Wednesday 31 December 2014

Thursday 31st December 2014

River Sow Meadows
162x Wigeon, 2x Shoveler, 6x Little Grebe, Goosander, 40x Teal, 68x Snipe, 9x Golden Plover, 2x Stonechat, Grey Wagtail and Green Woodpecker (RSw)

Newcastle-under-Lyme
A Dipper in the park with a small stream opposite the Dick Turpin Pub at Thistleberry for 15 mins at c10:30hrs (DJAlm)


Tuesday 30 December 2014

Tuesday 30th December 2014

Belvide Resv
3w Caspian Gull in the roost again and drk Pintail (NTa)


Pintail at Belvide today by Nigel Talbot

Westport Lake
Male immature Smew again this morning plus a Chiffchaff (NJS). Also 2x Goosander, 2x Teal (SGi)

Mill Green NR, Cannock
Barnacle Goose with Canada Geese flock, Little Grebe & 4x Teal (SBa)

Silverdale CP
Yellow-legged Gull, 11x Goosander, Chiffchaff, 2x Stonechat & 20x Reed Bunting (NP)

Madeley Sewage Works
2x Chiffchaff & 2x Blackcap (NP)

Whitemoor Haye
10x Goldeneye, 85x Wigeon, 350x Lapwing, 198x Mute Swan, 25x Tree Sparrow, 45x Yellowhammer, 30x Skylark (SCo)

Elford
136x Mute Swan, 1x Black Swan and 67x Mute Swan at Croxall (SCo)

Aqualate
Water Rail (photo below) and Marsh Tit (PLB)






Monday 29 December 2014

Monday 29th December 2014

Tittesworth Res
Bittern showing on main resv in bay opposite main car park to right of fishing lodge (SGi)



 A great set of photos of the Tittesworth Bittern taken by Steve Gibson

Blithfield Res
4x Bewick's Swan still present, in Blythe Bay this morning (GP, AM)

Belvide Resv
3w Caspian Gull in the roost plus 2x adult Yellow-legged Gulls (RBA)

Chasewater
Ad Caspian Gull in the roost at 15:30hrs

Westport Lake
Redhead Smew at top of main lake this morning (WMo)

Doxey Marshes
Water Pipit this morning (CBa)

Water Pipit by Chris Ballance

Rickerscote Water Meadows, Stafford
9x Ruff, 4x Dunlin, 18x Snipe, c150 Wigeon, Little Egret & Shelduck (CDa)

Ford Green/Chatterley Valley
1st winter Stonechat, drake Teal, Little Grebe, Snipe, and 3 Common Gull (JJo)

Knenhall - Moddershall
at least two male Tree Sparrows at 12:00hrs (BB JB)

Elford
126x Mute Swan with 64x Mute Swan at Croxall (SCo)

Whitemoor Haye
262x Mute Swan, 1x Grey Wagtail, 15x Tree Sparrow, 40x Yellowhammer, 1x Green Sandpiper, 79x Wigeon, 1x Goldeneye, 1x Snipe (SCo)

Sunday 28 December 2014

Sunday 28th December 2014

Blithfield Res
4x Bewick's Swan off Beech Tree Point (GJM) and still present to 14:00hrs (IBu) at least

 The Blithfield Bewick's Swans by Rich Powell.

Belvide Resv
3w Caspian Gull in the roost

Aqualate
1st winter drake Scaup, 3x Pintail, Cetti's Warbler, Kingfisher (IG)

Cop Mere
6x Goldeneye, 12x Goosander, 2x Water Rail, 1x Little Egret (AHa)

Whitemoor Haye
54x Wigeon, 400+ Lapwing, 80+ Golden Plover, 1x Redshank, 1x Grey Partridge, 1x Merlin (SCo)

Alrewas GP
239x Wigeon, 1x Grey Wagtail (SCo)

Hanley Forest Park
imm drk Smew again this morning (BB JB)

Rough Close - Stallington
100x Pink-footed Goose over NW also a Merlin (AR)

Saturday 27 December 2014

Saturday 27th December 2014

Dimmingsdale
80x Lapwing, 500x Redwing, 150x Fieldfare, 12x Meadow Pipit all moving to the south and west (TEy)

Chasewater
Adult Med Gull, 4x YL Gull (CWG-sightings). Also 1w Caspian Gull at 14:15hrs

River Sow Meadows Stafford
2x Raven, 2x Stonechat, 50x Golden Plover, 350x Lapwing, 296x Fieldfare heading south, 39x Redwing, 8x Mistle Thrush, 2x Kingfisher, 12x Snipe & a single Lesser Redpoll (RSw)

Hanley Forest Park
No sign of imm drk SMEW at 10:00hrs

Friday 26 December 2014

Boxing Day 26th December 2014

Chasewater
Adult Iceland Gull again in the roost also adult Caspian Gull, 2x YL Gull (CWG_Sightings)

Hanley Forest Park
Imm drake Smew again at 07:45

Knypersley Resv
Water Rail still present (GBr)

Caverswall \ Blythe Bridge
Male Blackcap, 60x Golden Plover over, 13x Meadow Pipit, 7x Fieldfare, 2x Kestrel & 2x Treecreeper (ARa)

Thursday 25 December 2014

Christmas Day 25th December 2014

Chasewater Res
Adult Iceland Gull in roost this evening, also 3x Caspian Gull (ad,1w,2w), 2x ad Med Gull, ad YL Gull (@CWG_sightings)

Dimmingsdale
Blackcap this morning on feeder (TEy)

Wednesday 24 December 2014

Wednesday 24th December 2014

Stoke-on-Trent
Imm drake Smew still present at Hanley Forest Park 07:45hrs and to 13:30hrs at least (PJ, SS)


Hanley Forest Park Smew today by Lou (top pic) and by Steve Seal (above)

Radial Park, Stoke-on-Trent
8x Snipe, 2x Willow Tit (DCo)

River Sow Meadows, Stafford
2x Chiffchaff, 4x Grey Wagtail, 125x Pied Wagtail, 5x Goldcrest, 2x Stonechat, 75x Golden Plover, 176x Wigeon, 2x Goosander, 4x Little Grebe (RSw)

Hanchurch Woods
At dusk 4x Woodcock, 3x Tawny Owl, 300x Rook roosted - also this afternoon c200 Goldfinch, c70 Lesser Redpoll, c60 Siskin (NDP)

Tuesday 23 December 2014

Tuesday 23rd December 2014

Blithfield Res
2x adult Caspian Gull also 4x adult YL Gull (GJM)

Chasewater
2x Caspian Gull (adult and 2nd winter) 2x adult YL Gull, adult Med Gull

Hanley Forest Park
Redhead Smew again

Branston Gravel Pits
6x Ruff, Redshank, 2x Goosander, 15x Shelduck, 6x Gadwall, 32x Wigeon, 9x Little Grebe, (JW)
 
Branston Water Park
6x Shoveler, 18x Pochard, Kingfisher. (JW)
 
Barton Marina
Common Gull (JW)

Belvide Res
2nd winter Caspian Gull in the roost

Monday 22 December 2014

Monday 22nd December 2014

Parkhall CP
Red Kite over this morning (PSa)

Sunday 21 December 2014

Sunday 21st December 2014

Rudyard
58x Pink-footed Geese over east at 10:40 (SS)

Belvide Resv
1w Caspian Gull in roost plus 4x Yellow-legged Gulls

Chasewater
3x Caspian Gulls (adult + 2x 2w), 4x Yellow-legged Gulls and adult Mediterranean Gull (@CWG_sightings)

Alrewas GP
60x Lapwing, 54x Wigeon, 2x Goldeneye, 2x Gadwall, 7x Chiffchaff, 2x Goldcrest (@BirderAlrewas)

Whitemoor Haye
85+ Tufted Duck, 51x Wigeon, 252x Mute Swans, 346x Lapwing, 10x Goldeneye, 50+ Yellowhammers, 10+ Tree Sparrows, 1x GBBG (SCo) 

Doxey Marshes
Little Egret, Shelduck, Stonechat, 10x Goosander, 8x Shoveler, 2x Water Rail (@ScottoftheMarsh)

