THE WEST MIDLAND BIRD REPORT

No. 18

BEING THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE AND WEST MIDLAND BIRD CLUB FOR 1951 ON THE BIRDS OF , AND .

PRICE SIX SHILLINGS PUBLISHED JANUARY 1953 CONTENTS

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE 1

SECRETARY'S AND EDITOR'S REPORT I

TREASURER'S REPORT 4

FIELD MEETINGS REPORT 5

SOME NOTES ON THE FOOD OF BIRDS 6

ADDITIONAL NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF BELLFIELDS RESERVOIR 9

RECENT CHANGES IN BIRD LIFE OF THE LENCHES 10

THE BIRDS OF KINVER AND ENVILLE 11

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS TO THE REPORT 14

CLASSIFIED NOTES 15

FINANCIAL STATEMENT 43

THE BRITISH TRUST FOR ORNITHOLOGY 44 THE WEST MIDLAND BIRD REPORT No. 18 The Annual Report of the Birmingham and West Midland Bird Club for 1951, on the Birds of Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Staffordshire.

OFFICERS & COMMITTEE, 1952 President: H. G. ALEXANDER, M.B.O.U., 144 Oak Tree Lane, Selly Oak, Birmingham. Vice-President: W. E. GROVES, 4 Lyttelton Road, , Birmingham. Chairman : W. E. KENRICK, M.a., Metchley Abbey, Harborne, Birmingham. Hon. Secretary : C. A. NORRIS, M.B.O.U., Sycamore Cottage, , Worcestershire. Joint Editors : C. A. NORRIS and J. LORD, "Orduna," 369 Chester Road, Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield. Hon. Treasurer : G. C. LAMBOURNE, Cottage Farm, Ipsley, Near . Field Meetings Secretary : A. T. CLAY, 93 Hamstead Hill, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham. Branch Representatives : KIDDERMINSTER BRANCH : C. R. MILLETT, 8 Manor Avenue, Kidderminster. STUDLEY BRANCH: Miss D. M. GARSTANG, Studley College, Studley, Warwickshire. EAST WARWICKSHIRE BRANCH: R. W. M. LEE, 9 Grasmere Avenue, Green Lane, Coventry. SOUTH WARWICKSHIRE BRANCH : Miss M. HAWKES, 54 Hathaway Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon. Committee : A. R. Blake, F. Fincher, G. B. Hindle, J. R. Rawsthorne, G. W. Rayner, M.B.O.U., W. B. Yapp, Mrs. Thursfield. SECRETARY'S REPORT The year 1951 will be remembered by Members as the year in which two Annual Reports appeared, those for 1949 and 1950 coming out in quick succession. It is hard that the 1951 Report should have been held up, until its publication, even in 1952, became impossible. For this I must take complete responsibility, for whilst the first proofs were sent to me in the first week in October, it proved impossible to get the complete report into shape until January of 1953. I can only say that the delay has been occasioned almost entirely by ornithological activity in many other directions, not least the handling of between twenty and thirty letters a week coming on top of a National Breeding Season Distribution Survey.

1 The year has again seen a useful rise in membership, bringing the figure to 464. Perhaps the best feature of this has been steady increase in members resident in the rural areas, resulting in a better cover of the three counties than ever before, a fact that is reflected in the Classified Notes. The flourishing branches at Stratford and Kidderminster have been particularly useful in this respect. As always additional members are welcomed, and we do emphasise that a high level of ornithological knowledge is not required as a condition of membership. The Club must continue to welcome everyone who is interested in birds, and we aim to help the learner and expert alike. One of the main features of the year was the publication of our West Midland Bird Distribution Survey, an inquiry in which many members took part in 1950. This Survey has certainly acted as a stimulus to this type of work, and I hope it has been found helpful by members in their general bird watching. During the closing months of the year work was done on a Winter Distribution Survey, and the results have proved of considerable interest, but are as yet not available for publication. As in previous years several ringing expeditions have been carried out, and it is satisfactory to report that an increasing number of members are becoming registered on their own account. Starling catching expeditions provide perhaps the most sporting aspect of a bird-watcher's year. Working with 16-ft. high nets in complete darkness in the middle of a really dense, evil-smelling bramble and hawthorn thicket has to be experienced to be appre- ciated ! Less energetic activities have included the annual counts of Herons' nests and of Great Crested Grebes. The regular counts of wildfowl have been continued, with Mrs. Moore doing valuable work in organising them. The Club's Heligoland Trap has been used by a number of members but has not proved the great success that had been hoped. Only in severe weather, with snow on the ground, can really worth-while catches be made, for it is then that strangers to the site feed near the trap's mouth, and fly into the trap when disturbed. The local resident birds know well that the area should carry a formidable "one-way traffic" sign and, when disturbed, they avoid like the plague the wide stretched arms of the trap. For this reason trapping is naturally restricted to the winter months, and the repairs following the summer season were heavier than usual. A cow had at one stage got itself beyond "the point of no return" and broken its way through the netting, much to the detriment of the trap. Working parties carried out the repairs, but as I have said, the results were not as good as in 1950. Of the many activities during the year the indoor meetings concern the largest number of members. This year the average attendance passed the hundred mark for the first time, due largely to the excellent co-operation I have had from ornithologists of note, 2 who have been kind enough to come and speak to us. Our joint meetings with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the British Trust for Ornithology proved as popular as ever, and we must thank these organisations for providing speakers. The speakers during the year were Miss Davies, R.S.P.B., James Fisher, R. S. R. Fitter, Peter Scott, Rev. Stone, our President H. G. Alexander, H. N. Southern and W. W. Power. Also we must thank the Director of the City of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery for the continued use of their delightful Ethnological Gallery. A more pleasant setting for our meetings could not be found in Birmingham, and our debt in this direction is indeed heavy. Finally I must thank Mr. Lord, who has done practically the whole of the preliminary work on this report ; Mr. Clay, who has again relieved me of several of the duties of Secretary, besides organising the year's Field Meetings with his customary skill; and to Mr. Lambourne, our Hon. Treasurer. As in 1950, Mr. Lambourne has handled all questions relating to membership, and has helped me in a host of other ways. In my last Annual Report, I referred to the steps that were taken by the Club through the R.S.P.B. to safeguard Alvecote Pools, where the threat of opencast coal mining was severe indeed. As a result of our action the Ministry of Fuel and Power gave an undertaking that disturbance would be reduced to a minimum. It is now most satisfactory to report that the whole paraphernalia of modern mining has been removed, and the pools and the birds that frequent them have been left in peace, apparently none the worse for the monstrous upheaval that went on so close at hand.

Birds in 1951. The first species in the Classified Notes is the Raven, and under the Staffordshire section is the sorry account of the first recorded attempt at breeding in the county for the best part of a hundred years. It is, however, another milestone in the spread back to the Midlands of these fine birds which, some two hundred or more years ago, must have been quite common. The intro- duction of sporting guns and extensive game preservation drove the Raven, Kite and Buzzard and several other birds from much of , but today the high rate of taxation and incidence of death duties has broken up most of the big estates, reduced the number of gamekeepers to a very small percentage of their previous total and, to the benefit of ornithologists, enabled at least the Raven and Buzzard to increase in numbers once again. The change in this direction is not, however, all to the good for keepers are not only bitter enemies of the larger birds, which we should like to see, but also of Stoats, Weasels, Magpies, Jays and Carrion Crows. In the last twenty years I suspect that the increase in the thieving Magpie population has been immense and the effect of this on the smaller birds is quite incalculable. What will be the final result

3 of this increase in what the game preservers call vermin can only be imagined, but the change is one that is taking place before our eyes, and is well worth further study. One of the unusual episodes of the year concerned a bird which came to be known as the Kidderminster Warbler. This individual proved to be nothing more unusual than a Garden-Warbler, but a Garden-Warbler with a song quite unlike anything on the British list. As perhaps the most characteristic feature of this species is the complete absence of anything characteristic, the possession by this individual of a remarkably distinctive and unusual song succeeded in perplexing even the most experienced observers. It was several weeks, during which it sang continually in quite a small territory, before its identification became reasonably certain. The fact that this individual was heard again in the spring of 1952 for a few days is interesting. After this incident one is left with a great feeling of relief that completely aberrant song in birds is so unusual. Identification by ear is difficult enough as it is and requires constant practice and verification to be reliable. The year under review does not seem to have produced as many new county records as was the case in 1950. Ferruginous Duck was new to Worcestershire, and the first Knot to be seen in Warwickshire was recorded at Baginton. Incidentally this was the last of the relatively surprising gaps in the Warwickshire Avifouna, a gap I was quite glad to see filled. There is one last trend that should be noted in this report—the increase in the winter gull population. In the last twenty years a completely new state of affairs has developed in the Midlands and elsewhere. Today many thousands of gulls come inland, not, as in the past, to seek refuge from a particular patch of severe weather at sea, but as part of a seemingly regular pattern of behaviour. Most of the big reservoirs are now the centres to which huge numbers of gulls retire to roost each evening during the winter months. At such places as Bellfields and Aqualate the numbers reach several thousand, and by day the sight of gulls wheeling in the air high over the centre of Birmingham and other Midland cities no longer excites comment.

Sycamore Cottage, C. A. NORRIS, Clent, Worcestershire. Hon. Secretary and Editor.

TREASURER'S REPORT In considering the accounts for 1951, printed on page 43, the following points should be borne in mind. Membership at the end of 1951 had increased by 16 to 464, compared with a year earlier. 4 The increase in receipts from the sale of reports was due to two years' reports having been published during the period. The 1950 figure for General Expenses included £8 for addressing plates. This item, together with a "Nil" entry against "Expendi- ture on Research" almost account for the increase of £17. 19s. Id. in the balance carried forward. When I presented these accounts at the Annual Meeting in February, 1952, I forecast an increase in expenditure on printing and postage. These have now become facts, and the need for increased income is now urgent. I appeal to all members to do their utmost to bring in recruits. G. C. LAMBOURNE, Hon. Treasurer.

