West Midland Bird Club

Annual Report No 39 1972

Photographs R J C Blewitt

The front cover shows a hen Sparrowhawk at the nest, with well grown young.

The photograph below shows an adult Heron at its nest, one of the thirty-four pairs which nested at Gailey Reservoir in 1972.

West Midland Bird Club

Annual Report No 39 1972

Being the Annual Bird Report of the West Midland Bird Club on the birds of Warwickshire. Worcestershire and Staffordshire.

C o n t e n t s

2 Officers and Committee

3 Editor's Report

4 Secretary's Report

7 Ringing Secretary's Report

8 Treasurer's Report and Financial Statement

10 Field Meetings Report

10 Conservation Officer's Report

12 Ladywalk Reserve

13 The King's Norton Golf Course Nestbox Project 1971 -1972

15 The Birds of Draycote Water 1969-1972

26 Classified Notes

88 Recoveries in 1972 of Birds Ringed in the WMBC Area

94 Recoveries in W M B C Area of Birds Ringed Elsewhere

96 Arrival and Departure of Migrants

103 Key to Contributors

Price 50p

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Officers and Committee 1973

President

Vice-President

Vice-President

Chairman

Secretary

Editor

Treasurer

Field Meetings Secretary

Assistant Secretary

Ringing Secretary

Conservation Officer

Membership Secretary

Kidderminster Branch Rep.

Stafford Branch Rep.

Committee

The Lord Hurcomb, GCB, KBE

A J Harthan, Dovers Cottage, Weston Subedge, Chipping Camden, Gloucestershire

C A Norris, Brookend House, Welland, Worcestershire

A T Clay, " Ardenshaw," Ullenhall, Solihull, Warwickshire B95 5RW

A J Richards, 1 St Asaph's Avenue, Studley, Warwickshire B80 7JB

B R Dean, 2 Charingworth Road, Solihull, Warwickshire B92 8HT

K H Thomas, 34 Froxmere Close, Crowle, Worcester WR7 4AP

A F Jacobs, 2a Green Lane, Hadzor, Droitwich, Worcestershire WR9 7DP

J N Sears, 81 Alcester Road, Hol lywood, Birmingham B47 5NR

E J Pratley, 54 Welford Road, Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire B73 5DP

G C Lambourne, The Cottage Farm, Ipsley, Redditch, Worcestershire B98 OAP

D M Thomas, 43 Mayhurst Road, Hol lywood, Birmingham B47 5QG

L R Bayes, 23 Woodland Avenue, Sweetpool Lane, West Hagley, Worcs. DY8 2XQ

B Craddock, 44 Haling Road, Penkridge, Stafford ST19 5DA

A R M Blake, Mrs D Dunstan, B C George, J R Mountford, Mrs C Randall

E d i t o r ' s R e p o r t

The sequence fol lowed in the Classified Notes is that prepared by the Report Editors' Committee of the BTO. Since the new BOU " check-list " no longer follows the familiar Wetmore Order some decision had to be taken concerning the sequence to be used. The consensus of opinion at the 1971 Report Editors' Conference was that the Wetmore Order should be adhered to and the BTO was asked to produce such a list wi th the minimum of alterations to bring it in line with current thinking.

To achieve a consistent treatment when judging records of unusual or rare species a records committee has been appointed. The task has been approached in a responsible manner with the result that several possibly genuine records have not been included in the report because there was insufficient detail for the committee to make an honest judgement.

At some future date it is hoped to produce a list of those species which require a field description and to give advice on the correct presentation which should help to eliminate much of the correspondence which inevitably delays production of the report.

In this respect it might be pertinent to emphasise that the major part of the report is concerned with monitoring the more common species and records of local status, breeding, migration and interesting aspects of behaviour are all welcomed for the report. Although only a small selection can be published, the true overall picture can only be obtained by study of the mass of supporting records—and the statement that there has been no local change is just as important as a report of an increase or decrease.

I wish to thank John Lord and the officers and committees of the Club for their help and advice. We are also indebted to Rob Hume who kindly provided the excellent sketches of a selection of species occurring during the year, and to Clive Richards for producing the map of Draycote reservoir.

Bi rds in 1972:

The period January to March was mainly mild and wet and numbers of duck and winter thrushes remained low, though the reservoirs provided some interest wi th a Red-necked Grebe and two Red-throated Divers. There was an influx of Bewick's Swans in mid-January and a spate of Glaucous and Iceland Gulls kept watchers busy scrutinizing the gull roosts. Freezing north-easterlies and snow produced a hard-weather movement on January 30, on which date two Eiders f lew over Cannock and a Bean Goose arrived at Alvecote. The period also produced several Waxwings and no less than five Firecrests.

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The Spring was characterised by a normal arrival of early migrants, though later species were delayed by some seven days. A good variety of waders was seen, including two Temminck's Stints. Raptors were well rep-resented by three Ospreys, two Marsh Harriers and a Kite. Early May saw a strong passage of Little Gulls and several Greenland Wheatears were noted, while later in the month the third Red-throated Diver for the year occurred. Following gales at the end of May the Club's first Red-rumped Swallow appeared at Draycote, fol lowed by a Red-necked Phalarope at Chesterton in early June, and later another at Upton Warren.

Bad weather persisted into June causing poor success of early broods, though there was interest in the form of Shelduck breeding again at Ladywalk, Common Terns at Bodymoor and an attempt by Black Redstarts to breed for the first time in Worcestershire. In Warwickshire two pairs of Hobbies bred and a Savi's Warbler sang for several weeks.

Two further Ospreys moved through in June whilst in July a Caspian Tern was noted at Blithfield, a Pectoral Sandpiper at Upton Warren and a Temminck's Stint at Cannock. Mid-July also marked the beginning of a Crossbill invasion, giving an opportunity for many members to see this species.

After a quiet August, September livened up wi th yet another Osprey, fol lowed by Purple Sandpipers at Belvide and Blithfield, the latter also producing the second Pectoral Sandpiper of the year and the Club's second Mediterranean Gull. A Velvet Scoter appeared at Shustoke in October and, in addition to a remarkable series of Spoonbill sightings, the end of the month saw a marked irruption of Bearded Tits affecting all three counties.

In November, Blithfield stole the limelight, when on the 11th, 180 Dunlin were to be seen in company with a Grey Phalarope, Purple Sandpiper, Shore Lark, Red-breasted Merganssr and Smew. Several parties of Whooper Swans were noted and a Peregrine was seen at Baginton, fol lowed by another at Hatton in December, in which month Draycote produced a Ferruginous Duck and Great Northern Diver, and the sixth Firecrest of the year was caught at Hopwas.

B R Dean

S e c r e t a r y ' s R e p o r t We again enjoyed a successful year in which our membership continued to rise. Participation in such events as the National Town and Country Festival at Stoneleigh on August 26/27, The 'Countryside in Coventry' RSPB Branch event on October 28 and the combined ' Open Day ' with the Wildfowl Trust at the Carrs Lane Church Centre on December 2

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no doubt contributing to this end, as did our now traditional joint RSPB/ W M B C film show in the Town Hall this year held on January 18, when the ' Kites are Flying ' and the ' Lonely Level' were screened. Our increasing membership is reflected in the extent of Branch activities which in some areas almost rival the main Club's events and in order to do justice to the areas concerned an account of each branch's activities is given under its own heading.

Surveys 1 972 saw the final year of the ' Atlas Survey ' and as pioneers in the art of '10km sq. surveying' West Midland Bird Club members saw the close of nearly a decade of this type of field activity. Some members also managed to help out with the BTO sponsored Inland Wader Survey in 1972 wi th a dozen major areas in the West Midlands being covered amounting to a considerable single contribution by this Club.

Bi rd W a t c h i n g P e r m i t Schemes During 1972 the full complement of permits for Blithfield reservoir was issued, and the combined totals for Belvide, Gailey reservoirs and the Lady-walk reserve were not far short of 1,000. The pressures from bird watchers on these areas is growing and at popular times of the year the limits of comfort in the hides is reached, a situation which will need to be closely monitored. To help in this respect all permit holders are urged to return their permits at the end of each year logging their visits.

I ndoor M e e t i n g s Once again we are indebted to the Birmingham Museum authorities for providing such excellent facilities for our indoor meetings and our thanks must also go to Peter Hanney and his staff for their continued help and support. The Annual General Meeting held in March was also an occasion of note in that it represented our first members slide night when a dozen members provided examples of their photographic work. Warmly acclaimed by an audience of over 300, our biggest attendance ever for an AGM, this is obviously a formula to be repeated. Meetings held at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery were as fo l lows: January Stanley Cramp ' The Threats to Europe's Birds ' February Dr M Penny ' Western Indian Oceanic Birds ' March Annual General Meeting April Dr J T R Sharrock ' Atlas of British Breeding Birds ' May Dr C D T Minton ' Waders on the Wash ' October Film evening ' Private Life of the Wandering Albatross,'

Birdwatcher Extraordinary,' 'Water Birds ' November Dr M J Thomas ' Wildlife Refuges in the USA ' December George Waterston OBE, ' Birds of Greenland ' A J Richards

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K i d d e r m i n s t e r B r a n c h Repor t Nineteen meetings were held during 1972, including fourteen outdoor meetings mainly at venues in Worcestershire. A visit to Slimbridge was held in March, and as with the other meetings held throughout the year, its success was a tribute to the organising ability of the Branch's new field meetings secretary Miss Mary Hadland. Members shared leaders' duties and visits to established nature reserves were a feature of the programme. Upton Warren in March and Papermill and The Knapp (Alfrick) in April, both owned by the Worcestershire Nature Conservation Trust, well rewarded the members who went. In June and October visits to Menith Wood and Randan Wood were led by the owners, Mr J D Penn and Mr Fred Fincher respectively. This was the first year of a private nest box scheme at Menith Wood established and maintained by Kidderminster members at the request of the owner. A high percentage of occupancy well paid the initiative and effort and promised interesting results over future years. Three meetings were held in the Wyre Forest area and the Branch's own nest box scheme at the Far Forest home of members Mr and Mrs E Reed had its most successful year from the point of view of variety of species occupying boxes. Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, Redstart, Nuthatch, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Starling occupied nineteen boxes and 52 of the 84 young produced were ringed. ' Aspects of Wyre ' was the subject of a talk in October given by Dr Norman Hickin, at one of the Branch's five indoor meetings held in the lecture room of the Kidderminster Public Library. Also in October the Branch was favoured by a repeat visit from Dr Kenneth Southall who showed another selection of his bird films to a keen capacity audience. Another talk, well illustratad by bird pictures was given earlier in the year by member Mr A J Millward. Talks in February and March had an inter-national flavour, members Miss P B Jones and Miss M Shaddock giving highly entertaining accounts of visits to America and New Zealand respectively. L R Bayes

S t a f f o r d s h i r e B r a n c h Repor t 1972 was another successful year in Staffordshire, increasing interest being shown in the Club's activities. Indoors and out a wide variety of birdwatching experiences was offered to members. Kenneth Williamson described the effect on birds of modern forestry techniques and Tony Prater detailed the findings of the Estuaries Enquiry. The delights of birdwatching in Greece and the Camargue were extolled by Michael Densley and Hedley Bell respectively. Nearer home a group of members described their voluntary exile for a week on an uninhabited island in the Inner Hebrides; two other members, F H Restall and Geoff Ward, displayed their talents as photographers; and we welcomed back Gordon Ireson, a former Treasurer of the branch,

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who distilled a little of the ornithological wisdom he has acquired after many years " in the field." The branch's second joint meeting with the RSPB attracted an audience of 900 in Burslem for a showing of the Society's latest films. Field meetings within the county included the three hardy perennials— Blithfield, Belvide and the Leek Moors—as well as Chillington, Copmere and the Cheadle area. Outside the boundary visits were paid to the Lancashire mosses and South Shropshire. In April the County Planning Department published a document entitled " The Way Ahead " — a study of future outdoor recreational requirements in Staffordshire. Its proposals were discussed by the branch committee and members of the main committee, and it was decided we needed to have as much information as possible about all the important ornithological sites in the county. Accordingly a Sites Survey was begun, based on the 10Km squares used in the Atlas enquiry. It is hoped that we shall even-tually have a full register of all worthwhile places in Staffordshire, together with details of species found there, sources of disturbance or pollution, possible threats and so on. E W Longman

Ring ing S e c r e t a r y ' s Repor t 1972 saw the continuation of the various studies occupying the Midland ringers. During the winter, visits were made to the finch and thrush roosts; regular visits over the years show, in the list of recoveries— Redwings to Italy, Norway and France, a Blackbird to Germany, and Chaffinches to Norway, Sweden and Belgium. The Starling roost at Sandon visited on one occasion in 1964, has produced a number of recoveries over the years and although it is now eight years since that visit, two interesting recoveries are reported from the Nether-lands, quite near each other, both in time and location. The Wigeon study at Blithfield continued wi th a good catch made on the last day of the year. Two recoveries were received from the Moscow Ringing Bureau. The Mute Swan study in South Staffordshire progressed throughout the year and some interesting movements are to be found in the recoveries and controls. Canada Geese were again rounded up during their annual moulting period; some interesting double movements were noted, one recovery in particular showing the furthest movement yet, from Bodymoor Heath to Caithness. The BTO Acrocephalus enquiry continued, and although it is two years late (the Ringer having moved abroad) an interesting double movement of a Sedge Warbler is worth including in the controls, as it is the first for the Club's area. Another first is of two Swallows ringed in the Southern Hemisphere near Pretoria, South Africa; one caught by a Ringer at a roost at Arrow in Warwickshire, and the other found dead at Tutbury near Burton on Trent. The ringing details of the first bird were in fact sent to the ringer

Continued on page 10

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Treasurer's Report The def ic i t for 1 9 7 2 w a s £39.15. In 1970 we raised the standard subscr ip t ion f rom 17s. 6d. to £1 ; w e t h o u g h t at the t ime that this w o u l d create a surplus for three years, w h i c h cou ld then be run d o w n in a further t w o years. In fact, due to inf lat ion, w e made a prof i t for on ly t w o years and a sl ight loss in the th i rd year. W i t h economies, w e hope to keep our loss as l o w as possible in 1973, w i t h o u t reducing the level of our service to members. However , w i t h the realisation that costs must con t inue t o rise, the subscr ip-t i on rates have been raised w i t h effect f rom January, 1974. Our prof i t on the " At las of Breeding Birds of the West M id lands " n o w stands at over £400 . W e have sold all but 50 of the 1,000 copies produced for us, and Col l ins themselves

I n c o m e a n d E x p e n d i t u r e A c c o u n t f o r t h e Y e a r e n d e d D e c e m b e r 31 , 1 9 7 2

1971 Income 1972 1325 Subscr ip t ions received for 1972 1493 .42

38 Sale of Reports 133.26 4 Sale of " Birds of Staffs " 6.86

29 Field Meet ings 42 .80 38 C o l l e c t i o n — I n d o o r Meet ings 48 .18 50 Bu i ld ing Society Interest 47 .95

297 Reservoir (Permit Fees) 405 .00 175 At las Fund 151.89

8 4 Open D a y : Film S h o w Receipts 92.18 33 Greet ings Cards Receipts 82 .84

£2 ,073 £2 ,504 .38

L i a b i l i t i e s as a t D e c e m b e r 31 . 1 9 7 2

1971 831 As at January 1, 1972 2 2 5 Less: Def ic i t for the year

1 ,056 337 Subscr ip t ions in Advance

Loan (Foyle Trust) 250 Less: Repayment

1 ,643

1972 1,055.69

39.15 1 ,016.54

372 .00 250.00 250.00 —

£1 ,388 .54

We have examined the above Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended December 31. 1972, and Balance Sheet at that date and we certify that, in our opinion, the said Income and Expenditure Account gives a true and fair view of the Club's Excess of Expenditure over Income for 1972 and the Balance Sheet gives a true and fair view of the state of the Club's affairs as at December 31, 1972 in accordance with books, vouchers and information given to us.

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have sold almost all their own 1,500 copies. We have now paid off all our loan debts in this connection. Our other publication " The Birds of Staffordshire " is rapidly becoming a collector's item and we now have less than 20 remaining. The Conservation Fund (started in 1969, wi th income from the indoor film show and surplus realised on the Field meetings) was increased by £53 at the beginning of 1972. At the end of the year the realisable value of the Fund was £390, compared wi th the amount invested over the four years of £242. A payment of £20 to the Brandon Marsh Conservation Group came from this Fund. A further attempt is to be made to persuade members to covenant their subscriptions for 1974 onwards. Also present covenanting members are being asked to make new covenants at the new subscription rates next year.

E x p e n d i t u r e f o r Year End ing D e c e m b e r 31, 1972

1971 1972 110 Indoor Meetings 103.58 576 Reports 722.99 532 Bulletins 865.81 163 Printing, Stationery and Postage etc. 258.02 294 Reservoirs (Permit Fee), Insurance, Hide Rental 386.88

18 Subscriptions to Associates 38.75 4 Atlas Expenditure 16.30

143 Open Day Expenditure 116.60 8 Greetings Cards Expenditure 25.15

— Display Board 9.45

£1,848 £2,543.53

£225 (Surplus) D e f i c i t f o r t h e Year £39.15

Asse ts as a t D e c e m b e r 31, 1971

236 Cash at Bank 180.21 1,218 Investment in Leicester Permanent Building Society 966.49

Conservation Fund (189.68 Scot Exempt Growth Units at cost) 241.84

1,643 £1,388.54

Arthur Young, McClelland Moores & Co., Chartered Accountants.

K. H. Thomas, Hon. Treasurer.

February 20, 1973

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c/o The Reed Bed, Arrow, instead of to the BTO; the local postman soon sorted it out. During the year there were reports of long lived birds being recovered or controlled ; a Swift ringed as an adult in 1962 at Minworth was recovered at Sutton Coldf ield—thus being at least 11 years old. Starlings ringed in 1963 and 1964 were reported still alive; a blackbird ringed in 1964 and a Blue Tit ringed in 1966 were recovered. These records show how some birds do survive in and around our big cities. E J Pratley

Fie ld M e e t i n g s S e c r e t a r y ' s R e p o r t During the year 15 field meetings were held. These included weekend expeditions to Anglesey and Norfolk, and day trips to the Dee estuary, the North Staffordshire Moors, the Wyre Forest, the Ludlow area, Cannock Chase, the Lickeys, Upton Warren, and reservoirs at Blithfield, Belvide, Cannock, Gailey and Bittell. All meetings were well attended, both by old friends and an increasing number of new members. To keep party members within manageable limits, the expedient was tried of splitting some of the most popular meetings into separate trips on different weekends this proved successful and wil l be extended. A F Jacobs.

C o n s e r v a t i o n O f f i c e r ' s R e p o r t There are a number of projects in which we have been involved in the last 12 months from a conservation point of view. It is interesting to note that in nearly every case reported below they concerned " w e t lands" and in each case there is also an involvement regarding facilities for bird watching. The liaison committee for the Gailey Reservoirs continues to meet each year and much goodwil l is shown by all concerned. Our main preoccupa-tion here is to protect the heronry and so far no serious effect has resulted from the sailing. Our concern is that some unexpected accident might occur close to the island which would keep the herons off their nests for an appreciable time on a cold, wet day. A good number of Herons bred in 1972 and the number of young raised was fairly normal. We are also concerned about the aging of the scots pines in the heronry and the possible deterioration of the wi l low trees. To deal wi th this situation we were able to get permission to plant some new wi l lows and to fix some nesting platforms to the old pine trees, the latter inspired by the erection of plat-forms on the continent for White Storks. So far two platforms have been erected. British Waterways met the cost of purchasing the wi l low trees. During the breeding season we would like to reduce the disturb-ance from people walking on the central embankment whilst protecting the position of bird watchers wi th permits. Our representative attended a meeting to review the provisions for recreational activities at Draycote Water and we have an invitation from

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the Water Board to consult with other natural history bodies wi th a view to putting forward agreed proposals. We should like to see one of the bays at this very large water reserved for birds so that there is a small area to which they can resort when it is being intensely used by sailors and fishermen. We have continued to support the Brandon Marsh Conservation Group and have recently made a grant available towards the cost of a hide. Our policy is to encourage the establishment of a nature reserve at this site. We have maintained our close and friendly relationship wi th the South Staffs Water Board in respect of Blithfield and have recently taken part in the first meeting of a panel of users. Some 12 months or so ago we agreed that if sailing was restricted to a 100 acre area adjacent to the dam it would do no great harm to the birds. We are, however, anxious that this shall not lead to a demand for a bigger area. Negotiations continue wi th British Waterways wi th the object of establish-ing Belvide as a recognised bird sanctuary. These negotiations have been in hand for some years and we hope that it wil l not be too long before they reach a successful conclusion. We would like to commend our member Mr H J Gilbert for his persistent efforts to influence the Birmingham City Council in regard to their planning and development of the River Cole Walkway. We consider that there are opportunities to further nature conservation by this scheme and it is disappointing that the City have shown very little response to Mr Gilbert's or the Club committee's offers of co-operation. The Club's nest box schemes continue and we should like to thank the several members who have put much effort into this project. The com-mittee is hoping to appoint a central recorder who will be able to provide a detailed report in future years. The Club and its officers enjoyed a close and friendly relationship wi th many public and other bodies in regard to conservation matters and the Club would like to thank all those involved who we believe have done much to further nature conservation in the Club's area. Mr S C Brown has been acting as assistant conservation officer for Staf-fordshire and Mr G R Harrison has been doing likewise for Warwickshire. Our thanks are due to them for the considerable efforts they have made to further nature conservation in their counties. G C Lambourne

J o h n Lord For 21 years John Lord has been Editor of the Club's report and he has done the work with devotion and distinction. Not only has he been responsible for providing members with a metic-ulously accurate annual report on the status of birds in the Club's area, but he has achieved a national reputation for his work and brought credit to the standing of the Club.

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The Club has paid the only compliment possible in its constitution by making John Lord an Honorary Member. He fol lowed in the footsteps of former outstanding editors—Tony Norris and Tony Blake—and we are confident the good example of these wil l be successfully fol lowed by Brian Dean, the new Editor. A Talbot Clay

L a d y w a l k N a t u r e Reserve The first full year of the reserve has seen an increase in the contributors to the hide books and in the number of bird species encountered. Eighty-six observers recorded 125 species, and of these, fifty-three are known to have bred. Shelduck and Little Ringed Plover once again were successful and the marsh area is now well established as a breeding and wintering refuge for dabbling duck. In late autumn c600 were counted. Mallard predom-inating; by the end of the year Teal numbered 2 0 0 + , Wigeon were approaching 100 and small numbers of Pintail were regular. The same marsh area produced a reasonable variety and number of waders on passage with Green Sandpiper, Redshank and Snipe wintering. The presence of an Oystercatcher from mid-April into May raises hopes for yet one more breeding species. The decision not to attempt to control the growth of Orache (Atriplex sp.) which carpets the area in Autumn resulted in adequate food supply for wintering Teal and Finch flocks. It is intended, when feasible, to extend the area of permanent shallow water nearer to Hide A. Church Pool Covert has suffered setbacks in 1972. At peak occupation time the nest boxes were interfered with and a third of them removed resulting in widespread desertion and consequent abandonment of the recording plan so carefully started last year. There was some successful

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occupation of the remaining boxes by Blue and Great Tits after a quick tidying up operation. As a start to the 1973 programme three owl nest boxes have been erected. Heavy rains in late summer caused pollution of the pool in the covert by effluent from the local pig farm. The CEGB has been assured that there wil l be no recurrence so the introduction of aquatic vegetation wi l l be repeated. Our thanks must go to the CEGB and Mr T Howard, the Site Superinten-dent, for the facilities and co-operation accorded to us, and to the Wardens, Messrs M Pugh, E Hopkins and B Kington for their diligence and vigilance through the year. H T Lees

T h e K i n g ' s N o r t o n G o l f Course N e s t b o x Pro jec t , 1971 a n d 1972 During the latter part of 1970 the West Midland Bird Club was approached by the King's Norton Golf Club and invited to start a nestbox project on their new 220 acre course at Weatheroak (Worcs.). 83 boxes consisting of 81 conventional and 2 open fronted types were purchased by the golf club and erected by W M B C members in the spring of 1971. The boxes were sited in 8 main copses, and in hedgerow and isolated trees.

1971 Season Excluding five boxes which were lost the percentage occupancy based on the number of boxes in which eggs were laid was 57.5%. Species nesting w e r e : — Blue Tit 25 clutches

Great Tit 13 Coal Tit 2 Tree Sparrow 5 Nuthatch 1 clutch Wren Cock's nest only

Due to various other commitments observations were not continued beyond the first week in June by which time 157 nestlings and 5 adult birds were ringed as f o l l o w s : —

Blue Tit 98 Pulli and 1 adult female Great Tit 36 „ „ 4 „ Coal Tit 17 „ Tree Sparrow 6 „

1972 Season The 1972 season saw an increase in the number of boxes erected from 83 to 100, comprising 92 conventional and 8 open fronted types. Of these, two were subsequently lost. Percentage occupancy on the same basis as last year was 65%, a slight increase. Other statistics for the season are given in the fol lowing table. In the first 4 columns the figures refer

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to the number of boxes whilst the final column gives the number of individual pulli ringed.

