Slightly later trip out to avoid the rain which thankfully I did. First it was off to Pype Hayes to see how the Goslings are getting on and then a quick walk around Plantsbrook Nature Reserve to see if the Mute Swan Cygnets have been born yet and alas no sign of them just yet. The Canada Goose Goslings are looking fine and the remaining 7 from the original 8 should make it to adulthood barring any disasters. Other babies present were 5 Ducklings and 4 Coot chicks. Also for the first time ever a pair of Great Crested Grebe have made a nest on the pool which is great news. The pair of Coot who have the 4 young are already constructing another nest. An adult Moorhen was also seen going to and from the island so hopefully there are some Moorhen chicks on the island.
All birds seen at Pype Hayes Park were Nuthatch, Grey Wagtail, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Robin, Starling, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, Swift, Great Crested Grebe, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard, Canada Goose and the following young, Gosling (7), Duckling (5) and Coot (4).
It was also nice to see plenty of Song Thrush, Blackbird, Starling etc. forging on the slightly wet grass. Pype Hayes Park is one of the largest in Birmingham, consisting of over 100 acres, so if look around the trees and grass there's always something to see, even the Muntjac Deer if you're lucky.
Highlight of the day was to be had at Plantsbrook though, that being the sight of a pair of Great Tit feeding some young in a hole in a tree which was thankfully facing the water's edge and not the path.
Birds seen at Plantsbrook were Kestrel, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chiffchaff, Robin, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard, Canada Goose and 5 Coot chicks. Also on the nest were Great Crested Grebe (2) and Coot (7).
The recent wet weather also seems to have made the Funghi temporarily spring back to life again, which is nice.
First trip over to Castle Bromwich this Springtime and it looked great with all the brown and greens looking very vibrant and all the plants and trees coming back to life especially the Horse Chesnut and Brambles.
Highlight of the day was no contest today, the sight and wonderful song of a lone Skylark, it didn't hang around for long so it was probably just passing through, as brief as it was, it was still a great sight and sound. Other wonderful bird song observed was that of Blackcap, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Goldfinch and Greenfinch. No singing Song Thrush today, all the ones I observed were all foraging for worms, hopefully for their young.
Also seen was a pair of Mallard on the boggy woodland floor, something I've never seen in this location before being as there is no real water to talk of in there. Also seen in a house nearby was a Starling diligently feeding some chicks that were in a nest behind a drainpipe underneath the eaves of house.
Birds seen were Skylark, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Blackcap (male and female), Whitethroat, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Wren, Robin, Starling, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon and Mallard.
Early morning trip out to Solihull today before the predicted downpours this afternoon where thankfully it was dry and warm and plenty of birds out and about enjoying the warmer climes.
Highlights of the day were seeing hundreds of Swift, Swallow and House Martin flying over the lake and high in the air, it's always such a wonderful sight to see and proof that Springs finally here. It was also great to see many singing Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat, especially as there were at least one pair of Whitethroat nesting in a tree by the waters edge. I also saw a pair of Common Sandpiper on the barley straw that's there to control the algae levels, I've never seen Common Sandpiper at this location before, maybe they were just passing through or hopefully they'll become residents now that the mud flats and reed beds that have been created.
Birds seen were Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chiffchaff, Whitethoat, Lesser Whiethroat, House Sparrow, Wren, Starling, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Collared Dove, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Feral Woodpigeon, Swift, Swallow, House Martin, Common Sandpiper, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe, Moorhen, Coot, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Domestic Goose and Canada Goose.
Unfortunately I didn't see any young birds today but there were the following nesting water fowl, Mute Swan (2), Great Crested Grebe (2), Coot (6), Domestic Goose (1) and Canada Goose (1).
The only down side of the day was the continuing setting of fires by the local chavs, double numbers of both trees and brambles have been destroyed by the little bastards so far, if I catch them I'll set fire to them and see if they like it.
Nice trip to Meriden Park and Cole Bank Nature Reserve in Solihull. Cole Bank Nature Reserve is basically on the opposite side of the road to Meriden Park, I can't believe I've never been before, but to be fair, you would never now it was there, it's that well hidden and it's not signposted too well either.
It was great to see a few young birds on the water and on the island, on the island there was at least 6 Cygnets, who had apparently only hatched yesterday, while I was observing them a cheeky Magpie nearly plucked one away bit thankfully the mother was close enough to scare it off, there was also 6 Coot chicks, 3 Goslings and 5 Ducklings. I also saw 1 Coot on the nest.
On the walk along the river to Cole Bank I was accompanied with some wonderful Blackcap singing from both sides of the river, it was also pleasing to observe one in full song a few feet away from me. Also along the river it was brilliant to see 2 different colonies of House Sparrow, a lot of people don't like their chirping but I love it, especially when heard in the wild, I hear them in the garden most days especially when they are bickering in the Pyracanthas.
Birds seen were Buzzard, Kestrel, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Chiffchaff, Blackcap (male), House Sparrow, Dunnock, Starling, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Grey Wagtail, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Moorhen, Coot, Canada Goose and the following young Cygnet (6), Coot (6), Duckling (5) and Gosling (3).
Nice trip to Pype Hayes Park on a very sunny and hot morning where a pair of Canada Goose had eight Goslings a fortnight ago, unfortunately there are only seven still alive but hopefully they will all survive. Apparently a pair of Moorhen have had some chicks but I didn't actually see them, so I have no idea how many there is. There was also a Coot on the nest, on the island.
I also hear Greenfinch nearly every time I go birding lately, which can't be a bad thing, even if you don't even spot any it's nice to know that they are there, especially with them in decline as of late.
Birds seen were Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Dunnock, Wren, Robin, Starling, Grey Wagtail, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Great Crested Grebe, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard and Canada Goose.
I also had a pair of Coal Tit in the garden this morning, which was nice.
Another visit to Middleton Lakes in Tamworth, Staffordshire, where it was mainly sunny even though we got absolutely drenched when it poured down in a mad five minute period, soon dried off though with the sun and breeze.
Highlights of the day were seeing the ever friendly Robin on the woodland trail bridge, loving his mealworms as usual but not forgetting his female friend as well, watching a pair of Whitethroat nest building in some brambles, seeing a few Reed Warblers singing away, Oystercatchers foraging on the mud flats and of course seeing and hearing the obligatory Song Thrush. Another highlight even though I didn't actually see the bird, was hearing a Cuckoo constantly singing in the farmers field by the woodland trail.
Birds seen were Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Chiffchaff, Robin, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Blackcap (male and female), Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Rook, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Swallow, Pheasant (cock and hen), Kestrel, Lapwing, Oyestercatcher, Common Sandpiper, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe, Coot, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Greylag Goose and Canada Goose.
The only birds seen on the nest were 2 Mute Swan and maybe triple numbers of Black Headed Gull, it was hard to determine how many nesting birds there were with large parts of the lakes still being inaccessible due to the ongoing maintenance work, saying that I did see a Coot with a twig three times the size of said bird so that was probably nest building.
Quick sixty minute early morning trip to Ward End Park on other business where it certainly more colourful and warmer than my last visit.
Birds seen were Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Blackcap (male and female), Robin, Starling, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Collared Dove, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard and Canada Goose.
The male Blackcap seen was feeding the female a grub on a branch in a tree. As is as usual of late I was accompanied around by a singing Song Thrush.
On the nest were Coot (5), and Canada Goose (2), but unfortunately no young yet. Sadly on one of the islands there was also a dead Canada Goose.
