Birding In Staffordshire (1 Viewer)

[NickPomiankowski]

I completely agree with your comments too Dean. All bird sightings / experiences are of interest. :t: I hope the person will submit some sightings in the future.
Nick

Hi all,

A few weeks ago a BF member put a posting on here about sightings they had when out on a birding walk. The person concerned at a later point deleted their post which was a shame because it was a post of interest.

The BF member deleted after comparing their sightings with other members sightings on here and did not think their sightings were worthy.

I think it is important that for the future any BF members new to the thread should be encouraged, welcomed and acknowledeged with their reports/sightings and I hope they will not find reason to be discourgaged in any way or for any reason.

For me all sightings posted here are of value whether common species or the odd species rarity that happens to find its way to the patch.

In the future we may/will attract new people to the thread and in some cases people new to birding from anywhere around the Staffordshire Moorlands/North Staffs region or beyond so I hope we can acknowledge/support them when they report sightings or indeed if they ask for advice.

I just thought I'd raise this issue as I was a little concerned when I learned of the deletion of post and the reason. It was a really good posting as well and I wanted to respond to it.

Dean:t::t::t:

 

[NickPomiankowski]

Whitmore

By way of a change, I had a look round the Whitmore area this morning.

There was a nice flock of 50+ tree sparrows between Whitmore and Baldwin's Gate which is a good count for this time of year, so it looks like breeding went well here. Also 6+ yellowhammer territories including a family party, 3+ reed bunting territories, 2+ greenfinch family parties, 130 lapwings in the ploughed fields off Bent Lane and a couple of oystercatchers.

 

[NickPomiankowski]

Lask Edge

I received a report of Corn Buntings "at a farm at Lask Edge" over the week-end. If anyone heads up that way, it would be worth keeping an eye out.

Nick

 

[russell toon]

By way of a change, I had a look round the Whitmore area this morning.

There was a nice flock of 50+ tree sparrows between Whitmore and Baldwin's Gate which is a good count for this time of year, so it looks like breeding went well here. Also 6+ yellowhammer territories including a family party, 3+ reed bunting territories, 2+ greenfinch family parties, 130 lapwings in the ploughed fields off Bent Lane and a couple of oystercatchers.

Looks like you had a very good morning there Nick in particular with the Tree Sparrows.

Russell

 

[namron]

I received a report of Corn Buntings "at a farm at Lask Edge" over the week-end. If anyone heads up that way, it would be worth keeping an eye out.

Nick

I've been out that way this morning no luck I'm afraid only a Hobby of interest.
Keith

 

[NickPomiankowski]

Staffordshire On-line Bird Atlas

I thought I'd plug the Staffs on-line bird atlas hosted by Staffordshire Ecological Records. Their main page is http://www.staffs-ecology.org.uk/atlas/atlas.php and the bird atlas is at http://www.staffs-ecology.org.uk/atlas/atlas.php?page=b-title&atlasid=B

If you click on SEARCH ATLAS and key in a bird name/part name in the "Common Name" box, it should be self explanatory from there. SER receive regular updates from the county database so it's reasonably up to date. It shows distributions of bird species in the county at various levels of resolution - I hope you find it of interest. :t:

Nick

 

[russell toon]

I received a report of Corn Buntings "at a farm at Lask Edge" over the week-end. If anyone heads up that way, it would be worth keeping an eye out.

Nick

I very rarely see Corn Buntings in North Staffs probably due to the lack of cereal fields.Looking back through my records the last local bird I saw was a singing bird back in June 1999 in the meadow south of the Lower Dog lane plantation at Hanchurch where the farmer had planted a cereal crop.

Russell

 

[Steve Turner]

Hanchurch Woods

At least 10 Crossbills present this morning, unfortunately 9 of these were flyovers so I couldn't check them for the presence of any wingbars
Also had a Spotted Flycatcher feeding around the picnic benches near to the water tower.

I'm off to Mallorca for a week as from tomorrow...I look forward to being gripped off by all the quality migrants you lot will have found while I'm away!!

Cheers
Steve

 

[Old Codger]

Have a nice holiday Steve. Ted

 

[russell toon]

At least 10 Crossbills present this morning, unfortunately 9 of these were flyovers so I couldn't check them for the presence of any wingbars
Also had a Spotted Flycatcher feeding around the picnic benches near to the water tower.

I'm off to Mallorca for a week as from tomorrow...I look forward to being gripped off by all the quality migrants you lot will have found while I'm away!!

Cheers
Steve

Have a good week Steve.Dont think you will miss much here as things seem settled at the moment,we need a big change in wind direction.

