Beyond the rising flies, a graceful

grey visitor journeys onwards . . . 

Dunstall Park


Wednesday 29th May 2013, calm, cool, overcast, rain later.

The duller the day, sometimes the brighter the bird, and so it proved as 20-plus House Martin and at least three Barn Swallow hawked at the northern end of the racecourse, presumably following flies emerging from the grass, the damp conditions keeping the insects and birds low, the flocks moving back and forward just above ground level as they fed.  Behind them an indistinct shape, moving at treetop level along the Staffs & Worcs Canal  towards Aldersley junction, small-gull jizz and colour, but wing beats and wing shape wrong, so adjust the bins, and sure enough our first Common Tern for the year is clearly in focus, now altering direction and flip-flopping its way up the Birmingham Canal 21 locks towards the city, grey and white, graceful and lightweight, eventually disappearing beyond the railway viaduct and the Stafford Road.  Always a sight to lift the spirits, the species is an annual but infrequent visitor locally in mid and late summer, sometimes joining flocks of returning Black-headed Gulls on Dunstall Park or following the line of the canal to and from Pool Hall lakes just south of the Smestow Valley.  This one appeared to have a food item hanging from its bill, suggesting it may have been fishing at Pool Hall, along the canal or even at the racecourse lake (in June 2004 a pair stayed for at least three days at the lake, one presenting small fish to its mate and helping Lapwings drive Grey Herons away from the island).  Nesting has been recorded at Belvide Reservoir near Brewood and at Sheepwash Urban Park near Tipton, and with migrating birds late this year, this one may have been following the line of the Birmingham Canal to the latter site.  Whatever its destination, it's given a lift to this topsy-turvy season.  So, on to the lake itself, where Canada Goose youngsters now number 14, two pairs of Coot are feeding a total of seven chicks (at least two other pairs are still sitting), a female Grey Wagtail is picking her way along the shoreline, two Sand Martin are hawking low with at least two Swift and a small number of House Martin,  and our lone Lapwing continues its island vigil (no sign of a male Green Woodpecker which the previous Sunday (May 26th) had called loudly from lakeside bushes before dropping down to feed along the grass margins of the concrete apron below the open culvert of the Smestow brook).

(NB.  Dunstall Park is a commercial restricted site.  Access is strictly controlled.)

PS.   Geoff has asked me to tell you that he heard a Common Cuckoo (sadly now a bird infrequently recorded here and in many other parts of the UK) last Sunday morning (May 26th)  from the Compton barleyfield as it called from somewhere along Tettenhall ridge.  Problems with a broadband connection while he moved house means he's been "off-screen" for more than a week.  If his internet provider gets its act together, he'll be back soon . . .               

.       




      

Loneliness of the long-wait Lapwing

Dunstall Park

Wednesday 22nd May 2013, cold northerly wind, dull.

It's bitter for the time of year, and the dearth of birds at the racecourse lake is a true reflection of one of the coldest springs ever recorded.  Some species are now sadly marked only by their absence:  the Mute Swan pair have left, the long-staying Gadwall are gone, and the Little Grebe pair have provided neither sight nor sound for around 10 days.  If they're nesting they're keeping their heads down, but I rather think they've quit the site.  Two of three Coot chicks are still being fed by adults, Canada Goose goslings number ten in total (three broods have now hatched), but there's no sign of any Mallard youngsters.  All in all a sorry state of affairs . . . but then a familiar shape on the island shows that hope can spring eternal.  A single Northern Lapwing stands bravely against the wind, half-sheltered by low vegetation, in a spring vigil that its species has kept here for the last ten years.  Lapwings first appeared at the lake only months after its creation late in 1993, and wintering flocks have visited the site annually ever since.  Numbers have fluctuated, but totals of c.500 and c.600 were noted in February of 2000 and 2002, and display flying in April and May was seen as early as 1998.  It seemed only a matter of time before breeding was attempted, and sure enough in 2002 two pairs nested, with one set of youngsters successfully fledging.  Since then at least one pair has bred annually, but success has eluded them since 2007.  Even so, birds have still turned up in late March and early April, waiting for a mate to appear, so although very late, this one is at least keeping the breeding tradition going.  Perhaps the same bird appeared briefly last month at the lake in one of the few warm breaks in the weather, but with June now fast approaching,  hopes of it pairing and nesting are fading fast. The racecourse operators always keep a 20-metre strip unmown near the lake to encourage the birds to nest, so it's fingers crossed all round.  At least ten House Martin are hawking over the lake, harsh calls from treetops at the canalside oak copse on the western edge of the site suggest young Rooks are being fed at their nests, and to the north a single Common Buzzard hovers Kestrel-like against the wind as it scans the grass slopes by the railway carriageworks for anything that moves.  With things the way they are, I wish it luck . . .           

NB.  Dunstall Park is a restricted commercial site.  Access is strictly controlled.




