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Birding In Staffordshire (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Upland Birder
- Start date
driverpaul
The Trent Birder
Anson Bank is a safe bet,park in the cafe car park near the Katyn Memorial,cross the road bear left for about 200 metres and then cut off to the right,(the path should be visible) then carry on till you reach an obvious clearing.......
Good luck
Paul
If you want to save yourself a drive (seeing you are located in Stoke) you could try Hanchurch woods, or Apedale.
For Hanchurch, park opposite the log cabin along Drayton Lane. You might not know where it is now, but as you drive along the road you really cant miss it. The cabin is on your right after about 1 mile if you head from the A519, with the car park directly opposite on your left. From there, walk past the log cabin and into the clearing, heading NW. Heard one there for the last few years.
As for Apedale, park up by the center off Loomer Road and just go for a walk, I've heard them across much of this site. But try the path along the north west edge.
Hope this helps.
Adam
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thanks Adam, looks like I am going to be busy this weekend,
Cuckoo's are showing very well up the chase right now. It was only yesterday I was watching three of them fighting for 20 mins plus. Also managed a few fairy close pics of them
. I would start of around the Brocton area first and then walk west down the valley. You are sure to see some there. If you want to get good views then it will take time sitting down and watching them and their habits I.e. perching spots etc. But then again that's nothing different from any bird if you want good close views/pics.
chris23565
Well-known member
Hi guys, just remember its breeding season and be careful who your passing details onto as to what birds are were and what species gives good photo opportunities etc, esp on blogs and forums were unless it's someone you know personally you just haven't got a clue who your passing details onto, I know 99% of people on here are very genuine but eggers and the likes do read these forums, its a fact, so beware.
Happy birding
Happy birding
thats agood point chris,no worrys with me, just a new birder ,with not much spare time, help appreciated from the forum, cheers
alrewasbirder
Well-known member
Lovely Hobby flew close over van when on the way to work in Tamworth trhis morning, heading from National Arboretum to Whitemoor Haye. My Mom also walked my dog around the arboretum this afternoon and heard the Cuckoo. Very late I know but had two Hobbies on the Chase last Friday by the Chase golf club on the Penkridge road whilst on the way to play golf on the Wrekin, they also flew quite close over the car. Gutted I missed Little Gull at Whitemoor Haye twice this week, , not been able to get down for last couple of nights either.
Gutted I missed Little Gull at Whitemoor Haye twice this week, , not been able to get down for last couple of nights either.Totally agree Chris
Whats why I keep locations vague but at the same time do point people in the right general direction when asked on here. If somebody really wants to see something then if they put the time into it then it will pay off. I find it worse whilst walking around the Chase with my Camera and bins and people always asking "have you seen anything" the answer is alway NO as I don't know who you are. Obviously we all have a close set of friends that all the good locations are shared with.
Periwinkle
Tame Valley Birder
Lovely Hobby flew close over van when on the way to work in Tamworth trhis morning, heading from National Arboretum to Whitemoor Haye. My Mom also walked my dog around the arboretum this afternoon and heard the Cuckoo. Very late I know but had two Hobbies on the Chase last Friday by the Chase golf club on the Penkridge road whilst on the way to play golf on the Wrekin, they also flew quite close over the car.
Little Gull still there this evening briefly 8-P
alrewasbirder
Well-known member
Went out for a meal!!:C:C:C Will be there tonight camping out:t:
Richard Powell
Once Bittern, Twice Shy
Sand Martins
Talking of a funny old spring on the rare/scarce thread. Personally, away from Uttoxeter Quarry and Blithfield, I think Sand Martins have been very thin on the ground this year so far.
It's taken until this week to see any in the Cheadle area, which is ridiculous really considering I've seen Swallows and House Martins before them, and by weeks. And Swift by a week. Anyone else thinking the same?
Talking of a funny old spring on the rare/scarce thread. Personally, away from Uttoxeter Quarry and Blithfield, I think Sand Martins have been very thin on the ground this year so far.
It's taken until this week to see any in the Cheadle area, which is ridiculous really considering I've seen Swallows and House Martins before them, and by weeks. And Swift by a week. Anyone else thinking the same?
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The Moore-hen
Association of Satirical Birders & Ornitholigists
Yes Sand Martin pretty scarce in any numbers at Gailey this spring. Huge numbers of Swift, House Martin & Swallow there yday but few Sand Martin. Also present Hobby, 15 Common Tern, 2 Oystercatcher, Garden Warbler & 3 Pochard.
russell toon
Well-known member
Not seen any Sand Martins over Berryhill so far this year.
chris23565
Well-known member
Statto Smith could tell you better than me but apart from 3 quite early Sand Martins the majority seemed late compared to recent years, I think numbers are also down, we always have more Swallows etc by now as the Sand Martins go through earlier but there just doesn't seem to have been the usual numbers going through, one possible reason could be that the weather at their peak passage time was dry and clear and therefore without the rain to drop them in they just went straight over, of course, and hopefully not the reason but there numbers could have just crashed over winter.
It seems to have been a strange spring all round with some species early and others late, also some other species seem well down, Whitethroat and so far Reed Warbler are down on last year, Willow Warblers have disappeared from Westport and although only a few normally stick around, this year none at all, I guess it will take for all the countrywide records to be assessed before any real judgment can be made.
