Friday 30th November 2012

Please Note
In future we will no longer be providing details of what you have seen in gardens, unless it is of course a more unusual sighting, the idea of the blog is to provide a list of what species have been seen, and where in Staffordshire, so that anyone who is interested may go and visit that site and hopefully see the bird in question.
We hope this doesn't upset to many of you and we thank you for your continued support.
Happy Birding

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Chasewater
Great Northern Diver still on the 'Swag' at 10am, also 9x Goosander.................JGH

Waxwings@
Stafford - 6 on the junction of Cornwall Drive/Baswich Lane, Stafford at 10.10am..feeding on apples...RS.
Oakamoor - One present this morning....DN
Lichield - 80 at Nether Stow on Gilbertroad/Eastern Avenue................SC.
Dosthill - 42 at 12.15 in tall treesbetween Ascot Drive & Sefton Road..................SA
Burton-upon-Trent - 10+ on Wetmore Road in Fitness First c/pk.....
Tamworth - 20+ at top of Blythe St on Friars Walk briefly this morning...Birdguides

Silverdale CP
4x Waxwing & a Yellow-legged Gull on the Void................NP, DK

Upper Longdon
Great Grey Shrike seen at midday in the clear fell, it is mobile but showing well...............BJ

Blithfield Res (permit only)
Caspian Gull adult and a fem/imm Common Scoter........GJM

Burston - Aston
120x Wigeon, 55x Teal, 12x Goosander, 33x Snipe, Green Sandpiper,110x Skylark (in one flock on the stubble),46x Fieldfare, 38x Redwing, 21x Tree Sparrow, 2x Cormorant 11x Mute Swan........RT.

Croxall GPs
Several hundreds of Redwing and Fieldfare, 244x Lapwing, 193x Mallard, 548x Teal, 5x Great Crested Grebe, 82x Pochard, 61x Tufted Duck, 6x Wigeon, 13x Coot, 6x Gadwell, 2x Shoveller, 4x Goldeneye, 6x Redshank, Snipe........SC.

Whitemoor Haye
1500x Lapwing/Golden Plover, 159x Fieldfare, several Redwings, 3 Tree Sparrow, Dunlin, several Goldfinches, Linnet, Mipit, 30x Skylark, 30x Mallard, 10x Tufted Duck, 20x Teal, 6x Shoveller.......SC.

Radial Park
2x Peregrines hunting up until dusk over incinerator and Sainbury's distrubution center also Kestrel and Sparrowhawk...............RG

Alton Farmland
Woodcock, 2x Linnet, Buzzard, 3x Bullfinch & 2x Lesser Redpoll...............TE

Branston GPs
Merlin (male near Small Meadows farm), Pintail drake, Black Swan, 23x Gadwell, 36x Pochard, 57x Wigeon, Goldeneye, 7x Shoveller, 5x Great Crested Grebe, 9x Little Grebe, 3x Common Gull, Buzzard, c300 Teal, 12x Curlew........JW.

Pintail on South Pit at Branston GPs by Jon Woodcock

Thursday 29th November 2012

Pool Hall Fisheries
NO SIGN of imm Great Northern Diver at 09:00hrs.....JG

Blithfield Res (permit only)

Little Egret, 3x Scaup (1st winter male, fem & Imm), 8x Common Scoter (fem/imm)..............GJM, MPR

Belvide Resv (permit holders only)
Cetti’s Warbler showing in scrub by the West End Hide and then later roosted in front of the Gazebo hide. Also a drake Pochard x Tufted Duck hybrid, at least 8 Water Rail were calling between the Gazebo and south east bays, 2x Lesser Redpoll and 4 Yellow-legged Gulls were noted.....Belvide Blog

Chasewater
Juv Great Northern Diver on the Swag still. Adult Iceland Gull, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls, 90 GBBG in the roost....PH

WAXWINGS@

Lichfield - 30+ at Europa Way at 08:00hrs...@WildlifePhotog2 

Silverdale CP (Blackbank) - Waxwings heard flying over S at 07:40....NP

Westport Lake heard flying over at 08:00....NJS

Stafford - 12 -at Highfield Grove at 09:00hrs...@sleightyone

Stoke-on-Trent - Four feeding in the trees in Whieldon Rd (Fenton), although chased off by Mistle Thrushes..TR.....3 feeding on berries tree at 8.30am today in Heron Cross Stoke on Trent...PG

Stoke-on-Trent -  3 by Fletcher Road and south terrace early morning....Rob Gilbert

Radial Park - 4 along canal path.....Rob Gilbert
Stoke on Trent - 10 in cemetary on Lonsdale St early afternoon.......Birdguides
Lichfield - 50+ at Nether Stowe on Eastern Avenue.....Birdguides
Lichfield - 54 but mobile between rear of Norgren Social club viewed from Enotts social club and Eastern Av.......SC.
Dosthill - 28 on Ascot Drive.....per JH.

