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

Dec 31st

A drake Mandarin at Earlswood Lakes this afternoon on Windmill Pool, but no sign of the Firecrest. At Draycote it looks like the first winter drake Lesser Scaup will make it into the new year as it was still present in Toft today,the drake Smew has now moved around by the picnic area. At Alvecote the Firecrest is still along Laundry Lane , access from Shuttington road bridge. (Birdguides).
Driving along the road between Maxstoke Abbey & the M6 bridge I flushed some Finches off the road & noticed a white rump on one. I turned the car around & went back for a closer look & the birds were back in the road about a dozen in all including 3 Bramblings (1Male).(M Doughty).
Two drake and a redhead Smew swimming across the border from Staffs into Warks at Fishers Mill pits this morning. Not relocated later.(G Williams).

Bird News Extra Dec 30th

Nearby Reports.
Great White Egret Cossington Meadows Leics.
Great Northern Divers x2 Chasewater Staffs.
Smew Chasewater Staffs.
Glaucous Gull (2w) Bartley Res W.Mids
Common (Mealy) Redpoll Marsh Lane W.Mids.
Smew x9 (4 x drakes) Eyebrook Res Leics.
Iceland Gull (juv) Ogston Res Derbys.
Glaucous Gull (juv) Holme Pierrepont Notts.
Black Redstart Blithfield Staffs.
Red-throated Diver Blithfield Staffs.
Slavonian Grebe Blithfield Staffs.
Glaucous Gull (juv) Throckmorton Tip Worcs.
Smew (2 x drakes) Pitsford Res Northants.
Regards Steve..........

Dec 30th

Nothing new reported today , still a Firecrest along Laundry Lane Alvecote around midday. Also 4 Chiffchaffs at Gilman's Pool, Escaped Hooded Merganser again on Mill Pool.(T Perrins). Both the Lesser Scaup and Smew still at Draycote.(Birdguides).
Cliff Pool Kingsbury, Gadwall 86, Shoveler 24, Teal 30, Wigeon 85, Pochard 17, Goldeneye 8males + 13 fem, and one Redshank. No sign of the drake Smew (but could be on south pool). Wje.
Two Yellow Legged Gulls (both Ads) this evening in Coton roost.(T Perrins).
Two Firecrest until dusk just north of Alvecote along Laundry Lane: 1 at top end, 1 roosted in car park. Access north from Shuttington Road Bridge. (Birdguides).

Bird News Extra Dec 29th.

Nearby Reports.
Great Northern Diver (adult) Carsington Water Derbys.
Bittern Upton Warren Worcs.
Smew x6 Pitsford Res Northants.
Glaucous Gull (juv) Ogston Res Derbys.
Iceland Gull (juv) Poolsbrook CP Derbys.
Black-necked Grebe Rutland Water Leics.
Great Northern Diver Chasewater Staffs.
Smew Chasewater Staffs.
Common(Mealy)Redpoll Marsh Lane W.Mids.
Pink-footed Goose Barrow Upon Trent GPs Derbys.
Regards Steve...........

Dec 29th.

A drake Smew early afternoon on Cliff Pool South, though elusive in vegetation (T Perrins). And at Whitacre Heath NR a pair of Stonechats were present.(P Satchell). A Slavonian Grebe was reported from Draycote at Midday but no further details ? Nearby at Marsh Lane the Common (Mealy) Redpoll was seen again along the old road during the afternoon but elusive, also a few Bramblings along the hedgerow by the feeders.(Birdguides).

December 29th Draycote Water

Very strong winds and choppy waters made viewing difficult this morning and eventually found the Lesser Scaup first winter male and Smew male tucked up against the shore in gray's barn, toft bay underneath the willows. Rock Pipit flew over hensborough bank calling, Sixteen Goosander and two Kingfisher. There was a report of a Black-necked Grebe in toft but I failed to locate it.

Richard

Bird News Extra Dec 28th

Nearby Reports.
Pink-footed Goose Swarkestone Lake Derbys.
Black-necked Grebe Rutland Water Leics.
Red-throated Diver Blithfield Staffs.
Slavonian Grebe Blithfield Staffs.
Smew x6 Pitsford Res Northants.
Smew x2 Hollowell Res Northants.
Firecrest West Hagley Worcs.
Regards Steve..........

Ladywalk December.

