Birding In Staffordshire (1 Viewer)

[Upland Birder]

Breeding Bird Survey (BBS)-BTO

This makes for interesting reading:

http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/bbs

Dean:t:

 

[Topspot]

waxwing
solitary male in the garden in Meir still this morning chilling out eating his way through apples on the feeding station. waiting for the big flock most Ive ever had is two!

 

[Upland Birder]

I was scanning a field called Turners Pasture this morning at the back of where I live, a field largely enclosed by hedges, trees with a brook running by on the one side. I saw a number of species including:

35 Goldfinch
1 Fieldfare
4 Bullfinch
25 Starling
4 Collared Dove
7 Black headed Gull
2 Pied Wagtail

House Sparrows, Blue tits and Great tits, Blackbirds

The field is quite flooded at present and a single Grey Wagtail was feeding at the edge of the flood water. This is the first time I've seen this species in this field. Maybe it uses the brook at the back of the field also a haven for water Vole.

Dean:t:

 

[terryeyre]

churnet valley flood

alot of flood water in the churnet valley alton-denstone.had three large flocks of siskin total of 250+ feeding on alder with a few redpoll mixed in,also 6x mistle thrush 2x raven 4x grey heron 8x pied wagtail 30x long tailed tit

 

[Upland Birder]

Nice photo's Terry. I was wondering how flooded the valley was today and that is really high and quite extensive all heading towards the River Dove then Trent:eek!:

Had a brief walk at Hales Hall this afternoon for a breath of fresh air after being ill for several days. Recovering slowly now hopefully! I watched a Buzzard perched on a branch then go to the ground after prey. I saw a vole in its talons and it took to the air briefly before returning to the ground. After about 3 minutes it returned to the tree and the same branch again looking at the ground.

Dean:t:

 

[terryeyre]

Nice photo's Terry. I was wondering how flooded the valley was today and that is really high and quite extensive all heading towards the River Dove then Trent:eek!:

Had a brief walk at Hales Hall this afternoon for a breath of fresh air after being ill for several days. Recovering slowly now hopefully! I watched a Buzzard perched on a branch then go to the ground after prey. I saw a vole in its talons and it took to the air briefly before returning to the ground. After about 3 minutes it returned to the tree and the same branch again looking at the ground.

Dean:t:

a couple more photos of the flood

 

[terryeyre]

brookleys lake

45x mandarin more in bushes and trees 3x goldcrest 2x bullfinch 1x grey heron
churnet valley-alton 50x siskin 3x bullfinch 2x kestrel 2x goldcrest 2x grey heron

 

[steveclarke]

female goosander on balance lakes in belgrave, tamworth.

 

[terryeyre]

plenty of birds at my feeding station today. 40x house sparrow 30x blue tit 10x long tailed tit 4x coal tit 15x chaffinch 4x great tit 3x nuthatch 3x blackbird 6x dunnock 5x robin 1x wren 2x g s woodpecker then a male sparrowhawk came and took a dunnock.

 

[Mick Sway]

plenty of birds at my feeding station today. 40x house sparrow 30x blue tit 10x long tailed tit 4x coal tit 15x chaffinch 4x great tit 3x nuthatch 3x blackbird 6x dunnock 5x robin 1x wren 2x g s woodpecker then a male sparrowhawk came and took a dunnock.

Wish I could say the same here at Biddulph.
Our garden lacks anything but but blackbirds and wood-pigeons.
A solitary coal tit and two house sparrows were to-days (Sunday) stars.
Ohh and a buzzard flew over the by pass mobbed by jackdaws.
Plenty of BH gulls and the occasional herring gull which roost
on the Leisure Centre Roof.
Nice images though.
Best
Mick
:-C:-C:-C

 

[Upland Birder]

The Weather

I heard the weather report on Radio 4 this evening and was informed that today's band of rain may be the last for the next two weeks:bounce:

One can only hope!

Dean:t:

 

[paulthomas]

I heard the weather report on Radio 4 this evening and was informed that today's band of rain may be the last for the next two weeks:bounce:
:

So hosepipe bans imminent then 3

 

[terryeyre]

dimmingsdale 5x goldcrest 2x redpoll 4x siskin 1x sparrowhawk 1x buzzard 1x grey heron

 

[Upland Birder]

Churnet Valley Conservation

This organisation is following me on my Twitter account and thought some of you may be interested in having a look.

http://www.churnet-valley-conservation.org/

Dean:t:

 

[Mick Sway]

A yomp around Biddulph this morning gleaned one male gooseander at Biddulph Grange Country Park along with several unseen calling Nuthatch, up the old Train Lines towards Biddulph village:two male bullfinch, a single coal tit, loads a blue tit and several sparrows.
Even the local calling tawny owl has shut up for a few weeks since the rain and storms.
Happy New Year all.

Mick

 

[Upland Birder]

Tawny owl

2 x Tawny Owls present in the tree at the back of my garden at about 5.30pm this evening. Both were calling then flew off together.

Dean:t:

 

[terryeyre]

had four buzzards all perched on the top of telegraph poles on the roadside between cheadle and alton this afternoon.

 

[DAVE09]

Long Eared Owl

Could anyone point me to where the LEO roost in Parkhall CP? I'm told theres a roost site in the conifers and one was sighted today. Would really appreciate advice. Happy if you'd rather email to my personal address if preferred. Cheers.

 

[The Moore-hen]

Nice male Brambling early am before work in the garden in Bradmore, Wolverhampton in tall trees with c20 Greenfinch. With a male Blackcap early am on the 1st and a regular Juv Grey Heron attempting to raid the pond it's been a decent start to the 'garden year'...:t:

 

[terryeyre]

dimmingsdale 26x long tailed tit 2x mistle thrush 2x goldcrest 1x sparrowhawk 1x buzzard