Should have been at Pool Hall

sat 9th April 16            morning            mid section

sunny,     6-9°c,   1001 mb,  NW 5-SW 6 mph

 Ian and I seeing plenty of species with chiffchaff and blackcap numbers building nicely, but, a continuous text conversation with Gazz at Pool Hall  / Wightwick area involving tree pipit, 2 white wags and red kite put things in a different completion.

Sparrowhawk	1♂ over	Wolves Training Grd
Buzzard	2 over	Tettenhall Ridge
Moorhen	1	wetlands
Lesser Black Backed Gull	odds over	mid section
Kingfisher	1	Prefabs
Green Woodpecker	Calls	Tettenhall Ridge
Grey Wagtail	2	mid section
Pied Wagtail	1♂	Wetland Field
Blackbird	4 singing	mid section
Song Thrush	3 singing	mid section
Blackcap	6 singing	mid section
Chiffchaff	12 singing	mid section
Long Tailed Tit	2 pair	mid section
Coal Tit	1 singing	Station Paddock
Great Tit	song	mid section
Nuthatch	2 calling	mid section
Chaffinch	2 singing	mid section
Greenfinch	Calls	Top Roses
Goldfinch	2+	mid section
Bullfinch	2 pair	mid section

Thursday update

17th March 16                morning                mid section

mostly cloudy, sunny by 11:00,  5-9°c,  1033 mb, ESE 6,

The male grey wagtail was on the towpath by Meadow View bridge but no sign of the female there or on the Smestow. A green woodpecker calling, not from Tettenhall Ridge as is normal but from somewhere near the Tennis Club or Wolves training pitches.Still three little grebe including the bird below Compton Lock, all in or very near summer plumage. A female sparrowhawk checking out the Barleyfield and adjoining playing field and the kingfisher seen by the weir were good to have, and the male pied wagtail on the grass east of the Wetlands still in splendid plumage. Singing coal tit at Meadow View finished a day that started in dull, cold conditions, in warm sunshine.

Little Grebe	1 s/p below Com Lock,  1 s/p Meccano Br,  1 nr s/p Sq Club,
Sparrowhawk	1♀ low over	Barleyfield
Moorhen	1	Wetlands
Kingfisher	1	Prefab Weir
Green Woodpecker	calls	Tennis Courts
Grey Wagtail	1♂	Meadow View
Pied Wagtail	1♂	Wetland Field
Wren	11 singing	mid section
Dunnock	5 singing	mid section
Robin	13 singing	mid section
Song Thrush	1 singing	Barleyfield
Mistle Thrush	1 singing	Tennis Courts
Long Tailed Tit	2 pair	mid section
Coal Tit	1 singing	Meadow View
Great Tit	6 singing	mid section
Goldfinch	3+	2 Meadow View,  c Compton Rough,
Bullfinch	2	Barleyfield

Plenty resident bird song

13th March 16             morning                mid section

sunny & mild,  8-12°c,  1035 mb,  E 6-9 mph

  Looks like I will have to kick myself out of bed earlier now there's a dawn chorus starting to happen. At least three little grebe, one summer plumage, early morning heading north by Meadow View, another between Prefab weir and Meccano, seen from Compton Rough,  which we couldn't find fifteen minutes later on return from Compton Lock. Another two by the Squash Club ( 1 s/p + 1 partial s/p ) but can't be sure one of these wasn't a recount. A kingfisher near the grebes which eventually flew towards the Smestow in the Paddocks.

