Shenstone Birder: Friday 30th September 2011

This morning Tony and I decided to check out the patch and then head over to Grimley.

We checked out Eastfields Farm first and there was again no sign of the Black Redstart this morning, so perhaps he has gone for good this time. Whilst at Eastfields Farm a single Swallow went over, a Chiffchaff was heard singing and a Meadow Pipit was heard calling.

We then proceeded to walk Butts Lane/Barrs Lane and the footpath back across the brassica/cereal field. I undertook this walk yesterday and a Major difference today was the number of Skylarks present. In total 31 Skylarks flew up out of the stubble field as we walked the footpath. A flock of c.60 Linnet were present over the brassicas.

Stanklyn Lane was pretty much a write off due to the Halls agricultural sale going on in the gallops field, so hastily we headed to Heath Lane. Hear we had what I feel was the patch highlight of the day. Whilst scanning the larches opposite the model aircraft field 2 Siskin dropped in. One of which was a stunning male looking rather resplendent with the sunlight catching his bright yellow chest. Its just a pity they didn't stay perched long enough for me to get off any photos....still, they were my first Siskins of the Autumn so I was happy.

Also of note at the aircraft field were 9 Skylarks over the stubble and a Common Buzzard being mobbed by a ♂ Kestrel.

Witch Lane was fairly quiet although there were 4 Lapwing and 2 Stock Doves present 'on the plough'. 20+ Greenfinch were still present feeding in the brassica field.

There were 3 Red Admirals and 1 Small White seen on the wing around the patch today.

From Shenstone we headed over to the gravel pits at Grimley. To be honest things were fairly quiet here but the sun was shining and it was an enjoyable afternoon.

The only notable birds at the Wagon Wheel Lane pits were a single Green Sandpiper and a ♀ Wigeon. Also present were 20 Lapwing, 18 Tufted Duck and a single Little Grebe.

The Camp Lane Pits were also quiet with a single Pochard and a Wigeon being noteworthy. The usual good numbers of Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Little Grebe were also present.

It was fairly good dragonfly weather with decent numbers of Common Darter on the wing and a couple of Migrant Hawker showing well along the causeway. A single Speckled Wood was also seen.

Common Darter (♂)