Thursday 31 January 2013

Dosthill NR
2x Long-tailed Duck early afternoon

Kingswood Pool Cannock
2nd cy Glaucous Gull at 15:00 (SWo)

Chasewater
Glaucous Gull in the roost at 16:00hrs plus 2x Mediterranean Gulls and 2x Yellow-legged Gulls.

Belvide Res (permit only)
Bittern again from Scott hide before flying towards Gazebo Bay also 1st winter Med Gull in roost

Branston GPs
Ringed Plover (green ring on right leg) 12x Curlew, 3x Little Egret, 17x Shelduck, 21x Pochard, 34x Wigeon, 26x Gadwell, 45x Tufted Duck, 115x Coot, 2x Great Crested Grebe, 4x Little Grebe, 2x Buzzard, 14x GBB Gulls, 98x LBB Gulls, 4x Herring Gull, Common Gull (JW)

Hem Heath Woods
3x Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3x Nuthatch, Treecreeper, 2x Mistle Thrush, Jay Buzzard (ARa)

Alton area
100+ Siskin, 5x Redwing (TE)

Mobberley near Cheadle
2x Raven and a Kestrel (TE)

Blithfield Res (permit only)
Barn Owl perched on roadside post at 20:00 on Rugeley side (TE)

Wednesday 30 January 2013

Belvide Res (permit only)
Bittern left roost at 07:05 and flew towards SE Bay and again at 08:20 in SE Bay near the ringing  station. 8x Waxwing flew over west early afternoon. The partial s/pl Mediterranean Gull was present early morning and again in the roost. Belvide Blog
***A notice to permit holders. Due to the car park gate dropping significantly, we have decided to leave the gate open until it will hopefully be fixed at the weekend. Also a reminder that there is a work party this Sunday. Please meet at the Scott hide at 9.30am if you can spare a few hours.***

The Belvide Bittern. Photo by Steve Nuttall 

Chasewater
2nd winter Glaucous Gull in the roost also adult Med Gull, 5x Goldeneye, 6x Goosander (JW)
2x Redpoll and a Brambling on the feeders (KWh)

Newcastle
30x Waxwing at Victoria Gardens / Barracks Road 12:00 to 13:00 at least (BCa. LCa. TJa.)

Trentham Gardens
Little Egret, 24x Cormorant, 23x Grey Heron, 9x Mandarins, 2x Raven (RT)

Swallow's Mire Milford
6x Goosander, 13x Tufted Duck, 5x Wigeon, 2x Raven (JHt)

Alton farmland
2x Raven, 2x Redpoll, 2x Bullfinch, Sparrowhawk (TE)

Tuesday 29 January 2013

Belvide Res (permit only)
Bittern landed in reedbed at Scott hide at 17:00 also 2x Med Gulls in the roost and a Jack Snipe

Upper Longdon
Great Grey Shrike again in clearfell  south of Startley Lane SK051142 (RBr)

Dosthill NR
Great White Egret seen in flight again this morning

Chasewater
2nd winter Glaucous Gull again in the roost also 2nd winter Caspian Gull (Birdguides)
2x Redpoll, Brambling, 3x Tufted Duck, 2x Great Crested Grebe (KWh)

Newcastle
27x Waxwings outside Hassell Street Primary school opposite the bus station to 08:20 at least (BCa LCa)
25-30x Waxwings also in Victoria Gardens opposite the baths at 10:00 (RGi)
27x Waxwings still at 10:15but mobile commuting between Barracks Road and Garden Street at (BCa )

Tunstall Park
5x Goosander, 2x Little Grebe, 2x Tufted Duck, 3x Goldcrest (GA)

Alton
30x Siskin, 2x Raven, Grey Heron, Buzzard, Kestrel (ARa)

Silverdale CP
2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull and a Raven (DKe)

Monday 29 January 2013

Drayton Bassett Pits
A Great White Egret was reported to have flown through the area today on the way to Fisher's Mill Pool, Warks (JMa per JH)

Rugeley
26x Waxwing on Durham Drive at 14:00

Doxey Marsh

Kingfisher, 4x Goosander, 12x Wigeon, 9x Barnacle Geese, Reed Bunting, Cormorant, 34x Lapwing over, 2x Bullfinch, 2x Grey Heron, Kestrel, Goldcrest (ARa)

Belvide Res (permit only)

3x Brambling, c30 Yellowhammer, 4x Goldeneye, 24x Pochard, 5x Willow Tit (MTu)

Also - 1x Cetti’s Warbler in front of the Gazebo hide this afternoon, a partial summer plumage Mediterranean Gull roosted this evening, plus Little Grebe, a Water Rail, 4x Brambling, c50 Yellowhammer, drake Goosander, 34 Pochard and 80 Goldeneye were counted.Belvide Blog

Aqualate Mere
1x Bittern was seen from the hide in flight ,2x Goldeneye, 1x Goosander, 12x Wigeon, 12 + Shoveler, a few Pochard, Gadwall, 1x Raven over, 3x Willow Tit were on the feeding station (GB)

Trent Washlands
1x Tawny Owl this evening (AJ)

Sunday 27th January 2013

Doxey Marshes
Redhead Smew on Cresswell Pool at 10:30 (DFo)

Smew at Doxey Marshes by Dave Fowler

Upper Longdon
Great Grey Shrike again in the clearfell area south of Startley Lane

Aqualate Mere
Bittern flew in front of hide at 11.30am, Peregrine, Raven x 2, Willow Tit x 2 & Wigeon x 150+ (RSw)

Belvide Res (permit holders only)
An adult Mediterranean Gull in partial summer plumage roosted also 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls roosted. The Cetti’s Warbler was again seen, 4 Brambling were at the woodland feeding station Belvide Blog

Rugeley
16 Waxwings in Durham Drive this afternoon

Waxwings in Rugeley by Chris Blackburn

Tittesworth Res
Jack Snipe from the East hide this morning also Common Snipe, 103x Wigeon, 53x Tufted Duck, 51x Teal, 8x Pochard, 15x Goosander (SGi)
***Tittesworth Res 2011 Bird Report now available from the shop £3.50***

Trent Washlands

38x Teal, 9x Gadwall, 8x Wigeon, 5x Shoveler, female Sparrowhawk (seen taking a Redwing), 2x Lapwing (AJa)

Branston WP

c25 Siskin and c15 Lesser Redpoll in birch trees near canal (AJa). Also 2x Little Egret, 64x Wigeon, 140x Teal, 18x Gadwall, 2x Shoveler, Peregrine, 13x Curlew (DSc)

Branston GPs

Green Sandpiper, 17x Shelduck, 137x Greylag Goose, c100 Teal, c90 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 14x Herring Gull, 5x Great Black-backed Gull, Little Grebe (AJa)

NB - Great care needed when visiting due to extensive flooding. (I didn't attempt the walk from the sandy pit to the south pit due to the water levels on both the path and the road.)

