No Merganser :(

15/02/15- Hello there readers, I return after a little stint without a post with another post covering Sunday's birding. I have had a lot of work to do in terms of coursework so have had the chance to do a post for the last couple of weeks. Anyway on with the posting this week we went to quite a few locations looking to see whatever we could we started the day off at Sandwell Valley as we usually do. So the day before Sunday two Red Breasted Merganser had been seen on Forge Mill Lake, the day before I was desperately keeping an eye on Twitter hoping they would hold on until tomorrow. But it didn't look good the birds had gone and by the looks of things turned up at Chasewater. The next day that being Sunday the Mergansers were no where to be seen, that didn't stop me constantly going over to the group of Goosander hoping, always hoping. However it was good to see a return of the female Pintail as it joined the long staying male on the marsh today, I can't help but notice them becoming more overlooked in the Valley lately but I can't help but look for them every time we visit. A stunning Kingfisher gave two very close up fly by's throughout the morning, we also had the usual number of Snipe as well as plenty of Pochard, Wigeon, and Gadwall. 

The star bird of our visit to the hide was in the for of the Water Rail it was surprising how I managed to see the bird, I was looking out to Forge Mill Lake and noticed what Initially thought was a Moorhen but on looking at the bird it turned out to be a flying Water Rail which isn't something you see to often. That was the star bird of the visit and it was great to see a Water Rail flying so well. It was also very good to see our returning female Oystercatcher nicknamed "Stumpy" has returned and was showing well on the main island.

Group of Goosander closer to the hide than usual.

Our next stop was somewhere I hadn't been to for a month or so Essington Quarry Pool, we were secretly hoping the Sandwell Mergansers had perhaps dropped in there but obviously they hadn't done. However its always nice to have a walk round the pool and see whats around, as usual we had the odd Little Grebe, as well as a single Grey Heron. A decent flock of Wigeon were also feeding along with a good group of Greylag Geese who were doing the same. We had a few chats with a group of Metal Detectors and I have to say it was interesting to swap info on two different hobbies between us, it was strange because they were speaking about what they were doing as birders would when we are looking for something, it was good to talk to others who have outdoor hobbies and see what they have found.

Couple of the Greylags at Essington Quarry Pool

So after a quick visit to Essington we moved over to Chasewater for a brief look at the Gull Roost, we didn't have as much time as usual but we still thought it would be worth a good look. Firstly however we had a very quick look at the Swag to see what was around we don't often look there so it made a good change. A couple of Goosander were showing very well as well as a single female Goldeneye. Plenty of Black Headed Gulls were showing in really good numbers on the Swag but from what I could see nothing mixed in with them. So we moved on to the main reservoir on the drive round we had quick but great views of Red Deer Feeding in fields, I got some photos of them but we had to move on quick as we were along a road so the pictures aren't perfect.

Two Red Deer feeding near Chasewater. 

So we had a brief look over the main reservoir but we didn't have as much time as usual. However after a quick look I managed to get us on a great looking adult summer plumage Med Gull in full plumage which wasn't expected. The bird interestingly had rings on its legs, I couldn't quite read the number on one of the rings however if someone does then we will know exactly where the bird came from which I think would be great. Bellow if my sorry attempt at taking a photo of the bird using my phone through my scope.

Long Tailed Tit. 

The Adult Med Gull at Chasewater. 

That's it for this weeks post, there should be another soon, I'm not sure exactly where my birding travels will take me so the post could be on anything. As usual I will Tweet out when a new post is up so keep an eye out for that.

Thanks for reading and have a good week all- WB