Thursday 31st December 2015

Community Noticeboard

The WMBC are looking for any volunteers who have the knowledge and are skillful enough in maintaining the club website. At the moment Jim Winsper runs it, but he's looking to form a team to run it instead. Contact David on stafford@westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk if you think you can help.

The next indoor meeting of the WMBC Stafford branch is to be held on January 5th 2016. The talk is by Keith Offord and is titled "Raptorphilia". Details are found here

Chasewater
Adult Caspian Gull, 3x YLG (2 adult, 1w), 2x Mediterranean Gulls (adult, 2w). Ring-necked Parakeet did not fly in until 16:10 due to heavy rain (@CWG_sightings)

Wall Heath
Hoopoe still present

Rudyard Lake
Imm Shag still present at the dam end until 14:00hrs at least

Branston GP
5x Curlew, 6x Goosander, 4x Shelduck, 53x Pochard, 2x Shoveler, 15x Gadwall, 5x Wigeon, 2x Little Egret. Also first Elder leaves are opening (JW)

Whitemoor Haye
Adult Whooper Swan still present (@BirderAlrewas)

i54
2x Stonechat, 2x Yellowhammer, 2x Grey Wagtail, 200+ Meadow Pipits, 33x Reed Bunting, 5x Buzzard, 14x Linnet, 4x Teal (JDu)

Dimmingsdale
12x Woodcock 1630 - 1650 (TEy)

Swallows Mire, Milford
1x Raven (JHo)

Wednesday 30th December 2015

Community Noticeboard

The WMBC are looking for any volunteers who have the knowledge and are skillful enough in maintaining the club website. At the moment Jim Winsper runs it, but he's looking to form a team to run it instead. Contact David on stafford@westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk if you think you can help.

The next indoor meeting of the WMBC Stafford branch is to be held on January 5th 2016. The talk is by Keith Offord and is titled "Raptorphilia". Details are found here

 

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road

Chasewater
Adult Caspian Gull, 2x YLG (adult, 1w) and Ring-necked Paraket flew in at 15:25hrs. Heavy rain made viewing difficult (@CWG_sightings)

Tuesday 29th December 2015

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan still present but disturbed by a photographer walking over no entry sign and into field.

Pls note - The fields are private and the gravel pits are private. The pits are in fact alarmed and under CCTV surveillance and anyone entering so will be met by a security guard. The farmer in the area also is vigilant and does protect his land from trespassers and keeps his eye on large gatherings of birdwatchers. Would the photographer involve kindly contact Staffsbirdnews please to discuss the matter.

Rudyard Res
Shag still present this morning at dam end, thought to have been present for a couple of weeks (SS)

By Steve Seal

Chasewater
Adult Glaucous Gull, 3x Caspian Gull (2 adult and 1w), 3x YLG (adult, 2w, 1w) in roost. Ring-necked Parakeet from 15:30 around west shore. Short-eared Owl at north of lake and flew twrds Brownhills 16:40 (@CWG_sightings et al)

Branston GP
2x adult YLG, 3x Common Gull, 15x Curlew, 3x Snipe, Goldeneye, Goosander, 5x Shelduck, 78x Pochard (46m32f), 15x Gadwall, 5x Wigeon, 2x Little Egret (JW)

Hazel Catkins out today (JW)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road at 11:45

i54
Green Sandpiper, Green Woodpecker, 40x Linnet, Kingfisher (foz JD)

Berryhill
Short-eared Owl by the scrape at 15:35 also 2x Stonechat (RT)

Doxey Marshes
Little Egret, 6x Shoveler, Shelduck, 15x Goosander (SPe)

Radford Meadows
6x Shelduck, 5x Goosander, 300+ Lapwing, 250+ Wigeon, 250+ Teal (CDa)

Ford Green
2x Raven 

Monday 28th December 2015

Rudyard Lake
Shag on pontoon at the south end at 11:50 (JB)

Richard Powell

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road

Chasewater Res
2x adult Caspian Gull, adult Yellow-legged Gull & Short-eared Owl hunting west shore at 16.34 (JAl)

Blithfield Res
2x adult Caspian Gull, 3x adult & a 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull (GJM, MPR)

Revidge Moor
Short-eared Owl at 16.33 (DSc)

Gailey Res
Drake Scaup still on sailing lake early afternoon (SRi)

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan still (@TameBirding)

Uttoxeter Quarry
Whooper Swan with 40x Mute Swan, 2x Green Sandpiper, 3x Pochard, 2x Goldeneye, 2x Goosander & 20x Wigeon (AM)

Aqualate Mere
1st winter Mediterranean Gull, 2x Yellow-legged Gull & 15,000x Starling (IGr)

Tittesworth Res
61x Tufted Duck, 11x Teal, 8x Wigeon & male Pochard (SGi)

Sunday 27th December 2015

Chasewater
Adult Caspian Gull in roost tonight (JPM)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road at 09:20

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan still this morning (@BirderAlrewas)

Uttoxeter Quarry
3x Green Sandpiper, 2x Shelduck, Green Woodpecker (@rpintean)

Endon SW
2x Chiffchaff (GBr)

Madeley SW
3x Chiffchaff. Also 2x Goosander on Madeley Pool (STu, TJa)

Rocester Pool
6x Goosander, 110x Greylag Goose (TEy)

i54
6x Yellowhammer, 2x Stonechat, Water Rail (JDu)

Churnet Valley - Cheddleton to Consall
8x Teal, pr Mandarin, Chiffchaff, 10x Redpoll, 2x Raven (DSc)

Boxing Day 26th December 2015

Belvide Res
Possible adult Glaucous Gull flew SW from roost at 07:50 (BB)

Hinksford/Wall Heath
Hoopoe still present this morning in landscaped quarry north of Enville Road

Fisherwick-Elford
2x Corn Bunting (SCo)

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan still, Little Egret, 80x Wigeon, 12x Gadwall, 14x Pochard, 3x Goldeneye, Little Grebe, 7x Yellowhammer, 30x Tree Sparrow, Chiffchaff, 110x Lapwing (SCo)

Chasewater
Adult and 1w Caspian Gull in the roost, Ring-necked Parakeet along the west shore (@julianallen2009)

Biddulph Grange
6x Goosander (ALo)

Silverdale CP
1x adult YLG, 3x GBBG on the Void pm (@philjo61)

Westport Lake
1x Barnacle Goose

Christmas Day 2015

Everyone at Staffs Bird News would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas & Happy bird filled New Year in 2016, keep your news coming in and thanks for all your support and kind words.

Something different for Christmas Day, who'd of thought!!

