Tuesday 8th March 2011 - Shenstone

What a morning! I finally connected with the elusive Shenstone Grey Partridges. All will be explained...

I started my tour on this lovely sunny morning at Witch Lane. As with yesterday it was pretty much devoid of birds. I decided to head up to Back Lane (the one at Shenstone village) next and view across the field where I had seen the Curlew last week. All that was of note was 2 Common Buzzards down on the ground and 21 Fieldfare flew over . I then crossed over the road and noticed a brown shape in the winter wheat. My first thought was that it was a Brown Hare sat down but on getting my scope on it I realised it was just some old rubbish or other. I then carried on scanning the field and then presto! I picked up 2 Grey Partridge (1♂ & 1♀). Although they were only showing just above the cover of the crop at times I still managed to get a few photos (I've attached one at the end of this entry). I was overjoyed and relieved...no longer would Grey Partridge be my 2011 patch bogey bird. A single Meadow Pipit also flew over whilst at this location.

Elsewhere on the patch there were c.200 Linnets at the Stanklyn Lane beet field. Stanklyn Lane paddocks held c.40 Chaffinch, 4 Fieldfares, 2 Redwings, 2 Mistle Thrushes and a Song Thrush. 2 Corn Buntings were also singing along the lane. Heath Lane was quiet with only 2 Mistle Thrushes being of note in the paddock.

The Butts Lane/Back Lane area was again productive with 15 Corn Buntings present along with a number of Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings (JK & John Ridley).

Also, at 3pm today, a Raven flew high over Captains Pool heading WSW (TS).

Grey Partridges - 8th March 2011:


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3 comments:

  1. Warren Baker8 March 2011 at 10:32

    Nice one Jase, That's a relief!!

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  2. Jason K8 March 2011 at 11:42

    Thanks Warren...it really is. I think I was starting to become obsessed with seeing them...now I can chill and enjoy spring migration

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  3. Craig Round8 March 2011 at 14:21

    Grey Partridge sadly thing of the past for me Jase. My one and only Wedge record was April 2000! Mipits are finally moving, had my first this year yesterday and an arrival today. Time to start 'vis migging' again! Wheatear is imminent now possibly Friday or Weekend looking at the weather. South coast arrival today.

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