30th December - Sightings

Shustoke - Scaup, Red-Crested Pochard, Common Sandpiper still (Bobby D)

29th December - Sightings

Ladywalk - Bittern from Riverwalk Hide till dusk (P Lichfield et al) Also Jack Snipe (S Cawthray)
Shustoke - Scaup, Red-Crested Pochard, Common Sandpiper still. Also Tree Sparrow (first here for 3 years), 12 Yellowhammer (P Forbes)
RSPB - 13 Snipe, Stonechat Fisher's Mill. Water Rail by feeders (S Pick) 5 Little Egret, 13 Snipe, Dunlin on North Pit, Chiffchaff, 3 Stonechat (G Williams)
Wishaw - 17 Grey Partridge - 9 Blindpit Lane, 8 Hempit Lane. Also large Golden Plover flock Grove Road/Lane. 4 Corn Bunting Hempit Lane (D Hutton, D Mallon)
Hams Hall - unconfirmed report of Siberian Chiffchaff along the river this morning (per Birdguides)
Alvecote - 2 Jack Snipe, 2 Pintail, 30 Common Snipe (A Archer)

28th December - Sightings

Whooper Swans - Mark Priest

Coton - 7 Whooper Swan (3ads, 4 imm) (S Haynes et al) Also 2 Yellow-Legged Gull (M Priest)
Shustoke - Scaup still (Many Obs)

27th December - Sightings

Shustoke - Scaup, Red-Crested Pochard still (Many Obs)
Ladywalk - Peregrine (S Pick)
RSPB - 10 Little Egret roosted in Heronry (S Pick)

26th December - Sightings

Ladywalk  - report of Siberian Chiffchaff (Birdguides)

25th December - Sightings

Ladywalk - possible Siberian Chiffchaff (P Lichfield)
Coton - Red-Crested Pochard(m) (S Haynes)
Shustoke - Scaup(m) still (S Haynes)

24th December - Sightings

Alvecote - report of 5 Brent Geese  "on small pool in field at 1.30pm" (per Staffs Birding)
Shustoke - Scaup, Red-Crested Pochard still (S Haynes)
Kingsbury - 310 Wigeon, Goosander, 7 Goldeneye, 4 Little Egret (TP)
Kingsbury South - Yellow-Legged Gull Bodymoor Heath Water. 106 Shoveler Hemlingford Water. 12 Goldeneye Swann Pool (TP)

23rd December - Sightings

Ladywalk  - report of Siberian Chiffchaff (Birdguides)
Whitacre Heath - Merlin, 1750 Woodpigeon over (S Haynes, P Sofley)

22nd December - Sightings

Ladywalk - 2 Brambling over Wood Yard (P Sofley)
Shustoke - Scaup, Common Sandpiper still (S Haynes)
Kingsbury - Scaup (ad fem) still (S Haynes)
Tamworth - 4 Goosander on river at Ladybridge (S Allison)

21st December - Sightings

Wishaw - Merlin(fem) flew low over Blindpit Lane 12.15pm (TP) c1000 Golden Plover in flight, 4 Corn Bunting, 5 Grey Partridge Hempit Lane area (C Hiles et al)
Ladywalk - 21 Goosander this evening (S Pick)

20th December - Sightings

Alvecote - Presumed hybrid Ring-Billed x LBB Gull Gilmans Pool late morning (AArcher)
Wishaw - 6 Grey Partridge Hempit Lane (D Hutton)
RSPB - 17 Little Egret rooster in heronry. 3 Stonechat, 8 Shelduck, 4 Goldeneye (S Pick)
Shustoke - Scaup, Red-crested Pochard on Small Pool still. Also Common Sandpiper still on main reservoir (P Forbes)

19th December - Sightings

Wishaw - 600 Golden Plover Wishaw Lane (C Hiles)

18th December - Sightings

Shustoke - Red-Crested Pochard, Common Sandpiper, Peregrine (S Cawthray)
Ladywalk -  4 Chiffchaff (S Cawthray)

17th December - Sightings

Wishaw - 3 Corn Bunting (S Haynes) Merlin(m) (Bobby D)
Shustoke - Scaup still (S Haynes)

15th December - Sightings

RSPB - Red C Pochard Dosthill Main Pit. Pintail Dosthill NR (G Williams)
Wishaw - Merlin, 5 Corn Bunting near Hempit Cottage (S Haynes et al)

13th December - Sightings

Shustoke - Common Sandpiper, Red-Crested Pochard, Scaup still (Bobby D)

12th December - Sightings

RSPB - 800+ Golden Plover, Pintail(m), 7 Shelduck, 6 Stonechat , 4 Goosander, 200+ Lapwing (K Thorpe, D Roberts)

11th December - Sightings

RSPB - 18 Little Egret roosted in heronry (K Thorpe)
Kingsbury - Scaup(fem) Cliff Pool still. prob hybrid Ferruginous Duck Broomey Croft Pool (S Wood)

8th December - Sightings

RSPB - Merlin(m) over Car Park this morning. Red-Crested Pochard(m) Fisher's Mill. Peregrine North Pit (S Cawthray)
Wishaw - 500 Golden Plover (S Cawthray)
Kingsbury - Scaup(fem) again Cliff Pool (S Haynes)
Shustoke - Red-Crested Pochard, Scaup still (S Haynes)

7th December - Sightings

Wishaw - 2+ Merlin - Male Curdworth Lane; Female in tree between Hempit Cottage and canal.with two seen flying over Kingsbury Road towards Minworth sewage treatment works 4pm. c654 Golden Plover in field on Wishaw Lane (C Hiles)
Shustoke - Red-Crested Pochard(m), Scaup (1st Win Male) still (TP)
RSPB - Pintail(m) Fisher's Mill. 3 Shelduck, 2 Stonechat Jubilee Wetlands (J Allen)

6th December - Sightings

Shustoke - Scaup (1st Win Male) on Small Pool. Red-Crested Pochard(m) on main reservoir (J Allen)
Wishaw - 2 Corn Bunting, 4 Grey Partridge, 29 Golden Plover, Little Owl (M Griffiths)
Coton - Water Rail (M Griffiths)

5th December - Sightings

RSPB - Pintail, 3 Goosander North Pit. 520 Golden Plover Jubilee Wetlands. Tawny Owl at dusk in Mill Plantation. 12+ Little Egret roosting in the heronry (G Williams)

3rd December - Sightings

Kingsbury - Merlin, 7 Goosander Cliff Pool area (S Cawthray)
Shustoke - Common Sandpiper, Woodcock, Red-Crested Pochard, Scaup, 10 Goosander (P Forbes et al)
Coton - Scaup (ad fem) (S Haynes)
Wishaw - c200 Golden Plover in field by golf course. 30 Meadow Pipit, 11 Grey Partridge, 41 Skylark (G Robinson, D Baker)
RSPB - 2 Redshank, 342 Golden Plover, 3 Chiffchaff , 4 Stonechat (G Williams) On 1/12 - 9 Shelduck, 9 Snipe and a Willow Tit. On 2/12 - 9 Shelduck, 500 Golden Plover and a Grey Wagtail (G Williams)

2nd December - Sightings

Shustoke - Merlin, Red-Crested Pochard, Scaup (imm m), Dunlin, Common Sandpiper (P Forbes)

30th November - Sightings

Shustoke - Scaup(1^st winter male)  at West End. Red-crested Pochard(m) at East end (J Gallety)
Tamworth - Barnacle Goose on River Anker at Ladybridge (S Allison)
Wishaw - Merlin, 14 Grey Partridge, 6 Golden Plover (C Hiles)

29th November - Sightings

RSPB - 2 Whooper Swan flew low over the car park at 10:20am heading east. Also 6 Shelduck, 8 Goldeneye, 4 Little Egret, Water Rail, 1000+ Golden Plover, 10 Snipe, 4 Dunlin, Common Gull and 4 Stonechat (G Williams et al)
Shustoke - Red-Crested Pochard(m), 3 Goosander (TP)

