Sunday 31st March 2013

Chasewater Gull Roost
One juv Iceland Gull, two Glaucous Gulls (juv and 2w), 1w Glaucous x Herring Gull hybrid (JA)

Cannock Chase
Great Grey Shrike in birch tree 50m from Trig point at 19:10 also 24x Waxwing between Trig point and the Butts at 18:40 (LS)

Middleport, Stoke-on-Trent -
c30 Waxwings in Newcastle St in the trees at the back of the Co-op at 17:54 (CJW)

Gailey Res
2x White-fronted Geese still in NW field also 2x Little Gull on fishing lake.

Belvide Res (permit only)
Adult Little Gull at 11:15 and still present late PM (PL, PJ)

Little Gull at Gailey today by Phil Jones

Blithfield Res
Wheatear by the fishing club (GJM)
Little Gull adult still, also 2x LR Plover and Wheatear still mid afternoon (RCB)

Uttoxeter Quarry

2x White Wagtail (pic below), 2x Chiffchaff, 7x LRP, 1x Redshank, 3x Green Sand, 3x Snipe, 3x Goldeneye, 4x Goosander, 9x Pochard, 1x Shelduck, 1x Stonechat, 8x Oystercatcher, 12x Curlew  (RP, AB)

White Wagtail at Uttoxeter Quarry by Richard Powell

Endon STW
White Wagtail one with c50 Pied Wags, also 3x Grey Wagtail, Chiffchaff, 10x Lapwing (GB)

Doxey Marsh
LR Plover, 3x Redshank, 2x Shelduck (DF)

Trent Washlands
3x Little Egret, Snipe, 7x Shoveler, 8x Gadwall, 28x Wigeon, Chiffchaff (AJ)

Clay Mills
Redshank, Curlew, 2x Goosander, 2x Shelduck, 4x Shoveller, Chiffchaff (AJ)

JCB Rocester
Chiffchaff singing (IH)

Aqualate Mere
Willow Tit, 3x Reed Buntings, 4x Tree Sparrow (DP)

Churnet Valley Alton-Oakamoor area
4x Mandarin, 1x Dipper (TE)

Saturday 30 March 2013

Chasewater
1w Caspian Gull in the roost plus two Glaucous Gulls and two Iceland Gulls.

Radford Meadows SWT
Two Garganey on the stream 17:15hrs. Park on Meadow Ridge and walk south SJ939216

Gailey Res
2x White-fronted Geese again on the main sailing lake early afternoon.
Also adult and 1st winter Little Gulls still on the fishing pool to 14:20 at least (JJH.SJH)

The Gailey Little Gulls by Hughie King

Belvide Res (permit only)
Adult Little Gull early morning before flying off east.

Blithfield Res (permit only)
Adult Little Gull again north of the causeway this morning (PA)

Uttoxeter Quarry
2x LR Plover, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, 6x Oystercatcher, 5x Curlew, 2x Egyptian Geese, 7x Goosander, 50x Lapwing, Snipe, 50x Pied Wagtail (SE.HF)

Hanchurch Woods
30x Waxwing in dead tree 200m along track opposite the main car park at 17:40 (LS)

Croxall GPs
Little Ringed Plover, 6x Oystercatcher, 2x Redshank, Curlew, 18x Snipe (JJH.SJH)

Whitemoor Haye
2x Grey Partridge, 2x Little Owl (JJH.SJH)

Madeley STW
12x Brambling, 4x Chiffchaff, 40x Siskin, 2x Grey Wagtail (NP)

Trent Washlands
2x Little Egret, 10x Gadwall, 2x Goosander, 7x Shoveller, 30x Wigeon, 47x Teal, Red-legged Partridge (AJ)

Old River Dove
Peregrine, 2x Goosander, Marsh Tit, Kingfisher, Chiffchaff, 18x Stock Dove (AJ)

Chasewater
2x Oystercatcher (JJH.SJH)

Friday 29 March 2013

Chasewater
2nd winter and juv Iceland Gull again in the roost also 2nd winter and juv Glaucous Gull, ist winter Caspian Gull, 1st winter Med Gull and 2x YL Gulls.

