Dec 21st Bird News

At Earlswood Lakes today the male Firecrest was seen again northwest of Terrys Pool in holly by the footpath at New Fallings coppice this morning (Birdguides).
At Draycote Water the first winter drake Lesser Scaup still showing well in toft, also a drake Smew and several Goosanders(Birdguides).

Bird News Extra Dec 20th

Nearby Reports.
Firecrest Barnt Green cricket club Worcs.
Slavonian Grebe Blithfield Staffs.
Red-throated Diver Blithfield Staffs.
Regards Steve.......

Dark-bellied Brent Goose

A Dark-bellied Brent Goose in a field just off the A428 between Church Lawford and Bretford today.

John Judge

Dec 20th

The first winter drake Lesser Scaup is still present at Draycote in toft this morning,also present one drake Smew. At Lawford Heath tip a first winter Iceland Gull and a first winter hybrid Glaucous x Herring Gull, and in my garden in Rugby a female Blackcap and Brambling today. (R Mays).

Bird News Extra Dec 19th

Nearby Reports.
Red-throated Diver Blithfield Staffs.
Black Redstart Blithfield Staffs.
Glaucous Gull (2w) Bartley Res W.Mids.
Pink-footed Goose Upton Warren Worcs.
Regards Steve........

Lawford Heath Dec 19th

A juv Iceland Gull was on the Lawford Heath tip. Best viewed from Ling Lane near the derelict building, also hundreds of Fieldfare around.

John Judge

Smew Draycote Water

Photo at Draycote Water by (B Boswell)
A few Smew visit our county each year, they are described as a regular but scarce winter visitor. As with many species immatures and females collectively known as Redheads are more inclined to make these hard weather movements. But occasionally an adult drake appears in its stunning black and white plumage. Numbers of Smew vary annually, but are normally greatest when their wintering grounds around the Baltic and North sea coasts freeze, they then move westwards into Britian in search of open water.
Steve..

Dec 19th Round Up

Photo by (M Silverman)
Only one drake Smew seen today at Draycote, still present and showing well the first winter drake Lesser Scaup in toft.Also a Little Egret by the outflow breifly at 14-30(L Johnson), and 3 Y L Gulls in the roost. The Firecrest was seen again along Laundry Lane Alvecote this morning.(J Harris).

Bird News Extra Dec 18th

Nearby Reports.
Glaucous Gull (2w) Bartley Res W.Mids.
Bittern x2 Attenborough NR Notts.
Great Northern Diver Carsington Water Derbys.
Iceland Gull (juv) Poolsbrook CP Derbys.
Glaucous Gull (juv) Poolsbrook CP Derbys.
Great Northern Divers x2 Chasewater Staffs.
Regards Steve..........

Firecrests Alvecote Dec 18th

Two Firecrest c.50m along Laundry Lane Alvecote on the left hand side this morning,(J Galletly).

December 18th Draycote Water

Lesser Scaup first winter male still in toft bay
Smew (3) male off farnborough bank and another two males very mobile and between valve tower and biggen bay.
Due to wind direction (ENE) the gull roost gathered off golf course / biggen bay and included Iceland Gull first winter, Yellow-legged Gull 7 adults & 3 first winters, Caspian Gull adult & first winter and Med Gull adult winter.
also seen Treecreeper, Buzzard 2, Siskin 12, Little Owl, Kingfisher 2 and Snipe 7.

Richard

Bird News Extra Dec 17th

Nearby Reports.
Glaucous Gull (2w) Bartley Res W.Mids.
Red-throated Diver Blithfield Staffs.
Black Redstart (imm/fem) Blithfield Staffs.
Pink-footed Goose Upton Warren Worcs.
Smew (3x drakes) Eyebrook Res Leics.
Regards Steve...........

