Saturday 1st October 2016

Belvide Resv (WMBC members only)
Black-necked Grebe still (@NigelCarp2008)

Uttoxeter Quarry
4x Green Sandpiper, Little Egret, 17x Teal, 4x Redpoll, Siskin, Chiffchaff (RPo)

River Sow Meadows
17x Snipe, 9x Wigeon, Goosander, c100 Meadow Pipit, 14x Skylark, 59x Lapwing, Yellowhammer, 5x Chiffchaff (RSw)

Blithfield Resv (WMBC members only)
Great White Egret, Wood Sandpiper still, 4x Pintail (RPo)

Gailey
A late Swift (@TheSnapper1978)

Knypersley Resv
vizmig 0745 - 1115 saw 1039x Meadow Pipits, 66x Swallows, 10x House Martin, 10x Siskin, 7x Pied Wagtail, 2x Skylark, 3x Golden Plover (GBr)

Friday 30th September 2016

Middleton Lakes
Great White Egret, Jack Snipe, Woodcock, 13x Golden Plover, 6x Ringed Plover (@RSPBMiddleton)

Belvide Resv (WMBC members only)
Great White Egret and Black-necked Grebe still, 5x Pintail, Little Egret, Kingfisher  (@paulsmith15363 & JJH SJH)

Blithfield Resv (WMBC members only)
1x Great White Egret, Black Tern, Curlew Sandpiper, 2x Wood Sandpiper, 2x Common Sandpiper, 2x Green Sandpiper, 12x Ringed Plover, 6x Dunlin, 7x Ruff, Wheatear, 2x Little Egret, 7x Pintail (SE&HF)

Branston GP
1x juv Pectoral Sandpiper present from 22nd to 26th September in area with no general access (per Staffsbirdnews). Today saw 1x Whinchat, 2x Stonechat, 3x Ruff, 18x Curlew, 2x Greenshank, 2x Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 22+ Snipe, Little Egret, Pintail, 49x Wigeon, 17x Gadwall, 29x Shoveler, 51x Little Grebe, Raven, Cetti's Warbler (JWo)

Silverdale CP
8x Teal (PCap)

Berryhill
6x Golden Plover, Wigeon, Snipe, Peregrine (RGi)  -  4x Teal, Wheatear, 2x Little Grebe

Thursday 29th September 2016

Blithfield Resv (WMBC members only)
Great White Egret, Curlew Sandpiper, Black Tern, 7x Ruff, 3x Yellow Wagtail (@MRPittaway)

Belvide Resv (WMBC members only)
Great White Egret and Black-necked Grebe still (@BelvideBirding)

Dimmingsdale
c150 Siskin/Goldfinch, Green Woodpecker, 2x Chiffchaff (TEy)

Burston
Little Grebe, 5x Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, Green Sandpiper, 9x Snipe, 2x Tree Sparrow (AEa)

Middleton Lakes
Great White Egret, 3x Hobby, juv Peregrine (RSPBMiddleton)

Branston WP
1x Common Sandpiper, 2x Kingfisher, 2x Gadwall (JWo)

Knypersley Resv
10x Siskin, 142x Meadow Pipit, 24x Swallows, 3x House Martin, 1x Redpoll, 6x Chiffchaff, 1x Blackcap (GBr)

Wednesday 28th September 2016

Community Noticeboard

For those of you not already aware, Stoke-on-Trent City council has decided from next year to allow kayaking on Westport Lake. This will have a devastating effect on the lake, as one boat will clear the whole lake. Constant disturbance will reduce the lake to an empty stretch of water. The close proximity to wildlife is the one of the things that attracts the majority of visitors to Westport. There are not many areas like it in North Staffordshire. So, if you enjoyed the recent Great Skua, or last years White-winged Black Tern and would like Westport to remain a nature arena and not a sports arena, could you please email your concerns to Helen.Meharg@stoke.gov.uk. Many thanks

Blithfield Res (WMBC Members Only)
Great White Egret, Wood Sandpiper, 8x Ruff, 8x Dunlin, 10x Ringed Plover, Greenshank, 4x Common Sandpiper & Raven (@chrisvaghela)  -  additional Black Tern & Curlew Sandpiper (GJM)

