West Midland Bird Club

May 2009

Another good month for new sightings with 2 Common Crane; though only briefly; this was the first ever-recorded sighting for this area. These birds are very common in Europe, but a few have colonised on the East coast of this country (Norfolk). On the same day there were 2 Sanderling and a Wood Sandpiper at the new workings and on the following day a Hobby was reported over the pools. Red Kite was seen again, at the new workings on the 16th.

At the beginning of the month 2–3 Whimbrel were in the sheep pastures at Grimley new workings, north of the pools, in the early mornings. A flock of 20+ Black-tailed Godwit was an impressive sight, but sadly they only circled the pools before they flew south.

The breeding season went quite well, with one brood of Little Ringed Plover (4), 7 broods of Mallard, 3 of Lapwing, 5 of Canada Geese and 5 of Coot. A brood of 7 Gadwall was very encouraging. Other recorded sightings included Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Greylag Goose, Common Sandpiper, Curlew, Redshank, Cuckoo, Reed Bunting and Wheatear. A total of 120 different species has been recorded so far this year.

April 2009

April was an exceptionally good month for Sedge Warblers, Reed Warblers, Willow Warbers and — one of the highlights of the month — 3 Grasshopper Warblers, sighted at Holt. This species had not been recorded in this area since 2007.

True to the verse the Cuckoo arrived in the middle of the month and by the end of the month was singing its song quite profusely. In the last week of the month, the Swifts arrived.

Whitethroat and Chiffchaff were seen in abundance throughout the month. A Wood Sandpiper was a notable sighting on the River Severn, close to Grimley.

As the month progressed the pair of Oystercatcher were showing signs of nesting, likewise the two pairs of Common Tern.

At this time of the year the numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gull increase quite dramatically on the pools. This is bad news, as they plunder the young duckling.

An uncommon Brent Goose was at Holt. Encouragingly, the two pairs of Little Ringed Plover were showing signs that they were starting to nest. In the last few days of the month, 3 Whimbrel had taken to roosting in the sheep pastures north of Grimley New Workings.

Other sightings of interest included Gadwall, Rock Pipit, Wigeon, Pochard, Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Shelduck, White Wagtail and Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear, Garganey and Curlew.

March 2009

March was very interesting, with a Twite on the New Workings. This was a first for Grimley. It was located among small flocks of Linnet at the North end of the reserve, feeding on the large mounds of topsoil, or bunds, and was relocate on the 29th at the Old Workings, albeit very mobile.

An Osprey was sighted briefly at the New Workings on the 22nd, flying North to its summer breeding grounds.

Another first for Grimley was an Emperor Goose, but that's not on the British List and was considered an escapee.

There were regular sightings of both male and female Wheatear at Old and New Workings.

Chiffchaffs' repetitive song seemed to be heard from every hedgerow and coppice — a good indication that we were well into spring, and that summer was on its way.

A female merlin showed well at the New Workings in the latter part of the month. Other raptors present were Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and Kestrel.

By the end of the month there were three breeding pairs of Great Crested Grebe at the New Workings.

Other species recorded were Oystercatcher, Redshank, Little Ringed Plover, Gadwall, Green Sandpiper, Redpoll and Greylag Goose.

February 2009

February started off with a very cold snap, producing sleet snow and hard frosts. In the first week an Egyptian Goose at Holt stayed for four days. In the same location were 3 Golden Plover on the 7th.

The first Oystercatchers returned, but not until the 17th, when a pair arrived at the New Workings.

A very early Ringed Plover was brief sighted at the New Workings and the year's first Curlew — two birds — were feeding in the pastures north of the pools with Canada Geese.

Sadly the long stay of the Water Pipit departed. Great Crested Grebe (possibly the breeding pair) returned to the pools.

As the month drew to a close the numbers of wintering duck — Pochard, Shoveler and Teal — had decreased quite considerably. Other winter species whose numbers showed a sharp decline over the last two weeks of the month were Fieldfare and Redwing.

The Canada Geese started to get very vocal as they began to pair off. A Green Sandpiper has been present on the New Workings all year, although it has been elusive many days. As we approach spring the numbers of Skylark and Meadow Pipit in the meadows increased greatly.

Other species sighted included Goldeneye, Buzzard, Snipe, Grey Wagtail, Stonechat, Dunlin, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Raven, Siskin and Goldcrest. Total Species reported for 2009 to date: 85.

January 2009

The New Year started off well. On the 1st there were good sightings of a Merlin and a Woodcock in the old brick pits wood. The 5th produced 5 Golden Plover at the north end of the pools in the adjacent meadows; this species was last recorded at Grimley in 2007. A Water Pipit showed well throughout the month, always in the same location, north of the pools.

Brambling and Yellowhammer also showed well in amongst large flocks of finches, on the East side of the workings on Wagon Wheel Lane. One of the best sightings was of a Goosander at the new workings at the beginning of the month. A single Green Sandpiper showed well from the north end of the pools.

Yet again, the water level on the pools remained very high, hence there were many species of duck: Mallard, Teal, Pochard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Wigeon and the occasional Goldeneye. Sadly most of the latter were female. rather than the more distinctively-plumaged male.

During cold spells, very large flocks of Fieldfare and Redwing fed on the semi-frozen pastures, alongside good numbers of Lapwing. The Tawny Owls started to get very vocal on clear frosty nights, calling for mates.

Others sightings of interest included Yellowhammer, Stonechat, Sparrowhawk, Snipe, Grey Wagtail, and Jay, with a total of 76 different species.