WMRG ANNUAL REPORT 2019 WMRG The West Midlands Ringing Group 2019 Annual report would not be possible without the support of the following partners
J & J Roberts Farm R.Tomlinson Pattingham Burleydam
The Bradshaws Estate R. Lay Wolverhampton Wolverley
Lower Drayton Farm Sarah Hollinshead Penkridge Rugeley
Graham Clay Mr D. Bourne Stone Little Haywood
www.westmidlandsringinggroup.co.uk
Cover Image Female Nightjar taken by Ben Locke Page 2 WMRG West Midlands Ringing Group Foreward Paul Hopwood Paul Hopwood,
Secretary of the West Midlands Ringing Group
Welcome to the second annual report for However it is vital that we illuminate and the West Midlands Ringing Group. educate opinions and bring people We received some really fantastic together to look at how the situation can feedback following our inaugural 2018 be improved. report, and I’m glad we can now present our next edition. Farmers are custodians of the countryside, and many are passionate 2019 saw the publication of the State of about the diverse nature of wildlife on their Nature report. There were some depressing farms. Clearly there is still work to be done, statistics: a 13% decline in average species’ but with dialogue and trust we can all abundance, 41% species have decreased make improvements. in abundance and 15% of species are now threatened. Whilst the reasons for the So as we move forward, we should be declines are complex, the report did working together and away from that highlight farmland management and its infamous phrase ‘Get off my land’ to a association with a 54% decline in farmland position where nature friendly farmers are bird species. encouraging wildlife volunteers to ‘Get on my land!’ Farmland covers approximately 75% of the UK and therefore is key. Away from farming we have been busy with a Nightjar project for Cannock Chase But its not all doom and gloom, and Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) and work- hopefully within this report you will see the ing with new partners. great work that is being carried out by the farmers that we work with across the We have also received further funding so region. that we can continue our work in the region. Sadly in 2019, it is very easy to criticise farmers. This is often seen across both I really hope you enjoy this report, and national and social media, views are would welcome any feedback so we can polarised, and there is seldom desire to improve future editions. work together. Paul Hopwood Page 3 Contents Page PAGE(S)
Partners 2
Foreward 3 Contents Page 4 Bird Ringing in the UK 5 Focus on Farming 6 -11 If you don’t measure it, you can’t mange it 7 Tillage Strategies 8
TWB Farms; We farm Differently 9 Our observations on Supplementary Winter Feeding 10 -11 Skylark 11 Year of the Nightjar 12 - 15 Nightjar in Staffordshire 13 Project on behalf of Cannock Chase AONB 14 Nightjars on a Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Reserve 15 Severn Trent 16 - 19
Our Work with Severn Trent 17 A Mixed Year at Severn Trent Sites 18 - 19 Thermal Imaging Surveys 20 - 23
Thermal Imaging Technology 21 Surveys 22 - 23
Our Fantastic Volunteers 24 - 25 Volunteers 25 Staffordshire Wildlife Trust 26 Public Engagement in 2019 27
Wildlife Crime 28 - 29 Supporting Wildlife Crime Investigations in the region. 29 Marsh Lane NR 30 - 37 Marsh Lane NR 2019 31 - 33 Marsh Lane Lapwing Monitoring Project 34 - 35 Marsh Lane Black-headed Gull Project 36 - 37 Working With Raptors 38 - 39 Peregrine Falcon Project 2019 39 Downed Raptors 39 Staffordshire Pied Flycatchers 40 Other news in 2019 41 Ringing Reports 42 - 47 Ringing Recoveries 43 Returning Nightjar 44 Ringing Totals 45 Subsequent Encounters 46 2018/2019 Comparison 47 2019 A Review 48
Contact Us 49 Details of partner groups and associations. 50 - 51
Page 4 Bird Ringing in the UK
The British and Irish Ringing Scheme is organised by the BTO. Over 900,000 birds are ringed in Britain and Ireland each year by over 2,600 trained ringers, most of whom are volunteers.
Bird ringing generates information on the survival, productivity and movements of birds, helping us to understand why populations are changing. Ringing data make a major contribution to the study of population changes and to our understanding of species declines. Bird populations are determined by the number of fledglings raised and the survival of both juveniles and adults. Whilst ringers collect data on survival, volunteers for the Nest Record Scheme collect information on productivity.
The results can be analysed in combination with population trend data, such as that collected through the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Sur- For further information on bird ringing in the UK, or for details on vey, to determine at which stage of a bird’s life the other BTO projects please visit cycle there might be a problem. This enables the BTO website scientists and conservationists to target appro- priate mitigation measures. WWW.BTO.ORG Did you know?
Bird ringers in the UK are Additional projects which volunteers, conducting include colour marking ringing activities in their own time and at their own cost. schemes also attract further costs. Ringers are licenced annually and are required to renew So to ring a single mute their membership with the swan with a metal ring and scheme yearly. colour ring is likely to cost Ringing is not cheap. the ringer over £5.00! Licences and specialist equipment are expensive. If you would like to make Ringers are also responsible a donation to support our for the purchase of all the work please contact us at rings that they use. Common Cuckoo [email protected]
Page 5 Focus on Farming
Page 6 If You Don’t Measure It You Can’t Manage It! South Staffordshire farmer; Andy Roberts of J and J Roberts Farm in Pattingham provides a farmers perspective on farming and farmland nature. There is a saying in business, The work of the West ‘If you don’t measure it you Midland Ringing Group can’t manage it’. This is has added to the especially true in the ongoing monitoring of business of farming where it birds on the farm, is important to have a good providing valuable data understanding of crop on the overall health and performance across our fields movements of bird to ensure we optimise inputs populations in the farmed and make a profit at the end landscape. of the day. It is inspiring to see these It is also paramount to the birds in the hand and the conservation work we data gathered further carry out, whether it be One such measure we have informs our decision casual counts by myself of adopted in recent years is making in regards to hares and grey partridge the supplementary feeding of farmland bird coveys from the tractor cab farmland birds. As cereal conservation. to more official records by production has become more bodies such as Butterfly efficient over the years and More recently the group Conservation and BTO. grain storage moved has been carrying out historically from temporary night time surveys and Constant monitoring of ‘stooks’ in the field to ringing with the help of wildlife on the farm enables increasingly more secure thermal imaging us to assess the performance storage in barns in the equipment. This has of stewardship measures to interest of food safety, fewer opened up a whole new identify which ones are and fewer grains and weed world to me we knew little working and where seeds have been left in the about. improvements may be fields for birds to feed on over made. winter. Night time sessions have revealed grey partridge Supplementary feeding aims coveys I had missed from to address this by scattering a the tractor cab, mix of wheat and small seeds Woodcock numbers well such as rapeseed, millet and into double figures on linseed on areas of the farm favoured fields and a during the winter months on a night time roosting flock of weekly basis to keep the birds golden plover we had no nourished during the ‘hungry knowledge of before. gap’ leading into spring. I look forward to The boost to seed eating discovering more about farmland birds such as the wildlife on our farm in Yellowhammer, Linnet and the future, both by day Reed Bunting has been and by night. impressive and we’ve also been able to establish a wintering population of corn buntings which will hopefully lead to more frequent Andy Roberts with a Corn bunting breeding records in the ringed on his farm future.
Page 7 Tillage Strategies. In a article first published for Shropshire Wildlife Trust, WMRG member Martin George provides his view on Till Strategies and explains why Food production and wildlife doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive.
We’re all familiar with the image What I’ve found very As earthworm numbers grow of gulls following the plough encouraging when I’m out isn’t in the absence of intense to feed on soil invertebrates, a just the numbers of birds that we cultivation so the soil scene that, despite see, but the structure changes, holding technological change beyond enthusiasm and interest of the more organic matter (and the imagination of our hosting farmers and their carbon), and producing a ancestors, has been played out willingness to include wildlife soil that is rich in nutrients between crop rotations since in the way they manage their and simultaneously better at the 18th century. Recently agri- land. The group’s work led to holding onto water – culture has seen the growth of me meeting Richard reducing run-off into new technologies such as GPS Tomlinson, who runs a no till farm water courses and guidance, and integrated pest in Shropshire. increasing drought tolerance management, which aims not – whilst also being more to eradicate pests but to sup- His farm is a delight: “proper” resistant to waterlogging. press their populations below farm hedges providing lots of the “economic injury level”. For food and shelter for wildlife, The combination of good some crops and soil types, even bordered by equally valuable structure, nutrient levels and the plough could be replaced. unsprayed or fertilised water management means margins. It’s also a no that crops can be grown From a naturalist’s perspective nonsense, modern commercial with fewer inputs of one of the most exciting farm. On my first visit I was chemicals and fuel. developments is the rise of genuinely surprised by the num- techniques that reduce the bers of birds present, but when Two other key aspects of the amount of tillage required to Richard explained how no till no till technique are always grow the next crop. Minimum works the situation became having living roots in the tillage or “min till” and the clearer. ground, so no bare soil to related “strip till” require far less wash or blow away between soil disturbance than the In simple terms no till means crops, and using a diverse conventional plough and directly drilling into the crop rotation to boost soil harrow method. Even more remains of the previous crop fertility and control disease. exciting is “no till”, in which the with minimal disturbance. This These techniques also seem next crop is drilled directly into leaves organic matter on the soil to be beneficial for wildlife, the remains of the previous crop. surface which provides food for providing both food and invertebrates and seed eating shelter. All of these techniques offer birds, with the invertebrates also benefits for the farmer, the acting as a food source for a On my visits to Richard’s farm consumer and the environment, range of other wildlife. I have seen birds in numbers primarily by reducing the inputs that are genuinely surprising necessary to produce the crop. Richard showed me a for a modern farm. Walking We are pioneering new ways of standard earthworm count through a cropped field in working with interested farmers technique used to assess the winter I have never seen to learn more about farmland biomass of a field and the such high concentrations birds, and by visiting a variety of numbers were impressive. of Snipe or Skylark, and the holdings it’s possible to gather winter bird feeding area data on which techniques offer Because no till doesn’t invert the produced hedges that were the best results for birds and soil there were also good glowing with other wildlife. numbers of surface living Yellowhammers, alongside earthworms that are usually very good numbers of Reed Anecdotally the min till, strip till absent from arable fields. Buntings. In the summer and no till fields invariably seem there are Skylarks, of course, to hold more birds, and the These are thought to be an but also lots of warblers and group is now working to important food source for birds, finches, all using a quantify the differences. including Lapwing and landscape that is both Golden Plover. visually appealing and also very productive.
