West Midland Bird Club

January 2010

First of all some belated news from over the Christmas period when a Cattle Egret was seen with 2 Little Egrets along the River Blythe about 1 mile south of the dam

It was indeed a happy New Year for year listers and those who wanted some good birding during the holiday period. January was at times very cold and icy but for those who could brave the conditions, Blithfield was the place to be! The redheaded Smew, Green-winged Teal and Great Northern Diver remained although all of them could be elusive at times. A Woodcock, 2 Stonechats and 4 Bramblings were also reported. By the 2nd Jan. Tad Bay was frozen and the wildfowl were huddled around a small pool of unfrozen water. A lone Pink-footed Goose was with the Greylag Geese as they were flushed from the Blithfield Hall Estate. The Green-winged Teal took hours to reveal itself, but finally waddled into view alongside a pair of Mandarins. Marsh Tit, Willow Tit and Bramblings continued to visit the feeder at the Education Centre whilst a Bullfinch and a party of Long-tailed Tits were around Stansley Wood. Late in the day a miserable looking Little Egret was found in a snow storm on the Blythe below the dam. 200 Pink-footed Geese passing through were obviously responding to the hard weather. The Great Northern Diver was still present off Watery Lane on the 4th when 2 Little Egrets were seen. Meanwhile there was a Green Woodpecker along Yeatsall Lane and a Sparrowhawk skimmed over the causeway.

By the 5th both bays were frozen north of the causeway. A proposed Ruddy Duck cull did not materialise. Most wildfowl were south of the causeway at the Deep End which was largely ice free. At least 8 Common Snipe were on site. Herring Gulls then became a major feature with over 1000 present in the evening roost. Many however were present throughout the day. It was also estimated that at least 2, 200 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were roosting. Up to 30 Great Black-backed Gulls also roosted. The origins of these birds may have been from Chasewater as many birds were seen to leave there and fly north once they had ascertained that Chasewater had too much ice. Yellow-legged Gulls consequently also increased as the big chill continued. The Great Northern Diver was present until the 7th at least. A family of White-fronted Geese arrived.

From the 8th, a voluntary suspension of wildfowling and other forms of disturbance was announced by the BTO and RSPB amongst other organisations as there had been 7 continuous days of sub zero temperatures in England. The 9th was notable for the number of geese present. It was estimated that over 1000 were present with the family of 5 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, 16 Pink-footed Geese, 45 Barnacle Geese and a probable Snow Goose joining the hoard of Canada Geese and Greylag Geese. Wigeon numbers were estimated at 1000 also Pink-footed Goose movement continued on the 9th with 100 over Warren Farm. 7 Barnacle Geese remained and 36 Pochard and just 8 Goosander remained. Those that ventured on to the dam were rewarded by a Little Owl on the ground and also a Woodcock. Finally at dusk 3 Curlew flew south calling loudly. On the 11th the tit flock, 2 Bramblings, many Chaffinches. Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatch and Pheasants assembled at the Education feeder and were joined by a female Reed Bunting. On the water 88 Great Crested Grebe found much needed ice free water at the deep end. The White-fronted Geese left to the south on 10th and 52 Pink-footed Geese were also seen.

A slow thaw was underway by the 12th but the Canada Geese were still on the stubble west of Blithe Bay. By the 16th an influx of Goldeneye began. This was confirmed on WeBs day on the 17th when much ice remained. Following the excitement of previous days and what was still to come, the WeBs was rather disappointing. Amazingly only 16 Canada Geese were on site with one Pink-footed Goose, but 122 Grey lags were around. Wigeon had risen to 1023, Coot to 255 and Mallard were at 355 and 2 Mute Swans were in Blithe Bay. Teal had largely moved out with only 55. 3 Shelduck were newcomers. Goldeneye had increased to at least 49. There were 40 Tufted Ducks, 16 Goosanders, 23 Pochard and just 9 Ruddy Duck. It was good to see that the 5 Little Grebe in Blithe Bay were surviving. 86 Great Crested Grebes found the ice-free deep end to their liking. Shorebirds were represented by a Green Sandpiper, 6 Snipe and 14 returning Lapwings. An influx of Skylarks was noted too, which were below the dam where there was a Grey Wagtail. 35 Linnets were noted with13 Goldfinches.

The 19th produced the 7th goose species of the month when 19 Dark-bellied Brent Geese were found flying around in the gloom from Portfields (Concrete) Bay. Fortunately they alighted on the water where they remained until dusk to the delight of the finder and just two other members who responded to RBA. 4 Pintail were also close by. Up to three Brent Geese were reported during the next two days when 4 Pink-footed Geese were still present. On the 20th a Shoveler appeared. 2 drakes and a duck Pintail were still present. At last a second winter Caspian Gull was located in the gull roost. The 23rd produced a peculiar aythia duck with the Pochard flock which was described by the finders as a 'Lesser Scaup hybrid'. A Shelduck was found but a juvenile Glaucous Gull was a complete surprise .This species has become much scarcer in the last ten years. 2 Mediterranean Gulls (adult and juvenile) with at least 6 Yellow-legged Gulls made this the best gull roost of the year so far.

Throughout the month Woodcocks continued to be found at various locations around the reservoir. On 26th the gull roost was much reduced with no more than 300 Lesser black-backed Gulls, less than half that number of Herring Gulls and just one adult Yellow-legged Gull amongst 1000+ Black-headed Gulls. Notably the gulls mainly arrived from the north and departed to the north- west the following day. Not much was happening on the water. A fortuitous glance upwards amazingly produced the 100th species of the month in the form of a Great White Egret. It flew north over the causeway towards Beech Tree Point before turning east over the Duckley Plantation. The following evening a Tawny Owl revealed its presence by calling at dusk. By this time the Linnet flock had grown to 150. On 29th there was a Ruddy Duck cull and surprisingly on the next day 11 Ruddy Ducks were present. The 4 Pink-footed Geese remained. 6 Curlew put in an appearance. The gull roost contained a 2nd winter Caspian Gull and 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. Not much changed on the final day although 75 Pochard was a noteworthy total. The month ended as it had started cold, frosty and with snow.

December 2009

The month commenced cold and frosty, but soon reversed to several days of unsettled weather with heavy rain. From mid-month, wintry weather returned with severe frosts and very icy conditions. The cold 1st was a welcome change from November. 59 Goosanders roosted indicating that numbers were well down on last year. 6 Shelducks were new arrivals. 164 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were also roosting there as well as 4 Common Gulls, a single Great Black-backed Gull and a 3rd winter Yellow-legged Gull. 9 Pochard were the first of a steady increase. Passerines are often overlooked at Blithfield so a nice male Brambling on the Education feeder was a good find. Marsh Tits and Willow Tits began to use both the Dell and the Education feeders. 2 Nuthatches were also at the Dell feeder. Reed Buntings tend not be around in winter, but there was one in front of the Stansley Wood Hide, also on the 1st. A mixed flock of Goldfinches and Linnets fed on the bank to the left of the hide. Not to be outdone completely though 3 Dunlin flew through in the evening. 12 Shoveler were present on the 2nd and Pochard were up to 26 on the 3rd. The bird of the day on the 3rd though was a Diver species in flight. At the time it was thought to be a highly probable Great Northern Diver, but it could not be relocated. Birders on the 4th were more successful and our hotline confirmed the presence of a Great Northern Diver which was also reported the following day.

A Whooper Swan was in Tad Bay on 4th and 5th. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls roosted at the Deep End on the 6th 5 Ruddy Ducks were in Blithe Bay on 7th where 21 Shovelers were found along with a single female Pintail, a Shelduck and 2 Gadwall with the Mallards, Teal and Wigeon.

