Thursday 1 January 2009

New Year Chase?

A bit of New Year's Day County 'loyalty' was twinned with a search for some decent birds in neighbouring Staffs....

The year list got rolling at VP and Priorslee - there were just over 50 species in the bag by mid morning. Highlights being Jack Snipe and Yellow-legged Gull. I then decided to start the new year as the old one ended with hopes of another 'Coppice Hill' Hawfich show? - it didn't and neither did the Stubber's Green Caspian Gull!

There were plenty of waxwings however, at least 90 seen in the Chasewater area. They were very mobile however, all the berries were frozen solid and this is my one and only record of a 28 strong single group!






The drake Smew was showing well but quite distant on Chasewater....






Given the apalling light, it was record shots all the way provided by Coal/Willow Tits and a frosty Yellowhammer at Coppice Hill










Happy New Year!!