Friday 25th October 2013

Cannock Chase
Great Grey Shrike in clearfell by the Butts this morning SJ984156 - still at 14:00 viewable from the Trig point also 7x Stonechat (SE)

Great Grey Shrike by Steve Edwards

Blithfield Res (permit only)
6x Whooper Swan (5 ad + sec/cal year), Peregrine imm male, 1000+ Teal, 200+ Wigeon, Black-tailed Godwit, 3x Greenshank, 8x Dunlin, 6x Snipe (GJM)

Whooper Swans by Arthur Warden

 

Whooper Swans by Steve Edwards

 

Branston GPs
 1306x Golden Plover, 14x Ruff, 4x Green Sandpiper, Redshank, 2x Dunlin, 8x Snipe, 15x Curlew, c500 Lapwing, 5x Little Egret, 9x Pochard, 4x Gadwall, 8x Wigeon, 11x Shoveler, 26x Little Grebe, Cetti's Warbler, 5x Common Darter (JWo)

Thursday 24 October 2013

Berryhill (visible migration 07:45-11:00)
3705x Fieldfare, 239x Chaffinch, 12x Brambling, 5x Redpoll, 12x Cormorant, GBB Gull, 110x Jackdaw, Golden Plover, 5x Snipe, 94x Redwing, 305x Starling, 590x Wood Pigeon, 24x Skylark, 10x Linnet, 4x Bullfinch, 2x Greenfinch, 2x Siskin, 3x Reed Bunting, 34x Pied Wagtail all mainly over  SW also 109x unidentified Finch species (RT)

Parkhall CP
5x Brambling, 2x Willow Tit (BB)

Cannock Chase
3x Stonechat, 12x Brambling, c100 Fieldfare, 20x Redwing, 4x Reed Bunting, 3x Bullfinch (MJa)
9x Crossbill at Shooting Butts (RCB)

Wednesday 23rd October 2013

Westport Lake
2nd winter Mediterranean Gull at 09.55 (SGi) also Water Rail still present (JJo)

Mediterranean  Gull by Stephen Gibson

Croxall GP

Great Grey Shrike feeding just beyond the hide this afternoon (Simon Collison)

Chasewater Res
Great Skua past through to the S at 17.45

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Jubilee Wetlands - Greenshank flew SE at 13.17, 4x Stonechat (3x male&fem/imm), west ditch, Cetti's Warbler & Chiffchaff, on North Pit a Wheatear around the hide, also on reserve 2x Small Copper & a Common Marbled Carpet (JHa)

Tuesday 22nd October 2013

Branston GP's
11x Ruff, 14x Curlew, 619x Golden Plover, 47x Snipe, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, 390x Lapwing, Water Rail, 11x Shoveler, 4x Wigeon, 2x Pochard, 5x Little Egret (JW)

Belvide Resv
3x Golden Plover on north shore, Chiffchaff behind West End hide and 80 Pochard. Belvide Blog

Monday 21st October 2013

A rather wet day in Staffordshire

Westport Lake
1x Water Rail, 1x Little Grebe, 1x Pochard, 22x Tufted Duck, 6x Great c Grebe (Staffsbirdnews)

Sunday 20 October 2013

Blackbank (visible migration)
3x Ringed Plover, 17x Golden Plover, 714x Fieldfare, 384x Redwing (NP)

Berryhill (visible migration)
810x Fieldfare, 46x Redwing, 39x Golden Plover, 21x Crossbill, 2x Brambling, (RT)

Maer Hills
10/15 Crossbill plus 4x Crossbill sp flying over with a distinctive call similar to Bullfinch (PJo, STu)

Grass Snake by Phil Jones

Uttoxeter Quarry
2x Green Sandpiper, 12x Mandarin, 3x Goosander, 4x Shoveler, 7x Wigeon, 2x Pochard, 30x Teal, 389x Mallard, 253x Tufted Duck, Kingfisher (AB)

