Birding In Staffordshire (1 Viewer)

[bull's birder]

A non-birding mate of mine reckons he's seen LSW at Wedgewoods again this weekend but this time up by the big house...one of these days!!!!

Cheers
Craig

 

[Adam M]

went coombes valley today to see about volunteering on the reserve, mostly to get my foot in the door but also to build some experience. the site seems to have changed site manager recently and the new bloke seems intent on improving the site and making it more visitor friendly. a new drinks machine in the visitor center sits along side a sightings book (something missing for a while from the reserve) new little signs give snippets of information about pied flies leading up to where a territory is being held. painted ladies on site, across the top meadow, but the pied flies and redstarts have gone into the undergrowth now the chicks are out and about, plenty of warblers singing though.

as for volunteering, i have got to go back next monday with a completed form and hopefully i will then be there every monday and possibly one day at the weekend. they are also giving me advice on what degree opens what doors and what ways there are to end up having a career on a reserve. so this, with a bit of luck and some hard work, should be my first step on the ladder. happy days!!

adam

 

[Gronk08]

Water Voles

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

Hi Carl

Never tried to see them here myself so please don't shoot the messenger, but I have been told that there are some behind the murder house (the Staffs uni forensic training house) off Leek Road.

Tim.

 

[bull's birder]

went coombes valley today to see about volunteering on the reserve, mostly to get my foot in the door but also to build some experience. the site seems to have changed site manager recently and the new bloke seems intent on improving the site and making it more visitor friendly. a new drinks machine in the visitor center sits along side a sightings book (something missing for a while from the reserve) new little signs give snippets of information about pied flies leading up to where a territory is being held. painted ladies on site, across the top meadow, but the pied flies and redstarts have gone into the undergrowth now the chicks are out and about, plenty of warblers singing though.

as for volunteering, i have got to go back next monday with a completed form and hopefully i will then be there every monday and possibly one day at the weekend. they are also giving me advice on what degree opens what doors and what ways there are to end up having a career on a reserve. so this, with a bit of luck and some hard work, should be my first step on the ladder. happy days!!

adam

Hi Adam,
Go for it mate, you'll love it!! I used to volunteer for Staffs council at Greenway Bank/Knypersley but had to change shifts at work and couldn't carry on with it, I was absolutely gutted but unfortunately am still on nights. Hopefully one day I'll get back into it.

Cheers
Craig

 

[Neil-T]

Search for the Blue Butterfly.

Nice afternoon/evening so took the lad and had a walk around Huntley Quarry and Tunnel area. Loads of Whitethroats about, but unfortunately they wouldn't pose for me. Managed to get a couple of pictures of a Warbler, but no idea what it is. Nice Buzzard overhead too. Onto the Quarry and the search for the Blue Butterflies, hopes were high with the sun shining, but alas, none to be seen. Walking back accross the quarry to the car and I noticed a small bird which I thought was a Snipe, close views when it landed prooved it to be no less than a Little Ringed Plover. Nearer the car a fly over GSW. Not a bad 2 hours.

 

[carlj]

Cheers Tim and Neil. Staffs uni has been fruitless for me in last couple of years, including otter watch!

 

[Upland Birder]

Hi Carl,

Here's a challenge for you. Are there any Otter's on the river Churnet? Survey required...... You could spend many happy days looking for one or signs of one on the river.

When you get off the bus in Cheadle don't forget the cake shop(s)!! Cecily Brook in Cheadle is definately a Staffordshire hotspot for Water Vole. You can also see Kingfisher along the brook.

You could also take the bus to Oakamoor from Cheadle which is a regular service and have a walk up Coton Dell.

Dean:t:

 

[carlj]

Dean,

Ah, the oft-mentioned cake shops! Will certainly look at getting up there when I get some time off at end of month, thanks! Getting a bit blase about Kingfishers - spent 5 years watching a pair and their families on our little stretch of the Trent!

