Witton Lakes and Brookvale Park, Erdington.

Witton Lakes.

First off today it was a trip to Witton Lakes just as the sun was rising. 

There wasn't too many songbirds about even though there were plenty of our friend the humble House Sparrow in attendance as well as a large Carrion Crow and Feral Pigeon population. Waterfowl wise there were four Mute Swan, loads of Coot and Mallard as well as a few unusual water birds, namely the resident Ruddy Duck, Silver Appleyard Duck, Indian Runner Duck as well as some hybrid Domestic/Greylag Goose. 

Birds seen at Witton Lakes were Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Wren, Robin, House Sparrow, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, Grey Wagtail, Mute Swan, Little Grebe, Ruddy Duck, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Silver Appleyard Duck, Indian Runner Duck,  
Moorhen, Coot, hybrid Domestic, Greylag Goose and Canada Goose.

Then it was off to the nearby Brookvale Park.  

Brookvale Park. 

As you can see the highlight of the day was seeing a Black Swan  (Cygnus atratus) not only was it great to see a such a magnificent bird but that coupled with the fact that there are only about 45 of them in Great Britain. It's slightly smaller than a Mute Swan with bright white primary feather in the wings which are hidden until they flap their wings, they also have a red bill has a white subterminal band, if you live near the area and you want to see this great bird then it's residing on the lake near the entrance by the boat yard. They are not indigenous to this country, they are a native of Australia and any feral Black Swan in this country are believed to have escaped from private collections. If you go you'll no doubt see the resident c.50 Mute Swan and c.25 Cormorant. You'll also see and hear plenty of House Sparrow all around the lake and near the houses on the trees and bushes. There are also some Silver Appleyard on this lake as well as a Pekin Duck and at least 6 hybrid Domestic'Greylag Goose.

Birds seen at Brookvale Park were Buzzard (circling high above), Great Tit, Dunnock, Robin, House Sparrow, Starling, Blackbird, Carrion, Crow, Margie, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Black Swan, Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe, Moorhen, Coot, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Silver Appleyard Duck, Pekin Duck, Mallard, hybrid Domestic/Greylag Goose and Canada Goose. 

You'll get a better look of the Black Swan on my Flickr page here.