Nearby Reports Feb 11th.

Allstree Derbys.
Waxwing

Aqualate Park Staffs.
Bittern

Hoveringham GPs Notts.
Glaucous Gull (juv)

Ogston Res Derbys.
Glaucous Gull (juv)

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

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

Steve Seal

Feb 11th

Firecrest......Alvecote.......Photo by (L Johnson)

Great White Egret again on the River Anker just north of Caldecote Hall; view from the main driveway to the hall just west of the A444 and keep to public rights of way.
Earlier the bird was present on the sewage farm at Hartshill.( R Dawkins).
Two Ravens over Hartshill Hayes CP at 11-00 (J Hoyle), and the two Firecrests still along luandry lane Alvecote access north from Shuttington road bridge.(Birdguides).
At Draycote the first winter drake Lesser Scaup still in toft and the Great Northern Diver off rainbow mid morning (R Mays, J Judge).

Nearby Reports Feb 10th

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

Cannock Chase Staffs.
Great Grey Shrike

Allestree Derbys.
Waxwing

Carsington Water Derbys.
Great Northern Diver
Pink Footed Goose.

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

Steve Seal

Feb 10th

Apart from the Great White Egret at Hartshill sewage farm, the drake Lesser Scaup is still present at Draycote Water along with the Great Northern Diver which seems to spend most of its time in the middle.At Alvecote the 2 Firecrest are still performing well along Laundry Lane, and the 2 Scaup are still at Lea Marston lake(1w drake & female). On Whitacre Heath NR the Lesser Redpolls are still on the feeders along with Siskin and Willow Tit, also 2 Stonechats seen again along the fence posts. Opposite Whitacre Reserve the Little Egret was back byside the railway line viewed from roadbridge.The 300+ finch flock was still present at Dosthill but now spends much more time in the stubble field out of view.(S Seal, J Wesson,& Birdguides).

Gt White Egret Nuneaton Feb 10th.

Gt White Egret......Caldecote Nuneaton...Photo (Midland Bird Images).

The Gt White Egret was re-located again this morning by (R Dawkins), found feeding along the river anker in front of Caldecote Hall, the bird uses a one mile strech of the river between Caldecote and Hartshill sewage works.It flew this morning from Caldecote towards leathermill lane and out of sight, but was found again feeding on a small pool inside the sewage works, of which there is no access.The bird ca be viewed from a small lane opposite leathermill lane off the B4111 Nuneaton / Mancetter Rd.At the top of the lane there is a vantage point which lets you look over the sewage works.If the bird is on the river access can be gained from a bridle way which runs from Caldecote Lane off the A444, park on the left by the cottages just after the entrance to the Hall, walk past the cottages and take the bridle path on your right.
(S Seal).

Feb 9th

Lesser Redpoll.....Whitacre Heath NR....Photo by Dave Taylor.
The only news i have today are the 2 Firecrests are still showing well along laundry lane Alvecote , and 5 Lesser Redpolls, 1 Siskin and 2 Stonechats still at Whitacre Heath NR.

Draycote roost Feb 9th

The juv Kumlien's Gull again in the roost and juv Glaucous Gull.
(The Bumbling Bears Richard Mays et al)

Nearby Reports Feb 8th.

Loscoe Derbys.
Furruginous Duck (drake)

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

Aqualate Park Staffs.
Iceland Gull (juv)

Allestree Derbys.
Waxwing

Stubbers Green W.Mids.
Iceland Gull (2w)

Cromford Derbys.
Hawfinch x12 (Cromford Churchyard)

Cannock Chase Staffs.
Great Grey Shrike

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

Steve Seal

Draycote Roost Feb 8th

In Draycote Roost this evening the (1w) Kumliens Gull made another appearence along with 2 (1w) Glaucous Gulls and a (2w) Yellow Legged Gull.(Birdguides).

Feb 8th

Buzzard ....Wishaw.....Photo by Dave Taylor.

The first winter drake Lesser Scaup still at Draycote in toft, only two Scaup seen today at Lea Marston (1w drake & female) viewed from roadbridge. At the malthouse pup car park Dosthill the 300 strong finch flock is still present with at least 50 Bramblings , and at Whitacre Heath NR there are 4 Redpoll , 2 Siskins, 3 Stonechats and 2 Willow Tits.(J Wesson). Brandon Marsh this evening a Barn Owl was seen from carlton hide. (B Headly). At Shustoke 12 Siskins along far bank, and Willow Tit (S Seal), and in the roost at Coton tonight a (1w) Caspian Gull and (1w) Yellow Legged Gull ( T Perrins).
After a week's absence the 2nd WInter Glauc reappeared in this evening's pre-roost at Dosthill along with a 2nd Win Yellow Legged Gull (A Dean).
Siskin ..........Shustoke.....Photo (Midland Bird Images).

