BIRMINGHAM BIRD CLUB.
ELEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT
ON THE BIRDS OF WARWICKSHIRE, WORCESTERSHIRE
AND SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE,
1944.
Is. 6d. CONTENTS. l. EDITORIAL.
2. BIRDS OF THE OLD HILLS.
3. ROTTON PARK RESERVOIR.
4. WYCHALL POOL.
5. MIGRANTS.
6. CLASSIFIED NOTES.
7. ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS.
8. COUNCIL AND MEMBERS.
9. FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
EDITORIAL. During the year 1944 the most outstanding records were of the Buzzard nesting in Worcestershire for the first time since about 1836 ; the appearance of a Red-spotted Bluethroat near Bewdley in April; an " irruption " of Waxwings in January ; and the nesting of the Common Sandpiper near Evesham. The various reservoirs, owing perhaps to the drought, did not attract many waders or Terns in the autumn, but an extra- ordinary number of Dunlins appeared at Bittell in May. An interesting paper by Mr. H. J. Tooby seems to indicate that the ploughing up of Commons may lead to an increase of nesting birds rather than the reverse, when the latter might be expected. The number of correspondents who sent in notes was larger than in any other War year, and this reflects the increasingly widespread interest in the bird life around Birmingham. We were especially pleased to receive notes from the N.W. parts of Worcestershire ; unfortunately Warwickshire continues to be neglected in this respect. During 1945 we hope to receive information about the number of Rooks and House Martins that nest within the boundaries of any city or town in the area covered by this Report. The counting of Rooks nests might be of interest to, and undertaken by some of the Schools. A. J. HARTHAN. BIRDS OF THE OLD HILLS, NEAR MALVERN.
By H. J. TOOBY.
This Common was surveyed in 1942 so that a record might be made of changes in the Bird-population due to ploughing and subsequent reseeding to grass. The figures given refer to the estimated number of breeding pairs. For the purposes of this survey, any male bird seen which was clearly not merely foraging, was included as a breeding pair— although a proportion of such males would be non-breeding birds. The Old Hills comprise some 135 acres of common land lying south of Callow End on both sides of the main road from Worcester to Upton-on-Severn. The commfcn falls naturally into four main areas. Area (1) consists of some 40 acres to the N.W. of the Upton road. There are a few cottages as " islands " in this area. In 1942 there were many thickets of tall gorse, up to six feet high, with brambles and sapling trees growing through the older ones. A bramble- patch' close to the road on the highest part of the hills held a pair each of Linnet, Yellow Bunting, Willow-warbler and White- throat. Brambles had spread over a wide area from the hedge ; all the Chiffchaffs were here, but nearly all the other birds were found in the thickets. This area was cleared and ploughed in February, 1943, and planted with spring-wheat. A few small trees had been left ; they were favourite song-posts for Tree- pipits. Several old marl-pits remained undisturbed ; a Tree- pipit nested in one, a Yellow Bunting in another.
Area (2) covers some 45 acres, also on the N.W. side of the Upton Road. Its steeper slopes were carpeted with gorse which held most of the Linnets and Yellow Buntings and, where mixed with brambles, Whitethroats also. On the flatter ground towards Madresfield Park were several large thickets of thorn, brambles, etc., which contained a varied bird-population with Song-thrushes and Willow-warblers predominating. Prelimin- ary burning and some clearance was carried out in March, 1943. This work was resumed soon after my survey, and was com- pleted by the end of May. The earlier work may have disturbed 1 the Song-thrushes, only one of which remained. Otherwise the birds seemed to have been remarkably little affected by it. The later work must have destroyed many nests. On a visit in early June, it appeared that many birds had moved to area (4). Whitethroats were especially abundant and Tree-pipits had doubled in numbers since May. As in area (1) a strip of land has been left uncultivated along the hedge-side, and a wider one along the road. A few pairs of Chaffinches, Yellow Buntings, Tree-pipits, Tits, Whitethroats and Blackbirds which were found along these strips of rough ground were all that were left in 1944 out of a mixed company of twenty species.
Area (3) remains untouched. It is a long narrow strip between areas (1) and (2), and amounts to 4 acres. It includes a few Oaks, Chestnuts and Pines, and three large clumps of Elm trees which provide nesting-holes for a colony of Jackdaws and a few Starlings.
Area (4) comprises 46 acres lying to the S.E. of the main road. It is so far undisturbed and will probably remain so. There are a few small thickets on the close-cropped turf of the north slopes. Most of the birds are found on the roughest part of the common which slopes towards the south an3 west. There are many trees and wide stretches of gorse on these slopes, and also several thickets of hawthorns, etc., especially on the lower ground. It will be noticed that the increase in the number of birds here in 1943 far exceeds the decreases in area (1). There appears to have been an influx of Finches, Tits, Warblers, Robins and Hedge-sparrows. In 1944 the numbers on this area showed a further increase ; Linnets and other finches were, no doubt, refugees from area (2), but more Robins evidently came from outside. On the other hand, Warblers were hardly as numerous as in May, 1943. The population of this area has all but doubled in two years and is now nearly three pairs per acre.
The table shows that in spite of two thirds of the common being cultivated, there was a small increase in 1943 and little further change in the 1944 total. Linnets, Warblers, Song- thrushes and Turtle-doves have deserted the cultivated portions of the common ; Blackbirds, Chaffinches and Yellow builtings appeared more adaptable, being content with very little cover; Tree-pipits increased slightly on the cultivated portion. It is hoped to repeat the survey annually.
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in CO 'r&t O) 5 o m oswoo —i n< " « « Tf un on | Tf o> — m m U4)i S-SS-S2 s OJ C 3 3 ON L-»C5 — 1/5 CO CD CO I <•> JS be bo to S? DS BC Sin oa A tg J2 oj.-s &o o .5? §,+> o JS 5 JO^ HOB OK 3 ROTTON PARK RESERVOIR, EDGBASTON. By W. E. GROVES. Notes on this Reservoir have appeared in the 1936, 1939 and 1941 Reports. Since the last named year it has undergone various vicissitudes which have very materially affected the bird life to be seen there Conditions changed very much for the worse in 1944. The ground was badly trodden by grazing cattle and probably few of the nesting birds were able to bring off' young. Most of the cover for Snipe as well as the seeding plants were flattened. A further disaster befell the ground-nesting birds in the Summer, when the Reservoir was opened in the afternoons free, and the " amusement park " became active again. The'crowds — particularly g.t holiday times — spread over and picnicked on the grass and the small numbers of Yellow Wagtails which remained — then busy with their nests — had a very bad time. In the mornings, before the public were admitted, Lesser Black Backed Gulls were frequent visitors, and with the closing of the grounds in the Autumn there was some recovery in the bird life. Herons for the first time became regular visitors ; a few Mallard and Wigeon were usually present and there were also flocks of Green Plover. The number of Blackheaded Gulls greatly increased—parties up to seventy being seen at the end of the year. Sandpipers have been noted twice only and Wheat- ears on three days. The note in the* 1941 Report (referred to above) mentioned that the number of species seen at the Reservoir was fifty-eight. This figure has now been increased to sixty-five. Although some recapitulation is involved it may be of interest to give the follow- ing complete list of the birds observed within the boundaries of the Reservoir during the last nine years :— Carrion crow, rook, magpie, starling, greenfinch,, goldfinch, house sparrow, chaffinch, linnet, bullfinch, reed bunting, skylark, white wagtail, pied wagtail, grey wagtail, yellow wagtail, meadow pipit, great tit, coal tit, blue tit, spotted flycatcher, lesser whitethroat, chifichaff, willow warbler, mistle thrash, song thrush, redwing, fieldfare, blackbird, robin, wheatear, hedgesparrow, wren, swallow, pied woodpecker, swift, sparrow- hawk, kestrel, mallard, teal, wigeon, pochard, scaup, tufted duck, golden- eye, heron, common snipe, jack snipe, purple sandpiper, dunlin, red- shank, green sandpiper, common sandpiper, ringed plover, green plover, common gull, herring gull, lesser black backed gull, black headed gull, common/arctic tern, great crested grebe, little grebe, moorhen, coot, ringdove. 4 WYCHALL POOL. By MRS. E. BUTLER. This pool is about five acres in area and is surrounded by willow trees ; it is gradually filling up from one side with Squisetum palustre. There is a small island with a few Scotch fir trees in the middle of the pool. On the north side is a rubbish tip and a factory ; on the west a footpath and fields ; golf links on the south and to the east another factory and a few houses. It is five miles from the centre of Birmingham. I have seen no Waders there except Common Sandpipers on one occasion. About fifty Mallard frequent the pool. The maximum number of Duck that I have seen are two-hundred Wigeon, seventy Pochard, thirty Tufted Duck, and twenty Teal. There are a few Coots and as many as seven Dabchicks at a time. In March, 1944, seven Canada Geese arrived and also eight Great Crested Grebes ; a pair of the latter nested at the end of July and laid four eggs but they did not rear any young. A few Black-headed Gulls pay desultory visits to the pool. Six Carrion Crows roost in the fir trees on the island, and Kingfishers may be seen in the willows there. Swallows nest in the boat house. In the trees surrounding the pool are Garden Warblers, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Longtailed Tits, Whitethroats, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, and Wrens and Robins in numbers. A Grey Wagtail appeared on the bank last autumn. 5 SUMMER MIGRANTS. In order to save space, the dates of arrival and departure of the nine commonest Migrants only, are given. Arrival. Departure. CHIFFCHAFF. Mar. 19. Salwarpe (A.J.M.) Sept. 17. Selly Oak (H.G.A.) „ 28. Bransford (H.J.T.) „ 13. Acocks Gn. (A.A.K.W.) Apl. 1. Bellfields (C.K.J.) „ 12. Evesham (A.J.H.) 3. Evesham (A.J.H.) WILLOW WARBLER. April 5. Bittell (C.K.J.) Sept. 18. Selly Oak (H.G.A.) „ 8. Evesham (A.J.H.) * 12. Evesham (A.J.H.) 8. Earlswood (A.A.K.W.) BLACKCAP. April 9. Hagley (A.J.H.) Oct. 17. Powick (H.J.T.) „ 15. Bittell (C.K.J.) „ 15. Evesham (A.J.H.) „ 18. Bromsgrove (H.G.A.) „ 2. Selly Oak (H.G.A.) WHITE THROAT. April 12. Evesham (A.J.H.) Sept. 12. Evesham (A.J.H.) „ 15. Doddenham (H.J.T.) - 10. Bransford (H.J.T.) .. 15. Bittell (C.K.J.) - 6. Bellfields (H.G.A.) „ 18. Bromsgrove (H.G.A.) NIGHTINGALE. April 12. SherifisLench (A.J.H.) 15. Leigh (H.J.T.) 16. Hanbury (A.J.M.) SWALLOW. April 1. Bellfields (C.K.J.) Oct. 21. Fladbury (A.J.H.) 4. Bransford (H.J.T.) .. 15. Bromsgrove (A.J.M.) 4. Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) Sept. 29. Bittell (H.G.A.) „ 13. Bittell (C.K.J.) .. 25. Bransford (H.J.T.) HOUSE MARTIN. April 1. Bellfields (H.G.A.) Oct. 23. Knowle (A.A.K.W.) „ 10. Bransford (H.J.T.) „ 13. Bromsgrove (A.J>M.) 18. Evesham (A.J.H.) .. 6. Evesham (A.J.H.) „- 20. Upton Warren (A.J.M.) Sept. 29. Bittell (H.G.A.) SWIFT. April 29 Bittell (H.G.A.) Sept. 8. Bromsgrove (A.J.M.) May 2. Bromsgrove (A.J.M.) .. 8. Evesham (A.J.H.) 4. Bittell (C.K.J.) .. 7. Bittell (H.G.A.) 4. Bransford (H.J.T.) 4. Evesham (A.J.H.) 2. Edgbaston (W.E.G.) 4. Acocks Gn. (A.A.K.W.) TURTLE DOVE. May 7. Castlemorton (H.J.T.) Sept. 3. Bittell (H.G.A.) 7. Henley-in-A. (A.A.K.W.) „ 3. Tenbury (H.J.T.) 9. Upton Warren (A.J.M.) • Aug. 30. Upton Warren (A.J.M.) 6 WINTER MIGRANTS. Arrival. Departure. REDPOLL. Oct. 16. Bromsgrove (A.J.M.) Mar. 20. Bittell (C.K.J.) Nov. 22. Bransford (H.J.T.) „ 3. Bransford (H.J.T.) BRAMBLING. Oct. 7. Warndon (A.J.M.) Mar. 12. Evesham (A.J.H.) Nov. 16. Evesham (A.J.H.) Jan. 23. Bromsgrove (A.J.M.) FIELDFARE. Nov. 1. Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) April 8. Earlswood (A.A.K.W.) 8. Bransford (H.J.T.) Mar. 31. Bransford (H.J.T.) Dec. 24. Upton Warren (A.J.M.) „ 28. Bromsgrove (A.J.M.) REDWING. Oct. 3. Evesham (A.J.H.) Mar. 23. Bromsgrove (A.J.M.) „ 11. Selly Oak (H.G.A.) „ 7. Bransford (H.J.T.) ,. 