Westport Lake

Waxwing heard flying over, also fem Mandarin, two drk Goosander, drk Goldeneye, 7x Pochard, 30x Tufted Duck, 6x Fieldfare over, Cormorant on main lake briefly, a Common Gull and a Herring Gull...NJS

Goldeneye at Westport by Graham Allbutt

Uttoxeter Quarry

1x Goldeneye, Pochard, 1x Barnacle Goose, 6x Shoveler, 8x Goosander, 14x Snipe, 250x Lapwing, 26x Cormorant.....ST

Copmere

Pair of Goosander,female Goldeneye and Peregrine 3pm...PT

Drayton Bassett Pits

1x Dunlin flying around the north pit, 1x Little Egret, 24x Snipe towards dusk and 2x Goosander north...JH

North Staffs Moors

3 male and 2 female Crossbill on the Roaches just south of the Trig Point.....RGM

Wetley Moor Common

Brambling at the end of the path of Washerwall Lane 11:00hrs.....MB

Alton-Denstone

2x Lesser Redpoll, 10x Siskin, 1x Raven, 2x Jay, 1x Buzzard......ARa

Oakamoor - Churnet Valley

2x Jay, 1x Raven, 2x Dipper in Cotton Dell, Goosander on River Churnet....KK

Cheddleton

In a garden this morning - Song Thrush, Nuthatch, Jay, 2x Jackdaw, 5x Pheasant, 12x Chaffinch, 25x House Sparrow......DSc

Dimmingsdale

45x Siskin, 2x Buzzard, Redwing, 2x Great Spotted Woodpecker........TE.

Whitemoor Haye

32x Fieldfare, 6x Redwing, 2x Grey Heron, 3x Reed Bunting, 22x Tufted Duck, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1500x Wood Pigeon, c1000 Lapwing/Golden Plover, 78x Mute Swan, 6x Tree Sparrow, Goldfinches, Linnets, Mipits, 10x Teal, 6x Mallard, Kingfisher, 57x Skylark, 24x House Sparrow(Sittles Farm), Shelduck........SC.

Upper Longdon

No sign of the Great Grey Shrike but Woodcock over and a Raven and Jay.......SC.

 

Croxall

100c Redwing & Fieldfare......................PG.

 

Redwing at Croxall by Paul Gardner

Wednesday 28 November 2012

Uttoxeter Quarry
Great Northern Diver, 15x Whooper Swan, 6x Goosander, Goldeneye, Shoveler, Common Sandpiper, Golden Plover, 2x Pochard....EF...but no sign of Great Northern Diver at 15:00hrs...NJS

Belvide Resv (permit holders only)
Great Northern Diver at West End from 14:00hrs to 14:45hrs only. Adult Mediterranean Gull and 4x Yellow-legged Gulls roosted ..............Birdguides

Pool Hall Fisheries
Great Northern Diver juvenile still off the dam.........Birdguides

The Pool Hall Great Northern Diver taken today by David Burns

Chasewater Res
Great Northern Diver showing well on the 'swag' between 9am - 11am.............RS.

In the roost.... Iceland Gull (adult), Yellow-legged Gull (adult), imm Great Northern Diver still on the Swag, 4x Goldeneye (2x Female, 2x Drake), Goosander (female), Numerous: GBBG, LBBG, Herring Gull, Common Gull.....JW

Lichfield
84x Waxwing still on Europa Way by Walter Tipper Ltd  at 08:05, SK 138096.......JW

Dosthill
c50 Waxwing in garden at Ascot Drive..............GB

Waxwing at Dosthill by Geoff Bridgwater

Whitemoor Haye
2x Kestrel, 62x Mute Swan, 7x Mallard, several small flocks of Linnet and Goldfinch, 300+ Black Headed Gull on flooded field, 7x Tree Sparrow, 3x Grey Heron, 100+ Starling, 1x Fieldfare heard only, 40+ Lapwing, 3x Redwing, 1x Cormorant over, several Meadow Pipits, 2+ Skylark, 1x Grey Partridge heard only......SC

Part flooded field north of Alrewas.
396 Lapwing, 200+ Black Headed Gull & Redshank............SC

Croxall, part flooded field opposite the entrance to nature reserve.
700+ Lapwing, 565 Golden Plover, 120 Fieldfare & 20+ Redwing..............SC

Road leading to Fradley Junction
c300 Fieldfare in hedgerow....................SC

Fradley Junction Nature Reserve
20+ Mallard, Nuthatch, Treecreeper & 30+ Goldfinch in alders by canal..............SC
 
Cheddleton
Nuthatch and 10x Redwing over.....DS

Willfield School, Parkhall, Stoke-on-Trent
1x Kingfisher.....LS

Alton farmland

2x Buzzard, 3x Bullfinch, 3x Nuthatch, Sparrowhawk, 2x Great Spotted Woodpecker & 2x Jay.................TE