Russell

 

[Steve Turner]

I thought I'd plug the Staffs on-line bird atlas hosted by Staffordshire Ecological Records. Their main page is http://www.staffs-ecology.org.uk/atlas/atlas.php and the bird atlas is at http://www.staffs-ecology.org.uk/atlas/atlas.php?page=b-title&atlasid=B

If you click on SEARCH ATLAS and key in a bird name/part name in the "Common Name" box, it should be self explanatory from there. SER receive regular updates from the county database so it's reasonably up to date. It shows distributions of bird species in the county at various levels of resolution - I hope you find it of interest. :t:

Nick

Interesting stuff Nick...from searching it seems as though Corn Buntings are rarer than Hen's teeth in the Staffordshire Moorlands district.

I particularly enjoy seeing the search results for Richard's Pipit and Nightjar

Steve

 

[Steve Turner]

Have a nice holiday Steve. Ted

Have a good week Steve.Dont think you will miss much here as things seem settled at the moment,we need a big change in wind direction.

Russell

Thanks Chaps, I'm hoping to get Balaeric Marmora's on me life list and looking forward to seeing Audouin's Gull from my sea view balcony

Russell - winds are forecast to go northerly I think, which could encourage migration of British born juvenile birds out of the country (via the mecca that is Berry Hill!), and may also encourage some of those crossbills in the Northern Isles to float south so keep those eyes and ears peeled!!

Steve

 

[Upland Birder]

Electric Fence-Swallow Moss/Kestrals/Canada Geese

Two kestrals hunting together on Ipstone's Edge this evening and one lower down below foxt on wires.

30 Canada Geese flew low south east over the house about an hour ago.

On my way home tonight I had a look at the electric wire fence all along the edge of Swallow Moss. Its along the stretch of road where birders park up. If its designed to keep people off the Moss it won't as there are four styles at different points with a freedom to roam symbol on one of them. Its interesting that its been put up since April acting as a form of barrier and enclosure. No fencing up the other side of the Moss.

Anyone have any knowledge of who has put the fence up and why? It only runs along the one side!!!

Dean:t::t::t:

 

[Upland Birder]

Crow Flyover

Huge number of crows heading south west over the house again this evening making way to roosting site. Great to watch.

Dean:t::t::t:

 

[Richard Powell]

Spot on Dean! :t:

Especially where covering a local patch is concerned. What may be considered to be a common species, or a large flock, could be something never been seen in that area before.

Covering Utch Quarry for example, I may mention the more unusual waders, but myself and a few others would give their right arm for a Coal Tit! The first Mistle Thrushes were only a few weeks ago.

Hi all,

A few weeks ago a BF member put a posting on here about sightings they had when out on a birding walk. The person concerned at a later point deleted their post which was a shame because it was a post of interest.

The BF member deleted after comparing their sightings with other members sightings on here and did not think their sightings were worthy.

I think it is important that for the future any BF members new to the thread should be encouraged, welcomed and acknowledeged with their reports/sightings and I hope they will not find reason to be discourgaged in any way or for any reason.

For me all sightings posted here are of value whether common species or the odd species rarity that happens to find its way to the patch.

In the future we may/will attract new people to the thread and in some cases people new to birding from anywhere around the Staffordshire Moorlands/North Staffs region or beyond so I hope we can acknowledge/support them when they report sightings or indeed if they ask for advice.

I just thought I'd raise this issue as I was a little concerned when I learned of the deletion of post and the reason. It was a really good posting as well and I wanted to respond to it.

Dean:t::t::t:

 

[terryeyre]

adult buzzard and youngster flying around over dimmingsdale this morning

 

[Adam M]

wearing the colours

had a count of 18 pied wagtails at..... vale park. even the birds are black and white there
they were feeding on the pitch before kick off, any idea why there would be that many there compared to any other public pitches/open areas of short grass?
adam

 

[Nick Smith]

had a count of 18 pied wagtails at..... vale park. even the birds are black and white there
they were feeding on the pitch before kick off, any idea why there would be that many there compared to any other public pitches/open areas of short grass?
adam

Chances of getting a game there are probably quite good. Keep the crosses low tho.

 

[russell toon]

Berryhill

2 Whinchats present this morning,one around the Shrike corner paddocks and one around the Lap Bunt paddock.Also 3 Redstarts present.

Russell

 

[NickPomiankowski]

Adam, WPLBC's reply is better than mine, but around now, post-breeding birds will flock together and feed in open areas where there's little disturbance........not sure what that says about The Vale :eek!:
Nick

had a count of 18 pied wagtails at..... vale park. even the birds are black and white there
they were feeding on the pitch before kick off, any idea why there would be that many there compared to any other public pitches/open areas of short grass?
adam