DIDN'T THINK I'D FIND ONE THIS YEAR.

This morning I went to the NT property at Baddesley Clinton for the first time since they re-opened. I would have gone earlier but you have to book up at least a week in advance which I don't like as you don't know what the weather is going to be. It was windy and dull this morning.

Had to go through two check points just to go into the grounds. I had less trouble going through Check Point Charley in Berlin in the cold war. When I started to walk round everything of interest for birds was roped off. Brilliant !!!!!

Did get a shot of a Goldcrest in the gloom and of what I think is a young Song Thrush.

I left pretty soon and luckily decided to walk upto the church first rather than go home for a coffee straightaway. Lucky because look what I spotted right at the start of the path. A Spotted Flycatcher. One of my favourite among the Summer visitors. Didn't think I'd catch up with one this year. It flew off so only one shot and didn't return.

However my luck continued when I entered the churchyard.Look what was waiting for me.It seemed to be saying " Where the f*** have you been. We've been here for weeks and you only turn up now"

I think this is a juvenile high up in a tree.If they have fledged it'll be hard to get any more pics.

A COUPLE OF VISITS TO THE LOCAL PATCH.

With the weather not so good this last week I only popped across to the local patch in Temple Balsall a couple of times.

On Tuesday morning it was again hard to get any shots and only managed a long distant shots of a GS Woodpecker and a few shots of my old friend the Common Whitethroat. Hopes of seeing the the Bearded Vulture seen by few birders over Balsall Common the previous Friday were dashed.

Another visit on Thursday morning was still hard to get any shots.Did manage a shot of a young Robin and more shots of the Common Whitethroat but nothing else I'm afraid.I think the first Whitethroat shot is of a juvenile.

IT'S TOUGH OUT THERE.

Since my last post nearly 2 weeks ago I have been out with the camera several times but I've found it very hard to find any decent birds to point the camera at.This is partly down to me as I do not visit bird reserves any more and only go to local spots mind you friends who do visit reserves are also struggling.

A few visits to my local patch at Temple Balsall produced no shots except a distant shot of a GS Woodpecker and some pretty poor shots of speeding Swallows.

Did spot a perched Common Buzzard perched on an electric pylon when visiting the farm shop near Balsall Common.

Birds visiting the feeders in my back garden have almost stopped as expected so it was a surprise when some House Sparrows appeared. Only a few years ago these were very common visitors but now pretty rare.First ones in my garden for 3 years now.

Every year at this time I go looking locally for one of my favourite birds Spotted Flycatchers and I've always been lucky but so far not this year.I've been to a few spots were I've seen them before but no luck although I cannot get into the NT property at Baddesley Clinton which although open you have to book up in advance even to get into the grounds. Not much good being a member then.

At the Berkswell churchyard there were no signs of Spotted Flycatchers this year so had to make do with shots of Song Thrush that was giving a concert a gloomy shot of a House Martin feeding young. 

A RED KITE.

Been down to the Temple Balsall local patch again a couple of times recently and had a bit of luck although the weather has been a bit mixed.

Some shots of a Jay and a Nuthatch.

There are some very nice wild (?) flowers around in the fields. No idea of their names but they are very nice.

Best spot of all was on last Sunday morning when just as I was thinking I would not be needing the camera this morning a Red Kite drifted high over the site.No decent shots as it was very gloomy at the time but great to see.Not seen one locally for at least a couple of years.

IN TEMPLE BALSALL AGAIN.

Went to the local patch in Temple Balsall again a couple of times since the last post.It's only a short drive from home.

Someone has put a feeder in a gloomy spot in a hedge and I was lucky to see a Nuthatch paying a visit.

On my walk round the fields I spotted an old friend the Common Whitethroat I have seen before on recent visits. It was skulking in a hedge at first but soon posed in the open for me.Pity about the light though.

A VISIT TO MY NEW LOCAL PATCH.

On the way back from the farm shop earlier this week I popped into my new local patch in the Temple Balsall countryside. No nature reserves for me these days so to find even a modest bird is great. 

Managed to get some better shots of a Common Whitethroat which kept perching with the sun behind it most of the time.

Also got a shot of a Jay and a female Great Spotted Woodpecker.