Branston GP's
20x Little Grebe, 2x Little Egret, 4x Ruff, 7x Curlew, Dunlin, 4x Snipe, 300x Golden Plover, 3x Green Sands, 2x Chiffchaff (DSc)

Saturday 19 October 2013

Tittesworth Res
Marsh Harrier over at 13:15 heading towards the Roaches, Redwing 120, Fieldfare 90, Wigeon 22, Mistle Thrush 2 & Lapwing 8 (IBu, LHa)

Dimmingsdale
600x Fieldfare, 100x Redwing, 40x Siskin, Green Woodpecker (TE)

Cannock Chase

Brambling (male in Parr’s Warren), c500x Fieldfare, c150x Redwing, Grey Wagtail (JWo)

Friday 18 October 2013

Branston GPs
628x Golden Plover, c420 Lapwing, 10x Ruff, 2x Green Sandpiper, 22x Snipe, Redshank, 2x Little Egret, Kingfisher, 6x Shoveler, Water Rail, Cetti's Warbler, c80 Redwing (JWo)

Golden Plover by Jon Woodcock

Blackbank
2x Jack Snipe this morning (NP)

Cannock Chase
6x Crossbill in Abrahams valley at 11:00 (SW)

Blithfield Res (permit only)
3x Greenshank, 4x Dunlin, 3x Ringed Plover (SW)
Additionally - 1w Little Gull, Curlew, 490x Lapwing (RCB)

Belvide Res (permit only)
Wood Sandpiper still on the north shore also 2x Rock Pipit on Plough

Thursday 17 0ctober 2013

***A new blog has been started for Tittesworth Reservoir. It can be found at
http://tittesworth.blogspot.co.uk/. If you are a regular or a casual visitor there, please send your sightings in to scseal29@hotmail.co.uk.****

Hanchurch Woods
20x Crossbill, 2x Fieldfare (ASt)

Belvide Res (permit only)
Wood Sandpiper still on the north shore

Coombes Valley
13x Fieldfare over (AM)

Wednesday 16 October 2013

Tittesworth Res
54x Teal, 4x Wigeon, Goosander, 18x Redwing (SS)

Stoke on Trent
Gannet  immature over Meir Hay at 11:40 (CSi)

Blithfield Res (permit only)

Pink-footed Goose, 2x Greenshank, Dunlin, Shelduck, 2x Goldeneye, Goosander, Yellow-legged Gull, Great Black-backed Gull & 8x Common Gull (JWo)

Pink-footed Goose by Jon Woodcock

Belvide Res (permit only)

The Wood Sandpiper was still on the north shore, also the Ruff remains, a Crossbill flew SW at 15.20, Goldeneye have increased to 14, also 215 Tufted Duck & the Egyptian Goose were noted (Belvide blog)

Tuesday 15th October 2013

Middleton Lakes RSBP
Jubilee Wetlands, Water Pipit, Rock Pipit, 9x Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, a single Golden Plover with 70x Lapwing, 5x Snipe, 5x Little Egret & Cetti's Warbler singing (JH)
also 2x Pintail (GWi)

Branston GP's
Mediterranean Gull adult, 2x Common Gull, 13x Ruff, Redshank, 5x Green Sandpiper, 7x Curlew, 474x Golden Plover, c450x Lapwing, 13x Snipe, 2x Water Rail, Little Egret, Goldeneye, Pochard, 2x Wigeon, 11x Skylark over, 6x Redwing, c15x Meadow Pipit (JWo)

Mediterranean Gull by Jon Woodcock

Belvide Res (permit only)
Wood Sandpiper remains on the north shore for it's 13th day, also 1 Ruff and c20 Golden Plover were present, The Egyptian Goose was still with the Canada flock, 166 Teal and a Shelduck were noted.

A reminder that there is a work party this Sunday, please meet at Scott hide at 09.30 if you can spare a few hours, wellingtons are recommended, tools and gloves are provided (Belvide Blog)

Monday 14 October 2013

Gailey Res
Black-necked Grebe on main sailing lake

Belvide Res (permit only)
Wood Sandpiper still

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Jublilee Wetlands - 2x Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Snipe, 2x Little Egret, Stonchat, 2x Brambling through south, 100x Lapwing, juv Shelduck - North Pit Wheatear, 303x Wigeon, 2x Snipe - Dosthill NR - Cetti's Warbler (JH)

Blithfield Res (permit only)
Pink-footed Goose, drake Common Scoter, 5x Ringed Plover, 3x Dunlin, Little Gull through (GJM MPR)

Sunday 13th October 2013

Blithfield Resv
Four ARCTIC SKUAS (a pale morph adult and three juvs) flew thru at 17:50hrs. Also 1w Little Gull, 3x Rock Pipit and a Pink-footed Goose (MPR, GJM).
Female Merlin briefly late afternoon (MYapp)

Gailey 
Rock Pipit on the causeway 13:00hrs

Belvide Resv
Wood Sandpiper still plus 3x Rock Pipit over

Brookleys Lake
35x Mandarin this afternoon (ABarker)

Croxden
A Dunlin and 1w Yellow-legged Gull (ABarker)

Whitemoor Haye
13:40 - 16:00 saw 147x Cormorants, 11x Great C Grebe, 1x Little Egret, 25+ Tree Sparrow, 30+ Skylark, 240 Lapwing (SCollins)

Doxey Marshes
1x Green Sandpiper, 1x Water Rail, 30x Snipe, 3x Goosander, 3x Little Grebe (AM)

Copmere
Female Common Scoter (DE)

Saturday 12 October 2013

Belvide Res (permit only)
Highlight was a Great White Egret that flew through to the NW at 15.10, 2x Grey Plover flew SE at 13.20, also the Wood Sandpiper remains, a single Ruff and 2x Golden Plover were noted, 2x drake Common Scoter were new arrivals, also 6x Goldeneye, 158 Teal, 52x Wigeon, 24x Shoveler, 27x Gadwall, 32x Pochard, 135x Tufted Duck, 1x Shelduck, 559x Canada Geese & 218x Greylag Geese were counted.
A late Common Tern flew through late morning, also single Swallow & Chiffchaff were present, 24x Fieldfare were the first of the autumn & 70x Redwing were noted. A single Rock Pipit flew over this morning, a imm Peregrine was seen in the afternoon & 2x Yellow-legged Gulls were in the pre-roost.

Due to a poor weather forecast tomorrow the work party has been cancelled
(Belvide Blog)

 Steve Nuttall

Martyn Pitt

Tittesworth Res
No sign of the Glossy Ibis by 13.00, a male Brambling was on the car park feeders (CBr, JHo)

Uttoxeter Quarry
Female Red-breasted Merganser until 17:50 when it flew off north also GBB Gull, 2x Goosander, 18x Egyptian Goose, Tawny Owl, 26x Teal, 153x Tufted Duck (AB)

Friday 11 October 2013

Belvide Res (permit only)
It’s been a good days birding which started off with a BONXIE that flew over high and strongly to the north at 8.30am. Then at 9.50am a different bird dropped in and settled on the water. The bird showed well occasionally chasing gulls until 2.40pm when it flew off south west. This is the 8th and 9th record for Belvide. A GREY PHALAROPE was found on the north west shore at 10.40am. The bird was highly mobile and wasn’t seen after midday. This is the first record since November 2005. The Wood Sandpiper was still on the north shore, also 1 Ruff, 1 Dunlin and 2 Jack Snipe were present. 3 Rock Pipit were at the west end this afternoon. A single Pintail was noted. The gull roost held a record 19 Yellow-legged Gulls and 35 Common Gulls (Belvide Blog)

Great Skua at Belvide @staffsbirdnews

Great Skua at Belvide by Steve Nuttall

...and the Grey Phalarope by Steve Nuttall

Blithfield Res (permit only)
6x Whooper Swan in Tad Bay this morning (GJM)

Tittesworth Res
Glossy Ibis flew in at 12:25 viewable from the causeway also Rock Pipit on the island (SS)

