No 485 Summer 2017
Common Sandpiper at our Belvide Reserve - 8th May, 2017 Photographer Chris Blackburn This front page is sponsored by The Birder’s Store, Worcester WMBC News Is published in March, June, September and December each year to link members with each other, what’s been happening, current issues and forthcoming events on the birding scene in our area and further afield together with a selection of your articles and a comprehensive summary of the recorded bird sightings in our area As the purpose of this Newsletter is not only to entertain but also to inform members about upcoming events I always endeavour to get it dropping onto your doormats by 1st of March, September and December. The exception to this is your summer issue which I hold back to include a report from our Annual General Meeting, a copy of our audited accounts for the previous year and a draft of our Chairman’s report for those members who are unable to attend the AGM, all of which would be old news by September. Despite our best efforts with every issue a very few copies seem to go astray. A member kindly informed me, last issue, that he had found a second name and address slip behind his own enabling me to post out the missing copy. Following this I have arranged for our distributors to carry out an additional check which should prevent this reoccurring. This just leaves copies that are ‘lost in the post’ and as our Membership Secretary keeps our Club database in perfect up-to-date order the most obvious reason for this is out of date or inaccurate contact details, which you can prevent by letting Michael, our Membership Secretary, know of any changes or amendments promptly. By the time you receive this issue it will be almost the middle of June and some of you may already have been wondering if your copy had gone astray and who is the best person to inform about this. I am sure you would agree that the ideal person is someone who can deal with your query promptly without passing the problem on to someone else for action and that is me, your Newsletter Editor so any problems in future let me know at [email protected] Sue In this issue Page 3 Annual Activities Statement 2017 - Chairman’s Report - Kevin Clements Page 4 2017 Annual General Meeting Feedback and Treasurer’s Report Page 5 2016 Audited Accounts Page 6 WMBC Vice President - “A Great Honour” - Jim Winsper Page 6 John Hoyle - A Tribute Page 7 Membership Matters - Michael Bevan Page 8 Marsh Lane Nature Reserve - Nick Barlow Page 10 2017 WMBC Cannock Chase Bird Survey - Roger Broadbent Page 11 Honorary membership to Charles (Charlie) Brown Page 12 Quiz - Spot, then Identify the bird - Peter Lewis Page 13 WMBC Website Manager - Time to move over - Jim Winsper Page 14 The American Wigeon at Grimley and Holt - Brian Stretch Page 17 In Search of Cranes - Lorraine and Roy Ingleston Page 21 Batumi Raptor Count - Martin Kenrick Page 24 Our Local Patch - Himley Park and Baggeridge Country Park - Blake May Page 26 Calling All Photographers Page 27 Club and Branch Indoor Meetings and Field Trips Page 29 An Urgent Appeal for Independent Trustees Page 30 Birds on the Brink - Roger Broadbent Page 31 Joint WMBC and BTO 2016/17 Regional Black Redstart Survey - Jim Winsper Page 32 Bird Notes - February to April - Humphrey Miller Page 36 WMBC Field Trip Reports - Ray Davies Page 38 Feedback from the 2nd Staffordshire Birders’ Conference - Geoff Sales Page 39 Officers of WMBC and their contact details 2 Annual Activities Statement 2017 Chairman’s Report Last year saw the sad passing of Frank Gribble MBE (Vice President). Frank had held several positions within the Club, as well as with the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, Shropshire Ornithological Society and British Trust for Ornithology.
This year’s quinquennial Cannock Chase Bird Survey is fittingly dedicated to the memory of Frank. Thanks to Roger Broadbent and David Dodd for managing the survey, and to Cannock Chase AONB Unit, Forestry Commission, Staffordshire County Council and Stafford Borough Council for their support.
Early this year saw the culmination of the WMBC and BTO Regional Black Redstart Survey, coordinated by Jim Winsper. A total of 33 birds were reported across the Region, though sadly there were only three possible breeding reports (all in the West Midlands) and no confirmed breeding records. Nevertheless, the survey has provided a fascinating insight into the species current status across the Region, and thank you to all who participated.
Congratulations to David Emley (Annual Report Editor) for being awarded the British Empire Medal for services to higher education and natural history.
Our 2014 Annual Report has recently been published, whilst progress on the 2015 edition is well advanced. Thanks to David, the County Recorders and their respective teams, and the circa thousand contributors for submitting hundreds of thousands of records from across the four counties.
Our quarterly WMBC News has become an increasingly popular and eagerly awaited read under Sue Judge’s continued editorship. Thank you to everyone who has submitted articles on their local patches, recent trips and birding anecdotes.
Thank you to our wardens and teams of enthusiastic volunteers for continuing to manage our reserves for the benefit of birds and other wildlife, and for our collective access and enjoyment. Thanks also to everyone involved in running our branches at Kidderminster, Solihull and Stafford, and coach trips from Birmingham.
We continue to be involved in the ‘Tame Valley Wetlands Landscape Partnership Scheme’, part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The scheme aims to create a wetland landscape along the River Tame between Birmingham and Tamworth. In partnership with the Environment Agency we have funded a replacement hide overlooking Coton Pool.
Our relationship with Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory, remains strong, with Club representatives attending board meetings. We have also been working with local ringing groups to develop several innovative projects that will hopefully provide invaluable information on the movements and longevity of birds across the Region.
Thank you Kevin Clements 3 WMBC - AGM 2017 - Feedback Humphrey Miller took minutes at the meeting and these will be presented to next year’s AGM. This is a brief personal report for the benefit of those not present. Club Vice-President, Graham Harrison took the chair, welcomed members present and observed that if our Club has had an AGM in every year of its existence this would be its 88th! Apologies were received and the minutes of the 2016 AGM were approved. Club Chairman, Kevin Clements then gave his annual report which is reproduced on page 3 of this Newsletter. Our Club Treasurer, Andy, then presented the meeting with his report and the 2016 audited accounts, shown below and opposite. A questioner from the floor sought reassurance that membership fees still covered the costs involved such as publication of the Newsletter and Annual Report. Andy assured the meeting that this was the case and confirmed that the club’s financial reserves were never used for this purpose. He also reported that large cost savings had been achieved in 2016 by Dave Emley, in changing Printers for the Annual Report. All existing Trustees, who wished to be so, were reelected and Roger Broadbent’s position as an Executive Trustee was also confirmed. Stephen Payne, who you will recognise as the Worcestershire County Recorder, had indicated his willingness to be nominated as an Independent Trustee and was also Elected. As, prior to this meeting, Jenny Jupe was the only Independent Trustee she had requested that this meeting ratified her position as Chair of Trustees. This was carried unanimously. Jenny then addressed the meeting and in light of the importance of what she had to say there is further information and an appeal on page 29. All nominees for the Executive Committee were unopposed and elected en masse following which our Chairman, Kevin, announced that as this would be his fifth year in office he would be standing down at next year’s AGM. On the recommendation of our Treasurer the Auditors Messrs. Griffiths and Pegg were reappointed. The only matter of AOB that had been tabled was concern about the delay in publishing our Annual Report. Assurances were received that every effort was being made to bring forward publication but it was also stressed that delay in publication of a full and complete record was far more desirable that earlier publication of incomplete and inferior one and in this respect the County Recorders were in the hands of their site reporters. There being no other business the meeting closed and was followed by a talk from Nick Barlow about the Marsh Lane Nature Reserve. A report on this appears after Nick’s article on page 8/9. Honorary Treasurer’s Report Annual Accounts Members will see from the Accounts shown opposite that the club made a deficit of £4,711 in 2016. This was due to an increase in expenditure, mainly on the club’s reserves. On the income side, membership subscriptions remained at the same level, there was an increase in rural payments in relation to Belvide, and £2,400 was raised from the sale of bird data. With regard to outgoings, the Club erected a new hide at the Ladywalk reserve, new machinery was purchased at Ladywalk and Belvide, and a night vision camera was purchased for use in ringing. The combined cost of these assets was nearly £26,000. In addition nearly £10,000 was spent at Blithfield on hide extensions and a contribution to a tern raft. Finally £5,000 was contributed towards the cost of a new hide at Coton. The cost of the annual report was reduced due to the transfer to a new publisher. Andy Thomas (Honorary Treasurer) 4 Income and Expenditure Account Incoming Resources 2016 2015 £ £ Membership Subscriptions...... 44620...... 43950 Permit Sales...... 348...... 501 Fund-Raising (Sales)...... 3236...... 990 Field Meetings...... 12895...... 12377 Tax Recoveries...... 7277...... 8260 Interest...... 356...... 480 E.on - Ladywalk...... 7750...... 7750 RPA - Belvide...... 6381...... 4257 Legacies...... 0...... 30370 82863 108935 Statement of Resources Utilised 2016 2015 £ £ Conservation Expenditure: Belvide...... 8972...... 11468 Blithfield...... 12797...... 3000 Harborne...... 535...... 875 Ladywalk...... 9940...... 3937 Coton hide...... 5000...... 0 37244 19280 Education: Membership Support...... 2491...... 2821 Publications...... 15057...... 22002 Field Meetings...... 12601...... 12111 Expenditure on Primary Objectives 67393 56214 Cost of Income Generation: Charity Administrative Costs...... 7827...... 7977 Depreciation...... 12354...... 10455 Total Resources Expended 87574 74646
Statement of funds as at 31st December 2016 2016 2015 £ £ Total Incoming Resources...... 82863...... 108935 Total Resources Utilised...... 87574...... 74646 Net Incoming Resources...... (4711)...... 34289 Funds at the Beginning of the Year...... 218824...... 184535 Total Funds at the End of the Year...... 214113...... 218824 Represented by: Land and Buildings...... 43703...... 37309 Tractors and Equipment...... 18694...... 11574 62397 48883 Investments (Short Term Deposits)...... 38000...... 38000 Working Capital ...... - ...... 60547 Cash (Including Restricted Funds)...... 117871...... 73875 Debtors and (Creditors)...... (4155)...... (2481) 214113 218824
5 West Midland Bird Club Vice President A great honour - Jim Winsper Being elected as a West Midland Bird Club Vice President is a Club distinction that makes me extremely proud. My administrative involvement with the Club has been a very natural and pleasurable process that arises from my need to see this organisation maintain its high standing within the ornithological structure of the British Isles and to see us continue to develop and succeed. My new role as Vice President, amongst other Club positions that I have held, is a very special achievement and honour. Some achievements in life are made all the more special by the succession in which you follow and this certainly applies to me. Graham Harrison is a man who I hold in great esteem and he is someone that offered and delivered great support throughout my WMBC administrative years. Imagine my feelings when Graham asked me to take up the position of WMBC Research Committee Chairman upon his retirement from that position. Some ten years after this appointment I was presented with the greatest honour that could have been bestowed upon me in my capacity within the Club. When Alan Richards approached me and prompted that my name be put forward to take over from him as retiring Chairman of the Club, I was elated and in many respects, in awe of the challenge that stood before me. How do you follow an act like Alan, few in the history of our Club can claim a greater input. Alan has been an inspirational figure in my efforts to succeed on behalf of the Club. Now, I am blessed once more with such feelings of high emotion. Not only is it a great honour for me to be elected as a Vice President of the West Midland Bird Club but this appointment is made all the more special in that I take up this position from my very dear and now departed friend Frank Gribble. Amongst my many friends and colleagues within our Club, Frank stands out, who better than he to be inspired by. I now stand alongside my good friends Graham Harrison and Alan Richards in holding another valued position within this organisation that means so much to me. This is a tremendous honour and, as ever, I shall do my best in fulfilling this role to the benefit of the West Midland Bird Club.