Page 8 TWB Farms ‘We Farm differently....’ Farmer Clive Bailye provides a summary of his farming practices in Staffordshire and the zero till farming system he passionately believes in.
We believe that the soil is the most important asset that any landowner has and its health should be always put first.
A farming system should be at the very least sustainable but ideally regenerative if it is to protect your valuable land asset, the environment and enable profitable production to be possible in the long term.
After 18 years’ experience of minimum tillage systems using high horsepower, heavy tractors looking to bags and bottles for solutions to nutritional, weed and pest problems it became clear that Our "Conservation In 2016 TWB Farms won the such farming systems were Agriculture" approach is first "Soil Farmers of the year" based around Zero-tillage, neither sustainable or as award and have been a profitable as they should be. however we also under- stand that sometimes there part of the judging panel The weight and power involved is a need to cultivate to in subsequent years. There is damaging and often grow the best crop or deal are few farmers with a more creates as many problems as it with a weed or soil proven track record and structure issue and are fully fixes, the costs are high and the experience of this new and yields static with increasingly equipped to do so, the key greater dependence upon to consistent success with innovative farming system in expensive bought in inputs such techniques is to the UK. required. remain flexible. Clive is a founding It became clear to us over a committee member of BASE decade ago that there are UK and regularly talk to much smarter ways to farm industry groups than this ‘sledge hammer’ internationally on the approach to soil and subject. He has travelled combinable crop farming. extensively to further his own knowledge and Not only is this way of understanding. producing food more profitable but it also has massive benefit to the environment, through We have been very much a reduction of inputs and UK innovator in these increasing habitat through techniques and are an diversity. ASDA ‘Soil Master’ demonstration farm, Insect life and wild bird numbers hosting open days to flourish, soil erosion and groups of farmers leaching of valuable nutrients interested in following our reduces and carbon emissions lead. tumble.
Page 9 Our Observations on Supplementary Winter Feeding Paul Hopwood shares the group’s experiences of findings of ringing activities around Supplementary Winter Feed sites in Staffordshire
For several years we have So back to birds! been conducting ringing activity at J & J Roberts farms The winter of 2019 was mild, in Pattingham South there were no sustained Staffordshire. periods of frost and little snow. Whilst good numbers Andy Roberts is passionate of birds appeared, there about wildlife on his farm was still food to be found and it is really important for in the area so they were both him and us to record the not as concentrated as impact of feeding during the Marbled White Butterfly we have found in previous hungry gap. years. Whilst this report concentrates For the encouragement of on Birdlife, it would be remiss We did note large flocks or farmland bird species, the not to mention the Linnet and Yellowhammer farm is one of the best phenomenal impact his and encouragingly the managed farms in the area. margins are having for number of Corn Bunting on invertebrates and in particular the farm had increased, Andy’s continued work butterfly species. with 20 birds being noted in encourage birds and a single flock. wildlife is paying rewards. One one day in July, I took a member of the West Midlands Placement of nest boxes, Brambling numbers were Branch of Butterfly planting and management of good and as spring Conservation to the farm to cover crops and approached Fieldfare show him the sheer numbers supplementary winter bird flocks numbered into the present. feeding (part of the Natural high hundreds. England Higher Level Stew- ardship Schemes) is clearly We counted at least 400 A Ring Ouzel and improving and our ringing Marbled White Butterfly Greenland Wheatear were data shows a 200% increase together with good numbers recorded in spring together in birds caught and ringed. of Small Tortoiseshell, Essex, with Yellow Wagtail and Small and Large Skipper, a large passage flock of Common Blue and Painted Golden Plover! Ladies.
There are very few locations in the Midlands that sustains a population of Marbled White Butterflies as is found at Andy’s farm.
Butterfly Conservation plan Male Reed Bunting a group walk at the farm in 2020.
Page 10 So whilst the weather didn’t get Birds ringed at J & J Roberts too cold, the wind was always a Supplementary Feed Site 2019 problem which meant we had to vary the methods we employed Species New Recaptured 2018 to catch birds. Blackbird 3 Traditional mist nets were still used Blue Tit 7 1 when conditions allowed, but Brambling 29 2 other ground based nets were Chaffinch 22 2 more effective. Chiffchaff 1 Dunnock 15 1 18 We also trialled new feeding tables, positioned close to hedges Goldfinch 6 and away from rodents. These Great Tit 11 3 were particularly effective for Greenfinch 1 finch species. House Sparrow 5 2 Linnet 222 35 52 It is vitally important when providing winter feed to rotate Long-tailed 6 2 the feeding areas to prevent the Tit risk of disease and an increase in Reed Bunting 35 11 32 predators. This works and whilst Robin 5 4 the birds take a few days to Woodpigeon 2 locate new areas, its an important Yellowhammer 49 1 41 consideration for their health and Corn Bunting 2 welfare. 419 53 156 Skylark Skylark Stats WMRG are continuing to 214 target Skylark in the region Skylark have been caught using Thermal technology by WMRG this year
One of the key findings with 18 thermal technology was the Skylarks Subsequently number of wintering Skylark in caught birds have been the region. Large flocks were re-caught found across several farms, and in particular those Roosting behaviour and adopting a zero/min tillage patterns are becoming of strategy and those leaving 317 more interest and we hope The 10 yr average number over wintered stubbles which to explore this further, with of free-flying are important roosting areas. thermal technology being Skylark ringed in the UK used to assess numbers. Skylark are a red listed species in the UK. The group’s data We are now starting to may provide important 67% recapture previously ringed of the 10 yr average information that will help birds which is a key part of understand this iconic bird. catch8 our work. caught by WMRG in 2019
Page 11 Yea r of the Nightjar
Page 12 Nightjar in Staffordshire
Nightjar belong to the The European Nightjar is making Cannock Chase AONB Caprimulgidae, the largest migratory, spending winter in favourable habitat. and most widespread family West, South and South East within the avian order Africa. Nightjars are a nocturnal, Caprimulgiformes. insectivorous bird that hunt on The Nightjar is a medium sized the wing. They are found on all bird, 24-28cm in length. It has continents except Antarctica. variegated plumage designed They roost and breed on the They occupy almost every to mimic dead leaves, twigs, ground. Breeding takes place habitat ranging from forests leaf litter and sticks. In male between May and August with to deserts, with some species birds, white spots can be seen females laying 1 or 2 eggs. The even ranging into urban and towards the wing tips. female can have two broods of suburban environments. young. In the UK they favour dry, open In the UK, only one species country with scattered trees, The female will brood her young of Nightjar is known to breed; heathland, moorland, open for at least the first 13 days. the European Nightjar woodland and young However, if she lays a second Caprimulgus Europaeus. plantations, clutch the male will brood the first nest. Whilst there are records of other species of Nightjars being found in the UK, these are vagrants and there are no records of populations or breeding success.
Dusk on Cannock Chase; Nightjar time
2019 proved to be a record year for Nightjar encounters in Staffordshire! Nightjar Ringing Encounters in Staffordshire since 2019 Nightjars have been targeted by ringers 80 69 since 2009, with the majority of work being 70 conducted on Cannock Chase. 60 50 40 30 30 The average encounter total over this 10 21 20 19 22 20 13 8 8 8 year period is approximately 20 birds en- 10 6
countered per annum. In 2019 the group Nightjar Ringing Encounters 0 recorded 69 birds representing a significant 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Year increase in birds recorded. Further detail appears in the next pages.
Page 13 Project on behalf of Cannock Chase AONB This year we were successful in securing funding to conduct a project to assess breeding success of European Nightjar within Cannock Chase AONB.
The project looks at potential The aim was to locate up to 10 nests on areas of Cannock factors impacting on Chase that had been defined as disturbed or undisturbed. breeding success such as • Monitor nesting success through to hatching and levels disturbance, so that of disturbance through using appropriate technology, appropriate conservation • Assess fledging success through appropriate monitoring management and strategies can be targeted at this of breeding pairs though to fledging life cycle stage.
Initial Findings 2019 60 45 10 15 75%
Individual New birds Nest sites Individual Fledging success Nightjar Ringed located recaptured across survey recorded birds
• More individual Nightjar were captured in 2019 than in any other • 75% Fledging success is higher than has year. been seen in similar studies where only 40% were successful (Murison 2002). • All Nightjar that were recaptured • Predators were only recorded at one nest Nightjar had previously been site ringed or recorded on Cannock Chase. • Human disturbance impacted on one nesting area. • It is highly unlikely that all nests and territories in the survey area were located.
• The presence of a ‘churring’ male does not provide an accurate reflection of individual territories.
• Areas of clear fell appear to have been favoured by Nightjar for breeding.
• In one area of clear fell 13 differ- ent birds were encountered. Juvenile Nightjar - Photo courtesy of Ben Locke.