Photo by Tony Davison

Blithfield Res
3x adult Yellow-legged Gull & 27x Goosander (GJM, MPR)

Westport Lake

4x Goosander, 3x Goldeneye & 20x Pochard (PJ, SG)

Thursday 24th December 2015

Blithfield Res
1x adult Caspian Gull (new bird, prob a female), 1x adult YLG (GJM)

Wall Heath
Hoopoe still present 14:00hrs (@broadwayeight)

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan still present

Branston Gravel Pits
15x Curlew, Water Rail, 2x Little Egret, 13x Shelduck, 6x Wigeon, 11x Gadwall, 93x Pochard, Common Gull & Tawny Owl (JWo)

Westport Lake
7x Gadwall present, 1x Goosander (CJW, NJS, CSh)

Wednesday 23rd December 2015

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road at 10:00

Chasewater
Adult Iceland Gull in the roost along with 4x Caspian Gull (1w,3w and 2 adults), 2x ad YL Gull. Ring-necked Parakeet flew in at 15:30 (CWG Sightings)

Branston GP
9x Shelduck, 1x Barnacle Goose, 15x Curlew, 8x Ruff, Cetti's Warbler, Water Rail. Gull roost - c300+ GBBG, c500 Herring Gulls, c800+ LBBG (DSc)

Branston Water Park
Green Sandpiper present (JWo)

Tuesday 22nd December 2015

Chasewater
Ad Iceland Gull and 4x Caspian Gulls (1w, 3w, 2 adults) in roost. Ring-necked Parakeet again 15:30hrs (@CWG_sightings)

Hinksford/Wall Heath
Hoopoe still present this morning in landscaped quarry north of Enville Road (@WestMidsBirding)

Monday 21st December 2015

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road this afternoon

Branston GP
2x adult Yellow-legged Gull, 15x Curlew, 12x Shelduck, 7x Shoveler, 101x Pochard, 9x Wigeon, 9x Gadwall, 2x Little Egret, c3x Water Rail, Cetti's Warbler (JW)

Trentham Gardens
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker  (RT)

Ford Green
8x Siskin, Snipe, Kingfisher & female Goosander (JJo)

Kinver
4x Brambling, Lesser Redpoll in large finch flock along Bath Lane (PBa)

Sunday 20th December 2015

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

Chasewater Res
2x Iceland Gull, 2x Caspian Gull & Ring-necked Parakeet

Blithfield Res
4x adult, 2nd winter & 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull, 2x Pintail & 29x Goosander (GJM, MPR)

Branston Gravel Pits
Avocet, 14x Curlew, 84x Pochard, 12x Little Egret, Water Rail & 2x Stonechat (TJa)

Whitemoor Heath
Whooper Swan still this morning (SCo)
also Short-eared Owl this afternoon (DRo)

Gailey Res
Drake Scaup still on sailing lake at 10:40

Uttoxeter Quarry
Adult YL Gull, 2x Shelduck, 2x Pochard, 40x Teal, 43x Wigeon, 2x Snipe (RPo)

Endon SW
1x Chiffchaff still (GBr)

Saturday 19th December 2015

Hinksford/Wall Heath
Hoopoe still present this morning in landscaped quarry north of Enville Road

Branston Gravel Pits
Avocet still present, also 9x Ruff, 2x Green Sandpiper, Cetti's Warbler & Tawny Owl (IBu)

Chasewater Res
Adult Caspian Gull & adult Yellow-legged Gull in roost, also Ring-necked Parakeet in bushes along west shore at 15.30 (CWG_sightings)

Gailey Res
Drake Scaup still present on sailing lake (SRi)

Doxey Marshes
6x Goosander, 2x Shelduck, 8x Shoveler, 2x Pochard, 104x Teal, 2x Little Egret, 254x Lapwing, 264x Lesser Black-backed Gull, Snipe, 2x Stonechat & Cetti's Warbler (RSw)

Friday 18th December 2015

Chasewater
3x Caspian Gull (adult, 2x 1w) and 2x adult YLG in roost (@CWG_sightings)

Blithfield Res
39x Goosander, Oystercatcher, 2x adult Caspian Gull, 1x adult YLG (GJM)

Wall Heath
Hoopoe still present today

Branston GP
1x Avocet, 8x Ruff, 14x Curlew, 1x Merlin, 7x Shelduck, 91x Pochard, Goldeneye, 2x Water Rail, 2x Little Egret, 2x Cetti's Warbler (JW)

Branston Avocet by JW

Radford Meadows SWT

136x Wigeon, 234x Teal, 9x Shoveler, 6x Goosander, 4x Shelduck, Pintail, 452x Lapwing, 2x Snipe, 7x Siskin. 156x LBB Gull, 2x Raven (RSw)

Silverdale CP
Adult YL Gull still 2x Goosander (BC LC)

Thursday 17th December 2015

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road

Silverdale CP
Short-eared Owl and 2x adult YL Gull (NDP)

Branston Gravel Pits
Avocet, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 8x Ruff, 2x Green Sandpiper, 14x Curlew, c100 Lapwing, c2 Water Rail, Shelduck, 8x Shoveler, 70x Pochard, 12x Gadwall, 5x Wigeon, Goldeneye, 2x Little Egret, 3x Brambling, Cetti's Warbler, Woodcock & 2x Tawny Owl (JWo, DSc)

Jon Woodcock

Chasewater Res
3x Caspian Gull (2 adult & 1st winter) & 2x Yellow-legged Gull in roost (@CWG_sightings)

Bobbington
18x Goosander and 2x Cormorant at the Mere (@broadwayeight)

Westport Lake
Brent Goose at 2.30 but flew off shortly after, also 2x fem Goldeneye (SGM)

Wednesday 16th December 2015

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road

Doxey Marsh
2x Little Egret, 8x Stonechat, 7x Goosander, Snipe, Peregrine (BC LC)

Chasewater
2x Caspian Gulls (adult / 1w) in the roost and adult YLG (@CWG_sightings)

Tuesday 15th December 2015

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road at 13:40

Branston GPs
Avocet on Sandy Pit, 8x Ruff, 14x Curlew, 10x Gadwall, 5x Shelduck, 9x Wigeon, 60x Pochard, 3x Shoveler, 3x Little Egret, 2x Water Rail, 50x GBB Gull, 2x Cetti's Warbler (JWo)
Small Meadows- Telephone Exchange 2x Brambling, Tree Sparrow, c150 Linnet, c100 Chaffinch (JWo)

By Jon Woodcock

Staffs

Monday 14th December 2015

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

Chasewater
Red-crested Pochard on the Swag pool at 12:50 (GHa). 4x Caspian Gull (2 adult, 3w, 1w) in roost plus 2x YLG (adult, 2w), Short-eared Owl at west end @CWG_sightings

Croxall
2x Goldeneye, 4x Shelduck, Goosander, 3x Shoveler, 228x Teal, 3x Lesser Redpoll, Snipe, 160x Lapwing, 2x Little Grebe (SPe)

Ridware Lake
6x Gadwall, 10x Shoveler, 2x Pochard, Little Grebe (SPe)

Trentham Gardens
Little Egret on the River Trent (PF)

Sunday 13th December 2015

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

Belvide Res
Adult Caspian Gull in roost this evening (BB)

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan still also 7x Ruff (alrewas birder)

Blithfield Res
937x Teal Tad Bay, 125x Wigeon, 8x Gadwall, 6x Pochard, Goldeneye, Grey Wagtail (RPo)
Final WeBS count 991x Teal, 474x Wigeon, 572x Mallard also Oystercatcher, Barn Owl, Kingfisher (RCB)

Gailey Res
Drake Scaup still, Goldeneye, 3x Pochard, 2x Common Gull, 5x Lesser Redpoll, c300 Fieldfare (SR)

Copmere
3x YLG in the roost. Several Water Rails heard (@philjo61)

Saturday 12th December 2015

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road at 12:30.

