The National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire.

Birding was not the primary reason for yesterday's trip out being as it was to The National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas which is a national site of remembrance which is emerging as a world-renowned centre for remembrance, but being is it is set in 150 acres of great habitat that has been landscaped with wildlife in mind with over 50,000 trees with more being added all the time including thousands of fruit bearing trees, wildflower meadows, log piles etc and is also at the western end of the National Forest and borders the River Tame basically the binoculars were a must.

Highlight of the day was seeing a Tree Sparrow constantly visiting the (poorly stocked) feeders, needless to say the feeders were a bit better stocked by the time I left. Other birds attracted in my bird seed were a friendly Chaffinch who was unfortunately suffering from Fringilla papillomavirus, which was a shame, Dunnock, Robin, Great Tit and Blackbird.

On the large expanse of grass between the Falkland War and Northern Ireland conflict memorials there were many Pied Wagtail, possibly in the hundreds including many fine looking juveniles.

Birds seen were Buzzard, Kingfisher (on the River Tame), Tree Sparrow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Chiffchaff, Robin, Dunnock, Starling, Blackbird, Woodpiegon, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, House Martin, Swallow, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Mallard as well as the following juveniles, Pied Wagtail, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Long Tailed Tit.

Also worth noting is the fact that I only saw one Kestrel hovering by the side of the road on the journey there and back which seemed a bit sad, you normally see many more than that.

If your interested I shall post some of the memorials on my Flickr as well as a video of the Chaffinch pictured above.