Chiffchaff - silent bird flitting in trees. Heard other bird but not seen.
Canada goose - 2 on the canal.
Jackdaw - several noisy birds.
If I see it, I blog it......... birds...butterflies...flowers...trees...mammals...
Sedgley - backyard birding (April 12 2009)
Greenfinch - very encouraging to see the pair of birds (male and female on the seed feeder, albeit briefly)
Midlands gravel pit (April 11 2009)
Greylag goose - 3 on pit.
Great crested grebe - 2 on pit.
Black headed gull - several in flight.
Great crested grebe - 2 on pit.
Black headed gull - several in flight.
Midlands gravel pit (April 10 2009)
House martin - first of the year. Several feeding birds in the afternoon.
Sand martin - c.250 feeding over pit at dusk.
Sand martin - c.250 feeding over pit at dusk.
Oystercatcher - bird landed on one of the islands on the pit. Heard other calling birds (at least 2, but not seen).
Greylag goose - 4 on the water.
Barn swallow - 4 birds feeding over pit.
Skylark - singing over nearby field.
Reed bunting - male in pitside trees.
Total for 2009 - 82
Midlands gravel pit (April 9 2009)
Oystercatcher - single bird in flight, landed on one of the islands.
Sparrowhawk - male low in flight over water.
Greylag goose -7 birds on the pit.
Skylark - bird singing over nearby field, a second bird in flight, dropping onto field.
Cormorant - sightings of 3 birds and 2 birds in flight.
Goldfinch - 2 birds chasing each other in mating style.
Sand martin - several feeding over pit briefly.
Sparrowhawk - male low in flight over water.
Greylag goose -7 birds on the pit.
Skylark - bird singing over nearby field, a second bird in flight, dropping onto field.
Cormorant - sightings of 3 birds and 2 birds in flight.
Goldfinch - 2 birds chasing each other in mating style.
Sand martin - several feeding over pit briefly.
Midlands gravel pit (April 8 2009)
Mute swan - 2 birds on water, 1 visiting bird chased away.
Canada goose - count of 31.
Reed bunting - male in pitside trees.
Cormorant - 3 sightings of single birds in flight.
Sand martin - c.50 feeding birds late in afternoon over pit.
Chiffchaff - singing bird in tree.
Canada goose - count of 31.
Reed bunting - male in pitside trees.
Cormorant - 3 sightings of single birds in flight.
Sand martin - c.50 feeding birds late in afternoon over pit.
Chiffchaff - singing bird in tree.
Sedgley - backyard birding (April 7 2009)
Dunnock - 2 feeding in birds in garden. One singing from cherry tree.
Blackbird - male and female in garden.
Common buzzard - high overhead in flight from NE to SW.
House sparrow - several male and female birds feeding.
Blackbird - male and female in garden.
Common buzzard - high overhead in flight from NE to SW.
House sparrow - several male and female birds feeding.
Near Wombourne (April 6 2009)
Barn swallow - first one of the year. A single bird in direct flight, travelling north to south.
Bullfinch - male and female bird landed briefly in copse.
Song thrush - single bird in copse.
Chaffinch - male and female feeding in trees.
Mallard - several male and female birds on the canal.
Total for the year - 81
Sedgley - backyard birding (April 5 2009)
Dunnock - bird with nesting material in beak. I have located the area where they are nesting, it's in my backyard.
Blackbird - another nesting bird in the backyard, in a conifer. Male and female bird around regularly feeding.
Herring gull - 3 noisy birds in the area in flight.
Robin - bird singing well into dusk from its usual spot at the top of a mature sycamore in a neighbour's tree.
Midlands gravel pit (April 4 2009)
Oystercatcher - single bird on the shore of one of the islands on the pit.
Chiffchaff - singing bird in bushes.
Cormorant - single bird in flight.
Chiffchaff - singing bird in bushes.
Cormorant - single bird in flight.
Midlands gravel pit (April 3 2009)
Greylag goose - 7 noisy birds landed on the pit. Always a pair on there, first time I've seen this many.
Chiffchaff - bird singing from bushes. Several others singing but not seen.
Sand martin - c.12 birds passed through at dusk. Still no birds spending time on the pit feeding.
Mute swan - Pair landed and were promptly seen off by the resident birds.
Oystercatcher - calling birds in flight during darkness, but not seen.
Wall Heath (April 2 2009)
Barn owl - Driving on the A449 from Kinver, a bird flew left to right across the road 150 metres from the island by the Kingfisher club. I'm always excited to see a local barn owl but doubly so in this case, because as soon as I got home I did some boundary research and realised that the bird had flown into and over the West Midlands. So a West Mids / Black Country barn owl made me a very happy bunny indeed.
Bird seen at 8.21pm. I travel this road regularly and it's the first sighting I've had.
Near Kinver (April 1 2009)
Green woodpecker - several sightings of single bird in flight, very vocal.
Treecreeper - single bird on trunk of tree.
Chiffchaff - single bird singing in copse alongside canal.
Grey wagtail - 4 sightings of a single bird in flight along the canal. Probably the same bird.
Common buzzard - 3 sightings of single bird in flight/soaring.
Jackdaw - several in the area.
Sheepwash nature reserve, Tipton (March 31 2009)
Robin - 6 singing birds from path that goes from the entrance to lake.
Chiffchaff - 3 singing birds from the same walk as above.
Mute swan - nesting bird on pool.
Great crested grebe - bird on nest on lake.
Goosander - the number of birds has dropped but there are still 3 females on the lake.
Chiffchaff - 3 singing birds from the same walk as above.
Mute swan - nesting bird on pool.
Great crested grebe - bird on nest on lake.
Goosander - the number of birds has dropped but there are still 3 females on the lake.
Cormorant - On the lake, 2 birds perched on the edge of one of the islands and a 3rd bird on a post in the water.
Lesser black-backed gull - single bird in flight.
Sedgley Beacon (March 30 2009)
Linnet - first of the year, a pair in flight.
Skylark - bird singing high over the plateau, later a bird flushed from the rough grass.
Goldfinch - 2 in flight.
Grey heron - passed through in flight.
Kestrel - bird hunting over the rough grass.
Collared dove - passed through in flight.
Total for 2009 - 80
Near Kinver (March 29 2009)
Mandarin - male resting alongside River Stour.
Jackdaw - Never seen so many birds. Waves of c. 200, 250, 150, 30, 60, 80, 20, 160, 100, 180, 40, 10 at dusk in flight. A total of c. 1280.
Lapwing - 2 birds in flight, 1 calling briefly.
Mallard - male and female diving on the canal. Staying under for up to 20 seconds.
Total for the year - 79
Jackdaw - Never seen so many birds. Waves of c. 200, 250, 150, 30, 60, 80, 20, 160, 100, 180, 40, 10 at dusk in flight. A total of c. 1280.
Lapwing - 2 birds in flight, 1 calling briefly.
Mallard - male and female diving on the canal. Staying under for up to 20 seconds.
Total for the year - 79
Sedgley Beacon (March 28 2009)
Skylark - bird singing over plateau, then dropped. Later 3 birds flew from the rough grass.
