Friday 19th February 2016

Tittesworth Res
Ring-necked Duck still present this morning (SGi)

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan still at 14:15 also 2x Grey Partridge (SWo) - additional 30x Yellowhammer, 3x Tree Sparrow, Goldeneye, 127x Wigeon, 700x Lapwing (@BirderAlrewas)

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still

Chasewater
4x YLG (3 adults, 2w) and adult Mediterranean Gull in the roost. Ring-necked Parakeet at 17:13hrs (@CWG_sightings)

Thursday 18th February 2016

Lower Drayton Farm, Penkridge
Black Redstart trapped and ringed today

Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent
Male Black Redstart by Purple Antz building 12:40 but elusive (SGi)

Belvide
Bittern in Gazebo Bay reed bed at dusk (@BelvideBirding). Earlier seen flying from a ditch in Gazebo Bay at 11:00hrs.

Photo by SN

Tittesworth Res
Female Ring-necked Duck on conservation pool 13:00hrs

Chasewater
Adult Mediterranean Gull, 2x YLG (adult, 2w), Ring-necked Parakeet flew in over M6 Toll 17:10hrs (@CWG_sightings)

Madeley Pool
redhead Smew at 08:30hrs but no sign at 08:50hrs (TJa)

Caverswall
Marsh Tit at 08:30 Roughcote lane  (BB)

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan still present 11:00hrs

Wall Heath
Hoopoe sill present 10:50am (@HikerMartin)

Rocester
Whooper Swan south of Rocester in field E/of B5030 this morning

Bateswood
9x Common Gull, 4x Goosander (GSa)

Coven (off Port Lane)
3x Grey Partridge, 22x Yellowhammer, 30x Linnet (JD)

Wednesday 17th February 2016

North Staffs Moor
Short-eared Owl between Winking Man & Ridgehead Farm at 15.30 (KBr)

Westport Lake
15x Siskin, 28x Tufted Duck, 4x Great C Grebe and 2x Treecreeper (NJS)

I54
98x Lapwing, c250 Black-headed Gull, 17x Teal & Water Rail calling (JDu)

Chasewater
3x adult YL Gull, adult Med Gull (@CWG_sightings)

Trentham Gardens
Adult YL Gull, 2x Little Egret, 2x Goosander, 51x Tufted Duck, 16x Great Crested Grebe, 3x Little Grebe, 4x Mandarin, 29x Cormorant, 28x Grey Heron, 21x Siskin, 8x Redpoll, 2x Kingfisher (RT)

Tuesday 16th February 2016

Tittesworth Res
Female Ring-necked Duck still opposite car park late morning (@WestMidsBirding)

Burslem
Black Redstart still around the Purple Anst building at 08:30 (@andm62)

Hinksford/Wall Heath
Hoopoe still present today (KBa)

Chasewater Res
5x Yellow-legged Gull & adult Med Gull in roost (@CWG_sightings)

Branston GP
2x Mediterranean Gulls, YLG, 3x Common Gull, 3x Ruff, 27x Golden Plover, 4x Snipe, 473x Lapwing, 9x Shelduck, 29x Pochard, 6x Wigeon, Brambling (JW)

Mediterranean Gulls at BGP by JW

Monday 15th February 2016

Tittesworth Res
Female Ring-necked Duck still opposite the main car park (@tonyjac_tony)

Steve Gibson

Pool Hall Fisheries
Female Common Scoter off the dam at 09:00 (IMo)

Whitemoor Haye
A second hand report of a Great White Egret this afternoon (per BirderAlrewas)

Kingswood
Adult Caspian Gull, 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull, also Oystercatcher, Green Woodpecker & 3x Greylag Geese (IMo)

Blithfield Res
Adult Caspian Gull, ad and 2w YL Gull, ad summer Med Gull (GJM MPR)

Audley (SJ793495 - off Wereton Road)
8x Yellowhammer, 40x Linnet, 20x Skylark, 5x Siskin, 300x Lapwing, Grey Wagtail, 3x Stock Dove (PAD)

Rocester
Whooper Swan still south of Rocester in field with 44x Mute Swan east of B5030 (RPo)

Gailey Res
Peregrine, Tawny Owl, 23x Pochard, 23x Greylag Geese, 31x Cormorant, 7x Little Grebe & c400 Lapwing (IMo)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
The Hoopoe still north of Enville Road at 14:30

