Edgbaston Reservoir.

A trip today to Edgbaston on a warm, sunny day. All bird species spotted today were Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Wren, Robin, Song Thrush, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Tree Sparrow, Blackbird, Starling, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, Great Crested Grebe, Moorhen, Pekin Duck, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Common Gull, Herring Gull and Lesser Black Backed Gull. It was also nice to see more Great Crested Grebes and Coots on their nests and the Magpies and Carrion Crows busy making their nests. The feathers in the last picture are the remnants of a kill I found, I'm not an expert but after my initial thoughts and a bit of internet searching they look like Pheasant feathers to me, no more Pheasant plucking for him then ;) I also came face to face with a Sparrowhawk in the garden on Sunday, it was on the lower branches of the apple tree, no doubt waiting to pick off a Tree Sparrow or songbird, it's a very impressive looking bird, it's just a shame it kills and eats songbirds and Sparrows etc.....

Plantsbrook Nature Reserve.

A visit today to Plantsbrook Nature Reserve in Pype Hayes, the day started of wet and horrible at 7am but by about 10 o'clock it was lovely and sunny and quite warm. Bird species of note spotted were a flock of 70 plus Redwing, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Song Thrush, Reed Bunting, Dunnock, Collared Dove, Starling, Robin, Buzzard, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck and Cormorant. It's also nice to see the Coots buliding their nests ready for the little 'Punk Rocker' Coot chicks. The large pool at Plantsbrook is stocked with Roach, Pike and Perch, the pools are that big that during World War 2 the lakes were used to test torpedoes and amphibious vehicles. http://billdargue.jimdo.com/placenames-gazetteer-a-to-y/places-p/plants-brook/

Shustoke Reservoir.

A early morning trip today to a misty Shustoke Reservoir, Shustoke Fly Fishers Pool, Farmers fields and up the railway line to Coleshill Parkway. Bird species of note spotted today were (a flock of) Lesser Redpoll, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, (a flock of) Coal Tit (feasting on the cones on the many pine trees) Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Collared Dove, 3 Buzzards circling overhead, Pied Wagtail, Pheasant, Grey Partridge, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Shoveler, Goosander, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Cormorant, unfortunately I didn't see any returning migrants but I'm sure I will on my next visit. Also saw Rabbits, Horses, Grey Squirrels and various farmyard animals. It's always good to see a bit of funghi as well, something I'm particularly interested in. The Shustoke Fly Fishers Pool was being restocked by 700 plus Trout from the River Exe and River Barle in Somerset supplied by Somerset company Exe Valley Fishery, talking to the manager of the Fly Fishing Pool he said they have a few weeks to acclimatize to the pool before the season starts in a few weeks when it reopens for the private members.

Babbs Mill Nature Reserve, Kingshurst / River Cole.

A walk today around Babbs Mill Nature Reserve in Kingshurst and then a walk along the River Cole in the warm weather. Bird species of note spotted today were a flock of 50 plus Redwing, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Jay, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Robin, Dunnock, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Teal, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Tufted Duck and Mute Swan. Whilst picking up the copius amounts of litter dropped in and along the River Cole by our friends the chavs, I had a couple of very close encounters with a Black Mink, they can certainly move fast ! I was checking out (from afar) the hole the Kingfisher had flown out of, so while I was there I thought I'd take some 'Sabsman' style photos up along the River Cole.

R.I.P. Lance Corporal Liam Tasker and Theo the dog.

The body of a Lance Corporal Liam Tasker who died along with his record breaking sniffer dog in Afghanistan last week has returned home to the UK today. The returning of the ashes of the 26-year-old's dog Theo broke protocol and were flown home on the same plane as L/Cpl Tasker. Liam, who was called a "rising star" by Army chiefs, was shot dead by Taliban snipers and 22 month old cross Springer Spaniel Theo died of a seizure shortly after his master. Working as a team, L/Cpl Tasker and Theo had found a record 14 hidden bombs and weapons caches in just five months, saving the lives of many British soldiers. May they and all the other soldiers dying in Tony Blair's war, Rest In Peace.

Pype Hayes Park/ Plantsbrook Nature Reserve.

A trip today to Pype Hayes Park and then onto Plantsbrook Nature Reserve. Bird species of note spotted were (a pair of) Treecreeper, Siskin, Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Reed Bunting, Wren, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Robin, Dunnock, Collared Dove, Pied Wagtail, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant and Tufted Duck. Also saw the obligatory Grey Squirrels and a big rat stealing the bird food that kind people (including myself) leave for our feathered friends.