27th November - Sightings

RSPB - 1033 Golden Plover, 828 Lapwing, 2 Dunlin (K Thorpe et al)
Shustoke - Scaup (1st Win Male), Red-Crested Pochard (S Haynes)
Coton - Scaup(m), Pintail(fem) (S Haynes)
Wishaw - Merlin (female/juv) on post at rear of Hempit cottage 12:30, then flew low towards canal. Also 4 Grey Partridge in field (G A Williams)

26th November - Sightings

Shustoke - Scaup (1st Win Male), Red-Crested Pochard (S Haynes)

24th November - Sightings

Coton - 2 Scaup (both 1st Win Male) (S Haynes)
Shustoke - Red-Crested Pochard (S Haynes)
RSPB - 7 Stonechat, 700 Golden Plover (Bobby D) Scaup(fem) Fisher's Mill (per Birdforum)
Ladywalk - Siberian Chiffchaff, 2 Chiffhaff along river. Shag(imm), 3 Peregrine, Woodcock, 6 Water Rail, 6 Goosander on reserve (S Cawthray)

23rd November - Sightings

Ladywalk - Siberian Chiffchaff seen and heard calling by riverbank near carpark (D Hutton, D Mallon)

22nd November - Sightings

Coton - Scaup (imm male), 6 Goldeneye on back pit (S Haynes)
RSPB - c700 Golden Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Dunlin, 6 Snipe, Woodcock, 6 Stonechat (G Williams, S Pick) 2200 Starling roosted Silt Pool (S Pick)
Alvecote - Jack Snipe Mill Pool (A Archer)

21st November - Sightings

RSPB - 800+ Golden Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Dunlin, Goldeneye, 2 Stonechat (S Atkinson, G A Williams) Also a report of the Marsh Harrier seen at 8:15am near the east screen (per S Atkinson) 2250 Starling roosted Silt Pool (S Pick)

20th November - Sightings

RSPB - 260 Golden Plover, 450 Lapwing, 17 Snipe, 3 Stonechat, 3 Goosander, Grey Wagtail, 4 Water Rail (S Cawthray, K Thorpe et al)

19th November - Sightings

Ladywalk - 16+ Water Rail, 10 Goosander, 4 Cetti's Warbler (P Sofley)
RSPB -  3 Dunlin, c90 Golden Plover, 3 Stonechat (S Atkinson)

18th November - Sightings

RSPB - Jack Snipe flew from Southern Meadow (RSPB) Also 100+ Golden Plover, Dunlin, 8 Little Egret North Pit. 2000+ Starling roosted Silt Pool (per A Archer)

15th November - Sightings

RSPB - 9 Stonechat, 3 Pintail, 3 Goldeneye, 6 Little Egret, 3 Golden Plover (S Pick, TP)

14th November - Sightings

Shustoke - Shag still (S Haynes)
Tamworth - Goosander on river by Tameside NR (J Morgan)
Ladywalk - 2 Woodcock rear of Hide B (S Cawthray)

13th November - Sightings

Shustoke - Shag(imm) again (P Forbes)
RSPB - Marsh Harrier (fem) still North Pit. 2 Ruff Jubilee Wetlands (K Sargent)

12th November - Sightings

RSPB - Bittern Fisher's Mill in flight at dusk. Also Greenshank over (S Cawthray) Also Marsh Harrier in area still, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, 63+ Golden Plover, 3 Stonechat, 40 Linnet, 2 Pintail, 4 Goldeneye, 8 Little Egret (Many Obs)

11th November - Sightings

RSPB - Marsh Harrier(fem) still. Also 2 Goldeneye(m,f), 2 Shelduck, 4 Water Rail, 17 Golden plover, 2 Pintail, 6 Snipe and 3 Stonechat (per RSPB)
Ladywalk - Merlin B-Pools at 4pm. Also 50 Linnet, 50 Pied Wagtail, 350 Starling roosted (P Sofley)

10th November - Sightings

RSPB - Marsh Harrier Jubilee Wetlands 3.30pm at least (D Baker, Bobby D) Merlin, Peregrine (Bobby D)  Also 4 Pintail, 21 Golden Plover, 2 Snipe, Dunlin and 6 Stonechat (G Williams et al)
Kingsbury - Stonechat Cliff Pool (Bobby D)

6th November - Sightings

RSPB - 90 Golden Plover, 9 Little Egret, Goldeneye, 2 Green Sandpiper (per RSPB)

5th November - Sightings

Shustoke - Shag again. Also 4 Red-Crested Pochard, Common Sandpiper (Bobby D)

4th November - Sightings

Shustoke - 5 Red-Crested Pochard still but no sign of Shag (D Hutton, Bobby D)
RSPB - 99 Golden Plover (C Doyle)

3rd November - Sightings

RSPB - Black-Tailed Godwit, 15 Golden Plover (Bobby D) Short-Eared Owl reported (per RSPB)
Shustoke - 5 Red-Crested Pochard (inc 4 ad m) (S Haynes et al) Also Shag again this afternoon(P Forbes)

2nd November - Sightings

Kingsbury - Scaup(fem) still Cliff Pool. 4 Green Sandpiper, 6 Little Egret Otter Pool (J Allen)
RSPB - Black-Tailed Godwit, 3 Dunlin, 3 Little Egret, 6 Stonechat Jubilee Wetlands (J Allen, D Hutton)

1st November - Sightings

RSPB - 6 Stonechat (4m,2f) (D Hutton, D Mallon) Also 3 Dunlin, Black-Tailed Godwit, 2925 Starling roosted (S Pick)
Shustoke - No sign of Shag today (D Hutton)

31st October - Sightings

Shustoke - Shag(imm) still (Bobby D et al)
RSPB - Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Dunlin and 2 Stonechat (G Williams) Also 5 Snipe, c950 Starlings roosted Fisher's Mill (S Pick)
Kingsbury - Scaup (ad fem) Cliff Pool. 4 Green Sandpiper, 6 Little Egret Otter Pool (S Wood)
Alvecote - Curlew over Pretty Pigs Lake (S Allison)

30th October - Sightings

Shag - Steve Haynes

Shustoke - Shag again. Also 2 Red-Crested Pochard still (P Forbes et al)
RSPB - Jack Snipe, 4 Black-Tailed Godwit, 11 Dunlin, 3 Stonechat, 2 Fieldfare (Bobby D, G Williams))

29th October - Sightings

RSPB - Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, Redshank, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Golden Plover, Knot on the JWs and a flyover Grey Plover. Also just 2 Stonechat (G Williams et al) Unconfirmed report of Rock Pipit over (heard only) (per G Williams)
Wishaw - 64 golden plover over Wiggins Hill Road heading east (D Baker)

28th October - Sightings

RSPB - 13 Stonechat around Jubilee Wetlands. Also Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin and 3 Snipe (G Williams et al) Goldeneye (C Cook) The Stonechat count is part of a wide influx into Midlands this autumn.
Wishaw - 12+ Grey Partridge in 2 coverys (C Cook)

27th October - Sightings

RSPB - Black-Tailed Godwit, 4 Stonechat, 2 Siskin (G Williams)

25th October - Sightings

Wishaw - Merlin (imm fem) on post south of SP171938 (S Haynes) Grid Ref now corrected.