Sunday 14th February 2016

Chasewater
4x Caspian Gull (3x 1w, 2w), 3x YLG (2x 2w, 4w). Ring-necked Parakeet chased by gulls at 17:10hrs (@CWG_sightings)

Blithfield Resv (Permit holders only)
3x Caspian Gull (ad, 1w, 3w), 2x YLG (ad, 2w) and albino Herring Gull (MPR)

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

Burslem
Black Redstart still at the Old Purple Antz building

Rocester
Whooper Swan still in field one mile south of Rocester (CBa)

Gailey Res
6x Gadwall, 19x Pochard, 150x Tufted Duck, Green Woodpecker (@TheSnapper1978)

Tittesworth Res
3x Oystercatcher, 30x Wigeon, 20x Pochard, 60x Tufted Duck, 15x Cormorant, Willow Tit (JMa)

Hales
2x Pink-footed Goose, 8x Shelduck, 20x Teal, Peregrine (STu)

Elford- Fisherwick
2x Corn Bunting (@BirderAlrewas)

Endon SW
Chiffchaff still, 30x Meadow Pipit, 35x Pied Wagtail, 8x Reed Bunting (GBr)

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still

Saturday 13th February 2016

Tittesworth Res
Female Ring-necked Duck still in Churnet Bay also Mandarin (DW PB)

Aqualate
5x Whooper Swan this morning also 2x Cetti's Warbler (NJS)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan still (@BirderAlrewas)

Chasewater
1w Caspian Gull, 3x 2w YL Gull, Ring-necked Parakeet (@CWG_sightings)

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still

Dimmingsdale
3x Woodcock at dusk (TEy)

Branston GP
2x Mediterranean Gulls again today. Also 2x Ruff, 10x Curlew (NJS)

Friday 12th February 2016

Tittesworth Res
Female Ring-necked Duck again in Churnet Bay (PBa per @tonyjac_tony)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road (@jon_morgan56)

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still

Chasewater
Adult Mediterranean Gull, 4x YLG (2 adults, 2 x 2w). Roost had drastically reduced Herring numbers. Ring-necked Parakeet at 17:05 (@CWG_sightings)

Branston WP
2x Shelduck, c25x Pochard (JW)

Thursday 11th February 2016

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Firecrest still at Dosthill NR, Bittern in flight, 3x Ringed Plover, 300x Golden Plover (@TameBirding). Also Bearded Tit briefly before flying to south end of pool (per GJM)

Chasewater
3w Caspian Gull, 3x YLG (adult, 2x 2w), 1w Mediterranean Gull, Ring-necked Parakeet in 16:50 (@CWG_sightings)

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan still, 11x Grey Partridge, 2x Ruff (@AlrewasBirder)

Cannock Chase 
Short-eared Owl at 17:30hrs, also 2x Woodcock (CDa)

Rocester
Whooper Swan still with 40x Mutes in field one mile south of Rocester (TEy)

By Terry Eyre

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still also Dunlin, adult YL Gull (BB)

Branston GP
2x Mediterranean Gulls, 2x YLG, 14x Curlew, 1x Little Egret, 12x Shelduck, 14x Gadwall, 2x Brambling (JW)

Mediterranean Gulls at BGP (JW)

Wednesday 10th February 2016

Madeley STW
6x Chiffchaff also a Brambling (STu)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road (DBa, SE)

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still

Chasewater
1w Caspian Gull, 2x ad and 2x 2w YL Gull, Ring-necked Parakeet (@CWG_sightings)

i54
Green Sandpiper, Snipe, 2x Stonechat, 14x Teal (JDu)

Tuesday 9th February 2016

Chasewater
3x Caspian Gull (3w, 2x 1w), 2x YLG (adult, 2w), adult Mediterranean Gull, Ring-necked Parakeet at 16:45hrs (@CWG_sightings). Jack Snipe, 2x Gadwall, 6x Goosander, 14x Wigeon (IWh)

Belvide Resv (PERMIT HOLDERS ONLY)
1w drk Scaup still and adult YLG (@BelvideBirding)

Blithfield Resv (PERMIT HOLDERS ONLY) 
1w Caspian Gull, ad YLG (GJM)