Nuthatch at Alton by Terry Eyre

Talke
Treecreeper, 4x Goldfinch, Mistle Thrush, Jay, Buzzard, Kestrel & 2x Pied Wagtail...........ARa

Tuesday 27th November 2012

Pool Hall Fisheries
Imm Great Northern Diver showing well at the deep end....GR

Blithfield Resv (permit holders only)

Imm Great Northern Diver present at the Deep End this AM but flighty and no further sign this afternoon. Two adult Yellow-legged Gulls in roost......GJM

Cheddleton
200 Pink-footed Geese flew SE over a garden down the Churnet Valley at 08:30hrs.....DS

Waxwings@
Lichfield - 80-100 on Europa Way/Capper Lane by Walter Tippers.............

Westport Lake
Four Goosander this morning (pictures below by Dave Kelsall)....

Barton Under Needwood.

Brambling (male amongst flock of chaffinches), 30+ Lesser Redpoll....JW

Branston Gravel Pits.

12x Curlew, Goldeneye (female), 5x Shelduck, 34x Pochard, 20x Wigeon, 5x Shoveler, 6x Gadwall, c250x Teal, 207x Canada Geese, 6x Little Grebe, 2x Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 2x Green Woodpecker, 600+ Woodpigeon...............JW

Kidsgrove
1x Brambling in garden.....DV

Monday 26 November 2012

Pool Hall (SO8597)
Juvenile Great Northern Diver still present at 16-30......KW

Imm Great Northern Diver at Pool Hall by Kevin Wardlaw

Chasewater
Great Northern Diver juv still on The Swag mid morning........

A fine set of pictures of the Chasewater Great Northern Diver taken yesterday by Paul Lathbury

Blithfield Resv (permit holders only. Non permit holders view from Watery Lane or causeway)
Imm Great Northern Diver still pesent and showing well at the Dam End....PG, GJM

Blithfield Great Northern Diver today by Paul Gardner

Belvide Resv (permit holders only)
Adult Caspian Gull in the roost tonight, 7x Yellow-legged Gulls and an adult Meditteranean Gull...SN

Waxwings@
Codsall - 20 over West at 09:05...
Stoke-on-Trent (Fenton) - 2x in trees opposite FWB building by clock tower in Whieldon Road Fenton late morning.......TR.
Stoke-on-Trent (Etruria) - 15x in trees in gardens at 15-00hrs before flying off twrds MFI rbt....NJS
Lichfield - Now 100+ opposite Walter Tipper's at 10-45hrs....PP.
Dosthill NR - 25 Waxwings on Sefton Road in garden.

Walter Tipper's Waxwings, Lichfield by Patrick Perry

Cheddleton
Sparrowhawk, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Bullfinch in Cheddleton garden........DS.

Sunday 25th November 2012

Chasewater
Imm Great Northern Diver showing well from the causeway on the Swag 09:45hrs...Adult Iceland Gull in the roost plus ad Med Gull, 2w Yellow-legged Gull and the imm Great Northern Diver still on the Swag late afternoon....

Great Northern Diver at Chasewater by Jason Davies

Blithfield Resv
Great Northern Diver at the Deep End 11:50 (Permit holders only. Non permit holders view from Watery Lane/Causeway). Also two female Scaup in Tad Bay MY and an imm drake Scaup this morning GJM....Adult Caspian Gull in pre-roost in Tad Bay; also 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls.....Birdguides

Waxwings@

Lichfield - Seven on Cappers Lane by Royal Mail Delivery Office 08:10 (photo below by Stephen Wigley)....80+ Waxwings (the Cappers Lane bunch) opposite Walter Tipper's, Europa Way, from 14.30 to 15.30 today....PP
Burton on Trent - 25x  Duke Street today opposite the Brewhouse car park..........PG
Westbury Park, Newcastle - Two by Westbury Tavern....PJ

The Lichfield Waxwing flock by Patrick Perry

Waxwings in Burton by Paul Gardner

A Lichfield Waxwing by Paul Lathbury 

Uttoxeter Quarry

Goldeneye x4, Teal x43, Wigeon x29, Goosander x5 & Ruddy Shelduck.............AB

Post Lane, Endon
A single Pink-footed Goose on the floods this afternoon....AL

North Staffs Moors

Mermaid Pool - again NO SIGN of the Snow Buntings this morning. 60x Golden Plover, 25x Lapwing, 150 Fieldfare, 60 Starling plus Kestrel in field opposite Mermaid....DP, TE..

Boarsgrove - 3x Short-eared Owls.....DP....1x Short-eared Owl halfway between Swallow Moss and the Mermaid....AL

Short-eared Owl by Dave Adams

Red Grouse on the Moors by Terry Eyre

Saturday 24 November 2012

Chasewater
Juv Great Northern Diver still on swag this afternoon..............HK

Blithfield Res (permit only)
Great Northern Diver still by the dam off fishing club this afternoon, also drake Scaup in Dimsdale Shallows.......GJM, RP

Great Northern Diver at Blithfield by Richard Powell

Belvide Res (permits only)
Near adult Caspian Gull late afternoon, also 2x adult Yellow-legged Gulls.................Birdguides

Lichfield
21x Waxwing on Cappers Lane by Royal Mail centre.............PG.

Waxwings in Lichfield by Paul Gardner

Wombourne
2x Waxwing at Common Rd/Wombourne Park junction this morning.............Birdguides

Uttoxeter Quarry
Common Sandpiper, 10x Goosander & 2 Raven..............RP
also, Snipe x52, Mallard x615, Tufted Duck x62, Wigeon x37, Pochard x6, Teal x43 & Goldeneye x2.........AB

Silverdale CP

3x Yellow-legged Gulls present this afternoon (adult, 3rd winter and a 2nd winter)....ST

Endon
Female Brambling at Post Lake.............BMc

Mermaid Pool-Blake Mere
NO SIGN of the Snow Buntings by 09:30........
Nearby a Short-eared Owl on fenceposts at Royal Cottage.......SS.

Dimmingsdale
18x Long-tailed Tit, 4x Goldcrest, Mistle Thrush & Buzzard................TE

Tittesworth Res
Nuthatch, 2x Great Spotted Woodpecker, 30x Teal, 20x Tufted Duck, 52x BH Gull, 2x Snipe, Goldeneye, 25x Fieldfare over........IB.

Friday 23 November 2012

Chasewater
Great Northern Diver juvenile still on The Swag as Viewed from the railway causeway.........

Great Northern Diver at Chasewater by Andy Russell

  

Great Northern Diver at Chasewater by Nick Davies

Mermaid Pool- Blake Mere ( North staffs moors)
Snow Bunting still at 08:15 around the track near the pool approx 700 metres north of the Inn on the left side of the road........NMcl.
Now 2x Snow Buntings at 14:30 around the track near the pool ........SS.DP.NJS.

**PLEASE NOTE** We've been asked to point out please do not to park on track to the side of the pool or drive up it. Also please do not to walk over heather area to the right of the full length of track as the Snow Buntings use that part of the moor as well as track. Disturbance not an issue currently but it could be if things get out of hand. Birds are feeding along track or at the end so need to use common sense and keep a distance.

Mermaid Snow Buntings by Ann Pallas-Bentley

Mermaid Snow Buntings by Terry Eyre

Blithfield Res (permit only)
Great Northern Diver one off the dam this morning.......

Silverdale CP
Black Bank - Waxwing over sw, 3x Goosander over south, 4x Pink-footed Geese and 4300x Wood Pigeon over including a flock of 1900.......NP...
The Void - 6x Goosander and Kingfisher...DK
The Void - 31x Waxwing flew over west late afternoon also 3rd winter YL Gull........ST.

Goosander at the Void by DK

Westport Lake
1st winter drake Scaup still.......

Doxey Marsh
10x Waxwing flew over M6 towards Cresswell at 12:10......

Parkhall CP
2x Willow Tit and c25 Siskin........STU.

Cheddleton
Raven, 17x Siskin over a Cheddleton garden also Sparrowhawk and Goldcrest.......DS.

Cheadle Brookhouses
6x Raven, 6x Redpoll, 2x Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2x Willow Tit, 4x Nuthatch, 10x Long-tailed Tit, 4x Buzzard, 2x Jay, Little Owl.......FC.

Stallington - Meir Heath
Yellowhammer, 7x Redwing, 24x Fieldfare, 2x Kestrel, Jay, 2x Mistle Thrush, 2x Goldfinch, Buzzard, 2x Pied Wagtail....... ARa.

Lichfield

Waxwings still a small flock by the Royal Mail building in Cappers Lane........SW.

Thursday 22nd November 2012

Waxwings@
Stafford - One over the High St at 07-56hrs....
Lichfield - c40 still near the Royal Mail building on Cappers Lane mid morning......
Burton-upon-Trent - Nine in Clarence St at 07-55hrs.....AJ

Chasewater
Immature Great Northern Diver on the Swag till dusk.....per CM...Also two adult Mediterranean Gulls in the roost and an adult Yellow-legged Gull....

Blithfield Resv (permit holders only; non-permit holders view from causeway or Watery Lane)
A 2w Caspian Gull plus 7x Yellow-legged Gulls (3 adults, 4w, 3w, 2w and 1w)....GJM, MPR

Belvide Resv (permit holders only)
Adult Caspian Gull and 3x Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost......SN

Westport Lake
1st winter Scaup still present......NJS

The immature drake Scaup at Westport by Graham Allbutt 

Upper Longdon
Great Grey Shrike still on the lower sheltered slopes in clearfell south off Startley Lane - SK051143......AR

Trent Washlands
Little Egret, 9x Waxwings this morning....AJ

Parkhall  CP
Large flock of Redpoll in alders on the old golf course also a few Siskin.......STU......

Wednesday 21st November 2012

Late news for yesterday 20th November
Mermaid Pool, North Staffs Moors
A Snow Bunting was along the vehicle track to the right of the pool yesterday 15:00hrs....NMcL

Take the turn at the Mermaid Inn (for Warslow), then it’s the next left (signed Royal Cottage) and the Pool is just up this road on the left (at the junction of another road, where there’s a pull-off for parking)

Snow Bunting at Mermaid Pool by NMcL

Drayton Bassett Pits
1w White-rumped Sandpiper still present today 15:00hrs.......SG

Waxwings@
Lichfield - 30+ still near the Royal Mail building on Cappers Lane mid-morning....Birdguides

Silverdale CP
1w Meditteranean Gull and adult Yellow-legged Gull on the Void......ST

Westport Lake
1st winter Scaup & Goosander this morning still.................SP

Alton Farmland
12x Redwing, 1x Sparrowhawk, 1x Kestrel, 3x Goldfinch, 3x Bullfinch...TE

Tuesday 20th November 2012

Drayton Bassett Pits
1w White-rumped Sandpiper still by the green water pump on New Workings this afternoon; park at Middleton Hall

Westport Lake
1st winter drake Scaup still, also drake Goosander & 6x Teal............NJS, CJW, GAS, SP.

Belvide Resv (permit holders only)
Four Waxwing in SE Bay mid morning, up to 9 by 11-45hrs when they flew east, also an adult Mediterranean Gull and 5 Yellow-legged Gulls roosted this evening. A Green Sandpiper and 39 Snipe were at the west end .....Belvide Blog

Waxwings@
Burton-upon-Trent - 70 at Tesco but mobile
Lichfield - 48 near the Royal Mail building on Cappers Lane this afternoon
Cheslyn Hay - 10 on Coppice Lane, then flew towards St Mark's churchyard

Cheslyn Hay
1x Raven flying over Littlewood estate at 13,50 today....SB

Cheadle
50x Fieldfare 4x Raven 4x Buzzard 2x Sparrowhawk 20x Goldfinch 6x Lesser Redpoll 2x Nuthatch 2x Willow Tit ....FC

Nuthatch in Cheadle by Frank Cartlidge

Monday 19th November 2012

Drayton Bassett Pits
1w White-rumped Sandpiper still on pit south of the North pit 10-50hrs, also Long-tailed Duck still present although very mobile & c5 Little Egrets......CM

Westport Lake
Imm drake Scaup present......NJS
also 2x Pochard, 20x Tufted Duck, Common Gull, 2x Goldfinch,
3x Great Crested Grebe, 10x Long Tailed Tit..............AR

Belvide Resv
An adult Mediterranean Gull and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls roosted this evening. A single Dunlin was on the north shore.Belvide Blog

***A notice that there will be a work party this Sunday. Meet at the Scott hide at 9.30am if you can lend a hand. Work planned, will be the clearing of both islands and any willow scrub at the west end. Wellingtons are recommended***

Branston Gravel Pits

2x Yellow-legged Gull (ad), 21x Herring Gull, 16x Great Black-backed Gull, 450+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, c1000x Black-headed Gull, 6x Ruff, 13x Curlew, 7x Snipe, Redshank, Dunlin, 251x Golden Plover, c200x Lapwing, 2x Shelduck, 22x Wigeon, c200x Teal, 14x Pochard, 12x Gadwall, 2x Shoveler, 4x Little Grebe, 2x Great Crested Grebe, 2x Buzzard, 2x Green Woodpecker, 20+ Blackbird (with black bills), 2x Skylark................JW

Branston Water Park

3x Pochard, Shelduck, Black Swan, 5x Wigeon, 7x Gadwall, 5x Little Grebe, 3x Great Crested Grebe..............JW.

Waxwings@
Uttoxeter -  two still by JCB parts depot on A522, with 27 showing well by 12-35hrs ......Birdguides
Stoke-on-Trent - c20 still at Octagon retail Park this afternoon....Birdguides

Waxwing at Octagon Retail Park, Hanley by Chris Bromley

Bateswood Lake
11x Wigeon today...............LM.