  

Lovely warm SUNSHINE  does it again

sun 19 May 2013            early morning        07:00  -  09:30

mid section     Tettenhall Rd  -- Compton Rd

A pleasant walk in warm sunshine was enjoyed by both birds and me. Plenty of song for a change,nothing unusual species wise, just nice. A Garden Warbler the only scarcity. This species is now an annual event on the Barleyfield, a male usually sings for 3 - 4 weeks in May from the upper western border, fails to attract a mate and then disappears. Fingers crossed this could be the year he strikes lucky.

the counts.  singing birds in ( brackets )

in order of appearance

Blackbird          (5)

Blackcap           11 (10)

Chiffchaff          6 (5)

Song Thrush     (5)

Chaffinch          (1)   unusually low count 

Long tail Tit      5+

Stock Dove       1

Willow Warbler 2 (1)

Jay                    1

Garden Warbler (1)  also seen and heard same place on my last visit ( thur 16th )

Mallard            6     ¾ grown youngsters ( again no sign of mom )
Whitethroat     0    the only exception ( they normally love the warm sunshine )

 

Never mind the weather, the Canadas
(and their offspring) are together . . . 

Dunstall Park

Friday 17th May 2013, dull, cool, easterly wind, 10.00 to 11.30am.

Is this still spring, or are we now in summer?  Hard to say in this strange year of confused seasons, the soft new green covering the trees tells us one thing, the relative quiet along the valley, the lack of  bird song, the cold conditions and the comparative absence of migrant species suggests another.  Anyway, down at Dunstall Park lake one species has carried on regardless through those long weeks of cold easterlies and high pressure silences, our old friends (not everyone would use that word) the Canada Geese have sat through it all, patient on their down-lined nests around the shoreline and on the island, and their fortitude has been rewarded . . . the goslings are here.  One pair of adults has two in tow, another pair has five.  Cream-yellow, cute, the youngsters follow their parents up the banks to graze inside the perimeter fence, their heads bobbing above the grass.  It's hard to believe that these engaging feathered toys will grow into the intrusive, noisy and quarrelsome birds that are now an often unwelcome feature at town park lakes, estuary margins, gravel pits and rural nature reserves across the UK.  As more broods hatch, the youngsters will graze together in creche groups, foraging on the open grass in the centre of the racecourse shepherded by their parents and non-breeding adults.  Not all will fledge, some will fall prey to foxes, but in most years the majority will fly, eventually helping to form the impressive skeins of this feral species which honk their way over the valley to and from their late-summer and autumn feeding grounds.  It's not just the geese that have done the nesting thing at Dunstall.  Up-ending amid the spiked aquatic grass are a pair of Eurasian Coot, industrious and attentive, never further than a metre or so from their offspring, three spikey ginger-red headed chicks totally reliant on their parents for sustenance, finding safety amidst the vegetation.  Another three adult pairs are still sitting on eggs, so the numbers of youngsters on the lake should soon increase.  Ever present in the last few weeks have been adult and immature Lesser Black-backed Gulls, flying low over the water or perched on the floodlight pylons, a constant threat to Mallard youngsters.  A fortnight ago there were at least 17 small ducklings, now no more than two are to be seen, still watched by their mother as they feed amongst the spiked grass around the lake edges.  It seems that the gulls, which now breed within the city boundaries, know they're on to a meal ticket, and the ducklings have been their target.  It's better news near the grandstand, where at least two pairs of Barn Swallow are collecting nest material from the exercise ring and carrying it to the open stables where thay have nested for the last six years.  A last look towards the tractor sheds, and a small white-rumped bird flies up from the mown grass to perch on the roof, a male Northern Wheatear, the first of the species to be recorded here this year.  The species is an annual migrant visitor to the racecourse, and in this lean year, it's the first record for the site.  In 1992 a total of 69 birds were reported here on passage, and in 2004 the valley total for spring migrants was at least 78 birds ( 31 were seen at Dunstall Park on April 17th, a day which saw a total of 35 recorded along the valley, equalling the most seen at one time at any West Midland site up until that date).  This year?  Well one bird, I guess, is better than none . . .

                         

(NB.  Dunstall Park is a commercial restricted site.  Access is strictly controlled.)


              
          

 

It's a car boot salute as the grey arrow
from Africa drops in on our valley . . . 

Aldersley/Oxley

Tuesday 14th May, westerly breeze, broken cloud, sunny spells, rain later,  09.30 to 10.15.

