In and around South Staffordshire. (1 Viewer)

[John N]

Hi savwaves. Just started to be mobile again and am now visiting Baggeridge every day. As Stewart said the Alders are good for both Siskin and Redpoll ,but a bit later on into winter. Last year Mealy redpoll was seen round the Bagpool, also Water rail. Maybe I will bump into you at Baggeridge one day.

 

[Sedgley]

In and around South Staffordshire expanded its borders a little over the last few days when we took a short family holiday on a boat near Southport. Managed to get quite a bit of birding in, and also added a few new species for the year. Brief details as follows:


Day 1, on pier and seafront at Southport.
Single black swan on marine lake, lots of mute swan on the lake, most counted at one time 108. Lots of black headed gull, herring gull and a few lesser black backed gull around.

The area to the right of the pier was quite good for birds at low water. Lots of dunlin, oystercatcher and shelduck (24) as well as redshank (38).




Day 2, Martin Mere.
Large numbers of whooper swan on the mere itself. Most counted at one time was 146. Also seen - mallard, shelduck, teal, pintail, pochard, wigeon, gadwall, shoveler, goldeneye.

Occasional snipe around, most seen at one time - 4. Lots of lapwing, flock of 250+ birds in flight. Single redshank and several ruff which gave excellent views right in front of the hide.

Good job I looked at the sparrows on the feeder by the entrance as well, as they were tree sparrow, which I wasn't expecting.




Day 3, in the area around the boat where we stayed.
Pair of mistle thrush, lots of jackdaw and greenfinch.

Southport sea front and immediate area.
Flock of c.600 oystercatcher on beach.

Marshside RSPB reserve.
Flock of c.200 pink footed goose in the coastal marsh, three juvenile great black-backed gull. Flocks of black tailed godwit and golden plover on the town side marsh.

Lots of pintail, wigeon, mallard, teal, pochard.

Very enjoyable break, total for the year 118.

 

[Sedgley]

After a great three days up t'north it was back to my local patch again this afternoon. Highgate Common to be precise, where I had a 1.75 hour walk through the heather, copses and grass.

Unusual sight was when I saw a male kestrel in a tree. Focusing on it I noticed a meadow pipit on a branch just below it. When the kestrel flew off, so did the pipit. And as the bird of prey turned several times, the pipit followed suit. I felt sorry for the smaller bird and was hoping it wouldn't get savaged!

It's quiet now that all the summer visitors have gone but there's still plenty of life around. Single male green woodpecker on a fence post and a treecreeper on a trunk of a tree.

Single goldcrest and yellowhammer brought some colour into proceedings. Just as I arrived at the car it started to rain, so that was good timing. Total birds seen - 17.

 

[Sedgley]

Just outside Stafford on the River Sow, not a birding trip but just an hour into dark saw a barn owl fly low along the far bank and then cross the river in the direction of Baswich. Then literally a minute later an otter came swimming downstream mid-river.

The barn owl was heard for the next couple of hours in the immediate area, but not seen. This is the first time I have encountered the species in this particular vicinity.

 

[Sedgley]

Near the River Teme in the Stanford Bridge area. Saw a female goosander on a farm pool. There are regular sightings of the species in the area, I've never seen them in large numbers though, more a case of 'little and often'. Well not that often, but you get my drift.

I'm into partridges at the moment and so a small group of five red legged partridge were very welcome. Lots of pheasant, so I guess it must be time to release birds for shooting. They just seem so innocent though and hardly 'street wise', you can almost catch them by hand never mind shoot them.

Heard tawny owl in the area but didn't see any.

 

[Sedgley]

Now that the clocks have gone back, combined with the fast approaching winter period, the days are much shorter. What would normally be a late afternoon summer walk is now a dusk one. Therefore managed just an hour, and even then the sun set over the horizon while still on the way back to the car.

Covered Red Lane, which is a rural walk near the village of Gospel End in South Staffordshire. For those who know the area I parked by the top farm and walked as far as the beginning of Penn Common and then back again.

A total of 17 species seen, mostly the usual suspects. Saw the first redwing of the winter, in the same tree that I saw my first willow warbler of the summer. Time moves on and it seems like an eternity when I was all excited about the summer arrivals. I'm still excited though, just different birds that are puting in an appearance.

Pair of common buzzard in trees alongside Penn Common Brook, one calling for some time. Also a pair of kestrel in flight.

Wood pigeon, stock dove and collared dove also seen, all three of which are pretty much guaranteed (for as much as you can use that word in birding) on this particular walk.

 

[Sedgley]

It's been ages since I was last at Sandwell Valley, so with a free spot during the day I gathered my binoculars, birding coat, Bedlington Terrier and set off to have a walk around the lake.

Was there for 1.5 hours which is what it takes to have a leisurely stroll around the main body of water on the site. Mainly focusing on the lake itself so invariably missed lots of land based birds ie didn't see a blackbird or a wren for example (blush). But still saw 30 species.

Anyway as far as my birding is concerned I'm not after ticks for the sake of them. It's all about enjoyment, and I certainly register 10/10 on that scale, that's for sure.

Large numbers of black headed gull around, but just one other species - a solitary herring gull.

The only bird species I did count (for some reason, I don't know why) was shoveler. I ended up with 10 males and 2 females. Lots of pochard on the lake, mostly the far end away from the RSPB centre. A few teal around, including 3 (2m, 1f) on the River Tame.

Also saw carrion crow, magpie, jackdaw and jay, the last two being single sightings, both birds in flight.

Cold day but at least it was dry and as far as birding is concerned I can live with that. The hide is still closed, for anyone that is interested in that.

 

[Sedgley]

If you read my entries regularly, you will have probably noticed that many of them revolve around rivers and lakes. This is because I am a keen angler and while out and about use the opportunity to do some birding. Or maybe it's the other way round...

Very often birders and anglers don't see eye to eye, but personally I have no conflict between the two activities. Cormorants? Never heard of them. :king: Anyway, if you are a fellow angler check out Stewart Bloor's Angling Journal

Today saw me on the River Mease near the village of Lullington in Staffordshire. It looked like a poor spot that I was in yet in the few hours before dark I ended up with 22 species so that just goes to show that we should never judge a book by its cover as I thought to myself if I see 10 different birds I'll be happy.

Highlight was a barn owl that I noticed at 4.50pm hunting low over the rough grass field behind me. Four carrion crow left their roost tree to mob the bird, which resulted in driving it away. But it returned and I spent the next half an hour watching it, final sighting at 5.18pm. A couple of times it came within a few metres of where I was sitting. A full moon and a cloudless sky gave me excellent views.

First fieldfare of the winter, a flock of c.25 birds flew overhead. Also had a flock of c.25 redwing calling in flight as they passed overhead in the dark. Also single blackbird and song thrush seem in hedges alongside the river.

Single great spotted woodpecker passed overhead, not able to sex the bird. Finches seen were a single female chaffinch and a group of 10 goldfinch.

 

[Sedgley]

Another late afternoon session, visited the area known locally as 'the cornfields' which is a wedge of genuine countryside that creates a green belt between Sedgley and the Goldthorn/Colton Hills area of Wolverhampton. Parked at the top of The Northway, close to the Blind Institute.

Visited this area a couple of times in the summer and struggled to see much. Lots of birds around this time though, the ploughed fields and stubble fields were very much alive with birds. Lots of carrion crow and magpie, but didn't count them.

Numerous yellowhammer, largest group just four birds though. Also pied wagtail, most seen at one time - five.

Two great spotted woodpecker and a single green woodpecker all seen in flight, as was a single bullfinch. Also a pair of jay.

Very enjoyable walk, sun had set by the time I got back to the car so was quite chilly. Walking the fields you expect to see both partridge and skylark but you look in vain. Popular with dog walkers I doubt whether partridges would get any peace and skylarks have long disappeared from the area. When I was younger adjacent Penn Common was alive with the aerial song of the bird. I would love to see them return.

 

[Sedgley]

Had a late morning walk around Victoria Park in Tipton. Lots of Canada Goose, counted 135 grazing on the playing fields. The usual suspects on the pool itself ie mallard, tufted duck, mute swan etc. One grey heron on the island and amongst the many black headed gull at first I thought I saw a mediterranean gull but unfortunately it was a false alarm.

Three mistle thrush that were very active and noisy. There could have been more but this was the number most seen at one time. Also numerous blackbird.

