18th June 2009

Cycled to Earlswood during the late afternoon and saw that there were 7 terns at the lakes, most over Engine Pool. I thought they'd all be the usual Common Terns, and indeed 6 were - the other was an Arctic Tern!!! Seeing one in the midlands at this time of year is unusual, as they're normally seen on passage, but I was able to watch it for a long time and see all of the distinguishing features so am 100% sure of its ID. Arctic Terns have been reported at Earlswood on a number of occasions this year, although that doesn't mean all were correctly identified (I'm still a little suspicious as I never connected with any of the reported birds, though I'm told they don't stay long at sites during passage). Another bird unusual for Earlswood at this time of year was a Sand Martin also seen over Engine Pool. Other birds observed were 60+ Swifts over lakes, 2 Common Whitethroats around Terry's Pool and 1 Reed Warbler at Engine Pool. I thought I saw a raptor, possibly a Hobby, distantly for a split-second passing the engine house from Engine Pool, but very unsure about it.
M.P. Griffiths

P.S. I only reported the Arctic Tern to Brian Stretch (West Midlands Birding). So who reported it on BirdGuides on the 19th as seen today (18th)?! Did you see it yourself?