Thursday 31st March 2016

Etruria Valley
Female type Black Redstart briefly on waste ground north of the Vodafone building (STu)

Belvide Res
Osprey through NW at 16:15 (@BelvideBirding)

Trentham Gardens
25x Sand Martin, Ringed Plover, 2x Snipe, 2x Oystercatcher, PF Goose, 12x Mandarin, 14x Chiffchaff, Little Egret, 2x Grey Wagtail, Peregrine (HF)

Berryhill
6x Wheatear, also 421x Meadow Pipit over north in 85 minutes, 2x Sand Martin, 8x Swallow, c190 Redwing over east (RT NDP PB)

Dave Fowler

Foxley
5x Wheatear, Willow Warbler (MBa)

Gnosall
Blackcap, 5x Redpoll (RSt)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road (KBa)

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Med Gull from main hide (@ScottRockman)

Silverdale CP
Short-eared Owl again on The Void also a Wheatear on Black Bank track (STu)

i54
Willow Warbler, 2x LR Plover, 3x Chiffchaff, 14x Teal (JDu)

Radford Meadows

2x Little Owl, 2x Chiffchaff, 2x Oystercatcher,  8x Wigeon, 65x Teal, 8x Shoveler & Great Crested Grebe. (RSw)

Wednesday 30th March 2016

Tucklesholme
5x Ruff, Dunlin (IWh)

Trentham Gardens
Singing Willow Warbler, 28x Golden Plover, 7x Mandarin, Water Rail, (PFo) - 2x Oystercatcher, Little Egret, Gadwall, 9x Chiffchaff , Green Woodpecker (RT) - Goosander, Grey Wagtail, 4x Kingfisher (CBa)

Berryhill
5x Wheatear early morning (RT NDP)

Longsdon Mill Pool
1x Wheatear (JJ)

Cheadle
Wheatear at JCB Compact Products factory grounds (RPo)

Croxden Quarry
3x Little Ringed Plover & Swallow (RPo)

Chasewater Res
Ring-necked Parakeet at 19.10, 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull & first Willow Warbler on North Heath (CWG_sightings)

Knypersley Resv
1x Swallow, 3x Sand Martin, 8x Chiffchaff, 3x Redwings, 14x Goosander (GBr)

Chatterley Whitfield Valley
1x Wheatear, 2x Chiffchaff, 2x Willow Tit, 2x Grey Partridge (GBr, CBo)

Endon SW
1x White Wagtail, 72x Pied Wagtail (GBr)

Whitemoor Hayes
47x Coot, Goldeneye, 3x Grey Partridge, 2x Ringed Plover, Snipe, 30x Yellowhammer, 10x Tree Sparrow & White Wagtail (SCo)

Tuesday 29th March 2016

Belvide Res
Osprey flew thru at 09:40 (@BelvideBirding)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road (DLF)

Burton on Trent
Red Kite over the A444 Stapenhill at 11:00 (JWi)

Chasewater Res
2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull in roost, no sign of Ring-necked Duck (CWG_sightings)

Knypersley Res
5x Chiffchaff, 6x Siskin, 5x Redwing, 1x Redpoll, 8x Goosander (GBr)

Westport Lake
1x Goldeneye, 26x LBBG, 5x Herring Gull, 10x Swallow, 1x Sand Martin, 1x House Martin (Cal)

Monday 28th March 2016

Chasewater Res
2x Sandwich Tern on raft in middle of lake but later flew off (JMa). Ring-necked Duck still present. Also 3x Greylag Geese, 300+ Sand Martin, 6x House Martin and Swallows at dusk. 3x YLG (2x 2w, 3w) in the roost (@CWG_sightings et al)

Blithfield Res (Permit Only)
Common Tern thru the deep end also House Martin (GJM) - 14x House Martin on reservoir & Little Owl near Cobwebs Cafe (JDu)

Whitemoor Haye
1x White Wagtail, 1x Wheatear (@TameBirding).

