Sunday 23 July – Oldbury Power Station – Leader: Di Bunniss

Eight of us met to walk around the lake, lagoons and riverside. The weather was cool and very windy so it was a challenge to find many birds. Two Mute Swans and a few Mallards and Moorhens were on the lake, and Chiffchaff were calling from the trees. Goldfinches were busy feeding in the shrubs by the edge of the lake. The path to the river was quiet but there were plenty of butterflies on the bramble flowers which we were able to identify. Walking towards the Power station we watched three Kestrels in flight, hovering in the strong wind, and Swallows circled above. Reaching the Power station itself, Pied Wagtails were on the footpath and concrete areas and a small flock of Linnets flew past. By a smaller pond we watched a Reed Warbler dart back and forth between the reeds and the bushes behind us, obviously collecting insects to feed young. A Whitethroat was heard using its rather harsh contact call. For a very windy and cool day in mid July, we still enjoyed the walk and identified plenty of plants, butterflies and dragonflies as well as the occasional bird. 24 species recorded.
(Many thanks to Di for leading.) Di Bunniss