Birding In Staffordshire (1 Viewer)

[carlj]

If we get some sun, might head that a-way ourselves. Not been westport this year.

 

[russell toon]

seems like every man and his dog has had summer migrants before me, but this morning westport lake finally delivered something good. the siberian chiffchaff was singing inbetween the two lakes, so i thought i would text it in to birdguides. as i did that i heard a willow warbler singing, closely followed by another. so changed my message and was about to send it when a swallow flew past. as i typed that i was hoping for something else but my luck ran out at that point. 2 year ticks and a good view of the chiffchaff, not bad for 15 mins before going to work. im going again tomorrow after work for a longer walk round, might even take the camera as the sibe chiff didn't seem to shy at all.

on a similar note, what time of year should things like whitethroat, garden warbler, wood warbler etc turn up. i know its sometime between now and the end of may, but mid may? start of may? end of april?

adam

The Warblers should have returned this month.

Russell

 

[bull's birder]

If we get some sun, might head that a-way ourselves. Not been westport this year.

Weather permitting and with time on my side, might get to meet a couple of you there.

Cheers
Craig

 

[Upland Birder]

Tittesworth Reservoir

Bought another Cornish Pastie,and a cake in Cheadle!! and then took both over to Tittesworth, sat in the hide for a while and had my very own picnic. I saw the following:

Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Redpoll
Chaffinch
Reed Bunting
Robin
Curlew pair on their way to the breeding grounds
Lapwing
Kestral
Teal
Tufted Duck
Shoveler
Mallard
Moorhen
Sand martin
Swallow
Oystercather pair
Very quiet on the migrant front

Dean:t:

 

[Adam M]

for those interested in going westport for a meet up tomorrow, i finish at 3.30 and will be there for as long as anyone likes. the chiffchaff showed well enough for a decent photo, so i'll take the camera along as well. see you tomorrow.

adam

 

[Upland Birder]

Hi Adam,

According to the Portland Bill Birdobs site migrants are in very short supply at the moment. A couple of Grasshopper Warblers have been seen as grounded migrants today and yesterday. Not much else about though. Hopefully things should start to pick up soon.

Dean:t:

 

[Neil-T]

Don't think I will be able to make it that late in the afternoon, was thinking of going around mid morning. Where exactly was the Chiffchaff showing Adam? Neil.

 

[Adam M]

Don't think I will be able to make it that late in the afternoon, was thinking of going around mid morning. Where exactly was the Chiffchaff showing Adam? Neil.

park on the car park, look out on the big lake and head left, inbetween the two lakes. it was singing just as the path splits. it's song is like that of a normal chiffcahff but noticably different, you should be able to pick it out. the willow warblers were a little further along as the path bends off to the right and splits into the nature reserve on the left. the chiff came down pretty low, roughly eye level, this morning, just hope it does it again tomorrow and the light is good enough.

adam

 

[Rob1991S-O-T]

worlds worset photo graphs

picture of churnet
dipper blurry but u can see its white chest

also feeding station along the path with no food in them dose anyone know who put them up or is it one of the locals feeding station alot of squirrel attacks aswell

 

[Upland Birder]

Happy Easter

Easter is upon us and I hope you all have a nice weekend's birding. Lets hope the weather improves and that migrants start to build up in numbers soon.

Look forward to reading your reports and seeing your photographs.

Happy Birding

Dean:t:

 

[carlj]

If the weather's up to it, will jump on the train to westport - yes, really - it's easier than the bank holiday buses!

Work Saturday, but if the falcons are performing like yesterday, I could get lucky with camera!

Carl

 

[Neil-T]

Thought I had seen the last of the finch flocks in the garden as the males leave to set up their territories. Yesterday produced 15 Lesser Redpolls and they were all female.

This morning I had a mixed flock of at least 40 birds consisting mainly of Redpolls, but only 1 male, 8 Siskins, 2 Goldfinches, 5 Chaffinches, 3 Bullfinches and a solitary Greenfinch.

Happy Easter birding to you all. Neil.

 

[SallyBee]

Am I allowed to discover when Ospreys are sighted in Staffordshire and where??

 

[Upland Birder]

Osprey sightings

Hi SallyBee,

Most Osprey's are seen on passage at Staffordshire's reservoirs as they head North. Blithfield, Chasewater, Tittesworth. Its a case of going birding and keeping an eye out for one passing through. Occassionally one might hang around.

Richard Powell may add comment to this as he has had good Osprey sightings last year.

Nice to have you back on the thread and look forward to reading your posts.

Dean:t:

 

[Gronk08]

Siberian Chiffchaff

Hi All

Headed off to Westport lake this morning to try and find the Siberian Chiffchaff. This was to be quite a challenge having never heard one or seen one, and the books I have don't have it down as a different species.

Met a couple of chaps who saw it yesterday, and was told to lisen for a call which is a cross between Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff.
Aroured with this info the wife and me ventured on.

No sign of the bird by the path between the lakes so headed into the nature reserve.

In there we saw Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Song Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Bullfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Longtailed Tit. I have attached a shot of what I think is the Siberian Chiffchaff, as it's call was slightly different. It was by the northern small pool within the conservation area.

All saw a Great Crested Grebe showing up the fishermen, although the fishermen did have bacon on the go which beats fish to me.

Tim.

 

[bull's birder]

Hi All,
Pretty certain I heard Garden Warbler outside work at Lymedale this morning. Is it a little early?

Cheers
Craig

 

[Richard Powell]

It's as Dean said really, just hope it's your lucky day and see one passing through. As far as Blithfield is concerned, the car park at the western end of the causeway gives a good view across pretty much all of the reservoir. I probably should also add that a WMBC permit is required to walk around Blithers, except for the causeway and along Watery Lane. :t:

Speaking of Blithfield, this morning with young Rob1991. 1 Common Tern, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Common Sandpiper, 4 Wheatear, a few singing Willow Warblers and Blackcaps, and 12 Goldeneye.

Hi SallyBee,

Most Osprey's are seen on passage at Staffordshire's reservoirs as they head North. Blithfield, Chasewater, Tittesworth. Its a case of going birding and keeping an eye out for one passing through. Occassionally one might hang around.

Richard Powell may add comment to this as he has had good Osprey sightings last year.

Nice to have you back on the thread and look forward to reading your posts.

Dean:t:

 

[Adam M]

mixed flock of house martins and swallows at westport todya in the rain. a chiffchaff with an odd call, but not sure if it was the siberian one. couple of willow warblers there as well, not much on the water though. bumped into to matt as well, nice to see you again.

adam

 

[Brian Stretch]

Hi All

Headed off to Westport lake this morning to try and find the Siberian Chiffchaff. This was to be quite a challenge having never heard one or seen one, and the books I have don't have it down as a different species.

Met a couple of chaps who saw it yesterday, and was told to lisen for a call which is a cross between Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff.
Aroured with this info the wife and me ventured on.

No sign of the bird by the path between the lakes so headed into the nature reserve.

In there we saw Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Song Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Bullfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Longtailed Tit. I have attached a shot of what I think is the Siberian Chiffchaff, as it's call was slightly different. It was by the northern small pool within the conservation area.

All saw a Great Crested Grebe showing up the fishermen, although the fishermen did have bacon on the go which beats fish to me.

Tim.

Hi Tim,

Fantastic shot of the Siberian Chiffchaff :t:

Brian
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[Rob Jones]

Good work Tim, one for the album mate. :t: