In and around South Staffordshire. (1 Viewer)

[andy_bloxwich]

Hello ive just got into watching birds and had my first proper session today.I live on the west mids/staffs border(its at the bottom of my garden) and right across the main road (broad lane) is a part of the wyrley and essington canal.Because im new to this most of the birds ive seen,i am seeing them for the first time EVER.My enthusiasm is immense at the moment.I have been following your reports since early october and would like to contribute my own sightings so here goes.It actually started yesterday when i took the dog for a walk and saw some unknown birds mixed in with the blackbirds.a quick check on the internet back home and they were redwings.Also saw some sparrow looking birds.Back there this morning without the dog but took along a seasoned birdwatcher.The sparrow things turned out to be a couple of reed buntings and a stonechat.Spent 2 hours wandering round in that wind and rain this morning(you can tell im new) but i think i made a great start.As well as the birds already mentioned there was a group of chaffinches,blue tits, great tits,a single longtailed tit,a group of goldfinches and 2 bullfinches.Will take another walk tomorrow because i think theres lots more i missed.

 

[Sedgley]

Hello Andy, welcome to the wonderful world of birding. I like your report, 'the sparrow things' lol

You usually see long tailed tits in flocks at this time of the year, but funnily enough I saw a single one today, report to follow later.

 

[Sedgley]

The good thing about birding in atrocious conditions is that you usually have the place to yourself. Thus it was today as I paid a visit to Whites Wood / Baggeridge / Himley Hall I didn't see that many people out and about.

Saw 6 red legged partridge, in flight low over the field between Himley Hall and Wood Farm. Had previously scanned the fields for partridges and seen nothing, and just as I was about to turn into the wood, the birds put in an appearance.

A couple of sightings of nuthatch around the Island Pool area. Also a female green woodpecker in Whites Wood, another (wasn't able to sex) along the industrial road and one heard (but not seen) in woods in Himley Hall's grounds.

Lots of black headed gull around but just one other species, lesser black backed gull flying over Himley Hall Great Pool. The pool itself had the usual suspects - mute swan, coot, Canada goose (76) etc. For such a large body of water you do expect to find more on there, especially in winter, but everytime I have been (which I admit isn't that often) you don't see anything unusual. Even a pochard or a goldeneye would be welcome!

 

[pigsonthewing]

Hello ive just got into watching birds and had my first proper session today.I live on the west mids/staffs border(its at the bottom of my garden)

You'll be wanting to know about the West Midland Bird Club and the RSPB Walsall Local Group, then. I look forward to meeting you at one or other of their events - do say hello!http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

 

[Sedgley]

An hour at lunchtime over Sedgley Beacon, which is close enough to where I live to walk to. The views are magnificent, with one half being the West Midlands conurbation and the other total countryside, with the Wrekin, Clee and Malvern Hills on the horizon. The difference is amazing at night, when you look out either across a blaze of light or more or less absolute darkness.

There was a female kestrel hunting over there today, in fact she more or less followed me round as I walked the site. Oblivious to my presence, I had some great views as she often hovered quite close to where I was.

Also saw a pair of bullfinch, and any session where I see those is a good one indeed. Lots of blackbird and magpie and a small group of very noisy starling in the mast near the tower.

There isn't a great deal of tree cover over the Beacon, but enough to attract a decent range of common birds. There is a lot of rubbish dumped as you would (sadly) expect from an area that is surrounded by housing. But if you live close it's worth a visit just for the views.

 

[John N]

This morning I decided to park at Himley Hall and walk into Baggeridge. While walking up the tarmac path we were met by the usual Great and Blue tits busily feeding while Greenfinch and Chaffinches and a few Long tailed tits were flitting between trees on the Golf course. The very next bird seen was a Kingfisher sitting on a branch near the stretch of water by the pool leading up to the farm track. Moorhen, Coot and Mallard were on the Island pool and a solitary Heron was on one of the Fisherman’s landing stages hoping to catch a meal. At the end of the pool, just before the waterfall we were greeted by fleeting glimpses of a Water Rail. A quick look at the Spring pool yielded a Dabchick and 2 Kingfishers chasing one another across the water. On entering Whites wood we saw Nuthatch, Tree creeper and a Goldcrest. Further into the wood we also saw Marsh tit, Coal tit, Jackdaw, wren and a Tawny Owl, which always seems special somehow. All in all a fantastic mornings birding.

 

[Sedgley]

After a morning's work and before I visited Molineux, had chance to walk around Whites Wood/Baggeridge for an hour and a half. In fact I was following in John N's footsteps, almost literally except that I didn't cross into Himley Hall.

Highlight was the tawny owl in Whites Wood. This wood and its immediate surrounding area must be one of the best in the district for tawny owls, I've seen up to 3 at any one time this year. This particular roosting bird is in a cavity at the top of a tree where the trunk has snapped and gives excellent views. Usually they are hidden by leaves or branches, but this one gives an unhindered sighting.

And with more deja vu regarding John, I even saw a grey heron on one of the fishing platforms on the Island Pool. Sadly though, the deja vu ended with the water rail which I disn't see.

Very enjoyable walk, the day was spoilt though by the score at Wolves. I am one of these football fans that is very much result motivated and so after the game I was intending to check out the large pied wagtail roost in Dudley Street in Wolverhampton city centre. But due to the way I felt I just walked straight back to the car with my daughter who is also a season ticket holder.

 

[John N]

I do not know how I missed you today Stewart as I covered the same ground as you this morning.I didn't see water rail either, but I always get excited when I see any owl. I won't dwell on the football but maybe we should all have stayed in Whites Wood today.One conselation is I did not see the match,bit to cold for me at present.Photo of Tawny in my gallery.

 

[Sedgley]

I was there a little later than you probably John. I was in the area from 12.30 till 2.00. Amazing that I can still be birding less than an hour before the game, drive home, get changed, drive to Wolverhampton, walk across the city and still be in my seat before the teams come out.

The joys of supporting your local team. :clap:

Just think of all those poor Man U fans, four hour journey and that's just for home games. Unless it's the big Essex derby with Southend, then it's only round the corner. :bounce:

 

[wolfbirder]

You are right football just affects my mood beyond belief. Wolves just dont seem to bring happiness!

Are the LS Woodpeckers showing anywhere?

 

[John N]

You are right football just affects my mood beyond belief. Wolves just dont seem to bring happiness!

Are the LS Woodpeckers showing anywhere?

I hvn't seen or heard of any yet.I usally see them when they start to drum.

 

[Sedgley]

By the time I got home today and able to do some birding, the sun had set and there was little over 30 minutes of daylight left. That's the problem with the winter days - they are so short. So I quickly gathered binoculars, put boots on, and set off with Twinkle my Bedlington Terrier around the corner to the Turls Hill area of Sedgley.

Heard one calling first, so I knew where to look. But when I did get a view across the field, there were actually two - both perched on fence posts. I'm talking about common buzzard. It hasn't been that long ago that the thought of seeing these birds in Sedgley would have have birders flocking from miles around. They are certainly a good news story in the world of birding that has seen so many species decline. Walking down the lane they were in the second field on the right and as I passed they flew towards Turls Hill itself.

Also saw a pair of great spotted woodpecker which were feeding in tall trees beyond the stables that are adjacent to the back gardens of the Queens Road houses. Did hear green woodpecker, who are resident in the area, but didn't see any.

A pair of lesser black backed gull flew over right at the end, by then it was difficult to see much but still an enjoyable time was had by Twinkle and I!

 

[John N]

A quick trip with the dogs over Baggeridge just before it got dusk. The birds must have been settling down for the night,Redwings were flying over but a Water rail was calling in the reeds at the Bagpool.

 

[andy_bloxwich]

Managed half hour along the dead canal across the road from my house.First chance i had to get out since last week.Not many birds about.Lots of redwing, blackbird, magpie, great tits, blue tits.A single chaffinch and a kestrel flew overhead.I was looking for the stonechat but there was no movement in the reedbeds although i think it was about because i could hear a bird among the reeds.The real treat for me was a male sparrowhawk sitting on my feeding table in the back garden.It stayed for about 20 minutes and gave me chance to take loads of photos and video footage.Sparrowhawks are no stranger to my garden,i have seen a female one about 4 times in the last 18 months.About twice a year on the neighbours tree i see a woodpecker.Dont know which one because i have only just got interested in this.

 

[Sedgley]

In Tipton this morning and so intended to take advantage of that by visiting Sheepwash Nature Reserve. However, when confronted with a massive line of traffic that didn't appear to be going anywhere, I did a quick turn-around and headed back to Sedgley. Ended up doing the well-worn route of Red Lane/Penn Common/fields beyond Gospel End Village that is a regular walk of mine.

Those of you that know Red Lane will be aware that it isn't a particularly long stretch of road, yet by the time I reached the bottom I had ticked 18 species. It is a good winter haunt for finches and I saw a group of c.25 goldfinch and several chaffinch, but sadly it has been a while since I saw more than the odd greenfinch there, and today I didn't see any.

Two small groups of house sparrow in the lane - one by the top pool and the other at the entrance to the water works. In the field below Westgate farm 26 black headed gull were feeding on the ground. Later saw a pair of herring gull in flight and a single black backed gull over the ridge beyond Red Lane, but I wasn't able to specifically identify it.

