No 484 Spring 2017

Bittern at Ladywalk Photographer Peter Lichfield This front page is sponsored by The Birder’s Store, Worcester WMBC News Is published in March, June, September and December each year to link members with each other, what’s been happening, current issues and forthcoming events on the birding scene in our area and further afield together with a selection of your articles and a comprehensive summary of the recorded bird sightings in our area Almost every page of this Newsletter includes the name of, or refers to, someone who volunteers and offers their services for the benefit of this club or offers the opportunity to volunteer either directly for the Club or more generally in pursuit of your birding interest (as in the appeals on pages 37 and 38). As this Newsletter was going to print I received the following message from Jim (Mr Website) Winsper Hi everybody, Thought you might be interested to learn that since launching our new website in December 2014 we have today, February 11th 2017, accumulated 100,000 hits on the site. This just goes to prove what a superb job Jim does. You only have to check out sites serving a similar audience to appreciate, how excellent and current our Club’s site is, Google recent sightings at any RSPB reserve to see what I mean, Q.E.D. Volunteering can be a real joy. Unbelievablely this issue is the eighth that I have edited making it two years since I persuaded the Executive Committee to ‘take a chance on me’. Sticking with a song title theme thanks to you and your contributions ‘You’ve got to admit it’s getting better, getting better all the time’. Now ‘I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want’ and that’s for you to keep up the good work and make year three at least as good as the first two, ‘I’m counting on you’. Again I am indebted to those who have sent me articles, photographs or news for publication which hopefully when put together make this Newsletter something for everyone. You are also volunteers, although occasionally you may feel like ‘pressed men’.

In this issue Page 3 Annual General Meeting - CALLING NOTICE Page 4 Annual General Meeting - Agenda Page 5 Membership Matters - John Hoyle Pages 6-9 Frank Gribble - Your Memories Pages 10 -11 Patchwork Challenge - Matt Griffiths Page 12 Staffordshire Birders Conference - An Urgent Reminder Page 13 Spot, then Identify, the Bird - A New Style Quiz -Peter Lewis Pages 14-16 Scilly Pelagics - Gerald Brereton Pages 17-20 A Non Birding Trip to India - Ken Mather Page 21 Annual Report, West Midlands County - Kevin Clements Page 21 Parking at Gailey Reservoir Pages 22-24 Birding at the Cutting Edge - Batumi Raptor Count, Georgia - Rob Swift Page 25 Our Blithfield Reserve, An Update Pages 26-27 Possibly My Best Christmas Present Ever - The result of a Funding Bid - Sue Judge Pages 27-28 Blogs and Bloggers - Steve Nicholls Pages 29-30 WMBC Club and Branch Indoor Meetings and Field Trips Pages 31-34 Bird Notes - November to January - Humphrey Miller Page 35 WMBC Field Trip Reports - Ray Davies Page 36 i54 Revisited - Jamie Dunn Page 37 Wyre Forest Woodland Bird Survey - An appeal for Volunteers - Steve Davies Page 38 A Volunteering Opportunity - Victoria Pattison-Willits Page 39 Answer to Spot, then Identify, the bird Page 39 Officers of WMBC and their contact details

2 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE WMBC 2017 CALLING NOTICE All club members are encouraged to join the present committee for the 2017 West Midland Bird Club AGM to be held on Wednesday 24th May 2017 at the West Midlands Bridge Club Marion Murtagh House, 909 Warwick Rd Solihull B91 3EP In Room 1C Commencing at 19.30hrs The AGM will be followed by a talk by Nick Barlow Entitled Marsh Lane Nature Reserve Tea, coffee and light refreshments will also be available in Room 1C The club has a large car park Please note that access is from Warwick Road only and exit is into Hampton Lane only Members with restricted mobility should access the building at the rear

Belated Congratulations from us all to WMBC Annual Report Editor Dave Emley who was awarded the British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours List for Services to higher education & natural history

3 Annual General Meeting AGENDA

Meeting Chairman – Alan Richards - Vice President Welcome by Alan Richards Apologies Acceptance of the minutes from the 2016 AGM

Club Chairman’s Report Treasurer’s Report and Approval of Accounts Election of Trustees Confirmation of new Vice President Election of WMBC Officers for 2016/17 All Officers of the Management Committee are elected annually Nominations for any position on the MC may be made by any ten WMBC members and must be received by the Secretary, together with the consent in writing of the nominee, at least 15 days before the Annual General Meeting Membership Secretary – Michael Bevan has been nominated for this post, vacant on the retirement of John Hoyle and has indicated his willingness to stand Following the change in Club rules in 2016 each WMBC reserve may nominate a representative to the Management Committee Ladywalk Reserve - Richard King has been nominated and expressed his willingness to stand Blithfield Reserve - John Holt has been nominated and expressed his willingness to stand All current Officers of the Club, named below, have indicated their willingness to serve for a further year Chairperson - Kevin Clements, Deputy Chairperson - Roger Broadbent Secretary - Mark Rickus, Treasurer - Andrew Thomas Harborne Representative - Paul Bateman, Belvide Representative - Sue Judge Appointment of Auditors Any Other Business Items of Other Business must be notified to the Secretary at least 15 days before the AGM Note: Branch representatives on the MC are elected annually at their branch AGM The following non-executive officers are appointed directly by the Management Committee Annual Report editor - David Emley B.E.M, Website - Jim Winsper Press Officer - Mark Rickus, Newsletter Editor - Sue Judge Conservation Officer - Mike West 4 Membership Matters We are pleased to welcome the following new members of the club who have joined since the last list was published. Please note the names shown are as on the membership form but that all family members at each address are included in this welcome. Mr & Mrs M Bradshaw of STAFFORD, Mr I Sheridan of STAFFORD, Mr M Lynn of SOLIHULL, Mr S Hill of SHREWSBURY, Mr K Rogers of TELFORD, Mr S Darby of STOKE ON TRENT, Mr J MacLauchlan of NEWPORT, Mr B Fairclough of WOVERHAMPTON, Mr D Clarkson of GREAT HAYWOOD, Mr N Wood of CANNOCK, Mr A Butcher of BIRMINGHAM, Mr P Jones of STAFFORD, Mr D Hayes of UTTOXETER, Mr J Harris of LEEK, Mr D Hodgkiss of STAFFORD, Mr D Hill of DUDLEY, Mr J Danaher of SUTTON COLDFIELD, Mr G Smith of ATHERSTONE, Mr G Hames of BURNTWOOD, Mr D Keates of BREWOOD, Mr T Warrick of SHREWSBURY, Mr P Dooley of NUNEATON, Mr R Wolstenholme of SHEFFIELD, Mr S Hextell of BIRMINGHAM, Ms P Thompson of WEST BROMWICH, Ms S Barnes of BURNTWOOD, Mr K Horseman of STAFFORD, Mr A Dodson of COVENTRY, Ms K Gipson of BIRMINGHAM, Mr J Leigh of KINVER, Mr P Lewis of BROMSGROVE, Mr P Sweeney of STAFFORD, Mr M Godfrey of STAFFORD, Mr J Hayes of BREWOOD, Ms M Heath of STAFFORD, Mr D Billington of DERBY, Dr H Hughes of ALBRIGHTON, Mr R Rafe of STONE, Mr J Graves of ATHERSTONE, Mrs J Osbourne of BREWOOD, Mr M Lewis of WOMBOURNE, Mr M Jones of TELFORD, Mr C Evans of WILLENHALL, Mr A Brown of LEICESTER, Ms J Blount of TAMWORTH, Mr D Burgess of STOKE ON TRENT, Mr A Butler of WALSALL, Mr D Burgess of STOKE ON TRENT, Ms J Clark of STAFFORD, Mr W Dunn of CANNOCK If you haven’t renewed your membership for 2017 this may be the last WMBC Newsletter that you receive. 2017 membership cards have been distributed to those who have paid a valid membership fee. If you have not received a 2017 card and think that you have paid please contact me at [email protected] as soon as possible. Please make my task easier by giving name, address and membership number with every query that you make. We do have over 1500 names on our database so anyone who is not easily identified may be pushed to one side until I have more time! Every year many payments received by standing order either pay the incorrect membership fee or don’t give a recognisable reference number. If you pay by this method and have not received your card please check your bank statement and include the reference they used on your query to me and please ensure that your bank uses your name and club membership number in future not the name of a company or random number. Anyone who uses internet banking should be able to do this online. A Membership renewal form was included with the Winter Newsletter but if you have lost it a new one can be downloaded from the Club website. Any member whose subscription has not been paid by the end of February will not receive the new entrance code for our reserves in time for the change and in line with Club Rule 5.6 shall cease to be a member of the Club. Working for West Midland Bird Club I have been involved in nine membership renewals. The most memorable being after the rise in membership fee. The most surprising thing being that many members do not remember the written instructions. I have over the years made many errors but generally found that admitting them was the best way to sort out any problem and in doing so have come across many good and generous individuals. This club has in the region of 1500 members and is run entirely by volunteers. The Executive committee, branches and reserves all depend on volunteers to do the numerous and varied jobs and without these people all will stop. If you wish to be involved to ensure the future of the club please contact the club secretary or any reserve representative or branch official. John Hoyle Retiring Membership Secretary 5 Frank Gribble - Your memories A tribute from members Past and Present Firsly a reflection from our Chairman Kevin Clements Frank had been an active member of the West Midland Bird Club for many years right up to the time of his death last September. Living in Staffordshire, he played an active role with our Stafford Branch and Belvide and Blithfield reserves. Indeed, it was through the Belvide Management Committee that I first became involved with the Club and met Frank, being struck immediately by his infectious enthusiasm. Frank was a diligent bird recorder, participating in national summer and winter atlases, counting Grey Heron nests at Aqualate Mere for over 50 years and organising surveys of the breeding birds of Cannock Chase and breeding waders of Staffordshire’s lowland meadows. He was appointed a WMBC Vice President in 1990, but his enthusiasm for birds in particular and wildlife in general was not limited to our Club; for example, he was also actively involved with the British Trust for Ornithology, North Staffordshire Field Club, Shropshire Ornithological Society, Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. Frank was duly awarded a MBE for services to nature conservation in 1997. This year will see the continuation of bird survey work on Cannock Chase, which has been carried out at five yearly intervals since 1992. This breeding season’s survey is dedicated to the memory of Frank - a truly fitting tribute. Kevin Clements, Chairman WMBC Next a contribution from Dave Smallshire who was the first warden of our Belvide Reserve I first met Frank in the 1970s when I got involved with the Staffordshire Branch and subsequently the establishment of the bird reserve at Belvide. He was well-rooted in all manner of wildlife affairs in the county and I learned a lot from him, about other wildlife as well as birds. He was very approachable and happy to talk to anyone. I particularly enjoyed his tales of early birding with fellow students at Bedford School, involving personalities such as ‘Fergie-Lees’ (I. J. Ferguson-Lees). Frank, through his wife Hilary, introduced me to the hitherto largely unexplored world of botany, especially when we bumped into each other at Belvide. His wisdom included how to manage land for wildlife, though on one occasion ‘wisdom’ might not be the most appropriate word. We were discussing how much grass the grassy margin had grown following the withdrawal of cattle grazing on the south shore, when Frank suggested that burning would open up the sward again and perhaps encourage the Lapwings to come back and nest. Without much further consideration, a lighted match was dropped and before we knew it quite a large area of grass was ablaze! Fortunately, the wind blew the flames towards the shore and it was soon put out, but if it had been blowing towards the Gazebo hide …. It was Frank’s role as a gently arm-twisting BTO Rep that probably had the most profound effects on me, by fostering the inquisitiveness that comes from doing scientifically-valid surveys. There was Atlas ‘square-bashing’ as well as regular single-species surveys to help out with and Frank always ensured that Staffordshire received good coverage. Frank was also a means of gaining access to the then-inaccessible Aqualate Mere. I joined him on one of his long series of annual Heronry counts there, marvelling at how he managed to orientate himself within the myriad nesting trees to work out how many nests there were. After I left the Midlands in 6 the 80s, Frank joined me and other Belvide Management Committee stalwarts during my occasional visits to Belvide, to see how the Reserve was doing and to chew over old times. He was always a great pleasure to be with and I feel honoured to have known, and been influenced by, such a lovely man. Dave Smallshire

Bev Craddock, Frank, June Taylor and Peter Dedicoat on a visit to Belvide in 2007

7 And from our Annual Report Editor Dave Emley I first really got to know Frank when he accompanied myself and my ringing trainer Dave James on a week-long trip to Spurn Point in October 1975. It was a fantastic week in which we ringed over 1000 Goldcrests as well as Pallas’s and Yellow-browed Warblers, Bluethroat, Red-breasted Flycatcher and lots of Redwings and Fieldfares. It was the first of many trips there but none were as good as this was. Following that visit Frank asked me to join him on a week’s fieldwork for the BTO’s Habitat Survey in the Scottish Borders. This really brought home to me Frank’s attention to detail, He was Old School; always carrying a notebook and counting everything – oh, and always wearing a tie. Our best find of that trip was a Peregrine nest on a ledge at head height. The trip also brought home to me just how many people Frank knew around the country. No matter where you went, he knew someone who would give him the local info. Our next trip was a visit to Sutherland on which his son Dai came too. We were centred at Bettyhill and ranged westwards to Ben Hope. Frank’s wife Hilary, an expert botanist, was unable to join us but some of her knowledge had worn off on Frank and we managed to find some specialities of that area including Purple Milk-vetch and Curved Sedge. The latter would have been a lifer for Hilary so she was not best pleased! For Frank, that week was special because we managed to find a Greenshank’s nest – his first in the UK. We had a number of further holidays together on which Hilary came including the Cairngorms and New Forest. With my insect knowledge, Frank’s birds and Hilary’s plants we were a self-contained Natural History Group! I learned a great deal from them both and hopefully they too learned a bit about butterflies, moths and hoverflies from me . One of the funniest things I recall was when walking through a wood Frank would always tap on the trunk of any tree that had a possible nest hole in it. Hilary said “I’ve known that man 40 years and nothing has ever flown out of a hole yet!”. Happy times. Dave Emley Now a thank you from member Martyn Yapp I will always remember Frank for adding Nightjar to my life list. I was a relatively new birder and a member of the WMBC when an advert appeared in the bulletin for an “everybody welcome” evening walk on Cannock Chase looking for Nightjar guided by Frank Gribble sometime in the late eighties. Little did I realise how thorough F.G. was and I remember seemingly walking for miles in near darkness until that all too familiar and eerie churring sounds of Nightjar resonated from somewhere in front of us. I remember Frank wanting to make sure that all of the group saw this bird and it was not long before he got us into the right position, when the bird started to contact call and wing clap, we all got some good views of this charismatic bird as it displayed around us. Of course that was not the end of the evening, we searched for more until it was impossible to see anything in total darkness. I learnt a lot on my first evening out on Cannock Chase that night because of Frank, not only on how to see the bird, but also where to find them and what habitat suited this species to breed should I be brave enough to go alone! So thanks Frank, etched in my memory and bird notes forever! Martyn Yapp Next a memory from someone who met Frank quite by chance It was so interesting to read (In Peter’s tribute last issue) about Frank Gribble and all that he did. I had heard of him for years but met him for the first time about 10 or more years ago. I do volunteer work at an old people’s home and one day a resident asked me to sit with her at lunch to meet her friend Frank who was coming. So we had our meal and chatted. I am interested not only in birds but all wildlife and found that this man was very knowledgeable, still not knowing who he was. After a while it clicked and I said “are you Frank Gribble” and he said “Yes, I am”. What a lovely surprise to meet the great man. He was so modest and unassuming, very natural and friendly. 8 Then about two or three years ago I was in a hide at Belvide with a friend and he walked in and was so generous in sharing his knowledge of the birds we were watching. Margaret Harper Frank remembered by his friend Jim Winsper In 1982 I was invited to attend a WMBC Research Committee Meeting. On entering the room I was greeted by my proposer and immediately introduced to the Committee Chairman, Graham Harrison, who extended a warm welcome. During the mingling before the meeting commenced I became aware of a fixed stare upon me from one of the members. The person whom this rather serious stare belonged to approached the chairman and said, in a clear voice, “who’s this chap that’s just joined us - do we know him” . The chairman explained that I had been involved in regional BTO survey work and that I had been proposed as a member of this committee by a current member and, by the BTO Regional Representative for the West Midlands. The chairman had uttered the magic words, BTO and Survey. On hearing this the person in question turned toward me with a much lighter expression, approaching me he offered his hand and said “good evening I’m very pleased to meet you and welcome to the meeting - my name is Frank Gribble” There, began a long and endearing friendship with a man I greatly admire. Jim Winsper And Finally some thoughts from his friend Peter Dedicoat I knew Frank for more than 40 years. I sat on several different WMBC committees with him, I took over from him as a BTO Regional Representative, I went birding with him in the UK and overseas. For the last 18 years we lived close to each other in Stafford and occasionally had meals together, often at a local pub. He was good company, a good friend and he will be greatly missed. When I first became involved with the WMBC and was attending Indoor Meetings and Committee Meetings in Stafford, Newcastle-under-Lyme and elsewhere, Frank and Hilary regularly provided an evening meal for me as I came straight from work without time to go home. Sometimes I would find that the speaker for the evening’s meeting had also been invited and would be staying overnight. There was always a welcome at the Gribble’s. Sometimes people were taken aback by the verbal sparring that went on between Frank and Hilary but it was usually quite amusing and never seemed malicious. A feature of going anywhere with Frank was that he was always in a hurry. Even if it was just a leisurely walk around Belvide it wouldn’t be unusual to see him striding off ahead as if on a mission! He came with me on an Avian Adventures tour that I led to California and although the birds were his main interest, seeing the giant sequoia trees in Yosemite National Park seemed to give him equal pleasure. At committee meetings he always had a good grasp of the issues, sometimes before they had even been raised having been alerted to them by one of his countless contacts. He seemed to know so many people. And he wasn’t afraid of hard work. At Belvide he could be relied on to turn out for work parties and, in particular, I recall his efforts in spraying the creeping thistles that we were required to keep under control. He was also very good at paperwork, handwriting all sorts of notes and letters, never showing much inclination to own a computer. Whatever you asked him to do, he could be relied on. Peter Dedicoat

I am sure we could have filled a complete Newsletter with your memories of Frank and I am equally sure that he would have loved to read how highly regarded by his friends he was. 9 Patchwork Challenge 2016 Matt Griffiths

Patchwork Challenge is a national competition to find as many bird species on local patches as possible, with patch-birders competing against other patch-birders and, for those participating over multiple years, themselves. A scoring system is used which factors in each bird’s rarity and (for the scarcer species) whether they were self-found or twitched. The scores are largely based on the Birdguides rarity categories, which gives every species on the BOU British list a rarity value – common, local, scarce, rare and mega – so each species is worth 1-5 points. For species worth 3 or more points that were found by the participant, double points are awarded. So, for example, a Cattle Egret on patch would be worth 3 points if you twitched it, or 6 points if you found it, whereas a Bittern would provide 2 points regardless of who found it. To make patches more comparable with each other, each contestant’s final score is also expressed as a percentage of their previous year’s score (if they took part then) to represent how good their year has been on their patch. The competition now has its own website at www.patchworkchallenge.com which allows participants to register for the competition and enter the species they’ve observed, which the website then automatically calculates and totals up the scores for each species. The rules are simple: • Each patch must be no larger than 3 km2. It can be any shape as long as it is joined together, and it doesn’t have to be rectangular or comply with any OS grid lines. Once registered and logged in, participants draw the boundaries of their patch on a map when adding it on the “Settings” section of the website, and the area size in square kilometres is shown, making it easy to get the size correct. • All birds seen or heard in or from a patch can be counted. So, for instance, heard-only birds, fly-overs, birds observed being flushed from the patch whilst the contestant approaches the site, and distant birds seen outside the patch area whilst the contestant is standing in it can all be added to the scores. Patches are grouped into “minileagues” based on geographical location, and there are also individual leagues for green birding (no use of motorised transport), young birders under 25 years old, and Birdtrack users. Of most relevance to us is the Midlands minileague, which includes the WMBC region plus surrounding counties. A total of 25 birders with patches in the Club’s region took part in Patchwork Challenge 2016, and the final results are as shown opposite. Steve Nuttall at Belvide did especially well to come first in the overall Midlands minileague as well, beating two participants at Rutland Water who both also got 168 species but only 216 points each. Laurie Ison came third in the overall Midlands Comparative mini-league with 118.52% of his comparative score. Here’s to a productive Patchwork Challenge in the WMBC region in 2017! Matt Griffiths 10 Position Name Patch Species Points % Comp 1 Steve Nuttall Belvide Reservoir 168 219 - - 2 Kate Thorpe Middleton Lakes 145 176 - - 3 Steve Haynes Tame Valley South 144 167 - - 4 John Belsey Upton Warren 134 162 - - 5 Mike Wakeman Upton Warren 128 154 - - 6 Paul Cashmore Brandon Marsh & Wolston GP 134 149 - - 7 Andy Ambrose Upton Warren 122 145 - - 8 Neil Duggan Salford Priors 127 144 96 150 9 Matt Griffiths Earlswood 119 132 97.05 136 10 Richard Harbird Morton Bagot 118 131 104.80 125 11 Laurie Ison Grimley 117 128 118.52 108 12 Kevin Clements Clayhanger/Ryders Mere/ 113 127 86.99 146 Stubber’s Green 13 Pete Fontana Trentham Gardens 112 123 - - 14 Rob Swift Radford Meadows 110 116 - - 15 Gareth Clements Smestow Valley/Pool Hall 102 109 - - 16 Scott Petrek Doxey Marshes 99 106 - - 17 Craig Round Lutley Wedge 94 102 - - 18 Edward Betteridge Lower Moor/Throckmorton 96 102 - - Lagoons 19 Simon Roper Packington 95 100 - - 20 Glyn Clarke Southam 96 100 - - 21 Jack Bradbury Warwick Racecourse 88 91 - - 22 Edward Betteridge Evesham 84 90 - - 23 Mike Wakeman North Redditch 87 89 100 89 =24 Jonathon Hutchins Audley 88 89 - - =24 Andy Thomas Saltwells LNR & Netherton 88 89 - - Reservoir 26 Adrian Platt Kings Norton LNR 66 67 - - 27 David Nicholls Cookley & Caunsell 61 61 - - These results have been taken from http://patchworkchallenge.blogspot.co.uk Blythe Valley Countryside Park - 2016 Ringing Report This informative and beautifully produced report is now on our Club website on the Solihull Branch page under ‘Solihull Research Projects’. Produced by Tony Kelly who together with his wife Leigh leads the ringing group collectively known as the Redditch Ringing Group.

11 An Urgent Reminder

Sunday March 5th 2017 Connecting Birders across Staffordshire Oulton Village Hall, Kibblestone Road, Oulton, Stone, ST15 8ND 09.15 Welcome. Free tea & coffee on arrival

10.00 Introduction 10.10 Helen Cottam - Staffs Wildlife Trust’s Barn Owl Action Group “From Barns to Boxes” 10.45 Georgia Locock “The Next Generation” 11.20 Comfort Break 11.30 Roger Broadbent - West Midland Bird Club “The 2017 WMBC Cannock Chase Bird Survey”

11.55 Peter Durnall - International award-winning wildlife film maker title to be announced 12.40 Lunch - Please bring your own; cakes and drinks available at additional small cost

13.20 Kate Thorpe - RSPB Middleton Lakes - “Bringing a Boom to the Tame” 13.55 Mike Price - Peak District Raptor Monitoring Group - “Bird of Prey Initiative” 14.30 Comfort Break 14.40 Nick Pomiankowski - County Bird Recorder “The Status of some of the Less Common Birds in Staffordshire” 15.05 Kate MacRae - Wildlife Kate - “Creating Springwatch in your Garden” 16.00 Questions, thanks, farewell. 16.15 Departure Tickets are just £6, or £3 for under-25s Contact Geoff Sales on 01782-618152, 07397-169452, or [email protected] to check availability and arrange to pay by BACS or on the day This event is being facilitated by RSPB North Staffs Local Group www.rspb.org.uk/groups/northstaffordshire 12 Spot, then Identify, the Bird On 29th January I received an email from new member Peter Lewis suggesting what is for us a new style of quiz. Let Peter tell you about it in his own words.

...... We travel around the UK but also the wider world seeking birds in wonderful places: I like to photograph those places and their birds in the habitats to which they belong. (I do not have a ‘mega’ camera set-up but just a lens that I can carry with me most of the time wherever we go). I thought a few ‘quiz photos’ say one per issue for this coming year, where readers are challenged to find a camouflaged bird in its habitat might intrigue people. These might be from anywhere in the world and, therefore, a variety of habitats. They would be pitched to be a bit ‘head-scratching’ but possible for everybody. They might need an explanatory sketch and another photo of the bird looking more obvious, placed at the back of the newsletter or in the next issue, to help people out. I’ve attached an example ‘quiz-photo’ taken at 12,000 feet in the Rocky Mountains plus a guide-sketch and a photo of the bird where it’s more obvious, to give you an idea...... Peter Lewis I have included the example photographs Peter sent illustrating his suggestion in this issue, the first of which appears on the left - can you spot the bird? The guide sketch to help you find it, if needed, is on page 21 and a close up of the bird is on page 37 but you will have to wait until page 39 to find out if you have identified it correctly. I hope you will enjoy this new feature as much as I do. Peter has already sent me the next three puzzles to keep you ‘head scratching’ for the remainder of the year. Huge thanks Peter. Do you have an idea for a feature for future issues? If so please do get in touch. Sue 13 Scilly Pelagics Gerald Brereton Day One - Thursday 18th August, 2016 The time was 8.30am. Chris Bourne, known as ‘Tiffer’ and I boarded a very full Scillonion III, we were going to the Isles of Scilly for six days. The purpose was to take part in three pelagic trips on The Sapphire. At 9.30am The Scillonion left Penzance. This was my 73rd time on this ferry since my first trip in September 1986. As we made our way to the islands we saw 3 great, 3 Balearic and 60 Manx Shearwaters and also 30 Storm Petrels. At 12.30 we arrived at St Mary’s and then we went to our flat, Albany House in Hugh town which was situated over the road from the museum. After we had dropped our luggage off and said our hellos to the owner of the flat we went to Porth Hellick pool. Wood Sandpiper was the bird that we had come here to see and they didn’t take long to find. Two birds were feeding on the mud around the edge of the pool with three Common and three Green Sandpipers. Other birds seen that day were two Spotted and two Pied Flycatchers, two Water Rail, a Kingfisher and a Whimbrel. Later that day we saw John Higginson. I asked him if the pelagics would still be on as the weather wasn’t going to be that good for the next few days, even The Scillonion had been cancelled on Saturday because of strong winds, it was good news they were still on. Day Two - Friday 19th August At 5.00am we were up to do some sea watching. We arrived at Peninnis just as it started to get light. It was still very windy but the only birds we saw were two Fulmar and just six Gannets. We then heard that the Icterine Warbler was showing on The Garrison. When we arrived the warbler was perched in a tree in a garden. It was my 14th ever Icterine Warbler that I’d seen in Britain. At 5.00pm The Sapphire left the quay at St Mary’s to look for seabirds. There were 30 of us on the boat. It was still windy and there was some drizzle but no-one seemed to mind. A Storm Petrel was the first bird of note, but we only saw four of these birds, then the first of the big Shearwaters came into view. The shout of Cory’s came from the seabird man himself, Bob Flood. About 30 of these were seen today. This was followed by what must be my favourite seabird the Great Shearwater. We only saw four of these but they gave some amazing close views. Around 10 Manx Shearwaters, four Great Skuas and a Common Tern were also seen but we failed to get any Wilson’s Petrels, a bird that I was hoping to see. Still, there was always tomorrow. By now conditions at sea were getting choppy so it was decided that we would head back to St Mary’s. Day Three - Saturday 20th August Today it was another early start. The pelagic was at 11.00am so I went to The Garrison and Tiffer went to Lower Moors. Very little was seen, but I think this was because of the wind. At 11.00am The Sapphire left St Mary’s quay. There were 20 of us on board today and we were told conditions looked good for Wilson’s Petrels. Again the first birds of note were Storm Petrels. About 20 of these birds were seen but it was Bob Flood, yet again, who was the first to see the target bird, a Wilson’s Petrel, however only a few birders on the boat saw the Petrel. I simply could not see the target species. Tiffer was at the back of the boat when the Petrel came close and even he just couldn’t get on the bird and then it was gone and for a while it went quiet with no birds. Then after about 45 minutes I noticed a Petrel at the back of the boat. I was sure that it wasn’t a Storm Petrel then John ‘Higgo’ Higginson saw the bird and let out a shout of “Wilson’s back of the boat”. It gave fantastic views very close to the boat. Unbelievably I got on another Wilson’s Petrel before anyone else. Soon two Wilson’s Petrels were around The Sapphire and then a third joined them. I hadn’t seen Wilson’s Petrel since 2004 14 so I was really pleased to have seen three today. Also seen were six Great, 20 Cory’s and two Manx Shearwaters, one Great Skua and on the way back to St Mary’s an adult Yellow-legged Gull was seen with the Herring Gulls at the back of the boat while a single Ocean Sunfish was also nice to see. When we arrived back on St Mary’s we stopped off for a pint in The Bishop and Wolf then got some chips and curry and had them on Porthcressa - what a way to end a great day. Day Four - Sunday 21st August It was the day of our final pelagic. The Sapphire left St Mary’s with 30 of us on board at 8.00am. It didn’t rain today but it was still very windy and some poor chap in camouflage clothing spent most of the trip being seasick. Bob Flood said it was a good day for Wilson’s Petrels however even though there were more Storm Petrels today we didn’t get a Wilson’s. Only two Great Shearwaters were seen but one bird did land on the water by the boat and we had great views of it. Four Cory’s, three Manx and Three Sooty Shearwaters were also seen, as well as five Great Skuas and the adult Yellow-legged Gull, however, ‘bird of the day’ went to the first summer Long-tailed Skua which was first seen by Bob Flood. The Skua was a fair way off when it was first seen but it did come right up to The Sapphire. We all had excellent views of the Skua apart from the chap in the camouflage clothing who was still being seasick over the other side of the boat. As well as birds we got to see one of my favourite animals, a Blue Shark. They caught three, measured and tagged them, then released them back into the sea. The Sapphire then made its way back to St Mary’s and at 3.00pm we arrived back at the quay. We then had a look on Lower Moors but only saw one Reed Warbler, one Willow Warbler and Blue Shark two Swallows. Birders on the Sapphire

15 Day Five - Monday 22nd August It was our last full day on Scilly and we decided to stop on St Mary’s and see how many species of birds we could see in a day. We were birding from 6.00am until 8.30pm with just one stop off at Old Town Cafe for coffee and cake. Tiffer went one way and I went the other. At times it was hard going. There didn’t seem to be many birds about and the numbers were low. For example I only saw eight Great Tit, two Blue Tit, six Goldcrest, four Chaffinch, five Rock Pipit and a single Meadow Pipit. At Porth Hellick pool only one Wood and two Common Sandpipers were still there, all the Green Sandpipers had gone. One bird that I did think had gone was the Icterine Warbler, however, I had a ‘phone call off Tiffer to say he was watching it on The Garrison in the same garden. When I arrived it was still showing with a Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and a Pied Flycatcher. Later in the day I was between Newford duck pond and Borough Farm when I met another birder. He went off then a few minutes later he came back to tell me he had found a Wryneck by the farm. The bird had flown over a hedge into another field so we stood by the field where he had found it. After about ten minutes the Wryneck flew back and perched on a stem. I got the bird in my scope for a few seconds then it flew off again and wasn’t seen until the following day. This was my 48th Wryneck that I had seen in Britain. At the end of the day I had walked all around the island and my list of birds seen was 52.

Pelistry, St. Mary’s

Day Six - Tuesday 23rd August We didn’t do much birding today, there were just too many people about. At one time Tiffer saw a family singing and clapping their hands as they walked into the hide at Porth Hellick pool. Also it was hot, too hot to look for birds so we gave up and went to the quay. On The Scillonion crossing from the Scilly Isles back to Penzance we saw 11 Storm Petrels, 59 Manx Shearwaters and a Balearic Shearwater.

It had been a fantastic trip and the pelagics had been really good. While it is true the pelagics are expensive, our three trips cost us £170 you do get to see the birds close up which is well worth it. Gerald Brereton Photographs Gerald Brereton 16 A Non Birding Trip to India by Ken Mather In November, I went on a standard tourist trip to the Golden Triangle, India with my wife and two of our friends. It included three safaris in Ranthambore in the hope of seeing Tigers. I am the only birder in the group so I have to fit in birding as we go. We are met at Delhi airport by the rep. and taken outside the airport to await our minibus. I quickly pick up House Crow, Bank Myna, Black Kite and more surprisingly for me a White- breasted Waterhen routing around at the base of some bushes. On the way to the hotel there are lots of Rock Pigeons plus Common Mynas, Red-wattled Lapwings and more Black Kites. After a rest the sightseeing starts with a visit to Qutab Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world, where I see more Common Mynas, Black Kites, the first of many Rose-ringed Parakeets and just as we are leaving a Yellow-footed Green Pigeon sat high in a tree. The guide thinks it is a Parakeet but he doesn’t have binoculars and is just basing it on what he normally sees. At the next stop there is a House Crow and Collared Dove. The next morning, I have a short walk around the hotel grounds. There are a few things you have to get used to in India such as the fact you are in a luxurious hotel while outside there is a lot of poverty and you are surrounded by high walls or fences. Armed guards let your minibus into the hotel grounds after checking underneath your minibus with mirrors. So while I wander around the grounds a guard is keeping quite close behind me. I guess he isn’t used to people with camera and binoculars looking at bushes but I find a bird visiting its nest and wait for its return. It is my first Jungle Babbler plus Common Mynas, Rock Pigeons and Chipmunks. Our morning tour starts with plenty of Black Kites and at the top of a leafless tree sits a Red-whiskered Bulbul. At Raj Ghat (where Mahatma Ghandi was cremated) there are two Indian Pond Herons and two Cattle Egrets. Humayun’s tomb brings lots of Black Kites, a Common Tailorbird, Jungle Babblers (which turn out to be quite common) and more of the common birds already seen. That afternoon we travel to Agra with nothing bird wise to see but a Great Cormorant flying by when we stop for a break. The next morning as we come out from breakfast a White-throated Kingfisher sits on the pool step ladder then plunges into the pool twice before flying off. Obviously there are no fish in there so it probably is having a Black Drongo at Taj Mahal 17 bath. As we board the minibus I see a Sunbird feeding on the flower heads but there isn’t time to check it out. So off to the Taj Mahal, an amazing building as everybody knows. The first sight of the Taj is through a large arched gateway and is stunning. The guide tells us a lot of calculations went into making it look perfect from the front and sends us first to the left and then to the right to see how it changes from these aspects.

In the grounds of the Taj are Jungle Babblers, House Crows, Rock Pigeons, Cattle Egrets and a Laughing Dove under a bush feeding one of its chicks, with Black Kites and House Swifts flying around. Behind the Taj runs a river and along the river there are Great White Egret, Black-winged Stilts, Ruddy Shelduck, Woolly-necked Stork, Grey Heron, Great Cormorants, Red-wattled Lapwings, Ruff, Eurasian Spoonbills and a Brown–headed Gull. On a tree nearby is a Black Drongo and along the walls are many Macaques. Don’t do as I did and put your water bottle down for a few seconds to take a photo as it soon disappeared into the hands of a Macaque (the first I had seen) and was discarded as Spotted Owlets soon as it realised it only contained water. The next day starts with a short journey to Fatehpur Sikri, the political capital of India’s Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1585, then on to Bharatpur to catch a train to take us towards Ranthambore. Although not on the itinerary there is a bird reserve at Bharatpur so an extra stop for me for an hour and a half while the others have lunch. There are bird guides at the reserve and you can walk, take a cycle, or Collared Scops Owls a rickshaw. The price for each is displayed clearly but make a note of it as you pay the guide and rickshaw rider at the end. I make it clear that I only have an hour and a half and the guide is amazed but will do his best. It’s going to be straight out and straight back but the birds come thick and fast. A few hundred yards into the reserve we get off the rickshaw to go round under a tree for two Spotted Owlets, then Purple Sunbird, Rock Pigeon, House Crow, Collared Scops Owl, Comb Duck, Lesser Whistling Duck, Asian Openbill, White-throated Kingfisher, Black-headed Ibis, Purple Swamphen, Common Moorhen, Great Cormorant, Little Cormorant, Marsh Harrier (sitting close by in a tree), and then a Heronry full of adult and nearly fully grown young Painted Storks. On the way back, we see Red-vented Bulbul, Indian Robin, Indian Pond Heron, Indian Darter, Bronze-winged Jacana, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Oriental Magpie Robin, Intermediate 18 Egret, Cattle Egret, Purple Heron, Red-wattled Lapwing and Grey Francolin. I could have done with a lot more time here! At the station, there is a small brown bird which I assume to be a female of some species and it takes me until I get home to identify it as a Brown Rock-Chat. There is only one small picture of it in the bird guide book.

It is dark when we arrive at Ranthambore and the next morning the first safari starts at 06.30. Only 10% of the reserve is open to the public and that area is split into ten sections. We have the same guide for each of our safaris but change drivers to take us into a different section each safari. We are in a Jeepney which has a driver and guide in the front and six passengers in two rows of three in the open back part. It takes half an hour to get into the reserve even driving very fast so I think we should have started earlier as it has been light for about an hour. We are shown a place on the road into the reserve where a Tiger was seen the previous day and everybody keeps White-throated Kingfisher checking everywhere but no Tiger. However, we are in a lovely area of the reserve with lakes, reedbeds, ponds and, therefore, lots of birds everywhere.

We start with two male Painted Spurfowl having a battle on the road right in front of us followed by a range of wetland birds with new ones being Intermediate Egret, Cotton Pygmy-Goose, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper with excellent views of Woolly-necked Stork and the fairly common White-throated Kingfisher. In the trees above one waterhole I spot a large bird of prey which is a Crested Serpent Eagle. At a stop for a comfort break a Rufous Treepie is so used to people it sits on the top of the windscreen of the Jeepney waiting for us to leave so it can search the floor of it for crumbs. A Large-billed Crow sits in the trees above watching it but remains there. We continue on seeing Spotted Dove, Alexandrine Parakeet, Black-rumped Flameback, lots of deer and a few wild pigs close up but no tigers.

The afternoon safari starts off with lots of monkeys, two water snakes and close-up samba deer but then a large brown Owl flies up from a stream alongside the road, crosses the road and lands 30 yards away giving us excellent views. The guide announces it is the Brown Fish Owl and is the birders equivalent of the Tiger! The safari continues with more deer, a Greater Coucal, two beautiful Collared Scops Owls, Little Cormorant, Crocodile and then at a small pond 20 Black Storks lounging around with Little Egrets, Grey Heron, Indian Pond Herons and Red-wattled Lapwings. Suddenly they all move to the middle of the pond and stare off to our right, a Tiger maybe but we don’t see it!! We finish with more deer, three Long-billed Vultures of two different types (split into 2 species in one of my books), a Bay-backed Shrike, a large Crocodile and two Pied Kingfishers. 19 Another early start the next morning takes us high into the hills up a very steep track. After much frantic searching for a Tiger we stop at a dried up waterhole and sitting at the top of a tree is a stunning Black-shouldered Kite. At the bottom of the next tree is a Green Bee- eater and more fly around us but Tiger is the main prey so we drive on. At another stop an Indian Robin sits in the tree about 10 feet away and Plum-headed Parakeets fly past. More frantic searching for the Tiger takes place but without success so we head back to the hotel. In the afternoon we head on to Jaipur and after a short distance come to wetlands at the side of the road with hundreds of waterfowl. These include many species common to us in the UK such as Pintail, Teal, Ruddy Shelducks, Great White Egrets, Little Egrets, Greylag Geese, Spotted Redshanks, Wood Sandpiper, Little ringed Plover and then a Long tailed Shrike pops into the bush right in front of us. At Jaipur a lake has lots of the water birds already seen plus an Indian Cormorant. The hotel grounds have a large flock of Chestnut-shouldered Petronias and an Asian pied Starling. The route back to Delhi is a long drag and has few birds of interest. Still 51 lifers (not all mentioned here) for a non-birding trip is not too bad and I got to see some of the many amazing sights of India as well.

Ken Mather

Photographs Ken Mather

Painted Stork at Bharatpur

20 Blue Rock Thrush - Stow on the Wold 2nd January 2017 - Gordon Wright

Annual Report West Midlands County Members will have recently received the WMBC Annual Report for 2014 – hopefully you have found it to be an enjoyable and informative read. Work on the 2015 version is progressing steadily, but if you wish to assist with collating records or writing species accounts for the West Midlands County please get in touch.

To give some idea of the scale of the work involved, I received about 55,000 records for nearly 200 species/subspecies from almost 250 recorders for 2014. These figures represent a tremendous collective effort and help give the Annual Report its scientific credence. Obviously, the number of records and therefore the amount of text for each species varies considerable. For example, for a rare species the text may be an account of all the records for that year; on the other hand, there will be many records for a common species, but the text will just be a summary of breeding sites and/or details of high counts.

Records of any Category A species will need to be assessed, but submissions should include supporting information i.e. a written description ideally with illustrations/photographs.

If you are able to assist with producing your Annual report, please e-mail me at [email protected]

Thank you. Kevin Clements West Midlands County Recorder Parking at Gailey Reservoir Members who go birding at Gailey have never had anywhere secure to park but thanks to Stuart Collins from the Canal and River Trust, who is also a WMBC member, we have been allocated a maximum of two parking slots on the Prince Albert Fishing Syndicate Carpark which is next to the Sailing Club. Access to the car park is by a restricted key of which we only have one. Anyone wanting to take advantage of this facility please contact [email protected] for further information. 21 Birding at the Cutting Edge Batumi Raptor Count, Georgia Rob Swift In 2006, two Belgian Birders were on a gap year, spending their time back-packing and birding down through Europe. On arriving in the Black Sea, east coast country of Georgia, in early autumn, they decided to base themselves for a few days in Batumi. On asking a few of the locals, for any good sites in the area for bird watching, they were told that, at this time of the year, if they went up into the coastal hills, they might see some Birds of Prey. The two Birders followed this up, found a spot...... And 3 days later had observed over 30th Raptors migrating south! Returning home, they researched for information and found nothing in regard to this potential migratory highway, not even from Bird Life International’s records. The following year they returned (with friends) for a longer period and did a pilot count, resulting in 800th Raptors counted. (Yes, eight hundred thousand). Every year since then, the highly organised count has taken place, between mid August & mid October, resulting in regular counts of over 1m migrating Raptors in the period. (1.062m in 2016) and catapulting Batumi to one of the top migratory ‘hotspots’ in the world.

The yearly phenomenon occurs as south migrating raptors, not wanting to cross the Black Sea to Honey Buzzard the west or the Lesser Caucasus mountains to the east, funnel down a narrow, 10km wide coastal strip of land, on into Turkey, then continuing on into their wintering grounds of the middle east and east Africa. One negative aspect of the bottleneck, is that the local hunters have known about it for many years and many (thousands) of birds were illegally shot, (mainly for food) indeed, in the early years of the count, the birders shared the hillside vantage points, side by side with the hunters. The positive work of the Batumi Raptor Count Organisation with the locals, Georgia NGO’s etc has drastically reduced the illegal hunting and as more and more birders visit the area, contributing Sakhalvasho Watchpoint into the local economy, hunters have literally been ‘shamed’ into not shooting the Raptors by the local people. After hearing about one of the first organised trips to Batumi, WMBC members Dave Bate, Graham Davies, Steve Norton & Rob Swift, visited the Batumi Raptor Count for 22 a week in September 2016. The trip was led Palid Harrier by Dobrie Domuschiev of Wild Echo Tours, we flew to Istanbul, Turkey, on the 17th September, taking our connecting flight to Batumi the following day. Our base for the week, was the Hotel, ‘Oasis in Chakvi, on the Black Sea coast, which was only 15-20 minutes from the Raptor Count watch points, of Sakhalvasho & Shuamta. We spent time, every day at the Watchpoints (mainly early morning to early afternoon) before visiting several other localities in the area, for a different selection of species. Both watch points are on elevated hill top positions, with Sakhalvasho, just several km inland of the coast, proving our favourite. The whole experience proved to be fantastic, setting up every morning on the hill top, looking north in excited anticipation, picking up birds in the distance and tracking them, as they flew to the left, right, just above & below you. The collective atmosphere & vibe, chatting too & swapping stories with fellow birders/raptor watchers from around the globe, is simply magic. Over the days, there were numerous highlights... Looking down 10m at a passing male Pallid Harrier, looking down at a soaring White-tailed Eagle, watching soaring flocks of Black Kite (hundreds strong) and passing groups of Lesser Spotted Honey Buzzard Eagle, streams of Honey Buzzards in every plumage variation you can think of. There was a day of numerous Steppe Buzzards & Marsh Harriers, a swirling flock of Black Stork and Short toed Eagle and Greater Spotted Eagle passing within 30m. All this as excited shouts went up, as another passing gem was spotted, counted and passed by. Raptors Seen + other highlights from Viewpoints: Peregrine, Hobby, Red-footed Falcon, Kestrel, Lesser Kestrel, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Levant Sparrowhawk, Goshawk, Steppe Buzzard, Honey Buzzard, Pallid Harrier, Western Marsh Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Hen Harrier, Booted Eagle, Short-Toed Snake Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, White-Tailed Eagle, Osprey, Egyptian Vulture & Black Kite. Black Stork, Roller, Bee-eater, Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat. As mentioned above, over the week we visited other sites, including several stops at a small wetland, near the airport, which yielded us Broad-billed Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Ruff & Little Stint. We spent time at the larger wetland/river mouth of Chorokhi Delta....Purple Heron, Yellow- legged Gull, Baltic Gull were logged. Red-Backed Shrike, Caucasian Stonechat, Short-Toed Lark, White-Winged Black Tern, Black-Necked Grebe, Turtle Dove, Black-Winged Pratincole & Curlew Sandpiper were observed. 23 One afternoon, we spent a few hours at the massive Palliastomi Lake in the Kolkheti NR. Unfortunately our visit was cut short by a strong storm, with us on the wrong side of the lake, which made for a hair-raising trip back to base, Black Kite Flock in our , tarpaulin canopied, little boat, across the 5km wide lake. In spite of this we added hundreds of Little Gulls & Whiskered Terns, Red-crested Pochard (the real deal) and Ferruginous Duck to our list, plus we had ridiculously close views of fishing Osprey. Over the week, our Hotel grounds and adjacent Black Sea coast, gave us some good birds. With Yelkouan Shearwaters passing on a stormy evening, being a highlight. Also on/over the water were Caspian Gull, Sandwich Tern, Little Gull & Baltic Gull. Morning walks along the unkempt stony beach and sandy high tide areas, added Kingfisher, Tawny Pipit, Turtle Dove, Woodlark, White Wagtail & Yellow Wagtail (feldegg) to our list. In the hotel grounds we found Great Tit, Collared Dove, Whinchat, Hobby, Hooded Crow, Caucasian Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat, Spotted Flycatcher, Bluethroat & Quail flew in off the sea, on the very last morning before departing.

Photograph to left Batumi Bottleneck Travelling to the various sites, enabled us to see a little bit of Georgia, which only gained its independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991. It has to be said, that outside of the small city of Batumi, with its modern architecture, there are plenty of hangovers left over, from the former rule, with many abandoned buildings, run-down apartment blocks & military remnants being seen. This is a country striving to be more open and westernised and indeed the road signage is in Georgian, English & Russian, in that order. Few people speak English, although its now taught in all schools as we found out, with children from the rural school near to the watchpoint, trying their English out on us) The group all agreed, that although we hadn’t had a Raptor ‘open floodgate’ day, (because of the bad weather slowing migration, further north in Ukraine) the week had been a great experience and personally, one I would do again. For information on the Batumi Raptor Count Organisation, details on going, accommodation etc. (cheaper via them) then visit http://www.batumiraptorcount.org. For a taste of a Batumi scene, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShLLS3lKNvc. Rob Swift Photographs Rob Swift

24 Our Blithfield Reserve - An Update

The meeting held at the Haling Dene Centre in December was well attended with some new faces attending and getting involved. Volunteers took on the following roles:

John Holt has been nominated to be the group’s representative on the WMBC Executive Committee. Peter Betts, along with dealing with the monthly Blithfield bird notes, has agreed to take on the important role of organising and collating the monthly WeBS report. Jerry Ray becomes the Blithfield Birders Group contact with South Staffs Water.

A message from Jerry to all WMBC members Hi Everyone, It is our intention to try and keep you more informed about what is going on in and around the Blithfield Estate this year. The new Blithfield team recently carried out an inspection of the Estate with SSW Warden, Rebecca Owens, and subsequently, had a meeting last week to discuss and formulate an action plan, based on the findings. There is much to do. It is important to remember that SSW Blithfield Estate now has very small staffing levels. Take out the Trout Fishing operation, which is a revenue making part of their business. The remainder of the estate, the hides, woodlands, foreshore and walks now have just two people looking after them. If we want to continue to enjoy the benefits that this special place offers our members, then we need to step up to the plate and start to shoulder some of the load. There are certain challenges that need addressing. The Blithe River at the fish gate is now full of timber and flotsam, and once the further likelihood of flooding lessens, needs clearing out. Our Biggest project this year will be the Gilleard’s hides. These high quality, professionally built hides are now reaching a time in their lives where they need some renovation work. There are eight of them, all need treating with wood preservative, all need the surrounding area tidying up. Some need their roofs and gutters cleaning. One or two require trees removing or pruning to improve vision to the reservoir. WMBC members are the beneficiaries of these hides, so it is in our interest not to let them deteriorate, as has happened to some of the other hides in the past. It is our hope, that like our colleagues at Belvide, we can organise working groups to rectify these problems. Who knows, you might actually enjoy it. Meeting other club members, doing something worthwhile, and hopefully creating good team spirit and having a bit of fun at the same time. If you feel you could contribute to these Work Parties please email me at [email protected] giving your name, contact details and whether you are able to make week days or just weekends. We will draw up a timetable probably beginning in April / May, when the weather will have improved and the hide timbers have dried out after the winter. This is vital work for the long term wellbeing of Blithfield bird watching, please support us. Best wishes, Jerry Ray From the Editor’s Postbag Hello Sue, I was interested in the little note on a red-bellied woodpecker, drumming on metal, in the final issue of 2016. I had a similar experience while walking close to Lake Grapevine, near Irving, Texas, in about 1990. The bird was drumming on a metal pole. The Wikipedia entry for this species says they are fond of drumming on aluminium roofs and other metal objects. Regards, Hugh Darwen Welcome to Julian We extend a warm welcome to Julian Hayes who whilst still an annual Belvide permit holder became a regular member of the work Party volunteer team. Julian is now a full WMBC Inclusive member and has joined the Belvide Management Team. 25 Possibly My Best Christmas Present EVER! Sue Judge Over recent years huge efforts have been made at Belvide to restore the habitat with countless hours given freely by the seemingly tireless Belvide volunteers led by work party manager Nigel Talbot. New scrapes and reedbeds have been created partially funded by our SSSI agreement with Natural England and support from the Executive Committee has enabled us to add a splendid new hide and extend others to accommodate the increasing number of WMBC members that visit the reserve. Throughout this time the Belvide Management team have been acutely aware that these improved facilities and even the old ones are inaccessible to those members with restricted mobility and the ambition to restore the reserve path between the Scott and West end hides became our top priority followed closely by extending this path to give access through to the new Hawkeshutts hide. I have always envied men the ability to pee standing up and this was echoed by the ladies who left a note in the Belvide suggestion box asking us to “please trim the nettles so we don’t sting our bottoms” So high on my personal wish list was the provision of decent toilet facilities particularly as lack of them has curtailed the visits from school groups that we used to host. Realistically, however, the high cost involved meant putting them at the bottom of the reserve’s wish list. With restoration of the original path now our first priority I investigated with our landlords, the Canal and River Trust, if they could help fund the costs but with no success, however in September a contact at CRT sent me details of a source of funding he thought worth trying and the rest as they say is history. Read below about the bid made to the People’s Postcode Lottery and its outcome. Project Name: West Midland Bird Club, Belvide Reserve Equal Accessibility for all Project description: The Belvide reserve, based at a canal feeder reservoir, has a wide variety of habitats. Six hides have been constructed giving excellent facilities for able bodied male visitors. This project aims to remove the barriers which currently exist for the young; elderly; physically restricted; families and women to ensure they have equal access to facilities and to enable visits for schools, Scout groups etc. to recommence. This project has three strands. The reserve has a hardcore path which runs from the car park through to the West end hide. Originally 1.2m wide, where it emerges from the woodland grass has encroached to narrow this to make it unsuitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Strand 1: To restore this path to its original width. Three bird hides have recently been added, all with full disabled access. Two are located along the main pathway but the third requires the path to be extended. Strand 2: To extend the main pathway by 360m through to the tarmac private driveway to enable access to the new hide and whole reserve for those with mobility restrictions. Lack of suitable toilet facilities have curtailed visits for many including children from deprived areas. Strand 3: To install composting toilets, half way along the reserve pathway and in the car park to serve the needs of all reserve visitors. Total requested from ***Postcode Local Trust £20,000 - Total granted £20,000! ***Postcode Local Trust are entirely funded by the players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Our successful bid is an example of how the support of those player’s is making a huge difference to local communities.