Belvide Res (WMBC Members Only)
Great White Egret still on North Shore, also Black-necked Grebe from Chappell Hide (@BelvideBirding)

Tucklesholme 

2x Yellow-legged Gull (ad), 10x GBB Gull, 2x Green Sandpiper, 5x Common Sandpiper, 12x Dunlin, 9x Ringed Plover, Goosander, 2x Little Egret, 2x Wigeon, 4x Shoveler. (JWo)

Silverdale CP
1x Merlin, 6x Teal (PCap)

Tuesday 27th September 2016

Belvide Res (WMBC Members Only)
Great White Egret still on North Shore this morning also Black-necked Grebe (@BelvideBirding)

Blithfield Res (WMBC Members Only)
Great White Egret, Little Egret, Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 4x Common Sandpiper & Yellow-legged Gull (@tonyjac_tony)

Bucknall
Red Kite flew over NE (@JohnMathers1)

Silverdale
Hobby over High Street (@SteveJTurner76)

Monday 26th September 2016

Doxey Marshes
Probable Pectoral Sandpiper seen on/off since 22nd September from Octagonal hide, also gets across to West End of Tillington Flash, seen under trees from main hide (MBoo via DSc)

Belvide Res (WMBC Members Only)
Great White Egret at west end, also Black-necked Grebe (@BelvideBirder)

Great White Egret - Steve Nuttall

Branston Gravel Pits
2x Whinchat, Stonechat, 7x Ruff, 2x Ringed Plover, 12x Dunlin, c25 Snipe, 21x Curlew, 114x Lapwing, 2x Pintail, 55x Wigeon, 31x Gadwall, 5x Pochard, 46x Shoveler, Little Egret, 2x Egyptian Geese, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 2x Grey Wagtail, c250 Meadow Pipit, c20 Tree Sparrow & Raven (JWo)

Whinchat - Jon Woodcock

Prestwood Drive, Stourton

3x Stonechat (AHam)

Sunday 25th September 2016

Endon SW
2x Willow Tit (2nd and 3rd record), 4x Chiffchaff, 1x Swallow, 34x Pied Wagtail, 1x Willow Warbler (GBr)

Blithfield Res (WMBC Members Only)
Great White Egret, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper & 3x Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, 7x Ruff, 27x Ringed Plover (@mjwstaffs)

Belvide Res (WMBC Members Only)
Black-necked Grebe, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 2x Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Siskin & 5x Pintail (BB)

Uttoxeter Quarry
2x Dunlin, c3 Green Sandpiper, 2x Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Little Egret, Redstart (PJ, PL)

Branston GP
7+ Dunlin, 3x Ruff, 3x Ringed Plover (IBu) also 2x Pintail, 36x Shoveler, 110x Teal, 12x Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, 26x Snipe & Kingfisher (DSc)

Gailey Res
Egyptian Goose, 2x Hobby & Tawny Owl (@TheSnapper1978)

Wetley Moor
Hobby flew South, c50 Meadow Pipit & c20 Chiffchaff (RBe)

Burston
Little Grebe, 12x Teal, pair Gadwall & 7x Snipe (AEr)

Saturday 24th September 2016

Blithfield Resv (WMBC members only)
Great White Egret still, 6x Ruff, Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, 2x Green Sandpiper (@Ian_m_grant)

Whitemoor Haye
80x Tree Sparrow, Goldeneye, Green Woodpecker, Yellowhammer, 100x Lapwing (@BirderAlrewas)

Knypersley Resv
Crossbill over south this morning (GBr)

Branston GP
5x Pintail, 55x Wigeon, 44x Shoveler, 36x Gadwall, 10x Dunlin, 4x Ringed Plover, 5x Ruff, 16x Curlew, 12x Snipe, 2x adult YLG, c200x LBBG, 1x GBBG, Yellow Wagtail, 2x Whinchat (DSc) Also 1x Greenshank (NJS)

Burston
2x juv Hobby, 2x Goosander (AEa)