Sunday 18th November 2012

Drayton Bassett Pits
1st-winter WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER still on pit to south of North Pit; park at Middleton Hall, wellingtons required.....Also today DBP South, first pool - two Cetti's Warblers in reeds....Newreedbed Pool .....fem/imm Long-tailed Duck.....North Pit...2x Shelduck, Snipe, 250x Lapwing, 3x Little Egret with 8 over SW at dusk.......15x Waxwing from Dosthill heading heading to Middleton Hall to roost. Meanwhile, no DUNLIN seen today (11 on Friday, 3 on Sat) but the WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER remains......JH et al

Long-tailed Duck at DBP's today by Rich Powell

White-rumped Sandpiper at DBP's today by Rich Powell

Doxey Marshes
Water Pipit still present.............Birdguides

Branston GP's

30x Waxwing in bushes by storage yard, Ruff, c350 Golden Plover, c200 Lapwing, 71x Greylag Goose, Peregrine, Buzzard, Green Woodpecker, Jay.......AJ

Belvide Resv
a probable adult Caspian Gull in the roost and 7 adult Yellow-legged Gulls.....SN

Westport Lake
1w drake Scaup still present......NJS

Gailey
Black-necked Grebe this afternoon on fishing pool in the East corner......SW

Uttoxeter Quarry
1w Med Gull on Leasowes Farm Pool at 12-25hrs........1x Green Sandpiper, 30x Snipe, 19x Wigeon, 8x Pochard, 38x Tufted Duck, 12x Teal, 1x Goldeneye, 1x Gadwall, 12x Goosander, 47x Cormorant and a Raven......AB

A phone scoped shot of the Tox Mediterranean Gull by Andy Barker

Hales Hall
Water Rail 1, Goosander 1......AB

Croxden
Wigeon 5.......AB

Brookleys Lake
Mandarin 63 by 1545......AB

Waxwings@
Stoke-on-Trent Etruria - 28 still outside Mecca Bingo, Octagon Park early morning.....SS
Uttoxeter - Sixteen by JCB Parts Depot on A522
Dosthill NR - Three at 11-00hrs
Burton-upon-Trent - 23 in Clarence St again mid-afternoon......AJ
Lichfield - four on Eastern Avenue late afternoon.....Birdguides

A Waxwing by the JCB parts factory by Rich Powell

Waxwing in Stoke-on-Trent today. By Steve Seal

Silverdale CP
Black Bank - 4490 Wood Pigeons N this morning (7.30-9am). Also 3 Brambling south....NP

Trent Washlands, Burton
Little Egret and 21x Teal......AJ

Trentham Gdns
14x Mandarin on Black Lake and a Kingfisher......ST
Stoneydelph Lake
Drake Pintail still present...........PP

Bateswood Lake, Newcastle-under-Lyme
10x Wigeon........JH

Saturday 17th November 2012

Drayton Bassett Pits

1w WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER still on pit just south of North Pit at 09.35 and still present 13.45. Park at Middleton Hall. Wellingtons needed...... Also 5x Little Egrets, 2x Green Sandpipers, 2x Redshank, 10x Fieldfare, Linnet & Lesser Redpoll....RP, DSc et al

Gailey

Black-necked Grebe still on fishing pool at 12.04pm (picture below by PJ).......Ad Med Gull at 15-00hrs on main sailing lake

Doxey Marshes
1x White-fronted Goose (on Doxey Pool), 1x Water Rail, 12x Goosander, 17x Snipe, 4x Shoveler, 1x Stonechat......AM

Westport Lake
1w drake Scaup still present......NJS

Blithfield Resv
14x Goldeneye, 40x Pochard, 9x Shoveler, 137x Wigeon....RP

Branston GP's
Dusk saw 1x Sparrowhawk and 1x Peregrine hunting, adult Yellow-legged Gull, c50 Herring Gulls, c50 Great B B Gulls, c1000 Lesser B B Gulls, c600 Black H Gulls, two Water Rail calling, 100x Lapwing, 12x Golden Plover, 12x Curlew, 8x Snipe, c100x Teal, Shelduck, 42x Wigeon, 9x Shoveler, 5x Gadwall, 12x Pochard, Buzzard, 4x Red-legged Partridge, Green Woodpecker, 25x Pied Wagtail, 15x Lesser Redpoll and 1x Little Owl....DSc

Uttoxeter Quarry

1x Common Sand, 3x Green Sand, 25x Snipe, 1x Golden Plover, 13x Goosander, 12x Pochard, 25x Wigeon, 1x Shoveler, 22x Teal, 1x Ruddy Shelduck, 1x Willow Tit......RP

Trent Washlands

2x Waxwing, Little Egret, 12+ Wigeon, 14+ Teal, adult Yellow-legged Gull, Kingfisher, 2x Little Grebe, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 60+ Redwing, 4x Bullfinch.....AJ

Burton

Raven in flight over Branston Rd at 09.15 being mobbed by two Carrion Crows.....AJ

Waxwings@
Rugeley - Two in Morrisons carpark 0820 .....GJM......Nine opposite magistrates court....14-30...55 on Bryans Lane between magistrates court and fire station.....

