Highlights Sat 6th and Sun 7th April 2013

Virtually non-existent winds meant that sky-watches were limp to say the least, although a Greylag Goose and 7 Meadow Pipit did pass over the Barleyfield on Saturday. This meant I could commit more time to the patch itself.

A male Pheasant was at the Barleyfield all week-end, favouring the Eastern border and the wood at the NE end. At one stage a Red Fox was sat by the lower Alders, apparently unaware that the Pheasant was feeding on the opposite side of the scrub in the middle of the field!!!

2 singing Chiffchaff were on the western border on Saturday, with presumably the same non-singer scrubbing around, low at Prefab Weir and later North of Meccano Bridge. On Sunday an enthusiastic songster was around the Barleyfield annex and adjacent railway walk, with possibly a different individual singing in dribbs and drabs at Graisley Culvert.

Meccano Bridge Produced again on Saturday. My first Redpoll of the year headed NW over the bridge (one flew out the Lower Alders on Sunday). As I lowered my binoculars from following it, a WOODCOCK flew low South over the bridge. It dropped then turned in front of me and rose over the alders South of the bridge, before appearing to drop in the area of Graisley Culvert. a scouring of the area failed to relocate the bird. The Treecreeper was later found again just North of Meccano.

Collared Doves are now scarce on the mid-section, so it was pleasing to see one albeit heading West quite high, from the top of the Barleyfield. Liz has a pair visit her garden by the canal at Newbridge, but these come from the East and can be seen on the houses by the main entrance to the Tennis Club on Newbridge Crescent.

On the afternoon I went for a game of  football with my son. I showed him the new Compton Park Wetlands and was surprised to see two pairs of Grey Wagtails flitting around the Pool. at one point all four were on the footbridge railings, before continuing their mad chasing games. It was good to see so many species using the water's edge to drink and feed, including Goldfinch, a male Pied wagtail and three Stock Dove.

Sunday was quieter. A Fieldfare passed North over compton Park, where 5+ Redwing were feeding. A late Siskin was in the big garden Willow at Newbridge by the canal. Nuthatches were singing at Waterdale by Compton Park and also at The Tennis Club. A single Little Grebe was below Compton Lock.