Number of boxes in which A / /1 m hot /VUfflUuf

Species nests dutches young young of were were were were Pulli built laid hatched ringed Ringed

Blue Tit 17 16 12 10 74 Great Tit 10 10 7 7 45 Tree Sparrow .. 53 35 23* 20 67 Spotted Flycatcher 2 1 1 1 3 Coal Tit 2 2 2 1 7 Nuthatch 1 1 - — —

Wren 1 - -

Unidentif ied Tit 1

Totals 87 65 4b 39 196

*Out of 34 boxes—outcome of other not known. From the table it wi l l be noted that there is a difference between the number of clutches laid and the number of clutches from which young hatched; this is largely accounted for by vandalism when several clutches of eggs were taken. One of the most noticeable differences between 1971 and 1972 was the increase in the number of Tree Sparrows from 5 to 35 clutches. The Tree Sparrow is the only species for wh ich there is sufficient data to calculate breeding success. Approximately 55% of eggs laid hatched and 47% fledged. In certain cases the Tree Sparrows took over nests already occupied by tits and in one instance a dead Blue Tit was found at the side of a Tree Sparrows nest. It wi l l be noted from the table that many Tree Sparrow nests were built in which no eggs were subsequently laid. Once they have reached ringing age it appears that most birds leave the nest successfully. In only one case were ringed young found dead in the nest and this brood (of ten Blue Tits) had been deserted by one parent when the other had died in the nest. A further point of interest was that in both years one box occupied by a Great Tit proved to have a completely infertile clutch of eggs. However there is no proof that the same individual was concerned in both cases. 10 eggs were laid in 1971 and 9 in 1972 and incubation continued for at least 24 days, whereas the normal period is 13-14 days. In 1971 it was noted that two or three pairs of Spotted Flycatchers were present on the golf course and in 1972 a box was successfully sited. Four young hatched and three were raised to ringing age, at least. In conclusion, thanks are due to the Kings Norton Golf Club and in

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particular their head greenkeeper, Andy Jamieson for their valuable assistance. John Carruthers Terry Gray Mike Inskip Philip Ireland

T h e B i r d s o f D r a y c o t e W a t e r , 1969-1972 Draycote Water, situated about four miles south-west of Rugby, covers an area of about 700 acres and is thus by far the largest water in Warwick-shire. It should therefore rank wi th Blithfield Reservoir in Staffordshire as one of the most important areas for water birds in the West Midlands. Relatively few bird-watchers have visited Draycote Water regularly but even the degree of cover, leading to the records under review, confirms the status of the reservoir as a site of prime ornithological importance. The period covered by the classified notes is 1969-1972 inclusive, cor-responding to the end of construction and the filling of the reservoir. So far water has not been drawn off in large quantities and the effects of lowering the level of the reservoir have yet to be observed. Even so some interesting changes of habitat, and hence birds, have already taken place during the period under review. Civil engineering began on the site in 1967 and the dams took shape during 1968. Water began to accumulate in pools at this stage from the small natural inflow. However, it was not until pumping of water from the River Leam began late in 1968 and early 1969 that a reasonably large area of water was created. A significant feature at this stage was an island, now Musborough Shoal, largely devoid of vegetation which was thought to have been the breeding ground of Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Redshank, Little Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher, the last of particular note. Much of the reservoir edge at this stage lacked vegetation and proved attractive to wadars, particularly Ruff and Greenshank in autumn. Weeds growing on disturbed ground provided food for large numbers of finches in the winter of 1969/1970. Grain crops were produced in the summers of 1968 and 1969 from below the final high-water level and may have encouraged the Greylag and White-fronted Geese to stay for periods of a week or more and the numbers of Stock Doves to reach the hundreds in the fol lowing winters. Pumping during the 1969/1970 winter raised the water to near the final level and trout-fishing began in the summer of 1970. The appearance of fishermen around the water's edge may have accounted for the reduc-tion in the numbers and variety of wader species present during this and subsequent passage periods, but the situation may improve in the future as water is drawn off in larger amounts and considerable areas of mud exposed. The remaining period up to 1972 has seen the raising of the water to the

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final level, the t idy ing-up of rough vegetation and the planting of many hundreds of trees. This last may have an important bearing on the small passerines occurring in the area in the future.

Records are available from the end of 1968, and to date over 150 species have been recorded at Draycote Water. Of these, t w o have warranted the attention of the Rarities' Commit tee—Whi te-winged Black Tern and Red-rumped S w a l l o w — a n d many others were significant records on a Midland scale. An Osprey stayed for a few days and reduced the stock by a fish or t w o ; four Spoonbills paid brief visits on two days; three Red-crested Pochards spent a period at the Reservoir; a Mediterranean Gull was recorded on a brief visit and Hobbies have been seen regularly. In addit ion the records show a good selection of divers, grebes, sea-ducks, geese, gulls and terns to have visited the reservoir.

Draycote Water has proved an attractive winter roost for gulls, and esti-mates of the maximum number present recently have reached 100,000, of which most were Black-headed Gulls.

Surface-feeding ducks appear to have reached peak numbers in 1969 or 1970 and fewer birds have been counted in later years. Mallard reached 1600, Wigeon 1000 and Teal the remarkable total of 1500 in this period, whereas maximum numbers since have been about 500, 400 and 50 respectively. The peak wintering populations corresponded wi th the reservoir being part-filled, thus having an extensive shore-line wi th recently drowned vegetation and this may explain the high numbers at that time. Diving ducks have shown a similar change from maxima of about 500 for both Tufted Duck and Pochard in 1969 and 1970 to maxima of 100-150 more recently. This seems more difficult to understand. In addit ion Bewick's Swan records have now become isolated and Pintail and 'grey geese' are scarce visitors. Coots on the other hand have increased steadily in numbers.

It is not possible to be sure of the causes of these changes at this stage as the period of review is short, and so the effects of habitat changes, the severity of winter weather, the extent of winter sailing and other disturb-ance cannot yet be properly assessed.

The few regular bird-watchers, to w h o m I am indebted for recording their observations, have been assisted by personnel on the site both during construction and later, but the cover achieved cannot be considered to have been adequate and many interesting ' records ' must have gone unrecorded. In v iew of the diversity of records which have been made, Draycote Water is plainly a very important ornithological site for War-wickshire and the West Midlands as a whole. Finally I wou ld like to thank the Rugby Joint Water Board for their help and co-operation.

R Brownsword

17

Map of Draycote Water

C l a s s i f i e d L i s t

B l a c k - t h r o a t e d D iver One and later two seen November 8-Decem-ber 6, 1970.

Grea t N o r t h e r n D iver A single bird present December 16, 1972 to the end of the year.

Grea t Cres ted Grebe Usually present. Winter numbers have not exceeded 10 birds. Numbers have built up in spring to 30-50 birds in April and in 1969 stayed high until October, wi th four pairs attempting to breed but recently few records in summer and autumn and breeding has not been attempted.

Red-necked Grebe One seen March 8-10, 1969.

Slavon ian Grebe Single birds recorded November 10-14, 1970, January 21 - March 14, 1972 and on November 24, 1972.

18

B l a c k - n e c k e d Grebe Single birds seen on March 9, 1969, August 31, 1971 and October 1-5, 1972.

L i t t l e Grebe Usually present. Up to five birds have recently over-wintered and been recorded in spring and summer. Numbers have built up in autumn when up to 30 have usually been present, wi th a maximum of 31 on October 5, 1969.

C o r m o r a n t An occasional visitor, usually singly but four birds present on April 10, 1971.

Shag An immature bird seen on August 14 and 15, 1971.

H e r o n Usually present. Numbers have varied wi th the extent of disturbance.

S p o o n b i l l Four immature birds present on October 19 and 20, 1972.

M a l l a r d Usually present; has bred in each year wi th up to three pairs rearing young. Numbers have built up in winter and reached 1600 in November, 1970. However less than 500 present in 1971 and 1972.

Teal Winter visitor usually arriving in September and leaving in April, although occasionally recorded in the summer. Numbers in winter reached several hundreds in 1969 and 1970 with a maximum of 1500 counted on January 15, 1969. In contrast, less than 50 wintered in 1971 and 1972.

G a r g a n e y Occasional summer visitor. One or two birds recorded in 1969 and 1971 in the period June-August but seven noted on June 22, 1969.

G a d w a l l Occasionally recorded in autumn and winter. Up to five birds present September 20-0ctober 12, 1969 and one or two seen in September and December, 1972.

W i g e o n Winter visitor usually arriving in September and leaving in April. Numbers have reached 800-1000 by February but in recent winters only about half that total have been present.

Pin ta i l Winter visitor. Only one or two present in recent winters whereas in 1969 numbers of 20-30 often recorded and about 40 birds present in February of that year.

Shove le r Now apparently only a winter visitor in small numbers wi th less than 10 birds present. Recorded throughout 1969 and two pairs thought to have bred; up to 25 present during that autumn.

Red-c res ted P o c h a r d Up to three birds present August 20-0ctober 15, 1972, could well have been wi ld birds.

19

Scaup Four birds seen on September 14 and one on October 5, 1969.

T u f t e d Duck Usually present; has bred in each year. Numbers have usually increased to a peak in later winter but maximum recorded was 550 birds on November 15, 1970. Less than 100 recorded in 1971 and 1972.

Pochard Winter visitor usually arriving in August and leaving in April, although recorded during the summer of 1969. Numbers built up in late winter of 1969 and 1970 to about 500 birds. Maxima in 1971 and 1972 however were only about 150 birds.

Goldeneye Winter visitor arriving in October and leaving in spring as late as early May in 1969 and 1971. Numbers have not usually exceeded 10 birds but 14 recorded on October 31, 1970.

Long- ta i l ed Duck . A duck present on November 25, 1970.

V e l v e t S c o t e r A drake recorded on February 7, 1970.

C o m m o n S c o t e r A drake present on September 17 and 18, 1972.

R u d d y Duck A duck present on December 18, 1972.

Red-breas ted M e r g a n s e r An occasional visitor in spring or autumn. Two or three present April 15-18, 1971 and one on October 4, 1970.

Goosander Winter visitor arriving in November and leaving in March. Numbers have not exceeded nine and usually only two or three present recently.

S m e w A drake and two ducks present on February 13, 1971.

She lduck An occasional visitor in small parties of up to eight birds. Most records have been in March and December but five seen on Septem-ber 14, 1972.

Grey lag Goose A party of 14 or 15 present February 22-March 5, 1969, the number falling to three on the last date.

W h i t e - f r o n t e d Goose Parties of nine present January 6-15, 1969 and eight January 14-24, 1970. Additional casual records in 1970 of 17 birds on February 7 and 29 flying over the reservoir on December 16.

B r e n t Goose Three birds present on February 7, 1970.

Canada Goose An occasional spring visitor but only one or two birds recorded at a time.

M u t e S w a n An autumn and winter visitor; frequently only one or t w o birds recorded but on occasions the number has reached four or five. A recovery was made in 1971 from a bird ringed two years earlier at Oxford.

20

B e w i c k ' s S w a n A winter visitor recorded between November and March. Recorded frequently in early 1969 but wi th lower frequency each succeeding winter. Numbers have usually been less than 10 but 23 birds present on March 2, 1971.

Osprey A bird visited the reservoir to fish August 24-31, 1970.

Buzzard A casual visitor recorded in 1969 and 1972.

H o b b y Recorded fairly regularly each year in the late summer. Many records have been of one or two birds but in September, 1969 and 1972 four recorded together on occasions, presumed to be family parties.

Kest re l Usually present hunting on the reservoir banks.

Red- legged P a r t r i d g e Small numbers recorded occasionally. Bred in 1970 when a pair seen wi th 12 pulli on July 24.

P a r t r i d g e Recorded regularly. Autumn coveys have reached 40 birds. Bred in 1969 and 1971.

Pheasant Recorded occasionally; bred in 1970.

W a t e r Rail A bird seen on October 5, 1971.

M o o r h e n Recorded regularly; has bred. Numbers have increased wi th growth of cover in Toft Bay to about 20 birds.

C o o t Usually present. 20-30 birds present during recent summers but wi th no attempt at breeding; in 1969 27 nests located although disturbance and egg-theft allowed little success. Numbers have built up in autumn and reached 600 by mid-winter.

O y s t e r c a t c h e r An occasional visitor in early spring when up to four birds recorded in each year. One also seen on December 23, 1972. In 1969 birds recorded on many dates March 24-August 14. From the behaviour of the pair during spring and summer, breeding almost certainly took place on the island, now Musborough Shoal; four birds seen on July 25.

L a p w i n g Usually present; has bred. Numbers have built up to 2 -300 in autumn.

Ringed P lover Small numbers usually recorded on passage in spring (Apri l -May) and autumn (August-September). The majority of records up to five birds but seven seen on August 20,1969. A bird seen on August 20, 1972 had been dye-marked earlier in the year in Greenland.

L i t t l e R inged P lover Formerly a summer visitor breeding at the reser-voir but recently present only in spring and again in late summer as a passage migrant. Breeding took place on disturbed ground with three pairs in 1969 and one pair in 1970. Up to eight birds present in these years but since numbers have only reached five.

21

G o l d e n Plover Occasionally recorded (August-March), usually single birds flying over the reservoir although flocks of 14 seen on February 23, 1969 and October 31, 1970.

T u r n s t o n e Occasionally recorded on passage in autumn (August-September) and to a lesser extent in spring (May). Usually only one or two birds involved but four recorded on May 11, 1970.

Snipe Small numbers recorded on passage. Spring numbers usually less than five but in autumn up to 10 recorded. In 1969 however, up to 40 birds present during the autumn.

Jack Sn ipe In 1969 up to three birds seen regularly September 20-December 26, but recently recorded only occasionally in October, usually single birds.

C u r l e w Up to six birds recorded in 1969 (March-December) but since, records have been only of single birds on spring passage.

W h i m b r e l Only recorded in 1969 when up to three birds present on dates in April and May.

Green Sandp ipe r Regular on autumn passage (July-October) with up to six birds in 1969 but fewer in subsequent years. Recorded occasionally in winter (November-February) but not on spring passage to date.

W o o d S a n d p i p e r Single birds recorded in August, 1970 and 1971.

C o m m o n Sandp ipe r Recorded regularly on passage in spring (April-May) and autumn (July-September). Numbers usually less than 10 in spring but up to 20 in autumn. A pair may have bred in 1970.

Redshank Recorded regularly in 1969 (March-September) and breed-ing strongly suspected. Fewer, but still regular, records made in 1970 but since seen only singly and infrequently. Maximum number present 15 on August 2, 1969.

S p o t t e d Redshank Recorded in spring only in 1970 when one or two birds present on May 18 and 19. On autumn passage seen in 1969, 1970 and 1971 (August-October) with one or two, and once three, birds present.

Greenshank Recorded on spring passage only in 1969 when up to four birds noted in May. Regular autumn passage migrant (July-October). Up to 10 birds recorded in September 1969 but since numbers have not exceeded six.

K n o t Occasionally recorded on autumn passage (September). Isolated records made in 1969 and 1970 but up to three birds seen regularly in 1972 feeding on small fish dragged out of the water as a result of weed clearing operations.

22

Little St int A single bird seen wi th Dunlin on August 14, 1969.

D u n l i n Usually recorded on passage in spring (March-May) and autumn (July-November) and occasionally in winter. Numbers have exceeded 10 on only one occasion.

C u r l e w S a n d p i p e r A single bird recorded in spring on May 12, 1970. In autumn up to three birds seen August 31 -September 9, 1969.

S a n d e r l i n g One or two birds recorded on spring passage (May) in 1969, 1970 and 1972. Two birds seen on July 19, 1969.

R u f f Recorded on autumn passage in 1969 when up to eight birds present August 20-0ctober 29. However in later years only single birds seen on isolated dates in July, August or September.

Grea t B l a c k - b a c k e d Gul l A few birds occasionally seen with other gull species in autumn and winter.

Lesser B l a c k - b a c k e d Gul l Large gull roosts have built up as the reser-voir has f i l led; this species has usually made up about one-sixth of the total. About 5000 counted on February 25, 1971.

H e r r i n g Gu l l Present at winter roosts but numbers have usually only reached a few hundreds.

C o m m o n Gu l l Recorded in winter when up to 50 birds present.

G l a u c o u s Gul l One seen on April 11,1970.

M e d i t e r r a n e a n Gu l l A single bird, the first Warwickshire record, seen on July 6, 1971.

L i t t l e Gu l l Up to three birds, usually immatures, recorded on passage in spring (March-May) or autumn (August-September).

B l a c k - h e a d e d Gul l The most numerous species in winter roosts making up about four-f i f ths of the totals. About 35000 counted on February 25, 1971. A few birds often present in summer.

K i t t i w a k e Immature birds recorded in autumn 1970 (August-December) wi th a maximum of six present on August 24. An addlt seen on December 16, 1972.

B lack Tern . Recorded in all months May-September wi th peaks in May and August. Spring passage has usually involved less than 10 birds together although 15 seen on May 6,1971. On autumn passage numbers have seldom exceeded 10 but about 25 present on July 28, 1969. In 1972 birds recorded on only two dates in spring and one in autumn.

W h i t e - w i n g e d B lack Tern An immature bird seen wi th Black Terns on August 24 and 25, 1970.

23

C o m m o n T e r n Usually identified on spring passage in May wi th up to six present but majority of autumn passage birds only probably of this species. Numbers have rarely exceeded six in autumn (July-October) but up to 15 recorded on a few dates. In 1972 single birds seen on only three dates.

A r c t i c Tern Recorded in spring (May) when up to 10 birds present and up to three birds identified in autumn (August-September). Roseate Tern A single bird seen on May 4, 1969.

L i t t l e Tern Recorded in spring; one seen on May 4, 1969 and two on May 30, 1971.

S a n d w i c h T e r n Recorded in autumn 1969 when one or two birds seen on three isolated dates in July, August and September.

S t o c k Dove Flocks of up to 100 seen regularly during winters of 1969 and 1970; 200 seen on January 11, 1970. Recorded since in smaller numbers.

Col la red Dove Recorded occasionally; six birds present on February 7, 1970.

Barn O w l Single birds seen on two dates in winter.

L i t t l e O w l Single birds recorded on three dates in late summer or autumn 1970 and 1971.

T a w n y O w l Seen only once on March 31, 1971.

S h o r t - e a r e d O w l Recorded in winter (December-March) in 1970 and 1971, usually singly but two present on January 17, 1971.

S w i f t Often seen in large numbers at passage periods feeding over the water and dams. A late bird seen on September 14, 1969.

K i n g f i s h e r Recorded singly in September of each year; in 1971 and 1972 birds stayed at least until the end of the year.

Green W o o d p e c k e r Few recorded until 1972 when single birds seen fairly regularly throughout the year.

Grea t S p o t t e d W o o d p e c k e r Single records in each year 1970-1972 of a bird in March or November.

Lesser S p o t t e d W o o d p e c k e r One bird seen on November 14, 1971.

Sky la rk Usually present; increase in numbers noted during hard weather movements.

S w a l l o w Birds often seen feeding over the reservoir, in large numbers during autumn passage.

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R e d - r u m p e d S w a l l o w A bird, the first recorded in the Midlands, seen wi th Swallows on May 27, 1972.

House M a r t i n Frequently seen feeding with Swallows.

Sand M a r t i n Small numbers occasionally recorded amongst other hirundines.

C a r r i o n C r o w Usually present; numbers have built up in late summer to over 100 birds.

H o o d e d C r o w One or two birds present for most of the period January 25-March 31,1969 but three recorded on the first date and four on March 2.

M i s t l e T h r u s h Up to four birds recorded on isolated dates.

Fie ld fa re Recorded in surrounding farmland in winter. Two birds noted on August 21, 1971, an early date. R e d w i n g Recorded in winter on farmland.

W h e a t e a r Birds seen regularly on passage in spring (March-May) and in autumn (August-October) when up to six birds present. A late bird recorded on October 29, 1969.

S t o n e c h a t One or two birds resident for periods of up to eight weeks during winter in each year 1969-1972.

W h i n c h a t A bird recorded in spring on May 3, 1969. Up to three birds seen on passage in autumn (August-September), 1969-1971.

B lack R e d s t a r t Single birds recorded January 15-February 19, 1969 and on March 30, 1961.

N i g h t i n g a l e A bird heard in song on May 3, 1969.

Sedge W a r b l e r Single birds recorded on isolated dates in July or August.

W h i t e t h r o a t Occasionally recorded; family parties reported.

Lesser W h i t e t h r o a t A single bird seen on May 4, 1969.

W i l l o w W a r b l e r Occasionally recorded on passage.

C h i f f c h a f f Recorded on passage.

S p o t t e d F l yca tche r A few birds usually recorded in August or Septem-ber.

M e a d o w P ip i t Present, and sometimes numerous, on passage in spring (February-March) and in autumn (September-October). Occasionally recorded at other times and has bred.

25

Tree P ip i t Single birds recorded on isolated dates in spring and autumn. Rock P ip i t Single birds seen on March 26,1969 and on autumn passage (September-October) in each year 1970-1972. Pied W a g t a i l Usually present and at times numerous. White Wagtails have been identified on passage in April when up to six birds recorded. Grey W a g t a i l Single birds seen in most months in spring and autumn and occasionally in winter. Y e l l o w W a g t a i l A few recorded on spring passage but numerous in late summer when estimates of birds present have exceeded 100. G r e e n f i n c h Winter flocks numbered several hundred birds in 1969 when weeds were abundant; numbers more recently have not exceeded 10. G o l d f i n c h Flocks encountered in autumn or winter have contained up to 60 birds.

L innet Autumn flocks contained up to 300 birds in 1969 but since have rarely exceeded 100 birds. T w i t e Two birds seen on February 3, 1971. Redpol l A single bird seen on January 8, 1969, but small groups of up to 24 birds recorded regularly in 1972 (February-March). B u l l f i n c h Up to 10 birds have been recorded. Crossb i l l Two females seen on October 18, 1970. C h a f f i n c h Regular in winter when numbers have reached 200; also recorded at other times of the year.

B r a m b l i n g A few birds recorded in the early months of 1969 and 1970, with 20 present on February 7, 1970.

Y e l l o w h a m m e r Numbers have often exceeded 100 in autumn and winter ; a total of 350 birds present on December 28, 1970. C o r n B u n t i n g Up to three birds noted occasionally in summer (May-July) and in December.

Reed B u n t i n g Numbers have reached 40 birds in winter. A few birds usually recorded in the breeding season but up to 30 present in 1969.

S n o w B u n t i n g Single birds present in 1969 in early spring (February-March) and December. Up to seven birds seen November, 1970-January, 1971.

Tree S p a r r o w Large numbers recorded in winter; 700 birds estimated present on January 25, 1970.

O t h e r species r e c o r d e d : Woodpigeon, Turtle Dove, Cuckoo, Rook, Jackdaw, Magpie, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Wil low Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Tree Creeper, Wren, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Starling, House Sparrow.

26

Classified Notes

The sequence followed is that of the BTO Species List of British and Irish Birds (1971) based on the Wetmore Classification. See page 103 for key to contributors.

Grea t N o r t h e r n Diver Warks One present at Draycote from December 16 until end of year

RBJFMFJL CHP.

R e d - t h r o a t e d D iver Staffs At Cannock reservoir one reported on February 4 PCT fol lowed

by another on March 31 GE RAH and April 1 DS PCT. A bird in summer plumage at Belvide on the unusual date of May 22 CR.

Grea t Cres ted Grebe Numbers generally very low at both ends of the year; reports suggest at least one or two pairs breeding on most suitable waters. Maxima reported were 30 at Alvecote on July 16 GAA; 32 at Coombe Abbey on March 12 CHP; 9 on April 12 at Bartley MT; 38 at Bodymoor Heath on April 2 EAH; 28 on April 16 at Draycote GRH JVH. Up to 36 present at Bittell KC and at Westwood CPB in May, wi th 10 at Kyre Pool MSS and 8 at Upton Warren TAW during March. 90 on June 4—several observers—at Blithfield where unusually common in winter wi th 30 throughout December JL. Low maximum of 29 at Belvide in June DS; At Cannock reservoir 18 present on March 18 DS and 16 at Chillington GIG.

Warks

Worcs

Staffs

27

Red-necked Grebe Staffs One seen by many observers at Gailey between February 5 and

28.

S lavon ian Grebe Warks One reported by several observers from January 21 to March 14

at Draycote and another on November 24 and 26 RB JL. One at Shustoke on December 10 BLK.

Worcs At Westwood one from November 26 SPH to December 3 CNL. Staffs The 1971 bird at Blithfield seen regularly until end of January,

then intermittently to March 5 and one attaining breeding plumage on April 9 — m a n y observers; another reported on December 2 RAP. One at Belvide on January 29 DS PCT and at Teddesley Pool on March 18 NJD.

Black -necked Grebe Warks One reported at Leamington Spa reservoir on January 26 and

February 10 EJB. At Draycote one between October 1 and 5 RB. Staffs A bird at Blithfield on January 16 AEC KSE and one from October

26 DS until November 12 MAB.

L i t t l e Grebe Small numbers widely reported on many waters; larger con-centrations inc lude :—

Warks 54 at Alvecote on October 14 GAA; 54 at Bodymoor Heath on October 4 BLK; 30 at Draycote on October 15 GRHJVH.

Worcs 10 on May 10 was most recorded at Upton Warren PA where 3 or 4 pairs bred AFJ TAW.

Staffs 22 counted at Belvide on July 29 DS; 40 at Blithfield on Septem-ber 14 RAH; 15 at Bridgtown subsidence pools on August 14 GE; failed to breed at Cannock reservoir where very few noted RAH.

Ganne t Warks An immature found dead near Priors Hardwick on June 27

RB and an adult f lew north over Coventry on December 6 during a period of coastal gales KHR.

C o r m o r a n t All Warwickshire and Worcestershire records shown.

Warks One at Draycote on April 3 GRH JVH and at Bodymoor Heath on April 9 and 12 EAH. On April 15 a flock of 9 reported flying over Ladywalk DHR, Bodymoor Heath HTL and up Tame Valley EAH. At Packington Park 2 on May 1 and November 26 LJB KS.

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At Shustoke one on August 29 DTU, 2 on November 25 and one on December 12 BLK. One at Alvecote on April 23, 4 on May 2 and one during September GAA.

Worcs One at Upton Warren on April 17 RMB; on May 28 one at Kyre Pool MJI and one over Dudley /CW. Two near Worcester from August 15 to 17 MFF CNL SMW. One at Westwood Park on June 1 MFF. At Bittell 2 on January 13, 1 on April 9 and one from September 20 to 25 GFA KC.

Staffs 35 at Blithfield on March 1 BCG, 28 at Gailey on February 21 SMW, 1 5 at Belvide on October 13 AJD and at Cannock reservoir where unusual, five on April 17 (several observers) and one on October 21 ARMB.

H e r o n Only six pairs at Coombe Abbey CHP. Six nests at Berkswell ARD BRD PDH and two pairs near Hunningham CHP. 17 birds counted at Bodymoor Heath on July 26 EAH. Up to 12 birds at Grimley gravel pits during spring SMW, six at Wilden on June 25 RM, 11 at Bittell on August 13 PKD and 10 at Pirton Pool on September 2 GB. 71 pairs bred at Aqualate, 34 at Gailey, 53 at Abbots Bromley, 20 at Enville FCG. A nest built but not occupied at Chillington FCG GIG. Unusually scarce at Blithfield where maximum was only 16 on July 21 RAH.

B i t t e r n

Warks One at Brandon on October 1 BMCG.

S p o o n b i l l Warks On October 19 and 20 four immatures spent the mornings at

Draycote per RB and afternoons at Brandon BMCG, leaving the latter during the early afternoon of October 20, to be seen later f lying north west over Bartley reservoir PRP.

