A Silhouette in the Dark

A late evening walk to the Mill Lakes produced a few good birds. It began with a Green Woodpecker and two singing Skylark over the Pit Tip, followed by good views of a Common Whitethroat at Dawson's Corner by the western entrance. Nothing was to be seen at the Reedbed tonight, but the far side of the Mill Lakes gave me the best views I've ever had of two male Ruddy Duck: one with a bright blue bill and the other paler blue/grey. Both were parading the lake giving their display calls. Heading further around the lake (clockwise) a single male Shelduck was looking a little lost - a bit odd at this time of year.

The Leen Pastures had a single male Common Pheasant wandering amongst the rabbits and cattle, but no sign of anything else. Along the Railway Track a Dunnock was singing at the top of a gorse bush and three Brown Hare were on the golf course, but no sign of any Owls, which is what I'd been hoping for.

Back at the north end of the lake, I poured myself a coffee whilst watching all the wildfowl move towards their roosting positions. As the sunlight faded, a small bird flashed past me in the light of the (almost) full moon. A small bird, about the size of a Starling, had flown from the bank to one of the small islands, and landed on a tree branch that overhangs the water. All I could make out in the poor light was a light lower half and darker upper... then it started wagging its tail in the constant fashion that Grey Wagtails do, so it was almost certainly a Grey Wagtail. I watched it for several minutes while finishing my coffee, and it seemed to have gone to roost there. Something to note for my next pre-dawn visit.

It was gone 10pm, and the light had all but gone, so I headed back with the hope of glimpsing an Owl. Some parts of the Sustrans path were pretty closed in, so I used my torch to guide the way, flicking it up into the trees every so often - just in case! As I reached the point where the path doubles back on itself a noise from the trees behind me caught my attention. It sounded like an Owl call, so I shone the torch up for a quick glance... nothing... and then another call. Moving closer to the source of the sound, I was surprised that it was coming from mid-way up the tree, rather than the top. Shining the torch was answered by the same call, but further back, so I followed.

Using the sound (rather than the light) I was able to pinpoint what I thought was an Owl-like silhouette close to the main trunk of a tree about 20 feet away. Watching it with the bins, it didn't move, and I started to think I was looking in the wrong spot when it suddenly swooped downward and moved further away. I was about to get the video camera's night vision on when, all of a sudden, I heard several voices nearby and getting closer. This area isn't the best of places to be hanging around in the dark by yourself, so I went on my way contently, having just seen my first-ever Tawny Owl.

A Notts Rarity?... (or Just an Escape?)

Today I headed out fairly early, planning a long walk around to the Mill Lakes via the Goosedale area. The plan was to head through the woods and up Lamin's Lane to get there, but things didn't work out like that.

There wasn't much about in the woods, but a couple of singing Wren were the first I'd seen in a while. The first notable sighting was a Common Whitethroat singing from an overhead wire up Lamin's Lane. Several Greenfinch were doing the same thing, and a couple of Lapwing were in the adjacent field. As I headed up towards Killarney Park, I realized that the map was at home, and having never come as far as this, I was a little unsure as to how I'd find my way through: the place was like a maze of dead-ends. My hopeless wanderings paid off in the form of a distant male Yellowhammer singing at the top of hedge in a nearby farmer's field and close views (and footage) of a Willow Warbler managing to sing whilst carrying a fly in its bill. There were also good numbers of House Sparrow around the park, with many of the residents providing feeders and tables.

As I was about to turn around and give up, I found a public footpath up a so-called "Private Road", which led me down through the woods and into a farmer's field. There seemed to be a choice of two paths, one headed in the direction I was aiming for, but looked as if it dwindled to nothing, and the other was a more obvious path, but led towards Broadvalley Stables. Having wasted an hour wandering around the holiday park, I copped out and took the safe root. It produced another singing male Yellowhammer and a load of Skylark on the way, with some good views too.