15. Cotheridge (H.J.T.) WIGEON. Sept. 15. Bittell (H.G.A.) April 16. Bittell (A.J.M.) CLASSIFIED NOTES. I — Warwickshire. II — Worcestershire. Ill — South Staffordshire Magpie. I. One perched on spire of St. Augustine's Church, Edgbaston, 26.10. (W.E.G.) II. Flock of 60 at Sheriffs Lench in December (A.J.H.), and over 30 at Woodcote in January (F.F.) Hawfinch. II. Seen at Crown East, near Worcester, 7.4. (H.J.T.) Goldfinch. II. Newly fledged young at Hagley, 16.9 (G.M.K.) a very late date. Mealy Redpoll. II. A female seen feeding upon wormwood seed with a Lesser Redpoll, at Powick, 13.2 (H.J.T.) Crossbill. II. Single bird in Randan Wood, 18.9 (F.F.) Cirl Bunting. II. A male at Malvern Wells, in May (H.J.T.), where a pair was seen later (A.J.M.) Reed Bunting. I. Two pairs nested in Edgbaston Park (D.H.N.) Snow Bunting. II. One at Upton Warren pool, 11.5 (A.J.M.) Woodlark. II. A late nest in wheat a foot high, near Kidder- minster, 28.5 (D.H.N.), an unusual site. Yellow Wagtail. III. About 40 at Bellfields, 4.8. (D.J.) 7 White Wagtail. II. Bittell: three, 29.4, two, 6.5 (H.G.A.). One, 23.4 (A.J.M.) Willow Tit. I. A pair seen carrying reed mace fluff to their nest hole in a birch stump in Edgbaston Park, 4.4. (J.P.P.) Red Backed Shrike. II. Nest near Kidderminster, 16.6. (D.H.N.) Waxwing. An " invasion " of these birds reached the N.E. coast in November, 1943 ; a flock appeared at Bewdley (II) on December 31st ; single birds were seen at Barnt Green in early February, and at Sheriffs Lench, 18.3. (A.J.H.) In Warwickshire, one was seen near Redditch, 18.1 ; a flock of 10—12 birds at Yardley Wood, 20.2 (W.J.P.) ; and three at Handsworth, 10.3. Pied Flycatcher. I. A male sang in a garden at Bournville during a fortnight in May (H.G.A.) II. A male was seen " playing about " a Nuthatch's nesting hole in an oak tree in Wyre Forest, 30.4 (D.H.N.) The observer had watched the same performance occur at the ' identical spot in April, 1943, but unfortunately was unable to obtain proof of breeding. Wood Warbler. III. Several seen in the Aboretum, Walsall, 9.4. (D.J.) Marsh Warbler. II. A pair nested near the Teme within half a mile of the Herefordshire border (H.J.T.) Garden Warbler. I. Two nests in Edgbaston Park, in May. (D.H.N.) • Ring Ouzel. I. One at Selly Oak, 17.3 (H.G.A.) Wheatear. I. Two, ?9.3 and 1.4, one 8.5, Rotton Park (W.E.G.) Greenland Wheatear. II. A male and two females at Castle Morton, 7.5 (H.J.T.) Nightingale. II. A nest at Kidderminster, 7.5 ,(D.H.N.) Robin. I. Repeatedly built a nest in the saddlebag of a bicycle parked daily with others in an open shed at Knowle ; the saddlebag was filled with leaves, straw and moss each morning and, if emptied, again during the afternoon. The saddlebag was one of several, but the same one was always selected whatever the position of the bicycle (A.A.K.W.) Nightjar. II. Nest near Kidderminster, 4.7. (D.H.N.) Cuckoo. II. One was reared in a Flycatchers nest on a cottage at Church Lench. (A.J.H.) This " foster parent " almost invariably rejects the egg or deserts, if a Cuckoo lays in its nest. 8 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. II. Seen " drumming " on the flagpole on the tower of Hinton Church, near Evesham, in May (A.J.M.) Hobby. II. One was seen dashing through a very large flock of Sand Martins over Upton Warren Pool, 2.5. (A.J.M.) Buzzard. I. A female was caught in a Badger trap at Earls- wood, 12.5 (S.H.S.), and one was shot at Luddington in September. (A.J.H.) II. Single birds were seen near Bittell, 19.5. (A.J.M.), at Hagley, 17.9 (G.M.K.), and at Sheriffs Lench, 1.10 (A.J.H.) The following tells how a pair bred successfully in Worcester- shire for the first time since about 1836. As their sucess was largely'due to the protection afforded "them by the landowner, and other persons in the neighbourhood, all clues to the identity of the actual place