Jan 12th.

At Alvecote Pools today 2 x Firecrests & male Lesser Spotted Woody along Laundry Lane/Knob Lane. Most of the access roads were flooded, even a stretch Laundry Lane was unpassable this afternoon. Also 4 Shelduck, Chiffchaff, Willow Tits & 2 Lesser Redpoll knocking around.(A Archer).
A disappointing day in the flooded tame valley, the highlight being the Coton roost where 4+ Y L Gulls, (3+ads, 3rd Win) roosted.(T Perrins).

Janaury 12th 2008 Draycote Water

Photo (Midland Bird Images).
Red-necked Grebe located off outlet (S Seal) and showed well off farnborough or toft bank.
Lesser Scaup under willows of grays barn till mid-morning when it went back to its normal haunt off 2nd car park toft bay.
Smew male off valve tower
Great-northern Diver off draycote bank (P & L Price) was elusive. By dusk it was preening and feeding out in centre.
Redshank one flew down the flooded River Leam from hensborough bank.
Glaucous Gull first winter (Bob Hazell) briefly mid-morning appeared in roost(R Mays)
Yellow-legged Gull 10 adults & 4 first winters in roost
Caspian Gull 2 adults in roost
Iceland Gull adult in roost (R Mays)
also Buzzard 3, Kingfisher 2 Lesser Redpoll in biggen bay and 70+ Siskin in toft shallows

R Mays, S Seal ect all

Nearby Reports Jan11th

Blithfield Res Staffs.
Red-throated Diver

Stanwick GPs Northants.
Iceland Gull (juv)
Glaucous Gull (juv)
Smew (drake)

Ogston Res Derbys.
Iceland Gull (juv)
Glaucous Gull x2 (juvs)

West Hagley Worcs.
Firecrest

News taken from Birdguides @
http://www.birdguides.com/

Phone reports to 0800 0431003
or email to sightings@birdguides.com

Steve Seal

January 11th 2008

Photo by (Bob Duckhouse)
Red-necked Grebe still at Draycote Water 200 yards off the cafe along farnborough bank this afternoon.

Richard

Nearby Reports Jan 10th

Bartley Res W.Mids.
Glaucous Gull (2w)

Carsington Water Derbys.
Great Northern Diver

Ogston Res Derbys.
Glaucous Gull x2 (juvs)
Iceland Gull (juv)

Marsh Lane W.Mids.
Common (Mealy) Redpoll

Upton Warren Worcs.
Bittern

News taken from Birdguides @
http://www.birdguides.com/

Phone reports to 0800 0431003
or email to sightings@birdguides.com

Steve Seal

Jan 10th

3x Scaups still at Lea Marston viewed from the roadbridge this morning. The female was very close again.(J Oates).
12 x Goosanders roosted at Shustoke this evening.(BLK).
Peregrine last night again on St. Mary's church tower Warwick at 19:45, but no sign tonight at 18:50.(S Valentine.)

January 10th 2008

Draycote Water
Red-necked Grebe at 8am was some 400 yards off the sailing club it reappeared in front of cafe by the platforms at 1010am and in toft bay 1230am.
Slavonian Grebe off farnborough spit
Smew and first winter Lesser Scaup sheltering under the willows in grays barn.
Red-breasted Merganser female between valve tower and biggen bay.
Great-spotted Woodpecker 2, Siskin 10 toft shallows, Lesser Redpoll 2 biggen bay, Sparrowhawk, and a Buzzzard.

Richard

Bird News Extra Jan 9th

Nearby Reports.
Carsington Water Derbys.
Great Northern Diver

Ogston Res Derbys.
Glaucous Gull (juv)
Iceland Gull (juv)

Chasewater Staffs.
Great Northern Diver
Smew (drake)

Thrapston GPs Northants.
Tundra Bean Goose
Black-necked Grebe
Bittern

Rutland Water Leics.
Long-tailed Duck
Slavonian Grebe

Marsh Lane W.Mids
Common (Mealy) Redpoll

Upton Warren Worcs.
Common (Mealy) Redpoll
Bittern


Regards Steve.........

