Sunday May 28th

Alvecote Pools
Warks: The Corncrake was still present today and called well into dusk, allowing many a chance to hear it after a mad chase over there. Thanks to Simon Rose for confirming it was still present and actually existed. Also Grasshopper Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat.

Ladywalk NR
A Curlew, six Little Egrets, seven Lapwings, two Oystercatchers, two Cuckoos (Pete Lichfield).

Middleton RSPB
Staffs: There are eight Avocet chicks (two broods) present and probably due to fully fledge. Two other nests that were due to hatch in early June failed last weekend due to corvid predation and possibly flooding. A Little Ringed Plover nest nearby was successful (Steve Pick).

Shustoke Res
Cuckoo (James Kenny).

Saturday May 27th

Alvecote Pools
Warks: CORNCRAKE ; One today calling from Teal Pool (Roy Smith).

Middleton RSPB
Staffs: Sanderling  - One (Julian Allen).

Friday May 26th

Still no major news as Summer takes a grip.

Last Friday's ten Warwickshire Bee-eaters seem likely to be the eight seen yesterday in Co. Durham. The Warks observer only saw eight once and thought two were down in trees so I might relegate the record to eight in the circumstances.

A Reed Warbler caught again at Ladywalk this week is at least 12 years of age and since first ringing as adult in 2006 it has been re-trapped in five different years. A well travelled bird.

Red Kites have begun to turn up the past few days. One in Meriden and Alvecote today. Late-May and June influxes are a feature of recent years. In 2015, 202 were seen over Nanjizel (Cornwall) on June 8th including one flock of 80. 166 were seen at another Cornish site the next day. Yesterday, 43 were seen at a Devon watchpoint and 50 went West in Cornwall in 3.5 hours. So tomorrow might see a few more WMBC records.

Tuesday May 23rd

There have been few recent notable sightings apart from continuing good numbers of breeding warblers, odd records of Hobby and, it seems, a good showing of Cuckoos, compared to recent years. At Ladywalk, a new brood of six Goosanders appeared along the river and four pairs of Great Spotted Woodpeckers were very vocal whilst feeding young.

Today's news

Middleton RSPB
Staffs: A small inland movement of Sanderlings and Little Stints was reflected at Jubilee Wetlands. Two Little Stints, a Sanderling and six Dunlins were present mid-morning at least (RSPB).
Warks: A female Marsh Harrier flew south at Fisher's Mill at 1835hrs (Julian Allen).

Friday May 19th

News for yesterday (18th)

Ladywalk NR
A useful ringing session provided three re-trapped Cetti's Warblers. Two Ladywalk birds were a female which was ringed as adult in 2013 and still survives plus a male hatched last year. The third was ringed at Tring (Herts) per Dave Clifton.

Middleton RSPB
Staffs: A Curlew was an unusual visitor for mid-May; it was chased off by Avocets. Also the same first year Little Gull seems to have returned and was on Jubilee north.. Three Dunlins too (Steve Pick).

Today's news

Middleton RSPB

Staffs: Ten Avocets plus eight chicks were present plus a Hobby and two Cuckoos (RSPB).

A small number of Arctic Tern records were strung south-east - north west through Midland counties today. Perhaps Shustoke Res might be worth checking. 

Wednesday May 17th

A rather wet day by all accounts.

Ladywalk NR
A presumed migrant Spotted Flycatcher was near B Hide today with three Cuckoos, including a rufous morph, two Water Rails and two drake Shovelers (Pete Sofley).

Middleton RSPB
Staffs: The Avocets were effectively sheltering their young today. Also three Redshanks and a Dunlin (Steve Atkinson).

Tuesday May 16th

Middleton RSPB
Staffs: Sanderling, Turnstone, Dunlin and 12 Ringed Plovers on Jubilee today (Steve Pick, Tom Perrins). Also a second brood of Avocets appeared during the morning and by this evening there were three chicks and maybe one to come. The first brood of four are doing well (Steve Pick).