Little Grebe	1 s/p MV, (return) 1 N of weir,  2 ( 1 s/p + 1 p/s/p ) SqC,
Moorhen	1	Wetlands
Kingfisher	1	S&W Canal
Green Woodpecker	calls	Tettenhall Ridge
Great Spotted Woodpecker	1 drumming    Aspine Way area ( heard from canal )
Wren	11 + singing	min section
Dunnock	4+ singing	min section
Robin	10+ singing	min section
Song Thrush	3 singing	Barleyfield
Mistle Thrush	2	Compton Field
Goldcrest	pair	Top Birches
Long Tailed Tit	2 pair	min section
Great Tit	4+ singing	min section
Chaffinch	2 singing	min section
Greenfinch	3	min section
Bullfinch	1♀	Annex Barleyfield

Kingfisher and Ring neck Parakeet

23rd January 16          morning             mid section

hazy sunshine,  7-9°c,  1028 mb,  S 8-13 mph

  A kingfisher at the Prefabs was a first for the year and good to see it's still around. Met Ian at Compton Lock and continued to the Barleyfield where we had a great spotted woodpecker drumming in the Annex and a goldcrest in trees there also about ten redwing around the Wetland area. A chaffinch singing along Railway Walk past the Paddocks is very early along with several great tit and plenty of robins singing. A ring neck parakeet seen and heard flying south over Station Paddock and maybe the same bird later heard calling further north in Newbridge wood. Another great spot a male seen in trees at Double Pennant and a total of five little grebe including the two summery birds rounded off a decent mornings birding.

Little Grebe	5	S&W canal
Mute Swan	1 imm ♂	Meadow View
Ring Necked Parakeet	1 flew S over Station Paddock,  poss same calling Newbridge wood,
Kingfisher	1 flushed from Graiseley Brook Prefabs,
Great Spotted Woodpecker	1 drumming Barleyfield  Annex,   1♂ Double Pennant,
Robin	13 singing	mid section
Song Thrush	1 singing	Smestow Meadow
Redwing	c10	Wetlands
Goldcrest	1	1 exit Barleyfield Annex to railway,
Long Tailed Tit	c10	Smestow Aldersley Stadium
Coal Tit	2	Newbridge Wharf feeder
Great Tit	5 singing	mid section
Chaffinch	5 ( 1 singing )	mid section
Greenfinch	7+ 5	mid section
Bullfinch		mid section

Another mixed bag

3rd December 15           morning               mid section

O/cast v/mild,  11-13°c,  1018 mb,  SE 4-S 10 mph

 The kingfisher seen twice was probably the highlight today, it flew to a perch below Compton Lock before flying off and a little later I had it or another fishing on the Smestow brook, from the bridge at Prefabs, it eventually flew north. A sparrowhawk high to the south of Barleyfield mobbed by two crows and later ether the same or another was briefly seen over Tettenhall Ridge, flying north. Just three little grebe today, the usual summery bird south of Prefabs and the two standard winter plumaged birds one either side of Meadow View bridge.

Little Grebe	3	S&W canal
Sparrowhawk	1  S of Barleyfield mobbed by 2 crows,  later 1 over Tettenhall Ridge,
Moorhen	1 imm	Prefab Weir
Kingfisher	1	mid section
Great Spotted Woodpecker	1♀	Hanging Grds
Pied Wagtail	1	Wetlands Field
Robin	4 singing	mid section
Redwing	1 over	Wetlands
Long Tailed Tit	15	Barleyfield
Great Tit	1 singing	Graiseley Reedbed
Greenfinch	3	Top Roses
Bullfinch	2	mid section

All the water birds again

1st December 15       morning            mid section

mostly sunny, mild,  11-12°c,  1019 mb, SW 9-12 mph,

All the action was again on the canal, two winter plumage little grebe together by the Tennis Courts and the summery one by the weir at Prefabs, where  a grey wagtail flew from the weir over canal to Graiseley brook and the kingfisher was flushed by a walker on the towpath passing over the Graiseley brook. I was on the bridge over the Smestow when it emerged from Graiseley to Smestow brook and flew north. So all three water birds within a few metres. 

Little Grebe	2 w/p Tennis Club,  1 s/p Prefab weir,
Moorhen	1 calling  Wetlands,  1 imm Prefab weir,
Kingfisher	1 flew N	Prefabs Smestow
Grey Wagtail	1	Prefab Weir
Pied Wagtail	1	Wetlands Field
Wren	2 singing	Mid Section
Robin	4 singing	Mid Section
Great Tit	1 singing	Station Paddock
Chaffinch	1♀	Graiseley Cnr
Greenfinch	5	Top Roses
Bullfinch	2♂ 2♀	Graiseley Cnr

Are you ready for winter

20th November 15            morning               mid section

partly sunny,  6-7°c,   1008 mb,  SW 5-9 mph.