Gt White Egret Nuneaton 8th.

A Great White Egret was found today feeding along the river anker Nuneaton by S Haynes. The bird was feeding along a strech of the river between Hartshill and Caldecote,take the B4111 from Nuneaton to Mancetter a take a right turn on a bend sign posted Leathermill lane. Ace Karting sign at the begining of the lane, just before a sharp right hand bend by cottages park up and view river from public footpath towards Caldecote Hall. Or take Caldecote lane of the A444 pass the hall entrance on your right hand side park up just before cottages on your right and take public footpath across the field which skirts the river. The bird was last seen flying towards the private part of the river where there is no access.Please keep to public rights of way at all times.(S Haynes, S Seal, R Dawkins, B Duckhouse).

Nearby Reports Feb 7th.

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

Loscoe Dam Derbys.
Furruginous Duck (drake)

Stubbers Green W.Mids.
Iceland Gull (3w)

Shelford Notts.
White Fronted Goose x6


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

Steve Seal

February 7th Draycote Water

Yellow-legged Gull 3 adults and a first summer
Caspian Gull first winter
Med Gulls two adult winter
Glaucous Gull 2 first winter and Kumlien's Gull first winter all arrived just before five pm
Raven
Woodcock over country park 5:30pm

Richard Mays, Tim Marlow, John Judge

Nearby Reports Feb 6th.

Kumliens Gull Throckmorton Tip Worcs.

Ferruginous Duck (drake) Loscoe Dam Derbys.

Great Northern Diver Chasewater Staffs.
Slavonian Grebe

Bittern Upton Warren Worcs.

White Fronted Goose x6 Shelford Notts.

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

Steve Seal

February 6th Draycote Water

Kumlien’s Gull first winter off inlet then out in centre
Glaucous Gull 2 first winters
Med Gull second winter off inlet
Caspian Gull 3
Yellow-legged Gulls 2
Great-northern Diver out in centre
Kingfisher
Raven 2
Goosander 16
Snow Bunting flew over towards rainbow at dusk

Richard Mays, John Judge, Tim Marlow

Feb 6th

The first winter drake Lesser Scaup still in toft at Draycote, also adult Med Gull late morning. And the 2 Firecrest showing well near the car park along Laundry Lane Alvecote. (Birdguides).Whitacre Heath NR 2x Stonechat, 5 x Lesser Redpoll and a Siskin.See Whitacre Heath link for more news.
Merlin viewable from Blindpit Lane, Wishaw mid afternoon (S Cawthray).

Nearby Reports Feb 5th.

Loscoe Dam Derbys.
Furruginous Duck (drake)

Ditchford GPs Northants.
White Fronted Goose x5
Pink Footed Goose x1
Egyptian Goose x11

Carsington Water Derbys.
Great Northern Diver

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

Steve Seal

Feb 5th

At Ladywalk today, Curlew, Woodcock. Little Egret and 8 Goosander. And at Shustoke 25 Goosander came onto the reservoir to roost at 16-40 (BLK). Two Raven and a Curlew at Draycote Water.

February 5th Draycote Water

This afternoon Lesser Scaup was being tossed about by the waves just east of grays barn and Chiffchaff by hide. Roost held Med Gulls 5 (2 first winter, 2 second winter and one adult winter), Caspian Gull 3rd winter, two adult Yellow-legged Gulls and first winter Glaucous Gull. The elusive Great-northern Diver was seen in flight circling reservoir,

Richard

Nearby Reports Feb 4th.

Pitsford Res Northants.
Leach,s Petrel
Red-throated Diver

Loscoe Dam Derbys.
Furruginous Duck (drake)

Shelford Notts.
White Fronted Goose x5

Throckmorton Tip Worcs.
Kumliens Gull (juv)

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

Steve Seal

Feb 4th

At Lea Marston today the three Scaup are still present (2drakes & female) viewed from the roadbridge (Birdguides). At Ladywalk NR 4 Little Egrets, 20 Snipe, 8 Goosanders, 1 Curlew, and 6 Lesser Redpolls on the feeders. And at Coleshill Quarry their was one Little Egret.(BLK).
2 Water Rail & 2 + Willow Tit + the confiding male Shoveler still in Whittleford C.P (D Hutton).
Stonechat still at Whitacre Heath NR ,also Siskin and Redpoll on the feeders.