Goldfinch - 1 in flight.
Dunnock - 1 adult bird and 2 juveniles in bushes. First birds seen this spring that have left the nest.
Total for 2009 - 78
Near Wombourne (March 27 2009)
Carrion crow - nest building in tree over Staffs/Worcs Canal.
Mallard - 3 males on canal.
Great crested grebe - on adjoining pool.
Jackdaw - 2 in flight.
Jay - 1 in flight.
Song thrush - 2 in far bank copse.
Mallard - 3 males on canal.
Great crested grebe - on adjoining pool.
Jackdaw - 2 in flight.
Jay - 1 in flight.
Song thrush - 2 in far bank copse.
Near Wombourne (March 26 2009)
Mute swan - single bird on canal.
Moorhen - bird on nest in reed bed.
Mallard - several male and female birds including a mating pair.
Long tailed tit - regular trips to a spot in the hedge, likely nesting place.
Grey heron - 3 sightings of single bird in flight.
Common buzzard - 2 sightings of single bird in flight.
Lesser black-backed gull - 1 in flight over canal.
Pheasant - male in field behind canal.
Moorhen - bird on nest in reed bed.
Mallard - several male and female birds including a mating pair.
Long tailed tit - regular trips to a spot in the hedge, likely nesting place.
Grey heron - 3 sightings of single bird in flight.
Common buzzard - 2 sightings of single bird in flight.
Lesser black-backed gull - 1 in flight over canal.
Pheasant - male in field behind canal.
Sedgley - backyard birding (March 25 2009)
Grey heron - in flight, being mobbed by a single Lesser black-backed gull.
Lesser black-backed gull. Mobbing the heron.
Dunnock - 2 feeding birds on garden. Suspect a nesting site somewhere along the ivy covered wall.
Lesser black-backed gull. Mobbing the heron.
Dunnock - 2 feeding birds on garden. Suspect a nesting site somewhere along the ivy covered wall.
Sheepwash nature reserve, Tipton (March 24 2009)
Mallard - on River Tame. 3 males, 2 females.
Goosander - 9 females on lake.
Lesser black-backed gull - 2 on lake.
Little grebe - calling birds on lake.
Great crested grebe - nesting pair on lake.
Goosander - 9 females on lake.
Lesser black-backed gull - 2 on lake.
Little grebe - calling birds on lake.
Great crested grebe - nesting pair on lake.
Baggeridge Country Park (March 23 2009)
Lesser black-backed gull - single bird in flight over pit mounds/Whites Wood.
Common buzzard - 3 sightings of single bird.
Tawny owl - Usual bird in usual spot in English oak in Whites Wood.
Jackdaw - several noisy birds in Whites Wood.
Coal tit - single bird in Whites Wood.
Great spotted woodpecker - 2 females together on tree in Whites Wood.
Baggeridge Country Park (March 22 2009)
Yellowhammer - male bird singing in tree on pit mounds. First of the year and a 2009 first for Baggeridge.
Canada goose - another first for Baggeridge, 2 dawn birds in flight over Whites Wood calling.
Chiffchaff - singing bird in Whites Wood. First for Baggeridge.
Tawny owl - usual bird in usual roost spot in Whites Wood.
Great spotted woodpecker - female in Whites Wood.
Stock dove - 3 in flight from Lydiates Hill.
Song thrush - 2 in Whites Wood.
Kestrel - in flight over pit mounds.
Total for 2009 - 77
Total for Baggeridge Country Park - 51
Midlands gravel pit (March 21 2009)
Oystercatcher - 3 resident birds, often heard and seen in noisy flight circling the pit.
Cormorant - in flight.
Bullfinch - male and female in trees.
Midlands gravel pit (March 20 2009)
Chiffchaff - heard bird singing during day but not seen. Finally got to identify a silent bird as it fed in trees later in evening.
Sand martin - c.20 birds feeding very briefly over pit as they passed through at 6.10pm.
Oystercatcher - 3 noisy birds in flight. Resident on pit at the moment.
Greylag goose - 1 bird on water.
Reed bunting - male and female in trees.
Goldeneye - male and female bird on pit.
Total for 2009 - 76
Midlands gravel pit (March 19 2009)
Sand martin - first birds of the year, c.15 feeding briefly over the pit at 6.00pm
Oystercatcher - 3 birds in flight around the pit calling, also single bird.
Mute swan - 2 on pit.
Greylag goose - 2 in flight, landing on pit.
Chiffchaff - first birds of the year, 2 singing. But not seen.
Total for 2009 - 75
Sedgley - backyard birding (March 18 2009)
Herring gull - in flight.
Dunnock - 2 on garden feeding.
Robin - dawn bird singing from the top of a mature sycamore.
Lesser black-backed gull - 3 very noisy birds in circular, lazy flight, passing through.
Dunnock - 2 on garden feeding.
Robin - dawn bird singing from the top of a mature sycamore.
Lesser black-backed gull - 3 very noisy birds in circular, lazy flight, passing through.
Sheepwash nature reserve, Tipton (March 17 2009)
Lapwing - 2 in flight overhead.
Lesser black-backed gull - 2 in flight.
Bullfinch - female in bushes.
Kingfisher - 2 calling birds in flight, looking very much like a mating display.
Goosander - female on pool, 16 birds on main lake.
Ruddy duck - male on lake.
Little grebe - 2 on lake, 1 bird calling.
Teal - male feeding on small pond on island on main lake.
Herring gull - 2 in circling flight over lake.
Lesser black-backed gull - 2 in flight.
Bullfinch - female in bushes.
Kingfisher - 2 calling birds in flight, looking very much like a mating display.
Goosander - female on pool, 16 birds on main lake.
Ruddy duck - male on lake.
Little grebe - 2 on lake, 1 bird calling.
Teal - male feeding on small pond on island on main lake.
Herring gull - 2 in circling flight over lake.
Near Kinver (March 16 2009)
Pheasant - male in field.
Canada goose - 2 on canal.
Jackdaw - several noisy birds in the area.
Great spotted woodpecker - 2 sightings of single bird.
Kingfisher - perched on tree overhanging water.
Grey wagtail - along canal.
Stock dove - calling bird but not seen.
Canada goose - 2 on canal.
Jackdaw - several noisy birds in the area.
Great spotted woodpecker - 2 sightings of single bird.
Kingfisher - perched on tree overhanging water.
Grey wagtail - along canal.
Stock dove - calling bird but not seen.
Sedgley - backyard birding (March 15 2009)
Blackbird - male and female around conifer, hopefully a nestimng site.
House sparrow - male and female birds in garden.
Dunnock - 2 feeding on garden.
Collared dove - 2 in garden.
Robin - singing well into dusk from the top of a mature sycamore tree.
House sparrow - male and female birds in garden.
Dunnock - 2 feeding on garden.
Collared dove - 2 in garden.
Robin - singing well into dusk from the top of a mature sycamore tree.
Midlands gravel pit (March 14 2009)
Oystercatcher - Bird on shore of island where successful breeding took place last year. At 7.45am, 6 noisy birds in flight around the pit.
Reed bunting - female in tree.
Tufted duck - numerous male and female birds.