Dec 17th Round Up

The first winter drake Lesser Scaup showing well at Draycote Water still in toft, and along Farnborough Bank now 2 x drake Smew,also Peregrine over this morning.(R Mays).
The Firecrest was still along Laundry Lane Alvecote today, towards the bottom end on left hand side.(J Matthews).

Bird News Extra Dec 16th

Nearby Reports.
Dusky Warbler Netherfield Lagoons Notts.
Iceland Gull (2w) Ogston Res Derbys.
Glaucous Gull (juv) Ogston Res Derbys.
Black Redstart (imm/fem) Blithfield Staffs.
Great Grey Shrike Cannock Chase Staffs.
Great Northern Diver x2 Chasewater Staffs.
Iceland Gull (juv) Chasewater Staffs.
Glaucous Gull (2w) Bartley Res W.Mids.
Red-throated Diver Blithfield Staffs.
Long-tailed Duck Rutland Water Leics.
Regards Steve.........

Dec 16th Round Up

Photo by (J Wesson).
At Draycote this morning a drake Smew was found just off Rainbow Corner (nice one Richard),the bird dosnt seem settled as it was soon to be found off the Valve Tower, then Biggin Bay and now Toft. Its going around in a clockwise direction so any body arriving mid afternoon if you wait by the visitors centre it should be there shortly.
Also present 51 Golden Plover, a Curlew and 30+ Siskins and the 1w drake Lesser Scaup still showing well in Toft now on its 19th day. At Alvecote this morning one Firecrest was still showing along Laundry Lane(T Perrins), also present a Jack Snipe and 7 Goosander on Mill Pool, and an unconfirmed report on a juv Glaucous Gull flying west over Alvecote at 9-20.The 1w drake Scaup ,drake Red Crested Pochard and a drake Pintail on Lea Marston balancing lakes this morning viewed from road bridge.(D Galletly). And 18 Goosanders (2 drakes) at Compton Verney today.This afternoon four Pintail (2drakes) on Lea Marston Lake and an adult Little Gull at Coton(J Oates). And in the roost at Coton this evening an adult Caspian and an adult Y L Gull (T Perrins).On Cliff Pool Kingsbury late afternoon, Pintail (drake), Shoveler 94, Teal 34, Pochard 16 and 10 Goldeneye.(WJE).
Steve...........

Bird News Extra 15th

Nearby Reports.
Iceland Gull (juv) Bartley Res W.Mids.
Black-throated Diver Hoveringham GPs Notts.
Iceland Gull (Juv) Belvide Staffs.
Glaucous Gull (juv) Walsall W .Mids.
Red-throated Diver Blithfield Staffs.
Black Redstart Blithfield Staffs.
Great Northern Diver Chasewater Staffs.
Bewick Swan x12 Eyebrook Res Leics.
Regards Steve.........

Dec 15th

The first winter drake Scaup and the drake Red Crested Pochard still at Lea Marston today. View from roadbridge only. (Birdguides).
One Firecrest seen again today at Laundry Lane Alvecote.
An adult Caspian Gull in the roost at Coton.

December 15th Draycote Water

No sign of Slavonian Grebe,
Lesser Scaup 1st winter male still in toft
Glaucous Gull flew over farnborough bank mid afternoon (none found in roost)
Caspian Gull adult off valve tower
Kittiwake adult in roost in toft bay
Goosander - many groups dotted around reservoir but mobile - poss as many as 53 and a further 55 flew over heading west
Tree Sparrow, Brambling and 8 Siskin

Richard Mays, Steve Seal etc all

Bird News Extra Dec 14th

Nearby Reports.
Red-throated Diver Blithfield Staffs
Slavonian Grebe Blithfield Staffs.
Black Redstart Blithfield Staffs.
Glaucous Gull (2xjuvs) Ogston Res Derbys.
Iceland Gull (juv) Church Wilne Res Derbys.
Regards Steve.........

