31st January - Sightings

Tamworth - 7 Goosander 2m 5f, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Tree Sparrows  Tameside NR (M Hodson)
Fisher's Mill - 3 Goosander, Redshank (S Haynes)
Shustoke - 66 Goosander (S Haynes)
Coton - Little Egret off Hurley Lane (S Haynes)
Ladywalk - 3 Brambling, 2 Redpoll, Siskin, Marsh Tit around feeders (per J Harris)

30th January - Sightings

Kingsbury - 9 Bewick's Swan still (S Cawthray)
Tamworth - Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Goosander, Shelduck, Blackcap Tameside NR (J Morgan)

29th January - Sightings

Ladywalk - 3 Brambling, 3 Lesser Redpoll, Marsh Tit on feeders (A Barnsley, S Cawthray) Also 2 Woodcock, Tawny Owl, Little Egret, 32 Goosander. Lesser-Spotted Woodpecker on 28th Jan (S Cawthray)
Bassett North - Peregrine(juv), 3 Little Egret, Redshank (S Roper)
Middleton - 65 Siskin, Willow Tit (S Roper)
Bodymoor Heath - Little Egret in ditch near Villa Training Ground (S Roper)
Kingsbury - 9 Bewick's Swan still in fields opposite KWP main entrance (S Roper, W J Egmont)
Tamworth - Little Egret, Goldeneye, 2 Green Sandpiper Tameside NR (R Henderson) Also Barn Owl at South End on 28th January (Adrian Nutter)
Shustoke - Smew (Redhead) in morning but not later (P Forbes, K Wimbush) 68 Goosander roosted (J Harris)

28th January - Sightings

Shustoke - Smew still (S Cawthray)
Tamworth - Little Egret, 3 Green Sandpiper, 300+ Lapwing Tameside NR (R Henderson)
Kingsbury - 3 Smew (m,2rh) still Otter Pool in evening (W J Egmont)

27th January - Sightings

Shustoke - Smew (redhead) (P Forbes)
Tamworth - 2 Little Egret Tameside NR (R Henderson)

Late news for 19th Jan - report of Black-Necked Grebe "Coton Road Lake" (Anon per M Griffiths)

Message from Matt Griffiths:

"I'm the Wetland Bird Survey Local Organiser for Warwickshire, and was wondering if you could mention in your next blog post that the BTO is looking for someone to carry out the monthly waterbird counts at Alvecote Pools? Further info for anyone interested at http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/webs Thanks." Anyone interested drop me a m ail and I will pass on to Matt.

26th January - Sightings

Bodymoor Heath - 9 Bewick's Swans once again visible from canal (Birdguides)

25 January - Sightings

Kingsbury - 3 Smew (m,.2rh) Otter Pool (W J Egmont)
Tamworth - report of Merlin, 2 Tree Sparrow, 2 Little Egret, 2 Goosander, 20+ Siskin Tameside NR (R Henderson)

24th January - Sightings

Kingsbury - 3 Smew (Drake + 2 redheads) Otter Pool (per J Harris) 9 Bewick's Swans (5ads, 4 imm) again back in field off Bodymoor Heath Lane (S Haynes)
Shustoke - 27 Goosander (S Haynes)
Ladywalk - Bittern from Hide B. Mealy Redpoll, 10 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Brambling, Siskin on feeders. Peregrine, Little Egret, Tawny Owl, 72 Goosander, 30 Siskin, Chiffchaff, Lesser-Spotted Woodpecker around reserve (S Cawthray, D Daniel)
Alvecote - 5 Pintail, 5 Shelduck, 7 Goosander Mill Pool (J Morgan)

23rd January - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - Glaucous Gull (2nd Win) 3.45pm at least (S Haynes) This bird was originally reported as a 3rd Winter. Also 3 Little Egret, Redshank (S Haynes)
Kingsbury - 2 Smew still Otter Pool (S Cawthray)

22nd January - Sightings

Tamworth - Common Sandpiper, Little Egret, Tree Sparrow on feeders at Tameside NR (R Henderson)
Ladywalk - Green Sandpiper on river. 6 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Brambling on feeders. Pintail, 47 Goosander, Peregrine, Tawny Owl (A Barnsley, S Cawthray)
Bassett North - hybrid Shelduck sp for its 14th year at least! Also Peregrine (G A Williams)
Middleton - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in plantation (G A Williams)
Dosthill NR - 3 Woodcock, Brambling (G Williams)

21st January - Sightings

Kingsbury - 2 Smew (redheads) Cliff Pool this evening (W J Egmont)
Middleton - 7 Little Egret at dusk (G Williams)
Bassett North - 3+ Redshank (G Williams)

20th January - Sightings

Ladywalk - 2 Brambling (J Allen)
Whitacre Heath - Barn Owl at Birmingham Road at 2105hrs (K Wimbush)
Kingsbury - Barn Owl at Dunton roundabout at 2100hrs(K Wimbush)