FIELD MEETINGS REPORT During 1951 eight Field Meetings were held. All were well attended and, as previously, over a third of the members of the Club took advantage of one or more of the oppor- tunities, thus afforded, of visiting the most rewarding of the "bird places" in the Club's area and outside it. The parties seem always to consist of a good cross section of the club—experts, those not so expert and some beginners. What is to be considered as a rare bird is difficult to decide, but among those seen which delighted the beginners and did not come amiss to the experts were Slavonian and Black-necked Grebe, Red-throated and Black-throated Divers and Grey Phalarope. It is not to be inferred from this that the enjoyment of these meetings depends on their success from the pot hunters point of view—they have not only brought members of the Club together but the first principals of the art of bird watching have been instilled into a good number of beginners. While there has been little variation in the places visited compared with previous years two points may be noted : first that there are few better habitats than those of Bellfields, Northampton Sewage Farm, Randan Woods, etc., and secondly that what may be a good place for a party of one or two, would not be suitable for thirty. In addition to the Field Meetings which are held each month except during the high summer, beginners' meetings for smaller parties have been arranged, each led by a competent member, over ground that is familiar to him. Sincere thanks are again due to the owners of the reservoirs and sewage farms and to Mr. Peter Scott, for permission to visit their property. A. T. CLAY, Field Meetings Secretary. 5 SOME NOTES ON THE FOOD OF BIRDS Although birds are often seen feeding, in the majority of cases it is not possible to define precisely just what they are taking. For instance, various tits and also the Bullfinch have often been seen feeding on the seed capsules of sallow and aspen. Examination of these on many occasions has invariably disclosed a few insect larvae as well as the seeds, and it has been impossible to be sure which the birds were after, though in the case of the Bullfinch it would be more likely to be the seeds. A somewhat similar case concerns the Willow-Tit. Two birds were seen several times in October, 1944, attacking fallen crab apples, but close observation still left some doubt whether it was the apple pips or grubs which the birds were seeking. Many instances of this species taking unidentified pupae have also been noted. Except where otherwise stated all the following notes refer to Randan Wood or the immediate vicinity and all, with one exception, are from personal observation. Scientific names of plants are from Clapham's Check-List of British Vascular Plants. Those of insects are from Kloet and Hincks A Check List of British Insects. ROOK, JACKDAW. During those years in which the larvae of Hybernia defoliaria and Operophtera brumata are particularly abundant on oaks, large numbers of these birds, which are otherwise rare inside the woods, visit the woods to feed on these and other related caterpillars. STARLING. Even more numerous than Rook or Jackdaw on the occasion of caterpillar plagues. Also very fond of elderberries. JAY. Seen taking wild cherries (Prunus avium) and peas. GREENFINCH. Very fond of burdock seeds (Arctium minus) and rose hips (Rosa arvensis). It will seek oat odd plants of these in spots well inside the woods which it normally avoids. Also noted taking seeds of yew and Rosa canina. GOLDFINCH. Frequently seen feeding on thistles (Cirsium vulgare and C. palustre) teasel (Dipsacus fullonum), birch and occasionally alder, knapweed (Centauria nigra) and willow herb (Epilobium sp.) SISKIN. Alder seeds appear to be its favourite food. MEALY REDPOLL. Seen once feeding on tansy. LESSER REDPOLL. Its favourite food as long as it is available is the seed of birch. Also feeds on seeds of alder, willow herb (Chamaenarion angustifolium and Epilobium hirsutum) and wood sage (Teucrium scorodonia). LINNET. Noted once feeding on seeds of creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense). 6 BULLFINCH. During the autumn and winter seeds of wood sage and blackberry constitute a large part of its dietary. Some blackberries fall off when ripe but others shrivel up and remain on the plant. It is chiefly these that are favoured by this bird though it will also take the ripe fruit. Seeds of birch, honeysuckle and mountain ash are also taken regularly. Also noted feeding on seeds of sow-thistle (Sonchus asper), meadow-sweet and devil's- bit scabious (Succisa pratensis). To reach the latter, a plant too weak to support it, it resorted to hovering while it pecked a beakful of seeds and then retired to a bush to eat them. Also takes buds of oak and various fruit trees. Once seen unrolling oak leaves to obtain the larvae of the oak-roller moth (Tortrix viridana), a serious pest of oaks. CROSSBILL. During 1935, when it was fairly common, it appeared to feed entirely on larch seed. CHAFFINCH. Seen feeding on fallen mountain ash berries at the Lickeys, on aphis on birch, Wood sage seeds, and once taking ants in flight (Lasius flavus). BRAMBLING. Seen feeding on beech-mast at Drayton and on aphis on birch in the spring. HOUSE-SPARROW. A hen seen taking nymphs of the cuckoo- spit insect (prob. Philaenus leucophthalmus) out of the frothy masses to feed its fledged young at Great Bridge, Staffs, on June 10th, 1933. (Extracts from Proc. R. Ent. Soc. ix : 30, 31.) GREAT TIT. Very fond of seeds of yew and beech-mast. Once seen to take a wasp ( Vespula vulgaris or V. norwegica). (British Birds, xliv : 406.) BLUE TIT. Seen eating beech-mast, elderberries, blackberries, rose hips (Rosa arvensis) on many occasions. Also marble galls caused by the gall wasp (Adleria kollari). COAL TIT. Seen once eating beetles (Galerucella viburni) from the guelder rose ( Viburnum, opulus). Also once attacking a wall brown butterfly unsuccessfully. MARSH-TIT. Very fond of thistle seeds (Cirsium palustre and C. vulgare), burdock (Arctium minus), honeysuckle berries, and will also take blackberries, beech-mast, guelder rose berries ( Viburnum opulus) and once seen pecking unopened flowers of rosebay willow herb. WILLOW-TIT. Seen occasionally taking honeysuckle berries, maize, bread (it is a very infrequent visitor to the bird tray), fallen haws and, at Dunclent, near Kidderminster, seen once busily feeding on the seeds of hemp nettle (Galeopsis tetrahit). WILLOW-WARBLER. Seen taking ants (Myrmica ruginodis) on Aug. 27th, 1945 [British Birds, xl: 214).

7 GARDEN-WARBLER. Fond of buckthorn berries (Frangula alnus) and yellow raspberries. Also seen once taking the fly (Bibio marci). BLACKCAP. Also very fond of berries of Frangula and is very addicted to elderberries. This year it completely stripped a clump of yellow raspberries. In the spring it will take ivy berries. COMMON WHITETHROAT. Once seen taking berries of Frangula alnus. LESSER WHITETHROAT. Frequently seen taking berries of buckthorn (Frangula alnus), elderberries and oak defoliating caterpillars (Hybernia sp.). - FIELDFARE. Fond of yew berries, haws and rose hips (Rosa canina). H. Godwin states in his account of the buckthorn (Frangula alnus) in The Biological Flora of the British Isles, "great flocks of Fieldfares feed on the ripe fruits at Wicken Fen. In addition Mistle-Thrush and Pheasant take the fruit at Wicken." MISTLE-THRUSH. Very fond of berries of yew, hawthorn and mountain ash. Also seen to take holly berries. SONG-THRUSH. Very fond of elderberries and eats the snail (Cepaea nemoralis) freely, using stones in paths to break the shell. Once seen eating a slug (Limax maximus). REDWING. Often seen eating haws and occasionally yew berries. BLACKBIRD. Very fond of fruit, especially elderberries, gooseberries, raspberries, blackberries, haws, hips (Rosa canina), berries of honeysuckle and mountain ash. Wild cherries (Prunus avium) are swallowed whole. It will also eat wheat in the winter and has been seen taking earthworms and the black slug (Arion ater). A green-fruited variety of elder grows at Randan Wood and, probably due to the unripe appearance, is largely neglected by birds but this year (1951) this bird was observed feeding on them. ROBIN. Fond of fruit, especially buckthorn (Frangula alnus), blackberry, elderberry, raspberry and loganberry. Also noted eating earthworms. GREEN WOODPECKER. Only seen eating ants (especially Lasius flavus and also species of Myromica). GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER. Seen eating seeds of pine and the marble galls of oak (Adleria kollari). These are usually wedged in cracks in trunks, but once it was watched attacking marble galls in situ in the small branches, more like a tit. Ringing of trees (chiefly young oaks and limes), as described in British Birds, xxvii : 261, is not uncommon, and is probably due to this species in every case. LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. On March 7th, 1944, a female watched at close range attacking a whole series of the beetle larva 8 (Saperda populnea) which inhabits the thinner stems of sallow and aspen. Its presence is indicated by a slight swelling and the bird went straight to these.

LITTLE OWL. On one occasion a bird dropped a starling as it flew over a road.

TAWNY OWL. A dead mole found below one of these birds at its daytime roost. The animal had several severe wounds, and had evidently been killed by the owl. SPARROW HAWK. Although actual kills have not often been noted, these and frequent chases show that tits are very frequent victims here, and also Song-Thrush, Pied Wagtail and Green Wood- pecker. Judging from the action of the Long-tailed Tit, whose conduct is one of the best and first indications of a Sparrow-hawk's presence, this bird suffers particularly.

WOOD-PIGEON. Seen eating acorns, haws and ivy berries.

PHEASANT. Often takes blackberries.

F. FINCHER.

ADDITIONAL NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF BELLFIELDS RESERVOIR Mr. W. F. Ireland, who has made at least 50 visits annually since 1937, has contributed the following observations which add to the paper compiled by M. J. Rogers in the 1950 Report. Linnet. Bred regularly up to as late as 1943 in the bushes at the Shrewsbury end and around the pool. Yellow Wagtail. Regular breeder. Sedge-Warbler. Bred regularly around the pool up to 1943. Mute Swan. Regular breeder up to about 1937. White-fronted Goose. Maximum number in 1939/40 winter was 50. Smew. Ten recorded once in flight. Great Crested Grebe. Often breeds in shallow water. Little Grebe. Has bred in recent years. Coot. Nests frequently in large plant tufts on the mud. Grey Phalarope. One seen on December 1st, 1940, and later by H. G. Alexander. 9 RECENT CHANGES IN BIRD LIFE OF THE LENCHES The Lenches comprise the two of Church and Rous Lench, situated on hills around 300 feet high north of Evesham, with the Severn plain to the west and the Avon valley on the east and south. The land is liass clay overlain in parts with stony, glacial drift soil. Before the war most of the clay land was pasture and parts of it derelict scrub-thorn. There are two large coppiced oak woods, and the banks flanking the vales are covered with mixed wood, ash sets and thorn thickets. This variety of land surface sustained an interesting number of birds, especially on two estates which were left to nature before the war. The following species, usually termed local, bred regularly : Hawfinch, Tree-Sparrow, Woodlark, Willow-Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Wood- Warbler, Grasshopper-Warbler, Stonechat, Redstart, Nightingale, Nightjar, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. A pair or two of Woodcock nested in the oak woods, and Snipe, Sedge-Warbler, Whinchat, Reed-Bunting in the only bog. The Hobby nested twice in the 1930/s, and seven pairs of Marsh-Warblers in a bean field one year. Crossbills appeared most autumns in the only larch wood ; Lap- wings abounded in spring and larks in winter. This pleasing variety of birds was to be seen whilst the land and woods remained unchanged up to 1938. By then tractors were replacing the last farm horses, and prairie busting ploughs, disc harrows and bulldozers began to tear up the abandoned land. During the war large parts of the woods departed to suburban areas as fuel blocks. Woodlarks and Stonechats vanished as soon as these machines began work ; Tree-Pipits squeezed into small patches left on banks too steep to cultivate ; I found two nests in a wheat field. Grass- hopper Warblers also moved around in search of brambly bits of rough grass ; the last nest I found also being in a wheat field. Clear felled woodland became choked with a jungle of bramble, burdock, thistle, and other weeds from seeds which must have lain dormant under the bluebells for perhaps a century. The only birds that thrived in these jungles were Garden-Warblers and Bullfinches ; Wood-Warblers vanished, Nightingales liked the fringes but nested in the open and even by roadsides. The only bog was drained and Snipe, Whin chats and Sedge-Warblers departed. Nightjars vanished about 1940 ; why, I don't know, though Grey Squirrels swarmed in the woods at that time. The loss I most regret is the decrease of Lapwings almost to extinction ; from at least 50 pairs to not more than three in 1950. Tractor cultivation, the ploughing up of pasture grazed by cattle and sheep was perhaps the cause, since old turf provides far more insect food for birds than arable. Hedge birds, especially the 10 Lesser Whitethroat, have all decreased since the arrival of the mechanical hedge cutter. Roadside Yellowhammers did well when there was no labour to mow the grass, but now tractor mowers sweep all away except the ditch herbage in parts. Larks are now much scarcer, especially in winter. The safest place for a bird to nest is a growing crop ; an extreme example is the Quail which, arriving in late May, has been heard regularly since 1940, and even winters, for one was shot in a sprout field on Christmas Day, 1950. The Curlew also survives in hay and wheat fields. Little Owls, Green Woodpeckers and Mistle-Thrushes have only just recovered from the hard winter of 1947, but the number of breeding Starlings is still only half what it used to be. Formerly the Little Owl laid four to six eggs, now only three, though I found one containing four this year, but a fortnight after hatching the strongest three ate the other nestling. The only marked increase in bird life has been of Corvine "spivs." I counted 230 Magpies go into one winter roost, and 24 pairs of Jackdaws nesting on a thousand acres of farmland, where I guessed there might be six. Since 1947 four pairs of Barn Owls have been added to the solitary pair. As they appeared suddenly I think they may have come in during the arctic weather of spring, 1948. All this lamentable decrease of bird life has occurred during ten years which shows how quickly the new methods of farming can effect wild life by such upheavals of the land surface. Only those birds which frequent farm buildings and growing crops enjoy a not much changed habitat. Corvine robbers have adapted themselves to the changing scene, and perhaps owls, who now wait on telephone poles for their prey to dart across the smooth tarred roads. It looks as if the restoration of bird life depends on a revival of gamekeepers and an agricultural depression. However, in spite of these changes the Lenches is still one of the best parts of Worcestershire for birds ; a few of the vanished species always turn up for a look round. This year a Nightjar churred for two evenings in my arable plum orchard ; but I would rather have the Lapwings and larks back on the farm land before any others. A. J. HARTHAN.

THE BIRDS OF KINVER AND ENVILLE The adjacent parishes of Kinver and Enville lie about two miles to the west of the Stourbridge industrial area, from which they are separated by the valley of the River Stour. They contain a number of widely differing habitats, supporting a rich and varied bird population. Although the country is largely agricultural, 11 deciduous, coniferous and mixed woodland, in all stages of growth, rough heathland, small marshes, ornamental gardens and a sewage farm, all are found within easy access of the tree-lined roads. In addition there is the popular, though ornithologically overlooked, sandstone ridge of Kinver Edge, on the flank of which nested five of the district's ten resident pairs of Woodlarks. This early nesting species was adversely affected by the bad weather in March, so that first clutches were completed a week to ten days later than in 1950, the number of eggs laid being two as against the customary four. In three cases one of these proved to be infertile. Other species which nested, or probably nested on the Edge include Tree-Sparrow, Wheatear, Redstart, Mallard and Woodcock. During the year as a whole, over 100 species were recorded in the area and of these 75 bred, with a further seven probably breeding or attempting to breed. Six members of the Tit family are resident, winter and summer, with only the Willow-Tit, which is limited to one or two pairs, being at all uncommon. Again, of the ten representatives of the warbler family found in the Midlands, eight were resident during the summer, the exceptions being Lesser Whitethroat and Marsh-Warbler, both of which have been recorded in recent years. A great deal of the terrain is particularly suited to the nesting requirements of the Redstart, and as a consequence this colourful visitor is well distributed during the summer months. The Nightjar, another localised nester, breeds in at least one of the open stretches of woodland, a reliable local resident placing the number of pairs at six or seven. A pair of Herons, which first nested on a large private estate at Enville in 1950, were again successful in rearing four young this year, and there are hopes that this will become a permanent breeding site during future years. Of those species whose nesting status is doubtful, the Magpie is perhaps the most unexpected. The interests of game preservation tend to reduce this bird to the category of an occasional visitor in Kinver while I have yet to observe one at all in Enville. The presence of a pair of Lesser Redpolls between Kinver and Enville during the early summer was an interesting occurrence and the possibility of their having bred cannot be overlooked. At the same time of year a pair of Pied Flycatchers was seen to be fre- quenting a small section of woodland on the above-mentioned estate, but again no nest was located, although it was not possible to make a detailed search. A Long-eared Owl, seen several times on Enville Common early in the year, never showed any conclusive signs of nesting, and the bird itself was not seen after the end of May. Four species have shown a definite alteration in status this year ; three of them—Bullfinch, Long-tailed Tit and Song-Thrush being on the increase. These first two were almost unknown in 1949, but there are now at least twelve pairs of Bullfinches resident, while the Long-tailed Tit does not yet seem to have reached stable 12 numbers. It seems highly probable that along with the Song- Thrush, previously outnumbered by the Mistle-Thrush, they suffered a severe setback in the hard winter of 1947. On the debit side the Marsh-Warbler, a former breeding bird, is no longer known in its old haunts. In winter most of the common visitors such as Lesser Redpoll, Brambling, Siskin, Redwing and Fieldfare arrive during October, and frequently remain until the end of March or April. 1951 was a particularly good year for Fieldfares, flocks being present in strength up to the end of April, and over 500 birds were found in the fields to the south of Enville during November and December. Twelve Common Sandpipers were seen on passage in September perching on ornamental stonework in one of the estate's private pools. It only remains to record the two rare visitors which turned up in 1951 : a Great Grey Shrike, which stayed for at least ten days in mid May, and a pair of Montagu's Harriers, first seen at the end of January, and presumably resident until the death of the female at the beginning of April. This is the first record of the species for Staffordshire. It may be assumed that this general structure of bird life will undergo a marked change during the next ten years as the heathland and waste spaces which have been planted by the Forestry Com- mission in 1950 and 1951 gradually pass through transitional stages to young coniferous forest, and the existing timber is felled. A. W. CUNDALL.

13 THE FOLLOWING HAVE CONTRIBUTED THE REPORT:

Ainsworth, G. H. Eeles, E. G. Mirams, D. R. Alexander, H. G. Evans, P. Munro, H. R. Arnold, G. A. Fellowes, V. Naylor, D. H. Arnold, M. A. Fincher, F. Nelder, J. A. Arnott, J. M. S. Foster, G. H. Norris, C. A. Arthur, R. Furse, J. R. Owen, B. A. Bayes, L. R. Green, H. Paterson, M. Batchelor, E. Grove, E. M. Perrin, J. Bateman, P. J. Hammond, M. Phipps, J. B. Bettridge, M. M. Hart, P. W. Pickering, B. Bickerton, M. Harthan, A. J. Pumphrey, M. E. Bingham, R. A. Hawkes, M. Raven, V. Blake, A. R. Hay ward, L. H. Rawsthorne, J. R. Boddington, D. G. Hemsley-Hall, H. S. Rayner, G. W. Bradney, R. J. Hewitt, A. Richards, A. J. Brown, R. G. B. Higgins, R. H. Rogers, F. V. Brown, S. C. Hirons, M. J. Rogers, V. E. Burton, B. Ireland, W. F. Rogers, M. R. Butler, E. M. Jacobs, A. F. Sears, J. N. Cadbury, C. J. Jefferson, R. Sellars, P. J. Cadbury, H. M. Jenkins, D. Smout, T. C. Cadbury, J. C. Jerome, B. Snead, A. R. Cadbury, L. A. Jones, B. W. Swann, A. K. Cadbury, R. J. Jones, G. H. Swann, H. M. Cadbury, R. V. J. Jordan, H. W. Taylor, C. L. Campbell, B. Lack, B. J. Thursfield, M. Campbell, M. M. Lap worth, H. Thursfield, T. M. Chadwin, S. Larkin, M. Tibbetts, R. W. Charfield, R. Larkin, W. Tranter, E. Chater, W. G. Lee, R. W. M. Veal, F. J. Childe, M. Lewis, L. B. Warden, D. Colley, F. Lilley, A. R Watson, D. C. Constable, E. A. Lord, J. Went, N. R. Curry, S. A. Martin, A. J. Wight, D. Dalby, P. A. Matthews, J. B. L. Wincott, A. W. H. Darlow, K. Millett, C. R. Edmonds, N. B. Millington, E.

14 CLASSIFIED NOTES (The number preceding the name of each bird refers to "The Handbook of British Birds," where the scientific name can be found. "B.B." refers to British Birds Magazine.)

I. Warwickshire. II. Worcestershire. III. Staffordshire. 1. Raven. II. A bird seen over Hills on July 16th (J.C.C.), and one near Kyre on May 26th. (B.C.) Two flew over Clent on February 25th. (C.A.N.) III. A pair nested in a conifer in the south-west of the county and both birds were seen on February 25th. (A.R.B.) Unfortunately the nest was later destroyed and a broken egg, together with two dead fledglings, found at the foot of the tree on March 17th. (A.W.C., A.R.B.) 2. Hooded Crow. II. One seen at Perdiswell from January 10th to March 31st. (A.J.H.) 3. Carrion-Crow. I. Pair seen to mob unsuccessfully a sitting Wood-Pigeon near Tamworth on June 19th. On same date and on June 29th a bird was seen to take small fishes from canal. (G.A.A.) II. A pair nested at the top of an electric pylon on Hartlebury Common. (M.L.) 11. Jay. I A pair attempted to nest in a copper beech in the middle of Leamington. (J.B.L.M.) Two pairs nested in Edgbaston Park. (L.B.L.) 14. Starling. I. Movement to east noted at Erdington during early mornings on March 20th to 28th. (M.J.R.) About 10,000, mainlv young birds, roosting near Burton Hastings on July 28th! (A.W.H.W.) Only small numbers in the Tamworth district during October to early December, unlike 1950. Large flocks, estimated at 7,000—8,000, noted going south-west on December 24th at Wilnecote during gale. (G.A.A., M.A.A.) Flight lines over Stratford changed from north-north-west to south in mid-January, and roost near Stretton-on-Foss found in use on February 3rd and March 27th. Roost on Bordon Hill, Shottery, in use from mid-July to about October 10th, and numbers at end of August estimated at 4,000—5,000. Previous roost in use again from end of August to beginning of December and then moved to another wood on Bordon Hill, where estimated numbers were well in excess of 100,000. (M.H., C.A.N., W.G.C.) Roosting began at Weddington Fox Covert about March 13th, and on April 3rd between 50 and 100,000 were present, approximately 20,000 on

