Glaucous Gull's

A question was asked on the Warwickshire e groups by Tom Perrins as to when was the last time 3 Glaucous Gull's have been seen together in the West Midlands.
On Feb 5th 1999 at Draycote there were 2 juv and an adult Glaucous in the roost along with an adult Iceland Gull.
The next evening the three Glaucous and the Iceland were again in the roost with 3 Mediterranean Gull's one of each age ad, 1st winter and second winter with a Great Northern Diver and Slavonian Grebe just for good measure.

John

Nearby Reports Jan 23rd.

Chasewater Staffs.
Great Northern Diver x1
Slavonian Grebe

Ogston Res Derbys.
Iceland Gull x2 (2w & juv)
Glaucous Gull (juv)

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 23rd

This morning 3 Scaups still present on Lea Marston lake , viewed from the roadbridge and a Little Egret in flight at Coton Lakes. (J Oates).Three Glaucous Gulls were present on Dosthill Lake at midday, i.e. the 2 normal juvs and the blotchy one ,(T Perrins).At Draycote Water the first winter drake Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay (under willows at Gray's Barn). Also the mobile drake Smew and Great Northern Diver (which is becoming more confiding) off Draycote Bank .One Firecrest still along Laundry Lane Alvecote, access north from Shuttington Road Bridge. And tonight a Glaucous Gull (juv) came into the roost at Coton. Little Egret still on the opposite side of the road to Whitacre Heath NR, viewed from the railway bridge,(Birdguides).
3 Little Egret Coleshill Quarry, 2 Little Egret Ladywalk .

G N Diver Dosthill Jan 23rd

Photo by ......(John Oates).

A (juv) Great Northern Diver was found on Dosthill Lake this morning by (J Oates), it was there from 9-50 untill 11-30 at least but was not seen at lunch time. It has been re-located this afternoon on the pool just north of Dosthill Lake.This bird is almost certain to be the one reported at Lea Marston on monday, then again at cliff pool Kingsbury yesterday.
Steve.........

Nearby Reports Jan 22nd.

Westwood Pool Worcs.
American Wigeon (adult drake)

Blithfield Res Staffs.
Ring-billed Gull (2w)
Iceland Gull (adult)

Ogston Res Derbys.
Glaucous Gull x5 (juvs)
Iceland Gull x2 (juvs)

Chasewater Staffs.
Slavonian Grebe
Great Northern Diver x2
Iceland Gull (juv)

Pitsford Res Northants.
Smew x6

Eyebrook Res Leics.
Smew x4 (3x drakes)

News taken from Birdguides @
http://www.birdguides.com/
Phone reports to 0800 0431003
or email to sightings@birdguides.com

Steve Seal

Draycote Water Jan 22nd (R Mays).

Blue skies, high cloud, and a light frost was most welcome on arrival at the pond. The Lesser Scaup was with the 40+ Pochard and Tufted Duck flock in grays barn while 3 Lesser Redpolls fed quietly behind the hide. Male Smew again off valve tower and the Great-northern Diver continued to be elusive being distant off valve tower, close in off rainbow or not seen at all by some unfortunates. Depending on where you were standing on toft bank a Stonechat could be seen in the sewage farm and a Chiffchaff along the perimeter hedge. Peregrine performed over cafe and I was joined by Bob Hazell and Pete and Linda Price where we chewed the cud over such delights as gull id, field craft, lists and the price of peas. Roost tonight decided to be distant and strung out over the centre of reservoir but managed five Med Gulls (two first winter, two adult winter and a second winter), three adult Yellow-legged Gulls and a Glaucous Gull first winter came in at 1640pm.
Other birds of note were Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker 2, Great-spotted Woodpecker 2, Goosander 10, Goldeneye 25, Cormorant 82, Great-crested Grebe 206 Grey Wagtail and a Buzzard.(R Mays).

Information American Wigeon Worcs.

