Wed 13th April 2011 - Shenstone

The weather has changed somewhat over night and it was much cloudier and cooler around Shenstone this morning.  In  fact I didn't see a single butterfly on my travels today it was that cold!

I started by checking out Witch lane and was rewarded with a single ♂ Wheatear in the small ploughed field near the old grainstore. A Mistle Thrush was also in this field and a Yellowhammer was singing from the adjacent hedgerow.  Whilst viewing this area I had a flock of 17 Meadow Pipits fly over heading W.  Further up the lane the Blackcap was still present and 2 Common Buzzards were up soaring.

At Heath lane there were 2 Red-Legged Partridge present in the model aircraft field.  2 Swallows were also over this field and a Cormorant flew over heading WSW.  A Blackcap was still singing from the hedgerow opposite.

At Stanklyn Lane beet field there were 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 7 Herring Gulls and a Pied Wagtail on the fresh plough. A Jay was in the Oak opposite and 4 Linnets flew over.  Further along the lane, a Blackcap was singing from Stanklyn wood and a Mistle Thrush was in the field opposite.

At Butts Lane the 2 Swallows were again present around Eastfields farm.  6 Linnets and a Pied Wagatil were also present.  A ♂ Mallard was on the small drainage pond opposite.  3  Yellowhammers were along the hedgerow along Bars Lane and a Grey Heron flew over heading SW.

What I did find interesting was the fact that there was no sight nor sound of any Common Whitethroats today, leading me to think that the ones recorded over the past 2 days were just passing through and the birds that breed on the patch will arrive a little later.

Wheatear - 13^th April 2011: