Rare and Scarce Birds in Staffordshire (2 Viewers)

[NickPomiankowski]

Nightingale at Tittesworth??

I've received an email reporting a nightingale seen briefly yesterday near the picnic tables close to where the waterside walk from visitors centre divides into two possible walks.

 

[NickPomiankowski]

I agree it's been a strange year - you can take a look at the national reporting rates on the BTO site here: http://blx1.bto.org/birdtrack/results/index.jsp?r=20

So willow warbler pretty much the same; garganey better than 2010 but nowhere near as good as 2011; whitethoat, sedge, reed warbler - all much later arriving but up to previous years levels now. The most worrying one I've seen is grasshopper warbler which seems so far to have fallen to about 50% of the last 2 years levels. Now that it's warming up, the next few days will tell us if they're really late or have crashed over the winter.

It is a bit of a strange spring this year tho, so maybe its not that unexpected? Not exactly tripping over Garganey, waders etc..Some migrants early, some late and struggling. Westport hasn't had a single singing Willow Wrb now for nearly a week. All in and breeding or all shot thru?

 

[russell toon]

I agree it's been a strange year - you can take a look at the national reporting rates on the BTO site here: http://blx1.bto.org/birdtrack/results/index.jsp?r=20

So willow warbler pretty much the same; garganey better than 2010 but nowhere near as good as 2011; whitethoat, sedge, reed warbler - all much later arriving but up to previous years levels now. The most worrying one I've seen is grasshopper warbler which seems so far to have fallen to about 50% of the last 2 years levels. Now that it's warming up, the next few days will tell us if they're really late or have crashed over the winter.

Only 2 Groppers this morning at Berryhill which is a very large fall in numbers compared to the last few years.

 

[Kevin Clements]

Report of "Nightingale male singing Sandwell Valley RSPB at old church" ye olde Staffs.

Anyone know any more?

The last West Midlands County record was 1979!!!

Cheers.


Kevin

 

[The Moore-hen]

Yep any further details on either Nightingale would be very much appreciated! I missed the Belvide bird in the 80's and never had sight of the Branston bird so still need it for Staffs!! The Sandwell bird could have been reported by the 'usual suspect' or it could have been seen by someone respectable...more news would be great...:t:

 

[andyr]

Cannock Chase

Hi All

Spent all afternoon there today ... species seen included Pied Flycatcher and Spotted Flycatcher (both first of the year for me), Redstart, Tree Pipit, Cuckoo, Crossbill and Peregrine, but no Hobby.

Cheers

Andy R.

 

[Periwinkle]

Little Gull (1st Sum) again at Whitemoor Haye this evening

 

[s.g.]

no sign of reported nightingale at tittesworth despite extensive search, whimbrel on conservation pool briefly.

s.g.

 

[The Moore-hen]

no sign of reported nightingale at tittesworth despite extensive search, whimbrel on conservation pool briefly.

s.g.

Thanks s.g. for the update, much appreciated. Message on pager earlier said no sign of Nightingale at Sandwell Valley but Cetti's Warbler still...don't know if they mean at the same spot or not! Guessing (but certainly don't know!) that as a few Nightingale have been reported of late this was picked up by a well known observer who then claimed this one...

 

[Kevin Clements]

Guessing (but certainly don't know!) that as a few Nightingale have been reported of late this was picked up by a well known observer who then claimed this one...

Apparently that is the case. No sign today either.

Kevin

 

[alrewasbirder]

Just a quick heads up to the Berryhill Fields posse. Had a quick search for Whinchat on Berryhill Fields at lunch time, no luck but saw a chap acting rather perculiar. I had walked in between white gate paddock and another paddock along a narrow gap (mast on left, white gate field on right), returned over the stile then headed for my vehicle which was parked near old peoples home. There was a pond alongside the track which goes down the hill (white gate padsdock now on left, mast behind). I had seen this chap earlier, crounching by pool and assumed he was a birder photographing. I was about 100 yards away when he got up and walked off carrying a rather long length of rope and some material!!!! His clothing looked funny colours and so I had a quick peek through the bins and he was soaked up to below his chest. Passing the pool (pool on right) I could see he had been wading through reeds around pool. He walked ahead of me and went into the paddocks further along on left hand side. Not been a local I dont know if this was normal activity ornot. Thought I would bring it up in case of any egging known in the area. Apologise for being so vague regarding names and areas. I should stick to Whitemoor Haye. Talking of which, Im off.

 

[russell toon]

Just a quick heads up to the Berryhill Fields posse. Had a quick search for Whinchat on Berryhill Fields at lunch time, no luck but saw a chap acting rather perculiar. I had walked in between white gate paddock and another paddock along a narrow gap (mast on left, white gate field on right), returned over the stile then headed for my vehicle which was parked near old peoples home. There was a pond alongside the track which goes down the hill (white gate padsdock now on left, mast behind). I had seen this chap earlier, crounching by pool and assumed he was a birder photographing. I was about 100 yards away when he got up and walked off carrying a rather long length of rope and some material!!!! His clothing looked funny colours and so I had a quick peek through the bins and he was soaked up to below his chest. Passing the pool (pool on right) I could see he had been wading through reeds around pool. He walked ahead of me and went into the paddocks further along on left hand side. Not been a local I dont know if this was normal activity ornot. Thought I would bring it up in case of any egging known in the area. Apologise for being so vague regarding names and areas. I should stick to Whitemoor Haye. Talking of which, Im off.