At the Mill Lakes there was little of note on the lake: a pair of Ruddy Duck and a pair of Gadwall were probably the pairs seen on my previous visit. The number of Mute Swan seemed to be high at 19, but I've not done serious counts before. Heading to the north end, a female Blackcap was feeding in the trees along the path, but that was about it.

I decided to walk along the Railway Line to the Water Meadow, but this didn't produce anything but unfamiliar birdsong. I didn't venture down the embankment alongside the gate, but scanned the Golf Course in the hope of a Linnet. A single Barnacle Goose feeding with several Greylag Goose caught my attention - aside from being a patch tick, an in-land Barnacle Goose on a hot day at the end of May seemed a bit odd. It wasn't until after I'd reported what is a very rare winter visitor in Notts, that I realized it must have been feral - a pencil tick! I watched and filmed it for a few minutes in the pleasant morning sun, before my attention was caught by a Lapwing flying over and settling on the hill behind. Soon afterwards, a party of golfers appeared and put the geese up into the air, flying away in the direction of the Mill Lakes.

Walking further along the railway line produced several Whitethroat species, at least one of which was a Lesser Whitethroat, as heard by Norman the last time I was here. I looked about and listened for the Kestrel at the bridge, and the male appeared, hovering and calling before it disappeared again. A female Bullfinch was seen on the lawn of the nearby garden, but that was about all until back at the lake.

As I walked around the far side of the lake, a gull flew in from the south and landed on the water. At first glance it was just a Black-headed Gull, but on closer inspection I wasn't so sure. Having recently got back into birding, I haven't seen many gulls in summer plumage for a long time now. This gulls stood out to me because it's head and tail looked very brown, I would say chestnut brown. The bill was a deep red, and seemed longer than that of a Black-headed Gull. I noted several other details too, all of which later confirmed a Black-headed Gull, the tail colour may have been a trick of the light or some form of age/moult variation.

A Chiffchaff was near the entrance to the Reedbed, and my first Sedge Warbler was singing away in the scrub opposite the Reedbed. It kept flying from a perch in the scrub to some reeds on the opposite bank and back again to sing. At the end of the Reedbed Boardwalk a male Reed Bunting was seen singing away in one of the trees that break out of the Reedbed. A nearby female was seen almost on the water's edge, chasing or being chased about by another small bird (possibly a Sedge Warbler). Leaving the board walk, a male Bullfinch was on the grass behind the Alder Carr.

The return walk produced another male Kestrel over Dawson's Corner and a distant Sparrowhawk soaring above the trees and gardens near the Pit Tip Top. In all, a great morning (despite a little sunburn), with 50+ species seen and a couple of patch/life ticks.

Not So Swift Swift

An afternoon walk to the Adventure Playground with the kids produced three Common Swift - a surprisingly late patch tick! I'm sure I've seen them over the park from the house already this year (and probably in previous years too), but I've been too busy for birding since then. Also of note was my first Cuckoo, calling from the woods behind the Adventure Playground. However, I'm not counting it until I've seen one. A Green Woodpecker was on the large dead tree above the Three Ponds, and some other tree climbing birds (possibly juvenile Nuthatch) were too, but I didn't get a decent look.

An Evening in the Rain

A Garganey had been reported at the Mill Lakes by lunchtime, and despite the fact I should have been working, I couldn't pass up the opportunity of another lifer on my local patch, so I told myself that I'd go in the evening if I managed to get enough work done that day. By the end of the day (well 6pm), my work had gone well, so I quickly packed my things and headed off (although I'd have probably convinced myself to go either way!).

As I set off there was a little light rain, nothing to worry about, but enough to warrant waterproofs. Due to the rain, I didn't bother to stop and look at anything on the way there, and by the time I reached the Mill Lakes, the rain was quite heavy. A large group of House Martin and Barn Swallow were swarming over the trees and surface of the water, feeding on all the flies. I had a quick look over the Reedbed, but all it produced was a pair of wet and misted bins. After doing my best to dry them out enough to see through, I knew I'd have a tough time seeing much; but I ploughed on regardless.

