Page 7 - Out Birding Feb 2025

Upton Warren 19/10/2024
The sunny autumn day condi􏰀ons were a wonderful start to our GBC field mee􏰀ng event in Worcestershire. 11 members in all and the usual friendly gathering made for another special day’s birding.
It was more quality bird sigh􏰀ngs than numbers of species, 40 in all. The reserve is a combina􏰀on of habitats, fresh water lakes with marshland and reed beds, and an unusual area of saline lagoons due to the fact it is situated on the salt road. The Romans took salt from Droitwich Spa to various areas in the midlands.
The Moors Pool area gave us very good views of a Great White Egret, together with Li􏰁le Egret and Grey Heron. Nice views of Gadwall and Shoveler and the odd glimpse of Ce􏰂’s Warbler. Li􏰁le Grebe were also present in good numbers. A good flock of Linnet was frequen􏰀ng a specially seed planted field adjacent to the lake. They were also joined by Reed Bun􏰀ng, Chaffinch and Goldfinch. They a􏰁racted both male and female Kestrel which gave us some special viewings.
Lunch was consumed in beau􏰀ful sunshine and a􏰃erwards we moved over to the flashes, the saline lagoons. Numbers of species were not great here as most wader passage was now over. However, we had special views of over 100 Shoveler, many Teal and the dazzling colours of over 100 Lapwing. A splendid end to the day.
Here’s to the next mee􏰀ng of GBC friends. Happy birding. Nigel
Crosby Coast 20/10/2024
Three GBC members braved the high wind and rain, and met at the RNLI Lifeboat Sta􏰀on at Blundellsands, just up the coast from Crosby. We walked north towards Hightown, watching the high 􏰀de being blown in by stormy south-westerlies.
The waders on the shore were being chased by the waves, but we managed to spot well-camouflaged Grey Plover, Ringed Plover and Turnstone. Plenty of flying Sanderling, Dunlin, Cormorant, Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit, a pair of Lapwing was being blown around, a solitary Wigeon was flying upriver, and there were lots of Herring Gull, mostly juveniles. The occasional Black-headed Gull, one Common Gull and a Greater Black-backed Gull, riding the waves in splendid isola􏰀on.
Towards the River Alt estuary where there was a sheltered bit of coastline, we saw hundreds of Oystercatcher and Lesser Black-backed Gulls hunkered down, also a large flock of Mallard, and several Shelduck.
In the grassland and shrubs along the coastal path, Stonechat are always around, we saw a flock of Linnet and a lot of Meadow Pipit squabbling. Wren and Robin heard but not seen. Back to the car park and hundreds of Starling bathing in the puddles, with their accompanying cha􏰁er and discussions.
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