Jan 31st

Very little news today, possibly due to strong wind and heavy rain through out our region, No sign of yesterdays female Red Crested Pochard at Seeswood pool.Two Firecrest still along laundry lane Alvecote, and one Little Egret still opposite Whitacre Heath NR on small pool next to railway line.(Birdguides).
Raven flew low over Moorwood Hartshill today, (J Harris).

January 31st Draycote Water

Great Northern Diver.....Draycote Water.....Photo by Jon Hall

Lesser Scaup back in its usual place off the second car park in toft bay showing well and Coal tit amongst the Great Tits on the feeders near hide. Two male Common Scoters were out in centre but moved on when the wind surfers came out and may have gone in to toft bay. Iceland Gull first winter found in roost at 1645hrs and the Glaucous Gull first winter arrived at 1655hrs. Great-northern Diver came in close off rainbow late afternoon when earlier it had been elusive out in centre.

Richard

Jan 30th

Around 50 Brambling today at the back of the Malthouse Pub car park Dosthill, with a large mixed finch flock of around 300 birds.(B Kington , J Harris).
The two first winter drake and one female Scaup still at Lea Marston Lake, viewed from roadbridge. Two Firecrests still along laundry lane Alvecote 50mts down from car park at mid-day. At Draycote the first winter drake Lesser Scaup was again in toft bay and showing well. Two Little Egrets this evening beside the railway line at Lea Marston opposite Whitacre Hth NR, viewed from road bridge.
Three Little Egrets at Ladywalk NR today, also Marsh and Willow tits at the feeding station.(Birdguides).

Seeswood Pool 30th January

Today on the pool a (Female) Red Crested Pochard present only the 4th record with the last being on 5th January 1990

(D.Hutton,R.Dawkins)

Nearby Reports Jan 29th.

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

Cannock Chase Staffs.
Great Grey Shrike

Heanor Derbys
Furruginous Duck (shipley lake)

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

Steve Seal

January 29th Draycote Water

Great Northern Diver Draycote Water........Photo by Bob Hazell

Draycote seems to have lost the Lesser Scaup after nearly two months in residence. Along with Bob Hazell we searched extensively but no trace. Bob saw it yesterday so it may have gone overnight along with the male Smew which could not be located as well. Great-northern Diver still present and distant though Bob managed to get some good shots near valve tower on his walk round. Lesser Redpoll 5, Buzzard 2 Goosander 22 and Chiffchaff were the other highlights and duck numbers seem low.
Larger gulls came into roost late but managed first winter Iceland & Glaucous Gull found between 1630-1640pm before losing the light by 1700hrs. Three adult Yellow-legged Gulls and one first winter.

Richard Mays & Bob Hazell

Jan 29th.

Cetti's Warbler singing well at Fisher's Mill pit, also Chiffchaff.At Ladywalk NR 3 x Little Egret, all flew in direction of Whitacre Heath NR,later one noticed on pool by Railway line.(J Harris).
Along laundry lane Alvecote just one Firecrest today(showing well).
The juv Glaucous Gull was around the Dosthill / Wilnecote landfill tip area again today.(Birdguides).

Nearby Reports Jan 28th.

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

Blithfield Staffs.
Iceland Gull (3w)

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

Pitsford Res Northants.
Red-throated Diver

Heanor Derbys.
Furruginous Duck (Shipley Lake)

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

Steve Seal

Jan 28th.

The 3 Scaups were at Lea Marston still this morning. They were left of
the island viewed from the road bridge. They seem to swim in and out
of view quite regularly.
Nearby at Dosthill I have finally seen the 3cy Glaucous Gull. It was
present from c12.00-12.40pm at least.(J Oates).
Lesser Scaup showing well again in toft bay Draycote Water, 2 x Little Egrets at Lea Marston by railway line opposite Whitacre Hth NR, view from railway bridge. Also today the 2 x Firecrests still along Laundry Lane Alvecote.(Birdguides).
There are 70 brambling today with a 600+ finch flock in field behind Malt House Pub, viewable from Public Footpath (T Perrins).

Nearby Reports Jan 27th.

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

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

Throckmorton Tip Worcs.
Glaucous Gull (juv)

Cannock Chase Staffs.
Great Grey Shrike

Heanor Derbys.
Ferruginous Duck (shipley lake)

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

Steve Seal

Kingsbury Jan 27th

On cliff pool Kingsbury this evening, 60 Gadwall, 120 Wigeon, 26 Teal, 45 Shoveler,37 Pochard, 23 Goldeneye, a female Pintail and 2 Oystercatchers.
(WJE).

Coton Roost Jan 27th.

Two adult Caspian Gulls in tonights roost at Coton (T Perrins, J Oates).

Draycote roost Jan 27th

Juv Glaucous Gull in the roost this evening and at least 2 ad Yellow-legged Gull's, Raven behind Inlet.