We're halfway through May, and the northern end of the valley's all but silent when it should still be bathed in birdsong.  Residents such as Greenfinch,  Song Thrush, Goldfinch, Robin, Wren and others are doing their best, but for migrants it's been the quietest spring locally in nearly a quarter of a century.  Whitethroat numbers are way down on recent years, and the few singing Chiffchaff and Blackcap present are are quietening now as pairs begin to nest.  On the same date in 2007 no less than eight different kinds of warbler were heard singing here and on the edges of Dunstall Park just across the canal.  So far this year only half that number of species have been recorded, other migrants including wagtails, chats and thrushes have not shown, and the Smestow Valley's  "rarities fortnight" at the end of April and beginning of May was a non-event.  This sad state of affairs could be down to a combination of a calamitous breeding summer last year and adverse weather affecting migration this spring, and some experts are now forecasting a 50 per cent drop in bird numbers across the UK in 2013.  Whatever the reason, it means visits to places like Aldersley/Oxley with ideal warbler habitats have been made in hope rather than expectation.  So, after half an hour's looking and listening across the sloped grass, it's a reluctant retreat along the Birmingham Canal towpath up towards the Stafford Road and under the blue-brick arches.  Cross over, fleece off, lift the car boot, when for some reason I look up, and over Jones Road and The Downs there's an unmistakable shape against the sky, sharp-winged, lightweight and angular, holding against the breeze, floating lower and hanging before gently settling on a metal rail running along the edge of the railway viaduct parapet.  The small head turns to look downward, white-cheeked with a smudged black moustache, slate-grey backed, yellow-legged and sharp-eyed, its short tail shifting and reddish undertail feathers ruffled as it balances against the updraught, our first Eurasian Hobby for the year.  The jizz is "small Peregrine", but without the menace, without the muscular power, almost gentle by comparison, but arrow sharp, incredibly quick, a bird that can catch a Swift on the wing.  Within a minute or so a resident Crow takes an interest in the visitor, which drops off the parapet and accelerates away to disappear over the racecourse.  Early May is a good date locally to catch this migratory falcon on its return from southern Africa, and this bird may well have been on its way to a breeding site elsewhere in the West Midlands or further north.  Hirundine nest sites along the edge of the Wolverhampton conurbation attract hunting birds during mid and late summer, and they have been seen regularly in recent years checking out the House Martin colony on the Farndale housing estate next to Dunstall Park (I recall watching one on a late-summer afternoon some years ago hawking in a flying-ant swarm over Wightwick canal lock, flashing and twisting amidst a flock of Black-headed Gulls before powering away towards the city).  Yesterday was only the second time I had seen one actually perched in the valley.  Suddenly, a dull day seemed brighter.           

   


                             

Unsettled weather but birds settling down

fri 10 May 2013            early morning         light  drizzle

mid section 

With good weather for birders ( unsettled and showery ) if not for the birds ( poor things ) I was expecting some minor rarity this week. I was sadly disappointed,just the usual fare. Things will settle down now as resident and migrant birds are busy nest building,sitting on eggs or feeding young.

Mallard                          6 young near Tettenhall Bridge, unusually moms been missing since at least 30th April.

Buzzard                        Probably one of the resident pair over Compton Field.

Swift                             The odd one over.

Swallow                        1 over Barleyfield.

Herring Gull                The odd one over ( usually a near adult ).

Stock Dove                  2 around the new Wetland area.

Starling                        Small numbers gathering food on Compton Field to take back for youngsters.

Singing birds included:   wren,dunnock,robin,song thrush,blackbird,whitethroat,blackcap,chiffchaff,willow warbler,goldcrest,blue tit,great tit,greenfinch and chaffinch.

And finally a brown staffordshire bull terrier which was first seen by a dog walker on sun 28th April on Barleyfield is still roaming free. I have seen it 3 times,including this morning,always near the trees in the NE corner.

migrant update

These are sightings from the last 9 days 30 april to today
SWIFT
My first was on Sunday 5th single bird flew north into valley from Pool Hall a second bird ,or maybe 1st doubling back was over the pool 10 mins later.  Two birds were over the station at Tettenhall early on Tues 7th and 2 more over Oxley today.
WHEATEAR
10 were on the cattle field between pool hall and Perton mill farm on 30th April.
YELLOW WAGTAIL
3 (2F&1M) were with the wheatear on 30th
LESSER WHITETHROAT
A bird briefly perched on phone wire just to west pool hall and halfway to road on 30th Apr.
A bird flew across paddock on 2nd May.
WILLOW WARBLER
3 singing birds on30 April 1 NW corner Barleyfield and 2 just north of meccano.  Cross referencing with jeff confirmed different birds. Conspicuously absent since.
CHIFFCHAFF
6 birds contact calling and being very active at north end in morning then 3 singing same spot early afternoon. 3 singing birds paddocks today.
COMMON WHITETHROAT.
the odd bird each visit including one In a garden at the Chase on 3rd and the orchard 1st.
GARDEN WARBLER
Singing bird also seen 50 yds south of the fishing pool at pool hall on 30 Apr.  Another singing bird seen in paddock on 2nd May, both birds attracting attention from male Blackcaps.
Other notable sighting was Little Owl with the pair of Yellowhammers at Castle Croft bridge looking east on 5th may

A "Swift" Walk Home Produces Late Arriving migrants!!

Monday 6th May -  Early evening Farndale to Compton Park

A beautiful sunny Bank Holiday prompted me to walk along the valley after work.

I rarely visit the area of the valley between Lock 16 on the Birmingham Canal and The Lupin Field, so I was pleasantly surprised to see good numbers of House Sparrows among the canal side hedges.

On the Farndale Estate, it looked like around 20 House Martins were busy around nest sites.

Goldfinches were singing at Locks 16,17 and 18 and at the Lupin Field, 3 Common Whitethroat, were noted, apparently in separate territories.

2 Blackcap were singing near Lock 20, with a pair of Greenfinch and a vocal Song Thrush nearby.

Rooks were on 2 nests in the NW corner of Dunstall Park (Private land), and on all 4 near Dunstall Water Bridge. A Chiffchaff was singing and presumably it's mate calling nearby.

