Friday 31st October 2014

Blithfield Res (Permits)
Curlew Sandpiper, 8x Dunlin, c500 Golden Plover, Green Sandpiper, Red-crested Pochard, 4x Goldeneye, 18x Goosander, Kingfisher & 3x Pochard (SE, HF)

Red-crested Pochard by Steve Edwards

Branston Gravel Pits
3x Ruff, 2x Redshank, 24x Golden Plover, 8x Curlew, 2x Green Sandpiper, 201x Lapwing, Water Rail, Little Egret, 32x Pochard, 12x Wigeon, 15x Shoveler, 19x Little Grebe, 2x Peregrine, Raven, 5x Goldcrest, 4x Lesser Redpoll, Cetti's Warbler & c300 Starling (JWo)

Thursday 30th October 2014

Tittesworth Res
2x Whooper Swans this morning (TJa)

Blithfield Res (Permits)
5x Shelduck, c325 Golden Plover, 11x Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper & Redshank (GJM)

Belvide Res (Permits)
2nd winter Mediterranean Gull, c5 Yellow-legged Gull, Ruff, 2x Ringed Plover, 7x Dunlin, 20x Golden Plover, 10x Brambling & Goosander (BB)

Wetley Moors
2x Stonechat, Green Woodpecker, 20x Reed Bunting & 8x Bullfinch (RBu)

Wednesday 29th October 2014

Belvide Res
Great White Egret on the north shore opposite the Gazebo hide at 10:45 - later flew east at 11:35
Adult Kittiwake 15:35 to 16:00 then flew west, 6x YL Gull, Med Gull.

Tuesday 28th October 2014

Parkhall Lake
Drake Pintail early afternoon (SF as per CO)

By Sean Fenton

 

Branston Gravel Pits

11x Ruff, 18x Curlew, 7x Golden Plover, 2x Green Sandpiper, 270x Lapwing, 4x Little Egret, 5x Wigeon, 16x Pochard, 7+ Shoveler, 16x Little Grebe, 52x Cormorant, Peregrine, Cetti’s Warbler, c800x Starlings, c100x Pied Wagtail, 8x Skylark. (JW)

Doxey Marsh
4x Stonechat, 6x Water Rail, Cetti's Warbler (PDy)

 

Monday 27th October 2014

Wolstanton, Newcastle
Red Kite flew over at 09.00 (STi)

Belvide Res
Cetti's Warbler, 18x Golden Plover, 2x Goosander & Yellow-legged Gull (BB)

Shoal Hill, Cannock
Woodlark flew low calling at 09.20, also Jack Snipe, Stonechat, 2x Green Woodpecker & 2x Raven (SR)

Westport Lake
1x Shelduck on main lake (CJW)

Sunday 26th October 2014

Whitemoor Haye
19x Little Egrets this morning (SCo)

Saturday 25th October 2014

Fradley
Firecrest at far end of Fradley Junction NR

Aqualate
Bittern flew along the right hand reed bed at 09:15

Silverdale CP
Ring Ouzel (heard only) 3x Stonechat, 2x Teal, Raven (PJ)

Uttoxeter Quarry
4x Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 6x Goosander, 3x Shoveler, 20x Skylark, 2x Blue Snow Geese (RP)

River Sow Meadows Stafford
Water Rail, 2x Mandarin Duck, 7x Little Grebe, 85x Wigeon, 4x Snipe, c160 Golden Plover, 120x Lapwing, Stonechat, 2x Chiffchaff, 4x Raven, Peregrine. Skywatch highlights......2745x Wood Pigeon, 39x Skylark, 75x LBB  Gull and 400x BH Gull - all flying south. (RS)

Friday 24th October 2014

Branston Gravel Pits

Yellow-legged Gull, 10x Ruff, 4x Dunlin, 6x Curlew, 3x Green Sandpiper, c300x Lapwing, Redshank, 18x Pochard, 5x Wigeon, 12x Shoveler, c40x Little Grebe, 3x Little Egret, Peregrine, Cetti’s Warbler, c150x Redwing, 10x Skylark. (JW)

