Wood Lane - Redshank

Redshank have not been too plentiful in the county in recent years and with one on offer at Wood Lane today, I took a chance it would still be there at midday? It wasn't showing, so a waiting game ensued in the company of one of the friendly local birders... Best part of an hour later it was in view but sadly 100m+ away, oh well, wasn't a wasted visit.... Record shot alert!!

The nearest it got was behind a reed bed, just enough room for a 'stem free' pic!

There were plenty of Shelduck, Gadwall plus a Treecreeper / flock of 15+ Siskin in the little copse behind the hide. 

Wood Lane - Garganey

 Picking up the car after a service, I spotted an intriguing post on RBA... 'Garganey at Wood Lane' as it was less than 30 mins away, it would have been rude to overlook it? Initially, it couldn't be further away from Lapwing hide if it tried!

But eventually paddled half way across the scrape until turned back by the Moorhens!

Nice! It's been a while since I've seen one!

On this Day (May 18th)... 2014 - Avocet x 2!

More Avocets for the lockdown #OnThisDay series, two this time at Wood Lane on May 18th 2014...

Avocet in Shropshire are seldom seen and whilst I've seen several, there were a few local birders still to nail this species locally! Wood Lane always offers the best chance methinks and maybe one day.... they could settle down?  (whether that's good or bad!) 

Anyway - here's one dropping in!

Then calling for his mate!

There seemed to be a significant size difference between the two! Sometimes obvious!

This is the downside of Avocet presence - they seemed to be settling in! A Lapwing gets his come uppance!

As did just about anything else.....

Feeding nicely in synchro fashion!

Another good result for Wood Lane! And thanks to Paul B for putting news out - a very useful local list addition for some!!

On this Day (May 6th)... Avocet!

Another Shropshire Avocet and there have been precious few! On May 6th 2017

It's entirely possible, non-locals might be wondering what the fuss is all about? Avocets are tricky Shropshire birds, annual at best, every other year more likely! And Wood Lane is surely the most likely space for them to settle in one day??

A not entirely inspiring start, fast asleep on the far side of the scrape!

Eventually waking up...

And walking my way :-)

I'll spare you the bits in between! Closer all the time and feeding like crazy, this bird wont be here much longer?

Showing off those stunning legs!

Job done I think, couldn't be any closer...

Quite a day! Shame about the bird race although 68 species in a morning is pretty good going, thanks to everyone concerned for helping out!

On this day (May 5th)... 2013 Gulls

A couple of unexpected Gulls at Wood Lane on 5th May 2013...

News from the North of the County was soon to follow though (thanks Damo and co!) Kittiwake at Wood Lane!!

It had flown off too setting the scene for a disappointing day but I decided to stick it out.....

My luck was in as it flew back in briefly, had a wash... an altercation with the local Gulls and then off yet again!

Standing (or should I say sitting) out nicely....

Quick wash and wingflap.......

Such an angelic bird!

An ominous manoeuvre!

Before disappearing aqnd not seen again.......

One of the Mediterranean Gulls was also captured in flight - it stayed though!

On this Day (May 4th)... 2010 - Bar-tailed Godwit

May 4th 2010 and a Bar-tailed Godwit checks into Wood Lane....

Two visits to the Ellesmere area in two weeks and two important birds! This second visit was to yield a pretty rare Shropshire wader, the first at Wood Lane since 2003 and probably, only the third County record (I'm sure Geoff will confirm or advise) since that 2003 bird!

I was there on the strength of a talk to Ellesmere garden club but called into Wood Lane on my way there. There was nothing much of note about - a Black-tailed Godwit had been noted (ref the hide book) earlier in the day. I caught sight of a bird flying in to the scrape - it landed briefly - wait a minute that's not a Blackwit, crikey (or words to that effect) it was a Bar-tailed Godwit!!

It had only been there a matter of seconds before a couple of Lapwings 'went for it'....

And off it flew to the neighbouring scrape - out of view!






I got the information out and was contemplating a walk up to the far hide when...... it flew back in and was left in peace this time! Still working through loads of images and I will confine things to some representative shots....








I even got a chance to capture some 'droplet shots'!








What a cracking bird! Good light too for a change (it was 7.15 by now)

Wood Lane - Aberrant BHG

A short visit with c300 noisy Black-headed Gulls for company. I scanned through every individual hoping for a Med Gull and cam across this bizarre aberrant BHG. Sadly, it was only to be in view for less than 30 seconds!! All parts of the plumage (except the head) were pristine pure white, reminiscent of a Med but with a pale brownish head and structurally, a BHG. Apart from the head and pale eye, leucistic but not 100% so. Annoyingly it was right at the back of the spit so I couldn't see the rear end...

Suddenly the whole flock lifted off revealing pure white wings and tail (except for brownish wash to the underwing). Partially leucistic indeed and with showy bright red bill and legs!

John Reeves had seen (presumably) the same bird on the Mere that morning! It's a gull worth keeping an eye out for. I've see a 100% leucistic BHG at VP years ago but this is even more interesting and shame it didn't reappear for more pics. Keep an eye out for it!!

Wood Lane - whose baby are you?

I remember a 'whose baby' image a few years ago which was a whole lot harder than this?  This is easy peasy, clues blasting out at you...

Yes, you've got it! But don't scroll down until your mind is made up!
































The tiny glimpse of red on the tail and red developing on the breast, a Common Redstart...

The $64,000 question - male or female?

Wood Lane - Avocet!!

It's entirely possible, non-locals might be wondering what the fuss is all about? Avocets are tricky Shropshire birds, annual at best, every other year more likely! And Wood Lane is surely the most likely space for them to settle in one day??

A not entirely inspiring start, fast asleep on the far side of the scrape!

Eventually waking up...

And walking my way :-)

I'll spare you the bits in between! Closer all the time and feeding like crazy, this bird wont be here much longer?

Showing off those stunning legs!

Job done I think, couldn't be any closer...

Quite a day! Shame about the bird race although 68 species in a morning is pretty good going, thanks to everyone concerned for helping out!