26 This project has already begun. The toilets are ordered and due to be installed in Mid-March and the paths are due to be started in late April, given suitable ground conditions. If not they may have to be delayed until autumn to avoid the breeding season but all strands must be completed by the year end. For now publicity is strictly regulated but completion will be followed by press releases and P.R. activities to not only advertise the contribution made by PLT but also to promote our club in the best possible light and this is where I need your help. 1. Will you, or any other WMBC member you know of, benefit by these improvements? 2. Do you belong to, or know of, any other organisation with members of any age or ability for whom these improvements would make the reserve accessible and who could benefit from a group visit. 3. Do you have any other ideas for positive publicity for this project or can you help in any other way? If the answer to any of the above is yes then please, please get in touch with me at [email protected] and together we can formulate a plan. Sue Blogs and Bloggers of Birds and Wildlife II Steve Nichols In the Spring WMBC News No. 480 I wrote a piece on blogging and asked if WMBC bloggers would share their blog information, especially if it covered the WMBC area. Well, a number of you did, thank you very much for doing so. Clearly, there are a number of other people that enjoy writing about what they see and I’m sure members like to read what is being seen in other parts of our area, it may even encourage them to visit those areas and explore. I have always kept a wildlife/bird observations diary, this I am transferring to BirdTrack, but now my blog has become a diary too and it’s great to look back so easily to see how things were, as opposed to thinking I remember, which usually is wrong. We all say, ‘ last year was not like this’ or ‘I didn’t see any of those this time last year’, well having a blog or looking at another blogger means you can quickly check if you memory is accurate or less so! Anyhow, blogging is fun and helps spread the enthusiasm we all have for the natural world. I should like to just mention, for those who have not found it, that on the WMBC website a number of blogs are listed and linked. You can find these at westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk and choose Links from the side menu and you will see the blog section Here are the blogs that were sent to me following my request. Stafffordshire (Cheslyn Hay, Hatherton Reservoir and Redland Pool). Sheilasbirdingblog.blogspot.co.uk North Warks (Bob Duckhouse, Bob the Birder); Many posts do concern local area particularly around Caldecote (nr Atherstone) and Western Palaearctic trips. http://www.bobduckhouses.blogspot.co.uk/ Earlswood area in Warwickshire/West Midlands (Mathew Griffiths); Daily bird and other wildlife news. www.twitter.com/earlswoodbirds Kings Norton Nature Reserve (Jane Tavener); Patch birding at, drawing and painting birds, and other birding trips further afield. http://learndrawbird.blogspot.co.uk/ Algarve and UK (June Taylor and Peter Dedicoat); Local birding in the Algarve, Portugal and overseas trips including UK. jupiterbirding.blogspot.co.uk I often look at other blogs which are adjacent to our area or generally interesting and helpful, here is a selection:- 27 Bag a Wild One; principle focus on Gulls seen and identity especially at Shawell in Leicestershire. www.bagawildone.blogspot.co.uk Barnsley; Bird and wildlife sightings from the Barnsley recording area. www.barnsleybirds.blogspot.co.uk Dawlish Warren latest Sightings. The website of the Dawlish Warren recording group, south Devon. www.dawlishwarren.blogspot.co.uk Norfolk Birds Tours; reports of their tours in Norfolk. www.norfolkbirdtours.wordpress.com Northamptonshire Birding; birding trip reports in Northamptonshire. www.northamptionshire.blogspot.co.uk North Wales; We Bird North Wales, a multi-contributor blog is a reel of north Wales bird news. www.webirdnorthwales.blogspot.co.uk Owls about that then; photography, owls and other bird news based in Leicestershire. www.owlsaboutthatthen.blogspot.co.uk London Regents Park; will help those who have to visit London and can get out, bird sightings and other trips. www.regentspark.blogspot.co.uk Paxton Pits Bird and Wildlife Sightings; an open blog for reporting sightings at Paxton pits. www.Paxtonpits.blogspot.co.uk Swindon; birds and wildlife sightings plus photos. www.Swindonbirdsandwildlife.blogspot.co.uk Wanstead Birding; a multi-author blog about birding in Wanstead and area. www.Wansteadbirding. blogspot.co.uk West Midlands (Facebook group). www.facebook.com/groups/westmidlandsbirding/ Exotic!; Birds of Barbados; bird sightings from these islands, interesting to hear how often a Eurasian species turns up. www.100barbadosbirds.blogspot.co.uk Beijing; birds that can be found in the city and area by resident terry Townsend. www.birdingbeijing.com Finally, Why not consider creating your own garden/local patch/walks etc. blog and report what you see through the year but whatever you do enjoy your birding and wildlife, near or far, and help protect it.

Steve Nichols Wildlife at Willey (www.willeywarks.blogspot.co.uk)

Huge thanks to Paul (Mr Birdbox) Birkin Last year member Paul Birkin arrived at our Belvide reserve totally unsolicited with his car full of bird boxes that he had made for us and which enabled the team to not only replace all those that needed it but to add to them so when, some time last year, Humphrey Miller asked if anyone knew of a source of bird boxes for the Blythe Valley scheme, as he needed to change supplier, I volunteered to ask Paul. I asked him to make 5 or 6, a request to which he readily agreed, so imagine my shock and delight when he turned up with 86. YES 86! As a result not only has Humphrey been able to put enough aside to replace all his boxes next year but all our reserves and branches have been able to fully replace any boxes in their care that needed it, thanks entirely to Paul. So why does Paul do it? He explained to me that although he lives in Stoke Belivde is his favourite reserve and as he can’t help on work parties because of work commitments it’s his way of helping. We can only say thank you Paul. 28 Club and Branch Indoor Meetings and Field Trips WMBC FIELD TRIPS The afternoon visit to Paxton expects Nightingale Please note: All WMBC members and activity and summer migrant warblers in an area offering scrub, woodland, pools and marsh their families are welcome to join all habitats. WMBC field trips and attend any Branch indoor meetings or field trips. Sunday 21 May 2017 Coaches depart from Cambridge Street, Ynys-Hir RSPB Nature Reserve Depart: 07:00hrs Expected return: 19:00hrs. Birmingham City Centre, promptly at the time Cost: £19 stated. Food and drink should be brought as This prime attractive reserve in mid-Wales should required. Appropriate clothing and footwear to yield Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart guard against the elements is recommended. and possibly Tree Pipit and Red Kite as well as other summer migrant warblers. Coastal birds Contact: To book or for further information add to the interest. please contact either: Ray Davies 0121 682 4375 or 07762 061603 Sunday 25 Jun 2017 [email protected] Frampton Marsh RSPB Judith Gerrard 0121 427 3779 or 07975631430 [email protected] Depart: 07:00hrs Expected return: 19:30hrs. Cost: £18 Please Note: the coach can become fully booked This coastal wetland reserve has reedbed, large (48 is possible) but non arrivals on the day can freshwater scrapes and wet grassland that prevent those on a waiting list the chance to attracts all forms of birds. We can anticipate enjoy the day. Could members please contact a wide range of wader species, intersesting Ray or Judith, however late, if they have to cancel passerines, Little Owl has been resident and their booking. On Sunday morning ring Ray’s Turtle Dove is possible. mobile: 07762 061603 with any delays or late cancellations, Thank you. Further WMBC field trips, 2017 for your diaries - more details next issue. Sunday 12th March 2017 September 16th Minsmere Forest of Dean October 8th Gibraltar Point November 3rd-5th Norfolk Weekend Depart: 07:00hrs Expected return: 19:00hrs December 3rd Wicken Fen & Baker’s Fen, Cost: £16 The regular visit to this Gloucestershire site at Cambridgeshire. the time of peak activity offering prospect of displaying Goshawk, finding Hawfinch, Dipper SOLIHULL BRANCH and Crossbill, admiring spectacular Mandarin Branch contact Humphrey Miller and what chance of Great Grey Shrike again? on 0121 705 8507 Email: [email protected] Sunday 30th April 2017 Fowlmere RSPB / Paxton Pits Indoor meetings Depart: 07:00hrs. Expected return: 19:00hrs. Indoor meetings are held in the Guild House, Cost: £16 Knowle B93 0LN, commencing at 19:30hrs Fowlmere’s reedbeds and pools, fed by natural Admission: WMBC members £2.00, chalk springs, are surrounded by woodland to non-members £2.50. provide excellent habitat for Marsh Harrier, many Please note: Access from the eastern car park warbler species, and more especially Turtle Dove! via the churchyard is unlit and those who are not 29 confident about their night vision should either An exploration of Japan in winter. From the bring a torch or take the slightly longer route via frozen lakes in the north via the mountains of the High Street. Honshu, the rice fields of Kyushu and onto the sub-tropical forests of Okinawa. Friday 3rd March Rick and Elis Simpson - ‘British Waders’ Field Meetings A first visit from the founders of the Waderquest Sunday 30th April 2017 charity. This talk has kindly been sponsored by Rutland Water Roger Skan Esq. It will be preceded by the Meet at 10.00hrs at Lyndon Reserve Car Park. branch Annual General Meeting. Sunday 7th May 2017 Field Meetings Dawn Chorus - Wyre Forest Sunday 2nd April Meet at 06.30hrs at Dry Mill Lane Car Park, Earlswood Lakes Bewdley A tour of the three lakes in search of early spring migrants. Meet in the Malt House Lane car park STAFFORD BRANCH SP111739 at 10.00hrs Branch Contact: David Dodd 01543 490096 Email: [email protected] Sunday 14th May Ladywalk Indoor Meetings Ladywalk is best known for wintering Eurasian These are held at the Perkins Sports & Social Bitterns, but the variety of birds in spring is Club, Tixall Road, Stafford. ST16 3UB. Drive past also rewarding, Meet in the reserve car park ‘Reception’ and follow the road to the wooden SP209914 at 10.00hrs building on your left. Park on the Club site. Meet at 19:30hrs for a sharp 19:45 start. KIDDERMINSTER BRANCH Contacts 01562 913898 -Please note new Tuesday 7th February 2017 number (Branch Chair, Brian Rickett, 1 Russell Dave Emley - Forty Years of Watching Road Kidderminster) or 01384 839838 Wildlife - Winners and Losers. Email: [email protected] After years of watching Dave realised that things weren’t as they used to be. This interesting talk Indoor Meetings reveals some of the changes. Meetings are held at St. Oswald’s Church Centre, off Broadwaters Drive, Kidderminster DY10 2RY Tuesday 7th March 2017 commencing at 19.30hrs. A charge of £2.00 per Ken Reeves - File on Scilly Isles person for WMBC members and £2.50 for non- Join Ken, in person, the twitchers and BBC Team members is made, which includes refreshments on the Isles of Scilly together with some of the The meetings recommence after the summer birds you have always dreamed of seeing. break as follows Wednesday 22nd March 2017 Field Meetings While the Stafford Branch has no formal field Mike Leach - Penguins trips arranged at present for 2017 the Committee Mike describes his experiences in the Antarctic is aware that there are new members who and other areas of the world photographing consider themselves as beginners or novices and these wonderful birds. who would like the opportunity to go birding with more experienced bird watchers. This also Wednesday 26th April 2017 applies to more experienced bird watchers who Andy Warren – Japan, Palm Trees to may wish to come along as well to share the Pack Ice social chat and maybe the excitement. 30 BIRD NOTES November to January Compiled from your records by Humphrey Miller These notes, compiled mostly from unchecked county also had the largest flock in the south of records on blogs and Twitter accounts, cover the region – 25-30 at Childswickham. The best the end of the autumn and the first part of known Warwickshire count was 24 at Hillmorton. winter. Thanks as always to the providers of these records. RARITIES Ripple Pits was in the limelight in December, with an eastern-race Black Redstart on 6th and 1-2 Dusky Warblers from 3rd-19th. Also on 29th and 30th November there was a Lesser Scaup, described as probable by the three former county recorders who saw it. Nearby at Queenhill a Cattle Egret was present from 15th-17th December. A Red-necked Grebe was at Draycote Water from 20th January. Three Tundra Bean Geese were reported from Whitmore from 6th-29th January, followed by four at Seeswood Pool from 28th- 30th January. A Ring-necked Duck was reported from Tittesworth between 12th-19th December. a flock of Waxwings - photograph Gordon Wright A long-staying Velvet Scoter was at Chasewater WAXWING INVASION from 1st December to 28th January, with other We have experienced the firstWaxwing winter records from Blithfield and Aqualate Mere. since 2012-3. The majority of the records come Also long-staying was the Long-tailed Duck at from Staffordshire and the West Midlands Westport Lake, from 13th November to 2nd conurbation. The earliest known report was January: another sighting was at Aqualate Mere of a single bird over Castle Ring, Cannock on 2nd November. Two different Green-winged Chase, on 4th November. Early reports were of Teal were recorded at Belvide. A Black-throated modest numbers, with the only double-figure Diver was at Branston from 13th-17th November. count before Christmas being 12 at Norton A Grey Phalarope was at Belvide on 27th (Chasewater) on 19th November. At the end of December. The Purple Sandpiper reported at December there were counts of 33 at Talke Pits Belvide last time remained until 4th November, and ten at Five Ways, Birmingham. The number and there were other sightings of this species at of reports and flock sizes increased from the Tittesworth and Bittell. A Yellow-browed Warbler beginning of January. The largest flock size was was at Whittington (near Kinver) from 16th 140 at Brownhills on 19th January, but there may December to 24th January, and Brandon Marsh have been a higher aggregate in Newcastle- had a bird on two days in early January. Up to under-Lyme on 27th January, where the total six Bearded Tits continued to be seen at Napton count of three flocks amounted to 210 (extent of Reservoir. any duplication unknown). Cannock Chase had W.M.B.C RESERVES counts of 40 or more at five different sites. Other counts of 40 or more birds were from Castle BELVIDE Vale, Penkridge, Lichfield, Cannock, Burntwood, A Eurasian Bittern was seen regularly from 17th Kidsgrove and Wylde Green. Worcestershire’s December. A Great White Egret was reported highest count was 38 at Kidderminster, and the on 25th November. A Great Northern Diver was 31 seen on 22nd November. Two Slavonian Grebes Plovers on 14th December, 813 Northern were recorded on 24th November. Lapwings on 18th December and 114 Dunlin on 9th November. Other species included Red Knot, Bittern at Belvide - Steve Nuttall Ruff, Common Greenshank, Wood and Green Sandpipers, Woodcock and Jack Snipe. There were a few records of up to four Caspian Gulls. A flock of 60Bramblings was recorded on 12th November. 12 Common Crossbills went over on 1st November. 10 Common Chiffchaffs were reported on 13th January. There have been a couple of reports of a Stonechat. Ringing records included a very old retrapped Goldcrest which had first been trapped over five years ago.

Redhead Smew at Belvide - Steve Nuttall The Black-necked Grebe reported last time extended its stay to 75 days, being last seen on 22nd November. There were a few records of up to six Whooper Swans. There were numerous reports of redhead Smew. Records of Common Scoter include ten on 9th November. Greater Scaup were reported regularly. Reports of Common Goldeneye included one being taken by the regular wintering Great Black-backed Gull. Other gull species reported included Little, Mediterranean, Iceland and Caspian. Wader species included Little Stint, Red Knot, Jack Snipe, HARBORNE Woodcock, European Golden Plover, Black-tailed From mid-October to Christmas there were six Godwit and a long-staying Common Sandpiper. records of Woodcock in three locations, but none Cetti’s Warbler was reported throughout the in January. Redwings were present throughout period. December and January, with a highest count of about 40. The highest count of Fieldfares was nine on 10th December. A flock of 15Goldfinches was regular. The first record for 2017 ofEurasian Treecreeper was on 28th January, in a flock of Long-tailed Tits. Other species recorded were Green Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Jay and Bullfinch, with six birds together on some days. LADYWALK A Short-eared Owl was recorded on 24th November and a Barn Owl on 16th December. Caspian Gull at Belvide- Steve Nuttall A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was reported on 11th November. A Marsh Harrier was seen on BLITHFIELD 13th November, and there have been several A Bewick’s Swan and 21 Whooper Swans were reports of 1-2 Peregrine Falcons. There have recorded on 19th January. Two Slavonian Grebes been two sightings of a Great White Egret, and were reported on 12th November. Notable regular reports of Eurasian Bittern. Little Egrets wader counts were 1400 European Golden 32 are reported to roost on the reserve, making Priors on 24th, with singles at Croxall from 9th- three roost sites in the Tame Valley. 29 European 15th January and Whitmore on 17th-18th. There Golden Plovers went over on 25th November, were several reports of Whooper Swan in the an Oystercatcher arrived on 31st January, first half of November, with a highest count of and other wader species include Woodcock, 11 at Grimley: the highest count in the new year Dunlin and Green Sandpiper. A flock of 300 was nine at Alvecote Pools on 19th January. Two Redwings was recorded on 7th December, 80 White-fronted Geese were recorded at Bittell on Fieldfares were counted on 15th November, 8th December. Also at Bittell was a Brent Goose and on 22nd December there was a mixed on 12th November. Additional records of Smew flock of 100Siskin and Common Redpoll (using came from Aqualate Mere, Grimley and Croxall. the changed classification which combines A Red-breasted Merganser was at Chasewater Common and Lesser Redpoll). Both Siberian from 25th November to 22nd December. A Great and Common Chiffchaffs have been reported. A Northern Diver visited Bittell on 12th November. Cetti’s Warbler ringed on the reserve has been Further records of Eurasian Bittern come from recovered at Rutland Water. Other passerines Brandon Marsh, Aqualate Mere, Napton Reservoir, include Stonechat, Marsh and Willow Tits and Gwen Finch Reserve and Hewell Grange. The Brambling. A total of four Mandarin Ducks was count of 61 Little Egrets at Middleton Lakes on seen on 5th-6th January. The highest count of 6th January is a site record and 13 at Yardley Goosander was 11. Wood is a West Midlands county record. Other reports of Great White Egret include four birds in SELECTED RECORDS FROM OTHER MAIN Warwickshire simultaneously – two at Alvecote SITES Pools and two at Middleton Lakes. Two Slavonian DRAYCOTE WATER Grebes were at Bartley on 29th November. Three Great Northern Divers arrived on 22nd November, and one stayed until 24th December. Marsh Harriers were recorded at Middleton Lakes A Slavonian Grebe was present between 25th and Alvecote Pools. Hen Harriers were reported November and 3rd December. A Great White from Marsh Lane, Upton Warren and Whitacre Egret visited on 8th November. A Water Pipit Heath. Notable flocks ofEuropean Golden was recorded on four dates between 8th and Plover were 600 at Middleton Lakes, 585 at 14th November. There were many counts of up Wishaw, 500 at Weston and 450 at Hixon Airfield to 50 Tree Sparrows. 40 Yellowhammers were and Lower Moor. Red Knot were recorded at recorded on 3rd December. Glaucous Gulls were Chasewater, Shustoke and Middleton Lakes. A reported on most days in January, and other Temminck’s Stint was recorded at Branston on gull species recorded included Iceland, Caspian, many days between 2nd and 26th January. Jack Yellow-legged and Mediterranean. A Red Knot Snipe were reported from nine further sites. was present between 3rd and 11th November. A notable Woodcock record was of 19 birds at A flock of 200European Golden Plovers was Dimmingsdale on 1st January. Upton Warren had recorded on 16th November. Whooper Swans a few reports of a single Black-tailed Godwit. 17 were recorded on three dates, with a count of 12 Bar-tailed Godwits visited Upton Warren on 25th on 8th November. Up to six Greater Scaup were November. A Wood Sandpiper was recorded at present throughout the period. The highest Radford Meadows (Stafford) on 20th January. A count of Goosander was 45. There were a few Kittiwake was reported from Tittesworth on 3rd reports of 1-3 Common Scoters. A Red Kite was November. Iceland Gull and Glaucous Gull were reported on 25th November. A Short-eared both reported from five additional sites. Further Owl was seen on 23rd January. 1-2 Common records of Barn Owl come from Middleton Lakes, Kingfishers were seen regularly. Rowington, Essington and Branston. The only report of Long-eared Owl was from Chasewater PRINCIPAL RECORDS ELSEWHERE on 11th November. Short-eared Owls were NON-PASSERINES also seen at Alvecote Pools, Middleton Lakes , There were sightings of three Bewick’s Swans at Berryhill Fields and Bredon Hill. Reports of Lesser Aqualate Mere on 12th November and Salford Spotted Woodpecker came from Kingsbury 33 Water Park, Middleton Lakes and Ripple. Merlins Lane, Doxey Marshes, Penkridge and Sandwell have been reported from ten different sites. Valley. A flock of 45 Brambling was reported from Horsepasture Covert (Cannock Chase). 66 PASSERINES Siskins were counted in Clowes Wood on 22nd A Great Grey Shrike was recorded at Swallow November and 60 at Hanchurch Woods on 3rd Moss between 7th and 13th November. A December. Flocks of 300 Common Redpolls were Firecrest was seen in Clowes Wood on 30th recorded at the Wyre Forest and Horsepasture and 31st December. Willow Tit records outside Covert. 40 Common Crossbills were seen at Staffordshire (where the decline is not as acute) Hanchurch Woods. Up to seven Hawfinches come from Whitacre Heath, Brandon Marsh and were at Upper Longdon from 19th November Sandwell Valley. Marsh Tits have been recorded to 1st December. Snow Buntings were reported in two different sections of Clowes Wood, from Worcestershire Beacon, near Kineton and Hanbury (Staffordshire), Sheepwalks/ Enville and the Middlemarch industrial estate, Baginton. Sandwell Valley. Reports of Cetti’s Warbler away Five Corn Buntings were recorded at Iverley on from the regular sites come from Clayhanger 2nd January. Marsh, Gailey, Kingsbury Water Park, Marsh Lane and Alvecote Pools. Other records of Siberian Please Note: references to any location in Chiffchaff came from Hams Hall and Ripple. this newsletter are no guarantee of right of There were November reports of Blackcap at entry. The appropriate permit should be Marsh Lane and Branston. On 7th and 19th obtained or permission sought from the January there was a flock of 20000 Common landowner or such authority as necessary for Starlings at Branston. Reports of Dipper came the privilege of birdwatching on the land in from the Bourn Brook (Birmingham), the Churnet question. Valley and Trentham Gardens. Humphey Miller A Ring Ouzel was on Bredon Hill on 3rd November. Bird Notes - Any bird notes for inclusion in the A flock of 250Fieldfares was recorded at Morton next newsletter should be sent to Humphrey Bagot on 27th November. Black Redstart records Miller, 29 Dorchester Court, Dorchester Road, came from Stoneleigh Abbey on 22nd January Solihull, West Midlands, B91 1LL by 1st May, and Worcester Cathedral (many dates). Water 2017 please. Pipits have been reported from Grimley, Marsh

Grey Phalarope at Belvide Nigel Talbot This was Nigel’s 200th bird at Belvide 34 West Midland Bird Club Field Trip Reports - Ray Davies