From reports elsewhere it was clear that there was a substantial north-westerly movement of Pink-footed Geese across Staffordshire on the morning of the 12th. Almost predictably 25 dropped into Blithe Bay for a bathe before continuing their journey to Lancashire from North Norfolk. The evening Goosander roost in Tad Bay rose to 73 (over 20 short of last year's figure). Conversely just one Ruddy Duck present, but Shovelers were back up to 31. Late in the day a redhead Smew was found in the same area. This bird remained until the end of the month, but was often elusive. On 31st it was found at dusk evening frequenting a backwater in Tad Bay. On the of the13th there was a shoot adjacent to Blithfield. This curtailed a ringing session, but not before a young female Firecrest had been retrieved from the mist nets. These sessions focus primarily on the Chaffinch roost as part of a long term study. Some of these birds are thought by some to be northerly migrants as they have different biometrics to the majority of birds that are found at Blithfield. The shooting however did not deter a calling Tawny Owl. From the 15th the gull roost attracted the attention of a few diehards. Numbers were somewhat disappointing, but the seasonal influx of Common Gulls began on the 15th with 25 present. A 2nd-winter Yellow-legged Gull was also found. An adult was discovered on the following evening. Lesser Black-backed Gulls totalled no more than 20 on the 17th with just 2 Herring Gulls and no more than 7000 Black-headed Gulls At the end of the month though there was a substantial increase in the number of larger gulls roosting at the deep end. Some estimation of numbers would be helpful. Raptors were occasionally seen and a Peregrine also on 17th was the best find. Winter thrushes were present throughout, but not in any great numbers. The WeBs on 20th revealed the following: 985 Mallard, 890 Wigeon, 718 Teal, 17 Shoveler, 5 Pintail, 613 Canada Geese and 315 Greylags with just one Pink-footted Goose and 2 Mute Swans although earlier in the month 23 were flying in at dusk. Diving ducks were represented by 69 Tufted Duck, 14 Goldeneye, 6 Ruddy Duck and 40 Pochard. Typically only 8 Goosanders were present for the morning count, but the evening roost is the best indicator for this species. Coot had increased to 116, but only 2 Moorhen were found. An influx of 132 Cormorants was probably the result of the arrival of much colder weather. 7 Little Grebes braved the icy conditions as did 37 Great Crested Grebes. Waders were represented by 4 Snipe, 62 Golden Plover and 56 Lapwings. A few Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails, a single Skylark and a Stonechat remained all month as did a couple of Great Black-backed Gulls.

Woodcocks were found on 24th and 31st. 52 Pochard were also counted on 24th. An influx of Wigeon was noted on 26th when Ruddy Ducks totalled a worrying 14. The last few days of the decade offered good birds if you were in the right place at the right time. Last month's male Firecrest was retrapped on 2th, a Great Northern Diver surprisingly arrived in Blithe Bay on 28th, and best of all a probable elusive drake Green-winged Teal was reported in Blithe Bay. Subsequently this identification was confirmed. A south-easterly movement of Pink-footed Geese occurred in Staffordshire on the final day as 120 flew over the reservoir. A Green Sandpiper, a Dunlin and 30 Golden Plovers as well as the Smew gave the New Year listers hope for a Happy New Year.

November 2009

Heavy rain and turbulent weather featured. Water levels rose, bringing to an end shorebird passage. Strong south westerly winds were frequent although there was a change to the south east finally on the 29th. A northerly set in the following day. Temperatures were often above normal.

Nevertheless 4 Bewick's Swans in Tad Bay on the 1st were an excellent opener. Otherwise the first week offered much the same as in October. Up to 200 Golden Plovers were still on the Tad Bay mud with 9 Dunlin but 2 Peregrines meant that the waders and wildfowl were frequently prevented from having a quiet life! 5 Sparrowhawks enjoyed the November sunshine on the 2nd and 14 Pintail remained. 4 Redshank were new. A female Shelduck was present for most of the month. 4 Goosander were also recorded. 196 Greylag Geese were in Blithe Bay on 4th and 10 Ruddy Ducks were in Tad Bay where 200 Lapwings were on the mud. 12 Pintail remained. Approximately 40 Dunlin flew around Tad Bay on 8th but did not settle. A Marsh Tit was found on the same day.

The 8th was a bright sunny day and birders' spirits were raised by the appearance of a female Long- tailed Duck off Beech Tree Point. Speculation arose as to whether this had been present on the 7th as one observer reported seeing an "odd duck". A description in the log book of this observation would have been appreciated. This Long- tailed Duck was a brighter bird than last year's long stayer but photographic evidence showed that its markings were very similar.

