Monday, January 21, 2008 - I Suppose The Exercise Did Me Good!
This Sunday I headed off to Draycote Water. There's one thing you need to know about this place - it's vast. I have the utmost respect for those people who treat this as their local patch as I don't think I could it. It does, however, attract some very special species and occasionally I can't resist the temptation to make the not inconsiderable journey in order to see some nice birds. I always come away feeling that I have been on a ticking exercise, rather than a true birding experience though. I'm sorry if that upsets anyone, but it's just how I feel.
I also came away this week with a pulled thigh muscle and sore shins for my troubles. Now, I accept that I've not been shy of the Quality Streets and the Terry's chocolate orange this Christmas, but I'm not that unfit. Therefore, if you're planning a trip around this huge expanse of water, just beware of what's in store!
Anyway, enough about my physical insufficiencies, let's talk birds.
There were three main targets in mind, those being the Lesser Scaup, Great Northern Diver and the Smew. I recall a visit in February last year for these latter two, which although successful, was damned hard work. As I cast my mind back I also remember bumping into Max and Kay that day. They were much easier to spot, though I don't think I have ticked them at any other birding haunts since. Hope to see you again soon, guys!
We decided to head off to Toft Bay and picked up a few year ticks on the way, namely Goosander and Goldeneye. My dad also picked up his first Rook of the year. Then we got to the bit where the Lesser Scaup tends to frequent. There were a large number of Tufted Ducks and we guessed that the vagrant duck might be among them, but they were quite distant and we thought we might be able to get the scope on them further round the path. This didn't prove to be true, so we carried on to the valve tower, year-ticking Wigeon and Gadwall on the way.
Once at the valve tower [after a two mile walk by my reckoning!] we began our search for the Smew and Great Northern Diver. No immediate joy, until I realised that the Smew was right under our noses. I captured a couple of quick record shots and my Dad scuttled off to do the same, but the Smew immediately took off and disappeared towards Rainbow Corner.
The search for the Great Northern Diver continued for a few minutes. We were having no joy, however, so we continued walking towards Rainbow Corner, carefully checking out every Cormorant along the way. All of a sudden I spotted something unusual and got the binnies up to confirm that it was the Great Northern Diver. We had pretty good views as the sailing fraternity caused the bird to head nearer the shore. Within minutes, though, it had quickly made its way out of range, but again I had managed a couple of reasonable snaps.
With time running out we hotfooted it back to Toft Bay to see if we could unearth the Lesser Scaup. As we neared the area we spotted a few birders. More eyes equals more chance of success, but most of the people we spoke to said they had not seen it. With literally seconds left, a chap to my right suddenly announced he had it. I too had spotted a likely suspect and as it happened we were looking in the same area. We took our time and made certain that we were on the right bird before agreeing that it was another tick before heading back to the car.
A successful trip, albeit a tiring one. Despite my failing health, I couldn't resist popping down to Marsh Lane once we were back in Solihull. My Dad couldn't make it, so I headed off on my own. I don't have a permit for the reserve so I contented myself with a short walk down the public footpath running adjacent to it. I thought I might stand an outside chance of picking up a Lesser Redpoll or maybe the Common Redpoll that has been here for a few weeks, plus the possibility of a Brambling or Yellowhammer. As it happened, I did pick up a few Yellowhammers and some Greylag Geese, but after half an hour my various aches and pains were making the whole experience a little less pleasurable so I got back in the car and made my way home.
Other sightings of note this week were a lone male Siskin in the garden on Saturday, followed by a small flock a few gardens down later on. This week also saw the first Bullfinch of the year in the garden and I got a further year tick in Solihull today when a pair of House Sparrows settled in a tree outside Starbucks in Solihull. After Sunday's exertions, it was a nice contrast to get a tick whilst sat down with a hot latte and a cinnamon swirl!
Until next time, happy birding!
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Monday, January 21, 2008 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by Kstar |
| You missed a year tick today - I work in Solihull lol.....everyone seems to come away from Draycote aching, I think its about 5-6 miles all the way round, more if you have to go back and forth chasing birds. I'm glad you saw your target birds....GN Divers are amazing aren't they? |
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The continuing adventures of Reg The Birder in 2008
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