30th December - Sightings

Dosthill - 10 Kittiwake (9ad + 1 1st Win) spent 1/2 hour on Main Lake mid-afternoon before spirralling off to North West (A Dean) Also 2 Yellow-Legged Gull (ad,3rd Win), Goosander (A Dean)
Tamworth - 2 Goosander on river by Fazeley Bridge (K Sargent)

29th December - Sightings

Ladywalk - Bittern, Merlion (S Cawthray)
Tamworth - 7 Goosander on river near Castle (R Henderson)
Bodymoor - Little Egret in Grass field near Villa Training Ground (TP)

28th December - Sightings

Ladywalk - 2 Bittern still (S Cawthray)

27th December - Sightings

Ladywalk - 1 Bittern still, 5 Goosander (J Harris)
Alvecote - Recent pager reports of Lesser Canada Goose refer to a slightly small Canada with main flock. Also 2 Northern Bulfinches reported today Gilman's Pool area.
Kingsbury - Goosander (J Allen)
Hams Hall - 5 Goosander (R Henderson)

26th December Sightings

Ladywalk - Bittern (S Cathray) 2 Present yesterday.
Bassett North - probable Great-White Egret in flight but distant c12.00pm (J Allen) 2 Little Egret, 4 Redshank, Green Sandpiper (G Williams)

25th December - Sightings

Alvecote - GREAT-WHITE EGRET still this morning (A Archer) but no sign between 1pm and 3pm (RBA)
Dosthill - GREAT-WHITE EGRET south over Main Lake towards KWP mid afternoon (J Harris)
Bassett North - Smew (1st Win Drake) , 2 Little Egret, Dunlin, Redshank, report of Caspian Gull (ad) (J Harris)

24th December - Sightings

Great-White Egret - Alvecote - Adam Archer

Alvecote - GREAT-WHITE EGRET still Railway Pool (A Archer et al) Railway Pool is also known as Upper Pool. Also Jack Snipe, 14 Shelduck, 5 Goosander (A Archer) Egret still present 2.10pm (TP)
Shustoke - 6 Goosander, Woodcock (L Johnson)

23rd December - Sightings

Alvecote - GREAT-WHITE EGRET on Railway Pool(John Davis,RBA)
Dosthill - Caspian Gull (ad) still (A Dean) Also 2 Yellow-Legged Gull (2 Ads), Goosander, 3 Little Egret, Redshank, 2 Golden Plover over, Short-Eared Owl, Stonechat (A Dean, M Pollock)
Fisher's Mill - Little Egret, Redshank, Peregrine (M Pollock)
Ladywalk - Marsh Tit (M Pollock)

22nd December - Sightings

Ladywalk - 27 Golden Plover, Green Sandpiper, Goosander, 2 Marsh Tits (S Cawthray) On Saturday Woodcock, Little Egret (S Cawthray)
Dosthill - 2 Goosander on Main Lake, Redshank on River (J Harris)
Fisher's Mill - Short-Eared Owl on Meadow (J Harris, C Cook)
Coton - 6 Goosander (3pr), 4 Little Egret (C Cook) Wholly unconfirmed report of Caspian Gull (nr ad) in roost (per RBA)
Kingsbury - Short-Eared Owl Richard's Meadow (C Cook) Same as Fisher's Mill.

21st December - Sightings

Kingsbury - Barn Owl, Short-Eared Owl Richard's Meadow (J Harris)
Dosthill - Caspian Gull (ad) still, Yellow-Legged Gull, Goosander (A Dean)
Bassett South - 2 Little Egret (A Dean)
Tamworth - 3 Little Egret Barrowpit Lake (Snowdome) (WMBC)

20th December - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - Barn Owl on Meadow (J Harris)
Kingsbury - Short-Eared Owl, Barn Owl Richard's Meadow (WJ Egmont per J Harris)

19th December - Sightings

Dosthill - Caspian Gull (ad), Yellow-Legged Gull(ad) (TP)
Coton - Little Egret (TP, N Ward) Also a further 8 flew over North (N Ward)
Kingsbury South - 170 Shoveler Bodymoor Heath Water (TP)
Bassett North - 3 Dunlin, 3 Redshank, c165 Teal, 2 Little Egret (TP)
Hams Hall - 2 Common Sandpiper (R Henderson)

18th December - Sightings

Dosthill 2 Caspian Gulls (Ad + 2nd Win). Both the same as seen previously this winter (A Dean) Also Yellow-Legged Gull(ad), Goosander (m,redhead) over, Stonechat(f) (A Dean) Goosander (f) still late on (C Cook)
Hams Hall - 2 Green Sandpiper (C Cook)
Tamworth - Again no sign of Whinchat (C Cook)
Bassett North - 2 Dunlin, 3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Redshank, 6 Shelduck (J Harris)
Kingsbury - 2 Barn Owl Richard's Meadow (J Harris)

17th December - Sightings

Bassett North - Dunlin, 5 Redshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, Ruff flew through to NW, 208 Teal (P Hyde per J Harris)
Tamworth - No sign of Whinchat at Tameside NR but 2 Tree Sparrows on feeders (P Hyde, J Harris)
Kingsbury - 2 Barn Owl, 3 Woodcock Richard;s Meadow at Dusk (J Harris)

16th December - Sightings

Tamworth - Whinchat still Tameside NR (C Cook)
Dosthill - Caspian Gull (ad), Yellow-Legged Gull(ad), Peregrine, Goosander (Redhead) on Main Lake (C Cook, A Dean)

14th December - Sightings

Dosthill - Yellow-Legged Gull (2nd Win), Short-Eared Owl, Goosander (A Dean)
Wishaw - 13 Grey Partridge Blindpit Lane (C Cook) A high recent count.
Kingsbury - 2 Barn Owl Richard's Meadow (C Cook)

13th December - SIghtings

Tamworth - Whinchat still Tameside NR (RBA et al) This bird is usually to be found between the lake and the Fazeley road. It also favours the areasouth of the lake behind the feeding station. ALso Yellow-Legged Gull (R Henderson)
Kingsbury South - 6 Little Egret Swann Pool (TP)
Bassett North - 15 Shelduck, Little Egret (TP)
Coton - Yellow-Legged Gull(ad) in roost (TP, M Inskipp)

12th December - Sightings

Tamworth - Whinchat still Tameside NR though generally elusive (TP, A Archer et al)

11th December - Sightings

Dosthill - Caspian Gull (ad), 2 Yellow-Legged Gulls (ads) (A Dean) Same bird as Coton on Wednesday.
Tamworth - Whinchat still Tameside NR (J Gallety)

10th December - Sightings

Tamworth - Whinchat still Tameside NR (J Harris)
Bassett - 2 Smew (1st WIn Male, redhead) in pits by river(C Cook et al) 110 Golden Plover over (J Harris)
Kingsbury - Goosander (redhead) still Canal Pool, 2+ Barn Owl Richard's Meadow (J Harris)

Pictures of yesterday's Caspian Gull here (by Alan Dean).

9th December - Sightings

Tamworth - Whinchat still Tameside NR this morning (Bobby D)
Ladywalk - 2 Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Goosander (S Cawthray)
Coton - Caspian Gull (ad), Yellow-Legged Gull(ad) in roost (A Dean)
Bassett North - Smew reported still present (per J Harris)
Fisher's Mill - 2 Stonechat on meadow (J Harris, Bobby D)
Kingsbury - 2 Barn Owl Richard's Meadow (J Harris)

8th December - Sightings

Whinchat - Tamworth - Chris Cook

Tamworth - Whinchat still at Tameside NR (aka Bitterscote pit) ( C Cook, S Haynes) The entrance is opposite 40mph signs Fazeley Road coming from Old A5 (South of New A5). The latest record for Staffs but overwintering is not unheard of in UK.
Bassett North - Smew (1st Win Male) still ( J Harris)
Kingsbury - Goosander (Redhead) still Canal Pool (K Sargent) Redshank Cliff Pool (K Sargent) 2 Barn Owl, Woodcock Richard's Meadow (S Cawthray) Goosander on Lock Pit (S Cawthray)
Coton - Yellow-Legged Gull (ad) in roost (RBA)

7th December - Sightings

Dosthill - Caspian Gull (2nd Win). 3 Goosander (2m) over south (A Dean)
Kingsbury - 3 Barn Owl Richard's Meadow (WJ Egmont)
Tamworth - Whinchat reported in reeds at Tameside NR early Afternoon (RBA) Any further details of this amazing record gratefully received.