Friday 23rd September 2016

Alvecote
Great White Egret Pretty Pigs pool (@TameBirding)

Blithfield Resv (WMBC members only)
8x Little Egret, 6x Ruff, Greenshank, 7x Goosander, Kingfisher (PDa)

Branston GP
6x Pintail, 7x Ruff, 2x Greenshank, 4x Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, 13x Curlew, 10+ Snipe, 8x Dunlin, c40x Little Grebe, 2x Wheatear (JWo, DSc)

Thursday 22nd September 2016

Blithfield Resv (WMBC members only)
Great White Egret, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, 13x Ringed Plover, 4x Pintail (RCB)

Berryhill
c120 Pink-footed Geese over east this morning, also Redstart, Wheatear (RT)

Branston Gravel Pits
2x Wheatear, 7x Ruff, 2x Greenshank, 15x Ringed Plover, 6x Dunlin, c25 Snipe, c50 Lapwing, 2x Pintail, 37x Shoveler, 8x Pochard, 14x Gadwall, 24x Wigeon, 44x Little Grebe, c150 Linnet & Raven (JWo)

River Sow
Green Sandpiper one mile west of Doxey Marsh (NGR)

Wednesday 21st September 2016

Middleton Lakes RSPB
2x Greenshank, 3x Ringed Plover, 2x Dunlin, 2x Goosander, Snipe, Kestrel, 2x Green Sandpiper (@atkinson_steve)

Whitemoor Haye
2x Goldeneye, 2x Egyptian Geese, 30x Tree Sparrow, 20x Yellowhammer, Chiffchaff (@BirderAlrewas)

Trentham Gardens
Green Sandpiper, 17x Mandarin, 20x Wigeon, 10x Little Grebe, 14x Tufted Duck, Goosander, 12x Great Crested Grebe, 2x Pochard (RT)

Doxey Marsh
Hobby, 45x Wigeon, 18x Shoveler, 8x Gadwall (JIs)

Tuesday 20th September 2016

Community Noticeboard

RSPB Indoor Meeting

Brian Anderson - We Pollute and Plunder the Earth at our Peril

21st September 2016 at 19.30

Medical Institute Conference Centre, Hartshill

Contact - Geoff Sales  (Group Leader) for further info on 01782 618152

Blithfield Resv (WMBC members only)
Great White Egret still Tad Bay also 7x Ruff, 8x Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Goosander 13x Ringed Plover Admaston Reach (@chrisvaghela  (@mjwstaffs)  -  Wood Sandpiper Tad Bay (mjwstaffs)

Westport Lake
Spotted Flycatcher on old sewage works and 4x Wigeon on main lake (PLo)

Knypersley Res
Hobby South, 2x Siskin, 82x Meadow Pipit, 19x Swallow, Grey Wagtail, 2x Kingfisher, 9x Chiffchaff & 13x House Martin (GBr)

Trentham Gardens
16x Wigeon, Goosander, 6x Pochard, 3x Teal, 6x Tufted Duck, 4x Mandarin, 2x Siskin, 4x Little Grebe (RT)

Burston
10x Wigeon, 12x Shoveler, 2x Teal, 2x Hobby (AEa)

Monday 19th September 2016

Blithfield Res (WMBC Members Only)
Great White Egret in Tad Bay (RCB)  -  Wood Sandpiper in Tad Bay, Curlew Sandpiper Blithe Bay also 8x Ruff, 26x Ringed Plover, 4x Dunlin, 7x Pintail, 3x Little Egret (HF SE)

Curlew Sandpiper Steve Edwards

Belvide Res (WMBC Members Only)
Drake Scaup opposite Chappell hide, juvenile Little Stint on North Shore, also Black-necked Grebe & Spotted Flycatcher (@BelvideBirding)

Westport Lake
Female Common Scoter, 6x Wigeon & 5x Teal (CJW)

Branston GPs
Female Common Scoter, Pintail, 2x Greenshank, 2x Dunlin, 6x Ringed Plover, 2x Snipe, Little Egret, 41x Gadwall, 35x Wigeon, 36x Shoveler, 10x Pochard, 48x Little Grebe (JWo)