Belvide Res (permit only)
Juv Glaucous Gull through NW at 16.50

Cannock Chase
2x Mealy Redpoll along path between shooting butts and Seven Springs also 9x Crossbill (CMa)

Gailey Res
1st winter Little Gull on sailing lake, viewable from the sailing club at 17.00

Blithfield Res (permit only)
Adult Little Gull still north of the causeway (RP)

Elford - Fisherwick
5x Corn Bunting singing at 07:00 (SCo)

Uttoxeter Quarry
6x Oystercatcher, Curlew, 3x Little Ringed Plover & 2x Goldeneye (EF)
also 2 Jack Snipe, 10 Common Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 11 Goosander, 1 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 11 Pochard, 83 Wigeon & 53 Teal (RPo)

Whitemoor Haye
Redshank, 49x Golden Plover, 25x Lapwing, 82x Wigeon, 2x Gadwall, 2x Shoveler, 34x Teal, 6x Grey Partridge, 10x Yellowhammer, 20x Skylark, Little Owl, 250x Fieldfare (SCo)
8x Redshank in field opposite National Arboretum (SCo)

Trent Washlands
Little Egret, YL Gull, 4x Goosander, 11x Shoveller, 14x Gadwall, 22x Wigeon, 58x Teal, 2x Little Grebe, 5x Chiffchaff, 3x Green Woodpecker, 3x Goldcrest  (AJ)

Branston GPs
38x Wigeon, 62x Teal, 42x Tufted Duck, 19x Shelduck, 2x Gadwall,  Shoveler, Little Egret, LR Plover, Snipe, Green Woodpecker (SCo)

Clay Mills
Redshank, 3x Snipe, 4x Oystercatcher, 42x Wigeon (AJ)

Radial Park
Lapwings x6, Teal x2, Meadow Pipits x10 & Goldcrest (ASt)

Alton Area
6x Redwing, 12x Meadow Pipit, 1x Nuthatch & 1x Grey Wagtail (ARa)

Cheddleton to Consall
4x Mandarin, 2x Oystercatcher, Raven (DSc)

Thursday 28 March 2013

Chasewater
2x Iceland Gulls (2w and juv) again in the roost also 2w Glaucous Gull and hybrid Glaucous x Herring Gull.

Branston Gravel Pits

5x Redshank, 3x Curlew, 2x Green Sandpiper, Snipe, Water Rail, 14x Shelduck, 37x Wigeon, 6x Gadwall, 6x Shoveler, 6x Little Grebe, GBBG, Green Woodpecker, 22x Lesser Redpoll (JW)

Tittesworth
2x LR Plover, Dunlin, 6x Oystercatcher, Shoveller, 20x Lapwing (SGi)

Blithfield Res (permit only)
Little Gull adult off Beech Tree point , 2x LR Plover Ten Acre bay (RCB)

Aqualate Mere 
Osprey one over at 10:15.

Knypersley Res
10x Goosander, Mandarin and a Dipper on the stream (GB)

Westport
2x Raven over at 10:15 (JJ)

Berryhill
2x Curlew, 3x Golden Plover and a Raven (RT)

Wednesday 27 March 2013

Chasewater
2x Iceland Gulls (2w and juv) in the roost also 2x Glaucous Gulls (2w and juv), 1w Caspian Gull, 1w Med Gull and YL Gull (2w)

Yarnfield
Gannet adult flew north over the college at 07:00

Croxall GPs
Garganey drake flew from River Tame towards Alrewas GPs this morning also 2x Redshank, Oystercatcher, Shelduck (SCo)

Whitemoor Haye
2x Redshank, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, 63x Golden Plover, 22x Yellowhammer, 5x Tree Sparrow, 40x Stock Dove, Little Owl, 4x Shelduck, 4x Teal, 240x Fieldfare (SCo)

National Arboretum area
2x Oystercatcher, 5x Goosander, Chiffchaff and 6x Redshank in field opposite (SCo)

Halfpenny Green Airfield
8x Golden Plover, Curlew, 2x Lapwing, Raven over (JTh)

Trentham Gardens
Little Egret, 8x Mandarin, Chiffchaff, Kingfisher, Goosander, 20x Meadow Pipit, Goldcrest. (SE.HF)

Alrewas GPs
402x Wigeon, 39x Tufted Duck, 7x Teal, 5x Goldeneye, 3x Cormorant, Little Grebe (SCo)

Wetley Moor
20+ Brambling, c60 Reed Bunting, 10x Bullfinch (RB)

Berryhill
2x Stonechat (male and female) also 42x Meadow Pipit, 3x Raven, Little Grebe (RT)

Tuesday 26th March 2013

Late News for Yesterday
Chasewater Res
2w Glaucous Gull & 2 Iceland Gull in roost
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Westport Lake
Adult summer Med Gull & a Kittiwake this afternoon on main lake (NJS, CJW)

Uttoxeter Quarry
1 Shoveler 2 Goldeneye 1 Shelduck Pochard Wigeon 11  Goosander 2 Oystercatcher 5 Curlew 2 Dunlin 6 Snipe 12 Stock Dove 30+ Meadow Pipits and  Willow Tit (EFo)

Whitemoor Haye
A Corn Bunting singing this morning (SCo)

Dimmingsdale
Raven (TEy)

Trentham Gardens
Male Gadwall at 09.45 (MWr)