December 2007
27th: 11 Goosander, 1 Shelduck, 8 Pochard, 120 Wigeon, 50 Shoveler, 33 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Egret, 25 Lapwing.
26th: Little Egret.
25th: Little Egret, Stonechat, Chiffchaff, 120 Lapwing, Shelduck, 4 Snipe.
24th: Brambling, Woodcock, 2 Redpoll, 100 Shoveler.
22nd: 4 Goosander, 3 Grey Wagtail.
20th: 23 Siskin, 6 Bullfinch.
16th: Woodcock.
15th: Pr Raven, Brambling, 30 Siskin.
14th: 40 Chaffinch, 4 Water Rail, 2 Redpoll.
13th: Great White Egret (first reserve record; present for 2 hours, 12.50–15.50), Raven, Peregrine.
10th: 5 Snipe, a pair of Shelduck.
7th: 9 Goosander.
4th: Raven, Chiffchaff, Cetti's Warbler, 4 Water Rail, Goldeneye, 2 Goosander, pair of Stonechat.
3rd: Redshank, Peregrine, Stonechat, 2 Snipe.

Dec 28th

The Firecrest was showing at Alvecote again today, seen on the path off Laundry Lane, access Laundry Lane north from Shuttington Rd Bridge, go down lane for approx 150mts then go down tarmac path behind railings on the right.(Birdguides).
Also Lesser Scaup and drake Smew still at Draycote Water, both birds can be found in the normal places.(Toft & Farnborough Bank).

Bird News Extra Dec 27th

Nearby Reports.
Bittern Upton Warren Worcs.
Smew x7 (6x drakes) Eyebrook Res Leics.
Red-throated Diver Blithfield Staffs.
Slavonian Grebe Blithfield Staffs.
Little Stint Rutland Water Leics.
Great Northern Divers x2 Chasewater Staffs.
Smew (drake) Chasewater Staffs.
Regards Steve...........

Dec 27th

The first winter drake Lesser Scaup still present in toft at Draycote Water now into its 30th day, will it still be there on Jan 1st. Also present the drake Smew and 10 Goosanders. The Firecrest was calling and showing well half way along Laundry Lane Alvecote late afternoon.(Birdguides).Also at nearby Marsh Lane the Common (Mealy) Redpoll still present along the old road and causing a lot of debate over its ID.
Also c30 Pink-footed Geese (2 small flocks) flew over A45 Stonebridge island heading towards Marsh Lane but were not seen there. (J. Judge)

Bird News Extra Dec 26th

Nearby Reports.
Glaucous Gull (juv)Ogston Res Derbys.
Bittern Upton Warren Worcs.
Red-throated Diver Blithfield Staffs.
Slavonian Grebe Blithfield Staffs.
Black Redstart Blithfield Saffs.
Great Northern Divers x2 Chasewater Staffs.
Regards Steve......

Dec 26th Bird News.

At Alvecote Pools this morning a 3rd winter Y L Gull was noted on mill pool, and the male Firecrest was still showing along Laundry Lane also 2 Willow Tits. (Birdguides).
Two Ravens were seen over Illmington village this afternoon. (S Valentine).

Dec 26th Draycote.

Photo (Midland Bird Images.)
Myself and D Hutton made another trip to Draycote this morning, the Lesser Scaup was still in toft,the drake Smew made its way to the opposite side of toft after being flushed by sailing boats from Farnborough bank. A lage flock of 800+ Lapwing was noted flying around the reservoir, 20 Goosanders, 200+ Wigeon and 85 Great Crested Grebes and 75 Cormorants all in toft bay.(S Seal, D Hutton).

December 26th Draycote Water

This morning the Lesser Scaup male first winter still in toft and male Smew off farnborough bank. Also seen were 40+ Siskin, 12 Lesser Redpoll, Little Owl and male Pintail.

Richard

December 24th Draycote Roost

Three Yellow-legged Gulls in roost (adult and two first winters) but very poor viewing conditions.

Richard Mays & Dave Cox

Bird News Extra Dec 24th

Nearby Reports.
Iceland Gull (juv) Ogston Res Derbys.
Glaucous Gull (2 x juvs) Ogston Res Derbys.
Red-throated Diver Blithfield Staffs.
Slavonian Grebe Blithfield Staffs.
Bittern Upton Warren Worcs.
Mealy Redpoll Marsh Lane W.Mids.
Regards Steve.........

Common (Mealy) Redpoll Marsh Lane.

Photo Midland Bird Images
The Common (Mealy) Redpoll is classed as a Scarce winter visitor, and can sometimes cause confusion. In the field Common Redpolls are noticeably bulkier in appearance when seen along side Lesser Redpolls with usually a bull necked appearance and are overall greyer in colouration.Common Redpolls have greyer upperparts with narrower dark centres and bordered greyish white fringes to the upperparts feathering compared with the much warmer brown toned Lessers.The wingbars formed by the tips of the greater coverts appear clean whitish compared with the buffish on the Lessers, and the fringes of many other feathers such as the primaries tertials and tail feathers are often noticeably whiter. The rump of Common Redpolls is whitish, and is usually lightly streaked but in flight this can often appear as an Arctic Redpoll like white patch. Lesser Redpolls rarely show such a pale rump. Also the dark centres to the undertail coverts are a feature which helps to seperate them from Arctic Redpolls which usually have either just a faint narrow shaft streak on these feathers or are totaly unmarked.
Steve.............

