West Midland Bird Club

The 2004 breeding season was more successful than the previous season mainly due, I believe, to better weather conditions during the critical time between mid-May and early June.

Specifically, we saw an increase in both box occupation 88% against 75% in 2003 and clutch numbers, particularly within the Tit Family, which resulted in a significant increase in young reaching the fully fledged stage. 79.3% against 70.4% in 2003.

Bodenham also had its first recording of both Nuthatch and Treecreeper successfully using our boxes. It is also worth noting that boxes positioned lower specifically for Coal Tits proved very successful.

Background information regarding the dates used in the report are as follows.

• Occupation Date: When nest building was complete and being used.
• Date and Number of Eggs: When it was deemed laying had been completed (no new eggs in the previous 72 hours).
• Hatching Complete: Fledglings counted and no eggs remaining in nest.
• Fully Fledged: Fledglings counted when flight feathers visible.

In conclusion it was a successful year for this Constantly Monitored Site. All the information gathered will be sent to our County Recorder and the British Trust For Ornithology for their records.

In addition to the Nest Box Scheme. The staff at the Arboretum and I noted other successful breeding pairs within the Bodenham Estate these were as follows:

• Blackbird × 4
• Bullfinch × 1
• Coot × 2
• Chaffinch × 4
• House Martins × 2
• Greenfinch × 7
• Goldfinch × 2
• Grey Wagtail × 1
• Jackdaw × 2
• Little Owl × 1
• Long-tailed Tit × 2
• Mistle Thrush × 2
• Pied Wagtail × 1
• Song Thrush × 2
• Sparrowhawk × 1
• Moorhen × 2
• Wren × 1
• Whitethroat × 1

The West Midland Bird Club would like to thank the Binnian Family for their continued help and support with this project.

Brian Rickett
Project Manager, West Midland Bird Club, Kidderminster Branch.