Little Egret

A Little Egret again on my uncles pond in Long Lawford today (there was one in 2002 and 2006 same?) Best viewed from Clayhill Lane off Chapel Street along the stream to the left and right.

John Judge

Jan 9th

Red-necked Grebe today off hensborough bank Draycote Water, also still present the first winter darke Lesser Scaup and the drake Smew.(K Warmington).Firecrest again today along Laundry Lane Alvecote.(Birdguides).

Bird News Extra Jan 8th

Nearby Reports.
Chasewater Staffs.
Great Northern Divers x2
Slavonian Grebe
Smew (drake)

Ogston Res Derbys.
Iceland Gull (2w)
Glaucous Gull (1w)

Ditchford GPs Northants.
Glaucous Gull (juv)

Rutland Water Leics.
Black-necked Grebe
Slavonian Grebe
Long-tailed Duck

Marsh Lane W.Mids.
Common (Mealy) Redpoll

Regards Steve.........

Jan 8th.

At Lea Marston Balancing Lakes 3 Scaups - 2 1st w drakes and a female. The female was just about the closest bird to the bridge. The 2 males were to the left of the big island. The regular drake is now looking more or less adult. The new drake is still very much immature, with a bit of pale around the face and only a few bits of grey in the mantle. This is the third drake I've seen in the area in the last couple of weeks. I think I've also seen 4 different females.Also a Little Egret on Coton lake.(J Oates).
At Draycote the first winter drake Lesser Scaup now on its 42day still present in toft, but the drake Smew was a little more mobile today, Farnborough bank, Toft then Draycote bank.Also around 30 Siskins in toft sallows. (R Mays).
And the Firecrest still along Laundry Lane Alvecote , access north from Shuttington Road Bridge .(Birdguides).

Bird News Extra Jan 7th

Nearby Reports.
Chasewater Staffs.
Great Northern Divers x2 (juvs)
Med Gull x2 (adults)

Ditchford GPs Northants.
Iceland Gull (1w)
Glaucous Gull (1w)

Ogston Res Derbys.
Iceland Gull (2w)
Glaucous Gull (1w)
Med Gull (adult)

Marsh Lane W.Mids
Common (Mealy) Redpoll

Rutland Water Leics.
Black-necked Grebe
Slavonian Grebe
Long-tailed Duck
Great Northern Diver

West Hagley Worcs.
Firecrest x3

Upton Warren Worcs.
Bittern

Regards Steve..........

Jan 7th

No news from Warwickshire today, Perhaps everybody has gone to Norfolk to look at the Sparrow.

Bird News Extra Jan 6th

Nearby Reports.
Rutland Water Leics.
Glaucous Gull (juv)
Black-necked Grebe
Slavonian Grebe
Long-tailed Duck

Ogston Res Derbys.
Iceland Gull (juv)

Cossington Meadows Leics.
Great White Egret

Blithfield Res Staffs.
Black Redstart
Red-throated Diver

Chasewater Staffs.
Slavonian Grebe
Great Northern Diver x2
Smew (drake)

Regards Steve............

Jan 6th

Two Long-eared Owls, a Barn Owl and a Stonechat at a location south of Draycote this morning. At Draycote a large number of G B B Gulls were still loafing around with 386 noted, the first winter drake Lesser Scaup was showing well still in toft and the drake Smew still of farnborough bank. In toft sallow a flock of around 60+ Siskins were present.At Whitacre Heath NR this morning Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Stonechat.In the roost at Coton Lakes 2nd w Caspian Gull & 3+ ad Yellow-legged Gulls. Also there fem Scaup & Goosander,and at Lea Marston the pair of Scaups still present, viewed from the road bridge.Peregrine (adult) on St. Mary's church tower in Warwick town centre at 12:30 today but no sign this evening. Firecrest showing in brambles 40m on the left hand side up Laundry Lane Alvecote this morning. And a Barn Owl at Brandon early evening. (R Mays, J Oates, S Valentine).

