15th March 2009

Went to do the WeBS counts at the lakes during the morning; highlights were 1 redhead Goosander, 1 male Shoveler, 1 female Pochard, 12 Tufted Ducks 3 Cormorants and 1+ Kingfisher. Goosander (1?) at Earlswood Lakes was plotted on the BirdGuides BirdMap today, but I didn't report this and don't know the details. I'd hoped to see a hirundine or two whilst I was there but was disappointed again, though I did see 2+ Buzzards, 2+ Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Goldcrests, 4+ Treecreepers, 2+ Siskins and 94+ Common Frogs, and heard 2+ Common Pheasants, around the lakes and other parts of Earlswood.
M.P. Griffiths

Reminder:
The Solihull Branch of the West Midland Bird Club have organised a field trip to Earlswood next week on Sunday 22nd March, as follows:
Earlswood Lakes and Clowes Wood (SP109739) Meet in the Malthouse Lane car park at 10:00 am. A mixture of broad-leaved woodland and common water species, perhaps early Chiffchaff.
Further information about Solihull Branch field trips can be found here. Birders who aren't members of the WMBC are welcome to attend this and other branch trips.