Radial Park
4x Teal, 2x Yellowhammer, Peregrine, 2x Kingfisher (RGi)

JCB Pool, Rocester
1x Kingfisher (TDu)

Ipstones Edge
4x Bullfinch, Skylark over, Goosander over NW, (DP TE)

Morridge
2x Golden Plover (DP TE)

Goldstich Moss
Raven (DP TE)

Merryton Low
10x Stock Dove (DP TE)

Saturday 26 January 2013

Chasewater
2nd winter Glaucous Gull again in roost also 2x 2nd winter Caspian Gull and a adult Med Gull.

Silverdale
Adult Caspian Gull on Whalley's Landfill at midday (NDP)

Belvide Resv (permit only)
2nd winter Glaucous Gull over west at 10:20

Doxey Marsh
Water Pipit still at 10:22, also 1 Raven, 1 Woodcock, 43 Lapwing, 4 Snipe & 2 Skylark. (RSt)

Fradley-Orgreave
Merlin perched in field this morning but no sign of the Bewick's Swan among 167 Mute Swans (GJM, NJS)

Branston GP's
1x Continental Lesser B B Gull over, 43x Gadwall, 69x Wigeon, 14x Pochard, 2f Goldeneye, 2x Snipe, 19x Golden Plover, 5x Shelduck (NJS, GAS)

Uttoxeter Quarry
1 Pink-footed Goose, 13 Goosander, 2 Goldeneye, 20 Pochard, 47 Teal, 4 Wigeon, 2 Snipe, 1 Ruddy Shelduck (RPo)

Whitemoor Haye, 12.00 - 15.30
682 Wigeon, 86 Teal, 22 Tufted Duck, 4 Goldeneye, 9 Cormorant, 1 Snipe, 4 Redpoll, 26 Lapwing, 171 Golden Plover, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Little Owl & 8 Tree Sparrow (SCo).
Also male Merlin early afternoon (GJM)

Opposite National Arboretum entrance, 15.35 - 16.00
12 Lapwing, 30+ Golden Plover, 6 Redshank & 1 Sparrowhawk (SCo)

Parkhall Lake
Goosander, 2x Tufted Duck, Grey Heron (MK)

Cheddleton to Consall (Churnet Valley)
3 pairs of Mandarin, 2x Goosander, Woodcock, Willow Tit, 3x Redpoll (DSc)

Friday 25th January 2013

Wetley Moor

Yet again we have received a complaint. Yesterday a birder visited the site to find a photographer past the gate and standing less than 20ft away from the feeders. If you are this person then please refrain from going past the gate, it's winter, it's cold and with snow around the birds struggle for food, so if you are standing less than 20ft away it does not help the birds, never mind ruining the enjoyment for everyone else.
We will continue indefinitely with a ban on any photo's from this site or any news being released, apologies to all photographer out there who do it right, but unfortunately the minority are ruining it for everyone else.

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Peregrine by Dave Kelsall

Belvide Resv (permit holders only)
1w drk Smew at west end this afternoon.

Between Fradley and Orgreave
A Bewick's Swan with 106 Mute Swans. (SC)

Bewick's Swan near to Fradley today - Stuart Collins

Silverdale CP
2x Yellow-legged Gulls (adult & near adult), on the Void at 11.00 (Birdnet)

Doxey Marshes
3x Water Pipit (Birdnet)

Whitemoor Haye
Redshank, Snipe, Golden Plover, female Merlin, Peregrine, Little Owl, 3x Buzzard, Cormorant, 46x Wigeon, 4x Gadwell, 6x Tufted Duck, 2x Grey Heron (SC)

Westport Lake
1w Yellow-legged Gull and Great Black-backed Gull this morning, plus 3x Goosander (JJ)

Swallow Moss
50+ Reed Buntings, 5x Red Grouse (DN)

Blythe Bridge-Caverswall
Willow Tit, 3x Bullfinch, Buzzard, 2x Jay, 2x Redwing, (ARa)

Alton farmland
3x Mistle Thrush, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Tawny Owl, Woodcock, 2x Bullfinch (TE)

Thursday 24 January 2013

Willow Tit today, taken by Dave Kelsall

Chasewater
2nd winter Glaucous Gull again in the roost also 2x 2nd winter Caspian Gulls and 2x Yellow-legged Gulls

Silverdale CP
2nd winter Caspian Gull again at The Void also adult Med Gull 12:10 - 12:40 (STu)

Belvide Res (permit only)
1st winter drk Smew at west end this afternoon then flew to Gazebo hide, Short-eared Owl flew west at 13:45 also Pink-footed Goose

Burntwood
2x Whooper Swan flying over Wembley Lane towards Cuckoo Bank at 10:20 also 5x Waxwing over east at 10:40 plus 6x Siskin (JGH)

Doxey Marsh
At least one Water Pipit this morning also a Chiffchaff and Stonechat (SPe)

Dosthill NR
1x Bittern (per JH)

Branston GPs
Redshank, Dunlin, Snipe, Goldeneye, 55x Gadwell, 64x Wigeon, 14x Pochard, 24x Tufted Duck, 217x Coot, 4x Shelduck, 2x Little Grebe, c150 GBB Gull, 2x Buzzard, (JW)

Westport Lake
Adult Shelduck on the ice this morning (SJ)

The Westport Shelduck today by Dave Kelsall

Hixon
18x Grey Partridge on the airfield (RBr)

Trent Vale
12x Waxwing at the junction of Sutton Drive/Freemantle Avenue at 13:15 (BCa)

