West Midland Bird Club

December 2008

Yet another year drew to a close, the weather in DEcember was very dull, with little sun. There were good sightings throughout, with the Red-Crested Pochard still showing well at the beginning of the month at Holt. There was a Water Pipit at the New Workings on the north end on the 8th, showing well at times and at others elusive. On the 11th a Red-Breasted Goose was sighted in among the large flocks of Canada Geese at Holt Prairie. Although this species has been recorded in many parts of Britain, many are regarded as escapees. The last sighting was on the 18th.

With the water level on the pools remaining high the number of Snipe decreased as there were no muddy feeding margins, but the high water attracted many species of duck: Mallard, Pochard, Shoveler, Teal, Wigeon, Tufted Duck and Goldeneye plus sightings of Pintail on the 6th and 18th. Another new species for the year was a White-fronted Goose at Holt, the first since 2004.

Other sightings to note were Lesser Black-backed Gull, Stonechat, Siskin, Water Rail, Kingfisher, Sparrowhawk, Raven and Great Spotted Woodpecker, making a total of 141 different species for the year.

November 2008

Once again a quiet month, though starting off quite well with a brief sighting of a juvenile Pink-footed Goose on the 2nd, in and amongst the vast numbers of Canada Geese, this was a new record for 2008. The best sighting of the month was of 2 Brent Geese, a first ever sighting for Grimley. Another unusual sighting for November in this part of the country was a single Redshank that lingered on the pools for all of the month.

The numbers of Pochard and Shoveler slowly increased. Goldeneye were at Grimley New Workings and at Holt (sailing pool); all were females.

Brambling showed well in the hedgerows east of the village on Wagon Wheel Lane, Siskin were present in good numbers feeding on the Alder trees on the river meadows. A Red-crested Pochard was present from the 26th to the end of the month. Other sightings included Jack Snipe, Common Snipe, Wigeon, Stonechat, Common Gull, Redpoll, Water Rail, Lesser-spotted Woodpecker and Green Sandpiper, raising the total of different species for 2008 to 139.

October 2008

October was rather static with little movement on the pools and surrounding area. The main highlight was a Goosander briefly at the Old Workings, this was a new entry for 2008. In the early part of the month, the juvenile Ruff was still present at Holt Prairie.

Another good sighting on the 18th was of Common Gull at the New Workings and at the same location a Jack Snipe: this smaller version of the Common Snipe is very secretive and you can virtually tread on them before they fly from their marshy habitat. The Common Snipe has been showing well all the month by the shore line probing the mud with its long bill.

As the month progressed Redwing and Fieldfare were to be seen in small flocks feeding on the winter berries. bird that showed well through-out the month was the Kingfisher, a bright turquoise gem, with as many as four at one time. It is very unusual to have so many together as they are very territorial with one pair dominating a stretch of water.

Love them or hate them the number of Canada Geese were still rising, to 800+. What was a bit disappointing was the very low number of Teal, but saying that, there were good numbers of Shoveler, Pochard, Gadwall and Tufted Duck with the return of one or two Ruddy Duck and a juvenile Pintail.

Other sightings of note were: Stonechat, Greylag Goose, Raven, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Kestrel, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Brambling, Wigeon and Yellowhammer.

September 2008

By the middle of the month there was quite an autumnal feel to the air, and the last of the summer visitors heading south to warmer shores. Swallow, Swift, House Martin and Sand Martin gave way to wintering duck such as Pochard, Wigeon, Teal and Shoveler, plus a few Common Snipe.

Throughout the month the number of Canada Geese increased dramatically. A Black Tern was breifly sighted on the 11th.and the 15th. A Red-crested Pochard was at the New Workings, and a Ruff at Holt Prairie.

There were regular sightings of Little Egret, Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper, with occasional sightings at the beginning of the month of Wheatear and numerous sightings of lingering summer visitors, including Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart and Reed Warbler. 3 species of wagtail were recorded in the month Pied Wagtail (plus sub species White Wagtail.), Grey Wagtail and Yellow Wagtail.

Other sightings of interest included Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Raven, Reed Bunting, Jay, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Kingfisher, Coal Tit and Mistle Thrush making a total of 136 different species sighted for the year.

August 2008

August was a very frustrating month, with very few new sightings, usually by the middle of the month the Autumn migration has started, but sadly this year there werer very few species through with the exception in the latter part of the month of a few Wheatear at two or three locations in the Grimley and Holt area.

The two main highlights of the month were a Mediterranean Gull on the 9th, albeit a brief sighting; and 2 Black-tailed Godwit at the New Workings unfortunately they were disturbed early morning by walkers.

Of the summer visitors that remained, the Little Egrets peaked at 7 (new record for Grimley). A Greenshank and Green Sandpiper (1–4) were present for all of 8 days.

The sighting of Turtle Doves on power lines behind Holt Church and 3 Redstart in the hedgerow at Holt Prairie were all very encouraging.

Towards the end of the month all of the Little Ringed Plover had left, with only a few Swallows, with House Martins and Sand Martins remaining.

A Hobby hunted dragonflies over the pools on the 11th and 12th. Other sightings included Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Common Tern, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Snipe, Sparrowhawk, Whinchat, and the sighting and the vocal sounds of a Barn Owl with all the indications that they have a very late brood.

The total sightings of species for 2008 reached 134.

July 2008

July was a much better month than the last two, with some movement of different species on the pools. The main point of interest on the 20th, at the old workings and the new diggings, and staying 2 days, was a Little Stint. This rare, dainty bird is one of the smallest waders to be seen on our shores and inland pools. Also on the 20th, on the new workings, a Greenshank stayed for only a day.

Most encouraging were regular sightings in two locations of Turtle Dove. 1-3 Little Egrets were present on the pools throughout the month. Good news about the pair of Spotted Flycatchers at the old workings, whose brood successfully fledged. Redstart were reported in a few locations in the vicinity of the New Workings. The numbers of Green and Common Sandpiper remained constant through the month, but by its end we had lost the Redshank and the numbers of Swift, Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin had greatly decreased.

The nesting period was almost complete, all but for the late-nesting Tufted Duck, producing 6 broods. Another species that showed well was Little Owl, but sadly no nest sites were reported, likewise for Barn Owl.

Other reported sightings of interest included Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Hobby, Kingfisher, Little Ringed Plover, Sparrowhawk, Raven and Oystercatcher.

June 2008

June was slightly disappointing as there were few new sightings, but that was no reason to get despondent, as so many locations throughout the country tend to be quiet at this time of year, with little movement as so many birds are nesting.

The best sighting was of a Black Tern (in summer plumage) at Grimley New Workings. A Yellow-legged Gull that lingered on the pools for 2–3 days, among a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls. A pair of Spotted Flycatcher with young were discovered at Top Barn Farm. What has been very encouraging was the return of Corn Buntings, with at least 2 at Holt Prairie with regular sightings for the best part of the month. Less encouraging this year have been sightings of Turtle Dove with only 2 or 3 sightings recorded and those not in their usual locations.

There were three unusual species on the pools: Shoveler, Pintail and Teal; these are generally seen as wintering birds. There were two Wood Sandpiper at Holt, but their stay was brief.

Other sighting of note included Green and Common Sandpiper, Hobby, Raven, Little Owl, Curlew, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, and Shelduck. Finally, the third brood of Common Tern hatched 2 chicks.

May 2008

Yet another good month for Grimley. One of the main highlights was a brief sighting at Grimley New Workings of a Red Kite. Over the years there has been an increase in the number of sightings of this species especially in the Midlands. Back in the early and mid-20th century this bird was persecuted to near extinction by land owners and farmers but It is good to report with the introduction of a breeding and conservation program and increased numbers nation-wide this bird has now been taken off the endangered list.

On the 5th: at Grimley New Workings, 9 Whimbrel and very good sighting of a Black Tern were recorded. At Holt (Sling Pool), there were 7 Little Egrets (with another on the 18th,) a Wood Sandpiper, a male Garganey and sightings of 2 Corn Bunting.

Breeeding successes included 2 broods of Common Tern, 2 Great-crested Grebe., 1 Oystercatcher, 4 Lapwing and 1 Redshank, also a brood of Mute Swan.

Other sightings of interest were Dunlin, Sanderling, Black-Tailed Godwit, Turtle Dove and Lesser-Spotted Woodpecker.

April 2008

By the end of the month most of the summer visitors had arrived. As always, the last to be sighted was the Common Swift — this species is also one of the first to leave our shores, in early autumn. The main highlight of the month was a Little Tern that showed briefly; it was the first recorded at Grimley. Another good sighting was of 2 Whimbrel on 21st; by the 26th there were six.

Throughout the month there were numerous sightings of Wheatear, also Yellow Wagtail and White Wagtail have shown well in the surrounding meadows. There was also a bonus of 2 Blue-headed Wagtail (sub-species of the Yellow Wagtail), together with the first Hobby of the summer.

Little Ringed Plover numbers remained steady at 2 pairs as did Redshank at 3 pairs. By the last week of the month, the first brood of Mallard was on the pools with many more species mating or starting to nest, including Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Oystercatcher, Coot, Moorhen, Redshank and Little Ringed Plover. Other sightings of notable interest included Shelduck, Whinchat (first for the summer), Willow Warbler, Dunlin, Barn Owl, Ringed Plover, Water Rail, Black-tailed Godwit, Redstart (male), Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat, Red-legged Partridge, and Garganey (male) on the New Workings. The first Cuckoo was heard and seen in the village.

March 2008

Summer visitors such as Sand Martin and Swallow started to arrive from warmer shores, but the climate on arrival was far from summer-like — it must have been quite a shock to the system! The woods and coppices also came alive to the call of the first Chiffchaff.

The highlight of the month was a Rock Pipit at Grimley New Workings that stayed for 4 days.

In the second week there were arrivals of Wheatear, 4 Little Ringed Plover and 2 Common Gull. A Kittiwake flew over.

Black Redstart and Water Pipit were relocated again.

Towards the end of the month the Old Workings hosted 4 Greylag Geese on the flooded river meadows and a Red-legged Partridge in the Christmas tree plantation.

By the end of the month all but a few of the wintering duck had left the pools, including Pochard, Shoveler, Teal, and the couple of Goldeneye and Ruddy Duck, but Tufted Duck numbers remained very high.

Other recorded sightings of interest included White Wagtail, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Little Owl, Barn Owl, Peregrine, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, Water Rail, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Shelduck and Redpoll.

February 2008

February was much better for sightings, than the preceeding 2 months. An early sighting, albeit brief was of a Little Egret and a Ringed Plover was on the pools at the New Workings. The breeding pair of Oystercatcher returned to last year's nesting site.

The water level on the pools started to drop quiet dramatically, leaving bare muddy shore margins for the spring waders.

The main best of the month was a Woodcock, in an area known as Grimley Brick Pits. This is a small, semi-flooded, overgrown old willow wood on the banks of the river Severn 1½ miles north of Bevere Locks. It holds the largest Heronry in Worcestershire, with 25 breeding pairs of Grey Heron recorded.

A Black Redstart showed well in the same location most days, north of the pools, under the gravel working cliffs. In the same vicinity there were sightings of a very mobile the Water Pipit, among the small flocks of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail.

Towards the end of the month the numbers of Goldeneye peaked at 6. Green Sandpiper numbers varied throughout the month, between 1–4, and there was a solitary Redshank.

There were good sightings of Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and, most days, a Peregrine Falcon.

Other sightings included Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Pintail, Stonechat, Barn Owl, Water Rail, and Jack Snipe. In the last days of the month, returning Curlews used the pools and surrounding meadows as an overnight roost.

January 2008

The start of a new year was quiet, with very little movement of new species to the pools and local area, though a Water Pipit was sighted around the "New Workings", staying for 6 weeks, albeit very elusive!

With the water level being high throughout the month, there were very good numbers of ducks on the pools including Pochard, Gadwall, Teal and Tufted Duck. Male and female Goldeneye numbers fluctuated between 1–6. Another prominent visitor throughout the month was Green Sandpiper, and an unusual visitor at this time of the year was a single Redshank, present close by for at least 5 weeks.

In the area surrounding the pools, 1–3 Stonechat showed well. What was a particularly good was a sighting of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Willows close to the river. Numerous Buzzards, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk were seen, plus a Peregrine Falcon, with the added bonus of a Merlin and at dusk a very rare sighting of a Barn Owl. In the surrounding meadows there were good numbers of Skylark and Meadow Pipit. In the woodland close by were Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Redpoll, and Siskin with Fieldfare and Redwing in the adjoining meadows.