Link to West Midland Bird Ringing Group: https://www.westmidlandsringinggroup.co.uk/
Updates
31st January – Photographs added
19th January – Photographs added
24th January – Photograph added
16th January – Photographs added
11th to 15th January – Records added
6th, 8th, 13th and 16th January – Photographs added
20th to 31st December 2022 – Records added
Ringing Returns
Wigeon
The West Midlands Ringing Group have received details of a Wigeon that was found dead at Mindrum in Northumberland on the 26th January 2023. It was ringed at Marsh Lane on the 11th February 2022, it had been shot and was found freshly dead. The distance away was 354 km.
Sedge Warbler
A Sedge Warbler ringed on the 25th August 2017 at Marsh Lane Nature Reserve – Caught on 15th September 2022, Donges, Loir-Atlantique, France – 570km distance.
31st January 2023
Sunny, breezy from the north-west.
A Skylark was in song over the Tip Field and then wandering north towards the old Aeromodellers field and there were 80 Fieldfares and four Redwings east of the A452.
A pair of Mistle Thrushes by Corrie Farm was a welcome sight as this species has become increasingly hard to see.
Other birds making the log were four Shelduck, four Little Egrets, the pair of Stonechats along the Concrete Road, one Raven over, the female Brambling at the Car Park Feeders and 37 Fieldfare and 15 Redwing along the Flood Plain.
Female Blackbird along the Causeway – Photograph by Paul Casey
Muntjac on track near Oak Hide – Photograph by Paul Casey
Stock Dove in Crop Field Oaks – Photograph by Derry Porter
Little Egret (with fish) in front of Oak Hide – Photograph by Derry Porter
30th January 2023
Sunny spells, fresh north-westerly wind.
Not a great deal of change in species composition today, with three Shelduck, ten Pochard, three Little Egrets, 35 Tufteds, the pair of Stonechats in the Horse Paddock, a Raven over, both Bramblings at the feeder, two Grey Wagtails on Car Park Pool, two Goldcrests along the Concrete Road, a Sparrowhawk and a Great White Egret on Railway Pool in the late afternoon.
Pied Wagtail from Oak Hide – Photograph by Graham Dyer
Shoveler from Car Park Hide – Photograph by Graham Dyer
29th January 2023
Overcast, cool westerly wind, brightening to sunny intervals from 9.15.
Birds early on included a single Shelduck and an accommodating Little Egret in front of Oak Hide, at least 200 Lapwings whilst, overhead, a trickle of Rooks between 8 and 9.30 am saw at least 32 move west, most with full crops. A flock of 17 Herring Gulls also went over to the north. A pair of Bullfinches were present around the Back Gate area and there was plenty of song this morning with Song Thrushes in good voice just north of the Car Park gates and by the cottages, and Great Tits were also singing well.
Other birds seen throughout the day included two further Little Egrets, three Egyptian Geese, briefly on Railway Pool late morning, the female Goosander, seven Pochard, 20 Shoveler, three Snipe, 14 Common Gulls, the pair of Stonechats by the Dragonfly Pond, a Lesser Redpoll over the car park and a Nuthatch in the Back Gate Copse and a female Brambling by the Car Park Feeders.
28th January 2023
Mostly grey and overcast.
Today’s counts were as follows: three Mute Swans, 79 Canadas, three Geylags, a Shelduck, 18 Shoveler, 40 Gadwall, 400 Wigeon, 12 Mallard, 91 Teal (this species has dropped off considerably since the turn of the year), three Pochard, 31 Tufted, a drake Goosander, 25 Cormorants, two Herons, one Little Egret, six Moorhen, 39 Coot, 272 Lapwing (later over 300), three Snipe, 100 Black-headed Gulls, three Common Gulls, a Herring Gull, ten Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a pair of Stonechats and a Raven.
In the later afternoon, a minimum of 180 Redwings and 20 Fieldfare were counted at the north end of the Old Road and on the Flood Plain. There were two Grey Wagtails on the muck heap area along the Old Road, a Sparrowhawk was seen briefly and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers visited the Car Park Feeder.
27th January 2023
Overcast, light northerly wind, still about 20% ice.
A Woodcock was flushed from the side of the Concrete Road this morning whilst, on the pools, there were four Shelduck, three Goosanders and a Little Egret.
Lapwing numbers have increased substantially over the last two to three days, with 276 counted this morning. A Cetti’s Warbler was seen and heard in the Reedbed, there were two Nuthatches in the Back Gate Copse, a Coal Tit in Siden Hill Wood, 50 Redwings in the Tip Field which may have included 37 seen along the Old Road where there was also a pale Buzzard, 40 Siskins in the Back Gate Copse and a female Brambling in the Crop Field Oaks.
26th January 2023
No records.
Snipe from Oak Hide – Photograph by Bob Breach
Shoveler from Oak Hide – Photograph by Bob Breach
25th January 2023
Overcast, misty start, slowly lifting with sunny intervals thereafter. Slow thaw.
There were 380 Wigeon counted this morning, including three colour-ringed females from previous years ringing sessions; also eight Goosanders, four Egyptian Geese (the latter on the Flood Plain), 11 Snipe, the pair of Stonechats (in the horse paddock off the Concrete Road), 30 Siskins in the Back Gate, 11 Snipe spread between the pools and a Raven over.
At the Car Park Feeders, there were three Collared Doves, both male and female Brambling and the male Yellowhammer.
24th January 2023
Sunny spells, light southerly wind. Both pools nearly completely frozen over.
The more noteworthy birds today were firstly a Woodcock, which was flushed from the Crop Field edge mid-morning and flew over towards the Reedbed, an Egyptian Goose which was initially on Car Park Pool and then flew to the Flood Plain and the female Brambling which was back under the Car Park Feeders.
Despite the cold weather there were was still a Cetti’s Warbler in song in the North Causeway Bay. Other birds of note were 30 Lapwing, two Siskin in the Back Gate Copse, the pair of Stonechats along the Concrete Road, at least one House Sparrow at Patrick Bridge, a Grey Wagtail on the Flood Plain and at least two Ravens over. A female Sparrowhawk appeared in the late afternoon to hunt around the feeders, when the male Brambling put in a brief appearance. There were also four Fieldfare noted.
Willow Tree adjacent to Car Park Pond – Photograph by Nick Barlow
23rd January 2023
Frosty and sunny, very little open water.
The cold spell continues and temperatures were well below freezing this morning, both pools having only a remnant of open water. The bright sun made viewing of the 40 to 50 strong finch and bunting flock in the Crop Field difficult; the majority were Chaffinches but with a few Linnets and Reed Buntings as well. At least ten Greenfinches were coming into the Car Park Feeders . Both Bullfinch and Nuthatch were calling in the Back Gate Copse and there were six Redwings on the Causeway, and a Fieldfare by the Car Park.
29 Mallard flew in from the direction of Bradnocks Marsh, but appeared to land on the River and not on the pools.
22nd January 2023
Remaining cold and still, mostly sunny, but with some light cloud and some mist.
Whilst there was no sign of the Bramblings today, there were still at least 30 Chaffinches commuting between the Car Park Feeder and the crop field, together with 12 Greenfinches and two Collared Doves.
Treecreeper and Nuthatch were seen in the Back Gate Copse, along with a pair of Bullfinches.
21st January 2023
Remaining cold, but sunny, minus 2 degrees at 10 am., with some fog.
The continuing cold weather meant that this morning, most of both pools were completely iced over but, despite that, there were still some reasonable counts with two Mute Swans, 100 Canadas, 60 Greylags, 275 Wigeon including two colour-ringed birds, 19 Shoveler, 39 Gadwall, 136 Teal, four Mallard, 26 Tufted, three Goosanders, a single Little Grebe, one Heron, 67 Coot, four Moorhen, a single Snipe, 25 Lapwings, 70 Black-headed Gulls, 12 Common Gulls, three Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a Herring Gull and a Raven.
