Shenstone Birder: Sunday 14th August 2011

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