Please note that the Spoonbill pit at Drayton Bassett is strictly private and should only be viewed from the canal towpath.

6th December - Sightings

Bassett North - Smew (1st Win Male) on pit south of North Pit this morning (G Williams) 3 Goosander (all Male) , 3 Green Sandpiper Spoonbill pit (TP, J Allen) Little Egret, 3 Redshank, 1000 Lapwing (TP, J Allen)
Bassett South - Smew (1st Win Male) this afternoon (J Allen) Same as Bassett North but next pit to south.
Fisher's Mill - 3 Little Egret (J allen)
Kingsbury - Goosander (redhead) Canal Pool still (J Allen)

4th December - Sightings

Bassett North - Smew (Redhead) on pit south of North Pit (J Harris, G WIlliams) 5 Little Egret, 3 Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Yellow-Legged Gull (ad), 12 Shelduck at North End (J Allen, G Williams)
Dosthill - Smew (Redhead) on main pit. Possibly same (RBA) Also Little Egret, 5 Shelduck, Barn Owl (J Harris)
Kingsbury South - 4 Little Egret Swann Pool (J Allen)
Kingsbury - Goosander (Redhead) Canal Pool (J Allen)
Coton - 2 Yellow-Legged Gulls (ads) in roost (J Allen, A Dean et al)

3rd December - Sightings

Coton - Unconfirmed Report of Caspian Gull (ad) in roost. Also Yellow-Legged Gull (ad) (A Stringer)

1st December - Sightings

Kingsbury South - 7 Little Egret Swan Pool (S Haynes)
Bassett North - Little Egret, 11 Shelduck (S Haynes)
Wishaw - 400 Golden Plover, 100 Linnet, 200 Stock Dove (S Haynes)
Coton - Yellow-Legged Gull (ad) in roost (RBA)

The pager reports a possible Ring-Necked Duck (or hybrid) at Alvecote on Sunday. Unless anybody knows differently I will assume this is erroneous.

30th November - Sightings

Kingsbury - 4 Little Egret, 2 Shelduck Cliff Pool (J Harris, K Sargent)
Bassett South - 4 Little Egret (J Harris)
Bassett North - 2 Redshank, 3 Shelduck (J Harris)

29th November - Sightings

Bassett North - Little Egret (J Allen)
Kingsbury - 8 Little Egret Cliff Pool. Barn Owl Richard's Meadow (J Allen)

27th November - Sightings

Kingsbury - 6 Little Egret Canal Pool (J Harris)
Shustoke - Marsh Tit (L Johnson)
Hams Hall - Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper (Bobby D)

26th November - Sightings

Coton - Yellow-Legged Gull in roost (J Harris)
Kingsbury - 6 Little Egret Canal Pool. 2 Redshank Cliff Pool (K Sargent)

25th November - Sightings

Shustoke - Kittiwake (ad) 9.02am - 9.07am high drifted north (S Haynes)
Coton - report of Caspian Gull(ad) in roost (J Harris)
Dosthill - Caspian Gull (4th Win), Yellow-Legged Gull (2 Ads) (A Dean) Also Short-Eared Owl still (A Dean, P Hyde)

24th November - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - Grey Phalarope (ad) still present 9.00am (J Fincham) but no sign 9.30am-1pm (RBA) Garganey still (G Williams)
Bassett North - Little Gull (1st Win) briefly Noon (G Williams) 6 Shelduck, 2 Little Egret, Green Sandpiper(G Williams, J Harris)
Shustoke - Little Gull (1st Win) briefly 2pm (S Haynes)

23rd November - Sightings

Grey Phalarope - Fisher's Mill - Lee Johnson

Fisher's Mill - Grey Phalarope(ad) 3pm at least (RSPB, Steve Bradley per L Johnson et al) Garganey still (L Johnson et al)
Bassett South - Grey Phalarope paid a short visit (per L Johnson)
Dosthill - Short-Eared Owl (J Harris)

22nd November - Sightings

Bassett North - Merlin flew South this morning. Also 4 Golden Plover over (G Williams)
Shustoke - No sign of any divers today (Many Obs)

21st November - Sightings

Great Northern Diver (juv) - Bob Duckhouse

Great Northern Diver (Ad Summer Plumage) - Dave Hutton

Shustoke - 2 Great Northern Divers 2.50pm at least. Both were seen to individually fly-off but returned (TP et al)
Kingsbury - 6 Little Egret Canal Pool (Bobby D)

20th November - Sightings

Shustoke - 2 Great-Northern Divers(ad sp,juv) still present 12.15pm at least (P Sofley et al) No sign of birds late afternoon (A Archer)
Dosthill - 2 Short-Eared Owl (G Williams, J Harris et al)
Kingsbury - 6 Little Egret Canal Pool still, 1 Little Egret Cliff Pool (J Allen, J Harris)
Bassett North - Shelduck (J Harris)
Fisher's Mill - 2 Stonechat on meadow (J Harris)

19th November - Sightings

Great-Northern Diver - Summer Plumaged Adult - Bob Duckhouse

Shustoke - 2 Great-Northern Divers(ad summer plum, juv) mid afternoon at least (L Johnson et al)
Coton - 2+ Yellow-Legged Gulls (ads) in roost (J Harris)
Fisher's Mill - Pale Chiffchaff possibly of an Eastern Race (J Mallinson)
Bassett North - 12 Golden Plover (J Mallinson)
Kingsbury - 6 Little Egret Canal Pool (J Mallinson)

18th November - Sightings

Coton - Yellow-Legged Gull(ad) in roost (A Dean)

17th November - Sightings

Kingsbury - 7 Little Egret Canal Pool (per J Harris)

16th November - Sightings

Dosthill - Snow Bunting this morning; flew up and over Western Bund towards Fisher's Mill calling as it went (A Dean) Also 2 Yellow-Legged Gulls (both ads) but no sign of Caspian Gull here or at Coton Roost (A Dean)
Kingsbury - report of Mealy Redpoll Canal Pool by bench near cottages (J Harris) 2 Little Egret Cliff Pool (J Harris)
Fisher's Mill - Stonechat on meadow (J Harris)
Bassett North - 2 Stonechat (per J Harris)

15th November - Sightings

Kingsbury - 5 Little Egret (J Allen)

14th November - Sightings

Kingsbury Landfill - Caspian Gull (ad), Yellow-Legged Gull (ad) (TP, P Jeynes, J Allen) Neither of these roosted at Coton this evening.

13th November - Sightings

Dosthill - Caspian Gull (ad) and Yellow-Legged Gull(ad) still (A Dean) See here for a useful comparison by Alan Dean.

12th November - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - Garganey still (J Oates) Looking set to overwinter?
Kingsbury - 7 Little Egret Canal Pool (J Oates)
Bassett North - 2 Dunlin, 90 Golden Plover, 2 Stonechat (J Oates)

11th November - Sightings

Shustoke - Common Scoter (f/imm) (L Johnson et al)
Coton - Caspian Gull (ad) in pre-roost then flew towards Kingsbury WP. Yellow-Legged Gull(ad) in roost (A Dean) Caspian was seen earlier seen at Dosthill (A Dean)
Alvecote - Report of 2 Red-Crested Pochard still on Mill Pool (RBA) Also wholly unconfirmed report of 2 Bar-Tailed Godwit East over Birchmoor at 11.25am(RBA)

Please see here for some more photos of the Caspian and some useful notes by Alan Dean.