Dosthill
Firecrest still present plus Chiffchaff

Cannock Chase
Crossbill over Cherry Tree Slade this morning (GJM)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road (KBa)

Branston WP
c10x Pochard, 2x Goosander (JW)

Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent
1x Raven flew over (KSt)

Newcastle-under-Lyme
Blackbird with two young fledged nest today (MP)

Audley
1x Green Sandpiper flushed from stream behind sewage works (JHu)

Monday 8th February 2016

Chasewater
Juv Iceland Gull, 2x adult and 2w YL Gull (@CWG_sightings)

Belvide Res
1w Caspian Gull at 17:00 then flew west also the 1w drake Scaup

1w Caspian Gull at Belvide tonight @BelvideBirding

  Parrots Drumble
2x Tawny Owl (JMa)

Sunday 7th February 2016

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Firecrest still at Dosthill NR this morning (@ArchieRaven). Flooding has now prevented access to area.

Aqualate
Bittern in flight from the hide (IGr)

Uttoxeter Quarry
Pink-footed Goose, Barnacle Goose, 2x Oystercatcher, c1000 Lapwing (NDP)

Branston GP
1x Little Egret, 6x Shelduck, 8x Curlew, 38x Snipe, 2x Mediterranean Gull, 1500x BHG, 3x Common Gull, c200 x Herring Gull, c250x GBBG, c550x LBBG. Mixed finch flock had 4+ Brambling, 5+ Tree Sparrow, 20+ Linnet (DSc)  

Chasewater
Juv Iceland Gull, 3w Caspian Gull, 3x adult and 2w YL Gull, adult Med Gull, Ring-necked Parakeet (@CWG_sightings)

i54
Green Sandpiper, Stonechat (Foz JD)

Copmere
2w Caspian Gull, adult YLG, presumably albino Herring Gull, Pintail, Peregine (PJ)

Saturday 6th February 2016

Chasewater
Juv Iceland Gull in the roost and 2x adult YLG. Ring-necked Parakeet heard only in wet conditions (@CWG_sightings, @The Snapper)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road at 12:15

Belvide
1w drk Scaup still present. Permit holders only (@BelvideBirders) 

Friday 5th February 2016

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Firecrest still at Dosthill (@stevecawthray)

Belvide Res
Juv Iceland Gull 14:03-14:14 only also the 1w drake Scaup still (BB)

Iceland Gull today at Belvide and probably roosted at Chasewater later @BelvideBirding

Chasewater
Twojuv Iceland Gull, 2x Caspian Gull (3w, 1w), 5x YLG in roost. Also Ring-necked Parakeet (MPR GJM, @CWG_sightings)

Branston GP
1w/juv Glaucous Gull in the roost, 17x Curlew, 19x Shelduck, 6x Gadwall, 11x Pochard, 8x Wigeon, Grey Wagtail (JW)

Glaucous Gull at Branston GP by JW

Blithfield Resv
Adult Caspian Gull on the dam this morning (GJM)

Radford Meadows
5x Ruff, 3x Little Egret, 2x Pintail,336x Teal, 150x Wigeon, 4x Goodsander, 598x Lapwing (RSw)

Thursday 4th February 2016

RSPB Middleton Lakes
Firecrest still at Dosthill in thick scrub where the pools split, also Chiffchaff, 2x Shelduck (@RSPBMiddleton, @TameBirding)

Chasewater
1w Caspian Gull, 2x YLG (adult, 2w), adult Mediterranean Gull, Ring-necked Parakeet in at 16:30hrs (@CWG_sightings)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road (JTr, KBa)

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still

Doxey Marshes
2x Little Egret, 3x Shelduck, c400x Golden Plover, 1x Stonechat (@DoxeyBirder)

Cannock Chase
Mixed flock Redpoll and Siskin nr Hednesford (SB)

Wednesday 3rd February 2016

Dosthill NR
Firecrest still briefly at 12:58 (@Piccalilli123)

Chasewater
3x Caspian Gulls (2x 2w, 1w), 2x YLG (ad, 2w) and Ring-necked Parakeet at 16:30hrs. Also probable 1w Caspian Gull x Herring hybrid (@CWG_sightings)

Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent
Short-eared Owl again off Vivien Rd tonight (PLo)

Belvide
1w drk Scaup still present

Silverdale CP
5x Goosander, 3x Lapwing, 1x Stonechat (GSa)

