BIRD CLUB.

SECOND ANNUAL REPORT

ON THE BIRDS OF ,

AND SOUTH ,

1935.

Is. 6d.

REPORT

ON THE

BIRDS OF WARWICKSHIRE, WORCESTERSHIRE AND

SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE,

1935.

PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION

OF THE BIRMINGHAM BIRD CLUB. 1. MAP.

2. EDITORIAL.

3. LIST OF MEMBERS AND CORRESPONDENTS.

4. LIST OF PUBLICATIONS.

5. HARTLEY, BY W. E. KENRICK.

6. CURDWORTH, BY W. E. GROVES.

7. BITTELL, H.G.A.

8. GAILEY AND BELLFIELDS, H.G.A.

9. SPECIAL SPECIES, H G.A.

10. CLASSIFIED NOTES, F.R.B.

11. MIGRANT TABLES, J.D.W. EDITORIAL.

HE first Report of the Birmingham Bird Club, on birds T observed in the counties of Warwick and Worcester during 1934, was better received than we had expected, and the small number that had been printed was soon exhausted. We have therefore felt encouraged to proceed with the undertaking.

We are again much indebted to a number of correspondents who have placed valuable material at our disposal. This year we have observations from several fresh districts, but various gaps remain.

As several of our members and correspondents frequently visit South Staffordshire, we have decided to include in our record the southern half of that county, taking the railway line west from Stafford and the line of the river Trent to the east as the boundary of our area. Records from North Staffordshire will, no doubt, in the future as in the past, be published by the North Staffordshire Field Club, or in the Derbyshire Ornithological Record.

Last year the great majority of special records came from the Bittell reservoir (Worcestershire) and from Bartley reservoir (War- wick). This year, by including South Staffordshire, we have also a crop of records from Gailey and Bellfields. Moreover, Mr. W. E. Groves has drawn attention to the ornithological attractiveness of Curdworth sewage farm, and we are very glad to have his interesting account of Curdworth for publication in this report. The Enville district, the Lickey Hills, Wyre Forest, Randan Woods and parts of the Severn and Avon valleys are amongst the special areas that provide interesting records. It is a matter of regret that at present we have no systematic reports from Sutton Park.

We wish to draw the attention of our readers to the decision of the Club to invite any who are interested in birds to become Associates, by the payment of an annual subscription of 5/-. In this way, they will obtain the annual report free, and the opportunity of attending two lectures each winter.

3 This year we are publishing a map of the two and a half counties; and this we hope to repeat in future reports. We also publish a list of the principal papers and books already published on the ornithology of the two counties of Warwick and Worcester, and of various limited districts in them. Recently we have been permitted to see a printed list of the birds of the Bromsgrove district, annotated by the Rev. K. A. Deakin, for many years Rector of Cofton Hackett. His records extend from about 1860 to 1910, and some of them are exceedingly interesting. In his day, for instance, the Nightjar was common in the Lickey Woods. He gives two breeding records for the Pied Flycatcher, one at Barnt Green with no date, one at King's Norton in 1905 or 6. He has three local records of Bittern, one of an Osprey (at Wychall reservoir, King's Norton in 1890), one of a Spoonbill, with no date, and several others of interesting species, including a iMarsh Harrier in 1886, and a Buzzard about the same time. It is remarkable that he only gives a single record of Wigeon at Bittell (in Nov. 1908), though to-day it is one of the most abundant species of Duck there every winter; and although he twice saw Ring Ouzels passing on migration, he never recorded a Wheatear !

It has not been possible to make a complete survey of marked birds that have been recovered in the counties, or birds ringed in the counties and recovered elsewhere ; but we hope to do this in a future number. Notes for 1936 should be sent as early as possible in 1937 to H. G. Alexander, 144 Oaktree Lane, , Birmingham. We may remind correspondents that special observations have been asked this year by the British Trust for Ornithology on the status of the Grey Wagtail, Lesser Redpoll and Little Owl. Further particulars can be sent to anyone who is able to make special studies of these birds. H.G.A., F.R.B.

4 MEMBERS AND CORRESPONDENTS.

H. G. ALEXANDER, Selly Oak Mrs. A. B. LANE, M. BAKER, Yorks Wood Moreton in-the-Marsh C. W. BANNISTER, Bushley, H. W. MAPLETON-BREE, Allesley, Coventry near Tewkesbury Miss M. E. I'UMPHREY, F. R. BARLOW, Selly Oak T. J. BEESTON, Cookley, Alvechurch near Kidderminster W. W. SANDERSON, E. ST. G. BETTS, Birmingham A. SEGGIE, Coventry Miss B. A. CARTER, Sutton Miss M. LE S. SIMPSON, Coldfield Barnt Green C. P. Cox, Evesham M. A. SWANN, Rugby J. S ELLIOTT, Bewdley Miss M. C. TANGYE, Clent F. FINCHER, Randan, near C. W. K. WALLIS, Bromsgrove J. H. WARD, Rugby R. GIBBINS, Evesham G. H. WILKINSON, Sutton W. E. GROVES, Edgbaston Coldfield A' DE HAMEL, Tamworth H. LL. WILSON, Clent A. HARLAND, Birmingham J. I). WOOD, A. J. HARTHAN, Sheriffs Lench, near Evesham Also : Mrs. HIBBERT, Selly Oak W. B ALEXANDER, Oxford F. C. HIDLER, Evesham A. W. BOYD, Northwich Miss C. K. JAMES, Barnt Green B. BRYAN, Stoke-on-Trent W. E. & H. KENRICK, D. B. GRUBB, Winscombe. Somerset G. M. KING Hagley

5 PRINCIPAL PUBLICATIONS ON THE BIRDS OF WARWICKSHIRE AND WORCESTERSHIRE.

(1) WARWICKSHIRE.

1884 Betteridge Birds of the Neighbourhood of Birmingham (Midland Naturalist). 1886 Chase Birds of the Birmingham District (British Association Handbook) 1894 Loveday Birds of Rugby (Report of Rugby Society) 1895 Coburn Ornithology of the City of Birmingham (pamphlet) 1896 Coburn Vertebrate Fauna of Park (Proc. of Birmingham N.H. & Phil. Soc.) 1904 Tomes Aves in Vict. Hist, of Warwicks 1913 Chase Ornithology in A Handbook of Birmingham & Neighbourhood ; ed. by G. A. Auden 1923 Carter The Birds of Sutton Park (Proc. of Birmingham N.H & Phil. Soc.) 1927 Wallis Nature Notes in Edgbaston Park (Proc. of Birmingham N.H. & Phil. Soc.) 1932 Sanderson Birds of a Birmingham Suburb (Proc. of Birmingham N.H. & Phil. Soc,)

(2) WORCESTERSHIRE. 1871 Gurney Birds of the Malvern District (Zoologist) 1890 Barker Birds of Worcestershire & H.M.W. (Science Gossip, April, June & August) 1891 Bund List of the Birds of Worcestershire 1891 Grubb The Birds of Worcestershire & others (Field, February—March) 1892 Coburn Ornithological Notes from Worcestershire 1901 Tomes Birds in Victoria History of Worcestershire 6 1903 Lowe Birds of the Malvern District 1909 Beeston Birds of the Stour Valley (Trans. Worcester Naturalists Club) 1911 Mayall Birds & Birds' Nests of Bromsgrove 1929 Alexander The Birds of the Lickey Hills & Bittell Reservoirs (Proc. Birmingham N.H. & Phil. Soc.)

Note : In addition to the above, nearly all of which appear to be fairly complete surveys of each county or of special districts, numerous papers have appeared in the Zoologist, Midland Naturalist and other periodicals, of a more limited character. For recent years, British Birds (mag.) should be consulted. BARTLEY RESERVOIR By W. E. KENRICK.

This year has produced some quite interesting observations on the Bartley Reservoir. The water level depends on the whim of the Water Department and it so happened that we were lucky in having a low level in the autumn when the waders were passing through. The general increase in the population has been maintained and the average figures for Mallard, Wigeon, Tufted Duck and Goldeneye are 96, 23, 23, 6.5, compared with those in my last report of 79, 26, 19 and 7. The main reservoir season is from October to March, which does not suit a report for the calendar year, and therefore I shall go beyond the strict period as I did last year. Pochard throughout the season have been more frequent, but the numbers have fluctuated widely. The most interesting day was February 15th, 1936, when the greater part of the reservoir was frozen over. The open water was occupied by Tufted Duck, but on going to inspect the big Frankley tank we found it occupied by a flock of about 96 Pochard. This tank does not often have any birds on it and it is almost certain that this flock came over from the Bittell area. Goldeneye continue to be regular visitors but there has been a marked alteration in their habits for which I am unable to account. In the 1933/34 and 1934/35 seasons they were usually to be found in a close flock, and days when they were scattered were the exception. This season, however, there have been usually pairs or single birds in different parts of the reservoir until March 22nd, 1936, when we found that they had gone into a small flock of 9 and for the next three weeks there was a flock of 8 including 2 adult males. As mentioned above, the water level was very low in August and September and a considerable stretch of concrete was exposed. On August 17th, there was a flock of 244 Lapwing and smaller flocks appeared during the following months, the last lot being 105 on November 2nd. On September 22nd a flock of about 30 small waders flew off before we could identify them. They were apparently 8 Dunlin and Ringed Plover. On this day and the 28th there was also a Common Sandpiper. On October 12th there was a Ringed Plover and 17 Dunlin were seen on the 24th (H.G.A.) and one on October 27th and one on November 2nd. On October 24th H.G.A. also saw a Curlew,—the first record for the reservoir.

Other interesting records in 1935 are as follows:— Pintail. 7 on March 16th. 2 on March 18th (C.J.). 1 female December 1st. Shelduck. 1 on May 4th. Shoveler. 2 females on November 2nd. Goosander. 1 female on February 5th and 10th. Smew. 1 female on January 5th. Common Scoter. 1 female on November 23rd. Two Terns were seen on September 19th and an Arctic Tern was identified on September 22nd.

I had hoped to be able to say something about the Gulls by now, but the information is so incomplete that I must postpone the matter again. Gulls usually appear over the reservoir without warning and pass on without stopping, so you have to be quick and lucky to see them. The most common are the Black-headed Gulls and the most I can say at the moment is that the birds generally approach over the city from the north-east and pass on in a southerly or south-westerly direction. I badly want information about gulls seen in this district on passage, and I should be glad if anyone seeing a gull locally would report it to me or to the editors, stating, if possible, (1) the day and time, (2) the place, (3) the type of gull, (4) the direction of flight. I may not be able to do anything with the information, but at any rate I think it is worth trying.

I regret to have to draw attention to a misprint in my report for 1934. On page 21 paragraph 2 the direction S.W. should of course be S.E. CURDWORTH MARSH. By W. E. GROVES.

By courtesy of the Birmingham Tame & Rea District Drainage Board, and the tenant, Mr. VV. Edkins, it has been possible to note the birds residing on and visiting the marsh adjoining the Sewage Purification Works of the Board, and records made have proved it to be one of the most interesting grounds near Birmingham, the distance from the centre of the City being about eight miles.

The area dealt with in this account covers approximately ninety acres. About forty years ago the ground was used for the disposal of sewage and was irrigated. With modern methods of sewage treatment its use in this manner was then discontinued and the pools are now formed almost entirely by surface drainage supplemented in dry periods by purified sewage effluent. The flooding is maintained to render the marsh attractive to waterfowl and the ground is strictly preserved by the tenant for shooting which is restricted to six months from August 1st, the shoots taking place about once a week during that period.

The preservation is very beneficial in providing quiet for birds during the nesting season and the exclusion of trespassers is favourable to the visits of migrants and passage migrants at all seasons.

The ground will probably not be required for the extension of the sewage works for about fifty years.

The Board takes an interest in the birds on its extensive estates, and when opportunity offers provides suitable environment for them.

The marsh is bounded on the N.W. side by a private road, with hawthorn hedges, leading from Curdworth to Water Orton ; on the S.E. by a sewage effluent channel; and on the N.E. by a main road, separated from it by a belt of land about fifty yards deep. The two latter sides are surrounded by trees of considerable size.

10 The geological formation is sand and gravel, with patches of peaty land, overlying Keuper marls.

Details of the occurrences in 1935 of birds sufficiently interesting to call for special record appear in the classified notes of the Report. More general mention, however, of the bird life observed from December 1934 (when the site was first visited by a member of the Birmingham Bird Club) to May 1936 is necessary for the purpose of this account.

A conspicuous feature is the colony of black-headed gulls which is mentioned in the British Association Handbook of 1913 and is said to have existed for some years previously. Their presence is believed to be very detrimental to other breeding birds and efforts are made by the tenant to destroy them.

The thick vegetation around the pools, consisting of a luxuriant growth of various grasses and sedges, is the resort at certain times of large numbers of teal, redshank, snipe, moorhen, coot, lapwing, etc. Clumps of rushes provide a certain measure of concealment for the birds and the mud on the margin of the smaller pools is frequented by waders.

The predominant ducks are mallard and teal, but shoveller are very much in evidence. Pochard and wigeon occur, and sheldrake, pintail, garganey, black tern, common tern and kittiwake have been seen. The most recent rare visitor is a little gull in second year plumage.

Of the waders the black-tailed godwit has twice been seen, ruffs on several occasions and dunlin frequently. Ring plover have also been observed and greenshank reported.

Owing to the ground being preserved it is not possible from direct observation to give a complete list of the birds breeding on the marsh, but the following are known to do so :—mallard, teal, shoveller, redshank, snipe, little grebe, coot, moorhen, lapwing and blackheaded gull. Many species of the commoner passerines, including yellow wagtail and reed bunting, whinchat, sedge and reed warblers, resort to the marsh and its immediate surroundings.

11 BITTELL RESERVOIRS, 1935.

For the third year in succession, the Bittell reservoirs were low during the greater part of 1935. The uncovered sides were largely overgrown with plants—grass, dutch clover, persicaria, thistles, etc. —so that it was less attractive for waders than in 1934. But although there were not such flocks of Dunlin, Ringed Plover, etc., in the later part of May, two Sanderling and two Bar-tailed Godwits appeared during the spring passage (the latter species has not been recorded at Bittell before), a Whimbrel was seen flying over with some Curlews in late June, and during the autumn migration, besides commoner species, several Green Sandpipers, a Greenshank, a Grey Phalarope, a Knot, a Grey Plover and a Little Stint appeared. Jack Snipe were noted at the beginning and end of the year. Several Terns were noted in spring and autumn, one being identified as Common, while one Black Tern and one Arctic Tern were seen in the autumn.

In spite of the low water a good many unusual Duck were noted, including Shelduck, Gadwall, Pintail, Scaup and Goosander; at the beginning of the year a Brent Goose and a party of White-fronted Geese visited the reservoirs. But the regular winter population of Ducks was far less than usual in the early months of the year. Fish- eating species were especially scarce—not only Golden eye and Goosander and Pochard, but also Herons. Some good sized fish must have survived the very low water of 1934, however, for in the late autumn, when the water had risen a good deal, an enormous pike was lying dead just above the water level. By the end of the year, the Lower Bittell was full, and the Upper Bittell nearly full again. Consequently, at the beginning of 1936, something like the normal Duck population appeared again. On Cofton Hackett pool, which also filled up again, an exceptionally large flock of Pochard and Tufted Duck stayed for a good many weeks, the number fluctuating, however, from week to week. On February 27th, 1936, the total of the two species was 152, of which about 110 were Pochard.

12 GAILEY AND BELLFIELDS.

Reports of the Waterfowl and passing visitors noted on these large Staffordshire reservoirs have been published in "British Birds" annually for some years past by Mr. A. W. Boyd, who visits them from his home in Cheshire. In recent years several members of the Birmingham Bird Club have also paid them occasional visits. The reservoirs are visible from the main road, but there is no right of access to their banks. Some of our members, however, have obtained special permission to visit the reservoirs.

The waters at Gailey were kept at a fairly high level throughout the two-and-a-half years rain shortage, which ended in September, 1935. A good number of Goosanders visited the Gailey pools in the early months of 1935, and Golden eye, Pochard, Great Crested Grebes and other water-fowl were present in about their normal numbers. Mr. Boyd noted a Smew in January and one in December. A Black Tern was seen in September.

At Bellfields the water continued very low throughout the summer. Much of the mud was overgrown with plants; but at the western end, and at the south-east corner, there were tracts of mud that were ideal for passing waders, and there were muddy fringes almost all round. In addition to the commoner species, Ruff, Curlew-Sandpiper, Little and Temminck's Stints, several Green Sandpipers, Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit were observed.

In the spring one or more Pintail seem to have remained for about two months. In the middle of the summer a Black-necked Grebe was seen in full plumage, but it did not stay. Golden-eye and other diving Duck were scarce. Grey Geese were seen in January and December. Two Water-Pipits seen on October 13th (the same day as Temminck's Stints) are probably the first birds of this species to be recorded for Staffordshire.

!3 SPECIAL SPECIES.

In the report of 1934, an attempt was made to survey the status in Warwickshire and Worcestershire of the following locally distributed species: Dipper, Nightingale, Redstart, Wryneck and Corncrake. For 1935 special information was asked on two other species, namely, the Great Spotted Woodpecker and Pochard

A certain amount of supplementary information has been received about the first five species in 1935, and a good deal about the Wood peckers ; but only a little about the Pochard. We may perhaps take this opportunity of saying that we shall greatly value full reports on the status of any particular species that any of our correspondents have studied intimately. Thus, Mr. G. M. King has sent in an interesting series of notes on the fluctuating numbers of Tufted Duck seen on some of the pools near Hagley. We are not publishing this at present, as Mr. King is continuing his study, and hopes in a year or two to draw some definite conclusions.

We think our readers will agree that, in the notes that follow, Mr. Grubb's observations on the status of the Nightingale from 1887 to 1924 are of peculiar interest.

1. Dipper. WORCESTERSHIRE: From the streams to the west of the Clent Hills we have some further information. G.M.K. found a nest in 1935 on the stream where he had previously seen birds in winter only. In 1936 they are apparently not breeding at the same spot, but H. LI. W. observed a bird taking food to its young on another stream a few miles away T.J.B. records it as nesting in the Stour valley up to Kinver, principally in the flood-gate water of old mills. In April 1935 a pair were nesting in exactly the same spot near Witley as in 1934: and this although road operations were in progress within a few feet of the nest, and a tree had been felled in such a way as to make the nest almost invisible and quite inaccessible, the birds flying between the branches as they went to and from the nest. F.R.B. and H.G.A. also observed one at Leigh Brook, Alfrick, in May.

i4 2. Nightingale. WARWICKSHIRE: Noted as fairly plentiful in Princethorpe and Waverley Woods, Rugby district (M.A.S ): on the Gloucestershire boundary, at Stretton-on-Fosse, not uncommon (A.B.L.). At Coventry, more than in 1934, and now established in Corporation Nature Reserve (A.S.).

WORCESTERSHIRE: Mr. D. B. Grubb writes: "From 1900— 1910 or thereabouts it was not an unusual event to hear four or five birds singing from my garden" (at Cooper's Hill, Alvechurch) "on a still evening." In the 1934 report we wrote: "Bromsgrove, Alve- church and Redditch seem to be outside its normal range." Mr. Grubb continues : " A pair always nested in Cocks Croft wood, two (or sometimes three) pairs in small spinneys at Withybed Green, another pair in Scorsfields Dingle (near Alvechurch station) and others in pits and spinneys between there and Tardebigge. There was always a nest in the Mill Shrub between Lower and Upper Bittell, and sometimes another near the Arrow Pools. Before I left the district (1924) I think all these had gone, but the process was gradual. The Bittell birds were the first to disappear, followed by the Cocks Croft pair, Withybed Green and so on." In 1910 Mr. Grubb recorded it as an increasing species in the county. The question now arises : Is the decrease since that time still continuing, or has the tide turned again ? This can only be proved by obser- vation over a number of years. For 1935 we have no records north of Redditch, on the east side of the county, but there were at least two singing in Randan Woods, and others in Chaddesley Woods (F.F.), and further west, in the Stour valley, although they have decreased, as noted by T.J.B. last year, in the Wolverley parish, they still reach a much more northerly point. Thus, T.J.B. heard one in his garden at Cookley, April 27-9, but it did not stay, and G.M.K. heard one in May at Kinver. Moreover, on 31st August, H.G.A. and J.D.W. heard one "croaking" in the undergrowth at the north end of Enville Common, S. Staffs. From South Worcestershire, A.J.H. reports that they were missing from two old localities (in one case after ten years) and present in three new ones. 3. Redstart. WARWICKSHIRE : Last year we were not able to give any recent record of the Redstart as breeding near either Rugby or Coventry ; in 1935, however, M.A.S. reports that he knows two breeding localities near Rugby, and A.S. records it from a few places near Coventry. H.W.M.B., however, notes that it has again failed to appear at Allesley. We have already recorded it from Packington Park, where several pairs are known to breed; and there are several pairs, apparently breeding in old birch trees, in the gravelly strip of country near Coleshill Pool (H.G.A.). It still breeds in Warwick Park (H.G.A.). C.W.K.W. records one from Edgbaston Park. In the south of the county it breeds commonly in Ettington Park and elsewhere in the (Warwick) Stour valley (A.J.H.). At Stretton-on- Fosse A.B.L. found two nests, both in pollard willows—one in a fallen tree, some sixteen inches from the ground.

WORCESTERSHIRE : A few pairs were noted again in the Lickey Woods, where holes in beech and mountain ash are used for nesting- purposes (H.G.A.). In Randan Woods F.F. notes that it sometimes breeds; in 1935 he only saw one bird, apparently unmated, which wandered over an area about \ x ^ mile. Between Droitwich and Ombersley there are several pairs, probably breeding in pollard willows. T.J.B. did not observe any in the Wolverley district, but further up the Stour valley, just across the Staffs, boundary, it occurs in some numbers, and F.F. has found it in this area on the Worcestershire side of the boundary. STAFFORDSHIRE: F.F. records it as well-established on the Bunter sands from Kinver through Enville and Highgate, breeding in birch trees, which are often attacked by a large white fungus. The same observer records it from Baggeridge Woods near Himley, and as a plentiful species in Cannock Chase.

4. Wryneck. STAFFORDSHIRE: Rumours continue to reach us of Wrynecks "heard" in Worcestershire and Warwickshire, but the only satisfactory report for the season comes from S. Staffordshire, at Enville Common. On 13th July, F.R.B. and H.G.A. heard one calling faintly but repeatedly high up in an elm tree; before they could get a good view of it the bird flew down into some birch scrub,

16 and it could not be seen or heard again. Six days later C.K.J., W.E.G. and H.K. thought they heard it at the same place—at any rate they heard a bird that was not a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Neither T.J.B , in the lower (Worcestershire) Stour valley, nor J.S.E., from the Severn valley, records any, though they used to have them regularly in their districts.

5. Woodpeckers. Observations on the Great Spotted Woodpecker were specially asked for, but it seems convenient to deal with all three species here, especially as a number of correspondents have compared their status and habits. WARWICKSHIRE: In the south, A.B.L. notes that the Green is much the commonest species about Stretton-on-Fosse, the G.S.W. being only occasionally noted. She has noted it drumming on dead branches of oaks. About Rugby it is frequent, while the L.S.W. occurs at Brownsover (M.A.S.) In Coventry nature-reserve it uses oak-trees and nesting boxes for breeding (A.S ). Near Tamworth A. de H. has had a G.S.W. at his bird table; he records it as preferring oak and ash trees. The Green Woodpecker is more plentiful. F.F. has observed L.S.W. in Sutton Park. At Selly Oak and Harborne G.S.W's. have visited several bird tables in winter. There is a large black poplar at Selly Oak that is frequently used by both species for drumming in the spring; sometimes the two sexes drum alternately, the resonance varying according to the branch used. Close to this poplar a G.S.W. frequently drummed in the spring of 1935 on a fencing-post with a notch in it barely a foot from the ground ; a curiously hard sound resulted (H.G.A.). In an ash nearby it drilled a hole, but Starlings occupied it. It is also recorded from Edgbaston Park (two pairs) (C.W.K.W.), where it is noted chiefly in birch, at Coleshill Pool, where there are many holes in birch (H.G.A.), and at Forshaw Heath (H.G.A.). In the Birmingham district generally the Green Woodpecker is the least common of the three species, but in all other districts, in each of the three counties, the L.S.W. is noted as the scarcest. WORCESTERSHIRE, : At least two pairs of G.S.W. regularly nest in the Lickey Woods (M. le S.S.), nesting sometimes in oak, some- times in ash (H.G.A.). E. St. G.B. notes the habit of this species of

i7 feeding on fallen logs, stumps and posts. At Randan F.F. notes G.W. and G.S.W. as about equal in numbers; he has noted the female G.S.W. drumming. F.F. also comments on the latter's habit of exploring brush-wood piles. He has noted L S.W. in Randan Woods, on the Clent Hills and in the Wyre Forest. There are also two or three pairs of L.S.W. in the Lickey Woods and at Bittell (M. le S.S., H.G.A.). The former has noted it drumming in ash. J.D.W. records G.S.W. at Westwood, Droitwich. At the Lenches A.J.H. notes that G.W. is the commonest, but one to three G.S.W's. may often be seen in an afternoon's walk : the L.S.W. is the least common, but he saw two pairs in one elm on 11th February, 1935. Near Tewkesbury the G.S.W. is the commonest species and favours elms (C.W.B.). In the Wyre Forest J.S.E. notes the G.W, as the commonest species. The G.S.W., he notes, makes holes in old railway-sleepers used as fencing-posts. It nests in cherry, apple and pear trees. It is sometimes victimised by Sparrow Hawks. When the Green Woodpecker is attacked, on the other hand, it makes such a noise that the Sparrow Hawk desists. Near Kidderminster the elm is most favoured by G.S.W. (T.J B.): but for drumming, pine trees are often used. At Hagley the G.S.W. is scarce (G.M.K.). STAFFORDSHIRE: F.F. has noted the L.S.W. in Baggeridge Woods and at Kinver, H.G.A. at Enville and Bellfields. The G.S.W. is much more widely distributed. F.F. has seen it near Dudley Castle and in other parts of the Black Country. In the Kinver and Enville districts he considers it commoner than G.W.

6. Corncrake. A few occurrences are again recorded, chiefly from water-meadows or sewage-farms.

WARWICKSHIRE: M.A.S. noted Corncrakes in three localities near Rugby, also one near Kenilworth. A.B.I.,, has observed none at the Cotswold end of the county.

WORCESTERSHIRE: C.W.B. thinks about five pairs were nesting near Tewkesbury; A.J.H. noted individuals in April and September at Sheriffs Lench ; F.R.B. and H.G.A. heard one by the Droitwich canal in May.

18 STAFFORDSHIRE: T.J.B. and G.M.K. both record it (more than one, apparently) at Whittington sewage-farm near Kinver. F.F. sends in a number of records for the years 1929 34 from S. Staffordshire, especially at Himley and Penn Common, where he thinks they are annual visitors, and in the Upper Tame valley near Walsall.

7. Pochard. Not much has been noted about this species, except the numbers seen on particular waters.

WARWICKSHIRE : None in the Cotswold area (A.B L.). It is fairly common on waters near Coventry (AS.) and Tamworth (A. de H.). One or more were observed at Curdworth sewage farm on July 28th (H.G.A.). On and Rotton Park reservoirs, Birmingham, C.W.K W. considers them less numerous than five or six years ago. W.E.G. noted that on December 7 and 8 there were about forty with some eighty-five Tufted Duck : on December 9 none of either, on December 18, 20, 21 and 26 some thirty Pochard to fifty Tufted Duck. Drakes were in excess of ducks.

WORCESTERSHIRE : Good numbers were seen at Lower Bittell in the first and last months of the year. E. St. G.B. noted sixty on February 9th, and forty-nine on December 14th. He also noted one on August 17th. On the pools west of the Clent Hills and in the Stour valley, none were noted this year (T.J.B., G.M.K.).

STAFFORDSHIRE . J.D. W. and H.G.A. record nearly one hundred and twenty on Gailey pools on January 7th. H.G.A. noted sixty on February 7th, only four on March 30th, but a dozen had already reappeared at Bellfields on July 25th. It was also noted in June by A.W.B., but apparently none breed in any of the three counties.

19 CLASSIFIED NOTES.

I = Warwickshire. II = Worcestershire. Ill = South Staffordshire.

Rook, II. F.F. reports that in late May and early June Rooks came in considerable numbers to eat the small caterpillars which feed on the oaks. In a count of eleven rookeries G.M.K. found an average increase in numbers of 10% over 1934.

Hawfinch. I- Seen frequently in small numbers at Selly Oak (H.G.A.) Seen occasionally near Rugby (M.A.S.) II. D. Grubb writes that when he first came into the (Rarnt Green) district in 1887, this bird was rare, but it increased rapidly until it became a pest on the peas, and as many as forty could be seen in the air at once. Recorded from Lickey Woods (M.leS.S.) III. A nestling was found at Rock (G.M.K.) A pair in Wigginton Park (A.de H )

Siskin. !• Seen occasionally near Rugby (M.A.S.) II. Flocks seen in Millscrub, Bittell, in December (C.K.J.) Large flock in Lickey Woods in April (M.leS.S.) Flocks seen near Dowles Manor in January and February (J.S.E.) Flock at Churchill (G.M.K )

Linnet. II- H.G.A. reports that a flock estimated at 200 was often seen among the weeds on the uncovered banks of the Upper Bittell reservoir up to the end of March. In October they were again abundant, but by the end of November when the water level had risen and covered two thirds of the formerly uncovered ground, the number was much less. With them were fair-sized flocks of Greenfinches (about 50), and in the autumn of 1935 about 20 Goldfinches.

Brambling. I H.G.A. reports a flock at Selly Oak in January, February and March ; thirty-one of these birds were ringed, and it is of great interest to note that one bird carried a Belgian ring put on at Antwerp eighteen months earlier. II. February, March and April a flock beside pool (M.leS.S., E.St.G.B.) Flock, Hagley Park, October 26 (G.M.K.)

20 Crossbill. I. W.B.A. saw eight near Burton Dassett on July 21. H.G.A. saw a flock in the Whichford Woods on July 14. Single birds at Selly Oak, July 15 and 17 (H.G.A.) II. H.G.A. saw one flying over Upper Bittell on June 20. First reported Lickey Woods July 9, when M.leS.S. saw three ; on July 10 there were forty ; from twenty to thirty on September 20, fifty on September 28, and at least half a dozen birds were seen on various dates up to the end of the year by different observers. Seen in small numbers near Hagley, July 4 and 21 ; eight at Martley, December 14 (G.M.K.) Thirty seen near Bromsgrove from June to November, only two remained in December (F.F.) III. June 30, H.G.A. heard one or two at Enville ; 13th July, several; 25th July, 10 or more; 30th July, numerous, south end of Enville Common. On July 23 and August 2 C.K.J, saw large flocks at Enville ; J.D.W. and H.G.A report a flock of 100 on August 31. Cirl Bunting. II. One seen at Alvechurch April 23 (M.E.P.) One seen near Tewkesbury in late August and early September (C.W.B.) Occurs near Elmley Castle, Rugby (M.A.S.) Snow Bunting. II One near Sheriffs Lench with other Finches on December 8 (A.J.H.) Corn Bunting. I. One seen near Rugby, March 1935 (M.A.S.) Woodlark. II A.J.H heard the cock singing near Evesham on February 17, and found a nest with four young on April 17. A small flock was present in the same place throughout the autumn. III. Seen at Enville in June and July (C.K.J., H.G.A. and F.R.B.) Water Pipit. HI. Two at Bellfields Reservoir on October 13 (H.G.A. and F.R.B.) watched at close quarters.' White Wagtail. HI. One seen at Bellfields at very close range January 7 (H.G.A. and J.D.W.) Red Backed Shrike. I. Regularly seen near Coventry (M.A.S.) II. Pair nested below Rednal Reservoir (M.leS.S. and E.St.G.B.) III. G.M.K. reports usual number at Rock.

21 Grasshopper Warbler. I Heard at Forshaw Heath May 29 (H.G.A., F.R.B.) Heard Coleshill pool July 25 (H.G.A.) Breeds in two places near Rugby, at least one a large colony (M.A.S.) II. Heard singing near Rednal Pool in July (H.G.A., M.leS.S.) Heard and seen near Bromsgrove May and June (F.F.) III. Heard at Enville in May (G.M.K.)

Marsh Warbler. II. Seen in same place as previous years (H.G.A.)

Ring Ouzel. II. One on Lickey Hills September 28 (H.G.A,)

Wheatear. II. D. Grubb writes that one nested near Rednal in 1906. E.St.G B. reports one on April 23 that may have been Greenland, and G.M.K. saw one in Ilagley on May 26 which may have belonged to the same sub-species.

Stonechat. I- Regular visitor to Rugby neighbourhood in winter (M.A.S.) II. One near Droitwich April 28 (J.D.W.) A pair near Rednal Reservoir, March 2, and one December 14 (E.St.G.B.) Two Rednal Reservoir, October 12 (H.G.A.) Near Tewkesbury, September 24 (C.W.B.) Nests at Hartlebury and Kinver (G.M.K.)

Biack Redstart. II One at Sheriffs Lench, November 9 (A.J.H.)

Swallow. I- Reported by Mrs. G. K. Hibbert from her garden in Park Road, Selly Oak, on December 24, after a severe snowstorm from the south-east. It flew round the garden for some time and fed on the ground with other birds. The forked tail was plainly seen. The bird looked bedraggled. It disappeared at dusk.

Starling. I- H.G.A. found an unfledged bird at Selly Oak on January 26.

Nightjar. II. June 3—July 29, a pair present continuously near Bromsgrove (F.F.) Breeds in fair numbers at Kinver Edge (G.M.K.) III. Two or three pairs in Hopwas Wood (A.deH.)

22 Kingfisher. I. Seen regularly on Avon outside Rugby (J.H.W.) II. H. Clipstone gives the following account of Kingfishers' behaviour : " Early Sunday morning, about 6-45 a.m., I went for a walk along the Severn bank (at Bewdley). It was in high water and rather brown. I stood for a few moments by some half submerged willows, trying to identify bird notes that for the time being baffled me. Suddenly I was startled to see a pair of beautiful Kingfishers fly out, their lovely wings showing up brilliantly in the pale morning light over the muddy brown water. For some minutes I watched them flying in and out of the willows. Then parting in opposite directions for a few yards, they turned to come together again. Their speed slowed down with a seemingly calculated precision until their beaks touched. They seemed then to hold each other by the beak, and soared vertically into the air with speed, and immediately descended, their legs and wing tips dipping the water. This they repeated for about fifteen or sixteen times. The motion was so regular and their action so together that one was reminded of a dance. There was no struggle, and it was not a combat." The date of this was November 3.

Short Eared Owl. I Seen near Rugby, February 1935 (M.A.S.)

Water Rail. II. One at Cofton Reservoir February and March (E.St.G.B.)

Sparrow Hawk. II J.S.E. writes: "A friend and I were having tea together within a few feet of my house, (near Bewdley) and 1 was throwing food to a sparrow within three feet of us, when a Sparrow Hawk swooped down from behind and above us and secured the victim." F.F. writes: "On October 11 while walking through the wood (near Bromsgrove), I saw a Sparrow Hawk gliding through the larches, and as it approached it suddenly accelerated and made a wild zigzag flight so near that I had to stoop to avoid it, and landed in a heap of brushwood just in front of me. After a brief pause it extricated itself and flew off. As it did so, a Blue Tit called out I never saw him, but the Hawk did ; but in spite of its quickness it was just too late." 23 Kestrel. II. F.F. writes, "A pair nested quite near and in the later stages I noticed the old birds simply glided over the wood and dropped the food which the young made a headlong dive for." Brent Goose. II. One seen at Upper Bittell Reservoir on several dates, January 1—15, by various observers. Not always present during this period. White Fronted Goose. II. Flock of fourteen at Lower Bitteli, January 30—February 2 (H.L1.W., M.leS.S., C.K.J, and E.St.G.B.) III. Eleven at Bellfields, December 27 (A.W.B.) Grey Goose ?Sp, III. Four at Bellfields, January 7 (H.G.A. and J.D.W.) Shelduck. I Two at Curdworth, September 6 (W.E.G.) II. One at Upper Bittell, August 20, and six on September 23 (C.J.) One at Bartley, May 4 (W.E.K.) III. Three at Gailey, April 22 (A.W.B.); one at Bellfields, August 20 (C.K.J.); one at Bellfields, September 1 (A.W.B.) Wigeon, I Two at Curdworth on May 9 (W.E.G.) II. Present at Upper and Lower Bittell Reservoirs throughout Spring and Autumn. III. A.W.B. writes that there were from 300 to 400 on Bellfields in January and February and in December; three on April 28 and six to eight October 12; between those dates only one drake, evidently the pricked bird of the previous summer. On December 27 a group of four drakes and two ducks were displaying. Pintail. II. Duck seen at Upper Bittell, April 18 and 23 (H.G.A., J.D.W., E.St.G.B.) Seven Birds (4 drakes 3 ducks) at Bartley March 16, two March 18, and one on December 1 (W.E. and H.K.) III. Duck at Bellfields on February 7, and a pair on March 30 and April 22 (A.W.B. and H.G.A.) Gadwall. II- Female at Lower Bittell, April 18 and 24 (H.G.A. and J.D.W.) Shoveler. I- Reported by various observers from Curdworth throughout the summer, from April to September. Two at Bartley, November 2 (W.E.K.)

24 II. Only one report from Bittell : Lower Bittell, December 7 (C.J., E.St.G.B.) III. The largest number was seen at Bellfields on April 22— about twelve pairs (H.G.A.) On June 23 a duck with seven small youngsters (A.W.B.) Garganey. I. Two at Curdworth, July 25 (W.B.A. and H.G.A.) Scaup. II. A duck was seen at various dates between February 9 and April 6, usually on a small pool close to Upper Bittell. It seemsj likely that this was the same bird that was seen between December and April in the previous winter. Both years it was very tame. On December 30 it (or another) was seen again (C.K.J.) but this time it did not stay. Goldeneye. I. An immature bird on Wormleighton Reservoir, March 10 (W.B.A.) At Bartley, several throughout the winter (W.K. and H.K.) II. Female on Upper Bittell, November 14 (H.G.A.) III. Never in the numbers of other years at Bellfields. Eight or nine at Gailey on February 7 (H.G.A.), the greatest number seen. One as early as August 20 (C.J.) Tufted Duck. Ill- On June 14 an open nest with eight eggs was found at Bellfields ; it was built in short grass and brook-lime, from which the water had receded. On July 28 a duck with a brood of eight young was seen (A.W.B ) Common Scoter. II. One at Bartley, November 23 (W.E.K.) Velvet Scoter. I A drake was killed by a dog at Shustoke Reservoir, January 30 (per A.H.) Goosander. I- February 5 and 10 a duck at Bartley (W.E.K.) II. January 21, 23 and 26 a duck at Upper Bittell (II.G.A., C.J., E.St.G.B.) III. January 7, two at Bellfields (H.G.A.); January 27, five at Bellfields and four at Gailey (A.W.B.); February 5, about seven at Bellfields and seventeen at Gailey (C.K.J.); February 7, twenty- six at Gailey (H.G.A.) twelve or thirteen of which were drakes. Smew. I. Female at Bartley, January 5 (W.E.K.) III. January 27, adult drake at Gailey (A.W.B.) December 27, brown-headed bird at Bellfields (A.W.B.) 25 Cormorant. II. Seen on several occasions at Upper and I.ower Bittell. III. Several records from Gailey and Bellfields.

Great Crested Grebe. I. C.W.K.W. reports four on Rotton Park Reservoir, Birmingham, April 5. Single birds at Bartley, April 1, October 27 (W.E.K.) II. H.G.A. records that none nested successfully at Bittell, but one was sitting on a nest at Lower Bittell on July 26. Usually there were from three to six on Lower Bittell during the spring and summer, often more on Upper Bittell. A single bird was seen on November 7. C K.J. saw one on Lower Bittell on December 7 and two on Lower Bittell on December 13. III. A.W.B. says there were no breeding sites at Bellfields, but non breeding birds were present through the summer as follows : June 23, seventeen; July 13, twenty-six (H.G.A.); July 28, twenty to thirty. On October 12 there were forty-four.

Black Necked Grebe. Ill An adult in full plumage on June 14th at Bellfields (A.W.B.). Ringed Plover. I Reported at Curdworth, spring and autumn. At Bartley, several on September 22, one February 12 (W.E. and H.K.). II. I). Grubb writes that a pair nested at Upper Bittell in 1902. A much slighter Spring migration than in 1934, single birds appearing on various dates from April 18 to May 20. In autumn, noted off and on from July 23 to September 28; nine on August 17 (E.St.G.B.), and twenty on September 22 (W.B.A.), otherwise in quite small numbers. Ill Reported from Bellfields, spring and autumn. Golden Plover. II- One at Upper Bittell, September 22(W.B.A.) and one October 12 (H.G.A.) Grey Plover. One, Upper Bittell, November 21 (H.G.A. and C.K.J.) Ruff. L One at Curdworth on July 25; and four on September 9 (H.G.A., W.B.A.) III. One at Bellfields on March 30 (H.G.A.) One on June 14 and one on September 1 (A.W.B.) 26 Sanderling. II. C.K.J, and H.G.A. saw two at Upper Bittell on May 20, and one was seen on September 20 (C.K.J.)

Knot. II One seen at Upper Bittell on September 20 (C.K.J.)

Dunlin. I Five at Curdworth May 2 (W.E.G. and J.D.W.) Several at Bartley, September 22 (W.E.K.); 17, October 24 (H.G.A.) II. Reported in moderate numbers from Bittell on spring and autumn passage. III. Seen at Bellfields in March, July and October (H.G.A.)

Curlew Sandpiper. III. Two seen at Bellfields October 12 and 13 (A.W.B., H.G.A., F.R.B.)