20th January 2023
Sunny spells, fresh north-westerly wind. Car Park Pool about 60% iced over, Railway Pool about 75% iced over.
Various counts today yielded at least 250 Wigeon, 25 Shoveler, 162 Teal, 50 Gadwall, two female Goosanders, 15 Tufted, seven Snipe, 20 Lapwing, four Common Gulls, 15 Coot, the adult Greater Black-backed Gull, two Ravens and 12 Redwings.
19th January 2023
Mostly sunny.
A Peregrine flew over Railway Pool this morning and there was a Sparrowhawk hunting the Crop Field. A single Little Egret, the adult Greater Black-backed Gull, four Lesser Black-backed Gulls, two Herring Gulls, two Common Gulls and a male Goosander were the other birds noted on the pool edges or on the islands.
The female Brambling and 12 Greenfinches visited the Car Park Feeders, there were three Bullfinches around the Back Gate Copse, a Raven went over, a Green Woodpecker was heard and seen towards Railway Pool and two Foxes were visible from Car Park Hide, with a Muntjac from Oak Hide.
Muntjac rear of Oak Hide – Photograph by Graham Dyer
Snipe bathing – from Oak Hide – Photograph by Graham Dyer
Wigeon take flight – from Railway Hide – Photograph by Graham Dyer
18th January 2023
Sunny spells, light north-westerly wind, still cold. Car Park Pool was 50% iced over and Railway Pool 75% iced over this morning.
The only wildfowl of note making the log were four Goosanders and three Pochard. Amongst the Gulls there were two Lesser Black-backs and four Common Gulls, and the female Brambling and a male Yellowhammer were under the Car Park Feeders along with 12 Reed Buntings and at least ten Greenfinches.
16 Siskin were counted in two flocks, one of nine on the Central Stream and seven by the Back Gate Copse. 150 Linnets were present in the Crop Field, the adult Greater Black-backed Gull was on site again, two Ravens flew over and there were six Redwings in the Causeway.
17th January 2023
Sunny, light northerly wind. Minus 3.5 degrees at 9 am. Car Park Pool 75% frozen over, Railway Pool 95% frozen over.
As is often the case, the wildfowl keep parts of the pools open when temperatures drop below freezing and, on Car Park Pool this morning there were six Goosanders, 34 Tufted, four Little Grebe and a Shelduck. A better number of Linnets were back in the Crop Field, 2ith 130 visible today. A Raven flew over and a Water Rail shot across the channels in the North Causeway Bay.
16th January 2023
Overcast, fresh north-westerly wind.
A flock of 15 Siskins were present in the Alders around the back gate copse this morning. This species is still rather scarce this winter. There were 37 Fieldfare and 25 Redwing on the Flood Plain, a male Stonechat by the phone mast and, on the pools, 31 Cormorants, a Shelduck and the adult Greater Black-backed Gull.
Robin from Oak Hide – photograph by Stef Fraczek
Greater Spotted Woodpecker – Photograph by Stef Fraczek
16th January 2023
Records to follow.
Shelduck – photograph by Mark Waring
15th January 2023
Mostly sunny, cool.
The female Brambling was its elusive self, coming to the Car Park Feeders but preferring the Blackthorn to the rear. A female Marsh Harrier was seen over the A452 and is presumably the bird that has been seen on previous occasions wandering the locality.
The adult Greater Black-backed Gull was also present.
14th January 2023
Overcast, periodic showers, fresh north-westerly wind.
A Stoat crossed the Old Road by the small copse north of the entrance this morning, and one of the cameras was triggered by a Stoat climbing the Crop Field Oak to inspect the Owl box.
Counts today, courtesy of Graham Rowling, were: two Mute Swans, 13 Greylags, 100 Canadas, two Shelduck, 65 Gadwall, 18 Shoveler, 266 Wigeon, 330 Teal, 27 Mallard, 12 Pochard, 26 Tufted, a pair of Goosanders, one Heron, 34 Coot, a Moorhen, 14 Lapwing, 12 Snipe, a single Little Egret, 27 Cormorants, 215 Black-headed Gulls, 30 Common Gulls (mostly over), 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, an adult Yellow-legged Gull (on Car Park Pool from 10 to 10.15 am when it flew off south-west), 14 Herring Gulls, the adult Greater Black-backed Gull, a Collared Dove, 100 Redwing and 20 Fieldfare on the Flood Plain. Along the Concrete Road, there was just a female Stonechat (with no sign of the male) and a Grey Wagtail.
The male Brambling visited the Car Park Feeders with presumably the same bird, along with the regular female in the Crop Field Oaks. There was also a female Yellowhammer there and ten Linnets.
13th January 2023
Sunny, strong wind, lots of flooding on the Blythe Valley.
The juvenile Peregrine was back on site this morning terrorising waders and ducks alike, but it was not seen to catch anything. A Shelduck and a female Goosander were present on the pools, both male and female Brambling visited the Car Park feeders and both the male and female Stonechat were along the Concrete Road, with a group of six Meadow Pipits. A Water Rail showed briefly in the Causeway Channels.
Other counts included at least 300 Wigeon, 200 Teal, 55 Gadwall, 16 Shoveler, 12 Pochard, 15 Tufted, 46 Lapwing, five Common Gulls, the adult Greater Black-backed Gull and 30 Fieldfare.
Chaffinch – Car Park – Photograph by Bob Breach
Greenfinch – Car Park – Photograph by Bob Breach
12th January 2023
No records.
11th January 2023
Bright start, then showers, brisk south-westerly wind.
The feeders were lively again this morning with at least 25 Greenfinches, 18 Chaffinches, eight Reed Buntings, the female Yellowhammer and the male Brambling. Car Park Pool yielded a Shelduck, a male Goosander, 14 Pochard, over 200 Wigeon, 16 Cormorants, 60 Black-headed Gulls and 20 Shoveler.
The Linnet flock in the Crop Field has dropped in numbers recently, but there were still 40 today. Just 15 Lapwing were present on Railway Pool, along with another 30 Teal and 20 Tufteds.
Only one Cetti’s Warbler has been heard recently around the Reedbed, although there may be more than that present.
Lastly, the male Stonechat was still present along the Concrete Road by the Dragonfly Pond.
10th January 2023
Overcast, rain on and off most of the day. Fresh north-westerly wind.
Yesterday’s male Brambling was joined at the feeders by a somewhat more elusive female. The male was much bolder and frequently came to feed under the feeders themselves, but the female by and large hid away at the back. A minimum of 18 Greenfinches, seven Reed Buntings and 25 Chaffinches were also present, but birds were coming and going from the Crop Field Oaks. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was also a regular attendee at the feeders, along with at least one Collared Dove.
Birds on the pools included 54 Greylags, two Egyptian Geese, three Shelducks, 12 Pochard and 35 Tufted.
9th January 2023
Sunny spells, fresh westerly wind, but with sharp showers.
There were 21 Goosanders at first light this morning, 11 males and ten females and a pair of Egyptian Geese were on Car Park Pool briefly and then moved to a very wet Flood Plain.
The male Brambling from before the New Year reappeared for the first time in January, at the Car Park feeders. 35 Tufted Ducks were counted across both pools and there was a single Little Egret.
8th January 2023
Mostly overcast with showers, fresh westerly wind.
There were four Goosanders present this morning, two males on Car Park Pool and a pair on the River. Birds on the pools that were noted in the log, comprised 12 Pochard and 79 Gadwall, whilst a large flock of Common Gulls flew into Railway Pool at mid-day, with at least 50 birds counted and 41 settled on the islands.