Hatherton Resv
2x Goosander (SHLBa)

Saturday 20 December 2014

Saturday 20th December 2014

Doxey Marsh
8x Gadwall, 9x Shoveler, 9x Wigeon, 180x Teal, 4x Pochard, 2x Goosander, 24x Tufted Duck, Shelduck, 8x Lapwing, Kingfisher, Water Rail (RSw)

Whitemoor Haye
1400x Lapwing, 77x Golden Plover, 51x Wigeon, Goldeneye, 254x Mute Swan, 30x Yellowhammer, 25x Tree Sparrow also 54x Mute Swan circa Croxall (SC)

Branston GP
1x Goosander, 1x Curlew, 12x Shelduck, 52x Wigeon (SBN)

Blithfield Res
c1000 Teal, c500 Wigeon, 26x Goldeneye, 4x Goosander, 3x Gadwall, 3x Little Grebe, 8x Pochard, Shelduck, 3x Little Grebe, 19x Tufted Duck, Siskin, Redpoll, Barnacle Goose (SE HF)

Silverdale CP
7x Goosander (PJ)

Tunstall Park, Stoke-on-Trent
3x Goosander (ALo)

Friday 19 December 2014

Friday 19th December 2014

Chasewater
Adult Caspian Gull in the roost also 4x YL Gull, 3x adult Med Gull

Silverdale CP
5x Goosander (PCa) 

Thursday 18 December 2014

Thursday 18th December 2014

Hanley Forest Park
Redhead Smew still present this morning (DKe)

Belvide Res
3rd winter Caspian Gull again in the roost


Silverdale CP
11x Goosander (PCa) 

Wednesday 17 December 2014

Wednesday 17th December 2014

Hanley Forest Park, Stoke-on-Trent
redhead Smew present till dusk and showing well. Bird also present yesterday. (GBr)

Branston Gravel Pits
6x Ruff, Green Sandpiper, 19x Curlew, c100 Great Black-backed Gull, c150 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 36x Herring Gull, Little Egret, 13x Shelduck, 25x Wigeon, 5x Pochard, 7x Gadwall & Cetti's Warbler (JWo)

Tuesday 16 December 2014

Tuesday 16th December 2014

Chasewater
Hybrid Ring-billed Gull x LBBG again in the roost at 15:15 (@Midlandsbirder)
2x Caspian Gull (2nd winter and probable adult)  3x adult YL Gull, adult Med Gull also in the roost

Belvide Res
3rd winter Caspian Gull again in the roost

Monday 15 December 2014

Monday 15th December 2014

Chasewater
Great Northern Diver still off Target Point, 2x Caspian Gull ( 1st  and 2nd winter ) in the roost also 2x adult Med Gull

Branston GP
Adult Caspian Gull, 108x GBBG, 8x Ruff, 18x Curlew, Redshank, 61x Lapwing, 13x Shelduck, c40x Wigeon, 13x Gadwall, 6x Pochard, 13x Little Grebe, c30x Skylark, 6x Yellowhammer (JW)

Belvide Resv
3w Caspian Gull in roost

Coven
Ring-necked Parakeet flew south at 09:10

Stafford
Peregrine hunting over town centre at 09:20 (AB)

Parkhall CP
Little Grebe, 2x Willow Tit, Kingfisher, 3x Goldcrest, Treecreeper (SSt)

Sunday 14 December 2014

Sunday 14th December 2014

Blithfield Resv
Ad Caspian Gull in Tad Bay roost, 17x Goosander, 9x Goldeneye (@rpintean)

Belvide Resv
2x Caspian Gull (3w + 1w) plus adult LBBG x Ring-billed Gull hybrid (same bird roosted at Chasewater last night) (@BelvideBirding)

Chasewater
Juv Great Northern Diver, 2x Caspian Gulls (adult + 2w), ad Mediterranean Gull, 4x Yellow-legged Gulls (3 adults + 2w) (@CWG_sightings)

Caverswall - Blythe Bridge
Yellowhammer, 10x Lapwing, 7x Meadow Pipit, 12x Fieldfare, 7x Redwing, 2x Kestrel (AR)

Radial Park
16x Snipe, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Kingfisher, 10x Mipit, 4x Reed Bunting, 4x Bullfinch, 2x Kestrel, Treecreeper  (DC)

Westport Lake
imm drake Smew still present plus Chiffchaff, 2x Goosander briefly and a Little Grebe.

Smew by Steve Seal

Silverdale CP
Female Shoveler (PC)

Saturday 13 December 2014

Saturday 13th December 2014

Westport Lake
Redhead Smew again present today

Smew by Steve Seal

Alrewas
8x Ruff on floods north of Alrewas (SC)

Chasewater
2x Caspian Gull (2nd winters) in the roost also adult Med Gull

Belvide Res
1st winter and 3rd winter Caspian Gull again in the roost

Barlaston Downs
40x Siskin, 6x Stock Dove (AR)

Knypersley Resv
Water Rail again present (GBr)

Friday 12 December 2014

Friday 12th December 2014

Belvide Res
3x Caspian Gull  (1st, 2nd and 3rd winter) again in the roost

Alton - Denstone
Kingfisher and 2x Grey Wagtail along the old Uttoxeter Canal (AR)

Branston Gravel Pits
6x Redshank, 20x Curlew, c30x Lapwing, 12x Shelduck, 7x Pochard, 5x Gadwall, 26x Wigeon, 5x Shoveler, 13x Little Grebe, Peregrine, c12x Skylark, 4x Yellowhammer. (JW)

Manifold Valley
4 or 5 Marsh Tit and a single Willow Tit (TEy)
Marsh Tit by Terry Eyre


Thursday 11 December 2014

Thursday 11th December 2014

Belvide Res
3x Caspian Gull in the roost (1st, 2nd and 3rd winter)

Wednesday 10 December 2014

Wednesday 10th December 2014

Tittesworth Res
Dark-bellied Brent Goose still

Belvide Res
1st winter and 3rd winter Caspian Gull again in the roost

Alvecote
1st winter Scaup reported on Pretty Pigs Pool (RSm)

Westport Lake
Drk Pintail late PM

Tuesday 9 December 2014

Tuesday 9th December 2014

Chasewater
Adult Bewick's Swan this afternoon

Branston Gravel Pits
18x Curlew, 2x Redshank, c200x Lapwing, Snipe, 9x Shelduck, 48x Wigeon, 9x Pochard, 5x Gadwall, 12x Little Grebe, 6x GBB Gull (JW)

Maybank, Newcastle-under-Lyme
c80 Pink-footed Geese flew over calling and were visible against the clouds 20:00hrs (NJS)

Tittesworth Res
Brent Goose still also Little Egret (HD)

Monday 8 December 2014

Monday 8th December 2014

Belvide Resv
2x Little Egret at west end and Shelduck (@BelvideBirder)

Westport Lake
2x Goldeneye, 7x Pochard, 2x Herring Gull

Sunday 7 December 2014

Sunday 7th December 2014

Tittesworth Resv
Dark-bellied Brent Goose in field west of north end of resv with Canada Geese (@rpintean)


Tittesworth Brent Goose. Photos (top) Steve Gibson and Richard Powell

Belvide Resv
2x Caspian Gull (2w & 3w) in roost tonight

Chasewater
Adult Iceland Gull, 1w Caspian Gull and adult Yellow-legged Gull. Also Herring Gull with white wings and increased numbers of Common, GBBG and argentatus Herrings after day of NW winds (@CWG_sightings, JA)

Aqualate
redhead Smew still present plus 7x Pintail (@Ian_m_grant)

Silverdale CP
1x imm drk Shoveler, 2x Goosander, 3x Teal, 34x Mallard, 3x Tufted Duck, 1x adult Yellow-legged Gull (photo below) (PJ)


Bates Wood, nr Newcastle-u-Lyme
3x Goosander, 1x Wigeon, 50-60 Redpoll (PJ)

Doxey Marshes
2x Cetti's Warbler, 13x Goosander, Stonechat, 6x Water Rail, 4x Chiffchaff (PDy, DFo)

Deep Hayes CP
2x Mandarin, 12x Goosander and 1x Little Grebe (RSu)

Berryhill
Barn Owl, Little Owl, 2x Stonechat, 2x Water Rail, Woodcock, c300 Redwing, c200 Fieldfare, c800 Starling (RT)

Saturday 6 December 2014

Saturday 6th December 2014

Chasewater
2w Caspian Gull in roost tonight (@CWG_sightings)

Belvide Resv
3x Caspian Gulls in roost (1w 2w 3w) (@BelvideBirding)

Brookleys Lake
126x Mandarin, 2x Goosander (@rpintean)

Aqualate
Redhead Smew again mid day

Westport Lake
1w drk Smew again today from 11:30hrs (IR) and still present at 15.15 (SMi, PLo et al)

Smew by Steve Gibson


Smew by Chris Bromley

Doxey Marshes
Water Rail, Shelduck, 15x Snipe, 34x Teal & Cetti's Warbler (LOU)

Cetti's Warbler by Lou


Whitemoor Haye
1300x Lapwing, 65x Wigeon, 12x Tufted Duck, 322x Mute Swan, 19x Cormorant, 8x Teal, 9x Grey Partridge, Snipe, 10x Tree Sparrow & 3x Yellowhammer (SCo) 

Alrewas GP
41x Teal, 5x Goldeneye, 199x Wigeon, 64x Tufted Duck, Snipe, Little Grebe & 2x Grey Wagtail (SCo)

Whitmore
Barn Owl at 20.45 north of village, on road sign on roundabout at junction of A53 & A5128 (NDP)

Dunstall Sawmill Pool
1x Green Sandpiper, 2x Teal, 5x Mandarin (4m)  (Chaz M)

Knypersley Resv
2x Water Rail, 3x Greylag Geese (GBr)

Lyme Valley Park, Newcastle-u-Lyme
Dipper on the stream by the car park opposite the hospital on A34 (GSa)

Friday 5 December 2014

Friday 5th December 2014

Belvide Resv
Two Caspian Gulls (1w 2w) in the roost tonight

Branston Gravel Pits
10x Ruff, 6x Redshank, Dunlin, 19x Curlew, Green Sandpiper, 12x Golden Plover, 653x Lapwing, 11x Shelduck, 49x Wigeon, 11x Pochard, 6x Gadwall, 7x Shoveler, Little Egret & 12x Little Grebe (JWo)

Thursday 4 December 2014

Thursday 4th December 2014

Chasewater
2x Caspian Gull (adult and 1st winter) in the roost

Wednesday 3 December 2014

Wednesday 3rd December 2014

Tittesworth
Bittern at the conservation pool this morning from the west hide view the top corner (PS)

Westport Lake
Redhead Smew at 13.00 (SMi)
Smew by Simon Middleton

Ford Green/Chatterley Valley
Green Sandpiper, Water Rail, Gadwall, Little Grebe, 10x Reed Bunting, 6x Meadow Pipit (JJ)

Doxey Marshes
10x Goosander, Kingfisher, Stonechat & Treecreeper (PDy)

Belvide Res
3x Caspian Gull in the roost ( 1st winter, 2nd winter, 3rd winter )

Tuesday 2 December 2014

Tuesday 2nd December 2014

Blithfield Res
Bewick's Swan briefly Blithe Bay late morning then flew off SE also a Knot (GJM)

Swallow Moss
Adult male Hen Harrier at 13:50 - different bird from the 2w male reported 30/11  (RT NDP)

Branston Gravel Pits
6x Ruff, 19x Curlew, 6x Redshank, 824x Lapwing, Green Sandpiper, Snipe, 13x Shelduck, 12x Shoveler, 12x Little Grebe, 5x Pochard, 24x Wigeon, 2x Gadwall, 2x Little Egret, Goldcrest & c30 Yellowhammer in hedge at Small Meadows (JWo)

Monday 1 December 2014

Monday 1st December 2014

Hanchurch Woods
Great Grey Shrike still, take track NW from Lower car park to view clearfell. (SE HF)

Belvide Res
Redhead Smew again at west end. 3rd winter Caspian Gull again in the roost.

Doxey Marsh
Cetti's Warbler, 2x Goosander, 2x Water Rail, Wigeon, Shoveler, Fieldfare (MT DF)

Cetti's Warbler by Mick Turner

Staffs

Sunday 30 November 2014

Sunday 30th November 2014

Hanchurch Woods
Great Grey Shrike again this morning relocated at 11:05 on the top track. Park in the main car park and walk back past the cottage to view along the track. Showing on and off again from 12:45 until last message received at 13:45hrs (BC LC ST AS DR)

Belvide Resv
Ad Caspian Gull in the roost plus Corn Bunting, 2x Little Egret, 2x Pintail, 3x Goosander, 90x Golden Plover, Chiffchaff and Peregrine (@Kevin_Clements et al)

Chasewater
2x Caspian Gulls in the roost (adult and 2w), 2x adult Mediterranean Gulls, 2x adult Yellow-legged Gulls (@CWG_sightings)

Aqualate
Adult Bewick's Swan and the redhead Smew still

Dimmingsdale
3x Woodcock, 2x Brambling, 12x Redpoll, 32x Fieldfare, 9x Redwing. Green Woodpecker (TE)

Doxey Marsh
Cetti's Warbler, Snipe, 2x  Goosander, 14x Shoveler, Wigeon (DF)

Cetti's Warbler by Dave Fowler

Cannock Chase
4x Stonechat, 4x Green Woodpecker, 30x Reed Bunting, 200x Fieldfare, 200x Redwing, (AH)

Knypersley Resv
1x Water Rail heard plus Woodcock (GBr)

 River Sow Meadows
10x Snipe, 118x Lapwing, 38x Wigeon, 25x TealGoosander, 90x  Fieldfare, 4x Mistle Thrush, 120x Greenfinch, 3x Grey Wagtail, 5x Skylark. (RS)

Swallow Moss
2nd winter male Hen Harrier

Saturday 29 November 2014

Saturday 29th November 2014

Hanchurch Woods
Great Grey Shrike showing well to 10:15 at least. Take track NW from lower car park for about 100m to view clearfell on the left. (NDP et al)

 Great Grey Shrike showed well at times this morning (SBN)

Gailey Res
3x Brent Geese on sailing lake bottom right hand corner near spill weir (SR) Later flew off west at 12:15.

Belvide Res
3x Juvenile Brent Geese at west end 12:30 - 12:46 then flew off SE.

Chasewater
2x adult and one 2nd winter Caspian Gull, 3x adult YL Gull and white winged Herring Gull again in the roost. (JA)

Whitemoor Haye
100x Lapwing, 100x Pochard, 32x Wigeon, 39x Teal, 6x Goldeneye, 331x Mute Swan, 20x Yellowhammer, 25x Tree Sparrow, Golden Plover (SC)

Doxey Marsh
3x Stonechat, Cetti's Warbler, 2x Goosander, 104x Lapwing, Snipe, 16x Shoveler, 6x Wigeon, Kingfisher, 20x Fieldfare, 2x Nuthatch (AR)

Tittesworth Res
1x Goldeneye, 2x Gadwall, drk Pintail, 42x Wigeon, 29x Teal, 4x Siskin (SGi)

Friday 28 November 2014

Friday 28th November 2014

Hanchurch Woods
Great Grey Shrike briefly at Swynnerton Old Park at 11:00 in clearfell. From the forestry lodge go downhill to the lay-by on the left hand side. The bird is feeding in a new clearfell opposite the lay-by. Again in clearfell at 14:30 (SE, HF)

Great Grey Shrike by Steve Edwards

Blithfield Res (Permits)
5x Common Scoter this morning (GJM)

Whitemoor Haye
378x Lapwing, 49x Wigeon, 111x Pochard, 6x Goldeneye, 17x Golden Plover, 304x Mute Swan, 15x Yellowhammer, Tree Sparrow (SC)