10th November - Sightings

Caspian Gull - Coton - Lee Johnson

Shustoke - 3 Common Scoter (m, 2 f/imms) (L Johnson) They flew high North at 2.00pm (Bobby D)
Alvecote - 7 Red-Crested Pochard (3m) Mill Pool still (Bobby D et al)
Coton - Caspian Gull(ad) in roost again (L Johnson)

9th November - Sightings

Coton - Caspian Gull (ad), Yellow-Legged Gull(ad) in roost this evening (A Dean)
Dosthill - 2 Pintail, Jack Snipe (A Dean)
Kingsbury - Goosander Cliff Pool. 3 Little Egret Canal Pool (K Sargent)
Bassett North - Little Egret (K Sargent)
Ladywalk - Barn Owl, 2 Com Sands 1 Green Sand, 4 Goosander,1 Shelduck (S Cathray). Bittern yesterday (S Haynes)
Alvecote - Report of 7 Red-Crested Pochard (inc 3 m) on Mill Pool (per RBA)

8th November - Sightings

Wishaw - 68 Golden Plover (S Haynes)
Lea Marston - Peregrine (S Haynes)
Tamworth - 3 Little Egrets Tameside NR (Roger Henderson)

7th November - Sightings

Bassett North - Little Egret, Pintail (f), Stonechat (TP, J Harris)
Kingsbury - 1+ Little Egret (J Harris)

6th November - Sightings

Lea Marston - Green Sandpiper (J Oates)

5th November - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - Garganey still (J Oates)
Kingsbury - 2 Little Egret Broomycroft Pool (J Oates)
Bassett North - Peregrine, Yellow-Legged Gull(ad), Green Sandpiper (J Oates)

3rd November - Sightings

Alvecote - 10 Bewick's Swans (all ads) this afternoon on Pretty Pigs Pool (per RBA) Flew South West at 4.25pm (TP, S Haynes) No doubt on way to Slimbridge.

2nd November - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - Garganey still, 2 Little Egret (J Harris)
Bassett South - Garganey (same as Fisher's Mill)
Bassett North - 2 Pintail (2m), 3 Little Egret, 18 Golden Plover, Stonechat, Green Sandpiper (J Harris)

1st November - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - Garganey, Pintail (m), 5 Little Egret over (J Allen)
Bassett North - Yellow-Legged Gull (ad) (A Archer)

31st October - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - Garganey still, Goosander (Redhead) over (S Roper, TP et al)
Bassett North - Merlin reported (per TP) 5 Little Egret, 2 Dunlin (J Allen et al)
Kingsbury - Green Sandpiper Cliff Pool (TP)

30th October - Sightings

Shustoke - Yellow-Legged Gull(ad) this pm (L Johnson)
Fisher's Mill - GLOSSY IBIS (1W) at 7.45am - 8.15am then flew North (Alan Dean) Garganey (J Harris)
Dosthill - Yellow-Legged Gull(ad), Little Egret, 2 Goldeneye (A Dean)

29th October - Sightings

Bassett North - GLOSSY IBIS landed at North End 10.15am till early afternoon at least(G Williams et al) Also 26 Golden Plover, Redshank, Jack Snipe (G Williams)
Alvecote - Red-Crested Pochard (f) still Mill Pool. Also 2 Little Egret, 4 Raven (A Archer)
Fisher's Mill - GLOSSY IBIS flew in 3.10pm (WMBC) Also 2 Little Egret, Pale Pipit sp but elusive (G Williams)

27th October - Sightings

Alvecote - 4 Little Egret, Red Crested Pochard (f), Pintail (m) (A Archer)
Bassett North - GLOSSY IBIS circling over Spoonbill Pit 2.45pm - 3.07pm then flew towards Drayton Manor. Rock Pipit North Pit. Also 69 Golden Plover, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 2 Stonechat in area (A Archer)
Fisher's Mill - Garganey still (A Archer)

26th October - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - GLOSSY IBIS (1st Win) this morning still, Garganey, 2 Stonechat (J Harris, G Williams)
Dosthill NR - Red-Crested Pochard (f) (G Williams)
Dosthill - 2 Stonechat (J Harris)
Bassett North - Ringed Plover (Bobby D)

25th October - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - BITTERN, Garganey still, Peregrine (Juv) this morning (Simon Roper) GLOSSY IBIS (unringed) flew in from North at 4.30pm and roosted in reeds (out of view) (J Allen, Steve Taylor)
Bassett North - Report of ringtail Hen Harrier (per S Roper) Also 5 Little Egret, Shelduck, 3 Stonechat (S Roper, TP, J Allen et al)

24th October - Sightings

Whooper Swans - Drayton Bassett North Pit - Richard Powell

Bassett North - 2 Whooper Swans (ads) flew onto North Pit 11.45am until 1.45pm then flew NW. Also 35 Golden Plover on pit and 40 over South, Yellow Legged Gull(ad), Ringed Plover(juv) (R Powell, J Harris)
Fisher's Mill - Garganey, 2 Little Egret (R Powell) Glossy Ibis reported in flight (per J Harris)

23rd October - Sightings

Bassett South - GLOSSY IBIS (Unringed 1st Win) still, 2 Stonechat (J Harris)
Bassett North - 2 Pintail, 25 Golden Plover, Stonechat (J Harris)
Fisher's Mill - Garganey reported still (per J Harris)
Kingsbury - 2 Little Egret Roosted again. Also report of Hen Harrier(m) circled and flew north (Logbook)

22nd October - Sightings

Bassett Area - 1 GLOSSY IBIS reported early morning (per P Locker) but no further sign by late afternoon. Again on Fisher's Mill at 5.35pm (RBA) 2 Green Sandpiper North Pit (P Locker)
Shustoke - 2 Yellow-Legged Gulls (ads) again in roost. Once again no sign of possible Franklin's Gull (per RBA)
Kingsbury - 2 Little Egret roosted Otter Pool, Barn Owl Cliff Pool (W Egmont)

IBIS NEWS: It now seems there was only 1 ringed bird (L9M). The Saturday bird has been confirmed with this ring combination (E Phillips per S Nuttall et all). The reference to EPJ seems to refer to a rotation of L9M ( E FOR M P FOR 9 AND J FOR L).

21st October - Sightings

Bassett South - GLOSSY IBIS (1st Win Unringed) still this morning at least (J Harris et al) Also Peregrine, Garganey (J Harris)
Fisher's Mill - Garganey still (RBA). Presumed same bird as Bassett. Jack Snipe (J Harris)
Bassett North - Common Sandpiper, 2 Pintail, 7 Golden Plover, Chiffchaff (J Harris) GLOSSY IBIS flew south over North Pit 4.47pm (RBA)
Shustoke - 2 Yellow-Legged Gulls (2 Ads) in roost this evening but no sign of possible Franklin's Gull (L Johnson)

20th October - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - GLOSSY IBIS (unringed 1st Win) till late afternoon the flew north presumably to roost(J Oates et al) Garganey still (J Oates et al)
Bassett North - GLOSSY IBIS (Ringed 1st Win) flew from Channel towards North Pit at 4.55pm (A Archer) A two Ibis day!!
Shustoke - No sign of possible Franklin's gull at dawn but most gulls had already left roost. Yellow-Legged Gull (ad) (L Johnson)

However possible Franklin's gull again this evening in roost but again not until light was almost gone (L Johnson, S Haynes et al) Bird has 'Obvious dark hood, dark back, looks short bodied and short billed'. Opinions are currently divided. Let's hope it returns in better light tomorrow!

19th October - Sightings

Glossy Ibis - Fisher's Mill - Bob Duckhouse

Glossy Ibis - Fisher's Mill - Lee Johnson

Glossy Ibis - Fisher's Mill - Steve Nuttall

Fisher's Mill - GLOSSY IBIS till 3.50pm at least. Also seen today at Drayton Bassett Pits on North Pit and Spoonbill Pit (per RBA et al) Unbelievably this a new unringed individual. 3 birds in 3 days! Also Garganey, 4 Little Egret over north, Peregrine south, 95 Golden Plover, Brambling, Redpoll, Chiffchaff (L Johnson, S Haynes et al)
Bassett South - 2 Stonechat (L Johnson)
Bassett North - 2 Golden Plover over, 6 Little Egret (L Johnson)
Ladywalk - Bittern this morning in flight over 'B' Pools (S Cawthray)
Kingsbury - 3 Pintail Cliff Pool (K Sargent)
Shustoke - Possible Franklins gull in roost at Dusk but getting too dark to confirm (S Haynes) Small gull with dark mantle with extensive white tertial crescent. Lacked attentuation of Common Gull. Unfortunately bird was asleep.

