April in Sandwell Valley...

I have been making the most of the last couple of weeks freedom and managed to get over to the Valley on a number occasions to try to catch as much of the migration action as possible. Alas with the weather being as it has, migration has been but a trickle and I know just as the wind shifts and a possible torrent of migrants hit the country I will then be busy. That said, the 'trickle' has provided a few year ticks and some nice views of birds sitting soaking wet regretting the decision to make that effort to get over here. This chap for example.

Whinchat - Sandwell Valley - Apr. 2012 - Mike Ixer

The advantage of this weather lies in the smaller number of people out around the 'country park' and therefore less disturbance. It means that a little patience is rewarded because the birds would eventually work their way towards you.

Whinchat - Sandwell Valley - Apr. 2012 - Mike Ixer

The best example of this was the common sandpipers which started a long way down the newly profiled bank from the RSPB hide. I managed to fire dozens of photos as foot-by-foot they scampered towards us; eventually getting so close that you couldn't see them below the windows without standing.

Common Sandpiper - RSPB Sandwell Valley - Apr. 2012 - Mike Ixer

The hide has proved good for a migrant or two despite the weather. The aforementioned common sandpipers have reached at least 3 chasing each other around. Of course because of the chasing it's proved almost impossible to be definitive about numbers with thoughts of up to 5 of them being around. Wagtails have been putting on a good show with yellow wagtails being seen on a number of occasions along with the regular pied around the farm and grey on the river. I have unfortunately missed the best photographic opportunities, today being greeted with "you should have been here 5 minutes ago, they were right next to the hide!".

Yellow Wagtail - RSPB Sandwell Valley - Apr. 2012 - Mike Ixer

There was also the briefest of visits from a trio of 'white' wagtails. They came, they ate, they left, all within about 2 minutes. Fortunately I was there, unfortunately the light wasn't and the windows were closed so the photos weren't brilliant.

'White' Wagtails - RSPB Sandwell Valley - Apr. 2012 - Mike Ixer

Little ringed plovers have been putting in sporadic appearances around the lake with one individual staying for about a week.

Little Ringed Plover - RSPB Sandwell Valley - Apr. 2012 - Mike Ixer

An annual passage visitor around the Valley is the Northern wheatear and they haven't disappointed this year. A number have been seen at various times with a peak count of 5 in a field just off Salters Lane.

Wheatears - Sandwell Valley - Apr. 2012 - Mike Ixer

A welcome returnee was the common terns which were started posturing to each other within a few days of their first appearance - a promising sign of further breeding attempts hopefully.

Common Tern - RSPB Sandwell Valley
- Apr. 2012 - Mike Ixer

Away from the water other migrants have been arriving slowly but surely. Chiffchaffs were followed by blackcaps, who in turn were followed by willow warblers.

Willow Warbler - RSPB Sandwell Valley - Apr. 2012 - Mike Ixer

There are now small numbers of reed warblers (being heard, seems a bit cold for them to be showing themselves) and whitethroats appearing, but they seem to have been somewhat held up by the adverse weather - still waiting for my first sedge warbler! I'm also 70% sure that I heard a garden warbler today, sounded like a slightly subdued blackcap which was singing for an awfully long time from deep, low cover. Unfortunately it flew off when one of the local canines took an interest in the bushes.

The final group of migrants worth mentioning are the hirundines and swifts. Not much to say here except they have all arrived! High numbers of both swallows and house martins have been feeding around the lake over the past week or so but sand martin numbers have dropped away a little after good numbers earlier in the month. First swifts were seen this week and there was a least 15 pass through today.

Swallows - RSPB Sandwell Valley - Apr.2012 - Mike Ixer

Swallow - RSPB Sandwell Valley - Apr. 2012 - Mike Ixer

I guess the only way to conclude this would be with an 'awwwww' moment.

Lapwing Chick - RSPB Sandwell Valley - Apr. 2012 - Mike Ixer

I know it's a horribly enhanced photo, but it was obviously taken at a distance. Was fantastic (and terrifying when the gulls were circling overhead) to see 3 of these little guys running around the Island today - fingers crossed for plenty more of them.

Lapwing Brooding Chick - RSPB Sandwell Valley - Apr. 2012 - Mike Ixer