Moving around the near side of the lake produced at least one male Ruddy Duck in summer plumage with reasonable views, despite the rain. A pair of Gadwall were the first of the year for me, and at the northern end of the lake, just south of Mud Island was a stunning male Garganey. Even in the rain, this bird looked great. I chanced some video footage in the rain as it paddled off towards the islands in the middle.There wasn't much point in staying after it disappeared from view: It was getting dark, and I was already soaked. I headed for the warmth of home, and the comfort of dry clothes and a cup of tea.

When You Wait Ages for a Bus...

A dawn walk to the Mill Lakes proved very productive, adding seven patch ticks including three that I should have had a long while ago. Just after 5:30am, I set off over the Pit Tip, where I'd expected to be the only sole in sight, but to my surprise there were two dome tents pitched on the top... still nobody to be seen though - and barely any birds either. However, the Skylark were up before me, and at least three were singing away quite loudly. I got onto one of them before moving on to the far side of the Plantation and down the hill... nothing else but crows around at that time.

At the cut through to Dawson's Corner I could see the bridge was still down, but the stream was dry and nothing was stopping me from walking through or jumping over the ditch. As soon as I came out on the far side I was instantly drawn to one of the small shrubs which held my first Whitethroat - a singing male - showing very well and enabling me to get some footage for the record. Heading on towards the western entrance I picked up another singing male on the tall hedge at the far side. This time, not so obliging for footage. This area seems to be a great spot for warblers, so I'll try to make more of it in the summer. I think there's potential for some good footage on an early morning, with some patience.

At the Mill Lakes I headed to the Reedbed first. Scanning over the reeds produced nothing at first, but then some movement near one of the small trees in the middle caught my eye. Two Willow/Marsh Tit were flicking about between the reeds and the tree. They weren't around or still enough for me to determine the presence of any wing bar, but based on likelihood at the Mill Lakes I opted for probable Willow Tit, putting the apparently shiny black caps down to being breeding plumage.

Back out at the lake, two Grey Heron were flying around - I think being mobbed by a crow. A single Cormorant flew over to the north and I spent some time scanning the water. Very little seemed to be around today. I started to make my way around anti-clockwise when I bumped into Ralph. We walked back towards the Reedbed, stopping off to glimpse one of the Grey Heron nests, which held at least three young.

There was nothing to be seen at the Reedbed now, but heading over the Vehicle Bridge and up the far side, Ralph put me on to a male Reed Bunting on the far bank. We took the back route, it being apparently better for warblers, and this was proved correct. Aside from a pair of Jay, Ralph heard a Blackcap, and a few Chiffchaff were singing their name. At the north end of the lake two Lesser Black-backed Gull (another patch tick) flew over to the north.

I'd been telling Ralph about some of the "easy" patch birds, which had so far eluded me: Mistle Thrush, Pied Wagtail and Stock Dove. He'd seen the former already this morning, just before meeting me, on the grassy area between the Willow Carr and the Main Entrance near to where they're suspected to breed. We headed there to wait for the others and sure enough along comes a Mistle Thrush a few minutes later. After Norman and Julie arrived, we stood around chatting for a bit, which turned out well for me when a brightly-coloured male Yellowhammer landed in a nearby willow tree. We had some good views and, I got some good footage, before hearing that they were quite unusual for that area - so another nice patch tick for me.

On the way to the Leen Pastures I had a Song Thrush in a tree on the Railway Embankment by the first rail bridge and the others heard a singing male Blackcap near the inlet pipe, which appeared for me to patch tick it after a minute or so. Further up the ride we all got a single Barn Swallow, and two Jay were around (probably the same two seen earlier).

