Friday, 8 February 2013

Friday 8 February 2013

***Some Information for you***
In January, CJW and NJS saw a Dipper up in the North Staffordshire Moorlands. On closer inspection, they realised it was in fact colour ringed. One ring was blue, but due to the light, they couldn't decide whether it was blue/orange or blue/pink. It was submitted to the BTO via euring with a note explaining that we couldn't decide on the colour. Amazingly, the Dipper has been identified. Its a male, ringed on 20th May 2010 at Abertillery, Blaenau Gwent on the River Ebbw Fach. So next time you see a Dipper in Staffordshire, it may not have come from just round the next bend. And if you are Dipper watching this year, check the legs for rings!  

Upper Longdon
Great Grey Shrike still in clearfell south of Startley Lane (SK048143)

Gailey Res
2x White-fronted Geese still at 08:10 in field NW of the res, best viewed from further along Gailey Lea Lane past the sailing club (MSa)

Chasewater
1w and 2w Caspian Gull in the roost this evening also ad Med Gull (JA)
21x Goldeneye,17x Wigeon, 11x Pochard, 2x Gadwall, GBB Gulls and a Sinensis type Cormorant (JGH)

Belvide Res (permit holders only)
Ad Caspian Gull, ad Mediterranean Gull and 3x Yellow-legged Gulls

Branston GPs
1x Green Sandpiper, 12x Curlew, 43x Lapwing, 8x Shelduck, 19x Mute Swan, 18x Pochard, 16x Gadwall, 50x Wigeon, 128x Coot, Goldeneye, 2x Barnacle Geese, Buzzard, 10x Red-legged Partridge, Green Woodpecker, Common Gull, c80x GBBG.(JW, DSc, NJS, GAS)
Barnacle Geese at Branston GP today. Picture by Jon Woodcock

Hixon
10x Grey Partridge on the airfield at 15:00 (TAG)

Essington
42x Waxwing opposite Essington WMC on Broad Lane (JT)

Weston Coyney-Caverswall
Kingfisher on River Blithe this morning also a Raven (SCo)

Radial Park
Peregrine behind Sainsburys distribution centre (ASt)

Parkhall Lake
Goosander, Little Grebe, (MK)

Alton area
2x Raven, 6x Greenfinch, 2x Mistle Thrush, Buzzard (ARa)