we visited although we saw the odd Summer Wader there weren't that many around so we popped down to try our luck again.

Over on Creswell Flash we saw a pair of Little Ringed Plovers, Oystercatcher and few Lapwing with plenty of Sedge Warbler in the reed beds along with the odd White Throat and Reed Bunting.

Further along the track just before the main body of the reserve we saw very briefly a Lesser White Throat that was calling from a Bramble patch.

Also noted around the reserve were numerous Reed Warbler, Swift, Swallow and Black Cap.