First port of call was Cannock Chase around Freda's Grave, we didn't get there particularly early so there were plenty of people around but we still had high hopes for bagging a number of year ticks.
Around the feeding area we could hear and see plenty of Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff in full song. Birds also noted were Yellow Hammer, Blue, Great, Coal and Longtailed Tits along with Robin and Dunnock as supporting cast.
Heading on to the heath we had hopes for Common Redstart or at least a Stonechat, the first bird we heard were Tree Pipit although try as we might we could not find the little blighter's any where but still nice to know that they were around. Not to much else was seen a Common White Throat was found by Lesley down in the valley skulking around in some brambles and a Green Woodpecker feeding near one of the paths leading down into the valley but that was it. We could hear a Cuckoo calling but again no sign of where it actually was.
After lunch near the feeding area where we found a rather weird arty thingy between a couple of Birch trees we headed off to Doxey Marsh in Stafford as it was on the way home.
Not to much at Creswell Flash just Cormorant, Teal, Tufted Duck and Greylag plus a few Canada Geese.
In the main body of the reserve we found a few Green Finch in the trees just by the kissing gate. Heading down to the now removed screen we noted a pair of Little Ringed Plovers, Lapwing, a pair of Redshank and a couple of Shelduck.
Walking along the river a couple of Grey Heron flew over headed and train wise 66009 headed north on empty cartics. We bumped into a warden who told us there were 6 Common Sand and 5 Yellow Wagtails on show from the hide. Well we saw only 5 Common Sands and 2 Yellow Wagtails but we did also see a single Grey Wagtail and a pair of Little Ringed Plover.
Little Ringed Plover at Doxey Marsh |