In and around South Staffordshire. (1 Viewer)

[Emma]

Went for a walk along the Worcs/Staffs canal this afternoon and was quite surprised to see a Mandarin Duck with 3 Mallards on the River Stour near to the bridge at Whittington Lock, does anyone know the status of these ducks in this area? I am not sure if this is likely to be an escapee or a naturalised Mandarin? Either way it was a nice surprise sighting! I have attached a record photo of the duck for info!

Other notable sightings included seeing a Little Grebe on the canal and 2 sightings of Mink during our walk. Also saw Redwing, Common Buzzard, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Kingfisher, Long Tailed Tits along the canal walk and at Kinver Sewage works there were Grey Wagtails, Pied Wagtails, Magpies and Chaffinches in the treatment basins. The highlight of the day for me was seeing 3 Nuthatches feeding in the car park area near to Caunsall, it made a nice change to see them close up and not via twigs in the trees!!

 

[Silver Ether]

You can often see a Manderine at the bridge in Bridgnorth, I assume its an escapee but who knows

 

[John N]

All the usual Baggeridge birds including the Tawny Owl, plus Chiffchaffs in the Wetlands and in the large Willow tree behind Bagpool.

 

[savwaves]

I have seen male & female Mandarin together at Arley on the River Severn before.
I always thought that there was a self-sustaining population on the river (but can't remember where I got the information from).

 

[savwaves]

1 calling Chiffchaff at Baggeridge this morning.

 

[Silver Ether]

hope they are there tomorrow when I get there then ...

 

[John N]

S.E They were there today,same place as yesterday also along the top of the amphitheatre where you saw the Lesser spot.

 

[Silver Ether]

Well you know where to find me in the morning after kids in school:t:

 

[Sedgley]

Emma, a couple of years back there was a male mandarin duck amongst the mallards on the Staffs/Worcs Canal at Brick Bridge in Wombourne. I remember the locals (who weren't birders) telling me it appeared every year at about the same time.

Concerning the mandarins on the River Severn, a couple of years back I fished Dudmaston Hall quite regularly and most evenings in the summer a large (region of 13) group of birds would land on the water.

 

[Sedgley]

I'm just ambling along at the moment and my total for the year is 74. I've still got loads of common birds to see.

Latest additions to the list include a female gadwall, oystercatcher, reed bunting. Not at Baggeridge I must add.

 

[Silver Ether]

Thought I was going to get a Sparrow Hawk on the carport roof just ... Crows were shouting so I went out to feed them and caught sight of a gull .. unknown type to me; shrugshasseling another bird got a good look to see him. I think it was male not to sure but a Sparrow Hawk.

I did see the ChiffChaff at Baggeridge I could hear another and see one.
Also near Woods Farm were 2 Grey Wagtails and lovely flock of Goldfinch too many Robins to count, couple of Chaffinch, LTTs a very cheeky maggie that made me move so he could get the nuts I had put down. The regulars that are there, no Little Grebe today... Greater Spotted Woodpecker
no Lesser though John but it looks like a Stock Dove is setting up home, but I am not sure if the second bird that was there was a Stock.... a bit ugly.

 

[John N]

S.E The stock doves have set up home in the boxes by the substation. Well done with the Chiffchaffs. Shame about the Lesser spot though

 

[Silver Ether]

Thats where I saw them John ... thanks for pointing me in the right area for the chiffchaff:t: but I must get to the common as thats where I saw my first one in 2007 ... its a sort of pilgimage...:-O

 

[Pam_m]

I had a pleasant walk around Bunkers Hill Wood, Whittington Hall Lane, this afternoon. I felt very lucky and pleased to come across 2 early Spring migrants. A male Wheatear in one of the grazing meadows and 2 Chiffchaff along the path adjacent to the meadows.
I have added a record shot of the male Wheatear.

 

[John N]

Well done Pam. Nice photo.

 

[Pam_m]

Thanks, John! :t: I thought I would spread the word on the Wheatear sighting, always good to know what is about locally!

 

[Sedgley]

An hour at Sheepwash in Tipton yesterday afternoon. Male teal, 17 goosander, 2 kingfishers in mating flight/display and 2 lapwings in flight.

 

[savwaves]

Grey Wagtail on the lake outlet today at Himley Hall.
A pair of Tufted Ducks have been present for a few months now, I wonder if they are going to stay around to breed?
Nothing to do with birds but I also saw a Pike lurking near the island, around 1 & half foot long.

 

[Silver Ether]

Well it looks like the Stock Doves have settled in well as has the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker... giggles. Also several sightings of Greater Spotted Woody. Wrens were around, a Song and a Mistle Thrush Several Coal Tits as well as out regular tits. Some very fine speciems of Gold Finch and Chaffinch at the burning field. Nut Hatches. Four Dunnock ground feeding near Spring Pool. Then of to the topscope area where there were two wonderful Buzzards and after watching for an age and managing to edge close enought o be sure ...A White Throat*. I could only see and hear the one. Nothing else though and then I realise the time and has to bomb it back...:C
*Baggeridge 42.

 

[Silver Ether]

Down to Himley today I counted 9 Great Crested Grebe, their colours are superb too, there were Mallards, Coots, Moorhens as well . Also saw, Blue/Great/ Long Tailed Tits in abudence. Green Woodpecker one Song and one Mistle Thrush, couple of Nuthatch5 Buzzards. Very noisy Jackdaws.Some stunning crows. On the way home that piece of bogland opposite the Crooked House turning 2 wonderful looking Herono