24th October - Sightings

RSPB - 2 Stonechat between the screens, 7 Snipe. 200 Starling roosted Fisher's Mill and 2 Little Egret (S Pick)

23rd October - Sightings

Shustoke - Shag briefly this afternoon but flew off to East. Also 2 Red-Crested Pochard on Small Pool still (P Forbes)

22nd October - Sightings

RSPB - 5 Whooper Swan over towards Dosthill Main Pit (per K Thorpe)
Kingsbury - report of very late Willow Warbler with Chiffchaff near SITA hide (Bobby D)
Shustoke - Goldeneye, Common Sandpiper, Willow Tit (Bobby D)

21st October - Sightings

Shustoke - 2 Red-Crested Pochard, 2 Common Sandpiper (M Griffiths)

20th October - Sightings

Hams Hall - No sign of Hooded Crow today (Many Obs)

19th October - Sightings

Shustoke - Common Sandpiper (TP)

18th October - Sightings

Hams Hall - Hooded Crow at 1640hrs today with several Carrion Crows on central reserve on Edison Road, Hams Hall near to the junction  with the A446 roundabout. At 4pm it was in ploughed field in Hams Lane earlier with other corvids  (K Wimbush)


Shustoke - 2 Red-Crested Pochard, 2 Common Sandpiper (D Hutton)
RSPB - 3 Pintail (inc 1m) (G Williams) On 17/10 Pintail, 7 Litle Egret, 7 Golden Plover, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Stonechat. On 16/10 Goosander, Pintail, 12 Snipe (G Williams)

14th October - Sightings

Shustoke - Rock Pipit, 2 Red-Crested Pochard, Dunlin (S Haynes)
RSPB -  Rock Pipit (K Thorpe) Also 7 Goosander, Greenshank, Little Egret, 2 Snipe, 30 Redwing over, 3 Stonechat, Grey Wagtail, probable Ruff  (G Williams et al)

11th October - Sightings

RSPB - Pintail (fem), Green Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 4 Little Egret, 2 Stonechat, 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff (A Archer, D Hutton)
Shustoke - 2 Red-Crested Pochard, 2 Swallow, Common Sandpiper (D Hutton)

10th October - Sightings

RSPB - Green Sandpiper North Pit. possible Yellow-Legged Gull(ad) Jubilee Wetlands. 5 Swallows heading south (S Pick)

9th October - Sightings

Shustoke - 2 Red-Crested Pochard (Bobby D)

8th October - Sightings

Shustoke - Red-Crested Pochard (S Haynes)
Wishaw - Red Kite Lichfield Road early afternoon in ploughed field(L Wimbush)
Ladywalk - 3 Little Gull over river flew towards Shustoke 5.20pm (P Sofley)

6th October - Sightings

RSPB - prob Merlin, 6 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover, Barn Owl (C Cook)

27th Septmber to 5th October Sightings

Tame Valley sightings to be added but Shetland produced Siberian Rubythroat, White's Thrush, Yellow-Rumped Warbler and Swainson's Thrush amongst others! Some photos will appear on Bob The Birder and Shustoke blogs.

26th September - Sightings

RSPB -  2 Ruff, 5 Little Egret, Hobby, 2 Swallow (per Staffs Birding)
Ladywalk - Garganey (P Sofley)
Wishaw - Barn Owl (C Hiles)


This blog will not now be updated until 6th October.

25th September - Sightings

RSPB - Hobby, Pintail, Yellow Wagtail, Stonechat, Garden Warbler, Water Rail (D Jones)

24th September - Sightings

Kingsbury - 2 Black-Tailed Godwit Cliff Pool (Bobby D)
Shustoke - Arctic Tern (juv) this morning and then probably taken by a Peregrine. Also Ruff, Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper, White Wagtail (ad m), 2 Peregrine (ad m, juv f) (D Hutton)
Ladywalk - Garganey, 4 Hobby (ad, 3 imm) (P Sofley)

23rd September - Sightings

Wishaw - 2 Wheatear Wiggin's Hill (D Baker)
Shustoke - Ruff, Ringed Plover (D Hutton)
RSPB - 2 Ruff, Dunlin, 20 Snipe Jubilee Wetlands (S Pick)

22nd September - Sightings

Ringed Plover and Ruff (lower) - Mark Priest and Ruff (Upper) - Jo Jones

Shustoke - Garganey, Ruff, Ringed Plover (Many Obs)
Ladywalk - Garganey, Pintail, Goosander, c8 Water Rail, 3 Hobby, 50+ Meadow Pipit over (P Sofley)

21st September - Sightings

Wishaw - 5 Wheatear, 5 Stonechat, Whinchat, 4 Swallow, 9 Grey Partridge, 20+ Meadow Pipit Wiggins Hill area (D Baker)

20th September - Sightings

RSPB - Curlew Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, 5 Ruff, 6 Pintail, Hobby (J Allen)
Shustoke - Garganey, Greenshank, 4 Ruff, Ringed Plover, Yellow Wagtail (D Hutton)

19th September - Sightings

RSPB - Curlew Sandpiper still (Birdguides)
Shustoke - Garganey, 4 Ruff, Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper (D Hutton)

18th September - Sightings

RSPB - 5 Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, 6 Ruff, 2 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, Golden Plover (over), c120 Shoveler, Pintail, 3 Shelduck, 3 Hobby, Stonechat, Whinchat (S Haynes, S Collins et al)
Shustoke - Garganey still (per Birdguides)
Alvecote - 2 Ruff Upper Pool. Also 3 Hobby, 3 Little Egret (A Archer)

17th September - Sightings

RSPB - 6 Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Little Stint, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, 8 Ruff,  Hobby, Stonechat, Wheatear, 5 Meadow Pipit (G Williams et al)
Shustoke - Garganey, 3+ Ruff still (J Oates et al)
Ladywalk - 2 Hobby, Peregrine, Pintail (m), Goosander (f), 26 Wigeon, c 60 Teal, c 60 Shoveler,

3 Little Egret, 9 Snipe, 3 Green Sandpiper (P Lichfield)

16th September - Sightings

Ruff and Garganey - Dave Hutton

Marsh Harrier and Wheatear - Jo Jones

RSPB - A juvenile Marsh Harrier flew through this morning. Also 2 Hobby 4 Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 4 Little Stint, 6 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 7 Ruff, 10 Snipe, Willow Tit, Stonechat,2 Wheatear (G Williams, Bobby D et al) 3 Whinchat were reported (per G Williams)
Ladywalk - Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 6 Snipe, 2 Little Egret, 3 Hobby, Pintail, 7 Wigeon,

Goosander, c 60 Teal, c60 Shoveler (P Lichfield)

Shustoke - Garganey, 4 Ruff (1 new bird) (S Haynes, D Hutton et al)

15th September - Sightings

RSPB - 3 Little Stint (J & P Hughes) 8 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, 4 Ruff Jubilee Wetlands (Birdguides, G Williams) Garganey Fisher's Mill (G Williams)
Shustoke - 4 Ruff, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Spotted Flycatcher (P Forbes, D Hutton)

14th September - Sightings

Curlew Sandpiper - Mark Priest and Garganey - Peter Lichfield

Shustoke - now 4 Ruff, Common Sandpiper (D Hutton)
RSPB -  8 Curlew Sandpiper, c8 Ruff, 2 Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, Pintail, c50 Wigeon, 2 Hobby, Stonechat Jubilee Wetlands/North Pit. Garganey Fisher's Mill. 2 Green Sandpiper Hall Lake (TP, J Allen, M Priest et al)  Firecrest Mill Plantation c4.50pm (Jake Gearty) report of Little Stint Jubilee Wetlands (per TP)
Ladywalk - 2 Garganey, 4 Pochard (1m,3f), c50 Shoveler, c30Teal, 2 Goosander (f}, 12 Wigeon,

Little Egret, Snipe, Green Sandpiper (P Lichfield)

13th September - Sightings

Ruff - Shustoke - Dave Hutton

Shustoke - 3 Ruff - 2 still North East corner, 1 West shore (D Hutton)
RSPB - 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 6+ Ruff, Pintail, Stonechat, 3 Hobby Jubilee Wetlands. 50+ Wigeon, Green Sandpiper North Pit (K Sargent, TP)
Alvecote -  5+ Hobby Teal Pool. Also 8 Little Egret in area (A Archer)

12th September - Sightings

RSPB - Little Stint(juv), 3 Dunlin, Ringed Plover, 39 Wigeon North Pit. 2 Curlew Sandpiper (juvs), 7 Ruff, 4 Little Egret, Wigeon, 2 Hobby Jubilee Wetlands (per Staffs Birding) Garganey Fisher's Mill (C Cook)
Alvecote - 2 Ruff, 4 Yellow Wagtail Railway Pool. 6 Little Egret, Hobby around the Mill/Teal Pools (J Morgan)
Shustoke -2 Ruff on North East shore (P Forbes)

11th September - Sightings

RSPB - Spotted Flycatcher by car park. 2 Water Rail, Reed Warbler in reeds by feeders. 2 Greenshank North Pit. Garganey, 8 Ruff, Common Whitethroat, 2 Hobby Jubilee Wetlands. 2 Green Sandpiper Middleton Hall Lake (K Wimbush, R Thomas) Peregrine Fisher's Mill (D Roberts)

10th September - Sightings

Alvecote - Ruff Mill Pool (J Morgan)
RSPB - Siskin, Black-Tailed Godwit, Hobby, Ruff, Dunlin, Spotted Redshank, Curlew Sandpiper, Goosander (J Morgan)
Ladywalk - Pintail, 2 Goosander, Hobby, c40 Meadow Pipit (P Sofley)

9th September - Sightings

RSPB - 2 Curlew Sandpiper still. Also Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Hobby (V Garvey, R Eyres)
Ladywalk - 6 Ruff, c20 Snipe, Wheatear (J & J Morris)

8th September - SIghtings

RSPB - Spotted Redshank, 5 Ruff, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Garganey, Egyptian Goose, Pintail, 17 Wigeon, Stonechat, Whinchat (F Mosey, Staffs Birding) Yesterday 2 Common Tern. Bittern Fisher's Mill (F Mosey)
Ladywalk - Pintail, Goosander, 10 Wigeon, 16 Snipe (P Sofley)

7th September - Sightings

RSPB - Spotted Redshank, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, Black-Tailed Godwit, Dunlin, 3 Ruff Jubilee Wetlands/North Pit. Whinchat and Stonechat still West side (D Hutton)
Alvecote - 2 Spotted Flycatcher Old Orchard. Wheatear Laundry Lane. 6 Yellow Wagtail Mill Pool (J Morgan)
Kingsbury - A maximum of 26 Little Egret roosting Otter Pool in recent weeks (W Eley) Another regional record.

6th September - Sightings

Stonechat and Whinchat - Dave Hutton

Ladywalk - Garganey, Goosander, 9 Wigeon, 100+ Teal, 18 Snipe, 3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Yellow Wagtail (P Sofley)
Alvecote - Wheatear, 3 Hobby Laundry Lane (J Morgan) Redstart, Lesser-Spotted Woodpecker, Common Sandpiper Old Orchard area (G Briddick)
RSPB - 2 Curlew Sandpiper still. Also 4 Ruff, 2 Dunlin, Black-Tailed Godwit, 4 Redshank Jubilee Wetlands. Spotted Redshank North Pit. 2 Water Rail at feeders still (S Pick, D Hutton) 2 Green Sandpiper Hall Lake (D Hutton) Tree Pipit over West Screen calling c10am. Whinchat, Stonechat, Wheatear west side (D Hutton et al) poss Ferruginous Duck (or hybrid) again early morning only Fisher's Mill (G Briddick)


The following (at least) have been seen/heard today at Middleton. Can anyone add anything else for the autumn all day count?


1 Great Tit
2 Blue Tit
3 Long Tailed Tit
4 Coal Tit
5 Treecreeper
6 Chaffinch
7 Goldfinch
8 Greenfinch
9 Nuthatch
10 House Sparrow
11 Dunnock
12 Wren
13 Goldcrest
14 Reed Warbler
15 Chiffchaff
16 Whitethroat
17 Whinchat
18 Stonechat
19 Reed Bunting
20 Pied Wagtail
21 Starling
22 Rook
23 Carrion Crow
24 Jackdaw
25 Magpie
26 Jay
27 Blackbird
28 Robin
29 Swallow
30 Green Woodpecker
31 Great Spotted Woodpecker
32 Grey Heron
33 Little Egret
34 Coot
35 Tufted Duck
36 Moorhen
37 Mallard
38 Gadwall
39 Shoveler
40 Teal
41 Wigeon
42 Mute Swan
43 Canada Goose
44 Greylag Goose
45 Great Crested Grebe
46 Little Grebe
47 Water Rail
48 Woodpigeon
49 Lapwing
50 Ruff
51 Black-tailed Godwit
52 Redshank
53 Spotted Redshank
54 Snipe
55 Dunlin
56 Curlew Sandpiper
57 Green Sandpiper
58 Kingfisher
59 Cormorant
60 Pheasant
61 Hobby
62 Sparrowhawk
63 Black Headed Gull
64 Cetti's Warbler
65 Tree Pipit
66 Common Buzzard
67 Tawny Owl
68 Barn Owl
69 Sedge Warbler
70 Pochard
71 Linnet
72 Willow Warbler
73 Blackcap
74 Wheatear
75 Pintail
76 Stock Dove
77 Bullfinch
78 Kestrel
79 House Martin
80 LBB Gull
81 Yellow Wagtail
82 Grey Wagtail
83 Herring Gull
84 Collared Dove
85 Song Thrush
86 Oystercatcher
87 Meadow Pipit
88 Skylark
89 Lesser Whitethroat
90 Common Sandpiper
(poss Ferruginous Duck or hybrid)
(Bar-Headed Goose)

5th September - Sightings

Curlew Sandpipers - Steve Pick

RSPB - Spotted Redshank, 3 Curlew Sandpiper(1 has a yellow leg flag), 6 Dunlin, 4 Ruff, Redshank, Black-Tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatcher, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Common Tern, 2 Pintail, 2 Hobby, Yellow Wagtail around reserve. 3 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat Fisher's Mill in reeds. Also 2 Redstart Fisher's Mill (S Cawthray, G Williams et al) Possible Ferruginous Duck (or hybrid) Fisher's Mill c4pm (S Wood) 16 Turnstone for 5 minutes c3pm (S Wood et al)
Alvecote - 2 Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart, Wheatear Old Orchard/Laundry Lane area (J Morgan)

4th September - Sightings

RSPB - 3 Curlew Sandpiper(juvs) until dusk. Little Stint (untilc6pm only) Jubilee Wetlands (S Cawthray et al). Also Spotted Redshank, 4 Ruff, 3 Dunlin, LRP, 2 Oystercatcher, Black-Tailed Godwit, Redshank, Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, Mandarin, 3 Garganey, Pintail, 2 Water Rail, 2 Hobby, Whinchat, Stonechat, Redstart, 2 Spotted Flycatcher around reserve (Many Obs)
Alvecote - 3 Spotted Flycatcher Old Orchard area (S Allison)

3rd September - Sightings

RSPB - Spotted Redshank still. Also 4 Ruff, Redshank, Ringed Plover, 2 Hobby, Green Sandpiper, Stonechat. 4 Spotted Flycatcher Fisher's Mill (G Williams et al)
Alvecote - Whinchat, 3 Hobby Mill Pool area. Whinchat, Spotted Flycatcher Old Orchard area (J Morgan)

2nd September - Sightings

Spotted Flycatcher and Whinchat - Jon Morgan

RSPB - Spotted Redshank, 5 Ruff, Greenshank, 9 Redshank, Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, Pintail, 2 Garganey, Hobby, Whinchat, Stonechat Jubilee Wetlands/North Pit. 2 Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher Fisher's Mill (K Sargent, J Morgan, TP, J Allen et al)
Alvecote - 9+ Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Redstart, 2 Hobby, 2 Wigeon Teal/Mill Pool area (J Morgan et al)
Ladywalk - Garganey, 2 Wigeon, 3 Little Egret, 5 Snipe, 3 Green Sandpiper, Hobby (P Lichfield)

Late news for yesterday - Alvecote - Pied Flycatcher (female/first winter) along River Anker between Mill Pool & Upper Pool (per A Archer)

1st September - Sightings

Spotted Redshank - Steve Pick

RSPB - Spotted Redshank(juv) North Pit this evening (S Pick). Also Garganey, 2 Pintail, Ruff, Green Sandpiper, 3 Hobby (S Pick, G Williams)
Shustoke - Little Gull still (S Haynes)
Ladywalk - Garganey, 2 Wigeon, 13 Snipe, 5 Green Sandpiper (P Sofley)

31st August - Sightings

Cattle Egret - Steve Nikols

RSPB - CATTLE EGRET 9.00am Jubilee Wetlands for a few minutes from west screen then flew off and appeared to land on east side. No further sign by 4.30pm at least (D Roberts, Steve Nikols et al) Also 2 Spotted Flycatcher in hedge along Wetland Trail, 23 Little Egret, 2 Garganey, Pintail, 4 Wigeon, Ruff, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Stonechat around site (D Roberts, TP, J Morgan, J Allen et al)
Alvecote - 3 Redstart Old Orchard area (J Morgan, D Hutton, T Barter)
Ladywalk - 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, Little Egret, Marsh Tit (P Lichfield)

30th August - Sightings

Shustoke - Little Gull (juv), 2 Spotted Flycatcher (P Forbes)
Alvecote - Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Redstart Old Orchard area (S Allison) Also Redstart in Warks section somewhere (Bobby D)
Whitacre Heath - Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat along railway line hedgerow (K Wimbush)
Ladywalk - Garganey, Little Egret, Green Sandpiper, Hobby, Willow Tit (P Lichfield)

29th August - Sightings

Shustoke - Little Gull still (Bobby D)
RSPB - 3 Garganey, 3 Hobby, Water Rail, 2 Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper (I Whitehouse)

28th August - Sightings

Shustoke - Black Tern, Little Gull (Bobby D)
Alvecote - 2 Tree Pipit, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart Old Orchard (J Oliver, A Archer)
Tamworth - Spotted Flycatcher Amington Hall Farm (S Allison)
Ladywalk - Garganey, Spotted Flycatcher, 17 Chiffchaff, 2 Peregrine,3 Green Sandpiper, 9 Snipe, Little Egret (S Cawthray)
RSPB - 3 Garganey, Mandarin (ecl m), 2 Ruff, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, 20+ Snipe, c20 Yellow Wagtail, Stonechat, 7 Common Tern (TP et al)

27th August - Sightings

Kingsbury South - Ruff, Curlew Mill Meadow. 15 Common Tern, Hobby Bodymoor Heath Water (S Cawthray)
RSPB - 2 Garganey, 140+ Lapwing, 45 Teal, 12 Little Egret, Ruff, Green Sandpiper, Stonechat, Hobby, 5 Snipe (F Mosey)
Ladywalk - Garganey from Hide B. Ruff on Main Pool. Also 10 Snipe, 3 Green Sandpiper, Hobby, Peregrine (P Sofley, P Lichfield)
Shustoke - Little Gull (1st Sum), Spotted Flycatcher (P Forbes)
Alvecote - 2 Redstart (2m) Old Orchard area (J Morgan)

26th August - Sightings

Spotted Flycatcher - Sean Allison

Alvecote - 2 Spotted Flycatcher still Old Orchard (S Allison)
Kingsbury South - Black Tern(ad), Arctic Tern (juv), 20 Common Tern, Yellow-Legged Gull(ad) Bodymoor Heath Water (A Dean)
Ladywalk - Osprey 2.30pm over Main Pool for 10 minutes (G Haywood per P Sofley)

25th August - Sightings

Alvecote - Spotted Flycatcher Gilman's Pool.  2 Common Redstarts along Teal Pool Hedge, 4 Little Egret, Hobby Mill Pool (A Archer) 2 Spotted Flycatcher Old Orchard (J Morgan)
RSPB - Ruff, 2 Dunlin, Ringed Plover, 2 Green Sandpiper, 4 Little Egret, Stonechat, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 20+ Swift Jubilee Wetlands. 2 Green Sandpiper, LRP Hall Lake (TP)
Ladywalk - Little Egret, 6 Snipe (P Gurney)

24th August - Sightings

Alvecote - 5+ Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Lesser-Spotted Woodpecker Old Orchard area. 2 Redstart Teal Pool Hedge (J Morgan, S Allison, TP et al)
RSPB - Spotted Flycatcher Fisher's Mill. Garganey North Pit. Stonechat, Ruff, 2 Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Hobby, Yellow Wagtail, Swift Jubilee Wetlands. Green Sandpiper, LRP Hall Lake (A Archer, TP, J Allen et al)

23rd August - Sightings

Stonechat, Whinchat and Black-Tailed Godwit - Dave Hutton

RSPB - Whinchat(juv) by river screen, Jubilee Wetland. Also Stonechat, Black-Tailed Godwit, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, 5 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 2 Peregrine (imm) (D Hutton et al)
Alvecote - 1+ Redstart, 2 Spotted Flycatcher Old Orchard. 2 Redstart Teal Pool Hedge (A Archer)
Ladywalk - Garganey, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Egret, Hobby, Water Rail, Willow Tit, Marsh Tit,

2 Wigeon, 24 Teal, 8 Shoveler (P Lichfield, H Miller)

22nd August - Sightings

Alvecote - 2 Redstart, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2+ Lesser Whitethroat Old Orchard area (TP et al)
Ladywalk - Garganey, 2 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 2 Little Egret, 2 Water Rail (P Lichfield)
RSPB - Black-Tailed Godwit, 3 Dunlin, Ringed Plover. 2 Stonechat reported (C Doyle et al)

21st August - Sightings

RSPB -  Black-Tailed Godwit, 5 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Snipe, 4 Shelduck, 7 Common Tern, Whinchat, Stonechat, 2 Yellow Wagtail, Swift Jubilee Wetlands (per Staffs Birding)
Shustoke - Peregrine, 110 Sand Martin (S Haynes)
Alvecote - Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Redstart, Yellow Wagtail, 3 Little Egret Old Orchard area (A Archer)

20th August - Sightings

Ladywalk - Garganey "B" Pools from Bittern Hide. Also 5 Snipe, 3 Green Sandpiper (P Sofley)
RSPB - 2 Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Redshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Dunlin (G Williams)

19th August - Sightings

Wishaw - 7 Wheatear Wishaw Lane. View from public footpath and look towards pylon along hedge in weedy field edge (C Hiles)
RSPB - 4 Ringed Plover, 3 Snipe, Redshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 4 Dunlin,  Stonechat (G Williams)

18th August - Sightings

RSPB - Whinchat still between Jubilee Wetlands and North Pit. Stonechat (m) still west side Jubilee Wetlands. Also Garganey, 2 Green Sandpiper, Hobby North Pit. 3 Dunlin (juvs), 4 Ringed Plover, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 3 Common Tern,  Lesser Whitethroat Jubilee Wetlands. 4 Green Sandpiper Hall Lake (TP et al)
Ladywalk - Yellow Wagtail, Green Sandpiper, 2 Water Rail, Peregrine, 2 Wigeon, 30 Teal (P Sofley) Marsh Harrier on 14/08 (J Fincham)
Alvecote - 2 Redstart Teal Pool Hedge. 2 Yellow Wagtail Mill Pool. Peregrine Pretty Pigs Pool (J Morgan)

17th August - Sightings

RSPB - Whinchat (per Staffs Birding) Reshank, 3 Ringed Plover (per logbook)

16th August - Sightings

RSPB - Marsh Harrier(fem/imm) reported Dosthill NR 12.57pm. Also Turnstone reported briefly,4 Ringed Plover, Ruff, Common Sandpiper, Arctic Tern reported, Common Tern, 7 Swift around resrve (per Staffs Birding)

15th August - Sightings

RSPB - 3 Common Tern, Green Sandpiper (S Pick) Ruff, Common Sandpiper, 2 Wigeon, Garganey (per logbook)

14th August - Sightings

RSPB - Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 12 Snipe, 2 Little Egret, 3 Common Tern, Wheatear North Pit.  Shelduck, Snipe, Swift, Yellow Wagtail Jubilee wetlands (per Staffs Birding) Wood Sandpiper, Hobby still (per logbook)