Middleton Lakes RSPB
1x Mediterranean Gull, 5x Black-tailed Godwits, 2x LRP, Dunlin, 3x Avocet, 10x Little Egret (SAt)

Berryhill
Short-eared Owl at 19:05 near the scrape, Little Owl at the upright stone circle also Wheatear and Stonechat still this morning (RT)  -  2x Golden Plover, 2x Swallow (NDP) - 40x Meadow Pipit, 15x Skylark. 10x Linnet (IBu)

Silverdale CP
Short-eared Owl this evening (STu)

Gailey Res
1x Pink-footed Goose till 12:20hrs when flew off, 2x Black-tailed Godwit over NW at 11:30hrs, 2x House Martin, 20+ Sand Martin (@TheSnapper)

Lower Drayton Farm Penkridge
20x Swallow, 10x House Martin on the floods (Hop)

Sunday 27th March 2016

Chasewater Res
Drake Ring-necked Duck on Swag at 08.50 (RSw)

Sugar Loaf Farm
Red Kite over heading West towards Whittington this morning, also Sand Martin over West (@StourBirder)

Blithfield Res (Permits Only)
Wheatear by the fishing lodge this morning (GJM)

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Wheatear on the Jubilee fence this morning & 3x House Martin over (BVa) also 4x Black-tailed Godwit, Mediterranean Gull, Dunlin, 7x Sand Martin, Pink-footed Goose (@Ochruros) also 5x Avocet, 6x Little Ringed Plover, Curlew, 60x Golden Plover & Common Gull (TVB)

Uttoxeter Quarry
Swallow, 50x Sand Martin, 3x Chiffchaff, 2x Green Sandpiper, 2x Goldeneye, 5x Wigeon, 4x Shelduck & Green Woodpecker (RPo)

Whitemoor Haye
2x Oystercatcher, 1x Wheatear, 1x LRP, 1x Chiffchaff, 10x Tree Sparrow, 20x Yellowhammer, 1x Grey Partridge, 1x Goldeneye (SCo)

Chuckleholme
6x Ruff, Dunlin (@scaupface)

Black Bank
Wheatear this morning (PJ)

Doxey Marshes
Little Ringed Plover, 4x Little Egret, c6 Sand Martin & Cetti's Warbler (GHa)

Whittington
c4 Corn Bunting singing between Elford & Whittington (SCo)

I54
9x Teal, 5x Little Ringed Plover, 6x Snipe, 4x Red-legged Partridge, 2x Chiffchaff, 20x Skylark & 8x Buzzard (JDu)

Saturday 26th March 2016

Blithfield Res
Garganey pair still below the dam on flood pool at Newlands Lane (MCh) - no further sign by 10:00 but pair of Mandarin there (SRi, RCB)

Chasewater
Ring-necked Duck still on the Slurry pool

Belvide Res
House Martin, 35x Sand Martin, 4x Swallow (@BelvideBirding)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road

Aqualate
House Martin, 4x Swallow, 40x Sand Martin (IGr)

Berryhill
Wheatear c200m west of the scrape, also Stonechat, Swallow (RT NDP) - Woodcock flushed yesterday (DW)

Radford Meadows
Swallow, Little-ringed Plover, Redshank, 40x Teal, 2x Shoveler, 4x Goosander, 2 Gadwall & 3x Kingfisher. (RSw)

Ford Green
2x Chiffchaff, Sand Martin, Swallow (JJ)

Dimmingsdale
Red Kite over west at 09:45 also 2x Siskin, Green Woodpecker, 45x Fieldfare (TEy)

Baldwins Gate
2x Brambling (RWh)

Middleton Lakes RSPB
3x Black-tailed Godwit from river screen on Jubilee (DHu)

Fradley Junction
50x Brambling between middle lock and Shadehouse lock in field on offside of towpath (@BirderAlrewas)

Friday 25th March 2016

Chasewater Res
Ring-necked Duck on Slurry Pool this morning (HKi) - still at 17:30 (ARu)

Keith Whitehouse

Blithfield Res (Permits Only)
Osprey at 09.05 (@birdnational) also 6x Barnacle Geese (GMa) - Pair of Garganey below dam (MCh)

Belvide Res
Black-tailed Godwit dropped in at 11.10, also 3x Redshank & drake Scaup (BB)

Rocester
2x Whooper Swan with Mute Swans south of Rocester & East of Combridge, east of B5030 (RPo)

National Arboretum
Cetti's Warbler on junction Pit this morning (SCo)

Cannock Chase
2x Brambling at Kingsley Wood Road east of Cadet Hut (SWo)

i54
3x Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker, 12x Skylark, 11x Teal (Foz)

Gailey Res
2x Sand Martin, c6 Chiffchaff, 5x Shoveler, 15x Pochard, Tawny Owl, Redpoll (SRi)

Doxey Marsh
Cetti's Warbler, Little Egret, Water Rail, 3x Goosander, Raven,  Brimstone, 3x Small Tortoishell (BC LC)

Uttoxeter Quarry
15x Sand Martin, 5x Oystercatcher, 3x Green Sandpiper, 4x Curlew, 2x Mandarin, 4x Shelduck, 7x Goldeneye, 6x Goosander, 2x Chiffchaff (NDP)