Pipe Green  10am

2 Common Snipe, 1 Raven (BRu)
 

Field opp Arboretum 14.00

2 Lapwings, 9 Redshank, ditch around Whitemoor Haye, 1 Kingfisher (BRu)
 

Swallow's Mire, Milford
7 Cormorants, 2 Goosanders & 6 Tufted Ducks (JHo)

Knypersley Res
20x Goosander, Mandarin, Cormorant (GAl)

Monday 25 March 2013

Late News for Yesterday

Chasewater
3x Glaucous Gull in the roost also 2x Iceland Gull

Leek
104x Curlew along old Railway track from Westwood estate in Leek to Rudyard yesterday, plus Chiffchaff and 2 x Meadow Pipit (JHy)

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Blithfield Res (Permit Only)
Adult winter Little Gull (GJM)

Field opposite National Arboretum entrance 09.40 - 10.00
12 Golden Plover, 6 Redshank & 1 Litte Egret (SCo)

Whitemoor Haye 10.00 - 12.20
77 Wigeon, 2 Tufted Duck, 79 Skylark feeding on fields, 20 + Lapwing, several Fieldfare, Mipits, Linnets (SCo)

Croxall GP 16.40 - 17.30
7 Cormorant, 13 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye & 1 Curlew (SCo)

Dimmingsdale
2x Woodcock 1x Tawny Owl (TEy)

Tittesworth
Oystercatcher , 2 Mandarin & Willow Tit (PAl)

Hatherton Reservoir
6 Redwing (SB)

Redland Pool
2 Fieldfare (SB)

Sunday 24th March 2013

Tittesworth Res
Oystercatchers 2, Lapwing 39, Curlew 2, Pochard 8, Goosander 2 (SGi)

Blithfield Res (permit only)
2x Common Scoter off the sailing club early afternoon (RBA)
Adult Little Gull from the causeway at 14:30 also 3x Golden Plover (AM.EH)

Aqualate Mere
Marsh Harrier early afternoon (RBA)

Doxey Marsh
Male Marsh Harrier was quartering alongside the railway line at 14:35, also Little Egret & c50 Snipe (CHa)

Whitemoor Haye
11 Tufted Duck 12 Wigeon, several Lapwing, 54+ Skylark feeding on fields, singles in other places, 14 Mute Swan, 1 Merlin, 26 Snipe on fields, several Redwing and Fieldfare, c30 Wigeon, Common Snipe, 2x Stock Dove & Reed Bunting, & 3x Golden Plover  (SCo, MPa)

On field opposite National Arboretum entrance - 5x Redshank, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Little Egret and 15x Golden Plover on fields opp National Arboretum  (SCo, JA, MPa)

Lichfield
4 Common Snipe and 2 Jack Snipe flushed from stream across Pipe Green (BRu)

Fradley Junction/Alrewas Hayes
Mistle Thrush (6) & a male Merlin (MPa)

Cheddleton to Consall
Pair Mandarin, 2x Oystecatcher, 5x Snipe, Raven, Willow Tit (DSc)

Saturday 23rd March 2013

Blithfield Res
1x Whooper Swan, 1x Pink-footed Goose, 1x Redshank, 1x Stonechat (GJM, MPR)

Belvide Res

2 Ringed Plover flew thru this, also 1 Jack Snipe, 5 Curlew, 3 Redshank and 2 Oystercatcher were present. An impressive 100+ Yellowhammer were in the field behind the spill weir plus 58 Wigeon, 7 Shoveler and 5 Pochard Belvide Blog

Doxey Marshes

A male Marsh Harrier was seen quartering the marsh between Doxey Flash and the railway line. Then headed towards Castlefields at 13.30, but no further sighting.(GHa)

Westport Lake

3x Little Ringed Plover and 4x Fieldfare over (NJS)

LRP at Westport today by Marshall Fear

Cheadle

1x Chiffchaff and 1x Kingfisher at Hales Hall Pool.  Snipe at Blake Hall Fishery (RPo)

Stafford
16x Waxwings at Moat House car park, Acton Trussell early evening (Birdguides)

Field opposite National Arboretum entrance

8x Redshank (SCo)

Whitemoor Haye 14.50 - 17.40
30+ Skylark, 5x Yellowhammer, few Tree Sparrow, 40+ Meadow Pipits, 300+ Golden Plover, 10+ Snipe in several fields, 450+ Fieldfare, 2x Grey Partridge, 2x Merlin (see photo below) (SCo)

Cheddleton to Consall

Pair of Mandarin, 10x Teal, 4x Snipe, pair of Dipper, 3x Grey Wagtail (DSc)

Friday 22nd March 2013

Westport Lake
2x Little Ringed Plover, 1x Woodcock (NJS)

Wetley Moor
20+ Brambling, 40+ Chaffinch , 10 Reed Buntings (RBu)

Croxhall
Goldeneye, Goosander, Wigeon, Goldcrest  (GSi)