Branston GP
Adult Caspian Gull and 4x adult Yellow-legged Gulls in roost. Also 7x Ruff, 4x Redshank, 20x Golden Plover, Snipe, 446x Lapwing, Little Egret, 8x Shelduck 8x Shoveler, 16x Pochard, 17x Wigeon, 3x Gadwall, Peregrine, 12x Yellowhammer, 11x Skylark, c80x Chaffinch (JW)


Adult Caspian Gull in fading light tonight at Branston (JW)

Junction pit
1 Snipe, Chiffchaff singing (SC)

Alrewas GPs
78x Tufted Duck, 2x Goldeneye, 19x Wigeon, Little Grebe (SC)

Alrewas
1 Egyptian Goose in with Canada Geese in field by quarter mile bridge (SC)

Belvide Res
3rd winter Caspian Gull again in the roost also 6x YL Gull

Thursday 27 November 2014

Thursday 27th November 2014

Belvide Resv
2x Caspian Gull in roost (adult + 3w), 8x Yellow-legged Gull (permit holders only)

Wednesday 26 November 2014

Wednesday 26th November 2014

Belvide Res
8x Common Scoter (one drake) off the dam this morning.
3rd winter Caspian Gull again in the roost also 5x YL Gull (BG)

Blithfield Res
Female Common Scoter at the deep end (GJM)

Doxey Marshes
Kingfisher, c40 Teal, Buzzard, Kestrel, Cetti's Warbler, 6x Goosander, c40 Lapwing, 2x Bullfinch, 5x Grey Heron & 6x Cormorant (PLG)

Tittesworth Res
Male Pintail in the morning (GDe)

Tuesday 25 November 2014

Tuesday 25th November 2014

Chasewater Res
Adult Mediterranean Gull in the roost plus 4x Yellow-legged Gulls (@midlandsbirder)

Belvide Res (Permits)
3rd winter Caspian Gull roosted this evening, also Little Gull, 5x Yellow-legged Gulls & the leucistic Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Little Egret remains at the west end (BB)

Branston Gravel Pits
2x Ruff, 4x Redshank, Green Sandpiper, 18x Curlew, 88x Lapwing, 10x Shelduck, 15x Pochard, 14x Wigeon, 8x Shoveler, 2x Gadwall, 12x Little Grebe, 2x Little Egret, Common Gull, c30 Yellowhammer in hedge between small meadows and Barton telephone exchange (JWo)
Yellowhammer by Jon Woodcock

Monday 24 November 2014

Monday 24th November 2014

Parkhall CP
3x Woodcock (SSt)

Chatterley Valley\Ford Green
Green Sandpiper, Gadwall, 3x Little Grebe, 2x Goosander & Barn Owl (JJo)

Whitemoor Haye 14:20 to 16:15
201x Lapwing, 102x Golden Plover, 31x Wigeon, 27x Cormorant, Curlew, 20x Tree Sparrow, 15x Yellowhammer, 2x Goldeneye, 305x Mute Swan (SC)

 

 

Sunday 23 November 2014

Sunday 23rd November 2014

Silverdale CP
135x Pink-footed Geese over south Blackbank at 08:30hrs. Also 3x Brambling (NDP)

Westport Lake
68x Pink-footed Geese flew over S/SE at 08:55hrs. Also 2x Goosander and a Chiffchaff (SBN)

The flock of 68 Pink-feet over Westport this morning

Croxall Lakes
90x Pink-footed Geese heading E 09:35hrs. Also a Little Egret present (@Ochruros)

Endon SW
70x Pink-footed Geese over to East at 10:00hrs. Also 81x Lapwing, 1x Raven (GBr)

Aqualate Mere
Redhead Smew still at far end (@Ian_m_grant)
2x Cetti's Warbler heard - An Otter swam across in front of the hide. Also Peregrine and 2000+ Starlings (PJ BC LC KB)

Goldsitch Moss
Male Hen Harrier before drifting off over Gradbach (RT)

Knotbury
Short-eared Owl from Drystone Edge (RT)

Doxey Marshes
11x Goosander, 6x Shoveler, c35 Snipe, 8x Bullfinch, Goldcrest, c100 Fieldfare, 28x Redwing, c1500 Starling & Cetti's Warbler (RSw)

Chasewater
Adult and 3rd winter Caspian Gull, 2x Adult YL Gull, Adult/4th winter Herring Gull showing white primaries, 2000x Starling in the roost (JA)

Radford Meadows
100x Golden Plover, 700x Lapwing (CD)

Berryhill
Barn Owl again at 16:25 also Woodcock (IBu BC LC)



Saturday 22 November 2014

Saturday 22nd November 2014

Aqualate
Bittern again flew in front of the hide. Redhead Smew south west corner early afternoon (IG)

Chasewater
2x Caspian Gulls (adult and 1w), 2x Yellow-legged Gulls (adult and 2w), 2x adult Mediterranean Gulls (@CWG_sightings)

Wolseley Bridge
2x Little Egret on the flood plain (RBe)

Whitemoor Haye
1000x Lapwing, 7x Pochard, 7x Little Egret, 61x Wigeon, 322x Mute Swan, 20x Yellowhammer, 10x Tree Sparrow, Jay, 40x Golden Plover & Corn Bunting (SCo)

Branston GP
c300 Golden Plover circling around Sandy Pit, 1x Little Egret, 4x Ruff, 5x Redshank (SBN)

Belvide
1x Little Egret, 10x Golden Plover, 791x Lapwing, 7x Dunlin, Chiffchaff, 188x Teal, 49x Wigeon, 15x Shoveler and Goosander (@Kevin_Clements)

Doxey Marshes
Male Merlin and 2x Stonechat near Octogon Hide 10:00hrs (SBN)

Berryhill
Barn Owl again at 16:30hrs (PJ)
Jack Snipe, Goosander, Stonechat (NP)

Blackbank
1x singing Fieldfare this morning (PJ)

Knypersley CP
1+ Water Rail at end of the arboretum, 1x Little Grebe and fem Goosander (GBr)

Uttoxeter Quarry
6x Goldeneye, 4x Goosander, 34x Pochard, 15x Wigeon, 37x Teal, Little Egret, Golden Plover, Dunlin and 2x blue morph feral Snow Geese with the Greylags (@rpintean)

Ford Green\Chatterley Valley
Green Sandpiper on north side of mining museum access road, also Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail & drake Gadwall on main pool (JJo)

Friday 21 November 2014

Friday 21st November 2014

Aqualate
Redhead Smew from the hide at 09:25 (IG)

Ford Green\Chatterley Valley
2x Stonechat, Grey Wagtail and drake Gadwall on the main pool (JJo)

Belvide Res
3rd winter Caspian Gull again in the roost (BG)

Blithfield
Green Sandpiper feeding on edge of field pond on north side of track leading
from Warren Farm to Duckley Plantation at 10.05 a.m. grid ref. SK065250  (JH JR)

Thursday 20 November 2014

Thursday 20th November 2014

Belvide Res (Permits)
3rd winter Caspian Gull in the roost, also 8x Yellow-legged Gull, Dunlin, 566x Lapwing, 65x Snipe & Goosander (SN)
3rd winter Caspian Gull by Steve Nuttall

Chatterley Valley
Green Sandpiper at the northern end, view brook on north side of the access road to the mining museum (JJ)

Wednesday 19 November 2014

Wednesday 19th November 2014

Berryhill
Barn Owl again near the upright stone circle (GP)

Castle Ring to Upper Longdon
8x Raven, Tawny Owl & Muntjac Deer (JWo)

Biddulph
A Common Sandpiper spotted twice this week on a pool near Knypersley Social Club (Nigel)

Tuesday 18 November 2014

Tuesday 18th November 2014

Branston Gravel Pits
Black-tailed Godwit, 5x Ruff, 8x Redshank, 2x Green Sandpiper, 17x Curlew, c150 Golden Plover, 413x Lapwing, Snipe, 6x Shelduck, 16x Shoveler, 10x Wigeon, 12x Pochard, 3x Gadwall, 3x Little Egret, Yellow-legged Gull, 86 Great Black-backed Gull, c60 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 16x Herring Gull, Kingfisher, 2x Water Rail, Cetti's Warbler & c20 Yellowhammer (JWo)

YL Gull by Jon Woodcock

Dimmingsdale
50x Lesser Redpoll, 6x Siskin, 30x Redwing, 6x Fieldfare, 2x Raven & 4x Goldcrest (TEy)

Aqualate
Bittern flew into right hand reed bed 30m from hide at 09:45 (IG)

Blithfield Res
Ad Med Gull in Tad Bay (GJM)

Ford Green - Chatterley Valley
2x Stonechat, 2x Little Grebe, 2x Kingfisher, Raven, Cormorant, Linnet, Fieldfare (JJ)

Cannock Chase
Brambling, Siskin, 15x Goldcrest, 2x Redpoll, 35x Redwing, 6x Fieldfare (GWR)

Whitemoor Haye
5x Grey Partridge (CS)

Monday 17 November 2014

Monday 17th November 2014

Berryhill
Short-eared Owl still hunting around the scrape paddocks early morning also 2x Stonechat (DW) SE Owl again late afternoon around the scrape paddocks also the Barn Owl at dusk and Golden Plover (DW PD MT NJS RT)

Sunday 16 November 2014

Sunday 16th November 2014

Doxey Marsh
5x Jack Snipe, 299x Snipe, 4x Cetti's Warbler, 7x Stonechat, 4x Water Rail, 3x Chiffchaff (SPe)

Berryhill
Short-eared Owl hunting between the Scrape and the upright stone circle also Barn Owl at dusk (RT DC MH GP JB)

Blithfield Res
Ad Caspian Gull Tad Bay also 500x Golden Plover, 2x Dunlin, 5x Goosander (JA)
60x Goosander roosted in Tad Bay this evening (RCB)

Chasewater
Ad Caspian Gull, 4x YL Gull, Ad Med Gull, 2000x Starling roosted in Slurry pool (JA)

Whitemoor Haye
74x Tufted Duck, 51x Wigeon, 109x Pochard, 268x Lapwing, 2x Goldeneye, Redshank, 15x Shoveler, Little Egret, c192 Golden Plover (SCo)

Belvide Res (Permits)
4x Goosander, 4x Shelduck, 6x Golden Plover & 3x Lesser Redpoll (BB)

Saturday 15 November 2014

Saturday 15th November 2014

Berryhill
Barn Owl early morning, favours the meadows downhill from the upright stone circle. Also 3x Stonechat (RT)

Belvide Res
Redhead Smew still, also 6x Goosander, 19x Shoveler, 30x Wigeon, 33x Gadwall, 156x Teal, Dunlin & 11x Yellow-legged Gull (BB)

Blackbank
Jack Snipe also 50x Snipe (NP)

Chasewater
Adult Caspian Gull again in the roost & 3x Yellow-legged Gull (CWG)

Dimmingsdale
75x Redpoll, 2x Siskin, 2x Raven, 10x Redwing (TE)

Friday 14 November 2014

Friday 14th November 2014

Berryhill
Barn Owl near the stone circle's this evening (TJa)

Branston Gravel Pits
Black-tailed Godwit, 10x Ruff, 6x Redshank, Dunlin, 18x Curlew, Snipe, 4x Green Sandpiper, 586x Lapwing, 295x Golden Plover, 3x Water Rail, 4x Little Egret, 6x Shelduck, 23x Shoveler, 31x Pochard, 9x Wigeon, 9x Gadwall, Kingfisher, Common Gull, 3x Goldcrest & Cetti's Warbler (JWo)

Thursday 13 November 2014

Thursday 13th November 2014

Chasewater
Slavonian Grebe off the main CP at 12:45

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Marsh Harrier still North Pit also 2x Ruff Jubilee Wetlands (KS)

Blithfield Res
Drake Mandarin in Tad Bay late morning (RCB)

Coton
Waxwing, one on Bellamour Way near the school at 09:20 (BG)

Wednesday 12 November 2014

Wednesday 12th November 2014

Belvide Resv
Adult Caspian Gull in roost plus 12x Yellow-legged Gulls and juv Smew off Gazebo Bay

Drayton Bassett Pits
Marsh Harrier again at North End mid afternoon (@Bob_the_Birder)

Berryhill
Barn Owl again at dusk (DF)

Blithfield Res
100x Wigeon & 2x Ruff in Tad bay (JSB)
Also c1000 Golden Plover, 13x Dunlin, 3x Pintail, 5x Goosander & 20x Pochard (RBe)

Doxey Marshes
Stonechat, 120+ Teal, 15x Wigeon, 3x Water Rail, 1x Goosander (SPe)

Tuesday 11 November 2014

Tuesday 11th November 2014

Belvide Res
Redhead Smew still off Gazebo Bay

Wrinehill
Short-eared Owl this morning (RT)

Blithfield Res
800x Golden Plover, 7x Dunlin, 5x Goosander, 150x Wigeon, 200x Teal, 40x Linnet (MJ)

Berryhill
Barn Owl again at dusk (MT)

Branston GP
8x Ruff, 18x Curlew, 206x Golden Plover, 6x Redshank, 2x Dunlin, 466x Lapwing, 7x Little Egret, 9x Shelduck, Goldeneye, 25x Pochard, 18x Shoveler, 11x Gadwall, 7x Wigeon, c20x Little Grebe, Cetti's Warbler, Peregrine, Yellow-legged Gull, c200x LBBG, 15x Herring Gull, 9x GBBG (JW)

Monday 10 November 2014

Monday 10th November 2014

Belvide Res
Redhead Smew still in Gazebo Bay this afternoon

Smew by Nigel Talbot

Ford Green / Chatterley Whitfield
Stonechat, 300x Fieldfare, (JJ)

Berryhill
Barn Owl again hunting at dusk - view the meadows downhill from the upright stone circle, also 3x Stonechat still (RT DF)

Blithfield Res
Knot, 3x Dunlin, 600x Golden Plover, 14x Pochard, 8x Goosander, Goldeneye, Mandarin, Peregrine (SE HF)

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Female Marsh Harrier Jubilee Wetlands Area then flew to the NE end at 15:30

Chasewater
Ad Caspian Gull, Ad YL Gull, 2x Ad Med Gull also Barn Owl Plants Swag

Cannock Chase
330x Fieldfare over Sherbrook this evening (RW)

Sunday 9 November 2014

Sunday 9th November 2014

Belvide Res
Redhead Smew again off Gazebo Bay mid morning

Dimmingsdale
45x Redpoll, 10x Redwing, Green Woodpecker, 4x Goldcrest (TE)

Berryhill
Barn Owl late afternoon (DW PB CD)

Chasewater
2x Med Gull in the roost also 2000x Starling roosted in the Slurry pool area (JA)

Knypersley Resv
Water Rail still present plus 3+ Lesser Redpoll and a Siskin (GBr)

Parkhall CP
Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker (SSt)

Doxey Marshes
Cetti's Warbler, 2x Goosander, c50 Fieldfare, 5x Goldcrest, 2x Kingfisher & Little Grebe (PDy)

Shoal Hill
Osprey photographed flying over at 10:00 making it the latest Staffs record

Cannock Chase (Sherbrook Valley)
12x Stonechat, Green Woodpecker, 15x Reed Bunting, 2x Kestrel (AH )

Saturday 8 November 2014

Saturday 8th November 2014

Belvide Res (Permits)
Juvenile Osprey through south at 13.45, latest ever Staffordshire record, also, redhead Smew again this morning from Scott hide and 5x Goosander (BB)

Blithfield Res (Permits)
In Tad bay, 611x Golden Plover, 7x Dunlin, Pintail, 2x Goldeneye, 2x Goosander, 23x Shoveler, 194x Wigeon & 499x Teal (RPo)

Chasewater
Adult Caspian Gull, adult Mediterranean Gull roosted tonight (@CWG_sightings)

Whitemoor Haye
52x Cormorant, 66x Coot, Little Grebe, 15x Wigeon, 7x Golden Plover, 211x Lapwing, 25x Tree Sparrow, 8x Yellowhammer, 3x Little Egret, 8x Great Crested Grebe, 84x Tufted Duck & 156x Pochard (SCo)

Knypersley Res
2x Water Rail, Woodcock, 5x Lesser Redpoll, Brambling & c100 Fieldfare all at the end of the Arboretum (GBr)

Brookleys Lake
90x Mandarin (RPo)

Hoar Cross
c300 Fieldfare this morning & several Redwing (DTh)

A38 Pit/Millenium Bridge
ring-tail Hen Harrier flew over from west towards A38 Pit 14:50hrs (NJS) 

Friday 7 November 2014

Friday 7th November 2014

Westport Lake
65x Tufted Duck, 3x Pochard and a Goldcrest (SBN)

Blithbury
60x Pink-footed Geese in field on the Blithbury to Trent Valley Station Road (PJo)

Thursday 6 November 2014

Thursday 6th November 2014

Blithfield Res
1359x Golden Plover in Tad Bay (GJM)

Chasewater
1st winter Caspian Gull in the roost

Belvide Res
2nd winter Caspian Gull in the roost, also 14x YL Gull

Wednesday 5 November 2014

Wednesday 5th November 2014

Silverdale CP
Yellow-legged Gull & 2x Stonechat today (NDP)

Tuesday 4 November 2014

Tuesday 4th November 2014

Branston GP
113x Golden Plover, 7x Ruff, 15x Curlew, Green Sandpiper, 3x Redshank, 282x Lapwing, 2x Common Gull, 45x Pochard, 7x Shoveler, 3x Gadwall, 21x Little Grebe, 11x Wigeon, 2x Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler, 12x Skylark, 12x Yellowhammer, 3x Water Rail (JW)

Monday 3 November 2014

Monday 3rd November 2014

Belvide Resv
No sign of Smew today. 3x fem Goosander, 13x Shoveler, 45x Teal, 5x Wigeon, 1x Chiffchaff (Belvide Blog)

Doxey Marshes
4x Stonechat, 3x Goosander, 5x Water Rail, 10x Wigeon, 30x Redwing (PD)

Branston Gravel Pits
9x Curlew, 5x Ruff, 5x Little Egret, 3x Redshank, c90 Golden Plover, 12x Pochard & 30x Little Grebe (CCo)

Sunday 2 November 2014

Sunday 2nd November 2014

Belvide Res (Permits)
Redhead Smew still off the dam early afternoon.

Chasewater Res
Adult Caspian Gull this afternoon

Dimminsdale
2x Brambling, Siskin, Willow Tit, 9x Redpoll, 80x Fieldfare, 20x Redwing (TE)

Berryhill
Little Egret (scarce here) over at 09:40, also Chiffchaff (ALa)

Junction Pool, National Arboretum
Cetti's Warbler this afternoon (SCo)

Aqualate
Male Merlin over the fields behind the hide at dusk also 5x Water Rail (MWa)

Saturday 1 November 2014

Saturday 1st November 2014

Belvide Res
Smew this afternoon, later relocated in SE Bay. (SNu)


 Smew at Belvide by SN and flight shot by Martyn Pitt. Earliest site record for winter period.

Whitemoor Haye
55x Pochard, 7x Little Egret, c150 Lapwing, c200 Golden Plover, 12x Tree Sparrow, 12x Grey Partridge, c60 Skylark (SCo)

River Sow Meadows, Stafford
2x Little Egret, 17x Snipe, 60x Golden Plover, Water Rail, 2x Stonechat, Yellowhammer, 25x Redwing, 4x Fieldfare, Green Woodpecker & 7x Skylark (RSw)

Blackbank
40x Fieldfare over at 16.30 (PT)

Branston GP
11x Shoveler, Cetti's Warbler, Fieldfare, 9x Ruff, 2x Redshank, 2x Little Egret, 1x Curlew, 51x Golden Plover (SBN)

Westport Lake
140x Fieldfare, 7x Rook, 40x Jackdaw, 4x Shoveler this morning (SBN), poss male and female Scaup this afternoon (STi)

Friday 31 October 2014

Friday 31st October 2014

Blithfield Res (Permits)
Curlew Sandpiper, 8x Dunlin, c500 Golden Plover, Green Sandpiper, Red-crested Pochard, 4x Goldeneye, 18x Goosander, Kingfisher & 3x Pochard (SE, HF)
Red-crested Pochard by Steve Edwards

Branston Gravel Pits
3x Ruff, 2x Redshank, 24x Golden Plover, 8x Curlew, 2x Green Sandpiper, 201x Lapwing, Water Rail, Little Egret, 32x Pochard, 12x Wigeon, 15x Shoveler, 19x Little Grebe, 2x Peregrine, Raven, 5x Goldcrest, 4x Lesser Redpoll, Cetti's Warbler & c300 Starling (JWo)

Thursday 30 October 2014

Thursday 30th October 2014

Tittesworth Res
2x Whooper Swans this morning (TJa)

Blithfield Res (Permits)
5x Shelduck, c325 Golden Plover, 11x Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper & Redshank (GJM)

Belvide Res (Permits)
2nd winter Mediterranean Gull, c5 Yellow-legged Gull, Ruff, 2x Ringed Plover, 7x Dunlin, 20x Golden Plover, 10x Brambling & Goosander (BB)

Wetley Moors
2x Stonechat, Green Woodpecker, 20x Reed Bunting & 8x Bullfinch (RBu)

Wednesday 29 October 2014

Wednesday 29th October 2014

Belvide Res
Great White Egret on the north shore opposite the Gazebo hide at 10:45 - later flew east at 11:35
Adult Kittiwake 15:35 to 16:00 then flew west, 6x YL Gull, Med Gull.

Tuesday 28 October 2014

Tuesday 28th October 2014

Parkhall Lake
Drake Pintail early afternoon (SF as per CO)

By Sean Fenton
 
Branston Gravel Pits
11x Ruff, 18x Curlew, 7x Golden Plover, 2x Green Sandpiper, 270x Lapwing, 4x Little Egret, 5x Wigeon, 16x Pochard, 7+ Shoveler, 16x Little Grebe, 52x Cormorant, Peregrine, Cetti’s Warbler, c800x Starlings, c100x Pied Wagtail, 8x Skylark. (JW)

Doxey Marsh
4x Stonechat, 6x Water Rail, Cetti's Warbler (PDy)
 

Monday 27 October 2014

Monday 27th October 2014

Wolstanton, Newcastle
Red Kite flew over at 09.00 (STi)

Belvide Res
Cetti's Warbler, 18x Golden Plover, 2x Goosander & Yellow-legged Gull (BB)

Shoal Hill, Cannock
Woodlark flew low calling at 09.20, also Jack Snipe, Stonechat, 2x Green Woodpecker & 2x Raven (SR)

Westport Lake
1x Shelduck on main lake (CJW)

Sunday 26 October 2014

Sunday 26th October 2014

Whitemoor Haye
19x Little Egrets this morning (SCo)

Saturday 25 October 2014

Saturday 25th October 2014

Fradley
Firecrest at far end of Fradley Junction NR

Aqualate
Bittern flew along the right hand reed bed at 09:15

Silverdale CP
Ring Ouzel (heard only) 3x Stonechat, 2x Teal, Raven (PJ)

Uttoxeter Quarry
4x Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 6x Goosander, 3x Shoveler, 20x Skylark, 2x Blue Snow Geese (RP)

River Sow Meadows Stafford
Water Rail, 2x Mandarin Duck, 7x Little Grebe, 85x Wigeon, 4x Snipe, c160 Golden Plover, 120x Lapwing, Stonechat, 2x Chiffchaff, 4x Raven, Peregrine. Skywatch highlights......2745x Wood Pigeon, 39x Skylark, 75x LBB  Gull and 400x BH Gull - all flying south. (RS)

Friday 24 October 2014

Friday 24th October 2014

Branston Gravel Pits
Yellow-legged Gull, 10x Ruff, 4x Dunlin, 6x Curlew, 3x Green Sandpiper, c300x Lapwing, Redshank, 18x Pochard, 5x Wigeon, 12x Shoveler, c40x Little Grebe, 3x Little Egret, Peregrine, Cetti’s Warbler, c150x Redwing, 10x Skylark. (JW)

YL Gull by Jon Woodcock

Staffs
 

Thursday 23 October 2014

Thursday 23rd October 2014

Berryhill
4x Whooper Swans over SW at 09.15 (RT)

Belvide Res (Permits)
2x Dunlin, Ringed Plover & 2x Goosander (BB)

Dimmingsdale
24x Fieldfare, 4x Redpoll (TE)

Wednesday 22 October 2014

Wednesday 22nd October 2014

Westport Lake
Vis migration produced site record count of c3245 Woodpigeon, 9x Meadow Pipit, Brambling, 28x Jackdaw, c13 Siskin, 2x Linnet, 2x Cormorant, 1x Rook, 39x Starling, Redpoll, 2x Raven & Skylark (SBN)

Blackbank (visible migration)
30400x Wood Pigeon, (site record)  254x Chaffinch, 3x Whooper Swan, 12x Fieldfare, 4x Brambling -  complete counts on Trektellen (NP JF)

Doxey Marsh
4x Whooper Swan on Creswell Flash at 13:45 also 6x Stonechat, 100x Snipe, Water Rail, 5x Fieldfare (SM)

Berryhill
7x Stonechat (SSt)

Tuesday 21 October 2014

Tuesday 21st October 2014

Anyone interested in doing a "Where to watch Birds" article for the December issue of the Birdwatch magazine. The location being Chasewater and Cannock Chase and the theme is winter visitors and scarce residents. The itinerary should concentrate on the more interesting birds that could be seen at these sites. About 650 words would be required and the deadline day is Monday 27 October. A fee would be paid at the usual rate. For anyone interested we would forward guidelines from Birdwatch along with a sample page.


Belvide Res
Ruff, Dunlin, 10x Ringed Plover imm Peregrine, Stonechat (BB)

Monday 20 October 2014

Monday 20th October 2014

Berryhill
2x Ring Ouzel mast side of the Palletstacks track, 26x Stonechat, 8x Brambling, 21x Pink-footed Geese over (RT)

Belvide Res (Permits)
Male Stonechat at west end, Ruff, 10x Ringed Plover, Dunlin & 3x Raven over (BB)

Sunday 19 October 2014

Sunday 19th October 2014

Wetley Moors
17x Stonechat, 20x Reed Bunting, 20x Fieldfare & c2 Skylark (ALa)

Silverdale CP
12x Stonechat, 2x Brambling over & Chiffchaff (NDP)

Ford Green/Chatterley Valley
Male Stonechat between the red ash path & the coal carriages (JJo)

Saturday 18 October 2014

Saturday 18th October 2014

Cannock Chase
Several Brambling in mixed Finch flock on Ranges car park and 13x Stonechat (BM, JJH SJH)
Great Grey Shrike still in Pepper Slade area today (Lou)
Great Grey Shrike by Lou

Silverdale CP
10x Stonechat still present this morning (PJo)

Berryhill
25x Stonechat this morning (RT PB DW KH)

River Sow Meadows
2x Mandarin Duck, 4x Snipe, 12x Redwing, Stonechat & Grey Wagtail (RSw)

Branston GPs
8x Ruff, Green Sandpiper, 16x Curlew, 220x Golden Plover, 362x Lapwing, 16x Pochard, 12x Shoveler, 4x Little Egret, Peregrine (AJ)

Blithfield Res
65x Golden Plover (JJH SJH BM)

Friday 17 October 2014

Friday 17th October 2014

Cannock Chase
Great Grey Shrike on Birch tree before flying south towards the white house also 20x Stonechat, 4x Green Woodpecker (AHo)
Great Grey Shrike by Louie

Dimmingsdale
150x Pink-footed Geese, c200 Redwing & 4x Lesser Redpoll (TE)

Branston Gravel Pits
336x Golden Plover, 13x Ruff, 4x Dunlin, 10x Curlew, 493x Lapwing, 3x Snipe, 2x Green Sandpiper, 4x Little Egret, 15x Pochard, 2x Wigeon, 12x Shoveler, 43x Little Grebe & Cetti's Warbler (JWo)
Comma Butterfly by Jon Woodcock

Blithfield Res
Rock Pipit, 113x Golden Plover, 121x Shoveler, 11x Ringed Plover, 3x Dunlin, Wheatear, 400+ Redwing, Siskin (GJM)

Silverdale CP
10x Stonechat, 4x Raven, 20x Redwing, Green Woodpecker, 2x Teal, 3x Snipe (PJ)

Dimmingsdale
150x Pink-footed Geese over at 10:15, 200x Redwing, 4x Redpoll (TE)

Belvide Res (Permits)
Cetti's Warbler, Stonechat, Little Egret, 56x Golden Plover, 9x Ringed Plover, 7x Dunlin, Peregrine & Chiffchaff (BB)

**Reminder** There is a work party this Sunday, please meet at Scott hide at 09.30 if you can help.
Stonechat by Nige Talbot

Thursday 16 October 2014

Thursday 16th October 2014

Belvide Resv
1x Cetti's Warbler, Rock Pipit, Merlin, 77x Golden Plover, 10x Ringed Plover, 8x Dunlin, 15x Snipe, Chiffchaff (KClem)

Berryhill
Still at least 22x Stonechat this morning (SS RT) also c120 Pink-footed Geese over (SS)

Silverdale CP
10x Stonechat late PM (PJ)

Swallows Mire
5 Goosander, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Cormorants, 4 Ravens (JHo)

Blithfield Res
Redwing c250, Fieldfare 1, Wheatear 1, Rock pipit 1 (GJM)

Ford Green
5 Raven, 130 Pink Footed Geese, 19 Jackdaw, and 160 Redwing (JJo)

Cannock Chase
60 Siskin 1 Brambling ( RWi)

Wednesday 15 October 2014

Wednesday 15th October 2014

Cannock Chase
2x 1st winter Ring Ouzel opposite Takeroo, 100x Redwing at the white house (RCB)  - also a juv Ring Ouzel (GWR)

Silverdale CP
9x Stonechat (NDP)

Blithfield Res
Common Crane still in Tad Bay, also Rock Pipit near the causeway, 3x Ringed Plover, 2x Dunlin, Peregrine (GWR)

Common Crane by Gareth Robinson

Berryhill
22x Stonechat this afternoon, at least 16 around the Lap Bunt / Mossfield Rd paddocks and a further 6 below the viewpoint (RT)

The Roaches
c150 Pink-footed Geese over heading west early afternoon (SPe)

Apedale
2x Fieldfare over at 15:00 (DE)

Radford Meadows, Stafford
40x Redwing over at 14:20 (AB)

Tuesday 14 October 2014

Tuesday 14th October 2014

Blithfield Res
Common Crane still in Tad Bay at 12:00 also  50x Redwing over (RCB)
Also 7x Dunlin, Wheatear & 3x Rock Pipit (GJM)

Berryhill
17x Stonechat - site record (14 in one group on posts near the scrape) also Jack Snipe, 3x Wheatear, 3x Golden Plover, 2x Snipe (RT)

Chasewater
Dark-bellied Brent Goose circled at c12:30hrs then headed off NNE (JTu)

Branston Gravel Pits
2x Sand Martin over south pit at 17.30, 428x Golden Plover (plus 60 flying east over south pit), 10x Ruff, Redshank, 3x Green Sandpiper, 4x Dunlin, 6x Curlew, 2x Snipe, c250 Lapwing, 55x Little Grebe, 5x Little Egret, 31x Pochard, Wigeon, 4x Shoveler, 8x Skylark over & 6x Redwing (JWo)

Belvide Res (Permits)
24x Ringed Plover, 19x Golden Plover, 5x Dunlin, Ruff, 2x Goldeneye, 33x Wigeon, Little Grebe, 12x Common Gull, 9x Yellow-legged Gull & Redwing (BB)

**Reminder** There is a work party this Sunday, please meet at the Scott hide at 09.30 if you can help.

Hixon
120x Golden Plover over the airfield (RCB)

Keele
20x Redwing over (DE)

Wetley Moor
60x Redwing over south at 16:00 (RB)

