sheepwash urban park (1 Viewer)

[rollingthunder]

'Twas the day after my birthday! - Raced up to Ian and Sylv:C Whitehouses'and interrupted their breakfast (a decision not to be taken lightly in the Black Country) and Ian - relaxed as always, like Francis Drake finished his food and sedately made his way down to tick the Purple Sand..........Halcyon dayz:t:

Hi from sunny Tarifa where i'm back for a final 4 days of raptor-watching.

Laurie:t:

 

[Sedgley Birder]

SUP - 1988 to 1990

Sheepwash Urban Park – 1988-1990

1988 saw a record 120 species, 10 of which were new. Highlights were as follows:

Little Grebe - 1st breeding since 1983 - 1pr/3 young. GC Grebe - 1st breeding record - 1pr/1 young. B-N Grebe - 2nd record - 2 ads in breeding finery 14th/15th May. ; Barnacle Goose - 1st record - 3 1st June; Egyptian Goose - 1st record - 1 17th May; Wigeon; Teal (max 22); Shoveler; Pochard (max 34); Tufted (10 broods/@ 90 young); Common Scoter - 1st record – 16 fem types 20th Nov coincided with influx to region; Buzzard - 1st record involved an escapee; Merlin - (2 records); Hobby (2 records); Peregrine (1 record); Grey Partridge; LRP - 4 pairs attempted to nest/only 1 young noted; Ringed Plover (11 records); Lapwing - 1st successful breeding - 2prs/5 young - Max count of 28; Knot - 2nd record - 1 2nd Sept; Sanderling - 4th consec year - 2 26th/27th May; Snipe – (max 37); Woodcock; Whimbrel; Spot Shank – 1 3rd Sept; Greenshank – Latest site record on 30th Oct; Turnstone; Little Gull – 1 1st Sept; LBB Gull (max of 600); Herring Gull (max of 70); Iceland Gull – 1st record – Adult 7th Feb – Later seen at Sandwell Valley; Kittiwake – 2nd record – Adult 29th Feb; Black Tern ; Turtle Dove – 1st records of singles on 25th May & 20th June; Barn Owl – 1 27th/28th Oct; Rock Pipit – 4 records; Yellow Wag (max of 12); Waxwing – 1st record – 2 9th Dec; Black Redstart – 1 singing 29th May; Redstart; Whinchat; Stonechat – (max count of 6); Wheatear (max count of 10); Ring Ouzel – 4 records); Pied Fly; Willow Tit – 1st record; Carrion Crow (max count of 48); Snow Bunting – 1st record – Male on 13th November;
Two species recorded but were subsequently not accepted were – Common Crane 1 16th August and Crag Martin 1 9th August.

1989 – 116 species and 7 of which were new. Highlights include:

Cormorant – Increasing in numbers with a locality record of 9 in September; Gadwall – 1st records for locality; Teal (max count of 38);
Garganey – 1st record involving an eclipse bird between 25th-27th Sept; Shoveler – Increasing in regularity with a several records incl. 4 on 28th June; R-C Pochard – 1st record no doubt involving an escapee. Male on 4th June; Pochard (max count of 35); Tufted – 11 pairs bred but most young lost to predation; Goldeneye; Ruddy Duck; Merlin; Peregrine; Hobby; LRP – 4 prs with 2 prs raising 5 young – max count of 14; Golden Plover – Locality record of 16; Lapwing – 3prs/6 young and locality record of 70; Jack Snipe – Usual records involving 1-2 birds in winter; Snipe – (max of 37); Little Gull; LBB Gull (max count of 500); Herring Gull (max count of 80); Kittiwake; Y-L Gull – 1 9th August; Glaucous Gull – 1 31st December; Common Tern – Recorded from June to mid-July involving @ 60 individuals; Arctic Tern – 3 records; Turtle Dove; Tawny Owl: Long-Eared Owl – 1st record – Single bird roosted from 4th November – 15th December; Short-Eared Owl; Rock Pipit (max count of 2 7th October); Yellow Wag (no confirmed breeding); Black Redstart; Redstart; Whinchat; Stonechat (max of 6 birds); Wheatear (max count of 9); LT Tit – 1st locality records involving several parties; Coal Tit – 1st Locality record!.

1990 – 110 species of which 4 were new. Highlights include:

Shag - !st record – 1 on 4th March. Ruddy Duck; Hobby; Grey Partridge; LRP – 4 prs with 2prs raising 5 young – Max of 8; Ringed Plover;
Grey Plover – 1st locality record of 1 on 7th July; Snipe (max of 44); B-T Godwit – 1st locality record of 1 on 6th & 7th July; Little Gull; Y-L Gull; Black Tern; Tawny Owl; Rock Pipit; White Wag; Redstart; Whinchat; Stonechat; Wheatear; Ring Ouzel – 2 records; Grasshopper Warbler – 1st record of 1 on 12th July;

Next to come – 1991-1993!

 

[rollingthunder]

Great stuff - just shows what dedicated watching can produce, the place had so many dynamic habitats then. Needs 'roughing' up a bit imo.....

Laurie:t:

 

[Baggieshep]

Vis Mig

Hi wash watchers & a warm welcome to all. Its been quiet the last few days but to be honest due to other commitments I never got there the week end:-C, but today was more than worth while. Several Mipits were on the tip as was the male Kestrel, while watching the Kestrel being mobbed by 2 Crows I was treated to a flyby party of 4 Golden Plover flying south at 18-10 (female Kestrel over Shingle Pool this lunch time). The tip area is substantially higher than the wash & makes the ideal location for vis-mig, earlier in the year I watched 3 Bar Tailed Godwits go over but still felt a little miffed as I was on the tip 15mins earlier :C & the views would have been far better. Dave Waite managed a fly over Crossbill today around 2 o-clock but didn't relay me the info till much later :-C or I would have spent some time around by the Pines around the school area :t:. Other birds of note Pochard x4 on the 18th were new in but only a single showed today, the young Swans are now taking short maiden flights, Teal x7, Shoveler x9, Raptors Peregrine, Buzzard, Sprawk & of cause the Kestrels. Kingfisher, both Woodies, Grey & Pied Wag, Jay & last but not least Bullfinch. Cheers & Happy Birding B .