Had an hour on the park, saw 18 species. Not the sort of place that you would particularly want to travel to but if you are in the immediate area as I was, then any birding is better than no birding that's for sure!

 

[savwaves]

A 2 hour visit to Baggeridge in full glorious sunshine this morning gave the following sightings:-

Goldfinch (flock of approx. 50)
Treecreeper
Goldcrest (great view for 20 mins)
Bullfinch (1 female - I think this is actually my first sighting of a female)
Buzzard
Long Tailed Tit (flock of about 20 birds)
Coal Tit
Nuthatch
Wren & Robin (everywhere!)
Jay
Crows, Chaffinches, Great & Blue Tits etc.

I don't usually get the chance to visit Baggeridge mid-week and I am really surprised at the actual quantity of birds that were showing in comparison with my usual weekend visits.

I am currently on the look out for Redpoll, Siskin and Fieldfare - no luck today. Has anybody seen these birds around this area yet?

 

[Sedgley]

A good place for bullfinches, although some may think it's 'cheating', is the bird table at the warden's centre. I've seen several birds there at a time and they are pretty bold too, particularly when there aren't that many people around.

Elsewhere bullfinches can show anywhere at Baggeridge, with Whites Wood and the surrounding area being quite good.

It may be a little early for the siskins and redpolls (although I'm only saying that, someone may have some definite information that they have arrived), but when they do come check out the alder trees that run alongside the series of pools that lead to Himley.

I have seen fieldfare in the area so they are starting to arrive now. A good place for them and redwing is the public footpath that runs from Gospel End to the A449 near Wombourne. The top section, so still the Baggeridge area, has some excellent thrush fields, so also blackbird, mistle thrush and song thrush. You get plenty of ground to look at as well as the fields slope away gently from the path, which is on a ridge.

Also the fields that are bordered by Gospel End Village and Red Lane are excellent for redwing and fieldfare in the winter. There are usually some pretty large flocks over there.

 

[Sedgley]

On the River Sow just outside Stafford. Not much in the way of trees in the immediate area so all birds seen were either in flight or on the water. Saw a kingfisher, which is a pretty common bird for me, spending extended times by water.

But a couple of weeks back while in a hide at Martin Mere, I was revelling in the ruff, whooper swans, pintails etc - birds that I just never see in my local patches. And whilst there I overheard a conversation between two people one of whom had just seen a kingfisher and she was pretty ecstatic to say the least. It was only her second one and the other lady had only seen three.

I smiled to myself, thinking how I was drooling over the 'new' birds for me yet all they could talk about was something that I see all the while, whilst the birds I was watching didn't raise an eyebrow for them. Not that I'm trying to dampen anyone's enthusiasm, far from it. Just an observation.

Anyway, back to the Sow. Not much really, a single kestrel, flock of 9 fieldfare, c.15 jackdaw, five mute swan were the highlights. Oh the memories of the pintails, ruff and whoopers. :bounce:

 

[John N]

A 2 hour visit to Baggeridge in full glorious sunshine this morning gave the following sightings:-

Goldfinch (flock of approx. 50)
Treecreeper
Goldcrest (great view for 20 mins)
Bullfinch (1 female - I think this is actually my first sighting of a female)
Buzzard
Long Tailed Tit (flock of about 20 birds)
Coal Tit
Nuthatch
Wren & Robin (everywhere!)
Jay
Crows, Chaffinches, Great & Blue Tits etc.

I don't usually get the chance to visit Baggeridge mid-week and I am really surprised at the actual quantity of birds that were showing in comparison with my usual weekend visits.

I am currently on the look out for Redpoll, Siskin and Fieldfare - no luck today. Has anybody seen these birds around this area yet?

I havn't seen any Siskin or Redpoll yet ,but keep a check on the Alders that surround Bagpool. Last year a Mealy Redpoll was seen among the flock. Plenty Redwing going through, but I have only seen the odd Fieldfare.

 

[Sedgley]

Walking my dog on the Tenscore in Sedgley yesterday I saw a woodock. At 4.52 pm darkness was settling in and so when a brown bird flew suddenly aross my path, in an instant I immediately thought 'tawny owl'. But then it turned and as it did so I had an excellent side on view, which of course is when I made the id.

