Saturday, 30 April 2011
30 April 2011
Still stuck at work on early's at the mo, but Nick managed to get me down at teatime after he had seen a Grasshopper Warbler on the sewage works during his morning visit, sadly I had no joy and still this species eludes me at Westport!
Friday, 29 April 2011
28 April 2011
Just a quick overview of what we saw today, after Westport we rushed off to Horton, Tittesworth, Dane river and finally Hanchurch Wood, when I got home fell asleep til 8pm, so no time to do a full account as some of us are working this Wedding Day Bank holiday.
Starlings increasing with up to 10 feeding on the playing field, just 2 Greylag Geese remain on the boating lake, just 5 Blackcaps heard and seen this morning, 2 Great Crested Grebes were back on the boating lake with another 6 on the main lake, 5 Mute Swans remain on the boating lake with the resident male patrolling the main lake and his partner in the nature reserve, 3 Little Ringed Plovers on the grass bank and verge to the main lake with a couple of Pied Wagtails, just 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls seen going through this morning, 13 Tufted Duck on the main lake and the first Great Spotted Woodpecker I've heard for a while was calling from the wood at the back of the boating lake, just 5 Chiffchaffs this morning, a few Swallows went through but only in small numbers, highlight bird of the day was a single Waxwing flying over quite high trilling, this is the latest ever record for Westport I believe, but will probably be corrected on that, a Sedge Warbler was again singing from the top pool also here a pair of Willow Tits and at last my first Reed Warbler of the year at Westport (year tick number 92), a couple of Willow Warblers were on the old sewage works as were 5 Whitethroats and a Garden Warbler, lastly 2 Stock Doves on the old gas works, oh and as I was leaving a single Black-headed Gull came onto the main lake and Nick and George had a Swift quite low over the main lake, phew, off to bed work in the morning and all weekend, boo hoo!
Starlings increasing with up to 10 feeding on the playing field, just 2 Greylag Geese remain on the boating lake, just 5 Blackcaps heard and seen this morning, 2 Great Crested Grebes were back on the boating lake with another 6 on the main lake, 5 Mute Swans remain on the boating lake with the resident male patrolling the main lake and his partner in the nature reserve, 3 Little Ringed Plovers on the grass bank and verge to the main lake with a couple of Pied Wagtails, just 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls seen going through this morning, 13 Tufted Duck on the main lake and the first Great Spotted Woodpecker I've heard for a while was calling from the wood at the back of the boating lake, just 5 Chiffchaffs this morning, a few Swallows went through but only in small numbers, highlight bird of the day was a single Waxwing flying over quite high trilling, this is the latest ever record for Westport I believe, but will probably be corrected on that, a Sedge Warbler was again singing from the top pool also here a pair of Willow Tits and at last my first Reed Warbler of the year at Westport (year tick number 92), a couple of Willow Warblers were on the old sewage works as were 5 Whitethroats and a Garden Warbler, lastly 2 Stock Doves on the old gas works, oh and as I was leaving a single Black-headed Gull came onto the main lake and Nick and George had a Swift quite low over the main lake, phew, off to bed work in the morning and all weekend, boo hoo!
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
27 April 2011
After a late shift at work finishing at 3am I was defiantly not up to a early morning visit to Westport, as usual Nick was around and luckily I did miss too much, present this morning, a Gadwall on the main lake, Sedge Warbler again on the top pool and 4 Little Ringed Plover.
Later in the morning Jeff Jones had a Shelduck fly around the main lake briefly and as well as the Sedge Warbler on the top pool he also had his second Reed Warbler of the year there, one I'm still trying to catch up on.
Below are a series of photo's by Pete Lunt including yesterday's male Wheatear on the playing field and a few other various photo's, thanks Pete. There are a few other photo's as well which I've added to the slideshow at the beginning of the blog.
The Yellow Wagtail photo isn't from this year just in case a few of you regular Westporters are panicking that you've miss one this year!
Later in the morning Jeff Jones had a Shelduck fly around the main lake briefly and as well as the Sedge Warbler on the top pool he also had his second Reed Warbler of the year there, one I'm still trying to catch up on.
Below are a series of photo's by Pete Lunt including yesterday's male Wheatear on the playing field and a few other various photo's, thanks Pete. There are a few other photo's as well which I've added to the slideshow at the beginning of the blog.
The Yellow Wagtail photo isn't from this year just in case a few of you regular Westporters are panicking that you've miss one this year!
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
26 April 2011
A great morning round Westport, spent 4hrs covering just about every inch of the place with Nick, weather was light cloud to start with a bit of sun, the north east breeze got up a bit bringing heavy cloud which threatened a bit of rain, temp was 14c but felt cooler in the breeze, visit from 05.55 til 09.55.