The Moorhen was still sitting on the nest platform at The Wildside Activity Centre, and at Hordern Road Bridge an adult was with 2 small chicks on the canal.

At Newbridge Wood the Great Spotted Woodpecker was still drumming and calling along with a singing Chiffchaff.

I hadn't eaten so I grabbed a some Fish & Chips and went up to Geoff's bench at the top of the Barleyfield to scoff them, doing a half-hearted skywatch as I filled my belly!!!

At about 8pm, they arrived. The balmy weather seemed to have made them lazier than usual on passage.
At first they headed straight up the valley from the SW, but then they started climbing and circling, with occasional banking and dives: Swifts, 2 of them. They continued to circle and dive, working their way slowly up the valley till they were out of sight with the naked eye.

I finished my meal, happy that though late, these amazing masters of speed were back. I headed up onto Compton Park and as I got up onto the top pitches, I looked up towards the traditional Swift nesting area at Newbridge. To my Surprise, there were now three birds, tracking backwards and forwards, quite high, between. These were certainly behaving as local birds and may possibly have explained the leisurely behavior of the two birds I had seen earlier....lets see.

2 Grey Wagtail headed NE off the Wetland to roost and 3 Stock Dove were on the wetlands.

N.B On Saturday, whilst playing football with my lad and some mates by S. Peter's School, I noted a pair of crows chasing off Buzzard and Sparrowhawk, from their nest site, an adult Herring Gull flew North (causing me to let in a goal!!) and 2 Stock Dove passed over.

Rattlers, cronkers and super songsters bring sound to this semi-silent spring . .

Aldersley/Oxley

Thursday 2nd May, bright, warm, calm, 09.30 to 10.15.

Back to the rough grass fields at the northern end of the valley, a site that by now should be full of birds and birdsong.  Yet despite the calm, warm conditions bringing song from Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Mistle Thrush, Wrens, Robins, Dunnocks and other resident species, the sounds I'm hoping for just aren't there.  Three Common Whitethroat appear briefly along the field margins, three singing Blackcaps and at least three singing Chiffchaffs (their contact calls show that pairs are already on station) suggest that warbler numbers are increasing, but at least three members of this bird family normally seen and heard in the last week in April and in early May seem not to have arrived.  Then, at last, from a hedge line near lock 19 of the Birmingham Canal, comes a rattling call, identified immediately as one of the valley's most unobtrusive migrant breeders, a Lesser Whitethroat, which flies up to feed among the emerging blossoms high in nearby trees.  Always difficult to pin down, eventually it's located, grey-headed and compact, a smaller and longer-tailed version of a Common Whitethroat, lacking the eye ring and reddish brown wing feathers of its more in-your-face relative.  Breeding numbers in the valley have never been high, and seem to have decreased in recent years.  Let's hope this one finds a mate.

Tettenhall Upper Green

Saturday 4th May, bright, warm, westerly breeze, 10.30am.

Pop to the shops to get a key cut, and as I unlock the car to leave, the sharp, clear notes of the Northern Nightingale cut the air from trees on the green's western corner.  There are cars moving, but the Blackcap's liquid song lifts and flows above the noise of traffic.  There's a seat nearby, so I move towards it to sit and listen to this superb performer.  Yet some of the notes don't seem quite to fit, they're slower, more deliberate, there are gaps between them, and after a few seconds I realise there are two songs involved, two species are singing against each other, the rival bird just as striking and memorable,  a lone Song Thrush high in a tree close by.  Neither of these top-flight songsters will fall silent, neither will gave way to its neighbour, their notes combining in a joyous chorus to tell us that spring is well and truly here.

Smestow Valley

Saturday 4th May,  11.15am.             

Wind down the car window and wait.  A brief shower passes, and high above the tops of the trees sway gently as the squall quietens.  People have told me they're here again, but I need to hear and see for myself.  The valley's only breeding pair, a species that until 2007 was a rare visitor, a bird that, like the Buzzard, seemed to call to us from the west, conjuring the sea cliffs of Wales and the jagged hillsides of the Stiperstones.  Ten minutes pass, silence, then a large black shape sweeps in low behind the treetops, the bird lost to view as it lifts to land at its now traditonal breeding site.  Still silence, then the sound I want, the deep unmistakable "cronk, cronk" of the Common Raven.  If they're breeding they're late, and it's hard to tell if there are young at the nest, but no matter.  They're back.                       

  

        

A little bird told me about the "WREN" project's latest contribution to the valley!

George Reiss has kindly provided an update.

On Sunday morning (28.4.13), George encountered our Common Sandpiper at 10:00 on the canal by Hordern Road Bridge.

Also he noted that 3 Mistle Thrush were having a scrap just North of the bridge. I have noted a Mistle Thrush territory from Newbridge Tennis Club over to Henwood Road, and would be interested to receive records of singing birds in the Hordern Road area. There are territories at Compton Park and also at the top of the barleyfield.

I have also had news that we should now have an additional Bird and Mammal interpretation board on display at Newbridge Station, compliments of the WREN project.

You will also note, that I have added the website for the Wildside Activity Centre to my list of links. It is amazing just how much this organisation contributes to the valley and education regarding Wildlife and Conservation.

Not so Common Sandpiper!!!

28/4/2013 - Dry, overcast, light SW

Compton to Birmingham Canal - Lock 19 area.

A late start on Saturday produced nothing of note other than 2 Greylag Geese that flew West to Meccano Bridge, then twisted, heading North along the canal, illustrating just how important a navigational tool the valley is!

An early start on Sunday showed all the signs of being quite again on my mid-section patch. The news of the Common Sandpiper in the week tempted me to take a rare trip North of Newbridge. After the Reeling Warbler nightmare at the top of the Barleyfield, I was armed with the camera.

On the way a Willow Warbler was singing at Eddy's Alders, with 3 Chiffchaff together nearby. A keen Blackbird was attempting to build a nest in one go, barely able to fly over the canal with the material it had collected!!

A Goldcrest was singing at Newbridge. A Chiffchaff was singing in Newbridge Wood and a Grey Wagtail flew over Hordern Road Bridge. A Blackcap was singing by the Wildside Activity Centre and a Grey Heron flew up from the North along the canal, landing nearby.

A pair of Bullfinch were by Dunstall Water Bridge and at least 2 Jays were squarking in Hawthorn Wood.
A Chiffchaff sang from the Racecourse Oak Coppice and a pair of Blackcap were also by the canal opposite there. Just North of the coppice 2 Willow Warbler were together with one singing.A Nuthatch called from the NW corner of the Dunstall Park along with singing Blackcap, Song Thrush and Chiffchaff.

At Aldersley junction, I made my way up to the Lupin Field before joining the Birmingham canal at Lock 19.
I was so glad that I had made this trip and my thanks certainly go to those who took time out to report the Sandpiper in the week. (Unfortunately, the Graisley Culvert description of an odd bird was too vague and inconclusive to be accepted, but please please blog readers, keep up those reports to the birders, because it helps us so much. Thank you!!)

First to the Lupin Field, noting 3 Bullfinch, and 2 male and a female Blackcap on the way. A male Common Whitethroat sang near the factory fence and a male Kestrel hunting over the field was most welcome, as our mid-section bird has long since vanished, so we dont get to see them. Then another beautiful encounter. As I was trying to locate a calling Pheasant, a pair of Reed Bunting, lifted off the ground heading down the bank towards the canal.

Male Reed Bunting near Lock 19 on Birmingham Canal

The female crossed over onto the Racecourse, but the confiding male stayed around and I left it calling from canal side bushes.

Then came the prize - a valley first for me. As I passed lock 19, I became aware of a flash of white bobbing on the mud on the opposite side of the canal - Common Sandpiper!!

Although these birds are seen annually at the racecourse (private land), I was surprised after flicking through the valley archives, just how irregular they have been away from that site. I have often seen Common Sandpiper on the canal by Pool Hall over the years, but there have only been 2 days since May 2001 up until December 2010, when the species has graced our canals and brooks. Funny enough on this same date in 2002, one was reported on the Birmingham canal and 2 were at Wightwick Mill. Then there were no records away from Dunstall Park until 20/4/2009 when a single bird was seen along the canal between Newbridge and Compton.

So was my Common Sandpiper the one that had been reported in the week?? Well the above statistics, together with the fact that there have been suspected long-stayers at the racecourse before (One that seemed to have remained from 25/4/2007 to 7/5/2007, for instance), means that in all likelihood it was.

So!! thank you again to those who reported the bird, because I wouldn't have made the trip otherwise, and I would have probably had to wait a few years for such an encounter!!!

Back to the patch! A Grey Heron (With a Crow waiting to pounce!)
by Newbridge old Canal Bridge on my return home.

SATURDAY 27th APRIL 2013

Dunstall Park

10.00 to 11.30, cold northerly wind, broken cloud, dry.

Keep your heads down, ducklings . .

Back to the northerlies, dead as a Dodo at Aldersley/Oxley and gloves-on time (again) at Dunstall Park.  A few foraging Crow on the central grass area, and at the lake three Barn Swallow hawking as a single Lapwing flip-flops over the island before disappearing.  Two Stock Dove drink from the margins, two Moorhen pick their way along the shoreline, a Pheasant calls from the oak copse near the Water Bridge, and a pair of Little Grebe swim through the spiked grass.  Suddenly, one of these engaging little birds shoots forward, pattering across the water and creating a bow wave as it slows, a diminutive power boat followed by its mate, both calling shrilly as they pursue another two of their kind in a territorial spat which eventually ends with each pair keeping a respectful distance on opposite sides of the lake.  To have one pair nesting (they last bred here 13 years ago) would be great.  To have two pairs breeding would be a first for the valley.  Let's hope there's room enough for all.  Our Mute Swan pair, feeding quietly close to the shore, have had things all their own way since they arrived early in the year, but today seems to be confrontation time all round, and within seconds of a third bird landing at the far end of the lake, they're powering their way through the water towards the newcomer, wings arched, white galleons at full sail and primed for action.  The dull-billed juvenile, aware of the oncoming threat, clambers up the grass bank to stand near the lake fence, preening as if unconcerned, but keeping a wary eye on the resident pair.  The stand-off lasts only for a few minutes, then one of the adults decides to settle the matter, climbs the bank and forces the youngster to take off, the sound of its wingbeats fading as it lifts, circles and finally flies heavily away towards the north west.  Our birds move back across the lake, wings still arched, still in control of their kingdom, and as one pushes the spiked grass aside there's an eruption of tiny bodies skittering across the surface, ten Mallard ducklings, moving from one bank of vegetation to the next, tiny clockwork toys shepherded by their mother.  They'll find food and shelter here, but there's danger too, suddenly four adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls come in over the water, one breaking off to swoop down towards the young ducks, the mother arching herself upwards to peck at the potential predator, which veers away to follow its companions as they head off towards their city nest areas.  A close shave, but it's been that kind of a day.  Good, therefore, to hear the gentle, descending notes of a Willow Warbler singing from canalside trees.  Close you eyes and it could be summer  . . .                