Blithfield Res
Knot in Tad Bay this morning (TJa)

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan still also Ruff, 60x Golden Plover (@TameBirding)

Gailey
Drake Scaup on the sailing lake at 14:00 (SRi)

Chasewater Res
4th winter Caspian Gull & adult Yellow-legged Gull in roost (CWG_sightings)

Bateswood NR
2x Stonechat, c225 Jackdaw & 5x Common Gull (PJ)

Friday 11th December 2015

Blithfield Res
Please note that the WeBS scheduled for Saturday has been postponed 24 hours until Sunday.

Hinksford/Wall Heath
Hoopoe still present this morning in landscaped quarry north of Enville Road

Hixon
92x Golden Plover on the airfield this morning (RCB)

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan still, 4x Ruff, 80x Golden Plover, 650x Lapwing, 20x Tree Sparrow, 95x Wigeon (IWh)

Chasewater
2x adult Caspian Gull in the roost also adult YL Gull, 2w Med Gull. Ring-necked Parakeet heard at 15:30 (@CWG_sightings)

Bateswood
2 pairs of Stonechats, Green Woodpecker (MJP)

Thursday 10th December 2015

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

Chasewater
2x adult Caspian Gull in the roost (@CWG_sightings)

Wednesday 9th December 2015

Hinksford - Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road early afternoon.

Trentham Gardens
Adult winter Mediterranean Gull this morning (PFo)

Chasewater
4x Caspian Gull (2 ad, 3w, 2w ) and 3x YL Gull (ad, 2w, 1w) in the roost, Ring-necked Parakeet at 15:50, Short-eared Owl at 16:00 along the west shore (@CWG_sightings)

Blithfield Res
2x Caspian Gull (adult and 3w ) in the roost also possible small adult Caspian Gull (GJM)

Parkhall Lake
7x Goosander (MKe)

Tuesday 8th December 2015

Wall Heath/Hinksford
Hoopoe still showing at landscaped quarry north of Enville Road (MNe)

Blithfield Res
Adult Caspian Gull & adult Yellow-legged Gull (GJM)

Branston Gravel Pits
2x adult Yellow-legged Gull, 2x Green Sandpiper, 8x Ruff, 14x Curlew, 3x Redshank, 2x Water Rail, 2x Little Egret, 4x Shelduck, 20x Shoveler, 76x Pochard, 4x Gadwall & Cetti's Warbler (JWo)

Westport Lake
Goldeneye, Wigeon, Teal, 5x Pochard (SGi)

Chasewater
Adult Caspian Gull and adult Yellow-legged Gull in the roost, no sign of the Ring-necked Parakeet (TJa) - Short-eared Owl again on the north side.

Bateswood
7x Pink-footed Geese again this afternoon, also 3x Goosander, Barnacle Goose, 7x Common Gull (GSa)

Ford Green
Little Egret south at 11:30 (JJ)

Monday 7th December 2015

Notice

The North Staffs branch of the RSPB are holding an indoor meeting on Wednesday 9th December. The talk is "A FISH WITH FEATHERS" by Dr Michael Leach. Full details and venue can be found here

Hinksford - Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road

Craig Reed

Chasewater
2x Caspian Gull (adult and 3w) in the roost. Ring-necked Parakeet at 16:00

Belvide Res
A small (female) 2nd winter Caspian Gull in the roost this evening (BB)

Bateswood
7x Pink-footed Geese again at 14:15 also 2x Stonechat (GSa)

Silverdale CP
2x Goosander (GSa)

Branston WP
2x Egyptian Geese the flew towards the GPs (JWo)

Berryhill
Short-eared Owl mid morning also Little Owl, 2x Stonechat (RT)

Sunday 6th December 2015

Wall Heath
Hoopoe still present. Also adult Kittiwake flew over this afternoon (@BelvideBirder)

Hoopoe today by @BelvideBirder

Chasewater
Shag again present this morning (@TheQuietOnes). 2x adult Caspian Gulls in roost, 2x YLG (ad, 1w). Ring-necked Parakeet flew in at 15:30hrs. Barn Owl and Short-eared Owl at north end (@CWG_sightings)

Belvide 
2w Caspian Gull in the roost (@BelvideBirders)

Whitemoor Haye
1x Whopper Swan by Sittles Farm again (@AlrewasBirder)

Uttoxeter Quarry
1x Common Sandpiper still present (@rpintean)

Bateswood
7x Pink-footed Geese dropped in briefly this afternoon - photograph below (@philjo61)

Endon SW
1x Chiffchaff, 145x Lapwing, 42x Pied Wagtail, 27x Meadow Pipits (GBr)

A53 across North Staffs Moors
1x Barn Owl (PCal)

i54
Green Sandpiper, Stonechat, 3x Water Rail, 2x Redpoll, Siskin, 10x Meadow Pipit (Foz JD)

Thorswood
c500 Fieldfare, c200 Redwing, 2x Marsh Tit & 2x Raven (TEy)

Saturday 5th December 2015

Chasewater
Ring-necked Parakeet flew into SW at c15:15hrs and remained in area until c16:00hrs showing well. Also Shag earlier and Great Northern Diver until 10:30hrs when flew E (Chz et al). In the roost 2x adult Caspian Gulls, 3x YLG (2 adults, 2w), 2w Mediterranean Gull but no sign of Shag on the ramp at dusk Short-eared Owl at No Mans Bank 15:45hrs. (@CWG_sightings et al).

Ring-necked Parakeet by Philip Jones of Maybank

Adult Caspian Gull at Chasewater tonight

Adult Caspian Gull and 2w Mediterranean Gull at Chasewater

Blithfield Resr
2x Caspian Gulls (adult, 3w), 4x adult YLG, and an Oystercatcher (apparently injured) (@rpintean)

Wall Heath
Hoopoe first seen today in windy conditions at 12:00hrs but no reports since (@GrizzlyAdams)

Whitemoor Haye
2x Ruff (Chz)

Radford Meadows
223x Wigeon, 8x Pintail, 55x Teal, Gadwall, 397x Lapwing  (RSw)

River Sow Meadows
53x Wigeon, 3x Goosander, 12x Teal, 3x Little Grebe, 53x Lapwing, 25x Siskin, Redpoll, Kingfisher (RSw)

Gailey Resr
4x Pochard, Common Gull, 430+ BHG, Tawny Owl, c30 Siskin (@TheSnapper1968)

Friday 4th December 2015

Wall Heath/Hinksford
Hoopoe still present this morning

Louie

Blithfield Res

3rd winter Caspian Gull this evening (GJM)

Chasewater
2x adult Caspian Gulls in roost, 4x YLG (3 adults, 1w),Great Northern Diver near raft, Shag on raft and Ring-necked Parakeet still in SW corner (@nessie_w)

Audley (Off Wereton Rd)
Brambling, Tree Sparrow, Grey Wagtail (PAD)

Thursday 3rd December 2015

Wall Heath/Hinksford
Hoopoe still present in landscaped quarry off Enville Road

Chasewater Res
Ring-necked Parakeet flew into poplars in speedboat compound at 15.10 then flew to west shore at 15.16 (JHo)
also in roost, 2x adult Caspian Gull a 1st winter & 2x adult Yellow-legged Gull & Shag on the raft (CWG_sightings)

Hopwas
Great White Egret flew over Hopwas Bridge over the Tame River flying towards Tamworth at 15.00 (PJe)

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan still present in fields near Sittles farm (SCo)