Uttoxeter - Seven 1ml north of Uttoxeter in oak by A522 opposite JCB factory at 11.45am....DSc

Lichfield - 50 by Gilbert Road 13:20hrs. Seven opposite Friary School, Eastern Ave 13-40hrs...JH
Burton-upon-Trent - 20+ outside the gym on Wetmore Road.....@lindosbay ......c35 in Clarence St from 13-45hrs.....AJ
Stoke-on-Trent - 30+ again this morning until 12:30 at least, Mecca Bingo side of Octogan retail Park.

A Waxwing at Mecca Bingo, Etruria by Chris Bromley

Tittesworth Resv

Nuthatch, 20x Snipe, 3x Pochard, 30+ Teal, 2x Common Gulls, Sparrowhawk and 6x Wigeon.......IB....Also Brambling....CB

Stoneydelph Lakes
The Pintail again present today (picture below).......C O'C

Friday 16th November 2012

Drayton Bassett Pits

1w White-rumped Sandpiper on new workings by water pumpfrom 09-30hrs to 12-30hrs at least.....moving to North Pit from 14-15hrs to 15-00hrs at least with the three Dunlin later, also 3 Redshank, Green Sandpiper. 3 Golden Plover over south with 18 Lapwing. 9 Goosander north at dusk.....JH et al

Staffordshire's 4th White-rumped Sandpiper at DBP today - NJS

Waxwings @

Burton - c20 in Tesco car park at 11.30.....AJ

Etruria / Octogon Retail -  27 by Burger King at 12:30 today...TR....and in Cavour St at 15-00hrs..NJS

Burton - c30 in Clarence St at 14.45, but mobile...AR
Stafford - Three briefly on Tollgate Ind Estate mid afternoon....Birdguides
Cheadle - Six on Leek Road at 08-00hrs....FC

Branston GP's

6x Ruff, 12x Curlew, 838x Golden Plover, Dunlin, 7x Snipe, c350x Lapwing, 13x Gadwall, 18x Wigeon, 14x Pochard, 5x Shoveler, GBBG, 2x Green Woodpecker, 2x Buzzard, 8x Little Grebe, 3x GC Grebe, c350x Starling.........JW

Trent Washlands

Little Egret, 28x Wigeon, 22x Teal, Goosander, Kingfisher, Little Grebe, 25x Lesser Black-backed Gull, 30+Fieldfare, 70+ Redwing, 2x Reed Bunting....AJ

Silverdale CP

2x Yellow-legged Gulls (adult & 3w).....NP

Rudyard Lake

Mid day - 8 x Goosander (2 x drakes) and 2 x female Goldeneye and 2 Willow Tit north end, also 5 x Brambling along railway line with large Chaffinch flock....SS

Cannock Chase

10x Raven, 50 Fieldfare, 4x Willow Tit, 2x Green Woodpecker, 4x Jay, 10x Long-tailed Tit, 10x Goldcrest, 4x Nuthatch and 2x Mistle Thrush...FC

Old River Dove

13x Snipe, 8x Teal, Kingfisher, 100s of Fieldfares, Redwings, Chaffinches & Goldfinches...AJ

Barton Under Needwood (in garden)

Blackcap (female), 2x Reed Bunting........JW

Blackcap by JW

Longton Park, Stoke-on-Trent

2x Nuthatch, 2x Goldcrest and a Great Spotted Woodpecker....STU

Thursday 15 November 2012

Drayton Bassett Pits
White-rumped Sandpiper still on pit to the south of North pit, park at Middleton Hall.Wellingtons required...........Birdguides

White-rumped Sandpiper at Drayton Bassett by John Harris

Gailey Res
Black-necked Grebe still on fishing pool at the east end early morning........

Burton
35x Waxwing still on Wetmore Road opposite NPower offices........AJ.

Hanley
20+ Waxwings again near Staples on the Octagon Retail Park this morning.............BB

Cheadle
10x Waxwing at Highfield Av junction by A522 north of Cheadle.......
5x Waxwing at the junction of Park Drive and Leek Road........AB.

Stafford
12 Waxwings on Isabel's trail in trees near the ambulance station........DJS.

Upper Longdon
Great Grey Shrike still this morning in clearfell south of Startley Lane........RB
also Hawfinch again opposite the Takeroo................

Newcastle under Lyme
Black Redstart on St Giles church this afternoon, also 20+ Waxwings over the Borough Arms Hotel at 12.25.............LC, Birdguides

Westport Lake
1st winter Scaup still present this afternoon................NJS (welcome back mate)

Cheadle Area

6x Goldcrest, 20x Long-tailed Tits, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, 15x Lesser Redpolls, 20x Goldfinch, 2x Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 8x Ravens, 2x Buzzard & Little Owl..............LB

Churnet Valley/Oakamoor

2x Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk, a Dipper and a Kingfisher.............KK

Talke
Around 'Parrot's Drumble', Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2x Jay, Stock Dove, Nuthatch, 4x Chaffinch & 2x Pied Wagtail.........AR

Wednesday 14 November 2012

Nick Smith - as most of you are aware, Nick has been rather unwell recently, the good news is that he will be released from hospital tomorrow, and I'm sure you join with us in wishing him a speedy recovery and look forward to having back behind his computer doing his usual sterling job in the running of this blog, Get well soon mate.