Glossy Ibis by Steve Seal 

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Jubilee Wetlands 12.06, 2x Grey Plover flew in an departed at 13.30, also juvenile Arctic Tern briefly at 13.00 flew off west, also 6x Dunlin, 2x Ringed Plover, Pintail, Shelduck & 15x Little Egret (PDH, GIG)

Dimmingsdale
2x Brambling (TE)

Doxey Marsh
12x Goosander, Green Sandpiper (RDa)

Trent Washlands
9x Little Egret, c40x Redwing, Grey Wagtail, 26x Cormorant, 19x Teal (AJa)

Thursday 10 October 2013

Doxey Marsh
Glossy Ibis one flew south at 08:50, also 2x Goosander, Green Sandpiper, 50x Wigeon (PDy)

Tittesworth Res
Glossy Ibis flew in at 10:30 viewable from the causeway also 79x Teal, 10x Wigeon, 6x Snipe and a Swallow over (SS)

Blackbank (visible migration 07:15-08:45)
2550x Redwing over SW also 18x Fieldfare, 4x Pink-foots, Swallow (NP)

Berryhill (visible migration 07:15 to 09:10)
Ring Ouzel over also 1355x Redwing, 36x Fieldfare, 2x Brambling, 3x Redpoll, 2x Golden Plover (RT)

Belvide Res (permit only)
Wood Sandpiper still on the north shore

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Jubilee Wetlands - 4x Dunlin, 2x Ringed Plover, 2 Goosander, Shelduck, 300x Wigeon over, 10x Little Egret, 2x Swallow, - North Pit 50x Redwing over NW, 2x Siskin over NE, Pintail on Newreedbed Pit (JH)

Branston GPs
12x Ruff, c300 Golden Plover, 12x Snipe, 11x Curlew, 2x Dunlin, 2x Green Sandpiper, 2x Little Egret, 9x Shoveler, 2x Wigeon, 2x Green Woodpecker, 2x Long-winged Conehead (JWo)

Stone/Barlaston Downs
2x Brambling (MJa)

Wednesday 9 October 2013

Tittesworth Res
Glossy Ibis still from the causeway this afternoon

Cannock Chase (Ansons Bank area)
3x Stonechat, 30x Redpoll, 50x Siskin (MJa)
2x Redwing near the cadet huts (RCB)

Belvide Res (permit only)
The Wood Sandpiper remains on the north shore, also 35 Golden Plover flew through, 115 Teal, 19 Gadwall, 43 Wigeon, 5 Little Grebe an 522 Canada Geese were counted (Belvide Blog)

Trent Washlands
3x Little Egret, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher & 4x Teal (AJa)

Trentham
60x Pink-footed Geese over at 12:40

Tuesday 8 October 2013

Tittesworth
Glossy Ibis again this morning viewable from the causeway at 11:30 (SS) Still showing from causeway at 15:15

Glossy Ibis by Steve Seal

Silverdale CP
A Brambling this morning also a Wheatear (NP)

Hanchurch Woods
15x Crossbill (JR)

Crossbill by Jim Rushton

Blithfield Res (permit only)
3x Curlew Sandpiper, 5x Ringed Plover, 3x Greenshank, 12x Dunlin, Mandarin, Goosander, PF Goose, Wheatear (SE HF)

Belvide Res (permit only)
Wood Sandpiper still on the north shore

Monday 7th October 2013

Tittesworth Res
Glossy Ibis on main res at 11.05 (PLu, SS), still present at 16.00 (JA, TPe). Take road by Lazy Trout pub for c1/2 mile till sharp right hand bend. View fields either side of road. Bird is mobile and flighty.