Branston Gravel Pits
8x Ruff, 3x Redshank, 15x Curlew, 2x Egyptian Geese, 3x Wigeon, 87x Pochard, 10x Gadwall, 14x Shoveler, Little Egret, 2x Water Rail & Cetti's Warbler (JWo, DSc)

Wednesday 2nd December 2015

Wall Heath/Hinksford
Hoopoe still present this morning in landscaped quarry off Enville Road

Chris Vaghela

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Great White Egret left Little Egret roost this morning & returned to roost at 16.18 with 36x Little Egret (SPi)

Belvide Res
1st winter Caspian Gull in roost this evening

Blithfield Res
Adult & 3rd winter Caspian Gull plus 4x adult Yellow-legged Gull (GJM)

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan still this morning by Sittles farm (SCo)

Blithfield Res
c250 Wigeon, c350 Teal, Goldeneye, Shelduck, 4x Goosander, Little Grebe, c80 Lapwing & immature rung (red ring) Peregrine (MJa)

I54
Green Sandpiper (JDu)

Tuesday 1st December 2015

Wall Heath
Hoopoe still present today (AWa, ALo)

Hoopoe today by Arthur Warden

 Chasewater
2x adult Caspian Gulls in the roost, 3x adult YLG, adult Mediterranean Gull, Shag at dusk on the ski ramp, Ring-necked Parakeet in waterski compound poplars 15:45hrs (@CWG_sightings)

Whitemoor Haye
1x Whooper Swan still present (@Tonydotlufc, @BirderAlrewas). Also 8x Ruff (@AnthonyTonyjac)

photo by @Tonydotlufc

Branston GP
7x Ruff, 15x Curlew, 2x Little Egret, 2x Water Rail, 91x Pochard, 15x Gadwall, 5x Shelduck, c100 x GBBG, Cetti's Warbler (JW)

Blithfield Resv
4x Mandarin in Tad  Bay (@AnthonyTonyjac)

Monday 30th November 2015

Notice

The next indoor meeting for the Stafford branch of the WMBC will be on Tuesday 1st December 2015 – Emily Tabernor – The Roaches – Emily, assistant warden at the Roaches, will bring us up to date with the development and wildlife at this new SWT reserve. Further details can be found here

Wall Heath
Hoopoe still present this morning in landscaped quarry north of Enville Rd. No general access to quarry and please keep to footpaths and park sensibly in the area, especially in the bus stop.

Blithfield Resv
Two Caspian Gulls (ad & 3w) in the roost plus 3x adult Yellow-legged Gulls (GJM)

Belvide Resv
Adult Kittiwake flew thru E at 14:40hrs (@BelvideBirding)

Chasewater
3x Caspian Gulls (2 adult, 3w) in the roost, 2x YLG (ad, 1w), Shag on Ski ramp. Ring-necked Parakeet over west shore 15:45hrs (@CWG_sightings)

Sunday 29th November 2015

Hinksford/Wall Heath
Hoopoe still present this morning in the landscaped quarry off Enville Road, please park carefully & keep to footpaths

Louie

Belvide Res
Bittern flew into reedbed at dusk

Chasewater Res
3x adult Caspian Gull, 2x adult Mediterranean Gull, adult Yellow-legged Gull & Shag (@CWG_sightings)

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan still present from bend by Sittles Farm, also 6x Ruff & 2x Golden Plover (JAl)

Berryhill
Short-eared Owl at 15.33 by new scrape, (IBu)

Silverdale CP
Jack Snipe, 8x Snipe, 3x Teal & 3x Lapwing (PJ)

Endon Sewage Works
Chiffchaff, 6x Lesser Redpoll, 61x Pied Wagtail, 2x Grey Wagtail, 34x Wigeon, 22x Teal & 4x Meadow Pipit (GBr)

Gailey Res
c40 Golden Plover, Common Gull, Tawny Owl & Lesser Redpoll (SRi)

Blithfield Res
Leucistic GC Grebe in Tad Bay, 4x Goosander, Peregrine, 2x Grey Wagtail (RCB)

Saturday 28th November 2015

Notice

The next indoor meeting for the Stafford branch of the WMBC will be on Tuesday 1st December 2015 – Emily Tabernor – The Roaches – Emily, assistant warden at the Roaches, will bring us up to date with the development and wildlife at this new SWT reserve. Further details can be found here

Wall Heath

Hoopoe showing on and off all day. Following a site visit today by the Staffsbirdnews team, please be careful of too many cars parking in the bus stop. There are other streets nearby where you could park within easy walking distance. The quarry area is crossed by a public footpath at the top but this is the birds favoured area to feed. 

Chasewater

3x Caspian Gulls (two adults, 3w), 2x Yellow-legged Gulls (adult, 1w) and Shag still present at dusk . Fem Merlin over Biddulph's Pool 15:30hrs (@CWG_sightings, IBu, TJa)

Whitemoor Haye

1x Whooper Swan nr Sittles Farm, 1x Redshank, 130x Golden Plover, 1x Green Sandpiper (@BirderAlrewas)

Blithfield Res
9x Ruff, 14x Goosander, Yellow-legged Gull (PCa, TKe)

Aqualate
Ad Yellow-legged Gull, 6x Pintail, 3x Goldeneye, Water Rail (@rpintean)

Cannock Chase
4x Woodcock at dusk (JW)

Friday 27th November 2015

Wall Heath
Hoopoe still NNW of Kingswinford at 09.40, on landscaped quarry north of Enville Road in paddock behind houses (@birdnational)

Chasewater Res
Adult Caspian Gull in roost this evening, Shag still present also 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull, Mediterranean Gull & Ring-necked Parakeet seen briefly (@CWG_sightings)

Branston Gravel Pits
Adult Yellow-legged Gull, c60 Great Black-backed Gull, c200 Lesser Black-backed Gull, c50 Herring Gull, 6x Ruff, 14x Curlew, 5x Shelduck, 6x Shoveler. 11x Gadwall, 71x Pochard, Little Egret, Tawny Owl & a large murmuration of Starlings (JWo)

Doxey Marshes
9x Cormorant, 6x Goosander, 120x Lapwing, 2x Little Egret & 6x Shoveler (PLB)

i54
Green Sandpiper, 5x Teal, 3x Goldcrest, Siskin, 20x Meadow Pipit (Foz JD)

Thursday 26th November 2015

Hinksford
Hoopoe still in quarry NW of Enville Road, Wall Heath. Take gate west of large bus stop and walk to top of the hill to view.

The Wall Heath Hoopoe by Hughie King

 Wolseley Centre
Green Sandpiper, c40 Redwing, 2x Grey Wagtail & 10x Siskin (SPe)

Chasewater
The Shag still also 2x adult Caspian Gull and adult YL Gull in the roost.

