Shackerley Lane and Humphreston Farm area, Albrighton, Shropshire.

A differet walk today, well part of it was new.

Common Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines).

I headed out through the village and then down to the pool at Donington, on the way I picked up Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris), Dandelion (Taraxacum spp), Primrose (Primula vulgaris), Red Campion (Silene dioica), White Dead Nettle (Lamium album) and Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata).

Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes).

As I approached the pool I checked the stream and had good views of a smart Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) which was feeding below the bridge and as I walked towards the pool it flew up under the ridge and out over to the far shore.

Common Comfrey (Symphytum officinale).

Around the pool I found Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica).

Common Comfrey (Symphytum officinale).

I continued on up the lane finding a field full of Woodpigeons, a few Stock Doves (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas) along with a family party of Mistle Thrushes (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus).

View over the fields.

Wild flowers included Honesty (Lunaria annua), Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum), Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes), Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris), Common Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), Annual Mercury (Mercurialis annua), Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), Common Nettle (Urtica dioica) and several lager Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) trees which when I was a kid, many years ago I would come and collect Conkers from.

Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).

Just across the A41 I found a nice clump of Common Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) flowering in amongst a large tangle of bramblesas well as a couple of Small White (Pieris rapae) and Common Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines) butterflies, one of the latter sat nicely for a short while.

Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys).

As I followed the lane along towards the turning out to Shackerley I could hear several Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) singing above me, not sure if it is just my wishful thinkng but this species seems more common in the area than I remember as I hear it on all the walks I do and 15 years ago before I left for Spain I do not think it was  bird I saw often here.

Thyme-leaved Speedwell (Veronica serpyllifolia).

Also seen along this stretch were Common Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) and out on the fields several Jackdaws (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and Rook (Graja /  Corvus frugilegus) in a mixed flock.

Common Daisy (Bellis perennis).

I turned right at the junction and continued out towards Shackerly and in the small woodland on the side of the road I heard a couple of Blackcaps (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla) in full song and a Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) which could be heard over both of them. 

Common Field-speedwell (Veronica persica).

I checked a large cereal field from one of the gateways on the right and found two sets of ears belonging to European Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) and even though I stood quietly for a while the ears were all I saw. Down in the bottom of the field where the crop had been killed of by the wter which had been lying there I saw a couple of Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) strutting through the mud feeding on I do not know what but they seemed to be doing quite well as were the several Pied Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii) picking off insects around the margins.

Cut-leaved Cranesbill (Geranium dissectum).

Walking on I found Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), a very smart Yellow Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava flavissima), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea), Germander (Veronica chamaedrys) and Thyme-leaved Speedwell (Veronica serpyllifolia), Common Daisy (Bellis perennis), Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca), Lords and Ladies (Arum maculatum) and a Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni).

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) cataerpillars.

On the cut through between Shackerley Lane and Donington Lane I heard a noisy Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus viridis) up in one of the large English Oak (Quercus robur) trees, Yellowhammer (Escribano Cerillo / Emberiza citronella), a male Lesser Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcerilla / Sylvia curruca) both singing from nearby hedgerows as well as Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) cataerpillars.

Common Sedge (Carex nigra).

Plants included Shepherds Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), Common Field-speedwell (Veronica persica), Cut-leaved Cranesbill (Geranium dissectum), Lesser Stitchwort (Stellaria graminea), Red Dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum), Wild Raddish (Raphanus raphanistrum) and Smooth Sow-thistle (Sonchus oleraceus).

Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata).

I then walked back towards Humphreston Farm along Donington Lane where I got a second chance to get shots of a Common Orange-tip and found Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata), Common Sedge (Carex nigra),  Agimony (Agrimonia eupatoria), Wood Forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica) and Dove`s-foot Crane`s-bill (Geranium molle).

Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum).

Further around by the woodland I again had the Ravens (Cuervo / Corvus corax) again including a couple of newly fledged youngsters, Greylag Geese (Ansar Común / Anser anser), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Goldcrest (Regulus regulus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major).

Common Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines).

Agimony (Agrimonia eupatoria).

Dove`s-foot Crane`s-bill (Geranium molle).

Humphreston Farm area, Albrighton, Shropshire.

Out for an hour or so around the fields near the village.

Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula).

I Started the day well with a few garden fly overs, the first was a pair of Ravens (Cuervo / Corvus corax), followed by a Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) and best of all a Western Osprey (Águila Pescardora / Pandion haliaetus) which was flying over the village heading west.

Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula).

Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula).

I later went for a walk over the A41 and up the lanes, on the stretch before the farm I heard and saw Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Yellowhammer (Escribano Cerillo / Emberiza citronella) as well as Green-veined White (Pieris napi), Southern Cuckoo Bumblebee (Bombus vestalis), Common Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), Common Nettle (Urtica dioica), White Dead Nettle (Lamium album), Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris), Annual Mercury (Mercurialis annua) and Southern Cuckoo Bumblebee (Bombus vestalis) which was moving around the White Dead Nettle plants.

Green-veined White (Pieris napi).

I turned down towards the Moat Project adding Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum), Lords and Ladies (Arum maculatum), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto).

Southern Cuckoo Bumblebee (Bombus vestalis).

I followed the stream out across the fields seeing Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Red Campion (Silene dioica), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) and across the stream on a fallow field Red Dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum), Field Pansy (Viola arvensis), Lesser Stitchwort (Stellaria graminea), Common Field-speedwell (Veronica persica), Smooth Sow-thistle (Sonchus oleraceus), Sun Spurge (Euphorbia helioscopia), Shepherds Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), Common Storksbill (Erodium cicutarium), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Greylag Geese (Ansar Común / Anser anser) x3, Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Stock Dove (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas), Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris) and on the far side of the field in the hedgerow a singing Common Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis).

Field Pansy (Viola arvensis).

I walk along the lane and then turned back towards the farm on the far lane finding the Raven's again, Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca), Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum), Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea), Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea), Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys) and on the bend before the farm a pair of Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius).

Sun Spurge (Euphorbia helioscopia).

On my way back to the A41 I stopped in one of the gateways where I saw two European Brown Hares (Lepus europaeus), Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), Wild Raddish (Raphanus raphanistrum) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus).

Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris).

Red Dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum).

Common Storksbill (Erodium cicutarium).

Lesser Stitchwort (Stellaria graminea).

Smooth Sow-thistle (Sonchus oleraceus).

Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea).

Greylag Geese (Ansar Común / Anser anser).

Humphreston Farm area and Pebble Brook Trail, Albrighton, Shropshire.

A few shots from the last weeks walks.

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta).

Honey Bee (Apis mellifera).

Honey Bee (Apis mellifera).

Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor).

Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes).

Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).

Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii).

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum).

Orange-tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa).

Fly Species.

Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum).

Dandelion (Taraxacum spp).

Water Beetle Species.

Belvide Res and Chasewater, Staffardshire and Humphreston Lane, Shropshire.

A few hours birding with good friends.

Not my Phtographs.

Surf Scoter (Negrón Careto / Melanitta perspicillata).

On my way to Belvide I got a tad lost so I pulled into a gateway and sorted out on Google Maps, whilst there I herd and saw Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus).

Surf Scoter (Negrón Careto / Melanitta perspicillata) with 3 Common Scoters (Negrón Común / Melanitta nigra).

I met my friends at the car park and we walked on to the reserve through the woodland picking up Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla) and out on the water as we came out of the woods were Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), masses of Common Swifts (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Sand Martins (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) and Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

Surf Scoter (Negrón Careto / Melanitta perspicillata) with 3 Common Scoters (Negrón Común / Melanitta nigra).

As we walked along the track we heard several Reed Warblers (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus) and saw Sedge Warbler (Carricerin Común / Acrocephalus schoenobaenus), Reed Bunting (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus), Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus),Common Tern (Charrán Común / Sterna hirudo), Pied Flycatcher (Papamoscas Cerrojillo / Ficedula hypoleuca), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Greylag (Ansar Común / Anser anser) and Canada Geese (Barnacla Canadiense /Branta canadensis), Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) and a Hobby (Alcotán Europeo / Falco subbuteo) which was sat in a tree but I only saw it in flight as it disappeared.

Surf Scoter (Negrón Careto / Melanitta perspicillata) with 3 Common Scoters (Negrón Común / Melanitta nigra).

Further around the track we went into the Gazzebo hide and scanned the far shore where we found the Bar-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colipinta / Limosa lapponica) which had been around for a few days as well as 4x Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone) and further down the res Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna).

Surf Scoter (Negrón Careto / Melanitta perspicillata) with 3 Common Scoters (Negrón Común / Melanitta nigra).

Closer to us on the bushes in front of the hide we saw Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus), Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major).

One of my friends then got a phone call to say that there was a Surf Scoter (Negrón Careto / Melanitta perspicillata) just along the A5 at Chasewater so we walked back to our cars and head off. A short while later we were stood in the wind and rain watching 3x Common Scoters (Negrón Común / Melanitta nigra) and a stunning male Surf Scoter.

Surf Scoter (Negrón Careto / Melanitta perspicillata) with 3 Common Scoters (Negrón Común / Melanitta nigra).

After a while I headed back to Albrighton and waited for the rain to stop, on the way I added Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Rook (Graja /  Corvus frugilegus) and Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea)-

Once the rain stopped I went out for a walk up Humphreston Lane which was nice and quiet. During the walk I added Bullfinch (Camachuelo Común / Pyrrhula pyrrhula), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Green (Pito Real / Picus viridis) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), European Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) and Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis).