Birding In Staffordshire (1 Viewer)

[Rob Jones]

Come on then butterfly buffs!! Just planted a Buddleia in the garden and we were told that the darker the flowers the more attractive they are to butterflies. Can't remember latin name but think it was called Black Emperor, deep purple flowers. Any truth to this?

Cheers
Craig

You can't go wrong mate whatever you plant. The purple ones are the most popular. Sure it's not a Purple Emperor? Anyway, These are easy to grow if you want more take some cuttings off it and pot them. Next year cut the plant back to a foot off the ground, if you let these grow they spread out and look untidy.

 

[Steve Turner]

Butterflies and moths

While we're on the subject, see link below to an excellent little site that gives distribution maps for moths AND butterflies;

http://www.staffsmoths.org.uk/

Type Marbled White into the search box! :eek!:

Cheers
Steve

 

[Rob Jones]

While we're on the subject, see link below to an excellent little site that gives distribution maps for moths AND butterflies;

http://www.staffsmoths.org.uk/

Type Marbled White into the search box! :eek!:

Cheers
Steve

And try Camberwell Beauty. As far as I know there's not been a varified record in the UK since 2007 of which two are thought to have hiberanted from a small influx the previous year.
If one has been seen at Blithfield, it would be amazing! Who's reported seeing one Steve?
One from Minsmere RSPB Reserve was last wild one to be photographed (as far as I know)

The last Marbled white I have seen was at Chew Valley, nr Bristol. Saying that some resident UK Butterflies have increased their range probably due to global warming and have spread North and West like the Comma which was fairly rare but is now seen regularly.

 

[Adam M]

pc is back online, so after a couple of hours working on my essay for uni, i'll post some pics, if any of them turn out ok.

as for buddleia, yes its very good for butterflies, not sure about the colour attracting more than a lighter shade though. as mentioned a while ago in the thread its good to try and get plants to flower at different stages through the year, so butterflies have a constant food source in your garden. im sure i read somewhere butterflies tend to visit only purple and yellow flowers, so red flowers aren't as good, anyone else heard that or was i dreaming again??

adam

 

[Kev Ryder]

Hi Sally,
i read your messages regarding S.Trent and the Aston - Burston Trail.
Could you contact me please on 07885 693832 and [email protected].
Thank you.

 

[Kev Ryder]

Hi Russell,
i read your message of the 14th June regarding Aston By Stone.
Could you contact me please on 07885 693832 and [email protected]
thank you.

 

[Neil-T]

pc is back online, so after a couple of hours working on my essay for uni, i'll post some pics, if any of them turn out ok.

as for buddleia, yes its very good for butterflies, not sure about the colour attracting more than a lighter shade though. as mentioned a while ago in the thread its good to try and get plants to flower at different stages through the year, so butterflies have a constant food source in your garden. im sure i read somewhere butterflies tend to visit only purple and yellow flowers, so red flowers aren't as good, anyone else heard that or was i dreaming again??

adam

Tried ringing you earlier Adam. I was over at Wesport in my lunchbreak and saw a Canada goose tangled in some fishing line, the strange thing was... everytime the goose tried to swim..something pulled it in the opposite direction. I am assuming a fish is still attached to the end of the fishing line. It must be a fair sized fish to pull a canada goose in the opposite direction it wants to go. Tried phoning RSPCA and RSPB both on automated service, when I got through to the right department it was engaged and said try later...gave up in the end as I was using the works phone.

 

[Moulty]

Hi All,

Been across Berryhill in the evenings Russell a few times I know not the best of times, but Gill's Dad is in hospital so we are having to work round it a bit probably why have missed you.
Was across there one night last week, good numbers of swifts and great views of Sedge Warblers, White Throats, Reed Warblers was one of those nights before the heavens opened so the sky was dark but now and again the sun would burst through a gap. Grasshopper Warbler heard about 9ish off the little stone bridge looking towards the school.

Last outing was Hanchurch Sunday evening, best stuff was, pair of Bullfinch and pair of Spotted Fly (seen I think on what you are calling the "Nursery Common"? the view from the open gate - we were actually on the other side near the house with the gen'y) they were using one of the tall dead tree trunks to launch themselves from - about 8.30ish.

Think I'll stretch me legs now its stopped raining

Thanks for the warm welcome.

Chris

 

[Moulty]

Hi Neil,

Wasn't attached to another goose was it, only was down there for the black necked grebe last week and soon as i got out the car had to untangle two pigeons from the same length of line but there was a quite a bit of distance between them.

How's Jim doing if you've seen him?

