31st May

RSPB Middleton (Staffs) -  2 Oystercatcher chicks, 2 Redshank [West Scrape], 3 Redshank [East Scrape], 2 Yellow Wagtail, brood of 6 Shelduck [North Pit]  (J Hexall).

30th May

RSPB Middleton - Hobby over Drayton Bassett, Pochard [North Pit], Yellow Wagtail [West Scrape], Cuckoo (M Smiles).
Ladywalk NR (WMBC Members only) - 3 plus Willow Tit fledged, brood of 4 lapwing (P Softley).

29th May

RSPB Middleton (Staffs) - Peregrine through, Dunlin, Snipe (M Smiles).
Ladywalk NR (WMBC Members only) - Dunlin (P Softley).
Alvecote - Red Kite (R Smith).
River Anker nr Polesworth - Yellowhammer (M Scott).

28th May

RSPB Middleton (Staffs) - Whinchat (f), Yellow Wagtail [Jubilee Wetlands], Cuckoo [Dosthill NR] (M Smiles). Dunlin (G Williams).
KWP - Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Egyptian Geese, 9 Common Tern, Cuckoo, pr Shelduck with 8 ducklings (C Waring).

27th May

RSPB Middleton (Staffs) - Sanderling [Jubilee Wetlands] (G Williams).

26th May

RSPB Middleton (Staffs) - 2 Hobby, Cuckoo, Raven, 3 Egyptian Geese (S Atkinson).

Update to yesterdays post - The Orange ringed Redshank is back at Marsh Lane as of yesterday - Thanks to Graham Rowling for the information and the majority of this bird's sighting history.

25th May

Further to the post of 21 April eventually got a picture of the Redshank at RSPB Middleton on 12 May showing the lower rings.  All 4 coloured rings are Orange and had a response from the Ringer today. Bird was originally rung in Chichester Harbour Sept 2015. Each year since then it has spent Spring/early Summer at Marsh Lane NR where it was last sighted on the 23rd of Feb this year. Interesting that it has chosen to move to Middleton this year.

24th May

Ladywalk NR (WMBC Members only) - Cuckoo, 2m Pochard, Little Egret, Otter (P Lichfield).

23rd May

KWP - 2 Red Kite over (J Scragg), Red Kite over motorway and probably one of the 2 birds, Grasshopper Warbler, 9 Common Tern, 3 Oystercatcher, Egyptian Goose (C Waring).
RSPB Middleton (Staffs) - 5 (4m) Pochard [Dosthill NR] (S Atkinson).
Hams Hall - Red Kite, Peregrine (P Taylor).

22nd May

RSPB Middleton - Cuckoo, 2 Snipe (M Smiles).

21st May

RSPB Middleton - 5 Dunlin, Cuckoo, Yellow Wagtail (M Smiles), Hobby, 2 Raven, Egyptian Goose (S Atkinson).
Birchmoor - Quail (R Smith).
KWP - 7 Common Tern, Egyptian Goose, Cuckoo, Little Egret (C Waring).

20th May

RSPB Middleton - 8 Avocet, 4 Redshank, Cuckoo, Hobby (K Sargent).
Birchmoor - Quail (R Smith, A Archer).

19th May

RSPB Middleton - Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 8 Avocet (M Smiles). Pink-footed Goose, 3 Cuckoo, 6 Common Tern, Hobby (D Corfield).
Shuttington - 3 Yellow Wagtail, Yellowhammer (M Scott).
Ladywalk NR (WMBC Members only) - Dunlin, 3 Oystercatcher (S Allison), 2 Garganey, Water Rail (S Frost).
Shustoke Res - 8 Common Tern (J Kenny).

18th May

Shustoke Res - 2 Black Tern, 2 Common Sandpiper (D Hutton). Tern still present at 11.50 (P Andrews).
RSPB Middleton (Staffs) - 2 Dunlin, Pink-Footed Goose, 3 Yellow Wagtail (M Smiles), 7 Common Sandpiper, 8 Avocet (S Atkinson). Black Tern.
Alvecote - Common Sandpiper, Common Tern (M Scott).
Ladywalk NR (WMBC Members only) - Greenshank, 2 Garganey (P Lichfield).

