Friday 9th September 2011 - Belvide & Gailey

Today I decided to go off patch and traveled 25 miles North to Belvide Reservoir in Staffordshire, to hopefully see the juvenile Sabine's Gull that had been there the past few days.  This was a 'lifer' for me as I was away for most the time the long staying Upton warren bird was present a couple of years back and then every time I did try I dipped out and the bird never came in to roost.  For those of you who aren't aware, Sabine's Gulls breed in Arctic Canada and Siberia but winter in the Atlantic. Occasionally they get blown into the British mainland...so they can be quite scarce.

Anyway, within minutes of arriving at Belvide I managed to pick up the Sabine's Gull tucked under the dam wall.  I spent a good while watching this diminutive gull and after a while it took flight showing of its stunning demarcation on the upper wing before eventually returning to near the damn...result (or so I thought). 

Just as I was about to leave I bumped into Steve Nutall, who runs the Belvide birding website - http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/Belvide84/  Steve then informed me that the all clear had been given to go on the dam and he was headed there.  So myself and a couple of others tagged along.  This bird had obviously never come into contact with humans before and had absolutely no fear as it swam past us just feet away...awesome!  It also treated us to another flight but closer this time.  Birding doesn't get much better and a big bogey bird was gone from my wish list!

Also of note whilst at Belvide was a juvenile Arctic Tern and a Hobby that both performed well of the water.

From Belvide I decided to head to Gailey reservoir which is only 3-4 miles down the road.  I had heard that the Red-necked Grebe had turned back up..so I thought it would be rude not to go and have another look.   I did indeed get some good views of the Red-Necked Grebe and I also picked up 2 Arctic Terns (1 adult & 1 juv) that were present, although there was no sign of the reported Little Gull.

That wasn't the end of the day's birds though.  On my way home, whilst stuck in traffic in Wolverhampton, I had a Swift go over fairly low.  This was a bonus as it took my mind of the noxious odour that was emanating from the nearby Molineux Stadium.

Sabine's Gull

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Red-necked Grebe

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Arctic Tern

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