Cormorant - several sightings of single bird in flight.
Midlands gravel pit (March 13 2009)
Reed bunting - male singing from waterside tree.
Gadwall - female bird feeding on surface insects.
Mute swan - group of 1 adult and 7 ist winter birds being chased away by the resident pair.
Greylag goose - 2 on pit.
Goldeneye - male on pit.
Oystercatcher - heard several times including aftyer dark in flight around the pit, but not seen.
Total for 2009 - 74
Gadwall - female bird feeding on surface insects.
Mute swan - group of 1 adult and 7 ist winter birds being chased away by the resident pair.
Greylag goose - 2 on pit.
Goldeneye - male on pit.
Oystercatcher - heard several times including aftyer dark in flight around the pit, but not seen.
Total for 2009 - 74
Midlands gravel pit (March 12 2009)
Greylag goose - 2 birds on the pit.
Oystercatcher - Heard bird previously then spotted it low over water calling. Followed a successful breeding clutch last year on this pit.
Mute swan - 2 on pit.
Goldeneye - 1 male and 1 female.
Herring gull - 1 in flight.
Total for 2009 - 72
Sedgley - backyard birding (March 11 2009)
Dunnock - on garden.
Blackbird - male and female around conifers. Hopefully a future nesting site.
Wood pigeon - 1 on bird table.
Collared dove - 2 on garden.
House sparrow - several male and female birds at feeding station.
Blue tit - 1 bird at feeding station.
Wren - in garden.
Carrion crow - 2 calling birds from neighbouring roof.
Blackbird - male and female around conifers. Hopefully a future nesting site.
Wood pigeon - 1 on bird table.
Collared dove - 2 on garden.
House sparrow - several male and female birds at feeding station.
Blue tit - 1 bird at feeding station.
Wren - in garden.
Carrion crow - 2 calling birds from neighbouring roof.
Sedgley - backyard birding (March 10 2009)
House sparrow - several male and female birds in garden.
Collared dove - 1 bird.
Dunnock - 2 birds feeding on garden.
Robin - singing.
Blackbird - male in garden,
Collared dove - 1 bird.
Dunnock - 2 birds feeding on garden.
Robin - singing.
Blackbird - male in garden,
Near Bridgnorth (March 9 2009)
Great black-backed gull - 1 in flight.
Rook - numerous noisy birds in rookery.
Moorhen - 1 on river.
Cormorant - in flight 1, 14, 1, 1.
Common buzzard - 2 in flight.
Goosander - in flight 2, 1.
Gull - distant flock c.200 birds.Either Herring or Lesser black-backed.
Rook - numerous noisy birds in rookery.
Moorhen - 1 on river.
Cormorant - in flight 1, 14, 1, 1.
Common buzzard - 2 in flight.
Goosander - in flight 2, 1.
Gull - distant flock c.200 birds.Either Herring or Lesser black-backed.
Sedgley - backyard birding (March 8 2009)
Fell asleep and by the time I woke up it was late afternoon and dusk was settling in. Unusualm though in that I saw nothing, heard nothing. Not even any visitors to the feeding station all day, the food was still in nice, neat little piles.
Red Lane, Gospel End Village (March 7 2009)
Mallard - 2 males and 1 female on the lane pond. Seen them before but not very often.
Moorhen - 1 bird on lane pond.
Black headed gull - 1 in flight.
Common buzzard - 2 around Penn Brook.
Mistle thrush - in tree alongside Penn Brook.
Moorhen - 1 bird on lane pond.
Black headed gull - 1 in flight.
Common buzzard - 2 around Penn Brook.
Mistle thrush - in tree alongside Penn Brook.
Near Bridgnorth (March 6 2009)
Little owl - bird perched on rock overhanging River Severn.
Raven - bird calling in flight, later pair circling over wooded hill.
Song thrush - in full song.
Cormorant - 6 in flight.
Rook - numerous noisy birds around nesting site.
Goosander - female low in flight along river course.
Kingfisher - landed on far bank undergrowth.
Raven - bird calling in flight, later pair circling over wooded hill.
Song thrush - in full song.
Cormorant - 6 in flight.
Rook - numerous noisy birds around nesting site.
Goosander - female low in flight along river course.
Kingfisher - landed on far bank undergrowth.
Sedgley - backyard birding (March 5 2009)
Blackbird - male and female in garden.
House sparrow - several male and female birds.
Dunnock - 2 feeding on garden.
Herring gull - 3 passed overhead in lazy flight.
Black headed gull - 1 in area in flight.
House sparrow - several male and female birds.
Dunnock - 2 feeding on garden.
Herring gull - 3 passed overhead in lazy flight.
Black headed gull - 1 in area in flight.
Near Bridgnorth (March 4 2009)
Little owl - perched on rock ledge overhanging River Severn.
Rook - numerous noisy birds around nesting site.
Cormorant - 8 in flight.
Rook - numerous noisy birds around nesting site.
Cormorant - 8 in flight.
Goosander - 1 high overhead in flight. Second sighting of a male at dusk in flight, bank high following river.
Tawny owl - several birds calling after dark but not seen.
Total for 2009 - 70
Sedgley - backyard birding (March 3 2009)
Blackbird - in garden 2 males, 1 female.
Blue tit - at feeding station.
House sparrow - several male and female birds.
Blue tit - at feeding station.
House sparrow - several male and female birds.
Baggeridge Country Park (March 2 2009)
Kestrel - in flight/ gliding high over Whites Wood.
Tawny owl - usual bird in usual spot in Whites Wood.
Jay - 2 separate sightings of single bird in Whites Wood area.
Stock dove - 2 birds in trees by sub-station.
Tawny owl - usual bird in usual spot in Whites Wood.
Jay - 2 separate sightings of single bird in Whites Wood area.
Stock dove - 2 birds in trees by sub-station.
Siskin - several male and female birds by visitor's station, several in wood by sub-station and 2 in flight by Upper Wishing pool.
Coal tit - by Upper Wishing Pool.
Sedgley - backyard birding (March 1 2009)
Blackbird - 3 males in the area.
Dunnock - singing from top of neighbour's conifer.
Robin - singing high at the top of a neighbouring sycamore.
House sparrow - several male and female birds in the area.
Dunnock - singing from top of neighbour's conifer.
Robin - singing high at the top of a neighbouring sycamore.
House sparrow - several male and female birds in the area.
Near Bridgnorth (February 28 2009)
Rook - passed rookery at Worfield, another closer to Bridgnorth. First rooks of the year, I live a sheltered life.
Lesser black-backed gull - 12 in flight.
Goosander - on River Severn, 2 males and 4 females.
Great black-backed gull - 1 high in flight.
Total for 2009 - 69
Near Kinver (February 27 2009)
Mallard - several male and females on canal.
Treecreeper - on trunk.
Grey heron - 1 bird in flight.
Chaffinch - male on towpath.
Long tailed tit - pair of birds. No flocks seen.
Treecreeper - on trunk.
Grey heron - 1 bird in flight.
Chaffinch - male on towpath.
Long tailed tit - pair of birds. No flocks seen.
Near Kinver (February 26 2009)
Pheasant - male in field by River Stour.