Bird News Extra Jan 5th

Nearby Reports.
Chasewater Staffs.
Slavonian Grebe
Great Northern Divers x2
Smew (drake)

Stanwick GPs Northants.
Iceland Gull (juv)

Marsh Lane W.Mids
Common (Mealy) Redpoll

Ogston Res Derbys.
Glaucous Gull (2x juvs)
Iceland Gull (juv)

Blithfield Staffs.
Red-throated Diver

Throckmorton Tip Worcs.
Glaucous Gull (juv)

Upton Warren Worcs.
Bittern

Regards Steve...........

Jan 5th

2 Scaups (1st w male & female)at Lea Marston viewed from the road bridge this morning.(J Oates).
1st-winter drake Lesser Scaup at Draycote still in Toft Bay. Park only in country park pay and display car park and walk right for 3/4 mile .Firecrest still just north of Alvecote along Laundry Lane. Access north from Shuttington Road Bridge (Birdguides).

Bird News Extra Jan 4th

Nearby Reports.
Blithfield Staffs.
Red-throated Diver (juv).
Black Redstart.

Marsh Lane W.Mids.
Common (Mealy) Redpoll.

Ogston Res Derbys.
Iceland Gull (juv).
Glaucous Gull (2 x juvs).
Med Gull (adult).
Little Gull (adult).

Chasewater Staffs.
Great Northern Divers x2.
Slavonian Grebe (adult).
Smew (drake).
Glaucous Gull x2 (juv / 2w).

Regards Steve...........

Jan 4th

Siskins North Warwickshire
Now larger groups of siskin in North Warks,large group of 150 along Bourne Brook Shustoke (BLK) ,Today 4/1/08 80 blakemore's pond area Hartshill Hayes CP (J Harris).
The first-winter drake Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay Draycote this afternoon; also Long-tailed Duck off Lincroft Point and drake Smew at Draycote Bank (Birdguides).
Near adult Caspian Gull in roost at Coton Lakes plus an adult Yellow-legged Gull this evening (Birdguides).

Bird News Extra Jan 3rd

Nearby Reports.
Chasewater Staffs.
Slavonian Grebe (adult).
Great Northern Divers x2.
Smew (drake).
Glaucous Gull (juv).
Iceland Gull (juv).
Med Gulls x2.

Eyebrook Res Leics.
Smew x7 (6 x drakes).

Belvide Staffs.
Glaucous Gull (juv).

Marsh Lane W.Mids.
Common (mealy) Redpoll.

Blithfield Staffs.
Black Redstart.

January 3rd 2008 Draycote Water

Strong cold north easterly wind.
Lesser Scaup first winter male in toft, Male Smew off farnborough bank, White-fronted Geese 2 and a Jack Snipe in the Field behind farnborough spit.
A long-tailed Duck reported earlier still present mid afternoon though distant from farnborough spit and the roost held at least 3 adult and 2 first winters Yellow-legged Gulls and one adult Caspian Gull in roost. Finally a Fulmar was found off biggen bay 1545pm - not sure if it was overlooked earlier or had come into roost.
Also Shelduck female in biggen bay, 2 Buzzards, Raven and a few Lesser Redpolls and Siskin. Another Raven and a Rock Pipit seen by John Sirrett.

Richard

Bird News Extra Jan 2nd

Nearby Reports.
Glaucous Gull (juv) Great Wyrley Tip Staffs.
Bewick Swans x7 Pitsford Res Northants.
Black Redstart Blithfield Staffs.
Whooper Swans x7 Rutland Water Leics.
Black-necked Grebe Thrapston GPs Northants.
Iceland Gull (2w) Ogston Res Derbys.
Glaucous Gull (juv) Ogston Res Derbys.
Common (Mealy) Redpoll Marsh Lane W.Mids.
Slavonian Grebe Chasewater Staffs.
Great Northern Diver x2 Chasewater Staffs.
Regards Steve........

Jan 2nd

No sign of the Firecrest today along Laungry Lane but female Brambling. The first winter drake Lesser Scaup is now on its 36th day and still showing well in toft bay at Draycote Water, but no sign of drake Smew.

