Smestow Valley and Beyond – almost there!

Today was the last chance before the end of the month to visit the southern part of my Foot It area. First stop, however, was West Park, where wildfowl numbers were slightly lower than recently, perhaps because of the thawing snow: 12 Shoveler, 360+ Canada and 11 Greylag Geese, two Pochard, ten Tufted Duck, 146 Mallard, 46 Coot and 15 Moorhen.

The walk along the Staffs & Worcs Canal produced little, though at Wightwick a flyover probable immature Peregrine was an overdue addition (species number 74). Angus appeared and we headed together towards Pool Hall, noting Lapwing, Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer along the way. Probably the same Peregrine flew over again, flushing 24 Skylark, c400 Starling, c300 Wood Pigeon and several Fieldfare feeding in a sheep field. 

As we neared Pool Hall, Angus suggested that we head instead to the top of a rise along the track towards Trescott to scan for partridges. We found no partridges, but what an inspired decision it turned out to be! In fact, we didn’t stop at the rise, but continued to Trescott expanding our area of search.

Angus said, “Peregrines often perch on these pylons”. I replied, “There’s one up there!” Within minutes Angus spotted a second bird on another pylon. Both adults and three birds in total having gone the month without seeing any. Along the nearby stretch of the Smestow Brook we saw two Teal and 12 Wigeon (species no. 75).

Rather than return to Pool Hall, we continued our search beyond Trescott, when a Barn Owl (species no. 76) suddenly appeared ahead of us, hunting over ground alongside Black Brook. Angus explained that Stonechats have wintered previously in an area of rough grassland and scrub along The Ridge, a prominent escarpment towards Pattingham, so onwards we continued.

As we scanned the fields below the ridge, a shooting party entered Rushy Marsh plantation. Mallards, Pheasants, Stock Doves and Wood Pigeons flew in all directions and Angus wondered whether a Woodcock might also fly out. Almost immediately one did (species no. 77)! Seconds later what was probably a second bird came over our heads and another flew low along a hedgerow straight towards us! A Hare also ran across the fields to escape the commotion.

Still riding the crest of our wave of good fortune, we started to head back, with the Barn Owl still hunting along field edges. As we approached Trescott, a Barn Owl shot out of tree just ahead of us – a second bird? Yes! The first was still hunting behind us. A probable Golden Plover called briefly in flight, but we could not pick it out – frustrating, as it would have been another new species.

Back at Trescott, four Snipe flew from a flooded field. We finally reached Pool Hall, where only 26 Coot and a pair of Mallard were present, Along the Staffs and Worcs Canal we saw single Dabchick and Kingfisher.

The final highlight came as we headed back towards Castlecroft. A couple of Magpies were alarm calling in an Oak tree alongside the track, but we put that down to approaching walkers. However, as we walked along, a Little Owl (species no. 78) flew from the tree and landed on a nearby fencepost. Angus returned to his car, but I walked home, though the volume of traffic through Wightwick, Compton and Newbridge thwarted efforts to hear any calling Tawny Owls.

After 11 hours and 24km (14.5 miles) today, I had noted 58 species, five new for my Foot It list, bringing me one short of my total. How different it would have been had I not bumped into Angus and he not suggested that we walk to the top of that rise and beyond!