Page 14
Nightjars on a Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Reserve
Jonathan Groom the Monitoring Officer for Staffordshire Wildlife Trust provides an insight in the partnership work between the Wildlife Trust and West Midlands Ringing Group.
The Trust was lucky enough this We were very excited to see year to team up with the West footage of the young Midland Ringing group, who hatching! were able to help us locate nesting Nightjar on one of our reserves this year. We checked in on the chicks 3 days after hatching. The Ringing group has a thermal imaging camera with which we were able to observe the birds during the evening and locate 10 days after hatching and their territory and nest site. we visited to ring the chicks. It is especially important to With the help of a remote ring migratory birds like this camera, we were able to as the information obtained monitor the nesting pair and can be incredibly valuable. obtain some lovely footage with a minimum of disturbance. They were already After further 3 weeks the developing well and getting young had fledged. lots of down. This is essential Excitingly, we had a to keep them warm on the message the next month ground, especially at night that one of the chicks had when the adults will be off gathering food. been re-caught by the Group at a site some 10km Each night we could away. observe on the camera, the adults bringing in food to the This was incredibly lucky and young. exciting to know that one of What wonderful ‘our’ chicks was already on behaviour to watch each the move! We hope that it chick tugging the beak of will make it through his the adult until it regurgitates subsequent migration to The footage showed the bird a lovely gullet full of mashed warmer climes and return sitting quite still and is very well up moth! Each chick gets again next year. camouflaged during the day. fed in turn though it always seems to be the chick on the It’s fantastic that the Trust The only movement is the rapid right that gets fed first. fluttering at the throat. This is is able to contribute to the called ‘gular fluttering’ and is a work of WMRG! cooling strategy employed by all members of this bird family. It is a way of dissipating heat Myths & Legends via evaporation. It was thought these enigmatic creatures fed on milk from goats and cows, which led to an old name of ‘Goatsucker’.
Page 15 Page 16 Our Work with Severn Trent In this article Zara Turtle Catchment Partnership Co-ordinator for Severn Trent describes what the company are planning for the future which will be of benefit to Wildlife across their estate. We also talk about our partnership work with Severn Trent.
With the assistance of In 2019 we were provided Zara Turtle; Catchment access to several new Partnership Co-ordinator) locations, including sites in West Midlands Ringing Staffordshire and North Group have been able to Shropshire. access several other sites within the Severn Trent Initial visits have been Estate. encouraging and group An aerial view of the Phragmites members have noted and We have also supported reed bed at Shifnal Severn Trent site ringed House Martin, Sand other ringing groups who Martin, Swallow, Swift, Willow operate at on Severn Zara says; Warbler, Chiffchaff, Trent sites. Blackcap and Wagtails. Severn Trent is a major land Zara Turtle, Ian Gray and owner whose activities can As we move into 2020 we will the respective site have a substantial impact on see an increase in roosting managers have been the habitats in our region; we Reed Buntings at Shifnal. extremely helpful in therefore have a significant continuing to provide role to play in protecting and We ringed over 100 Reed access to the group and creating a more sustainable buntings in early 2019. As we also identifying further environment. move into 2020 we will potential locations. continue target these birds. From 2020-2025 we will be Severn Trent sites offer enhancing the biodiversity of This species provides us with varied habitat for a wide our region by changing how some excellent recoveries. range of species and we manage our estates. as such these are often good locations to We will be working in conduct ringing surveys. partnership with expert organisations For our group the main (including Wildlife Trusts, BTO species that we target Ringing Groups and Moors are Hirundines, Reed for the Future) and engaging Buntings and Warbler communities to create new species. habitats, enhance existing habitats, and tackle invasive The Phragmites reed non native species. beds at some of the facilities provide We have committed to breeding habitat for improving 1090ha of land (or Warbler species and km or river) for biodiversity Reed Buntings, with the over the next 5yrs. latter also roosting in the Tawny Owl from the reeds in Autumn and Shifnal Severn Site. winter.
Page 17 A Mixed Year at Severn Trent Sites Severn Trent sites are a key priority for the group and ringing activity takes place at their sites throughout the year. Sadly 2019 will be remembered as a poor year for Hirundines in the UK and this was reflected in our catches.
Whilst 2019 was a poor year Elsewhere, in the Spring we for hirundines across Severn installed a number of nest Trent sites, there were some boxes at Shifnal ST works. positives in the form of new sites and nest box Our thanks are extended to occupancy rates. Ian Gray; Water Treatment & Quality Advisor (Biology) Hirundines; Swallows, Swifts and staff from Monkmoor and Martins use sewage work for providing us with several filter beds for feeding. The in- nest boxes. vertebrates found at the sites provide a ready food source 90% of the boxes were throughout their time in the UK occupied in the first year, and importantly in late with successful broods of summer and autumn when blue tits, great tits, robins Our Pied and Grey Wagtail newly fledged chicks are on and Wrens being recorded. colour ringing projects the wing. The boxes were explored continue across our Severn by prospective breeding Trent sites. In 2019 we ringed Sadly 2019 was a poor year birds within minutes of them 27 further Pied Wagtails and for these migrants, there may being installed! 32 Grey Wagtail. We have be many reasons for the low also encountered colour numbers, but it is felt that ringed birds from the scheme extreme weather conditions in at the sites that they were central Europe at a key originally ringed at. migration time had a devastating impact on On the 29th December we migration. found a Yellow Browed War- bler at Shifnal, this is believed The poor numbers were noted to be only the forth record by bird observatories on the for the county. The Yellow South Coast of England and Browed Warbler breeds in the bird numbers just didn’t Siberia and a few are arrive as expected in the recorded in the UK each Midlands. year, this is a really great record for the county and for At Penkridge, where in Severn Trent! previous years feeding flocks Hopefully, the open fronted numbered into the region of boxes that we have A survey of the sites for Owls 2- 300 birds, numbers were installed will be used by the will commence in 2020 significantly down. With flocks Grey and Pied Wagtails that following a pilot in 2019 of 50 birds being about as use the site, together with which saw us record Tawny, good as it got! Spotted Flycatchers that Barn, Little and Long Eared have been noted at Shifnal. Owl in and around sewage We hope that 2019 was a treatment works. blip and that the numbers will return in 2020.
Page 18 Following a review of sites in Throughout the year the the west of Shropshire we have filter beds are home to withdrawn from West Felton as large numbers of Pied it lacks reeds or filter beds, and Wagtails taking have started to ring at Prees advantage of a warmer Higher Heath instead. environment and access to freshwater and insects, The reeds there have recently albeit in reduced numbers been replanted so it may be during the colder months. some time before it reaches its Yellow Wagtail from Penkridge STW full potential for Reed Warblers Other all year round and Reed Buntings, but the filter residents includes gulls, At Minworth The major beds show promise for wagtails pigeons and corvids. highlight was the discovery and hirundines (House Martins, of the breeding Barn Owls on Sand Martins and Swallows). Summer and later into the first visit to the site. autumn saw large gatherings of hirundines A subsequent check of the (Swallows and Martins) owl box revealed 3 healthy feeding up prior to their chicks. migration. Two of the chicks were of a Meadow Pipits were also size suitable for ringing while prominent on their the ringing of the third chick autumn migration. was delayed by 3 weeks due to it being too small. Of the breeding birds on the site, Linnets, Goldfinch The box contained a and Tits were much in Sedge Warbler, a summer migrant. substantial cache of small Ringed at Shifnal STW evidence. mammals, suggesting that the habitat provided 52 species were recorded Fifteen or so years ago this site suitable areas of rough the highlights being Barn held good numbers of Tree grassland over which to Owl, Sparrowhawk, Sparrows, a red-listed species hunt. that has declined by 95% since Wheatear and Woodcock. A full report the 1970s, so it will be The large owl box is in need has been produced by interesting to see if any of these of some repair with a large John Hunt in respect of birds remain in the area. area of the felt roof torn and Minworth, which we hope the rest of the box would really assists with their Ruyton XI Towns had a rather benefit from a suitable bio-diversity plan. disappointing year with very coating of preservative. poor bird numbers, but a new mist net ride in an area of scrub may increase the number of warblers caught in spring and Stephen Griffin autumn. (Team Manager, Minworth STW) and John Hunt with Barn Ade Silvester of STW has been Owls chicks from very supportive of the Group’s Minworth activities at these sites and we are very grateful for his help and encouragement.
Page 19 Thermal Imaging Surveys
Thermal imaging surveys are integral to our group’s work. 4 years on we continue to develop and innovate our use of this technology.
Page 20 Thermal Imaging Technology Martin George looks at how technological advances have provided opportunities for bird surveys.
Over the last 100 years eventually leading to the For the last four years advances in technology sophisticated cameras that members of the group have transformed our ability we routinely carry with us in have concentrated on to study and be inspired by our mobile phones, and the Lapwing, Woodcock and the natural world. remote sensing trail cams that Skylark, with additional have led to new discoveries in species including Jack In the years after the Great the natural world. Snipe, Common Snipe, War the favoured piece of Fieldfare, Redwing and equipment for an ornitholo- For the last four years we have Grey Partridge also being gist would have been a gun, been using thermal imaging regularly caught. at the time the only technology, which continues practical way to close the to revolutionise our ability to In 2019 the group caught distance between observer study wildlife, and importantly the first ‘dazzled’ Golden and subject. The corpse for us birdlife after dark. Plover in Staffordshire, could then be identified at having caught the first leisure and, if necessary, Thermal imaging cameras Gloucestershire bird two preserved to prove that an capture the heat energy of years previously. unusual sighting was worthy the environment, making it of being added to the official easy to spot areas of contrast We are continually record, leading to the old such as the heat source of an improving and develop chestnut otherwise invisible animal. our techniques and have “What’s hit is history, what’s offered support and missed is mystery”. For years bird ringers have guidance to other ringing gone out with spotlights to groups in the UK, Europe After the Second World War temporarily dazzle and catch and America. an increase in leisure time birds such as Woodcock in and the availability of order to learn more about their In December 2019 we affordable government populations and movements, were invited by the British surplus optics encouraged but lamping relies on the light Trust for Ornithology to the rise of modern reflected from the bird’s eye, present their work at the birdwatching and huge so a bird that hunkers down annual ringers advances in the identification remains invisible. conference, recognition of birds at distance, including for our work in the field, increasingly more With a thermal imaging sophisticated and easy to use camera birds can be seen at In addition to ringing, we field guides and, to meet the greater range, and it is the are now looking at wider growing market, binoculars entire body that is seen rather applications of thermal and telescopes that seemed than the eye shine, making the technology and have to be lighter, clearer and technique much more been trialling thermal more affordable every year. efficient. drones!
Digital technology West Midlands Ringing Group Martin George introduced cameras that pioneered the use of thermal were optically superior to all technology for bird ringing and but the very best film we continue to have great cameras and could record hundreds of images in one success in this area, which is Article originally written for outing, now seeing us extend our use of this technology! Shropshire Wildlife Trust.
Page 21 Thermal Surveys 2019
In this article we provide an update of our work with Thermal Imaging technology and look beyond Dazzling, our main application to date.
We are widely renowned for In conjunction with being one of the UK’s leading West Midlands Police and ringing groups in respect of Gorilla Drones we the use of thermal technology, conducted two surveys something that was recognised looking for Nightjar nests. by the British Trust for Ornithology in December 2019 The thermal image by inviting us to showcase our cameras were calibrated to work at their national indicate locations of nests conference in December. within temperature parameters, which were Since 2016 we have set to isolate heat sources Long Eared Owl caught utilising concentrated on two which were higher than the thermal technology. particular uses of thermal ambient temperature. technology; to enhance The group have also been dazzling at night time and to The initial results were looking at nocturnal locate nesting lapwing. positive and we located a behaviour of birds and other Nightjar nest (which wildlife. WMRG are very lucky to have successfully fledged) and a several thermal image Pheasant with young. This has revealed some cameras now, and this is fascinating results which we improving our catch rates. We are currently looking are looking to explore at the development of a further with academic We do not want to rest on our drone that has improved support. laurels and are now looking at thermal capabilities. other applications for ringing In Staffordshire we have and surveying. This is an exciting prospect been using the equipment and will open up wider to locate Long Eared Owls In 2019 we looked at further surveying applications which resulted in two of the applications for thermal which are not restricted to species being ringed. technology including drone avifauna. surveys. West Midlands Bird Club have previously conducted a survey of this species and in 2020/2021 we hope to work with the club to assess populations within the Cannock Chase AONB.
We are also looking to locate Long Eared Owl roosts in North Staffordshire which will hopefully inform Thermal Drone footage of Nightjar Standard drone footage of the habitat management Nesting habitat same Nightjar nesting habitat strategies in the near future.
Page 22 Sadly, thermal technology have noticed patterns within also allowed us to witness roosting flocks of these birds. human disturbance in an area known to have a We have seen flocks in Nightjar breeding territory. patterns that would appear We have addressed this to present a degree of issue with the relevant protection to the wider flock bodies, and will look at from predation. further recommendations to prevent further instances in It would appear that these Thermal view of a Starling the future. murmuration patterns allow for the flock to disperse if they are Whilst on the topic of approached from any angle, Nightjar, our use of thermal In December we started to with the extremities being technology has shown that explore the use of thermal similar to look our points. As the presence of a ‘churring’ technology at Starling one bird is disturbed, all birds male may not represent a murmurations. The footage tend to lift, allowing their single breeding territory. we have recorded is escape. spectacular and may ‘Churring’ males are an provide more accurate This behaviour has not been indicator of territories, counts of these birds in the recorded previously and only however our observations future with the assistance of with the development of have shown that there may computer technology and thermal technology have we be more than one pair in potentially artificial been able to view this. a relatively small area. This intelligence! may have resulted in under Whilst our observations are in recording in some surveys. As the light faded prior to the its infancy, we are now birds roosting, we noted a recording these flocks to raptor attack the flock, whilst establish if this is typical this is a common occurrence behaviour. during murmurations it was impressive to record this behaviour thermally.
Nightjar recorded using thermal technology
The use of thermal technology has resulted in significantly improved Small Skylark Flock in winter cereal catches for the group in crop Nightjar and a bat (Noctule?) respect of Nightjar, as we can now watch the birds One other area that we are and nets from distance, keen to develop is the roost And finally we recorded reducing disturbance, but patterns of birds at night, some fascinating behaviour at the same time increasing in particular the Skylark. between bats and productivity. Nightjar...... more of this to Over the last few years we come in 2020!
Page 23 Our Fantastic Volunteers Dennis Leonard We are supported by a number of fantastic volunteers who support our work across a range of activities, from nest box building to work parties and clean ups.
Page 24 Volunteers ‘Not all hero’s wear capes’, is a saying used to describe everyday people who go about their daily business completing often unseen tasks, which make a difference to people and our planet.
We are lucky enough to know some We also offer our sincere of these people and do all we can thanks to Ray Hurd and Kevin to ensure they are recognised for Whiston. the work they do. Ray crafted 30 flycatcher and One of our volunteers is 90 year Redstart boxes, open fronted old Dennis who has made Various nest boxes for Wagtails and nest boxes for our group for around Dipper boxes for the Churnet seven years, we were lucky enough Valley. to meet him at Wm Wheat & Son Garden Centre, where we conduct Kevin made a number of Tree public ringing demonstrations. Sparrow boxes which have been installed near to Stone Dennis supported the Centre with where the birds have regularly fixing anything that was broken, been sighted. which suited his engineers mind. Dennis continues to support our group and during 2019 has made a number of nest boxes for Little, Tawny & Barn Owls. He is currently making Pied Flycatcher and Redstart boxes for our project in North Staffordshire. We can’t thank Dennis enough for the work he does for our group and Nest Box Hero Dennis Leonard the local wildlife. Nest boxes made by Ray Hurd
HS2 Volunteers During 2019 HS2 attended having a positive affect the site three times and on the reed bed with fresh supported us with work that growth being encouraged. we would never have got We hope to continue the done without them. We work parties in to 2020. expanded the gravel area Following the work parties on car park pool for we were encouraged to Common Terns, reduced apply for their funding, the height of willow scrub by which we were successful the back gate area, which with the aim to continue allowed the berry bushes to monitoring birds at the grow and has seen an in- reserve. crease in birds ringed. With HS2 being proposed to We have purchased further run alongside Marsh Lane NR Finally they supported us thermal imagers and tools, in the near future, we were with some much needed which will improve our made aware of the potential reed bed management, survey work and for support from HS2 strimming an area of reed effectiveness of work parties. ground-works as well as the bed, raking the old and opportunity of funding to support what we do on the dead reeds out and dead Ben Dolan hedge laying them reserve.
Page 25 Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
In 2019 we started to work with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust across sites in Staffordshire. We are really excited to be working with the Trust and hope that the projects we are undertaking will go from Strength to Strength.
2019 saw us start to work We managed to ring with Staffordshire Wildlife several Dipper chicks. Trust across the county. Two of the nests we were We have been given monitoring were access to several sites unsuccessful; through including, Gentleshaw flooding and predation. Common, Blackbrook and Cotton Dell. We hope to undertake a colour ringing project on this We are keen to look at species to understand the Blackbrook North Staffs specific projects for these dispersal of these birds in the sites, and 2019 was an county. opportunity for us to visit the locations and identify Moving forward we are now species worthy of further looking at the following work. projects.
We have received great Nightjar support from Jonathan Groom, Monitoring Officer We were successful in for the Trust. locating and monitoring breeding Nightjar in 2019 We have accompanied (see page ) and will Jonathan to the reserves continue with this in 2020. and discussed potential Curlew nest options Furthermore we will be look- ing for Nightjar at other SWT Curlew sites that have the habitat to sustain these birds. We assisted Jonathan locate a Curlew nest in North Staffs. Pied Flycatcher In 2020 we hope to help monitor these birds in the The trust installed numerous county. nest boxes in North Stafford- shire and we will be assisting Long Eared Owls in monitoring these nests and ringing the chicks. We are conducting some evening surveys in North Dipper Staffordshire in an attempt to locate a potential Long We located a number of Eared Owl roost. Watch out Dipper nests in the Churnet for news in 2020! Dipper from a SWT reserve Valley this year, and have additional boxes to install.
Page 26 Public Engagement in 2019 2019 was a busy year for us working in partnership with other ringers, presentations and engaging with a number of public groups!
As a newly formed group we for surveying wildlife across We have conducted are keen to engage with the the world. ringing demonstrations for public and partners as often the Friends of Cannock as we can. In 2019 we were Chase Group assisted by presented with two ringers from Shropshire fantastic opportunities to and Worcestershire. The share our work with fellow demonstration allowed ringers and the public at members of the group to conferences. see some winter visitors to the chase in the hand, Members of WMRG were including Redwing, Redpoll instrumental in the and Goldcrest. development of the use of thermal imaging equipment Ben Dolan at the BTO conference Again the demo was a for ringing. great success and we have already been booked for We were also asked to As a group we are keen for 2020! present the initial findings other ringers to experience from our Nightjar Project to the use of thermal imaging the 2019 Cannock Chase and as such we have AONB Annual Conference. welcomed several ringers and ringing groups joining us. The Again we received great sharing of this knowledge will feedback from the allow more people to get audience who were keen to involved and with more birds learn more about the work ringed we should improve our we had conducted on knowledge of previously hard behalf of the AONB team. Paul Hopwood with the Friends to catch species. of Cannock Chase The conference was a great We have received feedback opportunity to network with We have also taken some internationally now and are other groups who work on of the Staffordshire Wildlife considered the UK lead in this Cannock Chase. Trust Volunteers out with us area of ringing. conducting Nightjar As a result of this we are surveys and ringing In December 2019 we were currently engaging with Nightjar chicks. invited to talk at the British several groups to identify Trust for Ornithology Ringers how we can work in HS2 volunteers took part in Conference in Derbyshire. partnerships that will present work parties at Marsh Lane Ben Dolan from the group mutually beneficial NR and we had the presented to the conference opportunities. This includes support of two further and the feedback we have working with people with community groups received has been fantastic. mental health issues and assisting with habitat As we share our experiences those who suffer from social improvement at our sites, more and more possibilities isolation. its been a busy year!!! are being identified
Page 27 Wildlife Crime
Page 28 Supporting Wildlife Crime Investigations in the Region. Details of two investigations that the group and its members have supported in the region.
An illegal owl trader was It is an offence to The birds have been rumbled after West Midlands intentionally possess one removed from the address Police swooped to discover without a leg ring which is a and are now in the process Barn owls being unlawfully symbol of authorisation from of being found permanent kept and sold on. the Department of the new homes. Environment, Food and Rural Officers discovered six of the Affairs (DEFRA). PC Richard Collins, from protected species across Walsall Police and a three garden aviaries in Officers were able to identify designated wildlife crime Walsall after executing a two buyers who had officer for the force, said: search warrant alongside the purchased an owl each for National Wildlife Crime Unit. £50 and £65 in good faith af- “We are committed to ter seeing them advertised for investigating reports of Lee Wellings was found to sale by Wellings. wildlife crime alongside our have bred birds for more than partners in order to protect The 45-year-old of Rushall, four years and been issued vulnerable species, and with at least 50 A10 pleaded guilty to three encourage communities to certificate by submitting counts to illegally having wild report offences via 101.” incorrect statements. birds, two charges of These permits are a legal unlawfully selling a protected “I would to thank West requirement in order to own, species and offences of Midlands Ringing Group breed and sell protected making false statements to birds. obtain 57 permits. and Andy McWilliams from the national wildlife crime Barn owls are fully protected He was given a 12 month unit for all their help and by the Wildlife and community, 80 hours unpaid support”. Countryside Act 1981. work and £185 costs.
It is illegal to kill ravens Do you Know this man? as they are protected by the Police want to speak to this man after two Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Ravens were shot on Cannock Chase. The protected birds were The bodies of two adult birds found at around 11.30am on were still warm when they May 6. were found by visitors at the beauty spot earlier this year. Anyone with information is urged to call Staffordshire Further examination Police on 101, quoting revealed the ravens had incident 298 of May 6, or been shot, Staffordshire to contact Crimestoppers Police said. anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Page 29 Marsh Lane Nature Reserve
Page 30 Marsh Lane Nature Reserve The reserve attracts a wide is situated at Berkswell (be- variety of resident species tween Solihull and Coven- and regular migratory visitors, try) and covers 75 acres both breeding and on adjacent to and in the River passage, as well as Blythe Flood Plain, an SSSI. occasional migrants. The site was quarried for The site list currently stands at sand and gravel from 1995 206 and includes a number to 1999 and was reinstat- of regional rarities. ed jointly by RMC and the owners, Packington Estates, Details of latest sightings can opening as a reserve in 2001. be found on the website. In winter, up to 400 Wigeon and 750 Lapwing are It comprises three main Birds of particular note regularly present. pools (one a Reedbed), include Bonaparte’s Gull, woodland, grassland, Hoopoe, Spotted Packington Estate Enterprises smaller ponds and some Sandpiper, Grey Phalarope, Ltd runs and administers the agricultural land. Black Kite, Rough-legged site, with access (365 day/24 Buzzard, Spoonbill, Stone hour – key required) being by Two of the main pools have Curlew, Lesser Yellowlegs, annual membership. been shaped and include Red-backed Shrike, Dusky a number of islands which, Warbler and Bee-eater. The adult rate is currently £43 since formation, have with junior/senior/joint attracted a wide range of concessions available. breeding and passage waders. In addition to site access, members receive a quarterly Eight hides have been newsletter and a copy of the constructed which, between annual report. them, give excellent views of all the pools and islands. Full details together with a downloadable application The majority of the hides are form are available on the linked by hard paths and website: there is a car park within the site’s locked gates. www.packingtonestate. co.uk/about/ Disabled visitors should find Marsh-lane-nature-reserve/ the site suitable for them although the paths are unbound. The paths are Little Egrets occur regularly, made of planings and are and Osprey is recorded in reasonably compact but most years. wheelchair visitors may need some aid. Hobby is a regular in the late Within the hides, seats can summer and early autumn, be unhinged or moved to Marsh Harriers are seen most allow wheelchair access to years. Most passage waders the blinds. have occurred including Avocet, Knot, Turnstone, Spotted Redshank and Temminck’s Stint.
Page 31 Marsh Lane Nature Reserve
Ben Dolan provides an update the groups activities at Marsh Lane in 2019, a year which has had its ups and down in terms of weather, preventing us from conducting a number of ringing sessions on site.
Following our 2018 sessions it March sees us move in to was clear that a work early warblers when we party was needed across hear our first Chiffchaffs of our ringing areas to reduce the new Spring, we often the height of the growth. re-trap Chiffchaffs returning to exactly the same I was aware of some work territories and 2019 was parties at Ladywalk NR, no different with two which HS2 were assisting Chiffchaffs trapped on with. 27/03/2019 that were originally both ringed on We made contact with HS2 03/05/2018. Ground works and were able to arrange several work April and May sessions tend parties the details of which to move in to the reed bed Common Whitethroat can be found in the volun- to monitor Reed and Sedge teers section of this report. Warblers moving through, however as you will The beginning of the year Reed and Sedge Warbler remember 2019 saw birds often sees us ringing at the numbers continued to be low feeding station, which is a arriving quite late and only throughout 2019, however a good opportunity for one Reed Warbler was highlight during May were a trainees to get experience caught during April, which new male Cetti’s Warbler was with a wider range of spe- had previously been ringed ringed by the car park and cies as from May onwards here 14/04/2017 as an two relatively early Garden the ringing is dominated by adult. Warblers were ringed at the Warblers, back gate area.
We managed to ring 11 One Reed Bunting we did species during this period, catch in the reed bed had which obviously saw good tit been previously ringed in 2013 numbers but included good as an adult, which makes it at numbers of Reed Bunting least 7 years of age but is still and several Yellowhammers. almost some way off the oldest recorded through The actual numbers of ringing. finches using the feeding station was a fantastic sight to see.
One highlight was catching Marsh Lane is the only a Goldfinch we had ringed site in the County of the on 11/01/2018 and a Great West Midlands which has Spotted Woodpecker, which Black-headed Gull 2AAV breeding Cetti’s warbler was originally ringed here on 03/11/2017.
Page 32 2019 2018 Blackcap 269 137 Garden 14 7 Warbler Reed Warbler 20 12 Sedge 2 3 Warbler Whitethroat 8 1 Cetti’s 3 0 Warbler
Marsh Lane Warbler data
The islands on Railway Pool We were particularly excited had been overhauled and by catching two freshly fledged looked amazing with the Cetti’s Warblers, which showed aim of increasing breeding breeding on the site and I then waders, however early signs confirmed with the County showed that Black-headed Recorder that Marsh Lane NR is Gulls were not put off by this the only West Midlands site with strategy and returned in good confirmed breeding Cetti’s. numbers, Common Terns also returned to Car Park Pool in Moving in to November we were positive numbers. starting to have nest boxes built and was keen to understand The details of our what Owls were in and around Black-headed Gull and the site, we were able to confirm Common Tern projects can be Tawny by sound and we also seen in the Marsh Lane Gull ringed a Juvenile Barn Owl, report overleaf. unfortunately there was no sign of Little Owl although we have put The time came to then start up boxes this year. Warbler ringing at the back gate area, we choose this area in particular as it is nor- mally alive with bird activity, has good feeding areas and is an area that we reduce the height in suitable for our nets. Although the weather con- tinued to prevent us from a number of sessions we were able to ring a number of birds, which was a significant im- provement on 2018 with high- lights being seen in the table on the right.
Page 33 Marsh Lane Lapwing Monitoring Project
John Hunt provides an update on the Lapwing Monitoring Project at Marsh Lane Nature Reserve.
Lapwing survival, at Marsh Lapwing chicks leave the Lane Local Nature Reserve, nest, which is a simple shallow over the past years has scrape, soon after hatching. been very low due to a This enables the family to combination of factors, move into vegetation that is principally, weather more suitable for the chicks conditions and predation because it supports a greater from foxes and badgers abundance of invertebrate on the open farmland and prey and gives cover from large gulls on the islands. predators.
This has been Chick mortality is thought to In 2019 the Project Site was exacerbated in 2019 with be an important factor in visited on nineteen occasions the work carried out by Lapwing decline – the to identify the presence and HS2 on the previously species has seen a decline in status of breeding birds within allocated set-aside field, its breeding population of 53% the Project Site. which displaced the early in the last 25 years. breeding pairs just as they Surveys were undertaken were establishing their Loss of breeding and feeding paying due regard to the territories. habitat, some of which has welfare of the birds. been linked to the change Between 2019 and 2021 from spring to autumn All parts of the Project Site WMRG are monitoring sowing and the drainage of were visited on foot to within Lapwing numbers in and wet grassland sites. 50m where visibility extended around Marsh Lane NR to or closer where visibility was assess the impact of HS2 The survey noted at Marsh needed for example in on breeding and where Lane looked at various woodlands or behind birds may move to during behaviours of the birds during hedgerows. the construction phase the breeding season; and subsequent Surveys were carried out in operational phase. • Displaying males good weather in order to • Active nests and chicks maximise the potential for At present some breeding • Flightless / recently fledged detection of birds and to takes place on the main juveniles avoid the possibility of bird reserve and some in fields • Possible breeding activity being suppressed by to the east of the A452. • Probable breeding inclement weather conditions. • Confirmed breeding The Lapwings were The initial observations are as monitored by site visits The main survey season ran follow between March and July. from the end of April through After each visit a diary to May, although breeding Two sections of the survey was maintained noting records were collated up until area were taken under numbers of breeding birds the end of July. notice by HS2 in 2018 and seen, where they were subsequently the farmer and nesting and how many Packington Estate held no chicks were present. control. The WMRG will use this Inspection pits were dug in information to coordinate the Red area with HS2 the colour-ringing of contractors on site, mainly Lapwing chicks and during March. follow up with some evening monitoring during During this time 10 pairs of the winter with the use of potentially breeding Lapwing thermal imaging were displaced. equipment
Page 34 It is very likely that having To put the 2019 results into Elsewhere, numbers were been displaced they failed context the following are lower across the Reserve to find a suitable alternative records and observations for with a minimum of 7 pairs on the pool islands and 2 in the habitat. previous years Crop Field. These were similarly unsuccessful. Subsequent numbers of 2016 breeding Lapwing were In summary 2017 was a low and this is likely to have With at least 31 pairs, breed- disastrous year at Marsh impacted survival rates with ing numbers across the site Lane for a species in serious such a small population of were double of those in decline across the UK as a adults being able to defend previous years. breeding resident nests from predators. This improvement was due In previous years the field to the field east of the has remained relatively wet, A452 being left in set-aside with small pools remaining through an agreement with during the breeding period. the farmer and financial This had led to a successful support from the breeding in 2017 when the Packington Estate. Red area had a total of 96 chicks. The field remained relatively dry throughout the At least 22 of the pairs bred 2019 breeding period and in this area, up from only this may have impacted the 3-4 pairs in 2015. Up to 55 Lapwing nest with eggs numbers of invertebrates. young were counted with 47 ringed and of these 32 were On the reserve, the crop thought to have fledged. 2018 field was sown late and this meant any early nests were Disappointingly, Lapwing had potentially destroyed, even a further disastrous breeding though care was taken to season in 2018. mark nest sites before machinery moved onto the Early signs were promising field. for the set-aside field with at least 17 pairs counted, but for Early in the season there no obvious reason the area was little cover on the pool was abandoned prior to islands and it is likely that this Spot the 4 lapwing! nesting. contributed to the heavy Elsewhere across the predation suffered at these 2017 locations. Reserve, there were ten pairs For a second year, the field in total, much in line with Additionally a clay pigeon was left in set-aside. This previous years. While many of shoot has been relocated to again proved successful these pairs produced young, a site a few hundred meters with an estimated 25-30 all were lost due to predation away from the breeding pairs nesting there. or other reasons and none fledged. field and although they only The cold and dry spring operate on 12 days per was not conducive to the annum, that may be an an- survival of the chicks and We can only hope for an other source of disturbance. although 92 were ringed, improvement but at present only one was known to have the outlook for Lapwing is Subsequently no chicks survived. very worrying at Marsh Lane were ringed in 2019. and nationwide
Page 35 Marsh Lane Nature Reserve Black-headed Gull Project Ben Dolan discusses the continuation of the Black-headed Gull project at Marsh Lane Nature Reserve. The Project, now in its 4th year seeks to learn more about their post-breeding dispersal.
Since 2016 we have had some interesting sightings, which have showed a preference for Western/ South Western dispersal, which is similar to other Black-headed Gull projects in the Midlands.
The reserve consists of three main pools. Two of the main Whilst it would be preferable Sadly, to borrow a cricket pools include a number of to continue projects every analogy, ‘Rain stopped islands which, since their year, as this allows us to in- play’. The wet weather was formation, have attracted a crease the amount of data we relentless. wide range of breeding and obtain from fitting birds with passage waders. colour rings. Sometimes this is Although we had several not possible as have to consid- clear days our continued During late 2018 the large er environmental factors and assessment based on the islands at Marsh Lane were bird welfare. weather, water levels and improved and covered with position of the birds lead us shingle, in the hope that Unfortunately our 2019 to the conclusion that it was this would improve nesting sessions had to be cancelled not safe to continue, with areas for wading birds such for a number of reasons. bird welfare of paramount as Lapwing, Redshank and importance. Little Ringed Plover Firstly we were notified that 3 pairs of Little Ringed Plover Fortunately several small Large numbers of were nesting. This species is islands weren’t as badly Black-headed Gulls breed protected under Schedule 1 affected. every year at the reserve, of the Wildlife & Countryside with numbers apparently Act and a licence is required A visit was planned to colour increasing. for any activity that may ring the Common Tern on disturb them. the islands. We attended on Since 2016 we have the day and ringed a continuously improved our Because LRP have not number of Common Tern approach to ringing a colo- successfully bred at Marsh and 19 Black-headed Gull. ny of Black-headed Gulls. Lane since 2010 we wanted to minimise any disturbance and A number of Common Tern Careful planning & the decision was made not chicks were too small to preparation takes place to proceed. Sadly all 3 pairs have a Darvic fitted so a prior to the planned ringing failed in 2019. further visit was planned to session to ensure that we ring the remaining chicks on know where the gulls are Following the unsuccessful the island. nesting and where other breeding attempts by the LRP species are situated, this we planned a further visit to enables us to change our ring the Gulls. approach if needs be.
Page 36 Just when we thought our year could not have been any worse for Black-headed Gulls, we were not prepared for what we found on our return to Car Park Island a week later.
The utter devastation that greeted us was upsetting. We were faced with a number of dead Black-headed Gulls and Common Terns.
We checked the birds for injuries and found wounds to their neck consistent Having shared this story with other with a single small bite. ringers across the country they have had similar attacks like this by On reflection we believe this may be both species. either an Otter or Mink.
Black-headed Gull Facts and Statistics
543 298 108 776 185333 11 32
Total birds Total Sightings Distance Miles in total Years, Years old, ringed in sightings to in 2019 in miles of recorded average life longevity expectancy project date furthest from record for for BH Gull sighting sightings BH Gull 2019
In 2019 our furthest sighting was 776 miles Marsh Lane Black-Headed Gull Sightings by away in Pontevedra, Spain by O. Santome, Country our 5th Spanish sighting of four different 250
birds. 200
150 Gull 2BAA, was originally ringed as a chick on 18/06/2016, was seen in 2017 at Brandon 100 Total sightings Total Marsh 11 miles away. Five months later was 50
seen in 641 miles away in Asturias, Spain. In 0
2019 it was seen actively breeding back at England Wales Ireland Spain France Marsh Lane and six months later was been reported 319 miles away in Brittany, France With thanks to Marsh Lane The pattern continues to show a preference Nature Reserve and all those for the West/South West which is seen across that report in sightings and other similar projects past and present. photograph the birds. Interestingly since April 2017 we have seen a number of Black-headed gulls return to Marsh lane for different periods of time. Please continue to report your colour ringed sightings as these birds long-lived and we are keen to receive all sightings. Page 37 Working with Raptors
Page 38 Peregrine Falcon Project 2019
Ben Dolan and Jim Stewart provide an update on the Peregrine Falcon project they have been working on for several years. 2019 was an unusual year, but several birds successfully fledged.
2019 saw an unusual year Our West Midlands site had with the Peregrine Falcons a poor year in 2018 with that we monitor, we have 3 only two chicks fledging sites in Staffordshire and 1 in after successfully fledging West Midlands. We are only four chicks every year since able to access three of 2015. these sites safely for ringing. 2019 saw them return to Two of our Staffordshire sites their regular breeding successfully hatched five success, fledging 4 healthy eggs each, however over chicks, although one died the next couple of weeks following a window strike five of these died for un- and another was found A Peregrine Falcon from our project known reasons but were dead by unknown cause fed to the remaining chicks two months later, 31km who fledged. Our third away in Stone, In 2019 Manx Shearwater Staffordshire site hatched Staffordshire. remains were found at and fledged two chicks. one of our nests!!!
Downed Raptor Support The third was a call from one of our ringing sites in Meriden who said there Every year we receive was a Peregrine Falcon phone calls or messages on the floor, but was from members of the com- unable to fly. We munity concerned for birds attended the site with the that appear injured and RSPCA and quickly found this year was no different, the bird and caught it, Our first call was about two the bird was thin and tawny chicks, which had we could feel two small fell from the nest and one lumps in his wing. had died, we arrived and returned the bird to its nest, The RSPCA took the bird which then successfully away for assessment but fledged. was unable to save him after confirming he had The second was another been shot in the wing joint older tawny chick, which and would not fly again, unfortunately this bird was A rescued Tawny Owl Chick was found on the ground, from Staffordshire not ringed so we were which is not uncommon, unable to understand however we arrived and were the bird had come placed it higher in a tree. from.
Page 39 Staffordshire Pied flycatchers Ringing Group member Keith Clowes has been ringing Pied flycatchers in North Staffordshire for over 20 years. In this article he describes the work he has undertaken and his plans for the future.
I have been ringing Pied The woodlands of North Flycatchers and Redstart in Staffordshire provide some North Staffordshire for some excellent breeding habitat for time now, so much so that the Flycatchers and it is in these nest boxes I have erected over locations where I have the years have needed installed nest boxes to replacing on several hopefully encourage more occasions. breeding pairs in the area.
