Tuesday 3 February 2015

Winter birding in Warwickshire

Tuesday 3rd January 2015

The last few days has involved some local walks and visits to Brandon Marsh and Draycote Water. The walks took me along the River Anker between Atherstone and Polesworth. With the help of local conservationist and guide John we explored riverside stubble fields surprisingly rich in birdlife. Large flocks of Skylarks in particular but also good numbers of Linnets, Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers as well as a colony of some 25 Tree sparrows. Other birds included a single Goosander  a few Common Snipe and a Little Owl. Draycote is enjoying a bit of a purple patch in terms of wintering birds, with long stayers, a pair of White fronted geese, a single Pink footed Goose, at least one female Pintail and a drake Smew. All showed well today. as did the recently arrived Black necked Grebe and 3 Ravens.

Black necked Grebe, Draycote Water
Female Pintail
Smew
Pink footed Goose
Pink footed Goose
Pink footed Goose
White fronted Goose
White fronted Goose
Kingfisher, Brandon Marsh
Water Rail
Another flight shot, a Meteor I think, Brandon Marsh

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