As I entered the park 4 Starlings were feeding on the playing field, there probably feeding young at the moment as it's the only time we ever have Starling on the ground at Westport, at the side of the path the first of 8 Chiffchaffs was singing and the first of 8 Blackcaps as well, on the boating lake a adult Mute Swan was with a group of 4 1st years, these are probably the ones Nick had yesterday morning but are missing a 5th youngster, the resident male Mute Swan was guarding the main lake with his partner in the nature reserve, a couple of Swallows went through as did further several parties during the visit, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were on the main lake but there was nowhere near as much movement of the species as there was the other day, 3 Greylag Geese remain on the main lake which also held 17 Tufted Duck and 4 Great Crested Grebes, on the grass verge and bank 3 Little Ringed Plover were present and a couple of Pied Wagtails, we made our way around the 'Avenue' were the only addition was a Bullfinch with another on the old sewage works later, in the nature reserve a Treecreeper was present with another on the edge of the main lake, the old gas work held just 1 Stock Dove while on the old sewage works we had 2 Willow Warblers, 9 Whitethroats and a Garden Warbler which was in the same area as the one I'd had a few days earlier, also on here a Jackdaw and Mistle Thrush flew over.
As we had time to spare with Nick still on holiday and myself not due in work til this afternoon we decided to make our way along the nature reserve side of the main lake and down towards the visitor centre, it turned out to be a bit of a good decision, the first young Coots of the year were found along the edge of the lake with 6 in total being busily fed by there parents, over 30+ House Martins were going over the lake with smaller groups of Swallows and a single Grey Heron flew over south, while by the visitor centre and ribbing Pete Lunt about his trip out of the Staffs county to Cheshire Nick picked up a Swift among the House Martin flock, although a Swift was seen at Westport a few days ago by Jeff Jones this was a Westport year tick for us and a good way to end the visit, or so I thought, just as we were about to leave the park ranger came over asking what we'd seen and ever so casually told us he'd had a Wheatear on the playing field earlier and that it was still there, we left the ranger standing as we all rushed off to see if it was still present and as you can see below the male Wheatear was still there, news was put out and with in minutes several Westport regulars were enjoying this rare Westport visitor, plus another Westport lifer and year tick for me!
As I entered the park 4 Starlings were feeding on the playing field, there probably feeding young at the moment as it's the only time we ever have Starling on the ground at Westport, at the side of the path the first of 8 Chiffchaffs was singing and the first of 8 Blackcaps as well, on the boating lake a adult Mute Swan was with a group of 4 1st years, these are probably the ones Nick had yesterday morning but are missing a 5th youngster, the resident male Mute Swan was guarding the main lake with his partner in the nature reserve, a couple of Swallows went through as did further several parties during the visit, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were on the main lake but there was nowhere near as much movement of the species as there was the other day, 3 Greylag Geese remain on the main lake which also held 17 Tufted Duck and 4 Great Crested Grebes, on the grass verge and bank 3 Little Ringed Plover were present and a couple of Pied Wagtails, we made our way around the 'Avenue' were the only addition was a Bullfinch with another on the old sewage works later, in the nature reserve a Treecreeper was present with another on the edge of the main lake, the old gas work held just 1 Stock Dove while on the old sewage works we had 2 Willow Warblers, 9 Whitethroats and a Garden Warbler which was in the same area as the one I'd had a few days earlier, also on here a Jackdaw and Mistle Thrush flew over.
As we had time to spare with Nick still on holiday and myself not due in work til this afternoon we decided to make our way along the nature reserve side of the main lake and down towards the visitor centre, it turned out to be a bit of a good decision, the first young Coots of the year were found along the edge of the lake with 6 in total being busily fed by there parents, over 30+ House Martins were going over the lake with smaller groups of Swallows and a single Grey Heron flew over south, while by the visitor centre and ribbing Pete Lunt about his trip out of the Staffs county to Cheshire Nick picked up a Swift among the House Martin flock, although a Swift was seen at Westport a few days ago by Jeff Jones this was a Westport year tick for us and a good way to end the visit, or so I thought, just as we were about to leave the park ranger came over asking what we'd seen and ever so casually told us he'd had a Wheatear on the playing field earlier and that it was still there, we left the ranger standing as we all rushed off to see if it was still present and as you can see below the male Wheatear was still there, news was put out and with in minutes several Westport regulars were enjoying this rare Westport visitor, plus another Westport lifer and year tick for me!