Trent Washlands
Redwings very large flock heard over 19:15 - 20:15 (AJ)

Monday 13 October 2014

Monday 13th October 2014

WMBC members are reminded when visiting Blithfield they must have a relevant permit and display the appropriate sticker prominently on their vehicle

Blithfield Res
Common Crane in Tad Bay at 08:00 (MJa)  still at 17:30
6x Golden Plover, 3x Snipe, 2x Ruff (RCB)

Silverdale CP
3x Stonechat on wire fence in NE corner (NP)

Keele
7x Redwing over this morning (DE)

Westport Lake
Drake Mandarin Duck on main lake at 15.00 (MBr)

Dimmingsdale
30x Redwing, 2x Redpoll (TE)

Sunday 12 October 2014

Sunday 12th October 2014

Blithfield Res
Grey Plover heard in Blithe Bay at 10:30 (GJM). Also in Tad Bay this PM - 2x Ruff, 2x Ringed Plover, Little Egret and adult Yellow-legged Gull. Admaston Reach - Little Ringed Plover still (JA)

Whitemoor Haye
Shag viewable from entrance gate at 14:10 - still from main road at 14:40 (GJM)

Shag at Whitemoor Haye today by Jon Woodcock

Doxey Marsh
Ruff at 13:30 (BB JB). Also 2x Little Egret, 3x Kingfisher, 2x Water Rail, 3x Stonechat (SPe)

Branston GPs
10x Ruff, 3x Green Sandpiper, 2x Dunlin, Snipe, 399x Golden Plover, c600 Lapwing, a Merlin flew over Southern Pit, Grey Plover circled around calling, 6x Little Egret, 38x Little Grebe (AJ RM, SBN)

Tutbury
6x Fieldfare, c50 Meadow Pipit, 40x Lapwing (AJ RM)

Saturday 11 October 2014

Saturday 11th October 2014

Blithfield Res
Rock Pipit on the causeway also 2x Wheatear, male Stonechat (GJM MPR)
11x Ringed Plover, Ruff, Golden Plover, Green Woodpecker (RCB)

Doxey Marsh
2x Little Egret, 80x Snipe, 100x Lapwing, 5x Water Rail, 2x Kingfisher (SP)

Branston Gravel Pits
Greenshank, 4x Ruff, c300 Golden Plover, 14x Curlew, 25x Shoveler & pair of Stonechat (AJa)

Friday 10 October 2014

Friday 10th October 2014

Belvide Res
93x Golden Plover at west end this afternoon, 12x Ringed Plover, 3x Dunlin, Ruff, Wheatear, Common Sandpiper, 3x Pintail, Goldeneye (BB)

Branston GP
301x Golden Plover, 2x Greenshank, 9x Ruff, Redshank, 3x Dunlin, 7x Curlew, 6x Green Sandpiper, 4x Snipe, c500x Lapwing, 2x Water Rail, 2x Wigeon, 14x Pochard, 4x Little Egret, 41x Little Grebe, c50x Linnet (JW)

Thursday 9 October 2014

Thursday 9th October 2014

Belvide Res
Ruff, 12x Ringed Plover, 3x Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 2x Pintail, 31x Shoveller (BB)

Wednesday 8 October 2014

Wednesday 8th October 2014

Blithfield Res
Rock Pipit one still on the dam, 8x Ringed Plover, 2x Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 2x Little Egret, Ruff, 2x YL Gull (TJ)

Tuesday 7 October 2014

Tuesday 7th October 2014

Birders are reminded at Blithfield that work is continuing in Tad Bay but the area can be viewed from the Stansley Wood Hide. The work will later transfer to Blithe Bay.
Also strictly no access into the Duckley Plantation as forestry work continues for several weeks.

Blithfield Res
2x Rock Pipit at the dam (GJM)
Wheatear on the dam, 6x Ringed Plover, 2x Dunlin, c300 Linnet Blithe Bay (RCB)

Monday 6 October 2014

Monday 6th October 2014

Belvide Res
Juv Arctic Tern this afternoon also Rock Pipit on the dam, 20x Ringed Plover, Ruff (BB)

Blithfield Resr
2x Ringed Plover, 1x Dunlin, 1x Ruff, 1x Goldeneye (CCo)

Sunday 5 October 2014

Sunday 5th October 2014

Belvide Res (permits)
Turnstone in SE bay this afternoon (SN)

Branston Gravel Pits
10x Ruff, 10x Green Sandpiper, 13x Curlew, 2x Snipe, 4x Little Egret, 33x Golden Plover, c300x Lapwing, Redshank, Water Rail  & 2x Yellowhammer (SBN, AJa&RM)

Old River Dove
Raven, Chiffchaff, 1x Water Vole (AJa&RM)

Swallow Moss
4x Reed Bunting, 2x Raven, 15x Meadow Pipit (TEy)

Saturday 4 October 2014

Saturday 4th October 2014

Gailey Res
Peregrine, Common Sandpiper, Reed Warbler, Marsh Tit & 2x Raven (SRi)

Lichfield
Osprey over Seedy Mill Golf Club at 15.30 (MCh)

Blithfield Res (permits) - No work expected in Tad Bay tomorrow but  set to resume on Monday
Juvenile Arctic Tern in Blithe Bay at 16.00, also Ruddy Shelduck, male Merlin SW over Blithe Bay, 2x adult Yellow-legged Gulls, juv Common Tern, 2x Little Stint, 4x Dunlin, 13x Ringed Plover, 4x Ruff, Greenshank, 4x Swallow, Yellow Wagtail and 2x Raven (SRi)
Male Peregrine, 2x Gadwall, Pintail (RCB)

Whitemoor Haye
45+ Tree Sparrows, 1x Greenshank, 1x Ruff (SCo)

Aston-Burston Trail
12x Tree Sparrow, 2x Water Rail, 2x Grey Wagtail, 3x Little Grebe, Little Owl, Raven, Green Sandpiper & Kingfisher (DCo)

Belvide Res
50x Golden Plover over this afternoon also 5x Ringed Plover, 3x Dunlin, 2x Ruff, 11x Snipe, 6x Pintail (BB)

Friday 3 October 2014

Friday 3rd October 2014

Blithfield Reservoir Notice - Work today has commenced on improving the topography of Tad Bay. This is slightly ahead of the schedule that we were previously told hence the delayed announcement.The work will cause some disruption and we have been told that it may continue until next week.Afterwards some work will then continue in Blithe Bay.
It is also planned to extend an area of phragmites in the coming months.For this we would   appreciate anyone who could assist in planting out the new plugs.If you think that you may be able to help please contact me at blithfield@westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk Further details will be announced later as soon as I have a planting date.
                             Roger Broadbent

Blithfield Res - 2x Little Stint, 2x Common Sandpiper, 6x Ruff, 6x Dunlin, Greenshank, 13x Ringed Plover, 6x Wheatear, c50 Wigeon, 1x Green Sandpiper, 2x Yellow-legged Gull (SE&HF)

Westport Lake
12x Wigeon, 2x Swallow, 1x Blackcap, 1x Chiffchaff (PFo)


Thursday 2 October 2014

Thursday 2nd October 2014

Belvide Res
49x Golden Plover, 2x Ruff, 5x Ringed Plover, 3x Dunlin, 6x Pintail (BB)

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Rock Pipit this afternoon Jubilee Wetlands but flew SW at 16:01 also Ruff, Redshank, Ringed Plover, 4x Stonechat (as per JH)

Knypersley Res
Pochard, 11x Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Grey Wagtail, 3x Raven & Buzzard (PMo)

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Wednesday 1st October 2014

Belvide Res
2x Ruff, 3x Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 5x Ringed Plover, 6x Pintail, 40x Shoveler, 25x Gadwall, 98x Cormorant (BB)

Blithfield Res (Permits)
2x Little Stint, 15x Dunlin, c20 Ringed Plover, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Gull, 4x Barnacle Geese, c40 Wigeon (JWo)
Also 2x Common Sandpiper, 4x Ruff, 6x Wheatear & Little Owl (BC, DR)
Wheatear by Jon Woodcock