Birding today

Hi readers, me and dad decided to do what we usually do on a Sunday and spend the day birding. We first took our regular trip to Sandwell Valley and came up with these sightings,

RSPB Sandwell Valley- Little Grebe x2, Shellduck x1, Great crested Grebe x2, Wigeon 20+, Tufted Duck 5+, Canada Goose 30+, Black headed Gull 30+, Lesser black backed Gull 5+, Carrion Crow 5+.

Its nice to see that the Shellduck is deciding to stay on the island in front of the hide, its a very rare visitor to the valley so its nice to get a good look at it. It's strange how the bird hardly moved throughout the morning today, it just kept its head tucked away, I can only think its the cold weather we are having.

After visiting Sandwell Valley we decided to take a trip to Upton Warren in hope of getting the Avocets, here's our sightings list,

Flashes- Avocet x13, Chifchaff x1, Redwing x1, Curlew x1, Black headed Gull 10+, Greylag Goose 5+, Canada Goose 5+, Linnet x2, Stock Dove x2, Oystercatcher x2, Buzzard x1.

Moors Pools- Reed Bunting 5+,  Greenfinch 5+, Cormorant 10+, Canada Goose x2, Mallard x1, Grey Heron x1, Lapwing 10+, Greylag Goose x16, Great crested Grebe x2, Shovela 5+, Mute Swan x2, Shellduck x2, Little Grebe x1, Pochard x1, Pied Wagtail x1, Great Spotted Woodpecker x1, Oystercatcher x2, Water rail x1.

It was great to see such good numbers of Avocets on the flashes to me they were the star bird today, Chifchaff was another good bird for me today in fact it was my first warbler of the year so it was a great one to see. Water Rail was another bird I really enjoy seeing I was searching for one at Sandwell because it had turned up yesterday but it didn't turn up. I also heard from Alf and Bob in the hide that the Cettis Warbler had also been heard calling yesterday near the band stand (Sandwell Valley) so I may go and have a little look for the bird next week. Linnet was another year tick for me (along with Avocet and Chifchaff) I had heard they were in the bushes near the flashes hide so I kept my eyes open and struck lucky and saw it.

Thanks for reading have a good week all- WMBB