L9M was first seen flying over Chew Valley Lake (with N4C) on 26 September before settling at Catcott Lows, Somerset, on 3 October (per M Grantham)

18th October - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - GLOSSY IBIS present c9am at least (M Doughty) Unfortunately no further sign by 11.30am at least. Possibly the same bird was seen over Willington (Derbys) at c10.25am (RBA) Also today Garganey, Redpoll, Brambling, Dunlin, Little Egret, 12+ Meadow Pipit (M Doughty, TP et al)
Bassett area - Rock Pipit over, Jack Snipe, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Egret, 3 Stonechat (S Nuttal et al)
Ladywalk - Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpiper, 3 Curlew, Peregrine, Chiffchaff (S Cawthray)
Kingsbury - 2 Little Egret roosted Cliff Pool (S Cawthray)

STOP PRESS - the Glossy Ibis today was colour ringed (white) with 'L9M' so amazingly there have been 2 different ibis at Fisher's Mill. Yesterday's bird was again a white ring with 'EPJ'.

More photos from yesterday here.

17th October - Sightings

Glossy Ibis - Fisher's Mill - Bob Duckhouse

Fisher's Mill - GLOSSY IBIS (1st Win) (G Williams et al) First seen c1.10pm in flight over Fisher's mill towards Dosthill NR. Later relocated back on the front edge of Fisher's Mill c2.25pm (P Sofley, P Hyde, TP et al). Present until 6.05pm then flew north and possibly landed at north end of Drayton Bassett pits (Many many obs!).

It has been seen both sides of the county Boundary and is the first for Warks and 3rd for Staffs. The bird is colour ringed (White EPJ) and is probably from Coto Donana, Spain. Details to follow.

Dosthill - Little Egret on river (TP)
Middleton - Blackcap in Mill Plantation (P Sofley)

16th October - Sightings

Shustoke - Common Scoter (f/imm), but no sign of drake scoters or arctic terns (L Johnson)
Kingsbury - Arctic Tern (juv) Canal Pool (Bobby D)
Ladywalk - Black-Tailed Godwit reported, 3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Curlew (P Sofley)

15th October - Sightings

Shustoke - 2 Common Scoter (both m), 2 Arctic Tern (both juv) (B Eaton et al)

13th October - Sightings

Ladywalk - Brambling, Common Sandpiper, 150 Redwing, 10 Fieldfare (P Sofley, S Cawthray)
Fisher's Mill - 3 Stonechat (fem/imm) on Fisher's Mill Meadow (J Harris) 82 Redwing and 20 Fieldfare over (J Harris)
Bassett North - 2 Little Egret, Green Sandpiper (J Harris)
Wishaw - 11 Grey Partridge Wiggins Hill Road (G Williams)

12th October - Sightings

Middleton - Possible Blackpoll Warbler 12.55pm in Mill Plantation (G Williams). Searched for but not seen since.
Shustoke - Marsh Tit (L Johnson). A site first and still rare in the Tame.

11th October - Sightings

Kingsbury - Pintail Cliff Pool (K Sargent)
Whitacre Heath NR - 3 Curlew, 22 Redwing (J Wesson)

10th October - Sightings

Bassett North - Med Gull (1st Winter), 2 Pintail (J Allen)
Alvecote - Report of 5 Mandarin Railway Pool (RBA)

8th October - Sightings

Alvecote - Report of Red-Crested Pochard , juv Scaup (or hybrid) on Pretty Pigs Pool (RBA)

7th October - Sightings

Whooper Swans - Shustoke - Bob Duckhouse

Bassett North - 4 Whooper Swans Late morning at least (J Fincham per J Harris et al) Also today Dunlin, Pintail, Redshank, Swallow (J Harris, P Hyde)
Shustoke - 4 Whooper Swans landed c3.40pm (J Harris) Present till 5.50pm at least (Many Obs) These birds were the same as at Bassett earlier in the day and consisted of 3 adults and a ad/2nd Year bird. Also Yellow-Legged Gull(ad) in roost, Goldeneye (L Johnson) Dunlin (B Kington)
Middleton - 8 Siskin (P Hyde)
Coleshill - Reed Warbler by Quarry (B Kington)
Alvecote - Red-Crested Pochard reported Pretty Pigs Lake again (RBA)

6th October - Sightings

Alvecote - Red-Crested Pochard reported Pretty Pigs Pool (RBA)
Shustoke - Arctic Tern (ad) still, joined by a juvenile later. Also Peregrine (B Kington per J Harris)
Kingsbury - Possible Scaup Cliff Pool (K Sargent, Bobby D)

5th October - Sightings

Shustoke - Arctic Tern (ad) still (J Harris, L Johnson, S Haynes)
Bassett North - Pintail, Little Egret, Green Sandpiper, Sisikin over (J Harris)
Fisher's Mill - Siskin, Redpoll over (J Harris)
Hams Hall - 2 Redwing, 6 Meadow Pipits (P Sofley)
Wishaw - Peregrine (S Haynes)
Ladywalk - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Church Pool Covert (S Haynes) Spotted Crake still present in New Bay (per RBA)
Whitacre Heath - 3 Curlew (S Haynes)

4th October - Sightings

Shustoke - Arctic Tern (ad) still (L Johnson)
Ladywalk - Spotted Crake still in New Bay this evening. Also on site Green Sandpiper, Goosander, Peregrine (TP et al)
Bassett North - 2 Pintail (TP, J Allen)
Middleton - 3 Green Sandpiper on Flash, 30+ Meadow Pipit (TP)

3rd October - Sightings

Ladywalk - Spotted Crake still in New Bay (WMBC) Also seen yesterday. Also Green Sandpiper. Goosander on river (TP, J Allen, A Archer)
Bassett North - No sign of Pectoral Sandpiper this morning. 2 Pintail, 2 Little Egret, Peregrine, Hobby, Green Sandpiper (TP, J Allen, J Harris, D Hutton)
Shustoke - Arctic Tern (ad) (S Haynes et al)

2nd October - Sightings

Bassett North - Pectoral Sandpiper juv early afternoon on North Pit possibly for second day (G Williams) Still present 6.30pm at least (J Allen) Also today Little Egret, 3 Pintail, Dunlin, Redshank, Stonechat (J Allen, K Sargent, G Williams)

The 'Pec' is the first in the valley since a one day bird at Fisher's Mill in May 2002.

1st October - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - 2 Little Egret (J Harris)
Bassett North - 2 Pintail, Stonechat (J Harris)

30th September - Sightings

Ladywalk - Spotted Crake still in New Bay (per RBA)
Kingsbury - Green Sandpiper Cliff Pool (K Sargent)

29th September - Sightings

Ladywalk - Spotted Crake still till dusk, 2 Goosander, Common Sandpiper (Many Obs)
Bassett - 3 Little Egret, 3 Pintail (S Haynes) 12 Golden Plover over (J Harris)
Kingsbury - 3 Green Sandpiper Cliff Pool (K Sargent)

28th September - Sightings

Ladywalk - Spotted Crake still present in New Bay though generally elusive (per RBA)
Shustoke - 2 Arctic Tern (juvs), 3rd Win Yellow-Legged Gull (per RBA)

As I am now back, normal service can be resumed. Many thanks to the Dawg for updating the blog in my absence.

24 September - Sightings

Ladywalk Nature Reserve - the Spotted Crake showed well in the bay from the Riverwalk hide from 6.30pm onwards. (P Sofley) WMBC permits holders FREE - Non-permit holders please donate generously

Kingsbury Water Park - on Cliff Pool today there were 3 x Green Sandpiper, 2 x Eurasian Wigeon & a single Common Pochard. (K Sargent)

23 September - Sightings

Ladywalk Nature Reserve - the Spotted Crake was spotted briefly again today flying to the main reedbed at dusk. Also 3 x Water Rail, 2 x Eurasian Curlew & 6 x Common Snipe. (S Cawthray)

22nd September - Sightings

Kingsbury Water Park - 2 x Green Sandpipers were present on Cliff Pool this afternoon (K Sargent)

Drayton Bassett Pits - 2 x Northern Pintail on the North Pit and 2 x Little Egrets on the South Pit Section (J Harris).