Male Wheatear by Dave Kelsall (Thanks)
Sunday, 24 April 2011
24 April 2011
A very different day on the weather front, the winds have changed round to the north west and are slightly stronger, with this the temp has dropped to 12c, it was very cloudy with no sign of the sun today, visit from 05.55 til 09.10.
Swallows were going through in small parties today with probably over 20+ going through during the visit, along the canal the regular pair have returned to there breeding area of the old pottery buildings. On the boating lake a couple of Greylag Geese with another 2 on the main lake, a good count of 5 Little Ringed Plover were along the grass verge and grass bank, a few Mistle Thrushes were seen today with singles on the grass verge and canal side and a pair by the top entrance, on the main lake 8 Tufted Duck and 5 Great Crested Grebes, good numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gulls have gone through all morning, they've all gone from southeast to north west with over 40+ going through during the visit, a single Pied Wagtail was on the grass bank with another later on the old gas works, a single Starling was feeding near Ted Heath Rocks.
As I made my way towards the old sewage works to have another look for the Grasshopper Warbler a guy stopped me to sat a strange goose was on the lake, having a look I picked up what I was sure was a Egyptian Goose on the far side of the lake, I went to make my way around when it flew off heading north, and I was able to identify it as a definite Egyptian Goose, only the 2nd ever record for Westport Lake, I texted a few others including Nick who had only just returned from his hols in Cyprus, unfortunately for him he had just arrived at Westport slightly too late and had missed it, to say he was gutted wasn't the word, you could see it in his face.
We made our way onto the old sewage works, the 1st Chiffchaff of the visit was calling with 9 seen in total during the visit, a couple of Willow Warblers were on here and the 1st of 7 Blackcaps were seen, 7 Whitethroats were around the sewage works area and a single male Bullfinch but again there was no sign of the Grasshopper Warbler, we made our way back to the main lake, a Treecreeper was along the canal side of the main lake, Nick then picked up the Egyptian Goose near the boating ramp, it had returned, to say he was rather pleased was a understatement, I meanwhile was a bit gutted, another year tick on him had gone (only joking mate), I managed a couple of photos but as with yesterdays photos of the Snow Goose I've lost my lead attachment so can't download them at the mo, but hopefully I will have it sorted out soon, the male Mute Swan had just chased off another Swan and now turned it's attention too the Egyptian Goose chasing it off the lake it flew over to the boating lake, did a quick circular route around and then flew off southeast calling as it went. Yesterday I'd had a e-mail from Jeff Jones telling me of a Reed Warbler yesterday on the top pool, as it was a Westport year tick we headed up there too see if it was singing for us, no joy on the Reed Warbler but we did have a nice Sedge Warbler singing form the edge of the reed and trees, also in here was a Reed Bunting, on the old gas works 2 Stock Doves were present and lastly by the main lake just before I left a couple of House Martins went through with the Swallows.
A bit later in the morning and Jeff Jones had a Swift going through which is another year tick for Westport.
Late morning and Pete Lunt had the Sedge Warbler plus Little Ringed Plover and 2 Cormorants.
Swallows were going through in small parties today with probably over 20+ going through during the visit, along the canal the regular pair have returned to there breeding area of the old pottery buildings. On the boating lake a couple of Greylag Geese with another 2 on the main lake, a good count of 5 Little Ringed Plover were along the grass verge and grass bank, a few Mistle Thrushes were seen today with singles on the grass verge and canal side and a pair by the top entrance, on the main lake 8 Tufted Duck and 5 Great Crested Grebes, good numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gulls have gone through all morning, they've all gone from southeast to north west with over 40+ going through during the visit, a single Pied Wagtail was on the grass bank with another later on the old gas works, a single Starling was feeding near Ted Heath Rocks.
As I made my way towards the old sewage works to have another look for the Grasshopper Warbler a guy stopped me to sat a strange goose was on the lake, having a look I picked up what I was sure was a Egyptian Goose on the far side of the lake, I went to make my way around when it flew off heading north, and I was able to identify it as a definite Egyptian Goose, only the 2nd ever record for Westport Lake, I texted a few others including Nick who had only just returned from his hols in Cyprus, unfortunately for him he had just arrived at Westport slightly too late and had missed it, to say he was gutted wasn't the word, you could see it in his face.