A Curlew was in Blithe Bay before flying south. Meanwhile a Yellowhammer flew over. Yellow Hammers are infrequent at Blithfield although they can still be found in fields a kilometre or so from the reservoir. Indeed a flock of 17 was found along a lane later in the month. A visit to the Stansley Wood Hide then revealed a first winter drake Scaup that remained until 28th.

A female Stonechat appeared at Beech Tree Point on 10th and was still there on 30th. Stonechats were not so numerous as last year. Also seen on 10th were a Knot in Tad Bay and 15 Snipe showed themselves on the mud A Green Sandpiper was seen. 3 Little Grebe, a Redshank, 15 Dunlin, a Pintail and 2 Raven completed a good day. The 11th produced an adult Kittiwake which flew through and 5 female Common Scoters were at the deep end for a morning stay only.

A Ruddy Duck cull caused much disturbance on 12th and wildfowl numbers tended to decline thereafter. 4 Redshank on 13th were appreciated though and 17 Dunlin continued to be in Tad Bay. 322 Golden Plover was an amazing count and a Yellow-legged Gull was reported. Just 3 Ruddy Duck were seen on 14th when only 122 Golden Plovers could be found. They were outnumbered by 179 Canada Geese. Redshanks increased to 5 on 15th when Stansley Wood hosted the first Woodcock of the autumn as well as the 2 resident Jays. By now only 37 Golden Plover remained A Mute Swan with a deformed wing was resting in Tad Bay on 16th where 29 Goosander came in to roost. Just 3 Shoveler remained.

On WeBS day, the 20th, the surprise was a very late Garganey in front of the first hide in Blithe Bay. This offered excellent views until a male Peregrine decided to spoil its morning! Generally duck numbers were disappointingly low, with many totals lower than the previous month. Just 417 Teal were counted by the intrepid team with 387 Mallard, 7 Gadwall, 194 Wigeon and the lone female Shelduck. Shoveler had reduced to 4 and Pintail were down to 5. The greatest reduction though was the 21 Coot. 4 Little Grebe were accounted for and 39 Great Crested Grebes. Only 54Tufted Ducks and the Scaup could be found with just 6 Pochard. Goldeneye had increased though to 12. 3 Goosanders were seen. 570 Canada Geese outnumbered the 123 Greylag Geese. Only 2 Ruddy Duck could be located, perhaps heralding their complete demise. 16 Golden Plover and a lone individual flew around nervously but 5 Redshank flew across Blithe Bay and landed. The only other waders were 82 Lapwing. 16 Grey Heron could be found at various locations and 29 Cormorants was also a low count. Passerines included at least 32 Pied Wagtails, 102 Meadow Pipits and many Linnets which were difficult to assess due to their "flittish" behaviour. Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk with prey were also present. Up to 4 Buzzards were seen throughout the month.

No estimations of numbers at gull roosts were made, but an adult Mediterranean Gull and a Yellow-legged Gull sheltered in Tad Bay on 22nd In the morning. 1142 Black-headed Gulls lingered. In addition 2 Great Black-backed Gulls were seen as well as 4 Common Gulls and a lone Herring Gull. A Raven flew over Blithe Bay completing a good indicative birding scene for the month.

Tad Bay was a welcome shelter from the wind for many gulls on 24th when over 1000 Black-headed Gulls, up to 50 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 30 Herring Gulls and 4 Common Gulls were thought to be roosting. A Tawny Owl then announced it presence in Stansley Wood. Towards the end of the month Marsh Tits appeared at two of the feeders on a number of occasions.

Ringing resumed on 26th in a part of the estate without general access. 49 birds were mist-netted. They included 30 Chaffinches,11 Long-tailed Tits,3 Redwings, a Coal Tit, a Blue Tit and best of all a first-winter Firecrest (Blithfield's fifth). Stansley Wood hosted at least 10 Siskin in a Goldfinch flock and a Lesser Redpoll flew over. A mixed flock of Redwing and Fieldfare were along the boardwalk.

A lone Dunlin was found on 29th when a Chiffchaff was seen. A Brambling was the first of the winter. Pochard numbers increased to 10 on the final day, when a tit flock which contained a Willow Tit, Tree Creeper and a Goldcrest. A Willow Tit was also at a feeder. Shoveler numbers recovered to 11 on the final day.