NB.  Dunstall Park is a restricted commecial site.  Access is strictly controlled.

                               

Water Vole

On a rather quiet day bird wise the hilite was a water vole which swam across the canal andclimbed half out before spotting me and disappearing.  The sighting was halfway between Newbridge and the meccano and is the first I have seen in the valley since the major pollution leak from Barnhurst about 4 years ago.
In terms of birds a single Wheatear in the same area as last Saturday and a few warblers at Pool Hall.  also a thin passage of Swallows going north.
Best bird was a singing Tree Pipit on railway line 50 yrds north of castlecroft bridge again moving north, also reed bunting at wightwick lock.
Finally going back to last Tuesday (23) a singing Lesser Whitethroat 100 mtres south of newbridge on canal.

WEDNESDAY 24th APRIL 2013

Aldersley/Oxley/Dunstall Park

10.00 to 12.30,  south westerly breeze, broken cloud, warm.

It's high fives for the floating foursome

A better day, bit of a breeze, warmer than of late, so a trip to the northern end of the valley to see what's about.  Later than I'd intended, but the towpath walk from Jones Road, under the railway arches and down the 21 locks is always worth a try, singing Goldfinch immediately obvious, and as the old smallholding fields come in from the right by lock 18, so four warbler species are heard, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and a single Willow Warbler singing, and what seems still to be the only Common Whitethroat to have arrived, calling from scrub and low bushes.  Apart from that, all pretty quiet, but below lock 20 a handsome male Reed Bunting sings from the edge of the rough grass fields near the canal junction, and a ragged-tailed Kestrel banks away over the railway towards Oxley golfcourse.  Standing on top of the grass bank by the railway carriageworks it's possible to see right down the valley, but despite the clear air and favourable wind, there's nothing obvious of note.  Give it five minutes, and, just as I'm about to head down towards the canal, a large familiar shape floats up from behind the carriageworks, broad wings angled into the wind, moving gently against the warm air, tail fanned, round head turning, a Common Buzzard, a bird that 20 years ago would have had me running to the nearest phone box to contact Frank Dickson.  How times have changed, for now this is the most frequently seen raptor locally, with at least three pairs nesting along the valley.  Within minutes there's a second bird, then another, and finally four are together above the grass slope, riding the upward draught, taking advantage of conditions which for the most part have been absent from this cold, dry spring. There's no real aggravation, there are no calls, the four holding station, almost hovering, until presumably the resident pair break off to descend and fly low over the railway viaducts, one bird perching briefly in embankment trees before both leave towards the golfcourse.  I check for the other two, they're gone too, the show is over.  If you want to see Buzzards well, I tell my relatives in Mid Wales, come to Wolverhampton (there was one yesterday low over New Cross hospital during afternoon visiting).    

Dunstall down just spot on for Starlings

Half an hour at Dunstall Park produces three Barn Swallows and eight House Martin hawking over the lake, six Greylag geese, the long-staying Gadwall pair, plus three Moorhen, a singing Reed Bunting, a pair of Little Grebe, four pairs of sitting Coot, the Mute Swan pair and three handsome Pied Wagtail.  Five adult Lesser Black-backed Gull wash and preen, and Canada Geese are sitting.  Three pairs of this noisy species have set up on the lake island, and House Sparrows and Starlings have been quick to take advantage of the goose down which covers the surroundings of the nests.  The opportunists fly back with beakfulls of the soft material to their own nests on the nearby Farndale housing estate.  Recycling and insulation all in one.  You know it makes sense . . .

NB.  Dunstall Park is a restricted commercial site.  Access is strictly controlled.                 









        

Blackcaps Galore!!!

26/4/13 Dry clear, cool, light-mod Westerlies - dawn - 09:00

Mid-section: Compton to Newbridge including Barleyfield and Compton Park

The passing of a weak front before dark last night, raised expectations, but it turned out to be quite in terms of the number and variety of species present.

The only noticeable fall seemed to involve Blackcaps. 15 birds were recorded around the patch, including 2 females and 6 songsters. (A particularly talented individual, with long flowing, non-accelerating phrases was at the top of the Barleyfield, very similar to one that sang near Compton Lock last year!! Perhaps it was just that one of the few females around was right by him so he was just trying hard?!!! ). There were 6 males together on the Western Border between the Crossings and The Annex early on.

