sorry so slow to reply - I can't say i know teh name of the wood, but its the one to the west of brooks drive that cuts into the golf course. Over the years I have seen LSW at the corner of Brooks Drive and Hale Road, coming out of the afore mentioned wood, on the golf course itself - a pair together in a tree about 4 foot off the ground (along the 9th firway) - and several times in the tress along Shay Lane, where it bends North towards Davenport Green - u can actually scan the woods from there two. Green woodpeckers are also to eb seen in the fields to the North around this spot. Seems to be a fair amount of woodland bird movement at present - I had 5 siskins, a nuthatch, two goldcrest and a couple of redwings in my garden in Hale (near the cemetary) over the weekend - and a pheasant!

-- Edited by Vaughan Evans at 16:50, 2007-12-19

18/12/2007 -

1 Stonechat still present in field across the road from entrance to Brooks Drive, Shay Lane end.
No sign of LSW still. Starting to lose hope now!

17/12/2007 - Morning walk along Brooks Drive and field across the road from Shay Lane end of Brooks Drive.

1 Stonechat (in field again across road from Shay Lane end of Brooks Drive on private land)
2 Stock Doves (flew over)
1 Kestrel
1 Grey Heron
1 Siskin
6 Nuthatches
2 Goldcrests
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Bullfinch
2 Pied Wagtails
1 Song Thrush
10+ Redwings
5 Jays
16 Starlings
c100 Woodpigeons
1 Black-headed Gull

Thanks for the tip-off Phil, great local bird. Hoping for SEO there soon!
Cheers. Henerz.


-- Edited by henerz1 at 12:25, 2007-12-17

An hour walk with the dog this afternoon produced Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Goldcrest in Humphrey's Wood.

Also heard a Great Spotted Woodpecker on Brooks Drive.

The fields opposite the entrance to Brooks Drive (which seperate Newall Green from Hale) revealed a Stonechat.

A sizeable flock of Siskin also flew over.

Phil

Having now looked at my A to Z, is it Humphrey's Wood where the Lessers were seen as this appears to be the only wooded area which borders the golf course??

Flaxhigh Covert used to be good many years ago so worth another go, although the last time I was in the area, there was a gate blocking entry to the wood as it is on the cricket ground.

The main wood on the lane is Davenportgreen Wood which looks as though it could contain Lessers but as for access, I am not sure. I remember knocking on the door of the house next to it once and getting permission but as for now, who knows??

This area is certainly worth covering and quite often throws up a suprise or two.

I will keep you informed.

Phil

Nuthatches quite often tap. If it was a woodpecker Sid i'd have thought it would be more of a drumming noise.
Good to see Treecreepers there today, i've only seen a couple all year!
Thanks. Henerz.

I too did not see the LSW however there was a distinct tapping rather than drumming sound high up in one of the tall trees looked for ages and finished up with a stiff neck. Do Lesser Spots "tap" at this time of year perhaps looking for insects?

I did get the usual suspects as well as 3 Treecreeper, a lone Redwing, Nuthatches (several) 2 Goldcrest, a Jay having a row with itself, a nice male Kestral over the golf course and a Brass Monkey looking for a bloke with some brazing gear!!!

13/12/207 -

No LSW again, chances will probably be better in late feb to march when it would start calling and drumming if it's around. Few other good birds around though.

1 Tawny Owl (flushed out of alder wood at east end of Shay Lane)
1 Treecreeper
2 Goldcrests
4 Coal Tits
3 Long-tailed Tits
4 Nuthatches
1 Grey Wagtail
2 Pied Wagtails
9 Siskins (in alder wood at east end of Shay Lane)
2 Goldfinches

Thanks. Henerz.

I covered Brooks Drive on a regular basis as a child in the late 70s and early 80s.

It used to be an excellent area for birding and still is.

Crossbills were virtually guaranteed in the pine trees that line the road but not sure about now.

Were the Lessers seen in the wood which coming from Shay Lane end, would be about halfway down on the right??

If so, this was the old bird sanctuary which we couldn't get to in those days!!

There also a big wood at the top end from Shay Lane on the left which you can see over the fields which looks promising.

I wouldn't mind betting that Lessers are there too but not sure who the Wood belongs to or if permission is required.

I intend to cover the area soon so will let you know.

Thanks

Phil

12/12/2007 - No sign of LSW this morning, after a couple of hours producing a sore neck from looking upwards too long! Other birds in the area though included:- 2 Siskins 2 Goldfinches 1 Bullfinch 3 Goldcrests 4 Nuthatches 2 Coal Tits 12 Long-tailed Tits 2 Pied Wagtails 1 Mistle Thrush 1 Song Trush 1 Pheasant 13 Starlings 1 Black-headed Gull (flew over) c30 Woodpigeons 2 GSW's