It was lovely and sunny today if a little chilly in the cold south west wind, but tomorrow the wind is switching to a more northerly direction and it will feel much,much colder. Later in the year ( jan/feb ) when we get a cold snap it often stirs up the bird population and brings us unusual species like goosander and other wild duck ( this is because our canal stays mostly unfrozen due to the warmish water pumped in from the sewage works up steam ).

Anyway back to today. The kingfisher was perched up 70m north of the bridge on the Smestow at Prefabs ( looked to have an all black bill but couldn't be 100% sure due to distance )( if so its a male ) it eventually flew north along the brook. Later seen again from the bridge over Smestow near Meccano flying south. Two little grebe between Compton Lock and the weir ( dark bird and the summery one ) also one near the Tennis Club, seen from Meadow View old bridge, I must have walked past it 10 minutes earlier ( what am I ).

Little Grebe	2 ( dark + s/p ) Prefabs,   1 Tennis Courts,
Moorhen	1 imm Prefab weir,   1 imm Tennis Courts,
Kingfisher	1♂ ? Prefabs  smestow brook flew N,  later 1 flying S along smestow at Smestow bridge, prob same bird,
Robin	1 singing	Graiseley Culvert
Song Thrush	3 ( 1 singing )	Barleyfield
Redwing	5+	Barleyfield

Anything about?  just another kingfisher

16th November 15              morning                  mid section

cloudy,  9-10°c,  1007 mb,  SW 9-10 mph

Same time, same place, same bird, Yes Meadow View Bridge, my first glance down the canal and a kingfisher flying towards me, it carried on under the bridge north to the moored boats and disappeared behind them. Same time, same place, same birds, Yes the same two little grebe by Meccano bridge, later the summer plumaged grebe was again just south of  the weir, that's where the similarities ended. Two nuthatch together in the Barleyfield Annex along with about 20 redwing and a few finches was the best of the rest. That is unless Angus knows better? I met him arriving as I was leaving.

Little Grebe	3	2 (dark) Meccano Br,  1 (s/p) Prefabs,
Moorhen	1 imm ♂	S&W Compton
Black Headed Gull	30	Compton Field
Kingfisher	1 flew N under Meadow View bridge,
Robin	1 singing	Compton Rough
Redwing	c20	Annex Barleyfield
Nuthatch	2	2 together Annex Barleyfield
Chaffinch	2♀	Annex Barleyfield
Greenfinch	few	Annex Barleyfield
Bullfinch	4♂ 1♀	mid section

Kingfisher,   Grey Wagtail,   Little Grebe

14th November 15           morning             mid section

o/cast,dull,  7-8°c,  1023mb,  SW 9-S 8 mph

Forecast rain held off long enough to get some birding done. I seemed to have flushed a kingfisher from just below the old bridge on Meadow View as I arrived on site, which flew off towards the brook in Station Paddock , also seen from here a little grebe to the north by the boats, probably the pale bird, two more seen by Meccano Br both darkish birds and another the now fast fading summer plumaged bird at the weir.  A grey wagtail on brook by Smestow Bridge makes a full pack of our water birds. 