Thank you Jim Winsper John Hoyle John announced in the Spring Newsletter that he would be retiring from the post of Membership Secretary at this year’s Annual General Meeting, and Michael Bevan has now formally been elected as his successor. John took up the position in 2008, and an early feature of his involvement was to implement the changeover of the membership records onto the new Subscriber software purchased by the Club on the initiative of the then Chairman, Martin Kenrick. Since then, he has administered the membership database with calm efficiency and unfailing good humour. He has spoken in his announcement of having made many errors over the years, but, whatever those errors were, they have been hugely outweighed by his invaluable and vital contribution to the running of the Club. His contributions were not confined to matters relating to membership, and he took an interest generally in the various matters discussed by the Management Committee during his time in office. The Management Committee would like to place on record its great appreciation of all the work done by John over the past nine years, to thank him for everything he has done for the Club, and to wish him a happy retirement. 6 Membership Matters
We are pleased to welcome the following new members of the club who have joined since the last Newsletter. Please note the names shown are as on the membership form but that all family members at each address are included in this welcome. Ms W Capelle of NORTHWICH, Mr I Lane of TAMWORTH, Mr R Baatsen of WHITMINSTER, Mrs V Allsopp of TELFORD, Mr R Batts of BIRMINGHAM, Mrs K Edwards-White of SUTTON COLDFIELD, Mr M Sheldon of OLDBURY, Mrs R Newby of SUTTON COLDFIELD, Mr M Gower of HALESOWEN, Mr T Blake of BASCHURCH, Mr J Wright of STAFFORD, Mr D Hutchinson of TIPTON, Mr J Cooper of BEDWORTH, Mr B Robshaw of WALSALL, Mr R Cheshire of NUNEATON, Mr M Taylor of WEDNESBURY, Mr R Cooper of CANNOCK, Mr D Halstead of WOLVERHAMPTON, Mr G Brown of CANNOCK, Mr J Miles of WALSALL, Mr K Thompson of WOLVERHAMPTON, Mr S Walker of WOLVERHAMPTON, Ms M Wiseman of COVENTRY, Ms K Everitt of NUNEATON, Mr P Nunn of WALSALL, Mr J Bowley of SOUTHAM, Ms M Carpenter of STAFFORD, Mr M Hodson of TAMWORTH, Mr M Brown of LEEK, Ms P Jackson of CREWE, Mr I Bartholomew of STAFFORD, Mr E Butterworth of TAMWORTH, Mr D Rickards of WELFORD ON AVON, Mr L Powell of CREWE, Mr N Skilbeck of WORCESTER, Mr M Pepperell of STAFFORD, Mr A Weilds of BURNTWOOD, Mr G Arris of WARWICK, Mr M Court of STAFFORD, Mr A James of ABBOTS BROMLEY, Mr R Walker of BEDWORTH, Mr D Halstead of WOLVERHAMPTON, Mr G Brown of CANNOCK, Mr J Miles of WALSALL, Ms S Warner of TIPTON, Mr A Hardwick of WOLVERHAMPTON, Mr H Lee of WALSALL, Mr G Birch of BURNTWOOD, Mr M Dexter of BIRMINGHAM Mr S Briggs of TELFORD, and Miss J Geddes of TAMWORTH. Firstly, as you will know from the Spring Membership Matters article John Hoyle has retired as Membership Secretary and I would like to pay tribute to John for the work he has put in as Membership Secretary over the past 9 years. This is no mean feat, as I have come to realise whilst learning the membership systems ins and outs from John over the past year. Managing the system is far more complicated than I had expected with the added fact of having over 1500 members to serve, though of course we would like more! I was particularly pleased to receive a membership application recently from parents who were buying a membership for their daughter as a 21st birthday present. Perhaps other current members would consider this for their children, nephews, nieces or grandchildren as a way of getting the younger generation into bird watching? I can mail the pack to the adults address to maintain the surprise element. Finally could I ask that any changes to you contact details are e-mailed to me to ensure our records are up to date and you continue to receive newsletters and other correspondence? Kind Regards Michael Bevan Membership Secretary Your Club’s Executive committee are delighted to welcome Michael to the team. As you can see after serving his apprenticeship with John, as he mentioned above, he is already proving himself a worthy successor despite John being a hard act to follow. 7 MARSH LANE NATURE RESERVE Nick Barlow
Marsh Lane Nature Reserve, at Berkswell, lies between Solihull and Coventry on the banks of the River Blythe. It opened to permit holders on the 1st July 2001 after sand and gravel extraction by CEMEX and the reinstatement to a nature reserve had been concluded jointly by the Packington Estate and CEMEX. It is a privately run Reserve, owned by the Packington Estate, with a membership of over 300. Annual permits can be arranged through the Estate Office (01676 522020) on completion of an application form or day permits can be purchased from the Somers Fishery (for full details see website: www.packingtonestate.co.uk). The original Reserve extended to 77 acres, mostly of pools, but with a crop field sown for wintering crops for Buntings and an area of rough grassland used by Larks, Pipits etc. There are three main pools east of the river, with six hides and the Reserve has more recently been extended to include 16 acres of rough grass west of the river to try and encourage breeding waders plus 14 acres of woodland. There are two further hides and an extensive walk through the wood known as Siden Hill and the two storey hide there gives extensive views over the Blythe floodplain. By May 2017 the site list stood at 204 but breeding birds, particularly waders, have always been of interest and an important asset to the Reserve. In the early years, Little Ringed Plover and Ringed Plover both bred with variable success, but despite attempts to maintain gravel areas, the increasing Black-headedGull colony has provided a disincentive for these species to continue to breed. Lapwings and Redshank numbers, between 13 to 17 and 5 to 6 respectively, have continued to breed or attempt to breed on site but undoubtedly the presence of the Gulls has provided some disincentive.
Black-headed Gull - Ringed 2AAV Photograph by: Ben Dolan - Brewood Ringers Initially by accident, a field not part of the Reserve, but lying to the east of its boundary, attracted 22 pairs of breeding Lapwings last year with at least 30 young successfully fledging. The maintenance of this field as effectively unploughed and unsown ground was arranged with the local farmer on the payment of money by the Estate and myself to compensate him for loss of a spring crop. The same arrangements have been made this year and the West Midlands Bird Club have generously contributed some money for this purpose. As part of the ongoing monitoring of the Lapwings, the Brewood Ringers ringed some of the unfledged young last year and, interestingly, none of these were subsequently seen on site, suggesting that the breeding birds leave Marsh Lane at the end of the breeding season and subsequent birds that replace them are from elsewhere, whether British breeders from further north or continental birds is not known.
8 In discussion with the Brewood Ringers it was felt that it would be ideal if the Lapwings chicks raised in 2017 could be colour ringed in order that more specific wintering locations for the birds could be ascertained. A similar colour ringing project for the breeding Blackheaded Gulls has shown that these move to the south-west of Britain and over to Ireland in the winter and we are hoping that similar results might be proven for the Lapwings. The Reserve continues to develop and the recent ringing operations on site have also thrown up other interesting facts such as, for example, that there appears to be an exodus of breeding Blackcaps by the middle of July which are replaced in late July and then throughout the autumn by a significant turnover of other birds. Well over 100 have been ringed in the last two years, but we are still awaiting recoveries to try and indicate where these birds are either from or going to. It seems most likely that initially they are locally dispersing birds supplemented, thereafter, by British birds from further north and then later in the autumn by migrants from abroad. For those of you who have yet to visit the Reserve, the web-site is :www.packingtonestate.co.uk Nick Barlow, May 2017 Whilst this article by Nick is excellent in its own right those of you who didn’t attend our AGM missed the opportunity to hear Nick speak and hear all the informed interaction between our members and Nick. In short you missed a treat. Answer? Put next year’s AGM in your diary as soon as it is announced. Sue
Male Grey Plover in full breeding plumage at our Belvide Reserve - photograph Martyn Pitt
9 2017 WMBC Cannock Chase Survey In Memory of Frank Gribble MBE Roger Broadbent - Project Manager April Summary The trickle of Willow Warblers reported last month soon became a deluge. Within a few days, they were in every sector so becoming the first of our targets to achieve that status. Their descending song and abundance are a lasting memory from April on the Chase. The warm weather of the weekend of the 8th and 9th brought in other migrants too. These included Tree Pipits which is a bird with another lovely song but also coupled with a parachuting display flight. Their parasitic nemesis the Cuckoo arrived at the same time and by the month’s end they had been seen or heard in at least 12 sectors. Cannock Chase is probably the best place to hear them in the County. I have personally heard or seen a Cuckoo on my last twelve visits. So far only one female has been heard issuing its bubbling call. The month soon turned from Jekyll to Hyde thereafter as cold northerlies promptly shut the migrant door. Birds went quiet for awhile and birding became harder. Redstarts were especially difficult to locate and perhaps worryingly have only been found in 5 sectors. Nowhere are they numerous. The good news though relates to Pied Flycatchers. Our Annual Bird Editor found two singing males and I found another one elsewhere. No Spotted Flycatchers have appeared yet. They may have been held up by the northerlies. During the latter part of the month the first Whitethroats and Garden Warblers were seen and heard just about on time. They have been found in six and four sectors respectively so far but we could expect more next month. In what appears to be a good year for Grasshopper Warblers it is disappointing that they are represented currently, albeit in good numbers, in only one sector within the Survey area. Regarding our resident birds or early breeders there is evidence that Ravens, Siskins and Crossbills have all fledged their young. Grey Wagtails and Woodlarks either have eggs or are feeding youngsters. Redpoll flocks are not uncommon even at the end of the month but there is no positive proof that they breed on the Chase. Linnets have returned to eleven sectors. Nest building has been witnessed. At least one pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers have been seen by a very lucky few. Although they are very scarce now there are Willow Tits but in no more than three sectors. Woodlarks are in at least ten sectors and several are on eggs or are feeding chicks. They are far more difficult to locate for the time being but expect more song from them later in the next month or so. The potential of Cannock Chase to see passage migrants is not readily appreciated but three separate Ring Ouzels and reports of Wheatears and Whinchats either within the Survey area or adjacent to it could justify some visual migration studies in the future. Tawny Owls were slightly easier to detect in April. They are more likely to call now during the daytime. There is a new site for Barn and Little Owls too but hopefully as our thoughts wander towards balmy evenings. Nightjars and more could be on the birding menu as well as the odd LEO! What can we expect to see in May? Our thoughts will be very much focussed on Nightjars and other crepuscular species in the last ten days. There is more than that for us to lookout for before that. It will be intriguing to discover whether any of those Bullfinches or Reed Buntings that we saw in February raise families. Good signs to look for are seeing birds diving into cover and staying there for awhile before reappearing. Some birds such as warblers get very agitated when you are too close to the nest site especially if they have a family nearby. It is always special to see a nest with eggs or chicks but remember that it is a criminal offence to disturb breeding birds. Other signs are observing birds with 10 nest material or food or faecal sacs in their bills. Watching a parent bird feed a fledgling or a juvenile acting independently can be definitive! One of the joys of being involved in this project is the enthusiasm and dedication that the volunteer surveyors bring to it. None more so than Paul Bateman. As some of you may know Gentleshaw Common was subjected to three separate fires over the weekend of the 8th and 9th. Paul covers Gentleshaw Common and travels up from Birmingham to do it. Undaunted Paul came on two successive weekends to survey the birds that remain on the Common. The Club has now been able to handover his findings to act as a baseline prior to recovery to the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. The Phoenix will rise from the ashes! Unbelievably we are now about halfway through the Survey We are in the second half and there is all to play for. Let’s go for it! Best wishes and thanks to all involved including those who submit casual observations. Roger Broadbent Life Membership awarded to long standing Club member Charles (Charlie) Brown In recognition of his long and distinguished service to the Club. Charlie’s acceptance letter reproduced below includes details of some of the posts he has held for our Club over the years. Hello Mark, I was so surprised to learn from Roger over the ‘phone that the Executive Committee had elected to grant me Life Membership of the WMBC. To say I was surprised would be putting it very mildly but needless to say I consider it a great honour since the club has been an important part of my life over the last 65 years! It was in August 1951 at the age of 16 years that Talbot Clay the Field Meeting organised of the then ‘Birmingham Bird Club’ whose wife ‘Triss’, a friend of my Mother, invited me as a guest to join the next field meeting which was to Northampton Sewage Farm. At this time although I was very interested in birds my knowledge was very, very scant - my only book being ‘The Observers Book of Birds’ How well I remember our motor coach arriving at the Sewage Farm where we were met by the local bird watcher who quickly marshalled us all together and took us to a lagoon to view the best bird of the day, a Grey Phalarope! This was the very first bird I had ever viewed through bino’s, a pair which Talbot had loaned me for the day! Since that day I was hooked on birding and have been a continuous member of the club to the present day, a period of 65 years. Over the years I have had the pleasure of sitting on the Main, Staffs Branch and Research Committees and have made so many very good like minded friends. At the next Executive Committee meeting would you please thank all involved for granting me life membership. Kindest regards Charles Brown Typically Charlie’s modesty prevents him telling the full story. In addition he was involved in the development of Blithfield and his involvement there goes back to before it was opened in 1953. Along with Bevan Craddock he was one of the group that built and maintained the first Gazebo hide at Belvide which with its straw walls and vertical ladder entrance was quite unique in its design and which, at the time, was the only bird hide in the Club’s area. Many will remember him as the most reliable of projectionists at indoor meetings at various locations and he is also a most entertaining speaker at Branch meetings. As a photographer Charlie was one of a group who were pioneers in bird photography. He is a former president of the Royal Zoological Photographic Society and still sits on its Executive. I am delighted to report that one of Charlie’s photographs will grace the cover of our Autumn issue of the Newsletter. 11 Spot, then Identify, the Bird Peter Lewis I hoped that you would enjoy this new feature, suggested by Peter, as much as I do and your feedback so far has been terrific. Please remember this was entirely the idea and work of one of our members and I can’t take credit for it, much as I would like to. If you have an idea for a feature please don’t keep it to yourself, get in touch and let me know. Sue
A little reminder of how Peter’s quiz works. First check out the photograph below which includes a bird which you are challenged to spot, I’ve made the photograph large to help you. If you are having difficulty in finding the bird there is a sketch on page 16 to help you locate it. There is a close up of the bird on page 26 but again you will have to wait until page 31 to find out if you have identified it correctly. No cheating now, after all there are no sketches in the field to help you.