Garganey at Ladywalk NR - Pete Lichfield 

17th May

Alvecote - 2 Black Tern (B Duckhouse, M Scott, J Watts), Common Sandpiper, Little Egret (M Scott).
Ladywalk NR (WMBC Menbers only) - Greenshank, Ringed Plover, 7 Raven, 2 Water Rail, Cuckoo, 2 Garganey (P Softley).
RSPB Middleton (Staffs) -  Greenshank (M Smiles), 5 Common Sandpiper, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Avocet, 3 Egyptian Geese (S Atkinson), 7+ Common Sandpiper later (T Perrins), Dunlin.
KWP North - Cattle Egret flew into Cliff Pool at 7.25pm.
Shustoke Res - 2 Common Tern, Little Ringed Plover, 2 White Wagtail (J Kenny).

16th May

Ladywalk NR (WMBC Menbers only) - 2 Red Kite, 2 Raven, 2 Peregrine (P Softley), 2 Hobby, Cuckoo, 4th brood of Goosander (4) (P Lichfield).
RSPB Middleton (Staffs) - 4 Black Tern (T Hyde). 
KWP North - 4 Black Tern in Cliff Pool logbook at 12:45,  Cattle Egret on Cliff Pool and flew to roost at 8.15pm

15th May

Ladywalk NR (WMBC Menbers only) - 2 Hobby, Cuckoo (P Lichfield).
RSPB Middleton (Staffs) - 12 Avocet, 6+ Redshank, drake Goosander (S Atkinson). 
KWP North - Cattle Egret on Cliff Pool reed bed fence preeing from before 5.30pm to 8pm when it flew to roost.

14th May

Ladywalk NR (WMBC Menbers only) - Hobby, Cuckoo, 2 Redshank (P Lichfield), Peregrine (P Forbes).
RSPB Middleton (Staffs) - Dunlin, 12 Avocet, 4 Redshank, Pink-footed Goose, Cuckoo (M Scott). 
KWP North - Egyptian Goose, 8 Common Tern (C Waring), Cattle Egret [Cliff Pool].


Cattle Egret at KWP Cliff Pool

13th May

RSPB Middleton (Staffs) - Wood Sandpiper [East Scrape], Whinchat [between the screens], 8 Avocet, 5 Redshank (K Sargent). Drake Garganey [Jubilee North], 2 Dunlin & Wood Sandpiper still on East Scrape at dusk and Whinchat relocated to fenceline between Jubilee and North Pit (S Atkinson).
KWP (North) - Osprey over Broomey Croft heading South at 12.20pm (J Milne).
Bodymoor Heath -  Honey Buzzard over the Dog and Doublet heading North (G A Williams).

Wood Sandpiper at RSPB Middleton - Karl Sargent

Wood Sandpiper at RSPB Middleton - Steve Atkinson

12th May

RSPB Middleton (Staffs) - 2 Dunlin, 7 Avocet, Snipe [East Scrape], Cuckoo (R Strong), Wood Sandpiper, 2 Avocet (10 in total) [North Pit], 4 Redshank (D Corfield). 
RSPB Middleton (Warks) - Wheatear (f) access road entrance (R Strong). drake Garganey [Fishers Mill].
Ladywalk NR (WMBC Menbers only) - 2 Hobby, Peregrine, Water Rail, Redshank, 2 Raven (S Cawthray).

11th May

RSPB Middleton (Staffs) - 10 Avocet, 2 Dunlin [East Scrape], Grey Plover, [North Pit but mobile], 2 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Egyptian Geese, 2 Cuckoo, Common Sandpiper, Pink-footed Goose (S Atkinson), 1st W Mediterranean Gull [East Scrape] (K Sargent).
Ladywalk NR (WMBC Members only) - Spotted Flycatcher [Car Park] (P Lichfield), 2 Hobby (P Softley).
Alvecote - Spotted Flycatcher, Goosander (f), 3 Common Tern (M Scott), Black-tailed Godwit (A Archer).

10th May

RSPB Middleton (Staffs) - White Wagtail (K Sargent), 2 Knot, Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Avocet [East Scrape], 20 Dunlin [total from both Scrapes], Common Sandpiper, Grey Plover, 2 Yellow Wagtail [North Pit] (Many Obs but to mention a few - K Sargent, S Atkinson, D Corfield, M Scott, J Hextall), 2 Hobby, 2 Raven, Peregrine (S Atkinson). Knot appeared to leave the reserve at 7.30pm.
Shustoke Res - Black Tern (P Forbes).
Ladywalk NR (WMBC Members only) - Grey Plover left reserve at 7am, Marsh Harrier, Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 3 Redshank, Otter again (P Softley, P Lichfield).