Canada goose - 1 on canal, 5 on Stour.
Mallard - several male and female birds on canal, 1 pair on Stour.
Jackdaw - several noisy birds in the area.
Siskin - 4 birds feeding on a common alder tree.
Coal tit - 1 in trees.
Green woodpecker - calling loudly, on trees in the area.
Fieldfare - c.10 in flight.
Goldfinch - 3 in trees.
Treecreeper - 1 on trunk.
Canada goose - 1 on canal, 5 on Stour.
Mallard - several male and female birds on canal, 1 pair on Stour.
Jackdaw - several noisy birds in the area.
Siskin - 4 birds feeding on a common alder tree.
Coal tit - 1 in trees.
Green woodpecker - calling loudly, on trees in the area.
Fieldfare - c.10 in flight.
Goldfinch - 3 in trees.
Treecreeper - 1 on trunk.
Sedgley - backyard birding (February 25 2009)
Collared dove - 2 in garden.
Blackbird - male and female.
House sparrow - several male and female birds.
Carrion crow - 1 in area.
Greenfinch - not seen but bird calling from neighbour's garden.
Blackbird - male and female.
House sparrow - several male and female birds.
Carrion crow - 1 in area.
Greenfinch - not seen but bird calling from neighbour's garden.
While out driving - 2 Common buzzards soaring/flight over Sedgemoor Park/Bilston at lunchtime.
Sedgley - backyard birding (February 24 2009)
Robin - 1 in garden.
House sparrow - several male and female birds in area.
Black headed gull - several in area.
Dunnock - 1 feeding on garden.
Wren - 1 calling bird in garden.
House sparrow - several male and female birds in area.
Black headed gull - several in area.
Dunnock - 1 feeding on garden.
Wren - 1 calling bird in garden.
Sedgley - backyard birding (February 23 2009)
Collared dove - bird on feeding station.
Carrion crow - 3 in the area.
House sparrow - several male and female bird.
Black headed gull - several around area.
Greenfinch - not seen but heard calling from neighbour's conifer tree.
Carrion crow - 3 in the area.
House sparrow - several male and female bird.
Black headed gull - several around area.
Greenfinch - not seen but heard calling from neighbour's conifer tree.
Sedgley - Birmingham (February 22 2009)
Unusual one today. No time to get out at all so decided to see what gull species I could see as I drove.
Black headed gull - numerous birds all along the route.
Lesser black-backed gull - single bird in flight at Tipton and 2 birds on a school roof in Ladywood.
Red Lane, Gospel End Village (February 21 2009)
Peregrine - bird seen at 1.25pm from the lane in the air beyond the ridge. It dropped down and didn't show again.
Sparrowhawk - female gliding high in sky.
Common buzzard - several sightings of birds in flight.
House sparrow - female in bush by lane pond.
Moorhen - 2 on lane pond.
Mistle thrush - on field beyond Penn Brook.
Stock dove - in tree along Penn Brook.
Near Kinver (February 20 2009)
Jackdaw - several noisy birds in area.
Canada goose - 1 on canal.
Common buzzard - in flight mobbed by Jackdaws, later 3 birds in flight.
Fieldfare - c.8 in flight.
Lapwing - flock of 31 birds passed high overhead in a northerly direction.
Great black-backed gull - single bird high in flight.
Great spotted woodpecker - bird flew to tree.
Canada goose - 1 on canal.
Common buzzard - in flight mobbed by Jackdaws, later 3 birds in flight.
Fieldfare - c.8 in flight.
Lapwing - flock of 31 birds passed high overhead in a northerly direction.
Great black-backed gull - single bird high in flight.
Great spotted woodpecker - bird flew to tree.
Near Kinver (February 19 2009)
Peregrine - First of the year, high overhead in flight heading south towards Kinver.
Starling - 5 birds perched in tree.
Blackbird - male and female in copse.
Tawny owl - calling from copse at 3.10pm, at least 2 birds calling at dusk and into dark.
Total for 2009 - 68
Starling - 5 birds perched in tree.
Blackbird - male and female in copse.
Tawny owl - calling from copse at 3.10pm, at least 2 birds calling at dusk and into dark.
Total for 2009 - 68
Sedgley - backyard birding (February 18 2009)
Carrion crow - 2 birds low in flight over garden.
House sparrow - several male and female birds in the garden and area.
Blue tit - 2 on feeding station, a separate sighting of bird in song in trees.
House sparrow - several male and female birds in the garden and area.
Blue tit - 2 on feeding station, a separate sighting of bird in song in trees.
Near Kinver (February 17 2009)
Song thrush - 2 birds in hedgerow.
Great spotted woodpecker - male excavating a hole on tree, noticed that it suddenly went really still. Can only assume it fell asleep in the afternoon sun as it flew off again some time later!
Black headed gull - 2 in flight.
Tawny owl - birds calling in area at 3.30pm and a 10 second flurry of calls from 3 birds at 5.40pm.
Sedgley - backyard birding (February 16 2009)
Collared dove - 2 in garden feeding and collecting nestring materials.
Robin - 2 in garden quite close to each other. No conflict so safe to assume a pair.
Blackbird - male in garden.
Black headed gull - several in area in flight.
Starling - most seen 4, the bigger flocks seem to have disappeared.
Robin - 2 in garden quite close to each other. No conflict so safe to assume a pair.
Blackbird - male in garden.
Black headed gull - several in area in flight.
Starling - most seen 4, the bigger flocks seem to have disappeared.
Near Kinver (February 15 2009)
Kestrel - male flew to tree.
Snipe - two separate sightings of single bird at dusk in flight.
Grey wagtail - on bank of River Stour.
Stock dove - calling from copse.
Snipe - two separate sightings of single bird at dusk in flight.
Grey wagtail - on bank of River Stour.
Stock dove - calling from copse.
Tawny owl - bird called twice at 3.20pm from trees, as dark set in at least 3 birds calling in area. None seen though.
Sedgley - backyard birding (February 14 2009)
Collared dove - gathering nesting materials in garden.
Wood pigeon - most in area 4 birds.
House sparrow - several males and females on feeding station.
Blue tit - 1 on feeding station.
Magpie - in garden.
Wood pigeon - most in area 4 birds.
House sparrow - several males and females on feeding station.
Blue tit - 1 on feeding station.
Magpie - in garden.
Near Kinver (February 13 2009)
Grey heron - on field by River Stour.
Great spotted woodpecker - male and female birds on trees.
Kingfisher - in flight along river.
Jay - 2 birds in copse.
Goldcrest - feeding bird.
Goldfinch - 2 in tree/flight.
Tawny owl - bird called on two separate occasions from copse around lunchtime, but not seen.
Great spotted woodpecker - male and female birds on trees.
Kingfisher - in flight along river.
Jay - 2 birds in copse.
Goldcrest - feeding bird.
Goldfinch - 2 in tree/flight.
Tawny owl - bird called on two separate occasions from copse around lunchtime, but not seen.
Sedgley - backyard birding (February 12 2009)
Wood pigeon - 4 birds seen at one time, the most in the area.
Carrion crow - 1 on neighbouring roof.