From your pretty good description I would say the pool in question is the Tiddlers fishing pool which is a popular spot and well used pool for fishing.
There was no sign unfortunately of any Whinchat this morning.

 

[The Moore-hen]

Apparently that is the case. No sign today either.

Kevin

Don't know why pager companies report sightings from these 'well known individuals'...guess if they are customers of theirs they are in a difficult position...but then they are misleading all their other customers...

News for the 11th May

12 Whimbrel & 2 Arctic Tern - Belvide

 

[Dean Peach]

What's the best system to use to get local updates? Is there a hoax free one available? I tried rare bird but it seemed to miss a lot and I soon ran out of credit. I was told that they copy bird guides updates, is this true? Is there a local system where everyone knows who's updating? I get texts from a couple of people but obviously not all sightings are seen by a couple of friends of mine.

 

[chris23565]

What's the best system to use to get local updates? Is there a hoax free one available? I tried rare bird but it seemed to miss a lot and I soon ran out of credit. I was told that they copy bird guides updates, is this true? Is there a local system where everyone knows who's updating? I get texts from a couple of people but obviously not all sightings are seen by a couple of friends of mine.

well a very good free system is of course, www.staffordshirebirding.blogspot.com, not that I'm bias or anything, we will usually get the blog updated within a few minutes of receiving the news, most of which comes via email or using our own bird service outlet, most of our news is received as people return from there day out so you will find most updates in the evening, also using things like this forum is good for birding news, Mr Moorhen always gives a update of whats about in Staffs as well.

Also a lot of Staffs birders have there own blogs running which are always worth a read to see what they've been seeing locally.

Good luck

 

[Dean Peach]

well a very good free system is of course, www.staffordshirebirding.blogspot.com, not that I'm bias or anything, we will usually get the blog updated within a few minutes of receiving the news, most of which comes via email or using our own bird service outlet, most of our news is received as people return from there day out so you will find most updates in the evening, also using things like this forum is good for birding news, Mr Moorhen always gives a update of whats about in Staffs as well.

Also a lot of Staffs birders have there own blogs running which are always worth a read to see what they've been seeing locally.

Good luck

Thanks Chris, I do read the blogs, mainly Belvide and Staffordshire Birding. I've become an armchair birder as my Son has been in hospital with heart problems but he's out for now so I'm ready to start twitching which I haven't really done yet.

 

[StokeOwl]

Just a quick heads up to the Berryhill Fields posse. Had a quick search for Whinchat on Berryhill Fields at lunch time, no luck but saw a chap acting rather perculiar. I had walked in between white gate paddock and another paddock along a narrow gap (mast on left, white gate field on right), returned over the stile then headed for my vehicle which was parked near old peoples home. There was a pond alongside the track which goes down the hill (white gate padsdock now on left, mast behind). I had seen this chap earlier, crounching by pool and assumed he was a birder photographing. I was about 100 yards away when he got up and walked off carrying a rather long length of rope and some material!!!! His clothing looked funny colours and so I had a quick peek through the bins and he was soaked up to below his chest. Passing the pool (pool on right) I could see he had been wading through reeds around pool. He walked ahead of me and went into the paddocks further along on left hand side. Not been a local I dont know if this was normal activity ornot. Thought I would bring it up in case of any egging known in the area. Apologise for being so vague regarding names and areas. I should stick to Whitemoor Haye. Talking of which, Im off.

Passed that info on to my old man who walks his dog up there twice a day. That'll keep him out of trouble for a few days

 

[The Moore-hen]

News for the 13th May

Osprey - over Belvide at 08.00
Osprey - west over Maer Hills at 14.40
Osprey - west over Regents Park Road, Branston at 11.00

Extra News for 12th May

Night Heron - adult Willenhall flew south over Coppice Farm Estate at 20.45

A cracking record for 'Ye olde Staffs' aka The West Midlands...

 

[Nick Smith]

News for the 13th May

Osprey - over Belvide at 08.00
Osprey - west over Maer Hills at 14.40
Osprey - west over Regents Park Road, Branston at 11.00

Extra News for 12th May

Night Heron - adult Willenhall flew south over Coppice Farm Estate at 20.45

A cracking record for 'Ye olde Staffs' aka The West Midlands...

Will you South Staffs boys ever get over those dastardly boundary changes of 1974!

 

[The Moore-hen]

Will you South Staffs boys ever get over those dastardly boundary changes of 1974!

Nope! I'd lose about 4 species off me Staffs List...:-O

It's hard enough seeing rare birds in Staffs without some pesky politicians nicking part of your county and making a new one...

West Midlands...never! :eek!: (soz Kev! )