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Birding In Staffordshire (5 Viewers)

no gulls at westport by 4 today and i mean not a single one. at the weekend they were heading in from about 1. 3 goldeneye present which were the target bird for me and a work mate. mentioning work, had a report from someone else at work of a tawny owl on st nicks (didn't say if it was road or street etc) near ball green/norton. might be wort a check as my last tawny was in 2006!

putting feeders higher in the trees seems to be working, my dad saw 4 goldfinches on them today, which is 4 more than we normally get.

just to let you know, my pc seems to have suffered unrepairable damage due to suspected virus, so it's broke again. now i need a new hard drive before i can post more pics, o well.

adam
 
Incidently, presumably in anticipation of the approval, there's been a fair bit of clearfell there so, as mentioned in earlier posts, it looks great for GG Shrikes in the winter (no joy yet!) and nightjars/woodlark in the summer. If anyone is interested in a late spring visit for nightjars, let me know because I'll be giving it a try.

Nick

It's got big signs up saying private so best Camo gear for this one. :-O

I Like your style Nick. Count me in. :t:
 
Gradbach & SEO's

Had a walk around Gradbach today - pretty icy in parts but absolutely beautiful up there.
Several Red Grouse showing well near the road. Also raven, bullfinch and meadow pipit. No raptors!!:C

Anyone interested in SEO's near Swallow Moss. I had at least 3 on the Moss in January, barn owl is also quite regular there too. There are basically 2 good routes for the owls.
1. Head out of Leek on the 53 to Buxton and turn right at the Moss Rose PH. Continue straight for a few miles (through Thorncliffe) and turn right at the Mermaid. The area around the Mermaid is quite good for SEO. Continue along the road to the first junction ( I think it's Swiss Cottage) - I've had SEO here so well worth a stop but anywhere along this road is good habitat. After a mile or so there is an obvious crossroads - turn left here and the moss is on the left.
2. Head out of Leek on the 53 to Buxton (past Moss Rose) and turn right at the Winking Man PH. Follow this road along - SEOs are sometimes here and also peregrine occasionally. You can contuinue straight to the Mermaid (all good habitat) or take the first left (Boarsgrove area) and head to Swallow Moss - for SEO & Barn Owl.

Basically the owls can be in any good habitat but all these areas are good. Hope this helps. Well worth investing in the White Peak Explorer map!!

J
 
Rodbaston College update

Early morning session this morning produced abundant birds of prey. Several Kestrels and a Sparrowhawk were present, as was a stunning male Merlin presumably hunting the large flocks of finches on the estate. Also 2 Snipe and 5 Skylark seen during the morning.
 
Had a walk around Gradbach today - pretty icy in parts but absolutely beautiful up there.
Several Red Grouse showing well near the road. Also raven, bullfinch and meadow pipit. No raptors!!:C

Anyone interested in SEO's near Swallow Moss. I had at least 3 on the Moss in January, barn owl is also quite regular there too. There are basically 2 good routes for the owls.
1. Head out of Leek on the 53 to Buxton and turn right at the Moss Rose PH. Continue straight for a few miles (through Thorncliffe) and turn right at the Mermaid. The area around the Mermaid is quite good for SEO. Continue along the road to the first junction ( I think it's Swiss Cottage) - I've had SEO here so well worth a stop but anywhere along this road is good habitat. After a mile or so there is an obvious crossroads - turn left here and the moss is on the left.
2. Head out of Leek on the 53 to Buxton (past Moss Rose) and turn right at the Winking Man PH. Follow this road along - SEOs are sometimes here and also peregrine occasionally. You can contuinue straight to the Mermaid (all good habitat) or take the first left (Boarsgrove area) and head to Swallow Moss - for SEO & Barn Owl.

Basically the owls can be in any good habitat but all these areas are good. Hope this helps. Well worth investing in the White Peak Explorer map!!

J


Thanks for the directions Johnnie. I'll probably head over that way in the morning. :t:
 
Hi Minkstone, did your Wagtail look anything like this one, if so it's a whitey
 

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I will moniter sightings and contact you nearer the time Andy. Likely to be a weekend tho for me.

I would have thought you have about an 80% chance of seeing them, as long as we choose the right sort of day & put 2-3 hours watching in, perhaps even longer. But most views can be very distant and you defo need a scope. With luck you will see up to 5-6 birds, and perhaps even a pair closer in & performing. Loads of Buzzards too, & usually passerines such as Brambling & Siskin (and if you are lucky Crossbill & Hawfinch) knocking around the treetops. Had Wild Boar & Great Grey Shrike in the adjacent clear fell last year but thats was lucky! There are some nice little spots nearby for Mandarin & Hawfinch (tho the latter no longer feel like such a priority after this Cannock Chase bird!).
Cheers for that. Look forward to it.

