Moving to sunny Wales

Unfortunately I won't be able to continue this blog for the foreseeable future because I've got a wonderful job in Wales!
If anyone wants to contribute to this blog email me or leave a comment on this post.

Cuckoo

Last week I had some great cuckoo sightings including seeing 3 at once, and this one.

9th June 2010 Sightings

I went over to a different area of the park from my usual today looking for the dartford warblers. I didn't see any but will keep looking. I know, as a species, they found the cold winter really tough. However i did see several whitethroats singing from the middle of bushes and a reed bunting. They are both new birds for me in Sutton Park this year!

28th May 2010

I think it must be a good year for great spotted woodpeckers as I'm finding lots of their nest holes.





Also sighted today, the ever elusive blackcap. One day I will get a photo!

27th May 2010 Sightings

Rather busy this week and next week so not having the opportunities I would like to go birding.
Managed a dog walk and short birding stop this morning:
Buzzard
Swifts
Willow warbler
Garden warbler
Great spotted woodpecker
Long tailed tits
Dunnocks
And more!

23rd May 2010

On a brief dog walk this morning heard an intense cheeping from a mature oak. While searching for the source a great spotted woodpecker flew in and revealed the location of it's nest. Fabulous!

22nd May 2010 Sightings

Garden warbler
Blackcap
Great spotted woodpecker

21st May 2010 Sightings

Mistle thrush.
A very elusive male blackcap singing!

19th May 2010 Photos

19th May 2010 Sightings

Most notable sighting of the day was hearing and then seeing in flight a cuckoo between the Jamboree Stone and the model aircraft area this evening.

18th May 2010 Photos

18th May 2010 Sightings

Great spotted woodpecker flying over open ground, identity confirmed by red bottom. I continue to look for the lesser spotted, I haven't seen one since January.
Pair of jays flashing through the wood.
Male bullfinch calling from a silver birch. Difficult to spot despite his bright colouring.

This evening a couple of swifts shot across Bracebridge and there were at least two nuthatches in the woods. Also song thrushes and an unusual baby rabbit!

17th May 2010 Sightings

Large familly of long-tailed tits chasing each other.
2 male blackcaps. This was only the second time I've seen one this year in the park, they weren't singing either time.
Chiffchaffs and willow warblers everywhere, they are singing!
As are the linnets.

A couple of days ago I had my first ever sighting of a garden warbler.

New Blog

I am an enthusiastic and fairly new birder and very regular visitor to Sutton Coldfield Park both for birding and dog walking. I noticed that there is the distinct lack of a Sutton Park bird sightings website, so here is one. I'll be listing my sightings that I consider interesting, whether they are rare, unusual, or just my favourite birds and lovely encounters.

Email me sightings and photos from Sutton Park and surrounding areas and I will include them.