Brockholes

Juvenile Mediterranean Gull, Brockholes Quarry

Drake Garganey in eclipse plumage, Brockholes Quarry

Brockholes Quarry

Little Owl, Lady Lane in Croft

xxx

Last night on my way home I popped down Lady Lane in Croft. One of the Little Owls was perched in the tree next to the usual one, a second bird was in the hollow of the usual tree but tucked up behind a splinter of bark and very hard to spot. I decided to check out the harrowed field that Jonathan was watching the other day while I was in the area. 14 Stock Doves and the same number of Black-headed Gulls in the field plus a pair of Grey Partridges. I then noticed a female Kestrel - she was running around on the ground and snapping up worms and beetles. She was soon joined by a juvenile bird who hung around begging for food. They eventually flew off towards the church and there incurred the displeasure of the local Mistle Thrushes!

xxx

This morning was extremely wet. The juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker was back on the feeders, the number of Greenfinches increased with four males, a female and a juvenile being present. Not much else though. I decided to go for a wander around HGF even though it was raining heavily - the visit paid off with three juvenile Black-necked Grebes having joined the three adults present yesterday. These are the first juveniles this year dispersing from Woolsten Eyes. A Cormorant and a Common Sandpiper were present at the pool along with the usual suspects. On the bare field by Midhops mum and dad Yellow Wagtail were just ambling along with a pair of Grey Partridges also present.

xxxx

This morning I also had a quick wander around the back lanes. On Waterworks Lane a female Kestrel was perched on a water tower at the treatment works and was calling. I thought she must be calling to a juvenile but I couldn't see one - the male was perched on a nearby pylon. I then spotted a family group of four Kestrels flying around together at the far end of Waterworks Lane - this was what was bothering the female. Presumably this was an intruding family of birds from around Hermitage Green. Three male Yellowhammers were singing, a Buzzard was perched on a pylon off Highfield Lane and a backish looking hen Pheasant was nestled in long grass near the end of Waterworks Lane. She had one well grown juvenile with her and was relaxed when I moved the car on the lane near her - she simply settled down to sleep!

xxxx

This afternoon I decided to have a quick hour at Brockholes Quarry. The drake Garganey was still present - it seems to be hanging around with a female Teal. Also there were at least three Kestrels, a Hobby, a Buzzard, a juvenile Med Gull, a Green Sandpiper and three Common Sandpipers. This seems to be a busy little spot with birds moving around a lot - I think it needs to be watched carefully. The Med Gull was only in for around 10 minutes and the Green Sand simply flew in, landed and then took off again!