Sunday 16 November 2008 - Firecrest at Alvecote Pools, Staffordshire - 16/11/08

Sunday 16th November 2008

Alvecote Pools SSSI

It was a pretty good day at the patch with loads of Fieldfare and Redwings about and Siskins and Lesser Redpolls passing overhead.  The highlight however was a superb FIRECREST around the Old Orchard on the Staffordshire site of the SSSI.  The bird was favouring the area of oak trees and holly bushes near to the shoreline of Pretty Pigs Pool.  If you're thinking of paying this bird a visit look out for the oak with the Tawny Owl nest box and you've got the right area.

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One of last winter's Firecrests at Alvecote Pools.

Photo courtesy of Warwckshire's finest DAVE HUTTON (not Steve Seal... Whoops!)

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Hopefully this little gem will spend the winter at the reserve like two birds did last year.  A single bird was found last year on the 24th November and I found two the following day.  At least one of the birds lingered into early March of this year.  It will certainly brighten up my days if it does hang around.  Other sightings included a single Shelduck, a pair of Common Goldeneye (an Alvecote rarity) and a 1st winter Common Gull on Mill Pool.  At least 8 Common Pochard were fresh in and the Tufted Duck flock has increased to about 90 birds between Mill Pool and Pretty Pigs Pool.  Small numbers of Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Wigeon and Common Teal were also seen. 

Tuesday 18 November 2008 - Firecrest Photo