Bird News Extra Jan 1st

Nearby Reports.
www.birdguides.com
Smew x6 (5 x drakes) Pitsford Res Northants.
Smew 8 (6 x drakes) Eyebrook Res Leics.
Glaucous Gull (2 x juvs) Ditchford GPs Northants.
Glaucous Gull (2 x juvs) Ogston Res Derbys.
Iceland Gull x2 ( 2w, juv) Ogston Res Derbys.
Iceland Gull (juv) Chasewater Staffs.
Glaucous Gull (juv) Chasewater Staffs.
Slavonian Grebe Blithfield Staffs.
Red-throated Diver Blithfield Staffs.
Black Redstart Blithfield Staffs.
Glaucous Gull (2x juvs) Throckmorton Tip Worcs.
Common (Mealy) Redpoll Marsh Lane W.Mids.
Glaucous Gull (juv) Belvide Staffs.
Regards Steve.........

Jan 1st 2008

Two Firecrests at the top of Laundry Lane Alvecote near the fishermen's car park this morning; access north from Shuttington Road Bridge (T Perrins). Two Firecrests seen breifly in a private garden in Guys Cliffe Warwick,and the 1st-winter drake Scaup still on Lea Marston balancing lakes viewed from the roadbridge this afternoon .(Birdguides).A Peregrine tonight on St Marys church tower Warwick (S Valentine).Cettis Warbler early afternoon at Ladywalk also 8 Goosanders, permit only.(Birdguides).

January 1st 2008 Draycote and surrounding area

Many birders out this morning and twenty of us gathered for breakfast at Draycote before spreading out. A foggy morning and slow to clear. Overview of what they found

Napton area
Two Barn Owl and two Woodcock in flight

Draycote
Lesser Scaup first winter male still in toft bay and the male Smew off farnborough bank. At least 20 male & 13 female Goosander, several Siskin over and a Chiffchaff heard in toft shallows. Possible Merlin reported flying along the north shore.

Lawford Heath
Tree Sparrow amongst a flock of 100+ Chaffinch and still many Fieldfare

Kings Newman
Grey Partridge 15 also 3 Buzzards in area

Cathiron
Marsh Tit 2, Coal Tit 3 and Nuthatch at the feeder station.