YL Gull by Jon Woodcock

Staffs

 

Thursday 23rd October 2014

Berryhill
4x Whooper Swans over SW at 09.15 (RT)

Belvide Res (Permits)
2x Dunlin, Ringed Plover & 2x Goosander (BB)

Dimmingsdale
24x Fieldfare, 4x Redpoll (TE)

Wednesday 22nd October 2014

Westport Lake
Vis migration produced site record count of c3245 Woodpigeon, 9x Meadow Pipit, Brambling, 28x Jackdaw, c13 Siskin, 2x Linnet, 2x Cormorant, 1x Rook, 39x Starling, Redpoll, 2x Raven & Skylark (SBN)

Blackbank (visible migration)
30400x Wood Pigeon, (site record)  254x Chaffinch, 3x Whooper Swan, 12x Fieldfare, 4x Brambling -  complete counts on Trektellen (NP JF)

Doxey Marsh
4x Whooper Swan on Creswell Flash at 13:45 also 6x Stonechat, 100x Snipe, Water Rail, 5x Fieldfare (SM)

Berryhill
7x Stonechat (SSt)

Tuesday 21st October 2014

Anyone interested in doing a "Where to watch Birds" article for the December issue of the Birdwatch magazine. The location being Chasewater and Cannock Chase and the theme is winter visitors and scarce residents. The itinerary should concentrate on the more interesting birds that could be seen at these sites. About 650 words would be required and the deadline day is Monday 27 October. A fee would be paid at the usual rate. For anyone interested we would forward guidelines from Birdwatch along with a sample page.


Belvide Res
Ruff, Dunlin, 10x Ringed Plover imm Peregrine, Stonechat (BB)

Monday 20th October 2014

Berryhill
2x Ring Ouzel mast side of the Palletstacks track, 26x Stonechat, 8x Brambling, 21x Pink-footed Geese over (RT)

Belvide Res (Permits)
Male Stonechat at west end, Ruff, 10x Ringed Plover, Dunlin & 3x Raven over (BB)

Sunday 19th October 2014

Wetley Moors
17x Stonechat, 20x Reed Bunting, 20x Fieldfare & c2 Skylark (ALa)

Silverdale CP
12x Stonechat, 2x Brambling over & Chiffchaff (NDP)

Ford Green/Chatterley Valley
Male Stonechat between the red ash path & the coal carriages (JJo)

Saturday 18th October 2014

Cannock Chase
Several Brambling in mixed Finch flock on Ranges car park and 13x Stonechat (BM, JJH SJH)
Great Grey Shrike still in Pepper Slade area today (Lou)

Great Grey Shrike by Lou

Silverdale CP
10x Stonechat still present this morning (PJo)

Berryhill
25x Stonechat this morning (RT PB DW KH)

River Sow Meadows
2x Mandarin Duck, 4x Snipe, 12x Redwing, Stonechat & Grey Wagtail (RSw)

Branston GPs
8x Ruff, Green Sandpiper, 16x Curlew, 220x Golden Plover, 362x Lapwing, 16x Pochard, 12x Shoveler, 4x Little Egret, Peregrine (AJ)

Blithfield Res
65x Golden Plover (JJH SJH BM)

Friday 17th October 2014

Cannock Chase
Great Grey Shrike on Birch tree before flying south towards the white house also 20x Stonechat, 4x Green Woodpecker (AHo)

Great Grey Shrike by Louie

Dimmingsdale
150x Pink-footed Geese, c200 Redwing & 4x Lesser Redpoll (TE)

Branston Gravel Pits
336x Golden Plover, 13x Ruff, 4x Dunlin, 10x Curlew, 493x Lapwing, 3x Snipe, 2x Green Sandpiper, 4x Little Egret, 15x Pochard, 2x Wigeon, 12x Shoveler, 43x Little Grebe & Cetti's Warbler (JWo)

