Birding today.

Hi readers, today was another usual day for us, we spent our birding time looking around Sandwell Valley and Bartley Green res as we usually do on a Sunday. I did fancy a visit to Middleton with the Little Stints being around but with Volunteer duties at Sandwell Valley we decided to go there. The morning was interesting with an adult Winter Med Gull popping up into my scope almost instantly after opening the hide. There was in my opinion a record number of Cormorants for the year with I believe 21 individuals. 41 Lapwings were also on the main island which is a common site lately. We also got quite nice views of a Snipe on the front of the main island for a change. A couple of Little and Great crested grebes were also around so there was plenty to look at throughout the morning, here's the main sightings,

RSPB Sandwell Valley- Med Gull x1, Grey Heron x1, Cormorant x21, Shoveler x1, Gadwall 5+, Snipe x1, Lapwing x41, Teal 5+, Coot 10+, Moorhen 5+, Little Grebe x2, Great crested Grebe x2, Black headed Gull 50+, Lesser Black backed Gull x1, Mute Swan x2, Canada Goose 5+, Tufted Duck 5+.

Yep, it was quiet really considering Saturdays takings, I found the report of a Spoonbill flying through in the morning quite late at night yesterday, but wasn't really upset with missing it to much seen as it was a fly through, the bird is presumed to be the same individual that has turned up at Venus Pool (Shrops), which was still there today. I have to say it was quite exciting to hear of such a species turning up at the valley, its nice to see things are picking up a little round there.

Bartley green reservoir was another place we visited briefly this afternoon with main counts being, Great crested Grebe (2), five Grey herons, some Tufted Ducks and a Buzzard. So quiet round that place as usual lately.

Anyway back onto Sandwell Valley, next week we have decided not to go over to the reserve, seen as we go every week we thought we should take a week off and spend the day somewhere else, the likelihood is Middleton or Upton Warren or anywhere something turns up. In regards to future visits to the reserve next month I may not be required to volunteer down the hide at all, due to contractors coming in a changing the island a little which I have to say seems like good news.

In terms of birding when this is happening it is likely there will be little around to look at so visiting may be put off for a week or two but you shall know when this is. The island is being changed to attract more waders onto the reserve, from the brief plans I saw a couple of weeks ago it looks as if the island will be basically cut up into multiple scrapes and therefore better feeding areas for waders. The design could go either way really but hopefully over time it will work to get more wading species into the reserve. Fingers crossed eh.

Anyway there should be a post next week, on our visit to somewhere if something turns up in staffs or the midlands that's likely to be where we are off to, if not Middleton or Upton are likely to be on the agenda.

Thanks for reading and have a good week all- WMBB