Wednesday 25th November 2015

Hinksford
Hoopoe showing well west of Enville Road, Wall Heath. Take gate west of large bus stop and walk to top of the hill to view the quarry - still at 13:55

Dimmingsdale
120x Pink-footed Geese over SE at 11:30 (TEy)

Pendeford Hall Lane - i54
Green Sandpiper, 250x Redwing, 63x Fieldfare, 4x Teal, Little Grebe (JDu)

Ford Green
28x Siskin, 2x Raven, 30x Jackdaw (JJ)

Chasewater
The Shag still on the ski jump also adult Caspian Gull and adult YL Gull in the roost

Branston GP
14x Curlew, 50x Lapwing, 2x Wigeon, 18x Gadwall, 72x Pochard, 11x Shoveler, 4x Shelduck, 1x Peregrine (JW)

Tuesday 24th November 2015

Chasewater
The Shag still present this morning (GJM)

Blithfield Res
3w Caspian Gull in the roost (GJM)

Tittesworth Res
Female Scaup present (LHa)

Monday 23rd November 2015

Blackbank
3x Whooper Swan over at 08:35 also 3x Goosander (NDP)

Silverdale CP - The void
2x Stonechat, 3x Teal, 15x Reed Bunting, Grey Wagtail, 2x Snipe (BC LC)

Fradley
Stonechat, 7x Snipe, Goosander, Pochard, 4x Redpoll (IWh)

Whitemoor Haye
65x Golden Plover, 4x Goldeneye, 11x Pochard, 20x Wigeon, 3x Shoveler, Blackcap (IWh)

Chasewater
The Shag still also adult Caspian Gull, adult Med Gull, 1w YL Gull

Belvide Res
2w Caspian Gull in the roost also adult YL Gull

Sunday 22nd November 2015

The Void, Silverdale CP
2x Stonechat, 25x Reed Bunting, 6x Teal, 1x adult Yellow-legged Gull (PJ)

Stonechat at Silverdale CP by Phil Jones

Blithfield Res
2x Caspian Gulls (Ad, 3w) in the roost (GJM, MPR). Also 10x Goldeneye, 6x Goosander, 16x Golden Plover, 5x Pochard, 28x Shoveler (@rpintean)

Chasewater
1x Ring-necked Parakeet and adult Yellow-legged Gull (@CWG_sightings)

i54
3x Whooper Swans flew over calling as they flew NE (IPh)

Berryhill Fields
2x Short-eared Owls, 2x Snipe (NDP, DSc, GPr)

North Staffs Moors
2x Short-eared Owls this evening (IBu)

Oldacre Valley, Cannock Chase
Stonechat, 2x Green Woodpecker, 10+ Reed Bunting (@TheMoorhen)

Middleton Lakes RSPB
1x probable Common Sandpiper on west side of North Pool

Madeley SW
3x Chiffchaff (STu)

Saturday 21st November 2015

Whitemoor Haye
Ruff, Gadwall, Goldeneye, 17x Pochard, 17x Wigeon, 16x Siskin, 600x Lapwing, 227x Tufted Duck (@AlrewasBirder)

Gailey
Imm Marsh Harrier over fishing pool at 11:35 then drifted SW (SR)

Chasewater
Shag still off the dam at 11:35 (BG) - 2x Caspian Gull (adult and 3w) 3x YL Gull in the roost (@CWG-sightings)

Aqualate Mere
Bittern present today (KWa)

i54
Stonechat, 3x Grey Wagtail, 30x Linnet, 20x Meadow Pipit, 6x Goldcrest, 5x Bullfinch (Foz)

Tittesworth Res
5x Common Scoter, 2x Mandarin, 2x Goosander, 2x Snipe, 2x Willow Tit, 23x Wigeon, 38x Tufted Duck (IBu LHa)

Silverdale CP
Dunlin and 6x Teal on the void (PJ)

Dimmingsdale
9x Redpoll, 75x Redwing, 3x Fieldfare, 7x Raven (TEy)

Biddulph Grange CP
1x Goosander (ALo)

Wetley Rocks
c50 Reed Bunting, Snipe & 2x Buzzard (RBu)

Yoxall
Green Sandpiper at St Georges Wood (MPa)

Radford Meadows
74x Wigeon, 68x Teal & Shoveler (RSw)

River Sow Meadows
120x Wigeon, 5x Little Grebe, 14x Golden Plover, 15x Stock Dove & Green Woodpecker (RSw)

Berryhill
2x Short-eared Owl still at 16:15 (BG)

Friday 20th November 2015

Blithfield Res
2x Dunlin, Goldeneye, Shelduck, 4x Goosander, 24x Shoveler, 2x Gadwall, Little Grebe, Common Gull & Peregrine (RBe)

Branston Gravel Pits

Yellow-legged Gull (adult),161x GBBG, c90x LBBG, 42x Herring Gull, 9x Ruff, 14x Curlew, 8x Shelduck, 15x Shoveler, 4x Wigeon, 20x Gadwall, 33x Pochard, Little Egret, Starling Murmuration. (JWo)

YL Gull by Jon Woodcock

Chasewater
Shag still at 12:30 off the dam by wakeboard (BG) - 3x Caspian Gulls (2 adults, 1w) in the roost, adult Mediterranean Gull and Lesser/Herring hybrid.Shag on Ski Jump and Ring-necked Parakeet in West Shore wood at dusk (@CWG_sightings)

Shag by Phill Ward

Belvide Res
Adult Kittiwake for 10 minutes this afternoon before flying west

Thursday 19th November 2015

Belvide Res
Great Northern Diver off Chappell hide at 12:05 until 13:10 when it flew off west.

 The Belvide Great Northern Diver by Steve Nuttall @BelvideBirder

Chasewater
Shag still off south end of the dam, Red-crested Pochard on Slurry Pit, 2x Marsh Tit and 1x Willow Tit (GHa)

Berryhill
2x Short-eared Owl at 16:10 (RT)

Wednesday 18th November 2015

Chasewater Res
Shag present off dam and Woodcock feeding below dam (@CWG_sightings)

Trentham Gardens
Adult Med Gull with c640 BH Gull also GBB Gull, 54 LBB Gull, Goldeneye, 2x Goosander, 6x Mandarin, Little Egret, 56x Tufted Duck, 18x GC Grebe, Little Grebe, 240x Coot, 8x Cormorant (RT)

Doxey Marsh
40x Greylag Geese, Goosander, 2x Stonechat, Sparrowhawk (CT)

Blithfield Res
Adult Yellow-legged Gull, 6x Goosander, 2x Pochard, 2x Little Grebe, 17x Shoveler (RBe)

A53, Leek to Buxton Rd
1x Short-eared Owl 17:00hrs (PCa)

Tuesday 17th November 2015

Chasewater Res
Red-crested Pochard still on slurry pit at 10.30 (GFWB)

Branston Gravel Pits
Yellow-legged Gull, 7x Ruff, 15x Curlew, Dunlin, Redshank, 5x Snipe, 2x Shelduck, 48x Pochard, 31x Gadwall, Wigeon, 22x Shoveler, Common Gull, c30 Great Black-backed Gull & c70 Lesser Black-backed Gull (JWo)

Yellow-legged Gull, Branston GP by Jon Woodcock

Burslem Park

2x Raven at 13.15 (KBr)

Monday 16th November 2015

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Great Grey Shrike in the hedge on the western edge of the north pit, viewable from the double benches (@RSPBMiddleton)

Chasewater Res
Drake Red-crested Pochard still on slurry pit this morning (PBe)
also 11x Goldeneye, 49x Wigeon, Willow Tit, 4x Stonechat, 40x Lesser Redpoll & 3x Raven (IWh). Also Adult Caspian Gull until 15:45hrs when flew W. 2w Caspian Gull and adult Yellow-legged Gull roosted (@CWG_sightings)

Belvide Res
2x Caspian Gull (Ad and 3w) and 10x Yellow-legged Gulls (@BelvideBirder)

