West Midland Bird Club

GAILEY AND BELLFIELDS [1].

Reports of the Waterfowl and passing visitors noted on these large Staffordshire reservoirs have been published in "British Birds" annually for some years past by Mr. A. W. Boyd, who visits them from his home in Cheshire. In recent years several members of the Birmingham Bird Club have also paid them occasional visits. The reservoirs are visible from the main road, but there is no right of access to their banks. Some of our members, however, have obtained special permission to visit the reservoirs.

'I'he waters at Gailey were kept at a fairly high level throughout the two-and-a-half years rain shortage, which ended in September, 1935. A good number of Goosanders visited the Gailey pools in the early months of 1935, and Golden-eye, Pochard, Great Crested Grebes and other water-fowl were present in about their normal numbers. Mr. Boyd noted a Smew in January and one in December. A Black Tern was seen in September.

At Bellfields the water continued very low throughout the summer. Much of the mud was overgrown with plants; but at the western end, and at the south-east corner, there were tracts of mud that were ideal for passing waders, and there were muddy fringes almost all round. In addition to the commoner species, Ruff, Curlew-Sandpiper, Little and Temminck's Stints, several Green Sandpipers, Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit were observed.

In the spring one or more Pintail seem to have remained for about two months. In the middle of the summer a Black-necked Grebe was seen in full plumage, but it did not stay. Golden-eye and other diving Duck were scarce. Grey Geese were seen in January and December. Two Water-Pipits seen on October 13th (the same day as Temminck's Stints) are probably the first birds of this species to be recorded for Staffordshire.