have been deleted in the hope that the Buzzards may continue to nest in the county unmolested. " I came to the district in November, 1943. It was shortly afterwards that I noticed a pair of Buzzards, one in a tree and the other on the ground by a fowl house. On one or two occasions during the winter I saw one or other of the birds but it was not until early March that I began to see them regularly. Then there was usually the pair of them circling high overhead and occasion- ally playing with one another. Once I saw three and another time four together. On April 1st, 1944, I saw the pair of Buzzards perched in a tree of a wood and prominent in thS top of another tree was a large nest. The nest was considerably larger than a Crow's, built largely of sticks and the cup and top of fresh green twigs, mostly hazel and hawthorn. The nest had clearly been used the previous year. There were no eggs. The buzzards must have observed us at the nest for they followed us till we were right away from it, moving from one tree-top to another, but keeping us in sight all the while. On two further visits to the nest in April I found it still empty, but each time fresh green twigs had been added and it was growing yet more massive. On May 14th there were three eggs and the birds had been sitting. They quickly returned to the nest when I left. On May 29th the eggs were still unhatched. On July 6th I visited the nest for the last time. As I was climbing up the tree the plentiful droppings and the occasional rabbit's leg or fur caught in the branches assured me that the eggs had hatched safely. As I came into view of the nest one 9 bird flew from it down into a nearby tree, rather clumsily I thought and I believe it was a young one making its first flight. At any rate one young bird remained in the nest to threaten me with half open beak and fixed stare. As I climbed closer it raised its wings above its head to look even more fierce. Its plumage seemed very complete and I should imagine it was ready to leave the nest any day. The old birds soon appeared, to circle twenty-five feet overhead with their piteous cries, but soon they withdrew to keep up their chorus at a distance. The nest was now transformed into a huge platform and there were still green twigs in it. The youngster had been interrupted in a meal of a young rabbit. There was an un- hatched egg pushed to the edge of the nest on the further side to which the young bird was backing. When I stretched out my hand to secure the egg the bird made a half-hearted effort to strike my hand with its foot. The egg proved to be infertile. The old birds ceased their crying soon after I left and I presume the family was safely united. I have seen them no more. " Mute Swan. III. About 50 on Cannock Reservoir in Septem- ber. (DJ.) Canada Goose. I. A pair nested in Cannon Hill Park. (E.B.) II. BitteH; twenty-three, 15.10. (A.A.K.W.). Two at Westwood, 19.3. (D.H.N.) III. Bellfields ; two, 29.5 (W.F.I.), seven during December (W.F.I., A.N.J.) Shelduck. II. Bittell. Three, seen arriving from the East at a great height, 28.1. (H.G.A.) ; one, 24.1 and three, 23.3. (C.K.J.) III. Bellfields. A juvenile, 6.9. (H.G.A.), eighteen, 10.9. (J.H.S., W.F.I.), one 7.12. (A.N.J.) Garganey. II. Bittell. Two males and one female, 8.4 (C.K.J., A.J.M.) Upton Warren. A pair, 4.5 and 28.5, and two, 30.8. (A.J.M.) Wigeon. II. Bittell. During the early spring a curious Duck, assumed to be an American Wigeon, was consorting with the ordinary species. " On April 2nd, I had a view of it at a distance of barely twenty yards ; in shape, build and colour of the mantle it was just like a Wigeon. The flanks and most of the breast were rich chestnut. The head and upper neck were glossy black-green just like the head of a Mallard or Shoveller. I was accompanied by an American ornithologist who was quite satisfied that no American Wigeon could show that colour. Presumably the bird 10 was a hybrid with Wigeon as one of its