RSPB Middleton Lakes & Stubber's Green :: 24 February 2024

Seeing lesser spotted woodpeckers is a great experience for birdwatchers, although their small size and elusive nature can make them challenging to spot - measuring around 14cm (5.5 inches) in length and about the same as a great tit. They have experienced declines in recent decades, mainly due to habitat loss and fragmentation. However, they are still locally distributed and typically found in deciduous woodlands, particularly where there are mature trees with plenty of dead wood for foraging and nesting.

They are agile climbers, using their strong bills to probe for insects and larvae under bark and in crevices of trees. They also drum on trees as a form of communication during the breeding season and are more often heard than seen due to their small size and tendency to forage high in the tree canopy.

Kev @kev0771 and I have tried to see them twice at Acres Down (Kev three times) this year without success. We considered going again, perhaps meeting up with his sister Karen and her partner Dean but decided to give RSPB Middleton Lakes a go instead. There have only been a handful of sightings at Middleton this year and not in the regular spot by the car park - I tried there three times last year and failed to see one at all. Nothing like persistence.

We pulled into the car park just after 7.00am and were surprised it was open and that two cars were already there. We jumped out and chatted with a volunteer and a visitor, confirming that sightings had not included where we stood. We'd give it a go anyway as there was a frost and mist across the fields and we couldn't yet hear any drumming in the distance in any case. The RSPB volunteer called a barn owl behind us, and we were soon on it as it quartered the far hedge line. I took a few photos despite the early hour and distance - I could probably fix the high ISO noise if nothing else.

Egrets roost in a variety of habitats, including trees, reedbeds, and shrubs, often choosing roosting sites near water bodies, where they forage during the day. Little and cattle egrets are known to sometimes roost with grey herons, particularly in communal roosting sites and heronries. While they may not interact extensively, they tolerate each other's presence and benefit from the collective protection of the group.

Egrets and herons usually leave their communal roost shortly after dawn, although the exact timing can vary depending on factors such as weather conditions. Despite the mist we could see little egrets and grey herons passing overhead and then a couple of cattle egrets - a new tick for the year.

After spending an hour or more, we decided to try and spot the lesser spotted woodpecker further down the track, near the two bridges within the woods where there had been a report. As we walked along the track, the distinct drumming of our target bird emanated from the trees towards the back of the copse. Despite scanning through the trees, we failed to locate it. Meanwhile, the calls of great-spotted woodpeckers echoed around us, and we had better luck spotting them. Nuthatches flitted through, and above us we saw siskins feeding on alder seed cones. Anyone who has watched these entertaining birds feeding knows that they are agile acrobats, stretching their necks and contorting their bodies to reach all available cones.

We heard the calls of our elusive bird on numerous occasions, which kept our hopes high. However, after another hour of searching, we found ourselves still empty-handed and the lesser spotted woodpecker falling silent. Undeterred, we decided to make towards the bridges as planned earlier. Just as we were about to depart, our bird called out from high to our left. I managed to spot it perched high in a tree, foraging on the uppermost branches. I attempted to guide Kev to it, but the bird took flight into a closer tree, albeit unfortunately obscured from view. We trained our binoculars on the area and had good views but as I readied my camera, it darted from branch to branch, along a slender bough, but turned away from us the entire time. Kev stepped aside to fetch his scope, but just then, the bird dropped out of sight and vanished. Despite our waiting in the area, the woodpecker didn’t make another appearance. Reluctantly, we opted not to wait any longer and instead set our sights on another potential sighting for the year.

On the way back to the car we passed the usual flock of house sparrows around the barns and in the morning sun, even the little brown jobs (LBJ) can look special.

Iceland gulls are large, white-winged gulls that breed in the Arctic regions of Greenland, Canada, and Iceland. They are known for their distinctive appearance and are rare visitors to our shores during the winter months with sightings typically occurring between October and March. In the UK, Iceland gulls can be observed along coastal areas, estuaries, marshes, and landfill sites, where they feed on a variety of food items, including scavenged waste.

At Stubber's Green, Walsall, sightings of this species had been reported in recent days, although not yet that morning. Given its proximity, being just about 15 miles from Middleton Lakes, we decided to venture there, parking in a layby adjacent to a good viewing spot well before the usual sighting window. It's been noted that the Iceland gull is most commonly spotted around lunchtime and early afternoon, although it may also be present at other times. At this location, gulls gather to bathe and rest at the north-western end, typically foraging at the tip just to the north, and often roost at Chasewater.

