Birding In Staffordshire (2 Viewers)

[Nick Smith]

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.

Its a well known fact that in some years, Long-eared Owls are present in the Parkhall area. The area is vast, with large areas of coniferous woods, and they have roosted in many different areas. Unfortunately, once a roost site becomes known, it attracts gatherings of birders, and in turn, these gatherings attract certain undesirables to the area. In the past, the owls have been shot at. Therefore roost sites are generally kept quiet, and we would prefer that it was kept this way. With the events at Berry Hill with the hounding of the SEO's by photographers, we now have to start putting the welfare of owls first, before that of the birder/photographer.

 

[DAVE09]

Nick - Many thanks for the reply. Quite understand. I'll just have to keep looking. Dave

 

[Mick Sway]

LEO's

Nick - Many thanks for the reply. Quite understand. I'll just have to keep looking. Dave

You can find them on your own, but it is tuff as they move around.
However this is the first year I've known, that fellow birders have
not been willing to share information at this well known roost.
Look forward to a very stiff neck!
Best
Mick:-C

 

[Eddie the 'ed]

Can anyone tell me how to access Branston Gravel Pits from A38 northbound?

Thanks,

Damo

 

[terryeyre]

dimmingsdale 3x tufted duck 2x goldfinch 1x bullfinch 1x buzzard 2x jay 18x long tailed tit

 

[johny doom]

I spotted a blackcap on parkhall golf cause yesterday.is that normal for this time of year?

 

[andm]

I spotted a blackcap on parkhall golf cause yesterday.is that normal for this time of year?

yes , some birds do overwinter here, they are often seen in gardens ,

 

[paulthomas]

The garden has been fairly quite recently apart from a high density of Blackbirds. I've counted as many as six at once in what is quite a small garden. Today though the cold weather brought in a couple of (to me) welcome visitors in the shape of a male Blackcap and a male Siskin. Neither was welcomed by the resident Robin though who drove them each off if they dared go near the sunflower hearts.

 

[Saphire]

I had about a dozen waxwings in the apple tree in my garden in Balterley north of Madeley last week on the 7th of January. They kept coming back to feed for about two days.

 

[Nick Smith]

I had about a dozen waxwings in the apple tree in my garden in Balterley north of Madeley last week on the 7th of January. They kept coming back to feed for about two days.

If you have any sightings of interesting birds just drop a line to [email protected] and we'll post the sighting on our daily blog.

 

[Saphire]

Thanks Nick, I will do that the next time, I am a little late for this sighting.

 

[andyr]

Garden Birding

Hi All

Same for most in the county today I guess, but five and a half inches of snow in Lichfield today (I measured it - sad!) meant no chance of any real 'outside' birding. Instead, like some others I guess I spent some time simply studying birds coming to and from our back garden.
Taken through the proverbial double-glazing therefore, from just a few feet away, one of these digiscoped photos shows one of three Fieldfare which took a fancy to a Pink Lady apple. Interesting to see each bird taking it in turns with the apple, all very polite ... that is until some of our resident Blackbirds tried to intervene. No chance, three-nil to the Fieldfare !
Besides the normal species coming to our feeders, it was also good to see a male Blackcap appear and begin feeding amongst the Mahonia flowers, before getting his turn too on 'the apple', after the big guys had gone.

Simple birding, common species, but at such close quarters - a real privilege.

Cheers

Andy R

 

[deanleese]

Wetley Moor.... 10x Bullfinch. Jack Snipe. Stonechat.

200+ Reed Bunting including one taken by a Sparrowhawk just above the dog kennels.

 

[The Moore-hen]

Easily 100+ Skylark in a stoney bare field on the left hand side of the Bridgenorth Road just past Dolittles Garden Centre as you head towards Wolverhampton at 13.15. Couldn't check them properly for anything rarer (as I had no optics with me!) - the whole field was covered in them - easy to see again the snow!

 

[coloz]

I met the chap this morning up at Wetleymoor who does the feeders and he was complaining about a group of photographers who were getting to close to the feeding station ,he said if this keeps on he will be moving it on to private land , The chap is doing a sterling job up there keeping the birds well fed through these harsh times we are having so please keep your distance from the feeding station there is no need to get to close , cheers col

 

[Upland Birder]

Completely agree with you Col and disturbance of this nature puts the birds at risk. They need to feed and not be disturbed. Disturbance means the birds are using up much needed energy and less feeding time.

Maybe feeding stations should not be advertised on blogs/internet sites.

Dean:t:

 

[Eddie the 'ed]

Whitemoor Haye

Hi all, I'm still learning the whereabouts of the local patches around the Lichfield area. I'm going to have a look at Whitemoor Haye this weekend. Can any of the regulars give me any info re: parking and how best to work the area for a first time visitor to get to grips with it?

Thanks in advance,
Damian

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

Whitemore Haye

Hi all, I'm still learning the whereabouts of the local patches around the Lichfield area. I'm going to have a look at Whitemoor Haye this weekend. Can any of the regulars give me any info re: parking and how best to work the area for a first time visitor to get to grips with it?

Thanks in advance,
Damian

Hi Damien,
See 2nd post 24/12/11 on thread Birds of Staffordshire. John

 

[Eddie the 'ed]

Hi Damien,
See 2nd post 24/12/11 on thread Birds of Staffordshire. John

Cheers John, much obliged!

 

[Eddie the 'ed]

Can anyone direct me to the gull roost at Chasewater? I'm heading up there this afternoon. Completely new to gull ID and want to brush up. When is the best time to arrive.

Thanks,
Damian