Dec 24th

Firecrest still 20mts along from wood lane car park at Earlswood lakes this morning in holy again.(M Silverman). At Draycote the first winter drake Lesser Scaup was re-located back in toft, and the drake Smew was showing well along farnborough bank, and around 60+ Siskins feeding in alders around toft.(Birdguides).The first winter drake Scaup still on Lea Marston lake this morning viewed from roadbridge, also Little Egret present.(Birdguides).The Bittern showed breifly again this morning to the left of east marsh hide Brandon. (P Sewell).

Bird News Extra Dec 23rd

Nearby Reports.
Red necked Grebe Rutland Water Leics.
Black necked Grebe Rutland Water Leics.
Bearded Tit Gailey Res Staffs.
Black Redstart Blithfield Staffs.
Red-throated Diver Blithfield Staffs.
Slavonian Grebe Blithfield Staffs.
Smew (drake) Chasewater Staffs.
Great Northern Diver x2 Chasewater Staffs.
Smew (6 x drakes) Eyebrook Res Leics.
Iceland Gull (juv) Bartley Res W.Mids.
Firecrest Barnt Green Worcs.
Common (Mealy) Redpoll Marsh Lane W.Mids.

Nearby Marsh Lane Dec 23rd

Photo (Mealy Redpoll) Midland Bird Images.
Along the old road at Marsh Lane NR, the Mealy Redpoll was re-located with 5 x Lesser Redpolls. Also noted around 50+ Yellowhammers, good numbers of Chaffinches, Fieldfare, and a few Tree Sparrows. Also Peregrine over.
(S Seal , D Hutton).

News Round up Dec 23rd

At a foggy Draycote this morning the drake Smew was still off Farnborough Bank, but no sign of the Lesser Scaup (Fogbound) or as it gone?.Nearby on the A428 between Church Lawford and Bretford the Dark-bellied Brent Goose was located again in the same field. At Brandon Marsh a Bittern was showing well from East Marsh hide this morning.And at Lea Marston / Coton lakes 3 Scaup were seen 1x drake and 2x females.
The male Firecrest was still present along Laundry Lane Alvecote this morning but very elusive.And the Firecrest at Earlswood Lakes was showing well this morning at 9-45 in Holly in New Fallings Coppice .
Steve.......

Bird News Extra Dec 22nd

Nearby Reports.
Green Winged Teal (drake) Collingham Pits Notts.
Glaucous Gull (juv) Holme Pierrepont Notts
Glaucous Gull (juv) Ogston Res Derbys.
Iceland Gull (2w) Ogston Res Derbys.
Iceland Gull (juv) Belvide Res Staffs.
Iceland Gull (2w) Cop Mere Staffs.
Iceland Gull Chasewater Staffs.
Red-throated Diver Blithfield Staffs.
Black Redstart (imm/fem) Blithfield Staffs.
Bearded Tit Gailey Res Staffs.
Firecrest Barnt Green Worcs.
Smew (4drakes) Eyebrook Res Leics.
Common (Mealy) Redpoll Marsh Lane W.Mids.
Regards Steve........

Coton / Alvecote Dec 22nd

No unusual gulls in Coton roost this evening, but a Barn Owl on the way back to car park.(T Perrins).
Also there is probably 3 firecrests at Alvecote today. 2 at top end and one seen at same time at bottom end of Laundry Lane (per A Archer)

December 22nd

(Photos D.Hutton)

Today at Draycote,the drake Smew was showing well also the 1st winter Lesser Scaup showed very well from the picnic area at Toft but asleep most of the time!!! good numbers of Pochard,Tufted Duck,Wigeon & several Goosander

(D.Hutton,S.Seal.R.Mays)

Nearby Marsh Lane Dec 22nd

At Marsh Lane early afternoon a Mealy Redpoll with 3 Lesser Redpolls, along the old road. It was found earlier on by Graham Rowling and Paul Johnson. In flight it shows a striking white rump, making it look rather like an Arctic! also there Brambling and several Siskins.(J Oates).

News Round Up Dec 22nd

A Jack Snipe at Alvecote Pools this morning and the two Firecrests still present at the bottom end of Laundry Lane.The Dark-bellied Brent Goose was in the field again along the A428 between Church Lawford and Bretford, but flew off south east around midday.And the drake Red Crested Pochard was noted again at Lea Marston lake viewed from roadbridge.