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.
