Saturday December 31st

Ladywalk NR
A Siberian Chiffchaff was along the entrance track today (Steve Cawthray).

Middleton RSPB
Warks: 54 Little Egrets roosted at the heronry and two Woodcocks were seen there. Earlier in the day 12 Egrets were in bushes at Hemlingford Water (Steven Pick)
Staffs: A Great White Egret was at Jubilee Wets today and the Scaup was still on the New Reedbed Pool.


HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE......IF YOU FANCY MAKING A NEW RESOLUTION IN 2017 WHY NOT SEND IN YOUR RECORDS.......MORE RECORDS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME AS THERE ARE VERY FEW REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS. 

Friday December 30th

Bodymoor Heath
50 Golden Plover were on fields opposite RSPB road on Bodymoor Heath Lane (Tom Perrins).

Hams Hall
The five Waxwings were seen in flight heading from BMW towards Edison Road, where there are pyracanthas behind the fence (Pete Sofley). Also the Siberian Chiffchaff was at the outfall around 1330hrs with five Common Chiffchaffs and two Raven were about (Dave Hutton).

Ladywalk NR
The Siberian Chiffchaff was looked for but not seen. The Bittern showed at 1315hrs and later at 1450hrs (Pete Sofley). Some excellent extra counts received Saturday were 356 Teal, 6 Pochard and 180 Lapwing over to the south (Sandy @Dumblederry !!).

Middleton RSPB
Staffs: There are still ca. five Little Egrets roosting at Jubilee willows (Steven Pick). Ten Shelduck were on Jubilee and the Scaup is still on the New Reedbed Pool (Geoff Williams).

Thursday December 29th

Alvecote Pools
Warks: Three Great White Egrets were on Mill Pool at 1525hrs after one was in Staffs at The Pigs earlier (Roy Smith).

Coton Lakes
Red-crested Pochard still (GAWilliams).

Hams Hall
A late report of five Waxwings at BMW, on the estate, has not yet been substantiated and there was certainly no sign between 3 and 4pm and very few berries there. Hopefully more information will become available. The Sainsbury's carpark must be the favourite for tomorrow (Birdguides info).
These birds have now been confirmed after further info received.

Some good came out of the above report with several roosts of Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Redpolls in Holm Oaks along Canton Lane. A count was not possible as most had roosted already. Also Peregrine on the pylons.

Wednesday December 28th

Alvecote Pools
Warks: The two Barnacle Geese still and three Great White Egrets were reported. News in today that there were still two Great White Egrets for 24th and 26th so ignore yesterdays comment (Roy Smith, Tom Perrins).

Broomey Croft
Still around 106 Goldfinches near Car Park (Wal).

Hams Hall 
The Siberian Chiffchaff was heard and seen at the outflow with four Common Chiffchaffs and nearby the Common Sandpiper and a further two Chiffchaffs along the river (John Harris).

Ladywalk NR
As suspected there does appear to be two Siberian Chiffchaffs in the area with a second bird within one hour of the outflow bird, along the entrance track with two Common Chiffchaffs. One was seen there on 24th too (John Harris).

 by Martin Weaver

Middleton RSPB
Warks: The record number of 56 Little Egrets was repeated tonight at the heronry (Steven Pick et al)
Staffs: Six Shelduck plus the hybrid, Peregrine, Barn Owl and four Stonechats (Steve Atkinson).

Water Orton
I can recommend the riverside walk from by Water Orton Pool towards Hams Hall, which has some of the least disturbed old habitats in the Tame Valley. There are several old wet meadows, small overgrown spinneys and good stands of bramble. Today Gadwall, Teal, Tufted & Mallard were in good numbers with 26 Goosanders, 37 Moorhens, five Litle Grebes, Green Sandpiper and four Grey Wagtails. Looks as good as anywhere for a Firecrest or Stonechats amongst others.

Tuesday December 27th

Alvecote
Warks: The two regular Great White Egrets are back in the area after five days with just the one. Also 2 Barnacle Geese today, with Canadas near Railway Pool (Roy Smith).

Hams Hall
The Siberian Chiffchaff remains near the outfall, though elusive and a Common Sandpiper again on the river there (Dave Hutton).

Kingsbury WP
Red-crested Pochard, 6 Goosanders, 43 Pochard and  Yellow-legged Gull (Tom Perrins).
80 Goldfinches at Broomey Croft (Wal).

Lea Marston Lake 1B
The drake Red-crested Pochard moved over from Swann Pool this afternoon (Mark Maddox). Also 4 Shelducks, Chiffchaff and Water Rail.

Middleton RSPB
Warks: 56 Little Egrets roosted in the heronry this evening, another new record total. Also 3 Stonechats on the Reserve, presumably in Staffs (Mike Pollard).

Monday December 26th

Hams Hall
A Siberian Chiffchaff was by the outfall today so could be a second bird, with Saturdays bird occupying the territory held last winter, along the entrance track for Ladywalk. Also by the outfall 5 Chiffchaffs and a Green Sandpiper (Dave Hutton).

Kingsbury WP
The Red-crested Pochard was on Swann Pool with Yellow-legged Gull and 4 Litle Egrets in the same area (Julian Allen).

Ladywalk NR
11 Goosanders, 4 Pochard and the Greylag flock now up to 24. Greylag is a good bird generally at the Reserve (Pete Lichfield).

Middleton RSPB
Warks: 54 Little Egrets roosted in the heronry, another new record total (Steven Pick).

Sunday December 25th

Alvecote Pools
Warks: A Great White Egret and 13 Little Egrets at Gilman's Pool and a Cetti's Warbler at NW corner of Ralway Pool (Roy Smith).

🎅🎄🎅🎄Merry Christmas to all our readers and especially the birders that send in news, without whom there would be no Blog🎅🎄🎅🎄 From Tom & Steve........

Saturday December 24th

Ladywalk NR

A Siberian Chiffchaff was elusive along the entrance track today, heard calling too. A fairly typical arrival date in recent years along the river (John Harris).

Also Water Rail, 2 Little Egrets and 6 Pochard (Pete Lichfield).

Middleton RSPB

Warks: A Woodcock showed under the feeders with another over the south meadow and Tawny Owl calling from the wood

(Richard Walker).

Friday December 23rd

Middleton RSPB
Warks:  A new record of 52 little Egrets left the heronry roost this morning, 48 flew towards the Water Park, where good numbers are being seen at the south end, in particular (Steven Pick).

Steve has done his last pre-work Egret count and is going to have some lie-ins. Anyone care to take up the challenge over the holiday period?

Thursday December 22nd

Alvecote Pools
Warks: 2 Great White Egrets (1 Mill, 1 Gilman's) also 12 Little Egrets at Gilman's (Roy Smith).

Ladywalk NR
A large flock of ca. 100 Siskin and Redpoll with a Shelduck, Little Egret and the odd Water Rail (Pete Lichfield).

Siskin by Pete Lichfield

Tuesday December 20th

Alvecote Pools
Two Great White Egrets still, on Gilman's Pool (Roy Smith).

Hams Hall
A Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper and, again, a poor total of two Chiffchaffs (John Harris).

Ladywalk NR
The Bittern was seen flying from B Pools into the main reedbed (Jeff Adams). Also 2 Peregrines on the pylons and yesterday the pair of Stonechats were still present.

Middleton RSPB
Warks: 29 Snipe were on Hall Lake and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was reported by the feeders (Geoff Williams).

Monday December 19th

Today four sites set off to count for the BTO WEBS day.

Alvecote and Shustoke were counted yesterday, with some disturbance to Shustoke through the boats. The total counts for each site were as follows and this excludes Gulls, mainly roosting at Coton later in the day, Little Egrets are just included for the Middleton heronry and the Cormorants which roosted at Ladywalk and Kingsbury WP. Therefore, for example, Cormorants counted away from Ladywalk and Kingsbury in the day are excluded:

Alvecote             578
Coton/Lea Marston 2006
Kingsbury WP        1610
Ladywalk                 930
Middleton RSPB      992
Shustoke Res            228

A total of around 7400 birds were counted in our recording area, which is down on last month and Geese, Golden Plover and Gadwall in particular are down.

The main counts are:
Mallard          680 (Middleton 185, Alvecote 125, Ladywalk 123)
Wigeon          325  (Kingsbury 133)
Teal                341 (Middleton 135, Ladywalk 81)
Red-crested Pochard (1 at Swann Pool)
Gadwall         479 (Kingsbury 194, Coton 104)
Pintail                1 (Lea Marston)
Shovelor        318 (Lea Marston 201)
Shelduck         8   (Lea Marston 1, Middleton 7)
Coot              2163 (Coton 1,196, Kingsbury 439)
Moorhen        123  ( (Ladywalk 36)
Tufted Duck 1489 (Coton 910, Middleton 201)
Pochard          183 ( Coton 97)
Scaup               ( 1 at Middleton)
Goldeneye        35 (Middleton 25, Kingsbury 10)
Cormorant      249 (Ladywalk 188, Kingsbury 61)

Other bits and pieces
45 Little Egrets left the heronry roost this morning and all but 5 flew towards Kingsbury WP (Steven Pick). During the WEBS count 26 were seen at Hemlingford Water, the model boat pool and at Coton.

Alvecote
Warks: 2 Great White Egrets on Gilman's Pool (Roy Smith).