William E. Beckwith’s Nineteenth century Birds of Shropshire, with notes on surrounding districts. Shropshire lacks a nineteenth century Avifauna because the man working on one died in 1892, halfway through the writing species accounts. All his work, including nine separately-published avifauna drafts will be appear in November in “William E. Beckwith’s Nineteenth century Birds of Shropshire, with notes on surrounding districts”. See http://www.lanius.org.uk/web/WEB_Flyer.pdf for details and pre-publication offer.
12 Time to move over (West Midland Bird Club Website) Jim Winsper When the Club Management Committee asked me to take on the revitalisation of an ailing website, the task of designing, building and managing a site was a challenge I could not refuse. As daunting as this task was, I had no prior experience or knowledge in any aspect of website technology, I was buoyed by the fact that our good colleagues at Bardsey Island Bird and Field Observatory had succeeded in building their new site under similar circumstances. After receiving essential and encouraging information from BBFO on using the same website server that they use and gaining supportive comment from our Annual Report Editor and good friend of mine, Dave Emley, I took the plunge. A free two week trial period was available from the server, so there was nothing to lose, said I to myself with heart in mouth. After three very enjoyable years of building and developing www.westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk I feel a sense of achievement and satisfaction in completing the task that was set before me, now, with an established and informative site in place the time has arrived for me to move over and make way for the next generation website manager. Now is a good time for someone new to take up the challenge of this very rewarding position within our Club. The first question that will go crashing through anyone’s mind who has an inclination to take this on is, do I have the ability? The answer to this question is, if you have the ability to create a good Microsoft Word Document using text and images and a good basic knowledge of using a computer, then YES you have. I would also suggest that you have a good knowledge of wild birds, their occurrence in our Region and, of the Region itself. If these attributes belong to you, please give serious thought to taking this special task on, you will gain great reward as I have in producing an informative site that has a world wide audience. Much of the site that contains WMBC information has already been created by myself, however, this can be tweaked and updated at any time by the new editor who wishes to place their own stamp on things. The main task is in ensuring that the home page is kept active and refreshed in a progressive manner that is in keeping with the Clubs objectives and status within the birding community. Updating all Club activities is also an on-going theme, as and when necessary. There must be someone out there with the same enthusiasm as I had for taking this position on, do yourself a special favour and do not delay in contacting our Club secretary Mark Rickus at: [email protected] and make your claim for the position before someone else beats you to it. I shall be at hand to explain all that is required of you throughout the entirety of you taking over and becoming competent, if this is necessary. The Club provides the use of a laptop computer specifically for the duties involved in the running of this site. Throughout my period of involvement I have established an excellent relationship with some of the WMBC region’s finest photographers who willingly contribute their work to this site. This has resulted in a superb library of photographs that are readily available for website use. With around 120,000 hits already registered on the site over a 30 month period since going live, it becomes obvious that this is a well used site. Averaging well over 100 hits per day this site must remain informative and attractive to viewers both local and world wide, while maintaining the excellence associated with the West Midland Bird Club. This is not a trivial request nor should it be regarded as a trivial task by anyone who might be considering taking up the position, however, if you feel that you can pull this off, you will not regret making the move. I shall look forward to hearing from you. Jim Winsper 13 The American Wigeon At Grimley and Holt, Worcestershire by Brian Stretch
American Wigeon at Grimley. Picture: Brian Stretch It had been a fairly uneventful winter on my local patch at Grimley although the presence of up to three wintering Greater Scaup had provided enough interest to warrant continued visits to the Wagon Wheel Lane pits. It had been interesting to watch the plumage of the drake develop over time since it first arrived in early November in almost complete juvenile plumage. By the time of my visit on 27th February the bird was in advanced first-winter plumage. It was while watching this bird that I became aware of a female Wigeon with a strikingly grey head swimming past in the background. The number of Eurasian Wigeon wintering at Grimley has increased notably in recent years peaking at 340 birds over the 2016/17 winter. Although I had been checking the flocks for the possibility of an American Wigeon, numbers were considerably lower than what they had been so the chances seemed to be fading. However, this bird warranted further scrutiny. Female Eurasian Wigeon show variable head coloration and a number of grey-headed type birds had been noted over the past few weeks but they all showed some hint of brown in the head plumage, particularly behind the eye. However, this individual’s head was strikingly pale grey especially in bright sunlight without any hint of brown. I found the best way of confirming the lack of brown in the head was to view the head feathering as the bird swam away from me. From this angle it was possible to assess the true ground colour and when the same test was applied to grey-headed type Eurasian Wigeon there was always some brown tones detectable. The head feathering on the bird in question was palest in front and below the eye and while the head was peppered black throughout 14 it was more intense around and behind the eye forming the suggestion of a mask. At most angles the head was noticeably different in structure, with a steeper forehead and a peaked fore-crown. Another noticeable feature when compared with the female Eurasian Wigeon was the marked contrast between the grey neck and the chestnut-brown breast, this area being more uniform on Eurasian Wigeon. The bill was well marked with thick black markings at the base of the cutting edge and a thin black line around the base of the upper mandible. Knowing it is important to check the colour of the axillaries and underwing median coverts I waited for the bird to wing flap or fly but it was a long while, until a passing Peregrine happened to flush the entire flock. Unfortunately I didn’t see the bird take off and was unable to pick it up in flight but after several minutes the flock landed on the north pit and this gave me the opportunity to see how quickly I could relocate the bird. Of the forty or so birds present, it really did stand out amongst the other females present. Over the next few minutes small groups of birds began to head back to the south pit to feed so I concentrated on the bird in question, waiting for it to fly. It was one of the last birds to leave and as it raised its wings I could see that the underwing did indeed appear white. However, I wanted to be absolutely sure it wasn’t a trick of the light as some Eurasian Wigeon can show whitish underwings, especially when viewed in bright sunny conditions. I walked back to the south pit and immediately relocated the bird as it walked up on to the bank. It began preening and did a prolonged wing flap confirming that the axillaries and underwing median coverts were undoubtedly white! Another feature which became apparent with prolonged studying was that when feeding out of the water the tail appeared a little longer than the accompanying Eurasian Wigeon although for some reason it didn’t seem so apparent when swimming. The bird certainly appeared a little larger than the other birds and would be quite aggressive to them at times. By this stage I was happy the bird was outside the range of plumage and structural features expected for Eurasian Wigeon and with no obvious indications the bird was a hybrid felt fairly confident that it was indeed an American Wigeon. A number of text messages were sent to local birders, some of whom managed to see the bird before nightfall. Fortunately the bird gave good views over the following days and weeks and attracted several hundred visitors. Some excellent photographs were obtained confirming all the features noted in the field. American Wigeon (left) with Eurasian Wigeon. Picture: Andy Warr
15 American Wigeon (second bird from top) with Eurasian Wigeon. Picture: Andy Warr The American Wigeon remained faithful to Grimley until 18th March when I relocated it at nearby Holt and apart from one brief return visit to Grimley it remained at Holt with the last remaining eight Eurasian Wigeon until 6th April with no further sightings thereafter. This individual was only the second American Wigeon for Worcestershire following a one day bird, a drake, at nearby Westwood Pool on 22nd January 2008. It was also only the second female to be identified in the region following one at Belvide Reservoir in February and March 2006. Brian Stretch
Quiz: Sketch to help you find our mystery bird
16 Lorraine & Roy Ingleston In search of cranes We started birding in the late 1970’s mainly in the Midlands, getting to know the commoner species before venturing further afield in the UK. Our first sighting of a Crane was way back in 1985; the Eurasian Crane seen in Norfolk was the beginning of what became a lifelong love of these majestic birds. Little did we know that over the next thirty years we would travel the world in a quest to see at that time the other 13 species of crane (that became 14 species when Crowned Crane was split – more later) finally seeing the 15th representative of the group in November 2016. The attraction of Cranes is easily understood. The statuesque birds have evocative calls and dances that feature in the mythology of many cultures. The Japanese suggest that folding 1000 origami cranes grants a wish from the gods and newlyweds visit the cranes for a blessing. Bhutan has paintings of Black-necked Cranes in the Buddhist temples and the English summer flower, Cranesbill, takes its name from the bird. From a birders point of view, they are large birds with easily recognised calls- as far away from LBJs as possible! Our first trip to Texas in December 1987 added Sandhill Crane to our list on Christmas Eve, quickly followed by the exceedingly rare Whooping Crane on Boxing Day. In 1972 just 72 birds wintered in Texas and another 14 in New Mexico an improvement on the 39 birds recorded in 1938 but still critically endangered. Even today, according to the International Crane Foundation, there are still only 250 wild birds despite conservation projects. Sandhill Crane In contrast to the encounter with one of the rarest birds in America, Snow Geese provided a spectacle in huge numbers. A population of 600,000 in 1950 has increased to 9-10million today. The bird of cartoon fame, the Roadrunner, was also a welcome sight; we could not resist adding our beep beep calls as they ran by! Chacalacas brought smiles too, like large noisy chickens in the trees with Bluebirds adding iridescent colour. Our fourth Crane tick came the following year; in December 1988 we saw our first Black-crowned Crane in The Gambia. At that time it was known as Crowned Crane and had yet to be split into Black- crowned and