Middleton Lakes RSPB Reserve 14th May 2022

 

Reed Warbler (A Kelso)

Middleton Lakes RSPB Reserve

 14th May 2022

Weather:  Hot and sunny

Members and friends:  31                      Driver: Glenn

Thirty-one members set off from Stockport for our May trip to the Middleton Lakes RSPB reserve in the midlands. This is a relatively new RSPB reserve having been acquired in 2007 and this was the societies first visit. A very mixed environment provided lakes, reedbeds, meadows and woodland habitats. It was also the societies first trip on the M6 Toll road as we took the most direct route to the reserve. A comfort stop at Norton Canes services allowed Glenn to acquire the free coach pass for the toll road and society members to stock up on provisions (after fighting our way through the hundreds of Liverpool fans who were on their way to Wembley and the FA cup final!).

Avocet (J Wharton)

Arriving at the reserve we were given an introduction by the friendly RSPB volunteers and then we had 6 hours to explore the area at our leisure. By the small visitor centre a Whitethroat was in song, with a Reed Bunting competing close by. Goldfinch and Blue Tit were quickly added to the days list. Walking on, past some old farm buildings, we found House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Pied Wagtail and Swallows on telegraph wires. 

Black-headed Gul (A Barrett)

The next area of interest was the Heronry, which apparently held more than 25 nests, most were hidden by the foliage but a couple of nests were visible with well grown young. There were also, at least, two Little Egret nests amongst the heronry, the egret nests being lower down in the trees. A Reed Warbler sang from an adjacent reedbed and Great and Coal Tit came down to seed laid out at the viewing area. Moorhen and Coot, both with young, were on the pool. 

Common Tern (A Kelso)

We walked on through the woodland, with its attractive carpet of Ramsons (wild garlic) and Bluebells, accompanied by the songs of Robin, Wren and Song Thrush. We picked up the faint high-pitched song of Goldcrest and the stronger clearer song of Blackcap and Chiffchaff. At a Rookery we could hear the raucous calls of the birds above us, the new fresh leaves on the trees blocking any decent view. A Great Spotted Woodpecker called.

Goldfinch & Whitethroat (J Wharton)

On a pool opposite the Rookery we found Mallard and Greylag Geese on the water, with Reed Warblers chasing each other through the reedbeds. Walking on we passed over the Birmingham and Fazeley canal, where a friendly Nuthatch was coming down to seed put out on the stone walls, to the main area of the reserve and followed the Wetland trail. We were immediately greeted by the gunfire shots of a Cetti’s Warbler song. This species, despite having the loudest song of many birds, is always difficult to see and we only managed a few brief views of birds throughout the day.

Sedge Warbler (A Barrett)

Fisher’s Mill Pool held Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Gadwall and a noisy Black-headed Gull colony. The occasional foray into the colony by a Lesser Black-backed Gull met a noisy response. Great-crested Grebe were attempting to nest in this noisy environment. In the hawthorn scrub adjacent to the pool we identified Garden Warbler singing, with again only brief views of the bird. 

Whitethroat (A Kelso)

Moving on to the West Scrape we added Shoveler and Grey Wagtail to the list and had excellent views of a singing Sedge Warbler. We found a few more of this species throughout the day, showing well and bursting with song. The calls of Common Tern alerted us to their presence and a handful of birds hung around the pools and lakes. A pair of Egyptian Geese, off unknown origin, had a group of well grown young with them. 

Nuthatch (J Wharton)

A tatty Buzzard flew over the North Pool and it was briefly joined by two Swifts passing through. Lapwing were present in this area and Willow Warbler sung from the scrub. Wigeon, Oystercatcher, Shelduck and Cormorant were added to the days list. From the screen looking over the East Scrape we found nesting Avocet, with a handful of Redshank and Dunlin. A distant Little Ringed Plover was identified. Little Grebe were on an adjacent pool and Greenfinch sang from the vegetation. 

Reed Warbler (A Barrett)

A few lucky members saw Kingfisher on the River Tame that ran to the east of the reserve and a couple of people heard Cuckoo during the day. On the Southern Meadow walk the only birds of note were two Linnet, Bullfinch and a Lesser Whitethroat singing from a hawthorn bush. A Sparrowhawk passed over head. 

It had been a long hot, but enjoyable, day and we ended with 74 species recorded. 

Enjoying a well earned rest! (J Wharton)

Post visit note – as is typical with birdwatchers luck, the day after our trip a White Tailed Eagle visited the reserve and alighted on the ground by the North Pool! 

Birds seen;