Comma Butterfly by Jon Woodcock

Blithfield Res
Rock Pipit, 113x Golden Plover, 121x Shoveler, 11x Ringed Plover, 3x Dunlin, Wheatear, 400+ Redwing, Siskin (GJM)

Silverdale CP
10x Stonechat, 4x Raven, 20x Redwing, Green Woodpecker, 2x Teal, 3x Snipe (PJ)

Dimmingsdale
150x Pink-footed Geese over at 10:15, 200x Redwing, 4x Redpoll (TE)

Belvide Res (Permits)
Cetti's Warbler, Stonechat, Little Egret, 56x Golden Plover, 9x Ringed Plover, 7x Dunlin, Peregrine & Chiffchaff (BB)

**Reminder** There is a work party this Sunday, please meet at Scott hide at 09.30 if you can help.

Stonechat by Nige Talbot

Thursday 16th October 2014

Belvide Resv
1x Cetti's Warbler, Rock Pipit, Merlin, 77x Golden Plover, 10x Ringed Plover, 8x Dunlin, 15x Snipe, Chiffchaff (KClem)

Berryhill
Still at least 22x Stonechat this morning (SS RT) also c120 Pink-footed Geese over (SS)

Silverdale CP
10x Stonechat late PM (PJ)

Swallows Mire
5 Goosander, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Cormorants, 4 Ravens (JHo)

Blithfield Res
Redwing c250, Fieldfare 1, Wheatear 1, Rock pipit 1 (GJM)

Ford Green
5 Raven, 130 Pink Footed Geese, 19 Jackdaw, and 160 Redwing (JJo)

Cannock Chase
60 Siskin 1 Brambling ( RWi)

Wednesday 15th October 2014

Cannock Chase
2x 1st winter Ring Ouzel opposite Takeroo, 100x Redwing at the white house (RCB)  - also a juv Ring Ouzel (GWR)

Silverdale CP
9x Stonechat (NDP)

Blithfield Res
Common Crane still in Tad Bay, also Rock Pipit near the causeway, 3x Ringed Plover, 2x Dunlin, Peregrine (GWR)

Common Crane by Gareth Robinson

Berryhill
22x Stonechat this afternoon, at least 16 around the Lap Bunt / Mossfield Rd paddocks and a further 6 below the viewpoint (RT)

The Roaches
c150 Pink-footed Geese over heading west early afternoon (SPe)

Apedale
2x Fieldfare over at 15:00 (DE)

Radford Meadows, Stafford
40x Redwing over at 14:20 (AB)

Tuesday 14th October 2014

Blithfield Res
Common Crane still in Tad Bay at 12:00 also  50x Redwing over (RCB)
Also 7x Dunlin, Wheatear & 3x Rock Pipit (GJM)

Berryhill
17x Stonechat - site record (14 in one group on posts near the scrape) also Jack Snipe, 3x Wheatear, 3x Golden Plover, 2x Snipe (RT)

Chasewater
Dark-bellied Brent Goose circled at c12:30hrs then headed off NNE (JTu)

Branston Gravel Pits
2x Sand Martin over south pit at 17.30, 428x Golden Plover (plus 60 flying east over south pit), 10x Ruff, Redshank, 3x Green Sandpiper, 4x Dunlin, 6x Curlew, 2x Snipe, c250 Lapwing, 55x Little Grebe, 5x Little Egret, 31x Pochard, Wigeon, 4x Shoveler, 8x Skylark over & 6x Redwing (JWo)

Belvide Res (Permits)
24x Ringed Plover, 19x Golden Plover, 5x Dunlin, Ruff, 2x Goldeneye, 33x Wigeon, Little Grebe, 12x Common Gull, 9x Yellow-legged Gull & Redwing (BB)

**Reminder** There is a work party this Sunday, please meet at the Scott hide at 09.30 if you can help.

Hixon
120x Golden Plover over the airfield (RCB)

Keele
20x Redwing over (DE)