Carl

 

[Rockbirder]

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

Hey up Radial, enjoy Download owd. Watch out for the bottles of #*"" as they fly overhead, you might end up wet and a bit smelly owd lad!:-O. You'll really feel ill then:-O.

Andy.

 

[Rob Jones]

Hey up Radial, enjoy Download owd. Watch out for the bottles of #*"" as they fly overhead, you might end up wet and a bit smelly owd lad!:-O. You'll really feel ill then:-O.

Andy.

My daughters going. Where did I go wrong as a parent. :-O

 

[Neil-T]

Hi Carl,

Here's a challenge for you. Are there any Otter's on the river Churnet? Survey required...... You could spend many happy days looking for one or signs of one on the river.

When you get off the bus in Cheadle don't forget the cake shop(s)!! Cecily Brook in Cheadle is definately a Staffordshire hotspot for Water Vole. You can also see Kingfisher along the brook.

You could also take the bus to Oakamoor from Cheadle which is a regular service and have a walk up Coton Dell.

Dean:t:

I have fished the Rivers of this area for over 20 years, Dove, Manifold, Churnet, Hamps and the only place I have seen evidence of Otters is on the Dove at Ellastone.

 

[minkstone]

there is evidence of otters just below where the churnet enters the dove near jcb.:t:

 

[paulthomas]

Here's a challenge for you. Are there any Otter's on the river Churnet? Survey required...... You could spend many happy days looking for one or signs of one on the river.

Already been done by the county Mammal Group. Definite field signs found under the bridge at Oakamore. Otters are widespread across the county and seem to be doing well but live in extremely low densities, maybe only a few dozen in the whole county, so the chances of seeing such a shy, basically nocturnal animal are slim to say the least. Best place to go to get even a remote chance of seeing one ATM is Aqualate Mere.

 

[coloz]

dean otter at caverswall

I can remember one being fount dead on the caverswall to blythbridge rd near to fox field railway museum .it had been hit by a car. the river blythe is about 400 yards from where it had happend.I couldnt belive that there could be otters there its more like a stream than a river. i think it just shows they can turn up anywhere.

 

[carlj]

Streams may be better than full blown rivers - the otter will have it's dinner almost captive!

 

[Upland Birder]

Already been done by the county Mammal Group. Definite field signs found under the bridge at Oakamore. Otters are widespread across the county and seem to be doing well but live in extremely low densities, maybe only a few dozen in the whole county, so the chances of seeing such a shy, basically nocturnal animal are slim to say the least. Best place to go to get even a remote chance of seeing one ATM is Aqualate Mere.

Great to hear that there have been field signs of Otter at Oakamoor and sightings elsewhere not to far from here. I reckon the Churnet is becoming perfect for them.

Dean :t:

 

[Upland Birder]

Well the House Martin pair are back on the nest under the eaves and have been for the last week. They have definately evicted the House Sparrow pair without notice!!

Dean:t:

 

[Mick Sway]

Martins & Swallows

By now we've normally got martins and swallows flying above the estate and used to get them nesting under our eves. However there's no sign in our area and my own feeling is that they've been on the decline in Biddulph, the last few years.
Anyone agree?
If any one is interested I have just posted a Lesvos report on the forum at:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=143673
Best to all
Mick
B

 

[ScottPetrek]

Otters

Hi Carl,

Are there any Otter's on the river Churnet?

Dean:t:

Yes there are! The Staffordshire Mammal Group surveyed the area for other species recently and Otters are regularly using the area. One woodland survey even found Otter spraint several miles from the nearest water course! And yes it was Otter, it was DNA tested as part of the survey!

Don't forget though that a male Otter can occupy a territory of up to 8 miles of water course! :eek!:

Happy hunting!

 

[bull's birder]

Hi all,
The Opticrons won the day, Discovery 7x50 for£105. Seemed like a pretty good deal so went for it!!!

Cheers
Craig