Ladywalk Nature Reserve - Little Egret but no sign of the Spotted Crake (J Harris).

21st September - Sightings

Ladywalk Nature Reserve - the elusive Spotted Crake was still present this during the early part of this evening (as per RBA) *WMBC Permit holders FREE - Non-permit holders please donate generously *

Drayton Bassett Pits - Garganey (2 birds) and Northern Pintail on the North Pit (J Oates).

Fishers Mill Pit - Little Egret (J Oates).

Kingsbury Water Park - Green Sandpiper on Cliff Pool (J Oates).

20th September - Sightings

Ladywalk Nature Reserve - the elusive Spotted Crake was spotted again from 5.30pm to 5.33pm today (as per RBA).

Lea Marston/Coton - a Hobby and a Cetti's Warbler were present in the area today (as per RBA).

Whilst Tom is ooooop north I would be grateful if any 'Tame Valley Birders' could text me their sightings on 0773 465 2582. All the very best - Arch x

19th September - Sightings

Ladywalk Nature Reserve - the Spotted Crake was present again at 9.10am then again from 6.00pm to 6.15pm. Also 3 Water Rails. WMBC Permit Holders - Non-Permit Holders please donate generously (S Cawthray et al).

Alvecote Pools SSSI - a Red Kite flew north west over Shuttington at 10.20am and a male Common Redstart was along Teal Pool Hedge (A Archer).

18th September - Sightings

Ladywalk - Spotted Crake in New Bay to right of Riverwalk Hide till c7pm at least (S Cawthray et al)

Myself and Julian are away till 27th September in Shetland. In the meantime feel free to email me any news and I will update then. However there is a rumour of a guest editor for the next week.......

PS Don't find anything too good. Last time I was away there was a Cattle Egret!

17th September - Sightings

Ladywalk - Marsh Harrier(juv) 12.10pm, Little Egret, Common Sandpiper, 150 House Martin (S Cawthray). The Harrier was also reported Tuesday.
Whitacre Heath NR - Marsh Harrier 12.25pm (per RBA)
Bassett North - 4 Pintail, Ruff, 2 Dunlin, 2 Little Egret, Hobby (J Oates, G WIlliams)

16th September - Sightings

Bassett North - 4 Pintail, 40 Wigeon, 2 Little Egret, 2 Hobby, 3 Dunlin, Reed Warbler (J Harris, S Haynes, G Williams)
Bassett South - Yellow Wagtail over (J Harris)

15th September - Sightings

Kingsbury - Med Gull (ad - unringed) Cliff Pool (J Oates) Greenshank (L Maquire per J Harris)
Dosthill NR - Marsh Harrier (juv) at 9.50am (J Oates)
Bassett North - 3 Juv Gannet high west at 12.55pm (S Haynes) Curlew Sandpiper (juv) again, 4 Dunlin, Green Sand, Greenshank, Ruff, Garganey, 2 Pintail, 69 Wigeon, Little Egret, Hobby (J Oates, G Williams, S Haynes, J Harris et al)

14th September - Sightings

Bassett North - Garganey, 6 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, Hobby, Common Gull, 21 Wigeon (P Sofley, J Harris)
Alvecote - Report of poss juv Ferruginous Duck (A Fantasist) referred to an eclipse drake Pochard (TP).

13th September - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - Little Egret (M Pollock)
Bassett North - Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ringed Plover (M Pollock et al) Marsh Harrier (imm) (P Hyde per J Harris)
Bassett South - Wheatear (M Pollock)
Kingsbury - Little Egret, 2 Green Sandpiper (J Allen)

12th September - Sightings

Bassett North - Garganey, Ruff, 2 Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, Little Egret, Peregrine, Hobby this morning (TP) Curlew Sand (juv) again early afternoon (J Harris, J Fincham)
Wishaw - Wheatear Blindpit Lane (TP)

11th September - Sightings

Bassett North - Curlew Sandpiper (juv), 2 Ruff (per RBA) Curlew Sand present till dusk with 4 Dunlin (juv), 2 Ruff, Yellow-Legged Gull (ad) (TP, C Cook) Also today a very early Stonechat, Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, Hobby (J Harris, C Cook)

10th September - Sightings

Bassett North - Marsh Harrier 11.45am (per J Oates) Ruff, 2 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover, Little Egret (L Johnson)
Kingsbury - Shag (juv) still Broomey Croft Pool. 3 Green Sandpiper, Hobby Cliff Pool (L Johnson et al)
Shustoke - Yellow Wagtail over (L Johnson)
Lea Marston - Presumed Pochard x Ferruginous hybrid (f) on Balancing Lake (J Oates)
Fisher's Mill - Garganey (per RBA)
Alvecote - Whinchat, Redstart, 2 Spotted Flycatcher between village and Mill Pool in hedges (per RBA)

9th September - Sightings

Kingsbury - 2 Black-Tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper Cliff Pool (Bobby D, J Harris) Shag (juv) still Broomey Croft Pool (J Harris)
Bassett North - 3 Little Egret, 2 Redshank, Wigeon (J Harris)

8th September - Sightings

Bassett North - 2 Curlew Sandpipers (both juv) on North Pit (J Harris) 1 Curlew Sandpiper till dusk (J Allen et al) Also today Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Redshank (J Harris, J Allen) 3 Little Egret in area (J Harris)
Ladywalk - Osprey, Hobby, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper (S Cawthray)
Kingsbury - Shag (juv), Little Egret (S Cawthray)

7th September - Sightings

Shag - Kingsbury (K Sargent)

Kingsbury - Shag (juv) still Broomey Croft pool. Later on Canal Pool (K Sargent, J Allen et al) 3 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Common Tern (ad), 5 Little Egret roosted Cliff Pool (K Sargent, J Allen) Barn Owl Richard's Meadow this evening (J Allen)
Coleshill - 2 Greenshank, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper on Quarry (WMBC)

6th September - Sightings

Whinchat - Whitacre Heath Flashes (J Wesson)

Whitacre Heath - Whinchat on the flashes (J Wesson)
Bassett North - Greenshank, 3 Redshank, Common Sandpiper (TP) Garganey (per RBA) Little Egret, 2 Swift (M Yapp, R Powell)
Kingsbury - 2 Barn Owl this evening over Richard's Meadow (Z Pollock) Shag (juv) again Broomey Croft Pool on Pontoon (WJ Egmont per J Harris) The Shag was also seen late evening on Cliff Pool on 03/09 and 05/09 on the Horseshoe Island (WJE)

5th September - Sightings

Coleshill - 2 Greenshank, 3 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper on Quarry (P Forbes)
Shustoke - Black Tern (juv), 2 Common Tern, 2 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Spotted Flycatcher (L Johnson, P Forbes et al)
Alvecote - Unconfirmed report of Osprey in dead tree by Mill Stream (per RBA) WMBC has this bird at Alrewas so presumably some chinese whispers here?

4th September - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - 8 Little Egret (P Hyde per J Harris)
Bassett North - 4 Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Yellow Wagtail (J Harris)

3rd September - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - 5 Little Egret, Hobby (G Williams)

2nd September - Sightings

Kingsbury - Marsh Harrier over Cliff Pool/Otter Pool at 2.15pm towards Fisher's Mill. Also 2 Green Sandpiper, Wigeon (K Sargent)
Bassett North - 1 juv. Little Ringed Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 8 Dunlin, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 juv. Ruff, 1 Greenshank and 1 Green Sandpiper. (G Williams)

1st September - Sightings

Middleton - Greenshank, 2 Green Sand on Hall Lake (A Ward per J Harris)
Dosthill - Little Egret over (J Harris)
Fisher's Mill - 2 Little Egret (J Harris)
Bassett North - 2 Black-Tailed Godwit, Ruff (Juv), Greenshank, 2 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Shelduck, Shelduck hybrid (J Harris)
Kingsbury - Green Sandpiper Cliff Pool. Barn Owl Richard's Meadow (M Pollock)