Andy
 
Whitemore Haye Photo's

Here are a few photo's I have taken recently at Whitemore Haye. Is the second photo a Corn Bunting? When I saw it briefly I thought it was but are there any bunting heads out there who can help with this one. I noted that there were a row of dark spots on the wing coverts. also there is the dark eye with thin pale brown ring.
 

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I must be mistaken then Steve. I thought the site (eco village thingy) was going to be on the hill on the left hand side of the road going towards the Swan with two necks pub?

Yeah, that's where the village is planned to be I think - the private wood signs that you've seen (from the road?) don't relate to the clear-felled areas that Nick's mentioned. The best way to access the area is to drive past the Swan with two Necks, keep going past the turn off for Loggerheads, then take the first right (Maerway Lane); drive up here for half a mile or so and you'll see somewhere to pull in and park on the right with a stile.

Cheers
Steve
 
Here are a few photo's I have taken recently at Whitemore Haye. Is the second photo a Corn Bunting? When I saw it briefly I thought it was but are there any bunting heads out there who can help with this one. I noted that there were a row of dark spots on the wing coverts. also there is the dark eye with thin pale brown ring.

Yep, second photo is indeed a Corn Bunting. Speaking to Nick, the whole area is excellent for buntings - he had a count of about 80 Corn Buntings I think :eek!: and I think some of the local birders have also had counts of 100 Yellowhammers and 200 Reed Buntings :t:

Cheers
Steve
 
Does anyone know where abouts in Hilton the GWE has been seen? I'm assuming its at the water either north or south east of the village rather than the back garden that is currently marked on the Rare Birds map. Thinking of taking a look tomorrow but don't really know the area.
 
Hi Steve,

I've seen lots of Yellowhammers, Corn Buntings, Reed Buntings and Tree Sparrows down there in the last week or so. Thanks for confirming the ID.

I will have a good look round Croxall Lakes as well soon which is nearby. Could be quite interesting. Do you have any inside news on the birding front at this location?

Dean:t:
 
GWE - Hilton

Taken from the DOS website:
'at the South end of Collycroft Lake, or as we know it better-Sutton Brook Lakes. This site consists of 2 private fishing lakes which lie just to the west of the minor road between Hilton village and Sutton-on-the-Hill. There is no access onto the pits which lie about 1 big field west of the minor road. Access is from Hilton Village onto Sutton Lane from Derby Road/Main Street. Coming from the A50 into Hilton village this turn is to the right and is the way into Hilton GP-or one of them. Carry on down Sutton Lane, over the A50 and go through the S bends and the pits lie to your left. There is a small area to pull in on your right but please do not park on the roads.'

Max
 
some excellent photos there Dean

i have noticed that chaffinch numbers are going down they must be heading back already to scando and europe already or just moving on east/north because garden birds have halfed from 30+ to about 11 birds

plus whilst up sewage works there were hundreds of flies and in the garden last night had small group of glies flying round the water unless we have a cold snap we wont have the black redstart again
 
Nice photos, I dont live too far from here, do you stick to the road or can you have a walk around the fields?

Here are a few photo's I have taken recently at Whitemore Haye. Is the second photo a Corn Bunting? When I saw it briefly I thought it was but are there any bunting heads out there who can help with this one. I noted that there were a row of dark spots on the wing coverts. also there is the dark eye with thin pale brown ring.
 
Hi Minkstone, did your Wagtail look anything like this one, if so it's a whitey

No the bird i saw had a large black patch on the chest and no black bib, oh well they say the only way to learn is by making mistakes.:t:
Bin on my local patch this morning gold finches every where loads of bullies also,plus a gs woodpecker and meadow pipits.
 
Hi Stu,

There are fields with footpaths and its worth getting an OS map to help you with this although I went there and found them myself.

The lanes are generally quiet. You could walk what I call the square of lanes of which two sides have signs saying unsuitable for motor vehicles. You can get your car along this. Great views of various bird species and across fields by just walking the lanes. Park up and enjoy a good level walk. The square of lanes goes around the small gliding club.

You could combine this with a walk at nearby Croxall Lakes.

Thanks for your comments on photo's.

Dean:t:
 
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