Wednesday 24 October 2012

Once again this afternoon I set off over to the lakes and Scrubby Woods, giving the Wet Woods and Small Holding a look in on the way, where it was reasonably quiet with only 4 GREEN WOODPECKERS on a large lawn being of any note, I was hoping for a Teal in the Wet woods but just a MALLARD and 3 MOORHEN were seen on the stagnant pools.

Over on the lakes, yesterdays surprise Wigeon had moved on, leaving just 4 Mallard, 4 Moorhens, 9 CANADA GEESE and a KINGFISHER that zipped inches above the waters surface, the Coot wasn't found today either. Two KESTRELS called loudly as they sparred over the Scrubby Woods, and a flock of LONG TAILED TITS with GOLDCREST, TREECREEPER and NUTHATCH were watched on the far bank of the largest lake, needless to say their constant calls attracted a SPARROWHAWK, I cant get away from these sprawks!

The adjacent Scrubby Woods had two BULLFINCH calling from it, and a LESSER REDPOLL, SISKIN and SKYLARK flying over it, Skylarks were heard during all of my 2 hour visit today as they went over in ones and two's every 15 mins or so.

The Tree Nursery was visited next, where another two Green Woodpeckers were seen, plus a couple of MEADOW PIPITS. Another Lesser Redpoll and two more Siskins were heard going over whilst there. I was surprised to see a Small White Butterfly flying through, and then a few minutes later a Red Admiral.

I spent the last 40 minutes of my visit walking the Greenhouse Grounds, finding the usual PIED WAGTAILS, WRENS , DUNNOCKS, ROBINS, BLACKBIRDS, and two REDWING, but all was pretty quiet really, despite the sunshine that had now broken through. I had decided to leave for home, but first thought I would try to get a Kestrel photo, as one was sitting out on one of the poles that hold the Raspberry plants up, but just before I pointed the camera, something caught my eye on another of the poles, it was only a BLACK REDSTART (70)  !!  What a superb species to find! I quickly dropped the idea of a kestrel shot, but as nice as Kestrels are, Black Redstarts take precedence !

This is the fifth year from the eleven years of watching my patch I have had this lovely species visit, todays bird was the third Autumn one, the other two Autumn ones were in July 2007 & October 2009, spring Black Redstarts have been seen in the past 3 years, but this year is the only year I have found them on both spring and Autumn passage, an excellent find, and a great way to bring up Otobers 70th species  :-)

I couldn't get very near to the bird, it was very flighty, but got some ok shots, better than my last Black Redstart attempts  :-)
Black Redstart
Black Redstart
Black Redstart
When I pushed my luck and tried to get closer, the bird flew up onto the Greenhouse |Rooves, where I left it in peace, catching flies :-)
Black Redstart

12 comments:

Greenie said...

Warren ,
Good job you didn't leave early , nice species to record .
Nice shots too .

Warren Baker said...

Cheers Greenie,
If only I had time to stay out till dusk :-)

Marc Heath said...

Well done Warren, great sighting. It appears I have lost all of my photos on blogger. I deleted a load off my phone yday not realising what would happen. What a nightmare. I just wiping the tears away. I did hopefully get a few pleasing shots today. Will post later once I have recovered from the shock.

ShySongbird said...

Wow, that's brilliant Warren! Well done with the photos too. A lovely reward for so much dedication to your patch :-) I've never seen one at all, I believe they have become quite urbanised and as I try to avoid cities and town centres like the plague I probably never will. There was one at Draycote Water last year though....I went and looked but missed it!

Warren Baker said...

Songbird,
Black redstarts can be seen on passage at suitable paddocks, and dung heaps, away from buildings, just have to hang around these places ( and have lots of luck!)

Warren Baker said...

Marc,
I hope the photo's on your blog weren't the only copies!

You'll have to delete blog photo's from past years eventually anyway, as you only have so much storage on google :-)

Pete Woodruff said...

This is birding isn't it, 'it was only a Black Redstart'. Just reward for your perseverance and determination, well done Warren.

A motto of mine....Not what you will see, but rather what you might, the element of surprise never fails to delight.

Jason K said...

Superb! Well done on the Black Redstart Warren!

Not had one on my patch this year. There have been 2 records in the last 5 years at Shenstone. One Autumn and 1 Spring

Chris said...

What a catch Warren... That black redstart is a real plus! And you complain about the shots, hey mate, they are just wonderful!!! They are! Well done!!!

Unknown said...

Nice shots of the Black Redstart they are difficult to get close to good work.

Anonymous said...

Superb mate.

Alan Pavey said...

Excellent stuff Mate! I've been checking the veg garden here for the very same. Great pics as well.