A pair of Stonechat were along the Concrete Road by the Dragonfly pond and there were ten Siskins by the Back Gate.
Goosander – Photograph by Mark Waring
7th January 2023
Overcast, heavy showers during the morning and, after 4 pm., sunny from 1 to 4pm. Fresh southerly wind.
Today’s counts c/o Graham and Dave, were as follows: two Mute Swans, 142 Canadas, ten Greylags, a Shelduck, 17 Shoveler, 65 Gadwall, 345 Wigeon, 13 Mallard, 350 Teal, 14 Pochard, 25 Tufted, 19 Cormorants, three Little Grebes, three Herons, three Moorhens, 24 Coot, eight Lapwing, a Snipe, the juvenile female Peregrine, the pair of Stonechats by the Dragonfly Pond, a Grey Wagtail along the River north of the Reserve, two Ravens over, 200 Black-headed Gulls (but a turnover all day), three Common Gulls, four Herring Gulls and eight Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
In the afternoon, eight attended the Work Party and with the help of Chris Laight and his digger with a rake bucket on the front, further work was undertaken at the south end of the Reedbed with strimming and scraping off the reed litter. Many thanks to all those who attended.
Work Party – Photograph by Nick Barlow
6th January 2023
Sunny spells, fresh south-westerly wind
The Linnet flock of about 150 birds were back in the Crop Field with a few Chaffinches whilst, on the pools, there was a Shelduck, 12 Pochard, ten Snipe, seven Lapwing, 320 Teal, 60 Wigeon, 65 Gadwall, 12 Shoveler and ten Common Gulls.
A Grey Wagtail was present around the Pumping Station on the west of the River and the pair of Stonechats were again along the Concrete Road, just by the Dragonfly Pond.
Meadow Pipit – Concrete Road – Photograph by Stef Fraczek
5th January 2023
The immature female Peregrine was present again and the Yellowhammer visited the Car Park feeders. At least 150 Linnets were in the Crop Field. A Treecreeper was heard and seen in the Back Gate Copse, the pair of Stonechats were along the Concrete Road by the Dragonfly Pond and the adult Greater Black-backed Gull roosted on Car Park Pool.
4th January 2023
Sunny spells, sharp showers, blustery south-westerly wind.
Ten Pochard, 31 Tufted and a Great Crested Grebe were present on Car Park Pool along with 12 Common Gulls. A Raven flew over, the immature juvenile Peregrine put in an appearance, the Yellowhammer visited the Car Park Feeder and the pair of Stonechats were present along the Concrete Road. However, there has been no sign of the Brambling since the turn of the year.
3rd January 2023
Overcast, showers, strong south-westerly wind.
A Water Rail showed well from the North Causeway channels and there was a Cetti’s Warbler in song there. A Lesser Redpoll flew west over Railway Pool, the adult Greater Black-backed Gull roosted on Car Park Pool and a Muntjac was seen between Oak Hide and the South-west Pond.
2nd January 2023
Sunny spells, light westerly wind.
There were three Stonechats today, a male on the Flood Plain fence and a pair by the Dragonfly Pond, whilst the 200 strong Linnet flock were again in the Crop Field with about 30-40 Chaffinches.
1st January 2023
Happy New Year to all members and visitors to the web-site.
Sunny, strong south-westerly wind.
Both Peregrines showed well today with the male dive-bombing the female over Car Park Pool. Three Goosanders were present in the morning on Car Park Pool, along with a Shelduck, the adult Greater Black-backed Gull, at least five Herring Gulls, six Lesser Black-backs and eight Commons.
200 Linnets were present in the Crop Field, along with at least 40 Chaffinches. 11 Rooks flew over by 9.30 am, along with seven Skylarks.
The pair of Stonechats were their usual obliging selves along the Concrete Road, favouring the fence running away to the south. Meantime there was a ringed male south of the mobile phone mast.