Nearby Reports Feb 3rd

Throckmorton Tip Worcs.
Kumliens Gull (juv)

Heanor Derbys.
Furruginous Duck (Shipley Lake)

Chasewater Staffs.
Great Northern Diver x2
Slavonian Grebe
Smew (drake)
Med Gull x5 (all adults)

Stubbers Green W.Mids.
R B Merganser x3 (females)
Caspian Gull (2w)

Rutland Water Leics.
Long-tailed Duck

Thrapston GPs Northants.
Black-necked Grebe

Pitsford Res Northants.
Red-throated Diver

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

Feb 3rd

Lesser Redpoll....Whitacre Heath NR....Photo (Midland Bird Images).

The Great Northern Diver looks like its gone from Draycote Water no sign again this morning, the Lesser Scaup was still in toft.(P Hall). At Whitacre Heath NR this morning 5 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Siskin, 2 Willow Tits and a female Stonechat . At the malthouse pup car park Dosthill the 300+ mixed finch flock was still in the stubble field, good numbers of Brambling, Linnet and Chaffinch. And only the female Scaup was seen this morning at Lea Marston lake viewed from roadbridge (S Seal, D Hutton).
1 x drake Scaup Lea Marston,(G Blockley).
3+ Yellow Legged Gulls this evening in Coton roost (2+ Adults, 2nd Win). (T Perrins).
Hen Harrier female over St.Lawrences wood Hartshill Hayes at 15-30 in the direction of Purley Chase Golf Club/quarry (Birdguides).

Nearby Reports Feb 2nd.

Heanor Derbys.
Furruginous Duck (Shipley Lake)

Chasewater Staffs.
Med Gull x5 (adults)
Great Northern Diver x2
Smew (drake)
Slavonian Grebe

Pitsford Res Northants
Red-throated Diver

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

Draycote Water Feb 2nd

Lesser Scaup was back in gray's barn under the willows when I arrived at the pond mid-afternoon with adult winter Med Gull in the pre-roost gathering of Common and Black-headed Gulls in toft bay. Golden Plover 78 were in the field behind farborough bank. The roost off rainbow had adult winter Kittiwake which moved out to centre then joined by Pete, Dave & Jon Hall but by this time the gulls were head on so we moved to inlet where they showed really well. Had at least three adult yellow-legged Gulls but no sign of any white winged gulls. Twenty Goosander flew in to join the 18 already counted and male Shoveler was off the inlet.(R Mays).

Feb 2nd

The ever present first winter drake Lesser Scaup now on its 67th day still in toft at Draycote Water, but no sign of the Great Northern Diver today. A Raven over Hartshill Hayes CP(J Wesson), and the 3 Scaup still on show at Lea Marston lake viewed from roadbridge (J Oates). No sign of any Little Egrets beside the railway line at Lea Marston and no sign of the (2w) Glauc at the tip or at Dosthill lake today. A male and female Merlin and 85 Corn Buntings on Marcliffe Hill today(Warks / Worcs border),ENE of Evesham(C Lane).

Tame Valley Feb 2nd

Buzzard.....Wishaw.......Photo (Midland Bird Images).

An early start this morning to try and photograph Siskins at Shustoke but no such look, so onto Whitacre Heath NR where 6 Lesser Redpolls , a Siskin and Willow Tit could be found at the feeding station in the wood. On return to the car park a female Stonechat gave excellent views along the fence posts. Over to Wishaw next to try and locate the 2 Grey Partridges seen there early on but again no look, but 20 Golden Plover and a very confiding Buzzard made up for that. Next to the malthouse pup car park Dosthill for the Brambling, at least 50 birds were soon found amongst a 300+ finch flock. 45 Linnets were also noted but the highlight of the day came when a Peregrine came in low over the stubble field only to be followed close behind by a second. The first bird put the finch flock up, the second bird took a finch out of the air. (S Seal, Bob Duckhouse).

Feb 1st

At Draycote today the first winter drake Lesser Scaup still showing well in toft, and the Great Northern Diver off the valve tower. The two Firecrests were seen again along laundry lane Alvecote this afternoon. And at Dosthill lake the 2nd winter Glaucous Gull was present.At Lea Marston lake the 3 Scaup are still on show to the left of the island, 2 first winter drakes and the female. Nearby the Little Egret still next to the railway line opposite Whitacre Heath NR, viewed from the roadbridge. Very little at Shustoke this afternoon just 25 x Siskin a Tree Sparrow ,
71 x Pochard and 67 x Wigeon. (S Seal).