West Midland Bird Club

October 2008

There were sightings of some early winter arrivals with Redwing (11th), Fieldfare (19th), Goldeneye (18th) and Goosander (30th) although earlier on in the month a few summer visitors could still be seen including Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Stonechat.

More than 100 Lapwing were roosting on the main island in Forge Mill Lake along with about 30 Snipe and around the edges up to 3 Grey Heron and occasional Grey Wagtail. On the lake there were 8 Cormorants, 22 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 8 Pochard, Great Crested Grebe and Little Grebe, numerous Tufted Duck, about 300 Coot plus a few Gadwall and Wigeon and a female Mandarin duck which has stayed for several weeks. There have been regular glimpses of Kingfisher across the lake.

Sightings of resident birds elsewhere on the RSPB reserve included Bullfinch, Greenfinch, House Sparrow, Green Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Robin and several Jays presumably looking for acorns. Also there was the regular evening flyover by large flocks of Jackdaws going to roost and similarly a roost flock of Starlings (250+ on the 29th) swarming over the valley. Other occasional sightings included Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, Water Rail, Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.

Across the valley at Hilltop (14th) there were also sightings of 7 Ring-necked Parakeets, Blackcap, Siskin, Redpoll, 2 Yellowhammer, Skylark, Willow Tit, Song Thrush and Goldcrest and at Forge Mill Farm a Red Deer.(27th).

September 2008

The Black-tailed Godwit stayed for about 2 weeks and there were short visits from a Ruff (5th) and a Dunlin , as well as a female Goosander. A Water Rail was seen (18th) and was heard calling several times since then. Snipe numbers increased during the month to about 17.

On Forge Mill Lake numbers of ducks increased including 14 Gadwall, 15 Teal, 20+ Tufted Duck, 6 Shoveler, a few Wigeon., Pochard and a female Mandarin. Also on the lake were Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, up to 8 Cormorant, occasional fleeting views of a Kingfisher and a first winter Herring Gull (26th). On the main island were more than 100 Lapwing, regularly disturbed by passing Sparrowhawk, Buzzards and Kestrel.

Several summer visitors could still be seen and heard namely Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, a group of about 40 House Martins, as well as a few Swallow and Sand Martin.

Other notable sightings around the reserve were a flock of 30+ Goldfinch, 3 young Heron, Grey Wagtail, Mistle Thrush, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, 6 Bullfinch, a few Starlings and a colony of House Sparrows.

Some exciting birds were seen elsewhere in Sandwell Valley, in particular a Yellow-browed Warbler which was ringed at Hilltop (23rd) and is thought to be only the second record for the county, there were also Redpoll and a Treecreeper. Also at Hilltop (7th) there were sightings of Crossbill, Linnet, Redstart, Tree Pipit and Meadow Pipit and on the 14th. Yellow Wagtail, Goldcrest, Little Owl, Siskin and a possible Firecrest and on the 15th., a report of a Lesser-spotted Woodpecker. At Swan Pool (1st) were 3 Spotted Flycatchers, a Wheatear, Red-necked Parakeet, Common Tern, Willow Tit, Garden Warbler and a Whitethroat and on the 10th. Redshank and 2 Lesser Whitethroat (12th). At Salters Lane (18th) there were sightings of Raven and a Tawny Owl and Whinchat could be seen at Newton Fields for most of the month.

Among butterflies seen around the reserve were Red Admiral, Small White, Meadow Brown, Comma, Speckled Wood and Green-veined White and dragonflies included Brown Hawker and Migrant Hawker, Common Darter and Blue Damselfly.

August 2008

Again there were visits by a Black-tailed Godwit (30th), Green Sandpiper (7th), Common Tern with a juvenile and Common Sandpiper (3rd).

On the main RSPB island more than 100 Lapwing accumulated plus a few Common Snipe and the Oystercatcher and juvenile returned regularly. Around Forge Mill lake there were Cormorant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Gadwall and Shoveler, up to 6 Grey Heron stalking around the edges and Kingfishers have been regularly darting across. A Mandarin duck was on the slipway for a few days.

Several Teal gathered in the marsh area, where a Water Rail with juvenile could be seen occasionally.

There were still good numbers of House Martin and Sand Martin, occasional Swallow, but only one or two Swift, last seen on the 20th.

Many warblers could still be seen including Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Reed Warbler and Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff that visited the bird table.

Regular visitors to the RSPB's feeders included 5 Bullfinch with 2 juveniles, House Sparrows and large numbers of Greenfinch.

Other sightings around the RSPB reserve were Treecreeper, Long-tailed Tit, Mistle Thrush, Reed Bunting, Starling, Green Woodpecker, Goldfinch and daily views of Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawks. A probable Marsh Harrier was reported (21st).

Elsewhere in Sandwell Valley were Wheatear, Skylark and Garden Warbler at Hill Top (12th), Tawny Owl and Crossbill at High Bridges (16th) and a Whimbrel in the same area (30th). At the Paddocks there were Spotted Flycatcher and Blackcap (23rd) and at Swan Pool a Tree Pipit (30th), A Hobby was reported over Salters lane (18th).

Among butterflies seen around the RSPB reserve were an Essex Skipper (2nd), Small Skipper, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper and Green-veined White.