Pied Flycatchers are a small, Male Pied flycatcher We work with local fly-catching bird, slightly landowners, including Forestry smaller than a sparrow. The England who continue to male is mostly black on the support the nest box project. upper-parts and white underneath, with a bold white In 2019 we installed a further patch on the folded wing. 20 nest boxes and we plan to Females are browner. install many more in 2020 and 2021. They are a summer visitor and breeds across the UK favour- To date I have ringed We hope that in the years to ing the West. Their winters are nearly 1000 Pied come, the nest box spent in West Africa. Flycatcher chicks in North project will continue to Staffordshire. provide breeding habitat for The Pied flycatcher is a red list these birds in the area. species and its numbers are in The woodlands are also decline. The species is threat- home to some other ened by climate change fantastic birds including causing earlier peaks in Redstart, Wood Warbler, invertebrate populations which Dipper and results in a mismatch with Lesser Spotted breeding and lack of food for Woodpeckers! nestlings (Both et al. 2006). I have included some of my findings in respect of Pied flycatchers in the attached charts.
Wood Warbler caught and ringed in Staffordshire Left: Jess, Sarah and Keith installing new boxes
Page 40 Other News for 2019 Some other news stories from our ringing year in 2019, including some new species being recorded!
Rory Lay at Wolverley Rory has also started to try (near Wem) and Richard his hand out dazzling, and Tomlinson on the is getting very good with Shropshire/Cheshire border the net (see photo). at Burleydam kindly hosted us for several thermal At the end of the year Roy imaging sessions in 2019. Marsh of Cockshutt We have ringed at their (near Ellesmere) became farms previously, but with the most recent farmer to Martin now in the group we welcome us onto his land. hope to visit more regularly. We plan to increase the Rory and Richard are both number of farmers we work really keen to get out with with in Shropshire in 2020 us and experience bird ringing first hand.
Aside from ringing we helped In January 2020 we will be with the Game and Wildlife providing a demonstration Conservation Trust’s Big Farm- to farmers in Staffordshire. land Bird Count at three This will involve showing Shropshire holdings and three them farmland birds in the in Staffordshire in February. hand, in order to help them identify species for the 2020 The results are available from Big Farmland Bird Count. the GWCT website.
New Group Members
2019 saw us welcome two Martin will be operating in new BTO C permit ringers to North Shropshire and Keith in West Midlands Ringing Group. North Staffordshire.
Keith Clowes (pictured p.40) We look forward to working and Martin George have with them both in the years been friends of the ringers in to come and sharing their the group for many years and experiences of ringing. it was great to welcome them into the team. We have also been supported by other ringing groups who continue to provide their support. Martin George
Page 41 Ringing Data Ringing Recoveries In 2019 the group encountered 139 birds that had previously been ringed, by the group or elsewhere in the country or abroad. The following page provides highlights of these encounters.
The following chart provides details of birds that we have ringed and have been encountered elsewhere, and birds ringed elsewhere we have recovered. West Midlands Ringing Group sites are highlighted. Sadly both Woodcock were shot, however we are grateful that their details have been provided to us in order that we can understand their movements.
Species Location Date Location Found Date Distance ringed ringed Found km Brambling Bodo, Norway 11/09/2018 Needwood, 19/01/2019 1831 Staffordshire Siskin Stirling, Scot- 16/04/2017 Needwood, 19/01/2019 411 land Staffordshire Reed Marsh Lane NR 12/08/2017 Tichfield Haven 29/07/2019 183 Warbler NR Reed Sutton ST 16/08/2017 Ladywalk NR, 16/06/2019 7 Warbler Hamms Hall Cetti's Marsh Lane NR 04/11/2015 Stortons Gravel 14/04/2019 55 Warbler Pits, Northampton Siskin Cannock 24/06/2016 Drummond, 17/03/2019 539 Chase Inverness Woodcock LDF, Staffs 18/11/2017 Evesham, 10/01/2019 66 Worcestershire Woodcock LDF, Staffs 27/01/2018 Kaluga, Russia 10/04/2019 2481 Redwing Chillington, 14/12/2018 Cannock Chase 23/10/2019 18 Staffs Oystercatcher Marsh Lane NR 13/06/2019 Neath, 13/09/2019 173 Port Talbot Swallow Whiston Hall 11/06/2016 Shifnal ST 27/04/2019 8 Farm, Shrops Peregrine Staffordshire 23/05/2018 Newtown, Wales 10/04/2019 87 Reed Bunting Shifnal ST 16/12/2018 Chelmarsh NR 03/01/2019 21 Reed Bunting Attingham, 18/09/2019 Shifnal ST 01/12/2019 20 Shrops Reed Bunting Chelmarsh 03/01/2019 Lower Barns 02/03/2019 15 Reservoir Farm, Patting- ham Reed Bunting Shifnal ST 16/12/2018 Woodford, 03/03/2019 78 Poynton, Cheshire Reed Bunting Shifnal ST 22/12/2019 Cressage, 30/04/2019 15 Shropshire
Page 43 Returning Nightjar
Earlier in our report you will have read about our Nightjar project. The following chart provides details of Nightjar that were caught in Staffordshire in 2019 that had previously been encountered in the county!
For ease, we have referred to the birds as (Ad) for free flying adult and Chick for birds that were ringed in the nest. Where a bird has been encountered in multiple years the additional dates are included in column 2. We think this data is really key to understanding these birds and the importance of their breeding sites!
Species Age Sex Date Location Date Date Location Age name Caught Originally Originally caught(1) caught (2) Nightjar Ad M 12/05/2019 Cannock 07/08/2013 Cannock Ad Chase Chase Nightjar Ad M 26/05/2019 Cannock 19/06/2017 Cannock Ad Chase Chase Nightjar Ad M 27/05/2019 Cannock 15/06/2018 Cannock Ad Chase Chase Nightjar Ad M 29/05/2019 Cannock 26/06/2018 Cannock Ad Chase Chase Nightjar Ad M 29/05/2019 Cannock 17/05/2011 Cannock Ad Chase Chase Nightjar Ad M 29/05/2019 Cannock 15/06/2018 Cannock Ad Chase Chase Nightjar Ad M 01/06/2019 Cannock 02/07/2018 Cannock Chick Chase Chase Nightjar Ad M 03/06/2019 Cannock 28/06/2012 Cannock Chick Chase Chase Nightjar Ad F 07/06/2019 Cannock 18/06/2016 25/06/2018 Cannock Ad Chase Chase Nightjar Ad M 08/06/2019 Cannock 02/07/2014 28/06/2015 Cannock Ad Chase Chase Nightjar Ad F 20/06/2019 Cannock 23/05/2017 13/06/2017 Cannock Ad Chase Chase Nightjar Ad M 21/06/2019 Cannock 25/05/2010 Cannock Ad Chase Chase Nightjar Ad M 13/07/2019 Cannock 03/06/2018 Cannock Ad Chase Chase Nightjar Ad M 16/07/2019 Cannock 21/06/2018 30/06/2018 Cannock Ad Chase Chase Nightjar Ad M 16/07/2019 Cannock 19/08/2018 Cannock Ad Chase Chase Nightjar Ad M 11/08/2019 Cannock 08/08/2018 Cannock Ad Chase Chase
Page 44 Ringing Totals for 2019
Species Number Species Number Species Number
Barn Owl 13 Grey Wagtail 32 Siskin 23 Blackbird 24 House Martin 60 Skylark 214
Blackcap 315 House Sparrow 7 Snipe (Common) 16
Black-headed 19 Jack Snipe 21 Song Thrush 7 Gull Blue Tit 135 Jay 1 Sparrowhawk 1
Brambling 85 Lapwing 4 Starling 16
Bullfinch 7 Lesser 3 Stock Dove 3 Whitethroat Buzzard 1 Linnet 268 Stronechat 7
Cetti’s Warble 4 Little Owl 3 Swallow 73
Chaffinch 60 Long Eared Owl 2 Swift 2
Chiffchaff 46 Long-tailed Tit 33 Tawny Owl 8 Coal Tit 20 Marsh Tit 1 Teal 2
Collared Dove 2 Meadow Pipit 44 Tree Pipit 9 Common Tern 12 Nightjar 69 Treecreeper 1
Cuckoo 3 Nuthatch 16 Tufted Duck 1 Dipper 4 Oystercatcher 1 Wheatear 3 Dunnock 44 Peregrine 10 Whitethroat (common) 9 Falcon Fieldfare 16 Pied Flycatcher 43 Willlow Warbler 9
Garden War- 17 Pied Wagtail 28 Wood Warbler 1 bler Goldcrest 41 Redpoll 4 Woodcock 72 Golden Plover 1 Redstart 20 Woodlark 4
Goldfinch 91 Redwing 167 Woodpigeon 6
Great Spotted 1 Reed bunting 205 Wren 40 Woodpecker Great Tit 99 Reed Warbler 43 Yellow Wagtail 6 Green 1 Robin 64 Yellowhammer 60 Sandpiper Greenfinch 21 Sand Martin 16 Grey Partridge 15 Sedge Warbler 10 Total 2861
Page 45 Subsequent Recaptures (Including Controlled birds)
The following table contains data of birds that have been recaptured by West Midlands Ringing Group in 2019.
This data includes birds that have been recaptured at the same location or controlled birds. Controlled birds are birds that have been previously ringed or encountered by other ringers or ringing groups in the UK. For this data we have only included controlled birds that have been recaptured over 10km away from our sites.