An adult drake American Wigeon present on Westwood Pool Worcs (permit only). I have information from S Whitehouse, if the bird is present on subsequent days people will be taken round for a fee of £2.(money will go to the hide restoration fund).
More info on Birdguides tomorrow.
S Seal.

Jan 22nd

Glaucous Gull...(Wilnecote Tip)..Photo by Mark Priest.

Two Glaucous Gulls (juv)) again today on Wilnecote Tip , of A51 between Kingsbury and Dosthill.The tip is actually in Staffs, though the site is viewed from Warks.
Highlights at Draycote Water this morning were 1st w drake Lesser Scaup in Toft Bay, drake Smew close to the Valve Tower and adult Great Northern Diver in Rainbow Corner.
The diver can be aged as an adult by white spotted upperwing coverts. These can be hard to see when it is swimming about, but they are quite obvious when it flaps - as long as it is facing away! Perhaps a returning bird? (J Oates).
No sign today of yesterdays (reported) Great Northern Diver at Lea Marston (BLK).
A Great Northern Diver was found on Cliff Pool Kingsbury today, but then seen to fly off south at 12-30, (H Miller).

National News Jan21st

White-crowned Sparrow, Cley-next the sea Norfolk.
Adult still on the seeded driveway 50m northwest of Three Swallows pub at TG047431 this afternoon; please park sensibly and donate generously to Cley church restoration fund. All birders are thanked for their generosity in donating £3,000 so far.
News taken from Birdguides @
http://www.birdguides.com/

Steve Seal........

Nearby Reports Jan 21st

Chasewater Staffs.
Iceland Gull (2w)
Great Northern Diver x2
Smew (drake)

Ogston Res Derbys.
Kumliens Gull (probable 2w)
Glaucous Gull (3x juvs)
Iceland Gull (juv)

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

Glaucous Gulls Wilnecote Tip Jan 21st

Glaucous Gull (Wilnecote Tip) ...Photo by Mark Priest.

Two Glaucous Gulls both (juvs)were at Wilnecote tip south west of Polesworth this morning.(J Oates).From A51 between Kingsbury and Dosthill take the minor road past the tip to view fields and tip from the car. Park Sensibly.

Nearby Reports Jan 20th.

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

Ogston Res Derbys.
Glaucous Gull(juv)

Chasewater Staffs.
Great Northern Diver x2
Smew (drake)

Marsh Lane W.Mids
Common(Mealy)Redpoll

Throckmorton Tip Worcs.
Glaucous Gull (juv)

Upton Warren Worcs.
Bittern

Carsington Water Derbys.
Great Northern Diver
Pink-footed Goose x60

News taken from Birdguides @
http://www.birdguides.com/
Phone reports to 0800 0431003
or email to sightings@birdguides.com

Steve Seal

Jan 20th

Photo...Lesser Redpoll Marsh Lane (Midland Bird Images).

54 days now for the first winter darke Lesser Scaup at Draycote, also the drake Smew still at valve tower, Great Northern Diver and 23 Goosanders.Along Laundry Lane Alvecote the 2 x Firecrests are still showing on and off,and at Lea Marston a first winter drake Scaup can still be found viewed from roadbridge. At midday a Little Egret was on flooded water next to the railway line at Lea Marston. No sign today of the Common(Mealy)Redpoll at nearby Marsh Lane but a female Lesser Spotted Woody along the old road also Tree Sparrows , Lesser Redpoll and Brambling and on the reserve 3 drakes and a female Pintail on railway pool. And a (juv) Glaucous Gull in the roost at Coton this evening.(Birdguides).

Nearby Reports Jan19th.