Collared dove - 2 birds.
Great tit - 1 on feeding station.
Dunnock - 1 feeding on garden.
Carrion crow - 1 on neighbouring roof.
Collared dove - 2 birds.
Great tit - 1 on feeding station.
Dunnock - 1 feeding on garden.
Near Kinver (February 11 2009)
Great spotted woodpecker - calling bird in flight.
Sparrowhawk - late in the day and just a brief view but the chasing bird looked like it was after another sparrowhawk in mating behaviour.
Tawny owl - not seen but calling bird heard at 4.40pm and 5.10pm.
Sedgley - backyard birding (February 10 2009)
Collared dove - 2 in garden.
Black headed gull - several in area.
Wood pigeon - 3 in neighbouring tree.
Blackbird - male and female feeding in garden.
Blue tit - single bird at feeding station.
Carrion crow - 1 on nearby roof, 2 heard calling.
Black headed gull - several in area.
Wood pigeon - 3 in neighbouring tree.
Blackbird - male and female feeding in garden.
Blue tit - single bird at feeding station.
Carrion crow - 1 on nearby roof, 2 heard calling.
Sedgley - backyard birding (February 9 2009)
House sparrow - several males and females visiting feeding station.
Starling - several in area.
Black headed gull - several in area.
Blackbird - male and female birds feeding in garden.
Great tit - 1 bird in garden.
Dunnock - 1 feeding bird on garden.
Starling - several in area.
Black headed gull - several in area.
Blackbird - male and female birds feeding in garden.
Great tit - 1 bird in garden.
Dunnock - 1 feeding bird on garden.
Sedgley - backyard birding (February 8 2009)
Wood pigeon - bird in tree and bird in flight. That's all in heavy snowfall.
Near Kinver (February 7 2009)
Treecreeper - several sightings of single bird in a copse.
Grey wagtail - calling in flight.
Goldfinch - 2 birds / 14 birds.
Sparrowhawk - male perched in copse.
Great spotted woodpecker - male chasing female through trees.
Raven - single bird performing aerobatics.
Redwing - flock of 8 in flight / c.12 landed in copse.
Herring gull - 1 in flight.
Nuthatch - 1 bird seen, others heard calling.
Stock dove - 1 bird flight/in tree.
Tawny owl - bird called once at 11.50am. Not seen.
Grey wagtail - calling in flight.
Goldfinch - 2 birds / 14 birds.
Sparrowhawk - male perched in copse.
Great spotted woodpecker - male chasing female through trees.
Raven - single bird performing aerobatics.
Redwing - flock of 8 in flight / c.12 landed in copse.
Herring gull - 1 in flight.
Nuthatch - 1 bird seen, others heard calling.
Stock dove - 1 bird flight/in tree.
Tawny owl - bird called once at 11.50am. Not seen.
Near Kinver (February 6 2009)
Barn owl - brief glimpse of bird in flight at 12.20pm. New bird for 2009.
Common buzzard - in flight 1bird / 2 birds.
Redwing - 1 in tree/flight.
Black headed gull - 2 in flight.
Grey heron - 1 in flight.
Great spotted woodpecker - 1 in flight.
Jackdaw - several in area.
Total for 2009 - 67
Common buzzard - in flight 1bird / 2 birds.
Redwing - 1 in tree/flight.
Black headed gull - 2 in flight.
Grey heron - 1 in flight.
Great spotted woodpecker - 1 in flight.
Jackdaw - several in area.
Total for 2009 - 67
Sedgley - backyard birding (February 5 2009)
Wood pigeon - 1 in cherry tree.
Collared dove - 2 in garden.
House sparrow - several males and females in garden.
Dunnock - 2 in tree.
Carrion crow - in neighbouring tree calling.
Collared dove - 2 in garden.
House sparrow - several males and females in garden.
Dunnock - 2 in tree.
Carrion crow - in neighbouring tree calling.
Near Kinver (February 4 2009)
Mallard - 1 male and 1 female on River Stour.
Jackdaw - several calling birds in area.
Jay - 1 bird in trees.
Great spotted woodpecker - male on tree.
Common buzzard - 2 in flight, 1 of which mobbed by a Carrion crow, later 1 bird soaring.
Stock dove - 1 bird in flight.
Tawny owl - bird heard calling at 11.30am once, but not seen.
Jackdaw - several calling birds in area.
Jay - 1 bird in trees.
Great spotted woodpecker - male on tree.
Common buzzard - 2 in flight, 1 of which mobbed by a Carrion crow, later 1 bird soaring.
Stock dove - 1 bird in flight.
Tawny owl - bird heard calling at 11.30am once, but not seen.
Sedgley - backyard birding (February 3 2009)
Carrion crow - in cherry tree in garden. First time I've seen a crow actually in the backyard.
House sparrow - several males and females in the area.
Starling - several in the area.
Wood pigeon - 2 in the cherry tree.
Collared dove - 2 in the cherry tree.
House sparrow - several males and females in the area.
Starling - several in the area.
Wood pigeon - 2 in the cherry tree.
Collared dove - 2 in the cherry tree.
Sedgley - backyard birding (February 2 2009)
Black headed gull - several in flight.
Starling - several birds.
Wood pigeon - in garden.
Collared dove - in garden.
Starling - several birds.
Wood pigeon - in garden.
Collared dove - in garden.
Sedgley - backyard birding (February 1 2009)
Lesser black-backed gull - single bird in flight, just above roof level.
Starling - c.25 in flock.
Dunnock - 1 bird.
Collared dove - 1 in tree.
Wood pigeon - 2 birds.
Magpie - 1 in flight.
Starling - c.25 in flock.
Dunnock - 1 bird.
Collared dove - 1 in tree.
Wood pigeon - 2 birds.
Magpie - 1 in flight.
Near Swindon (January 31 2009)
Raven - 1 in flight in direction of Baggeridge.
Sparrowhawk - bird low in flight over Staffs/Worcs Canal.
Kestrel - in flight.
Treecreeper - 2 sightings of single bird on tree.
Common buzzard - 1 in flight.
Jay - 1 landed on towpath.
Great spotted woodpecker - several sightings of single bird.
Song thrush - 1 landed in tree.
Pheasant - 3 birds flew across canal.
Sparrowhawk - bird low in flight over Staffs/Worcs Canal.
Kestrel - in flight.
Treecreeper - 2 sightings of single bird on tree.
Common buzzard - 1 in flight.
Jay - 1 landed on towpath.
Great spotted woodpecker - several sightings of single bird.
Song thrush - 1 landed in tree.
Pheasant - 3 birds flew across canal.
Near Kinver (January 30 2009)
Moorhen - several around canal.
Jackdaw - several noisy birds in area.
Mallard - several males and females in area.
Canada goose - 1 on the canal.
Grey heron - 1 in flight.
Long tailed tit - 2 birds.
Jackdaw - several noisy birds in area.
Mallard - several males and females in area.
Canada goose - 1 on the canal.
Grey heron - 1 in flight.
Long tailed tit - 2 birds.
Sedgley - backyard birding (January 29 2009)
Collared dove - 2 feeding on floor around feeding station.