There was no sign of our gull and as I looked over the road to another pool, a couple of little egrets circled and dropped into the trees; after a short while, numbers increased to five. They roosted for quite a while.

Spring marks the onset of the breeding season for dunnocks. Male dunnocks become more territorial, defending their territories through singing, and chasing away intruders. They may also engage in courtship displays to attract mates. They are primarily insectivorous, foraging for insects, spiders, and other invertebrates among leaf litter and in low vegetation. Next to us a single dunnock was ever present and presumably staking a claim to the nearby bramble patch. It was quite insistent that I take its photo - I'm ready for my close-up ...

The mute swans cruised in front of us and in groups left the pool and walked up to and over the road, cars stopping to let them pass. On one occasion one of the birds decided to stop on the road and contemplate the meaning of life, testing the patience of the drivers.

In the distance a couple of buzzards were mobbed by crows, one flying by and crossing the road behind.

We continued to wait and gradually a few larger gulls joined the black-headed and common gulls - lesser-black backed and herring gulls. A few of the cormorants resting with the larger gull flock flew over in front of us, one (likely sinensis sub-species) landing on a post and looking rather majestic. I couldn't resist.

There was a shift in the line-up of large gulls, but unfortunately, the Iceland gull was nowhere in sight. As a couple of paddleboards and a kayak departed from Aldridge Sailing Club, they approached the gulls resting along the water's edge, causing them, along with the lapwings and ducks, to take flight. The gulls scattered in different directions as the boards and kayak splashed around them. With the disturbance caused, it seemed unlikely that our bird would make an appearance and settle. We decided to call it a day and head home, especially since I was on a tight schedule – Charlotte and I had plans to attend a show in Birmingham that evening.

Year List: 148.

RSPB Titchwell Marsh :: 17 February 2024

Situated along the scenic North Norfolk coast, RSPB Titchwell offers a range of diverse habitats, ranging from freshwater lagoons to saltwater marshes, and a beach; giving opportunities to observe a wide array of bird species and other wildlife. These habitats support a diverse range of invertebrates, fish, and plant life, which in turn attract numerous bird species, including waders, waterfowl, and seabirds.

Situated along the North Norfolk coast, Titchwell benefits from its proximity to both the sea and inland areas. It serves as an important stopover site for migratory birds, particularly during the spring and autumn migration seasons. The reserve's coastal location and diverse habitats offer essential rest and refueling opportunities for birds traveling long distances between breeding and wintering grounds.

With "weather" coming from the southwest during the day, traveling east seemed like a good plan. Water pipit, twite, black-necked and Slavonian grebes had all been reported in recent days and would all be year ticks.

After our customary stop for breakfast in King's Lynn, we arrived a little after 8.15am and opted for wellie boots as Kev had seen pictures of diggers and paths submerged in mud. Those getting out of the car just along from us were just in walking boots - oh how they'd regret that we thought.

We made our way along watching and listening but intent on getting to the beach while there was no mist or rain - to our left, a bank of low cloud or mist loomed in the distance. Through the scope, Kev @kev07713 spotted a Chinese water deer feeding and working to our left but at distance. Meanwhile, I noticed a spotted redshank in a nearby pool. When we switched positions, the deer had ventured too far for a clear photograph - as it walked away I managed only a photo from behind. Returning to the spotted redshank, I took the opportunity to take a few photos as it foraged and waded around the small pool.

Across the water and in the reeds a Cetti's warbler called and I managed to pick it out as it worked through the reeds. Kev picked out another in a large bush in the reedbed, hopping around under a stonechat. There would be more calling Cetti's but no more views.

We continued down to the beach and searched through the linnet flock for the twite reported over recent days, but without success - one or two people suggested the report the day before may have been erroneous. We couldn’t locate a water pipit either.

We bumped into a couple of birders who mentioned finding a black-necked grebe out at sea. Excited by the prospect, we hurried towards the beach to catch a glimpse. However, upon arrival, we found the water rather quiet, occupied mainly by a raft of common scoters, a few individuals, and pairs of the same,; also a red-breasted merganser and three great-crested grebes. Despite our best efforts, we couldn't spot either of the Slav or black-necked grebes. Nonetheless, the beach was busier as dunlins, turnstones, sanderlings, bar-tailed godwits, grey plovers, and oystercatchers scurried along the water's edge, probing for food among the exposed seaweed. Eventually we decided to head back to the Visitor's Centre for a well-deserved lunch.