Tuesday 2nd February 2016

Middleton Lakes RSPB
Firecrest in scrub where RSPB pool splits on the Dosthill side (JMo)

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still (BB)

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan still (@BirderAlrewas)

Chasewater
1w and 2w Caspian Gull, ad YL Gull, Short-eared Owl west shore (@CWG_sightings)

Doxey Marsh
2x Shelduck, 2x Goosander, Little Egret, 40x Teal (KLe)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still at 09:00 (KBa)

Copmere
Pink-footed Goose, YL Gull (CHa)

i54
5x Snipe, 3x Stonechat, 40x Linnet, 21x Teal (JDu)

Monday 1st February 2016

Community Noticeboard

The Stafford branch of the WMBC are holding their next indoor meeting on Tuesday 2nd February at the usual venue. The speaker is Mike Leach and the talk is "Owls of the World". 

Further details can be found here   

Fisherwick-Elford
Corn Bunting singing on wires this morning (@BirderAlrewas)

Branston GPs

YL Gull, 9x Common Gull, 15x Curlew, 21x Shelduck, 21x Wigeon, 8x Pochard, 14x Gadwall, 11x Shoveler, Tawny Owl. (JWo)

Blithfield Res
Adult and 3w Caspian Gull, 4x YL Gull (2ad, 1w,2w), (GJM MPR)

Chasewater
Juv Iceland Gull, 3x Caspian Gull (3w and two 1w), 5x YL Gull (2ad, two 3w and 2w), adult Med Gull, Ring-necked Parakeet (@CWG_sightings)

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still

Sunday 31st January 2016

Community Noticeboard

The Stafford branch of the WMBC are holding their next indoor meeting on Tuesday 2nd February at the usual venue. The speaker is Mike Leach and the talk is "Owls of the World". 

Further details can be found here    

Aqualate
Bittern seen again this morning. Great White Egret still present plus Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler heard. Three Otter also seen (@nutcracker)

Burslem
Black Redstart still around the Purple Anst building at 14:00 (BC LC)

Chucklesholme
2x Ruff, 2x Stonechat (@Ochruros)

Wall Heath
Hoopoe still present 0930 - 1000 (@richdavis30

Gailey
9x Pochard, 60x Tufted Duck, Tawny Owl (@Snapper)

Belvide
1w drk Scaup from Scott Hide, also Water Rail (@Snapper)

Blithfield Resv
2x 3w Caspian Gulls in the roost tonight (GJM, MPR)

Chasewater
In the roost - 1w Caspian Gull, 3x YLG (2 ad, 2w), 2x Mediterranean Gulls (ad, 1w) and Ring-necked Parakeet  flew in at 16:05 (@CWG_sightings)

i54
7x Snipe, 38x Linnet, 14x Teal (Foz JD)

Saturday 30th January 2016

Tiitesworth Res
Female Ring-necked Duck this morning (@AnthonyTonyjac) - still at north end opposite first Car park at 15:30 (RPo)

By Steve Gibson

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still also 47x Pintail (JJH SJH BB) - 45x Pintail flew out at 10:30 (BB)
Site record Pintail count.

Aqualate
2x Bittern showing well at 09:00.
Great White Egret and Whooper Swan this afternoon (PJd)

Chasewater
4x Caspian Gull (2 ad, 3w, 1w), 5x YLG (3 ad, 3w, 2w), 2x ad Mediterranean Gulls in roost, Ring-necked Parakeet flew in 16:10hrs (@CWG_sightings) 

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road at 09:30 (@andm62)

Uttoxeter Quarry
Oystercatcher, 7x Goldeneye, 3x Goosander, 2x Shelduck, 5x Shoveler (RPo)

Trentham Gardens
3x Little Egret, 2x Goldeneye, 3x Gadwall, Goosander, 6x Mandarin, 31x Cormorant, 27x Grey Heron, Little Grebe, 56x Tufted Duck, 21x Siskin, 7x Redpoll, Chiffchaff, 2x Kingfisher (RT)

Radford Meadows
3x Ruff, 659x Lapwing, 2x Pintail, 200x Wigeon, 276x Teal, 3x Shelduck, 4x Goosander, 25x Grey Heron (RSw)

Knypersley Res
Dipper this morning (DW PB)

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan still (ARu)

