Tuesday 30th August (Autumn continues and a few Waders Arrive)


Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom into a gloomy grey and cool autumn morning. A little later Mr. Kite was cycling around the Quarry looking for birds on the River Severn. As usual in Coleham the Mallards and Black-headed Gulls were waiting on the river to be fed bread by the public.


The quiet trip along the river was followed by a quiet visit to Monkmoor Lagoon where the only bird on the water was a Grey Heron wading near the edge looking half-heartedly for small fish. Then it was on to Venus Pool where the water level was lower.


Once again V.P. was on form. Looking from the members hide Mr. Kite watched the well established Green Sandpipers and a Common Sandpiper feeding in the muddy edge of the drying pool. They were joined by three Ruff looking very colourful. But the star of today was a juvenile Spotted Redshank with long bright red legs; a long slender bill and a dark spotted back. The Spotted Redshank fed in contrast with the sandpipers because it casually prodded the waters edge whilst the latter busily moved around a small area of the pool sampling different locations. To add a bit more of a wadery theme a Dunlin popped in for a few minutes rest before continuing it's journey.

With the lowering water level, and concentration of the fish, the Cormorant population has increased to over forty. Each trawling excursion lasts about ten minutes and is a short circle around the right hand side of the pool in line and line astern dipping under to pick a sprat. These short fruitful dives are producing a content and healthy stock of Cormorants who can now spend most of their time with their wings outspread. Mind you with twelve Grey Herons fishing in the pool Mr. Kite is beginning to wonder about the fish stocks in Venus Pool.

Mr. Kite returned along the Salop lanes home for a Tetley tea. Cheers.