3w Caspian Gull at Belvide. A different bird to last nights 3w @BelvideBirder

 Cannock Chase
Brambling at Penkridge Bank (@daftoldbirder)

Black Bank
c10,000 Woodpigeon over south between 08.00 & 09.15 (NDP)

Wolseley Centre
3x Goosander on Swan Lake (SPe)

Sunday 15th November 2015

Belvide Res
Adult and 3w Caspian Gull in the roost tonight (@BelvideBirders)

3w (above) and adult Caspian Gull @BelvideBirders

Whitemoor Haye
6x Ruff in fields with Starlings/Lapwings, also 1w Yellow-legged Gull (@TameBirding)

Uttoxeter Quarry
1x Common Sandpiper, Golden Plover, 4x Snipe, 3x Goldeneye, 4x Goosander, 24x Wigeon, 16x Teal, 8x Shoveler, 2x Pochard (@rpintean)

i54
2x Stonechat (picture below), 12x Meadow Pipit, 30x Linnet, 50x Fieldfare (MFo, JDu)

Aston - Burston
1x Short-eared Owl, 36x Snipe, 110x Lapwing, 43x Teal, 12x Skylark, 2x Raven (DCo)

Chasewater
Red-crested Pochard still on Slurry Pool plus 2x Goldeneye (CHz, THo)

Copmere
247x Tufted Duck (possible site record), also 427x Coot & Peregrine (DEm)

Saturday 14th November 2015

Chasewater
Red-crested Pochard still on Slurry Pool this morning 1030 (NJS). In the roost, 3x Caspian Gulls (2x adult, 1x 2w), adult Mediterranean Gull, adult Yellow-legged Gull. Red-crested Pochard  on the Swag (@CWG_sightings)

Newcastle
Peregrine on St.Giles church tower this morning (BC LC)

Blithfield Res
Adult YL Gull Tad Bay, 507x Teal, 134x Wigeon, 55x Shoveler, 6x Goosander, 2x Gadwall, Shelduck (RPo)

Gailey
4x Pochard, roosting Tawny Owl, Chiffchaff, 40+ Siskin (@TheSnapper1978)

Belvide Res
fem Garganey still (permit holders only)

River Sow Valley from Baswich to Tixall
Green Sandpiper, 4x Stonechat, 174x Wigeon, 18x Meadow Pipit, 12x Skylark, 180x Lapwing (@ScottoftheMarsh)

Croxall Lakes
Goldeneye, 3x Pochard, 200+ Wigeon, 193x Teal, 69x Lapwing, 2x Little Grebe, 4x Shoveler  (@ScottoftheMarsh)

Friday 13th November 2015

North Staffs Moors
'Ringtail' Hen Harrier (TEy)

Whitemoor Haye
1x Pink-footed Goose, 3x Ruff (@scaupface)

Branston GP
2x Egyptian Geese, Shelduck, 15x Shoveler, 33x Pochard, 13x Gadwall, Water Rail, 2x Ruff, 16x Curlew, Redshank (JW)

Chasewater
Drk Red-crested Pochard still on Slurry Pool, 8x Goosander, Chiffchaff, 14x Redpoll (@scaupface) - 3x Caspian Gull (2 adults and 2nd winter) in the roost

By Phill Ward

Westport Lake
1x Cormorant, 1x Pochard, 1x Redpoll (NJS)

Berryhill
Short-eared Owl still at 17:05 (DWa)

Belvide Res
Female Garganey still

Thursday 12th November 2015

Belvide Resv
Bittern from Scott hide at 1535hrs. Fem Garganey still present. 

Chasewater
Red-crested Pochard still on the Slurry Pool this morning (SRo)

Cuckoo Bank
30x Skylark, 8x Lesser Redpoll (GHa)

Wednesday 11th November 2015

Cannock Chase
Great Grey Shrike still in Sherbrook Valley (GWR GSa) also 42x Fieldfare, 3x Redwing, male Stonechat, 6x Meadow Pipit, 3x Skylark, 3x Siskin, 5x Lesser Redpoll & 2x Reed Bunting (GWR)
Great Grey Shrike briefly in afternoon until flushed by two birders. Also 5x Stonechat, 2x Raven, c150x Fieldfare 

Blithfield Res
Dark-bellied Brent Goose  Blithe Bay this morning (MPR) - Still at top end of Blithe Bay this afternoon (RCB)

Chasewater Res
Drake Red-crested Pochard on slurry pool at 14.20

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Short-eared Owl on north pit (@RSPBMiddleton)

Branston Gravel Pits
2x Egyptian Geese, 3x Shelduck, 7x Shoveler, , 5x Mandarin Duck, c100 Teal, 13x Curlew, Ruff, Green Sandpiper, Snipe, c25 Lesser Redpoll, 30x Linnet, Green Woodpecker & c10 Goldcrest (DSc)

Belvide Res
Female Garganey still present today

Coven (Jubilee Walk)
3x Stonechat, Yellowhammer, 7x Tree Sparrow, 4x Grey Wagtail (JDu)

i54
Chiffchaff, Raven (Foz)

Gailey Res
5x Pochard, 37x Tufted Duck, 2x Gadwall, 20x Little Grebe, 9x Great Crested Grebe & 2x Raven (IMo)

Belvide Res
Female Garganey still along the north shore

Tittesworth Res
4x Redpoll, 10x Wigeon, 1x Raven (IRa)

Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent
A flock of Pink-footed Geese heard flying over 1930hrs (IBu)

Tuesday 10th November 2015

Chasewater
9x Jack Snipe, 80x Snipe, Red-crested Pochard, Slurry Pool, 6x Goldeneye (IWh)

Cannock Chase
Great Grey Shrike still Sherbrook Valley at 12:40 (AB)

Berryhill
Short-eared Owl still at 16:30 (DW CW JM)

Branston WP
2x Egyptian Geese then flew towards gravel pits (JW)

Monday 9th November 2015

Croxall Lakes
2x Jack Snipe, Brambling (IWh)

Whitemoor Haye
Ruff with Lapwing flock (IWh)

Belvide Res
Female Garganey still along the north shore

Blithfield Res
24x Golden Plover at 12:35  (SB)

Sunday 8th November 2015

Cannock Chase
Great Grey Shrike present at 15:00hrs (DCo)

Great Grey Shrike seen today by DCo

Ford Green
Male Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Treecreeper, 6x Meadow Pipit, 2x Goldcrest & c60 Redwing (JJo)

i54
2x Stonechat, Brambling, 50x Linnet, 10x Yellowhammer, 30x Meadow Pipit, 2x Goldcrest, 12x Teal, Little Grebe (Foz)

Doxey Marshes
2x Little Egret, 15x Shoveler, 2x Snipe (@ScottoftheMarsh)

Gailey
51x Tufted Duck, 5x Pochard, 170x Fieldfare, 1x Tawny Owl (@TheSnapper1978)

Saturday 7th November 2015

Cannock Chase
Great Grey Shrike in the Sherbrook Valley area this afternoon

Berryhill
Short-eared Owl this afternoon (IB)

I54
2x Teal, Stonechat (JDu)

Friday 6th November 2015

Blackbank
2x Jack Snipe, 50x Snipe (NDP)

Berryhill
3x Short-eared Owl from 16:30 also 2x Stonechat (RT, BB, PB DW)