Branston GPs

11x Sand Martin, 9x Ruff, 4x LR Plover, 2x Ringed Plover, 10x Redshank, c70x Lapwing, 8x Shelduck, 2x Shoveler, 2x Mandarin, 2x Gadwall, 2x Chiffchaff singing, (JWo) Plus juv Peregrine (DSc)

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Adult Med Gull, PF Goose, 6x LR Plover, 3x Ringed Plover, 8x Redshank, 3x Black-tailed Godwit, 8x Golden Plover, (@ArchieRaven)
 

Aston-Burston
3x Green Sandpiper, 5x Shelduck, 14x Wigeon, 10x Snipe, 2x Mandarin, Raven, 4x Sand Martin (DCo)

Trentham Gardens
4x Mandarin, 2x Little Egret, 2x Oystercatcher, Kingfisher, Reed Bunting (MJP)

Flash
Swallow over north (NDP)

Oakamoor
Goosander on the R Churnet (KK)

Thursday 24th March 2016

Chasewater Res
Drake Ring-necked Duck still present north of the island, also c40 Sand Martin at  dusk (CWG_sightings)

Hinksford/Wall Heath
Hoopoe still present in landscaped quarry off Enville Road (@WestMidsBirding)

Parkhall CP
Red Kite over SW at 11.15 heading towards Berryhill (DB)

Longsdon Mill Pool
2x Snipe, 2x Oystercatcher, 4x Lapwing & Curlew (JJo)

Blithfield Res
Swallow, 6x Sand Martin, Stonechat, Redshank (RCB)

Cotton
Curlew north of old college this morning (KKi)

Uttoxeter
8x Jack Snipe ringed (@Brewoodringers)

Cannock Chase
6x Brambling around the old army site east of the cadet huts (@ArchieRaven)

Trentham Gardens
2x Sand Martin, 6x Mandarin, Gadwall, Oystercatcher, Little Egret, Grey Wagtail, 12x Tufted Duck (PFo)

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still also 4x Swallow

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

Chasewater
Drake Ring-necked Duck still in Fly Bay behind the sailing club at 07:36. - On the Swag from Mid morning also 3x Swallow, 10x Sand Martin, 2x Willow Tit west shore wood.

Norton Canes
2x Jack Snipe ringed this morning (@Brewoodringers)

Middleton Lakes RSPB
3x Avocet, 4x Dunlin, 7x Ringed Plover, 11x Redshank, LR Plover, 2x Med Gull (@onionsargey)

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still, LR Plover, 2x Swallow, 5x Sand Martin, 3x Redshank (@BelvideBirding)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road (@chrisvaghela)

Doxey Marsh
Swallow, 5x Sand Martin, Black-tailed Godwit, 7x Snipe, Cetti's Warbler, Little Egret, 8x Shelduck, 3x Goosander, Kingfisher, 45x Fieldfare, 19x Redwing (SE HF)

Combridge
2x Whooper Swan in field by River Dove off  B5030

Gunstone
Green Woodpecker, Stonechat, Peregrine, Kingfisher, 12x Lapwing (JDu)

Branston GPs
4x LR Plover, 6x Ringed Plover, 9x Ruff, 3x Oystercatcher, Curlew, 8x Redshank, 82x Lapwing, 8x Shelduck, Pochard, 4x Shoveler, 2x Wigeon, (JWo)

Alrewas
c1500 mixed flock of Fieldfare and Redwing on the showground (@AlrewasBirder)

Tuesday 22nd March 2016

Community Noticeboard

The West Midland Bird Club is pleased to announce that the Forward Hide at Tad Bay has been extended to double it's size, from that hide members can obtain closer views of the birds in the bay and also see part of the shore that cannot be seen from the Stansley Wood Hide, please note that the Forward Hide can be reached via the locked gate to the right of the Stansley Wood Hide so a Blithfield key is required which is obtainable either from the Engineers Office or through Blithfield@westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk.

A Tern raft has been placed off Beech Tree Point and can be viewed from the hide on the point.

Work has also been commenced on a shelter overlooking the Deep End from between the Angler's Club and Ten Acre Bay, this structure will give better viewing conditions to see the Winter Gull roost and also provide protection to birders in poor weather, it is hoped that the shelter will be completed next month.

The club is grateful for the support and co-operation of the South Staffs Water Company and Gilleard Bros Ltd.