We made our way onto the old sewage works, the 1st Chiffchaff of the visit was calling with 9 seen in total during the visit, a couple of Willow Warblers were on here and the 1st of 7 Blackcaps were seen, 7 Whitethroats were around the sewage works area and a single male Bullfinch but again there was no sign of the Grasshopper Warbler, we made our way back to the main lake, a Treecreeper was along the canal side of the main lake, Nick then picked up the Egyptian Goose near the boating ramp, it had returned, to say he was rather pleased was a understatement, I meanwhile was a bit gutted, another year tick on him had gone (only joking mate), I managed a couple of photos but as with yesterdays photos of the Snow Goose I've lost my lead attachment so can't download them at the mo, but hopefully I will have it sorted out soon, the male Mute Swan had just chased off another Swan and now turned it's attention too the Egyptian Goose chasing it off the lake it flew over to the boating lake, did a quick circular route around and then flew off southeast calling as it went. Yesterday I'd had a e-mail from Jeff Jones telling me of a Reed Warbler yesterday on the top pool, as it was a Westport year tick we headed up there too see if it was singing for us, no joy on the Reed Warbler but we did have a nice Sedge Warbler singing form the edge of the reed and trees, also in here was a Reed Bunting, on the old gas works 2 Stock Doves were present and lastly by the main lake just before I left a couple of House Martins went through with the Swallows.
A bit later in the morning and Jeff Jones had a Swift going through which is another year tick for Westport.
Late morning and Pete Lunt had the Sedge Warbler plus Little Ringed Plover and 2 Cormorants.
Saturday, 23 April 2011
23 April 2011
Another similar morning to yesterday weather wise, there was probably slightly more cloud cover but a lighter breeze, still southeasterly, temp was 16c rising to 21c by end of visit which was from 05.55 til 08.50.
As I entered the park again Blackcap and Chiffchaffs were singing, in all 8 Chiffchaffs were seen/heard and 9 Blackcap, although today I didn't go around the 'Avenue/Prices filed area so probably a few more of both species around, on the boating lake there are now 5 Greylag Geese as well as the usual Farmyard Greylag types, the male Mute Swan was on the two main lakes and later chased another Mute Swan off while the female remains in the nature reserve, on the grass verge 2 Little Ringed Plovers were present and 10 Tufted Ducks were on the main lake, just a single Starling on the ground today, I think I've seen more Waxwings at Westport than I have Starlings this year! Still no Great Crested Grebes on the boating lake but 4 are on the main lake, a couple of Mistle Thrushes were flying around probably busy feeding young somewhere, while along the grass bank I heard a unusual call overhead, looking up I noticed a Snow Goose, it flew around the main lake and the the boating lake before landing on here and then went onto the bank were it had a preen and wing stretch before being disturbed by a runner, it made its way along the edge of the lake were I managed a few photo's (to follow), I've no idea were it's come from, obviously not wild but a nice addition to the day anyway, I then made may way straight to the sewage works to try and find the Grasshopper Warbler from the last few days, sadly I couldn't hear anything to give me hope and made do with 7 Whitethroats on here and a couple of Willow Warblers, a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew over during the visit with probably around 10 birds going through, on the old gas works a Reed Bunting was calling from the side of Jeff's Pool, back on the main lake a couple of Black-headed Gulls went through, I had another look for the Snow Goose but it had moved on and along the canal a couple of Swallows were present.
Later in the morning Jeff Jones had the first Reed Warbler of the year on the top pool in the nature reserve. This also puts Westport on 100 species seen so far this year so I've got a bit of catching up to do with just 87!
As I entered the park again Blackcap and Chiffchaffs were singing, in all 8 Chiffchaffs were seen/heard and 9 Blackcap, although today I didn't go around the 'Avenue/Prices filed area so probably a few more of both species around, on the boating lake there are now 5 Greylag Geese as well as the usual Farmyard Greylag types, the male Mute Swan was on the two main lakes and later chased another Mute Swan off while the female remains in the nature reserve, on the grass verge 2 Little Ringed Plovers were present and 10 Tufted Ducks were on the main lake, just a single Starling on the ground today, I think I've seen more Waxwings at Westport than I have Starlings this year! Still no Great Crested Grebes on the boating lake but 4 are on the main lake, a couple of Mistle Thrushes were flying around probably busy feeding young somewhere, while along the grass bank I heard a unusual call overhead, looking up I noticed a Snow Goose, it flew around the main lake and the the boating lake before landing on here and then went onto the bank were it had a preen and wing stretch before being disturbed by a runner, it made its way along the edge of the lake were I managed a few photo's (to follow), I've no idea were it's come from, obviously not wild but a nice addition to the day anyway, I then made may way straight to the sewage works to try and find the Grasshopper Warbler from the last few days, sadly I couldn't hear anything to give me hope and made do with 7 Whitethroats on here and a couple of Willow Warblers, a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew over during the visit with probably around 10 birds going through, on the old gas works a Reed Bunting was calling from the side of Jeff's Pool, back on the main lake a couple of Black-headed Gulls went through, I had another look for the Snow Goose but it had moved on and along the canal a couple of Swallows were present.
