Sunday 14th August 2011 - Shenstone & Grimley

I had a text this morning from Mark P letting me know he had found 2 Common Redstart (an adult and an imm. ) along Stanklyn Lane, a Lesser Whitethroat had also been present (MP).

As soon as I got chance myself and Bev headed over there.  When we arrived and scanned 'Redstart hedge' we were only able to pick up the young male but it was showing well. I did however return on the evening and see both Redstarts.

Also of note around the patch today were a Raven on Stanklyn Lane and 6 Lapwing along Witch Lane (TMH). 

Common Redstart (imm. )














 

Common Redstart (adult )





Photo by Mark Peacock














From Shenstone Bev and I headed over to the Camp Lane pits Grimley to while away an hour or two.  At the North End we saw a Little Egret working its way along one of the channels and had a Yellow Wagtail flyover heading towards the Old Workings.

Down at the main pool there was a Barnacle Goose with the Canadas (OK, I know it's a bit plastic but its still a nice looking bird).  There was also a stunning Common Redstart flicking in and out the bushes along the causeway (found by my wife I have to admit!). The real highlight for me was the Hobby which came down low over the South Pool hawking the hirrundines, giving great views for a short while.  There were still 8 Common Tern present  and reasonable numbers of Sand Martin were seen too.  Disappointingly though we didn't see a single wader at the pits.

There was a good selection of dragonflies and damselflies along the causeway including:  ,  Ruddy Darter, Black-tailed Skimmer, Brown Hawker and many Common Blue Damselflies.  Butterflies recorded were 2 Common Blue, 1 Small Copper, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Speckled Wood and a number of Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns and the ubiquitous Small White.

All these great birds and dragonflies and we only managed photos of the common stuff...ah well.

Common Blue Damselflies



Photo by Bev Kernohan









 
 

5 comments:

  1. Thanks Bob...It was a good day

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  2. Nice to see you're picking up some passing migrants too jase.

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  3. Definitely not a day to be sniffed at then, Jason. Just something different now & again, makes it all worthwhile.

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  4. Cheers Warren...yeah things are picking up steadily.

    Thanks Dean...It was a good day and a nice change of pace

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