A morning birding on Cannock Chase, Staffordshire for spring migrants.
No sooner had we started our walk, we quickly encountered a superb Wood Warbler, followed by Redstart, Tree Pipit, Cuckoo and several Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap & Garden Warbler. At the favoured location, we found a pair of Pied Flycatcher, more Redstarts and Tree Pipits. Eventually the elusive Dartford Warbler was found and along our route we had many Green Hairstreak butterflies and the Common Heath, a day flying moth.
Elsewhere, at Blithfield Reservoir 4 Arctic Tern, a distant drake Garganey, a Greenland Wheatear and a Yellow Wagtail. The day was rounded off with the discovery of a singing Nightingale, a few miles from where I live. Only my second Derbyshire Nightingale. My first Swift of the year was also seen on the way to the Pub for a well deserved pint.
2nd May 2011 an evening visit to Willington Gravel Pits produced a summer plumaged Grey Plover, several Redshank & Little Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sandpiper and a Hobby.
The year list is now on 197.
Below: – Wood Warbler and Green Hairstreak.