 

[midlands birder]

Think your Pintail may have relocated Mark, one on the pool behind my house today Thanks for ushering it this way
MB

 

[Sedgley Birder]

Hi Mark,

looking to hopefully pop in this week, cycling down via the canal network. I cant remember, but can you access the canal from the road by Dudley Port station and cycle up to the chemical pool? Is the chemical pool looking good for waders at the moment?

Cheers

Gavin

 

[Baggieshep]

Pintail

Hi Craig, I did notice you had 1 in Sedgley:t: I was hoping you had managed a photo for comparison & I only wish stuff would stay a little longer at the Wash but I was more than pleased that Dave Waite got it Cheers hope to see you soon B .

 

[Baggieshep]

Shingle Pool

Hi Gav, yes you can cycle to the pool via the Dudley Port canal. The pool looks excellent for waders but I think it needs to develop its own little eco system & settle, gas or air pockets are still escaping but this could prove an advantage if we get a hard freeze this winter & it helps keep the water open as the Wash used to do before being capped & attract more ducks. July was my best month if I remember correct with Lapwing, Ring Plover & Common Sand recorded & Dunlin a little earlier. Little Grebe have bred, GC Grebe is resident, Cormorant & Heron have been recorded & I don't think it holds fish:eek!: even thou a pair of Common Tern complete with juvenile looked more than at home. A small party of Tufties are also resident so nothing wrong I don't think with water quality. All the best & good birding & I hope to bump into you B .

 

[midlands birder]

That good enough for comparison purposes Mark
MB

 

[Sedgley Birder]

Think your Pintail may have relocated Mark, one on the pool behind my house today Thanks for ushering it this way
MB

Which pool is that Craig? Parkes Hall? If so a good record considering its size and 'enclosed' i.e wooded perimeter.

Gavin

 

[Sedgley Birder]

Which pool is that Craig? Parkes Hall? If so a good record considering its size and 'enclosed' i.e wooded perimeter.

Gavin

Soz. Just looked at your other post.

 

[Baggieshep]

Could Have Been Its Twin

Great photo Craig, the light at the Wash was better giving the bird a lighter & cleaner appearance more silvery if that makes sense lol & I think the reddish/brown colouring on the head came a little further down but saying that it could still be the same bird :smoke: but at least you have Pintail on your local patch B .

 

[midlands birder]

Which pool is that Craig? Parkes Hall? If so a good record considering its size and 'enclosed' i.e wooded perimeter.

Gavin

Yep, Parkes Hall.
Don't suppose on the off chance you had a runaway dog earlier did you? I brought back a Staffie to the owner that looks very similar to the right hand one in your profile pic earlier today on the park next to High Arcle
MB

 

[Sedgley Birder]

Yep, Parkes Hall.
Don't suppose on the off chance you had a runaway dog earlier did you? I brought back a Staffie to the owner that looks very similar to the right hand one in your profile pic earlier today on the park next to High Arcle
MB

No, mine are both safely with me. That pic was taken some time ago so they don't travel far these days as they are a couple of old ladies now. Thanks for mentioning it. Will try and pop down to Parkes Hall today.

Gavin:t:

 

[midlands birder]

Pintail still present this morning

 

[Baggieshep]

Sandwell Valley Must Share Its Ducks

Hi Wash watchers & a warm welcome to all. Yet another pleasant surprise this lunchtime came in the shape of 2 Wigeon & a single Gadwall, neither of these two species are common down on the Wash & if you only go over now & again you will do well to record them both :smoke:. & still present tonight, Shoveler & Teal still remain, wonder what the Valley will share next . Over on the tip & I was more than pleased with 20+ Meadow Pipits :t:. Other birds noted today, Sprawk, Buzzard, GS & Green Woodie, Grey Wag & nice to see were 2 Jays feeding out in the open on the freshly mown river bank. Cheers & Happy Birding B .

 

[Xmor]

Didn't even know this place existed. Definitely will be visiting soon.

 

[Baggieshep]

Xmor To Tipton

Hi Terry, it will be great to have more eyes & ears down at the Wash :t: & ones with tog credentials are more than welcome Cheers & I will look forward to your postings B .

 

[Xmor]

Thanks Baggie, I'll try to get down this weekend weather and SWMBO permitting

 

[Baggieshep]

Todays Offerings

Hi Wash watchers & a warm welcome to all. Due to Dave Waites info regarding a fly over Xbill a mooch around the school hedgerow couldn't be dismissed no luck with the said species but I was more than happy with a single Coal Tit on show. There may only be a single pair on the Wash with this being the best area to connect with one, it was regularly seen around by the school gate entrance by the pines & conifers but sadly the conifers were felled to allow light into the bungalows :eek!:. At least 10 Teal were present along with 6 Shoveler. Both Jay & Green Woodpecker took advantage of the newly cut river bank while the Lesser Spotted Woodie made its presence known calling & flitting from the nearby trees. Raptors consisted of female Kestrel, Buzzard & a Peregrine roosted on Robinsons chimney stack. A single male Bullfinch was noted around the school area, Grey Wags seemed to be every where I went & a ca20 Meadow Pipit were still on the tip. Cheers & Happy Birding B .