31st August - Sightings

Kingsbury - Shag (Juv) Broomey Croft Pool till 7.45pm at least (C & S Williamson et al). It roosted this evening at Cliff Pool(S Cawthray) I believe this is first in the Tame since Nov 2000. Also 2 Green Sandpiper, 3 Little Egret, Barn Owl Cliff Pool (WMBC, S Cawthray)
Bassett North - 3+ Garganey, 2 Black-Tailed Godwit, 2 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, Little Egret (TP et al)
Bodymoor - c40 Yellow Wagtail in field by canal. 2 Little Egret over (S Haynes, TP, S Cawthray)

30th August - Sightings

Bassett North - Ruff, 4 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, Redshank, 3 Little Egret, 2 Swift (TP, J Allen)
Kingsbury - Greenshank Cliff Pool (WMBC)
Alvecote - Wholly unconfirmed report of probable Baltic Gull (per RBA)
Ladywalk - 2 Garganey still (per S Cawthray)

29th August - Sightings

Bassett North - Black-Tailed Godwit, Ruff, 4 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper (J Allen, J Harris, J Fincham)
Bassett South - Little Egret (J Allen, J Harris)
Kingsbury - Little Egret Cliff Pool (J Allen)
Whitacre Heath - Cetti's Warbler (possible reserve first?), 7 Curlew, 5 Yellow Wagtail (J Wesson)

28th August - Sightings

Coleshill - Greenshank, 7 Green Sand on GPs (P Forbes)
Tamworth - 3 Wheatear Amington Golf Gourse on 17th Fairway (P Burton per J Harris)

27th August - Sightings

Black-Tailed Godwit Cliff Pool (K Sargent)

Ladywalk - 1 Garganey still from Riverwalk hide (WMBC)
Shustoke - 2 Chiloe Wigeon still (L Johnson)
Kingsbury - Black-Tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, Green Sand, Common Sand Cliff Pool (K Sargent, J Harris)
Bassett North - Black Tern (ad), Ruff (Juv), 3 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, Grasshopper Warbler (J Harris)
Coleshill - 3 Greenshank, 2 Green Sand, Common Sand on Quarry (P Forbes)

26th August - Sightings

Middleton - Green Sand Hall Lake (TP)
Ladywalk - 2 Garganey (m,f) still (P Sofley, S Cawthray) Green Sand, Turtle Dove over (S Cawthray)
Fisher's Mill - 3 Little Egret (B Kington per J Harris)
Bassett North - Black Tern, Ruff still (B Kington per J Harris)
Shustoke - 2 Chiloe Wigeon (B Kington per J Harris) Also seen recently at Kingsbury along with Chiloe x Speckled Teal hybrid.
Kingsbury - Black-Tailed Godwit, Green Sand Cliff Pool (WJ Egmont)

25th August - Sightings

Bassett North - Black Tern (moulting ad), Ruff (juv), 2 Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Common Sand, Green Sand, Hybrid Shelduck sp (J Harris, G Williams, J Mallinson)
Fisher's Mill - Little Egret (J Harris)
Kingsbury - 2 Greenshank, 4 Green Sandpiper (TP)

24th August - Sightings

Shustoke - juv/1st Win Mediterranean Gull on pier then flew south this morning (L Johnson) Presumed same later present in roost this evening viewed from Car Park (S Haynes)
Kingsbury - 11 Green Sand, 4 Greenshank Cliff Pool this evening (per S Cawthray) Black Tern through at 11.30am (R Thomas per J Harris)
Kingsbury South - 2 Black Terns (ad) Hemlingford Water till 11am at least (R Thomas per J Harris)
Bassett - Black Tern (R Thomas per J Harris)

23rd August - Sightings

Alvecote - 3 Black Terns (2ad, juv) on Mill Pool. 2 Little Egret in area (A Archer et al)
Middleton - Green Sand on Hall Lake (TP)
Dosthill - Black Tern, Common Sandpiper c4pm (P Burton per J Harris) Adult Black Tern this evening (TP)
Kingsbury - Common Sand Cliff Pool (J Harris)
Fisher's Mill - 2 Little Egret (J Harris)
Bassett South - Marsh Harrier c1pm for a few minutes then flew off high, 3 Swift (J Harris)
Bassett North - Dunlin, Redshank, 8 Snipe (J Harris)
Ladywalk - 2 Garganey(m,f) still, Little Egret, Common Sand, 8 Curlew, 12 Snipe (S Cawthray)

21st August - Sightings

Ladywalk - 2 Garganey, escaped Harris Hawk at feeding station(!) (P Sofley)
Bassett - 2 Little Egret, Snipe (P Sofley)

19th August - Sightings

Kingsbury - Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 2 Snipe Cliff Pool (K Sargent, Bobby D)
Alvecote - Greenshank, Common Sand, Peregrine (Juv) Mill Pool (A Archer)

18th August - Sightings

Kingsbury - Garganey juv, 6 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 31+ Shoveler, 27+ Teal, Little Egret Cliff Pool this evening (TP)
Alvecote - Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Redstart, 2 Spotted Flycatcher (A Archer)
Shustoke - 2 Spotted Flycatcher (S Cawthray)

17th August - Sightings

Kingsbury - 6 Green Sand, Common Sand, 3 Snipe, Greenshank Cliff Pool (K Sargent, J Harris, S Cawthray) 7 Little Egrets roosted again (S Cawthray)
Coleshill - Dunlin, 2 Green Sand on Quarry(B Kington per J Harris)
Bassett North - Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, 5 Snipe, 5 Swift (G Williams)
Fisher's Mill - 2 Little Egret (G Williams)

16th August - Sightings

Shustoke - 'Family Party' Spotted Flycatcher (S Bradley per L Johnson) 5 Crossbill over, 2 Common Sandpiper (S Cawthray)
Kingsbury - 7 Little Egret roosted Otter Pool (WJ Egmont per J Harris)

15th August - Sightings

Kingsbury - Little Egret Cliff Pool (TP, J Allen)
Bassett North - Yellow-Legged Gull (ad), Common Sand (TP, J Allen)

13th August - SIghtings

Lea Marston - Presumed pale Grasshopper Wbr by old Quarry (J Harris)

12th August - Sightings

Shustoke - Spotted Flycatcher at East End of Main Pool, Common Sand (L Johnson)

11th August - Sightings

Alvecote - 3 Redstarts in hedges by old Orchard (per RBA)
Fisher's Mill - Common Sand on river (J Harris)
Bassett South - 2 Redshank (J Harris)
Bassett North - Dunlin, 2 Little Egret (J Harris)
Kingsbury - Greenshank Cliff Pool (per Logbook)
Ladywalk - Spotted Flycatcher recently by feeding station (per S Cawthray)

10th August - Sightings

Kingsbury - Garganey (juv), 2 Green Sands on Cliff Pool (K Sargent)
Bodymoor - 2 Green Sands in Drainage Ditch between Villa Training Ground and Lower Farm (K Sargent)
Fisher's Mill - Little Egret (WMBC)

9th August - Sightings

Kingsbury - Garganey, 30+ Teal, 15+ Shoveler, Green Sand Cliff Pool (TP, J Allen) 3 Garganey early evening (S Cawthray)
Bassett North - Greenshank, Common Sand, Wigeon, 20+ Teal, 20+ Shoveler (TP, J Allen)
Coleshill - 7 Green Sands by Quarry, 5 Goosander(juvs - the local brood) on river (WMBC)

8th August - Sightings

Kingsbury - Garganey Cliff Pool (L Johnson)
Middleton - Whimbrel over 12.30am (!) (J Harris)
Bassett - Green Sand over (L Johnson)

7th August - Sightings

Bassett North - 2 Greenshank, 7 Snipe, 3 Green Sand, 3 Common Sand this morning (G Williams)
Fisher's Mill - Clouded Yellow (G Williams) 5 Goosander over (J Harris)
Shustoke - 2 Common Sand (J Allen, J Harris)

6th August - Sightings

Shustoke - 2 Garganey, Common Sandpiper (L Johnson)
Bassett North - Wood Sandpiper late afternoon, 2 Common Sand, Green Sand(J Harris)
Fisher's Mill - 2 Little Egret (J Harris)
Coleshill - 2 Common Sand on Quarry (J Harris)

3rd August - Sightings

Ladywalk - Marsh Harrier 1.40pm till 4pm at least (S Cawthray et al) No further sign of Harrier this evening but Black-Tailed Godwit flew through (M Yapp)
Bassett North - 4 Common Sand, 2 Green Sand, Ringed Plover, Yellow Wagtail (J Harris) John also saw his first Essex Skipper for the site today.
Fisher's Mill - 2 Little Egret, Clouded Yellow (J Harris)
Middleton - Green Sand on Hall Lake, Clouded Yellow (J Harris)
Lea Marston - 8 + Curlew by Railway (TP)

2nd August - Sightings

Nothing reported over weekend.