Staffs Four immatures came down at a pool at Claverley, near Wolver-hampton, late on October 20 per AJR. An immature remained at Blithfield from October 26 DS until November 9 PM. M a l l a r d

Warks 700 on January 23 was most recorded at Draycote GRH JVH, 250 at Brandon on December 17 BMCG, 100 at Arbury on October 22 MS, 818 at Coombe Abbey on October 15 CHP, 300 at Lady-walk on November 11 EAH, 130 at Bodymoor Heath on February 2 SVB and 234 on November 19 at Alvecote where at least 20 broods totalled over 125 young GAA.

Warks

Worcs

Staffs

29

Worcs 250 at Bittell on November 3 MAB, 300 at Upton Warren on September 30 MAB TAW and 400 at Westwood Park on Novem-ber 25 SPH.

Staffs At Blithfield 1650 counted on December 10 JL TWF, 1200 at Belvide at both ends of the year CR DS and 163 at Gailey on February 27 DGE. 1500 at Aqualate in October and December DFH.

Teal Warks 50 at Draycote on January 16 CHP, 100 at Ladywalk in January

and March EAH DHR, 400 at Brandon on December 10 BMCG, 100 at Arbury on January 30 MS, 225 in late October at Alvecote and 70 at Middleton Hall Pool GAA.

Worcs 38 at Bittell on March 12 MT, 100 at Westwood Park on November 25 LAB, and 100 at Upton Warren on November 5 MAB where pair present throughout June AFJ.

Staffs 150 at Belvide on November 25 DS, and about 1200 in late October at Blithfield TWF JL DS where late brood of newly hatched ducklings noted on August 9 RAH. 100 at Hopwas on February 27 AJD.

Garganey Warks Up to four frequently seen in Tame Valley from March 25 until

mid September HTL and a pair thought to have bred at Ladywalk where family party seen on August 27 EAH HTL. Three present at Bodymoor Heath on August 3 JHB SMH. A pair noted regularly between April 30 and late July at Brandon wi th two present on August 13 and 3 on August 20 BMCG. At Alvecote a pair noted from April 15 to 24, then one or two birds from May 27 to June 27, and a single bird from September 16 to October 4 GAA.

Worcs One at Bittell from April 22 to 24 MAB KC PKD, one on August 5 KC fol lowed by another on September 4 with 2 on the 7 and 9 MAB KC. A duck recorded at Wilden on August 24.

Staffs At Belvide one present from April 15 to 25 followed by up to three between May 6 and 26. Up to 6 present from July 1 wi th peak of 10 noted on August 18 and final bird on October 15 DS CR. At Blithfield noted regularly between July 30 and September 9 wi th six reported on August 13 GIG. Following 7 on October 4 BCG, one or two recorded until October 28. A pair present at Stafford Water Meadows on April 22 AEC RJJ, and two at Stubbers Green on October 4 RS.

G a d w a l l Warks A single bird at Packington Park on January 30 KS and a pair

between February 29 KS and March 19 JW. One at Packington

30

Gravel Pits on July 20 and at Shustoke on November 6 BLK. Up to four noted at Bodymoor Heath between October 24 BLK and November 18 NJD. Noted regularly in Tame Valley in autumn and winter months wi th a maximum of four birds EAH HTL. Two reported at Bran-don on February 26 BMCG, and at Draycote one on September 10 CHP and on December 1 RB. At Sutton Park the 1971 pair remained until February 1 SMH and one stayed from November 12 ARMB to end of year SMH. At Alvecote seven or eight present between January 2 and March 5 wi th 10 on January 23. Two noted on April 2 and, fol lowing three on September 24, one or two seen regularly from October 14 to December 17 GAA.

Worcs A duck at Bittell on March 26 KC; three at Westwood Park on November 25 SPH, two on December 3 CNL and five on Decem-ber 27 SPH. At Upton Warren a pair present on January 30 PA AFJ and up to five frequently reported by many observers between mid August and early November.

Staffs At Belvide a pair present from March 18 DS until May 31 CR with three between May 4 and 7 DS. After two on June 14 PKD and one in early July DS, two present on September 19 AJD and three on November 25 followed by seven on the 27 DS. At Cannock reservoir three occurred on November 10 GE and 11 CR DS fol lowed by two on December 4 RAH. At White Sitch t w o seen on February 4 and five on the 28 JL. Three noted at Chillington on March 18 GIG and two at Tixall on February 7 AJD. A single bird at Blithfield reported on January 9 ARMB, and then two noted from August 12 DHR until September 14 GE RAH with four on August 20. A later series of records from October 3 DC until November 26 DS wi th 4 on October 29 BCG.

W i g e o n Maxima reported were 450 at Draycote on January 23 GRH JVH; 75 at Ladywalk on January 16 EAH; 200 at Brandon on February 19 BMCG; 134 at Shustoke on January 16 DTU; 40 at Bodymoor Heath on March 4 JHB SMH DFP; 64 at Alvecote on February 27 GAA and 100 at Coombe Abbey on February 13 CHP. 52 counted at Westwood Park on January 26 and about 80 at Bittell on February 12 SMW and also on December 21 MAB. 10 at Upton Warren on November 19 SPH RM where two noted on July 22 PKD and one on 23 AFJ. At Blithfield very low numbers at the beginning of the year

Warks

Worcs

Staffs

31

rapidly built up to over 1000, producing counts of 1600 on January 30 DS and 1070 on February 12 JL TWF. A flightless duck reported by several observers from July 2. 175 on January 22 was maximum at Belvide DS; 60 on March 18 at Chillington GIG; 70 at Tittesworth on February 19 PAB; 20 at Gailey on February 20 RG; 8 at Cannock Reservoir on December 22 and 150 at Aqualate in December DFH.

Pin ta i l Warks A drake seen by many observers at Draycote from September 28

to end of year. Two or three present at Brandon between March 5 and April 2 and a drake noted on December 31 BMCG. One reported at Coombe Abbey on December 31 CHP. Up to three seen frequently at Bodymoor Heath during January to March EAH with six counted in February 2 KESOS. Two to four birds encountered regularly in Tame Valley after mid Septem-ber EAH HTL, the maximum being six on September 9 at Body-moor KESOS. A pair at Shustoke on January 19, a drake on 30 and October 11 fol lowed by seven on November 12 BLK. Two at Middleton Hall Pool on January 9 and October 8 DHR with four on October 15 GAA. Up to four recorded at Alvecote from November 4 to end of year GAA. A single bird at Packington on February 13 KS.

Worcs On at Westwood Park on February 20 MBP and two at Tarde-bigge reservoir on September 13 JRH. At Upton Warren two noted on February 4 DMT and a flightless bird present from July 17 ARMB TAW until end of year with five seen on December 25 AFJ and t w o on 29 GB TAW. One present at Bittell from March 20 to April 11—several observers, and then noted from August 24 KC until end of year wi th two on December 22 DMH.

Staffs At Brocton gravel pits two on January 9 GS fol lowed by one on October 8 and three on 26 RS. Three at Longsdon on March 11 and three at Endon on March 17 HWK. A pair at Yarnfield on March 19 IJD. After three at Cannock reservoir on September 26 RAH, a drake remained from November 12 GE until end of year. One seen at Gailey on February 12 DS and two on March 15 RM MBP. One at Belvide on January 22, three on 29 DS, three on March 5 RM MBP, four on September 30 CR, singles on October 24 and November 5 wi th two on November 11 DS. At Blithfield small numbers, usually less than five, present until March 5 apart from eight on January 15 TWF JL. After an early bird appeared on August 20 CR DS, up to eight usually present from early October to end of year wi th peaks of 23 on October 17 DS and 15 to 18 during most of November—many observers.

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Shove le r 17 present at Draycote on March 25 GRH JVH; 140 at Brandon on September 19 where two pairs bred BMCG; 117 at Coombe Abbey on October 15 CHP; 15 at Ladywalk on February 27 and 30 at Bodymoor Heath on October 24 BLK; 12 at Packing-ton Park on February 13 KS and 54 at Alvecote on October 12 GAA. 100 reported at Upton Warren on October 29 MT, 25 at Westwood Park on December 27 SPH and 17 at Bittell on November 20 DMH. At Pirton Pool 12 counted on November 26 GB. 230 noted at Blithfield on October 7 TWF JL where one pair bred. Only one pair bred at Belvide where 150 counted on September 17 CR and on December 2 ICW. 12 present at Cannock reservoir on November 25 CR DS. At Aqualate 135 present in December DFH.

M a n d a r i n Staffs A duck at Belvide on November 24 JL and a drake at Blithfield

on October 29 AS.

R e d - c r e s t e d Pochard Warks A duck seen at Draycote on August 20 CHP AJR, then usually

three present until October 28 wi th one until November 17 JL. One at Packington Park from February 15 to March 15 KS JW.

Staffs A drake noted at Blithfield on October 1 KR.

Scaup Warks At Bodymoor Heath a duck reported on October 8 and two on

15 EAH. Worcs Three ducks at Bittell from August 8 KC until August 12 PA. Staffs A duck present at Blithfield from November 16—several ob-

servers—unti l December 26 CR. An immature male at Cannock reservoir from January 22 ARMB until February 26 SPH, and a duck from November 25 CR until end of year with two birds seen on December 16 GE RAH. A drake reported at Bridgtown subsidence pools from February 19 GE to March 20 BCG. At Gailey a duck present from Decem-ber 17 to 25 BC.

T u f t e d D u c k Warks A pair bred at Shustoke where 190 counted on February 2 BLK;

200 seen at Bodymoor Heath on February 13 where 15 broods totalled 115 young EAH. At Draycote 200 present on January 30 GCB and brood of six noted on August 13 JL. 47 young reared at Brandon and 68 birds counted on February 19 BMCG.

Warks

Worcs

Staffs

33

Two broods totalling 14 young reported at Ladywalk DMR. At Coombe Abbey 107 present on April 19 CMP and 236 counted on January 30 at Alvecote where 22 pairs produced 128 young GAA. Bred at Packington Gravel Pits BLK JW, Marston Green KS, and at Edgbaston Park—several observers.

Worcs Bred at Crofton Pool MJ! and 150 counted at Bittell on November 12 KC. 150 seen at Westwood Park on January 22 LAB; 105 noted at Kidderminster Pools on December 16 RAD MSS in which area one or t w o pairs bred—several observers. Two families reared at Upton Warren AFJ.

Staffs At Blithfield 440 counted on January 15 and two broods seen on August 12 TWF JL. 420 seen on November 18 at Belvide where 12 broods totalled 57 young DS. At Gailey 350 reported by several observers on February 6, and 145 present at Cannock reservoir on March 11 DS. 103 occurred at Copmere on April 1 RG. Bred at Whitmore producing 13 young JG.

Pochard Warks Maxima at various waters were 180 at Draycote on December 9

GRH JVH, 92 at Brandon on March 11 BMCG; 146 at Coombe Abbey on February 13 CHP; 500 at Shustoke on February 2 BLK; 217 on February 13 at Bodymoor Heath where bred EAH; 80 at Packington Park on February 27 KS and 237 on December 16 at Alvecote where five pairs reared 21 young GAA.

Worcs Unusually plentiful during the first winter period at Wes twood— several observers, and 300 reported on January 22 LAB. 48 counted at Upton Warren on January 9 RM\ 70 at Bittell on November 26 MAB and 130 at Pirton Pool on December 29 GB.

Staffs 600 counted at Blithfield on January 2, 230 at Belvide on January 9 and 260 at Gailey on February 12 DS. 155 seen at Cannock reservoir on February 7 AJD and 152 at Bridgtown subsidence pool on February 19 GE. At Aqualate 77 present in November DFH.

Fer rug inous Duck Warks One, thought to be a first year male, present at Draycote on

December 9 GRH JVH.

Goldeneye Warks Many reports involving one or two birds. 11 counted at Dray-

cote in March RB CHP and on December 23 JL. At Shustoke 20 seen on February 2 BLK and 38 at Bodymoor Heath on February 13 EAH. An injured drake remained during the summer at Bodymoor Heath and was seen by many observers.

Worcs One or two reported during winter months from Bittell, Upton Warren and Westwood Park. Maxima were 5 at Westwood on

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January 22 SMW SPH; three at Upton Warren on April 8 AFJ; four at Bittell on February 17 and 23 KC and also on March 19 MT.

Staffs 50 counted at Blithfield on February 7 AWW; 22 at Gailey in March BC and 25 at Black Lake on December 2 AE. Exceptional numbers at Belvide in the first winter period RM DS when spring maximum was 112 on March 22 DS. Even larger numbers this year at Cannock where about 50 present in December and 61 on December 24 RAH. This emphasises the remarkable change that has taken place here; it is difficult to believe that Cannock reservoir was considered very poor for Goldeneye only a few years ago.

V e l v e t S c o t e r Warks A duck reported at Shustoke on October 23 BLK.

C o m m o n S c o t e r Warks At Shustoke a duck present on February 2 and a drake on July

9 and 11 BLK. A drake at Draycoke on September 17 GRH JVH and 18 RB.

Staffs At Blithfield a drake occurred on July 19 ESC EMR and a duck seen by many observers on November 26. A duck at Belvide stayed from October 17 to November 11 CR DS. A duck reported at Cannock reservoir on July 7 RAH and single drakes on August 28 and September 4 GE.

Eider Staffs A duck and an immature male flew south west over Cannock

reservoir on January 30 DS PCT.

R u d d y Duck Warks Single ducks seen at Draycote on September 24 JL and December

18 RB are the first for the reservoir. Seen regularly from July onwards at Alvecote with most in November and six on November 19 and 26 GAA.

Worcs One or two seen regularly at Upton Warren with four on May 9 TAW and October 8 DTU. A few occurred at Westwood Park in the early months of the year, the most being five on February 27 SMW; four seen at Pirton Pool on March 4 SMW and on June 16 GB.

Staffs 62 counted at Belvide on December 9 DS and a duck wi th three ducklings seen on September 18 JL. At Blithfield 35 present on February 20 ARD BRD PDH and on December 17 GIG. At White Sitch nest containing nine eggs seen on May 30 and young on July 8 JL. Two noted at Copmere on February 12

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PAB and on March 25 IJD; two at Norton Mere on April 23 and July 8 JL; and two near River Sowe during August KL.

Red-breas ted M e r g a n s e r INarks A drake and a duck reported at Brandon on January 2 BMCG. Staffs A drake at Blithfield on February 6 BCG GIG and a duck at

Gailey on February 26 GIG. At Belvide two birds present on May 5, and a duck seen at Blithfield on November 10 and 11 JL.

Goosander Warks Very few at Draycote, one or two only being reported from

January 12 /ME to March 28 RB, and from November 19 WAM to December 9 GRH JVH JL. Two seen at Shustoke on Decem-ber 10 BLK and 4 at Seeswood Pool on December 5 per GAA. At Alvecote a duck present from February 19 to 27 GAA and at Packington a drake noted from February 13 to 17 wi th a duck occurring from February 25 to 27 KS.

Worcs One at Bittell from January 27 KC to February 12 PKD, and then four on February 17 KC and 2 on 19 PKD. Up to six present from November 25 to December 22 KC. At Upton Warren a drake recorded on November 26 AFJ.

Staffs Sixty counted on January 30 at Blithfield ARD BRD PDH where a drake again summered for the third year. At Belvide 25 on February 13 was the maximum reported GIG. One present at Gailey from January 12 DS to 14 JL; two noted at Yoxall from March 6 to 11 BCG; two at Clay Mills on March 4 RG; 12 at Tittesworth on January 2 and February 5 PAB; four at Copmere on February 12 PAB and 60 at Bromley on March 18 AH.

S m e w Staffs Single ducks seen at Belvide on April 30 and at Blithfield from

November 5 CR DS to 12—many observers.

She lduck Excluding the breeding pair, noted in all months except June wi th most records in January and March.

Warks Bred at Ladywalk for the third year, producing brood of 12 young — m a n y observers. At Brandon single birds seen on January 29 and 30 and from February 5 to March 11 BMCG; two present on March 21 JL. One on March 10 GRH JVH and five on September 14 EAE were the only records at Draycote. Reported at Shustoke on March 1 and Packington gravel pits on March 9 BLK. One at Marston on April 9 KS, three at Bartley on August 25 KHT and five recorded at Compton Verney on December 24 RA. At Alvecote one noted on April 8 and 9; up to four from

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April 22 to 30, two through most of May, two from July 27 to August 1 and four on December 31 GAA AEC.

Worcs At Bittell three recorded on January 16 KC, six on January 22, one on February 17 KC, one on July 31 and two on November 25 MAB. five present up Upton Warren on February 29 AFJ fo l lowed by singles on March 15 SMW and between September 16 and 19—several observers; four noted on December 26 AFJ. At Westwood Park one reported on March 4 CPB and three on December 31 SPH. One seen at Sinton Green gravel pits on March 3 JEC.

Staffs At Blithfield one or two noted on a few dates in January, February, March and April wi th four present on February 6 GIG. Four seen on August 6—several observers, seven on September 25 RAH, and then two from October 29 until end of year wi th four on a few dates—many observers, and six on December 31 ESC EGP. One or two recorded on six dates from January to April at Belvide—many observers, wi th seven on April 15 ARMB BC DS. Two present on August 10 EMR, four on September 3 RAP DS, 10 on 16 RAP and one on October 17 DS. Two recorded at Cannock reservoir on January 19 AJD and an im-mature from August 20 RAH was seen by many observers regularly until November 19 JL. One reported at Gailey on January 21 PKD, seven at Westport on January 19 and three at Tittesworth on January 22 HWK, three at Chillington on March 18 wi th five on April 23 GIG, one at Berry Hill on October 19 and one at Knypersley on December 27 HWK.

Grey Lag Goose The vast majority of records must refer to feral birds.

Warks Flock of 45 present from February 27 to June 6 at Packington Park where 29 goslings counted; then 60 seen until November 23 KS. A pair reared five young at Brandon and were seen regularly to end of year BMCG. Two noted at Packington gravel pits on February 24 and one at Bodymoor Heath on May 16 BLK. At Alvecote one remained from May 7 to 14 GAA AECo.

Worcs Two reported at Upton Warren on April 14 and 1 5 MAB KC TAW, one or t w o at Westwood Park between March 19 and May 21 CPB SPH SMW, and two adults with a gosling seen at Pirton Pool from June to September.

Staffs One seen at Chillington on June 24 GIG; one at Gailey on Novem-ber 4 SPH; one at Blithfield on November 11 and 12—several observers; one at White Sitch on November 3 JL; one at Himley Hall on December 3 BMM; one or two at Belvide from January to March DS; flock of 15 reported at Enville MSS.

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W h i t e - f r o n t e d Goose Warks Party of 11 at Draycote on February 13 GRH JVH JL and also on

February 22 DNM. 100 seen heading NE over Meriden on March 4 JW.

Worcs At Upton Warren seven occurred on March 1 AFJ, December 30 RM and 31 AFJ.

Staffs Flock wintered on pasture at Wheaton Aston DS and visited Belvide as fo l lows: 16 on January 10 RAH; 15 on 22 DS PCT; 22 on 30 FCG; 21 on February 13 DS and 21 MFF SMW. In the second winter period 15 seen on October 21 RAP; 16 on November 4 and two on December 21 ICW. At Blithfield eight seen on February 6 and 11 on 20 BCG. A party of unknown size f lew over Rickerscote on February 5 FCG and a party heard over Kinver Edge on February 28 RM. Seven recorded at Yoxall on October 2 BCG.

Bean Goose Warks One present at Alvecote from January 30 GAA AECo to February

27 AECo.

P i n k - f o o t e d Goose Warks Single birds at Packington from April 7 LJB to June 6 KS and at

Bodymoor Heath on May 30. Worcs One at Upton Warren on May 7 SMW and 8 TAW. Staffs Five reported at Tittesworth on January 2 PAB and one at

Himley from November 14 to December 6 MSS. Most of the above reports probably refer to feral birds.

S n o w Goose All records certainly of feral birds.

Worcs The 1971 bird at Stevens Park stayed until January 8 when it was briefly joined by another bird; on May 26 two birds noted MSS. One occurred at Upton Warren on February 14 TAW.

Staffs Single birds reported at Belvide on March 26 EGP and on June 5 CR, and 2 at Enville on January 29 JCL MSS.

B r e n t Goose Warks One recorded at Bodymoor Heath on January 16 EAH and at

Draycote on January 21 IME. Staffs One reported at Acton Trussell on November 23 NJD.

Barnac le Goose All records probably escapes.

Warks 1971 birds remained throughout 1972 at Packington Park KS JW, as did a bird at Bodymoor Heath EAH.

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Worcs Three present at Westwood Park from March 24 to 29 CPB SPH CPB.

Staffs At Belvide three noted on March 31, one on November 4 and one on 25—several observers. Three present at Chillington from May 7 BC to June 24 GIG. One seen at White Sitch on November 3 JL.

Canada Goose Many records but is obviously under reported, especially concern-ing breeding records.

Warks Reported as breeding at Ladywalk, Sutton Park, Brueton Park, Bodymoor Heath, Packington Park, Packington gravel pits, Brandon, Arbury and Edgbaston Park. Largest flocks reported were 400 at Bodymoor Heath on September 9 BLK; 100 at Ladywalk on September 3 DHR; 220 near Marston Green on August 29 KS, 60 at Packington gravel pits on July 17 JW; 73 at Seeswood Pool on January 30 MS; and 100 at Edgbaston Park on September 1 KESOS.

Worcs Bred at Mary Stevens Park LRB SFLE MSS and 87 seen on September 18 MSS. At Upton Warren, where bred, 105 present on August 19 MT and 21 TAW. 172 counted at Bittell on October 10 KC and 56 at Cofton Hackett on October 3 GE. Also reported as breeding at Barnettbrook, Captain's Pool and Grimley gravel pits.

Staffs Maxima reported were 171 on October 15 at Belvide where bred DS; 124 at Blithfield on November 11 TWF JL; 200 at Gailey on September 24 AECo; 190 at Patshull Pool on January 25 ESD; 250 at Chillington on July 1 6 BCG; also bred at Brocton gravel pits, Enville, White Sitch and Water Orton. 200 counted at Aqualate in September DFH.

M u t e S w a n Warks Maximum at Alvecote was 146 on July 16 GAA and at Body-

moor Heath 49 on November 5 EAH. Staffs 56 counted at Cannock reservoir on December 3 SMH; 30 in

June at Blithfield reported by several observers; 34 at Knighton reservoir on October 22 BC.

W h o o p e r S w a n Warks Three reported at Packington Park on March 13 KS. At Body-

moor Heath an immature appeared on October 29 EAH and was joined by an adult on November 12, both being seen by several observers up to December 24 HTL.

Worcs Four f lew west over Bittell on October 24 KC and family party of four occurred at Upton Warren on November 1 KHT.

Staffs Five f lew south-west on November 7 at Seisdon, near Dudley PGD.

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B e w i c k ' s S w a n Warks At Draycote one seen on November 26 JL, three on December

11 per RB, and three on December 27 CHP and 28 per RB. Three reported at Bodymoor Heath on November 19 RJJ; four at Ladywalk on January 29 DHR; 14 at Alvecote on January 30 GAA AECo; two at Bartley on March 1 MT; 12 at Edgbaston Park on January 18 KESOS.

Worcs 14 present at Upton Warren on January 31 JLT and two on February 16 RM; at Westwood 24 recorded on March 1 CPB; two noted at Pirton Pool on November 26 and six on December 29 GB; nine reported near Tenbury Wells on November 18 per LRB; 20 flew north over the Severn at Worcester on February 14 LAB.

Staffs Five noted at Bridgtown subsidence pools on April 19 BCG and 20 at Gailey on February 2 PM. At Belvide two present on March 4 DS PCT and 5 MJH RM MBP. Twenty seen at Cannock reservoir on January 19 AJD, 17 staying to January 22, several observers and four circled without landing on December 19 RAH. At Tittesworth two reported on January 23 and February 19 PAB fol lowed by six on March 4 and three on 11 HWK. One noted near Rugeley on January 9 IJD; two at Copmere on March 5 KSE; six at Westport on March 1 DK. At Blithfield small numbers present from early January to March 20, maximum counts being 15 on January 16 PM; 12 on March 5 ,15 on 11 and 12, and 10 from 14 to 20—many observers. 16 counted on November 18 ARMB JL, five on 20 MAB, eight on 25 and seven on December 2—several observers.

Buzzard Forty-two sightings outside breeding season comprising eight for Warwickshire, 18 Worcestershire and 16 Staffordshire. Only reports of more than one bird and those in breeding season given.

Warks Two resident all year at Packington Park LJB. Worcs One at Menith Wood in June JRM and a pair near Kidderminster

in breeding season per LRB. Single birds noted over Uffmoor Wood on May 21 JEC; in the Wyre Forest during May to J u l y — several observers; and at Kyre on May 28 MJI and 29 ICW, fol lowing a record of two on April 30 MJI. Two reported near Stourport on January 23 MHB.

Staffs One occurred at Gailey on May 1 BCG; two at Ingestre on October 21 CS; and six over Weston Park on November 12 PGD.

S p a r r o w h a w k Many records, mostly from Staffordshire.

Warks A bird seen over Birmingham in July SVB and one at Bodymoor

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Heath on May 30 KESOS were the only summer reports for the county.

Worcs Summer records from Upton Warren EGP, Trench Wood AFJ, Northwick Marsh CNL and Bayton per LRB.

Staffs Breeding season reports from Chillington GIG, Himley—several observers, Cannock reservoir ARMB, Cannock Chase KAW, Hednesford EGP. Bl i thf ield—many observers, Stoke SS, Madeley JG, Kings Bromley, Yoxall and Hoar Cross BCG, Weston-under-Lizard PGD, Keele area JG and Blackbrook Valley DS.

Red K i te Warks A bird seen near Ladbroke on March 26 JMD and at Whitnash on

April 22 EJB is the first record in the three counties since 1961. Several other reports in the immediate and neighbouring area during this time suggest the presence of a single bird for some weeks.

M a r s h H a r r i e r Warks Two near Chesterton on May 1 RJHo.

Osprey Warks One occurred at Compton Verney on June 13 and 14 JM BM. Worcs At Pirton Pool a bird remained from September 2 to 5 GB.

A 1971 record received is of a bird at Stanford Court in April per CRLR.

Staffs One seen by many observers at Belvide on April 9 and another at Cannock reservoir on June 23 and 30 DAH.

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H o b b y Warks Nested at two localities in Warwickshire. One seen at Knowle

on August 14 AJR and at Stonebridge on August 18 DS. Seen at Draycote from August 20—several observers, to September 28 DNM with family party of four or five from September 5 DO to 8 RB RPW. One reported at Priors Hardwick on August 25 RB. At Brandon one noted on several dates from May 7 to August 20 with two on August 8 and 15 BMCG. One seen at Sutton-in-Brailes on September 10 TL, one at Hartshill on July 9 PHM and two at Bedworth on August 29 with one on September 25 MS. Reported from Edgehill, Wellesbourne, Warwick and Leamington during autumn EJB JF.

Worcs Both a male and a female seen frequently at Upton Warren in July and August SPH AFJ TAW. Single birds reported at Evesham on June 24 TAW, Northwick Marsh on September 2 SMW and Nafford on June 23 ARD BRD PDH.

Staffs One present at Blithfield on May 7 ESC JEF EGP and July 16 AS; one seen at Cannock reservoir on August 19 GE, 25 GE RAH and September 9 JEF.

Peregr ine Warks A bird occurred at Baginton on November 8 BDH, and at Hatton

on December 25 GRH JVH.

M e r l i n Warks One reported at Ladywalk on October 5 BLK and at Brandon

on October 29 BMCG. Worcs One noted at Bittell on May 10 JEF. Staffs A pair reared young in North Staffs for the first time in some four-

teen years FCG. Single birds noted near Wolverhampton on

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January 25 PGD; at Bromley Hayes on January 29 and at Yoxall on July 26 BCG; and at Pillaton on November 26 AJD and December 3 NJD.

Kes t re l

No changes in status reported.

Red Grouse

Staffs A poor season on North Staffordshire moors FCG.

Black Grouse Staffs Reports from Gradbach Hill, Gun Hill, Revidge, Morridge and

Swal low Moss where 10 cocks seen on April 8 RAH. Red- legged Pa r t r i dge

Warks Reported decrease in Tame Valley area EAH KESOS. Staffs A bird wi th 16 young noted at Four Ashes gravel pit on July 30

FCG and covey of 10 seen at Whitt ington sewage farm on October 28 RAD MSS. P a r t r i d g e

Warks As wi th Red-legged Partridge, cold and wet weather resulted in poor breeding in Tame Valley EAH. Largest numbers reported were 9 at Alvecote on January 16 GAA MAA, 11 at Hampton Lucy on February 5 RA and 16 at Brandon on December 10 BMCG.

Worcs Reported as unusual around Upton Warren TAW and quite rare in Hol lywood area DMT. 12 seen at Churchill on January 8 MT.

Staffs Many reports, largest numbers being 40 at Whitt ington sewage farm on March 18, 22 at Prestwood and 16 at Iverley in October RAD MSS; 11 at Essington on October 19 DS; 10 at Hixon on November 25 GS; 13 at Cannock reservoir in January 13 RAH with 14 on August 22 and 24 GE.

Quai l Warks Reported from Lawford Heath on May 25 JWH and from Leam-

ington Spa on June 8 JD. Worcs One seen near Strensham on June 18 SMW; 6 territories

occupied around Kidderminster RJH; one present near Tarde-bigge from June 25 to July 12 and one heard at Bentley during same period JRH.

Staffs Four reported at Kings Bromley on July 19 BCG, and present in July at Hamstall Ridware LYT and at Whitt ington sewage farm MSS.

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Pheasant Staffs Very good breeding season reported at Whitt ington sewage

farm and unusually large numbers present in autumn RAD MSS.

Golden Pheasant Warks Bird in Edgbaston Park seen until March KESOS. Worcs One seen along Droitwich Canal on March 19 and in nearby

garden on 22 CPB.

W a t e r Rail Many reports outside breeding season.

Warks Summer records from Packington gravel pits BLK\ Bodymoor Heath EAH; Brandon BMCG; at Arbury and Griff MS EHT; and at Leamington Spa EJB.

Worcs Most reported in winter were four at Northwick Marsh MFF; five at Bittell KC; three at Upton Warren and at Wilden RM.

Staffs Highest winter numbers were four at Cannock reservoir GE; three at Belvide DS MW; and three at Baggeridge MJH. An immature bird seen at Stubbers Green on July 19 RS.

S p o t t e d Crake Warks One present at Brandon from September 15 to November 18

BMCG.

C o r n c r a k e Warks One present in spring near Southam BJJ. Worcs A bird heard calling by many observers at Upton Warren from

May 3 to May 7.

M o o r h e n Warks 55 counted at Alvecote on October 7 GAA and 50 at Brandon

on October 23 BMCG. Staffs 100 at Whitt ington sewage farm on December 2 RAD MSS.

At least 100 present on River Sow at Milford on February 23 RG.

C o o t Warks Largest concentrations were 900 at Draycote on December 9

GRH JVH; 700 at Bodymoor Heath on November 11 BLK; 100 at Ladywalk on November 11 DHR; 100 at Brandon on February 12 BMCG; 190 at Shustoke on October 15 DTU; 120 at Sees-wood Pool on March 15 MS; and 885 at Alvecote on December 31 GAA.

Worcs 80 counted at Pirton Pool on September 18 GB ; 70 at Bittell on October 20 GE; and 100 at Kidderminster in September BRO MSS.

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Staffs 1010 at Blithfield on November 11 TWF JL; 1000 at Belvide on August 26 DHR; 255 at Cannock reservoir on December 17 RAH; 204 at Gailey on January 16 DS; and 250 at Aqualate during August DFH.

O y s t e r c a t c h e r One at Brandon on May 1 and from August 18 to 23 BMCG; one at Draycote on December 23 JL. At Bodymoor Heath one present on August 14 JHB SMH and 30 EAH; and one at Ladywalk from April 22 EAH AK DFP to 26 TD BLK. A bird noted at Packington gravel pits from April 27 to May 1 BLK; and two reported at Bartley on September 8 DMH MT. One noted at Wormleighton on September 17 JMi. At Bittell a bird recorded on August 25 SB and December 26 KC. At Belvide one reported on February 27 RH, five seen by many observers on April 2, and single birds on June 26 and August 18 CR DS. Reports from Blithfield were one on July 21 ARMB, one on August 17 PM, two on August 20 MJH and two on October 15 >4S. At Cannock reservoir one occurred on March 14 ARMB, one on July 26 and 28 RAH, and another on August 8 GE JEF.

L a p w i n g Warks Cold weather movement noted on January 30 at several places:

thousands moving south at Brandon BMCG; 600 to south at Nuneaton and strong movement to south-west at Atherstone NJ MS; at least 9000 moving south and south-west over Leam-ington Spa EJB. Largest numbers reported were 800 at Body-moor Heath on December 6 BLK; 2000 at Ladywalk on July 23 EAH; 400 at Alvecote on December 10 GAA MAA; 350 at Draycote on August 12 CHP; 600 at Water Orton on March 11 ; and 600 during December at Attleborough fields WL and at Birchley Heath MS.

Worcs 1100 around Bittell counted on December 22 KC; 850 at Upton Warren on February 20 SFLE; 250 at Wilden on August 8 RM; and 300 at Pedmore on September 14 LRB.

Staffs Movement to south all day on January 15 at Blithfield TWF JL and 3500 counted on January 23 DS. At least 2000 around Belvide on January 10 RAH; 1000 noted at Penkridge and at Water Eaton on February 13 AJD; 1200 at Dunston on January 1 FCG, and 1100 at Whitt ington sewage farm on December 15. RAD MSS. Bred at Cannock reservoir for first time in eight years GE RAH.

Warks

Worcs Staffs

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Ringed Plover Warks At Draycote up to five birds noted from April 3 to May 27 RB

GRH JVH, then one to three between August 17 JL and Septem-ber 19 RB wi th a later bird on November 8 RPW. A dye-marked bird seen on August 20 at Draycote was one of five marked in Greenland by GHG earlier in the year AJR. At Bodymoor Heath up to four noted from May 10 to 22 BLK and one or two present between August 14 and September 17 with 11 on August 24 JHB SMH DFP. Two seen at Ladywalk on April 30 EAH, one on July 6 BLK, four on August 14 and one on 29 JHB SMH. Five reported at Lea Marston on May 6 ; one or two at Packington gravel pits during May, July and September BLK~, and one at Packington Park from September 17 to 24 KS. One occurred at Brandon on February 26, a few between May 13 and 29 with maximum of nine on May 28, and a later bird on June 18 BMCG. At Alvecote one or two recorded regularly from August 14 to October 8 GAA.

Worcs One or two seen at Upton Warren between April 17 AWH and May 26 PA MAB and from July 13 to August 29 SPH. At Wilden one noted on April 29 MBP and up to four from June 27 to September 11 RM. At Bittell recorded between July 16 and October 10 wi th 16 on August 29 and 23 on October 10 KC MF. A bird reported at Grimley Gravel pits on January 22 CNL.

Staffs Recorded at Blithfield from July 16 to November 12 with peaks of 24 on August 26 IJD and 27 on September 27 RAH. At Cannock reservoir seen between March 31 RAH and June 3, usually 2 or 3 but wi th 19 on the last date DHR. Autumn passage noted from July 27 RAH to October 8 MJI with eight on August 19 and 20 GE. Occurred at Belvide from April 25 DS to June 4 GS, never more than four birds, and then one or two between July 15 and September 20 CR. One reported at Berry Hill on May 8 and three at Rudyard Lake on August 20 HWK. At Aqualate one seen on August 27 HH.

L i t t l e R inged P lover Warks At Draycote one or two present from April 29 RB to May 27

GRH JVH, and between July 15 GRH JVH and August 30 JL with five on August 12 GRH JVH. Three pairs bred at Brandon BMCG; three at Ladywalk—several observers; four at Bodymoor Heath EAH and two pairs at Pack-ington gravel pits BLK JW. In Packington Park one occurred on April 25 and three on August 7 and at Marston gravel pit one or two in April fol lowed by three or four from August 2 to 15 KS At Alvecote present from April 9 to July 23 and one pair bred, five or six birds being noted through July GAA. One seen at

46

Shirley gravel pit on July 1 MJI; three or four at Seeswood Pool from April 26 to May 3 NH; one or two seen at Hartshill sewage works from June 29 to July 9 PMa.

Worcs Up to four noted at Wilden between June 27 and September 29 RM MBP, while at Upton Warren up to three noted from April 14 to May 26 and between July 8 and September 3 — m a n y observers. At Bittell up to five present from July 27 MJI to September 27 on which date eight were reported GFA. Two seen at Shirley gravel pits on May 28 DMT.

Staffs At Cannock reservoir one or two recorded on a few dates from April 12 GE to May 13 ARMB GE and from July 5 to October 27 GE. Up to four noted at Bridgtown subsidence pools from April 12 to May 7 GE and a pair noted on June 2 and 18, display seen on the latter date JL. At least one pair bred at Four Ashes gravel pit BC FCG and a pair attempted to breed at Kingswinford gravel pit after six present during April CFP MSS; two birds reported at Clay Mills on April 9 and one on July 22 ESC. Odd birds noted at Belvide on a few dates between April 6 DS and May 31 CR and from July 7 CR to August 29 DS. At Blithfield up to five present from April 30 to June AARD BRD PDH and return passage noted from July 2 — m a n y observers to October 4 BRD BCG with peak in late July and 15 on July 3 0 — m a n y observers.

Grey P lover Warks One seen in summer plumage on August 29 at Bodymoor Heath.

RJJ. Staffs One reported at Penkridge on February 21 NJD, at Belvide on

October 1 ACW, and at Cannock reservoir from October 19 JRH to 22 SMH AK. At Blithfield two present on January 1 6 — several observers and, after one on July 22 GIG, two or three seen by many observers from September 17 to October 8 with later birds on October 19 DS and November 13 PAK and maximum of six reported on September 30 IJD.

G o l d e n P lover Warks 500 at Bodymoor Heath on January 16 EAH was the only flock

of any size reported. Worcs Most reported was a flock of 25 over Upton Warren on September

16 AFJ. Staffs Several pairs on North Staffordshire moors reported in summer.

An exceptionally tame bird present at Cannock reservoir from September 8 GE to September 16 JL. Parties totalling 68 moved west wi th Lapwings over Blithfield on January 3 0 — m a n y observers. Largest numbers reported were 200 at Belvide on December 20 PGD; 150 at Drayton

47

Bassett on March 12 GAA; 400 at Essington on March 31 DS; 370 at Onecote on October 1 BR; 600 at Penkridge and 600 at Pillaton on October 19 BC; and 450 at Werrington on September 4 RBo.

T u r n s t o n e Warks One occurred at Brandon on June 18 BMCG; one seen at Body-

moor Heath on May 7 BLK and August 8 SMH; at Ladywalk one reported on April 29 DHR. At Draycote one seen on May 6 DNM, one on August 12 GRH JVH and one from September 6 RB to 12 RPW. One noted at Bartley on May 1 JEF.

Worcs A bird recorded at Upton Warren on May 6 SMW. Staffs One at Blithfield on July 30 GIG was the only record received

for the county.

Snipe Numerous breeding reports in suitable marshes.

Warks Largest concentrations were 100 at Ladywalk and Bodymoor Heath on February 20 EAH; 100 at Brandon on January 2 BMCG; 35 at Alvecote on September 16 GAA; 30 to 40 at Arbury on January 30 MS and at Alveston on February 5 RA.

Worcs Maxima reported were 50 at Tardebigge reservoir on October 21 JRH; 34 at Pulley Farm near Droitwich on March 19 RMB; 30 at Stour Hill on March 7 ; and 100 at Wilden on October 15 at which place at least 20 pairs bred RM.

Staffs Rapid build up during September at Blithfield and counts of 250-300 made from late September to early November ARMB RAH JL DS. At Cannock reservoir 55 noted on December 16 and 20 GE RAH. 500 reported at Whitt ington sewage farm in January and 100 at Roundmill sewage farm on March 4 TH MSS. 150 noted at Doxey marshes on October 14 BC; 150 at Latherford on March 16 AJD; 70 at Rudyard Lake on September 3 and 60 at Tittesworth on October 7 HWK.

Jack Sn ipe Warks Small numbers, less than six, noted in autumn, winter and spring

months at Packington gravel pits, Ladywalk, Shustoke BLK; Packington Park KS; Bodymoor Heath SVB; Sutton Park SMH AK; Brandon Marsh BMCG.

Worcs At Upton Warren apparently absent in first winter period AFJ, one or two only being noted on spring passage—several observers. Up to six noted in autumn and remained to end of year AFJ RM. One or two noted at Stour Hill in March RM MBP; one at Wilden on October 29 RM; one at Castlemorton common on February 13 LAB; two at Grimley gravel pits on March 14 SPH

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and one or two at Northwick Marsh in January and November CNL SMW. Up to three recorded at Bittell in October and December—several observers.

Staffs Many reports involving one or two birds. Largest numbers reported were nine at Blithfield on October 15 GIG; 14 at Belvide on November 11 CR DS; 27 at Cannock reservoir on October 29 GE; and five regularly at Whitt ington sewage farm TH MSS. A bird heard calling at Blithfield on September 27 was very unusual JL.

W o o d c o c k Roding and summer records from fol lowing localities :

Warks Bird wi th three young seen in middle of road between Coleshill and Atherstone on July 13 NJ; bred in Packington Park LJB; Kingsbury, Woodend and Bentley EAH; roding noted at Oakley Wood and Wappenbury wood GRH JVH NS; bred at Arbury RV; Waverley Wood JF J MM.

Worcs Ockeridge Wood, Cothercroft Wood and Randon Wood FF; Hurcot Pool RJH; Eymore Wood and Abberley Hills RM; Goose-hill AFJ; Trench Wood KHT; Wyre Forest CNL; Far Forest and Menith Wood LRB; Kyre and Mill Coppice MJI.

Staffs Blithfield—several observers; Highgate Common—several ob-servers; Enville SFLE EGP; Gibbet Wood SFLE; Wrottesley GIG; Whitmore Wood JG; Copmere ARP CWP; Himley and Baggeridge Wood ESD; Hints MT; Weston Park PGD; Back Hills area ESD DWY; Check Hill, Stourton and Gothersley EGP; Aqualate DFH.

C u r l e w Warks Flock of 32 f lew north over Compton Verney on April 25 RA.

Autumn roost at Ladywalk reached 22 on September 13 and 14. Worcs. 32 reported at Upton Warren on March 21 TAW; 28 noted at

Kidderminster on December 16. Staffs At Whit t ington sewage farm 60-70 present in first winter period

wi th peak of 80 on January 22. After 133 counted on August 12 between 50 and 70 present to end of year RAD MSS MJW. 35 noted at Endon on March 10 HWK and 15 at Freehay on October 8 BR. A bird roosted with gulls at Cannock reservoir on January 22 and 24 DS.

W h i m b r e l Warks Two reported at Ladywalk on April 30 EAH and one or two at

Bodymoor Heath from September 18 BLK to 24 EAH. At Brandon two seen on May 6 fol lowed by single birds on June 25 and August 13 BMCG.

49

Worcs One occurred at Upton Warren on April 30 PKD and at Bredon Hill on August 20 RM.

Staffs One seen by many observers at Blithfield on April 30 and another recorded on September 17 ARMB. At Belvide two reported on April 3 GIG, one on 3 0 — m a n y observers, two on May 7 MJH, three on 11 DS, one on 22 CR and two on June 7 DS.

Black - ta i l ed G o d w i t Warks At Ladywalk single birds reported on June 19 BLK HTL and July 4

BLK, and one at Bodymoor Heath on May 14 EAH. One noted at Brandon on May 4 and July 6 followed by one or two daily between August 18 and September 4 BMCG. At Alvecote six present on April 15 GAA and one remained from August 22 to September 3 GAA AECo.

Worcs Single birds seen at Wilden on April 9 RM MBP and at Upton Warren on April 18 SPH.

Staffs One occurred at Blithfield on July 5 ARMB and August 9 RAH and one at Cannock reservoir on July 12 RAH. At Belvide one noted on April 12 RJJ fol lowed by a flock of 15 on April 15 CR DS and two reported on August 22 CR. One seen at Stafford Water Meadows on April 22 AECo RJJ.

B a r - t a i l e d G o d w i t Staffs One recorded at Belvide on August 31 JEC and two on September

9 RAP. A bird found at Croxton wi th a damaged wing on May 1 EWL and one present at Cannock reservoir on September 11 GE. At Blithfield one seen from August 6 MJI JHWR to 13—several observers, and one seen by many observers from September 10 to 23 JL w i th later birds on October 4 BCG and November 1 9 — several observers. On September 10 a flock of 13 birds reported flying north-west over Blithfield MJH.

Green S a n d p i p e r Warks Winter records from Ladywalk, Brandon, Draycote, Bodymoor

Heath, Shustoke, Kingsbury, Hurley, Wilmcote and Leamington. Most seen in autumn were 12 at Ladywalk on July 8 and 9 BLK HTL, and seven at Brandon on August 23 BMCG.

Worcs Winter records from Tardebigge and Caunsall and spring records from Upton Warren and Grimley gravel pits. Between six and eight reported by many observers at Upton Warren during July and August, and 10 noted at Wilden on July 31 MBP.

Staffs Winter records from Hopwas, Himley, Whitt ington sewage farm, Belvide and Blithfield. Spring records from Whitt ington sewage farm, Clay Mills, Belvide and Blithfield—unusual. At Blithfield seven occurred on July 2—several observers, and one seen at

50

Cannock reservoir on July 26 ARMB and August 23 GE RAH where it is distinctly unusual.

W o o d S a n d p i p e r A poor year.

Warks On August 17 single birds noted at Alvecote GAA and Middle-ton Hall HTL. At Bodymoor Heath an exceptional flock of 10 occurred on August 27, nine present on 30 EAH.

Worcs One reported at Wilden on August 3. Staffs At Blithfield one seen on July 2 ESC MJI EGP and August 1 GIG.

C o m m o n S a n d p i p e r Widespread in small numbers on passage.

Warks Spring maxima were eight at Shustoke on May 1 BLK and five at Draycote on May 2 DNM. Autumn maxima were 15 at Body-moor Heath on July 9 BLK; nine at Ladywalk on July 17 PDH; and 14 at Draycote on August 22 GRH JVH. Birds heard over north Birmingham on July 9 and September 16 JEF, and a bird remained at Shustoke until December 20 BLK.

Worcs 12 reported at Wilden on July 31 MBP; eight at Northwick Marsh on August 14 SMW; 12 at Bittell on July 12 MJI and August 21 KC; and eight at Upton Warren in late July—several observers.

Staffs The two over-wintering birds from 1971 at Blithfield were last seen by many observers on January 30. 25-30 reported at Blithfield on July 9 ESC EGP GS and then 10-15 present until early September after which one or two remained until December 26 CR. At Belvide 10 noted on April 29 and then about five present from July 1 to September 3 DS apart from between 20 and 27 reported on July 9 EGP GS. At Cannock reservoir very few birds noted RAH though eight seen on August 10 RS and seven on 24 GE RAH.

Redshank Warks Breeding reported at Alvecote, Griff, Brandon, Ladywalk, and

Bodymoor Heath. Up to five wintered in the Tame va l ley— several observers, and one seen at Brandon on February 26 BMCG.

Worcs Two pairs bred at Upton Warren where up to six birds often seen in May and July. At Bittell four on July 16 was the most reported KC.

Staffs Bred at Wheaton Aston, Doley Common, Belvide, Whitt ington sewage farm and Baswich. Seen in breeding season at Boulton Gate, Hamstall Ridware and Doxey Marshes. Winter records from Whitt ington sewage farm on January 22 MSS MJW; two

51

at Doxey Marshes on December 9 PAK; one at Cannock reservoir from November 18 DS to 22 JL; one at Belvide on November 19 and 20 GIG ICW. At Blithfield up to three seen from January 23 to 30 and one or two during November and early December— several observers. Highest numbers reported were 10 at Doxey Marshes on March 9 PAK; eight at Four Ashes on April 9 and 10 at Belvide on June 7 DS; 15 reported at Cannock reservoir on August 10 RS.

S p o t t e d Redshank Warks One recorded at Middleton Hall on August 20 EAH, and at

Ladywalk one noted on September 1 JHB and 2 DHR wi th two from September 14 to October 5 BLK DFP At Bodymoor Heath one seen on August 17 and 18 RJJ and one or two from August 30 EAH to October 22 BLK w i th four on October 7 KESOS. At Alvecote present daily from August 22 to September 30 GAA AECo., usually 4 -6 birds, but wi th peak of 12 on August 28 and September 2 GAA. One seen at Wormleighton on September 4 JM.

Worcs Three at Wilden reported on September 6 MBP EGP, one remain-ing to September 13 MBP. At Upton Warren one seen on March 30 AFJ and 31 SPH.

Staffs One occurred at Belvide on May 5 CR and on October 22 AFJ DFP. Up to four noted at Rudyard Lake from September 2 to 22 AJD HWK and one at Tittesworth on October 1 HWK CM. At Blithfield one recorded on June 28 PCT, two or three from August 28 to September 3 — m a n y observers, one on September 14 GE, September 25 RAH, October 7 EMR and two on October 15 ESC.

Greenshank Warks Occurred at Draycote from July 23 GRH JVH to October 12 EAE

with five on September 3 GRH JVH and 7 RPW. Two seen at Packington on August 26 LJB and one on September 10 KS. One noted at Packington gravel pits on May 14, two on July 17, one on July 23 JW and one on September 10 BLK. At Shustoke one reported on September 24 and November 12 BLK. After one on April 30 at Bodymoor Heath RJJ, up to three seen regu-larly from July 8 to October 17 BLK with 10 on September 23 KESOS. At Ladywalk noted from June 19 BLK to November 13 FB wi th seven on September 9 DHR. Three occurred on March 26 at Brandon and then two or three from July 24 to September 14 BMCG. At Alvecote present between August 14 and October 4, the maximum being five on September 3 GAA. One heard over Solihull on July 20 PDH, two at Brailes on August 15 RAp. EC and two at Wormleighton on August 21 JMi.

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Worcs One or two seen at Wilden from September 3 MBP to October 1 SFLE RM; at Trimpley reservoir on September 3 and 4 FF RM; one at Pirton Pool on September 5 and one or two at Tardebigge from August 16 to October 6 JRH. At Upton Warren one noted on May 18 AFJ RM and recorded from July 15 TAW xo Septem-ber 30 MAB wi th mid-August peak when eight seen on August 17 TAW. Four occurred at Bittell on August 13 and then two or three until September 6 KC.

Staffs Present at Cannock reservoir from July 15 to September 27 RAH wi th two on August 28 GE. At Belvide one recorded from May 11 to 23 CR DS ICW and one or two between July 9 GS and August 31 DS with four on August 14 ICW. One or two seen at Clayhanger from August 15 to 18 GE; one at Derrington on August 20 RAH; one from September 23 HWK to October 1 CM at Tittesworth; one at Pendeford on September 9 GIG; up to three at Rudyard Lake from August 30 to October 1 HWK; single birds at Pottall Pool, Cannock Chase on July 23 BC and at Brierley Hill on August 19 BMM; two noted near Bentilee from August 11 to 16 RBo. At Blithfield one reported on May 14 JEF and two or three from July 8 ARMB DS to October 29 wi th 10 on August 13 and about six during first week of September — m a n y observers.

K n o t Warks At Draycote one or two noted from September 3 CHP to 17

GRH JVH w i th three on September 10 JL. One reported at Bodymoor Heath from August 29 to September 1 JHB SMH DFP.

Staffs One occurred at Cannock reservoir from August 28 to 29 ARMB GE and on September 26 ARMB RAH. At Blithfield one seen by many observers on January 23 and 30 DS. Then three occur-red from July 2 3 — m a n y observers to 31 ARMB. One noted on August 2 ESC and one or two from September 3 — m a n y observers to 28 PM, a later bird occurring on October 19 DS.

Purp le S a n d p i p e r Staffs One occurred at Belvide on September 17 CR PCT. At Blithfield

one reported on September 28 PM and one on November 11 TWF JL MJWa and 12 MAB. Three records in one year is unprecedented and give a total of five in eighteen months—yet there have now only been seven in the last 11 years.

L i t t l e S t i n t Warks Single birds noted at Packington on August 26 LJB and Septem-

ber 17 KS; at Bodymoor Heath on September 7 RJJ; at Packing-ton gravel pits on September 19-21 BLK; and at Alvecote on

53

September 24 GAA. Worcs One noted at Wilden from September 6 EGP to 15 MJH RM.

At Bittell one or two present from August 31 KCPKD to September 4 MAB KC MBP and from September 22 daily to October 3 KC.

Staffs One noted at Rudyard Lake on August 30 HWK, and at Cannock one on August 9 and 10 GE DHR, two on October 8—several observers; and one on December 16 GE CR DS. At Belvide one seen from September 2 DS to 5 with another on September 17 CR. At Blithfield one or two present from September 3 — many observers, to October 4 BCG with four on September 1 7 — many observers, and three to September 25 RAH. A single bird then reported by many observers from November 5 to December 10.

T e m m i n c k ' s S t i n t Worcs A bird seen by many observers from May 1 to 4 at Upton Warren. Staffs One at Belvide remained from May 14 JHWR RAP to 16 DS PCT.

At Cannock single birds noted on July 26 RS and August 19 GE.

Pec to ra l S a n d p i p e r Worcs One in breeding plumage recorded at Upton Warren on July 24

Staffs At Blithfield one occurred on September 22 ARMB. The last three autumns have produced no less than eight Pectoral Sandpipers in the three counties.

Warks At Packington gravel pits up to four noted from May 1 to 9 and

AFJ.

D u n l i n

54

one or t w o from June 20 to September 23 BLK. Recorded at Ladywalk f rom June 22 to October 25 wi th five on October 12 BLK. One reported at Bodymoor Heath on January 30 and four on Apri l 30 EAH, fo l lowed by four or five on May 7 and 10 BLK. Autumn passage noted from July 23 to September 17 with peak of 14 on August 30 and two later birds on December 24 EAH. At Draycote odd birds noted in January, April and May per RB wi th 11 on May 27 GRH JVH. On return passage up to six noted from August 6 JL to October 15 GRH JVH wi th later records on November 19 (six) WAM and December 23 JL. Up to four occurred at Brandon from March 5 to May 29 and then one or t w o between July 29 and November 5 BMCG. At Alvecota one noted on January 16, two or three from May 27 to 30 and then up to five from July 16 to October 22 GAA. At Packington one seen on March 5 and September 17 KS, and one at Bartley on August 22 YMW.

Worcs At Wilden three seen on April 29 MBP, up to five from June 27 to Ju ly 23 RM, one on October 1 SFLE and a later bird on Novem-ber 18 RM. Up to five noted at Upton Warren from March 26 —severa l observers to May 29 RM and from July 6 SPH to Sep-tember 23 MJI w i th one on November 19 RM. At Bittell present from July 19 KC to November 19 MAB wi th 8 to 10 in early October and 28 on October 1 KC.

Staffs At Cannock reservoir one or two reported on several dates in January—several observers, w i th larger numbers from mid-May to June 3 and 12 on May 27 DHR. Return passage noted from July 7, numbers building up to 28 on September 28 RAH, after wh ich 6 to 12 present to end of year wi th 17 on a few dates in December—several observers. At Belvide one noted on January 16 DS, and then noted from March 26 ARMB to June 11 ARD BRD PDH w i th 14 on May 27 NJD. Then occurred from July 7 to November 27 CR DS wi th 22 on November 19 GIG. At Blithfield one noted from January 9 to 23 ARD BRD PDH and one on May 7 ESC. Return passage at Blithfield was quite the most dramatic ever seen there. Starting on July 2 ESC numbers built up to 30 on August 20 before falling away in early September. Second wave occurred in late September reaching about 100 by early October and remained so until third wave at end of October when numbers increased to about 150 wi th peak of 180 estimated by many observers on November 11 and 12. Up to 120 then remained until December 10—several observers, after which numbers decreased to 24 on December 31 ESC EGP AS. At Tit tesworth eight noted on September 30 and ten on October 1 and at Rudyard Lake one seen on August 20, six on October 13 and four on November 10 HWK.

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C u r l e w Sandp ipe r Warks Two reported at Leamington Spa on April 30 EJB. Up to five

present at Bodymoor Heath from September 1 JHB to 10 EAH BLK. One occurred at Brandon on September 25 BMCG. Up to three reported from Alvecote between August 28 and September 5 GAA AECo.

Worcs One seen at Wilden from September 13 MBP to 15 MJHRMand one at Upton Warren on September 30 MAB TAW. At Bittell five from August 28 to 29, three to September 6 and two to 12 KC.

Staffs At Belvide one noted on July 18 CR and August 26 FCG. One present at Cannock reservoir from September 21 to 24 ARMB GE RAH. At Blithfield one seen on July 16-17—many observers and then four present from August 27, increasing to seven on August 31 JL and nine on September 3 AEC before decreasing to one on October 8—several observers, and another on October 19 DS.

Sander l i ng Warks One seen at Draycote on April 29 RB and a very tame albino on

August 6 JL. At Packington gravel pits one noted on July 12 BLK and one at Middleton Hall on August 10 HTL.

Worcs At Bittell one reported on August 24 KC and 25 SB. Staffs One noted at Blithfield in August 21 RAH. At Cannock reservoir

one recorded on April 30 GE, one on May 9 ARMB, 10 on 21 ESC, and three from August 23 ARMB to June 1 PCT. One or two seen at Belvide from May 20 JHWR to June 3 RAP. A 1971 record received is of 15 at Belvide on June 4 CR.

R u f f Warks At Draycote single birds seen on July 29 GRH JVH CHP,

August 12 GRH JVH, two on August 20 AJR and one on Septem-ber 19 DNM. One noted at Brandon on March 26 and August 20 BMCG. Up to four present at Middleton Hall from August 20 to 30 EAH; one reported at Packington gravel pits on May 1 and September 13 BLK; two seen at Ladywalk from September 1 JHB to 9 DHR; one at Bodymoor Heath on August 8 RJJ and two on September 2 DFP. At Alvecote one seen on several dates between July 15 and September 24 GAA.

Worcs At Wilden one or two present from August 8 to September 24 RM MBP and at Bittell one on August 17 and September 17 KC. At Upton Warren one reported from May 5 KC TAW to 7 — m a n y observers, and one or two from August 12 to September 5 EGP.

Staffs At Cannock reservoir single birds recorded from August 24 to 26, on September 4, 17 and from September 21 to 24 GE RAH, with

56

one on October 21 ARMB. One occurred at Belvide from June 28 CR to July 16 RAP, one on August 29 and two on September 30 CR. One or t w o seen at Rudyard Lake from August 19 to September 2 and one at Stoke on September 26 HWK. At Blithfield between three and five noted regularly from July 8 ARMB to November 5 — m a n y observers wi th 6 or seven on several dates from September 27 to October 7—several observers.

Grey Pha la rope Staffs One observed by many observers at Blithfield on November 5 and

on November 11 CR DS.

R e d - n e c k e d Pha la rope Warks One reported at Chesterton Mil l Pool on June 3 FR. Worcs Excellent views obtained by many observers of a female in fine

summer plumage at Upton Warren on July 8.

G r e a t Skua Staffs At Blithfield one reported on August 27 GIG and September

21 KR.

A r c t i c Skua

Staffs An immature noted at Belvide on August 29 DS PCT.

Skua Sp. Staffs An immature small Skua noted at Cannock reservoir on September

6 GE was possibly the Arctic Skua seen at Belvide.

57

Grea t B l a c k - b a c k e d Gul l Upward trend in reports continues.

Warks Most reported were six at Draycote on February 20 GCB; and at Brandon 50 on February 14 and 100 on November 2 BMCG.

Worcs One or two reported at Bittell, Upton Warren and Westwood Park. Staffs Regular at Cannock roost wi th 15 present on January 6 RAH

and 24 DS, and three-five during December—several observers. Up to 10 seen regularly at Blithfield in both winter periods with at least 50 counted on December 16 DS. One seen at Belvide on January 4 ESD and May 20 CR; one noted at Water Eaton on March 12 AJD.

Lesser B lack -backed Gul l Warks Maxima reported were 5000 at Drayton Bassett on November 19

DHR; 4000 at Shustoke on November 14 and 1200 at Ladywalk on September 24 BLK; 750 noted at Packington on April 16 KS; 500 at Brandon on September 25 BMCG where attracted all year by nearby rubbish t ip ; and tip at Little Packington held 300, mainly immatures, on June "\8ARD BRD PDH.

Worcs 800 counted at Westwood Park on February 2 SMW. Staffs At Cannock reservoir about 1500 roosted in January ARMB RAH

and roost increased during December to 2000 on December 28. Roost at Blithfield built up to 6000 on November 5—several observers, decreasing to 2500 by end of year. Fewer than usual at Belvide where maximum was 800 on January 22 DS.

H e r r i n g Gu l l Largest roosts tend to occur later in winter period than those for Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Warks 600 counted at Shustoke on January 29 and 400 at Packington gravel pits on February 10 BLK. At Brandon 1500 present on February 5 wi th 1000 to March 25 BMCG.

Worcs At Westwood 350 noted on February 2 SMW. Staffs 4000 counted at Blithfield roost on January 30 and 3500 still

present on February 20 compared with 2500 Lesser Black-backed Gulls ARD BRD. At Belvide 1200 noted on February 13 DS. About 2000 roosted at Cannock reservoir during January RAH DS compared wi th 200-700 in November and December GE RAH.

C o m m o n Gul l Warks Between eight and 15 noted regularly at Draycote after November

5 JL w i th 20 on December 20 RB. Small numbers in all months at Brandon with 200 counted on March 11 BMCG. At Alvecote 25 noted on April 30 GAA AECo.

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Worcs Said to be increasing in the county and 50 seen over Bromsgrove in December RJH. Up to 40 wintered in Malvern Link area LAB.

Staffs Small numbers reported from several localities, largest numbers being at Blithfield where 10 or 20 roosted quite regularly and estimate approaching 100 reported on March 12 DS. Up to 10 roosted at Belvide DS and at Cannock ARMB DS in winter.

G l a u c o u s Gu l l Warks At Brandon a 3rd year bird noted from April 14 to 22 and a 1st

year bird on December 26 BMCG. Worcs An immature present at Bittell on January 16 KC, January 29,

February 14 and March 4 MAB. A 2nd winter bird noted at Upton Warren on February 2 SMW and 12 SPH SMW. An adult occurred at Redditch on November 5 AJR.

Staffs At Cannock immature birds seen on January 22 DS PCT and 29 —several observers, and one noted on December 27 RAH. Immature birds reported at Belvide on January 16, February 13 and 19, and March 18 DS PCT. An immature noted on playing fields at Shire Oak on February 9. At Blithfield immature birds reported on January 15 MAB, February 27 DS PCT and March 4 RG, wi th an adult seen by many observers on March 5.

I ce land Gu l l Since the spate of records began in 1970 virtually all have been confined to the first three months of the year, and half refer to adults.

Warks An immature reported at Brandon on March 23 BMCG. Worcs Single adults seen at Westwood Park on January 16 SPH SMW

and at Bittell on February 12 MAB, March 3 KC and 4 MAB. Staffs At Cannock reservoir an adult noted on January 15 JEF, 20, 24 and

30 DS PCT, and on February 17 JEF, wi th an immature on January 22 DS PCT. An adult roosted at Cannock reservoir on December 22 and 23 RAH CR DS. At Belvide adults recorded on January 10 RAH, February 13 DS, w i th immatures on March 18 DS PCT, March 22 (a different bird) DS; and an immature at Wednesfield rubbish tip on March 17 DS. At Blithfield an adult and an immature present on January 30 JEF and February 13 ESC.

M e d i t e r r a n e a n Gu l l Staffs A bird in second winter plumage seen at Blithfield on September

20 GE RAH. Larger size than Black-headed Gull wi th broader more rounded wings and shallow wing beats. Generally very pale wi th pearl grey mantle and upper-wing, a few indistinct black tips to some primaries, prominent dark eye and heavy dark bill. First record for Staffordshire, fol lowing closely on the first record for the three counties last year.

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L i t t l e Gul l More records than usual including seven in the three counties on May 7.

Warks At Bodymoor Heath three noted on May 7 BLK. Two present at Draycote on March 28 RB, one on May 16 DNM and May 27 GRH JVH. One reported at Edgbaston Park from August 16 to 23 TB SM and one in Sutton Park on September 1 EMR.

Worcs One at Upton Warren noted on October 15 SPH. Staffs At Cannock reservoir two present on August 15 RAH, four on

September 16 GE, two on 17 GE and one from September 19 to 22—several observers. A different bird present on September 24 RS and another noted from October 18 AJD to 22 RS. At Belvide two reported on May 7 and August 11 CR DS wi th one on November 4 RAP. Two occurred at Blithfield on May 7 and one on October 28 and November 19—many observers. Other reports were of single birds at Westport Lake on January 16 GF, Chillington on July 9 GIG, King's Bromley on September 5 BCG and Shelfield on December 27 RS.

Black -headed Gul l Warks Highest numbers reported were 13000 at Shustoke on January

29, 6000 at Bodymoor on March 13 and 3500 at Ladywalk in October BLK ', 7000 at Draycote on October 15 CHP\ 2000 on January 30 at Brandon BMCG; 3500 at Alvecote from August 10 to 12 AECo; 1000 at Bartley on March 28 MT.

Worcs 4000 counted at Bittell on February 20 MAB and 4000 at Westwood Park on November 19 SPH.

Staffs Up to 10000 roosted at Blithfield in the first winter period and 12000 in the second—many observers. At Cannock reservoir 4000-5000 roosted in January RAH DS and 6000-8000 estimated on December 28 RAH. The largest roost at Belvide was 20000 on February 13 DS. Of 400 birds present at Doley Common on June 15, many were non-breeders as local opinion estimates the breeding population at 60-80 pairs FCG.

K i t t i w a k e Warks One reported at Draycote on December 16 CHP and one at

Brandon on December 26 BMCG. Worcs At Bittell single birds noted on March 18 KC, May 10 PA and

August 28 GDC KC. Staffs One occurred at Cannock reservoir on April 3 GE and 9 RAH.

One noted by many observers at Blithfield on October 15, and one at Belvide on May 29 and 30 CR DS. Corpses found at Keele University on February 13 JG and at Belvide on March 25 DS.

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Black T e r n Warks At Draycote six noted on May 2 DNM, eight on May 20 RB and

one on August 19 CHP. One reported at Brandon on May 20 BMCG one at Packington gravel pits on the same date and two at Bodymoor Heath on August 17 and 18 RJJ. One recorded at Alvecote on May 7 GAA AECo PM, and again on May 19, 20, July 15 and 16 GAA.

Worcs At Upton Warren one occurred on August 13 AFJ and two on August 26 TAW; one at Westwood Park from September 9 SPH until early October CPB; three at Wilden on July 21 and one on 22 RM; three at Tardebigge reservoir from August 29-31 JRH.

Staffs Three noted at Cannock reservoir on August 8 and 9 JEF, and three on September 8—several observers wi th two until September 11 ARMB. At Belvide one occurred on May 7, three on May 20 and one or two from August 13 to 20—several observers. One seen at Brierley Hill Pools from September 8 to 12 BMM. At Blithfield three present on May 7 EGP, 24 on May 20 BCG, then one or two between July 24 ARMB RAH and August 29 GRH JVHJL wi th four on July 30—several observers, and 15 on August 28 EMR.

Casp ian Tern Staffs One watched by several observers at Blithfield on July 16.

Points noted were: distinctly larger than Black-headed Gull wi th extensive black cap and huge dark red bi l l ; dark under surface to primaries and shallow forked tai l ; flight rather gull like. The third record for the Club's area, the first being as recent as 1968. All records in July.

C o m m o n T e r n Warks Two pairs bred at Bodymoor Heath—several observers, and 13

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birds present on June 18 HTL. One recorded at Packington on September 6 KS and one at Little Packington on June 18 ARD BRD PDH. At Alvecote one present on May 7 and one from August 6 to 20 GAA, while at Draycote one seen on May 30 AJR and one from August 12 GRH JVH to 20 AJR. At Brandon three noted on June 28 and two on September 17 BMCG. One seen at Earlswood on May 28 KNK and seven at Edgbaston Park on August 16 TB SM.

Worcs Three reported at Wilden on July 22 RM, one at Upton Warren from May 27 AFJ to 29 RM, and one over Worcester on September 14 CNL. At Bittell one seen on May 19 MAB, two on June 26 MJI and one or two from July 29 to September 16 MAB PKD.

Staffs Three seen at Cannock reservoir on April 17 SMH DFP, one from May 6—several observers to May 28 ESC NJD and up to three from July 19 RAH to September 18 GE. At Belvide up to 7 seen from April 29 DS to June 17 GE with 16 present on May 20 CR DS. Return passage noted between July 15 GIG and August 31 DS, always less than five birds. One noted at Gailey on August 14 GE; one at Brierley Hill on August 19 BMM; two at Rudyard Lake from August 20 to September 16, and one at Tittesworth on August 20 HWK. At Blithfield nine noted on April 30, and then one or two until June 25—several observers, apart from 17 on May 20 BCG. Then 20 present on July 2 — m a n y observers, and one or two on a few dates to September 17 HWK.

A r c t i c Tern Warks One recorded at Shustoke on May 1 BLK; two at Draycote on

May 20 RB; one freshly dead at Kettlebrook Lakes on May 28 and one at Alvecote on August 8 GAA.

Worcs At Bittell 14 seen on May 5, and one from August 10 to 20 KC. One reported at Upton Warren on August 17 SPH.

Staffs One seen at Cannock reservoir on April 17 SMH DFP, six on May 6 — m a n y observers, and one or two to May 27 DHR. One or two noted from September 12 RAH to 18 GE. One or two seen at Belvide on a few dates between April 23 and May 6 CR DS and from August 15 CR to 31 DS. On August 20 one seen at Rudyard Lake HWK and three at King's Bromley BCG. At Blith-field three noted on May 28 AS and one or two from July 21 ARMB to September 20 GE RAH.

C o m m o n / A r c t i c T e r n Many reports involving one or two birds. The only records of significance a r e : —

Worcs Six seen at Upton Warren on June 14 RMB.

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Staffs At Belvide 41 seen on May 5 CR, 11 on June 24 RAP and 26 on August 27 HH.

Roseate T e r n Worcs A very tired bird watched by several observers at Westwood Park

from May 28 to June 1. Staffs One reported at Belvide on June 24 RAP.

L i t t l e T e r n Warks Three present at Edgbaston Park on August 16 TB SM. Staffs At Belvide one seen on May 7 MJH, one on August 12 ICW and

two on August 31 JEC.

S a n d w i c h T e r n Warks One noted at Sutton Park from May 1 to 4 EMR. Staffs One watched by many observers at Blithfield on May 28.

S t o c k Dove Warks Reported as more common now in Sutton Park and 10 noted on

April 23 ARMB. Worcs Nine seen at Bittell on March 11 MAB; 20 in Far Forest on Feb-

ruary 6 and 100 at Bredon Hill on December 10 RM; 20 seen near Newnham on June 11 MJI; up to 40 present at Malvern area during winter months LAB.

Staffs Flock of 150 recorded at Blithfield on November 11 TWF JL.

W o o d p i g e o n Largest flocks reported w e r e : —

Warks Up to 500 at roost in Edgbaston Park during winter KESOS; 200 near Marston Green in August AJ; 250 at Brandon on May 17 BMCG. South-westerly movement over north Birmingham noted on November 8 JEF.

Worcs 250 f lew over Bittell on November 5 ICW. Staffs 1000 at Enville on January 29 JCL MSS; 500 at Norton Canes

on February 19 GE and December 16 RAH; 750 at Yoxall on March 13 BCG; 300 at Rickerscote on April 9 PT; 800 at Little Wyrley on November 29 TECP; 1000 at Whitt ington on October 28 and December 9 RAD MSS.

T u r t l e Dove Warks In Packington Park 15 pairs present in May, 12 pairs nesting and

seven successfully rearing young LJB. Six noted at Brandon on July 23 BMCG; and 10 at Bodymoor Heath on August 3 JHB SMH.

Worcs Reported as very common in Kidderminster area RJH; 25 seen

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on overhead wires near Stourport on June 9 FF. Staffs 15 was most recorded on passage at Whitt ington sewage farm

MSS MJW.

Col la red Dove Reported from the fol lowing local i t ies:—

Warks Ladywalk, Bodymoor Heath, Middleton Hall, Marston Green, Alvecote, Sutton Coldfield, Solihull, Coventry, Brandon, Wappen-bury Wood, Stoke Golding, Atherstone, Weston, Edgbaston and Erdington. Roost at Lancaster Polytechnic, Coventry reached at least 200 in November RB.

Worcs Droitwich, Wolverley, Blakedown, Stourbridge, Stourport, Ped-more, Dudley, Oldswinford, Norton and Wollaston. Very com-mon around Kidderminster LRB RJH with autumn roost reaching 100 birds at cattle market RJH.

Staffs Cannock reservoir, Chasetown, Norton Canes, Hammerwich, Cannock, Lichfield, Stafford, Yoxall, Gailey, Rushall, Ivetsey Bank, Ellenhall, Tittensor, Keele, Beech, Stoke and Burslem, Whitt ing-ton, Kingswinford, Audnam, Wordsley, Wall Heath, Wombourne, Back Forest.

C u c k o o Warks A good breeding season reported in Tame Valley EAH. On

May 21 30 counted in Packington Estate, the largest numbers for some 15 years LJB.

Worcs Decrease reported in county PA LRB RJH. Staffs Good breeding season in Whitt ington/Bunkers area RAD MSS.

At least seven noted on Doley Common on June 15 FCG. At Cannock reservoir two juveniles watched sitting 10 feet apart and being fed by one pair of Meadow Pipits RAH.

Barn O w l Warks Reported at Northfield, Meriden, Packington, Draycote, Priors

Hardwick, Compton Verney, Wellesbourne, Ladywalk, Wappen-bury Woods, Bodymoor Heath, and Chadshunt. Breeding reported from Halford, Hurley, Kingsbury, Whitacre, Durton, Maxhall, Walsgrave and Bedworth-Nuneaton area.

Worcs Records received from Northwick, Old Hills, South Worcester, Wilden, Upton Warren, Hanbury, Hallow and Great Witley. Pair said by landowner to have nested at Silligrove for 26 succes-sive years per LRB.

Staffs Reported from Belvide, Hanch Hall, Blithfield, Wednesfield, Enville, Kinver, Greensforge, Himley, Copmere, Doley Common, Till ington Marshes, Madeley, Keele, Yoxall, King's Bromley, Tittensor, Dresden, Ash Green, Trentham, Norton, Whitfield,

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Brindley Ford, Bradley and Hamstall Ridware. Breeding records received from Ivetsey Bank, Wheaton Aston, Brownhills, Little Wyrley, Stewponey, Gibbet Wood and Whitt ington sewage farm.

L i t t l e O w l Warks Decrease reported at Packington Park and in south of county.

Reports from Brandon, Ladywalk, Knowle, Weston, Bubbenhall, Snitterfield, l lmington, Sutton, Wappenbury, Alvecote and Oxhill. Breeding records received from Packington, Hurley, Bentley and Whitacre.

Worcs Reported from Kyre, Holt Heath, Woodcote Green, Bunkers Hill, Upton Warren, Northwick Marsh, Tardebigge, Eastham Bridge, Dunley, Hanley Childe, Hallow, Wilden, Bromsgrove. Seven seen on wires in two mile stretch of road near Tenbury Wells on July 2 RLS. Noted in breeding season at Ladywood, Bes-ford, Leigh Sinton, Malvern and Castlemorton, breeding at the last two localities. Bred at Great Witley.

Staffs Records received from Blithfield, Cannock reservoir, Ellenhall, Kinver, Bloxwich, Gnosall, Shelfield, Tutbury, Shredicote, Lather-ford, Aston-by-Doxey, Yoxall, Brindley Heath, Hanford, Trentham, Whitefield, Newton, Ingestry, Hamstall Ridware and Himley. Breeding reported at Wolverhampton, Iverley and Whitt ington sewage farm.

T a w n y O w l

No changes in status reported.

Long-eared O w l One reported from Packington on September 25 LJB. At Sheriff's Lench one noted on January 4 TCS. A bird found dead at Cannock reservoir on August 20 GE RAH. One reported at Yoxall on February 17 BCG and one on Cannock Chase in March JEF. S h o r t - e a r e d O w l

Warks Birds reported at Bodymoor Heath on March 1 BLK, April 14 RJJ, July 30 HTL, September 23 KESOS, November 1 SMH AK and November 4 HTL. Two seen at Thornhill, Nuneaton on January 29 and one on December 3 WL EHT.

Staffs One found dead at Blithfield on September 27 RAH. Reported from Morridge on April 8 FCG and 30 GS; Swallow Moss on April 8 RAH, 30 FCG, May 21 CR DS and June 11 HTL; Grad-bach on May 7 AS and 21 CR DS; two at Black Brook Valley on May 14 AFJ; two at Readsmoor on March 15 DIB; one at

Warks Worcs Staffs

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Roche Grange on September 9 HWK; one at Sherbrooke Valley on June 26 and at Yoxall on April 13 and December 11 BCG.

N i g h t j a r Staffs Several observers reported up to three birds churring on Cannock

Chase and up to six in Sherbrooke Valley. One or two pairs reported at Enville SFLE EGP and at Kinver EGP.

S w i f t Warks On May 27 large numbers reported at Draycote GRH JVH and at

Walmley GRA. Worcs Roost at Wilden estimated at 800 on August 8 RM MBP. Staffs At Blithfield 600 counted on May 28 ARD BRD and 1000 on

August 9 RAH. At Belvide 1200 noted on June 7 DS and at Cannock reservoir 1000 on June 19 GE.

K i n g f i s h e r Warks Many records received covering at least 25 localities. Breeding

reported at Brandon BMCG; Hurley (2 pairs) EAH; Bodymoor Heath (4 pairs) and Ladywalk (2 pairs) EAH BLK; Shustoke BLK; Hamstall Ridware SVB; Packington gravel pits JW; Alvecote GAA PM; Exhall NBE and Arbury ( two pairs) MS. Recorded from a large number of areas in Nuneaton area MS.

Worcs Reported from about 30 localities, and breeding noted at Bittell KC; Worrall's Grove RM; Leigh Brook LRB; Knapp Nature Reserve LAB; Dowles Brook, Blakedown and Prestwood MSS; Hurcot Pool and Wolverley RJH.

Staffs Reports from 30 localities through breeding only proven at Gothersley EGP and Whitmore EWL.

Green W o o d p e c k e r Warks One near Keresley on April 26 was the first for several years RKS. Worcs Several reports from Oldswinford where thought to be rare

previously Staffs Noted in breeding season at Whitt ington sewage farm where

unusual MSS. Seen regularly on moorland fringe in SK06 during Apr i l— the first records for seven years FCG. One seen in Back Forest was first record by observer there in four years DWY.

Grea t S p o t t e d W o o d p e c k e r No change in distribution reported.

Lesser S p o t t e d W o o d p e c k e r Breeding season reports from the fol lowing local i t ies:—

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Warks Packington Park KS; Edgbaston Park KESOS; Marston Green AJ; Ladywalk JHB EAH; Brandon BMCG; Combrook RA; Priors Hardwick RB; Dorsington and Weathley Wood DS; Arbury MS.

Worcs Malvern area, Leigh Sinton, Knapp Nature Reserve and Bewdley LAB; Wyre Forest—several observers; High Green and Chaddes-ley Corbett DS; Bittell KC; Westwood Park DCo; Hadzor AFJ; Upton Warren and Hartlebury Common SPH; Pipers Oak Wood, Wilden and Eymore Wood RM.

Staffs Himley—several observers; Belvide DS; Baggeridge Wood MJH; Wheaton Aston JEN; Chillington GIG; Blithfield—several observers; Wrottesley GIG.

W r y n e c k Warks One seen in a Solihull garden daily from September 20 to 26 DTU. Worcs One present at Malvern on October 8 LAB.

W o o d l a r k Worcs One heard in song near Leigh Sinton on July 22 and seen again

on August 12 LAB.

Sky la rk Warks Forty present at Bodymoor Heath during autumn KESOS. 150

noted at Brandon on January 30 BMCG. Worcs 200 reported at Bredon Hill on January 6 and December 10, and

200 at Bittell on October 29 RM. Staffs 54 moved to the nort-east over Hammerwich on January 3

RAH. Winter flocks of about 70 present at Iverley and Whitt ing-ton sewage farm MSS. A bird with white wings seen at Highgate Common on May 21 BMM.

S h o r e Lark Staffs One seen at Blithfield reservoir on November 11 TWF GMI JL

MJWa and 12—many observers. Last Staffordshire record was in 1879

S w a l l o w Warks Roost of 20000 at Bedworth on September 6 MS; 5000 at

Alvecote on August 24 and 3000 at Belgrave on September 4 GAA MAA; 400 at Brandon from August 23 to September 10 BMCG; 1000 at Ladywalk on September 9 DHR.

Worcs About 2000 at Northwick Marsh roost on September 1 CNL and 2 SMW.

Staffs 1000 on August 9 was most reported at Blithfield RAH. Roost of about 5000 at Cannock reservoir noted between September 7 and 13 GE.

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R e d - r u m p e d S w a l l o w Warks One noted at Draycote on May 27 with influx of swifts and

hirundines fol lowing strong southerly gales GRH JVH. Points noted: prominent buffish-pink rump; tail less tapered than Swallow's and entirely black; blue sheen to crown and back but wings brownish black; underparts buff to bi l l ; rusty red behind eye and on side of neck. First record for Club's area.

House M a r t i n Warks Several hundred at Draycote on May 27 fol lowing gales GRH

JVH. 1000 reported at Draycote on September 9 DHR. Worcs Maximum at Wilden roost was 300 on September 16 MBP. Staffs 500 noted at Blithfield on August 9 RAH. A completely albino

bird reported from Caverswall on July 15 per EWL.

Sand M a r t i n Warks At least 75 pairs nested at Packington gravel pits JW. Roost at

Bedworth has decreased over recent years and maximum was 100 on July 24 MS. 2500 present at Bodymoor Heath on August 14 JHB SMH.

Staffs Autumn peak at Belvide was 500 on August 8 ICW; at Blithfield 1000 on August 9 RAH; at Cannock reservoir 1000 on Septem-ber 8 MBP. Colonies at Whitt ington sewage farm RAD MSS and at Brownhil ls/Hammerwich RAH no longer exist due to re-working.

Raven Warks One at Tysoe on March 17 JF and at Brandon on April 3 BMCG

are the first records in well over 100 years for the county. Worcs One seen several times in Wyre Forest during January MSS.

One noted over Mill Coppice on March 19 MJI. One or two seen over Malvern Hills in August and September MFFAFJ. Three birds mobbing a Buzzard over Horseley Hills on September 6 RM.

C a r r i o n C r o w Several partial albino birds reported.

Warks About 90 roosted in Sutton Park on November 19 SMH. Staffs Roost at Bunker's Wood estimated to have increased from 1000

on October 28 to 3000 by end of year RAD MSS. 350 reported at Whitt ington sewage farm on January 22 and 100 at Roundhill sewage farm on March 4 TH MSS.

H o o d e d C r o w Warks One noted at Brandon on February 2 BMCG and present for a

week from March 15 at Packington LJB. One seen at Warwick on November 7 RBa.

Worcs One reported at Bittell on February 13 MAB TAW. Staffs At Blithfield one occurred on April 5 DAH.

Rook Largest numbers reported w e r e : —

Warks 1000 at Middleton Hall on November 19 DHR. Worcs 1300 near Kidderminster on August 15 RJH. Staffs 500 at Drayton Bassett on December 3 DHR.

J a c k d a w

No changes in status reported.

M a g p i e Warks Twenty noted in Pype Hayes Park on February 12 TD; 11 seen

together at Walmley on May 14 GRA; 50 roosted in Edgbaston Park during winter KESOS.

Worcs. Flocks of 21 seen at Pedmore on February 17 SFLE and of 10 at Tardebigge reservoir on March 18 JRH.

Staffs Habit noted of birds foraging along shore of Cannock reservoir JL and 14 seen on December 31 GE. Jay Appears to be increasing.

Warks Four or five pairs bred in Edgbaston Park KESOS; 12 seen at Brandon on October 20 BMCG; 19 noted in flight near Packing-ton gravel pits on October 7 BLK. Very common at Arbury where 10 could be seen on one day MS.

Worcs Increase to seven pairs noted in Wollaston Woods MSS. Staffs Larger numbers than usual at Belvide and Cannock Chase, and

20 seen at Blithfield on October 19 DS. At Cannock reservoir three noted on January 4, two on March 31 and one on September 27 RAH—see 1971 Report.

G r e a t T i t Warks Thirteen boxes occupied by Great Tits in Edgbaston Park; 28

young fledged KESOS. Worcs A total of 18 boxes occupied and 40 young recorded from five

sites LRB JRM.

Blue T i t Warks Five boxes occupied in Edgbaston Park and 23 young fledged

KESOS. 38 nestlings recorded from five boxes at Bedworth RKS. Birmingham City centre sightings reported from Fazeley

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Street ( two), St. Paul's Square ( two), St. Philip's Churchyard and Park Street (four) AJR.

Worcs Five sites from schemes in county produced 105 young from 35 boxes LRB JRM.

Staffs Birds recorded entering bedrooms and tearing wallpaper during October—at least five houses involved in one locality of Stafford per GS.

Coal T i t

No changes in status reported.

M a r s h T i t No changes in distribution reported.

W i l l o w T i t Distribution unchanged.

Long- ta i l ed T i t Numerous reports in winter of flocks less than 12.

Warks Fifteen noted at Brandon on December 17 BMCG. Between 30 and 60 estimated in Wappenbury Woods on July 6 NS.

Worcs Forty counted in large mixed flock of tits near Malvern on August 6 LAB. At least 15 noted at Alfrick on August 28 MT. At Dowles Brook 100 seen on February 6 and 20 at Eastmans Coppice on September 17 RM. 20 reported in Stour Valley in September BRO MSS.

Staffs Twenty- two reported at Hopwas on January 4 AJD; 74 at Trentham Park on January 10 WH; 24 at Whitt ington sewage farm in Autumn RAD MSS; 30 at Belvide on December 21 and 20 at Highgate Common on December 26 ICW.

N u t h a t c h Warks Becoming scarce in Sutton Park ARMB.

No other changes reported.

Treec reeper Warks Winter influx again noted in Edgbaston Park KESOS. Six seen

at Arbury on January 1 MS. Worcs Small flocks quite common in winter in Stour Valley MSS. Staffs Eight noted in Trentham Park on January 1 WH; and seven at

Blithfield on March 26

W r e n Warks Ten seen at Brandon on April 23 and November 26 BMCG.

Nine pairs present in 200 acres of farmland at Wilnecote—higher

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numbers than usual GAA MAA. Worcs Always common in many localities in the county LRB.

D i p p e r Breeding season reports from : —

Worcs Dowles Brook, where bred—several observers; Al f r ick—bred LRB MT; Sling Pool JEC YMW; Belbroughton RAD MSS; Tenbury Wells LAB RLS; Mort ley—bred, Eastham Bridge, Knightsford LAB; Honey Brook, Worrall's Grove—bred RM; Wolverley, Bewdley, Chadderley Corbett, Cothercroft Wood FF; Bromsgrove PA.

Staffs Dovedale RAH DS; Danebridge—bred GS ARP AS; Coombes Valley ARP; Shackerley Mill, Stone, Oakamoor and good numbers on the moors FCG.

Bearded T i t An unprecedented irruption took place in the autumn of 1972 and a total of nearly 70 birds occurred in the three counties during the year.

Warks One caught at Pelsall on April 1 SVB SLB; a pair reported at Ufton Fields on November 26 RS. At Brandon five seen regularly from beginning of year to March 18, on which date 10 were noted. On October 29 35 seen towering, probably recently arrived. 25 recorded on November 5 and then 20 to end of year BMCG.

Worcs At Upton Warren five occurred on November 4 AFJ. Staffs Two reported at Belvide on October 20 DS. Eleven birds seen

towering at Island Pool, Himley on October 22 BMM. Two recorded at Cannock reservoir on November 10 DJM, November 11 ARMB, November 25 AFJ and one on December 31 GE.

M i s t l e T h r u s h Largest concentrations reported w e r e : —

Warks Twenty-six on sports field at Erdington on July 10 TD; 23 at Griff on August 17 MS; 30 at Packington on September 14 KS; 40 during October in Sutton Park SMH.

Worcs Party of 32 near Leigh Sinton on July 14 LAB. In the Lickeys 30 reported on September 1 TAW.

Staffs At Cannock reservoir 14 present on September 14 GE.

F ie ld fa re Largest numbers reported during mid-October arrivals and in March and April.

Warks 1000 noted at Brandon roost on February 19 BMCG. 200 at Astley on April 3 and 150 at Arbury on April 28 MS. 150 at Bodymoor Heath on October 17 BLK. 400 moved over Erding-

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ton during October 22-24 SMH. 100 recorded at Alvecote on October 22 GAA MAA, and 100 at Marston Green on November 18 A J.

Worcs 100 reported at Woodbury Hill on February 13, and 300 at Stour Hill on March 10 RM. 250 at Hanbury on March 12 RMB; 200 at Tardebigge from March 23-April 1 JRH; 250 flew over Bittell on October 15 KC; 500 moved south over Malvern and 300 over Suckley on October 22, and 500 seen near Leigh Sinton on November 26 LAB. 100 at Nash Elm Wood on October 24 and 200 at Bredon Hill on December 10 RM. 150 present at Captain's Pool in November RJH.

Staffs 100 at Cheswardine on March 26 WB; 250 at Kings Bromley on March 14 BCG; 200 at Brewood on March 26 GWW; 350 at Bickford on March 31 and 250 at Water Eaton on April 3 AJD; 170 at Belvide on April 1 DS; 800 at Wheaton Aston on April 7 BC. 150 at Roche Grange on October 14 HWK; 250 at Back Forest on October 21 DWY; 100 at Cannock Reservoir on November 18 DS; 400 at Blithfield on December 17 GIG; 300 at Yoxall on December 30 BCG.

S o n g T h r u s h Warks Forty noted at Brandon on April 15 BMCG. 50 seen at Draycote

on November 12 and 17 JL.

R e d w i n g Widespread reports of flocks up to 50.

Warks At Arbury on February 28 400 noted in surrounding fields wi th birds still arriving at rate of 200 per hour. Strong nocturnal passage heard over Water Orton on October 12 BLK; passage heard on nights from October 15 to November 8 at Four Oaks: 20 calls in 30 minutes on October 16, 11 in 10 minutes on 25 and 30 in 35 minutes on 30 ARMB. 100 birds noted at Earlswood on November 19 KNK.

Worcs 200 at Upton Warren between March 5 TAW and 10 RMB; 80 at Easthams Coppice on February 27 and 200 at Nash Elm Wood on October 24 RM. 200 seen at Tardebigge on October 15 JRH on which date 150 noted at Bittell KC, 100 at Spenels Pool and 200 at Wilden RJH. Heavy passage heard night after night during October over Kidderminster RJH.

Staffs Several parties noted moving over Doxey marshes on October 14 BC, 250 birds over Blithfield on October 15—several observers, and 600 at Belvide on October 17 DS.

Ring Ouzel Warks One reported at Packington gravel pits on May 8 BLK.

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Worcs Between eight and 12 reported from Malverns (Happy Valley) on September 30 SPH SMW, and from North Hill up to four between September 24 and October 15 LAB.

Staffs Breeding season reports from North Staffordshire moors DS DWY. Two noted at Three Shires Head on March 19 IJD. One at Roaches on April 22 and at Elkstones on September 3 HWK. One present at Blithfield from October 12 JRHo to 15 GS.

B l a c k b i r d Warks Twenty-f ive territories in 200 acres at Alvecote GAA MAA.

Several noted in Birmingham City centre in early part of year and song noted in New Street on January 12 (when dark) and on May 5; and pair bred in St. Philips Churchyard AJR.

Worcs Up to 50 seen regularly in autumn and winter on playing fields at Bromsgrove RJH.

Staffs Roost at Bunker's Wood held 344 on November 29 RAD MSS.

W h e a t e a r Many records of one or two on passage.

Warks Six noted at Walmley on May 14 GRA; 14 seen at Draycote on September 2 JL and five at Brandon on September 4 BMCG.

Worcs Five reported at Bittell on August 31 and 14 on playing fields at Warley on September 6 JEC.

Staffs Two pairs in breeding season at Whitt ington sewage farm JCL MSS and breeding attempt suspected near Pelsall but site des-troyed by ploughing GE. Five noted at Rickerscote on April 9 PT; six at Roaches on April 17 HWK; and five at Cannock reservoir on May 13 ARMB. At Clayhanger six recorded on August 28 GE. At Cannock reservoir two recently fledged juven-

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iles seen on July 7 RAH and 8 GE (see 1971 Report). Such birds occur most years RAH and were mentioned in Cannock article in 1954 Report.

Green land W h e a t e a r Birds thought to be of this race identified as f o l l o w s : —

Warks Up to three birds at Ladywalk from May 5 to 8 TD BLKJL. Worcs One at Upton Warren on May 6 TAW. Staffs One at Cannock reservoir on April 24 RAH.

S t o n e c h a t Warks One or two seen at Brandon from January 30 to end of February,

and from October 21 to end of year wi th four on October 29 BMCG. At Draycote one present from December 9 GRH JVH to December 30 JL. One seen in Sutton Park during January JHB SMH, two on October 12 CJL and from December 27 KS to 30 KAW. Single birds reported at Bodymoor Heath on March 1 and November 11 BLK and at Ladywalk one or two in February JHB BLK DFP and from October 21 DHR to end of year—several observers. One occurred at Marston Doles on October 6 RB and at Shard End on October 1 5 BP.

Worcs At Wilden two noted on January 23 RM, two or three on October 15 RJH MBP, and two from October 29 RM to December 25 EGP. One occurred at Upton Warren from March 5 TAW to 18 EGP and one or two from September 23 SPH AFJ to October 9 FF. Two reported at Grimley gravel pits on January 22 and February 22 CNL and one at Castlemorton on March 21 SMW. At Malvern, seven seen at North Hill on October 8 and one on December 3 LAB, and four at Happy Valley on September 30 SMW.

Staffs Pair bred at Hednesford (and in 1971) and Stoke-on-Trent per FCG. At Belvide one reported on October 25 CR, and at Cannock reservoir one seen on January 6 RAH and one or two from Novem-ber 22 JL to December 18 RAH with four on November 25 AJD. Three reported at Blithfield on October 1 MJH and one on October 7 EMR; then one seen by many observers from November 5 to end of year. One seen at Cannock Chase on March 25 DS and May 6 AFJ. Two seen at Pensnett on January 7 BMM \ one at Doxey Marshes throughout January and on November 6 PAK; one at Tittesworth on February 5 HWK; at Brocton on February 19 BC; Whitt ington sewage farm in March JCL; near Wolverhampton on March 24 NAJW; at Hamstall Ridware on May 20 and Yoxall on October 31 BCG; Tamworth on September 26 AJD; Roche Grange on October 14, Wetley Common (three)

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and Werrington on October 15, Berry Hill on October 19 and 3 at Chell Heath on December 16 HWK.

W h i n c h a t Breeding season reports f r o m : —

Warks A lveco te— two pairs GAA; Brandon—four pairs BMCG; Lady-walk—several observers; Compton Verney RA; A rbury—2 pairs MS.

Worcs Cast lemorton—two pairs LAB; Goosehill Wood SPH; Wilden, Stour Hill and Eymore Wood RM.

Staffs Reasonable numbers on moors FCG; Blithfield—several ob-servers; Cannock reservoir—four pairs RAH; Highgate Common BMM SFLE; Ford Green HWK; near Little Aston RJJ.

Reds ta r t Well distributed in small numbers—breeding widely reported.

Worcs Four pairs noted in Lickeys and three pairs in Piper's Oak Wood RM. Ten present in Wyre Forest in late May MAB MBP.

Black Reds ta r t No reports received from Birmingham City centre.

Warks One seen at Ratcliffe Culey on March 21 HRP. Worcs One occurred near Upton Warren on March 25 AFJ and one at

Lowesmoor, Worcester, on December 22 LAB. Attempt to breed near Stourbridge was unsuccessful when nest and eggs removed by children RAD MSS.

Staffs Two broods reared in usual Bilston area PGD.

N i g h t i n g a l e Warks Singing birds heard at Wellesbourne DTH; Combrook, Wooton

Wawen and Wilmcote RA; Snitterfield Bushes GRH JVH; eight pairs at Wappenbury Woods against 16 in 1971 NS; juvenile caught at Brandon on July 29 BMCG; two at Waverley Wood JF.

Worcs Heard at Ravenshill Wood CNL; Trench Wood—several observers; Habberley Val ley—where unusual RM; Belbroughton and Himbleton FF; Goosehill, Droitwich area and Martin Hussingtree AFJ; Alvechurch MJt.

R o b i n No changes in distribution reported.

Warks Birmingham city centre reports from Fazeley Street, Albert Street and St. Paul's Square AJR.

Worcs Pair nested in flower pot at Cradley at unusual height of 14 feet SFLE.

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Grasshopper W a r b l e r Heard in breeding season a t : — Wappenbury W o o d — f o u r birds NS; Packington KS; Packington gravel pits BLK; Stonebridge JW; Sutton Park SVB RJJ; Ladywalk—several observers; Bodymoor Heath EAH\ Brandon BMCG-, Alvecote GAA; Leamington and Wellesbourne DTU. Decrease reported in Tame Valley EAH. Decrease reported at Tardebigge, where none heard in an area previously holding six singing birds JRH. Heard at Hadley Woods and Strensham but described generally as scarce SMW. Singing birds at Wilden—several observers; Wolverley RJH; EymoreWood — f o u r birds and Stour Hill RM; Goosehil l—strong breeding colony AFJ; Castlemorton Common LAB; Old Hills—several observers; Great Witley DS; Alfrick LRB. Scarce at Blithfield where only two singing birds noted—several observers. Only one singing bird in breeding season at Cannock reservoir where normally three-six heard ARMB RAH. Heard at Brindley Heath RAH; Cannock Chase—several observers; Hay-head AEC KSE; Whitmore Wood JG; Gnosall FCG; Brierley Hill BMM; Abbots Bromley RR; Little Wyrley and Norton Canes GE; Stockton Brook and Norton Green HWK; Himley and Baggeridge ESD.

Savi 's W a r b l e r Warks Heard and seen at a locality in the county from May 2 to June 4 —

several observers. Second record for the county and Club's area.

Reed W a r b l e r Warks Ten pairs present at Alvecote GAA and 40 pairs at Brandon

BMCG. Worcs Singing birds reported from Bittell, Upton Warren and Wi lden—

several observers. No estimates of numbers or other records received.

Staffs 20-25 bred at Chillington GIG.

M a r s h W a r b l e r Worcs Singing birds heard at Nafford (four birds) and near Eckington—

several observers. Sedge W a r b l e r

Warks Ten pairs at Alvecote GAA and up to 50 singing birds heard at Brandon BMCG.

Worcs Twenty-f ive singing birds reported on May 6 at Upton Warren MAB TAW.

Staffs Ten singing birds heard at Blithfield in June—several observers;

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decrease at Cannock reservoir where song heard regularly from only two areas RAH; continued decrease at Belvide to nine singing birds compared to 26 in 1970 and 11 in 1971 DS.

Blackcap Warks Single birds seen at Bulkington on February 3 WL and Hands-

worth Wood on December 4 KO. Four singing birds in Sutton Park on June 23 ARMB. Three pairs bred at Ladywalk, six pairs at Woodend EAH and four pairs at Bodymoor Heath KESOS.

Worcs Six heard in song in Wyre Forest ARMB; five at Eymore Wood and nine at Birch Wood RM; four at Trench Wood and three at Upton Warren TAW.

Staffs Reported as more common in South Staffordshire than usual ARMB, and is only warbler to avoid steady decline in Belvide/ Brewood area where 12 singing birds reported DS. One took aphids off leaves in Wolverhampton garden from December 3 to 7 RAS.

Garden W a r b l e r Three or four pairs present in Edgbaston Park—an increase KESOS. Five in song in Eymore Wood and 4 in Birch Wood RM; six at Trench Wood TAW\ seven at Westwood Park where usually t w o or three SPH. No changes reported though only one noted at Belvide—part of a general decline there CR DS.

W h i t e t h r o a t Four singing birds reported at Packington gravel pits BLK; four at Wappenbury Wood NS; two or three pairs at Alvecote GAA MAA; only small numbers in Tame Valley EAH. Three singing birds at Wilden and Eymore Wood in May RM; seven at Bittell on July 26 MAB. Slight increase at Cannock reservoir RAH and at Blithfield BRD but numbers still extremely low. Still poor numbers in south Staffordshire ARMB, and continues to decline in Belvide area DS. Six reported near Penkridge on June 3 NJD. A decrease reported in Baggeridge area MJH.

Lesser W h i t e t h r o a t Breeding season reports from : — Alvecote and Wilnecote GAA; Brandon BMCG; Sutton Cold-field JL; Wormleighton, Priors Hardwick and Priors Marston RB; low numbers reported in Tame Valley EAH and in Nuneaton area MS. Upton Warren, Wilden, Hartlebury Common, Eymore Wood,

Warks Worcs

Staffs

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Devil's Spittleful and Bredon Hill RM; Castlemorton Common LAB; Dunsley Wood RAD MSS; A r l e y J f C ; Shrawley and Dray -cott DS; increase reported at Bittell KC.

Staffs Blithfield—several observers; Belvide—numbers as 1971 DS; Cannock Reservoir RAH where up to 10 seen on passage in autumn GE RAH', Pipe Ridware JL; Brierley Hill BMM; Ash Green HH; Norton Green HWK; Hixon GS.

W i l l o w W a r b l e r Warks Ten in song at Brandon on May 7 BMCG; numbers generally

reduced in Tame Valley EAH; five territories in 200 acres at Wilnecote GAA MAA; nine pairs bred in Edgbaston Park KESOS.

Staffs Distinct influx on April 9 at Belvide ARMB and at Cannock reservoir RAH where 25 birds in song on April 16 GE. Twelve singing birds at Haywood's Warren on April 23 TECP. Small decline in Belvide/Brewood area to 52 singing birds.

C h i f f c h a f f Warks Decrease reported in Edgbaston Park and Sutton Park KESOS;

very low numbers this year in Tame Valley EAH. One seen in Edgbaston garden on December 3 RJJ.

Staffs Overwintered at Keele University JG RG EWL; one seen at Belvide on November 18 RG and one at Rickerscote on December 3 FCG. Six in Belvide/Brewood area constitutes a further decrease in that area DS.

W o o d W a r b l e r Warks One heard at Wappenbury Wood in June NS; one at Maxstoke

from June 10 to July 1 KS; 1 or 2 sang in Sutton Park from May 6 ARMB to June 16 KS. At Woodend one sang during spring EAH; one at Bodymoor Heath seen on April 9 where unusual HTL; at Arbury two or three sang on May 9 and one was present all summer MS.

Worcs Fourteen or 15 in song along Dowles Brook on May 21 MBP and May 24 SMW. Other singing birds reported from Westwood Park—several observers; Wilden MBP; Trench Wood—four birds—several observers; Dodderhill MAB TAW; Blakedown SFLE; Lickey Woods—four birds PA; Upton Warren, Pipers Oak Wood, Eymore Wood and Worrall's Grove RM; Ockeridge Wood FF; Norton RAD MSS; Kyre and Cofton Hill MJI; Malvern MAB.

Staffs Reported from Himley—several observers; Highgate C o m m o n — three birds BMM EGP; Ridgehill Wood—f ive birds EGP; Blith-field GIG; Gailey GE; Belvide ICW; White Sitch JL; Whitt ing-ton sewage farm and Wollaston RAD MSS; Hoar Cross BCG; Kingswood and Chillington HH; Trentham HH EWL; Knypersley, Meaford and Moddershall EWL.

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G o l d c r e s t Frequently reported from suburban gardens.

Warks Twenty reported at Packington on September 26 KS; 40 at Coombe Abbey on November 19 CHP; 15 at Arbury on January 1 MS. Up to eight seen in Edgbaston Park in winter KESOS.

Fi rec res t Warks One watched at close quarters on March 17 at Earlswood Lakes

GT. Worcs Two birds seen in a Worcester garden on February 24 and 25 per

WJL. The 1971 bird at Bittell remained until January 22 PA MAB. A male reported in Lickey Hills on May 11 JEF.

Staffs One caught in mist net at Hopwas on December 16 GFE per EJP. A total of six birds and records from all three counties is quite extraordinary.

S p o t t e d F lyca tcher Warks Twelve reported in Wappenbury Wood on September 3 NS.

Common around Arbury wi th many breeding pairs MS. Worcs Very good breeding season in Stourbridge area MSS MJW. Staffs Usual numbers in Cannock reservoir/Chasetown area RAH.

Pied F l yca tche r Worcs One seen on passage at Weatheroak on April 16 MJL A bird

noted at Hadzor on May 5 AFJ and one at Bittell on May 14 KC JEF. In Wyre Forest a total of 69 young recorded from 11 occupied boxes at 4 sites.

Staffs One killed on hitting w indow near Wolverhampton on May 3 NAJW. At Chillington one recorded on July 23 GIG.

Hedge S p a r r o w No changes reported.

Warks Ten breeding pairs at Alvecote and 13 in 200 acres at Wilnecote GAA MAA. Birmingham City centre reports from Freeman Street on February 13 and Park Street on March 22 AJR.

M e a d o w P ip i t Warks 100 noted at Ladywalk on October 21 and 150 at Bodymoor on

several dates during winter, several observers. 60 seen at Brandon on September 25 BMCG and 50 at Minworth sewage works on December 3 JL. 50 f lew east to evening roost near Nuneaton on November 26 WL EHT.

Staffs Sixty recorded at Belvide on March 26 ARMB, 130 at Cannock reservoir on September 25 RAH, and 50 at Blithfield on November 12 MJI.

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Tree P ip i t Warks Four pairs resident at Brandon BMCG. Said to be very scarce

in Nuneaton and Bedworth area now MS. Worcs Five singing at Eymore Wood on May 14 RM. Five noted at

Goosehill on April 30, five in Trench Wood on May 13 and 10 in Wyre Forest on May 20 MAB.

Rock P ip i t Warks Single birds recorded at Brandon on January 15, 22 and December

17 BMCG; and at Draycote on October 1 and 18 RB. Worcs At Upton Warren one seen on October 28 AFJ. Staffs Single birds noted at Blithfield on February 6 MJI, October 7

ARMB, 19 DS, 22 ESC AGP, 29 ARD BRD PDH and November 5 DS. At Belvide one seen on September 30, two on October 7, two on 24 and one on 25 CR DS. At Cannock reservoir three occurred on September 26 ARMB, one on 29 and two on 30 RAH.

W a t e r P ip i t Warks One reported at Ladywalk on March 26 EAH BLK and April

9 EAH. At Brandon one seen on November 29 RB. Worcs One noted at Wilden on November 18 MHB. Staffs At Belvide one noted on March 31 and April 1, October 15-20

DS and November 5-27 GIG CR DS. One seen at Blithfield on January 2 DS and February 27 ARMB. One caught at Doxey Marshes on October 21 PC FCG. At Cannock reservoir one or two present from January 1 to March 25 ARMB RAH DS with five reported on January 29 DHR. One or two then present from November 4 SPH to end of year GE CR.

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Pied W a g t a i l Warks Described as plentiful at Draycote on August 13 JL. 124 roosted

at Brandon on October 15 BMCG; 106 flew to roost at Hartshill on November 26 WL EHT.

Worcs Fifty seen at Bittell on January 16 DMT; 57 at Churchill on Feb-ruary 26 MSS MJW; 40 at Malvern on September 30 SFLE; 25 chased a Kestrel at Upton Warren on October 5 AWH.

Staffs Fifty noted at Blithfield on August 28 ARMB and September 25 RAH; 45 at Whitt ington sewage farm on September 30 and November 5 RAD MSS; 150 at Holden Bridge on August 17 HWK.

W h i t e W a g t a i l Many records during spring passage involving either one or two birds on each occasion.

Grey W a g t a i l Very many records, usually of one or two birds, during autumn and winter months. Breeding season records from : —

Warks Shustoke BLK. Birmingham City centre records in winter from King Edward House, Fazeley Street and New Street ( two) AJR and from Corporation Street CR.

Worcs Dowles Brook—several observers; Alfrick LRB; Eastham MJ! ICW; Honley Court, Newnham, Kyre Pool and River Rea MJI; Eymore Wood and Worrall's Grove RM.

Staffs Blithfield—several observers; Yoxall and Hamstall Ridware BCG; Keele JG EWL; River Dane Stewponey and Whitt ing-ton sewage farm RAD MSS; Dovedale DS; Blake Brook CR.

Y e l l o w W a g t a i l Warks At Draycote 140 present on April 30 DNM and 200 on August 12

CHP. 75 noted at Packington gravel pits on September 6 BLK. Worcs 100 present at Wilden on September 7 RM. Staffs Particularly common in Autumn at Blithfield wi th influx of 100

on August 6 ARD BRD and 13 FCG, with 250 on August 27 ARD BRD. Fifty recorded at Belvide on May 9 DS and 14 CR. 150 reported at Holden Bridge on August 17 HWK, and 1000 at roost in Doxey marshes on August 9 PAK EDP.

Blue -headed W a g t a i l Worcs One identified at Westwood Park on June 4 CNL. Staffs Two present at Belvide on May 16, fol lowing a variant wi th pale

grey head on April 29 DS. On April 27 at Belvide a bird (possibly a variant) seen wi th dark grey head, dark grey-black lores and

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ear coverts, lack of supercilium and striking white throat—thus resembling the race M.f. cinereocapilla, the Ashy-headed Wagtail DS.

W a x w i n g Warks Three seen in Sutton Coldfield on March 5 EMR and two at

Exhall on March 8 NBE. Staffs One noted near Wolverhampton on February 3 NAJW and four

at Hednesford on February 20 AEC KSE TECP.

Grea t Grey Shr i ke Warks Single birds noted at Atherstone on January 9 NJ; Brandon

during January and November BMCG; Sutton Park on March 18 and Alvecote on April 1 RJJ; Hockley Heath on April 10 NRA; Wilmcote on November 4 and 5 RA BRM; Ufton Fields on Novem-ber MRS and 19 PS.

Worcs Reported from Highley on January 30 GKW; Bittell on January 20 KC and 31 JLT and from March 5 MAB TAW to 23 PCTu; Castlemorton Common from March 23 to April 17—several ob-servers; Stour Hill on October 29 RM MBP; Wilden from December 24 MJH to 29 EG P.

Staffs Cannock Chase records from Brocton on February 13 AEC KSE TECP; Old Acre Valley from March 21 to 25 and November 4-5 CR DS PCT; Sherbrook Valley on October 29 PCT. Other single birds reported from Newcastle on January 6 and from December 24 to 29 WH; Wandon on March 15 BCG; Pendeford Marsh on March 20 SM; Gornal Wood—abou t 7 days until April 17 MJH EGP; Cannock reservoir from April 12-15 GE RAH; Blackbrook Valley on May 14 TCL KAW; Pillaton on October 15 NJD; Himley on April 16 BMM.

Red-backed Sh r i ke Worcs A male reported in Wyre Forest on August 28 RSN.

S t a r l i n g Largest roosts reported w e r e : —

Warks 2000 in Edgbaston Park winter roost KESOS; 10000 at Brandon on August 8 and September 10 BMCG; 15000 at Barnt Green on February 21 MAB; 50000 at Arbury during November.

Staffs 20000 near Codsall on December 27 GIG, and huge roost between Codsall and Albrighton estimated at more than one million on December 9 NAJW.

H a w f i n c h Warks One seen at Compton Verney on January 1 RA JM.

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Worcs Single birds reported at Bittell on February 5 MFF BMW and April 17 DMH, wi th two on August 21 JMH. Pair seen carrying food at Hanley Court on June 4 MJI; 2 recorded at Leigh Sinton on June 26, one at Malvern Link on July 21 and at Suckley Hills on September 23 LAB.

Staffs One reported at Weston Park on February 13 PGD; two seen at Chillington on July 9 GIG. Up to three pairs seen at Himley from April 6 to May 10 MJH EGP DS and bird noted carrying nesting material on May 9 ESD.

G r e e n f i n c h Warks 100 present at Brandon on January 30 and during November

BMCG; 50 seen at Packington gravel pits on October 7 and 40 at Lea Marston on October 8 BLK. Six pairs bred at Alvecote and at Wilnecote GAA MAA. Nesting very commonly in Sutton Cold-f ie ld—e.g. three nests in one small area of Tamworth Road JL.

Worcs 400 counted at Bredon Hill on January 6 RM. Staffs 500 at Little Wyrley on November 29 TECP, and 150 at Wollaston

on December 22 RAD MSS.

G o l d f i n c h Largest flocks reported w e r e : —

Warks Sixty at Draycote in January, July and September per RB; 100 at Ladywalk on December 23 DHR; 100 at Marston Green on September 17 AJ; 40 at Bodymoor Heath on September 12 KESOS.

Worcs 150 at Wilden on September 24 RM MBP; 100 at Castlemorton Common from July to early October LAB; 100 in Stour Valley during September MSS; 50 at settling tanks by Kidderminster on December 17 RJH.

Staffs 75 at Apedale on January 6 WH; 200 at Hoar Cross on February 12 BCG; 35 at Belvide on September 18 JL; 50 at Blithfield on October 8 ARD BRD; 50 at Warwick Moor on September 26 AJD; 60 at Whitt ington sewage farm in October and 120 at Kingswinford on October 11 MSS.

Sisk in Many flocks of less than 20 reported. Several records of visits to gardens, mainly in March.

Warks Sixty present at Shustoke on November 25 BLK; 35 along River Blythe at Knowle on February 6 JW; 50 in Edgbaston Park on December 31 KESOS; 65 in Sutton Park on December 24 SMH; 50 at Compton Verney on November 19 RA; 40 At Arbury on January 1 MS.

Worcs At Bittell counts received of 100 on October 18 KC, 120 on Dec-

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ember 22 DMH and 150 on December 23 MAB. At Wilden 70 recorded on December 24 RM; 75 near Kidderminster on Decem-ber 17 RJH; at Caunsall 90 seen on December 9 MSS.

Staffs 200 estimated at Trentham Park on January 10 WH; 70 noted at Oldacre Valley on April 4 PCT; 60 at Copmere on October 22 BC; at Shoal Hill 250 estimated on October 24 BCG.

L inne t Warks At Draycote 150 present during August RB; 150 at Brandon on

October 8 was the maximum noted BMCG; 200 seen at Ladywalk on October 29 EAH; 160 at Bodymoor Heath recorded on March 25 and 300 at Packington gravel pits on September 24 BLK; six pairs nested at Alvecote and Wilnecote GAA MAA.

Worcs 400 counted at Bredon Hill on January 6 and 300 at Wilden on October 15 RM.

Staffs 150 reported at Cannock reservoir on September 30 RAH; 200 at Blithfield on October 8 ARD BRD; 100 on thistles near Stafford on August 14 GS; several hundred estimated at Berry Hill on September 6 HWK; at Calf Heath 300 noted on October 15 AEC; 230 seen at Whitt ington sewage farm on December 15 RAD MSS. Three nests in small area at Blithfield showed variety of s i tes— gorse bush, small pine and hawthorn JL. Newly fledged young fol lowed parents wi th difficulty over water at Cannock reservoir on August 19 and eventually forced to water's surface where it drowned with parent hovering nearby GE.

T w i t e Warks Up to 40 reported at Middleton from November 7 to 12 and 12

noted on December 10. Staffs Several on North Staffordshire moors as usual—several observers.

At Belvide 15 noted on October 8 ICW and 80 reported from Thorncliffe in early October HWK. At Cannock reservoir between 40 and 60 present until March 29 RAH with maximum of 95 on January 1 DS. Between 65 and 70 then reported by several observers from October 21 ARMB to end of year.

Redpol l Warks Ten pairs bred at Brandon BMCG; bred at Ladywalk and Woodend

EAH; breeding suspected at Packington JW and Alvecote GAA; bred at Sutton Park SVB, where 60 present on February 17 ARMB. 80 noted in Rosecoombe Wood on March 12 CHP.

Worcs Breeding season records from Bittell PA JL; Cradley SFLE; Wilden—bred, Stowhill, Hartlebury Common, Blakeshall Con-mon and Eymore Wood RM; Norton RAD TH; Stourbridge—bred

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MSS MJW. Largest flocks reported were 100 at Goosehill on April 2, 100 at Trench Wood on April 5 and 300 at Wilden on October 15 RM.

Staffs Breeding season reports received f r o m : — Belvide CR DS; Blithfield—several observers; Cannock reservoir—bred RAH; Bagot's Wood and White Sitch JL; Hayhead and Rushall AEC; Staf ford—2 pairs bred GS; Whitt ington sewage farm—bred MSS; Brierley Hi l l—bred BMM; Cheadle—bred BR; Longnor FCG; Swallow Moss RAH DS; Cannock Chase RAH; Tettenhall DS. Largest flocks were 60 at Gailey on February 6 ARMB; 100 at Shoal Hill on February 15 BCG; 100 at Bagot's Wood on April 16 JL; 250 at Haywood Warren on April 23 TECP; 60 at Cannock reservoir on September 30 RAH; 100 at Chell Heath on October 8 HWK.

M e a l y Redpo l l Warks Birds showing the characters of Mealy Redpoll reported at New

Close Wood, Brandon on February 4 JWH; and at Hampton-in-Arden one seen on February 23 followed by five on two occasions during March UCN.

B u l l f i n c h Ten present at Draycote on December 23 JL; 25 at Brandon on January 16 BMCG; 10 at Coleshill on September 24 AJ; marked increase in breeding birds over last few years in Tame Valley EAH; 100 seen at Ladywalk on December 23 DHR; 40 present at Thornhill on January 29 WL EHT. Five noted at Bittell on January 22 JL and 11 at Kidderminster on December 16 RAD MSS. Fifteen counted at Himley on November 26 BMM and eight at Stafford on January 30 GS.

Crossb i l l Warks Fifteen or 16 seen at Combrook on July 30 and six or seven at

Compton Verney on August 27 RA JM; six present at Solihull on August 6 and one at Brandon on December 31 JW; eight seen at Arbury on July 23 JW and on November 3 MS, after which date up to six remained to end of year MS; six reported at Styvechall Common on November 23 RWL; one, unable to fly, found in Longbridge and taken for care during July AAW.

Worcs One f lew over Barnt Green on July 25 and three seen at Bittell on November 5 MAB; at least four noted in Lickey Hills from July 28 TAW to September 30 JHB AK; eight recorded in Clent on August 23 JEC; small numbers present in Arley Wood from July 29 to October 29 RM; two noted at Bevere Green on August

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6 SMW; 15-20 seen in Wyre Forest on July 23 ICW and four on September 10 NAJW; at least three reported from Bredon Hill AFJ.

Staffs One seen at Longnor on July 9 FCG; up to 18 reported at Enville from July 27 SFLE to August 13 MJH CR DS; three reported at Highgate Common on December 22 per MJH; on Cannock Chase one seen at Haywood Warren on July 29 BCG, two at Old Acre Valley on November 23 DS, one at Sherbrook Valley on December 17 MW, and 12 at Brocton on December 26 PCT. Two recorded at Four Ashes on July 26 AJD, and four at Gailey on November 11 BC.

C h a f f i n c h 200 at Ladywalk on December 23 DHR and 110 at Bodymoor Heath on February 14 BLK were the most reported. At Bredon Hill 200 counted on January 6 and 100 at Wilden on December 24 RM. At Blithfield 60 recorded on October 7 ARMB; 100 at Weston-under-Lizard on March 19 JL; 250 seen at Apedale on January 6 WH; at Whitt ington sewage farm 700 estimated in early Decem-ber RAD MSS.

B r a m b l i n g Many reports of small numbers, less than 20. Largest flocks w e r e : — 240 at Ladywalk on February 8, 70 at Bodymoor Heath on February 14 and 50 at Packington gravel pits on March 14 BLK. Eighty during January and early February at Brandon BMCG. 300 noted at Bredon Hill on January 6 RM. 400 estimated on March 22 near Pattingham PGD; 40 at Wolseley Bridge on November 25 GS; 40 at Bishton Hall on November 26 KSE; 150 estimated at Fordhouses on December 12 CRG.

C o r n B u n t i n g Reported during breeding season from the fol lowing local i t ies:—

Warks Bodymoor Heath and Middleton RJJ; Curdworth KS; Weston JH; Brandon BMCG; Wishaw JL; Southam RB; Wellesbourne RA; Dorsington and Ailstone DS; Shenton DM; Bromcote MS; Alvecote GAA. Breeding area moving southwards down Trent and Tame Valleys RJJ. Roost of 62 birds at Brandon on November 26.

Worcs Bromsgrove PA; Upton Warren MAB AFJ TAW; Salwarpe CPB; West Hagley, Broome, Holt Heath SFLE; Bredon Hill and Wol-verley RM; Sinton Green JEC; Mustow Green and Hart lebury— several observers; Blakedown and Stone Villages RJH; Netherton,

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South Littleton, High Green and Shenstone DS; Nafford ARD BRD PDH; Grimley SPH. 36 territories found around Kidderminster area RJH. 40 birds roosted at Stour Hill on March 7 RM.

Staffs Tamworth GAA; Bridgtown subsidence pools JL; Belvide ARMB; Hammerwich—same number as 1971 RAH; Chasetown/ Cannock reservoir RAH; Clayhanger GE; Highgate Common SFLE EGP; Handsacre BCG; Aqualate DFH. Roost of 25 occurred at Cannock reservoir on April 6 PCT.

Y e l l o w H a m m e r Warks Flocks of 100 reported at Draycote in January RB, and 150 on

November 26 JL; 250 at Thornhill on January 29 WL EHT; 30 at Alvecote on January 23 GAA MAA; 40 at Hampton Lucy on February 5 RA; at Brandon 100 present on February 12 BMCG; 150 at Middleton on February 20 EAH; 20 at Packington on March 3 KS.

Worcs At Bredon Hill 250 estimated on January 6 RM; 30 at Upton Warren on September 30 MAB.

Staffs At Hopton 50 counted on January 2 GS; 20 at Westport on February 9 HWK; at Blithfield 20 on February 13 PDH when 50 also reported at Tittensor AE; 20 seen at Seighford on April 14 IJD.

Ci r l B u n t i n g Worcs Male singing at usual Malvern site during May and June—many

observers. A bird seen at Northwick Marsh on January 7 CNL; at Sinton Green one noted on May 10 JEC; a singing bird reported at Longdon on July 7 FF; one sang near Leigh Sinton on June 26.

Reed B u n t i n g Several reports concerning visits to gardens.

Warks 12-15 breeding pairs at Alvecote GAA; at Brandon about 50 pairs bred; 250 counted in large finch flock at Thornhill on January 29 WL EHT.

Worcs Fifty roosted at Stour Hill on March 7 RM. Increasing around Kidderminster and breeds in dry areas near Summerfield and Hoobrook RJH; breeds in dry habitats at Stourbridge and bred at Stevens Park only half mile from shopping centre MSS.

Staffs Decrease reported at Belvide DS; two flocks of 50 seen at Whitt ington sewage farm on March 8 MSS; bred in completely dry area of Highgate Common BMM.

S n o w B u n t i n g Warks Two recorded at Brandon on January 30 BMCG.

87

Staffs One noted at Light Oaks, Milton on March 22 HWK; one seen at Cannock reservoir by many observers from December 9 BC to end of year.

House S p a r r o w The yellow/ginger bird reported at Brandon in 1971 was seen throughout 1972 BMCG. 700 seen at Lea Marston on April 26 BLK. Autumn flock in Stour Valley estimated at 500 birds MSS. Largest flocks were 600 at Clayhanger on August 28 GE, and 500 at Whitt ington sewage farm and 400 at Kingswinford during September MSS.

Tree S p a r r o w Warks Largest flocks were 250 at Brandon on January 9 BMCG; 200

at Bodymoor Heath on February 27 AECo; 30 at Draycote on December 30 JL.

Worcs 100 present at Briar Mill on January 1 6 CPB; 100 at Wilden on January 23 RM; 80 at Bittell on January 30 DMH.

Staffs 100 recorded at Patshull on January 25 ESD; 40 at Gailey on February 25 RG; at Whitt ington sewage farm 110 counted on October 7 MSS; 100 at Baswich on December 10 GS; up to 100 in autumn at Rushall AEC.

Warks

Worcs Staffs

Errata 1971 Report Page 32 : The record of four Pintail at Bartley reservoir should have been

four Goldeneye.

88

Recover ies A n d C o n t r o l s in 1972 o f B i rds R inged I n t h e W M B C A r e a

Key Pull 1Y 2Y 1W

Pullus (nesting) Juv Bird in its first year P J Bird in its second year FG First winter Ad

Juvenile (young able to fly) Post-juvenile Full grown (age uncertain) {Adult at least one year old)

A r r a n g e m e n t o f En t ry By species and recovery date. Ringing details are given on the first line and recovery or control data on the second. A control is marked thus* before the date on the second line.

Species Ring No

H e r o n

Age Date Place Ringer

Movement (k-kilometers)

1080059 Pull 30 04 71 Gailey, Staffs CDTM 01 05 72 Cheltenham, Glos. 85 k S

1080062 Pull 13 05 71 Gailey 02 04 72 Oxford Canal between Rugby

and Coventry, Warks 57 k SE 1080100 Pull 13 05 71 Gailey

22 03 72 Crowdecote, nr. Hartington, Derby 57 k SSE

1081078 Pull 22 04 72 Gailey 21 06 72 Moreton Say, Market

Drayton, Salop 40 k NW 1090755 Pull 06 05 72 Gailey

08 07 72 Knowle, Solihull, Warks 42 k SE 1090756 Pull 06 05 72 Gailey

30 06 72 Pen-y-Cae, Wrexham, Denbigh 70 k W N W

M a l l a r d GP 05698 Juv 30 05 71 Weston-u-Lizard, Staffs PGD

06 10 72 Oaker Wood, Kingsland, Hereford 58 k SW

W i g e o n SS 82398 Ad 14 12 68 Blithfield Res. Rugeley,

Staffs CDTM 24 09 72 Ardmillan Bay, Strangford,

Lough Down 54° 29 ' N 5° 29 ' W

SS 93718 1Y 20 12 70 Blithfield 18 05 71 nr Ukhta (Komi) 63° 3 4 ' N

A.S.S.R. 53° 4 7 ' E SS 93720 Ad 20 12 70 Blithfield

12 05 72 nr Khanty Mansiysk (Trumen) 61° 0 0 ' N

U.S.S.R. 69° 0 3 ' E

Canada Goose 5012019 Pull 06 07 68 Gailey, Staffs CDTM

*28 06 69 Harewood Park, Leeds, Yorks 112 k NE

*27 06 71 Branston, Burton-on-Trent, Staffs 95 k SW

*19 03 72 Drakelow, Derbys 1 k E 5012033 Pull *06 07 68 Gailey CDTM

*28 06 69 Harewood Park, Leeds, Yorks 112 k NE

12 02 72 Branston, Burton-on-Trent, Staffs 120 k S

5012076 Pull 06 07 68 Branston, Burton-on-Trent, Staffs CDTM

*02 07 72 Thoresby Park, Ollerton, Notts 45 k NE

5012268 Ad 28 06 69 Gailey CDTM * Summer 72 Redditch, Worcs 43 k SSE

5043248 Pull 27 06 70 Bodymoor Heath, Warks CDTM 18 09 72 Occumster, Lybster,

Caithness 654 k NNV

M u t e S w a n Z 22167 Juv 17 12 67 Burton-on-Trent, Staffs CDTM

*24 01 72 Holme Pierrepont, Notts 40 k ENE Z 23322 PJ 08 02 69 Stratford-on-Avon, Warks JAH

26 04 72 Bulbourne, Tring, Herts 82 k SE Z 29147 1Y 18 04 70 Tamworth, Staffs CDTM

? 23 12 71 Gayhurst, Newport Pagnall, Bucks 82 k SE

Z 30616 Pull 10 09 70 Dunstall, Burton-on-Trent, Staffs CDTM

*23 06 71 Cannock Reservoir, Staffs 20 k W *04 08 71 Cannock Reservoir, Staffs 31 10 72 Basford, Crewe, Ches. 60 k NW

Z 30662 2Y 31 05 71 Tamworth, Staffs CDTM •31 07 71 Alvecote, Tamworth, Staffs 3 k E *11 07 72 Deeping St. James, Lines. 90 k E

90

Z 20971 Juv

Z 20972 Juv

Z 20975 Juv

Z 20978 Juv

Kest re l

EF 37778 Pull

Sn ipe CN 31317 FG

S t o c k Dove EF 20503 Pull

EF 20504 Pull

B a r n O w l

AJ 92531 Pull

A J 92533 Pull

A J 92535 Pull

GP 37403 Pull

L i t t l e O w l EF 37712 Pull

S w i f t SE 58625 Ad

11 10 71 Worcester CHG *05 08 72 Alvecote, Warks 60 k NNE 20 10 71 Worcester CHG

*12 09 72 Cavendish Dock, Barrow-in-Furness, Lanes 225 k NNW

19 11 71 Worcester CHG *23 04 72 Great Wyrley, Cannock,

Staffs 55 k NNE 23 11 71 Worcester CHG

*05 08 72 Alvecote, Warks 60 k NE

17 06 72 Barford, Warks JAH 03 08 72 Sutton Coldfield, Warks 38 k NNW

19 09 70 Doxey Marshes, Stafford BC 01 01 72 Merchough Marchand

(Rabat) MOROCCO 33° 31 ' N 6° 41 ' W

09 05 70 Binton, Warks JAH 11 05 72 Mickleton, Glos 112 k S 09 05 70 Binton, Warks JAH 17 04 72 Wellesbourne, Warks 12 k E

02 08 71 Charlcote, Warks JAH 21 10 72 Baldock, Herts 100 k ESE 02 08 71 Charlcote, Warks JAH 28 01 72 Great Wibraham, Cambridge 123 k E 14 07 72 Temple Grafton, Warks JAH 06 12 72 Brinklow, Warks 38 k NE 22 07 72 Wheaton Aston, Staffs BC

12 72 nr Stafford 14 k NNE

02 06 71 Temple Grafton, Warks JAH 14 11 72 Ettington, Warks 15 k SE

11 06 68 Coven, Wolverhampton, Staffs EDP

04 08 72 Zarzis (Medenine) TUNISIA 33° 3 4 ' N

12° 0 4 ' E

91

Swallow JH 97098 Juv 18 08 71 Upton Warren, Worcs RMB

*22 05 72 Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, Staffs 32 k N

SE 91420 Juv 18 08 71 Upton Warren RMB 15 06 72 Oil Rig, North Sea 53° 3 6 ' N Oil Rig, North Sea

3° 33 ' E JH 82673 Juv 24 08 71 Upton Warren RMB

*12 05 72 Whipsnade Zoo, Beds 115 k ESE JE 92561 Juv 06 09 71 Upton Warren GHG

06 72 Madeley, Staffs 76 k NNW SE 91428 Ad 09 09 71 Strensham, Worcs RMB

01 05 72 Entrammes (Mayenne) 48° 0 0 ' N FRANCE 0° 4 3 ' W

HB 37949 1Y 11 09 71 Bedworth, Nuneaton, Warks SCB 24 05 72 Beaurieux, nr Rheims 49° 2 4 ' N

