29 May 2011

Well that's it, a whole week off work, visited everyday and missed the only year tick of the week in the 4 Arctic Terns that went through the other day!!

This morning was a rather dull almost dark start to the morning with heavy cloud, a strong SW breeze was blowing and despite all the cloud only a slight shower went through late on in the visit, temp was 14c, visit from 05.50 til 08.40.

Again 5 Greylag Geese were among the Canada Geese on the playing field, just 5 Tufted Ducks seen today with 2 on the boating lake and 3 on the main lake, a single Little Ringed Plover was along the old beach area, small groups of Lesser Black-backed Gulls were going through, mainly in groups of 6, 5 and 7's, along the front of the main lake 4 Pied Wagtails of which 3 were youngsters, just 4 Great Crested Grebes were on the main lake, Swifts built up slowly during the visit with around 50+ present as I left, the same numbers applied to House Martins with which 2 Sand Martins were present, a single Black-headed Gull flew over, 6 Chiffchaffs were around the park today and 5 Blackcaps, 2 parties of young Willow Tits were seen with groups of 3 and 4, the resident pair of Mute Swans were in the nature reserve, at least 2 Reed Warblers were heard on the top pool and a single Bullfinch was here, on the sewage works, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroats and 1 Garden Warbler, back by the visitor centre, a Kestrel was seen over the top of the main lake, 2 Collared Doves flew across and a Sparrowhawk was over the centre.

Thats about it for me for the next four days as I'm back at work on early's from tomorrow!

All of a sudden this afternoon my mobile goes nuts with calls and text messages of a Lesser Yellowlegs at Uttoxeter Quarry, found by patch worker Andy Barker, Phil was the first call I received and within 10 mins we were on our way, although distant good views were obtained of a Staffs first for me and I think the 3rd ever Staffs record, also present a Sanderling, plus Ringed Plovers, Little Ringed Plovers, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, Goosander and Yellow Wagtail. Below is the best I could manage but at least it's a record shot.