Thursday 19th January 2012 - Shenstone

I managed to motivate myself to do a couple of hours around the patch this afternoon.  It's really difficult to get enthusiastic on a dull grey January day at the best of times...still each day that passes is a step closer to Spring!

A quick scan of Captains Pool at the start of my visit produced 8 Black-headed Gulls stood on the ice, 6 Canada Geese, 3 Moorhens and the usual shed load of Mallard.  The drake Shoveller was still present.

Next stop was Stanklyn Lane where I decided to walk the fields across to Summerfield.  The Corn Bunting flock had now moved on and not a single bunting was to be seen.  In fact the large numbers of Corvids that I had been encountering had also disappeared.  Stanklyn Lane paddocks held small numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing.

After the lack of birds around the Stanklyn Lane area Heath Lane turned out to be very productive.  In the large cereal field opposite the Islamic School were c.60 Linnet.  The paddock was chuffing with birds with c.50 Fieldfare, 20 Redwing and a handful of Starling.  There were 2 Common Buzzards chasing each other over the field at the rear of the paddock.

At Witch Lane there was a covey of 5 Red-legged Partridge present.  A single Cormorant and a Grey Heron were at the fishery.

The final stop off  was Butts Lane.  The walk across the stubble field footpath flushed 51 Skylarks and a Meadow Pipit.  A Kestrel was also noted in the area.

No photos today I'm afraid folks, it was just too dull and windy.

8 comments:

  1. Hi Jason, I empathise with the 'difficult to get enthusiastic on a dull grey January day'. And having made the effort, how often does the only burst of sun happen when you're already back indoors, knackered!
    Still, you're clocking up a good variety of birds.

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  2. It is hard to get enthusiastic, your right jase :-) Sometimes though the unexpected turns up, and make sit all worth the effort !

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  3. Rob - yeah i'm getting a nice mix of the more common birds and yes, you are spot on about the sun

    Warren - I don't know about you but the thought of Spring keeps me going this time of year

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  4. Yes, you're right, the weather could cheer us all up.

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  5. Motivation for me too, has been difficult but with over 300 Iceland Gulls in the country at present it's enough to keep me checking a couple of local pools on a, more or less, daily basis..........

    Laurie -

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  6. Bob - Absolutely!

    Laurie - Well, you never know. I've been checking my local gulls at Hartlebury...so there is always a chance!

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  7. I couldn't get enthusiastic at all yesterday morning (21st) what with the strong winds and dark clouds so didn't bother with a walk, however I did have two Ravens 'kronking' as they flew over my house so not all was lost!

    Your effort was worth it Jason, some good species seen by you.

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  8. Cheers Pam...I think we all struggle getting motivated a little this time of year.

    The sound of Ravens Kronking as they go over is great...totally unmistakable

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