31st July - Sightings

Ladywalk 5 Curlew from Riverwalk Hide (WMBC) these were wrongly reported as Whimbrel. See here.

30th July - Sightings

Dosthill - c4 Grasshopper Warblers singing on old tip (M Pollock)
Fisher's Mill - 2 Little Egret, 2 Green Sand, Common Sand (J Harris)

I will be unable to update this blog till Sunday Evening. Can all reports be copied in to Julian Allen until then. His email is jallen70@btinternet.com.

29th July - Sightings

Kingsbury - Green Sand, Little Egret (S Cawthray)
Ladywalk - Little Egret (S Cawthray)

28th July - Sightings

Middleton - Green Sand on Hall Lake (TP)
Kingsbury - Green Sand, 1st Sum GBB Gull, 8 Teal Cliff Pool (TP)
Ladywalk - 3 Whimbrel (S Cawthray)

Nearby there have been c20 Crossbills the last few days at Bentley Wood though they are mobile.

27th July - Sightings

Middleton - Green Sand on Hall Lake (J Harris)
Fisher's Mill - Little Egret (J Harris)
Bassett North - 2 Common Sand (J Harris)

26th July - Sightings

Tamworth - Marsh Harrier south over Golf Course 9.45am (per RBA)
Middleton - 2 Green Sand on Hall Lake (TP)
Bassett North - Med Gull (juv) (M Inskipp per J Harris)
Kingsbury - GBB Gull 1st Sum Bodymoor Heath Water (TP)

25th July - Sightings

Bassett North - Common Sand, Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 3 Wigeon, 9 Shoveler (including a brood of 3) , 2 Dunlin(TP, G Williams)
Fisher's Mill - 2 Little Egret, Green Sand, 2 Clouded Yellows (G Williams)

24th July - Sightings

Bassett North - 2 Black-Tailed Godwit, Common Sand (J Harris)
Bassett South - Green Sand (J Harris)
Fisher's Mill - 2 Little Egret, Green Sand (J Harris)

23rd July - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - Greenshank, 2 Green Sand, 2 Little Egret (G Williams)

22nd July - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - 3 Little Egret, 2 Green Sand (L Johnson, J Harris)
Kingsbury - Chiloe WIgeon Hybrid Canal Pool (L Johnson)
Bassett North - 2 Dunlin, Green Sand Spoonbill Pit (J Harris, G Williams)
Ladywalk - 9 Curlew (S Cawthray)

There are Work Parties every Wednesday evening at Ladywalk. All welcome. I am happy to put you in touch with the warden (Steve Cawthray) if interested.

21st July - Sightings

Shustoke - 2 Common Sandpiper (L Johnson)
Kingsbury - 3rd Sum Yellow-Legged Gull, Green Sand (per RBA)

Of interest there is a Pomarine Skua at Bartley Resr (West Mids) today.

20th July - Sightings

Alvecote - 2 Red-Crested Pochard Pretty Pigs Lake (A Archer et al)

19th July - Sightings

Middleton - Green Sand on Main Lake (TP)
Kingsbury - Yellow-Legged Gull 3rd Sum, GBB Gull 1st Sum, 4 Teal Cliff Pool (TP, J Allen)
Alvecote - Grasshopper Warbler still (A Archer)

18th July - Sightings

Middleton - 5+ Green Sands on Silt Pool. 1 on Main Lake. (TP)
Bassett North - 2 Wigeon Spoonbill Pit. Yellow-Legged Gull(ad) North Pit (TP)
Alvecote - Arctic Tern (ad) through, Grasshopper Warbler between Mill Pool and river (A Archer)

16th July - Sightings

Kingsbury - 6 Little Egret (4 roosted + 2 over) Cliff Pool (WJ Egmont per J Harris)

15th July - Sightings

Kingsbury - Med Gull juv on Cliff Pool till 11.15am then flew North (per RBA)
Coton - 6 Black-Tailed Godwit flew South (per RBA)
Middleton - 5 Green Sand on Silt Pool (J Harris)

14th July - Sightings

Kingsbury - presumed Mandarin (f) briefly, Black-Tailed Godwit, Yellow-Legged Gull(ad) (K Sargent) A presumed Mandarin was also reported last week.
Middleton - 3 Green Sands on Silt Pool (J Harris)
Fisher's Mill - Green Sand (J Harris)
Bassett North - 2 Common Sands (J Harris)

13th July - Sightings

Middleton - 2 Green Sandpiper (Bobby D)
Fisher's Mill - Green Sandpiper (Bobby D)

I would be interested to hear of any Turtle Dove sightings in the Tame this year.

11th July - Sightings

Middleton - 9 Green Sandpiper Silt Pool (TP) Cattle Egret reported on Silt Pool 2.3opm then flew towards Dosthill (per RBA) Shame the news took 6 hours to surface.
Alvecote - 2 Redstart (juvs) in a private area have probably bred locally; Little Egret (A Archer)

10th July - Sightings

Ladywalk - 25 Black-Tailed Godwits (per RBA)

9th July - Sightings

Knot - Cliff Pool - K Sargent

Kingsbury - Knot Cliff Pool (K Sargent) Hybrid Chiloe Wigeon (J Oates).
Middleton - Crossbill Over Hall towards Mill Plantation 1.16pm (J Harris, anon) 9 Green Sand Silt Pool (Anon)
Fisher's Mill - Black Tailed Godwit (anon)
Bassett North - Snipe (anon)
Coleshill GPs - 3 Green Sand (D Hutton)

7th July - Sightings

Middleton - 10 Green Sandpiper Silt Pool (S Cawthray)
Kingsbury - 5 Teal, Pochard, Leucistic Black-Headed Gull Cliff Pool (K Sargent) 3 Black-Tailed Godwit, Barn Owl late evening (WJ Egmont per S Cawthray)
Ladywalk - Up to 3 Little Egret recently roosting (S Cawthray)

6th July - Sightings

Kingsbury - Green Sandpiper Cliff Pool (K Sargent)

5th July - Sightings

Bassett South - Little Egret (J Allen)
Middleton 4 Green Sandpiper on Silt Pool ( per J Allen )

4th July - Sightings

Bassett North - Green Sand, 3 Shoveler (J Harris)
Dosthill - Raven (J Harris)
Tamworth - Ring-Necked Parakeet flew over Snowdome (T & S Pick)

2nd July - Sightings

Kingsbury - Little Egret Cliff Pool (WJ Egmont per J Harris)

28th June - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - Green Sand 3, Teal 6, Shoveler (TP)

27th June - Sightings

Ladywalk - 3 Little Egret (S Pick)

26th June - Sightings

Ladywalk - 2 Spotted Flycatcher recently along river. 7 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 5 Pochard, 2 Wigeon, Little Egret (P Sofley)

23rd June - Sightings

Middleton - Green Sand Silt Pool (K Sargent, J Harris)
Bassett North - 2 Pochard (J Harris)

22nd June - Sightings

Bassett Area - 2 Common Cranes over "Middleton Pools" flew towards Kingsbury WP at 12pm (per WMBC). Also Wood Sand reported (per WMBC) Any further info on these gladly received? The two cranes left Groby Pools, Leics at 11.20am, and arrived at Belvide, Staffs at 2.05pm.
Fisher's Mill - 5 Green Sands (Anon)
Middleton - Green Sand on Silt Pool (Anon)

21st June - Sightings

Ladywalk - possible Wood Sandpiper from Hide B (per RBA)

20th June - Sightings

Bassett North - 2nd Sum Yellow-Legged Gull still (per RBA)

19th June - Sightings

Alvecote - Black-Tailed Godwit Mill Pool (A Archer)
Bassett North - 2 Yellow-Legged Gulls (per RBA)

18th June - Sightings

Bassett North - 2nd Sum Yellow-Legged Gull still (J Oates)
Kingsbury - 2 Shoveler (K Sargent)

15th June - Sightings

Bassett North - Ruddy Shelduck (J Harris)

14th June - Sightings

Bassett North - 2 Dunlin on Spoonbill Pit. 6 Shoveler, 2 Teal North Pit (TP, J Allen)
Kingsbury - 1st Sum Great Black-Backed Gull, Teal, Shoveler, Pochard, 53+ Gadwall (up to 69 recently) on Cliff Pool (TP, J Allen)

13th June - Sightings

Bassett North - 2nd Sum Yellow Legged Gull, 2 Teal, 3 Shoveler (TP)
Kingsbury - Possible Marsh Harrier (f) reported from "Canal" hide (per RBA). Any further details gratefully received.