Little Grebe	4	1 (s/p)+2 (dark w/p)+ 1 (pale poss 1cy)
Moorhen	3 imm	S&W Canal
Black Headed Gull	13	Compton Field
Kingfisher	1 flushed from below bridge-flew off twds Smestow Station Paddock,
Great Spotted Woodpecker	calls	Railway walk Annex Barleyfield
Grey Wagtail	1	Smestow Bridge
Wren	1 singing	The Paddock
Dunnock	1 singing	The Paddock
Robin	4 singing	mid section
Redwing	c25	mid section
Long Tailed Tit	calls	Meadow View
Coal Tit	2	Newbridge boats feeders
Nuthatch	2 calling	Newbridge Wood
Jackdaw	odds over	mid section
Chaffinch	c5	mid section
Greenfinch	c15	mid section
Bullfinch	calls	Barleyfield

Didn't see Ian but we seem to have had a similar day

3rd November 15            morning              mid section

O/cast & gloomy,  8-9°c,  1016mb,  SSE 5-S 2 mph

As Ian found, most of the action was up the top of Barleyfield. Redwing, more blackbirds than usual, more song thrush than usual, plus 9 greenfinch. Elsewhere I had 3 fleeting glimpses of the kingfisher on the Smestow off the Prefab bridge and the feeders by the boats at Newbridge wharf produced coal tit x3 plus more greenfinch and three bullfinch. Two little grebe off Meadow View early and probably the same two north of Meccano on the homeward journey. ( none of which was the summer plumage bird ). So if Ian had the s/p individual that's three today.

Little Grebe	2 ( 1 just N + 1 S ) Meadow View,  later same 2 Meccano Br,
Moorhen	5 imm	S&W Canal
Kingfisher	1	1 fleeting views Prefabs smestow,
Wren	1 singing	Compton Rough
Robin	10 singing	mid section
Blackbird	6\8	Annex Barleyfield
Song Thrush	4\6	Annex Barleyfield
Redwing	c20	Barleyfield
Coal Tit	3+	Newbride boats feeders
Chaffinch	1♂+	Newbride boats feeders
Greenfinch	15+	9 Top Roses,   few NBb feeder,
Bullfinch	2♂ 1♀	Newbride boats feeders

Fog fog fog then kingfisher kingfisher

1st November 15     morning            mid section

foggy, sun appearing 10:15 ish,  10-11°c, 1028mb, N 3-SE 2 

A late start due to fog was the right decision. Apart from a few robin's singing the first hour was a right off, Visibility down to 100m, birding visibility 30m.  Paddock and Barleyfield nothing seen or heard. The sun appeared as I reached Compton Lock and as if by magic a loud and continuous call alerted me to two kingfishers flying north past me towards Prefab weir where they disappeared. One of them was seen later on the Smestow. All three little grebe were together here and at the Prefab bridge a nuthatch and bullfinch in the bushes and two parties of canada geese flew over heading for West Park. A grey wagtail on the Smestow behind the station cafe rounded off an unusual day.

Little Grebe	3 ( 1 s/p + 1 dark w/p + 1 light w/p ) Prefabs,
Canada Goose	c50 ( in 2 groups ) flew NE over PF,
Kingfisher	2 flying N Compton Lock-Prefabs weir,  1 Prefabs  (Smestow)
Grey Wagtail	1	1 Smestow Station Paddock,
Robin	9 singing	mid section
Nuthatch	1	Prefabs
Bullfinch	1	Prefabs

What ever happened to the redwing flocks

19th October 15           early morning             mid section

dull & o/cast,  8-11°c,  1025mb,  N 4 mph

Under very similar weather conditions as the last few days, when good numbers of migrating thrushes have been piling through the country, this morning just 13 redwing flew east over the Barleyfield. Yesterday 169 were logged? There's no logic in birding.

Generally quiet again. Kingfisher,grey heron,nuthatch and the two usual little grebe the only species of interest.

