Tuesday 10th April 2012 - Shenstone & Woodrow

I didn't get down to the patch quite as early as my previous visit, in fact it was around mid-day when I arrived.  My thinking was that if it brightened up a bit there would be more butterflies on the wing.

I started my rounds at Witch Lane where on arrival I clocked 2 Lapwing that were flying over heading East. The only other birds of note in this area were a Kestrel and a Common Buzzard.  I did however get good views of another Tawny Mining Bee and also noted a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly.

The Butts Lane fields were also fairly empty of birds with the exception of 2 Red-legged Partridge.

Next up was a walk along Stanklyn Lane where, on arrival I noted 6 Common Buzzards up soaring.  The real highlight though was seeing 2 Swallows hawking low over the fields near Summerfield before flying off in a westerly direction.  At last!  my first patch hirrundines of 2012.  As I was walking back past the paddocks I heard a familiar call and looked up.  A cracking Yellow Wagatil was flying right over head heading North West.  This was the 3rd patch Yellow Wag of the Spring so far.

I finished off the patch by spending some time on Heath Lane hoping to pick up a few more interesting flyovers.  I didn't see any but i did note 1 Meadow Pipit, 4 Skylark, 3 Linnet and a Kestrel.

Many Chiffchaffs are now singing around the patch, so I will no longer bother to keep posting counts on them.

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From Shenstone i headed a couple of miles up the road to Woodrow.  On checking the plough I didn't pick up a single Wheatear or Wagtail.  I was just about to return to my car when I noticed a bird on the ground in the adjacent sheep field.  Bingo! it was a cracking ♂ Northern Wheatear.  I then spent a while just watching and enjoying the said bird.  What a great end to a good day...I wonder what tomorrow may bring?

♀ Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva)

♂ Northern Wheatear - Woodrow