Thursday 21st March 2013

Branston GPs
2x LR Plover, 2x Ringed Plover, 2x Green Sandpiper, 6x Redshank, Curlew, 16x Shelduck, 2x Little Egret, 6x Little Grebe, 32x Tufted Duck, 5x Pochard, 41x Wigeon, Green Woodpecker, YL Gull (2w), 8x GBB Gull (JWo)

LR Plover at Branston GPs by Jon Woodcock

Stafford
c30 Waxwing on A34 Cannock Rd, Wildwood nr speed camera at 06.30

Yarnfield
Male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker on main car park of the college (PFo)

Endon
3x White Wagtail at the sewage works (CB)

Trent Washlands
4x Little Egret, 2x Shoveler (AJa)

Doxey Marsh
1 Little Egret & 4 Common Gulls (CHa) 

Aqualate
Sand Martin one still for second day (RCB)

Needwood

1x Grey Partridge (AJa)

Harewood Park
Female Stonechat this afternoon (AB)

Apedale CP

1x Raven 12.00pm (PCa)

Silverdale CP

1x Female Goosander 12.45 (PCa)

Alton
10x Redwing, c50 Meadow Pipit & 4x Skylark (TEy)

Wednesday 20th March 2013

Doxey Marsh
Little Ringed Plover & Redshank (SPe)

Whitemoor Haye
2 Woodcock flushed by gravel conveyor plus 2 Grey Partridge on rough track (BPe)

                      

Tuesday 19th March 2013

Blithfield Res (permit only)
10x Brent Geese on the water off the dam (GJM, MPR).

Still present off the sailing club at 17:30 (RCB)

 Non permit holders view from the causeway or Watery Lane. Details of how to obtain a permit are on the WMBC website

Brent Geese at Blithfield by Hughie King

Branston GPs
2x Little Egret, 9x Redshank, 2x Green Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, 5x Curlew, Oystercatcher, 16x Shelduck, 3x Gadwell, 5x Pochard, 2x Shoveller, 26x Wigeon, 41x Tufted Duck, 9x Little Grebe, 27x Mute Swan, Water Rail, 2x GBB Gull, 60x Meadow Pipit next to Small Meadows Lane (JWo)
 

Westport Lake

Adult Kittiwake present on main lake from 07-10hrs to 09-15hrs at least (NJS)

Stafford

12x Waxwing still on the A34 AT Wildwood by the speed camera  at 09:20 (DF)

Madeley STW

20x Brambling present (NP)

Monday 18 March 2013

Stafford
16x Waxwing on A34 Cannock Rd, nr Wildwood & speed camera, still present at 11am (HDe)
Increased to 32x Waxwing by 16:00 near the speed camera (LS)

Tittesworth
Jack Snipe, 5x Common Snipe, 71x Curlew, Shelduck (SGi)

Swallows Mire Milford
127x Wigeon, 6x Goosander, 7x Cormorant, Raven (JWH)

Branston GPs
2x Redshank, 2x Golden Plover, 2x Curlew, 15x Shelduck, 5x Little Grebe (AJ)

Dimmingsdale

4x Woodcock 2x Mandarin Ducks at dusk (TEy)

Parkhall CP
Willow Tit and Chiffchaff on wetland walk (SSt)

Trent Washlands
Little Egret (AJ)

Sunday 17 March 2013

Chasewater
At least one juv Iceland Gull (photograph below) and one juv Glaucous Gull in the roost (PJ)

Cannock Chase
Great Grey Shrike one in Sherbrook Valley this morning.

Stafford
30x Waxwing on A34 Cannock Road at south end of Wildwood this morning (SPe)

Whitemoor Haye
18 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 60+ Lapwing, 3 Oystercatcher, 9 Teal, 7 singing Skylark,, 4 Tree Sparrow, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Little Owl, 49 Golden Plover, 11 Fieldfare, 2 Shelduck, several Yellowhammer & 12 Goldeneye (3 males) (SCo)

Branston GPs
Little Egret, 2x Ringed Plover, 4x Redshank, 2x Curlew, Green Sandpiper, Raven (RP)

Alrewas (flooded field opposite the Arboretum entrance)
2x LR Plover, 9x Redshank (RP)

Kidsgrove
16x Waxwing on Windmill Avenue late afternoon.

Trent Washlands
2x Little Egret, 2x Shoveller, 6x Gadwell, 15x Wigeon, 38x Teal, Little Grebe, Chiffchaff (AJ)

Uttoxeter Quarry
30x Curlew, 4x Snipe, 6x Goosander (RP)

Brown Edge
4x Shelduck flew over at mid-day (JHu)

Bateswood CP
18 Wigeon on lake (JHu)

Dimmingsdale

3x Treecreeper 1x Goldcrest 2x Meadow Pipit 1x Skylark(over) 20 x Siskin (TEy)

Saturday 16th March 2013

Chasewater
Two juv Iceland Gulls, two Glaucous Gulls (2w and juv) and 2w Caspian Gull roosted.

