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)