(Marne) FRANCE 3° 4 4 ' E JH 92950 Juv 16 09 71 Upton Warren, Worcs GHG

*02 09 72 Blackmoorfoot, Hudders-field, Yorks 145 k N

J A 86818 Juv 20 09 72 Red Hill, Alcester, Warks JAH *21 09 72 Wolvercote, Oxford 60 k SE

J a c k d a w EF 13912 FG 07 01 70 Red Hill, Alcester, Warks JAH

20 03 72 Shennington, Banbury, Oxon 30 k ESE

Grea t T i t 96454 Pull 02 06 71 Wellesbourne, Warks JAH

28 01 72 Bredon, Warks 40 k SW

Blue T i t JE 14432 1Y 17 10 71 Lower Quinton, Stratford-

on-Avon DS 25 04 72 Hadnall, Shrewsbury, Salop,

Warks 95 k WN

R e d w i n g CP 16570 FG 23 11 69 Weston-u-Lizard, Staffs PGD

28 02 71 Villegouge, nr Libourne 44° 56 ' N (Gironde) FRANCE 0° 18 ' W

CN 57134 FG 06 12 70 Outhill Studley, Warks TE 02 02 72 Lage Villaverde (Monho), 31° 3 0 ' N

PORTUGAL 8° 3 5 ' W

92

CP 26303 Ad

CN 48984 1Y

CN 66037 1Y

00 03 71 Brandon, Coventry, Warks DPC *12 03 72 Berkswell, Warks

05 01 72 Sandon, Stone, Staffs 22 09 72 Eidsvag nr. Molde,

NORWAY 22 01 72 Sandon, Stone 27 10 72 Pizzorno (Luccs), ITALY

PI a TG 17 k W SCB 62° 4 4 '

7° 0 8 ' M a c 43° 57 ' 10° 25 '

B l a c k b i r d CN 66275 Ad

CC 41526 Pull

R e d s t a r t JK 14456

04 12 71 Sandon, Stone, Staffs *03 11 72 Obernauland, Bremen,

GERMANY 07 05 72 Redhill, Alcester, Warks

*19 07 72 Warmington, Glos

Pull 05 06 72 Wyre Forest, Bewdley, Worcs

29 09 72 Louie (Algarve), PORTUGAL

M a c 53° 0 5 ' N

8° 4 8 ' E JAH 22 k SW

JRM

37° 8 °

0 8 ' 2 2 '

N W

Reed W a r b l e r HN 87894 Pull

HH 16911 1Y

JK 14319 Juv

Sedge W a r b l e r HS 73093 FG

08 08 68 Westwood Park, Droitwich, Worcs GHG

00 11 68 Porto (Douro Litoral), 41° 10 ' N PORTUGAL 8° 3 8 ' W

02 06 70 Defford, Pershore, Worcs GHG 14 04 72 Nouasseur, Casablanca, 32° 2 2 ' N

MOROCCO 7° 3 7 ' W 13 08 72 Brandon, Warks JFMF 02 10 72 Salguriral de Cima Ovar, 40° 52 ' N

(Beira Litoral), PORTUGAL 8° 3 6 ' W

20 07 69 Ufton Leamington, Warks *19 04 70 Oastriz (Zaragoza) 41° 3 8 ' N

SPAIN 0° 4 7 ' W *25 07 70 Ufton

Lesser W h i t e t h r o a t JE 09909 FG 08 08 71 Dudley, Worcs

03 05 72 Bedford, Beds PGD 115 k ESE

93

Y e l l o w W a g t a i l J J 29318 Juv

S t a r l i n g CA 17478 Ad

CX 52658 FG

CA 87623 FG

CX 68106 FG

CW 48543 1Y

G r e e n f i n c h

BH 75032 FG

BN 04145 FG

BE 12876 1W

BN 40057 FG

L inne t JE 35143 Juv

C h a f f i n c h HJ 50423 PJ

22 07 72 Blithfield, Staffs RB *06 09 72 Wick, nr Christchurch,

Hants 225 k S

10 05 63 Sedgley, Wolverhampton, Staffs PGD

31 07 72 Bridge Trafford, Chester, Ches 90 k NW

28 11 64 Sandon, Stone, Staffs CDTM 25 02 72 Boelenslaan (Friesland), 55° 10 ' N

NETHERLANDS 6° 18 ' E 28 11 64 Sandon, Stone, Staffs GHG 00 04 72 Oosterwolde (Friesland), 52° 59 ' N

NETHERLANDS 06° 18 ' E 20 02 65 Handsworth Wood,

Birmingham TE 20 08 71 near Babayeve, (Vologda), 59° 23 ' N

U.S.S.R. 35° 56 E 04 10 71 Shenstone, Lichfield, Staffs CDTM

*17 03 72 Lagskar, Aland Islands, 59° 50 ' N FINLAND 19° 56 ' E

21 12 69 Hopwas, Tamworth, Staffs CDTM 13 05 72 Wollaton Park, Nottingham 47 k NE 11 01 70 Hopwas DC 25 01 72 Rednal, Bromsgrove, Worcs32 k SSW 17 01 70 Perry Bar, Birmingham GFA 03 08 72 Kneesal, Newark, Notts 95 k NE 03 05 71 Lower Quinton, Stratford-

on-Avon, Warks DS *21 01 72 Highcliffe, Christchurch,

Hants 155 k S

29 07 71 Eckington, Pershore, Worcs GHG 27 10 71 Marcheprime (Gironde), 44° 4 1 ' N

FRANCE 0° 51 ' W

04 11 67 Hopwas, Tamworth, Staffs GHG 21 08 72 Syfteland Os (Hordaland), 60° 14 ' N

NORWAY 5° 27 E

94

HS 64382 FG

J J 29018 Ad

01 03 70 Hopwas PC *05 11 71 Zingen (East Flanders), 50° 5 4 ' N

BELGIUM 3° 39 ' E 08 01 72 Sandon, Stone, Staffs SCB 10 04 72 Bjornhuvudet, Eksund, 58° 37 ' N

(Ostergotland), SWEDEN 16° 05 ' E

B i r d s R inged E l s e w h e r e A n d Recovered Or C o n t r o l l e d i n 1972 in t h e W M B C A r e a

Species Ring No

W i g e o n

Age Date Place Ringer Movement

(k-kilometres)

Arnhem FG 11 11 67 Haarsteeg (Noord Brabant), 51 4 3 ' N 4034243 NETHERLAND 5° 13 ' E

*31 12 72 Blithfield, Staffs (CDTM)

M u t e S w a n Z 19959 Ad 01 05 66 Swinbrook, Burford, Oxon

*06 10 71 Stratford-on-Avon, Warks (JAH) 45 k N

Z 20329 Juv 09 10 69 Saul, Glos *24 03 72 West Bromwich, Staffs 85 k NNE *20 05 72 Great Wyrley, Cannock,

Staffs (CDTM) 10 k N Z 11674 — 13 02 72 Attenborough, Beeston,

Notts ARG *05 08 72 Alvecote, Warks (CDTM) 44 k SW

B l a c k - h e a d e d Gu l l Larsson Pull 05 06 69 Leornadsberg nr Norrkoping58° 3 7 ' N BJ 91 (Ostergotland), SWEDEN 16° 0 6 ' E

late 1971 Blithfield Reservoir, Staffs per JAH ? Pull 02 07 70 Hillila Assikk ala (Hame),

per JAH

FINLAND 61° 11 ' N 03 01 72 Cannock Reservoir, Staffs 25° 2 5 ' E

Helgoland Pull 02 06 71 Hullen, nr Stade 57° 51 ' N 5150282 Niederscachsen GERMANY 9° 0 3 ' E

12 02 72 Cannock Reservoir (EDP SCB BC)

95

Helgoland Pull 02 06 72 nr Brettorf, Oldenburg, 5165849 (Niedesachan), GERMANY

*10 12 72 Cannock Reservoir (EDP SCB BC)

S w a l l o w Pretoria 15 03 70 Skinnerspruit, Pretoria, 57-29004 SOUTH AFRICA J A 86867 Added *20 09 72 Arrow, Warks {JAH) JH 77004 Pull 22 06 72 Woodford, Ches

*27 08 72 Bedworth, Nuneaton, Warks (RKS)

JH 46404 Pull 25 06 72 Rostherne, Knutsford, Ches *10 09 72 Bedworth (RKS)

JH 32311 Juv 05 08 72 Maxey, Peterborough, Northants

*03 09 72 Bedworth (RKS) Pretoria ? Pretoria Ao 7396 SOUTH AFRICA

00 10 72 Tutbury, Burton on Trent, Staffs

52° 5 9 '

25 28°

4 3 ' 1 0 '

105 k SSE

110 k SE

75 k WSW

Reed W a r b l e r J J 35218 FG 16 05 72 Portland Bill, Dorset

*20 07 72 Droitwich, Worcs (J. Mountford) 195 k N

Sedge W a r b l e r JE 21324 Juv 12 09 71 Chichester, Sussex

*03 06 72 Branston, Burton-on-Trent, Staffs (M & C) 220 k NNW

Blackcap J J 82665 Juv 26 08 72 Polhampton Overton, Hants

*22 09 72 St. Annes Well, Malvern Hill, Worcs 125 k NW

G r e e n f i n c h BJ 70566 Ad

BH 97313 Ad

07 01 70 Eccleshall, Sheffield, Yorks PI 23 06 70 Bucknall, Stoke on Trent,

Staffs 52 k SW 14 11 71 East Peckham, Tonbridge,

Kent 00 06 72 Leamington Spa, Warks 170 k NW

96

List o f R ingers GFA G. F. Anderson GHG G. H. Green RMB R. M. Bishop TG T. Gray SCB S. C. Brown PI P. Ireland DPC D. P. Carthy CDTM C. D. T. Minton PC P. Challinor JRM J. R. Mountford BC B. Craddock EDP E. D. Ponting PGD P. G. Deans RKS R. K. Smith TE T. Edwards DS D. Stone JFMF J. F. M. Fennell M&C Merrill 8- Clarke

M i g r a n t s The average arrival or departure dates given below for each bird are based respectively on the first and last dates given in the Annual Reports up to 1972. The figure in brackets is the number of years on which the average is based.

Arrival C h i f f c h a f f March 18 Average (38) March 19 Leamington Spa EJB

19 Bittell MAB KC 19 Westwood SMW 19 Belvide Sev obs

Departure

Oct 11 Average (38) Dec 30 Edgbaston RJJ Nov 19 Belvide DS

5 Leamington EJB Oct 17 Erdington TD

W h e a t e a r March 25 Average (35) March 18 Cannock res. CR DS

19 Leamington Spa EJB 21 Bittell JMH 21 Draycote EEG

Sand M a r t i n March 26 Average (37) March 26 Shelfield RDS

26 Blithfield Sev obs 26 Upton Warren Sev obs

W i l l o w W a r b l e r March 28 Average (38) March 19 Leamington Spa EJB

26 Blithfield BCG 28 Solihull DTU 31 Upton Warren SMW

Oct. 2 Average (36) Nov 1 Leamington Spa EJB Oct 19 Berry Hill HWK

15 Draycote GRH 11 Belvide CR

Oct 2 Average (37) Oct 16 Hednesford BCG

1 Alvecote GAA MAA Sept 28 Stoke HWK

27 Wolverhampton PGD

Sept 28 Average (38) Oct 30 Leamington Spa EJB

19 Hoar Cross BCG 17 Chillington KSE 15 Blithfield ESG

97

Arrival

L i t t l e R inged Plover April 2 Average (8) March 25 Brandon TWL OLL

26 Bodymoor RJJ April 1 Alvecote GAA

3 Grimley g.p. MFF CNL

S w a l l o w April 3 Average (38) March 31 Upton Warren SPH April 1 Claines CNL

2 Blithfield Sev obs 3 Belvide RDS

Blackcap April 6 Average (38) March 5 Leamington DM

27 Norton RAD April 3 Belvide RDS

9 Several records

Ring Ouzel March 19 N Staffs Moors IJD April 4 Leek ARP

22 Roche End HWK

Garganey April 8 Average (30) March 21 Upton Warren TAW

25 Ladywalk HTL April 15 Alvecote GAA

15 Belvide DS

Y e l l o w W a g t a i l April 8 Average (36) April 8 Blithfield SVB

9 Belvide Sev obs 9 Leamington Spa EJB

Tree P ip i t April 10 Average (35) April 16 Packington KS

16 Cannock res GE 17 Eymore Wood YMW

Departure

Sept22 Average (8) Oct 27 Cannock res. GE

4 Blithfield BRD BCG Sept 27 Wilden SFLE

17 Bodymoor EAH

Oct 26 Average (38) Nov 1 Warwick RBa Oct 29 Priors Hardwick RB

29 Bromley Hayes BCG 28 Weston-on-Trent IJD

Sept 21 Average (35) Nov 11 Westwood SPH Oct 14 Fradley BCG Sept 26 Cannock res RAH

25 Kingswinford MSS

Oct 15 Blithfield GS Sept 30 Malvern SPH SMW

3 Elk Stones HWK

Sept 13 Average (29) Oct 19 Blithfield DS

15 Belvide DS 4 Alvecote GAA 4 Shelfield RDS

Oct 3 Average (35) Oct 9 Blithfield BCG

1 Walsall RDS Sept 30 Bodymoor SVB RJJ

30 Ladywalk EAH

Sept 13 Average (34) Oct 14 Ladywalk DHR Sept 14 Upton Warren TAW

14 Shoal Hill BCG

98

Arrival Departure

House M a r t i n April 11 Average (38) Oct 25 Average (38) April 1 Warwick RBa Nov 11 Whitt ington RAD

8 Blithfield RAH 3 Leamington EJB 8 Belvide DS Oct 25 Denstone MKS 9 Bittell PL A 25 Yoxall BCG

C o m m o n S a n d p i p e r April 11 Average (36) Oct 12 Average (33) March 26 Brandon TWL OLL Dec 17 Ladywalk HTL April 4 Bittell KC 16 Blithfield DS

6 Belvide DS Oct 15 Upton Warren PKD SPH 8 Drayton YMW 8 Middleton DHR 8 Alvecote GAA

R e d s t a r t April 12 Average (36) Sept 12 Average (35) April 6 Coombes Valley ARP Sept 27 Edgbaston Park SVB

18 Knypersley HWK 26 Tamworth AJD 21 Packington KS 26 Cannock res RAH 22 Leamington JD

C u c k o o April 14 Average (36) Sept 16 Average (34) March 21 Stourbridge per RF Oct 1 Womborne ESD April 9 Leamington Spa EJB Sept 22 Wilden MJH

16 Shelfield RDS 5 Upton Warren MFF 20 Dodford FF

Upton Warren MFF

W h i t e t h r o a t April 17 Average (38) Sept 21 Average (38) March 24 Ufton Fields PS Sept 30 Ufton Fields PS April 25 Rawnsley BCG 26 Blithfield KSE

30 Alvecote GAA 24 Cannock res RDS May 1 Bodymoor EAH 20 Gornal Wood MJH

Sedge W a r b l e r April 19 Average (36) Sept 23 Average (29) April 1 Warwick RBa Oct 1 Ladywalk HTL

20 Packington KS 1 Bodymoor EAH 25 Alvecote GAA Sept 30 Ufton Fields PS 26 Ladywalk TD 25 Stoke HWK

Arrival

Grasshopper W a r b l e r April 19 Average (36) April 10 Finham TWL OLL

17 Drayton DS 22 Bittell PKD 22 Alvecote GAA

N i g h t i n g a l e April 22 Average (36) April 28 Chesterton PS May 7 Worcester RJJ

7 Loxey Wood DTU 7 Trench Wood TAW

W o o d W a r b l e r April 23 Average (36) April 23 Cannock res RDS May 6 Sutton Park BCG

6 Norton MSS 6 Dodderhill MAB TAW

Pied F l yca tche r April 24 Average (25) April 30 Wyre Forest PKD

Lesser W h i t e t h r o a t April 24 Average (36) April 22 Woodcote FF

23 Alvecote GAA EAH 26 Bittell KC

S w i f t April 24 Average (38) April 29 Cannock res RFG

30 10 records received

Garden W a r b l e r April 25 Average (35) May 1 Gailey BCG

1 Bittell KC 2 Upton Warren TAW 2 Weston Park PGD

99

Departure

Aug 20 Average (21) Sept 19 Warwick DM

1 Bittell TAW Aug 29 Gailey BCG

24 Wilden EGP

No records

Aug 11 Average (26) Sept 6 Bodymoor EAH

4 Hurcott MSS Aug 11 Hoar Cross BCG

5 Whitt ington MSS

No records

Sept 13 Average (36) Sept 26 Cannock res RAH

14 Belvide MFF 11 Old Milverton DM

Sept 10 Average (38) Oct 1 Radford Semele EJB Sept 27 Brownhills BCG

26 Blithfield KSE 25 Bromsgrove PLA

Aug 26 Average (34) Sept 7 Randon Wood FF

3 Cannock Res GE 2 Cannock Chase BCG 2 Old Hills SFLE

100

Arrival Departure

W h i n c h a t April 25 Average (36) Sept 25 Average (33) April 30 Westwood Park SMW Nov 14 Cannock Chase AJD May 1 Gailey BCG Oct 21 Ladywalk DHR

3 Upton Warren DMT TAW 13 Nuneaton WGL 5 Belvide RFG 10 Blithfield KSE

Reed W a r b l e r April 29 Average (32) April 27 Upton Warren RM

29 Westwood CPB May 1 Ufton Fields CS

4 Alvecote GAA

T u r t l e Dove April 30 Average (37) April 15 Ufton Fields PS

25 Hatherton BCG 30 Whit t ington MSS

May 1 Several records

C o r n c r a k e May 3 Upton Warren Sev obs

S p o t t e d F l yca tche r May 5 Average (35) April 29 Bromley Hayes BCG May 3 Leamington EJB

6 Belvide CR DS 7 Many records

N i g h t j a r May 16 Average (32) June 5 Kinver EGP

26 Sherbrook Valley BCG

Red-backed Sh r i ke May 18 Average (14) No records

Quai l May 25 Lawford Heath JWH June 6 Leamington JD

18 Strensham SMW

Sept 16 Average (24) Sept 24 Westwood CPB

15 Alvecote GAA 15 Lichfield BCG

Sept 18 Average (37) Nov 11 Ladywalk DHR Oct 1 Yoxall BCG Sept 24 Westwood CPB

23 Whitt ington MSS

No records

Sept 21 Average (35) Oct 2 Oldswinford PSy

1 Tardebigge JRH Sept 24 Kings Bromley BCG

23 Hurley EAH

Aug 15 Average (21) Aug 30 Sherbrook Valley IJD GS

19 Brinley Heath BCG 16 Enville EGP

Aug 28 Wyre Forest RSN

Sept 23 Whitt ington MSS 19 Kings Bromley BCG

101

Arrival

M a r s h W a r b l e r June 3 Average (24) June 5 Nafford DS

18 Eckington SPH

Golden Plover Sept 2 Average (27) Aug 18 Belvide CR DS

20 Blithfield PDH Sept 4 Blackwell MAB

W i g e o n

Departure

No records

April 10 Average (27) May 1 Gailey BCG April 24 Essington DS

Sept 7 Average (34) April 26 Average (38) July 22 Upton Warren PKD EGP April 26 Ladywalk TD HTL Aug 3 Blithfield RAH 16 Draycote GRH

13 Draycote JL 15 Belvide DS 15 Belvide CR 9 Bittell PLA

Summered Blithfield

R e d w i n g Oct 2 Average (38) April 11 Average (38) Sept 15 Shelfield RDS April 23 Bittell KC Oct 1 Blithfield CR 18 Upton Warren SPH

1 Solihull PDH 15 Chillington DS 3 Several records

Pin ta i l Oct 3 Average (26) Aug 1 Upton Warren PLA AFJ

20 Blithfield CR DS 24 Bittell KC 30 Bodymoor EAH

Jack Sn ipe Oct 10 Average (31) Sept 27 Blithfield JL

30 Cannock res RAH 30 Bodymoor SVB

B r a m b l i n g Oct 13 Average (38) Sept 30 Ufton Fields PS Oct 15 Belvide DS

17 Bittell KC

April 10 Average (32) April 11 Bittell PLA Mar 19 Yarnfield IJD

19 Brandon JWH

April 1 April 30

25 Mar 25

25

Average (28) Cannock res GE Packington KS Belvide DS Cannock res DS

April 7 Average (37) April 29 Belvide GE DS

22 Little Wyrley GE 20 Hopwas AJD

102

Arrival

Fie ld fa re Oct 11 Average (37) Sept 14 Packington KS

22 Norton Canes BCG 22 Sutton RDS

Oct 7 Cannock Chase PLA

Goldeneye Oct 18 Average (34) Sept 19 Blithfield KS Oct 13 Belvide AJD

15 Gailey RFG

Sisk in Oct 19 Average (35) Oct 7 Leamington Spa EJB

9 Franche RM 11 Bittell KC JMH

Goosander Nov 14 Average (38) Oct 19 Blithfield Sev obs Nov 19 Draycote WAM

25 Belvide CR DS

S m e w Dec 15 Average (28) Nov 5 Blithfield CR DS

Departure

April27 Average (37) April 28 Garmelow IJD

26 Doxey GS 25 Belvide RJJ 25 Hatherton BCG

April26 Average (35) May 13 Upton Warren SPH April 30 Belvide DS

18 Knypersley HWK Summered Bodymoor Heath

April 5 Average (36) April 21 Seven Springs AJD

13 Brookvale Park RJJ 6 Shelfield RDS

April 1 Average (33) May 7 Blithfield ESC April 6 Yoxall BCG

3 Belvide RJJ Summered Blithfield

Mar 2 Average (25) April 30 Belvide Sev obs

103

Key to Cont r ibutors

The following members and non-members have forwarded material for the report

N R Adams Mrs E Cloake (ECI) I Fazey D A Henstock P Adams A E Coleman Mr & Mrs J Fennell *N. Hepburn G R Al lcot t (AECo) G Fernihouth Mrs J M Heynes R Apl in (R A p ) A E Coles (GFe) ( J M H e ) G F Appleton A Coll ins F Fincher R Hinks R Armfield M W Cooke R Fletcher J R Hodson G A Arnold D Copplestone M F Foley (JRHo) M A Arnold (DCo) T W Ford J Holland

D Corley J E Fortey S P Hollinrake F Baldrey Mrs E Coxon G Fowler M J Hollis S Ball B Craddock M Fuszard R J Hol lom P A Barnes B Cross (BCr) (RJHo)

t R Barnes (RBa) Mrs P Cummings N Garnett D F Hope Miss D L Barras (PCu) B C George E A Hopkins L R Bayes R F Grant H Hughes G Beazley N J D'Agorne T Gray Miss J M Hughes T Beckett f M r & Mrs J Darling J Green R A Hume P B Best F Davis F C Gribble J R Hutchings S V Bingham A J Dean C R Griff iths T D Hutton G C Bird A R Dean G I Griff iths P D Hyde J H Blackburn B R Dean R Griffiths A R M Blake P G Deans Brandon Marsh M J Inskip R Booth (R Bo) P K Dedicoat Conservation P Ireland M H Bourne *P H Deeming Group G M Ireson W Bowman Mrs D Dickens E E Gutch

t E J Bradford I J Dix A F Jacobs *A Bray D R Donald T Haden B J Jakeman

M A Brazil *G Donoghue G Halfpenny A Jefferson R C Broadbent Miss F Cottrell- W Hamil ton R J Jennett C P Brooking Dormer J W Handley * N Jones A T Broomhall E S Dorsett B D Harding R M Broughton R A Dowden D C Harris A Keatley S C Brown T Doyle G R Harrison H W Key L A Brown Miss J M Draper Mrs J V Harrison P A Kilgallen L J Brown Miss A Hartless K N Kingscott R Brownsword A Eardley A W Hatfield B L Kington D E Butler f M i s s E A Eattell D M Hawker D Knight

E S Edees R J Haycock J E Campbell * N B Edmonds S M Haynes J C Lamming P Chall inor K S Edwards Miss R. Hedges f M r s 0 L Lancaster E S Clare S F L Edwards (RHe) f T W Lancaster G D Clenmow G Evans R J Hedges C N Lane K Clif ford t M r s I M Evans (RJHe) T C Leach

104

R W Lee H T Lees R Leslie Miss W J Lewis T Li l ley C J L loyd E W L o n g m a n J Lord K L o w

* W Lu ton

J K M a c M i l l a n C M c G o w e n S M c M i n n ( S M c )

* D Marr io t B M Marsh R M a s k e w

*P H M a s o n W A M a s o n J M a t t h e w s J Mi les ( J M i ) Miss J M Mi l ler T P M i l son D R M i r a m s

+D N Mi reck i A A M o o r e J M o o r e ( J M o ) B Morr is S Morr is P M o t t

J R M o u n t f o r d D J M u n n s

J E N e w c o m b e Miss U C Newstead

R S Nick l in f P Sargeant D M Thomas D I Nor th S H Savage Miss G Thomas

Mrs M Scaife K H Thomas Miss K O'Br ien ( M S c ) *R J Thomas D Or ton S Scaife (SSc) P Till B R O w e n King Edward 's M T o w n s e n d C D O w e n Schoo l Orn i tho- * W T o w n s e n d

logical Sect ion *E H Tunnic l i f fe T E C Parker N Sharpe P C Turner ( P C T i M B Passman A Sher lock E G Phil l ips J Shindler | D T Underhi l l D F Pickering E J S i m m o n d s R A Pil l ing K S i m m o n d s *R Vernon A R Plant f C Smal l ( C S m ) C W Plant D Smallshire J Wagstaf f

* H R Player R L S m a l l w o o d A C W a k e m a n E D Pont ing M J Smi th T A Walsh C F Porter M S Smi th G W Ward C H Potter R K Smi th M J Warren P R Powel l S Smi th ( M J W a ) E J Pratley T C Smou t A A Wat ts B Price G Soden Miss Y M W a y

N J Speak K A W e b b C R L Reece R Stanbr idge M J W e b b A J Richards * M S tew N R W e n t J H W Ridley R A Stut tard L Wheeler F R ishwor th G Summers I C Wh i tehouse K H Roberts C Surman M Wh i tehouse B Robertson R D Su t ton S M Wh i tehouse K Roderick M K Swales N A J Wi lde D H Rogers P Symonds (PSy) G K Wi lkes R Rooke R P W r i g h t Miss E M Rose L Y Taylor C R utter P C Taylor D W Yalden

*mb,rber of the Nuneaton and District Bird Club

tmember of Warwick Natural History Society

Design Clive Richards

Printing Charles Clarke (Haywards Heath) Ltd. Sussex