Glossy Ibis at Tittesworth by Steve Seal

......and Michael Turner

.....and Steve Edwards

....and Steve Seal

Whitemoor Haye
Two Black-necked Grebes and a Greenshank (JA, TPe)

Drayton Bassett Pits (news from John Harris)
Jubilee Wetlands - Ruff, 14x Dunlin, 4x Ringed Plover, Stonechat, 7x Little Egret.
Newreedbed - Pintail.
Drayton Bassett Pit South - Bittern (RJones)

Westport Lake
Water Rail still present on top pool this morning (KSt, PLo)

Belvide Res (permit only)
Wood Sandpiper still on the north shore

Branston GP's
312x Golden Plover, 42x Snipe, 7x Ruff, 12x Curlew, 7x Green Sands, 372x Lapwing, 2x Water Rail, adult Yellow-legged Gull, adult Common Gull, 11x Shoveler, 2x Pochard, Cape Barren Goose, 33x Little Grebe, 6x Little Egret (JW)

Sunday 6 October 2013

Clifton Campville
Yellow-browed Warbler near church Coneyberry Millennium Green by small pool at bottom of the hill from 11:15 to 11:45

Branston GP
c260 Golden Plover, c400 Lapwing, 5x Ruff, 3x Snipe, 250x Teal, 4x Shoveler, Curlew & 6x Green Sandpiper (DSc)

Tittesworth
No sign of the Glossy Ibis by 08:30 (SS)

Doxey Marsh
No sign of the Pectoral Sandpiper by 11:45
3x Ruff, 30x Snipe, 3x Barnacle Geese (ASt)

Hanchurch Woods
55x Crossbill (NP)

Whitemoor Haye
Probable female Scaup seen briefly, 15x Golden Plover. 2x Shoveller (SC)

Thorswood NR
4x Crossbill, 5x Swallow over, 150x Goldfinch (TE)

Snowdome Lake NR Tamworth
Marbled Duck present for 3+ days is a ringed escapee

Saturday 5 October 2013

Tittesworth 
**Staffs Mega** Glossy Ibis one this afternoon still showing well as viewed from the causeway early evening, still showing well from causeway at 18.30 (Chris Bromley/Les Harrison) 6th Staffs Record

Chris Bromley

Steve Seal

Richard Powell

Belvide Res (permit only)
The Wood Sandpiper remains on the north shore, also a Golden Plover flew over, Pochard have increased to 51, also 41 Shoveler, 1 Pintail, 3 Little Grebe and the Black Swan was in front of the Chappell hide, c50 Swallow & 1 House Martin flew through and several Chiffchaff were noted, a imm Peregrine was seen this afternoon (Belvide Blog)

Middleton Lakes RSBP
Jubilee Wetlands, 3x Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, 13x Ringed Plover, 7x Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Jack Snipe, 14x Little Egret, Pintail, Shelduck, Wheatear & Stonechat (TP, SPi)

Doxey Marsh
Pectoral Sandpiper still this morning also Little Egret and 2x Ruff (AHa)
also a Jack Snipe from scrape (NJS, CJW, GAS)

Berryhill
Jack Snipe at the Palletstacks pond early morning also 2x Whinchat still, 7x Wheatear, 3x Golden Plover, 4x Snipe 8x Redwing and 13x Swallow over (RT)

Uttoxeter Quarry
3x Greenshank, 2x Green Sandpiper, 9x Goosander, 2x Pochard, Wheatear, 6x Chiffchaff, 17x Egyptian Geese (RPo)

Blackbank  (visible migration 0715 - 1105)
851x Mipits, 105x Skylark, 99x Chaffinch, 34x Swallow, 28x Pied Wagtail, 27x Redwing, 24x Goldfinch, 17x Song Thrush, 17x Greenfinch, 14x Golden Plover, 8x Linnet, 3x Siskin, 3x Bullfinch, 2x Cormorant, Fieldfare, Yellowhammer (NP)

Blithfield Res (permit only)
3x Curlew Sandpiper, 2x Little Stint, Little Egret, 21x Dunlin & 23x Ringed Plover near the causeway (Kay)
Also Goldeneye & Shelduck in Blithe Bay & 18 Golden Plover in Tad Bay (RPo)

Cannock Chase
5x Redwing over SE also Whitethroat (IBu)

Dimmingsdale
34x Pink-footed Geese over at 09.45 heading SE (TEy)

