The following report appeared on pages 123–124 of Volume 1 (New Series) of The North Western Naturalist in March 1953, as part of a summary of the activities of the Burton-on-Trent Natural History and Archaeological Society in 1952.
The report is notable, both for being one of the earliest from Blithfield Reservoir, and for the fact that Grey Squirrels were thought noteworthy!
Bird and place names were given as shown. For their current status, please see our county lists.
Mammals.
Long-eared Bat — Plecotus aurtlus L. On June 9th at 5 p.m. Mrs. J. L. Auden of Etwall saw a House-Sparrow — Passer domesticus (L.) attack a Long-eared Bat. The bird bore the bat to the ground but it managed to rise again and fly away followed by the sparrow.
Grey Squirrel — Sciurus carolinensis Gm. In August two were seen in Overseal by Mr. T. A. W. Kirk, who also reports their presence at Gopsall, Snarestone, Measham and Acresford. Mr. C. F. Gothard records one shot at Drakelowe on January 5th. The east bank of the Trent is now colonised and Needwood Forest is being invaded.
Birds.
Blithfield Reservoir. Mr. T. W. Ford has paid many visits to this new stretch of water. He reports that Common Terns — Sterna hirundo L., were present throughout the summer and probably nested on one of the islands as he was "dive-bombed" by the birds on several occasions. Snipe — Capella gallinago (L.), Redshank — Tringa totanus (L.), Peewits — Vanellus vanellus (L.), and Grebes — (Podiceps) all nested there. Ringed Plover — Charadrtus hiattcula L. were prevalent throughout the summer and on September 13th six immature birds of this species were seen. On the same date five Greenshanks — Tringa nebularia (Gunn.), several Dunlin — Calidris alpina (L.), a Green Sandpiper — Tringa ochropus L., a Knot — Calidris canutus (L.) and a Little Stint — Calidris minuta (Leisl.) were seen by the same observer.
Branston Pool. In addition to Great Crested Grebes — Podiceps cristatus (L.) and Canada Geese — Branta canadensis (L.), Common Terns — Sterna hirundo L. are recorded as breeding here for the first time.
Goosander — Mergus merganser L. 37 seen Dove Mouth February 3rd. (K. A. Eccleshall.)
Black Tern — Chlidonias niger (L.) 4 seen on river Trent near Willington, May 9th. (Mrs. Maynard.)
Corncrake — Crex crex (L.) One heard 5 a.m. April 28th. Ashby Road, Bretby. (T. Bourne.)
.Ornithology in Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire & the West Midlands county, since 1929.
Fetched from http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/bibliography/NWNaturalist/1953-123.htm on Friday 29 August 2008 04:38:10
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