Birding In Staffordshire (24 Viewers)

[Richard Powell]

2012

Meanwhile, as far as birding around gravel pits and reservoirs are concerned, personally I think it's been a really tough year. Ever since the spring it's just been so wet. Which doesn't matter so much now, but between April and October you need some mud and shoreline, and on the whole it just hasn't happened. :-C So in some ways I'll be glad to see the back of this year.

But there are some definite highlights for 2012, not just the Olympics, birding highlights anyway. My main one was the Bluethroat at Doxey in May. Closely followed by the Crane at Radford Meadows in April, and Drayton Bassett's White-rumped Sand in November.

Another highlight was the adult Glaucous Gull at, of all places (there, that'll set them off ), Westport Lake :eek!: in February! And I nearly forgot the Red-backed Shrike at Silverdale in June.

 

[Phil Andrews]

Meanwhile, as far as birding around gravel pits and reservoirs are concerned, personally I think it's been a really tough year. Ever since the spring it's just been so wet. Which doesn't matter so much now, but between April and October you need some mud and shoreline, and on the whole it just hasn't happened. :-C So in some ways I'll be glad to see the back of this year.

But there are some definite highlights for 2012, not just the Olympics, birding highlights anyway. My main one was the Bluethroat at Doxey in May. Closely followed by the Crane at Radford Meadows in April, and Drayton Bassett's White-rumped Sand in November.

Another highlight was the adult Glaucous Gull at, of all places (there, that'll set them off ), Westport Lake :eek!: in February! And I nearly forgot the Red-backed Shrike at Silverdale in June.

Birding doesnt get much better than a Spring singing male Bluethroat in the West Mids region! :t:

 

[Eddie the 'ed]

Cannock Chase

Morning all, I've got a couple of weeks off over Christmas and I'm planning on going to Cannock Chase for the first time. Where would the Staffs regulars recommend as the best place to start for someone new to the Chase?

Cheers,
Damian

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

Cannock Chase visit

Morning all, I've got a couple of weeks off over Christmas and I'm planning on going to Cannock Chase for the first time. Where would the Staffs regulars recommend as the best place to start for someone new to the Chase?

Cheers,
Damian

I would go to the Sherbrook Valley area, try Coppice Hill Feeders possibility for Hawfinch check the heathland for stonechat, Crossbills and Brambling around the rifle ranges, Ravens over. Keep a look out for Great Grey Shrike and Waxwing and on returning to Lichfield I would have a go for the Upperr Longdon Great Grey Shrike.

Regards, John

 

[Eddie the 'ed]

I would go to the Sherbrook Valley area, try Coppice Hill Feeders possibility of Hawfinch check the heathland for stonechat, Crossbills and Brambling around the rifle ranges, Ravens over. Keep a look out for Great Grey Shrike and Waxwing and on returning to Lichfield I would have a go for the Upperr Longdon Great Grey Shrike.

Regards, John

Thanks John, I'll give that a look over the Christmas period, perhaps have a quick look in at Blithfield on the way back. Any tips on where to start at Blithfield for a first timer with WMBC permit?

Thanks again,
Damian

 

[terryeyre]

my birding highlight of 2012 must be the snow buntings near the mermaids pool last month,also great to catch a glimpse of the hen harrriers on the moors.

 

[mike p]

As any one had Long-tailed tits in the garden? If so what are they feeding on?

 

[VIVEMERY]

As any one had Long-tailed tits in the garden? If so what are they feeding on?

I had four feeding on fat balls yesterday.

Viv

 

[Merlin]

Today

27 LTT's in one tree, queuing to feed on the fat balls.


regards

Merlin

 

[Adam M]

Just found out there is a guided walk at Coombes tonight at 6 where they will be taking people on a tawny owl survey. Apparently some really good, but obviously dark, views can be had.

Details here http://www.rspb.org.uk/events/details.aspx?id=tcm:9-329953

There's also one in the new year giving a sneak peak at a trail extension that will happen later in the year. Should be good for those of you who might like exploring the Staffordshire Moorlands area :t:

Adam

 

[Upland Birder]

10 Long tailed tits in my mums garden today feeding on fatballs and perched nearby in small garden tree. This is a location not near to woodland and a mile away from open farmland plus not in Staffs but elsewhere in Midlands. May tell us something about state of/lack of food supply in the countryside this winter for small birds.

Dean:t:

 

[terryeyre]

had 7 long tailed tits feeding on fatballs in my garden today,also 2 redpolls on nyger seed.

 

[terryeyre]

churnet valley alton-oakamoor area

5x buzzard 2x raven 1x grey wagtail 1x dipper 1x heron 60x siskin 3x redpoll 7x redwing 1x green woodpecker 2x bullfinch 4x goldfinch 1x marsh tit

 

[Upland Birder]

Nice photos Terry and great to see the Grey Wagtail and to hear about Dipper and Siskin. A good range of birds seen today.

Dean:t:

 

[fullsniper]

Long Tailed Tits every day on the fat balls at home

 

[terryeyre]

house sparrows

no shortage of house sparrows in my garden or the local area,think numbers have increased in recent years ,60 in my garden today.

 

[mike p]

Whilst walking along the Shropshire union canal I saw a man smearing lard onto the trees and bushes. About 12 reed buntings were queue up to feed on it.

 

[chris23565]

Hi all, so the lads and myself from Staff Bird News would like to ask a question, we were considering a poll on the blog but in the past these have proved to be poor on responses and as most of our active contributors are also on here we thought this might be the way to go.
Anyway, we are considering cleaning up the blog a bit by removing birders initials after the sighting, this will help especially where multiple sightings come in from the same site and we end up with a lot of ...... and then more......
So I guess what were asking you all is would anyone have a problem if we didn't add your initials after each sighting, this wouldn't apply to a Staffs mega where we would be more than happy to congratulate the finder, as I'm sure would everyone else.
Thanks and Best Wishes and Happy Birding to all in 2013.
Chris, Nick & Russell.

 

[Upland Birder]

Chris, Nick & Russell,

I really dont have a problem with your suggestion. However, these are just my thoughts - will some birders stop reporting stuff if their Initials are not attached after the sighting? Would it make the blog less personal? Initials following reported sightings may enable some birders to feel a sense of ownership or attachment to the blog. I always look at the initials some of whom I know and others I dont know.

It would be great if we could get more reports from further south in Staffordshire and could reach out out to birders further south in Staffordshire with reports from Kinver Edge, Highgate Common and Enville Common plus a host of other locations down there.

In any event its a great blog and thanks for continuing to manage it this past year. Keep up the good work.

Dean:t:

 

[russell toon]

Staffs Bird News
Following feedback in favour of retaining initials with observer sightings we will continue to post initials along with sightings.
Russell, Nick @ Chris