Pintail Jon Woodcock

Uttoxeter Quarry
2x Ringed Plover, 2x Green Sandpiper, 3x Common Sandpiper, 3x Snipe, Little Egret, no sign of the Shag (RPo)

Burston
Green Sandpiper, 2x Little Grebe, 7x Snipe, 10x Shoveler, 2x Gadwall, 4x Wigeon,, 7x Teal, (DCo)

Endon SW
Green Sandpiper, 2x Snipe, 31x Teal, Wheatear (SJT)

Sunday 18th September 2016

Blithfield Res (WMBC Members Only)
Rock Pipit on the dam this morning (GJM) also Greenshank, 8x Ruff, 18x Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, immature Peregrine & 5x Dunlin (@mjwstaffs)

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier, 15x Pintail, 2x Dunlin, 2x Ringed Plover & Sedge Warbler (@DaveHobbyHutton)

Uttoxeter Quarry
Juvenile Shag, 8x Ringed Plover & Curlew (@rpintean)

Westport Lake
Juvenile Black Tern & Wigeon this morning (PWa)

Waterhouses
Red Kite this morning (SAs)

Endon Sewage Works
14x Ruff, 32x Lapwing, 9x Teal, Raven, 3x Buzzard, Kingfisher & 5x Chiffchaff (GBr)

Burston
2x Hobby, 12x Shoveler, 5x Wigeon, 40x Teal, 40x Swallow, House Martin, pair Gadwall, 8x Snipe & Raven (AEr)

Kings Bromley
10x Little Egret on River Trent viewed from lay-by (@Tonydotlufc)

Branston GP
1x Whinchat, 2x Stonechat, 1x Pintail, 40x Shoveler, 28x Wigeon, 30x Gadwall, 2x Ruff, 2x Greenshank, 15x Snipe, c100x Lapwing, Cetti's Warbler, Raven, c100x Linnet (DSc)

Caverswall to Blythe Bridge
Snipe, Reed Bunting, Kestrel, Kingfisher, 2x Meadow Pipit, 2x Buzzard, 2x House Martin, Peacock Butterfly, Comma, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood & Small White (ARa)

Saturday 17th September 2016

Uttoxeter Quarry
Juvenile Shag, 5x Green Sandpiper, 2x Common Sandpiper, 2x Ringed Plover, Dunlin, 4x Wigeon & 2x Kingfisher (@rpintean)

Blithfield Res (WMBC Members Only)
8x Ruff, Greenshank, 6x Dunlin, 17x Ringed Plover, 6x Little Egret, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 2x Wheatear, 2x Yellow Wagtail, 2x Egyptian Geese, 9x Barnacle Geese & 4x Pintail (SE, HF)

Doxey Marshes
Redstart, Ruff, 20x Wigeon, c11 Chiffchaff, 17x Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, 3x Water Rail, 5x Snipe & Raven (@ScottoftheMarsh)

Friday 16th September 2016

Branston Gravel Pits
Female Common Scoter on South Lake (Birdguides) also 2x Greenshank, male Pintail, 100x Teal, 48x Shoveler, 8x Ringed Plover, 2x Dunlin & Ruff (DSc)

Burston
Little Grebe, Teal, 8x Shoveler & 3x Wigeon (AEr) also 5x Dipper, c40 Snipe, Kingfisher & c150 Goldfinch (MPa)

Tucklesholme
2x Common Sandpiper, 15x Lapwing, Little Egret, Raven, 2x Gadwall, 2x Shoveler, c30 Linnet & Stoat (JWo)

Westport Lake
2x Raven, 2x Little Grebe & 5x Wigeon (NJS, CJW)

Thursday 15th September 2016

Middleton Lakes
Great White Egret on North pit this afternoon.