Little Grebe	2	2 ( 1 s/p + 1 dark w/p ) MS centre,
Grey Heron	1 came in from E went down into Newbridge grds , later left W over Station Paddock,
Mallard	few	S&W Canal
Moorhen	2 imm	1 imm  Prefab weir,  1 imm just N Meccano Br,
Wood Pigeon	68	Compton Field
Kingfisher	1 flew from canal to Paddocks (Smestow), later same flew under Tettenhall Brs,
Wren	3 singing	mid section
Robin	12 singing	mid section
Redwing	13 > E over	Barleyfield
Nuthatch	calls	Station Paddock
Greenfinch	1+	Top Roses
Bullfinch	calls	Meccano Grds

A late start, but turned out fine

17th October 15          late morning            mid section

cloudy,  10-11°c,  1024mb,  NW 4-N 8 mph

You've heard of the early bird catches the worm, well the late birder didn't do too bad today. As expected it was generally quiet in the trees and bushes but the canal waterbirds saved the day. Good to get the dark winged kingfisher perched up reasonably close, enough to see the bill which looked all black, making it a male. So we have two individuals because I had a female in the same place not long ago. Still two little grebe again in the area of the MS centre and flying over the MS building, a grey wagtail calling.

Little Grebe                                         2 (1 s/p + 1 w/p )  MS centre

Buzzard	1 adult over	Barleyfield
Kingfisher	1 by tennis club flew twds Smestow at Paddocks,  later same around boats MS centre when seen to be ♂ dark bird,
Grey Wagtail	1	1 calling over MS centre,
Wren	2 singing	Wetlands
Robin	3 singing	mid section
Redwing	7	5 flying S along V,   2 over Top Roses Barleyfield,
Nuthatch	calls	Tennis Courts
Jay	1	Barleyfield

Redwings have arrived 

15th October 15          morning               mid section

o/cast & cold,   6-10°c,  1023mb,   N 6 mph,

After just five minutes on site a small flock of c25 redwing flew northwest over Meadow View. The first for this autumn in the valley ( as far as I know ). The bushes and trees were quiet again, so instead of spending time bush bashing the lower Barleyfield I made my way up top to view the sky ( birders call this  "vismig" or visible migration ) in only half an hour two redwing  flocks of around 60 each went over again heading northwest, also seven were found in the dogwood and roses and blackthorn of the southwest corner.

Two parakeets flew west over the Wetlands, Two mute swan entered the Barleyfield airspace from the north arched around just once and immediately returned back north ( what's wrong with Barleyfield ).  The kingfisher put in another of appearance, this time by the tennis club.

Little Grebe	1 N of Meadow View,  later  2 ( 1 s/p+1 wt) N of Meccano Br,
Mute Swan	2 looped over	Barleyfield
Canada Goose	c30 > NE over	Barleyfield
Ring Necked Parakeet	2 flew W over	Wetlands
Kingfisher	1 flushed Tennis Courts flew twds Smestow,
Wren	3 singing	mid section
Robin	10 singing	mid section
Redwing	c 150 over	mid section
Chiffchaff	calls	Wetlands
Jay	2	Shrike Bushes
Bullfinch	calls	Barleyfield

Meccano Gardens saw all the action today

12th October 15          morning               mid section

sunny,   4-11°c,   1021mb,   N 3-4 mph

A better day, with three quarters of the species seen today being at or near Meccano Grds. Chiffchaff and great spotted woodpecker the highlights but jay,goldfinch,chaffinch and bullfinch also. Two little grebe by the MS centre, a kingfisher ( dark one) below Compton Lock and another chiffchaff at the Wetland sallows.

A couple of late butterfly species in the warming sunshine rounded the day off.

Little Grebe	2	2 ( 1 s/p + 1 dark ) off  Meadow View
Buzzard	1 over	Prefabs
Moorhen	2 ad	Wetlands
Black Headed Gull	15	Compton Field
Kingfisher	1 (dark)	below Compton Lock
Great Spotted Woodpecker	1♀	Meccano Grds
Robin	15 singing	mid section
Chiffchaff	2	1 Meccano Grds,  1 Wetlands
Long Tailed Tit	10+	Meccano Grds
Jay	3	mid section
Chaffinch	5	Meccano Grds
Goldfinch	4	Meccano Grds
Bullfinch	5	Barleyfield
Red Admiral	1	Meadow View
Speckled Wood	1	Prefabs

Kingfisher the only highlight

11th October 15            morning                 mid section

mostly cloudy,  9-11°c,   1018mb,   ESE 7-E 9 mph

Met Ian at Meadow View just after I'd had a coal tit impersonating a yellow browed warbler. Nothing of real interest in overcast conditions until we came across a tit flock half way between Compton Lock and the weir. It was mostly long tail and blue tits with at least one coal tit and a poss goldcrest. Then all went quiet again until we found another flock around Meccano bridge containing a goldcrest, we went on the bridge for better views. After these had dispersed a kingfisher flashed by at tree top height. The sun was just appearing so a revisit to the Barleyfield was in order, but to no avail.