15 April 5th, and none by end of month. (H.L.) Counts of roosting Starlings in the centre of Birmingham gave approximately 13,000 on August 20th, rather more on September 13th, and about 20,000 on October 17th. (Club members.) II. Flocks seen coming in to roost at on November 24th. (F.F.) III. Number at Bellfields roost reached peak at end of January, dropped suddenly at end of February, with none by March 11th. No birds using roost at end of October, but seen heading towards Chillington Park area. Large numbers in mid-December. (A.R.B., M.B., J.P.) 18. Hawfinch. I. Nest with one egg at Olton on May 23rd. (P.J.B.) Bird seen near Rugby on April 8th. (P.J.S.) II. Single birds seen in the Lickey Woods in winter. (A.R.B., E.G.E.) Four at Sheriffs Lench on November 18th. (A.J.H.) A pair on Walton Hill on April 14th. (C.A.N.) III. Birds near Kinver in April and May. (A.F.J., A.W.C., P.E.) 19. Greenfinch. I. About 90 seen flying south-east over Wilnecote at about 50 ft. on November 6th. (G.A.A., M.A.A.) Birds passed over Erdington during early mornings over period March 3rd to 28th at rate of about six per hour, moving north-west. (M.J.R.) II. Several hundreds in flock on stubble fields near Kidder- minster on January 20th. (M.T.) III. About 200 in hedgerows at Cannock Reservoir on November 24th. (J.R.R.) 20. Goldfinch. I. Two birds seen in February and August at Handsworth, Birmingham, where bird is uncommon. (A.R.B., M.M.B.) Flock of about 100 feeding on thistles near Baginton on September 29th. (S.C.B., M.M.C., R.A.B.). Little passage at Wilnecote during April and early May, highest number being three, going west-north- west on April 26th, and four north on May 1st. In autumn most seen was eight going south at Kingsbury on August 28th. (G.A.A., M.A.A.) II. About 50 near Bittell Reservoirs on October 3rd (D.C.W.), and also on September 8th at Sheriffs Lench where species has increased recently. (T.C.S.) 21. Siskin. I. Flock of 100 at Exhall on February 1st. (N.B.E.) II. & III. Small numbers in winter and spring at usual localities. 16 25. Lesser Redpoll. Small numbers reported from many areas as in previous years. 29. Twite. III. Party of eight feeding at Cannock Reservoir on November 25th, and two more in flight. (A.R.B.) About 200 seen and heard at close range in birch wood on Cannock Chase on January 3rd, three at Sherbrook Valley on January 7th and three at Brindley Heath on December 20th. (G.W.R.) 30. Linnet. I. Numbers seen in Tamworth district were generally very small in period November to February and reached a maximum during September. Twenty near Wilnecote on January 26th was the largest winter flock. (G.A.A., M.A.A.) II. Poor breeding season at Sheriffs Lench and the large flocks of previous seasons were not noted. (T.C.S.) Flocks of about 100 seen at Tardebigge on February 21st, and at Burcot on December 17th. (F.F.) III. All birds left the Seighford district, where they bred commonly, by mid-November. (N.R.W.) 33. Bullfinch. I. Said to be increasing in Nuneaton district. (A.W.H.W.) 41. Chaffinch. I. Watches just after dawn showed a spring passage over Erdington of 64 birds per hour in mid-March decreasing to three per hour at the end of the month. (M.J.R.) Autumn passage in the Tame Valley during October was mainly to the south-east, 63 being noted going south-south-east on October 7th between 09.00 and 13.00 hours. (G.A.A., M.A.A.) II. A roost of several hundreds established at Enville during November and December. (C.A.N.) III. Many birds passed over Bellfields Reservoir to the south- west throughout day on February 17th. (M.J.R.) Up to 200 roosted in Hopwas Wood during December. (G.A.A.) 42. Br ambling. I. About 200 near Starling roost at Church- over on December 15th. (P.J.S.) Flock of 35 in Edg- baston Park on April 11th. (S.C.) II. About 100 near Kidderminster on December 22nd (L.R.B.), and a flock of several hundreds at Sheriffs Lench on December 31st. (T.C.S.) 43. Corn-Bunting. I. A pair at Alveston in the spring, (J.A.N.) Single birds in song at Stratford on April 25th (J.L.) and Long Compton on July 15th (F.F.), and two in July near Wolvey. (A.W.H.W., H.L.) 17 44. Yellow Bunting. I. Two singing at Moseley, Birmingham, on July 25th, and three in Edgbaston Park on July 26th. (T.C.S.) Small numbers passed north in late March over Erdington where birds were frequent in late autumn and winter. (M.J.R.) 49. Cirl-Bunting. II. Pair in mixed flock near Bittell Reservoirs on November 18th. (A.F.J.) Ill A female at Kinver on May 12th. (P.W.H., J.S.N.S.) 55. Reed-Bunting. I. Numbers at AlVecote Pools were very small during January, February and December, and reached a maximum of 105 in June. (G.A.A.) III. Five pairs with territory in June on stretch of reeds about 300 yards long at West Bromwich. (A.R.B.) Up to 30 at Cannock Reservoir on October 24th. (J.R.R.) 59. Snow-Bunting. II. One on the Malvern Hills on November 5th. (J.R.F.) III. One at Cannock Reservoir on March 11th. (J.R.R.) 62. Tree-Sparrow. I. Thirty at Alvecote on February 25 th (G.A.A.), and about 50 with House-Sparrows at Hands- worth, Birmingham, on November 10th. (A.R.B.) Small numbers passed north-east over Erdington in mid-March. (M.J.R.) A colony of at least 15 pairs nested in row of trees at Great Alne, July 22nd. (T.C.S.) II. Three nest boxes within 40 yards occupied at Kidder- minster. (D.H.N.) Flock of about 50 near Stourport on October 21st (A.R.B.), and in January and early Feb- ruary a party of about 100 in Clent area, where two pairs occupied nest boxes on the side of a house. (C.A.N.) III. Flocks of about 50 regularly in autumn and winter in Seisdon area with 100 on November 11th. (R.G.B.) Flock of about 50 at Enville on February 25th (A.R.B.), and at Bellfields during winter. (M.B., J.P.). Nesting colony at Sandwell Park, West Bromwich, where 15 birds noted on June 2nd. (A.R.B.) Flocks of up to 50 birds seen commonly in winter at Barlaston. (A.H.) 69. Wood-Lark. II. Records from usual localities. 70. Sky-lark. I. Movement in Tame Valley usually to north- west during January and February. Large passage at rate of 200-300 per hour on January 7th. Only odd birds seen from August to September 15th, and autumn passage noted from mid-September to mid-November with peak numbers of 1,500 moving south and south-west in the two hours before noon on November 6th. (G.A.A., M.A.A.) 18 II. Passage in westerly direction noted near Tardebigge Reservoir during afternoon of October 17th and south- westerly over Woodcote during morning of October 25th. (F.F.) Stated to have decreased as breeding bird at Sheriffs Lench and winter flocks smaller than in recent years. (T.C.S.) III. Between 70 and 100 in small parties moved north at Cannock Reservoir during two hours before noon on January 7th, with another 20 in opposite direction. Small parties going both south and west on October 21st. (J.R.R., J.N.S.) 75. Tree-Pipit. I. Single birds heard going west over Erdington on two occasions in July and August (M.J.R.), and south-west over Handsworth on September 1st. (A.R.B.) II. An appreciable passage noted over the between August 29th and September 12th. (C.J.C.) Fifteen singing birds on one and a half miles of suitable ground on the Malvern Hills on April 24th. (T.C.S.) III. About 40 singing birds on Enville Heath—Potters Cross area on May 20th. (A.R.B.) Three single birds going north-east at Cannock Reservoir on May 12th and birds going south-west at rate of 20 per hour on August 26th. (M.J.R.) 76. Meadow-Pipit. I. Autumn passage in Tame Valley noted between September 10th and November 6th, mainly to south-west, with peak of 500 during afternoon of September 20th. (G.A.A., M.A.A.) On the same date and on the previous day a considerable passage, up to 100 birds per hour, noted to the west over Erdington. (M.J.R.) On April 1st, flock of 200 near Churchover (P.J.S.), and 100 on filter beds at Minworth with many moving west. (M.J.R.) III. Many parties, totalling about 250 birds, at Bellfields Reservoir on April 8th, and one flock of 50 headed north. (A.R.B.) 81. Rock-Pipit. III. One at Bridgetown Sewage Farm on October 7th. (D.R.M.) 84. Blue-headed Wagtail. III. A bird, believed to be of this species, was at Bellfields with Yellow Wagtails on April 15th, and had a blue head and distinct white eye- stripe. (B.W.J., G.H.J., R.J., P.A.D.). Two birds with about 150 Yellow Wagtails on April 21st had bluish heads and white eye-stripes and chins. (W.F.I.) 19 88. Yellow Wagtail. I. Autumn passage in Tame Valley from August 8th to October 2nd, with maximum on September 15th, when 93 were noted, 20 moving south- west. A roost at Two Gates had its maximum number of 75 on the same date. (G.A.A., M.A.A.) About 100 on August 18th was the most noted at Baginton (M.H.) where odd birds with grey heads and white eye-stripes were seen in spring and autumn. (G.H.F.) At least two pairs nested at Wellesbourne (J.A.N.), and bird seen near Bickenhall on June 17th. (F.F.) Up to 20 at in mid-August with some variation from normal plumage. (P.W.H., J.N.S.) II. A noticeable passage to the south-east occurred over the Lickey Hills from August 29th to September 5th, and a flock of 25 was seen on August 31st. (C.J.C.) III. About 150 at Bellfields on April 21st, (W.F.I.) At Cannock Reservoir about 12 birds in small parties seen on April 29th. (A.R.B.) Three hundred were present on August 26th, and the passage south-west was at the rate of 100 per hour. (M.J.R.) Later in the day only 10 birds seen with no noticeable movement. (A.R.B.) 89. Grey Wagtail. I. Usual winter records, some from built- up areas, including the centre of Birmingham. II. Nested near , May 14th. (F.F.) 90. Pied Wagtail. I. Passage of groups up to six recorded to north-west during March 24th and April 3rd to 5th at Wilnecote. Seventy-five roosted in brickworks at Wilnecote on April 5th. A roost at Two Gates was occupied during August and September with a maximum of 36 birds on September 19th. (G.A.A., M.A.A.) About 100 birds were at Baginton Sewage Farm on August 23rd (A.W.H.W.) About 250 were perching in trees at Minworth Sewage Works on January 21st and February 10th (J.L.), 200 were on filter beds on March 18th, 75 on April 1st, and 50 on April 9th. (M.J.R.) A few birds noted moving east or north-east over Erdington during second half of March. (M.J.R.) Several observers recorded birds in winter in the centre of Birmingham. 91. White Wagtail. III. Single male at Bellfields on April 8th (A.R.B.), two on April 19th (G.H.J., B.W.J.) and four on April 21st. (W.F.I.) 93. Tree-Creeper. I. Three pairs nested in Edgbaston. (L.B.L.) 96. Nuthatch. I. One at Erdington on July 15th, the first noted in the area. (M.J.R.) 20 102. Coal-Tit. I. Bred at Moseley, Birmingham, where previously noted only as winter visitor. (T.C.S.) 107. Marsh-Tit. I. Reported as very local in the Nuneaton area. (A.W.H.W.) II. About 12 noted in Lickey Woods on December 16th, a larger number than usual. (A.R.B.) 111. Long-tailed Tit. II. In the north of the county small parties encountered during the year in many localities suggesting a complete recovery from the 1947 winter. (C.A.N.) III. Flock of about 50, with Goldcrests, at Patshull Park on November 10th. (M.B.) 114. Great Grey Shrike. I. One at Leek Wootton on October 30th, appeared ill and subsequently died. (M.J.H.) One near Nuneaton on November 10th, frequented an area of tall hawthorns. (H.L.) III. Bird seen perching on overhead wires near Enville on May 6th, and again on May 14th. (A.W.C., P.E.) 119. Red-backed Shrike. I. Breeding records from Ludding- ton, Shottery, and Binton (per M.H.). II. Young birds being fed near Kidderminster on July 22nd (H.S.H-H.), and at Hartlebury Common. (C.A.N.) III. Pair seen near Enville on May 6th. (A.W.C., P.E.) 121. Spotted Flycatcher. I. At least 25 counted in Arbury Park, Nuneaton, on July 3rd. (A.W.H.W.) II. At least 30 counted in walk along canal from Wolverley to Kinver on May 28th. (A.F.J.) Noticeable influx into Enville district about May 14th. (A.W.C., P.E.) 123. Pied Flycatcher. I. Male seen in Solihull Woods on April 21st. (F.F., E.M.G.) One remained for a few hours near Great Alne in mid-April (per M.H.), and a female seen at Hartshill on May 7th (per H.L.). II. Bred near Kidderminster (D.H.N.) and two pairs near Birmingham. (J.C.C.) Usual records from Wyre Forest. Seen on several dates in May near Little Malvern. (E.B.) Pair seen near Clent on April 21st and 22nd. (E.T.) III. One singing on May 12th in Patshull Park. (B.J.L.) Two seen at Bellfields on September 2nd. (C.L.T.) A pair at Enville on May 14th behaved as if nesting. (A.W.C., P.E.) One at Grandback near river Dane on May 12th. (A.H.) 21 127. Goldcrest. II. Reported as having regained pre-1947 strength in north of county. Seen at Chaddersley Woods for first summer since 1946. (F.F.) Fifty seen in Lickey Woods on December 16th, 15 being in one flock with tits. (A.R.B.). A small party at Sheriffs Lench on December 31st, where not seen since 1948. (T.C.S.) III. About 30 with Long-tailed Tits at Patshull Park on November 10th. (J.P., M.B.) 129. Chiffchaff. I. Two separate nests at Chesterton were in sedges over water. (J.L.) One at Nuneaton on February 5th, 10th and 12th had probably wintered as in 1950. (H.L.) 132. Willow-Warbler. I. One or two recorded on passage at Hall Green, Birmingham, on many days in period July 31st to September 9th. (D.W.) One bird in a party feeding near Bartley on April 21st had a white eye-stripe and dull white underparts with no olive tinge in plumage apart from olive-yellow tinged side to breast. (A.R.B.) III. Appreciable passage at Cannock Reservoir on April 22nd when up to 20 birds were seen on shingle and in bushes. (J.R.R., M.J.R.) 135. Wood-Warbler. II. A bird seen on May 10th and 11th was the only record around Randan Woods. (F.F.) III. Single birds on passage at Bellfields Reservoir on May 3rd (J.L.), and at Cannock Reservoir on May 6th. (A.R.B.) Said to be more plentiful at Kinver Edge than in 1950. (A.F.J.) 145. Grasshopper-Warbler. I. Records from Solihull, where three sang (P.J.B.), Wylde Green (T.M.T.), Snitterfield (D.G.B.), Sutton Park—two in song (S.A.C., M.C., J.R.R.), Alvecote, Bodymoor Heath (G.A.A.), Styvechale, on pas- sage (R.W.M.L.), Oversley Wood, Harvington Hall (M.H.), and Arbury (H.L.). II. Records from Abbots Morton, Bideford (P.J.B.), Kidder- minster (L.R.B.), Chaddersley Woods, where four sang (F.F., J.L.), Dunclent (M.T.) and (E.M.B.). III. Records from Cannock Chase (J.P.), Seighford, two pairs, (N.R.W.) and Enville (M.L.). 150. Marsh-Warbler. II. Recorded from usual localities. 161. Garden-Warbler. I. One moved east through Erdington, Birmingham, on April 24th. (M.J.R.) One singing on August 5th at Rotton Park Reservoir, a part of Birmingham where rarely seen now on passage. (M.L.) 22 162. Blackcap. I. Said to outnumber Garden-Warbler near Earlswood in proportion of three to one. (D.W.) On July 14th four were singing in Kingsbury Wood as against one Garden-Warbler. (G.A.A.) Four on passage at Baginton on September 20th. (G.H.F.) A pair present in Edgbaston Park throughout summer. (L.B.L.) II. Three singing in Woods on July 14th as against one Garden-Warbler. (A.R.B.) Cock bird frequented garden at during most of winter (per F.F.), and one visited bird table at Clent from March 18th. (C.A.N.) III. Three on passage at Bellfields on May 3rd. (J.L.) 163. Whitethroat. I. In the Coventry district a noticeable influx of birds recorded on April 28th and 29th. (G.H.F., R.W.M.L.) Many small groups noted in the Tamworth district during period April 24th to May 6th. On May 20th 46 birds, 16 in song, counted in two miles of lanes around Wilnecote and Alvecote. (G.A.A., M.A.A.) 164. Lesser Whitethroat. I. Summer records from Sutton Park (J.R.R., F.F.), Alvecote, where five were singing on May 20th, Dosthill, Two Gates, Edgehill (G.A.A.), Nuneaton (A.W.H.W.), Coventry (G.H.F.), Alveston, where uncommon (J.A.N.), Yarningale Common (F.F.), Handsworth (A.R.B.) and Solihull (P.J.B.). II. Summer records from Bittell (J.L.), Woodcote, Hartlebury Common, Wyre Forest, and Dodderhill Common. (F.F.) III. At least three in song at Bellfields on May 3rd (J.L.) and one seen on August 7th (A. R. B.). One in song at Cannock Reservoir on May 6th. (A.R.B.) Recorded at Enville and Kinver in summer. (M.B., P.W.H., J.N.S.) 173. Fieldfare. I. A file of 3,000 birds, about three miles long, swirled over Wilnecote from west to east on February 16th. Other large flocks—over 1,000 at Wilnecote, moving north, on February 25th, and 500 on December 26th. (G.A.A., M.A.A.) About 300 passed over Coventry to the south- south-west on November 1st. (A.J.R.) About 1,000 seen at Attleborough Fields, Nuneaton, on January 7th, and 800 on April 12th. (A.W.H.W.) II. About 100 headed due north over Hopwood on December 27th. (T.C.S.) III. About 200 at Cannock Reservoir on November 25th (A.R.B.), at Bellfields on December 23rd (M.B., J.P.), and at Pool Hall on March 10th. (R.G.B.) About 300 roosted in willows and hawthorns at Patshull Lake on 23 December 13th. (M.B.) Flocks totalling some 500 birds in Enville area in November and December and 300 on March 27th. (A.W.C., P.E., M.L.) Flocks of over 300 feeding at Whittingham Sewage Farm in December. (C.A.N.) 174. Mistle-Thrush. I. Numbers above normal in Tamworth district in autumn (G.A.A., M.A.A.), but an uncommon bird in the Alveston area, where three pairs were known in 10 square miles. (J.A.N.) II. A pair at Burcot nested successfully on a building, although there were plenty of trees available. (F.F.) Fewer birds at Sheriffs Lench than usual. (T.C.S.) 178. Redwing. I. Said to be outnumbered by Fieldfares in Tame Valley and North Warwickshire in ratio of about ten to one. Most seen was 50 at Wilnecote on December 26th (G.A.A., M.A.A.) but near Nuneaton 250 were recorded on November 11th and 100 on November 15th. (A.W.H.W., H.L.) Considerable passage at night over Erdington, March 27th-29th. (M.J.R.) Between October 10th and November 12th, birds heard calling on 20 nights at Hall Green, Birmingham (D.W.), and on about 10 nights over Rugby (P.J.S.). Heavy passage over Nuneaton on evening of October 27th (H.L.) and over Birmingham on October 3rd. (A.W.C.) III. About 200 at roost at Bellfields on December 2nd. (A.R.B.) At a roost at Enville, which contained several hundreds of birds, a single bird burst into full song at dusk on December 6th. (C.A.N.) 182. Ring-Ouzel. II. Single cock birds seen in the same field on the Lickey Hills on April 8th, April 30th, and October 2nd. (J.C.C., H.M.C., C.J.C., R.J.C.) III. Usual records in summer from Leek moors. 184. Blackbird. I. Many groups, mainly male birds, in Tame Valley and North Warwickshire during late November and during December. About 25, with Fieldfares, at Wilnecote on November 28th. (G.A.A., M.A.A.) Single birds passed north-east over Erdington on several dates in mid-March. (M.J.R.) 186. Wheatear. I. Spring and autumn records from many districts with 12 at Baginton on September 8th. (G.H.F., R.W.M.L.) Noted on passage in Sutton Park in spring with five on April 2nd and 17th. (J.L., S.A.C., A.K.S., H.M.S.) An adult with two juveniles on rough ground near on July 8th (C.A.N.) and a pair on Billesley 24 Common in July (P.H.W., J.N.S.). A juvenile was present for some days in mid-July at Coventry. (A.J.R., P.R.) II. Four pairs on Malvern Hills on June 6th, young, on the wing, being fed in two cases. (J.L.) A party of 18 near Church on April 7th. (A.R.B.) III. Nest, with young, near Enville, May 20th, and two pairs bred on Highgate Common. (J.P., M.B.) Young birds at Kinver Edge on September 5th (L.A.C.) and pair present at Seighford throughout breeding season. (N.R.W.) Passage records from many districts with five near Pattingham on April 29th. (B.J.L.) At Cannock Reservoir maximum number in autumn was 25 on September 8th. (A.R.B.) 187. Greenland Wheatear. I. A bird found dead at Binton in September was believed from measurements to be of this variety. (J.A.N.) II. A bird at Upper Bittell Reservoir on September 10th, watched at close range and later seen to perch on top of a high tree, was believed to be of this kind by stance and colouration. (J.M.S.A., L.B.L.) III. One at Cannock Reservoir on August 27th, believed to be of this kind by stance and colouration. (M.J.R.) 197. Whinchat. I. Bred in Sutton Park (S.A.C., T.M.T., J.R.R.), and had a good breeding season at Baginton. (R.W.M.L.) Nested near Luddington, where said to have occupied same site to within a few yards for 10 years (per M.H.). Passage migrants, up to three, seen at Wellesbourne over period September 1st to 24th. (J.A.N.) II. About 10 pairs on Hartlebury Common on May 13th. (H.L.) III. At least nine pairs bred near Enville Golf Course. (J.P., M.B.) Five, on passage, at Sandwell Park, West Bromwich, on September 1st. (A.R.B.) 198. Stonechat. I. A male at Alvecote on December 29th. (G.A.A., H.L.) Two immature birds near Handsworth on September 15th. (A.R.B.) III. Male bird seen near Enville on March 22nd (J.P.), and one at Brindley Heath on January 7th. (G.W.R.) 201. Redstart. I. A pair bred in Edgbaston Park. (L.B.L.) II. At least four pairs nested in a 14-acre wood on the Lickey Hills. (C.J.C.) A careful watch at Sheriffs Lench over period July 31st to August 5th showed the passage of 25 17 birds, seven males, the most seen on one day being seen on August 4th. (T.C.S.) Reported to have increased in Worcester district this year. (F.C.) 203. Nightingale. II. About eight singing birds on May 19th in area of four acres near Abbot's Morton. (P.J.B.) III. Birds present in coppice in Kinver-Upper Arley district as in last three years. (D.R.M.) A pair near Enville (C.A.N.) 213. Wren. II. Reported that 15 birds were .found roosting in winter in an old bird's nest in a clump of mistletoe growing on an apple tree at Fladbury (per A.J.H.). 218. Dipper. II. Usual records from Dowles Brook, Wyre Forest. Also recorded from Clent on January 13th (L.A.C.), and Hanley William, near Tenbury, on April 24th. (F.F.) 220. Swallow. I. Autumn passage in Tame Valley noted on 22 days in period September 1st to October 7th, the largest movement being about 5,000, going south, over half an hour on September 21st at Wilnecote. The roost at Two Gates had 400 birds on this last date and 500 on September 22nd. Parties of 20 and 11 flew north-west over Wilnecote on April 16th and 17th. (G.A.A., M.A.A.) On April 17th, 22 birds, in four parties, flew steadily north over Sutton Park in period of half an hour. (J.L.) At least 700 roosted in reeds at Arbury on August 18th. (A.W.H.W.) Autumn roost at Binton Bridge much increased this year extending over period September 8th to 25th, with peak estimated at 10,000 birds on September 21st. (M.H.) II. About 50 seen on May 6th, alighting on tall grass stems to feed on flies settled there in the cold weather. (A.J.H.) III. Movement to west noted at Seighford over period April 15th to 20th. (N.R.W.) At Cannock Reservoir birds moved to east and south-west at rate of about 50 per hour in each case on July 21st, and westerly at same rate on August 26th. (M.J.R.) 222. House-Martin. I. Autumn passage in Tame Valley noted on 15 days in period August 4th to October 2nd, the largest number being about 4,000 moving west-south-west at Wilnecote in about two hours on September 18th. 2,000 moved south in about half an hour on September 21st, and 1,500 west-south-west in two hours on September 26th. (G.A.A., M.A.A.) Approximately 1,000 on passage near Nuneaton on September 23rd. (A.W.H.W.) 26 II. Many birds moved northwards at rate of 100 per hour along the eastern flank of Herefordshire Beacon, Malvern Hills, on August 30th. (D.W.) A bird at Sheriffs Lench on November 15th. (A.J.H.) III. Movement to the west at rate of about 10 per hour observed at Cannock Reservoir on May 12th, August 26th, and August 27th. (M.J.R.) 223. Sand-Martin. I. Passage in Tame Valley recorded in period July 21st to September 16th. On August 5th, 500 arrived at Alvecote from the north-east. The roost at Two Gates had a maximum of 4,000 birds on July 27th. 750 were at Bodymoor Heath on July 31st. (G.A.A., M.A.A.) About 10 pairs nested in drainpipes of canal wharf near Hartshill. (H.L.) II. Nested in drainage pipes of Cathedral garden walls at Worcester. (L.R.B.) III. A similar passage to that noted for Swallows seen on July 21st and August 26th at Cannock Reservoir. (M.J.R.) A compact flock of about 500 arrived at Bellfields on April 11th. (G.W.R.) 225. Swift. I. Passage in Tame Valley noted on 28 days during period July 7th to September 5th, with maximum number 2,000 moving south-south-west at Wilnecote in about a quarter of an hour on August 15th. (M.A.A., G.A.A.) Movement over Erdington was noted from July 21st to September 4th with a heavy passage, in general to the west, on July 29th. (M.J.R.) On August 16th, about 250 passed over Wellesbourne from the north-east (J.A.N.) and a flock of about 50 was seen at Snitterfield. (M.J.R.) During the first fortnight in August small parties constantly passed along valley between Highgate, Walsall, and Barr Beacon. (D.J.) Birds passed over Henley at rate of three or four a minute for about half an hour on August 9th. (D.G.B.) III. About 50 moved west-south-west at Bellfields on August 7th. (A.R.B.) At Cannock Reservoir movement to the east was at rate of 100 per hour on May 5th. On July 21st, rate was about 20 per hour on two routes, easterly and south-westerly, and 10 per hour to the south-west on August 2nd. (M.J.R.) On August 18th about 30 flew south. (A.R.B.) 227. Nightjar. I. Present in Sutton Park throughout breeding season (several observers.) Pair seen in Oversley Wood on July 3rd. (M.H.) II. Heard near Kidderminster (D.H.N., M.T.), Habberley Valley, Wnbbenhall (L.R.B.) and Woodcote (F.F.). 27 III. About five pairs at Enville. (C.A.N.) 232. Hoopoe. II. One flew over Malvern College on May 28th. (J.R.F.) 234. Kingfisher. III. Said to be increasing around Haughton and Seighford. (N.R.W.) 235. Green Woodpecker. I. Said to be increasing in Nuneaton area. (H.L.) III. Two seen at Seighford on December 31st were first recorded in district since 1941. (N.R.W.) 249. Little Owl. III. A white bird seen near Nuneaton on October 11th. (A.W.H.W.) 250. Long-eared Owl. III. Noted near Enville in two separate localities on March 25th. (A.W.C., P.E.) 251. Short-eared Owl. II. One flew over Lower Bittell Reservoir in south-westerly direction on March 27th, and was harried by Carrion Crow. (J.L., G.H.A.) III. A bird flew over Cannock Reservoir on October 6th. (A.W.C., P.W.H., J.N.S.) 254. Barn-Owl. III. An injured bird was picked up at the Hawthorns, West Bromwich, in December. (K.D.) 259. Peregrine Falcon. I. A bird seen stooping on April 30th over the Avon was believed to be of this species. (G.H.F.) One dived after a Pigeon near the on June 22nd (J.A.N.), and another seen near the Bull Ring, Birmingham, on April 3rd and August 13th. (A.W.C.) II. Seen feeding on Moorhen near Eckington on October 18th, and in flight at same place on November 1st. (B.A.O.) Seen over Clent on February 4th and 25th. (C.A.N.) III. Seen on March 4th leaving Bellfields and newly killed Common Gull found. (W.F.I.) 261. Hobby. I. Seen at Baginton on April 27th (R.W.M.L.), and birds at Alveston on June 2nd (J.A.N.) and Dunchurch on September 6th (E.G.E.) were believed to be of this species. A male found shot near Leamington Spa on May 18th had been dead for several days. (R.A.) 262. Merlin. I. A female at Baginton from March 29th to April 5th (R.W.M.L., G.H.F.), and a male at Oldbury Reservoir on November 4th. (H.L.) III. Single birds at Cannock Reservoir on February 17th (M.J.R.), and at Brindley Heath on January 7th and March 24th. (G.W.R.) 28 263. Kestrel. I. Several records of birds feeding or perching in built-up areas of Birmingham. 269. Common Buzzard. I. Single birds near Coventry on March 19th and May 6th (A.J.R.), Northfield on June 18th (L.B.L.), and two at Churchover on April 1st (P.J.S.) and Witherley on May 13th (A.W.H.W.). Three pairs known to have nested in the county. II. Single birds at Church Lench on March 18th and October 21st (A.J.H.), at Woodcote on June 10th (F.F.) and at Abberley Hills on June 24th. (L.R.B.) Two in Wyre Forest on April 11th (J.P.), four on October 1st (B.J.) and two near Clows Top on October 24th (B.A.O.). Two at Rushwick, near Worcester, on July 17th (A.J.H.), one over Alvechurch on June 13th (M.E.P.) and at Morton Baggot on May 6th. (S.C.) III. One at Patshull Park on November 10th (M.B.) and circling over Enville on March 25th. (A.W.C., P.E.) 272. Montagu's Harrier. I. Male seen over marshy area in Sutton Park on May 13th. (A.K.S., H.M.S., T.M.T.) III. A pair were at Enville for some weeks in early spring before the hen was unfortunately shot. (P.E., A.W.C.) 273. Hen-Harrier. II. A harrier, flying steadily south-east at Sheriffs Lench on September 9th, with blue upper parts and very conspicuous white patch on rump was believed to be of this species. (T.C.S.) One reported between Kidderminster and Blakedown and seen on October 27th and December 29th (per C.R.M.). 277. Sparrow-Hawk. I. Single birds reported over industrial areas of Birmingham on April 5th (A.R.B.), October 8th and 25th. (T.M.T.) 281. Honey-Buzzard. II. A bird soaring near Pershore on September 2nd was identified by shape, marking of under- parts and tail pattern. (H.G.) 289. Common Heron. The number of pairs breeding in the three counties has shown further improvement in 1952 after a minor setback in 1951. 1951 1952 Warwickshire 60 70 Worcestershire 52 61 Staffordshire 117 123

229 254

29 297. Bittern. I. Reported from Baginton on February 7th (per R.W.M.L.). 300. Whooper Swan. II. A party of seven, four mature, at Upper Bittell Reservoir on February 25th. (C.R.M., M.T., L.R.B.) III. Seven, six adult, at Bellfields on March 11th. (J.P.) 301. Bewick's Swan. I. Two adult and two immature birds moved between Middleton Hall and Bodymoor Heath Pools on March 10thand 11th. (G.A.A.). II. A noisy herd of some 30 swans, believed to be of this species, passed south-west over the Lickey Hills on January 2nd. (R.J.C., C.T.C.) Six mature birds seen under good conditions at Lower Bittell Reservoir on January 12th and flew off to the south. (E.A.C.) Six adult and two immature birds at Upton Warren on January 20th. (A.J.M.) III. One flying over Copmere on March 4th. (A.H.) 302. Mute Swan. III. Numbers at Cannock Reservoir fluc- tuated probably with the water level. 150 present on January 7th (J.N.S.), 54 on January 14th, four February 25th, none May 3rd, 31 September 22nd, and six on December 16th." (J.L.) 303/7. Grey Geese. I. 22 flew over Oversley Wood going north-east on evening of July 3rd. (M.H.) 304. White-fronted Goose. II. Parties of nine and four passed over the Lickey Hills to the north-north-west on January 16th. (C.J.C.) 314. Canada Goose. I. Bred at Edgbaston Pool (T.C.S.), where 31 seen in November (L.B.L.), Northfield (E.G.E.), and Drayton Manor (G.A.A.). 33 in on September 30th. (M.L.) Six at Rotton Park Reservoir on November 12th, where rarely seen. (W.L.) II. Bred at Hewell (F.F.) and attempted to do so at (T.C.S.), 32 on Upper Bittell on November 11th (A.R.B., P.C.W.) and 34 on Lower Bittell on September 7th. (T.C.S.) III. Three young birds with adult pair at Gailey Reservoir on May 20th. (W.F.I.) 315. Sheld-Duck. I. Three at on January 21st. (A.F.J.) II. Single bird on flooded river meadows of river Avon on March 17th. (M.H.) 30 III. An immature bird at Bellfields on September 22nd (W.F.I.) and two at Cannock Reservoir on April 15th. (G.W.R.) 317. Mallard. I. The monthly maxima at Alvecote Pools reached a peak of 100 on October 11th, after being less than 10 in period July to September. (G.A.A.) 318. Gad wall. I. A drake in Cannon Hill Park on September 30th. (M.L.) III. Two at Bellfields on April 22nd and four on April 24th (G.W.R.) and 28th. (A.H.) 319. Teal. I. The monthly maxima at Alvecote Pools reached a peak of 175 on January 7th and 14th. No birds present during June. (G.A.A.) About 300 at Baginton in December was more than recorded there in previous years. (R.W.M.L.) III. Most recorded from Bellfields was between 300 and 350 on December 30th. (A.R.B.) 322. Garganey. I. A male at Alvecote from April 25th to 28th. (G.A.A., H.L.) III. Small numbers, with maximum of 12 on August 31st, at Bellfields, between July 30th and September 11th. (A.R.B., A.F.J., M.J.R., M.L.) 323. Widgeon. III. About 500 recorded at Bellfields on January 7th (A.R.B.), and February 26th (J.R.R.), and a pair remained until June 8th. (A.R.B., J.L.) 325. Pintail. I. Single ducks at Walmley on February 4th and December 25th. (T.M.T.) III. A pair at Bellfields on December 26th, January 14th, March 4th and 11th (many observers). 326. Shoveler. I. A pair at Alvecote Pools throughout the summer (G.A.A.) and at Baginton on April 7th. (A.J.R.) Three at Packington Hall Lake on September 20th. (H.L.) III. About 35 on March 20th (M.J.R.) and 30 on September 9th (A.R.B.) were the most recorded at Bellfields. Pair at Meaford Pools on June 8th, where not recorded previously by observer. (A.H.) 328. Common Pochard. I. A pair nested at Alvecote where the maximum number recorded was 110, with 57 drakes, on November 18th. (G.A.A.) Five broods, totalling 26, reported from Chesterton. (M.P., J.L.) Average popu- lation at Rotton Park Reservoir from October to March remained at about 40 as in last five years. (M.L.) 31 III. About 120 at Bellfields on December 26th (J.P., M.B.), 63 at Cannock Reservoir on February 17th (M.J.R.) and 110 at Gailey Reservoir on February 18th (J.L.) were maxima recorded. A drake remained at Cannock Reservoir throughout summer. 102 at Copmere on December 30th was more than usually recorded there. (A.H.) 329. Ferruginous Duck. II. A drake seen at Lower Bittell Reservoir on September 7th and 8th had conspicuous white under-tail coverts, wide crescent of white on wings and gleaming white eyes. (T.C.S.) First record for the county. 330. Tufted Duck. I. Monthly maxima at Alvecote Pools showed a peak of 121 on March 4th, with 60 drakes. One or two drakes present in summer. 94, mainly ducks, were counted at Middleton Hall on November 17th. (G.A.A., H.L.) Most recorded at Edgbaston Pool was 53 on January 18th. (T.C.S.) A few remained in the summer and also at Seeswood Pool. (A.W.H.W.) Bred at Penns Lake, Walmley. (T.M.T.) Average winter population at Rotton Park Reservoir from October to March remained, as in previous five years, at about 50. (M.L.) II. 25 on December 22nd was the most recorded at Bittell Reservoirs. (T.C.S.) III. The most recorded at Cannock Reservoir was 50 on December 16th (J.R.R., J.L.) and, at Bellfields, about 100 on February 26th. (J.R.R.) Five pairs bred at Bellfields. (A.R.B.) About 120 were on Gailey Reservoir on January 14th. (J.R.R.) 331. Scaup. I. A duck at Napton Reservoir on March 3rd (G.H.F.) and April 1st (G.H.F.,A.J.R.). A bird at Wootton Wawen on February 4th. (M.H.) III. Single ducks at Bellfields on March 24th, April 28th and December 30th. Two at Gailey on September 23rd. (W.F.I.) 332. Goldeneye. I. Single birds at Alvecote on November 18th (J.L.),Bodymoor Heath, December 15th to 26th (G.A.A.), and at Oldbury Reservoir March 25th. (H.L.) Peak number at Bartley Reservoir was 19, with one adult drake, on January 28th. (A.F.J., A.R.B.) II. 21 "brownheads" on January 7th were the most birds seen at Bittell Reservoirs. (C.J.C.) III. Most recorded at Bellfields Reservoir was 42, with 32 adult drakes, on December 23rd. (J.P., M.B.) A bird seen up to June 4th. (A.R.B., J.L.) Only one record from 32 Cannock Reservoir, a duck on May 3rd. (J.L.) 20, on February 17th, was the most recorded at Gailey Reservoir. (M.J.R.) 339. Common Scoter. I. One duck at Bartley Reservoir on September 30th (E.G.E.) and one, with three immature drakes, on August 6th. (T.C.S.) III. Thirteen, 11 being adult drakes, at Cannock Reservoir on July 15th, and two adult drakes on September 8th. (A.R.B.) One drake at Bellfields on September 8th. (W.F.I.) 342. Goosander. II. A pair at Bittell Reservoirs on April 13th. (T.C.S.) III. Peak number recorded at Bellfields was 65 on January 14th (W.F.I.), and, at Copmere, 44 on December 30th. (A.H.) Two at Cannock Reservoir on January 7th. (J.R.R., J.N.S.) 344. Smew. I. Five at Alvecote in January (per G.A.A.). III. A "brownhead" at Gailey on February 17th (M.J.R.), and March 20th (G.W.R.), and a drake at Norton Bank Reservoir on March 4th. (W.F.I.) Six birds at Copmere on February 6th and one on the 12th. (A.H.) 346. Cormorant. III. 30 roosted on the island at Gailey Reservoir on December 30th, and 14 at Bellfields on February 25th. (W.F.I.) 351. Leach's Fork-tailed Petrel. III. An addition to the 1950 Report was one recorded at Longport Reservoir on October 18th. (R.H.H.) 370. Great Crested Grebe. Census figures showed that the populations in each county had increased. Numbers of birds were as follows, although returns were not obtained from all the Staffordshire waters—Warwickshire (133), Worcestershire (38), Staffordshire (139). 373. Slavonian Grebe. I. An immature bird studied at close range at Alvecote on July 15th. (G.A.A., D.E.J.) III. One at Bellfields on February 17th (M.J.R.), February 18th (J.L.), December 26th (W.F.I., B.J.L., J.P., M.B.) and two on March 4th. (A.R.B.) Three at Gailey on November 4th. (M.M.C., R.R.B., S.C.B., B.J.) 374. Black-necked Grebe. I. One at Edgbaston Park from September 9th to 19th. (J.M.S.A., L.B.L., S.C.) 33 III. At Bellfields one on February 18th (B.W.J.), three on February 25th, and two on March 4th. (M.B., J.P.) A pair in summer plumage on April 28th (A.H.), and May 3rd. (J-L.) One or two on various dates from August 2nd to October 6th (several observers). One at Gailey on September 30th. (G.W.R.) 378. Black-throated Diver. III. One at Cannock Reservoir on December 16th. (J.R.R., J.L., A.W.C.) 379. Red-throated Diver. I. One at Bodymoor-Heath from February 10th to May 2nd, and seen at close range by many observers. II. A bird at Upper Bittell Reservoir on January 16th, 17th and 22nd, when slight, tip-tilted bill and white spotted mantle were seen at close range. (T.C.S., E.M.B.) III. An adult in full breeding plumage at Bellfields on July 30th (M.L.), and August 1st. (R.G.B.B.) 380. Wood-Pigeon. III. Unusually large numbers reported from Seisdon area in autumn and winter with about 2,000 at Wightwick on December 20th. (R.J.B.) 381. Stock-Dove. I. Winter parties up to 10 frequent in Hands- worth area. (A.R.B.) II. Appeared at Sheriffs Lench in winter after absence of a few years. Flock of about 20 birds seen in late December. (T.C.S.) 383. Turtle-Dove. I. A flock of at least 20 seen in kale at Wellesbourne in early August. (J.A.N.) 39 birds perched on wires near Polesworth on August 16th. (H.L.) III. Single birds, on passage at Cannock Reservoir, to west on July 15th, and south-west on September 18th. (A.R.B.) 386. Bar-tailed Godwit. III. One in full summer plumage at Cannock Reservoir on July 19th. (A.F.J.) 387. Black-tailed Godwit. III. A bird at Bellfields on August 16th. (B.W.J., G.H.J.) 388. Curlew. Spring and autumn records from most reservoirs and many breeding records. II. One flew over Woodcote on December 25th. (F.F.) III. 18 at Whittingham Sewage Farm on December 30th. (C.A.N.) Very common breeding bird in Warslow area. (A.H., G.W.R.) 389. Whimbrel. II. Three flew west near Evesham on September 3rd. (A.J.H.) 34 III. By imitation of their call M. J. Rogers succeeded in bringing down the surprising total of 26 birds from a mixed ilock, with 200 Lapwings and one Curlew, which came from the north-east to Cannock Reservoir on August 27th. Single birds seen there on September 5th (A.F.J.), and September 8th. (A.R.B.) Two at Bellfields on September 16th. (B.W.J.) 393. Woodcock. I. Seen in Sutton Park in July. (M.J.R.) III. Two birds roding at dawn in Patshull Park on March 26th, and at dusk in several places in Enville area. (M.B., C.A.N.) Said to be absent from parts of East Stafford, including Seighford, where previously evenly distributed. (N.R.W.) 395. Common Snipe. I. The maximum seen at Alvecote, where two or three pairs bred, was 92 on December 2nd. At least 80 were present on March 4th. (G.A.A.) III. The most recorded from Bellfields was 43 on November 9th, 23 of which flew as a compact flock. (J.L.) Very few records from Cannock Reservoir. 398. Jack Snipe. Small numbers recorded from usual localities in three counties in autumn, winter and early spring. 402. Turnstone. III. A very tame bird in full summer plumage at Bellfields on August 26th. (M.J.R.) 403. Knot. I. Two, in company with two Purple Sandpipers, were seen at Baginton on September 13th, and constituted the first record for the county. (R.W.M.L., G.H.F.) III. One at Bellfields from September 26th to 30th (several observers). 404/5. Dunlin. I. One at Polesworth Sewage Works on April 1st, and up to four in period April 22nd to May 6th. (G.A.A.) Passage noted at Baginton from May 5th to 8th, with ten on May 6th. (A.J.R.) Single birds at Alvecote on July 29th and August 29th (G.A.A.) and at Bartley on August 31st. (A.F.J.) III. Only spring records from Cannock Reservoir were two on March 20th (M.J.R.) and single birds May 6th (A.R.B.) and May 16th (A.P.J.). Autumn passage noted from July 29th, a much later date than in recent years, to August 31st, with a maximum of ten on August 20th. (M.L.) Many spring records from Bellfields from March 4th to May 20th, with a maximum of eight on May 6th. (J.P.) Autumn passage from July 19th to October 10th, with a maximum of ten on August 7th, which flew off south-west without landing. (A.R.B., J.L.) 35 415. Purple Sandpiper. I. Two, in company with Knots, seen at very close range at Baginton on September 13th, and strikingly dark plumage noted. (R.W.M.L., G.H.F.) 416. Sanderling. II. One at Upper Bittell on August 26th. (E.M.B.) III. One at Cannock Reservoir on July 24th. (A.F.J.) 417. Ruff. I. At Baginton, one or two were present on many dates between August 21st and September 26th. (R.W.M.L., G.H.F.) Two at Alvecote, with 50 Lapwings, on September 2nd. (G.A.A.) II. One at Upper Bittell on September 9th (S.C.) and 11th. (L.B.L.) III. Up to four at Bellfields on many dates between September 2nd and October 3rd (several observers).

421. Common Sandpiper. I. At Alvecote single birds seen on March 25th, May 30th, and June 3rd. In autumn two or three usually present from July 8th to October 7th, with a maximum of six on August 5th, and a late bird on November 11th. (G.A.A., A.W.H.W., A.F.J.) One or two at Baginton from April 28th to May 8th, and from August 10th to September 16th, with six on August 10th and 18th. (A.W.H.W., G.H.F., A.J.R., M.H.) Five at Minworth on August 31st. (A.F.J.) At least two flew east over Erdington on April 25th. (M.J.R.) II. Eight on August 7th was the most recorded at Bittell Reservoirs in autumn. (T.C.S.) III. At Cannock Reservoir recorded twice between April 22nd and May 19th, with six on May 19th. About five present on many dates between July 15th and September 22nd, with a maximum of about 14 on August 19th (many observers.) Numbers were much the same at Bellfields with four spring records and a maximum of four birds on May 19th. Autumn passage was over period July 22nd to October 17th, with the peak, generally about five birds, from August 26th to 31st (many observers). On July 12th nine were seen on passage at Enville Hall. (C.A.N.) 423. Wood-Sandpiper. I. One at Baginton over period Sep- tember 29th to October 4th. (M.M.C., S.C.B., R.A.B., G.H.F.) III. One at Cannock Reservoir allowed a close approach on August 18th, 19th and 20th. (A.R.B., M.L.) 36 424. Green Sandpiper. I. Seen throughout the year at Baginton, where one or two again wintered. Maximum seen was eight on September 8th. (R.W.M.L., G.H.F., A.J.R.) One near Coleshill on December 22nd. (M.M.C., S.C.B.). 14 at Shustoke Reservoir on November 3rd and 24th. (R.A.B., S.C.B., M.M.C.) Spring records from several localities. II. Odd birds at Bittell in September and October and five on August 22nd. (E.M.B.) III. One at Bellfields on March 26th, and autumn passage from July 19th to November 14th, with up to five in mid- September (several observers). No records from Cannock Reservoir. One at Whittington Sewage Farm on December 30th. (C.A.N.) 428. Redshank. I. At least six pairs bred in Alvecote area where 25 birds were counted on March 25th. (G.A.A.) Not more than two seen at Baginton where apparently did not breed this year. (A.J.R., G.H.F.) Two pairs probably bred at Curdworth. (J.L.) Single birds at Bartley Reservoir on April 7th (A.R.B.) and several dates in December. (T.C.S., A.F.J.) II. Single birds at Bittell Reservoirs in winter months and also on April 27th (several observers). One at Upton Warren on April 22nd. (J.L.) Probably nested near Great Combertan. (R.W.T.) Seven at Eckington on March 18th. (M.H.) III. Up to eight in spring at Bellfields where a pair believed to breed. One or two in autumn up to November 4th. (Many observers.) Several pairs thought to have bred around Tamworth (G.A.A.) and probably one at Whit- tington. (C.A.N.) 431. Spotted Redshank. I. One at Baginton on September 3rd and 1950 Report should have read two instead of one at same locality. (R.W.M.L., G.H.F.) III. One or two seen at Bellfields during period September 8th to 27th (many observers). 432. Greenshank. I. Up to three at Alvecote during period August 16th to September 16th. (G.A.A.) At Baginton seen during period August 8th to September 17th, with maximum of five on August 26th (several observers.) One at Nuneaton on August 9th. (H.L.) III. Single birds flew off south-east at Cannock Reservoir on August 25th and 26th (A.R.B.) and to the south-west on the 27th. (M.J.R.) Two present on September 16th. (J.P., M.B.) Single birds at Bellfields on May 6th (C.L.T.), 37 12th (W.F.I.) and 14th (M.J.R.) but no autumn records. One at Abbot's Bromley on September 28th. (A.F.J.) 435. Ringed Plover. I. Five at Polesworth Sewage Works on May 6th. (G.A.A.) Noted on spring passage at Baginton over period April 7th to May 9th, with 14 on May 6th. (A.J.R.) One on August 18th. (M.H.) III. Up to four at Cannock Reservoir on several dates between May 6th and 19th. Two at Bellfields on March 11th (J.P., M.B.) and small numbers, generally one or two, from August 7th to October 1st (many observers). A very poor season at both reservoirs. 440. Golden Plover. I. About 40 at Baginton on February 24th, 115 on March 3rd (A.J.R.), and about 300 on 300 on December 29th. (R.W.M.L., R.A.B., M.M.C., A.R.L.) About 150 at Castle Bromwich on March 18th, and smaller numbers in early April. Five flew south-east over Erdington on March 19th (M.J.R.) and 31 south over Burton Hastings on March 18th. (H.L.) II. Two at Dunclent on October 27th (per C.R.M.). III. 125 at Drayton Bassett on December 26th. (G.A.A.) 12 at Cannock Reservoir on April 22nd (G.W.R.), and 60 flew east on April 29th. (A.R.B.) Seven remained at Seighford from early February to April 4th. (N.R.W.) Small numbers bred on Leek Moors. (A.H.) 441. Northern Golden Plover. I. Out of birds present on Castle Bromwich Aerodrome the following numbers were believed to be of this race ; about 15 out of 165 on March 18th ; 10 out of 32 on April 1st; and five out of 12 on April 9th. (M.J.R.) 444. Grey Plover. II. One at Upper Bittell on October 3rd. (A.R.S., J.B.P.) III. One flew in from east at Cannock Reservoir on October 14th, and left to the west after circling around. (A.R.B.) 449. Lapwing. I. Flocks of 500 were recorded frequently at Alvecote in February and December and also on November 18th. Similar flocks were seen at Bodymoor Heath in December (G.A.A., M.A.A.), and on March 18th and near Nuneaton on November 11th. (A.W.H.W.) About 1,000 flew north-west over Alvecote on December 1st. (H.L.) Small numbers moved westerly over Erdington in mid- March and 40 on July 29th. (M.J.R.) II. A nest at Salford Priors in April had eight eggs and was subsequently deserted. Only one pair of birds seen in the field and from a second nest built 20 yards away three 38 young were hatched. (A. J. H.) Some westerly movement near Tardebigge on October 17th and a flock of 45 flew east over Blackwell on December 17th. (F.F.) III. In the Tamworth area flocks of 1,000 or over in several places from January to March and during November and December; 2,000 at Drayton Bassett on March 3rd, 1,750 on November 10th and 17th, and 1,500 on December 26th. (G.A.A., M.A.A.) Westerly movement observed at Cannock Reservoir in August and September with about 300 on August 27th. (M.J.R., A.R.B.) Usually about 200 at Bellfields in autumn with approximately 900 on October 19th (J.L.) ; 1,000 at Pendeford on November 18th (R.J.B.) and in Whittington area during November and December. (C.A.N.) 452. Oyster-catcher. I. Three flew over Churchover, Rugby, on March 31st (P.J.S.) and one heard calling at night over Erdington on August 27th. (M.J.R.) II. One at Lower Bittell Reservoir from September 8th to 16th (several observers). III. Single birds at Cannock Reservoir on April 16th (G.W.R.), May 12th and August 26th. (M.J.R.) Two at Bellfields on April 21st. (W.F.I.) [456. Stone-Curlew. I. A bird heard calling, but not seen, in a ploughed field near Alveston on April 22nd, was believed to be of this species. (J.A.N.)] 462. Black Tern. I. Single birds at Alvecote over periods May 3rd to 20th and September 15th to 23rd, with three on September 15th. (G.A.A.) One near Kingsbury on June 24th. (M.J.R.) II. One or two at Upper Bittell over period September 8th to 12th, with four on September 8th. (L.B.L., S.C., J.M.S.A.) III. Up to three at Bellfields during periods May 3rd to 13th (several observers), and two on August 9th (B.W.J., G.H.J.) and September 9th (A.R.B., B.W.J.). One or two at Cannock Reservoir in period August 26th to September 19th (several observers). One at Copmere on September 8th. (A.H.) 467. Sandwich Tern. I. Two at Alvecote on May 20th. (H.L.) 469. Common Tern. I. Up to four at Alvecote on several dates in period May 6th to 15th, and one on June 24th. (G.A.A.) II. One at Bittell on May 29th (M.T.) and two on September 18th. (J.N.S.) 39 III. Three at Bellfields on May 13th (B.W.J.) and one on September 2nd. (A.R.B.) 470. Arctic Tern. II. One ringed as a young bird in Sweden on June 7th, found dead at Westwood Park, Droitwich, on August 5th. (F.C.) III. Single birds at Cannock Reservoir on August 26th (A.R.B.) and September 26th (A.F.J.), and at Bellfields on Sep- tember 26th and 27th. (G.W.R.) 469/470. Common or Arctic Terns. I. Single birds at Alvecote on May 3rd, 5th and 22nd, and on August 24th. , (G.A.A.) II. One or two at Bittell during period August 28th to October 1st (several observers). III. At Bellfields three, probably Common, on June 17th (J.L.) and one or two from August 26th to September 23rd (several observers). 471. Little Tern. I. One at Baginton on May 5th (A.J.R.) and at Alvecote on May 6th. (G.A.A.) II. Two, one immature, at Upper Bittell on September 7th. (C.J.C.) 478. Black-headed Gull. I. The largest monthly maximum at Alvecote was 96 on March 4th and the most seen at Middleton was in same month, 100 on March 15th. (G.A.A.) About 200 seen regularly in mid-November near Churchover. (P.J.S.) Over 500 at Rotton Park during January and number dwindled to 20 by end of February. (L.B.L.) II. About 200 on flooded racecourse at Worcester on November 22nd. (L.R.B.) III. 250 at Drayton Bassett in late February and early March. (G.A.A.) At Bellfields the roost contained, at dusk, about 2,500 birds in January, February and December, about 250 in October 7th and 350 on October 28th. (A.R.B., M.J.R.) At Cannock Reservoir there were about 500 on November 18th and 25th. (A.R.B.) At least 500 at Whittington Sewage Farm on December 30th, where not seen in previous years. (C.A.N.) 481. Common Gull. I. Flock of 40 immature birds at Alvecote on May 20th. (H.L.) Three near Burton Hastings on January 7th, and a few at Bodymoor Heath on March 11th. (A.W.H.W.) On July 29th, two flew to south-west and one to east over Erdington, the first time recorded here by the observer. (M.J.R.) About 20 at Bartley on December 28th. (T.C.S.) 40 II. An immature bird at Bittell on September 25th. (G.W.R.) III. Small numbers, under ten, at Bellfields from January to March and from September to December (many observers). 30, with considerable movement, on March 20th. (M.J.R.) Up to ten at Cannock Reservoir in late autumn and winter. On May 19th, 12 birds, in small parties, arrived mainly from the south-west. (A.R.B., M.J.R.) 482. Herring-Gull. I. Only single birds seen in Tame Valley on a few dates in autumn, winter and spring (M.A.A., G.A.A.). Over 200 came to roost at Bartley Reservoir from northerly direction on December 26th. (H.G.A.) 70 in field near Churchover on February 18th. (P.J.S.) III. About 150 roosted at dusk at Bellfields in January and February with rather fewer in early March and December. (A.R.B., M.J.R.) 485. British Lesser Black-backed Gull. I. Small numbers, up to five, passed over Tame Valley area, mainly to north or north-west, from April 13th to May 23rd. Movement was mainly to south-west in period July 15th to October 7th. One flew north-west over Alvecote on January 21st. (G.A.A., M.A.A.) Small numbers passed to north or north-west over many areas in spring and to the south in autumn (many observers.) One remained at Rotton Park Reservoir until end of year and was accompanied by an immature bird on December 18th. (M.L.) II. Four flew westerly over Lickey Hills on April 7th, one was at Upton Warren on April 3rd (C.J.C.) and four at Worcester on April 16th (L.R.B.). Small numbers near Fladbury and Church Lench from July 28th to August 2nd. (T.C.S.) III. Small numbers at Bellfield and Cannock Reservoirs in autumn and spring and single birds on various dates in winter. A bird at Bellfields on April 14th was of the Scandinavian type. (W.F.I.) 486. Great Black-backed Gull. I. Two immature birds near Nuneaton on March 27th (A.W.H.W.), and single birds at Bartley on September 8th and 9th, and at Frankley on the 11th. (S.C., L.B.L.) III. One at Cannock Reservoir on August 26th, flying south- west (M.J.R.), and at Bellfields on October 21st (M.B., J.P.), January 21st, heading west (A.R.B.), and February 25th (W.F.I.). One at Gailey on January 7th. (W.F.I.) 489. Kittiwake. I. An adult stayed for some hours at Alvecote on March 18th (G.A.A.) and at Shustoke, where it flew in from the east, on April 9th. (M.J.R.) An immature 41 bird flew south-west at Baginton on November 24th. (G.H.F.) 504. Corn-crake. II. Heard at Overbury on May 5th (L.W.H.) and near Wyre Forest on June 1st. (M.T.) Seen and heard at Wribbenhall during period June 23rd to 28th. (F.V.R., V.E.R.) 509. Water-Rail. I. Heard at Berkswell (G.H.F.) and at Edgbaston Pool (C.J.C., R.V.J.C.) on December 25th. One shot at Arbury, by keeper, about March 10th. (H.L.) II. One at Bittell over period October 21st to November 3rd (A.F.J., L.B.L., E.M.) and two at Westminster Pool on November 17th. (A.R.B.) 511. Coot. III. The winter flock began to gather earlier than usual at Cannock Reservoir, four being present on August 18th, 150 by September 22nd, and 250-350 in November and December. (A.R.B., J.L., M.J.R.) 513. Black Grouse. III. Reported to be increasing in Leek area with some 40 pairs breeding. (A.H.) 514. Red Grouse. III. Three parties of three birds in one case and two in the others, on December 31st, on Cannock Chase. (R.J.B.) One in Sherbrook Valley on February 8th. (G.W.R.) 518. Common Partridge. II. Birds stated to come to the Lench Hills in spring to breed and the covies largely to depart in the second half of September to winter around the Lenchwick area of the Vale of Evesham. (T.C.S.) 519. Red-legged Partridge. I. Pair with four young birds on August 11th at Wylde Green, Birmingham. (T.M.T.) 520. Quail. I. Bird seen and heard in young corn on June 24th, but not subsequently, at Wellesbourne. (J.A.N.)

42 THE BIRMINGHAM AND WEST MIDLAND BIRD CLUB FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31ST, 1951

1950 Receipts 1951 1950 Expenditure 1951 £ s. £ d. £ d. £ s. d. 14 0 Balance brought forward 15 13 5 24 0 Indoor Meetings 29 8 5 176 13 Subscriptions—Current 187 3 0 104 7 Reports, including postage... 95 19 8 16 12 Subscriptions in advance 15 13 0 35 17 10 Bulletins, including postage 51 19 0 5 19 Sale of Reports 10 11 10 23 12 9 Stationery and Miscellaneous 16 1 8 2 0 Subscriptions 2 0 0 6 19 Research—part cost of trap 15 13 Balance carried forward 33 12 6

£213 5 7 £229 1 3 £213 5 7 £229 1 3

G. C. LAMBOURNE, Hon. Treasurer.

R. G. SALTER, Hon. Auditor. The British Trust for Ornithology

2 KING EDWARD STREET, OXFORD

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