 

[Sedgley]

Fishing at Branston Water Park near Burton. It's a good birding place but I was tucked away in a corner so didn't exploit it to the full. I have to remind myself sometimes that birding is a bonus not the reason I am there, otherwise I wouldn't get any fishing done!

Three lapwing flew overhead. I usually see the species when there, particularly in the winter. Lots of black headed gull and a few lesser black backed gull.

Single reed bunting in a bush next to where I was sitting. Flock of grey lag goose on the lake and numerous great crested grebe.

 

[Sedgley]

A lunchtime walk to Turls Hill in Sedgley, which is literally round the corner from where I live. A lot of local birders wouldn't even give it a second thought (in fact I have never ever seen even one other birder over there) but I think that as long as we are realistic, then these sort of places can be extremely enjoyable. And I certainly enjoyed my time there today.

It was nothing like a winter's day, in fact definitely more spring-like and the constant bird song reinforced that image. The birds have gathered in their winter flocks though and numerous tits and finches were seen. Tit species were long tailed tit, great tit, blue tit and a single coal tit.

It was nice to see so many finches around, with lots of chaffinch, greenfinch and goldfinch putting in an apearance. The highlight though was a male bullfinch calling in bushes near the allotments. That in itself made the walk worthwhile even if I had not seen another bird.

A single goldcrest in brambles by the brook. I don't keep site records but I am prety sure that's the first one I've seen at Turls Hill. And come to think of it I don't recall ever seeing a coal tit before either.

There were a total of ten mistle thrush on the field by the allotments, a single bird having been seen previously in the lane. Also a single male great spotted woodpecker on trees also near the allotments and a pair of birds later on in trees near the brook.

 

[Sedgley]

Along the Birmingham Main Line Canal near Coseley, and I must say that if I were a bird there are far more picturesque places that I would set up home in. But thankfully for urban birders, birds don't always think as we humans do.

Saw four species of gull, in order of numbers seen - black headed gull, lesser black backed gull, herring gull, great black backed gull. There was hardly a moment when one gull or another wasn't seen in the sky around where I was.

The canal itself was fairly quiet, the usual mallard, coot and moorhen. But I did see a little grebe, diving along the far bank close to a dense reed bed. The only other water based bird was a grey heron which was in flight overhead.

A pair of goldfinch were resident in the area, seen quite a few times. Then a group of five birds were seen, finally a collection of seven birds. As the numbers increased chronologically and the groups were not seen at the same time, I deduced that it was the same initial pair that was joined by other birds. Either way I really enjoyed watching them and they were the perfect contrast to the industrial backdrop of where I was.

 

[andy_bloxwich]

I got out weds/thurs/friday for half hour each day.A part of the wyrley and essington canal is a minute from my door and very convenient.Lots of redwing and blackbirds great tit and blue tit.2 mistle thrush washing in a large puddle.Thursday there were hundreds of gulls circling quite high up.Saw a buzzard fly into a small wood the other side of the railway.Another one flew from some tall trees and i saw it flying round in circles a few minutes later over farmland just off long lane.2 birds flew from a marshy area when i got close.I followed them through binoculars whilst flying and noticed they had long thin beaks.I think they were snipe.Large group of finches in the trees,noticed lots of goldfinch.Today i saw my first ever siskin.Three small birds flew over and seperated.One stopped in a tree i was standing next to and i had a very close view.Didnt have my book with me so had to wait till i got home to find out it was a siskin.

 

[Sedgley]

One of those days today when I travel and have an extended time of birding, which for me means 15 miles and about 5 hours! Decided to visit the Cuckoo Bank area, which is on the edge of Cannock Chase. I have been once before, this last summer, and have been wanting to return ever since.

Parked near Norton Bog and walked to the top fields, along the tracks, and then back again. Was hoping to see grey partridge, but alas, nothing. Did see a single female stonechat which was eating a green caterpillar on a fence post. The bird was also in gorse bushes and gave excellent views. Also meadow pipit, goldfinch , reed bunting and five lapwing around the fields area.

Back towards the main road in a bog area, there were lots of finches and tits - a group of goldfinch alone numbered c.30. A single female bullfinch in dense bushes, which was calling. I love the sound that they make.

Decided to drop in on Chasewater Country Park on the way back. Glad I did as added a couple of new ticks for the year, taking me to 121 if my memory serves me correctly, which isn't too bad considering the type of birding I do. Got really close to a snow bunting on the south shore. Also a couple of great northern diver by the island towards the north shore located by walking clockwise around the lake.

A couple of female goldeneye and a single grey wagtail were other birds seen on or around the water. Really enjoyed today, should do this more often!