Temmincks Stint. III. One at Bellfields October 13 (H.G.A. and F.R.B.) The characteristic twitter was heard, and it was noticed that the bird lacked the strong markings which are characteristic of the Little Stint. A.W.B. writes that the Little Stint seen on October 12 was very differently marked, and that the whitish V on the shoulders was especially noticeable.

Little Stint. II- One seen at Upper Bittell, October 6 (H.G.A., F.R.B. and C.K.J.) This also was strongly marked on the back. III. One at Bellfields, October 12 (A.W.B.) and 13 (H.G.A., F.R.B.)

Greenshank. H. One, Upper Bittell, August 21 (C.J.) III. One Bellfields, August 19 (C.J.) One Bellfields, September I (A.W.B.)

Common Sandpiper. II. D. Grubb writes that in 1902 two pairs nested at Lower Bittell and one at Upper Bittell.

Green Sandpiper. I. One at Ettington Park, September 4 and II (A.B.L., A.J H.) II. One at Upper Bittell on August 4 (M.leS.S.); one Upper Bittell August 10 (C.J. and E.St.G.B.); one at Upper Bittell August 21 (C.J. and E.St.G.B.); four Lower Bittell on August 3 (C.W.K.W.); one Upper Bittell September 6 (H.G.A.) III. Five at Bellfields July 13 ; three on July 25 (H.G.A.)

27 Redshank. I. Breeds in fair numbers at Curdworth. Seen in November and December at Bartley (W.E.K., H.G.A.) II. A pair nested near Upper Bittell, first seen March 21 Also seen on passage spring and autumn.

Grey Phalarope. September 16—20; one, Lower Bittell, seen by several observers. About the end of August Mr. Edward Cadbury saw a small grey bird swimming very near to him on one of the Spring Pools, Chadwich, Lickeys, while he was fishing. On being shown a plate of two Phalaropes in winter plumage, he unhesitatingly identified it as a Grey Phalarope.

Bar-Tailed Godwit. II May 9 to 12, two seen at Upper Bittell (C.K.J., M.leS.S., E.St.G.B.)

Black-Tailed Godwit. I One seen at Curdworth, May 2 and 4 (J.D.W. and W.E.G.) One seen at Curdworth, August 16 (C.W.K.W.) III. One seen at Bellfields, July 25 (H.G.A.), and July 28 (A.W.B.)

Whimbrel. II. One seen flying over Upper P.ittell with three Curlews, June 20 (H.G.A.)

Curlew. I. Four seen at Curdworth, August 16 (C.W.K.W.) One at Bartley, October 24 (H.G.A.). One at Colehall Sewage Farm, Birmingham, August 6 (W.E.G.) II. H.G.A. writes: "On June 20th, a day of driving south- westerly rain, I had a curious experience for mid summer in the middle of . Between 10-30 and 10 50 a.m., first I saw three Curlews fly from east to west over the reservoir (Upper Bittell), then four (including a Whimbrel) flying from north-east to south-west, then five following the same direction. All were silent. At first I thought the four might be the same as the first three, joined by a Whimbrel, but after they had flown steadily away to the south-west the party of five soon followed in the same direction." Several pairs breed near Tewkesbury (C.M.B. and A.J.H.) III. Seen occasionally at Bellfields.

28 Snipe, I. Breeds at Curdworth in considerable numbers. II. The largest number noted at Bittell was fifteen seen on September 6 (H.G.A.) III. About 100 were seen at Bellfields in mid July. A.W.B. noted a similar increase in numbers at this time of year in Cheshire.

Jack Snipe. II. Seen by Upper Bittell in January, February, October, November and December. III. One on October 13 at Bellfields (F.R.B., H.G.A.)

Woodcock. II. J.S.E. saw a party of four flying over his land in Wyre Forest on May 26, and on May 28 one flying over 'roding' loudly. F.F. is fairly confident that they breed in woods near Bromsgrove. He says that single birds were seen from February onward; and on March 16, two were seen 'roding'; this per- formance was seen regularly until July 9. "In the early stages several birds were often seen flying together, but later only one as a rule made a regular round. Very often they started while it was quite light and flew round for about an hour, but I often heard them again about 10 p.m. and again at dawn. The normal flight was fairly steady, but occasionally two or three were flying close together; they went at a terrific pace. The one whose beat came near the house flew usually on an oval course of approximately 1| miles, generally in an anticlockwise direction." Between July 9 and October 6 nothing was heard of the birds. A.J. 11. found a nest with four eggs in woods near Rous Lench, and reports that there were four or five pairs in these woods. III. H.G.A. saw one in a wood by Bellfields Reservoir on March 30.

Black Tern. I- One at Curdworth, May 29 (H.G.A. and F.R.B.) II. D. Grubb writes that in the 1890's they were one of the most regular spring passage migrants at Bittell, goi>ng through in considerable parties. One at Upper Bittell, September 14 (E.St.G.B. and M.leS.S.) III. One at Gailey, September 19 (C.J.)

29 Common Tern. I. Two at Curdworth, May 29 (II.G.A., F.R.B.) II. Seen at Bittell in spring and autumn. III. One Bellfields, April 28 (J.D.W., H.G.A.) Unidentified Terns, either Common or Arctic, were seen at Bittell, Bellfields and Bartley in spring and autumn; on September 19 C.J. saw thirty at Bellfields. One was seen on the Severn on September 19 (C.M.B.) Arctic Tern. I. One seen at Bartley on September 22 (W.B.A., U.K.) II. One seen at Bittell on September 22 (W.B.A.) Black-Headed Gull. I Nests at Curdworth. II. Seen at Bittell in various months. A.J.H. saw thirty-two on flooded meadows near Evesham November 23. III. Seen at Bellfields at all seasons except in July. Common Gull. I- Three at Wormleighton Reservoir, July 21 (W.B.A.) Two at Bartley, October 24 (H.G.A.) II. Five at Upper Bittell December 21 (E.St.G.B.) A.J.H. reports the following seen flying over Sheriffs Lench : February 26, eight, flying N.W. ; May 17, forty, (Common and Blackheaded) flying N.; May 21, two, flying N.; October 20, twenty-one, flying S.W. III. Two immature at Bellfields, January 7 (H.G.A.). One January 27 (C.J.) Herring Gull. I- One at Selly Oak flying S.W., November 14 (H.G.A.) III. At Bellfields: One on January 7; three on February 7; one on April 28 ; several on December 22 (H.G.A.) Lesser Black-Backed Gull. I. May 9 : three flying over Selly Oak N.N.E.; May 15 : one over Selly Oak, N. (H.G.A.) II. April 11: two at Upper Bittell (M.leS.S.); May 4: one Lower Bittell; May 16: three going North; and May 19 : one going North (H.G.A.) July 24 : two at Upper Bittell (M.leS.S.) F.F. reports two flying South, July 21, Randan Wood. A.J.H. reports the following from Sheriffs Lench ; May 19 : three going N.W. ; May 27 : one going W.; August 26 : two S.; September 2 : two going S.; September 8 : three going S.W.;

3° October 8: one in meadow by the river; October 18: one going S. At Tewkesbury in nearly all months (C.W.B.) III. One ad. (? 2 juv.) passing Bellfields to N.W., March 30 ; one July 13 ; 2 juv. (or Herring), July 25 (H.G.A.) One at Bellfields, August 20; one, September 19 (C.J.)

Kittiwake. I. One at Curdworth, May 29 (H.G.A., F.R.B.)

Water-Rail, II One seen on stream near Bittell, March 12 (M.leS.S.) G.M.K reports it as breeding at Blakedown.

Quail. II- A pair heard and seen in a field at Sheriffs Lench, June 21—28 (A.J.H.)

Fork-Tailed Petrel. II. One picked up dead at Evesham on September 18 (A.J.H.)

31 MIGRANTS, 1935.

(a) SUMMER MIGRANTS: ARRIVALS.

WHEATEAR. COMMON SANDPIPER. Mar 17 Malvern ("Field.") Apr. 6 Evesham (F. C. lliden.) ,, 24 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) 11 Sheriffs Leuch (A.J.ll.) Apr. 11 Nr. Rugby (M.A.S.) 12 Bittell (M.leS.S.) ,, 23 Bittell (E. St. G.B.) 17 Little Lawford (M.A'S.) May 4 Rowney Green (M.E.P.) May 23 Bushley (C.W.B.)