Branston GPs

66x Golden Plover, 12x Ruff, 3x Redshank, 8x Snipe, 216x Lapwing, 13x Curlew, 28x Gadwall, 32x Pochard, 11x Shoveler, 2x Cetti’s Warbler, c30x LBBG, c500x BHG, c600x Starling. (JWo)

Belvide Res
Fem Garganey still on North Shore

Thursday 5th November 2015

Belvide Res
Female Garganey still on north shore

Doxey Marsh
2x  Little Egret, 2x Little Grebe, 7x Wigeon, 4x Gadwall, 119x Teal, 2x Cetti's Warbler, 18x Skylark,  3x Stonechat, 11x Lesser Redpoll. (RSt)

Trentham Gardens
38x Madarin (23 drakes and 15 females), 2x Pochard (MJW)

Berryhill
4x Short-eared Owl late afternoon (AJo)

Wednesday 4th November 2015

Biddulph
8x Whooper Swan over south  (@bidbirder)

Belvide Resv
3w Caspian Gull in the roost plus 8x Yellow-legged Gulls and fem Garganey still (@BelvideBirder)

Branston Gravel Pits

11x Ruff, 13x Curlew, Green Sandpiper, 5x Redshank, Yellow-legged Gull (adult), 2x GBBG, c40x LBBG, 2x Water Rail, Cetti’s Warbler (JW)

Chucklesholme
3x Little Egret, 3x Raven, c100x Linnet.(JW)
 

Kingfisher in East Staffs seen by JW today

Tuesday 3rd November 2015

Cannock Chase
Great Grey Shrike still Sherbrook Valley this morning (AB)

Berryhill
Short-eared Owl still at 15:30 (DF PB)

Branston GP
5x Redshank, 11x Ruff, 12x Curlew, Snipe, 40x Lapwing, 38x Gadwall, 26x Pochard, 19x Shoveler, 2x Water Rail, 2x Cetti’s Warbler. Good numbers of both Redwing and Fieldfare (JW)

River Churnet
4x Goosander (IRa)

Belvide Res
Female Garganey still north shore

Monday 2nd November 2015

Notice board - The first indoor meeting of the season for the WMBC Stafford branch takes place on Tuesday 3rd November. The speaker is Jeff Clark, making a return visit and the talk is titled "Merseybeat". Full details and location can be found here

Berryhill
Short-eared Owl still at 15:50 hunting near Tiddlers Pool. Also nearby, Barn Owl and 3x Stonechat (RT)

Sunday 1st November 2015

Notice board - The first indoor meeting of the season for the WMBC Stafford branch takes place on Tuesday 3rd November. The speaker is Jeff Clark, making a return visit and the talk is titled "Merseybeat". Full details and location can be found here

 Cannock Chase
One or maybe even two Great Grey Shrikes present today (L et al)

Doxey Marshes
Cetti's Warbler, Water Rail, 56x Fieldfare, 18x Snipe, Yellow-legged Gull, 19x Shoveler (@ScottoftheMarsh)

North of Gailey at Otherton Paddocks
1x Stonechat (@TheSnapper1978)

Gailey Resv
Water Rail and Tawny Owl (@TheSnapper1978)

Saturday 31st October 2015

Cannock Chase
Great Grey Shrike again this morning near broken birch. Park at Chase Corner (RCB)
also 2x Short-eared Owl at Sherbrook Valley this afternoon (JW, MPa)

Great Grey Shrike by Louie

Short-eared Owl by Jon Woodcock

Belvide Res
Female Garganey still

Stone
8x Goosander on the river (DEm)

Berryhill
Short-eared Owl over this afternoon also 3x Snipe, 2x Golden Plover, 2x Stonechat, 3x Brambling, 3x Siskin, 2x Redpoll (RT)

Caverswall
Barn Owl this evening (BBo)

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Merlin at North Pit this evening (TVB)

 i54
Water Rail, Green Sandpiper, 3x Grey Wagtail, 4x Meadow Pipit, Redpoll (MFo)

Friday 30th October 2015

Burntwood
Yellow-browed Warbler at 14.40, along Stables Way with junction of Mavor Avenue in area of scrub on opposite side of the road (JGH)

Blithfield Res
9x Golden Plover, 3x Dunlin, Little Egret Tad Bay, Peregrine, Blithe Bay (RCB)

Hixon Airfield
97x Golden Plover at 15:00 (RCB)

Chasewater
2x adult Yellow-legged Gull (RSo)

Branston Gravel Pits
9x Ruff, 13x Curlew, Dunlin, Redshank, 103x Lapwing, 5x Wigeon, 23x Gadwall, 36x Pochard, 16x Shoveler, c40 Little Grebe, 2x Kingfisher, Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, c250 Fieldfare, 150x Redwing & Small Tortoiseshell (JWo)

Doxey Marsh

38x Wigeon, 2x Little Grebe, Little Egret, 29x Snipe, 13x Fieldfare, 3x Lesser Redpoll, Willow Tit, Stonechat. (RJS)

 

Thursday 29th October 2015

Belvide Res
Female Garganey still present (BB)

Doxey Marshes
2x Shoveler, Water Rail, Grey Heron, 10x Snipe, Sparrowhawk, Cetti's Warbler & Lesser Redpoll (DSc)

Westport Lake
Male Goldeneye, 3x Cormorant, 9x Fieldfare, 33x Tufted Duck, 2x Goosander & Skylark over (SG, CJW)

Cannock Chase
c130 Brambling in the Katyn area also c30 Fieldfare at 15:45 (RCB)

Wednesday 28th October 2015

Cannock Chase
Merlin down from the white house car park this morning (SWo) - Ring Ouzel Sherbrook Valley (AB)

Doxey Marsh

Kingfisher, Peregrine, 2x Stonechat, 2x Raven, 14x Snipe. (RJS)

 

Tuesday 27th October 2015

Cannock Chase
Great Grey Shrike still Sherbrook Valley this morning (GJM)
also Red Kite over (JCh)

Dosthill NR
2x Bearded Tit this morning, then flew across river (GWi via TVB)

Uttoxeter Quarry
Common Sandpiper this afternoon at small reedbed pool (TJa)

Branston Gravel Pits
10x Ruff, 13x Curlew, 2x Water Rail, 42x Shoveler, 28x Gadwall, 7x Wigeon, 18x Pochard, 4x Common Gull, c800 Black-headed Gull, c30 Lesser Black-backed Gull & 2x Cetti's Warbler (JWo)

Dovedale
Red Kite over Bunster Hill at 12:30 (KBr)

Belvide Res
Female Garganey still on north shore

Doxey Marshes
49x Shoveler, 7x Wigeon, Sparrowhawk, 2x Stonechat & c35 Goldfinch (CTu)

Monday 26th October 2015

Middleton Lakes RSPB
2x Bearded Tit by river scree, then flew towards jubilee wetland (TVB)

Cannock Chase
Great Grey Shrike Sherbrook Valley this afternoon (IWh)

Chasewater
2x Jack Snipe, 79x Snipe, 2x Stonechat, 2x Chiffchaff (IWh)

I54
Water Rail, Kingfisher, 9x Teal, Reed Bunting & 4x Linnet (JDu)

Sunday 25th October 2015

Parkhall CP
Great Grey Shrike near old golf course this morning (CSi)

Blithfield Res
Water Pipit over Blithe Bay also 2x Brambling (MPR GJM)

River Sow Meadows

11x Redwing, 7x Skylark, 6x Golden Plover, Snipe, 3x Goosander, 2x Little Grebe & 2x Green Woodpecker. (RSw)
 

Milford Pool.

