Birding In Staffordshire (1 Viewer)

[NickPomiankowski]

As Steve says, one of my predictions - nice one Russell :t:

Berryhill site tick

Got out after the rain had stopped not expecting to see anything new with these southerly winds.
2 calling waders flew over my head and dropped down on 20 foot pool,just had enough time to confirm that they were Green Sandpipers before they took off.
If only this place had a decent bit of open water.

Russell

 

[NickPomiankowski]

Where's Tickhill Andy? Nice counts of redstarts and mistles

Hey up Nick,

... Made me first visit to TICKHILL this morning with "Jimmy Greenhoffs love child" me old mate Nobby and we didn't do to badly with 5 Redstarts and a Whitethroat. Also a post breeding flock of c30 Mistle Thrushs.

Cheers

Andy.

 

[Steve Turner]

Where's Tickhill Andy? Nice counts of redstarts and mistles

I'm guessing he means Berry Hill or were you just being sarcastic Nick?!

Steve

 

[Richard Powell]

For once, Andy is deadly serious. Tickhill is actually Tickhill Lane at Dilhorne, near Cheadle. I'm all for lucky omens in names, I'll give it a try in a bit.

Just nipped in for a pit stop after checking Blithfield again. No new waders today, but got nearer to the Little Stint.

I'm guessing he means Berry Hill or were you just being sarcastic Nick?!

Steve

 

[Steve Turner]

For once, Andy is deadly serious. Tickhill is actually Tickhill Lane at Dilhorne, near Cheadle. I'm all for lucky omens in names, I'll give it a try in a bit.

Ha ha, I stand corrected! So, we could have a battle of the hills this autumn then!?

What is Tickhill (what a great name!) like? Presumably it's a bit of high ground with some hedgerows, based on Andy's Redstart count?!

Steve

 

[Nick Smith]

Just read elsewhere that 40 Barnacle geese have been seen at Blithfield today. Its all happening

Dean:t:

The Barnacle Geese flock at Blithfield come in every summer. I'm afraid they are more Cat C than Cat A and probably have only ever read about Spitzbergen in a travel guide. There's also a nice Lesser Canada Goose with the flock this year. There were three in the flock last year.

 

[terryeyre]

a flock of 26 mistle thrushes,2 adult and 1 young buzzard not far from the ranger youth hostel above dimmngsdale.

 

[Upland Birder]

The Barnacle Geese flock at Blithfield come in every summer. I'm afraid they are more Cat C than Cat A and probably have only ever read about Spitzbergen in a travel guide. There's also a nice Lesser Canada Goose with the flock this year. There were three in the flock last year.

I thought it was a bit strange when I read about it being that it is only August and they are usually seen from September onwards. Like those Barnacles I have only ever read about Spitzbergen and hope someday to go there. Almost did about 25 years ago but went to Norway instead!! Out of interest where do they come in from?

Dean

 

[Upland Birder]

a flock of 26 mistle thrushes,2 adult and 1 young buzzard not far from the ranger youth hostel above dimmngsdale.

Hi Terry,

Thats a good number of mistle thrushes you saw up there.

Dean:t:

 

[Richard Powell]

Sorry Dean I didn't notice you put that, otherwise I would've mentioned myself.

They're a feral population that have built their numbers up. Sometimes there are a similar number at Carsington Water, that also include Lesser Canada/Cackling Goose. I've wondered for a long time if they commute between Carsington and Blithfield.

On a not so jolly note, just seen on the news of a serious bus crash in Alton.

I thought it was a bit strange when I read about it being that it is only August and they are usually seen from September onwards. Like those Barnacles I have only ever read about Spitzbergen and hope someday to go there. Almost did about 25 years ago but went to Norway instead!! Out of interest where do they come in from?

Dean

 

[Upland Birder]

Sorry Dean I didn't notice you put that, otherwise I would've mentioned myself.

They're a feral population that have built their numbers up. Sometimes there are a similar number at Carsington Water, that also include Lesser Canada/Cackling Goose. I've wondered for a long time if they commute between Carsington and Blithfield.

On a not so jolly note, just seen on the news of a serious bus crash in Alton.

Hi Richard,

I have read about the bus crash at Alton and for a good hour could hear in the distance the sirens of emergency services vehicles heading that way. Must be very serious given the number of sirens I heard.

