Smestow Valley Birding

Sunday 17/2/2013 Mid-section of Reserve: 
Compton Park, Barleyfield and Compton to Newbridge

Frosty, dry, clear, calm - light SE

7am-8am Skywatch from top of Barleyfield:

84 Black-headed Gull SW
Adult Common Gull - SW along valley with a single Black-headed, offering good size comparison.
109 Starling SW in 6 flocks (ex roost)
1 Mistle Thrush NE
2 Stock dove NE

On Canal:

14 Moorhen
23 Mallard
2 Little Grebe (just North of Meccano Bridge and at the academy)

Census:
19 Dunnock (16 singing)
8 Song Thrush (all singing)

Other highlights:

Sparrowhawk - female SW over Compton Lock and later 2 females soaring over Paddocks
Green Woodpecker - By Prefabs
Great Spotted Woodpecker - female top of Barleyfield.
Nuthatch - 1 at Tennis Club
Grey Wagtail - female at Prefab weir
Coal Tit - one calling behind prefabs
Long-tailed Tits - 15+ at Eddys Alders

SUNDAY 9th DECEMBER  (continued!!)

Dunstall Park

Common Gull  One adult, on central grass area.
(Most gulls seen at the racecourse this autumn and winter. Common Gull and Great Black-backed Gull are irregular Dunstall Park visitors). 
Rook  8 foraging on central grass area.
Woodpigeon  50-plus foraging on central grass area.
Jay  Bird flying to grass next to lake, twice dropping down to hop around a small area, eventually digging up an acorn, flying with it to bush near lake and eating it.  How do they remember?!
Teal  Three males, two females, on lake.
Moorhen  One juvenile, on lake.
Lapwing  One on lake island.
Canada Goose  One at base of lake island.