Westport Lake
LR Plover, Oystercatcher, Curlew over, Little Grebe (NJS GAS)

Berryhill
Jack Snipe one at the Viewpoint pond early morning (RT)

Blithfield Res (permit only)
A hybrid type Greater Scaup in a Blithe Bay, also a Chiffchaff present today (GJM, MPR)

Gailey
Two White-fronted Geese still in fields opposite Sailing Club car park at midday.

Tittesworth
1x Kittiwake, 2x Oystercatcher, 4x Goosander, 5x Curlew, 2x Snipe (IBu)

Copmere
Redhead Smew still this afternoon.

Aqualate Mere
Chiffchaff, Water Rail, 3x Green Woodpecker, 25x Redwing (including several singing birds), 208x Wigeon (RSw)

Endon Sewage Works
4x White Wagtail with 157x Pied Wagtails (GBr).

Cotton Dell
Dipper (AB)

Blythe Bridge-Caverswall
4x Yellowhammer, Woodcock, Raven (ARa)

Friday 15 March 2013

Chasewater
3x Iceland Gull (two 2w & juv) also 2x Glaucous Gull (2w & juv).

Belvide Res (permit only)
4x Kittiwake adults through today also 2x Jack Snipe and a adult Med Gull in the roost.

Tittesworth
Adult Kittiwake early morning (SG)

Berryhill
Wheatear one early morning  also Stonechat still (RT)

Wetley Moor
6x Brambling, 20x Reed Bunting, 10x Bullfinch (RB)

Branston GPs
5x Little Grebe, 2x Little Egret, 56x Wigeon, 12x Gadwall, 1x Goldeneye, Oystercatcher, 3x Curlew, 3x Redshank, Ringed Plover (DSc)

Branston WP
Goldeneye, 2x Treecreeper (DSc)

Thursday 14 March 2013

Belvide Res (permit only)
Bittern still in Southeast bay viewable from the first bench south of Chappel hide.

Stoke on Trent
single Waxwing briefly at Hartshill at 07:15 (SMa)

Cannock Chase
9x Crossbill in Abraham Valley this afternoon (RCB)

Trentham Gardens
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker by the Trent also Little Egret, 2x Goosander, 6x Mandarin, Kingfisher (RT)

Branston Gravel Pits

Yellow-legged Gull (adult), 2x Little Egret, 4x Redshank, 10x Curlew, c200x Lapwing, 7x Snipe, 11x Shelduck, 9x Pochard, 10x Gadwall, 46x Wigeon, 6x GC Grebe, Dabchick, 2x Shoveler, 51x Tufted Duck, 73x Coot, 28x Mute Swan, Green Woodpecker, c30x LBBG, 26x GBBG (JWo)
 

Branston Water Park

2x Snipe, Goldeneye, 3x LBBG (JWo)

Cannock Chase
c20 Crossbills beyond cadet hut, by Trig Point

Chasewater
Oystercatcher (KWh)

Hales Hall Cheadle
Kingfisher (DP)

Swallows Mire Milford
12x Goosander, 3x Cormorant, 17x Wigeon 14x Tufted Duck (JWH)

Cheadle
12x Curlew at Trimpos this afternoon (AB)

Wednesday 13 March 2013

Chasewater
2x Iceland gull (juv and 2w) in the roost also 2x Glaucous Gull (juv and 2w) and a Kittiwake.

Croxden Quarry
34x Whooper Swans flew north @ 1750. Two landed on the pit below the viewpoint (ABa)

Blithfield Res (permit only)

Female Merlin over The Broompits mid afternoon, also 150+ Great Crested Grebe (GJM, MPR)
 

Whitemoor Haye
Corn Bunting one singing this morning (SC)

Dimmingsdale
12x Woodcock over 18:30-18:45 heading for Bradley (TE)

Denstone Edge
26x Lapwing in ploughed field (TE)

Tuesday 12 March 2013

Gailey Res
2x White-fronted Geese still in fields by Gailey Lea Lane early morning.

Stafford
26x Waxwing on Mahogany Drive off  Doxey Road

Branston GPs
Redshank, Dunlin,4x Ringed Plover, 8x Curlew, 5x Snipe, 2x Little Egret, 10x Shelduck, 42x Teal, 8x Gadwell, 14x Wigeon, Goosander, 50x GBB Gull, c700 Starling through pre roost (DSc)

Blithfield Res (permit only)
A count of 150x Great Crested Grebe recorded (GJM)

Monday 11 March 2013

Chasewater
3x Iceland Gulls in the roost also 2w Glaucous Gull and adult Kittiwake.

