Spring is in the (cold) air !!!

Saturday 2nd March 2013

Cold, but dry. High cloud, clearing. Light Northerlies
Mid - section - Compton to Newbridge, Barley field and Compton Park

I arrived on Compton Park, just after dawn, with the cold air, leading me to feel that not much would be about - too early to witness our Winter migrants leaving or any exciting Spring arrivals and the fact that my hands could already feel the cold gave little hope that any of the Wintering Blackcaps that Liz had seen at Newbridge, might be chuntering their weak practice song.

Still, it was dry and I have had little chance to enjoy the patch lately, with work commitments  so I was content to just take in the fresh morning air and unwind the cog, as so many visitors to the valley do.

18 Jackdaw flew into the park from the East, giving further confusion to the roosting habits of our corvids. Surely they should have come either from Peasley Wood or the North?

As I got to the new school construction site, I could hear a Canada Goose, but it was accompanied by a louder, more harsh and erratic call that breached the quiet of dawn. Sure enough a Greylag Goose came into view heading South-west over the park. A scattering of other Canada's followed, totalling 19, indicated that the Spring swelling in passing birds was due shortly.

As I allowed this thought, I became aware, as I got deeper into the park, that the air was in fact filled with Spring. We spend most of the year dropping our binoculars after looking at yet another Woodpigeon, and to me they remain the most obvious and potentially boring bird in the valley. Yet this was their time!!

As I got to the the Northern edge of the Barleyfield, whilst noting 30+ Magpies, leaving roost late, the air was filled with Woodpigeon song and display flights. Boring no more!!! This was accompanied by a chorus of Song Thrush and Robin, with occasional jazzy little bits added by Dunnock, Wren, and a distant Mistle Thrush. Who cares about the cold Northerlies!! - the place was bursting with Spring!!

By the time I got to Geoff's bench I had counted 6 Song Thrush in voice, as well as ticking off a pair of Bullfinch in the blackthorn, and a pair of Long-tailed Tits which indicated that the Winter feeding flocks were now disbanding to allow for romance and privacy among the valley's breeding birds.

At the top of the Barleyfield, a female Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling, as were a few Redwing as they rose up from roost and headed off to their Staffordshire feeding grounds. Green Woodpeckers could be heard laughing at each other from Henwood Road and Compton Park. 3 Bullfinch and 5 Chaffinch also flew in.

A brief skywatch produced c35 Starling, 25 Black-headed Gulls and 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, again heading South along the valley to feeding grounds beyond Wightwick. Bird song compelled me to abandon the sky and start off on my regular route around the patch.

When I got to Compton Lock I was able to witness natures version of Eastenders. Above the lock I spotted A summer-plumaged Little Grebe. It was a valued addition to my March list, as I understand these Winter visitor's to our canal can often disappear early to breeding grounds. Then there were 2 more splashes, and 3 birds momentarily were right next to each other, by the Globe Buddleia - 2 Summer-plumaged and one still mainly in dowdy Winter colours. I have watched this area for over 2 years, but I was about to be treated to my first fit of flying and calling Grebes.

It became obvious that the two brightly coloured birds were an item and that the other bird, apparently a male was about to be punished for getting a little too close to "gooseberry" status!! A typical Moorhen like fight ensued with splashing water and a range of trilling and "pinking". Eventually the poor gate-crasher, took his marching orders and solemnly headed off North along the canal at pace, his plain plumage emphasizing  his mood.

At Meccano Bridge, I stopped to check the Alders for the Treecreeper, that has been regular here, but instead located a male and female Siskin quietly feeding in the tops. Another pair of Long-tailed Tits were also nearby and three Dunnock were flitting backward and forward across the canal, giving another Albert Square moment as the two males sang at each other, the female probably laughing, as she watched, knowing that she might be entertaining both males this season. Nature has allowed hen Dunnock's promiscuity in order to get more help raising their young. A Goldcrest started it's tinkling song nearby.

Under the bridge and a quick scan revealed a beautiful female Green Woodpecker, feeding on the bank bordering the playing fields. Although she was aware of me across the canal, it looked like she would allow me time to rummage for the camera.

Female Green Woodpecker, distinguished by the fact she has no flash of red on her cheeks  I haven't made my first million yet so please double click on the image so that you can view and then enlarge the image!!! 

As if by reward for finding the surprisingly well camouflaged Woodpecker, I was treated to a close view of a Kingfisher as it darted North along the canal. 2 more Siskin also flew South overhead and a couple of Coal Tits, were nearby, with one singing it's little heart out, as was a Chaffinch.

At the Tennis club, I found the singing Mistle Thrush, in it's usual spot, high in the poplars adjacent to the academy. These are early songsters and breeders, and this individual has been holding territory for months now. Another Goldcrest flitted across the canal into the station paddocks.

At Newbridge, I had a brief shout across the canal with Liz, who informed me she has only had one male Blackcap in her garden recently and it was last seen a few days ago. The small House Sparrow colony were picked up nearby, along with a pair of Goldfinch and a passing Siskin. A lone Summer-plumaged Little Grebe was successfully fishing between the canal bridges.

The paddocks were quiet, though the air was filled with the voice of Song Thrush. A Buzzard passed slowly overhead and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was softly drumming from Henwood Ridge.

We are so lucky to have so many of these Song Thrush in our valley. They are under threat nationally, so it's great that you can stand anywhere between Newbridge and Compton and be able to hear these talented songsters in early Spring.

Back to the barleyfield, where I enjoyed conversation with the local dog-walkers that included positive feedback about this blog and helpful bird reports (another Wintering male Blackcap in a garden near Smestow School). A female Sparrowhawk circled overhead.

I left the patch, warm from the richness of not only our feathered population, but also the enthusiasm and interest shown by our local community. There really is hope for the future of Wolverhamton's wildlife.

Census data:

Mallard - 14 male/ 7 female
Moorhen - 19
Dunnock - 14 with 9 singing
Song Thrush - 9 with 7 singing

Total : 35 species