Black Headed Gull	60+	Compton Field
Lesser Black Backed Gull	odds over	mid section
Kingfisher	1 flashed N by Meccano Br at treetop height
Great Spotted Woodpecker	1	Graiseley Reed Bed
Wren	1 singing	Meadow View
Robin	song	mid section
Song Thrush	1	Station Paddock
Goldcrest	1	Meccano Br
Long Tailed Tit	few	Prefabs
Coal Tit	2	1 Meadow View,  1 Prefabs
Jay	2	Barleyfield
Bullfinch	calls	Barleyfield

A flock of parakeets and Barleyfield lifted

9th October 15          morning            mid section

sunny,  7-13°c,    1022mb,  S 1-6 mph

A cracking start with a kingfisher dashing south along the canal. The Paddocks were quiet, no chiffchaff today, but arriving at Meccano Br I heard the calls of a parakeet, it didn't take long to locate. As I watched it another appeared and after a while they both flew into back gardens of houses in Henwood Rd. Now I had one yesterday and we've been seeing one or two since January, so I wasn't surprised, but another flew to join them in the garden ( brill ) feeding together on sunflower heads and sitting on an ornamental arch. Imagine my surprise when two more flew in!! ( brilliant ) and then another !!!, making six ( double brill ), all performing on and around this arch, plus i'm sure I could still hear another calling above me. They must have bred somewhere near over the summer, possibly up on Tettenhall Ridge?

Contractors were collecting and lifting the grass cuttings off the Barleyfield this morning, so that's good news for our flower meadow next year.

Little Grebe	1 s/p	1 by boats MS centre,
Moorhen	1 imm	1 imm Prefab weir,
Ring Necked Parakeet	6+	6 Henwood Rd grd + 1 c Meccano Br,
Kingfisher	1	1 >> S along canal past SqC,
Grey Wagtail	1	Prefabs, Smestow
Wren	1 singing	The Paddock
Robin	22 singing	mid section
Long Tailed Tit	11	mid section
Coal Tit	1	The Paddock
Jay	1	Wetlands
Bullfinch	5 (2♂)	Hanging Grds

Steady as you go

3rd October 15            morning             mid section

low cloud,chilly,  7-8°c,   1017mb   SW 3-N 4 mph

A chiffchaff with the tit flock in the Paddocks was the only warbler of the day. Another kingfisher sighting again the same general area eventually flew north under the two Tettenhall Rd bridges and disappeared behind the moored boats at Newbridge boat yard. This was a female, it would be interesting to know the sex of the dark bird? The Barleyfield wasn't exactly jumping with birds but a steady stream gradually filled my notebook. Only one little grebe seen today and I saw it from Meadow View bridge, having just walked the towpath, I obviously missed it, Wonder how many more were hiding in the canal side vegetation.

Little Grebe	1	S&W Canal  near tennis club
Moorhen	2 imm	1 imm Prefab weir,  1 imm Meccano Br,
Stock Dove	4 >> SW over	Wetlands
Kingfisher	1	S&W Canal near Squash Club
Great Spotted Woodpecker	1 >> E over	Barleyfield
Wren	1	Compton Rough
Robin	20 singing	mid section
Song Thrush	2	Annex Barleyfield
Chiffchaff	1	The Paddock
Long Tailed Tit	c6	The Paddock
Nuthatch	calls	Tennis Courts
Jay	c4	Barleyfield
Goldfinch	9	Barleyfield
Bullfinch	2	mid section