Robin - 1 bird.
Blue tit - visiting nut feeder.
House sparrow - c.20 birds, bothe males and females.
Robin - 1 bird.
Blue tit - visiting nut feeder.
House sparrow - c.20 birds, bothe males and females.
Wagtail flew from neighbour's garden. It was well into dusk and I wasn't able to id, just a brief glimpse.
Priory Park, Dudley (January 28 2009)
Goldfinch - c.12 birds in tree.
Greenfinch - several males and females seen, including several birds calling.
Nuthatch - 2 sightings of single bird.
Herring gull - 10 birds circling over Dudley Zoo.
Starling - In trees, 3 birds, 1 bird.
Mistle thrush - singing from top of tree.
Stock dove - in tree.
Greenfinch - several males and females seen, including several birds calling.
Nuthatch - 2 sightings of single bird.
Herring gull - 10 birds circling over Dudley Zoo.
Starling - In trees, 3 birds, 1 bird.
Mistle thrush - singing from top of tree.
Stock dove - in tree.
Near Kinver (January 27 2009)
Canada goose - 1 on canal.
Sparrowhawk - male in flight.
Jackdaw - c.40 male birds overhead in flight.
Grey heron - 3 sightings of single bird.
Goldfinch - several birds feeding in trees along canal.
Sparrowhawk - male in flight.
Jackdaw - c.40 male birds overhead in flight.
Grey heron - 3 sightings of single bird.
Goldfinch - several birds feeding in trees along canal.
Near Cookley (January 26 2009)
Mallard - several males and females on canal.
Great spotted woodpecker - female on tree.
Common buzzard - 2 sightings of single bird in flight.
Jay - single bird.
Grey heron - 1 in flight.
Great spotted woodpecker - female on tree.
Common buzzard - 2 sightings of single bird in flight.
Jay - single bird.
Grey heron - 1 in flight.
Baggeridge Country Park (January 25 2009)
Redwing - c.25 on field towards ridge (Wodehouse).
Stock dove - 3 in trees along drive to park.
Common buzzard - 1 in flight.
Greenfinch - several by visitor's centre.
Stock dove - 3 in trees along drive to park.
Common buzzard - 1 in flight.
Greenfinch - several by visitor's centre.
Baggeridge Country Park (January 24 2009)
Sparrowhawk - male landed in tree in woodland by Park Farm.
Kingfisher - female bird perched on overhanging tree at head of Upper Wishing Pool.
Stock dove - 4 in field beyond Island Pool.
Common buzzard - 2 sightings of single bird soaring/flight.
Little grebe - bird on Spring Pool.
Tawny owl - roosting bird in usual spot in Whites Wood in English oak.
Mallard - 4 males and 2 females on a 95% frozen Bag Pool.
Black headed gull - 31 on Spring Pool.
Bullfinch - calling male and another sighting of 2 males.
Total for Baggeridge Country park for 2009 - 49
(Added Sparrowhawk)
Kingfisher - female bird perched on overhanging tree at head of Upper Wishing Pool.
Stock dove - 4 in field beyond Island Pool.
Common buzzard - 2 sightings of single bird soaring/flight.
Little grebe - bird on Spring Pool.
Tawny owl - roosting bird in usual spot in Whites Wood in English oak.
Mallard - 4 males and 2 females on a 95% frozen Bag Pool.
Black headed gull - 31 on Spring Pool.
Bullfinch - calling male and another sighting of 2 males.
Total for Baggeridge Country park for 2009 - 49
(Added Sparrowhawk)
Near Cookley (January 23 2009)
Woodcock - seen on the journey there, just as dawn breaking. In flight near Himley Hall.
Weasel - not a bird I know, but one ran across the A449 by the Wall Heath roundabout.
Jackdaw - c.40 birds overhead at first light, over period of 5 minutes.
Great spotted woodpecker - female drumming on tree.
Jay - 2 birds.
Grey heron - in flght.
Treecreeper - 1 bird.
Kingfisher - in flight alomng canal.
Coal tit - calling.
Common buzzard - bird calling / soaring.
Sparrowhawk - female flew to dead tree stump.
Siskin - males and females, flock c.30 feeding in common alder trees.
Total for 2009 - 66
Near Cookley (January 22 2009)
Jackdaw - c.325 in flight overhead at first light over a period of 10 minutes.
Raven - Bird in flight just above tree top level, called once. Later a bird seen high in the sky.
Great spotted woodpecker - female on tree.
Common buzzard - 1 bird soaring and calling, others heard at same time but not seen.
Siskin - c.35 males and females feeding in common alder trees.
Near Cookley (January 21 2009)
Treecreeper - single bird on tree, giving good views.
Chaffinch - several male and female birds feeding on canal towpath.
Raven - bird in flight, dropping beyond far side of canal near A449.
Great spotted woodpecker - flew to tree.
Chaffinch - several male and female birds feeding on canal towpath.
Raven - bird in flight, dropping beyond far side of canal near A449.
Great spotted woodpecker - flew to tree.
Goosander - bird in flight, was coming to land on canal then veered off when it saw me.
Kingfisher - in flight along the canal.
Park Hill farmland (January 20 2009)
This is the area of farmland beyond the Northway estate and the Blind Institute in Sedgley. A cold day and muddy in places but wrap up well and dress properly and those things aren't an issue.
Magpie - largest group of birds c25 in trees and on field.
Common buzzard - 1 bird in flight to tree.
Kestrel - in flight.
Nuthatch - calling bird in Park Coppice.
Great spotted woodpecker - male in Park Coppice.
Goldfinch - several feeding birds in Park Coppice.
Siskin - female bird in with the goldfinches. It pays to look properly. 3 birds in Greenleighs Wood.
Mistle thrush - 1 in flght.
Herring gull - 1 in flight overhead.
Fieldfare - 1 in flight/tree.
Song thrush - on field.
Sparrowhawk - female bird hunting low over field.
Near Kinver (January 19 2009)
Goosander - female bird about to land on pool adjacent to the canal but someone on the grounds of the house caused it to be wary. It circled a couple of times but then decided to try elsewhere.
Jackdaw - 18 very noisy birds in trees.
Common buzzard - 2 sightings of single bird in flight.
Goldfinch - c.25 feeding in trees along canal.
Kestrel - in flight.
Green woodpecker - in flight to tree.
Red Lane, Gospel End Village (January 18 2009)
Moorhen - 2 birds on lane pond, single bird in field above Westgate Farm, could possible have been one of those as time difference between seeing birds.
Black headed gull - several in area.
Lesser black-backed gull - 1 in flight.
Redwing - c.30 in flight over last field on right, joined by others and c.60 landed on the field later.
Stock dove - 2 birds on the last field on the right, single bird in flight to trees along Penn Brook.
Kestrel -in flight.
Jackdaw - 4 calling birds in trees along Penn Brook.
Pied wagtail - bird on front garden wall at home, first sighting for my garden.
Total for 2009 - 65
Baggeridge Country Park (January 17 2009)
Black headed gull - 22 on Bag Pool.
Redwing - 3 on field beyond Lydiates Hill, 2 in boundary hedgerow near Lydiates Hill.