114x Wigeon, Little Grebe, 2x Raven & Kingfisher. (RSw)

Dimmingsdale
Brambling, 4x Mandarin, 6x Goldcrest, 25x Siskin, 60+Redwing, Tawny Owl (TEy)

Mandarins by Terry Eyre

i54
1x Water Rail top pools (MFo)

Saturday 24th October 2015

Belvide Res
Female Garganey still present, also 3x Pintail & immature Peregrine (BB)

Branston GP
c200 Teal, 4x Shoveler, 14x Curlew, 11x Ruff, 4x Snipe, Golden Plover, c70 Lapwing, Water Rail, 2x Cetti's Warbler & Grey Wagtail (DSc)

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Bittern flew across New Reedbed Pool at 16.15

Friday 23rd October 2015

Branston GPs
Firecrest near works on edge of national forest & canal, also 2x Stonechat, 9x Ruff, 13x Curlew, 18x Golden Plover, 2x Redshank, 34x Lapwing, 2x Water Rail, 30x Shoveler, 29x Gadwall, 5x Wigeon, c30 Pochard, 2x Little Egret, c40 Fieldfare, c60 Redwing, 14x Siskin, 4x Lesser Redpoll, c30 Skylark, c60 Goldfinch, c15 Goldcrest & Cetti's Warbler (JWo)

Blithfield Res
194x Golden Plover, 2x Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Wheatear, Stonechat (GJM)

Dimmingsdale
2x Brambling, 30x Redwing (TEy)

I54
2x Dunlin & 14x Teal (JDu)

Swallows Mire, Milford
127x Wigeon, female Goosander, 7x Cormorant, 2x Raven & 43x Coot (JWH)

Westport Lake
Common Gull, 3x Pochard & Raven over (ARa)

Thursday 22nd October 2015

Ford Green
c20 Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Cormorant & 3x Little Grebe (JJo)

Blithfield Res
28x Golden Plover, 2x Dunlin, Curlew, Tad Bay also Greenshank on the causeway (RCB)

Branston GPs

2x Stonechat (pair near Ashy Pit), 9x Ruff, 2x Redshank, 4x Snipe, 14x Curlew, 125x Lapwing, 2x Water Rail, Cetti’s Warbler, 30x Gadwall, 5x Wigeon, 54x Pochard, 21x Shoveler. (JWo)

Belvide Res
Female Garganey still

 

Wednesday 21st October 2015

Belvide Res
Female Garganey still present

Stafford
1x Red Kite over today (MFo)

Tuesday 20th October 2015

Branston GP
Avocet on the Sandy Pit, 2x Redshank, 14x Curlew, 14x Lapwing, 2x Snipe, 2x Water Rail, Goldeneye, 21x Shoveler, 31x Gadwall, 55x Pochard, 2x Cetti’s Warbler, Fieldfare, Redwing, c15x Skylark, Grey Wagtail.

Avocet at Branston - 2nd latest ever record for Staffs

Belvide Resv
1x Sanderling briefly early afternoon (@BelvideBirder)


Bobbington
Green Sandpiper on the Mere this morning (DBa)

Monday 19th October 2015

Notice
North Staffs RSPB group are holding an indoor meeting this Wednesday 21st October at the Conference Centre/Medical Institute, Hartshill Road, Stoke-on-Trent. The speaker is Jeff Clarke and the talk is "A Night on the Tiles". Full details here


Berryhill
30x Pink-footed Geese over east, also 17x Brambling over & Barn Owl early morning (RT)

Ford Green/Chatterley Valley
1st winter Stonechat, 32x Pink-footed Geese over SE, Redwing & 3x Little Grebe (JJo)

Hoar Cross
2x Raven (DT)

Sunday 18th October 2015

Community Notice Board
Newcastle Natural History Society
Monday 19th October at 19.30, Barn Owls - Their plight & future by Alan Peace
Non members £3.00, Children 50p
Quaker Meeting House
2 Miller Street
Newcastle-under-Lyme
ST5 1QJ

Whitemoor Haye
Possible Great White Egret seen briefly (DAb)

Silverdale CP
6x Teal, 2x Stonechat, 3x Brambling, 5x Siskin, Redwing, Fieldfare, Green Woodpecker, 36x Lapwing & Snipe (PJ, NDP)

Caverswall
42x Pink-footed Geese over at 12.25 (BBo)

North Staffs Moors (Swallow Moss)
3x Red Grouse, Woodcock, c200 Fieldfare, c40 Goldfinch & 2x Lesser Redpoll (DSc)

Dimmingsdale
80x Redwing, 6x Goldcrest & 2x Buzzard (TEy)

Saturday 17th October 2015

Uttoxeter Quarry
5x Bearded Tit along River Tean by new workings at 12:15 to 12:32 when they flew off high west. Also 4x Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 3x Snipe, 8x Wigeon, 37x Teal, Pochard, Shoveler, 2x Gadwall, 2x Siskin, Redpoll  (RPo)

Brookleys Lake
202x Mandarin, 80x Siskin (RPo)

I54
Jack Snipe, Little Grebe, 2x Siskin, Kingfisher (JDu)

Aston - Burston
Jack Snipe, 3x Green Sandpiper, 38x Snipe, 44x Redwing, 2x Raven, Grey Wagtail & Kingfisher (DCo)

Branston Gravel Pits
Pair of Stonechat on fenceline by Ashy pit, and Ruff at Water Park (DSc)

Whitemoor Haye
6x Pochard, 207x Tufted Duck, 7x Shoveler, Wigeon, 400x Lapwing, c30 Fieldfare, 6x Redwing, 30x Tree Sparrow & Grey Wagtail (SCo)

Ladderedge CP
Fieldfare, 10x Redwing, 11x Siskin, Cormorant, Willow Tit, Raven & Grey Wagtail (ARa)

Cheddleton
95x Redwing over also Brambling, 4x Redpoll, 3x Siskin (DSc)

Dimmingsdale
7x Fieldfare, 2x Redwing & 4x Goldcrest (TEy)

Friday 16th October 2015

Branston Gravel Pits
13x Curlew, 3x Water Rail, 28x Gadwall, 19x Shoveler, 20x Pochard, 2x Wigeon, Little Egret, 24x Little Grebe & 6x Goldcrest (JWo)

Dimmingsdale
25x Siskin, 2x Redpoll, 3x Redwing (TEy)

Berryhill
Barn Owl again at dusk (RT)

Thursday 15th October 2015

Blackbank
c1330 Redwing north, 68x Fieldfare by 09:15, 29x Pink-footed Geese east at 08:45, 3x Brambling south (NDP)

Silverdale CP
4x Stonechat in the Void area (NDP)

Gailey Res
Marsh Tit & 2x Water Rail (SRi)

Ingestre
71x Redwing this morning also 2x Grey Wagtail and Green Sandpiper on the Trent (RCB)

Audley - SJ793495 (accessed from path west from Wereton Road just south of Audley)
60x Redwing, 17x Skylark, 8x Yellowhammer, 20x Tree Sparrow, Peregrine, Grey Wagtail (PAD)

North Staffs Moors
9x Snipe, 6x Red Grouse (TEy)