Wednesday 20 October 2010

20th October 2010

Bingo! New birds at the lakes this morning were both at Terry's Pool, namely a Wigeon, plus an elusive redhead Goosander that might've arrived whilst I was there. A Chiffchaff around Terry's Pool showed well, and there were single Redwings perched around Both Terry's and Windmill Pools. Not much visible migration though.
M.P. Griffiths

11 comments:

Dave said...

Hi, we saw a pair of Goosanders today,(30th Oct)17:10 on Terrys pool, southern end, west side of the islands.

Cheers
Dave & Jackie

Anonymous said...

Hi Matt, do you do any tours around Earlswood Lake? I live close by, and would be interested in taking part in local wildlife study, specifically birds. Thanks.

Tracey.

Matt Griffiths said...

Hi Dave, Jackie,
Thanks for your sighting. Interestingly, there were quite a few sightings of Goosanders at the lakes in October this year, all singles apart from this sighting; yet I only saw one once in October last year, which was possibly also the first October record for the lakes. I wonder if this reflects an increase in Goosander numbers, or an increase in observer coverage.

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Hi Tracey,
Great to learn of your interest. I've never done a tour around the lakes, but might consider doing one in the future. I'd be happy to show you and one or two others around in a few weeks time (my mom is ill at the moment so I'd rather not commit to a specific date), but please email me days you could do. If you're interested in doing bird surveys, the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust organise bird surveying workshops and can be contacted via their website (http://www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk).

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Kind regards,
Matt

Tracey Leaning said...

Oh Thank you Matt. I am available on Thursdays before 11am and after 12.30. Also Fridays, after 12.30 and weekends before 1pm!!! In between my work hours! It would be great if you could fix something up. Thank you. Sending best wishes to your mom. I do hope she is feeling better soon.
P.S. Saw a young swan on the canal at Dickens Heath today. Approached it waryly. It was quite relaxed and stayed put, seemingly listening to me saying how beautiful he/she was!!!

Tracey.

Matt Griffiths said...

Thanks Tracey, my mom's on the mend and I should be able to set a date and time to meet up in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, you might see me at the lakes, as I try to go there for a couple of hours each day if time allows.
Nice one with the swan - I think it's quite unusual seeing one along the canal.
Matt

Anonymous said...

Thanks Matt, glad your mom is feeling better, look forward to hearing from you soon as to when you can do the Earlswood tour. Might bump into you before then!

Tracey.

Anonymous said...

Cleared the snow away for the local birds, and put up my Summer umbrella to keep it clear!! Spread sunflower seeds and crushed nuts under it. I haven't been to the Earlswood Lakes due to having too much work on. I am still interested in a tour around though should you arrange a group meet in the future. Maybe not in this weather though eh?!! Hope all is well with you.

Matt Griffiths said...

Hi Tracey,
Yes I was waiting for this icy weather to go before arranging a time to meet up, and it looks like that'll be in January now. Can't believe the lakes have been nearly completely frozen over for so long this month.
Matt

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year Matt!
Let me know when your Earlswood Lake tour happens!
I had the sound down on my tv turned down just. (10.45pm) and was sure I heard geese flying over my house! Did I fall asleep for a second and dream it?!!!

Matt Griffiths said...

Hi Tracey,

Happy New Year. I'll see if anyone else is interested in the walk, then sort out when we'll do it, now that the ice has gone.

You could well have heard geese go over, especially if the moon was out, maybe even something like Pink-footed Geese.

Matt

Anonymous said...

That's interesting. It sounded surreal! I will just wait on you then, as to whether you can get interest for the walk.

Thanks Matt. Wishing you well.