Birding In Staffordshire (1 Viewer)

[Gronk08]

Anyone used the Natureview Roof Prism, just been on e-bay and they wanted £170 but found a dealer in the States who'll do 'em for £117 with p&p. Just gotta decide between them and the Opticron Discovery...any advice?

Cheers
Craig

Hi Craig

Never had a go with the Bushnell's but the wife has a pair of Opticron Oregons and they are a decent pair on bins, can get them from infocus for £100 either 8X42 or 10X42 both at the same price.

Tim.

 

[Upland Birder]

Last Saturday I visited the Farne Islands. This was my second visit in two years although the last time I was there I spent a whole day on Inner Farne. This time I also got to visit Staple Island by far my favourite of the two.

The weather and sea state were perfect for the crossing. I know it's way north of land locked Staffordshire but the weather has not been at its best this weekend so I thought I'd entertain you. Here are a few sunny photo's from the trip.

 

[Adam M]

nice photos dean. im yet to visit a sea bird colony this year, south stack is looking like the mot probable destination, but there were no gannets or shags (yes, i laughed too) last year, so might go somewhere with them this year instead.

just deciding what to do for today, gardening, dimmingsdale, might even nip coombes valley, probably wait for my dad to get up and see which he fancies tagging along to.

adam

 

[Pam_m]

Great photo's, Dean! Those puffins are soooo cute! You certainly chose the right weekend for your Farne Islands visit! Your pics have brought back to me happy memories of visits to Skomer Island last year. Thanks for brightening a very dull and wet weekend here in the West Midlands!:t:

 

[terryeyre]

nice photos dean

 

[Rockbirder]

Utch Quarry 0730-0900.

Black-tailed Godwit 15
Ringed Plover 12
Lrp
Dunlin 1
Oyst' 2
Ruddy Shelduck 2, lookin' very tired after the arduous journey from Rocester!

Andy.

 

[Upland Birder]

nice photos dean. im yet to visit a sea bird colony this year, south stack is looking like the mot probable destination, but there were no gannets or shags (yes, i laughed too) last year, so might go somewhere with them this year instead.

just deciding what to do for today, gardening, dimmingsdale, might even nip coombes valley, probably wait for my dad to get up and see which he fancies tagging along to.

adam

Hi Adam,

Bempton Cliffs RSPB in East Yorkshire is great if you want to see a Gannet colony. I saw quite a lot of Gannets commuting when up in Northumberland. The Gannets were heading south down the coast probably to Bempton from Bass Rock.

Dean

 

[Steve Turner]

Black-tailed Godwit 15
Ringed Plover 12
Lrp
Dunlin 1
Oyst' 2

Andy.

Nice one, another addition to the ever increasing wader list :t:

 

[Rob Jones]

Skomer in June.

Some great photo's Dean. :t:You couldn't have chosen a better weekend.

BTW I'm planning on visiting Skomer Island one day in the last week in June. Friday 26th looking the most likely date but it all depends on the weather forecast. If anyone fancies coming along, PM me and I'll give you more details, I'd be glad of the company. :t:

 

[carlj]

My last couple of days at work before my jollys Rob. Adam Bempton is stunning for gannets - heading there next Sunday.

 

[Richard Powell]

The 15 Black-Tailed Godwits still at Uttoxeter Quarry this afternoon. Also 17 Ringed Plovers, 3 Dunlin and a county recorder. :t:

Prior to that, had a look at a cracking summer plumaged Spotted Redshank at Belvide.

 

[Rockbirder]

Utch Quarry 1800-2020.

Apart from 2 Common Sand's, 3 Common Terns and 3 Goosander same as RP had this a'noon.

Andy.

 

[Neil-T]

Wet day out with Stuart

Started at Huntley quarry which was very wet. Saw Linnet and a few other common species.

Over to Tittesworth for a spell in the hide. Plenty to see on and around the banks, highlights included: Oystercatchers with 3 chicks, the male coming and going with food. Nice Curlew dropped in for a bath. Cormorant on scaffolding. Plenty of Lapwings with one sitting on nest. Heron. Kestrel. GSW. Bullfinches. Chaffinches and plenty of House martins with a few Swallows in with them.

Dimmingdale to finish. GSW. Pied Fly. Nuthatch and other common species of finches and Tits.

The pictures of the Oystercatchers and the Curlew were Digiscoped through the rain at a distance of around 100-150 yds.

 

[ScottPetrek]

Doxey Marshes

Scott, the damsels, any idea of what sort? I'm hoping that the Beautiful Demoiselles are showing, alongside Banded Demoiselles. Also, should be increasing numbers of Black-tailed Skimmers if last year was anything to go by.
Carl

Only seen the odd one or two Beautifuls but I would imagine more will be about soon.

 

[carlj]

Anyone know where there are easily (within reason) sighted water voles nearby? Been a target species, alongside otter for a couple of years. I know of some in Derbyshire, but getting there is a 'mare!

Carl

 

[paulthomas]

Anyone know where there are easily (within reason) sighted water voles nearby? Been a target species, alongside otter for a couple of years. I know of some in Derbyshire, but getting there is a 'mare!

Carl

Cicely Brook in Cheadle has the largest population of Water Voles in the county. Park by the sports centre.

 

[carlj]

Or leap off the bus Paul!

Does the bus stop anywhere near to Cicely Brook?

Thanks for the pointers Paul!

Carl

 

[Rob1991S-O-T]

radial park and escaped falcon

didnt do all site felt ill

Buzzard 1
Kestrel 1
Peregrine 1 bathing in pool on waste ground
Lesser Black-backed Gull 5
Meadow Pipit 2
Grey Wagtail 1
Blackcap 2
Whitethroat 5
Chiffchaff 6
Willow Warbler 4
Spotted Flycatcher 1 calling
Linnet displaying
Bullfinch displaying
Reed Bunting diplaying

still painted ladys about

also mega raptor which obs had escaped with about 30 cm of jesse and rope trailing it was either a saker or gyr falcon possibly hybrid heading south west towards hanford


also not going be around from tommorrow till next monday because will be at download festival derbyshire

 

[NickPomiankowski]

Saker/Gyr

Rob, Your Saker / Gyr with Jesses might be the one Fair Isle Steve saw a year ago at Keele...still at large!

Nick

 

[Neil-T]

Or leap off the bus Paul!

Does the bus stop anywhere near to Cicely Brook?

Thanks for the pointers Paul!

Carl

Bus will stop on the High street Carl. Cicely brook is about half a mile walk from the High street, you need to be leaving Cheadle on the Alton road which runs past the fire station, the brook is about 300yds further down.