Grey-crowned thus increasing our target from 14 to 15 species. Gambia was our first visit to the African continent so there were many new birds for us including Bearded Barbet, Carmine Bee-eater, Splendid and Beautiful Sunbirds, Lavender Waxbills and Bruce’s Green Pigeon. With the help of a local Gambian birder we travelled up river to Basse. Accommodation in the Plaza Hotel was basic with a bed, a cold shower and tins of food we had managed to buy in Banjul. (Christmas Lunch!) The trip was worth it though as we managed to find the Egyptian Plover also known as the Crocodile Bird. Two years later, in November 1990 we had our first trip to India, adding two more Cranes to the list. In the 1990’s Bharatpur was in its prime as a reserve and the Siberian Crane still wintered there; we were fortunate to have excellent views of two birds. Today, the population is declining with about 17 3000 birds in total; the last winter sighting of the species in India was in 2002. Three days later we saw the Sarus Crane. An impressive bird, the Sarus Crane stands 6 feet tall and has a wing-span of 8 feet and with a population of up to 20,000 birds is more easily seen than its Siberian cousin. This, our first trip to India was a revelation! The noisy, chaotic towns, the beautiful countryside, the complex history and the great birding added to the allure of the place. At that time, the devastation of the vulture population was yet to happen; we saw White-rumped, Red-headed, Indian, Black and Egyptian Vultures and the beautiful Red-flanked Bluetail as well as White-tailed Rubythroat. The wader of the trip was undoubtedly the Ibisbill that we watched feeding alongside a fast flowing river. We saw over 300 species on this trip many of them lifers. The Crane list was now at 6, almost half way! The achievement of our goal began to seem possible; future birding trips would be more focussed. Four years would pass before we added any more Cranes to the list; in January 1994 we visited Japan and added White-naped, Hooded and Red- crowned (or Japanese) Cranes. We visited the Izumi Crane reserve on Kyushu where large numbers of Cranes are supported by a feeding programme. 80% of the 9000+ population of Hooded Cranes and the majority of the 5000+ population of White–naped Cranes winter on the reserve. We also found Common and Sandhill Cranes on the reserve. The visitor centre, though, was a noisy place with the local guide commenting on the birds using a megaphone. It was more tranquil outside of the centre where we could hear the Cranes calling without the background noise. The Red-crowned Cranes at Tancho Crane Reserve on Hokkaido were everything we had hoped. We visited early in the morning, there was hoar frost on the trees and snow on the ground but we soon forgot the cold as the Cranes called and danced sending plumes of breath into the chilly air - a magical tableau. To add to the spectacle a group of newlyweds in their finery arrived for their blessing; we endeavoured to stay out of the photographs as we were hardly dressed for the event! Another five star moment of the trip came by chance. After searching unsuccessfully for the Blakiston’s Fish- owl we had given up and retired to a local café. On seeing us looking at our bird book, the waitress asked us if we wanted to see the Owl. Our hopes raised, she jumped in her car asked us to follow and drove us a few miles to a forest track. There she introduced us to the local “owl man” who took us to the nearby river, pointed the spotlights on the roof of his 4x4 onto a nearby tree and there were two Blakiston’s Fish-owls. We could not have imagined such a wonderful illustration of Japanese hospitality. In December 1995 we saw our tenth species - Brolga - at Fog Dam Conservation Reserve in the Northern Territory of Australia. The population is none-migratory but range-wide surveys have not been conducted so the population is Demoiselle Crane poorly understood; it is thought it stands at between 20,000 and 100,000 birds. Our trip down under was full of lifers beginning with the iconic Kookaburras and the huge Southern Cassowary. Other treats included the Victoria Riflebird that we eventually tracked down in the thick undergrowth, the Great Bowerbird, busy collecting for his bower, the Bush Thick-knee we found in Cairns cemetery and the Black Bittern in Daintree. The Red-backed Fairy Wren was stunning; the Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher a beautifully elegant bird. Whilst searching for Red-necked Crake accompanied by a multitude of biting mosquitoes we even managed to see a Duck-billed Platypus. We were now on ten - just five more to go! Over 18 20 years would pass before we returned to the hunt for the remaining Cranes; following retirement and the improved access to Bhutan seeing all of the Cranes seemed possible. In January 2016 we set off to South Africa hoping to see at least two and possibly three more species. Just our second trip to the African continent we saw 462 species, as well as the big 5 in Kruger National Park. By now though the Cranes were the real target of the holiday. We saw our first two species, Grey-crowned and Blue on 14th January. The Blue Crane is the National Bird of South Africa and is revered by the Zulu and Xhosa tribes. The main population Grey-crowned Crane of between 20,000 and 21,000 are found in South Africa; a small population resides in Namibia. The Blue Crane was the first representative of the Anthropoides family we had seen; the only other member being the Demoiselle Crane that was still on our “to see” list. Later in the holiday we were very fortunate to see three Wattled Cranes. Over half of the total population reside in Zambia; the largest single group occurs in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Aside from our main focus the birding in South Africa can only be described as brilliant; we saw 12 species of Sunbirds, 11 species of Lark, 6 species of Hornbill including the Southern Ground Hornbill which sauntered down the road looking as if they were having a chat. Five species of Bustard made it onto our list as did 6 species of cuckoo. The scenery was spectacular; we will remember the trip up the Sani pass as much for the views of the Drakesburg Rockhopper as the drive up to Lesotho. Our goal was now almost in reach - just two to go! We knew that Demoiselle Cranes wintered in large numbers in Rajasthan and the Black-necked Crane in Bhutan-not too far away from each other as the Crane flies!
Our final trip, in November last year was to India and Bhutan hopefully to “clean-up” on the Cranes. We flew to Delhi, shrouded in a thick smog when we arrived, and caught the overnight train to Phalodi Junction. The four berth, air conditioned but door less, accommodation on the train was adequate although we avoided the chai and food on offer. On arrival we were met by our driver and taken to our comfortable hotel - we were the only guests! Next day we had an early start and drove to Khichan where the local people feed the wintering Cranes. At first a few could be seen flying towards the feeding ground. Eventually, large numbers came in Blue Crane and we had close views of both adult 19 and juvenile birds. The Demoiselle is the second smallest of the Cranes after the Blue, but is abundant occurring in 47 countries; the total population is between 200,000 and 240,000 birds. After feeding the birds disperse to the local area as we birded nearby lakes, where they were regularly heard and seen. So now there was just the Black-necked Crane to see. We caught the train back to Delhi, flew to Kolkata and then on to Paro, Bhutan. We were fortunate that the bright sunshine allowed distant views of Everest. Descending through the mountain valley into Paro airport was a landing not to be forgotten! As the tour included some cultural activities we visited several Dzongs (Bhutanese Monasteries) but even here there were birds to see. Two Wallcreepers distracted us from the guide’s talk in Rimpong Dzong and Nutcrackers were confiding at the base of the climb to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Eventually, the day arrived for us to travel to the Phobjikha Valley where the Black-necked Cranes wintered. The eighty mile journey was hampered by the poor state of the road and the almost constant road works; the journey took us ten hours but eventually we arrived in the valley and saw our first three Black- necked Cranes - two adults and a juvenile. Further into the valley we were able to watch a flock of 62 adult birds from the nearby tea room. We celebrated at our hotel with a local Dragon’s Blood Cocktail. So that was the end of our quest - 15 species of Crane on the list! You could well ask the Monty Python question what have the Cranes done for us? Apart from giving us a huge amount of pleasure, opportunities to visit places we had hardly heard of 30 years ago, encounters with people we would never have met and a great bird list (almost 3,000) not forgetting lions, tigers, leopards and many other wonderful animals….it was well worth it! In all we visited 8 countries on 5 continents and travelled around 90,000 miles. Roy wants to go for all the waders next …….. Lorraine & Roy Ingleston
20 Batumi Raptor Count, Georgia - Martin Kenrick Rob Swift’s fascinating report on his visit to Georgia made me think that members might be interested in a little more background to bird watching in that area of the world. I, of course, have a particular interest in this for reasons that will become obvious. Batumi, in the foothills of the Lesser Caucasus along the Black Sea Coast, sits on an important migration route for raptors, and, in common with a number of other countries, has a large population of hunters who gather at the appropriate spot and time of year to shoot as many as they can – to gain kudos and standing within their local communities.. In 2014 SABUKO (formerly Bird Conservation Georgia) submitted a request for funding to EOCA (European Outdoor Conservation Association) which raises money from the outdoor industry to put into on-the-ground conservation projects around the world. EOCA is effectively run by my daughter and another colleague, and part of their remit is to invite and then sift through projects applying for funding each year, before presenting them to the board and their voluntary panel of scientific advisors, each experts in different fields of conservation, for approval. EOCA’s vision is that the outdoor sector and the millions of people who enjoy the great outdoors are champions for the conservation of nature and wild places. There are currently 132 member companies of the Association ranging from big name brands such as Berghaus, Patagonia, Colombia and Arc’terxy to much smaller one-man bands and agencies, all of whom have one thing in common: their love of wild places and a desire to protect them. Conservation organisations can apply for grants of up to €30,000 and EOCA has raised and given €2 million over the ten years it has been in existence, covering 81 projects and 43 countries. SABUKO,s project aimed to increase the importance and value of the raptors to local communities by making this twice yearly spectacular fly-past more accessible for visitors, so creating an alternative means of income for the locals. Hunters are well respected by local communities and so education formed a strong part of this project which aimed to -improve the infrastructure of the Raptor Trail area and raptor watching points, including the creation of information desks, improving access, producing maps, and establishing photographers’ hides, childrens’ play areas and bird watching platforms. - create an interactive 6 km footpath linking observation points between the villages of 21 Sakhalvasho and Shuamta and into Mtirala National Park - run training courses, public meetings, TV talk shows and distribute printed materials, all aimed at locals to increase their understanding of the ecological importance of migratory birds and how to generate an income from tourism. One of the ways in which EOCA works, over and above the projects the organisation is able to fund itself, is to offer a service to research and find relevant conservation projects for member companies wishing to give more – and fund entire projects themselves. This is what happened with this particular project, as member company Osprey Europe, producer of rucksacks, day packs and accessories, wanted to fund a project which aimed to protect and conserve …. Ospreys. The project has been a great success, having had a huge impact from the start. In the autumn 2014 migration, 1,390,089 raptors were counted, including ospreys, buzzards, kites, harriers, eagles and falcons. Two viewing platforms were constructed and 5000 leaflets printed, to help locals and tourists watch and enjoy this spectacle. The total number of nights visitors stayed in the area went from 720 in 2013 to 1999 in 2014, clearly demonstrating and delivering a benefit to the local community from the migrating birds. Most importantly, the illegal killing of raptors was decreased by around 33% in 2014 from 2013! By November 2016, 7 km of Raptor trail with relevant signage had been developed, and birding maps for visitors, children, hunters and eco-clubs produced. Three bird/photographers’ hides were planned, but unfortunately the first one was stolen and the construction materials for the remaining 2 were also taken. However, following local falconers’ traditional methods of building hides using only tree branches, 3 new hides have been constructed, which can also easily be rebuilt as necessary each year and are just as effective as the planned hides. Three bird watching platforms have also been installed. Following the thefts mentioned above, plans to install binoculars at each site were altered, and instead the binoculars were loaned to 5 families living closest to the raptor trail area to rent out over the migration season. At the end of the season the binocular income was donated to each family as a gift for their self-motivation and eco-tourism development. With support of the local municipality, several children’s playgrounds were installed in or close to local schools. These were initially due to be placed along the bird watching route, but again, following the thefts of the bird hides and picnic benches along the trail, plans were revised. One week long educational conservation youth camp was held, with children from local secondary schools attending. Development training of local hunters and falconers took place, including education on issues such as the importance of the Batumi Bottleneck, diversity of species, alternative livelihoods including guiding and tourism, legislation and regulations governing hunting in Georgia and the EU, etc. 22 An information campaign was also run which included public meetings, several TV broadcasts, videos on YouTube, a birding activity week, meetings with local communities, all to highlight illegal killings, the importance of the raptors, the importance of the migration, problems solving tools, opportunities of tourism and bird watching. Finally an agreement was signed with the Batumi State University to collaborate with the Eco-Club which is used to raise awareness amongst students about conservation issues. The membership of the club tripled in the first 18 months after the signing of the agreement. And finally ….. as the part of the project funded by EOCA came to an end, a field survey and monitoring of illegal killings in the area found that, over the last 5 years, since the beginning of SABUKO’s work in the area, bird killings have dropped by 80%, a large proportion of that during the 2 years of the project being funded by Osprey Europe, through EOCA. What a fabulous result!! Funding has now been secured for similar work in a further 6 villages going forwards. Visitor numbers to the area have also tripled, with foreign visitors spending 2,100 bed nights in local home stays and guest houses in 2015. Finally, Alexander Rukhaia who has led this project from the beginning was awarded the Whitely Award in 2016, a very prestigious award for work in conservation, presented to the winner in London by HRH Princess Anne! Martin Kenrick
23 Himley Park and Baggeridge Country Park Our Local Patch - Blake May and John Hipwood Our usual walk begins at Himley Hall car park. The entrance is off the B4176, about a quarter of a mile west of its junction with the A449 and the current charge is £1.90 per day. Suitable footwear will be essential, as some areas can be very muddy after rain. Bird-seed bribes are also useful. In winter, the trees round the car park will sometimes produce Redwing and/or Fieldfare as well as the more usual suspects. We normally begin by walking across the front of Himley Hall to the Great Pool which, as well as Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan and the inevitable Canada Geese and Black-headed Gulls, can sometimes produce the odd surprise such as a few large gulls or different ducks like Goldeneye, Pochard and Goosander. Cormorants, Great crested and Little Grebes and even Kingfisher are also seen fairly frequently. On the walk round the Great Pool, passing the sailing dinghy compound on our right, Goldcrests are also fairly common in the trees and scrub between the fisherman’s hut and the old boathouse. Grey Wagtails can sometimes be found by the sluice and, a little further on, the tree-trunks at the edge of the pool can produce Treecreepers searching for a meal. Having almost completed the circuit of the Great Pool, we have a choice, either to follow the path round the back of the Hall, where there are toilets, or to retrace our steps back to the car park across the front of the Hall. For those in need of refreshments, there is a cafe by the overspill car park near the start of the golf course. We now walk along the road up the side of Ward House by the side of the stream and past a pool on the left, looking out for winter thrushes on the golf course to the right. At the end of the road, there is a bridge on the left which overlooks a little stepped waterfall. This is another good spot for Grey Wagtails and, just the once, we’ve even seen a Snipe lurking in the undergrowth. The farmland through the gate by the bridge is private land, but Pheasants and occasional Red-legged Partridge can sometimes be seen without trespassing. We continue up to the next pool (Island Pool), taking the path to the right which skirts the edge of the pool. If woodpeckers can be heard drumming, we have a good look at the two dead trees on the opposite side of the pool, which seem to be favourites for Great Spotted Woodpeckers. Towards the far end of this pool, there is a small reed-bed which has recently been pretty reliable for a very confiding Water Rail. Onwards and upwards again to the next pool (Spring Pool), where we scan for Little Grebes. A Grey Heron can sometime be seen in a tree as well. Now things can get messy. After a look at the Cress Beds, we take the muddy track on the right, then turn left through a gap in the hedge onto what is known as the Burning Field, where the waste from Baggeridge Colliery used to be burned. The footpath runs parallel to some low level power lines, where a Kestrel sometimes surveys the territory. The larger pylons of a National Grid line which crosses the Burning Field can also provide look-out points for raptors like Buzzard and Peregrine. At the far side of the Burning Field, there is a bench by an unofficial feeding station which locals keep well stocked. Nuthatch and Coal Tit, plus the usual common passerines are frequent fliers. We then follow the path to the right through a short tunnel, and take the next track on the left into some fairly open woodland. A couple of years ago, one of the trees was the regular daytime perch of a Tawny Owl and, although now deserted, it’s rumoured that a nearby holly tree is sometimes an alternative refuge. A bit further on, spreading a bit of seed on a fallen tree on the right seems to attract a range of visitors. Jays and Jackdaws are also seen in the vicinity. Near the end of the wood, a short track on the right takes us to a well established path where we turn left to a junction of several paths by some concrete gateposts which, if suitable offerings are made, will usually attract a Nuthatch or two. 24 We are now faced with the high road or the low road (neither leading to Scotland afore ye) but both ending up, via varying degrees of steepness, to the top of the hill by a former orchard, which can be a good spot to look out for Green Woodpeckers. From here, a concrete roadway heads downhill. As we follow this, a tall chimney stack comes into view. A look at the top of this is worthwhile as it is sometimes the lookout point for a Peregrine. Eventually, we reach another pond, known as the Bag Pool, bear left under a bridge and then right up a slope into the overspill car park of Baggeridge Country Park with the Rangers’ Station (with toilets available) and a cafe just around to the left. Opposite the Rangers’ Station, there is a gate into a field with feeders and a viewing screen on the right. Siskin, Redpoll and Bullfinch seem to be regular visitors here and, in previous years, even Brambling have put in an appearance. We now have a choice of return routes to Himley. From the car park, we can follow the track up the side of the feeding station which goes round the edge of a bowl-shaped grassy areas called the Amphitheatre and then follow the path downhill past the Upper and Lower Wishing Pools back to the Cress Beds, before retracing our steps to Himley. Although the water in these pools is often very murky, they are generally considered to be good places to look for Kingfisher, although how they can possibly see to catch anything remains a mystery. Alternatively, for a longer walk, we sometimes follow the road uphill past the cafe and a cattle grid for some way. Just beyond the brow of the hill, we turn left across Gospel End Common and through a small copse to some fairly derelict-looking farm building where Swallows nest in the season. We then bear left along a dirt track between fields in which horses are usually found. This ridge is fairly exposed in cold and windy weather and does not normally yield many birds, although Stonechat and Red-legged Partridge have been seen. Raptors may also put in an appearance over the valley to the right. At the end of the path down the ridge, we turn left through Baggeridge Wood, eventually crossing a narrow wooden bridge and turning right, back to the Cress Beds and Himley. Depending on the length of stops for birding and refreshments, we normally take at least half a day to cover the site which, especially in winter, gives us some exercise and, hopefully, a worthwhile selection of birds. Blake May and John Hipwood
The Baggeridge Water Rail - photograph Gordon Wright
25 Close up of our quiz bird
Calling all photographers In our Winter 2016 Issue I made appeal for photographs for our front cover which need to be portrait and have enough space at the top to include the titles without obscuring the bird or view. Following this I received several which looked absolutely splendid on my computer screen, but whose file size was simply not large enough to give good print quality when used at A5 size. The following specification has come to me from our printers to help you know what is required. The Ideal size for an A5 Photograph is 250-350dpi at 100% size required. Don’t accept 72dpi images unless the file is at least 4 times bigger than required (so a cover pic at 72dpi needs to be approx 600mm high). Golden rule - if the file size is less than 3MB then it’s probably too small to print. Ensure all photo contributors send your large Hi-Res images.