parents and possibly Mallard or Shoveller as the other." (H.G.A.) Upton Warren. Forty-seven, 30.1, and wintered on this pool for the first time. (A.J.M.) Pintail. II. Bittell. Two, 22.11. (H.G.A.) Upton Warren. Present from end of January—end April, seven, 19.2. (A.J.M.) III. Bellfields. Two during January (J.H.S.), twelve, 26.2. (H.G.A.), four, 10.4 (J.H.S.), three, 26.10 (A.N.J.) and 29.12 (D.J.) Shoveller. II. Bittell. One, 23.3. (C.K.J.) III. Bellfields. Two pairs seen in May, but did not breed. (W.F.I.) None, 4.8, six, 27.9. (D.J.) ; twenty-five, 7.12 (A.N.J.) Tufted Duck. I. Brood of nine, in Edgbaston Park, 2.8. (J-PP) II. Upton Warren, pair with fifteen young, 16.7 (A.J.M.) (2nd record of nesting from this Pool and the 5th for Worcs.) Goldeneye. I. A duck at Edgbaston Park, 12.11 (D.H.N.) Five at Bartley Reservoir, 29.12 (J.P.P.) II. A duck at Bittell, 22.10 (A.J.M.). A male at Westwood, 19.3 (D.H.N.) III. Bellfields. Five, 26.3 (W.F.I.). One, 26.10 ; three, 23.11 (A.N.J.) Common Scoter. II. Bittell. One, 31.8. (C.K.J.) III. Bellfields. One, 9.11 (A.N.J.) Goosander. II. Bittell. Two " brown-heads," 9.12 (H.G.A.) III. Bellfields. Twelve in early March (A.N.J.), sixteen, 26.2 (H.G.A.). Smew. III. Bellfields. One " red-head," 29.12 (D.J.) Black-Necked Grebe. I. One at Edgbaston Park, 29.10, and stayed ten days (D.H.N.) Black-Tailed Godwit. II. One at Bittell, 16.5. (H.G.A., C.K.J., A.J.M.) Curlew. II. Seen at Bransford from early March until end of June (H.J.T.) Bittell, single birds, 3.4 (D.J.) and 17.12 (E.B.), an unusual date. III. Bellfields. Seen occasionally from mid March until early June. (W.F.I., J.H.S.) Whimbrel. II. Single birds heard flying over Bittell on May 6th and 24th. (H.G.A.) 11 Woodcock. II. One flushed near Upper Bittell, 18.4 (W.E.G.) Common Snipe. III. About 100 at Bellfields, 4.8. (D.J.) Jack Snipe. II. 1—3 birds flushed at Bittell from mid- October until March (H.G.A., C.K.J.) III. Three at Bellfields, 1.4. (H.G.A.) Turnstone. II. Bittell. Two, 12.5. (C.K.J.), five, 16.5. (H.G.A.). Knot. III. Bellfields. One, 4.8. (D.J.), four, 3.9. (J.H.S., G.M.K.). Dunlin. I. The only one to appear at Rotton Park was seen, 13.5. (W.E.G.). II. Six arrived at Bittell on March 25th ; from then they made frequent appearances until the end of May. There were extraordinary numbers in the shallows on May 6th ; during the morning I estimated their number as about seventy. The autumn passage lasted from mid-July until end of September, the largest number being twelve on September 3rd. (H.G.A.) III. Bellfields. Present from early June until end of Septem- ber, the largest number being fourteen on August 12th. (J.H.S.) Little Stint. II. One at Bittell, 19.5. (C.K.J.) Sanderling. II. Bittell. One, 6.5. (H.G.A.) ; five, 20.5 ; two 24.5. (C.K.J.). III. Bellfields. One, 2.9. (J.H.S., W.F.I.) Ruff. I. One at Curdworth, 10.9. (A.A.K.W.) III. Bellfields. One, 1.4.(H.G.A.) ; a pair present for ten days from July 26th ; one, 27.9. (D.J.) Common Sandpiper. II. Nested near the Avon, near Evesham (A.J.H.). Bittell. Six, 9.6. (C.K.J.) III. Bellfields. One, 9.3. (A.N.J.) ; a very early date ; present from August until end of September, largest number being ten, 3.9. (J.H.S.) Green Sandpiper. I. One at Rotton Park, 6.12 ; is the first record from this reservoir. (W.E.G.) II. Bittell. Single birds from January—early April (H.G.A., C.K.J.) ; two, 23.8. (A.J.M.) and 7.9. (H.G.A.) III. Bellfields. Two, 23.4. (W.F.I.) ; six, 4.8. (D.J.) ; three from early August until September (J.H.S., W.F.I.) ; r two, 23.11. (A.N.J.) 12 Redshank. II. Six at Bittell, 23.3. (C.K.J.) II. Bellfields. Five, 16.3. (A.N.J.) ; a pair mating, 23.4. (W.F.I.) Greenshank. I. Three at Curdworth, 10. (A.A.K.W.) II. One at Bittell, 29.8. (A.J.M.) III. Bellfields. Three, 26.8. (J.H.S.) ; two, 6.9. (H.G.A.) ; one, 14.9. (A.N.J.) Ringed Plover. II. Bittell. Two, 14.3. (C.K.J.) ; appeared also from May until early June. Nine, 25.8. (H.G.A.) ; three, 