On the way we stopped at the Parrinder Hides to check out the pipits, hoping for a water pipit but found only meadows. In the distance we saw gulls preening on small sandy islands and amongst them found a few Mediterranean gulls - a year tick for me. Behind was a grey plover.

As we returned to the main path, we came upon a flock of brent geese taking flight, some heading off into the distance, others settling back onto the marsh, and a few landing on the water; a delightful sight, with their striking deep black plumage adding to their charm.

We came across a group of birders, keeping an eye on a strip of land and wondered if they might have spotted the water pipit. But no such luck, they were just watching a distant Mediterranean gull and a nearer lapwing. I spotted a single golden plover and soon after the others were on it too. We were surprised by the lack of golden plovers, especially since we'd seen large flocks of them on our last visit.

In the bushes near the Visitor's Centre a dunnock called from the depths of a bush - it was never going to be a great photo but the bird was insistent that we pay attention. I quite like the detail.

At the cafe we ordered sausage baps and had planned to sit round the other side of the Centre to see if we could locate a brambling that had been reported. As we waited a report came in that the water pipit had been seen back up the track and so we collected our food and headed back onto the reserve. We spotted a Chinese water deer and waited to show it to a couple who had stopped to find out what we were looking at.

The Chinese water deer is a petite and sturdy deer, typically sporting a pale fawn coat with distinctive large rounded ears and striking button-black eyes. Unlike other deer species, the males lack antlers but boast elongated tusk-like canines. Standing slightly taller and notably lighter in color compared to muntjac, they also lack the hump-backed appearance. They exhibit a preference for wetlands adjacent to woodland areas and fen, occasionally venturing onto nearby farmland and are particularly evident in regions such as the Norfolk Broads and coastal wetlands. Interestingly, many have remarked that the facial features bear a resemblance to that of a teddy bear – a comparison that certainly holds true I think.

We walked on and spotted a handful of pintails coming in over the reedbed. I'd seen some nice photos of pintails recently and made a conscious effort to capture these in flight, hopefully showing the tail. In flight tthe tail of this sepcies is distinctive and striking, characterised by its long, slender shape and pointed ends. When viewed from a distance, it appears noticeably elongated, extending beyond the bird's body. Male pintails have striking plumage with a long slender neck, chocolate-brown head, white breast, and distinctive white stripe running down the sides of their otherwise gray bodies. Female pintails have mottled brown plumage for camouflage.

During the winter months in the UK, pintails are a common sight in wetland areas, estuaries, and coastal marshes. Many pintails migrate to the UK for the winter from their breeding grounds in northern Europe and Russia as we have milder winter conditions and abundant food sources, making it an attractive destination.

I couldn't help thinking of plates on a wall, with mallards in flight ...

We undertook a sustained search around the area where the water pipit had been reported but only managed to find meadow and a rock pipits. Onto the beach again with the hope of finding something new but the same birds were all in view. Eventually, I gravitated towards the water's edge, drawn to photograph the bar-tailed godwits. Amidst them, the sanderlings caught my eye, their antics reminiscent of clowns. Meanwhile, Kev couldn't resist capturing a moment of me "flushing the birds" by the shoreline.

Seeing bar-tailed godwits is always a highlight, especially since I often come across large gatherings of their black-tailed cousins at RSPB Frampton while my sightings of bar-tailed godwits are less frequent. These birds are renowned for their remarkable long-distance migrations, typically arriving in the UK during late summer or autumn from their breeding grounds in the Arctic. They follow specific flyways, covering extensive distances, sometimes spanning thousands of miles. Their plumage undergoes noticeable changes; in winter, it becomes paler with more greyish tones, while during the breeding season it displays a vibrant array of rich chestnut and cinnamon hues on the underparts.

In the closest pool to the beach we picked up a pair of red-breasted mergansers feeding reasonably close. They were showing well and deserved their photo call.

Returning to the Visitor's Centre, we headed to the feeders at the back. There, we joined a father and daughter observing the finches and tits gathered on the feeders and on the ground. About five minutes later, Kev spotted a female brambling. It foraged around the base of a feeding table before moving closer, directly in front of us under another table. I struggled to focus on the bird in the grass, and the colour reproduction seemed off. I adjusted it as best as I could. It won't be long before they begin their northward migration back to their breeding sites in Scandinavia, Russia, and parts of northern Europe. A muntjac deer strolled in and joined in hoovering up the spilled bird seeds and nuts.

We'd notched up 59 species but missed a number of target birds. A nice day out but a little frustrating.

Year list: 146.