Thanks for the info on the geese population.

Nice wader photo.

Dean:t:

 

[Steve Turner]

Berry Hill

A stroll around this evening produced a small (!) 'arrival' of at least 5 Wheatears up around the mast area.

Steve

 

[Rob Jones]

Hi Richard,

I have read about the bus crash at Alton and for a good hour could hear in the distance the sirens of emergency services vehicles heading that way. Must be very serious given the number of sirens I heard.

Thanks for the info on the geese population.

Nice wader photo.

Dean:t:

I work at JCB (Cheadle) and it must have happened around 5.45? Four ambulances and three or four police cars were on the way as I left work.
There was a torrential rainstorm at the time. Maybe that had something to do with it?
I seriously hope no one has been killed but it seems a bad accident according to the news.

 

[russell toon]

A stroll around this evening produced a small (!) 'arrival' of at least 5 Wheatears up around the mast area.

Steve

At last a few more Wheatears,dont know whether or not they travel during daylight,if so the rain could have dropped them down.

Russell

 

[Richard Powell]

Hi Rob

One fire engine zoomed past my house around 6pm. One fatality and 60 injured so far. Sky News and the BBC News Channel are just before the bridge over the Churnet, and to the left is the road towards the Alton Bridge Hotel, and the road to Dimmingsdale.

 

[KayD]

I've been up to Blithfield to twitch the Little Stint this evening. It was a lifer for me, I located it pottering around amongst 37 Ringed Plovers and c25 Dunlins by the causeway. Still there when we left at 8.45pm. There were also 24 Black Terns at the deep end.

 

[Upland Birder]

Digiscoping Set Up Nearly Complete

Today I ordered a a cable release bracket/cable and Nikon UR~E20 adaptor from SRB Griturn to complete my digiscoping set up. Once these arrive in the next 3 days I will be ready to begin learning the art of digiscoping.

I need to set up the camera modes best suited to digiscoping first so will spend a little time getting my head around the camera specifications over next couple of evenings.

I am eager to get started but will take it step by step. So if you see me in a hide somewhere can you make sure that you tip toe about and don't jump up and down as I will have to keep the camera/scope etc very still for that perfect digiscoped image:eek!:

Dean

 

[Upland Birder]

I've been up to Blithfield to twitch the Little Stint this evening. It was a lifer for me, I located it pottering around amongst 37 Ringed Plovers and c25 Dunlins by the causeway. Still there when we left at 8.45pm. There were also 24 Black Terns at the deep end.

Hi Kay,

Nice to see you on here again. Some good sightings had there. I once saw a Little Stint up on Carnforth Marsh in Lancashire about three years ago. Another lifer to your list:t: Your on your way to joining the 300 club!!:eek!:

Well done with the Black Terns as well.

Dean

 

[Neil-T]

At Uttoxeter Quarry today: 2 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 LRP, 5 Curlew, 7 Oystercatcher, 9 Goosander.

Then at Blithfield, a classic day! 1 Little Stint, 5 Knot, 5 Black-Tailed Godwit, 3 Greenshank, 1 Ruff, 39 Ringed Plover, 25 Dunlin, 43 Black Tern, 3 Garganey, 2 Osprey, 2 Peregrine, 1 Raven, 4 Wheatear. Thankfully for me I start a week off work. So to quote Arnie, I'll be back!

WOW! thats an impressive list. Never been over to Blithfield, so will have to give it a try sometime. Just noticed you are just around the corner from me, I live in Cheadle.

ATB. Neil.

 

[Neil-T]

Today I ordered a a cable release bracket/cable and Nikon UR~E20 adaptor from SRB Griturn to complete my digiscoping set up. Once these arrive in the next 3 days I will be ready to begin learning the art of digiscoping.

I need to set up the camera modes best suited to digiscoping first so will spend a little time getting my head around the camera specifications over next couple of evenings.

I am eager to get started but will take it step by step. So if you see me in a hide somewhere can you make sure that you tip toe about and don't jump up and down as I will have to keep the camera/scope etc very still for that perfect digiscoped image:eek!:

Dean

Hi Dean, I am also in Cheadle and just getting in to Digiscoping, if you are going to the Berry Hill meet it would be nice to meet and have a chat.

Regards. Neil.