15.9. fC.K.J.) III. Present at Bellfields from August until end of Septem- ber, largest number being thirteen, 12.8. (J.H.S.) Oystercatcher. I. One seen at Bartley, 25.5. tJ.P.P.) ; was probably the bird that was seen at Upton Warren Pool (II) on the same day by (A.J.M.). III. One was seen flying S.E. from Bellfields, 30.4. (W.F.I.) Blacktern. III. One at Bellfields, 16.9. (J.H.S.) Common/Arctic Terns. I. One at Rotton Park, 26.8. (W.E.G.) II. Probable Arctic, at Bittell, 23.8. (A.J.M.) III. Single birds at Bellfields on September 10th, 16th and 23rd (J.H.S.) Common Gull. III. Three at Bellfields, 30.11. (A.N.J.) Herring Gull. I. Single birds at Rugby in January and February (J.P.P.) ; five at Bartley, 29.12. (J.P.P.) II. Two at Bittell, 17.12. (A.J.M.). Seen twice on the Severn near Worcester during February (H.J.T.) III. Present at Bellfields from January—March ; returned in November (J.H.S.) ; twelve, 28.12. (A.N.J.) Scandinavian Lesser B.b. Gull. II. One was seen with birds of the British race on the Severn below Worcester at the end of March, and three in August and October (H.J.T.) One at Bittell, 2.4. (H.G.A.) Greater Black-Backed Gull. I. One dead at Bartley, 29.12. (J.P.P.). II. Three flying north at Wor cester, 10.2. (H.J.T.) III. Two at Bellfields, 16.9. (W.F.I., J.H.S.) Kittiwake. II. *One at Bittell, 16.4. (A.J.M.) Corncrake. II. Heard near Bromsgrove and Stoke Prior in May ; first record for this distrcit. (F.F.) Coot. III. Never more than 120 at Bellfields ; largest numbers in September and December ; only fifteen at end of November. (A.N.J.) 13 ADDITIONS TO 1942, 1943 AND 1944 REPORTS. B.B. = British Birds Magazine. Corn Bunting. II. One at Cofton Hackett, 19.1.42. (H.G.A.) Blue-Headed Wagtail. III. A pair at Bellfields, 9.5.42 ; is the first record for Staffs. ("B.B." 36. p. 113) Curlew. I. Nested in Warwickshire in 1939, 1941, and 1942. ("B.B." 36. p. 98) Sandwich Tern. II. One at Bittell, 12.4.42. (H.G.A.) Little Tern. II. One found dead at Wilden Pool, 18.9.42. (D.H.N.) Redpoll. II. Nest in a garden at Kidderminster, 3.5.43. (D.H.N.) • Firecrest. I. In Warwickshire, in December, 1943 ; first record for that county. ("B.B." 37. p. 198) Buzzard. III. Two at Tettenhall, 8.9.43. (W.F.I.) Pintail. III. Thirty at Bellfields, 14.2.43 ; *'The largest number I have ever seen there." (W.F.I.) Little Stint. III. One at Bellfields, 29.9.43. (W.F.I.) Little Tern. II. Four at Stourport Sewage Farm, 3.9.43. (D.H.N.) Fieldfare. I. Eleven seen near Leamington on August 12th, 1944, an exceptionally early date. ("B.B." 38. p. 96). Red-Spotted Bluethroat. II. Seen near Bewdley in early April, 1944. ("B.B." 38. p. 155). Gannet. II. Adult found dead near Aston Subedge, 13.6.44. (A.B.L.) CORRECTION TO 1940 REPORT. Rook census in Evesham area : a mistake was made as to the scale of the O.S. map used, the following is the correct summary— " Area surveyed was 96 square miles on O.S. Map sheet 82, squares F., G., H., J., 1—7. Total number of nests was found to be 1,092. This figure represents 11.3 nests per square mile. Excluding 16 square miles of intensive vegetable farming which contained only 31 nests, the density of nests in the remaining 80 square miles was 13.2 nests per square mile." Delete remainder of paragraph. CORRECTIONS TO 1943 REPORT. Water Pipit. For "conspicuous" read "inconspicuous." Common Sandpiper. Substitute (H.J.T.) for (A.J.H.) Little Stint. Delete 11.12. (C.K.J.) 14 COUNCIL AND MEMBERS. Council marked *. Contributors to the Report marked f. (All addresses are Birmingham unless otherwise indicated). *tAlexander, H. G., 144, Oaktree Lane, Selly Oak. Asterley, Miss M. H., 72, Victoria Road, Stechford. Bannister, C. W., Fiddington, Ashchurch, Tewkesbury. •Barlow, F. R., 6, Swarthmore Road, Selly Oak. Beale, E. P., 62, Wellington Road, Edgbaston. Burton, Miss D., 70, Arden Road, Acocks Green. tButler, Mrs. E„ 195, Rednal Road, King's Norton.' •Cadbury, Mrs. J., 170, Oaktree