Coton
132 Lapwings, Cetti's Warbler, 4 Chiffchaffs.

Kingsbury WP
278 Lapwings on Cliffe Pool.

Middleton RSPB
Staffs: 46 Golden Plovers and a Great White Egret were on Jubilee wetland.

Thanks to WEBS counters Dean Baker, Ben Eaton, Pete Sofley, Bob Duckhouse, Adam Archer, SMH and  RSPB.

Sunday December 18th

Alvecote Pools
Warks: 2 Great White Egrets, 10 Little Egrets and 2 Stonechats (Bob Duckhouse).

Kingsbury WP
Bodymoor Heath: Water: Yellow-legged Gull still
Hemlingford Water: 21 Little Egrets (Tom Perrins)

Middleton RSPB
Staffs: Great White Egret, 8 Shelduck and the hybrid.
Warks: 41 Little Egrets roosted at the heronry and 14 Pochard were on Fisher's Mill (all Steven Pick).

Saturday December 17th

Middleton RSPB
Staffs: Great White Egret, Ruff, 7 Shelduck, the hybrid Shelduck, 5 Goldeneye and 4 Stonechats on Jubilee wetland this morning. The GWE later moved to Dosthill NR (Steve Atkinson).

Friday December 16th

Ladywalk NR
A Barn Owl was seen early, along the river (Matt Sanders).

Middleton RSPB
Warks: The heronry roost held a new Warwickshire Little Egret record total this morning as 49 were counted. All except 7 flew to the south, towards the Water Park, including a flock of 19 (Steven Pick). 4 Goosanders were on the river.
Staffs: A Great White Egret roosted at the willows with 8 Little Egrets. Also 4 drake Pintails , a Ruff and just 2 Golden Plovers on Jubilee wetland (Steven Pick, Geoff Williams).

( A new Staffordshire Little Egret record count was made on October 2nd 2016, when 43 were in the roost at Jubilee wetland and five were seen flying south there too (Steven Pick).

Thursday December 15th

Alvecote Pools
Warks: Two Great White Egrets still at Gilman's Pool (Roy Smith).

Kingsbury WP
Swann Pool: The Red-crested Pochard is still present and 8 Goldeneye . Eighteen Little Egrets were counted at Hemlingford and the model boat pool (Alan Dean).

Middleton RSPB
Warks: Barn Owl and Stonechat on south meadow.
Staffs: 100 Lapwings, 50 Shovelor, 60 Teal and 7 Shelduck on Jubilee wetland (RSPB).

Wednesday December 14th

Middleton RSPB
Staffs: A Great White Egret remains on Jubilee Wetlands. Also 7 Shelduck, the hybrid Ruddy type, 3 Goosanders, 215 Lapwings, a Stonechat, 3 Raven and a Chiffchaff (Steve Atkinson).

Tuesday December 13th

Alvecote Pools
Warks: Two Great White Egrets and 9 Little Egrets at Gilman's Pool (Roy Smith).

Ladywalk NR
A Great White Egret was seen briefly this morning (Steve Cawthray). Also a Little Egret, Shelduck, the pair of Stonechats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2+ Cetti's, Water Rails, Peregrine, Marsh Tit (Ben Eaton, SMH).

Middleton RSPB
Warks: Woodcock in view on ground along the hedge at Canal Meadow (RSPB).

(The Red-crested Pochard at Kingsbury WP was on a small pool near the model boating lake on Sunday 11th still)

Monday December 12th

Middleton RSPB
Staffs: Great White Egret, Pintail, 150 Golden Plovers and 2 Stonechats (Geoff Williams).

Sunday December 11th

Alvecote Pools
Warks: Great White Egret on Gilman's Pool (Tom Perrins).

Middleton RSPB
Staffs: Seven Shelduck with the Ruddy type hybrid and a Goosander. The roost in the willows at Jubilee held 17 Little Egrets (Steven Pick). Three Chiffchaffs were on the west side of Dosthill NR (Richard Walker).

Saturday December 10th

Alvecote Pools
Warks: Great White Egret, still on Mill Pool presumably, plus another reported too.

Ladywalk NR
300 Teal and the pair of Stonechats (Pete Sofley, Kim Thompson).

Middleton RSPB
Staffs: 6 Shelducks, 14 Goldeneye, a  Pintail and a Willow Tit (Geoff Williams).

Friday December 9th

Kingsbury WP
Willow Tit at Otter Pool and 200 Redwing, 250 Wigeon on Cliffe Pool (Steve Cawthray).

Middleton RSPB
Staffs: A Jack Snipe to left of The Lookout hide this morning. Also Shelduck, 100 Lapwing, 12 Goldeneyes.
Warks: Five Goldeneyes on Fisher's Mill (RSPB).