11th June - Sightings

Bassett North - 2nd Sum Yellow-Legged Gull, Curlew (J Allen)
Bassett South - 3rd Sum Yellow-Legged Gull (J Allen)

9th June - Sightings

Dosthill - 2 Black Terns still on Main Pit (per RBA)
Dosthill NR - Med Gull ad (per RBA)
Bassett North - Knot (ad Sum Plum) Spoonbill Pit. Also Med Gull (Ad prob unringed) (J Harris) No sign this evening but 2nd Sum Yellow Legged Gull on North Pit (TP)
Middleton - Green Sand near Silt Pool (J Harris)

8th June - Sightings

Dosthill - 2 ad Black Terns on main lake (M Pollock et al)
Dosthill NR - Med Gull adult Green Ringed still (J Harris). This is a French bird.

7th June - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - 2 Garganey (m,f), 4 Ringed Plover (TP)

6th June - Sightings

Fishers Mill - 2 Garganey (m,f) (J Oates)
Bassett North - Yellow Legged Gull (2nd Sum) still (TP, JOates). Water level is rising rapidly here again.

5th June - Sightings

Bassett North - 2 Garganey (m,f), 21 Black Tailed Godwit, Greenshank this morning (per RBA) 25-28 Black-Tailed Godwits Early Afternoon (J Harris) The godwits flew north at 6.20pm (Preusumably to Alvecote). No sign of Garganey or Greenshank this evening, but 2nd Sum Yellow-Legged Gull, Green Sandpiper, 6 Teal, 2 Shoveler (J Allen)
Shustoke - Reed Warbler. The second site Record (L Johnson)
Alvecote - 16 Black-Tailed Godwit this morning increasing to 42 this evening (A Archer et al)

4th June - Sightings

Black-Tailed Godwit (A Archer)

Bassett North - Osprey Late afternoon then flew East, Greenshank (per RBA) Med Gull (ad Green Ringed), 6 Teal, 2 Shoveler (P Forbes)
Alvecote - 18 Black-Tailed Godwits (A Archer et al)

3rd June - Sightings

Med Gull (ad) - A Archer

Bassett North - Wood Sandpiper, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Med Gull (ad unringed), YL Gull (2nd Sum), 2 Ringed Plover, 6 Teal, 2 Shoveler all present 8.00pm (J Allen, A Archer, TP et al) Ruddy Shelduck till 2pm but not later, also 2 Greenshank earlier (K Sargent et al)
Kingsbury - Shoveler Cliff Pool (K Sargent) 2 Hobby over Brick Kiln Lane (K Sargent)

2nd June - Sightings

Bassett North - Wood Sandpiper, Avocet, Ruddy Shelduck, YL Gull (2nd Sum) ,Greenshank, 8 Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, Med Gull(ad Green Ringed again), 3 Teal (J Oates, D Hutton, J Allen et al)

1st June - Sightings

Kinsgbury - 2 Pintail (m+f), Pochard (m) (K Sargent)

31st May - Sightings

Kingsbury - Black Tern Cliff Pool till 7.15pm at least (S Pick et al) Common Gull(ad) Canal Pool (J Allen) Possible Marsh Harrier over South End from M42 c6.00pm was presumably Alvecote bird (P Sofley)
Bassett North - 2 Ringed Plover (J Allen)
Alvecote - Marsh Harrier (f) 5.40pm - 5.55pm then flew SW (A Archer)

30th May - Sightings

Bassett North - Black-Tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover (J Harris)

28th May - Sightings

Bassett North - Greenshank, Black Tailed Godwit, 6 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover (J Mallinson per J Harris)

27th May - Sightings

Bassett North - Black-Tailed Godwit (subad) still. Possibly of Continental Form Suspecies Limosa (J Harris) An interesting article here.

26th May - Sightings

Tamworth - Red Kite over A5 at 8.20am (per RBA)
Bassett North - Black Tailed Godwit, Greenshank (J Harris)
Ladywalk - Little Egret (P Sofley)

Of interest a female Goosander has been seen with 6 Young at a site in the valley. The first breeding record for Warwickshire.

25th May - Sightings

Bassett North - 2 Avocet, 4 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover (J Allen, TP)
Kingsbury - 2 Pochard (2m) Cliff Pool (TP)
Ladywalk - Red Kite (WMBC)

23rd May - Sightings

Bassett North - Black Tailed Godwit early afternoon at least (TP) Seen in flight this evening and appeared to depart to North (TP, J Allen)
Fisher's Mill - Turtle Dove (WMBC) No sign this evening but 2 Dunlin (TP, J Allen)

22nd May - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - Short-Eared Owl, Dunlin (P Forbes)

21st May - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - Yellow-Legged Gull(ad), Curlew over (J Oates)

20th May - Sightings

Bassett North - Turnstone, Dunlin, Ringed Plover (J Mallinson per J Harris, TP)

18th May - Sightings

Tamworth - Red Kite reported over c3.15pm (WMBC)
Coleshill - Little Egret in quarry (WMBC)

17th May - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - Short-Eared Owl (per RBA)

16th May - Sightings

Shustoke - Whimbrel over this morning (L Johnson)
Kingsbury South - Common Sand at Hemlingford Water (TP)
Fisher's Mill - YL Gull (ad), 3 Dunlin (L Johnson)

15th May - Sightings

Bassett North - Little Tern till c12.30pm then flew along river to North (P Hyde, P Sofley). Wader numbers hard to give totals due to constant movement. Below are minimums. 5 Knot (2 still late pm), 14 Turnstone (5 Still late pm), 2 Sanderling, 92 + Dunlin (42 flew south), 1 Grey Plover, 50+ Ringed Plover, 3 Greenshank, Common Sand (P Sofley, J Harris, TP, J Allen et al). 14 Arctic terns this am only (P Hyde).
Fisher's Mill - 2 Garganey (m,f) still, 3 YL Gull, Little Egret, Lesser Redpoll (P Sofley, J Harris, A Archer et al)
Kingsbury - 6 Dunlin, 2 Common Sand, 2 Ringed Plover on Cliff Pool (J Harris)
Ladywalk - Whimbrel, Greenshank, Dunlin (WMBC)

The water levels at Bassett are rising rapidly with few waders present late evening (Just 4 Dunlin, 15 Ringed Plover for example). Unfortunately it will be completely flooded tomorrow.

14th May - Sightings

Shustoke - Black Tern, 2 Ringed Plovers (D Hutton)
Bassett North - Spoonbill ad still this morning (P Hyde per J Oates) but not present 11am. Also today up to 5 Sanderling, 2 Turnstone, 3 Greenshank, 4 Grey plover (1 first summer bird early morning, 2 this afternoon then flew off, New bird this evening then flew off. All different to yesterday), Whimbrel through, 2 Common Sands, 25+ Dunlin, 15+ Ringed Plover (J Oates, J Harris, K Sargent, A Archer, TP, M Priest et al). These are maximum counts with numbers varying considerably through the day in a heavy passage.
Fisher's Mill - 2 Garganey (m,f) still, YL Gull (ad) still (J Oates) Whimbrel North this morning (P Hyde)
Ladywalk - Spoonbill reported landing 1.25pm by 3 Observers (per P Sofley)
Alvecote - Spoonbill reported late morning (P Burton per J Harris)
Middleton - Hybrid Shelduck sp on Hall Lake (TP)