Cliff - Hobby over the Funky Bear (J Hextall).

Marsh Harrier at Ladywalk NR - Pete Lichfield

Grey Plover at RSPB Middleton

Knot at RSPB Middleton - Dave Chetwynd

9th May

RSPB Middleton (Staffs) - 2 Knot [Jubilee], 33 Dunlin [Scrapes] drake Garganey, Common Sandpiper, 2 Grey Plover [North Pit] (S Atkinson), KITTIWAKE [East Scrape] (C Owen). Tonight - 2 Knot still, Sanderling, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Pink-footed Geese (T Hyde), Black-tailed Godwit, Yellow Wagtail and 32 Dunlin.
RSPB Middleton (Warks) - Wheatear entrance road (J Harris).
Shustoke Res - Arctic Tern (S Cawthray)
Ladywalk NR (WMBC Members only) - 19 Dunlin, 3 Whimbrel through, Peregrine, Common Sandpiper (S Cawthray), Hobby, Cuckoo, Yellow Wagtail (P Softley, P Lichfield).

Dunlin at Ladywalk NR - Pete Lichfield

Kittiwake at RSPB Middleton - Steve Atkinson

Knot at RSPB Middleton - Steve Atkinson

8th May

I don't know where to start so if I've got anything or anyone incorrect I apologise.

RSPB Middleton (Staffs) - TEMMINCKS STINT (M Royston) and still there at dusk, Knot [East Scrape] Black Tern [Dosthill NR], 3 Cuckoo, 2 Common Sandpiper (D Corfield), 3 Grey Plover, Little Stint, 2 Black Tern, Sanderling, Black-tailed Godwit, Yellow Wagtail [Jubilee and East Scrape] (S Atkinson), drake Garganey (S Cawthray), 23 Dunlin (T Perrins), 5 Knot and 6 Bar-tailed Godwit circled Jubilee Wetlands at 2pm & 2 Knot and 2 Turnstone circled North Pit at 2.15pm (J Harris).
RSPB Middleton (Warks) - 2 Wheatear entrance road (S Cawthray).
Shustoke Res - Black Tern, 5 Arctic Tern (B Duckhouse) - all still present at 8pm plus White Wagtail (J Kenny).
KWP South - 5 Black Tern [Bodymoor Heath Water] (M Pollock) - increased to 9 by 6pm (J Scragg).
Alvecote - 7 Dunlin [Mill Pool] (T Perrins).
Ladywalk NR (WMBC Members only) - 4 Knot, 40 Dunlin, 10 Redshank, 2 Cuckoo (P Softley)

7th May

RSPB Middleton (Staffs) - 4 Black-tailed Godwits, Common Sandpiper, 2 Raven, 2 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Cuckoo (M Scott), TEMMINCKS STINT [East Scrape], Black Tern [Jubilee North], Dunlin (T Perrins), Mediterranean Gull (P Hyde).
Shustoke Res - Dunlin, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Common Sandpiper (P Forbes).
KWP North -  Black Tern at 8:15am [Canal Pool] (N Ward).
Ladywalk NR (WMBC Members only) - Dunlin, Cuckoo, Otter (R Walker).

6th May

RSPB Middleton (Staffs) - Greenshank, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 2 Yellow Wagtail (S Atkinson).
RSPB Middleton (Warks) - Cuckoo, Grasshopper Warbler [Hall Lake] (T Perrins).
Shustoke Res - c500 Swift, 3 Yellow Wagtail, Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper (S Cawthray).
KWP North - Dunlin, Common Sandpiper [Cliff Pool] (T Perrins).

5th May

Alvecote - 4th May - 2 Yellow Wagtail, Goosander, Today - Raven, 2 Common Tern, Little Egret (M Scott).
RSPB Middleton (Staffs) - 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Dunlin, 2 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Common Sandpiper (D Corfield) 2 Yellow Wagtail.
RSPB Middleton (Warks) - Wheatear [Ploughed field at start of entrance track] (D Corfield).
Ladywalk NR (WMBC Members only) - Greenshank, Redshank, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Egyptian Goose (J Kenny)

Congratulations to Ladywalk NR who won yesterday's West Midlands All Day Bird Race with 102 species including Pied Flycatcher (S Frost) at Church Pool Covert.