Thursday December 8th

Ladywalk NR
Two Little Egrets roosted and three more flew south along the Blythe at dusk.

Middleton RSPB
Warks: The heronry Egret roost held 37 Little last evening and 32 were observed leaving this morning. Only seven roosted at Jubilee willows tonight and a Barn Owl was seen hunting both sides of the county boundary.
No Great White Egrets appear to have roosted the past two evenings (Steven Pick).
Staffs: Two Jack Snipes showed to the left of The Lookout hide (RSPB).

Wednesday December 7th

Alvecote Pools
Warks: The Great White Egret, or at least one of them, still present today. First found in August, it has been present now for very nearly four months. 3 Stonechats still, assumed to be in Warks for recording purposes (Roy Smith).

photo by Bob Duckhouse back in August

Coleshill- River Blythe

A pair of Stonechats were seemingly new in.

Ladywalk NR

A minimum of 300 Redwings were present early today having roosted overnight. Also a Woodcock (Dave Clifton, Pete Sofley). The Bittern showed for 30mins at 1310hrs with 18 Greylags (Ken Bentley). 

Tuesday December 6th

Middleton RSPB
Staffs: Twenty Goldeneyes was an excellent count at Dosthill NR in the foggy coditions today. Also a drake Pintail there (RSPB).

Interesting news from Ladywalk concerns a recovery of a ringed female Cetti's Warbler. Ringed as a nestling three years ago, the bird was recovered at Rutland Water, Leics on October 26th (per Dave Clifton & Pete Sofley).

Cetti's Warbler by Pete Lichfield

Monday December 5th

Alvecote Pools
Two Great White Egrets but county recording area not known.

Ladywalk NR
Bittern again 1355hrs and the pair of Stonechats. Around ten Snipe enjoyed the new water levels (Pete Lichfield).

Middleton RSPB
Warks: Thirty four Little Egrets left the heronry this morning; 30 went south towards the Water park (Steven Pick).

Sunday December 4th

Alvecote Pools
Warks: A Great White Egret on Mill Pool again (Tom Perrins et al).

Coton Lakes
191 Pochard, Red-crested Pochard and 10 Goosanders were on Lake 2B and Chiffchaff, Cetti's Warbler (Julian Allen, SMH).

Ladywalk NR
Bittern showed in the main reedbed at 1400hrs with 16 Goosanders and the pair of Stonechats still (Pete Lichfield & Richard Powell).

Photo- P Lichfield

Middleton RSPB
Staffs: Great White Egret again on Jubilee Wetland, the hybrid Ruddy Shelduck, 2 Shelducks, 9 Goldeneyes (Steve Atkinson et al). A Willow Tit was at the south end of Dosthill NR (Richard Walker). The GWE roosted at 1620hrs, having come in from the south (Steven Pick).

Shustoke Res
There were 106 Pochard today, almost simultaneous with the Coton count, which is a pleasing minimum of 297 birds in the Valley. Also 124 Tufted, 138 Coot and a Goldeneye.

Goosanders: At last a few more about today after generally fewer birds this winter.

Saturday December 3rd

Kingsbury WP
The drake Red-crested Pochard on Swann Pool again (Tom Perrins).

Middleton RSPB
Staffs: A Great White Egret on Jubilee Wetlands, with 400 mobile Golden Plovers, 2 Shelduck, Goldeneye, 42 Cormorants and two Stonechats also in the area (Steve Atkinson et al).

By Steve Atkinson

Friday December 2nd

Alvecote Pools
Staffs: A Great White Egret was on Pigs pool.
Warks: A Great White Egret, 4 Little Egrets, 94 Mute Swans, a Black Swan, 2 Shelduck and 2 Snipe (Bob Duckhouse).

Ladywalk NR
Bittern 1345-1410hrs plus the pair of Stonechats and a Green sandpiper (Ben Eaton).

Middleton RSPB
Staffs: 75 Golden Plover were on Jubilee and a Willow Tit on east side of Dosthill NR (Geoff Williams). Eighteen Little Egrets roosted in the willows and a Great White Egret joined them at 1636hrs (Steven Pick).

Thursday December 1st

Alvecote Pools
Staffs: A Great White Egret on Pigs Pool with two more reported but not allotted to a county for recording purposes (Roy Smith).

Kingsbury WP
ca.16 Little Egrets were on the model boat pool islands this morning (Tony Hyde).

Middleton RSPB
Staffs: A Ruddy Shelduck type hybrid is on Jubilee Wetland and was also seen yesterday.
Warks: A Short-eared Owl was over the south meadow area again.

Ladywalk NR
The Bittern showed in front of the main reedbed at 1350hrs (Ken Bentley, Pete Lichfield).