Little Egret Roost, Bamptons Pool/Old Mill Pool

With news coming through on Twitter from a Tommy D who had 18 Little Egrets in the roost at Old Mill Pool official name Bamptons Pool this was a new West Midlands county record, I had to get down there and see them, so the following night I headed down there I got there far to early there was only one when I got there then six which is when I headed back to the car to change my shoes so that I would be ready to speed of to work, when I got back a Des Jennings was there I said how many he said 13 wow this was already the most I had ever seen there, as we both stood there more and more joined with the final couple coming in when it was almost completely dark, this made the total up to 18 was over the moon to see all 18 of them an amazing feeling, I was so excited a couple of years back when I had one here so to see 18 was overwhelming just astonishing how Little Egret numbers have increased, will be exciting now to see if we get any more than 18 over the next weeks :)
Des Jennings got a nice shot of 10 of 18 little egrets, Thank you to Des for letting me use his photo on my blog :)

Des Jennings photo of 10 of the 18 Little egrets in the Roost 

By Des Jennings

Trittiford - January Update

Had a few nice trips too Trittiford the Mandarin Duck is still present although she keeps hiding from me lol Had much better views of a female Goosander at Trittiford still too distant for my camera but managed a better record shot.
The Little Egrets have been amazing on The River giving lovely views and my closest photos still want better though lol
Also the past couple of trips I have had very showy Kingfishers with two chasing each other up and down The River and the one even landed next to me on the post at the Bridge I was gobsmacked never been this close to a kingfisher I felt all emotional I couldn't even take a photo I froze lol But I did get a photo of the one in the trees but more distant but the sun was shining which helped.
Also there's Five Male Pochards which are always nice to see :)

Bank Holiday Weekend Birds

Also over the Bank Holiday we picked up some good Year Ticks and Migrants, Garden Warbler, Garganey and Whichat had my best views of Whinchat such lovely little birds I managed to get a record shot.
Also great views of Swifts there was loads at Middleton must of been 50+ :)
Also had nice views of Lesser Whitethroat and Cetti's Warbler even though I didn't realise intill it was too late lol he was showing of in the same tree as the Lesser Whitethroat managed to get a quick record shot but not very clear.
We also had a nice hour at Marsh Lane, the Black-tailed Godwit was still present but distant but my highlight was the Sand Martins perched up on the wire outside and viewable from hide there amazing birds love them :) Nice views of Redshank, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Commom terns and Mediterranean Gull.

Goosanders - Old Mill Pond and Trittiford

Some Goosanders turned up at the Old mill pond I was very excited as I had never seen them there before, I was just praying they would still be there for Tuesday when I could get there, I arrived there Tuesday and they were still there, 3 Drakes and 4 Females they were very jumpy and something spooked 2 of the Drakes and they flew off, I managed to get a few record shots, I then went back each day for the rest of the week the total there was 1 Drake and 7 females but they seemed to dwindle down by Friday with only 1 Drake and 2 Females. Some lady called loudly asking what we were doing on the Friday and the remaining Goosanders flew off in Trittiford Direction, so I got in car and went to Trittiford and they were at the far end I was very pleased as it was a Trittiford tick for me but couldn't get any photos there as they were hiding behind the other side and you can't walk round there. The following Monday I went to check if they were still there but they had gone which I had guessed as the water was all frozen, hopefully they will come back :)
Had a really nice week going between the Old Mill pond and Trittiford the Little Egrets were lovely to watch at the Old mill pond sitting in the tree.
Trittiford also had a female Pochard join the Males, and I had great views of Coots fighting was amazing watching them.
I also took a trip to Swanhurst which is just down the road and spent 2 hours with a showy Shoveler the sun was abit annoying coming in and out and then in the wrong direction but enjoyable even though I see Shovelers all the time it is always nice to get close and spend time with them :)

Trittiford Mill Pond and The Dingles

Finally got to see the Little Egret feeding in the River a nice change from him sitting in the tree lol
He didn't seem bothered by me at all, but did fly off when a dog jumped into the river.
This Little egret was at The dingles and there was still one little egret at the Old Mill Pond in the tree.
Trittiford itself was very empty today even the swans had gone, there was two buzzards flying low, large numbers of long tailed tits around trittiford, slade lane and the dingles also a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the tree. Hopefully soon we will have some summer Migrants fingers crossed :)