Birding round the valley

Hi readers, today I decided to have a look round Sandwell valley seen as me and dad didn't get to go on Sunday. The first bird I saw on the reserve happened to be a Ringed Necked parakeet, I was literally right next to the bird while it was feeding, I accidentally saw it when I was on my way to have a look for the Cettis Warbler that was apparently still around. After the parakeet flew away I decided to pursue it more in hope of getting a longer look at the bird but I could only here it calling in the tree tops somewhere and couldn't manage to get any further views of the bird. I then decided to walk down towards the marsh in hope of at least hearing the Cettis Warbler, sadly I had little success but in the hide Alf told me he had heard it last Sunday which could mean its still about but secretive.

After going down to the marsh I decided to walk to the hide in hope of some summer waders to add onto my yearlist, as I arrived I was greeted by the hide volunteers who show me LRP and Redshank which were two year ticks for me, the two resident Oystercatcher were also back on the main island which could mean they are thinking of using it as their breeding ground again. Also some of you who may have read my posts before will know of a single Shellduck that has been on the island for the past few weeks, well it has been joined by another Shellduck and it is possible that they could be the first ever breeding pair of Shellduck on the valley which to me is very exciting. Anyway here's my sightings list from the day,

RSPB Sandwell Valley- Ring necked Parakeet x1, Shoverla x12, Long tailed Tit 5+, Willow Tit x1, Carrion Crow 10+, Jackdaw x3, LRP x2, Redshank x1, Teal x1, Wigeon 10+, Black headed Gull 30+, Little Grebe x2, Shellduck x2, Buzzard x2, Starling 5+, Pochard 1+, Canada Goose 10+, Stock Dove x1.

A small but good list today, its nice to see some summer migrant waders coming back now especially the LRP's and what makes it even better is that they have come back as a pair so lets keep our fingers crossed for them successfully breeding this year. We were on the look our for Sand martins today as they are beginning to come back and we should be seeing them soon but so far there has been none on the reserve so far this year.

Anyway me and dad should be paying another visit to the reserve on Sunday unless something turns up somewhere else.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the rest of the week- WMBB