Ogston Res Derbys.
Kumliens Gull (2w)
Iceland Gull (2w)
Glaucous Gull (juv)

Chasewater Staffs.
Slavonian Grebe
Great Northern Diver
Smew (drake)
Iceland Gull (juv)
Med Gull (juv)

Attenborough NR Notts.
Red-necked Grebe

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

Eyebrook Res Leics.
Smew x4 (3 x drakes)

News taken from Birdguides @
http://www.birdguides.com/
Phone reports to 0800 0431003
or email to sightings@birdguides.com

Steve Seal

Jan 19th

After an unsuccessful visit to Drayton Basset (Staffs) this morning, I relocated the Juvenile Glaucous Gull in the Wilnecote tip area (Warks). It was with large number of other gulls in fields by the tip. From the A51 between Kingsbury and Dosthill, take minor road past tip and view fields and tip edge from car. Viewing from outside the car will cause the gulls to flush (Don't ask how I know!).(T Perrins).
Upto 800 Golden Plovers in arable field next to Wellesbourne Airfield this morning (J Harris). Little Egret on Whitacre Heath NR this afternoon, (J Wesson).At nearby Marsh Lane the Mealy Redpoll was seen early morning, also a nordic Jackdaw in flooded field just past second gate(L Johnson), also 20+ Lesser Redpolls, Brambling and two Stonechat . The first winter drake Lesser Scaup still present at Draycote Water, also drake Smew at valve tower and Great Northern Diver at rainbow. Along Laundry Lane Alvecote the two Firecrests are still performing.(Birdguides). Three Scaup still at Lea Marston lake today viewed from roadbridge,(2x 1w drakes & female).
In the Grandborough Valley area today, 3 x Brambling, 2 x Corn Buntings a Barn Owl, Stonechat, Raven ,and a Little Egret over the river Leam at Kites Hardwick. And the Cettis still at Napton Res.(R Mays).

Nearby Reports Jan 18th.

Chasewater Staffs.
Great Northern Diver x2
Iceland Gull (juv)
Med Gull (adult)

Drayton Bassett Pits Staffs.
Glaucous Gull (1w)

Grimley New Workings Worcs.
Water Pipit

News taken from Birdguides @
http://www.birdguides.com/
Phone reports to 0800 0431003
or email to sightings@birdguides.com

Steve Seal

Jan 18th

At Lea Marston this morning the 3 Scaups were present,(two 1w drakes & female) viewed from the roadbridge. It seems that many of the ducks left the area recently, presumably due to high water levels (J Oates).
The first winter drake Lesser Scaup was found sheltering under willows in Gray's Barn (Toft Bay)Draycote Water, also drake Smew and Great Northern Diver off Draycote Bank (Birdguides).
Ladywalk Reserve has suffered heavy flooding but water down now, today Little Egret, 22 Goosander and also the injured male Goosander on the River island,(J Harris).
Nearby at Marsh Lane the Common(Mealy)Redpoll was still performing with four Lesser Redpolls just past the second gate, also noted 40+ Yellowhammers, and a female Brambling.(S Seal).
Glaucous Gull (juv) in roost at Coton (P Hyde). Two adult winter Med Gulls and an adult Caspian in pre roost at Draycote, (R Mays, D Cox).

Nearby Reports Jan 17th

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

Ogston Res Derbys.
Glaucous Gull (1w)

Drayton Bassett Pits Staffs.
Glaucous Gull (juv)

News taken from Birdguides @
http://www.birdguides.com/
Phone reports to 0800 0431003
or email to sightings@birdguides.com

Steve Seal

Jan 17th

Photo (Midland Bird Images).
At Dosthill Lake this afternoon a (juv) Glaucous Gull was noted.(Birdguides).At nearby Marsh Lane the Common(Mealy)Redpoll is still present along the old road feeding with Lessers,its a very interesting bird well worth a visit.

Nearby Reports Jan 16th.