13th August - Sightings

Ladywalk - Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, Snipe (P Sofley)
Marston - 3 LRP, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper Marston Fields (A Dean)
Kingsbury South - Yellow-Legged Gull(ad) Bodymoor Heath Water. The regular returning bird present since late July (A Dean)
RSPB - 2 Garganey, Wood Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper (per logbook)

11th August - Sightings

RSPB - Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 5 Ringed Plover, LRP from River Screen, Jubilee Wetlands (S Pick)
Ladywalk - Redstart, Peregrine, Green Sandpiper, Little Egret (S Cawthray)

10th August - Sightings

Garganey and Wood Sandpipers- Steve Pick

RSPB - 2 Garganey, Mandarin, Common Sandpiper, 17 Snipe, 50+ Teal, 131 Mute Swan North Pit. 2 Wood Sandpiper, 3 Ruff, 4 Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper Jubilee Wetlands. Hobby, Lesser Whitethroat Fisher's Mill (D Hutton, S Pick, TP, J Allen et al)
Shustoke - 5 Common Sandpiper (D Hutton)
Coton - 20+ Swift (K Wimbush)

9th August - Sightings

Ladywalk - Osprey 'B' Pools c2pm (J Morris per P Sofley)
RSPB - Shelduck, 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Snipe, 3 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ruff, 4 Swift, Stonechat and 4 Clouded Yellow (G Williams)

8th August - Sightings

RSPB - 2 Wheatear (Jubilee Wetlands, North Pit) Also Ruff, Wood Sandpiper still Jubilee Wetlands. Also in area 4 Ringed Plover, LRP, Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, Yellow Wagtail(juv) (G Williams)

7th August - Sightings

RSPB - Wood Sandpiper, 2 Garganey on west scrape 100yards north of west screen. Stonechat (moulting ad) on west side Jubilee Wetlands. Also 6 Black Tailed Godwit, Ruff, 3+ Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 LRP, 4 Oystercatcher, Shelduck(juv), 3 Yellow Wagtail (all juv) Jubilee Wetlands (TP, G Williams, K Thorpe, S Pick, C Doyle et al) 3 Green Sandpiper Hall Lake (TP)

6th August - Sightings

RSPB - 1+ Stonechat again on west side of Jubilee Wetlands. Also Ruff, Ringed Plover, 2 LRP, 2 Common Sandpiper, Shelduck(juv) (G Williams) Wood Sandpiper, 2 Black-Tailed Godwit North Pit (J & P Hughes)
Shustoke - 2 Common Sandpiper, Hobby, 7 Raven (S Haynes)
Coton - 30 Swift (K Wimbush)

5th August - Sightings

RSPB - Mandarin (ecl m) again this evening Jubilee Wetlands. Also 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Ringed Plover, LRP, Dunlin, 4 Green Sandpiper (TP, S Pick, G Williams) Ruff reported (per G Williams)


FAO John Harris:


Please quote Tame Valley Birding as the source when using sightings from here on other websites. This includes observers passing themselves off as the recipient of the news on other websites.

4th August - Sightings

RSPB - 2 Stonechat near West Screen (S Pick) Also 2 Garganey Fisher's Mill. 8 Little Egret, Water Rail heard, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 LRP, Snipe, Green Sandpiper around reserve (G Williams).

3rd August - Sightings

RSPB - Garganey still Fisher's Mill (D Hutton)
Alvecote - 3 Redstart (2m,juv) Teal Pool hedge (J Morgan)

2nd August - Sightings

Plovers x 3 - Dave Hutton

RSPB - PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER until 12.30pm only and no further sign by c6pm at least. Also c10 Little Egret, 3 Ringed Plover, LRP,  2 Common Sandpiper, Peregrine(imm), Hobby, Grasshopper Warbler. Garganey North Pit (D Hutton, S Roper et al) Garganey Fisher's Mill (TP et al)

1st August - Sightings

RSPB - PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER still Jubilee Wetlands on West side. Also 8 Dunlin, Grasshopper Warbler. Garganey North Pit (K Thorpe et al)

31st July - Sightings

RSPB - PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER still Jubilee Wetlands (Many Obs) Also Hobby, 12 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover (D Baker) Turnstone (Black Audi Birding)

Please quote Tame Valley Birding as the source when using sightings from here on other websites. This includes observers passing themselves off as the recipient of the news on other websites.

30th July - Sightings

RSPB - PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER still Jubilee Wetlands this morning on western scrape (S Atkinson et al) Common Sandpiper (C Doyle)
Alvecote - 2 Redstart Teal Pool hedge (Bobby D)


Please quote Tame Valley Birding as the source when using sightings from here on other websites. This includes observers passing themselves off as the recipient of the news on other websites.

29th July - Sightings

RSPB - PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER still Jubilee Wetlands (Many Obs) Also 4 Green Sandpiper Hall Lake. Garganey North Pit. Black-Tailed Godwit Jubilee Wetlands. Also on reserve 2 Dunlin,4 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 8 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpiper, 40 Common Tern, 2 Little Egret, 4 Clouded Yellow (J Morgan, F Mosey et al)

28th July - Sightings

Pacifc Golden Plover - Dave Hutton (from Saturday)

RSPB - PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER (ad sum plum) still Jubilee Wetlands all day (Many Obs) 2 Garganey North Pit this evening. Mandarin (ecl m) Jubilee Wetlands (TP, J Allen, M Bruce) Ring-Necked Parakeet reported (heard only) (per logbook) Also 2 Common Sandpiper, 5 Wigeon, 15+ Shoveler, 20 Teal ( TP, J Allen)

Some video footage of the star attraction by Sean Allison here. Also an article from the Tamworth Herald here.

Please quote Tame Valley Birding as the source when using sightings from here on other websites. This includes oberservers passing themselves off as the recipient of the news on other websites.

27th July - Sightings

RSPB - PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER (ad sum plum) still Jubilee Wetlands all day. Also 2 Black-Tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 6 Snipe Jubilee Wetlands. Garganey, 5 Black-Tailed Godwit, 2 Wigeon, c20 Teal, Ring-Necked Parakeet over North Pit. 6 Green Sandpiper Hall Lake (Many Obs)

26th July - Sightings

Pacific Golden Plover - Dave Hutton

Pacific Golden Plover - Steve Nuttall

RSPB - PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER (ad sum plum) Jubilee Wetlands this evening at least (G Williams et al) Also 2 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Snipe, 2 Wigeon (Many Obs)


If RSPB car park is full then please park along main entrance track and not around the car park entrance gates.

25th July - Sightings

RSPB - 2 Green Sandpiper, LRP, Snipe Hall Lake (Chris Doyle)

24th July - Sightings

Ladywalk - 5 Green Sandpiper, Little Egret, 5 Teal, Willow Tit (imm), 2 Peregrine (Ad,imm) (P Lichfield)
RSPB - Clouded Yellow butterfly North Pit. 7 Raven over. Also 3 LRP, Redshank, Green Sandpiper (G Williams)

23rd July - Sightings

RSPB - 6 Black-tailed Godwit North Pit. Also Redshank, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 10 Ringed Plover, 6 Oystercatcher, Hobby, Wigeon, 2 Pochard, 8 Teal, 10 Little Egret around reserve. 3 Green Sandpiper Hall Lake (G Williams, Staffs Birding)

22nd July - Sightings

RSPB - 3 Black-tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover, Redshank Jubilee Wetlands.  Redshank, a family of 4 Oystercatcher, Greenshank, 5 Little Egret, Wigeon and 4 Teal North Pit. 2 Green Sandpiper Hall Lake (G Williams)
Shustoke - 3 Common Sandpiper, LRP (S Cawthray)

21st July - Sightings

RSPB - Wigeon, 6 broods of Tufted Duck (34 young) North Pit. Also Ringed Plover. Water Rail Silt Pool (G Williams)

20th July - Sightings

RSPB - No sign of Great-White Egret today. Water levels up. Greenshank flew North 11.00am. Common Sandpiper, 2 Grasshopper Warbler Jubilee Wetlands. 9 Little Egret Hall Lake. LRP Bodymoor Pit (D Hutton, TP, K Thorpe)

19th July - Sightings

RSPB - Great White Egret, 7 LRP, 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 3 Snipe, 2 Redshank, Oystercatcher, 5 Little Egret, 1 reeling Grasshopper Warbler (Matt Hall) Whimbrel (per Birdguides)

18th July - Sightings

RSPB - Great-White Egret still 8.45pm at least Jubilee Wetlands. Also seen on New Reedbed Pit and Fisher's Mill (Many Obs) Also Ruff(ad m), Black-Tailed Godwit, 8 Dunlin, 11 LRP, Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 4 Little Egret, 6 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 3 broods Gadwall (2 new from last week), 2 Grasshopper Warbler (TP, J Allen, J Morgan, K Thorpe, J & P Hughes et al)

17th July - Sightings

RSPB - Great-White Egret New Reedbed Pit/Jubilee Wetlands with 4 Little Egret (J Harris per S Haynes)

16th July - Sightings

RSPB - Juv Marsh Harrier over North pit  10am. Also 6 Little Egret, 2+ LRP with at least 1 juv, 2+ Ringed Plover with 2-3 juv,  Redshank, Snipe (C Cook)

15th July - Sightings

Ladywalk - 5 Little Egret, Green Sandpiper, 3 Wigeon (2m,1f), Teal (m), Hobby,Common Tern, 2 broods of Gadwall (5 & 8), brood of 6 Tufted Duck (P Lichfield)

14th July - Sightings

Ladywalk - 5 Little Egret, 2 Green Sandpiper, 3 Teal (2m,1f), Shoveler (f), Willow Tit (Imm) (P Lichfield)
Kingsbury - Hobby, 3 Little Egret (L Davis)

7th - 12th July - Sightings

12th July


RSPB - Common Sandpiper, 2 broods of Gadwall (3,5), 11 Teal North Pit. 3 Snipe, Ringed Plover, LRP + 3 young, 4 Shoveler, Cuckoo, Grasshopper Warbler Jubilee Wetlands. 13 Oystercatcher Bodymoor Pit. Little Egret Hall Lake (J Allen, TP)


11th July


RSPB - 4 Redshank, Ringed Plover Jubilee Wetlands. LRP and 100 Mute Swan North Pit. Also 3 Little Egret, 2 Green Sandpiper, Cuckoo, Grasshopper Warbler (G Williams)
10th July
RSPB - 2 Greenshank, 2 Curlew Jubilee Wetlands. Ruff, Mediterranean Gull, Common Sandpiper North Pit (G Williams et al)
7th July
RSPB - 6 Oystercatcher, 2 LRP, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin on reserve. 3 Green Sandpiper Hall Lake (G Williams)
Ladywalk - 3 Little Egret, 2 Common Tern, 4 Shoveler (1m,3f), Wigeon (m), 6 Teal (3m,3f), Green Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, Cuckoo (P Lichfield)

6th July - Sightings

Black-Tailed Godwits - Karl Sargent

RSPB - 22 Black-Tailed Godwit Jubilee Wetlands this morning then flew off. Also Grasshopper Warbler (K Sargent) A further 17 Black-Tailed Godwit 7.30pm (D Baker)
Ladywalk - 2 Little Egret,Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Common Tern, Shelduck, 2 Teal (M&F), 4 Shoveler (1m,3f), Hobby, Cuckoo (P Lichfield)


Please note this blog will now not be updated until 12th July.

5th July - Sightings

RSPB - Green Sandpiper Hall Lake. Common Sandpiper, LRP, 13 Oystercatcher, 52 Lapwing Bodymoor Pit (TP)

3rd July - Sightings

Ladywalk - 4 Little Egret, 2 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, Common Term, Pr of Wigeon,

7 Teal(2m,5f), 2 Shoveler(m), Peregrine (imm), Hobby (P Lichfield)
Alvecote - Redstart Mill Pool (Bobby D)

2nd July - Sightings

Ladywalk - 4 Little Egret, Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Oystercatcher, Wigeon(f) (P Lichfield)
RSPB - 5 Snipe, 4 Ringed Plover Jubilee Wetlands. c20 Common Tern on reserve (S Pick)

1st July - Sightings

Ladywalk - 2 Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, 3 Little Egret, Peregrine (P Lichfield)

30th June - Sightings

Ladywalk - 3 Green Sandpiper, Little Egret, 2 Common Tern, Cuckoo, Pr. of Teal, Pr of Wigeon,

9 Shoveler(4m,5f), Oystercatcher. Also Goosander with 7 young on river (P Lichfield)
Whitacre Heath - Lesser spotted woodpecker (m) in trackside trees this morning. Hobby overhead (K Wimbush)

29th June - Sightings

RSPB - 2 Black-Tailed Godwit, 3 Ringed Plover, Mediterranean Gull (2nd Sum)  North Pit.  4 Little Egret Jubilee Wetlands (J Allen, S Pick et al)

28th June - Sightings

RSPB - Greenshank, 13 Black-Tailed Godwit, 6 Little Egret (Many Obs)
Shustoke - Red Kite over Griffin Pub (D Baker)
Kingsbury - 8 Little Egret (3 Juv), 17 Common Tern on 27/06 (S Cawthray)

26th June - Sightings

RSPB -  4 Teal(4m), 3 Pochard(3m) North Pit. 4 Little Egret Jubilee Wetlands. 3 Green Sandpiper Hall Lake. Green Sandpiper Bodymoor Pit. Also Redshank(juv) and small numbers of Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover and LRP. A Common Sandpiper was reported (G Williams)

25th June - Sightings

RSPB - 5 Little Egret Jubilee Wetlands. 2 Green Sandpiper Hall Lake (G Williams)

24th June - Sightings

RSPB - 2 Curlew Jubilee Wetlands. 3 Green Sandpiper Hall Lake (G Williams)
Kingsbury South - Bar-Headed Goose (S Allison)

23rd June - Sightings

RSPB - Little Egret, 8 Ringed Plover, 6 LRP, 1 Common Snipe, 2 Redshank, Green Sandpiper (G Williams) Also Lesser spotted woodpecker and Willow Tit along bridleway, Ring-Necked Parakeet flew over (D Roberts, R Johns)

18th June - Sightings

RSPB - Hobby Fisher's Mill (D Baker)
Ladywalk - Goosander + 7 young, 2 Wigeon (pr), Pochard, Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Cuckoo (P Sofley) Ladywalk work parties start this Wednesday from 12:00pm and will run every week on a Wednesday till September. Meet at the old Sainsbury's Hide.
RSPB - 800 Lesser-Blacked Gull in evening. Green Sandpiper Jubilee Wetlands. Green Sandpiper Hall Lake (S Pick)

16th June - Sightings

RSPB - unconfirmed report of Marsh Warbler heard somewhere (per Twitter)

13th June - Sightings

RSPB - 2 Hobby, 150 Sand Martin Fisher's Mill. Snipe, 2 Redshank North Pit. Great-Black Backed Gull(ad) Jubilee Wetlands (S Pick) Little Owl Entrance Track (S Cawthray)

9th June - Sightings

RSPB - Turnstone, Mediterranean Gull, Hobby reported (per G Williams)

Flooding and water controls at Middleton Lakes

Borrowed from a Birdforum thread but worth a wider audience:


Hi All

 Reading through this thread I am picking up that there is a lack of information in the birding community regarding the EA/Flooding and breeding birds at the reserve. To help clarify and maybe instill some hope I wanted to let you all know the facts around the current situation. I hope it is useful and interesting to you all who want to see the wildlife thrive at the reserve.