CHIFFCHAFF YELLOW WAGTAIL. Apr. 11 Nr. Rugby (M.A.S.) Mar 18 Alvechurch (M.E.P.) 12 Bushley 21 Bittell (H.G.A. k C.J ) (C.W.B.) Droitwich 21 Nr. Leaminigto n (M.A.S.) ., 25 & J.D.W.) 21 Stretton-on-• Fosse (A.B.L.) (H.G.A. 24 Blakedown (G.M.K.) 24 Rock (G.M.K.) BLACKCAP. 24 Evesham (C. P. Cox.) Apr 11 Barnt Green (C.J. 25 Dowles (J.S.E.) 12 Sheiiffs Lench (A.J.ll. 25 Woodcote (F.F.) 16 Woodcote (F.F. 28 Lickey (11.G A.) 18 Dowles (J. S.E. 30 Bellfields (H.G.A.) 18 Stretton-on-Fosse (A.B.L. 4 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) 19 Princethorpe (MA S. 12 Bushley (C W. H.) 22 Lickey (M. le S.S. 23 Cleeve Prior (H.G.A. 25 Westwood RING-OUZEL. (H.G.A. & J.D.W Mar. 24 Sheriffs Lench (A J.IL) May 16 Edgbaston (W.E.G May 6 Rowney Green (M. E. P.) SWALLOW. WILLOW-WREN. Apr. 11 Bittell (M. le S.S.) Mar. 26 Bushley (C.W.li.) 11 Bushley (C.W.B.) ,, 29 Nr. Leamington (M.A.S ) 11 Nr. Rugby (M.A.S.) ,, 30 Bellfields (H.G A.) 11 Stretton-on Fosse (A.B.L.) Apr. 7 Stretton-on- Fosse (A.B.L.) 11 Woodcote (F.F.) 12 Dowles (J.S.E.) 12 Harborne (U.K.) 12 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) 14 Evesham R. Gibbins.) 12 Wood cole (F.F.) 14 Northfield (J.D.W.) „ 19 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) > i 13 Harnt Green (C.J.) 17 Bournville 20 Selly Oak (H.G.A.) (H.G.A. k J.D.W.) ,, 22 Alvechurch (M.E.P.) ,, 18 Alvechurch (M.E.P.) HOUSE-MARTIN Apr. 11 Rugby (M.A.S.) SAND MARTIN 17 Bittell (M.leS.S.) Mar. 31 Bushley (C.W.B.) 18 Alvechurch (M.E.P.) Apr. 11 Rugby (M.A.S.) 25 Droitwich „ 18 Bittell (H.G.A.) (H.G.A. & J.D.W.) 25 Droitwich 27 Earlswood (J.D.W.) (H.G. A. k J.D.W.) May 5 Evesham (F. C. Hiden.) 27 Blackwell (M. le S.S.) 6 Bushley (C.W.B.) May 19 Alvechurch (M.E.P.) 7 Woodcote (F.F.)

32 TREE-PIPIT. GARDEN-WARBLER.

Apr. 13 Woodcote (F.F.) Apr. 16 Evesham (F. C. Hiden.) 14 Evesham (C. B. Cox.) > i 21 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) 16 l'rincethorpe (M.A.S.) » > 30 Alcester (H.G.A.) 16 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) >, 30 Bushley (C.W.B.) ,, 17 Selly Oak (H.G.A.) May 4 Dowles (J.S.E.) 18 Bushley (C.W. B.) 5 Lickey (M. le S.S.) 18 Lickey (H.G.A.) 5 Woodcote (F.F.) ,, 22 Dowles (J.S.E.) i > 6 Hopwood (H.G.A.) ,, 22 Nr. Portway (J.D.W.) >> 6 Nr. Leamington (M.A.S.) „ 23 Stretton-on-Fosse (A.B.L.) 7 Selly Oak (H.G.A.) » 24 Bittell (J.D.W.) >> 9 Wildmoor (H.G.A.)

REDSTART. CUCKOO.

Apr. 13 Erlgbaston Park Apr. 18 Dowles (J.S.E.) (C.W.K.W.) 19 Bushley (C.W.B.) 16 Lickey (M.leS.S.) 19 Cofton M. le S.S.) 18 Rugby (M.A.S.) 19 Evesham (F. C. Hiden.) 19 Dowles (J.S.E.) 19 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) 19 Evesham (C. P. Cox.) 21 Lower Bentley (J.D.W.) 21 Stretton-on-Fosse (A.B.L.) 22 Rarnt Green (C.J.) 23 Cleeve Prior (H.G.A.) 22 Stretton-onFosse (A.B.L.) 23 Woodcote (F.F.) 22 Woodcote (F.F.) 25 Droitwich 23 Cleeve Prior (H.G.A.) (H.G.A. k J.D.W.) 23 Harborne (W.K.) June 8 Bushley (C.W.B.) 25 Droitwich (H.G.A. & J.D.W.) May 3 Alvechurch (M.E.P.) Selly Oak (H.G.A.) CORNCRAKE.

Apr. 13 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) May 5? Rowney Green (M.E.P.) WHINCHAT. ,, 6 Alcester (M.A.S.) 6 Bushley (C.W.B.) Apr. 18 Bittell (H.G.A.) 21 Bushley (C.W.B.) ,, 25 Bartley (U.K.) „ 25 Holt Heath WHITETHROAT. (H.G.A. k J.D.W.) ,, 28 Bellfields Apr. 14 Evesham (C. P. Cox.) (H.G.A. & J.D.W.) 18 Bushley (C.W.B.) May 2 Coventry (H.G.A.) 21 Bittell (J.D.W.) it ,, 2 Hampton-in-Arden 21 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) (H.G.A.) 21 Stretton-on-Fosse (A.B.L.) >» 21 Woodcote (F.F.) j, 23 Cleeve Prior (H.G.A.) i > 24 Lickey (M.leS.S.) M 25 Droitwich GRASSHOPPER-WARBLER (H.G.A. k J.D.W.) 26 Alvechurch (M.E.P.) Apr. 18 Yorks Wood (M.B.)

> > 28 Bellfields 19 Nr. Rugby (M.A S.) (H.G.A. & J.D.W.) 30 Rednal (C.J.) May 4 Selly Oak (H.G.A.) May 5 Woodcote (F.F.)

33 LESSER WHITETHROAT. WOOD-WREN. Apr. 19 Evesham (C. P. Cox ) Apr. 24 Lickey (H.G.A. k J.D.W.) >> 23 Cleeve Hill (H.G.A.) „ 25 West wood j 24 Dowles (J.S.E.) (H.G.A. k J.D.W.) j i 26 Bushley (C.B.) „ 28 Dowles (J.S.E.) >> 28 Bellfields 28 Woodcote (F.F.) (H.G.A. & J.D.W.) ,, 30 Alcester (H.G.A.) »> 28 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.II.) May 3 Nr Leamington (M.A.S.) May 3 Bittell (H.G.A.) 1 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.II.) > > 6 Selly Oak (H.G.A.) 5 Evesham (C. P. Cox.) »> 6 Woodcote (F.F.) July 6 Bushley (C.W.B.) 12 Harborne (W.K.) »> REEDWARBLER. Apr. 25 Droitwich NIGHTINGALE. (H.G.A. A J.D.W.) May 30 Evesham (F. C. Hiden.) Apr. 19 Bushley (C.B.) „ 19 Princethoipe (M. AS.) TURTLE-DOVE. ,, 21 Evesham Apr. 28 Bellfields (C. P. Cox k F. C. Hiden.) (H.G.A. k J.D.W.) 21 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) 28 Evesham (F. C Hiden.) 23 Cleeve Prior (H.G.A.) May 1 Hagley (G.M.K.) 24 Nr. Alcester (M. le S.S.) 2 Woodcote (F.F.)