Tixall
10x Waxwing by church 15:00

Doxey Marshes
1x Brambling on Warrens Lane at midday (PDy)

Deep Hayes CP
Woodcock  mid day (NG)

Stanley Res
3x Goosander and a Kingfisher (NG)

Stoke (Cambell Road allotments)
Fieldfares, Redwings and a Grey Wagtail on the Trent at Boothen (ASt)

Wednesday 23 January 2013

Blithfield Res (permit holders only)
Juv Glaucous Gull in the roost (GJM)

Silverdale CP
Adult Caspian Gull and 2nd winter Caspian Gull on The Void at lunchtime (NP)

Above - 2w Caspian Gull on the Void today. Pictures by Dave Kelsall

Westport Lake
8x Waxwings by the entrance at 16:05hrs (NJS, DK)

Waxwing at Westport today by Dave Kelsall

Dosthill NR
Bittern again today (per JH)

Burntwood
4x Raven over Wembley Lane at 09:00 (JGH)

Wetley Moor
We have received a complaint from here of photographers standing to close to the feeding station and disturbing the birds, if this continues they will move the feeders to a private site, so we would all lose out, please respect the wildlife.

Tunstall Park
2x Little Grebe, 4x Goldcrest, 2x Tufted Duck, (GA)

Baggeridge CP
Water Rail again on the top end of Island pool showing well from the path on edge of reeds (DWB)

Tamworth
2x Ravens at Rawlett school eventually coming to bread close to the school buildings (PJe)

Tuesday 22nd January 2013

Chasewater
In the roost 3rd winter Caspian Gull, 2nd winter Glaucous Gull, 3rd winter Yellow-legged Gull.

Dosthill NR
Bittern, 2x Little Egret, 2x Goosander and Cetti's Warbler (GAW)

Silverdale CP
2nd winter Caspian Gull again present on the Void this lunchtime (NDP)

Doxey Marsh
2x Water Pipit between the bend upstream of the fort/hide and the new path, also 33 Teal, 35 Goosander, 2x Water Rail in the ditch/drain at the back of the metal hide & 9 Snipe in water meadow (GHa)

Rugeley
A single Waxwing by roundabout this afternoon (Birdguides)

Branston Gravel Pits

Redshank, Dunlin, 21x Snipe, 30+ Lapwing, 6x GBBG, 5x Shelduck, 47x Wigeon, 67x Gadwall, 3x Shoveler, 16x Pochard, Goldeneye, 3x GC Grebe, Little Grebe (JW)

Marley Pit

4x Goldeneye (JW)

Madeley
Jack Snipe flushed from the stream just below the sewage works at 08.45 (TJa)

Tunstall Park
2x Little Grebe still, 2x Goldcrest,  Grey Heron & 2x Tufted Duck (GAl)

Alton & Dimmingsdale area
2x Buzzard 3x Jay 1x Fieldfare & 75x Siskin feeding on alders (TEy)

Monday 21 January 2013

Chasewater
Adult Caspian Gull and two Glaucous Gulls (2w and juv) in the roost tonight.

Westport Lake
4w Yellow-legged Gull, adult Great B B Gull, a Skylark flew over, 3x Goosander, 11x Pochard, 2x Goldeneye, several Fieldfare and a Goldcrest (DK, CJW, GAS, NJS)

4th winter Yellow-legged Gull at Westport by Dave Kelsall

Silverdale CP
Jack Snipe one at 07:25

Branston Gravel Pits

9x Snipe, Curlew, 60x Gadwall, 15x Pochard, 68x Wigeon, 5x Shelduck, 4x Little Grebe, 3x GC Grebe, 2x Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 9x Siskin, 2x Reed Bunting (JWo)

  

Trent Valley Pits.

6x Dunlin, 16x Goosander, 4x Goldeneye, 16x Pochard (JWo)

Baggeridge CP
Peregrine again on the chimney stack also Water Rail at top end of Island pool, shows from the path on edge of reeds (DBu)

Sunday 20 January 2013

Aqualate Mere
Bittern one seen in flight (DAr)

Bittern at Aqualate by D Armishaw

Silverdale CP
8x Waxwing in The Void at 10:15, 30x Fieldfare, 6x Bullfinches, 40x Reed Bunting, 1x Raven, 1x Yellow-legged Gull, 4x Great B B Gull (PJ)

Uttoxeter Quarry
Common Sandpiper, 6x Snipe, Peregrine, 40x Wigeon, 5x Teal, 120x Tufted Duck, 15x Pochard, Ruddy Shelduck (AB)

Doxey Marshes
2x Water Pipits, 3x Water Rail, 11x Skylark, 5x Lapwing, 9x Snipe. (RJSt)
15x Goosander, 12xTeal (GHa)

Endon
1x Barn Owl still in the area recently (WB)

Stafford
3x Waxwings on Virginia Ave near playing field at 11:30hrs

Lambskin Dale
Female Peregrine perched in tree (AB)

Parkhall Lake, Stoke-on-Trent
4x Goosander (MK)

Hales Hall
2x Wigeon (AB)

Trent Washlands
Snipe, 12x Lapwing, 2x Teal, 4x Fieldfare (AJa)

Saturday 19 January 2013

Silverdale CP
Adult Caspian Gull on The Void this afternoon, also 2x adult Yellow-legged Gulls, 3x Great Black-backed Gulls, c40 Reed Bunting & 5x Snipe (PJ)

Bednall
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Oak at Cock Lane at 12:14.