Other highlights:

Pheasant - still calling from the Eastern Border of the Barleyfield. A local had seen it in the Paddock yesterday.
Sparrowhawk - displaying over Compton Hill Wood.
Stock Dove - 2 South over the Western Border of the Barleyfield.
Green Woodpecker - calling beyond Prefab Weir.
Great Spotted Woodpecker - one drumming on the Eastern Border and another calling from the SW corner of the Barleyfield.
Swallow - 2 NW over the Paddocks.
Mistle Thrush - one singing from the Academy and one on the Barleyfield.
Whitethroat - 2 displaying males at the North end of the Barleyfield, one of which was attempting to court a less than impressed female in Hanging Gardens later.
Chiffchaff - 8 on the patch, with 6 singing.
Willow Warbler - one singing at the Barleyfield Annex early on with another in the oak there. One also singing later at eddy's Alders.
Goldcrest - a PB of 4 singing birds around the patch (P Weir, Meccano Bridge at same time as one at smestow Bridge and one in the middle Paddock immediately after. I have assumed that one singing near the crossings later was the Prefab weir bird?)
Nuthatch- calling at the academy.
Jay- one over the Barleyfield.
Greenfinch - one singing near the SW corner of the Barleyfield and two more singing just north of Compton lock.

Common Sandpiper Reports

Firstly, thank you to the two individuals that have reported a Common sandpiper in the valley yesterday -  25/4/13.

I understand that one was near the Prefab Weir, North of Compton Lock, and at 08:30 one alarm-called as it flew North past the Wildside Activity Centre, over the canal. A few minutes later, presumably the same bird headed South past Newbridge Wharf.

Also yesterday, I had meetings near Dudley Port, so I managed to nip into The sheepwash LNR. I was so glad that I did, as I had the pleasure to meet our "Midlands Birder", Craig Reed. 18 years old but definitely an old birding head on young shoulders and one to watch for the future, I'm sure.

He put me onto at least 8 wheatear on the mound to the east of the railway line, by the canal, including one that was showing characteristics of the "Greenland" race.

My list during the brief visit included 2 little Grebe, 2 great Crested Grebe, 2 Shoveler, 10+ Tufted Duck, Buzzard, Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Tern, Green Woodpecker, G S woodpecker, Grey wagtail, Pied Wagtail, 4+ singing Blackcap, 3+ Chiffchaff, 3 singing Willow Warbler, 4 Long-tailed Tit and 2 Reed Bunting. Not bad considering I hadnt got my bin's!!!

Thank you Craig for your hospitality. You remind me so much of my youth, diving around sites as you do. I used to walk to Belvide, Gailey and Chasewater on the same day. Make the most before life's commitments hit you young man!!!

Smestow Valley Advisory Group Meeting 23/4/13 18:30

It was fitting for me to have walked along the valley from Compton Park to the old Station at Newbridge, before this meeting commenced.

It was a glorious sunny and warm evening. Comma Butterflies were courting in the paddocks, and the liquid song of Blackcap's accompanied me pretty much all the way.

Was the tranquil feel of nature about to be broken by a cold meeting where yet again man (and woman!) tramples all over Mother Nature with selfish plans?

NO NO NO!!!!!!

The evening started with a bosting cuppa and a chat about Warblers with Ian from the Ranger Services. And it finished with news that a Peregrine had been spotted taking prey and heading off towards an area of the City Centre, and a caring enquiry from the same Community Council member as to where he might be able to take his son to see our star singing Willow Tit!!!

In between.... a birders heaven!!!!!

News of community projects like WREN that are creating information boards aimed specifically at birds and other wildlife. Another plan that will add native flowers to our canal towpath's.

A report from the Conservation Projects Manager and Nature Improvement Area Programme Manager, from The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country. This included news that the deculveting of Graisley Brook, could soon commence, following a water level survey, so that there is hope that Reed bunting may soon breed again around the Barleyfield!!!

News that we have an Environmental Awareness Officer, who will work with this blog and other community organisations to provide information to local residents and advertise who we are and what we do and to spread the word regarding the success of projects like the WREN canal improvement project.

So many comments from members of the local Community Council  and Tenant's and Residents Association, which showed strong sympathy for the valley's wildlife.

An agreement that from late Summer, detailed work-plans will be available on a quarterly basis so that I can explain the works and their benefits before a spade has been lifted.

Acknowledgement that the Conservation & Access Management Plan, can evolve as a result of future sharing and observations, but speaking for myself, it looks an amazing enhancer of bio-diversity in the valley as it stands.

An offer from the council to provide me with tools that I can include on this blog to encourage children to enjoy and learn more about nature in the valley and so to hopefully nurture our next Clement's family!!!!!!

Discussions relating to the future of the W.E.C (Wolverhampton Environment Centre), that acknowledged it's value to wildlife.

Wide support for the creation of "Belvide - like" work parties to help carry out projects to enhance the valley.

In short, we are just so lucky....... to have a Council that is meeting it's responsibilities for bio-diversity head on...............to have funds secured from the Nature Improvement Area to bring a management plan to life......and to have the local Community Council and Tenants and Residents Association, holding such a caring and passionate approach to their work and the flora and fauna of the valley.

It is so fitting that as the Smestow Valley Bird Group disbands, the fruits of it's tireless years of recording and lobbying, are now being reported.

These are exciting times, not just for the Valley and it's Wildlife. The Advisory group is also working immensely towards another of the key aims from the Management Plan's Vision Statement - FORGING PARTNERSHIPS.

I have come away from my first meeting, wanting so much to support those volunteer groups that exist in the valley and to use the voice of this blog to help make every venture, project or event of theirs a success. To this end I will be developing links from this blog through liaison with those individuals that kindly provided their contact details at the meeting.

Thank you to all who made me feel welcome. I am a bit rusty and appreciate the kindness and consideration whilst I settle in.

The next meeting is scheduled for 16th July 2013.

the neglected north

A very different feel today (Sunday) to two days ago.
The rough ground to the North of the Birmingham canal held plenty of Blackcaps and Chiffchaff.
Between lock 19 and Tunstall water bridge had about 9 singing Blackcap + two females and maybe 8 Chiffies.  In contrast there was no sign of any Willow Warblers nor indeed any other Warblers.
Other species seen included a Mute Swan which took off from the canal and circled round to the racecourse pool which also had a calling Lapwing; A circling male Sparrowhawk which had crossed the course and another late Redwing by lock 19 and finally a flock of 10 Greylags flying south.

THURSDAY  18th APRIL 2013

Dunstall Park

Strong north westerly wind, cold, broken cloud, 10am to 11.30am.

It's always worth waiting for the waders

All the action seemed to have been at the Compton barleyfield last week, so a visit to the racecourse on Thursday seemed to be in order.  A strong wind and bright sun meant  conditions weren't easy at the lake, but almost immediately a flash of white drew attention to a small dark bird that appeared to have landed on a patch of spiked vegetation near the shoreline. The lack of exposed margins will probably mean fewer wader sightings this year, but this one had chosen to come down during its migration journey, the site's second Green Sandpiper for 2013, its white undersides clear as it stood motionless on top of what would have been open water in recent years.  Five or so minutes later I heard it call as 13 adult and three immature Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew up, and despite a search of the shoreline, it was not seen again.  Soon afterwards a single Lapwing left the site and headed off in its rolling jerky way low towards Newbridge. It may have been checking out the lake for others of its kind, as at least one pair of the species has nested there for many years.  Three Snipe crouching motionless on the lee side of the island brought the wader total for the morning to three species.  The strengthening wind and glittering water made it difficult to pinpoint and stay with  two Barn Swallow and a couple of House Martin as they flicked back and fore over the surface, but close attention to one bird's erratic flight action revealed a light-bellied, brown-bibbed Sand Martin, almost certainly the first record for the valley this year.  Elsewhere on the lake at least four Coot pairs were building nests, the Gadwall pair upended in the shallows and  a Little Grebe appeared briefly among vegetation in which it and its mate are almost certainly nesting. Just one pair of Teal were still present, at least three pairs of Canada Geese were sitting, and a male Reed Bunting sang from the island.  Black tail feathers sticking up from two nests in the nearby oak copse suggested two pairs of Rook were sitting, and a check soon afterwards of rookery nests further along the site's north western edge showed another two were occupied.  A male Shoveler flew high across the site towards the city, two Nuthatches called from trees near the raceourse's north western corner, and song from a Blackcap and at least three Chiffchaff showed that good numbers of migrant warblers were now arriving along the valley.  A pair of Bullfinch were among other birds bringing the number of species seen during the visit to 34.  Things are getting better . . .    

NB.  Dunstall Park is a restricted commercial site.  Access is strictly controlled.

     

                

WHEATEAR ON BARLEYFIELD

sat 20 April 2013                    mid section                        early morning

Warm and sunny after a cold and frosty start

I arrived at Meadow View at at 07:00 and found Chris just leaving the canal ( he's already walked the canal from Compton. Must have started out whilst I was still in bed.) We went south through the Paddocks,much quieter now,the small warbler fall has mostly dissipated. 2 willow warblers a chiffchaff and a blackcap sang in Station Paddock, a blackcap sang and a nuthatch flew east across the main Paddock. Another 2 singing blackcaps and a chiffchaff later and we were well into the Barleyfield, should always check the clump in the middle ( its not called Chat Clump for nothing ) WOW ! a chat like bird sits high on a exposed bramble branch, we need to get a little closer,could be a whinchat or a wheatear. It's a wheatear  a well marked male. The last one of these common upland birds to grace the Barleyfield was 19th April 2011 ( so its a year and 1 day late ). It stayed put for a while but as the area livened up it must have left, for as we checked later ( c 08:45 ) it had gone and we did'nt have it again. A whitethroat sang from the top of Barleyfield and later another sang and displayed to a female around the Shrike Bushes. Great spotted and green woodpeckers drummed and called, willow tit and bullfinch sang, a sparrowhawk, buzzrad, stock dove and 3 jay flew over Barleyfield and grey and pied wagtail were found around the new Wetland lake. Late home for breakfast ( i'm in trouble again ).