27 Cookley (T.J.B.) >» 3 Hopwood (H.G.A.) 28 Stretton-on-Fosse (A.B.L.) »> 4 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) May 5 Woodcote (F.F.) 11 12 Bushley (C.W.B.) i > 13 Barnt Green (C.J.) i) 17 Dowles (J.S.E.) SEDGE-WARBLER. • » 19 Alvechurch (M.E. P.) Apr. 21 Bittell (H.G.A.) SPOTTED FLYCATCHER. „ 25 Bushley (C.W.B.) May Hopwood (H.G.A.) ,, 25 Droitwich (H.G.A & J.D.W.) Evesham (R. Gibbins.) Selly Oak (Passing) 28 Bellfields (H.G.A. k J.D.W.) (H.G.A.) 7 Selly Oak (Res.) (H.G.A.) 11 Bittell (C.J.) SWIFT. 22 Stretton-on-Fosse (A.B.L.) 23 Barnt Green (M. le S.S.) Apr 21 Evesham (R. Gibbins.) 24 Bushley (C.W.B.) ,, 24 Bushley (O.W.B.) May 2 Curdworth RED-BACKED SHRIKE. (W.E.G. & J.D.W.) May 8 Southam (H.G.A.) Selly Oak (Passing) ,, 15 Evesham (F. C. Hiden.) (H.G.A.) ,. 27 Bushley (C.W.B.) Bartley (H.G.A.) June 1 Rednal (E. St. G.B.) Sneyd Green 12 South Littleton (M.E.P.) (A. Tonkinson.) Worcester (M.A.S.) NIGHTJAR. Barnt Green (M. leS.S.) May 24 Dowles (J.S.E.) Belbroughton (F.F.) June 3 Woodcote (F.F.) Evesham (F. C. Hiden.) ,, 9 Evesham (F. C. Hiden.) 11 Hagley (G. M. K.) MARSH WARBLER. 13 Selly Oak (Passing) (H.G.A.) May 30 Evesham (F. C. Hiden.) 14 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) June 12 Bushley (C.W.B.) Bittell (H.G.A.) 15 QUAIL. 15 Selly Oak (Res.) (H G.A.) 18 Harborne (H.K.) June 21 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) 34 (b) WINTER MIGRANTS: DEPARTURE. POCHARD. TEAL. Mar. 24 Bittell (M. le S.S.) Apr. 17 Bittell (M. le S.S.) REDWING. FIELDFARE. Mar. 28 Selly Oak (H.G.A.) 13 Hagley (G.M.K.) Apr. 25 Bittell (H.G .A. & J.D.W ) ,, 12 Woodcote (F.F.) Mar. 30 Bellfields (H.G.A ) ,, 9 Harborne (W K.) 30 Hewell (M. le S.S.) 28 Hagley (G.M.K.) GOLDENEYE. > > 28 Selly Oak (H.G.A.) 23 Woodcote (F.F.) Apr. 1 Bartley (H.G.A.) t > Feb. 5 Harborne (W.K.) Mar. 30 Bellfields (H.G.A.)

SISKIN. WIGEON. Apr. 6 Lickey (M. le S.S.) May 9 Curdworth (W.E.G.) Apr. 28 Bellfields (H.G.A.) BRAMBLING. ,, 25 Bittell (H.G.A. & J.D.W.) Apr. 9 Lickey (M. le S.S.) „ 6 Colehall (W.E.G.) Mar. 31 Hagley (G.M.K.) 24 Selly Oak (H.G.A.) ,, 14 Rednal Resr. (M. le S.S.) ,, 3 Harborne (U.K.)

(c) SUMMER MIGRANTS: DEPARTURE. GRASSHOPPER-WARBLER. WHINCHAT. July 22 Cofton (M. le S.S, Sept. 6 Bittell (H.G.A.) Aug. 31 Bartley (H.K.) NIGHTJAR. July 22 Woodcote (F.F, CORNCRAKE. 16 Dowles (J.S.E Sept. 7 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.)

RED-BACKED SHRIKE. SWIFT. Rock (per G.M.K.) Aug. 21 Sept. i Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) July 27 Rednal (E. St. G.B.) Bittell (H.G.A.) WOOD-WREN. Shustoke (J.D.W.) Bournville , (J.D.W,) Aug. 22 Woodcote (F.F.) Woodcote (F.F.) „ 1 Selly Oak (H.G.A.) Selly Oak (H.G.A.) July 13 Dowles (J.S.E.) TREE-PIPIT. GARDEN-WARBLER. Sept. 9 Woodcote (F.F.) (H.G.A. Aug. 28 Selly Oak 6 Selly Oak (H.G.A.) Aug. 31 Enville (H.G.A. & J.D.W.) NIGHTINGALE. Aug. 31 Enville (H.G.A. & J.D.W.) SEDGE-WAPBLER. CUCKOO. Sept. 11 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) Aug. 31 Selly Oak REED-WARBLER. (H.G.A. & J.D.W.) July 18 Woodcote (F.F.) Sept. 11 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) 35 SPOTTED FLYCATCHER. COMMON SANDPIPER. Sept. 18 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.II.) Oct. 6 Bittell (H.G.A) 1» 10 Stretton-on-Fosse (A.B.L.) Sept. 27 Bartley (W.K.) 1» 9 Selly Oak (H.G.A.) „ 11 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) 1 Woodcote (F.F.) Aug. 5 Edgbaston Park Aug. 31 Enville (H.G. A. t It J D.W.) (C.W.K.W.)

TURTLEDOVE. WHEATEAR. Sept. Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) Oct. 8? Bittell E.St.G.B. J I Dodderhill (H.G A.) ) t 3 Bittell (H.G.A.) » f Bittell (H.G.A.) Sept. 28 Lickey (H.G.A.)

Aug. Enville (II.G.A. & I.D.W.) t i 14 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.)

Blakedown (G.M.K.) 11 3 Alvechurch (M.E.P.) July Dowles (J.S.E.)

CHIFFCHAFF. WHITETHROAT. Oct. 11 Stretton-on-Fosse (A.B. L.) Sept. 21 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) > f 5 Bittell (H.G.A.) 2 Bittell (H.G.A.) Sept. 29 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) 2 Woodcote (F.F.) 28 Lickey (H.G.A.) Aug. 31 Enville (H.G.A. & J.DW.) >» 27 Rugby (J.H.W.) 25 Woodcote (F.F.) >> 22 Dowles (J.S.E.) 22 Hagley (G.M.K.) REDSTART. >» »» 13 Harborne (W.K.) Sept. 21 Sheriffs Lench (A.J H.) „ 10 Dowles (J.S.E.) „ 2 Enville (F.F.) HOUSE MARTIN. Oct. 21 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.)

it 9 Chaddesley Corbett (F.F.) WILLOW-WREN. t f 4 Stretton-on Fosse (A.B.L.) Sept. 29 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) f f 4 Selly Oak (H.G.A.) >1 11 Woodcote (F.F.) f t 3 Bittell (H.G.A.) > J 10 Dowles (J.S.E.) Sept. 30 Pedmore (G M.K.) • 1 7 Hagley (G.M.K.) 1» 6 Selly Oak (H.G.A.) Aug. 31 Envillej (H.G.A. & J.D.W.) SWALLOW. Oct. 24 Barnt Green (C.J.)

» » 21 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) LESSER WHITETHROAT. 20 Harborne (H.K.)

Sept. 29 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) t f 14 Alvechurch (M.E.P.) 9 Selly Oak (H.G.A.) 1 i 12 Bittell (H.G.A.) Aug. 10 Dowles (J.S.E.) » J 7 Stretton-on-Fosse (A.B. L.) ft 6 Hagley (G.M.K.) 5 Great Bridge (F.F.) BLACKCAP. Sept. 29 Bromsgrove (F.F.) 1 J 28 Selly Oak (H.G.A.) Sept. 29 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) July 14 Woodcote (F F.) YELLOW WAGTAIL. Oct. Wigginton (A. de H.) SAND-MARTIN. Sept. Harborne (H.K.) Oct. 3 Bittell (H.G.A.) Aug. Cole Hall (W.E.G.) Sept. 26 Bewdley (H.G.A.) Bittell (J.D.W.)

36 (d) WINTER MIGRANTS : ARRIVAL.

POCHARD. REDWING. Aug. 17 Bittell (E. St. G.B. Oct. 14 Stretton-on-B^osse (A B.L.) i ) 17 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) WIGEON. J» 19 Lickey (H.G.A.) 20 Selly Oak (H.G.A.) Sept. 19 Bellfields (C.J.) 1 > 21 Wuodcote (F.F.) Oct. 20 Bittell (H.G.A.) >» 29 Bittell (C.J.) Nov, 9 Harborne (H.K) TEAL. V. 10 Hagley (G.M.K.) Sept. 19 Bellfields (C.J. J J 29 Cole Hall (W.E.G.) GOLDENEYE FIELDFARE. Oct. 24 Bartley (H.G.A.) Oct. 3 Bilton, Rugby (l.H.W.) > > 10 Stretton-on-Fosse (A.B.L.) BRAMBLING. »J 22 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) 24 Frankley (H.G.A.) Oct. 25 Woodcote (F.F.) Hagley (G.M.K.) > > 25 Woodcote (F.F.) „ 26 Sheriffs Lench (A.J.H.) f > 26 Hagley (G.M.K.) Nov. 9 Nov. 3 Selly Oak (H.G.A.) 14 Lickey (H.G.A.) Cofton (E. St. G.B.) > > 12 Harborne (H.K.) Dec 21 29 Cole Hall (W. E.G.) >> SISKIN. Nov. 14 Bittell (H.G.A.)

37