Rare and Scarce Birds in Staffordshire (4 Viewers)

[The Moore-hen]

Moor-hen :t: Thanks for reposting the Bittern spot and the otter (spelt correctly this time), I posted the info of my trip to Aqualate on the "Northern Hills and Lowlands" thread.

http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=1701316&postcount=8873

I wasn't sure where it should go, and I did not know whether it qualified for the "Rare" section .

But it was a great day out.

It did sound like a cracking day out what with the Bittern and the Otter! Bittern definately qualifies as 'Scarce' so is fine on this thread.

I have to admit i did venture into enemy territory today and saw the Priorslee, Shropshire Bittern (in flight only) plus Yellow-legged Gull and Peregrine so successful but unfortunately not Staffs!!

Extra News for the 16th Jan

Bittern - again at Aqualate Mere
possible Bittern - reported at Cudmore

Extra News for the 15th Jan

Bittern - still at Dosthill NR

Worth checking all these Bitterns as an American Bittern has been reported from Marton Mere, Lancashire today...the same place i saw my only (and last British twitchable bird) in Feb 1991...a bit of a blocker that...:t:

 

[The Moore-hen]

That was a brilliant holiday we had in Finland did you ever get a copy of Jeds DVD of the trip?

ps the Little Egret seems to have departed Westport now the big thaw is on
heres a pic of it leaving
cheers PJ

Hi Phil

No didn't have a copy of Jed's DVD but have still got some cracking photo's of the Owls to look through on those Staffs birdless day's...was a cracking trip but will have to return one day for GGO...B

 

[Nick Smith]

Bit of a struggle in Staffs today. Popped into Doxey but you can't do a complete circuit due to the water levels. You can't walk from Boundary Flash to the tin hide without using a small canoe. Only bird of note was a Little Egret flying fairly high west over Handsacre Flash as i drove past.

 

[Periwinkle]

2nd Win Glauc at Stubbers (per Paul Jeynes)

 

[Rockbirder]

17/1/10

No sign of the Ferruginous Duck at Brookers this mornin'. female Scaup still present with just one Mandarin.

18 Goosander @ Utch.

Andy

http://birdsbeerandrocknroll.blogspot.com

 

[Periwinkle]

I have had a good report of Great WHite Egret in Fazeley,Tamworth in flooded lakes behind Coton Football Club (per Roger Henderson). Description provided - "It was huge, Grey Heron size or even a bit bigger maybe, brilliantly white, with very long neck and bright yellow bill. It flew off upstream so somebody could have seen it on the RSPB Reserve Middleton or around Dosthill?"

 

[The Snapper]

Hi All,

A few bits of news for today :

Aqualate : I saw 2 Bitterns from the hide today and the guys doing the WEBS count reported definitely 3 birds present.(none with brown crowns tho!)

Also, 2 Egyptian Geese, 9 Pintail(rare in Staffs this winter), 9 Goosander, Water Rail below feeder, 2 Willow Tits, 2 Raven and a few Lesser Redpolls.

Chasewater : The juv and 2nd w Glaucous Gulls from Stubbers earlier in the day were in the 'pre-roost'. The juv appeared on the ice around 16:20 and the 2nd w around 16:40. Both had left by 17:00 and headed strongly NE(presumably towards Blithfield).

Cheers

 

[Martyn Yapp]

This is the 2nd winter Glaucous Gull and 1st winter that pre-roosted at Chasewater. I was lucky enough to find the latter whilst checking Highfield Tip. Image is taken at Highfield Tip (West Midlands), which for your information is very close to Stubbers Green and the Vigo Tip. I am pretty sure there would be no viewing available here apart from Sunday's as it can only be viewed from the tips main access road, if they stick around they should use Stubbers Green.


Image of Glaucous Gull is heavily cropped, blah blah blah!
Image of 1st winter is my usual standard.

2nd Win Glauc at Stubbers (per Paul Jeynes)

 

[Richard Powell]

That 2nd winter Glaucous is well worth seeing (and so not to upset Martyn, 1st winter's very good too) :t:.

I also saw both Glaucs at Chasewater this evening, after spending all morning out of county eek! at Albert Village, and not getting anywhere.

 

[The Moore-hen]

That 2nd winter Glaucous is well worth seeing (and so not to upset Martyn, 1st winter's very good too) :t:.

I also saw both Glaucs at Chasewater this evening, after spending all morning out of county eek! at Albert Village, and not getting anywhere.