Chasewater Res
Drake Ring-necked Duck still present, showing well in Fly Bay viewed from end of sailing club access road, at 09.00 flew towards north end of Chasewater with Tufted Duck (@CWG_sightings) Still in Fly Bay at 16:55. Also 4+ Sand Martins (IBu)

The drake Ring-necked Duck at Chasewater by JW

Blithfield Res (Permits Only)
Rock Pipit on dam, 7x Brambling below dam & 2x Sand Martin (MPR)

Belvide Res
Swallow & 3x Sand Martin this afternoon also the 1w drake Scaup (BB)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road

Knypersley Res
2x Chiffchaff singing & Oystercatcher (GBr)

Marshes Hill
Chiffchaff singing (GBr)

Berryhill Fields
1x Short-eared Owl, (DSc)

Monday 21st March 2016

Chasewater Res
Drake Ring-necked Duck viewed from the west shore. Still present 18:30hrs. Also Red Kite over sailing club at 17:05hrs. Three Common Crane flew NW at 17:10hrs. Ring-necked Parakeet heard at 17:20 as it flew in from west (@CWG_sightings)

Chasewater's 2nd record of Ring-necked Duck still present at dusk @Julianallen2009

 

Hixon Airfield
Male Black Redstart still on a manure heap. The airfield is probably best reached via a public footpath off Bridge Lane 150m west of Stowe by Chartley. Park sensibly at a pull off near a kissing gate, walk through the gate along a public footpath through a small wood onto the airfield. The manure heap should then be visible near the RMS compound. On no account enter the compound or other work areas and keep to public footpaths and do not cross fields (RCB)

Silverdale CP
3w YL Gull on The Void at 15:45 (STu)

Croxall Lakes
1x Little Egret, Green Woodpecker, Redshank, 2x Oystercatcher (KJo)

Doxey Marshes
Little Egret, 2x Shelduck, 6x Goosander & Common Gull (@DoxeyBirder)

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still

Trentham Gardens
11x Tufted Duck, pair Mandarin Duck & Willow Tit (PFo)

Stafford
1x Peregrine (ABar)

Sunday 20th March 2016

Middleton Lakes RSPB
1x Bearded Tit, Whooper Swan and Pink-footed Goose still (RPh, @TameBirding)

Uttoxeter Quarry
Redshank, 4x Green Sandpiper, 7x Curlew, 7x Oystercatcher, female Pintail, 8x Goldeneye, 12x Goosander, 52x Wigeon, 5x Pochard (RPo)

Branston GP
12x Redshank, 8x Ruff, 3x Dunlin, 13x Curlew, 2x Ringed Plover, 3x Snipe, 11x Shelduck, 3x Fieldfare, 20x Redwing (DSc)

Otherton
Red Kite just north of Gailey Res 11:20-11:30 at least (SRi)

Burntwood
Red Kite over the leisure centre late morning (@CWG_sightings)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road at 11:05

North Staffs Moor
Merlin, Short-eared Owl, 5x Curlew, 4x Raven & 2x Red Grouse (TEy)

Gailey Res
2x Chiffchaff, 7x Gadwall, 13x Pochard & 2x Oystercatcher (SRi)

Wetley Moor
8x Buzzard, Curlew, 30x Redwing, 20x Reed Bunting, also another birder reported a Red Kite over (RBu)

Berryhill
Short-eared Owl at 17:05hrs (IBu)

Blithfield Res
1x Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (IBu)

Hatherton Resv
1x Cetti's Warbler (@Fabyoungbirder)

Doxey Marshes
2x Snipe, 2x Cetti's Warbler, 6x Shoveler, Shelduck (@ScottMarshyPetrek)

i54 / Coven
300+ Fieldfare, 2x Chiffchaff, Red Kite over at 15:40hrs (JDu)

Saturday 19th March 2016

Aqualate
Drake American Wigeon again at the west end at 10:00 (RSw) also Cetti's Warbler, 2x Water Rail, Tawny Owl & Willow Tit (JMa)

RSPB Middleton Lakes
Whooper Swan, 3x Avocet, LR Plover, 4x Ringed Plover, 2x Redshank, 7x Dunlin, Med Gull,(@atkinson_steve)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road at 10:38

Burntwood
Red Kite over this afternoon (DHa)

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still

Chasewater
2x YLG (adult, 2w) and Ring-necked Parakeet in at 17:25hrs (@CWG_sightings)

North Staffs Moors
49x Golden Plover, 3x Curlew, 4x Snipe, 35x Lapwing (DCo)
Ring Ouzel, Short-eared Owl, Barn Owl, 2x Peregrine, 8x Raven (@nutcracker1965)

Fenton
Short-eared Owl again near Vivian Road (DEv)

