Birds of Warwickshire, Worcestershire South
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BIRMINGHAM BIRD CLUB. TENTH ANNUAL REPORT ON THE BIRDS OF WARWICKSHIRE, WORCESTERSHIRE AND SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE, 1943. Is. 6d. CONTENTS. 1. EDITORIAL. 2. A NEW GULL ROOST IN WARWICKSHIRE. By H. G. ALEXANDER. 3. SOME BIRDS OF UPTON WARREN. 1939 1943. By. A. J. MARTIN. i. MIGRANTS. 5. CLASSIFIED NOTES. 6. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. 7. MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATES. EDITORIAL. On account of restricted space due to necessary economies it has not been possible to inciude in this Report all the interesting notes and papers that were sent in. These were more numerous than last year, which is particularly gratifying considering that no effort is being made to increase the numbers of Members and Associates while the Club is suffering frow wartime difficulties. When it is practicable to introduce the proposed constitution— which was in draft at the commencement of the war—it is confidently expected that the scope and activities of the Club will be much enlarged. There is every indication that the interest in bird life is increasingly widespread. During the year 1943 the most outstanding records were of Black Redstarts nesting on the main building of the University, a Fulmar Petrel observed flying over Bromsgrove, and the appearance of a Marsh Harrier at Bellfields in South Staffordshire. As the ordinary subscriptions (after deductions for the Reserve Fund) will not cover the increased cost of this Report donations from Members and Associates will be much appreciated. We are indebted to Mr. W. E. Groves for preparing the Migrant Dates and to Mr. G. M. King for help in typing the draft. Printing difficulties are again the cause of the somewhat late production of this Report. A. J. HARTHAN. A NEW GULL ROOST IN WARWICKSHIRE. By H. G. ALEXANDER. The gradual penetration of Gulls of various species into the Midlands is one of the most interesting orinthological developments of recent years. For some years now hundreds, even thousands, of Gulls, of which the great majority are Black-headed, have roosted each winter at Bellfields reservoir in mid-Staffordshire, but as far as I am aware there is no certainty as to the year when this roost was founded. Bartley reservoir, in Warwickshire, which has now become a Gull roost, was only filled with water in 1931. When Mr. W. E. Kenrick wrote a report of its bird visitors up to 1934, he recorded that "Gulls pass over on migration and sometimes stop for a short time." In 1935 he wrote "Gulls usually appear over the reservoir without warning and pass on without stopping .... the most common are Black headed Gulls.'' These remarks, as far as is known, applied till the winter of 1941-2, although the reservoir has been under only infrequent observation since the beginning of the War. In early January 1942, Gulls, chiefly Black-headed, were abnormally abundant in South Birmingham. On January 17th nearly fifty gulls were on the water or the ice, including two or three Herring gulls; at midday on February 26th there were about a hundred and perhaps fifteen Common gulls. I was able to visit the reservoir at sunset on March 10th and 11th. On the former day I estimated the total number of Black-headed gulls at about five hundred. On the 12th the numbers were about the same but included fifty Common and two adult Herring gulls. This winter (1943-4) I visited the reservoir on October 30th, when I saw Black headed and Lesser Black-headed gulls passing over, but it was clear that none were coming in to roost. By the end of 2 the year however, the roost was again being used, the number being about the same as two years ago. Herring Gulls, chiefly adult, numbered forty or more on January 17th 1944. This is of particular interest for this gull has been a very scarce species in the Birmingham district hitherto. In 1938 I could record only four certain occurr- ences at Bittell reservoir, which is two miles south of Bartley, after twenty years frequent observation. Those I saw coming to roost at Bartley this winter all arrived from north or north east, as did the majority of Black-headed gulls. Bartley is twenty miles S.S.E. from Bellfields, and it seems reasonable to assume that the new roost is a break-away from there. My impression is that the gulls feed during the day almost entirely on refuse tips, canals and pools in the Black country, but their diurnal wanderings need to be futher investigated. Mr. VV. E. Groves has seen numbers flying S.W. past St. Augustines Church, Edgbaston, at dusk, evidently going to the Bartley roost, but he has no record of a flight in the opposite