December 26th -30th 2010

December 30th 2010
Took another trip over to Kingsbury this morning but didn't even stop the car as the fog was that thick on Bodymoor Heath Rd,however this afternoon it seemed to have lifted quite a lot!! but not at Kingsbury where the birds had departed,no sign of the Bewick's so i dropped in at Coton where Archie Archer had them flying in several mins before,a few quick record shots & the birds were off again (no doubt back to the grazing fields!!)

Bewick's Swan





December 29th 2010
A txt from Tom Perrins alerting me to the news of 55 White-fronted Geese & 1 Pink-footed Goose in with the mixed flock of Canada & Greylag Geese at Kingsbury on the 28th had me leaving it till the nxt morning due to the thick fog,not much better but 2 good Warks birds & popular judging by the amount of birders coming & going!! spent an hour along the River Anker in the afternoon picking up Kingfisher & a fine drake Smew near Mancetter!!

White-fronted Goose




December 26th 2010
Still 9 birds on Thorntons way feeding on Rowan trees & fallen berries on the floor by late afternoon upto 50 birds were being reported!!!

Waxwing (Thorntons Way 26/12/10)

Christmas Day 2010

Travelled over to Hillmorton,Warks for the 18 Waxwings by the A428 on Xmas eve but the birds were difficult as the road was so busy but a nice sight!! Yet again out with the dog Xmas morning to find at least 6 birds 5mins from the house on Thorntons Way (A nice start to Xmas day)

Waxwing (Hillmorton,Warks 24/12/10)

December 22nd 2010

A quick visit over to Kingsbury today for the 8 Bewick's Swans present with Mutes opposite the water park,8 birds present(4ad,4juvs)but the birds are spread out & distant.

Bewick's Swans (with Mutes)

December 19th & 20th 2010

A quick check of Vale View produced at least 15+ Waxwings perched up in the trees behind the flats but by the time i'd gone back to the car & phoned around locally the birds had yet again dispersed!! a quick check this morning produced nothing so headed back home & spent an hour on my carpark photographing Treecreeper from the comfort of the car!!
Common Treecreeper

December 17th 2010

Well lightning does strike twice! this morning whilst walking the pooch i heard the distinctive trilling of Waxwings but no sign so carried on,after the pooch had his walk i decided to go & have a look around & sure enough found 8 birds perched up by the Community centre on Kingswood Rd,by now the snow was really coming dwn so yet again no pics (but they were there honest!!)Anyway a cpl of hrs later Bob Duckhouse had ventured onto my patch & we spent 1/2 hr searching(Nothing)after a quick cuppa Bob decided to head off,within 10mins he was phoning me to say he'd got several opposite the Cherry Tree pub (Whittleford park) so a quick dash up there & sure enough 5 birds present but very flighty (cpl of pics above & several below whilst waiting)
Redwing

December 16th 2010

Well thats just typical,I'd held off travelling outside of Warks for Waxwing then last Sunday headed down to Alcester (near the border)where i had great views & some nice photos also a Year tick!! Then i walk down to my local shop this afternoon (less than 30 secs away & have 3 birds perched up)Only about the 4th time ive had them in my home town & 2nd time on the Rd where i live!! No photos as i'd only popped out for a paper but a cpl above from last Sunday

December 12th 2010

Finally caught up with Waxwings today in Warwickshire,i was determined not to travel out of Warks for them & the chance of some in the southern part of the county (87mile rnd journey!! even though theyve been a lot closer but in diff counties!!)got me on the move to Alcester,in the 3hrs i was present the birds built up from just single No's to about 28 birds,always a delight to see & good to catch up with a cpl of familiar faces (Pete Walkden & Vince Garvey)
Waxwing

December 9th 2010

Had another brief visit to Draycote Water for another go at the 1st Winter Sanderling as the light yesterday was burning out the colours slightly so with it a little more overcast was hoping for better!! The bird performed well but the biting wind son had me heading back to the car,where i spent 1/2hr watching the Redwings at close quarters!!
Redwing


Sanderling

December 8th 2010

A call from Steve Seal (tellin me to get me arse in gear & get out & do some photography 'again'this morning had the desired effect!! 1/2hr later i was at Draycote Water (this time bathed in warm winter sunshine (well sun anyway still -2) as soon as i pulled up the Redwings were showing so used the car as a hide (well chuffed with the results!)after an hr or so i got out to be met by Kev Groocock we walked to the valve tower & back enjoying cracking views of Sanderling & Dunlin & good views of the drake Smew!!

Sanderling


Dunlin


Redwing

December 7th 2010

(Star of the day 'Grey Tree Rat') yeah yeah i know it's a Squirrel!!


Willow Tit




Jay




Nuthatch


Had a day out with me old buddy Steve Seal today (Old by i mean long time friend!!)-8 when i set out & stayed about -3 all day but a superb day indeed & the time flew by!! a cracking area Knypersley Reservoir,Staffs & well worth a visit or 2!!