Later in the morning Jeff Jones had the first Reed Warbler of the year on the top pool in the nature reserve. This also puts Westport on 100 species seen so far this year so I've got a bit of catching up to do with just 87!
Friday, 22 April 2011
22 April 2011
After 4 straight days at work and missing a Wood Warbler and Grasshopper Warbler at Westport it was good to get back down again this morning, the conditions were great with a south easterly breeze, just lacked a bit of rain to drop the birds in, it was clear skies and sun all morning, with the temp at 16c rising to 21c when I got home, visit from 05.55 - 09.20.
As I entered the park by the bottom entrance a couple of Blackcaps were singing from either side of the path, in total 9 were seen during the visit, on the boating lake 8 Goslings were being looked after by a Canada Goose and a White Goose! there was no sign of the pair of Great Crested Grebe or the single youngster on the boating lake so I assume they have failed, along the grass verge of the main lake 3 Little Ringed Plovers were present with 1 by the boating ramp and the other 2 at the opposite end, 2 Greylag Geese were on the boating ramp as was a single Starling with another 3 Starlings on the playing field and a single later flying over the old gas works, 18 Tufted Ducks were on the main lake with just 2 Great Crested Grebes, a couple of Mistle Thrushes flew over and a Common Sandpiper flew from the grass verge towards the nature reserve side of the main lake, just a single Pied Wagtail was seen on the grass bank, a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls went through in groups of 3, 1 and 2, the first Chiffchaff was heard near the 1st gate to the nature reserve with another 9 seen around the park with most being on the sewage works, a single Grey Heron flew over south, the pair of Mute Swans were on the top pool and a single Willow Tit was calling here, just 2 Willow Warblers were heard today with both being on the old sewage works were 6 Whitethroats were present, this is quite an increase with just one seen the other day and a Westport year tick for me (86), I met up with Phil Jones on here who just 10mins previously had been listening to a Grasshopper Warbler reeling, bad news for me as I still need it for my Westport list, we waited for a while but no joy, when Phil left I had a good scout around the area and still no joy, on the plus side I did find a Garden Warbler which was the first for the year and another Westport year tick out of the way (87), a Collared Dove was along the canal and another at the back of Prices field, a Lapwing also flew over the old sewage works and a Bullfinch was seen on here with another along the 'Avenue', lastly a couple of Black-headed Gulls were on the main lake as I made my way home.
It was good to see a lot of birders at Westport this morning, with some new faces, welcome and hope we see you down in the near future.
As I entered the park by the bottom entrance a couple of Blackcaps were singing from either side of the path, in total 9 were seen during the visit, on the boating lake 8 Goslings were being looked after by a Canada Goose and a White Goose! there was no sign of the pair of Great Crested Grebe or the single youngster on the boating lake so I assume they have failed, along the grass verge of the main lake 3 Little Ringed Plovers were present with 1 by the boating ramp and the other 2 at the opposite end, 2 Greylag Geese were on the boating ramp as was a single Starling with another 3 Starlings on the playing field and a single later flying over the old gas works, 18 Tufted Ducks were on the main lake with just 2 Great Crested Grebes, a couple of Mistle Thrushes flew over and a Common Sandpiper flew from the grass verge towards the nature reserve side of the main lake, just a single Pied Wagtail was seen on the grass bank, a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls went through in groups of 3, 1 and 2, the first Chiffchaff was heard near the 1st gate to the nature reserve with another 9 seen around the park with most being on the sewage works, a single Grey Heron flew over south, the pair of Mute Swans were on the top pool and a single Willow Tit was calling here, just 2 Willow Warblers were heard today with both being on the old sewage works were 6 Whitethroats were present, this is quite an increase with just one seen the other day and a Westport year tick for me (86), I met up with Phil Jones on here who just 10mins previously had been listening to a Grasshopper Warbler reeling, bad news for me as I still need it for my Westport list, we waited for a while but no joy, when Phil left I had a good scout around the area and still no joy, on the plus side I did find a Garden Warbler which was the first for the year and another Westport year tick out of the way (87), a Collared Dove was along the canal and another at the back of Prices field, a Lapwing also flew over the old sewage works and a Bullfinch was seen on here with another along the 'Avenue', lastly a couple of Black-headed Gulls were on the main lake as I made my way home.
It was good to see a lot of birders at Westport this morning, with some new faces, welcome and hope we see you down in the near future.
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