I was really surprised to see the bird and it just goes to show that you never know what can turn up in the most unlikely of places. I'd never have thought in a million years I'd see a woodcock 100 metres from Sedgley town centre.

For those who know the area, I was walking the length of the football pitch away from Sedgley and the bird flew low from the direction of the grazing field behind. It flew across the Tenscore site and then returned back to the grazing field. Whether it landed or not I don't know.

It would have been nice to have seen it whilst actually birding, but a sighting is a sighting. But it does show us that instead of moaning all the while about our local patch and the lack of interesting birds (actually I think all birds are interesting) that we should keep plugging away. And when something out of the ordinary does turn up, then it will mean so much more than when we travelled somewhere specifically to see it.

Total for the the year 119

 

[John N]

Great sighting Stewart, I do not know if there have ever been any sightings of Woodcock at Cotwall-end valley,but you were not that far away. It may be worth a visit there.occasionally one is sighted at Baggeridge.

 

[Sedgley]

Hello John. I've been to Cotwall End valley just once in the last couple of years. It's certainly a place that has potential, the only downside though is the rubbish that's everywhere and all the dumping that goes on in the lane. There is an initiative though to tackle these issues as a group has been established. But without trying to sound negative, unfortunately I do think we are often fighting a losing battle with areas that are close to housing estates.

 

[Sedgley]

Not much of an early riser, I was up this morning at an ungodly hour (well it seemed like it, but to most people it's probably quite normal to be around and about at 7.30 am o o ). Anyway had an hour in the nearby Whites Wood, which is part of Baggeridge Country Park.

Small group of redwing passed through the wood. I didn't count them as they were hidden amongst trees and were only visible for a few moments, but I would say about half a dozen perhaps.

Single male great spotted woodpecker feeding on a branch, also heard a green woodpecker but didn't see it. However, the very elusive lesser spotted woodpecker continues to remain very elusive.

The wood is excellent for tit species and today saw numerous blue tit, great tit and long tailed tit plus a single coal tit.

The wood also has resident jackdaw and although I only saw a couple of birds perched high in a tree, there were other birds deeper in the wood which I heard.

So nothing particularly special, but I really enjoyed it. A great way to start the day, although I'm still not much of a morning person really. I rarely go to bed before midnight so perhaps I should try late night owl sessions. Well,actually I do intend to do that now that the leaves are falling from the trees. So as they say, watch this space...

 

[Sedgley]

Over in Radnorshire today on the River Ithon near Rhayader. Would liked to have had a serious go at the area but I was there for fishing so it was a bonus to have my binoculars, albeit stuck in one place.

The fields alongside the river were alive with starling, fieldfare and redwing. When I arrived and disturbed them, there was easily 600 in flight, the majority being starlings. The abundance of berry bushes meant that constant fieldfares and thrushes visited throughout the day, whilst the starlings came and went, but always in numbers.

The highlight though was when driving back down the lane from the farm. At the end of the drive I saw the white farm cat, which I had noticed when I arrived earlier in the day, sitting on a post. However, as I got closer I realsied it wasn't the cat but a barn owl.

It was totally engrossed in peering into the long grass, so much so that I was able to drive within two metres of it. I had an excellent view before it eventually flew off. I seem to be seeing barn owls for fun these days - but I'm not complaining.

 

[Sedgley]

An hour and a half this afternoon down one of my local regular haunts - Red Lane/Penn Common near Gospel End Village.

Highlight wasn't a bird but a badger that was in the very last field off the lane. I have seen one before in the same field, but this one made its way from the brook as far as Westgate Farm before I lost sight of it. It was seen at 3.20 pm until 3.35 pm. I've also seen them in the fields the other side of the lane so guess there is a reasonable colony in the area.

On the bird front saw a male bullfinch in trees around the first group of houses on the Common. This is a good spot for them in the winter, and one thing I noticed today is that the usual winter places for certain birds are now starting to produce. Winter is on its way!

Flock of c.25 redwing on the Common, numerous blackbird all along the walk and three mistle thrush.

Two stock dove in trees at the bottom of the lane and a further nine in trees alongside the water works off the Common. Also numerous wood pigeon and a couple of collared dove.

The pool at the top of Red Lane is very low at the moment, but still had a grey heron in the margins.