Attenborough NR Notts.
Bittern x2

Ogston Res Derbys.
Glaucous Gull x2 (juvs)

Hoveringham GPs Notts.
Iceland Gull (juv)
Glaucous Gull (juv)

Clifford Hill GPs Northants.
Great Northern Diver

Upton Warren Worcs.
Bittern

Marsh Lane W.Mids.
Common(Mealy)Redpoll

Rutland Water Leics.
Slavonian Grebe


News taken from Birdguides @
http://www.birdguides.com/
Phone reports to 0800 0431003
or email to sightings@birdguides.com

Steve Seal

Jan 16th

At Draycote the first winter drake Lesser Scaup was around grays barn area of toft, also the drake Smew at the valve tower and the Great Northern Diver in the centre of the reservoir,and a Raven over.(B Hazell).
The tides still in at Brandon with only one hide accessible,noted 14 Siskin, 3 Water Rail, 2 Redpoll, 3 Cettis and 4 Goldeneye.(A Johnson).

Nearby Reports Jan 15th.

Chasewater Staffs.
Slavonian Grebe
Great Northern Divers x2
Smew (drake)
Iceland Gull (2w)

Ogston Res Derbys.
Iceland Gull x2 (2w-juv)
Glaucous Gull (juv)

Hoveringham GPs Notts.
Iceland Gull (juv)

Attenborough NR Notts.
Bittern x2

Clifford Hill GPs Northants.
Great Northern Diver

News taken from Birdguides @
http://www.birdguides.com/
Phone reports to 0800 0431003
or email to sightings@birdguides.com

Steve Seal

Jan 15th

Photo (Midland Bird Images).
Two Ravens seen flying south east over Hartshill Hayes CP(J Harris).
At Draycote the first winter drake Lesser Scaup still in toft, now on its 49th day. Also the drake Smew off farnborough bank, and the Great Northern Diver keeping its distance off the valve tower. In Biggin Bay a female Pintail and Oystercatcher,no sign of the Red-necked Grebe.(R Mays).
The two Firecrests were seen again along Laundry Lane Alvecote.(Birdguides).
At nearby Marsh Lane the Common(Mealy)Redpoll is still along the old road just down from the main entrance with two Lessers.(M Silverman).
Tonight in Warwick the Peregrine roosted again on St Marys Church.(S Valentine).
At Draycote this evening a Little Egret flew from direction of the valve tower and landed in Biggin Bay approx 4pm. Stayed for 10 minutes and then flew towards Toft.( F Thompson).

Red-necked and Slav Grebes.

Photo (Midland Bird Images).
Scarce winter visitors and passage migrants.
The Slavonian Grebe is a winter visitor to our sheltered coasts from northern and eastern Europe, it is the most maritime of our grebes with some visiting our region most years.
The Red-necked Grebe is also a winter visitor to Britian from eastern Europe, most remain in estuaries along the east and south coasts, but some penetrate inland and a few reach our larger reservoirs.Occurrences are most frequent when continental waters freeze over. Both these species have visited Draycote Water over the past week, with birds also in neighbouring counties of Staffordshire and Leicestershire.
Steve Seal.

Nearby Reports Jan 14th

Chasewater Staffs.
Red-necked Grebe
Great Northern Diver x2

Attenborough GPs Notts.
Red-necked Grebe

Clifford Hill GPs Northants.
Great Northern Diver

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

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

Steve Seal

Jan 14th

The only news today, the Peregrine roosted again on St Marys Church Warwick.(S Valentine).

Nearby Reports Jan 13th.

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

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

Carsington Water Derbys.
Great Northern Diver

Blithfield Staffs.
Red-throated Diver

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

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

Steve Seal

Jan 13th

Smew (drake) Draycote Water Photo (Midland Bird Images).

Two Firecrests still along Laundry Lane; access north from Shuttington Road Bridge.(Birdguides).
At Draycote the first winter drake Lesser Scaup still showing well in toft, and the drake Smew still of farnborough bank though mobile.Also the Great Northern Diver was showing well in rainbow corner midday, but no sign of the Red-necked Grebe. (G Rowling).