Wetley Moor
60x Redwing over south at 16:00 (RB)

Trent Washlands
Redwings very large flock heard over 19:15 - 20:15 (AJ)

Monday 13th October 2014

WMBC members are reminded when visiting Blithfield they must have a relevant permit and display the appropriate sticker prominently on their vehicle

Blithfield Res
Common Crane in Tad Bay at 08:00 (MJa)  still at 17:30
6x Golden Plover, 3x Snipe, 2x Ruff (RCB)

Silverdale CP
3x Stonechat on wire fence in NE corner (NP)

Keele
7x Redwing over this morning (DE)

Westport Lake
Drake Mandarin Duck on main lake at 15.00 (MBr)

Dimmingsdale
30x Redwing, 2x Redpoll (TE)

Sunday 12th October 2014

Blithfield Res
Grey Plover heard in Blithe Bay at 10:30 (GJM). Also in Tad Bay this PM - 2x Ruff, 2x Ringed Plover, Little Egret and adult Yellow-legged Gull. Admaston Reach - Little Ringed Plover still (JA)

Whitemoor Haye
Shag viewable from entrance gate at 14:10 - still from main road at 14:40 (GJM)

Shag at Whitemoor Haye today by Jon Woodcock

Doxey Marsh
Ruff at 13:30 (BB JB). Also 2x Little Egret, 3x Kingfisher, 2x Water Rail, 3x Stonechat (SPe)

Branston GPs
10x Ruff, 3x Green Sandpiper, 2x Dunlin, Snipe, 399x Golden Plover, c600 Lapwing, a Merlin flew over Southern Pit, Grey Plover circled around calling, 6x Little Egret, 38x Little Grebe (AJ RM, SBN)

Tutbury
6x Fieldfare, c50 Meadow Pipit, 40x Lapwing (AJ RM)

Saturday 11th October 2014

Blithfield Res
Rock Pipit on the causeway also 2x Wheatear, male Stonechat (GJM MPR)
11x Ringed Plover, Ruff, Golden Plover, Green Woodpecker (RCB)

Doxey Marsh
2x Little Egret, 80x Snipe, 100x Lapwing, 5x Water Rail, 2x Kingfisher (SP)

Branston Gravel Pits
Greenshank, 4x Ruff, c300 Golden Plover, 14x Curlew, 25x Shoveler & pair of Stonechat (AJa)

Friday 10th October 2014

Belvide Res
93x Golden Plover at west end this afternoon, 12x Ringed Plover, 3x Dunlin, Ruff, Wheatear, Common Sandpiper, 3x Pintail, Goldeneye (BB)

Branston GP
301x Golden Plover, 2x Greenshank, 9x Ruff, Redshank, 3x Dunlin, 7x Curlew, 6x Green Sandpiper, 4x Snipe, c500x Lapwing, 2x Water Rail, 2x Wigeon, 14x Pochard, 4x Little Egret, 41x Little Grebe, c50x Linnet (JW)

Thursday 9th October 2014

Belvide Res
Ruff, 12x Ringed Plover, 3x Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 2x Pintail, 31x Shoveller (BB)

Wednesday 8th October 2014

Blithfield Res
Rock Pipit one still on the dam, 8x Ringed Plover, 2x Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 2x Little Egret, Ruff, 2x YL Gull (TJ)

Tuesday 7th October 2014

Birders are reminded at Blithfield that work is continuing in Tad Bay but the area can be viewed from the Stansley Wood Hide. The work will later transfer to Blithe Bay.
Also strictly no access into the Duckley Plantation as forestry work continues for several weeks.