I have given out this specification to several potential contributors and am still receiving smaller file sizes, far too small for the front cover but fine for smaller images inside. This may be because the senders email server has condensed the file on sending or my server has condensed it to receive it. As many of you will already know this can be overcome by using a service called wetransfer.com which is completely free. Just google them to find out more. If you send someone a file using this service you even get an email alert when the person you send a file to opens it so you know that it has been received safely. I look forward to receiving your cover shots shortly Sue
26 Club and Branch Indoor Meetings and Field Trips WMBC FIELD TRIPS Harrier, Avocet, Hobby, Little Tern and more! Be Please note: All WMBC members and sure to have your RSPB card with you as there is a their families are welcome to join all charge (£9) for nonmembers. WMBC field trips and attend any Branch Sunday 8th October 2017 indoor meetings or field trips. Gibraltar Point, Lincolnshire Coaches depart from Cambridge Street, Depart: 07:00hrs. Expected return: 19:30hrs. Birmingham City Centre, promptly at the time Cost: £19 stated. Food and drink should be brought as A mix of fresh and saltwater marshes, sand dunes required. Appropriate clothing and footwear to and shore on the northern edge of the Wash and guard against the elements is recommended. beside the North Sea attracts waders,wildfowl and seabirds as well as passage migrants and Contact: To book or for further information rarities. Reserve entrance fee is included in the please contact either: cost. Ray Davies 0121 682 4375 or 07762 061603 [email protected] Friday 3rd - Sunday 5th November Judith Gerrard 0121 427 3779 or 07975631430 2017 - Norfolk Weekend [email protected] Cost is £69.00 per person per night. Full payment Please Note: the coach can become fully booked of £138.00 for the 2 nights will be required to (48 is possible) but non arrivals on the day can confirm a booking. Cheques to be made payable prevent those on a waiting list the chance to to West Midland Bird Club (WMBC) and sent to enjoy the day. Could members please contact Ray Davies at 140 Bradbury Road, Solihull, West Ray or Judith, however late, if they have to cancel Midlands, B92 8AL, to be received no later than their booking. On Sunday morning ring Ray’s 31st September. This is the latest date for mobile: 07762 061603 with any delays or late bookings to be taken. These conditions are cancellations, Thank you. necessary to meet the terms and conditions of the hotel and assist our administration of the Sunday 25 Jun 2017 cost. Frampton Marsh RSPB Depart: 07:00hrs Expected return: 19:30hrs. Sunday 3rd December - Wicken Fen & Cost: £18 Baker’s Fen, Cambridgeshire. This coastal wetland reserve has reedbed, large Depart: 7:00hrs. Expected return: 19:00hrs. freshwater scrapes and wet grassland that Cost: £24 attracts all forms of birds. We can anticipate A further visit to this traditional sedge fen which a wide range of wader species, interesting includes reedbeds, carr, marsh and grazed passerines, Little Owl has been resident and flooded meadows. Expect winter wildfowl and Turtle Dove is possible. waders, passerines with Bearded Tit possible, Marsh and maybe Hen Harriers. Member of the Sunday 16th September 2017 National Trust? - Be sure to have your membership Minsmere RSPB card with you! (Fee of £6.65 included in the cost) Depart: 07:00hrs Expected return: 19:30hrs. Cost: £20 SOLIHULL BRANCH The flagship RSPB reserve offering prime coastal aspect with shingle beach, lagoons, scrapes, Branch contact Humphrey Miller reedbed and woodland. A feast of birds are in On 0121 705 8507 prospect with the likes of Bearded Tit, Marsh Email: [email protected] 27 Indoor meetings informed that the identity of any proposed Indoor meetings are held in the Guild House, new committee members (minimum two, Knowle B93 0LN, commencing at 19:30hrs preferably three) needed to be known by Admission: WMBC members £2.00, 31st July at the latest, as booking of the Guild non-members £2.50. House for indoor meetings will be made in Please note: Access from the eastern car park August. In the absence of knowledge of the via the churchyard is unlit and those who are not identity of successor members to the existing confident about their night vision should either committee, the Guild House would be booked bring a torch or take the slightly longer route only for the three months January to March. via the High Street. We are currently having our summer break: the first meeting in the autumn KIDDERMINSTER BRANCH will be as follows: Contacts 01562 913898 -Please note new number (Branch Chair, Brian Rickett, 1 Russell Friday 6th October 2017 - Nick Martin Road Kidderminster) or 01384 839838 Secret Wildlife of the Forest of Dean Email: [email protected] Nick’s talk on one of the Club’s regular field meeting venues is sure to be of great interest. Indoor Meetings This talk has kindly been sponsored by BVP Meetings are held at St. Oswald’s Church Centre, Management Company Limited. off Broadwaters Drive, Kidderminster DY10 2RY commencing at 19.30hrs. A charge of £2.00 per Field Meetings person for WMBC members and £2.50 for non- Sunday 24th September 2017 Brandon Marsh There should be a good range of birds in the autumn migration period. Meet in the reserve car park at 10.00hrs SP385757. Remember to bring your Wildlife Trust membership cards. (There is an admission charge to non-members). Blythe Valley nestbox project We welcome Dawn Barker and Victoria Pattison- Willits (who is a member of the ringing team) to the monitoring team. members is made, which includes refreshments Branch Annual General Meeting The meetings recommence after the summer The branch annual general meeting was held break as follows. on Friday 3rd March, and the committee was reelected as follows: Wednesday 27th September 2017 Keith Offord - The Tip of Africa Humphrey Miller (Chairman and representative Keith will present an extravaganza of flowers, on the Club’s Management Committee) singing birds and displaying whales in the Raymond Brown (Secretary and Treasurer) Western Cape. Anthony Reynolds Wednesday 25th October 2017 The announcement, first made at the 2016 Mark Sisson - White and Wild in a Cold A.G.M., was repeated that all three committee members will be standing down at the Climate 2018 A.G.M. There were no nominations of We are very pleased to welcome a new speaker new committee members. Members were Mark Sisson who will talk to us about the challenging conditions for wildlife in the winter 28 months. A photographic journey from Canada to STAFFORD BRANCH Finland and Japan to Yellowstone U.S.A. Branch Contact: David Dodd 01543 490096 Email: [email protected] Wednesday 22nd November 2017 Craig Round - Birds of the Scottish Indoor Meetings Highlands These are held at the Perkins Sports & Social Craig, otherwise known as the ‘Lutley Birder’ is Club, Tixall Road, Stafford. ST16 3UB. Drive past also a professional birding and wildlife guide in ‘Reception’ and follow the road to the wooden Speyside. In the talk he will show some of building on your left. Park on the Club site. Meet the birds of the region and his experiences at 19:30hrs for a sharp 19:45 start. photographing them. Stafford Branch Indoor meetings recommence Wednesday - 6th December in November. More details in the Autumn issue. Gerry Griffiths - Summer in Finland and Field Meetings Norway While the Stafford Branch has no formal field This evening we welcome back a good friend of trips arranged at present for 2017 the Committee ours who on this return visit will tell us about his is aware that there are new members who journeys in Northern Europe during the warmer consider themselves as beginners or novices and months and what can be seen there. who would like the opportunity to go birding Field Meetings with more experienced bird watchers. This also applies to more experienced bird watchers who 26th November 2017 - Slimbridge WWT may wish to come along as well to share the Main Car Park 10.00am social chat and maybe the excitement.
An urgent appeal for Independent Trustees Independent Trustees are not only responsible for the solvency of the Club and how Club monies are utilised, but also have a responsibility to ensure the Club is effectively and efficiently managed thereby enabling the Council of Management to deliver on its charitable objectives. Subsequently it is essential that there are at least three, or preferably four, Independent Trustees on the Board of Trustees. The good news is that following the AGM the Board now has two Independent Trustees, the Chair, Jenny Jupe and Stephen Payne, newly elected at the AGM.
We are now searching for two more independent people to join Jenny and Stephen.
Ideal trustee skills include being able to demonstrate values such as honesty and integrity and being committed to the Club’s aims and values. Good people skills are important as is a good understanding of who the Club serves, so members of the club who have never served in any capacity can also make very valuable trustees. A copy of the Club Rules giving the aims of the Club together with further details on the Board of Trustees can be found on our website at westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk
Anyone who is interested in taking up one of these roles is asked to contact Jenny Jupe at [email protected] without delay to discuss taking the matter further.
Please Note: Independent in this context simply means someone who is not a member of the Club’s current Executive Committee. Other members of the Club and any of its associated organisations are eligible to serve as Independent trustees as are complete outsiders who have relevant charity or associated experience.
29 BIRDS ON THE BRINK Roger Broadbent -Deputy Chairman In April the BTO, RSPB, JNCC and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust published the State of UK Birds(SUKB). It has been described as one of the most shocking reports ever published regarding British birds but will anyone take any notice before it is too late ? You can find the full report on the BTO and RSPB websites. Before we get too gloomy, and even angry, the report does contain some good news with a Staffordshire flavour. Woodlarks have been now put on the Green List meaning that they are of least conservation concern. Happily breeding has again been confirmed in 2017 on Cannock Chase by WMBC volunteers working on the WMBC 2017 Cannock Chase Survey. This can be accredited to the successful management of the Chase by the Forestry Commission and Staffordshire County Council. You can read more about the Survey on page 10 and on the WMBC Website. There are a few other species increasing such as Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Magpies, Buzzards and Greylag Geese! Targeted conservation projects can work as witnessed by the work done to protect Cirl Buntings in south-west England and Bitterns too. The real concerning and relevant news regards breeding Curlews. According to the SUKB Report Curlews have suffered in the UK by a staggering 64% decline since 1975 and 48% over the last 20 years. In other words their decline is actually accelerating. They are on the Red List so they are of greatest conservation concern. Close to my home, east of Stafford and in the Trent-Sow Valley, a pair of Staffordshire’s few remaining lowland Curlews are threatened by the construction of HS2. The company building the high speed railway, HS2 Ltd, have offered not the slightest glimmer of hope or concern regarding the plight of these birds whose global future is now on the brink. This is despite registering my fears for these birds with those that have responsibility for the protection of wildlife. Although now clearly Curlews are threatened with UK and even world extinction I hear of nothing regarding their protection. The Conservation movement is raising funds to protect Curlews on the Staffordshire Moorlands and elsewhere but it seems unable to save the other populations of Curlews even though one pair is a couple of miles up the road from SWT Headquarters. The planet can ill afford to lose a single pair of Eurasian Curlews if they are not to follow the plight of the once common Eskimo Curlew of North America or of the Slender-billed Curlew formerly and recently breeding in Asia and wintering in Southern Europe and North Africa. Lapwings ( down 63% and 43%) and Skylarks (down 60%and 24%) are both on the Red List too and this year have attempted to breed alongside the Curlews in the same field mentioned above. Lapwings and Skylarks have suffered similar losses as the Curlews, so at the rush of one giant earth mover a single village is set to lose three of the UK’s critically endangered birds. Since the initial drafting of this article work on a pylon in the Curlew field has been taking place. Sadly despite the best efforts of Western Power the above mentioned species all left the field perhaps for the last time ever. Roger Broadbent
If you haven’t done so already you might like to check out the recently created Ladywalk blog site which you will find at ladywalknature.wordpress.com There is a link to this and all other Club blogs on our Club website 30 Joint West Midland Bird Club and Regional BTO 2016/17 Regional Black Redstart Survey We are pleased to announce that the full undertaking of this survey is complete. The aim of this project was to assess the current annual status of this species in our region. This area comprises the counties, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and the former Metropolitan County West Midlands. The duration of this project was a 14 month period commencing 1st January 2016 and concluding 28th February 2017. This incorporated the first winter period of 2016, the spring arrival, breeding period and autumn departure of birds in 2016 and the full uninterrupted winter period commencing 1st December 2016 and ending 28th February 2017. Adequate coverage of the region was vital to the success of this survey. Without this a realistic assessment of the annual status of the Black Redstart would not be possible. Due to our prior planning, the excellent efforts of fieldwork observers, the regional birding community and the birding media, we are happy that this aspect of the project was satisfactorily accomplished, affording us a realistic evaluation of our findings. To the best of our knowledge, breeding did not occur in the region during the survey period but possible breeding birds, passage migrants and wintering birds amounted to a very respectable total of 33 Black Redstarts being reported during the 14 month period, certainly more than I expected. These findings are in keeping with the national trend where breeding birds appear to be in decline while passage and wintering birds are showing an increase in numbers and whereabouts. Wintering birds are also being recorded from a continuing wider range of occupied territories. The fact that this species, here in the British Isles, is on the edge of its geographical range, may dictate a fluctuating annual population. However, there are other findings from our survey that prompt further thought on the regional status of this bird. A full and concluding report on this survey, together with associated findings, can be found on the West Midland Bird Club website: www.westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk Follow the link on the Home or Research pages. I would like to express a huge thank you to all of those who contributed to this project and whose efforts were justified by achieving the aims of this survey. Jim Winsper
Answer to the quiz? Let Peter tell you in his own words. OK Sue—next one coming up— this is a White-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus cayennensis) sitting on its nest on a roadside bank in Tobago in April. Like most living things trying to hide, it could not resist peeping out through “slit-eyes” and the eyelids tend to give it away. Hello again, I was just thinking, having said that the White-Tailed Nightjar was on its nest, I need to explain that there was no disturbance to the bird— in fact, it never moved its eyelids! (We retreated leaving it to bask in the sunshine). Anyway, onwards and upwards….. the next bird is ...... ????? Peter Lewis Sorry folks you will have to wait for the Autumn issue to find out. Sue 31 BIRD NOTES February to April Compiled from your records by Humphrey Miller I must start this feature with an apology. W.M.B.C. RESERVES Last issue I inadvertently credited a BELVIDE photograph of a Bittern in flight at Belvide One of the period’s more unusual sightings was to Steve Nuttall. Huge apologies go Nick a Water Pipit on 20th April, the first record since Nandan the actual photograher and to 2008. Steve for any embarassment this caused. Thanks Nick for being so understanding. Sue These notes are compiled from unchecked reports, and cover the latter part of the winter and the first part of the spring migration. My thanks to all who have posted reports. Certain Warwickshire records of uncommon species have been excluded, by agreement with the county recorder, for security reasons.
RARITIES A Lesser Yellowlegs visited Longdon Marsh on 5th February. There were sightings of a Red- rumped Swallow at Himley Hall on 31st March The Belvide Water Pipit - Photograph Steve Nuttall and Bittell on 13th April. A Cattle Egret was reported from Fens Pools on 9th April. A Ring- There has been a remarkable White Wagtail billed Gull was recorded at Upton Warren on 7th passage, with double-figure counts on several April. An American Wigeon was in the Grimley/ dates. White Wagtail - Photograph Steve Nuttall Holt area from 27th February to 6th April. A Green-winged Teal was at Middleton Lakes on 18th and 19th April. Reports of Long-tailed Duck came from Belvide, Branston and Draycote Water. New reports of Red-necked Grebe came from Salford Priors and Wren’s Nest, and the long-staying bird at Draycote Water was last recorded on 5th April. Two Bearded Tits were recorded at Brandon Marsh on 7th March, which was also the last date for the Napton Reservoir birds recorded in previous Newsletters, with another record from Middleton Lakes on 1st Yellow Wagtails had a count of 14 on 26th March. Last dates for sightings of other rarities April. 21 Northern Wheatears on 25th April is a previously reported were 11th March for the reserve record. Whinchat, European Stonechat Tundra Bean Geese at Seeswood Pool and 1st and Common Redstart have also been reported. March for the birds at Whitmore, 25th March for 13 Sedge Warblers were counted on 23rd April, Chasewater’s Velvet Scoter and 1st April for the and on the previous day a Grasshopper Warbler Yellow-browed Warbler at Whittington. was recorded. There were two counts of 400 Sand Martins. Sandwich Tern and Common Tern 32 had their earliest ever dates (30th March and Pipit were recorded on 6th March. The highest 1st April respectively), with eight of the former count of Sand Martins was 300. Other incoming also reported on 9th April. Nine Black Terns were passerine species were Barn Swallow, White recorded on 30th April, and there were a couple and Yellow Wagtail and Northern Wheatear. 90 of sightings of single Arctic Terns. A Little Gull Redwings were counted on 4th March. Osprey was reported on 30th April, and Mediterranean, was recorded on three dates in April. Waders Iceland and Glaucous Gulls have also been included four Whimbrel on 16th April, two Grey recorded. Plovers and an Avocet on 30th April and Little Ringed Plovers from the first week in April. Five Whooper Swans visited on 22nd March.
LADYWALK A Pied Flycatcher was reported on 16th April. Fledged Grey Wagtails were seen on 30th April. Numbers of Garden Warbler had increased to nine by the end of the period. A Grasshopper Warbler was reported on 19th April. Seven European Stonechats were recorded on 4th March. A Common Redpoll (“Mealy”) was Mediterranean Gulls (photo by Roy/Lorraine Ingleston recorded on 19th February. There was a report A Northern Goshawk was seen on 2nd April. The of a Siberian Chiffchaff on 26th March. Up to Osprey on 28th March was the reserve’s earliest three Common Cuckoos have been reported. A record. Other raptor species included Marsh Marsh Harrier was recorded on 28th April, and Harrier, Red Kite and Hobby. Oystercatchers other raptors included Hobby, Peregrine Falcon have bred, there have been counts of 74 and Red Kite. Waders included Ruff, Black-tailed Common Snipe and 21 Common Sandpipers, Godwit, Green and Common Sandpiper, Dunlin and other wader species include Little Ringed and Ringed and Little Ringed Plover. A Great Plover (first recorded on 12th March: joint White Egret was seen on several dates. There earliest arrival date), Grey Plover, Woodcock, were several reports of up to three Pintails. Jack Snipe, Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit The latest report of Eurasian Bittern was on 1st and Common Greenshank. The first Common March. Cuckoo was recorded on 29th April. A Great White Egret visited on 19th April. The last record SELECTED RECORDS FROM OTHER MAIN of Eurasian Bittern was on 8th March. There have been a couple or reports of Black-necked SITES Grebe. A Garganey was recorded on 27th and GRIMLEY AND HOLT 29th April. On 1st March there was a count of There has been an almost continuous presence 97 Common Goldeneye. The last sighting of the of Greater Scaup at Wagon Wheel Lane pits, long-staying Smew was on 8th April. with a maximum of three birds. Three early Garganey were recorded at Camp Lane pits on BLITHFIELD 11th March. A Dark-bellied Brent Goose was at A mixed flock of terns on 30th April included Sling Pool on 1st April. 49 Black-tailed Godwits a Little Tern, 11 Black Terns, a few Arctic Terns were recorded at Camp Lane on 20th May, and and over 50 Common Terns. A Great Grey Shrike other waders visiting this site included Ruff, was recorded on 3rd February. Willow Warbler, Whimbrel, Common Greenshank and Avocet. A Common and Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap Short-eared Owl was seen at Camp Lane on 8th and Garden Warbler all arrived in April. The February. A Marsh Harrier was reported from first report of Common Chiffchaff was on 12th Wagon Wheel Lane on 25th March. There have March. Both nominate and Scandinavian Rock been a few reports of Hobby. A Mediterranean 33 Gull was recorded at Camp Lane on 14th March, reported on 23rd and 25th April. Two Sandwich and Arctic and Black Terns were seen here on Terns were recorded on 9th April, and two Black 30th April. An early Northern Wheatear was Terns were seen on 30th. There were several seen near Grimley Church on 12th March, and reports of up to three Mediterranean Gulls. A there have been a few sightings of Whinchat. late Whooper Swan visited from 26th-30th April. An Osprey was recorded on 18th April. There was a single report of Common Cuckoo, on 29th April.
Whinchat - Steve Nuttall
White-fronted Geese at Sandwell Valley - photograph BERRYHILL FIELDS Hughie King Most reports at this migration watchpoint PRINCIPAL RECORDS ELSEWHERE came in the second half of April. An early Ring NON-PASSERINES Ouzel was seen on 3rd April, with sightings on An unusual location for Whooper Swan (two five subsequent dates. Highest counts of chat birds) was Abbey Fields, in the centre of species were: Northern Wheatear 38, Whinchat Kenilworth, on 25th February. Notable counts six and Common Redstart five. A European of White-fronted Geese were 38 at Sandwell Stonechat was also recorded in February. 13 Valley (Greenland) and 23 at Ripple (Eurasian). Common Whitethroats were found on 23rd April, A Brent Goose was recorded at Chasewater on and other warbler species reported were Lesser 23rd and 24th March. There was a count of 200 Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler and Pintail at Longdon Marsh on 28th February. Common Chiffchaff. Yellow Wagtail was seen on Another notable count was of 490 Shoveler at two dates. Red Kite and Hobby were reported Kingsbury Water Park on 6th February. Draycote at the end of April. Waders recorded were Little Water had records of Smew (1st-7th February) Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Common and and Red-breasted Merganser (22nd and 26th Jack Snipe. March). Reports of Grey Partridge come from Wishaw and Whitemoor Haye. Further records MARSH LANE of Eurasian Bittern come from Brandon Marsh The Club’s new thermal imaging camera, which and Middleton Lakes. Great White Egrets were is in the care of Brewood Ringers, has been reported from many locations, principally in put to good use in the photographing of 54 south Worcestershire and the Tame Valley. A Northern Lapwing chicks from 11 nests (up Slavonian Grebe was recorded at Draycote to 24th April). Notable among other wader Water on 16th April, and Black-necked Grebes records was the visit of 12 Bar-tailed Godwits on were reported from Draycote Water, Westwood 30th April. Two Grey Partridges on 26th March, Pool, Branston and Chasewater. Further records followed by a single on 11th April, were the first of Marsh Harrier were from Lutley Wedge, Upton reserve records for over ten years. A flock of 10 Warren, Brandon Marsh and Aqualate Mere. A Waxwings (highest count 23) visited between Northern Goshawk was reported flying over 4th and10th March. A Grasshopper Warbler was Cheslyn Hay on 25th March. Reports of Osprey 34 were widespread. have been reported at Morton Bagot, Clowes Records of Avocet included birds at the Wood, Brandon Marsh and the Wyre Forest. surprising locations of Bartley Reservoir and Cetti’s Warbler reports come from Hatherton Arrow Valley Park (Redditch). Additional records Reservoir, Trent Washlands and several regularly of Grey Plover included a count of five at reported sites. Wood Warbler sightings come Middleton Lakes. The largest flock of European from the Wyre Forest and Westport Lake. There Golden Plover was 500 at Middleton Lakes, have been reports of Siberian Chiffchafffrom which also had the highest count of Black-tailed Hams Hall, Chasewater and Lower Broadheath. Godwit (93). Other reports of Bar-tailed Godwit Waxwings were reported throughout the were from Brandon Marsh and Middleton Lakes. period, the largest flock being 100 at Sutton A Turnstone was recorded at Draycote Water Coldfield on15th February and the latest known on 17th April. Two Red Knot were reported sighting being at Porthill on 29th April. There from Middleton Lakes on 24th March. A were sightings of Dipper at Selly Oak and the Temminck’s Stint was reported from Branston Churnet Valley. and Tucklesholme on several dates between 5th February and 17th April. A Sanderling was Ring Ouzels were widely reported, with the at Middleton Lakes on 30th April. Spotted earliest known sighting being in a Defford Redshanks were recorded on 30th April at Upton garden on 17th March and the largest number Warren and Middleton Lakes. Wood Sandpipers of records coming from Bredon Hill. A late have been reported from Sandwell Valley and record of Fieldfares was from Bignall Hill on 28th Brandon Marsh. A Little Tern was at Draycote April. Additional records of Pied Flycatcher were Water on 30th April. The highest known from Coombes Valley and the Wyre Forest. Black count of Black Terns was 43 at Draycote Water. Redstarts were seen at Malvern, Dunchurch, Sandwich Terns were recorded at six further Fillongley and Cuckoo Bank. Tree Pipits were sites. Kittiwakes were reported from Upton recorded in small numbers at Cannock Chase, Warren, Branston, Westport Lake and Whitmore. Hanchurch Woods, Highgate Common and the Little Gull records included six at Shustoke on Wyre Forest. Water Pipit records include five at 29th March. A long-staying and popular Iceland Edgbaston Reservoir on 29th March and up to Gull was at Swanshurst Park, Moseley. five on several dates at the regular site of Doxey Barn Owls were reported from the Churnet Valley, Marshes. A few late Bramblings were at Baldwin’s Brandon Marsh, Middleton Lakes, Whitacre Gate on 23rd April. There was a count of 100 Heath and Salford Priors. A Long-eared Owl was Siskins at Dimmingsdale on 19th February. recorded at Lower Moor on 2nd February. There Reports of Corn Bunting included counts of six were occasional sightings of Short-eared Owl at Elford and Whittington (near Kinver). on Bredon Hill, and also reports from Honington and a farm near Kenilworth. Lesser Spotted Iceland Gull at Swanshurst Park, Moseley Woodpeckers were reported from Trentham Photograph Hughie King Gardens and Pelsall North Common. Reports of Merlin came from Draycote Water, Evesham, Warton, Endon sewage works and Whitemoor Haye.