Mistle thrush - 2 on field beyond Lydiates Hill.
Great black-backed gull - 1 in flight.
Bullfinch - 1 male and 2 females feeding in boundary hedge near Lydiates Hill.
Tawny owl - bird roosting in English oak in Whites Wood.
Little grebe - 1 on Spring Pool.
Moorhen - 17 on Spring Pool.
Redwing - 3 on field beyond Lydiates Hill, 2 in boundary hedgerow near Lydiates Hill.
Mistle thrush - 2 on field beyond Lydiates Hill.
Great black-backed gull - 1 in flight.
Bullfinch - 1 male and 2 females feeding in boundary hedge near Lydiates Hill.
Tawny owl - bird roosting in English oak in Whites Wood.
Little grebe - 1 on Spring Pool.
Moorhen - 17 on Spring Pool.
Near Kinver (January 16 2009)
Grey heron - bird in field, later 1 bird in flight and 2 birds in flight.
Raven - bird calling in flight, recognised as one previously seen by gap in wing.
Moorhen - 4 birds feeding on Staffs/Worcs Canal towpath.
Great spotted woodpecker - female on tree.
Fieldfare - flock of 14 in flight.
Green woodpecker - male on tree.
Siskin - several birds.
Goldfinch - several.
Great black-backed gull - single bird in lazy flight along canal route, just above tree top level.
Raven - bird calling in flight, recognised as one previously seen by gap in wing.
Moorhen - 4 birds feeding on Staffs/Worcs Canal towpath.
Great spotted woodpecker - female on tree.
Fieldfare - flock of 14 in flight.
Green woodpecker - male on tree.
Siskin - several birds.
Goldfinch - several.
Great black-backed gull - single bird in lazy flight along canal route, just above tree top level.
Near Kinver (January 15 2009)
Great spotted woodpecker - 2 sightings of single bird.
Goldfinch - c.20 feeding on common alder trees.
Siskin - c.16 males and females feeding on common alder trees.
Common buzzard - 3 birds soaring / calling.
Nuthatch - 1 calling bird.
Goldfinch - c.20 feeding on common alder trees.
Siskin - c.16 males and females feeding on common alder trees.
Common buzzard - 3 birds soaring / calling.
Nuthatch - 1 calling bird.
Raven - 2 birds in flight, later 1 bird in flight. Heard bird calling from trees. Recognised one bird as seen at the end of last year by gap in wing.
Tufted duck - female on River Stour.
Baggeridge Country Park (January 14 2009)
Robin - 8 birds together just below Whites Wood tunnel.
Bullfinch - 1 male and 1 female in tree.
Black headed gull - 20 birds on Spring Pool.
Tawny owl - roosting bird in English oak at Whites Wood.
Little grebe - on Spring Pool.
Bullfinch - 1 male and 1 female in tree.
Black headed gull - 20 birds on Spring Pool.
Tawny owl - roosting bird in English oak at Whites Wood.
Little grebe - on Spring Pool.
Kingfisher - female bird first seen on fence at head of Spring Pool, moved to Lower Wishing Pool and then Upper Wishing Pool. Showing well.
Jay - 2 vocal birds in woodland by Upper Wishing pool.
Green woodpecker - 1 bird in flight into Lydiates Hill, another bird in tree by Upper Wishing Pool.
Near Kinver (January 13 2009)
Grey wagtail - bird in flight.
Jackdaw - several noisy bird in area.
Grey heron - 2 sightings of single bird in flight.
Common buzzard - single bird in flight.
Kingfisher - bird perched on branch overhanging Staffs/Worcs Canal.
Great spotted woodpecker - female preening.
Heard tawny owl calling at 12.10pm
Total for 2009 - 64
Jackdaw - several noisy bird in area.
Grey heron - 2 sightings of single bird in flight.
Common buzzard - single bird in flight.
Kingfisher - bird perched on branch overhanging Staffs/Worcs Canal.
Great spotted woodpecker - female preening.
Heard tawny owl calling at 12.10pm
Total for 2009 - 64
Baggeridge Country Park (January 12 2009)
Tawny owl - two roosting birds in a holly tree in Whites Wood. The regular English oak tree roost was vacant and I'm pretty certain (as you can be in birding) that one of the birds seen was one that is usually in the oak.
Stock dove - 6 birds on field beyond Island Pool.
Little grebe - On Spring Pool.
Nuthatch - calling bird near Spring Pool.
Great spotted woodpecker - female on tree.
Jay - 2 separate sightings of single bird.
House sparrow - several males and females near Whites Wood entrance.
Baggeridge Country Park (January 11 2009)
Pheasant - male bird in field beyond Island Pool.
Tawny owl - bird in regular English oak tree roost in Whites Wood.
Treecreeper - single bird in Whites Wood.
Kestrel - male bird in flight near Spring Pool.
Little grebe - on Spring Pool.
Black headed gull - c.50 circling over Spring Pool.
Common buzzard - 1 in flight.
Greenfinch - c.20 near visitor's centre.
Magpie - 14 in tree by Island Pool.
Total for 2009 - 63
Total for Baggeridge Country Park - 48
Tawny owl - bird in regular English oak tree roost in Whites Wood.
Treecreeper - single bird in Whites Wood.
Kestrel - male bird in flight near Spring Pool.
Little grebe - on Spring Pool.
Black headed gull - c.50 circling over Spring Pool.
Common buzzard - 1 in flight.
Greenfinch - c.20 near visitor's centre.
Magpie - 14 in tree by Island Pool.
Total for 2009 - 63
Total for Baggeridge Country Park - 48
Chasewater Country Park (January 10 2009)
Merlin - female bird flew from woodland adjoining the railway station. Then headed in direction of south shore across the lake. Bird seen at 10.50am.
Ruddy duck - female on lake.
Herring gull - several birds around.
Pochard - three males on lake.
Goldeneye - several males and females diving.
Great crested grebe. Several.
Tufted duck - several on lake male and female.
Canada goose - c.15 in flight over south shore.
Wigeon - 3 males on lake.
Goosander - male and female, former on ice preening.
Total for 2009 - 62
River Dove, Derbyshire (January 9 2009)
Sparrowhawk - 2 separate sightings of single bird in flight.
Cormorant - in flight, 4 sightings of a single bird and 1 sighting of a pair.
Great spotted woodpecker - 2 sightings of a single bird at distance on trees.
Raven - 2 sightings of a single bird in flight.
Goosander - 1 high overhead in flight.
Little grebe - 1 on the river.
Common buzzard - 1 calling in flight.
Fieldfare - several on field and in flight.
Total for 2009 - 54
Cormorant - in flight, 4 sightings of a single bird and 1 sighting of a pair.
Great spotted woodpecker - 2 sightings of a single bird at distance on trees.
Raven - 2 sightings of a single bird in flight.
Goosander - 1 high overhead in flight.
Little grebe - 1 on the river.
Common buzzard - 1 calling in flight.
Fieldfare - several on field and in flight.
Total for 2009 - 54
Baggeridge Country Park (January 8 2009)
Tawny owl - the usual Whites Wood English oak tree roost was empty but the holly tree had a bird in it.