Long Lawford
Peregrine over


Richard etc all

2007 Summary

January
The Great Skua was present at Draycote for the first week of 2007, its fate was unknown as it was now looking unwell.A white-fronted Goose arrived at Lea Marston on 10th, and was later found to be the Greenland race being reported last on 15th.From east marsh hide Brandon a Bittern showed well for a few days,and at Draycote on the 24th 3 Whooper Swans put in a brief appearance.At Whitacre Heath NR a Pink-footed Goose was seen with 2 Greylags, possibly the Marsh Lane bird from a few days before.
Two Great Northern Divers were at Draycote all month.
February
The Bittern showed on and off at Ladywalk for most of February, with now 2 Bitterns noted at Brandon.Eight Chiffchaffs overwintered at Hams Hall sewage outflow, and the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker showed well again at the car park feeding station at Whitacre Heath.The Gull roosts at Dosthill and Draycote produced Glaucous, Iceland, Med , Caspian and several Y L Gulls.
March
Their were now 3 Great Northern Divers at Draycote,an early Swallow reported over Lea Marston 4th,Avocet at Draycote 8th, Rock Pipit 10th, and 3 Little Egrets at cliff pool Kingsbury.Three summer plumaged Black-necked Grebes were found mid afternoon at Coton Lake,but not seen the next day.Wheatears arrived mid month with birds reported at Wishaw, Whitacre Heath, Draycote and Seeswood Pool, and Black-tailed Godwits at Ladywalk and Brandon.
April
A Firecrest caused much interest as it showed along the track from Middelton Hall for the first week. A Goshawk was seen over Swift Valley CP nr Rugby on 5th,and a Red Kite reported over Kenilworth 6th.Black-tailed Godwits now upto 9 on cliff pool Kingsbury 8th, an Osprey driffted east over Alvecote Pools 9th, and a Ring Ouzel at Napton 10th,a male Pied Flycatcher at Guys Cliffe Warwick 12th, and a Male Marsh Harrier at Brandon for two days 13th,14th.A female Goshawk flew over Alvecote 15th, and a drake Garganey at Brandon 16th, another Pied Flycatcher this time at Grendon 17th, and a juv Marsh Harrier over Ladywalk 18th, and an Osprey over the same day. A fine male Ring Ouzel at Baxterly 22nd,23rd, with another at Draycote from 26th, 30th.
May
Nine Bar-tailed Godwits were at Draycote 1st along with Whimbrel and Grey Plover,a Wood Sandpiper was at Coleshill GPs from 2nd till 5th. A Nightingale at Brandon from 4th to 6th giving breif veiws, at Earlswood Lakes a Honey Buzzard reported flying south east mid morning, two Spoonbills seen flying over Brandon 17th, and a Red Kite flew south east over Little Packington 22nd.
June
A first summer Little Gull graced Alvecote Pools on 1st, an out of season Black-throated Diver arrived at Draycote 28th and stayed for over three months.
July
Two Black-tailed Godwits at Draycote 7th, and a Sandwich Tern flew through 8th, a Spotted Sandpiper (complete with spots) turned up at Draycote in appauling weather on 20th, but dispite searching could not be found the following day.Black Tern and Common Scoter were found at Shustoke at the months end.
August
Alvecote had a good run this month with 3 Redstarts,3 Greenshank, 6 Little Egrets,5 Spotted Flys, 6 Lesser Whitethroats and a supporting cast of Green Sands, Black-tailed Godwits and two Sandwich Terns (1x adult,1x juv) 28th. Elsewhere a juv R C Pochard at Draycote 4th, another juv Marsh Harrier at Brandon 29th and a Manx Shearwater at Draycote on the afternoon 30th.
September
The first day produced a Spotted Crake at Ladywalk a juv, the following day saw another this time an adult, both birds showed well for most of the month. Two Garganey and two Pintail could be found on Middelton Hall lake, small numbers of Arctic Terns were at Shustoke, Draycote and Earlswood.An adult Arctic Skua was noted in the gull roost at Draycote 26th, a female Hen Harrier was at Ladywalk 28th, a Grey Phalarope was a good find at Shustoke Res late evening on 29th and showed well the following day.
October
Two juvinile Gannets flew south over Shustoke Res early afternoon 1st, another Grey Phalarope this time at Draycote was found early morning by the outflow, it re-located itself at Rainbow and showed well upto midday when it departed.Earlswoods tern for Grey Phalarope this time when one was found 3rd, it stayed for three days.A Great White Egret was found on private land on 6th, permission was gained and the bird was filmed and photographed, it was last seen 10th.A Pectoral Sandpiper paid a breif visit to Brandon 10th, another Ring Ouzel around Napton churchyard 16th, a Leach,s Petrel was found at Draycote around 2-00 on the afternoon 19th, the bird was watched late evening being arassed by Gulls its fate was unknown.The following day a Snow Bunting was seen along farnborough bank Draycote it gave excellent views for the next five days.A Slavonian Grebe was also present at Draycote from 25th, 28th.
November
A Short-eared Owl over east marsh Brandon 7th, two Grey Phalaropes were photographed at Brandon 11th, and possibly seen during the folowing day at Draycote but not confirmed.A first winter drake Lesser Scaup was found in toft bay Draycote 27th and was still present at the months end.
December
The Lesser Scaup was present all month, a juv Glaucous Gull was at Dosthill lake 1st, and one was seen at Judkins landfill site Nuneaton from 3rd, 6th. A Firecrest was noted along Laundry Lane Alvecote 11th,and by mid month three birds were noted.At Draycote a Slavonian Grebe was found in Rainbow corner, later seen by valve tower, with no further sign the following day. A first winter drake Scaup was located at Lea Marston lake and stayed untill the months end.A drake Smew turned up after a cold spell at Draycote 16th and was later joined by two more, 18th. Just one bird remained till the months end.At Church Lawford a Dark-bellied Brent Goose was found in a field next to A428, it stayed for four days.

Happy New Year, And good Birding for 2008.
Steve Seal