PASSERINES Great Grey Shrikes have been reported from Longdon Marsh and the North Staffordshire Moorlands. A party of 21 Common Ravens was recorded on the North Staffordshire Moorlands on 23rd April. Firecrests have been recorded at Branston and Middleton Lakes. Marsh Tits 35 West Midland Bird Club Field Trip Reports - Ray Davies Potteric Carr - Sunday 12 February 2017 After leaving at 08.00 we arrived at the New Visitor centre around 10.45. Few birds were seen before we entered Willow Pool hide where the ‘hanging’ feeders were busy with regular species like Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, and Chaffinch. Magpie and Jay came to the feeder ‘table’ as did a Moorhen and one Canada Goose!! After waiting quietly for some 20 minutes the first showing of Willow Tit happened to the relief of all. Pheasant, Blackbird, Dunnock and more Moorhen fed on the ground. We walked on to view Piper Marsh from its hide from where, as well as Grey Heron, Shoveler and Gadwall, a Marsh Harrier was seen harassed by corvids and a Kingfisher flew past. A long walk to view the large area of Huxter Well Marsh from its hides was rewarded by sightings of Bittern from Lofields Hide for a few of us. As well as wildfowl gull species were well represented by all five of the regular species. A Marsh Harrier was also present and a Kestrel hunted just after the rain stopped. A steady walk back to the Visitor Centre warranted a well earned and welcome hot drink before we returned to the coach.
Forest of Dean - Sunday 12 March 2017 We arrived at Parkend in dull and slightly misty conditions - hoping it would clear! In the trees a Nuthatch was soon found and we searched the tops of tall trees for Hawfinch. With none showing we walked the short distance to the bridge over the Cannop Brook. Dipper was soon found, not at the water’s edge but collecting moss off the roof of the waterside hostel! Another was seen along the Brook. A quick return to search for Hawfinch was successful with one in treetops. Thankfully the mist had cleared so we went to the New Fancy Viewpoint and watched. Buzzards soared in the distance and a little later a Peregrine soared overhead. A Raven displayed over a nearby ridge and a Sparrowhawk soared behind us. Eventually a Goshawk was found over the nearby ridge, to everyone’s relief, where it displayed. It was joined by another and then dropped down to perch (distantly) showing its white front. After lunch at the Visitor Centre we went to Cannop Ponds. Few Mandarin were to be seen and most were already paired up! In addition to the usual Mallard and Gadwall on the pool was a female Wigeon - most unusual! Treecreepers were soon found on nearby trees and Grey Wagtails were found along the Brook. Unusually NO Marsh Tit was to be seen but Jay was present in trees where we waited for the coach. We transferred to neaby woodland and followed the track through conifers to Crabtree Hill seeing many Siskin and occasional Lesser Redpoll on our way. We soon found the over wintering Great Grey Shrike perched in the top of a low bush. It moved occasionally constantly searching for a meal. In nearby bracken were at least two male Stonechat in bright breeding plumage vying for the attention of a nearby female. During our return to the coach a few Crossbill flew over and one was seen near the coach by a few to complete a very productive day’s birdwatching.
Devon Weekend - Friday 07 Apr 2017 We all met at The Langstone Cliff Hotel on Friday evening anticipating good birds on the weekend. Saturday dawned very misty and a walk before breakfast produced little! After breakfast we set out for Berry Head where thankfully the mist had cleared. Cirl Buntings were scarce just brief sightings of 1 or 2 birds being had by a few. The usual suspects of Guillemot, Fulmar, Shag and Cormorant were around the cliffs with a Wheatear on nearby slopes. An unusual call was heard coming from the Quarry area which turned out to be a male Ring Ouzel. Most of us walked down the steep path and enjoyed watching the bird and an obliging Rock Pipit that fed within yards of us. Gannets passed over the sea and 2 Sandwich Tern flew through. We moved on to RSPB Labrador Bay (near Teignmouth 36 and a new site for us) where Cirl Buntings greeted us in the hedgerow in front of the car park! A short walk from the cars led to a gate overlooking a ploughed field from which Cirl Buntings showed regularly feeding just yards away on the field edge giving best ever views! At Dawlish Warren the sea was quiet with just the occasional Sandwich Tern flying through, and passerines sparse in the reserve area. Only common waders were viewable from the hide with Oystercatchers, Blacktailed Cirl Bunting Godwits, a few Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Curlew. Peace was shattered by a ‘phone call saying a Purple Sandpiper had been found on the breakwater! After a hurried exit and fast walk the bird was seen at close quarters by all of us. On Sunday at Bowling Green Marsh a single Avocet fed on the Exe Purple Sandpiper and Greenshank and Spotted Redshank found in nearby wetland. Wildfowl were well represented with Pintail notable. On Woodbury Common we locacated a pair of Dartford Warblers in an area of gorse and nearby another male. There were the ever present Stonechat and as we left a Wheatear appeared. We’d had a successful weekend in glorious sunshine although some sunburn was experienced by the unprepared!! Photographs Ray Davies
Fowlmere RSPB / Paxton Pits - Sunday 30 April 2017 37 members travelled to RSPB Fowlmere on a dull windy morning and after a chat from the warden we went our separate ways. Some directly to view the dead tree favoured by Turtle Dove others progressively to the tree. The ‘early birds got the worm’ seeing a Turtle Dove perched up for a short time! Along the trails warblers that were heard singing included Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow, Garden, Grasshopper, Sedge and Reed Warblers. A long stake-out watching the dead tree branches was fruitless for Turtle Dove but incidental sightings included Treecreeper, displaying Sedge Warbler and Reed Bunting. Turtle Dove was heard by many on their walk beside the chalk stream to Drewer’s Hide. Watching from there we saw Fallow Deer cross between reedbeds, topped by a hunting Hobby very close to the hide! A mother Mallard with 6 ducklings gave a warning quack when the Hobby came overhead and little ones scampered for cover! We left for Paxton and set out on Heron Trail. Nightingales were unusually quiet for what is usually the best time of year for them. Blackcaps and Willow Warblers were vocal as well as Song Thrush followed by the first Cuckoo of the season for many, it being seen perched openly on occasion. Nightingale calls were heard occasionally but there was no lengthy singing unfortunately. Eventually one bird called regularly as it moved around a chosen area and was seen clearly from time to time! What a relief especially for those who ‘dipped’ on the Turtle Dove! We left reasonably happy with our experiences which would have been better without the troublesome wind. Ray Davies 37 Feedback from the 2nd Staffordshire Birders’ Conference Geoff Sales
Following the first such conference last year, I gave a blow by blow account of the proceedings; it doesn’t feel quite right to repeat that process. Briefly, the event drew a very similar attendance, and again it went off swimmingly, with ne’er a voice of discontent. Everyone enjoyed it, in short. I would like to point out that this time one of the speakers was the 18-year old blogger, Georgia Locock, who hails from Lichfield. My hope had been that her presence would attract folk of a similar age, there being the added incentive of half-price tickets for under-25s. Well, that didn’t work (!) but everyone present revelled in her youthful enthusiasm and she was warmly received. Georgia appeared at last year’s Birdfair, where she was on stage with Chris Packham for around 40 minutes, and she has a habit of popping up on the likes of Springwatch and Countryfile. Indeed, she was on a very recent (April) edition of Countryfile when they did a piece on Spurn. I’d recommend checking out her blog - there’s some inspiring stuff there. And this is part of the reality for younger birders, don’t forget. Social media are central to young birders’ lives. So, post 2nd SBC, where (or what) next? I for one intend taking a year out, but what of 2019? The same formula for SBC3? Something rather different? After SBC1, it was “how do you follow that?” After SBC2, the same. How indeed? One thing that struck me this time around, and which I found very gratifying, was the presence of so many folk from the WMBC - or certainly its committee members. Maybe a collaborative venture is called for; thoughts and ideas are very welcome. Perhaps the WMBC would like to take it in quite a different direction, which is fine. I am a WMBC member anyway; I just used/ abused/misused (delete as you wish) my position as leader of RSPB’s North Staffs group to deliver the goods for the county’s birders. Too parochial? People will only travel so far for such events, so I think county level is about right. One thought that came to me after doing that last sentence - maybe the WMBC would like to host a rolling programme of a conference per year, rotating between the four counties of its region? Just a thought.
Cheers Geoff Sales On behalf of all of us who attended this conference I would like to thank Geoff for all his work in arranging this day which was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. Special mention should go to the ladies who welcomed us all on arrival with tea and coffee and the most delicious home made biscuits and repeated their efforts during the breaks with drinks and home made cake. Recognition should also go to our Club Deputy Chairman, Roger Broadbent who is managing this year’s Cannock Chase Bird Survey who gave a very interesting talk about the survey and to David Dodd, the Chairman of our Stafford branch, who produced an excellent and informative display which created a lot of interest especially during the lunch recess. Sue If you have any feedback on this year’s conference or thoughts for the future you would like to send to Geoff his contact details are E-mail: [email protected]
38 And Finally I do hope that you have enjoyed this latest bumper selection of articles and contributions from our Club members as much as I did when I received them. Please don’t forget the next issue is in your hands - I only put it together! Sue
Suggestions The officers of the club welcome suggestions and feedback from the membership regarding any aspect of our club. Please send them to the most appropriate officer or, if in doubt, to Mark our Secretary who will pass them on.
Next Issue The Autumn issue of your newsletter will go to press by mid-August and should be on your door mats at the beginning of September. Please send your contributions to the editor by 1st August at the latest. Anything received after this cut off date will be held over until the Winter issue.
WMBC Officers Press Officer - As Honorary Secretary President - W. E. Oddie O.B.E. Email: [email protected] Vice Presidents - A.J. Richards, Annual Report Editor - D.W. Emley, G.R. Harrison and J.R. Winsper 23 Leacroft, Stone, Staffordshire ST15 8GF Email: [email protected] Chairman - Kevin Clements, 26 Hambrook Close, Dunstall Park, Website Manager - Jim Winsper Wolverhampton, WV6 0XA 32 Links Road, Hollywood, Birmingham B14 4TP Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Deputy Chairman - Roger Broadbent, Newsletter Editor - Sue Judge Maple Cottage , 8 Home Farm Court, Ingestre 3 Fennel Close, Cheslyn Hay, WS6 7DZ Stafford ST18 0PZ Email: [email protected] [email protected] Advertising Honorary Secretary - Mark Rickus, Enquiries regarding advertising in this 27 Ringmere Avenue, Castle Bromwich B36 9AT publication should be addressed to the Editor. Email: [email protected] Small ads of direct benefit to members and ‘for Honorary Treasurer - A. Thomas sale’ items from members will be normally be 24 Awbridge Road, Dudley, West Midlands, included free of charge, space permitting. DY2 0JA Email: [email protected] The WMBC is a Registered Charity (number 213311), serving birdwatchers, ornithologists Membership Secretary - Michael Bevan, and all who have an interest in the birds of 64 Brookfields Road, Ipstones, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and ST10 2LY the West Midlands Counties. Email: [email protected] Permits Secretary - As Honorary Secretary Website - westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk Email: [email protected] Twitter account @WestMidBirdClub 39 TTHHEE BBIIRRDDEERRSS SSTTOORREE We stock the UK's largest range of optics & accessories for birders including Acuter, Barr & Stroud, Celestron, Country Innovation, Cullmann, Eagle, Hawke, Helios, Hilkinson, Kite, Kowa, Leica, Meade, Minox, Novagrade, Olivon, Optech, Opticron, PhoneSkope, Scopac, Skua, Steiner, Swarovski, Tilley, Vanguard, Velbon, Viking, Visionary, Vortex & Zeiss together with an extensive range of books & DVDs.
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