Sunday 30th May 2010, Shenstone & Upton Warren

On the evening I popped to Shenstone & good numbers of House Martin (20+) and Swift (40+) were seen over Stanklyn Lane. A ♂ Kestrel was present on Butts Lane, as were 2 Swallows. A Bank Vole was along Back Lane.

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In the morning, I popped to Upton Warren again today to see the 3 first-summer Little Gulls that are still present on the Moors Pool. The birds were again performing well and I managed to take a couple of photos this time.

Also present on one of the Islands were two Avocets, one of which appeared to be sitting on eggs. After a while the Avocet got up to see off a Common Tern that had come a bit to close and I could clearly see, in my scope, one of the beige/stone coloured dark spotted eggs.

Little Gulls - Upton Warren 30th May 2010:

Saturday 29th May 2010, Shenstone

The Common Tern was again present on Captain's Pool after not being seen for a few days. The bird was continually harassed by a Black-headed Gull (TS).

Thursday 27th May 2010, Arley & Trimpley

For a change, I decided to pop to Arley and do a walk along the River Severn to Trimpley Reservoir and back this afternoon. Many Garden Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and a Common Whitethroat were all in song. On the river there were 2 drake Mandarin ducks and a ♀ Mandarin with 6 young.

Good numbers of Banded Demoiselle damselflies were seen with 9 (7♂ & 2♀) counted along the walk. On returning to Arley I sat and watched 14+ House Martins continually collecting mud from the rivers edge for nest building.

Wednesday 26th May 2010, Shenstone & Holt/Grimley

A Garden Warbler was singing along Stanklyn Lane, as were 2 Common Whitethroats. 5 Mistle Thrushes (4 Juveniles) were in Heath Lane paddock. A Pied Wagtail was also present there.

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After visiting Shenstone, I decided to pop to Holt & Grimley. The Pink-footed Goose was again at Holt Sling Pool. 8 Little Ringed Plovers (4 chicks) were at Wagon Wheel Lane Pits. 2 Common Tern were on the raft at Grimley Old workings Island Pool.

4 Common Tern were using the islands at Grimley New Workings. The Oystercatchers there were feeding two chicks on donut island and a Little Ringed Plover was present at the north end. I also saw a ♂ Common Blue butterfly along the causeway and a Stoat along path back to Camp Lane.

♂ Common Blue Butterfly - Grimley 26th May 2010

Tuesday 25th May 2010, Shenstone and Upton Warren

Things are getting pretty quiet around Shenstone at the moment, the only warblers I heard singing today were Chiffchaff & Blackcap. A flock of 60+ Starling were feeding in a field along Stanklyn Lane. 2 Buzzards and a ♂ Kestrel were also present. A ♂ Orange Tip and Small & Large White Butterflies were also seen.

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In the afternoon I popped to Upton Warren Moors Pool to catch up with the 3 Little Gulls that had arrived earlier that day. I wasn't disappointed and was treated to great views of them performing well over the water. I always think, whenever I see Little Gull, what fantastic birds...so agile and Tern-like (is that a proper expression?). Upton Warren certainly seems to be the Jewel in Worcestershire's crown this Spring.