Blithfield Res (WMBC Members Only)
2x Sanderling, 6x Little Ringed Plover, 6x Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Little Egret & Greenshank (PDa)

Belvide Resv (WMBC members only)
Juv Black-necked Grebe still also 51x Wigeon (@BelvideBirding)

Branston Gravel Pits
3x Ruff, 2x Greenshank, 21x Curlew, c90 Lapwing, Snipe, 2x Water Rail, 56x Little Grebe, 14x Great Crested Grebe, 15x Wigeon, 56x Shoveler, 8x Pochard, 27x Gadwall, Hobby, c70 Linnet & 10x Chiffchaff (JWo)

Trentham Gardens
9x Little Grebe, 11x Tufted Duck, Wigeon (@tighthead22)

Wednesday 14th September 2016

Obituary - Frank Gribble MBE

Some 60 years ago, Frank Gribble was one, I believe, of a gang of four who thought Staffordshire should have a bird club, but, was persuaded by the likes of Tony Norris, to join forces with the Birmingham Bird Club. That club evolved and Staffordshire became a Branch. Frank chaired the branch committee for many years, and, I understand, the agendas were always busy with projects like the M6 motorway.

There are many of us privileged to have known Frank, to enjoy the tales of the school boy and his pals who would form a human ladder so they could climb the trees to ring the Herons, and to share his disappointment that young birders do not seem to appreciate how talking to others can enhance their birding experience. He was a special person with a huge enthusiasm for wildlife, birds in particular. His knowledge he willingly shared with every one.

Frank was President of the Shropshire Bird group, there was another group in North Staffs which he once ran, he organised three national surveys for the BTO, was a founder member of the SWT, in fact his input to the world of wildlife was enormous. I know the Stafford Branch of the WMBC, of which he was still a member, will miss him, the wisdom of his contributions and his endless willingness to help. I'm sure, too, that there are many Staffs birders who would join us to say "Thank you Frank". 

We send our sympathy to his family.  

Funeral will be on 22nd September 2016.
11:00 Stafford Crematorium (Very short affair, no service, just suitable music)
12:00 Staffs Wildlife Trust, Wolseley Centre (ST17 0WT)
        Everyone who knew Frank invited. Refreshments provided

David Dodd, Stafford Branch Chairman WMBC. 

Middleton Lakes
2x Great White Egret also 2x Curlew Sandpiper (@RSPBMiddleton)

Belvide Resv (WMBC members only)
Black-necked Grebe still also Wheatear (@paulsmith15363)

Blithfield Resv (WMBC members only)
Little Stint this afternoon (HF SE)

Berryhill
Visible Migration this am 1122x Swallow, 247x House Martin, 762x Meadow Pipit, 9x Grey Wagtail, Tree Pipit all over south. Also 3x Whinchat, 5x Redstart, 4x Wheatear, 6x Snipe, Goosander, c650 Goldfinch (NDP RT)

Branston GP
2x Greenshank, 19x Curlew (R)

Tuesday 13th September 2016

Amington
Great White Egret at Moor Lane early morning.

Middleton Lakes
Great White Egret and 2x Curlew Sandpiper (per GWi)

Belvide Resv (WMBC members only)
Grey Plover flew west at 14:33, 10x juv Turnstone on North shore 15:46 to 16:00 only, Black-necked Grebe still (@BelvideBirding)

Blithfield Resv (WMBC members only)
2x Black Tern off Beech Tree Point this evening (GJM)

Monday 12th September 2016

Belvide Resv (WMBC members only)
6x Knot 13:00 to 14:00 only, Black-necked Grebe still (@BelvideBirding)

Sunday 11th September 2016

Belvide Res (WMBC Members Only)
Black-necked Grebe still in SE Bay, also a Redstart (@BelvideBirding) also Hobby & Peregrine (@HughieKing)

Blithfield Res (WMBC Members Only)
Black-necked Grebe, 2x Garganey, 15x Ringed Plover, 5x Dunlin, 2x Snipe, 2x Ruff & Yellow Wagtail (@TheSnapper1978)

Tittesworth Res
Kittiwake present this morning (SGi)

Richard Powell

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Osprey over South,also 2x Curlew Sandpiper (@onionsargey)

Knypersley Res
Pied Flycatcher at bottom of Judgefield Lane at 11.30 (GBr)

Kinver
2x Hobby, 2x Raven, c10 Buzzard (@TheMoorehen)