Uttoxeter Quarry
14 Whooper Swan, 25 Curlew & 15 Goosander (EF, AS)

Gailey Res
2x White-fronted Geese still in field by Gailey Lea Lane at 07:10

Blithfield Res

Mandarin 1 male, Woodcock 1, Merlin 1 fem & Red-legged Partridge 1 (GJM, MPR)

Coton Lane sewage works, Tamworth
On railway line fence Stonechat(m), along drainage channel running down to Tame (via footbridge) 2 Chiffchaff 1 Reed Bunting (m) Green Sandpiper by river (BPe)

National Arboretum
3x Ringed Plover, 2x Grey Partridge, c50 Lapwing in field opposite the entrance and c1000 Golden Plover on watersports field nearby (PGa)

Sunday 10th March 2013

Chasewater

Two (2cy, 3cy) Glaucous Gulls also two (2cy 3cy) Iceland Gulls, and two 3cy Yellow-legged Gulls were in the roost. Also a 2cy Glaucous/Herring hybrid (IW)

Gailey Res
2x White-fronted Geese still in fields NE of the reservoir early afternoon

Stafford
16x Waxwings off Doxey Road on Mahogany Drive 09:50 (Birdguides)

Westport Lake
2x Kittiwake on main lake, also adult Yellow-legged Gull & adult Great Black-backed Gull (DK et el) also a Kingfisher (CBr)

 Yellow-legged Gull at Westport by Dave Kelsall

Kittiwake at Westport by Dave Kelsall

Blithfield Res (Permit Only)
First migrants of the year for Staffs with 2x Sand Martins at 13.00 (EMa, MHu)
also Shelduck x2, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker near feeders at Education Centre (ASa)

Belvide Res (permt only)
Goosander, Goldeneye, Brambling, Gt.Spotted Woodpecker, Lapwing x40, Shoveler, Redwing x10, Tree Sparrows, Oystercatchers x2 (ASa)

Tittesworth Res
Waxwing (1) - (a single bird for 10 minutes on tree by bridge, then flew S), Curlew (25+), Sand Martin (1), Goosander (8), Snipe (3), Great Crested Grebes (4), Oystercatcher (1), Brambling (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Grey Wagtail (2), Kingfisher (1) (CBr)

Saturday 9th March 2013

Blithfield Res (permit only)
Bittern flew from Blithe Bay towards Tad Bay and appeared to be dropping also a Water Pipit flew over towards Tad Bay from Blithe Bay, 11 Dunlin, 5, possibly 10 Curlew, adult Kittiwake, 3x Yellow-legged Gulls (sub adult and two 2w) (GJM MPR)
2x Redshank and a Curlew in Blithe Bay (JWH)

Chasewater
In the roost two Iceland Gull (juv & 2w), juv Glaucous Gull, 3w Caspian Gull and a Yellow-legged Gull. (JA)

Gailey Res
2x White-fronted Geese still in field by Gailey Lea also adult Kittiwake on sailing lake, Curlew, Woodcock, 6x Oystercatcher, Raven, Green Woodpecker & 4x Shoveler (IM per SR)

Cheadle  (Ashbourne Road area flock)

14x Waxwings on telegraph wires by firestation @ 08:50 (SCo)
15x Waxwing in Kestrel Lane (DCh)
18x Waxwing in Hawfinch Close at 14:20 (RP)
18x Waxwing in Thorley Drive at 15:00 (TE)

Tittesworth Res
2x Kittiwake adults still at midday (SG)

Kittiwakes at Tittesworth by Steve Gibson

Uttoxeter Quarry
Jack Snipe, 4x Oystercatcher, 14x Curlew, 11x Snipe,4x Dunlin, Redshank, 2x Green Sandpiper, 3x Shelduck, 17x Goosander, 20x Pochard, Goldeneye (EF)
Additional - Ringed Plover, 7x Oystercatcher, 5x Dunlin, 3x Goldeneye (RP)

Blake Hall fisheries Cheadle
Kittiwake adult this afternoon until 14:00hrs when flushed and flew N (AB)

Branston GPs
Male Merlin perched in tree in the chicken shack field (CJW). Also 3x Ringed Plover, 1x Dunlin, 1x Curlew, 3x Little Egret (CJW, NJS, GAS)

Middleton Lakes RSPB
2x Dunlin & 5x Ringed Plover on the north pit (AGW)

Trent Washlands
2x Little Egret, 5x Shoveler, 6x Gadwall, 36x Wigeon, 38x Teal (AJ)

Ipstones Edge

1x Curlew (DPo)

Caverswall - Blythe Bridge
4x Yellowhammer, 4x Redpoll (AR)

Friday 8th March 2013

Belvide Res (permit only)
Bittern showing this morning from Gazebo hide (Birdguides)

Lichfield
Jack Snipe flushed from stream on Pipe Green (BRu)

Cheadle
17x Waxwing on Ashbourne Road near the Fire station (DCh, TEy)

 Waxwing at Cheadle by Terry Eyre

Waxwings at Cheadle by Terry Eyre

Stallington - Meir Heath
30x Fieldfare (ARa)

Thursday 7 March 2013

Blithfield Res (permit only)
Corn Bunting over Yeatsall Bank this morning, 1st Blithfield record since 2007 (GJM, MPR)

Gailey Res
The two White-fronted Geese still in field opposite fishermans car park at 07:15.