Drayton Bassett Pits
White-rumped Sandpiper still on North pit to 15:15 at least, view only from path west of the pits by the canal, do not cross any ditches or barriers. Wellingtons recommended, also probable Water Pipit flew over North Pit........PH, NB.

White-rumped Sandpiper at Drayton Bassett by Hughie King

Cannock Chase
Hawfinch one still on Tackeroo car park just 100yards towards Rugely also 4x Waxwing close by, approach from Rugeley and take track on right just before the car park.......
also the Great Grey Shrike was showing well at 2.30pm on the clear fell off Startley Lane, Upper Longdon, on the chase..............RS

Newton Solney
Great White Egret still in the area but possibly in Derbyshire this morning.......Birdguides

Stonydelph Lake
Pintail still access from Halton Lea off Fossdale Road........PP.

Stoke on Trent
30x Waxwing still at the Octagon centre this morning......PL.

Burton on Trent
30+ Waxwing on Wetmore Road near Fitness First......Birdguides

Belvide Res (permit only)
Waxwing one in Gazebo Bay at mid day, also 18x Golden Plover........Belvide Blog

Waxwing at Belvide today by Roger Gibb

Doxey Marsh
Water Pipit one still also 100x Teal, 50x Fieldfare, 30x Redwing, 40x Snipe, 6x Shoveller, 6x Goosander, 15x Greenfinch, 15x Long-tailed Tit.......FC.

Trent Washlands

Little Egret, 37x Wigeon, 22x Teal, 3x Kingfisher, 3x Little Grebe, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Grey Wagtail & 40+ Long-tailed Tit.............AJ.

                                      Great Grey Shrike at Upper Longdon by Terry Eyre

Tuesday 13 November 2012

Drayton Bassett Pits
White-rumped Sandpiper one reported on the central pits this afternoon, view only from the path west of the pits parallel to the canal.......

Newton Solney
Great White Egret flew from the Derbyshire side into Staffs at the R Trent Dove confluence at 08:15 before being lost to view flying towards Clay Mills........DC.

Stoke on Trent
25x Wawings at the Octagon Retail park (Staples car park)  at 08:15........MF.
Still present to 13:00 at least......STU.RW.

Cannock Chase
Hawfinch one at the Tackeroo area at 09:45 but elusive.......

Blithfield Res (permit only)
Adult Kittiwake in Blithe bay this morning but flew off in the afternoon................GJM

Silverdale CP.
3x Yellow-legged Gull (2ad and a 3w) at mid day, also 1000+ LBB Gulls........NP.
Hybrid 3rd winter Caspian Gull.........DK.

Gailey Res
Black-necked Grebe still at east end of fishing pool this afternoon also 17x Little Grebe, 5x Great Crested Grebe, 2x drake Goldeneye, 5x Gadwell, 25x Cormorant and 3x Migrant Hawkers........IM.

Belvide Res (permit only)
Caspian Gull adult in the roost also 5x adult Yellow-legged Gull and a adult Med Gull.......

Branston GPs
4x Ruff, 12x Curlew, c250 Golden Plover, c300 Lapwing, 9x Snipe, Water Rail, 3x Shelduck, 8x Pochard, 12x Gadwell, 4x Shoveller, 2x Green Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, 3x Buzzard, Yellow-legged Gull adult, 30x GBB Gull, c350 LBB Gull, c500 BH Gull, 6x Herring Gull, c300 Starling, 2x Mipits, 30x Goldfinch, 100s of Fieldfare and Redwing.........JW.

Branston Water Park
Black Swan, 4x Gadwell, 16x Wigeon........AJ.

Blythe Bridge-Caverswall
Snipe, 20x Fieldfare, 4x Redwing, 4x Lesser Redpoll, 20x Goldfinch, Bullfinch, 16x Pied Wagtail, 4x Jay, 2x Mistle Thrush, Goldcrest, Kestrel, 2x Skylark, Grey Heron........ARa.

Barlaston Downs
2x Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2x Nuthatch, Goldcrest........STU.RW.

Cheadle
6x Raven, 4x Buzzard, 8x Redpoll, Little Owl, 3x Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20x Long-tailed Tit........PC.

Trent Washlands
Little Egret, 35x Wigeon, 20x Teal, 40x Redwing, 10x Fieldfare, c60 Goldfinch........AJ.

                                Great Spotted Woodpecker at Cheadle by Frank Cartlidge

Waxwing at the Octagon Retail park by Graham Allbutt