Belvide Res, Staffordshire.

A days birding with friends Sharon and John.

Red Campion (Silene dioica).

I was up early and out just after 07.00 making my way towards Belvide Res over in Staffordshire, I was going on my bike so I took a very nice cross country route out to Humphreston Farm and then Donington Lane and Shackerly Lave via the cut across over the fields.

Yellow Archangel (Lamium galeobdolon).

During this section I stopped in several of the gateways and scanned the fields and hedgerows picking up Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Common Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and a singling Garden Warbler (Curruca Mosquitera / Sylvia borin).

Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor).

Plants along the verge and in the fields included Red Campion (Silene dioica), White Dead Nettle (Lamium album), Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum), Agimony (Agrimonia eupatoria), Common Daisy (Bellis perennis), Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris), Cut-leaved Cranesbill (Geranium dissectum), Little Robin (Geranium purpureum), Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) and Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata).

Canada Geese (Barnacla Canadiense /Branta canadensis).

I continued on up Shackerly Lane to Boscobel House again stopping in several more gateways adding Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), good numbers of Yellowhammers (Escribano Cerillo / Emberiza citronella) with at least 4 males chasing each other along the hedges at one spot, Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) and a nice noisy Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea) in a roadside Oak.

Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus).

In the fields behind Boscobel House I had at least 3 Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) and a single Grey Partridge (Perdiz Pardilla / Perdix perdix) in a strip of fallow land at the side of the field which had lots of Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum) and other wild flowers in it.

Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii).

In the same area I also had a couple of Western Yellow Wagtails (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava flavissima), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and as I passed Boscobel House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica). I crossed Offoxey Road and turned in to Foxes Lane where I had good views of a male Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) as it hunter over the hedges and down in a dell on a small pool a pair of Common Moorhens (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus). On the verge here I also added Yellow Archangel (Lamium galeobdolon), Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium), Annual Mercury (Mercurialis annua), Common Comfrey (Symphytum officinale), Common Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), Hedgerow Cranesbill (Geranium pyrenaicum) and Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus acris).

Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus).

I again continued on hearing Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) and crossed the Kiddemore Green Road and took Shutt Green Lane towards the Res car park, before I got there I stopped in several more Gateways seeing Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Stock Dove (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas), Lesser Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcerilla / Sylvia curruca) which showed in a bush right next to me, Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), a pair of Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera) in a roadside field as well as Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas), Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum), Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca), Red Dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum) and Wood Forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica)

Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus).

I was a bit early to meet John and Sharon so I peddled on down to the Shropshire Union Canal where I found several Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) on a ploughed field and on my way back up to the carpark from a gateway over looking the Res I picked up Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Rook (Graja /  Corvus frugilegus) and a couple of Common Tern (Charrán Común / Sterna hirudo) which approached the Res over the fields.

Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor).

John and Sharon came up the hill and went on to the car park so I went after them and met them there, after chaining up my bike to the fence and we went at a social distance on to the reserve.

Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera).

We walked around to the West hide first stopping several times on the way finding Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus),  Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula), Canada Geese (Barnacla Canadiense /Branta canadensis), Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor),  Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor), a Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus) which gave us a very short squell as we passed the screen, Eurasian Oystercatcher (Ostrero Euroasiatico / Haematopus ostralegus), Reed Bunting (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus), Sedge Warbler (Carricerin Común / Acrocephalus schoenobaenus), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), a calling but unseen Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and more Common Tern. 

Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus).

We reached the West hide and spent a while scanning the far shore, we soon found Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), Herring (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) before moving round to the Hawkshutts hide over looking the bunds were we had another couple of Pied Oystercatchers, one with a chick.

Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major).

From here we also saw a single male Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii), a couple of Stock Doves, Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) and as we walked out Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus).

Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus).

On the way back we checked the fields near the far house but found nothing new but heard several Skylarks before walking round to the Gazebo hide. From the hide we had views of a couple of Tree Sparrows (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus), a smart male Great Spotted Woodpecker which came into the feeders as were a few Pheasants picking up the fallen scraps.

Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus).

We walked back around to the car park and added two noisy Ravens (Cuervo / Corvus corax) on the way. I said goodbye to John and Sharonbefore getting on my bike again and heading back to Albrighton none stop.