direction in the morning. In 1941-2, small numbers were to be seen daily about Selly Oak, and rows of gulls were noted perched on warehouse roofs in East Birmingham just as they do in London. This year 1 have seen none in either place. (Dr. J. H. Sheldon reports that the number of Gulls roosting at Bellfields during the winter of 1943-4 was much reduced. We shall be glad to receive information about any gulls seen feeding upon refuse tips, canals, farmland etc., in the Birmingham area, with details of number of each species, time of day and place where seen. Ed. 3 SOME BIRDS OF UPTON WARREN, 1939-1943. By A. J. MARTIN. A stretch of water of about ten acres has proved to be very attractive, no doubt owing to its medium to shallow depth, and plenty of cover provided by rushes, iris, etc. During the five years the pool has been watched, the most noticable feature has been the steady increase in numbers af Teal, Shoveler, Pochard and Wigeon and the appearance of Common Scoter, Garganey and Pintail in 1943. The formation of the pool is interesting ; for many years several meadows were subject to flooding and as a result, land drains were laid, and with the help of these the water subsided in about a fortnight. Owing to a stoppage in these drains and heavy rains in 1935, the water remained, and when the rainfall is very excessive the Salwarpe, which runs close by, overflows its banks and feeds the pool. An interesting feature is the line of willows which crosses the pool from east to west; these once divided the meadows. Mute Swan. Resident. Successfully nested in 1939-40-43. Seventeen were present on January 31st, 1942. Canada Goose. An occasional visitor in small numbers. These are probably from Hewell Grange or VVestwood Park. Mallard. Resident. The numbers vary from week to week, the most seen at one time being thirtyfive. At least one pair nests successfully each year as they find the willows that cross the pool provide secure nesting sites. A brood of fifteen seen on June 8th, 1943. Teal. Chiefly a winter visitor, although they have been seen in all months ; usually arrives during the latter part of August and leaves in April or early May. The largest number noted were fiftyseven on December 5th, 1942. One chased by a Lesser Black- Backed Gull on April 14th, 1940. Wigeon. Irregular Spring and Autumn visitor in small numbers, sometimes staying until end of the year. A pair on May 25th, 1941. The largest number being twenty on November 27th. 1943., 4 Shoveler. This species has always been one of the outstanding features of the pool. Usually present from August to May. Has been seen in all months. Sometimes present by the end of July or it may be e^rly October before any are seen. A pair stayed until June 11th, 1942. The largest number noted were thirty on December 5th, 1942, and twentyeight on November 6th, 1943 ; both occasions being after heavy rain the preceding day and night. Pochard. A common winter visitor, unusual in summer but has been seen in all months. Arrive end of August in small numbers, and larger winter flocks by October. Males usually predominate. The maximum number seen were eightyfive on November 6th, 1943, and fiftyseveu on November 7th, 1942. Tufted Duck. Chiefly a Spring and Autumn visitor in small numbers. The largest number recorded is fourteen on April 2nd, 1942. Present in 1943 from January onwards when three pairs stayed until June 8th and from then on two pairs remained ; one of these pairs nested and a brood of three was seen on August 8th, but only two were reared. This is the fourth nesting record for Worcestershire. Gargfaney, A pair on April 11th, 1943. Pintail. A female on October 3rd, 1943, four males and two females on December 4th, 1943. Common Scoter. A female on April 18th, and August 8—10th, 1943. Great Crested Grebe. Regular Spring visitor in small numbers. One pair with three young seen by F. Fincher on August 7th, 1938. Other attempts to nest in recent years not successful. Usually arrive mid-March and leave in June. Largest number twelve on May 11th, 1939. Little Grebe. Summer visitor from March to October, although two stayed until the end of 1943. Up to four pairs breed annually. The gradual building up of numbers during the Autumn migration is very marked, thirtyfive being the most recorded. Moorhen. Resident. Up to sixty birds have been noted in Winter. Coot. Resident and Winter visitor. Their numbers often approach two hundred in the Winter months. About twenty pairs breed but most of their eggs are taken. 5 SUMMER MIGRANTS. Arrival. Departure. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. Mar. 13. Powick (H.J.T.) Nov. 5. Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) ,, 18. Eckington (A.J.H.) Oct.