Species Numbers Recaptured/ controlled Blue Tit 7 Brambling 4 Chaffinch 2 Chiffchaff 2 Common Tern 1 Dunnock 5 Goldfinch 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Great Tit 1 Greenfinch 1 Grey Partridge 1 House Martin 1 Jack Snipe 1 Linnet 35 Long-tailed Tit 3 Nightjar 23 Peregrine 1 Pied Flycatcher 1 Redwing 1 Reed Bunting 27 Reed Warbler 7 Robin 1 Siskin 3 Skylark 18 Swallow 1 Willow Warbler 1 Woodcock 1 Yellowhammer 1 Total 152
Page 46 Species name 2019 2018 move- no. Species name 2019 2018 move- no. ment ment Barn Owl 13 1 Up 12 Pied/White 28 13 Up 15 Blackbird 24 18 Up 16 Wagtail Blackcap 315 143 Up 172 Redpoll 4 126 Down 122 Black-headed 19 97 Down 78 Redwing 167 70 Up 97 Gull Reed Bunting 205 215 Down 10 Blue Tit 135 81 Up 81 Reed Warbler 43 16 Up 27 Brambling 81 1 Up 80 Robin 64 31 Up 33 Bullfinch 7 4 Up 3 Sand Martin 16 76 Down 60 Cetti's Warbler 4 1 Up 3 Sedge Warbler 10 9 Up 1 Chaffinch 60 9 Up 51 Siskin 23 83 Down 60 Chiffchaff 46 12 Up 48 Skylark 214 129 Up 85 Coal Tit 20 11 Up 9 Snipe 16 31 Down 15 Common Tern 12 18 Down 6 Song Thrush 7 9 Down 2 Cuckoo 3 2 Down 1 Sparrowhawk 1 1 Equal 0 Dunnock 44 22 Up 22 Starling 16 1 Up 15 Fieldfare 16 41 Down 25 Stock Dove 3 5 Down 2 Garden 17 9 Up 8 Swallow 73 33 Up 40 Warbler Teal 2 2 Equal 0 Goldcrest 41 6 Up 35 Tree Pipit 9 2 Up 7 Golden Plover 1 4 Down 1 Wheatear 3 1 Up 2 Goldfinch 91 18 Up 73 Whitethroat 9 3 Up 6 Great Spotted 1 3 Down 2 Willow Warbler 9 3 Up 6 Woodpecker Woodcock 72 73 Down 1 Great Tit 99 50 Up 49 Wren 40 5 Up 35 Greenfinch 21 2 Up 19 Yellow Wagtail 6 20 Down 14 Grey Partridge 15 11 Up 4 Yellowhammer 60 50 Up 10 Grey Wagtail 32 16 Up 16 House Martin 60 29 Up 31 New Species in 2019 Not ringed in 2019 House 7 2 Up 5 Dipper Carrion Crow Sparrow Woodlark Common Crossbill Jack Snipe 21 23 Down 2 Long Eared Owl Common Sandpiper Lapwing 4 1 Up 3 Tufted Duck Corn Bunting Lesser 3 1 Up 2 Swift Goshawk Whitethroat Buzzard Grasshopper Warbler Linnet 268 60 Up 208 Collared Dove Great Grey Shrike Little Owl 3 4 Down 1 Green Sandpiper Hobby Long tailed Tit 33 16 Up 17 Jay Kestrel Marsh tit 1 1 = Pied Flycatcher Mallard Meadow Pipit 44 166 Down 122 Redstart Moorhen Nightjar 69 22 Up 47 Stonechat Spotted Flycatcher Nuthatch 16 2 Up 14 Swift Oystercatcher 1 1 = Tawny Owl Peregrine 10 11 Down 1 Treecreeper Wood Warbler Woodpigeon
Page 47 2019 a Year in Review Some final thoughts on our ringing year in 2019 There will be several reasons We are extremely grateful for the differences, ringing to our landowners for effort, weather and bird allowing us access to their numbers in the area but all in sites, and in particular to our all 2019 has been a success farmers. in terms of ringing. On a final note I need to But being part of WMRG is pay tribute to everyone in not just about ringing and the group, and those from this year has seen us outside of the group who promoting our work with have had an input into the public demonstrations, pre- content and creation of this senting our work to the BTO report. and Cannock Chase AONB 2019 was a good year for the Annual Conference and So from Hoppy, Ben, Jim, group, and our total ringing securing significant funding. Keith and Martin many numbers have increased. But thanks for reading OUR its not all about numbers, and We are a small group but we report. We do hope you’ve this year has seen us ensure that everyone of the enjoyed it! concentrate on certain pro- team has the opportunity to ject based species. take part in everything that we do. It is also vitally The effort put into our Nightjar important for us as a team, work definitely impacted on that everyone’s activities other areas of our work, but are represented equally and the rewards were worth it. fairly.
Some species have seen an This report reflects the increase and some have activities of all of our seen a decrease in numbers members and each section ringed. and article has been a team approach.
2020 Starting the New Decade with a Bang! January and February will Technology is likely to remain a not only be busy with key part of our work and 2020 ringing, but with a number hopefully will see our final year of of meetings we have the Nightjar Project on Cannock arranged to discuss exciting Chase completed. projects for the next few years. We are also planning several We hope to secure demonstrations and a ringing several new ringing sites event at Marsh Lane with the and commence some very SCAN ringing Group. exciting projects in the area. Enjoy 2020! See you next year!
Page 48 Contact us
For details of how to get in touch with us, or to find out what we are up to take a look below!
There are various ways that Want to start ringing? As a group we are active all you can get in touch with us, year. Most of our activity is and for our latest news we The ringing process involves often early in the morning, are on Twitter and Facebook much more than you might so sessions starting at, or imagine, preparation and before, 5am are commonplace. For information on our planning to catch and ring birds is essential. farmland survey work or if Our ringing sites are rarely you are a landowner and accessible by public want to arrange a visit from Habitat management at ringing sites, maintenance transport so you would need us then please get in touch to consider this. via email. of equipment and stocking winter feeding stations are all essential jobs. During summer and For details of demonstrations winter we are often out on or for data enquiries please an evening or at night email us. We share chores with everyone getting involved. undertaking thermal surveys and nightjar sessions. [email protected] There is a lot to do and it will take up a lot of time. If you undertake bat surveys as part of your work To find us on Facebook, search for or as a hobby then this may conflict with training. West Midlands Ringing Group If you are interested then please get in touch.
For Twitter please follow
@ringerswm
To view our YouTube channel, subscribe to:
West Midlands ringing group.
To contact us via email
www.westmidlandsringinggroup.co.uk Little Owl
Page 49 www.shropshirebirds.com
In December 2019, For many species it will The Society published The show that massive changes Birds of Shropshire, have occurred in their population and distribution. This is the most comprehensive The Birds of Shropshire will record of the County’s shape conservation avifauna ever published. priorities in the County for The Society was formed in 1955 It is based on the results of the next 20 years and aims to encourage the six years fieldwork by over For more details visit the study and protection of birds in 650 different observers SOS website and for the Shropshire and elsewhere. who submitted over 333,400 records. Birds of Shropshire visit It organises a wide range of https://www.liverpooluni- activities, including indoor These records have been used to produce maps versitypress.co.uK/books/ meetings and field trips, id/41929/ undertakes survey work and showing the current produces an annual bird report distribution of almost 200 and a quarterly bulletin. different species.
The Birds of Shropshire SOS values the work of the includes an account for WMRG for the contribution each species, describing they make to our its distribution and understanding of the County’s relative abundance. birds.
West Midland Bird Club is a regional organisation that is dedicated to the study and conservation of wild birds in Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands. We have bird reserves at Belvide and Blithfield reservoirs in Staffordshire, Harborne near the city of Birmingham in the West Midlands and Ladywalk in Warwickshire. WMBC also have access agreement to bird- watch at Gailey Reservoirs in Staffordshire (permission of the Canal & Rivers Trust) and at the Moors Pool at the Upton Warren reserve in Worcestershire (with permission of the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust). The Club also operates a network of local branches throughout the region and operates field trips for its members. For further information about The West The Club publishes a comprehensive Midland Bird Club or if you would like to and highly acclaimed Annual Report of become a member please visit the website at the birds of the region, which is the only authentic source of information on the www.westmidlandbirdclub.org.uK avifauna of our four counties.
Page 50 Protecting Staffordshire’s Wildlife and places for over 50 years Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is your local wildlife charity dedicated to looking after Staffordshire’s wildlife and wild places. Our mission is to protect and enhance the wildlife and wild places of Staffordshire and to promote understanding, enjoyment and involvement in the natural world by putting wildlife at the heart of everything we do.
The UK has become one of the most nature depleted countries in the world. We actively work to protect all wildlife including birds, mammals, invertebrates, flowers, trees, fungi, fish, amphibians and reptiles. Our conservation projects help to create and restore habitats for wildlife, to ensure that the county’s wild creatures have secure places where they can feed, shelter and breed.
For more information about our work visit: www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk Or to become a member visit: www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/support-us/become-member
A world inspired by birds and informed by science. There are lots of ways you done by beginners from can contribute. Many the comfort of their own help by taking part in homes whilst others fieldwork surveys - but you require more skill and can also support the BTO endurance! as a member, becoming a regional organiser, help at All BTO surveys make an an event, or donate to an important contribution to appeal. our understanding of the UK’s birds. BTO Surveys are great way of learning more about For more information The British Trust for Ornithology the birds and other about taking part in a BTO (BTO) is a UK charity that focuses wildlife in your local area. survey or supporting their on understanding birds and, in work, please visit particular, how and why bird The BTO organises a range populations are changing. Our of surveys every year. vision is of a world where people are inspired by birds and informed www.bto.org Some surveys can be by science.
Page 51 West Midlands Ringing Group 2020