Brownhills
Single Waxwing between the junction of Pool Road and A5195 M6 Toll access in Brownhills and the new cemetery (KWh)

Madeley sewage works
Jack Snipe at 09:15 also Common Snipe, Meadow Pipit, Brambling, Siskin (TJa)

Baldwins Gate
2x Green Sandpiper, 25x Snipe, Redpoll and Brambling (RW)

Alrewas GP 08.40 - 09.30
1 Sparrowhawk, 28 Mute Swan, 15 Lapwing, 31 Tufted Duck, 76 Teal, 35 Wigeon, 6 Snipe & 2 Gadwall (SCo)

Branston GP's
72x Gadwall, 2x Shoveler, 11x Snipe (NJS)

Whitemoor Haye 11.00 to 14.30
116 Wigeon, 49 Cormorant, 5 Goldeneye, 8 Teal, 23 Tufted Duck, 32 Lapwing, 5 Grey Heron, 3 Snipe, 1 Short-eared Owl hunting field by A513 before lost to view towards National Arboretum,3x Lesser Redpoll, 3 Pintail over, 15 Grey Partridge, 12 Tree Sparrow, 1 Merlin hunting, Little Owl, Kingfisher &1 Goldcrest (SCo)

Kidsgrove
One Little Egret over 13:15hrs (CBr)

River Sow Meadows, Stafford
37 Snipe , 48 Lapwing, 9 Goosander, 109 Wigeon, 4 Little Grebe, Kingfisher & Stonechat (RSw)

Brancote Waterworks
Green Sandpiper, 3 Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail, 50 Pied Wagtail & 45 Meadow Pipit (RSw)

Alton farmland
1x Curlew flew over heading north-west (TEy)

Hales Hall Pool, Cheadle

1 Kingfisher (RPo)

Uttoxeter Quarry

10 Goosander, 4 Pochard, 8 Teal, 11 Snipe, 1 Grey Wagtail (RPo)

Churnet Valley Oakamoor-Alton 45x Siskin 30x Redwing 3x Buzzard 1x Sparrowhawk 1x Grey Wagtail (TEy)

Parkhall
8x Goosander on the lake at 11:30 (MKe)

Tittesworth
2x Goosander, 2x Mandarin, 20x Tufted Duck, 8x Pochard, Kingfisher, 4x Fieldfare, Grey Heron (IBu)

Tunstall Park
2x Little Grebe still also 4x Tufted Duck and a Goldcrest (GAl)

Trent Washlands
3x Goosander, 2x Little Grebe, 2x Teal, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Grey Wagtail, 2x Goldcrest (AJa)

Friday 18 January 2013

Stoke on Trent
Barn Owl hunting over the sports pitches at the junction of Trentham Road and Church Road Blurton at 07:00 (PCF)

Westport Lake
12x Wigeon, 1x Goosander, 8x Pochard, 5x Herring Gull, 1x Reed Bunting, 5x Common Gull (NJS)

Barton Under Needwood

2x Lesser Redpoll, 2x Reed Bunting, 20+ Fieldfare (JWo)

Doxey Marsh
6x Snipe, 3x Goosander, 5x Teal, Woodcock (GHa)

Little Haywood
Goosander and 25x Lapwing (SPe)

Radial Park
Barn Owl hunting behind Sainsburys warehouse at 16:40 (RGi)

Thursday 17th January 2013

Help Needed - We are hoping you guy's can help us out with providing more sightings from places like Blithfield, Chasewater & Aqualate, we receive sightings from all over Staffordshire on a regular basis, but these three birding hotspot's seem to be low on reports, yet over a week we are sure that a lot of birders visit these sites, so if any of you visit over the coming weeks please provide your sightings, it will be much appreciated.

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Rugeley
12 Waxwing on Style Cop Road, Rugeley in road side trees at 1.30 today. Between cemetery and A460 at SK038163 (DFr)

Waxwing by Dave Freeman

Branston GP's
Merlin (female – Small Meadows Farm), 2x Buzzard, 3x Raven, 7x Snipe, c200x Lapwing, 8x Goldcrest, 3x Reed Bunting, 5x Bullfinch, 2x RL Partridge, c250x Woodpigeon, Water Rail, 10x Shelduck, 108x Wigeon, 65x Gadwall, 13x Pochard, c150x Teal, 4x GC Grebe, 2x Little Grebe, 6x GBBG (JWo)

Whitemoor Haye
Merlin hunting over fields (SCo)

Westport Lake
12x Teal, Goosander, 6x Siskin, 3x Goldeneye, 11x Pochard & 44x Lapwing (PLu)

Dosthill NR
Cetti's Warbler and 90x Redpoll. On the river Redshank, Green Sandpiper and 5x Goosander.(JH)

Park Hall Lake
5x Goosander & a Canlag (SFe)

River Sow, Milford
159  Wigeon, 17 Teal,  6 Tufted Duck (JHo)

Tunstall Park
2x Little Grebe, 2x Tufted Duck & 2x Goldcrest (GAl)

Wednesday 16th January 2013

Belvide Res (permit only)
Adult Caspian Gull in the roost also 3 Yellow-legged Gulls

Trentham Gardens
Adult Caspian Gull on the lake at 10.00 (RTo)

Silverdale CP
2nd winter Caspian Gull still on The Void mid day (SJT NDP)

Dosthill NR
One Bittern today (G A Williams)

Adderley Green
A single Waxwing flew over at 08.00 towards Parkhall (NJS)

Newcastle
10x Waxwing briefly in Florence Street at 12:50 before flying towards The Walks (MKe)

Park Hall CP
4x Goosander on Park Estate Lake, Lesser Redpoll & Goldcrest (DNi)
also 6x Goosander on the lake in the afternoon (COs)

Bateswood CP
2x Goosander and 17x Common Gull (JHu)

Cannock Chase
2x Stonechat, 4x Siskin, 20x Goldcrest (Abrahams Valley) 60+ Reed Bunting (Sherbrook Valley) 5x Green Woodpecker, 6x Jay (JW)

Tunstall Park
2x Little Grebe still and 4x Goldcrest (GA)

Dimmingsdale area
Woodcock, 3x Fieldfare, 20x Redwing, Kestrel, 3x Siskin (TE)

Tuesday 15th January 2013

Silverdale CP
1x adult & 1x 1st winter Caspian Gull plus 3x adult Yellow-legged Gulls on the Void at 10am (DKe), also 2nd winter Caspian Gull & 26x Waxwings (NDP), and a adult Med Gull at 15.35 (SJT)

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

Blithfield Res (permit only)
Adult Caspian Gull and 2x Yellow-legged Gulls this evening in the deep end roost (RCB MPR)

Yarnfield (Training College)
2x Waxwing in trees on entrance road at 11:30, 25x Siskin in Larches by car park, c35 Lesser Redpoll in larches at top end of site and a Sparrowhawk (PCF)

Trent Washlands

2x Goosander and 7x Cormorant early morning (AJa)

Park Hall Lake
7 Goosander this morning (SCo)

Tunstall Park
2x Little Grebe & 3x Goldcrest (GA)

Milford (Shugborough)
117x Wigeon, 23x Teal, 6x Goosander (JHt)

Monday 14 January 2013

Upper Longdon
Great Grey Shrike still in clearfell south of Startley Lane.