Blithfield Res
Red Kite, 7x Dunlin, 4x Oystercatcher, 2x Little Owl, Mandarin, 6x Goldeneye, 8x Pochard, 4x Shelduck, 2x Goosander, 6x Barnacle Geese (SE HF)

Whitemoor Haye
3x Oystercatcher, 163x Wigeon, 6x Pochard, 28x Tufted Duck, 84x Coot, 3x Goldeneye, Treecreeper, 2x Shelduck, Little Egret, 50x Yellowhammer & 12x Tree Sparrow (SCo)

Branston GP
10x Ruff, 3x Curlew, 2x Redshank, 1x Cetti's Warbler (NJS)

Friday 18th March 2016

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Female Bearded Tit in the reeds behind the canal side/west screen to 08:30 only. LR Plover and 5x Ringed Plover on Jubilee (@RSPBMiddleton) - Med Gull North Pit, 3x Avocet, Whooper Swan, PF Goose, 6x Dunlin (TVB)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road

Uttoxeter Quarry
5x Sand Martin, 9x Curlew, Green Sandpiper, 6x Goosander, 2x Goldeneye, 3x Shelduck (RPo)

Aqualate Mere
Adult Mediterranean Gull this afternoon (PJo)

Branston Gravel Pits
5x Dunlin, 11x Ruff, 3x Redshank, 2x Curlew, 120x Lapwing, 4x Ringed Plover, 8x Shelduck, 2x Gadwall, Pochard, c70 Linnet & Tawny Owl (JWo)

Wetley Moor
20x Reed Bunting, 2x Curlew, 50x Redwing, 2x Raven (RBe)

Silverdale CP
Ringed Plover on the void (RJo)

Audley (off Wereton Rd)
Stonechat, Yellowhammer (PAD)

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still

Thursday 17th March 2016

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Little Ringed Plover, also 3x Avocet, Whooper Swan & Pink-footed Goose (@RSPBMiddleton)

Cannock Chase
4x Crossbill over Freda's Grave area (MPi)

Belvide Res
1st winter drake Scaup still present, also 2x Shelduck, Redshank, 2x Curlew, 12x Siskin, 2x Chiffchaff & Little Owl (BB)

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan, 3x Grey Partridge, 30x Yellowhammer, 20x Tree Sparrow, 200x Redwing & Fieldfare, 2x Shelduck & several Meadow Pipits (SCo)

Ford Green
Drake Goosander, 2x Little Grebe & Skylark (JJo)

Trentham Gardens
Water Rail (GSa)

Gailey Res
26x Greylag Geese, 8x Gadwall, drake Goldeneye & 12x Pochard (SRi)

Wednesday 16th March 2016

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still, Brambling, 2x Chiffchaff, 23x Golden Plover, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, 19x Shoveler (BB)

Westport Lake
1x Chiffchaff singing

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Black-tailed Godwit, 32x Golden Plover, 5x Ringed Plover, Redshank & 4x Dunlin on Jubilee Wetlands (via TVB)

Berryhill Fields
No sign of the LONG-EARED OWLS this morning

Essington Quarry
30+ Meadow Pipit, 8x Fieldfare, 26x Tufted Duck, 2x Little Grebe, 2x Skylark (DBa) 

Tuesday 15th March 2016

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Richards Pipit reported this afternoon in the quarry north of Enville Road but no further sign late afternoon. - Hoopoe still present

Berryhill
2x Long-eared Owl roosting (RT NDP) and present till 18:30hrs but no sign of the SHORT-EARED OWL. A Hare was seen near the scrape (DSc)

Doxey Marsh
Cetti's Warbler showing well, Little Egret, 3x Goosander, 4x Siskin, 2x Redpoll (BC LC)

Branston GP
11x Ringed Plover, 6x Redshank, 5x Snipe, 3x Curlew, 8x Shelduck, 9x Gadwall, Yellow-legged Gull, 9x GBBG (JW)

Westport Lake
2x Dunlin briefly at 13:00hrs (DEv). Also 4x Shoveler (SGi)

Chasewater
1x adult YLG in a roost of 2400+ large gulls (@CWG_sightings)

Monday 14th March 2016

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Red Kite over pylons at 10:00 (@broadwayeight)

Doxey Marsh
2x Water Pipit still from the Octaganol hide (ABl) - additionally 3x Little Egret, Green Sandpiper (@DoxeyBirder)

Berryhill
Short-eared Owl still at 17:50 (DEv)

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still

Trentham Gardens
2x Oystercatcher, Little Egret, 2x Mandarin, Grey Wagtail (PFo)