Lane, Bouraville. Carr, P., Ormond, Newbold-on-Stour, Stratford-on-Avon. •Carter, Miss B. A., Fir Tree Cottage, Chipperfield, King's Langley. Chatwin, Miss B„ 196, West Heath Road, Northfield. Clifiord, K., c/o Mrs. Jennings, Bear Hill, Alvechurch. Dark, Miss V. I., 180, Redstone Park Road, Hall Green. Dawson, G., 123, Hagley Road, Edgbaston. Edkins, W. J., Langley Gorse, Walmley, Sutton Coldfield. fFincher, F., Randan Wood, Woodcote, Bromsgrove. Forster, I. Lindsay, 26, St. Agnes Road, Moseley. Forster, Mrs. I. Lindsay, 26, St. Agnes Road, Moseley. Fox, J. P., 86, Portland Road, Edgbaston. Froggatt, W. T„ 64, Grafton Road, Handsworth. Gibbins, Miss M., Horn's Boon, Linthurst Road, Barnt Green. Gibbon, Mrs. S. M., 12, Middle Park Close, Selly Oak. Grove, Miss N., 14, Hart Road, Erdington. •fGroves, W. E., 4, Lyttelton Road, Edgbaston. Hamel, Major A. de, Wigginton Lodge, Tamworth. •fHarthan, A. J., Badger's Hill, Sheriff's Lench, Evesham. Heaton, G. Howard, 26, St. Bernard's Road, Olton. Hobson, A., 18, HiU Top, West Bromwich. •(•Ireland, W. F., Junr., Wraysbury, Hanbury Crescent, Wolverhampton, •f James, Miss C. K., Blake's Wood,,Plymouth Road, Barnt Green, f Jenkins, D., 64, Highgate Road, Walsall. •Kenrick, W. E., 78, Westiield Road, Edgbaston. •Kenrick, H., The Grove, Harborae Park Road. *f King, G. M., " Little Barton," West Hagley, near Stourbridge. fLane, Mrs. A. B., Blackdowns, Moreton-in-Marsh. Larkin, Mrs. W., 37, Wheatsheaf Road, Edgbaston. Lloyd, G. B., 77, Farquhar Road, Edgbaston. fMartin, A. J., " Beecot," Orchard Road, Bromsgrove. Morshead, P. E. A., " Morningside," Graham Road, Malvern. •Norris, C. A., Grassholme, 16, Warwick Road, Stratford-on-Avon. Norris, Mrs. C. A., Grassholme, 16, Warwick Road, Stratford-on-Avon. fPaige, J. P., 49, Wheeleys Road, Edgbaston. Palfrey, H. E., Everscote, Pedmore, Stourbridge. Prichard, Miss E., 30, Reddings Lane, Moseley. fProcter, W. J., 76, Woodlands Rgad, Moseley. Pumphrey, Miss M. E., The Shrubbery, Alvechurch. Ratcliffe, Dr. J. R., " Elmdon," Wake Green Road, Moseley. Risbridger, C. A., Woodcock Lane, Northfield. 15 Salter, R.., 52, Willow Road, Bournville. •Sanderson, W. W„ 32, Kensington Road, Selly Hill. Score, T. J., 13, Portland Road, Edgbaston. fSheldon, Dr. J. H., " Airedale," Regis Road, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton. Silvers, C. Owen, Keepers Cottage, Orton Hills, Wolverhampton. Smithson, J. G., Island Cottage, West Heath Road, Northfield. Smithson, Mrs. J. G., Island Cottage. West Heath Road, Northfield. Spalding, J. S., 288, Wellington Road, Perry Barr. Stephens, J. S., The Deanery, Ledbury. Taylor, Mrs. M., Bunessan, Talbot Avenue, Streetley. Taylor, C. L., 71, Vernon Road, Edgbaston. Thomas, C., 48, Manor Road North, Edgbaston. fTooby, H. J., Manor Farm, Powick, Worcester. •Wallis, C. W. K„ 10, Irnham Road, Minehead. Wallis, G. C. W., 10, Irnham Road, Minehead. Warden, Miss D., 24', Vernon Road, Edgbaston. Warwick, J. G., " Goodrich," Grange Road, Dorridge. fWhitehouse, A. A. K., 83, Westley Road, Acock's Green. Whittle, E., 81, Alderbrook Road, Solihull. •Wilkinson, G. H., Glen Urquhart House, Glen Urquhart, Inverness. Williams, Mrs. A. F., Thurston End-Hall, Hawkedon, Bury-St.-Edmunds. •Wood, J. D., 52a, Linden Road, Bournville. Wright, Miss P. M., 13, Carless Avenue, Harborne. AFFILIATED : Bromsgrove School. CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS REPORT NOT MEMBERS : A. N. Johnson, Stafford. D. H. Naylor, Kidderminster. S. H. Suffield, Wythall, near Birmingham. Honorary Secretary and Treasurer : W. E. GROVES, 4, LYTTLETON ROAD, EDGBASTON, BIRMINGHAM. Tel. EDG. 0054. Editor of Reports : A. J. HARTHAN, BADGER'S HILL, SHERIFF'S LENCH, EVESHAM. Tel. Cropthorne 3. Acting Meetings Secretary : I. LINDSAY FORSTER. 26, ST. AGNES ROAD, MOSELEY, BIRMINGHAM. Tel. SOU. 1017. • Copies of this Report can be obtained from Messrs. Cornish Bros. Messrs. W. H. Smith &• Son, or the Hon'. Secretary. 16 0 0 O 0 0 0 eo eo eo eo O I—1 O eo 0 10 00