Humphreston Farm area, Albrighton, Shropshire.

Some photos from a walk up the lanes with Harry.

Harry chilling whilst I took a few shots.

14-spotted ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata).

Syrphus species.

Blotch-winged Hoverfly (Leucozona lucorum).

Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis).

Fly Species????

Donington and Albrighton Nature Reserve, Shropshire.

A couple of hours walk under cloudy skies.

Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes).

I walked through the village down to the Reserve and started by checking the stream and had rief views of a Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) as it flushed as I looked over the bridge, also had Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major). 

Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula).

Up on the side of the pool there were the usual Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and a pair of Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) with at least 3 youngsters.

Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi).

Along the side of the pool I added Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Agimony (Agrimonia eupatoria), Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris), Common Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), Dove`s-foot Crane`s-bill (Geranium molle), Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and Green Alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens).

Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula).

I dropped down to the smaller pool and walked around it passing St Cuthberts well, on the way I had a Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) in one of the many old English Yew (Taxus baccata) trees, a male Bullfinch (Camachuelo Común / Pyrrhula pyrrhula) in the small scrubby trees along the road and a Common Treecreeper (Agateador Norteño / Certhia familiaris).

Three-cornered Leek (Allium triquetrum).

Out on the meadow I saw Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) and heard Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major). 

Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis).

Plants included Common Nettle (Urtica dioica), Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis), Dandelion (Taraxacum spp), Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea), Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum), Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus acris), Pendulous Sedge (Carex pendula), Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi), Red Campion (Silene dioica), Three-cornered Leek (Allium triquetrum) and Common Daisy (Bellis perennis).

On the woodland trail I saw a female Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca).

I walked back up through the meadow and out on to the road up to the Church, on the way I had Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea), Red Dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum), White Dead Nettle (Lamium album) and Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys) before heading back to the house.

Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula).

Three-cornered Leek (Allium triquetrum) and Dung Fly Species.

Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula).

Humphreston Farm area, Albrighton, Shropshire.

A walk around the lanes during a breezy afternoon.

Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum).

Once I had crossed the A41 I checked a patch of Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) plants which as usual even in the windy condition produced several insect species including Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum), Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum), Tree bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum), a Dung Fly Species and Tapered Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax).

Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) Male.

The bird list started with several groups ofmigrating Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) moving through the area, Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica) and Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), all of which were seen before I reached the farm.

Tree bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum).

I continued on around to the left and down passed the Moat project adding the first of 4 Common Buzzards (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Blackbird, Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Common Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis), lots more Common Swifts and unfortunately along the lane several rubber gloves and half a dozen large black bin bags dumped in a farmers gate way, some people are just scum bags.

Dung Fly Species.

On the stream there were 2 immature Grey Wagtails (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and as I walked along Donington lane Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus), Greylag (Ansar Común / Anser anser) and Canada Geese (Barnacla Canadiense /Branta canadensis), Western Yellow Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava flavissima) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

As I turned back towards the farm I checked a track up through one of the cereal fields and found a couple of Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) and a Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa).

Tapered Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax).

As I walked down towards the wood I had lots of Woodpigeons sat out on one of the fields alond with a dozen or so Stock Dove (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas), a Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii) and a Lesser Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcerilla / Sylvia curruca) in the hedge as well as a family party of Long-tailed Tits (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus).

In woodland I heard and then saw the Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax) family, Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), a Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) which dropped in to the trees and a singing Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos).

As I returned to the A41 I picked up a singing Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) and I finished of the walk seeing a couple of the European Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) that I see regularly.

Around Albrighton, Shropshire.

A few species seen around the village.

Red Fox (Zorro / Vulpus vulpus).

Red Fox (Zorro / Vulpus vulpus).

Not been far due to a niggled back but managed a couple of short walks, on one I had a Red Kite (Milano Real / Milvus milvus) and found Lesser Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcerilla / Sylvia curruca), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Red Fox (Zorro / Vulpus vulpus), Helophilus pendulus as well as a few others and a some insects and wild flowers.

Red Kite (Milano Real / Milvus milvus).

St Mark's Fly (Bibio marci).

Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus).

Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis).

Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis).

Helophilus pendulus.

White Clover (Trifolium repens).

Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus acris).

Greater Celendine (Chelidonium majus).