Drayton Bassett Pits
9x adult Whooper Swans on North Pit this morning(SLC)

Branston Gravel Pits

2x Ruff, 12x Curlew, Snipe, 2x Water Rail, 16x Shelduck, 11x Pochard, 50x Gadwall, 103x Wigeon, 2x GC Grebe, 2x Little Grebe, 3x Herring Gull, 92x GBBG, 26x Lapwing, 2x Buzzard, 3x Reed Bunting (JWo)

Westport Lake
8x Wigeon this afternoon (CJW, NJS, GAS)

Bateswood CP
4x Goosander (3 males) (JH)

Hanley Forest Park
Brambling female present (NG)

Park Hall
Green Woodpecker and on the nearby Parkhall  lake 5x Goosander (DNi)

Belvide Res (permit only)
No sign of the Red-necked Grebe still this afternoon (Birdnet)

Cheddleton to Consall
1x Raven, 1x Brambling with 20+ Chaffinch (DSc)

Blythe Bridge-Caverswall
42x Lapwing, Reed Bunting, Grey Heron, Kestrel, Jay (ARa)

Sunday 13th January 2013

Belvide Res (permit holders only)
Red-necked Grebe from Scott hide this morning and still present this afternoon (first record since Sept 2006). Also 1w Caspian Gull, 3x Yellow-legged Gulls, 2w Med Gull, Cetti's Warbler, Little Owl, Jack Snipe, Water Rail, 6x Bramblings (SN, PJ et al)

Todays Red-necked Grebe at Belvide, by Steve Nuttall

Upper Longdon
Great Grey Shrike still in clearfell south of Startley Lane this morning and still present early afternoon (Birdguides)

Alrewas GP.
59 Wigeon, 11 Tufted Duck, 21 Teal, Grey Wagtail, 3+ Chiffchaff, 1 Snipe & 2 Shoveler (SCo)

National Arboretum
several Brambling with Chaffinch flocks, 600+ Redwing & 3 Goosander (SCo)

Croxall GP
3 Little Egret, 254 Teal, 6 Redshank, 96 Pochard, 74 Tufted Duck & 13+ Snipe (SCo)

Whitemoor Haye
117 Wigeon, 1 Tufted Duck, 160+ Lapwing, 300+ Golden Plover, Brambling, Lesser Redpoll, 24 Mute Swan, 400+ Linnet & 1 Little Owl (SCo)
Male and female Merlin, 350+ Golden Plover, 2x Grey Partridge, 1x Red-legged Partridge, 3x Yellowhammer (MPi)

Westport Lake
1x Wigeon, 1x Goosander, 3x Goldeneye, 5x Pochard, 7x Herring Gull, 3x Common Gull, Green Woodpecker (NJS, GAS, BM)

Parkhall Lake
Goosander 7 (ABa, NSN)

Blakehall Fishery
Goosander 2, Raven 2.(ABa, NSN)

Hales Hall
Goosander 3, Lesser Redpoll 4 on feeders by the dam.(ABa, NSN)

Croxden Quarry
Wigeon 6, nearby 2/3 Yellowhammers and 2 Bramblings at pheasant feeders.(ABa, NSN)

Winnothdale
3 Tree Sparrows.(ABa, NSN)

Brookleys Lake
44 Mandarins.(ABa, NSN)

JCB Lakes
Goosander 14, Wigeon 3, Gadwall 3.(ABa, NSN)

Uttoxeter Quarry
Goosander 15, Teal 29, Wigeon 6 (ABa, NSN)

Deep Hayes Country Park
16 Goosander, c5 pairs Teal, flock of Siskin, Nuthatch & Coal Tit (WBi)

Bateswood CP
2m Goosander, 4 Common Gulls & c100 Lesser Redpoll (JHu)

Oakamoor area
70x Redwing, 20x Siskin, 2x Goldcrest (TE)

Seven Springs car park area
c100 mixed flock of Siskin and Lesser Redpoll (BR)

Cheddleton to Consall (Churnet Valley)
2x Raven, 6x Snipe, 38x Siskin, 2x Redpoll (DSc)

Near Windy Harbour/Ipstones Edge
29x Snipe and 30x Lapwing in field together (DP)

West of Shirley Common/Ipstones Edge
c100 flock of Fieldfare/Redwing (DP)

Loynton Moss
2x Raven, 6x Goldcrest (GH)

Saturday 12th January 2012

Upper Longdon
Great Grey Shrike still in clearfell south of Startley Lane this morning (JJH BM)

Blithfield Res (permit only)
Ten Brent Geese at the deep end (ESC, TH). Dam: One adult Med Gull at 11am, then flew south. (RPo)

Tad Bay: 141 Wigeon, 8 Goldeneye, 2 Shoveler. (RPo)

Uttoxeter Quarry

1x Common Sandpiper, 2x Green Sandpiper, 13x Goosander, 4x Goldeneye, 18x Pochard, 13x Wigeon, 13x Teal, 1x Gadwall, 3x Common Gull. (RPo)

Overwintering Common Sandpiper at Uttoxeter Quarry today. Photo by Richard Powell

Chasewater
2w Glaucous Gull, 3w Caspian Gull, adult Med Gull, four (3 ad's + 2w) Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost tonight.

Silverdale
1w Caspian Gull again at Walley's landfill site this afternoon plus two Yellow-legged Gulls (NDP, PJ, PL)

Belvide Res (permit holders only)
Adult Caspian Gull, adult Yellow-legged Gull and 2w Med Gull in the roost.

Newcastle

42x Waxwing in Catherine Street Maybank at 09:00. 11x Waxwing at Springfields Road/Newcastle lane Junction early afternoon.

Burton-upon-Trent
4x Waxwing in garden on Eton Road at 11:30 (POr)

Between Rugeley Trent Valley and Colton village

42 Waxwings in hedges on public footpath between Rugeley Trent Valley and Colton village 14:30 - 15:30 (RWi)

Waxwings today by Colton village. Taken by Ruth Williams

Whitemoor Haye

Female Merlin during the day plus 33x Yellowhammer late afternoon (NJS, CJW, MY et al)

Trent Washlands
2x Little Egret, Goosander, 11x Gadwell, 5x Wigeon, 16x Teal, 4x Tufted Duck, 3x Little Grebe, 2x Cormorant, 4x Goldcrest (AJ)

Branston Bridge-Tattenhall
Oystercatcher, Grey Partridge, Sparrowhawk, 2x Kestrel, 2x Lesser Redpoll, 2x Reed Bunting, 3x Bullfinch, large flocks of Fieldfare, Redwing, Linnets (AJ)

Baggeridge CP

Peregrine on brickworks chimney also c60 Siskin in alders around Bag Pool (DB)

Endon Sewage Works
2x Chiffchaff still this morning (NJS CJW)

Swallow Moss
12x Red Grouse, 4x Buzzard, 52x Redwing (SS)

Red Grouse in flight at Swallow Moss - by Steve Seal

Dimmingsdale
3x Tufted Duck, 1x Bullfinch, 1x Jay (TE)

Stallington- Meir Heath
40x Fieldfare, 4x Stock Dove, 10x Lapwing, Buzzard (ARa)

Ipstones Edge
2x Kestrel, 53x Fieldfare, Redwing (DP)

Swineholes Wood
c500 Crows flew in to roost (DP)

Lower Elkstone
c200 mixed flock Fieldfare/Starling (DP)

Friday 11th January 2013

Newcastle -u -Lyme
1st winter Caspian Gull present again today at Walley's Landfill at the bottom of Keele Bank (NDP)

Stoke on Trent
17x Waxwing at Sideway by the Incinerator roundabout  Junc (A500/A50) at 12.38 (SJ886434) (Birdnet)
Still 18x Waxwing at Sideway, by roundabout by Sainsburys distribution centre at 13.00 (BCa)

Tamworth
36x Waxwing at Mile Oak, midway along Allton Ave at 12.25 (Birdnet)

Blithfield Res (permit only)
2x 2nd winter Med Gulls off the dam this afternoon (RBr)

Upper Longdon
Great Grey Shrike in clearfell south of Startley Lane, Longdon at 13.30 (JGH)

Branston GP's
2x Ruff, 12x Curlew, 150+ Lapwing, 18x Golden Plover, 16x Shelduck, 42x Gadwall, 123x Wigeon, 4x Pochard, 2x GC Grebe, Little Grebe, 60+ GBBG, Peregrine, Buzzard, Green Woodpecker (JWo)

Belvide Res
A single Waxwing was feeding on rose hips just south of the Chappell hide this afternoon. 2 Jack Snipe were on the north shore. The 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull roosted again this evening. At least 6 Brambling were at the woodland feeders and a single Siskin was by the Gazebo hide. 1 Shelduck was noted.

A reminder that there is a work party this Sunday. Please meet at the Scott hide at 9.30am if you can spare a few hours.Belvide Blog

Croxall NR
20+ Teal, 5x Redshank. Wigeon, Little Egret, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk & 15 Golden Plover on field opp Arboretum (RAs)

Wetley Moor
12 Bullfinch, 6 Reed Bunting & 10+ Brambling at 11.00 (RBu)

Knypersley Res
40x Goosander on the pool area (NBo)

Tunstall Park
12x Goosander, 2x Little Grebe & 2x Goldcrest (GA)

Goldcrest at Tunstall Park by GA

Thursday 10th January 2013

Stoke on Trent
18x Waxwing at Sideway by the incinerator this morning (AS)

Tamworth
45x Waxwing at Tinker’s Green Road, Wilnecote (JHa)

Fazeley
22x Waxwing at Allton Avenue, Mile Oak (Birdguides)

Belvide Res (permit only)
A much larger gull roost resulted in an adult Caspian Gull and 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull roosting. The Cetti’s Warbler remains in front of the Chappell hide. A single Jack Snipe was still on the north shore. 8 Brambling remain at the woodland feeding station. 4 Shoveler were present (Belvide Blog)

Med Gull in roost at Belvide Res

North Staffs Moors
Short-eared Owl at Middle Hills this afternoon in the fog (DKe)

Short-eared Owl by Dave Kelsall

Westport Lake
Common Gull, 4x Herring Gull & 11x Tufted Duck (ARa)

Tunstall Park
8x Goosander, 2x Little Grebe & a Goldcrest this morning (GA)

Wednesday 9 January 2013

Belvide Res (permit holders only)
Adult Caspian Gull and 2w Mediterranean Gull roosted. Also Cetti's Warbler, one Jack Snipe, 8x Brambling and 4x Shoveler Belvide Blog

Trentham  Gardens
Little Egret, 12x Mandarins, 18x Cormorant, 19x Grey Heron, c110 Siskin (RT)

Drayton Bassett Pits
Two Shelduck, a Little Egret and 350 Lapwing (JH)

Fishponds Hollow Lake (near Brookleys Lake) Farlow
c30 Mandarin, 8x Goosander (BB JB)

Tuesday 8th January 2013

Branston Gravel Pits

2x Ruff, Dunlin, 12x Curlew, 564x Golden Plover, 441x Lapwing, 16x Shelduck, c200x Teal, 32x Gadwall, 6x Pochard, 123x Wigeon, Little Grebe, 2x GC Grebe, 2x Reed Bunting & 7x RL Partridge (JWo)

Trentham Gardens
Little Egret, Yellow-legged Gull adult, 11x Mandarin, 12x Cormorant (RT)

Belvide Res (permit only)
8x Brambling plus 20x Tree Sparrows (DBu)

Brambling by Dave Burns

Tunstall Park
6x Goosander & 2x Little Grebe (GA)

Springfield & Birchwood
Kingfisher, 2x Nuthatch & Coal Tit (SSt)

Ingestre
25 Lesser Redpoll in alders north of Ingestre canal bridge +Siskin (RBr)

Monday 7th January 2013

Silverdale CP
At the Void this pm were 1w Caspian Gull,1w Yellow-legged Gull and 3 female Goosander (DKe)

Trentham Gardens
1x Little Egret, 20x Grey Heron, 19x Cormorant, 4x Tufted Duck, 50x, Lapwing, 2x Nuthatch, 1x Jay, 1x Goldcrest (ARa)

Parkhall
Woodcock flushed between Willfield School & Parkhall, also large numbers of Lesser Redpoll & Siskin (SSt)

Hixon Airfield

78 Golden Plover, 10 Grey Partridge, 100 Linnets, 26 Skylarks ( including 2 singing birds ) & 2 Raven (RBr)

Wetley Moor
6+ Brambling, 6+ Bullfinch, 2 + Reed Bunting and several Greenfinch (DKe)

Brambling at Wetley Moor by Dave Kelsall

Trent Washlands
8x Teal, 20x Wigeon, 12x Gadwall, drake Shoveler, Common Gull, 33x Lapwing flew south, Grey Heron & Sparrowhawk (DSc)

Knypersley Res
25x Goosander at 10.15 (GA)

Sunday 6 December 2012

Endon Sewage Works
Two Chiffchaff (one possibly a Siberian Chiffchaff), 59x Pied Wagtails, 3x Grey Wagtail....GB

Newcastle-u-Lyme
1st winter Caspian Gull again at Walley's Landfill at the bottom of Keele Bank (NDP)

Chasewater Res
2nd winter Glaucous Gull & a adult Iceland Gull in the roost at 15.10 (Birdnet)

Greatgate Pools
Marsh Tit (AB MP)

Uttoxeter Quarry
6 Goosander, 3 Goldeneye, 6 Egyptian Geese, 1 Ruddy Shelduck, 3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Snipe, 2 GBB Gull, 5 Lesser Redpoll, 25 Siskin, 4 Willow Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Raven (RPo)

Belvide Res (permit only)
Very quiet this morning. At least 6 Brambling were at the woodland feeding station. 23 Great Crested Grebe and 230 Coot were counted (Belvide Blog)

Biddulph
Peregrine mobbing a Buzzard over Park Lane estate at 13.00 before heading off towards Biddulph Moor (PMo)

Winnothdale
Tree Sparrow (AB MP)

Hatherton Reservoir Cheslyn Hay
A small flock of Lesser Redpoll in the wood by the car park, over the road on Redland Pool a Kingfisher (SBa)

Dimmingsdale
2x Goldcrest 2x Mistle Thrush 1x Sparrowhawk 1x Buzzard (TEy)

Cannock Chase (Birches Wood)
8x Goldcrest, Crossbill, Jay (GH)

Saturday 5 January 2012

Upper Longdon
Great Grey Shrike still in clearfell south of Startley Lane at 09:00 SK053143. (JJH.SJH.CM)

Kingswood Pool
2nd winter Glaucous Gull at Kingswood Bank om roof opposite Kingswood Pool (Birdnet)
also adult Iceland Gull on roof of Sibcas & adult Caspian Gull (Birdguides)
both Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull are on the ARC building off Clay Rd, Kingswood at 14.50 (CM, JA, JJH, SJH)

Chasewater Res
In the roost this evening, 2nd winter Glaucous Gull, adult Iceland Gull, adult Med Gull & 2x adult Caspian Gulls (SR, JA, PJ, IW et al)

Newcastle u Lyme
1st winter Caspian Gull at Walley Landfill at bottom of Keele Bank this afternoon, also 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (ad, 2W), 4 Great Black-backed Gulls and 180+ Carrion Crows (NP, PJ)

Burton on Trent
4x Waxwing on Violet Way, near juntion of Foxgrove Ave, Stapenhill (NJS, GAS)

Silverdale CP
Barn Owl again around the Waste Farm area at 15.55

Belvide Res (permit only)
4x Whooper Swans over this morning, also flew over Gailey Res

Uttoxeter Quarry
Egyptian Goose 6, Shelduck 1, Ruddy Shelduck 1, Common Sandpiper 1, Green Sandpiper 1, Jack Snipe 1, Snipe 6 (AB)

Enville Hall Nr Kinver
Woodcock & Kingfisher at 16.00 (SSa)

Blithfield Res (permit only)
Pintail & Shoveler at 11.30 (SB)

Ash Bank, Stoke on Trent
Pair of Brambling & a Reed Bunting at the end of Washerwall Lane (DAd)

Knypersley
2x Dipper, 34x Goosander, 40x mixed flock of Redpoll/Siskin, 70x mixed flock  of Fieldfare/Redwing, Kingfisher, Willow Tit, Grey Wagtail, 30x Lapwing over. (PB.DW)

Swallow's Mire, Milford
19 Tufted Duck, 6 Cormorant, 4 Goosander, 5 Grey Heron, 107 Wigeon (JHo)

Barlaston Downs
30x Siskin, 2x Buzzard, 1x Jay, 1x Nuthatch (ARa)

Hanley Forest Park
Male Blackcap behind the Crossways Garage (!!)

Friday 4 January 2013

Chasewater Res
Adult Iceland Gull in roost plus 2nd winter Glaucous Gull & 2x adult Caspian Gulls (Birdnet)

Upper Longdon
Great Grey Shrike still in clearfell south of Startley Lane SK053143

The Great Grey Shrike at Upper Longdon, taken by Dave Kelsall

Burton on Trent
5x Waxwing at 12.30, junction of Foxglove Ave & Violet Way, Stapenhill (DSc)

Silverdale CP
Barn Owl hunting around Waste Farm area and 5x Goosander on lake (JHu)

Westport Lake
Female Scaup still present at midday (CJW)

Churnet Valley/Oakamoor
A Raven, Goldcrest, Treecreeper and a male and female pair of Goosander on the churnet upstream of the weir (KKi)

Tittesworth
16x Goosander, 12x Teal, 2x Willow Tit, 26x Common Gull (SS)
also c120 Common Gulls (PLu)

Thursday 3 January 2013

Upper Longdon
Great Grey Shrike still showing well in clearfell south of Startley Lane to early afternoon at least SK053143 (GJM)

Burton
2x Waxwing in Ash Tree at junction of Violet Way and Foxglove Avenue, Stapenhill at 12:30 (DS)

Talke
10x Waxwing over at 12:45 (CB)