J Judge, J ,D and P Hall (The Bumbling Bears)

New Book by Brian Kington

Hobbies and Other Falcons by Brian Kington in softback priced
at £9-99 + £1 p&p.
Cheques made payable to B.L.Kington at 22 Burnham Drive Coleshill Birm B46.3NB.

Out & About Jan 27th.

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

Photo....Fieldfare Lawford Heath .....(Midalnd Bird Images)


Photo....Goosanders Draycote Water .......(Midland Bird Images)

A visit to Draycote this morning produced the ever present Lesser Scaup in toft over in grays barn area, the drake Smew was still performing off farnborough Bank, and the elusive Great Northern Diver in the middle. Several Goosanders were displaying close to Farnborough bank. A visit to Lawford Heath to look for Corn Buntings, no sign but a large number of Fieldfares around 1500 feeding along the lane. Then over to Lea Marston lake for the 3 Scaup (2 x1w drakes & female) and on Coton lake around 700 Pochards. Opposite Whitacre Heath NR the Little Egret is still feeding along side the railway line, viewed from road bridge. Other birds seen during the morning, 2 Grey Wagtails, Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, and several Buzzards.
Steve......

Nearby Reports Jan 26th.

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

Ogston Res Derbys.
Glaucous Gull (juv)

Upton Warren Worcs.
Bittern

Rutland Water Liecs.
Slavonian Grebe
Black-necked Grebe

Wilnecote Tip Staffs.
Glaucous Gull (2w)

Stubbers Green W.Mids.
Glaucous Gull (juv)

Cromford Derbys.
Hawfinch x5 (Cromford Churchyard)

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

Steve Seal

Jan 26th.

Two Firecrests are still along laundry lane Alvecote, the Little Egret again opposite Whitacre Hth NR , viewed from railway bridge and at Whitacre feeding station 4 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Willow Tit a Siskin and a Lesser Spotted Woody this morning (J Wesson).The 3 Scaups are still on Lea Marston Balancing lake (2 1w drakes and a female) viewed from road bridge. At Draycote the ever present Lesser Scaup still in toft, the drake Smew in rainbow and the Great Northern Diver still hasnt settled being seen at several locations. Two Ravens were seen over a garden in Coventry this morning (M Doughty). Also a Raven over clayhill lane Long Lawford this morning (J Judge).Barn Owl was noted south of Draycote this evening and two Y L Gulls came into the roost at Coton.(Birdguides).

Nearby Reports Jan 25th.

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

Ogston Res Derbys.
Iceland Gull (2w)

Cannock Chase Staffs.
Great Grey Shrike

Stubbers Green W.Mids.
Glaucous Gull (juv)

Cromford Derbys.
Hawfinch x3 (Cromford churchyard)

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

Steve Seal

Jan 25th.

All three regulars still present at Draycote this morning, Lesser Scaup and Smew toft, and the elusive Great Northern Diver breifly from rainbow corner before moving out into the middle again. Three Scaups still at Lea Marston lake, 2 first winter drakes and a female, all viewed from the roadbridge. And opposite Whitacre Heath NR upto 4 Little Egrets can now be found on the pool next to the railway line viewed from rail bridge.(Birdguides).

Glaucous Gulls Wilnecote Tip Jan 25th.

Photo......2nd winter Glaucous Gull (Midland Bird Images)

On the Warks/Staffs border juvenile and 2nd winter Glaucous Gulls are feeding on Wilnecote tip just north of Kingsbury on A51 Dosthill road. The birds can be viewed from a minor road beside the tip, please park carefully its a narrow road. This afternoon while i was there this 2nd winter bird was present. A juvenile had been seen earlier.
Steve Seal.........

Nearby Reports Jan 24th.

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

Ogston Res Derbys.
Kumliens Gull (3w)
Glaucous Gull x2 (juvs)
Iceland Gull x3

Ditchford GPs Northants.
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

January 24th Draycote Water

Great-northern Diver still elusive off biggen bay and male Smew off toft Bank. Kingfisher 2 toft bay and 5 Lesser Redpolls near hide. The roost was distant tonight but had 8 Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Caspian Gulls adults and a first winter Iceland Gull. Med Gull adult winter seen earlier in day with a small flock of Common Gull.

Richard Mays & Bob Hazell

Jan 24th

At Dosthill Lake this morning the two (juv) Glaucous Gulls were still present,also an adult Yellow-legged Gull,(J Oates). And at Lea Marston lake the three Scaup (2 x 1w drakes) and a female can still be found when viewed from the roadbridge.A 2nd Winter Glaucous Gull at Wilnecote tip this afternoon with 2 Yellow Legs (Ad, 3rd Win).Two Yellow Legs Gulls (both Ads) in Coton roost. No sign of diver in Dosthill area,(T Perrins).The Peregrine was on St Mary's church tower Warwick ,north side at 19:15 tonight,(A Anscomb).

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