Sunday 13th March 2016

Chasewater
Juv Iceland Gull (a new pale bird), 3w YLG in the roost. Ring-necked Parakeet and an Oystercatcher (@CWG_sightings)

Hinksford/Wall Heath
Hoopoe still in landscaped quarry off Enville Road (DHu)

Doxey Marshes
2x Water Pipit perched in tree by octagonal hide then dropped on scrape with Meadow Pipits, also 5x Little Egret, 3x Cetti's Warbler, c100 Golden Plover, pair Shelduck, Redshank, 5x Goosander & Stonechat (SPe)

Cauldon Low
Red Kite at Weaver Hills, Wootton Estate, viewed from viewpoint between 14.00 - 14.20, also 8x Buzzard & 2x Raven (JBr)

Radford Meadows
Immature male Merlin, 239x Wigeon, 175x Teal, 3x Shelduck, 36x Shoveler, 4x Gadwall, Great Crested Grebe, Kingfisher & 40x Meadow Pipit (RSw)

Berryhill
Short-eared Owl again at Tiddlers Pool area at 17.15 (IBu)

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan still this afternoon (SCo)

Hatherton Res
Cetti's Warbler still & 2x Siskin (SB)

River Sow Meadows
2x Mandarin Duck, 52x Wigeon, 44x Teal, 3x Goosander, 3x Green Sandpiper, 2x Snipe & 32x Lapwing (RSw)

Cheddleton - Consall
Pair Goosander, 5x Mandarin Duck (3x drakes), female Shoveler, 16x Teal, pair Oystercatcher, Snipe, 12x Grey Wagtail, singing Chiffchaff, 2x Willow Tit, 38x Fieldfare, pair Raven, 20x Siskin & 4x Lesser Redpoll (DSc)

Saturday 12th March 2016

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road this morning (RSu)

Silverdale CP
Short-eared Owl this afternoon on the void (BC LC)

Tucklesholme
2x Ringed Plover, 3x Ruff, 2x Oystercatcher, 38x Wigeon, 60x Lapwing, Shelduck, Redshank, 2x Goosander & Kingfisher (SPe, KAY, MYa)

Uttoxeter Quarry
Chiffchaff, 20x Curlew, Pink-footed Goose, female Pintail, 5x Goosander, drake Mandarin Duck, 50x Wigeon & 4x Pochard (RPo)

Hales
Barnacle Goose, 11x Shelduck, 4x Oystercatcher & 3x Curlew (STu)

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan, 3x Redshank,  Goldcrest, Treecreeper, 150x Linnet, 4x Raven, 20x Tree Sparrow & 40x Yellowhammer (SCo)

Lightwood Hill
Barn Owl & Woodcock at dusk (AM)

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still

Friday 11th March 2016

Chasewater
Avocet with the gulls in the middle of the reservoir (@CWG_sightings). Short-eared Owl over West Shore 17:35hrs (PBe). Roost saw 1w/1s Caspian Gull, 4x YLG (2 adults, subadult, 2w), hybrid Med x BHG, Shelduck, Avocet still, Ring-necked Parakeet (@CWG_sightings).

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road (CJW, NJS)

Cheddleton-Consall
Brambling, 6x Redpoll, 8x Siskin (DSc)

Middleton Lakes RSPB
2x Avocet, Short-eared Owl (ARu)

Branston GP
7x Ruff, 5x Redshank, 7x Ringed Plover, 3x Dunlin, Snipe, 9x Curlew, 2x Mandarin, Stonechat, Brambling (JW, DSc)

Hatherton Reservoir, Cheslyn Hay
Cetti's Warbler (@daftoldbirder)

Thursday 10th March 2016

Westport Lake
Kittiwake on main lake at 13:45hrs (DEv)

Hinksford / Wall Heath
1x Hoopoe

Lightwood Hill
Barn Owl at dusk (AM)

Wednesday 9th March 2016

Belvide Res
Adult Kittiwake and 1w Little Gull in the roost also the 1w drake Scaup (@BelvideBirder)

Chasewater
4x YLG (1w, 2w, 2 adult). Interesting 1w showing features of American Herring Gull (@CWG_sightings)

Blithfield Res (permit holders only)
5x Oystercatcher, 5x Goosander (JW)  

Trentham Gardens
2x Oystercatcher, Little Egret (MJW)

Stafford
Barn Owl Grindley Lane (Foz)

Tuesday 8th March 2016

Chasewater
Adult Kittiwake in the roost this evening

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still at 10:05 north of Enville Road