Stock dove - single bird in Whites Wood.
Jackdaw - several birds in Whites Wood.
Siskin - flock of c.10 (males and females) near Bag Pool.
Goldfinch - several.
Bullfinch - two sightings of male and female, male.
Treecreeper - bird on trees at head of Island Pool. Flew twice between trees.
Black headed gull - 41 on Spring Pool, adult winter and 1st winter plumage birds.
Robin - 8 around gate below Whites Wood tunnel.
River Dove, Derbyshire (January 7 2009)
Goosander - single male in flight.
Mute swan - pair on river.
Mute swan - pair on river.
Snipe - single bird in flight over meadow. Later a bird landed further downstream alongside the river.
Cormorant - 3 sightings of a single bird in flight.
Raven - 2 displaying birds over meadow beyond river.
Great spotted woodpecker - female landed in tree.
Little grebe - on river.
Fieldfare - several in flight.
Song thrush - several sightings of a single bird, one of a pair.
Total for 2009 - 53 (added first 5 birds in above list)
Baggeridge Country Park (January 6 2009)
Teal - 1 male, 2 females on Spring Pool. All the other ponds and pools, along with others in the area, continue to be frozen solid, and so I figured that any birds in flight would be tempted by the open water below. Isn't it good when your plans come to fruition? The birds were seen at 9.40 am and were along the far bank of the pool.
Wigeon - female bird on Spring Pool. It is a good 2/3 open water and hopefully will stay that way.
Little grebe - Single bird diving on the Spring pool.
Tawny owl - the English oak tree roost in Whites wood had the bird back (it had been absent my last 2 visits) but the bird in the holly tree was also there. I was convinced that they were the same bird, but are obviously 2 different ones.
Treecreeper - in tree by the Island Pool gate to Himley Hall.
Fieldfare - c.6 calling in flight near Whites Wood.
Jackdaw - several birds seen.
Grey heron - perched bird over Island Pool, bird in margins of Spring Pool.
Partridge - c.6 birds in field beyond Island Pool but at such a distance all I could say was that they were partridges. Most likely to be red-legged birds but unless I'm sure then it won't be a tick.
Total for 2009 - 48
Total for Baggeridge Country Park - 47
Baggeridge Country Park (January 5 2009)
Redwing - several in Whites Wood, 1 by visitor's centre.
Tawny owl - the regular roosting spot in the Whites Wood English oak was vacant, but the bird (most certainly the same one due to plumage) was again in the holly tree that it occupied yesterday.
Kestrel - hovering by Bag Pool.
Song thrush - 1 by visitor's centre, 1 on Lydiates Hill.
Greenfinch - numerous.
Great spotted woodpecker - in flight near visitor's centre.
Lapwing - 4 birds in flight over Bag Pool, travelling from the direction of the Straits towards Red Lane. Later saw a single bird in flight just clearing the tree tops at Whites Wood heading from Himley towards the Straits.
Great black-backed gull - single bird in flight.
Green woodpecker - in flight to Lydiates Hill.
Jackdaw - several on Lydiates Hill and Whites Wood.
Total for 2009 - 44
Total for Baggeridge Country Park - 43
Baggeridge Country Park (January 4 2009)
Kestrel - bird around the Bag Pool area and bird in flight over Gospel End Common.
Redwing - bird calling in flight on Lydiate's Hill.
Song thrush - on Lydiates Hill.
Great spotted woodpecker - on Lydiates Hill.
Bullfinch - Four separate sightings of birds as follows: 1 male, 2 males, 1 male and 1 female, 4 birds including at least 1 male and 1 female.
Goldfinch - several around the visitor's centre.Redwing - bird calling in flight on Lydiate's Hill.
Song thrush - on Lydiates Hill.
Great spotted woodpecker - on Lydiates Hill.
Tawny owl - the usual oak tree roosting spot was empty but I did find a tawny owl in a holly tree and am pretty sure that it was the same bird by the plumage.
Goldcrest - in brambles on Gospel End Common.
Total for 2009 - 40
Total for Baggeridge Country Park - 39
Baggeridge Country Park (January 3 2009)
A freezing cold day, all the pools were well and truly frozen solid, apart from the Spring Pool which still had a certain amount of free water. On my own today as even Twinkle my Bedlington Terrier didn't want to venture out.
Siskin - several male and female birds around the visitor's centre.
Feral pigeon - several around the brickworks.
Goldfinch - several, largest flock 10 birds.
Bullfinch - 2 separate male birds by visitor's centre, male and female by Upper Wishing Pool and 3 males by the brickworks.
Kestrel - male in the Bag Pool area.
Collared dove - 2 in flight by visitor's centre.
Coal tit - 4 separate sightings of single birds.
Nuthatch - several, most seen at one time 4 by Spring Pool.
Lesser black-backed gull - c.5 in flight over Bag Pool, 1 in flight later.
Little grebe - active bird on Spring Pool.
Great spotted woodpecker - in Whites Wood.
Mistle thrush - on field alongside Miners Path.
Tawny owl - roosting bird in Whites Wood oak tree.
Total for 2009 - 38
Total for Baggeridge - 37
Prestwood (January 2 2009)
A short walk along the (frozen) Staffs/Worcs Canal this morning from the Stewponey bridge to the River Stour confluence with the Smestow Brook.
Lesser spotted woodpecker - single bird in flight.
Goldcrest - several sightings of single bird.
Jackdaw - several noisy birds.
Green woodpecker - 3 sightings of single bird.
Nuthatch - 2 birds in trees.
Coal tit - single bird.
Great spotted woodpecker - male in tree.
Grey heron - bird flew from River Stour, later saw a bird on field beyond river.
Total for 2009 - 32
Lesser spotted woodpecker - single bird in flight.
Goldcrest - several sightings of single bird.
Jackdaw - several noisy birds.
Green woodpecker - 3 sightings of single bird.
Nuthatch - 2 birds in trees.
Coal tit - single bird.
Great spotted woodpecker - male in tree.
Grey heron - bird flew from River Stour, later saw a bird on field beyond river.
Total for 2009 - 32
Baggeridge Country Park (January 1 2009)
A very cold New Year's Day indeed, Twinkle my Bedlington Terrier was walking on the Bag Pool as it was frozen solid. I did a video of my day which you can view here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OcqHh8AA0QU&feature=channel_page
Greenfinch - flock of c.20 birds in flock by car park.
Coal tit - several birds seen around site.
Green woodpecker - feeding bird on brickworks chimney about 2/3 of the way up.
Bullfinch - male by visitor's centre.
Tawny owl - the local celebrity roosting in Whites Wood.
Little grebe - very active bird on Spring Pool.
Black headed gull - 57 adult winter birds and 6 1st winter birds on Spring Pool.
Goldcrest - 2 in wood beyond Lower Wishing Pool.
Siskin - c.30 feeding in common alder trees by Upper Wishing Pool.
Kingfisher - caught a small silver fish in Upper Wishing Pool and then ate it on overhanging branch.
Stock dove - in tree by electricity sub-station.
Kestrel - male perched in tree by Bag Pool.
Total for 2009 - 29
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