There were good numbers of birds on the two thirds frozen Captains Pool today including 112 Black-headed Gulls stood on the ice (TS). When I arrived at the pool late morning there was also an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull and a 2nd winter Herring Gull with them. A party of 4 Mute Swans (1 adult and 3 1st winter) were also new arrivals. Other birds noted on the pool were 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 43 Mallard and 37 Canada Goose.
From Captains Tony and I decided to pop into the Wyre took look for Lesser Spotted woodpecker in the Uncllys Farm area. We had absolutely no joy on that front and other than large numbers of Robin, a few Blackbirds and Carrion Crows, 3 Redwing, a Song Thrush and a Nuthatch, there was little bird activity going on.
Last stop on our travels was Sturt Common in the Shropshire side of the Wyre. Here we had saw 2 Common Crossbils (1♂) feeding in the top of the Larches. The male was a real stunner. Also noted at Sturt were 3 Siskin, 7 Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tit, Goldcrest and Common Buzzard.
All in all nothing exceptional but still, not a bad few hours birding all the same.
There`s not much in the way of cold weather movement, is there, Jason ? Nevertheless, has you say, it`s still enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteBe interesting to see if there is by the weekend, I would prefer it to stay mild though !!
ReplyDeleteWhat do ya mean nothing exceptional, even the Mute Swan is exceptional on my patch :-) :-)
ReplyDeleteDean - I always find it hard going in Jan/Feb whatever the weather...hence the incresed number of 'away days' at the mo. Come March I will be pretty much camped at my patch for the next 6-7 months!
ReplyDeleteMark - Fingers crossed mate...they do breed in that part of the Wyre so we just need a bit of luck
Warren - Ha...I will swap you Mute Swan for Bullfinch. I have only recorded one in 5 years of working Shenstone!