Branston GP
7x Ruff, 3x Redshank, Green Sandpiper, 9x Ringed Plover, 3x Curlew, 7x Shelduck, 7x Gadwall (JW)

Whitemoor Haye
2x Snipe flushed down track, Whooper Swan still, c400 Linnet, Curlew & Redshank heard over back pit (SCo)

Barton Pond
5x Goosander (JW)

Oakamoor
2x Goosander upstream of weir this afternoon (KKi)

Monday 7th March 2016

Tittesworth Res
Female Ring-necked Duck still in  "Crab Apple Bay" also 140x Curlew, 7x Snipe, Goldeneye, 21x Wigeon, 5x Pochard, 18x Tufted Duck (SGi)

Ring-necked Duck today at Tittesworth by Steve Gibson

Aqualate
Drake American Wigeon still but distant

American Wigeon today at Aqualate by Roger Gibb

 Chasewater 
3w Caspian Gull in the roost plus 3x YLG (2 adults, 2w). At least 3500 large gulls tonight (@CWG_sightings)

Trentham Gardens
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker still from the Monkey Forest car park (PF) - 2x Goosander briefly this morning (JCo)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road

Cannock Chase
5x Crossbill over at 12:30 (HF SE)

Berryhill
Short-eared Owl still near the scrape (DW CL)

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan still (@BirderAlrewas)

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still

Sunday 6th March 2016

Tittesworth Res
Female Ring-necked Duck in Fosters Bay at 08.20, also Mediterranean Gull, female Goldeneye, 15x Wigeon, 5x Pochard, 43x Tufted Duck & 152x Curlew (SGi, KHa)

Med Gull at Tittesworth - Steve Gibson

Aqualate Mere
Drake American Wigeon still present (RPo) still til 15.00 plus 2x Egyptian Geese, 9x Shelduck & 2x Cetti's Warbler (SRi)

Hinksford
Hoopoe still present in landscaped quarry off Enville Road

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Avocet on Jubilee Wetlands this afternoon (SAt). Also 2x Barn Owl, Short-eared Owl, 10x Ringed Plover, Dunlin, c800 x Golden Plover, 10x Little Egret, Pink-footed Goose, Egyptian Goose (JW)

Uttoxeter Quarry
Stonechat, 15x Curlew, 4x Oystercatcher, 2x Green Sandpiper, 12x Goosander, 3x Goldeneye, 9x Pochard & 64x Wigeon (RPo)

Branston Gravel Pits
4x Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ruff & Tawny Owl (NJS)

Radford Meadows
188x Wigeon, 96x Teal, 3x Goosander, 2x Shoveler, 150x Golden Plover, 8x Snipe & Raven (RSw)

Hartherton Res
Cetti's Warbler heard this afternoon (@daftoldbirder)

Chasewater
Adult Glaucous Gull, 2x ad and 2x 2w YL Gull (@CWG_sightings)

Silverdale CP
Short-eared Owl this afternoon (@philo61)

Tucklesholme
2x Egyptian Geese, 2x Oystercatcher, 20x Lesser Redpoll, 2x Goosander, 12x Wigeon, 11x Teal, 2x Pochard (MPa)

Berryhill
Short-eared Owl still late afternoon

Hanley
1x Peregrine (PLo)

Saturday 5th March 2016

Aqualate
Drake American Wigeon still, also Bittern in flight from the hide mid afternoon and Egyptian Goose this morning (@andm62,@philjo61, @Ian_m_grant )

Tucklesholme
5x Stonechat, 2x Ringed Plover, Ruff, 2x Oystercatcher, 2x Pintail (@Ochruros)

Madeley STW
3x Chiffchaff, 8x Brambling (STu)

Trentham Estate
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker heard drumming at 08:00 near the Monkey forest (@philjo61) - also 3x Gadwall  on the lake (JCo)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still

Berryhill
Short-eared Owl still (nutcracker1965)

Branston GPs
Adult Glaucous Gull 15:30 to 16:20 only also 4x Ruff, 3x Redshank, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, 19x Ringed Plover, 6x Gadwall (DSc)

Croxall
2x Oystercatcher, 2x Gadwall, Goosander (KJo)

Friday 4th March 2016

Community Noticeboard

Saturday 5th March

Oulton Village Hall, Kibblestone Road, Oulton, Stone ST15 8ND

STAFFORDSHIRE BIRDERS CONFERENCE 

Connecting Birders across Staffordshire

This conference will run from 10:00hrs to 15:00hrs with a series of short talks from various groups involved in birdwatching in Staffordshire. There will also be a chance to ask questions. Some of those in attendance include the RSPB with representatives from Middleton Lakes and Coombes Valley, the County Recorder, WMBC, Brewood Ringers' Group, BTO and @Staffsbirdnews. The event is being facilitated by RSPB North Staffs Local Group. Tickets are just £5 and can be ordered by post (or collected on the day from the venue) from :-

Birders Conference, 38, Pilkington Avenue, Newcastle, ST5 3RE. 