Dec 14th

First winter darke Scaup still present at Lea Marston this morning, viewed from roadbridge. (J Oates).
At Alvecote 2 x Firecrests along Laundry Lane this morning, also 8 x Lesser Redpolls. (RBA Pager).
The first winter drake Lesser Scaup still in toft at Draycote Water also Slavonian Grebe reported again. (Birdguides).
Juvenile Glauc still Dosthill present from midday today (Alan Dean).
No sign of Great White Egret in Ladywalk area today (S Cawthray).

Draycote Roost Dec 13th

Glaucous Gull 2x juvs , also 10 Y L Gulls. (R Mays, T Marlow).

Bird News Extra Dec 13th

Nearby Reports.
Glaucous Gull (2w) Bartley Res W.Mids.
Red-throated Diver Blithfield Staffs.
Brent Goose dark-bellied x5 Pitsford Res Northants.
Great Northern Diver Pitsford Res Northants.
Iceland Gull (juv) Hollowell Res Northants.
Glaucous Gull (juv) Ditchford GPs Northants.
Great Northern Diver Carsington Water Derbys.
Glaucous Gull (juv) Chasewater Staffs.
Regards Steve.........

Dec 13th

The first winter drake Lesser Scaup still in toft at Draycote Water this morning but no sign of yesterdays Slavonian Grebe. (B Duckhouse).
Also at Lea Marston this morning the first winter drake Scaup and the drake Red Crested Pochard still present, view only from road bridge. (J Oates).
The Firecrest was still along Laundry Lane Alvecote again today also Lesser Spotted Woody (Birdguides).

G W Egret Ladywalk Dec 13th.

A Great White Egret flew north over Ladywalk at 2.50pm.It had been seen at few times on the reserve, river and Whitacre Pool between 12.50 and then, thought to be probably feeding along the river. (S Cawthray ).

The European spread almost certainly explains these recent appearances in Warwickshire, this species now has small colonies in the Netherlands and N W France.This now being our fifth record to date.
1st Brandon 08-07-92.
2nd Somers 21-07-95.
3rd Alvecote Pools 21-05-00.
4th Dunchurch 05-10-07.
Steve.....

Bird News Extra Dec 12th

Nearby Reports.
Red-throated Diver Blithfield Staffs.
Black-throated Diver Hoveringham GPs Notts.
Bittern Upton Warren Worcs.
Glaucous Gull (juv) Chasewater Staffs.
Great Northern Diver Chasewater Staffs.
Regards Steve.........

Firecrest Alvecote Dec 12th

The Firecrest is still present along Laundry Lane Alvecote.
Laundry lane is on the far side of the river bridge on the road from Alvecote to Shuttington. As the road turns right immediately after the bridge it is the narrow lane on the left Grid reference SK249051 As well as the Firecrests (2 different birds present) there was also a rather confiding male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker around the dead elms at the bottom of Laundry Lane at the weekend.

Can I ask birders not to drive to the top of Laundry Lane as it often disturbs the birds. Unfortunately you also run the risk of either getting a puncture or having your car broken into if you leave your car in the fisherman's car park. Please park sensibly in the large pull-in at the bottom of the Lane and please remove any valubles from view.

Happy birdin'

(A Archer.)

December 12th Draycote Water

p.m. visit
Lesser Scaup first winter male still in toft
Slavonian Grebe rainbow moved to valve tower
Glaucous Gull first winter in roost
Yellow-legged Gull (8) 5 adults 3 first winters

Also a possible juv Kumlien's Gull in roost

Richard Mays & John judge

Bird News Extra Dec 11th

Nearby Reports.
Glaucous Gull (juv) Chasewater Staffs.
Glaucous Gull (juv) Hoveringham GPs Notts.
Iceland Gull (juv) Ogston Res Derbys.
Black-throated Diver Hoveringham GPs Notts.
Great Northern Diver x2 Chasewater Staffs.
Great Northern Diver Carsington Water Leics.
Long-tailed Duck Rutland Water Leics.
Regards Steve...........