Sunday 28th October 2012 - Grimley

Today Mark P very kindly picked me up so we could do a spot of birding at Grimley.  It comes to something when you have to rely on the hospitality of a Wolves supporter, but needs must when you have no transport! 

We arrived at the North end of Camp Lane pits mid-morning and began scanning the area.  Soon after we picked up a Kingfisher that flew across the lagoon and perched on a part submerged fence post below where we were stood.  Also of note here were 12 Wigeon that were feeding on the grass amongst the Canada Geese on the Eastern side.  There was a nice mix of ducks present with the following species also recorded:  Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal and Tufted Duck.

Whilst we were at Camp Lane there were good numbers of Fieldfare almost continually passing through in varying numbers.  The largest flocks consisted of 40 and 80 Fieldfare. 

Other birds of note at Camp Lane were 8 Lapwing, 16 Cormorant, 4 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 22 Mute Swans and a single Greylag Goose.

From Camp Lane we headed to Wagon Wheel Lane pits.  This was by far the most productive area and on arrival we were met with c.100 Gulls sat on the back pit.  Most were Black-headed Gulls (including one with a lovely pink flush to its chest).  There were also 6 Herring Gulls (5 imm. and 1 adult) and 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls present.  With them were 2 Common Gulls (1 adult and a 1st Winter bird).  The latter was a real highlight as they are not actually that common locally away from the main gull roosts.

Also of interest at Wagon Wheel pits were a cracking Peregrine that performed overhead for a short while, a light-morph Common Buzzard and a Green Sandpiper.  A single Song Thrush was also noted on the adjacent bushes.

No scarce/rare species were to be found but an enjoyable couple of hours "steady birding" was had all the same.

Common Gull (1st winter):

Click on image to enlarge