You can also pay on the door on the day. There will be free coffee and tea on arrival. 

For further information email gsales@madasafish.com

Whitemoor Haye

1x Whooper Swan, 4x Gadwall, 1x Woodcock, 30x Golden Plover (@BirderAlrewas)

Belvide Resv

Drk Scaup still present 

Hinksford

1x Hoopoe still   

Branston Water Park

Oystercatcher, 2x Shelduck, and 2x Goosander on Marley Pit. (JW)

 

Barton Marina

2x Oystercatcher, Little Egret, 3x Pochard, 60x Wigeon. (JW)

Thursday 3rd March 2016

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road at 09:00 present for 100th day. (BG)

Berryhill
Short-eared Owl still near the scrape at 17:00 (@andm62)

Swallows Mire Milford
5x Shoveler, 4x Goosander, 127x Wigeon, 22x Tufted Duck (JWH)

Bateswood
10x Common Gulls, 6x Redpoll (GSa)

Branston GP
Adult Caspian Gull, 2x Stonechat, 2x Green Sandpiper, 9x Ruff, 6x Redshank, 11x Ringed Plover, 9x Curlew, 12x Shelduck (JW)

Adult Caspian Gull at Branston tonight (JW)
 

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still

Wednesday 2nd March 2016

Below is a detailed itinerary for the "Staffordshire Birding Conference" on Saturday 5th March, we looking forward to seeing you there!

Tickets are just £5 and available on the door

Staffordshire Birders Conference

Saturday March 5^th 2016

Connecting Birders across Staffordshire

Oulton Village Hall, Kibblestone Road, Oulton, Stone, ST15 8ND

09.15  Welcome. Free tea & coffee on arrival

10.00  Introduction

10.10  Kate Thorpe (Middleton Lakes) - “The past, present and future of RSPB Middleton Lakes”

10.35  Nick Pomiankowski (County Bird Recorder) - “Bird Recording”

11.00  David Dodd (Group Leader, Stafford branch, West Midland Bird Club) -

            “Are you mad? Why join a bird club?”

11.25  Colin McShane (Group Chairman, Brewood Ringers’ Group) -

            “Brewood Ringers – who we are and what we get up to”

12.00  Questions from the floor

12.10  Lunch (please bring your own; drinks available at additional small cost)

12.55  Peter Durnall (international award-winning wildlife film maker) -

            “Wildlife film-making in Staffordshire and around the UK”

13.35  Paul Bennett (RSPB Coombes Valley) -

            “Managing upland oak woodland for Birds without Borders”

14.00  Chris Waring (Staffordshire Bird News) - “Who we are and what we do”

14.20  Gerald Gittens (British Trust for Ornithology) -  “BTO Surveys”

14.40  Questions, thanks, farewell.

15.00  Departure

Tickets are just £5 (Available on the Door)

The event is being facilitated by RSPB North Staffs Local Group.

Tickets available for purchase at the Group's indoor meetings in January and February 2016.

Tickets can also be ordered by post; these can then be collected on the day, or sent to you

by post (please enclose SAE for the latter). For order confirmation, please provide an email address.

To order, please send a cheque for £5 per ticket, made payable to RSPB North Staffs Local Group, to: Birders Conference, 38, Pilkington Avenue, Newcastle, ST5 3RE


Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still

Doxey Marshes
2x Mediterranean Gulls, Little Egret, 3x Goosander, 7x Shelduck (PBe)

Tuesday 1st March 2016

Hinksford/Wall Heath
Hoopoe still present today in landscaped quarry off Enville Road (KBa)

Burslem
Black Redstart still present in old Purple Antz building this morning (SGi)

Chasewater Res
Ring-necked Parakeet again returned to roost (CWG_sightings)

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan, 50x Yellowhammer, 112x Wigeon, 2x Oystercatcher, Goldeneye & 4x Tree Sparrow (SCo)

Branston Gravel Pits
2x Green Sandpiper, 9x Ruff, 5x Redshank, Ringed Plover, 9x Curlew, 375x Lapwing, 7x Shelduck, 5x Gadwall & Tawny Owl (JWo)

I54
17x Snipe, Jack Snipe, 3x Lesser Redpoll & 15x Teal (JDu)