I54
Redstart, 6x Grey Wagtail, 4x Kestrel & 2x Green Woodpecker (JDu)

Uttoxeter Quarry
Redshank, 2x Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 2x Snipe, 2x Little Egret, 3x Wigeon, Goosander & 31x Teal (@rpintean)

Branston GPs
52x Little Grebe, 40x Shoveler, 20x Gadwall, 4x Little Egret, 21x Curlew, 2x Greenshank, 3x Ruff, 3x Green Sandpiper, 8x Snipe, Ad YL Gull, 15x Yellow Wagtail (DSc)

Saturday 10th September 2016

Belvide Resv (WMBC members only)
Juv Black-necked Grebe still SE Bay, 2x Turnstone briefly on north shore, 2x Ruff  also Tree Pipit over (@BelvideBirding)

Middleton Lakes RSPB
2x Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, 2x Garganey & Black-tailed Godwit (THo)

Burston
2x Teal, 2x Snipe, Green Sandpiper, 65x Lapwing & Stock Dove (AEa)

Trentham Gardens
6x Mandarin Duck, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, 4x Little Grebe & 4x Tufted Duck (MPa)

Park Hall
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker flying low and calling this morning (SSt)

Doxey Marsh
c50 Snipe, Cetti's Warbler, Water Rail (BC LC)

Friday 9th September 2016

Please Note

Staffsbirdnews is an independent blog run by Staffs birders for Staffs birders. Despite all of the team being members of a wide variety of bird clubs both locally and nationally, the blog is not affiliated to ANY club and will remain so. On occasions we may find it necessary not to add certain things to the blog. There is always a good reason for this and we will happily explain our decision privately with any one who may think we have made a wrong decision. Many thanks for all your continued support, and thanks to all 1,418 followers on Twitter.

Belvide Res (WBMC Members Only)
Black-necked Grebe still in SE bay from Chappell or Scott Hides (@BelvideBirding)

Middleton Lakes RSPB
2x Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, 3x Dunlin, 10x Ringed Plover, 4x Little Ringed Plover, Garganey & Yellow Wagtail (@RSPBMiddleton)

Blithfield Res 
1x Black-necked Grebe, Garganey, 4x Ruff, 13x Ringed Plover, 8x Dunlin, 1x Hobby in Blithe Bay. Y L Gull at Deep End (@scaupface)  -  6x Little Egret at deep end (RCB)

Tucklesholme
1x Ruff, 1x Green Sandpiper, 2x Common Sandpiper, 2x Dunlin, 4x Little Grebe, 2x Gadwall (JW)

Thursday 8th September 2016

Please Note

Staffsbirdnews is an independant blog run by Staffs birders for Staffs birders. Despite all of the team being members of a wide variety of bird clubs both locally and nationally, the blog is not affiliated to ANY club and will remain so. On occasions we may find it necessary not to add certain things to the blog. There is always a good reason for this and we will happily explain our decision privately with any one who may think we have made a wrong decision. Many thanks for all your continued support, and thanks to all 1,418 followers on Twitter.

Blithfield Resv (WMBC members only)
Adult moulting White-winged Black Tern (DK), 33x Black Tern and c75 Common Tern thru (MPR GJM)

White-winged Black Tern at Blithfield (Dave Kelsall)

 Belvide Resv (WMBC members only)
Juv Black-necked Grebe west end also 13x Black Tern (@BelvideBirding)

Middleton Lakes
2x Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint

Branston GP
1x Greenshank, 2x Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 10x Curlew, 2x Ruff, 36x Little Grebe, 7x Wigeon, 41x Shoveler, 20x Gadwall, 12+ Tree Sparrow (JW)

Wednesday 7th September 2016

Middleton Lakes
Little Stint still, Garganey (@Atkinson_steve)

Tucklesholme
Greenshank, Little Egret (@SteveJTurner)

Berryhill
2x Wheatear, 3x Redstart, 6x Snipe over (@Robgilb)

Moddershall Oaks
Hobby over at 19:00 (JWa)

Westport Lake
8x Teal & 23x Tufted Duck (SGi)