Trent Washlands
2x Little Egret, 5x Shoveller  (AJ)

Swallows Mire Milford
14x Tufted Duck, 4x Goosander, 6x Cormorant (JWH)

Wednesday 6 March 2013

Chasewater
In the roost - 2w Glaucous Gull, two Iceland Gulls (juv & 2w), 2w Caspian Gull and 2w Yellow-legged Gull (PJe per JA)

Blithfield Res (permit only)
Iceland Gull 2nd winter circled over Beech Tree Point early afternoon and flew north with 10x Common Gulls (RCB)

Gailey Res
2x White-fronted Geese still in field opposite fishermans car park

Hanley
9x Waxwing at the bus station at 09:22 (NJS)

Belvide Res (permit only)
Little Gull adult roosted this evening

Croxall
4x Shelduck, 2x Goldeneye, 2x Redshank, Little Egret, Goosander (GS)

Westport Lake
A drake Shoveler, Green Woodpecker and a Redpoll seen today (CJW, JJ)

Tuesday 5th March 2013

Chasewater roost
juv Glaucous gull , 2 Iceland Gulls juv & juv/2w , 2w Kumliens Gull , 3 YL Gulls 2w & ad Med Gull

Stafford
50x Waxwing in Tixall Road, Stafford (Staffs Wildlife)

Branston Gravel Pits

13x Curlew, 2x Green Sandpiper, 6x Snipe, Redshank, Oystercatcher, c150x Lapwing, Water Rail, 6x Shelduck, 7x Pochard, 6x Gadwall, 25x Wigeon, Shoveler, 7x Little Grebe, c80x LBBG, c50x GBBG, c10x Herring Gull, 3x Lesser Redpoll, 8x Siskin, 4x Skylark, 2x Green Woodpecker, 2x Jay, Water Shrew (in the ditch).

Croxall

2 Redshank, 2 Little Egret, 1 Oystercatcher & 1 female Goosander (BRu)

also 2 Little Egrets and 6+ Oystercatchers near Tame/Trent confluence (PPe)

Belvide Res
Four Brambling 2 m, 2f at feeder hide this morning (BJo)

Westport Lake
Tufted Duck x44, Pochard x15, Jackdaw x8, Reed Bunting x1, Herring Gull x10 & Goosander x2 (CJW)

Blythe Bridge - Caverswall
3x Yellowhammer, 16x Pied Wagtail, 20x Meadow Pipit, 2x Skylark & 1x Willow Tit (ARa)

Alton Farmland
1x Snipe & 2x Raven (TEy)

Monday 4th March 2013

Chasewater
In the roost 2w Kumliens Gull, two Iceland Gulls (juv & 2w), three Glaucous Gulls (2 juvs & 2w) ,3w Caspian Gull & two 2w Yellow-legged Gulls (PJe per JA)

Stretton
34x Waxwing in trees along Princess Way at 15:45 (JW)

Branston GP
Dusk roost produced adult summer Med Gull, c1200 Black-headed Gull, 50x Great Black-backed Gull, 200x Lesser Black-backed Gull, 10x Herring Gull, 2x Water Rail, Green Sandpiper & 40x Pied Wagtail (DSc)

Alton
2 Curlew flying north-east at 17.00 (TEy)

Swallow's Mire, Milford
19 Tufted Duck, 15 Goosanders, 2 Ravens & 5 Cormorants (JWH)

Doxey Marshes
2x Shelduck, 20x Lapwing & 15x Goosander (SPe)

Parkhall Wetland Walk
3 Willow Tits & Grey Wagtail (SSt)

Sunday 3rd March 2013

Chasewater
Three Glaucous Gulls (2 juvs and 2w), two Iceland Gulls (juv and a 2w) , adult Yellow-legged Gull, adult Med Gull and 3w Caspian Gull in the roost tonight (JA)

Cannock Chase
3x Hawfinch c300m east of Chase Vista car park briefly this morning

Blithfield Res
Juv Glaucous Gull flew in from the north to roost at 17:55hrs, also 2w Yellow-legged Gull (GJM, MPR)

Belvide Res
Bittern - One still in SE Bay near ringing station

Stafford
18 Waxwing in Stafford at Beaconside / Sandon Road junction 8:45am (SPe)

Hilderstone
35 Waxwings at Cresswell Road/Hall Lane 0915hrs feeding in a cotoneaster at Iona Cottage (RP)

Brownhills
c40 Waxwing feeding in tree next to Watling Street / Howdles Lane bus stop on A5 (SPe)

Copmere
Redhead Smew still this morning.

