Wednesday 8 July 2015

A day in the West Midlands & Warwickshire - July 2, 2015

Roger had joined me to see some of the more interesting moths from last night trap and we then took a few to David, who had also had his trap out.  Once we had finished going through the moths we set off to Marsh Lane NR in the West Midlands to hopefully see a Melodious Warbler.  The bird was being reported along a bridal path on the other side of the road to the reserve.  There was only one other car parked alongside the path, which turned out not to be birders but another birder did arrive in a taxi just before we set off down the track.  After walking about half a mile we heard the bird singing and although we were pretty certain, which bush it was it remained very illusive and it was quite some time before we saw the bird.  It did eventually provide some nice views and on a couple of occasions sang from a small clump of gorse.


Melodious Warbler


Melodious Warbler


Melodious Warbler


Melodious Warbler

We eventually made our way back and two Oystercatchers flew over just after we got back to the car and I had also seen a Yellow-legged Gull as we walked out to the site.  It was now just after twelve and we decided the best option for the afternoon was Brandon Marsh and we arrived there in just thirty minutes.

After some lunch we went on to the reserve and headed for the East Marsh where we saw three Oystercatchers, two Little Ringed Plovers, a Redshank with a couple of chicks and a couple of Common Terns.  From the Teal Pool hide we found a Green Sandpiper and from the furthest hide we had nice views of a Hobby.  It looked rather brown on the back and photos showed pale tips to the covers, perhaps suggesting a first-year bird.  We finally called at Carlton hide where there was a Fulvous Whistling Duck amongst the Teal and another, or perhaps the same, Green Sandpiper.


Hobby showing brownish back


Hobby showing pale tips to the coverts


Hobby


Fulvous Whistling Duck


Fulvous Whistling Duck


Fulvous Whistling Duck


Fulvous Whistling Duck


Adult Lesser Black-backed Gull

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