At the Leen Pastures, the feeders were empty and nothing was around, so I popped up to the Railway Line. After seeing very little, I was about to climb down when the others were coming up... Norman had heard a Lesser Whitethroat singing along the embankment, so we all went for a look. Despite hearing a few, none were positively seen. Julie had two Linnet that flushed out over the Golf Course, and I probably got onto one before it disappeared, but not well enough for a patch tick. Everyone put me onto a Stock Dove flying out over the Golf Course (and another one later, too), getting another "easy" tick for me, and a little later I finally got a Pied Wagtail too.

At the point the Railway Line crosses the Leen, Ralph and I spotted a male Kestrel sat on the bridge, which moved away as we approached, only for Ralph to relocate mating with a female on the TV ariel of a nearby house! Both birds were looking quite bulky to me and seemingly more impressive than usual.

It was getting quite late - at least for me - I'd been out for four hours, so I decided to head back. The others came too and Julie got a LBJ warbler at the side of the track - probably a Chiffchaff (we'd heard them around here earlier), but it'd disappeared before we got good views.

After departing from the group, I headed back along the side lane getting another Willow Tit and getting more Canada Goose and Greylag Goose in the adjacent field. Whilst walking through the paddock at Broadvalley Stables I got another Pied Wagtail (what do they say about waiting ages for a bus?) and a Goldfinch. In Big Wood I picked up a single Nuthatch just before Alexandra Lodge. I stopped by to drop off my payment for the bird report and mentioned the Whitethroats to Steve, but I didn't have time to stop and chat, and he looked busy anyway. On the final stretch I didn't stop to look for anything, but got a single Jay to finish the morning, and made it home before 10am for a late breakfast.

First Singing Warbler

This evening I had a quick walk along the side of the Pit Tip Top and almost immediately came across a warbler singing at the top of a tree. From the little I know of warblers, I presumed it was a Willow Warbler from its similarity to a Chiffchaff, but with pink/light coloured legs. However, capturing some footage and - more importantly - its song, helped to confirm this.

The rest of the walk was rather mundane, unless filming a Bat with the infra-red counts. A few Long-tailed Tit were in the trees where Farmer Fox's Cow Field meets Big Wood, and at least one Pheasant was heard calling (but not seen) from Parkside Pasture.

Last of the (Common) Crows

What seemed to be a really unproductive evening walk in the wood, produced two patch ticks, but nothing to get excited about. I'd planned to go out over the Pit Tip Top, but as I got close, I could hear some idiot on a motorbike, so I gave it a miss and headed down into the woods. A single Jay was close to the entrance again and, as I descended towards Shopping Trolley Pond, a group of four were flying over towards the Pit Tip Plantation. A little further down I caught a glimpse of a Chiffchaff/Willow Warbler, calling in the trees by the hand rail. I could make out the dark eye stripe, but its feet were hidden, so on call I put it as probable Chiffchaff. At least one Skylark was heard singing over the Pit Tip in the background.

The idiot on the motorbike seemed to be going along all the main pathways, thus ruining any chance I had of seeing much, but a long-awaited patch tick came in the form of a Jackdaw in the horse paddock. Several groups of between two and four were feeding throughout the field - seemingly on horse manure! I'm sure I've seen them around here previously, but have always overlooked them in the past. A Song Thrush was singing away at the entrance of the Khalsa Wood, but I didn't manage to see with it in the failing light.

Around Alexandra Lodge the crows were coming in to roost and making quite a bit of noise. My second patch tick was a Spring migrant that had left before I began birding here last year. I watched a single Barn Swallow circle the lodge three times in an attempt to catch its super. Heading back up the track around the newly-fenced Calluna Clearing I caught a brief glimpse of a large brown bird that flew low from a perching position, but it was too dark to make out what it was - possibly a Sparrowhawk. My first Bat of the year was seen just as I was leaving the park, but the only thing I know about Bats is that they're hard to identify, so I won't even begin to try! In all, I saw less than ten different species this evening, but my patch list has hit 70, so I'm not complaining.