The recent colour ringed Ruff at Fisher's Mill has proved to be a Dutch bird. Its History is as follows (news via J Harris):

21-4-2004      Hindeloopen, Kleine Wiskepolder             Jos Hooijmeijer

                  The Netherlands   52.56.13 N 05.26.48 E

   7-7-2005    Ezumazijl, Lauwersmeer, Ezumakeeg         Marco van der Velde

                  The Netherlands   53.20.53 N 06.09.11 E

   10-2-2007   Kirburster, Birsay, Orkney Islands            Colin Corse

                  United Kingdom   59.07 N 03.15 W

   2-2-2008    The Loons, Birsay, Orkney Islands            Colin Corse

                  United Kingdom   59.06 N 03.19 W

   14-12-2008 Loch of Banks, Birsay, Orkney Islands       Alan Leitch

                  United Kingdom   59.05 N 03.16 W

   18-1-2011   Fisher's Mill                                     John Harris

                  United Kingdom

19th January - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - Ruff, Redshank (J Allen, Bobby D)
Bassett South - Little Egret (J Allen)
Bassett North - Curlew, Redshank (J Allen)
Ladywalk - Mealy and 6 Lesser Redpoll, Brambling, 36 Reed Bunting on feeders. Little Egret, Woodcock, Water Rail, Tawny Owl, Lesser-Spotted Woodpecker, Shelduck and just 5 Goosander (S Cawthray)
Kingsbury - 2 Smew (redheads) Otter Pool (per Bobby D)

From various reports the colour ring combination on Ruff may be:

Left Leg - Red over yellow with metal ring?
Right Leg - Red + ?, with Yellow Flag above Tarsus

Can anyone confirm or deny. Look highly likely to be Dutch. See here and go to Ruff section. I will send off details if we can firm up exact combinations.

18th January - Sightings

Ladywalk - Bittern, 3 Brambling, 3 Lesser Redpoll (K Sargent)
Fisher's Mill - Black-Tailed Godwit, Ruff still (K Sargent)
Bassett North - 4 Pintail (K Sargent)
Shustoke - 87 Goosander at dusk (S Haynes)

17th January - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - Black-Tailed Godwit, Ruff, Redshank (S Cawthray, G Williams et al) The Ruff is colour ringed.

Red over Yellow on Left leg lower.

Yellow flag type on right Tarsus Upper.

 

Bassett South - 2 Smew, Dunlin, Golden Plover (S Cawthray, G Williams et al) The Golden Plover is highly likely to be the bird reported yesterday as a Grey Plover.
Shustoke - 85 Goosander in evening (P Forbes)

16th January - Sightings

Fisher's Mill - Black-Tailed Godwit with Lapwings (G Williams) Grey Plover reported (per G Williams)
Bassett South - Smew still (G Williams)
Ladywalk - Mealy Redpoll still occasionally on feeders. Bittern, 75 Goosander (Site record) (S Cawthray)
Shustoke - 30 Siskin (Ross Johns)
Tamworth - 16 Waxwing Shelton Street, WIlnecote again (P Burton)
Shustoke - 54 Goosander in evening (S Haynes)

14th January - Sightings

Wishaw - 90 Golden Plover Blindpit Lane (J Galletly)

13th January - Sightings

Bassett South - up to 2 Smew (redhead) (G Williams, J Mallinson)
Ladywalk - 53 Goosander, Tawny Owl. Brambling, Lesser Redpolls on feeders with report of 2 Mealy Redpolls (S Cawthray et al)
Kingsbury - Bewick's Swan (J Mallinson) No details on location.

12th January - Sightings

Coton - No sign of reported possible female Lesser Scaup in extensive search but Yellow-Legged Gull(ad) in roost (S Cawthray, S Haynes)
Coleshill - Waxwing Blythe Road (S Cawthray)
Wishaw - 80  Golden Plover Blindpit Lane (C Cook)
Ladywalk - Bittern (per S Cawthray)
Kingsbury - 4 Bewick's Swan (2ad, 2imm) back in field south of entrance (L Hanson)

11th January - Sightings

Coton - possible Lesser Scaup (fem/imm) (J Harris) Features noted by John include small size, peaked crown and small nail on bill.
Ladywalk - Mealy Redpoll, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Brambling on feeders. Also around reserve 60 Siskin, 10 Lesser Redpoll, 40 Chafinch, 10 Goldcrest, Tawny Owl, 11 Goosander, 2 Shelduck (per S Cawthray)

10th January - Sightings

Shustoke - 49 Goosander, Green Sandpiper, Yellow-Legged Gull(ad) this evening (S Cawthray)

9th January - Sightings

Coton - Yellow-Legged Gull (2nd Win) in roost (TP et al) Little Egret (D Grice)
Whitacre Heath - Little Egret, Green Sandpiper at the pool next to the
railway line in  Birmingham Road (K WImbush)
Shustoke - 9 Goosander, Yellow-Legged Gull(ad) (K Wimbush)
Wishaw - 72 Golden Plover (S Cawthray)
Ladywalk - Little Egret, 3 Shelduck. Lesser Redpoll on feeders again (S Cawthray)

Please note a new security gate with the WMBC access code will be in place at Ladywalk later this week.

8th January - Sightings

Bodymoor - 9 Bewick's Swan (5ads, 4 imm) viewable from canal towpath 500m South of Bodymoor Canal Bridge and showing well. These can also be viewed distantly from Cuttlemill Lane (TP, J Allen)
Middleton - 18 Waxwing over (J Harris)
Bassett North - Ruff on North Pit (J Allen, TP) White-Fronted Goose (1st Win) again with Greylags (M Inskipp)
Coton - Glaucous Gull (3rd Win), Med Gull(ad), Yellow-Legged Gull(ad) in roost (J Allen, G Rowling et al) 5 Bewick's Swan (2ad, 3 imm) this afternooon until flew back towards fields. 3 Smew (redheads) on back pool (M Inskipp)
Ladywalk -  report of 4 Mealy Redpoll on feeders from Sainsbury's Hide (B Hickman) However up to 4 Lesser Redpoll and have been present for a week or more at feeders (per S Cawthray)

7th January - Sightings

Tamworth - 3 Goosander, 9 Goldeneye on the River Tame from Fazeley bridge (K Sargent)

6th January - Sightings

Bassett South - Pink-Footed Goose, White-Fronted Goose with other geese west of main track (S Cawthray, J Harris) Green Sandpiper on river (J Harris)
Kingsbury - 8+ Bewick's Swans (5Ads, 3+ imms) off Cuttlemill Lane (S Haynes). These can also be viewed from canal 300 metres past Dog and Doublet pub.
Coton - Med Gull (ad) again in roost. Also 5 Bewick's Swans (2ads, 3 imms) (S Haynes)

5th January - Sightings

Kingsbury - 4 Bewick's Swans (2ads, 2 Juv) now viewable from Cuttlemill Lane (K Sargent)
Coton - A new Glaucous Gull (3rd Win)  in roost. Also 2 Yellow-Legged Gulls, Smew (redhead (Ben Eaton) The Glauc is likely to be the recent bird from Foremark Res, Derbys (last seen 3rd Jan). Pic of bird at Foremark here. Also the recent juvenile Glaucous Gull is also likely to be from Foremark (last seen there 31st Dec the day before it appeared at Coton!)

4th January - Sightings

Coton - Bittern on river then flew over A4097 to KWP. Lesser-Spotted Woodpecker in trees by Fishing Pool on opposite side to Car Park (M Hodson) Smew, Glaucous Gull(juv) in roost again (A Barnsley)
Tamworth - 13 Goosander Wilnecote at Kettlebrook Linear Park on Stoneydelph Lake (Birdguides) 38 Waxwing Shelton Street, Wilnecote (P Burton)
Dosthill NR - 2 Bittern still (per J Harris)

3rd January - Sightings

Coton - 3 Smew (redheads) (D Hutton) Glaucous Gull(juv), 8 Bewick's Swans in roost (Many Obs)
Bassett North - Smew (1st Win Male) (J Harris)
Kingsbury - Smew (1st Win Male) at dusck on Cliff Pool (per J Harris). Same as Bassett.
Ladywalk - report of Great-White Egret over towards Coleshill (Stuart Chatwin per J Harris)

2nd January - Sightings

Bittern - Coton - Dave Hutton 

Glaucous Gull - Coton - Pete Forbes

Coton - Bittern, 2 Smew (D Hutton et al) Glaucous Gull(juv), Yellow-Legged Gull(ad) in roost again. 5 Bewick's Swan (P Forbes et al)
Alvecote - Pink-Footed Goose again with Canadas by M42 (A Barnsley)

1st January - Sightings

Dosthill NR - 3+ Bittern still. 2 Goosander (J Allen et al) Chiffchaff, 22 Skylark over in 3 groups (S Roper)
Coton - 2 Smew, Yellow-Legged Gull (ad) (S Roper, L Johnson et al) Glaucous Gull(juv) in roost (J Allen, P Hyde) 9 Bewick's Swan early morning (in group of 2 and 7) (per J Allen) Bittern again flushed left of hide (per S Roper) Also seen late afternoon (J Allen, PHyde) 7 Bewick's Swans roosted (J Allen et al)
Kingsbury - 2 Bewick's Swan (both ads) still in field along Bodymoor Heath Lane (J Allen)
Ladywalk - Bittern (per J Allen)
Wishaw - 2 Little Egret in ditch along Wishaw Lane (S Haynes)
Fisher's Mill - Little Egret over (S Roper)

Nearby 7 Bewick's Swans now at Hurley (Ron Thomas)