That will teach you to venture out of Staffs looking for scarce gulls!! Ooops like i did on Saturday...:eek!:

Seems the 2 Glaucs were seen at Highfield Tip, Walsall Wood as well as Stubber's (which also held a 3w Caspian) then at Chasewater till dusk then flew towards Blithfield. Hopefully they will stick around for a while and the best views should be at Stubber's Green.

Kingswood area held just 3 ad Yellow-legged Gull

2 Long-eared Owl - Park Hall CP in Ox-iron Wood
20+ Crossbill - Hanchurch Woods

The best bird i could managed yesterday was a Peach-faced Lovebird in the garden...being mobbed by a Carrion Crow and 2 Magpie so i don't fancy it's chances of survival much...:-C

 

[The Moore-hen]

News for the 19th Jan

drake Smew - Blithfield Reservoir - off Beech Tree Point at 12.30
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - Seven Springs, Cannock Chase - in birches around the car park at 12.30

News for the 18th Jan

Glaucous Gull - 2nd winter at Belvide from 5pm (+ adult Snow Goose). This bird had previously been at Priorslee Lake, Telford, Shrops during the afternoon.

2 Bittern - Aqualate Mere - right of the hide at 15.10 & showing well
3w Caspian Gull - Chasewater roost
2 Long-eared Owl - Park Hall CP - in tall pines above the seat
4 Crossbill - Hanchurch Woods

While twitching (and dipping...:C) the Telford Glauc at lunchtime today i did speak to one of the birders who was involved in the WeBS count at Aqualate on Sunday who confirmed that at least 3 Bittern were present and another birder had the 2 showing well right of the hide yesterday afternoon...:t:

 

[The Moore-hen]

News for the 19th Jan

19 'dark-bellied' Brent Geese - Blithfield - off the dam this afternoon and still present 15.25 at least.

 

[Periwinkle]

2 Brent Geese flew from South Shore, Chasewater late afternoon. Also Glauc (juv) roosted (news via P Jeynes)

 

[smyrna]

Void

1 Iceland Gull adult seen briefly today by Dave Kelsall on the mud at the
end of Cannel road , Silverdale at 2pm ( hopefully photos to follow ) also the adult Caspian Gull was present ( yesterday briefly aswell )
Its very hit and miss with the Gulls here e.g. at 12.00pm there was a handfull
but then at 2pm c500 dropped in but they never stay long.
The nearby tip is strictly no access I've been asked to leave each time I've entered.

 

[The Snapper]

News for the 19th Jan

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - Seven Springs, Cannock Chase - in birches around the car park at 12.30

Lets hope this signals a good year for this species!

I completely failed to see one last year, despite giving some of the regular local haunts in the Cannock area a good grilling. :-C

At least there are a few new Staffs goodies around at the moment. Lets hope for a good weekend ahead :t:

 

[smyrna]

Iceland Gull

1 Iceland Gull adult seen briefly today by Dave Kelsall on the mud at the
end of Cannel road , Silverdale at 2pm ( hopefully photos to follow ) also the adult Caspian Gull was present ( yesterday briefly aswell )
Its very hit and miss with the Gulls here e.g. at 12.00pm there was a handfull
but then at 2pm c500 dropped in but they never stay long.
The nearby tip is strictly no access I've been asked to leave each time I've entered.

Iceland Gull pic attached ( could be the bird seen at Sandbach later today )

 

[The Snapper]

Iceland Gull pic attached ( could be the bird seen at Sandbach later today )

Nice bird :t:

Send it down to Kingswood Mr J

 

[Steve Turner]

1 Iceland Gull adult seen briefly today by Dave Kelsall on the mud at the
end of Cannel road , Silverdale at 2pm ( hopefully photos to follow ) also the adult Caspian Gull was present ( yesterday briefly aswell )
Its very hit and miss with the Gulls here e.g. at 12.00pm there was a handfull
but then at 2pm c500 dropped in but they never stay long.
The nearby tip is strictly no access I've been asked to leave each time I've entered.

Balls! I was there at about 12.30 hoping for some gull action, and all that was present was a handful of Black-heads...feck :-C

Steve

 

[Steve Turner]

Iceland Gull pic attached ( could be the bird seen at Sandbach later today )

.....nooooooooooooo! That's just rubbing it in! What a smart bird...balls again.

Steve

 

[smyrna]

Balls! I was there at about 12.30 hoping for some gull action, and all that was present was a handful of Black-heads...feck :-C

Steve

Yeah I know Stevo I went on Sunday and there wasnt a single Gull present and theres nowt to look at if you hang around to wait