Blithfield Res
2x Rock Pipit at the dam (GJM)
Wheatear on the dam, 6x Ringed Plover, 2x Dunlin, c300 Linnet Blithe Bay (RCB)

Monday 6th October 2014

Belvide Res
Juv Arctic Tern this afternoon also Rock Pipit on the dam, 20x Ringed Plover, Ruff (BB)

Blithfield Resr
2x Ringed Plover, 1x Dunlin, 1x Ruff, 1x Goldeneye (CCo)

Sunday 5th October 2014

Belvide Res (permits)
Turnstone in SE bay this afternoon (SN)

Branston Gravel Pits
10x Ruff, 10x Green Sandpiper, 13x Curlew, 2x Snipe, 4x Little Egret, 33x Golden Plover, c300x Lapwing, Redshank, Water Rail  & 2x Yellowhammer (SBN, AJa&RM)

Old River Dove
Raven, Chiffchaff, 1x Water Vole (AJa&RM)

Swallow Moss
4x Reed Bunting, 2x Raven, 15x Meadow Pipit (TEy)

Saturday 4th October 2014

Gailey Res
Peregrine, Common Sandpiper, Reed Warbler, Marsh Tit & 2x Raven (SRi)

Lichfield
Osprey over Seedy Mill Golf Club at 15.30 (MCh)

Blithfield Res (permits) - No work expected in Tad Bay tomorrow but  set to resume on Monday
Juvenile Arctic Tern in Blithe Bay at 16.00, also Ruddy Shelduck, male Merlin SW over Blithe Bay, 2x adult Yellow-legged Gulls, juv Common Tern, 2x Little Stint, 4x Dunlin, 13x Ringed Plover, 4x Ruff, Greenshank, 4x Swallow, Yellow Wagtail and 2x Raven (SRi)
Male Peregrine, 2x Gadwall, Pintail (RCB)

Whitemoor Haye
45+ Tree Sparrows, 1x Greenshank, 1x Ruff (SCo)

Aston-Burston Trail
12x Tree Sparrow, 2x Water Rail, 2x Grey Wagtail, 3x Little Grebe, Little Owl, Raven, Green Sandpiper & Kingfisher (DCo)

Belvide Res
50x Golden Plover over this afternoon also 5x Ringed Plover, 3x Dunlin, 2x Ruff, 11x Snipe, 6x Pintail (BB)

Friday 3rd October 2014

Blithfield Reservoir Notice - Work today has commenced on improving the topography of Tad Bay. This is slightly ahead of the schedule that we were previously told hence the delayed announcement.The work will cause some disruption and we have been told that it may continue until next week.Afterwards some work will then continue in Blithe Bay.
It is also planned to extend an area of phragmites in the coming months.For this we would   appreciate anyone who could assist in planting out the new plugs.If you think that you may be able to help please contact me at blithfield@westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk Further details will be announced later as soon as I have a planting date.
                             Roger Broadbent

Blithfield Res - 2x Little Stint, 2x Common Sandpiper, 6x Ruff, 6x Dunlin, Greenshank, 13x Ringed Plover, 6x Wheatear, c50 Wigeon, 1x Green Sandpiper, 2x Yellow-legged Gull (SE&HF)

Westport Lake
12x Wigeon, 2x Swallow, 1x Blackcap, 1x Chiffchaff (PFo)

Thursday 2nd October 2014

Belvide Res
49x Golden Plover, 2x Ruff, 5x Ringed Plover, 3x Dunlin, 6x Pintail (BB)

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Rock Pipit this afternoon Jubilee Wetlands but flew SW at 16:01 also Ruff, Redshank, Ringed Plover, 4x Stonechat (as per JH)

Knypersley Res
Pochard, 11x Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Grey Wagtail, 3x Raven & Buzzard (PMo)

Wednesday 1st October 2014

Belvide Res
2x Ruff, 3x Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 5x Ringed Plover, 6x Pintail, 40x Shoveler, 25x Gadwall, 98x Cormorant (BB)

Blithfield Res (Permits)
2x Little Stint, 15x Dunlin, c20 Ringed Plover, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Gull, 4x Barnacle Geese, c40 Wigeon (JWo)
Also 2x Common Sandpiper, 4x Ruff, 6x Wheatear & Little Owl (BC, DR)

Wheatear by Jon Woodcock