Chris

 

[Steve Turner]

And try Camberwell Beauty. As far as I know there's not been a varified record in the UK since 2007 of which two are thought to have hiberanted from a small influx the previous year.
If one has been seen at Blithfield, it would be amazing! Who's reported seeing one Steve?
One from Minsmere RSPB Reserve was last wild one to be photographed (as far as I know)

Afraid I don't know who reported it, it was just on BirdGuides - wild or not they're such gorgeous looking things that I'd love to see one! I think another was reported in Norfolk (again per BirdGuides) last month.

Steve

 

[Rob1991S-O-T]

another little invader to staffs in my garden
not too pleased about it but oh well the invasion dosent look like stopping
is a adult harlequin ladybird sent in my observasion to http://www.harlequin-survey.org/
i dont know the distrubution of these in staffordshire well i know there in stoke now

also
juv
blue tit
great tit
house sparrow
and juv sparrowhawk over looks like another successfull year for them again

 

[Rob Jones]

Finally sighted a Redstart at Hanchurch.
85+ Lapwings in the field down to Cudmore fisheries.

 

[Upland Birder]

Hi Chris and Gill,

Welcome to the thread. Great to see you on here and looking forward to reading your birding adventures. You mention seeing Swifts on Berryhill last week. I remember last year watching Swifts in their dozens at close quarters on Berryhill. It was a moment I will not forget.

Happy Birding

Dean :t:

 

[Periwinkle]

I believe the Camberwell Beauty at Blithers was reported by Mark Squires. I wont be rushing there.....

 

[Rockbirder]

Utch 1940-2110.

Took advantage of the unsettled weather and hit Utch, fully waterproofed! Needless to say it never rained a drop. One or two birds about though.

Greenshank 3,
Green Sand' 5,
Curlew 18,
Common Sand' 2,
Oyst' 3,
LRP one or two.

Andy.

 

[Adam M]

Tried ringing you earlier Adam. I was over at Wesport in my lunchbreak and saw a Canada goose tangled in some fishing line, the strange thing was... everytime the goose tried to swim..something pulled it in the opposite direction. I am assuming a fish is still attached to the end of the fishing line. It must be a fair sized fish to pull a canada goose in the opposite direction it wants to go. Tried phoning RSPCA and RSPB both on automated service, when I got through to the right department it was engaged and said try later...gave up in the end as I was using the works phone.

thought you might of rang me accidently, with my name being top in most peoples contacts lists its something i get quite often, couldn't think why you want to have called me so gave it no thought really. i'll try to nip down westport in the morning, if i can, if not then it will have to be after work, to have a look at the goose in question, take some scissors to possibly cut the line....maybe a dry change of clothes as well :-O

im not sure, if it is attached to a fish, how big a fish would have to be to stop a goose flying off?? i know ospreys sometimes get 'sticky feet' and if they get hold of a fish too big, drowning is a possibility. some big fish in westport, carp to over 30 pound i think and some big pike too.

adam

 

[Adam M]

as promised a few of my photos. these are from coombes valley and i think a few of them are either going on display in the visitor center or up around the reserve on signposts/information boards. didnt get round to uploading the ones from my camera, this essay is a nightmare!!! guess they'll still be on my memory card tomorrow though.

pied flycatcher female at nest and the 2nd one is an individual flower on a greater butterfly orchid.

adam

 

[Neil-T]

Hi Neil,

Wasn't attached to another goose was it, only was down there for the black necked grebe last week and soon as i got out the car had to untangle two pigeons from the same length of line but there was a quite a bit of distance between them.

How's Jim doing if you've seen him?

Chris

Hi again, it was deffo a fish attached to the fishing line and not another goose, no other birds within 30/40yds of it. I would have gone in myself but as I was on my lunchbreak and had to go back to work, I didn't think it was good idea.

Spoke to Jim 2 weeks ago (will have to ring the old bugger to see how he is) and he and Rose were fine. Should think so after a 6 week holiday in Spain. Neil.

 

[carlj]

Rob, id'd and reported my first harlequin last summer, among the umbellifors along the River Trent at Stoke.

Sounds like they're spreading.... Speaking of ladybirds, got headbutted by a Pine Ladybird at work today, of all places.....

 

[Steve Turner]

as promised a few of my photos. these are from coombes valley and i think a few of them are either going on display in the visitor center or up around the reserve on signposts/information boards. didnt get round to uploading the ones from my camera, this essay is a nightmare!!! guess they'll still be on my memory card tomorrow though.

pied flycatcher female at nest and the 2nd one is an individual flower on a greater butterfly orchid.

adam

Lovely orchid photo :t: