5 Pied Flycatcher, with a pair around Pooh Sticks Bridge. Also from here were 2 Garden Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher. I had 2 singing Redstarts around site, with the usual male from Clough Cottage. Another Garden Warbler, as well as 2 Whitethroat were singing in the hedgerow around the Visitor Centre. 15+ Willow Warbler, 8+ Chiffchaff and 5+ Blackcap were also singing around site, and Great Spotted Woodpecker seemed to be everywhere with at least 7 individuals being seen - including one visiting a nest site
1 male pied flycatcher (with quite pale and 'faded' black feathers) singing and visiting no.36 nest box by pooh sticks bridge 1 spotted flycatcher also present in the trees by pooh sticks bridge 4 common lizards along the woodcock trail 1 tree pipit 'parachuting' off the woodcock trail, near to the woodcock-shaped bench 1 female kestrel and 1 male sparrowhawk were present at clough meadow 3 garden warbler around site, with 2 near to the information centre plenty of singing willow warbler, blackcap, chiffchaff
My parents spent the day around pooh sticks bridge and also saw redstart, dipper, grey wagtail and stoat
Had a nice day out yesterday at coombes valley. We spent the majority of our time near pooh stick bridge. 2 male and 2 female redstart giving amazing views within 2 feet of us giving me great opportunities to get photos. Several more heard from the meadow and near the cottage and 1 of the volunteers told me he had brief views of 3 male redstart from buzzard bank on Saturday night. 2 or 3 spotted flycatchers. 3 male and 2 female pied flycatchers keeping their distance. 4 male and 1 female blackcap including one nest. 1 female grey wagtail. 1 kestrel 1 buzzard And near the pond the best box which in the past has been used by pied flycatchers was being used by blue tits. Plus all the usual.
Plenty of Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps singing. Also, 2 singing Garden Warblers, with 1 giving good views near the car park. At least 4 singing Goldcrests. A pair of Grey Wagtails. 1 male Bullfinch. Only 1 singing Pied Flycatcher but good views of a male Redstart at the disused cottage, plus 2 other singing Redstarts. etc.etc.etc.
Cracking morning in clear, sunny weather and some good birds on show.
Pied Flycatcher - Lots of them around, being territorial over nest boxes. Around lunchtime great views of two males at the cottage, singing and feeding from the roof and surrounding trees. Redstart - 1m seen, more heard. Thought I was going to miss out on a sighting until a handsome male showed well on the hedges by the cottage, just as I was heading back to the car park. Nuthatch - one pair, defending their nest from a Grey Squirrel who strayed too close. Great Spotted Woodpecker heard drumming
Plenty of Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff singing and giving good views, plus all the more commoner woodland birds.
Not many of the regular star species today. Pied Flycatcher 1 pair at nest box. Redstart 1 fleeting view only. GtSpotted Woodpecker 2 active nest holes. Willow Tit 1 Garden Warbler 2 singing. Goldcrest 2 singing. Treecreeper 1 Nuthatch 4 etc., but no Tree Pipits or Spotted Flycatchers.
But...
On arrival, 1 Red Kite seen overhead and a little later, a Hobby flew through the valley. On a good day for predatory species, I also saw 3 Sparrowhawks, 3 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels and 3 Ravens.
As below, Pied Flycatchers easy to find 1 Male, 1 Female. Not many other birds of note because of the rain.
Also went to see the Lesser Yellowlegs at Uttoxeter nearby which was showing really well and looking well settled. Also at that site: Goosanders, Dunlins, Ringed Plovers, Sedge and Reed Warblers.
Shame about the weather but I hear it should be getting better over the next week or so...
On the way back from Carsington John Barber and I called in briefly at RSPB Coombes Valley which is near Leek in Staffordshire. As usual the Pied Flycatchers are easily located by following the RSPB signs and we had good views of both the male and female. We also found a female Redstart with a bill full of caterpillars obviously on her way to feed young not near any previously noted nest areas and a singing male Blackcap. The hill down to the river is still very steep on the return journey
-- Edited by sid ashton on Saturday 21st of May 2011 09:34:44 PM
An interesting and peaceful reserve with a very pleasant warden, Jarrod Sneyd who was explaining to me his plans for the reserve. I suggested a chair lift for the hill back up to the car park but I think we may have to settle for a couple of benches To the birds - Of interest I had a male Pied Fly and the Great Spotted Peckers feeding young ( as noted by Anthony), Nuthatch, a Goshawk and a Raven over the meadow and a pair of Redstart near the pond/cottage where there is a nest site and a Garden Warbler singing its head off on the TV aerial on the cottage roof. Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat all heard singing.
Amazing close views of Pied Flycatchers going in and out of nest box. In a hole further up the same tree, two GS Woodpeckers were busy feeding their incredibly noisey young. Visible through the trees and keeping a close eye on me as I watched events was a juvenile Little Owl.
Willow Warbler, Kestrel, Buzzard, Dipper and a host of Butterflies were other highlights.
Downside was the countless insect bites I recieved...My arms are covered in little red blotches!
Anthony
Just to add... The route to the location of the nesting Pied Flycatchers is well signposted now and should be pretty easy to find for all. They are using a different nest box to the one they used last year and the route to this location follows a pretty muddy path.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 21st of May 2011 07:17:41 PM
Don't wish to intrude, but don't you mean Pied flys? If you can sex spotted flys I want to book a lesson with you now!! (no sarcasm intended).
Andy Bissitt
Mike hirst wrote:
9am to 3pm sunny and very windy.
I thought the wind might spoil the day, but thankfully it didn't. What a smashing reserve this is, very varied habitat and well maintained access. Its also very hard work in places because some of the routes are quite steep. A scope is not required unless you are digiscoping (you don't want to carry the weight anyway). spotted fly - 8m, 2f redstart 1m grey wagtail - 1m kingfisher - 1 goshawk - 1m above clough field. willow, garden, blackcap, chiffchaff, common and lesser whitethroat, (no gropper or wood. none reported so far this year). All the usual tits, finches, thrushes, dunnocks etc. and 1 buzzard. No sign of any dippers in the streams. A great day out and I will visit again.
I thought the wind might spoil the day, but thankfully it didn't. What a smashing reserve this is, very varied habitat and well maintained access. Its also very hard work in places because some of the routes are quite steep. A scope is not required unless you are digiscoping (you don't want to carry the weight anyway). pied fly - 8m, 2f redstart 1m grey wagtail - 1m kingfisher - 1 goshawk - 1m above clough field. willow, garden, blackcap, chiffchaff, common and lesser whitethroat, (no gropper or wood. none reported so far this year). All the usual tits, finches, thrushes, dunnocks etc. and 1 buzzard. No sign of any dippers in the streams. A great day out and I will visit again.
Mike
-- Edited by Mike hirst on Wednesday 13th of May 2009 02:35:14 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 21st of May 2011 07:18:35 PM