4th May

RSPB MIDDLETON ALL DAYER
TOTAL =  97 (updated 21:40)
Green - Seen
Red - Not Seen

1             Arctic Tern

2             Avocet

3             Barn Owl
4             Bar-tailed Godwit 
5             Blackbird

6             Blackcap

7             Black-headed Gull

8             Black-tailed Godwit

9             Blue Tit

10           Bullfinch

11           Buzzard

12           Canada Goose

13           Carrion Crow

14           Cetti's Warbler

15           Chaffinch

16           Chiffchaff

17           Coal Tit

18           Collared Dove

19           Common Gull

20           Common Sandpiper

21           Common Tern

22           Coot

23           Cormorant
24           Cuckoo

25           Curlew

26           Dunlin

27           Dunnock

28           Egyptian Goose

29           Feral Pigeon
30           Gadwall

31           Garden Warbler

32           Garganey

33           Goldcrest

34           Goldfinch

35           Goosander

36           Grasshopper Warbler

37           Great Black-backed Gull

38           Great Crested Grebe

39           Great Spotted Woodpecker

40           Great Tit

41           Great White Egret

42           Green Sandpiper

43           Green Woodpecker

44           Greenfinch

45           Greenshank

46           Grey Heron

47           Grey Plover

48           Grey Wagtail

49           Greylag Goose

50           Herring Gull

51           Hobby

52           House Martin

53           House Sparrow
54           Jackdaw

55           Jay

56           Kestrel

57           Kingfisher

58           Lapwing

59           Lesser Black-backed Gull
60           Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

61           Lesser Whitethroat

62           Linnet

63           Little Egret

64           Little Grebe

65           Little Ringed Plover

66           Long-tailed Tit

67           Magpie

68           Mallard
69           Meadow Pipit

70           Mediterranean Gull

71           Mistle Thrush

72           Moorhen

73           Mute Swan
74           Nuthatch
75           Oystercatcher

76           Peregrine

77           Pheasant

78           Pied Wagtail
79           Pink-footed Goose
80           Pochard

81           Raven

82           Redshank
83           Reed Bunting

84           Reed Warbler

85           Ringed Plover

86           Robin

87           Rook
88           Ruff

89           Sand Martin
90           Sedge Warbler

91           Shelduck

92           Shoveler
93           Skylark

94           Snipe

95           Song Thrush

96           Sparrowhawk
97           Starling

98           Stock Dove

99           Swallow

100         Swift

101         Tawny Owl

102         Teal
103         Treecreeper

104         Tufted Duck

105         Turnstone
106         Water Rail

107         Wheatear

108         Whimbrel

109         Whinchat

110         Whitethroat

111         Wigeon

112         Willow Tit

113         Willow Warbler

114         Wood Pigeon

115         Wren

116         Yellow Wagtail

117         Yellowhammer

3rd May

RSPB Middleton (Staffs) - 3 Wheatear, Whinchat [North Pit] 2 Dunlin, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 2 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Cuckoo (D Corfield).
Ladywalk NR (WMBC Members only) - Greenshank, Dunlin, Redshank, Cuckoo (P Lichfield).
Shustoke Res - 3 Common Sandpiper, 6 Common Tern (S Cawthary).

2nd May

RSPB Middleton (Staffs) - drake Garganey [West Scrape], 3 Snipe, Whimbrel until 07:10 (M Smiles), 2 Dunlin, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 9 Avocet, 2 Common Sandpiper (S Atkinson, M Smiles), 2 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Cuckoo, c.35 Swift (S Atkinson).
Ladywalk NR (WMBC Members only) - Whinchat [EON Meadow], Hobby (S Cawthray). Greenshank, Redshank, Cuckoo (P Lichfield).

This Saturday, May 4th, is the West Midlands Spring all day Birdrace. Approx 20 reserves/sites will be competing for the coveted prize - 6 months of bragging rites. RSPB Middleton and Ladywalk NR will be fielding strong teams as usual, but the more the merrier so come and join us. I intend to start in the RSPB carpark at 7am. Hope to see some of the regulars plus a few new faces on the reserve. 

Whimbrel at RSPB Middleton - Mark Smiles

Garganey at RSPB Middleton - Mark Smiles


Greenshank at Ladywalk NR - Pete Lichfield

1st May

RSPB Middleton (Staffs) - drake Garganey [North Pit], Jack Snipe, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 7 Avocet, Redshank [East Scrape], 3 Cuckoos (M Wiltshire).
Alvecote - Greenshank (B Duckhouse).
Amington Fields - Hobby (T Perrins).