Tuesday, 1 September 2009

1st September 2009

Cycled to the lakes during the early morning, and from the causeway saw 4 Common Terns, as well as 2 Ravens flying quite high up heading north/northeast. There was a Tufted Duck at Windmill Pool, a Mute Swan still at Engine Pool and I reckoned there were 6 Grey Wagtails at the lakes. Met a birder who I've met on previous occasions (sorry I didn't get your name, but nice to meet you again) and went round part of the lakes with him, managing to see a Teal and a Kingfisher at Terry's Pool. Afterwards, passed through Forshaw Heath where apart from 4 Stock Doves there wasn't much around, though Swallows are still hanging around farms there and elsewhere in the area.
M.P. Griffiths

P.S. From Forshaw Heath, made the journey to Bittell Reservoirs (Worcestershire) and saw a Barnacle Goose, 3 Greenshanks (lifer!) and 2 Common Sandpipers at Upper Bittell, and 2 Kingfishers at Lower Bittell, as well as a Little Owl on the way home. I later heard that 3 Ringed Plovers and 2 Yellow Wagtails had been seen there earlier, but there was no sign of these. At the time I was really pleased to have "found" a Barnacle Goose and noted as many distinguishing features as I could in case I needed to give a description, but I suspected it was of captive/feral origin, something which Brian Stretch has confirmed is almost certainly the case. However, I think I'll be naughty and count the Barnacle Goose as a lifer - need to get the life list up as I've a long way to go before 200 is reached!

3 comments:

midlands birder said...

same thing as me ive counted barnicle geese as my 191st lifer,i know they were feral but they are on categary c so are countable,
nice birds at bittel by the way
MB

Matt Griffiths said...

Cheers. Would love the Barnacle Goose to visit Earlswood when I'm there :-)

Reg Telescope said...

I would count the goose too. I've had it on my life list for a while, but I have now seen a 'proper' bird up in Islay.

Might have to pay Bittell a visit this weekend.