Uttoxeter Quarry
Green Sandpiper, 12x Curlew, 6x Oystercatcher, Snipe, 22x Goosander, 47x Wigeon, Goldeneye, 9x Pochard, 30x Linnet (AB)

Doxey Marshes

1x Water Rail, 5x Goosander, 2x Shelduck, 11x Skylark (RP)

Hulme
Flock of 19 Golden Plover circling but never landing for several minute before flying off in direction of Werrington (TAh)

Ipstones Edge
1 x Woodcock & 1 x Tawny Owl (DPo)

 

Caulden Low

1 Woodcock (DPo)

Saturday 2 March 2013

Sadly as most of you will be aware there has been a number of Barn Owls found dead recently around Staffordshire roads, if you see any live or dead Barn Owls please email John Chester on johnachester@tiscali.co.uk  John helps with the Barn Owl Action Group (Affiliated to The Staffordshire Wildlife Trust) and they would love your help in finding how many Barn Owls are around Staffs, you can also find out more at  www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk.


Belvide Res (permit only)
Bittern still in Southeast bay near the ringing station.

Chasewater Res
55x Waxwing over & adult Yellow-legged Gull, plus adult Med Gull in the roost, also 2x juv Glaucous Gulls & 2x juv Iceland Gulls later (CMa, JAl))

Blithfield Res
Adult Caspian Gull, 2w Yellow-legged Gull and 2w Mediterranean Gull in the roost tonight (MPR)

Doxey Marsh
Water Pipit one by the pollarded willows mid morning (NJS)

Gailey Res
2x White-fronted Geese still in field NW of the reservoir this afternoon.

Stafford
10x Waxwing at Beaconside at junction with B5066 (JJH, SJH, BM)

Copmere
Redhead Smew still this morning (RW)

Uttoxeter Quarry
200 Lapwing 1  Goldeneye 21 Goosander 1 Shelduck 14 Curlew 3 Snipe 3 Green Sandpiper 2 Siskins 2 Goldcrests 2 Little Grebe Wigeon and Pochard (EFo)

Branston GP
3-400 Lapwing. 71 Golden Plover. 10 x Curlew. Dunlin. Green Sandpiper & 3 x Shelduck (KJM)
Additional Redshank, Oystercatcher, 17x Shelduck, 3x GBB Gull, 2x Raven, Green Woodpecker (AJ)

Branston Water Park
2x Oystercatcher (AJ)

Hixon Airfield
5x Grey Partridge (JJH, SJH, BM)

Whitemoor Haye  (15:30 to dusk)
c1000 Lapwing, c200 Golden Plover, 4x Oystercatcher, Little Egret, Little Owl, 4x Gadwell, Yellowhammers, Tree Sparrows (SC)

Radford Meadows
500+ Lapwing, 50 Wigeon, Little Egret, 11 Grey Heron, numerous Teal and Shoveler (SPe)

Silverdale C.P
On the Void this afternoon,  1x Goosander. 1x Great Crested Grebe (PBa)
also Pochard & 7x Lapwing (PCa)

Trent Washlands
3x Little Egret (AJ)

Barlaston Downs
30x Siskin, 1x Cormorant (ARa)

Burton
Peregrine over Clarence St at 11:40

Friday 1 March 2013

Belvide Res (permit only)
Bittern still late morning in southeast bay near the ringing station late morning.

Uttoxeter Quarry
Red Kite one over at 11:20 (BB.JB)

Blithfield Res
2w Mediterranean Gull in the roost tonight (GJM, MPR)

Kings Bromley
Little Egret in flight this morning (PaJ)

Branston GPs
2x Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Oystercatcher (SWo)
17:30 to Dusk - 2x Woodcock, 2x Dunlin, 80x Lapwing, 8x Curlew, Green Sandpiper, Water Rail, c1000x Black-headed Gulls, 4x Common Gull, 100x Lesser B B Gull, 30x Great B B Gull (DSc)

Croxall
4x Redshank, 2x Oystercatcher (SWo)

Swallows Mire Milford
37x Wigeon, 9x Goosander, 6x Cormorant, Raven, Snipe (JWH)

Whitemoor Haye
3x Oystercatcher large flock Golden Plover (SWo)

Parkhall
c30 Redpoll (see photo below) also Willow Tits (DFo)

 

 

Doxey Marsh
c300 Lapwing, 8x Snipe, 2x Shelduck, 50x Teal, Grey Wagtail (SP)