Friday 4 October 2013

Belvide Res (permit only
Wood Sandpiper still on the north shore this morning

Doxey Marsh
Pectoral Sandpiper still early afternoon also 2x Ruff, 60+ Snipe, 2x Barnacle Goose (SE HF)

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Jubilee Wetlands - Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, 4x Ruff, 22x Dunlin, 6x Ringed Plover, 5x Little Egret, Stonechat, 2x Swallow (JH)

Ansons Bank C.C
Hobby over this pm (RCB)

Blithfield Res (permit only)
2x Little Stint, 2x Curlew Sandpiper with Dunlins and Ringed Plover (GAW)
Additional - 4x Curlew Sandpiper, 2x Ruff, 2x Greenshank (RBe)

Aqualate
Black-necked Grebe and a Hobby (GBe)

Thursday 3 October 2013

Belvide Res (permit only)
Wood Sandpiper still on the north shore at 08:00

Berryhill
2x Whinchat, Stonechat, 3x Wheatear, Crossbill over, Redpoll over 4x Golden Plover, 4x Snipe, Redwing, 13x Swallow, 2x Grey Wagtail over (RT)

Cannock Chase
Male Ring Ouzel near Anson's Bank this morning (RWi)

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Jubilee Wetlands, juv Curlew Sandpiper, juv Little Stint, 4x Ruff, 40x Dunlin, 6x Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, Garganey, 3x Pintail, Stonechat, 12x Little Egret & 3x singing Cetti's Warbler (GWi)
also a Bittern seen close to the county border (DBa)

Wednesday 2 October 2013

Blithfield Res (permit only)
Grey Plover briefly for 5 mins before flying off  NW also 3x Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, 30x Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Wheatear, 2x Yellow Wagtail, Swallow, Shelduck (GJM)

Madeley
7x Fieldfare on phone wires at 08:15 (TJa)

Belvide Res (permit only)
Wood Sandpiper on the north shore this morning also Black-necked Grebe still in the southeast bay

Doxey Marsh
Pectoral Sandpiper still present at 18:10 also 3x Ruff, Green Sandpiper, 20x Snipe

Pectoral Sandpiper by Mick Turner

Middleton Lakes RSPB)
Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, 4x Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, 41x Dunlin, 9x Ringed Plover, 6x Snipe, Redshank, 2x Pintail, 11x House Martin, 2x Water Rail (PDH JH) - Newreedbed pit Garganey (PDH)

Branston GP's
Black-tailed Godwit, 11x Ruff, 3x Dunlin, Ringed Plover, 9x Curlew, 35x Golden Plover, 7x Green Sandpipers, 5x Snipe, 5x Shoveler, Gadwall, 3x Wigeon, Little Egret, 3x Yellow Wagtail, Kingfisher, GBBG and Water Rail (JW)

Dimmingsdale
2x Redwing, 60x Siskin (TE)

Berryhill
Stonechat, 2x Whinchat, 8x Snipe, 6x Redwing, Whitethroat (RT)

Tuesday 1 0ctober 2013

Doxey Marsh
Pectoral Sandpiper on scrape by pollarded willows at 10:30 also Ruff and Green Sandpiper (M Ball) - still present at 18:30

Blithfield Res (permit only)
Grey Plover flew through this morning (GJM)

Berryhill
Locustella Warbler species flushed and flew into long grass at Tiddlers Pool meadow this morning (PDo)  also Greenland Wheatear, Whinchat, Stonechat (RT PDo)

Belvide Res (permit only)
Black-necked Grebe in southeast bay from Scott hide this afternoon

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Jubilee Wetlands Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, 4x Ruff, 37x Dunlin, 6x Ringed Plover, 29x Snipe, 4x Pintail. 250x Wigeon over, 9x Common Gull (JH)
Additional - Garganey, Golden Plover, Green Sandpiper (GW)

Gailey Res
Kingfisher, pair Gadwall, 9x Pochard, 10x Little Grebe, 31x Great Crested Grebe & 21x Cormorant (IMo)

Whitemoor Haye
4x Grey Partridge, 8x Yellowhammer, 4x Tree Sparrow (RBe)