Newport Wetlands, RSPB, South Wales - Sunday 04 Dec 2016 We arrived at the Goldcliff part of the reserve and from beside the coach we soon saw a Buzzard fly past and many Redwing and some Fieldfare feeding in the nearby hedgerow. House Sparrows were at a feeder in a nearby garden. As we crossed the nearby stream a Grey Wagtail flew downstream. A Kingfisher was seen along a fieldside ditch. The pools were not frozen, thankfully, but held few birds. Shelduck, Mallard, many Teal and a few Wigeon were the wildfowl. The waders were represented by a group of Dunlin a few Redshank and two Greenshank. The hedgerows fed more Redwing and occasional Mistle Thrush. A few Skylark flew through and Chaffinch and Goldfinch were seen before we rejoined the coach to go to the Wetlands. Curlew, Dunlin and Redshank fed on the exposed mud. Searching around the reedbeds showed Stonechat, overflying Bearded Tits, and a Bittern for a very lucky few including an ecstatic lady for whom it was the first she had seen!! In a neighbouring field a Mistle Thrush and a Song Thrush fed with Wood Pigeons and Moorhens. At dusk we watched a murmuration of thousands of Starlings despite views being partially obstructed by the trees where they went to roost. Rutland Water - Sunday 08 Jan 2017 On our way to the dam end of Rutland Water we saw some Red Kites despite the damp and misty weather - some in roadside trees and hunting over the road. Soon after we arrived at the dam we scanned the area below the dam for the reported female Surf Scoter and soon found her feeding among Tufted Ducks. A Kingfisher flew by and obligingly perched on nearby rocks adding a splash of colour to the dull surroundings. Siskin were found moving through treeetops in the car park trees. We left for the Egleton reserve and were soon viewing Lagoon 1 from the Visitor Centre. Goosander and Pintail were among the usual wildfowl and a Stock Dove roosted in a poolside tree. From Grebe hide two female Smew and a Great White Egret fed along pool edges. Here there were also numerous Pintail!! Lagoon 4 held a roost of common gull species and more interestingly a female Peregrine. She used the Osprey nest structures to perch and hunt from and was harassed occasionally by some Jackdaws. At Shoveler hide the water level was very low but no waders! Four male and three female Smew were feeding by the reeds at the back of the pool as were two more Great White Egrets. From Lapwing hide we looked out over the main reservoir at masses of wildfowl among which was a pair of Red-crested Pochard. A return to Grebe hide was unsuccessful at finding the Stonechat seen by others earlier. However Great White Egret and Little Egret feeding near each other exemplified the significant difference between their sizes! We returned to view over Lagoon 1 and found Stonechat - finally - feeding nearby in areas of dead reeds. Those who went to look over the South Arm braved the muddy conditions and were rewarded with views of a female Common Scoter. A thankfully dry, although dull day had yielded a pleasing 76 species to start the year. Ray Davies 35 i54 REVISITED - BY JAMIE DUNN 2016 was a year with both positives and negatives on my local patch. It started off with Jaguar Land Rover filling in what I called the ‘wader pool’. I couldn’t quite believe It as over the years this small pool had attracted good numbers of waders including Ringed Male Stonechat at i54 - photo Jamie Dunn and Little Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Red and Greenshank, Common and Green Sandpiper and both Godwit species to name a few. The thing I missed the most this year was the gathering of the Swallows and House Martins at the end of the summer, they would fatten themselves up on the flies that swarmed above the pool in their hundreds. Jaguar Land Rover have since relocated the pool meters away from the old one which is great news but now it’s just a waiting game to see if the birds will come back. A promising sign was the arrival of seven Little Ringed Plovers that graced the i54 from 27th March to the 26th of June. Although they didn’t go to the new pool (possibly because of the ongoing work) they did return and attempted to breed so fingers crossed 2017 will see the return of some of my favourite waders. So, a poor year for waders but unexpectedly a good year for Stonechat. 2016 saw no less than 14 different birds pass through and on the 29th of October 6 birds were present around the site including two dazzling males. Between me and my good friend Mark Foster (Foz) we noted 95 species of bird last year which although is lower than previous years is still a great count for our patch. 2016 saw Cuckoo and Red kite added to the list taking the total to 109. We almost bagged Ring Ouzel and Black Redstart but they fell just short of our i54 border turning up on Pendeford Hall Lane just a road away from us.

Overall 2016 was a mixed year of birding and who knows what 2017 will bring. With at least three Stonechats still around and the patch Barn Owl fighting through the lack lustre struggle of January things are looking promising. The third Bird Observatories Council Newsletter Here’s a note from Steve Stansfield, The Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Warden (and Chair of the BOC), which should be of interest: Dear friends of BBFO I hope you all had a good Christmas and are enjoying the new year. In my spare time (of which I have little at the moment as I am working hard on the 2016 issue of Bardsey’s Wildlife!), I have just compiled and put together the third Bird Observatories Council Newsletter - a fabulous summary from all the British Bird Observatories for 2016. It is a bumper issue, with some great stories, photos and an introduction to a new Bird Observatory in the Channel Islands. Please use the link https://goo.gl/2Kqdju to see the newsletter. Feel free to share with friends and family members, post it on your twitter and Facebook etc. I hope you enjoy it. All the best and I hope to see many of you on the island in 2017 Steve Stansfield (Warden of BBFO and Chairman of the Bird Observatories Council) 36 Close up of the mystery bird. Can you identify it? Answer on page 39

WYRE FOREST WOODLAND BIRD SURVEY AN APPEAL FOR VOLUNTEERS The above mentioned ongoing survey is a collaborative project organised by Natural England and regional BTO. The main purpose of the scheme is to measure the effects of woodland management on bird populations in the areas managed by Natural England/Forestry Commission. The survey will be entering it’s third year in 2017 and once again we are appealing for any birders who visit Wyre Forest during the breeding season to come along and participate. We have a small number of point counts that require coverage in 2017 and beyond. Each point count involves recording all birds seen and heard in a 5 minute period over 4 visits throughout the breeding season. The skill level required is the ability to recognise woodland birds by sight, song and call. There are also numerous woodland blocks that need to be surveyed for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Wyre is one of the national strongholds for this declining, elusive species and volunteers would stand a reasonable chance of seeing or hearing one. This is a species which eludes many birders, but the survey methodology employed gives a very good chance of locating the birds if they are there. Training sessions for anyone interested can be arranged. Please contact: Steve [email protected] or Alice [email protected] WYRE FOREST WOODLAND BIRD SURVEY REPORT 2015/16 Many thanks to members of the West Midland Bird Club who have been involved in the first two years of the survey. You will be pleased to know that a report should be available sometime in the next couple of months. I can promise you some interesting reading. Steve Davies 37 Field Research Assistants (at least 2) required to support long-term bird study, University of Birmingham, UK I am a second year PhD researcher based at the University of Birmingham, UK and am look- ing to recruit 2-3 volunteers to assist with a Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) nest box monitoring program for the 2017 breeding season. All field work is based in the city of Birmingham and is conducted from the beginning of April until the end of June. Position Description: Volunteers will support a variety of tasks as part of this long-term moni- toring program which aims to determine seasonal breeding success and population dynam- ics in this urban Blue Tit population. Fieldwork will require volunteers to follow established standardised procedures for field data collection and data entry to include information on lay dates, clutch size, hatching numbers, and fledging numbers of Blue Tit chicks. There may also be an opportunity to be involved in a PIT tagging/field observation study investigating chick feeding patterns. All work is conducted across a large number of sites in and around the city of Birmingham, UK. This is a unique opportunity to gain field work experience in urban ecology and ornithology. The work involves long days and I am seeking highly motivated and energetic individuals who will thrive working in a small team, working long days (8+ hours) including early mornings and evenings and 6-7 days a week with little time off. Applicants should be flexible in terms of working hours and be available for the entire period. The work also involves a lot of walking over different types of terrain (between 5-10 miles per day) so you will need to be physically fit. An eye for detail is essential with a proven ability for accurate data collection and entry. Previ- ous experience working in the field or with birds is desirable but certainly not essential and you will have an opportunity to learn over the course of the field season. Candidates must have an undergraduate or Master’s degree in a relevant subject. If this volunteer position sounds like something you would like to get involved with please do get in touch! Transport between field sites will be provided. Please feel free to contact me for more information. To apply please provide a brief cover letter explaining how you meet the requirements and what you would hope to gain from this posi- tion, CV and details of 2 referees. Positions will be advertised until filled. Contact: Victoria Pattison-Willits, PhD Researcher/Urban Ecologist: Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences [email protected] University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK B15 2TT Victoria is also looking for individuals with ringing permits who might be interested in adopting a site over the breeding season this year and next to monitor breeding activity at the nest boxes. This would require visits to the site and checking each nest box at least once, but ideally twice a week to monitor breeding activity and, if the person had an appropriate licence, ringing of chicks and adults (rings supplied). She is also hoping that she might be able to cover travel expenses. For Victoria to get round 310 nest boxes every week is a huge amount of work so any help members can offer will not only ease the pressure but increase visitation and improve the accuracy of the data obtained. If you can help or would like more information please contact Victoria direct. 38 And Finally Answer to the quiz? - The bird is a White-tailed Ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura) taken in Colorado in April. More from Peter next month. I do hope that you have enjoyed this bumper edition of your Newsletter as much as I have when collating it. Don’t forget the next issue is in your hands - I only put it together! And please, please do get in touch with me and let me have your feedback about publicising our huge People’s Postcode Lottery Grant (see pages 26/27). Sue

Suggestions - The officers of the club welcome suggestions and feedback from the membership regarding any aspect of our club. Please send them to the most appropriate officer or, if in doubt to Mark, our Secretary who will pass them on.

Next Issue - The Summer issue of your newsletter will go to press by mid-May and should be on your door mats at the beginning of June. Please send your contributions to the editor by 1st May at the latest. Anything received after this cut off date will be held over until the Autumn issue.

WMBC Officers Press Officer - As Honorary Secretary President - W. E. Oddie O.B.E. Email: [email protected] Vice Presidents - A.J. Richards, Annual Report Editor - D.W. Emley, G.R. Harrison 23 Leacroft, Stone, Staffordshire ST15 8GF Email: [email protected] Chairman - Kevin Clements, 26 Hambrook Close, Dunstall Park, Website - Jim Winsper Wolverhampton, WV6 0XA 32 Links Road, Hollywood, Birmingham B14 4TP Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Deputy Chairman - Roger Broadbent, Newsletter Editor - Sue Judge Maple Cottage , 8 Home Farm Court, Ingestre 3 Fennel Close, Cheslyn Hay, WS6 7DZ Stafford ST18 0PZ Email: [email protected] [email protected] Advertising Honorary Secretary - Mark Rickus, Enquiries regarding advertising in this 27 Ringmere Avenue, Castle Bromwich B36 9AT publication should be addressed to the Editor. Email: [email protected] Small ads of direct benefit to members and ‘for Honorary Treasurer - A. Thomas sale’ items from members will be normally be 24 Awbridge Road, Dudley, West Midlands, included free of charge, space permitting. DY2 0JA Email: [email protected] The WMBC is a Registered Charity (number 213311), serving birdwatchers, ornithologists Membership Secretary (elect) - Michael Bevan, and all who have an interest in the birds of 64 Brookfields Road, IPSTONES, STOKE on TRENT, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and ST10 2LY the West Midlands Counties. Email: [email protected] Permits Secretary - As Honorary Secretary Website - westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk Email: [email protected] Twitter account @WestMidBirdClub 39

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