Almost three years ago now we were made aware of an opportunity to put in an application for a grant from Viridor Credits Envirinmental. We only had a very short window of time to work up the application so used what we knew and also some well informed estimates to create a model for the landscaping that we now know as the Jubilee Wetlands. During this process we also had a site visit with the Envirinment Agency to discuss the plans and the options for sluices. They indicated that despite protocol for not having any restrictions within the flood plain we might be able to find a compromise that works for them and us using limited time closure and also high water spill ways. We therefore proceeded with the design on that basis.

After winning the grant we moved to get the relevant permissions from the EA for the works and at this stage were informed that the data that they need to consider and consent to the proposal was far more than the local data that we hold and would take quite a bit of time to pull together (by a hydrological consultants with the kit and expertise). The time line for spending the grant was not long enough for this data to be gathered so we were not able to include the sluices in the works.

We have not abandoned this though and now have several sophisticated data loggers positioned around the site and in the river plus we have assigned a consultant to work up the application to the EA with the 'flood risk assessement' required for them to consent. Once we have all the data we will be able to discuss again with the EA what is possible gain consent and can then install the sluices to protect the breeding areas.

We are hopefull that this can be progressed and have it as a high priority to get sorted. It may not be in time for the next breeding season I am afraid as the works would ideally be completed in late summer/autumn but hopefully we will at least have the data then permissions, design and money all lined up to do the works n 2015. This may seem a long drawn out affair but anyone who has seen Middleton Lakes develop will know that we have invested a huge amount of money in it and to do everything right sometimes takes time.

I appreciate that some of this may all seem like point less bureaucracy but the EA have a lot of pressure to maintain the valley as a functioning flood plain for Tamworth. If we are successful with the scheme and can have a protected breeding area for waders and other ground nesting species it would be a great showcase for other sites with similar circumstances and could set a precident for the EA to allow some structures in other flood plains.

Not perfect I know but watch this space.

Hopefully that is helpful information, if anyone has any specific questions or comments about this or any other aspect of the reserve please feel free to email me directly nick.martin@rspb.org.uk

Wishing you all the best,

Nick

Senior Site Manager
RSPB Middleton Lakes

6th June - Sightings

Ladywalk - No Sign of Red-Backed Shrike by 10am (P Sofley)
Whitacre Heath NR - Ring-Necked Parakeet 6am (J Wesson)
RSPB - 3 Garganey (2m,f) North Pit (G Williams)

5th June - Sightings

Red-Backed Shrike - Dave Hutton (lower two) and Steve Pick (upper)

Ladywalk - RED-BACKED SHRIKE(Ad Male) c8.30pm at least on stumps viewable from Bittern or "B" Hides (J Fincham et al) Also Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Cuckoos (M&F), 2 Wigeon (pr), 2 Teal (M), Pochard(M) (P Lichfield et al)
RSPB - 3 Dunlin, 11 Ringed Plover (G Williams et al)

The shrike is first ever twitchable one in Warwickshire and discounting 2 dubious Alvecote records the first since 1983 at Bermuda.

4th June - Sightings

RSPB - 21 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin (G Williams)
Ladywalk - 2 Pochard(pr), 2 Wigeon(pr), 2 Teal(2m), 4 Cuckoo (P Sofley)

3rd June - Sightings

RSPB - 5 Garganey (4m,f) today North Pit (G Williams, per Birdguides) Earlier Little Stint, Turnstone, Greenshank, 10+ Ringed Plover, Dunlin (per Staffs Birding)

2nd June - Sightings

Bittern - Peter Lichfield

RSPB - 4 Garganey(all m) this evening North Pit (TP, J Allen). Also  Little Stint, Sanderling(colour ringed), Turnstone, Black-Tailed Godwit, Curlew, 3 Dunlin, 18+ Ringed Plover , 8 Teal, Mediterranean Gull (1st Sum), Grasshopper Warbler Jubilee Wetlands/North Pit (G Williams, K Thorpe, TP, J Allen et al) Pochard(m) Fisher's Mill (per Staffs Birding)
Ladywalk - Bittern c12pm Hide B (P Lichfield)

1st June - Sightings

RSPB - Sanderling (Colour Ringed), 4 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover Jubilee Wetlands. Garganey(m) North Pit (J Allen et al)

Sanderling seems to have been ringed as part of this project. Hopefully details to follow.

31st May - Sightings

RSPB - Garganey(m), Turnstone (full sum plum), Teal(m), Hobby North Pit. 6 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover Jubilee Wetlands (TP, K Thorpe, F Mosey et al)
Ladywalk - 3 Little Egret, 2 Common Tern, 2 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, Teal(m),

Oystercatcher, Cuckoo, Willow Tit (P Lichfield)

30th May - Sightings

RSPB - 2 Turnstone North Pit. 5 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover Jubilee Wetlands (S Pick)

25th May - Sightings

RSPB - Turnstone, Garganey(m), 2 Dunlin Jubilee Wetlands. Also Black Tern North Pitt till c12pm only and 6 Little Egret (D Roberts per F Mosey et al)

24th May - Sightings

RSPB - 2 Garganey (m, fem/eclipse m) Jubilee Wetlands. Also Sanderling briefly, 11 Ringed Plover (A Archer et al)

23rd May - Sightings

RSPB - Little Egret, Peregrine, 13 Ringed Plover, Dunlin, 2 Wheatear (G Williams, S Pick) Water levels up.

22nd May - Sightings

Garganey - Ladywalk - Paul Casey

Ladywalk - Garganey(m) (P Casey)
RSPB - 2 Turtle Dove "flying over field near canal bridge" (Simon Cull per Birdforum). Also Sanderling, Bar-Tailed Godwit, Garganey, 42 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper (G Williams, S Cull et al)
Kingsbury - Garganey(m), Common Sandpiper Cliff Pool (S Cawthray)
Shustoke -  Hobby, 500 Swift (S Cawthray)
Wishaw - Wheatear, Hobby Blindpit Lane (C Hiles)

21st May - Sightings

RSPB - Bar-Tailed Godwit, Garganey(m) still North Pit. 3 Dunlin, 25+ Ringed Plover, Barn Owl Jubilee Wetlands (J Allen et al)

20th May - Sightings

RSPB - Grey Plover 9.09am Jubilee Wetlands then flew towards North Pit and still present here in afternoon. Bar-Tailed Godwit North Pit still. Greenshank, Dunlin, 32 Ringed Plover, Mediterranean Gull(1st Sum), Barn Owl Jubilee Wetlands (per Staffs Birding, G Williams) Also report of Marsh Harrier(fem/imm) (per Staffs Birding)

19th May - Sightings

RSPB - Pectoral Sandpiper still on North Pit 7pm at least (many Obs) Also 10+ Sanderling Jubilee Wetlands (7 early morning then flew North with another 3 at c8.30am). Bar-Tailed Godwit, 14 Dunlin Jubilee Wetlands. Garganey North Pit (K Sargent et al) Also 9 Sanderling reported North Pit but no time given could be additional (per Birdguides)


This evening Bar-Tailed Godwit, Garganey(m), c20 Ringed Plover, Barn Owl Jubilee Wetlands. Mediterranean Gull (1st Sum) North Pit. No sign of any Sanderling or Dunlin (TP, J Allen, K Thorpe)





Please note the path up the west side of North Pit is closed until further notice due to disturbance to the nesting gulls (F Mosey)

18th May - Sightings

Pectoral Sandpiper (phone-scoped) - Julian Allen

Ruff and Grasshopper Warbler - Dave Hutton

RSPB - PECTORAL SANDPIPER North Pit 7.45pm at least. Best viewed from Lookout hide (TP, J Allen et al) Also 2 Ruff (2 males Sum Plum) Jubilee Wetlands but flew off NE mid morning. Also Mediterranean Gull (1st sum) (D Hutton, A Archer) Ruff(fem) (F Mosey) Garganey in morning (P Gurney) 22+ Ringed Plover, Dunlin, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, Yellow Wagtail around reserve (J Allen, TP, A Archer, D Hutton et al)