Perton Upper Lake
Adult YL Gull, Goosander, Little Grebe, 26x Tufted Duck (IMo)

Brancote Water Works
Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail, 75x Pied Wagtail, 4x Raven, Green Woodpecker, 49x Wigeon, 2x Goosander (RSw)

Doxey Marsh
313x Golden Plover, 476x Lapwing - opposite side of the M6 (SPe)

i54
2x Stonechat, 6x Snipe, 12x Teal, 15x Siskin, 40x Linnet (Foz JD)

Essington
Male Merlin (JJH)

Hales
4x Pink-footed Geese (STu)

Audley
11x Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer, Grey Wagtail (PAD)

Rocester
2x Goosander, 3x Cormorant, 94x Grey Lag Geese, c200 mixed flock Siskin, Redpoll, Goldfinch (TEy)

North Staffs Moors
Short-eared Owl half a mile north of the Mermaid Pub (DSc)

Red Street (Newcastle)
40x Fieldfare, 60x Redwing 6x Redpoll, Red-legged Partridge (JMa)

Friday 29th January 2016

Dosthill NR
Drake Smew (GWi) as per (@TameBirding)

Chasewater
2x 1w Caspian Gull, 3x adult and 2w YL Gull, 2x Pintail, Ring-necked Parakeet (@CWG_sightings)

Belvide Res
1w drake Scaup still (BB)

Branston GP
2x Ringed Plover, 4x Ruff, 14x Curlew, 18x Shelduck, 12x Shoveler, 5x Gadwall, 21x Wigeon, 3x Raven (JW)

Ringed Plover at Branston GP today by JW

 Westport Lake
2x Wigeon, 15x Tufted Duck (SGi)

Central Forest Park, Stoke-on-Trent
6x Goosander (SGi)

Thursday 28th January 2016

PLEASE NOTE 

Regrettably the West Midland Bird Club has received reports that on Saturday January 23rd birdwatchers jumped over a fence on to adjacent farmland in pursuit if a Black Redstart from the Blithfield Anglers Club carpark.. Whilst as yet it is unknown whether this involved WMBC members such behaviour runs the risk of membership to the Club being suspended or terminated.If anyone has further information regarding this incident please contact blithfield@westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk

Chasewater
Sub adult Glaucous Gull, 2x adult and 1w Med Gull, 3x adult and 2w YL Gull, Ring-necked Parakeet at 15:50 (@CWG-sightings)

Belvide Res
1st winter drake Scaup still (BB)

Wall Heath
Hoopoe still present at 12:00hrs (Tr)

Tucklesholme
2x Ringed Plover (@scaupface)

Whitemoor Haye
Whooper Swan, 191x Golden Plover (@daftoldbirder, @scaupface). c1000 x Lapwings, 10x Grey Partridge, 6x Yellowhammer (DSc)

Croxall Lakes
90x Pochard, pr of Goosander (KJo)

Blithfield Resv
3x Pintail in Tad Bay this morning (RBr)

Trentham Gardens
3x Little Egret, 35x Siskin, 4x Lesser Redpoll, Kingfisher (PFo)

Wednesday 27th January 2016

Chasewater
Adult/sub adult Glaucous Gull, juv Iceland Gull, adult and 1w Caspian Gull, 2x adult YL Gull, adult Med Gull, Water Rail, 14x Redpoll (@CWG_ sightings)

Belvide Res
1st winter drake Scaup still also adult YL Gull, 48x Goldeneye (BB)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road

Branston GPs
2x YL Gull, c200 GBB Gull, 3x Common Gull, 14x Curlew, 23x Shelduck, 8x Shoveler, 15x Gadwall (JWo)

Whitemoor Haye
50x Golden Plover, 10x Tree Sparrow, 15x Yellowhammer, 100x Wigeon (@BirderAlrewas)

Tuesday 26th January 2016

Cannock
Ist winter Caspian Gull in fields at Kingswood (@julianallen2009)

Chasewater
Adult Med Gull, 2x adult and 2w YL Gull (@julianallen2009)

Hinksford-Wall Heath
Hoopoe still north of Enville Road at 09:15 (KBa)

Branston GP
ad YLG, c150x Herring Gull, c200x GBBG, 15x Curlew, 20x Shelduck, 18x Gadwall, 4x Wigeon, 3x Shoveler (JW)