Blithfield Res (permit only)
4x Yellow-legged Gulls (2x adult, 1x 3rd winter & 1x 2nd winter) (GJM, MPR)

Belvide Res (permit only)
Cetti's Warbler, Brambling, Med Gull & Yellow-legged Gull (PLo)

Chasewater
Adult Iceland Gull and adult Caspian Gull in the roost tonight

Westport
Scaup female still, 2x drake Goldeneye and a Jay over (CB, PT)

Parkhall CP
Long-eared Owl, 4x Willow Tit, 21x Redpoll, 8x Siskin, 2x Raven (RT)

Whitemoor Haye
67 Wigeon, 9 Tufted Duck, 1 Green Woodpecker heard, 300+ Golden Plover, 500+ Lapwing, 6+ Tree Sparrow, 4 Reed Bunting, 30+ Yellowhammer (SC)

Blythe Bridge - Caverswall
6x Reed Bunting (4x Male, 2x Female), 20x Fieldfare, 25x Redwing, 1x Kestrel, 1x Sparrowhawk, 1x Raven (ARa)

Tunstall Park
7x Goosander and 2x Little Grebe at 08:30 (GA)

Wednesday 2nd January 2013

Upper Longdon
Great Grey Shrike still in the clearfell south of Startley Lane 15:45hrs SK053143

Chasewater
Iceland Gull adult again in the roost also 3x adult Caspian Gull and 4x Yellow-legged Gulls

Belvide Res (permit holders only)
The Cetti’s Warbler was just south of the Chappell hide this afternoon. An adult Mediterranean Gull and two adult Yellow-legged Gulls roosted this evening. Three Brambling were at the woodland feeding station. The Water Rail continues to perform below the Scott hide. A Shoveler was new for the year also 109 Goldeneye were counted at dusk. (Belvide Blog)

Wilnecote, Tamworth
32x Waxwing on Island Tinkers Green from 09.00 - 09.25 (JHa)

Whitemoor Haye
51x Wigeon,12x Cormorant, c1500 Lapwing, c500 Golden Plover, 3x Stock Dove, Mistle Thrush, 12x Yellowhammer, 10x Tree Sparrow, Little Owl, 20x Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, 30x Fieldfare, 20x Redwing (SC)

Branston GPs (water levels still high here)
c300 Lapwing flushed twice by a Peregrine, c200 Golden Plover, 8x Shelduck, c70 Teal, c110 Wigeon, 37x Gadwall, 20x Pochard, 12x Curlew, 2x Green Sandpiper, 3x Bullfinch, Goldcrest, Jay, 3x Stock Dove (DS)

Westport Lake
Fem Scaup still, 13x Pochard, 2x Goldeneye (NJS)

Drayton Bassett North Pit
One Grey Plover (GW)

Baggeridge- Himley
Kingfisher, 8x Siskin, 3x Redpoll, Little Grebe, Water Rail, Green Woodpecker, Goldcrest, Treecreeper  (HK)

Cheddleton - Consall CP
Raven, 2x Jay, 3x Bullfinch, flocks of Fieldfare and Redwing, 2x Siskin, Willow Tit (DS)

New Year's Day 2013

Happy New Year to you all and we hope you all have a good first day's birding in 2013

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chasewater
Ad Iceland Gull, 2w Caspian Gull and 3x Yellow-legged Gull in the roost (JA, AA)

Westport Lake
Female Scaup still, plus Green Woodpecker, 2x Kingfisher & Goosander (NJS, CJW, GAS)

Silverdale / Keele
Caspian Gull 1st winter still this morning at Walley's landfill (NP)

Tittesworth
Goldeneye pair, 7x Teal, 2x Willow Tit (SG)

Branston GPs
Little Egret, Water Rail, 69x Lapwing, 13x Shelduck, 32x Gadwell, 20x Pochard, 100x Wigeon, Teal, 5x Little Grebe, GBB Gull, Herring Gull, Green Woodpecker, 3x Jay, Redpoll, 4x Bullfinch, Stock Dove, 60x Fieldfare, 10x Redwing (JW)

Endon
2x Chiffchaff at the sewage works this afternoon (GB)

Ingestre
24x Snipe, Kingfisher 17x Mandarin (site record), Green Woodpecker, 3x Bullfinch, 34x Lapwing, 3-4 Green Sandpiper on floods between Ingestre and Weston on Trent, 2x Goosander, Tawny Owl (heard at 03:00), 9x Grey Heron (RCB. IDB)

Doxey Marsh
Shelduck  one present this afternoon (SP)

Dimmingsdale
5x Goldcrest, 2x Redpoll, 4x Siskin (TE)

Uttoxeter Quarry
42x Common Gull, 11x Goosander, 6x Egyptian Geese (AB)

Wetley Moor
3x Brambling at the end of Washerwall Lane also 2x Raven over and 3x Reed Bunting (RB)

Hatherton Reservoir
Green Woodpecker, Bullfinch, Little Grebe (SB)

Tittesworth
Mandarin pair and 2x Willow Tit (SS)

Pair of Mandarins at Tittesworth by Steve Seal

Rudyard
Goldeneye, 3x Goosander, 2x Willow Tit and a Raven over (SS)

Trent Washlands
Yellow-legged Gull adult, 5x Herring Gull, 20x Teal, 12x Wigeon, Kingfisher, Fieldfare (AJ)

Radial Park-.Boothen- R Trent
2x Peregrine, 2x Kestrel, 2x Grey Wagtail, Greenfinches, Bullfinches, Redwings, Mistle Thrush (AS)

Biddulph Moor
Peregrine, 27x Fieldfare, 12x Redwing (SS)

Marshes Hill
42x Fieldfare over (SS)

Himley Hall Great Lake
Imm/fem Goldeneye, Grey Wagtail (KW)

Goldeneye at Himley Hall by Kevin Wardlaw

Baggeridge CP
Little Grebe on Spring Pool (KW)

Alrewas GPs (10:30-11:20)
150x Wigeon, 2x Chiffchaff (SC)

Whitemoor Haye (12:00 -14:20)
13x Cormorant, 41x Wigeon, 2x Goldcrest, 6x Tree Sparrow, c300 Golden Plover, Little Owl, 4x Skylark, Jay. (SC)

National Aboretum
Brambling (SC)